Jhonny Gonzàlez: Three Titles, Two Divisions, One Big Punch

It all began with a misspelt name.

Born on 15 September 1981, in Mexico City, but raised in Pachuca, Mexico, baby “Johnny” was registered Jhonny at birth. It may have been a spelling mistake, but it certainly added a uniqueness to one of the most exciting fighters of the last 20 years.

Being surrounded by a family of boxers meant there was an almost inevitability that the young Gonzàlez would soon be donning the gloves. His moment arrived when he came home from school one day, bleeding from the nose after an altercation with another boy. His father decided that he needed to learn how to defend himself. He was nine years old.

Gonzàlez loved the feeling of fighting, but his father urged him to concentrate on school and his education. He had his first amateur fight at ten and went on to have nearly 180 bouts. But he treated it more like a hobby than sport. That would change when he decided that he wanted to turn professional.

The realisation of how hard this would be came within his first two fights. He made his debut almost a month before his 18th birthday on 14 August 1999, losing a four round decision. He suffered the same fate in his next fight, too, before it was third time lucky, outpointing one Mario Rodriguez over four.

A run of a further twelve wins, including whizzing through six rounders to ten, also established what would become Gonzàlez trademark; he could punch, as evidenced with eleven of those wins coming via the short route.

This would lead to his first title, the NABF bantamweight, when he stopped Ablorh Sowah in the tenth, on 26 October 2001. But he was brought back down to earth against his next opponent, Ricardo Vargas.

Vargas (31-9-3, with 11 KO’s) was a seasoned pro and former world title challenger. That experience would prove vital as Gonzàlez lost a close, but unanimous decision. Undeterred, Gonzàlez put his NABF title on the line in a rematch. But with both men cut, the fight went to the scorecards after seven rounds. Vargas was awarded a unanimous technical decision, and the NABF title.

Just three months later, Gonzàlez was back in the ring and starting yet another kayo streak. Two wins took him to a WBC Continental Americas bantamweight shot, where he knocked out Francisco Mateos in the opening round.

After a keep busy first round win, he became national champion, stopping Ramon Leyte in four. He defended that with a first round KO of Jorge Alberto Reyes, then stopped Moises Zamudio in five whilst defending his Continental Americas trinket. He then ripped away the unbeaten record of Roger Gonzalez in six.

Another regional title was added when he stopped Alejandro Montiel in six for the vacant WBO NABO title, before two further stoppages set up a defence of both belts against the unbeaten Gabriel Elizondo.

This fight would be the precursor of Gonzàlez’ career. Elizondo was 17-0, with 8 KO’s, and a decided underdog. But in their meeting on 18 November 2004, he made it perfectly clear that he wanted Gonzàlez’ gold.

Gonzàlez was in control, hooking up and down as he moved in and out of range. That was until with just over a minute left in the opening round, Elizondo beat him to the punch with a right hand that sent Gonzàlez onto his hands and knees. He dragged himself up but his legs were unsteady as Elizondo launched right hands like they were going out of fashion. The bell sounded, giving Gonzàlez the recovery time he needed.

Coming out for round two, Gonzàlez took ring centre. With just over half the round gone, a left uppercut folded Elizondo’s legs as he hit the canvas. He bravely got up, but the fight was as good as over, and he was hammered to the canvas a further three times. In under six minutes, Gonzàlez defined his future: a big puncher who could also be hurt. Never a more exciting combination.

He was taken the distance in his next fight, outpointing Adonis Rivas over twelve, thus ending a twelve fight knockout streak, then scored a stoppage before hearing the final bell for the second time in three fights, when he outpointed Adolfo Landerós after ten.

He then found himself in another shootout, this time with namesake William Gonzalez who was 16-1, with 15 KO’s.

On 1 September 2005, the pair put on a blistering show. Gonzàlez dropped the challenger for his NABO title, in the first, before WG had a point deducted for hitting him after he had slipped to the canvas in round two. The third electrified the crowd when Gonzàlez dropped WG again. But WG got up and dropped Gonzàlez as the pendulum swung back and forth. Gonzàlez got up with renewed determination and iced his man with a big right. It was a brutal end.

Gonzàlez was now 30-4, with 26 inside the distance. He had won and defended several regional belts but was now ready to achieve his goal. He wanted the world title.

Champion

Thailand’s Ratanachai Sor Vorapin was the first fighter from his country to hold a title from the World Boxing Organisation (WBO). He had twice challenged for world honours but had come up short. That was until he outpointed Cruz Carbajal to relieve him of the WBO bantamweight title. With a record of 65-8 wth 42 KO’s, Vorapin was vastly experienced. Gonzàlez would be his second defence.

On 29 October, just under two months from his last win, Gonzàlez entered the Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, knowing that he would have to adjust his approach with the southpaw veteran.

He started cautiously, keeping the champion on the end of his jab, hooking off of it whenever he moved in close. But it wasn’t until the third that he flashed his power, a left uppercut sending Vorapin to the canvas with just under half a minute left. He got up but was clearly stunned, and he was sent straight back down after a flurry. He was up before the bell, but Gonzàlez had made a big statement.

Gonzàlez hurt him again early in the fourth. He piled on the pressure as Vorapin called on all of his experience to weather the storm. As Gonzàlez appeared to punch himself out a little, Vorapin survived the round. But the effect of the challengers punches left Vorapin with a bad cut above his right eye and bruising around both.

It didn’t deter the champion though, as he stormed out in the fifth, taking the fight to the now, slightly ragged looking Gonzàlez, even briefly troubling him with a straight left. However, as the round neared its end, Gonzàlez was back on the attack, driving Vorapin back to the ropes.

Both were feeling the pace in round six as several exchanges became a little scrappy. There was a respite when Gonzàlez was fouled by an unintentional low blow. After a brief rest, the pair resumed their exchanges. But Gonzàlez power was always going to make the difference and a big left hook sent Vorapin down a split second before the bell. To his credit he got back up, but he was starting to look a mess.

Gonzàlez smelt blood at the start of the seventh, and he pounced like a predator, devouring its wounded prey. Both hands went like pistons as he drove Vorapin into the ropes, defenceless. The referee dived in to save him. Gonzàlez was the new world champion.

He was to have made his first defence against one of the best fighters in the lower weights, Mark Johnson. Although Johnson (44-4, with 28 KO’s), was a former two-weight champion, and had seen better days, his name and reputation still carried a hefty amount of respect. But Johnson, having not fought in nearly 18 months, failed to make the bantamweight limit, so the fight went ahead as a non-title.

The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, hosted their meeting on 25 February 2006. After a slow three rounds, Gonzàlez started moving through the gears, dropping Johnson with a left hook in round four. It elicited a response from Johnson as the pair traded throughout the rest of the round.

The next couple of rounds were fought at a decent pace, although the youth of Gonzàlez was proving more decisive. Gonzàlez finally put the punctuation mark on the fight, and Johnson’s career, when a flurry, topped off naturally with a left hook, sent the former champion onto his knee’s for the referee’s count of ten in the eighth.

So it meant his first official defence would come against former super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel. And it wasn’t a particularly convincing one either. Amid rumours of trouble at the weight, Gonzàlez struggled to pin down the speedy Montiel. After twelve rounds, he took a split-decision that could have easily gone the other way.

He stepped up a division to challenge countryman Israel Vazquez for the WBC super bantamweight title. Vazquez (40-3, 29 KO’s). Vazquez was a heavy-handed, aggressive fighter. Going toe to toe with him would be a very risky strategy.

