Montiel Stops Hasegawa in Four

WBO Bantamweight champ, Fernando Montiel, got his career back on the fast track by scoring a TKO over reigning WBC champ, Hozumi Hasegawa in Hasegawa's hometown of Tokyo, Japan.

After a dead-even first round, Montiel came on to have a solid second, followed by a Hasegawa-controlled third.

The fourth round was mostly Hasegawa's until Montiel landed a pair of left hooks at the end of the round that shook the Japanese world champion. Hasegawa was stunned and essentially defenseless, with one hand draped over the ring rope and Montiel landing at will.

Referee Laurence Cole stepped in and waved off the bout with just a couple of seconds left in the round. The stoppage was quick for some tastes, but it was obvious that Hasegawa was in bad shape and Montiel could've inflicted some real damage.

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Montiel Buckles In Hasegawa Negotiations

Many sources are reporting that this fight is a done deal. Other sources are reporting that they're not even close to signing on the dotted line. If you're an optimist or a pessimist, you're bound to be confused.

Teiken Promotions, Hasegawa's handlers, have announced that this fight is slated for April 30, and even though the WBO belt held by Montiel means nothing in Japan, it will be an unification fight as Hasegawa holds the WBC strap. They also report that Toshiaki Nishioka (pictured with Hasegawa) will defend his junior featherweight title on the same bill.

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Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3 PPV Review

I don't know why, but every review seems to start with the main event. But not this one. I'll start with the most meaningful and competitive fight, then the controversial one, finishing with a brief account of how Donaire and Montiel's public sparring sessions went.

Bernabe Concepcion UD 10 Mario Santiago

In an unofficial eliminator to face WBO titlist Juan Manuel Lopez in the Summer, Bernabe Concepcion (30-2-1, 17 KO) won a too-wide decision over Mario Santiago (21-2-1, 14 KO) in the best fight of the night by far. The scores seemed wider than they should have been, but the judges had given it to the right fighter. Santiago gave it his all, but for me, he only won 5 rounds at most and Concepcion scored a knockdown. Santiago rallied late on but it wasn't enough, as Concepcion won by scores of 98-91, 96-93, 97-92. The BTBC scored it 96-93 Concepcion. It's a big win for Concepcion, who gets a once in a career opportunity against an icon in Juan Manuel Lopez. Lopez is the obvious favourite, but the unpredictable Concepcion is a live underdog.

Eric Morel SD 12 Gerry Penalosa

In a WBO bantamweight elimination fight, Eric Morel (42-2, 21 KO) shoplifted a split decision from veteran contender Gerry Penalosa (54-8, 34 KO). Two unintentional headbutts in round six opened cuts over Penalosa's eyes, but the 38 year-old Filipino upped his game down the stretch and had done more than enough to win on The BTBC card. By all accounts, it was a horrible decision. The judges scores were 115-113 and 116-112 to Morel, while one judge gave it to the right fighter, 115-113 Penalosa. The BTBC had it 116-112 to Penalosa, and it really could've been more.

Nonito Donaire KO 3 Manuel Vargas

Nonito Donaire (23-1, 15 KO) knocked out blown-up strawweight Manuel Vargas (26-5-1, 11 KO) in three rounds in one of the biggest headline mismatches in PPV history. Donaire towered over Vargas and floored him with a left uppercut in the third. Vargas, a late replacement, is not the calibre of opponent Donaire should be facing at this stage of his career. His original opponent, Gerson Guerrero, doesn't fit the bill either.

Fernando Montiel KO 1 Ciso Morales

In another pointless fight, Fernando Montiel (40-2-2, 30 KO) continued his rise in the pound-4-pound stakes by creaming Ciso Morales (14-1, 8 KO) with a body shot in the opening round. The previously unbeaten Morales didn't give much of a fight, failing to beat the referee's count after Montiel landed a left hand to the body winded the challenger.

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The BTBC Rumor Mill

by Dafs117

With everybody discussing potential match-ups for 2010, I thought it would be a good idea to give some inside knowledge into potential fights. And after talking to many little birds, I’ve rustled up 10 boxing rumors that could be in place for 2010, with everyone a potential scoop.

