Wednesday, September 2, 2015

SAMSON PO'UHA




   Utah's Samson Po'uha was a well respected amateur who earned both the 1991 National Golden Gloves Title, and the 1992 AAU Title in the Super Heavyweight division.

   The Tongan KO artist turned pro on Nov. 25, 1992, with a first round knockout of Steve Cortez on the undercard of the Orlin Norris/David Sewell NABF Cruiserweight Title fight.  He then went on a tear stopping 12 straight opponents with only 3 of them making it past the 2nd round.

   His first loss came against IBO/WBF Heavyweight Title challenger Craig Payne.  Samson was stopped in the 6th round.  He then scored 3 more first round knockouts with respected Journeyman Martin Foster among those victims.

   He took his 15-1, 15 ko record into the big showdown fight televised on USA Netowork, against fellow hot prospect, undefeated Andrew Golota (23-0, 20 ko's).  It was a wild affair which included a desperately hurt Golota biting the neck of Po'uha to survive.  The tactic worked and earned Golota enough time to clear his head, and go on to stop Po'uha in round 5.  Golota would later admit that he was hurt, and had never been hit that hard in his life.

   Po'uha got back on track with 4 victories including a hotly contested split decision victory against former USBA Light Heavyweight Champion Frankie Swindell, and a 4th round tko of former NABF Heavyweight Champion "Smoking" Bert Cooper.  Po'uha would get a rematch with Frankie Swindell which ended in a draw.

  Even though he was world ranked, and a fan favorite, Samson was never given a title shot.  He fought his last fight nearly a decade after turning pro, on April 21 of 2002.  He lost a majority decision on scores of 91-99 & 93-97, with 1 judge seeing it even at 95-95 to World Ranked Sherman Williams (19-6-1, 13 ko).

Click HERE to see Samson Po'uha's complete pro ledger.

If you would like to see this heavyweight powerhouse in action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

1. STEVE CORTEZ                        [ko-1] (Pro Debut)
2. PATRICK SMITH                      [tko-4]
3. WILLIE JACKSON                    [tko-1]
4. WARREN WILLIAMS               [tko-1]
5. EDDIE GONZALEZ                   [ko-1]
6. JASON WALLER                      [tko-1]
7. MIKE ROUSE                            [tko-8] (HL ONLY)
8. MARTIN FOSTER                     [tko-1]
9. ANDREW GOLOTA                  [tko-by-5]
10. JIMMY HAYNES                     [tko-2]
11. FRANKIE SWINDELL #1       [w-10]
12. BERT COOPER                       [tko-4]
13. JESSE FERGUSON                 [tko-by-8]
14. SHREMAN WILLIAMS          [L-10] (Po'uha's LAST Pro Bout)


_____________________________________________________________
AMATEUR:

1. MICHAEL RAY JOHNSON (NM)        [RSC-1]
2. BOBBY HARRIS JR.                              (Rds.1 & 3 of 3)
3. ROBERTO BALADO (Cuba)                 (Pan Am Games)
4. SAM BRYANT #2                                 (1/4/91)

Contact The Boxing Guru: Disneyguru@outlook.com


  


MARTY MAESTAS

Nickname: Machine Gun





   New Mexico's Marty Maestas got a late start in boxing, but accomplished much.  After a successful amateur career, including a state ABF Golden Gloves Championship, he turned professional on August, 5 1995.  Marty's first pro fight was a 4 round war against fellow Albuquerquean Jacob "Razor Sharp" Romero, and has become remembered as one of the great battles in New Mexico boxing history.  It ended in a 3 way split draw.

   Maestas never fought for a professional title, but was involved in many memorable bouts, and became a local favorite squaring off with many of the other local pro boxers.  He became known as a fighter who would accept any bout offered to him.

   Marty's last pro fight came on Feb. 19, 2000 as he battled up & coming New Mexico KO artist "Amazing" Adriano Sanchez (6-1, 6 ko's).  He was stopped in round 5 of this battle.

