THE Place for BOXING & MMA in Michigan

Twins Times Three
Posted: September 2, 2010

At the James “Lights Out” Toney Invitational tournament this past weekend in Ann Arbor, twins Jacob and Joseph Bonas both won titles.  The fact that they are twins is lost on nobody that has met them.  In fact, they are likely the most well-known twins in the sport in Michigan.  But, they are not the only set of twins to grace the ring last weekend in Ann Arbor – they were one of three. MORE

National
WBC Makes Nino - Barrera Available Free Online

The WBC announced on Wednesday that it would show the Omar Nino Romero-Ronald Barrera fight free online at wbcboxing.tv this weekend.

The two light flyweights are fighting in Mexico for the WBC title with the free coverage starting at 10:30 pm on Saturday.

White 3-Peats at Toney Tournament
Posted: August 31, 2010

LeAndre White won at 152 pounds in the inaugural Toney tourney two years ago receiving the Outstanding Boxer award in the process.  He has gone on to win the same weightclass in successive years, and appears to be the only boxer to win each of the three years. MORE

Third Annual Toney Tournament Packed a Wallop
Posted: August 30, 2010

After three days, the latest amateur ring action is in the books.

This weekend in Ann Arbor was the smallest of the tournaments so far, with 33 fights over three days. And, with more dramatic early stops than previous years. MORE

DiBella Confirms No Hearns-Mihtar in Windsor
Posted: August 28, 2010

DiBella's Vice President of Operation, Ron Rizzo, confirmed Friday afternoon that Ronald Hearns and Brian Mihtar will not be fighting each other in Windsor next month.

Word from DiBella, which now has both fighters under contract, contradicts reports three weeks ago from Team Mihtar that had said contracts were signed, as reported by this site on August 8. It also contradicts what Rizzo told Sportssummary last week. Boxrec, the unofficial boxing record site, continues to list the fight as of this posting, despite word now from the promoter, the casino and DiBella to the contrary.

DiBella Signs Dearborn’s Brian Mihtar
Posted: August 23, 2010

DiBella Entertainment today announced the signing of Dearborn middleweight Brian “The Lion” Mihtar (13-1-0, 10 KO).

Mihtar, who last fought to a six-round unanimous decision against Robert Kamya on Showtime’s Super Six Classic undercard in March at Joe Louis Arena, has had difficulty getting fights. MORE

Grand Rapids’ MGGA Forced to Relocate
Posted: August 23, 2010

The Grand Rapids Press is reporting that the Michigan Golden Gloves Assocation (MGGA) gym is being forced from its long-term home to make way for new development.

As the paper reported, the historic gym has enjoyed the benefits of a considerate landlord for thirty-one years – an eternity in boxing years –  but the gym has just one more week before it must vacate its second floor home on W. Leonard Street.

Gym coaches were informed before summer started of the September 1 deadline but have been unable, so far, to find a new home.

PR Boxers Have Notable Relatives
Posted: August 22, 2010

Amongst the eight elite athletes that flew from Puerto Rico to metro Detroit for last night’s amateur club show in Taylor were a couple with notable family members. MORE

Puerto Rico vs Michigan Show Successful
Posted: August 22, 2010

The first boxing show at the Taylor Town Trade Center came off well Saturday despite some last minute hardships thrust upon coach Angel Caraballo in the form of injuries and no-shows. MORE

Hearns Will Not Fight Mihtar, Trainer Says
Posted: August 22, 2010

Henry Hill, Ronald Hearns’ trainer, told Sportssummary on Friday morning that Hearns would absolutely not be fighting Dearborn’s Brian Mihtar next month in Windsor, Ontario, as previously reported.  Or anytime soon, for that matter.

“What does Brian do for us,” Hill said, adding that while he likes Mihtar the Dearborn native’s record is such that it makes no sense for Hearns.  “Let him fight Alexis (Hloros).” MORE

Puerto Rican Boxers Arrive in Michigan Ready for Fight
Posted: August 21, 2010

They arrived Thursday mid-afternoon. Eight amateur boxers and four coaches from Puerto Rico, some 2,000 miles for Saturday's "Talento de Barrio" show in Taylor, twenty miles southwest of Detroit. MORE

Wasson, Lord-Wilder to Compete at Women’s World Championships
Posted: August 20, 2010

Two Michigan boxers are among the elite that will be representing the United States in the 2010 Women’s World Championships in Barbados next month.

Welterweight Andrecia Wasson, 18, who is now training at Warriors Boxing Club in Detroit, and light-heavyweight Tyler Lord-Wilder, 26, of Clinton County Boxing Club and eight other elite women boxers from across the country will compete with athletes from 75 countries in the sixth edition of the tournament that runs September 9-18 in Barbados. 

The team will travel to Dania, Florida next week for a joint training session with Great Britain from August 28-September 5. 

Both women are two-time national champions and Lord-Wilder was a bronze medalist at the 2005 World Championships.

Garcia Off Cleveland Card
Posted: August 19, 2010

Johnny Garcia is no longer fighting on tomorrow's card in Cleveland, Ohio, after his opponent (s) fell off, according to trainer Terry Markowski this evening. No announcement has been made on his next fight.

De Leon Featured in Upcoming Ring Magazine
Posted: August 19, 2010

Two-time Golden Gloves national champion Erick De Leon will be featured in the October issue of Ring magazine due to hit news stands in the coming week.

The Kronk boxer was interviewed by Ring amateur boxing writer Michael Rivest earlier this summer for the September issue but the story was moved back a month by editors.  Rivest also interviewed Emanuel Steward and De Leon’s current coach, Angel Caraballo, for the approximately 800 word story, that will include a sidebar on the 18-year old’s father, Luciano. 

The story includes  two photographs by frequent Sportssummary contributing photographer Bob Ryder.  Persons with subscriptions should receive their issue in the next day or so, according to a Ring representative, and available on news stands a couple days later.

Ring magazine is available at most Walgreens and Walmarts, as well as bigger bookstores.

McKart Opponent Named
Posted: August 19, 2010

Promoter Dennis Turner informed Sportssummary yesterday that Bronco McKart will face Pittsburgh's Joe Wyatt next month on the professional boxing card in Monroe, fifteen miles north of the Ohio state line in McKart's hometown.

Wyatt, who previously won the NABO light middleweight title in 2005, and defended it three times the same year, suffered his first loss in June, 2009 in a failed WBA title bid. This will be the 40-year old Wyatt's first fight in four years. McKart, 39, last fought in February in Monroe.

Weekend Show to Feature Puerto Rican Champions
Posted: August 18, 2010

This Saturday’s amateur show in Taylor will pit Detroit-area boxers against some of the best from Puerto Rico.

Coach Angel Caraballo, who trains such notable boxers as amateur Erick De Leon and pro J’Leon Love, is behind the internationally-flavored show being held Saturday at the Taylor Town Trade Center on Ecorse Road in Taylor. MORE

Holyfield to Fight in Detroit
Posted: August 13, 2010

By now, you have almost certainly heard the news. Evander Holyfield will be fighting here in Michigan later this year.

The five-time heavyweight champion will fight Sherman Williams at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena on November 5 in a PPV-televised bout. He will train for a couple weeks at a Detroit casino and Sportssummary hopes to catch up with him in the coming weeks. Tickets are not yet for sale.

ABC Calls Kewadin Show a Disgrace, Fights were Unsanctioned
Posted: August 12, 2010

It has been nearly three months since a professional boxing show was held in Sault Ste. Marie and officials involved in putting the show on continue to evade questions about their legitimacy.

As Sportssummary first, and exclusively, reported in June, a seven-bout pro boxing card took place at Big Bear, part of the Kewadin Casino, operated by the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians on May 22.  Shortly after, officials at the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) became suspicious when they detected irregularities in fight results submitted to Fightfax, the official record-holder for pro boxing in the United States.  Fightfax is maintained by the ABC. 
MORE

K9 Wins IBF Title From Spinks
Posted: August 8, 2010

Detroit’s own Cornelius “K9” Bundrage claimed the IBF world championship title after a fifth round TKO of Cory Spinks over the weekend. MORE

Mihtar – Hearns Signed for October
Posted: August 8, 2010

Dearborn’s Brian “The Lion” Mihtar has signed to fight Ronald Hearns in October, according to Mihtar’s brother and spokesman, Ray Mihtar.

Set for October 9 at Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino, across the river in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, the fight card is being called “Chaos at the Colosseum” according to the casino’s website. MORE

De Leon Withdraws from Tournament with Injury
Posted: August 8, 2010

In the end, it was a strategic decision more than a medical one. 

National Golden Gloves and National PAL champion Erick De Leon injured his shoulder during a fight this week at the Ringside World Championships in Kansas City.  He wanted to continue the fight and he did.  Fighting primarily one handed, De Leon went on to stop his opponent but the tournament was young, with several days of competition ahead. MORE

Third Annual James Toney Tourney This Month
Posted: August 8, 2010

 For the third year, A-Square Boxing Club will host the James “Lights Out” Toney Invitational tournament in Ann Arbor later this month. MORE

Michigan vs Puerto Rico later this Month
Posted: August 8, 2010

Coach Angel Caraballo is working hard to put together a show later this month.  He is bringing twelve (12) amateur boxers in from Puerto Rico and matching them with metro Detroit boxers for a show at Taylor’s Taylor Town Center.  Several boxers from Canada are also competing.  MORE

Michigan’s Richards, Carpenter Elected to USAB Board
Posted: July 20, 2010

Two of Michigan’s longtime boxing supporters were elected to the Board of Directors for the national organization, USA Boxing, officials announced in a press release today.

Current LBC President Gary Richards and boxing official Spence Carpenter were amongst seven board members elected last week during the U.S. National Championships in Colorado Springs. MORE

Steward to Conduct Boxing Clinics
Posted: July 18, 2010

This Wednesday, Kronk trainer Emanuel Steward will kick off a series of boxing clinics sharing his experience of 56 years in the business.

A press release issued on Friday said: “At this stage of Stewards’ career he wants to share lessons learned.” The clinics are recommended for boxers, trainers, conditioning coaches, fans and even MMA enthusiasts and is intended to provide information that people are otherwise likely to be receiving from unqualified managers and trainers, the release states. MORE

Wasson & Lord-Wilder Win U.S. Nationals, Goode Wins Bronze
Posted: July 18, 2010

Women boxers brought home the gold from this years U.S. National Championships, held this week in Colorado Springs, Colorado. MORE

Goode Loses in Semi-Finals
Posted: July 16, 2010

Dynamic’s Juan Goode lost a points decision in Thursday’s semi-finals at the U.S. Championships in Colorado Springs ending his quest for the national title. MORE

Memorial Boxing Show Results
Posted: July 15, 2010

The July 10 show at Club Rox in Alma, outside Mt. Pleasant, was a memorial for a brave former amateur boxer killed in action in Iraq. Seventeen fights were on the card, hosted by Bailey’s Old Skool Boxing Club and the Clinton County Boxing Club, in a tribute to Army PFC Ricky Rosas who was killed six years ago. MORE

Goode, Wasson Advance at U.S. Nationals
Posted: July 15, 2010

The 2010 U.S. National Championships are halfway through as athletes completed the quarterfinals Wednesday at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

After three days of competition, nearly the entire Great Lakes Region team has been eliminated. Nineteen men and women comprise the team, including four men and two women from Michigan. There are three exceptions. MORE

Appeal Results in New Hearing for HeavyHitter Promotions
Posted: July 12, 2010

What appears to have been the largest civil fine ever imposed by state officials against anyone in connection with boxing has been set aside and the case will begin anew later this month. MORE

De Leon – Smith Fight Highlights Outdoor Show
Posted: July 12, 2010

It’s not that the other seventeen fights were lacking; they were not. But the much anticipated main event fight between Erick De Leon and James “Red” Smith was that exciting to watch. It came at the end of a four-hour outdoor show hosted by Southwest Detroit (SWD) Boxing Club at Cesar Chavez Academy in Detroit. MORE

Boxing Show is Memorial for Fallen Soldier
Posted: July 9, 2010
by Kevin Walters

Saturday’s mid-Michigan amateur boxing show is a memorial for a young man in uniform who died too young.

The show, jointly conducted by Bailey’s Old Skool Boxing Club and the Clinton County Boxing Club, at Club Rox in Alma, just south of Mt. Pleasant, is a tribute to Army PFC Ricky Rosas who was killed in Iraq six years ago. MORE

De Leon Honored At Kronk Gym Fundraiser
Posted: July 4, 2010
Story & Photos by Bob Ryder

Emanual Steward presented Erick De Leon with Kronk's "Fighter of the Year" award as part of the ceremonies on June 30 at the Kronk Gym Foundation Fundraiser held at the Motor City Casino. With current world champ Miguel Cotto looking on as well as former Kronk champs Tommy Hearns, Milton McCrory, Hilmer Kenty and Jimmy Paul in attendance Steward praised the current two time National Golden Gloves title holder De Leon. Predicting much future success for young De Leon, Steward told the crowd that they were seeing "the next Oscar De La Hoya." This was De Leon's third straight year for garnering this prize and many of his Kronk amateur stable mates were also present to cheer him on. MORE

USOEC Boxers Dominate at State Games
Posted: June 29, 2010

United States Olympic Education Center Coach Al Mitchell brought five boxers to the first-ever State Games of Michigan this past weekend in Grand Rapids. Four of them won gold medals, and the fifth took home bronze. MORE

Double DQ Costs Boxers Chance at Gold
Posted: June 29, 2010

Unsportsmanlike conduct cost two boxers a chance to medal, possibly even win gold, over the weekend at the inaugural State Games of Michigan, held in Grand Rapids. MORE

Boxers Compete in First Ever State Games of Michigan
Posted: June 29, 2010

The first State Games of Michigan was held this past weekend with boxing among 15 sports that brought athletes from across the state to Grand Rapids. The Games’ primary sponsor was Meijer. MORE

Sanders’ Retirement from the Ring is Official
Posted: June 25, 2010
by Kevin Walters

Many boxing fans probably have suspected for awhile and to them her admission may not seem like news. But, to most of us, nothing is official until we hear it directly. We heard it yesterday. Mary Jo Sanders has retired from the sport of boxing, the 36-year old fighter confirmed exclusively to Sportssummary.com Thursday. MORE

Kirschenbaum Receives “Brown Bomber” Honor
Posted: June 24, 2010

Former Michigan Boxing Commissioner Dr. Stuart Kirschenbaum was among the honorees at the annual Brown Bomber Jacket Award ceremony held last night in Detroit.

The annual event, named after boxing legend Joe Louis, known as “The Brown Bomber,” held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, opened with a reception held in the museum’s rotunda, followed by the award ceremony in the auditorium. Attendees were also able to visit the “Joe Louis: Hometown Hero” exhibition that is on display through October. MORE

Garcia Sees Victory in Chicago
Posted: June 24, 2010

Holland’s Johnny Garcia added a second win to his professional record with a unanimous decision June 19 at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion.

The 28-year old Garcia went the distance in the four rounder after his debut in February ended in his favor in the first round. MORE

Two Michigan Boxers Crowned National Jr. Olympic Champions
Posted: June 18, 2010

Two of Michigan’s boxers were amongst the twenty-six young male and female boxers that won national championships today at the 2010 National Junior Olympics Championships in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. But the accolades don’t stop there.

In addition to the new national title, both Michigan boxers also won Outstanding Boxer awards at the tournament that concluded four days of ring action. MORE

Bonas Wins Finals Berth; Simmons Advances
Posted: June 18, 2010

Joseph Bonas moved one step closer to a national title on Thursday with a win in the semi-finals of the National Jr. Olympics. MORE

Flagg Suffers First Loss; Bonas Advances
Posted: June 17, 2010

They entered the ring with several commonalities. Both are 16 years old. Both are 154 pounders. Both are from Detroit gyms. And, both had impressive records. But, they left the ring Wednesday in dissimilar ways. MORE

Michigan Boxers Yet to Compete in Camp Lejeune
Posted: June 15, 2010

The 2010 Junior Olympics National Championships kicked off four days of action today with two sessions of boxing at Camp Lejeune Marine Base, North Carolina, but Michigan’s nine athletes did not compete yet. MORE

Michigan Junior Olympians Prepare for Nationals
Posted: June 13, 2010

Boxers from Michigan will be among more than 200 of the top 15 and 16-year-olds from across the country that will arrive tomorrow at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune Marine Corp Base for the 39th annual Junior Olympics National Championships. MORE

Fighters "Red Flagged" After Questionable Kewadin Show
Posted: June 9, 2010

Sportssummary has learned that the May 22 pro card conducted at Sault Ste. Marie’s Big Bear, part of the Kewadin Casino, may have lacked legal sanctioning and the fighters that participated have had their licenses flagged. MORE

Tyner’s Next Fight Lead Up to Jones?
Posted: June 9, 2010

"The Pain Server” will be back in action next month against Miami’s Antwone “The Truth” Smith (18-1-1, 10 KO) in New Jersey. The July 9 fight at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City will be Lanardo Tyner’s third fight of the year, the same number he has fought each year starting in 2007, and could be a lead-up to a fight with either Mike Jones or Irving Garcia, a fight that is the main event on the evening’s card. MORE

Garcia Opponent Named
Posted: June 7, 2010

Word from Johnny Garcia’s trainer and manager, Terry Markowski, is that the Holland fighter’s opponent for his June 19 fight in Chicago will be Dean Peters, Jr., 27, of Neopit, Wisconsin. MORE

Exhorted Van Horn Too Much for McNair
Posted: June 3, 2010
By Lindy Lindell
Photos by Bob Ryder

Exhort defined: “To urge by strong, often stirring argument, admonition, advice or appeal.”

By way of exhorting Dorell Van Horn, Jr., Arthel “Bam Bam” Lawhorn attempted to rouse his charge to action. More particularly, Bam (as he is known in fight circles in metro Detroit) used all the powers of his considerable persuasion to get his man to knock out Coleman Young boxer, Brandon McNair on Friday night at the Eastpointe Manor Banquet Hall in Eastpointe.

It didn’t happen, but not for Van Horn’s want of trying. MORE

Power Outage Disrupts Celebration for De Leon
Posted: June 3, 2010

An event to honor two-time National Golden Gloves winner Erick De Leon last week at the Applebee's restaurant in Southgate was interrupted in the first half-hour after a car crash caused a power failure in the area.

The restaurant's General Manager, Mario Toussaint, hung a shadowbox displaying a tournament shirt from one of De Leon's ten national amateur championships along with several photographs on a wall alongside memorabilia from pro boxer Johnathon Banks.

A decision on whether to reschedule the event has not been made.

Johnny Garcia to Hit Windy City
Posted: May 19, 2010
Revised: May 19, 2010 11:07am Photo Added

Holland’s Johnny Garcia is scheduled to make his second pro fight in Chicago next month, according to trainer and manager Terry Markowski.

Garcia, 28, will fight a four rounder at light welterweight against an unknown opponent June 19 at the UIC Pavilion on a Dominic Pesoli 8 Count Productions card. Garcia made his pro debut in Grand Rapids in February.

Boxing Takes Over Ice as Jr. Olympics Contested
Posted: May 18, 2010

The 2010 state Junior Olympics tournament was held this past weekend at the multi-use Southfield Sports Arena as dozens of new, young champions were crowned. MORE

De Leon to be Honored by Applebee’s
Posted: May14, 2010

National Golden Gloves (NGG) champion Erick De Leon of Lincoln Park (south of Detroit) will be honored May 27 by Applebee’s restaurant. MORE

“Iceman” on ShoBox Friday
Posted: May 13, 2010

Vernon Paris (20-0-0, 13 KO) is back in action on Friday, this time out-of-state, for the first time since his un-televised undercard appearance on the Super Six Classic clash between Andre Dirrell and Arthur Abraham in March at Joe Louis Arena.

Paris faces late replacement Juan Santiago (12-3-1, 7 KO) of Denver, Colorado in the co-main event of the Sergiy Dzinziruk-Daniel Dawson WBO Junior Middleweight title fight at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California.

This will be Paris’ fifth fight outside of Michigan and his first on the west coast.

Junior Olympics This Weekend
Posted: May 13, 2010

The annual Junior Olympic tournament is this weekend, this time hosted by the Kronk Gym.

The two-day event will take place at the Southfield Pavilion (26000 Evergreen Rd) in Southfield this Saturday and Sunday. Weigh-ins are 8:00 am both days with fights starting at 6:00 pm Saturday and 1:00 pm Sunday.

2010 National Golden Gloves
Shimmell, Adam & Smith Win Silver at NGG
Posted: May 9, 2010

It was not the result any of them would have preferred but it is hard to discount their achievement.

Four boxers from Michigan were among the twenty vying for the impressive prizes that accompany a National Golden Gloves title: Championship belt, impressively large trophy and a Super Bowl type ring. Representing Detroit, Erick De Leon put in impressive work, despite a hand injury that lingered much of the past year, defeating four opponents, including an Olympian and a U.S. champion, to bring home his second NGG title in as many years at 132 pounds. MORE

2010 National Golden Gloves
De Leon Makes History with Back-to-Back Championships; Wins Golden Boy Award
Posted: May 8, 2010

Detroit franchisee Erick De Leon won his second National Golden Gloves title tonight in the final round of action at the 2010 Tournament of Champions held in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The 18-year old Kronk boxer, who trains primarily out of the Detroit Boxing Jungle gym, was the more aggressive against Pennysylvania’s Damon Allen, according to an online blog posted at Frontpageboxing.com. The real-time blog reported that De Leon connected more often and with cleaner punches than Allen, who reportedly took to excessive holding in the second round. MORE

2010 National Golden Gloves
Washingon DC Ties Detroit Metro with Most Boxers Advancing
Posted: May 8, 2010

Going into Friday’s semi-finals round at this years National Golden Gloves championships in Little Rock, Arkansas, the Detroit Metro franchise had the most boxers continuing while numerous teams were eliminated completely. After two of the five boxers fell off Friday, the Detroit team is now tied with Washington, DC with three boxers making it into the final bouts.

Sixteen franchises were still active as they enter the final day of competition on Saturday. Both teams from Michigan are among those advancing.

