It's On!!! Round 2 of the Buffalo Golden Gloves, February 28, 2015

Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the Tralf Music Hall in beautiful Buffalo, New York, the Buffalo Golden Gloves will make it's triumphant return. It's the second round of this historic event. If you haven't bought your ticket, I would make it happen as soon as possible. If you're a true boxing fan, you can not miss this event. I, Rugged Rob, will be in the "house" with my camera in hand, ready to capture all the excitement on video. So, "Let's Get Ready to Rumble"!!!!!

What's great about this year's tournament is that the bout sheets are available before fight night and I can give you a short preview. "Let's Go!!!"

•  Returning in the second round is 132lbs. kingpin, Sequan Felton. He will be stepping in the ring for a match bout against, Canadian amateur standout, Bradley Wilcox of the legendary Steeltown Boxing club. Bradley Wilcox is a strong competitor that will give Felton a good challenge. I've seen Bradley fight in the past and this kid is no joke.
• Fan favorite 141lbs. Mike Hajad of the Northwest Buffalo Community Center boxing club, steps back into the ring against Jake Isenor of St. Catherine's Boxing club. Mike is a non-stop puncher that doesn't quit. He has a huge heart and by the end of the fight, the crowd is usually rooting him.

• Saturday will mark the return of Daniel DeJesus of the Westside Boxing club. The first time I saw DeJesus fight, he was 16 years old and he was ferocious. In 2015, he's a monster. He takes on CJ Marston of the Steeltown Boxing club. I don't know a lot about CJ, but coming out of the Steeltown Boxing club, he will be a tough customer.
• Mike Vega, 132lbs fighter out of the Casal's Boxing club, takes on Steven Wilcox (brother of Bradley Wilcox) in another match bout. Mike Vega is coming off a first round loss in the tournament, so he will be out to prove he's still the "beast" I know he can be. Steven Wilcox is from a fighting family and has the experience to give anyone some serious problems. You can look forward to an awesome contest for dominance.
• Two gyms that go toe to toe in the women's division are the UB Boxing Club and the Casal's Boxing Club. Saturday night will be no different. Two words...Wendy Casey... of the UB Boxing Club. She's been off the scene for a few years, but she was "THE" female fighter in Western New York. Wendy was strong and mauled her opponents with ease. I'm glad to see her back, but what kind of fighter is she in 2015? Her opponent is a game and ready, Stacy Costanzo of Casal's Boxing club. Stacy has national experience and also took some time off from boxing. I interviewed her for my upcoming television show on the Western New York fight game and she was brimming with confidence. She has no fear of Wendy Casey. This has the potential to be "Fight of the Night".
• At 165lbs. Wilmont Wood will be representing the St. Martins Boxing club out of Rochester, New York. Wilmont is the 2014 Buffalo Golden Gloves champion at 165lbs. He went to the National tournament and advanced to the semi-finals. He accomplished this after a 2 year layoff and only 2 or 3 fight under his belt. He has to be the most talented amateur fighter I've seen in years. When Wilmont was fighting frequently, before his layoff, he was unstoppable. He glides across the ring and his offense smothers other fighters. He's the odds on favorite to make it back to Vegas. His opponent is Isreal Hayward of Team Ultimate Fitness out of Syracuse, New York. I've seen Isreal fight in the past, but I have to be honest, it will be an uphill battle for him. What he lacks in experience, he makes up with the inspiration he will get from his coach, Frank Alagna (Frank's a wildman in the corner).
• Rochester's Lawrence King has gone unchallenged in this tournament for the past 3 years at 175lbs. He's an opposing figure that walks through the competition in Western New York. He extremely entertaining to watch.
• Last but not least, Michael Christopher (UB Boxing Club) vs Anthony Woodruff (Westside Boxing club) in a 152lbs. contest. This year, the 152lbs. open division may be the most competitive it's been in years. All the fighters left in the tournament have power and they all come to fight. This is going to be a good one. Christopher battered last year's finalist Michael Stevens and Woodruff KO'd his opponent in the opening round of the tournament. This may be a "Don't Blink" moment.

Saturday night will be packed with action. The fore mentioned bouts are only a portion of the fight card and you can look forward to exciting night of boxing. Don't miss it. Doors open at 4:30pm and the fights start at 5:00pm. C U there.

