Gba

[Ian Lord]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

He was another favorite too. I was in high school when Larry started his decline and those fellows became the focus for a while. I never latched onto Mike Spinks for some reason, it had nothing to do with my hero-worship of Holmes, I just never cared for him and can't quite remember why. Strange thing, I loved his brother and couldn't get enough of the other heavyweights of that time.





Same here, I haven't had time to do the boxing, cricket and racing for better than two months now so I just carried on with the racing.

I must admit I was a big fan of Michael Spinks, and I can't wait until he joins my uni. Always felt it was a bad way for him to go out, getting kayoed by Tyson in 91 seconds.

As regards Witherspoon, I've just read in this weeks Boxing News that he's planning a comeback. He plans on fighting on July 1st in Birmingham which is just down the road from me. May try and get along, just so I can say I've seen him in action, although he's way, way past his best.

[Ian Lord]

Dates - May, 2007

4th - Tijuana, Mexico
Tijuana Municipal Auditorium

LW: Sammy Serrano v Jose Luis Ramirez [10 x 3]
LW: Bazooka Limon v Tirso Albia [8 x 3]
WW: Jorge Vaca v Calvin Green [8 x 3]
WW: Buddy McGirt v Oscar Delgado [8 x 3]

5th - Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez

HW: Tony Tucker v Carlos DeLeon [10 x 3]
MW: Julian Jackson v Carlos Santos [10 x 3]
WW: Simon Brown v Wilfred Benitez [10 x 3]
HW: Mike Weaver v Ossie Ocassio [8 x 3]
HW: Marvin Camel v Gary Winmon [8 x 3]
LW: Yatsune Uehara Charlie Brown [8 x 3]

12th - London, England
London Arena

WW: Lloyd Honeyghan v Marlon Starling [10 x 3]
HW: John Tate v Gerrie Coetzee [10 x 3]
MW: Alan Minter v Anthony Bartinelli [8 x 3]
WW: Saoul Mamby v Peter Buckley [8 x 3]
HW: Trevor Berbick v Colin Wilson [8 x 3]
LW: Art Frias v Viktor Baranov [8 x 3]

19th - Las Vegas, NV
Caesar's Palace

World Lightweight Championship
15 Rounds
Roberto Duran [champ] v Edwin Rosario

HW: Greg Page v Oliver McCall [10 x 3]
MW: Vito Antuofermo v Reggie Johnson [10 x 3]
WW: Aaron Pryor v Pipino Cuevas [10 x 3]
WW: Mark Breland v Pedro Garcia [8 x 3]
WW: Maurice Blocker v Eric Alexander [8 x 3]

26th - Las Vegas, NV
Caesar's Palace

World Middleweight Championship
15 Rounds
Marvin Hagler [champ] v Mike McCallum

World Welterweight Elimination Tournament
12 Rounds
Sugar Ray Leonard v Tommy Hearns
Antonio Cervantes v Don Curry

HW: James Douglas v Pinklon Thomas [10 x 3]
MW: Mark Medal v Keith Holmes [10 x 3]
HW: Michael Dokes v Jody Ballard [8 x 3]

[Ian Lord]

News...May 1st.

AP. The trial between boxer Ray Mancini and governing body the Global Boxing Association was due to start today, however, due to unforeseen circumstances it has been delayed. Those circumstances are due to the fact that one of the key defendants in the case, namely Rob Lord, is still missing. The trial has been put back to a later date, which is not yet known.
Mancini was suspended a year ago following a purse dispute. Mancini claimed some of his purse was missing. GBA head Ian Lord suspended him. Then, vice-president Rob Lord went missing amid claims that he had pocketed some of Mancini's cash for himself. Ian Lord invited Mancini back to the fold, but he declined, stating that he will not fight for the GBA again until Rob Lord is bought justice.
The last known sighting of Rob Lord was in Japan.

[CONN CHRIS]

MW: Alan Minter v Anthony Bartinelli [8 x 3]
WW: Saoul Mamby v Peter Buckley [8 x 3]

This is why I love your universe Ian - just about every name in here is someone that I at least had a passing interest in as a kid. Mamby unfortunately trained at the Blade school of one too many. He had a heck of a Title Bout card in that 79 or 80 set if I remember correctly though.