2010 National Golden Gloves
Four Advance to Final Round in Little Rock
Posted: May 8, 2010

Nine of the state’s best boxers were amongst the 40 boxers that survived four days of ring action at the 2010 National Golden Gloves (NGG) tournament to compete in Friday’s semi-final round. It is an impressive feat for one-quarter of the boxers to be from the state of Michigan after a week of fighting. MORE
2010 National Golden Gloves
Former Champs Score Only Stoppages Thus Far
Posted: May 7, 2010

As the National Golden Gloves (NGG) championships enter the semi-final round on Friday, the 16 boxers between the two franchise teams (Michigan and Detroit Metro) have fought 33 bouts in four days of ring action with almost all going the distance. MORE
2010 National Golden Gloves
Teams Michigan & Detroit Metro Undefeated in Quarterfinal Round
Posted: May 6, 2010
MASTER ATHLETE LIST UPDATED

Nine of the original sixteen boxers remain in contention for the gold as the 2010 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions enters the semi-final stage tomorrow in Little Rock, Arkansas. MORE

2010 National Golden Gloves
Michigan Goes 9-1 Entering Quarters
Posted: May 6, 2010

In the third and final day of preliminary action at this years National Golden Gloves championships in Little Rock, Arkansas, state boxers did extremely well with just one loss out of ten competing.

In an amazing day of competition, ten boxers from the state fought in Wednesday’s closing prelim rounds with nine advancing into the quarterfinal stage that began today. MORE

2010 National Golden Gloves
Day Two Action – Former Champ Lewis Advances

Posted: May 6, 2010
Photos by Susan Barnes


When he returned home last year he lamented that he was already forgotten as a Sportssummary camera clicked away, the focus on someone else. Having lost in his bid to repeat – he had won gold in 2008 – Craig Lewis arrived from Salt Lake City with other members of Team Detroit at Romulus’ Metro Airport last May. While he lost, fellow teammate Erick De Leon was carrying the championship belt that he won at 132 pounds. MORE

2010 National Golden Gloves
Weightclass Out of Competition
Posted: May 6, 2010

With losses by the boxers from both the Michigan and Detroit Metro franchises at this years 2010 National Golden Gloves tournament at 165 pounds, that weightclass is out of competition for the state's boxers.

First timers Niall Shimmell, representing Michigan, and Anthony Barnes, representing the Detroit metro area, both lost in preliminary action on Monday. Shimmell is the brother of 2008 NGG heavyweight champion Jordan Shimmell, who advanced after his round one win the same day.

2010 National Golden Gloves
Day One Action – Shimmells Separated by Decision

Posted: May 5, 2010

In the first day of preliminaries for the 2010 National Golden Gloves (NGG) Tournament of Champions at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, eight boxers from Michigan saw action. Four boxers from each franchise – Michigan & Detroit Metro – competed on Monday and half from each made it through to the next preliminary round, in the week-long tournament that features the best from across the country. MORE

Tailgate with A-Square Before Mayweather-Mosley
Posted: April 27, 2010

Ann Arbor’s A-Square Boxing Club will host a tailgate party before Saturday night’s Mayweather-Mosley fight being shown at a local movie theater. MORE

Garside Reclaims World Title
Posted: April 27, 2010

Exciting World Title action took place Saturday night in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada as Border City Boxing Club's Jeannine “Heartless” Garside scored a knockout on “Lethal” Lindsay Garbatt, winning the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) Featherweight title for the second time. MORE

Volcanic Fallout Causes USAB to Withdraw from Youth World Competition
Posted: April 20, 2010

The volcano eruption in Iceland last week has caused USA Boxing to cancel the U.S. participation in the 2010 Youth World Championships scheduled for this week in Baku, Azerbaijan. MORE

My Perspective: Dirrell-Abraham
Posted: April 20, 2010
By Darrion Lawson

Sportssummary recently asked 15-year old amateur boxer Darrion Lawson to share his thoughts on his cousin Andre Dirrell’s Super Six Classic fight with Arthur Abraham last month. Our appreciation to Darrion for his view. MORE

Battle Creek Club Show Results
Posted: April 19, 2010

Battle Creek’s Full Blast once again saw boxing action as Sugar Tony Rosario’s gym hosted one of two club shows this past weekend. MORE

Timekeeper, Longtime Amateur Supporter Recovering after Fall
Posted: April 19, 2010

Bruce Thelen, a professional timekeeper for twenty-six years, has been in and out of the hospital since falling last weekend. MORE

Writer’s Musings Attack Dirrell
Posted: April 18, 2010

“The fighters involved are third rate boxers at best.” That little tidbit is how one national boxing site writer began his latest column, with a short comment dissing the quality of fighters involved in Showtime’s Super Six Classic. But his writing then zeroed in on – and against – Andre Dirrell. MORE

Shimmell Brothers Seek National Gold Together
Posted:April 18, 2010

Brothers Jordan and Niall Shimmell have boxed for years. At club shows and in-state tournaments, the two were sometimes on the same card. Often, though, they were not. MORE

Sanchez Undefeated Through Gloves
Posted: April 16, 2010

Unattached boxer Emmanuel Sanchez worked with West Michigan’s Johnny Garcia to prepare for this years Golden Gloves tournament and it paid off for the 22-year old novice. MORE

Boxers are 5X State Champs
Posted: April 16, 2010

Jordan Shimmell’s win at the Michigan Golden Gloves (MGG) last year made state boxing history. The 21-year old was the first heavyweight (201-lbs) to win four state GG championships. This year he extended his entry in the history books with not only a fifth win but consecutive wins. MGGA’s Shimmell is the current national champion and will be making his fifth appearance at nationals.

Ernesto Garza III, 21, won his fifth MGG title by defeating fellow four-time champ Ryan Schmidt of the West district. The Saginaw boxer won the national title in 2008 and this year will make his fifth national appearance.

The 2010 Tournament of Champions takes place May 3-8 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Twins Win First State Titles Together
Posted: April 13, 2010

MGGA’s Begiri brothers both won their respective weight classes at this year’s Michigan Golden Gloves state championships over the weekend. MORE

Michigan Golden Gloves Crown 2010 Champs
Posted: April 11, 2010

It took twenty-eight bouts over a two-day period to conclude the 2010 Michigan Golden Gloves championship, which saw the winners and runners-up from the West and East Michigan districts in direct competition. As has been the trend for the past few years, the West boxers won a majority of the titles, five of eight open division and six of eight novice division, and the team trophy. MORE

Settlement May Be Announced in Contreras Suit
Posted: April 10, 2010

Two years ago last month, then-12-year old Juan Contreras collapsed during his second amateur fight and he has been comatose ever since. A lawsuit filed by the youth’s parents months later against USA Boxing and several others including the boxing club and coaches may be over, Sportssummary has learned. MORE

National
CALIF Coach Kills Another in Gym

Posted: April 9, 2010

As if California amateur boxing did not have enough trouble recently, a coach was shot and killed inside a southern California gym on Wednesday. MORE

Petroskey Inducted into MGG Hall of Fame
Posted: April 9, 2010

Longtime boxing coach Walter “Pete” Petroskey will be inducted into the Michigan Golden Gloves Hall of Fame. The formal announcement is expected to be made this weekend at the state tournament between the West and East franchises. MORE

National
Former Amateur Champ Willett Shot

Posted: April 9, 2010

Former heavyweight U.S. Champion (2006) Adam Willett was expected to undergo surgery today after being shot earlier this week near his New York home. MORE

Michigan Golden Gloves Contested This Weekend
Posted: April 9, 2010

The 79th running of the Michigan Golden Gloves State Boxing Championships will be conducted this Friday and Saturday beginning at 7:00 p.m. each evening. All competition will be held at the Grand Valley National Guard Armory, 1200 44th St. SW in Wyoming, MI. This year’s event will feature the top novice boxers in the state vying for a state title and will also showcase some of the best open class boxers in the United States competing for a position on the Michigan Team that will represent Michigan at the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions held May 3-8, 2010 in Little Rock, Arkansas. MORE

Super Six Classic
Froch, Kessler Discuss Upcoming Fight

Posted: April 9, 2010
by Bob Ryder

Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler appear to be ready to go to war as they fielded questions from the media via a teleconference on Thursday. Froch, the defending WBC super middleweight champion of Nottingham, England sounded extremely confident and not at all concerned about the site of his upcoming April 24 match up with Kessler in Kessler's home country of Denmark. When asked about the fight's location, Froch sounded down right testy. "I'm stronger, quicker, more elusive. I don't feel I need a knockout to win." Perhaps not, but home cooking has prevailed in each of the first four Super Six bouts as the hometown fighter has won them all. MORE

Dirrell is Okay, Grandfather Reports
Posted: March 29, 2010

Andre Dirrell is doing fine after being knocked unconscious by an illegal, late blow in his Super Six World Boxing Classic fight with Germany's "King" Arthur Abraham at Joe Louis Arena on Saturday.

Leon Lawson, Sr, the fighter's trainer, manager and grandfather, reported that Dirrell was examined at Detroit Receiving Hospital and released after several hours in good condition.

Dirrell won over Abraham by DQ as a result of the late punch.

Dirrell-Abraham Undercard
Posted: March 29, 2010

The main event was exciting and largely anxiously anticipated with weeks of pre-fight hype creating buzz that has not been the case in Michigan probably since Tyson-Golota in 2000. And while the Dirrell victory by DQ is creating yet another controversy that seems likely only to bring negative attention to the state of boxing here, the undercard will go mostly unnoticed. MORE

Threat Against Teen Boxer Raises Security
Posted: March 28, 2019

The police presence at today’s championship round of Metro Detroit Golden Gloves was an indicator that something was amiss.

An apparent threat was made against Kronk boxer Zach Shamoun. MORE

Metro Detroit Golden Gloves Crown Champions
Posted: March 28, 2010
Revised: March 31, 2010 Uncontested Champions and photos added

Boxers from around the Detroit area came together for the 2010 Metro Detroit Golden Gloves this weekend.

Sunday was the culmination of three days of contested amateur action at the site for the Gloves for the past several years, the Gibraltar Trade Center in Taylor. Twenty titles were determined Sunday, three championships were decided Saturday and one in Friday’s pre-lims. MORE

Super Six Classic
Dirrell Wins by DQ

Posted: March 28, 2010

Flint's Andre Dirrell (19-1-0, 13 KO) is one point behind Arthur Abraham (31-1-0, 25 KO) after being declared the winner on Saturday, the result of an intentional foul that resulted in a disqualification for Abraham, who previously was undefeated, and a hospital visit for Dirrell. MORE

Golden Gloves Contested
Posted: March 26, 2010

This is a busy weekend for boxing fans in Michigan.

In addition to Saturdays mega fight at Joe Louis, there will be plenty of amateur action the same day across the state.

Boxers are competing in Wyoming in the semi-finals of the West Michigan GG, in Birch Run in the East Michigan GG finals and the Metro Detroit GG takes place in Taylor.

Super Six Classic
UCC Members Attending Super Six

Posted: March 26, 2010

Promoter Gary Shaw praised state officials at the Super Six World Boxing Classic final press conference yesterday and said he would spread the word around that Michigan had its act together.

“The Michigan Commission has been terrific,” Shaw told the assembled media. A seat at the dais reserved for Commission chair Dr. James Weber sat empty, and no other members of the ten-person body were in attendance. MORE

Super Six Classic
Final Press Conference – German Support is High

Posted: March 26, 2010

Like a wedding ceremony, supporters for both fighters took to chairs on separate sides of the aisle Thursday at the MGM Casino Hotel in Detroit for the final press conference before Saturday’s Dirrell-Abraham Super Middleweight fight at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena. MORE

Love Undefeated in California
Posted: March 26, 2010

J’Leon Love remains undefeated after a second round win over Toledo’s Bryan Smith on Thursday. MORE

Super Six Classic
Local Government Leaders Not Attending Big Fight

Posted: March 26, 2010

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing will not be one of the thousands of boxing fans expected at Joe Louis Arena this Saturday to watch Flint’s Andre Dirrell face current points leader “King” Arthur Abraham in the first fight of group stage two of the “Super Six World Boxing Classic.” MORE

Super Six Classic
Super Six Fighters Display Skills at Media Workout
Posted: March 25, 2010

The off-set double entrance doors require you to zig-zag slightly to your right as you enter into a single open space. The heavily worn brown commercial carpet has seen better days. A boxing ring is elevated two-feet off the ground some thirty-feet in from the door on the left and less than six heavy bags of varying design are to the right. The walls are painted white with a one-foot gold stripe at the top and another, in red, at the bottom and adorned with possibly two hundred old and new posters, flyers, and photos of Kronk fighters of the past and present. MORE

Super Six Classic
Card Complete for Super Six

Posted: March 23, 2010

The card has been completed for the Super Six Classic this Saturday in Detroit and Sportssummary received it moments ago from Gary Shaw’s office.

All opponents have now been named. MORE

Super Six Classic
Paris’ Latest Opponent was Former Sparring Partner

Posted: March 22, 2010

Vernon Paris’ opponent on the upcoming Super Six Classic was a former sparring partner of the Detroit welterweight, Paris trainer Dave Lester told Sportssummary on Tuesday. MORE

Four Border City Boxers Nominated for WESPYs
Posted: March 22, 2010

Four boxers from Border City Boxing Club in Windsor, Ontario have been nominated for this years Windsor and Essex Sports Person of the Year (WESPY), according to a press release issued by the gym. MORE

New Mexico Boxers Compete on Club Show
Posted: March 21, 2010

They made the long journey of 1,600 miles to fight on the Kronk vs Mexico club show in Southfield last weekend, bringing impressive credentials along for the ride. Two of the three boxers had substantially more fights than the host fighters. MORE

Local Fighters Win in Germany
Posted: March 21, 2010

Domonique Dolton and Jonathan Banks both won their fights last night at the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany. MORE

Defunct Heavy Hitter Promotions Hit with $50,000 Fine
Posted: March 18, 2010

Members of the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission today imposed a whopping $50,000 fine against an unlicensed boxing promoter. MORE

McElroy Shines in "Pro" Display
Posted: March 16, 2010
by Lindy Lindell

Kronk Junior Middleweight William McElroy completely dominated Hamtramck's Andriy Stankevych and stopped the usually durable fighter with a two-fisted attack in the third round following Stankevych having taken a standing-eight in the second. Fighter of the Night McElroy, a senior open boxer, showed pro skills in dispatching Stankevych with a varied attack that featured short, chopping blows that went around Stankevych's gloves; the way McElroy manuevered Stankevych with some well-placed forearms showed this reporter that the man knows a thing or two about punching distance. MORE

Boxer Remains Unpaid Despite Promoter's Offer
Posted: March 16, 2010

A week after Sportssummary broke the story that boxer Luigi Gjokaj was not paid for his January 29 professional fight, state officials are investigating. And Gjokaj remains unpaid.

In a phone message left with Sportssummary, Carlos Llinas, who promoted the Masonic Temple show under the license of another promoter, offered to pay the fighter the $1,600 he reportedly was due. However, no check has been received and cash-strapped Gjokaj is following the advice of his attorney and not having any direct contact with Llinas while the complaint is pending.

World Title Up for Grabs in "K9's" Fight
Posted: March 16, 2010

Cornelius "K9" Bundrage (29-4-0, 17 KO) will face Cory Spinks, Jr. in an IBF title fight later this month.

The March 26 fight at the Treasure Island Casino in Las Vegas will be the 36-year old fighter's fourth title bid in a career spanning more than thirteen years and his first fight in the city of lights. MORE

Fighter Alleges Violations in Formal Complaint
Posted: March 8, 2010
by Kevin Walters

"This is a formal letter of complaint,” the letter to state officials starts out.

Boxer Luigi Gjokaj alleges in his February 27 letter that Carlos Llinas failed to pay his purse of $1,600 following his January 29 loss to Eric Ricker at Detroit’s Masonic Temple. MORE

Love's Next Fight Pushed Back a Week
Posted: February 4, 2010

J'Leon Love received word tonight that his March 19 fight has been cancelled and he will now fight six days later on a March 25 card at the Commerce Casino in Los Angelos.

It is unknown if Love will still fight Arizona's Steven McCray as he was scheduled to do in North Carolina or if his opponent has changed.

Love Wins #2 in Georgia
Posted: March 1, 2010

J’Leon Love (2-0-0, 2 KO) made short work of a debuting Rufus Defibaugh scoring a win in under a minute on Saturday at Augusta Georgia’s Bell Auditorium.

The Dearborn Heights fighter earned a TKO win 47-seconds into the first round, the result of a body shot.

Love’s pro debut just 29 days earlier, against Vince Burkhalter, lasted only twice as long, ending at 1:33. His next fight is scheduled against Arizona’s Steven McCray (0-2) on March 19 in North Carolina.

McKart Brings 6th Title Belt Home to Monroe
Posted: March 1, 2010
by Kevin Walters
Amateur results added

Against an opponent seemingly intent on holding rather than fighting, Monroe native Bronco McKart (52-9-1) had to work for all ten rounds on Saturday. He easily earned 100-90 scores over Juan Miguel Rodriguez Berrio (20-4-0) from the three ringside judges at Monroe County Community College, winning the World Boxing Foundation (WBF)’s Intercontinental middleweight title – his sixth, during a pro career spanning 18 years. MORE

Club Show to Feature Kronk vs Mexico
Posted: February 28, 2010

The Kronk Gym is moving north for its next club show and bringing the south along for the ride. MORE

Michigan Fighters on Showtime Card in Detroit
Posted: February 28, 2010

The boxing experiment that is the Super Six World Boxing Classic is coming to Detroit's Joe Louis Arena and shining the bright light of television cameras on several Michigan boxers. The Classic is a production of ShowTime. MORE

El Mais, Bialkowski Win Canadian Titles
Posted: February 26, 2010

The Border City Boxing Club's Samir El Mais won a 9-4 decision over 2010 Canadian Heavyweight Champion Shavar Henry in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Wednesday at the National Elite Final Team Selection (FTS). El Mais defeated Henry the day before with a score of 8-4, also, to claim the 2010 Canadian Elite 201-lb Championship. MORE

Pro Card for Monroe Set
Posted: February 25, 2010

Bronco McKart (51-9-1, 31 KO) will fight Jose Miguel Rodriguez-Berrio (20-3-0, 12 KO) in Saturday’s professional main event on a three pro, five amateur fight Pro-Am card. The middleweight contest will be for the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Intercontinental title. MORE

Amateur Card Coming Together for Pro-Am
Posted: February 24, 2010

Todd Riggs of Joe’s Boxing Club reports that three of five planned amateur fights on this weekend’s Pro-Am card in Monroe are complete and he continues to work on the other two. MORE

Two Michigan Boxers Compete in U-19
Posted: February 23, 2010
Revised: February 25, 2010

Two amateur boxers from Michigan competed in the Under 19 Championships this past week. MORE

Michigan Boxers Among National Winners
Posted: February 22, 2010

Two boxers from Michigan are among the latest national champions crowned earlier this month at the Silver Gloves tournament held in Independence, Missouri.

Anthony Flagg, Jr. and Geno Jones returned home victorious after nearly a week of action. MORE

Cantu Recovering after Foot Surgery
Posted: February 20, 2010

Waterford’s “Pistol” Pete Cantu underwent outpatient surgery on Friday to repair an injured Achilles tendon in his foot. MORE

Cobo Hall to See Boxing Action
Posted: February 16, 2010

Detroit’s Cobo Hall will play host for a night of professional boxing next month as trainer Henry Hill tries his hand at promoting.

Hill, who is the trainer for Ronald Hearns, is working with another promoter for his first show on March 27, but said that his next show will be under his own license. MORE

Bad Weather Nixs Latest Dolton Fight
Posted: February 15, 2010

A scheduled fight between Kronk's Domonique Dolton and Jose Juan Fuentes at The Houston Club in Houston, Texas last Thursday was cancelled after Dolton was stranded due to the snowfall in Detroit, said a member of the Kronk boxing family.

Reportedly the Texas Boxing Commission would not agree to let Dolton weigh in separately on the day of the show.

The Kronk fighter is now at training camp in Austria preparing for his fight on the Klitschko undercard next month.

Bay City Duster Features 25 Bouts
Posted: February 14, 2010

The national guard armory in Bay City saw twenty-five bouts on Saturday night as the American Athletic Association / Greater Bay Boxing Center held its “Winter Fight Night.”

The annual club show helps prepare the gym’s fighters for the upcoming Eastern Michigan Golden Gloves championships next month. MORE

Results from January 29 U of M Show
Posted: February 14, 2010

The boxing program at the University of Michigan hosted a club show January 29 at Bloomfield Hills’ Brother Rice High School.
MORE

Johnny Garcia to Debut
Posted: February 14, 2010

Muskegon Area Boxing Club (MABC) will see another of its boxers make the jump to the paying side of the sport when Johnny Garcia next enters the ring later this month. The Flores brothers – Federico and Joel – turned pro in 2007 and 2009, respectively. MORE

Dolton Back in Action Thursday
Posted: February 10, 2010

Domonique Dolton leaves this morning for Texas, one day ahead of his sixth professional fight and his third in the lonestar state.

Dolton (5-0-0, 2 KO) will attempt to remain undefeated as he faces Mexico's Jose Juan "El Rey" Fuentes in Houston on Thursday. The 24-year old is coming off a three-win streak, having fought last in November. Dolton last fought in August.

Bay City Dust-Off Next Week
Posted: February 5, 2010

In preparation for the upcoming Golden Gloves tourneys, the American Athletic Association / Greater Bay Boxing Center is hosting its annual “Winter Fight Night” next week. MORE

Silver Gloves Regional Champs Crowned
Posted: January 29, 2010

Michigan boxers recently competed at the regional level in the Silver Gloves Championships held in Ashland, Kentucky. MORE

Opponent Changed for Love’s Debut
Posted: January 28, 2010

Metro Detroiter J’Leon Love is just one day away from his professional boxing debut in a four round bout on an ESPN televised undercard. MORE

Border City Fighters Advance to Quarters
Posted: January 28, 2010

Border City Boxing Club's Josh Cameron recorded win number two at this years Canadian Championships in Quebec on Wednesday, defeating New Brunswick's Kelly Page 21-5. MORE

Love’s Mom Shares Credit for Son’s Contracts
Posted: January 28, 2010

He is the one that climbs thru the ropes and faces an opponent intent on hitting him and he is the one that has earned a respectable amateur record with a roughly 70% win-loss ratio. But, in getting signed recently to a promotional and managerial contract, Love has to share the credit. With his mom. MORE

Cameron Wins in Preliminaries
Posted: January 27, 2010

Windsor’s Josh Cameron won his first bout at the Canadian Championships in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec on Tuesday. Cameron defeated Quebec's Sebastien Bouchard by a score of 19-4. MORE

U.S. Championships will Determine White’s Future
Posted: January 25, 2010

Kronk’s Leandre White will make the decision to remain an amateur or turn pro depending on his performance at this years U.S. Championships.

The twenty-year old boxer told Sportssummary on Saturday that if he loses the national tournament he would likely turn pro, but if he won he would remain in the amateur ranks.

