The International Boxing League

[kenyan_cheena]

Obviously, I did not put as much detail into that last card. The reasons being that there weren't really any marquee matchups on it, but also because if I keep up that level of detail that I gave Pittsburgh we'll take forever.

It's nice to have gotten through the first two IBL cards. Now we'll be back to the HBF for the next two events of this ridiculously busy week in the world of the HBF/IBL.

Your bout is not too far away now, Javier!

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

NINO BENVENUTI (1-0-0) vs MARCEL CERDAN (1-0-0(1))

While the overall card doesn't approach the next card for the last group Benvenuti/Cerdan should be one hell of a fight.

[kenyan_cheena]

VEGAS SHOWDOWN

Wednesday 28 August 2002

The International Boxing League came home tonight, the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas hosting the third of this week's Middleweight division World Championship regional qualifiers. The venue is owned by league Chief Director James Molk and he made sure no expense was spared in putting on a great show for those in attendance.

The evening started early to cater for east coast viewers, a one hour joint performance by Tony Bennett and Tom Jones preceeding the bouts themselves. The opener commenced at 5pm local time (8pm on the east coast), Molk speaking to the audience beforehand.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," he began. "I'd like to welcome all of you to the MGM Grand for what will certainly be an exciting evening of boxing."

The crowd applauded enthusiastically, Molk continuing soon after.

"This is a special night for our organisation," he said. "As you would know, the MGM is the place where the International Boxing League was conceived and born. I stood in our conference room five months ago and revealed the IBL to the world and I must admit, I think of this casino as a second home. I spend much of my business-related time here and for the venue to play host to tonight's fight card makes me very proud. I know that there's a healthy Mexican contingent amongst our audience tonight. I know that you're here to support Lupe Aquino, Marcos Geraldo and Javier Aguirre in their debut bouts and I'd like to wish your guys the best of luck. But no matter the result, I hope you all have a fantastic evening."

Once again the audience responded positively, cheering Molk as he stepped out of the ring, several shouts of "Mexico!", and "Aguirre!" resonating around the packed arena...

(to be continued)

[Romdawg88]

Aguirre! Aguirre! Aguirre! Aguirre!

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation of post #303)

Opening Bout

England-born Canadian Michael Olajide made his debut a successful one with a unanimous decision victory against the Californian George Duke. This one was a boxer versus boxer matchup and in the end only a single point separated them, each judge giving Olajide a 58-57 verdict. The long-haired, jeri-curled 18 year-old reaped the benefits of a more aggressive mindset and did his best work in the bottom half of round three. He had Duke on the backfoot with a trio of pinpoint scoring salvos, the native of Petaluma shaking his head in frustration as he tried (and failed) to retort.

It was not the most dynamic or dramatic fight to start the night with but Olajide didn't seem to care. He was in high spirits after, talking in an animated fashion with his corner crew. Olajide makes his home in Vancouver, where his family moved when he was only three. He wasn't "on the radar" leading into these tournaments and this performance probably won't change that. But if he can build on it during the next few months Canada might just have another fighter worth talking about.

Preliminary 1

In the first of three bouts on the night featuring Mexican fighters, San Francisco's Freddie Apostoli scored a dominant unanimous decision victory (58-53 on all three cards) over Lupe Aquino. One of a quartet of Californian Middleweights who went at each other at the Los Angeles trials in May, Apostoli showed that he'll be one of the standout contenders in the tournament. He started the fight brilliantly, overwhelming Aquino in the opening round with aggression and firepower before flooring him at the bell with a four-punch combination, the last of which was a straight right that jolted the Mexican's head back.

The onslaught continued through rounds two and three, Aquino looking clearly outclassed by the quick-fisted Californian despite giving it all he had. At the fight's midpoint Apostoli had already landed 111 punches, Aquino just 44. But the bout was briefly turned on its head in the 4th when Apostoli took a knee after absorbing a wicked left hook to the ribs. Silenced to that point, Aquino's supporters erupted at the prospect of an unlikely win for their man. Apostoli was up at four but when Aquino dropped a right hand on him a minute later it brought another round of applause from the crowd.