So Close

They met at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on 16 September 2006. Aware of the danger, Gonzàlez turned in a tactical performance, keeping Vazquez on the end of his longer reach. After sweeping the first three, Gonzàlez sent Vazquez to the canvas with a left hook. It was a flash knockdown, but it made a statement.

Gonzàlez repeated the trick in round seven, with this hook having more effect. Vazquez was getting beat up, with blood running down his right cheek from a cut over his eye. But his punches were having an effect, with blood flowing from Gonzàlez nose.

Gonzàlez was bossing round seven when the champion connected with a powerful right hand, sending him down. Gonzàlez was in trouble as he tried to regain the strength in his legs. He survived the round, but he had now felt Vazquez power and the damage it could inflict.

He got back in control in round eight but was looking visibly fatigued throughout the ninth as he was tagged repeatedly. In the tenth, he came apart. He boxed well for the first two minutes but was stunned by a short hook. Several more shots landed before he went down for a second time. As he listened to the referee’s count, he looked in trouble. His corner threw the towel in. Vazquez had retained.

Gonzàlez returned to bantamweight, successfully defending his title against former IBF flyweight champion Irene Pacheco, with a ninth round stoppage.

But the battle with the scales was about to cost him his title. He had to lose twelve pounds to make the 118lbs limit for his next defence against Filipino challenger Gerry Penalosa.

Penalosa (51-6-2, with 32 KO’s) was a former WBC super flyweight champion, and in his last fight, took champion Daniel Ponce De Leon the distance up at super bantamweight. Beforehand, he said he would be much stronger at bantam. Gonzàlez let it be known that this would be his last fight in this division.

Gonzàlez kept things long as he tried to break down the southpaw challenger. The tactics gave him a lead after six. But all it took was one punch to separate him from his title. With thirty seconds left in round seven, one well placed left hander to Gonzàlez liver caused him to crumble. The pain etched on his face clearly indicated he wouldn’t beat the count. His title was gone.

Super Bantamweight

Gonzàlez returned three months later with a points win over ten. He then ran off five straight inside the distance wins to earn himself another shot at the WBC title, this time held by Japan’s Toshiaki Nishioka.

Nishioka (33-4-3, with 20 KO’s) had won the interim title before being upgraded to full champion. Gonzàlez would be his second defence.

It started well for the challenger when he dropped the southpaw champion with a straight right in the first. After outboxing Nishioka in round two, disaster struck. With a minute gone, Gonzàlez was nailed with a straight left bang on the chin. He fell flat like an ironing board. As the referee counted, instinct alone caused him to rise, but he was in no fit condition to defend himself.

In the aftermath, Gonzàlez felt it was time for a change. He had always been trained by his father but felt he needed someone with a bit more experience. He hired legendary trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristàin. He also decided to move up to featherweight, a move that would benefit his physique.

Featherweight

Gonzàlez started his comeback four months later, knocking out Jose Francisco Mendoza in the opening round. Having clearly brought his power up to the 126lb division with him, he went on a run of a further six knockouts, all inside six rounds, whilst collecting the WBC Fecarbox and IBO trinkets, and winning two WBC eliminators to earn him his chance at the champion, Japan’s Hozumi Hasegawa.

Hasegawa (29-3, with 12 KO’s) was a former WBC champion at bantamweight. Following success there, he stepped up to outpoint Juan Carlos Burgos for the vacant title. Gonzàlez would be his first defence.

Travelling to the World Memorial Hall, Kobe, Japan, on 8 April 2011, Gonzàlez demonstrated how effective he was at the higher weight. Controlling the first two rounds, he frequently connected with his left hook over the southpaw champions right. Hasegawa had a solid third, but Gonzàlez flashed his power in the fourth when a right hand drilled Hasegawa to the canvas. Dazed, he pulled himself up, but the referee had seen enough. Gonzàlez was back on top.

He started to rack up the defences. Tomas Villa was stopped in four, Rogers Mtagwa was halted in two, Roinet Caballero was knocked out in two, and Elio Rojas survived a tenth round knockdown but lost a unanimous decision.

His next defence saw him go up against two-division champion Daniel Ponce De Leon. De Leon had fought some of the best around the division and was known as a stiff puncher. He was Gonzàlez toughest defence on paper.

But their fight on 15 September 2012 at the MGM Grand failed to catch fire. After two cautious rounds, the southpaw challenger suffered a cut over his right eye. The pair continued in a ragged display that saw both men miss more than they landed.

Round five was better, with both men finding the target more regularly. This continued through the sixth, until a barrage sent Gonzàlez through the ropes, with the referee ruling a knockdown. In a close contest, it would prove a crucial call.

The knockdown fired up Ponce De Leon, as he drove Gonzàlez back throughout the seventh as the champion started to tire. Then, with half a minute remaining in round eight, an accidental clash of heads opened a cut above Gonzàlez right eye. After an inspection by the ringside doctor, he was ruled unable to continue. The fight would go to the judges scorecards. A unanimous technical decision was awarded, along with Gonzàlez WBC title, to Ponce De Leon. Gonzàlez was an ex-champion once again.

He returned five months later, scoring two wins, to set up a shot at the new WBC champion Abner Mares.

Mares was unbeaten at 26-0-1, with 13 KO’s, and had dropped Ponce De Leon twice on his way to winning the title with a ninth round stoppage. Highly rated, he was being promoted as a future star of the sport. Gonzàlez was his maiden defence.

Champion Against The Odds

The advantage of possessing knockout power is that at any given point, you can not only turn a fight in your favour, but you can also bring matters to an abrupt conclusion. On the night of 24 August 2013, at the StubHub Center in Carson, Mares became a victim of this brutal truth.

For the opening two minutes, Mares displayed quick hands against the slower challenger. But with under 40 seconds left on the clock, Gonzàlez reminded everyone why he could never be written off when he detonated his famed left hook onto the chin of Mares. Mares was sent flat onto his back as the crowd roared in astonishment at what had suddenly happened. Instinct caused him to rise, but Gonzàlez knew he had him. He unloaded until Mares went down for a second time. It was over. Gonzàlez was back as champion.

He made the first defence of his second reign scoring a tenth round technical decision over Clive Atwell, then sent compatriot, four-division veteran Jorge Arce into retirement, scoring three knockdowns on his way to an eleventh round stoppage.

Next up was one of the hottest propects in boxing, Gary Russell Jr. A decorated amateur, the smooth southpaw had lost only once in his 25-1, 14 KO’s record, and that was on points to the extremely talented Vasiliy Lomachenko in a tilt at the vacant WBO crown. Not only was he fresher than Gonzàlez, he also had a seven year age advantage. Both would prove too much for Gonzàlez to overcome.

Pearl Concert Theater in Nevada hosted their meeting on 28 March 2015. Gonzàlez was a step behind from the off, as Russell peppered him with crisp straight lefts down the pipe. After dropping the first two rounds, Gonzàlez was caught flush at the end of the third when a straight left right hook combo sent him down. He was hurt but beat the count.

But the writing was already on the wall. Russell went for the finish, sending Gonzàlez to the mat twice, with the referee rescuing the beaten Mexican. His title was gone for good.

However, even though the world championship days were over, that still didn’t deter the now nearly thirty four year old from pushing on.

