JUAN BALDWIN

Nickname: "Spanky"

   Juan "Spanky" Baldwin was a stand out amateur boxer who turned professional on August 18, 1988 in Dallas, TX and started with a 2nd round TKO of Lee Olvera.

   After 4 easy knockouts in a row to start his pro campaign, he was matched against another prospect - Les "Fabulous" Fabri (7-0-1) at the Showboat in Las Vegas, NV.  Baldwin dropped a 4 round majority decision, and wouldn't lose another bout for about 5 years.

   After a very nice stretch of 11 victories in a row, including wins over undefeated Miami prospect Jorge Romero (10-0-1, 9 ko) IN Miami, Steve Whetstone (33-17-1, 20 ko), and Ed "Pee Wee" Parker (21-8-5, 8 ko), Baldwin would taste his 2nd defeat at the hands of a man who would go on to challenge for the WBO World Welterweight Title - Manuel Gomez in shocking fashion via tko in round 1.

   He went to Albuquerque, NM to get his career back on track and scored 3 victories in a row there, including a big win over local favorite Rudy Lovato in a bout televised on Fox Sports Network.  The three victories pushed his record to 18-2, 13 ko's.  He then took a 3rd loss, this time to hard punching Mexican Jose Luis Baltazar (21-9, 20 ko's) in another close one, losing by a majority decision for the 2nd time in his career.

   The performance was good enough to earn him his first shot at a title belt.  It was April 18, 1998, nearly a decade after turning professional, that he got his shot at Columbian Alex Lubo (12-4, 10 ko) for the WBC Fecarbox Welterweight Championship.  The Champion - Lubo retained his title with a hard fought 12 round unanimous decision.

   "Spanky" Baldwin faced former NABF and IBF World Champion Rafael Ruelas in his next bout.  The fight was held at the Trump Marina in Atlantic City, and Ruelas was just too much that night as the bout was stopped after round 5.

Baldwin scores a 2nd round KO over Jose Felipe in Homestead, FL

   He followed those 3 straight losses with 3 straight wins before fighting for the final time in 2003 dropping a 10 round decision to Dewey Welliver in Corpus Christi, TX.

   Juan "Spanky" Baldwin's pro boxing career spanned nearly a decade and a half, and he ended with an

impressive final record of: 21 wins, 6 defeats, winning 15 by knockout.  He became a favorite in Texas, Florida, and New Mexico and although he never got to challenge for a world title, he proved his self as a skilled boxer.

For Juan Baldwin's complete pro ledger, click here: JUAN BALDWIN COMPLETE PRO RECORD











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

1. JORGE ROMERO                 [w-10]
2. STEVE WHETSTONE          [tko-2]
3. LEOBARDO MANCILLAS [ko-4]
4. RUDY LOVATO                  [tko-2]
5. CHARLES MCCLELLAN   [ko-1]
6. ALEX LUBO                        [L-12] {WBC Fecarbox Welter Title}
7. RAFAEL RUELAS               [tko-by-5]
8. DUMONT WELLIVER        [L-10] (*Begin Mid Rd. 2) (*Baldwin's LAST Pro Bout)

____________________________________
Amateur:

1. Steve Alvarado


The Boxing Guru via E-Mail

 

STEVE HINDI

Nickname: "The Tiger"

   Albuquerque's Steve Hindi was one of the top amateur boxers to ever come out of New Mexico.  He's reputed to have won 9 different amateur championships in the amateur ranks.

   April 5, 1991 saw Hindi turn professional with a 4 round decision victory over fellow New Mexican Chris Crespin.  He then traveled to Las Vegas, NV to score a big win over unbeaten prospect Sammy Miller (4-0, 2 ko) via split decision at the Aladdin Hotel & Casino.

Steve Hindi scores his first knockout against Alfredo Torres on espn

   Next for Steve, he appeared on the undercard of an ESPN televised event featuring Michael Carbajal & Louie Espinoza in the main events.  Hindi scored a 2nd round tko over Mexico's Alfredo Torres.

   It was in Steve's 4th pro bout that he found himself in one of New Mexico's most anticipated showdown bouts against fellow Albuquerquean - former kickboxing champion Rudy "Bad Boy" Lovato.  It was a good fight, with Hindi taking a big early lead, but fighting through a late charge by Lovato for the unanimous decision victory.

   He continued to win and built his record to 8-0, 3 ko before facing a huge challenge traveling to Denmark for a battle against national hero, a man who would go on to win both IBO and WBO world titles - Jimmi Bredahl (15-0, 5 ko).  Hindi tasted his first defeat dropping a lopsided unanimous decision over 8 rounds.

   He returned to New Mexico and put together a string of 5 straight victories before getting his first and only shot at a pro boxing title when he challenged Mexico's Isaac Cruz (7-3, 6 ko) for his WBB Lightweight Title.  I had the honor of being one of the Judges for this contest, but no judges were needed as Cruz scored a powerful knockout at 50 seconds of round 2 to defend his title.

Autograph from Steve Hindi

   That was Steve's last professional bout.  He ended his short but successful boxing career with a record of 13 wins, 2 defeats, winning 5 by knockout.  He was one of New Mexico's most celebrated amateur boxers, and was a winner as a professional too.

Click here to see:  STEVE HINDI'S complete pro boxing record

If you'd like to see Steve Hindi in boxing action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

1. CHRIS CRESPIN               [w-4] {Rds. 3 & 4 of 4} {Pro Debut}
2. SAMMY MILLER              [w-4]
3. ALFREDO TORRES          [tko-2]
4. RUDY LOVATO                [w-8]
5. LEO MANCILLAS            [w-6]
6. SERGIO TOVAR #1          [tko-1]
7. SERGIO TOVAR #2          [tko-5] {Announced as "Tova Lopez"}
8. GERARDO SANCHEZ      [w-10]
9. DAVID BUSTOS               [ko-1]
10. FERNANDO RAMOS     [w-10]
11. DANIEL GONZALEZ     [ko-5]
12. JOSE "El Negro" SOTO   [w-8]
13. ISAAC CRUZ                  [ko-by-2] (Steve Hindi's LAST Pro Bout)

___________________________________________________________

AMATEUR BOUTS:

1. Arthur Henderson
2. Louis Saucedo
3. Johnny Alvarez
4. Willie Martinez
5. Jacob Vasquez
6. Tommy Cordova
7. Skipper Kelp
8. Dennis Chavez
9. Daniel Woodson
10. Henry Amano       {Final 2 Rds. Only}
11. Eric Garcia #1
12. Hector Colon
13. John Wall
14. Rudy Barrigan
15. Guillermo Gamez
16. Eric Garcia #2
17. Unknown Boxer
18. Jason Tibdae

Contact me for info:  via E-Mail  

DAVID SANTOS

Nickname: "Diamond"

    After an outstanding amateur boxing career, Florida's "Diamond" David Santos turned professional on Sept. 7, 1991 with a powerful first round tko over Cornell Harris.  He built a 15-0, 10 ko record before taking on Jeff Hanna to win the Florida State Jr. Lightweight Title via 2nd round tko.

   He pressed that record to 22-0, 15 ko's and got the shot against Rodrigo Cerda (15-1-1, 9 ko) for the USBA Featherweight Title.  Santos shined and took that title winning a 12 round decision.  He would successfully defend that title 2 times, the first against Patrick Simeon (19-8-2, 12 ko) and then against former WBC Continental Americas Featherweight Champion Shane Gannon (22-4, 7 ko) in Albuquerque, NM.  Santos won both defenses with first round ko's.

   Those impressive performances raised Santos' stock, and on April 5th 1997, he got a shot at the IBA Featherweight Championship against defending champion - Denver, CO's Max Gomez (16-7-1, 8 ko).  The fight was held in Albuquerque, NM and televised on Fox Sports Network the bout ended in a split decision victory on scores of 116-112 for Gomez, and 116-112 x 2 for the new IBA Champion - David Santos.  David never defended that title, he didn't lose it in the ring, but was, for whatever reason,  eventually stripped of it by the IBA.

   He fought a non-title bout against Enrique "Kiki" Valenzuela (16-11, 13 ko) winning handily, but severely injuring his hand during the bout.  It was an injury that would follow him for the rest of his career.

Santos being interviewed after Kiki Valenzuela bout in 1997

   It was over half a year before he would fight again, but he returned to the ring in Albuquerque New Mexico to challenge Lewis Wood (17-1, 6 ko) for his NABF Featherweight Title.  A close technical bout ended with Wood successfully defending his title belt via split decision handing Santos his 2nd pro defeat (the first being to Rafael Meran in 1996 also by split decision).

   "Diamond" David would run off a string of 6 wins, 5 by ko, and picking up the interim NABF Jr. Lightweight Title before getting a chance to square off against undefeated, defending interim WBA World Jr. Lightweight Champion  Joel Casamayor (19-0, 12 ko).  It was the legendary Cuban champion's night as he scored a unanimous decision win to defend his Interim World Title.

   After a 5th round stoppage of David Turner, Santos once again challenged for a USBA belt, this time the Jr. Lightweight version, but it wasn't his night as Steve Forbes (17-1, 4 ko) defended his title via unanimous decision.  Forbes would go on to become IBF Jr. Lightweight Champion of the world in his next bout.

   Santos was not finished.  He put together 4 straight wins against solid opponents and was named as one of the challengers for the now vacant USBA Jr. Lightweight title against Luis Lizarraga (31-26-3, 23 ko).  Santos won a very hard fought 12 round majority decision to claim the title.

   In his next bout David got a rematch against Steve Forbes (20-1, 5 ko) for the IBF Jr. Lightweight Title, but when Forbes failed to make weight, the IBF declared the title vacant and on the line only for Santos.  It would be not be David's night, as he was again defeated by Forbes, this time via Split Decision.

   His performance was good enough to keep him highly world ranked and earned him a shot at the vacant IBF Jr. Lightweight Title against Carlos "Famous" Hernandez (37-3-1, 23 ko).  It came down to a technical decision in round 8 as the scorecards all went to Hernandez.

   Santos ended his pro boxing career with 4 straight victories against solid opposition including former U.S. Olympian Sean Fletcher, former World Title Challenger Ivan Alvarez, and winning his final pro bout with an 8 round majority decision over former Panamanian Champion Armando Cordoba.

   David's pro boxing career spanned nearly 14 years, winning title belts along the way and gaining major respect in the ring.  He finished his career with an outstanding record of: 46 wins, only 6 defeats, and winning 29 by knockout.  Certainly one of Florida's great boxing champions. He was inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall-of-Fame in 2013.

David with his cornerman "Fast" Freddie Nimphius Jr.

"Diamond" David Santos' entire Pro Ledger: Click HERE

Dan Sisneros with "Diamond" David Santos

If you would like to see Florida's David Santos in ring action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

1. EDGAR GARCIA                                [tko-1]
2. RAFAEL MERAN-SOLER                  [L-10]
3. SHANE GANNON                              [tko-1] {USBA Feather Title}
4. MAX GOMEZ                                      [w-12] {IBA Feather Title}
5. ENRIQUE "Kiki" VALENZUELA        [w-10]
6. LEWIS WOOD                                    [L-12] {NABF Feather Title}
7. ARTURO ESTRADA                           [tko-7]
8. JOEL CASAMAYOR                           [L-12] {Interim WBA Jr. Light Title}
9. STEVE FORBES #1                           [L-12] {USBA Jr. Light Title}
10. STEVE FORBES #2                            [L-12] {IBF Jr. Light Title}
11. CARLOS "Famous" HERNANDEZ     [L-TD-8] {Vacant IBF Jr. Light Title}

Amateur:
1. Julian "Balone" Ramirez


Contact me via E-mail



 

ALVARO "Yaqui" LOPEZ

 

 
   Alvaro Lopez was born in Zacatecas, Mexico.  He earned the nickname "Yaqui" when his trainer was asked if he was of Native American decent at an amateur event.  The trainer was caught off guard, and answered "Yes - Yaqui Indian"... the nickname stuck even though Lopez was actually Mexican!  The man who dreamed of becoming a bullfighter began boxing in the amateur ranks and after a 13-3 amateur record he turned professional on April 24, 1972 in Stockton, California.  Lopez won his first 3 bouts but lost in his 4th pro bout against a young unbeaten fighter named Jesse Burnett who would later fight for the World Title.  Lopez and Burnett would face each other 3 more times.

   After 2 years and some great wars, Lopez built up a reputation as an action fighter who many were mentioning as a possible future world champion.  May 10 1974 saw Lopez in his first title fight as he challenged Hildo Silva (26-5-4) for his California State Light Heavyweight Title Belt.  It was said to be a war, and when the dust settled, Lopez had his hand raised and was now the California State Champion.

   As always happens when you win any title, the competition level was stepped up each time out, and Lopez managed to put together a very impressive 7 fight win streak which included victories over ranked contenders Joe Cokes (19-4-1, 11 ko's), a rematch victory over Hildo Silva, Mike Quarry (48-5-3), and Gary Summerhays (23-7-2) leading to a defense of his California Title in a rematch against the man who handed him his first defeat - Jesse Burnett.  Lopez lost a very close majority decision, and demanded a rematch and a chance to regain his title.  It was granted and took place less than 2 months later.  It was the third time to face Jesse Burnett, and it was the charm as Lopez won another tough split decision to regain his California State Championship.

   Lopez put together 4 more wins after the fights with Burnett, he rose in the world rankings and on October 9, 1976, found his self in Copenhagen, Denmark fighting John Conteh (28-1, 21 ko) for his WBC Light Heavyweight World Title.  It was a war (as all Yaqui Lopez fights were) that ended with Conteh retaining his world title by unanimous decison.  Scores were 148-146, and 149-145 x 2.

   Yaqui went right back to work putting together a 7-1 streak, with the only loss coming on a cut which stopped the fight against Lonnie Bennett (27-3, 23 ko) in Indianapolis, IN.  His performance kept him in the top 10 of both governing bodies, and he was given a second chance at the world title, this time for the WBA belt, but he had to travel to Italy and face one of the most feared fighters in the world - Victor Galindez.  It was Sept. 17, 1977 and the fans were treated to a brutal slugfest which ended in a razor close 15 round decision for the Champion Galindez on scores of 148-146, 147-146, and 146-145

   Again, Lopez was world ranked but without a world title which his fights with Conteh and Galindez proved that he was worthy of.  He would go back to California and start another campaign hoping for another shot at the title.  After impressive wins against mid level opponents, he scored a huge win over fellow world ranked contender "The Jewish Bomber" Mike Rossman (32-3-3, 19 ko) via 6 round tko.  Earning his self a 3rd shot at the Light Heavyweight World Title, and a rematch against Victor Galindez for the WBA version again in Italy.  After 15 more brutal rounds, another decision loss for the title.   Scores were 148-145, 148-146, and 146-144 for Galindez.

   In his next fight, Lopez faced Jesse Burnett for a fourth and final time.  Winning a hard fought 15 round majority decision in Alvaro's adopted home town of Stockton, CA

putting him right back in line for a title shot and in his next fight he traveled to Philadelphia, PA to face legendary Matthew Saad Muhammad (21-3-2, 14 ko)(who was known as Matt Franklin at the time) for the NABF Light Heavyweight Championship.  Lopez was stopped in round 11 of another of many incredibly brutal wars.

   Lopez went right back to business and put together another string of 6 wins and 1 loss, which included a win over Bash Ali, and the loss coming to popular James Scott (17-0-1, 10 ko) by decision in a bout held at Rahway State Prison, NJ.

   The win streak and performance against Scott earned Alvaro his final shot at the Light Heavyweight World Championship.  It was July 13, 1980 and he would face Matthew Saad Muhammad for the 2nd time, but now he was the WBC World Champion.  Lopez fought another close bruising battle, ending with Lopez being stopped in round 14 of what became the 1980 Ring Magazine fight of the year!

   Out of the frying pan and into the fire, in his next fight Lopez squared off with an up and coming contender, an undefeated former olympic gold medalist named Michael Spinks (13-0, 8 ko).  Spinks stopped Lopez in round 7 of their battle.

How much World Class competition can one man face?

   4 straight knockout wins later, Alvaro Yaqui Lopez got one more shot at the NABF Title.  July 24, 1981 vs defending champion S.T. Gordon (20-5, 18 ko) having moved up in weight, this was for the Cruiserweight championship.  Lopez started good and was ahead on all 3 scorecards when he was caught, and stopped by the hard punching champion in round 7.

   Lopez remained in the Cruiserweight division and fought on.  His last 2 pro bouts were both title bouts.  Sept. 21, 1983 saw Lopez stopped in round 4 of a contest for the WBC World Cruiserweight Championship against Carlos "Sugar" Deleon (35-3, 24 ko).  And in his final professional fight, Lopez lost in a rematch against Bash Ali (23-9) for a chance at the California State Cruiserweight Title belt.  It was a very close 12 round split decision loss on scores of 117-112 Lopez, 118-112 Ali, and the deciding judge saw it a 1 point win for Bash Ali at 115-114.

Alvaro Yaqui Lopez had a glorious career, he faced the best of an era of greatness in the Light Heavyweight division, and although he did not win the world title, he is considered a great among boxing fans, and is a member of the California Boxing Hall of Fame.  Yaqui Lopez ended his pro boxing career with a record of: 61 wins, 15 defeats, and 39 wins by knockout.

See Lopez's entire pro ledger: CLICK HERE

If you would like to see Alvaro "Yaqui" Lopez in action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:


VICTOR GALINDEZ #1                               [L-15] {WBA Light Heavy Title}
 MIKE ROSSMAN                                       [tko-6]
VICTOR GALINDEZ #2                               [L-15] {WBA Light Heavy Title}
MATTHEW SAAD MUHAMMAD #1         [tko-by-11] {NABF Light Heavy Title}
 JAMES SCOTT                                            [L-10]
MATTHEW SAAD MUHAMMAD #2         [tko-by-14] {WBC Light Heavy Title}
MICHAEL SPINKS                                      [tko-by-7]
TONY MUNDINE                                        [tko-3]
JOHNNY DAVIS                                          [L-10]
CARLOS "Sugar" DELEON                           [tko-by-4]


Contact me: Disneyguru@outlook.com                                                   
                                                   

TONY THORNTON

Nickname: "The Punching Postman"

 

   New Jersey's James Anthony Thornton worked full time as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, earning him the name "The Punching Postman".  He turned professional June 15, 1983 at the Playboy Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City.  He scored a first round technical knockout over Steve Waters, and then ran off a string knocking out his first 7 opponents.

   He continued to win and passed his first big test with a 10th round tko over highly regarded contender Cecil Pettigrew (21-10-1, 14 ko) in a main event at the Sands Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.

   August 25, 1987 Thornton took his 17-0, 16 ko record into the ring against respected trial horse Stacy McSwain and for the first time in his pro career, Thornton didn't win.  But he didn't lose either as the bout ended in a 10 round Split Decision Draw.  One Judge had it 96-95 for Thornton, but he was overruled by the other two Judges who had it 95-95 and 96-96 for a Split Dec. Draw.

   That result didn't hurt Thornton at all, in fact his next fight was for the USBA Middleweight Title against world ranked defending Champion Doug "The Cobra" Dewitt (28-5-3, 17 ko).  The fight ended in a draw on the scorecards and under the rules went to a 13th and deciding "Sudden Death" round.  They fought 3 more minutes, and after 13 grueling rounds the scores were:  124-124 a draw, 125-123, and 124-123 for the winner Doug Dewitt.  Thornton suffered his first defeat, and failed to win his first major title.  Dewitt would go on to win the WBO World Middleweight Championship.

   Thornton now knew he could compete on the world class level, and in his next bout he defeated unbeaten Tyrone Frazier (13-0-2, 7 ko) in a lopsided 10 round unanimous decision.  Two KO victories later, Tony was granted his second chance at the USBA Middleweight Title, this time against Mike Tinley (22-4-1, 9 ko).  The "Punching Postman" shined scoring an impressive unanimous decision victory on scores of: 115-113, 116-111, and 118-109.

   He lost his first title defense against Kevin Watts, and then lost in a bid to regain his USBA title against another future world champion Steve Collins, both losses were by decisions.  After all of these USBA title bouts, Thornton's team decided to make the move up into the Super Middleweight division and his competition level soared.  He was now world ranked and among the top names in the middleweight division but moved from the 160 Lb. to 168 Lb. division very successfully.  In his next 11 bouts he would face contenders and champions including:  Ismael Negron (13-5, 7 ko), Ralph Ward (13-3-1), Dave Tiberi (18-1-3), Karama Leota (23-1, 14 ko), Carl Sullivan (11-2), Eddie Hall (20-7, 11 ko), Merqui Sosa (19-1, 15 ko), and Fermin Chirino (12-5-2, 9 ko).

   It was an impressive run going 10-1, 5 ko in that stretch and it paid off.  He was given a shot at the WBO Super Middleweight Championship.  Sept. 19, 1992, Glasgow Scotland.  In the corner across from him was the undefeated defending Champion - the legendary Chris Eubank (32-0, 18 ko).  Eubank was making his 4th defense of the WBO Super Middleweight Title.  It was a spirited effort from the challenger, but Eubank was just too much for him that night.  After 12 rounds Chris Eubank remained the World Champion via unanimous decision.  The legendary Eubank would go on to make 10 more succesful defenses of that title before losing it to a man that Thornton had faced - Steve Collins.

   As great boxers do, Thornton got right back to work and scored 4 straight victories to put him back into title contention and just 13 months after facing Chris Eubank, Thornton would get his second shot at a world title, against another unbeaten boxing legend - James "Lights Out" Toney (39-0-2, 26 ko).  It was October 29, 1993 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Heavyweight Michael Bentt had just shocked the boxing world with an unexpected first round knockout win over Tommy Morrison.  That was the only upset of the night, as Thornton lost a unanimous decison to James Toney on scores of: 112-116, and 110-118 x 2.

   Tony bounced back with a win over Lenzie Morgan, and then knocked out world ranked Darren Zenner (14-1-2, 7 ko) in the 2nd round to win the vacant USBA Super Middleweight Title Belt.

   Tony Thornton's final pro bout came on Sept. 30, 1995 and what a way to finish, facing the legendary Roy Jones Jr. (29-0, 25 ko) for his IBF Super Middleweight championship.  Thornton was stopped in round 3 by the man who was considered the "Pound for Pound King" at the time.

Tony Thornton ended his career with an outstanding record of 37 wins, 7 defeats, 1 draw, winning 26 by knockout.  He was a USBA Champion in two different divisions, and faced 3 Hall-of-Fame legends for their world titles.  He did this while holding a full time job as a Mail Carrier!  The hard working, "blue collar" boxer who was often mistaken for Marvin Hagler because of his bald head and aggressive style will always be remembered as a fan favorite of the ring.

Click here to see:  Tony Thornton's COMPLETE pro ledger

If you'd like to see Tony "The Punching Postman" Thornton in ring action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

1. STEVE COLLINS          [L-12] {USBA Middle Title} (Rds. 1/2/5/10-12 of 12 ONLY)
2. ISMAEL NEGRON         [tko-by-6]
3. DAVE TIBERI                 [tko-4]
4. KARAMA LEOTA          [tko-2]
5. EDDIE HALL                 [tko-1]
6. MERQUI SOSA             [w-10]
7. FERMIN CHIRINO       [w-10]
8. DANNY MITCHELL     [w-8]
9. JOHN SCULLY             [w-10]
10. WILLIE BALL             [tko-10]
11. JAMES TONEY           [L-12] {IBF Super Middle Title}
12. DARREN ZENNER     [tko-2] {Vacant USBA Super Middle Title}
13. ROY JONES JR.         [tko-by-3] {IBF Super Middle Title} (Thornton's LAST Pro Bout)


For information, contact me: The Boxing Guru
 

Get Dan's book!

 
 Click here to order YOUR copy at amazon (Paperback)


Click here to order your copy in Kindle version