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July 24, 2012

Wandy Rodriguez traded after seven-plus seasons in Houston

The Houston Astros have acquired left-handed pitcher Rudy Owens, outfielder Robbie Grossman and left-handed pitcher Colton Cain from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for left-handed pitcher Wandy Rodriguez. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow.

“Wandy has been a terrific pitcher for the Astros for a long time,” said Luhnow. “Trading a player like Wandy is not easy, but we know this deal is a very good one for us, the Pirates and for Wandy. We thank him for all he has done for the Astros and wish him continued success.”

Owens, 24, has posted an 8-5 record and a 3.14 ERA (41ER/117.1IP) in 19 starts for Triple A Indianapolis this season. He was a 2012 International League All-Star and currently ranks seventh in the league in ERA and fifth in innings pitched. He has 85 strikeouts and has walked only 25 in his 117.1 innings pitched. Owens, who will join the club’s 40-man roster, was Pittsburgh’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2009 and 2010. Owens was originally a 28th round selection in the June 2006 First-Year Player Draft.

Grossman, 22, was hitting .262 (91×347) with 20 doubles, seven home runs, 35 RBI and a .374 on-base percentage in 94 games for Double A Altoona this season. Primarily a center fielder, Grossman was named Pittsburgh’s Minor League Player of the Year last year after hitting .294 (144×490) and leading the Florida State League with 124 runs scored and 104 walks in 134 games. The switch-hitting Grossman is currently ranked by MLB.com as Pittsburgh’s No. 7 prospect, while Baseball America ranks him eighth. He was originally a sixth-round selection in the 2008 Draft out of Cy-Fair High School in Houston.

Cain, 21, is 3-5 this season with a 4.20 ERA (35ER/75IP) in 16 starts for Class A Bradenton in the Florida State League. The 6-foot-3 lefty has allowed just a .242 opponent’s batting average, including a .226 mark against right-handed hitters. A graduate of Waxahachie High School in Texas, Cain was considered one of the top high school players in the state before being selected by Pittsburgh in the eighth round of the 2009 draft. The 2012 season is just his third as a professional.

Rodriguez, 33, is 7-9 this season with a 3.79 ERA (55ER/130.2IP) in 21 starts for the Astros. He was originally a product of the Astros Dominican Academy, having signed with the club in January of 1999. Rodriguez pitched nearly eight full seasons with Houston (2005-12) and owns a career 80-84 record and a 4.04 ERA (587ER/1306.2IP) in 227 appearances (218 starts).

The Astros 40-man roster remains at 39 players.

July 24, 2012

Ryan Zimmerman is named NL Player of the Week

Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has been named the National League Player of the Week for the period ending July 22nd. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.
In eight games last week, Zimmerman led the Majors with 15 hits and 32 total bases and ranked second in the N.L. with a .500 (15-for-30) batting average. The 27-year-old belted five home runs and notched a 1.067 slugging percentage, ranking second in the Majors in both categories. His nine runs scored were tied for the most in the N.L. while his .571 on-base percentage and eight RBI tied for second and third in the league, respectively. Zimmerman collected hits in seven of Washington’s eight games last week and logged five multi-hit efforts. On July 16th, the two-time Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winner collected three hits in a losing effort as the Nationals dropped the final game of a four-game series in Miami, 5-3. The following night, Zimmerman scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th to give Washington a 5-4 victory in the first game of a three-game series against the New York Mets at Nationals Park. On Friday, the fourth overall selection in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft went 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in an 11-10 extra-innings loss to the second-place Atlanta Braves in the first game of a four-game set in our nation’s capital. After the Nats dropped the first game of Saturday’s day-night doubleheader, Zimmerman went 2-for-4 in the night cap with an infield single in the bottom of the sixth inning, which led to the game-tying run in an eventual 5-2 victory for the Nationals.

Zimmerman capped his stellar week with a 3-for-5, two-homer, three-RBI performance in Sunday’s game, leading the Nationals to a 9-2 victory. With 14 home runs this year, the 2009 N.L. All-Star is currently tied for second among N.L. third basemen. This is his third career weekly award, having won previously for the weeks ending August 5, 2007 and August 21, 2011.
Other noteworthy performances last week included Arizona’s Jason Kubel (.409, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 1.318 SLG) and Aaron Hill (.367, 11 H, HR, .424 OBP); Pittsburgh’s Pedro Alvarez (.304, 4 HR, 7 RBI, .826 SLG); and David Freese (.556, 3 2B, HR, 4 RBI) of the St. Louis Cardinals.

