Anaheim, Calif. (February 4, 2012) – Earlier tonight, Southern California fight fans were treated to an explosive night of boxing at The Phoenix Club in Anaheim, Calif.. The five-fight card was presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. If you missed the live action or the TeleFutura “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” broadcast, below is a summary of the results:
Ronny Rios TKO 4 Jeremy McLaurin
Alejandro Perez TKO 8 Derrick Wilson
Jose Manuel Sanchez TKO 1 Manuel Sarabia
Marco Antonio Barrera Returns To British Shores On 9th March
Promoter, and former World Champion, Carl Greaves recently announced that three weight World Champion Marco Antonio Barrera is to make a return visit to the UK next month. Now before you go getting too excited, or maybe you should, because it’s not for yet another super fight, oh no this time it’s for a much more up close and personal event with British boxing fans.
Yep you’ve got it Carl is putting together another of his highly successful ‘Evening With’ events and this time it’s the legendary Mexican star that will be the centre of attraction at the Newark Showground, Newark, Nottinghamshire, on Friday, 9th March 2012.
Barrera, a former two-time World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight, WBC, Lineal, The Ring & IBO Featherweight and WBC & IBF super featherweight champion, earned his legendary status following a trilogy of battles with another Mexican legend Erik Morales as well as his being the first to defeat Prince Naseem Hamed.
Barrera began his career as a Super Flyweight and won his first professional title at this weight, defeating Justino Suárez by a decision to win the Mexican national super flyweight title in 1992. A title he successfully defended five times as well as adding the division’s NABF crown to his collection.
In 1994, even though he beat Carlos Salazar, Barrera failed to secure a World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Flyweight World Title eliminator as he had come in over the weight limit. Barrera then stepped up to the Super Bantamweight division and challenged for and won the WBA Penta-Continental Super Bantamweight title, which he successfully defended on a single occasion.
Barrera began 1995 with his first World title shot. On the 31st March of that year, he became the WBO super bantamweight champion after defeating Puerto Rican boxer Daniel Cobrita Jiménez.
Barrera defended the WBO crown seven times before on the 22nd November 1996, he suffered his first career loss, as well as losing the WBO title, after a crazy faux pas by his coach.
Barrera was knocked down in round five by American Junior Jones, Barrera got to his feet but just after the fight resumed Barrera’s corner man climbed onto the ring apron, leaving the referee no option but to stop the fight and disqualify Barrera.
On the 18th April 1997, Barrera was presented the chance to regain his title, by facing Jones in a rematch in Las Vegas. Unfortunately after twelve hard fought close rounds Barrera was once again thwarted, this time by a unanimous decision, after which he announced his retirement from boxing.
One year later Barrera announced his comeback, shortly after he defeated Angel Rosario with a fifth round knockout. After two more wins, he was given another opportunity to fight for the WBO World title.
Barrera became a two-time World Super Bantamweight Champion, on the 31st October, when he defeated Richie Wenton by a third round knockout to secure the vacant WBO title.
In February 2000, Barrera was defeated by the WBC super bantamweight title holder Erik Morales by a controversial split decision. It was an intense battle in which both fighters were cut and battered. At the 2000 year end awards this thrilling bout was declared the new Millenniums first ‘Fight of the Year’ by Ring Magazine.
Shortly after the bout, the WBO reinstated Barrera as their champion, which he defended three times in 2000
In 2001, Barrera moved up a weight division. On the 7th April, he handed legendary British boxer Prince Naseem Hamed his first and only loss to secure the lineal Featherweight title by a twelve-round decision.
Before the fight, Hamed was the clear bookies favorite, however Hamed could not hit Barrera with his trademark left, as Barrera circled to his left and worked both head and body.
Barrera was not a fan of Hamed’s antics and responded to Hamed’s punches during clinches. On one occasion early in the fight, Hamed grabbed Barrera and they both fell to the ground, whilst down on the canvas Barrera threw a right jab which lead to a warning from referee Joe Cortez. In the twelfth and final round Barrera trapped Hamed in a full nelson, and forced his head into the turnbuckle, resulting in a point deduction from Cortez.