[Ian Lord]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

This is why I love your universe Ian - just about every name in here is someone that I at least had a passing interest in as a kid. Mamby unfortunately trained at the Blade school of one too many. He had a heck of a Title Bout card in that 79 or 80 set if I remember correctly though.

Thanks Chris. Am I right in thinking that Mamby is now also blind in one eye, like 'The Blade'?

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by Ian Lord

Thanks Chris. Am I right in thinking that Mamby is now also blind in one eye, like 'The Blade'?

I don't know about that, but he did what Barkley did in that he kept going for peanuts just to be a 'name' punching bag to put on a record. He had all sorts of financial troubles and couldn't speak well so I unfortunately wouldn't be surprised if he was going blind too.

[meade95]

[QUOTE=Ian Lord;2169037]Dates - May, 2007

Sevearl great fights lining up! Just absolute great match ups!

MW: Julian Jackson v Carlos Santos [10 x 3] (I'll take J.J By KO)

WW: Simon Brown v Wilfred Benitez [10 x 3] (Wow...Brown by late rd TKO or Benitez by close Dec...)

WW: Lloyd Honeyghan v Marlon Starling [10 x 3] (M.S. stops Honeyghan in a great fight)

Roberto Duran [champ] v Edwin Rosario (Durn by late rd TKO)

WW: Aaron Pryor v Pipino Cuevas [10 x 3] (Excellent match-up and one I've never thought about.....Have to go with "The Hawk"...late rd TKO...

Marvin Hagler [champ] v Mike McCallum (MW was a step above where McCallum was at his best (IMO)....Hagler by close Dec)...

Sugar Ray Leonard v Tommy Hearns (This one ends the way the original should have....It Tommy would have eaten anything at all for the 24 hours before their fight....nerves wouldn't let him......Hearns by TKO)

Antonio Cervantes v Don Curry......(Cervantes is better then given credit for....But Curry's speed wins it for him....late TKO / or Dec).

[Ian Lord]

Thanks for the interest and predictions Meade. Much appreciated. Looking forward to sitting down and simming these bouts.

[Ian Lord]

4th - Tijuana, Mexico

This four fight show at the Tijuana Municipal Auditorium was the first GBA event to be held in Mexico, and the crowd loved it. Mariachi bands welcomed the Mexican fighters to the ring, and this really pumped the crowd up.
Main event was a brutal ten round distance fight between Jose Luis Ramirez, and Puerto Rico's Sammy Serranno. A pedestrian opener gave way to Serrano, the more seasoned of the two, comfortably winning the second and third. Ramirez took the fourth in some toe to toe stuff before taking a beating over the next three rounds. It was painful to watch, with Ramirez barely laying a glove on his foe. However, to the crowds astonishment, not to mention delight, Ramirez, in true Mexican warrior fashion, came tearing out in the eighth, and took the round comfortably. There wasn't much in the ninth, and Serrano was back in the driving seat in the final stanza to win 96-94 on all cards to improve to 7-4-2 [1]. Ramirez dips to 3-2-1 [2].

In the other three fights on the card, two Mexicans got wins, with one losing.
Bazooka Limon won an eight round unanimous decision of Tirso Albia of the Phillipines. Scores were 78-74 [x2], and 79-73. Albia, now 0-8-2, was down in the sixth, and was lucky to survive the round. However, he toughed it out and lasted the difference. Limon improves to 4-5 [2].

Jorge Vaca finished of American Calvin Green at 1.35 of round six, following afussilade of blows to the head. Green, 0-2, had a good opener, but was then subdued by Vaca, who improves to 1-2 [1].

The show opener saw Oscar Delgado outpunched, outclassed, and finally put away by American Buddy McGirt at the 2.00 mark of round six, after being doubled up by some sickening bodyshots, was put away with a crushhing uppercut to the face. He fell face-first to the canvas, and the count was a formality. He was also down in the first. McGirt, who looks a good prospect, improved to 3-0 [1], whilst Delgado dropped to 0-2.
All undercard bouts were scheduled for eight.

[CONN CHRIS]

Hey, I wasn't even aware that McGirt was active in here. Another guy to follow.

Fun as always Ian!

[Ian Lord]

Cheers Chris.

