Boxing News Boxing News
BOXING COUNTDOWN TO MAYWEATHER V BALDOMIR…
Mayweather won via a UD full report below
Floyd MayweatherRecord: 36 Wins 0 Losses |
Carlos BaldomirRecord: 43 Wins 9 Losses |
Common Opponent 1: Zab Judah
Maweather Won UD – Baldomir Won UD
Common Opponent 2: Arturo Gatti
Mayweather Won TK0 RD 6 – Baldomir Won TK0 RD 9
Mayweather-Baldomir Fight Promoter: Goossen Tutor
Tickets: Ticketmasters
Venue: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
TV: HBO PPV – Sky Sports 2
Mayweather – Baldomir
By Curtis McCormick
After months of speculation that IBF Welterweight Champion Floyd Mayweather would face a variety of opponents at a whole range of weights, the contracts have been signed for the fast handed Michigan native to square off with WBC Champion Carlos Baldomir in a unification clash scheduled for 4 November. On paper, this contest represents the biggest challenge of either man’s career but it remains to be seen whether or not the actual bout itself will live up to that hypotheses.
Baldomir, 43-9-6 (13), will be the first natural welterweight that Mayweather has had the opportunity to share the ring with, and the bullish Argentine specializes in the type of relentless forward pressure that Jose Luis Castillo used to such good effect in his first fight with “Pretty Boy”.
Mayweather, 36-0 (24), was blindingly fast of foot, hand and reflex as a super feather and has taken that advantage along for the ride at welter. This speed is exponentially magnified by the boxing skill that accompanies it as a long list of defeated Mayweather opponents can attest.
Early in his career Mayweather was close to untouchable, damn near perfect. But Emanuel Augustus was the first to tarnish that invincibility, putting far more leather on Floyd in a losing effort than anyone had previously as the two met at 134 lb in October, 2000.
Mayweather didn’t have another scare until facing Jose Luis Castillo for the first time in April, 2002 and thereby setting the pattern for his future difficult fights; everytime Mayweather stepped up in weight he had difficulty during his maiden voyage at the higher weight class.
It was evident against Castillo when stepping up to lightweight and again at light welter when facing DeMarcus Corley in 2004. This mold was broken when Mayweather stepped up to welter but it’s difficult to place his bout against Sharmba Mitchell last November as Mitchell by that point was well past his best days.
Zab Judah produced Mayweather’s real initiation at welterweight four months ago and true to form, had the fantastically talented multi weight champion in a stretch of difficulty early on in their bout.
Can Baldomir press his advantages in weight and power to overcome Mayweather’s greater natural gifts? Augustus, Castillo, Corley and Judah had their successes against Floyd by coming forward and throwing lots of leather and while Castillo came closest, obviously none were able to defeat Mayweather.
Baldomir will certainly try to pressure the master boxer and try to break down Mayweather as he did successfully against Gatti and to a lesser extent Judah, but at 35 years of age and a long career he may not have the stamina to keep the pace that Floyd will likely set as he seeks to shatter the Argentine’s confidence in a storm of sharp counterpunches.
Casamayor on Mayweather Baldomir fight
Quote taken from recent exclusive interviews by Saddo Boxing’s Daxx Kahn
SB: While we’re talking about Floyd’s ego, in your opinion, how do you think he will do against Baldomir? Will Mayweather walk through him as easy as he thinks? Or is Floyd in for a surprise?
JC: “I think he will win. He won’t knock him out, I am sure of that. It’s going to go the distance. Baldomir is tough and strong. He takes a real good punch. Mayweather isn’t going to get him out of there. It’s going to the end.”
SB: Do you think that Floyd’s speed will be the main factor in the fight? If Floyd was slower, do you think the outcome would be different than a win for him?
JC: “Yes definitely. Like I said, no way he knocks Baldomir out. Not with the size of that guy’s head. Baldomir has been around a long time. He has had some tough fights. Like I said, that guy is tough. Mayweather has a long night ahead of him.”
Corrales on Baldomir Mayweather fight
SB: With Floyd at 147, do you think maybe you guys could meet at a catch weight, maybe 140?
DC: “No, I would go to 147 for that fight if that’s what I needed to do. It doesn’t matter to me, I just want the fight. I would want Floyd first, then Castillo.”
SB: Any predictions on Mayweather’s up coming fight with Carlos Baldomir? Do you think he will move up in weight afterward?
DC: “No, but I don’t think he will be able to move up any more. Eventually, the size will get to him; you can only go up so far. I think he will win this fight, but he isn’t going up any higher. His mouth will write checks the rest of him can’t cash.”
Baldomir on Mayweather Fight
Signing to fight the biggest fight of his career brought other obligations for the modern-day “Cinderella Man,” World Boxing Council and lineal welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir.
After a whirlwind press tour that brought his wife and four children to New York and Los Angeles, Baldomir, who’s promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions, is ready to get down to training.
The tour began at Tavern on the Green in New York City Sept. 5, with the initial press conference to announce Baldomir’s mega fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Nov. 4 at the Mandalay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and live on HBO Pay-Per-View. One day later, on Sept. 6, Baldomir and company were at Arnie Morton’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills, Calif., to make the west coast announcement.
“I always like being in New York; it brings back good memories,” said Baldomir, who defeated Zab Judah Jan. 7, 2006, at Madison Square Garden in New York with a 12-round decision to become the World Boxing Council and lineal welterweight champion. “The Judah fight put me on the map. It was fitting that we announced this next fight here where it all began since this is the win that will let everybody know who I am.”
A prohibitive underdog in Las Vegas, Baldomir is up to the task.
“I understand that this is the most important fight of my life,” Baldomir said. “But here’s the thing: it won’t be the most difficult. Mayweather is skilled and very fast, but he won’t stand and trade with me. He’ll run. My confidence going into this fight comes from the fact that he is coming up in weight and I’ve been here. He won’t hurt me in there.”
