USA Boxing Central Pacific Championships Results

Andy Vences and his proud father

Here are the full results from last Saturday's tournament in Fresno between the regional amateur champions of Northern California and Central California. The winners now make up the Central Pacific Regional Team and advance to the USA Boxing National Championships in Colorado Springs, CO on June 20-25. The tournament is of tantamount importance in that the top four in each division gain entry to the Olympic Trials in August in Mobile, AL.

The results come courtesy of coaches Candy Lopez and Armando Mancinas. Northern California fighters are denoted in red, and their Central California counterparts in blue. Italicized bouts indicated a rematch from the Golden Gloves Regional Finals. Winners are in bold:


MEN'S OPEN DIVISION

Light Flyweight (108 lbs.):

Eros Correa, San Jose (PAL) – Unopposed

Flyweight (114 lbs.):

Rudolfo Becerril, Sacramento (Round 12) – Unopposed

Featherweight (123 lbs.):

Edwin Sandoval, Bakersfield (PAL) decisioned Mario Cardenas, Fairfield (PAL)

Lightweight (132 lbs.):

Eric Altamirano, Concord (CYC) decisioned Phillip Fuentes, Fresno (Aleman)

Light Welterweight (141 lbs.):

Andy Vences, San Jose (PAL) decisioned Vicente Guzman, Tulare (TAC)

Welterweight (152 lbs.):

Hugo Sanchez, Salinas (BC) decisioned Alex Acosta, Concord (Old School)

Middleweight (165 lbs.):

Coley and trainer Ben Bautista

Aaron Coley, S.F. (SFC Boxing) referee stopped contest-2 over Joey Perez, Clovis (Valley Vipers)

Light Heavyweight (178 lbs.):

Ruben Mendoza, Tulare (TAC) won by walkover against Darrell Taylor, Sacramento (Mateen)

Heavyweight (201 lbs.):

Antwon Abron, Stockton (Port City) decisioned Clinton Nelson, San Mateo (B Street)

Super Heavyweight (201+ lbs.):

Laron Mitchell, S.F. (Ring of Fire) decisioned Patrick Schwenke, Bakersfield (Psycho Boxing)

WOMEN'S OPEN DIVISION*

Light Flyweight (106 lbs.):

Elizabeth Rodriguez, Gilroy (Unattached) – Unopposed

Flyweight (112 lbs.):

Jamie Mitchell, Salinas (BC) – Unopposed

Bantamweight (119 lbs.):

Shanne Ruelas, Fresno (Main Event) – Unopposed

Featherweight (125 lbs.):

Casey Morton, San Mateo (B Street) decisioned Clarissa Serna, Fresno (Velardez)

Lightweight (132 lbs.):

Brenda Gutierrez, Sacramento (Caballero) won by walkover against Katonya Fisher, Bakersfield (PAL)

Welterweight (152 lbs.):

Theresa Moon, Pacifica (BabyFace) – Unopposed

Middleweight (165 lbs.):

Amy Castillo, Patterson (Kickboxing Academy) decisioned Kerlyn Orellana, Alameda (Multi-Choices)

*Only the 112, 132, and 165-pound weight classes will be eligible for the women to compete in during the 2012 Olympics.

Maryland's Gary Russell Jr. Returns June 18; Cherry Bomb is Back

Gary Russell, Jr.

Unbeaten featherweight prospect Gary Russell, Jr. has recovered from a hairline fracture to his right middle knuckle sustained in the first round of his latest victory last month over Adolfo Landeros, a fight I covered ringside in San Francisco.

Originally slated to face Dat "Be Dat" Nguyen in May, his father and trainer Gary Sr. informed me that advisor Al Haymon has instead penciled his son in for a June 18 date in Hidalgo, Tex.

"The hand is fine," Russell Jr. said.  "As a pro, these are things you just go through, and I'm ready for the next step against whoever it is."

The 2008 Olympian from Capitol Heights, Maryland, now stands at 15-0 with 9 KOs and is pushing for a regional title by the end of the year. The oldest of six boys (all of whom box southpaw), Gary Jr.'s blinding handspeed has turned heads and made him a fan favorite so far in his early career.

I caught up with the rising 126-pounder at the family's new home base, Rev. Briscoe's Boxing Gym in nearby Forestville, where he's been sparring former junior welterweight world title challenger Edner Cherry. On a side note, the now 135-pound "Cherry Bomb" has decided to campaign a division below at 130 and is looking for an opponent after Mark Davis pulled out of a scheduled July bout in Florida.

Personally I think Cherry, who earned his nickname by becoming one of the all-action fighters in the sport, has the potential to be an Orlando Salido-type world champion, having endured some tough losses in circumstances that were not ideal.  His last two losses were against world-class Timothy Bradley and Paulie Malignaggi at a 140-pound limit that was just too heavy for him.

"I feel stronger at 130 [pounds]," Cherry said.  "You're right in that those were tough fights, but I'm back.  I just need some good fights to get back to where I was, and I've been down in Florida with Andre Berto's people to make that happen."

Cherry has not lost in three years now and has strung together four wins in a row.  It will be interesting to see if his handlers can steer him to championship gold at junior lightweight.  I would advise fight fans to not give up on the Bahamian native just yet.

Edner Cherry is on the comeback trail.

Now back to the Russells.  It's going to be a busy month for the family, as Gary Jr.'s little brothers Gary Allen (141 lbs.) and Antonio (123 lbs.) have advanced to the 2011 USA Boxing National Championships in Colorado Springs. The tournament's importance is immense; the top four fighters in each weight class will advance to the Olympic Trials in October.

Look out for my colleague Alec Kohut's write-up on Russell on MaxBoxing.com next week.

