Bernardo Mercado

***** FLASHBACK ***** In loving memory and respect to our friend Jim Amato (R.I.P.) this article piece was originally published on www.dmboxing for viewing on November 30, 2013. In remembrance of Jim, never to be forgotten, all his postings can be located by clicking onto his name in the Categories section. He came on board to dmboxing in 2008 and truly contributed the best of the best in boxing. Jim was truly respected world-wide by many as a boxing historian and sports collector, he passed away in Ashland, Ohio on February 22, 2021, after a bout with cancer at the age of 66. May his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

Mercado

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By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

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          As the talent rich 1970′s heavyweight picture faded into the 1980′s, Larry Holmes emerged as the dominant boxer. Still there were some very capable contenders. Among them was a 6’4″ brute from Columbia, South America named Bernardo Mercado.

          Mercado was born on January 16, 1952. He was a fine amateur who won the 1975 Central America and Caribbean Gold Medal with a three round decision over Trevor Berbick. He turned pro later that year and scored four first round knockouts in his first five fights. In his sixth fight he halted former world title challenger Manuel Ramos in five rounds. He would also score big kayo wins over James J. Woody and Randy Stephens.

Continue reading Bernardo Mercado

Jack Dempsey Museum, Manassa, Colorado

FLASHBACK – This article was originally published on October 9, 2023 for viewing on www.dmboxing.com

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

It was in August 1975, when traveling back to visit my relatives in various locations in the state of New Mexico, I ventured north for an unbelievable experience, a visit the birthplace of Jack Dempsey, Manassa, which is located in the southern part of Colorado, in the “San Luis” Valley.

Upon my arrival, I located a log cabin style house in the middle of town, that was actually moved to this city park location in July 1966, and was refurbished in honor of Jack Dempsey. The interior walls were lined with photos and mementos of Dempsey’s brilliant career.

The Curator there was so wonderfully nice and was amazed at my focus and interest, that he thinking I lived nearby, offered me a job there as a tour guide. Then he did something that was truly amazing, removing the actual gloves from a display case that Dempsey wore in the Luis Angel Firpo fight (September 14, 1923) so I could wear them while posing for a picture.

Unfortunately, I had a misfortune happen regarding these photos. In November 1983, while moving from my old house to my new house, it started to rain that day and the water got into the U-Haul trailer we were towing and into my nicely framed photos. I cried and was so upset and disappointed beyond belief. The photo of me wearing those gloves was the one most damaged.

Continue reading Jack Dempsey Museum, Manassa, Colorado

P4P Rankings / dmboxing.com

Top Dozen / October 7, 2025

NOTE – Previous Rankings listed here are from last posting on June 13, 2025

1 – Terence Crawford (42-0 / 31 by KO) Previous Ranking #1

2 – Naoya Inoue (31-0 / 27 by KO) Previous Ranking #2

3 – Oleksandr Usyk (24-0 / 15 by KO) Previous Ranking #3

4 – Dimitry Bivol (24-1 / 12 by KO) Previous Ranking #4

5 – Jesse Rodriguez (22-0 / 15 by KO) Previous Ranking #6

6 – Junto Nakatani (31-0 / 24 by KO) Previous Ranking #7

7 – Artur Beterbiev (21-1 / 20 by KO) Previous Ranking #8

8 – Shakur Stevenson (24-0 / 11 by KO) Previous Ranking #12

9 – Canelo Alvarez (63-3-2 / 39 by KO Previous Ranking #5

10 – David Benavidez (30-0 / 24 by KO) Previous Ranking #10

11 – Teofimo Lopez (22-1 / 13 by KO) Previous Ranking #11

12 – Jaron Ennis (34-0 / 30 by KO) Previous Ranking HM

Continue reading P4P Rankings / dmboxing.com

Fight Club OC / Next Show Set For: October 23

SOCA Fights Presents Fight Club OC On October 23rd InsideThe Hangar at The OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California

Fight Fans are in for an early treat on October 23rd when Fight Club OC returns with seven solid bouts to entertain the Southern California fight fans! How about 7-0 Johnny Canas out of Santa Ana who is set to face 5-2-1 Kevin Castillo from Florida in a 6 rounder….how about 5-0 Dante Kirkman a 2025 Stanford gradute….how about the first ever female bout for the Tequila Mandala Young Champions belt….how about six OC fighters on the October 23rd show….do you need any more convincing that The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa is the place to be on Thursday, October 23rd.

