A Night Meeting Sugar Ray Robinson

"Sugar" Ray Robinson, David Martinez, History

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

I will always remember October 23, 1986, when I was scheduled to referee and judge several amateur bouts on a huge local boxing show in Santa Barbara, California. The bouts were matched and supervised by Art Carbajal in conjunction with our local boxing club, La Casa De La Raza.

The absolute highlight of the evening was the attendance of Sugar Ray Robinson, rated by 98% of all boxing experts and historians world-wide as the greatest boxer “pound for pound” of all time. I was fortunate to personally meet him, obtain his autograph, shake his hand, and take several photos, which are simply priceless.

In the dressing room area after the bouts, I spent some quiet time with him and his wife, discussing various historic moments in his brilliant career. We addressed the topic of who exactly was Sugar Ray’s toughest opponent, which I said was Jake La Motta. However, I was nicely corrected, as they confirmed it was Fritzie Zivic.  

After that evening we would go on to exchange letters and Christmas cards; this lasted until Millie’s death in November 1995.

Continue reading A Night Meeting Sugar Ray Robinson →

Current Champions

Current Champions

Displayed are the “Current Champions” in boxing today 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: April 18, 2025

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

WBAWBCIBFWBOThe Ring
Oleksandr Usyk
Super champion
23–0 (14 KO)
September 25, 2021		Oleksandr Usyk
23–0 (14 KO)
May 18, 2024		Daniel Dubois
22–2 (21 KO)
June 26, 2024		Oleksandr Usyk
23–0 (14 KO)
September 25, 2021		Oleksandr Usyk
23–0 (14 KO)
August 20, 2022
Kubrat Pulev
Regular champion
32–3 (14 KO)
December 7, 2024		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 →

P4P Rankings / dmboxing.com

P4P Rankings - Current

Top Dozen / April 9, 2025

* NOTE * Previous Ranking listed here are from February 18, 2025 posting

1 – Terence Crawford (41-0 / 31 by KO) / Previous Ranking #1

2 – Naoya Inoue (29-0 / 26 by KO) / Previous Ranking #2

3 – Oleksandr Usyk (23-0 / 14 by KO) / Previous Ranking #3

4 – Dimitry Bivol (24-1 / 12 by KO) / Previous Ranking #6

5 – Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2 / 39 by KO / Previous Ranking #5

6 – Artur Beterbiev (21-1 / 20 by KO / Previous Ranking #4

7 – Jesse Rodriguez (21-0 / 14 by KO) / Previous Ranking #7

8 – Junto Nakatani (30-0 / 23 by KO) / Previous Ranking #8

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

10 – Kenshiro Teraji (25-1 / 16) / Previous Ranking HM

11 – Teofimo Lopez (21-1 / 13 by KO) / Previous Ranking #11

12 – Shakur Stevenson (23-0 / 11 by KO) / Previous Ranking #12

Continue reading P4P Rankings / dmboxing.com →

Explosive Boxing & MMA Hybrid Show Set for April 17th at Fight Club OC

California Boxing, dmboxing.com, Upcoming Fights

A solid pro boxing and pro MMA lineup awaits fight fans on Thursday, April 17th as Fight Club OC gears up once again for a night of fight action inside The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA.

This show is set to feature Golden Boy Promotions undefeated rising star super bantamweight 7-0 Asa Stevens in a six round bout. Stevens had an incredible 36-4 amateur record and is managed by top agent David McWater. Asa Stevens is set to face 9-4-0 Luis Alvarado Morales.

Continue reading Explosive Boxing & MMA Hybrid Show Set for April 17th at Fight Club OC →

RING TRIVIA for March 2025 – ANSWERS

David Martinez, Trivia

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 – On September 8, 2009, in Las Vegas, Oscar De La Hoya fought a three round exhibition match against NBA star Shaquille O’Neil … prior to the bout what former heavyweight champion worked out in training for O’Neil?

(A) Michael Moorer

(B) Lennox Lewis

(C) Oliver Mc Call *** CORRECT ANSWER ***

(D) Hasim Rahman

2 – In 1924, what former chief sparring partner of Jack Dempsey, went the distance with two great heavyweights, Gene Tunney and Harry Greb, losing to both by decision?

