Bam Rodriguez Returns to San Antonio on April 8

San Antonio's favorite son and the future of boxing, particularly in the smaller weight classes, Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez, is set to return! The Alamo City native will look to become a two-weight division world champion as he battles with Cristian Gonzalez On April 8th at the Boeing Center at the Tech Port Arena on the city's west side. Rodriguez, 17-0 (1), recently vacated his WBC Super Flyweight belt, which he successfully defended two times to move back down to his more natural weight class. Rodriguez recently turned 23 years old and became the first-ever world champion born in the 2000s last year. He captured that crown by taking apart Carlos Cuadras in Phoenix, Arizona last year. Bam last fought in his home city in June of last year when he gave a career-best performance in absolutely destroying the legendary Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, and sending the future hall of famer into retirement.

Bam will look to become a two-division world champ as he moves down to flyweight to take on Cristian Gonzalez, 15-1 (5) of Tultitlán, México for the vacant WBO belt that was vacated by Japanese star Junto Nakatani. The two had previously been linked to a possible fight however, Nakatani decided to move up to 115 and Rodriguez down to his more natural weight of 112.

Rodriguez last fought in the co-main event of Canelo-GGG 3 and took a points victory over Israel Gonzalez back on September 17th. Cristian Gonzalez, no relation, will have been inactive for over a year when he steps in with the Texan on April 8th and has fought just one round in nearly a year-and-a-half. His last outing was in March of 2022, and he scored a first-round KO over Juan Alejo Zuniga in Mexico City.

Should Rodriguez get the victory, which he is expected to, he will have lots of big fights in front of him for the rest of 2023 and could be in contention for Fighter of the Year again this year. Co-promoter Eddie Hearn said, “ It’s a great fight that sets up all the big fights, a unification with Julio Cesar Martinez, a unification against Sunny Edwards. There are some great fights to be made in the flyweight division,”

Tickets go on pre-sale on February 9th and go on sale to the public on February 10th.

Cobbs Walks Back Comments About Ortiz and Avoids Legal Action

Blair "The Flair" Cobbs is constantly outspoken and known more for his talking than his fighting, and he can fight, but he can really talk. Cobbs has spent much of the past year making baseless allegations that Grand Prairie native and undefeated KO artist Vergil Ortiz, 19-0 (19), is somehow "dirty" or some type of "steroid cheat". In no uncertain terms, Cobbs made a very bold claim “Ortiz is using steroids.” He also blamed Ortiz's rhabdomyolysis diagnosis, which pushed back last year's fight with Michael McKinson, on steroids. Saying, “They say he has rhabdomyolysis. That’s what I had that f------ my feet up. That’s very common with steroid abuse. No wonder he’s so explosive.” Cobbs doubled down on the baseless allegations again on a recent podcast saying, “He better not be on the ‘roids. He looking real suspicious.”

Rhabdomyolysis is a serious medical condition that can be fatal or result in permanent disability. It can be caused by heat exposure, physical exertion or overuse, and direct trauma. All of those things are common for a fighter in training camp. Cobbs went as far as to bet $100,000 that the undefeated KO artist was dirty.

Ortiz and his team had enough and punched back. Weintraub Tobin Law Firm, which represents the Grand Prairie native issued a cease-and-desist letter. Which outlined the factless allegations and demanded Cobbs immediately cease and desist from making any additional comments of this nature about Mr. Ortiz.

The letter gave Cobbs till Monday, the 30th, to retract the claims, or a civil lawsuit would be triggered, in which Ortiz's legal team would seek damages in excess of $100,000 plus legal fees.

On Monday Cobbs obliged and walked back his comments “Let me give you guys a big retraction statement on Vergil Ortiz doing performance enhancement drugs...Initially, I thought that he was possibly a user with this illness that very rarely ever happens to anyone that is in boxing. It’s a rare disease, but incredibly dangerous called rhabdomyolysis. He got admitted into the hospital." Cobbs went on “Thank goodness he’s safe and healthy. But initially, when he got into that hospital with that extremely rare case and rare disease, I thought he was on some steroids.”

A retraction that was adequate for the Ortiz team. Ortiz's manager Rick Mirigian, who is no stranger to trash-talking and stirring the pot, told Cobbs "I like the trash talk... but you crossed the line, you don't go there." In boxing, alleged cheating and steroid use are far more serious than in other sports. It's a sport that can be life and death, it's not just hitting home runs like in baseball. The consequences of using steroids are much more dire. Mirigian said Cobbs "Took the Comment back... he did the right thing."

Cobbs who is known for his outspoken demeanor was obviously looking to talk himself into a lucrative fight with the undefeated Ortiz, but according to Ortiz's manager, "He's not getting that fight. They are at different points in their career. Ortiz is fighting for a world title and then mega fights after that."

The two possible mega fights in reference would be an all-Texas shootout, with WBA Super champ Errol Spence. A fight that would be mandated by the WBA, assuming Ortiz gets passed on Eimantas Stanionis, which the North Texan is expected to do. That fight is scheduled for April 29th in the DFW area, but no venue has been locked down yet. A win there would put Ortiz in the catbird seat. If Spence comes back down to 147, Ortiz is guaranteed that fight, or Spence would be stripped of the belt and Ortiz would be designated "Super Champ" by the WBA. If that were to happen, the next logical step would be a WBA/WBO unification scrap with Terence Crawford. "Ortiz is in a position where he can't lose," Mirigian said. When asked if his young fighter had a preference between the two pound-for-pound elite world champions, Mirigian explained, "He's open to both, he wants both, but he would prefer the Spence Fight... It would sell out Cowboy Stadium [AT&T Stadium in Arlington]... it would be one of the biggest fights in Texas history."

