Fight Report – ‘Mighty’ Mitchell Beats Murray In Style – Burns Retains WBO Crown.
Posted on | July 18, 2011 | No Comments
By: Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro
On Saturday night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool young guns Kevin Mitchell and John Murray had a true Western style shoot out.
From the moment Dagenham gunslinger Mitchell confidently moseyed his way into the arena to the chants and jeers of Manchester’s top gun Murray’s fans it was clear that this was a very different ‘Mighty’ from the one that was gunned down big time by Aussie shootist Michael Katsidis last year.
Mitchell’s resolve and intent was obvious to all, no more was he willing to play second fiddle to Murray. Right from the off he dug into his fully loaded arsenal to let rip with a pin point accurate double handed flurry. Murray shrugged of the initial assault and walk the Londoner back onto the ropes before launching an equally vicious attack of his own.
Dipping and swaying Mitchell avoided virtually everything Murray threw at him before slickly stepping aside and letting rip with a series of punishing hooks to the body. The resilient Mancunian responded as only he can, standing his ground, absorbing each rib cracking shot and timing his counters to perfection, but Mitchell was more than just ‘Mighty’ he was already beginning to look magnificent as he secured the first round.
The second was another cracking round. Mitchell seemingly using his superior body work to slow the ever forward moving Murray, that is until about midway through when Murray lands one of his massive rights. Mitchell reels back to the ropes and yet another Murray double handed salvo rains down on the Londoner. A close round but Murray just about nicks this one in my book.
Right from the opening bell of the third Murray starts hunting down his quarry. Mitchell attempts to keep him at bay with crisp jabs but it just slows the raging bull down for a second or so. Mitchell dips back into his arsenal and pulled out a couple big powerful rights, only for Murray to respond with a double handed assault of his own. Moments later Mitchell turns the table and backs Murray onto the ropes and lets rip with a massive double handed salvo that sees out the round. It was another seriously closely fought round, but I felt Murray had just done enough to make it his own.
The fourth sees a good old fashioned toe-to-toe slug fest open up the proceedings. Murray launched big Bertha round, whilst Mitchell mixed it up and firing off a series of rocket powered uppercuts and hooks, to both body and head. In the dying seconds of the round Murray backed up the Londoner to the ropes again, Mitchell avoided everything Murray threw at him before sidestepping and turning the tables, backing Murray to the ropes, and launching a big double handed salvo until the final bell. No doubt in my mind the was ‘Mighty’ Mitchell’s round one hundred percent.
The fifth sees Murray walking down Mitchell, but this time instead of dipping and swaying his way out of trouble the Londoner responds with a series of three punch combination of uppercuts and hooks to the body which appear to have a major effect on Murray. Mitchell is quick to notice this and turns the heat up letting rip with wicked body shots, uppercuts and double handed salvos to the head which start to slow the ever advancing Murray. An easy round to call in Kevin’s favour, but don’t go thinking it was one way traffic, it wasn’t.
The effects, to Murray’s face, of the previous round were clear to everyone as he came out for the sixth, there were noticeable dark
swellings under both eyes. Mitchell was quick to notice these and set his sights and let off a series of exocets to the head each time Murray came within range. A real ding dong battle ensued, Mitchell letting rip with hooks and big right hands whilst Murray responds with megaton bombs and short sharp rights to the side of Mitchell’s head. What a round it was pugilistic heaven and far too close to call.
Round seven sees Murray charge like a raging bull closing down MItchell before launching a series of seriously hard jabs and big rights, Mitchell responds with yet more double handed exocets to the head. By mid round Murray’s face is looking like a train wreck. In the dying seconds it looked like Murray was heading to Boot Hill, Mitchell lands a massive Nuke that sends Murray reeling and rocking, but before ‘Mighty’ Mitch zoned in for the kill the bell tolled. Sure I don’t have to say this was Mitchell’s round.
Again Murray charges forward from the opening bell, but the moment he came into range Mitchell launched yet another exocet before moving in to let rip with a massive uppercut followed by big double rights, Murray responds in similar vein and an all out war ensues, which abruptly ends with a massive left hook that sends Murray face down to the canvas. Murray makes the count but Mitchell is on him in a flash and lets rip with another wicked combination that rocks Murray to the core and left the referee no option but to stop the fight after just one minute and forty six seconds of the round.
