Miller

During the mid-1990's, it was a great time to be a boxing fan in Washington, DC. The Nation's Capital boasted four world champions (WBA Middleweight champ William Joppy, WBC Middleweight champ Keith Holmes, IBF Flyweight titleholder Mark Johnson and WBA Junior Welterweight titlist Sharmba Mitchell) at the same time as well as a slew of contenders and prospects that alternately sparred with the champions and tried to put themselves in position to be champions themselves. Some of those contenders fell short of the championship mark and then fell by the wayside. Others stepped away from the sport entirely. And then there are those boxers who can be placed in both of those categories and has decided that now is the time to make another run.

Mexican

Jhonny Gonzalez led a parade of Mexican champions on Saturday, taking the WBO bantamweight title from Thailand's Ratanachai Sor Vorapin with a seventh-round knockout.In other WBO championship bouts at the event touted as the "Boxing World Cup" because every fight was between a Thai and a Mexican, Hugo Cazares defended his junior flyweight title with a sixth-round knockout of Kaichon Sor Vorapin; Fernando Montiel kept his junior bantamweight crown by outpointing Pramuansak Phosawan; and Daniel Ponce De Leon stopped Sod Looknongyangtoy for for the vacant junior featherweight title.
Ratanachai Vorapin went in as the only Thai champion of the Golden Boy Promotions card at Desert Diamond Casino, and it quickly became apparent that Gonzalez (30-4) had the tools to take the title from him.

Fields

6'9 heavyweight Tye Fields scored a second round KO over former WBA heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon Friday night at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Fields (35-1, 32 KOs) dropped Seldon (35-6, 31 KOs) twice in round two with left hooks. The bout was stopped at 1:14 of round two.Welterweight Mario Jose Ramos (15-1-1, 3 KOs) won a lopsided ten round decision over top ten rated Cosme Rivera (28-9-2, 20 KOs) on Friday at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, CA. Ramos won by scores of 99-91, 98-92, 98-93.

Hitman

Tommy "The Hitman" Hearns with his brother Johnny Hearns (center) executive at the MGM Mirage, Harley Brown far left, promoter for "The Hitman" and his son Ronald Hearns and Billionaire President John Obern Taylor. The Hitman, a six time world champion, met with Taylor to discuss possible a February 2006 championship bout to be held in las Vegas featuring both "The Hitman" and his son Ronald Hearns as a double headliner.

Meadows

Though the usual rumblings at the Meadows could be found on the racetrack, on Wednesday evening they were only heard in the ring as Michael Acri Boxing Promotions and Team Freedom presented "Pro Boxing at the Meadows." In addition to bantamweight prospect Jose "Miau" Nieves winning an impressive eight round unanimous decision over Argentinean Sergio Santillian in the main event, boxing legend Roberto "Manos De Piedra" Duran was in the house as a special guest and presented with a lifetime achievement award.

Tarver

ESPN Hollywood has reported that Antonio Tarver is slated for the role of Mason Dixon in the new movie "Rocky Balboa." Despite rumors that Roy Jones Jr. had the part, Tarver claims on camera, "You're looking at Mason Dixon. I'm the heavyweight champion of the world and unfortunately Rocky's got to come back to see me. ..I want to dispel a rumor Roy Jones may be in the film. We will need folks to knock out along the way but that's the biggest part he'll get, ha ha.

Martinis

Italian welterweight champ Christian De Martinis (14-0, 10KOs) successfully retained his domestic title stopping game challenger Vincenzo Finzi (18-9-3, 14KOs) in eight rounds yesterday in Cardito, Italy. Finzi started the fight at a high pace but, in the closing moments of round two, De Martinis floored him with a short left hook. Finzi was able to beat the count but the defending champ hurt him again in round eight and Finzi was forced to quit, thus awarding De Martinis a deserved TKO win. Cotena & Oliva promoted, with RAISAT televising.

Italian title

Italian former amateur star and current IBF-Youth champ, jr. welterweight Michele Di Rocco (9-0, 4KOs) won the first national title of his pro career last Friday at Bastia Umbra, Italy. Di Rocco outscored veteran battler Massimo Bertozzi (35-25-4, 10KOs) over ten rounds and took home the Italian belt at 140 lbs with the final scoresheets being 98-92 and 99-91 two times. Rosanna Conti Cavini promoted.

Judah

Daniel Judah, the older brother of the undisputed welterweight champion Zab, hopes to remain true to his Judah genes by adding another championship to the already filled mantle at home. This Friday, On October 21, 2005, will mark "Danny Boy's" first appearance in the ring since stopping Ray Berry a year ago. Judah faces the savvy veteran Eric Harding for the vacant NABF Light Heavyweight title in the main event at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. This is by far the most important fight in Daniel's career. There's a lot more at stake than just a vacant title, the winner of this bout would earn top ten contention and could possibly be the next line in to reign supreme in the light heavyweight division.

