The Sweet Sucker Punch: Rocky Lockridge

The following excerpt from my book, The Sweet Sucker Punch, is taken from one of many inspirational stories of honor and character of my experiences with some of boxing’s elite. It is my intention that you will be entertained and inspired to purchase the book for my promotional campaign in honor of the 30th anniversary of the greatest Olympic boxing team in history. Some of the proceeds will be used to help bring tribute to those legendary 1984 Olympic boxing icons.

I remember at that time I was in peak shape and scheduled to meet Rocky Lockridge for more sparring at Georgie Benton’s gym. My conditioning and confidence made me eagerly anticipate the session. When that day finally arrived, I came to the gym earlier than usual and shadowboxed and danced around the ring to the funky music that was kicking from the high-powered boom box in the corner of the gym.

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Wlodarczyk-Drozd, Lebedov-Kolodziej Saturday, Sept. 27 live on PPV from Moscow

HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 8, 2014) — Integrated Sports Media (ISM), North America’s undisputed leader of major boxing pay-per-view distribution, announced today that it will bring “Clash of the Cruiserweights” to North American fans, Saturday, September 27, live from Dynamo Palace of Sports in Moscow, Russia.

Three world championship fights will be featured on “Clash of the Cruiserweights,” promoted by Andrey Ryabinsky (World of Boxing), which is being distributed in North America by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via IN Demand, DISH and Vuboquity for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. For additional information please visit www.IntegratedSportsnet.com.

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Is BKB the Future of Boxing?

Last month’s Middleweight clash between Gabriel Rosado and Brian Vera may have been overlooked by the majority of fans, but its significance to the future of boxing should not be, as it heralded the arrival into the mainstream of BKB, Big Knockout Boxing. The bout took place not in a traditional boxing ring but in ‘The Pit’, a 17 foot diameter circular arena without any ropes or cage favored by other contact sports. With Championship fights taking place over seven, two minute rounds and under a new rules system designed to encourage more action and excitement, the main event did not disappoint. Rosado put on a magnificent display of controlled aggression eventually knocking out Vera with seconds to go at the end of the sixth round.

With the sport still in its infancy, Big Knockout Boxing will undoubtedly have many detractors quick to brand it as simplistic violence for uneducated boxing fans. Purists will decry it as a blasphemy against traditional boxing as it negates many of the defensive skills of their idols. But boxing fans should not overlook the interest BKB promises to bring to a sport that has seen better days. Whilst I understand the feelings many have about traditional notions of the ‘Sweet science’, fans have grown frustrated at being asked to pay top dollar to watch boring fights and have expressed a desire for change. Change that forces fighters to engage more and not simply run or hold. Change that encourages fighters to win decisively by knockout rather than relying on the judges’ scorecards. And change that will provide the excitement and drama necessary to attract new fans the sport. Casual fans and TV audiences simply do not want to watch two ‘Scientists’ run, hold or jab their way through twelve rounds of tedium refereed by a United Nations Peace keeper!

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El Gallo Successfully Defends Title!

Juan “El Gallo” Estrada successfully defended his WBO Flyweight and WBA Super World Flyweight Titles on Saturday night, September 6, in a resounding victory against Giovani Segura, “The Aztec Warrior”. The fight took place at the Arena Cuidad de Mexico, with an estimated 10,000 spectators in attendance. Fans and friends watched in breathless anticipation as Estrada (27-2-20KOs) dominated the ex-champion Giovani Segura (32-5-1, 28 KOs) during the entire fight. It was joyful for Estrada but heart-breaking for the Aztec Warrior as the 11th round brought an end to this grueling match, giving Estrada an impressive victory against a very formidable opponent and handing Segura the second loss in his entire career by way of TKO—bringing the Aztec Warrior’s three-win streak to an end, and securing El Gallo’s claim as the reigning best boxer in the lower weight division.

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Mayweather: Maidana is a B level fighter

WBA/WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr (46-0, 26 KOs) plans on showing the boxing world the difference between an A-level fighter and a B-level fighter this Saturday night on September 13th in his rematch against #2 WBA, #3 WBC Marcos Maidana (35-4, 31 KOs) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mayweather points out that Maidana won only 3 rounds the last time he fought him last May and this was with Mayweather choosing to purposefully fight his type of fight by electing to punch with him with his back against the ropes instead of staying in the center of the ring like he normally does against his opponents.