Scott Woodworth, Vice President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, joined Baldomir in New York and Los Angeles and reflected upon the journey so far of boxing’s “Cinderella Man.”
“In Chicago in 2005, when Carlos beat Miguel Rodriguez, he started asking about Mayweather,” Woodworth said. “When you know how far Carlos has come–from selling dusters on the street in his hometown of Santa Fe, Argentina, to fighting the recognized pound-for-pound champion on HBO Pay-Per-View–you realize that he truly is a “Cinderella Man.’ ”
After the New York press conference, both fight camps and most people associated with the bout hopped a flight to Los Angeles to do it again.
“I’m getting anxious for this fight to happen,” Baldomir said. “We’re all flying around announcing this thing and I just can’t wait to get in the ring and start trading punches. Mayweather is the pound-for-pound champ, but I’m the top of our weight class and that won’t change Nov. 4. Not only do I think I’ll win this one, don’t be surprised if I knock him out. Nobody has hit him as hard as I’m going to. He better be ready.”
The President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, Glenn Quiroga, joined team Baldomir in Los Angeles and talked of Atlantic City, N.J., where Baldomir scored a ninth-round stoppage of Arturo Gatti July 22, 2006.
“Going into the Gatti fight, everybody said that the Judah fight was a fluke, that Zab overlooked our guy,” Quiroga said. “Ask Arturo Gatti how much a fluke it was. And after that fight, people said we won because Gatti was getting old. So now, what will be the excuse after the Mayweather fight? These nay-sayers might want to start brainstorming their excuses now, because our guy is coming.”
After finishing the news conference in Los Angeles, Baldomir was able to relax and enjoy a little time with his family, who came from Argentina to be with the champion during the tour.
“This is what it’s all about,” Baldomir said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be here in Los Angeles at such a nice place, feeding my children steaks. But my life has definitely taken a nice path. I’m so thankful for everything we have. Anytime I need motivation to keep me going, I just think of supporting my family.”
Baldomir is the frontrunner for “Fighter of the Year” for 2006. A victory over Mayweather may just seal the honor.
Robbie Peden Baldomir vs Mayweather Boxing Card
By James Slater
When last seen in a boxing ring, Australian super featherweight Robbie Peden was being given a boxing lesson by his former employer. Challenging the man he once served as chief sparring partner for, in a bout that contested both men’s world titles, Robbie was soundly out-pointed by the superb Mexican, Marco Antonio Barrera. As such he not only failed to lift Marco’s WBC 130 pound title, he also lost his IBF world honours.
That was last September, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Now Peden is ready to give it another go.Returning to Vegas, this time The Mandalay Bay, the thirty -two year old meets the much younger Wes “Wicked” Ferguson on November 4th, in a fight held at lightweight.
Boxing on the huge Mayweather- Baldimor bill, Robbie, who won his world super featherweight title by defeating the over confident Nate Campbell in February of 2005, aims to get his career back on track with an impressive win. Opposing him will be the twenty year old Ferguson, a native of Flint, Michigan, in the United States. Trained by the accomplished Roger Mayweather, Wes will be no pushover. In fact, he’s only lost one of his sixteen fights. So what will the likely outcome be?
Peden will turn thirty-three a few days after the fight takes place, while Ferguson will be a mere twenty-one years of age later this month. Youth may well be served then. But although thirty-three is certainly an advanced age for super featherweights, Peden has not taken that much punishment throughout his, now ten year, boxing career.
The only fight in which Robbie was subject to a rough handling was in his sole inside schedule defeat, coming at the hands of the quite brilliant Juan Manuel Marquez in 2002. Providing then, that he has not gone back further than anticipated (Robbie did take a fair going over in the final few minutes with Barrera) Peden should be able to get the win. However, the younger man will be aiming to prevent that, for sure.
With world title ambitions of his own, the once stopped Ferguson will relish the opportunity to shine on such a massive show. Not a big puncher (only three men stopped in his fourteen wins) Wes is more of a smart boxer, as one would expect with a Mayweather trained fighter. But then, Peden is no banger either, although he certainly hits harder than Ferguson, as the eighth round stoppage he scored over Nate Campbell the night he became world champion proves.
Really, the match-up is a fine one, as are all the other under-card bouts that will take place beneath the main event dubbed “Pretty Risky.” What with undefeated welterweight sensation Paul Williams appearing, and a second world title fight – between recently crowned IBF featherweight king, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Orlando Salida also scheduled, the card is an excellent one. And though Peden Vs. Ferguson will more than likely be a contest that is played out in front of a half full arena, the fight has the makings of a good one.
With the American prospect, who’s ambition is still in its youthful stage, taking on the Australian, a man who wants to prove that he has ambition left. The ten round lightweight bout should tell us plenty more about what both men have to offer the top level of their sport.
Carlos Baldomir Conference
Carlos Baldomir held a conference call October 24th and members of the media asked him various questions regarding his upcoming fight with Floyd Mayweather. A week earlier his trainer Amilcar Brusa also answered questions. Here, then, follows a transcript of both of these calls. All questions posed to Carlos Baldomir were translated by Gabe Ruelas, a part of Goossen Tutor Promotions.
OPERATOR: Good afternoon my name is Mary and I will be your conference operator today. At this time I’d like to welcome everyone to the Univision Baldomir/Mayweather conference call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. Thank you. It is now my pleasure to turn the floor over to your host Kelly Swanson. Ma’am you may begin your conference.
KELLY SWANSON: Thank you Mary and welcome everybody. For those of you who joined us last week and are re-joining us we really appreciate it. We have the champion on the phone and before we get to the champion at this time I’d like to introduce Dan Goossen, President of Goossen Tutor Promotions. Dan.
DAN GOOSSEN, PRESIDENT, GOOSSEN TUTOR PROMOTIONS: Well thank you Kelly and you know as Kelly just said thank you to everyone that was on it last week. For the ones that are new that weren’t on it let me go through everything that I said last week; only joking you guys. Hey first off we also have on the phone Glen Quirioga, the President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, and Scott Woodworth the Vice President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, which are the promoters of Carlos Baldomir who has done a fantastic job of getting them in this position of this mega fight Pretty Risky. I don’t want to keep anyone going but if anyone has any questions for those gentlemen also you know feel free to ask, but I just want to open it up.
