Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

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#20. Bob Arum. Both men are Top Rank superstars but Pacquiao is clearly the company’s gravy train. What will Arum do and say should Cotto derail his money maker?

Vitali Klitschko defends his WBC Heavyweight Championship with a TKO stoppage at the end of round 10.

Cris Arreola gave his all and is a legitimate force in the heavyweight division.

Score cards:
Morita: 99-91 Klitschko
Hontongkam: 99-91 Klitschko
Cavalieri: 100-89 Klitschko

Round by Round: 98-92 Klitschko

Punchstats:

Klitschko 301 of 802 for 38% connect rate.
Arreola 86 of 331 for 26% connect rate.
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Jon Schorle just walked to the Arreola corner and waived off the fight.

Round 10: Both men are jabbing – a contest Cris can not win. Blood flows from his nose again. Vitali unleashes a right hand that clocks his foe. Cris is chasing Vitali around the ring and stops and looks at him as if to say, “let’s fight”. Vitali throws and lands another 1-2. Vitali touches him and moves. Touches him and moves. The crowd boos. Another 1-2 for the champ. Vitali rips Cris with a right cross and Cris shakes his head. Big round for the champ. Vitali 10-9.

Round 9: Cris works his way in behind the jab but can’t land the big right hand he needs to hurt the champion. Cris is breathing through his mouth as blood flows from his nose. Vitali just cracked Cris with a right hand – his best of the night. Vitali stung Cris with another stirring right hand. The champ is back in control of the fight. Cris is fighting his heart out but can’t find his target. Vitali hooks to the head. Cris bounces on his toes and smiles at Vitali as the round comes to a close. Vitali 10-9.

Round 8: Vitali pulls down on Cris’ guard and fires a right. Cris is tracking Vitali but struggling to get close. Cris lands a lunging left jab and the crowd goes crazy. Vitali leans away and moves left and then circles right. Cris lands his best left of the night and buckled Vitali’s knees. Cris is bleeding from the nose but is not deterred. Vitali lands a hook. Cris charges ahead. Arreola 10-9.

Round 7: Cris starts the round more aggressively behind a triple left jab. Cris fires and backs Vitali to the ropes. Vitali fires a 1-2 of his own. Vitali is back on his bike. Vitali lands a crisp right, and another. Cris lands a punch to the back and is warned by Schorle. Cris shakes his left hand as if it is hurt. Cris is breathing noticeably from his mouth. He charges at the bell but the round concludes without damage. Vitali 10-9.

Round 6: The champ rips a right to the face of Cris. Cris takes his first backward step of the night. Vitali throws a half hook, half jab. The champ looks extremely confident in the ring. Cris keeps following but is unable to get inside. Cris lunges in and lands a left-right. He chases Vitali to the ropes where Vitali lands a counter right. Cris lands a left upstairs. The champ fires a 1-2. Vitali 10-9.

Round 5: The crowd erupts at the replay of Cris landing the left. Vitali fires the 1-2 and moves. Vitali moves to his right and pumps the jab. Vitali is on his bicycle and the crowd doesn’t like it. Cris pushes forward and rips hooks while Vitali is trapped in the corner. Vitali sticks and moves, and moves and moves. The champ lands a clean right hand Cris acknowledges. Vitali 10-9.

Round 4: Back to center ring Vitali fires one, two, three jabs. Cris reaches and lands a right. Cris lands a left jab and chases the fleet footed champion. Vitali fires the 1-2. Cris lands another jab and a glancing right hand. Cris has closed the distance in this round and lands a left hand. Vitali pumps and lands the jab. Cris wings a hook and misses. Vitali fires the jab. Short left hook for the champion lands. Best round for Cris. Arreola 10-9.

Round 3: Jab, jab, jab – Vitali fires them from the hip. Cris can’t let his hands go in his defensive position. Cris is trying to work his way in but is getting hit by a stiff jab and right. Cris just landed his best right of the fight and the crowd erupts. Cris smiles and eats a right hand. Vitali looks for an opening as Cris has become more defensive in this round. Vitali has both hands down and sticks the jab in the face of Arreola. Vitali 10-9.

Round 2: The men meet at center ring. Cris lands a jab. Vitali lands a right cross. Vitali fires the jab and circles right, not standing in front of his challenger. Vitali fires two, three jabs and moves before Cris can fire back. Jab, right hand by the champ. Vitali lands a short left hook inside. Cris surges forward looking to engage but Vitali won’t stand still to comply. Cris’ face is red from the punishment. Vitali is sticking and moving to perfection. Vitali 10-9.

Round 1: Immediately Vitali throws the jab. Cris bobs as he tries in vain to get to the body of Vitali. Cris is pushing forward, Vitali throwing the jab. Vitali is pushing down on Cris’ head as Cris pushes ahead. The crowd boos. A dbl jab by the champ lands, followed by a right hand. Cris is following the champ with hands held high. A wry smile comes across the challengers face. Vitali is throwing a jab from his hip with mixed results. Cris tries to jab his way in but mostly misses. Vitali 10-9.
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Cris is wearing black trunks with silver lining. Klitschko is also wearing black trunks.

Michael Buffer is announcing the principals. The judges are Anek Hongtongkam from Thailand, Guido Cavalieri from Italy and Ken Morita from Japan. The referee is Jon Schorle.

The WBC Heavyweight Championship bout between Vitali Klitschko and Cristobal Arreola is only moments away…

Vitali Klitschko has made his way to the ring. The champion has a tremendous amount of support in his adopted home of Los Angeles.

Cris Arreola has just entered the ring to a defeaning roar. The nearly sold out Staples Center fight crowd is abuzz with anticipation.

Michael Buffer is announcing luminaries in the Staples Center crowd including Rick Fox, Mike Tyson, Andre Ward, Gabriel Ruelas, Rafael Ruelas, Chris Cornell, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mario Lopez, Sean Penn, Guy Ritchie, Mickey Rourke, Rob Schneider, James Toney, Andre Dirrell, Bobby Chacon, Pete Rose, LL Cool J, Magic Johnson, Wladimir Klitschko, Kobe Bryant, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sly Stallone…and many, many more.
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Undercard Results:

Johnathon Banks (22-1) won a majority decision over fellow heavyweight Javier Mora (22-5-1).

Lightweight John Molina (18-0) KO Efren Hinojosa (31-7-1) with a solitary right hook to the body. Referee Tony Krebs counted out Hinojosa at 34: seconds of the round one.

Salvador Sanchez (14-3-2) KO Trinidad Mendoza (28-25-2) at 1:23 of round 3. Sanchez rocked 80s style trunks in a tribute to his late uncle, the legendary Salvador Sanchez.

Rico Ramos (13-0) UD Kermin Guardia (37-10) over 6 featherweight rounds.

Heavyweight Cedric Boswell (31-1) UD over Cisse Salif (23-16). All three score cards read 80-72.
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Is Chris Arreola just the latest “great American hope” in a long line of dashed dreams or does this 8-1 underdog have a legitimate shot to dethrone WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and put an end to Europe’s dominance in the division?

Before making a case for Arreola, let’s pause to reflect on the brilliance and bravado of Dr. Ironfist. After a knee injury forced Klitschko into a premature retirement in 2005, he stunned the boxing world with a thorough shellacking of Samuel Peter in 2008. When Peter retired between rounds Klitschko reclaimed the championship after a near four year absence from the ring. Klitschko vacated the belt when he retired but was granted the title “Champion Emeritus” by the WBC and with it the promise to become the mandatory challenger should he return to the sport. When the fight was signed many in boxing objected. Those who didn’t object believed Klitschko needed a tune-up before facing the champion from Nigeria. Klitschko was sharp from the bell and handled Peter with an uncanny ease.

Yet the remarkable comeback to capture the title may not be Klitschko’s greatest feat in the ring. In the best heavyweight fight of this decade, Klitschko was hammering away at heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis when his face betrayed him and the doctor called a halt to the bout. On June 21, 2003 Klitschko’s jab, right hand combination had Lewis reeling before a raucous Staples Center crowd. Lewis landed bombs of his own, opening a disfiguring gash over Klitschko’s left eye. Half blind and a bloody mess, Klitschko’s refusal to quit won the crowd but not the crown and Lewis retained his titles. There may be a statue of Oscar De La Hoya adorning the entrance of Staples Center but it is Vitali Klitschko who has waged two of the most memorable wars in the venue’s history.

Now to the man nicknamed “The Nightmare” and Chris Arreola’s chances to defeat one of the two best heavyweights in the world. Arreola has the heart of a fighter. When he gets tagged a rage inside is triggered and he fights back with a furry. After Travis Walker dropped Arreola with a right hand in round two of their 2008 fight, Arreola chose to exchange rather than grab and hold. First to go flying was Walker’s mouthpiece, and then Walker and then Walker a second time before the round came to an end. Arreola finished Walker 13 seconds into round three with a fight ending left hook. Jameel McCline made the mistake of stunning Arreola with a left hook in the third round of their April 2009 bout. Arreola chopped down McCline who was counted out in the very next round.

Arreola is an underrated boxer. Most boxing fans know Arreola is a pressure fighter with heavy hands but few know he is a skilled pugilist who grew up in the gym. Arreola is the son of a fighter who began boxing at an early age and capped a lengthy amateur career with a National Golden Gloves title in 2001. He made his professional debut in 2003 and has reeled off 27 straight victories. Experienced, Arreola knows his way around the ring and is able to make adjustments during a fight. Arreola also throws every punch and is at his best when he puts them together in combination. When pushed by Malcolm Tann during their 2007 bout, Arreola set traps for Tann and stopped him in the eighth with right hand followed by a left hook.