It turned out to be the only chance the Mexican fighter would get, Apostoli controlling the last two rounds and sending Aquino to the canvas with a left hook shortly before the final bell. To his credit Aquino never gave up, trading some real haymakers with the Californian. The crowd were on their feet for most of the 5th and 6th and they applauded long and hard once the fight was over.

Punch totals:

Apostoli 192/284 (67.6%)
Aquino 111/371 (29.9%)

(to be continued)

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation)

Preliminary 2

In a matchup of two of the lightest hitters in the Middleweight division, Fresno's Bert Lytell won the closest of split decisions against Oakland native Bobby Jones. Like the evening's opener this was a contest featuring lightning-fast fists, both fighters employing volume to impress the judges. In the end it was Lytell who was more successful and he was awarded the verdict by scores of 58-57, 57-58 and 58-57. Neither of these men are going to have the public following their every move but there's no doubt that they're both talented, capable fighters, competitors who will give whoever they go up against a difficult night. They may not have scored any knockdowns but they traded plenty of leather, numerous exchanges bringing the crowd to their feet.

Jones started aggressively but Lytell answered back in round two. It was a tight affair through the next three rounds, neither man being able to maintain control before Jones finished as he began, putting in a spirited final three minutes. Unfortunatelty he paid the price for cruising through some of the middle rounds, Lytell acknowledging afterwards that he felt pretty lucky.

"Man, you just look at those cards and it's crazy close," said the 22 year-old. "Barely a thing in it. I'm feelin' mighty fortunate to get the win, I gotta say."

Punch totals

Lytell - 145/415 (34.9%)
Jones - 142/378 (37.6%)

"I work with what the good Lord gave me," said Lytell, shrugging, when asked about his lack of KO power. "He blessed me with speed, not pop. Tonight I was in against a guy a lot like me and when you get a fight like that it can be a really close thing. But like I said, I was fortunate. I hope that Bobby has some of that kind of luck as the tournament progresses."

Support Bout

Heavyweight Boxing Federation competitor Sam McVey has had a busy August. After defeating Johnny Arthur in Nagoya, Japan on the 5th he flew back home to California and was spotted partying at a Hollywood Boulevard nightclub on the 13th. Only three days after that he was back in the Asian region, accompanying his good friend and fellow USC member Ken Norton to the ring for his bout at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. After spending a week down under McVey then flew to the Philippines to support one of his other Californian buddies Mike Weaver during his important 1st Defense tournament bout in Quezon City. That was back on Saturday night and in the time since he had made his way back to the USA and was at the MGM tonight, making the walk to the ring with Los Angeles native James Toney in the moments before his fight against Portland's Denny Moyer. On all these trips, McVey's supermodel girlfirend Claudette James had been at his side and it would be true to say she was looking a little frazzled and tired tonight.

"They're my boys," said McVey. "We're all in this together, you know? If I ain't gonna support them what type of friend does that make me?"

Toney was looked upon as one of the top fighters in the USA during his amateur days but failed to win a spot in the Olympic team when he was defeated by Harry Greb during the selection semi-final. He has said in the past that redemption is one of the major factors that will drive him on during these regional qualifiers.

"I may have to wait a while to get another shot at Greb," Toney said. "He's over there in the east, so I'm hopin' we end up in the same group in the World Championship tournament, no doubt."

The outgoing, egotistical slugger might have been getting a bit ahead of himself with that statement as he'll actually have to finish in the top four before he can even contemplate his chances for the World Championship. Based on his performance tonight there's no guarantee that he'll make it as he was held to a draw (the first in IBL history) by the impressive, slick Portland native Denny Moyer. Having only turned 21 last Saturday it could be that Toney had celebrated a bit too hard. Despite Moyer being one of the standouts at the league's Idaho trials Toney was expected to be too good for him, but the Californian never really got out of second gear.

It was not the most enthralling of contests. Moyer was content to win rounds with his potent jab, spending long periods of the bout camped behind it. All the while Toney was determined to get on the inside and work but struggled with this tactic. Moyer made his intentions clear in the opener as he caught Toney with a series of stiff lefts. Toney's aggression won out in round two before Moyer was back in command again in the 3rd. Toney's late flurry captured round four for him and when he tagged Moyer with some punishing blows in round five it looked like he might take the verdict. But Moyer closed out the contest nicely, his workrate in an exciting final three minutes swaying each judge to award him the round, leading to the 58-56, 56-58, 57-57 verdict.

