Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Photo and caption by Dan


Turn my back for one minute and Pops picks a fight with Emile Griffith

[dagosd2000]

LIVING IN A TIJUANA BARRIO

"Fernando got beat up again?"I asked my wife.
"Si,los mendigos en la calle."
"That's his problem. He can't be living in the street."
"Le gusta las drogas."
"How many times have we sent him to clinics? He always comes back to the barrio and hooks up with his friends again."
My nephew,Fernando,was raised by his grandmother. My wife's mother. A kind lady who let the boys do whatever they wanted. All three of my nephews had different fathers and the same mother. My wife's sister,Teresa,never had the mental ability to raise children. As they say,"un poco mensa."

Besides the three boys hated her. She never took care of them. Today she doesn't even recognize them when we show her their pictures.

When my mother in law died they were on their own. Jorge crossed illegally and works in New York. Oscar got married to a gal who had a son. Between them they have a daughter that they call "Gorda". Oscar and his wife work at different bars in TJ downtown. Oscar stands outside hustling people to come inside.
"Hey gringo,you want to see naked ladies. Very young girls,Gringo."
While his wife is behind the bar in another joint down the street. They both get home at sunrise. The "Madrugada."

Back to Fernando. He's been on the "stuff " for years. No one in the family will take him in because he'll steal. I brought him across once to stay with us. I was against it,but my wife begged me. The first night he passes out in our bathroom. Vomit was spewing from his mouth. Somehow he got the 'stuff' into our house. He was gone the next day. Back to Canon Jhonson sleeping in abandoned cars.

But the family gets along day by day down there. Baptisms,birthday parties,"quincieneras",a wedding. Everyone gets together. There's food and music. Lots of dancing. Celebrating anything is important. It's a way to let go. Get your mind off all the hardships.

You'll see Fernanbdo. He wanders in. How he got there is anyone's guess. We're happy to see him. He's wearing his dark glasses. Before anyone notices ,he's gone. Where he goes,nobody wants to know.

[scartissue]

Photo and caption by Dan


That's me with Andy 'Kid' Heilman

Funny story when I was in the memorabilia show, some dude I was talking to walks me over and says to me, "Do you know this gentleman?" right in front of Andy. Well now I'm embarrassed because I haven't a clue. But then the dude adds, "He fought out of North Dakota." Well now, there are only 3 fighters I know of that fought out of the Dakotas. I was sure he wasn't the Fargo Express, Billy Petrolle since I'm sure he would have had to be around 140 years old by now. He sure wasn't Virgil Hill because he wasn't looking around for an average opponent. So that left only one, so I muttered hopefully, "Are you Andy 'Kid' Heilman?" Relieved when he said yes, I added, "I knew you were a fighter, you have a fighter's nose." He replied to my goofy statement, "Yeah, but I had it fixed." Putting my foot in my mouth, I said, "You did?" Thankfully Andy has a good sense of humor. For a 69 year ex-pug he looks good and his handshake is like a big paw. A good guy. Dago, I resisted asking him why he quit against Ronnie Wilson. I think I put my foot in my mouth enough times for one day.

Scartissue

[rufus payne]

Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi go to War on HBO’s World Championship Boxing this Saturday Night
By Daniel “Tex” Cohen
RSR

IBO Light Welterweight Titlist Ricky “Hit Man” Hatton, 44-1, 31 KO’s, defends his belt against Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi, 25-1, 5 KO’s, this Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, on HBO’s World Championship Boxing.
This fight is simply the very best in the junior welterweight division in terms of star power and interest. Hatton and Malignaggi are considered by many as the two best light welterweights in the world.

Malignaggi and Hatton were scheduled for a September 13th press conference, but only Malignaggi showed up that day; Hatton was apparently ill. Malignaggi took the opportunity to sidekick his opponent verbally while he was not there to defend himself.

"There are only two boxers with this style, John Ruiz and Ricky Hatton. I will have an answer for Hatton on Nov. 22."

The Ruiz statement is worthy of a few raises of the eyebrow in hard core boxing circles. Ruiz, while respected for his accomplishments, is considered by many as one of the least exciting fighters to watch in the world.