TSS U – what do you think? Will Chris Arreola beat the odds and become the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent or is Vitali Klitschko too big a mountain to climb? Can Arreola get inside Klitschko’s reach or will the champion 1-2 Arreola into submission? Join us here on Saturday, September 26th beginning at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT for live, round by round coverage from Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA.

Floyd Mayweather wins by unanimous decison: 118-109, 120-107, 119-108.

Round 12: Floyd fires the left hook. It’s almost always one punch at a time or this fight would have been over long ago. JMM lands a looping left hook but there is nothing on his punches. Left hook, right hand by Floyd lands. JMM is one tough, determined fighter but has been completely outsized and outboxed by Floyd Mayweather Jr. Floyd 10-9.

Round 11: Floyd is blocking, slipping or catching everything JMM throws – it is masterful. Floyd lands a crisp right hand inside. Floyd backs JMM to the ropes and rips him with a right. A short left hook lands flush to JMM’s face. Another. JMM is being punished. JMM can’t land and can’t elude – a losing combination. Floyd 10-9.

Round 10: It’s a physical mismatch. Floyd ripped JMM with a right. When JMM fires a right it lands on the shoulder or is caught in Floyd’s gloves. Jab by Floyd. Jab to the body. Jab to the head. Left hook followed by a right hand buckles JMM. Floyd’s defense is superb. JMM fires a four punch combination that was entirely blocked or deflected. Floyd is pitching a shut out. Floyd 10-9.

Round 9: The two are trading jabs in the center of the ring. Floyd’s jab is snappy. JMM’s just isn’t. Floyd lands a short left hook. Jab by Floyd. Jab by Floyd. Right hand by Floyd. Another. Jab by Floyd. JMM lands a hook on the hip. Big right by Floyd. JMM took it well and fired back. Jab by Floyd. Floyd 10-9.

Round 8: Floyd flicks the jab in JMM’s face. JMM flicks his own but hits air and shoulder. Floyd shoots a right hand that JMM counters with a glancing blow. Jab by Floyd. Jab by Floyd. Counter right by JMM . JMM lands a right hand – left hook combination. Floyd fires a right that misses but is too elusive to be countered by JMM. Short right hand by Floyd lands. Floyd is talking to JMM. Floyd 10-9.

Round 7: JMM landed a good left hook of his own mid way through the round. Mayweather is pot-shotting JMM with jabs. Floyd is ripping JMM with straight rights. JMM throws a scoring combination while Floyd has his back against the ropes. The crowd chants, si se puede (yes we can), but it’s not enough to lift their man. Floyd 10-9.

Sorry fight fans – lost connectivity during the 5th.

Round 6: Punishing round by Floyd. Floyd is pummeling JMM with straight rights and left hooks. Floyd 10-9.

Round 5: It was JMM’s best round, but it wasn’t enough. Three left hooks to end the round turned the tide and made it a Floyd round. Floyd 10-9.

Round 4: Thus far Floyd is too fast and too big for JMM. JMM fires a combination that Floyd picked off with his gloves and front shoulder. JMM throws a triple jab followed by a right hand and missed with all four punches. The pace favors Floyd who is picking his shots and fighting when he chooses. JMM just landed a right hand flush to the face but Floyd didn’t move. Floyd isn’t landing much, but is winning this round with defense and a jab. Floyd 10-9.

Round 3: Back at center ring Floyd flicks the jab. JMM fires but misses. Floyd isn’t there when JMM fires. Floyd just isn’t there, or blocks whatever comes his way. JMM lands a chopping right. Floyd lands another left hook. The left hook is a difference maker for Floyd. Floyd looks confident – as though he isn’t concerned by anything JMM can hit him with. JMM lands a right. Floyd smiles but isn’t hurt. Floyd 10-9.

Round 2: Floyd lands a jab then jumps in with a left hook. JMM is looking for an opening that isn’t there. Floyd is too fast thus far – making JMM swing and miss. JMM lands an overhand right. Floyd fires a left hook and dropped JMM. JMM is up but looks dazed. Floyd feints but doesn’t fire. Straight right by Floyd grazes JMM. Floyd fires a counter right flush on the face. Floyd 10-8.

Round 1: Jab by Floyd. They are cautious at center ring to start the fight. Both men are feinting. Both are flicking the jab – mostly missing. Floyd lands a left hook. JMM pumps a double jab that misses. Floyd jabs to the body. Floyd lands a left hook to the body. The two are fighting a center ring. JMM lands his first punch of the fight. JMM misses again. The fight is fought at a slow, measured pace. Floyd 10-9.
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Weeks is giving instructions at center ring and we are set to go!

The third man in the ring is referee Tony Weeks.

Mayweather has just entered the arena. He’s in the ring bouncing on his toes.

Marquez is making his way to the ring. Mexican fight fans are urging on their man.

The MGM fight crowd is on their collective feet in anticipation of the arrival of the combatants.

Fight afficionados, the Floyd Mayweather v. Juan Maneul Marquez fight is upon us…
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Undercard results:

Despite being rocked in the 12th round, Chris John defended his WBA Featherweight title against tough-luck challenger Rocky Jaurez. John, of Indonesia, stuck and moved his way to victory in a fight that lacked drama until the final round. John remains undefeated with a 43-0-2 record while the loss drops Juarez’ record to 28-5-1. The final scorecards favored John 114-113, 119-109 & 117-111.

Aussie Michael Katsidis won the WBO interim lightweight title by defeating Vicente Escobedo over 12 hard fought rounds. Katsidis (26-2) pushed Escobedo around the ring with both punches and his shoulders. Escobedo (21-2) countered with an inconsistent jab and a crisp right hand but was unable to back off Katsidis. Katisidis won by split decision: 112-116, 115-113 118-110.

Featherweight Cornelius Lock landed a short right hook that deposited Orlando Cruz on the canvas. Cruz (16-1-1) rose by the count of eight but was unable to continue according to referee Robert Byrd. Lock (19-4-1) won by KO at 2:08 of the 5th to capture the vacant NABO Featherweight title.

Off air results:

Welterweight Said Ouali (26-3) wins by TKO at 1:27 of the opening round over Francisco Rios (17-11).

Cuban Erislandy Lara (8-0) stopped fellow jr. middleweight Jose Varela (23-7) at 2:12 of the first round.

Jessie Vargas (6-0) defeated Raul Tovar (6-2) by UD over six rounds jr. welterweight rounds.

Middleweight Dion Savage (6-0) stops Loren Myers (7-7) at :22 of the fourth to win by TKO.

Junior welterweight Mike Perez (5-0-1) UD over Richard Ellis (4-3).

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Here are five reasons to bet the house on Mayweather…

1. Speed. Mayweather has the fastest hands in the game today. Carlos Baldomir was everyone’s darling coming into his 2006 welterweight fight against Mayweather. He was big and dominant and seemingly indestructible. Baldomir had just pounded-out the late Arturo Gatti and months earlier willed his way past the speedy Zab Judah. It wasn’t close. Mayweather’s movement and hand speed turned Baldomir into an aging, heavy-footed club fighter.

2. Boxing IQ. If you’re going to get to Mayweather you had better do it early. Once Mayweather adjusts to what his opponent is doing the fight is over. In their 2006 welterweight bout Zab Judah won some early rounds but couldn’t keep pace with Mayweather as the rounds progressed. Mayweather countered the aggression out of Judah with pinpoint shots Judah didn’t see let alone stop. Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton also started strong before going down in defeat.

3. Defense. When was the last time you saw Mayweather nicked up following a fight? The man rarely gets hit flush. In his 2007 super fight against Oscar De La Hoya, Mayweather spent the majority of the evening with his back pressed against the ropes. A much bigger man, De La Hoya threw everything he had at Mayweather and didn’t leave a mark. Mayweather tucked his chin, leaned back and rolled with the punches.

4. Pop. George Foreman or Julian Jackson he isn’t, but Mayweather can crack. The late Diego Corrales wasn’t considered “chinny” when he entered the ring against Mayweather for their 2001 super featherweight title fight. But Corrales went down three times in the 7th and twice more in the 10th before the fight was stopped. Like Corrales, Ricky Hatton was an undefeated fighter when he challenged Mayweather in 2007. A Mayweather hook in the 10th ended Hatton’s night and his perfect record.

5. Marquez. Yes, Juan Manuel Marquez is a consensus top ten fighter and three-division champion but he has become increasingly easy to hit in recent outings. At times Joel Casamayor was too fast for Marquez during their 2008 lightweight clash. Marquez struggled to time Casamayor who landed lefts with regularity before being caught and stopped by Marquez in the 10th. Similarly, Juan Diaz lathered Marquez with hooks to the body when the two met in 2009. And similarly, Marquez weathered the storm and went on to stop the young bull late in the fight.

And five reasons not to…

1. Marquez. Marquez has a warrior heart and surgeon hands. An expert counter puncher with power in both hands, Marquez may be the best Mexican fighter of his generation. With no shot at a third fight against Pacquiao, Marquez called out Mayweather following his victory over Diaz. Perhaps he saw something during the Mayweather-Hatton fight? Perhaps trainer Nacho Beristain saw something while preparing De La Hoya to fight Mayweather in 2007? Whatever the reason, Marquez is convinced he will beat Mayweather when they meet in the ring.

2. Ring rust. When Mayweather finally steps between the ropes on September 19th, nearly two full years will have elapsed since he last saw action. Maybe he needed time to heal? Maybe he wanted to pursue other interests? Without question he celebrated two birthdays while out of the ring. I’m certain Mayweather stayed in shape during his self-imposed hiatus; he is a superb athlete. But staying in shape and staying sharp are two different things. And in today’s economy tune-up fights are a thing of the past.