With the allegations and legal paperwork in the rearview Ortiz moves forward on his march to a world title.

Small Town Hosts Big-Time Shootout Between undefeated Gun Slingers

Floresville is a small town about a half-hour south of San Antonio, population 7,000. A blip on the radar for those outside of the Lone Star State. However, on Friday, March 3rd, the small town will host a  major boxing event. The south Texas town will host a Team Morones Boxing (TMB)  promoted card that is headlined by two undefeated welterweights with world championship ambitions. 14-0-1 (7) Robert Garcia, 21 years old of Austin, against 22-year-old, Victoria native Ramon Acosts 4-0 (4).

Floresville City Manager Andy Joslin is excited to host the event  " We’re so honored to have Ricky Morones and Morones Boxing family bring boxing to our town... It’s a great event, and we are looking forward to it! "

It is a rare occurrence in today's boxing environment, that two young, touted fighters are willing to risk the "0" in their L column against such a dangerous opponent.  However, that's exactly what Garcia and Acosta are going to do on March 3rd. When asked if either fighter had any hesitation or needed any convincing to take such a big step up, Morones said, "It wasn't difficult at all. They both wanted it. We agreed on the purse, got out the contracts, and got everything going."  

It seems simple enough, but it is an increasingly difficult thing to do in this sport, to get two young, undefeated fighters in the ring together. However, as a result of Morones's work plus Acota and Garcia's willingness to take the risk, the town of Floresville will have a world-class, high-level, meaningful boxing match that also appears to be a 50-50 slugfest on paper.

"It's great! We're so proud to have the event here." City Manager Joslin added.

When Morones, who has been bringing exciting fights to the San Antonio area for 10 years, including delivering cards featuring Bam Rodriguez and Rick Medina, was asked if this is the best main event he has ever made. Morones answered, " I've had some good main events. I always try to put together exciting main events. I had Jairo Castaneda vs James Cantu... but this is a really good fight on paper."

It's a great fight! It's not just a fight between two elite, world-level fighters. It's a can't miss, all-action scrap. Morones noted, "Acosta doesn't take a step backward, and Garcia is a young, strong fighter with a lot of power and a good chin."

The main event has all the ingredients to create an absolutely violent explosion on March 3rd and, create an unforgettable fight that moves the win a major step closer to world title contention. "It's a small town, I have to have a big main event," the promoter added.

In addition to the main event, another important battle of unbeaten fighters will be featured on the card. Highly touted San Antonio-based super flyweight prospect Guillermo Gutierrez, 6-0 (1), will take the biggest challenge of his young and promising career. He puts his unbeaten record on the line against fellow unbeaten and Rio Grande Valley native Jaden Burnias, 2-0-2 (2) in a six-round affair.

Kid Austin Shines in California Moves to 13-0

2022's Prospect of the Year is off to a great start in 2023. Floyd "Kid Austin" Schofield, of Austin, took another massive step towards becoming the first world champion from the Capital City.

20-year-old Schofield put together a dominant performance to go 10-rounds for the first time in his career and pick up the unanimous decision over Alberto Mercado in Golden Boy's co-main event on Saturday night at the YouTube Theatre in Inglewood, California, to move his record to 13-0 (10).

Kid Austin scored a second-round knockdown and was robbed of at least one more knockdown in the eighth on hod way to picking up the 100-89 decision on all three cards. After a measured but dominant opening round, Schofield got going in the second. Dropping his man with a straight right hand and remained in control throughout the remainder of the fight. Landing with thudding right hands and would switch in and out of the southpaw stance and back into the conventional stance. Opening a huge lead on the cards and recognizing that Mercado wasn't going to be an easy out and was not willing to engage and completely content on simply going to the distance. Schofield stopped pressing on the gas, full throttle, and put on a boxing clinic during the second half of the fight.

The Austinite badly hurt and wobbled his overmatched opponent with a left hook that landed flush on the jaw of Mercado and put him down, but the knockdown was ruled a push. Schofield stayed calm and in control dominating the final six minutes. Landing flush one-twos that snapped the head back of his fleeing opponent, who was able to run out the clock and make the final bell. Something that Schofield hasn't done in his last six fights when Houston native Darryl Hayes went all six rounds with Schofield in 2021.

Fort Worth's Next Great "Cobra" Sammy Brown To Make Pro Debut on February 11

The nickname "The Cobra" is synonymous with one man in particular. Donald "The Cobra" Curry. A Fort Worth legend and a two-division world titleholder who held world titles in the welterweight and junior middleweight division from 1983 to 1989, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019. For the last 40 years, worldwide but especially in Fort Worth, "The Cobra" was and is Donald Curry! However, just like one great Dallas Cowboys Wide Reciever to the next pass down the #88, there's another "Cobra" on the rise. 21-year-old Sammy "The Cobra" Brown, a regional and state champion from Fort Worth. He is poised to carry that nickname to the next generation. Brown showed plenty of respect when asked about the nickname, "I go by cobra, and we already know we had someone who went by the name of cobra, Donald Curry. So I gotta represent!!" It's a lofty goal for the youngster, but he lacks no confidence and added, "my goal is to be better than him!" A lofty goal but not an unreasonable one.

Brown is scheduled to make his professional debut on February 11th at the Southern Junction in Irving, 43 years after Curry made his pro debut.

After a sensational amateur career that saw Brown win his first-ever tournament. He then went on to the national Golden Gloves and made it all the way to the semi-finals. The Fort Worthian combined a relentless love for the sport, natural athleticism, and a willingness to listen from his coach, a former title holder Kendrick Releford, also of Fort Worth, and parlayed that into massive amateur success. He won the regional and state Golden Gloves in 2022 at 165 pounds, and at that point determined it was time to turn pro.