Malignaggi has drawbacks as well. As evidenced by his official statistics, he lacks the pop of many elite fighters including his upcoming opponent. However, Malignaggi brings lightning speed and an unusual style of active movement to the ring for his fights. Hatton, on the other hand, is a straight forward brawler, leaving the public to decide which of the two vastly contrasting style will prevail.

The winner of the bout will have closed some doors to the past and opened some to the future. Hatton lost to Floyd Mayweather, JR., last year in the biggest fight of his career, suffering a tenth round knockout for the only loss of his career. Hatton schooled Juan Lazcano in his last fight, but had to overcome some rough spots to nail down the victory. Hatton looked rather beat up for a victorious man after the bout.

As for Malignaggi, he has his own past demons in the ring. He is coming off of a close victory over Lovemore N’dou, a man he had already beaten in the past. Prior to that bout, he took a close, debatable unanimous decision over Herman Ngoudjo. Malginaggi’s only career loss was a brutally one-sided unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Miguel Cotto in June of 2006. Since then, he has been working his way back toward a Cotto fight as hard as he can. Whether or not that fight has a chance of becoming a reality depends largely in part on whether or not he picks up the victory in this fight.

This card is packed to the brim with action-packed fights. Exciting, aggressive undefeated middleweight James Kirkland, 23-0, 20 KO’s, will take on Brian Vera, 16-1, 10 KO’s, in a bout between sluggers of the some of the strongest Pound for Pound variety. Kirkland’s last four opponents were a combined 77-10 entering the ring with him; he ended the night for each of those fighters before the close of the second round. He also trains with female great Ann Wolfe. Vera, a Contender alumnus, has won his last two fights and defeated Emanuel Steward’s best prospect Andy Lee in March. After a first round knockdown, Vera rose to his feet and overwhelmed Lee for a seventh round stoppage. Now riding a high wave of success, Vera is looking to capitalize on his guts and his skills for a night of glory against Kirkland.

Also on the card, well-known Filipino warrior Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, 26-1, 19 KO’s, returns to action against Heriberto Ruiz, 39-7, 23 KO’s. Bautista is riding a three fight winning streak after suffering an infamous first round knockout to the powerful Daniel Ponce De Leon last year. Bautista has had to fight back strong from the highlight reel loss and still has yet to take on another big name opponent. Prior to his loss against Ponce De Leon, Bautista was considered one of the most popular Filipino fighters in the world. Still popular, Bautista must now prove that his loss to Ponce de Leon was a fluke and that the real Bautista is capable of beating some of the best fighters in the world. Ruiz was riding a four fight winning streak, but suffered a unanimous decision loss in his last bout.

Ricky Hatton has the great opportunity to watch his little brother Matthew fight before him on the card, as Matthew Hatton, 34-4, 13 KO’s, takes on the gate keeping veteran Ben Tackie, 29-10, 17 KO’s. Tackie’s last four fights have all been losses. While all of the bouts were close, Tackie is now engaged in a struggle to maintain relevance. The younger Hatton, ironically nick named “Magic,” has won six of his last seven, but dropped a unanimous decision for the Commonwealth Title to Craig Watson in May.

Sirimongkol Singwancha, 59-2, 34 KO’s, takes on Rogelio Castaneda, 24-14, 8 KO’s. Castaneda has lost four of his last six bouts and should make for easy pickings for Singwancha, who has fought real fighters in the States before.

The card also features several young undefeated prospects. 20-year-old Danny “Swift” Garcia, 8-0, 7 KO’s, will fight against an opponent to be named later. Garcia has already faced and defeated several sturdy journeymen fighters. 18-year-old Hylon Williams, JR., 5-0, 1 KO, takes on Ramon Flores, 2-3, 2 KO’s. Williams, who fought impressively on the Juan Diaz-Michael Katsidis undercard earlier this year, is rising quickly for his age. Williams is well ahead of his own physical maturity, making him a prospect to watch in the next few years.
In the warm up bout of the evening, Adrian Gonzalez makes his pro debut against Alfred Berto, 0-2.

cant WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Randyman]

Guys, I made a video montage of all the photos from last weekend. It's on my site at http://boxing-ring.blogspot.com Let me know what you think. The view is limited to one size. I'm trying to upload it to youtube this way you guys can use and share it plus we'll get a full screen version. I'll get back to you.