3. Distractions. Uncle Roger. Father Floyd. Money Mayweather. Enough said.

4. Brittle hands. Mayweather can beat many fighters with one hand. Marquez is not one of them. With a history of hand troubles all it takes is one ill placed punch to render Mayweather a handicapped fighter. Add a fight postponing rib injury to the mix and Mayweather suddenly seems vulnerable. So much so that Mayweather felt compelled to respond on twitter to reports that Marquez is planning a body attack. “Marquez says hes goin after my ribs but theres no weakness in MONEY MAY.”

5. Home cooking. Mayweather may live in Las Vegas but on fight night Marquez will own the town. On Mexican Independence Day weekend, the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be packed to the rafters with flag waving, energy producing Mexicans and Mexican-Americans pulling for Juan Manuel Marquez. They will out number and drown-out Mayweather backers as long as their man is in the fight. If Marquez scores a knockdown the place will erupt. Mayweather will feel their presence and, more importantly, so too will Marquez.

Manny Pacquiao is the IBO and The Ring light welterweight champion of the world. Tonight, Manny Pacquiao staked his claim to the pound-for-pound title.
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Round 2: Hatton fires a left hand that lands. The pace is frantic. Manny fires a 1-2 up the middle. Manny fires another looping right hook upstairs. Manny staggers Hatton with a left. Hatton lands a left to the body. Bayless separates the fighters as they tussle in tight. Hatton holds and hits. Manny scores with another left hook. Manny digs to the body. Manny fires an overhand left to Hatton’s kisser and down goes Hatton. Fight over!
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Round 1: Manny fires right hook and lands flush to Hattons face. Manny fires a right hook, and another. Hatton bull rushes Manny to the ropes. Hatton doesn’t see the punches coming. A Manny right hook drops Hatton. Hatton gets to his feet and bam, down goes Hatton for a second time. Manny is just too fast! Right hooks. Left hooks. Manny can’t miss. Manny 10-7
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The third man in the ring tonight is Kenny Bayless.

Fight aficionados, were moments away as Michael Buffer is announcing the particulars…

Manny Pacquiao is on his way to the ring. The Filipino fans go crazy. Pacquiao says a prayer in the red corner and is ready to war.

Ricky Hatton has made his way to the ring. He entered to a song about himself…

The Manny Pacquiao v. Ricky Hatton light welterweight super fight is moments away….The British crowd is defeaning in anticipation of the arrival of the combantants.

The sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena crowd is being treated to three national anthems. Welshman Tom Jones sang God Save the Queen.

Under Card Fight Results:

In the semi-main event, WBC super featherweight champion Humberto Soto took longer than expected to dispose of Benoit Gaudet of Quebec, Canada. An uppercut in the 9th resulted in a knockdown that lead to Gaudet’s demise. Upon getting to his feet, Gaudet (20-2) was greeted by a Soto (48-7-2) left-right that had Gaudet out on his feet. Referee Jay Nady stepped in to stop the bout just as Gaudet fell to the canvas. The stoppage came at 2:25 of the ninth.

American middleweight hopeful Daniel Jacobs (16-0) passed the test of Michael Walker (19-2-2) to win his 16th professional fight. Jacobs displayed his entire arsenal of punches against an undersized but determined Walker. The judges rewarded Jacobs with scores of 80-72, 80-72 & 79-73.

Russian sensation Matt Korobov (5-0) outclassed Anthony Bartenelli (15-13-2) before stopping him at 2:15 of the second round. Korobov dropped Bartenelli with a left in the first and battered him with it thereafter. Referee Robert Byrd stepped between the fighters to save Bartenelli.

Cuban prospect Erislandy Lara (5-0) blanked Chris Gray (11-8) over four light middleweight rounds. Gray was unable to land the big blow but did more than enough to impress the judges. The final score cards were unanimously in favor of the southpaw Lara.

Pre-TV Fight Results:

Matthew Hatton (36-4-1) earned unanimous decision victory over Ernesto Zepeda (39-12-4) for what he hopes is the first of two Hatton victories on the evening. Hatton won by scores of 78-74, 78-74 7 79-73.

Mike Alvardo continued his perfect ways by decisioning Juaquin Gallardo (18-8-1) over eight light welterweight rounds. Alvardo boasts a record of 26 wins against no losses with 18 knock outs.

Bantamweight bomber Abner Mares (18-0) pounded away at Jonathan Perez (14-6) until his corner stopped the bout at the end of the sixth round. Mares, coming off a year long lay off, dominated the action from bell to bell.

Bernabe Concepcion (29-1-1) dominated fellow lightweight Yogli Herrera (21-8) over eight rounds. Concepcion pitched a shut out on the scorecards on route to the unanimous decision victory.

Manchester’s Joe Murray (2-0) bested Missael Nunez (4-8-2) over four featherweight rounds. All three judges scored the bout 39-35 for Murray.

Omar Chavez (15-0-1) stopped Tyler Ziolowski (11-7) with a body blow at 1:48 of the second. Chavez, the younger son of Julio Ceasar Chavez, continues to learn on the job while stepping up against more experienced opponents.

Are there two more aggressive, skilled boxers in the world than Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton? Pacquiao overwhelms his opponents with speed and power. He’s capable of knocking you down three times in a fight (Barrera, 2003) or three times in a round (Marquez, 2004). Ricky Hatton overwhelms his opponents with pressure and punishment. He’ll hit you or hold you to win a fight. He’ll hunt you down and break your spirit. So what happens when aggression is matched by equal aggression? Tangibles like power, speed, and size or intangibles like defense or experience determine the outcome of a fight.

Power: Even

Manny “Pac man” Pacquiao gobbles up opponents. He has 36 KOs in 53 fights for a 68% KO rate. Pacquiao has stopped three of his last five opponents, including then lightweight champion David Diaz and De La Hoya at welterweight. However, both of those TKO victories resulted from the accumulation of Pacquiao’s punches over the course of the fights and not a sudden fight-ending punch or combination.

Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton has 32 KOs in 46 fights for a 70% KO rate. He has three stoppages in his last six fights; two over ex-champions Malignaggi and Jose Luis Castillo. However, Hatton has been unable to stop naturally bigger foes. He went the distance in a close decision victory over Luis Collazo at welterweight and was stopped in the 10th by Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Speed: Manny Pacquiao

Ask Oscar about Manny’s speed. De La Hoya never saw Pacquiao’s left hand let alone block it during their December 2008 encounter. Ask Erik Morales or Juan Manuel Marquez. The decisive factor in Pacquiao’s wins over these great fighters was hand speed. Morales may have matched Pacquiao’s intensity but could only muster one win in three fights. Marquez may be the more polished boxer yet his superior skills resulted in a draw and a close loss.

Hatton has good hand speed. His problem is Pacquiao has great hand and foot speed.

Size & Reach: Even

Yes, Manny Pacquiao started his career as a 106 pound fighter, but he was only 16 years old at the time. He has won world titles in four weight classes and has carried good power into each division. In his 147 lbs. fight against De La Hoya last December, Pacquiao entered the ring the heavier man. Pacquiao is listed at 5’6 ½” with a 67” reach.

Ricky Hatton is the career light welterweight. He turned pro as a 140 lbs. fighter in 1997 and has fought 44 of 46 fights in the division. He had two fights at 147 lbs. and returned to the light welterweight division for a reason. Hatton is listed at 5’ 7 ½” with a 65” reach.

Defense: Manny Pacquiao

Despite the ranting of Floyd Joy Mayweather on HBO’s 24/7, Pacquiao has grown in the science. Pacquiao’s balance is much improved and thus he is less vulnerable to being countered. Likewise, he has reined in his aggression and isn’t as open as he once was. If defense is defined as not being hit a la Willie Pep, Pacquiao is an improved defensive fighter.

Ricky Hatton has made strides under the tutelage of the aforementioned Mayweather. In his last outing Hatton controlled a slick boxer in Paulie Malignaggi and won by TKO in the 11th. However, in fights against plodders like Juan Lazcano in 2008 and Juan Urango in 2007, Hatton’s lack of head and lateral movement put him in jeopardy of being stopped. In his 2007 mega fight against Mayweather Jr., Hatton seemingly lead with his chin as he squared up to Mayweather Jr. and got knocked out late.

Experience: Even

Manny Pacquiao has fought the biggest names on the biggest stages. He is 6-1-1 in mega fights against Barrera, Marquez, Morales and De La Hoya. He’s won world titles in four weight divisions. Pacquiao has boxed 291 rounds over a professional career that began in 1995.

When Ricky Hatton faced IBF light welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu in 2005, few people outside Manchester gave Hatton a chance. Hatton overwhelmed the champion and the unthinkable happened when Tszyu retired on his stool. Though he didn’t fare as well in his next mega fight, Hatton gained a great deal of experience in the loss. Hatton has boxed 274 rounds as a professional and had 80 amateur bouts.

TSS Nation, who is going to come out on top when Pacquiao and Hatton tangle in “The Battle of East & West”? Join us here fight night, Saturday, May 2nd for live, round by round coverage of the fight from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. We’ll bring you undercard updates beginning at 8pm ET / 5pm PT and the main event as the action unfolds.

