Tuesday, November 22, 2016

FREDDIE ROACH

   Freddie Roach turned pro on August 24, 1978 with a unanimous decision victory over Roberto Vasquez in Boston, MA.  He quickly ran off 10 straight wins before taking his first defeat to Beto Nunez (19-3) in Nunez's home town of Phoenix by decision.

   Roach battled on and ran off another winning streak.  This time he went nearly 3 years before losing again.  But when he did, he lost back-to-back matches against two highly regarded contenders.  He was a relentless punching machine, he was technically skilled, but could still be hit enough to make for some crowd pleasing brawls.  He was very "TV Friendly" and became a favorite with Las Vegas boxing promoters and the fairly new ESPN cable network.

   Freddie was 30-3 when he fought for his first title belt.  It was April 14, 1983 when he took on unbeaten Louie Burke (13-0) for the ESPN Jr. Lightweight Championship.  It was an all-time classic battle with the two slugging it out for the full 12 rounds.  When the dust settled, and the smoke cleared it was Burke who took a close but unanimous decision and left Las Vegas Nevada with the ESPN strap.

 
Dan Sisneros with Freddie Roach in 1999
   Roach bounced back with 2 huge wins.  First he stopped Reynaldo Zaragoza (22-3-1) in 8 rounds, and then scored a unanimous 10 round win over Carlos Bryant (12-8-2, 6 ko) in what turned out to be Bryant's last pro bout.

   Roach wanted another shot at Louie Burke, and he got it - Nov. 10, 1983 on the undercard of Marvin Hagler/Roberto Duran.  This time it was a 10 round non-title bout, but it was the same result.  An all out brawl with Burke again taking the victory on all 3 judges scorecards.

   Those wars with Burke only made boxing fans want to see Freddie Roach even more.  Freddie finished his career from that point going 8-8, but faced the very best in the game including:  Tommy Cordova (for the vacant ESPN Jr. Lightweight Title belt), Bobby Chacon, Jaime "Rocky" Balboa, Greg Haugen, and Hector Camacho.  During that stretch he got a shot at the WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Title in 1986, losing a decision to champion Darryl Tyson (23-1, 12 ko's).

   Freddie's last win came on Aug. 14, 1986 when he forced 50 fight veteran Arnel Arrozal to not come out for round 6.

   Freddie's last pro bout was fought just two months later.  He dropped a very tough battle with unbeaten David Rivello (9-0, 4 ko) by decision.

   Freddie Roach was a fighter's fighter, and that's probably why he has become one of boxing's most celebrated trainers guiding the careers of boxing's best including:  Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Lucia Rijker, Amir Khan, and many others.

   Freddie did not have the big knockout punch, but his heart and tenacity made him a top 20 contender for most of his exciting career, and a definite fan favorite too.

Here's Freddie's entire pro boxing ledger on:  BOXREC.COM



If you would like to see Freddie Roach in boxing action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

FREDDIE ROACH vs.

1. LOUIE BURKE #1                         [L-12] {ESPN Jr. Light Title}
2. REYNALDO ZARAGOZA            [ko-8]
3. JOSE RESENDEZ #3                     [w-10]
4. DAVID CAPO                               [w-10]
5. HASSAN ALI (Herman Ingram)     [w-8]
6. JOE RUELAZ                                 [tko-4]
7. RICHIE FOSTER                           [tko-8]
8. EFRAIN NIEVES #2                      [L-10]
9. TOMMY CORDOVA                    [L-12] {ESPN Jr. Light Title}
10. DELIO PALACIOS                      [w-10]
11. CARLOS BRYANT                     [w-10]
12. GREG HAUGEN                          [tko-by-7]
13. ARNEL ARROZAL                      [tko-5]
14. DAVID RIVELLO                        [L-10] (Freddie Roach's LAST Pro Bout)



For Information, Please contact me via E-mail: The Boxing Guru

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Tuesday, November 8, 2016

TIM PULLER

Nickname: "The Hebrew Hammer"


Tim Puller serving up great food instead of punishment in the ring

   Philadelphia's "Hebrew Hammer" Tim Puller was an imposing figure at 6' 6" tall.  He stepped onto the Pro Heavyweight boxing scene on Nov. 30, 1990 with a 2nd round tko over 282 pound Pedro Garcia in a bout held at The Sands Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

   He built a record of 6-0, 3 ko's, including a nice win over Los Angeles' Leon Carter (3-0, 2 ko) in an early showdown of young up & coming unbeaten heavyweights before taking his first defeat at the hands of Sim Warrior.  That bout was held at The Hacienda in Las Vegas, NV.  Puller would avenge that loss to Mr. Warrior 8 months later with a very satisfying 8 round decision victory.

   He put together a nice 5-1, 3 ko streak after that loss (which included the revenge win over Warrior), and took a record of 11-2, 6 ko's into his challenge for the vacant IBC Heavyweight Title against fellow fringe contender - Sherman Griffin (16-4, 12 ko) in Harlingen, TX.  It was a great night for Puller who battled his way to an 8th round technical knockout over Griffin to claim the IBC World Heavyweight Title.


Puller's battle with Chris Byrd
   Tim never defended that title, but instead, stepped up to begin facing world class opposition.  He defeated well respected journeyman Mike Dixon via 10 round unanimous decision, and then faced 3 current or future world champions.  Chris Byrd (11-0, 8 ko), Tim Witherspoon (42-4, 28 ko), and Lou Savarese (34-0, 28 ko).  Puller was stopped by all 3.

   Tim then began fighting in Washington State, where he put together a string of 7 straight wins, which included an 8 round win over former IBO/WBF Heavyweight Title challenger - Craig Payne (12-14-1, 8 ko), and Tim's last pro victory - a clear 10 round decision victory over former WBA Heavyweight Title challenger, the legendary James "Quick" Tillis (42-20-1, 31 ko).

   Puller would fight just twice more losing a decision to Marvin Hunt in 2000, and being stopped in round 4 by Yohan Banks in his final bout, 13 years later, on Sept. 21, 2013.

Dan with "The Hebrew Hammer" in 1994


   Puller ended his pro boxing career with a record of: 20 wins, 7 defeats, winning 11 by knockout.  His boxing days spanned 23 years, with a 13 year layoff before trying it one more time in 2013.  He got only one shot at a title, and won it.  A very likable gentleman who was good with the fans, and had lots of support from boxing fans around the USA.

Click here to see: Tim Puller's entire Pro Ledger on boxrec.com

If you would like to see Tim "The Hebrew Hammer" Puller in action, I have the following of his boxing matches available on DVD:

1. TIM MORRISON                          [tko-2]
2. BILL CORRIGAN                         [tko-4]
3. DESMOND BROWN                   [ko-1]
4. MIKE DIXON                               [w-10]                       
5. CHRIS BYRD                               [tko-by-5]
6. TIM WITHERSPOON                  [tko-by-2]
7. LOU SAVARESE                         [tko-by-2]


Contact me for info: via E-Mail