Legends Sports Universe Boxing Federation

Jr. Bantamweight
​

At the end of preliminary bouts to set up the LSUBF Jr. Bantamweight tournament, the four contenders were Cristian Mijares (13-0, 5 KO), Luis Alberto Perez (14-1, 14 KO), Ivan Hernandez (13-2, 9 KO) and Jose Carita Lopez (10-0, 9 KO).

Despite being the top seed, many people presumed Mijares would be unable to withstand Lopez's power in their semifinal matchup, while Perez and Hernandez drew little certainty except that it wouldn't go the distance.

But Mijares stuck it to prognosticators, as Lopez never got anywhere near hurting him on his way to a blowout unanimous decision, 119-110 (x2), 118-111. Meanwhile, Perez pummeled Hernandez, dropping him three times in a dominant showing that was ended by the ref in the 10th.

Mijares and Perez would meet for the title, and they met early in their careers with Mijares picking up a surprising third-round knockout win. The match to determined the first Jr. Bantamweight champ goes the same distance but with a different winner, as Perez dominates Mijares, cutting him in the first and knocking him down early in the third before a two-minute assault that leads to a stoppage with 12 seconds left in the third round to make Perez the champion!

Since claiming the title in June 2009, Perez has been positively dominant, making 10 successful defenses of his title, beating Hernandez and Celes Kobayashi twice each, as well as Alexander Munoz, Lopez, Martin Castillo, Katsuhige Kawashima and most recently Nobuo Nashiro to wrap up 2012.

He'll have a mandatory defense against the #1 contender in April, which at present stands to be Kobayashi, who took Perez the distance the first time before getting wiped out in the second round last April. Perez has defeated 8 of the current Top 10 fighters in the division, missing only #4 Masanori Tokuyama and #9 Felix Machado.

 

Flyweight
​

Dominance seems to be the way of the lower weight classes in the LSUBF, as the Flyweight ranks have followed suit.

Jimmy Wilde emerged from preliminaries as the #1 seed, racking up a 13-0-1 mark with 12 KOs to grab the top seed in the tournament. Percy Jones (12-2, 8 KO), Omar Narvaez (11-2, 7 KO) and Lorenzo Parra (12-2, 12 KO) rounded out the quartet for the championship tournament.

Jones faced Narvaez and the pair set a frenetic pace in a back and forth battle. Narvaez is cut in the 10th and takes a less aggressive posture at that point, but Jones is unable to break through in a fight that is ultimately decided by a single round - the 5th - in which Narvaez dropped Jones twice. Narvaez wins by UD 114-112 on all cards.

A pair of guys with some pop matched up in Wilde and Parra. The first round is a feeling out process, though it seems Parra gets the better of it with a late, closing flurry. Wilde controls the first half of round 2, sparking Parra to turn it up a bit. Wilde responds in kind and the action heats up in the second half, a big hook landing from Wilde in the waning moments. Wilde builds off of that, dominating the third, though Parra is able to keep his feet despite being obviously hurt. Tempo slows in the fourth, but the crowd gets to its feet when Parra lands a perfect body shot that puts Wilde down to a knee. He's up at 3 and Parra does little in the following minute, but hopes to build off the 10-8 round. No such luck. Wilde dominates the fifth and the sixth until a Parra uppercut in the closing seconds stops him in his tracks. No matter, though. Wilde pummels Parra in the 8th, dropping him before a minute of unanswered pounding forces the stoppage. Wilde by TKO at 2:47 of the 7th to set up the match for the title with Narvaez.

The bout turned into a war, and Wilde gets the better of it early, leading to a fifth round in which Wilde puts Narvaez on the canvas three times! But the three-knockdown rule is not in effect and somehow Narvaez survives. But the end seems near as Wilde continues to have the better of things, cutting Narvaez late in the sixth. Many at ringside were questioning how ref Luis Guzman was allowing the fight to go on, but in the waning seconds of round 8 Narvaez lands a perfect uppercut out of nowhere that puts Wilde on the canvas. He bounces up quickly and the bell sounds.

As the 8th opens, Wilde still looks a bit foggy, and Narvaez hammers him on the point of the chin with a cross early that exacerbates that fact. The next 2 1/2 minutes are a furious effort by Narvaez to put Wilde away, an effort that is ultimately successful when Wilde hits the deck late and can't get back to his feet, resulting in an incredible comeback victory by Narvaez, who becomes the PBA's first Flyweight champion by knockout at 2:50 of the 8th.

