Tuesday, March 28, 2017

The Weigh-In Boxing Podcast Episode #5 (Curtis Parker - Former Middleweight Boxing Champion)

The Weigh-In Boxing Podcast Episode #5

The Weigh-In Episode #5 on SoundCloud 


The Weigh-In Episode #5 on iTunes


The fifth episode of The Weigh-In Boxing Podcast features my interview with former USBA Middleweight Champion and middleweight contender Curtis Parker. Curtis fought professionally from 1977 to 1988 and is just one of the many great fighters to come out of the City of Brotherly Love. During his career, Curtis compiled a record of 29 wins, 9 losses, and zero draws.

On May 4, 1980, Curtis defeated Mike Colbert for the USBA Middleweight Title in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Parker fought his final professional bout on March 19, 1988 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this bout, Curtis was defeated by Michael Nunn for the NABF Middleweight Title bout.

For more information on Curtis Parker, please visit the following websites:

Curtis Parker's BoxRec Page

Curtis Parker's Philly Boxing History.com Page

Curtis Parker's New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame Page



The Weigh-In Boxing Podcast is brought to you by One Stone Recording and Mastering in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Check out One Stone Recording and Mastering for all of you mixing and mastering needs. Go to onestonerecording.com/theweighin and receive 10% off your first session!



MW

Monday, March 27, 2017

Lou Esa Interview

I will interview former professional boxer and New Jersey Boxing Hall of Famer Lou Esa on Monday, April 10th. The interview will be featured on an upcoming episode of our biweekly podcast The Weigh-In. Lou is currently on the training staff of GH3 Boxing Gym in Woodland Park, New Jersey.

As an amateur boxer, Esa compiled an impressive record of 7-1 with his only loss to future heavyweight champion Larry Holmes. Lou fought professionally from 1975 to 1981, and compiled a record of 19 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw. On October 22, 1977, Esa fought future WBA World Heavyweight champion, John Tate

For more information on Lou Esa, please visit the following websites:


Twitter - @louesa52

MW


Friday, March 24, 2017

Greg Cohen Promotions Presents a Night of Boxing on SNY/Super Brawl III - Thursday, March 23rd (Randolph, NJ)

On Thursday, March 23rd, I had the opportunity to cover Greg Cohen Promotions Presents a Night of Boxing on SNY from the Skylands Event and Conference Center in Randolph, New Jersey.

The opening bout of the evening featured southpaw light heavyweights, Parisian Frederic Julan (4-0-0, 2 KOs), training out of Brooklyn, and Jermaine Corley (0-6-0) of Concord, North Carolina by way of Harlem. Julan, who weighed in at 174 pounds, controlled the four round contest over his lighter opponent, Corley, who weighed in at 170 pounds. In the third round, Julan knocked down his opponent with a left hand to the body, followed by a left-right combo to the head and body. Corley recovered from the knock down only to be dominated in the fourth and final round of the bout. The end came at the 2:51 mark of the fourth round, after Julan landed a vicious multi-punch combo to win the match by TKO.

The second bout of the evening featured Kazakhstan’s Aidos Yerbossynuly (5-0-0, 5 KOs) and Georgia’s Riarus Dudley (5-2-1, 2 KOs). Middleweights Yerbossynuly, who made his U.S. professional debut, weighed in at 162 pounds while Corley weighed in at 166 pounds. Early in the second round, Corley retreated to a neutral corner after appearing to injure his left hand. Corley, the loser by TKO, was unable to continue with the fight 39 seconds into the second round of a scheduled six round bout.

Russian welterweight Yurik Mamedov (5-0-0, 3 KOs) faced Francis Gakpetor (2-3-0, 2 KOs) of Ghana in the third contest of the evening. In the second round of a scheduled six round bout, Mamedov backed his opponent into the ropes with a series of hooks. He followed up these hooks with a multi-punch combo to the body and head. Referee Sparkle Lee called an end to the action at the 1:15 mark of the round.

Bronx based fighter Enver Halili (9-0-0, 3 KOs), the brother of Skender, fought veteran Nicaraguan boxer Ariel Vasquez (13-17-2, 9 KOs) in a six round super welterweight bout. The 147 pound Vasquez was knocked down by a Halili left to the body in the fourth round. Vasquez, who was clearly hurt, got back up to his feet to complete the round. Soon after, the tough veteran fighter’s night came to an end when he was unable to answer the bell for the fifth round. The elder Halili brother walked away the winner by TKO over an opponent who is rarely knocked out, despite having a losing career record.

