Katie Taylor by Majority Decision over Amanda Serrano in Trilogy Bout … Shakur Stevenson Impressive Win over William Zepeda

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

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano fought for the third time and like the other two fights, this was a close score both in the ring and on the scorecard.  Their first fight ended in a split decision in favor of Taylor and in their second bout,  Taylor won a close decision 95-94 on all three cards but some view that maybe Serrano should have won that bout as she landed 107 more punches.

This bout did not have the same fast pace as the previous two, but it was another close bout as Taylor won a majority decision 97-93, 97-93 and 95-95.   Their first bout attracted 15 million  viewers on Netflix and their rematch last November attracted 74 million viewers worldwide , the co-main event of the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight.

The bout was for the undisputed super lightweight title.

Taylor and Serrano’s first encounter took place April 30, 2022, at Madison Square Garden and had a global audience of 1.5 million viewers on Netflix. Their rematch last November as the co-main event to Jake Paul’s decision over Mike Tyson became the most watched women’s sporting event in U.S. history, averaging 74 million live viewers globally on Netflix.

“[We proved] the women can fight, we can sell, and we look good doing it,” said Serrano, who found a silver lining despite falling short to Taylor again.

The duo had the stage all to themselves in New York and brought along the present and future of women’s boxing with them. But it was the Pride of Ireland who put a stamp on the rivalry with a 3-0 sweep.

The first two rounds proved cautious before Serrano ramp up the pressure while landing combinations and taking the round.  The fourth round, Serrano continues to pressure while Taylor boxes looking for opening.

In the fifth round, Taylor landed said rights and movement gave her the openings as Serrano had difficulty cutting off the ring.   In the sixth round, Taylor continues to box effectively and with several good rights.  Halfway through the halfway point,  I had it even. 

Taylor won the seventh, but Serrano pressure allowed her to capture the eighth.  The fight was even after eight, but Taylor took the last two rounds with her boxing skills and neutralized Serrano power and pressure.  This clinches the fight.

This rivalry looks like it ended, and Taylor made it clear that three fights is enough as Taylor noted, “”I don’t know [what the future holds], but I just don’t want to fight Amanda Serrano again. She punches too hard.”   This was a classic fight between the boxer versus the slugger and the boxer was declared the winner all three bouts even though some might contend that Serrano won the second. 

These fighters put women boxing on a pedestal never seen before and while this one did not match the others in intensity, it was still a good fight.   Jake Paul in Taylor corner, who knows what we might see from Taylor and if there was a man who could promote, Paul it is.

Continue reading Katie Taylor by Majority Decision over Amanda Serrano in Trilogy Bout … Shakur Stevenson Impressive Win over William Zepeda

Effective Punches in Boxing

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com  

In my many years coaching the young kids at local boxing gyms, here’s sharing my capsule look at the four (4) major punches. With most boxers being in the orthodox stance – southpaws can reverse these sequences listed.

THE LEFT JAB – The jab is the best punch in boxing. It starts low because it carries the arms low. A sudden straightening of the arm to almost full length, as it begins a short forward step of your left foot, which must be flat on the ring apron when the jab lands.

THE RIGHT CROSS – The motion of the cross is like of a shot-put. Power starts with a push off the right foot, continues up through hip, shoulder and elbow.

Continue reading Effective Punches in Boxing

RING TRIVIA for June 2025 – THE 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 – A former boxer that used the name Marty O’Brien, is the father of who?

a) Perry Como

b) Jackie Gleason

c) Ernest Borgnine 

d) Frank Sinatra — CORRECT ANSWER

2 – What great boxer fought these two brothers, Javier and Armando Muniz?

a) Thomas Hearns

b) Roberto Duran

c) Sugar Ray Leonard — CORRECT ANSWER

d) Wilfred Benitez

Continue reading RING TRIVIA for June 2025 – THE ANSWERS

FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez

(Summer 2025 Edition)

The Summer 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 this website that I must mention and 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).

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 $23.00 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 priority. I welcome all input and opinions; your support fuels me to be the best that I can be.  As a collector of boxing memorabilia for many years, it’s always nice to receive items from people that kindly add to my collection; it is such a wonderful gift. One in particular recently was the original fight program from Tokyo, Japan, that my friend and fellow coach at our local Duke’s Boxing Gym, Robby Ruef, gave me. During his recent vacation trip there, he attended the May 11th Fernando Daniel Martinez vs. Kazuto Ioka WBA junior bantamweight championship fight card and, as an extra bonus, brought back a box of cookies for my wife, Cely. A huge thank you to Robby for surprising us; his thoughtfulness truly defines kindness.

There are additional gifts in boxing that I have received, and there are many, but three which certainly stand out: an original cigar box cover dated (circa) 1900 with the image of undefeated heavyweight champion Jim Jeffries; an original ticket stub and the fight program from the Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali bout, March 8, 1971, at Madison Square Garden, New York; and original hand wraps worn by WBC Featherweight Champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez from his title defense against José Caba on September 25, 1979, which in later years he personally autographed for me. 

