Glen Tapia Post Fight Interview

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Beltran Stops Vinan in 7

According to Rocco Morales of Fightnews.com

Ray Beltran overcame the very determined challenge of Newark's Carlos Viran to finally stop him after 7 rounds. The southpaw Beltran started off quickly in the first round, landing many hard right hooks to the head of Vinan but Vinan not only weathered the storm but took control of the fight and swept the second, third and fourth rounds. Just as it appeared the fight was slipping away from the Freddie Roach trained Beltran, however, he awoke in round five and started putting a hurting on Vinan, particularly in the seventh round when Vinan had no answer for the right hooks of Beltran which thudded repeatedly off the head of Vinan.

The corner of Vinan wisely stopped the bout before the eighth round could begin to save their valiant fighter from further damage. By TKO victory, Beltran captures the vacant USBA lightweight title and improves to 24-4 (16KO) while Vinan, who fought at an ability well above his record would indicate, drops to 10-9-4 (2KO).

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Vinan Makes Weight for USBA Title Bout!

Newark's Carlos Vinan scaled in at 133.4 pounds for his USBA Lightweight title showdown with hometown favorite/Freddie Roach trainer Ray Beltran Jr tonight in California.

Vinan, 10-8-2 (2 KO's), is rated #15 by the IBF and upset top rated contender Anthony Mezaache last summer in AC. A victory by Vinan will spring him further up the rankings in his atypical quest to fight for a world title.

Beltran, 23-4 (15 KO's), has just one fight since a September 2008 knockout loss to Ameth Diaz. In that bout, which took place last September, Beltran stopped David Torres in seven rounds.

Vinan and Beltran will meet over twelve rounds at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, CA.

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Sharpe Returns against Quillan!

Bayonne's Dennis Sharpe will shake off nearly four years of inactivity when he returns Friday, February 11 to face unbeaten Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillan in Fairfield, CA. Sharpe, 17-5-3 (4 KO's), is winless in his last seven bouts, which includes defeats to Pawel Wolak, Giovanni Lorenzo, Andy Lee and Ronald Hearns.

Quillin, 22-0 (16 KO's), is fighting for the second time under the banner of Golden Boy Promotions and is trained by renowned Freddie Roach.

The bout is scheduled for eight rounds

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Vinan Earns USBA Title Shot!

Art of Boxing Promotions in association with Bash Boxing return to the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, California on March 4. The main event is a 12 rounder for the vacant USBA lightweight championship between Ray Beltran Jr. (23-4, 15 KOs) and Carlos Vinan (10-8-2, 2 KOs). Both main event participants are coming off huge upset knockouts over favored opponents in 2010. Vinan shocked previously unbeaten IBF #2 ranked lightweight Anthony Mezaache with an 8th round knockout last July in Atlantic City and comes into the bout as the IBF’s #15 ranked fighter in the world. Beltran stopped heralded David Torres (21-1) in front of his hometown fans. He trains out of Wildcard Boxing Club under the tutelage of Freddie Roach and former Olympian Pepe Reilly, and is a regular sparring partner for Manny Pacquaio and Amir Khan.

The undercard features highly regarded local fighters including Buena Park’s Javier Gallo (16-3), Van Nuys’ Deon Elam (12-1), Oxnard’s Hugo Centeno (5-0), and West Hollywood’s Anatoliy Dudchenko (10-2), as well as notable foreign fighters Andrey Fedosov (21-2) and Manuel Leyva (18-1).

Tickets to WARNER CENTER WAR 3 can be purchased online by going to www.warnercenterwar.com or by calling (626) 388-8888. WARNER CENTER WAR 3 takes place on Friday, March 4, 2011 at the Grand Ballroom of the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, California. Doors Open at 7:00 pm, First Bout is at 7:30 pm.


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2010 Garden State Fight Scene Awards!