We also have Gabe Ruelas on here who’s going to be interpreting for Carlos. And before I go any further and bring Carlos on I want to ask him one question. Back on our opening press conference in Beverly Hills for Pretty Risky about a month and a half ago, two months ago, Carlos said that he was going to knock out Floyd Mayweather in four rounds. I want to ask him right now Gabe is if he still feels he’s on track to knock out Floyd Mayweather in four rounds at Mandalay Bay on November 4th.
GABE RUELAS: (Spanish Spoken).
CARLOS BALDOMIR: (Spanish Spoken).
GABE RUELAS: OK he says he never gave a round number but he said he was going to knock him out but he still feels the same way.
DAN GOOSSEN: OK great. I want to know bring Carlos up to say a few words and then we’ll open it up to questions from the media. Gabe, why don’t you ask Carlos to open it up and say a few words and go from there?
GABE RUELAS: (Spanish Spoken).
CARLOS BALDOMIR: First of all I’d like to apologize for last week. It was a totally misunderstanding that I had with my manager. First they told me one time then they gave me a different time and I – before you knew it I was packing and I was getting some luggage together. And that’s why I was able to miss it but of course I’m here to apologize and today I’m here to answer all your questions that you have for me.
QUESTIONS
Dan Rafael from ESPN. Please go ahead.
DAN RAFAEL, ESPN: Hey guys how are you today? Alright; Gabe are you there?
GABE RUELAS: Yes.
DAN RAFAEL: Hey could you ask Carlos does he view Floyd Mayweather like many of us do as the number one fighter in the world pound for pound. And if he does could you ask him why he does?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Basically I do think he is the best fighter out there but – as far as talent, but I think once we get together I think that I’m going to come out with the victory.
DAN RAFAEL: Why does he say that if he believes that he’s the best in the world? And if he does beat Floyd Mayweather who he believes is number one in the world, what will that say about Carlos Baldomir?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: (Spanish Spoken).
GABE RUELAS: First of all because of my last two outings with Gatti that I had and also because I’m a true champion. I believe in myself, what I did with him and Judah.
DAN RAFAEL: OK one last question for him Gabe if you don’t mind. You know it seems to me that the similarity in terms of like speed and that sort of thing it may be a little bit of a similar fight the way it went with the Judah fight. Does he believe that it will be a similar sort of fight as it was Judah where he has to impose himself physically on his opponent the way he was able to do against Zab?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: (Spanish Spoken). Basically it will come down to me, my willingness to be able to push him throughout the whole fight. And coming forward, throwing punches throughout the whole fight without giving him a chance. But it’s going to be me coming forward the whole time.
DAN RAFAEL: So does he think it is similar to the Judah fight then?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: OK he says basically yes, it’s sort of like the same thing but I think this fight will probably be even easier because the other guy was a southpaw. This guy is a righty so it will be easier for me.
OPERATOR: Yes our next question comes from, oh OK. OK our next question comes from David Avila from Riverside Press. Please go ahead.
DAVID AVILA, RIVERSIDE PRESS: Hi everybody the first question is for Carlos. How did he feel fighting, I mean working out in California gyms for all those years? Did he ever worry that he may not get his chance at the world title?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Basically I had a really hard time. The hardest thing was waiting of course for the opportunity. I mean after I fight everyone and beat everyone. But I knew it was a matter of time. The hardest thing was waiting. But I knew it would get here, it would come, I would take advantage of it as I did.
CHUCK JOHNSON, USA TODAY: Yes I’d like to ask Carlos. He mentioned about knocking Floyd out. Does he think it’s essential that he knock Floyd out? And if not how can he win a decision from Floyd given Floyd’s boxing ability?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Basically because I am strong. I wasn’t able to knock Judah out because he kept holding on the whole time. But this guy he’s fast but I will be able to knock him out.
CHUCK JOHNSON: Can, does he think he can win a decision from him?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Yes definitely. I am confident that if it does go the full rounds that I can win a decision. And me I will know in my head whether I won or lost that fight but me believing in myself and knowing that I won that fight it will be enough for me. I don’t necessarily need the people to see that I won the fight as long as I feel I won the fight in case I don’t knock him out.
CHUCK JOHNSON: So specifically I mean I’m just asking in terms of Floyd’s boxing ability that’s what he hangs his hat on. He’s not necessarily a big, such a big puncher. So does he think he has boxing ability to deal with Floyd’s boxing ability?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Yeah his velocity, his speed not bother me at all one bit because before he was 130, 135 and 147 that his speed is not going to be the same in this weight. Obviously he will notice during the fight that he’s not going to be as fast. So his speed is not bothering me one bit at all.
CHUCK JOHNSON: Alright, thank you Carlos.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Robert Morales from the Los Angeles Daily News, please go ahead.
ROBERT MORALES, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS: Hello everyone. Gabe would you ask Carlos if he can tell us just a little bit about his life growing up in Santa Fe, Argentina?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Well basically I have told this many times. You know obviously it’s from my background where I come from. I come from a very humble family. My background I mean I had to fight hard and train very hard to get to where I’m at.
ROBERT MORALES: OK and has he been back to Argentina since he won the championship? And has he become you know like a hero over there?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Well yes basically the last two outings you know with Mayweather and Judah. I mean with Gatti and Judah, I have gone back home and they have truly welcomed me like a true hero and a legend. And you know if I was, I’m not thinking of losing but if I was to give a great fight and yet lose I’ve already done my legacy in Boston but they will still treat me like a hero when I go home.
ROBERT MORALES: Can you ask him Gabe in his first 37 fights he had five knock outs but in his last 21 fights he’s had eight. What’s the different between the two different careers basically?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Basically because from 1999 to 2006 I just trained much harder. I dedicated myself much more and I took it more seriously. That’s all there was.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Franklin McNeil from Newark Star Ledger. Please go ahead.
