I started this blog almost a year ago and one of the very first fighters I mentioned was Puerto Rico's Carlos Ivan Velasquez, a fighter that I felt at the time was heading on to super stardom. Sadly since that blog Velasquez has been out of action, in fact Velasquez hasn't fought since beating Eduardo Arcos way back in July 2010. Thankfully however he is set to return to the ring on 3rd February fighting a yet to be named opponent in the Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas.
Whilst we don't know why he was out of action and we also don't know who he is facing I am very glad to see that he is returning to the ring as he looked sensational in early footage that I found and anyone who beat both Arcos and Ira Terry in their first 15 fights is worth making a note of.
Velazuez currently holds a record of 13-0 (11) though at 27 years old he may well have wasted 18 months of his prime development years so hopefully his handlers will force him to make up for lost time this year.
Showing posts with label Carlos Ivan Velasquez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carlos Ivan Velasquez. Show all posts
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Prospect Review Pt 1
Since this blog was started at the end of March we've seen 12 fighters profiled, with 8 of those having fought since they were featured in this blog. All 8 of those fighters have kept their unbeaten records and moved another step up in the boxing world.
Billy Joe Saunders was the first fighter mentioned in this blog who has fought since. He scored an impressive 2nd round stoppage over Turkish fighter Turgay Uzun. Uzun had gone in as a tough opponent, his record was an unimpressive 35-15-2 going in but he had only ever been stopped twice in his 52 fights. Those stoppages had dated back to 2002 when he suffered an injury against Michele Orlando and a 2010 TKO against Damian Jonak (currently the WBC's #9 ranked Light Middleweight). A win for Saunders was expected but the stoppage was a bonus even if Uzun did effectively quit. The fight may have been an easy one but Saunders made it look easier than it was to defeat a veteran who has made a career out of surviving.
Frank Warren http://www.youtube.com/user/frankwarren
Rakhim Chakhkiev was the next fighter mentioned just days before his American debut against the experienced Harvey Jolly. Chakhkiev didn't struggle at all with Jolly and showed solid power with both hands as well a good active work rate. Although at times he did look a little wild it seemed more down to over confidence against Jolly who appeared unable to hurt him. The body attack of Chakhkiev was hugely impressive and although he's not a huge Cruiserweight he's powerful and those body shots will always have an effect. The fight was on the under card of Erik Morales v Marcos Maidana and was hugely impressive in scoring a 3rd round KO.
Billy Joe Saunders was the first fighter mentioned in this blog who has fought since. He scored an impressive 2nd round stoppage over Turkish fighter Turgay Uzun. Uzun had gone in as a tough opponent, his record was an unimpressive 35-15-2 going in but he had only ever been stopped twice in his 52 fights. Those stoppages had dated back to 2002 when he suffered an injury against Michele Orlando and a 2010 TKO against Damian Jonak (currently the WBC's #9 ranked Light Middleweight). A win for Saunders was expected but the stoppage was a bonus even if Uzun did effectively quit. The fight may have been an easy one but Saunders made it look easier than it was to defeat a veteran who has made a career out of surviving.
Frank Warren http://www.youtube.com/user/frankwarren
Rakhim Chakhkiev was the next fighter mentioned just days before his American debut against the experienced Harvey Jolly. Chakhkiev didn't struggle at all with Jolly and showed solid power with both hands as well a good active work rate. Although at times he did look a little wild it seemed more down to over confidence against Jolly who appeared unable to hurt him. The body attack of Chakhkiev was hugely impressive and although he's not a huge Cruiserweight he's powerful and those body shots will always have an effect. The fight was on the under card of Erik Morales v Marcos Maidana and was hugely impressive in scoring a 3rd round KO.
ShareMMMAnos http://www.youtube.com/user/ShareMMMAnos
Gary Russell Jr was originally meant to be on the Morales v Maidana under-card though that fight fell through and instead of facing Ira Terry as first reported he fought Adolfo Landeros the following Friday. Landeros was sadly not the same quality of test that Terry would have been and Russell dominated the 6 round contest after scoring a knock-down in the opening round. Russell moves to an impressive looking 15-0 (9) and at 22 years old that's fine and they are bringing him through well though hopefully they'll put him in with someone a few steps up from Landeros next time out.
