[GForce]

March Title Fight Recaps Cont.

IBF Featherweight Title Fight: Vicente Saldivar (5-0, 4 KO) vs Cecilio Lastra (2-1)

Saldivar comes off an impressive defense against Danny Lopez, knocking him out in 4. Here, he takes on another solid challenger in Cecilio Lastra, a rematch of the tournament semifinal in which Saldivar stopped Lastra by TKO in Round 7. This time, Saldivar makes even shorter work, battering Lastra into a 5th round stoppage as ref Mickey Vann jumps in with Lastra out on his feet. He never went down, but that's just a technicality. Saldivar has been extremely impressive so far.

Vicente Saldivar TKO 5 Cecilio Lastra

WBA Jr. Welterweight Title Fight: Antonio Cervantes (4-0, 3 KO) vs Saoul Mamby (2-1)

Cervantes chooses an intriguing opponent for his first defense, the defensive Mamby, who makes it very hard to look good. And through 6 rounds, Mamby is ahead on two cards and tied on a third. Cervantes was visibly frustrated after the second round, but ripped Mamby apart in the third, then took over late in the fourth, hurting Mamby late with a thudding left to the body. But Mamby appeared to take both rounds 5 and 6 on the strength of his defense, as his accuracy on his punches was lacking. He was, in essence, getting points as much for making the champion look bad as he was for scoring. Cervantes took the 7th and in the 8th, when Mamby was cut outside his right eyebrow, which bleeds badly and brings swelling quickly. Cervantes has his best round of the fight in the 8th, working the head and body with power and precision, finding openings that didn't seem to be there earlier, and it's more of the same in rounds 9 and 10. Mamby seems to be tiring, and in the 11th, that gash over the eye is reopened, with the eye nearly swollen shut. The doctor takes a look, but lets Mamby continue. Shockingly, Mamby responds well, with a furious flurry that seems to catch Cervantes off balance. He makes it out of the round, but early in the 12th, with his corner unable to stem the flow or reduce the swelling, Cervantes rips him early. The cut opens wider and it's obvious Mamby sees nothing coming from that side. Despite his objections, the doctor tells Richard Steele to stop the fight, awarding Cervantes a TKO victory at 48 seconds of the 12th. It's a debatable stoppage, since Mamby won the 11th on all cards and hadn't been down. But it took a breather in the 11th when the doctor checked the cut for Mamby to get that second wind. Had he been left to fight on, Cervantes likely would have taken him out anyway. A great effort from Mamby, but Cervantes survives to keep his title.

Antonio Cervantes TKO 12 Saoul Mamby

IBF Jr. Middleweight Title Fight: Maurice Hope (4-0, 2 KO) vs Tadashi Mihara (2-1-1)

This fight drew cries from Winky Wright, who drew with Mihara last month. "Hope's scared of me," Wright said before the fight. "Why would he fight Mihara but not me? Because he knows I can beat him." Hope's response was a predictible one..."I already beat Wright," he said, referring to his unanimous decision victory in the tournament semifinal. "Been there, done that." Hope is in control of this one through 6, save for Round 2, and looks to be fighting with confidence. Mihara eats a lot of leather early and is dropped twice in Round 6. But Hope starts to get a little careless, and starts to leave openings. After an even 7th, it's Mihara who starts to rake Hope, dominating him in the 8th and for the first 2 minutes of round 9, before Hope realizes he better not give this one away. Mihara still takes the 9th, but Hope resumes control in the 10th before knocking Mihara cold in the 11th.

Maurice Hope KO 11 Tadashi Mihara

More to come....

GH

[GForce]

March Title Fight Recaps Cont.

IBF Flyweight Title Fight: Michael Carbajal (4-0, 3 KO) vs Hilario Zapata (3-1, 1 KO)

Many felt Zapata would present a more difficult matchup for Carbajal than his eventual championship tournament foe, Myung-Woo Yuh, who won a narrow, majority decision over a stunningly out of shape Zapata in the semifinal. So boxing writers were quick to give credit to Carbajal for being quickly willing to face Zapata, an intriguing stylistic matchup, as well. Carbajal starts off well, cutting off the ring on Zapata who is showing less movement than anticipated. But in the second, Zapata shows the hit and run tactics most anticipated, and many felt could give Carbajal problems. Zapata wasn't going to stand in and trade with him, so if Carbajal wanted to unload, he'd have to do the chasing. Carbajal is effective again in the third, doing a better job of cutting off the ring on Zapata, and forcing him into exchanges Zapata couldn't hope to win.