[Ian Lord]

5th - Bayamon, Puerto Rico

The ten round main event at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez saw number five ranked heavyweight, Tony 'TNT' Tucker, box to an uneventful ten round draw against Puerto Rican champ Carlos DeLeon. Scores were 95-95 twice, and 96-94 for DeLeon. A draw was a fair result, with a little bit more effort from either man perhaps swinging it their way. The seventh was the best round of the fight, with Tucker, 12-9-1 [7], forcing the action and staggering DeLeon, now 7-5-2 [2], mid-way through the round. A slight puffiness appeared around the eyes of DeLeon. This result will mean more to DeLeon than it will Tucker, and may even have earned him a world ranking.

Middleweight chief support saw Puerto Rico's Carlos Santos square off against Julian Jackson from the Virgin Islands. An impressive first round from Jackson saw him land a few hard hooks to the head of Santos. However, Santos settled down for the second round, and won the round, with both men keeping their distance. Jackson edged the third, and looked to be taking the fourth when, just after the one-minute mark, he walked onto a superb hook thrown by Santos. He was counted out at the 1.16 mark and now dips to 10-3 [6]. Santos improves to 8-5 [5].

Jamaican welterweight Simon Brown pulled of an impressive win over Puerto Rico's Wilfred Benitez, stopping him at the 2.28 mark of round five to improve to 4-1 [3]. Brown was landing punch after punch, with Benitez curled up on the ropes, when the end came. It had been shaping up into an interesting contest. Benitez took the opener, spearing Brown with his jab, and Brown seemingly at a loss with what to do. The second was even, with Brown staying out of the way all round long. Brown finally found his distance in the third, taking the round. The fourth was toe to toe stuff, with Benitez edging it, and Brown ending the round with a slight swelling to the right eye. The crowd were on their feet and were now really into the fight before seeing there man get halted in the fifth. Benitez is now 2-2 [1].

It was a bad night for Puerto Rican boxers, with heavyweight Ossie 'Jaws' Ocasio getting stopped at 2.36 of the sixth by fellow journeyman Mike Weaver. Ocasio was shipping punishment at the time of the stoppage and had been on the receiving end throughout. The muscular Weaver improved to 8-12-1 [6], and Ocasio, who wins are as rare as a Goth with a sun tan, is now 1-9.

Heavyweight Marvin Camel, after taking the two opening rounds against Gary 'The Bull' Winmon, went and got himself disqualified in the the third round for continuous low blows. He is now 2-13, whilst Winmon improves to 2-11.

The lightweight show opener saw Japans Yatsune Uehara and American Charlie Brown fight to a hard earned eight round draw. Scores were 77-77 [x2], and 78-76 to Brown. Neither man took a backwards step. Uehara is now 4-5-2, and Brown 5-7-1 [2].

[Ian Lord]

Carribean Rankings as of May 5th, 2007

Heavyweight

Champ:
Title Vacant

1. Carlos DeLeon 7-5-2 [2] Puerto Rican champ
2. Trevor Berbick 9-10-2 [6]
3. Ossie Ocassio 1-9
4. Vacant
5. Vacant

Middleweight

Champ:
Title Vacant

1. Carlos Santos 8-5 [5]
2. Mike McCallum 8-2 [3]
3. Julian Jackson 10-3 [6]
4. Vacant
5. Vacant

Welterweright

Champ:
Title Vacant

1. Simon Brown 4-1 [3]
2. Wilfred Benitez 2-2 [1]
3. Vacant
4. Vacant
5. Vacant

Lightweight

Champ:
Edwin Rosario 4-1 [4] North American champ.

1. Livingsone Bramble 4-2
2. Sammy Serrano 7-4-2 [1]
3. Claude Noel 4-4 [2]
4. Freddy Cruz 1-7
5. Vacant

[Ian Lord]

12th - London, England

Bill-topper at the London Arena was a ten round welterweight clash between local lad Lloyd 'Honey' Honeyghan and American Marlon 'Magic Man' Starling. Honey was anything but sweet, and the Magic Man failed to conjure up a victory in this close fight.
Starling got of to an impressive start. Honeyghan took the opener but then dropped the next three, with Starling staying out of range and picking him off. However, from the fifth round onwards both men stood toe to toe, and this seemed to favour Honeyghan, but only slightly. All the rounds were close.
Starling suffered a cut above his right eye in the fifth. If it bothered him, he didn't let it show, although the cut was inspected in the final round.
Honeyghan took a close unanimous decision, with scores of 96-95 [x2], and 97-94 to improve to 2-1-1. The more cynical amongst us may claim a hometown decision, though this wasn't the case, as Honeyghan did edge it....slightly. A game to the end Starling dropped to 2-3 [2] and is a promoters dream. Like's to stay busy and will fight anyone.

