Chris John vs Rocky Juarez ends in Draw

HBO Championship BOXING

In a featherweight Championship match Rocky Juarez vs Chris John from Indonesia. This was a great match with both fighters giving their all to the end. Champion Chris John carried the earlier matches while Rocky Juarez seemed to have a late start.
Chants of Rocky from the crowd seemed to bring energy to Juarez as he came alive at the end of eleven. A great Featherweight Championship match as both fighters were slugging till the end. The fight goes to the judges in a unanimous decision and results in a draw. Both fighters believed they won the fight. Chris Juan retains his featherweight championship title and remains undefeated.

Pavlik vs Rubio

Pavlik Defeats Rubio

Kelly (the Ghost) Pavlik (35-1-30 KO’s) gave the ultimate gift to his great Youngstown fan base by defeating Marco Antonio Rubio (43-5-1 38KO’S) and retaining his WBC /WBO Middleweight titles at the Chevrolet Center in Youngstown.
What started out as a decent matchup with both fighters feeling each other out in the first round? Pavlik’s power and precision punches begin to take over throughout the next couple of rounds. The fight looked to be coming to quick end as Pavlik landed some devastating blows to Rubio and tying him up with combinations against the ropes and in the corner. Pavlik looked great in the ring but seemed unable to finish Rubio early. Rubio’s quickness and craftsmanship in the ring was able to bail him out of trouble and keep the fight alive for another few rounds. The end of the ninth round came as the fighters returned to their corners. Before the 10th started the referee waived his arms that it’s over as the surprised fans cheered and Pavlik jumped to his feet raising his glove in victory. Ray Boom Boom m

Pavlik thanked the fans after the match and stated “theres no place like home”.

The Final Press Conference for Pavlik -Rubio

The Chevrolet Center in Youngstown will host the final press conference for the World Middleweight Champion bout of Pavlik-Rubio on Thursday February 19th. The Mandatory Challenger and number 1 contender Marco Antonio Rubio and Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik will come together to answer questions from the press. The conference is open to the public and the doors open at 11:00. When the news conference begins at noon the weather in Youngstown is predicted to be a blistering high for the day of 26 degrees. At the same time the weather in Rubio’s hometown of Torreon Mexico will be a warm 72 degrees. With snow and colder temperatures forecasted for the winner take all on Saturday’s Championship fight, and a whole town behind the Champion, will El Veneno’s winning streak end in Youngstown by the hands of a Ghost?

Fight Week Begins in Youngstown

Youngstown’s own Kelly (the Ghost) Pavlik 34-1-30 KO’s will defend his title in front of his beloved home crowd against No. 1 contender and mandatory Challenger Marco Antonio Rubio 43-4-1 this Saturday. Youngstown is buzzing with activity as the media emerges for fight week on Pavlik’s hometown. Another famous fighter and Youngstown Hero returns home for the event. Former lightweight champion Ray (Boom Boom) Mancini will be providing play by Play coverage on the fight. The Pay Per-View title fight will take place at the Chevrolet Center in Youngstown. Pavlik vs Rubio will be the second title fight of the pay per view following the Cotto- Jennings fight from Madison Square Gardens.Tickets are available through ticket master and at the Chevrolet Center. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness The Ghost in action in Youngstown. I’ll see you there!!!

Bill Stephens

Antonio Margarito Suspended

Former Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito suspended for one year after a hardening substance was found on his hand wrap. A member of Shane Mosleys team noticed the unusual substance in the wrap and brought it to the commissions attention before the January 24th match. The hands were rewrapped and the title was dropped to Sugar Shane Mosley in the ninth round. The incident was not forgotten as The California Athletic Association handed down the one year suspension to Margarito and his trainer Javier Capetillo. Antonio Margarito has been an impressive fighter to watch with an impressive record of 37-6 - 27 KO’S, sadly this incident may overshadow anything the former champion has accomplished in the ring.