David Martinez Boxing

In Rusty’s Corner

admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:50:46 +0000

Rusty Rubin has been a boxing writer for more than 30 years and is an award winning managing editor of RingSports.com as well as the now defunct Ring Sports Magazine. Rusty is also an author of many boxing publications and highly respected in the boxing world – he is a friend and has contributed to dmboxing.com since 2007.

I will start my column by asking everyone to join me in prayer for the people in Moore, Oklahoma that were devastated by the massive tornado that struck there this week.

Once again, this week I’ll keep things simple, if you want to help me in my next endeavor to assist in finding a cure for cancer, (no money involved), please read the bottom of this article.***

There’s something I want to get off my chest that’s been bothering me for a long time. No, it’s not body hair.

My gripe is with people who loosely throw around an important word, that word being ‘legendary’. Anyone who reads my articles knows that I rarely if ever use or misuse this word.

Legendary, in my book means someone or something that will remain forever remembered by everyone. Okay, maybe we’re on different pages here, but it irks me to see someone who may be qualified as ‘great’ or ‘future Hall of Famer’ is called ‘legendary’.

A person may qualify for all sorts of honors, including being inducted into a Hall of Fame or other awards, and that may make them ‘extra ordinary’, but definitely not legendary.

In the sport of boxing, who would you call legendary and why?

In my book, (no not the next one) I would accept legendary only for a few people, Eddie Futch, trainer of champions; Ray Arcel, his contemporary, Archie Moore, who’s knockout record will never be equaled; and the late Sugar Ray Robinson, who despite the time that’s passed, is still considered the best pound for pound fighter that ever lived.

Bernard Hopkins is almost a sure Hall of Fame inductee, when he retires, and he is the best this generation has to offer, but is he legendary?

Mike Tyson will also be in the Hall of Fame as well as Evander Holyfield, but should be described as greats, not legendary.

I take nothing away from the talents and accomplishments of these ring greats, but ‘legendary’ would never be a word I’d use to describe them.

I’d welcome anyone who would care to take issue with me on the use of this word. Please write to me care of this column.

This week HBO features a very interesting fight between two super middleweight fighters. The fight takes place in London and is for the IBF/WBA title.

Two veterans take to the ring in Carl Froch, 35, and Mikkel Kessler, 34.

What make this a very interesting match is there is so little to separate the two fighters. Froch has fought Kessler before and lost to him. This fight is in his country so he gets the advantage in close rounds.

Kessler, although younger has seen more action and arguable tougher competition. He comes into the bout with a record of 46-2 with 35 of those wins coming by knockout.

Froch has a one inch reach advantage, and tends to fight very well in England. He enters the ring with a record of 30-2, with 22 of them coming by KO.

Froch’s two losses weren’t against stiffs, as he lost to Andre Ward and his opponent Mikkel Kessler.

Since Kessler has faced a bit better competition, (his two defeats coming at the hands of Andre Ward and Joe Calzaghe, I’ll take him to win via a close decision.

This should be a very entertaining fight to watch.

Glove 2 Glove:

Boxing lost some good guys over the past few weeks. Prayers are requested for the souls of:

George Johnson, 82, veteran welterweight battler; Archie McBride, New Jersey heavyweight who fought some of the best around; Johnny Bos, veteran boxing aficionado and good guy, 61; Carmelo Negron, super featherweight, 54 and Jhonny Gonzalez, (not the boxer) boxing scribe, who was killed in his native Venezuela.

Charles Rainier and former champ Wilfredo Gomez are ailing so prayers are requested.

Also request prayers for Joey Gamache Sr. trainer and promoter of former champ Joey Jr. The elder Gamache is fighting cancer.

Former heavyweight champ Ken Norton can use your prayers to help him recover from a serious illness. Also there are reports that 71 year old Muhammad Ali is not doing well. Prayers are also requested for boxing guy Reginald Boucher, father in law of boxing writer Keith Teciera. Reginald is battling cancer.

Prayers for the return to health of outstanding boxing guys Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos. Alex has done much to improve the welfare of retired boxers. Your prayers for him have worked in the past. Alex is still facing some serious obstacles.

Young ex-champ Paul Williams was involved in a motorcycle accident and needs your prayers for a full recovery.

Prayers also requested for the recovery of former champ Rocky Lockridge.

Tony Triem is also in need of your prayers, as is L.H. Dalton.

