Hopkins Looks to Make History While Avoiding A Repeat of It
By David A. Avila (February 17, 2005)
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No matter how a great a fighter may be, someone out there has his number, even if you’re Bernard Hopkins the undisputed middleweight champion.
Hopkins faces Howard Eastman of the United Kingdom at the Staples Center on Saturday, Feb. 19 in search of his 20th consecutive title defense, a feat no other middleweight in history can match.
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I don’t take anyone lightly,” said Hopkins during a press conference in Los Angeles to promote his fight against Eastman, though unknown, maybe his hardest hitting opponent since Felix Trinidad.
Not even the great Sugar Ray Robinson ever defended his middleweight title that many times. Ironically the sweet one was the last middleweight to perform in Los Angeles in a world title match on December 3, 1960 against Gene Fullmer. It ended in a draw at the Sports Arena.
Though it’s difficult to compare Hopkins to Robinson style-wise or with any other configuration, when the Philadelphia prizefighter enters the ring against Eastman as a heavy favorite, some bizarre spirits may be at work.
If history tells us anything it’s that fighters from the United Kingdom have a habit of derailing American sure things in all weight divisions.
It was 54 years ago when Robinson, journeyed to London to face little-known British middleweight Randy Turpin, who was known as the “Leamington Licker,” because he could lick any man in his town. No one in the United States gave this guy Turpin a chance.
At the time Robinson possessed a record of 128 wins, one loss and two draws. Only one man, Jake LaMotta was able to put an L on Robinson’s record and that was nine years earlier. So when Turpin - who had lost twice to some guys named Albert Finch and Jean Stock – met Robinson in London on July 10, 1951, you can bet he was a huge underdog.
But that night, Turpin’s wide stance unorthodox style and Robinson’s lack of preparation led to one of the greatest upsets in boxing history. After 15 rounds, Turpin’s hand was raised as the victor ending a string of 91 consecutive bouts without a defeat for Robinson.
Now we have Hopkins facing another British Commonwealth subject, and like Robinson, the Executioner hasn’t been defeated in years.
Eastman is one of those quiet Brits with supreme confidence who hunger for the opportunity to showcase their talent, but due to their reserve they refrain from boasts or predictions. It took the lanky Guyana native months to open up.
“I don’t like to talk, I just like to go out there and prove what I can do,” said Eastman, in the visitor's locker room under the Staples Center arena.
After 30 minutes of journalists attempting to pry some quotes from the “Battersea Bomber,” many surrendered and walked away. But Eastman takes time to warm up and now he’s like a hot kettle of quotes and explanations.
“I think I’ll take him out in five,” Eastman quietly said with stoicism. “I saw it in a dream.”
It’s this image, born during his sleep, that leads Eastman to predict victory over Hopkins, who has dispatched 19 previous challenges to wrest any of his three world titles.
Other images seen by Eastman include old fight films of former great fighters like Robinson and dare I say Turpin?
“I like to study the classics,” Eastman says almost sardonically as if alluding to Turpin’s upset of the great Robinson, a fight he admits seeing. “I don’t study my opponents.”
Of course Robinson won the rematch but that’s a tale for another time. Right now Eastman is primed to etch his name in history too. And, oh, one thing more, Turpin’s family was from Guyana too.
Staple Center tickets
There’s still plenty of tickets left for the fight card on Saturday. It’s a chance to see boxing history. Six of the best middleweights will engage in a 160-pound free-for-all. Then, you can also see Olympians Abner Mares and Vicente Escobedo in person. Both are very good fighters. Escobedo makes his debut.
A dollar for each ticket bought will go toward the Tsunami Relief Fund.
Riverside heavyweight on Hollywood fight card
Chris Arreola, an undefeated heavyweight, will be on the Golden Boy Promotions fight card on Thursday at the Avalon in Hollywood. No opponent had been named at press time.
Arreola has knocked out all nine opponents he faced and hopes to keep the undefeated string alive. Perhaps one day soon he’ll meet another undefeated heavyweight named Damian “Bolo” Willis, who fights out of Hollywood.
The main event will feature Daniel Ponce de Leon against Celestino Cabellero in a 12-round junior featherweight title elimination match. In the co-main event, Jhonny Gonzalez faces Adonis Rivas in a 12-round bantamweight title elimination bout.
Ponce De Leon reminds me of Pipino Cuevas, a fighter with tremendous power but scant technical skill. Some fight experts give Ponce de Leon an edge over title-holders Israel Vasquez and Oscar Larios. We’ll see.
Gonzalez seems to be maturing physically. A few years back many did not consider the Mexico City fighter to be world championship caliber. After he lost to Tijuana’s Vargas many felt it was over for the tall 118-pounder. But now he seems twice as strong.
Marilyn Salcido retires
Rialto’s Marilyn Salcido, who was ranked number one as a junior bantamweight and fought for the world title two years ago, has announced her retirement.