From 2015 until 2022, Gonzàlez fought sixteen times, losing just three and drawing one, with eight inside schedule. Whilst the opposition wasn’t top level, he still had enough experience to see his way through, winning the minor WBC International Silver and WBC Latino trinkets at super featherweight. Finally, after drawing and then losing his last two fights, the now forty one year old walked off into the sunset. His final record: 69-12-1, with 56 KO’s.

Gonzàlez father always claimed that his son’s name was never misspelt. He said it was spelt that way because he knew his son was special. When Jhonny Gonzàlez sits back and reflects on his achievements, he may well concede that his father was right all along.

Dean Berks

Previous articles can be found on http://www.bluecornerboxing@wordpress.com

Former WBC 130lb Champion Francisco Vargas: A Brief Reign, But A Relentless Warrior

“El Bandido – The Bandit”

The proliferation and dilution of boxing’s “world” titles has led many within the industry to pay less recognition and attention to them, preferring to focus on the quality of fights as opposed to which set of initials are attached to them.

But even though the titles are becoming more and more frowned upon, for the fighters, they mean everything. The paydays and opportunities they create, the chance to look at their display cabinet and view their career achievements, and, oh yeah, the chance to reach the pinnacle of the sport and be called a world champion, just like many of their idols before them.

Mexico’s Francisco Vargas knew what it meant to wear the green and gold belt of the organisation from his home country. The esteemed list of previous holders, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Marquez, was evidence of just how much history was in the super featherweight division. Seeing his name alongside them was the ultimate goal.

Unlike many of his sports contemporaries, he was born on 25 December 1984 into a middle-class family. He first became interested in boxing after watching the 2000 Olympics. Aged 15, he began a rewarding amateur career that featured eight national titles and culminated in his own Olympic appearance at the 2008 Beijing games, where he was eliminated in the round of 16. But despite not medalling, the chance to represent his country was what really mattered to him. It was after this that he turned his attention to the professionals, leaving behind an impressive 150 wins, with just 12 losses.

He made his debut on 12 March 2010, outpointing 2-0 Daniel Calzada over four. He won seven of his following eight fights, six inside the distance with four straight first round wins (he drew with Byron Gonzalez in his fourth fight). His form caught the attention of the “Golden Boy” himself, Oscar De La Hoya, who promptly signed him to his company Golden Boy Promotions.

Under his new promotional banner, the wins continued. He ran off seven, six inside the limit, to set up his first title opportunity. On 9 August 2013, he met fellow unbeaten Brandon Bennett over ten, with both the vacant NABF and WBO inter-continental belts on offer. After losing the opening round, Vargas set about his opponent, pounding out a unanimous decision.

He outpointed Jerry Belmontes to retain both titles, then followed that up with a points win over Miguel Cotto’s cousin Abner. He was now unbeaten at 19-0-1, 13 by knockout, and about to face his biggest test yet.

Puerto Rico’s Juan Manuel Lopez was a two-weight champion, having held the WBO title at both super bantamweight and featherweight. But two stoppage losses to battle-hardened Orlando Salido had started a steady decline, which continued when he was stopped in four by Mikey Garcia in an attempt at his old WBO 9st title.

On 12 July 2014, Vargas hammered Lopez into a third round retirement. A solid but not devastating puncher, Vargas placed his shots, rocking Lopez with a left hook in the second, and then flooring him with a right in round three. But his lack of defence and upper body movement meant that he took he few licks himself. It was what made him so exciting to watch.

His next two wins both ended in the eighth, first a knockout of Genaro Camargo, and then a TKO of once-beaten Will Tomlinson. The latter earned him an opportunity to join his idols, Julio Cesar Chavez and Juan Manuel Marquez, as holders of the WBC 9st 4lbs title, when he was pitted against the champion, Japan’s Takashi Miura.

Miura (29-2-2, with 22 KO’s) was a powerful southpaw who had made four defences of the belt he had taken off of Vargas countryman Gamaliel Diaz, courtesy of a ninth round stoppage. With Vargas’ aggressive style, this figured to be an exciting match-up. It turned out to be so much more.

Champion

On 21 November 2015 at The Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, and on the undercard of the WBC middleweight title fight between Miguel Cotto and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Miura and Vargas put on a brutal showing.

Vargas started fast, catching the champion clean at range. With just over a minute gone, an overhand right had Miura in desperate trouble. Vargas pounced, trying to find the blows that would separate Miura from the title, but Miura showed his grit, weathering the storm, thumping the challenger with a hard left to remind him that this was not going to be a walk in the park.

Miura was back in the fight in rounds two and three, opening a cut under Vargas’ right eye as they continued swapping blows. By the end of the third, it was starting to swell.

Things took a turn for the worse for Vargas in the fourth. Both were not known for their defensive prowess, and with just under half a minute left in the round, Vargas was caught by a booming left hand that sent him onto the seat of his trunks. It was the first knockdown of his career, amateur and pro. He was up quickly, taking the mandatory eight count, but the cut had reopened as blood began to run down his face.

Vargas corner instructed their man to stay off of the ropes, but Miura was now finding his groove. He slammed heavy lefts into Vargas throughout the fifth, eliciting gasps from the crowd as they landed.

But Vargas durability and determination were keeping things intense. He battled hard in round six, reeling off several combinations to head and body, whilst Miura threw his share too. It was already a punishing fight.

Miura was starting to edge ahead on the cards through seven and eight, but his powerful onslaughts were taking its toll on both men. Vargas eye was badly swollen, and he now had a deep cut on the same eyelid. Miura was also visibly marked around both cheeks. But Vargas resistance took a knock when another left had his legs on shaky ground again. He survived the round, but the effort had taken a lot out of the champion, too.

The moments between rounds can prove to be so significant in a fighter’s psyche. For some, beat up and behind, they find themselves becoming resigned to their fate. But for others, something stirs inside them. A fire is lit, and everything they have absorbed is just an obstacle that has to be overcome. No one said it would be easy, but no one said glory would be denied either.

Vargas came out for round nine with a determination written all over his face. He pounced on Miura, a right hand setting up a left uppercut left hook, left right combo, before a vicious right uppercut left hook sent Miura crashing to the canvas. The crowd hollered at the sudden turn of events.

Miura fell onto his front on his first attempt at rising before standing upright. He desperately tried to hold, but Vargas was not about to be denied. He pounded away at Miura, who instinctively punched back at his tormentor. Hammering away, it took nearly another minute before a big right landed flush, forcing referee Tony Weeks to rescue the beaten now ex-champion.

Vargas had done it. He was the new WBC super featherweight champion. His name would be etched alongside his idols forever.

Now, after such a brutal coronation, many champions would insist on a less taxing maiden defence. But not Vargas. He instead elected to meet one of the toughest fighters in his division. Step forward, Orlando Salido.

Fellow countryman Salido was a two-weight world champion and had given some of the best fighters around the weight a torrid time. At 43-13-4, with 30 KO’s, his record defied just what dangerous fighter he was. Against Vargas, he reminded those who forgot.

A War For The Ages

They met on 4 June 2016 at the StubHub Center, Carson, California. And those in attendance would have this fight etched in their minds for a very long time.

The pair started at range, producing some high-quality boxing. But when two Mexicans meet, it doesn’t take long for the machismo to seep through their porse.

With under a minute left in the opener, a Vargas right caused Salido’s knees to dip. Vargas went on the attack, unloading a barrage as he looked for an unexpected early shower. But Salido was made of sturdier stuff than that, and the bell sounded, ending an exciting start.

