Unbeaten Pablo Cesar Cano replaces Matthysse in WBC title bout against Erik Morales

LOS ANGELES, September 10 -Mexico City’s Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano, the WBC’s leading available contender and a young and hungry Mexican phenom has agreed to step in and face Erik Morales on next Saturday’s “STAR POWER” mega-event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas which will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View. Cano got his chance after Morales’ original opponent, Lucas Matthysse, withdrew from the bout earlier in the week due to a viral infection.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I couldn’t refuse it,” said the 21-year-old Cano who will face Morales for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Lightweight World Championship. “I have grown up watching Erik Morales. I know both his strengths and weaknesses. While it’s an honor to fight him, I have the style to beat him and win my first world championship, which is the dream of every fighter.”

“Every time there’s a change in opponent, it forces you to make changes, but I’ve been in this sport long enough to adjust without a problem,” said Morales. “From what I’ve heard, Cano is a strong, young fighter, but whether it’s Matthysse or Cano, the result on September 17 will be the same…me leaving the ring with another world title belt around my waist.”

Not only is the WBC Super Lightweight World title on the line, but also local bragging rights as it will be a clash between Tijuana’s Morales and Mexico City’s Cano. The fight figures to be one that will produce fireworks, especially considering that Cano is trained by Rudy Perez, the former trainer of Morales’ longtime nemesis Marco Antonio Barrera who under Perez’s guidance dealt Morales two defeats.

With crushing knockout power that has brought an end to 17 of his 22 wins, Cano (22-0-1, 17 KO’s) has all the tools to shock the boxing world on September 17. The current NABF champion at 140 pounds, a title he won in June of 2010 when he defeated Oscar Leon, the number 12 WBC rated Cano has stopped Jorge Romero and Pablo Lugo in his last two bouts. He was preparing for an upcoming bout when he was offered the biggest fight of his young career. Now, he will travel to Las Vegas and look to make history.

JIMMY LANGE WINS WBU TITLE AFTER SIX ROUND TKO OF RAUL MUNOZ AT PATRIOT CENTER

FAIRFAX, VA – Jimmy Lange knocked Raul “El Toro” Munoz down three times in the 6th round to notch a TKO win and win the World Boxing Union’s (WBU)vacant 154-lb championship. The victory brings Lange’s record to 37-4-2, 24 KOs, while Munoz falls to 22-15-1, 16 KOs. It was the Great Falls fighter’s 13th headlining show at the Patriot Center on the George Mason University campus.

In the second round both fighters took turns swapping punches and while not in serious trouble Munoz did seem to have the upper hand in the second and third rounds.

In the fourth round Lange began to gain control and a solid right to Munoz’ chin in the fifth was the turning point. In the 6th round Lange came off the ropes and caught Munoz with a left hook for the first knock down of the round. He ended up knocking Munoz down two more times before the fight was stopped.

“I did not think a lot of things were working early for me. I was going to the body and using my jab but I don’t think I hurt him at all early,” said Jimmy Lange. “I think in the 4th round things started to turn for me.”

“I thought it was a great fight and that Jimmy followed his plan and set up Raul” said manager/father Johnny Lange at the post-fight press conference. “I also want to thank a lot of people who have helped Jimmy get here tonight.”

“I thought I was gradually wearing him down and maybe could get him in the 7th or 8th round,” said Lange. “But in the 6th I caught him with a left hook for the first knock down and I don’t think he ever really covered. .”

Michael “No Joke” Stewart certainly lived up to his billing Saturday night at the Patriot Center. He knocked Jimmy LeBlanc down in each of the first two rounds and earned a TKO at 1:47 of the second round.

In one of the most action packed fights of the night Todd “White Lightning” Wilson stayed undefeated (11-0) with a unanimous decision over former world champion Eric “Mighty Mouse” Aiken. Both fighters hit the canvas during the fight with the fifth round being the busiest.

Zain “Tiger” Shah notched his fourth KO and sixth win when he unleashed a furious combination to drop Julius “Vicious” Kennedy at 1:50 of the second round. Shah had knocked Kennedy down in the first round with a strong right to the head.

In a very close match Tori Nelson remained undefeated with a well-earned unanimous decision over Michelle Garland. Both fighters landed plenty of punches in an action-packed bout.

Scott “Cujo” Sigmon dominated Bruce “The Rage” Rumbolz for all eight rounds en route to his 17th career win. Sigmon staggered Rumbolz in the fourth round and in the 5th, 6th and 7th continued to back up Rumbolz and eventually keep him on the ropes for much of the time. In the 8th it looked like Sigmon may have earned a knockout when he rocked Rumbolz with a strong left to the head and followed it up with a strong body attack but Rumbolz hung in. After the final bell Rumbolz lifted Sigmon’s hand indicating who the winner was.

In the first bout of the evening Lawrence Jones got off to a slow start but by the third round began to dominate Jose Felix and eventually gained a unanimous decision. Lawrence drew blood in the fourth round and a strong exchange in the fifth by Lawrence drew more. Lopez came out strong for the first 45 seconds of the 6th round but Jones regained his form and finished strong.

Main Event – 10 Rounds, Jr. Middleweight

Jimmy Lange (37-4-2, 24 KOs) wins by TKO at 2:44 of 6th round over Raul “El Toro” Muñoz (22-15-1, 16 KOs)

Co-Main Event – 8 Rounds, Jr. Middleweight

George “Wartime” Rivera (13-6, 4 KOs) wins by UD (80-72, 80-72 & 79-73) over Jonathan “Reid Dawg” Reid (35-13, 19 KOs)

Undercard – 6 Rounds, Welterweight

Michael “No Joke” Stewart (48-6-3, 24 KOs) wins by TKO at 1:47 of the 2nd round over Jimmy LeBlanc (12-21-4, 4 KOs)

6 Rounds, Jr. Welterweight

Todd “White” Lightning” Wilson (11-0, 3 KOs) wins by UD (59-54, 58-55, 59-57) over vs. Eric “Mighty Mouse” Aiken (16-8-1, 12 KOs)

6 Rounds, Jr. Middleweight

Zain “Tiger” Shah (6-0, 4 KOs) wins by KO at 1:50 of 2nd round over Julius “Vicious” Kennedy (7-3-1, 3 KOs)

4 Rounds, Middleweight (non-title contest)

Tori Nelson (5-0-1) wins by UD (39-37, 39-37, 39-37) over Michelle Garland (1-2-1)

8 Rounds, Super. Middleweight

Scott “Cujo” Sigmon (17-3, 8 KOs) wins by UD (79-73, 79-73, 79-73) over Bruce “The Rage” Rumbolz (22-23-2, 13 KOs)

6 Rounds, Jr. Middleweight

Lawrence Jones (4-5-2, 1 KO) wins by UD (59-55, 59-55, 60-54) over Jose Felix (10-10-2, 3 KOs)