Gba

[Ian Lord]

Hi Chris. Arroyo's record is 6-3 [3].

2006

13th Jan Livingstone Bramble London, England LPTS10
18th Feb Claude Noel Atlantic City, NJ WTKO3
13th Mar Viktor Baranov Los Angeles, CA LTKO3
6th May Roberto Duran Cincinnati, OH LPTS10
22nd July Yatsune Uehara Tokyo, Japan WPTS8
5th Aug Tirso Albia San Antonio, TX WPTS8
17th Sep Lee Cargle Las Vegas, NV WTKO5
7th Oct Rolando Navarette Tokyo, Japan WKO7
11th Nov Bazooka Limon San Antonio, TX WPTS8

As you can see, he holds a few good wins over Limon, Navarette, and Noel [who challenges Duran for the world title next month]. Losses have been to Duran and Bramble who are the top two lightweights at the moment, and a rather surprising stoppage loss to the Russian Baranov.
Incidentally, he's the only man to have taken Duran the distance.
At the moment, legitimate contenders for the United States title are a bit thin on the ground in the lightweight division. This should be a good match-up.

[meade95]

Originally Posted by Ian Lord

December Dates


MW: Sumbu Kalambay v Iran Barkley [10 x 3]

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR - 12 Rounds
Riddick Bowe v Lennox Lewis

ASIAN, ORIENTAL, and JAPANESE MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLES - 12 Rounds
Tadeshi Mihara [champ] v Shinji Takehara


NORTH AMERICAN and UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR
10 Rounds
Mike Tyson v Pinklon Thomas

WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR - 12 Rounds
Gerald McClellan v Mike McCallum

Bernard Hopkins v Michael Nunn

Six excellent match-up's - Look forward to seeing who pulls these out -

[Ian Lord]

Originally Posted by meade95

Six excellent match-up's - Look forward to seeing who pulls these out -

Hi Meade. I'm really looking forward to these as well. I'll do the write-ups as soon as I've simmed them.

[Ian Lord]

9th - London, England

Bill topper at the London Arena on a cold December night saw British middleweight champ Maurice Hope defend against mandatory challenger Alan 'Boom Boom' Minter.
It was the second time these two had met, with Hope stopping Minter in the ninth in May 2005 to win the vacant title. This was his first defense.
Hope, who began the year as British, Commonwealth, and European champ, had had a bad year coming into this fight, having lost all three bouts this year, although they were all in good company. Hagler for the world title in January, although Hope pushed him the distance, followed by defeats to Ayub Kalule and Sumbu Kalambay, in which he lost his Commonwealth and European titles respectively.
Now to the fight itself, and there isn't much to write about. It was nip and tuck throughout, with neither man willing to commit himself, drawing loud boos from the crowd at some points. At the end of the ninth, Minter was slightly ahead, althought he was beginning to fade. For once though, his face wasn't marked up. However, Hope, seeing his title slipping away, took the last three rounds to win a unanimous decision, with all three judges turning in scores of 116-114. Hope improves to 4-4 [1], and is now the official challenger to European champ Sumbu Kalambay, who fought in the chief support. He will also meet Ayub Kalule in an eliminator for the Commonwealth title.

In the chief support, European middleweight champ and former undefeated African champ Sumbu Kalambay, met New York hardcase Iran 'The Blade' Barkley, who always comes to fight. Kalambay came out strong for the first, winning the round comfortably, but was then dropped for a two count at the beginning of the second, following a vicous hook from Barkley. He quickly recovered and opened a cut over Barkleys right eye at the end of the round. A slight mouse appeared under Kalambay's left eye.
However, Kalambay took command in the third, winning the next four rounds comfortably, with the ringside doctor inspecting Barkley's cut in the fifth.
During the seventh round, despite frantic work from Barkley's corner in between rounds, the cut above his eye became more severe, with Kalambay working away at it. Again, the dotor had another look at it and allowed the fight to continue but, when later on in the round when he was summoned again, everyone in the arena knew there was only going to be one outcome. With the blood flowing into the eye of Barkley the referee, after consulting the doctor, rightly waved it off, to give Kalambay win number fifteen out of 15, six early. Barkley dropped to 12-8 [5].