Paul Williams defeats Winky Wright by unanimous decision. Score cards: 119-109, 120-108 & 119-109.
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Round 12: The men touch gloves to begin the final round. PW picks up the pace by firing jab after jab at WW. The men exchange at center ring and WW lands the best punch. WW’s head pops up from a PW uppercut. PW cracks another shot off WW’s head. PW lands a left. WW lands a counter of his own. PW is still smiling. WW looks tired, but has no quit. WW lands a beautiful 1-2 but can’t slow PW. PW flurries from the 10 second bell. Too much PW. 10-9 PW.
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Round 11: Back to the jab, PW pumps and spins. When he’s moving he can’t be hit. When PW allows WW in tight he’s susceptible to the hook. PW is shooting uppercuts and spinning right. PW dips under and fires another. His movement is bothersome to the tiring WW. PW looks to counter WW with a left but comes up short. WW holds PW to slow the action. The crowd gets restless. WW lands a counter right to close the round. 10-9 PW.
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Round 10: WW enters round 10 with mice under both eyes. WW lands a clean right that riles the spry PW. Back on his toe PW works the jab and right hand. Stick and move. Stick and move. PW is again in control of distance and the action. PW lands an uppercut inside. WW fires back and scores with a hook to the body. WW doubles up the hook to the body. WW has found a home for the double hook as PW allows the fight to linger inside. The men tap gloves at the bell. Close round. 10-9 PW.
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Round 9: The men meet in center ring. PW fires a few hooks into the waiting arms of WW. PW fires and spins, giving the veteran WW angles and air. WW lands a good left eliciting a grin from PW. PW rips WW with a 1-2. WW covers but absorbs more. PW goes after WW, landing a hook upstairs. PW looks confident as he bounces on his toes and cracks WW with a stiff right. PW digs a left hook and has seemingly taken control of the fight. 10-9 PW.
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Round 8: This has been a very tactical fight and the crowd is expressing their displeasure. A fight breaks out 30 seconds in and the crowd erupts. PW lands a good jab and follows with a left. PW sneaks a straight left through. A PW hook buzzes WW’s face. WW’s left eye is showing the affects of all the jabs he has absorbed. WW’s output has slowed though he lands a good shot near the bell. 10-9 PW.
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Round 7: We’ve past the half way mark and the fight is for the taking. PW fires in combination but nothing gets through. The crowd finally wakes up and chants for their favorite fighter. WW lands a solid jab. PW jabs and moves, jabs and moves. He’s busy now but not scoring as he once did. A PW body shot gets through. WW has been on the defensive in a round were precious few blows scored. 10-9 PW.
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Round 6: PW moves his head side-to-side looking for an opening for his jab. He’s controlling distance and lands a looping right. WW lands a jab over the guard of PW. WW feints but doesn’t fire. WW jabs to the body. PW fires his own jab in response. WW digs to the body in tight. They’re leaning on each other in the middle of the ring and exchanging body shots – a distance favoring the shorter WW. 10-9 WW.
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Round 5: WW lands a counter shot to start the round. The men are exchanging until separated by Cortez. Both work the jab and both land. WW is picking off a number of jabs as he inches forward. PW continues at a torrid pace but hasn’t landed anything cleanly as yet. PW lands a hook during an exchange. WW is holding more often than we’re accustomed to seeing. Another close round. 10-9 WW.
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Round 4: The fight is at center ring as the two look to solve the other’s puzzle. WW is trying to get to PW and PW is trying to get past the WW defense. PW pushes WW to the ropes and fires shots to the head and body. Most are blocked but several get through. WW lands an overhand right but not much was on it. WW lands another left and PW does a little shoeshine. PW is so much busier than WW it is hard for WW to get off. WW might be landing the harder blows but PW is landing twice as often. 10-9 PW.
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Round 3: PW cracks WW with a left. His hands are busy but many of his shots are landing on arms and elbows. PW is out-working WW 2 or 3 to 1. PW just misses with a cross and is countered by a WW right. Winky scores and smiles. Despite a solid defense WW’s face is beginning to swell. PW pumps the jab and smiles. 10-9 PW.
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Round 2: WW jabs to the body. PW flurries and scores. A PW overhand left glances off WW. PW lands a stirring right and follows it with a barrage. WW shakes his head but felt the sting. WW is following PW around the ring looking to counter. WW counters with a right. PW sticks the jab, and another. WW digs to the body. PW lands a wicked uppercut to punctuate the round. 10-9 PW.
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Round 1: PW flashes the jab and circles right. WW has a smile on his face but is fighting at distance. PW fires the jab and doubles up on it. WW covers up and forges ahead. WW lands a left that garners attention. PW goes back to the jab looking to land the right. PW lands an uppercut. Close round: 10-9 PW.
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Joe Cortez is the third man in the ring tonight.

Winky Wright (WW) stood on the apron of the ring and with hands held high he struck a pose. He too looks right and ready…

Paul Williams (PW) is making his way to the ring. PW is all smiles, appearing supremely confident in his showdown with Winky Wright (WW).
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Arreola chopped down McCline in the 4th with a 4-punch combination that ended the fight. Referee Tony Weeks counted out McCline at 2:01 of the round.

A McCline left hook backed off the Nightmare in the 3rd, if only momentarily, in another Arreola round.

In the second McCline landed a good right but little else in a round controlled by Arreola.

Arreola dominated the first with flush right hands. McCline got buzzed by a few shots but survived the round.

Fight fans, the Chris Arreola v. Jameel McCline heavyweight bout is set to begin. Stay tuned for updates as the fight progresses. You might not wander too far from the computer as this one might be over in a blink.

Fight Results:

Undefeated prospect Danny Garcia (12-0) loaded up on hooks and right hands but couldn’t stop or drop veteran light welterweight Humberto Tapia (14-10-1). Garcia dug telling blows to the body in the early rounds but vacated the plan and went head-hunting thereafter. The change in tactics didn’t alter the outcome however as Garcia won by unanimous decision.
Score cards: 80-72, 79-73 twice.
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Shawn Estrada’s journey through boxing remained unmarred with a 3rd round TKO stoppage of Omar Coffi (1-2-2). Estrada dropped Coffi once in the first round and twice more in the second. The assault continued in the third before Coffi’s corner stepped onto the apron to save their fighter. The super middleweight from Los Angeles, CA is now 4-0 with 4 KOs.
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Jr. middleweight Jose Rodriguez (13-1-1-) won a majority decision over Pablo Montes De Oca (9-16-2).
Score cards: 98-92, 95-95 & 96-94.
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Middleweight Craig McEwan (14-0) KO ‘d Alexis Division (16-9) at 1:49 of the first. McEwan landed a devastating body shot to end the fight.
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Michael Dallas (7-0-1) shut out Terrance Jett (4-13-2) over four light welterweight rounds.
Score cards: 40-36 x 3.
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Juan Dominguez (4-0) won his featherweight bout over Ramon Flores (3-5-1) by TKO at 2:10 of the opening round.
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Jr. featherweight Rico Ramos ran his undefeated record to 9-0 with a unanimous decision over Gino Escamilla (5-5-1).
Score cards: 58-56, 59-55 & 58-56.

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Ronald Wright has entered the stage of his career where he’s become a part-time combatant. He turned pro nearly 20 years ago and celebrates his 38th birthday later this year. He’s faced men in eight countries on four continents. A two-time champion with 51 victories in 56 starts Wright has earned the right to pick his spots. He fought twice in 2005 and only twice more in 2006. Wright fought but once in 2007 and not at all in 2008. Wright’s last fight was a loss to Bernard Hopkins on July 21, 2007. He hasn’t laced the gloves in more than twenty months and for his return he chooses to fight Paul Williams?

Wright just might be the best fighter you haven’t seen in years. At his best he can dominate world champions with nothing more than a stiff jab and stifling defense. In 2004 he handled Shane Mosley with surprising ease to become the undisputed light middleweight champion of the world. A year later he thoroughly dominated Tito Trinidad over 12 middleweight rounds. The fight was so one-sided Trinidad retired from boxing a second time.

Then again, Wright just might be the fighter you saw bested the last few years. Over his last three outings Wright is 1-1-1. Wright drew with middleweight champion Jermain Taylor in 2006, though many observers favored Wright. Six months later Wright beat perennial challenger Ike Quartey in his own backyard. There’s no shame in losing to Bernard Hopkins, especially at 170 lbs., but Wright appeared content to compete with the future hall-of-famer. In his defense Wright suffered a gash early in the bout that could have altered the outcome.

Paul Williams is the best light middleweight in the world. Standing 6’1” with an 82” reach he’s taller and longer than every foe he faces. What more, his work rate is unmatched in his weight class and he possesses one of the best jabs in the business. In 2007, Williams stymied Antonio Margarito to capture the WBO welterweight title. His jab kept the Tornado at bay in a fight that wasn’t as close as the scorecards read. Though he lost the belt in his next outing, Williams roared back with a first round destruction of Carlos Quintana in their rematch. In September 2008, Williams jumped up to middleweight and scored another first round stoppage.

Paul Williams is the best light middleweight in the world, but Paul Williams can be beat. Carlos Quintana out-boxed Williams in their first fight winning the 12-round contest decidedly. Quintana did his best work in tight where he negated the long arms of Williams. In November 2008 Williams fought Verno Phillips for the interim WBO light middleweight title. A clash of heads near the close of round one opened a cut over Williams’ right eye. The blood distracted Williams who gave away rounds to a fighter much past his prime. Williams went on to win the bout by TKO in the eighth but was pressed in every round.

Does Ronald “Winky” Wright have the stuff to beat Williams? Can he regain the form that placed him in the upper echelons of boxing? Or, will the younger, more gifted Williams overwhelm the past champion as most expect? TSS Nation, join us here fight night Saturday, April 11th, for round by round coverage of the Paul Williams v. Winky Wright middleweight clash. We’ll be ringside to bring you undercard results beginning at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT.