FRANKLIN MCNEIL, NEWARK STAR LEDGER: Hi Carlos first let me apologize I got on the call a little late so if my question is redundant I want to apologize right now. But basically I want to ask Floyd Mayweather has fought 36 times and 36 times he’s come away victorious. I’d like to know what does he bring different to this fight than some of the other guys that Floyd has fought?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Basically there’s nothing different like you said. Besides all those 33, 36 fighters the only thing different that I am going to bring here is more heart and more balls.
FRANKLIN MCNEIL: OK thanks.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Andres Rodriguez from ESPN. Please go ahead.
ANDRES RODRIGUEZ, ESPN: (Spanish Spoken).
CARLOS BALDOMIR: (Spanish Spoken).
GABE RUELAS: OK I’ll say it in English. Carlos what makes you think that you’re going to beat Mayweather in this fight him being so fast? And his response is this not, the big difference here like I said before the change in weight he’s not going to be as fast as people think that he will be. He will find out during the fight and that’s what it’s going to boil down to me putting the pressure throughout the whole fight and I am going to win the fight.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Robert Morales from the Los Angeles Daily News. Please go ahead.
ROBERT MORALES: Yeah sorry folks I did have a couple of family type questions for Carlos. Is he married? And how many children does him and his wife have if he is married?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Yes I have four kids.
ROBERT MORALES: That’s OK. Do they live here with him in Los Angeles? And what part of L.A. because I understand he lives in L.A.?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: OK they have been here. We live in L.A. and they’re in L.A. right now. They will be coming here probably the day of the rain (ph) but they are living in L.A., some in Vegas right now.
ROBERT MORALES: OK and real quick, how long have they been in L.A.? And what is the biggest difference living here than in Argentina?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: The difference is now they can be with me. When I’m training they can see me here. We’re living in the same state but after saying all that, my country, I would never change it for anything.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Eddie Goldman from Seconds Out Radio. Please go ahead.
EDDIE GOLDMAN: Great, great. Now last week on the teleconference one of your trainers the great veteran Amilcar Brusa said that he learned something by training Carlos Famoso Hernandez who scored the first knock down on Mayweather back when they fought in 2001. Is there anything from that fight that you’re going to try and adapt in your fight now that you’re fighting at welterweight against Mayweather?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: OK no. Basically I’m just going to do what I am going to do. You guys forget that he’s fighting at a heavier weight now. He’s not going to be as fast as people think. Yes he’s not going to be as fast. It’s my plan. I’m just going to come in to fight.
EDDIE GOLDMAN: Is there something that you see in Mayweather’s game that leads you to believe that you can actually knock him out since he of course still is undefeated?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: I mean it’s very simple; I’m going to come in to fight. Throwing punches throughout the whole fight and I will know when I hurt him. If I do hurt him he will end up going down.
EDDIE GOLDMAN: OK so no prediction on a round then but you’re predicting a knock out?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Well again like I said before I’m not, I can’t say a round but I will tell you this. When I, throughout the whole 12 rounds if it has to go 12 the minute that I hurt him he will go down and that will happen throughout the fight. I cannot say what round.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Ludo Saenz from Notifight.com. Please go ahead.
LUDO SAENZ, NOTIFIGHT.COM: (Spanish Spoken).
CARLOS BALDOMIR: (Spanish Spoken).
LUDO SAENZ: (Spanish Spoken).
CARLOS BALDOMIR: (Spanish Spoken).
LUDO SAENZ: Gracias Carlos.
GABE RUELAS: Carlos what are you planning different this time against Mayweather since you say that he’s not going to be as fast as before when he fight at 135/140 pounds. What’s the difference? And he said that basically like I’ve already answered before two guy’s questions, it’s not about the speed, he’s not going to be as fast as he was in the lighter weight. And that day we will see. I’m just, when he throws the right hand he’s not going to be a fast right hand like he did at a lighter weight. He will find out throughout the fight, as the fans will.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Dan Rafael from ESPN. Please go ahead.
DAN RAFAEL: Thanks Gabe. Could you ask him is he aware of the fact that Floyd is unable to train with his uncle Roger Mayweather who is you know in jail for a few months? And does he believe that will be any advantage because Roger wasn’t going to be able to train him on the night of the fight given the suspension from April. But now he’s not even available for Floyd to work with during his training camp. And what would it be like for him to be able to all of a sudden to not have his regular training crew with him? How would that affect him?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Basically it’s either going to be a big excuse and a great excuse for Mayweather when he loses.
DAN RAFAEL: Can you ask him also, you know he came out of nowhere really to most people to win the title and then to defeat Arturo Gatti. And now he’s getting a little bit of a reputation and you know people that viewed him as an underdog in the past maybe are giving him some, you know a little bit of a chance here to win this fight against Floyd even though he is the underdog. Is he enjoying the spotlight more than being more or less the anonymous fighter that he had been for so many years?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Well it’s a big difference and it’s beautiful that now people do come to me all the time, especially after beating like the last two opponents, Zab and Gatti. I mean it is great when they come to me the whole time. And I know that this is already a legacy that I’ve built and I’m just trying to make it bigger. It is great and I have a great time when people come to me and congratulate me.
DAN RAFAEL: Can you ask him if, did he have any boxing idols growing up? Was he always, was he a fan of the sport as a kid or you know as a young adult?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Basically yeah, Carlos Monzon was my, he wasn’t really my idol but he’s someone that I looked up to and I that I said that made me want to become a fighter, that I said I am going to be a fighter.
DAN RAFAEL: And can you also just ask him briefly how in fact did he actually start organized boxing? And did he not, was he one of these kids that maybe fought on the street as a kid and you know found a gym for some discipline or what was the reason behind him starting to box?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: I wasn’t a troublemaker out on the street at all. It just was, what made me want to become a fighter is that my relatives made friends when Monzon was fighting and we would all gather like 50 or 60 together in a house, 50 people, and we would watch the fight. And that’s what made me sort of want to become a fighter, watching Monzon fight.
