Otis Griffin Claims Robbery in Idaho, Files Protest

Otis Griffin is filing a protest with the Idaho State Athletic Commission after his split decision defeat to Shawn Hawk on Oct. 20. Here's a copy of the scorecard from that night. (click to enlarge)

Grading Trent Baalke's Drafts Among the Great (and Not So Great) Ones of Niner Past

It's year two of the Trent Baalke Era in San Francisco, and while the 49ers are 5-1, many have attributed the success (and rightfully so) to the on-field leadership of Jim Harbaugh.

Still, the general manager (pictured, right) deserves his share of credit for actually hiring Harbaugh (although let's be straight, it's a small share since everyone and their mother knew the coach was the object of the much-maligned Yorks' desire, with the fact that Baalke shared the same agent as Harbaugh being a major factor in his promotion to GM).

So far, Baalke has overseen two drafts in the 49ers' War Room, and the final judgment of his picks evolves on the field with each passing game.

How has he done? With a bit of Niner history in mind, I decided to compare his 2010 and 2011 bounties with those of his predecessors, whether good (2000), bad (2005), or ugly (every single day of the Terry Donahue regime).

Let's start with the idea that there's a difference between awful, bad, solid, good, very good, and great drafts. Of course, this was a late-night blog, so please excuse the lack of grammatical detail.

AN AWFUL draft yields 0 Pro Bowlers, maybe 1 starter, and 1-2 contributors. Plus, the starter might just be a placeholder until they find someone better. EXAMPLE: 1992 Draft had a starter in safety Dana Hall (who would soon be replaced by Tim McDonald), and 1 contributor in Mark Thomas (who would be booted to Carolina three yrs later as a 4th-string DT). See 2002-03 Drafts for further reference.

A BAD draft yields MAYBE 1 Pro Bowler (but usually not), 1 more starter, and 1-2 contributors. But the starter is just a placeholder until they find someone better. EXAMPLE: The 2005 Draft yielded a Pro Bowl RB in Gore, but also an unproductive and overpaid starter in QB Alex Smith, as well as 2 contributors (OLs David Baas, Adam Snyder). The 2008 version would fit this mold, too. Chilo Rachal starts, but he's more of a placeholder at guard, and Josh Morgan is a contributing backup at WR who's only starting because Braylon Edwards has not lived up to expectations. The rest stunk, including DT Kentwan Balmer. 2004 is panning out that way, with a Pro Bowler in punter Andy Lee, a serviceable starter in DT Isaac Sopoaga, and a contributor in CB Shawntae Spencer, who's now 3rd-string (not to mention a bust in WR Rashaun Woods).

A SOLID draft yields MAYBE 1 Pro Bowl player OR at least 2 more competent starters instead AND 2 contributors. EXAMPLE: The 1990 Draft had the Pro Bowler (CB Eric Davis), 1 more starter (DE Dennis Brown), and 2 contributors (KR/PR Dexter Carter, OT Frank Pollack). Another instance would be the 2001 Draft, which didn't have a Pro Bowler, but 3 good starters in DE Andre Carter, RB Kevan Barlow, and LB Jamie Winborn, along with contributors like TE Eric Johnson and WR Cedrick Wilson.

A GOOD draft yields 1 Pro Bowl player + at least 2 more competent starters, and at least 1-2 contributors (either backups or STers). EXAMPLE: Walsh's 2000 Draft had the Pro Bowler (LB Julian Peterson) and 4 competent starters (CB Ahmed Plummer, DE John Engelberger, CB Jason Webster, safety John Keith) along with 3 contributors (LB/ST Jeff Ulbrich, backup QB Tim Rattay, LS Brian Jennings). In this era the 2006 Draft fits that bill, with 1 Pro Bowler (TE Vernon Davis), 2 starters (LBs Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson), and 2 contributors (backups like TE Delanie Walker and RB Michael Robinson).

