Wednesday, February 24, 2016

ANTHONY HEMBRICK

Nickname: "Hollywood"



   Detroit Michigan's Anthony "Hollywood" Hembrick was an outstanding amateur and a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team.  After a mysterious "mix-up" at the Olympic Games when he and his coaches were misinformed about his bout time, and did not make it to the venue in time to compete, Hembrick turned professional.

   April 22, 1989 saw him in his Pro Debut and he opened with a 2nd round tko of Ron West at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI.  He continued to win impressively against medium opposition, and on Feb. 2, 1990 he took a step up in class putting his  10-0 record at risk against Donald "The Ultimate" Stephens (7-2-2).  Hembrick won handily on scores of 59-55 across the board and was now considered a solid contender for a title.

   The competition remained stiff as he defeated Keith "Sir Jab-A-Lot" McMurray, Martin Amarillas, and Lenzie Morgan in succession moving his record to 14-0, 8 ko's and earning him a shot at the vacant USBA Light Heavyweight Title against Booker T. World (16-1-1, 11 ko's) in a bout that was televised on USA network.  It was a shocking wake up call for Hembrick as he was stopped in the first round by the powerful opponent.  



   No problem, Hembrick bounced back well running off a 9-0-1, 7 ko streak with some nice wins including former world champion Leslie Stewart, a rematch with Keith McMurray, Rusty Rosenberger, and Mike Sedillo.

   This propelled him into a world title challenge against fellow Detroit based fighter, and Kronk Gym member - Leonzer Barber (14-1, 10 ko) for his WBO Light Heavyweight title.  It was an excellent matchup and when the smoke cleared, it came down to a split decision victory on scores of 115-113 (Barber), 115-113 (Hembrick) and 114-113 for the winner Leonzer Barber.

   Two months later, Hembrick moved up in weight and challenged Orlin Norris (31-3, 15 ko) for his NABF Cruiserweight Championship.  Norris was just too big, too strong, and skilled enough to knock Hembrick down 3 times in round 8 for the stoppage.

   Again, Hembrick bounced back with a nice streak going 4-0, all 4 by ko including a 4th round tko over Earl "Sweetness" Butler, moving up in the world rankings gaining him a 2nd world title opportunity, but this time he would have to travel to Dusseldorf, Germany and face IBF Champion Henry Maske (20-0, 9 ko).  The Champion was "on" that night, and handed Hembrick a lopsided unanimous decision loss.

   Anthony stepped out of the frying pan and into the fire as he faced James "Lights Out" Toney in his next fight, and was stopped in round 7 of that one.  Hembrick was considered worthy of another shot at the USBA Light Heavyweight Title belt, and he made the most of it, stopping Rudy Nix (16-1-1, 15 ko's) in round 6 to win the vacant championship and finally feel a title belt around his waist.

   Hembrick put his title on the line in a rematch with James Toney, this time Hembrick would be the Champion, and Toney would be a challenger, but it made no difference The legendary Toney handled Hembrick and stopped him in round 6 to take the USBA Light Heavyweight Title.



   Anthony Hembrick would fight just 4 more times, including a rematch win against Mike Sedillo by majority decision, and a tough draw against unbeaten Terry McGroom (13-0-1, 8 ko's).  He would step through the ropes one final time being ko'd in the rematch by Richard Frazier (11-2-1, 3 ko).

His career ran only 7 years, but this U.S. Olympian had a colorful and memorable campaign facing world class opposition, winning the USBA Title, and being considered a top contender of his time.  He finished his pro career with an outstanding record of 31 wins, 8 losses, 2 draws, and winning 22 by knockout!

See Anthony Hembrick's complete Pro Boxing Record: CLICK HERE

If you would like to see Anthony "Hollywood" Hembrick in action, I have the following bouts available on DVD: 

1. DONALD STEPHENS           [w-6]
2. KIETH MCMURRAY #1         [w-8] (Rds. 3, 7, 8 of 8 ONLY)
3. MARTIN AMARILLAS            [tko-8]
4. BOOKER T. WORD               [tko-by-1] {Vacant USBA Light Heavy Title}
5. KIETH MCMURRAY #2         [ko-4]
6. RUSTY ROSENBERGER      [tko-2]
7. MIKE SEDILLO #1                 [Draw-10]
8. LARRY PRATHER                 [tko-3]
9. JAMES WILLIAMSON            [tko-2]
10. LEONZER BARBER             [L-12] {WBO Light Heavy Title}
11. ORLIN NORRIS                    [tko-by-8] {NABF Cruiser Title}
12. JAMES TONEY #1               [tko-by-7]
13. JAMES TONEY #2               [tko-by-6] {USBA Light Heavy Title}
14. TERRY MCGROOM             [Draw-10]

_______________________________________________
Amateur:

1. Darrin Allen (Quick HL ONLY) 



   

Friday, February 19, 2016

KENNY SIGURANI

Nickname: "The Cobra"


   Youngstown, Ohio's Ken "The Cobra" Sigurani turned professional on July 22, 1994.  After a very nice amateur career going 44-4 and winning a Golden Gloves Title, he stepped into the paid ranks with a 1st round tko over fellow Ohioan Charles Miller.

   Kenny ran his record to 15-0 with 6 knockouts and was given a shot at the WBF Welterweight Title against  Bobby Elkins (22-4, 18 ko's).  It was a great night for Sigurani who stopped the defending champion in the 9th round.

   After a solid non-title win against Alex Quiroga, Sigurani successfully defended his title against undefeated Robert "Push-up" Frazier (13-0, 10 ko) with an impressive unanimous decision over 12 tough rounds.

   In his next fight, he tasted defeat for the first time, being stopped in the first round by former IBF Featherweight World Champion Antonio Rivera (34-12-2, 30 ko's).

A very nice autographed 8x10 given to me by Ken Sigurani


   Kenny bounced back with a streak of 4 straight victories before ending his career with bouts against two Hall-of-Fame boxing legends - being stopped by Julio Cesar Chavez in round 3 and his final professional boxing match Oct. 23, 1998 dropping a decision to Hector "Macho" Camacho on scores of 97-93 x 2 and 96-94.

   Kenny "the Cobra" Sigurani ended his pro career with an excellent record of 22 wins, 3 defeats, with 8 knockouts.

Click HERE for Ken Sigurani's complete Pro Ledger

If you would like to see Kenny Sigurani in action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

1. ERNEST PARGAS                      [tko-3]
2. BOBBY ELKINS                         [tko-9] {WBF Welter Title}
3. ALEX QUIROGA                        [w-10]
4. ROBERT FRAZIER                      [w-12] {WBF Welter Title}
5. ANTONIO RIVERA                    [tko-by-1]
6. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ             [tko-by-3]
7. HECTOR CAMACHO SR.          [L-10] (*Ken Sigurani's LAST Pro Bout)



For information contact me: The Boxing Guru E-Mail

Saturday, February 13, 2016

CHRIS LINSON JR.

Nickname: "J.C."



   Santa Fe, New Mexico's Chris "JC" Linson Jr. was one of New Mexico's top Amateur boxers winning numerous tournament and Golden Gloves titles before turning professional on June 22, 1996, starting off with a "Bang!" knocking out Juan Napoles in the first round.

   He ran his record to 10-0, 8 knockouts, including wins against fellow New Mexicans Marty Maestas, Samari Al Abboudy, and Roland "Thunder" Baker.  July 18, 1997 was a big night as he faced Jr. Middleweight David Williams on the Johnny Tapia/Danny Romero uncercard at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas, NV.  The bout ended in a majority draw with one judge seeing it 58-55 for Linson, and the other two judges scoring it 57-57 each.

   Chris was shocked in his next outing being stopped by Florida's Tommy Eaglin (15-4, 8 ko) in round 5.  He bounced back with 3 wins, 2 by ko before the big showdown bout with fellow New Mexican Rudy "Bad Boy" Lovato (12-10, 4 ko) in Chris's home town of Santa Fe for the New Mexico State Jr. Welter Title.  It was a wild affair that swung back and forth, but when the final bell sounded it was Linson who hung on to claim the title on scores of 115-114, 115-114, and 117-112.

  




    Linson followed up with a victory over Bobby Butters in Cripple Creek, Colorado, but then ran into a tough streak being stopped 3 times in a row against Javier Valadez (for the NABA Lightweight title), James "Too Sweet" Crayton, and Colorado's Steve Valdez.  He then ran off a streak of 3 straight victories and then scored a 12 round unanimous decision victory over Gerald Reed for the NBA Continental Americas Welter Title.  He then defeated Reed in the rematch 4 months later for the NBA Welterweight Title.




 
   He would fight just 3 more times including a win over Denver's Eugene Lopez, a loss to undefeated New Mexican Joseph Brady, and then his final pro bout which was held October 3, 2013 in Louisiana where he was stopped by rising contender Bahodir Mamajodnov (14-1, 9 ko).

Linson brought lots of excitement to the New Mexico boxing scene, especially in his home town of Santa Fe where he never lost a bout.  He ended his career with an excellent record of 21-6-1, 11 by knockout.

To see Chris "JC" Linson Jr.'s entire Pro Ledger: CLICK HERE

If you would like to see Chris Linson Jr. in action on DVD, I have the following bouts available:

1. MARTY MAESTAS                    [tko-3]
2. JOSE ANGEL HERNANDEZ     [w-4]
3. RUBEN AGUAYO                      [w-4]
4. JAIME BRETADO #1                 [ko-2]
5. JAIME BRETADO #2        [tko-2] (Bretado fought under alias name of "Jimmy Corona")
6. EZZARD MORALES                  [ko-1]
7. SAMARI AL ABOUDY              [tko-4]
8. GABRIEL PALAFOX                 [ko-3]
9. ROLAND BAKER                      [tko-1]
10. DAVID WILLIAMS                 [Draw-6] (Tapia/Romero Undercard)
11. TOMMY EAGLIN                    [tko-by-5]
12. JUAN GALVAN                       [w-10]
13. LAMONT JOHNSON              [tko-3]
14. ANGEL LOMAS                       [ko-1]
15. RUDY LOVATO                       [w-12] {New Mexico State Jr. Welter Title}
16. JAVIER VALADEZ                   [tko-by-10] (HV/16 Min. of footage only)
17. JAMES CRAYTON                  [tko-by-7]
18. STEVE VALDEZ                       [tko-by-7]

____________________________________________
AMATEUR BOUTS:

1. Brian Valencia
2. Fernando Yguado
3. Marty Maestas #1
4. Marty Maestas #2          (1995 NM ABF Championships)



Contact me via E-mail

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

CHARLIE "White Lightning" BROWN

   Sept. 21, 1992 saw Charlie "White Lightning" Brown open his professional boxing career with a first round knockout over Chester Jackson.


   He stayed very busy and within 7 months he was 15-0 winning 14 by knockout, and ready for his first big step up in class as he faced Angel Cruz (14-4-1, 5 ko) at the Felt Forum in New York, stopping Cruz by tko in round 8.  It was an impressive performance that pushed him into contender status.

   Two fights later, Brown fought and defeated former World Champion Alfredo Escalera via 10 round unanimous decision, that was Escalera's final pro fight.  He won 4 more bouts in a row against opponents whose records totaled 62-5-2, setting him up for a showdown bout against fellow undefeated contender Louie Burke (18-0, 11 ko) in Burke's home town of Las Cruces, NM and featured on CBS Television.  It was a fan pleasing affair that saw both men battle to the final bell, but it was Brown who got a controversial Majority Decision victory on scores of 95-95, 96-95, and 97-93.  The CBS announcing crew agreed with about 95% of the crowd in feeling that Burke had clearly won the bout.  Nevertheless, Brown's record was now 23-0, 17 ko's and world ranked.

   Sept. 1, 1984 Charlie got his shot at a world title.  He would have to travel to Ohio and face unbeaten world champion Harry Arroyo (24-0, 18 ko) for the IBF Lightweight World Championship.  Brown started off good taking the lead on the judges scorecards, but Arroyo's power changed everything, and "White Lightning" Brown was stopped in the 8th round.

   Brown went on to face many other world class contenders including: Harold Brazier, Greg Haugen, Jake "The Snake" Rodriguez (for the NY State Jr. Welter Title), and a big win against former world champion Saoul Mamby.  He went 6-4 during that stretch, but his performance was good enough to land him a shot at Johnny Bizarro (24-4-2, 11 ko) for the vacant IBO Welterweight Title.  Brown dropped a 12 round decision in what would turn out to be his final shot at a title belt.

   Brown would fight 6 more times, including his final bout, being stopped in round 2, against world ranked Ralph "Tiger" Jones (23-1, 15 ko).

   Charlie "White Lightning" Brown ended his pro career with a record of: 31 wins, 11 losses, with 21 KO's.  He was fun to watch in action.  Skill, Heart, he had what it took to entertain his fans!

See Charlie's Complete Pro Ledger: CLICK HERE

If you would like to see Charlie "White Lightning" Brown in action, I have these bouts available on DVD:

 1. ALFREDO ESCALERA                  [w-10]
2. LUKE LECCE                                   [tko-9]
3. ARNIE WELLS                                 [tko-2]
4. LOUIE BURKE                                 [w-10]
5. HARRY ARROYO                           [tko-by-8] {IBF Light Title}
6. GREG HAUGEN                             [tko-by-1]
7. JAKE RODRIGUEZ                        [L-dq-by-6] {New York Jr. Welter Title}
8. RALPH "Tiger" JONES                  [tko-by-2] (Charlie's Last Pro Bout)


Get your copy of:

Click HERE to order your copy from Amazon!