Our next question comes from Chuck Johnson from USA Today. Please go ahead.
CHUCK JOHNSON: Yeah Carlos, you mentioned that Carlos Monzon wasn’t necessarily an idol. Did you have any idols growing up and if so who were they? And what would you be doing if you weren’t a fighter? What do you think you’d be doing?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: He was just my idol because that how I started watching fight. But I just said as a kid I thought for once what am I going to be doing 20 years from now and that’s one of the things that, because I was watching Monzon fight, I said that’s what I want to do. I want to be like this guy.
CHUCK JOHNSON: So who’s had the biggest influence on his boxing career Gabe?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: No one has had the influence on me. It’s been me, myself.
CHUCK JOHNSON: Himself?
GABE RUELAS: Yes, himself.
OPERATOR: You have a follow-up question from Dan Rafael from ESPN. Please go ahead.
DAN RAFAEL: Hey Gabe. Would you ask him, you know I had asked him previously about you know how he got started in boxing. You said it was about going with his friends, 50, 60 people to watch Monzon fight. Did that just lead him to go to a gym one day randomly and say you know let me get a pair of gloves and see what I can do? Is that what happened?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: The thing about it is you know when I was watching those Monzon fights I was about five years old. When I was 13 I watched him again and I knew in my mind at that age that I just wanted to be a fighter and I went to a gym.
DAN RAFAEL: So he actually started boxing at age 13, after seeing a Monzon fight?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: I started at 13 but at 16 I had my first fight.
DAN RAFAEL: First professional fight Gabe?
GABE RUELAS: No amateur, I am sure. (Spanish Spoken)
CARLOS BALDOMIR: (Spanish Spoken).
GABE RUELAS: Yes.
DAN RAFAEL: OK and so how is it that he winds up training, is it just a coincidence that he ends up training with the trainer that had trained Monzon?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: (Inaudible) At this point soon as I got to where I’m at now. Through him I met my new trainer.
DAN RAFAEL: OK so did, so Monzon’s trainer still does not train him presently then?
GABE RUELAS: No.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Chuck Johnson, USA Today. Please go ahead.
CHUCK JOHNSON: Gabe could you ask Carlos what does he enjoy most about boxing? I mean obviously it’s a living for him. But what really, what about the game really turns him on?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Basically I mean first of all I love the sport especially because of the last two outings was great but I did see a change and the change was obviously fame and more money. And I saw that it wasn’t just a sport, it was a business. I like that, the business side.
CARLOS BALDOMIR: (Spanish Spoken). Because of all the fights that I’d previously had had I hadn’t made money. And the last couple of fights I’ve made some very good money compared to before so now I know that in the future there’s more money.
CHUCK JOHNSON: So did he surprise himself the night he beat Zab Judah?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: No two months before that fight I knew that I was going to be a world champion.
CHUCK JOHNSON: What did, what made him feel that way? I mean why did he know that?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: The reason is that Judah was talking Mayweather when he was fighting me throughout the whole conferences. In the fight he kept thinking about Mayweather and not me. And I knew because of that that he’s my (inaudible) fighter was going to be his downfall.
CHUCK JOHNSON: So did it bother Carlos at all that you know, I guess because (inaudible) weren’t paid or not, that Zab Judah actually fought what was supposed to be a title fight against Mayweather after he had lost to him. Does it bother him that that undisputed welterweight championship tag didn’t immediately go to him?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: I never really cared for the other title because in my mind always was the WBC and they always ranked me throughout my career. Whenever I was ranked the WBC was always there for me. So that’s why I wanted to win that title.
CHUCK JOHNSON: So does it matter to him that, does he want to be recognized the undisputed welterweight champion?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: That’s great, but as long as I beat Mayweather the titles are sort of on the side because people will know that I will win the fight. And when they see you win the fight I mean that’s all they have to see, regardless of any titles.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Ed Deveikis from 13thround.com. Please go ahead.
ED DEVEIKIS, 13THROUND.COM: Hello Carlos my question is are you taking this fight personally with all the trash talking that Floyd Mayweather has done before the fight?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: No I respect Mayweather in front of me. When he’s in front of me he has respect in me very good. And he hasn’t done so in the papers but in front, in me my person he’s been a very nice person.
ED DEVEIKIS: OK as far as training goes, now he, Carlos has been predicting a knock out. Has he been doing anything to increase his power?
CARLOS BALDOMIR: Preparation, me getting ready for the fight, it’s all been the same. The only difference is that I have some very good sparring with fast fighters but overall it’s the same.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Juan Britofe from Notifight.com, please go ahead.
JUAN BRITOFE, NOTIFIGHT.COM: Carlos, (Spanish Spoken).
CARLOS BALDOMIR: (Spanish Spoken).
GABE RUELAS: Part of this team, he needs to have money men next to Carlos Monzon if you beat Mayweather. And Carlos says he doesn’t think so because Monzon was a great fighter but overall it’s his family, that he knows by him defeating Mayweather it will be great for all of them.
JUAN BRITOFE: (Spanish Spoken).
CARLOS BALDOMIR: (Spanish Spoken).
GABE RUELAS: Carlos some news letters, some magazines that were talking about you having some problem with the weight. Was that true? He’s saying that never, he was always on weight. He never had any problem at all whatsoever. It’s just that the papers sometimes they just like to get headlines so – or say stupid things.
QUESTIONS FROM THE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED BALDOMIR CONFERENCE CALL WITH BALDOMIR TRAINER AMILICAR BRUSA ON OCTOBER 17
EDDIE GOLDMAN, SECONDSOUT RADIO: I do have a question for Senor Brusa. During the fight that Carlos had with Zab Judah, the first two or three rounds Judah seemed to be out-boxing him. And at Madison Square Garden you climbed up the stairs to speak with Carlos, and from that point on, Carlos took over the fight. And as we all know, he ended up winning the fight and upsetting Zab Judah. Can you tell us a little bit about what you told him at that moment and how that fight got turned around?