In part, it was a financial decision, and in part, he was simply ready. Brown said "I lost my mom in 2013. I have a brother and a sister that I'm trying to provide for, and my granny. I am trying to take care of my family." A lot of pressure put on the 21-year-old."

Releford, who Brown describes as "like a father to me." is supremely confident in his pupil saying "from the beginning, you could tell he was something different... you couldn't hit him. I'd put him in with anybody. I never had any fear of putting him in with anybody." Releford spoke of "consistent development and staying busy" and insisted they weren't in a rush, and Brown will definitely find his sport in the sport. Relford went on to add that The Cobra's greatest strengths are his ability to adapt and being able to listen.

He is getting to adapt and make a big adjustment from the amateur ranks to the pros, something he is ready for. When asked if there was a difference between preparing for a professional fight and an amateur tournament. He said preparation is "pretty much the same, but we are working on more technical things. Staying tighter and keeping my defense tighter and we're sparring much better opponents... definitely running more and keeping the intensity high."

Brown will make his pro debut at the middleweight limit of 160 pounds, but the plan is to move him down to the junior middleweight limit of 154 and eventually down to 147 when he's ready to start competing at the world-class level. The same divisions Donald Curry competed at. At the top of the 147-pound division currently is WBC/WBA/IBF Worlch Champ Errol Spence of DeSoto and numb top-ranked contender Vergil Ortiz of Grand Prairie. The Fort Worthian acknowledges, "I got quite a while till I make it up there probably, not Errol [Spence], he'll probably be retired, but Vergil [Ortiz], yea I'll probably fight him.

That March to the top starts this February 11th at the Southern Junction, and the plan is to keep the Cobra bust throughout the year and have him fight at least 4 to 5 times this year, if not more. There's no rush to rush Brown to the top, but if he stays dedicated and stays focused, he could get there sooner than expected.

"El Finito" Hector Tanajara Returns in March on Loaded San Antonio Card

One of The Alamo City's brightest young stars Hector "El Finito" Tanajara, returns to the ring at the Shrine Auditorium in his home city, on Marvh12th. The fight will be held on a Sunday afternoon and is put on in conjunction with Gamez Law Firm, South Park Boxing, Robert Garcia Boxing Academy as well as Triple-A promotions.

Tanajara, a promising now junior welterweight fighter, ended a two-fight skid in 2021 and '22 that resulted in his first career blemishes a loss in 2021, and a draw in 2022. He returned home to San Antonio this past November to get back on track at a new weight and scored an impressive fifth-round TKO over Antonio Meija at the Tech Port Arena on the city's west side. It was an impressive return from the super-sharp contender who sports a 20-1-1 (6) and is still just 26 years old and still has world title aspirations to go along with world title skills that he reminded the boxing world of last November.

The card will feature a load of Robert Garcia fighters that will include surging prospect, Daniel Cortez of San Antonio who was one of the top Texas prospects to watch emerge in 2023. Plus the long and rangy Junior Middleweight prospect Sylvestre Quinonez who resides in the nearby hill country will be featured on the card. There will also be a loaded undercard that will feature highly touted and hard-hitting Super Featherweight Henry "World Star" Arredondo, who has gone viral for a variety of knockouts and has been featured on nationally televised PBC cards. Additionally, rising blue chip prospect Javy Fernandez, who was also featured as one of the best prospects to watch in Texas will be back in action and will look to move his career record to 13-. Plus, touted welterweight prospect and former amateur standout Jason Limon will be in action, all of San Antonio. In another special attraction fight, fans will get another look at fan-favorite women fighter and professional model Mayra Rodriguez. Rodriguez has previously worked as a ring girl and is the current face of, and official model for, Fade Life Clothing.

Barrios Returns Home! Will Fight at Alamodome on Feb. 11th

The recent surge of San Antonio boxers that have captured world titles is staggering. The first of this current crop of great San Antonio fighters to capture a world title, "El Azteca" Mario Barrios, is coming home! Barrios returns to the ring on February 11th in the Alamodome. He will fight in the Co-main event of the Rey Vargas vs O'shaquie Foster WBC Super Featherweight world title fight.

El Azteca is currently 26-2 (17) and held the WBA 140-pound world title from 2019-2021. He is however coming off a two-fight losing streak. These are the only two losses of his impressive career after starting his career with 26 consecutive wins. Barrios will look to bounce back against Jovanie Santiago, who is best known for being robbed blind in a fight with Adrien Broner back in February 2021. Three months later, Santiago fought Gary Antuanne Russell and was stopped over six one-sided rounds.

It will be the first time the San Antonian has fought in his hometown since October of 2020 when he stopped Ryan Karl of Milano, Texas in the sixth round. That was Barrios's first title defense of his WBA strap and was the co-main event of Davis-Santa Cruz. The Alamo City native is excited to be back home, saying “I’m even more motivated knowing that I get to fight back at home in San Antonio and give my people a great fight. Everyone is going to see pure boxing entertainment as I’ll be putting my skills on display with bad intentions. I’ve proven that I’m a warrior every time I get into the ring and I’m bringing that same energy for Santiago.”

Jermell Charlo Eyeing Return in Mid-June

Original reports had undisputed Junior Middleweight champion Jermell Charlo, of Houston returning in April to make his title defense against Tium Tszyu of Australia. That return date of April. is likely only positive thinking and is far too aggressive a time frame according to sources close to the undisputed 154-pound world champ. He is reportedly recovering from two separate breaks in his hand. The hand is recovering as expected and Charlo is doing well. However, it's two to two and a half months away from even being able to return to normal boxing activity. At this time, he can resume and restart training camp. At the current time and with the normal recovery time the bout will likely be rescheduled for mid-June, not April. According to the source close to Charlo, they are looking at mid-June.