For more information go to www.buffalogoldengloves.com

My Rocky Moment

It saddens me that so many fighters feel entitled to a boxing career just because they lace up a pair of gloves. If you train two times a week and spar once every other month, please do not call yourself a fighter. Boxing is more than telling people that you're a fighter, when you don't put the "work". I have to admit, I had my "Rocky" moment back in the day. A "Rocky" moment is when you watch boxing on television and you really think that you can compete. In 1996 I walked into the boxing gym at the University of Buffalo and started to train to lose some weight. After watching some of the fighters spar, it looked like something that I could do. This was not the case, sad but true. I started to spar with guys half my size and some fat guys that came through the gym. I did well in those sparring sessions, so I decided to compete in a sanctioned fight. My first fight was against Jamel Barnes. At the time Jamel was an accomplished amateur light-heavyweight that was turning pro that year. I didn't find this out until they introduce him before our bout. Being the warrior that I am, I gave it the old college try. Needless to say, I lost that fight. I had to get pretty creative in my fight plan, so there was a lot of bull-rushing on my part. In my second fight, I tangled with "Gansta" Frankie Knuckles. He was a good amateur heavyweight that I thought I could honestly beat. WRONG!!! I trained a little harder for the fight, but not nearly enough to last three rounds. (side note: you shouldn't smoke Newports during training camp.) I sold about 50 tickets to the fight to my co-workers and they all showed up. I did well in the first 60 seconds of the fight, but then my breathing became compromised. I didn't catch my breath until I got home that night. I finished the fight and lost by decision. It was a humbling experience. I gained a new respect for "real" fighters. I must say, not at any time was I in danger of getting knocked out. Don't get it twisted, I wasn't hurt in either fight. When I got out of the ring, my "Rocky" moment was over.

If you intend to compete in ANY sport, there is a level of sacrifice that you should expect. Sacrifice comes in the form of pain, injuries, loss of a social life, free time, and the list goes on. Sports involve high risk for high returns. When I played football in high school and college, I put in the "work". I trained over the summer to be a better player in the fall. I ran by myself, weight trained, and respected my body as a teenager. Some of the greatest moments in my life came through sports. The emotional recall on my greatest sports moments are burned in my head. My final thought is that you have take take boxing seriously. It is not a game, your life could be on the line. 'Nuff said.    

Lucas Matthysse vs Ruslan Provodnikov update

While you're waiting for the Mayweather-Pacquiao super-fight, don't sleep on some great match-ups. This is one in the works and it has the makings of a real war. Fight fans, choose your fights wisely. Before you wait to pay $75 for the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight, do your research and get the best bang for your buck.

Lucas Matthysse vs Ruslan Provodnikov update via Fightnews.com (click here)

Lucas Matthysse

Ruslan Provodnikov

Sequan Felton vs Hector Bayanilla 132lbs Open division

"The CHAMP is here!!!!" In the Buffalo Golden Gloves 132lbs. Open division there's one name that rings louder that any other, Saquan Felton. He's the reigning and defending champion that is on a quest to defend his title. What makes him special is that I've seen him climb the ranks, from underdog to champion. Saquan is a Rochester, NY native, that fights out of St. Martins Boxing Club, led by, the well respected, Don Simpkins. I think almost every amateur fighter out of Rochester started their boxing careers with Mr. Simpkins. My connection with Saquan is, he's from my hometown and he went to the same high school I did (big up to Benjamin Franklin high school). Saquan has traveled across the state to find competition that will make him a better fighter and it has worked for him. In the 2015 Buffalo Golden Gloves, Saquan is one of the most experience fighters in the tournament.

On the other side of the ring is Hector Bayanilla of the Northwest Buffalo Community Center (NWBCC) boxing club. He also comes from a great boxing club that has a strong history of excelling in this tournament. Bayanilla is trained by Juan DeLeon, another well respected coach. If you don't know, Juan is credited for taking Buffalo's own "Baby" Joe Mesi close the mountain top of the professional heavyweight division. Juan is one of the great coaches out of NWBCC. He trains amateur fighters from around the country and some of them fight in the Buffalo Golden Gloves. Juan had a 141lbs. fighter, that won the New York State title a few years ago, went on to the National tournament, and had the competition running for their lives (shoutout to "Pinky"). He lost on points to the fighter that eventually won the 141lbs. National title. So I knew that Bayanilla was no regular fighter. In my mind, the stage was set for a war.

Round one was Felton's best round. His attack was filled with great ring generalship and punches in bunches. Everything was clicking in the first round and that was evident from the lead uppercut that landed on Bayanilla's chin. Bayanilla applied pressure, which left him open for Felton's check-hook that landed on several occasions. Felton glided across the ring like a profession and he was stacking up points at will. Bayanilla was a game fighter, but movement kept him chasing the illusive Felton.

