Arizona Boxing News & Notes With Don Smith: Mosley Set for Title Fight in Arizona & More
By Don Smith
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 29 Mar 2016
Boxing Fans, It is official, ?Sugar? Shane Mosley (49-9-1) will fight David ?Ava? Avanesyan ((21-1?1 w/ 11 knockouts) for the British based Russian pugilist?s WBA Welterweight interim world title -scheduled for 12 rounds at the Gila River Arena in Glendale Arizona on Saturday, May 28. The event will be aired on CBS Sports Network and tickets are available through Ticketmaster and at the Gila River Arena box-office in Glendale.
The 27 year old Avanesyan Russian native won the interim title by stopping Venezuelan, Charlie Navarro in November of 2015. He is trained by Carl Greaves in Newark, New Jersey and it is safe to say that a win over Mosley would give the relatively unknown champion , instant recognition and increased credibility; he has won several minor titles and May 28 will mark his Arizona boxing debut.
Mosley needs no introduction. The 44 year old boxing legend has won 3 world titles and faced the best and toughest available foes during his more than two decades of boxing. At one time, Sugar Shane was considered the best ?Pound for Pound? fighter (2000& 2001) on planet earth.
After retiring twice, Mosley returned to the ring action in 2015 with easy knockout victories over former world champion Ricardo Mayorga (August) and Venezuelan Patrick Lopez in December; Avanesyan is considered a much stronger opponent.
In a bit of surprise, Mosley?s trainer of record is Roberto ?Hands of Stone? Duran. I met Duran in Phoenix years ago. Outside the ring he was very pleasant; huge New York Yankee Fan. No word on where Mosley will train once he arrives in Phoenix. The event is promoted by GoBox Promotions, owned and operated by Shane Mosley. The official weigh-In is scheduled for Friday, May 27th at 3:00 p.m./PT on scale outside Gila River Arena.
Here is the skinny on the ticket prices: General Admission is $15.00, ringside is listed at $500.00, and floor ducats will run for $150.00-$250.00. For the upscale fan, VIP Access is available for $1,000.00 which includes pre-party, meet and greet with ?Sugar? Shane Mosley and glove signed by Main Event fighters. Taxes and fees apply to all sold tickets; if interested call 623-772-3800 X1. We received info that tickets were available for purchase by calling 951-665-1000 only to find out that number belongs to a casino in California and the receptionist was shocked when our surrogate called to verify the number and listed prices; it was a good laugh! Contrary to a rumor, promoter Scott Maling doesn?t hold exclusive rights to promoting professional boxing at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arena and we are glad to kick that rumor to the curb.
Arizona Gold: Heavyweight Dante Stone (unattached), Flyweight Fernando Martinez (Mendoza Boxing) and super welterweight Eben Vargas (Gene Lewis Boxing) struck gold at the recently concluded Regional Golden Gloves Tournament in Vegas and all three young men representing Arizona advanced to the Nationals to be held in Vegas, the second week of May. Vargas is expected to turn professional this year and he has bulked up a bit to 152 lbs. Vargas won several titles at 141; but continuing at that weight was virtually impossible. He is trained by Tony Vargas and lightweight contender Ray Beltran. We wish the three contenders good look in the National Finals. We were hoping to print a complete list of the winners; but, the Golden Glove website was disabled when we last checked.
Inside Stuff: According to Maricella Ruelas, her husband Joey Ruelas will fight in Las Vegas on May 21. We thank her for knocking out rumors that the 34 year old middleweight was going to do battle on May 20th on either the Iron Boy Card (Phoenix) or the Roy Jones show in Tucson?.Vyron Phillips, contest winner, who recently fought Roy Jones Jr. in Phoenix at the Celebrity Theatre, emailed ABNN thanking our column for mentioning and recapping the event even though our calendar was too full to attend. We did leave a t off in our spelling of Sault as in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada and for that we humbly apologize.
The PPV UR Fight event received mixed reviews amongst out readers with the majority of them reporting it was a waste of $11.99 to watch it online; however, Photographer Rhonda Costa thought it was fun. We are glad Mr. Phillips got an opportunity to fulfill his fantasy by fighting his idol; unfortunately, the 33 year old Sociology Major was knocked out by Jones in the second round. He hopes to continue boxing and MMA fighting; but, if he decides to pursue another career; proofreading might be an option?USA Boxing Arizona hasn?t officially appointed or found someone to occupy the position of USA Boxing Arizona Secretary. Lydia Hoskins held the position for years until her tragic passing last year. I was led to believe the position is being handled by an ?interim? volunteer; but when we requested a name: none was forwarded. Also, the organization is looking for volunteer doctors to work amateur boxing smokers and tournaments. If you know a licensed doctor, please have them call Sonny at 623-806-2421 or Richard at 602-702-7053?. No Doctor, No Game!
Phoenix Super Middleweight Andrew ?Hurricane? Hernandez upped his record to 11-4- 1 with a TKO victory over journeyman Dionisio Miranda ((22-15-2) in Tacoma Washington at Emerald Queen Casino?? Light Heavyweight contender Trevor McCumby is scheduled to battle on July 23 outside of Arizona; more details forthcoming?. Twin Peaks, on Camelback Road (Southside) near 22nd street in Phoenix is showing the April 9th title fight between Manny Pacquiao & Timothy Bradley without a cover charge on a 1st come, first serve basis. Each fan does have to spend a $15.00 minimum on food or drink which is a mere pittance for what should be a memorable evening?a word of advice: arrive early between 5- 6PM (MT) to secure a choice parking space and relax before the terrific undercard begins.
Extra Stuff: Actor/Television Host Mario Lopez is a huge boxing fan; so much, that he trains 3 times a week in Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym in California. Lopez is a keynote speakers at the annual Arizona?s Ultimate Women?s Expo in Phoenix on Sunday April 24 at 2 PM. Lopez will sign autographs and perhaps talk boxing with some of his fans. The two day Expo 4/23/24) ,held at the Phoenix Convention Center, is offering $5.00 general admission tickets for early birds who go online at azwomensexpo.com and order discounted tickets. Other keynote speakers include Judge Marilyn Milan and actress Vicki Lawrence. The event offers lots of freebies and hundreds of vendors and exhibitors (including boxing & fitness gyms) will be on display. It is always fun and for more information, call 866-618-3434?..Sonny?s boxing gym in Good Year, Arizona will host a masters boxing tournament on November 4th & 5th; for further details call Sonny at 623-806-2421?.. Finally, special thank you to Maritza Godinez (F-1 Boxing) for her work in the Arizona Boxing Community. Until Next Time!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Don Smith.
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