ThE BoXiNg JuNgLe is proud to have The "Boxing Guru" Dan Sisneros back and contribute with this regular column. Dan is a licensed boxing judge and host of his own television show "The 8-Count Boxing Hour" In Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also has a massive collection of profesional and amateur fights on video tape.
Just returned from a terrific vacation. In Las Vegas, I had a nice
visit to the offices of TOP RANK INC. ran into ANTONIO DIAZ who was
there finishing up things for his next bout. Went down to the PRINCE
RANCH RESORT, a terrific place of solitude and serious training. Hooked
up with "Lil' Hagler"-FREDDIE NORWOOD, "Cool" VINCE PHILLIPS, ISRAEL
"Pito" CARDONA, and was treated to a nice sparring session with some
top-notch female boxing talent... LAURA SERRANO, BRENDA BURNSIDE,
MARISCHA SCHJAW, & Amateur YVONNE CAPLES. Also, met AL EVANS... Do you
remember him? He KO'd Mike Tyson in the Amateurs! The Ranch is a
fascinating, and comfortable place. My host- Marcel Niessen was very
accommodating, he took us out back and showed us the Lion, Tiger, Bear,
Wolf, Chimpanzee (named "Tarzan"), and other animals who are kept on the
property of the resort.
For more information about this terrific
facility, visit: princeranch.com
I also had a nice visit in Denver, dropping in at the AMERICA PRESENTS GYM. Enjoyed meeting WBA Jr. Middle Champion... DAVID REID, watched him spar and workout. Also met heavyweight LAWRENCE CLAY-BEY who looked very sharp in his sparring, very "tricky". LARRY GOOSEN runs a tight ship at the gym, probably the "hottest" gym around...(he keeps it at about 85 degrees inside the gym during training!). Also met Supermiddleweight- TYRONE CASTELL, he heads to Sweden to fight OLE KLEMETSEN in an 8 rounder, that fight happens Sept. 3rd.
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New Mexico NEWS:
DANNY ROMERO JR. stopped LEONARDO "Chucky" GUTIERREZ in 6 rounds in Albuquerque. Romero looked like his "old self" in this 118 pound bout. Gutierrez' record fell to 17-11. Danny is tentatively scheduled for a bout next month in Phoenix, hoping to stay sharp, and be ready for a possible 118 Lb. Title challenge against PAULIE AYALA.
FRANK ARCHULETA remained unbeaten as he stopped IVAN SALAZAR in a heated rematch of their bout televised on Telemundo. Archuleta was caught cold in that first bout, but came back to score a tko in a wild bout. The rematch was no contest as Archuleta dominated from the opening bell. Archuleta is now 17-0-1.
ERIC HOLLAND gets a shot at regaining his WBB Title belt. He fights NICK MARTINEZ of California on Oct. 2nd in a 12 rounder.
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My crystal ball must have gotten a little rattled while I was on vacation, I picked Pito Cardona to defeat Paul Spadafora, and I thought Miguel Angel Gonzalez would squeak out a win in a toe-to-toe war with Kostya Tszyu... BOY WAS I WRONG! Hats off to Spadafora, he gave one of the BEST 'BOXING' performances I've seen in a long time. Tszyu just proved that he's an offensive machine, and if you can't hurt him, you can't beat him!
ROMERO AT CROSSROADS:
Former 2-time world champ Danny Romero is facing the biggest decisions of his career. After losing to arch-rival Johnny Tapia at 115 Lbs., he moved into the 122 Lb. division where he dropped a close decision to champion Vuyani Bungu. After several unimpressive showings at 122 Lbs. including a draw to Mexican journeyman- Enrique Jupiter, he and his Father are now unsure whether or not to proceed at 122 Lbs. Reports around Albuquerque say that Danny is considering dropping down to 118 for a campaign at that wait. It was confirmed on Albuquerque sports radio 1150 am- KDEF by Top Rank's matchmaker supreme- Bruce Trampler, that an offer came in from the Marco Antonio Barrera camp for a WBO Title shot. But reports are that Mr. Romero & Son will say "no thanks" to the proposed challenge. After newspaper reports confirmed the decline, a string of dissapointed callers lit up the phone lines at KDEF. Most callers didn't understand why Romero would not accept another shot at the 122 Pound World Title Belt. Danny's proposed July bout in Albuquerque is now on hold, and the 24 year old has a lot of decisions to make. Danny is 1-1-1 as a Jr. Featherweight.
