On Sept. 25 Cauahtemoc "Famosito" Gomez was way ahead on points over Erick Lopez when an accidental headbutt brought things to a close in the 8th round. Gomez received a nasty 2 inch cut over the right eye and judging from the photo I saw looks to be out for at least 90 days. Also, hard punching but stiff Jose Angel Beranza captured the vacant WBC Continental Americas SuperFly belt by knocking out Ulyses Corona in the 3rd round. Also, 6 rounds feather - Cesar Rivera Wtko1 Arturo Hernandez. 4 rounds light - Miguel Angel Huerta W4 Ricardo Rodriguez. 4 rounds bantam - Isreal Garcia W4 Enrique Hernandez.

On October 2nd in Mexico City bantamweight Francisco Mateos scored a technical knockout win over Sergio Millan . Mateos has looked very strong in his recent fights and his record improves to 15-2-2(11), while the always tough Millan falls to 29-17 and should start thinking about hanging up the gloves after all the wars he's been in. Also, hot bantam prospect Alejando Barrera stops Pedro Dominguez in one round. Barrera looks like he will develope into a complete fighter. He's quick-handed, aggressive, and can stop his oppenent. Barrera had an extensive amatuer career and is now 7-0. October 2 was also the night that Julio Ceasar Chavez got a spanking from unheralded Willy Wise . I'm in agreement that Chavez should retire, but don't think it will happen. If somehow Chavez still gets a chance to fight against Kostya Tszyu then of course he will get destroyed. Why would he even now be considered for a fight against Tszyu??? OK, I've got a wild theory that I'll lay out just for fun....Chavez has something on the heads of the WBC - some form of blackmail - and he wants a big payoff. So the WBC gives him a chance to make some big money against Tszyu. What the WBC, the public, Tszyu, EVERYBODY EXCEPT CHAVEZ knows is that Tszyu will incapacitate Chavez in the ring to such an extent that whatever secrets he has on the WBC will forever be buried. It is a fight I don't think Chavez would survive, unless he just quits on his stool like he did against Oscar in their second fight. Just wild speculation, but I sure hope Chavez doens't get in the ring with the Russian.

1 October Tony Ayala Jr. looked strong and controlled in stopping a tough Robert Koon in 4 rounds last Sept. 24th. The card also featured a crowd pleasing 8 round bantam matchup with Genaro "Poblanito" Garcia winning a decision over Rodrigo Cerda. Garcia has a WBC top 10 ranking and this was his first fight in the US, improving his record to 19-2(17). Garcia is ready to step in with anyone at 115 pounds and the fight he wants to establish his name is against Olympian Erik Morel . Unlike Miguel Angel Granados , who chased Morel out of the ring on the DLH-Tito undercard (but lost the decision), Garcia will apply so much pressure and accurate combination punching that Morel won't see the final bell. Next Tuesday October 5th in Louisville, KY hard punching lightweight Pedro Alonso Teran is scheduled in an 8 round matchup. If successful look for Teran to challenge either Cory Spinks or Hector Camacho Jr. late in the year. Either fight would be a classic slick-boxer vs aggressive-puncher matchup that often produce very entertaining fights. DLH-Tito being an exception. Oops, DLH isn't a slick boxer. Sorry for any confusion.

20 September In Fort Worth, Texas Thursday the 23rd Miller Lite continues their fine series of fights across the State. In a co-feature bout, Sergio Reyes returns to the ring against Edwin Zarate of Mexico City. Zarate's unimpressive 7-9 record will be a comfort to Reyes, but if Zarate starts landing his left hook things could turn interesting. Zarate is young and usually gives a solid effort so I expect a tough fight for the inactive Reyes. On Friday in Corpus Christi Tony Ayala Jr. attempts his second comeback fight against Robert Koon . Koon was an early victim of David Reid , getting stopped in the 6th round. The CC card also pits 18-2 bantam Genaro Garcia vs 22-5 Rodrigo Cerda . And superfeather Harold Warren takes on 18-3(15) Sandro Marcos of Mazatlan.

I was surprised by the decision in the De La Hoya - Trinidad fight. I thought DLH was confortably ahead. But it serves him right losing the decision because he coasted the last 3 rounds. DLH should have closed the show in dramatic fashion like a true champion. Tito was a disappointment. Doesn't he know how to throw a body shot?? Or cut the ring off and then throw more than one punch?? Had Tito gotten busy earlier maybe DLH would have had to fight and his perfectly executed plan of only boxing would of gotten shelved. Instead it was run, run, box, run, box, etc.... Not the most entertaing kind of match to watch. If a rematch happens I'm going with DLH. Tito is too one dimensional, I think DLH will be able to adapt. But with DK now in control I don't see the fight happening anytime within the next 18 months. In alot of ways I was impressed with DLH sticking to his fight plan and he used his right hand effectively - but again he should have closed the show instead of putting his trust in the judges.