In the fifth bout of the night, Paterson native Ian Green (12-1-0, 9 KOs) fought Utica’s Andy Mejias (15-1-0, 6 KOs). Mejias, who had not fought since 2013, kept the fight competitive. Both middleweights battled through six rounds of action, which at times seemed too close to call. When the smoke finally cleared, Green captured a majority decision victory over Mejias. One judge scored the bout a draw 57-57, while the other two officials scored the bout 58-56.

The six round main event featured super welterweights Skender Halili (14-1-0, 13 KOs) of the Bronx and Eduardo Flores (25-26-3, 15 KOs) of Ecuador. The younger Halili brother dominated the tough Ecuadorian through all six rounds of the contest. The judges scored the bout 60-54, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Skender Halili.

Following the conclusion of this evening's card, I had the opportunity to speak with welterweight boxer Thomas "Cornflake" LaManna of Rising Promotions. LaManna answered questions about tonight's card, his next bout, and Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Jason Sosa.

Below are links to my Bonus Round interview with Thomas "Cornflake" LaManna:



MW

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Travis Kauffman vs. Amir Mansour - Friday, March 17th (Reading, PA)

On Friday, March 17th, I had the opportunity to cover the Travis Kauffman vs. Amir Mansour boxing card from the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The card opened with a four round super featherweight bout between local fan favorite Matt Quirindongo (1-0-0) and Wilmington’s Weusi Johnson (2-3-0). Johnson was knocked down in the second round after Quirindongo landed a left hook to the head. Johnson recovered from the knock down and fought until the final bell rang. Quirindongo won his professional debut by unanimous decision with the judges scoring the bout 40-35, 40-35, and 39-36.

The second bout of the evening featured Pennsylvania super lightweights Jesus Perez (2-0-0, 1 KO) and Titos Matthew Gosalves (0-1-0). Gosalves recovered from a second round knockdown to finish the fight. All three judges scored the four round bout 39-36 in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Jesus Perez.

Reading’s Kashon Hutchinson (2-2-0, 1 KO) and Darius Ervin (4-1-0) of Los Angeles fought in a four round, super lightweight bout. Ervin won the bout via majority decision, with the judgers scoring the contest 38-38, 39-37, and 39-37. 

The fourth bout featured Erik Spring (9-1-2, 1 KO) of Reading and Jeremiah Wiggins (10-6-1, 5 KOs) of Newport News, Virginia. Wiggins was deducted a point in the fourth round after spitting out his mouthpiece multiple times. The six round, junior middleweight bout went to the judges’ scorecards, with all three judges scoring the contest in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Erik Spring. (60-53, 60-53, and 59-54). 

Super featherweights Chris Colbert (6-0-0, 2 KOs) of Brooklyn and Wilfredo Garriga (3-5-1, 2 KOs) of Puerto Rico squared off in a six round contest. All three judges scored the bout 60-54 in favor of Colbert. 

In his return to the ring, cruiserweight Steve Cunningham (29-8-1, 13 KOs) defeated Mexico’s Felipe Romero (19-12-1, 13 KOs) via unanimous decision in a six round bout. All three judges scored the bout 60-54 in favor of the U.S. Navy veteran and former IBF World Cruiserweight champion. 

In the seventh bout, Brooklyn’s Chordale Booker (6-0-0, 3 KOs) squared off against Richmond’s Moshea Aleem (4-1-1, 2 KOs) in a six round, super welterweight contest. The judges scored the bout 58-56, 59-55, and 59-55 in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Chordale Booker. 

 In the eight bout of the evening, former champion Kermit Cintron faced David Grayton in a welterweight bout. In the fifth round of a scheduled ten round bout, Grayton knocked Cintron down with right hand to the head. Cintron recovered from the knock down, only to be knocked down again seconds later from an accidental headbutt. The ringside physician determined that Cintron was unable to continue, and the decision went to the judges’ scorecards. One judge had the bout scored 49-46 in favor of Cintron, while the other two judges had the bout scored a draw, 47-47. The bout ended in a majority draw. 