IRMA MORENO: Okay, he just said that he, you know, just gave him the advice to finish off the fight. I mean, just fight as well as he could.
DAN GOOSSEN: What did he say?
EDDIE GOLDMAN: Okay, what I want to know, what is he going to tell Carlos specifically to defeat Mayweather, because we know Mayweather, of course, is undefeated. Most people have him at the top of the pound-for-pound list, and as Dan mentioned earlier, Mayweather’s still a big favorite. So how does he see Carlos being able to defeat Mayweather?
IRMA MORENO: (Spanish spoken)
AMILCAR BRUSA: (Spanish spoken)
IRMA MORENO: Okay, he just said that with all the sparring and the training in the gym, you know, they’re going to use that against Mayweather. And plus, he has the insight because he also trained Carlos Hernandez when he fought against Mayweather. So they’re just going to use all that and go in to win the fight.
IRMA MORENO: Okay, he just said he has all the confidence that Baldomir will beat Mayweather.
OPERATOR: Thank you. Our next question is coming from Franklin McNeil of Newark Star Ledger.
FRANKLIN MCNEIL: Okay. I do want to ask Amilcar how does he see Mayweather, or how does he see Carlos doing something different than Hernandez did against Mayweather. I mean their styles are somewhat different. How does he get Carlos to fight, or does he think Carlos can fight any way differently than Hernandez did?
IRMA MORENO: (Spanish spoken)
AMILCAR BRUSA: (Spanish spoken)
IRMA MORENO: He sees the rivalry against Baldomir and Mayweather as, you know, it’s going to be tough, but they’re going to go in there to fight, and he’s going to win.
FRANKLIN MCNEIL: And does he feel… I mean, obviously Mayweather, that fight with Carlos Hernandez was more than five years ago, and I would think that there’s been some differences in Floyd from that time to now. Does he see anything different in Floyd that he can exploit?
IRMA MORENO: (Spanish spoken)
AMILCAR BRUSA: (Spanish spoken)
IRMA MORENO: He just says that Carlos Baldomir, he’s a very tough fighter, a very intelligent fighter, and we’ll see when we get to the ring how that all goes into play.
OPERATOR: Our next question is coming from Clifton Brown of the New York Times.
CLIFTON BROWN, NEW YORK TIMES: Yeah, I wanted to ask him does he feel he helps Baldomir most with his strategy or just with his morale during a fight. st when he’s in the corner during one of Carlos’ fights, in general does he feel like he helps him more with strategy as far as making changes during the fight or does he usually… Is it usually just a thing where he is really helping him to remain confident and focused on, you know, beating the guy?
IRMA MORENO: Okay, si. (Spanish spoken)
AMILCAR BRUSA: (Spanish spoken)
IRMA MORENO: Okay, he’s just saying that you know what? He works on both; both the morale and the strategy, and during the fight, you know, he sees what works best for him, and that’s what they work on.
CLIFTON BROWN: Okay. I have one more question. Ask him how much tape, if any, does he watch…will he watch of Mayweather to prepare Carlos for this fight? How much tape does he watch or is he a trainer who just doesn’t really rely too much on videotape and just works more with his own fighter?
IRMA MORENO: (Spanish spoken)
AMILCAR BRUSA: (Spanish spoken)
IRMA MORENO: Okay. He says they do watch the tapes of Mayweather just so that they know how to prepare with the sparring in the gym. So they do watch but not a lot.
OPERATOR: Our next question is coming from Jerry Magee of San Diego Union Tribune.
JERRY MAGEE: Dan, I’m wondering why do you guys call this “Pretty Risky”. It’s either risky or it isn’t. To call it “Pretty Risky” seems to me a reflection on Baldomir.
DAN GOOSSEN: Well to tell you the truth, Jerry, originally I wanted to call it “Pretty Damn Risky”. Okay? But I was voted down by a few people just based upon the word “damn”. After hearing the 60 Minutes interview the other day with…on these Duke players and hearing what they got away with saying on the air… Kim, one of the…I guess strippers…with what she was able to say on the air on national TV, I thought we should get away with “Pretty Damn Risky”. Because that’s really what I thought it was, was a pretty damn risky fight. Obviously, we utilized “pretty” based upon Floyd’s nickname and “risky” was based upon Baldomir being a risk. So tying the two in, it may not sound as risky as you may have just mentioned, but in reality it’s a pretty damn risky fight for Floyd for the reasons that I mentioned. And we just tied in Floyd’s name with “pretty” and tabbing Baldomir as “risky”. Does that make any sense to you?
JERRY MAGEE: Yeah, it does. Thank you kindly.
DAN GOOSSEN: Good.
JERRY MAGEE: You know, I happened to see Baldomir when he made an appearance recently at Camp Pendleton when Sycuan had its Salute to Heroes, and to my unschooled eye, he was wearing… He was fully dressed, but he looked to me like he was considerably more than 147 pounds. What kind of report can you give us on where he is with his weight?
DAN GOOSSEN: Well, we had the 30-day weigh-in, and at the time he was one pound less than what they allow. I think it’s approximately 11 pounds, 12 pounds, what is it there, about 12 pounds over the 47 limit. So that was, what, a week ago I think we sent out that press release on that. So, you know, he’s within the confines of where he should be at this stage.
DAN GOOSSEN: He weighed 158, I think it was.
JERRY MAGEE: Isn’t 11 pounds quite a bit to lose in three weeks?
DAN GOOSSEN: Well, again Jerry, it’s within… You know, for a fighter, no. For us, yes. But you know, from the guidelines of the WBC, he weighed one less than what their rules and regulations stipulate. So, as of yesterday when I spoke to Senor Brusa and Javier Zapata, they were right on track for the 47-pound weight limit.
JERRY MAGEE: Thank you, Dan.
OPERATOR: Our next question is coming from William Trillo of Boxing2006.com.
