The International Boxing League

[kenyan_cheena]

FEATHERWEIGHT TRIO STANDS OUT
AT VENEZUELAN SELECTION TRIALS

Saturday 8 June 2002

During the past six days, three Featherweights have waged a heated battle for bragging rights at the International Boxing League's Estadio Olimpico selection trials in Caracas, Venezuela.

Antonio Esparragoza, Victor Leon and Cruz Marcano have all impressed the IBL's team of scouts, and if one was asked to make a judgment on who has been the best, you'd probably get three different answers from three different people.

"Esparragoza is tall and lanky," said IBL scout Michael Jacobs. "He'll have a reach advantage over a lot of guys, and has also got some pretty good power. Leon is just tenaciousness defined. The fella ain't too strong or quick, but he won't take one backward step. Marcano is kinda similar, just a tough SOB with a bit more velocity to his punches than Leon."

All three men will be in the same group during the regional qualifiers, where they'll have a chance to renew hostilities.

Lightweight Leonel Hernandez and Light-Heavyweight Fulgencio Obelmejias have also shown considerable skill at these trials. Despite the fact that he's not blessed with great strength, Hernandez is an effective brawler while Obelmejias possesses dangerous punching power, especially in his potent left hook. He'll certainly be one to look out for in the IBL's top division...

DURABLE DANE DISCOVERED IN GOTHENBURG

This week's International Boxing League selection trials in Sweden haven't been much to write home about, but they have unveiled a pair of fighters who will most likely make some noise in the upcoming tournaments.

Danish Lightweight Oscar Nelson is an aggressive slugger with quick hands, a superbly fit competitor whose outgoing, extroverted personality has brought some fun to what has been an often dull week at the Ullevi Stadium. Realistically, Nelson represents Denmark's biggest chance of success in the IBL.

Gustave Roth is a skillful boxer, a Belgian Light-Heavyweight with an excellent left jab. He is by no means a powerful puncher, but is technically excellent. Like Nelson, Roth will be a fighter carrying his nation's hopes on his shoulders. Whether he'll be able to rise to the top of what will most likely be a talent-heavy Light-Heavyweight division is something that only time will tell.

Encouraged by the performances of Ingemar Johansson in the HBF's North European league, IBL officials were hoping that they'd find some local fighters of a similar talent but have been met by disappointment in that regard.

The European trials will come to a conclusion with next week's Russian stop over and the league will be hoping that it's a successful week, to say the least.

[Romdawg88]

Victor Leon has some of the funkiest ratings I've ever seen. No one is going to come close to stopping him but he has no power, not very aggressive, he's not the most accurate puncher ever, and his control factors suck. I can't see him doing much in the IBL.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Victor Leon has some of the funkiest ratings I've ever seen. No one is going to come close to stopping him but he has no power, not very aggressive, he's not the most accurate puncher ever, and his control factors suck. I can't see him doing much in the IBL.

That's pretty likely, I'd say. I'm going to try to make the most of the rivalry between the three Venezuelan Featherweights, though. Could lead to a good story.

NOTE: I've just added a summary of the Swedish selection trials onto post #101, as it doesn't make sense to devote an entirely new post to such a short review.

That concludes week five of the IBL selection trials, which makes me happy. There's only two-and-a-half weeks of them to go, with the unveiling of the 600 fighters who will be participating in the league to be held soon after (as outlined in post #98).

I'll be trying to do some write-ups in this thread besides simply covering the trials to inject more interest into it. The goal is to bring the characters who will most likely be the "leading actors" in the league to life in the same way as I've done in the HBF.

[javier_83]

no more fights?

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by javier_83

no more fights?

There haven't been any yet, only selection trials. See post #98 for a summary of when the tournaments will begin.

[kenyan_cheena]

THE WORLD AT HIS FEET

Wednesday 12 June 2002

Story by David Gomez for espn.com

Having grown up in the Norfolk, Virginia housing project of Young Park, Pernell Whitaker knows what it means to be born into less than ideal circumstances. The 21 year-old Sydney Olympics Lightweight gold medallist was the fifth of seven children born to parents who were constantly struggling to put the next meal on the table.