July 24, 2012

Adrian Gonzalez Named AL Player of the Week

Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending July 22nd. This is Adrian’s sixth career weekly honor (last accomplished for week ending August 28, 2011). The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

Gonzalez batted .429 (12-for-28) with three home runs, 12 RBI and five runs scored in seven games. Among A.L. leaders for the week, the 30-year-old was first in RBI, tied for first in homers, tied for second in hits, tied for third in total bases (21) and tied for sixth in batting average.

In the opener of a four-game set against the Chicago White Sox on Monday, Gonzalez singled in a run in the first inning and later lofted a three-run homer over the Green Monster in the eighth inning to snap a 1-1 tie as the Red Sox claimed a 5-1 victory at Fenway Park. The home run was the first since June 24th for the San Diego native, who finished the game with four RBI. On Wednesday, the nine-year veteran collected three hits, including a homer, and drove in four RBI for the second time in three games as Boston topped the White Sox, 10-1. The four-time All-Star’s homer was on the back end of consecutive shots with teammate Cody Ross, marking the fifth time this season that Boston has launched back-to-back home runs. Adrian also recorded an RBI-single in the first inning and a two-run single in the sixth. In the series finale on Thursday, the first overall pick in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft (by Florida) out of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, California went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles as Boston won, 3-1, to take three of four from Chicago. Rounding out the week on Sunday, the left-handed-hitting slugger singled, hit a three-run blast and scored two runs in a 15-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway. Over his last 27 games (since June 20th), Gonzalez has batted .391 (43-for-110) with five doubles, four home runs, 22 RBI and 17 runs scored, hitting safely in 25 of those contests.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim rookie Mike Trout (.429, 12 H, 3 HR, 6 RBI); Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon (.433, 13 H, .455 OBP); Seattle Mariners rookie Jesus Montero (.462, 4 2B, 1 HR, 9 RBI); and Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera (.333, 3 HR, 6 RBI, career homers 299 and 300 on Sunday). In recognition of his American League Player of the Week Award, Adrian Gonzalez will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.

July 23, 2012

Yankees Acquire Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki

The New York Yankees today announced they have acquired 10-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove Award-winning outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and cash considerations from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for RHP D.J. Mitchell and RHP Danny Farquhar.

Suzuki, 38, had played his entire 12-year Major League career with the Seattle Mariners since becoming the first Japan-born position player in Major League history. He owns a .322 (2,533-for-7,858) career batting average with 1,176 runs, 295 doubles, 79 triples, 99 home runs, 633 RBI, 438 stolen bases, 513 walks and a .366 on-base percentage in 1,844 games. Among active players, Suzuki is second in steals, third in batting average (min: 3,000PA) and sixth in hits. Since his debut in 2001, he has 330 more hits than any other Major Leaguer.

In 2012, Suzuki is batting .261 (105-for-402) with 49 runs, 15 doubles, 4 home runs, 28 RBI and 15 steals in 17 attempts in 95 games (93 in RF, 2 as DH).

Suzuki will become the sixth Japan-born player in Yankees franchise history, joining Hideki Irabu (1997-99), Hideki Matsui (2003-09), Kei Igawa (2007-08), Hiroki Kuroda (2012) and Ryota Igarashi (2012).

Suzuki is a two-time AL batting champion (.350 in 2001 and .372 in 2004) and has led or tied for the Major League lead in hits seven times (2001, ’04, ‘06-10), tying Pete Rose and Ty Cobb for the most such seasons all time. Additionally, he is the only player in Major League history to accomplish the feat in five consecutive years. From his debut season through 2010, he finished first or second in the AL in hits every year, and in 2011, he finished ninth.

Prior to playing in the Majors, Suzuki played for the Orix Blue Wave in Japan’s Pacific League for nine seasons (1992-2000) and was named the league’s MVP three times (1994-96). In 951 career games with Orix, he hit .353 (1,278-for-3,619) with 653 runs, 211 doubles, 23 triples, 118 home runs, 529 RBI and 199 stolen bases. Suzuki led the league in batting average for a Japanese-record seven straight years (1994-2000), while also winning a Gold Glove Award and being named to the Pacific League’s “Best Nine” in each of those seven seasons.