Juan Manuel Marquez wins the IBO lightweight title by KO of Juan Diaz at 2:42 of the 9th.

Final punchstats:

Marquez 732 punches thrown, 288 landed = 39%
Diaz 781 punches thrown, 252 landed = 32%

Through 8 rounds:

Ref Duane Ford: 77-75 Marquez
Ref Max De Luca: 77-75 Diaz
Ref Levi Martinez: 76-76 even
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Round 9: Sorry - lost connectivity. Diaz was dominating the action as he picked up the pace. He walked into a JMM right and down he went. He got up by the count and was greeted by a JMM left that caused him to collapse in the center of the ring. Referee Ramos immediately waived off the bout. Wow! What a fight.
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Round 8: Close fight heading into the 8th. What a great night of fights. Diaz is now cut in the right eye. JMM rips Diaz with a right. JMM wings hooks to the body. Diaz fires back and lands his own. Diaz is a bloody mess. JMM lands an uppercut. Diaz chases JMM to the ropes and unleashes a flurry of hooks. JMM works off the ropes and goes back to the jab. JMM feints and lands aleft. Diaz is wobbled. JMM senses the danger and goes in for the kill. Diaz isn't done just yet! JMM 10-9.
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Round 7: JMM is breathing through his mouth. Diaz is urged forward by the crowd. JMM lands a counter right. Diaz lands a hook when JMM is pressed against the ropes. JMM hooks to the body. Diaz follows his jab as he pushes ahead. JMM lands a nice 4 punch combination. Diaz lands a hook when JMM is against the ropes. The blood flows from JMM. The fight fought at this pace favors JMM. JMM cracks Diaz with a right. The men exchange to the bell. JMM 10-9.
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Round 6: Every time JMM goes to the ropes he pays the price. Diaz lands a left hook. The blood is flowing from JMM. JMM fires a combination. JMM fires a few hooks that miss. The pace has slowed in the 6th. JMM throws a right that drives Diaz off him. JMM flicks the jab. Diaz charges in wildly and pays for it on the way in. JMM lands a three punch combination. JMM 10-9.
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Round 5: Diaz lands first. Both men are working behind the jab. JMM opens with a three punch combo that stings. Diaz traps JMM against the ropes and flurries. Diaz does his best work when he traps JMM. JMM is cutting Diaz up when they are in the center of the ring. This fight is so close. Diaz lands a left hook inside that forces JMM to retreat. JMM pumps a triple jab. Diaz bobs and weaves. JMM digs to the body. Diaz lands the best punch of the round. JMM has a small cut at the corner of the right eye. Diaz 10-9.
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Round 4: JMM scores with the jab. JMM lands a strong 1-2. Diaz' hook is on target as he lands two in a row. JMM lands his own hook and staggers Diaz. Diaz comes right back with his own flurry. JMM jabs to the body. Both men hook to the body but Diaz may be busier. Diaz lands flush to the face; JMM answers with his own right. Diaz comes back tit-for-tat. Neither man is willing to get bested. JMM eats a Diaz jab then fires a combination that lands. Diaz 10-9.
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Round 3: A jabbing contest to open the 3rd. Both men fire their jab. JMM is sharp with a right cross that scores. Diaz digs to the body and follows with a hook to the head. JMM is studying Diaz, looking for the opening. JMM fires and misses. JMM flicks the jab. JMM counters and lands. Diaz lands a flush 1-2. Diaz runs into a stinging right hand. JMM lands a good combination, and another. JMM hooks to the body and scores. JMM 10-9.
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Round 2: Diaz races to the center of the ring. Diaz presses the action and JMM against the ropes. Diaz wings his hook to the body. Diaz lands a jab. JMM counters with a right upstairs. Diaz cracks JMM in the corner. Diaz is landing shots to the head and body. A left hook has JMM in trouble. JMM wobbles. "Diaz, Diaz" chants the crowd. JMM lands a right to slow the tide. Diaz fires a four punch combination. Diaz lands a left to the body and JMM counters with a right to the head. JMM finishes strong but the round belongs to Diaz. Diaz 10-9.
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Round 1: The men exchange jabs to start the contest. A Diaz hook lands to the body. Diaz rips a right upstairs, and another. He traps JMM against the ropes and fires in combination. Diaz lands a jab. Diaz is off to a fast start against the traditionally slow starting JMM. Diaz lands another jab. JMM retreats and fires. Diaz punishes JMM against the ropes. JMM fires back and lands his own. The crowd is in a frenzy. Wow! Diaz 10-9.
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Michael Buffer is set for his call...and the action is about to begin.

The referee is Rafael Ramos.

Juan Manuel Marquez is greeted by a chorus of boos from the partisan crowd.

Juan Diaz has made his way to the ring. The crowd erupts to greet their fighter.

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All three judges scored the bout a draw: 114-114. Chris John retains the WBA featherweight title.

Final Punchstats:

John 1190 punches thrown, 344 connected = 29%
Juarez 797 punches thrown, 206 connected = 26%

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Round 12: Rocky is going for the knockout in front of the hometown crowd. They are on their feet. A Rocky hook lands flush. John is letting his hands go but he can't keep Rocky off him. Rocky wings a hook to the body. The fighters fight through the bell. A great fight. Rocky 10-9.
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Round 11: Sorry - we lost connectivity. The 11th was riveting action. Rocky dominated the round and punctuated it with a strong right at the bell. Rocky 10-9.
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Round 10: Jab, jab starts John. Hook, hook answers Rocky. This is a barn burner. Rocky rips John with a right. Rocky rips a left hook upstairs. Strong jab by Rocky lands flush. John fires the jab and lands. Rocky is focused on the prize tonight. John fires a combination that lands. Rocky 10-9.
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Round 9: Its anyone's fight as we enter the 9th. Rocky is tenacious chasing John to the corner. John stays on his feet circling left while pumping the jab. Rocky momentarily traps John in the corner but John escapes after absorbing little damage. Rocky lands an overhand right. John lands a combination inside. Rocky lands a clean right. John is killing Rocky with the jab and it shows on his face. Rocky 10-9.
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Round 8: John fires and moves, fires and moves. Rocky lands the best left hook of the night. John shakes it off and pumps the jab. Rocky's face is swelling from the John jab. John fires a jab. Rocky hooks to the body. Rocky pushes ahead and wings his hooks. John fires back and lands his own. Rocky jabs John to the corner and lands a right. The fight is furious. Rocky 10-9.
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Round 7: triple jab by Rocky. John pumps his jab and lands. A Rocky right snaps John's head. John fires a scoring 1-2. John is the busier fighter, keeping Juarez on the defense. Another John jab, and another. The jab is keeping Rocky on the outside where he is not as effective. John has found a rhythm and a key to victory. John 10-9.
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Round 6: "Rocky, Rocky" the crowd urges Juarez. Rocky lands a stiff jab. Rocky lands a short left hook to the jaw. John is holding Rocky. John lands a big right and another. John lands a hook, and another. Rocky lands a jab. John's taking advantage of his length this round by keeping Rocky at bay. John 10-9.
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Round 5: John is still on his toes as we open the 5th. Rocky hooks to the body. John is warned for holding behind the head. John pushes the jab but is hitting air. Rocky lands a hook to the body. The men exchange rights and both land. John throws a 1-2 that is blocked by Rocky. Rocky is cut by the left eye by a right hand from John. Close round. Rocky 10-9.
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Round 4: Rocky's jab is effective against John. A good body shot by Rocky is countered by a right hook by John. Rocky is pressuring John, forcing him to fight every second. Rocky lands a 1-2. John lands a jab after missing with a right. Rocky lands a stiff right that caught John's attention. Rocky looks determined tonight and is letting his hands go. Rocky 10-9.
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Round 3: Rocky fires a double jab followed by a body shot. The crowd is in it. John fires a one-two that Rocky ducks under. John towers over Rocky and punches down against his shorter foe. Rocky pushes ahead and is caught by an uppercut on the way in. Rocky unleashes his hooks as John is trapped against the ropes. The pace is fast in an action packed round 3. John has a long jab but shoots it over Rocky's head. Rocky 10-9.
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Round 2: John comes out a little more aggressively in the 2nd behind a quick double jab. Rocky trudges forward, working behind his own jab. Rocky lands to the body. Rocky fires a right over the top that lands. The crowd is loving it. John lands a clean right - the best punch of the fight through two rounds. The men exchange body blows and Coles warns Rocky. Rocky fires hooks into John. John lands a straight right. Rocky 10-9.
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Round 1: Both fighters fight from the conventional stance. The crowd chants "Rocky, Rocky". John flicks the jab. John keeps his hands high as he jabs to the body. Rocky has set up shop in the center of the ring. John circles left and flicks the jab. John is a little busier thus far. Rocky lands a jab. John lands a right to the body. Rocky pumps the jab, two, three, four times. A feeling out first round. John 10-9.
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Referee Laurence Cole is in charge of the action for the John v. Juarez WBA featherweight championship.

Chris John enters the ring to the theme from Rocky in a clever twist of showmanship.

Rocky Juarez has made his way to the ring. The near capacity crowd is in a frenzy as Rocky acknowledges his legions.

Fight fans, we're awaiting the combatants. The crowd is ready to root on their hometown hero, Rocky Juarez. Juarez brings to the ring a record of 28-4 with 20 KOs. In facing champion Chris John he is taking on an undefeated fighter from Semarang, Indonesia. Chris John first won the WBA featherweight belt in 2003 and has successfully defended it 10 times. John's record is 42-0-1 with 22 KOs. This will be John's first fight in the United States.