Carbajal is after Zapata again in the fourth, and Zapata is back on his bike. Carbajal is throwing a truckload of punches, but is having a hard time finding the mark, and Zapata counterpunches brilliantly while staying clear of damage. Rounds 5 and 6 see Carbajal getting increasingly frustrated as Zapata is landing well with sporadic flurries and a good jab, but escapes without letting Carbajal ever land more than a shot at a time. Carbajal's shots have more sting, but they are landing so rarely there's no cumulative effect, and Carbajal and his corner know it.

Zapata is handling round 7 until late, when Carbajal catches him with a cross and gets him in a corner. But even there, with an onslaught from Carbajal, the vast majority of his blows are blocked or slipped, and Zapata emerges the round unscathed.

The 8th is even and thoroughly uneventful. Carbajal is the aggressor, but he's missing so many blows that he looks bad, like he's being outclassed. And Zapata is landing enough and at a high enough clip that he can't be accused of running.

Twice in the 9th, Carbajal grabs hold of Zapata and wrestles him, desperately trying to keep him in reach. The round is Carbajal's, but he has yet to hurt Zapata or put him in any kind of danger.

Danger happens in the 10th, though, when Carbajal lands his biggest blow of the fight, a counter right cross the buckles Zapata. The follow up body shot puts Zapata to his knees. Zapata rises at 8, and survives the final 20 seconds of the round. The key is seeing if this was Carbajal's breakthrough.

Zapata regroups in the 11th and keeps Carbajal at bay, again sticking and moving, dodging and weaving. He's ripping Carbajal from outside with jabs at will in the 12th before Carbajal bulls his way inside and works the body again. the round ends evenly, but it's the last time Carbajal has Zapata in any semblance of trouble.

Zapata just sticks to the gameplan for the final three rounds, dominating the 13th and 14th - throwing and landing his highest volume of shots in the fight -before taking the 15th off, letting Carbajal land a couple of single straight rights that win the round for Carbajal, content just to stay out of danger.

Zapata carried out his gameplan brilliantly, but it's a gameplan that those who feel you need to attack and take a belt from a champion may find fault with. The judges rule unanimously...

145-140....

144-141....

143-142....

for the winner....













and NEW IBF Flyweight Champion of the World, HILARIO ZAPATA!!!!

Carbajal will be given a rematch, probably sometime during the summer.

Hilario Zapata UD 15 Michael Carbajal

More to come....

GH

[GForce]

March Title Fight Recaps Cont.

WBC Featherweight Title Fight: Ernesto Marcel (4-0, 1 KO) vs Ruben Castillo (0-2)

This is a more standard first defense. Marcel dominates the opening round, Castillo bangs well with him in rounds 2 and 3 before the talent difference takes shape. Marcel cruises through round 4, then opens up the heavy artillery in round 5, beating Castillo badly. Less than a minute into round 6, Marcel stuns Castillo with a hard 3-punch combination, following it up with a flurry that puts Castillo down for the count.

Ernesto Marcel KO 6 Ruben Castillo

WBA Flyweight Title Fight: Ricardo Lopez (5-0, 3 KO) vs Chan-Hee Park (1-1-1)

Lopez's opening title defense against Wongjongkam was a surprise in its potential toughness. But Lopez wasted no time signing a second defense, taking on game challenger Chan-Hee Park. Park keeps the pace with Lopez, but is unable to match firepower or accuracy. Lopez batters Park for the better part of 8 rounds until referee Elmo Adolph jumps in to say enough is enough. Park hadn't been dropped and didn't LOOK terrible, but he was eating a lot of leather without doing much in response. Adolph saw no reason for him to continue absorbing shots in a fight he wasn't going to win.

Ricardo Lopez TKO 8 Chan-Hee Park

IBF Bantamweight Title Fight: Masahiko Harada (4-0) vs Edie Cook (1-2)

Harada spends the whole fight outside, and Cook seems to spend the whole time hoping for that big power shot. That shot never comes, and Harada wins an easy if unappealing performance unanimously, 147-138, 147-140, 146-140

Masahiko Harada UD 15 Eddie Cook

More to come....