The main event featured heavyweights Travis Kauffman (31-2-0, 23 KOs) and Amir Mansour (23-2-1, 16 KOs). In the second round, Mansour, the 44 year old, was hurt by Kauffman. Mansour battled back throughout the middle rounds, and landed a right hook in the eighth round that rattled Kauffman. In the twelfth and final round, both fighters viciously exchanged punches.  Although both fighters appeared exhausted, they remained on their feet until the final bell. Veteran judge Steve Weisfeld scored the bout a draw, 114-114. The other two judges scored the bout 117-111 and 115-113, both in favor of Mansour. 

After the main event, there was one more four round bout between middleweights Nick Valliere (5-2-0, 2 KOs) of Forked River, New Jersey and Nicholas Hernandez (6-2-0, 1 KO) of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Hernandez recovered from a second round knockdown to win the contest by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 38-37.

Following the conclusion of this evening's card, Austin Trout, who was providing commentary for the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) broadcast on Bounce TV, spoke to members of the media. Trout answered questions about the evening's PBC card, opponents, and Gennady Golovkin (GGG) vs. Daniel Jacobs from Madison Square Garden.

Below are links to the Bonus Round interview with Austin "No Doubt" Trout:

Austin Trout Speaks to Members of the Media Following Kauffman vs. Mansour on SoundCloud

Austin Trout Speaks to Members of the Media Following Kauffman vs. Mansour on iTunes


MW


Friday, March 17, 2017

Jim Deoria Interview

I will interview former professional boxer and trainer Jimmy Deoria on Monday, March 20th. The interview will be featured on an upcoming episode of our biweekly podcast The Weigh-In. Jimmy currently serves as a police office in Schuylkill Township, Pennsylvania.

Jimmy captured the USA Pennsylvania State Lightweight Title on February 13, 1993 with a TKO victory over Gene Reed in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He retired from boxing in 1996 with a record of 20 wins, 7 losses, and zero draws. In 1999, he founded the Phoenixville Area Police Athletic League (PAL) boxing program. Jimmy currently manages and trains fighters from Pennsylvania.

For more information on Jimmy Deoria, please visit the following websites:

Jimmy Deoria's BoxRec Page

Phoenixville Area PAL Boxing Program Page

Phoenixville Area PAL Facebook Page

MW

(Photo - The Mercury News)

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

The Weigh-In Boxing Podcast Episode #4 (Steve Peacock - Combat Sports Announcer)

The Weigh-In Boxing Podcast Episode #4

The Weigh-In Episode #4 on SoundCloud


The Weigh-In Episode #4 on iTunes

The third episode of The Weigh-In Boxing Podcast features my interview with combat sports announcer Steve Peacock. 


Steve Peacock's Biography - 


Steve Peacock is a professional ring-announcer, voice talent and writer. For the past three years he has been the announcer for Global Proving Ground and Fight Club Champion, and during that time has also announced several USA Boxing-sanctioned tournaments and combat-sports events for promoters including Dead Serious MMACage Fury Fighting Championships, and World Class Kickboxing Championships. Last baseball season he also successfully auditioned for a PA announcer slot for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, a AAA affiliate of the New York Yankees. He is available for ring/cage/stage announcing and emcee gigs as well as for voice-over recording productions. Separately, Peacock is putting the finishing touches on his novel PLAY DEAD, ROLL OVER, a fictionalized account of his ill-fated pursuit of a career with NYPD, which was cut short after getting shot by a retired New York City cop.

For more information on Steve Peacock, please visit the following websites:

Steve Peacock, Announcer & Voice Talent Facebook Page

Steve Peacock YouTube Channel

Twitter - @SGPeacock



The Weigh-In Boxing Podcast is brought to you by One Stone Recording and Mastering in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Check out One Stone Recording and Mastering for all of you mixing and mastering needs. Go to onestonerecording.com/theweighin and receive 10% off your first session!



MW

Saturday, March 11, 2017

Philly Fight Night - Burgin vs. Sparrow - Friday, March 11th (Philadelphia, PA)

On Friday, March 11th, I had the opportunity to cover live boxing ringside from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. The card was part of Peltz and BAM Boxing Promotions’ Philly Fight Night series, and featured ten professional boxing matches.

The opening bout of the evening featured Philadelphia flyweights, Basyzbek Baratov (2-1-1) and Tyrone Arzeno (0-1-0). In four rounds of action, two judges scored the bout 39-37 in favor of the Baratov, while one judge scored the bout 39-37 for Arzeno. Baratov’s split decision victory spoiled Arzeno’s professional debut.