Prior to Mitchell-Murray Scotland’s Ricky Burns defended his WBO Super Featherweight World crown in emphatic fashion against former champ Dagenham’s Nicky Cook.
Perhaps my ‘emphatic fashion’ statement may seem a little too much for some because of the serious back injury Cook received following the very first exchange of the fight, but I feel it’s the correct term because of the perfectly executed body shot, followed by a hard right to the head that preceded, and possibly caused the injury.
After the first exchange Cook crashed to the deck in a twisting motion, which is without doubt what caused the injury, and instantly was in
distress. Showing the heart of a lion Cook decided to continue but within seconds was on the deck a second time. Clearly in distress Cook managed to get to his feet for a second time to bravely fight on, but not for long as the very next exchange see him sent to deck for the third time by a big left.
In an instant Cooks corner threw in the towel – well not so much a towel it looked like a handkerchief to me – and both corners and the paramedics rushed to assist him. After a short delay the stretcher was bought into the ring after which Cook was taken to hospital.
Preceding Burns-Cook the highly anticipated Tony Bellew-Ovill McKenzie rematch, of their December 2010 thriller, took place.
Prior to fight Bellew had stated that he was looking to box the full twelve rounds. Well you can’t say that Bellew isn’t a man of his word
because that’s just what we got.
I have to admit I was really looking forward to this bout, expecting an all out slug fest with a couple of knockdowns thrown in for good luck – you know just like their previous encounter.
The first three rounds see McKenzie trying to force Bellew into a fight but he seemed content to stick to the game plan and not get drawn into a slug fest, instead using his jab to keep the forward coming McKenzie at bay.
There were a couple of moments of note such as late in the second when McKenzie threw a stinging right and on other occasions where Bellew would counter with a nice left-right. The three rounds were close but I felt that McKenzie had not been the busier but also threw more meaningful shots.
There was a little more real action in the next two rounds. Following a beautiful exchange, reminiscent of their first encounter, Bellew let rip with a cracking hard right followed by a solid left to gain centre ring for the first time. As the round progressed possession of the centre ring switched back and forth a few times. Both were close fought affairs but I felt that Bellew had landed the more meaningful shots to take the rounds.
McKenzie came on strong, in the sixth, backing Bellew up before letting rip with a salvo of exocets that rocked the Merseysider. I have to admit Bellew’s resilience was impressive, those shots would have surely floored a lesser man. It wasn’t all one way traffic though as Bellew loaded a few good shots but I felt that McKenzie had done enough to secure the round.
After a couple of first class exchanges round seven was a quiet and fairly even affair, in comparison to the previous rounds.
Round eight was clearly Bellew’s, who started strong letting off a couple of heavy rights. His jabbing was sharper and the right hand venomous. This was more like the Bellew we all know.
Round nine was a bit of a scrappy and close affair with very little meaningful action from either.
The tenth was another fairly slow round, that is until Bellew exploded into action with a wicked double handed attack, to which McKenzie responded in kind. Late on Bellew turned the wick up and became more forceful, however I still see this round for McKenzie, just.
Round eleven was another fairly slow close round, this time though I couldn’t really split them.
The twelfth and final round initially shaped up to be quite lively, however these two know each other way too well thanks to the last meeting and as such it quickly turned into a magnificent game of chess type affair and stayed that way until the final bell.
I was quite surprised when the judges scores were read out as a unanimous 119-110 and 118-111 (twice) points decision in favour for Tony Bellew. I know that many of the rounds were very close and could have gone either way but to my view not that many to give such a clear victory in his Bellew’s favour.
The first title fight of the night see Curtis Woodhouse challenge ‘Funtime’ Frankie Gavin for his WBO Inter-Continental Welterweight title.
The fight starts off quite edgy with former professional footballer Woodhouse controlling centre ring, Gavin seems content to just play off
the jab for most of the round. Action highlight of the round was when Gavin came in off the jab to let rip with a cracking combination to the body. Very close round, could go either way.
Frankie steps things up and takes control of centre ring in the second early in the second, again the highlights of the round mainly see Gavin letting rip with crisp sharp combination to the body of Woodhouse. Late in the round Woodhouse turned the tables and landed some solid body shots. Another close round but I felt Gavin had done the better work.
Continuing the good work from late in the previous round, Woodhouse takes the fight to Gavin via some good stiff jabs and solid straight rights. Gavin responds with a peach of an uppercut. As the round progressed Woodhouse went on the hunt again and landed a cracking left-right combination ending with powerful hook to the body. Woodhouse finished strong but even so I still see this as Frankie’s round.