Former Heavyweight Title Holder Kendrick Releford Bringing Fort Worth Boxing Back in a Big Way

For decades Fort Worth boxing was a force to be reckoned with from the 80s to the 2000s. Fighters like the"Lone Star Cobra "Donald Curry, Paulie Ayala, Sergio Reyes, and heavyweight contender Kendrick Releford put Fort Worth on the boxing map and represented the city well. It gave the city its own identity, not just a city 35 miles west of the bright lights of Dallas. Fort Worth had its own identity and stood on its own. In recent years that identity has started to fade with fighters like Errol Spence and Maurice Hooker winning world titles and the emergence of upstart prospects like Vergil Ortiz Big D has stolen the spotlight.

Releford, a former title holder, spoke on the recent Golden Boy card held in Fort Worth this past summer that was headlined by Grand Prairie native Vergil Ortiz "I'm thankful for Golden Boy being here. I hate the fact that we have a Golden Boy card but never Fort Worth Fighters on it right here in our city." Releford explained that we have good fighters "they just need exposure."

Releford, is the owner of Dream performance Boxing Gym in Fort Worth and REMG, a professional boxing management Company, and is working to bring a list of boxing events to the area. First up is this Saturday, January 21st, an 80s throwback amateur event at OD Wyatt High School. He will follow that up with a card stacked with some of Fort Worths' best talent on February 11th, at the Southern Junction in Irving. Additionally, there are plans to bring three more cards to Funky Town in the upcoming months. With July 8th official, additional dates in April and June are in the works. "We're gonna put Fort Worth Boxing Scene on our back and take off." The former heavyweight title holder said and added " "it's building... it's only up" when asked about the direction of Fort Worth boxing.

February's main event will be between two Fort Worth natives. The undefeated Ben Gurment, 7-0-2 (5), and Emmanuel Tennision 3-3 (2), who has won two consecutive fights by stoppage and will be for the Texas state title. Releford said the two fighters "know each well. They have sparred plenty of times. It's going to be a great fight." it's a stacked card filled with some of Fort Worth's finest "the whole card is a crowd pleaser" Releford explained.

Other Fort Worth talent on the card includes a 6-foot-tall, featherweight, amateur stand-out, and unbeaten professional Joel Martinez. He will have a Fort Worth VS Dallas battle with Xzavier Jackson. Also, undefeated Gary Hampton will be on the card. A hard-hitting super featherweight who looks to move his record to 3-0.

The February 11th show will also feature the professional debut of Sammy "Cobra" Brown the 2022 regional and state Golden Gloves champion a fighter near and deal to Relefords heart "that's like my son... I Have a 21-year-old son.. he has developed really well.. it is his time to make a move now and we're ready... He's ready to start making money." Relford explained.

The event is promoted by Made Men Promotions, an out-of-state promotional company that has relocated to Fort Worth and is on a mission to highlight Fort Worth Fighters and get them the exposure they deserve.

Tickets for the February 11th event can be purchased on their website https://www.mademenpromotions.com/

Tickets for this Saturday's amateur event can be purchased at Eventbrite and start at just $15 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dream-performance-remg-talent-presents-an-80s-throwback-boxing-event-tickets-494561425537?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Marvelous Marquis Taylor Closes in on a World Title Shot after a Sensational 2022

It's not been an easy path for "Marvelous" Marquis Taylor of Houston. There's been no shortcuts and no gimmies. Taylor returns to the ring for the first time on January 27th in Bogota, Colombia. The 13-1-2 (1) Jr Middleweight contender is coming off a breakthrough through 2022. "I should be able to say in 2022 that I beat two undefeated fighters in a row," Taylor stated, and he's not wrong. In February, he suffered one of the worst decisions in recent history and had to settle for a draw with Paul Kroll. A fight that Showtime's unofficial scorer and Hall of Famer Steve Farhood scored 79-73, seven rounds to one. A sentiment the entire boxing world shared. It wasn't close. It wasn't competitive. The entire boxing world excluding, two official judges scored 76-76 (Alex Levin) and 77-75 (Tito Wilgo), two of the worst cards in recent boxing history, with the third judge scoring 80-72 in favor of Taylor. "I heard that I knew it was political." The Houstonian said, " I was in shock, my mouth dropped, the crowd booed, Twitter went crazy, the boxing world went crazy, literally everyone .... not one person in the boxing world said Paul Kroll won the fight or was even close."

That horrible decision didn't keep Taylor down. He bounced back this past October on another Showtime SHOBOX card. Taylor absolutely dominated Marlon Harrington over eight one-sided rounds in Atlantic City, moving one step closer to a world title. "When I do get my opportunities to fight undefeated fighters, I do come out victorious...With that Paul Kroll fight. That's five undefeated fighters that I beat." Harrington was the fourth undefeated fighter Taylor beat, fifth if you include Kroll, whom he dominated.

The path for Taylor wasn't smooth or easy. It's been a rollercoaster for the 20-year-old from Houston. He started boxing at the age of seven and eventually turned pro at 19. He signed with a small DFW area-based promoter called Standing 8 Promotions. He put together three consecutive wins to start his career against entry-level opposition. He got a massive shot on an ESPN Card promoted by Mayweather Promotions.