Vargas was trying to work at arms length, but Salido was closing the distance. With 30 seconds remaining in round three, Salido got Vargas’ attention with an overhand right, before firing off a flurry of stiff shots. Vargas responded as the crowd voiced their approval.

The fourth saw the action move up another notch. The pair took to the inside as phone booth warfare ensued. Ripping away at each other with uppercuts and hooks, a line was drawn; this was a war of attrition. And Salido reminded everyone why he was so dangerous, as he drove Vargas back with left hooks and overhand rights to finish the round.

The fifth and six were tremendous. The exchanges flowed without any drop in intensity. Vargas, with blood running from a cut over his left eye, hurt Salido in the sixth, briefly forcing him to hold. But Salido once again came storming back. And his body shots in round seven, answered the uppercuts he was absorbing from Vargas.

Vargas tried to start the eighth behind his jab, but Salido was having none of it. Once again, the pair swapped punches at an incredible pace. If there were any fans of slick, defensive boxing in the crowd, they chose the wrong night to be out! This was war!

Vargas was displaying amazing durability, as Salido teed off with hard hooks from both hands. But it appeared the youth of Vargas was starting to ease him ahead as he drove Salido back in round ten. But the veteran was having none of it, drilling the champion with a hard right. It was a brutal round.

By the eleventh, the brutality of the fight could clearly be seen on each man. But fighting was in their genes, and neither man was willing to take a backwards step.

As the crowd roared for the start if the final round, the referee asked the doctor to check on Vargas eye. It was met with boos before being waved back on. Fatigue was clearly etched on their faces, but instinct and pride wouldn’t let either man ease up. It was awe-inspiring.

At the end if the fight, Vargas face was a mess, with cuts over both eyes. Salido’s battle-hardened face showed signs of puffiness around both eyes.

Many at ringside found it impossible to separate either man as victor. That was how the officials felt, too, scoring the fight a draw, with two scores of 114-114 and the third in favour of the champion with 115-113. Vargas had retained in something truly extraordinary.

But two brutal back-to-back fights, combined with a style that was almost built on a take one to land one philosophy, meant that the possibility of suddenly coming undone was always a risk. Especially if the challenger was a heavy-handed knockout out artist. Enter Miguel Berchelt.

Just A Little Too Much

Fellow countryman Berchelt was 30-1, with 27 KO’s, with his only loss being a controversial first round stoppage to Luis Eduardo Florez. He had rebounded with nine straight stoppages and collected the interim WBO 9st 4lbs trinket on his way. However, his record was a perfect indication of his style; a vulnerable puncher.

On 29 January 2017, at the Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio,California, Vargas, like a moth to a flame, found himself caught up in another barn-burner that would stay with fans for a long time.

Vargas opened well, scoring with left hooks to the body and overhand rights, as Berchelt showed patience. Inevitably, midway through the second, the exchanges began. Berchelt’s power became evident as he twice drove the champion back, only to walk onto a right that set him back. The battle had begun.

The action continued heating up rapidly, with both hammering home with crisp combinations. But Berchelt was finding the target regularly with his right hand. Vargas was giving as good as he was getting, though. Until a left hook in the fourth caused his knees to dip briefly. He started to ship a few, and the cuts from his previous championship fights reopened.

This prompted a change in strategy from Berchelt, who now started working behind his jab, concentrating on straight shots. But keeping a relentless warrior like Vargas off was another thing, as he once again drew the challenger into phone booth warfare.

The rounds flew by with such, absorbing two-way action. But Vargas was taken a lot of punishment, and the swelling around both eyes was starting to worsen. Despite hitting Berchelt with everything, the speed and power of the challenger were proving a bit too much to overcome.

And so it was. Vargas was weakening under the constant bombardments, and the cut over his left eye was widening and bleeding consistently. The doctor checked his eye in both the ninth and tenth. He was somehow let out for the eleventh, but he gradually came apart under the attacks of Berchelt. Finally, with just under a minute left, the referee stepped in, rescuing Vargas, bloody and beaten but incredibly brave.

The Return

After allowing his cuts and body to time to heal, Vargas resumed his career eleven months later. He also had a new trainer in his corner, Joel Diaz. Diaz main goal was to tighten up his charges defence and try to imploy him to box more. Their first test in this new partnership would be Britain’s Stephen Smith.

Smith (25-3, 15 KO’s) had unsuccessfully challenged twice for world titles. Beating Vargas would set up a third attempt.

At the Mandalay Bay Events Centre, Nevada, on 9 December, the former champion found it difficult to curb his natural instinct, but luckily Smith was not a big puncher. Ahead on points, the fight was stopped at the end of the ninth after an accidental clash of heads left Smith with a gory looking torn left ear, like something out of a gangster flick. It went to the cards, where Vargas was awarded a unanimous technical decision.

Back out in April, he dropped and stopped Rob Salka in sixth as he sought out a chance to regain his title. That opportunity would arise in his next fight where he would once again cross swords with Berchelt.

Berchelt had grown into his role as champion. He had made four defences and was looking like the number one in the super featherweight division. A repeat win over Vargas would cement that.

Succumbing To The Scorpion

The rematch was held on 11 May 2019 at the Convention Centre, Tucson. It had been originally set for March, but a hand injury to Berchelt had caused a delay.

Vargas boxed conservatively in the first, but once again, his instinct took over. Berchelt was trying to keep the distance, too, as his punches carried more venom at length. But Vargas kept coming, determined to take back his former title.

This time round, though, Berchelt’s power was proving the difference. By round four, Vargas already had a cut on the bridge of his nose, and his eyes were beginning to swell underneath, as he soaked up left hooks to the body and right uppercuts to the head.

The fierce competitor in Vargas rose in the fifth as he drove the champion back as the crowd cheered him on. It was an impressive effort, but it would prove his last hurrah.

Berchelt’s fists were causing serious visual damage to the challenger. And it was no surprise that Vargas corner decided to rescue their man between rounds. The wars and age were taking their toll.

The Slide

Vargas registered two wins over nondescript opposition before being matched with up and coming countryman Isaac Cruz.

Cruz (21-1-1, 15 KO’s) was not only a swarming, aggressive type of fighter, but he was also thirteen years younger than the 36 year old former champ.

Now up at lightweight, Vargas boxed a more disciplined fight but the youth of Cruz proved the deciding factor. As Vargas started to slow down the stretch, he was badly cut above his right eye and sent to the canvas from a succession of blows. He made it to the final bell but lost a unanimous decision.

Out of the ring for ten months, he next met unbeaten southpaw prospect Jose Valenzuela who was 11-0, with 7 KO’s. And it should have been his final appearance as he was blasted out by one big left midway through the opening round, his punch resistance finally deserting him.

But there would be one final fling. Now a shadow of the fighter he once was, Vargas dropped a split-decision to one Guillermo Avila Godinez, who sported a 19-12 record. He walked off into the sunset. His final record: 27-5-2, with 19 KO’s.

Vargas achieved a unique distinction when his fights with Miura and Salido were voted Fight of the Year for both 2015 and 2016 by the Boxing Writers Association of America. He is the only fighter still to have achieved this.

Many of today’s fighters believe that respect is earned by how many titles you win. Whilst there is an element of truth in that, the thing that earns respect more than anything is when a fighter gives his all. We look at boxers as super-human, able to give and take so much more than us mere mortals ever could.

