Barthelemy, Ramirez Ends in a Split Draw in Las Vegas Battle

Photo courtesy of Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions

BOXING SCENE - By Ryan Burton

Cannery Hotel & Casino, North Las Vegas, Nevada - In a very entertaining back and forth fight, decorated amateur Leduan Barthelemy (13-0-1) battled Eduardo Ramirez (20-0-3) to a questionable split draw in their featherweight battle. The height and reach advantage that Barthelemy enjoyed was evident from the opening bell. He also had a big speed advantage was difficult for Ramirez to adjust to. Ramirez turned it on with a big fourth as he landed several hard head shots.

The give and take action continued through the fifth and sixth as Barthelemy, the younger brother of former champion Rances Barthelemy, landed softer blows while Ramirez landed heavy artillery. Barthelemy tried to turn the tide in the seventh and began to sit on his shots but Ramirez also had moments. Barthelemy had better ninth and tenth rounds to make the fight closer.

97-93 Barthelemy, 96-94 Ramirez and 95-95 were the final scores.

"I wanted to pressure him all the way through and take away his reach advantage," said Ramirez. "I felt good the whole fight and he never hurt me at any point. I believed in my skills and I performed well. I thought that I won the fight, it was a close fight but I believe that I did what I had to do to win. I would fight him again and beat him even worse."

"It was a very tough, physical fight for both of us," said Barthelemy. "I didn't feel 100 percent but I was able to work through it and I never felt hurt during the fight. He landed on me but I was able to keep my composure. I would definitely fight him again. I'll be ready for another great battle and I'll get the clear victory this time."

In a battle of super featherweight prospects, Alejandro Salinas (9-1) outworked a gritty Duarn Vue (12-1) in a barn burner. The entire fight was fought from close range and Vue endured hellacious shots all night long. Salinas landed at will but wasn't able to finish off his opponent. The final tallies were 80-72, 79-73 and a too close 77-75.

In the opening bout of the telecast, Las Vegas resident by way of Cuba Ivan Jiménez (8-1-1) was defeated by Bryan Figueroa (13-0) of México in their lightweight bout via unanimous decision. After a feeling out process, the action heated up in the third when Figueroa landed several hard shots. He was also warned for low blows for the third time.

Jiménez came out with a sense of urgency in the fourth and landed a hard shot out of the gate to try to slow down Figueroa's momentum but was largely unsuccessful. Jiménez came out with a sense of urgency to close the show strong in the sixth and final round but it was too little too late. The final scores were 58-56 on all three scorecards.

Luis Ortiz: No Way Wilder Can Take My Punch; Will Pay for Mistakes

BOXING SCENE - By Keith Idec

NEW YORK – Luis Ortiz is convinced Deontay Wilder won’t be able to take his power Saturday night.

The strong southpaw from Cuba cannot wait to exploit Wilder’s technical flaws, mistakes Ortiz promises will lead to him knocking out the undefeated champion at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. The extremely confident Wilder has knocked out 97 percent of his professional opponents, but Ortiz is sure Wilder is in for a devastating awakening when they fight for Wilder’s WBC title.

“There’s no way,” Ortiz said Thursday when asked after their press conference if Wilder will be able to handle his power. “Every mistake he makes, I’m gonna make him pay for it.”

Ortiz told Wilder exactly that, among other things, when they engaged in an intense staredown following Thursday’s press conference.

“I asked him when we were up there, ‘Do you wanna fight right now? We can go right now,’ ” Ortiz said. “I’ve got the hunger and I’m gonna do whatever it takes to win this fight.”

Miami’s Ortiz (28-0, 24 KOs, 2 NC) is confident he is a combination of intelligence, power and skill that Wilder hasn’t come close to encountering during the American’s ascent to stardom.

At the championship level, only Eric Molina appeared to hurt Wilder. Molina (26-5, 19 KOs) wobbled Wilder with a left hook early in the third round of their June 2015 fight.

Wilder quickly overcame that troublesome moment and dropped Molina four times. He knocked out Molina in the ninth round of his first title defense.

Mostly, though, Wilder has managed to avoid getting hit consistently with flush punches. Still, Wilder’s wildness at times leaves him susceptible to counter punches, the skillful Ortiz’s specialty.

“I’ve got power and I’ve got technique,” Ortiz said. “I don’t care. I’m ready to go.”

Ortiz, 38, and Wilder, 32, have combined to knock out 62 of 67 opponents (93 percent), excluding Ortiz’s two no-contests. Each fighter has gone 12 rounds just once, and Ortiz cannot envision that happening a second time Saturday night (Showtime; 9 p.m. ET).

“We’re both two guys with a lot of power,” Ortiz said, “and whoever makes the first mistake, the fight’s gonna be over with. And I’m not making that mistake.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.

Errol Spence vs. Carlos Ocampo Deal Reached For June 16

Boxing Scene - By Keith Idec

Errol Spence Jr. will face the opponent everyone expected June 16.

