http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/elio_rojas/74065 Recent articles about Elio Rojas en-us Daniel Ponce De Leon claimed Jhonny Gonzalez's WBC featherweight title with a unanimous technical decision Saturday night when their bout was stopped in the eighth round because of a cut over Gonzalez's eye. Marcos Maidana stopped Jesus Soto Karass 43 seconds into the eighth round of a thrilling, back-and-forth welterweight bout on the undercard of Saul ''Canelo'' Alvarez's 154-pound title defense against Josesito Lopez. Leo Santa Cruz also defended his IBF bantamweight title by stopping veteran Eric Morel, who quit on his stool after the fifth round. Ponce De Leon (44-4) posted an impressive comeback win over Gonzalez despite a big cut of his own on his skull. Gonzalez had won 12 straight fights, claiming the featherweight title in April with a decision over Elio Rojas. But Ponce De Leon, a Mexican who fights out of the Los Angeles area, is among the sport's most reliably entertaining fighters, from his long braided hair and colorful trunks to his heedless fighting style. Sat, 15 Sep 2012 23:43:04 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/ponce_de_leon_maidana_santa_cruz_with_big_wins/11723836 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/ponce_de_leon_maidana_santa_cruz_with_big_wins/11723836 Ponce De Leon, Maidana, Santa Cruz with big wins http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/ponce_de_leon_maidana_santa_cruz_with_big_wins/11723836 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/4/2427749caa3e89f045d0698db960b1213389beae/mini/Marcos_Antonio_Barrera_d550.jpg Jhonny Gonzalez vs. Daniel “Ponce” De Leon Fight Preview and Pick to Win On September 15, Jhonny Gonzalez defends his WBC Featherweight Title against ex-titleholder Daniel “Ponce” De Leon at the MGM in Las Vegas. This bout will take place as the main supporting bout to the Alvarez-Lopez fight and promises to offer some excitement, as these two skilled battlers go at it. It’s fortunate that on an undercard, we get to see a title bout between these two standout Mexican veterans. Each man was formerly a titleholder at a lower weight class and their combined 80 knockouts underlies the power-punching menace they each bring to the ring. They also share in common the fact that they have both been written off, only to rebound in a big way. Date: September 15, 2012 Site: MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada Titles: WBC Featherweight Title: 12 Rounds Jhonny Gonzalez, 52-7 (45 KOs), Mexico City, Mexico, WBC Featherweight Champion Vs. Daniel “Ponce” De Leon, 43-4 (35 KOs), Chihuahua... Sat, 21 Jul 2012 10:48:30 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/jhonny_gonzalez_vs_daniel_ponce_de_leon_preview_prediction/11266327 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/jhonny_gonzalez_vs_daniel_ponce_de_leon_preview_prediction/11266327 Jhonny Gonzalez vs. Daniel Ponce De Leon preview & prediction http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/jhonny_gonzalez_vs_daniel_ponce_de_leon_preview_prediction/11266327 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/4/2427749caa3e89f045d0698db960b1213389beae/mini/Marcos_Antonio_Barrera_d550.jpg Mexican Independence Day weekend will come alive in one-of-a-kind fashion on Saturday, September 15 when "Knockout Kings" featuring undefeated Mexican sensation Canelo Alvarez taking on boxing's breakout star and upset-minded Josesito Lopez for Canelo's World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Welterweight World Championship, takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME. Fans can expect fireworks all night long with the unparalleled quadruple-header, which also features WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez defending his title against former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon. "We know the exceptional talent we have in Mexican superstar Canelo, and certainly Josesito Lopez deserves the opportunity to face him after his stunning upset victory over Victor Ortiz on June 23," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.  "It is going to be another prideful Mexican Independence Day weekend for ... Thu, 12 Jul 2012 09:43:29 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/official_canelo_vs_lopez_announcement_quotes_4_fight_card_on_showtime_sept_15th/11204329 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/official_canelo_vs_lopez_announcement_quotes_4_fight_card_on_showtime_sept_15th/11204329 Official Canelo vs. Lopez announcement & quotes: 4 fight card on Showtime Sept 15th http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/official_canelo_vs_lopez_announcement_quotes_4_fight_card_on_showtime_sept_15th/11204329 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/0/403abc97997748a04c45f7144d871c5f36ab0a45/mini/Juan_Manuel_Lopez_6cc5.jpg It's darn near time to clear our plates and gear up for the blitzkrieg of coverage that accompanies big fights, what with Floyd Mayweather, Jr./Miguel Cotto right around the corner. When it comes to other boxing stuff than Mayweather/Cotto, it's mostly speak now or hold your peace until after 'round here.Check out the above video of middleweight prospect Billy Joe Saunders blowing up Tony Hill over the weekend, for starters. Our Mark Ortega wrote a few months back that "Saunders could potentially be one of the biggest stories of 2012 if matched correctly," and Hill didn't figure to be such easy work from a matchmaking standpoint -- one fight ago, Hill went to a majority decision loss against Kerry Hope, and Hope is the man who recently upset contender Grzegorz Proksa. Stoppages in the 1st round like that are sometime flukey, but when you're on the delivering end, it's never a bad thing.Other things to consider, besides the headline, are so... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:19:48 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/quick_jabs_the_manny_pacquiao_and_alex_ariza_show_golden_boys_big_2012_more/10688027 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/quick_jabs_the_manny_pacquiao_and_alex_ariza_show_golden_boys_big_2012_more/10688027 Quick Jabs: The Manny Pacquiao And Alex Ariza Show; Golden Boy's Big 2012; More http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/quick_jabs_the_manny_pacquiao_and_alex_ariza_show_golden_boys_big_2012_more/10688027 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/6/863bb8a72fd00b246a2a9f5fa3266fa029ef6746/mini/manny.jpg In an entertaining prizefight between two quality pros, WBC featherweight champ Jhonny Gonzalez (52-7, 45 KOs) took a decisive 12-round decision over WBC featherweight "champion in recess," Elio Rojas (23-2, 14 KOs) by scores of 117-111, 116-112, and 116-111. Making the fourth defense of the belt he took from Hozumi Hasegawa in 2011, Gonzalez pressed the attack and scored points early on pure, effective aggression. Rojas, who was forced to vacate his WBC title in 2010 due to a hand injury, used movement and looked sharp while trying to time and counter Gonzalez. However, the native of the Dominican Republic was dropping early rounds in the process. In the sixth round, Rojas' plan seemed to be coming together as he began scoring some hard counters on his opponent and the scorecards began to even up. But Gonzalez kept pushing forward, throwing heavy combinations and making them count when they touched the elusive Rojas. In the 10th, a Gonzalez hook to the liver forced Rojas to take a knee. The Sun, 29 Apr 2012 04:10:07 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/jhonny_gonzalez_bests_elio_rojas/10675838 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/jhonny_gonzalez_bests_elio_rojas/10675838 Jhonny Gonzalez bests Elio Rojas http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/jhonny_gonzalez_bests_elio_rojas/10675838 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/2/52195545aedd2479c2c91d410e7e27a4894e2a03/mini/Marcos_Antonio_Barrera_38d9.jpg Line 'em up, knock 'em down. They had the right idea back in the day. The big fight this week features Bernard Hopkins, who's about as old as the footage in that GIF, re-doing his abortive and “controversial” bout with Chad Dawson. Fox Deportes has the best potential action fights of the week with a double header from Cancun headlined by Jhonny Gonzalez. There are a few other titbits too, so let's get to it. Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson and Seth Mitchell vs. Chazz Witherspoon, Saturday, HBO, Atlantic City. The light heavyweight rematch between the ageless Hopkins and personality-free Dawson is a lot more popular the second time round. It might have something to do with the the “controversy” or maybe the fact that it's not on pay-per-view, it's on the East Coast and tickets are apparently selling well. TQBR founder Tim will have more in-depth analysis of the fight, though I have no idea what he's going to say. Their first bout ended with body... Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:52:18 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_weeks_boxing_schedule_featuring_bernard_hopkings_chad_dawson_thomas_ooisthuizen_and/10633117 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_weeks_boxing_schedule_featuring_bernard_hopkings_chad_dawson_thomas_ooisthuizen_and/10633117 The Week's Boxing Schedule, Featuring Bernard Hopkings, Chad Dawson, Thomas Ooisthuizen And ... http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/the_weeks_boxing_schedule_featuring_bernard_hopkings_chad_dawson_thomas_ooisthuizen_and/10633117 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/6/a68e840f9249690d78f974bb891c402d912112be/mini/Chad_Dawson_v_8a17.jpg Hozumi Hasegawa and Vic Darchinyan both look to bounce back from losses in separate bouts this Saturday at the Tokyo International Forum. The two southpaws have more in common than coming off defeat as both have seemed ready to crack the top of the sport several times, only to be knocked down and out, literally, each time they were coming through the big door. That is not to say each man has not had their share of success. Both have won multiple world titles in several weight classes, but the big time stardom and top-10 pound-for-pound status that each seemed destined to achieve has slipped through their fingertips. Darchinyan makes his attempt to bounce back from defeat in the co-feature. The "Raging Bull," who has thrilled crowds with his wildly aggressive style and stunning knockout power over the years, has had his share of ups and downs. His bravado and excessive trash talking make him the kind of fighter people watch, whether they cheer for him or cheer for him to lose. Darchinyan began his Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:58:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/darchinyan_hasegawa_eye_comebacks/10485835 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/darchinyan_hasegawa_eye_comebacks/10485835 Darchinyan, Hasegawa eye comebacks http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/darchinyan_hasegawa_eye_comebacks/10485835 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png R.I.P., Bert Sugar, the great boxing historican and icon we lost earlier this week. We talk a lot in this space about what moves casual fans, and one of the most common topics that come up when I tell people I write about boxing is, "Do you know that guy with the fedora and the cigar?" That's how fundamental he has been for so, so many years to the sport -- when people hear the word "boxing," they often think of Bert. It's that big a loss.To answer the question about whether I knew that guy with the fedora and the cigar: I've talked to him several times, and drank with him, same as a great many writers and fans. As an interview subject, he was a dream -- deeply knowledgeable, quick with the great anecdote, absolutely quote-worthy with every word. He knew the role he played well (I once asked him where his quips came from; he said it was a mix of formulating them in advance and spontaneity), but despite the self-typecasting, he was such a great charact... Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:23:48 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/round_and_round_featuring_whats_next_for_brandon_rios_wladimir_klitschko_kell_brook_and_others/10433395 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/round_and_round_featuring_whats_next_for_brandon_rios_wladimir_klitschko_kell_brook_and_others/10433395 Round And Round, Featuring What's Next For Brandon Rios, Wladimir Klitschko, Kell Brook And Others http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/round_and_round_featuring_whats_next_for_brandon_rios_wladimir_klitschko_kell_brook_and_others/10433395 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png March 31 At Lima, Peru Jose Alfredo Rodriguez vs. Alberto Rossel, 12, for the interim WBA World light flyweight title. At Los Cabos, Mexico Hugo Ruiz vs. John Mark Apolinario, 12, for Ruiz's WBA interim bantamweight title. April 4 At Yokohama, Japan Koki Kameda vs. Noudly Manakane, 12, for Kameda's WBA bantamweight title; Tomonobu Shimizu, vs. Tepparith Singwancha, 12, for Shimizu's WBA World super flyweight title. At Myakinino, Russia Denis Lebedev vs. Shawn Cox, 12, for Lebedev's WBA interim cruiserweight title; Alexander Bakhtin vs. Nehomar Cermeno, 12, for the vacant WBA International super bantamweight title; Ismayl Sillakh vs. Denis Grachev, 12, for Sillakh's NABF light heavyweight title; Grigory Drozd vs. William Joppy, 10 cruiserweights. April 6 At Tokyo Shinsuke Yamanaka vs. Vic Darchinyan, 12, for Yamanaka's WBC bantamweight title; Takahiro Ao vs. Terdsak Jandaeng, 12, for Ao's WBC super featherweight title; Hozumi Hasegawa vs. Felipe Carlos Felix, 10, feath Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:36:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/boxing_schedule/10454704 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/boxing_schedule/10454704 Boxing schedule http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/boxing_schedule/10454704 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png