Canelo’s performance disappointing in “win” over Trout

I must say I’m really disappointed in WBC junior middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s performance tonight in his controversial 12 round unanimous decision over WBA junior middleweight champion Austin Trout (26-1, 14 KO’s) at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

I had expected a lot better from Canelo than what I saw tonight. His stamina was horrible, his defense good, but his work rate was very poor. Canelo fought in a very lazy manner with him reminding me a lot of former IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham the way that he failed to be busy and would get rounds given to him based on a tiny handful of landed power shots.

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Result: Tyson Fury KOs Steve Cunningham

In a revealing fight, undefeated heavyweight contender Tyson Fury (21-0, 15 KO’s) had to really struggle tonight in stopping former IBF cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham (25-6, 12 KO’s) in the 7th round in a fight televised by NBC from Madison Square Garden, New York. Fury is awfully lucky that he was fighting a guy 44 lbs. lighter than him because Fury got dropped in the 2nd round by a looping right hand from Cunningham.

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Predictions For Tonight’s Fights! Fury/Cunningham, Cleverly/Krasniqi, Alvarez/Trout

613 Not long to go now until tonight’s action packed evening of boxing action gets underway!

We have heavyweight action with Tyson Fury Vs. Steve Cunningham, we have an important light-heavyweight encounter between Nathan Cleverly and his mandatory, Robin Krasniqi, and we have a massive, tough-to-call light-middleweight unification bout between future megastar “Canelo” Alvarez and Austin Trout.

The action takes place in New York, London and San Antonio, Texas. All three cards have some interesting supporting bouts, but it’s the big three that are most exciting for fans.

Here, and for what it’s worth, I give my three fight predictions:

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The 86th Annual Daily News Golden Gloves: Final Day

photo by Christy Cap – For the first time, Brooklyn’s magnificent Barclays Center hosted the traditional Daily News Golden Gloves Finals. To a cheering New York crowd, determined amateur boxers tested their courage, skills and endurance. First the National Anthem, then the 10 Count, ten strikes of the bell in memorial of boxing greats in and out of the ring, and it was time for the action.

Results Women:

(176 + Women) Both fighters came out meaning business. Krystal Dixon moved and used her reach to score with over-the-top rights and used uppercuts to fend off a relentless Jessica Kenul. Multiple hard rights in the 3rd and 4th round helped secure a Dixon victory and the Golden Glove Boxer of Tournament Award.

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Dereck Chisora Still Angry At Wladimir Klitschko For Pulling Out Of Defence!

British heavyweight bad boy Dereck “Del Boy” Chisora is not making any predictions ahead of his ring return tonight – against Argentine Hector Alfredo Avila – merely stating that he will “enjoy it.” However, the former WBC title challenger is not holding his tongue on the subject of world heavyweight number-one Wladimir Klitschko.

As fans may recall, Chisora was twice set to challenge “Dr. Steel Hammer” some months back, only for Wladimir to twice pull out of the fight. This still angers Chisora, the first cancellation especially.

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Canelo Alvarez – Exclusive One-on-One Interview

After the final press conference concluded, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez took the time to partake in brief one-on-one interviews. I had the unique privilege to sit down with the Mexican superstar to get his perspective on the upcoming fight in San Antonio, TX.

Here’s a transcript of the questions and answers that were discussed with Saul Alvarez.

Steve Lopez: “Canelo, how are you feeling with just a few more days left for the fight?”

Saul Alvarez: “I’m ready, I’m ready. I prepared myself very well. Ready for anything. Obviously, we all come with the mentality of winning and that’s what I’m here for.

Steve Lopez: “How are you as far as weight? The weigh-in is tomorrow. How do you feel?”

Saul Alvarez: “Really well. The most I do is 20-30 minutes to lose whatever extra weight I gain from eating. I eat just enough to maintain the weight. Everything is great.”

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Austin Trout – Media Roundtable Exclusive Interview

After the final press conference concluded, Saul Alvarez and Austin Trout took the time to address members of the media for one-on-one and roundtable interviews. I, along with other media correspondents, took the exclusive opportunity to sit down with the WBA champion.

Here’s a transcript of the questions and answers that were discussed with Austin Trout.

Question: “Are you worried much about the judging for the fight?”

Austin Trout: “It’s something I can’t focus much on or worry about because, at the end of the day, I have to focus on what I have to do in the ring. If it goes to the judges, it’s in God’s hands. If they want to jerk me, then it’s between them.”

Question: “How are you able to go through all these lion’s dens? Kind of a ‘no fear’ attitude? What is it?”

Austin Trout: “You can’t have any fear in this sport. I think there’s been a lot of fighters, say their Mexican, aren’t worried about anything. But in my opinion, it’s because they’ve been spoiled. We’ve gone to hell and back to get to where we are. I’m not going to let a variation of judges stop me from fighting.”

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Mike Tyson Tour: A New Day…..And A Night To Remember

Miami, Fl – On any given night the streets of South Beach offer every form of entertainment from sky lounges for swingers to jazz clubs with humdingers! In a city where everything under the sun has taken place in the darkness of the moonlight, recently, locals had a chance to witness one of the few things that no one there had ever quite seen. A typical South Beach night starts to buzz at about 1am. But on this particular evening, only moments after 8pm, a very festive audience fell into a deep silence.

In a suddenly dim theater, the only thing visible to the naked eye was a white silhouette gracefully crossing the stage in a somewhat poetic cadence to the crisp vocals of the legendary Nat King Cole’s intimate piano driven “Nature Boy”. Seconds later, those in attendance heard a familiar voice, yet a very unfamiliar tone. Under the spotlight at center stage like he did at age 20 when he became the youngest champion in Heavyweight history, was none other than “Iron” Mike Tyson.

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Day 2: Canelo-Trout Fight Week – Final Press Conference

The boxing buzz continued in San Antonio, TX with Day 2 of the Saul Alvarez VS. Austin Trout fight week. Day 2 consisted of the Final Press Conference to officially provide closing remarks from the fighters, trainers and promotion managers. Media members from all avenues ranging from television stations/networks, news columnists, internet media and local broadcasting gathered to provide exclusive coverage of the Super Middleweight unification showdown taking place in a few days at the Alamodome.

If media individuals were expecting scuffles and bittersweet trash talking from either camp, those individuals were surely disappointed. On the contrary, all of the fighters and camp members, along with promotional representatives, exerted the utmost professionalism towards their opponents and media members. With over 35,000 tickets already sold and countless viewers scheduled to tune in on the Showtime Championship Boxing telecast, this event requires no additional tactics to promote itself.

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Day 1: Canelo-Trout Fight Week — Media Workouts, Exclusive Gallery and Quotes

The state of Texas is once again on the boxing spotlight: Saul Alvarez VS Austin Trout fight week has finally arrived in San Antonio, TX!

Although the fighters have been in the city for a few days already, the events that are open to the public and the media officially started this Wednesday 04/17/13. Day 1 featured public workouts from the main fighters on the card: Abner Cotto, Jermall Charlo, Raul Martinez, Austin Trout, Omar Figueroa, Jr. and Saul Alvarez. Even though the activities were taking place during a cloudy afternoon with no sunshine at all and vague mists of rain, the weather did not stop the fans from coming out and showing their support and excitement!

The fighters showcased some of their workout drills, routines and shadowboxing right in front of the historic Alamo monument in downtown San Antonio, TX. WBA Welterweight Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi was at hand to lead the event along with Jesse James Leija, a fantastic live band and mariachi group. I had the privilege to capture quotes and visuals from the event.

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