Notes From A Title Bout Universe

[Mad Bomber]

I think the problem with Curry, and I may be wrong is that he was starting to have trouble making weight, and since he wasn't a big guy in terms of frame much the same as Benitez he struggled after Welterweight.

Also, his knockout at the hands of Mike McCallum was brutal.

[Jersey-Jim]

I'd read that Curry had developed a cocaine habit, and that effected his training and focus.

If that's true, he probably moved up to Jr. Middleweight to help alleviate the stress of "making weight" and his poor training and physical problems continued from that point forward.

I've had friends over the years who've had problems with cocaine. Although they didn't eat while using the drug, they went on eat binges afterward. I wish I could find the article, but it basically inferred that Curry's problems began right after he unified the title against McCrory and grew steadily from there.

[Mad Bomber]

Jim, that may well be the reason.

[Ric915]

Originally Posted by Jersey-Jim

I'd read that Curry had developed a cocaine habit, and that effected his training and focus.

If that's true, he probably moved up to Jr. Middleweight to help alleviate the stress of "making weight" and his poor training and physical problems continued from that point forward.

I've had friends over the years who've had problems with cocaine. Although they didn't eat while using the drug, they went on eat binges afterward. I wish I could find the article, but it basically inferred that Curry's problems began right after he unified the title against McCrory and grew steadily from there.

Really is a shame because he had some incredible talent. Thanks for the insight guys

[Jersey-Jim]

JERSEY JOE WALCOTT - GRIGORY DROZD W10 (UNANIMOUS DECISION)

Lou Duva gambled and the gamble paid off big! Jersey Joe Walcott, campaigning as a Cruiserweight in the first stage of his comeback, took on undefeated, Russian KO Artist Grigory Drozd who entered the fight with an impressive 28-0 (22) record.
Walcott was only making his third start since hitting the comeback trail about 9 months ago had scored stoppage victories over Steve Zouski and Rob Calloway. The top ranked Drozd was a huge jump in class.

"I have faith in Joe," stated Duva only hours before the fight. "Grigory is looking for recognition and Joe was looking to qualify himself as a legitimate opponent for the champion - Orlin Norris. Joe's going to get what he came here for tonight and Grigory Drozd isn't!"

Some boxing experts questioned Duva's handling of Walcott, placing him against such a dangerous opponent this early in his comeback. Duva and Walcott both silenced their critics.

Walcott put on a boxing clinching - out punching, out maneuvering and even flooring the Russian for the first time in his career.

"I felt great," says Walcott. "My goal is to regain the Heavyweight Championship of the World and become the oldest man to do so by regaining my old record. I'm fighting at Cruiserweight because it's easier on me right now. I ain't young anymore and I want to make sure that I don't burn myself out by fighting too many guys over 230 lbs. I thought I would go ahead and pick up the Cruiserweight Title on the way to regaining my Heavyweight Title."

When asked if he'd fight his old friend and stablemate Tony Galento, Walcott said, "Definitely no. We're each going to take our shots at the title, win it, and then retire again. That's the master plan."

With Lou Duva charting their course, it just might happen.

This is Jersey-Jim reporting.

[Jersey-Jim]

Duva, Galento & Walcott are - makin' it happen.

[Ric915]

Great Stuff Jim

[Jersey-Jim]

******************************
UNIVERSE TODAY NEWS HEADLINES
******************************
IN POLITICS
President Hoover insists we're really not in a depression, it just looks and feels that way... Story on page 2

Tony Galento may run for Governor of New Jersey while pursuing Heavyweight Title... Story on page 6

IN SCIENCE
Depression linked to lack of alcohol consumption... Story on page 4


IN SPORTS
Young Larry Holmes upsets aging Wlad Klitschko with ten round decision win. Klitschko states, "I lost to a fighter with only 14 professional fights and a loss to Italian Champ, Franco Cavicchi. I think I am going to retire."

Boxing voted - The Beautiful Sport by Oprah viewers ... Story on page 15

WEATHER
Dark, gloomy, rainey, windy and in some places, snowing.

HOROSCOPE
If you were born today, your chin is probably made out of a material similar to china. Forget becoming a fighter and pursue the cornerman arts instead.

THE RUMOR MILL
Coming next year, an All-Time Middleweight Tournament from which Jersey Jim will allegedly be sharing his notes.

[Jersey-Jim]

Ulisis Solis lifts the World Jr. Flyweight Championship from Eric Ortiz via a 12th round TKO. Ortiz suffered a bad gash on his right eyelid late in the 10th round and had great difficulties seeing out of the eye from that moment until the fight was stopped in the 12th.

Ulisis Solis was slightly ahead on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage.

The NEW Jr. Flyweight Champion of the World

Ulisis Solis

[Jersey-Jim]

Tony Galento and Jersey Joe Walcott are at the crossroads. A loss against better competition at this point would be a big setback to overcome. Stay tuned...