18 September Last night in Mazatlan lightweight Pedro Alonso Teran stopped Edgar Ayala in the 2nd round of a scheduled 8 round bout. Teran improves to 11-2(10) and is now looking to fight on October 5th in Louiville, KY. The Louiville show is being promoted by Daimond Damon, who runs the excellent web site BOXING MANIA. BM has some good reports from Vegas for tonights megafight so be sure to check it out. I've got my fingers crossed that tonights fighters will earn every penny of those millions they are getting paid. I WANT FIREWORKS!!! My prediction is below.

17 September 5:15pm Central Time. My official pick in tomorrow nights big fight: Oscar De La Hoya WKO5 Felix Trinidad. Why? I guess the bottom line is just that De La Hoya is lucky. Trinidad has the better overall skills in all areas as far as I'm concerned. Better jab, better power, headmovement, footwork, throws better combinations, everything Tito does he can do better than De La Hoya. I think he'll even make De La Hoya look amatuerish and batter him around the ring. But at some point DLH will close his eyes and let rip a left hook that will smash Trinidad to the canvas and he won't be able to get up. Mitch Halpern will count Trinidad out. The stars are lined up for Oscar, he's got the MOJO, he's the chosen one, whatever. I'm pulling for Trinidad but see some unfortunate disaster happening. Frankly, I'm tired of thinking about this fight and just want to get the thing over with. It'll make me sick to see Trinidad streched on the canvas after he has put on a boxing clinic for 5 1/2 rounds until DLH lands that left hook. OUCH!!!

Remember tonight is the Antonio Diaz vs Emanuel Burton fight on ESPN2. Good to see Burton get some TV exposure. He's fought everyone and works hard. I'll go with the sentamental favorite Burton via split decision. Off to watch the weigh-in!

13 September I was just as disappointed as everyone else in Juan Manuel Marquez' losing performance against stinker Freddy Norwood last Saturday night. What a bore - I figured there would be at least some action (read my pre-fight prediction below). Bottom line is that fighters trained by Nacho Beristien are too cautious and don't fight with any emotion. 'nuff said. And after watching Floyd Mayweather's flawless performance against solid Carlos Gerena I'm tempted to throw out my earlier prediction of Goyo Vargas taking Mayweathers belt. I'm almost a true beleiver now in Mayweather. After some soul searching and a few talks with Vargas I'll come up with a new prediction. But at this point in time I'm with no official pick on this bout (but certianly hope it happens soon).

8 September Upcoming action in Mexico City: This Saturday night at the Arena Mexico Raul "Baby" Juarez and Jesus Chong are scheduled for 10 rounds in the flyweight division. The following Wednesday pitts too solid lightweight against each other Efrin Hinojosa vs. Fili Balderous for 10 rounds. The weekend of the 18th is off due to Mexico's National Celebration on 16 de Septembre. (And also because everyone is going to be watching De La Hoya-Trinidad.) Live boxing returns on Sept. 25th with the now questionable Cuauhtemoc "Famosito" Gomez vs Gerardo Martinez 10 round bantam clash. This fight is questionable because Martinez realizes he'll get crushed and is complaining about a sore hand. If Martinez pulls out look for Cruz Carbajol to replace him.

I'm off to Texas for a few weeks, but I'll try to get the results from the above fights and post them. I'll also put up some of the boxing news eminating from the Lone Star State. On the 24th I'll be ringside for the Tony Ayala Jr. vs Robert Koon fight from Corpus Christi. Of greater interest on that card is a fantastic 8 round match-up in the bantamweight division with the always aggressive Genaro "Poblano" Garcia 18-2 going against always tough Rodrigo Cerda 22-5 . And we'll find out how WBA Bantam Champ Paulie Ayala is doing and if everything is in place for his title defense on October 24th vs the fighter from Thailand. Check back next week for my prediction on the Oscar De La Hoya vs Tito Trinidad megafight!!