He battled unbeaten all-world prospect LaDarius Miller, who has beaten world champions such as Jamel Herring and Jezreel Corrales, in a very competitive fight. A fight that could have gone either way, was awarded to the house fighter. An experience that Taylor describes as " a gift and curse." He said he didn't know the severity of what was about to take place. "I wasn't ready mentally. I did a lot of things I wasn't supposed to do before the fight. I am glad it happened because it did open my eyes and make me crazy focused after that."

After more than a year outside of the ring, Taylor bounced back in a major way and destroyed one of Golden Boy's Golden Prospects, 8-0 Oscar Torres. He badly outboxed and beat up the undefeated prospect to pick up a major upset victory on a major card. It was a massive upset that derailed a promising prospect. Taylor was brought in as the B-side and was supposed to lose. " It didn't go the way they thought it would go, they called me 2-3 weeks notice, but I was already going hard in the gym... Golden Boy was pretty pissed." Taylor added.

Upsetting and derailing undefeated prospects has become a hobby for Taylor, which he continues to do. After a few more impressive victories. Taylor got a chance to fight former world champ, Kermit Cintron. At just 8-1, Taylor secured a career-changing fight. "I got that fight when I was signed with Marshall Kaufman's King's Promotion. I saw he (Cintron) had a date at Bethlehem Sands Casino. I saw he didn't have an opponent. I told Marshall I'll step in. Marshall said Nah, you're not ready for Cintron and I talked my way into the fight"

It was a bold challenge, but Taylor was determined not to let the opportunity slip. After dominating the opening stanza, Taylor stayed busy and appeared to drop the former champ with a body shot but a seemingly legal blow was ruled low, nullifying the knockdown. Taylor stayed busy and was battering the former champ, who quickly turned to dirty tactics and tried head-butting Taylor. After several head butts, a small cut appeared above Cintron's eye. To which Cintron said he couldn't see and the fight was stopped. "He was trying to head-butt me to get out of the fight. All I had to do was move around and get through the fourth round, and he woulda lost. I didn't know about the rules (before the end of four the bout is declared a no-contest)... the crowd was booing, and he said he couldn't see. I didn't get my credit for whooping the world champion."

The "Marvelous" one got right back on his grind and would go on to beat two more undefeated prospects in Jimmy Willaims on a Roy Jones Jr Promotions card, and then the really big opportunity came. A NABF title shot against Floyd Mayweather Promoted fighter Sanjarbek Rakhmanov. However, the deck was already stacked against Taylor before the fight started. He was warned before he ever threw a punch. The ref warned that he was going to have a point deducted. The Texan describes the situation "In the locker room, the ref told me he was going to take a point. When he walked out, my camp was like he is going to take a point away. We were like it's ok. We are coming to win. It put more dog in us and pissed us off more. I got to snatching his body, and he got to complaining to the ref. That's a Floyd Mayweather Promotions hired ref. That ref's on his team." Sure enough, the ref took a point, and Taylor was not fazed. He stuck to the game plan and again upset the house fighter to capture a NABF title.

Upsetting house fighters, beating undefeated blue chippers and derailing/retiring fighters is something Taylor has made a career of. It has taken him from signing with a tiny DFW-based promoter that no longer exists, that when pressed, Taylor had a difficult time even remembering the name of, to the brink of a world title fight. The problem right now is all the belts at 154 are held by one man, Jermell Charlo, a fellow Houstonian. A fighter Taylor knows well and has sparred. A fight Taylor is absolutely open to but at this level, it gets extremely political. World title shots are exceedingly difficult to come by. This is why, for now, Taylor is calling out six-foot-six-inch prospect Sebastian Fundora. A fight that Fundora would be a huge betting favorite but a fight Taylor is calling for and one he thinks he can win. At 6'1 with a 69-inch reach, Taylor said, " He's not the average 154-pounder" He's long and rangy too! He can touch Fundora from long range. Fundora has one career blemish, a draw, with Jamontay Clark, to a relatively tall junior middleweight. Since then, Taylor noted Fundora has only fought shorter 154-pounders, all 5'10 and shorter. Range and length are things Taylor possesses in spades and maybe the kryptonite for Fundora. A win against Fundora, an undefeated and touted prospect, something Taylor has a history of upsetting, would catapult him in the rankings and world title picture.

Errol Spence to Return in April Against Keith Thurman

It looks like Errol "The Truth" Spence may be back in the ring as soon as April. Spence, of DeSoto, holds three-quarters of the world titles at 147 pounds. He was scheduled to fight WBO welterweight Champ Terence Crawford in the fourth quarter of 2022 before that fell through over contractual disputes on Crawford's side.

Multiple sources have reported that the champ from North Texas will take on former unified welterweight champ Keith "One Time" Thurman. The pair have been linked together for years when both held world titles in 2017. Due to injuries, accidents, and perhaps ducking on Thurman's part, the two never squared off to determine dominance in the welterweight division.

It's unclear at the moment, as to why, but the fight is expected to take place at the 154-pound limit. Opposed to 147, where Spence holds his titles. Meaning it will be a non-title fight, and the combatants will have to wear 10-oz gloves instead of 8-oz gloves which are used for up to 147 pounds. A small but important change for each man.

WBA President Gilberto Mendoza said Spence will have 60 days from the fight with Terence Crawford for undisputed supremacy. Or he must defend his 147-pound title against the winner of the postponed WBA "regular" title fight between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Eimantas Stanionis.

Spence, 32, could also decide to fight at 154 moving forward. It is unclear if the move up to 154 for the Thurman fight has anything to do with Spence being unable to make the welterweight limit. Spence is considered a massive welterweight and has flirted with the idea of moving up for a few years now.

