• According to Fan Base Promotions, former IBF/NABF Super Middleweight Champion  Jesus “EL Martillo” Gonzales (27-2-0) will not fight in Arizona on August 3 as previously announced. Instead, the 27 yer old Arizona Native  will take on Elvin Ayala (25-5-1) July 21  at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. Ayala resides in nearby New Haven, Connecticut. The middleweight headliner  contest is scheduled for 10 rounds;but, it isn’t televised. The change of time, date, venue and opponent  came as a result of Gonzales’  difficulty in finding  a  trainer. Fan Base asked that the name of the new trainer be withheld until the former champ reports for training in Las Vegas, Nevada. If Gonzales fails to report, presumably the bout is off and Fan Base will start a new search to find a suitable  foe.   It can be told that the “presumptive”  trainer is a veteran with a sound resume and a recognizable name in the world boxing community. Gonzales has been clamoring for a name trainer for years and now he apparently has one. The onetime Top Rank Protege  dumped his last trainer almost a  year ago
• This is a crossroads fight for Gonzales whose last fight resulted in a 1st round knockout loss  at the hands of Haitian “Bad Boy” Adonis “Superman” Stevenson. Gonzales hopes his return as a middleweight will increase his ring  speed and add power to his punch; something that was missing in most of his super middleweight fights.

Gonzales should be able to beat the 31 year old Ayala  if his head is screwed on straight and his body is fit…..a defeat could spell the end of a  career for a very popular and once promising boxer.

• The always candid  Mayweather took a  casual poke at Top Rank Boxing by suggesting that the only way a Top  Rank fighter could lose was to another Top Rank fighter, a sly reference to the Manny Pacquia/Timothy Bradley  fight result…more from roger! After Azriel Paez (one of Jorge’s sons) was awarded a unanamious but controversial  verdict in 140 lb contest over Michael Salcido , Mayweather walked by Azriel Paez  in the dressing room area and quipped  “did you win”? To which Paez replied …what did you say…Mayweather repeated the question and got the same reply. By now, Paez was mad and said  of course I won..why do you ask? Mayweather rfesponded with that’s all I wanted to know did you win? That’s Roger being Roger.  Before he departed Phoenix, Mayweather was told that  Canadian Light Welterweight Steve “The Dragon Claggett (14-1-1) is challenging Arizona’s budding star  Jose Benavidez Jr. (15-0) to fight him anywhere, anytime. Mayweather paused and said if you see him..tell him to keep dreaming. Mayweather is very familiar with both fighters. Claggett fight just outside of Calgary, Alberta  Canada on a card that includes the return of Janks Trotter and the debut of huge heavyweight Ed Jackson. The show is produced by Fan Base Promotions .

• Marcos Mendias (147) upped his record to 5-4 as he outpointed Phoenix favorite Arturo Brambila . All 3 scorers  it in favor of the 24 year old Mendias who  has certainly turned his career around since he joined forces with trainer Andy Soto. It marked a return to the ring after a three year self imposed retirement for Brambila.  At the press conference, he told fans that he tried to do other things but nothing seemed right;so he returned to boxing. It was a solid performance for the 33 year old and fans showed their appreciation…it just wasn’t his night. In other bouts, 142 lb Abel Ramos contines to impress with a convincing UD over veteran Jeremiah Torres from New Mexico. All three officials came to the same conclusion: 42-36…Ramos remains undefeated at 4-0 and  still waiting to be signed by a major boxing promoter.  134 lb Thomas Valdez convinced Cory Muldrew that he was the best man with a impressive UD win and Valdez remains a prospect to watch. 128  lb Chris Lopez was aggressive and confident  in his UD decision over New Mexico’s
• Jazzman Hogue. 148 lb saul Benitez outworked Antonio Moreno in gaining a split decision. As mentioned …Azriel Paez was awarded a UD over Michael Salcido in an odd contest  where Paez seemed to searching for a boxing identify..word of advice: just be yourself and not your father. He has skills. In the first amateur bout: Alexis Urbino, Knockout Boxing, defeated

• Alfonso Marquez, San Luis PAL. In the second amateur tiff, Wilbert Lopez, AZ Boxing decisioned Alain Moreno from Eclipse Boxing in Tucson.

• Parting Shots: Support amateur boxing in Arizona by going to the website of Arizona Golden Gloves Boxingor contact any of Arizona’s gyms (Knockout Boxing, etc.) and ask about community Smokers. They are a lot of fun for the entire family. Special congratulations to to Fan Base Boxing CEO Robert Schmick and his lovely wife on the birth of their daughter Madelyn Gail Schmick. She went through some serious complications before her release from a Calgary Hospital. She is now home with her proud parents.

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