2012 Ringside Tournament brings first victory for “Big Jump” Keck, Impressive Debut for Elliot Mosley

The transition from July to August saw the return of the annual Ringside Products boxing tournament in Kansas, City, MO. John “The Big Jump” Keck of Stillwater, MN won the 200 pound Masters Division, ages 36 to 50, Novice championship, redeeming his second place finish in his first competition last…

Continue reading

Rodriguez adds Tongola to prepare collateral damage for James

When Corey Rodriguez faces Jamal James in a 152 pound catch weight fight this Saturday at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN, Twin Cities boxing fans are going to see an improved fighter. Rodriguez already is accomplished—a three-time Upper Midwest Golden Gloves Champion with a winning professional record (6-3-2, 3 KOs)…

Continue reading

Alvarez shines, Mosley’s star fades, and Cotto brings best out of Mayweather

Last night I had to admit a gross overestimation I made of the shape ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley would be in and a gross underestimate of Saul Alvarez’s defense. Unlike my prediction, Mosley was not able to capitalize on Alvarez’s vulnerability to being hit and he also faded fast when Alvarez…

Continue reading

2012 Ringside Tournament brings first victory for “Big Jump” Keck, Impressive Debut for Elliot Mosley

By Mark Connor © Copyright 2012, Mark Connor The transition from July to August saw the return of the annual Ringside Products boxing tournament in Kansas, City, MO. John “The Big Jump” Keck of Stillwater, MN won the 200 pound Masters Division, ages 36 to 50, Novice championship, redeeming his…

Continue reading

Mosley will win, Cotto will challenge hard

By Mark Connor © Copyright 2012, Mark Connor I’ve spoken with a number of people at the gym this week, people whose knowledge of boxing and opinions I respect, and I have been surprised at how readily they are writing off Shane Mosley in his challenge against junior middleweight champion…

Continue reading

Determined effort in loss shows potential for Truax

Caleb “Golden” Truax gave a valiant effort on Friday night and almost capitalized on the knockout opportunity as he fought former middleweight world champion Jermaine Taylor. Although he was not able to avoid smothering himself and eliminate Taylor’s jab and he was dominated throughout the first eight rounds, Truax did…

Continue reading

Minnesota’s Truax Fights Jermain Taylor Friday night

On Friday night Minnesota’s undefeated middleweight Caleb Truax makes the biggest jump of his professional boxing career against former world middleweight champion Jermain Taylor. Truax’s last fight, a narrow victory for the State title against Andy Kolle, has catapulted him into the chance to move into contender status if he…

Continue reading

Wayne Martell Will Win Tonight

As reported by MinnesotaBoxing.com, former Upper Midwest Golden Gloves Junior Welterweight Champion and accomplished professional welterweight, Wayne Martell, 24-3 of North Dakota, returns to the ring after nearly eight years absence tonight in North Dakota against Minnesota’s Hector Orozco. Although Orozco, 4-10, has recently shown determination and skill and pulled off…

Continue reading

Greatest boxing journalist Bert Sugar dies at 75

Bert Sugar, The premier boxing journalist of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, has died at age 75 from cardiac arrest after a period of battling lung cancer, according to Reuters.  I had the good fortune of meeting him on two occasions, once outside the press conference after the Robin…

Continue reading

Mike Evgen, Dennis Presley watch Lee-Chavez, Jr. with Boxers and Writers at Ol Mexico

John Pavlik, left, with former IBO Junior Welterweight Champion Mike Evgen, World Class trainer Dennis Presley, and Mark Connor at the Pavlik family’s Ol Mexico restaurant in Roseville, MN.  Copyright 2012, Mark Connor. John Pavlik, left, with former IBO Junior Welterweight Champion Mike Evgen, World Class trainer Dennis Presley, and…

Continue reading