CUERUS No. 175

The Drive of Fidel Navarrette

By Bill Hillmann

Kenneth Sims Jr. has lived a charmed life as a boxer. Mentored by his father from early age, Sims has developed incredible skill in the ring-compiling 171 victories and multiple-Junior National titles as an amateur. He was amongst the first to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Box-offs by winning the 132lb division of the National Police Athletic league tournament at the age of 16 this past fall. Heading into this year’s Chicago Golden Gloves Sims was not only favored to win the local Open Division title but was a favorite to bring home the National Golden Gloves crown at Lightweight as well. ESPN Chicago profiled Sims before the finals; in the article he was called a “(Floyd) Mayweather starter-kit” by Ted Gimza former co-owner of the Windy City Gym and a longtime board member of the Chicago Golden Gloves Charities. As you may have expected, there was a mass exodus of fighters from the 132lb open division heading into the Chicago Golden Gloves this year. One boxer didn’t flee the weight class for safer territory, a fighter by the name of Fidel Navarrette. “(Fighting Sims) was a perfect challenge,” said 20 year old Navarrette. Navarrette had treaded a much different path in his pugilistic career. A Mexican immigrant, Navarrette began boxing in the Mountainous region of Michoacán Mexico at the age of 14. He made the Michoacán traveling boxing team at 54kg. After his immigration to Chicago, Navarrette began training with his now head-coach Danny Escudero and later with Sam Colonna at Chicago Boxing Club. Fidel is a diligent gym-rat, consistently developing skills and pushing his endurance. In training he looks to be a slick, sharp, boxer-puncher though when he steps through the ropes a Mexican-style warrior erupts from within as he barrels ahead engaging in Eric Morales-esc exchanges. With all the buzz surrounding Sims, Navarrette wasn’t just battling an excellent boxer but a hype-machine, a mountain-range of confidence, and the aura of a fighter on an sizzling-hot streak of 19-straight wins. Mike Cericola (Fidel’s Friend/Manager) understood the circumstances and advised Navarrette that he needed to win every-single second of the bout in order secure the victory, and team Navarrette readied to do just that. In preparation for the bout Cericola, drove Navarrette to the Robert Taylor Homes on Chicago’s Southside to spar with the swift, Shawn Simpson in order to ready Navarrette for the national-caliber speed he was sure to encounter with Sims. “We watched a lot of tape and knew he would be a difficult, quick, south-paw with great defense. The only opening my coach and I saw was to the body,” said Navarrette. “Before the fight no one believed in me. Everyone in the crowd thought he would win.” From the opening bell Navarrette stepped straight to Sims and rattled off non-stop combinations, refusing to give the younger fighter even a millimeter of space to breath. Navarrette’s hooking body attack became the definitive storyline of the bout; and by the 2nd Sims began to wilt-fatigued by the constant barrage to his abdomen, ribs, and liver. With the stand’s cheering slowly swaying away from the favorite, Sims made an uncharacteristic mistake and delivered a deadening low-blow which sent Navarrette reeling to the canvas. Sensing it was a ploy on Sims’ part to catch a breather, Navarrette’s head-trainer Escudero screamed from the corner for Navarrette to ‘Get Up!’. Navarrette glanced over at his corner, took a deep breath, and struggled through the pain to his feet. The referee asked if Navarrette was sure he was ready to continue, Gordan Tech’s gymnasium was roaring as Navarrette nodded and the ref said ‘fight’. Navarrette pummeled Sims’s torso for the remainder of the bout and by the conclusion, the entire gymnasium was on their feet, roaring. The thunderous packed house at Gordan Tech was appeased as the decision went to the Cinderella story of this year’s Chicago Golden Gloves-Fidel Navarrette. When Navarrette was asked what he’d like to say to all of his naysayers now that he’s the Champ, he humbly and simply spoke, “They should never underestimate a contender because you just never know what can happen in the ring.” Due to a technicality Navarette will not compete at the National Golden Gloves, instead a humbled Kennith Sims Jr. will take his place and likely progress deep into the tournament, if not capture yet another National crown. In a few months Navarrette will make his professional début, some may say ‘he’s no Morales’ (and he may not be, just yet,). But as he embarks into prospect-land, high on his victory over an Olympic contender; Fidel Navarrette will do so backed by a distinguished amateur pedigree and a belief that anything can happen.