The U.S. Championships take place July 12-17 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Love Debut Moved Up
Posted: January 25, 2010

Apparently manager Cameron Duncan knows of what he speaks.

Earlier this month, the Las Vegas manager was confident that someone would fall off a show at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Casino late this month and he was working to put one of his new fighters, Dearborn Heights’ J’Leon Love, in the opening. He was obviously successful. MORE

Bronco to Fight in Second Monroe County Pro-Am
Posted: January 25, 2010
Revised: January 25, 2010 10:20 am

Joe’s Boxing will again team up with Turner Boxing Productions to bring a night of professional and amateur boxing to Michigan’s southernmost county next month. MORE

Promoter Pays Up
Posted: January 24, 2010

Just hours after Sportssummary contacted his office for comment, promoter John Carlisle authorized payment to Romulus boxer Eddie Gates.

Gates fought and won on Carlisle’s Four Corner Productions pro show January 15 at DeCarlo’s Banquet and Convention Center in the Detroit suburb of Warren. A successful debut was marred when, Gates reported, unlicensed matchmaker Jim Westmoreland refused to pay him and Carlisle, likewise, refused to speak to him. MORE

Kronk in Action at 4-H
Posted: January 24, 2010

The Kronk Gym held their first club show of the new year on Saturday at the 4-H Community Center in Detroit, with matchmaker Taurrek Fikes back in action.

Seven of eleven scheduled bouts took place entertaining the small crowd as both newcomers and veterans climbed through the ropes in the old, poorly lit gymnasium, before the early evening ended at nine o’clock. MORE

Gates Unpaid after Debut
Posted: January 22, 2010

He risked his life entering the ring.

He won with a mandatory stoppage after knocking Indiana’s Patrick Walker to the canvas three times in just 59 seconds.

He was happy. It was a successful professional debut.

But, then, he was not paid. MORE

Paris MMA Debut Doesn’t Happen
Posted: January 20, 2010

Vernon Paris (18-0-0, 13 KO) was expected to make his professional debut in the caged arena of mixed martial arts on Saturday but it never happened. MORE

Berto Withdraws from Fight Citing Haiti Disaster
Posted: January 19, 2010

The unification bout between “Sugar” Shane Mosley and Andre Berto, scheduled for the end of the month in Las Vegas, has been cancelled after Berto withdrew from the main event fight Monday.MORE

Gates Wins Debut
Posted: January 16, 2010

Scoring three knockdowns of his opponent, Romulus’ junior middleweight Eddie Gates won a mandatory stoppage victory over Indiana’s Patrick Walker (0-3) in the first minute of action on Friday making for a successful pro debut.

Gates was on a nine-bout card that took place January 15 at DeCarlo’s Banquet and Convention Center in Warren. MORE

Paris to Make MMA Debut Friday
Posted: January 12, 2010

Detroit’s “Iceman,” Vernon Paris, will be making his professional entrance into the cage on Saturday on Michigan’s first professional mixed martial arts show. MORE

Opponent Change for Gates’ Debut
Posted: January 10, 2010

His debut is just five days away and actually looks like it will happen. But, as often happens, his opponent has changed.

Eddie Gates was expecting to face DeShawn Smiley but last week came word that Smiley was out and his replacement would have to shake half a decade of ring rust although from his record preparation is not a priority anyway. MORE

Mihtar-Cantu Falls Off, Re-scheduling Unlikely
Posted: January 9, 2010

In a move that is guaranteed to fuel the feud between the two fighters, Pete Cantu has withdrawn from the January 29 fight with Brian Mihtar, citing an ankle injury.

The Waterford boxer called Mihtar out publicly in an interview with The Oakland Press in the Fall and the two men exchanged hostile words during the fight’s announcement in early December. MORE

Trainer “Sugar J” Dead at 56
Posted: January 4, 2010

Gerald Wilson, known to most as “Sugar J,” died last week at the age of 56.

Wilson died after being struck by a car at a bus stop in Detroit after an SUV ran a red light striking another vehicle, which then plowed into the bus stop at Schaeffer and Schoolcraft where it hit the long-time boxing coach. MORE

Flores Fighting #10 in Chicago
Posted: January 3, 2010

Federico Flores, Jr., (6-3-0, 2 KO) will be back in the ring for his tenth pro fight on January 29 in the Windy City.

Flores, 21, will face undefeated Mexican fighter Ivan Popoca (12-0-1, 8 KO) in his hometown of Chicago at the UIC Pavilion. The 27-year old Popoca, who has yet to fight outside of Illinois, usually fights at light welterweight, one weight class below Flores. There is no word on what weight the bout will be contested at and Flores did not return calls before press time.

Flores’ last fight took place six months ago in Tucson, Arizona and resulted in his third loss – his first by TKO – against another undefeated fighter, Jermell Charlo who was 7-0 at the time. Charlo is now 10-0 with all wins by either knockout or unanimous decision. This will be Flores’ sixth fight outside of Michigan.

J’Leon Love Debut Set After Signing with Out of State Team
Posted: January 3, 2010

J’Leon Love is once again preparing to make his pro debut after a couple false hopes and more than seven months since announcing his intention to leave amateur boxing behind. MORE

Mihtar’s Brother Denies Vulgarity Against Fighter’s Family
Posted: December 30, 2009

In a statement emailed to Sportssummary on Monday, Brian Mihtar’s brother, Ray, reiterated comments that he made in a telephone conversation earlier in the day. Specifically, he denied using any obscene language toward Pete Cantu’s family members last year. In fact, he said, he does not know the two young men who would have been 17- and 19- years old at the time.

“I vehemently deny the baseless and false accusations that Pete Cantu has made against me that I used vulgarity against members of his family,” Ray Mihtar wrote in his statement. MORE

The On-going Saga of Pacquiao – Mayweather
Posted: December 30, 2009

After weeks of back and forth demands the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather, Jr fight may or may not occur in March.

Both camps have made demands that their diehard fans can latch onto as a sign that the other side does not really want to fight. That either side would allow this final issue to jeopardize what is hyped as the biggest payday in boxing history – between $30-40 million for each fighter – seems unlikely. MORE

Mihtar - Cantu Feud Leading to Fight?
Posted: December 28, 2009

There appears to be some bad blood between Michigan fighters Pete Cantu and Brian Mihtar that goes beyond the usual pre-fight hype that promoters use to drive ticket sales.

The two men are scheduled to face-off on what is expected to be the second pro boxing show of the new year. The Cantu-Mihtar grudge match is one of seven fights currently on the January 29 card at Detroit’s Masonic Temple. MORE

Eddie Gates Hopeful for January Debut
Posted: December 27, 2009

After seven months as a licensed professional, Eddie Gates is hopeful that his long awaited debut will happen in the next month.

Gates reported that he will likely be fighting on the January 15 Four Corner Productions card in Warren. BoxRec currently shows six bouts scheduled including Gates. No opponent is yet known. MORE

Casa De Boxeo Closes after Two Decades
Posted: December 20, 2009

Citing mostly personal reasons, longtime coach Rene Muniz closed his suburban Detroit gym for good earlier this week.

Muniz, the head coach of Lincoln Park’s Casa De Boxeo, who has spent twenty plus years working with youth in an effort to provide an alternative to the allure of the streets, is walking away from his biggest involvement in the sport – coaching. MORE

Hearns Wins in Windy City

Ronald Hearns (23-1-0, 18 KO) scored a sixth round TKO victory over Shadrack "Tiger" Kipruto (18-14-2, 10 KO) at Chicago's UIC Pavilion on Saturday night. It was the first fight for both men in the Windy City and the Kenyan's first North American fight.

The welterweight bout took place on the undercard of the Juan Diaz-Paul Malignaggi rematch undercard.

Tyner Loses Decision to Young Mexican Champ
Posted: December 6, 2009

Former Detroit boxer Lanardo “The Pain Server” Tyner was originally supposed to fight Saul Alvarez for his NABF title in California. The contract was signed. Then word came that Alvarez wanted the fight moved. MORE

Passbooks Among Gear Boxers Can Get at Fight Shop
Posted: December 5, 200

When he opened his shop almost a year ago, Ray Vipond gave boxers their first opportunity to actually see and touch a piece of clothing, boxing glove or shoe before buying it. Until The Fight Shop opened in January, boxers were generally left to purchase from catalogs hoping they got the size right. MORE

Results: Royal Oak Music Theatre
Posted: December 5, 2009

The Royal Oak Music Theatre saw another night of professional boxing on Friday as promoters managed to bring seven of nine planned fights to the ring. MORE

Deontay Wilder Suspended for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Posted: December 4, 2009

At a pro show in Cincinnati Ohio last week, Alabama’s Deontay Wilder (8-0) received both a first round knockout victory and a suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct. MORE

Results: Bernie Schmidt Memorial
Posted: November 29, 2009

Sixteen boxers saw action Friday at the Bernie Schmidt Memorial show in Grand Rapids.

The tenth installment of the annual event was hosted November 27 by the Michigan Golden Gloves Association (MGGA) at the local Boys & Girls Club. MORE

Paris to Make Pro MMA Debut
Posted: November 21, 2009

The “Iceman” is wasting no time in his newest quest to hold a title in both boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) at the same time as he prepares for his first professional foray into the octagon. MORE

The Man I Won't Forget
One Man's Tribute to Joe Giarmo

by Jeff Thomas / Photos by the author
Posted: November 19, 2009

It was a chance encounter just 3 or 4 years ago. My dad, Jeff Thomas, was an amateur boxer back in the late 40’s and early 50’s. Kevin Walters, the editor of Sportssummary, is my neighbor. My dad and I take in boxing events whenever we can and I shoot photographs for Kevin whenever I can. As chance would have it, I was at a boxing event with my dad shooting photos for Kevin.

One of the trainers in the corner of a young boxer had a “Joe’s Gym” jacket on. After the fight was over my dad approached the man and asked him if “Joe’s Gym” was the boxing gym in Monroe. The young man said, “Yes, it is!” My dad told the man, “I used to train and box with that team of fighters back in the 40’s.” The man doing the training back then was Joe Giarmo. MORE

Silver Gloves Moves to Monroe County
Posted: November 17, 2009

The upcoming Silver Gloves state tournament will be held December 19-20 in southern lower Michigan instead of more centrally located in Mount Pleasant as originally planned.

LBC President Gary Richard reported that the Mount Pleasant venue became unavailable several weeks ago and Todd Riggs of Joe’s Boxing Club in Monroe agreed to host the two-day event, and secured a site at the Monroe County Community College. All registered clubs have received updated information, Sportssummary was told.

Along with the venue change the dates have also changed to later in the month than originally announced. Some 100 junior boxers are expected to attend this year.

De Leon Suffers Dual Losses
Posted: November 17, 2009

In his first elite competition as a member of Team USA, Erick De Leon suffered two losses – his first losses in twenty-six months – on November 13 and 15 in two international Duels between the United States and Great Britain held in England. MORE
Paris Makes Successful Comeback
Posted: November 16, 2009
by Kevin Walters / Photos by Bob Ryder

After nearly a two year absence, Detroit light welterweight Vernon "Iceman" Paris made a triumphant return to the ring on Friday before a full house at Detroit's Masonic Temple. MORE

Shimmell To Compete in World Cup
Posted:November 16, 2009

Michigan Golden Gloves Association (MGGA)’s Jordan Shimmell will be embarking on another overseas trip, this time to compete in the World Cup of Petroleum Countries boxing tournament. MORE

Michigan’s Goodfellow Named AIBA’s Best
Posted: November 16, 2009

The amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) has released its list of “The Best” for 2009 and one of Michigan’s own volunteers made the cut.

Dr. Robin Goodfellow, a retired general surgeon from Albion, was selected as the outstanding medical commission member, or best doctor. This is her first honor by the international organization: she was previously recognized by USA Boxing. MORE

Rowland Loses Fight of his Career
Posted: November 15, 2009

On Saturday, in Las Vegas, Michigan-native Troy Rowland lost what was the biggest fight of his career dropping a unanimous decision to Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.

The Cedar Springs boxer fought the 23-year old son of the former multiple title world champion, in a ten round middleweight bout at the MGM Grand on the Pacquiao-Cotto undercard.

For the 34-year old Rowland, it was his third fight since April, when he ended a voluntary three year layoff.

James Toney Tourney Wraps Up
Posted: November 15, 2009

The second annual James Toney “Lights Out” Invitational tournament wrapped up today after three days of fighting in Ann Arbor. MORE

De Leon Falls Short Against Great Britain’s Best
Posted: November 15, 2009

Kronk’s Erick De Leon lost in his first international competition this weekend.

De Leon, 17, lost to Great Britain’s Tom Stalker in the first of two duels between the U.S. and Great Britain being held in England. Great Britain overwhelmingly defeated different American teams three times in the past month. MORE

Longtime Coach Giarmo Dead at 93
Posted: November 10, 2009

Joe Giarmo, who trained boxers for sixty years in Monroe, died on Saturday. He was 93.

Giarmo was the “Joe” in Joe’s Boxing Club before turning the reigns over to his former student, Todd Riggs, in 2005. The gym, which moved to various locations over sixty years including a garage at his home, is now based at a Powerhouse Gym in the city.

“His knowledge was incredible,” A choked-up Riggs said. “He was such an inspiration in my life.” MORE

Sold Out ABAA Show Featured Full Card
Posted: November 10, 2009

Boxers from as far away as Cleveland, Ohio fought on the American Boxing and Athletic Association (ABAA) card over the weekend. MORE

UCC Calls Special Meeting
Posted: October 31, 2009

The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth announced Friday that the Unarmed Combat Commission (formerly, the Boxing Commission) would hold a special meeting next week in Lansing.

On the agenda are four items, two of which are important time wise: The election of a new Chairman and Vice Chairman, following the resignation of Al Low and Earle Robinson in recent months, and approving the re-licensing of Vernon Paris. MORE

De Leon To Compete in England
Posted: October 25, 2009

Coach Angel Caraballo reported on Saturday that Erick De Leon had been chosen by USA Boxing to join the elite national team for two international fights in England to take place in mid- November. MORE

Shimmell, Harrington Lose to Great Britain's Best
U.S. Team Loses 4-7

Posted: October 25, 2009

Michigan heavyweights Jordan Shimmell and Stacy Harrington lost in international competition as part of the U.S. national team on Saturday.

The two fighters fought in the second of three duals between U.S. and Great Britain elite boxers being held in the United States this year. The October 24 competiton took place on the campus of Saint Louis University in Missouri. MORE

De Leon Wins National PAL
Posted: October 24, 2009
PHOTO ADDED; MORE WILL BE ADDED SOON

Proving that success is often hard earned, it took five fights in five days to achieve his goal – adding a National PAL belt to his already impressive collection of championship belts. On Saturday evening in San Antonio, Texas, with a dozen family members watching, a referee raised the 17-year old’s hand for the final time in the week-long tournament. Erick De Leon had won the 132 pound weight class at the 2009 National PAL. MORE

Michigan Boxers Compete in Puerto Rico
Posted: October 24, 2009

Members of the Kronk amateur team, along with two other boxers from the state, competed Friday in Puerto Rico.

Seven members of the Kronk team traveled earlier in the week to the U.S. territory for a one-day international competition. Two boxers from other boxing gyms traveled as part of the team, under the supervision of Kronk head coach Javan Hill. MORE

De Leon Enters Finals Alone
Posted: October 24, 2009

A change in how boxers are ranked by USA Boxing in Colorado Springs brought some discouraging news for 17-year old Erick De Leon, hopeful that his winning the National Golden Gloves in May would shoot him to the top of the list in his weight class. But that was not to be. MORE

Another Resignation Hits Unarmed Combat Commission
Posted: October 23, 2009

Earle Robinson has resigned from the Unarmed Combat Commission, reducing that regulatory body to five persons.

Robinson served on the Commission for nine years and recently was the co-chair under Chairman Al Low. When Low suddenly resigned in August Robinson moved up automatically and would have chaired the Commission’s next meeting in December had he not resigned. MORE

National PAL- Day 4
De Leon, Others Advance; Several Uncontested

Posted: October 23, 2009

Kronk boxer Erick De Leon, 17, scored a perfect points win over Christopher Lopez of the United States Air Force boxing team on Thursday at the 2009 National PAL tournament. The 29-0 decision over the Lackland AFB fighter was De Leon’s strongest decision of the tournament, which has two more days of action ahead. He has won three times in three days.

Two other Michigan boxers also continue to advance while several others lost the same day, one day before the medal rounds begin.
MORE

Tyner to Fight for NABF Title in L.A.
Posted: October 22, 2009

Lanardo “The Pain Server” Tyner has signed a contract to fight for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) welterweight title in Los Angeles on Dec. 5th. Tyner’s opponent is current champion Saul Alvarez (29-0, 20 KO). Very little is known yet except that it is believed to be a Golden Boy card. MORE

Boxers Return Home Early from PAL
Posted: October 22, 2009

While several metro Detroit boxers are progressing toward the finals at the 2009 National PAL tournament in San Antonio, Texas several more from west and northern Michigan were not as successful.

Four boxers from MLK gym in Grand Rapids included three fighters that competed but lost and one who was unable to compete because of injury. A fighter from Traverse City’s Trigger Boxing also lost his bid early. MORE

De Leon Wins #2 at PAL
Posted: October 22, 2009

With his second win in two days, Erick De Leon is progressing at this year’s National PAL tournament.

Photo: Lefty Ray Chapa for Sportssummary.com

The Kronk fighter decisioned Adrian Juarez of Rock Boxing in Salinas, California on Wednesday in his second fight of the tournament that is in its 35th year. De Leon won the judges’ nod on Tuesday over Carlos Castillo of Texas.

De Leon is the sole Kronk boxer at the tournament. The majority of his teammates opted to compete in Puerto Rico this week, instead.

Shimmell, Harrington to Battle Great Britain
Posted: October 22, 2009

Jordan Shimmell will be boxing against Great Britain this Saturday in St. Louis, Missouri and then again the following Friday in Iowa. Shimmell, the current U.S. Nationals and Golden Gloves heavyweight champion, will be part of an elite U.S. amateur team competing in two international duals. South Haven’s Stacy Harrington will also be competing as a member of the U.S. team in St. Louis. Both fighters are heavyweights. MORE

De Leon Wins First Round at National PAL
Posted: October 20, 2009

Kronk's Erick De Leon won preliminary round action at the 2009 National PAL Tournament tonight in San Antonio, Texas.

De Leon won a decision at 132 pounds over Carlos Castillo of Dallas' Aguila Azteca Boxing Club in his first appearance at the prestigious tournament. The 17-year old Lincoln Park fighter and current National Golden Gloves champion told Sportssummary that he is not experiencing any trouble with his left hand, which had plagued him in recent months and was the reason he did not compete at the Ringside championships this summer.

David Jasso and James Smith are also known to be competing at this year's PAL.

Coaches Appreciation Dinner Huge Success
Posted: October 13, 2009
by Bob Ryder

The collective history, knowledge and caring of the seven living Detroit area boxing coaches and trainers gathered in one room to be honored by appreciative family, friends and fans made for a special, moving and memorable evening for all in attendance. The theme of service that these men provided, not only to the sport of boxing, but to the needs and hopes of the city's youth over the many years, repeated itself countless times as each recipient received their just recognition. Some were moved to silence, others to humble thanks. It was long overdue acknowledgement for a special group of men who often are not noticed. MORE

Old Coaches Appreciation Dinner Planned
Posted: October 3, 2009 / Revised: 11:45 pm

An appreciation dinner is planned for Saturday, October 10, at UAW Local 140 in Warren to honor those old time coaches that helped carry the sport to where it is today.

Nine coaches will be honored at the first of what organizers hope will become regular events to thank coaches for their long years of dedication both to the sport of boxing and to countless kids for whom the sport meant a better life. MORE

Wasson Heads Off for First Int’l Competition
Posted: September 29, 2009

Casa De Boxeo’s Andrecia Wasson will leave later this week for Equador, for her first international competition.

The teenage Wasson joins nine other top U.S. female boxers at the 2009 Women’s Continental Competition that runs October 5-8 at the Abel Jimenez Parra Coliseum in Guayaquil, Equador. MORE

Kronk Fighters Shine at Inkster Rec
Posted: September 27, 2009
by Lindy Lindell
Photos by Bob Ryder

Taurrek Fikes put on a cracking good show at the Inkster Recreation Center--with several Kronk boxers coming forth with outstanding efforts. Too bad the September 24 card was so poorly attended. But those who did attend made enough noise for a full house as Fikes began the show only a few minutes late; he had the boxers on their marks and there were no breaks, giving the evening, already action-filled, a full night of entertainment in slightly more than two hours. MORE
Fight Results: Royal Oak Music Theatre, Friday, September 18, 2009
Posted: September 20, 2009
Results & photos by Bob Ryder
Click here for story

Love Debut on Hold; Return to Amateurs?
Posted: September 20, 2009

The anticipated jump of Kronk amateur J'Leon Love to the pro ranks announced for September 26 has been cancelled, the fighter told Sportssummary earlier this week.

Love, 21, was expected to make his professional debut not at a local club show but in real fashion. In Los Angeles at the Staples Center. On the undercard of the HBO televised Vitali Klitschko - Chris Arreola fight next week. MORE

Boxing At The Fairgrounds 1923-2005
Posted: September 12, 2009

by Bob Ryder

As the nations oldest state fair (established 1849), the Michigan State Fair has provided its share of entertainment to families during its traditional annual last week in August to Labor Day run. Located just off of Woodward Avenue in Detroit, the fair showcased the usual rides, midway side shows, animal exhibits and musical acts over the years. There were, however, other significant happenings on the fairgrounds during times when the fair itself was not running. Horse racing was a big part of the activity on the grounds in the early days. Until he won his first major race on September 7, 1936, Seabiscuit was considered a mediocre racehorse. From that first win on the state fair track, Seabiscuit moved on to fame and fortune ultimately becoming one of the best loved racehorses of all time. The Shrine Circus was always a big attraction and it was here that one of the worst circus accidents occurred in 1962 when the Flying Wallendas seven person high wire pyramid collapsed, killing two performers and permanently paralyzing one other. The focus of this literary treatise, however, is boxing. With the fair now on the verge of being eliminated and the fate of the property and its buildings unknown, the time is right to review the history of the sweet science as it played out within the confines of the fairgrounds. MORE
DeLeon Promotes Entertaining Club Show
Posted: September 9, 2009
by Lindy Lindell

After a three-year haitus, local promoter Ron DeLeon put on a low level club show at the Lansing Center that, while featuring only five fights and just 20 scheduled rounds of boxing, sent the small crowd home with nary a complaint on the lips of those folks as they made toward the exit. There was one dog of a fight between two super-heavyweights whose collective near-600 pounds may have set a record for fat-mass in the ring. MORE

Low Resigns from Unarmed Combat Commission
Posted: September 2, 2009

After serving the boxing community for seven years and then the last year on the newly named Unarmed Combat Commission, Chairman Al Low resigned suddenly last week.