[Jersey-Jim]

CURRENT WORLD CHAMPIONS


Heavyweight: Ruslan Chagaev
Cruiserweight: Orlin Norris
Light Heavyweight: Antonio Tarver
Super Middleweight: Mikkel Kessler (will possibly fight Jermain Taylor)
Middleweight: Jermain Taylor
Jr. Middleweight: Fernando Vargas (signed to fight Julian Jackson)
Welterweight: Zab Judah
Jr. Welterweight: Ricky Hatton vs. Miguel Cotto for vacant title
Lightweight: Joel Casamayor
Jr. Lightweight: Erik Morales (signed to fight Manny Pacquiao)
Featherweight: Kevin Kelley vs. Rocky Juarez for vacant title
Jr. Featherweight: Oscar Larios
Bantamweight: Silence Mabuza (signed to fight Poonsowat Kratingdaennggym)
Jr. Bantamweight: Eric Morel
Flyweight: Jorge Arce
Jr. Flyweight: Ulises Solis

[Jersey-Jim]

Originally Posted by Ric915

Great Stuff Jim

I spent a little time in Arizona back in the day when Michael Carbajal reigned as king in Jr. Flyweight land. I took in Boot Hill, spent a few nights in Bisbie, rock climbed and drank (especially after I realized that I was sitting on the edge of a cliff when they snapped my picture at the top. About halfway up, my friend said, "Yeah, they have to airlift people off the top because of heart attacks and things like that."

Anyway, I just found a few pics and realized, I've gotta get Gonzalez and Carbajal injected into my universe's Jr. Flyweight division. Sometimes you hold out on using certain fighters but I think it's time to "open the gates!"

[Jersey-Jim]

The Cruiserweight Championship of the World

Orlin Norris (Champion) vs. Jersey Joe Walcott


Orlin Norris and Jersey Joe Walcott are receiving their final instructions from the referee in charge of the action - Arthur Mercante, Jr. Lou Duva shouts his final encouragment to Walcott as they return to the corner. The noise in Atlantic City's convention center is cranked all the way up to HIGH as we get ready for a night of action as Jersey Joe Walcott and Tony Galento share top billing in co-main event feature entitled - DOUBLE THE PUNISHMENT, DOUBLE THE FUN.

Round 1
Walcott goes right after Norris as begin the first round of a 15 round bout. Walcott lands a nice uppercut and Norris doubles up with two hard hooks to the body. Now it's Walcott who nails Norris to the body. Norris blasts a right hand off of Joe's rib cage and that shot made him wince! Walcott lands a nice right hand and Norris scores with a combination to the head. No feeling out process tonight as the bell sounds ending a good first round.

[Jersey-Jim]

Round 2
Walcott doubles up on his jab with the second one missing. Norris, the defending champion, is the favorite here tonight. Many believe that Walcott is simply too old and question Lou Duva's strategy of having him go after the Cruiserweight Title first before launching an assault upon the Heavyweight division. Others say that he's trying to position Tony Galento for the first crack at the champion - Ruslan Chagaev.

Oh!!! There's a huge hook from Orlin Norris that drops Walcott right on the center of the Budweiser logo in ring center! I don't think Walcott's getting up! Wait, he pops up to his feet as the count reaches 3. He's telling Mercante he's fine. Arthur Mercante's waiving the fighters together. Norris is opening fire from all angles! Walcott ducks and weaves beneath most of the punches. Norris scores with a hard hook to the head. Walcott's going to make it to the bell. There it is. A great round for the champion!

[Jersey-Jim]

Duva's working hard on Walcott between rounds.

Round 3
Norris purses Walcott as we start the third. Orlin Norris looking weary? Maybe he punched himself out? It's hard to believe, we're only in the 3rd. Walcott scores with the jab and keeps moving. Walcott scores with a combination and a left hand. His punches don't seem to have too much on them. Norris pursues and has yet to land a punch. It was a good round for Walcott to clear his head. There's the bell.

[Jersey-Jim]

Round 4
Walcott turns Norris' head sideways with a huge left hook! Norris' legs bucked! Walcott lands a hard hook to the body and a combination to the head! A hard left to head from Walcott snaps Norris' head back. Walcott lands another combination. The old man is bringing on the pain here in the fourth round! They're trading punches - exchanging power shots near the far corner! Walcott's taking Norris' punches well.

A hard right hand to the body hurts Walcott! Walcott slams two lefts off Norris' head. Walcott with a right to the body and a left hook to the chin. Walcott lands a scorching right hand! That punch froze Norris! Walcott's unloading the whole arsenal now! Norris is out on his feet! He's swaying like a heavy bag and down he goes - through the ropes and out of the ring!

Mercante's stopping the fight! This fight is over. Pandemonium erupts here at the Convention Center. Jersey Joe Walcott has captured the Cruiserweight Championship of the World!

[Jersey-Jim]

Jersey Joe Walcott - Orlin Norris TKO4

Walcott becomes the new - Cruiserweight Champion of the World

[Jersey-Jim]

Tony Galento stops Ruiz in 7th to claim the vacant NABF Heavyweight Title!

[Lee]

Nice touch with the Boxing Universe Tonight, very well done.

Good to see Galento moida da Bum!!

[Jersey-Jim]

Originally Posted by Lee

Nice touch with the Boxing Universe Tonight, very well done.

Good to see Galento moida da Bum!!

Thanks . This is as good a place as any to release an eccentricity or two!