Puerto Rican lightweight Sammy Serrano stopped Mexican puncher Bazooka Limon with fifty-six seconds of this ten round contest remaining. The end came when Serrano opened up a bad cut above the eye of Limon. The referee stopped the bout, with Serrano winning comfortably on all cards at the time, after outfoxing Limon all night long. Serrano improves to 5-3-2 [1]. Limon drops to 3-5 [2].

An entertaining heavyweight ten rounder saw former world title challenger Tony 'TNT' Tucker unanimously outpoint contender James 'Buster' Douglas with scores of 95-92, 95-91, and 94-94.Douglas was dropped in the second, and again in the eighth. He looked as if he was going to go in the tenth as well, but the bell rang, saving him. Tucker, who is now back from the wilderness, improves to 11-9 [7]. Douglas drops to 7-7-1 [2].

Talented heavyweight Greg Page, made short work of Marvin Camel, finishing him off at 2.25 of the first, with the referee saving Camel from any further punishment. Page improves to 16-6 [10, whilst Camel drops to 2-11.

There were wild celebrations from Anthony Bartinelli who, after losing his first twelve fights, finally got a win when he stopped Reggie Johnson after fity seven seconds of the eighth and last round. Johnson was ahead on the scorecards at the time but was felled by a combination. Bartinelli moves to 1-12 [1], whilst Johnson drops to 1-1-1.

[meade95]

Sumbu Kalambay! Continues to impress (he was always seemingly underrated in the real world as well.....go figure)..... Is he thinking about going for a World Tite shot any time soon?

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by Ian Lord

As you can see, he holds a few good wins over Limon, Navarette, and Noel ...

He'll be a tough opponent for sure Ian. Hard luck for the Blade though I have always been partial to Kalambay as well.

[Ian Lord]

Originally Posted by meade95

Sumbu Kalambay! Continues to impress (he was always seemingly underrated in the real world as well.....go figure)..... Is he thinking about going for a World Tite shot any time soon?

I totally agree with you there Meade. I read an article in Boxing News about five years ago which listed the most under-rated boxers of the last fifteen years. Kalambay was in there.
Kalambays itching for a shot at the world title, but having to play a waiting game at the minute. It would be a tough defense for Hagler.

[Ian Lord]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

He'll be a tough opponent for sure Ian. Hard luck for the Blade though I have always been partial to Kalambay as well.

It will be a tough match-up for O'Grady, and should be a good fight. Perhaps the winner can use the US title as a springboard towards bigger things.

[Ian Lord]

16th - Tokyo, Japan

Main event at the Ryogoku Sumo Arena was the eagerly anticipated world heavyweight title eliminator between former world champ Riddick Bowe, and reigning Commonwealth king Lennox Lewis. It was scheduled for twelve.
New Yorks Bowe was making his first appearance since losing his crown to Larry Holmes in August by way of twelfth round stoppage.
Lewis, of London, England, started well, spearing Bowe with his jab and taking the opener. However, from that point on Bowe came on strong, taking the second by landing some power shots, then dropping Lewis briefly in the third with a cross to the head, a punch which was to trouble Lennox all night.
The fourth was an all-action round, with Bowe just clinching it. Lewis took the fifth by utilising his jab again, but had a bad seventh, looking as though he was going to go down before being saved by the bell.
The eighth and ninth again had the crowd on their feet, with nothing between the two men in either round.
Lewis hit the deck again in the tenth, albeit briefly following a hook to the head. He regained his feet but you could sense the end was nigh. The end came after 19 seconds of the eleventh, when Lewis was unable to regain his feet after being floored by another hook.
Bowe, who improves to 9-2-1 [7], will now meet the winner of Holmes - 'Bonecrusher' Smith next year.
Lewis dipped to 18-2 [12].

Chief support saw Tadeshi Mihara make short work of Shinji Takehara, finishing him off after one minute with a pulverising uppercut. Mihara, who improved to 6-6 [4], retained his Asian, Oriental, and Japanese middleweight belts that he won by beating Takehara last November for [TKO5]. This was his first defense. Takehara dropped to 4-6 [4].

Fillipino lightweight Rolando Navarrette won the vacant Asian title, by knocking out Japan's Yatsune Uehara at the end of the third round. It wasn a good scrap while it lasted, with Navarrette getting the better of it, even though he suffered a nasty gash over his right eye in the second which threatened to stop the fight. This seemed to make him even more urgent as he dropped Uehara in the third before finishing him off in the fourth. Navarrette improves his pro log to 5-2-1 [1]. Uehara's drops to 2-5-1.