(A) Fred Fulton

(B) Martin Burke *** CORRECT ANSWER ***

(C) Johnny Risko

(D) Tommy Gibbons

Continue reading RING TRIVIA for March 2025 – ANSWERS →

George Foreman (R.I.P.)

Heavyweights, R.I.P.

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

So incredibly sad – in learning about the loss of one of the greatest heavyweight boxing champions – ever – George Foreman. The news of his passing (March 21, 2025) just staggered me & as well as others. I can tell many stories, but one that stands out to me is from October 19, 2002 at the World Boxing Hall of Fame banquet. Upon his induction – in my position as Board of Director – I personally escorted George into the Green Room before his pre-interview with CNN television. I was able to spend precious time with the champ & take a few photos & he autographed one of my collectable photos of himself … such a giving & gracious man – iconic in the boxing world … may his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord!

(Professional Ring Record: 76-5 / 68 by KO)

Sebastian Fundora Defeats Chordale Booker … AND … Saying Goodbye to George Foreman / R.I.P.

Heavyweights, R.I.P., Recent Fights, Tom Donelson

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

Sebastian Fundora kept his unified WBC and WBO championship with an easy fourth stoppage of Chordale Booker.  Fundora, who carries 154 pounds on a 6 foot five inches presents a challenge for any fighter, and he used his reach and height to be bloodied Booker behind his left-handed jab.

Fundora stunned Booker and with a combination that sent the challenge down.  Compubox punch stats says it all as he landed more than double the punches and dominated power shots landing 50 versus only 16 for Booker.

CompuBox Punch Stats

PunchesFundoraBooker
Total landed7937
Total thrown361150
Percent21.9%24.7%
Jabs landed2921
Jabs thrown21190
Percent13.7%23.3%
Power landed5016
Power thrown15060
Percent33.3%26.7%
   

Fundora noted Booker did a lot of movement, mostly to avoid getting nailed.   Originally he was to fight Errol Spence, but that fight has been canceled.

Fundora has some compelling matches coming up including Puerto Rican undefeated fighter Xander Zayas who is a mandatory opponent or a reunification Bakhram Murtazalieve. 

George Forman was one of the great heavyweights and did what was consider impossible, he lost a title in 1974 to the great Ali but then 21 years later he came back in a miraculous way to recapture his title against Michael Moorer, a fight he was losing by a wide margin before he stopped Moorer..  

After nine rounds, Foreman was down 9 rounds to zero but in the tenth round, he caught Moorer with a left hook and then finished up Moorer with a straight right.  This was a redemption 21 years in the making, making up for his loss to Ali in the rumble in the jungle.

Continue reading Sebastian Fundora Defeats Chordale Booker … AND … Saying Goodbye to George Foreman / R.I.P. →

FROM THE DESK OF David Martinez

David Martinez, FROM THE DESK OF:, hats, Upcoming Fights

(Spring 2025 Edition)

The Spring season is officially upon us and as I respectfully do on a quarterly basis, I want 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 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 to this website that I must mention and never to 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).

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 $22.50 to: David Martinez Boxing, 810 Coronel Street, Santa Barbara, California 93109 – AND – the price includes FREE shipping to all USA mailing zones.

Boxing has been a way of life for me, to know it is to live it, since 1961, and it is truly an honor to bring everyone my boxing world with respect and credibility being my intent. I welcome all input and comments and appreciate your support which simply fuels me to be the best that I can be to respectfully serve you.

Be sure to mark your calendar for some fights on the horizon:

*** March 29 – Cancun, Mexico (DAZN) ***

William Zepeda vs. Tevin Farmer

*** April 12 – Atlantic City (DAZN) ***

Jaron Ennis vs. Eimantas Stanionis

*** April 26 – London (DAZN) ***

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn

*** May 2 – New York (DAZN-PPV) ***

Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero

Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez

Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza

*** May 3 – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (DAZN-PPV) ***

Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull

*** May 4 – Las Vegas (ESPN) ***

Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas

*** May 24 – Glasgow, Scotland (DAZN)***

Josh Taylor vs. Essuman

Continue reading FROM THE DESK OF David Martinez →