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Former IBF Heavyweight Champion Frans Botha takes on Steve Panell on Showtime Boxing
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00:00In the last 14 years, Showtime has brought you some of the most exciting and memorable moments in boxing.
00:07As we head into the new millennium, some of our most imposing warriors now find themselves at the crossroads of their careers,
00:14including three-time world champion Johnny Tapia.
00:17Tapia suffers his first defeat in 49 fights and loses the WBA Panamweight.
00:23Following that loss, Tapia is out to prove that he can continue his success into the 21st century.
00:30Tonight, he takes a giant step in that direction as he challenges smart and savvy champion Jorge Eliezer Julio for the WBO Panamweight title.
01:00Welcome to Alabama.
01:29Albuquerque, New Mexico.
01:31Tonight, our coverage comes to you from a basketball hotbed known as The Pit
01:35here on the beautiful strolling campus of the University of New Mexico.
01:40But this evening, Hoops will take a backseat to boxing
01:43with charismatic three-time world champ Johnny Tapia returning to his roots.
01:49In our main event, two-time world champion Jorge Eliezer Julio
01:53puts his WBO bantamweight title on the line
01:55against the aforementioned number one contender Johnny Tapia.
01:59But first up, you'll see former world heavyweight champion Francois Botha
02:04in his first action since the disputed draw with Shannon Briggs
02:07as the man called the White Buffalo takes on Steve Bunnell.
02:11We'll also bring you highlights of two bouts which took place earlier this evening
02:15featuring Danny Romero and Rodolfo Blanco
02:17and up-and-coming super middleweight Omar Sheikah
02:20against former world champion Simon Brown.
02:24They're already going wild here as we bring you inside
02:27to this subterranean arena home to the Fighting Lobos of New Mexico tonight.
02:32The fans are here mainly to see local favorite Johnny Tapia
02:35as he looks to fight his way back on top to another world title.
02:40A new all-time state attendance record for boxing is expected.
02:43Capacity is 18,000, in excess of 12,000 already on hand
02:48as Johnny Tapia hopes to extend his hometown winning streak to 15 in a row.
02:58Bedlam!
02:58Hello again, everybody.
02:59Steve Albert ringside.
03:00Happy New Year as we bring him the new millennium here on Showtime Championship Boxing
03:04with a big doubleheader.
03:05The focus, of course, here in Albuquerque on Johnny Tapia
03:08as he looks to bounce back following his first loss.
03:10A very close decision to Paulie Ayala in June for the WBA Bantamweight title
03:15in what was voted the Fight of the Year for 1999.
03:18You can already hear the chants of Johnny.
03:21Now, as a result, there are several questions surrounding Tapia.
03:24Number one, can he rebound in his first fight since suffering his lone pro defeat?
03:29Is the confidence in the fire still there?
03:31Will he come out too pumped up and make a mistake against a skilled seasoned pro like Jorge Julio,
03:36or will he be able to control his emotions?
03:39And will he start fast against the slow-starting champion?
03:42Hopefully, those questions will be answered by the end of the night.
03:46Tonight, Johnny Tapia will try to break back into the heights of the Bantamweight division of boxing.
03:51His target is Colombian Jorge Eliezer Julio, a classy quality champ
03:55who's won the WBO belt since July 97.
03:58Aggressive southpaw Paulie Ayala, who won that controversial decision over Tapia,
04:02currently controls the WBA.
04:03Another exciting southpaw undefeated Tim Austin, the IVF champion.
04:08While perhaps the least known of all, the 118-pound title hold is Virapol Sahapram of Thailand,
04:13heads up the WBC.
04:16And with that, let me bring on my ringside partners.
04:18First, the Fight Doctor, Ferdie Pachaco.
04:20And, Ferdie, is this the crossroads of a career for Johnny Tapia?
04:24I want to use the word crossroads.
04:25It's a little strong because he's so highly regarded nationally and internationally.
04:28Even if he lost, he'd still make a bundle of money fighting.
04:32But it is a crossroads in that he wants to go up into the higher divisions.
04:36Bigger money, bigger fights.
04:37It's a crossroads in the sense that he needs this to progress on to bigger paydays.
04:42He does.
04:42All right, let's move on to our other partner, Bobby Chez.
