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Mexico and Puerto Rico: The Fiercest of Fierce Rivalries

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On June 8, 1969, the soccer teams of El Salvador and Honduras met in the first leg of a two-legged qualifier for the next World Cup. The match took place in the shadow of growing tensions between the neighbors; after Honduras won 1-0 in the capital Tegucigalpa, El Salvador fans set fire to the stadium.

A week later, El Salvador won the return match, held in the capital, San Salvador, 3-0. The previous evening, Salvadoran fans had rioted outside the hotel where the Honduran team was staying, resulting in several deaths. On the night of the match, the Salvadorans hung a sullied rag in place of the Honduran flag at the stadium.

Anti-Salvadoran riots broke out in Honduras as a result of the match, and on June 26, El Salvador severed diplomatic relations, claiming that 12,000 Salvadorans had been forced to leave Honduras following the match.

The situation became increasingly tense as the two countries engaged in border skirmishes in the following weeks until war broke out on July 14.

The conflict did not last long: it ended after just a few days following a ceasefire negotiated by the Organization of American States.

Still, when it comes to sports rivalries, the “Football War” (or Soccer War, if you prefer) is a prime example: two nations that were already at odds with each other were drawn into a sports conflict and it escalated into a real conflict.

There is no shortage of sporting rivalries between nations that are at least partly driven by broader geopolitical factors, historical grievances or generations of war.

Sure, the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” is still celebrated in the United States in part because a mostly amateur hockey team defeated the professional powerhouse Soviet Union, but the incident really resonated most for its context: It occurred at the height of the Icy War, when the U.S. administration was considering boycotting the Summer Olympics in Moscow over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

If you want a true taste of newfangled sports rivalry, how about a cricket match between India and Pakistan, two nations that hate each other with the heat of a thousand suns? Or any sporting event between Kosovo and Serbia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, or, someday in the future, when and if current hostilities cease, Russia and Ukraine.

In that context, the much-hyped Mexico-Puerto Rico boxing rivalry, the latest chapter of which will be played out on September 14 between Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga, is a different story entirely.

There is no particular animosity between the two nations, no history of conflict, colonialism, or conquest. As has been widely noted, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans are more likely to root for each other against a team or athlete from the United States. But inside the squared circle, it has become the ultimate rivalry, the epitome of boxing competition, not least because both Mexico and Puerto Rico have a history of producing exhilarating, high-quality boxers. The rivalry may have no geopolitical or historical basis, but it has become a source of pride for both sides and has led to many memorable fights.

But a national sports rivalry doesn’t have to be fueled by generations of resentment or the threat of future war to be electrifying. Consider, for example, the following, all of which are among the best the rivalry has ever produced:

Sixto Escobar KO9 Rodolfo Casanova

Decades before the Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry was officially called, Puerto Rican Escobar had wrested the bantamweight world title from Mexican Casanova on neutral territory in Montreal. In a thrilling fight, Escobar knocked Casanova down in the third round, and although the Mexican managed to regain his balance, Escobar scored an uppercut in the ninth round to become the island’s first world champion.

Salvador Sanchez KO8 Wilfredo Gomez

There had been a number of notable clashes between Mexican and Puerto Rican boxers leading up to the 1981 featherweight title fight (Sanchez himself had defeated Juan Laporte the year before, and Gomez had defeated Carlos Zarate in 1978, to name a few), but there’s no denying that this event truly kicked off the rivalry as we know it today.

Both men were already huge stars in their homelands when Don King put them together at Caesars Palace in “The Battle of the Little Giants.” Fans, promoters and television executives noticed the lively, clamorous crowds and the tense atmosphere at ringside and vowed to leverage the Latin—and especially Mexican and Puerto Rican—fan bases to greater ends. In the fight itself, Sanchez defeated Gomez by eighth-round technical knockout, handing the Puerto Rican his first defeat and retaining his crown.

Wilfredo Gomez KO14 Lupe Pintor

Gomez got his revenge of sorts the following year, defending his 122-pound title. In a mesmerizing, brutal fight, he and Pintor traded power, with Gomez doing most of the damage in the first half of the fight and Pintor calmly fighting his way back into contention. In round 14, Gomez seemed exhausted, with one eye closed, until a left-to-the-body/right-over-the-top combination suddenly dropped Pintor for the first time in the fight. Pintor won, but Gomez knocked him down again, and the referee stepped in to stop the great fight.

Julio Cesar Chavez by TKO11 Edwin Rosario

If Sanchez and Gomez lit the match, Chavez and Rosario added fuel to the fire.

“Puerto Ricans talk too much,” Chavez said earlier. “They’re always bragging, they’re always saying, ‘I’m going to crush you, I’m going to knock you out,’ but then they can’t back it up. Rosario has a massive mouth, and the people around him have massive mouths.”

“I’ll send you back to Mexico in a box, you coward!” Rosario snapped in response.

Unfortunately for Rosario and Puerto Rico, this lightweight title fight for Rosario was arguably Chavez’s finest moment, as he broke Rosario, battered him and stopped him in the 11th round.t.

Felix Trinidad TKO4 Yory Boy Campas

Both men were unbeaten – Campas 56-0, Trinidad 23-0 – when they met at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for Trinidad’s welterweight title. In the second round, Campas’ left hook knocked Trinidad down by the seat of his pants, and when he was hurt again in the third, Trinidad landed a low blow – twice – that earned a reprimand and a point deduction. A seemingly furious Trinidad dominated the rest of the round, then stopped Campas in the fourth with a furious flurry of punches.