"It was tough," said Whitaker reflectively, while speaking to me this afternoon at the site of the International Boxing League's Indianapolis selection trials, the Conseco Fieldhouse. "There was a lot of problems in that neighbourhood: lot o' unemployment, which means a lot o' poverty, which leads to drugs and crime. I remember when I was young, folks was robbin' their own grandmothers, aunts and uncles and it ain't change much since. Sometimes I look back and wonder how I manage to avoid all that. In a big family like ours, you had to get in quick or jus' go without, you know? But there's a lot of love in my family, man. My mother and father did the best they could for us, and we all look out for each other despite the disagreements that come up sometimes."

Being an individual familiar with what it's like to go without has made Pernell Whitaker appreciate the blessings that have showered down upon him since he decided to become an amateur boxer six years ago.

"I was always quick," Whitaker said. "Mainly 'cause, like I say, I had to be to get my share, to get some food in my stomach. But when I was at school, if someone was gonna try and beat me up or if we was playin' tag, no one could catch me. When I was fifteen, I met my trainer Lou. We was learning to box at school and Lou was involved in trainin' the US team for Atlanta and he saw me fightin' and told me I had a lot o' potential. He encouraged me to try out, I said "okay" and I ain't looked back since."

Whitaker's first amateur bout took place late in '96, a few months after the Atlanta Olympics. His talent was clear to see from the start and he reeled off 33 consecutive wins to start his career and in 1998 went into the World Championships as a heavy favourite to take out the gold medal. But he would find disappointment and learn a valuable lesson when Cuba's Orlando Zulueta outfoxed him in the tournament final. Pernell had to settle for the silver medal, but his apparent failure taught him something that has stuck with him ever since.

"I went into that fight a bit overconfident," he admits. "I guess I didn't give Orlando the respect he deserved. I was only seventeen so you could say my age got the better of me, but Orlando's two years younger than me so that ain't no excuse. I embraced the feelin' I had after that loss, 'cause I di'n't wanna feel it again."

Whitaker went back to work, winning five tournaments in '99 and then getting his revenge with a clear cut 33-10 points victory over Zulueta in the Sydney Olympics gold medal match.

"It was nice to get that redemption," said Whitaker. "And so clear cut, too, you know? There wasn't no doubt about that win."

Anyone who has followed the sport in recent years would be aware that Whitaker was considered the most gifted amateur boxer in any weight division following the Olympics. His left jab has been referred to as a work of art and his defensive mastery is beyond compare. Before the IBL came into being, Whitaker's amateur record stood at an outstanding 201-14.

As Whitaker intimated earlier, he and his family are no longer living in Young Park. Following his success in Sydney, Pernell signed a promotional deal with Nike which allowed his family to move to a nicer part of the city, further north near the coast.

"Things is easier for us now," said Whitaker. "Safer. And as for myself, I really feel that there ain't no reason why I can't win that Lightweight Championship. Don't care who they pick up in these trials, man. Ain't no one out there that can touch me. The world is at my feet."

[kenyan_cheena]

Above post has been added to and is now complete.

[kenyan_cheena]

HARD HITTING LIGHTWEIGHT DISCOVERED IN PANAMA

Thursday 13 June 2002

When the International Boxing League came into being in early April, the experts felt quite confident in saying that Olympic gold medallist Pernell Whitaker would be the class of the new organisation's Lightweight division and would more than likely claim its inaugural World Championship. They felt the chances of finding someone that would equal his talents during the IBL's selection trials were quite remote, and that Whitaker would almost stroll through the championship tournament untouched.

Fast forward to today and those same experts might be singing a different tune. Following last week's unexpected discovery of Lightweight Azumah Nelson in Ghana, the IBL has unearthed another fantastic prospect who could pose Whitaker some mighty headaches.

Roberto Duran is turning 17 on Sunday but has shown the skills and aggression of a seasoned veteran during the IBL's Estadio Nacional selection trials in Panama City.

