Notebook: Chavez Jr-Vanda, Margarito, Holt, Rahman
On Thursday, former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman - who is training in Phoenix - is off to a press conference in Los Angeles. He and James Toney will re-battle on a 'Last Chance' fight card on July 16. The hot lunch presser tomorrow is at Sisley Italian Kitchen, 15300 Ventura Ave., Los Angeles, 11:30 am. Goossen Tutor, DKP and Top Rank are promoting.
Elsewhere:
Anthony and Lamont Peterson of Washington, D.C. are training at Buddy McGirt's Gym in Vero Beach, Fla. "Both are very excited about their upcoming fights for Top Rank," said Barry Hunter, manager. Anthony, the WBO #1 rated lightweight, will be in the main event on a Top Rank/VERSUS card at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, June 26. Lamont, rated WBO #3 as a junior welterweight, will box on the Ricardo Torres vs Kendall Holt title card July 5 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
Holt is also training at McGirt's Gym in Vero Beach. "Sparring 10 rounds every Monday, Wednesday and Friday; doing a lot of distance running; sprints; tons of padwork," said Henry Cortez of Team Holt. "Kendall has put down a few of his sparring partners. He's all set for Torres." Torres and Holt will head for Las Vegas on June 27 and will have a press lunch the day of the Pacquiao vs. Diaz 'Lethal Combination' title card.
Holt has spotted the Peterson's at McGirt's but they are working at different times.
J.C. Chavez Jr., the Son of the Legend, has a tough one next in Matt Vanda, the big puncher from St. Paul, Minn. on Top Rank's "Latin Fury 5" on July 12 in Mexico. IBF light fly champion Ulises Solis will defend vs. Glenn Donair in the opening televised bout. No PPV, it will be available free on the Azteca America network in the US.
HBO Countdown crews today are in the camps of Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito.
Margarito is on the cover of The Ring. "Is He The Man to Cut Down Cotto?" is the hot lead story.
On same day as Cotto vs Margarito at MGM on July 26, WBA #1 rated light flyweight contender Giovanni Segura of Bell Gardens, Ca. will take on champion Brahim Asloum in Cannes, France.