Vargas was one of those, a very special breed, able to thrill us through sheer will and determination. It puts him on the extraordinary table of fighters you just can’t help but love. And that is a very proud table to be sat at indeed.

Title win

Incredible draw

Dean Berks

Guillermo Gutierrez Sets Eyes On First Title

San Antonio super flyweight prospect Guillermo Gutierrez gets the chance to capture his first piece of hardware next month, when he faces Jaime Jasso for the vacant WBC Youth Intercontinental Silver title.

He was oiginally scheduled to be appearing on 16 March, but that date was changed to 20 April, after the withdrawal through injury of two proposed opponents. Now he faces former foe Jasso in his opponents hometown of Laredo, Texas.

They first clashed in December 2021, with Gutierrez taking a majority decision. Since then, Gutierrez has won seven on the bounce, whilst Jasso has seen his own career stutter, with two wins and two no-decisions. He is hoping that revenge here will kick-start his fortunes once again.

For Gutierrez, this is an opportunity to assert his superiority over his rival whilst moving up another rung towards his eventual goal of a world title.

For more information or details of sponsorship, contact Eruption Boxing on their website:

http://www.EruptionBoxing.com

Dean Berks

New Faces: Guillermo Gutierrez

The state of Texas has produced an exceptional line of fighters over the years: Donald Curry, Orlando and Gaby Canizales, Terry Norris, Jesse James Leija, and Juan Diaz is an impressive list. Add more recent champions like twins Jermall and Jermell Charlo, Errol Spence Jr, Jesse Rodriguez, and top 154 lb contender Vergil Ortiz Jr, and you can see just how special the “Lone Star State” is.

Hoping to add his name to that illustrious list is San Antonio’s super flyweight prospect, Guillermo Gutierrez. Unbeaten at 10-0, with 1 KO, the smooth stylist has just signed a contract with Eruption Boxing Management and will be guided by the companies President Gwen Legge. Both are hoping that the partnership will reap the rewards.

Gutierrez was introduced to boxing when he was just 8 years old by his father.

Speaking to the San Antonio Express, he recalled his beginnings in the sport. “I think he always wanted to be a fighter,” he said of his father, “So he signed me up. At first, I hated it. I would cry. I didn’t want to go. “

But he soon caught the bug, first training under the late Lorenzo Trujillo, before training under former WBA bantamweight champion John Michael Johnson.

Because of his diminutive size, fights were difficult to make in the early going. However, Gutierrez went on to have a very good amateur career with over 120 fights overall. Then the professional ranks came calling.

His journey started in June 2021 with a points win over Frank Boston, and in his next fight, he stopped Gabriel Guerrero, his only inside the distance win so far. But he is hoping to make improvements in that department, starting with a trip to spend some time with the esteemed Robert Garcia at his gym in California.

Gutierrez next fight is scheduled for 16 March and will see him compete for his first regional title, the NABF Jr., the first in what he intends to be many.

The next twelve months could shape up to being an exciting time for him, and hopefully, he will then be ready to make his move into the top ten in his division.

For further information on Gutierrez or information on sponsorship, contact Eruption Boxing on their website:

http://www.EruptionBoxing.com

Dean Berks

Frank Sanchez: Creeping Up On The Heavyweight Elite?

Fury, Usyk, Joshua, Parker, Wilder, Dubois; the names at the top of the heavyweight division and the ones that seem forever linked in a round robin. They mention each other on a regular basis, occasionally making way for former champion Andy Ruiz or Zhilei Zhang, but apparently stop short of peering outside of that bubble.

Cuban contender Frank Sanchez would love to be part of the “in-gang” but instead finds himself on the outside looking in. And despite being a part of the Day of Reckoning card in December, the attention was on four of the aforementioned. And afterwards, none of them mentioned sharing the ring with him. So, is he avoided, overlooked, or just plain ignored?

Born 18 July 1992 in Guantanamo, Cuba, Sanchez entered into boxing when he was just nine, as a way of coping with his poor environment. He developed into an outstanding amateur, becoming a Cuban national champion in 2015 with victory over future AIBA world champion Erislaney Lara. But despite this win, politics intervened, and Lara was selected for the Olympics.

By this time, Sanchez desire to become a professional took over. He departed the amateur ranks with a highly impressive 214-6 record before defecting with his brother Martinez, a former fighter. They boarded a hover boat, first stopping in Mexico, before landing in Miami. However, he ended up in Las Vegas on the advice that if he wanted to make it as a pro, then that was the place to be.

He made his debut on 22 September 2017, stopping one Justin Thornton in 92 seconds. He won his next five, all by stoppage, all bar one in the opening round, before his fight with Lamont Capers was ruled a no-contest after Capers was pushed out of the ring after excessively holding in round two, leaving him unable to continue.

Sanchez won his next six, four inside schedule, before meeting Victor Bisbal for the vacant WBO NABO heavyweight trinket, which he claimed with a fourth round retirement. He retained the title with a ten round points win over Jack Mulowayi, setting up a shot at the vacant WBC Continental Americas title against the seasoned Joey Dawejko.

It was a dominant performance from the Cuban, as he kept the six inch shorter Dawejko at distance, taking a lopsided unanimous decision. He won his next two by stoppage, then won a technical decision over Nagy Aguilera, before facing his biggest test to date, against fellow unbeaten prospect Efe Ajagba.

The pair were brought together on 9 October 2021, showcased on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder III. And it was Sanchez who impressed, knocking down his heavy-handed rival on his way to a unanimous ten round decision. He was now becoming noticed.

But there was still no rushing as he continued on his path. He outpointed Christian Hammer next, then stopped Carlos Negron in nine. Keeping active, he stopped Daniel Martz in one, then came through a brief scare against Scott Alexander when he was staggered and hurt early before securing a four round retirement win.

His latest appearance, on the aforementioned Day of Reckoning card in Saudi Arabia, saw him methodically break down Junior Fa before stopping him in the seventh, raising his record to 24-0-1 NC, 17 by KO.

Standing 6ft 4ins, the Eddy Reynoso trained fighter has a relaxed and fluid style, molded from the smooth Cuban school of boxing. He works behind a strong jab, setting up his powerful overhand right. His combination and body work are also impressive.

Whilst there are still question marks around his punch resistance, he has shown his toughness and determination when under fire, as displayed in the Alexander fight, and will ruthlessly finish off any opponent he has in trouble.

With Usyk and Fury set to meet in February to unify the title, and now the announcement that Joshua will fight 0-1 former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, with Parker vs Zhang on the undercard in March, Sanchez once again finds himself on the peripheral.

He’s hoping for a spot on the Joshua card and who the thirty one year old faces in the opposite corner really doesn’t matter. He has made it clear that he will meet whoever is willing to face him.

The end goal is the same as his fellow contenders; the heavyweight title. Whether he gets a chance to fight an undisputed champion, which realistically appears unlikely, or he ends up fighting for a vacant title, Sanchez could very well turn out to be a big part in the future of the division. Especially if he can get that one chance to prove it.

Dean Berks

Previous articles on http://www.bluecornerboxing@wordpress.com

Xander Zayas: Climbing The Junior Middleweight Ladder

Hot prospect Xander Zayas continues his journey towards contender status when he meets Spain’s Jorge Fortea over ten rounds on 9 December in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

The 21 year old is unbeaten at 17-0, with 11 KO’s, and is aiming to make a statement against Fortea that will help launch him into a more prosperous 2024.