Click Here for:
Marty Maestas complete Pro Ledger

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

1. JACOB ROMERO                                     [Draw-4] (Pro Debut)
2. STEVE VALDEZ (of Ariz.)                         [ko-by-1]
3. RUDY CHAVEZ                                        [ko-by-1]
4. CHRIS LINSON                                        [tko-by-3]
5. ERNEST PARGAS                                    [w-4]
6. JOSE TERAZAS                                        [L-4]
7. JOSE RAMIREZ                                        [L-6]
8. KEVIN LOWTHER                                   [L-4]
9. MARK URIOSTE                                      [L-DQ-by-5]
10. ANTHONY MORA                                 [w-4]

_________________________________________________________________
AMATEUR:

1. Tony Guerrero
2. Jeff Davis
3. Alejandro Valles
4. Frank Estrada #2
5. Charles Gallegos
6. Jacob Romero
7. C. Linson Jr. #1
8. Chris Linson Jr. #2
_______________________________________________

Contact The Boxing Guru: DisneyGuru@outlook.com

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

ROCKY PEPELI

   After a long amateur career including Silver Gloves and Jr. Olympics titles in 1980 (at age 15), Iowa's Rocky Pepeli turned professional in 1987.  His first 8 pro bouts were decided in the 1st or 2nd rounds!  He opened with a first round KO over Lon Liebergen in Rocky's hometown of Davenport, Iowa.  After scoring another 1st round knockout in Anchorage, Alaska, Pepeli soon found his self as a regular on the boxing events staged at the Reseda Country Club in Reseda, California. 

   He quickly became a favorite of Southern California fight fans.  His fearless style, wins over Mike Gans and Bobby Quarry, and record of 16-4-1 with 15 by knockout landed him a big fight against world ranked contender and former NABF Cruiserweight Champion "Smoking" Bert Cooper (28-9, 24 ko's).  Cooper ended up stopping Pepeli in the 8th round.

   Rocky would go on to face even bigger names including Eric "The Whip" Curry, Jesse Ferguson, and former World Champion and Boxing Hall-of-Famer Larry Holmes.

   Pepeli got his only shot at a title belt on March 21, 1995 when he faced Russian World Ranked Contender - Alexander Zolkin (20-2, 14) for the vacant NABF Heavyweight Title.  It was a wild affair with Zolkin scoring the 3rd round TKO to take the title that had been vacated by Joe Hipp.

   Pepeli also faced James Buster Douglas losing a 10 round unanimous decision to the former World Heavyweight Champion.

   His final pro bout came on April 2, 1998 in Buffalo, NY.  Rocky was stopped in the first round by undefeated and world ranked Kirk Johnson (23-0, 17 ko's).

   After a professional boxing career that spanned 11 years, Rocky Pepeli ended with a final record of 19 wins, 11 losses, 1 Draw, winning 18 by Knockout.


Click HERE to see Rocky Pepeli's entire Pro Ledger.

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

VINCENT JONES                          [L-10]
BERT COOPER                              [tko-by-8]
LARRY HOLMES                           [tko-by-4]
JESSE FERGUSON                         [tko-by-9]
ALEXANDER ZOLKIN                  [tko-by-3] {Vacant NABF Heavy Title}
JAMES BUSTER DOUGLAS          [L-10]

Contact: Disneyguru@outlook.com


Saturday, August 8, 2015

RUDY LOVATO

Nickname: "Bad Boy"

   New Mexico's Rudy "Bad Boy" Lovato started out in the world of Kickboxing where he became a  multi-belt champion.  He turned to professional boxing on Feb. 15, 1986 when he scored a 4 round decision victory over fellow New Mexican Everett Berry in the Lightweight Division.  He then began his career as a "Road Warrior" taking fights in his opponents home towns. It was April 30, 1992 when he scored a spectacular first round knockout over California's Efrin Granillo televised on espn.
   Sept. 3, 1992 saw Lovato in one of New Mexico's memorable showdown fights as he faced unbeaten fellow Albuquerquean Steve Hindi (3-0).  Lovato rallied in the late rounds, but lost a decision that night.  He would continue to be boxing's "minuteman", ready to take on whoever called, wherever and whenever the call came in.