In his Major League rookie season of 2001, Suzuki batted a league-high .350 (242-for-692) with 34 doubles, 8 triples, 8 home runs, 69 RBI and a Major League-high 56 stolen bases, in becoming just one of two players all time to win the Rookie of the Year Award and the MVP in the same season, joining Boston’s Fred Lynn (1975).

In 2004, Suzuki recorded 262 hits, to set the all-time modern era (since 1900) single-season hits mark. Along with his 242 hits in 2001 and 238 hits in 2007, Suzuki owns three of the top 20 single-season hits totals in Major League history. He had at least 200 hits in 10 straight seasons from 2001 through 2010, tying Pete Rose for the most 200-hit seasons in a Major League career.

Suzuki’s 2,533 career hits since 2001 are the most by any player through his first 12 Major League seasons. In fact, at the conclusion of all but one of his 12 seasons, Suzuki has held the distinction of having more hits to start a career than any other Major Leaguer all time with the lone exception occurring after his third season, when only Lloyd Waner (678) had more hits than Suzuki’s 662 (according to data at www.baseball-reference.com).

Over his career, Suzuki has made 1,790 starts as an outfielder (1,525 in RF and 265 in CF) and owns a career fielding percentage of .992 with just 33 errors in 4,181 total chances. The Yankees, with 10-time Gold Glove outfielder Andruw Jones also on the roster, now have two of the six outfielders in Major League history to win at least 10 career Gold Gloves (also Roberto Clemente-12, Willie Mays-12, Ken Griffey Jr.-10 and Al Kaline-10).

Since the start of his Major League career in 2001, Suzuki has led the Majors with 1,844 games played, while missing just 35 team games.

Mitchell, 25, saw his first Major League action this season, making four relief appearances (4.2IP, 2ER) over two stints with the Yankees (April 29-May 4 and June 30-July 18). He spent a majority of the year with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going 6-4 with a 5.04 ERA (85.2 IP, 48 ER) in 15 games (14 starts), tying for second on the team with 72 strikeouts. In 2011, Mitchell earned the Kevin Lawn Award as the Yankees’ “Minor League Pitcher of the Year” after going 13-9 with a 3.18 ERA (161.1IP, 57ER) in 28 games (24 starts) with Scranton/WB and leading all Yankees minor leaguers in wins and ranking third in ERA. The North Carolina native was originally selected by the Yankees in the 10^th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

Farquhar, 25, was acquired by the Yankees off waivers from Oakland on June 26 and has made seven combined minor league appearances for the Yankees with Double-A Trenton (6G, 1-0, four saves, 11.0IP, 2H, 0BB, 14K) and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (1G, 2.0IP, 0H, 0BB, 1K). He saw his only Major League action in 2011, making three relief appearances without a decision for Toronto with a 13.50 ERA (2.0IP, 4H, 4R, 3ER, 2BB, 1K). He was originally selected by the Blue Jays in the 10^th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

July 23, 2012

A Tremendous Opportunity For Adonis Stevenson and Donovan George

Winner Of IBF Elimination Bout Becomes Mandatory Challenger To Champion Carl Froch;
Tavoris Clouds Risks IBF Light Heavy Belt Against Ex-Titleholder Jean Pascal in Main Event

With a shot at International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Carl Froch on the line, hard-hitting, world-ranked super middleweights Adonis “Superman” Stevenson, (18-1, 15 KOs) of Montreal, Canada, and Chicago’s Donovan “Da Bomb” George (22-2-1, 19 KOs) will clash in an IBF elimination bout titled “Shock Wave In Montreal” on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, Aug. 11, live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

The important 12-rounder at Bell Centre in Montreal, the SHOWTIME debut for both offensive-minded sluggers, will precede what is potentially the light heavyweight division’s best matchup in years between two young fighters in their prime when undefeated Tavoris Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs), of Tallahassee, Fla., defends his IBF crown against former WBC belt-holder Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KOs) of Montreal.

The 5-foot-11, 34-year-old Stevenson, is one of the most feared and avoided super middleweights in the world and one of the most dangerous punchers in the sport. He’s won his last five rounds by knockout, including a second-round TKO over Noe Gonzalez last April 20 in Montreal.

The 6-foot-tall, 27-year-old George has won two of his last three, the loss coming in his most recent outing on a close, hard-fought 10-round decision against undefeated Edwin Rodriguez on March 17 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Stevenson, who was born in Haiti and moved to Montreal when he was five-years-old, turned pro at the age of 29 on Sept. 30, 2006, and won his first five starts by knockout. In his 14th outing and United States debut, he lost by shocking second-round TKO to Darnell Boone on April 16, 2010, in Salisbury, Md.