Having signed his first professional contract with Top Rank at the tender age of sixteen, Zayas has been moved and developed against the right opponents as he not only settles into a more professional style, but also as his body physically grows and develops, gaining his “man-strength”, as the saying goes.

Fortea will be only his second ten rounder. If he wins, it will be another step on a journey to become a world champion that began when he was five years old.

Born 5 September 2002 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Zayas mother was the one who was responsible for introducing him to boxing when she took him to the gym so he could defend himself from bullies. He won his first bout, aged six, and dominated the youth scene, winning five national titles.

His family moved to Sunrise, Florida, when he was eleven, and he joined the Centeno Sweatbox gym. After his first trainer passed away, Zayas started training under gym owner Javiel Centeno, a highly regarded trainer who had been mentored by Hall of Famer Angelo Dundee. Centeno, in Zayas own words, “Perfected his style.” He improved him technically, spending time working on each individual punch, combinations, head movement, and footwork.

Zayas continued his career with the aim being to return to Puerto Rico when he was eighteen and turn professional. But in 2018, a new age requirement meant that he would have to be nineteen to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. And with a dispute between the AIBA and IOC casting a huge doubt on boxing’s inclusion in the 2024 games, Zayas decided it was the right time to turn professional. He left the unpaid code as an eleven-time Puerto Rican champion and two-time United States champion.

Top Rank won the race for his signature, becoming their youngest ever signing. Zayas decision was also influenced by his fellow countryman and four-division champion Miguel Cotto, whom he idolised when growing up and had also fought under the Top Rank banner.

Head-honcho Bob Arum praised his latest addition, emphasizing his maturity, intelligence, and overall talent. However, he urged caution, understanding that the young fighter was a work in progress and would need developing as such.

He made his debut on 26 October 2019, with a first round stoppage of Genesis Wynn. Zayas saw out the year with another first round win and then fought four times in 2020. He was being matched with solid opposition and went through 2021 with six wins.

He entered 2022 with a 12-0, 9 KO’s, record and moved up to eight rounders, starting with Quincy LaVallais, winning on points. The opposition was moved up a notch when he met Elias Espadas, who had previously held the WBO Latino belt up at middleweight. But Zayas proved a different class, stopping his outgunned opponent in five whilst collecting his first belt, the WBO NABO title. The year finished with a points win over tough Mexican Alexis Salazar Flores, adding a second minor trinket, the NABF title.

Zayas didn’t have his first outing until June this year, when he outpointed Ronald Cruz over eight. However, his next appearance in September really started to confirm his potential. In his first ten rounder, he dissected Robert Valenzuela Jr. in five, displaying patience and maturity beyond his years as he selected his punches thoughtfully and methodically. It was impressive stuff.

Standing 5 ft 10 inches tall and with a 74-inch reach, Zayas has a frame that could certainly see him move upwards through the middleweight and super middleweight divisions.

Whilst not a devastating puncher, he can certainly do damage with sharp, crisp shots, and these may have more effect as he improves, grows, and starts to really sit down on his punches. The influence of Cotto, plus other notable champions from his country, are evident in his style. Whether he can reach their lofty heights remains to be seen.

Jermall Charlo still sits as the division leader, holding the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, although Tim Tszyu, the WBO champion, will dispute that. But if Charlo decides to go to middleweight, the belts will become up for grabs. Zayas is ranked in the WBC top 15 and has an inflated number 5 ranking with the WBO, but he is still a little way off from challenging for any of these. But a strong 2024 could ultimately change that.

There’s no denying that the jump from prospect to contender to champion has become a lot more undemanding over the years. But for those fighters that do tread a more patient and testing path, the rewards can be far greater. They may even end up being revered in the same manner as their countrymen before them. For Xander Zayas, that would be the icing on the cake.

Dean Berks

(previous articles on http://www.bluecornerboxing@wordpress.com)

What’s the first impression you want to give people?

I’m sorry, I don’t do impressions 🤣🤣🤣

Nashville: The Dream

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Nashville, Tennesse. I’ve never been, not yet anyway, but this City sits firmly at the top of my list. Great music, amazing scenery and history, and the legendary Broadway Street, with its amazing bars and restaurants. I mean, check it out:

Light-Heavyweight Champion Charles Williams: The Prince Who Became King

Respect, appreciation, and love can all be displayed in various ways. For the residents of Mansfield, Ohio, theirs was to name a street after one of their favourite, adopted sons. A former champion who, each time he fought, proudly announced his alignment with this small city and then proceeded to carry himself with a dignity and professionalism that, at times, seemed to be part of a bygone era. For “Prince” Charles Williams, it was the ultimate honour.

Born 2 June 1962, in Colombus, Mississippi, Williams, one of nine children, became a  Mansfield resident when his mother uprooted her family and made the 700-mile journey when he was seven years old.

But those times were tough. “Nine kids and a single mother,” he recalled, “She didn’t give us everything we needed.”

His boxing journey started when, aged 14, he followed his elder brother Joe to a laundromat on Park Avenue West that had a gym at the back. It was a place where he could release his frustrations as he was always fighting at school.

“I just loved to fight,” he said. It was this desire, plus “whooping’s” he was taking off of his older sister, that fuelled his ambition.

But like all beginners, he had to take his licks to progress.

“I got in the ring and sparred with them, and they beat me up,” he said, “I told them ‘one day, I’m going to pay ya’ll back’. From that day on, I trained harder and harder. And within six months, I was king of the gym.”

He compiled a 34-2 amateur record and was a runner-up to once-touted Tony Ayala at the 1977 Junior Olympics.

Leaving school at 16, he turned professional the same year, making his debut on 28 June 1978.

“I put my age up to 18,” he said when turning over. “I told them (the authorities) that I was 18 but turned pro at 16”.

Welcome To The Pro’s

But it was no surprise that at such a young age, he would lose his debut, being outpointed over four by one Henry Brunch. A draw over four with Michael Hardin followed before he gathered a little momentum, scoring six wins, four inside schedule, before settling for another draw with Hardin.

Three fights later, Williams suffered his second defeat when he was stopped in six by a then unbeaten Jeff Lampkin. He fought only once each in ’81 and ’82, before starting 1983 in the most brutal way when he was stopped in the opening stanza by Reggie Gross.

But in those days, this tough matchmaking helped the development of a young fighter and was considered part of learning the trade. And for Williams, this would prove invaluable.

The “tough love” started paying off, and he returned to the winning column three months later, snapping the unbeaten record of Anthony Witherspoon on points. It was this victory that saw his career start to move in the right direction after attracting the attention of an admirer.

Jerry Stapleton was new to the game and contacted Williams about becoming his manager. Knowing he was unhappy with his current team, she offered to buy his contract.

“It took about a year, a year-and-a-half, before we really got a fight,” he recalled, “She didn’t really know what she was doing. She wanted to get into boxing and give me an opportunity.”

Williams won their first fight together, stopping Clarence Osby in two. But it was his performance in his next fight that really put him in the shop window.

Impressing In Defeat

Marvin “Pops” Johnson was not only a former two-time light-heavyweight champion but also one of the toughest and most tenacious fighters who was part of the late 1970s golden era. An aggressive, high-pressure southpaw, he had compiled a 35-5, 28 KO’s, record and was vastly more experienced than his 22 year old opponent.

Johnson controlled their meeting on 8 November 1984, but Williams demonstrated enough potential to suggest that he had a promising future in front of him.

