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Monday, May 7, 2012

VIDEO: Mayweather Says Pacquiao Fight Won't Happen

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net


Here's a brief video I put together on my trip to Las Vegas, which includes a ringside point of view for Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto's ringwalks as well as Floyd's postfight press conference where he explains why the Manny Pacquiao fight will never happen.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

FULL REPORT: Mayweather vs. Cotto (Recaps of EVERY Fight on the Card!)

By Ryan Maquiñana at ringside
CSNBayArea.com

LAS VEGAS -- Despite a game effort from underdog Miguel Cotto that made the fight more competitive than expected, Floyd Mayweather (43-0, 26 KOs) took a unanimous decision at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas that netted him the WBA 154-pound title Saturday night.

“You’re a hell of a champion.  You’re the toughest guy I ever fought,” Mayweather told Cotto after the bout.  “When the fight’s on pay-per-view, you want to give the fans what they pay for, and that’s excitement.”

Cotto (37-3, 30 KOs) had several successful moments over the course of the 12 rounds, utilizing calculated pressure that involved a venomous body attack complemented by left hooks upstairs.  The Puerto Rican star even caused an unfamiliar sight—blood streaming down Mayweather’s nose following the eighth round.

Ultimately, however, Mayweather’s ability to fight off the ropes and land looping shots around the high guard of Cotto in the later rounds would earn him the victory.


Saturday, May 5, 2012

Daly City's Julaton Back in the Win Column with Decision over Segura

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

Julaton was back to her winning ways on Friday. (Team Julaton)

Despite giving up a four-pound advantage at the scale, Daly City's Ana Julaton (11-3-1, 1 KO) had no issues in a unanimous decision victory over Yolanda Segura (8-4, 7 KOs) Friday night in the latter's native Yucatan Peninsula, Mex.

The day before at the weigh-in, Julaton came in at the contracted weight of 126, but Segura was four pounds heavy.  Despite being a full weight class smaller, "The Hurricane" accepted the challenge on the condition that Segura forfeit 25 percent of her purse to the former WBO junior featherweight champ.

Now Julaton hopes her win will spark some debate among Mexican fight fans, especially since her intended next target, WBA 122-pound champ Jackie Nava, defends her belt Saturday against Diana Ayala.

For the full report, check out Ryan Songalia's writeup for GMA News.

Norcalboxing.net's Ryan Maquiñana is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his weekly column for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, his archive for BoxingScene.com, or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Cotto-Mayweather: What You Need to Know

By Ryan Maquiñana
CSNBayArea.com

Does Miguel Cotto have a chance Saturday against Floyd Mayweather, Jr.? Here's my take for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.  Please click the picture or link and hit "Like" or "Recommend" to show your support for boxing coverage in mainstream media outlets like CSN Bay Area!


I will be ringside in Las Vegas tomorrow, so don't be a stranger.  Enjoy the fights, everyone!

LINK: http://www.tinyurl.com/mayweathercotto

Where to Watch Mayweather-Cotto in the Bay Area, Sacto, Fresno, or Salinas

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net


UPDATED MAY 3, 2012: Added two Sacramento bars and Hooters San Bruno to San Francisco/Peninsula bars.

If you can't watch Mayweather vs. Cotto (Saturday, 6 p.m. PST) from the confines of your own home, and you're looking for a place that will show it in the Bay Area, the Sacramento area, or the Central Coast and Central Valley, Norcalboxing.net brings you the most comprehensive guide on the net!

The guide is split into sports bars and movie theaters.  The sports bars have their respective cover charges listed, while the movie theaters vary in price depending on where you go.  

Please bookmark the page, because it is being updated constantly when a new spot opens up.

For a comprehensive preview on the main event and entire televised undercard, check out my weekly boxing column at CSNBayArea.com, which will come out this Thursday.  

If you're wondering where I'll be on Saturday, I will be ringside covering it for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, so follow my Twitter (@RMaq28) for all the latest updates from Las Vegas.  Good luck and enjoy the fights!

To access the guide in its entirety, read below:

Andre Ward: "We'll Bring Chad Dawson Down to 168"

By Ryan Maquiñana
BoxingScene.com

 My interview with Andre in Atlantic City after he won the Super Six.

Unified super middleweight champion Andre Ward addressed the recent speculation on a potential fight with new light heavyweight boss Chad Dawson.

“That’s a fight that can be made and should be made,” Ward said before breaking down the bout.  “I think my style matches up well against any fighter.  I have to believe that.  If I don’t believe that, then I’m in the wrong business.  Chad is a very skillful fighter.  He’s a southpaw.  He’s a good fighter. We’re going to have to get it done if Chad Dawson is the next opponent.”

Ward, from Oakland, Calif., then talked about the proposed weight for such a clash.

Julaton: "First I'll Beat Segura, Then I Want Nava!" (EXCLUSIVE Photos)

By Ryan Maquiñana
BoxingScene.com 
Julaton is primed to bounce back Friday night in Mexico. (Team Julaton)

Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton (10-3-1, 1 KO) will enter the ring in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula Friday night under different conditions than usual.

