Marquez and Vazquez End One Story; Perez and Mares Start Another

Los Angeles, CA- Fans in The Staples Center in LA witnessed the possible (some say hopeful) end of Israel Vazquez's (44-5, 33 KOs) long, accomplished career as heated rival, Rafael Marquez (39-5, 35 KOs), stopped him in three exciting rounds.

The bout was hardly dull, but it was a bit of a let-down as Vazquez seemed to be a step behind Marquez and appeared to be sporting fresh, barely-healed scar tissue above his left eye (which would be brutally ripped open in the first round).

After two relatively even rounds, Marquez put the pressure on in the third and dropped Vazquez, who was bleeding heavily from two cuts, one over each eye. Marquez put on the pressure and left the ref no option but to stop the fight halfway through the third.

After the bout, both fighters were eager to sign on for a fifth bout in their series, but Vazquez's manager, Frank Espinoza Jr., commented that this would be the last fight of his client's career.

In the televised opener, IBF Bantamweight champ, Yonnhy Perez (20-0-1, 14 KOs), fought to a majority draw with Abner Mares (20-0-1, 13 KOs) in a thrilling display of boxing professionalism.

Mares used his legs for the majority of the bout, opting to stick and move while Perez stalked him and tried to coax his younger rival into a back and forth ground war.

The beginning and end of the bout seemed to belong to Mares while the middle rounds were Perez's. The judges saw it 115-113 for Mares and 114-114 from the other two. The BTBC had it scored 116-112 for Mares.

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Mares and Hopkins Stay Busy With Expected Wins

Los Angeles, California - Over at Club Nokia, Abner Mares (20-0, 13 KO) won his tune-up fight against journeyman Felipe Almanza (17-16-4, 8 KO) via fifth-round technical knockout in front of a vocal crowd at Los Angeles.

The bantamweight contender looked confident in his public sparring session, showing no ring rust for a guy who hadn't fought since August. Almanza was no match for Mares in any area, which probably was Golden Boy's plan as he has a much bigger fight on the horizon.

That's against IBF bantamweight titlist, Yonnhy Perez, who entertained us all in a thrilling fight with the popular Joseph Agbeko. He'll have a big stage to perform on, as they fight in the co-feature for Marquez-Vasquez IV.

Watching last night's fight will hardly swing your opinion one way or the other for Perez-Mares. At the moment, I'd go with the more experienced Perez to outpoint the more talented Mares, but my opinion may change closer to May 22.

On the undercard, Ronny Rios (10-0, 5 KO) stopped Andreas Ledesma in five, while Derrick Wilson (5-1-2, 2 KO) took another hit to his record with a points draw against Adam Ochoa (2-1-1, 1 KO). He landed scoring shots often, but maybe not often enough as he was too timid at times.

Commerce, California - Demetrius Hopkins (29-1-1, 11 KO) made a successful comeback from a 15-month layoff with a shutout ten-round unanimous decision victory over journeyman Jesse Feliciano (15-9-3, 9 KO) at the Commerce Casino, California.

From the opening bell, it was clear that Hopkins was a skill level above as he shook off any apparent ring rust to dominate every round against the tough Feliciano. Hopkins looked very sharp, landing scoring shots at will at times against his late replacement, Feliciano, who stepped into Freddie Norwood's role for the night. The judges' scores were 100-91, 100-90, 100-90.

Hopkins was impressive, especially when you consider he was fighting a junior middleweight, as Feliciano tipped the scales at 149 lbs. Felicinao's record is also deceiving, with most defeats against well-known fighters and a surprise TKO-7 win over Delvin Rodriguez.

This win shows that Hopkins is not here to mess around, and probably gives him a ranking by one of the organization bodies. Considering he was competitive against a top-5 Kendall Holt in 2008, I would not be surprised to see him in an elimination process soon, and knocking on the door of the top 10. He needs to stay active if he wants to be taken seriously.

On the undercard, amateur flyweight sensation Randy Caballero scored a 49-second KO in his pro debut against Samuel Jude Yniguez (2-5-3, 0 KO)

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Madcow's Standing 8 Count (6/29/09)

by Madcow

Aside from actually being written, this week's column will be a little different.

Last week, as you all know, Michael Jackson died. I have had a special relationship throughout my life with Jackson. No, I never got to visit Neverland ranch as a child and I was never able to share a can of Jesus Juice with the "one-gloved-one."

My connection with Jackson isn't even about music. Actually, I'm luke warm to his talents.

No. My link with Jackson goes directly through Lori C, Madcow's first love and a very fine looking High School Junior with bubble gum lip gloss and a teddy bear backpack.

I had taken "Ms. C" to the Junior Prom and, to spare all the details, that was the night your favorite bovine became a man.

On the way home, I turned on the radio in my clunker in absolute glee and the first song on the radio was "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson. Not my type of music, but on that particular night, it was the greatest song I had ever heard.

So, this column is dedicated to Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean," and beautiful Lori C, who was more woman at 17 than all 3 of my wives put together. But enough with this sappy crap.

In a "Thriller," Marcos Maidana overcame knockdowns and all obstacles to force Victor Ortiz into submission. Now, after an embarrassing quit job and a non-fighter-like post-fight interview, Ortiz has to seriously take a look at the "Man in the Mirror" and decide if he really wants to continue fighting or if he just wants to "Beat It."

"Smooth Criminal," Oscar De la Hoya desperately tried to spin Ortiz's quit job into something quite the opposite, but nobody is buying it. Overall, it hasn't been a good time to be a Golden Boy prospect. Abner Mares split, Ortiz was just crushed and "King of Pop," James Kirkland is eating bologna and mayonaise sandwiches behind bars.

"Remember the Time" when PPV dates were reserved for only the elite fights, the best of the best? The Latin Fury show this Saturday was just, plain "Bad." I would like to run into the chump who paid 35 bucks to see this suck-fest so I can sell him some bumper car tickets at Neverland Ranch. Wake me up when Juanma Lopez starts fighting someone with a pulse.

Arthur Abraham defended his title against some guy named Oral on Showtime Saturday. I'm sorry, but the only thing I'm watching with the name "Oral" on it is a PPV movie from The Spice Channel.

Everything else this Summer has been a big let-down. Cancelled or postponed fights, combined with weak matchups. Boxing is in a serious "Jam" and needs to fix things fast or, maybe next year, there won't be anyone buying these shows for broadcast.

Well, seeing that its been a slow news Summer and that I've exhausted my Michael Jackson references, I think I'll end this special edition of Madcow's Standing 8 Count.

Besides, I've just called the escort service and told them to send their best; Doesn't matter if they're "Black or White," I just "Wanna be Startin' Somethin'." Now, "Leave Me Alone."

RIP Michael

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