Throughout the bout Barrera threw far more and harder punches as well as more impressive combinations than Hamed to rightfully be awarded the victory via a unanimous decision.
On the 8th September 2001, Barrera added the IBO Featherweight title to his collection after stopping former champion Enrique Sánchez in the sixth round.
Nine months later, on the 22 June 2002, Barrera successfully defended his lineal title by out pointing Erik Morales in a rematch, in doing so added Morales’ WBC title and the vacant Ring Magazine title to his ever expanding trophy case, albeit for only a short while in the case of the WBC belt as shortly after he relinquished the title.
On the 7th November, Barrera defeated former five-time world champion Johnny Tapia by a 12-round unanimous decision.
Barrera’s 60th career fight, on the 12th April 2003, see him finish off former WBC title holder Kevin Kelley in style, with a spectacular fourth round knockout.
On the 16th November 2003, Barrera faced Manny Pacquiao. After eleven bruising hard fought rounds Barerra’s corner threw in the towel. In doing so handed Pacquiao his third world championship, all in different weight divisions, and as Barrera was the recognized Lineal champion his coveted Ring Magazine title also went to the Pac Man.
On November 27, 2004, Barrera joined Pacquiao as a three weight division World Champion, after defeating Morales to secure the WBC super featherweight title, a title which he successfully defended four times as well as adding the IBF version to his impressive collection.
Barrera lost his WBC Super Featherweight title, On the 17th March 2007, to fellow Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Márquez by a unanimous points decision.
Barrera was furious and demanded a rematch, claiming that the judges and referee were wrong, because he knocked down Márquez in the seventh round and the referee ruled it a slip.
Just under seven months later, on the 6th October, Barrera fought Pacquiao for a second time, for the WBC International Super Featherweight title. Again Barrera’s efforts was thwarted by the Filipino. After the bout a distraught Barrera expressed his desire to retire from boxing a second time.
On the 26th August 2008 Barrera, at 35, ended his brief retirement, and signed a five year contract with promoter Don King and moved to the Lightweight division, his goal to become the first Mexican ever, to win a World Championship at four different weights.
The 7th December 2008, marked Barrera’s return to the ring, in Chengdu, China, where he secured his first win, as a Lightweight, by knocking out Sammy Ventura.
It was announced on the 15th January 2009 that Barrera’s next fight would see him travel to the UK to face the highly rated Amir Khan, at the MEN Arena on the 14th March. Even with Barrera being in the twilight years of his career this was still viewed as the toughest test of young Khan’s career to date.
Barrera lost the bout by a dubious fifth-round technical decision – the two fighters clashed heads in the first round, resulting in a deep gash above Barrera’s forehead. Throughout the bout blood flowed from the cut and even though the referee could have called a halt to the proceedings anytime he left it until the beginning of the fifth to summon the ringside doctor. Immediately the doctor stopped the fight due to the severity of the cut, The judges scored the fight 50-45, 50-45, and 50-44 for Khan at the point of stoppage and he was declared the winner by technical decision.
It would not be until the 26th June 2010 that Barrera would fight again, where he faced Brazil’s Adailton de Jesus in a non-Championship ten rounder at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas. Barrera dominated De Jesus for every single round to secure victory.
In his last bout, on 12th February 2011, Barrera beat Jose Arias, of the Dominican Republic by a second round TKO.
Whilst it’s not clear whether that fight brings to a close Barrera’s magnificent career, one thing is clear that Marco Antonio Barrera has earned the right to be known as one of the greatest boxers of his generation, something that makes this opportunity presented by Carl Greaves, a can’t miss one, especially as those attending will not only get the to meet and chat with Barrera but will also have the opportunity to be photographed with him.
Not just that though, those attending will also get to sit down at the dinner table with the great man himself, and other star guests, for a two course meal as well as further evening entertainment, in the form of a comedian.