A VERY GOOD draft yields 2 or more Pro Bowl players (with one possibly but not necessarily being Hall of Fame caliber), 2-3 more competent starters, and 1-2 contributors. EXAMPLE: the 1994 Draft yielded 2 Pro Bowlers (DT Bryant Young, LB Lee Woodall), 3 starters (FB William Floyd, kicker Doug Brien, and CB Tyronne Drakeford), and 2 contributors (Anthony Peterson and Kevin Mitchell were both backup LBs/STers). Can you honestly say the 2010-11 Drafts come even close to this level? Hell no.

A GREAT draft yields everything above with around 2 or more Pro Bowl players being Hall of Fame caliber or game-changers during their primes if they fall short of that. EXAMPLE: The hallowed 1986 Draft where Bill Walsh pulled in 4 Pro Bowlers (LB/DE Charles Haley who is looking at Canton potentially, WR John Taylor, RB Tom Rathman, OT Steve Wallace) and 4 starters (DE Larry Roberts, DE Kevin Fagan, CB Tim McKyer, and CB Don Griffin). THAT is one of the all-time gold standards of drafts and what I would actually consider to be GREAT.

Now let's look at Baalke's first draft last year.

1-Davis - Unless he turns it around, looking like a BUST right now.
1-Iupati - Good pick and a no-brainer.
2-Mays - BUST, and I'll admit I was wrong. I thought he'd be a good pro.
3-Bowman - Coming into his own. Good pick.
6-Dixon - OK but he just lost his job to Hunter. So-so.
6-Byham - Out for the year.
7-Williams- 2 catches, but 7th rder. Wash.
OVERALL - TWO good picks and one SOLID one...not a bad draft, but outstanding either

Based on that rubric, the 2010 Draft yielded a guy who has the POTENTIAL to make a Pro Bowl in guard Mike Iupati but hasn't done it yet, 2 starters in OT Anthony Davis (who is showing signs of bust) and an emerging LB in Navorro Bowman, in addition to a decreasing contributor in backup RB Anthony Dixon. That's somewhat solid.

Now for draft number two out of the mind of Baalke this year.

1-Smith - Becoming a sack machine. Good pick.
2-Kaepernick - Hasn't played so we can't tell yet. I liked the pick and even commented on him in one of your own notes BEFORE the draft.
3-Culliver - So far, solid pick. Has come in and contributed.
4-Hunter - Great pick for the value, has unseated Dixon.
5-Kilgore - Not much yet
6-Johnson - No longer with team
6-Jones - In and out of roster
7-Miller - Jury's out, but looking good so far opening holes for the ground game
7-Person - See above
7-Holcomb - See above

The 2011 Draft has a good pick in LB Aldon Smith, a starter in FB Bruce Miller, solid contributors in converted CB Chris Culliver and backup RB Kendall Hunter, and we're still waiting on the rest to get a shot (backup QB Colin Kaepernick and WR Kyle Williams). By the way, none of the guys I named in that '11 class DON'T EVEN START yet. So give Baalke back-to-back solid grades for now.

To further illustrate my point as far as differentiating solid and good, or good and very good, compare the 49ers 2010 Draft with the Patriots' 2010 Draft, whom the 49ers had not ONE, but TWO picks ahead of:

1-McCourty (Pro Bowl With 27th pick)
2-Gronkowski (leads all AFC TEs in rec, TDs, yds now)
2-Cunningham (contributor as backup DE)
2-Spikes (starting MLB)
3-Price (3rd string WR, bust right now)
4-Hernandez (2nd among AFC TEs in rec, TDs, yds to...Gronkowski)
5-Mesko (starting P)
THE REST- not on depth chart

1 Pro Bowler, 1 starter who should be a Pro Bowler in Gronkowski this year (but hasn't done it yet), another 2 starters in Spikes and Mesko, and 2 more contributors in Hernandez and Cunningham. Not saying the Niners' draft should be THIS awesome, but THAT is good to very good.

Or how about the Steelers 2010 Draft, which is what would qualify in my book as a "good" draft?