DELEG Enforcement Director Barrington Carr, who confirmed that Low submitted a letter of resignation to Governor Jennifer Granholm on August 26, thanked Low for the time he served. "It was my pleasure to serve with him," Carr said. The resignation took effect immediately.

Low told Sportssummary on Tuesday that he had accepted a position with the Dubai Sports Commission to work as a liaison between that country and the U.S., primarily regarding boxing and mixed martial arts. Citing a conflict of interest to continue both positions, Low resigned.

"It was a proud 8 years," Low said of his tenure with the regulatory body for the two sports, then joked. "But like in that movie, they made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

Worlds to Show Judges Scores to Spectators
Posted: August 31, 2009

Spectators at this years AIBA World Championships will be able to see the judges’ scores during the bouts, for the first time ever, according to a news release issued by the amateur International Boxing Association, or AIBA.

According to the release, spectators will be able to see both the running scores during the matches as well as the accepted scores of the five judges. MORE

Text MSG Prompts Shooting, Victim Says
More Details of Mayweather’s Connection Learned

Posted: August 30, 2009

Two men whose vehicle was shot at last Sunday in Las Vegas claim that an altercation with boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr over a test message was to blame.

New details of last weeks shooting incident were learned from a search warrant request obtained by Sportssummary in the last couple days. MORE

Dolton Wins #5
Posted: August 29, 2009

For Dolton, finding an opponent has not been easy. Having turned pro some sixteen months ago, he has only fought professionally four times before tonight. Tonight was number five.

Kronk boxer Domonique Dolton fought on a 7-bout card Saturday at Quick Trip Park, home of the Air Hogs minor league baseball team, in Grand Prairie, Texas. With a unanimous decision win, he remains undefeated at 5-0. It was the 19-year olds second fight out-of-state.

Dolton’s opponent for the 148 pound bout was Fort Worth’s Richard Best (5-12-3) who entered the ring with four times more pro fights under his belt but with a negative record. He has now lost six in a row – three of those this year and three in 2004. Between those years, Best had a five year absence from the ring.

Theaters Showing Mayweather-Marquez Fight
Posted: August 29, 2009

Golden Boy Promotions announced earlier this week that a deal had been worked out to show the September 19 Floyd Mayweather – Juan Manuel Marquez fight on the big screen.

Some 1,500 theaters are expected to show a 30-second promo for the fight over the next couple weeks while 170 theaters will actually show the fight – live. Tickets were expected to sell for roughly $15 but Sportssummary found that prices are lower at Michigan theaters that were contacted. MORE

Shimmell Repeating Role as National Team Capt.
Posted: August 27, 2009

National Golden Gloves champ Jordan Shimmell was selected by teammates to serve as Team Captain for the national amateur team at this years AIBA World Championships in Italy.

Shimmell and the other ten boxers of Team USA are currently in Milan for a week-long acclimation leading up to the bi-annual international tournament that runs August 31 to September 12.

The 20-year old MGGA boxer was selected to serve as Captain at the USA v Italy dual last month, also. More than 600 boxers from 140 countries are expected to compete at the Worlds event.

Love Debut A Month Away
Posted: August 26, 2009

J’Leon Love will celebrate his 22nd birthday and then, the next day, climb through the ropes to make his professional debut.

The Dearborn Heights resident is tentatively scheduled to fight at Los Angelos’ Staples Center on the undercard of the Vitali Klitschko - Chris Arreola WBC title fight on September 26. MORE

Lee Gets 14th Knockout Win; Packer Disqualified
Posted: August 25, 2009
Rev: August 28 - PHOTOS ADDED

Two Michigan fighters fought on the same out-of-state card with vastly different results last week.

Ireland’s and now-Detroit’s Andy Lee continued to improve his professional record with an 8th round TKO of Indianapolis’ Anthony Shuler (20-7-1, 14 KO) on August 21 at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. MORE

Mayweather Associate Involved in Shooting?
Posted: August 25, 2009

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police (LVMPD) conducted a search of Floyd “Money” Mayweather’s home and vehicle on Monday, in connection with a shooting at a Las Vegas area skating rink. MORE

Saturday Pro Show Re-Scheduled
Posted: August 20, 2009

The pro boxing card scheduled for this Saturday at the Lansing Center has been postponed for two weeks.

Promoter Ron DeLeon reported that the inability to get fighters' medicals to state officials by Noon today, partly because of state offices being closed Friday for budget reasons, was the primary reason for the late date change. The show, which DeLeon said will include the pro debut of former Kronk amateur Craig Lewis, will take place in two weeks, on September 5, at the same venue in Lansing.

Nine from Michigan Win RWC
Posted: August 16, 2009

Nine Michigan boxers brought home belts from the recent Ringside World Championships (RWC) held in Kansas City, MO.

The prestigious international tournament is held annually and attracted roughly 1,300 amateur boxers from around the globe, according to Ringside’s website. It’s championship belts are highly desired by all amateurs despite its invitational – and not advancing – nature. MORE

Dirrell, Tyner Win Out-of-State
Posted: August 9, 2009

Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell and Lanardo “Pain Server” Tyner both won fights in the last few days on separate cards, in separate states. MORE

Photo Report
TRAINING WITH: Andriy Stankevych

Posted: August 8, 2009

Sportssummary observed amateur boxer Andriy Stankevych during his training August 1 at the Hamtramck Boxing Club. MORE

Rez Rumble is Successful in Mt. Pleasant
Posted: August 4, 2009
PHOTOS ADDED

In the “Rez Rumble III” in Mount Pleasant on August 1, KO Boxing presented twenty-two amateur fights with more than a dozen gyms attending, including Soo Canada.

The third annual show was held at the recreation center gym of Soaring Eagle’s Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and organized by KO coach Frank Bailey. MORE

Tyner on Houston Card
Posted: July 30, 2009

Former Detroiter Lanardo Tyner (20-2-0, 12 KO) will take to the ring in his current hometown of Houston, Texas a week from today, just four days after his 34th birthday. MORE

Featherweight Smith Shines in Buhr Park Amateur Show
Posted: July 26, 2009
by Lindy Lindell
PHOTOS BY BOB RYDER

July 26--Buhr Park, Ann Arbor: Featherweights are rarely known for their punching power. Hall of Famer Sandy Sandler could sock, but he was freakishly tall and was able to attain considerable leveage in delivering power punches. In more recent times, Naseem Hamed and the one-time featherweight Manny Pacquiao distinguished themselves with uncommon punching power. Basically, however, featherweights are known for virtually everything else that composes the makeup of a good fighter: speed, volume of punches, snappy defensive moves. MORE

Double DQ in Highland Park
Officials Prevalent in Decisions

Posted: July 26, 2009

Saturday night was a busy one for boxing in the state with three shows scheduled. Highland Park, Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo hosted amateur cards.

In Highland Park, Fight Club Proving Grounds and Al Low brought boxing to the local recreation center with a good crowd for what turned out to be fourteen fights. Sadly, anticipated bouts for Craig Lewis, Leandre White and Latonya King never materialized.

As exciting as the fights were, the drama often came from the officials’ actions. Four bouts were stopped early including a double disqualification handed out in the final action of the night and one bout disallowed completely. MORE

High Drama at the Jungle
Posted: July 19, 2009
Revised: July 20, 2009
PHOTOS ADDED

Another exciting fight card greeted a SRO crowd at Saturday’s amateur show at the Detroit Boxing Jungle.

Coach Mike Awada presented thirteen action-filled bouts with more than the usual share of ring drama that had the crowd on their feet more than once. MORE

Paris Announces Return to Boxing
Posted: July 18, 2009
PHOTO BY BOB RYDER

The Iceman took the microphone during Friday's fights at The Majestic and echoed what others in his camp have been saying for more than a month. His return to boxing is fast approaching.

Vernon Paris told the crowd his return would come on Halloween at the Motor City Casino in Detroit.

That date is just over three months from now and about two weeks after his suspension by state officials runs out. While his license, according to a stipulation Paris entered into with the state, will then be revoked, requiring the dynamic fighter to obtain approval from the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission for relicensure, the Native American casino does not need to wait for the Iceman's license to be reissued making the October 31 fight probable. This is good news for fight fans.

Results and Photos from the Majestic
Posted: July 18, 2009
PHOTOS BY BOB RYDER

Friday nights fights at Detroit's Majestic Theatre was the ninth pro fight in Michigan this year. MORE

Second Quarter Senior Mens Rankings Released
Posted: July 17, 2009

The current rankings for the Senior Mens division were compiled by USA Boxing’s High Performance Director Timothy Borkowski and released Friday afternoon.

With multiples boxers in some positions, more than 160 men are included in the latest rankings. Two Michigan boxers made the list, unless boxers at the Olympic training center in Marquette are included, then the number rises to ten. MORE

Isiah Thomas Fighting Friday
Posted: July 16, 2009

Isiah Thomas’ trainer told Sportssummary on Wednesday that the 20-year old pro boxer would be joining Friday’s card at Detroit’s Majestic Theater, in an arrangement between Lou DiBella and the local promoter. MORE

Michigan Fighters Win Title Tourney
Posted: July 16, 2009

Five boxers returned home from the deep south over the Independence Day weekend with national title belts.

The three teenagers and two pre-teens were among half a dozen youth boxers from Michigan that made the trek to northern Mississippi for the third annual Title Championships held July 1-3, sponsored by the equipment maker of the same name. MORE

Results & photos from Fifth-Third Ballpark
Posted: July 13, 2009
PHOTOS BY BOB RYDER

Two days of boxing concluded Saturday with an 8-bout pro card at the Fifth-Third Ballpark in a suburb of Grand Rapids. An amateur card was presented a day earlier; both shows held outdoors. MORE

Gorges Suffers First Loss
Posted: July 4, 2009

"Gorgeous" Andre Gorges (8-1-0, 6 KO) recorded his first professional loss last night in Las Vegas.

The Windsor, Ontario fighter dropped a unanimous 55-59 decision to Abdon Lozano, who improved to 6-0. It was Gorges' first six rounder and second out-of-state fight, both taking place at sin city's Plaza Hotel & Casino.

Grand Rapids Pro Card Cancelled

The pro card scheduled for Friday evening in Grand Rapids has been cancelled. Fightnews.com reported the cancellation earlier in the week and state officials announced it on Thursday.

Title No Longer Part of Tyner Fight
Posted: June 20, 2009

Plans to fight for a title on the delayed June 26 pro card in Grand Rapids are off for former Detroiter Lanardo Tyner, the light welterweight told Sportssummary on Saturday.

The 33-year old Tyner was expected to fight for the (interim) WBO NABO title at the Woodland Sportsplex on a fight card that was originally scheduled for tonight but was changed earlier this month to next Friday.

The chance that Tyner will still fight on the card, he said, is at about 50 percent but no title will be involved now. The reason was financial, the boxer said.

Shimmell to Remain Amateur No Surprise
Posted: June 18, 2009

National Champion Jordan Shimmell held a press conference on Tuesday, days after winning his second national championship this year. A press release issued by Shimmell’s trainer and father, Dennis, following the event and announcing that the 20-year old heavyweight would pursue an Olympic dream rather than turn pro came as no surprise. MORE

Thomas Provides Insight on Dibella SIgning
Posted: June 18, 2009

With three pro fights under his belt, Detroiter Isiah Thomas has already caught the eye of renowned promoter Lou DiBella. Last week, DiBella Entertainment announced that it had signed Thomas to a promotional contract. MORE

opinion
Rau’shee Warren, Your Attitude is Showing

Posted: June
14, 2009

Fans of amateur boxing got another look this past week at the bad attitude that is known as Rau’shee Warrren. The two-time Olympian and several time national champion has shown his unsportsmanlike conduct on more than one occasion. The latest was during last week’s semi-finals of the 2009 US National Championships held in Denver, Colorado. MORE

Photos from Fight Club Show
Posted: June 13, 2009
PHOTOS BY ANDREW STENCIL

While results from the Fight Club show from earlier this month in Waterford have not been provided, teenage photographer Andrew Stencil was kind enough to send along a few great shots of the fights. MORE

2009 U.S. Championships Conclude
Posted: June 13, 2009

The 2009 national Senior Open Championships was held, for the first time, in conjunction with the national Junior Olympics tournament in Denver, Colorado this week.

MGGA's Jordan Shimmell (201 lbs) decisioned Nicholas Kisner of Maryland to capture the gold medal just a month after bringing home gold at the 2009 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in Salt Lake City, Utah. Saginaw's Ernesto Garza III took home bronze after a box-off win on the heels of a semifinal loss at 125 pounds. Of the 33 medals awarded, those were the only two that came home to Michigan. The Great Lakes region (region 5) saw medals go to Terrell Gausha (gold-165 lbs), Rau'shee Warren (bronze-119 lbs), Eddie Alicea (silver-152 lbs), Yuandale Evans (bronze-132 lbs) and Zeddie Adams (bronze-141 lbs). MORE

Mickey Goodwin Would Be Proud
Wasson Crowned National Champion
Posted: June 13, 2009

In her first national tournament, former River Rouge Boxing's Andrecia Wasson won in the final round on Friday at the 2009 U.S. Championships in Denver. Wasson won a 7-2 decision over Pennsylvania's Brittany Inkrote in their 152-lb bout to bring home a gold medal in the premiere amateur USA Boxing tournament in the country.

The Centerline teenager was trained by Mickey Goodwin until his sudden death earlier this year; she has trained since then with Rene Muniz at Casa De Boxeo in Lincoln Park.

Also on friday: Clinton County's Tyler Lord-Wilder again lost to Chaquita Hemingway. The two women boxers have taken turns winning gold at the annual event. Lord-Wilder beat Hemingway on her way to gold in 2007 but the tables were turned two years earlier when Hemingway won. Friday results

Garza Loses in Quarterfinals in Denver

Saginaw Boxing's Ernesto Garza III dropped a 24-17 decision Thursday in the semifinal round of the 2009 USA Boxing National Championships in Denver.

Garza, the 2008 National Golden Gloves champ, lost to Maryland's Kevin Rivers in a 125-lb bout. It was Garza's first fight of the weeklong tournament. Rivers was the runner-up at the 2008 Under 19 Championships.

Marquette's Jesse Hart defeated Maine's Russell Lamour at 165 pounds to advance to the final round.

Bonas, Love Win Silver at JO Nationals

Although both hoped for just a little more, they will return home with their first national silver after fighting this week at the Junior Olympics tournament in Denver, Colorado.

Kronk's Brandon Love and Kronk’s Joseph Bonas both lost by decisions in Thursdays finals. MORE

Fighters Survive Quarterfinals at Nationals
Posted: June 11, 2009

After three days of ring action, Michigan boxers and those from the Great Lakes region continue to fight through their competition on their way to national gold at this year’s USA Boxing National Championships.

The first-ever combined Senior Open and Junior Olympics started Monday and runs through Saturday in Denver, Colorado. MORE

Four Aces Fight Club Grand Opening Friday
Posted: June 11, 2009

The newest Boxing and MMA gym in Southeast Michigan opens next week with a three day grand opening that starts this Friday.

The Four Aces Fight Club will feature training in both combat sports in a 7,500 square foot facility at 22583 15- Mile Road, between Gratiot and Harper, in Clinton Township. MORE

Preliminary Action Concludes in Denver
Posted: June 10, 2009

The first two days of ring action has concluded at the combined National Senior Open and Junior Olympics championships being held this week in Denver, Colorado.

This is the first time the Senior Open tournament, also called the U.S. Championships, has been combined with the JO championship and also the first time either tourney has been held in Denver.

Michigan fighters have faired well through the preliminary rounds. MORE

Isiah Thomas Signs with DiBella
Posted: June 9, 2009

Detroit light heavyweight Isiah Thomas has signed a contract with promoter Lou DiBella. The news came in a press release issued by DiBella Entertainment this morning.

The 20-year old Thomas made his pro debut in September with a first round knockout in Florida followed by another in Warren a month later. A technical knockout on an Oklahoma card in late March left him undefeated with three first round knockouts.

More information will hopefully be coming in the next day or so.

2009 Jr Olympic & Senior Open Photos
Posted: June 2, 2009

The 2009 state Junior Olympic and Senior Open championships were combined for the first time this year and hosted by the Big Dog Boxing Club in Port Huron two weeks ago.

Because of the more than 100 bouts and the more than fifty champions crowned, reporting adequately was not possible with other time constraints. Instead, time was used to begin building more than 40 boxer profiles for those fighters that completed signed releases at the Detroit Golden Gloves and after.

Click here to see a photoshow of more than forty pictures from the 2009 dual tournaments: Slideshow

Ten to Head for the Hills
Posted: May 30, 2009

In the first combined Junior Olympics – Senior Open regional tournament, ten young boxers from Michigan made the grade and now advance to national competition June 8-13 in Denver, Colorado.

Region 5 competition was held last weekend in Barberton, Ohio, a suburb of Akron and the birthplace of U of M’s Bo Schembechler. A male and female team for each class of competition made the journey after winning at the state level in Port Huron the week before. MORE

Love Concludes Amateur Career
Posted: May 24, 2009

Detroit notable J’Leon Love is hanging up his headgear as he prepares for the next phase of his boxing career – turning pro.

The 21-year old Love confirmed to Sportssummary on Saturday that he is through fighting as an amateur and his next appearance between the ropes – except for training, of course – would be as a professional boxer. MORE

Two Teams Head to Regionals
Posted: May 21, 2009
Revised: May 30, 2009

With national tournaments for Jr. Olympics and Sr. Open fighters rapidly approaching, teams from Michigan are preparing to leave for regional competition. MORE

Boxers Compete at State Senior Open, Jr. Olympics
Posted: May 21, 2009
PHOTOS WILL BE ADDED SOON

Boxers from across the state flocked to the waterfront last weekend to compete in the state championship Junior Olympics and Senior Open tournaments. The venue was the Seaway Terminal in Port Huron and hosted by Big Dog Boxing Club, which held the JO event last year as well. This was the first time in several years that the Senior Open was not held at a Traverse City area casino - Trigger Boxing losing the bid to host the show months earlier - and the first time that the two tournaments were combined.

More than 100 bouts were contested over the three days.

Because of the large number of contested bouts, full results will not be provided here but, instead, more photographs than usual are being presented.

National Golden Gloves
Shimmell, De Leon Win Gold in Salt Lake
Posted: May 10, 2009
By Amy Donaldson/Special to Sportssummary.com

SALT LAKE CITY - It was not the fight he wanted, but it was the result he's been working for. MORE

National Golden Gloves
De Leon, Shimmell Advance to Finals
Posted: May 9, 2009
By Kevin Walters
PHOTOS AND LINKS ADDED

Heading into the finals, 22 boxers are poised to take home a gold medal as the 2009 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions concludes after a full week of fierce competition from the country’s elite amateur boxers.

Among the nearly two dozen athletes is one from each of the two Golden Gloves franchises representing the state – Michigan’s Jordan Shimmell and Detroit’s Erick De Leon. MORE

National Golden Gloves
Ranked Boxers Remain in Play
Posted: May 8, 2009
By Kevin Walters

As the 2009 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions heads into the semi-finals, sixty-one boxers remain in position to take home a championship ring. Of those, ten are nationally ranked by USA Boxing.

Just a day earlier, heading into the quarterfinals, following three days of preliminaries, 30 ranked boxers entered the ring and two-thirds were eliminated. That’s a tough day at the office. MORE

National Golden Gloves
Teams Eliminated - Omaha Sees Only Losses
Posted: May 8, 2009
By Kevin Walters

Of the twenty-nine teams that started off the week in Salt Lake City (the 30th team, from Hawaii, did not compete again this year), three have had little success and are finished with two days of fighting remaining before a champion is crowned. MORE

National Golden Gloves
Six Advance in Salt Lake
Posted: May 8, 2009
By Kevin Walters
PHOTOS AND LINKS ADDED

Forty-four bouts were contested Thursday as the 2009 National Golden Gloves moved into the quarterfinal stage just two days from the moment of truth, the finals on Saturday.

Elite boxers from around the country have fallen out and others have advanced. So it is with boxers from both the Michigan and Detroit teams. At the conclusion of Thursday competition, six of the original 19 boxers from the state have advanced to the semi-finals on Friday. MORE

National Golden Gloves
Eight Fighters Advance to Quarterfinals
Posted: May 7, 2009
By Kevin Walters

The third and final day of preliminary competition has ended at the 2009 National Golden Gloves (NGG) Championships in Salt Lake City with thirteen Michigan based fighters competing. Eight boxers won their bouts and advance to the quarterfinals while five fighters were eliminated.

Among the five boxers from the state that lost on Wednesday was defending 201 pound champion Craig Lewis who this year moved up a weightclass to super-heavy at 201+ pounds. Advancing fighters include defending champion Ernesto “Ernie” Garza III of Saginaw at 119 pounds. MORE

National Golden Gloves
Defending Champ Lewis Loses Bid for 2nd Gold
Posted: May 7, 2009
By Kevin Walters

Preliminary action wrapped up Wednesday after three days of competition in three rings that saw more than 150 of the country’s best amateur boxers eliminated as their victors move into the quarterfinals.

Among the five boxers from the state that lost on Wednesday was defending 201 pound champion Craig Lewis who this year moved up a weightclass to super-heavy at 201+ pounds. MORE

National Golden Gloves
Final Five Weights Contested

Posted: May 6, 2009
By Kevin Walters

The second day of competition has ended in this years National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions with more Michigan-based boxers advancing while, for others, hopes of returning home with a championship ring were quashed.

Seven boxers from the state of Michigan competed with four moving forward, slightly better than the 4-2 ratio from Monday, as regional Golden Gloves winners from across the country competed in Salt Lake City’s Salt Palace. MORE

National Golden Gloves
Three Advance after Day One

Posted: May 5, 2009

Six boxers from the state of Michigan were among those in six weight classes that saw action in day one of preliminaries at the 2009 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in Salt Lake City, Utah. Half of those advanced and half fell short.