BoxingProspect http://www.youtube.com/user/BoxingProspect
Karl Place moved to 13-0 (8) with a 5th round TKO over George Watson who had only been stopped once previously (by Stephen Jennings) and had survived 8 torrid rounds against Carl Johanneson back in January. 22 year old Place is being brought along well and given time to move up the rankings with out being in too many risky fights at this point. Unlike Gary Russel (above) the expectations on Place are much smaller and he'll likely remain at British level for a while longer than the ultra talented Russell.
Thomas Dulorme of Puerto Rico has really become a bit of an over night sensation after scoring a knock-out of the year contender against Harrison Cuello on the under-card of Victor Ortiz v Andre Berto. Dulorme, who started his career with a majority decision in 2008 has moved to 11-0 (10) and become a real sensation at Welterweight despite turning professional at Lightweight and now at 21 years old seems to have the world as his oyster. He has been active in 2011 having fought 3 times already and hopefully his time will capitalise on his new found fame by striking whilst the iron is hot. Dulorme has all the markings of a star though really will need to be given tougher tests before we mark him down as Puerto Rico's next great star.
JFKConspiracy (via sweetboxing)
Carlos Negron, the 6'6” Puerto Rican who turned professional as a skinny cruiserweight just a couple of years ago is now becoming a fully fledged Heavyweight and has extend his record to 12-0 (8) and 2-0 (1) as a Heavyweight. He beat the wonderfully named Emerson Chasing Bear on the Juan Manuel Lopez v Orlando Salido under-card by 4th round by TKO. Although I've not seen the fight Negron could well be a true force in the division if he continues to develop like many feel he can. He's a huge fighter with a wonderfully athletic build and if he manages to get his jab going his 83” reach will be one of the sports most potent weapons.
Jamie “The Nuisance” Kavanagh made his UK debut on the under-card of Amir Khan v Paul McCloskey and beat regular test case Sid Razak over a 6 round decision. Razak, in his 70th professional contest fell to 6-64 whilst Kavanagh progressed to 6-0 (2). The 20 year old from Dublin (though based in LA) will be given time to develop his talent and power though he's still a name that needs to be remembered for the future.
John Jackson was one of the last names mentioned by this blog and last night, in Uruguay he extend his record to an impressive 10-0 (9). The son of famed punched Julian Jackson seems to be following in his father's footsteps as a power punching force. Aged just 22 it might be too early to mark him as a future star though the Light Middleweight from the U.S. Virgin Islands is a fighter who must be on the verges of making a US debut after having fought at home, in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay.
The fighters who haven't fought since this blog went live:
Carlos Ivan Velasquez
Gilberto Ramirez Sanchez
Froilan Saludar
Joe Hanks (fights on 22nd April against Terrell Nelson)
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Gary Russell Jr
One of the names on the under-card of Maidana v Morales that seems to have been some what forgotten about is one of the USA’s most skilled prospects around. “Mr” Gary Russell Jr (14-0, 9KO’s). Currently based in Maryland the skilled youngster is still only 22 but seems headed to the top of the sport and is starting to take those big steps up in the boxing world that every fighter needs to make at some point.
Russell was one of the top young amateurs in the USA after picking up the sport at a young age he progressed well and ran up well in excess of 160 wins. He would win several amateur championships including the Junior Olympics (2004) Golden Gloves (2005), U.S. Championships (2005, 2006) and a Bronze medal at the 2007 World Amateur Championships. Though he missed out on making a shot at the 2008 Olympics when he collapsed prior to the weigh in.
Having seen his Olympic dreams crumble Russell would turn professional and make his debut in January 2009 on an episode of ShoBox: The Next Generation. He would stop Antonio Reyes in the 3rd round and follow it up with a handful of wins through out 2009 as he started to adapt to the professional scene. By the end of 2010 Russell Jr was starting to face substantially tougher opponents and gone were the inexperienced professionals that he had been allowed to face to get into the sport.