Carl Greaves is really doing the fans proud yet again, especially as the cost of attending ‘An Evening With Marco Antonio Barrera’ is just £75 per person – Tickets available on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com
FRANK BUGLIONI Q&A
In the build up to this Friday’s sold-out show at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, boxing writer Glyn Evans has interviewed the fighters featuring on the undercard – starting today with unbeaten super-middleweight Frank Buglioni.
The Enfield puncher, who’s stopped two out of two inside the first round, takes on Navemby’s Ryan Clark over four rounds, with Kevin Mitchell’s return against Felix Lora headlining the show.
See the show live and exclusive on the New Undisputed Home of Boxing BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546) on Friday from 8pm on Friday 10th February.
Name: Frank Buglioni
Born: Enfield
Age: 22
Family background: I’m the third of four children. The Italian is from my dad’s side. I still live with my parents in Winchmore Hill, N21, north London. I’ve no kids yet.
Trade: I work as a building surveyor. I passed nine GCSEs, including six A grades plus the International Baccalaureate. I went to Westminster University to study surveying on day release for a couple of years but had to put it on hold when I got selected for the GB Olympic squad.
Nickname: Not got one as yet. In the amateurs it was ‘The Bug’ but the pronunciation wasn’t right. It’s Boo-lee-own-ee, so I want to shed that.
What age did you become interested in boxing and why? I was about 13 or 14. In my early teens I was keen on all sports, football, tennis, swimming, athletics….and just joined the Waltham Forest ABC to get a bit fitter and stronger, more confident. I grew to love boxing so much I packed all the other sports in!
What do you recall of your amateur career? As I say, I started at Waltham Forest but after just three or four bouts I joined the Repton. (Head coach) Tony Burns oversaw everything but I was coached initially by Mark Wilkes, then later by Gary McCarthy and a geezer called Joe.
All told, I had over 60 amateur fights and only lost seven or eight. I must’ve stopped 50 to 60% of my amateur opponents. I won a junior novice competition then, at 18, I won the National Boys Clubs, Class C. I went in the senior ABAs twice, and stopped six of my eight opponents. In 2009 I lost to Kirk Garvey in the London final then, last year, I lost to John Dignam on a double count back in the English semis.
I didn’t box for England until I was 19 but made ten or eleven (international) appearances and made it to the GB Olympic Podium Squad. I boxed for England at the Commonwealth Feds in India, where I lost in the final to Vijender Singh from India. He was the world number one but I broke his nose in round one and was close to stopping him. In a rematch later, they gave him a standing count of about 40! I also fought for England in Sweden, France, Ireland and Scotland. With the Repton, I boxed in Cyprus, Denmark and Norway. Great experiences.
I beat Hosea Burton in the GB box-offs. That Podium Squad was very intense, very professional. We’d go to the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield from Monday to Thursday and train three times a day. We’d only get four weeks off per year but I really learnt a lot. Sparring against squads from China, Kazakhstan, France, Germany really brought me on. It was a fantastic apprenticeship for the pros and I made some great friends, guys like Callum Smith, Tom Stalker and Warren Baister.
Why did you decide to turn pro when you did? I always knew in my heart of hearts that the amateurs didn’t really suit my style. It was always going to be very hard to qualify for the Olympics and it started getting slightly harder for me to make 75kilos. I knew I needed an ABA title to seriously challenge Anthony Ogogo and, when I lost in the ABA semis to Dignam, I knew the dream was over. I wish Anthony all the best. It’ll be very tough to qualify for the Olympics but he’s definitely got the tools and potential to medal if he makes it.
Tell us about your back up team: I’m managed by Frank Warren, promoted by Frank Warren Promotions and trained by Mark and Jimmy Tibbs…mostly Mark. Mark really knows his stuff, keeps up to the minute with all the strength and conditioning stuff, is very adaptable and has real enthusiasm. I always leave the gym feeling great.
What’s your training schedule? Which parts do you most and least enjoy? Being at the four round stage of my career, I’m training all the time, rather than having a camp. Breaks would just waste valuable learning time and, right now, I’m learning so much.