Collazo, Salita Victorious in Brooklyn

By Victoria “Vicky” Villa (Ringside)

Photos by George Jimenez

In front of a packed house at the Oceana Ballroom in Brooklyn, NY, Luis Collazo made his anticipated return to the ring after 2 years of inactivity. Collazo
(30-4, 15 KOs) who took on journeyman Franklin Gonzalez (13-8, 10 KOs)
from the Dominican Republic showed a few signs of ring rust but from
the starting bell stuck to his game plan and showed patience in the
ring. He was clearly the stronger man in the ring and went to work on his opponent’s body and often connected to the head. Finally in round 3
Gonzalez was weakened when Collazo connected with a barrage of body punches that dropped him twice before referee Estevez waved off the fight at 2:14 of the 3rd round.
Dmitry Salita (32-1,1 17 KOs) took on Ronnie Warrior Jr (13-4-1, 4 KOs) in a
fight were Salita was forced to work hard and use his boxing skills to
beat a very game Warrior. In the end Salita prevailed and won by unanimous decision. After 8 rounds the judges scores were 80-72, 80-72, 79-73.

Undercard

Hamid Abdul Mateen (1-1, 0 KOs) vs Bakari (0-1, 0 KOs) - Cruiserweight - 4 Rds All three judges scored the bout 40-36 all for the winner via unanimous decision Hamid Abdul - Mateen.
Rafael Vazquez (5-0, 3 KOs) vs Juan Luis Mendez (2-5-1, 0 KOs) - Super Featherweight - 6 Rds
Mendez's corner threw in the towel after Vazquez punished Mendez with body shots. Mendez wins by TKO at 1:48 of round 3
Mike Ruiz (11-4, 6 KOs) vs Gregory Hackett (2-7, 0 KOs) - Light Middleweight - 6 Rds
Ruiz wins via UD with scores of 60-53, 59-54, 58-55

Future Hall of Fame Boxers, or Faded Fighters?

Written By: Robert Ramos

April 16, 2011

As I watched the Erik Morales versus Marcos Maidana fight last night during a replay from last Saturdays April 9th live event for their WBA interim World light welterweight title battle, I was amazed at the intensity level that 34 year old Morales fought with, even though his right eye was completely closed shut from the punishing left hooks that he took from Maidana early in the fight. Even with his impairment, Morales at different times throughout the fight dominated the 27-year-old Maidana with strong stiff jabs and powerful combinations, he almost dropped Maidana in the 8^th round, when Morales landed a vicious left hook that buckled Maidana’s young legs, but Maidana was able to survive the round.

Morales also demonstrated his experience and speed that reminded us of a much younger Morales seen during his past famous battles against Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera. However, it was the never-ending, come forward onslaught by the younger, stronger and wild punching Maidana that convinced the judges to give Maidana the victory by majority decision.

Many fans in the audience and I believed that Morales won the fight because he landed the straighter and more effective punch combinations. Erik Morales deserves much credit for having proved that when he trains hard enough, even at his age, he can still be a very tough opponent in world-class matches.

If I had my wish, a perfect ending to finalize and complete Erik Morales’ boxing legacy, would have been to give Morales the well deserved technical victory for the Maidana fight, because he displayed the heart of a lion and a champion, then for Morales to finally and appropriately retire as the interim champion and place this victory in the history books and place the final diamond atop a crown that signifies Morales’ long and illustrious boxing career. Unfortunately, I have seen the same scenario over and over, where former great boxing champions feel the have one more fight left in them and think they can win another title belt, but only to continue down the path to a gloomy obscurity.