But since the startling setback, Stevenson has made a major impression on the division. Two outings ago, in his debut with Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward, he produced an early candidate for Knockout of the Year by registering a devastating one-punch (straight left), 99-second, first-round knockout over Jesus Gonzalez on April 8, 2011, in Montreal.

The muscular, physically strong Stevenson, who credits Steward with improving his footwork and refining his technique, is primed to continue his assault through the division.

“People know what to expect from me,” said Stevenson, who was nicknamed ‘Superman’ in the amateurs. “They know I’m a power puncher, and that I’m fast, I have a good defense and I have skill. I fight aggressively. Fans like that. Fans want action. They want knockouts. That’s what I give them.”

George leaped at the opportunity to face southpaw Stevenson, the IBF’s top contender and one of Montreal’s most popular prizefighters, after several notable super middleweights, including Andre Dirrell, Mikkel Kessler, Thomas Oosthuizen, James DeGale, Kelly Pavlik and Sakio Bika either withdrew after agreeing or just flat-out declined to face a power puncher coming off a series of sensational knockouts .

“This is a monster shot I’m getting,” said George, who figures to come out fast. “To be able to fight on the biggest stage is great and I’m thankful to all who made it happen. I know all about fighting on the road so it doesn’t matter that we’re fighting in Montreal. There should be a great atmosphere at Bell Centre.

“I know that this has been a tough fight to make after so many passed on the fight. But I’m glad to take the challenge. Stevenson is very talented, comes to fight, and has a big punch. But I’ll be very well prepared and willing to go to war in what is the biggest fight of my career. I know it’s going to be a grueling fight and I know it’s going to come down to conditioning and basically who can take the better punch. Adonis is a big puncher, but so am I, so I think it’s going to be a very explosive fight.

“There’s no secret to how I’ll fight. I’m going to throw big punches and I’m going to try to knock him out. I’ll try to add a little boxing to my slugging — I always try to do that — but when the bell rings, I forget about it. This is a big stage, a big audience, and I want to just look great. There’s no way it can’t be a great fight.”

July 22, 2012July 22, 2012

Bachelorette Emily Maynard Falls in Love…With Curaçao!

With ABC’s Bachelorette finale on the horizon, viewers are anxiously wondering – has Bachelorette Emily Maynard fallen in love? The answer is YES – with the island of Curaçao, of course! The romance continues as the Bachelorette debuts once again on the colorful Caribbean island of Curaçao for the season’s finale episode airing Sunday, July 22, 2012. Maynard and the lucky final bachelors close out the season on this island paradise, delving into the alluring history and culture, sinking their toes into the sandy beaches and reveling in the crystalline blue of Curaçao’s azure waters.

Maynard’s search for love continues as the suitors settle in at one of Curaçao’s most unique boutique resorts, the Sandton Kura Hulanda Hotel & Spa. The historic hotel is a luxurious retreat boasting a unique location in the colorful Dutch Colonial historic district of downtown Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Maynard and her suitors will stroll the cobblestone pathways of the hotel as they explore the famous anthropological Museum Kura Hulanda and the meticulously restored buildings, showcasing the Dutch architecture of the 17th and 18th century.

Curaçao’s Sirena Bay Estate will be home to Maynard and her daughter in this finale episode, with its breathtaking ocean views, world-class art collection and 18th century Dutch ‘landhuis’ style building in downtown Willemstad. Its secluded location and private pools serve as the idyllic setting for the Bachelorette.

Bachelorette Maynard will set off to the Santa Barbara Plantation, 1,500 acres of beautiful views and landscaping, offering up one of the most luxurious golf and marina resort communities in the Caribbean. At one of the historic mansions on this expansive plantation, the remaining men will have the opportunity to meet Maynard’s parents and family members.

Maynard and the bachelors will delight in a romantic date at Dinah Veeris’ Botanic & Herb Garden — “Den Paradera”– a lush herb and botanical garden.

As millions of viewers hold their breath, Maynard’s decision will come during the Rose Ceremony in the Village Square of the beautiful Sandton Kura Hulanda Hotel & Spa.