Boxers from the state are divided for Golden Gloves into two teams – Michigan and Detroit. Both franchises saw defeat at 165 pounds eliminating the weightclass early from any medal opportunities while both teams saw success at 125 pounds. MORE

Michigan Boxers Ready for National Golden Gloves
Posted: May 3, 2009


The latest installment of the National Golden Gloves Championships is just hours away and both Michigan-based teams have made the roughly 1,400 mile trip to Salt Lake City, Utah and their quest for national gold. Boxers from the Detroit team left from Romulus' Metro Airport at 7 a.m. this morning and those fighters from the Michigan team departed at 10 a.m. from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. MORE

Southwest Detroit Hosts Outdoor Show
Posted: May 2, 2009

Southwest Detroit (SWD) Boxing Club’s first club show was held today at the Cesar Chavez Academy High School.

Taking advantage of the beautiful, clear day ten fights took place in an outdoor ring at the school just blocks from SWD’s gym in southwest Detroit’s Mexicantown, amidst celebrations for Cinco De Mayo. MORE

Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton - The Definition of Pay Per View
Posted: May 2, 2009
by Terrell James

Today will mark the first time in years when there should be no reluctance to shell out hard earned money for a pay per view. In case you have been under a rock, Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton will go mano a mano, in one of the most anticipated match-ups of the year. This is must see TV. This is when you call your friend who is always complaining that boxing has “fallen off” and will never be what it was back in the day. MORE

Steward: Fundraiser Likely Raised No Money
Posted: April 28, 2009
by Kevin Walters

They crowded together in the beautiful Townsend Hotel in downtown Birmingham March 25. Metro Detroit’s “movers and shakers” gathered for the stated purpose of raising money to benefit the future of the Kronk Gym in Detroit – that being its amateur program.

But, Kronk patriach Emanuel Steward admitted to Sportssummary two days after the event that after everything is said and done the “Fundraiser” likely would not see a profit. If it does, it won’t be much. Hopefully, it won’t end up costing him money like the one did three years ago. MORE

AIBA Reports Record Numbers for Junior World
Posted: April 28, 2009

Nearly three hundred amateur boxers from around the globe are expected to compete at this years AIBA Junior World Championships, according to a press release issued by the Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur or, more commonly called, the International Boxing Association.

A record-breaking number of 283 boxers from 47 countries have registered to compete in the 2009 tournament in Yerevan, Armenia, in southwest Asia, east of Turkey, which will take place from May 23-30. MORE

Froch victorious, stunning Taylor in 12th
Posted: April 27, 2009
Story & Photo by Terrell James

MASHANTUCKETT, Conn. - Before April 25th not may Americans knew Carl Froch. They didn’t know the Nottingham native was tough, resilient and determined not to take the 9 hour flight from Connecticut to the UK, without his WBC championship belt. Well if these people were watching Froch battle a just as determined Jermain Taylor, then they certainly know now. MORE

Monroe Fighters to Rejoin Detroit Golden Gloves
Posted: April 23, 2009

For nearly fifty years the boxing clubs in Monroe County have crossed state borders to fight in the Toledo (Ohio) Golden Gloves but that changes next year, Sportssummary has learned.

Boxers from Joe’s Boxing Club and the Arthur Lesow Community Center (ALCC), both located in the city of Monroe in the southeast corner of the state, will travel north instead of south to compete in the Metropolitan Detroit Golden Gloves starting with the 2010 tournament. MORE

Shimmell Makes Golden Gloves History
Three Michigan Boxers 4-Peat at Gloves
Posted: April 22, 2009

Over the weekend, boxers from across the state competed in the finals of the state Golden Gloves outside Grand Rapids and nine open class fighters advanced to the national tournament in Utah next month. Three of those won their fourth state Golden Gloves championship and one will forever have his name recorded in the history books. MORE

Two Win for Mickey
Hopkins Continues to Improve, Llamas Debuts

Posted:
April 21, 2009
PHOTOS ADDED

A shortened fight card caused by two club no-shows saw quality fights none-the-less as Casa De Boxeo put together a club show dedicated to the late Mickey Goodwin over the weekend.

What was scheduled to be fifteen bouts dropped by two earlier in the day and then fell drastically as boxer after boxer failed to show for their pre-matched fights. In the end only four of the scheduled fights survived intact. Opponents were swapped in two other bouts and one was made last minute in an effort to salvage the evening. Quality matchmaking and outstanding effort in the ring did just that. MORE

First Fight for Former Mickey Goodwin Student
Posted: April 17, 2009

Eissac Llamas, 17, trained under the guidance of Mickey Goodwin for several months in 2005 before school and work took priority. He fought in an exhibition or two but did not have a sanctioned bout. That is scheduled to change on Saturday. MORE

Three Try to 4-Peat at State Golden Gloves
Posted: April 17, 2009

The West is about to meet the East as boxers from across Michigan vie for the title of Michigan Golden Gloves state champion and the opportunity to go to Utah next month for the national tournament.

The 78th Michigan Golden Gloves Championships takes place today and tomorrow beginning at 7:00 p.m. each evening. All competition will be held at the Grand Valley National Guard Armory, 1200 44th St. SW in Wyoming, near Grand Rapids. MORE

Club Show is Memorial for Mickey Goodwin
Posted: April 17, 2009

A preliminary 15-bout amateur card is scheduled for Saturday at the Kennedy Memorial Building in Lincoln Park.

The club show is serving two functions beyond the normal club show experience. MORE

Austin Watkins Wins 4th Golden Gloves Title
Posted: April 16, 2009

For eleven-year old Austin Watkins, his first fight set the tone for his amateur career. He fought Ohio’s Ke’Shawn Dixon in a 75-lb novice bout at the 2006 Toledo Golden Gloves. He left the ring with his first win – a unanimous decision – and his first championship title. MORE

Joe’s Boxing Shines at Toledo Golden Gloves
Posted: April 16, 2009

Eleven boxers from Joe’s Boxing Club in Monroe won titles at this years Toledo Golden Gloves and the club won the all around team trophy.

Very limited information was available as the tournament official from Toledo did not return calls after several days. MORE

Mihtar to Fight Ishe Smith
Posted: April 14, 2009

After weeks of anticipation it is a done deal. The contract is signed. Dearborn’s Brian “The Lion” Mihtar (10-1-0, 9 KO) will face Ishe Smith (20-3-0, 9 KO) on May 8. MORE

Tyner on Michigan Card?
Posted: April 13, 2009

Will former Detroit welterweight Lanardo Tyner be returning to Michigan for an upcoming fight? He confirmed that talks are underway for him to fight in three weeks. MORE

Golden Gloves
Michigan District Results

Posted: April 9, 2009
Rev: April 10, 2009

The National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions is less than a month away and Michigan's open boxers have been hard at work training for the event. MORE

Detroit Golden Gloves Conclude Open Class
Posted: April 6, 2009
PHOTOS BY BOB RYDER

The finals of the 2009 Metro Detroit Golden Gloves concluded Sunday with fifteen fights that included six open class bouts and the promise of a shot at national gold at next months nationals in Salt Lake City, Utah.

With fighters J’Leon Love, LeAndre White, Erick DeLeon and Craig Lewis there was little surprise that Detroit’s Kronk Gym will be aptly represented in Utah this year. But no one told their opponents they were mere stepping stones to national gold and as a result none of them played the part. Half of the Kronk hopefuls was forced to go the distance, with two cut short. MORE

Fighting for Mickey
Posted: April 5, 2009
PHOTOS BY BOB RYDER

Cody Hopkins now trains and fights out of the Casa De Boxeo boxing gym in Lincoln Park but on Sunday he was representing something more. Hopkins was the sole boxer fighting at this years Metro Detroit Golden Gloves from the now-defunct River Rouge Boxing Club. It was where Mickey Goodwin spent the last several years of his life training the next generation of boxers. MORE

Craig Lewis Looks to Repeat National Title

Craig Lewis returned to amateur competition at this years Metro Detroit Golden Gloves, held once again at the Gibraltar Trade Center in the Detroit suburb of Taylor. MORE

Detroit Golden Gloves Contest 25 Bouts
Posted: April 4, 2009
Revised: April 5, 2009 COMPLETE RESULTS ADDED
by Kevin Walters
PHOTOS BY BOB RYDER

Seven bouts were scratched in the hours between weigh-ins and the medicals, as the first full day of action prepared to get underway at the 2009 Metro Detroit Golden Gloves, seemingly repeating what started at last nights prelims when half of the scheduled eight fights were cancelled. Before the day was out two more fights were cancelled but 25 would still take place at the Gibraltar Trade Center in Taylor. MORE

Four Bouts Contested at Detroit GG Prelims
Posted: April 4, 2009

Preliminary action got off to a disappointing start Friday evening as half of the scheduled eight bouts did not take place. One boxer was unable to make his declared weight while three others failed to compete. MORE

Detroit Golden Gloves Begin Friday
Posted: April 2, 2009
ADDITIONAL BOUT SHEETS ADDED

The Metropolitan Detroit Golden Gloves take place this weekend and is expected to provide long days of action.

Tournament director Rene Muniz reported that the number of entrants this year is so large that bouts are scheduled for all three days plus a total of nine bouts will be contested at another time. MORE

Dolton Returns to Gym
Posted: April 1, 2009

Domonique Dolton returned to the gym a week ago to prepare for two possible fights.

Dolton, 19, turned pro a year ago but has had trouble getting a fourth fight. His record is 3-0 but finding opponents has been problematic as his handlers look for fight number four.

The Kronk fighter took five weeks off from gym training, returning on Tuesday for sparring, but stayed in shape, he said, largely by playing basketball.

Emanuel Steward told Sportssummary Friday that he is working to put Dolton on the April 26 Aaron Pryor, Jr undercard in Ohio and on a May 1 show at DeCarlo’s in Warren.

Flores Debut is Shortest Fight of Night
Posted: March 29, 2009
by Kevin Walters PHOTOS BY BOB RYDER

On Saturday, 18-year old Joel Flores made the jump from the amateur ranks into the realm of professional sports. It was a move that was some seven years – and more than 100 bouts – in the making. MORE

Cunningham Halts Muller
Posted: March 29, 2009
Story & photos by Bob Ryder

Darryl Cunningham scored a 4th round TKO over Moline, Illinois' Ted Muller at the Royal Oak Music Theatre Saturday night. MORE

Second Flores to turn Pro
Posted: March 26, 2009
by Kevin Walters

With more than a hundred amateur fights under his belt, the time to make the jump to the professional ranks is now for another of Michigan’s outstanding young boxers. MORE

Kronk Fundraiser Wednesday
Posted: March 24, 2009

Tomorrow, the famous and the not-so-famous-but-well-to-do will gather in Birmingham for what is billed as the first annual fundraiser of the newly formed Kronk Gym Foundation. MORE

Lively 9 Bout Kronk Card in Inkster Entertains
Posted: March 22, 2009
Revised: March 23, 2009
Revised: March 26, 2009
by Lindy Lindell

With eight of nine bouts involving Kronk boxers, the spectator could but anticipate an evening of good guys versus bad guys. Not. When was the last time three Kronk boxers lost on a boxing show put on by Kronk? Whether by "luck" or design, matchmaker Taurrek Fikes put together a very competitive nine-bout program at the Inkster Recreation Complex, March 20, in which no fewer than three Kronk boxers lost decisions.

Irish Hills Boxing to Relocate
Posted: March 15, 2009

The boxers of the Irish Hills Boxing Club in southern lower Michigan will soon have a new home. The gym is moving from its Brooklyn location, in southern Jackson County, to a larger facility about twenty miles closer to the city of Jackson, according to head trainer Bob Kerr.

The move is expected to be complete around the first of April and will necessitate a name change but one has not yet been finalized.

2nd Annual DRD Shines at Northwest
Posted: March 15, 2009

by Lindy Lindell

Louis Mitchell's second annual amateur boxing program drew an SRO crowd and featured 12 mostly-action bouts in Detroit's Northwest Activities Center, March 14. Mitchell had a good show last year. This one was even better. In fact, the intensity and quality of the matches--all evenly matched--generated one of the two best shows this reporter has seen in the last five years.

Up Next for Miguel Cotto
Posted: March 14, 2009
by Terrell James

Fresh off the five round termination of the game but outclassed Michael Jennings, Miguel Cotto’s next fight is already being discussed. The word is Cotto will make his annual MSG appearance on the Eve of the Puerto Rican day parade. The list of potential opponents is said to be down to three names; former IBF strap holder Kermit Cintron, current IBF title holder and stablemate Joshua Clottey and the young but talented WBC champ, Andre Berto. Noticeably absent from the list is the new WBA champ “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Mosley hung tough with Cotto in Nov of 07 but Top Rank promoter Bob Arum thinks Shane may ask for too much to make this fight.

Goodbye to the Detroit Rocky
Posted: March 12, 2009
By Kevin Walters

Pastor Jeff Anifer of Melvindale’s St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church told those assembled for the Monday morning service that if Heaven has a boxing gym that Mickey Goodwin was likely already helping train boxers.

Goodwin, 51, died of a stroke Tuesday at his home in Melvindale.

Promoter Grable back in Biz at Barrister Gardens
Posted: March 8, 2009
by Lindy Lindell


Promoter Mike Grable was pleading: "I just gotta have one more fight." An unidentified trainer of a boxer who apparently had backed out was busy looking for imaginary lint on his pants leg. Dressing-room matchmaking wasn't going very well and a 12-bout card had melted into just seven bouts. But the crowd didn't seem the wiser, and the seven fights seemed to be a good amount to the rookie ring announcer: "We've got seven action bouts for you tonight, Ladies and Gents!"

Mickey Goodwin Found Dead in Home
Medical Examiner Rules Out Foul Play
Posted: March 5, 2009
By Kevin Walters

Legendary former boxer and current trainer Mickey Goodwin was found dead Tuesday evening inside his Downriver home.

According to published media reports, Goodwin’s body was found about 6:30 pm on Tuesday after young boxers showed up at his River Rouge gym but the legendary pro boxer-turned-trainer did not.

Diaz vs Marquez Fight Review
Posted: March 5, 2009
By Terrell James


With the right combatants, professional prize fighting is a sport like no other. Two of the top lightweights in the world proved that Saturday night in front of an electric crowd at the Toyota Center in Houston. In an early candidate for fight of the year, Juan Manuel Marquez scored a spectacular 9th round knockout over hometown hero, Juan Diaz.
Club Cancellations Negate Cantu Debut
Christian Center is Site of Fight Club
Posted: March 1, 2009

The late notice cancellations by two boxing clubs diminished the pool of fighters available for the first club show at the Fight Club’s new Waterford home, causing several planned fights to be scratched. One of those was the anticipated debut of Angelo Cantu.
Fight Club Opening Features Cantu Debut
Posted: February 27, 2009

Two amateur fights are scheduled this Saturday – in Waterford and Port Huron. In Waterford, the fights coincide with the grand opening of the Fight Club, a gym with a dual theme for training both boxers and mixed martial artists. The owner and head trainer is Mike Grable, who knows a thing or two about both sports.

Newcomer Masters Wins "Fight of Night" in Davison
Aguilar Beats National Champ
Posted: February 24, 2009
REVISED: 10:01pm, 02/24/09

A packed VFW hall in Davison was the site for twenty-two amateur fights as boxers from a dozen gyms gathered, despite the inclement weather that saw several inches of snow dumped in their path.

One fight was particularly noteworthy according to Done Wells, one of the trainers that make up the Davison Boxing Club, which hosted the event. And that’s saying something considering the quality of the matches described and some of the participants.

Smith and Garza Brawl in Inkster
Posted: February 14, 2009
Story & Photos by Bob Ryder

The Kronk Boxing Team hosted a night of 9 amateur contests at the Inkster Recreation Complex on Friday the 13th. A good sized crowd that nearly filled the gym witnessed a fine program of evenly matched bouts highlighted by the tremendous battle between James Smith of Butzel and Ernie Garza of Saginaw. The two exchanged continuous punches for the entire three rounds and were rewarded with a standing ovation from the appreciative crowd at the bout's conclusion. Smith edged out Garza for the decision win and was justly given the "fighter of the night" trophy as well. An excellent fight that had one judge at ringside saying he needed a calculator in attempting to tabulate the volume of punches as they were being thrown! Kudos to matchmaker Fikes for this one as well as several other interesting contests.

Fight Shop to Open in Dearborn
Posted: January 28, 2009

Instead of ordering the wrong size boxing shoe or improperly fitting MMA gloves out of a catalog, fighters will now have an alternative way of getting the items they need.

Boxers and Mixed-Martial Artists will be able to walk into a store starting this weekend and buy the equipment and clothing they need – after ensuring the headgear, gloves and shorts actually fit.

Cameron Meets First Hurdle at Canadian Nationals
Posted: January 21, 2009

Border City’s Josh Cameron made it past the first hurdle at the 2009 Senior National Championships in Canada on Wednesday.

"Big Duke" Docusen Dies at Age 81
Posted: January 13, 2009
By Bob Ryder

Bernard “Big Duke” Docusen, one of boxing's uncrowned champions of the 1940’s-1950’s, died on January 11. 2009. Docusen suffered several heart attacks and lapsed into a coma. The 81 year old Docusen was best known for his terrific fight with Sugar Ray Robinson for the welterweight championship of the world on June 28, 1948. Docusen , who had just turned 21 years old nine days before the fight, lost a very close 15 round decision to the man most consider to be the best pound for pound boxer of all time. In the days of only 8 weight classes and one champion per division, Bernie never got another crack at a title.

Detroit Golden Gloves Scheduled
Posted: January 11, 2009

The date and location for the 2009 Detroit Metropolitan Golden Gloves has been finalized.

Packer Resigns MI GG Position
Posted: January 1, 2009

Dave Packer’s busy schedule got lightened an hour ago as he stepped down from two time-intensive positions with Michigan amateur boxing.

Slater Wins Rematch in Monroe
Posted: December 21, 2008

Joe’s Boxing held the last show of the year this weekend in the athletic building of the Monroe County Community College. It is the second time amateur boxing graced the campus in the past year.

Eighteen bouts were in order with clubs as far away as Bay City in Michigan, Defiance in Ohio and Windsor, Ontario in Canada making the drive on still-snow covered roads.

McKart Loses Title Shot
Posted: December 21, 2008

Monroe’s Bronco McKart (51-9-1, 31 KO) had his shot at the NABF Middleweight title snatched from his grasp again, this time at the hands of Russian Roman Karmazin (36-3-1), in Inglewood, California.

Kronk Boxers Dominate Dearborn Amateur Show
Posted: December 18, 2008
Story & Photos by Bob Ryder

Byblos Banquet Center in Dearborn was the site for a rare mid-week fight card on Wednesday. The Kronk team swept all but the final contest in a 10 bout card that had several outstanding fights and sustained action throughout. Emanuel Steward was in attendance and there was a good crowd present for this size venue.

MMA Public Hearing Set
Posted: December 16, 2008

After much anticipation, MMA fans are one step closer to seeing professional cage fighting a reality in Michigan.

LBC Elects New Members
Posted: December 15, 2008

A changing of the guard will take place next month within the Michigan LBC when currently serving officers step aside and new members step up to serve.

Despite Economy, Registrations at High Levels
Posted: December 15, 2008

Boxer registrations in Michigan are at, or near, record levels it was reported Sunday at the annual meeting of the USA Boxing – Michigan Association’s Board of Directors.

By the end of November, 1,145 athletes were registered according to Ali Easley, Registration Chairman.

2009 Michigan Silver Gloves Champions Crowned
Posted: December 14, 2008

The 2009 Michigan Silver Gloves championships were held December 6-7 at the St. Vincent de Paul Parish Hall n Pontiac. As they have for the past several years, the Azteca Youth Enrichment boxing team played host for the two-day event for boxers under the age of 16 years.

Anthony Dirrell Wins in California
Posted: December 6, 2008

Flint boxer Anthony Dirrell made short work of Robert Kliewer a few hours ago in California with a TKO coming at 1:03 of the second round. Dirrell remains undefeated at 14-0.

It was Dirrell's second fight, and second win, since being treated for cancer. It was Kliewer's third straight loss, all of which ended early.

Paris – Ups & Downs
Part Three Photo Gallery
Posted: December 5, 2008
By Kevin Walters

In his youth, Vernon Paris often had problems with his mother’s boyfriends and, as a result, he ran the streets of Detroit, in the Schaefer and West Chicago area where he lived, even running away from home on occasion.

“They put their hands on her,” Paris said of the men that dated his mother. “(They were) disrespectful.”

Paris – Ups & Downs
Part Two
Posted: December 2, 2008
By Kevin Walters

In the eight months since he last entered a boxing ring, Vernon Paris’ life has continued along its roller coaster path, at times coming dangerously close to jumping the track.

Following his suspension from the sport in March, Paris has been the victim of a second life threatening attack, become a father for the first time and been arrested for allegedly assaulting his baby’s mother.

Paris – Ups & Downs
Part One
Posted: November 30, 2008
By Kevin Walters

Vernon Paris’ life has had its share of ups and downs with a professional record that rocketed to an undefeated 19 wins in two short years and the birth of his first child and plummeted with two attacks on his life, multiple license suspensions and an arrest.

Recently, the state of Michigan did what no man in the ring has been able to do. Stop Paris. Or, you might say, Paris stopped himself.

Hearns to Fight at Boxing Mecca
Posted: November 29, 2008

He will enter the ring, undefeated, at the most famous of boxing venues – Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Ronald Hearns (21-0-0, 17 KO) will have turned 30-years old three weeks earlier, when he climbs thru the most famous ropes in the boxing world in the most famous of places on January 17, 2009.

Cameron Gets Win for Birthday
Posted: November 23, 2008

Josh Cameron celebrated his 19th birthday on Saturday night with a unanimous decision win over Motown’s Willie Fortune after moving up to Junior Middleweight. That fight was part of Border City’s Club Show XVI and 4th Annual Bill White Memorial held in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Former Pontchartrain is Site of Club Show
Posted: November 23, 2008

A ballroom inside the former Hotel Pontchartrain in downtown Detroit was the site for one of two club shows held in the city over the weekend.

The Downtown Boxing Club hosted the Saturday show at the Riverside Hotel, formerly the Pontchartrain, located across the street from Cobo Hall. Thirteen clubs participated in Khali Muhammad’s first club show, held the same night as a show across the river in Windsor and a night after fights at the nearby Detroit Yacht Club.

Wright’s Streak Ends at DYC
Posted: November 22, 2008

After five straight wins, relative newcomer Allah Wright of Joe’s Boxing Club lost to Butzel’s Shawn Davis at last night’s Detroit Yacht Club show.

Wright entered the 125-lb bout with a 6-2 record on the tail end of five consecutive wins, with at least two against far more experienced opponents, but that was not the same Wright that fought on Friday.

Gunplay Ends Boxers’ Debuts
Posted: November 22, 2008

River Rouge Boxing Club is less two young boxers this week as tragedy involving a handgun took the life of one boy and will forever change the life of the other.

