Boxing
BrianNorman Jr. says fans haven’t seen his best form yet before the fight with Giovani Santillan
Published
6 months agoon
By
J. HumzaWelterweight prospect Brian Norman Jr. Photo courtesy of Brian Norman Jr.
Brian Norman Jr. there is no lack of self-confidence.
Even though he hasn’t fought a legitimate fighter at 147 pounds, Norman is confident that his skills and those of his father, a former fighter, will be enough to defeat challenger Giovani Santillan.
Norman will face Santillan tonight at Pechanga Arena in Santillan’s hometown of San Diego, California. The 12-round fight will precede the main event between Emanuel Navarrete and Denys Berinchyk, who will fight for the vacant WBO lightweight world title.
Both fights will be broadcast live on ESPN (10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT).
The stakes will be even higher in the fascinating clash between Santillan and Norman. The WBO announced Thursday that his interim welterweight belt would be up for grabs.
Norman (25-0, 1 No Contest, 19 KO), of Conyers, Georgia, fought no contest in the third round after opponent Janelson Figueroa Bocachica suffered a grave cut above his left eye, forcing the ring doctor to stop the fight overdue in the third round. Norman went down at the end of the first round and had to deal with a cut left eyelid as a result of an accidental clash of heads.
The 23-year-old will take a grave step in the rivalry with Santillan, who has an impressive knockout victory over Alexis Rocha on October 21. Santillan, 32, is ranked No. 4 by The Ring at 147 pounds and is co-trained by Robert Garcia.
As of Friday night, Santillan was a -475 favorite to win. Despite the odds, fighting in his hometown of Santillana and making significant progress, Norman believes he can achieve an upset victory.
“I’m approaching this as a real championship fight,” Norman told The Ring last week. “I approach it as if I were fighting for my life. I have bills to pay. I’m doing this because there’s no tomorrow. I’m pretty sure I’ll play the best you’ve seen from me.
“I think (Santillan) is a very great player, especially after his performance in Rocha. I want to take advantage of the fact that he’s standing in front of me. I believe I can do anything and everything that needs to happen. I’m Brian Norman Jr.”
Norman entered the Figueroa fight having won his three previous fights by decision. This is a far cry from winning fights through devastating knockouts or referees having to step in to save a fighter. The level of opposition increased, including modest opposition in the form of Jesus Perez and Quinton Randall.
Improving his skills was something Norman had to improve upon as he realized that knockout power was not the only way to win fights.
“Hitting demanding is frosty and elegant, but what if someone doesn’t care how you hit?” – said Norman, who signed a promotional contract with Top Rank last year. “I just feel like you have to (win) the round nicely. Sure, I’m proud of my power and stuff like that, but if you don’t land it, what then? If you actually land and they don’t care how demanding you hit, you won’t knock him out. Then what? You have to have your full game around you and I feel like I have my full game.
Norman benefited from being trained by his father, Brian Norman Sr. Norman Sr. amassed a record of 17-11, 5 KOs during a professional career that spanned from 2003-2011.
In a time when few father-son relationships work as a trainer and fighter, Norman Jr. he is grateful to have his father on his side.
“I think that’s the biggest facilitate,” Norman said. “No one can touch you as your dad. He’s the one who pushes me in the gym. I don’t care how tired I am. My dad is watching me. I have to move on. No matter what happens, I won’t bow down to him. He taught me the game early on. He instilled a lot of discipline and principles in me, both in and out of the ring. I have Norman blood in me. I got it from him. I have to show myself to him. I must be proud of his legacy. I am his legacy. We’re going to show up for it.”
Norman took steps to further improve his career by traveling to Las Vegas to face some of boxing’s top fighters in preparation for this fight. Norman was hoping to spar with former lightweight world title challenger Edwin De Los Santos and undefeated junior welterweight Alberto Puello.
While some may think he’s lost against fighters like Santillan, Norman is confident and believes he has the elusive elements to win.
“I know for sure that the fans definitely haven’t seen my best side yet. At all. Not 100 percent. I’m not a stuntman or anything like that. I’ll do my thing and get a W. Stuff like that. I know that after the final bell, as long as my hand is raised, I’m straight.
“I believe I am the best. That’s how I generally feel. I know for sure. I work demanding every day. I know every gym I go to, and if I work out with anyone, I know for a fact that for some reason I always outperform everyone else. And I do more. That’s why I feel this way. In every way, no matter what, no matter how much someone got, I got so much more from them.
“That’s why I feel this way.”
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Boxing
The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena
Published
36 minutes agoon
November 23, 2024In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).
The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00
“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”
Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.
“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.
Boxing
George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team
Published
18 hours agoon
November 23, 2024Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
Boxing
Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul
Published
2 days agoon
November 21, 2024One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena
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