Stoppage wins against veterans Carlos Diaz, Mauricio Pastrana and the previously never stopped Rodrigo Aranda were hugely impressive for Russell. Russell showed not only was he maturing and genuinely able to throw hurtful shots but land to both the body and head. The key to Russell Jr though wasn’t his power but his lightning quick southpaw jab which comes from a wonderfully balanced stance. As well as the lightning jabs he can throw the hooks and crosses with the same alarming speed. He appears to be confident and is being pushed well by Golden Boy Promotions, hopefully they’ll continue to step him up in levels over his next few fights.
So far in 2011 Russell Jr has fought once beating Feider Viloria who entered the ring with a 23-7-1 record. Russell dropped Viloria in the 5th round before winning a 7th round technical decision in his longest fight to date. His upcoming fight on the Maidana v Morales fight sees him facing Ira Terry (24-4, 14KO’s). Terry is with out a win since December 2009 though lost in April 2010 to Carlos Ivan Velasquez in 4 rounds. Of course Carlos Ivan Velasquez was featured in the opening post of this blog, this gives us a chance to compare how the Puerto Rican and how Russell compare.
Stood at 5’5” and with a 61” reach Russell isn’t big for a featherweight though he is lightning fast and seems to be maturing into a fighter with a solid punch on him. The Featherweight division does seem to be one of the most promising in the world today with the likes of Yuriorkis Gamboa and Juan Manuel Lopez dominating it. Though with American talent including Mickey Garcia, Robert Marroquin and Abraham Lopez all along with Russell the Americans could well become the divisions dominant force one day.
Videos courtesy of Youtube user Boxing Prospect (not confused with an actual link to this blog with the same name).
Russell was one of the top young amateurs in the USA after picking up the sport at a young age he progressed well and ran up well in excess of 160 wins. He would win several amateur championships including the Junior Olympics (2004) Golden Gloves (2005), U.S. Championships (2005, 2006) and a Bronze medal at the 2007 World Amateur Championships. Though he missed out on making a shot at the 2008 Olympics when he collapsed prior to the weigh in.
Having seen his Olympic dreams crumble Russell would turn professional and make his debut in January 2009 on an episode of ShoBox: The Next Generation. He would stop Antonio Reyes in the 3rd round and follow it up with a handful of wins through out 2009 as he started to adapt to the professional scene. By the end of 2010 Russell Jr was starting to face substantially tougher opponents and gone were the inexperienced professionals that he had been allowed to face to get into the sport.
Stoppage wins against veterans Carlos Diaz, Mauricio Pastrana and the previously never stopped Rodrigo Aranda were hugely impressive for Russell. Russell showed not only was he maturing and genuinely able to throw hurtful shots but land to both the body and head. The key to Russell Jr though wasn’t his power but his lightning quick southpaw jab which comes from a wonderfully balanced stance. As well as the lightning jabs he can throw the hooks and crosses with the same alarming speed. He appears to be confident and is being pushed well by Golden Boy Promotions, hopefully they’ll continue to step him up in levels over his next few fights.
So far in 2011 Russell Jr has fought once beating Feider Viloria who entered the ring with a 23-7-1 record. Russell dropped Viloria in the 5th round before winning a 7th round technical decision in his longest fight to date. His upcoming fight on the Maidana v Morales fight sees him facing Ira Terry (24-4, 14KO’s). Terry is with out a win since December 2009 though lost in April 2010 to Carlos Ivan Velasquez in 4 rounds. Of course Carlos Ivan Velasquez was featured in the opening post of this blog, this gives us a chance to compare how the Puerto Rican and how Russell compare.
Stood at 5’5” and with a 61” reach Russell isn’t big for a featherweight though he is lightning fast and seems to be maturing into a fighter with a solid punch on him. The Featherweight division does seem to be one of the most promising in the world today with the likes of Yuriorkis Gamboa and Juan Manuel Lopez dominating it. Though with American talent including Mickey Garcia, Robert Marroquin and Abraham Lopez all along with Russell the Americans could well become the divisions dominant force one day.