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Early fight results:

Danny Garcia 8 round UD over Cristian Favela - welterweights

Daniel Jacobs first round KO of Jose Cruz - super middleweights

Hylon Williams TKO stoppage of Edgar Partillo (retired after 5) - lightweights

Jermell Charlo 4 round UD victory against Juan Serrano - jr. middleweights

Ramon Flores KO at 2:55 of the first over Hector Vazquez - jr. welterweights

Michael Anderson KO in the first over Oscar Rosales - jr. middleweights

Darryl Hayes 4 round UD against Garardo Carillo - jr. welterweights
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Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz is not a big puncher. Over his career Diaz has stopped less than half of his opponents. Diaz does not possess terribly fast hands. In his only professional loss Diaz was repeatedly beat to the punch by then 36 year old Nate Campbell. And, Diaz gets hit a lot; perhaps too much. His best defense is his offense. So how does a fighter with limited pop, average hand speed and a suspect defense win a world title by the age of 20? In football parlance, the man can really get after it.

A defensive lineman who lines up snap after snap and pressures the quarterback on every play is said to have a motor that doesn’t stop. Juan Diaz can answer the bell, round after round, and get after the man standing in front of him. Former world champion Acelino Freitas can attest. After eight grueling rounds Diaz beat the fight out of Freitas who retired on his stool. Former world champion Julio Diaz can also attest. Pressure caused Julio Diaz to abandon his stick and move game plan and simply fight. Julio couldn’t match Juan’s intensity and was stopped in the ninth. Australian action fighter Michael Katsidis also lost out on a championship at the busy hands of Diaz. When Diaz is at his best he pumps the jab and lets his hands go.

Juan Manuel Marquez is a precision instrument. He’s a scalpel sharpened to dissect; a laser beamed to cut; a counter-puncher poised to strike. For years Marquez was avoided by the biggest names in his division. Fighting him was considered too much risk and not enough reward. Unable to secure fights against his countrymen, Marquez’ first mega bout came against hard charging Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao. (Pacquiao was everyone’s darling having dominated Marco Antonio Barrera six months earlier.) The Pacquiao-Marquez fight was an instant classic and made both men household names. Pacquiao was lauded for his explosive punching power; Marquez for countering Pacquiao’s aggression and working his way back into the fight. When Marquez is at his best he feeds off his opponent’s frenzy and counters him to death.

On Saturday, February 28, Juan Manuel Marquez will face another charging bull in Juan Diaz at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Can the 35 year old master technician set traps for Diaz and pick him apart? Or, will the 25 year old Diaz overwhelm the career featherweight with a stampede of punches to earn the victory? Find out here as TSS will be ringside in Houston to bring you the action beginning at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT.

What happens when a mischievous mauler collides with a raging bull? The fight ends in a knock out, more likely than not. On Saturday, February 7th Jorge “El Travieso” Arce and Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan square off to decide who is the best super flyweight on the planet. More than that, Arce and Darchinyan square off intent to end their long running feud with the finality that comes only by way of knock out.

Vic Darchinyan, the undisputed super flyweight champion of the world, lives to knock out opponents. In fact, Darchinyan gets downright nasty when he doesn’t end a fight suddenly. Following his 6th round technical decision over Glenn Donaire in 2006, Darchinyan complained, “I wanted a clean knockout. If I knew it was going to be like this I would have knocked him out earlier.” Darchinyan was robbed of the stoppage when referee Tony Weeks called the bout due to a phantom accidental head butt.

A vicious southpaw with one-punch power, Darchinyan recorded 105 knockouts in 176 amateur bouts. That is an astounding number when you factor in the headgear. In 33 professional fights Darchinyan stopped 25 of his opponents, a knockout ratio of 76%. What makes this feat all the more remarkable is that his knockout rate is improving as a world champion. Since capturing the IBF flyweight title from Irene Pacheco, Darchinyan has stopped 10 of 12 opponents. (I’m counting the aforementioned TD over Glenn Donaire.) Counted among the victims are former champions Victor Burgos, Dimitri Kirilov and Cristian Mijares.

Jorge Arce is a showman extraordinaire. In a January 2007 fight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA Arce made his way to the ring on a dancing horse. Arce went on to defeat Julio David Roque Ler that evening by unanimous decision but could have used the horse to chase down the retreating Argentinean. Jorge Arce is also an extraordinary puncher. In 56 professional fights Arce has 39 knockouts. With a knockout rate of 70%, Arce stops seven of every ten opponents he faces. The names on his knockout ledger are remarkable. Rosendo Alvarez: KO 6. Melchor Cob Castro: KO 5. Hessein Hussein: KO 10 and KO 2.

TSS faithful, join us here Saturday, February 7th for live, round by round coverage of the Vic Darchinyan v. Jorge Arce undisputed super flyweight championship of the world. We’ll be online beginning at 9:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm PT to bring you undercard updates as we head to the main event.

Sugar Shane Mosley KO victory over Antonio Margarito at :43 of the 9th round to win the welterweight championship.
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Round 9: Shane rips a 1-2 that lands. Another right counter for Shane lands flush. Tony is being pummeled against the ropes and referee Caiz steps in to stop the contest. Sugar Shane Mosley is the new WBA welterweight champion of the world! The official time is :43 second of the ninth round.
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Round 8: Shane’s mouth is open – a sign that he might be tiring. Shane flicks the jab but Tony pushes through. Tony lands a left. Shane is holding Tony, but lets go and rips a right. Shanes lands another right and holds. Shane lands a big right followed by a big left that wobbles Tony. Shane is following him around the ring and landing bombs. Down goes Tony. Tony beats the bell but is helped to the corner. Shane 10-8.
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Round 7: The men touch gloves to open the 2nd half of the bout. Shane lands a right at center ring. The action is halted as Shane’s glove is re-taped. Shane lands a sharp 1-2. Tony wings a few hooks that land to Shane’s body. Shane follows a jab with another stirring right hand. Shane lands a left and pushes forward to smother Tony. Back at center ring Shane times Tony and lands. Tony has picked up the pace but doesn’t do enough to win the round. Shane 10-9.
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Round 6: Shane shoots a jab. Shane lands a 1-2 and moves. Shane’s straight punches are getting through to their target. Tony is on his toes but isn’t pressing forward as we’ve come to expect. Shanes flicks the jab and follows with a right that lands. Shane is short with a right. Shane lands a right and Tony is rocked into the ropes. Shane lands another to dominate the round. Shane 10-9.
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Round 5: The fight is fought in the middle of the ring where Shane is able to move just enough to keep Tony off balance. Shane lands a right. Tony lands a hook; Shane lands a better one. Shane lands another hook inside followed by an overhand right. The pro-Tony crowd is trying to get behind their man but so far has little to cheer. Shane lands another right and a left hook at the 10 second bell. Shane 10-9.
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Round 4: The round opens with Shane pumping his jab, doubling up on it. A solid left lands for Shane. Again Shane ties up Tony and walks him to a corner. Tony lets his hands go but finds Shane has already moved. Shane lands a right counter and follows with another right. Tony has no answers thus far. The two trade and Shane lands 2 to 1. Tony lands at the bell. Shane 10-9.
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Round 3: Shane works behind a jab, cracking a right flush against his foe. Shane digs a hook that lands on the shoulder. “Mexico, Mexico” rises from the rafters. Shane throws a 4-punch combination, finishing with a great right. Another Shane 1-2 lands flush. Tony is not pressuring Shane as he did Cotto. Shane is dictating the pace of the fight through 3. Tony lands his best shot of the fight but Shane answers. Shane 10-9.
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Round 2: Shane circles left and flicks the jab. Back in the middle of the ring Shane wings an overhand right. A Shane combination buzzes Tony’s head. The crowd is silent as Tony has started slowly. Shane is pushing Tony back, smothering Tony’s punches. Tony complains about Shane’s use of his head as a weapon. Little to judge from in a slow 2nd round. Shane 10-9.
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Round 1: Shane flicks the jab to open the bout. Sugar whispers something into Tony’s ear as the men clinch in the middle of the ring. Shane wings a few hooks, landing and missing equally. Shane lands the first telling blow of the round, followed by an uppercut through Tony’s guard. Tony pushed a jab that landed but did no damage. Tony missed witha big right but Shane didn’t make him pay. A jabbing contest breaks out in the middle of the ring. Shane 10-9.
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Tony Margarito is entering the arena a conquering hero. The crowd erupts at his image on the video screen and again as he climbs into the ring.

Sugar Shane Mosley is making his way to the ring. The crowd is unmericful to the hometown fighter.
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Fight fans – we’re minutes away from Margarito v. Mosley for the welterweight championship of the world. The third man in the ring tonight will be Raul Caiz Sr.

Ring announcer Michael Buffer is announcing the roll call of stars on hand for tonight’s fight. LA’s own George Lopez is the fan favorite and runner-up Sly Stallone received his customary “Rocky, Rocky” serenade.
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Early results from Staples:

Robert Guerrero stopped Edel Ruiz at :43 seconds of round 1. A single left to the body sucked the life out of Ruiz. Guerrero, now campaigning at 130 lbs., runs his record to 23-1-1 with 16 KOs.

Junior middleweight Saul Roman dominated Jose Varela over eight rounds. Varela won by unanimous decision and improves to 30-5 with the victory.
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At 5’ 11”, Antonio Margarito won’t be the first big man Shane Mosley has faced in the ring. Over his career Mosley has stood up to a litany of larger men and has more than held his own. In eight marquee match ups against four taller and naturally bigger opponents, Mosley has four wins and four losses.