"Felt a little flat out there," said a disappointed Toney afterwards. "This ain't the way I was hopin' to start my career but it's better than a loss, I guess. Still, it's hard to accept, you know? He did a good job of keepin' me outside with that jab. Maybe I should have just tried to walk through him a bit more 'cause the dude couldn't hurt me, no doubt."

Punch totals

James Toney: 111/417 (26.6%)
Denny Moyer: 123/441 (27.9%)

Sam McVey chimed in with his opinion on the fight.

"Yeah, JT could have been more aggressive," he said. "I kept on shoutin' that to him from ringside, you know? But sometimes it's hard to execute, 'specially in a debut. Denny's a tough opponent so we wasn't expecting a walk in the park, man."

"That was the plan," said Moyer, nodding his head when questioned about his jab. "He comes straight at you so I had to just keep that left in his face. I think it frustrated him some, without a doubt. You know, I would have liked a win but it ain't the end of the world. We've still got ten more fights to come and every one of 'em will be important."

(to be continued)

[Ric915]

As always Great Stuff KC. Love these write ups

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Ric915

As always Great Stuff KC. Love these write ups

Thanks, Ric. Glad you're enjoying it. I'll be posting the Vegas Co-Feature in a couple of hours.

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation of post #306)

Co-Feature

In one of the highlights of the night, Tacoma's Freddie Steele destroyed his Mexican opponent Marcos Geraldo inside of two rounds. The 17 year-old caught everyone's attention at the league's Idaho trials, where IBL Chief Director Douglas Moran had heaped praise upon him.

"Damn, he can fight!" Moran had said. "He can box, he can slug, he's as fit as they come and he's got real knockout power in both hands. I tell ya, he's just 17 years old, but you wouldn't know it. He fights like he's been at it for ten years already."

Against Geraldo the Washington native stepped into the ring with nothing but knockout intentions, flooring his overwhelmed adversary with a single left hook one minute into the opening round. Geraldo only just beat the count and struggled to stay out of harm's way until he was down for a second time at round's end. He made it back to his feet at seven, avoiding becoming the latest IBL competitor to be counted out after the bell. Steele continued his merciless assault in round two, finding the mark time and again with clubbing lefts and rights until Geraldo was on the canvas for a third time courtesy of a right hook. This time he stayed down and was counted out 2:37 into the round. Steele assisted his battered opponent back to his corner once he'd come to his senses, the victor reacting to his win in a no-nonsense fashion. Simple handshakes and brief embraces with his corner crew were sufficient before they freed him of his gloves and Steele checked in on Geraldo.

"I had already decided beforehand that I was gonna try for a quick finish," said Steele. "But I could see that he was really nervous so that just gave me even more incentive to go for it. Maybe he had stage fright, I don't know. But he couldn't handle my aggression, couldn't land anything that was gonna back me off. To tell you the truth I felt a bit sorry for him, so it was probably better that it ended so early."

Steele connected with 63 of 133 punches (47.3%), Geraldo just 19 of 42 (45.2%). Considering the fact that Geraldo is not numbered amongst the favoured fighters in the Middleweight division this win does not really tell us much about Steele that is not already known. Even so, it was damn impressive to watch.

(to be continued)

[Romdawg88]

Not a great night for the Mexican fighters so far hopefully Javier can change and get the win.

[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation of post #309)

Main Event

Having already seen two of their countrymen fall to defeat, the Mexican members of the crowd gave Javier Aguirre a deafening welcome as he made his way to the ring, those chants of "Aguirre!" and "Mexico!" that had been silenced for most of the evening making a thunderous return. There were a bunch of Mexican flags throughout the arena and they were being waved vigorously. The 21 year-old wore a robe of white with red and green trim, the Mexican flag displayed proudly across the back. He was accompanied by his corner crew and two young boys walking out in front of him, who were later confirmed to be his brothers. His opponent Terry Norris was already in the ring and he glared long and hard at Aguirre after he'd stepped between the ropes. Sporting a high top fade, Norris was decked out in trunks of shiny, knee-length black, white tassles running up and down each leg.