American heavyweight 'Big' John Tate got blown away by South Africa's Gerrie Coetzee to drop to 11-11 [8]. He was counted out at the 2.32 mark of round one. Coetzee, 13-12 [5], stormed out in destroy or be destroyed mode from the opening bell. Tate was stunned immediately, and didn't lay a glove on the 'Bionic Man' while it lasted. After a salvo of blows to the head, Coetzee finished his man off with an uppercut. Tate dropped like a felled tree.

Crawley middleweight Alan 'Boom Boom' Minter had an easy[ish] night against record padder Anthony Bartinelli, winning every round before stopping him at 2.48 of round seven. Bartinelli had only just beaten the count after being floored following a combination of blows to the head. The referee asked if he wanted to continue. He looked dazed and the contest was waved off. Minter, who improves to9-8 [3], was worryingly cut again, over his right eye, in the first minute of the opener.

American welter Saoul Mamby won an eight round unanimous decision over the game Peter Buckley. Scores were 78-75 [x2], and 79-74. Buckley was dogged throughout, but was simply a few notches below Mamby, who now improves to 3-1 [1].

Heavyweight's Trevor Berbick and Colin Wilson stunk the joint out with their eight round majority draw. Scores were 77-75 Wilson and 76-76 [x2]. Berbick is now 9-10-3 [6], Wilson 0-8-1. Nuff Said.

In the eight round lightweight opener, both Art Frias and Viktor Baranov gave it their all. Frias got the majority verdict with scores of 77-76,79-74, and 76-76 . There were some lively, if somewhat messy, exchanges and both men dug deep. Both men are now 3-6 [1].

[CONN CHRIS]

Those judges were harsh on Moochie! Good show Ian.

[Ian Lord]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Those judges were harsh on Moochie! Good show Ian.

Cheers Chris.

[Ian Lord]

19th - Las Vegas, NV

The much anticipated World Lightweight showdown between champion Roberto 'Hands of Stone' Duran from Panama and Puerto Rico's Edwin 'Chapo' Rosario took place on the 19th May at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas. Both men are known as early finishers, with only current United States champ Harry Arroyo taking the champ the distance going into this bout. Rosario, the North American and Carribean champ, had got all his victories inside the distance, although he had a loss on his pro record going into the bout against Livingstone Bramble, since reversed. It was a hotly anticipated contest, with both men regarded as the top two in their division.
The opening bell sounded, and this scheduled fifteen rounder was under way, with Duran taking the opener. The second was a rip-roarer, with Duran under pressure repeatedly and visibly hurt by his agggressive challenger. The third was another good round, again taken by Rosario. The fourth saw Duran get on his toes and box at a distance, with Rosario trying to get inside. This seemed to suit Duran as he was back in control, and was befuddling Rosario at times. However, it's not a role Duran is accustomed to, as it is he who is usually the aggressor.During one exchange Rosario suffered a nasty looking cut over his right eye.
Again Duran was in control during the sixth, with Rosario stalking him and getting picked off. At the mid-way point of the round Rosario walked onto a cross and was dropped for the count of seven.
Duran took a rough and tumble seventh, in which both his eyes began to puff up. It was now turning into a gruelling affair. Rosario came out for the eighth looking for the KO. Again Duran was picking him off, slicing the skin under 'Chapos' left eye in the process, and then re-opening the cut above the challenger's right eye. With the blood running into the optic, the bout was waved off, amid protests from the brave Rosario. Time of the stoppeage was 1.03.
Duran, who upped his pro log to 7-0 [6], gave praise to his challenger. "He is a brave man," he said to the TV camera's via interpreter. "He came to fight. However, no man on this planet can beat 'Manos de Piedra'." When asked who he planned on fighting next, he shrugged his shoulders and grinned. "No idea, whoever it is I beat."
Rosario is now 4-2 [4].