Oscar De La Hoya, 5’ 10 ½”

In June of 2000, Shane Mosley went toe-to-toe with WBC welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya. In just his third fight at 147 lbs., Mosley dethroned De La Hoya by out-fighting him down the stretch. Mosley grew stronger as the fight waged on and came out victorious via split decision. When the two met again in September 2003, the contest was staged at 154 lbs. At stake were De La Hoya’s WBC and WBA light middleweight titles. Mosley had just one fight at 154 lbs in preparation for his rematch with De La Hoya but was the victor nonetheless.

Vernon Forrest, 6’ 0”

In a January 2002 defense of the welterweight title he won from De La Hoya, Mosley squared off against a familiar foe. Vernon Forrest beat Mosley at the 1992 Olympic trials and 10 years later would do the same in the professional ranks. In round two of the championship bout Forrest landed a crushing right hand that lead to a knockdown. At the hands of Forrest, Mosley suffered his first knockdown and his first loss as a professional. Eager to revenge the loss Mosley tangled with Forrest a second time less than six months later. The result was the same; a twelve round victory for Forrest.

Ronald “Winky” Wright, 5’ 10 ½”

In Wright, Mosley was facing a career light middleweight and a battle tested champion. When the pair got together in March of 2004, it was for the undisputed light middleweight championship of the world. Wright walked Mosley down behind a stinging jab and left hand. Mosley displayed “power boxing” but had difficulty penetrating Wright’s defense. Wright dominated the scorecards in winning a unanimous decision. In their November rematch Mosley fared better but could not reverse the result. Mosley suffered the fourth loss of his career.

Fernando Vargas, 5” 10”

Fernando Vargas was coming off four straight wins, two at middleweight, when he met Mosley in February 2006. For his part Mosley was coming off two straight wins down in the welterweight division. Mosley was declared the winner when the fight was stopped due to a huge swelling on the left side of Vargas’ face. A rematch was in order and the two got together five months later. Mosley dominated the July fight, stopping Vargas in the sixth round. With two TKO victories on his ledger Mosley was back in the hunt for another world title.

Shane Mosley vs. Antonio Margarito

Can Mosley slay another Goliath by upsetting the WBA welterweight champion? Antonio Margarito is not the tallest opponent Mosley will have faced; Forrest stands an even 6’ tall. Margarito may not be the biggest puncher Mosley will have faced; both Forrest and Vargas have higher knockout ratios. And Mosley can take a punch. Mosley has never been stopped in the ring; not at lightweight, at welterweight or at light middleweight. But Antonio Margarito may be the most relentless brawler Mosley has ever seen. A pressure fighter who never stops pressing forward, Margarito throws punch after punch until he breaks down the man in front of him. In his July 2008 victory over then WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, Margarito walked through an avalanche of Cotto blows until he overwhelmed him in the eleventh. In his two victories over the heavy-handed Kermit Cintron, Margarito subdued Cintron with his determination as much as his hook and uppercut. And, like Mosley, Margarito has an iron chin. Margarito has been stopped by cuts but has never been counted out.

On Saturday, January 24, Shane Mosley will challenge Antonio Margarito for the WBA welterweight championship of the world. Join us for live, round by round coverage of the fight from Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Coverage begins at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT.

What matters more; the size of the dog in the fight or the size of the fight in the dog?

Manny Pacquiao wins by 8th round TKO.

Judge Stanley Christodoulou 79-72 Pacquiao.
Judge Adalaide Byrd 80-71 Pacquiao.
Judge Dave Moretti 80-71 Pacquiao.

All three judges scored the 7th round 10-8 for Pacquiao. Judge Christodoulou scored the first round for De La Hoya, otherwise it was a whitewash.

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Round 9: Oscar’s left eye is bruised and nearly closed. The fight has been stopped before the start of round nine. Referee Weeks stops the contest at the behest of De La Hoya’s corner. Manny Pacquiao is the winner! Manny has his arms raised in triumph. Oscar walks across the ring to congratulate the victor.
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Round 8: Oscar’s corner worked on the eye between rounds. It is nearly closed at this juncture of the fight. Oscar winged two hooks and missed both. Oscar attacks and Manny counters to the body. Oscar is trapped in the corner – Manny lands a left and then fires in combination. Manny is pounding away at Oscar. If there are any Oscar fans in the arena we can’t hear them. Manny is now pressing the fight; moving forward for the kill. Oscar fires a few hooks at Manny. Manny pounds his gloves together as if to say, “let’s get it on”. Manny pounds Oscar at the bell. Manny 10-9.
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Round 7: Oscar lands a right. Manny jumps in and out, firing the jab and left hands. There’s a momentary lull in the action this round. Manny lands a hook and traps Oscar against the ropes. Manny is pummeling Oscar. Referee Weeks is taking a close look. Oscar’s cheek is swollen. Manny chases Oscar across the ring and continues the assault. Oscar is in real trouble. Manny is pouring it on. Oscar lands an uppercut to stop the onslaught. Big round for Manny: 10-9.
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Round 6: When the fight is fought at center ring Manny’s speed is too great for Oscar. When Oscar traps Manny against the ropes he does his best work. Manny’s confidence is soaring as he takes the fight to Oscar. Manny lands a big left. Another left for Manny scores. Oscar’s left eye is closing from Manny’s jab. Manny lands another lead left. Oscar is more cautious this round; he’s losing his aggession. Manny lands to close the round. Manny 10-9.
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Round 5: Oscar shoots a right that scores. Oscar is still coming forward but is still not landing. Manny lands a left. Manny shoots a 1-2 that cracks the bigger man. Manny pumps out the jab and scores. Oscar is in trouble as he can not deal with the hand speed of Manny Pacquiao. The crowd erupts for their man Manny. Oscar’s jab is pawing. He momentarily traps Manny against the ropes and holds and hits. The men exchange at the 10 second bell to the end of the round. 10-9 Manny.
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Round 4: Oscar lands a right, the best of the fight for Oscar. Manny comes back with a left, followed by another. A left for Manny. Oscar lands a right. manny leads with a left and then attacks the body. Manny cracks oscar with another left. “Manny, Manny” the cheers ring out. A lead left lands flush on Oscar’s face. Another. Another. Oscar can not stop the straight left. His face is red and swollen. Manny 10-9.
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Round 3: The men touch gloves. Straight left for Manny. Straight right for Oscar. Double jab by Oscar blocked. Straight left by Manny. Oscar fires a jab and misses. “Manny, Manny” the crowd chants. Oscar’s fans are silent. Oscar lands a left hook to the body. Manny shoots a left flush to the face. Most of Oscar’s offerings are blocked. Manny hooks to the body. Manny lands a left. Oscar lands a right. Manny 10-9.
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Round 2: Oscar lands first to open the second. Manny lands a counter right. Manny ducks under the Oscar jab. So far Oscar’s jab isn’t on target; however, Manny’s is. The fighters exchange body blows. Manny jumps in and lands to the body. Manny lands a straight left. And another. Manny is circling right, planting and firing. Manny can’t miss with the jab. Oscar’s face is red. Manny 10-9.
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Round 1: The fighters touch gloves at the bell. Manny lands a right. The crowd erupts. Oscar wings a right hook. Manny lands a little right jab. The fight is in the middle of the ring. Oscar punishes Manny against the ropes. Manny circles away. Manny lands a lead left, and another, and another. Manny 10-9.
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The referee for this bout is Tony Weeks. Scoring the fight are judges Stanley Christodoulou from South Africa, Adalaide Byrd from Las Vegas and Dave Moretti from Las Vegas, NV.
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Oscar De La Hoya, the 10 time champion of the world, is making his way to the ring. Wearing a Ring Magazine robe Oscar nearly ran to the ring.

Michael Buffer has introduced Manny Pacquiao. The pound for pound title holder is making his way to the ring. “We will rock you” blares over the loud speakers. Following a prayer in the neutral corner Manny acknowledges his legions of fans.

The sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena is rocking! The lights have been turned down, but not the electricity.

TSS Nation – the Oscar De La Hoya v. Manny Pacquiao fight is minutes away. Michael Buffer is in the ring as is most of Team Pacquiao, less Manny.
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Resto simply could not cope with the punching power of Victor Ortiz. In the second Resto went down from a barrage of punches and this time did not beat the count. The KO came at 1:19 of round two. Ortiz retains his NABO jr. welterweight title.

Left hands are killing Resto. He went down twice in the first from Ortiz straight left hands. His nose is bloodied but he survived to fight another round.

Fight fans, the Victor Ortiz v. Jeffrey Resto jr. welterweight fight is moments away. Stay with us for updates as the action unfolds.
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We told you not to go anywhere. Sergio Medina went down three times in the first round prompting referee Joe Cortez to waive off the bout. Medina was overwhelmed from the bell. The end came at 1:38 of round 1 by TKO. Juanma Lopez retains his WBO jr. featherweight title.

It’s fight night! The Juanma Lopez v. Sergio Medina fight is set to begin. We’ll be back with updates throughout the bout. Stay tuned.
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Flashback: On June 18, 1941, former light heavyweight champion Billy Conn challenged Joe Louis for the heavyweight championship of the world. According to boxing historian Bert Sugar, Conn weighed in at 167 lbs. while the champion tipped the scales at 204 lbs. In the early rounds Louis walked down Conn scoring early and often. In the 4th momentum swung when Conn staggered Louis with a left-right combination. Conn’s hand speed and new found confidence carried the action as he took the fight to the champion. By the 11th Conn was in total control. In the 12th, Conn ripped Louis with a left hook that rocked the champion forcing Louis to hold on to survive.