04:44Bobby, is Julio catching Tapia at the right time?
04:47You know, Steve, some of the experts might argue that Julio is catching Tapia at exactly the right time.
04:51He's coming off his first and only loss.
04:53And maybe he's slipping just a little bit.
04:54Maybe he's just a little past his prime.
04:56But you know what?
04:57There's nothing more dangerous than a fighter who's got something to prove.
04:59And tonight, that's Johnny Tapia.
05:01Not just to his hometown fans, but to the boxing world.
05:04He wants to get back in.
05:05I think he'll be more dangerous than ever.
05:06I think it's the worst time for Julio to catch Tapia.
05:08This has all the elements of a very, very exciting night.
05:11For more on tonight's main event, let's go over to Jim Gray.
05:14Jim?
05:15All right.
05:15Thank you very much here in the hometown locker room with Johnny Tapia.
05:19Johnny, how do you view tonight's fight?
05:21Is this a do-or-die situation?
05:23Is there a sense of urgency for you here tonight?
05:24Well, by all means, knowing that the WBO's on top of the line of this, so it's a title
05:29shot.
05:29I don't have one now.
05:31So I have to get it.
05:33Are you concerned of how you might react going back into the ring after the loss to Ayala?
05:38No, because I got a good trainer and a good corner.
05:40In my corner, I got good corner people.
05:43They know how to settle me down.
05:44How do you avoid remaining settled down and not too pumped up as you've seen and as we've
05:49seen you be here in Albuquerque?
05:51The experience will kick in right there and then.
05:53I'm a veteran right now at this game, and I should know what to do when it's time to
05:57do it.
05:57Will we see something new, something different you were saying before we came on than what
06:00we saw against Ayala?
06:02To tell you the truth, I want to show people what I'm really all about.
06:04I can slug and I can box, and I want to show the world that what I can do is right.
06:08Steve, he said he hasn't had New Year's, hasn't had Christmas.
06:11In fact, Johnny Tapia just told me Christmas is tonight.
06:14Merry Christmas.
06:15Good luck.
06:15Out to you, Steve.
06:17All right, Jim.
06:18Yes, Johnny Tapia may have a competitive spirit unmatched by any athlete in any sport.
06:23As usual, for you Showtime subscribers with internet access, we once again invite you
06:27to judge every round of every fight online.
06:30Log on to show.com and link to the boxing area.
06:32Once there, you can vote for the fighter you think is winning the round.
06:35Your entry will be added to those of other participants and instantly update the scoring
06:39web page.
06:40The results will also be announced and shown here live on Showtime during the event.
06:45Of course, your voting is for entertainment purposes only and will not influence the outcome
06:49of the fight.
06:50Once again, the web address, s-h-o.com.
06:56Let's get to it.
06:57We close in on our first bout.
06:59Former IBF heavyweight champion Francois Botha, rated number 11 by the WBC, takes on unrated
07:05Steve Pinnell.
07:07Here is relatively unknown Steve Pinnell, a journeyman fighter turned pro in 91.
07:12He's lost his last three, all by second round knockout.
07:16Stopped in the second, his last fight by another journeyman, Ed Mahone.
07:20The other losses to Vladimir Klitschko and then number three, Hasim Rahman, down three times
07:27in that fight.
07:28Among the other three defeats, a fourth round knockout loss to John Ruiz, the WBC number
07:32one contender.
07:34He's fought some tough fighters and some might call him a professional opponent.
07:38And we check out South African Francois Botha off the controversial majority draw against
07:47Shannon Briggs in August.
07:49I thought Botha won.
07:50As it turned out, he would have lost had all three judges not scored the last round.
07:5410-8 for him.
07:55He destroyed Briggs in that round.
07:57He's off two high-profile fights in 99.
08:00The other, of course, with Mike Tyson, a fight Botha was winning until a dramatic fifth-round
08:05KO.
08:06Often, Botha is underestimated.
08:08Ferdy is Botha's biggest concern here not to underestimate his opponent.
08:12He certainly is.
08:13He's got to be completely tuned up and on fire because the coming year is golden for him.
08:18But he's got to get past a guy like this.
08:19A guy like this shouldn't even be fighting as a heavyweight.