The fourth was a bit of a messy round with neither doing anything special until Gavin turns on the style and starts picking his shots to claim the round as his own.
‘Funtime’ continued his good work in the fifth through to the tenth round to control centre ring and keep the gutsy Woodhouse at bay. The best action came late in the sixth after Woodhouse lands a cracking right to Gavin’s head. This seemed to wake up ‘Funtime’ who responds with a choreographed flurry of body shots. All rounds were Gavin’s in my view.
Round eleven sees Woodhouse step up things and land big rights at will early on. Gavin responds with some nice hooks to the body and so begins a round full of top class back and forth action. It was a great close round, I personally see it as Woodhouse’s but could so easily have gone in Gavin’s favour.
The twelfth and final round see Gavin turn on the ‘Funtime’ style. Some great toe-to-toe action mid-round. In the dying seconds Gavin shook Woodhouse to the core with a big right but was unable to finish him off before the bell rang.
Surprisingly the result was deemed a split decision with 114-115, in favour of Curtis Woodhouse, and 117-112 and 116-113 in favour of Frankie Gavin.
Preceding the big four championship bouts see Ellesmere Port’s Paul ‘Baby Faced Assassin’ Butler take on Sheffield based Kuwaiti Anwar Alfadli in a four round Bantamweight contest.
Alfadli started the better of the two and took the fight to the Merseysider, it took young Butler the first couple of minutes to suss out
Aldadli’s awkward style, but when he did he made the round his own with some exceptional body-head combinations.
Having found his way around the Kuwaiti’s style Butler really turned on the style to dominate the bout, and pick his shots at will to cruise to a well deserved 40-37 points victory.
Joe Selkirk’s middleweight battle with Terry Carruthers lasted slightly longer the Burns-Cook fight.
Selkirk sent Carruthers to the deck with a vicious left hook in the opening thirty seconds of the round. Carruthers makes the count but
Selkirk is all over him like a rash letting rip with a double handed salvo of big shots. No surprise referee Michael Alexander quickly jumps in to stop the fight on the one minute fifteen second mark.
Unfortunately due to a ‘travel problem’ I arrived at the Echo Arena midway through the Ronnie Heffron versus Barry Jones bout and as such had missed a large part of the undercard. But have to say I was mightily impressed with the slickness of the promotion and the hospitality I and all the journos received from Warren Promotions, especially Francis Warren and Richard Maynard.
Other results:
Ronnie Heffron beat Barrie Jones (6 x 3 – 60-56 points)
Rocky Fielding beat Jamie Ambler (6 x 3 – 60-56 points)
Callum Johnson beat Lee Duncan (4 x 3 – 40-36 points)
Craig Evans beat Scott Moises (Technical Decision, round 5 – 50-46 points)
John Loveday beat Howard Daley (4 x 3 – 40-36 points)
Mike Stafford beat Paul Morris (4 x 3 – 40-37 points)
Tags: Auto > Centre > chants > count > draft > encounter > exchange > exocet > fight > fight report > Flash > gianluca > gunslinger > head > hook > initial assault > jab > jabs > jeers > John Murray > Kevin Mitchell > kill > Londoner > mancunian > Mighty > mitchell reels > Nuke > opening bell > option > pin point > raging bull > RIGHT > ring > round > second fiddle > shootist > time > train > true western style > vicious attack > WBO > Young Guns
FightZone TV To Air Championship Fighting Alliance 02
Posted on | July 18, 2011 | No Comments
FightZone TV has announced their partnering once again with Championship Fighting Alliance, a leading mixed martial arts promotions company in the South Florida marketplace
Their next event, CFA 02, will be held on Saturday, July 23rd, from the U.S. Century Bank Arena in Miami, FL. at 8 p.m. ET and FightZone TV’s Jay Adams will be Cageside to call all the action for a future airing.
This card will feature Sean “Big Sexy” McCorkle (10-2) and Mike “300” Hayes (15-4-1) who will collide in the main event.
The card will also feature a lightweight contest between Efrain Escudero (15-3) and Miami’s own, the undefeated Mike “The Wolverine” Rio (6-0). In addition another 10 fights have been announced.
“I look forward to being a part of the CFA, and their growth.” said McCorkle, a tested veteran who has also fought three times in the UFC. “They are doing big things here in Miami.” He continued “I think the CFA excels at giving fans what they want to see.”