Narvaez's stunning victory has been followed by a terrific reign, as he's held the title for 3 1/2 years, along the way defeating Malcolm Tunacao, Randolph Plantz and Nonito Donaire twice - Donaire earning a draw before those two losses - as well as Parra, Jones and a tomato can just because he could. In all, it's been 10 defenses for Narvaez.

The one criticism: Wilde has never gotten a shot. As their match was for the initial crowning and not a title defense, Narvaez doesn't owe him one in terms of a mandatory. But given the Wilde led the bulk of their fight, it's a match many want to see.

Narvaez has a defense though, in that Wilde has only fought three times in the 3 1/2 years since their fight, for no particular reason. Even with that inactivity, Wilde is still ranked #2 in the division behind Vic Darchinyan, who is next up for Narvaez as a mandatory defense.

 

Jr. Flyweight
​

In the LSUBF Jr. Flyweight class, the inaugural tournament for the title saw Ulises Solis (20-1, 18 KO) as the #1 seed, followed by Beibis Mendoza (16-1, 14 KO), Koki Kameda (11-0, 10 KO) and Brahim Asloum (13-2, 11 KO).

Fans expected more from the Solis/Asloum semifinal, but Asloum fought like he was afraid he'd get tagged. Unfortunately for him he did anyway. He wasn't knocked out, though, going to distance before Solis took a unanimous decision 116-112 (x2), 117-111.

In the other semifinal, the distance went unseen, as Kameda blasted Mendoz out with a knockout late in round 4 to set up the title fight.

The expected cannon-fire in the championship bout transpired as expected, as Kameda and Solis dropped bombs from the opening bell. Kameda had defeated Solis early in their careers, but both were different fighters then.

Despite the action and heavy blows, both fighters look comfortable to start the fifth. That makes what happens next all the more disappointing. A violent clash of heads splits Solis' eye in ugly fashion, a gaping cut the ringside doctor has no choice but to declare too bad to continue, sending the fight to the cards.

Most ringside observers had it even through four. But only the judges matter. They agreed with the crowd on the first three rounds. But the fourth, which most everyone had for Kameda, is declared even on one, for Solis on the other, giving Solis a majority decision victory 39-38, 39-37, 38-38 to make him the PBA's first Jr. Flyweight champion.

Solis knocked out Roberto Vazquez in the second round of his first defense before stopping Victor Burgois in the fourth and downing Masibulele Makepula via unanimous decision.

But 11 months after losing the tournament final, Kameda claimed the crown, knocking out Solis in the second round to claim the title. Three months later, Kameda would stop Solis in the 7th in the mandatory rematch, handing Solis the third loss of his career - each to Kameda.

In June of 2011, Kameda defended against Beibis Mendoza, who took the title via a TKO in the 7th. Mendoza would then knock out Fumie Akahori in the 10th before stopping Makepula in the 11th in his second defense.

But Mendoza would then go into hiding, and after graciously being able to hold the belt six months past the supposed date of his mandatory defense he would be forced to give Kameda his rematch. Kameda would be dropped in the 8th but recover, putting Mendoza down three times in the 10th on his way to a TKO win to reclaim the title last month.

Kameda and Mendoza will meet in a rubbermatch at some point in the next year, and all the usual suspects are hovering high in the rankings as candidates for another shot. Brian Viloria (15-3, 13 KO) is the most intriguing challenger in the Top 10 who hasn't ever had a title shot previously.

 

Strawweight​

​

​

The little guys of the Strawweight division round out the LSUBF, and the championship tournament to kick off the weight class after preliminary bouts set up with #1 seed Eagle Den Jalapan (12-0, 8 KO), followed by Oleydong Sithsamerchai (12-1, 9 KO), light-hitting Isaac Bustos (10-0, 0 KO) and Muhammad Rachman (11-1, 4 KO).

The powerless Bustos hoped to work though Sithsamerchai's attacking pace. The bout turns into a festival of defense and precision, but with a shot at the title on the line it was presumed the final two rounds would pick up the pace. Presumptions were wrong, and a snoozeville rounds 11 and 12 as paceless end to a solid, competitive fight. The cards...115-114 Bustos, 115-114 Sithamerchai...115-114 for the winner, advancing to the PBA Strawweight championship bout...OLEYDONG SITHSAMERCHAI!!!