Randy

[Randyman]

Okay, I just got it up and running at Youtube. Go to http://www.youtube.com/user/Randyman0508

Randy DD

[Rick Farris]

Photo and caption by Dan


That's me with Andy 'Kid' Heilman

Funny story when I was in the memorabilia show, some dude I was talking to walks me over and says to me, "Do you know this gentleman?" right in front of Andy. Well now I'm embarrassed because I haven't a clue. But then the dude adds, "He fought out of North Dakota." Well now, there are only 3 fighters I know of that fought out of the Dakotas. I was sure he wasn't the Fargo Express, Billy Petrolle since I'm sure he would have had to be around 140 years old by now. He sure wasn't Virgil Hill because he wasn't looking around for an average opponent. So that left only one, so I muttered hopefully, "Are you Andy 'Kid' Heilman?" Relieved when he said yes, I added, "I knew you were a fighter, you have a fighter's nose." He replied to my goofy statement, "Yeah, but I had it fixed." Putting my foot in my mouth, I said, "You did?" Thankfully Andy has a good sense of humor. For a 69 year ex-pug he looks good and his handshake is like a big paw. A good guy. Dago, I resisted asking him why he quit against Ronnie Wilson. I think I put my foot in my mouth enough times for one day.

Scartissue

Dan . . . I was at that fight. It was at the Valley Music Theatre in Woodland Hills, which soon after became a Jehovah's Witness Church, and last year was razed to make way for a condo development. Something was wrong with Heilman that night. Strange look in his face, kinda like he was upset over something. He clearly had his way with the outskilled Wilson, who was the most surprised person in the house when he'd learned Heilman had quit in his corner. "I lost my desire to fight," was Heilman's excuse. He just told Jackie McCoy he was quitting well into a fight he was clearly winning. That was it. I know McCoy was caught off guard. Whatever the reason, only Andy Heilman knows today, and I'd really like to hear what he has to say. Hey Dan, maybe next year we should ask him?

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Hope to make it, Rick, but I'll make sure I tiptoe around big Dan.

Bennie . . . We all tiptoe around Dan's father. I have a feeling Pops is waiting for the opportunity to use his cane for something other than walking.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

A Mel Epstein memory . . .

Randy, we may have discussed this before, however, did you ever notice how Mel would stand in front of you and demonstrate a certain move, such as Jock Malone's "inverted jab", and he'd almost always slip his boney knuckles between your ribs. This would always get your attention. He did it once to Mike Nixon and the fighter was so pissed he fired back with a hook to Mel's head. Mel stepped outside the hook and from then on relished telling the story of how his "inbred 22-year-old middleweight couldn't tag a half-blind, 72-year-old man with leukemia and a bad ticker."

-Rick

[bennie]

Photo and caption by Dan


That's me with Andy 'Kid' Heilman

Funny story when I was in the memorabilia show, some dude I was talking to walks me over and says to me, "Do you know this gentleman?" right in front of Andy. Well now I'm embarrassed because I haven't a clue. But then the dude adds, "He fought out of North Dakota." Well now, there are only 3 fighters I know of that fought out of the Dakotas. I was sure he wasn't the Fargo Express, Billy Petrolle since I'm sure he would have had to be around 140 years old by now. He sure wasn't Virgil Hill because he wasn't looking around for an average opponent. So that left only one, so I muttered hopefully, "Are you Andy 'Kid' Heilman?" Relieved when he said yes, I added, "I knew you were a fighter, you have a fighter's nose." He replied to my goofy statement, "Yeah, but I had it fixed." Putting my foot in my mouth, I said, "You did?" Thankfully Andy has a good sense of humor. For a 69 year ex-pug he looks good and his handshake is like a big paw. A good guy. Dago, I resisted asking him why he quit against Ronnie Wilson. I think I put my foot in my mouth enough times for one day.

Scartissue

Good knowledge, Dan.

[bennie]

Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi go to War on HBO’s World Championship Boxing this Saturday Night
By Daniel “Tex” Cohen
RSR

IBO Light Welterweight Titlist Ricky “Hit Man” Hatton, 44-1, 31 KO’s, defends his belt against Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi, 25-1, 5 KO’s, this Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, on HBO’s World Championship Boxing.
This fight is simply the very best in the junior welterweight division in terms of star power and interest. Hatton and Malignaggi are considered by many as the two best light welterweights in the world.