The last 365 days of New Jersey boxing have been entertaining to say the least. We witnessed both fights that made Sergio Martinez into the sport’s newest superstar and one of the best knockouts in recent memory. Prospects such as Michael Angelo Perez, Glen Tapia, Jorge Diaz, Denis Douglin, Carlos Zambrano, Jorge Diaz and all remain unbeaten. There was also a number of shocking upsets.

GSFS’ staff and a number of other ringside regulars such as Kurt Wolfheimer of Fightnews.com, Marc Abrams and Kyle Kinder of 15rounds.com, Brickcityboxing.com’s Danny Seratelli, Mike Coppinger of Seconds Out and Boxing Insiders’ Scoop Malinowski, recently voted on a number of awards for 2010. All of the mentioned fights either took place in the Garden State or featured a New Jersey fighter.


Fighter of the Year: Tomasz Adamek (Secaucus):

With all due respect to every other fighter in the state, Adamek was an easy choice; easy enough that every writer polled selected him without second thought.

Adamek, a wildly popular Pole who is the biggest thing in New Jersey boxing since the late Arturo Gatti, won all four of his bouts in 2010. His victories included an impressive decision against top flight heavyweight Cris Arreola, former contender Michael Grant and 2004 US Olympian Jason Estrada. In his most recent bout, Adamek battered Vinny Maddalone before the latter’s corner threw in the towel fight during the fifth round.

His next bout is scheduled for April in Poland and it appears that he’ll be taking on hard hitting former titlist Samuel Peter. From there, expect to see him battle one of the Klitschkos or David Haye.

Prospect of the Year: Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin (Morganville)

Douglin, a 2008 National Golden Gloves Champion who is trained by his mother, had plenty of people chatting about him from the get go due to his chief second. But as they say, action speaks louder than words. During the last 12 months, Douglin was a perfect 6-0 with 5 dominant wins by kayo. In his lone decision win, he lost a single round on one of the three judges’ scorecards.

In addition to only losing one round the entire year, He moved down from middleweight to junior middleweight in March and has looked his best yet since dropping a few pounds. Not bad for a Momma’s Boy.

Honorable Mention: Glen Tapia (Passaic, 2 votes), Carlos Zambrano (North Bergen, 1 vote), Juan Rodriguez (Union City, 1 vote), Alex Perez (Newark, 1 vote), Jorge Diaz (New Brunswick, 1 vote), Lavarn Harvell (Atlantic City, 1 vote)

Editors Note: Some writers selected multiple fighters for the same award

Fight of the Year: Brian Miller SD8 Danny McDermott (Jersey City)

For eight rounds, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott and New York’s Brian Miller went at it as if there were no tomorrow, trading monstrous shots in close quarters. Both fighters kept the crowd on their feet by connecting with a number of punches in a phenomenal action bout, but the Jersey fighter came up just a bit short in this one.

Miller’s conditioning and consistency helped him pull out a close split decision in a bout that we are all dying to see again.

Honorable Mention: Jorge Diaz UD Emmanuel Lucero, Patrick Majewski (Atlantic City) TKO8 Eddie Caminero, Sergio Martinez KO2 Paul Williams

Upset of the Year: Ayi Bruce MD10 Shamone Alvarez (Atlantic City)/ Kaizer Mabuza TKO6 Kendall Holt (Paterson)

There were a few nice upsets pulled off by local fighters (more on that below) however, two of the Garden State’s top rated boxers were shockingly defeated in fights most expected them to win with ease.

In the case of Alvarez, who was one point away from earning a draw during a 2009 title eliminator, he was outfought by a man that he supposed to outfight. A victory against Bruce, a tough but beatable New York based Ghanaian, could have powered him to another meaningful fight in his boxing-crazed hometown.

Holt was surprisingly halted by virtually known South African Kaizer Mabuza. From early on in the fight, Holt didn’t appear to be himself and reportedly struggled to make the 140 lb limit following a long layoff. Mabuza took advantage of this, forcing Holt’s corner to throw in the towel immediately following round six. A victory would have lifted the former world champion to another title shot against then IBF champion Devon Alexander.

