Weekend’s pro boxing matches with a local interest
Michael Grant (R) and Francois Botha (L) exchange blows during their World Boxing Federation Heavyweight title fight at Monte Casino, November 19, 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images
Saturday, November 19
On Saturday, the WBF World Boxing Federation Heavyweight Title was on the line. You didn’t know? Or maybe you didn’t care?
You must know that respect for the various boxing organizations is essential. Some people are saying the WBF hit an all time low on Saturday night when they declared Michael Grant their new world heavyweight champion.
The man he fought for the title was the 43 year-old, 6’ 2” Francois “The White Buffalo” Botha, who now resides in Newport Beach, Ca. Botha returned home to the country of his birth, South Africa, to fight the 39 year-old, 6’7” giant Michael “Big” Grant (48-4-0, 36 KOs) who is from Blue Bell, Pa.
Grant’s track record includes a victory over Andrew Golota in November 1999. That’s about it. Following that win, there was the KO loss to Lennox Lewis, Jameel McCline and more recently a loss on points to Tomasz Adamek.
Over his 21 year career, Botha has fought and lost to all the big names, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Michael Moorer, Shannon Briggs, Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko. If Chris Arreola were to stand next to Mr. Botha, his friends would be calling him “Flaco.”
Michael Grant (R) ducks under an offering from Francois Botha during their WBF title fight at Monte Casino, November 19, 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images
You know Botha was asking himself, "Why is this referee shouting and where the hell am I?" Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. makes history as Mexico's first middleweight champion.
(HBO): Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. defeated Peter Manfredo Jr., by TKO at 1:52 in round five of a 12 rounder at the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas. Chavez was in command the whole way and got the stoppage after rocking Manfredo with a big overhand right and following it up with a barrage of unanswered punches. Chavez was making his first defense of his WBC middleweight title.
After the fight, Chavez Jr. claimed he fears no one and will fight whoever his promoter says, including Sergio Martinez and Canelo Alvarez.
Perhaps it’s time to stop poking fun at this gentleman’s abilities and take notice. After all he is only 25 years-old, stand 6 foot-tall, weighs 159 pounds and has a record of (44-0-1, with 31 KOs).
Martinez (48-2-2, with 27 KOs) is now 36 years-old, two inches shorter and weighs the same as Chavez. Perhaps the one note of caution is the fact Martinez is a southpaw, a southpaw with 48 wins and 27 KOs.
As far as being kin, Chavez, Sr. and his son do stop by our area more than Martinez does. Martinez recently moved to Oxnard, CA. Chavez, Sr. and his son are involved with a local auto dealership in El Cajon, the one that bares papa’s name.
News from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Albert Onolunose is back to work. Photo: J. Wyatt
On Saturday, at Desperado’s Night Club in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Albert “The Punisher” Onolunose (19-1-0, 7 KOs) defeated Martin Desjardins (7-21-4, 3 KOs). You might remember Mr. Onolunose. Back on August 22, 2009, he was undefeated and came to the Pala Casino in nearby Pala, CA. to face Grady Brewer (25-11-0, 15 KOs).
In that fight, Brewer caught the over-confident Onolunose with a beauty of a right uppercut in the second round and knocked him out.
Soon after, the Canadian Mounted Police were trying to track Onolunose and his Nigerian buddies down for their involvement in an internet scam; one of those infamous shakedowns or cons where the scammer notifies people by email that they had either won a make believe lottery or someone in a foreign land requires your help with the transfer of huge somes of money.
It looks like Onolunose is now back in action after a two year hiatus. Of course this Desjardins bout was just a warmup.
Sunday November 20
At the Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada: Russian heavyweight sensation Magomed Abdusalamov (12-0-0, 12 KOs) from Russia got a TKO victory over Rich Power (15-2-0, 11 KOs) from San Diego, a boxer who not only trains but teaches boxing and striking at The Arena Boxing Gym in San Diego.
Also on that fight card, welterweight Azael Cosio (12-1-2, 9 KOs) won with a 5th round KO of Michael Torres (14-3-0, 7 KOs); fighting for the IBF female featherweight title Stacey Reile (10-4-0, 4 KOs) lost a 10 round unanimous decision to Dahiana Santana (28-6-0, 12 KOs); female junior featherweight Ada Velez (19-3-3, 6 KOs) won a 10 round mixed decision victory over Melinda Cooper (21-2-0, 11 KOs); super middleweight Alexander Brand (15-0-0, 13 KOs) won an unanimous decision 6 round victory over Terrance Woods (9-3-0, 6 KOs).