GH

[GForce]

March Title Fight Recaps Cont.

IBF Middleweight Title Fight: Bernard Hopkins (5-0, 3 KO) vs Robert Allen (1-1-1)

Allen comes to fight, and combined with Hopkins' tendency not to get going until several rounds into the fight, this one looks interesting from the get-go. Allen bangs with Hopkins for the first three rounds, taking everything Hopkins dishes out and answering it. Allen also isn't taking Hopkins' testing of the rules lightly, as he hits on the break in the third shortly after Hopkins does the same. Hopkins dominates round 4, but Allen responds well in the fifth, finding a surprising amount of holes temporarily in Hopkins' defense. Hopkins' corner rips him apart after the round, and he takes it to heart. Hopkins executes perfect for the next three rounds, leaving Allen unable to land as he was earlier, and slowing down from the punishment of Hopkins' shots. After roughly 8 1/2 minutes of watching Allen get beaten without landing more than a single meaningful shot at once, ref Jorge Padilla jumps in to call a halt to the bout. At some point, turning it on like a switch may cost Hopkins, but until it does bet on him to keep doing it.

Bernard Hopkins TKO 8 Robert Allen

WBA Welterweight Title Fight: Luis Rodriguez (3-0-1, 1 KO) vs Vernon Forrest (3-0-1)

After their initial draw, Rodriguez and Forrest get together to fill the only remaining vacant FBA belt. Forrest insists the gash on his head suffered in their first fight won't be a problem, and that there will be a champion decided here.
It looks to be a quick night from the opening bell, as Rodriguez just smothers Forrest, blasting him into the ropes quickly and pouncing. Forrest clinches to survive the round, but looks hurt already. He spends much of round 2 moving or holding onto Rodriguez, not doing much, still looking quite shaken from the opening round attack.
Forrest gets his bearings in the third and the two begin a 7-round stretch of very even rounds, each judge either 2 or 3 of the rounds even. Forrest is working the body well, but Rodriguez is throwing more punches and still landing at a higher clip. Forrest's shots appear to have a bit more steam on them however, a big turn from the opening rounds. Rodriguez punctuates an even 10th round with two straight rights and a hook that dazes Forrest at the bell. The two swing wildly as the bell sounds and, driven by three warnings and a point deduction - all against Rodriguez - the bad blood seems to be brewing hotter by the round.
As round 11 opens up, it appears Forrest has gotten a fire lit under him. The two exchange straight rights before a counter left hook from Forrest snaps Rodriguez's head back. He lands a short, clean right and then an uppercut, and the crowd is buzzing as Rodriguez looks in trouble. Forrest lands a straight right again and Rodriguez is backed into a corner. But when Forrest comes after him, Rodriguez clamps his arms. THis happens three times, Forrest growing visibly incensed each time. BUt Rodriguez has done his part, stalling Forrest's attack. Rodriguez lands a counter right hook that freezes Forrest, then a straight right hand and a pair of uppercuts, the last of which put Forrest on the seat of his pants. He's up quickly, but Rodriguez in a matter of seconds completely flipped the momentum of the fight.
THe 12th is an even, uneventful affair that brings us to round 13. Here, Rodriguez starts out much as Forrest did the 11th. Everything he's throwing lands, and Forrest can't escape the pursuit. Rodriguez is just ripping hooks at Forrest and scoring well. Forrest musters a clinch, and right out of it he lands a solid hook. The two are inside, and seem to be doing more pushing and roughhousing than boxing. That changes when Forrest lands a hard uppercut. Rodriguez is wobbled, but fires back with a jab that finds the mark. Forrest continues ahead though, and lands an overhand right in the closing moments that leaves Rodriguez hanging onto the ropes. Unfortunately for Forrest, the bell sounds and Rodriguez gets a minute break. And that's all he would need.
Rodriguez recouperates and keeps Forrest at bay in the 14th, picking him apart with good movement and defense that Forrest can't answer. He then coasts through round 15 and to the bell. Forrest is none to happy when Rodriguez comes to congratulate him after the bout, Rodriguez's fouls and headwork not sitting well.
Forrest had to hope those even middle rounds went largely in his favor...

147-139...

144-141...