ARCHULETA CALLING OUT ROMERO: Marco Antonio Barrera isn't the only one knocking on Danny's door. IBF #12 ranked Jr. Featherweight- Frankie Archuleta of Las Vegas, New Mexico has made an official "announcement" that HE WANTS DANNY ROMERO in a New Mexico showdown bout. "I'll fight him right now" said a very confident Archuleta on sports radio KDEF in Albuquerque. Frankie's promoter has made a standing offer to double whatever purse Danny earned in his ESPN-2 appearance against Enrique Jupiter. That was around $12,000, so Promoter Lenny Fresquez has offered around $25,000.00 to Romero to face Frankie in New Mexico. After Danny's lackluster performance against Jupiter, fans at the Telemundo card in Albuquerque (Adan Vargas vs Gallito Reyes) were actually talking as if Archuleta (16-0-1, 10) would have a chance at knocking off the once "invincible" champion. This could be just the boost that Romero needs, a win over an undefeated, world ranked, New Mexico rival would definitley raise his stock, but if Frankie were to score the win, he would be boosted into the lime-light, and be hot on the trail of the "top dog" in New Mexico... Johnny Tapia.
Top Rank Tapia:
World Bantamweight Champion Johnny Tapia has re-united with his former
promoters Top Rank inc. The April 24th fight in Albuquerque will be his
first fight under the Top Rank umbrella since his short stint with Don
King. It appears that King just wasn't able to put enough attention
into the career of the undefeated Champion, so he has returned to the
Top Rank fold.
Most boxing "insiders" are convinced this is a great
move for "team Tapia". Top Rank did a great job of keeping Johnny busy,
and exposure on HBO, TVKO, ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, & USA.
Romero Released:
Danny Romero has been released from his obligations to Cedric Kushner
Promotions, and is now a "Free Agent". Romero is said to be leaning
towards a contract with Top Rank inc. But his father Danny Sr. says that
they are still listening to all offers. There are apparently no hard
feelings, at least on the part of the Romero camp, with respect to the
break from Cedric Kushner- "We don't have any hard feelings, Cedric did
everything he promised us he would do. We just felt he had done all he
could, and we all agreed it was time to go a different direction." said
Danny Romero Sr. on a local Sports radio program in Albuquerque.
There's no word of the next scheduled fight for Romero.
TV for Frankie:
Late word, the Frank Archuleta (15-0) vs Lewis Woods (20-1) NABF
Featherweight Title fight will be televised via tape delay on New
Mexico's Warner Bros. Channel 19 State wide. Sportscaster- Henry
Tafoya, and "The Boxing Guru"-Dan Sisneros will be assigned to do the
broadcast. This is a big moment for The Las Vegas New Mexico phenom-
Archuleta. He is following in the footsteps of both Johnny Tapia &
Danny Romero who also held the NABF Title at one time. Like Romero,
Archuleta goes for the NABF Title in his 16th Professional fight.
Romero won the vacant title against Marcos Pacheco. Archuleta will face
defending Champion Lewis Woods for his title belt.
New Videotape:
I've just released my newest videotape production... "The Tapia vs
Romero Newsreel". This 2 hour VHS tape is a fascinating compilation of
news clips from Albuquerque Local news on the buildup to the Tapia vs
Romero showdown. The tape is $24.95 (includes Shipping & Handling).
