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Ever since hometown hero Lamont Peterson defeated Amir Khan last December at the Washington Convention Center in our nation’s capital, the venue has often been the scene for a ringside revival in 2012. One of the up-and-coming locals leading the charge in D.C. is 18-year-old Southeast native Dusty Harrison (9-0, 5 KOs), a welterweight prospect who has appeared six times at 801 Mount Vernon Place in the last 11 months.
Super middleweight champion Andre Ward chimed in on the recent passing of legendary trainer Emanuel Steward. “First of all, it’s a major blow not only to the sport, but it was a major blow for me, because we didn’t have much detail on Manny in terms of how bad he was sick and what was going on,” Ward said in an upcoming video interview for BoxingScene.com/CSNBayArea.com.
Middleweight contender Fernando Guerrero (24-1, 18 KOs) and new trainer Virgil Hunter spoke to BoxingScene.com/CSNBayArea.com ahead of their Fox Sports Net/FUEL TV headliner this Saturday against J.C. Candelo (32-11-4, 21 KOs), at the Humble Civic Center in Humble, Tex. FERNANDO GUERRERO ON COMPARING HIS HOMETOWN OF SALISBURY, MD., TO LOS ANGELES AND THE BAY AREA: “It’s inspiring. The whole community there [in Salisbury] still gets behind me whenever I fight. They have dancers and people make bobbleheads. You can’t let them down. It makes you want to make them smile even more.
Unbeaten lightweight contender Mercito Gesta (26-0-1, 14 KOs) has completed his third week of training in preparation for what he hopes will be a shot at 135-pound titleholder Miguel Vazquez in Las Vegas on Dec. 8. “We’ve been in San Diego, but we’ll be checking into Big Bear November 1st,” said Gesta’s manager/trainer, Vince Parra. “I think Jose Benavidez Jr. is going to be up there with us to spar. Antonio and Israel Arellano are coming up, too, we think.” Vazquez (32-3, 13 KOs) slipped by Marvin Quintero (25-4, 21 KOs) Saturday night in Verona, N.Y., via split decision. “Just the potential of getting this fight has got [Mercito] stoked,” Parra added. “There’s a couple options. The first plan is to fight Miguel Vazquez though. If he comes out clean, it’s a go for December on the Pacquiao-Marquez undercard on December 8th. Vazquez went on record and said he wants it.”
Unified junior featherweight champion Nonito Donaire is turning down a proposed Dec. 15 fight with Jorge Arce. According to a reliable source within Team Donaire, the 122-pound king said “the deal was not sufficient for him to sacrifice fighting in the opponent’s territory” of Mexico City. Following his ninth-round technical knockout of Toshiaki Nishioka two Saturdays ago, Donaire and his promoter Top Rank were in talks to make his next fight with Arce.
More than a year before his triumphant return to the ring last Saturday at Barclays Center—a first-round knockout of Josh Luteran on Saturday night—native Brooklynite Daniel Jacobs had already defeated his most daunting opponent of all. “I just want to be the face of hope,” said Jacobs (23-1, 20 KOs). “I really want to say that my reasons for doing this now are different than when I started out. My reason is to really inspire as many people as I can because everyone is affected by cancer.”
Junior featherweight titleholder Guillermo Rigondeaux’s decision last weekend to remain with promoter Top Rank was partially motivated by the company's ability to make a bout with 122-pound king Nonito Donaire, according to the fighter’s manager, Gary Hyde. “I am very happy with Top Rank's new deal for Rigondeaux and the promise of a fight against Donaire in the next three fights was definitely a major factor in signing with Top Rank,” the Ireland-based Hyde told BoxingScene.com via email. “He is looking to get in the ring with Donaire and [Abner] Mares as soon as they are willing to fight him.”
On Saturday afternoon, five-time BWAA Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach stood behind his usual counter at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, fielding questions from a pair of writers as he oversaw the packed gym. With his prized pupil Manny Pacquiao reportedly choosing to stay in his hometown of General Santos, Philippines, and postpone the American portion of his training camp until October 27, Roach gave BoxingScene.com an update on the matter.
Cameron Dunkin, manager of junior welterweight star Brandon Rios, spoke to BoxingScene.com about his eagerness to make a fight between his client and Manny Pacquiao. “I’ve been talking about this fight for awhile,” Dunkin told BoxingScene.com. “As far as a defining fight, this is it.” Top Rank CEO Bob Arum has brought up Apr. 20 for Pacquiao’s next fight date after the Filipino pound-for-pounder's fourth clash with Juan Manuel Marquez on Dec. 8. Considering the industry buzz after Rios’s thrilling stoppage of Mike Alvarado last Saturday, the possibility of Pacquiao-Rios in 2013 has increased exponentially.
Former junior welterweight titleholder Amir Khan has arrived in Hayward, Calif., to commence training camp with new cornerman Virgil Hunter. Khan faces Carlos Molina on Dec. 15 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Khan will have no shortage of sparring partners in Northern California, as Hunter also trains fellow 140-pounders Karim Mayfield and Mike Dallas Jr., as well as lightweight Stan Martyniouk, who posed for the picture below with the British star.