Videos courtesy of Youtube user Boxing Prospect (not confused with an actual link to this blog with the same name).
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Carlos Ivan Velasquez
I would like to welcome you to the new boxing prospects blog, a blog that continues the work I used to do for Ringnews24.com under the title of “Prospect Scotting”. Due to a series of changes in life and work this blog is effectively taking over from what was, for some of last year, a weekly column talking about a prospect. Unlike last years column however these prospects don't need to have a fight lined up but need to just be a solid, talent prospect. To start this off we'll be looking at a very promising Puerto Rican fighter called Carlos Ivan Velasquez .
Carlos Ivan Velasquez is 26 years old and is unbeaten as a professional in 13 fights with 11 wins by KO. So far he has fought for 39 rounds as a professional with no fights having gone beyond 6 rounds, though has past solid tests already in his short career. Velasquez was a top amateur (more about that later) prior to turning professional in 2007. In his debut he defeated Stephan Arnold in 86 seconds whilst his twin brother and fellow prospect Juan Carlos Velasquez (currently 10-1, 5KO's as a professional) defeated Manuel Angulo over the 4 round disance.
Carlos Ivan would progress quickly as a professional having only 3 fights to ease himself into the professional ranks before facing substantially more experienced fighters. He would stop the tough experienced David Maund, who was difficult to stop despite being a “career loser” (he took a 4-13 record to the ring having been stopped only twice) and face several similar type of opponents. Carlos would prove to be too good for these types of tough men who are expected to test the stamina of prospects. It wasn't until Velasquez fought Manuel Sarabia that the Puerto Rican would hear the final bell. Sarabia had been stopped several times previously though his record going in was 16-24-9 with 11 stoppage losses he was a tough fighter. Sarabia had taken Mickey Garcia the 6 round distance, ending an 8 fight KO streak from the Oxnard man and would go on to take Abner Mares 6 rounds after Velaquez fought him.
Along side Sarabia as men to last the schedule is Juan Nazario (who entered 6-1-1). Nazario recently proved his toughness by going up to Light Welterweight to face Russian Khabib Allakhverdiev and last the distance. Since beating Nazario Velasquez' stock has been on the rise with impressive victories coming in his last two fights. Firstly was the stoppage of Ira Terry (who was 24-2 at the time and had never been stopped). Terry was bullied around by a faster, stronger heavier man in Velasquez who just dominated his opponent and stopped him as shown in the video below. In his last fight Velasquez had 5 round, easy on the eye war with Eduardo Arcos showed that Valeasquez can trade, bang, box and wear opponents down.
As a professional boxrec.com rank Velasquez as the 73rd best Super Featherweight in the world, and the 5th best from Puerto Rico (behind former world champion Roman Martinez, the capable Daniel Jimenez, Martinez's next opponent the unbeaten Luis Cruz and the 2 time title contender Mario Santiago). The IBO's computer ranking system rank him at 43rd in the world at Featherweight, a division that he has never actually made as a professional. He is the 2nd highest ranked Puerto Rican at the weight according to the IBO who rank Luis Cruz at 38th in the world at featherweight.
As well as being a promising professional Velasquez was a very good amateur. He went to the 2004 Athens Olympics as a 20 year old Featherweight and was unlucky to go out to to Edvaldo Oliveira in the round of 32 (on countback of a 43-43 draw). Although the excellent Aleksei Tishchenko would take the gold (and would have almost certainly beaten Velasquez had the two met) Velasquez would prove how good he was over the following years. His stand out amateur highlight was winning gold at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games in Cartagena, Colombia. On his route to gold he would defeat Marlon Almagro, Ronald de la Rosa (in the final) and the excellent Yuriorkis Gamboa in the Semi Final. Gamboa had won Flyweight gold in the 2004 Olympics is one of the most talented Featherweights in the world today having won both the WBA and IBF titles as a professional.
Velasquez is certainly one of the most promising and exciting young Puerto Ricans prospects around at the moment and hopefully 2011 will see him building on a great 2010.
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