08:22He's been knocked out three times.
08:23If he can't get past this guy, you know, he's worth nothing.
08:25So Botha's got to look real good.
08:27That's what we're looking for, a good, fast opening by Botha.
08:30A guy whose stock rises when he doesn't win.
08:33The Michael Moore fight, another example.
08:35Let's check the numbers.
08:36Botha 31.
08:37Pinnell turns 31 next month at 6'4.
08:39Pinnell has a two-inch height advantage.
08:41Botha a few pounds lighter than his last fight.
08:43Pinnell 231.5 and a three-inch reach advantage for Botha.
08:47The key rules, no standing eight count, no three knockdown rule.
08:50A fighter cannot be saved by the bell in any round.
08:52If an accidental headbutt occurs before the end of the fourth round, it's a technical draw.
08:56If it happens after the end of round four, they go to the scorecards.
08:59So here at the pit at Albuquerque, getting ready for Francois Botha versus Steve Pinnell,
09:05let's get the formal introductions from our ring announcer, Jimmy Lennon Jr.
09:08Ladies and gentlemen, a very good evening to you, and we welcome you to the pit here in beautiful Albuquerque, New Mexico,
09:17as we have a big night of action in store for you.
09:20And it's all brought to you courtesy of Frank Warren's Sports Network in association with Showtime,
09:26Championship Boxing, and Budweiser, the undefeated, undisputed King of Beers.
09:33At this time, ladies and gentlemen, we present a heavyweight special attraction,
09:37the big boys of boxing in the ring scheduled for ten rounds of boxing.
09:41Introducing to you our three judges scoring this bout from ringside, all from New Mexico,
09:47from Las Cruces, Rocky Burke, from Albuquerque, William Gant, also from Albuquerque, Russell Mora,
09:54and introducing to you our referee in charge of this bout.
09:57He'll be giving instructions after the introductions, Merv Nephew.
10:02All right, fans, here we go.
10:04Introducing to you first on my left, finding out of the blue corner,
10:08wearing white trunks with gold trim, he is finding out of Nashville, Tennessee.
10:14He weighed in at 231 and one-half pounds.
10:18His record stands at 33 wins and six losses with 27 wins coming by way of knockout.
10:24Introducing Steve, the Storm Panell.
10:33And his opponent across, sitting on my right,
10:36fighting out of the red corner in this ten-round attraction,
10:39wearing white trunks, and now fighting out of Newport Beach, California.
10:44He weighed in at 229 and three-quarter pounds.
10:48His record stands at 39 wins, two losses, one draw, one no contest with 24 wins coming by way of knockout.
10:57Ladies and gentlemen, here is the former IBF heavyweight champion of the world,
11:02known as the White Buffalo, introducing Francois Boulthard.
11:14Once again, a referee in charge, Merv Nephew.
11:17Now to give instructions, ten rounds of boxing scheduled.
11:22All right, I gave you both the instructions in the redressing room.
11:30All I ask is you obey my commands at all times.
11:34If you're caught and chopped up, if your hands are clear, punch out.
11:39Any questions?
11:40None.
11:41Any questions?
11:42Good luck.
11:43Good luck.
11:45Final instructions from referee Merv Nephew.
11:47How about our keys to victory?
11:49Bobby, first for Francois Boulthard.
11:51Well, both of the shorter man's got to close the gap and get to the inside.
11:53When he gets there, work that body with power shots.
11:55Slow the big man down.
11:56And also the good overhand right, Pinnell has shown a suspect chin.
12:01How about Pinnell?
12:02Pinnell's got to use a strong jab, and he has one.
12:04Also, keep a good pace.
12:05We've seen both the tires.
12:06They get in the later rounds if the pace is quick.
12:08And also, box smart from the outside.
12:10He's got the legs, the height, and the reach, the jab.
12:12He's got to use them.
12:13As we've observed on several occasions, both though, while methodical and lulling,
12:17can be effective and tricky.
12:20He is very game and fights bravely.
12:24Bobby, do you see anything in Pinnell that would indicate that he could win tonight?
12:28Well, he has a real good jab, and if he uses it and keeps both in range,
12:31I was just going to say, he's also got a sneaky quick and pretty strong right hand.
12:35Yeah.
