HBO Documentary: Tapia

If you didn't catch the HBO documentary "Tapia" last night you missed a great one. "Tapia' chronicled the difficult and often messy life of Albuquerque's, Johnny Tapia.

A classic underdog in life, it was hard not to root for Johnny. Despite his troubles, at his heart he was of boxing's good guys. He was a true warrior in the ring who gave every ounce of himself;, win, lose or draw.

That said, I thought going into his fight with Danny Romero in 1997 that Romero would take the fight. I was wrong. This is the fight that took him to the top of the game. He never looked back.

More than likely, HBO will be showing "Tapia" throughout the month.  It is an honest and brutal peek into the life and hard times of a true fighting champion. Try not to miss it.

Congrats to the California Boxing Hall of Fame 2014 inductees!

Congratulations to all the fighters being inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame today. Enjoy your day with your family and friends. It will be a day you will never forget. Much respect to all!

Austin Trout vs Daniel Dawson

Best of luck to Austin Trout in his fight against Daniel Dawson tomorrow night at the Pechanga Casino in Temecula, California. The fight will be shown on ESPN Friday Night Fights.

Roberto Duran

My wife Jeri is always looking out for me. She found this in an Antique shop earlier this week. The June 1980 issue of Ring Mundial, a Spanish language boxing magazine, featuring the legendary fighter Roberto Duran. 1980 is arguably the best and worst year of his outstanding career. At the time of this magazine cover photo he was on top of the world. The pages from the article are all tucked away inside the frame beneath the cover photo.

The timing for this find could not be better. Roberto Duran is being inducted this weekend into Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Roberto Duran for receiving this great honor. Roberto Duran is on the short list of the all time great's pound for pound list, and certainly on mine!

Thanks to my wife Jeri De La O for thinking of me.

Mayweather-Maidana Press Tour Hits DC Monday!

Washington, DC will be part of a five-city tour to promote Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s September 13 rematch with Marcos Maidana.  The two boxers will be at DAR Constitution Hall on Monday, July 14 at 6:30 PM.  The event is free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis.  There will also be a free concert by DC native Wale after the main event.

Random Updates: McCalla Opponent Changed; Amateur Boxing on Washington Monument Grounds; Minor Makes Final of Women's National Golden Gloves!

The Friday, July 25 opponent for Baltimore, MD junior middleweight Cecil McCalla has changed.  Instead of Chris Van Heerden, McCalla (18-0, six KO's) will take on Oscar Godoy of Watsonville, CA in the eight-round nationally televised (Showtime ShoBox) bout at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY.

Godoy (13-2, six KO's) will be fighting on the east coast for the very first time in his career. Godoy is coming off a six-round majority decision win over Victor Fonseca on March 14 in Tustin, CA.

There is a lot of amateur boxing in the area this weekend.  We have the show at DC Gateway Pavilion in Southeast DC on Saturday, July 12.  Now comes word that there will be amateur boxing on the grounds of the Washington Monument on Sunday, July 13 at 2 PM.  Both shows are free.

Congratulations to Beltway amateur Donielle Minor who has reached the finals in the Senior Novice Division of the Women's National Golden Gloves tournament in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  Minor will face Joy Rothstein of New York in the championship bout.  Earlier in the week, Amelia Moore lost her first round contest.

Hernandez Harrison To Defend WBC Youth Silver Title July 26 in Madison Square Garden!

DC welterweight Dusty Hernandez Harrison will make the first defense of his WBC Youth Silver Welterweight title on Saturday, July 26 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Harrison (22-0, 12 KO's) will face Eli Addison of Winston-Salem, NC in an eight-round contest.  Harrison stopped veteran Roberto Valenzuela in the fourth round in his last outing on May 17.

Addison (11-3, four KO's) has only fought once since 2007.  However, Addison won a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Meegal Harper on May 2 in Atlanta, GA.  The biggest name on Addison's record was a loss to future world champion Timothy Bradley in March of 2006.  Addison lost an eight-round unanimous decision for the very title that he will be competing for on July 26.