WILLIAM TRILLO, BOXING2006.COM: Thanks, how are you all doing? Yeah, I’ve got a couple questions for Mr. Brusa. I wanted to know what you think about Floyd’s weight. He’s moving up. Do you think this is going to be a hindrance for him in regards to his hand speed and his athletic ability, and do you think he’s going to be maybe a step slower than he was at 40 and 35?
IRMA MORENO: (Spanish spoken)
AMILCAR BRUSA: (Spanish spoken)
IRMA MORENO: Okay, he just thinks that, you know, it’s going to be tough for Mayweather because he hasn’t fought in the welterweight division, and he feels Carlos has, you know, the upper hand on him because he has been fighting here for at least 14 fights.
WILLIAM TRILLO: Okay. Mr. Goossen?
DAN GOOSSEN: Yes?
WILLIAM TRILLO: Your promotion in Los Angeles, you have that word “risk” in it, and again you’ve got the word “risk” in this promotion, the last one being with No Reward, this one Pretty Risky. Part of the risk, part of the reward and what have you, is the fact that there is going to be a close decision and the decision may not go the way that you see it at the time of the fight. Are you prepared for that and what about the judges going in and the whole risk factor?
DAN GOOSSEN: Well, I mean, you know, this is certainly… Any fight that is meaningful in our business could aptly be named “No Risk, No Reward”. You’ve got to go out there and fight the best guys; you’ve got to challenge yourself if you want to be the best. You know, as it relates to a decision, I mean, you know, those things are purely in the fighters’ hands, okay? As we saw with the James Toney-Sam Peter fight, I didn’t get involved in the judges. I don’t want to get involved in the judges. I rely on the fighters and the judges and the commission, all, you know, going out there and doing their best. The only problem I had, and I’ve had, you know, some good back-and-forth with some writers pro and con on it, is that there was such an overwhelming outcry from media members that I tried to… You know, after the Peter-Toney fight I tried to negotiate right then and there with Dino Duva and Sam Peter because I thought it was better for boxing just to not have to go to an organization and request that based upon a controversial decision, which I believe there was with that fight, that I would prefer to do it man-to-man and what’s best for the boxing business.
You know, I don’t anticipate having that situation here November 4th. Baldomir has promised to knock out Floyd Mayweather in the 4th round. God knows that a lot of his fans believe it, his team believes it. I don’t know if his trainer, Senor Brusa, believes it, but Floyd is under the impression that that is something that Baldomir believes he is going to do to Floyd. I know Floyd; he won’t go out there and say anything other than he is going to win, but knowing the style Floyd has, the ability he has, I believe it’s going to be one of those fights where he stops Baldomir. So hopefully we have no controversy. I don’t believe we will. We’re in a great state, and just look for a great fight, and you know if Baldomir shows up on this call on the last few minutes, we’ll ask him his opinion on what he said about knocking out Floyd Mayweather.
OPERATOR: Our next question is coming from Jason Gonzales of Fightnews.com.
JASON GONZALES: (Spanish spoken)
AMILCAR BRUSA: (Spanish spoken)
IRMA MORENO: The question was, you know, how he sees it about fighters using the 10-ounce gloves, and the trainer, Senor Brusa, says he doesn’t see anything wrong with either one of them using them. He doesn’t have a problem.
JASON GONZALES: (Spanish spoken)
AMILCAR BRUSA: (Spanish spoken)
IRMA MORENO: Okay, the question was Mayweather being a more intelligent fighter than Zab or Gatti, how they were going to fight against that, and he just says, you know, that Baldomir is just going to be able to go in there and train hard and fight against that.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Alex Figueroa of First Hour Newspaper.
ALEX FIGUEROA, FIRST HOUR NEWSPAPER: (Spanish spoken)
AMILCAR BRUSA: (Spanish spoken)
IRMA MORENO: Okay, the question was that, you know, they know that he is concentrating on the fight with Mayweather right now, but does he foresee a fight with Miguel Coto? And the answer was, you know, hopefully. Bring on, you know, everybody, because he’ll fight anybody they put in front of him.
ALEX FIGUEROA: Thanks.
DAN GOOSSEN: I wonder what Floyd would say about that.
KELLY SWANSON: We’ll find out next week.
OPERATOR: Our next question comes from Dexter David of Guianese Express.
DEXTER DAVID: I’d like to ask the trainer what would be his… Do you have a (inaudible) game plan coming into it? I mean, you know, is he going to be aggressive against Floyd or, you know, more offensive, you know (inaudible)?
IRMA MORENO: Senor Brusa? (Spanish spoken)
AMILCAR BRUSA: (Spanish spoken)
IRMA MORENO: Okay, he says that they really don’t go in with any game plan, and they wait until after the first round, because that’s when they can kind of feel each other out man-to-man, and then that’s when they go into a strategy mode.
Carlos Baldomir – Floyd Mayweather Jr weigh in
Click for larger image © Mark DeSisto / Saddo Boxing
|
|
|
|
Carlos Baldomir and Floyd Mayweather Jr. showed up in top shape for Friday’s weigh-in at The Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. WBC Welterweight Champion Baldomir came right in at the welterweight limit of 147 lbs, while IBF Welterweight Champion Mayweather came in at 146 lbs.
Both fighters displayed unwavering confidence for their vocal fans in a highly anticipated matchup of contrasting styles. It will be the speed and skills of perhaps the world’s best boxer in Mayweather against the iron-chinned and relentless Baldomir. Fight fans from around the world will be able to view the bout on HBO PPV telecast starting at 6pm, PST.
The Goosen Tutor promoted event will also feature a scheduled 12 round IBF Featherweight Title fight between champion Robert Gurerrero of Gilroy, CA against rugged Mexican challenger Orlando Salido.
Also being showcased is the undefeated freakishly tall welterweight Paul Williams against Mexican journeyman Mauro Lucero.
The opening bout of the televised portion of the show will feature a pair of undefeated Southern Californian heavyweights in Chris Arreola and Damian Wills. With a combined 30 knockouts in 39 fights, the big guys are likely to add an explosive start to a fine night of boxing at The Mandalay Bay.
