By: Marc Livitz: As is the case in professional sports in the United States, many of its respective players and athletes come from various and unique types of backgrounds. The roads taken to eventual glory or possible collapse are often determined by the will, determination and above all good decisions or lack thereof made by the athlete in question.
By Peter Lerner: In the next part of our experts’ review of 2011 we take a look at the amateur game. 2011 was of course a busy year with the start of Olympic qualification, the European Championships in Ankara and the Worlds in Baku.
Cagri Ermis reached the highlight of his up-and-down career on Saturday night when he captured the vacant WBF Middleweight title by defeating Portuguese boxer Vitor Sa at the Braamkamp 1 arena in Hamburg,Germany.
Juan Carlos “Zurdito” Sanchez won a 12 round unanimous decision to dethrone Rodrigo “Gatito” Guerrero and claim the IBF super flyweight title at the Union Arena in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico on Saturday.
Welterweight prospect Samuel Vargas scored an impressive first round knockout over Manolis Plaitis at the Hershey Center in Mississauga Ontario, Canada on Saturday night.
Light welterweight contender Lucas Martin Matthysse scored a retirement win over Angel “Arcangel” Martinez at the Gimnasio Municipal in Trelew, Chubut, Argentina on Friday night.
Featherweight Orlando Cruz scored an impressive 11th round knockout over Alejandro Delgado on Friday night at the Palm Bay Community Center in Palm Bay, Florida.
Dear Robert: For the past 3 months, you and your team have attempted to trick the media and boxing public into believing that you were on a short list to fight the best fighter in the world, Floyd Mayweather.
By Peter Lim: In a showdown between young, undefeated prospects, Bahodir Mamajanov will face Maurice Hooker at the Houston Athletic Fencing Center this Saturday, Feb. 11. It will be Mamajanov’s ninth fight in as many months as a pro. The card will be staged by Savarese Boxing Promotions.
Date February 10
Location Uncasville, Connecticut, USA
vacant WBO NABO light middleweight title Demetrius Andrade w ko 2 Angel Hernandez
welterweight Raymond Serrano w pts 10 Kenny Abril
Location Chainart, Thailand
vacant PABA super flyweight title Petch Kokietgym w pts 12 Rodel Quilaton
light flyweight Nethra Sasiprapa w pts 6 Albert Alcoy
minimumweight Pigmy Kokietgym w ko 4 Bimbo Nacionales
By Peter Lerner: In the first part of our look back at South African boxing in 2011, Pete Moscardi told us about his choices for Fighter of the Year, Fight of the Year and Fighter Who Most Deserves a Break. In this concluding part he looks at prospects and disappointments, improved fighters and foreign fighters, and the general situation in the country.
By Peter Lerner: Secondsout has spoken to various boxing experts around the world about the year in boxing in their country. In this first part we have taken a look at South Africa. One of boxing’s strongest nations, South Africa finished the year with three world champions and a whole host of fighters knocking on the door of world class.
By Derek Bonnett: As we encounter another new year, the landscape of the boxing scene continues to evolve. With old champions acting out the final stages of their careers and new ones emerging to fill the void, boxing maintains a state of homeostasis and keeps fight fans intrigued even amid the dubious officiating and cries of scandal.
By Tom Gray: “My Dad noticed changes with my balance and speech," remembered Norris. "I just felt different and knew something was wrong. I pushed through and tried to hide it because I’m a warrior – that’s what I do.”
By Tom Gray: Terry Norris is arguably the greatest 154lb fighter in boxing history. The Texas native, known as “Terrible”,compiled an astonishing amateur record of 291-4 before embarking on a rollercoaster professional career, which saw him capture four junior middleweight world titles, and pound for pound recognition.