Also prayers for the recovery of outstanding referee Mills Lane and Denis Wilcox.

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.

Also in need of prayers for the return to health is former champ Gerald McClellan, who is confined to a wheelchair.

On behalf of these great fighters who have given their all in our great sport, we continue to thank you for your ongoing prayers. May the good Lord bless each and every one of you.

Do you know of any boxing people in need of spiritual uplifting and/or prayers? It’s absolutely free. Join Glove to Glove! Just drop us a line. Membership to our prayer group is free to all and no one will ever contact you except for other prayer requests.

We never give out or sell out our members. I can almost assure you that your name or contact information will not suddenly appear on anyone’s mailing list. In short, there is absolutely no obligation. Every prayer request is most welcome and I know all the recipients will appreciate it.

Why? Because it’s healing to know that other people care, even about people they don’t know, and to have the knowledge that God always listens!

To join the Glove2Glove prayer group, or just request much needed prayers, drop Dave Wilcox a line at ubtdave@earthlink.net.

Glove2Glove, which had been a long-time integral part of the recently defunct Ringsports.com magazine and website. It is a wonderful program that I wish to have continued 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. Their generous offer means a lot to me. We always welcome new members.***

Thanks and God bless.***

Rusty is also the author of three highly acclaimed boxing books! “Woozel, Boxing and Me”, “Off the Canvas” and “Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot” co-authored by Tom Donelson.

These three books are all available at Authorhouse.com, and all major book retailers. They are all more than worth the small purchase price, or contact me via this website for a personally autographed copy at a small extra shipping charge. Please know that all proceeds from these books will be used to fight cancer.

“I WOULD LIKE TO URGE THAT ALL MY MANYFRIENDS TO LIST THE FOLLOWING INFO ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE AS WELL AS YOUR E-MAIL.

“HAVING BEEN BLESSED WITH SO MANY GREAT AND CARING PEOPLE IN MY LIFE, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO GET INVOLVED WITH NETWORKING; I’M JUST TOO DAMN TIRED AND OLD FOR THAT, ALTHOUGH I KNOW IT’S FOR A GOOD CAUSE AND THAT NETWORKING IS THE BEST WAY TO GET THE WORDS OUT.

“HENCEFORTH, (or at least for the current quarter) ALL PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF ANY OR ALL OF MY BOOKS WILL GO TO THE SUSAN G. KOMAN FOUNDATION, AND BE USED TO FIND A CURE FOR BREAST CANCER.

“I ALSO PROPOSE A CHALLENGE TO ALL OTHER JOURNALISTS, BOXING OR OTHERWISE, TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO SUPPORT ME IN THIS EFFORT. IT’S ALSO A CHANCE TO CHANGE THE PUBLIC OPINION OF THE WORKING PRESS AND OUR SPORT, AS WELL AS DOING SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR WORLD.

“MIRACLES ARE NEEDED: For my next book to inspire others and do our share to fight cancer. If you have any to share, send them to Rustyrubin@sbcglobal.net, and in the subject matter write the word miracle. Let’s all do our part to help find a permanent cure for this dread disease! Names will be withheld by request as it’s the stories of inspiration that are most important. Please feel free to pass this request along to others who have experienced life changing experiences.

“Inspiration and stories of miracles do not have to be boxing or cancer related!

“Together we may be able to find a cure for cancer and result in a much needed knockout win for the sport of boxing.

“I now have some time to try to finish this latest work, which, God willing, will bring the world so much closer to finding a cure for cancer as well as improve the lives of others. Please send me your stories at rustyrubin@sbcglobal.net”.

Finally, “My 2013 New Year’s resolution, besides living long enough to finish this book was to spend the rest of my life by helping others, and I really need everyone’s help to do that. Just by putting a smile on someone’s face helps to heal, not to mention giving yourself an uplifting feeling.

Please step into the ring with me to add power to all the voices that are crying out for a cure for dread diseases.

Keep punching, always….Rusty

WEBSITE COFFEE MUG

David Martinez — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:52:52 +0000

I am delighted to offer a product that most people can use – my website coffee mug!

This item is white in color and displays the official dmboxing.com logo and is priced at a reasonable cost of $9.50 per mug. This discount price also includes FREE shipping to anywhere in the continental USA.

To purchase, please send a check or money order (NO cash) with your return address to:

David Martinez Boxing

Post Office Box 41536

Santa Barbara, CA 93140

(Model: Lauren ~ thank you!)