1-Pouncey (Pro Bowl with 18th pick, who like McCourty was both behind Davis and Iupati)
2-Worilds (starting OLB)
3-Sanders (3rd string WR...a contributor at best)
4-Gibson (not on depth chart, bust for now)
5-Scott (starting LT)
6-Butler (not on depth chart)
6-Sylvester (James Farrior's backup at ILB, contributor)
6-Dwyer (not on depth chart)
7-Brown (Hines Ward's backup, contributor slightly)

That's 1 Pro Bowler, 2 starters, and 2 (maybe 3) contributors. THAT'S a good draft with potential to be very good down the line, just not yet. No projections on what they might do. This is the snapshot of that draft RIGHT NOW. Do either of Baalke's two drafts stack up with this? Not quite.

If the Steelers and Patriots are too successful for your tastes, let's dig a little deeper. One franchise in a similar situation to the Niners is Seattle, a team the Niners somehow went neck and neck with last year before losing the West and a playoff spot to. Here's their 2010 draft, which offers a decent comparison since they had 2 first rounders like Baalke did.

1-Okung (starting LT)
1-Thomas (starting FS)
2-Tate (2nd string WR, contributor, picked after Mays)
4-Thurmond (starting CB)
4-Wilson (cut)
5-Chancellor (starting SS)
6-McCoy (2nd string TE, contributor)
6-Davis (off depth chart)
7-Konz (off depth chart)

That's 4 starters and 2 contributors, compared with the Niners' 3 starters and 1 contributor, so I think it's pretty comparable, if not superior to Baalke's with SIMILAR environments. Only Chancellor is a placeholder starter since he just won the job last year. Before you whine that Okung was 5th overall, Anthony Davis was drafted ahead of Earl Thomas.

To summarize, Baalke has been adequate, and to be honest, solid isn't chopped liver, but it's not the same as above average or outstanding. Harbaugh is proving he is a good coach on the verge of being very good in the near future with what looks like a run at a division title and the postseason, but Baalke?

Outside the draft, he's made a couple winning deals in free agency or the trade market (KR/PR Ted Ginn, CB Carlos Rogers), but a few clunkers as well so far (a calculated one in Edwards). As far as the draft is concerned, you see above.

While Baalke's showing he's better than the abject failure Terry Donahue, he's got a long way to go to show he can build a team from the ground like a Ted Thompson or Thomas Dimitroff, much less that he has the stuff of legends like Bill Walsh, Bill Polian, or even Ron Wolf.

Harbaugh's running away with NFC Coach of the Year now, and since no one's really talking about Baalke, it's probably a sign that he will continue to be evaluated and scrutinized for the raw or veteran talent he brings Mr. Handshake, because for the 49ers to make the jump from playoff contender to Super Bowl champion, they're going to need a bit more than a very good coach who is complemented by a very solid general manager. He's a work-in-progress that we will continue to monitor.

Now I ask you. Where would you grade Baalke's two draft classes?

Vences, Miller Win Bronze Medals at National PAL

By Ryan Maquiñana

Maqdown.com

San Jose’s Andy Vences could not recover from an early deficit to Toka Kahn Clary of Providence, R.I., falling 24-16 in Friday night’s lightweight semifinals of the National PAL in Toledo, Ohio, earning a bronze medal in the process.

“He got his timing down good,” Vences admitted. “He was a southpaw and he stayed on the inside.”

Vences could not control the tempo, and it ended up becoming his undoing after winning his first two bouts in the tournament.

“[Clary] was catching me during moments where I would throw and when my guard was open, he caught me between my gloves,” Vences shared. “He’s very technical.”

The score was 8-3 in favor of Clary after one round, and 18-9 heading into the third and final frame, when Vences finally mustered some offense. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late.

“In the third round, I gave him a hard time with more pressure, but I should’ve been doing that from the beginning,” Vences lamented. “Once he realized he was up, he was playing keep-away.”

2011 has allowed Vences to stuff his trophy case, with gold medals in the California Golden Gloves and the National Adidas Tournament in the light welterweight division.

Now adding a bronze medal from the National PAL, Vences will now hope to qualify for next year’s Olympics by winning the USA Boxing National Championships in the spring at his new division of 132 pounds.

“I feel strong at 132,” Vences said. “Finishing with the bronze, it’s been a big year. I’m looking forward to Nationals next year and hopefully still get that Olympic spot.”