Cunningham & Hloros Score 1st Round KO's
Story & photos by Bob Ryder
Posted: November 16, 2008

Darryl Cunningham removed Patrick Wesson from the realm of the undefeated with a convincing first round knockout in the main event at The Royal Oak Music Theatre on Friday night. Grand Rapids' Wesson came in with a perfect 7-0 mark. Closer examination of his opponents' records leading up to this fight revealed a combined log of only 4-5-1, suggesting that he had been built up on novices. Around ringside however, those that had seen him in action said he could fight. Maybe he can, but Cunningham did not give him the chance. Wesson looked shaky with the first serious exchange and was knocked down shortly after. Cunningham, realizing that he had way too much for his foe, proceeded to track him down and, unleashing a sustained attack, knocked him down and out along the ropes. Detroit Light heavyweight Cunningham is now 12-2 with 6 KO's.

Wright, Porter, Van Riper Win in Defiance
Posted: November 7, 2008

Boxers from Joe’s Boxing Club in Monroe fought November 1st at the Defiance Athletic Club "Showdown in D town" in Defiance, Ohio. Five from the Michigan club were among the 26 boxers that fought on Saturday.

Windsor Fighters Compete in Provincial Open
Posted: November 2, 2008

Amateur boxers from nearby Windsor, Ontario, Canada competed this weekend in the 2009 Ontario Provincial Championships, which started Thursday and ended tonight, at the Holiday Inn in Oshawa, about 45 minutes east of Toronto.

Relative Newcomer Wright Defeats veteran Lawson
Posted: October 28, 2008

Allah Wright of Joe’s Boxing Club entered the ring on Saturday at the Detroit Boxing Jungle with an even 2-2 record. Six and a half minutes later, his hand was raised in victory with a decision over a much more experienced Darrion Lawson of FWC Berston.

Amateurs Show in Ypsilanti
Story & photos by Bob Ryder
Posted: October 27, 2008

A Square Boxing Club hosted a card of 18 amateur contests at the Michigan Sports Academy in Ypsilanti on Saturday night. The 6pm start time got pushed to 8pm but once the first bout started all the fights went off with no breaks in between.

Sanders Stymied, Fuller Trashed
Posted: October 19, 2008
by Lindy Lindell

October 17, The Palace of Auburn Hills, MI: Short of going out there and beating Holly Holm over the head himself, Jimmy Mallo did everything he could to bring a world title back for his charge, Mary Jo Sanders. It very nearly worked, and a good thing, too, that Mary Jo finally woke up after the eighth round. Mallo had implored Mary Jo to do just that: "Wake up!" The exortings by Mallo came with a slap and the repetition of what Mary Jo wasn't doing enough of--throwing punches, and failing to throw in combination.

Banks’ Autograph Session Well Received
Posted: October 18, 2008

IBO and NABO champion Johnathon Banks made a scheduled appearance at the Applebees Neighborhood Bar & Grill in Southgate, a suburb ten minutes south of Detroit, on Thursday to sign autographs.

Weights from Auburn Hills
Posted: October 17, 2008

Weights from Thursday’s co-main events weigh-in at Auburn Hills:

Palace Card Features Two Title Fights
Sanders-Holm Rematch, Fuller-Harris Co-Mains
Posted: October 15, 2008

Joe Donofrio turns his attention once again to boxing this Friday for a night of professional boxing at The Palace of Auburn Hills that promises not one but two title fights.

After recently directing his promotional talents to the ultra-popular Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) craze with two USA vs Canada shows, Donofrio turns his attention to boxing promoting his second show of the year at the Auburn Hills venue.

Ernie Garza Earns Piazza Award
Posted: October 13, 2008

Saginaw’s Ernesto Garza III was recognized with the 35th Annual Julius Piazza Memorial Trophy for most outstanding boxer.

Tyner Gets Second Title Shot
Posted: October 13, 2008

After a hard-to-watch loss six months ago to “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis for the USBA light welterweight title, Lanardo Tyner is getting a second chance.

The former Detroiter, now transplanted to Texas, will face Lamont Peterson on November 1 in Las Vegas for the NABF championship.

Nolan Returns with Win at DeCarlo's
Posted: October 11, 2008
Story & Photos by Bob Ryder

After an absence of over a year and a half Detroit heavyweight Leo Nolan returned to ring action in the familiar confines of DeCarlo's Convention Center in Warren. As a former member of promoter John Carlisle's Team Cannon, Nolan had boxed here often in 2002-05. In this one, opponent Mike Jones of Port Huron had a big weight advantage over Nolan but when the first bell rang it looked like things would be over in a hurry. The big guys got right to it and before the round was barely half over Jones had been knocked to the canvas twice. Jones managed to weather the rest of the round and get himself back into the fight. By the third round Jones also had a bloody nose but hung in the rest of the way to make it interesting. Nolan was awarded the 8 round unanimous decision to improve to 27-1 while Jones suffered his 5th loss in a row in declining to 4-15.

Vernon Paris Jailed for Assault
Posted: October 10, 2008

Former Detroiter Vernon “Iceman” Paris who has had his share and a dozen other persons’ share of troubles that includes two attempts on his life and a lengthy suspension from his chosen profession has new troubles. An arrest.

Lord-Wilder Wins PAL
Posted: October 8, 2008

Tyler Lord-Wilder returned home from a week in California with a National PAL title.

Stipulation Puts Paris Out of Ring Another Year
Posted: October 8, 2008

Boxing fans who hoped to see Vernon Paris back in the ring will have to wait what may seem a lifetime.

In an agreement with state officials last month, Paris’ boxing license was suspended for one year to be followed by a license revocation, a penalty that will not start until a suspension for a previous offense runs its course. For his fans, that means the “Iceman” will not be boxing for at least another year.

Archie Millben Retires
Posted: October 8, 2008

Last Wednesday, G. Archie Millben had plans to do something he hadn’t done in nearly four decades. Sleep late. And, in turn, not go to work.

There was no job for him to go to.

Excellent Matches Predominate on Venetian Club Amateur Show
Posted: October 5, 2008
By Lindy Lindell

Photos by Bob Ryder

Rene Muniz put together a very fine and highly competitive amateur card of 11 bouts last night at the Venetian Club in Madison Heights, MI, that featured mostly beginners, but also showcased a contest that displayed the wares of 2008 Detroit-area Golden Gloves champ, James Fortune. Fortune, who is trained by former lightweight contender Greg Coverson of the Infinity Boxing Club, has moved up to the 165-pound weight division, had his way to the point of dominance in the first round with Eddie Gates of the Dynamic Boxing Club. But Gates proved tougher than initially expected, and in rounds two and three, Fortune knew he had been in a fight.

Garside Loses Title Bid
Posted: September 30, 2008

Windsor’s Jeannine “Heartless” Garside lost her bid for the IBFA Super Featherweight title on Sunday.

No Room at the Gym
Kronk Patriarch Evicts Former Kronk Teammate

Posted: September 24, 2008

September 12 was just about like any other day for Alexis Hloros, who works out four days a week.. After spending two hours working out, doing floor exercises and hitting the heavy bag he was about to leave the Kronk Gym for the day when Coach Raja approached him with some unexpected news.

Cunningham and Hloros Win on TKOs
Posted: September 21, 2008
by Bob Ryder
Photos by Susan Barnes

A capacity crowd gathered at the Royal Oak Music Theatre on Friday night to witness the latest presentation from promoters Heavyhitter, CLIP, and Ron Remus. An entertaining night of boxing kept the place rocking and rolling much like the music acts that usually grace this venue. The card was also taped for later broadcast on FSN Sports Detroit.

Boxing Returns to Royal Oak Music Theatre
Posted: September 16, 2008

Boxing returns to the Royal Oak Music Theatre on Friday for another night of pro boxing from promoters Ron Remus, Heavy Hitter and CLIP. It is the second show in as many months at the venue from this trio with another show already scheduled for November.

The first show, in August, was well received and co-promoter Ron Remus reported on Monday that ticket sales were “phenomenal” and he predicted to sell out the 1,200 seat venue.

Millennium Center Hosts Infinity Boxing Show
Posted: September 14, 2008
By Bob Ryder

I
nfinity Boxing presented a card of 13 amateur bouts at the Millennium Center this past Saturday night. Televised college football games, cable fights and lousy wet weather probably all contributed to a small but enthusiastic crowd.

MMA Hits Meadowbrook
Posted: September 7, 2008

Generally known as a premiere concert venue, Meadowbrook Music Theatre played host on Saturday to its first-ever mixed-martial arts (MMA) caged fight.

Joseph Donofrio of Donofrio Entertainment, the promoter for the event, last year promoted the first-ever Pro-Am boxing show at the outdoor venue, located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester Hills.

Dolton Wins in Cincinnati
Posted: August 31, 2008

He trained and trained for his second professional fight. It was supposed to take place four months earlier but it got put off for one reason and then another. Then just as suddenly as other fights were cancelled, Dolton got signed for a fight this past Saturday.

Champs Crowned in First Annual Tournament
Posted: August 30, 2008

Michigan’s newest and only non-advancing and International amateur boxing tournament ended last week after three evenings of action.

Eric McGuire of Ann Arbor’s A-Square Fight Club was the originator and host of the annual James “Lights Out” Toney Invitational Tournament held at the city’s Veterans Memorial Park hockey rink August 22-24. The event was for open-class boxers (ten or more fights) but some non-tournament bouts were part of the mix.

Ann Arbor Tourney Starts Friday
Posted: August 17, 2008

The James “Lights Out” Toney 1st Annual Invitational Tournament starts Friday and ends with championship competition on Sunday.

The state’s newest amateur boxing tournament is hosted by Ann Arbor’s A-Square Fight Club, which has held several big venue club shows in the few years since its inception including a well attended show at the field house at nearby Eastern Michigan University.

Monroe’s Morais Finds Success in MMA Debut
Posted: August 15, 2008

Splitting his workout time between two gyms is how amateur boxer Drew Morais has spent his summer. And the work paid off as the novice boxer faced his latest opponent, this time in the caged arena.

Cunningham Advances With Win Over Wallace
Posted: August 9, 2008
Story & Photos by Bob Ryder

Thursday night was the date for the latest promotion from Heavy Hitters, Ron Remus, and CLIP. Originally slated for Royal Oak's Farmer's Market the venue was changed to the Royal Oak Music Theatre and the fans were treated to a 7 all pro bout fight card.

Bernal Last Hope at Under-19 Championships
Posted: August 7, 2008
REVISED: August 13

Four Michigan boxers were among the seventy-eight amateurs fighting for gold at the Under-19 National Championships being held this week in Kansas City, but after the quarterfinals today only one still has a chance.

Under-19 Championships
Posted: August 6, 2008

Four Michigan boxers are in Kansas City this week hoping to return home with a championship title at the Under-19 National Championships that start today.

As in 2006, the national tournament is being held in conjunction with this year’s Ringside World Championships in Kansas City, Missouri. Seventy-eight boxers, aged 17-18, are expected to participate this year.

Boxing Comes to Royal Oak
Posted: August 5, 2008

The latest offering from Heavy Hitter and CLIP, with the assistance of licensed promoter Ron Remus, is set for Thursday in Royal Oak. The card has changed – as they always do – and so has the venue. But the card remains mostly competitive.

Dirrell Posts Another Win
Posted: August 3, 2008

Andre Dirrell recorded his fourth straight knockout victory with his weekend win over Maryland’s Mike Paschall. It is his longest KO streak of his pro career.

Nash Continues Loss Streak
Posted: August 3, 2008

Reggie Nash lost another fight this weekend but this time Michigan boxing fans did not have to endure it.

Furney Fights on Judah Undercard
Posted: August 3, 2008

Former Michigan fighter Scott Furney has been fighting regularly since his move out-of-state with little notice paid until this past weekend he appeared on the undercard of the Zab Judah –Josh Clottey card.

Furney (3-4-1, 1 KO) went head to head against one-time amateur standout Diego Magdaleno on August 2. The two fighters with extensive amateur backgrounds faced-off in a six round junior lightweight bout.

Crown Boxers Win Title Tournament
Posted: August 3, 2008

Lansing’s Crown Boxing returned home with two new national champs from a Title amateur tournament that took place in early June, which Sportssummary just became aware of.

Funseth Wins Silver in National Tourney
Posted: July 30, 2008

From a young age, she has been around boxing. First because her older brother was a boxer and then when the bug effected her. Today, she holds distinction as a national medal winner.

Three Win Top Prize at Junior Golden Gloves
Posted: July 29, 2008

In an era of high fuel prices and a declining local economy, a handful of Michigan hopefuls ventured westward in quest of gold. No, this is not a page from your school history book about the gold mining efforts of days gone by but rather of five young men that sought a gold emblem to wear around their neck. At least momentarily, until it then takes its place on the bookshelf with their other trophies, belts and awards.

Settlement Worked Out in Paris Complaints
Posted: July 26, 2008

Representatives of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) and former Detroit boxer Vernon “Iceman” Paris have worked out a settlement negating the need for a scheduled hearing on July 28.

Detroit Bad Ass gets Cancelled

Promoters have cancelled Friday's amateur show at Fort Wayne. Promoter Greg Ahrens confirmed on Wednesday that the planned three show amateur elimination series culminating with a promotional contract and a FSN-televised pro debut has been cancelled.

Arsenault Chalks Up KO 1 in Bay City
Posted: July 20, 2008
Story & Photos by: Bob Ryder

Despite the overcast and threatening weather, promoters Greg Ahrens, Carlos Llinas and Art Dore attracted a SRO crowd to the annual summer show in Bay City. As in the last few years, Hooters on the Saginaw River was the venue.

For Love, Injury puts Boxing on Hold Again
Posted: July 20, 2008

For the second time in eight months, an injury has forced Kronk amateur J’Leon Love to temporarily put boxing on hold.

Toney Defeats Rahman
Posted: July 18, 2008
by:
Brian Haas

PECHANGA INDIAN RESERVATION, Calif. ---- It was hardly a fitting ending to a bout that was supposed to signal the end of a fighters career.

In controversial fashion, Hasim Rahman all but quit on the stool after the third round Wednesday night, giving James Toney the TKO decision and the NABO heavyweight championship.

Detroit “Bad Ass” Concept is Unique
Posted: July 15, 2008

Open class amateur boxers intending to turn pro this year will have a unique opportunity later this month.

Three promoters are continuing a standing relationship to bring professional boxing to the state with a unique tournament-style amateur event that will culminate with a professional boxing contract.

Brusso Improves, West Injury Causes Stoppage on Saturday
Posted: July 14, 2008

Detroit Boxing Jungle was the venue on Saturday in a nine-card show billed as the “Rumble in the Jungle.”

Six clubs from the metro area participated in the first of what trainer and owner Mike Awada says will be monthly Jungle shows. The Jungle gym is not the first club this year to promise monthly boxing shows – Kronk’s planned Pro-Am format has suffered from the start with cancelled pro cards and now complete cancellations for at least July and August. Hopefully, Awada will have better success.

Shamoun, Jasso Win
Posted: July 8, 2008

Despite their boxing gym being closed for the summer, two Casa De Boxeo fighters traveled to Ohio and won in club show competition.

Zach Shamoun and David Jasso competed in the latest Defiance Athletic Club (DAC) show on Thursday, July 3.

Bert’s Show is Cancelled
Posted: June 30, 2008

Friday’s boxing show at Bert’s Warehouse Theatre in Detroit has been cancelled.

New Kronk Holds First Grand Opening
Posted: June 29, 2008

Kronk once again has a presence in the city of Detroit.

Kronk coach Majed Fradi is opening the latest incarnation of the Kronk Gym on West Warren on Detroit’s far westside. Located between Piedmont and Grandville, the new gym occupies what used to be two storefronts located across from the Instinct Bar & Grill.

Historic Fort Wayne, June 20
Promoter Takes Issue with Coverage

Posted: June 28, 2008

In response to a story penned by Lindy Lindell and published here last week about the June 20th pro boxing show at Detroit's historic Fort Wayne, co-promoter Gino Cicarella of Heavy Hitter Promotions took issue. His remarks are published here, in their entirety.

Paris: Finished with the Past
Posted: June 27, 2008

Vernon Paris is finished with the past.

The young welterweight that has largely been the boxer of note in Michigan over the past year is moving forward. And, leaving Detroit behind.

Bernard “Big Duke” Docusen Inducted into CA HOF
Posted: June 27, 2008
by Bob Ryder

This past June 21st saw the annual California Hall of Fame induction ceremony take place at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, CA. A packed house was in attendance to witness the event. Of local interest to Michigan boxing fans were the inductions of Joe Louis, Jackie Kallen and Bernard Docusen as well as the appearance of Berry Gordy, Jr.

Boxer Injured Friday is Doing Well
Posted: June 22, 2008

Ryan Meyer, who was felled during his boxing debut at Detroit’s historic Fort Wayne on Friday, was released the same night from a Detroit hospital and is doing fine.

Historic Venue Site for Heavy Hitter Show
Posted: June 22, 2008
by Lindy Lindell

Fort Wayne, the historic military site on the Detroit River dating back to the Civil War, provided the venue for an eight-bout card on Friday. The good guy v. bad guy show featured ticket sellers that brought roars of approval from the partisan crowd that very nearly packed the place.

National JO Crowns Three Michigan Champions
Posted: June 21, 2008

Five Michigan amateurs traveled the 450 miles from the Detroit area to Marquette, and the home of Northern Michigan University, for the 37th annual national Junior Olympics Championships that were contested June 17-20.

Garden City’s Daniel Smith (201+ lbs), just barely in the open class with under 15 fights, Lincoln Park’s Erick DeLeon (125 lbs), with more than 65 fights, and Port Huron’s Valerie Farley (132 lbs, Female) each claimed national gold in this year’s tournament.

Paris Hearing Postponed
Posted: June 21, 2008

Wednesday’s scheduled hearing in Lansing against pro boxer Vernon “Iceman” Paris was postponed, department officials reported Friday morning.

“Gorgeous” Gorges to make Debut
Posted: June 18, 2008

After six years as an amateur boxer, Andre Gorges has had enough. Sort of.

On Friday, the boxer whose mispronounced last name became a moniker makes his professional debut in Detroit.

Gjokaj to donate to injured boxer
Posted: June 12, 2008

The story of youth boxer Juan Contreras, severely injured in a sanctioned amateur bout and whose story has been chronicled several times on Sportssummary.com, has apparently touched the heart of professional boxer Luigi Gjokaj.

Flores on Chicago Card
Posted: June 12, 2008

Welterweight Federico Flores, Jr. (4-2-0, 2 KO) of Hart is fighting 31-year old Gustavo Palacios (2-3-0, 1 KO) on the Chicagoan’s home turf on June 20.

Good Crowd, Sparse Action at Bert's Warehouse
Posted: June 7, 2008

by Lindy Lindell

Five summers ago, I was the matchmaker for a show in Taylor, Michigan. I made the matches top to bottom. The show bombed, an artistic and financial failure. That I was fired was largely justified. There were complications beyond my control then and I have shied away from getting licensed as a matchmaker since because the situation has so badly worsened that I no longer think it is possible to account for 14 boxers to make seven (reasonably entertaining) fights involving the budgetary constraints necessary in the putting together of a club show boxing card.
MMA
Cage Fighting Comes to Downriver

Posted: June 3, 2008


The crowd at Wyandotte’s Yack Arena was larger than for the last boxing show that it hosted. Not a little larger. Alot larger. The stands were full to capacity and the tables and rows of folding chairs set up on the floor nearest the ring appeared to be mostly full.

Lawsuit Filed in Contreras Injury
Posted: June 1, 2008
PART TWO

The mother of 12-year old Juan Contreras, who was injured during a club show in March, has filed suit against her son’s boxing coach, his boxing club and the sport’s governing organization, USA Boxing. The state Local Boxing Committee (LBC), as well as the Kalamazoo boxing club that hosted the youth’s March 15 fight, were also included, along with five other individuals or companies, in a 21-page complaint filed Thursday in the Ingham County Circuit Court. The case is #08-747-NO.

Love Defeats Olympian to Win Duel
Posted: June 1, 2008

Kronk Gym's J’Leon Love won his first international competition over the weekend with a points win over Dominican Republic Olympian Argenis Nunez.

Lawsuit Filed in Contreras Injury
Posted: May 30, 2008
PART ONE

A lawsuit was filed Thursday in Lansing on behalf of Juan Contreras, a 12-year old boxer, who was injured during a club show in March.

Love to Compete in Duel
Posted: May 28, 2008

Kronk Gym light-heavyweight J’Leon Love will represent the United States in duel competition this weekend.

Love, who returned to boxing in April after four months off due to a neck injury received in a traffic crash returning home from the 2008 Senior Open state championships, is one of eleven U.S. amateurs competing against boxers from the Dominican Republic this Saturday, May 31.

No Movement in Paris Cases
Posted: May 26, 2008

There has been little change in the status of two rules violations against now-former Detroit light-welterweight Vernon “Iceman” Paris as they make their way slowly through the agency that governs boxing in the state of Michigan.

Paris, who moved to Florida earlier this month after another attack on his life, faces disciplinary action from Michigan officials after failing a second drug test and skipping out without providing a sample in a third instance. Both of these latest incidents occurred within the last six months.

Contreras Responds to Mention of Hero
Posted: May 25, 2008

Did the mention of an injured boy’s hero provoke a physical response that suggests some improvement? At least two people believe so.

Michigan Boxing Commission chairman Al Low visited injured amateur boxer Juan Contreras on Wednesday and may have witnessed the youth’s first dramatic, intentional movement since falling into a coma more than two months earlier.

Youth Boxer Remains in Coma
Posted: May 15, 2008

Juan Contreras liked boxing from a young age. A young age. Juan is only 12-years old now. But he liked boxing for sometime and he bugged mom, Rosemary, for a year to let him participate before she finally gave in. That was in February. A month later, the young boxer collapsed in the ring and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Now, exactly two months later still, the boy who wanted to box lies in an Ann Arbor hospital bed in a coma. If he wakes from his coma, Juan is not expected to fully recover.

Lanardo Tyner: "This is huge, it's my opportunity!"
Major step up against Arnaoutis headlines ESPN Friday night.

By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
Posted: May 8, 2008

Last year undefeated jr. welterweight prospect Lanardo Tyner made the sacrifice of uprooting his family from their Detroit, Michigan home down to Houston, Texas - with the notion that following his boxing idol, former world champion Frank Tate (a fellow Detroit native), would be a boost to his professional career.