An ESPN.com report early Wednesday morning stated that promoters for Spence, the unbeaten IBF welterweight champion, and mandatory challenger Carlos Ocampo have reached an agreement for them to fight that night. Showtime will televise the Spence-Ocampo match from an undetermined venue in the Dallas area.

The IBF ordered Spence (23-0, 20 KOs), of DeSoto, Texas, to make his next title defense against the unproven Ocampo (22-0, 13 KOs) last month. A purse bid was scheduled for March 6 at the IBF’s headquarters in Springfield, New Jersey, but the IBF informed the involved parties Tuesday night that it was canceled because Tom Brown, the promoter representing Spence, and Zanfer Promotions (Ocampo) came to an agreement.

The 27-year-old Spence – who’s generally regarded as one of the best boxers, pound-for-pound, in the sport – will make the second defense of the IBF welterweight title he won by knocking out Kell Brook (36-2, 25 KOs) in the 11th round May 27 in Sheffield, England, Brook’s hometown. The powerful southpaw stopped former two-division champion Lamont Peterson (35-4-1, 17 KOs), of Washington, D.C., in the eighth round January 20 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The 22-year-old Ocampo hasn’t beaten a top contender during his climb up the IBF’s rankings.

He is rated No. 3 among the IBF’s 147-pound contenders. The top two spots are vacant, however, which makes Ocampo the leading available contender for the mandatory defense Spence is due to make.

Ocampo will fight outside of Mexico for the first time when he travels to the Dallas area to challenge Spence. He last fought November 11, when Ocampo stopped fellow Mexican Dario Ferman (14-4, 11 KOs) in the seventh round in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.

Victor Ortiz and Devon Alexander fight to draw, but remain viable in sizzling 147-pound division

By Lem Satterfield - Premier Boxing Champions

Both former welterweight world champions are adamant they defeated each other in Saturday's showdown—but both are willing for a rematch, or to go down a different path in the stacked 147-pound division.

Ortiz vs Alexander Highlights: PBC on FOX - February 17, 2018

Victor Ortiz and Devon Alexander are former 147-pound champions at similar points of career urgency. They entered the ring with a measure of desperation on Saturday night at the Don Haskins’ Center in El Paso, Texas.

Ortiz was looking to overcome his reputation of coming up just short in major fights, losing to Marcos Maidana, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and a rematch against Andre Berto, whom he had defeated earlier in his career for the welterweight world title.

Alexander had overcome a 25-month ring absence recovering from an addiction to painkillers with a victory over Walter Castillo. Both needed a victory to move into the circle to challenge 147-pound champions Keith Thurman and Errol Spence Jr.

After battling to a majority draw (114-114 twice, 115-113 for Ortiz) in the main event of Saturday’s FOX-televised card—in a fight that featuring no knockdowns, but plenty of action—it remains to be seen if either accomplished their goals.

“In my eyes, I thought I pulled it out. I thought I won in rounds, 9-3 or 8-4. It’s my first draw and it don’t feel good,” Alexander said. “A rematch would solidify who won, but I feel I can move on from this without that if I have to. I feel like I’m still in the prime of my career. I’ll fight anybody.”

Alexander (27-4-1, 14 KOs) landed the cleaner combinations throughout the early rounds, highlighted by right hooks, crosses and uppercuts that caused swelling around Ortiz’s left eye.

To his credit, Ortiz (32-6-3, 25 KOs) remained aggressive and determined down the stretch, showing no signs of quitting.

“Third round on, I started feeling that my pressure coming forward was making him back up and that I was neutralizing his speed,” Ortiz said. “I was making it tougher for him and landing a lot more punches. I thought I won the last half of the fight. At the end of the day, I strongly feel and believe that I won the fight.”

At worst, the duo remains name opponents for top contenders, if not, potential challengers for Thurman or Spence, who have yet to select opponents for their scheduled returns on May 19, and, June 16, respectively.

 “ I’d love a rematch with Devon Alexander. At the same time, I would love to fight Danny Garcia or Keith Thurman. Errol Spence, I’d love that one with another southpaw. Shawn Porter? Absolutely. Andre Berto? Definitely. We need a trilogy.  ”Former welterweight world champion Victor Ortiz

There is also former two-division champion Danny Garcia, winner of a ninth-round stoppage of ex-champion Brandon Rios on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

“I would love to fight Danny Garcia. I see a lot of flaws in him that can be exposed,” Alexander said.

“I would love to fight Keith Thurman. He’s wide open when he punches, so he’ll get exposed, too. Errol Spence, absolutely, I’ll come up with a tremendous game plan for him. I'm sure they all believe they see flaws in me, also, so why not fight me?”

Where Alexander had lost three of four fights prior to Castillo, Ortiz had fallen in four of five bouts before stopping Saul Corral in the fourth round of his previous fight in July.

“I’d love a rematch with Devon Alexander. He’s a helluva fighter, I’m a helluva fighter, we put on a helluva war,” Ortiz said.

“At the same time, I would love to fight Danny Garcia or Keith Thurman. Errol Spence, I’d love that one with another southpaw. Shawn Porter? Absolutely. Andre Berto? Definitely. We need a trilogy.”