When Should Mayweather Fight Alvarez?

admin — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:16:18 +0000

By Tom Donelson

Member Boxing Writers Association

What is the biggest fight available right now for Floyd Mayweather? The answer is simple, Saul ”Canelo” Alvarez. In boxing, nothing ever moves in a straight line, so there are many steps left before the big fight can be made. For both boxers, it is a matter of timing for the money side of the equation and the competitive side.

Consider Alvarez and his team. Alvarez showed much improvement in his decision win over Austin Trout as he showed the ability to slip Trout’s punches. This allowed him to win the fight and Alvarez even landed a sharp right at the beginning of the seventh round that sent Trout down to the canvas for the fight decisive moment. Alvarez and his team dilemma is simple. At 22 years of age, time is on his side when setting up a match against the 36 year old Mayweather and a few extra fights will not only allow him to continue improving but it could also enhance the box office numbers even further.

Mayweather problem is the opposite. From a competitive point of view, the sooner the fight the better for Mayweather. The longer he waits, the older he gets and the better Alvarez chances in upsetting Mayweather. For Mayweather, this fight has the potential to replace the fight that got away, Pacquiao. Pacquiao and Mayweather had the chance of being one of boxing biggest money bout and Alvarez-Mayweather bout can just as big. Alvarez has a big following in Mexico and is developing one in the states. So there are dollar signs everywhere but the key is when does one set the fight?

Waiting has its own risk as Pacquiao-Mayweather showed. While both fighters did their tango for three years, Pacquiao was upset by Tim Bradley and knocked out by Marquez and the fight that was supposed to be was no longer. Alvarez-Mayweather fight may never happen due to one or the other losing a bout along the way. Will Mayweather and Alvarez want preliminary bouts before the big event and how long can Mayweather wait before Father Time erode his skills enough to make him vulnerable to a quick, slugging Alvarez?

For Mayweather, the difference between fighting a Danny Garcia or a Tim Bradley and Alvarez could be worth a half million or more extra buy for PPV. That may be worth 35 to 50 million extra dollars in revenues. It is also the difference between filling out an arena in Vegas that seats maybe 10,000 and filling out 30 to 50,000 seats in the Alamo dome in San Antonio. Alvarez and Trout sold out the Alamo dome in less than 24 hours, so adding an extra 20 to 40,000 fans on location is another way to add additional revenues.

For Alvarez, it is in his interest to delay the fight beyond 2013 and maybe into 2015 since his skill level will improve and Mayweather skills may erode enough to diminish his defensive wizardry. There is one more risk for team Alvarez and that Alvarez may not be able to stay comfortably at 154 pounds for the next 24 months. While from a skill point of view, Alvarez will only improve but as he gets older, it will be harder for him to stay at junior Middleweight. For Mayweather, he can’t wait beyond the spring of 2014 and still be close to his peak.

Thus the fun begins as both fighters begin their negotiations and I suspect that we won’t see a fight in Fall of this year as both fighters will seek to fight one more bout before deciding when the time is right for the big event. One rumor has Miguel Cotto versus Alvarez, a good test for the young Alvarez and a measuring stick to judge his progress. For Mayweather, he has options but not as attractive as far as box offices is concern. A Mayweather-Bradley does not have the same box office appeal as Cotto-Alvarez so Mayweather will opt for an Alvarez fight soon enough. It is the biggest money opportunity and time is not on the side of Mayweather to delay the confrontation.

WEBSITE T-SHIRT

David Martinez — Tue, 14 May 2013 04:01:04 +0000

My attractive website t-shirt is blue in color, short sleeve, with the official dmboxing.com logo on the back and has a small boxer image on the front. This product is available in all sizes: small (S), medium (M), large (L), extra large (XL), and double extra large (2XX), at a cost of $12.00 for each t-shirt.

As an added bonus, I continue to offer FREE shipping for all my loyal fan base who live any where within the continental United States.

To order, send check or money order (NO cash) and include your size to:

David Martinez Boxing

Post Office Box 41536

Santa Barbara, CA 93140

(Model: Caitlin ~ thank you!)

What Next For Boxing?

admin — Sat, 11 May 2013 01:25:37 +0000

By Tom Donelson / Member Boxing Writers Association

Boxing is one of those sports that seem forever on its death bed only to rise again and certainly 2012 was a good year and so far 2013 have seen some classic bouts with a whole new generation of fighters making their marks. The question is can Boxing capitalize on its increase popularity?