In a contest between two former heavyweight contenders, Greg Page, ahead on two of the cards going into the eighth, walked onto a booming right hand from Oliver McCall, and was counted out at 2.48. It had got off to a promising start, with both men landing some heavy shots in the opener. However, both men, who both entered the ring out of shape, were content to just throw a handful of punches each round, until the end in the eighth. McCall improves to 15-6 [7], whilst Page dips to 19-7 [12], and if both men get their act together, they could both be a threat.

New York-Itallian middleweight Vito Antuofermo won a ten round unanimous decision over Texan Reggie Johnson to improve to 10-7 [3]. It was 96-94 on all cards in an absorbing contest. Johnson is now 4-2-1.

Cincinnati welterweight knockout specialist, Aaron 'The Hawk' Pryor, saw of Mexican Pipino Cuevas at 2.11 of the opening stanza. It was a brutal, two-fisted attack from the opening bell from 'The Hawk', with Cuevas mercilessly getting punched to the canvas. The count was a formality. Pryor is now 3-1 [3].

Mark Breland won an eight round unanimous decision to improve to 2-1 [1] in his welterweight contest over Pedro Garcia. Scores were 79-71, 78-72, and 77-73, with Garcia down in the first and last.

Lanky welterweight Maurice 'Thin Man' Blocker took an eight round unanimous decision over Eric Alexander, with scores of 77-73 [x2], and 76-74. Blocker, 2-1, was down in the fifth for a six count, with Alexander going down in the next, also for a count of six.

[Romdawg88]

Cincinnati welterweight knockout specialist, Aaron 'The Hawk' Pryor, saw of Mexican Pipino Cuevas at 2.11 of the opening stanza. It was a brutal, two-fisted attack from the opening bell from 'The Hawk', with Cuevas mercilessly getting punched to the canvas. The count was a formality. Pryor is now 3-1 [3].

Damn, this doesn't bode well for Javier in the upcoming RCB matchup between Cuevas and Pryor. I'm shocked that Pryor ran through Cuevas so easily. The Duran/Rosario sounded top notch, I'm disappointed that Rosario lost but it seems he put in a hell of a effort.

[Ian Lord]

Originally Posted by Romdawg88

Damn, this doesn't bode well for Javier in the upcoming RCB matchup between Cuevas and Pryor. I'm shocked that Pryor ran through Cuevas so easily. The Duran/Rosario sounded top notch, I'm disappointed that Rosario lost but it seems he put in a hell of a effort.

I was also shocked at the Pryor/Cuevas outcome. Pryor steamrollered right through him.

You're right, Rosario did put up a hell of an effort. Losing to Duran is no disgrace. In fact, I can't see him losing at lightweight in the foreseeable future.

[Ian Lord]

26th - Las Vegas, NV

Caesar's Palace, on the Vegas strip, again played host to world title action following last weekends tear-up which saw world lightweight champ Roberto Duran stop Edwin Rosario in eight rounds. This time around it was a world middleweight title fight between two-time champ Marvin Hagler and mandatory contender and Commonwealth titlist Mike McCallum. It was slated for fifteen.

It was the second time these two had met, with Hagler winning first time round [ko5], back in August 2005 to win the inaugral middleweight crown. That bout was also held at Caesar's Palace. McCallum vowed the result would be different this time, and that he would walk away with the middleweight championship. Hagler stated he would take him out earlier this time. And so the stage was set.