   June 14, 1997 saw Lovato in one of his greatest performances as he put on a masterful boxing display against Florida's Tommy Eaglin (15-3, 8 ko's) over 10 rounds.  It was a lopsided unanimous decision on scores of 98-94, 98-92, and 99-91.
   It was May 16, 1998 when Rudy finally got a chance to fight for a title belt.  He faced Santa Fe New Mexico's Chris Linson Jr. (13-1-1, 10 ko) at the Palo Solari ampitheatre in Santa Fe.  After 12 brutal rounds, Linson was awarded a 115-114, 115-114, 117-112 decision victory to claim the New Mexico State Jr. Welterweight Title.

Lovato's post fight interview after defeating Tommy Eaglin
   Rudy's next fight was another main event, this time he faced another New Mexico favorite in rising star Charles "Poison" Anaya (5-1-1, 3 ko).  It was a back and forth technical boxing match until someone in the audience threw a soft drink bottle into the ring that hit Lovato which prompted a stop to the bout.  In the interest of safety the bout and the event was halted, and the judges decision was announced in the newspapers the next day.  A Technical unanimous decision victory on scores of 79-73, 77-75 and 79-75 for Albuquerque's "Bad Boy" Rudy Lovato.
   He continued his campaign as boxing's "Road Warrior" fighting in Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Yuma, Boise, Tacoma, and other home towns of local favorites.
   It was August 12, 2000 that Lovato would get a 2nd shot at a Title Belt, this time it was for the WBC Fecarbox Jr. Middleweight Title.  He would face another unbeaten contender in Kingsley Ikeke (11-0, 6 ko).  One Judge had Lovato winning handily with a score of 119-107, but he was over ruled by the other two judges who gave the fight to Ikeke on close scores of 116-114, and 116-113.  Ikeke would go on to add the NABO, NABF and NABA Middleweight Titles to his collection as well as fight for the IBF Middleweight World Championship against Arthur Abraham in Germany.
   Two fights later, Rudy Lovato got his 3rd shot at a Title Belt, and this time he would have to travel to Tacoma, Washington and face local favorite Shelby Pudwill (13-1-1, 7 ko's) for the C.A.M. (Canadien American Mexican) Jr. Middleweight title.  On this night, Rudy would not be denied, and scored a close but unanimous decision win to take the belt home with him.   Lovato continued on,  fighting all over the United States, often on short notice.  Washington, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Illinois were some of the states that saw Lovato take on World Champions and World Ranked Contenders including: Greg Haugen, Cleveland Corder, Juan Baldwin, Tom Lowry, Emmet Linton, Danny Perez, Yori Boy Campas, Miguel Angel Ruiz, Mark Suarez, and Diobelys Hurtado.  Rudy's final victory came August 13, 2005 in Lewiston, Idaho as he defeated Donnie Fosmire via 12th round knockout to win the WBC Fecarbox International Welterweight Title.
   After a professional boxing career that lasted over 21 years, Rudy stepped into the squared circle for the final time on Nov. 10, 2007 at the Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio, Colorado, where he was stopped by Joe Gomez (12-1-1, 6 ko) in the 7th round.
   Rudy Lovato ended his years of boxing with an overall record of 21-40-4, 7 ko's.  He was a fighter who didn't worry about picking his opponents, and never had the promoter's edge to bring him hand picked opponents to pad his record. He was involved in some wild events.  He just said "Yes" to any call that came in and took the fight! 