"All I can say is ... wow," said IBL Chief Director Stephen Joseph. "Roberto Duran really is something else and I can't wait to see him in action."

Duran was born in El Chorrillo, a small town only a mile from Panama City, where he now resides. He has shown himself to be a shy young man out of the ring, but an absolute wrecking machine in it. He possesses an intensity and relentlessness that IBL scouts have yet to see here in South America, with awesome power in both hands and aggression to match it. But he's also proven that he is a capable boxer and defensively solid.

"He has all the tools required to get to the top," said Joseph. "Just fantastic. I find it hard to believe that he's never boxed outside of his homeland."

Some friends who accompanied Duran to the trials revealed that he comes from a poor family, and that with the administration of amateur boxing so disorganised in Panama, he's never been able to get an opportunity to show his talents internationally. But amongst those who attend the capital city's community organised amateur boxing events, Duran is already a legend. He has apparently won some fifty bouts, without a loss to his name.

It's not any sort of exaggeration to say that the International Boxing League's Lightweight division has been given a shot of intrigue during these past couple of weeks, and the anticipation of how Whitaker will tackle these new challenges will certainly build during the coming months...

[Jeff1787]

I will definitely be following the "Hands of Stone!!!" I mean "Manos de Piedra"

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Jeff1787

I will definitely be following the "Hands of Stone!!!" I mean "Manos de Piedra"

Cool. I'm really looking forward to the rivalry that will surely develop between "Sweet Pea", "The Professor" and "Hands of Stone".

Just to let you know, Jeff, your guy will make his first appearance during the review of the IBL's Indiana selection trials, which I should have done in a few days.

[Jeff1787]

Cool...Thanks!!

[kenyan_cheena]

IBL UNCOVERS PLETHORA OF TALENT IN HOOSIER TERRITORY

Friday 14 June 2002

This week's International Boxing League selection trials at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis have proven to be the most talent-heavy of all the trials that the IBL has staged to date, unearthing a flood of serious boxing talent.

Having returned to the USA on Tuesday following the completion of the African trials, IBL Chief Director James Molk has been more than impressed with the results.

"We thought that this would be a good trial," said Molk. "But the end result has just blown our expectations out of the water. It's fantastic. We've discovered at least one fighter in every weight division who has the potential to really contend for a World title, either right away or in the future."

Numbered amongst this deluge of ability is a trio of Cleveland natives who are all of a similar mold as far as technique goes. Jimmy Bivins, Johnny Kilbane and Joey Maxim are all skilled boxers blessed with solid defensive ability and excellent fitness. Bivins and Maxim are Light-Heavyweights and despite the fact that they're destined to clash in the ring sometime during the next eighteen months, they've struck up a solid friendship this week, passing on advice and tips to each other. They grew up only fifteen minutes apart but had never crossed paths before this week. Kilbane is a Featherweight, his quick hands and superb fitness standing him apart from the others who have trialed in his division.

While those Cleveland boys have been perfect gentlemen, their behaviour isn't a perfect guide as to how these trails have proceeded. The biggest story of the week would have to be the intense, heated rivalry between Middleweight trialists Jake Morrison and Stanley Ketchel.

Morrison is 19 years old, a native of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and one of the most hardcore competitors the North American IBL scouts have seen.

"That kid is just flat out nasty," said IBL scout Drew Rossum. "No doubting that. He has raised the bar as far as characters go since we started this thing. The guy's been mean and hostile to most of the people here, even us scouts. But he can hit. Yes, he can really hit. That left hook and the straight right, bam! I ain't seen many like that. And don't even start me on his fitness. Jake's been the first guy here every morning, ready to train. His dedication and discipline is unmatched by any of the others. You look at his frame and it's that perfect V shape from his shoulders down to his hips. He could easily step into the ring tomorrow and be ready to fight. As for his attitude towards Mr. Ketchel, it's like he smelled the guy out as his biggest threat and just went to work on him. He's a very scary guy."