In the second round, after some spanish spoken instructions from Juan, Bayanilla looked like a different fighter. He landed some strong shot that got Felton's attention, but Saquan has a strong chin. I've never seen Saquan, not finish a fight. His experience and craftiness held Bayanilla off enough to win the second round.

Round three was a perfect example of why Felton is the 132lbs champion. Between rounds two and three, I looked over to Felton's corner and his 3 cornermen worked on him like he was having a heart attack. They massaged his arms and legs, put water on his head, and I almost thought they were going to stop the fight. On a side note, fighters outside of Rochester say that it's typical of a fighter from the ROC to fade in the later rounds (please don't kill the messenger, but I hear that all of the time). In the third, Bayanilla was charged and ready to go. He continued pressuring Felton with a vengeance, but Felton landed combinations and smothered Bayanilla against the ropes. There was a lot of complaining to the referee by both fighters, which play into Felton's hands. After an exciting final round, Felton walked away with an unanimous decision.

I would like to congratulate Saquan Felton for defending his title and advancing to the next round of the 2015 Buffalo Golden Gloves. Also, I would like to congratulate Hector Bayanilla for a great effort and I hope to see more of him in the future. I'll see you at the second round of the 2015 Buffalo Golden Gloves, February 28, 2015 at the Tralf Music Hall in beautiful Buffalo, New York.

Muhammad Ali...the Greatest of All Time.

 Muhammad Ali was not just a fighter, he was a movement. Ali came along at a time when African Americans where blatantly treated as second class citizens. In the 60's, the media would only accept black athletes that were humble in the eyes of America.They where not allowed to speak highly of themselves or the black community they were from. Ali changed how young black men viewed themselves and their place in society, Black Pride. He was the fighter that changed the heavyweight division. He broke all the rules of the day and that is why Muhammad Ali is the Greatest of All Time. Enjoy the footage below.

Click here for Muhammad Ali highlight reel!!!

Mayweather vs Pacquiao: Is it too late to care?

Since the Maywether-Pacquiao conversation is heating up and no one really knows what is going on, I thought I would weight in on the matter. Personally, I've been waiting for this fight for about 7 years, when they both were closer to their prime. In 2015, we're still waiting. What is the state of boxing, when we have to wait on fighters to get in the ring and entertain the fans? Are boxing fans a second thought in the minds of promoters? Are Al Haymon or Bob Arum to blame? These are are questions that may never get answered and I'm sick and tired of watching the deterioration of boxing. So often, we are fooled by a over the top marketing campaigns, that convince the novice boxing fan that they're going to see an epic fight. That's not always the case. I remember when Bernard Hopkins fought Winky Wright, back in 2007. It was bill as a match between two defensive master. If you think about it, who wants to see a fight where the combatants are focused on defense. I was fooled too. The fight was a huge "hug-fest" that should have been broadcast on the "Lifetime Network". The marketing geniuses have been hired by boxing promoters and their sole purpose is to sell a fantasy. Are we being duped again by the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight? 

Let's start this discussion with Floyd "Money" Mayweather. I truly feel that Mayweather will go down in boxing history as one of the best fighters to ever lace up a pair of gloves. His accomplishments as an amateur and as a professional is what legends are made of. He fought and dominated in the 1996 Olympic games at the age of 17. He also won his first world title at 19 years old, making him a fighter ahead of his time and a rare commodity. He was fast and he had power. The majority of his knockouts came in the 1st half of his career. In the last 10 years he's recorded only 5 knockout. He's not the power puncher he used to be. His hands may be in the worst condition of his career. He's had only 8 fights in 6 years, which may be due to his hand problems. Mayweather is at a point in his career where he can carefully choose his fights. As champion, it's not uncommon to choose their opponents, but where is the competitiveness in that? I would compare this to the New England Patriots choosing their opponents after the start on the season. Choosing your opponent does apply to sports in general, it weakens the integrity of competition.

I don't question the validity of Mayweather or Pacquiao as boxing icons and two of the greatest fighters of their generation. I'm questioning the effect that this fight has on the future of boxing. Will this become the standard for future boxing icons, to dominate the attention and basically blackout the rest of the boxing world. The Mayweather vs Pacquiao conversation has been going on for too long and its damaging the sport, where the fan refuses to pay attention to boxing until this fight happens. This is sad, but true. Boxing is often compared to UFC in many ways. For example, if their match makers hints of a great fight the UFC makes it happen. I know that they are, pretty much, the only game in town, and who else could their fighters go to, but it works out extremely well for the fans. Let me repeat that, the fans. Until boxing can create a business model similar to the UFC's, I don't know how boxing is going to get out of this hole. They have to let the match up happen at will. I would definitely like to see Adrian Bronner fight Brandon Rios, or Danny Garcia fight Ruslan Provodnikov. If you don't know any of these fighters, Google them. I'll see you at the second round of the 2015 Buffalo Golden Gloves on February 28, 2015 at the Tralf Music hall.
Suggest Reading: Click the following links

Amir Khan says Mayweather-Pacquiao will never happen.