For info please, visit:
HOLYFIELD FALSE PROPHET:
I really do feel bad for Lennox Lewis. He fought a very disciplined fight, and did what it took to beat Evander Holyfield, and didn't give Evander any openings to take advantage of. This Boxing Judge scored the fight 117-111 Lewis. I had it 9-3 in rounds. I can't figure out who "The Real Deal" was trying to persuade with his "loosey-goosey" attitude going into the ring. Singing, and smiling, and acting the fool. I've become so used to seeing the high-concentration look of interest, and concern and all business on the face of Holyfield. When I saw the way he was acting, I turned to the other boxing officianados watching with me on PPV and said... "Evander's going to lose tonight". HE DID. This one's too easy to jump all over, there is NO DOUBT, ABSOLUTLEY NO DOUBT, that Lennox Lewis is now the real undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. It's not Evander Holyfiel's fault if the promoters, and sanctioners are doing some kind of persuading behind the scenes to keep the belts around Evander's waist. Are they trying to keep him as champion until Tyson returns? I don't know, but it's total "B.S." Evander's 37 years old, and has trouble with BIG men. Bowe whupped him pretty good in the first meeting, it was an even struggle in the second meeting, and Holyfield got stopped in the 3rd meeting. And now another Giant- Lennox Lewis has made Evander look like he just coudn't figure how to deal with the brute size & strength of a big man like Lewis. Evander was correct when he said, that "the judges don't sit ringside".... you're right Evander, they sit even CLOSER. When Mr. Holyfield watches the tape a few times, he'll figure it out.
IT'S TIME FOR FRANKIE!:
New Mexico's unbeaten Featherweight contender-Frank Archuleta (15-0)
will finally step up to the plate and go for the NABF title on April
17th in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He will face current champion- Lewis
Trinidad/Whitaker:
Finally, "Sweet-PEE" is out of the "Pound-for-Pound" picture. I used to
be one of the biggest Pernell fans around. Until... I started
hearing from boxing insiders who told me of how rude & obnoxious the guy
is. How he looks down on boxing fans, and treats them with disdain. I
heard from enough reliable sources to believe he was a rotten
individual, but the clincher was when one of our local lightweight
fighters- Rick Ortega, told me about a run-in he had with Mr. Whitaker.
Ortega is a big boxing fan himself, and was in Atlantic City (I think
it was) for a big PPV fight, when he saw Pernell in public, and
approached him for a greeting. Whitaker was his usual "A**hole" self.
Later, something happened, I think it was a fight, or something, and
everyone was trying to see what was going on, including Ortega &
Whitaker. Rick brushed against the shoulder of Whitaker, and Pernell
took exception to "being touched" by a common person, and said something
like "Hey, man, watch it!" and looked at his shoulder where Ortega had
made contact as if to say "How dare you!" I've also talked to managers
who have sent fighters to Pernell's camps, and told me how bad Pernell
treated them. Acting as if he was some kind of a "God", and they were
just robots. Not speaking to them in a friendly way ever. The guys a
real Jerk, and there's no one I'd rather see whip his a** than "Tito".
I'd like to see Quartey/Whitaker on the undercard of Delahoya/Trinidad.
I won't hold my breath, but I'd really like to see that one. It was sad
to see that little Devil (Whitaker) speak after the defeat, and say that
he won the fight, and the fans saw who really won, etc. He's a bum. A
loser whose years of greatness are being swept away by his stinking,
rotten attitude. Just like Mike Tyson... I wish the two of them would
just GO AWAY.
QUARTEY/DELAHOYA:
Sorry, but I had Delahoya winning by 2 points. I had it EVEN going into
the last round, and there is no question who won that round...BIG. I
guess this will be like the Whitaker/Delahoya fight. I just don't see
how anyone could in any way see Whitaker winning that fight. He did a
lot of nothing. Oscar didn't do that much either, but landed the
heavier leather, and attempted more punishment than Pernell. I saw a
very similar fight this time. I know there are a lot of Oscar haters,
maybe their girlfriends and wives are in love with the "Golden
Boy"...whatever. But if you will go back and watch the tape CLOSE, you
will see how many of Quarteys jabs came up short, or hit glove or arm.