In aheavyweight contest scheduled for ten, Oliver McCall stopped Tony'TNT' Tubbs at 2.43 of the eighth, after being in control most of the fight. Tubbs, fresh off his win over hot heavyweight prospect George Foreman, was hoping to capitalise on his victory but it wasn't to be. The referee stopped the bout after Tubbs, now 9-9-1 [3], went down for a third time in the round. McCall improved to 14-3 [6].

There was an excellent lightweight scrap between Charlie 'Choo Choo' Brown and Ernesto Espana. Both men going toe to toe from the off. Espana's left eye began to swell in the second, and Brown hit the canvas twice in the fourth. Brown came roaring back and dropped Espana in the fifth before Espana came back strong and stopped Brown in the seventh at the 2.58 mark while he was firing away at will. It was a really back and forth contest while it lasted. Espana improved to 5-3-1 [3], whilst Brown dropped to 3-6 [1].

The opener saw lightweights Tirso Albia of the Phillipines and Mexican Jose Luis Ramirez box to a four round draw. It was Ramirez' pro debut.

[CONN CHRIS]

Looking forward to Holmes-Bowe Ian. (Assuming that the Bonecrusher doesn't pull something from his hat.)

How many minor titles are you using?

[Ian Lord]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Looking forward to Holmes-Bowe Ian. (Assuming that the Bonecrusher doesn't pull something from his hat.)

How many minor titles are you using?

Hi Chris, the minor titles I use [or are soon to be filled], are the following;
HW: North American, Commonwealth, United States
MW: Norht American, European, Asian, Oriental, Commonwealth, United States, British, Japanese
LW: North American, European, Asian, Commonwealth, Carribean, United States

I will add to these as the pool of boxers grows.

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by Ian Lord

Hi Chris, the minor titles I use [or are soon to be filled], are the following;
HW: North American, Commonwealth, United States
MW: Norht American, European, Asian, Oriental, Commonwealth, United States, British, Japanese
LW: North American, European, Asian, Commonwealth, Carribean, United States

I will add to these as the pool of boxers grows.

I like the idea of adding minor titles as they are appropriate per division. I have let stiffs hold the little belts until the divisions fill out so my horse is out of the barn.

[Ian Lord]

23rd - Reading, PA.

World heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, from nearby Easton, made the first defense of his title against North Carolina's James 'Bonecrusher' Smith. Smith, who seemed to be going nowhere at the beginnining of his career before turning his fortunes around, had won eight of his last eleven, including a points win over Pinklon Thomas, to get a shot at the title. However, it was soon clear for everyone to see that he was in a lower league to the champ.
Smiths left eye was beginning to swell as early as the first round, due to Holmes' ramrod jab that was to pump into it all night. Near the end of the round Smith grabbed Holmes' head and used it as a battering ram. It was the best bit of work that Smith done all night until the ninth round.
Holmes worked away at Smiths swelling all night, and it ballooned up grotesquely. The referee called a halt in the seventh for the ringside doctor to inspect it. The fight was allowed to continue.
There was another doctor inspection in the eighth. It was allowed to continue, despite the fact that Holmes was landing at will and Smith was having great difficulty seeing out of it.
In the ninth, with Holmes pumping jabs after jab into the face of his opponent, the referee again called a halt to the procedings. Again it was allowed to continue, when all of a sudden Smith, who probably knew the end was near, landed a haymaker which opened up a nasty cut above the right eye of the champ. This stung Holmes into even more action and again the referee stopped the procedings. The doctor motioned for the fight to be stopped, which the referee did with one second remaining in the ninth. It had been a one sided fight, with Holmes winning every round. He now moves to 13-1-1 [9], and must now make a mandatory against the man he won the title from, Riddick Bowe. Smith drops to 11-9 [4].