Let begin with what has happen on the positive side. The improvement of Showtime and the addition of NBC Sports network have added to the televised coverage. Let’s begin with emergence of Showtime as the major player in the Sport today. Showtime for years have adopted a strategy of concentrating on specific weight divisions and their SHOBOX series allowed the network to build up new stars. Now with coordination with CBS, Showtime has a network television outlet to promote fights to go with the Showtime family. Showtime has added a new twist they borrowed from their MMA competitors when they broadcast a big event. They have preliminary bouts on Showtime Extreme where many of their young fighters can be exposed to a wider population. ShoBox, the Next Generation has served as promoting stars of the future and Showtime Extreme allows some of those young fighters to be on undercard of bigger events. Fans have an entire evening of boxing to enjoy and Showtime is able to promote stars of the future while putting on great main events with the stars of today.

NBC Sport network has allowed the expansion of coverage as promoters and managers can expand their fighter’s exposure plus NBC Sport network can add fights on NBC network itself. ESPN and HBO are still providing excellent coverage and now Boxing has more attention than ever before. HBO has been a pioneer and still produce great coverage of the sport with their BAD (boxing after dark series and Jim Lampley new program on boxing.

So what can boxing do to reform itself? The number one problem for boxing is that through the all various weight divisions, sanctioning bodies and promoters, no one can tell you who the champion of each division. Not even the most inform of boxing writers or pundits have a clue and if those of us who actually cover the sport can’t tell you who the champions are; why expect the average fan to know. And many former fans decided that they simply don’t care to figure it out.

Any reforms must work within the present system and the number one item is to identify the true champion of each division. I will begin to build on what I propose in the past. Each sanctioning body can continue to sanction their own champion but as one sanctioning body has already doing, why not have a Super Champion in each division? Right now, there has been an attempt to have Ring magazine to name a champion and that is a beginning.

The College Football at the highest level has adopted a system that boxing can copy. Many forgot how champions were crowned before the present system came into place. In 1994, Penn State and Nebraska ended the season undefeated and there was no final showdown and a similar thing happened in 1997 when both Michigan and Nebraska ended the season undefeated. College football has created new excitement with the present system and soon there will be an additional game to crown a champion. The biggest challenge that colleges had in making changes to a de facto playoff system was how entrenched the bowl system was. Many bowl sponsors opposed any playoff systems since it could eliminate them as player. So College simply merged the bowl system into a new system.

For the most part, the new system has crowned the correct recognized champion and a similar system could work in boxing. A combination of computers, boxing writers using the eye test and add bonus points for being a sanctioning body champ can create a Super Champ in each division. From there, the system would be design to pick top ten challengers on a three month basis, thus giving allowing promoters and sanctioning bodies a chance to set up super fights or major PPV event.

This reform uses the present system and allows those who profits from it to still profit from it. Fans can figure out who is the best and sanctioning bodies still can sponsor their own championships, and promoters know that fighters can get higher point totals for being sanctioning body champions and earn higher ratings! And higher ratings may mean more big fights and more big pay day. Call it a win-win as boxing simply build on the present system.

Another reform is to find a way to improve scoring. How many times have we seen big fights to tainted by poor scoring? More than enough and this too has an effect on fans interests. Nothing like watching a big match and then wonder how three judges missed what the rest of us saw. Ted Atlas once noted that maybe a judge who gets it wrong explain, round by round, how or why he or she scored the bout to the state sanctioning body.

One suggestion is for judges to attend schools on an regular basis to refresh their skills. Those judges who attend these schools will be allowed to score major fights. Schools can be located on a floating regional basis and manned by some of the recognized best judges. Retired judges like Joe Cortez or Harold Lederman can be instrumental in designing the curriculum. Another aspect is to try to more objectively in the scoring. While Compubox is not always accurate since the power of the punch can’t be truly measured, Compubox does give a good sense of how a fight is going. Most of the time, the winner of the bout tends to be the fighter who dominates Compubox data.

Should Compubox number be given to judges in between rounds? That is one reform that should be considered. Judges are placed at different angles and sometimes they don’t have the best view. The numbers may add to the accuracy of the score. Al Bernstein once told me that a judge should try to count the punches they see. This will add more objectivity to the bout. I realize the objections to this plan, especially in lieu that Compubox can’t truly measure the power of the punches but Compubox does separate power punches from jabs. The key is to add objectivity to the scoring and Compubox is one way. This still will not replace the eye test of which boxer has the more pop in his punch but it does aid the judges.