The other semifinal would spark a lone occurrence in the tournament phase of the LSUBF...Den Janlaphan dropped Rachman less than a minute into the fight, then again in the 5th. Rachman picks it up starting in the 6th, but the only two rounds he clearly takes are 6 and 11, which with the two knockdowns would figure to leave him on the short end. But the judges inexplicably yield a majority draw, meaning the duo would have to fight again to set up the title fight.

In a bout that by all estimation was closer than the first fight, the rematch yields a decision, as Den Jalapan doesn't presume victory late as he did in the first, closing with a strong final three rounds on his way to a majority decision, 115-113 (x2), 114-114.

The title fight brings controversy with it as well. A feeling out process for the first minute ends when Den Janlaphan doubles up on the hook nicely, sparking Sithsamerchai into action and a furious exchange in mid-ring. Den Janlaphan gets the better of it but gets careless in his pursuit, taking a glancing hook followed a powerful cross that puts him down late in the round. It was more about balance than pain and he's up quickly, but the knockdown costs him a round that was his.

An even 2nd takes a turn two minutes in when the fighters clash heads in what is ultimately ruled an intentional butt from Sithsamerchai that splits Den Janlaphan right down the center of the right eyebrow. The doc says he can continue, but it's obviously giving him trouble. Sithsamerchai targets away and the gash is opened wider as a result. But the doc again says to go at it, and Den Janlaphan attacks, pummeling Sithsmaerchai in the final 30 seconds.

Den Janlaphan's corner does brilliant work on the cut, and the third opens with him looking fresh and ready. Soon, he's landed a hard combination that opens a cut from Sithsamerchai on the inside of his right eyebrow, and blood flows again, though the cut seems minor. They measure each other for a while before a combination from Sithsamerchai draws blood from Den Janlaphan again, reopening the wound and the blood is a geyser all of a sudden.

The doc checks it again this time waves it off. But the issue at hand is the cut being caused initially by the intentional butt. The ruling from the ref, though, is the punch caused the new damage, and as a result Sithsamerchai wins via TKO as Den Janlaphan's corner goes collectively apoplectic. The postfight interview is a demand for a rematch that went unanswered.

The aftermath would be chaotic. Sithsamerchai defended successfully against Jose Antonio Aguirre (KO 12) before dropping the belt in his second defense to Songkram Porpaoin when Sithsamerchai was disqualified in the 12th round for an intentional butt. Porpaoin would make a successful defense against Miguel Barrera (MD 15) before the rematch, which would lead to a postfight brawl in the ring after Sithsamerchai was disqualified again, this time for a blatant low blow in the 10th - but which was preceded by Porpaoin getting a point deducted for a low blow a round prior.

After all that chaos, Porpaoin wouldn't defend for a year until being forced to face #1 contender Bustos, who would win the title via majority decision 145-141, 144-142, 143-143. He'd then grant Porpaoin his rematch immediately, and top him again, this time via unanimous decision.

Bustos would successfully defend against Joma Gamboa before an odd choice to defend against unranked Jorge Mata. But Mata would take Bustos the distance, and do so in terrific fashion, nearly pulling off the incredible upset. Bustos escaped with a draw and his title.

He would not be so lucky four months later when Nikosinathi Joyi took the title, knocking Bustos out in the 10th round. Bustos is entitled to a rematch, but Joyi first elected to defend against Porpaoin, whom he defeated by split decision in November 2012. He'll have until August 2013 to defend against Bustos.

 

Forgot these guys....

Cruiserweight​

One class away from Heavyweight tends to get overlooked, but the cruiserweights of the LSUBF are a solid crop and the title situation over the first four years of the federation has been interesting to say the least.

The four fighters to qualify for the cruiserweight tournament were Steve Cunningham (14-0, 7 KO), David Haye (13-2, 8 KO), Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (13-2, 10 KO) and Giacobbe Fragomeni (13-4, 5 KO). Wayne Braithwaite was one fight shy of the requisite 10 for qualifying, or he would have been the #4 seed.

In one semifinal, Haye made short work of Wlodarczyk, ending his night with a third round TKO.

Meanwhile, Cunningham came out lackluster and Fragomeni controlled the early going. But after tasting the canvas in the fifth, Cunningham realized he'd better get to work. He'd pitch a shutout the rest of the way, dropping Frogomeni twice on his way to a unanimous decision victory, 116-109 (x2), 117-109 to set up the title fight with Haye.