Carlos Baldomir – Floyd Mayweather
Click for larger image © Mark DeSisto / Saddo Boxing
|
|
Robert Gurerrero – Orlando Salido
|
|
|
|
Paul Williams – Damian Wills
|
|
MAYWEATHER vs. BALDOMIR“PRETTY RISKY”
World Welterweight Championship
Saturday, November 4, 2006
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Live on HBO Pay-Per-View
(12 Rd WBC Welterweight Championship Bout)
FLOYD MAYWEATHER VS. CARLOS BALDOMIR
Grand Rapids, MI Hometown Santa Fe, Argentina
146 Weight 147
Pink with White Trunks White with Light Blue
(36-0, 24 KOs) Record (43-9-6, 13 KOs)
Pound For Pound Champion WBC Welterweight Champion
Referee: Jay Nady (Las Vegas); Judges: John Keane (England), Chuck Giampa (Las Vegas), Paul Smith (Las Vegas) WBC Supervisor: Raul Ortega
(12 Rd IBF Featherweight Championship Bout)
ROBERT GUERRERO VS. ORLANDO SALIDO
Gilroy, CA Hometown Obregon, MX
126 Weight 126
Red with White Trunks Black with Yellow
(19-1-1, 12 KOs) Record (27-9-2, 18 KOs)
IBF Champion No. 1 Rated IBF Contender
Referee: Robert Byrd (Las Vegas); Judges: Richard Green (Florida), Dave Moretti (Las Vegas), Patricia Morse Jarman (Las Vegas)
IBF Supervisor: Mahasin Scott
(8 Rd Welterweight Bout)
PAUL WILLIAMS VS. SANTOS PAKAU
Aiken, SC Hometown Napier, New Zealand
147 Weight 147
White with Red Trunks Black with Yellow
(31-0, 23 KOs) Record (27-3-1, 10 KOs)
WBO NABO/WBC USNBC Champion
Referee: Joe Cortez (Las Vegas); Judges: Carol Castellano (Las Vegas), Bill Graham (Las Vegas), CJ Ross (Las Vegas)
(8 Rd Heavyweight Bout)
CHRIS ARREOLA VS. DAMIAN WILLS
Riverside, CA Hometown Hollywood, CA
229 Weight 250
Black with Multi Trunks Black
(17-0, 15 KOs) Record (21-0-1, 15 KOs)
Referee: Kenny Bayless (Las Vegas,); Judges: Carol Castellano (Las Vegas), CJ Ross (Las Vegas), Dick Houck (Las Vegas)
(4 Rd Welterweight Bout)
ALEJO SEPULVEDA VS. CEDRIC HOLMES
Grand Rapids, MI Hometown Las Vegas, NV
146 Weight 147
Black Trunks Blue with White
(0-0, 0 KOs) Record (0-3, 0 KOs)
Referee: Kenny Bayless (Las Vegas); Judges: Carol Castellano (Las Vegas), Bill Graham (Las Vegas), Dick Houck (Las Vegas)
Floyd Mayweather Vs Carlos Baldomir Boxing Undercard
correct at time of publish
Robert Guerrero vs Orlando Salido
Paul Williams vs Jacy Kuhn
Robbie Peden vs Wes Ferguson
Damian Wills vs Chris Arreola
Floyd Mayweather Vs Carlos Baldomir Fight Report
By Mark DeSisto
There were no suprises during the welterweight championship bout, Saturday night at The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. IBF Welterweight Champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. took no chances and cruised to a unanimous decision over WBC Welterweight Champion Carlos Baldomir. Two judges had Floyd pitching a 12 round shut out 120-108, while one judge gave the 4th and 10th rounds to Baldomir, scoring the bout 118-110.
The fight was really a display of Mayweather’s speed and world class defensive skills. He was simply too fast for the rugged Argentinian who maintained pressure throughout the fight, but rarely caught up to the elusive Mayweather. When Baldomir did trap Mayweather on the ropes, he had difficulty landing any effective punches before Mayweather spun away and took the fight back to the center of the ring.
Compubox punch statistics tell the story of the fight as Baldomir landed only 79 of 670 punches thrown for a 12% connect percentage.
Mayweather’s most effective counterpunching was done early in the fight, as Baldomir walked back to his corner at the end of round one with cuts on the bridge of his nose and outside his left eye. The small cuts were never a factor during the fight. Mayweather continued to wow his many ringside fans with sharp counterpunches over the first half of the fight, however his punch output seemed to slow considerably during the second half of the fight, supposedly the result of a hand injury sustained early in the bout.
Fight fans were left watching a frustrated Baldomir chase Mayweather around the ring. The paying fans who were expecting to see a boxing match and not a track meet, were disappointed enough to rain down a chorus of boos during the twelfth round.
Mayweather remains undefeated with the victory, bringing his record to 37-0(24KO’s), while Baldomir falls to 43-10-6(13KO’s).
There was some good action in the undercard bouts, also featured on the HBO PPV telecast.
In a minor upset, Mexico’s Orlando Salido captured the IBF Featherweight Title with a hard fought 12 round unanimous decision over champion Robert Guerrero. Guerrero came out strong and imposed his physical size and inside game to take the first round. The more experienced Salido quickly made adjustments and was able to create some distance and land enough flush shots to take the second round in the eye of 2 of the three judges. Salido had even more success in round 3 and landed many flush shots to incoming southpaw Guerrero. So effective was Salido against the aggresive champion, that Guerrero completely changed his gameplan from forward aggression and infighting to standing back and counterpunching in round 4. Salido generally outworked Guerrero for the remainder of the bout and was effective with a two fisted punching attack, punishing the champion to both the body and head.
With the victory, the newly crowned champion Salido improves to 28-9-2(19KO’s), while Guerrero falls to 19-2-1(12KO’s).
Mayweather Baldomir Boxing News
News of Floyd, Carlos from around the internet brought to you by the saddoboxing news wire…