ALBUQUERQUE, NM (November 29, 2011) – Judges Dave Moretti, Sandy Pino and Lisa Giampa, as well as referee Rocky Burke, have been assigned to work Friday night’s “World Dominance” showdown between nine-time world boxing champion Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm (30-1-3, 9 KOs) and six-time world titlist Anne Sophie Mathis (25-1, 21 KOs).
“World Dominance,” presented by Fresquez Productions, will be held Friday night, Dec. 2 at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Holm-Mathis 10-round bout will be contested for the IBA Welterweight title and WBAN Championship Belt, as well as the mythical No. 1 pound-for-pound world champion today in women’s boxing.
One of the most recognizable judges in boxing today, Moretti (Nevada) has been officiating 34 years and worked 131 world title fights. Pino (New Mexico), a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Boxing official, has more than 40 years judging experience. Giampa, who has been a judge with the Nevada State Athletic Commission since 2001, is certified by the Association of Boxing Commissions (“ABC”), and has attended judges’ seminars around the world.
Burke (New Mexico) has refereed nearly 200 bouts since 1997, including 11 women’s and eight men’s world championships. Rocky was an amateur boxer who reached the 1976 U.S. Olympic Trials, losing to future world champion Bruce Curry.
A three-division champion as a light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight, the 30-year-old Holm sports a superlative 20-0-1 (6 KOs) record in world title fights, in addition to having an incredible 14-0-1 mark against world champions. Her victims during the past decade include notables such as Christy Martin, Mary Jo Sanders, Mia St. John, Jane Couch, Duda Yankovich and Chevelle Hallback (twice). Holly is riding a 24-fight unbeaten streak, dating back to her only pro loss in 2004, when a serious cut under her eye prevented her from continuing to fight.
The reigning the WIBA, WIBF and WBF World Welterweight Champion, French invader Mathis has won 24 consecutive bouts, dating back 16 years to her only pro loss in her second fight, including fights against world champions Myriam Lamare, Couch, Yankovich, Ana Pascal and Nathalie Toro.
Doors open at 5 PM/MT, first bout scheduled for 7 PM/MT. For more information about “World Dominance: Holm vs. Mathis” go on line to www.FresquezProductions.com.
AL BERNSTEIN: “BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION IS HOT”
The bantamweight doubleheader of Abner Mares vs. Joseph Agbeko and Anselmo Moreno vs. Vic Darchinyan on Saturday, December 3 could be one of the best cards of the year, according to Showtime Boxing analyst Al Bernstein. The card at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California will be seen on Showtime Network at 9 p.m.
“The bantamweight division is one of the best in boxing, and this features perhaps the four best fighters in the division,” Al said. He added, “The Mares-Agbeko rematch is obviously a potential barnburner, but the Moreno-Darchinyan fight is a main event in it’s own right. Moreno has been an outstanding fighter for some time-but this will put him center stage to an American audience. He’s drawn a tough match with Darchinyan, who is fighting as well as ever.”
Mares and Agbeko fought on August 13th, with the bantamweight and Showtime tourney titles at stake. Mares won a decision that was marred by low blows and ineffective officiating by the referee. Al breaks this fight down: “Lost in all the controversy is the fact that this was a great fight. Mares boxed so well in the first portion of the fight, and Agbeko mounted a great comeback in the second part. Hopefully minus any controversy in this rematch, I could see Agbeko starting a little quicker and Mares figuring out a way to keep his good boxing going longer—that will make it a great fight.”
IN OTHER NEWS:
In a poll on Al Bernstein’s Facebook fan page, Al Bernsteinlive, fans are almost evenly divided on who will win the December 17th final of the Showtime Siper Six Tourney between Andre Ward and Carl Froch. Bernstein said, “This just shows what a close fight that will be. I think it’s a dead even fight, and so do boxing fans.” Fans can go to facebook.com/AlBernsteinlive to log on and vote and see all the other great features of Al’s facebook fan page.
Mike Jones vs. Sebastian Lujan – Bam on Boxing
Some fighters have that “under-the-lights swagger” while others have the “gym kingship”. When a fighter has the best of both worlds, it shows. Fighters who have both and are pushed to their limits usually have the talent to pull through.
A fighter can learn more from being in a severe storm than he can from a walk in the park. This holds true in the gym or under the lights. If a fighter spars in the gym with fighters who are more experienced, he has a better chance of learning something. In those situations fighters realize what their capabilities are and how to adapt to different situations.
Philadelphia fighters are pushed to the limits endless times while sparring. This teaches them about themselves and what it takes to move forward.
clip_image006 We are fortunate to have so much talent in Philadelphia. It makes for great sparring for championship-caliber fighters. Welterweight Mike Jones has both swagger and kingship. He looks good both in the gym and under the lights.
Jones, out of Joe Hand Gym in Northern Liberties, faces the biggest test of his career against Argentina’s Sebastian Lujan on Saturday night in Madison Square Garden. A shot at the IBF world title awaits the winner.
Jones has “Philadelphia fighter” written all over him, starting back from his amateur days with the late Joe Frazier, when he was trained to be a puncher, to the new days of working with Vaughn Jackson and becoming the boxer he is. You literally have to kick Jones out of them gym–he eats right, trains right and fights right.
Lujan comes to fight, as they say, and he will be looking for a brawl. Both fighters should be ready to go toe-to-toe. The fight will be a test of power unless Jones sticks to boxing instead of brawling.
Jones (25-0, 19 K0s) is known for his knockout power, but the same Lujan is true of Lujan (38-5-2, 24 K0s). This fight will show what Jones brings to the table since he will be stepping up in caliber of opposition, much as he did in his two fights with Mexico’s Jesus Soto-Karass (11-13-2010 and 2-19-2011).
Winning this fight could put Jones in line for a match with Andre Berto, Victor Ortiz or Manny Pacquiao. He appears focused and ready.
If you cannot make it to the Garden on Saturday to see Jones in person, be sure to buy the Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito fight on HBO Pay Per View. Jones will be the first of four televised bouts, beginning at 9pm.
The author is a senior at Temple University who is now a part of Peltz Boxing. Follow us on twitter @Peltzboxing and our intern @bamonboxing.