Former world heavyweight champion 'Iron' Mike Tyson met Pinklon 'Pinky' Thomas in the chief support, scheduled for ten rounds. It was billed as an eliminator for the North American and United States heavyweight titles, currently held by Evander Holyfield.
It was the second time these two had met, with Tyson finishing Thomas off in the opener when they met previously. It looked as though the same might happen again, when Thomas hit the deck after shipping a hook for a count of five. He was shaken when he regained his feet, but made it to the end of the round. It became an interesting and entertaining fight, with Thomas dancing around the ring in the second and taking the round. Plenty of leather thrown in the third, with Tyson getting the better of the exchanges and taking the round. However, in the fourth Thomas was back on his toes and boxed the ears of Tyson. Tyson was back in control in the fifth, catching 'Pinky' with some heavy shots. Thomas ended the round with a slight swelling under his right eye. In the sixth,Thomas, much to the surprise of everyone, went toe to toe with Tyson, and done all right. It was give and take, although Tyson landed the heavier shots, and this told in the seventh, when, after taking a few heavy ones, Thomas suddenly looked out on his feet. Tyson's killer instinct kicked in, and he began punching Thomas at will with some sickening shots.
The referee jumped between the two at 2.57 of the round, with Thomas leaning against the ropes, taking punch after punch.
Tyson, who improved to 14-5 [13], will now challenge Evander Holyfield for the North American and United States titles. Thomas dropped to 10-9 [7].

Surprise of the night was the world middleweight eliminator between the formwer champ, Gerald McClellan, and Mike 'The Bodysnatcher' McCallum. It wasn't the fact that McCallum, the reigning Commonwealth champ won, it was the ease with which he won. McClellan was never in the fight. It was a one sided beating, with McCallum winning every round, bar one, easily until the fight was stopped in the eleventh, which was way too late in most peoples opinions.
McClellans right eye was puffy by the end of the second, and he was down in the sixth following a bombardment of blows. He only just beat the count and by know his eye had ballooned up.
The seventh was McClellans only good round of the fight, and one which he won, causing a slight swelling around McCallums right eye. McCallum was back in the driving seat in the next round, and stayed there until the end of the fight.
The doctor inspected McClellans eye in the tenth and allowed the fight to continue. He should have stopped it.
The end came in the eleventh when McClellan, after hitting the canvas twice, was trapped against the ropes and shipping heavy punishment, whilst no longer being able to see out of his right eye. The referee mercifully called a halt to the procedings at the 2.49 mark.
McCallum, who improved to 8-2 [3], will now challenge the winner of next months world title fight between current champ Marvin Hagler, and challenger Frank Tate.
McClellan, who dropped to 10-3 [8] and has now lost his last two, could probably do with an easier opponent next time to get back on the winning track and regain some confidence.

North American middleweight champion James 'Lights Out' Toney made asuccesful defense of his title against the outclassed Mark Medal. Toney took every round en route to a ninth round knockout win. Medal was never really in the fight.
Toney improves to 7-1 [3], whilst Medal drops to 7-6-1 [2].

An eliminator for Toney's North American middleweight title pitted Philadelphia's Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins against Idaho's undefeated Michael 'Second To' Nunn. It was definately one for the purists amongst us. It was close all the way through, with no highlights to speak off, apart from Hopkins suffering a cut over his left eye in the sixth, and having it re-opened in the tenth. By the final bell, the decision could have gone either way, and it went to Hopkins by split decision with scores of 96-95 [x2], and 94-97. Hopkins, who now moves to 8-4 [4], will now challenge Toney for the North American title. The vacant United States title will also be on the line. Nunn, who lost his unbeaten record, slipped to 11-1 [5].

The entertaining heavyweight opener saw Tim Witherspoon and Trevor Berbick box to a ten round majority draw. Scores were 95-93 Berbick, and 94-94 [x2]. Witherspoon hit the deck twice in the eighth. Witherspoon is now 11-9-2 [7], Berbick 8-9-2 [5].

----------------------------------------

After the post fight press conference, the announcement was made for the boxers who will be taking part in the tournament to crown the world welterweight champion, beginning next month.
The boxers are as follows, in order of seeding;

1. Sugar Ray Leonard
2. Aaron Pryor
3. Antonio Cervantes
4. Tommy Hearns
5. Wilfred Benitez
6. Simon Brown
7. Don Curry
8. Saoul Mamby
9 Lloyd Honeyghan
10.Marlon Starling
11.Pipino Cuevas
12.Milt McCrory
13.Maurice Blocker
14.Mark Breland
15.Sang-Hyun Kim
16.Jorge Vaca

[meade95]

Originally Posted by Ian Lord

23rd - Reading, PA.

World heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, from nearby Easton, made the first defense of his title against North Carolina's James 'Bonecrusher' Smith. Smith, who seemed to be going nowhere at the beginnining of his career before turning his fortunes around, had won eight of his last eleven, including a points win over Pinklon Thomas, to get a shot at the title. However, it was soon clear for everyone to see that he was in a lower league to the champ.
Smiths left eye was beginning to swell as early as the first round, due to Holmes' ramrod jab that was to pump into it all night. Near the end of the round Smith grabbed Holmes' head and used it as a battering ram. It was the best bit of work that Smith done all night until the ninth round.
Holmes worked away at Smiths swelling all night, and it ballooned up grotesquely. The referee called a halt in the seventh for the ringside doctor to inspect it. The fight was allowed to continue.
There was another doctor inspection in the eighth. It was allowed to continue, despite the fact that Holmes was landing at will and Smith was having great difficulty seeing out of it.
In the ninth, with Holmes pumping jabs after jab into the face of his opponent, the referee again called a halt to the procedings. Again it was allowed to continue, when all of a sudden Smith, who probably knew the end was near, landed a haymaker which opened up a nasty cut above the right eye of the champ. This stung Holmes into even more action and again the referee stopped the procedings. The doctor motioned for the fight to be stopped, which the referee did with one second remaining in the ninth. It had been a one sided fight, with Holmes winning every round. He now moves to 13-1-1 [9], and must now make a mandatory against the man he won the title from, Riddick Bowe. Smith drops to 11-9 [4].

Former world heavyweight champion 'Iron' Mike Tyson met Pinklon 'Pinky' Thomas in the chief support, scheduled for ten rounds. It was billed as an eliminator for the North American and United States heavyweight titles, currently held by Evander Holyfield.
It was the second time these two had met, with Tyson finishing Thomas off in the opener when they met previously. It looked as though the same might happen again, when Thomas hit the deck after shipping a hook for a count of five. He was shaken when he regained his feet, but made it to the end of the round. It became an interesting and entertaining fight, with Thomas dancing around the ring in the second and taking the round. Plenty of leather thrown in the third, with Tyson getting the better of the exchanges and taking the round. However, in the fourth Thomas was back on his toes and boxed the ears of Tyson. Tyson was back in control in the fifth, catching 'Pinky' with some heavy shots. Thomas ended the round with a slight swelling under his right eye. In the sixth,Thomas, much to the surprise of everyone, went toe to toe with Tyson, and done all right. It was give and take, although Tyson landed the heavier shots, and this told in the seventh, when, after taking a few heavy ones, Thomas suddenly looked out on his feet. Tyson's killer instinct kicked in, and he began punching Thomas at will with some sickening shots.
The referee jumped between the two at 2.57 of the round, with Thomas leaning against the ropes, taking punch after punch.
Tyson, who improved to 14-5 [13], will now challenge Evander Holyfield for the North American and United States titles. Thomas dropped to 10-9 [7].

Surprise of the night was the world middleweight eliminator between the formwer champ, Gerald McClellan, and Mike 'The Bodysnatcher' McCallum. It wasn't the fact that McCallum, the reigning Commonwealth champ won, it was the ease with which he won. McClellan was never in the fight. It was a one sided beating, with McCallum winning every round, bar one, easily until the fight was stopped in the eleventh, which was way too late in most peoples opinions.
McClellans right eye was puffy by the end of the second, and he was down in the sixth following a bombardment of blows. He only just beat the count and by know his eye had ballooned up.
The seventh was McClellans only good round of the fight, and one which he won, causing a slight swelling around McCallums right eye. McCallum was back in the driving seat in the next round, and stayed there until the end of the fight.
The doctor inspected McClellans eye in the tenth and allowed the fight to continue. He should have stopped it.
The end came in the eleventh when McClellan, after hitting the canvas twice, was trapped against the ropes and shipping heavy punishment, whilst no longer being able to see out of his right eye. The referee mercifully called a halt to the procedings at the 2.49 mark.
McCallum, who improved to 8-2 [3], will now challenge the winner of next months world title fight between current champ Marvin Hagler, and challenger Frank Tate.
McClellan, who dropped to 10-3 [8] and has now lost his last two, could probably do with an easier opponent next time to get back on the winning track and regain some confidence.