Bellator veteran Hayes added, “my goal is to be the best in the world – period. I don’t want to stop myself short, I want to fight the best. I want to be the best and Sean McCorkle is my road to getting to where I want to go.” He went on to say “I’m really excited that CFA Promotions decided to bring Sean and myself down to be the main event for this next fight in Miami. I think it’s going to be an awesome event. I was down here for the last one and it had some of the most exciting fights that I have ever seen on whole at an MMA event.”
Coming off a 51-second TKO victory this past February, Rio, is looking to once again show MMA fans that he’s a force in the lightweight division. In the prime of his career, Rio has proved to be an exciting fighter. He has finished five of his six opponents, including four inside the first round. When entering mixed martial arts, Rio was determined to become a well-rounded fighter, and he has achieved that goal, with the two knockouts and three submissions. Originally from San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, and now fighting out of Tempe, AZ., Escudero is a former All-American in wrestling for Pima Community College. In 2008 Escudero won the The Ultimate Fighter Season 8 by defeating Phillipe Nover by decision. Escudero went on to defeat Cole Miller and Dan Lauzon during his time with UFC.
Tickets for CFA 02 are priced at $59, $45 and $35 and are currently on sale. Tickets will be available at the U.S. Century Bank Arena box office and online at FIUSports.com
For more event information, visit www.cfafights.com
For Airing Schedules and Commercial availability or Media Kit, visit www.FightZone.TV or email FightZoneMedia@aol.com or call 727-577-5500.
###
About FightZone TV
As one of the largest MMA COntent Distributors in the world, FightZone.TV Proudly Presents the best MMA Events from the US, Canada, UK, and Aruba and is available to over 47 million+ Homes on almost a daily basis. Airing on Sun Sports (6 million+ Florida Homes), Sport South (9 Million+ Homes in GA, TN, AL, MS, NC, SC & Nationally on FSN Sports on DIRECTV (18 million+) and The Dish Network (13 Million+), AT&T U-verse (2 Million+ CA, TX & Midwest) and thousands of Sports Bars and Sport Related locations across the nation.
FightZone TV distributes 3 Programs: 1.5 hour fights from a variety of locations and Promoter Partners. Jay Adams Brawl Call – a 1/2 hr MMA Behind the Scenes show and MMA 30 w/ Host Dave Farra, a fast paced 1/2 hr. Las Vegas based MMA News, Reviews and Interviews show.
Tags: Auto > bank arena > century bank > cfa > draft > efrain > FightZone > Jay Adams > july 23rd > lightweight division > main event > McCorkle > miami fl > Mixed Martial Arts > opponents > promotions company > south florida marketplace > three times > tko victory > UFC > veteran > wolverine
Mixed Martial Arts Links (7-18-11)
Posted on | July 18, 2011 | No Comments
| MMA turnout disappoints organizer Windsor Star By Vincent McDermott, The Windsor Star July 17, 2011 London’s Pete Brown, left, lands a kick against Windsor’s Manuel Alfaro Saturday at the mixed martial arts show at the WFCU Centre. WINDSOR, Ont. — The same luck that blessed Windsor’s Ali “The … See all stories on this topic »
|
||
| Coach Vladimir Voronov Talks Fedor Emelianenko vs. Dan Henderson Bloody Elbow Many people in Mixed Martial Arts community think that Fedor should move down to 205 (93kg). Do you think Fedor will be more effective as a fighter at that weight? I can’t see any sense in Fedor moving down to 205. Why would he do it? … See all stories on this topic »
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
| Just the Facts: Wanderlei Silva 8countnews.com For whatever reason, success has escaped Silva in American mixed martial arts. Silva has 46 fights on his official professional MMA record. These fights include 33 victories, 11 losses, 1 draw and 1 no contest. Of his 33 victories, 23 have come by … See all stories on this topic » |
||
|
UFC 134 Fight Card News: Raphael Assuncao Gets New Opponent in Johnny Eduardo |
|
||
| History in the Making: Fedor Emelianenko begins his … – MMA Mania By Sergio Hernandez “The Last Emperor” is set to step inside the cage against hard-hitting American Dan Henderson. But before he does, we’ll take a look at Fedor Emelianenko’s first bout with Brazilian rival, Antonio Rodrigo “Big Nog” Nogueira! MMAmania.com |
|
||
| Kids doing MMA smokers in Texas – MMA News Their mother, Amanda, thought introducing martial arts into her sons’ lives would up their confidence. It did. The boys wanted more. So they started mixed … www.mixedmartialarts.com/…/Kids-doing-MMA-smokers-in-… |
Tags: Auto > brutal battles > cruel truth > Dan Henderson > draft > emelianenko > gaining momentum > inaugural event > john morgan > manuel alfaro > Mixed Martial Arts > mohegan sun arena > s ali > sbr forum > scranton area > skilled women > UFC > voronov > weekender > wfcu > wilkes barre scranton > windsor star
Boxers from Army’s World Class Athlete Program to Support Melson!
