Posted By Don Smith
Boxing Fans,
For 7 years, Felko Promotions and Fort McDowell Casino have teamed up to offer “Bad Boy Boxing”, an event that features amateur Boxing and amateur MMA action within the confines of a Hexagon Ring. Ironically, the presentation isn’t sanctioned by USA Boxing or the Arizona State Boxing Commission because the Arizona State Boxing Commission doesn’t have a inter Governmental Agreement with the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation; therefore, a hands off policy is in effect. The next Bad Boy Fight Show is scheduled at Fort McDowell Resort Casino inside the Radisson Ballroom on Friday, September 28 at 8 PM. Championship Night follows on Friday, November 30 at the same venue starting at 7 PM.
Interested applicants between the ages of 18-40 are required to pay a $50.00 registration fee and pass physical requirements. All applicants must be amateurs and there is no previous fight experience required. If an applicant lies about his or her fight experience, he/she could be disqualified. All fighters are required to sell an allotted number of tickets. The September 28 show wont include women on the card but Bad Boy Boxing has included women in the past. Entertainment is provided by the “Bad Boy” dancers and the announcing chores are handled by two Felko Promotions associates. Don’t expect to see Jimmy Lennon, Ralph Velez or Michael Buffer on mike at center ring, if you go.
Bad Boy Boxing draws well but some local amateurs refuse to get involved because they see the show as gimmicky and unprofessional. According to these same critics, applicants are poorly screened and the officiating isn’t consistent even though some of the personnel received training from the Arizona State Boxing and MMA Commission. The other concern is safety; Bad Boy Boxing fans can get very rowdy after a few big gulps of beers….remember when local bars used to stage tough guy contests…you get the picture.
Before Felko Promotions assumed the role of promoter after Fort McDowell approached others to take the job;but they said no thank you. In light of the controversy surrounding Bad Boy Boxing, an attempt to contact the Arizona Department of Gaming is still ongoing. Interested men and women meeting requirements can contact Len Hayko at 480-772-6000. Please, don’t jump into the ring blindly….read the fine print.
Junior Middleweight Contender Gabriel Rosado, alias “King” started training at Busted Knuckle Gym (9/5/12) in Phoenix for his Friday, September 21 battle with Charles Whittaker of the Cayman Islands. 26 year old Rosado, 20-5 w/12 knockouts, is favored to best his 38 year old opponent (38-12-2 with 23 knockouts) and lay claim to the #1 IBF Junior Middleweight ranking. The Cayman Islands are best known for offshore investment and not producing high caliber pugilists; but, Whittaker is ranked #2 while Rosado trails at the #3 position…. winner is promised a title shot at IBF Junior Middleweight Champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage down the road. The televised bout (NBC Sports) is being broadcast from the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a hop, skip and long jump from Rosado’s hometown of Philadelphia. In actual driving miles, the distance is 61 miles or 98.169984 kilometers. For directions to the Cayman Islands ask Mitt Romney.
Gabriel Rosado turned pro at age 19 after a mere 17 amateur fights. Rosado has some intense supporters. One of them recently posted a boastful challenge to Saul Alvarez on behalf of the “King”…..be careful of what you wish for! Whittaker is a bit of an unknown despite his high ranking and he will face a hostile and skeptical crowd at the Sands on 9/21.
Rosado got the VIP treatment while he was in Phoenix; thanks to his marketing manager (Michelle Rosado) no relation to the fighter. She took her client over to The Phoenix Boys Center, a Arizona historical landmark, where he looked in awe at all the pictures and posters of more than 50 legendary fighters that adorn the walls of the Center made famous by its’ legendary owner and founder Al Fenn. After the tour, he climbed into the Center’s ring and worked out with tough Phoenix Middleweight Isiah McFadden. A few days later (9/11), Michelle arranged an open media workout and press conference for Rosado at the Phoenix South Mountain KROC Center at 1375 East Broadway in Phoenix. Despite the overcast weather (Monsoon warnings), 75-100 boxing fans and local members of the media showed up to watch the contender workout with his trainer Billy Briscoe. Phil Johnson (Phil The Grill Catering) feed everyone ,who got in line, a scrumptious plate of barbecued pork, baked beans and coleslaw . Phil, a Native New Yorker, knows how to quiet a hungry belly. Rosado posed for pictures and answered questions after the workout. Good way to connect with fans.