Inactivity has stifled both fighters and Spence will have been out of the ring for a year when he squares off with Thurman. He last fought in April at AT&T Stadium and stopped Yordenis Ugas for his WBA Belt. Thurman has fought just three times in six years and ended a nearly three-year layoff when he stopped Mario Barrios of San Antonio last February. So it will be another 14 months outside the ring for "One Time".

Stanionis Needs Emergency Appendectomy Ortiz Fight Sidelined till April

Grand Prairie native Vergil Ortiz was scheduled to fight Eimantas Stanionis of Lithuania on March 18th for the WBA "Regular" Welterweight title. That fight will be postponed. The Lithuanian had an appendectomy Friday in Lithuania. Stanionis promoter Richard Schaefer has been in communication with Golden Boy, who represents Ortiz and won the Purse bid for the fight. Schaefer said, "We communicated to Golden Boy, who is going to look at available dates for the second half of April... He [ Stanionis] needs to follow doctor's orders, and he will be ready to go.

So the fight is not off for good and will only be postponed a few weeks. Additional good news for North Texas area fight fans the fight is still expected to be held in the DFW area. At the time of the postponement, no venue was nailed down. However, the bout is still expected to be held in the area.

Golden Boy won the bid last year with a bid of $2.3 million. According to WBA guidelines, Ortiz would earn a 25% split or roughly $575,000 with $1.75 million going to Stanionis, the champion. Multiple sources have reported that Golden Boy will be chipping in more money for Ortiz who is obviously a much bigger star in Texas.

Ortiz last fought in August at the Dickie's Arena in Fort Worth and scored a ninth-round TKO over Michael McKinson, of Britain to run his record to a perfect 19-0, with all 19 wins coming by way of stoppage. Stanionis sports a 14-0 (9) record and also had his last fight in the DFW Metroplex. He outpointed Radzhab Butaev over 12 rounds at AT&T Stadium. That was last April on the undercard of Spence-Ugas.

Roberto Garcia vs Raul Casarez Headline Major RGV Card on March 4

RGV Boxing has been on fire throughout 2022, and big-time boxing is going to stay in the valley in 2023! Kali Productions and Marines Promotions team up to bring the Valley a big-time card dubbed "March Madness". The card takes place on March 4th at the Llano Events Center in Mercedes and will have an outstanding all-action main event, as rugged veteran " La Amenaza" Roberto Garcia, fighting out of Weslaco, will take on "El Tigre" Raul Casarez of Edinburg.

Garcia sports an impressive 46-5 (29) record and will defend his IBA Intercontinental title. Garcia has been in the ring with the likes of Liam Smith, Martin Murray, and Antonio Margarito. He has wins over Breidis Prescott and Victor Cayo.

His opponent, Raul Casarez, is fresh off his win over Jesus Angulo Leija via unanimous decision last month in Mercedes. Casarez has accumulated an impressive record of 24-10 (11). He has stepped in the ring with world-class fighters like Kurtiss Colvin, Alfredo Angulo, and Darryl Cunningham. There will also be an ABF title on the line.

The card will also feature all-world 140-pound prospect, Fabian Diaz. An Edinburg-based prospect, that was featured as our #1 fighter to emerge in 2023. Diaz is an explosive hard-hitting, blue-chip prospect with a 3-0 record and scored a vicious first knockout in his last time out last month in Mercedes.

Fan favorite "Hot Hands" Nelson Hampton of Donna, will be on the card as he looks to get back in the win column following his decision loss to Joshua Montoya last month in the Payne Arena in Hidalgo.

Vergil Ortiz Returns to Dallas Area to Challange for First World Title

Undefeated welterweight phenom Vergil Ortiz of Grand Prairie will return to North Texas to make his first world title shot. Ortiz will battle WBA "regular" World Champion Eimantas Stanionis of Lithuania.

The bout went to purse bids and was won by Golden Boy Promotions back in December for $ 2.3 million and will take place in the DFW area on March 18th. No Venue has been announced yet. However, each fighter fought their last bout in the DFW Metroplex. Ortiz fought in August and stopped Michael McKinson at the Dickie's Arena in Fort Worth and Stanionis fought at AT&T Stadium and outpointed Radzhab Butaev to capture the WBA title.

The bigger news is the winner of the bout will be the mandatory challenger for the WBA "Super" World Champion, which happens to be Errol Spence of DeSoto. This means if Ortiz wins, which he will be favored to, a long-awaited all-DFW Shootout with Spence will be mandated by the WBA.

Ortiz is 24 years old and has long been considered one of the premier prospects in the sport. The Grand Prairie native sports a perfect 19-0 (19) record. Stanionis is also undefeated at 14-0 (9).

Franco-Estrada Unification is Easy to Make and Could Be Next

Legendary little man and current 115-pound world title holder Juan Fransico Estrada could be next for WBA champ San Antonio's own "El Professor" Joshua Franco. According to a report from Izquierdazo.com, A unification bout between the WBA and WBC champ would be easy to make. Franco's trainer Robert Garcia said. Franco was robbed of a career-best win when two of the judges scored his New Year's Eve bout with WBO Super Flyweight champ Kaz Ioka a draw in Ioka's native Japan. The press, observers, and Ioka himself felt Franco should have been declared the winner. He should be the unified champ at 115.

Their performance by Franco was so impressive that he has been viewed and treated as the rightful winner. Perhaps the Texan is not looking to rematch with Ioka. Instead looking to unify with the WBC champion. The two were mandated to fight last year by the WBA. The bout went to pursue bids it was awarded to the highest bidder, Golden Boy Promotions. Estrada opted not to fight Franco, vacated his share of the WBA belt, and took a bout with a non-descript fighter named Argi Cortes in what appeared to most as a duck. After a tougher-than-expected challenge from Cortes, Estrada scored a career-best win over fellow legendary little man Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez to capture the vacant WBC title.