Jorge Arce TKO 12 Wilfredo Vasquez Jr

With a record of 56-6-2, Arce was seven years removed from the pinnacle of world championship glory, but he managed to put in another great performance against the younger Vasquez, son of Puerto Rican legend Wilfredo Vasquez Sr. A fourth-round knockdown – the first of Arce’s career – suggested that luck was on the youngster’s side, but Arce refused to be deterred and called on years of experience and determination to outwork and outwork Vasquez, eventually knocking him out before the Puerto Rican’s corner threw in the towel.

Antonio Margaret TKO11 Michael Cotto

Miguel Cotto by TKO 9 Antonio Margarito

When it comes to the level of pure malice, few rivalries involving members of any nationality can match this one. Cotto was undefeated and in the best shape of his life when he faced Margarito in Las Vegas in 2008; and he started off sturdy, boxing beautifully and building a lead on the scorecards until Margarito’s relentless pressure took over, took the fight away from Cotto and caused him to surrender in the 11th round.t.

One fight later, Margarito was knocked out by Shane Mosley and engaged in a dispute over illegal hand wraps, leaving Cotto furiously believing that his defeat to the Mexican was achieved through nefarious means.

When they met in a rematch at Madison Square Garden three years later, Margarito’s right eye had been damaged by Manny Pacquiao’s fists; Cotto relentlessly targeted the same eye and forced the doctor to stop the fight between the eighth and ninth rounds. The gathered Puerto Rican fans celebrated wildly, both inside and outside the renowned arena.

Whether Saul Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga can put on a performance that matches or even comes close to those above, or any other great fight between their countrymen, remains to be seen. However, fans of both sides and neutrals alike will be hoping that this will at least be competitive and engaging, and provide further evidence that national boxing rivalries do not need the threat of pushing two countries into war to be worthy of recognition and celebration.

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George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former 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.

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Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One 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.

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Lauren Price looks to win Jonas vs Habazin with an undercard victory

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Lauren Price

Lauren Price MBE will defend her world title for the first time on Saturday, December 14 at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool, while the Welsh champion plans to stage an all-British unification clash with welterweight rival Natasha Jonas, which will headline the Collision Course that night.

Price defends her WBA welterweight title against undefeated Colombian challenger Bexcy Mateus on the same night as Jonas attempts to unify the IBF and WBC titles with Ivana Habazin as part of BOXXER’s ‘Collision Course’ fight night, which can be seen live and exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK UK and Ireland and Peacock in the US.

Price MBE (7-0, 1 KO) made history with an excellent performance, defeating former undisputed welterweight world ruler Jessica McCaskill in front of her fans in Cardiff in May.

Price, the first Welsh boxer to win Olympic gold, once again entered the record books by becoming the country’s first world champion in just her seventh professional fight. The 30-year-old from Ystrad Mynach, who has yet to lose a round as a professional, will now defend her world titles for the first time as she focuses on dominating the welterweight division.

Mateus (7-0, 6 KO), ranked No. 5 in the WBA rankings, is undefeated in the professional ranks and has won all but one of her seven fights by knockout. The 29-year-old from Bogota, fighting outside her native Colombia for the first time, will now have her first chance at global fame, with her goal to dethrone Price and take the top spot in the welterweight division.

Lauren Price said: “I’m excited to defend my belts and complete what has been an crucial year for me. I have full respect for Mateusz. I will prove that I am the best in the division and I will not let anything or anyone stand in my way of being undisputed.”

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “It’s a massive night for the women’s welterweight division with three world champions competing. Natasha Jonas returns to her hometown for a mandatory unification fight against Ivana Habazin, and Lauren Price defends her world titles against undefeated challenger Bexcy Mateus. The fight for the undisputed continues. If Natasha and Lauren win on December 14, it will set the stage for a massive “Battle Of Britain” world title unification fight next year.

There’s reason to celebrate as BOXXER delivers a Christmas cracker to end the year. In addition to the world championship fights between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price, fight fans can expect a gala full of drama and entertainment.

Undefeated Irishman Stephen McKenna (15-0, 14 KO) will face English champion Lee Cutler (14-1, 7 KO) in an invigorating super welterweight fight for the silver WBC International title.

McKenna impressed fans in his three-round fight against Joe Laws last August at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. The two struck out in the first round, then McKenna began to apply the pressure, losing Laws three more times and maintaining his undefeated record after a third-round stoppage.

English cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley (11-0, 6 KO) returns to action from a rib injury that has kept him out of the ring since a career-best victory over Mikael Lawal in March. Riley will be looking to shake off the ring rust as he takes on high-profile opponents in the recent year.

Undefeated Chorley super middleweight Mark Jeffers (18-0, 5 KO) scored an explosive fifth-round knockout victory over Darren Johnston in May and will be looking to bring more drama to Liverpool’s Exhibition Center as he goes in search of his 19th professional win.

Mason Cartwright (20-4-1, 8 KO) from Cheshire, a former two-time British title challenger from Ellesmere Port, will be counting on local support as he returns to the title track.

After signing a promotional contract with BOXXER, local star Frankie Stringer (8-0, 1 KO) can achieve his third victory in 2024, when he returns in front of his fans in Liverpool. The 23-year-old lightweight fighter is a player of the notable city team Rotunda ABC, and his manager is former world champion Liam Smith.

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