Williams, Cloud, Arreola Win; Jackson Picks Jones; Klitschko Wins
Williams, Cloud, Arreola victorious
Article courtesy of www.fightnews.com
Former world champion Paul Williams (41-2, 27 KOs), rebounded from a less then steller performance against Erislandy Lara to defeat Jame Kirkland-conqueror Nobuhiro Ishida (24-7-2, 9 KOs) by one-sided twelve round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Texas. Ishida never got untracked as Williams’ volume punching was the recipe for 120-108 on all cards.
Undefeated IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud (25-0, 19 KOs) retained his title with a close split decision over former WBA world champ Gabriel Campillo (21-4-1, 8 KOs). Cloud came out aggressively in round one and dropped Campillo twice. Campillo, however, responded well in round two and proceeded to cut Cloud in round three and gave Cloud fits the rest of the way. Scores were 116-110, 114-112 for Cloud. Campillo was up 115-111 on the third card. Fightnews had Campillo ahead 114-112.
WBC #1 heavyweight Chris Arreola (35-2, 30 KOs) scored an explosive first round knockout over Eric Molina (18-2, 14 KOs). Good action heavyweight fight as both fighters came out bombing with Arreola having the final say with a right hand to the temple that put Molina down and out. Time was 2:30.
Eric Molina: “I said before this fight that if I had Arreola hurt I would come right at him, and I did just that. I landed some big right hands. He was in trouble and holding on for dear life, but he caught me. I did my best.”
In a big surprise, super middleweight journeyman Justin Williams (4-5-1, 2 KOs) upset Alfonso Lopez (22-3, 17 KOs) via six round unanimous decision. Coming off a lackluster performance against Dyah Davis in Key West last month, Lopez was floored in round two two by a clean right hand by the unheralded Williams ad things unraveled from there. Scores were 57-56, 58-55, 58-55.
In his first bout in three years, it was like heavyweight Malik Scott (33-0, 11 KOs) never left as he outpointed Kendrick Releford (22-16-2, 10 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Scores were 79-73, 80-72, 80-72.
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Trainer Jackson Goes with Jones
Article courtesy of the great mma website www.sherdog.com
Renowned trainer Greg Jackson will corner light heavyweight champion Jon Jones against Rashad Evans at UFC 145.
Jones revealed Jackson’s decision on his Twitter account on Saturday: “Greg Jackson confirmed today that he will be in my corner for UFC 145,” Jones wrote.
“It’s probably gonna go that way,” Jackson later told Sherdog.com. “Just out of loyalty to the team, and not being selfish.”
In a recent interview with the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Savage Dog Show,” Jackson had hinted that he was leaning toward cornering Jones against Evans on April 21 but had not made an official decision.
Evans began training at Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts in Albuquerque, N.M,. shortly after winning Season 2 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” The former Michigan State University wrestler captured the light heavyweight belt in 2008 under the guidance of Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn, and remained with the respected team until early 2011.
Jones joined the New Mexico-based gym prior to facing Matt Hamill at “The Ultimate Fighter 10” Finale in 2009. He became the youngest champion in UFC history by defeating Mauricio Rua last March. “Suga” moved his training camp to Imperial Athletics in Boca Raton, Fla., shortly after Jones became champion, blaming both Jones and Jackson for his departure. Evans and Jones have since engaged in a very public feud in various interviews as well as social media.
Evans, who lost the 205-pound strap to Lyoto Machida at UFC 98, earned his long-awaited shot at Jones by taking a lopsided unanimous decision victory against the undefeated Phil Davis at UFC on Fox 2 in January. It will be the first title defense of 2012 for Jones, whose memorable 2011 included victories over Ryan Bader, Rua, Quinton Jackson and Machida.
UFC 145 is scheduled to take place at the Philips Arena in Atlanta on April 21. In addition to Jones-Evans, the card features a pivotal bantamweight showdown between Miguel Torres and Michael McDonald as well as a heavyweight clash between Brendan Schaub and Ben Rothwell.
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Vitali Klitschko Defends WBC Title
Courtesy of ESPN News and Associated Press
MUNICH — Chaos broke out after Vitali Klitschko unanimously outpointed Dereck Chisora to retain his WBC heavyweight belt Saturday night when Chisora got into a brawl with former WBA champion David Haye at the postmatch news conference.
Haye called for a fight between the two British boxers, leading to a heated exchange before Chisora descended to face Haye and they came to blows.
Camera equipment went flying and reporters fled before security eventually managed to separate the men and police arrived at the scene.
“You’ve really lost it this time,” Chisora told Haye.
Klitschko beat Chisora in a bruising encounter in which the Ukrainian claimed to have fought from the fourth round with only his right fist after hurting his left hand.
“I think we all heard excuses about a broken toe,” Chisora later retorted, referring to Haye’s loss to Klitschko’s younger brother, Wladimir, for the WBA belt in Germany last July.
Wladimir is the “super” WBA champion and also holds the IBF and minor WBO and IBO belts.
Chisora found little support from the sellout crowd of 12,500 after slapping Vitali Klitschko’s face at the weigh-in on Friday, and ensured the ill feelings continued when he spat in Wladimir’s face as Vitali’s record was being called out before their bout.
“I wanted to knock him out, to be honest,” Vitali Klitschko said. “Such a cheek.”
Wladimir acted as a buffer as Chisora continued to goad his older brother.
Vitali was clearly incensed, but it took some time before he could assert control against the Briton’s aggressive approach. The champion’s greater reach and experience made the difference.
The judges scored it 118-110, 118-110 and 119-111.
Chisora said after the bout he wanted a rematch, or a bout with Wladimir.
“He won’t fight me again. I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t fight me either,” Chisora said.
Klitschko improved to 44-2 (40 KOs) with the 10th successful defense of the title he won from Corrie Sanders in 2004.
It was arguably the toughest bout he’s had to endure since losing on a technical knockout to Lennox Lewis in 2003.
“I’m not proud of my performance tonight because I feel I let my fans down,” Klitschko said.
The Zimbabwe-born Chisora dropped to 15-3 (nine KOs) after his third loss in his last four fights, but he had the fans in Munich’s Olympiahalle worried as Klitschko appeared to tire from his relentless attacks.
Sensing an upset, they chanted the Ukrainian’s name in the seventh round before Klitschko reasserted his dominance with a series of precision blows.
Chisora was bleeding from the lip after the first round, but seemed more than capable of taking Klitschko’s repeated punishment.
Klitschko eventually took control of the bout in the ninth round, catching Chisora with a huge right and seemingly picking his punches at will. Chisora was barely hanging on in the 10th.
“He tried it all, but apart from a few grazes I didn’t get anything more,” Klitschko said.
Chisora gave it everything he had in the 12th and final round as he sought a knockout blow, but Klitschko, knowing the work was already done, used his greater experience to safely see out the round, and maintain he and his brother’s dominance of the heavyweight division.
“I wanted to give him what he deserves. It didn’t work out,” Klitschko said. “Life is an interesting thing. Life is long. Who knows? Maybe we’ll meet some other day.”