Click Here to see:
Rudy Lovato's entire Pro Ledger
 
If you would like to see Rudy Lovato in action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

1. MICHAEL POWELL                                             [L-6]
2. EFRIN GRANILLO                                                [tko-1]
3. STEVE HINDI                                                        [L-8]
4. ANTHONY CHAVEZ                                            [w-dq-2] (Bout erupts into riot in ring)
5. JUAN BALDWIN                                                   [tko-by-2]
6. ERNEST PARGAS                                                 [tko-3]
7. RICKY PONCE                                                     [w-4]
8. RICARDO GALVAN #1                                        [tko-3]
9. TOMMY EAGLIN                                                  [w-10]
10. RICARDO GALVAN #2                                      [w-4]
11. JOSE RAMIREZ #1                                              [w-8]
12.  JUAN GALVAN #1                                             [ko-6]
13. CHRIS LINSON JR.                                            [L-12] {Vacant NM State Jr. Welter Title}
14. CHARLES ANAYA                                             [Tech-w-8]
15. JUAN GALVAN #2                                             [w-4]
16. JOSE RAMIREZ #2                                             [w-6]
_________________________________________________
Kickboxing: 
1. RONI LEWIS
_________________________________________________
Sparring & Training:

1. Rich Garcia (Sparring)

Contact The Boxing Guru: Disneyguru@outlook.com


Friday, August 7, 2015

BOBBY PACQUIAO

Nickname: "The Sniper"

   Born Alberto Dapidran Pacquiao, he became known as "Bobby" Pacquiao.  The younger brother of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, turned professional on April 24, 1997 with a first round knockout over Teddy Gan.  He fought in the Phillipines and Thailand for his first 38 pro fights.  In 2002 he won the Phillipines Jr. Lightweight Title with an 11th round KO over Renato Inal.  He fought his first fight  in the USA in 2004 where he won a unanimous decision over Oscar Villa in Montebello, California.  On June 17, 2005 he scored a mild upset over Carlos Navarro by 7th round knockout to claim the WBC Continental Americas Jr. Lightweight title belt.  He then shocked former world champion Carlos "Famous" Hernandez with a 10 round Split decision victory.  He then added a 3rd big name to his ledger as he defeated former world champion Kevin Kelley in a defense of his WBC Continental Americas Jr. Lightweight title, stopping "The Flushing Flash" by knockout in round 4. 
   The Big name upset streak ended when he was disqualified in round 11 against Hector Velasquez at the Hard Rock Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV.  He was stopped in his next fight on June 9, 2007 at Madison Square Garden, where he fell by KO to former interim WBC Featherweight World Champion Humberto Soto (40-5-2, 25 ko) on the undercard of Miguel Cotto/Zab Judah.
   His last pro fight came on Nov. 20, 2008 where he lost to Robert Frankel by a clear 10 round unanimous decision.  Bobby Pacquiao never challenged for a world title, and he ended his career with a record of 31-15-3, with 16 wins by knockout.  He started as a Super Flyweight, and ended his career in the Lightweight division.

Click here to see:
Entire Pro Record of Bobby "The Sniper" Pacquiao

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

1. CARLOS NAVARRO            [ko-7] {WBC Continental Americas Jr. Light Title}
2. KEVIN KELLEY                    [ko-4] {WBC Continental Americas Jr. Light Title}
3. HECTOR VELAZQUEZ         [dq-by-11] {WBC Continental Americas Jr. Light Title}
4. HUMBERTO SOTO               [ko-by-7]
5. FERNANDO TREJO              [tko-4]
6. URBANO ANTILLON           [ko-by-1]




Contact The Boxing Guru:  DisneyGuru@outlook.com

Thursday, July 30, 2015

SANDRO MARCOS

   Mexico's hard punching Sandro Marcos turned professional on December 18 of 1992 with a first round knockout over Antonio Netza.  He ran his record to 14-0-1 with 12 by knockout before taking his first loss against Raul Martin Franco, being stopped in the 10th round of a battle for the WBA's Fedelatin Jr. Lightweight Title.  He would continue to campaign between the Lightweight and Jr. Lightweight divisions, getting 2 shots at the Mexican National Jr. Lightweight Titles, but losing both times. 
   With his dangerous punching power, and aggressive style he became a favorite with promoters as a gate keeper for up and coming contenders, and sliding veterans.  He faced his share of world ranked contenders and World Champions including: Jose Luis Castillo, Carlos Hernandez, Jorge Paez, Johnny Tapia, Kevin Kelley, Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero, and Brandon Rios. 
   His greatest victory came on Sept. 16, 2005 when he scored the upset over former world champion Johnny Tapia with a 2nd round ko via body shot.  Even though Tapia was long past his prime, it was still an impressive victory, and put Marcos' name back into the mix.  His last pro fight came on July 30, 2009 where he was stopped in 6 rounds by unbeaten Luis Ramos Jr.