Posted on | July 17, 2011 | No Comments
New York, NY (July 17, 2011) – Gunning for his third consecutive knockout, Captain Boyd Melson will have extra motivation when he battles Zach Schumach Wednesday evening at the Oceana Theater in Brooklyn, NY.
A West Point graduate, Melson, 4-0 (2 KO’s), will be backed by a group of boxers from the Army’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) that are competing in next month’s Olympic Boxing Team Trials. Melson’s coach at the WCAP Basheer Abdullah, a three-time U.S. Olympic Boxing Team Coach, is also slated to cheer on his former pupil.
Fighting for the second time in Brooklyn, where he spent most of his childhood, Melson is excited that he’ll have a group of supporters to promote the “Army Strong” fighting spirit.
“I’m going to have the most influential part of my boxing family with me at this fight,” said Melson, who was selected as an alternate on the 2008 Olympic Team but had to withdraw with an injury. “Coach Basheer Abdullah will be watching over me along with all of my Army teammates that I traveled the world with. Coach Abdullah came to the gym last week to watch me train and told me that we’re going to be Army Strong on July 20. I’m ecstatic about this and the extra support outside of the ring will motivate me that much more to go out and put on a great show!”
Melson-Schumach serves as the co-main event on a Salita Promotions card. Tickets are available on teamfighttowalk.com.
Following the bout, Melson’s entire will be donated purse to Justadollarplease.org, a Non-Profit set up to raise the much needed funds for the first spinal cord injury trial in the United States using umbilical cord stem cells.
In association with Justadollarplease.org, Melson created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community about the importance of stem cell research for spinal cord injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, IBF cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana and prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.
Tags: Army > Auto > awareness > basheer abdullah > Boxing > boxing community > boyd melson > brooklyn ny > captain boyd > card > childhood > com > cord stem > draft > event > Family > fight > fighting > fighting spirit > GYM > Justadollarplease > Melson > motivation > oceana > olympic boxing team > olympic team > purse > show > spinal cord injuries > spinal cord injury > stem cell research > team coach > team fight > teamfighttowalk > time > umbilical cord stem cells > wcap > Wednesday > wednesday evening > West > west point graduate > world class athlete
Wrestling Links (7-17-11)
Posted on | July 17, 2011 | No Comments
| WWE Money in the Bank preview Baltimore Sun (blog) CM Punk: This is the match that has the wrestling world buzzing. Punk has said that he is leaving WWE after this event, and I believe that to be true, although I don’t think he’ll be gone for very long. There’s no doubt that Punk will be heavily … See all stories on this topic »
|
||
| As Teammates Wrestle With Injuries, John Lackey Showing Signs of Settling in NESN.com With a workmanlike effort in a win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, Lackey, the man who authored some disastrous starts earlier in the year while wrestling with an elbow issue, is now third on the staff in starts, innings and wins and continuing to … See all stories on this topic » |
||
|
Wrestlers take over the beach |
||
|
||
|
||
|
Fargo beckons for wrestlers |
||
|
Justin Taylor of Team Bite Me: ‘It’s like wrestling a pit bull on crack.’ |
||
|
||
|
Dot Net DVD Review: Colt Cabana and Daniel Bryan’s Wrestling Road Diaries |
|
||
| Orlando Jordan Released From Impact Wrestling Impact Wrestling has released Orlando Jordan. As we’ve been reporting, the company has been focusing on trimming their roster down because of budget … www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/…/orlando-jordan-released-fro… |
