Judah-Clottey, Cotto-Margarito Notes, Chavez Jr. Ready
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, the son of the Legend, says he's ready for his biggest challenge, taking on puncher Matt Vanda in Hermosillo, Mexico on Top Rank's Latin Fury 5 this Saturday night.
Chavez Sr., celebrating his 46th birthday, will walk his son to the ring.
"The best gift I can give my father is a spectacular knockout," Chavez Jr said today.
Chavez Jr has a record of 36-0-1; Vanda is 38-6.
Chavez Jr vs. Vanda plus a world title fight matching Ulises Solis vs. Glenn Donair will be available live Saturday night on an Azteca America telecast at 10 pm eastern/7 pm pacific.
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Hasim Rahman, training in Phoenix, has sparred over 150 rounds while getting ready to tangle with James Toney on Wednesday, July 16 at the Pechanga Resort & Casino.
"The Rock is training at a high level," said chief trainer Marshall Kauffman. "He's sparred 12 rounds in a single day a number of times. I like his work rate and I am convinced he will beat Toney next week."
It's an important fight, titled 'Last Chance.'
"We win, we move on to much bigger fights," Kauffman said.
Rahman plans to be Los Angeles on Sunday eve to get ready for fight week activities.
The scheduled 12-round NABO heavyweight title bout -- presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions and Don King Productions, in association with Top Rank – will headline an FSN "Best Damn Fight Night" telecast (11PM ET/8PM PT) from the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA. Tickets are $150, $100 and $50.
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Top Rank Notebook - Unbeaten super lightweight Mike Alvarado of Denver is keying on "strength and conditioning" while getting set to take on former champion Cesar Bazan on the "The Battle," the mega event featuring Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas on July 26. Alvarado, 21-0, is one of Top Rank's best young fighters. "He's focused, running 4 miles a day, doing all of his cardio work, getting ready the right way," said manager and chief trainer, Henry Delgado. Alvarado is training at Delgado's Boxing Gym in Arvada, Colorado....
More on Cotto/Margarito: Jesus Soto-Karass, chief sparring partner for Margarito, will be in the main event on the eve of Cotto vs Margarito. Soto-Karass will take on tough David Estrada in the main event at the Hard Rock Hotel-Casino on Friday, July 25. It's a Top Rank/Telefutura fight card with a 4:15 pm first bell and the televised Solo Boxeo Tecate bouts will begin at 5 pm....
Ticket update: Zab Judah vs. Joshua Clottey tickets on August 2 are off to a fiery start and a sellout will be expected at The Pearl, the beautiful 1,900-seat concert theatre at The Palms Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas. The 'Hawaiian Punch,' Brian Viloria, will be on the undercard.....