For viewers looking to create their own romantic getaway, Curaçao is giving one lucky winner the chance to win a Bachelorette experience and fall in love with Curaçao! Viewers and fans of the show can log on to Curacao.com and enter to “Win a Romantic Getaway” for two that includes roundtrip airfare and a stay at the Sandton Kura Hulanda Lodge & Beach Club, as featured on the hit show.

To request a FREE Curaçao information package including details of the hotels and attractions featured in this episode click here or call toll free 1.800.328.7222.

About Curaçao
Selected as a ‘Top Destination 2012’ by Frommer’s, one of the ‘Top 21 Places We’re Going in 2011’ by Fodor’s, one of the ‘Hottest Destinations for 2011’ by AOL Travel and one of the ‘Destinations to Watch in 2011’ by SmarterTravel, Curaçao is a unique Caribbean island paradise, boasting 35 uncrowded beaches, and an eclectic mix of history and culture. Explore the vibrant, culturally diverse capital city of Willemstad – a UNESCO World Heritage site – with its distinctive architecture, museums, monuments and world-class shopping. Indulge in Curaçao’s vast selection of flavorful restaurants, with a mix of sophisticated international and tasty local cuisines. Discover Curaçao’s abundant natural beauty, pristine dive sites and spectacular snorkeling at secluded beaches – including Cas Abao Beach, selected as one of the ‘Top 10 Beach Destinations for 2011’ by SmarterTravel. Curaçao offers idyllic weather, situated outside of the Hurricane Belt. To win a romantic getaway to the island of Curaçao, please visit Curacao.com now!

About THE BACHELORETTE
On ABC’s hit primetime romance reality series The Bachelorette, one lucky woman gets the opportunity to find the man of her dreams — and hopefully her groom-to-be. This single, very eligible bachelorette — a confident, successful and sensitive woman who is ready to find love — will embark on a romantic journey as she meets 25 handsome and intelligent men. As the Bachelorette gets to know each one, she’ll continue to narrow the field. They will travel to exotic locations and spend time getting to know each other; she will introduce them to her family and friends and meet some of theirs. At the end of her romantic voyage, if she has found Mr. Right, will there be a proposal, from whom – and will she say yes? Hosted by Chris Harrison, The Bachelorette is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television.

July 22, 2012

Art Hovhannisyan Wins Split Decision over Miguel Acosta

In a thrilling fight in the main event of an exciting doubleheader Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME®, unbeaten Art Hovhannisyan (15-0, 8 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., turned back a determined bid by former World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Miguel Acosta(29-6-2, 23 KOs), of Caracas, Venezuela, to win a hard-fought 10-round split decision.

In the co-feature at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., talented, unbeaten super bantamweight Roman Morales (11-0, 6 KOs), of San Ardo, Calif., registered an impressive eight-round unanimous decision over Alexis Santiago (11-3-1 5 KOs), of Las Vegas, Nev.

Hovhannisyan, making his first start in 11 months, was victorious in a hard-hitting, fast-paced scrap by the scores of 95-93 twice and 92-96. Each slugger went down one time, Acosta late in the opening round, Hovhannisyan in the fifth.

“Both (blow-by-blow announcer) Barry (Tompkins) and I said that this was the kind of fight that you could make a case for for either guy,” ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood said afterward. “It was a great, interesting fight. It could have ended early (after Hovhannisyan dropped Acosta with a sweeping overhand right hand with approximately 10 seconds to go in the first round). If the knockdown had come earlier in the round it might have since Acosta seemed like he was saved by the bell.

“But, ultimately, he wasn’t saved by the judges.”

Hovhannisyan, 30, was a tad surprised at the scoring. “I knew it was a little close, but I definitely thought I won,” he said. “After I dropped him, I kept trying for the spectacular knockout. My corner was telling me between rounds to calm down, but I thought I had him for sure. He was lucky the bell rang when it did.

“I’m very happy to get the win. Acosta can still fight. I think my conditioning played a great role in my performance, but at this level you need to be good in all facets. This fight was definitely a great learning experience for me.”

The more experienced Acosta, 34, who moved well throughout and decked Hovhannisyan with an overhand right hand, thought he’d done enough to get his hand raised. “I was very sure I won,” he said. “Although he caught me in the first round I landed more punches throughout the fight. I knew my conditioning was good and it would carry me though the fight. I felt I was robbed.”

Among those rooting on Hovhannisyan was popular women’s Mixed Martial Arts superstar, Ronda Rousey, who trains at the same Glendale gym as the boxer and has the same trainer, Edmond Tarverdyan.