In most boxing match, the one objective aspect that does work is a knockdown giving a boxer who deliver a knockdown, a 10-8. For me, this should be strengthen. I realize that there are those moments in which one fighter dominate a round so much that some judges will grant a 10-8 even without a knockdown but the goal is to make judging more objective and the rule should be a 10-8 round be rewarded only in the case of a knock down. Each knockdown gives the boxer an extra point. Two knockdowns is a 10-7 and if the referee dosesn’t stop a fight after a third knockdown, it is 10-6. If a fighter is losing a round but scores a knock down, it is still a 10-8. Under no circumstance can fighter who scores a knockdown fail to receive a 10-8. In boxing, it is about power and power means knockouts and knock downs. This gives objectivity and strengthens the scoring system.

Another reform is to strengthen medical care for fighters and one way to fund this is to use a portion of big fights including PPV for a health care fund for fighters. Boxing is high risk and there long term damage. Boxing can certainly begin protecting its biggest assets, its fighters. If athletes know that there will be some form of health care fund, it might even attract more athletes.

Final reform is to strengthen amateur boxing. Just look at recent Olympics to know that our amateur program has collapse but future stars come from the amateur ranks where boxers learn the basic of the sports. If you want to see the benefit of amateurs, simply look at Guillermo Rigondeaux recent victory over Donaire. Rigondeaux came into the professional ranks with 400 amateur bouts and much of it at the highest levels. It is in the interest of boxing to promote amateur boxing.

The key to boxing is to restore a sense of certainty. Certainty in knowing who is a champion, certainty in scoring, certainty in protecting boxers and finally a certainty in developing the stars of the future.

WEBSITE HAT

David Martinez — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:10:39 +0000

I am delighted to provide my dmboxing.com website hat to you for only $14.00, with FREE shipping provided to any where in the United States of America.

This attractive hat is blue in color with the official logo embroidered on the front and the website address embroidered on the back. It has a Velcro strap to fit all sizes.

To purchase this product, please send check or money order (NO cash) in the amount of fourteen dollars for each hat, with your return address to:

David Martinez Boxing

Post Office Box 41536

Santa Barbara, CA 93140

(Model: Samantha — thank you!)

The fight as it was … Mayweather vs. Guerrero

admin — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:01:39 +0000

By Tom Donelson

Member Boxing Writers Association, International Boxing Research Organization, and contributes to numerous boxing publications

Floyd Mayweather came into this fight as the favorite but at 36 years, the question was for Mayweather, would father time finally catch up with him? Robert Guerrero was one of those fighters who could box or brawl and the question that remained, would we see the boxing Guerrero or the brawling Guerrero who mauled Andre Berto?

The first bout featured undefeated J’Leon Love fighting Gabriel Rosado and the first half of the fight saw Love dominate the fight with his jab which opened up his arsenal. If the first half of the fight was Love, The second half belonged to Rosadao, who managed to knock Love down with an overhand right. He continued his pressure throughout the second half of the fight to tighten the scorecard. The final round saw both fighters pound on each other to conclude a close bout. Love won a close split decision , winning 95-94, 97-92 on two cards and Rosado winning on the other card, 95-94.

Bout number two was Leon Santa Cruz fighting Alexander Munoz for the USBA Super bantamweight title. Santa Cruz took control of this early as he nailed Munoz with a three punch combination in the opening round. In the third round, Cruz sent Munoz down with a one-two combination after dominating the round. From there it was a matter of time as Cruz finished Munoz in the fifth with a left hand.

Daniel Ponce De Leon fought Abner Mares for De Leon WBC featherweight division championship. Mares, the WBC Super bantamweight titlist, was moving up for the featherweight title.

While De Leon southpaw stance gave him an advantage in the first round, a Mares left-right hand sent De Leon down in the second round. While he was taking rights hand in the third round, Mares managed to land a left that stunned De Leon and sent him stumbling into the rope.

In the fifth round, Mares scored with a five punch combination but he got nailed with a De Leon straight left and De Leon ended the round by doing the pressuring. He continued to pressure the following round but De Leon pressure appeared to be ineffectual as Mares scored solid left hooks to the head and body.

