19.12.06 – By MICHAEL MARLEY, BoxingConfidential.com, photo © Marty Rosengarten, Ringsidephotos.com: SANTO DOMINGO — Oscar de la Hoya had a positive but critical review of Joan Guzman’s performance in a 12-round unainimous decision over game but overmatched Antonio Davis. After the unbeaten Guzman retained his WBO 130-pound title, his co-promoter said the Dominican star was too tight.
“He was trying to hard,” the Golden Boy said in the ring seconds after the lopsided scores of the judges were read by Jimmy Lennon Jr.
“You can’t knock everybody out,” de la Hoya said. “and I just felt Joan was trying too hard. Maybe fighting at home made him uptight, He was just trying too hard for the knockout. If he sat down on his punches just a little bit more, it would have come for sure.”
Guzman delighted and excited a flag-waving sold out house which included baseball Hall of Famer Juan Marichal and many other Dominican ballplayers. Guzman extended his pro record to 27-0 and now looks to some big-money bouts against the likes of Manny Pacquaio and Marco Antonio Barrera..
“I would fight either one,” Guzman said. “I want big fights for 2007 and I know that (manager) Jose Nunez will get them for me. I have great respect for Marco, for Pacman also so let’s get in the ring and see who is superior. Everything else is just talk. What is that Nike says, ‘Just Do It.'”
Nunez, through his Jay Boxing Promotions, made his inaugural promotion a major success. This was the biggest boxing show in the sports crazy country in three decades and his two young prospects, Joselito Guzman (Joan’s brother) and Argenis “La Tormenta” Mendez made victorious pro debuts.
“I am elated,” Nunez said. “So many people doubted Joan and I. They said you can’t do a big show down here. They said the government would not deliver but they did. I want to thank President Leonel Fernandez and Sports Minister Jay Payano for helping me give the Dominican people, my people and champ Guzman’s people, this great pre-Christmas boxing show. People all over the world can see the replay on Fox S En Espanol on December 29. We had a marvelous show and it put this country back on the boxing map.”
The 18-year-old Mendez, a beanpole who will have to move up to 130 pounds from featherweight, was simply sensational in scoring a second round KO over Jose Fonseca. Late Monday night, it was reported that Fonseca, who as removed from the ring on a wooden stretcher, was hospitalized with broken ribs. Fonseca did leave the ring conscious and alert.
“That kid was just great,” WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, sitting ringside with golfing partner and Puerto Rico neighbor de la Hoya said. “He has the look of a future world champion.”
WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs also remarkedc on Mendez’s debut.
“That kid looked extra sharp,” Briggs said. “My friends, Guzman and Nunez, they got a hot prospect in Mendez. Fast, fast hands and power. You cannot teach someone that. Those are just natural skills and this boy has got them. That was a like, wow, pro debut.”
International matchmaker Sampson Lewkowiz is to be complimented for making nine entertaining bouts, inclduing a mild upset as Nicaraguan Santos Martinez knocked out Dominican veteran Hector Julio Avila.
Tell me the last time you saw 38-2 with 35 KOs get knocked out by 12-4-3 with five KOs, especially in a remath. Avila looked very long in the tooth and has to wonder if is time to hang them up. It was a great upset for Martinez and his ubiquitous handler, the colorful Ezequiel Obando. Obando might be best described as the Sean “X” Gibbons of Costa Rica.
“Guzman and I will be back with more shows,” Nunez said. “Now the world has seen how the Dominican people will support quality boxing events in much the same way they support baseball.”