Meanwhile, in the women’s middleweight division, San Francisco’s Raquel Miller lost in the semifinals, but when her conqueror, Andrecia Wasson of Centerline, Mich., won gold, it was reason to celebrate.

Wasson’s win yielded a third-place finish for Miller and allowed her to qualify for next spring’s Olympic Trials.

“I’m really proud of her,” Miller’s coach, Ben Bautista of SFC Boxing said. “Her hard work and dedication paid off in the gym. Now we have to focus on making the Olympics.”

Stay tuned later this week for a feature on Miller’s momentous achievement.

Nonito Donaire asks the fans to attend his public workout tomorrow!

Nonito Donaire, No. 1 in CSNBayArea.com's Northern California pound-for-pound rankings and No. 4 in the world in Ring Magazine's pound-for-pound list, will hold a public workout at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos, CA, at 1 p.m. PST.

Donaire will spar six rounds with junior featherweight Jamal Parram and six more with another fighter to be named. There will be giveaways, food, and a chance to meet the "Filipino Flash" afterward.

Video shot by Ryan Maquiñana of CSNBayArea.com/BoxingScene.com.

Road Warrior Vences Marches to National PAL Semis

By Ryan Maquiñana

Maqdown.com

Despite drawing hometown hero Sonny Frederickson Jr., San Jose’s Andy Vences went into hostile territory to secure a 25-16 decision in the National PAL lightweight quarterfinals Thursday night in Toledo, Ohio.

“It was crazy in there,” Vences said. “I had to stay focused because every time he did anything, even if it didn’t land, the crowd would start yelling. Luckily I was able to keep my composure again and perform.”

Accumulating another early lead helped the South Bay fighter’s cause. At the end of the first round, Vences went ahead 9-2.

“I didn’t cruise, though,” he said. “I had to keep working hard and picking my shots. He kept coming forward and flailing wildly, so this time I talked with Ben [Bautista], my coach for this tournament, and he said to take a quick step back to set up my punches. I think I hurt him a couple times.”

Vences enters the final four in the 132-pound division. Tomorrow in the semifinals, he draws Toka Kahn Clary of Providence, R.I., the silver medalist at this year’s USA Boxing National Championships.

“I watched his last fight,” Vences said. “I think I’ll be able to beat him. He’s not a hard puncher. Hopefully the next time we talk, it will be before the finals.”

Maqdown.com was still waiting for Thursday results for two other fights involving Northern California amateurs.

Sacramento bantamweight Ramon Ayala had a quarterfinal battle with another Toledo native, Travon Smith. In the female tournament, San Francisco's Raquel Miller faced off against Andrecia Wasson of Centerline, Mich., in a semifinal bout.

Ryan Maquiñana is the boxing correspondent at Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. He’s 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 www.maqdown.com or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.

Vences Advances to Quarterfinals of National PAL

By Ryan Maquiñana

Maqdown.com

San Jose’s Andy Vences had little trouble with Javar Jones of Anderson, Ind., in the round of 16 at the National PAL tournament, winning by wide decision on Tuesday night, 20-7.

“I kept picking my shots the whole fight,” Vences said ringside from Toledo, Ohio. “I wanted to stop him, but I kept my composure and kept boxing him.”

The reigning California Golden Gloves champion at light welterweight (141 pounds), Vences descended nine pounds to lightweight in hopes that his size advantage would pay dividends.

“I felt solid, real strong,” he said. “I noticed a difference right away because my opponents feel smaller and don’t punch as hard with their power shots.”

Now comes a date on Thursday with Sonny Frederickson Jr., who is from Toledo and will enjoy a marked hometown advantage.

“He’s going to have a lot of people supporting him, so I can’t leave any doubt,” Vences said. “Since I have to fight until Saturday if I go all the way, I conserved my energy today. Not for this one. I’m going to put it on him.”

Ryan Maquiñana is the boxing correspondent at Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. He’s 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 www.maqdown.com or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.