“Fighting is a lot less nerve wracking that just sitting and watching,” said Rousey, who was interviewed between fights and will be the subject of the latest “ALL ACCESS” on SHOWTIME before her next fight. “I’d much rather be the one in there. But I’m really happy for Art.”

“ALL ACCESS: Ronda Rousey” premieres on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. Rousey defends her STRIKEFORCE bantamweight championship against Sarah Kaufman on Saturday, Aug. 18, on SHOWTIME.

Morales, 23, scored a knockdown in the third en route to winning by the scores of 80-71 twice and 79-72. Going eight rounds for the first time in a career that began in February 2011, the switch-hitting Morales showed excellent poise and composure in his ShoBox debut, and appears to be a prospect to watch.

“I thought this was a good performance,” he said. “I’m glad I could go eight hard rounds because that is what I expected. I got a little tired but I knew I had to keep working. I’ll be back in the gym soon and I’ll be ready to fight whoever my team wants me to.”

The Roger Mayweather-trained Santiago, 21, offered no excuses. “I thought it was a close fight, a tough fight. I got dropped but it was just a flash knockdown. I was never hurt. I felt good the whole time.”

Undercard Results:

(6-round middleweight bout) Tureano Johnson (10-0, 7 KOs) vs. Arturo Rodriguez (12-12, 8 KOs) – Outworking Rodriguez with pressure and hard shots to the body and head, Tureano Johnson dropped Arturo with a nice uppercut ending the bout at the 1:49 mark of round one. Johnson remains undefeated.

(8-round lightweight bout) Jonathan Maicelo (17-0, 10 KOs) vs. Daniel Attah (26-12-1, 9 KOs) – From the opening bell, Maicelo pressed the fight landing power shots to Attah in the first and second rounds. After taking more punishment in the third, Maicelo dropped Attah in the early part of the round with a straight right to head. Attah got up only to take more of a beating as Maicelo ended the bout with a right hook, left hook combo earning a TKO victory. The fight was stopped at the 2:45 mark, and Maicelo is still unbeaten.

(4-round middleweight bout) Edgar Alvarado (0-1-1) vs. Erick Prado (0-2-1) – In an all out war of winless fighters, Prado and Alvardo left everything in the ring. From the opening round it was non-stop action. Prada landed the cleaner shots in the early rounds, but Alvarado ended strong landing nice power shots of his own. Alvarado needed to win the last round and he closed impressively. After the final round, the score cards read 40-36 for Alvardo, 39-37 for Prado, and 38-38 making it draw. Both fighters remain winless.

(6-round featherweight bout) Rufino Serrano (13-4, 0 KOs) vs. Rob Diezel (8-5, 3 KOs) – In the first ever fight for the Central Coast title, Serrano and Diezel boxed for six rounds. Diezel started off fast but slowed down toward the end. In the third round Diezel suffered a cut under his left eye by an accidental head butt. Serrano was busier and landed the cleaner punches in the later rounds. Serrano wins by unanimous decision. The scorecards read 59-55 across the board.

(8-round welterweight bout) Francisco Santana (13-3-1, 6 KOs) vs. Larry Smith (10-12, 7 KOs) – In a slugfest, Santana and Smith traded hard blows for eight hard rounds. Santana applied the pressure throughout the fight and ended strong winning a unanimous decision. Scorecards read 60-54 and 59-55 twice.

July 21, 2012

Johnriel Casimero new IBF Jr. Flyweight Champion

Johnriel Casimero was declared the new IBF Jr. Flyweight Champion yesterday, July 19, after the organization learned that Ulises Solis would still not be able to defend his title by October 30, 2012. Solis was granted a medical exception after suffering a broken jaw in an alleged altercation with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in December 2011. The exception gave Ulises an additional 9 months from the original mandatory date of January 30, 2012 to defend his title. This week the IBF received a letter from Solis’s physician explaining that in order for the boxer’s jaw to heal properly he required a bone fragment transplant. This procedure was performed on Solis on May 29. Furthermore, the physician recommended an additional six month healing period from this surgery. As a result, Solis will not be able to meet the extended mandatory deadline set for October 30, 2012 to defend his title.