As once described by a former pro boxer that I knew, who won a U.S. national belt, “There is no greater feeling than training 3 months for a fight, and when fight night arrives, the splendor, hype, the attention of the media, fight fans and then the final walk into the ring, there is no feeling like it in the world! All eyes are on you and you are ready to fight and destroy the other fighter by sheer physical and mental will.”

I believe that many former world champions have experienced that same exact feeling and I believe that is what keeps boxers motivated other than the money; it’s a shame when the mind say’s yes and the body can no longer react to commands of the mind. A half second too slow, or the inability to move quickly away from a devastating punch is a punishment dished out by father time, not only to boxers, but also affects humanity in general, it’s inevitable.

Am I criticizing boxers for staying in the fight game too long? Yes, but it’s not because I’m hating on them, it’s because I have more love for the fighter, than I do for the fight. One might say it’s easy to be a critic, but there is nothing sadder than watching a future hall of famer slowly fade away, or get beaten into retirement, for not knowing when its time to leave the sport to the young, upcoming boxers and allow them to finally have their moment of fame under the bright lights.

I find extreme displeasure in seeing boxing greats absorb unnecessary punishment, especially after they have already provided fight fans with decades worth of glorious and hard fought battles, but are now only shells of their former selves. The possibility of permanent eye, or brain damage just doesn’t seem worth it.

We know it’s not about the money and it’s all about the glory. We also know that you have an undying love for the boxing game, that’s why you rose to the top. No disrespect, but there is nothing left to prove to us, its time to hang ‘em up Champ.

CUERUS No 174

Desde Mi Esquina

Por: Miguel Mijes

EL PRIMERO EN LA FRENTE…

A tiempo estuvimos presentes durante una conferencia de prensa que una empresa de Lucha Libre presentó en Cicero, IL. 12 de los 15 luchadores presentes, todos portaban mascaras o capuchas que llamaron mucho la atención entre el público. Parte de la promoción. A nosotros en lo personal, tanta mascara, nos pareció más que una exageración, un abuso sobre todo por la falta de honestidad de los jovenes hacia ellos mismos.
De alguna manera y ante el público, se les hizo notar a cada uno de los “atletas”, por su falta de voluntad para superarse en esa difícil disciplina. “Si ustedes no adelantan en este deporte; es porque les es más fácil culpar a una mascara que a ustedes mismos.”
¿Dice usted amar su deporte favorito? Esa misma falta de honestidad ocurre en el boxeo.
En una palabra, a la gente no le gusta indagar el porqué -en caso del boxeo donde dos seres humanos que mientras boxean atentan en contra de su propio ser, en contra de su vida.
Sin embargo ese acto no les impresiona lo suficiente, y el promotor en turno, se le ocurre agregar la participación de Azafatas, Edecanes o jóvenes señoritas donde su buena figura, según el promotor va a aumentar el interés de los parroquianos presentes.
Para nosotros es una falta de respeto, en primer lugar para los dos pugilistas, que ahora según la moda, exponer sus vidas arriba de un cuadrilatero ya no es suficiente.
Pero qué importa eso. Total, los gastos que causa amenizar una función de boxeo con la presencia de jóvenes mozas, son cubiertos por las compañías cerveceras que patrocinan la publicidad,
Las vidas de esos dos humanos, qué importa. Ver el palmito de esas bellezas sobre el ring en una función garantiza más el costo de lo que usted pague por la entrada.

LA SEGUNDA EN LA BOCA....