Ironically, both men were upset at Bally’s in Atlantic City.

Honorable Mention: Carlos Tamara (North Bergen) TKO12 Brian Viloria, Carlos Vinan (Newark) TKO8 Anthony Mezaache, Vincent Arroyo KO8 Jeremy Bryan (Paterson)

Story of the Year: Sergio Martinez KO2 Paul Williams (November 20)

With all due respect to late baseball star Bobby Thompson, who hit one of the most famous homeruns in baseball history, Sergio Martinez connected with the shot heard round the boxing world in Atlantic City last month.

Martinez, a slick middleweight, was making the first defense of his world title which he won in AC back in April against Kelly Pavlik. Opposing him was Paul “The Punisher” Williams, the same fighter who defeated him via controversial split decision in NJ’s best fight of 09’. This time, there were no judges needed.

Following an action packed first round between the sport’s top two southpaws not named Manny Pacquiao, Martinez connected with a perfectly placed left hook that sent Williams to the canvas flat on his face. The fans and media were both in awe with what they had just witnessed as was Sergio Martinez, who jumped for joy after Referee Earl Morton counted Williams out.

Every major media source to announce their 2010 awards thus far have selected it for Knockout of the Year. Martinez’ picturesque punch was even featured on Sports Center.

Honorable Mention: Adamek’s popularity at the Prudential Center, Glen Tapia serving as Manny Pacquiao’s main sparring partner leading up to the Antonio Margarito fight, Pawel Wolak twice getting avoided by Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.


The fight between two New Jerseyans we’d like to see:

There were a total of six fights selected one time each:
Tomasz Adamek (Secaucus) vs Chazz Witherspoon (Paulsboro)
Jorge Diaz (New Brunswick) vs Carlos Zambrano (North Bergen)
Pawel Wolak (Wallington) vs Patrick Majewski (Atlantic City)
Denis Douglin (Morganville) vs Lavarn Harvell (Atlantic City)
Chazz Witherspoon (Paulsboro) vs Maurice Harris (East Orange)
Chazz Witherspoon (Paulsboro) vs Bruce Seldon (Atlantic City)

What we’d like to see in 2011: A fight at the New Meadowlands Stadium

Sure the Giants’ and Jets’ new home doesn’t have the mass appeal of Cowboy Stadium, but it’s a renowned building that cost a number with many zeros on the end to construct. Promoter Bob Arum flirted with the idea of hosting the Pacquiao-Margarito fight there, although it ultimately ended up at the aforementioned Cowboy Stadium.

With the New Yankee Stadium’s notoriety not attracting as many fans as expected to their first ever fight, Miguel Cotto vs Yuri Foreman, and Madison Square Garden scheduled to close down summer due for renovations, why wouldn’t a promoter want to host a fight at Meadowlands Stadium?

East Rutherford is located just minutes outside of New York City, the stadium is available, New Jersey’s evening weather is perfect for a summer sporting event and Cotto will likely take on Margarito in a rematch this summer. Hopefully, Arum considers this great venue, which seats more than 80,000 and would provide an outstanding but yet affordable evening for boxing fans.

Honorable Mention: More world championship fights in Atlantic City, The continuation of Main Events’ “Brick City Fight Series” at the Prudential Center, More New Jersey State Title bouts, the NJ State Athletic Commission assisting local promoters more on club shows

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Tamara-Melindo Weigh In!

Both former world champion Carlos Tamara of North Bergen and Filipino Milan Melindo scaled in at 112 lbs for their ten round showdown tomorrow evening in the Philippines.

The winner should be next in line to face IBF Flyweight title holder Edgar Sosa

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Tamara Hits the Philippines for Saturday's Bout with Melindo!