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Countdown to Mayweather vs Maidana II: Another Career Defining Moment for Mayweather?

(Note: Countdown to Mayweather vs Maidana II is an EastSideBoxing exclusive by resident scribe Vivek “Vito” Wallace who will take provide a glimpse into the epic showdown each week on Sunday, with a final prediction/analysis piece to be published on the day of the fight).

In last weeks ‘Countdown to Mayweather vs Maidana II’, we took a look at Maidana’s fearless mission to unseat the best talent in the sport. As we get closer to this epic showdown, it would only be fitting to assess the opportunity for victory of the man across from him. Floyd Mayweather remains the most enigmatic force in the world of sports. Few unanswered questions in the present, no visible regrets of the past. Recent headlines surrounding him demonstrate nothing short of utter chaos, but if there’s ever been a place that serves as a sanctuary for the man they call ‘Money’, it can be found in the ring.

At age 37, facing the proverbial ‘west side’ of his career, Floyd Mayweather knows that the window of opportunity to secure his spot on the Mount Rushmore of boxing is quickly closing. Many legendary nights in the past helped him enter the discussion, but how well he finishes down the home stretch could very well tell the tale, as it relates to etching his name in that unprecedented stone.

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Broner gets big UD win over Taylor; Matthysse wants to stop Ortiz, but Referee beats him to it

Adrien “Problem” Broner 29-1 (22KO), comfortable in his Cincinnati, OH backyard, took a while to soften up Emmanuel Taylor 18-3 (12KO). The Problem child pulled away in the last quarter, topping off things for his fans by dropping Taylor with a hard left uppercut in the last round at the U.S. Bank Arena. Broner got what he wanted, a big win over a tough opponent. In a way, Taylor got what he wanted too. He proved his critics wrong by putting on a better showing than they thought possible.

Taylor’s early aggression kept the fight close. He prevented Broner from using his jab. Broner was limited to his “check hooks”, most of which missed or were blocked. Broner and Taylor both landed good body shots, but Broner’s had more mustard on them. Showtime announcer Paulie Malignaggi remarked on the quality of the action, stressing both men were technically sound and demonstrating a lot of skill. The fouls and dirty tactics were held to a minimum, and referee Randy Jarvis held a relatively easy time of it. There were a few warnings here and there for use of the elbow and occasional holding.

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Lucas Matthysse KOs Roberto Ortiz

Argentinean power-puncher Lucas Matthysse scored a quick knockout of previously undefeated Roberto Ortiz with a lethal liver shot at 2:45 of the second round.

In an anticlimactic ending to a bout that had the promise of a war, Matthysse (36-3, 34 KOs) landed a short left hook to the body that sent Ortiz to a knee to catch his breath. The Mexican spit out his mouthpiece and appeared to be working the count until the final split seconds. But referee Benji Esteves halted the contest at the count of 10 despite the fact that Ortiz was on his feet and proceeding to stand up straight.

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Adrien Broner Outduels Emanuel Taylor In An Instant Classic On SHOWTIME

CINCINNATI, Ohio (Sept. 6, 2014) – Adrien Broner and Emanuel Taylor put on a show for “The Problem’s” 8,115 hometown fans in attendance at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, brawling to a close, unanimous decision (115-12, 116-111 twice) for Broner that was arguably one of the best fights of the year.

The main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader was a tactical, inside fight from the beginning. Taylor (18-3, 12 KOs) was effective in the early rounds, coming out with an aggressive game plan that surprised the favored Broner and had him backing up against the ropes. The fight was even after six rounds, but as Taylor’s energy waned, Broner (29-1, 22 KOs) took control of the bout.

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Broner decisions Taylor; Matthysse stops Ortiz; Berto defeats Upsher

Adrien Broner (29-1, 22 KOs) scored a 12th round knockdown in the process of defeating Emmanuel Taylor (18-3, 12 KOs) by a 12 round unanimous decision in his hometown at the U.S Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Taylor was having a good round in the 12th until Broner connected with a left hand to the head that dropped Taylor on his backside on the canvas in the last 15 seconds of the round. Taylor got back to his feet and the fight ended several seconds later. It was a close affair with both guys taking turns landing big shots.

Like in his fight against Marcos Maidana, Broner spent a lot of time on the ropes covering up and trying to land counter shots. This enabled Taylor to tee off on him in many of the rounds. Broner’s defense was sound even when he was backed up against the ropes, but it still didn’t look good with him backed up like that.

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