Sandro Marcos ended his career with a record of 26-20-2, winning 22 by knockout!

Click HERE to see Sandro Marcos complete Pro Record

If you'd like to see Sandro Marcos in the ring, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

1. CARLOS "Famous" HERNANDEZ         [tko-by-2]
2. JORGE PAEZ                                          [tko-by-3]
3. JOHNNY TAPIA                                    [ko-2]
4. KEVIN KELLEY                                    [tko-by-4]
5. MARCOS JIMENEZ                              [tko-by-2]
6. BRANDON RIOS                                  [tko-by-2]



Contact The Boxing Guru at: DisneyGuru@outlook.com

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

SKIPPER KELP

Nickname: "Saigon"

   Colorado's Skipper Kelp was a celebrated amateur boxer who used his power punching style to become one of the USA's top prospects. 
   He turned professional on Dec. 20, 1990 with a powerful KO win over 7 fight pro Sergio Medina.  From there he quickly built his record to 15-0-1 with 11 by knockout, incluidng a first round stoppage of undefeated Maurice Brantley (12-0).

   Kelp tasted his first defeat dropping a 10 round decision on Sept. 29, 1992 to world ranked contender David Gonzalez (29-2-1, 20 ko). 3 years later, Gonzalez would go on to challenge Terry Norris for the WBC Jr. Middleweight Title.

   It was 4 years later - March 5, 1996, that Kelp would get his first shot at a major title belt when he stepped in to face undefeated future World Champion Raul "El Diamante" Marquez for the vacant USBA Jr. Middleweight Title in Norfolk, Virginia.  It was Marquez winning the hard fought but unanimous decision over Kelp that night.

   Just 2 months later, Kelp scored a big win over future IBO Jr. Middleweight World Champion - Adrian"The Predator" Stone (17-1-1, 12 ko) on scores of 96-91, 95-92, and 96-90.

   The victory over Stone launched him into his 2nd and final title challenge, this time against Tony Martin (32-5-1, 12 ko) for the USBA Welterweight Championship.  This time it was Tony Martin coming out on top with a clear unanimous decision victory to retain his title belt.

   Skipper Kelp fought just once more on March 20, 1998 at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV where he ended his pro boxing career with a convincing unanimous decision win over Mexico's Javier Mendez. 

   Skipper Kelp was never given the opportunity to challenge for a world title, but his heart, power, and crowd pleasing style made him a favorite with boxing fans around the world.  He ended his pro boxing career with an impressive mark of: 24 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw, and 15 wins by Knockout.

Click here to see Skipper's entire Pro Ledger

If you would like to see "Saigon" Skipper Kelp in action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:

1. MIGUEL LOPEZ                    [tko-1] (Pro Debut)
2. EDDIE RIOS                          [ko-1]
3. RENE HERRERA                   [w-DQ-3]
4. JORGE PICHARDO              [tko-1]
5. MARIO LOPEZ                     [tko-4]
6. ISMAIL TILLIS                     [tech-draw-3]
7. MAURICE BRANTLEY        [ko-1]
8. STEVE BARRERAS              [tko-6]
9. ALBERTO ALCARAZ          [ko-1]
10. DAVID TAYLOR                [w-8]
11. WALID UNDERWOOD     [w-8]
12. RAUL MARQUEZ              [L-12] {USBA Jr. Middle Title}
13. ADRIAN STONE                [w-10]
14. TONY MARTIN                 [L-12] {USBA Welter Title}

Amateur bouts:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Steve Johnston(1990 US Olympic Festival)
2. Terron Millett
3.  Danny Montoya
4. Steve Hindi
5. Unknown Amateur("Robert" )
6. Quick HL of Michelle Piccirillo Am Bout in USA/Italy Dual
7. Emmett Linton

Contact The Boxing Guru at: DisneyGuru@outlook.com