146-140...







for the winner....and NEW WBA Welterweight Champion of the World









LUIS RODRIGUEZ!!!!

It took two times, but the belt can now be worn. And the FBA Title Bouts, both for the tournaments and the month of March, have been completed. With no titles changing hands in January or February, two change hands in March, and the last vacant belt is awarded.

We'll see what happens in April!!!

Luis Rodriguez UD 15 Vernon Forrest

GH

[GForce]

March '05: Notable Results

IBF Jr. Bantamweight: Jiro Watanabe (2-1, 2 KO) vs Alexander Munoz (2-1-1, 1 KO)

The southpaw Watanabe comes in following an impressive destruction of undefeated Chartchai Sasakul, who was making his first endeavor into the big time after coming up from the WBO. Watanabe knocked him out in the 10th of a fight he had largely dominated. The crafty southpaw would meet Munoz, whose pure firepower would be difficult to contend with. The opening round is a slugfest, Watanabe landing more blows, but Munoz landing the harder shots, knocking Watanabe backward several times. More of the same in the second, with Munoz taking the round more decisively. But Watanabe's tactical prowess takes over, spending the next three rounds thoroughly neutralizing Munoz's offense. It seems clear Munoz is loading up, trying to land the big shot, but Watanabe is showing different angles and defending very well, while doing an exceptional job of counterpunching. Watanabe has Munoz in danger in the fourth, but Munoz survives. In the 6th, Munoz regains control midway through the round with a straight right that almost puts Watanabe down. He backs into a corner and withstands a punishing assault from Munoz over the final minute. But the next three rounds are all Watanabe, who is making Munoz miss often and continues to counterpunch brilliantly, raking Munoz with hooks to the body and combinations up top.
The two start the 10th tactically, when out of nowhere a hard right from Munoz hammers Watanabe, dropping him to the canvas. Dazed, he fails his first effort to rise, but makes it up at 9. Ref Rafael Ramos lets the bout continue, but Watanabe has 2:30 to try and make up for the knockdown, or even survive. Watanabe dodges for a while, but a hook, a jab and a pair of blistering combinations put Watanabe down for the count in a stirring and impressive victory for Munoz.

Watanabe was up on 2 cards, with the third even, after 9.

Alexander Munoz KO 10 Jiro Watanabe

WBC Jr. Middleweight: Eckhard Dagge (5-1-1) vs Davey Moore (2-2)

Dagge debuts from the WBO in a brutal fight. Moore takes 2 of the first 3 rounds, but is gashed across the bridge of his nose. Moore hammers away and Dagge bangs with up, but the cut is continually opened wider and wider, the blood continuing to flow and causing an increasing problem for Moore. On top of it, swelling around his eyes poses a problem and his corner is working feverishly to try and keep him in the bout. Dagge's left eye swells rapidly in round 8, in which a bloody Moore is dominant. But Moore's corner can't halt the bleeding, or the swelling any longer, and after Moore is worked over for a minute to open the 9th, the bout is stopped with Moore's face a crimson mask. Two cards even, Dagge up a point on the third at stoppage.

Eckhard Dagge TKO 9 Davey Moore

WBA Flyweight: Tadashi Tomori (0-4) vs Jung-Koo Chang (3-1)

Chang back in the ring for the first time since dropping the unanimous decision in the tournament final to Ricardo Lopez. Tomori throws a ton of punches but so does Chang. Difference is Chang's actually land. An easy, unanimous victory for the Korean Hawk, 99-93, 98-93, 98-94. Tomori is said to be considering retirement.

Jung-Koo Chang UD 10 Tadashi Tomori


More bouts of note to come

GH

[GForce]

March '05: Notable Results Cont.

WBA Light-Heavyweight: Richie Kates (3-1, 1 KO) vs Bob Foster (3-1, 1 KO)

Kates decides to make his WBA debut against the hard-punching Foster, returning to the ring for the first time after losing the tournament championship bout in a controversial stoppage at the hands of Roy Jones Jr. Kates decides he's going to stand in and bang with Foster. Foster decides he's going to beat the hell out of Kates. Kates decides not to get up.