Aguirre had been voted Mexico's most liked and admired fighter in a poll conducted on the ESPN Deportes website last month, something which he found at the same time humbling and scary. Speaking of it during the week he had said that he was feeling some pressure going into his debut, worried that he would let down his fellow countrymen.

"It's a huge thing for me," Aguirre had said. "I'll be representing my nation every time I step in the ring and that's quite a weight to carry on your shoulders. But I don't think my preparation could have been any better, so I'm confident that I can be victorious on Wednesday night."

Norris had not been shy about talking up his own chances, proclaiming that he'd be too quick for the rugged Mexican.

"He ain't gonna be able to handle me," said the Texas-born 20 year-old. "Yeah, he's tough and fit and all that, but that won't do the guy any good if he can't avoid my punches. Just watch, y'all. I'm gonna turn his face into a punching bag."

By the time the two were brought together for the final instructions the volume from the audience had reached fever pitch, sweat bubbling on both men's brows. Norris brought his gloves down hard on Aguirre's before returning to his corner in the moments preceeding the opening bell...

ROUND ONE

Norris is shaken up early by a hard right hand, Aguirre dropping it flush on his jaw. The Californian replies with a nice left hook, Aguirre shaking it off and continuing to stalk him. Despite his boasts Norris is showing caution, Aguirre clearly more aggressive. He pierces a straight right through Norris' gloves, Norris initiating a clinch and Aguirre shaking his head in disgust when he does it again only twenty seconds later. They exchange jabs for the next minute and as the round draws to a close Aguirre has his man trapped in a neutral croner. He finishes the round by connecting with another hard right, bringing a burst of applause from the audience.

ROUND TWO

After his corner crew tell him in no uncertain terms to pick up the pace Norris comes out stronger in the 2nd, catching Aguirre with a crunching uppercut thirty seconds in. Little else happens through until they go toe-to-toe for an extended period near the two minute mark, Aguirre getting the best of the exchange. Norris is able to score with some body shots and a left hook, accentuating his good work from earlier in the frame.

ROUND THREE

Norris maintains his momentum, not only finding the mark with some blinding flurries but making Aguirre miss a number of times. Aguirre lands a hard left hook late, the shot being the lone highlight of his work in the round. Norris responds by going back to work with the jab. He triples up on it, on target each time. The Mexicans in the crowd are imporing Aguirre to return to his round one form but he'll have to wait until the 4th for that as the bell sounds.

ROUND FOUR

Knowing that the fight is getting away from him Aguirre produces a fantastic 4th, tagging Norris with a series of left-right salvos and single scoring punches. His renewed aggression puts the Californian on the backfoot and Norris is back to the uncertainty of round one. It's clear that he's eager to avoid those Aguirre hurting bombs and with the Mexican throwing so often Norris can barely get a punch in. Aguirre puts an exclamation point on his efforts with a flush right hook, Norris wrapping him up desperately, bringing howls of disapproval from the audience. Heading into the 5th it looks like this fight is all tied up.

ROUND FIVE

Aguirre continues to dominate through the first minute of round five, catching Norris with a stiff jab and then a smashing left hook, Norris smiling at him in acknowledgement. He snakes a jab through Aguirre's defense and then unloads a crippling right cross, Aguirre backing off and then initiating a clinch as Norris moves in for the kill. They move apart and as Norris comes in the Mexican lands a flush uppercut, snapping Norris' head back. Norris is looking tired now, hitching up his trunks and moving back out of range. Aguirre closes the distance quickly and drops a big left hook on him! This crowd is going crazy! Norris is shaken and when Aguirre lands another left the Californian looks ready to go. What a round this has been from Aguirre. Norris wraps his man up and when they seperate he's able to find the mark with a jab, but there's little pop behind it. The crowd applaudes loudly as the combatants return to their corners. Aguirre looks to be in complete control now.