Now the “bad news” is that Fight Club OC only has 20 ticket left to sell online at www.socafights.com. BUT should any fighters return tickets at the October 22nd Weigh-In, PLEASE call (949) 760-3131 after 10 am on Thursday, October 23rd to be part of the excitement. If you are interested in 2026 Fight Club OC Season Seats so you are not left out of the action email Drew for seating options at fightpromotions@gmail.com.

Continue reading Fight Club OC / Next Show Set For: October 23

FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez

(Fall 2025 Edition)

The Fall season is officially upon us and as I respectfully do on a quarterly basis, I continue to say thank you to a small team of people that truly help make dmboxing.com the success that it has been since the first publication on July 15, 2007. I would like to acknowledge these people, who are: Bob Quackenbush (Proof Reader / Photo Editing); Tom Donelson (Member Boxing Writers Association of America / BWAA); Kathy Kraft / Proof Reader – retired); and Steve Corbo (Boxing Writer / Proof Reader).

There are three other people who are no longer with us (R.I.P.) that were so instrumental in their contributing input to the website that I will never forget them. They are: Rusty Rubin (In Rusty’s Corner / Glove2Glove); Harold Lederman (HBO World Championship Boxing / Hey Harold!); and Jim Amato (Senior Boxing Writer / Boxing Historian).

I would also like to have a big shout out to John Boitnott, who worked tirelessly last month when this website took an unfortunate mechanical hit and was not available for viewing for a two week down-time period. The process was certainly a complex series of issues to deal with, but with faith and patience it all came together. Thank you, John! So grateful for you and for the loyalty of all that stayed with us during this untimely mishap.

As seen in this edition, my official website hat is displayed. It is blue in color with embroidered logo on front and website address on back. It has an adjustable Velcro strap to fit all sizes. To purchase this attractive product, kindly send $24.00 to: David Martinez Boxing, 810 Coronel Street, Santa Barbara, California 93109 – AND – the price includes FREE shipping to all USA mailing zones.

Continue reading FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez

RING TRIVIA for September 2025 – CORRECT ANSWERS

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

David Martinez / Boxing Historian

1) In the 1940’s, top rated contender Enrique Bolanos fought three times and lost those lightweight title fights to the same opponent. Who was he?

a – Beau Jack

b – Juan Zurita

c – Ike Williams / CORRECT ANSWER

d – Bob Montgomery

2) Joe Louis had the most consecutive world title defenses, twenty five, in heavyweight history. In order, who were second and third place in world title defenses?

a – Muhammad Ali / Mike Tyson

b – Joe Frazier / Lennox Lewis

c – Larry Holmes / Wladimir Klitschko / CORRECT ANSWER

d – Tommy Burns / Jack Johnson

Continue reading RING TRIVIA for September 2025 – CORRECT ANSWERS

Crawford “unanimous decision” over Canelo in Las Vegas … Inoue “unanimous decision” over Akhmadaliev in Japan / Results

By Tom Donelson / Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA)

This bout between Canelo Alveraz and Terrance Crawford, two of the better pound for pound fighters over the past generation and while many favored the boxing technician Crawford, Alvarez was the natural bigger fighter. Alveraz was the bigger fighter and younger fighter, and he has been fighting professionally since he was a teenager. As one person noted, he had more knockouts than Crawford had wins.

Crawford won 19 championship bouts whereas Alveraz won 23 so they were two of the more dominant fighters. I remember when Mayweather out boxed Alvarez despite being the smaller fighter but that was a younger Alvarez, and the present Alvarez was the natural bigger fighter and more experienced since the Mayweather fight, while Crawford won the intern WBO intern championship against Israil Madrimov but hardly impressive event in his first attempt in the junior Middleweight.

The first round saw Crawford moving and boxing, landing clean combinations as Alvarez tries to slow Crawford with body shots including a left. Second round saw Crawford giving Alvarez different look as he eats Crawford jabs to get body shots. Crawford jab may have won the second round, and I had it 20-18. Round three saw Crawford landing with jabs and even a body shots plus a left hook flush on Alvarez face while Alvarez landing left hook to the body. After three rounds, it is close, but I will give Crawford the edge in all three rounds. From this point, it is a question if Alvarez will eventually impose his will on the smaller Crawford. So, in the early going, it was not the case.

Crawford moved Alvarez back with a left as he picks up the pace in the fourth round. Alvarez lands a right to the body and head but so far at this point Crawford appeared to have the advantage and 40-36 after four rounds. Round five saw Alvarez move his upper body and defend him out of harm’s way of Crawford harder shots but while Crawford nailed Alvarez with a right, Alvarez may have won the hand with a hook to the body. It was 49-46. Sixth round saw both men exchanging punches and in the early part of the round, Crawford was beathing Alvarez to the punch. Alvarez landed a big shot to the body, but Crawford landed his own left hand and even ripped a shot or two to the body. Halfway through the fight I had it 59-55 but never underestimate Alvarez ability to gain close rounds on the judges score card.