Malignaggi and Hatton were scheduled for a September 13th press conference, but only Malignaggi showed up that day; Hatton was apparently ill. Malignaggi took the opportunity to sidekick his opponent verbally while he was not there to defend himself.

"There are only two boxers with this style, John Ruiz and Ricky Hatton. I will have an answer for Hatton on Nov. 22."

The Ruiz statement is worthy of a few raises of the eyebrow in hard core boxing circles. Ruiz, while respected for his accomplishments, is considered by many as one of the least exciting fighters to watch in the world.

Malignaggi has drawbacks as well. As evidenced by his official statistics, he lacks the pop of many elite fighters including his upcoming opponent. However, Malignaggi brings lightning speed and an unusual style of active movement to the ring for his fights. Hatton, on the other hand, is a straight forward brawler, leaving the public to decide which of the two vastly contrasting style will prevail.

The winner of the bout will have closed some doors to the past and opened some to the future. Hatton lost to Floyd Mayweather, JR., last year in the biggest fight of his career, suffering a tenth round knockout for the only loss of his career. Hatton schooled Juan Lazcano in his last fight, but had to overcome some rough spots to nail down the victory. Hatton looked rather beat up for a victorious man after the bout.

As for Malignaggi, he has his own past demons in the ring. He is coming off of a close victory over Lovemore N’dou, a man he had already beaten in the past. Prior to that bout, he took a close, debatable unanimous decision over Herman Ngoudjo. Malginaggi’s only career loss was a brutally one-sided unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Miguel Cotto in June of 2006. Since then, he has been working his way back toward a Cotto fight as hard as he can. Whether or not that fight has a chance of becoming a reality depends largely in part on whether or not he picks up the victory in this fight.

This card is packed to the brim with action-packed fights. Exciting, aggressive undefeated middleweight James Kirkland, 23-0, 20 KO’s, will take on Brian Vera, 16-1, 10 KO’s, in a bout between sluggers of the some of the strongest Pound for Pound variety. Kirkland’s last four opponents were a combined 77-10 entering the ring with him; he ended the night for each of those fighters before the close of the second round. He also trains with female great Ann Wolfe. Vera, a Contender alumnus, has won his last two fights and defeated Emanuel Steward’s best prospect Andy Lee in March. After a first round knockdown, Vera rose to his feet and overwhelmed Lee for a seventh round stoppage. Now riding a high wave of success, Vera is looking to capitalize on his guts and his skills for a night of glory against Kirkland.

Also on the card, well-known Filipino warrior Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, 26-1, 19 KO’s, returns to action against Heriberto Ruiz, 39-7, 23 KO’s. Bautista is riding a three fight winning streak after suffering an infamous first round knockout to the powerful Daniel Ponce De Leon last year. Bautista has had to fight back strong from the highlight reel loss and still has yet to take on another big name opponent. Prior to his loss against Ponce De Leon, Bautista was considered one of the most popular Filipino fighters in the world. Still popular, Bautista must now prove that his loss to Ponce de Leon was a fluke and that the real Bautista is capable of beating some of the best fighters in the world. Ruiz was riding a four fight winning streak, but suffered a unanimous decision loss in his last bout.

Ricky Hatton has the great opportunity to watch his little brother Matthew fight before him on the card, as Matthew Hatton, 34-4, 13 KO’s, takes on the gate keeping veteran Ben Tackie, 29-10, 17 KO’s. Tackie’s last four fights have all been losses. While all of the bouts were close, Tackie is now engaged in a struggle to maintain relevance. The younger Hatton, ironically nick named “Magic,” has won six of his last seven, but dropped a unanimous decision for the Commonwealth Title to Craig Watson in May.

Sirimongkol Singwancha, 59-2, 34 KO’s, takes on Rogelio Castaneda, 24-14, 8 KO’s. Castaneda has lost four of his last six bouts and should make for easy pickings for Singwancha, who has fought real fighters in the States before.

