Boxing News: There’s not much boxing this week but one reference last week is closer to reality. Ogden heavyweight Bill Zumbrun, as of a couple of days ago, was waiting for a contract to fight undefeated heavyweight contender Joe Hanks. Hanks, of Newark, N.J., is 19-0 with 13 knockout. Zumbrun, 25-12-1 with 15 stops, have a recent common opponent, Cliff Couser. Zumbrun stopped Couser in 5 rounds, Hanks in the first round.
At least six of Zumbrun’s losses should have been wins. That’s a reality for a boxer who has to travel to make a good paycheck. I will update this blog with more info on the fight when I get it. Hanks is the IBA Americas heavyweight champ, for whatever that’s worth, so there may be a title on the line. … In other news, “Bronco” Billy Wright, a heavyweight out of West Jordan who enjoyed success in the 80s and 90s, has launched a comeback. Wright, who ended the first phase of his career in 1999 with a 32-4 record (that included KO losses to Tony Tucker, Francois Both and Michael Moorer) fought once, and won, in 2007. However, late last year he embarked on a second comeback that has resulted in three quick KO wins. Wright scored a first round KO in Idaho last October and in January, in Aukland, New Zealand(!), knocked out Harry Funmaker in the first round to win something called the PABA heavyweight title. Wright has been seen in Foley’s gym, in Ogden recently, and there has been some chatter and matching him with Zumbrun. That appears unlikely, though, if the Zumbrun, Hanks fight materializes. Here’s a recent Wright fight via YouTube. … One more bit of news; there is a fight card (Boxing/MMA) scheduled in Tooele on March 28. Flash Newman is the promoter. No word on the card yet, but it will likely include undefeated Jose Haro. … UPDATE: I just learned that veteran Salt Lake City welterweight Chris “Kid Kayo” Fernandez, 19-14-1 (12 KOs) is fighting on a card Saturday in St. Louis, Mo. Chris will meet undefeated Keith Thurman, 15-0 with 14 knockouts, in an 8 rounder. It’s Thurman’s first fight in 15 months.
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MMA News
Bron Lindquist taps out as Justin Roberts of Foley's Mixed Martial Arts in Ogden defeats him by read naked choke at the Total Mayhem mixed martial arts fight night at The Gym in West Haven Saturday, April 23, 2011. (Erin Hooley/Standard-Examiner)
A couple of local MMA professionals will be fighting soon. Ogden’s Justin Roberts will fight Ryan Ault on a Steelfist promotions card on April 20 at The Complex in Salt Lake City. Roberts, seen in the accompanying photo, is 1-1. Ault is 1-0. Also, Ogden’s Eric Tillotson is scheduled to fight Scott Halverson in an MMA card scheduled March 23 in Vernal.
On March 9 several Top of Utah MMA fighters will compete in a Steelfist card at The Complex in Salt Lake City. One is Clearfield’s Sooksan Simpleman, 8-5, who will fight James Francis, 8-13. Also, Mike (Sugarloaf) Crisman 18-34-1, will fight Josh VanderVeur, 4-4, of Park City. UPDATE: Here are results from the Showdown MMA card 2/24 in Orem, courtesy of http://www.fightingoutof.net/ which will have a full recap on its excellent site:
Josh Burkman decision over Koffi Adzitso
Sean O’Connell decision over Trevor Carlson
Jordan Clements decision over Dave Castillo
Jan Jorgensen stoppage 2 over Aaron Magro
Steve Sharpe (who will fight Dave Foley April 7 in West Haven) stoppage 1 over Mario Espinoza
Jason South stoppage 2 over Tim Ruberg
George Lockhart decision over Jarome Hatch
Lance Palmer stoppage 2 over Jordan Chandler
Deanna Bennett stoppage 1 over Andrea Miller
Jeremiah Guzman stoppage 1 over Jesse Clark
Dustin Jenkins stoppage 1 over Dominick Rossetti
Very nice Doug.. I like this, very informative.
The PABA title is much like the NABF title in the United States. The PABA is a regional title of the WBC that has a longer history than most other WBC regional titles.
Sorry, PABA is with the WBA, but an old title, sometimes these alphabet titles confuse me
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