No doubt Oscar was confused after he was knocked down. He almost let it
slip away. But, Quartey is the one who let the fight slip away. And
again, I don't see a 4 point margin, 3 points is stretching it. I had
it by 2 points for Delahoya, and it was certainly close, and I would
NEVER argue with someone who had Quartey by a point or two. I scored
one round even, and if you give that to Quartey, then Oscar wins a 1
point fight. To me, Oscar Delahoya looks beatable. It just hasn't
happened yet. No matter how you scored it, it was a very entertaining
fight. High Drama right up to the announcement of the decision.
Please, enough with the "Oscar has fought nobodies" chant. If IKE
QUARTEY, PERNELL WHITAKER, JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ(Twice), GENARO HERNANDEZ,
RAFAEL RUELAS, JOHN JOHN MOLINA, MIGUEL ANGEL GONZALEZ, HECTOR CAMACHO &
JORGE PAEZ are nobodies, then I guess Oscar Delahoya is just a
journeyman who is 12-0 against nobody, and 18-0 against
"less-than-nobodies"!!!
Well, did you get your $45 bucks worth from the Tyson/Botha show? I
can't stand "Psycho" Mike, but I don't think he looks as 'shot' as
everyone is saying. His hands looked as fast as ever, his 1-punch power
still lintact, the only thing I see is that he leaves his self open to
be hit much more than he used to. I think he's still a force to be
reckoned with in the heavyweight division. I've just grown tired of his
act. It's old, stale, rotten. The once great heavyweight of our time
has become a pycho-circus, a novelty, a freak show. I'm not interested,
I'll just watch the free replays on showtime, or ask Mr. Bodyshots what
happened.
Now I know what happened to Omar Sheika... he lost a fight! The powers
that watch over Mr. Sheika did a great job of keeping that one quiet.
He's a lot like Mike Tyson, big puncher, fun to watch because of his
free swinging style, but leaves his self open to get caught with a bomb.
I'd love to see a Vinny Pazienza/Omar Sheika matchup. That would be
fun.
Bad times have fallen on New Mexico boxing. Danny Romero has taken his
3rd loss, Chris Linson took a hard loss on ESPN-2's Friday night fights.
Andres Fernandez was bloodied and easily hit on
national TV via Telemundo in taking his 4th loss.
Johnny Tapia's camp and Don King are at odds again. The New Mexico
Newspapers are reporting a claim by Johnny's Wife/Manager-Teresa that
Mr. King has not kept his end of the contract, and the Tapia's may split
from "The Don". Tapia has made a reported 1.5 Million dollars since
signing with King, but they feel that King is more interested in his
other fighters now, and not giving Johnny the attention due an unbeaten
3-Belt, 2 Division World Champion. King's publicist says it ain't so,
...we'll see.
Did you know there is an orginazation called the "UBF"? Yes, Eric
Holland picked up ther "World Title" Belt Saturday 1/23 in Ruidoso New
Mexico. Here are some of the titles out there, if you can name some
more, let me know...
IBF, WBC, WBA, WBO, WBU, IBC, IBA, WBF, IBO, WBB, UBF. Can ANYONE ever
really claim to be a "Unfied" Champion?
Awards for '98:
FIGHT OF THE YEAR:
Would go to the Gatti/Robinson series, but since everyone else is
picking that one, I'll say the Jose Luis Lopez/James Page fight was my
favorite. With the drama of the wet ring logo, and guys going down every
few minutes, it really kept my interest. I had the feeling that Lopez
was going to catch Page with a bomb any minute and it was going to be
over.
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR:
I would have to say that FLOYD MAYWEATHER would get that honor from the
8-Count KOrner. Impressive wins over 2 world champions definitley gives
him the edge over anyone else. 2nd place would have to go to Johnny
Tapia. Johnny just keeps winning, and it doesn't matter who his
manager, promoter, trainer is... he just wins! Adding a 3rd World Title
belt in a second weight division makes this a great year for "The Baby
Face Assasin".
My Pick for '99:
In past columns in Flash/Pro Boxing Update, I've always ended the year
with a fighter to watch. Roy Jones, Shane Mosley, Danny Romero, Floyd
Mayweather... These guys were all named before they got much attention.