Is Manny Pacquiao's Promoter Sabotaging The Floyd Mayweather Fight?

Home Sports Story TV executive: Mayweather-Pacquiao fight closer to reality.

New controversy in Mayweather-Pacquiao bout

Buffalo Golden Gloves 2015: Drew Grazadei vs Brandon Lynch Superheavyweight Open

The main event of the first round of the 2015 Buffalo Golden Gloves tournament was a heavyweight affair, between Buffalo's own Drew Grazadei and Brandon Lynch of Albany, New York. It was the last fight of the night and after 20 fights, usually, most of audience has left the venue. Not tonight. The crowd heard the buzz that Drew Grazadei was going to close out the show.

If you don't know Drew Grazadei, here it is. Grazadei is a fan favorite. He's a little off in the ring and that scares people. Two years ago, in the Buffalo Golden Gloves finals, he fought Eric Rogers, a strong heavyweight out of Northwest. It was an anticipated match up.Right before the bell to start the first round, Drew got into a 3-point football stance, that turned the crowd into a bunch of screaming maniacs. It got loud. He brings that type of excitement to amateur boxing. Three years ago at the Gloves, he took straight shots to the head at the end of the second round, with his arms down and shook his head at his opponent like "you can't hurt me". That is who Drew Grazadei is. Needless to say, I like to see this kid fight. He is the 2014 Buffalo Golden Gloves Super-heavyweight Champion. I was there when he competed in the 2014 Golden Gloves National tournament in Las Vegas, NV. In Vegas, his was focused and actually scouted the other heavyweights before his fight. He went out in the first round of the tournament, but he turned a lot of heads in his fight. Drew left Vegas with the respect of the other fighters, because he fought a good fight against a good fighter.

In the other corner was Brandon Lynch of Albany, New York. I don't know too much about Lynch because he fought in the, highly competitive, New York Metro Golden Gloves tournament in 2014. What I do know is, he won the 2014 New York Metro super-heavyweight novice division and he fights out of the legendary Quail Street Gym in Albany, New York. The head coach is Jerreck Jones and he's coached some the best fighter in the country. Such as Amir Imam, a nationally ranked amateur and an undefeated pro. Jerrick wouldn't travel to Buffalo from Albany, to bring a kid that couldn't fight.

I watched this fight about 10 times, because I never seen Drew get put on the canvas. I really wanted to see what went wrong. I seen him fight quite a few times and he wasn't the "Drew" I'm use to seeing. It all started at the stare down before the fight. Drew gave Brandon that mean mug, but Brandon was not phased. At that point, I knew it was about to "get good". In the first round Lynch showed off some great offense. He was scoring with his jab and he was landing his left hook. Drew ate some good shots, but he landed a few hooks and a straight right-hand. Lynch set himself apart from Grazadei by going to the body and he was consistent. His body attack was the game-changer in this Super Heavyweight fight. If you've never been hit in the body by a well trained fighter... it's like diving on the floor with your hands out, stomach first. Grazadei fought back, but Lynch had good head movement to avoid Drew's counter punches. By the end of the round Grazadei was breathing heavy from the body shots. I stop filming when the fighters get to their stool and I watch their breathing. You get 60 seconds to drink water, get instructions, and catch your breath. You're in trouble if you're still breathing heavy at the end of those 60 seconds. At the start of the second round Lynch continued his "body-head" attack on Grazadei. By the end of the round Grazadei fell into ropes and when he bounced off he threw a hook at the same time as Lynch threw his. Lynches' hook got there first. Lynch wins by TKO in the second round.

I would like to congratulate Brandon Lynch on his victory and advancing in the 2015 Buffalo Golden Gloves. Jerrick Jones and the Quail Street boxing club and their entries in this tournament. I would like to thank Drew Grazadei for defending his title and bringing excitement to the ring. I know we will see him again, leaner, meaner, and ready to rumble. See you at the second round of the Buffalo Golden Gloves, February 28, 2015 at the Tralf Music Hall.