12:35Can he dictate the pace and outbox both of with?
12:38Will his questionable chin hold up?
12:40He averages only 2.3 rounds per fight, Pinnell.
12:43He's been passed the fourth only twice, went 10 rounds just once.
12:47Again, worth repeating, his last three all by second-round knockout.
12:52All losses.
12:53We saw a perfect example with both the four Briggs.
12:55Briggs, 6'4", height, reach, power, strength, youth.
12:58But Boulthard's heart was just too big.
13:00His will to win just achieved so much in that fight.
13:03If Pinnell folds like that, Boulthard will eventually run through him.
13:06He does have the heart, and he is that tough.
13:08Well, I think in your, I agree with your points,
13:11victory except for one thing, a chance.
13:13And that, and that you can't, you can't die with Graham.
13:16He's trying hard, but not landing.
13:18Pinnell going for the early finish here.
13:21Climbing all over Boulthard.
13:23He hurt Boulthard with a good right hand, Steve.
13:25He hit him in the temple, and now he's throwing a lot.
13:28He's going to be tired.
13:29Pinnell just flailing away, and he is just going to punch himself up.
13:35Well, I guess he figures he didn't want to get around round two.
13:38There he goes.
13:39Oh, and he hangs on.
13:41To the left foot of Frantz Robotham.
13:43So after that wildest play by Pinnell,
13:46he hits the cabbage at the 115 mark of round one.
13:51He gets up at nine.
13:54Well, he had his moment.
13:55He came out and tried, and then he, in one minute,
13:58gets, eats a right hand.
14:00And down he goes again.
14:01A rip with Steve Pinnell.
14:02Down for the second time.
14:04Another overhand right.
14:05Steve Pinnell's shown a very bad susceptibility
14:08Look at that right hand in.
14:09A suspect, Jim.
14:10The crowd reacts.
14:12No three knockdown rule.
14:17Oh, a heavy right followed by a left hook.
14:20And Boulthard climbs right on Pinnell.
14:22A minute left in round one.
14:25Can Pinnell get through the opening round?
14:29Pinnell's not using a jib.
14:31This time a left hook, Steve.
14:32And it's over.
14:34The referee bird nephew jumps in.
14:38There was no three knockdown rule,
14:39but in his opinion, he says forget about it.
14:42And a wise decision.
14:43When a guy comes in,
14:44knocked out three different times in the second round,
14:47what else can you expect?
14:49I mean, can you expect a great fight?
14:50No.
14:51He came out, he did the best he could in the first minute,
14:53and it's over after that.
14:55Send in your resignation.
14:56This guy was never going to have a chance.
14:58Pinnell's record reads for itself, Ferdy.
15:00You've knocked me out or I'm knocking you out,
15:01and we're not going the distance too often, if at all.
15:04This ain't going to be a dance.
15:07Pinnell's history.
15:08Every time he steps up in quality of opposition,
15:10he gets in trouble.
15:12And Steve Pinnell loses this evening to Francois Botha,
15:17who told us after this he would like WBO champ Vitaly Klitschko in April,
15:21then perhaps Lennox Lewis or Mike Tyson again.
15:25Of course, the heavyweight division in chaos these days.
15:28Ironically, there is a unified champion,
15:30and I know that you think perhaps the best heavyweight out there
15:33is a guy who just got out of prison.
15:35You know, I really do.
15:36I've watched this game a long time.
15:38I've been in it.
15:38I think I'd be a boot.
15:39He has a great combination of power, of speed, of endurance,
15:43and of toughness, and all-around ability,
15:45and even both themselves said, you know what?
15:47If I win a world title, that's who I want to fight
15:49because I think he's the best heavyweight besides myself.
15:51And I'll tell you what, that's admirable of both of them.
15:54The problem is to stay out of jail, and that's a big problem.
15:57Big with this guy.
15:57And as soon as Lewis Grant is signed,
15:59it could start a flurry of lawsuits
16:01because of all the number-one contenders
16:03like Ruiz Tua and Akinwande.
16:05We're going to take a look at that knockdown,
16:07and it's a good, solid right hand.
16:09Botha has his best punch.
16:10It's on the back of the, sort of by the temple by the ear.