Continue reading FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez

Night at the Movies

FLASHBACK / This article originally was published on dmboxing website April 4, 2022

This previously published movie review appears courtesy of the Author and the Italian American Veterans Museum – iavmuseum.org – for viewing on www.dmboxing.com

By Steve Corbo

“Somebody Up There Likes Me”

This 1956 movie, directed by Robert Wise, is based on the autobiography by boxer Rocky Graziano . Starring Paul Newman as Rocky and Pier Angeli as his wife, it also features appearances by Sal Mineo and Steve McQueen.

Raised on New York’s Lower East Side, Rocky was a gang member and criminal by his early teens . As a child, his father made him fight for the entertainment of adults in the neighborhood. He soon developed a talent for knocking down anybody that stood in his way . In and out of reform schools, Rocky was on a fast track to the graveyard or the penitentiary. If you thought his stint in the Army might straighten him out, think again .

Despite his lengthy criminal record, he was drafted during WW II. The Army didn’t have a chance. He refused to train, was constantly in trouble and when push came to shove, he shoved back hard . He crossed the line when he beat up his commanding officer. Now in serious trouble, Rocky went AWOL back to the streets of New York. Hiding out and wanted by the authorities, he wandered into Stillman’s Gym hoping to make a couple of bucks as a sparring partner. As he prepared to climb into the ring to face a pro fighter, he’s told to make sure he has the protective cup all boxers wear. Unfamiliar with the world of pro boxing, Rocky replies, “I don’t need no cup, I’ll drink out of the bottle.”  He then proceeds to knock the other fighter out with his sledgehammer right hand.

Continue reading Night at the Movies

P4P Rankings / dmboxing.com

Top Dozen / June 13, 2025

NOTE – Previous Rankings listed here are from last posting on April 9, 2025

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

2 – Naoya Inoue (30-0 / 27 by KO) Previous Ranking #2

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

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

5 – Canelo Alvarez (63-2-2 / 39 by KO) Prevoius Ranking #5

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

7 – Junto Nakatani (31-0 / 24 by KO) Previous Ranking #8

8 – Artur Beterbiev (21-1 / 20 by KO) Previous Rankig #6

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

10 – Kenshiro Teraji (25-1 / 16 by KO) Previous Ranking #10

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

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

Continue reading P4P Rankings / dmboxing.com

James J. Corbett

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

The rich history in boxing has always intrigued me. The old boxers have fascinated me since my childhood. I would pick the minds of people that lived before I was born to educate myself about how they lived.

Even though I have never spoken to anyone that actually saw him fight, James J. Corbett  was certainly a great boxer in his own right prior to the turn of the 20th century. His fame came when he knocked out undefeated champion John L. Sullivan to win the heavyweight title in 1892. With this victory, Corbett became the first heavyweight to win a championship under the Marquess of Queensberry Rules.

Corbett was born on September 1, 1866 in San Francisco, California.

As a young teenager he took a job as a bank clerk, and outside of his life at the bank, he began training under the watchful eye of Englishman boxing instructor Walter Watson at the local Olympic Athletic Club.

In July 1886, at the age of eighteen, Corbett had his first professional fight which was a knockout victory over Frank Smith. After a few fights and exhibitions in between, Corbett’s career took off when he faced Joe Choynski in a three fight series that began on May 30, 1889. The first fight of the trilogy was ruled a no-contest after four rounds when it was stopped by the local Fairfax, California, Sheriff due to jurisdiction restrictions. The second fight was just six days later in nearby Benecia, where the fight was held on a barge. It was a terrific, action packed bout and in round three the seams in Choynski’s gloves cut Corbett’s face. Later in the fight, Corbett broke his left hand, yet he came through to knockout Choynski in the 27th round with a left hook to the head. The two fought again on July 15, 1889 with Corbett winning a four round decision. The amazing thing was that all three fights were completed, in succession, in a forty-six day time frame.

 On February 18, 1890, Corbett won by decision over Jake Kilrain who had earlier fought an epic battle in a loss to John L. Sullivan. In a fight for the ages, on May 21, 1891, at the Athletic Club in San Francisco, Corbett faced an outstanding boxer, Peter Jackson, a black fighter known as the “Black Prince”, who Sullivan had refused to fight. The Jackson bout ended with both men completely exhausted. The decision was ruled a no-contest after 61 grueling rounds.

Continue reading James J. Corbett

RING TRIVIA for June 2025

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 – A former boxer that used the name Marty O’Brien, is the father of who?

a) Perry Como

b) Jackie Gleason

c) Ernest Borgnine 

d) Frank Sinatra 

2 – What great boxer fought these two brothers, Javier and Armando Muniz?

a) Thomas Hearns

b) Roberto Duran

c) Sugar Ray Leonard

d) Wilfred Benitez

Continue reading RING TRIVIA for June 2025