6 September Juan Manuel Marquez has his long awaited title shot this Saturday night against WBA Feather Champ Freddy Norwood . Marquez, as everyone knows, is the fighter dodged by Princess Naseem for two years. You've got to hand it to the LA propaganda machine backing Marquez - they've turned this into a publicity bonanza. Also give Forum Boxing a round of applause for the textbook matchmaking they have used for JMM. He's been fighting quality opposition, but in almost every case versus smaller fighters - fighters who normally weigh 122lbs. and hence don't pose a credible threat to Marquez' chin. This won't be the case when he meets Norwood, who is a solid featherweight. So the question will be how Marquez handles a good shot to the chin, which I think will be tested in this bout. Don't expect Marquez and Norwood to mix it up early. After 4 rounds things should heat up but I don't see any wild exchanges unless Norwood loses his composure and really presses the action. Marquez is trained by Nacho Beristein and he is trained to be patient in the ring. Look for opportunities and don't make mistakes is the MO of a Beristein fighter. Marquez best combination is a left hook to the body followed by a right cross. Can this be effective against the southpaw Norwood? In the final analysis I think Marquez will indeed show he has a solid chin and win by a late round TKO - ok, 10th round TKO. If you are a fan of Erik Morles' mechanized syle of boxing then you will like what Marquez has to offer. Marquez does his job technically well and with precision - not emotion. I think it will be enough to win this title.

5 September Last night in Guadalajara Oscar Larios stopped Sammy Ventura to retain his WBC CA 122lbs. belt. (I think that's the title he holds.) Larios has been mentioned by a few people in the US as an up and comer - possibly working his way into a title shot next year against Erik Morales . Well, Morales needn't worry because Larios lacks defensive skills and has a questionable chin. That along with a nice record (something around 32 wins and 2 losses, with 24KO's) should qualify him for a payday. He's certian to get blasted though. Also from Guadalajara, 10 rounds S. Light - Juan Carlos Rodriguez WKO4 Oscar Delgado. 10 rounds Welter? - Jorge Vaca Wtko7 Brigido Alvarez.

4 September Melchor Cob Castro retained his NABF Minifly Title by a wide point margin over the rough-house tactics of Ladislao Vazquez. The early rounds were marred by Vazquez tying up Castro and the fight was somewhat dull. In the 8th Castro waved to the crowd to open the round and went out bouncing and dropped Vazquez hard with a right hook. Vazquez made it up and to his credit survived some additional solid power shots to end the round. Late in the 12th there were again some good exchanges, but for most of the night Vazquez never found a rythm other than clinching. In a sleeper 10 round semi-main minifly bout, Jesus Martinez won a split decision over lefty Jesus Vargas. Also, 6 rounds bantam - Gerardo Rubin Wtko1 Luis Perez. 4 rounds light - Ricardo Juarez draw4 Ernesto Olarte (this was the second consecutive draw for these two against each other. Earlier in the year they drew in the final of the local 4 round tournament, so still no 4 round champion.) 4 rounds bantam - Jose de la Cruz Wsplit4 Francisco Paredes.

Goyo Vargas is looking at a tune-up fight late this month and then plans are to fight Floyd Mayweather for the WBC S. Feather Title. Goyo will be on hand next Saturday when Mayweather defends against tough Puerto Rican Carlos Gerena , the only fighter to have beaten Jesus "El Matador" Chavez . I see Mayweather taking a decision win over Gerena, then if Mayweather and Goyo fight, WE WILL HAVE A NEW CHAMPION AS GOYO WILL KNOCK FLOYD OUT INSIDE OF 10 ROUNDS. Remember you heard it here first!!

2 September This Saturday night in Arena Mexico Melchor Cob Castro defends the NABF Minifly Title against Ladislao Vasquez . Castro looked excellent in his last fight, totally outboxing the hard-punching Oswaldo Guerrero. If Castro is successful this Saturday look for him to get a title shot against WBC belt holder Saman Sorjaturong of Thailand. Another report in the Mexico City papers states that Micheal Carbajol is giving up the WBO Minifly Title he recently won by stopping Jorge Arce in 11 rounds last July 31 due to weight dificulties. If this is the case, then Carbajol's mandatory against South African Baby Jake Matlala is in jeopardy, and Castro (as the #2 ranked minifly in the WBO) could step in to fight Matlala (ranked #1 WBO). Today is the birthday of WBC S. Bantam Champ Erik Morales , who turned 23. He's starting serious training in another 2 weeks in the mountians outside Mexico City for his upcoming clash with Wayne McCullough on Oct.22nd. Look for Morales to easily destroy McCullough within 7 rounds. Tony Ayala Jr. makes his second comeback fight Sept. 24 in Corpus Christi, TX against an unnamed but not-to-dangerous opponent. Also scheduled on the card is Harold Warren against sometimes solid Sandro Marcos , 20-3(15) of Mazatlan in a 10 round S. Feather bout. Plus, aggressive Genaro Garcia ,18-2 of Mexico City against tough Rodrigo Cerda , 22-5.

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