Mares continued to use his right hand to gain the upper hand of the fight in the seventh round. Mares connected with his right hand in the ninth round and De Leon countered with his left but another Mares right sent De Leon down for the second time in the fight. Mares forced De Leon to the rope after De Leon got up from his knockdown and he landed more punches; forcing the referee to stop the fight. Mares now claimed a featherweight title.

The main event now began and Mayweather found a home with his right hand in the opening two rounds but in the second round, Guerrero managed to score with his left while attempting to get rough in the clinch in an effort to turn this fight into an alley brawl. This continued into the third round, but Mayweather defensive wizardry deflected many of Guerrero and he countered with his right hand.

Guerrero attempted to pressure throughout the fourth and fifth round as he manages to scores with straight left to the body but Mayweather right hand cracked Guerrero head as he able to score against the southpaw Guerrero.

Guerrero continues to stay in front of Mayweather but Mayweather defense frustrated Guerrero and Mayweather jabbed and moved out of harms’ way. His lead right continues to score and after six rounds, it would appear that Mayweather had a big lead on the scorecard.

Throughout the seventh round, Mayweather used clinches to go with his counters to disrupt Guerrero’s pressure. Just as the previous six rounds, Guerrero offense has proven to be feeble against Mayweather’s defensive skills. So far, Mayweather defense proved the decisive and he didn’t look his age.

Beginning at the eighth round, Mayweather left hooked off his jab and then pounded Guerrero with two rights. Mayweather had not hurt Guerrero with his punches but he threw enough right hands to keep the fight in his favor. A end of the round, a Mayweather uppercut and three right hands cut open left Guerrero eyes. In between the eighth and ninth round, Mayweather late eighth round rally forced the ring doctor to examine Guerrero’s eyes.

While Guerrero was still attempting to pressure Mayweather in the ninth, Mayweather sharp right kept nailing Guerrero. Mayweather continued to out worked Guerrero and Guerrero seemed unable to score much throughout the tenth round and going into the championship rounds, Guerrero needed a knockout.

Guerrero didn’t get his knockout but instead, he continued to receive a boxing lesson from Mayweather. While Guerrero was not hurt by Mayweather combinations but he kept getting nailed by right hands and left hooks. Mayweather used his mobility for part of the twelfth round to run out the clock and then he landed those accurate right hands. Mayweather combinations simply put a punctuation mark on this fight and he won an easy unanimous decision.

One reporter summed up the fight when he wrote, “Guerrero still there which is a tribute to his courage but he looks like a club fighter by comparison with the master.” This quote summarized the fight and Mayweather mastery.

FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez

David Martinez — Sat, 04 May 2013 01:40:42 +0000

(Spring 2013 Edition)

I would like to start by saying thank you for making this website one of your choices in boxing. It is my pleasure to share my passion for a sport I have been attached to since 1961. This website was started in 2007, and has received many more views than any of my expectations – thank you!

The people that contribute are: John Boitnott (Web Master), Bob Quackenbush (Proof Reader / Photo Editing), Rusty Rubin (In Rusty’s Corner), Dave and Deborah Wilcox (Glove 2 Glove), Jim Amato (Senior Boxing Writer), Tom Donelson (Member Boxing Writers Association), Steve Corbo (Boxing Expert / Writer), Kathy Kraft (Proof Reader), Phyllis Vincent (Proof Reader). A captain is only as good as his crew and these people allow me to steer this ship with honor and expertise. The girls who pose with my products are all friends and are not professional models. They offer their time, and lend their beauty, to help in a kind way.

I respect all input from my fan base and your opinions are welcome. I try to answer everyone in a positive manner, with respect, as you have respected my views and opinions.

I have received a few comments and questions that have asked, “why boxing, boxing is dead”. I must acknowledge that boxing has always been in the eye of controversy due to bad fights, bad decisions, too many champions and corrupt promoters since the days of John L. Sullivan in the late 1800′s. I will say that it has had its up’s and down’s, but has always survived with fan numbers fluctuating. Today I see the swing in an upward direction as indicated, most recently, by large gates; Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin Trout selling over 33,000 tickets, and with a large viewing on Showtime. Sergio Martinez vs. Martin Murray attracted over 49,000 fans for their fight, plus a large viewing on HBO; boxing is far from dead.

A few people have asked me about ratings. In the past I would have a monthly post for every weight class. I decided to drop that one feature a few years ago because of the many governing bodies, trying to honor the different champions in each of the sanctioning organizations. (i.e.) WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO.