16:13That's, he's looking at him holding his leg.
16:15That's Botha's signature shot, the overhand right.
16:19Just watch.
16:20It's right over the top of the jab,
16:21right by the back of the ear, temple.
16:23That's the second knockdown.
16:24The third knockdown is the left hook.
16:30He hits him with the right hand.
16:32Pannell stays up.
16:33And as Botha comes in, he hits him with the left hook,
16:36and that's pretty much it.
16:37That didn't look like a lot of a left hook.
16:39It looked like a glancing goal.
16:40It's just he didn't have anything left, Bobby.
16:42Anything he'd hit him with, it had gone down.
16:44Anything.
16:45He'd had nothing left.
16:46It was not a good workout for Botha,
16:49but it's a step forward into what he wants,
16:51which is the tall cotton where the good fights are,
16:54and he deserves them.
16:55He always gives a good show.
16:57Botha always gives a good show.
16:58He's got heart, he's got strength,
17:00and he's always in some dramatic fight,
17:02so I'm for him going ahead.
17:04And a lovely new hairdo.
17:05Yeah, I love the color.
17:07The white buffalo.
17:08It goes with his robe.
17:09You know, I asked him if that was really a white buffalo,
17:11and he said, no, that was a seat cover on a Cadillac
17:13that he once stole in South Africa.
17:16That's nice.
17:17Well, he ups his record to 40 wins,
17:19two losses, one draw with the one no contest,
17:2125 knockouts.
17:23Pads his record with a win over professional opponent,
17:26journeyman, whatever you want to call him,
17:28Steve Pinnell, who drops to 33 and 7.
17:30So where does Botha turn next?
17:32He now manages himself,
17:34which can sometimes be a mistake,
17:35but he told us a fight with Unified Champ Lennox Lewis
17:38could occur.
17:40He said he'd like Michael Grant,
17:42but it's been reported, as mentioned,
17:44that Lewis will fight Grant next.
17:45That could happen within the next 48 hours, officially.
17:49As mentioned, he could fight,
17:50beat Tully Klitschko, the WPO team.
17:51I think that's where he's going to go.
17:52I mean, the traveling out is,
17:54and being groomed for bigger fights,
17:56he'd have to get past him to get into real good fights.
17:59I'm not so sure that he could get past both.
18:02That tall German we saw fight the other day,
18:04it's not that good.
18:05It would be interesting to see,
18:05haven't seen him hit,
18:07haven't seen him physically abused a little bit
18:09and really tested.
18:10That's, we need to see,
18:11what does he have when it really comes to the match?
18:13It would be an interesting match,
18:14interesting crossroads.
18:15The official reading from Jimmy Lennon Jr.
18:21Ladies and gentlemen,
18:22we have the time of two minutes,
18:23eight seconds in round number one.
18:26A referee in charge,
18:28Merv Nephew stops the contest
18:29with the three knockdown rule in effect.
18:32The winner by way of knockout,
18:34the white Buffalo,
18:36Francois Botha.
18:41So there you have it,
18:42Francois Botha
18:43with an easy victory
18:45in the first round
18:48over journeyman Steve Paddell.
18:50And it's interesting,
18:51during the replays,
18:52the fans were chanting in unison,
18:54Johnny, Johnny,
18:55they can't wait to get Tapia
18:56into this ring
18:57in just a few minutes.
18:59And neither can we,
19:00because that is the fight of the night.
19:02That's what we're waiting for.
19:03That's a blazer.
19:04And yes, indeed,
19:06coming up next,
19:06our main event,
19:07Johnny Tapia returning to Albuquerque
19:10in quest of his fourth world title
19:12as he takes on Jorge Eliezer Julio
19:14for the WBO Bantaway Championship.
19:17We go into the dressing room
19:18with the champion,
19:20Jorge Eliezer Julio,
19:21who says he's changed
19:22everything for this fight,
19:25his training,
19:25his diet.
19:27Colombia who fought
19:28for the 1988 Olympic team
19:30in Colombia,
19:30believes a win here
19:32in Tapia's hometown
19:33will get him
19:33the celebrity status he craves.
19:36He has been willing
19:37before to fight
19:38in an opponent's backyard.