Round seven still sees Crawford frustrating Alvarez as Crawford is countering Alvarez inside punching. Alvarez cornered Crawford but Crawford landed uppercut and circles away. In some ways it reminded me of how Mayweather also frustrated Alvarez. 69-64. Eighth round is close as Alvarez works his way on the inside, but Crawford is returning fire and while this was a close round judges may have given this to Alverez, but I gave it to Crawford 79-73. Ninth round may have been Crawford best at this point as he peeled off combinations that snaped Alvarez head back and during an attempt by Alvarez to counter his head collided with Crawford, opening a small gash over Crawford head. Alvarez hands a hard combination ending with a solid right but Crawford nails Alvarez with a short left and his movement stalled Alvaraz with three rounds left I had it 89-82 and it would appear that Alvarez needed a knockout on my card.

Crawford movement appears to be bewildered Alvarez, and his combinations is slowing the bigger man advances. Crawford won the round 99-91. The eleventh round another round that I had Crawford winning with combinations as Alvarez was taking two punches to land his one and at this point, Crawford was winning but there are few close rounds, and this is Vegas in which the judges may give Alvarez the benefit. Finat round saw Crawford landing combinations as Alvarez tried for one big punch to end the fight in his favor. As he lunged, Crawford nailed Alvarez with a right hand and land combinations. As the bell rang to end the fight, Crawford staggered Alvarez. I had the fight 119-109 in Crawford favor while the judges had the fight closer 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112, this was a virtuosa performance by Crawford.

At the age of 37, he moved up to Alvarez’s weigh and won against the bigger man. Most of the unofficial scorecards had Crawford winning big. ESPN had 118-110, 10 rounds to 2 and I had it 11 rounds to one. When you look at Compubox, it was a close fight with Crawford landing 115-99 but round by round, Alvarez had more punches landed in 6 rounds to Crawford 5 with one even, but Crawford landed more jabs and threw more punches while he was close in landing power shots 70 to Alvarez 83. Alvarez never had Crawford in trouble but there was couple of times that Alvarez was staggered. While I gave many close rounds to Crawford, part of it was Crawford constant movement and being more active but there were rounds close enough to reward them to Alvarez. Alvarez was given a few more close rounds that I rewarded Alvarez with, and I have no problem with that. Boxing can be a subjective sport to score but the judges did have the winner right.

Continue reading Crawford “unanimous decision” over Canelo in Las Vegas … Inoue “unanimous decision” over Akhmadaliev in Japan / Results

Thank You / Thank You

***** FLASHBACK *****

Sharing this article piece that was originally published here on dmboxing.com dated: February 24, 2021

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

As I travel life’s path, I consider myself truly blessed. Why? Because I get to live the the sport that I enjoy the most – boxing!

It all started in 1960, watching the Gillette Friday Night Fights on a black and white TV set in the living room with my father. The following year, I began attending the wrestling and boxing matches at the historic Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles with my uncle. Watching these events in person and “in living color” was such a treat for a young kid; these are incredible memories which I will never forget.

At that young age, I also tried to educate myself by talking to the older generation regarding the fights they had seen and what life was like in eras before my time.

Through the past sixty plus years I have lived and enjoyed the journey!

Continue reading Thank You / Thank You

Current Champions

Displayed are the “Current Champions” in boxing with each shown in their respective weight division, world title belt organization, professional ring record in the following format: win-loss-draw-no contest (knockout wins) and the date of winning their title.

As of: September 9, 2025

Heavyweight (+200 lb/+90.7 kg or +224 lb/+101.6 kg)

WBAWBCIBFWBOThe Ring
Oleksandr Usyk
Super champion
24–0 (15 KO)
September 25, 2021
Oleksandr Usyk
24–0 (15 KO)
May 18, 2024
Oleksandr Usyk
24–0 (15 KO)
July 19, 2025
Oleksandr Usyk
24–0 (15 KO)
September 25, 2021
Oleksandr Usyk
24–0 (15 KO)
August 20, 2022
Kubrat Pulev
Regular champion
32–3 (14 KO)
December 7, 2024
Fabio Wardley
Interim champion
19–0–1 (18 KO)
June 7, 2025
Agit Kabayel
Interim champion
26–0 (18 KO)
February 22, 2025
Joseph Parker
Interim champion
35–3 (23 KO)
March 8, 2024
Continue reading Current Champions