The card also features several young undefeated prospects. 20-year-old Danny “Swift” Garcia, 8-0, 7 KO’s, will fight against an opponent to be named later. Garcia has already faced and defeated several sturdy journeymen fighters. 18-year-old Hylon Williams, JR., 5-0, 1 KO, takes on Ramon Flores, 2-3, 2 KO’s. Williams, who fought impressively on the Juan Diaz-Michael Katsidis undercard earlier this year, is rising quickly for his age. Williams is well ahead of his own physical maturity, making him a prospect to watch in the next few years.
In the warm up bout of the evening, Adrian Gonzalez makes his pro debut against Alfred Berto, 0-2.

cant WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who do you fancy to win the main event?

[bennie]

Photo and caption by Dan


That's me with Andy 'Kid' Heilman

Funny story when I was in the memorabilia show, some dude I was talking to walks me over and says to me, "Do you know this gentleman?" right in front of Andy. Well now I'm embarrassed because I haven't a clue. But then the dude adds, "He fought out of North Dakota." Well now, there are only 3 fighters I know of that fought out of the Dakotas. I was sure he wasn't the Fargo Express, Billy Petrolle since I'm sure he would have had to be around 140 years old by now. He sure wasn't Virgil Hill because he wasn't looking around for an average opponent. So that left only one, so I muttered hopefully, "Are you Andy 'Kid' Heilman?" Relieved when he said yes, I added, "I knew you were a fighter, you have a fighter's nose." He replied to my goofy statement, "Yeah, but I had it fixed." Putting my foot in my mouth, I said, "You did?" Thankfully Andy has a good sense of humor. For a 69 year ex-pug he looks good and his handshake is like a big paw. A good guy. Dago, I resisted asking him why he quit against Ronnie Wilson. I think I put my foot in my mouth enough times for one day.

Scartissue

Dan . . . I was at that fight. It was at the Valley Music Theatre in Woodland Hills, which soon after became a Jehovah's Witness Church, and last year was razed to make way for a condo development. Something was wrong with Heilman that night. Strange look in his face, kinda like he was upset over something. He clearly had his way with the outskilled Wilson, who was the most surprised person in the house when he'd learned Heilman had quit in his corner. "I lost my desire to fight," was Heilman's excuse. He just told Jackie McCoy he was quitting well into a fight he was clearly winning. That was it. I know McCoy was caught off guard. Whatever the reason, only Andy Heilman knows today, and I'd really like to hear what he has to say. Hey Dan, maybe next year we should ask him?

-Rick

They say never bet on a sport like boxing (and I don't) because you never know what is going on inside a fighter's head.

[bennie]

Photo and caption by Dan


Turn my back for one minute and Pops picks a fight with Emile Griffith

Poor Emile once copped a brutal street beating in New York and it is so good to see him smiling and looking in shape.
They (and it was about five on to one) got him while he was drunk.

[Rick Farris]

Bennie wrote:

They say never bet on a sport like boxing (and I don't) because you never know what is going on inside a fighter's head.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You're spot on Bennie, as usual. I have never heard it put so well. Anyone who picks the winner in a fight isn't savvy, just lucky.

-Rick

[bennie]

Bennie wrote:

They say never bet on a sport like boxing (and I don't) because you never know what is going on inside a fighter's head.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You're spot on Bennie, as usual. I have never heard it put so well. Anyone who picks the winner in a fight isn't savvy, just lucky.

-Rick

Cheers, Rick.

[kikibalt]

Photo and caption by Dan


Former heavyweight contender Joey Orbillo with Rodolfo Gonzalez

[kikibalt]

Ricky Hatton vs. Paulie Malignaggi bout brings in the Brits
Hatton's fan base returns one year after the British boxer's loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Bill Dwyre
November 22, 2008

Reporting from Las Vegas -- Ricky Hatton makes his return to the MGM Grand boxing ring tonight in a 12-round match that has given his dedicated and noisy fan base another reason to depart Manchester, England, in early winter.

Almost a year ago, Dec. 8, 2007, Hatton battled Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a welterweight title fight that received international attention, not only for the quality of competition, but also for the size and volume of Hatton's fan base. Mayweather stopped Hatton with a flurry of shots in the 10th round of that one and retired (for the moment) with an unbeaten record.

Hatton, 30, kept going, beating Juan Lazcano in England in May to bring his record to 44-1.

His opponent tonight will be Brooklyn fighter Paulie Malignaggi, who has also lost only once, in 26 fights, and who may have been most impressive in his 12-round loss in June 2006 to Miguel Cotto. Malignaggi will turn 28 Sunday.

