Rumblings from Rama...
Tales of the tape and more...
First of all, big shout out to Durell Wambolt of the Boxing Examiner.
I tried to snap a few photos of Saturday's weigh-ins with my company-issued Blackberry Curve, and when Durell noticed they were way to blurry to inflict on my readers, he volunteered to send me a few jpgs. All the photos you see below come courtesy of his camera and kindness.
With the first of tonight' three title fights set to start in roughly 12 hours, here are the tales of the tape for tonight's main bout plus some highlights from this morning's weigh-in.
STEVE MOLITOR vs. TAKALANI NDOLVU
12 Rounds
Vacant IBF junior featherweight title
STEVE MOLITOR
Hometown:
Residence:
Nickname: The Canadian Kid
Age: 29
Height: 5-foot-7
Record: 31-1, 12 KO
Official Weight: 121.6 pounds
Stance: Southpaw
Notable wins: KO5 Michael Hunter, Nov 10, 2006 (wins IBF title); KO9 Takalani Ndlovu, July 14, 2007 (defends belt); W12 Fernando Beltran, April 5, 2008 (defends IBF belt)
Notable losses: KO4 by Celestino Caballero, Nov. 21, 2008 (loses IBF belt)
TAKALANI NDLOVU
Hometown: Soweto, South Africa
Residence: Johannesburg, South Africa
Nickname: Panther
Age: 32
Height: 5-foot-8
Record: 30-5, 18KO
Official Weight: 121.2 pounds
Stance: Orthodox
Notable wins: W12 Ricardo Castillo, Dec. 1, 2006 (IBF title eliminator); W12 Oscar Chauke, March 20, 2009 (WBF featherweight title); W12 Kiko Martinez, Sept. 25, 2009 (IBF title eliminator)
Notable losses: KO9 by Molitor, July 14, 2007 (IBF title fight); L12 Fernando Beltran Jr, Aug 22, 2008
WEIGH-IN HIGHLIGHT: The Staredown
As the fighters squared off for this photo Molitor inched closer and closer to Ndlovu, who stood still and stony faced, staring down his nose at the shorter man.
Then he jumped
"Boo!"
Molitor didn't flinch, but Ndlovu swore he saw fear.
"No fear," Molitor said.
"I saw it," Ndlovu said.
"No fear."
"I'll see you tonight, my friend," Ndlovu said as the fighters turned to leave the stage.
As Molitor pulled on his sweatpants he fired one final verbal jab.
"Brush your teeth next time!"
Main event starts just after 11 p.m.
LISA BROWN vs ANA JULATON
10 Rounds
Vacant WBA women's Junior Featherweight title
LISA BROWN
Birthplace: Trinidad
Residence:
Nickname: Bad News
Age: 39
Height: 5-foot-2
Record: 16-4-3, 5KO
Official Weight: 122 pounds
Stance: Orthodox
Biggest Win: W10 Jackie Chavez, May 22, 2007 (Wins IFBA women's 122-pound title)
Notable loss: L10 Melissa Hernandez, Nov. 4, 2006 (WIBA women's title)
Hometown: San Francisco
Residence: Daly City, Calif.
Nickname: The Hurricane
Age: 29
Height: 5-foot-5
Official Weight: 120.8 pounds
Record: 6-1-1, 1KO
Stance: Orthodox
Biggest win:W10 Donna Biggers, Dec. 4, 2009 (IBA, WBO titles)
Notable loss: L8 Dominga Olivo, Aug. 21 2008 (WBC International title)
WEIGH-IN HIGHLIGHT:Fashionably Late
When Promoter Allan Tremblay called the fighters to the scale Brown strutted to the stage quickly, eager to weigh in and stare down.
But where was Julaton?
Minutes earlier she had stepped on the scale while her coach watched, then ducked out a side door, prompting speculation that she had disappeared to sweat away a few final pounds. Brown, pacing near the back of the room, had her own idea about what had happened.
"Maybe she got knocked out already."
No and no.
No confirmation on the third theory -- that Julaton went to apply an extra layer of makeup -- but it seemed the most feasible.Five minutes after Brown weighed in Julaton's entourage gathered at the door and swept into the room followed by Julaton herself, wearing fresh lipstick and a wider smile than anyone has a right to this early in the morning.
She couldn't even stop smiling for the staredown.
If you're outside the Canada you can view the entire card at gofightlive.tv.
Here in Canada TSN's broadcast, which includes Molitor-Ndlovu and a Canadian heavyweight title bout, begins at 10:30 p.m.
And of course, I'll be at ringside keeping you guys updated via twitter -- so if you're not already following me, add me and I'll keep you informed.
so the julaton fight won't be shown on tsn?
Posted by: Matt R | 03/27/2010 at 03:57 PM
No Julaton on Canadian TV. TSN chose to show the Cdn heavyweight title fight instead. Go figure...
Posted by: Morgan Campbell | 03/27/2010 at 08:23 PM