Best

PR Best Boxing announced on Tuesday an upcoming boxing extravaganza to be held at the legendary Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan on December 10, 2005. The event named "San Juan Championship Boxing Night" will feature WBO straweight king Ivan 'Iron Boy' Calderon facing former IBF champ Daniel Reyes. Also, junior welterweight contender Ricardo Torres, coming from a grueling fight against Miguel Cotto, will go against the talented Henry Bruseles, who is also trained by Evangelista Cotto, uncle and trainer of Miguel.

Ukrainia

Ukrainian and WBA I/C light heavy champion Yuri Barash'ian added another KO win to his already impressive résumé, stopping decent Hungarian Istvan Varga in round three of a scheduled ten on Friday night at the Freedom Night Club in Kiev, Ukraine. Barash'ian (19-2) landed a left cross to the liver out of his southpaw stance and floored Varga (10-2) for the total count. This win is a nice feather on the cap for the 26-year old Barash'ian because Varga has quite a name in Europe since he came to Italy and stopped local contender Remo Tatangelo a few months ago.

Wars

On paper, the promised “Border Wars” at the Speaking Rock Casino in El Paso, Texas was about as likely as Julio Cesar Chavez showing up for a card that had his name all over it. Well, Chavez was a no show—no surprise there—but no one cared, for Golden Road Promotions gave the crowd of 800 a five-bout card that will not soon be forgotten—thanks to the opponents who refused to lose .

Anthony Bonsante

Tonight Anthony Bonsante will face Jesse Brinkley in a rematch on "The Contender" show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The two first met in May of 2004 as part of the first season of The Contender. Bonsante fought a very aggressive fight and was ahead on all judges' scorecards through four rounds. Bonsante's aggression would cost him in the final round however as he left himself open for a perfectly timed punch that sent him to the canvas. Incredibly, he rose to his feet but was in no condition to be allowed to continue. Bonsante says that Saturday will not only be a chance to prove he still can box with the top guys out there, but also a chance to right where he went wrong in the first fight with Brinkley.

Juarez

From the Fiesta Inn in Cuidad Juarez, Mexico for tomorrow night's Promociones del Pueblo card at the Poliforo:
For the WBC World Youth Super Bantamweight title:
Miguel "Mickey Mouse" Roman 122 vs. Reman Salim 122
10 rds: Adrian "Gallero" Valdez 127 vs. Cesar "Cobrita" Soto 128
10 rds: Juan Carlos "Ranchero" Ramirez 137 vs. Ismael Gonzalez 138
** Gonzalez had to work off one pound
8 rds: Javier Castro 135 vs. Mario Ramirez 137
8 rds: Arturo "Licenciado" Rivera 162 vs. Martin Zamarripa 161
8 rds: Oscar Olivas 126 vs. Juan Manuel Mendez 127
6 rds: Martin Avila 146 vs. Arturo Lopez 145

Winky

Sam Soliman is a dangerous challenge for any middleweight out there . . . This is what the business is all about, taking these types of challenges . . . . The energy and excitement, chirping out of the tin-can sound of the hotel speaker phone, was evident. Sure, it was 4 AM Down Under (11 AM in Vegas), but trainer Dave Hedgecock could barely contain himself as he plugged his fighter, Sam Soliman, and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to face one of the most avoided fighters on the planet, Ronald “Winky”

Leonard

While the winners of the original season of "The Contender" will clash in a rematch this Saturday on ESPN, producers have already begun open casting calls for the programs second season. The production crew along with co-creators "Sugar" Ray Leonard and Slyvester Stallone will appear at try-outs in Los Angeles this week and in Las Vegas, Dallas, Miami, Chicago and New York in the following two weeks. "We would do like we did last time," said Leonard on Monday about the open calls. "No particular weight division. I think it's all based upon the turn-outs of certain weights. What ever weight class or division has, you know, the guys with the most personality, great records, good fighters. It's the whole package." Leonard did say, however, that there will probably not be any heavyweights and that the more likely weight division could be anywhere from lightweight to junior middleweight. "I would say a guy has to have probably 10-12 fights. But then again it depends upon that individual," he further explained.

WBC

WBC flyweight champ Pongsaklek Wonjongkam Kratindaeng-gym (58-2, 31 KOs), 112, successfully kept his belt as he scored a technical decision (all 68-64) over Japanese ruler Daisuke Naito (27-2-2, 19 KOs), 112, at 2:38 of the seventh round due to the challenger's bad bleeding on Mionday in Tokyo, Japan. The southpaw Thailander registered his 12th defense of his belt to his credit.