CNN’s Soledad O’Brien Speaks on Profiling Top Amateur Marlen Esparza

Left: CNN's Soledad O'Brien followed Olympic hopeful Marlen Esparza (pictured) for months

before the flyweight went for her sixth straight national title. (Rose Arce/CNN)
Below: O'Brien receives a technical tip from Esparza's rival, Cristina Cruz. (Rose Arce/CNN)

By Ryan Maquiñana

BoxingScene.com

This Sunday, CNN’s Soledad O’Brien shines the mainstream spotlight on boxing when she profiles Olympic hopeful Marlen Esparza in the latest installment of her recurring series Latino in America entitled In Her Corner.

Given the network’s relationship with HBO as members of the Time Warner stable, one would expect an increase in the sport’s visibility in their programming, but not that of the amateur women’s variety.

Credit O’Brien, who has become enamored with Esparza’s story enough to place it front and center as the subject of her latest foray into the ever-evolving identity of the Latino demographic in this country.

“The way I came across Marlen’s story was reading an airline magazine about Olympic boxing being offered to women for the first time in 2012,” the award-winning anchor tells BoxingScene. “I was stunned that all these Latinas were Olympic hopefuls, and as we started researching it, two names kept coming up—Marlen Esparza and Cristina Cruz.”

READ MORE: http://www.boxingscene.com/cnns-obrien-speaks-on-profiling-top-amateur-esparza--44045

Where to Watch Mayweather vs. Ortiz in the Bay Area

Bay Area fight fans can watch Saturday night's
Mayweather-Ortiz "Star Power" Pay-Per-View event
at these locations (cover charge indicated):

EAST BAY

Birdland BBQ*

1733 Sacramento St.
Berkeley, CA

(510) 827-5414
$10

3000 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 465-2569
$15

Ricky's
15028 Hesperian Blvd.
San Leandro, CA 94578-3512

(510) 317-0200

$25


SAN FRANCISCO

Abbey Tavern
4100 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 221-7767
$20

Century Theater S.F. Centre 9

845 Market St. (5th floor of Westfield Shopping Centre)
San Francisco, CA, 94103

(415) 538-8422
$18

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

$20

Jillian's Billiards Club
101 4th St. # 170 (in S.F. Metreon)
San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 369-6100

$25

Kezar Pub
770 Stanyan St.
San Francisco, CA 94117

(415) 386-9292

$20


SOUTH BAY

Britannia Arms
173 W. Santa Clara St.
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 278-1400
$10

SmokeEaters
29 S. 3rd St.
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 293-9976
$15-20


*Unfortunately, prior engagements have caused me to stay in the Bay Area this weekend. As a result, I am planning to watch it at Birdland BBQ in Berkeley. Hope to see you there!

S.F. Boxing Union Tuesday Night Fights Results

By Ryan Maquiñana
Maqdown.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- In the latest installment of the Boxing Union’s Tuesday Night Fights series last night, scheduled headliner Michael Fernandez (415 Boxing Club, San Francisco) found himself in street clothes, unable to compete when opponent Alex Anderson (Fairfield PAL, Fairfield) pulled out.

“It’s disappointing, because I had worked so hard to prepare for this,” Fernandez said. “But I have a couple other fights lined up this month, and the goal is to win the National PAL.”

Instead, the amateur middleweight who knocked Fernandez out in the last Boxing Union show, Terry Fernandez of Oakland’s Phight Club (no relation), met Ricardo Pinell (B Street Boxing, San Mateo) in the main event, with the latter earning the decision victory due to his precision punching and overall boxing skills.

Last night’s show was noticeably different, and it was in no small part due to the Giants-Padres major league baseball game, which occurred minutes away at AT&T Park.

“It definitely took away from our crowd having the Giants game on the same night,” Boxing Union founder Arturo Gastelum said.

Still, you wouldn’t be able to tell when the opening bell kicked off the night, as the spectators in attendance picked up the slack for their absent compatriots and added to another raucous, energetic atmosphere all night long.

“It was another exciting card filled with great fights, especially the one between Andrew Moy and Alan Vasquez,” Gastelum said. “We’ll be back with a great show from the Longshoremen’s Hall in Fisherman’s Wharf on December 2nd.”

