We are here with the world famous George X, spanish commentator for Bellator MMA, one of the biggest mma organization in the world, which will be airing their main event, a battle between Tito Ortiz vs. Stepan Bonnar, this Nov 15, 2014 at the Valley View Casino Center which will also be shown live on Spike TV starting at 9pm.
LB- First of all, Congratulations on the recent success of Bellator MMA in becoming one of the largest MMA organization in the world. Can you tell us how big of a deal was the move in showcasing your fights from MTV to Spike tv?
GX-Man, the move to Spike was huge for Bellator. Not only SpikeTV is a very cool network but also it is associated with MMA. It was a no-brainer. I think starting on ESPN Deportes and then MTV2 was a necessary growth curve for the promotion before jumping to a bigger and more recognizable channel like Spike.
LB- This past year, there was a big shakeup with the company parting ways with ex ceo and founder Bjorn Rebney, and having ex Strikeforce and now new president Scott Coker taking over. Can you tell how that move has changed the organization?
GX-Well, the biggest change I'm aware of is the actual fight format. We are moving away from the tournaments and heading to a more traditional match-making formula. Fights the fans want to see. Even though I respect very much Bjorn's vision and what he accomplished with the organization, I think it was extremely challenging to promote fights every week and at some point the tournaments got a little complicated to follow. Scott is a very experienced and respected promoter and he wants to bring the biggest names and put together the best fights possible.
LB-Lets talk about the November 15 fight between the main event,Tito Ortiz against Stephan Bonnar, two good fighters that always make exciting fights. Give us your take on this fight?
GX-I'm absolutely thrilled about the fight. Tito Ortiz is one of those fighters that whether you love him or hate him, you want to see in the cage. He's hungry, motivated and healthy. Stephan Bonnar is a beast, I don't know if the stunt he pulled in the cage when they announced the fight was real or was just strategy to get into Tito's mind, but one thing is for sure, it got people talking. Both are legends and they don't like each other. Too much at stake for both so I expect fireworks Nov 15. READ MORE
UFC 180
Cain Velasquez vs Fabricio Werdum Showdown By Elliott Arnold
On November 15th, the UFC will hold UFC 180, its first event in Mexico City. It features a heavyweight championship fight between the very dominant Mexican-American Cain Velasquez, who’s well on his way of staking a claim as the greatest heavyweight in MMA history, and Fabricio Werdum, an excellent veteran who’s been on a great surge recently.
Designed to open up vast opportunities by introducing world class MMA to Mexico, which probably has the most storied boxing culture on the planet, UFC 180 is a very important event for the UFC.
It will come on the heels of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, and feature a bevy of up and coming Mexican prospects. READ MORE
EXCLUSIVE
Manny looking Sharp in Training!
By Roger Grajeda
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – I’m here live from General Santos City at the request of Manny Pacquiao , the 35-year-old WBO welterweight titleholder who will face Chris Algieri on Nov. 22 at The Venetian in Macau at a catchweight of 144 pounds to test out how he feels at a lighter weight, with his next fight to be at junior welterweight, says head trainer Freddie Roach.
“That’s the only reason we’re going to ‘44, that’s our choice, not theirs,” Roach said Monday at General Santos City.
Roach says that a move to junior welterweight would open up new fight possibilities, mentioning first a clash with RING champion Danny Garcia. READ MORE
De La Hoya's patience running out on Mayweather vs. Pacquiao by USA TODAY
HBO/Showtime boxing lineups for the rest of 2014
By Santiago Reynoso
After a span of 2.5 months without boxing, HBO will be back with one telecast in October, two in November (plus one PPV), and it looks like two in December.
On October 18, the network will televise a doubleheader with WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin vs. Marco Antonio Rubio, plus a terrific WBA featherweight title showdown between Nonito Donaire and Nicholas Walters.
On November 8, it will be the WBA/IBF/WBO light heavyweight unification clash between Bernard Hopkins and Sergey Kovalev, plus welterweight contenders Luis Abregu vs. Sadam Ali.
On November 22 is the big Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri PPV event from Macau, China.
On November 29 is WBO lightweight champ Terence Crawford defending against Raymundo Beltran and IBF feather champ Evgeny defending against Jayson Velez.
Expected but still not official are bouts on December 6 between jr middleweights Canelo Alvarez and Joshua Clottey, and on December 13 between welterweights Timothy Bradley and Diego Chaves.
Canelo ankle injury KOs December 6 HBO fight
Due to a persistent ankle injury, Canelo Alvarez must withdraw from his December 6 bout. He thanks his fans for their support and looks forward to big things in 2015 on HBO. Golden Boy Promotions and HBO are reviewing their options for the December 6 date.
Nate Diaz is back, in December
The UFC’s first show in Arizona on December 13 now has a co-main event, as Nate Diaz will compete for the first time since November of 2013 against number three-ranked lightweight contender Rafael Dos Anjos
Canelo to Return to HBO
Golden Boy Promotions Founder Oscar de la Hoya, superstar boxer Canelo Álvarez and HBO Sports President Ken Hershman will announce a newly signed agreement to bring the boxer’s fights to the HBO Sports network later today during a press conference at Golden Boy Promotions headquarters. The longterm deal is expected to commence in December.
WBC ratifies complete support for Mayweather-Pacquiao
WBC Statement: After Floyd Mayweather clearly defeated Marcos Maidana in their much anticipated rematch, there have been countless news stories, articles and statements in the press regarding the fight that has been in the makings for several years. Clearly and simply – the world wants to see Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather, the WBC welterweight and super welterweight champion of the world, has been the pound-for-pound driving force of the sport in recent years, while Pacquiao is an iconic champion who has reestablished the interest of the boxing world after his dramatic loss in his fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.
The WBC has been extremely supportive, and in fact ranked Pacquiao as number one contender in the welterweight division after his comeback victory against Brandon Rios. With this ranking in the month of December, 2013, Pacquiao was in line to have the fight against Mayweather, but unfortunately his plans were different and he challenged Timothy Bradley, conquering the WBO championship.
The WBC hereby ratifies complete support and commends Mayweather and Pacquiao to sit down and make the fight happen, if Pacquiao successfully wins his upcoming fight against Chris Algieri. Both Mayweather and Pacquiao have great history in the WBC and without a doubt their fight would be one of the biggest events in the history of boxing and our sport.
Oscar De La Hoya lists Miguel Cotto as top priority for Canelo Alvarez.
by lem satterfield(The Ring Magazine)
Miguel Cotto is a strong consideration as the next opponent for Saul Alvarez in the wake of Saturday’s split decision victory over 155-pound rival Erislandy Lara at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, according to Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya.
UPCOMING EVENTS BOXING
MMA
UFC 179 PPV - Oct 25
(10PM/7PM ETPT)
Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes
(UFC Featherweight title)
Editor-In-Chief
Roger Grajeda
Publicist
Louie Moreno
Webmaster
Latin Media Arts
Video Animator
Thomas Grajeda
Main Photo Journalist/Video Journalist
Thomas Grajeda
Photo Journalist
SAL"The Coach" G
Luis Corona
Nick Segura
Feature Writers
GEORGE X
Frank Rendon
Santiago Reynoso