Here’s my ranking (in order) of the top twenty “pound for pound” boxers:

( as of May 1, 2013 )

1) Floyd Mayweather Jr. ( 43-0 / 26 by KO )

2) Andre Ward ( 26-0 / 14 by KO )

3) Juan Manuel Marquez ( 55-6-1 / 40 by KO )

4) Sergio Martinez ( 51-2-2 / 28 by KO )

5) Wladimar Klitschko ( 59-3 / 50 by KO )

6) Guillermo Rigondeaux ( 12-0 / 6 by KO )

7) Vitali Klitschko ( 45-2 / 41 by KO )

8) Manny Pacquiao ( 54-5-2 / 38 by KO )

9) Nonito Donaire ( 31-2 / 20 by KO )

10) Timothy Bradley ( 30-0 / 12 by KO )

11) Abner Mares ( 25-0-1 / 13 by KO )

12) Roman Gonzalez ( 34-0 / 28 by KO )

13) Carl Froch ( 30-2 / 22 by KO )

14) Adrien Broner ( 26-0 / 22 by KO )

15) Canelo Alvarez (4 2-0-1 / 30 by KO )

16) Robert Guerrero ( 31-1-1 / 18 by KO )

17) Gennady Golovkin ( 26-0 / 22 by KO )

18) Austin Trout ( 26-1 / 14 by KO )

19) Danny Garcia ( 25-0 / 16 by KO )

20) Mike Alvarado ( 34-1 / 23 by KO )

Again – thank you for your kind support to this website, it’s an honor to serve in boxing!

In Rusty’s Corner

admin — Fri, 03 May 2013 00:17:39 +0000

Rusty Rubin has been a boxing writer for more than 30 years.

Any prayers for the victims and families of the Boston Marathon are most welcome for entry into Glove 2 Glove. You may contact Dave and Deborah Wilcox at email address utbdave@earthlink.net with any information you want to be posted – thank you!

First, a word about last weeks fight between Zab Judah and Daniel Garcia … I was going back and fourth before picking the hometown favorite, Judah to eke out a decision. I was wrong, and actually surprised. Finally we see a fair decision against the local favorite. Good job by the three judges, and my apologies to anyone who decided to wager on my pick.

This week, on May 4, we have what could be a very exciting bout at the MGM in Las Vegas, for the WBC welterweight title between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Roberto Guerrero.

Mayweather is 43-0 with 26 knockouts, and sometimes is more defensive than he needs to be. So that this could be a boring match, on ShowTime. Then again, against a southpaw banger in Guerrero, 31-1-1 (26) he may want to mix it up on the inside. Don’t let the 26 knockouts fool you, Mayweather is not a huge puncher, more of a hit and make his opponent miss type.

Mayweather has a good jab and a two inch reach advantage to use to keep Guerrero at bay.

Guerrero, 30, has only one loss on his record and that was a split decision in 2005. He avenged that loss the next year.

If Mayweather plays hit and run, it will probably be a boring fight. If he decides to get inside and make a statement, it could be very exciting.

Don’t let the odds fool you, Guerrero has a legitimate chance here, but I just don’t see it happening.

Mayweather by decision.

Rusty Rubin, is an award winning managing editor (of Ringsports.com) as well as now defunct Nevada Boxing and Ringsports Magazine.

He is also the author of three highly acclaimed boxing books! “Woozel, Boxing and Me”, “Off the Canvas” and “Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot” co-authored by Tom Donelson.

These three books are all available at Authorhouse.com, and all major book retailers. They are all more than worth the small purchase price, or contact me via this website for a personally autographed copy at a small extra shipping charge. All proceeds from these books will be used to fight cancer.

Keep punching, always….Rusty

FIGHT CALENDAR for May 2013

David Martinez — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:33:11 +0000

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

THURSDAY / May 2, 2013 / ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes

Location: Corona, CA

Mauricio Herrera vs. Ji-Hoon Kim (junior welterweights)

Miguel Ascosta vs. Miguel Gonzalez (lightweights)

FRIDAY / May 3, 2013 / Fox Deportes & FSN

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Francisco Vargas vs. Aguiniga (junior lightweights)

FRIDAY / May 3, 2013

Location: Thailand

Yota Sato vs. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (WBC junior bantamweight title)

FRIDAY / May 3, 2013

Location: Aruba

Hector Camacho Jr. vs. Arturo Crespin (junior middleweights)

FRIDAY / May 3, 2013

Location: Accra, Ghana

Albert Mensah vs. Ben Odamettey (welterweights)

