Jarret Hurd & Danny Garcia “By Unanimous Decision” Over Francisco Santana & Ivan Redkach – on Showtime

Recent Fights, Tom Donelson
Santana vs. Hurd
Garcia vs. Redkach

By Tom Donelson / Author, Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) … Contributor to dmboxing.com since 2008 with outstanding input and expertise – Thank You!

Jarret Hurd is coming back after losing his title and his first loss to Julian Williams.  (Williams lost to Jeison Rosario a week ago in a surprise knockout.)   Hurd now is looking to regain his titles, and this was the first step to that goal in the Barclay Center in Brooklyn against Francisco Santana.   The first two rounds, Hurd showed discipline as he jabbed and box against Santana, who seemed to follow Hurd around the ring.

Hurd boxing style over the first four rounds bothered Santana, who seemed more of a sparring partner than a serious contender in the early rounds.   Halfway through the fifth round, Hurd starting to throw serious punches as Santana move consistently to his right. This move negated Santana best punch, his left hook but protected him against the Hurd upper cut.

As Hurd entered the second half of the round, he was winning the fight easily but looking awkward in adopting a more subdued boxing style as oppose to his more aggressive style.  He never seemed comfortable and his boxing instinct reined in, he never appeared to go for broke.  As the fight progressed, there was little drama until the last thirty seconds of the tenth and final round.  Hurd landed six big hooks that Santana took but Hurd landed the upper cut that sent Santana down for the eight count.  As Santana rose up, the fight had but five seconds left so Santana survived.

Continue reading Jarret Hurd & Danny Garcia “By Unanimous Decision” Over Francisco Santana & Ivan Redkach – on Showtime →

ROCKY MARCIANO – Undefeated Heavyweight Champion

David Martinez, Heavyweights, History

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

Rocky Marciano had forty-nine professional fights as a heavyweight with 49 wins, No Losses and No Draws. He never lost a professional fight and that is something many have tried to emulate without success.

Born Rocco Francis Marchegiano on September 1, 1923 in Brockton, Massachusetts, he was the eldest of six children whose parents were poor Italian immigrants. In 1943, during World War II, he was drafted into the US Army. He served overseas and was stationed in Wales with a Combat Engineer outfit. It was while finishing out his time in the service, at Ft. Lewis, Washington, that he started boxing and began to compile a winning record. Upon discharge, he returned home and began earning a living as a factory worker.

Although he was successful as an amateur boxer, Rocky’s first love was baseball and he had dreams of playing in the Major Leagues. He was known as a standout catcher on the baseball fields of Brockton and was good enough to earn a tryout with the Chicago Cubs organization. Fortunately for boxing … the Cubs didn’t feel he was major league caliber and sent him packing. It was then that he returned to boxing with a vengeance!

Rumor has it, “Rocky Marciano” was born one night when a ring announcer couldn’t pronounce Rocco Marchegiano! A quick change and the name stuck! Rechristened Rocky Marciano, he made his pro debut on March 17, 1947 and went undefeated in his first thirty-five fights scoring 31 of those wins by KO. Along the way he beat two up and coming big names in the heavyweight division, Roland LaStarza who had 37 Wins, No Losses and No Draws, until he stepped into the ring with Rocky and Rex Layne who had 34 Wins against only 1 Loss and 2 Draws.

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THE RING – A Boxing Venue, Not To Be Forgotten

David Martinez, History

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

Although  I wasn’t even born, nor were my parents, an old boxing venue that has always intrigued me is The Ring at Blackfriars, in London, England.

The building, built in 1783, was formerly a Nonconformist chapel and was octagonal in shape with the intent that no devils could hide in the corners. When it was no longer used as a place of worship, it was taken over by former Commonwealth British Empire lightweight champion Dick Burge and he transformed it into a boxing arena in May 1910. Several shows would take place there on a weekly basis.

Burge passed away a few short years later, on March 15, 1918, after contracting pneumonia at the age of 50. Before his death, he asked his wife Bella to ensure that their venue would be kept intact. She did, and kept the shows coming, which essentially resulted in her becoming the world’s first female boxing promoter.

Bella did an excellent job and was loved by the local community, where the pioneering lady promoter would earn the nickname “Bella of Blackfriars“.

Continue reading THE RING – A Boxing Venue, Not To Be Forgotten →

dmboxing.com / T-Shirt

David Martinez, dmboxing.com, dmboxing.com Products, T-Shirts

I would like to thank everyone who purchased my official long sleeve blue website t-shirt during the recent holiday season.

Now it’s time to clear the shelf and make room for the incoming t-shirt version for Spring 2020.

As a special discount, I am reducing the cost 25% off the regular $20.00 to a great price of only $15.00. This also includes the bonus of FREE shipping to anywhere in the United States mailing zones.

To purchase your t-shirt:

State your name, address and size desired. Include payment by check – NO cash please – amount of $15.00 per order. Kindly send to:

David Martinez Boxing

810 Coronel Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93109

I know you have many choices in boxing. Thank you for making dmboxing.com one of those choices – it’s greatly appreciated!