RICARDO PINELL W3 TERRY FERNANDEZ

Middleweights

In the main event, Ricardo Pinell (B Street Boxing, San Mateo) took the decision over Terry Fernandez (Phight Club, Oakland). After a lively first round where the southpaw Pinell and the orthodox Fernandez exchanged leather at a blistering pace, the second was more tactical. Pinell and his accurate left hand matched wits with Fernandez and his overhand right. Moments into the frame, Pinell landed the one-two, but Fernandez answered with a looping right to the jaw.

However, it seemed that every time Pinell would attempt to take control of the second round by finding a home for his counter left hook, Fernandez would sling that vaunted right hand and push Pinell on the ropes. However, in amateur boxing, scoring comes from cumulative punches landed, and while Fernandez hit Pinell with some solid shots, the judges rewarded the San Mateo fighter for his pinpoint punching and his workrate.

“I wanted to stay away from that right hand of his, because he’s really strong,” Pinell said. “But I used my jab and was able to counter him accurately to win.”

ALAN VASQUEZ W3 ANDREW MOY

Bantamweights

Alan Vasquez (Phight Club, Oakland) edged out Andrew Moy (445 Boxing Club, San Francisco) over three spirited rounds. Moy, a southpaw, worked off the back foot, while the orthodox Vasquez whirled forward with a barrage of volleys. In the first frame, Moy scored a standing eight on Vasquez when a straight right sent the Oaklander into the ropes.

The second saw Vasquez subsequently rattle off combinations to close the stanza. Depending on what the viewer valued, the bout could have pointed either way heading into the final round. In the end, Vasquez’s quicker hands when the two traded power shots would win distinguish him among the judges.

“I had to get revenge after that first round,” Vasquez said. “The standing eight didn’t really affect me, but I had to show my heart in there and come right back at him.”

EDUARDO ALVARADO W3 JORDAN ORYALL

Junior Welterweights

Eduardo Alvarado (Third Street Gym, San Francisco) outhustled Jordan Oryall (Elite Boxing Club, Pleasanton) to the decision win. As both fighters went toe-to-toe for nine minutes of action, Alvarado landed just enough shots, namely the left hook to the body and head, to take the bout.

“Usually I’m able to use my distance, but I didn’t wait for him to make it an inside fight,” Alvarado said. “I did what I had to do in there based on my opponent’s style.”

SURAY MAHMUTOVIC W3 ULISES SERRANO

Junior Welterweights

In an intriguing matchup of teenage prospects, 13-year-old Suray Mahmutovic (415 Boxing Club, San Francisco) earned the judges’ nod over 14-year-old Ulises Serrano (B Street Boxing, San Mateo). Mahmutovic took the first by keeping Serrano at bay at the end of his long left jab. However, the second round began with a resolved Serrano tucking in his chin and scoring with left hooks on the inside. Ultimately, Serrano had a hard time getting around Mahmutovic’s left jab, which he doubled and even tripled to victory.

“My coach just told me to keep sticking the jab,” Mahmutovic said.

EDGAR NAVARRO W3 BRANDON ADAMS

Welterweights

Edgar Navarro (Club X Boxing, Santa Rosa) took a clear decision over a game Brandon Adams (Third St. Gym, San Francisco). Navarro started off strong, effectively landing his lead right hand against his shorter southpaw opponent. However, the second round was marked by Adams’s propensity to come forward and press the issue. With the fight on the line in the third, Navarro punctuated the victory by landing two jousting jabs followed by a clean one-two that promoted the referee to give Adams a standing eight count.

“I was waiting on his left hand,” Navarro said. “My corner prepared me well, and when I hit him with the one-two for the standing eight, I thought I had it.”

MARIO AYALA W3 JESSIE LOPEZ

Bantamweights

On the strength of a stinging left hook, Jessie Lopez (B Street Boxing, San Mateo) seemingly won a war of attrition against Mario Ayala (Don Conley Boxing Club, Sacramento), but the judges saw it the other way in a close battle. The shorter Lopez had his moments, but Ayala scored with frequency, namely off the left hook when the pair would trade in close quarters.

“I was able to jab, step back, and throw my overhand rights and hooks off the counter,” Ayala said. “That was the key.”