Former IBF light flyweight world champion Carlos Tamara (21-5, 15 KOs) of North Bergen arrived moments ago to Cebu City, Philippines. Tamara will take on unbeaten Cebu City-based Milan Melindo (22-0, 7 KOs) this Saturday in a intriguing 10 round flyweight bout. The 22-year-old Melindo is currently one of the most promising contenders coming out of the Philippines and is world ranked by all the major world sanctioning bodies. The bout is highly anticipated in the Philippines. The 27-year-old Tamara is fresh in the minds of the Filipino boxing fans as he upset then world champion Brian Viloria this past January in the Philippines by way of a dramatic 12th and final round stoppage. (from left to right ALA Promotions VP Dennis Canete, Carlos Tamara, Edgar Sanchez and Michael Rodriguez)

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Shamone Alvarez Speaks on December 4 Fight and Mike Jones!

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Q&A With Carlos Tamara!

North Bergen resident and former IBF Junior Flyweight champion Carlos "El Olympico" Tamara will once again enter his opponent's hometown when he battles unbeaten and well regarded Milan Melindo in the Philippines on November 27.

Tamara, 21-5 (15 KO's), has become accustomed to taking tough fights on the road, battling Brian Viloria (whom he beat for the title), Luis Lazarte, Omar Narvaez, Ray Whitfield, and Giovanni Segura either in their hometown or promoters card. He has yielded mixed results and lost a few close decisions, but rather than make excuses, The 2004 Colombian Olympian continues to work hard in the gym with his eyes set on a second world title.

GSFS caught up with Tamara, who moves up to 112 lbs for his bout with the 22 year old Melindo.

Garden State Fight Scene: This will be your second time in the Philippines. In your only other bout there, you scored a thrilling 12th round stoppage to win the IBF Junior Flyweight tile from hometown favorite Brian Viloria. Do you expect the crowd to be hostile?

Carlos Tamara: Not at all, the Philippine people are the nicest people around even in my first trip there they all wanted Brian Viloria to win but they showed us respect and made it clear to all that may the best man win.

GSFS: What do you know about Milan Melindo?

CT: We (Team Tamara) have been going over a lot of film that we have gotten in order for me to prepare for this fight and I can tell you that Melindo is a very good fighter and very intelligent in the ring and the fights we have seen he has shown that he goes into all of his fights in excellent shape.

GSFS: There are some terrific fighters at 108 lbs and you told me in a previous interview that it is your natural weight. What made you move back up in weight?

CT: I would love to fight again at 108 but as you know Osvaldo Rivero the promoter that did our fight vs Lazarte in Argentina went back on a signed rematch contract and his word for us to stop Lazarte from fighting we would have had to take Osvaldo Rivero and Lazarte to court and spend a lot of money in attorney fees in Argentina and as you well know we would have had to waste a lot of time and money and out of all of the fights that we were presented with the Melindo fight was the better fight although it had to be at 112lbs.

GSFS: On the contrary, although you are moving up in weight, Melindo has fought as low as 104 lbs.5 lbs and is 3 inches shorter than you with a two inch reach disadvantage. Does the fact that you may be the bigger man on fight night play a factor? (

CT: ALA Boxing (the promoter) and the people of the Philippines and their respect for fighters and visitor had a lot to do with it also besides my manager Nelson Fernandez made a terrific deal with Melindo's promoter ALA Boxing and we decided to take it.

GSFS: What is your game plan for November 27?

CT: Do what I do best, box and apply lot's of pressure and come back with another victory which by the way I am dedicating this fight and this victory "to all the good people of the Philippines"

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Glen Tapia: The Experience of a Lifetime

Fresh off a gutsy six round decision victory over Quinton Whitaker, Passaic's Glen Tapia didn't let a wired-shut broken jaw stop him from speaking on his recent experiences.

Much to our pleasant surprise, Tapia also sent over a photo from the Philippines sporting a GSFS shirt next to pound for pound king Manny Pacuqiao and four time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach.

Tapia, 8-0 (5 KO's), has found it difficult to sit still even with his injuries and is already doing road work less than one week after his fight. Here's what the entertaining and charismatic 20 year old had to say.



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