Robert Stieglitz vs. Edison Miranda (WBO Super Middleweight)
Two hard-hitting sluggers could battle it out shortly after New Year’s Eve

Tomasz Adamek vs. Hasim Rahman
The Pole will return on February 6 and Rahman is in pole position, followed by Sam Peter

Paulus Moses vs. Marco Antonio Barrera (WBA Lightweight)
Could Barrera become a 4 weight world champion against undefeated Namibian

Steve Cunningham vs. Matt Godfrey (IBF Cruiserweight)
An all American affair could be in place in February

Chad Dawson vs. Jean Pascal (WBC Light Heavyweight)
Dawson will not wait for Hopkins, so could he fight a very live underdog in Jean Pascal

Yhonny Perez vs. Fernando Montiel (WBC & IBF Bantamweight)
Montiel could turn to Perez in a unification fight in the Summer after Gorres injury

Miguel Cotto vs. Jose Luis Castillo
Two post-prime attacking styles could meet in a crossroads fight in April

Ricky Hatton vs. Juan Manuel Marquez
Pacquiao foes face off in the biggest bout for British boxing

Edwin Valero vs. Humberto Soto (WBC Lightweight)
With Antonio DeMarco not quite ready for a title shot, Soto could jump up to face Valero

Joshua Clottey vs. Kermit Cintron
Two former welterweight titlists could face off for an interim belt

5 Unrealistic Rumors
Alfredo Angulo vs. Kermit Cintron II
Timothy Bradley vs. Mike Alvarado
Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Daniel Ponce de Leon
Michael Katsidis vs. John Murray
Antonio Margarito vs. Zab Judah

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¡Viva Mexico! Mexico's Finest!

by Paul Magno

With Mexican Independence Day approaching, it's only fair to give our friends from South of the border the same attention that we've given to our American friends and our members/readers from the UK and Puerto Rico.

Here are Mexico's Top 10 Active fighters:

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Mexican Beat Report (9/7/09)

by Paul Magno

Welcome to the first Mexican Beat Report, a monthly wrap-up of the fight scene in Mexico.

The month of September is always a huge month for Mexican boxing, with many cards scheduled for dates in and around Independence Day (September 15th-16th).

There were mixed results from two prominant Mexican fighters in Panama on Saturday.

Daniel Ponce de Leon (36-2, 31 KOs) won a WBA Featherweight Title Eliminator via wide Unanimous Decision against Panamanian Roinet Caballero (27-8-1, 19 KOs). Ponce de Leon is now in line for a shot at "regular" WBA Featherweight Champ, Yuriorkis Gamboa or the winner of the "super" WBA title bout between champ, Chris John and Rocky Juarez.

On the same card, for the WBA Interim Flyweight Title, hometown boy, Luis "El Nica" Concepcion (18-1, 13 KOs) beat Mexican Omar Salado (21-2-2, 12 KOs) via TKO when Salado's corner waved off the fight in the 12th. Despite losing each round on this reporter's scorecard, Salado was game the whole night, but was hampered by two deep cuts over his left eye and swelling around both eyes.

Also Saturday, in Chihuahua, former world champ Jhonny Gonzalez (41-7, 34 KOs) KO'd Jose “Pegono” Mendoza (21-4-2, 17 KOs), of Columbia via liver shot in the first.

On the same card, hometown Marco "Dorado" Reyes (14-0, 12 KOs) won the WBC Youth World Middleweight Title via UD against Colombian, Beibi Berrocal (6-2, 6 KOs).

From contacts who frequent the Romanza Gym in Mexico City, Juan Manuel Marquez is walking around right now at about the Welterweight limit of 147 and has been absolutely brutal on his sparring partners in preparation for his September 19th clash with Juan Manuel Marquez.
Trainer Nacho Beristain is focused on targeting Mayweather's body and, based on inside sources, don't be surprised if Marquez switches over to southpaw at some point in their bout. Beristain and Marquez are doing lefty drills in sparring and on the mits.

On the verge of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.'s (39-0-1, 29 KOs) fight on the 12th against unranked Jason LeHoullier (21-1-1, 8 KOs), 19-year old, Mexican prospect, Saul "El Canelo" Alvarez (28-0-1, 21 KOs) is still intent on calling out the son of the legend.

The Jalisco-based Welterweight recently won the WBC Youth World Welterweight Title to go along with his NABF Welterweight strap and has issued public challenges via ring mic after his last several bouts. Alvarez will be fighting in Puebla, Puebla against Carlos Herrera (21-1, 8 KOs) on the same card that will see Edgar Sosa (36-5, 20 KOs) defend his WBC Jr. Flyweight Title against Puerto Rican, Omar Soto (14-3-1, 6 KOs)

On the undercard of Chavez's Jr.'s bout in Nuevo Vallarta, Fernando Montiel (39-2-1, 29 KOs) will take on southpaw, Alex Valdez (21-3-2, 15 KOs) and Manuel "Chongo" Vargas (26-3-1, 11 KOs) puts up his his WBO Interim Strawweight belt against "Full" WBO Champ, Donnie Nietes (24-1-3, 14 KOs).