North American middleweight champion James 'Lights Out' Toney made asuccesful defense of his title against the outclassed Mark Medal. Toney took every round en route to a ninth round knockout win. Medal was never really in the fight.
Toney improves to 7-1 [3], whilst Medal drops to 7-6-1 [2].

An eliminator for Toney's North American middleweight title pitted Philadelphia's Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins against Idaho's undefeated Michael 'Second To' Nunn. It was definately one for the purists amongst us. It was close all the way through, with no highlights to speak off, apart from Hopkins suffering a cut over his left eye in the sixth, and having it re-opened in the tenth. By the final bell, the decision could have gone either way, and it went to Hopkins by split decision with scores of 96-95 [x2], and 94-97. Hopkins, who now moves to 8-4 [4], will now challenge Toney for the North American title. The vacant United States title will also be on the line. Nunn, who lost his unbeaten record, slipped to 11-1 [5].

The entertaining heavyweight opener saw Tim Witherspoon and Trevor Berbick box to a ten round majority draw. Scores were 95-93 Berbick, and 94-94 [x2]. Witherspoon hit the deck twice in the eighth. Witherspoon is now 11-9-2 [7], Berbick 8-9-2 [5].

----------------------------------------

After the post fight press conference, the announcement was made for the boxers who will be taking part in the tournament to crown the world welterweight champion, beginning next month.
The boxers are as follows, in order of seeding;

1. Sugar Ray Leonard
2. Aaron Pryor
3. Antonio Cervantes
4. Tommy Hearns
5. Wilfred Benitez
6. Simon Brown
7. Don Curry
8. Saoul Mamby
9 Lloyd Honeyghan
10.Marlon Starling
11.Pipino Cuevas
12.Milt McCrory
13.Maurice Blocker
14.Mark Breland
15.Sang-Hyun Kim
16.Jorge Vaca

Absolutely great lineup for your WW universe - Damn!

I'll take Hearns height, jab and obscenely destructive right-hand (at ww) - Would have loved to seen a Hearns Vs Pryor at WW match-up -


Not a huge surprise that McCallum could beat McClellan....As his style was definitely suited to give a fighter like McClellan all sorts of trouble (especially with McCallum chin to boot)....but to win so easily definitely shows McCallum was on his game this night...

[Tommysixfingers]

Originally Posted by Ian Lord

23rd - Reading, PA.

World heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, from nearby Easton, made the first defense of his title against North Carolina's James 'Bonecrusher' Smith. Smith, who seemed to be going nowhere at the beginnining of his career before turning his fortunes around, had won eight of his last eleven, including a points win over Pinklon Thomas, to get a shot at the title. However, it was soon clear for everyone to see that he was in a lower league to the champ.
Smiths left eye was beginning to swell as early as the first round, due to Holmes' ramrod jab that was to pump into it all night. Near the end of the round Smith grabbed Holmes' head and used it as a battering ram. It was the best bit of work that Smith done all night until the ninth round.
Holmes worked away at Smiths swelling all night, and it ballooned up grotesquely. The referee called a halt in the seventh for the ringside doctor to inspect it. The fight was allowed to continue.
There was another doctor inspection in the eighth. It was allowed to continue, despite the fact that Holmes was landing at will and Smith was having great difficulty seeing out of it.
In the ninth, with Holmes pumping jabs after jab into the face of his opponent, the referee again called a halt to the procedings. Again it was allowed to continue, when all of a sudden Smith, who probably knew the end was near, landed a haymaker which opened up a nasty cut above the right eye of the champ. This stung Holmes into even more action and again the referee stopped the procedings. The doctor motioned for the fight to be stopped, which the referee did with one second remaining in the ninth. It had been a one sided fight, with Holmes winning every round. He now moves to 13-1-1 [9], and must now make a mandatory against the man he won the title from, Riddick Bowe. Smith drops to 11-9 [4].