“I just don’t have my heart into it any more,” said Salcido, who was involved in a car accident this past summer and injured her back. “It wouldn’t be wise to go into the ring when my heart’s not into it.”
During the last year, four bouts disintegrated, including two world title bouts, for Salcido. The toll of training daily for no reward had taken its toll on the petite boxer, whose classic boxing style enabled her to reach the top of her weight division.
Though quitting as a prizefighter, Salcido plans to remain in the fight game and is currently working with youngsters.
“I’m training boys and girls at the Colton Boxing Club,” said Salcido who learned to box in that same gym. “I like working with the kids and teaching them what I know. It’s a lot of fun and it’s rewarding.”
Salcido’s last fight took place a year ago at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario against the rugged Carla Wilcox. The older sister of junior lightweight sensation Dominic Salcido, used her boxing skills to deflect the rushing style of Wilcox that night. In the audience was Mariana Juarez, who was scouting Salcido as a future opponent. There are other junior bantamweights who were hoping to meet Salcido including Elena “Baby Doll” Reid.
“It’s sad that we never got to fight,” said Reid from her home in Las Vegas. “We were just planning to see if we could make a match between us.”
Now, Salcido is passing the torch.
“I feel like I reached my goal,” said Salcido, 24. “I wanted to fight for a world title before I reached 25. And I did.”
Antonio Margarito
The WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito will be fighting Argentina’s Sebastian Lujan, who is a big mystery since he’s only fought in his home country. One thing about Argentine fighters, you can’t underestimate them. With 14 knockouts in 22 fights he must have some pop.
Still Margarito is anxious to face the real big boys, the guys with the million dollar paydays attached to them like Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley. Of course he has to pass through the gauntlet. First comes Lujan, then either Kermit Cintron or Zab Judah. But it’s looking up for the little-known monster of the 147-pounders.
Margarito’s fight will be televised by ESPN2 on Friday night. You can bet he’ll be fighting extra hard.
Mighty Mike
There can’t be more than one Mighty Mike. The only Mighty Mike deserving of that name is Mighty Mike Anchondo in my book. Ironically, the other Mighty Mike Arnaoutis faces Los Angeles fighter Robert Santa Cruz, who is very familiar with LA’s Mighty Mike, the current WBO junior lightweight title-holder.
Arnaoutis will face Santa Cruz in Santa Ynez. It’s a tough test and will be televised on Showtime on Friday night.
Two Velardez brothers turn pro
Chris and John Velardez, the youngest of the fighting Velardez brothers of San Bernardino, will now fight as professionals, said Armando Velardez Sr., father, trainer and manager of all six brothers, including Armando Jr., Bobby Boy and Alex, who are already professionals. Only Carlos Martinez, 17, remains an amateur, but will also become a professional soon like his brothers.
John, 17, had been victorious at the District amateur finals a month ago and was scheduled to fight in the Regional finals in Las Vegas this weekend. Now he will be fighting in a Tijuana professional fight card. Chris, 18, turned professional at the Quiet Cannon last week and won by unanimous decision.
“I always wanted to fight without headgear. And I like the smaller gloves,” said John Velardez, who will fight as a flyweight in his pro debut. “I like knockouts and I want to make some money.”
Armando Sr. said his son “has been fighting since he was in pampers.” And if you ever watched the Velardez brothers spar, you realize that any time they enter the ring, its war.
“Nobody likes to spar with them because they don’t take it easy,” said one San Bernardino fighter who wished to remain nameless. “They don’t know how to take it easy.”
John, his father said, won back-to-back National Golden Gloves, the Silver Gloves and the Junior Olympics as an amateur. And one other thing:
“He’s like 72 and 0 in fights on the street,” said Armando Sr. “He’s a scrapper. He likes to fight anywhere any time. But he’s stopped fighting on the streets now that he’s older.”
Both John and Chris fight as flyweights. Carlos hopes to become a professional too.
“They’re trying to get me a fight in Mexico too,” said Carlos, who fights at 140 pounds. “I want to be a pro too.”
Fights on television
Thurs. HBO Latino, 10 p.m., Daniel Ponce de Leon (24-0) vs. Celestino Caballero (20-2);
Fri. ESPN2, 6 p.m., Antonio Margarito (30-4) vs. Sebastian Lujan (22-1-1).
Fri. Telefutura, 9 p.m., Cesar Bazan (44-6-1) vs. Ernesto Zepeda (35-8-3).
Fri. Showtime, 11 p.m., Mike Arnaoutis (12-0-2) vs. Robert Santa Cruz (11-2).
Sat. HBO, 6:45 p.m., Bernard Hopkins (45-2-1) vs. Howard Eastman (40-1); Jermain Taylor (22-0) vs. Daniel Edouard (16-0).
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