It was an absorbing, if not thrilling contest, with Hagler taking the opening stanza, boxing out of his southpaw stance. McCallum came alive in the second, throwing in long lefts and rights to the face of Hagler.Hagler's left eye began to puff up badly. Not a good sign this early in the fight. His corner immediatley went to work on it. The third again saw McCallum getting the better of it, with Haglers eye puffing up at an alarming rate.
Hagler took the fourth in what was now becoming a back and forth contest, with McCallum taking the fifth, Hagler the sixth, McCallum the seventh in what was a bit of a tear-up round. McCallum had his nose bloodied following a sharp left.
The pendulum swung back in Haglers favour in the eight, with McCallum taking the ninth, but also having to be inspected by the ringside doctor. The blood was still gushing from his nose, and the referee was worried that he was swallowing it. The fight was allowed to continue.The tenth was a pedestrian affair, with McCallum edging it.
Hagler, for the first time in his career, seemed to be at a loss with what to do with the man in front of him. The eleventh saw McCallum dropping bombs on the champ, seemingly at will, and his right eye now began to puff up as well.
However, eighteen seconds into the twelfth, and it was over. The referee, concerned about the flow of blood into the mouth of McCallum, waved it all over. Hagler looked relieved. An inspection of the scorecards showed that McCallum was leading on two of the three cards at the time of the stoppage, [106, 103], with the third giving it to Hagler 105-104.
"I was so close," said a dejected McCallum, now 8-3 [3], after the fight. "I feel I could have carried on. I should have been allowed to carry on. The nose wasn't bothering me none. Hats off to Marvin though, he's a great champ. I'll have a little rest now, then I'll be back."
Hagler was in a defiant mood. "He was weakening, I was coming on strong. I'd have won anyway." When asked what his immediate plans are, the champ, now 9-1 [6], said he's going to take a vacation to do some sea-fishing, then decide on his next fight.
-------------------------
The two top bouts on the undercard were both part of the world welterweight elimination tournament, with both the winners to meet for the vacant title. The Sugar Ray Leonard - Tommy Hearns match-up was a barn burner. Leonard, with a 2-0-1 [2] record entering the bout, had Angelo Dundee in his corner, whereas Hearns, 2-0 [1], had Emmanuel Steward in his. Dundee and Steward are arguably the two best trainers in the GBA.

The flashy Leonard absolutely befuddled Hearns in the opener, with 'Hit Man' failing to land a meaningful punch. Going back to his corner he looked annoyed with himself. However, it was Hearns who picked off Leonard at will in the second stanza, standing at a distance and using his abnormally long reach. The third was a tear-up, with both men going for it. There was nothing in it.
The pace these guys were fighting at couldn't last, and it slowed down drastically in the fourth. Again neither man got the upper hand. Leonard took the fifth, firing in quick, hard combinations to the body and head of Hearns, who also finished the round with a slight swelling under his left eye. Hearns took the sixth, Leonard the seventh round. The eighth was dead even, with Tommy getting the better of the ninth. Hearns also took a lackluster tenth, but sustained a cut in doing so above his right eyebrow. It looked nasty.
Leonard came tearing out for the tenth, and sent Hearns crashing to the canvas with a hook to the temple. He only beat the count, and looked unsteady. His cut was inspected, he was allowed to carry on. However, he was soon felled again, this time from a big right. He was up at five, but his legs looked shot. Leonard seized the opportunity and began loading. The referee had seen enough and mercifully halted the bout at the 2.22 mark. At the time of the stoppage two judges had it 96-96, while the third had it 97-95 to Hearns.
Sugar Ray Leonard will now meet the winner of...

...Antonio Cervantes and Don Curry, who must do it all again after boxing to a twelve round majority draw. Scores were 113-113 [x2], and 114-112 Curry. While the Leonard-Hearns match-up was thrilling, this one never got going. Cervantes, 2-0-1, suffered a flash knockdown in the fifth. Curry, 2-0-2, was dropped by a bodyshot for a four count right near the final bell, which earned Cervantes a draw.
-----------------------------

Heavyweight James 'Buster' Douglas won a ten round unanimous decision over Pinklon Thomas. Scores were 96-93 [x2], and 95-94. Thomas was dropped right at the beginning of the fight by a shot to the liver. He only just beat the count and fought back well, dropping Douglas in the tenth with a cross right on the button. Douglas improves to 10-7-1 [3], while Thomas dips to 11-11 [8].

Former North American middleweight title challenger Mark Medal won a unanimous ten round decision over Keith Holmes to improve to 9-7-1 [3]. Scores were 96-92 on all three cards. It was a close fought affair until the sixth when Holmes, now 7-10 [2], was sent crashing to the canvas twice. He was down again in the next round. However, Medal briefly touched down just before the final bell.

The opener between heavyweight journeymen saw Michael Dokes win an eight round unanimous decision over perennial loser Jody Ballard. Scores were 79-73 twice and 80-72. Dokes is now 8-13-2 [3], while Ballard is 2-16 [1].