2008 National Golden Gloves
Detroit Fighters Falter
Garza wins in shortest bout of evening
Posted: May 8, 2008

Day three has wrapped up at the National Golden Gloves in Grand Rapids, with three days left to go. Wednesday was a marathon session with 81 bouts contested in three rings. Several of the state’s fighters saw their first action including heavyweights Jordan Shimmell and Craig Lewis and 112-pounder Tyler James.

2008 National Golden Gloves
Preliminary Action Continues on Day Two
Posted: May 6, 2008
PHOTOS WILL BE ADDED SOON

With three rings in use, the boxers just keep coming… and going. Another fifty-one bouts were held as day #2 concluded on Tuesday at the National Golden Gloves with a like number advancing and a like number falling.

Twenty-nine regions and 286 boxers are participating in the 81st annual tournament, being held for the first time ever in Grand Rapids. Hawaii sent no boxers to this year’s event.

Preliminary Action Gets Underway in Grand Rapids
First round is not kind to state’s boxers

Posted: May 6, 2008

The first boxers entered the ring as preliminary action in the 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions got underway Monday afternoon in Grand Rapids.

Michigan’s second largest city is hosting the 81st annual installment of the Golden Gloves national open-class tournament, which is often a boxer’s final amateur tournament before turning pro. The tournament, which draws amateur male boxers aged 17-34 with at least ten prior fights, from across the country, has only been held in Michigan once before – in 2000 – in the tournament’s eight decades of existence. Twenty-nine regions and 286 boxers are participating.

Vernon Paris Attacked
Posted: May 4, 2008

Detroit light-welterweight Vernon "Iceman" Paris is reportedly hospitalized after being stabbed on Saturday, Sportssummary has learned. Early reports indicated that Paris suffered a collapsed lung and underwent surgery at Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital but attempts to confirm that information with hospital officials have been unsuccessful.

Kronk Gold Glovers Matched Tough
Posted: May 4, 2008
by Lindy Lindell

Just three days prior to their first round bouts in the 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament in Grand Rapids, Kronk boxers, light-heavyweight J'Leon Love and junior-middleweight Leandre White, Detroit representatives in their weight classes, had furious fights against come-to-fight opposition at Bert's Warehouse, May 2.

Kronk Boxers Relocate Again
Posted: May 3, 2008

“We don’t have a Kronk Gym,” said Kronk trainer Javan “Sugar” Hill. Hill was part joking and part serious. Mostly serious.

Hill went April 14 to what had been the home of Kronk – above a Gold’s Gym in Dearborn – since vandals and years of decay forced their move from its original home on McGraw twenty months ago, to find the gym closed, a barricade placed in front of the door.

Good Matches Keep Lansing Boxers Busy
Posted: April 28, 2008
by Lindy Lindell

PHOTOS BY BOB RYDER

Pro-Am boxing is, more and more, looking like the way to go--at least in Michigan. The simple fact of the matter is that good fights involving boxers with good records is no longer doable in the Wolverine state.

Two attempts at matches make the point. A Michigan junior-middleweight, 2-0, refused to box an 0-3 welterweight because, as the junior-middleweight's handler told me, "I heard he [the 0-3 boxer] was an animal." In a match attempted for the present show, promoter Joe Bermudez told me that a 9-1 middleweight declined to fight a boxer with a 10-18 log. Because such matches can't be made, it isn't necessarily the fault of the boxers in question. It is the fault of the handlers who guide their careers; These handlers may not be able to spell "paranoia," but they follow its tenets as if it were scripture.

Experience Triumphs Unusual Night of Amateur Boxing
Posted: April 27, 2008

The latest offering from promoter and trainer Joe Bermudez’s Boundless Promotions took place Saturday evening with an entertaining mix of amateur and professional boxing in Lansing.

Youth Boxer Fighting for his Life
Posted: April 23, 2008

Crown youth boxer Juan Contreras remains in a coma today, five weeks after collapsing following a club show.

Contreras, 12, was stopped in the second round of his second amateur fight on March 15 at a Kalamazoo show. He collapsed leaving the ring and was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital before being transferred to a hospital in his hometown of Lansing. Juan has not regained consciousness and published media reports suggest he is unlikely to recover.

Monroe Hosts Toledo Golden Gloves
Posted: April 20, 2008
Full Results Added

The last of Michigan’s boxers to compete in Golden Gloves at the local level, before the national championships kick off in two weeks in Grand Rapids, took place this weekend in Monroe and Wisconsin. In Monroe, Joe’s Boxing Club hosted the annual Toledo Golden Gloves tournament, marking the first time ever that the Toledo franchise tournament has been held in Michigan. Wisconsin results will be posted when available.

Tyner Gets Title Shot
Posted: April 13, 2008

Boxer Lanardo Tyner (19-0-0, 11 KO) will fight Mike “Mighty Mike” Arnaoutis in Atlantic City for the vacant USBA welterweight title on May 9th, a fight that is scheduled to be televised on ESPN2.

Detroit Golden Gloves Conclude
Posted: April 13, 2008

The Detroit Metro Golden Gloves crowned twenty-one new champions following three days of quality amateur boxing over the weekend. Once again the Gibraltar Trade Center in Taylor was the scene and Casa De Boxeo’s Rene Munoz played host. Munoz’s years of experience of hosting both this event as well as the state Junior Olympics showed as this year’s event was very well organized and ran smoothly.

Detroit Golden Gloves Continue
Posted: April 13, 2008

Boxers from sixteen metro-Detroit area clubs competed Saturday in the first full day of action at the 2008 Detroit Metro Golden Gloves, held once again at the Gibraltar Trade Center in Taylor. Seven preliminary bouts were contested on Friday and the tournament concludes Sunday.

Detroit Golden Gloves Get Underway
Posted: April 12, 2008

Twenty boxing clubs are competing at this years Detroit Metro Golden Gloves, being hosted once again by Casa De Boxeo and held at the Gibraltar Trade Center South in Taylor.

Dolton Easily Wins Debut
Posted: April 6, 2008
PHOTOS BY SUSAN BARNES

Kronk newcomers made up the two professional bouts that shared their talents along with the areas’ amateurs April 4 in Detroit’s Eastern Market on a well-received Pro-Am card, courtesy of Sugar Hill Boxing and Undisputed Promotions. It was the first of what the two promoters promise will be monthly shows at the venue – Bert’s Warehouse Theatre - which hosted one other such show in late 2006.

Kronk Boxers have a Good Night
First of Monthly Shows Promised by Promoters

Posted: April 5, 2008
PHOTOS BY BOB RYDER

Boxing returned to Detroit’s Eastern Market district Friday night with an evening of Pro-Am action courtesy of Sugar Hill Boxing and Undisputed Promotions. It was the first of what promoters promise will be monthly shows at the venue, which hosted one other such show in late 2006.

Domonique Dolton Debut Tonight
Posted: April 4, 2008

After some months of anticipation – and one postponement – boxing fans are poised to witness the professional debut of one of Michigan’s best amateur boxers tonight.

Domonique Dolton is a familiar name and face across the state in the amateur ranks, having fought in roughly ninety bouts and amassing a nearly 76% win ratio, according to records maintained by Sportssummary. Tonight, fight fans will be witness to the start of Dolton’s professional journey. If he lives up to the promise as many expect, it will be something one can boastfully tell their children and grandchildren years from now: “I saw Domonique make his debut.”

Call-Out Provokes Response
Posted: April 3, 2008

Following his record-setting knockout victory over Francis McKechnai on Saturday, Tyrone Brunson issued a challenge to Michigan boxers Cornelius “K9” Bundrage and Brian “The Lion” Mihtar.

Soaring Eagle will happen without Paris
Posted: March 28, 2008

Boxing fans will not see Vernon “Iceman” Paris on Saturday’s card at Mt. Pleasant’s Soaring Eagle Casino, but matchmaker Bruce Kilty is confident that a good show has been put together for boxing fans.

2008 Eastern Michigan Champions Crowned

Twenty-three boxers were crowned as champions last weekend at the conclusion of the Eastern Michigan Golden Gloves championships.

DRD Puts on Lively Show at "New" Venue
Posted: March 18, 2008

By Lindy Lindell
Photos by Bob Ryder

Louis Mitchell of the Detroit Recreation Department put on a lively, 11-bout amateur card at the newly-refurbished Northwest Activities Center Saturday night as a standing-room crowd watched. The near-westside venue (also known as the old Jewish Center) has undergone considerable improvements throughout its complex and this reporter was more than a little bedazzled in checking out these improvements in touring the the building at "halftime" during the amateur show.

Boxers Advance at Eastern Michigan Golden Gloves
Posted: March 14, 2008

Semi-final action took place Thursday, March 13, as the 2008 Eastern Michigan Golden Gloves continued in Birch Run.

In addition to the fifteen boxers that were eliminated in the preliminaries a week earlier, nineteen additional boxers fell off in the second round. The winners now advance to the finals at the same location March 22.

Paris Suspended
Posted: March 13, 2008

Detroit fighter Vernon “Iceman” Paris was suspended by Michigan officials on Monday, making him ineligible to fight at any non-Native American show for the next ninety days.

The suspension comes more than fourteen months after state officials report that Paris failed his post-fight drug test. The promising young boxer tested positive for Marijuana following a December 22, 2006 fight in Flint which Paris won over Aaron Sannipoli by knockout. That result has since been changed to a “no contest” in the official records.

U.S. Nationals
Kronk Team Eliminated
Lone Michigan Boxer and NMU Team Remain
Posted: March 12, 2008

Day three in Colorado Springs came to an end along with the dreams of three Kronk fighters who lost in Tuesday's quarterfinals at the 2008 U.S. Nationals, or Future Stars Nationals, tournament.

U.S. Nationals
Schmidt, Woodward Fall; Others Advance
Posted: March 11, 2008

After two days of ring action, 79 boxers have fought and advanced at the U.S. Nationals and 79 more have been eliminated, including two from Michigan.

MLK-NMU's Ryan Schmidt was stopped in the fourth round of the 125-lb bout by Derrick Murray of St. Louis, Missouri and NMU's Termaine Woodward lost 11-6 to Wichita, Kansas' Jeff Strum at 141-lbs, ending their medal bids.

U.S. Nationals Kick-Off in Colorado Springs
Posted: March 10, 2008

After several months of advancing tournaments, some 270 of the country's finest amateur boxers have descended on Colorado to compete in the 2008 U.S. National Championships. The week-long tournament, which is also referred to this year as the Future Stars National Championships began Sunday and runs through Friday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Eastern Michigan Golden Gloves Prelims
Posted: March 8, 2008

Preliminary action took place Thursday as the first Golden Gloves for 2008 kicked off in Birch Run.

Thirteen Boxers Compete at Arnold Classic
Posted: March 7, 2008
Updated: March 7, 2008 10:15 pm

Forty-nine amateur boxers won contested bouts over this past weekend at the Arnold Classic boxing invitational championships held in Columbus, Ohio. Five of those were from Michigan. Three Michigan fighters were among thirty-three boxers that were unopposed and five won silver medals.

Friday Shows Cancelled
Dolton Pro Debut Delayed
Posted: March 6, 2008

For the second time in a week, state officials have cancelled a planned pro show in Grand Rapids. Both cancellations appear to be the result of the promoter, Earl Thompson III, being unable to file necessary documents - including insurance - with state officials.

This morning, organizers of tomorrow's Pro-Am show scheduled at Bert's Ballroom in Detroit cancelled the event due to forecasts for heavy snow.

Amateur Results from Defiance
Wades Brothers Win
Posted: February 25, 2008

Newcomers from Joe’s Boxing, brothers Donnie and Devin Wades, both recorded wins over the weekend at a Defiance, Ohio Boxing Club show. Donnie won against Defiance’s Daniel Casarez in a Bantam 60-lb matchup and Devin defeated Toledo’s James Coffee at 115-lbs in the Intermediate division.

Matt Niziokel also won his bout with Troy Rios, of Toledo, at 141-lbs.

Dylon Minton (70-lbs, Junior) and Taylor Carol (female 130-lbs, Intermediate) lost to host club fighters.

Four Return Home with Titles from Senior Open Regionals
Posted: February 25, 2008
by: Kronk amateur boxer, and Regionals participant, Leandre White

Editor’s Note: Four Michigan boxers returned from Illinois on Sunday with regional titles to their credit. Sportssummary was not in attendance but Kronk boxer – and competitor at the tournament – Leandre White was kind enough to share some comments on the four champions’ fights. While not traditional reporting, it is presented here nonetheless as a unique view of an event that would otherwise not be reported.

Boxing Returns to Dearborn
Posted: February 20, 2008
Corrected: February 23, 2008

Heavy Hitter Promotions and Clip Boxing have again teamed up to present a night of professional boxing this Friday at the Ford Performing Arts Center in Dearborn.

Detroit favorite Vernon “Iceman” Paris (17-0-0, 12 KO) is scheduled against Kenyan Nasser “The Silencer” Athumani (21-5-1, 16 KO) despite a reported hand injury, which caused Paris to drop off a card at The Palace earlier this month.

Flint Boxer Remains under Suspicion
Posted: February 18, 2008

At his young age, Anthony Dirrell has experienced – and endured – a lot. Success in the boxing ring, first as an amateur and then as a pro. Winning such amateur titles as the National Junior Golden Gloves, Under 19 Championships and the National PAL led to his name and picture appearing regularly in both the local Flint media as well as national news sources. He participated in the 2004 Olympics Trials, where an injury prevented his continuing. And, he has met former-world champion Muhammad Ali. As high as those positive occurrences were, Dirrell has also experienced the depths of life’s negative side.

Tyner: Airfare and No Pay were Issues
Posted: February 18, 2008

Friday's pro card at Dearborn's Performing Arts Center - the second in recent months - has generated more animosity between Detroit's two premiere welterweights - Lanardo Tyner and Vernon Paris.

As the card changes, as they always do, news from co-promoters Heavy Hitter Promotions suggests that Tyner (19-0-0, 11 KO) was originally scheduled to fight but dropped off the card because his opponent, Nasser Athumani (21-5), was too tough. Paris (18-0-0, 13 KO), meanwhile, was stepping in to fill the void despite not being 100% because of a hand injury that caused him to drop off the previous fight in Dearborn this past December.

Results from Monroe; Redinksi Impresses
Posted: February 10, 2008
By: Lindy Lindell

Feb 9, Monroe Community College: The evening was kicked off with a celebration commemorating Monroe's Joe Giarmo's boxing club. With the 92-year-old Joe present (and spry as ever), a dozen former boxers, one by one, indicated when they boxed for Joe. These included a senior citizen who first boxed for Joe in 1946 to the promoter of the show, Todd Riggs.

Quintana Ends Williams’ Perfect Record
Posted: February 10, 2008
By: Brian Haas

PECHANGA INDIAN RESERVATION, CALIF. ---- A 10-inch reach and a four-inch height disadvantage didn't seem to bother Carlos Quintana on Saturday night in Temecula, as he became the WBO Welterweight champion of the world by defeating previously undefeated Paul Williams by unanimous decision.

"Paul's a good fighter but I knew I could win," Quintana said. "I think that he under estimated me. I think he looked past me. This fight was do or die for me today, and I was happy that I was able to do it."

Amateur Profiles Removed; Pro Boxers Added

Sportssummary removed more than fifty amateur boxer profiles over the weekend and began adding profiles for Michigan professional boxers.

The removal of amateur records/profiles effected some 53 boxers under the age of 18 in which at least basic infomation had been posted online and approximately 800 others that were scheduled to be posted. The boxers removed had not signed a release allowing the posting of personal information and/or photos required under the federal Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Boxers that are at least 18 years old are not covered by the Act and their profiles were not effected. In all, fourteen releases are on file for underaged fighters and their profiles remain online.

Over the weekend, the posting of profiles of Michigan professional boxers began and will continue until the 200+ licensed boxers are included.

Those amateur boxers wishing to be included can submit a signed release, which can be printed and then mailed or faxed.

TYNER DOES HIS PART, GETS QUICK KAYO
Posted: February 3, 2008
Corrected: February 18, 2008
by Lindy Lindell

Joe Donofrio's evening of boxing came across pretty well after all. Hopes of getting local favorites Vernon Paris and Lanardo Tyner on the same card (though not against each other), with the idea that the two would later be matched against each other later in 2008 went by the boards when Paris begged off the show the Sunday before the fight due to a bum right hand.

Andy Lee's Fight LIVE via Internet
Posted: February 1, 2008

Fans of Irish middleweight and Kronk fighter Andy Lee (14-0-0, 11 KO) can watch his next fight, Saturday, LIVE via the internet, according to a press release issued by Kronk Boxing.

Paris Off Friday; Card otherwise intact
Posted: January 31, 2008

The “Iceman” is off tomorrow’s pro card at The Palace, promoter Joseph Donofrio has reported.

A hand injury apparently iced young Vernon Paris’s fight, Paris promoter Carlos Llinas reportedly informed Donofrio on Sunday evening. No further information was available on the extent of the injury, which was confirmed by boxing commission Chairman Al Low, who reported that Paris was disappointed in having to cancel the fight and that he offered to appear in the ring to explain the cancellation. It is unknown whether that offer was accepted or why Paris’ camp thought it necessary to offer.

Paris, Tyner on same card but not against each other
Posted: January 28, 2008

The appearance of both men on the same card may bring a smile to the face of those that want to see a Lanardo Tyner – Vernon Paris fight but it won’t be happening February 1st when both dynamic fighters appear in the same ring but not as opponents.

A fight that seems inevitable – with both sides seemingly fanning the flames badmouthing the other – will have to wait. For now, anyway.

Michigan Boxers Earn Regional Titles
Posted: January 23, 2008

Fourteen of the state’s amateur boxers added regional titles to their resumes as they competed and won at this past weekend’s Silver Gloves regional championships in Ohio.

Boxers, under the age of 16, from five states comprising Region 2 fought during the two-day tournament held in Columbus, January 19-20. The boxers all won state Silver Gloves championships in the open division earlier this month in Pontiac.

The "Old Roy Jones, Jr." beats up an old Tito Trinidad!
Golota pounds Mollo in "fight of the Night" co-feature.
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
Posted: January 19, 2008

New York - Madison Square Garden was not nearly as filled as had been expected; quite possibly even the most ardent supporter of legendary five-time World Champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad knew the obvious. Their Puerto Rican boxing hero, who had not fought since getting thoroughly dominated nearly three years ago in his embarrassing 12 round unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Ronald "Winky" Wright, was bought out of retirement (for the not so embarrassing price of 9 million dollars) to face a bigger, stronger and faster fighter in Roy Jones, Jr.

While Trinidad tried as best he could, fighting at his heaviest weight ever only slowed him down. From the early rounds it was clear that Jones was able to handle Trinidad's biggest punches, while Tito was not able to take Roy's.

Big Dog Boxers Overrun Silver Gloves
Posted: January 11, 2008

The relatively new Big Dog Boxing Club dominated the 2008 Michigan Silver Gloves championships that were held January 5-6 in Pontiac.

 

2008 Michigan Silver Gloves Champions Crowned
Posted: January 11, 2008

The 2008 Michigan Silver Gloves championships were held January 5-6 at UAW Hall 653 in Pontiac. As they have for the past several years, the Azteca Youth Enrichment boxing team played host for the two-day event for boxers under the age of 16 years.

Seventy-one young state champions were crowned in three experience levels (A to C) in four age divisions (8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15) - many of them unopposed. In total, roughly 1/3 of Michigan's registered boxing clubs and 108 eligible boxers participated. Champions in the "A" class of all divisions except Bantam (novices) advance to the regionals in Columbus, Ohio January 19-21. Winners of that event advance to the nationals January 30-February 2 in Missouri.

Ann Arbor Boxing Challenge is Success
Posted: December 19, 2007

PHOTOS BY BOB RYDER

Ann Arbor’s A-Square Fight Club held its third club show in just over six months on Saturday. The A-Square Boxing Challenge III drew an impressive number of clubs despite two other shows in the metro-Detroit area the same night.

Hamtramck’s Andriy Stankevych continued to improve his record with a win over Detroit Golden Gloves champ Brandon Love in a 142-lb. matchup. The Ukraine-born 16-year old is title-less but has improved his record with several wins this year and should make a good showing at the upcoming championships.

Injury to Keep Love out of Ring
Posted: December 16, 2007


A vehicle crash last week sent Kronk Gym's J'Leon Love to the hospital and a neck injury will keep him from the ring for at least six weeks.

Love, 20, was within a few miles of home returning from the Senior Open championships north of Traverse City when the car he was riding in collided with another vehicle. The super-middleweight, who was asleep in the rear seat and not wearing a safety belt, was thrown over the front seats and into the windshield causing a deep head cut and a fractured C3 vertebrae in his neck, the boxer told Sportssummary. Love was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital where he was kept overnight.

Three Win Debuts, Fanslaw Improves in Monroe
Posted: December 16, 2007


Amateur boxing made a return visit to Monroe’s Links at Lake Erie golf course Saturday night as Joe’s Boxing Club hosted its second show there this year. With two other club shows within a reasonable driving distance – both Pontiac’s Unity Boxing and Ann Arbor’s A-Square Fight Club hosted shows Saturday as well – metro Detroit’s fighters were spread thin. Still, the card featured seven regulation bouts with about half the bouts being newcomers to the sport.

Despite a winter storm warning that threatened more than six inches of snow fighters came from as far as Battle Creek within the state and Defiance and Lima in Ohio to compete.

Paris Earns Belt at Ford Center
Posted: December 14, 2007
PHOTOS BY BOB RYDER

Before a near-standing room only crowd, and FSN cameras, Vernon “Iceman” Paris again saw victory in a boxing ring winning his 17th professional fight Thursday night at the Ford Performing Arts Center in Dearborn. In addition to the win, the 19-year old Paris earned his first significant – and unquestionably legitimate – title, the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Light Welterweight championship.
Senior Open Results
Posted: December12, 2007

Results from the Michigan Senior Open state championships, which were held December 7-8, 2007 at the Leelanau Sands Casino showroom in Peshawbestown:

Mayweather-Hatton: Your Comments
Posted: December 9, 2007

Boxing fans around the world were glued to their television sets last night for the much anticipated and hyped welterweight championship fight between Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and England's RIcky Hatton. How would the hard-hitting Hatton do against the quicker Mayweather? By now, you know the answer to that question. By all accounts, this was one of boxing's better fights of recent years without too many disappointed fans.

Sportssummary thought it would be interesting to see what some of YOU thought about the fight. From amateur and pro boxers that dream of being the next Mayweather to the trainers and officials that share the ring with them to one of the promoters that dedicates much of his time to putting boxing shows on in the state, a dozen took a few minutes to share their thoughts:

Shimmell Wins World Golden Gloves
Posted: November 25, 2007

Jordan Shimmell won the World Golden Gloves Championships which were held November 16-17, 2007 at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota.