July 17, 2012

Maidana vs. Soto Karass Added To September 15 Knockout Kings

The stacked September 15 “Knockout Kings” quadruple-header at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. just got another shot of pugilistic adrenaline, with the addition of former Super Lightweight World Champion Marcos “El Chino” Maidana. The champion continues his quest for a second world title at 147 pounds in what promises to be an action-packed showdown against Mexico’s Jesus Soto Karass.

This 12-round special attraction is the third fight announced for what is shaping up to be the most exciting boxing event of 2012, with the fourth fight scheduled to be announced in the near future.

“Knockout Kings,” headlined by Canelo Alvarez defending his WBC Super Welterweight World Championship against Josesito Lopez, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. In the co-featured attractions, WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez defends his crown against former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in fight presented in association with Promociones Del Pueblo and former World Champion Marcos Maidana faces perennial contender Jesus Soto Karass in a fight presented in association with Universum Box-Promotion. The Saturday, Sept. 15 quadruple-header, packed with Mexican pride and power, will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME.

SHOWTIME Sports will produce a new edition of its ALL ACESS sports documentary series. ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Lopez will premiere on SHOWTIME with multiple replays on additional SHOWTIME and CBS platforms. The exhibition schedule also will be announced shortly.

“This fight is a great match-up which has ‘Fight of the Year’ written all over it,” said Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. “Both of these fighters hit with power, have great chins and fight one way…coming forward. Mix in the fact that it’s a must win fight for each of them and you have the recipe for a classic.”

“I always appreciate the opportunity to fight on the big time boxing event like this one,” said Maidana. “Throughout my career I have always heard I fight like the great Mexican fighters and that Mexican fans love to watch me fight. I will give them something to cheer about on September 15 when I win the fight and move one step closer to getting another world title.”

“I am very fortunate to be fighting on this card alongside my fellow countrymen Canelo, Daniel and Jhonny,” said Soto Karass. “We are going to represent Mexico well that night and I plan to be victorious against Maidana. I have worked hard my whole career to have my dream of being a world champion come true and I feel that with each fight, I get closer to it.”

Buenos Aires, Argentina’s Marcos “El Chino” Maidana (31-3, 28 KOs) has been a worthy member of his country’s fighting fraternity, but one look at his style in the ring will make it evident that he is not satisfied with one world championship. Maidana held the WBA Interim Super Lightweight and WBA Super Lightweight World Championships from 2009 to 2010, a span during which he stopped “Vicious” Victor Ortiz and defended the belt three times before losing it to Amir “King” Khan in 2010’s Fight of the Year. Maidana reclaimed the belt in 2011 with another classic against Erik “El Terrible” Morales, but after one defense, he moved up in weight to 147 pounds. After a loss to Devon Alexander “The Great” in February, the 29-year-old will seek his first welterweight victory on September 15.

Coming off one of his career-best performances on July 7, a blistering fifth round stoppage of Euri Gonzalez, 29-year-old Jesus Soto Karass (26-7-3, 17 KOs) looks like he has started the march to his well-deserved first world title shot. An 11-year professional who has collected an overflowing pile of regional titles, the native of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico has bounced back from a recent cold spell to defeat hot prospect Said El Harrak and Gonzalez in consecutive 2012 fights. The next mountain to climb is taking on former World Champion Maidana and Soto Karass has every intention of keeping “El Chino” winless at 147 pounds.

Tickets priced at $400, $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, go on sale Friday, July 20 at Noon PT. Ticket sales are limited to ten (10) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

July 17, 2012

Jose Bautista on Disabled List

The Toronto Blue Jays have placed outfielder Jose Bautista on the 15-day disabled list with left wrist inflammation and have selected the contract of outfielder Anthony Gose from Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League (Triple-A).

Bautista, 31, suffered the injury last night in New York while batting in the eighth inning. The 6-0, 192lb right handed hitter is tied for second in the AL with 27 home runs and tied for third in RBI with 65. This season the reigning two-time AL home run leader was selected to this third consecutive All-Star team.

Gose, 21, has spent the 2012 season with Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League (Triple-A) batting .292 with 18 doubles, 10 triples and five home runs while collecting 41 RBI. The 6-1, 190lb. left-handed hitter leads the league in stolen bases with 29 and has scored 77 runs which is third in the league. This summer the Paramount, California native appeared in MLB Futures Game in Kansas City. Gose was acquired from the Houston Astros on July 29, 2010 in exchange for 1B Brett Wallace. He is set to make his Major League debut.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Gose, the Blue Jays have transferred RHP Brandon Morrow to the 60-day disabled list.