El resultado aportado por la función de boxeo profesional que el 25 de marzo Wasfi To-laymat presentase en Hanging Gardens, merece un saludo de bienvenida por parte de la afición boxística local.
Tolaymat, viene a dar con su primera promoción un toque de competencia empresarial que mucha falta hace al boxeo de Chicago.
Chicago una plaza boxística que merece tener YA, boxeo de categoría internacional.
Porque al igual que Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio, Houston, New York, que tienen aparentemente un mejor boxeo, Chicago que en el pasado fuera una Meca del boxeo mundial carece actualmente de boxeo de buen nivel
Estas dos empresas locales, estamos seguros inyectarán con sus carteleras ese deseo que a todos los aficionados a este deporte, nos embarga y que esperamos sea para bien.

Fighting Words

The Aftermath & Introductions

By Bernardo Miguel

My last column mentioned the boxing events that were coming up in the Chicago area. All reports from people that attended these events is that a good time was had by all and that boxing was really enjoying a few weeks of prime coverage and fights. It is testament to the fact that with support at the local level, we are showing that the sport is not dead.

Chicago Fight Club Promotion LLC put on their Chicago Fight Night event on March 25th. All reports indicate that the venue (Hanging Gardens Banquet) was a great place for the fights. We were fortunate to have a talented photographer by the name of George Henry attending and snapping away. His photos are being featured in this issue and to see more of his work, make sure to check out links to his work on our web page at www.cuerusboxing.com. A special thanks to CFC Promotion LLC & Richard Spilotro of Chicago Boxing News for getting us in to the fights.

Hitz Boxing invited me to come down to their Fight Night @ The Venue. Located in the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond Indiana, The Venue was a great place to see the fights and the atmosphere makes you feel like you have a touch of Vegas here in the Midwest. A very special thanks to Bobby Hitz & Renee with the Hitz Boxing staff. Make sure to check bookmark your calendar for the next fight night May 18! Visit www.hitzboxing.com.

Though we did not have a chance to be at the 8 Count Productions Windy City Fight Night on April 1st, we know that Jeremias Correa (feautred a couple of issues ago) won his second professional fight. Congrats! He is a focused fighter and I look forward to seeing him in action next time.

Make sure to also check feature stories under my www.boxingallmedia.com where I talk about some of the articles that I write about for Cuerus Boxing News. I have a piece coming up on two of our contributors, Rob Aguilar and George Jimenez. Plus, there is a special piece on my experiences at Hitz Boxing's Fight Night. Lastly, on schedule to be featured is Cuerus Boxing News itself! An brief introduction to our paper and sharing some of our great cover designs.

On to some current events:

You may have noticed that CFC Promotion LLC has also been featured in our last few issues in pieces written by a new contributor, Johnny Bellino. I know that local area fight fans will recognize Johnny from coverage that he has provided via a public cable show in the area and through his other activities. We welcome Johnny into the fold and hope you enjoy his fantastic writing style.

I wanted to also give local boxing fans some preliminary info on Mike J. Cericola's "Round 3" fights to be held at the El Rey Ballroom (3504 S. Western Avenue, Chicago). The date for these matches is set for Friday May 13, 2011. For more information and tickets, call 773 841-7350.

To keep on top of up to the minute information on Cuerus Boxing News features, make sure to check out our web site for links to all of our online sites. We also feature links to more information on all of these events and stories talked about in my column.

If you would like to advertise, contribute news, share a special feature, photos or have questions, please contact me via any of the methods noted below.

Until next time, Keep Punchin'!

CUERUS No 173

Harsh Critics

By Robert Aguilar

It was a tough couple of weeks for Saul “El Canelo” Alvarez, he’s been taking his fair share of strong criticism from fans, boxers and writers. The general anti Canelo sentiment has been that he was given a gift when he won his world title a couple of weeks ago. One thing I can say without hesitation is that by no means was Alvarez given a title as a gift. I don’t know what fight his critics saw, there was nothing easy about fighting Mathew Hatton. It was also interesting to hear how some critics made a big deal about Alvarez being one pound over the weight limit at the official weigh in; in my opinion one pound is really not that big of an issue, if it were five, ten, then it would be reason for concern. The irony of the weight issue is that when Alvarez fought Carlos Baldomir, Baldomir was over the weight limit by five pounds, I ask; where were the critics then? Baldomir for being overweight was ordered to pay Alvarez $12,000, Alvarez declined to take the money.