Against his relentless opponent, he displayed both a strong jab and right hand, although the in-fighting and sharp combinations that would become synonymous with him were yet to be fully developed. He even had Johnson in trouble in the last round, but in the end, it wasn’t enough as he dropped a unanimous decision.

However, Johnson’s promoter Russell Peltz was impressed with the youngsters showing and offered to promote him. He also told him he needed a good trainer, pairing him up with Marty Feldman in Philadelphia. From here, things started to come together.

He won his next seven, four inside the distance, including gaining revenge with a points win over Jeff Lampkin, who would go on to become IBF cruiserweight champion. In September of 1986, he outpointed James Salerno to capture the USBA title, then retained it with a second round TKO of Joe Golphin.

His impressive run had led to becoming the number one contender with the IBF. All that stood in his way now was a destructive punching and hugely popular champion, who was also regarded as the best light-heavyweight in the world.

Coronation

Bobby Czyz (32-1, with 23 KO’s) had been on an unbeaten run at middleweight before losing on points to top contender Mustafa Hamsho. Moving up in weight, he reestablished himself before ripping the IBF title away from the unbeaten Slobodan Kacar via a fifth round stoppage. His power had been evident in his three defences that had won all inside the distance. He had his eye on his fellow champions and was expected to retain.

The fight was the co-main event to Thomas Hearns bid to become the first fighter to win world titles in four divisions against Juan Roldan. On 29 October 1987, at the Hilton, Las Vegas, the crowd was treated to a memorable night of boxing.

The opener was a feeling out round, with both utilising strong jabs. Round two followed the same pattern until, with five seconds remaining, Czyz exploded with a booming right hand that buckled Williams legs before two follow-up shots sent him hurtling to the canvas. He dragged himself up but was clearly on another planet as he used the ropes to steady himself.

Williams corner worked frantically to revive their fighter as the bell sounded to start the third. Czyz pounced, the scent of a knockout victory filling his nostrils. And it didn’t take long before a left hook right hand combination sent a still shaken Williams careening into the ropes, which prevented him from touching the canvas again. Another count was issued as Williams’ challenge appeared to be coming to an end.

Czyz backed him to the ropes, giving him no route to escape as he pounded away. But showing astonishing recovery, Williams started to punch back, snapping back the champion’s head with right uppercuts. Incredibly, the tide started to turn as Williams landed long rights, driving Czyz back. It was a stunning turnaround and one of the rounds of the year.

Williams was now in control. His snapping jab started to cause a swelling above Czyz right eye, and his uppercut was now a proving a successful weapon of choice.

With each passing round the eye worsened as Williams broke the champion down. Reduced to a one-eyed fighter, Czyz was unable to cope with Williams onslaught as round nine ticked down, being driven back with powerful right hands.

The doctors intervention was a mere formality as he retired in his corner. Williams had done it. He was the new IBF light-heavyweight champion of the world.

Reminiscing about that night, Williams mentioned the training and preparation he went through;

“I was in camp three months for that fight. That was my big opportunity to fight for the world title. I sparred Bert Cooper, Nate Miller, and Bernard Hopkins. Cooper was a cruiserweight then, as was Miller. Hopkins back then, he was my sparring partner for years. He was just coming up as a fighter himself back then.”

But getting his fellow champions to share the ring with him was proving difficult, so after a non-title win, he took his title on a trip to Europe.

France was the destination, and he made his first defence on 10 June 1988, dropping Richard Caramanolis (36-2-2, 25 KO’s) three times for an eleventh round TKO. Three months later, he knocked out the outgunned Rufino Angulo (29-12-3, 14 KO’s) in three before returning to the States.

A non-title win set up a rematch with Czyz. The former champion had gone just 2-2 since they last met, dropping decisions to Dennis Andries and, last time out, Virgil Hill for the WBA title. Williams desperately wanted to unify but wanted to stay active and earn.

Rematch

This meeting, on 25 June 1989 at the Atlantic City Convention Centre, was another closely fought fight. The pair took the action to the inside, setting a frantic pace. The rounds swung back and forth with exciting two-way exchanges.

Williams controlled round six as Czyz started to show swelling around his left eye, courtesy of Williams’ right hand. But Czyz came right back in round seven as the fight intensified.

Then, as round eight entered the last half-minute, Williams broke through when a short right buckled Czyz’s knees, sending him across the ring and onto the canvas. He got up but was down again, almost immediately from a barrage. The bell sounded before Williams could finish the job.

But Czyz showed why he had been so highly rated when he took the fight straight to Williams, backing him up and connecting with overhand rights. Williams fired right back as the crowd voiced their approval.

The eye damage that Williams had inflicted became even more problematic for Czyz in the tenth, and it was no real surprise when the fight was halted at the end of the round. It had been a tough defence.

Looking back on his fights with Czyz, Williams had this to say about his rival:

“I can’t take nothing away from him, he was a tough, tough fighter. I just had his number; I was just too good a boxer for him. I would say Czyz was up there as far as the best I fought, him and Marvin Johnson.”

He started off 1990 with an eight round beat-down of Frankie Swindell (18-3, 1NC, 13 KO’s). Talk had turned to a planned unification tournament against fellow titlist’s Virgil Hill (WBA), Michael Moorer (WBO), and Dennis Andries (WBC). Moorer was to be first in line, and both appeared on the same card in Detroit on 21 August, participating in non-title fights to promote their meeting. Williams dispatched Bert Gravely in three whilst Moorer did the same with Jim MacDonald.

Disappointingly, the tournament never happened.

“I really wanted the fights with Moorer and Andries,” said Williams. “I met with Moorer and Emanuel Steward, and I signed the contract to fight Moorer. Two weeks later, Steward called me and said he didn’t want the fight. So they paid me $40,000 to get out of the contract. I needed those fights to get the stardom. I couldn’t get anyone to fight me in the U.S.”

It explained his lacklustre showing in his next fight against adopted Italian Mwehu Beya (14-6-4, 8 KO’s). No doubt under-motivatated by this fall through, Williams tired badly towards the end, winning a unanimous decision.

He made three straight defences of his title to see out 1991, scoring three early stoppages of moderate opposition. James Kinchen (47-7-2, 32 KO’s) was dispatched in two, Vincent Boulware (23-3-1, 17 KO’s) was knocked out in three, and Freddie Delgado (19-1-1, 18 KO’s) was hammered in two.

But three breaks and three operations on his left hand kept him out of the ring for 18 months. And it was this inactivity that was arguably responsible for his downfall.

Ex-Champion

His first fight back on 20 March 1993 saw him put his title on the line against unbeaten German Henry Maske. Maske (19-0, 9 KO’s) was a decorated amateur, his career punctuated with a gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. A tall, rangy southpaw, he was difficult to hit cleanly with his upright European style.

From the very beginning of their meeting in Germany, Williams sluggishness was obvious to see. His work looked forced as he struggled to gain a foothold. Maske’s clever boxing was proving highly effective. As the rounds went by, Williams fell further behind. After twelve rounds, a unanimous decision saw him separated from his title. Maske was the new champion.

Back in the role of contender, Williams was eager to make up for lost time and put himself back in line for another title tilt.

He stopped Art Bayliss in seven, then forced Booker. T. Word to retire after two rounds. He then captured the minor WBC Continental Americas title with a tenth round stoppage of unbeaten Ernest Mateen (21-0-1, 7 KO’s). However, the reigning champions were reluctant to put their titles on the line against him. And Williams desperately craved that big name opponent. So he took the unusual step of looking 7lbs south of the light-heavyweight division.