Former world heavyweight champion 'Iron' Mike Tyson met Pinklon 'Pinky' Thomas in the chief support, scheduled for ten rounds. It was billed as an eliminator for the North American and United States heavyweight titles, currently held by Evander Holyfield.
It was the second time these two had met, with Tyson finishing Thomas off in the opener when they met previously. It looked as though the same might happen again, when Thomas hit the deck after shipping a hook for a count of five. He was shaken when he regained his feet, but made it to the end of the round. It became an interesting and entertaining fight, with Thomas dancing around the ring in the second and taking the round. Plenty of leather thrown in the third, with Tyson getting the better of the exchanges and taking the round. However, in the fourth Thomas was back on his toes and boxed the ears of Tyson. Tyson was back in control in the fifth, catching 'Pinky' with some heavy shots. Thomas ended the round with a slight swelling under his right eye. In the sixth,Thomas, much to the surprise of everyone, went toe to toe with Tyson, and done all right. It was give and take, although Tyson landed the heavier shots, and this told in the seventh, when, after taking a few heavy ones, Thomas suddenly looked out on his feet. Tyson's killer instinct kicked in, and he began punching Thomas at will with some sickening shots.
The referee jumped between the two at 2.57 of the round, with Thomas leaning against the ropes, taking punch after punch.
Tyson, who improved to 14-5 [13], will now challenge Evander Holyfield for the North American and United States titles. Thomas dropped to 10-9 [7].

Surprise of the night was the world middleweight eliminator between the formwer champ, Gerald McClellan, and Mike 'The Bodysnatcher' McCallum. It wasn't the fact that McCallum, the reigning Commonwealth champ won, it was the ease with which he won. McClellan was never in the fight. It was a one sided beating, with McCallum winning every round, bar one, easily until the fight was stopped in the eleventh, which was way too late in most peoples opinions.
McClellans right eye was puffy by the end of the second, and he was down in the sixth following a bombardment of blows. He only just beat the count and by know his eye had ballooned up.
The seventh was McClellans only good round of the fight, and one which he won, causing a slight swelling around McCallums right eye. McCallum was back in the driving seat in the next round, and stayed there until the end of the fight.
The doctor inspected McClellans eye in the tenth and allowed the fight to continue. He should have stopped it.
The end came in the eleventh when McClellan, after hitting the canvas twice, was trapped against the ropes and shipping heavy punishment, whilst no longer being able to see out of his right eye. The referee mercifully called a halt to the procedings at the 2.49 mark.
McCallum, who improved to 8-2 [3], will now challenge the winner of next months world title fight between current champ Marvin Hagler, and challenger Frank Tate.
McClellan, who dropped to 10-3 [8] and has now lost his last two, could probably do with an easier opponent next time to get back on the winning track and regain some confidence.

North American middleweight champion James 'Lights Out' Toney made asuccesful defense of his title against the outclassed Mark Medal. Toney took every round en route to a ninth round knockout win. Medal was never really in the fight.
Toney improves to 7-1 [3], whilst Medal drops to 7-6-1 [2].

An eliminator for Toney's North American middleweight title pitted Philadelphia's Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins against Idaho's undefeated Michael 'Second To' Nunn. It was definately one for the purists amongst us. It was close all the way through, with no highlights to speak off, apart from Hopkins suffering a cut over his left eye in the sixth, and having it re-opened in the tenth. By the final bell, the decision could have gone either way, and it went to Hopkins by split decision with scores of 96-95 [x2], and 94-97. Hopkins, who now moves to 8-4 [4], will now challenge Toney for the North American title. The vacant United States title will also be on the line. Nunn, who lost his unbeaten record, slipped to 11-1 [5].

The entertaining heavyweight opener saw Tim Witherspoon and Trevor Berbick box to a ten round majority draw. Scores were 95-93 Berbick, and 94-94 [x2]. Witherspoon hit the deck twice in the eighth. Witherspoon is now 11-9-2 [7], Berbick 8-9-2 [5].

----------------------------------------

After the post fight press conference, the announcement was made for the boxers who will be taking part in the tournament to crown the world welterweight champion, beginning next month.
The boxers are as follows, in order of seeding;

1. Sugar Ray Leonard
2. Aaron Pryor
3. Antonio Cervantes
4. Tommy Hearns
5. Wilfred Benitez
6. Simon Brown
7. Don Curry
8. Saoul Mamby
9 Lloyd Honeyghan
10.Marlon Starling
11.Pipino Cuevas
12.Milt McCrory
13.Maurice Blocker
14.Mark Breland
15.Sang-Hyun Kim
16.Jorge Vaca

Great stuff!!! I absolutely love this universe. Good fights, good writing and always some matchups to look forward to.

[Ian Lord]

Meade and Tommysixfingers, thankyou for the kind words. I'm glad your enjoying it and I really appreciate it. The welterweight tournament should be good. There's a lot of talent in there and it will be interesting to see who wins it.