The argument can be made that Hatton has never fought in the light middle weight division and therefore did not deserve a title shot. If this is the case then the anger should not be directed at Alvarez but rather at the WBC and the promoters. Alvarez and Hatton did what any professional boxer would have done, they were presented with an opportunity to fight for a world title and they gladly accepted. I do not know a single fighter on the planet that would refuse a shot to fight for a world title. Is Alvarez the best light middle weight in the world? Perhaps not, what I can say with certainty is that currently he is the best 20 year old light middle weight on the planet. Let’s analyze that, he is only 20 years old, he has beaten guys with more ring experience, and yes he is still a little rough and has a lot of improving to do. I can only imagine what he will be like when he is 25. Let’s all cut the kid some slack, He currently finds himself in a classic situation of dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t. Like him or not, he is the new blood of the boxing. He is very likable and as his popularity increases he may very well be the new face of boxing.

Please feel free to send your comments or questions to: aguilarr@earthlink.net

Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/robertaguilar

CANAS BECOMES FACE OF CHICAGO FIGHT CLUB

By Johnny Bellino

The world famous United States Organization (USO) accurately bills itself a “Home Away From Home” for America’s soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen.
Similarly, the Chicago Fight Club, under the leadership of Wasfi Tolaymat, has become a home away from home for its protégé’s, including aspiring lightweight, Antonio Canas.

Canas literam a profitable experience if he would settle in the middle of the martial arts market. Tlly was homeless in California after being lured there by mixed martial arts enthusiasts who “guaranteed” hihe migration had been the finale of a misleading career that saw Canas fight last minute opponents with whom he had no business being in the ring.

‘CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ NOT REALITY

Even though the lightweight won more than half his fights, Chicago Fight Club rescued him from MMA into a boxing career. Today, Fight Club is Canas’ home, figuratively and literally. Tolaymat saw the successful former wrestler as a worthwhile addition to his growing stable of amateur and professional boxers.

And he determined that Canas’ amazing endurance and work ethic was such an asset, he hired him to condition Fight Club boxers as well as box for Fight Club. Tolaymat provided Canas with not only a salary and a place to train, but ‘bed and breakfast’ at Fight Club headquarters. Not a bad idea since Canas spends six hours training at CFC every day anyway.

TOUGH IN MIND AND BODY

Chicago Fight Club trainer and former boxing champion, ‘Fearless’ Fernando Hernandez calls Canas by far, his best conditioned, and hardest worker. Hernandez pointed to three bloody lacerations traveling up and down Canas right cheekbone, “Today is Monday. He won a unanimous decision Friday night and he already wants to get back into the ring, face cuts and all”, an exasperated Hernandez railed.

So what’s the difference between MMA and Chicago Fight Club? Canas explained, “I am still fighting more experienced boxers,” he said. “But at Fight Club, I have management who takes care of me, knows my skills, and doesn’t take last minute opponents or more experienced fighters, if they didn’t think I could compete. And I can,” the mild mannered lightweight added.

BEGINNER COMPETING AGAINST SEASONED VETERANS

Fighting more experienced competitors is something Canas has been doing since his very first year in high school, when he wrestled on the varsity squad as a freshman. Since the recipe for making a successful wrestler is similar to mixed martial arts and boxing, Canas’ grappling success proved a harbinger of things to come. “He had several good skills when he started boxing several months ago, “Hernandez explained. “My job has been fine tuning the fundamentals; getting him to keep his eyes off the floor, looking at his opponent and attacking from side to side.”