James Toney was riding high on most experts pound for pound list. A throwback, not only did he keep active with non-title fights, but his skill-set was reminiscent of fighters from a golden era. Having established himself as the world’s premier middleweight, he had moved up to the 168lbs division and battered Iran Barkley to win the IBF title.

However, rumours of Toney’s weight-making were rife. He also had a pencilled in blockbuster fight with IBF middleweight champion Roy Jones Jr., providing he beat Williams.

Williams knew this was possibly his last chance to crack the big-time, aware that victory could snag him the Jones opportunity. But the question was, how much would reducing to twelve stone affect him?

Lights Out

Their clash at the MGM Grand, on 29 July 1994, was an absorbing one. Williams set the pace, crowding Toney (43-0-2, 28 KO’s) and working relentlessly on the inside. But his power, so prevalent at the higher division, combined with Toney’s outstanding defence, was showing little evidence of having any real impact.

Still, after five rounds, his workrate had built up a slender lead. That started to change once Toney established some space. Williams started to take more punches as he started to show signs of fatigue. He tried to bring the action up close again, but the champion was now in a groove.

Heading into the final round, Williams was behind on the cards, but a moral victory of lasting the distance just wasn’t in his nature. He pressed Toney, desperately trying to turn things around, battling against his own dwindling exhaustion.

Then, with just under half a minute left on the clock, Toney detonated a crunching right hand on Williams jaw. Williams body bent backwards, like a willow in the wind, before crashing flat onto the canvas. He barely made it onto his hands and knees before the referee reached the count of ten. It was a crushing defeat.

“I made more from that fight than when I was champ,” he said. “By me moving down to super middleweight, I just didn’t have the power I needed. I hadn’t been that size since I was fifteen years old. I had six good rounds in me. I knew that if I couldn’t get him within six, I wouldn’t win the fight. He wasn’t a big puncher. I just got tired, and he caught me. I would have schooled him at 175”.

Williams returned to the light-heavyweight division for his next fight six months later. Facing him would be Merqui Sosa, a heavy-handed fighter from the Dominican Republic. Up for grabs was the vacant NABF title.

Too Brutal

This meeting on 13 January 1995 in Atlantic City created its own bit of history when it was halted by the ringside doctor who declared that BOTH fighters were unable to continue.

It was trench warfare from the start. Uppercuts and hooks were ferociously exchanged as each participant attempted to hammer the other into defeat.

Williams was cut early with Sosa (24-4-1, 20 KO’s), starting to feel the intensity of the fight by the fifth, with his eye beginning to swell. It was an incredible battle of wills and determination.

The seventh would be the final round, and it would prove a revealing one. Sosa, despite still taking stick, was really working Williams over. It appeared that a hard career was finally catching up with the man from Ohio. At the end of the round, the doctor decided that neither man could continue and a technical draw was called.

“They said I was cut too bad and his eye was shut,” said Williams when talking about that night. “They never warned me about the cut over my eye. I thought I was good to go. They just stopped the fight because neither one of us could continue. We made history there, first fighters to ever do it.”

End Of The Road

Five months later, on 30 June at the PA Convention Centre, Philadelphia, the much anticipated rematch took place.

Once again, the pair waged war. But time was ticking for Williams. Having battled on equal footing, Williams dramatically came apart in round ten. Caught on the ropes, a barrage of punches had him wavering in no man’s land before he was rescued by the referee. His time as a contender was over.

“I had been doing it for nineteen years and I knew it was time to retire,” he said of the defeat. “I always prayed to God and said when I’m 31, I’ll retire. When I got past 31, that’s when everything started happening to me, and I woke up and said, “OK God, I hear you, and I’m going to let it go.”

There was one final appearance in the ring, a routine second round knockout in France in 1996. And that was that. Williams retired. His final record: 37-7-3, with 28 KO’s.

Despite being champion for half a decade, he was unable to entice any of the other names in his division to step in to the ring with him. It clearly frustrated this proud warrior;

“Tommy Hearns was a guy I really wanted to fight. I had Moorer and Virgil Hill on my list, and I knew a win over Hearns would have been big for me. I called him out, but he never wanted it. I was too good for my own good. I was too dangerous.”

Happy in retirement, Williams spends time at his local church and helping the local community.

“I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world,” he said, “It’s been beautiful. I rededicated myself to my Lord. I work with the church, helping the pastor.”

But he still keeps a toe in boxing, using the sport to help guide a new generation.

“I work with the kids. I do an after-school boxing program Monday – Thursday.”

He knows the benefits of boxing and how it changed his outlook to life.

“When you get in that fight, when you spar and hit that bag, it calms you down. I quit wanting to fight in the street. I just wanted to fight in the ring.”

And that he did. Giving his all, and then some, as he cemented his place as one of the best fighters of his generation.

Dean Berks

Previous articles at http://www.bluecornerboxing@wordpress.com

New Faces: Kyle Davies

Kyle with co-manager/trainer Joe Eccleston

Stoke-on-Trent is primarily known for being the World Ceramics capital, the birthplace of singer Robbie Williams, and the home of the Championship football club of the same name, aptly nicknamed “The Potters”. What it is not particularly famous for, however, is being a hotbed of boxing. It has had its moments, with the late Chris Edwards capturing British and Commonwealth honours at flyweight and light-flyweight, and Scott Lawton becoming English lightweight champion. But there is one young fighter eager to change that, with his goals not only being to equal the achievements of his peers but to surpass them. That young man’s name is Kyle Davies.

Davies began his boxing journey when he was 15 years old, boxing out of Lawton”s Longton gym. A great place to start, especially with Lawton being his cousin. It was there he met Joe Eccleston, who still continues to train him, and is also his co-manager.

A brief seven bout amateur career, punctuated with a silver medal at the Haringey Box Cup, followed. But the politics of amateur boxing changed the direction of where he was heading. Despite impressing those at England squad training sessions, Davies was told that he required further bouts and experience before he would be considered for selection. Disheartened by hearing this, and having been influenced by watching Anthony Yarde train at the Peacock gym in London, he decided to turn professional.

Originally, the plan was to make the switch in 2020. But having spent 18 months adjusting his style to suit the professional ranks, Covid struck, and that time turned into 3 years. He finally made his debut in March 2022, outpointing Daryl Sharp over four. With dates for shows falling through, he had to wait until April this year to box again, outpointing Zane Clark over four.

But aiding his in-ring education has been extensive sparring and training sessions in camp with the aforementioned Yarde. He was actually Yarde’s main sparring partner for his fight with Beterbiev. He has also spent valuable learning time with Lyndon Arthur, Callum Johnson, and Shakan Pitters.

Davies changed his management team after the Clark fight, with Eccleston and Tunde Ajayi taking over the reigns. Ajayi previously named him as one of the top prospects in the country in the Boxing News publication.

With a style heavily influenced by Yarde and all-time great James Toney, Davies and his team aim to start making some noise over the next 12 – 18 months, with the immediate aim to gain momentum with greater activity.

He’s currently boxing at light-heavyweight, but the aim is to bring his frame down to the super middleweight limit in his pursuit of titles.

He is hoping to get out again in September.

You can follow and support him on the Facebook pages:

Kyle davies boxing & Bluestone Boxing Club.

Any enquiries contact : joe@bluestoneboxingclub.com

Dean Berks

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