ROUND SIX

The fighters touch gloves to start the final round, the crowd on their feet cheering. Despite taking some fierce punishment in the 5th Norris works hard through the first minute, landing a trio of jabs and getting the best of a spirited exchange. He bangs a left hook off Aguirre's temple and then lands a flush straight right, the shot catching the Mexican on the nose. Aguirre is hurt! Norris tracks him down and now they're going at it toe-to-toe once more, Norris once again coming out of it the better. Aguirre wraps Norris up and both men take a breather, the pace through the opening half of the round fantastic. Now in centre ring, Norris steps in and- OH!!! Norris is down! Norris is down! A smashing Aguirre uppercut has dropped him on the seat of his pants! The Californian scrambles to his feet at three but he's shaking his head, upset. The crowd has erupted here, Aguirre's fans chanting his name, jumping up and down and waving their flags. There's one minute left in the fight now and Aguirre tries to finish his man off, but Norris locks him up. Norris is backpedalling, trying to stay out of trouble, all thought of finishing the round strongly out the window. Aguirre unloads with the left and the right and misses, Norris wearing a defeated countnenance. The final bell sounds and the two men embrace, the crowd coming to their feet in applause.

(to be continued)

[Romdawg88]

WOOO, that last round KD should have locked the fight up for Javier. That was some close stuff right there until that uppercut as it looked like Norris was on his way to winning the round and scoring a draw. I knew Norris' chin would let him down at some point in the fight. Great opening win for Javier over a tough tough opponent.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

WOOO, that last round KD should have locked the fight up for Javier. That was some close stuff right there until that uppercut as it looked like Norris was on his way to winning the round and scoring a draw. I knew Norris' chin would let him down at some point in the fight. Great opening win for Javier over a tough tough opponent.

To me, it seemed like a pretty clutch knockdown when I ran the fight. It was a great contest and a fantastic way for Javier to start his career. Here's the verdict...

(continuation)

Five minutes later, announcer Jimmy Lennon was ready to reveal the verdict, the ring packed with media and IBL officials.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said Lennon. "We have a unanimous decision. Judge Jaime Torres of Panama scores it 58-55. Judge John Parish, Jr. of the USA has scored it 59-55 and judge Mickey Vann of the UK has it 59-54. To the winner, from Acuna, Mexico, Javier, Aguuuirre!!!"

From the moment Lennon started saying "Acuna" the crowd was applauding, cheers erupting in an instant. Aguirre's victory was a popular one, to say the least. He shook hands with Norris and spoke to his corner crew before the post fight interview. Aguirre took the time to thank all of the people in the crowd who came out to support him, also praising Norris for his determined showing.

"I think Terry deserved to be closer," said Aguirre. "Those scorecards don't really do justice to the effort he put in. I'm hoping that he can get some victories as the tournament goes on."

Punch totals

Javier Aguirre: 148/480 (30.8%)
Terry Norris: 122/218 (56.0%)

As those numbers show, Aguirre outworked Norris by a ratio of more than 2:1. The Mexican also spoke on this issue.

"When you're up against a guy with quick hands, the best thing to do is minimise the amount of punches he throws," said Aguirre. "I had to be aggressive from the opening bell to achieve that goal and I'm happy that I succeeded."

After the ring had been cleared IBL Chief Director James Molk stepped back between the ropes to reveal the schedule for series two. The matchups are listed below:

MARCOS GERALDO (0-1-0) vs FREDDIE APOSTOLI (1-0-0)
JAVIER AGUIRRE (1-0-0) vs BOBBY JONES (0-1-0)
LUPE AQUINO (0-1-0) vs JAMES TONEY (0-0-1)
MICHAEL OLAJIDE (1-0-0) vs TERRY NORRIS (0-1-0)
GEORGE DUKE (0-1-0) vs BERT LYTELL (1-0-0)
FREDDIE STEELE (1-0-0(1)) vs DENNY MOYER (0-0-1)

[kenyan_cheena]

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
INTERNATIONAL BOXING LEAGUE FIGHT CARD
WEDNESDAY 28 AUGUST 2002
MGM GRAND HOTEL & CASINO, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA

IBL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
REGIONAL QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT, SERIES ONE
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION
REGION: NORTH AMERICA WEST


OPENING BOUT

Michael Olajide UD6 George Duke

PRELIMINARY 1

Freddie Apostoli UD6 Lupe Aquino

PRELIMINARY 2

Bert Lytell SD6 Bobby Jones

SUPPORT BOUT

James Toney D6 Denny Moyer

CO-FEATURE

Freddie Steele KO2 Marcos Geraldo

MAIN EVENT

Javier Aguirre UD6 Terry Norris

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

To me, it seemed like a pretty clutch knockdown when I ran the fight. It was a great contest and a fantastic way for Javier to start his career. Here's the verdict...