Hatton's 44 victories have included 31 knockouts. Malignaggi's 25 victories have included five knockouts.

Hatton hit the 140-pound match weight on the number at Friday's weigh-in, and Malignaggi was a pound below at 139.

As it did when Hatton took on Mayweather, the weigh-in crowd belonged to Hatton. They cheered him, sang songs about him, mugged for any camera they could find and kept the beer vendors busy.

The crowd was slightly smaller than last year's for Hatton-Mayweather. Officials said tickets were still available.

The Hatton-Malignaggi fight can be seen live on HBO's World Championship Boxing.

Dwyre is a Times staff writer.

[email protected]

[bennie]

Ricky Hatton vs. Paulie Malignaggi bout brings in the Brits
Hatton's fan base returns one year after the British boxer's loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Bill Dwyre
November 22, 2008

Reporting from Las Vegas -- Ricky Hatton makes his return to the MGM Grand boxing ring tonight in a 12-round match that has given his dedicated and noisy fan base another reason to depart Manchester, England, in early winter.

Almost a year ago, Dec. 8, 2007, Hatton battled Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a welterweight title fight that received international attention, not only for the quality of competition, but also for the size and volume of Hatton's fan base. Mayweather stopped Hatton with a flurry of shots in the 10th round of that one and retired (for the moment) with an unbeaten record.

Hatton, 30, kept going, beating Juan Lazcano in England in May to bring his record to 44-1.

His opponent tonight will be Brooklyn fighter Paulie Malignaggi, who has also lost only once, in 26 fights, and who may have been most impressive in his 12-round loss in June 2006 to Miguel Cotto. Malignaggi will turn 28 Sunday.

Hatton's 44 victories have included 31 knockouts. Malignaggi's 25 victories have included five knockouts.

Hatton hit the 140-pound match weight on the number at Friday's weigh-in, and Malignaggi was a pound below at 139.

As it did when Hatton took on Mayweather, the weigh-in crowd belonged to Hatton. They cheered him, sang songs about him, mugged for any camera they could find and kept the beer vendors busy.

The crowd was slightly smaller than last year's for Hatton-Mayweather. Officials said tickets were still available.

The Hatton-Malignaggi fight can be seen live on HBO's World Championship Boxing.

Dwyre is a Times staff writer.

[email protected]

Hatton has said he will quit if he loses to someone like Malignaggi, and he's right.

[bennie]

Photo and caption by Dan


Former heavyweight contender Joey Orbillo with Rodolfo Gonzalez

Orbillo looks tough.

[kikibalt]

Photo and caption by Dan


Former heavyweight contender Joey Orbillo with Rodolfo Gonzalez

Orbillo looks tough.

Bennie, Joey Orbillo, below, at about 11 years old.

[scartissue]

Ricky Hatton vs. Paulie Malignaggi bout brings in the Brits
Hatton's fan base returns one year after the British boxer's loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Bill Dwyre
November 22, 2008

Reporting from Las Vegas -- Ricky Hatton makes his return to the MGM Grand boxing ring tonight in a 12-round match that has given his dedicated and noisy fan base another reason to depart Manchester, England, in early winter.

Almost a year ago, Dec. 8, 2007, Hatton battled Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a welterweight title fight that received international attention, not only for the quality of competition, but also for the size and volume of Hatton's fan base. Mayweather stopped Hatton with a flurry of shots in the 10th round of that one and retired (for the moment) with an unbeaten record.

Hatton, 30, kept going, beating Juan Lazcano in England in May to bring his record to 44-1.

His opponent tonight will be Brooklyn fighter Paulie Malignaggi, who has also lost only once, in 26 fights, and who may have been most impressive in his 12-round loss in June 2006 to Miguel Cotto. Malignaggi will turn 28 Sunday.

Hatton's 44 victories have included 31 knockouts. Malignaggi's 25 victories have included five knockouts.

Hatton hit the 140-pound match weight on the number at Friday's weigh-in, and Malignaggi was a pound below at 139.

As it did when Hatton took on Mayweather, the weigh-in crowd belonged to Hatton. They cheered him, sang songs about him, mugged for any camera they could find and kept the beer vendors busy.

