San Diego Boxing Scene update, June 7, 2012
Denis Grachev of San Diego's City Boxing Gym receives congratulations from referee Pat Russell (L) after a recent victory at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in San Diego. At this point in his career, Grachev should be receiving a ton of lucrative offers. Photo: J. Wyatt
Moments ago, it was reported on Box Rec that San Diego light heavyweight contender Denis Grachev (12-0-1, 8 KOs) of City Boxing Downtown San Diego who turns 30 in August and is now ranked in Boxing’s top 10, is set to face the 31 year-old Edison Miranda (35-7-0, 30 KOs) of Carolina, Puerto Rico. Even if this is just a misinformed rumor – it illustrates the magnitude of Grachev’s TKO win on April 27, 2012 to win the NABF light heavyweight title. SportofBoxing.com has made all sorts of calls to the gym and manager, Mark Dion, to get the facts and we will be doing a followup. This would be one heck of a development. It’s obvious that everyone and their brother wants to see if Grachev’s shocking win over WBC No 2 ranked Ismayl Sillakh was a genuine advance by a legitimate contender, or just a slip on the banana skin by the careless Mr. Sillakh.
Edison Miranda and his entourage hold up the I'm #1 finger after a recent win.
If you’re a boxing fan, you surely know the name Edison “Pantera” Miranda. He’s a Columbian now living in Puerto Rico. He’s also an awesome boxer who has been on the world stage many times fighting admirably against the top people in the sport – guys like Lucian Bute, Arthur Abraham, Kelly Pavlik, Andre Ward, Yordanis Despaigne and Isaac Chilemba. Forget the fact that these were all losses, the combined record of the five is 146-2-1. When he enters the ring against Grachev, he will have a huge advantage when it comes to experience.
Local boxer, Julio Cesar "Gatito" Felix has his arm raised in victory after his February win at Las Pulgas Salon in Tijuana, B. C., Mexico. Photo: Jim Wyatt
In other developments: On this past weekend WBO strawweight champion Moises Fuentes (15-1-0, 7 KOS) of Mexico City had Julio Cesar Felix (17-4-0, 7 KOs) on the canvas twice inside round one before getting the KO victory. This WBO world title fight was a big surprise to many. Felix was also kayoed in round one by Manuel Jimenez back in 2009. After that he scored six impressive wins over not so stellar opposition (one was a split decision over a guy with a 4-6 record). Naturally, on that basis he was not rated. Not even after beating Cristian Aguilar (5-2) on February 16th of this year at Las Pulgas Salon in Tijuana.
For those of you who still believe in the creditability of the world ranking bodies, the sudden appearance of Felix ranked at No 11 in the WBO ratings, gets his shot at the title, and then gets blown away inside a round, should be another reminder of their being unreliable. After manipulating their ratings so blatantly the WBO should hang their heads in shame.
Meanwhile the Puerto Rico versus Mexico feud continues in Bayamon on August 4th when Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. takes on Rafael Marquez and Moises Fuentes defends his WBO strawweight title against the former champion Ivan Calderon. Both fights should be exciting.
At a local boxing show (l to r) boxers Chris Martin and Antonio DeMarco, esteemed trainer Joe Lopez and top matchmaker/promoter Jorge Marron pose for a photo. Photo: J. Wyatt
WBC lightweight champion, southpaw Antonio DeMarco (27-2-1, 20 KOs) of Tijuana will defend his title against Daniel Estrada (28-2-1, 21 KOs) just across the border in Rosarito, B.C., Mexico on July 21. DeMarco’s only loss in his last 21 fights was to the late Edwin Valero for the same title back in 2010. Estrada is ranked #6. Estrada’s last loss, a mixed decision loss, was to Reyes Sanchez (23-4-2, 13 KOs), two years ago.
Tonight, we have another show at Las Pulgas Salon in Tijuana (fight card posted on the Pro Boxing Upcoming Schedule) and Giovanni Santillan of the Undisputed Downtown Gym is fighting for the second time – up in Costa Mesa, CA at the OC Fairgrounds. I hope to be posting the results for you by early morning on Friday.