“Canas has such a good chin, he hasn’t had to move anywhere in the ring except forward,” Hernandez added. Canas concurred. “I ran the 100 yard dash, the 440 and 880 as well as the mile in high school. It helped my conditioning, but I didn’t like it. I’m not much for running. I like to go straight forward instead,” he said.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

“But, Hernandez insists, in baseball and you have to keep your eyes on the ball to run down long flies. In football you have to look for the pass while surrounded by a crowd of defenders closing in on you. In boxing you have to keep your eyes on your opponent on offense and defense.” Canas exlained, “the more we fight, the more we’re going to run into boxers who move from side to side to make us miss and then throw counterpunches. We’ve got to keep our eyes on our opponent, see what he’s doing to make us miss, and how he reacts if we do miss,” Canas’ trainer explained.

“And, Hernandez added, when you’re looking down, your torso is pointed toward the ring canvas. You make think you’re going to sneak under your opponent and get a bigger windup leaping from the floor, but that’s too much of all or nothing.” “ If you miss your way too off balance to defend against a counter punch,” Hernandez instructed.

LIGHT IN SIZE HEAVY IN DETERMINATION

Canas is constantly perfecting style. And his conditioning has overcome the obstacles opponents have presented so far. He dominated his last fight, winning three of four rounds. Canas saw the victory even more convincingly. “I stayed strong the whole way. My opponent spent the last round just holding on to me. I didn’t feel any punches.” Nevertheless, the scabs on Canas cheek make Hernandez’s point.

In the end, Fight Club chief Talaymat believes, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” And, as always, Tolaymat puts his money where the tough is. This time it’s Antonio Canas.

Vi por TV la pelea en la que el cubano Yuriorkis Gamboa cumplió los pronósticos al frustrar cualquier intento del mexicano Jorge "Coloradito" Solís y recordé mis pláticas con ese gran conocedor de distintos deportes que fue José Ramón Garmabella, quien siempre tuvo elogios para la calidad de los deportistas de la nación que tiene a La Habana como ciudad capital.

Garmabella evocaba que el triunfo de la Revolución trajo consigo la prohibición del deporte profesional en Cuba, lo que de manera indirecta trajo beneficio para el pugilismo de México, al llegar a tierra azteca toda una pléyade de grandes peleadores.

Se refería de manera especial a Ultiminio Ramos. El "Sugar" de Matanzas, llamado así por haber nacido en esa provincia, no llegaba a los 21 años cuando arribó a la Ciudad de los Palacios, con la etiqueta de invicto y de campeón pluma de su país.

Su apodo viene de que Matanzas es también uno de los puertos principales de Cuba y desde tiempo inmemorial desde esa costa han zarpado barcos llevando azúcar cubana al mundo.

Joserra calificaba a Ramos como un peleador con una gran facilidad para esquivar los envíos del adversario, una precisión notable en su golpeo y por encima de todo, un ponch devastador.

Si a lo anterior aunamos que posee una simpatía a raudales, una gran sencillez y una buena buena dosis de inteligencia y educación, fue natural que saboreara las mieles del éxito, aunque también probó lo amargo del hecho de que dos de sus adversarios murieran por efecto del daño causado por sus puños.

Antes de viajar a México, el 8 de noviembre de 1958, se enfrentó a otro duro peleador cubano, José Blanco, el "Tigre", con el que protagonizó siete violentos episodios. "En el octavo -recuerda-, le conecté un cruzado de derecha en la mandíbula; me sorprendí de la nula resistencia que opuso al caer; al estrellarse con la lona tenía los ojos en blanco. Murió dos días después en el hospital".

El "Sugar" confiesa que durante muchos días pensó en el retiro, pero estaba escrito que superaría ese trance hasta llegar a conquistar el campeonato universal reconocido por el naciente CMB y por la AMB, al noquear en 10 rounds al estadounidense Davey Moore, el 21 de marzo de 1963 en el Dodger Stadium de Los Ángeles. Moore murió dos días más tarde. Aunque Ramos cumplió tres defensas venturosas antes de dejar el trono ante Vicente Saldívar, se dice que ya no fue el mismo después de la tragedia de Davey Moore.