The San Antonian's trainer Robert Garcia, insists that the fight would be easy to make saying, "it's a very easy fight to make, we done have to negotiate with any promoter. We are free of a promoter. We just have to talk to Matchroom's Eddie Hearn and Fernando Beltran (CEO of Zanfer Boxing) so the fight can take place."

Estrada's WBC title was vacated by Franco's little brother Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez, who won the belt in early 2022. He defended it twice before he opted to relinquish the belt and move down to his more natural weight of 112 pounds to challenge for the vacant WBO title.

Bam Rodriguez Returing Home to Become Multi Division World Title

The Alamo City's favorite son Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez will return home to San Antonio and look to become a multi-division world champion on Saturday, April 8th.

Rodriguez 17-0 (11) will take on Cristian Gonzalez for the WBO's vacant flyweight title. The explosive Texan captured the 115-pound world title less than a year ago when he took on Carlos Cuadras for the vacant WBC title on six days' notice. Rodriguez moved up two weight classes and handed in a spectacular performance that put everyone from 108 to 118 on notice. He followed that up with two

successful title defenses to put together a Fighter of The Year type year for 2022.

Cristian Gonzalez is a 23-year-old, somewhat unknown prospect from Mexico. He sports a 15-1 (5) record. His best win of note came back in June of 2021 when he outpointed Saul Juarez over ten competitive rounds in Mexico City. He last fought in March of 2022 and stopped Juan Alejo Zuniga in the first round.

The bout is held for the vacant WBO 112-pound world title which was vacated by Junto Nakatani in late 2022 to move up to 115 pounds. Nakatani won the belt in November of 2020 by stopping Giemel Magramo in eight rounds and would successfully defend it twice before relinquishing it. The venue for the bout has not yet been confirmed. However, Rodriguez fought in his home city last summer at a packed-out Tech Port Arena, which was an ideal location.

"I tried my best but I feel that I lost" Ioka says; Josh Franco Settles for Disputed Draw

"El Professor" Josh Franco traveled 6500 miles from his home city of San Antonio to Tokyo, Japan. To take on home countryman and future Hall of Famer Kaz Ioka to unify the WBA and WBO Super Flyweight titles in the biggest fight of his young and promising career.

Franco delivered perhaps the best performance of his young and promising career. However, the entertaining 12-round affair failed to produce a winner as the pair of 115-pounders titlists fought to a twelve-round, majority draw. Franco managed to win by a score of 115-113 on a single card but that verdict was overruled by a pair of 114-114making the WBA/WBO unification bout Saturday evening a Draw at Ota-City General Gymnasium.

Franco seemed to control the early rounds and built up a lead in the early going of constant pressure and excellent combination punching. Franco was able to force Ioka backward and into the ropes. Franco was able to keep his man backed up and made him pay while on the ropes. Franco served as the aggressor who seemed to land the cleaner shots. The judges largely agreed, scoring the first seven rounds in favor of Franco by a wide margin. Ioka rallied in the middle rounds and was able to score with right hands and got in a rhythm against the ropes. Ioka was able to move closer on the scorecards. However, the final three rounds specifically the last two, seemed to be Franco rounds. The Texan bounced back and rallied with right hands and precision combination punching to close out the 10th and seemed to remain in control for the final six minutes. Hurting and wobbling the hometown legend in the 11th. He mixed up a body shot and straight right to the head that momentarily stumbled his opponent. Like a true champion. Ioka still in trouble started the 12th and final round in retreat, perhaps in survival mode. Franco pressed the action and again was able to affect the Japanese warrior. As the bell rang to conclude the 12th and final round it seemed academic Franco had done more than enough in a competitive fight. However, the judges did the unthinkable and scored the bout a majority decision draw. With one judge somehow giving Ioka the final five rounds.

Ioka was just as confused saying "I tried my best but I feel that I lost" That was the impression the audience had as well. Franco will retain his WBA belt, and his hard luck record moves to 18-1-3 (8). Ioka receives the benefit of the doubt and moves to 29-2-1 (15). Franco has already had rematches and then trilogies with two other fighters, Andrew Moloney and Oscar Negrete. Given the controversial decision, another rematch may be in store for the Alamo City native.

Six Shooters: Six Young Texas Fighers who Could Emerge in 2023

1. Fabian Diaz Edinburg 3-0 (1) There's nothing not to like about Diaz, the best young fighter in the RGV is absolutely electric. He strikes so much similarity to a young Teofimo Lopez, a Teofimo Lopez who "still had it"! Everything Diaz throws is hard and violent. He's a seek-and-destroy fighter with superb skills and is always on the hunt. It's not a matter of if it's a matter of when for Diaz. The "Unknown Warrior" made his pro debut in July in San Antonio on a PBC and ran his record to 3-0 (1). He scored his latest win, a first-round KO earlier this month on a Marines Promotions Card. Look for the youngster to be back in the ring on another PBC Card early in 2023

2. Juan Garcia Carrizo Springs 1-0 (1) If you have never heard of Carrizo Springs you're about to the south Texas town in Dimmit County is about 80 miles northwest of Laredo and has a population of about 5,000. Garcia is about to put the small south Texas town on the boxing map. A pure boxer-puncher with excellent fundamentals and one-punch power got off to an explosive start to his career. He made his pro debut on a P4P card in San Antonio and scored a first-round knockout. Unfortunately, The least experienced fighter on the list should be 3-0 but had two victories removed by the Texas Commission, so the only knock on the kid is that he might want to be a little more careful of who he hangs around.