The title bout was a tactical, back and forth contest, decided largely by a knockdown of Cunningham by Haye in the third, as Haye would win the title by majority decision, 144-143 (x2), 143-143.

Haye knocked out Jean-Marc Mormeck in the 10th of his first defense, but in his second he'd be hit by a truck - Wayne "Big Truck" Braithwaite, who put Haye down in the first. Haye dropped Braithwaite in the second but in the fourth Braithwaite unloaded, putting Haye on the canvas again before battering him to a stoppage and making Braithwaite the new champion with a 4th round TKO.

The title has been a hot potato since then, with Haye left on the outside looking in.

Braithwaite was stopped in the third round of his first defense by Guillermo Jones, but regained the title in the rematch with a stunning 1st round TKO. Unexpectedly, the rubber match would go the distance, with Jones earning a unanimous decision to regain the title.

But Jones would surrender the title his next time out, dropping a unanimous decision to Kelvin Davis, who would then decision him in the same fashion in their rematch.

Davis would then face Braithwaite, and regret that he did, as Braithwaite would starch him in the 4th round to reclaim his title.

In the words of Seinfeld, Braithwaite is good at TAKING the title, he's just not good at HOLDING the title. He'd lose the belt in his first defense, stopped in the 14th on a combination of punishment and cuts by Krystzof Wlodarczyk, in a fight that was even at the time of the stoppage.

The pair would engage in a war in a rematch three months later, with Braithwaite flooring Wlodarczyk in the third, Wlodarczyk doing the same to Braithwaite in the fourth before pummeling an out of shape Braithwaite to a TKO in the 5th to retain the belt.

Wlodarczyk stopped Mormeck with a 10th round TKO in November to retain, and enters 2013 hoping to keep the belt for longer than his many predecessors.

The same names crowd the top of the rankings, but the most intriguing challengers are Haye, ranked #6 and who has never had a title shot since losing the belt three years ago, and O'Neil Bell (11-5, 9 KO), at #7 the highest-ranked fighter who has never received a title shot.

 

Fitzsimmons retains against Ketchel in classic
In one of the top fights in LSUBF history, Bob Fitzsimmons retained the middleweight title against Stanley Ketchel

Jan. 19, 2013--The ringside physician ended their last bout because of a cut suffered on an accidental butt, costing Stanley Ketchel the middleweight title.

Tonight, Bob Fitzsimmons staked his proper claim.

In an all-out war that saw both fighters taste the canvas twice, it was Fitzsimmons who outlasted Ketchel in a contest that had a bit of everything.

After eight brutal rounds it appeared Ketchel had worn Fitzsimmons out when he dropped him twice in the first 90 seconds of round 9. But Fitzsimmons rose and got to the bell and tried to gather his thoughts.

But Ketchel was relentless and Fitzsimmons seemed on his way out - by TKO if not KO - a little more than a minute into the 10th when Fitzsimmons put a savage hook right on Ketchel's jaw, dropping him to the canvas.

Ketchel was knocked into his own corner to weather the storm but survived, though the tide had turned.

After an 11th round that would be considered action-packed for most fights but a rest round by the night's standards, round 12 was trench warfare, with FItzsimmons getting the better of it by round's end.

A short uppercut midway through the 13th put Ketchel down for a second time and he was clearly spent. Fitzimmons doggedly pursued Ketchel determined to finish the bout and he would when referee Hubert Earle jumped in to save Ketchel.

Fitzsimmons improves to 21-6 with 17 KOs. Ketchel falls to 17-4 with 13 KOs.

 

Klitschko untested by upstart Walcott, retains title via unanimous decision
Vitali Klitschko was taken the distance but controlled the bout against young challenger Jersey Joe Walcott

Jan. 19, 2013 -- It was an odd choice to say the least. But it made for an entertaining fight, at least for a while.

LSUBF heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has a pair of mandatory defenses over the next 10 months, against whomever is the #1 contender at the time and a mandatory rematch against Chris Byrd. But he kicked off the year taking on a newcomer to the division ranks...and came perilously close to wishing he hadn't.

Jersey Joe Walcott, in his 12th professional fight, got a shot at the title and pushed Klitschko (26-3-1, 21 KO) the distance, though he fell via unanimous decision 148-134 (x2), 148-135.