The two-day tournament – the first ever – included amateur boxers from the United States, Ireland, Great Britain and Puerto Rico.

DeLeon Conquers Puerto Rico
Posted: November 22, 2007

He missed a week of school and he missed fighting in a Pro-Am that advertised his appearance but 15-year old Erick DeLeon had good reason to miss both: He was busy winning his first International tournament.

DeLeon is the first, and only, Kronk fighter to compete in the Filiberto LeBron Copa de Boxeo (or, Filiberto LeBron Boxing Cup), according to DeLeon’s coach Angel Caraballo who arranged the trip and DeLeon’s participation.

Kronk Fighters Win across the Board
Banks Has Longest Fight of Career; Lee Gets 10th KO

Posted: November 18, 2007

There were a series of last minute changes as several hundred people entered the home of the Plymouth Whalers on Thursday. What two days earlier was a 4-pro, 3-amateur fight card had become a 3-pro, 4-amateur card that turned into three pro and two amateur fights as the first bell rang.

The first-ever boxing show at Compuware Arena in Plymouth and the first Emanuel Steward Kronk event in Michigan in nearly two years was drastically less than what it could have been. The 3,000 seat arena was nearly empty, Kronk’s one-time light welterweight star Octavio Lara was scratched from the card and the night’s main event was booed but the night had some redeeming elements.

Banks, Lee, Lara and Amateurs on Thursday Card
Posted: November 14, 2007

Detroit fight fans will get to see some legitimate future stars of the sport as members of the local Kronk Team enter the ring at Plymouth’s Compuware Arena this Thursday.

Cruiserweight Johnathon Banks (17-0-0, 13 KO), middleweight Irishman Andy Lee (12-0-0, 9 KO) and light welterweight Octavio Lara (7-2-0, 5 KO) will fight in front of a hometown crowd – Lee is a transplant to Emanuel Steward’s Detroit home so that sort of qualifies – for the first time in awhile. Banks’ last fight in the area was eleven months ago at Bert’s Warehouse in Detroit’s Eastern Market district; Lee hasn’t fought in the state since his pro debut twenty months ago at Joe Louis Arena and Mexican-favorite Lara’s last fight was on the same March 10 show as Lee. He retired a few months later and Thursday will be his first fight since deciding to return to the ring. How long Lara stays this time may depend on whether his passbook records a W on Thursday or not.

Tyrone Harris - it's now time to deliver
Tonight's ShoBox co-feature has the skills, yet has not shined!
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
Posted: November 2, 2007

Outside of his Lansing hometown not too many boxing fans have heard of talented lightweight prospect Tyrone Harris, and with good reason.

While compiling a commendable 21-3 record since turning pro in 2004, the former 2000 National Golden Gloves champion and amateur phenom (135-15) has come to realize that to climb the ladder of success in the vicious world of professional boxing it takes a lot more than a blistering jab and tons of physical prowess.

World Championships to Air Sunday
Posted: October 31, 2007

FOX TV will air final round action from the 2007 AIBA World Championships on Sunday, USA Boxing announced in a press release yesterday.

Williams Making Debut on EMU Card
Posted: October 22, 2007

Kronk’s Ed “Thoroughbred” Williams is scheduled to make his pro debut at a pro-am show set for this Friday at Ypsilanti’s Eastern Michigan University (EMU). The event is promoted by Florida’s Undisputed Promotions, Inc.

Williams has accrued a 15-12 amateur record over six years that includes the 2006 Detroit Metro Golden Gloves title at 151-lbs. With his pro debut, Williams is dropping ten pounds to fight at light welterweight where he says he is most comfortable.

“I’m getting older and have enough experience (to move up),” Williams told Sportssummary last week, concerning his decision to turn pro at this time. “I’m ready.”

Kronk Announces November Show Date
Posted:October 20, 2007

Second Round, Inc. has announced that the new date for the Kronk Pro-Am show will be next month and not in December as originally thought. The show was postponed from earlier this month due to the state’s budget woes that could not guarantee state inspectors would be available, as required.

The Compuware Ice Arena in Plymouth will play host to the latest Kronk boxing show on Thursday, November 15.

Tyner Warns Paris: “I’m the Man of Detroit”
Posted:October 19, 2007

Lanardo Tyner may be living in Texas but he wants people to remember that he grew up on the mean streets of Detroit and considers the motor city home. And for the 32-year old Tyner, home is where the pride is. He especially wants Vernon Paris and his team to remember that.

Love Wins Silver at PALs
Posted: October 11, 2007

The national Police Athletic League (PAL) Championships were held last week and a silver medal came home to Michigan. The 33rd annual event was held at the Oxnard, California PAL gym with more than 300 boxers participating from 27 states.

Kronk amateur J’Leon Love won three matches – two by decisions and one stoppage – before losing by two points in the finals on Saturday earning his second national silver medal.

Windsor’s Josh Cameron Reaches 100 Milestone
Posted:October 10, 2007

When he entered the ring three weeks ago in Kalamazoo, Josh Cameron realized that he was about to fight his 99th amateur bout. When the Border City fighter told Coach Josh Canty they both knew that his next fight would have to take place back home in Canada.

That milestone fight took place September 29th in front of friends and family at Border City’s “Club Show XV” in Windsor, Ontario, Canada where the 17-year old has trained for the past six years.

Ski Lodge Heats Up with Boxing
River Rouge Fighters Show Promise

Posted:October 7,2007

Mickey Goodwin has to be happy this weekend. The former 40-2-1 pro fighter and owner of River Rouge Boxing Club saw his fighters leave the ring in triumph in two club shows.

The latest, Saturday’s “Brawl at the Mountain,” held in the sweltering heat of the Mt. Brighton Ski Lodge, saw Matt Templeton perhaps his best in his 15th fight as his jabs were cleaner and faster and his all-too-frequent ducking less than usual. That translated into Templeton throwing more punches that connected.

Amateurs Shine Under the Stars at Meadowbrook
Updated: September 30, 2007

Amateur boxers across the state have come to expect, at least in recent years, that fewer and fewer people will be outside the squared circle watching as they bob and weave and duck and throw jabs in their chosen sport. But that was not the case Friday.

On a pre-matched card, as ten teenage boxers – ten from Michigan and two from Ohio – climbed thru the ropes at Rochester Hill’s Meadowbrook Music Festival the crowd watching was the largest most of the teens have seen. More than 1,500 boxing fans gathered at the outdoor venue for “Boxing Under the Stars” – the latest offering from Donofrio Boxing and his first ever Pro-Am card.

Tyner Scores Tenth Knockout Win
Updated: September 30, 2007

Last nights “Boxing Under the Stars” at Meadowbrook was a great night of boxing that saw former-Detroiter Lanardo “Pain Server” Tyner (17-0-0, 10 KO) deliver up enough pain to force Tennessee’s Marteze Logan (25-30-2, 6 KO) to not answer the ninth round bell.

His opponent’s sub .500 record could be deceiving if one looks at the quality of his opponents which included Vivian Harris, Steve Forbes, Hector Camacho, Jr, and, most recently, Damian Fuller. Logan’s losses in those fights were after going the distance. With only two of his 29 losses coming by knockout, Logan is not easily stopped but that is exactly what happened in Friday night’s battle with powerhouse Lanardo Tyner.

Amateurs to Shine in Outdoor Show
Published: September 19, 2007

In what is becoming a recent trend, amateur boxers will take to the ring in the same show as those that are making a living – or at least trying – from the sport.

On a pre-matched card, ten Michigan teenage boxers and two from Ohio will show their skills under the stars in an outdoor show at Rochester Hill’s Meadow Brook Music Festival this Friday. Twelve amateurs will compete in the senior and intermediate divisions on the front end of a 10-bout pro-am show from Promoter Joseph Donofrio.

The show will feature all teenage amateurs with the youngest being 13-years old with a medium range of experience.

The show is the first boxing event to be held at Meadow Brook, which is on the campus of Oakland University, and the first mixing of pros and amateurs by Donofrio.

Click here for copy of the fight card.

Confusion Reigns over Kronk Fight
Presser and Fight are Off
Published: September 19, 2007

The word coming from the Kronk camp is contradictory. The latest: As of 11:45 am, today, a night of boxing scheduled for October 18 and a press conference set for today have been cancelled.

The fight at Compuware Arena likely has been cancelled because of budget woes at the state level – no approved budget means no money to pay inspectors. At least that’s part of the message getting out there.

Boxing Literally Under the Stars Friday
Published: September 18, 2007

Metro Detroit boxing fans will be treated this Friday to an evening of “Boxing Under the Stars.” Literally. If the weather holds, as forecasters currently predict it will.

Promoter Joseph Donofrio, whose venue of choice until now has been the The Palace, is bringing together professional boxers and their amateur counterparts for a night of boxing at Rochester Hills’ Meadow Brook Music Festival. It is a first ever for the usual concert venue and one that Donofrio has been trying to put together since at least last year.

Donofrio Returns with Meadow Brook First
Published: September 15, 2007

Amateurs and professionals will be center stage as Rochester’s Meadow Brook Music Festival plays host to a night of boxing one week from today, courtesy of promoter Joseph Donofrio.

It will be the first offering from Donofrio this year, the first pro-am show he has ever put on and the very first time that “the sweet science” has graced the usual concert venue.

Love Represents USA in Golden Belt Tournament
Published: September 1, 2007

Dearborn Heights’ J’Leon Love left his suburban Detroit home yesterday enroute to Romania, where he will represent the United States in his first international competition since starting to box less than two years ago.

Love joins nine other U.S. amateur boxers in the 36th annual Golden Belt tournament taking place in Romania (located between Ukraine and Bulgaria in southeastern Europe) September 3-9. One boxer, in the 119-lb category, dropped out of the trip for reasons not reported by USA Boxing.

Knockouts Rule the Day in Lansing Show
Published: August 28, 2007

The first four bouts on a seven-bout professional card were over without all the ring girls even making an appearance in the ropes, much to the chagrin of most of the men in the room.

In total, five fights ended early by knockout and one by retirement (which I hadn’t heard of except in the amateur realm of the sport) and just one went the distance and to the judges Saturday night (Aug. 25) at the Lansing Center in Michigan’s capitol city.

Lansing’s George “Jo Jo” Sanchez (6-4-1, 4 KO), wearing what looked like a bathroom rug for trunks, and Paul Reyes (2-8-0, 1 KO), in the fifth bout of the evening, were the first fighters to hear the bell ending a round.

Kronk Fighters Scarce at Kronk Show
Published: August 23, 2007

On Friday evening (August 17), Kronk hosted an amateur show at the Barrister House (not to be confused with Barrister Gardens) in St. Clair Shores. Sandwiched between Pro-Am events Thursday in Bay City and Saturday in Ida, the show – which shared space with a wedding reception in another room – featured excellent matches with more than half a dozen clubs represented. Concession prices, the warmth of the boxer’s staging area and uncorrected confusion over the winner of the second bout dampening what was otherwise a great show.

On a twelve-bout card to find only three boxers from the host club – especially one as large as Kronk – is unusual, but matchmakers had plenty of other boxers to choose from as clubs from as far as Ann Arbor, Windsor (Ontario) and even Cleveland, Ohio were there.

Night of Debuts in Monroe County
Published: August 22, 2007

The action in the ring was non-stop as Monroe-area boxers – both amateurs and those that recently were – put on a great night of boxing.

Several hundred people filled the American Legion hall in Ida, in south-central Monroe County, for the second Pro-Am offering in two days to have Promoter Greg Ahrens’ name associated with it. But names aside, the event was organized by co-promoter Dave Burnette of Rumble Productions who handled the pro card, with Todd Riggs putting together the amateur side of the evening.

Six from Michigan Trek to Houston
Olympic Trials Start Monday
PUBLISHED: August 19, 2007

Six amateur boxers were expected to leave Michigan yesterday enroute to Houston, Texas and the final hurdle standing between them and the Olympic Games.

Michigan Claims Five Jr. Golden Gloves
Published: July 29, 2007 .

Five Michigan boxers returned home from Nevada with titles in the annual Junior Golden Gloves championship after three days of tournament action that ended Saturday night.

Adrian Barbosa defeated Jalen Gibson of Wyoming on Saturday and Jonathan Zavala on Friday to win the top prize in the 75-lbs, 11-12 age division.

Casa De Boxeo’s Alejandro Aguilar stopped California’s Genaro Gamez in the second round of their 106-lb, 11-12 division bout. It was Aguilar’s second fight of the tournament.

Eight Continue in Mesquite
Published: July 28, 2007 11:45 p.m.

Cousins Adrian and Edgar Barbosa and Alejandro Hernandez of Warriors Boxing Club made their first appearance in the ring in day two’s semi-finals Friday at the Junior Golden Gloves in Mesquite, Nevada. Casa De Boxeo’s Alejandro Aguilar and Infinity’s Anthony Barnes also premiered on Friday. All five continued to today’s finals while two boxers that saw action starting on Thursday were eliminated.

In the 8 year old division at 55-lbs, Edgar Barbosa won a decision over Jonathan Zavala and at 75-lbs in the 11-12 age division, Adrian Barbosa decisioned Nevada’s Cesar Quinonez. Adrian’s brother, Alejandro, will make his only appearance of the tournament tonight.

Michigan Fields Near-Dozen at Junior Golden Gloves
Published: July 28, 2007 2:15 a.m.

The setting is the white-domed events center at the Casablanca Resort & Casino in Mesquite, Nevada, an hour northeast of Las Vegas, on the Nevada-Arizona border and within ten minutes of Utah’s southern border, where more than 100 amateur boxers began competing Thursday in the National Junior Golden Gloves.

The tournament, open to junior boys aged 8-16, is hosted this year by Las Vegas’ Barry’s Boxing Center, which is operated by Pat and Dawn Barry and their daughter, Dawn Sanchez.

Among the competitors are eleven Michigan boxers representing four clubs from the metro-Detroit area.

Out-of-State Fighters Dominate Club Show
Published: July 21, 2007

More than forty boxers representing five states and two countries came together in a poorly-lit ring in a dimly-lit southwest Detroit nightclub July 14 for an amateur boxing show sponsored by the Warriors Boxing Club.

The fighters came from as far as Chicago and Pittsburgh – both an equal distance away at 277 miles, or four hours – to the Palomino Club for an action-packed card. Despite the heat inside the former bowling alley-turned nightclub and the boxing ring lit by a single after-thought flood light, the crowd was standing-room-only for most of the four hour event.

Paris in Non-Existent Title Fight
PUBLISHED: July 18, 2007

Some people have called it his best fight to date. It may have been.

It was also a sham. Or, part of it anyway.

The June 29 battle between Detroiter Vernon “The Iceman” Paris (15-0-0, 11 KO) and Grand Rapids’ Ramon Guevara (8-11-0, 6 KO) was touted as a title fight. The title? The Michigan Light Welterweight Championship. The problem? There is no such thing.

The latest club show from Motown Boxing Club, held July 7 at their gym in Warren, featured just two sanctioned bouts and no Motown fighters. Approx. a dozen exhibition fights were scheduled, however. The latter were held after the departing of LBC officials and this reporter.

Flores Wins Debut
Paris Remains Undefeated

Former amateur boxer Federico Flores, Jr., gave up his amateur status when he made his pro debut recently outside Grand Rapids.

The Muskegon Area Boxing Club (MABC) fighter entered the ring against fellow-Michigander Ernesto Guevera, 29, in a welterweight bout that went the distance and saw Flores win a split decision. It was one of six fights at the Fifth-Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on June 29.

MI Boxers Compete at Summer Classic
PUBLISHED: June 24, 2007

Several club fighters from southeastern Michigan competed in the fourth annual 2007 Junior National Boxing Championships held this past week in Augusta, Georgia.

Joe’s Tony Anderson Remains Undefeated
Glass City fighters impress as well
PUBLISHED: June 18, 2007
Joe’s Boxing’s Tony Anderson remains undefeated following his win this weekend in Monroe and Ohio boxers Richard Caughhorn and Jerardo Herrera impressed.

Click for complete results

The latest Joe’s fight night, held Friday evening, brought together nine clubs from two states for the Monroe club’s second show in five months. A standing-room only crowd filled the club house as eight Monroe boxers – seven from Joe’s and one from ALCC – were showcased at the Links at Lake Erie Golf Course.

NMU’s Clark Wins Silver at U.S. Championships
PUBLISHED: June 10, 2007
NMU boxer David Clark dropped a 25-14 decision to multi-titleholding Ronny Rios in their bantamweight bout on Friday. Clark was the lone Michigan fighter to make his way into the finals of this year’s U.S. Championships, with the exception of Clinton County Boxing Club’s female boxer Tyler Lord-Wilder who won the national title for a second time in a bout on Wednesday. See related story.

Lord-Wilder Wins National Gold in Colorado Springs
PUBLISHED: June 10, 2007
“It was the best feeling of my life,” Tyler Lord-Wilder told Sportssummary on Saturday, referring to the first time she hit a heavy bag in a gym and knew she was hooked. Boxing was in her blood for good.

This week, Lord-Wilder, a 23-year old nurse’s aide, was the only Michigan boxer to win a gold medal at the U.S. Championships, held in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was her second time winning the prestigious honor.

And Then There Was One
NMU Boxer Guaranteed Silver in Quest for Gold

PUBLISHED: June 08, 2007
Recent NMU graduate and USOEC boxer David Clark moved one step closer to another national title by stopping 2006 National Jr. Olympic Champ Samuel DiPace, of New Mexico, Wednesday at the U.S. Championships.

Clark knocked DiPace down twice in the early seconds of the second round after being behind on points after round one. Clark said in a telephone interview with Sportssummary that he had to change tactics starting round two. Those new tactics worked well.

Cotto-Judah: "Boxing at its Best!"
WBA title bout at MSG promises to be a "can't miss" fight.
PUBLISHED: June 08, 2007
When world champion Miguel Cotto steps into the Madison Square Garden ring this Saturday night to defend his World Boxing Association welterweight title against former undisputed champion Zab Judah, there will be 20,000, filled to the rafters, fans packed into boxing's Mecca.

Legendary promoter Bob Arum proudly announced at yesterday's MSG press conference that this would be the first wall-to-wall sellout at "the world's most famous arena" since 1983, when the great Roberto Duran knocked out undefeated Davey Moore (TKO 8: 06/16/83), taking the Bronx native's WBA light middleweight crown with his magical performance.

Four Michigan Boxers Continue at Nationals
PUBLISHED: June 06, 2007
Boxers from the Upper Peninsula’s Northern Michigan University (NMU) continue to fight their way through the 2007 U.S. Nationals Championships in Colorado Springs, while the rest of Michigan’s boxers – save for one female – are headed home early.

Just four of 19 young men and women from the state have advanced to the semi-finals. Those that have lost faced stiff competition from the country’s elite – and electronic scoring; something most may not be used to.

Newcomer D’Andrea Wins Fifth Fight
PUBLISHED: June 04, 2007

In Wednesday’s “Thrilla at the Villa” in Sterling Heights, River Rouge Boxing’s Nathan D’Andrea, 16, earned his fifth win in a bout with Crown boxer Anthony LeBranche. The Gibraltar boxer stopped the debuting LeBranche in the first round of their 165-lb bout.

The RSC victory was the third for busy newcomer D’Andrea, whose first time in the ring was just 33 days earlier.

Motown’s Otto Cooper won a decision over Robert Wright of Azteca at 165-lbs.

Junior Olympics Champs Crowned in Lincoln Park
PUBLISHED: May16, 2007
Youth boxers from across the state traveled this past weekend to Lincoln Park for the annual Junior Olympics championships held at the Kennedy Memorial Center.

Lincoln Park’s Casa De Boxeo once again hosted the twoday tournament for boxers aged 8-16. Winners aged 13 and above advance to the regionals in two weeks in Cleveland with an eye on Marquette and the national championships in June.

2007 Michigan JUNIOR OLYMPICS Championships Results
Day 1
Day 2
Un-Contested Champions

We will have more results available Tuesday.

Boxing Missed a "Golden" Opportunity
Floyd-Oscar fails to deliver to targeted mainstream audience.

PUBLISHED: May 08, 2007
When all the HBO Pay-Per-View numbers are officially announced, this past Saturday night's fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather will further confirm the fact that boxing is not dead; or at least not the business of boxing.

It's the sport of boxing which has been squeezed off practically all the sports pages of daily circulated newspapers, very rarely gets any mainstream sports news or magazine coverage (Sports Illustrated, ESPN Magazine, etc…) and currently is getting put into a sleeper hold by WWE Wrestling and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Check out our coverage of the 2007 Golden Gloves

Lively Show at Henry Hill Center
PUBLISHED: April 26, 2007
From a maximum of nine fights proposed, promoter Ron DeLeon's show at Lansing's Harry Hill Center was whittled down to just five at fight time. Heavyweight James Smedley of Port Huron cancelled out of his pro debut against Phillip Jewel on the morning of the fight. But few missed Smedley's absence as four of the five fights were crowd pleasers.

TKO’s Rule the Day at Centre Pointe
PUBLISHED: April 22, 2007
Two boxing shows in Michigan in the same night is a bad idea. Two shows in the same city is a disastrous idea. But although few people saw it (the promoter’s door man estimated 100 in attendance), those that did saw a good show and have a story that few can tell about a ring collapse swallowing a referee.

Gerald Evans’ 1 World Productions put on a six-bout professional card Saturday at the old Walter French Academy, now Centre Pointe, in his latest pro effort.

Detroit Golden Gloves Crown Champions
PUBLISHED: April 16, 2007
The first match on the final day of the 2007 Detroit Metro Golden Gloves championships in Taylor today saw the first of four fights in which fighters from the same club faced each other in the squared circle. Before a standing room only crowd in the smaller confines of the Gibraltar Trade Center than last year, 34 boxers fought for gold medals.

Caleb Chesternut and Brandon Mitchell, at 65-lbs, fought it out for the gold in the Bantam C division, both representing the Nubian Knights Boxing Club. The experience of a smoker from a Motown show was advantageous for Chesternut who won a split decision.

Action Continues in Detroit Metro Golden Gloves Tourney
PUBLISHED: April 14, 2007

The Detroit Metro Golden Gloves championships moved into the semi-final stage today in Taylor at the Gibraltar Trade Center as two new champions were crowned and nearly two dozen advanced to the finals on Sunday.

Kronk’s young camera-friendly boxer Gheith Mohammed, 10, lost to Geno Jones for the second time in both boys’ first appearance at the Golden Gloves at 80-lbs.

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