As Rossum said, Morrison has been anything but a perfect gentleman, but everyone who's seen him in action this week have said they can't wait until he steps into the ring for the first time.

"I have absolutely no doubt that this kid is going to be a superstar," said Molk. "He has that sinister, scary vibe about him, almost like one of those dark characters in the WWE. But I don't think it's an act with him. He really is ill-tempered, aggressive and nasty. And I think the public will love him."

17 year-old Ketchel was born in Poland but has lived in America since his family settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan when he was three. He has dazzled all at these trials with his super aggressiveness, workrate and knockout power. Not averse to the odd dirty tactic, he's had to be cautioned by fight referees on more than one occasion and sent Morrison into a frenzy with what appeared to be a deliberate low blow when they clashed in an insane, and some would say ill-advised trial bout just this afternoon.

But unlike Morrison, Ketchel's is a much more amiable personality. An extrovert to say the least, he's prone to manic outbursts of hyperactivity that he often channels into his training regime, aswell as some clownish behaviour which has led to many an astonished gaze from others.

"He's quite a character also," said Molk, smiling. "You could say he's living in a different galaxy from the rest of us, 'cause I don't think that assessment would be too far off the mark."

Light-Heavyweight Eric Bengtson is another trialist to have impressed with his punching power. In contrast to Ketchel and Morrison, the Milwaukee native is a much more relaxed, quiet individual, one who prefers a laid-back existence.

"I'm not the type of guy who likes to draw attention to themselves," said Bengtson. "I'm confident in my abilities, but I don't feel the need to let everyone know about it. My actions will speak volumes once these tournaments get underway, I can assure you of that."

It's likely that Bengtson will be involved in some action-packed contests, as he's the type of fighter who won't take a backward step. He'll be right in his opponent's face, not giving them a moment's rest.

"I just can't wait for it," he said, smiling. "I think about it every day, how it'll be the first time I step in the ring, and it excites me."

Bengtson isn't the only one excited. IBL Chief Director James Molk spoke on how incredible the upcoming World Championship tournaments are shaping up to be.

"It just amazes me how much talent we've discovered during these past weeks," he said. "And we haven't even hit Jersey or the Caribbean yet. The five men who will eventually be crowned as our inaugural World Champions will surely have gone to hell and back before those belts are put around their waists. It's gonna be an amazing ride."

HARD HITTING LIGHT-HEAVIES
TAKE CENTRE STAGE IN AUCKLAND

The International Boxing League found a pleasant surprise in New Zealand during this past week, with a group of powerful Light-Heavyweights bringing interest to what was expected to be an underwhelming selection trial.

Good friends Frank Asotasi and Nathan Pritchard attended the trials together and had IBL scouts gobsmacked witrh their raw punching power. Others to have done the same included David Tupou, Tongan native Jonah Maka and Samoan Tupuola Mataafa.

"These guys can really pound, no doubt about that," said IBL scout Richard Neal. "Some of them are gonna have to work on their fitness and lose some pounds to get down below 175. There's a lot to some of these Maori fellas, so they'll have to work some of it off. A guy like Asotasi won't have to worry about that, though. He's in great shape and is really excited that he'll be representing his country in the IBL."

LITTLE LOVE FOUND IN RUSSIA

While the land of the long white cloud gave the IBL a pleasant surprise, they had no such good fortune in Russia. Only a trio of fighters from the Eastern European nation have been selected to fight under the league's banner, with tough 22 year-old Lightweight Sergei Artemiev the pick of the bunch.

"I guess it's a disappointing note to end things on," said the IBL's Malcolm North. "But I think that overall, these European trials have been a success. I think we'll really give a good account of ourselves once the tournaments start."

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

He really is ill-tempered, aggressive and nasty. And I think the public will love him."

Ha, what a great line there I love it. I can't wait for the Morrison/Ketchel should be a burnbarner though with the firepower the two bring to the ring it probably won't last to long. What a heck of a trial that has to be the most talent found in any one of them.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Ha, what a great line there I love it. I can't wait for the Morrison/Ketchel should be a burnbarner though with the firepower the two bring to the ring it probably won't last to long. What a heck of a trial that has to be the most talent found in any one of them.