HUMBERTO OTOYA W3 JOEL LOPEZ

Junior Welterweights

In the opening bout of the evening, Humberto Otoya (US Kickboxing, Hayward) utilized steady pressure and a body attack to outwork late replacement Joel Lopez (Third St. Gym, San Francisco) en route to the decision victory.

“I just went to the body,” Otoya said. “I got him to put his hands down and I was able to go to work up top."

Ryan Maquiñana is a boxing correspondent at Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and BoxingScene.com. He’s a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring’s Ratings Advisory Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at www.maqdown.com or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.

Maquiñana: S.F.'s Fernandez knocks out cancer

Michael Fernandez

Ryan Maquiñana
CSNBayArea.com

Next Tuesday, San Francisco’s Michael Fernandez fights in the same hometown ring where he lay prone in disbelief only two months ago.

“I made a mistake to throw a counter left hook and I missed,” he said about his July bout at the Roccapulco Supper Club. “Thing is, when you go for the knockout, you can’t have your hands down.”

READ MORE: http://www.csnbayarea.com/09/09/11/bMaquianab-SFs-Fernandez-knocks-out-canc/landing_thecooler_v3.html?blockID=562096&feedID=8306

Grading Cal Football's Season Opener

Keenan Allen had eight catches for 112 yards including this 31-yard beauty.

FINAL GRADES (CAL 36, FRESNO STATE 21)

By Ryan Maquiñana

QB – Zach Maynard wasn't mind-blowing (16/35 passing, 1 INT), but he was far from terrible (319 total yards, 2 TD) in his Golden Bear debut. Showed a lot of mobility in the pocket, which will keep a lot more plays alive this year. Gunned the short routes well, especially the slants, but missed some throws including the opening INT as well as an easy TD to a wide-open Covaughn Deboksie-Johnson. Puts a little too much air under his deep balls, which I hope he corrects against teams with DBs with faster closing speed. But it's already apparent that he's an upgrade over Brock Mansion, something that Cal fans have craved. GRADE: B

TB – Isi Sofele (24 car/83 yards, 2 TD, fumble) is dangerous in space, but I wish he would just hit the first hole he sees and take advantage of his speed. Sometimes it seems he's looking to break the big one (like he did in the second quarter) on every play instead of take what's given to him. He wasn’t as safe with the ball either, coughing the ball up twice with one leading to a FSU touchdown. As far as his backups, Covaughn-Deboskie Johnson, who has a skill set to ultimately overtake Sofele as starter, showed little so far (1 car/0 yards), aside from a Maynard pass that was just out of the reach of his fingertips on a sure TD. C.J. Anderson (2 car/10 yards) did a decent job, but he wasn't utilized in short yardage as much as advertised. Want to see more from him. Don't understand the empty set backfield where the TB is not in the slot, because you effectively take him out of the play when chances are you're not going to him on a go route. GRADE: B

FB – Looked like Will Kapp and John Tyndall were going back and forth, and they did a palatable job taking on assignments. Kapp had a carry for a first down near the goal line. Would like to see the FB used in the passing game more often to add that extra dimension. GRADE: B-

WR – The big play potential between Marvin Jones (5 catches/118 yards, 2 TD) and Keenan Allen (8 catches/112 yards)—especially an all-world talent like Allen—is something that will keep Cal in games as long as the OL gives Maynard enough time to set his feet on his throws and throw a halfway accurate ball. There were a couple drops though on bubble screens. Would like to see more out of Coleman Edmond, and walk-on Bryce McGovern seems to have impressed his position coach Eric Kiesau so much that he’s seeing action as well. I wanted to give the group an A-, but I can’t take too much out of this game especially since FSU’s DBs did not wrap up at all and gave up massive YAC, something better secondaries will not allow. GRADE: B+

TE – Anthony Miller (2 catches/32 yards) will be a threat in medium yardage on third down if Maynard can find him, because he will get open. Jacob Wark and Spencer Hagan appeared but didn’t make much of an impact yet. GRADE: B

OL - Aside from that one drive where they incurred three straight penalties, not so bad actually. They need to do a better job pulling. There were often times when they would get out front and have no one to block. Power run game was solid, and Dominic Galas and Brian Schwenke put their new and improved brute strength on display. Would like to see Matt Summers-Gavin return to 2009 form, when he was the team's most valuable lineman. Need to do better protecting Maynard's backside, as the QB's legs singlehandedly saved him from harm at times. GRADE: B-