WEIGH-IN

The OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN for "UNO MAS!” the eagerly awaited world lightweight rematch between defending champion DIEGO CORRALES and two-time WBC lightweight champion JOSE LUIS CASTILLO will take place TODAY! Friday, October 7th, outdoors at Caesars Palace Roman Plaza. Boxing fans are welcome. Corrales and Castillo are scheduled to step on the scales at 2:30 pm PT. "UNO MAS!” is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Top Rank, in association with Caesars Palace and Wynn Las Vegas, "Uno Mas! ... "One More Time!" will be broadcast Live on Showtime Pay-Per-View from the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV, beginning at 9 P.M. ET / 6 P.M. PT

Audley

Following a statement yesterday from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Gold Medallist and current undefeated heavyweight contender Audley "A-Force" Harrison (19-0, 14KOs) that showed his desire to challenge for the EBU Heavyweight Title, Chris Meyer of Sauerland Events responded by declaring that it would be his fighter, Cengiz Koc (23-1, 15KOs) who would definitely fight Paolo Vidoz (20-2, 12KOs) for the title. Meyer did suggest that he would offer Harrison the chance to fight Koc if he was victorious over Vidoz. "I would gladly box the winner of the fight between Vidoz and Koc," said Harrison. "Hopefully, it won't clash with my world title plans."

Castillo

Two-time world champion Jose Luis Castillo shook out at Caesars Palace today and said he is "1000 per cent ready" to take on Diego 'Chico' Corrales in 'One More Time - The Epic Rematch' at the Thomas and Mack on Saturday night. "Corrales won the first battle - but I am going to win the war and believe me, this second fight will be a war," said Castillo. Castillo, with a large crowd wrapped around an outdoor ring, shook out, hit the mitts, cracked the speed bag and then signed many autographs and posed for photographs with fight fans. He looked in top condition, was in excellent spirits and was at the outdoor arena - the Roman Plaza at Caesars Palace - for over an hour. Carlos 'Famoso' Hernandez, Jorge Arce, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. then hit the ring followed by Chico Corrales. Chavez Jr., it was announced today, will take on Jeremy Stiers of Kansas City. The fight is scheduled for six rounds and will appear on the Showtime PPV telecast. On Wednesday, promoters Gary Shaw and Bob Arum will host the final press conference in the Mouton Room at Wynn Las Vegas, 11:30 am. 'One More Time - The Epic Rematch' is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, Top Rank in association with Caesars Palace and Wynn Las Vegas and will be available on Showtime PPV.

Luis Collazo

The usually quiet Luis Collazo is breaking his silence. The WBA "regular" welterweight champion is directly calling out the blood & guts warrior Arturo Gatti. Louie vows that his fist will silence the "Thunder" once and for all. "I am here! I will be more than happy to fight Arturo Gatti in Atlantic City. As usual for all the marbles, my belt will be up for grabs." Luis has alluded to the fact on several occasions that it is not his style to call people out. "But this is a business and I got to do what I have to do," said Collazo.

Campbell

Lightweight Nate Campbell (27-4-1, 23 KOs) scored an upset tenth round round TKO over previously unbeaten Almazbek Raiymkulov (20-1-1, 12 KOs) a.k.a. Kid Diamond. Campbell was in control all the way and finally dropped Diamond in the tenth. The bout was stopped at 2:26. In a rematch of ESPN's 2004 Heavyweight Fight of the Year, Brian Minto (21-1-0, 12 KOs), 212.5 lbs, demonstrated a clinic of brutality stopping Vinny Maddalone (25-3-0, 18 KOs) in round seven. Minto ended the bout with an exclamation mark, landing an unheard-of fourteen straight left hooks to the head of Maddalone forcing Referee James Warring to step in and call the action to a halt at 1:21.In the second televised bout, United States Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward (6-0-0, 4 KOs), 160 lbs, annihilated "Caveman" Glenn LaPlante (9-3-1, 6 KOs) in just 0:59 of the first round.

Vegas

Top Rank announced today that Ricardo Castillo, the younger brother of two-time world champion Jose Luis Castillo, will box at The Aladdin in Las Vegas on Friday, Oct. 7 -- the eve of the Corrales vs. Castillo 'One More Time - The Epic Rematch' at the Thomas and Mack Center. Castillo, a top featherweight with a record of 25-2, 18 KOs, will take on Phil Payne of St. Louis. Castillo vs. Payne will be on the Telefutura telecast which will feature Kelly Pavlik vs. Fugencio Zuniga in a 12-round middleweight match. Pavlik is currently in Las Vegas. He is working out at the Top Rank gym on Business Lane. Zuniga will arrive on Monday.