The second bout of the evening featured West Philadelphia’s Cassius Chaney (9-0-0, 5 KOs) and Lansing’s Tom Washington, Jr. (6-10-1, 2 KOs) in a six round heavyweight contest. Cassius Chaney won the fight via majority decision. Two judges scored the contest 59-55 in favor of Chaney, while one judge scored the bout a draw (57-57).

The third fight of the evening featured two Philadelphia flyweight fighters, Ernesto Almodovar (1-0-0) and  Steven Lopez (0-1-0), making their professional debuts. Almodovar controlled the bout through four rounds of action, and walked away the winner via unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 39-36, 39-36, and 40-35.

Joseph Adorno (3-0-0, 3 KOs), a 17-year-old fan favorite from Allentown, defeated Mexico’s Marco Ocano (1-1-0, 1 KO) in a junior lightweight contest, scheduled for four rounds. The TKO victory came at the 45 second mark of the first round, after Adorno landed a brutal multi-punch combo that left Ocano dazed and defenseless.

Puerto Rican lightweight Victor Padilla (3-0-0, 3 KOs) faced Carlos Castillo (4-5-0, 3 KOs) of Tucson, Arizona in the fifth bout of the evening. Padilla dropped Castillo at the 48 second mark of the first round, and secured his third career win and knockout.

In the sixth contest of the evening, Isaiah Wise (4-1-0, 3 KOs) of South Philadelphia fought Jeffrey Wright (4-6-1, 4 KOs) of Milwaukee. Wise recovered from a second round knock down to defeat Wright via TKO, 32 seconds into the fourth round of a scheduled six round junior middleweight matchup. Referee Gary Rosato called an end to the action after Wise landed a vicious left-right combo to Wright’s body.

North Philadelphia’s Fred Jenkins Jr. (10-4-0, 3 KOs) faced Roque Zapata (3-1-3) of Culpeper, VA in a junior middleweight contest. Jenkins was knocked down in the first round by Zapata, who proved to be the more aggressive fighter through six rounds of boxing. All three judges scored the bout in favor of Zapata (59-54, 59-54, and 57-56).

The main event of the evening featured two tough North Philadelphia lightweights, Anthony Burgin (10-3-0, 2 KOs) and Avery Sparrow (6-1-0, 3 KOs). In the sixth round of the action packed eight round bout, Sparrow landed a right uppercut that sent Burgin to the canvas. Burgin recovered from the knockdown, and the two men battled through the remaining rounds. The judges scored the bout 76-75 (Burgin), 76-75 (Sparrow), and 77-74 (Sparrow). Sparrow, the winner by split decision, won his second straight bout.

Following the main event, there were two more four round contests. Super bantamweights Crystian Peguero (1-0-0, 1 KO) of Northeast Philadelphia and Alonzo Davis (0-1-0) of West Philadelphia faced off in a four round bout. In the third round, Peguero knocked out Davis with four body shots at the 2:12 mark.

The second and final contest of the evening, featured super middleweights Chris Thomas (5-0-0) of Beachwood, New Jersey vs. Mike Rodriguez (0-5-0) of Springfield, Massachusetts. Thomas defeated Rodriguez via unanimous decision after four rounds of boxing. 


MW

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Joe DeGuardia Discusses the New York Insurance Policy and Upcoming Star Boxing Events

I recently met with boxing promoter Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing in White Plains, New York. Along with recording an interview for an upcoming full length episode of The Weigh-In Boxing Podcast, I also had the opportunity to ask Joe a few questions in a segment of the Bonus Round. Joe and I discussed the recent New York state insurance policy, as well as the March 11th bout between Demetrius Andrade and Jack Culcay in Germany.

For more information on Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing, please visit the following websites:




Twitter - +Star Boxing 

Below are the links to my Bonus Round interview with DeGuardia. The interview is available on both SoundCloud and iTunes:

Bonus Round - Joe DeGuardia Discusses the New York Insurance Policy and Upcoming Star Boxing Events on SoundCloud

Bonus Round - Joe DeGuardia Discusses the New York Insurance Policy and Upcoming Star Boxing Events on iTunes

My full length interview with Joe DeGuardia will be released on April 26th! 


(Joe DeGuardia and I at the office of Star Boxing)

MW