Flash forward: On December 6, 2008, current lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao will face former middleweight champion Oscar De La Hoya at 147 lbs. in what is being billed, “The Dream Match”. But with such a size disparity is this pairing a dream match or a physical mismatch?

Pacquiao is listed at 5’ 6 ½” with a 67” reach. De La Hoya stands 5’11” and has a 73” reach.

Pacquiao weighed 106 lbs. for his professional debut. De La Hoya made his debut as a lightweight, weighing in at 133 lbs.

Pacquiao has one fight at lightweight, his most recent. De La Hoya’s last nine bouts have been fought at light middleweight or middleweight.

Does Manny Pacquiao have the necessary skill and heart to overcome the physical advantages enjoyed by De La Hoya? Can the size of the fight in the dog overcome the size of the dog in the fight? Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach believe so. What more, Pacquiao has everything to gain by winning this fight.

Pacquiao is already the most decorated Asian fighter in history. He has won world titles in four weight divisions; from flyweight (112 lbs.) to lightweight (135 lbs) with belts at super bantamweight and super featherweight in between. Yet a win over De La Hoya at welterweight (147 lbs.) would put Pacquiao into another atmosphere.

A Pacquiao win sets up a big money fight at light welterweight against current IBO champion Ricky Hatton. Following his recent victory over Paulie Malignaggi, Hatton said he would entertain a match against the winner of this fight. Roach all but called out Hatton on the HBO series, De La Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7. A Pacquiao victory could seal the deal.

Flashback: On June 18, 1941, former light heavyweight champion Billy Conn challenged Joe Louis for the heavyweight championship of the world. Through 12 rounds Conn was winning the fight; but in 1941 championship fights were contested over 15 rounds. Having staggered the champion in the 12th, Conn went for the knockout in the 13th. Conn came out blazing, but so too did the champion. Louis seized control of the round with a right that stunned the challenger. With this sudden and dramatic turn of events Louis went in for the kill. Louis blasted Conn with lefts and rights until a chopping right hand finished Billy Conn. And with that, Joe Louis retained the heavyweight championship of the world. Following the fight Conn mused, “I guess I had too much to win for tonight and I tried to knock him out. Otherwise, I’d a won easy.”

Flash forward: On December 6, 2008, current lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao will face former middleweight champion Oscar De La Hoya at 147 lbs. in what is being billed, “The Dream Match”. Will the younger, faster Pacquiao outbox De La Hoya over 12 rounds to win easy? Or, will a confident Pacquiao move in for the kill and fall into the Billy Conn trap?

TSS faithful, we’ll be ringside at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV to bring you round by round coverage of the Oscar De La Hoya v. Manny Pacquiao showdown. As is our custom, we’ll post results of the main undercard bouts beginning by 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT.

Acting on the advice of the ringside physician, referee Jon Schorle stops the contest before the start of round 9. Paul Williams is the new WBO light middleweight champion!
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Round 8: William’s corner could not stop the flow of blood. PW lands a right. VP fires back and lands. PW rips another left driving VP to the ropes. VP swings wildly and misses. PW doubles up on the hook. VP is on tired legs. VP lands a right flush on the face, but there isn’t much on the punch. PW continues the assault to the body. Williams 10-9.
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Round 7: VP lands a lunging left. The men tangle and both go down; no knockdown. PW lands a straight left. Both men are breathing heavy and through their mouths. PW rips a hook to the body. VP looks dazed but fires back off the ropes. The blood is flowing from the face of PW. A vicious exchange drives VP back to the ropes. Referee Schorle moves in for a look. Williams 10-9.
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Round 6: PW lands a double jab. He drives VP into the corner and pummels the smaller man. VP works off the ropes but can not back up the charging Williams. A PW straight left lands. It’s chippy in tight where both men are hitting and holding. A chopping left hand stuns VP. VP lands a left but PW answers at the bell. Williams 10-9.
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Round 5: VP is fighting in spurts; moving in and out. PW pushes forward, pressing the action. VP lands a chopping right and a lead left. The blood continues to flow from PW. PW lands some hooks to the body. VP lands a short hook inside. VP rips a hook to the body. PW lands one of his own. VP is game and has his best round since the 2nd. Phillips 10-9.
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Round 4: PW opens where he left off – with hooks to the body. PW works in behind a lazy jab and lands a punch that knocks VP off balance. Schorle jumps in but Phillips did not go down. They’re exchanging blows in the center of the ring with the heavy handed PW doing most of the damage. A PW right connects cleanly. VP throws a wild hook and slips. No knockdown. Williams 10-9.
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Round 3: PW traps VP against the ropes and rips shots to the body. The hooks are damaging. VP is not backing down – instead he stands and trades with the bigger man. The Williams cut is open and flowing. PW lands a left. VP lands an uppercut inside. PW lands a hook to the body; VP lands a hook upstairs. PW drives VP to the ropes and digs hooks to the body. Referee Schorle asks the doctor to look at the cut. The fight resumes. Williams 10-9.
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Round 2: VP circles right and lands a right hook. Williams digs a hook to the body. VP dips down to make PW miss. The blood is flowing freely from PW. The men exchange hooks. VP lands a clean left upstairs. VP is lunging in and catching PW with clean rights and lefts. They exchange from the 10 second bell and the crowd goes crazy. Phillips 10-9
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Round 1: Williams snaps a jab. Phillips is on the move, staying outside the long reach of Williams. Phillips lands a right. Williams pumps the jab. VP is staying out of harms way. The men clash heads. PW lands a left. PW is cut at the right eye. VP lands a left. Close round. Williams 10-9.
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Cris Arreola wins by devastating KO at :13 seconds of the third round.
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Round 3: Arreola drives Walker back with a big right and then drops him for the final time of the fight. A perfect left hook finished the fight. Referee Jack Reiss waives off the contest and declares Cris Arreola the winner!!!
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Round 2: Big fists are flying in the middle of the ring. A straight right drops Arreola! Arreola is up but in trouble. Walker lands a hook; Arreola comes back with two of his own. Walker’s mouthpiece goes flying. Arreola lands a huge right and the crowd erupts. Walker’s on unsteady legs. Arreola lands a right and down goes Walker! Arreola pounces on Walker and down he goes for the second time. The men exchange blows to the bell! Arreola 10-8.
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Round 1: Walker lands first. They’re trading blows. Walker lands a heavy left. Arreola is fighting with his back against the ropes. CA shakes his head no, but has not moved off the ropes. A Walker right tags Arreola and Arreola hangs on. They’re in the middle of the ring now where Walker works behind a pawing jab. Walker shoots a double jab and a counter right. Walker lands a body shot. Arreola lands a hook upstairs. Walker 10-9.
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Update: 2008 U.S. Olympian Shawn Estrada stopped Lawrence Jones (2-2-1) at 1:00 of the first round to win his professional debut. Estrada, from Los Angeles, hurt Jones with a right hand driving him into the corner. Jones went down under a barrage of punches prompting referee Wayne Hedgepeth to stop the bout.
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Paul Williams is a monster of a welterweight. But it appears he’s through campaigning at 147 and will continue his quest against the big boys. Or should I say men. Verno Phillips, the IBF light middleweight champion, will turn 39 the night of the fight. With 54 professional fights under his belt Phillips has the ring know-how to neutralize his opponents. Not against Williams, you say? Maybe not, but then again many thought Bernard Hopkins had little chance against Kelly Pavlik.

Paul Williams burst onto the scene in 2007 with a unanimous decision upset of then WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito. Williams kept the hard-charging champion at bay for 12 rounds with a bone jarring jab. And just when he began drawing comparisons to the great Thomas Hearns, Williams turned in an uninspired performance against a determined Carlos Quintana. Williams offered no excuses for the setback; he simply went back to work. In the 2008 rematch, Williams showed Hearns-like power by stopping Quintana inside one round. At 6’1” it appears that 147 lbs is no longer a possibility for Williams. His most recent fight against Andy Kolle was contested at 160 lbs.

Verno Phillips burst onto the scene 15 years ago, in 1993, when he defeated Lupe Aquino for the vacant WBO light middleweight title. Yes, the same Lupe Aquino who fought Marlon Starling and Davey Moore and Donald Curry and Milt McCrory and Pipino Cuevas in the decade of the ’80s. Phillips defended the title four times before losing the belt in 1995. Nearly a decade passed before Phillips received another shot at a major strap. In 2004 Phillips defeated Carlos Bojorquez to win the IBF light middleweight title. Though Phillips lost the title in his next outing he became a three-time champion when Phillips defeated Cory Spinks to regain the IBF belt.

In an intriguing clash of heavyweight hopefuls, Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola faces Travis “Freight Train” Walker in the most meaningful fight of their young careers. On the line is a future title shot as the fight is an IBF heavyweight title eliminator. Arreola, of Riverside, CA, is 25-0 with 22 KOs. He is currently ranked #2 by the WBC and #4 by the IBF and WBO. A two-fisted brawler, Arreola has stopped his last 12 opponents in succession. Travis Walker, fighting out of Houston, TX, is 28-1-1 with 22 KOs. Walker is ranked as high as #6 by the WBO and is rated in the top 15 by the other sanctioning bodies. His only loss came late last year against TJ Wilson when he was stopped in the first round. But the “Freight Train” got back on track when he avenged the loss against Wilson with a 2nd round stoppage of his own.

TSS faithful, on Saturday, November 29, return here for live, round by round coverage of the Paul Williams v. Verno Phillips interim WBO light middleweight championship fight and the Chris Arreola v. Travis Walker IBF heavyweight title eliminator. The action begins at 10 pm ET / 7 pm PT from the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA.