LOU SAVARESE

   After an amateur career that included 2 New York Golden Gloves Championships, Lou Savarese started his professional boxing career with a 4th round knockout of James Smith in Galveston, Texas.

   The 6' 5" Heavyweight was put on a soft diet to start out, and by 1995 he had built a record of 31-0, 25 ko's before being put in with his first ranked opponent - former IBC Heavyweight Title Challenger - Olian Alexander (24-5, 18 ko).  The fight was held in Atlantic City, NJ.  It was a good one for Savarese who stopped Alexander in round 6 to remain undefeated and show that he was worthy of some notice.  From here his opposition level went into high gear.

   After 3 straight 2nd round knockout wins, he earned a shot at his first title belt.  He traveled to Indio, California to face Buster Mathis Jr. (21-1, 7 ko) for the vacant USBA Heavyweight Title.  Lou's power was evident as he stopped the world ranked Mathis in round 7 to win his first major title.

   Savarese was now 36-0, 30 knockouts, the USBA Champion, and World Ranked.  He got his shot at the WBU Heavyweight Championship against legendary defending champion - George Foreman (75-4, 68 ko).
It was a powerful battle as the two big men slugged it out for 12 rounds.  Savarese held his own, but came up short on the scorecards of 118-110, and 115-112 for Foreman, while Judge Al Devito saw it 114-113 for Savarese.  The Split Decision loss only raised Savarese's reputation.

Big Lou Savarese with Dan Sisneros

   His career took an up and down path against world class heavyweight contenders.  In his next fight he tasted defeat for the 2nd time being stopped by David Izon (19-2, 17 ko) in round 5.  He bounced back with a 2nd round tko over Jeff Lally and then stepped into his second World Title challenge against former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion James Buster Douglas (36-5-1, 23 ko) for the vacant IBA Heavyweight World Title.  Savarese didn't let this one get away dropping Douglas 3 times en route to a first round knockout.

    Lou held the title, but never defended it.  Instead, in his next outing he squared off against undefeated Lance "Mount" Whitaker (18-0, 16 ko).  It was a hard fought battle, but in the end Savarese pulled off the split decision victory to hand Whitaker his first defeat.

   Things took a dip in his next two fights as he lost a 10 round decision to red hot undefeated contender Michael Grant (29-0, 20 ko) and then was stopped in round 1 against "The baddest man on the planet" - "Iron" Mike Tyson (47-3, 41 ko).

   Savarese put together a nice 4 fight win streak which included a 3rd round tko win over former Canadian Heavyweight Champion - Tom "The Bomb" Glesby (26-2-1, 19 ko), a Unanimous 12 round decison victory over David Bostice (26-4-1, 13 ko) for the vacant IBA Continental Heavyweight Title, and a huge 5th round tko win over former WBA Heavyweight World Champion - "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon (55-11-1, 38 ko) to add the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight Title belt to his collection.

   Lou would fight 6 more times including battles against contenders Kirk Johnson (33-1-1, 24 ko) and unbeaten Leo Nolan (21-0, 8 ko).

    Lou Savarese would enter the professional boxing ring for the final time on June 30, 2007 in El Paso Texas.  A grand finale against a living legend - Evander Holyfield.  It was a hard fought bout and even though Savarese would taste the canvas twice during the battle, he got up to finish on his feet, and lose a 10 round unanimous decision.

   Lou was an exciting member of his heavyweight era.  Fighting some of the best of his time, winning titles, and making fans along the way.  He is still very involved with the sport he loves as a promoter.

Lou Savarese ended his 16 year professional boxing career with an outstanding record of: 46 wins, 7 losses, and winning 38 by way of knockout!

 Click here to see: LOU SAVARESE'S COMPLETE PRO LEDGER ON BOXREC.COM

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

1. BARRY KIRTON                        [ko-2]
2. MAX KEY                                   [ko-1]
3. FRED WHITAKER                      [ko-6]
4. NATHANIEL FITCH                   [w-10]
5. OLIAN ALEXANDER                  [tko-6]
6. LYLE MCDOWELL                     [tko-2]
7. TIM PULLER                                [tko-2]
8. BUSTER MATHIS JR.                   [tko-7] {Vacant USBA Heavyweight Title}
9. GEORGE FOREMAN                    [L-12] {WBU Heavyweight Title}
10. DAVID IZON                               [ko-by-5]
11. JAMES BUSTER DOUGLAS       [ko-1] {Vacant IBA Heavyweight Title}
12. LANCE "Mount" WHITAKER       [w-10]
13. MICHAEL GRANT                   [L-10]
14. MIKE TYSON                          [tko-by-1]
15. MARCUS RHODE                   [tko-2] (End of 1st Rd + 2nd Rd. of 2 Only)
16. TOM GLESBY                         [tko-3]
17. DAVID BOSTICE                    [w-12]
18. TIM WITHERSPOON             [tko-5]
19. KIRK JOHNSON                    [tko-by-4]
20. LEO NOLAN                           [L-12]
21. MATT HICKS                          [ko-1] (Internet Pull)
22. EVANDER HOLYFIELD         [L-10] (Savarese's Last Pro Bout)
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AMATEUR:

1. ALEX STEWART        [w-3] (NY GG Super Heavy Open Championship)
2. JOHN PECORA

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ALEX "ALI" BABA

 

   Accra Ghana's Alex "Ali" Baba made his Professional Debut on April 10, 1993 in his home country, and scored a 3rd round technical knockout over Tetteh Bonaparte beginning a pro career that would span 16 years.

   He campaigned in Ghana, and by his 6th pro fight, he fought for and won the vacant African Boxing Union Flyweight Title with an 8th round tko over highly regarded Nigerian prospect Bashiru Thompson (8-1, 5 ko).

   3 fights later he was facing England's Harry Woods (8-1-2, 4 ko) for the vacant WBC International Flyweight Title.  He took his second Title belt via 12 round decision.  He would go on to make 4 successful defenses of that title, and never lost it in the ring.

   Baba decided to move to the USA to further his career, and planted his self in Florida.  He won 4 straight before he took his first pro defeat in 2000 via 8 round decision loss to Panama's Leopoldo Arrocha.  He picked up with 2 straight wins incuding a 3rd round tko over WBC Title challenger Javier Varguez to set up his first World Title Challenge.

   Baba traveled to Thailand and challenged defending WBC Flyweight Champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (41-2, 23 ko).  It was a good action bout, but when the Champion suffered a cut due to an accidental 4th round head butt, the bout was stopped and went to the scorecards giving the victory to the Thai World Champion.

   It didn't get any easier as Alex faced undefeated WBA World Champion & former U.S. Olympian "Little Hands of Steel" - Eric Morel (30-0, 17 ko) in Caguas, Puerto Rico.  Baba dropped a lopsided unanimous decision in the non-title bout.

   "Ali" Baba returned to to Ghana to regroup, and he added 3 more impressive wins to his ledger, building his record to 21-3, 16 ko's.  He was world ranked and got the call to move up a weight class and challenge Mexico's Ricardo "Chapo" Vargas (35-9-3, 11 ko's) for his NABF Bantamweight Title.  This started a 4 fight losing streak, which ended with an 8 round draw against former World Champion Danny Romero on the undercard of Felix Trinidad/Winky Wright in Las Vegas, Nevada.

   After 2 more losses including a very tough decision loss to former Texas State Champion Gabe Elizondo (18-1, 8 ko's), he would get a big win against former NABF Champion and World Title Challenger - Miguel "Maikito" Martinez by 2nd round tko.  

   He earned the chance to challenge NABO champion Antonio Escalante (12-1, 7 ko) for the Title, but was stopped at the end of round 9 in a spirited bout.  He bounced back with a good win against Jose German Cruz (16-4-1, 13 ko) via clear cut unanimous decision over 10 rounds.

   That victory led to one last world title shot for the vacant IBA Bantamweight Title against Cecilio Santos (20-7-2, 12 ko).  Baba dropped a unanimous decision to Santos, but bounced back with 3 straight wins including a landslide unanimous decision victory to claim the IBA Americas Bantamweight Title Belt.  That would be Baba's last pro boxing win.

 
   He went out like the true champion he was, losing his last 5 bouts to high level opponents with a combined record of 99-10-7, including his final bout which was an 8th round tko stoppage at the hands of former World Champion Clarence "Bones" Adams (43-6-4, 19 ko) at the Palms Resort Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Alex Baba ended his pro career with a record of: 26 wins, 16 losses, 1 Draw and 19 wins by knockout.  An outstanding record in a career that lasted 16 years!  Baba was well skilled, all heart and accomplished much, making Ghanaian boxing fans so proud.

                        Click to see: Alex "Ali" Baba's complete Pro Record on boxrec.com

If you would like to see Baba in action between the ropes, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

LUIS "Chino"BENAVIDES                                [tko-5]
ANTONIO "Villasana" RUIZ                              [ko-4]
LEOPOLDO ARROCHA                                  [L-8]
ERIC MOREL                                                    [L-10]
RICARDO "Chapo" VARGAS                            [L-12] {NABF Bantam title}
JOSE AGUINIGA                                               [L-8]
ANTONIO ESCALANTE                                   [tko-by-10] {NABO Jr. Feather Title}
CECILIO SANTOS  (Rds. 8, 10 & 12 ONLY)   [L-12] {Vacant IBA Bantam Title}
RAUL MARTINEZ                                              [L-8]


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ADRIANO SANCHEZ

Nickname: "Amazing"

   Albuquerque, NM's Adriano Sanchez was an outstanding all around athlete who started his ring campaign as a  kickboxer/boxer in the amateur ranks.  He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs organization as a pitcher but decided to turn professional in the boxing ring on August 8, 1998.  He showed his "Fastball" with an explosive first round knockout over A.J. Martinez of Santa Fe, NM.  It was a showcase for the potential punching power of Sanchez earning him the nickname of "Amazing Adriano".

   He defeated Denver's Eugene Lopez, and fellow Albuquerquean Freddie Chavez both by ko's to set up a showdown of New Mexican KO artists against Alamogordo, NM's Jose Terrazas (5-2, 4 ko).  In a power packed slugfest, it was Terrazas scoring the tko at 2:58 of round 4 to hand Sanchez his first defeat as a Pro.

   Sanchez always had a great attitude towards his boxing career, and took the defeat in stride, getting right back to work and scoring a string of 3 first round ko wins, moving his record to 6-1, 6 ko's and setting him up for his anticipated showdown with former ABF State Champion and fellow Albuquerque favorite - Marty Maestas.  This night belonged to "Amazing Adriano" as he stopped Maestas in round 5 of a very spirited battle that had the fans roaring.

   He heard the final bell for the first time in his next bout as he fought to a draw against Houston's Amado Navarro via majority draw over 6 rounds with one judge seeing it 58-55 for Sanchez, but being over-ruled by the other two judges who had it 57-57.

   4 months later he was matched against a man who was considered one of New Mexico's hardest punchers in the division - Marcos "Pit Bull" Rodriguez of Los Lunas, NM.  It was a "KO or be KO'd" showdown and after 1 wild round, it was Adriano Sanchez's hand raised in victory, moving his record to 8-1-1, 8 by ko.

   It was time for the rematch with the only man to go the distance with Sanchez - Amado Navarro, the bout again went the distance, but this time it was an 8 round victory for Navarro.  Sanchez bounced back with a decision win against highly regarded Benjie Marquez of Denver.

   One victory later, he found his self in an ESPN2 televised bout against world ranked former WBC Fecarbox and California State Champion - Carlos "El Elegante" Bojorquez (15-2-5, 11 ko).  It was another "KO or be KO'd" bout, but this time it was Sanchez being stopped at 2:00 of round 1.

   Sanchez returned to New Mexico to score a big win on the undercard of an ESPN2 televised event that featured two NABF Title bouts as co-main events in Bernalillo, NM against undefeated former amateur star - St. Louis' Lamar Alexander (6-0) via 4 round decision.  His bout did not make the ESPN2 broadcast, but it was a big win for Sanchez.  It was also the last time he would have his arm raised in victory in a professional boxing ring.

   Adriano had two more fights, being stopped by Colorado's Earl "The New Generation" Jackson,  and losing via decision in his final bout on June 3, 2004 to Rodney Moore in Lincoln City, Oregon.

It was a fun ride for Adriano's fans and in the 6 years he never fought for a pro title, but delighted his New Mexico boxing fans with some devastating knockouts, and his humble attitude made him a definite fan favorite with the locals.

Click here to see: Adriano Sanchez's complete pro ledger on Boxrec.com

If you would like to see "Amazing" Adriano Sanchez in action for yourself, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

1. ANTHONY "A.J." MARTINEZ             [ko-1] (Pro Debut)
2. EUGENE LOPEZ                                   [tko-3]
3. FREDDIE CHAVEZ                               [tko-1]
4. ELOY MIERA                                        [tko-1]
5. MIKE MANCHA                                   [ko-1]
6. CARLOS BOJORQUEZ                        [ko-by-1]
7. LAMAR ALEXANDER                          [w-4]


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The Boxing Guru via E-Mail

 

 

GERRY COONEY

Nickname: "Gentleman Gerry"

   After quite a successful amateur boxing career of 55 wins and 3 losses, 2 New York Golden Gloves Titles, and some international experience, 6' 5" Gerry Cooney was ready to turn professional and did so with a bang on Feb. 15, 1977 with an easy first round knockout over Bill Jackson.

   In just 1 year he built his record to 9-0, 8 ko's against some pretty soft opposition with a total record of 9-45-4.  He handled them easily and proved that he was ready for a step up in competition and faced Gary Bates (18-18-3, 5 ko's) on the undercard of Carlos Palomino vs Ryu Sorimachi for the WBC Welter Title.  Cooney had no trouble dispatching Bates in 4 rounds and was starting to get some real notice.

   Cooney was now facing a tougher level of opponents with some very well regarded journeymen boxers including future WBC Cruiserweight Champion S.T. Gordon who was dispatched in 4 rounds.

   Jan. 13, 1979 Cooney was placed in a crossroads matchup against a prospect out of East Los Angeles, CA - Eddie "The Animal" Lopez (12-1, 8 ko).  Gentleman Gerry came through in impressive fashion winning handily on a unanimous decision and he was being regarded as a contender rather than a prospect.

   He was now introduced to some world class opponents and steam rolled his way through them.  Among the list were world ranked contenders:  John Dino Denis (35-2-1, 16 ko) and Leroy Boone (12-3, 5 ko).

   It was time to see what they had, and his management matched him against former World Title Challenger - Jimmy Young (25-9-2, 9 ko).  A cut over Young's left eye led to a 4th round stoppage and a big win for Gerry.

   Gerry Cooney was now the talk of the boxing world, and why not?  With a record of 23-0, 19 by knockout, he was impressive and captured the imaginations of boxing fans around the world.  Next up was another former World Title challenger, 39 year old Ron Lyle.  Even though he was older, he was still considered dangerous.  Cooney made it a short night stopping Lyle in the first round and setting up a showdown with former WBC World Heavyweight Champion Ken Norton (42-6-1, 33 ko).

   May 11, 1981.  Madison Square Garden.   Cooney dispatched the former champion in devastating fashion, leaving Norton hanging on the ropes in a daze.  It was Norton's last pro bout, and that image stuck in the minds of many boxing fans and cemented Cooney's legitimacy as a challenger to the king of the heavyweight division - WBC Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes (39-0, 29 ko's).

   June 11, 1982 and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Nevada was the site of one of the decade's "Superfights".  It had all of the elements a boxing fan could want.  The unbeaten challenger with big time knockout power against the unbeaten champion who seemed invincible.  Some saw Cooney as a media creation with no real chance to win, others saw him as an irresistible force ready to take the crown from Holmes.  It turned out to be quite an event, and a pretty darn good fight.  Cooney kept it close through 12 rounds, but the champion started to get to him and stopped him in round 13 as Cooney's trainer (Victor Valle) jumped in to stop the fight and keep Cooney from taking any more punishment.  At the time of the stoppage Holmes was ahead on the 3 judges scorecards, by scores of 113-111 x 2, and 115-109.  An amazing score when you consider that Referee Mills Lane deducted 3 points from Cooney for Low Blows!

A night most boxing fans will never forget!

   Cooney's title challenging performance by no means hurt his reputation as a contender, but it did leave some questions about just how good the New York Heavyweight really was.  It was a bitter defeat, and left Cooney himself unsure about where to go next.

   It was over 2 years later when Cooney returned to the ring and faced undefeated Philipp Brown (23-0-2, 15 ko) in a bout televised on CBS.  The once beaten Cooney seemed a bit rusty, but effective enough to stop Brown in round 4.  He easily dispatched two very good opponents in former Maryland State Champion and USBA Title Challenger - George Chaplin (22-6-2, 10 ko), and former New York State Champion and NABF Title Challenger - Eddie Gregg (24-1-1, 18 ko) both by early knockouts.

   Cooney ended his career against two World Champions.  June 15, 1987 saw Cooney put his impressive record of 28-1, 24 by ko, against undefeated IBF World Heavyweight Champion - Michael Spinks (30-0, 20 ko).  It was a fascinating matchup of the former Light-Heavyweight Champion, now undefeated Heavyweight Champion (IBF version), against the once beaten power punching contender, a fascinating contrast in styles, but in a bout that was even up to the point of the stoppage, it was Spinks stopping Cooney late in the 5th round.  Spinks would fight just once more after this, being ko'd by Mike Tyson in 91 seconds of their title unifying match.

   Gerry's last pro bout was also a high profile bout against former and future Heavyweight Champion George Foreman (64-2, 60 ko).  The bout was stopped in just under 2 minutes of round 2 and "Big George" would go on to caputure the IBF, WBA, IBA and WBU Heavyweight Titles.

Gerry Cooney will always be remembered fondly by fans of boxing's heavyweight division, if you were a supporter, or not, no one can ever say that he didn't bring lots of excitement to the boxing scene in the late 1970's and 1980's era!  He finished his pro boxing career with an excellent record of: 28 wins, 3 losses, and 24 knockouts.


Click Here to see:
Gerry Cooney's complete Pro Record

If you would like to see "Gentleman" Gerry Cooney in ring action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

1. S.T. GORDON                 [w-DQ-4]
2. GRADY DANIELS           [tko-5]
3. CHARLIE JOHNSON      [ko-1]
4. TOM PRATER                  [tko-2]
5. JOHN DINO DENIS         [tko-3]
6. LEROY BOONE               [tko-6]
7. JIMMY YOUNG               [tko-4]
8. RON LYLE                        [ko-1]
9. KEN NORTON                 [tko-1]
10. LARRY HOLMES           [tko-by-13] {WBC Heavy Title}
11. PHILLIP BROWN           [tko-4]
12. GEORGE CHAPLIN        [tko-2]
13. EDDIE GREGG                [ko-1]
14. MICHAEL SPINKS        [tko-by-5]
15. GEORGE FOREMAN     [tko-by-2] (*Cooney's LAST Pro Bout)
                                      
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Amateur:

1. Larry Derrick           [RSC-3] (1973 NYGG)
2. Earlous Tripp            [w-3] (1973 NYGG)                       

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Training and Exhibitions:

1. Wesley Watson (Exhibition)
_____________________________________________
Other Stuff:

a) Michael Spinks Pre-fight "stuff": d131(Short Clips)
b) Weigh In (vs. Foreman)
c) Fightin' Words (1 Min.)
d) Visit on ESPN2 FNF  (4 Min.)
e) IN THIS CORNER: GERRY COONEY (hosted by James Smith)(22 Min.)


Contact Me: The Boxing Guru via E-mail