The crowd was slightly smaller than last year's for Hatton-Mayweather. Officials said tickets were still available.

The Hatton-Malignaggi fight can be seen live on HBO's World Championship Boxing.

Dwyre is a Times staff writer.

[email protected]

Hatton has said he will quit if he loses to someone like Malignaggi, and he's right.

I'm looking at a one-sided 12 round decision win for Hatton. Do you see it differently, Bennie?

Scartissue

[scartissue]

Photo and caption by Dan


Former heavyweight contender Joey Orbillo with Rodolfo Gonzalez

Orbillo looks tough.

I asked Orbillo about the story of his fight with jerry Quarry and he confirmed it. He said after the fight he had a ringing in his ear and he was shipping out the next day for Viet Nam. On the flight, the greater altitude the plane would hit on ascension was killing his ear. When he got where he was going, the pain was so great after getting off the plane, that he went to see a camp doctor who examined his ear and told him he was going home because he had a perforated ear-drum. He said to me, "I didn't even know what perforated meant." But he said he showed him all the tiny holes through the ear-drum and that was it. And he did add that the soldier that took his place in his unit was killed. It sounds like whatever damage was done in the fight, the altitude exacerbated it.

Scartissue

[bennie]

Ricky Hatton vs. Paulie Malignaggi bout brings in the Brits
Hatton's fan base returns one year after the British boxer's loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Bill Dwyre
November 22, 2008

Reporting from Las Vegas -- Ricky Hatton makes his return to the MGM Grand boxing ring tonight in a 12-round match that has given his dedicated and noisy fan base another reason to depart Manchester, England, in early winter.

Almost a year ago, Dec. 8, 2007, Hatton battled Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a welterweight title fight that received international attention, not only for the quality of competition, but also for the size and volume of Hatton's fan base. Mayweather stopped Hatton with a flurry of shots in the 10th round of that one and retired (for the moment) with an unbeaten record.

Hatton, 30, kept going, beating Juan Lazcano in England in May to bring his record to 44-1.

His opponent tonight will be Brooklyn fighter Paulie Malignaggi, who has also lost only once, in 26 fights, and who may have been most impressive in his 12-round loss in June 2006 to Miguel Cotto. Malignaggi will turn 28 Sunday.

Hatton's 44 victories have included 31 knockouts. Malignaggi's 25 victories have included five knockouts.

Hatton hit the 140-pound match weight on the number at Friday's weigh-in, and Malignaggi was a pound below at 139.

As it did when Hatton took on Mayweather, the weigh-in crowd belonged to Hatton. They cheered him, sang songs about him, mugged for any camera they could find and kept the beer vendors busy.

The crowd was slightly smaller than last year's for Hatton-Mayweather. Officials said tickets were still available.

The Hatton-Malignaggi fight can be seen live on HBO's World Championship Boxing.

Dwyre is a Times staff writer.

[email protected]

Hatton has said he will quit if he loses to someone like Malignaggi, and he's right.

I'm looking at a one-sided 12 round decision win for Hatton. Do you see it differently, Bennie?

Scartissue

Same as you, Dan, although the general 'feel' seems to indicate a closer fight, which surprises me. I have to admit, we over here had the misfortune to witness Malignaggi against Ndou in his last fight and he looked terrible.

[bennie]

Photo and caption by Dan


Former heavyweight contender Joey Orbillo with Rodolfo Gonzalez

Orbillo looks tough.

I asked Orbillo about the story of his fight with jerry Quarry and he confirmed it. He said after the fight he had a ringing in his ear and he was shipping out the next day for Viet Nam. On the flight, the greater altitude the plane would hit on ascension was killing his ear. When he got where he was going, the pain was so great after getting off the plane, that he went to see a camp doctor who examined his ear and told him he was going home because he had a perforated ear-drum. He said to me, "I didn't even know what perforated meant." But he said he showed him all the tiny holes through the ear-drum and that was it. And he did add that the soldier that took his place in his unit was killed. It sounds like whatever damage was done in the fight, the altitude exacerbated it.

Scartissue

Great story.

[bennie]

Photo and caption by Dan


Former heavyweight contender Joey Orbillo with Rodolfo Gonzalez

Orbillo looks tough.

Bennie, Joey Orbillo, below, at about 11 years old.

Orbillo looks tough at 11.