Thanks, Romy. I hope Jeff is happy with the way I've portrayed his character. At the very least, he's going to make things interesting.

As for the talent on show, it sure was a good trial and there's at least half a dozen others from it rated 8+ who I didn't even mention. Like Molk said, the WC tourney is gonna be a great ride.

[kenyan_cheena]

Just added summaries of the NZ and Russia trials to the bottom of the Indiana review. As you can see, not great. All the NZ guys in the IBL are fictional ones that I'll be making up. But they could spring some surprises with their KO power.

[Jeff1787]

This is great stuff..win or lose..who cares, some of you guys have some great writing talents...and I am not kidding.......it comes from the heart and the love of what you are writing about....stand by for more...I hope!!

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Jeff1787

This is great stuff..win or lose..who cares, some of you guys have some great writing talents...and I am not kidding.......it comes from the heart and the love of what you are writing about....stand by for more...I hope!!

Thanks for the nice compliment, Jeff. You should take some of the credit for giving me a great bio to work with for your fighter. I really hope that the results fall his way, because he's a character that has a helluva lot of potential to be one of the leading lights of the IBL.

[franklin_1]

I have to agree with the consensus, you write very well and I look forward to each new post. You wrote my intro well and I can't wait to see how I perform in the ring.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by franklin_1

I have to agree with the consensus, you write very well and I look forward to each new post. You wrote my intro well and I can't wait to see how I perform in the ring.

Thanks for the compliment, franklin. I hope your fighter has some success in the IBL.

[kenyan_cheena]

EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH IN ATLANTIC CITY

Monday 17 June 2002

The International Boxing League's selection trials for their World Championship regional qualifying tournaments enter their seventh week today, with the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City set to host what IBL officials believe will be the most successful of all the trials they've held so far.

"This is the one," said IBL Chief Director James Molk this morning, smiling. "I don't want to diminish our achievements during the past six weeks, but nowhere in our nation is there a richer talent pool, as far as boxing is concerned, than here on the Atlantic coast. I say it with great confidence: this will be a fantastic week for the International Boxing League."

Having finished up their work in Africa a week ago, Molk's selection team will be present in Atlantic City until Wednesday to assist in the task of evaluating and conducting medical checks on what is expected to be the biggest turnout at any selection trial. Molk's team will fly down to Florida on Wednesday evening to oversee the trials at Miami's American Airlines Arena, starting Thursday.

"We really are in the home straight now," said Molk. "These past six weeks have been a great success and we want to finish it off on a high during the next couple. It is sad in a way, to think of when it will all be over. But these trials are simply the beginning for our organisation. We're all looking forward, beyond today to next month's MGM dinner and to the end of August, when our tournaments begin."

In a situation that has been surprisingly rare since Molk revealed the IBL to the world back on April 4th, the Chief Director and his HBF counterpart Michael Vincennes are currently only some 115 miles apart, with Molk in South Jersey and Vincennes in New York City.

"Well, that doesn't really mean much to me," said Molk. "I'm not interested in knowing his comings and goings but I'll be keeping an eye on how things are progressing in their tournaments, as I always do. I'm really looking forward to the Sonny Liston card on Saturday night. That's one I'll definitely sit down in front of the television for."

When speaking on the HBF and IBL back on April 23, Molk had said that he saw "no reason why we can't peacefully exist side-by-side", despite the fact that he believes that the sport should be governed by one organisation. That peaceful co-existence seems to be working wonderfully at the moment.

"I think it's pretty clear that both of our organisations are first class," said Molk. "Run and staffed by people who have the sport's best interests at heart. I'm just excited about the time when our tournaments finally begin, because it won't get much better than that. The timing is almost perfect, because we'll be kicking off in the week where the first stage of their tournaments come to an end. I believe they'll be having a little bit of a hiatus after that, I think about six weeks. That will give everyone a chance to get to know the fighters competing in the IBL."