Bob Foster KO 5 Richie Kates

IBF Heavyweight: Ken Norton (1-1, 1 KO) vs Riddick Bowe (3-1, 2 KO)

When both of these guys were stopped in the tournament (by Michael Dokes and Frank Bruno, respectively) the boxing world was stunned. So, with both looking to climb the rankings (and Norton fighting for the first time since the upset) it's time for heavy leather. They don't throw a huge amount of shots, but what they throw they land as defense is thoroughly absent. It doesn't last long, though, as Bowe hurts Norton badly with a combination in the second. Norton looks practically out, but rather than retreating he chooses to stand and trade. It's gutsy, but also incredibly stupid. Norton lands a few hard shots but Bowe is just landing everything to the head and a half-conscious Norton hits the canvas hard at 2:48 of the second and doesn't make it up.

Riddick Bowe KO 2 Ken Norton

WBA Cruiserweight: Dwight Qawi (3-1, 2 KO) vs Carlos DeLeon (0-2)

Qawi returns to the ring after losing an outstanding tournament final to Wayne "Big Truck" Braithwaite, 141-140 on all cards. DeLeon comes in a desperate man, having been disqualified in the opening bout of the tournament against Henry Tillman, then not fighting until December, when he dropped a majority decision to Fabrice Tiozzo. This one is a war, as Qawi tries to bull though DeLeon but "Sugar" is able to withstand it. As happened in his title fight against Braithwaite, Qawi tires late, and DeLeon shuts him down completely in the final two rounds, earning a tough, hard-earned unanimous decision 96-94 on all cards.

Carlos DeLeon UD 10 Dwight Qawi


More bouts of note to come

GH

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by GForce

March '05: Notable Results Cont.

WBA Light-Heavyweight: Richie Kates (3-1, 1 KO) vs Bob Foster (3-1, 1 KO)

Kates decides to make his WBA debut against the hard-punching Foster, returning to the ring for the first time after losing the tournament championship bout in a controversial stoppage at the hands of Roy Jones Jr. Kates decides he's going to stand in and bang with Foster. Foster decides he's going to beat the hell out of Kates. Kates decides not to get up.

Bob Foster KO 5 Richie Kates

Greatest write up ever, that right there kicked some ass and the rest of the fights seemed pretty damn good. March looks like it's going to be the best post-tournment month so far by alot.

[GForce]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Greatest write up ever, that right there kicked some ass and the rest of the fights seemed pretty damn good. March looks like it's going to be the best post-tournment month so far by alot.

Yeah, it's been a good month. And, FYI, Vargas is on the WBO slate this month. So if he wins, he'll be eligible to be signed. He faces Carlos Santos-Robles, I believe. A very winnable fight.

Still have a few more "Notable" fights to add for the month, obviously including the much anticipated Leonard/Trinidad showdown.

GH

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Greatest write up ever, that right there kicked some ass and the rest of the fights seemed pretty damn good. March looks like it's going to be the best post-tournment month so far by alot.

I enjoyed that to.

[GForce]

March '05: Notable Results Cont.

WBC Heavyweight: Evander Holyfield (3-1, 3 KO) vs Trevor Berbick (1-2)

Evander outworks Berbick, pressuring him. But Berbick won't back down, and is hanging with Evander. A pair of low blows and a cut over his right eye that keeps getting reopened change that. Berbick won't run, and as such he takes a lot of punishment before finally wilting under the pressure and falling victim to a knockout 36 seconds into the 9th round. Holyfield up 77-74, 76-75, 76-75 at time of the knockout.

Evander Holyfield KO 9 Trevor Berbick

WBC Lightweight: Floyd Mayweather Jr. (3-1, 2 KO) vs Pedro Carrasco (1-3)

Carrasco figures the best way to fight Floyd is to just bury him under a relentless volume of punches. He outpunches Floyd by 40 per round. Unfortunately for Carrasco, volume is irrelevant if you can't land. He lands 14% of his blows, Floyd lands 44%. Guess who wins? Carrasco is dropped in the 5th, cut badly in the 6th and it reopens twice. Floyd coasts for much of the fight, and the ringside doctor stops it due to cuts in the closing seconds of round 8.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. TKO 8 Pedro Carrasco

WBA Bantamweight: Sung-Kil Moon (3-1, 1 KO) vs Orlando Canizales (1-1)