Ortiz, whose son, Royal, turned a year old last month, still has plenty to fight for.

“I’ve already been a champion, but at this point in time, I have a son, and I want him to know me as a champion and to be able to say that his Daddy is a world champion and not that he was a world champion,” said Ortiz.

“Everybody else is running, but I don’t run and I don’t hide from anybody. I’m having a good time with this sport. I’m 31 and I’m not done. I’m working hard to achieve that goal of becoming a world champion once again. There is a lot of fight left in me.”

For a complete recap of Ortiz vs Alexander, visit our fight page.

Caleb Plant Easily Out-Boxes ‘Porky’ Medina, Remains Unbeaten

Boxing Scene - By Keith Idec

Caleb Plant didn’t exactly excite the crowd in El Paso, Texas, but he boxed well and picked apart Rogelio Medina on Saturday night.

The tactical Plant peppered Medina with jabs, used his athleticism to consistently move out of Medina’s punching range and won their 12-round super middleweight match by unanimous decision. Each of the three judges credited Plant with a wide win (120-108, 119-109, 117-111).

FOX televised Plant’s win as part of the Devon Alexander-Victor Ortiz undercard from the Don Haskins Center.

The Ashland City, Tennessee native’s victory over Medina improved Plant’s record to 17-0 (10 KOs). Mexico’s Medina (38-9, 32 KOs) has lost three of his past five fights.

Medina, 29, was considered a step up in competition for Plant based on the level of opponents Medina has fought during his 10-year pro career. Current or former super middleweight champions David Benavidez, James DeGale, Badou Jack and Gilberto Ramirez all have defeated Medina.

His experience notwithstanding, Medina seemed sluggish a day after failing to make weight for their IBF 168-pound elimination match. He came forward from the opening bell to the final bell, though, because Plant couldn’t hurt him and Plant was content to stick and move his way to victory.

Plant’s plan was obvious in the first two rounds, when he mostly moved away from Medina and flicked occasional jabs.

By the third round, Plant seemed more relaxed and began throwing more punches against his plodding opponent. A right hand by Plant in that round drew blood from Medina’s nose.

Medina continued following Plant around the ring during the fourth and fifth rounds, and he didn’t have much success. Plant continued to control the action in the sixth round, until Medina landed a left to the body that made Plant hold briefly just before that round ended.

Plant fell to canvas after the bell sounded to end the seventh round, but because their legs got tangled.

A frustrated Medina often challenged Plant to stand and fight. Plant ignored his opponent’s taunts and stuck to his game plan.

Medina managed to land several hard head and body shots during the 11th round that slowed down Plant. The rugged veteran pressured Plant throughout the 12th round as well, but Plant moved, ducked and held his way to the final bell.

Following FOX’s broadcast of the Plant-Medina match, unbeaten lightweight prospect Karlos Balderas went the distance for the first time as a pro.

The 21-year-old Balderas (4-0, 3 KOs) clearly out-boxed Mexico’s Jorge Rojas to win a four-round unanimous decision, but he wasn’t able to put his opponent down. Balderas won all four rounds on each scorecard (40-36, 40-36, 40-36).

Balderas, a 2016 Olympian from Santa Maria, California, rocked Rojas with a right hand to the side of his head barely 20 seconds into their scheduled four-round bout. Despite that early difficulty, Rojas became the first out of Balderas’ four pro opponents to make it out of the first round.

He didn’t land many flush punches in the bout, yet Rojas showed Balderas that he won’t be able to tear through every opponent. Balderas landed a very low left hand that caused a brief break in the action with 38 seconds remaining in the second round.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.

PHOTOS: Caleb Plant, Porky Medina - Grind Hard in The Gym

Photos: Caleb Plant, Porky Medina - Grind Hard in The Gym

Former welterweight world champions "Vicious'' Victor Ortiz and Devon Alexander "The Great'' went face-to-face for the first time Wednesday at a press conference in El Paso, Texas to discuss their showdown that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, Feb. 17 from Don Haskins Center on the UTEP campus in El Paso. Photos Ruben Ramirez.

Also in attendance at Wednesday's workout were undefeated contender Caleb "Sweethands'' Plant and Rogelio "Porky'' Medina, who battle in a super middleweight world title eliminator. Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and also features 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas battling Jorge Rojas.

 
Televised coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features unbeaten contender Caleb "Sweethands'' Plant battling Rogelio "Porky'' Medina in a 12-round 168-pound world title eliminator.
 
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $200, $100, $60, $40, $25 and will go on sale Friday. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
 
"It's great to be back in El Paso with a big fight like this. It is truly a great fight town. I'm really looking forward to this card and I think the fans here are going to love it.
 
"Our main event is a true crossroads fight. Victor Ortiz and Devon Alexander are battle-tested in one of the toughest and deepest divisions in boxing. The winner of this fight will be back on the path to a world title.
 
"Victor Ortiz brings an exciting, aggressive style and he always comes to fight. That's why he's one of the most entertaining fighters in the sport today. Devon Alexander has overcome some health issues and is back in the ring with one thing on his mind, to regain a world title."