SATURDAY / May 4, 2013 / Showtime PPV

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Robert Guerrero (WBC welterweight title)

Daniel Ponce De Leon vs. Abner Mares (WBC featherweight title)

Leo Santa Cruz vs. Alexander Munoz (junior featherweights)

J’Leon Love vs. Gabriel Rosado (middleweights)

SATURDAY / May 4, 2013 / Epix

Location: Mannheim, Germany

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Francesco Pianeta (IBF / WBO / WBA heavyweight title)

MONDAY / May 6, 2013

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Takashi Uchiyama vs. Jaider Parra (WBA junior lightweight title)

Kohei Kono vs. Liborio Solis (WBA junior bantamweight title)

WEDNESDAY / May 8, 2013

Location: Osaka, Japan

Kazuto Ioka vs. Wisanu Kokietgym (WBA “regular” junior flyweight title)

Ryo Miyazaki vs. Carlos Velarde (WBA junior flyweight title)

FRIDAY / May 9, 2013 / ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes

Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Patrick Hyland vs. Eric Hunter (featherweights)

Leon Moore vs. Cornelius Lock (featherweights)

FRIDAY / May 10, 2013 / Showtime

Location: Miami, OK

Dierry Jeean vs. Cleotis Pendarvis (junior welterweights)

John Thompson vs. Taureano Johnson (middleweights)

SATURDAY / May 11, 2013 / UniMas

Location: Laredo, Texas

Vic Darchinyan vs. Javier Gallo (junior featherweights)

SATURDAY / May 11, 2013

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Ricky Burns vs. Jose Gonzalez (WBO lightweight title)

John Simpson vs. Choi Tseveenpurev (junior lightweights)

Stephen Simmons vs. Michael Sweeney (cruiserweights)

SATURDAY / May 11, 2013

Location: Germany

Marco Huck vs. Ola Afolabi (WBO cruiserweight title)

SATURDAY / May 11, 2013

Location: Doncaster, England

Jamie McDonnell vs. Julio Ceja (“vacant” IBF bantamweight title)

SATURDAY / May 11, 2013

Location: Huntington, NY

Vinny Maddalone vs. Richard Carmack (heavyweights)

Alan Gotay vs. Bryan Acuba (lightweights)

FRIDAY / May 17, 2013 / WealthTV

Location: Gatineau, Canada

James DeGale vs. TBA (super middleweights)

FRIDAY / May 17, 2013

Location: Myakinino, Russia

Denis Lebedev vs. Guillermo Jones (WBA cruiserweight title)

SATURDAY / May 18, 2013 / Showtime

Location: Atlantic City, NJ

Lamont Peterson vs. Lucas Matthysse (welterweights)

Devon Alexander vs. Lee Purdy (IBF welterweight title)

Shawn Porter vs. Phil LoGreco (welterweights)

SATURDAY / May 18, 2013 / Fox Deportes

Location: Cancun, Mexico

Shane Mosley vs. Pablo Cesar Cano (welterweights)

Sergio Thompson vs. TBA (junior lightweights)

SATURDAY /,May 18, 2013

Location: Legionowo, Poland

Krzysztof Zimnoch vs. Oliver McCall (heavyweights)

FRIDAY / May 24, 2013 / ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes

Location: Uncasville, Conn

Delvin Rodriguez vs. Freddy Hernandez (junior middleweights)

Issouf Kinda vs. Chris Howard (junior welterweights)

FRIDAY / May 24, 2013

Location: Walsall, England

Ameth Diaz vs. Martin Gethin (lightweights)

SATURDAY / May 25, 2013 / HBO

Location: London, England

Mikkel Kessler vs. Carl Froch ( WBA / IBF super middleweight title unification)

George Groves vs. Noe Gonzalez Alcoba (supper middleweights)

Tony Bellew vs. Isaac Chilemba (light heavyweights)

SATURDAY / May 25, 2013 / HBO

Location: Montreal, Canada

Jean Pascal vs. Lucian Bute (light heavyweights)

Eleider Alvarez vs. Allan Green (light heavyweights)

SATURDAY / May 25, 2013

Location: Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Juan Carlos Sanchez vs. Roberto Sosa (IBF junior bantamweight title)

SATURDAY / May 25, 2013

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Omar Narvaez vs. Daniel Rosas (WBO junior bantamweight title)

( all bouts subject to change )