Moon was eliminated in the semifinal by eventual champion Eder Jofre, while Canizales was bounced by Lupe Pintor, who ultimately was beaten by Jofre as well. This one starts off shockingly, with Canizales pummeling Moon in the opening round. Moon survives the beating on the strength of a crushing hook late that stops Canizales' momentum. Canizales is ahead in round 2 before Moon responds late with a barrage. Rounds 3 through 6 are a toss-up and a lot of fun, both fighters trading combinations while fighting in a phone booth. Lots of ripping shots high and low. Nobody seems in danger of going, but both are hurt at times, and Canizales is cut outside his right eyebrow. Canizales controls the 7th, Moon the 8th, reopening the cut on Canizales. Moon bulls Canizales into the corner to open the 9th, shaking him with a hard uppercut. But Canizales blasts his way back out with a 3-punch combination and they're back at ring center to exchange. Lots of clutching and grabbing throughout the round, but when they weren't locked up they were throwing shots with abandon. The 10th is shockingly tame, both fighters looking exhausted. It goes to the cards, all the same...96-94...for Canizales. It could be said 7 rounds in this fight were legitimately too close to call. Apparently, more were called for Canizales. A good, action-packed fight.

Orlando Canizales UD 10 Sung-Kil Moon


More bouts of note to come

GH

[mh2365]

good stuff as always G-force

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by GForce

Yeah, it's been a good month. And, FYI, Vargas is on the WBO slate this month. So if he wins, he'll be eligible to be signed. He faces Carlos Santos-Robles, I believe. A very winnable fight.

Still have a few more "Notable" fights to add for the month, obviously including the much anticipated Leonard/Trinidad showdown.

GH

Cool, you know it's weird in real life I can barely stand Vargas but for some reason I'm real interested to see how he does in the FBA. Yeah can't wait for Leonard/Trinidad.

[meade95]

Sung Kil Moon Vs Orlando Canizales would have been an excellent match up......But at BW Moon was probably a slight notch above where he was best.....JBW......still his pure power / aggression would have given Canizales problems...

[Brooks TVB]

Good stuff.

[GForce]

March '05: Notable Results Cont.

WBA Welterweight: Felix Trinidad (1-1, 1 KO) vs Sugar Ray Leonard (2-1, 1 KO)

The much anticipated bout had all the hype of a title fight. But, as has been discussed, many felt Tito would need to blast Leonard early, or Leonard would just work him over for the duration. But, 19 seconds into the fight, when back met canvas, it was Trinidad who was sprawled out. Trinidad is up at 5, but Leonard pounces, and this fight looks much like Trinidad/Pineda did. However, Trinidad blasts away in the final minute, having lost the round but at least showing some life. This is perhaps the reason Leonard backs off in the second, fighting more conservatively, picking Trinidad apart from the outside. But Trinidad breaks through late, a combination and a hard right cross getting Leonard's, and the crowd's attention. Leonard keeps Trinidad at bay again for much of the third, though he's not landing much of his own. But he takes the final 30 seconds of the round to steal it with successive combinations. The 4th is even and surprisingly uneventful, but Leonard is back to picking Trinidad apart in the 5th. Everything Trinidad throws, it seems Leonard either dodges or rolls with. In the 6th, Trinidad is able to coax Leonard into a brawl, but Leonard acquits himself well, taking some hard shots well and proving too fast for Trinidad in landing several combinations of his own. Leonard then controls the 7th and most of the 8th before they go toe-to-toe in the 9th. Again, Leonard takes the shots from Trinidad well and is able to stick combinations and move before Trinidad can respond. Leonard controls the final round from a distance, absorbing a thunderous hook from Trinidad in the final 30 seconds. The critics were right, as Leonard proves too fast and too much for Trinidad, taking a unanimous decision 99-90 on all cards.

Ray Leonard UD 10 Felix Trinidad

GH

[GForce]

April Signings

The following fighters were eligible to be let out of their WBO contracts. A small crop this month. Signings, or rejections, are listed below.

Juan Carlos Gomez - CW (WBA)
Murray Sutherland - LHW (WBA)
Jerry Martin - LHW (WBA)
Rudy Robles - MW (unsigned)
Carlos Santos-Robles - JMW (unsigned)
Crisanto Espana - WW (WBA)
Jose Badillo - FW (WBA)
Tae-Shik Kim - FLY (IBF)

* Santos-Robles upset Fernando Vargas, who was also fighting to move up. Since Vargas was virtually assured of being signed had he won, Santos-Robles is positively livid that he was passed up, since he beat Vargas.