Reminder: USA Boxing Central Pacific Championships in Fresno on Saturday!

For more information including the bout sheet and directions to the event, click here: http://the-playback.blogspot.com/2011/04/usa-boxing-central-pacific-championship.html

Gesta Goes with Top Rank!

By Ryan Maquiñana

Ryan Maquiñana with “No Mercy” after getting his haircut at Fine Line Barbershop in Daly City, CA back in February.

WBO No. 2 lightweight Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (21-0-1, 11 KOs) has agreed in principle to sign a multifight deal with Top Rank, according to promoter Bob Arum.

“Yes, we’ve signed [Gesta],” said Arum by telephone this afternoon. “His first fight with us will be on July 9.”

The news is a blow to rival Golden Boy, who had been the favorite to sign the free agent after his contract with Golden Boy consultant Don Chargin had recently run its course. The Los Angeles-based promoter has now whiffed on their second Filipino star in as many tries, as their attempt to sign Nonito Donaire has ended up in court.

Gesta, originally from Mandaue City, Philippines, has knocked out his last four opponents and six of seven. With Juan Manuel Marquez abdicating his WBO lightweight belt to fight Manny Pacquiao in November and heir apparent and interim holder Robert Guerrero looking to challenge Amir Khan for his WBA light welterweight title in July, the road might be paved for Gesta and Top Rank to make a play for a championship run.

As stated above, Arum informed me that his first fight under the Top Rank banner will be July 9 at the Home Depot Center in Carson on the undercard of Brandon Rios’s first lightweight title defense against Urbano Antillon.

Here’s a full-length feature I wrote on Mercito for MaxBoxing last February before he stopped Genaro Trazancos by third-round TKO in San Francisco:

http://www.maxboxing.com/news/promo-lead/mercito-gesta-brings-no-mercy-to-san-francisco

Last but not least, here’s a quick video interview I did with him for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area before the bout: http://www.csnbayarea.com/02/18/11/Perez-Gesta-bring-boxing-back-to-SF-on-F/landing_thecooler_v3.html?blockID=413429&feedID=2497

Remember where you read it first!

Ward’s Super Six road, what lies ahead

By Ryan Maquiñana
CSNBayArea.com

The mood in Andre Ward’s locker room late Saturday night was celebratory with a hint of relief, as the Oakland native marched one step closer toward winning the inaugural Showtime Super Six World Boxing Classic with another dominant unanimous decision victory, this time in the semifinals over Arthur Abraham.

Despite the bout taking place only a one-hour flight away in Carson, Ward hardly enjoyed a hometown advantage in what would also be his third successful defense of his WBA super middleweight title.

The Armenian population in Southern California came out in full force to support Abraham (32-3, 26 KOs), with some estimates identifying the Home Depot Center crowd as 70 percent in favor of the challenger.

“When we announced the fight … I said he’ll probably have more fans,” said Ward, now 24-0 (13 KOs). “But my fans would be there too and it should be a lot of fun, and it was.”

Of course, the question now becomes where Ward goes from here.

READ MORE: http://www.csnbayarea.com/05/19/11/img-srchttpcsnbayareacomcommonglobal_ima/landing_thecooler_v3.html?blockID=525799&feedID=8306

AUDIO: Karim Mayfield Speaks to Ryan Maquiñana on Pacquiao Steroid Rumor

San Francisco welterweight Karim Mayfield (13-0, 8 KOs), who was a sparring partner in Manny Pacquiao's last camp in preparation for Shane Mosley, offers his two cents on the recent unsubstantiated internet allegations regarding Manny Pacquiao's so-called steroid use.

LISTEN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYq39XveVys

Ward-Abraham Undercard Results

By Ryan Maquiñana
MaxBoxing.com

Chris Arreola TKO3 Nagy Aguilera

READ MORE: http://www.maxboxing.com/news/promo-lead/ward-abraham-undercard-results

VIDEO: Exclusive Postfight Locker Room Interview w/ Andre Ward & Nonito Donaire!

Only ONE reporter got Andre Ward and Nonito Donaire in the locker room after Ward beat Arthur Abraham. Check out the video for more!

WATCH: http://www.csnbayarea.com/pages/video?PID=0j_qMo5ox_VvPgxLNLQn36fIOpvKBgc4

VIDEO: CSAC Ath. Director Che Guevara speaks on Ward-Abraham

I caught up with CSAC Acting Athletic Director Che Guevara, who went into detail on how the neutrality agreement was reached between Andre Ward's promoter, Goossen Tutor, and Arthur Abraham's promoter, Sauerland Event.

WATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OHV_bFJO1Q

VIDEO: Ward-Abraham Predictions

What do some of the top fighters, writers, movers and shakers think about the upcoming Ward-Abraham Super Six semifinal? Watch the video to find out!

WATCH:http://www.csnbayarea.com/pages/video?PID=1_e8QMh8OVun_lCIntfK4RI6ibZqjwyV

VIDEO: 1-on-1 with Dan Goossen

Andre Ward's promoter, Dan Goossen, spoke to me about the neutrality agreement between Goossen Tutor and Sauerland Event that helped keep the fight with Arthur Abraham afloat.

WATCH: http://www.csnbayarea.com/pages/video?PID=G0q7RoKjlpgkcPNDKv3jrRVoYJOTlovr

VIDEO: 1-on-1 with Arthur Abraham

With a little translation help from famous Armenian singer Armenchik, Arthur Abraham was nice enough to talk to me about his upcoming Super Six semifinal with Andre Ward.

WATCH: http://www.csnbayarea.com/pages/video?PID=sOgwtBBbvBbJpdoV6uYjOsgTIjQ563iO