Tags: Auto > baltimore sun > beach > Bleacher Report > Bout > cm punk > com > crack > doubt > draft > effort > event > Herald > INJURIES > innings > IWC > John Cena > john lackey > jordan > lakeside beach > lasky > money in the bank > nbsp > NESN > no doubt > port huron times > port huron times herald > Punk > rampant speculation > tampa bay rays > teammates > times herald > times leader > topic > torello > warm sands > Weber > wilkes barre times leader > wrestlers > wrestling links > wrestling tournament > YEAR
Boxing Links (7-17-11)
Posted on | July 17, 2011 | No Comments
|
||
|
||
|
||
| John Whisler: ESPN bout showcases boxing at its best San Antonio Express After the David Haye-Wladimir Klitschko heavyweight fiasco, boxing needed a fight to remind us why we appreciate the sport and all of its raw appeal. To restore fans’ faith in the sweet science. Well, we didn’t have to wait long. … See all stories on this topic » |
||
|
PAL boxers earn trip to Vegas |
||
|
Underdog Boxing: Marquez demolishes Ramos, sets sights on Pacquiao |
||
|
Rosado and Ferrante Win at Bally’s in Atlantic City! |
||
|
A knockout night of boxing |
||
|
Michael Oliveira Stops Jose Soto in Six For WBC Belt |
||
|
Opponent Announced for ‘Kimbo Slice’ Boxing Debut |
|
||
| Alistair Overeem Considering a Move to Boxing, Wants to Fight … By SethF But there’s a reason Jerome Le Banner has fought no one you’ve heard of in his boxing career: Good kickboxers aren’t always good boxers. Plus, after watching the 42-2 champion dismantle Shannon Briggs and Odlanier Solis, there is no way … Cagepotato |
Tags: Amir Khan > appeal > Auto > biggest losers > Boxing > brain > brain damage > card > com > David Haye > draft > ESPN > Ewing > Express > fame > fight > Golden Gloves Tournament > head > head trauma > hollywood glitz > Laura Serrano > los angeles times > Mixed Martial Arts > nbsp > Police Athletic League > professional fighters > san antonio express > stretcher > study > succession > super featherweight champion > sympathy > Telegraph > topic > WBO > welterweight champion > whisler > Wladimir > Wladimir Klitschko > World Boxing Association > ZANESVILLE > zanesville times recorder
Mixed Martial Arts Links (7-17-11)
Posted on | July 17, 2011 | No Comments
|
||
| The cloud is like MMA; VMware, Citrix in main event GigaOm 16, 2011, 10:00am PT 2 Comments I’m an MMA fan. The sport of mixed martial arts combines the multiple disciplines of wrestling, boxing, and jiu jitsu into one combat sport fought in an eight-sided cage called the octagon. These athletes are modern-day … See all stories on this topic » |
||
|
||
|
||
|
Windsor’s Mokdad loses first MMA event |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
UFC 137 Fight Card: Mirko Filipovic Vs. Roy Nelson Fight Booked For Oct. 29 |
|
||
| G4′s Blair Butler Shows Her ‘Heart’ in New Comic Book Centered on … Yes, MMA is a global sport that can truly transcend any medium that the right artist can expand upon. It’s for that very reason that G4′s “Attack of the Show” host Blair Butler has combined her love of mixed martial arts and comic books … MMA Weekly updates |
Tags: Arts > Auto > border wars > cage > Centre > Charlie Brenneman > com > combat > combat sport > contender > David Tua > draft > event > fighter > GigaOm > GYM > HDnet > house > house of pain > Jitsu > Jiu > kamp > manuel alfaro > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA News > mokdad > nbsp > octagon > October > onehunga auckland > poll results > s ali > show > siver > star london > topic > UFC > VMware > weekly poll > wfcu > windsor star
Michael Oliveira’s return home a Brazilian knockout
Posted on | July 17, 2011 | No Comments
Unbeaten prospect wins WBC Latino Middleweight title
SAO PAULO, Brazil (July 16, 2011) – Undefeated prospect Michael “Brazilian Rocky” Oliveira(15-0, 12 KOs) captured the vacant World Boxing Council Latino middleweight title in tonight’s main event on the “Sao Paulo Fight Night” pro-am card, by way of a sudden sixth-round knockout of Jose“Minquito” Soto (24-8-2, 13 KOs), at Credicard Hall in Sao Paulo.
The 21-year-old Oliveira, rated No. 18 by the World Boxing Council, is a Brazilian native fighting out of Miami. “Sao Paulo Fight Night,” presented by MO Productions, was the third installment in a six-fight, two-year deal with Brazilian network giant, TV Globo.
Oliveira displayed an improved jab in a feeling-out opening round, in which he showed patience and, under new trainer Orlando Cueller, a much different game plan than in the past, calling for Oliveira to brawl less and box more from a distance. The action picked-up in the second as Soto was more aggressive, but Oliveira effectively worked the body in the third round and start to breakdown his game Dominican opponent.
In the fourth round, Oliveira’s power advantage became more apparent, when he trapped Soto on the ropes, rocking him with straight rights. Soto came back in the fifth but a wicked left to the body, quickly followed by a devastating right uppercut, ended the fight early in the sixth.
“I’m quicker when I keep my hands low and I’m loose,” Oliveira commented, “but I had to keep my hands high because of head-butts. We changed strategy three times. He didn’t fade, hit like a mule, and kept coming. I felt my body punching was effective. I followed Orlando’s instructions; when he said to go to the head at the right time, or to go the body at the right time. Victory came easier because I listened to my corner.
“I’ve improved a lot because of my experiences working in the gym. I have a high-quality team that took the time to not only work on my defects, but they saw my offense. I’d give myself a seven grade (on scale of 1-10). My goal is to fight for a world title. My team will evaluate me, help me work to continue improving, and schedule my next fight. They’ll let me know when I’m ready for a world title fight.”
Michael’s father and the show’s promoter, Carlos Oliveira, was pleased by the overall success of the show, as well as the improvement his son displayed before a passionate crowd. “The show was a complete success,” he remarked, “other than we had to delay going live because of a soccer game going late on television. I saw improvement from Michael. His defense was a little better and he was much more patient. While he was fighting I think he thought about his last fight, which kept him more focused on what to do.”
Cueller was happy with Michael’s performance in what was their first time working together in a fight. “We had to make adjustments during the fight,” Cueller explained. “His opponent was heavy handed and determined. He was a decent inside fighter, too. Michael used his jab and timed his opponent’s jab well. He used his jab and moved his head more than he ever did in the past. He worked the body and took advantage at the end. Michael executed everything I asked of him. He did a good job.”
World boxing champion Glen Johnson, who trains with Oliveira at Thump Fight Gym in Miami, walked Michael into the ring as a show of friendship and support.
“Michael did a good job,” Johnson said. “He knows that has a lot of stuff to work on, especially defense, but he’s young and still a work in progress. He forced some shots to the head when there were some clean shots to the body, but he continues to get better and he’s heading in the right direction. He has Orlando Cueller in his corner to guide him and all Michael has to do is listen to him and work hard. He is determined.”
Complete Results:
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Michael Oliveira (15-0, 12 KOs), Miami, FL WKO6 (0.36) Jose Soto (24-8-2, 13 KOs), La Vega, Dominican Republic
(Oliveira won WBC Latino middleweight title)
LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHTS:
Douglas Ataide (2-0, 0 KOs), Sao Paulo, Brazil WDEC6 (60-53, 60-53, 58-53) Jack Welson (14-7, 12 KOs), Sao Paulo, Brazil
AMATEUR MATCHES
FEMALE FEATHERWEIGHTS
Clelia Marques Costa, Sao Paulo, Brazil WPTS Amanda Coelho, Amazonia, Brazil
FEMALE MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Andrea Bandeira, Sao Paulo, Brazil WPTS Daniele Bastielli, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Go to www.MichaelOliverira.com for more information and pictures.
Tags: Auto > body > Boxing > Brawl > brazilian native > card > Credicard > deal > different game > draft > event > fight > fight night > game plan > giant tv > GYM > head > head butts > installment > jab > job > knockout > main event > middleweight > mo productions > mule > nbsp > power advantage > right time > rocky oliveira > ropes > round > sao paulo brazil > show > time > time victory > tv globo > undefeated > uppercut > World Boxing Council > WPTS
SEARCH OUR BLOGS
SEARCH THE WEB
Subscribe in a reader
US Money Reserve
Bodybuilding fitness software: Gain weight & build muscle fast.
Photographers - Boston, MA
PRO-SEBLOG.COM: EMPOWERING ORDINARY PEOPLE TO PRACTICE LAW ON THEIR OWN BEHALF
CLICK HERE TO ORDER AN AWESOME SELF-HELP LEGAL COURSE
MARKETINGBOSS.INFO: MARKETING TIPS FOR YOUR SITE & BUSINESS
Boxing Live
RING GIRLS
OUR SPONSORS