*** Thanks to my friend and website model Alma.

The Heavyweight Division

Heavyweights, Tom Donelson

The Champions / as of: January 7, 2020

WBO: Anthony Joshua

IBF: Anthony Joshua

WBA: Anthony Joshua*

WBC: Deontay Wilder**

*Mahmoud Charr is the WBA “regular” heavyweight champion and Trevor Bryan is the WBA interim heavyweight champion

**Dillian Whyte is the WBC interim heavyweight champion

*************************************************

By Tom Donelson / Author, Member Boxing Writers Association of America / Contributor to dmboxing.com since 2008

The heavyweight division is becoming an interesting division with some intriguing fighters and even more intriguing bouts.  Anthony Joshua won his title back by out boxing Andy Ruiz, who didn’t show the same ability to penetrate Joshua defenses as he did in their first fight, but then Joshua didn’t give him a chance in the rematch.  This bout reminded me of Lennox Lewis and David Tua. Lewis did not bother to give Tua, who had a devastating left hook a chance to hit him, and Lewis simply jab, jab, jab with occasional right hand while Tua could never get close to throw any meaningful punches.  After getting knocked around by Ruiz in their first match, Joshua showed adaptability and simply boxed Ruiz. Ruiz never got his chance to hit a home run but Joshua always had the technical skill and showed his boxing skills when he out boxed Joseph Parker in their match and he showed his ability to comeback off the canvas against Wladimir Klitschko to win that bout by knockout.

Tyson Fury is a big 6’9” fighter but he also has boxing skills and is not easy to hit.  Against Wladimir Klitschko, his defensive skills kept Klitschko off guard. Part of the reason sited at the time was Klitshcko age but after watching the Wilder fight, Fury frustrated Wilder equally.  Wilder nearly ended the fight twice with two powerful rights that sent Fury down but Fury both times manage to climb off the canvas.   Fury did have issues in his last fight as Otto Wallin opened up a massive cut over Fury eye and nearly stopped him in the early rounds due to cuts. This was the second fight that Fury had to struggle to finish the fight, but he did finish the fight and won the bout.

Continue reading The Heavyweight Division →

Year in Review / The Best in Boxing 2019

David Martinez, Year in Review / The Best in Boxing

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

I have assembled my personal choices in boxing for the past year 2019, in six major categories.  Picks are solely my opinion, and I sincerely respect and welcome the opinions of others – thank you!

FIGHTER OF THE YEAR:
Naoya Inoue (19-0 / 16 by KO)
IBF / WBA (Super) / Bantamweight Champion

5-18-19 / vs. Emmanuel Rodriguez (19-0) / KO 2

11-7-19 / vs. Nonito Donaire (40-5) UD 12

*** Runner Up’s:

Canelo Alvarez (53-1-2 / 36 by KO)

Josh Taylor (16-0 / 12 by KO)

***************

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RING TRIVIA for December 2019 – ANSWERS

David Martinez, Trivia

I have always been intrigued with boxing trivia.  This began back when I was a kid in 1961.  I would pick the minds of the older generation and ask them questions about their era to educate myself.  It’s now my pleasure to bring boxing trivia to my website for everyone.  On a quarterly basis I post five (5) multiple choice questions – in March, June, September, and December – with the correct answers to follow by the end of each posting month for viewing.

1 – What former NFL football player’s father fought Ken Norton, winning once and losing once, while in the armed forces?

a) LaDainian Tomlinson

b) Howie Long  

c) Anthony Munoz

d) Michael Strahan *** CORRECT ANSWER

2 – In 1990, what former boxer dropped a would be robber with a left hook at a Pittsburgh convenience store?

a) Jimmy Bivins

b) Billy Joiner

c) Billy Conn *** CORRECT ANSWER

d) Harold Johnson

Continue reading RING TRIVIA for December 2019 – ANSWERS →

FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez

California Boxing Hall of Fame, David Martinez, FROM THE DESK OF:, hats, Rankings

(Winter 2019 Edition)

As we come into 2020, I wish everybody the best of health and a prosperous Happy New Year!

It is absolutely a pleasure to bring you this website. There have been 1,669 published feature article pieces since the beginning of dmboxing.com which started on July 15, 2007.

I am truly blessed by a special group of people that have added their support and continue to help the success of this website. They are Bob Quackenbush (Lead Assistant / Proof Reader / Photo Input), Tom Donelson (Member Boxing Writers Association of America), Steve Corbo (Proof Reader / Boxing Writer), Jim Amato (Senior Boxing Writer / Boxing Historian), and Kathy Kraft (Proof Reader).

There are two people who are not with us anymore … may their souls rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord … that were so special to me and dmboxing.com as they added their expertise and input for which I am so grateful; they are: Rusty Rubin (In Rusty’s Corner / Glove2Glove) who was the first to contribute to dmboxing.com in July 2007; and Harold Lederman (Hey Harold / HBO World Championship Boxing). I miss tremendously both men as my friends, and they will never be forgotten (R.I.P.).

I also want to say thank you to the young lovely ladies that model for this website. They are my friends and certainly add beauty to dmboxing.com.

For the many that have purchased my website products, thank you for your support and loyalty. It means a lot and is much appreciated.

Continue reading FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez →