By David Martinez / Boxing Historian

In life we have friends; I have many, and two that ceratinly stand out for their talents are Johnny Ortiz and Anthony Prieto.

Johnny Ortiz – I am delighted to announce that a new revised edition of his publication “MY LIFE AMONG THE ICONS” has been recently released for purchase. I have known Johnny for the past twenty years and he has truly emerged as one of my best friends, and I consider him to be one of the most knowledable boxing authorities that I have ever met. I hope that you will join me to support the publication of his book, which is a fascinating memoir of a raconteur whose life intersected with the giants of sports and the glamour of Hollywood. To purchase your copy, you may order online by contacting the publisher at: authorhouse.com or by calling 1-800-839-8640

Anthony Prieto – I am grateful for a friend who is very talented in singing and artistic drawing, and so devoted in working as a volunteer with the California Condor Recovery Team. I have known Anthony for most of my adult life and we first met because our mutual love for boxing. I attend many of the concert events in which he performs, as I truly enjoy his flavor of Latin music. There are two CDs currently available: “Anthony Prieto by Anthony Prieto” and “Life Love and Desire / Anthony Prieto.” To purchase these CDs, you can go to the following websites: lacimamusic.com, cdbaby.com, or amazon.com.

If for any reason you want to contact Johnny or Anthony directly, I can accomodate this if you would so kindly go through me to arrange it, as I respect their privacy. In knowing both, they would honor any request you might desire of them.

Thank you for your support for my two friends; I respect both for their talents and I consider myself blessed to have them as my friends!

1) On July 4, 1912 in Vernon, California, Joe Rivers lost his bid for the lightweight title vs. Ad Wolgast when the bout ended in one of the most controversial finishes in boxing history … the outcome was ?
answer is ~ double knockout

2) When Larry Holmes won the WBC heavyweight championship (vs. Ken Norton) on June 9, 1978 … his manager and trainer was ?
answer is ~ Richie Giachetti

3) What former heavyweight champion was the referee for the lightweight title fight between Joe Gans vs. George Memsic on September 27, 1907 ?
answer is ~ James J. Jeffries

As I prepare for my annual holiday vacation, I want to make sure that I reach each and everyone who reads this column (and even those who do not), the very best wishes for the holiday season.

Both ShowTime and HBO have a nice early Christmas present on tap for boxing fans.

Let’s take a close look at two fights which will be held at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington, on December 11.). The double main-event figures to have more action than most of the fight cards you’ve seen this year. What would you expect from some tough bantamweights?

In the first bout, hard hitting Vic Darchinyan, 34, from Australia, takes on undefeated 25-year-old, Mexican Abner Mares. This bout is going to be a classic boxer versus slugger match, with Mares, 20-0-1 (13, much preferring to box and Darchinyan, 35-2-1 (27), always ready, willing and able to tee off.

Except for Darchinyan’s power, this bout really offers little to choose from. Darchinyan is a southpaw, which may create problems for Mares, who does have a 3 ½” reach advantage.

I make it a point to pick a winner, and so I’ll give a slight edge to Mares to take a hard-fought decision in a fight that will see a lot of blood fly.

The other bout, for the IBF bantamweight title features champion Yohhny Perez, a tough 31-year old Colombian taking on former IBF champ Joseph Agbeko, 22, from Ghana.

Perez, 31, is a talented boxer with a mark of 20-0-1 with 14 knockouts, while Agbeko, 27-2 (22), wants his title back.

Perez, seems to have a bit of a problem with his defense, so my gut feeling is that the African fighter will take a close decision in a very tough toe-to-toe brawl.

Both fights are scheduled to be shown on ShowTime.

On HBO, a couple of light welters compete for the WBA crown, from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

These two fighters are better know in Europe than in America as they have seen most of their action out of the USA.

Amir Khan 23-1 with 17 knockouts from the U.K., takes on Marcos Madana 29-1 (17) for the WBA light welterweight title.

On paper this bout also appears to be a toss-up. Madana 29, from Argentina, having more ring experience, but Khan a slight edge up in opponents talent as well as punching power.

Another seemingly great fight for the viewers, but a nightmare in regards to a confident prediction from yours truly.

Now that I made my semi-cop out, it’s time to ‘man up’ and pick Khan the winner by a decision.

Glove 2 Glove:

A number of people have left us before the holiday season has begun.

Please say prayers for the souls of: Henrietta King, (promoter Don’s wife) 87;
Former middleweight with a big punch, Danny Nardico, 85; South African light heavyweight Herbert (The Hawk) Hlubi and Charles Scioli, 97, a well known celeb in both amateur and pro boxing.

Prayers for the return to health of former women fighter Christy Martin who is recovering in Florida.

Prayers requested for the return to health of Archie Wright, 2, who wandered into some dangerous substances.

Prayers for the complete return to good health to my old friend, promoter, and ex-wrestler Jack ‘Moe’ Smith who had complete reconstructive knee surgery a couple of weeks back. Moe’s a fighter and making a complete recovery.

On behalf of these great fighters who have given their all in our great sport, we thank you for your ongoing prayers.

If you know of any boxing people in need of spiritual uplift and/or prayers? Just drop us a line. Membership is free to all and no one will ever contact you except for prayer requests, or put your name on anyone’s mailing list. Every prayer request is welcome and I know the recipient will appreciate it.

God listens!

To join us, or just request needed prayers, drop Dave Wilcox a line at ubtdave@earthlink.net

Glove2Glove, which has been a long-time integral part of the defunct Ringsports.com magazine and website. It is a program I wish to continue a long after I have left the sport and this earth. I want to thank Dave and Deborah Wilcox, who have offered to take over the program and promised to continue it indefinitely. This generous offer means a lot to me. We always welcome new members.***

Thanks and God bless.***

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and for great holiday gifts for boxing fans, let me suggest a couple of books for the loved one in your life to read.

It’s time to get your Christmas shopping done, and we are going to help!

Rusty Rubin, who was formerly the award winning managing editor of Ringsports.com as well as the currently defunct Ringsports Magazine, is the author of three acclaimed boxing books! “Woozel, Boxing and Me”, “Off the Canvas” and “Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot” co-authored by Tom Donelson. These books are all available at Authorhouse.com, and all major book retailers. They are all more than worth the purchase price.

Please allow me to recommend, two other great books, the “Arc of Boxing” by Mike Silver and “My Life among the Icons” by Johnny Ortiz.

In these hard economic times, any or all of these books will make an excellent and inexpensive presents to the boxing fan(s) in your life. They are especially appreciated gifts if the recipient is tired of watching re-runs of sit-coms and the far-less than significant reality shows.

You and the gift recipient will be glad you did!***

I really like knowing David Martinez. Of course there’s his endless boxing knowledge – his ability to analyze a fight – even as it’s happening. I respect his advice big time.

One of the best things he does is something that only happens at Halloween. He will dress up like a masked wrestler. So let me share with you now a photo of this years 2010 edition of him at a party posing with young lady – Kim. He will always accommodate others for a picture and let me say that it’s my absolute pleasure to serve as his producer since this website started back in July 2007 – thank you David!

be sure to stay posted to dmboxing.com every month for your complete boxing schedule

FRIDAY – August 6, 2010 (ESPN2)
from: Chicago, Illinois
James De La Rosa vs. Michael Rosales (Welterweights)
Patrick Lopez vs. Prenice Brewer (Junior Welterweights)
Mike Mollo vs. Franklin Lawrence (Heavyweights)

FRIDAY – August 6, 2010 (Showtime)
from: Hinckley, Minnesota
Chris Avalos vs. Christopher Martin (Bantamweights)
Lateef Kayode vs. Alfredo Escalera, Jr (Cruiserweights)

SATURDAY – August 7, 2010 (HBO)
from: St. Louis, Missouri
Devon Alexander vs. Andriy Kotelnik (WBC / IBF Junior Welterweight Championship)
Tavoris Cloud vs. Glen Johnson (IBF Light Heayweight Championship)

SATURDAY – August 7, 2010 (Fox Sports)
from: Jalisco, Mexico
Gennady Golovkin vs. Milton Nunez (Middleweights)
Roman Gonzalez vs. Manuel Vargas (Junior Flyweights)
Julio Julio Emilio vs. Zapir Rasulov (Welterweights)

FRIDAY – August 13, 2010 (ESPN2)
from: Ontario, California
Manuel Quezada vs. Chris Arreola (Heavyweights)

SATURDAY – August 14, 2010 (HBO)
from: Montreal, Canada
Jean Pascal vs. Chad Dawson (WBC Light Heavyweight Championship)

SATURDAY – August 14, 2010
from: Panama City, Panama
Anselmo Moreno vs. Nehomar Cermeno (WBA Bantamweight Championship)

SATURDAY – August 14, 2010 (Fox Sports)
from: Laredo, Texas
Ji Hoon KIm vs. Miguel Vazquez (vacant / IBF Lightweight Championship)
Miguel Garcia vs. Cornelius Lock (Featherweights)

SATURDAY – August 14, 2010
from: Los Mochis, Mexico
Donnie Nietes vs. Mario Rodriguez (WBO Strawweight Championship)

WEDNESDAY – August 18, 2010 (ESPN2)
from: Monroe, Louisiana
Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Medina (Junior Middleweights)
Yordanis Despaigne vs. Frank Paines (Light Heavyweights)

SATURDAY – August 21, 2010
from: Newark, New Jersey
Tomasz Adamek vs. Michael Grant (Heaveyweights)
Joel Julio vs. Jamaal Davis (Junior Middleweights)

SATURDAY – August 21, 2010
from: Erfurt, Germany
Marco Huck vs. Matt Godfrey (WBO Cruiserweight Championship)
Robert Helenius vs. Gregory Tony (Heavyweights)

FRIDAY – August 27, 2010 (HBO)
from: Santa Fe, Argentina
Lucas Martin Matthysse vs. Rogelio Castaneda, Jr (Junior Welterweights)
Sebastian Andres Lujan vs. Emilio Julio Julio (Welterweights)

SATURDAY – August 28, 2010 (Fox Sports Net)
from: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Giovani Segura vs. Ivan Calderon (WBA Junior Flyweight Championship)

MONDAY – August 30, 2010
from: Donetsk, Ukraine
Vyacheslav Senchenko vs. Charlie Jose Navarro (WBA Welterweight Championship)

Allow me to thank my many friends in boxing for their calls, cards and visits during my recent illness….I’ll be as good as new as soon as the good Lord allows science to discover how to make a complete skeletal transplant. Seriously, the prayers mean a lot to this old scribe.

In the upcoming fight department, July 31, Saturday, should be a hum-dinger at Mandalay Bay on Pay-Per-View.

The again veteran counter puncher Juan Manuel Marquez faces a rematch with Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz for the WBO/WBA lightweight title. This fight is a rematch of a recent Houston, where Marquez stopped Diaz late.

Diaz, at age 26, (35-3, (17), is ten years younger than Marquez and has a big reach advantage.

Marquez, 50-5-1 (37), remains the best counter-puncher in the business as he proved when he stopped Diaz in his Texas hometown.

Not only does Marquez boast more fights, but far better competition, but when you deal with age, it doesn’t always mean as much.

A pick here looks easy, as Diaz’ only three losses came in his last six fights, while Marquez and time keeps marching on. The logic here is that if Diaz can’t beat Marquez at home, why think he would do better in far more neutral Las Vegas?

I don’t. Therefore, in a war, Marquez stops Diaz again, late.

This should be an outstanding PPV buy.

Glove 2 Glove:

Boxing lost two more outstanding people over the past few weeks.

Former heavyweight contenders Mac Foster and Johnny Calon went to their final rewards. Prayers for their souls are requested

Tough fighter and great competitor Scott LeDoux, who was always in shape (as I prefer to remember him) has ALS and has been given less than six months to live.

Also prayers for the recovery of the mother of boxing historian Scott Crouse would also be very much appreciated.

God listens.

Sad to report that Genaro Hernandez’ cancer has returned. We ask for your prayers to help “Chicanito” in his battle against this relentless foe.

Prayers for the return to health of Casey Guerrero, wife of popular boxer, Robert. “The Ghost’s” wife is having a recurring bout with leukemia.

On behalf of these great fighters who have given their all in our great sport, we thank you for your ongoing prayers.

If you know of any boxing people in need of spiritual uplift and/or prayers? Just drop us a line. Membership is free to all and no one will ever contact you except for prayer requests, or put your name on anyone’s mailing list. Every prayer request is welcome and I know the recipient will appreciate it.

To join us, or just request needed prayers, drop Dave Wilcox a line at ubtdave@earthlink.net

Glove2Glove, which has been a long-time integral part of the defunct Ringsports.com magazine and website. It is a program I wish to continue a long after I have left the sport and this earth. I want to thank Dave and Deborah Wilcox, who have offered to take over the program and promised to continue it indefinitely. This generous offer means a lot to me. We always welcome new members.***

Thanks and God bless.***

1) Who served as a sparing partner for Sugar Ray Leonard in preparation for his 1978 bout with Floyd Mayweather, Sr. and who he would fight later in his career?
answer is – Thomas Hearns
 
2) In 1971, top welterweight contender Armando Muniz briefly taught at Cal State Los Angeles … what subject ?
answer is – Hispanic Studies
 
3) What cities (in order) were considered for the Jack Johnson vs. Jim Jeffries “Fight of the Century” heavyweight championship, July 4, 1910, before Reno, Nevada was finally chosen ?
answer is – San Francisco, CA / New York, NY / Hoboken, NJ
 
 
NOTE: as a popular feature offered by  dmboxing.com  there are always three new RING TRIVIA questions posted every month … with answers available for viewing about three weeks later!

David Martinez and Bob Foster
October 1996

By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer
 
Not too long ago one of my favorite writers, Ted Sares asked me if I could come up with some bouts as he described them as “closet classics”. I came up with a few for Ted. Here recently I was making a tape for a friend. One of the bouts was the 1969 light heavyweight title fight between Bob Foster and Andy Kendall. I have a mint copy of this fight and what a war it was while it lasted.

This was Foster at the peak of his great career. What a fighter he was. Most people remember his devastating power but what they tend to forget is that Bob had a terrific jab. He jabbed on even terms with Muhammad Ali when they met. He even cut the “Greatest”.

Andy Kendall was no slouch. He was a rough and rugged customer who met Don Fullmer, Bobo Olson, Eddie Cotton, Roger Rouse and Eddie “Bossman” Jones on his way to this title shot. The ABC broadcast had Howard Cosell and the late Willie Pep at ringside calling the action.

It was a war from the opening bell. The shorter Kendall tried to be aggressive and on working his way in he butted Bob on a few occasions. In the ring Foster had little sense of humor and he hit Andy on the break drawing a warning from the referee. Bob had a ten inch reach advantage and he wasted little time establishing his fine jab. Bob also launched several punishing rights to Kendall’s head. Andy was game to the core as he absorbed the punishment and kept moving forward. Although Andy lost the first two rounds, he made a statement in round three. His aggression was beginning to pay off and he finally got to Bob in round three. He rocked Foster on a couple of occasions and the fans loved it. Now it was a fight!

Bob must have sensed this as round four began as he came out and took charge. There was a brutal exchange but Andy got the worst of it and staggered into the ropes. Foster was right on him pouring in punch after punch. The courageous Kendall tried to fight back but Foster was a great finisher. Finally Kendall sank to the canvas. His inner toughness forced him to rise before the ten count but the referee had seen enough and waved the fight over. Foster had retained his title but he knew he had been in a fight. You could see it in his eyes that he admired the stubborn courage of Andy Kendall.

Foster would fight on and forge his legend. Kendall would fight on too. He would meet men like Dick Tiger, Larry Buck, Mike Quarry, Pat O’Conner, Jorge Ahumada and Yaqui Lopez and will always be considered one of the best light heavyweight contenders of the Bob Foster era.

The Los Angeles based World Boxing Hall of Fame event will be held on November 19, at the Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Among the new honorees expected to attend are Julio Casar Chavez, Mike Tyson, Dwight Muhammad Qawi and Bennie Briscoe. In the expanded category, Graham Houston, Jimmy Montoya and Joe Goossen get their well-earned rewards as well.*** 

In the who gives a damn department, the aforementioned Mike Tyson may forego his Hall of Fame award to fight again, this time against Evander Holyfield. 

Anyone who buys this match between someone I thought knew enough to retire and Holyfield who clearly does not, is loonier than this writer. Tyson can’t fight anymore and Holyfield should have retired a long time ago. How many ways can you spell BORING? Oh well, as P.T. Barnum once said, ‘there’s a sucker born every minute’. 

The 100th anniversary of the Jack Johnson – Jim Jeffries fight will be celebrated in Reno, NV. from July 1-4. Among some of the names expected to be on hand are George Foreman and Ray ‘Boom Boom Mancini’. For more information please call the Grand Sierra Hotel in Reno. Also, my friend Boxing Historian David Martinez will have a feature article on this fight next week on his website www.dmboxing.com.

Hard to figure who will win this weekends middleweight tiff between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and John Duddy. 

Neither of the combatants has faced good opponents and neither shows the ability to punch with much power. 

Chavez, 24, 41-0 (3) is his own man. His record, while impressive, has to be balanced by the talent of his mostly unimpressive foes. 

The same has to be said for Duddy, 30, 29-1-1 with 18 knockouts. His foes cannot be construed as a ‘who’s who’ in our sport. 

The fight may not feature a lot of power, but it could provide a lot of action, particularly if compared to last weekend’s yawner between Andre Ward and Allen Green. 

The undercard features Marco Antonio Barrera, so the PPV price for ‘Latin Fury 15’ appears quite reasonable. 

The bout will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio on June 26, for the WBC Silver Middleweight belt (whatever the hell that is). 

I don’t want to stall any longer, as this fight is a toss-up in my mind. Duddy is an inch smaller, but holds a one inch reach advantage. 

It’s hard for me to envision Duddy’s only loss was a split decision to an opponent he should have beaten handily, and Duddy tends to cut. 

Okay, I’ll put my old butt on the line again and pick Chavez via a late TKO. 

Glove 2 Glove: 

Ted Lowry, one of the nicest guys to lace up the gloves has past away at age 90. Prayers for his soul are requested. 

Please say prayers for Phill Grazide of Santa Rosa, CA. a big supporter of amateur boxing, who is suffering the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis. 

Needless to say we need prayers for the return to health of former champ Gerald McClellan, who is confined to wheelchairs. 

On behalf of these great fighters who have given their all in our great sport, we thank you for your ongoing prayers. 

If you know of any boxing people in need of spiritual uplift and/or prayers? Just drop us a line. Membership is free to all and no one will ever contact you except for prayer requests, or put your name on anyone’s mailing list. 

To join us, or just request needed prayers, drop Dave Wilcox a line at ubtdave@earthlink.net 

Glove2Glove, which has been a long-time integral part of the defunct Ringsports.com magazine and website. It is a program I wish to continue a long after I have left the sport and this earth. I want to thank Dave and Deborah Wilcox, who have offered to take over the program and promised to continue it indefinitely. This generous offer means a lot to me. We always welcome new members.*** 

Thanks and God bless.***