September 11th will feature a bout for the vacant Mexican Flyweight Title pitting Alejandro Hernandez (22-6, 11 KOs) against Wilbert Uicab (25-5-1, 16 KOs). The fight will be held at the Salon Marbet Plus in Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl in the state of Mexico.

On September 12th, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, plays host to a rematch of Venezuelan Nehomar Cermeno (17-o, 10 KOs) against Cristian Mijares (36-5-2, 15 KOs)

There will be a huge Independence Day card on September 15th in Leon, Guanajuato:

Jorge "El Travieso" Arce (52-5-1, 40 KOs) fights for the vacant IBF Flyweight title against South African, Simphiwe Nongqayi (15-0, 6 KOs); WBC Super Featherweight Champ, Humberto Soto (48-7-2, 31 KOs) will defend his crown against Colombian Aristides Perez (15-0-1, 8 KOs); Ulises Solis (28-2-2, 20 KOs), coming off his title loss to Brian Viloria, takes on journeyman, Gilberto Keb Baas (28-20-3, 16 KOs); Omar Chavez (17-0-1, 13 KOs), after his tragic win over the late Marco Nazareth in July, will fight Tennessee journeyman, Jessie Davis (11-14, 8 KOs) in a six round Welterweight bout.

Gutsy Featherweight Tomas “El Norteno” Villa (20-6-4, 13 KOs) has signed a promotional deal with Gary Shaw Productions.

Israel Vazquez (43-4, 31 KOs) is back in training for his October 10th comeback bout against Al Seeger (28-4, 22 KOs) at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California. Should he win, Vazquez has hinted at a desire to fight Rafael Marquez in a part 4.

To all of our Mexican friends and fans, Happy Independence Day... ¡Viva Mexico!

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BTBC Boxing News Wire (6/16/09)

(Updated Throughout the Day)

Does Floyd Jr have Broken Ribs? Team De La Hoya answers
Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Juan Mauel Marquez in September
De La Hoya Will Comeback To Fight Williams - Dogs Attack
Roy Jones vs Danny Green Appears To Be Legit
Pacquiao’s Choice Should Be a Real "Welterweight" Fight
Nick Firtha Will Test The Chin of Tye Fields Early On
Manny Pacquiao Returns Back Home, Vacation Time
Lewis punches ticket into boxing's hall of fame
Cotto-Clottey And The Subjectivity Of Our Sport
Wladimir Klitschko Says Heavyweight Division is Not Dead
Fernando Lumacad is Ready For War With Jorge Arce
Shaun George, Chris Henry Clash on July 10, ESPN
Montiel Injured, Jorge Arce Replaces Him on 6/27
Pacquiao vs. Mosley Should Be Next, Says Schaefer
Salud Says "Catch-Weight" Cotto is Easy For Pacquiao
Klitschko-Chagaev May Have WBA Title at Stake
UK News: British Boxing Results Round Up
Brian Viloria To Return on August 22 in Cebu City
Arum Will Try To Close Pacquiao-Cotto This Week
Khan vs. Kotelnik Has Been Pushed Back To July 18

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Mike Alvarado Pulls Out of Paulie Malignaggi Fight

Jr. Welterweight prospect, Mike Alvarado, pulled out of his upcoming bout with Paulie Malignaggi yesterday, citing an elbow injury as the cause.

The bout against former champ Malignaggi would've been the biggest fight of Alvarado's career and a victory probably would've propelled him directly into a title shot. This could have meant a big payday for Vegas sports betting entities and fighters alike.

Alvarado (26-0, 18 KOs) was scheduled to fight Malignaggi on June 27 in Atlantic City, N.J., on the televised undercard of a Top Rank pay-per-view show featuring Juan Manuel Lopez and Olivier Lontchi in the main event and Fernando Montiel-Eric Morel as a co-feature.

Malignaggi's promoter Lou DiBella is hoping to find a suitable replacement for Alvarado so that Paulie can stay on the televised card.

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Kelly Pavlik vs. Sergio Mora Off!

The un-awaited Middleweight title bout between Kelly Pavlik and Sergio Mora was called off today due to a staph infection on one of Pavlik's hands [see above pic of painfully swollen hands]. The bout will likely be rescheduled for some time in September...or, hopefully, not.

In the meantime, Juan Manuel Lopez will step in and take over the headliner role. A possible move in venue from Atlantic City to New York is also in the works. Lopez's opponent has yet to be named.

The PPV card will also feature Fernando Montiel vs. Eric Morel and Russian Middleweight prospect Matt Korobov.

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