GH

[GForce]

April Title Fights

After a wild March with 14 title fights, 2 changing hands and the only vacant FBA title slot finally filled, we move into April. Nine more belts on the line, and we kick it off with a stunning decision by Muhammad Ali for his first defense.

Champs listed first

WBA Heavyweight: Muhammad Ali vs Lennox Lewis (This is Lewis' first appearance after being picked up from the WBO...Ali showing despite all the talk, he has no fear).
WBA Cruiserweight: Wayne Braithwaite vs Sergei Kobozev
WBA Jr. Bantamweight: Fernando Montiel vs Tae-Il Chang

WBC Cruiserweight: Jean-Marc Mormeck vs Thomas Hansvoll
WBC Jr. Welterweight: Kostya Tszyu vs Diosbelys Hurtado
WBC Jr. Bantamweight: Johnny Tapia vs Willie Jensen (Tapia has interim defense before having to give Gilberto Roman a mandatory rematch)
WBC Flyweight: Miguel Canto vs Yukito Tamakuma

IBF Light-Heavyweight: Virgil Hill vs Oscar Rivadeneyra
IBF Jr. Lightweight: Julio Cesar Chavez vs Brian Mitchell
IBF Jr. Welterweight: Meldrick Taylor vs David Sample

GH

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by GForce

April Title Fights

After a wild March with 14 title fights, 2 changing hands and the only vacant FBA title slot finally filled, we move into April. Nine more belts on the line, and we kick it off with a stunning decision by Muhammad Ali for his first defense.

Champs listed first

WBA Heavyweight: Muhammad Ali vs Lennox Lewis (This is Lewis' first appearance after being picked up from the WBO...Ali showing despite all the talk, he has no fear).
WBA Cruiserweight: Wayne Braithwaite vs Sergei Kobozev
WBA Jr. Bantamweight: Fernando Montiel vs Tae-Il Chang

WBC Cruiserweight: Jean-Marc Mormeck vs Thomas Hansvoll
WBC Jr. Welterweight: Kostya Tszyu vs Diosbelys Hurtado
WBC Jr. Bantamweight: Johnny Tapia vs Willie Jensen (Tapia has interim defense before having to give Gilberto Roman a mandatory rematch)
WBC Flyweight: Miguel Canto vs Yukito Tamakuma

IBF Jr. Lightweight: Julio Cesar Chavez vs Brian Mitchell
IBF Jr. Welterweight: Meldrick Taylor vs David Sample

GH

Holy crap that's a huge fight there. Got to give it both to Ali and Lennox both are showing alot of guts taking this match. Going to have to go with Ali by UD.

[GForce]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Holy crap that's a huge fight there. Got to give it both to Ali and Lennox both are showing alot of guts taking this match. Going to have to go with Ali by UD.

Yeah...the advantage of my scheduling is that a champ can pick his first opponent randomly, so potential for these shocking matchups happens (much as it did with Roman/Tapia). He then must fight a top 10 fighter then the mandatory #1 by year's end. So Lewis gets luck of the draw coming in from the WBO, and if you think about it in "real-life" terms it makes a compelling storyline.

Lewis bitched and moaned when he wasn't signed originally. He proclaimed his superiority, then went through the WBO and went 7-0, devastating his competition. Ali, as one could imagine, is eager to get his hands on the arrogant Brit and put him in his place quickly. Ali's no ducker, and what better way to stamp his legitimacy on his belt (not that he has to after the grueling title fight with Holmes) than to take out quickly the guy who said all along he could beat him?

So, yes, it's guts by Ali. But it's not really guts on Lennox's part...he'd be foolish to pass up the opportunity. And he's built such an impressive resume with the way he ran through the WBO that even if he loses, his performance points total will keep him in a Top 5 ranking regardless.

An interesting note...Lennox's WBO stint was so impressive that, technically, he comes into the WBA as the #1 ranked fighter. This is NOT, however, Ali's mandatory defense, as I won't be doing real rankings until after the June fights.

GH

[kenyan_cheena]

I'm also looking forward to Ali-Lewis.

You've already had so many great fights in the post-tournament months of the FBA, and this one looks like being the best of the lot.

Great stuff, GForce.