The Filipina’s fight with Yolanda Segura (8-3, 7 KOs) will mark the first time in 11 bouts that a title belt will not be on the line or in her possession.  In addition, the longtime 122-pound champ will be competing north of junior featherweight for only the second time in her career.


BREAKING: Segura came in at 130 pounds, four over the contracted limit.  Julaton will still take the fight after Segura agreed to forfeit 25 percent of her purse to "The Hurricane."  Segura can also not weight more than 132 pounds by fight night.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Sacramento's Griffin Outpointed in Dallas by Agnew

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

Griffin, seen here landing an uppercut in 2009, dropped a decision Thursday night. (Team Griffin)

Cedric Agnew (23-0, 13 KOs) stayed unbeaten with a unanimous decision over Sacramento's Otis "Triple O.G." Griffin (23-10-2, 9 KOs) to secure the USNBC light heavyweight regional title Thursday night in Dallas.

"The kid followed me around like a mommy for 12 rounds not throwing a punch and they gave him the decision," Griffin said. "I feel like Glen Johnson."


S.F.'s Miller Travels to China for Women's World Championships

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net
Miller (front row, second from left) and Team USA are ready for the World Championships. (Delilah Rico)

San Francisco's Raquel Miller, the national amateur champion at 152 pounds, is on the next plane to China as Team USA will compete in the 2012 AIBA Women's World Championships from May 9-20.

After a lengthy stay at the USA Boxing Training Headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., Miller is eager to make history in Qinhuangdao as the first female fighter from The City to come home with a gold medal in international competition.

"I'm a little nervous about this 16-hour flight, but I'm excited to do this for my city," she said.  "Camp was really good because it gave me an opportunity to really work on my speed and upping my punch count.  I'm in a good place and I'm ready to take it."

Happy Birthday to Juaquin Gallardo and Alejandro Perez!

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net
  Gallardo (front row, far left) back in his amateur days. A young Diego Corrales is to his left. (Gabriela Mendoza)

Norcalboxing.net would like to wish a Happy Birthday to North Salinas' Alejandro "El Alacrán" Perez and Oakland's Juaquin "Killer" Gallardo!

The 35-year-old Gallardo (18-8-1, 5 KOs), one of the greatest amateurs the region has ever produced, was the 1995 National Golden Gloves champion at 106 pounds and was an Olympic Team alternate the following year. During a pro career where he has moved up in weight and won the WBC Latino regional 140-pound title, "Killer" currently resides in Vallejo with his family.


Perez (16-3-1, 11 KOs), is coming off a highlight reel knockout of Derrick Wilson in February (above). The 26-year-old is a regular at Hollywood's Wild Card Gym and is campaigning for a world title shot at featherweight.  A former USNBC regional junior featherweight champ, Perez scored one of the Knockout of the Year candidates in 2011 when he flattened Antonio Escalante in Fairfield.

Norcalboxing.net's Ryan Maquiñana is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his weekly column for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.

*This is a legal waiver. By copying and using the material from this article, you agree to give full credit to Norcalboxing.net or provide a link to the original article.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Tickets for Guerrero-Aydin July 28 at HP on Sale Friday

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

Gilroy's Robert Guerrero (29-1-1, 18 KOs) returns to the ring on July 28th at HP Pavilion in San Jose against Turkey's Selcuk Aydin (23-0, 17 KOs) for the vacant WBC interim welterweight title.

The winner becomes the mandatory challenger for Floyd Mayweather's full WBC 147-pound crown, if he chooses to defend it after his 90-day jail term begins in June.  If not, whoever emerges victorious at the Shark Tank will eventually be elevated to champion.

Henry Wofford and I spoke about the fight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area last month:



Ticket prices are $252, $127, $62, and $26.  They will go on sale this Friday, May 4, at 10:00 a.m. PT, and will be available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or at the HP Pavilion Box Office.

The main event will be televised on Showtime at 10:00 p.m. PT/ET, with the undercard to air on Showtime Extreme starting at 8:00 PT/ET.

Norcalboxing.net's Ryan Maquiñana is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his weekly column for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.

*This is a legal waiver. By copying and using the material from this article, you agree to give full credit to Norcalboxing.net or provide a link to the original article.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Bundrage-Spinks II Headed for Guerrero-Aydin Undercard at HP on July 28

By Ryan Maquiñana
Norcalboxing.net

Bundrage (right) stopped Spinks in 2010.

According to BoxingScene's Rick Reeno, the rematch between IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius Bundrade (31-4, 18 KOs) and former holder Cory Spinks (39-6, 11 KOs) will be scheduled for July 28 on the undercard of Robert Guerrero's interim welterweight title bout against Selcuk Aydin.

In their first fight two years ago, Bundrage stopped Spinks in five rounds to capture the crown.  Now they will renew their rivalry at San Jose's HP Pavilion in a bout that will likely be televised on Showtime.

Golden Boy Promotions won Tuesday's purse bid at the IBF's office in New Jersey with a winning bid of $211,000.  Don King entered a bid of $51,000.

Norcalboxing.net's Ryan Maquiñana is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his weekly column for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.