I train five days a week, sometimes six. I’m up at six, drive to work then, from the site, go for a three to four mile run most mornings around the canals in Hackney. I work as a building surveyor from about eight till four then go to the TKO gym in Canning Town for a couple of hours straight after work.
I’ll start with a ‘stretch out’, then shadow box, either spar or go on the pads, do a couple on the bags, finish with some strength and conditioning, then home about half seven.
I most enjoy sparring cos it’s closest to the real thing but, lately, I’ve really got into the shadow boxing. Mark puts a great emphasis on that. My least favourite part, believe it or not, is the rest. If Mark gives me a day off, I get bored!
Describe your style? What are your best qualities? I’m definitely a come forward fighter but I’m trying to become a come forward counter-puncher, slipping and rolling as I come in.
My best qualities would be my dedication and strength of mind. I’ve always been able to punch. In my second amateur bout as a young teenager, I flattened some kid straight away with a right hand and I always like to win by stoppage. That way there can be no arguments and it makes it more entertaining for the crowd. Since going pro, my accuracy and punch picking have improved massively and I’m even more dangerous.
I like to win at all costs but with the least amount of damage. At the end of the day, it is a sport.
What specifically do you need to work on to fully optimise your potential as a fighter? Just to keep picking up experience really, from varied sparring and regular fights. Looking over my shoulder in the gym I’ve got Billy Joe Saunders and Kevin Mitchell to try and emulate. The skills they possess are unreal. Bill has tremendous head movement and I’m working at improving mine to avoid shots that could shorten my career. I’m also trying to master that Kevin Mitchell left uppercut!
What have you found to be the biggest difference between the pro and amateur codes? The size of the gloves. They’re much smaller which allows you to get your shots through easier and, when you land, they know about it! I badly bruised my hands after my first fight so, on Billy Joe’s advice, I’ve since switched to Grant gloves which offer greater protection.
Who is the best opponent that you’ve shared a ring with? That would be Carl Froch in sparring. Twice I did five rounds with him and you could hit him with a baseball bat and he wouldn’t be hurt. He’s also far more elusive and has a greater variety of shots than you’d expect. Tough man.
All time favourite fighter: Oscar De La Hoya. His style was so refined. He had lovely combinations and could hit fast and hard.
All time favourite fight: The first Castillo-Corrales fight. Unbelievable, especially if, like me, you watched it not knowing the result.
Which current match would you most like to see made? Mayweather-Pacquiao, but it might be a fraction past its sell by date. Domestically, I’d like to see Froch-Cleverly. That could be very interesting.
What is your routine on fight day? At the level I’m currently at, I don’t weigh in till the afternoon of the fight so, given I can’t eat, I try to expend as little energy as possible. After the weigh-in, I’ll have some nice healthy food that won’t bloat me too much but I’m not giving away any secrets. Then I’ll just relax in the changing rooms. Once I’m in the company of Mark (Tibbs) my nerves disappear. I’ll wrap my hands, loosen up and work on getting my frame of mind ready to fight. Half an hour before the fight, I’ll start getting a full sweat on.
Entrance music: Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes
What are your ambitions as a boxer? I’m taking each fight as it comes and leave timescales to (matchmaker) Dean Powell but, if I can get enough rounds in, I’d like a Southern Area fight by the beginning of 2013. Before I retire, I’d love a British and Commonwealth belt and a chance at world honours.
How do you relax? Just chill with friends. I don’t play any sports now because I’m always too shattered after training and the risk of injury is too great but I like to watch the very big events on tele. I’m always watching boxing.
Football team: Chelsea
Read: Fighting Fit, Boxing News and Boxing Monthly plus fact based stuff, sports autobiographies.
Music: I like dance, hip-hop, rock….a bit of everything.
Films/TV: I’ll watch crime thrillers and gangster films plus Two and a Half Men.
Aspiration in life: Just to be successful.
Motto: The harder I train, the luckier I get!
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