3." Panterita" Jesus Martinez Del Rio 3-0 (1) The Future Of Boxing! The Phenom. The youngest fighter on the list. The 13x US National Champ and International Champ is as complete a fighter as a 17-year-old can be, and under the tutelage of Robert Garcia, the sky is truly the limit. An extraordinary athlete with terrific speed, one-punch power, a high ring IQ, plus all the accolades to back it up. Panterita caught the eye of former world champs Joe Calzaghe and Darren Baker and was the first fighter signed by their Management company ISG. Panterita has already fought on Matchroom Cards and has been streamed on DAZN.

4. Daniel Cortez San Antonio 3-0 (1) the 20-year-old is already being touted as San Antonio's next great one. Cortez trains alongside fellow Alamo City natives and world champions Bam Rodriguez and Josh Franco, he served as one of Franco's chief sparring partners in his lead-up to the unification bout with Ioka. Cortez is a raw talent with unlimited upside, who after a brief but successful amateur career turned pro. He caught the eye of trainer Robert Garcia and has gotten off to an exceptional start in his professional career. He has a style that is made for pro success more than the amateurs and can band on the inside and his elite-level power but has the ability to use his height and reach and box from the outside. A gifted offensive fighter who can box at all three distances.

5. Javy Fernández San Antonio 12-0 (6) Guaranteed action! Fernandez is a pressure fighter, a raw power puncher, who had a way too wide-base. Fernendez was discovered by trainer Rick Nunez of the South Park Boxing Academy and Nunez has his man on the verge of being a breakout star. Fernandez is no longer just a relentless come-forward swarmer. He has learned how to cut the ring off, force his opponents to exchange, and can wear them down. He also snappy jab he uses to get on the inside and much-improved footwork. When on the inside Fernandez is deadly and relentless.

6. Sammy Castaneda Mercedes 9-0-1 (7)- Of all the Fighters on the list we know that Castaneda has the heart. He has that dog in him! The 9-0-1 prospect took a major step up and took on the biggest fight of his career as big-time boxing returned to the RGV as he battled Julio Sanchez in a lackluster fight that he still appeared to win but had to settle for a draw in. Castaneda didn't want to move on and forget it happened and his status as an A-side prospect to avoid a rematch. He was obsessed with the rematch, got his rematch, and delivered. He got up off the canvas and erased a three-point deficit on the scorecard after a second-round knockdown, shook it off, and dominated Sanchez for the remainder of the fight to pick up the MD victory.

Jermell Charlo vs Tim Tszyu & The WBO UPDATE

Undisputed Jr Middleweight champ and Houston native Jermell Charlo was set to defend all the straps against Tim Tszyu of Australia, the son of legendary former 140-pound world champ Kostya Tszyu. That fight is off, at least for the time being, due to a hand injury suffered by Jermell Charlo.

Charlo provided a doctor's note from an orthopedic specialist from the Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports MedicineSugar land. The letter was dated December 23rd. Three days after injuring his hand during a mid-week sparring session. It is signed by Dr. Vincent Chau Phan and states, “He [Charlo] has sustained a left scaphoid fracture and 5th metacarpal base fracture. He will be placed in a short arm cast at this time. It is my recommendation that Jermell should refrain from upper extremity training that involves impact for 2 months.”

This was apparently not sufficient for the WBO as they issued A Notice of Medical Certification was issued to Charlo. Additionally, told WBO Championship Committee chairman Luis Batista-Salas told event promoter Tom Brown Mr. Charlo is hereby ordered to submit within the next 5 days upon issuance of this notice a detailed medical explanation of his injury, findings, recovery prognosis, and his orthopedic specialist’s opinion as to when will he be physically and medically cleared to compete and return to active competition,”

This means that Charlo will have until New Year's Day, Jan 1, 2023, to produce the document. It appears that Charlo has provided this in his original letter from Doctor Phan. It documented the injury and duration. It's from a licensed doctor who is anorthopedic specialist. So it's unclear exactly what more Charlo could provide.

There are also rumors that Tszyu will fight former world champion Tony Harrison in a bout for the WBO Interim title. Or that Harrison could fight Bakhram Murtazaliev in an eliminator. It's a fluid situation at the current time. However, one thing is certain the January 28th fight scheduled for Las Vegas is off atleast for now.

O'shaquie Foster to Get Long Awaited World Title Shot in San Antonio

"Ice Water" O'shaquie Foster has had an odd, strange, climb to the top. However, the cream always rises to the top and the man from Orange, Texas, who seemed destined for greatness is now on the verge of a world title. 

Multiple sources have reported that Foster will take on former two-division world champion Rey Vargas for the vacant WBC 130-pound world title. On February 11th in Foster's home state of Texas at the Alamodome. Vargas has held the WBC world titles at both 122 and 126. Vargas sports a perfect 36-0 (22) record

It will be the first world title fight for Foster, who has perhaps the best skills in the division but suffered two setbacks early in his career. Foster shockingly lost twice in an eight-month span over 2015-2016. Dropping close decisions to Samuel Teah and  Rolando Chinea at higher weight classes. Since the second loss and moving down to the 130-pound weight limit the Texan has had a resurgence and won nine fights in a row. He has picked up victories over the likes of  Alberto Mercado, and Miguel Roman, and most recently back in March he picked up a lopsided UD over Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov, in Dubai. 

Foster will be fighting in his home state of Texas for the first time since 2019 when he scored a third-round stoppage of  Fatiou Fassinou at the Civic Center in Beaumont.