Stay tuned.

[Ian Lord]

Results and Rankings for December, 2006

Heavyweight

Larry Holmes TKO9 James 'Bonecrusher' Smith
[retains world title]
Riddick Bowe KO11 Lennox Lewis
Mike Tyson TKO7 Pinklon Thomas
Oliver McCall TKO8 Tony Tubbs
Tony Tucker W10 James 'Buster' Douglas
Greg Page TKO1 Marvin Camel
Trevor Berbick D10 Tim Witherspoon

Middleweight

Mike McCallum TKO11 Gerald McClellan
James Toney KO9 Mark Medal
[retains North American title]
Sumbu Kalambay TKO7 Iran Barkley
Bernard Hopkins W10 Michael Nunn
Maurice Hope W12 Alan Minter
[retains British title]
Tadeshi Mihara KO1 Shinji Takehara
[reatains Asian, Oriental, and Japanese titles]
Anthony Bartinelli TKO8 Reggie Johnson

Lightweight

Sammy Serrano TKO10 Bazooka Limon
Ernesto Espana TKO7 Charlie Brown
Rolando Navarrette KO3 Yatsune Uehara
[wins vacant Asian title]
Tirso Albia D4 Jose Luis Ramirez

Heavyweight
World Champion:
Larry Holmes 13-1-1 [9]

1. Riddick Bowe 9-2-1 [5]
2. Lennox Lewis 18-2 [12]
3. Evander Holyfield 11-4 [8] North American and United States champ.
4. Mike Tyson 14-5 [13]
5. James 'Bonecrusher' Smith 11-9 [4]
6. Pinklon Thomas 10-9 [7]
7. Oliver McCall 14-3 [6]
8. Tony Tucker 11-9 [7]
9. James 'Buster' Douglas 7-7-1 [2]
10.Tony Tubbs 9-9-1 [3]

Middleweight
World Champion:
Marvin Hagler 7-1 [6]

1. Mike McAllum 8-2 [3] Commonwealth champ.
2. Gerald McClellan 10-3 [8]
3. James Toney 7-1 [3]
4. Sumbu Kalambay 15-0 [7] European champ.
5. Bernard Hopkins 8-4 [5]
6. Ayub Kalule 6-4-1 [3]
7. Maurice Hope 4-4 [1] British champ.
8. Michael Nunn 11-1 [4]
9. Frank Tate 8-5-2 [1]
10.Iran Barkley 12-8 [5]

Lightweight
World Champion:
Roberto Duran 5-0 [4]

1. Livingstone Bramble 3-1 [1]
2. Edwin Rosario 3-1 [3]
3. Claude Noel 4-2 [2]
4. Sean O'Grady 6-1 [2] United States champ.
5. Hilmer Kenty 5-3 [3]
6. Sammy Serrano 5-3-2 [1]
7. Cornelius Boza-Edwards 2-1-3 [1]
8. Harry Arroyo 6-3 [3]
9. Bazooka Limon 3-5 [2]
10.Ernesto Espana 5-3-1 [3]

[Ian Lord]

Champions and Mandatorys

Heavyweight

World: Larry Holmes
Mandatory: Riddick Bowe

North American and United States: Evander Holyfield
Mandatory: Mike Tyson

Commonwealth: Lennox Lewis
Mandatory: Gerrie Coetzee or Trevor Berbick

Middleweight

World: Marvin Hagler
Mandatory: Mike McCallum

North American: James Toney
Mandatory: Bernard Hopkins

European: Sumbu Kalambay
Mandatory: Maurice Hope

Asian, Oriental, and Japanese: Tadeshi Mihara
Mandatory: Shinji Takeahara

Commonwealth: Mike McCallum
Mandatory: Ayub Kalule or Maurice Hope

United States: Vacant, to be contested by James Toney and Bernard Hopkins

British: Maurice Hope
Mandatory: Alan Minter

Lightweight

World: Roberto Duran
Mandatory: Livingstone Bramble or Edwin Rosario

North American and Carribean: Both vacant, both to be contested by Livingstone Bramble and Edwin Rosario

European: Jim Watt
Mandatory: Viktor Baranov

United States: Sean O'Grady
Mandatory: Hilmer Kenty or Charlie Brown