MARCOS GERALDO (0-1-0) vs FREDDIE APOSTOLI (1-0-0)
JAVIER AGUIRRE (1-0-0) vs BOBBY JONES (0-1-0)
LUPE AQUINO (0-1-0) vs JAMES TONEY (0-0-1)
MICHAEL OLAJIDE (1-0-0) vs TERRY NORRIS (0-1-0)
GEORGE DUKE (0-1-0) vs BERT LYTELL (1-0-0)
FREDDIE STEELE (1-0-0(1)) vs DENNY MOYER (0-0-1)

That KD was super clutch though from the looks of the scorecards all Javier had to do was stay on his feet and he would have won regardless if he lose the round.

Wow, that card is a bit of a letdown there are no big fights on it. Thats a pretty nice step down in competition for Javier, I'm taking him by UD. Jones should be slick enough to not get stopped but he doesn't have the firepower to win this fight. Javier swarms him, breaks him down, and walks home the win by a solid UD.

[kenyan_cheena]

ITALIAN DUO HELD TO DRAWS AT HOME

Thursday 29 August 2002

In an unusual start to the International Boxing League's Future Contender series, Italian fighters Carmelo Bossi and Tiberio Mitri were both held to draws at the Stadio Am Stcora in Calgary, Italy on a fight card that featured two other drawn bouts. In the minds of many the FC series is the IBL's answer to the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's Qualifying League and if tonight's event was any indication competition in it will be fierce. IBL Chief Director James Molk devised the series as a training ground for fighters who the league believes have the potential to one day challenge for a World Championship but might be a little bit too raw at the moment.

Bossi was up against the lightly regarded Korean Jae-Do Yuh in the Main Event. Favoured to top the group, Bossi was expected to have little trouble but Yuh gave a great account of himself, never taking a backward step and frustrating Bossi throughout the contest. If anything, Yuh was probably the better fighter on a round-by-round basis and the final scorecards read 57-57, 60-56 (Yuh), 57-57. Bossi landed 154 of 590 punches (26.1%), Yuh 138 of 426 (32.4%).

In the Co-Feature Mitri clashed with South Africa's Michael Cronje. Mitri dominated in rounds one, two and six but allowed Cronje to get back into the bout in the middle rounds, two judges awarding him the 3rd, 4th and 5th. Cronje worked hard throughout the fight, even when he was taking a beating. The scorecards were a mess, one judge favouring Mitri 59-55, another giving his verdict to Cronje 58-56 and the third showing a 57-57 result. Mitri outlanded his opponent by quite a margin, much of it due to his superiority in the opening two rounds.

Mitri 175/529 (33.1%)
Cronje 114/558 (20.4%)

No doubt it will be interesting to see what happens in this competitive group in the upcoming fight cards...


SUMMARY OF RESULTS
INTERNATIONAL BOXING LEAGUE FIGHT CARD
THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2002
STADIO AM STCORA, CALGARI, ITALY

IBL FUTURE CONTENDER SERIES
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION - GROUP ONE, SERIES ONE


OPENING BOUT

Laurent Dauthuille TKO2 Julio Alvares

PRELIMINARY 1

Artie Levine D6 Hastings Gayle

PRELIMINARY 2

Jose Gonzalez D6 Solly Krieger

SUPPORT BOUT

Tony Sibson UD6 Hugo Corro

CO-FEATURE

Tiberio Mitri D6 Michael Cronje

MAIN EVENT

Carmelo Bossi D6 Jae-Do Yuh

[Romdawg88]

Wow, 4 of 6 fights ended up as a draw thats crazy. Nice to see Sibson pick up the win. I've got to root for my Muckboys.