DL – Everyone wanted to see consensus high school All-American Viliami Moala collapsing the center of the Fresno State line, and he did on the one or two live snaps I saw him play. He mostly played on special teams, however, leaving Kendrick Payne and Aaron Tipoti, who did a solid job in bottling up the Bulldogs into 68 total rushing yards. The ends supplied decent pressure on debutant Derek Carr, with Ernest Owusu and Trevor Guyton (fumble recovery for TD) getting most of the snaps. Want to see more snaps for highly touted freshman Gabe King, which he will likely get against heavy underdog Presbyterian. GRADE: B+

LB – The best position on the field all day long. D.J. Holt and Mychal Kendricks shut down the middle of the field with 17 combined tackles (3.5 TFL for 15 yards), and while walk-on Dan Camporeale did a solid job, looks like the true frosh (Cecil Whiteside and Brennan Scarlett) are more than ready for D-1 ball. Whiteside forced the backbreaking fumble. Dave Wilkerson and Chris McCain, the other underclassmen, had flashes, but for me, the lingering question is how these LBs fare in pass coverage against teams with good pass-catching TEs. GRADE: A-

DB – Another group that shined on Saturday. Aside from giving up the late TD in garbage time, Steve Williams was outstanding, showing textbook form on an INT. Marc Anthony had a quietly productive game (5 tackles), and D.J. Campbell made the play of the game in my opinion when he hunted down the Bulldog receiver the length of the field to make the tackle. It worked out well for the Bears, as FSU would not score. Campbell and Josh Hill snuffed out numerous misdirection plays, and Sean Cattouse levied some lumber when necessary. GRADE: B+

ST – What more can I say except that performance was a stinker. Plenty of mistakes in every department, from Bryan Anger uncharacteristically shanking a couple punts in the stiff Candlestick wind right down to Giorgio Tavecchio’s horrid performance which included several kickoffs to the opposing 20 and two blocked extra points. Is there something seriously wrong with Vince D’Amato that he’s worth a scholarship but not worth giving a shot on the field? He did just fine in the 2009 Big Game. But not all was lost. Michael Coley was a missile and had a few tackles in kick coverage. GRADE: C-

COACHING – Jeff Tedford made some widescale changes in his staff, namely bringing former position coaches Jim Michalczik (OC/OL) and Eric Kiesau (WR) back into the fold, along with new faces Marcus Arroyo (QB), Ashley Ambrose (DB), and Mike Blasquez (S & C). So far, the defense as a whole under coordinator Clancy Pendergast looked outstanding, and the offense will be a work in progress. As far as the head man is concerned, I liked the multiple looks for Maynard, including a brief spell at pistol. Working the screens to death early on almost paid off with a Deboskie TD off a fake screen, but I would like to see more use of the power running game, which Fresno State seemed powerless to stop for long stretches only for it to be abandoned at times. Time management was OK save for the end of the first half, when Fresno was only one big play and timeout away from securing a late FG opportunity. ST coach Jeff Genyk, as stated above, did not have a great day, but a win’s a win, and there’s at least 11 more games for improvement. GRADE: B

NEXT GAME: AT COLORADO, 9/10

Maquiñana: Chargin marks 60 years with Friday card

Ryan Maquiñana
CSNBayArea.com

His shrewd eye for talent is as discerning as ever; the bounce in his step is just as vibrant.

As legendary boxing promoter Don Chargin reflects on the 60th anniversary of his first fight card this Friday in Salinas, he does it with a hint of moxie.

“Everybody knows my age,” he said. “I don’t try to hide it. Sometimes I get to talk to some of the young people and get those side glances where they think, ‘What does he know? He’s getting senile.’ Thank God I still see those out of the corner of my eye, because it means I’m still alert.”

READ MORE: http://www.csnbayarea.com/09/01/11/bMaquianab-Boxings-Chargin-marks-60-year/landing.html?blockID=557796&feedID=8306