Walcott was dropped four times in the fight, the first coming in the 8th, to which point he had acquitted himself solidly. But Klitschko pretty much dominated from that point on and it became clear after a while Walcott was just looking to survive.

New rankings will be out April 1st, but if nothing changes it seems likely Klitschko will defend against Jack Dempsey (21-3, 17 KO) later this year, the timing dependent on whether Klitschko slots him ahead of the Byrd rematch.

 

Williams stops Forrest to retain Welterweight title

Jan. 31, 2013 -- When the inaugural LSUBF Welterweight tournament concluded, Vernon Forrest became the first division champion with a 15-round majority decision win over Paul Williams.

More than 3 1/2 years later, Williams got his revenge.

Williams made his third defense since winning the title against Tommy Ryan last May, and he ground down Forrest (23-6-1, 13 KO) en route to an 11th round stoppage.

Forrest starting strong with a dominant opening round, but Williams answered with a strong second round during which he cut Forrest above his right eye, a cut that gave Forrest problems over the next several rounds.

But Forrest responded by letting it all hang out in rounds 8 and 9, the best of the fight, as both fighters traded frequent heavy leather that raised the crowd to its collective feet.

Controversy hit in the 10th, when action was stopped as Forrest was dominating Williams to check on the status of Forrest's cut.

Forrest's corner would come back to this moment after the 11th, when Williams put Forrest down twice before referee Dick Flaherty stopped the fight to give Williams the TKO win.

Forrest's camp was irate, arguing not that Forrest wasn't in bad shape when the fight was halted, but that he was on his way to taking Williams out in the 10th before the cut check.

Williams improved to 19-4-2 (10 KOs).

 

Kameda reclaims Jr. Flyweight title from Mendoza

Jan. 26, 2013--It took a year and a half and the threat of stripping Beibis Mendoza of the title he won from Koki Kameda in June 2011. But Kameda got his mandatory rematch six months after the supposed deadline to do so, and Kameda made it count.

Kameda (16-3, 15 KO) survived a ninth-round knockdown to come back and batter Mendoza (25-3, 22 KO) two rounds later, putting him on the canvas three times in the 11th for a rousing victory to regain the title he originally won from Ulises Solis with a stunning second-round knockout in May 2010.

 

Carruthers upsets Barry to claim Bantamweight championship
The Australian ended Barry's 3 1/2 year reign with a perfectly executed game plan to earn the decision

When February began, only three champions in the LSUBF had held their titles since the inaugural tournaments were decided.

Now, there are two.

Bantamweight champion Jimmy Barry, who entered at 27-1 and avenged that one loss - to Paulie Ayala early in his career, whom he then defeated in the tournament final - will now need to avenge another to regain the title.

Australia’s Jimmy Carruthers, who entered 13-0-1 (7 KO), outlasted Barry in a bout that went the distance, earning a unanimous decision victory 145-141, 144-143, 144-142 to become the new LSUBF Bantamweight champion.

The pace was steady throughout as both fighters worked a roughly 70-punch-per-round pace, but Carruthers was having greater success finding the mark. Barry seemed to have the heavier blows, but the lack of accuracy - landing 20.7% compared with 31% for Carruthers - was going to put the judges in a spot to weigh what mattered more.

Carruthers adopted a defensive approach from the outside for most of the bout, but Barry’s desire to press the action enabled Carruthers to stick plenty from the outside while maintaining his range.

It was clear in the 15th that Barry knew he needed the round, and he put on the kind of round that made him champion, a pinpoint blistering display that had Carruthers reeling from pillar to post.

A scintillating 3-punch combo as the clock ticked to the final minute appeared as though it would send Carruthers to the canvas. But he hung on and weathered the storm, and while Barry won the round, Carruthers retreated to his corner confident he’d won the war.

He was right.

Barry wasn’t bad on this night. Not at all. Rather, Carruthers simply fought exactly the fight he needed to.

Barry, of course, is due a mandatory rematch within the year.

“It was a terrific fight,” a disappointed Barry said afterward. “I look forward to doing it again.”

"Jimmy has been a great champion," Carruthers said post-match. "But this is my time. He obviously gets and deserves his rematch, and we'll go from there."