___ 34 year old Albuquerque New Mexico welterweight boxer Hector Munoz has lost 7 of his last 9 fights; but, he is convinced that he can pull off the possible upset of the year when he meets undefeated 23 year old Sadam Ali (15-0- w/ 9 knockouts) in a 10 round bout scheduled for October 27 in Brooklyn, New York, Ali’s hometown. Hector (20-8-1 w/13 knockouts) attributes his new found confidence to a new radical high tech conditioning program and a supportive cast of sponsors (including KNUXX Media and Apocalyptic Sports Nutrition) who have helped restore his self confidence . Ali is ranked #8 by the United States Boxing Association (USBA) and #12 by the North American Boxing Organization (NABO). Ali is a huge favorite over the unranked Munoz ;but, Hector lies in waiting hoping to give Ali an early Halloween surprise.
SHORT JABS: Congratulations to Muhammad Ali for his prestigious Liberty Medal of Freedom which was awarded to him in Philadelphia on 9/13…… Arizona favorites Javier Loya, Jose Benavidez Jr. and Trevor McCumby will fight on the 10/13 card at the Home Depot Center in Carson California . The trio must be delighted to be under card attractions on a show that features ” The Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire 29-1 VS. Toshia Nishioka 39-4-3 and Brandon Rios VS. rugged Mike Alvarado. Rios and Alvarado posses identical records; 33-0-w/23 knockouts. Rios will be making his debut as a welterweight and the event will be aired on HBO PPV…. Most boxing fans think Timothy Bradley got smoked with the announcement that Manny Pacquiao (54-4-2 w/38 Knockouts) will face old nemesis Juan Marquez (54-6-1 w/39 Knockouts) for a fourth time, December 8 on HBO PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas …Does Bradley feel a chill?….. Expect Jose Benavidez Jr. to be on the under card….14 year old Alfredo Escarcegar Jr.(Central Gym in Phoenix) is trained by his father Alfredo Sr. In a past column it was reported that Jr. is trained by Jose Benavidez Sr. who does work with the kid; but, Alfredo Sr. is the official trainer. Young Alfredo hopes to make the US Olympic team in 2016.
Local boxing announcer Ralph Velez is the subject of a short documentary which has been submitted to the Sundance Film Festival. With one in the can, film talk, Ralph is working on another cinematic project and details are forthcoming. Next boxing gig for Velez is the Celebrity Theatre Show for Iron Boy Promotions On October 6. He will also emcee Iron Boy’s September 29 Press Conference at the Filiberto’s Restaurant located at 3220 E. Baseline Road in Phoenix. The event is open to the public and fighters are very accessible and happy to sign autographs and pose for pictures. Here is the lineup for the October 6 Celebrity Show produced by Iron Boy Promotions. Doors open at 6 PM.
Main Event: 135 lb contest Victor Castro (6-0) Phoenix, Arizona VS. Ephrain Martinez (4-2) La Cal, Mexico
128 lb contest Chris Lopez (4-0) Phoenix, Arizona VS. Diamond Baier (2-2-1) Phoenix, Arizona
122 lb contest Emilio Garcia (6-0) Phoenix, Arizona VS. Jensen Ramirez (2-1-1) Tucson, Arizona
135 lb contest Thomas Valdez (3-0) Tucson Arizona VS. Jesus Aguinaga (0-0) Tucson, Arizona
7 Pro Fights 122 lb contest Carlos Castro (1-0) Phoenix, Arizona VS. Angel Gonzalez (0-2) Phoenix, Arizona
168 lb contest Lanell Bellows (2-0) Phoenix, Arizona VS. TBD
190 lb contest Keith Bush (0-0) Phoenix, Arizona VS. Douglas Jackson (0-0) Phoenix, Arizona
3 Amateur 122 lb Contest Francisco D De Vaca VS. Aron Lopez Mexico
122 lb contest Edgar Brito Phoenix, Arizona VS. Andrew Duran Phoenix, Arizona
Bouts 175 lb contest Anthony Sims Las Vegas Nevada VS. TBD
Iron Boy promotions may make a major announcement at their 9/29 press conference if not here is the scoop. Iron Boy will open a gym in the near future and the fledgling boxing company will soon announce future plans for future shows. Roberto Vargas (CEO) has no plans to pick up stakes and run. The October 6 show is the fourth of five planned shows at the Celebrity Theatre. Click onwww.ironboypromotions.com for the latest news...UNTIL NEXT TIME !