I haven't seen anyone this year who really exites me that much, as far
as a "Fast Riser". I would have named Floyd Mayweather, but I think
he's already there. Michael Grant is poised to make some noise in '99.
On the big scene I think this is the year for Fernando Vargas to
move into the top level with the others. His handling of Yori Boy
Campas has finally convinced me that he's "tough enough". Now, just
one more test, a tricky mover type boxer of note. David Reid doesn't
really fit that bill, but is the natural "Arch-Rival" for the ferocious
California Kid. If Fernando can defeat that man, he's the real thing!
On the Local Scene(New Mexico), I think this is the year that we
will find out about WBB Featherweight Champion-Frank Archuleta. He's
15-0, 9 KO's, and it's about time that he takes the next step. He's got
a top 15 ranking in the WBO now, and this year should tell the story.
I also see the continued rise in popularity of Women's boxing. Now
that Christy Martin has been defeated, it looks like her conquerer and
Lucia Rijker will have to hook up sometime this year. Bridgette "Baby
Doll" Riley has hooked up with Don King, and should start to get some
recognition. There are so many exciting lady fighters, it's a fight
fan's buffet of fistic anticipation.
GURU NOTES:
I'm Sorry, but I just can't get used to the new boxing format on ESPN2.
Max Kellerman looks like he's just "trying too hard" to be "One of you
regular joe-boxing fans out there". He's considered the "expert" on the
old time boxers, but I know he wasn't even born when most of those guys
were fighting. Teddy Atlas definitley knows his stuff, and is one of my
favorite people in boxing, but he seems a bit confused behind the
microphone, he has improved, but still seems a step behind everyone
else. That's a shame, because he's the only one who really knows the
game from the inside out. And 2 1/2 hours would be fine if it was a
complete live boxing card. Personally, I'd like to see the "Old Stuff
on Film" have it's own seperate show. I would rather see live "Swing
Bouts" than old re-hashed footage. I'm sorry guys, but I miss USA's TNF
more than ever! (Although I am grateful that ESPN2 has tried to fill the
void).
Has anyone seen Omar Sheika? Since the demise of USA's TNF, I haven't
heard anything about the exciting power puncher...Where'd he go?
I caught Oddsmaker-Herb Lambeck's remarks about the Foreman/Holmes
fight. He said something like..."only a moron would pay to see this
farce". Well, Herb, I'm sorry, but I'd have to say that about the
Tyson/Botha fight. I have a choice to pick one card, and I'm going with
the old champions. At least they both have a little class. They both
fought, and won, and lost their titles fighting, not biting! I wouldn't
pay $5.00 to see Tyson fight again. He may be able to sucker the masses
back to watch him "Box", but I'm not falling for it. The Grapplin'
Grandpas may not be an action packed thriller, and it might not have any
title contention meaning to it, but I'll feel a whole lot better giving
these guys my $$$ than the psycho/bully-Tyson. Maybe instead of
fighting Botha, Tyson should have fought with Foreman & Holmes... he
like beating up old men! Why would boxing fans crawl back to Tyson?...
The Guru is "Mystified"!
FIGHTS I WANT IN '99:
Butterbean/Alonso Highsmith
Mark Johnson/Eric Morel
Danny Romero/Marco Antonio Barrera
Michael Grant/Kirk Johnson
Prince Naseem Hamed/Floyd Mayweather
Ivan Robinson/Shane Mosley
Fernando Vargas/David Reid
David Tua/Samson P'ouha
Johnny Tapia/Tim Austin
Lucia Rijker/Christy Martin
(even though Christy got whipped.)
Antonio Tarver/Roy Jones Jr.
Felix Trinidad/Oscar Delahoya
Kostya Tszyu/Miguel Angel Gonzalez
(I was READY for that one!)
...That's just a few for now. Promoters-work on those, and I'll give
you more.
--The Guru
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Autographs too!
2/21/99
2/15/99
1/24/99
