David Martinez Boxing

Bernardo Caraballo vs. Harada
Tokyo, Japan / April 7, 1967
photo courtesy
David Martinez
private collection

By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

He just may be the most popular Japanese fighter of all time. In a
career that lasted a little over a decade he squeezed in 63 pro contests.
He was the winner of 55 of those. He won world championships in two weight
divisions and he came very close to becoming a three weight class
titleholder. Please remember this was back in the day when there were only
eight weight classes and one champion per division. He is the only man to
beat the legendary Eder Jofre and he turned the trick twice. His name was
Masahiko but in boxing circles his nickname was ” Fighting “. That should
tell you something about his aggressive whirlwind style. He was ” Fighting
” Harada.

Harada started his career in 1960 and in less then three years he reeled
off 25 straight wins, ten by knockout. He had established himself as a top
ranking flyweight contender. Edmundo Esparza upset Harada by decision in
June of 1962 to end his win streak but two fights later on October 10th he
was in a Tokyo ring facing world flyweight champion Pone Kingpetch. The
champion was unable to keep the swarming Harada off of him and he finally
lost his title in the eleventh round.
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By David Martinez / Boxing Historian

Wow! My read on My Life Among the Icons written by Johnny Ortiz is that it is simply a must for boxing fans, including the novice aficionado.

It is a wonderful and interesting collection of Johnny’s life from the age of fifteen to 1999. Johnny has been involved with the sport of boxing for over fifty years. I have personally known this fine gentleman for the last twenty years as a boxing associate, mentor and dear friend, and now his book has brought out a personal, in depth touch into his life.
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By Jim Amato, Senior Boxing Writer

Author’s note; This article was first published after Roy’s wins over Lou Del Valle and Virgil Hill. This is what I thought about Roy then and my opinion has not changed even in light of his recent losses.

Roy Jones Jr., by far the class of the 175 pound weight division at this time. His decisive knockout of Virgil Hill and his lopsided decision victory over Lou Del Valle solidified that distinction. How would Jones have fared in an era where there was some real competition? Where would he have fit in during the talent rich 70′s and early 80′s? I have picked who, in my opinion, were the ten best light heavyweights of that time period. Eight were champions and two were long time contenders. I then matched each against Roy in scheduled fifteen round bouts as they were back then. Based on my recollections of these boxers talents, I have formed the following scenarios.
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Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

Some disappointing news since I’ve been away. To me the worst of it was the information that Evander Holyfield beat his wife. For me, that’s a terrible thing for Evander (or anyone else to do). A man should never hit a woman, and a God-fearing boxer should know better. Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta and others have done this, but they never claimed to have found God.

Through the years Evander has exhibited a lot of class, and now this? Has the ‘real deal’ become the ‘real schlemiel’?

Kelly Pavlik signed to fight Sergio Martinez, in what could be an interesting fight.
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As many of you have noticed, since December 2007, I have offered my website t-shirt in the color white. Although the white t-shirt is still available and is now a collectors item because of a limited stock on hand, I recently changed the t-shirt product to blue to match my website hat in color.

This attractive blue t-shirt is short sleeve with official large size logo on back and with a small version of fighter imagine on front, with all sizes available: small (S) … medium (M) … large (L) … extra large (XL) … double extra large (2XX).
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1) In 1883, who was the first boxer to knock down John L Sullivan in a prize fight ?
a) James McCoy
b) Jack Burke
c) Charley Mitchell
d) Paddy Ryan

2) What former wrestling champion had a short undefeated (8-0) boxing career, and his father once fought Max Bear, Sam Langford, Primo Carnera, and Jack Johnson ?
a) Freddie Blassie
b) Bearcat Wright
c) Lou Thesz
d) Ray Stevens
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Archie Moore and David Martrinez (1996)

By Jim Amato

  
   He was possibly the greatest light heavyweight of all time, The wily “Old Mongoose” Archie Moore. The man who scored 140 knockouts in a career that spanned from 1936 to 1963 never lost his crown in the ring. Although he unsuccessfully challenged twice for the heavyweight title, he did campaign successfully among the “Big Boys” throughout his tenure as a professional boxer. His record reads lie “Who’s Who” of boxing history. In 228 recorded bouts, Archie was only stopped seven times, a testimony to his courage and uncanny defensive ability.

    Born on December 13, 1913, ( or 1916 to Archie) Moore boxed for years without due recognition. He fought all over the country. He even traveled to Australia and Argentina in search of fame and fortune. After six years on the circuit, Archie began to make his move toward the big time. In 1942, he knocked out Shorty Hogue in two rounds. Hogue had decisioned Archie no less than three times earlier in his career. He also beat rugged Jack Chase and drew with Ed Booker. In 1943, he won two out of three against Chase. In 1944, Moore lost by a knockout to Booker and also dropped a decision to the great Charley Burley. 1945 was a good year for Archie as he lost only two of fourteen fights. He beat Clevelander Lloyd Marshall twice. He was stopped by another Clevelander, the outstanding Jimmy Bivins. He lost a decision to Holman Williams but kayoed Holman in a rematch.
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be sure to stay posted to dmboxing.com every month for your complete boxing schedule

Friday, February 5, 2010 (ESPN2)
from: Miami, Florida
Glen Johnson vs. Yuaf Mack (Light Heavyweights)
Joey Hernandez vs. Ed Paredes (Welterweights)

Friday, February 5, 2010 (Showtime)
from: Santa Ynez, CA
Freddy Hernandez vs. DeMarcus Corley (Welterweights)
Francisco Contreras vs. Juan Castaneda (Junior Welterweights)

Saturday, February 6, 2010 (Showtime)
from: Monterrey, Mexico
Edwin Valero vs. Antonio DeMarco (WBC Lightweight Championship)
Carlos Abregu vs. Richard Gutierrez (Welterweights)
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1) On May 10, 1996 … Lennox Lewis, a former 1988 Olympic champion, fought another former 1988 Olympic champion … he was ?
answer is – Ray Mercer
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