 

Casamayor DQ'd, loses Jr. Lightweight title to Nanthachai

Feb. 24, 2013 -- Joel Casamayor stepped in to defend his LSUBF Jr. Lightweight championship against Yodsanan Nanthachai with plenty of knowledge about his opponent.

When Casamayor won the inaugural tournament to win the title for the first time, he won the semifinal matchup against Nanthachai in a tightly contested bout, earning a majority decision victory to advance to the final.

A year after regaining the title he had lost to Edwin Valero, he defended it against Nanthachai as the mandatory #1 contender, stopping him in the 11th round.

A year later, Nanthachai had reassumed #1 contender status, and so Casamayor - not having made another #1 defense in the interim - was forced to face him again.

If you ask Casamayor, he was also facing a second opponent - referee Derek Gilham.

Gilham warned Casamayor for several perceived transgressions throughout this latest bout, at different times cautioning him for holding and hitting, leaning on Nanthachai’s neck, using his shoulders in the clinch, and hitting below the belt.

Despite that, Casamayor built a comfortable lead and appeared to be on his way to a clear decision victory to retain the title.

Then Gilham knocked that plan out for the count.

Gilham disqualified Casamayor for a blatant punch to the back of Nanthachai’s head, the seventh infraction cited against Casamayor during the bout, and the one that gave Nanthachai the belt as the new LSUBF Jr. Lightweight champion.

Casamayor led on all cards, 87-83 *2, 89-82, at the time of the disqualification.

“I’ll take my title back soon, I want my rematch immediately,” an irate Casamayor said after the bout. “Any other ref, I’ll be champion again.”

This is not new territory for Casamayor though. This was Casamayor’s third loss…his second was the title loss to Valero by decision. But the first was early in his career, a disqualification loss against Jorge Barrios.

Nanthachai made no apologies.

“He’s always done this…tonight it cost him…and now I’m champion!

 

'Bones' About It! Adams Regains Jr. Featherweight Title

Feb. 14, 2013 -- It's been a long road back to the top for Clarence "Bones" Adams.

The inaugural LSUBF Jr. Featherweight champion made four successful defenses of the title before losing the belt in March 2011 via 11th round stoppage against Salim Medjkoune.

He was due a mandatory rematch within a year, but Medjkoune lost the title to Yober Ortega in January 2012, his second defense. The loss meant Adams' shot could be pushed back, if he even received it, as Ortega could choose whether to face Medjkoune or Adams to fulfill the mandatory rematch clause.

Ortega went 11 months without defending, finally putting the strap on the line against Yoddamrong Sithyodthong, whom he defeated by unanimous decision, to meet the #1 contender requirement.

Adams meanwhile had been dormant, trying to regroup. He lost a unanimous decision to Willie Jorrin on Christmas 2011, and fought only once in 2012, a tuneup bout against Steve Molitor.

But when the time came that Ortega was forced to choose between Medjkoune and Adams, he chose Adams.

Nearly two years since losing the title, Adams got his chance to reclaim it, and did so in close but unanimous fashion, earning a 143-142 *2, 145-142 decision to once again become champion.

Ortega set a furious pace, but Adams stayed measured throughout the contest. Ortega's aggressiveness may have proven counterproductive in the eyes of the judges, as for all his volume he landed only 17% of his punches, compared with 35% for Adams.

In the final tally, it seemed the judges gave Adams virtually every close round, including the last two - a pair of uneventful "championship rounds" that lifted Adams to victory.

 

Marciano inches closer to title shot, stopping Sharkey

Feb. 10, 2013--The Brockton Blockbuster is coming. It's just a matter of time.

No. 4 contender Rocky Marciano (9-1-1, 8 KO) defeated. No. 9 Jack Sharkey (10-5-1, 5 KO), stopping him by technical knockout in the eighth round, as he continues to push toward the top spot and a mandatory shot at champion Vitali Klitschko.

Marciano pummeled Sharkey from the opening bell, never letting him breathe. Sharkey's best round of the fight resulted in a hotly contested fifth, but even then he never had the advantage. He was able to stay upright until the 8th, when Marciano put him down three times before Arthur Mercante called a halt.

Many believe Marciano needs more seasoning before taking on the champ so quickly, as Klitschko's in his prime. Critics point to Marciano's loss to Jack Dempsey in a fight Marciano never should have taken, though he acquitted himself fairly in a split decision defeat.

But Marciano will fight whenever given the opportunity.