19:40In fact,
19:40he knocked out
19:41Puerto Rican challenger
19:42Daniel Jimenez
19:43in Bayamon in 98,
19:44his only defeat
19:45to Junior Jones
19:46in 93.
19:48All right,
19:48we're set for post-fight reaction
19:50from our opening bout.
19:51Let's go to Jim Gray
19:52in the ring.
19:53Jim.
19:53All right,
19:54thank you, Steve.
19:55Franz,
19:55was this simply
19:57to keep active here tonight?
19:58Is that why
19:58you were fighting this man?
20:00Almost definitely.
20:01You know,
20:02I know I got a lot
20:03of big things coming.
20:04There's talks
20:05with my promoter,
20:06Mr. Frank Warren,
20:08that we want to fight.
20:09It might be Mike Tyson again,
20:11or it might be
20:12Glitchko,
20:13the WBO champion.
20:15And in order for me
20:16to be a success
20:17in fighting any of those
20:19two guys out there,
20:21you know,
20:21you've got to stay active.
20:23But this really
20:24didn't prove much,
20:25did it?
20:25If anything?
20:26No,
20:26it really doesn't prove anything.
20:28You know,
20:28it's just that
20:29I've got to stay active.
20:30I don't want to go back
20:31to every time
20:32when I fought Michael Moura
20:33where I was inactive
20:34for one whole year.
20:36I want to at least stay active
20:37so I'm getting used to the ring.
20:40You're in a rather
20:40difficult position
20:41because you are competitive
20:42enough and good enough
20:44to cause a lot of problems
20:45in this division.
20:46So the people
20:47who are on the top
20:48or near the top
20:48may not want to fight you
20:50because just exactly
20:52that reason.
20:53So where do you go from here?
20:54I mean,
20:54what would be the reason
20:54for Mike Tyson
20:55to fight you again?
20:56He beat you in five rounds
20:57but there was a little
20:58trouble for him.
20:58So what would be the reason
20:59for him to jump in the ring
21:01with you again?
21:01You know what?
21:03If it wasn't for that,
21:04I mean,
21:05Tyson was fought every round.
21:06I couldn't lose a fight
21:07no more.
21:08But I made a mistake.
21:10Tyson is a strong punch.
21:12He's a heavyweight champion,
21:13former heavyweight champion.
21:14And, you know,
21:15I just made a mistake.
21:16I got too aggressive
21:17where I should have just
21:19put on my finger cap
21:20and moved around.
21:21But I want to prove
21:23to the whole world
21:23that, you know,
21:24I am the best heavyweight
21:25out there.
21:26And I think I proved
21:27it against Mike Tyson.
21:29I proved it against
21:30Michael Muro,
21:31which I lost.
21:32My two losses,
21:33basically,
21:33she has wins for me
21:34because I was winning
21:36both fights
21:36until, you know,
21:38the unfortunate happened.
21:39And then a draw
21:40with Briggs.
21:41Congratulations to you
21:41tonight.
21:42We look forward
21:42to your next fight,
21:43France.
21:43Thank you very much.
21:44Back to you, Steve.
21:45All right,
21:45Jim and Francois,
21:47the reason there was a delay,
21:48there was some discussion
21:50that there might be
21:51a three-knockdown rule.
21:53Of course,
21:54it was immaterial.
21:54A fight should have
21:56been stopped anyway.
21:57But the referee,
21:57in his mind,
21:58may have thought
21:58that there was
21:59a three-knockdown rule,
22:00so he automatically
22:01stopped the fight
22:02on that third knockdown.
22:05But there is
22:05no three-knockdown rule
22:07as we reported.
22:08Before we get to that
22:10first main event,
22:11earlier tonight,
22:12Omar Sheikah climbing
22:13the ranks of the
22:14super middleweight division
22:14took on the venerable
22:15former world champion
22:16Simon Brown.
22:17Let's take a look
22:17at the highlights
22:18as we pick up the action.
22:20Round one,
22:20the 22-year-old Sheikah
22:21out of Patterson, New Jersey,
22:23the right of your screen,
22:24had his way throughout,
22:25jumping on the 36-year-old
22:26two-time world champion
22:27right at the start.
22:28Brown in trouble
22:28on the rope.
22:29Sheikah wouldn't let up.
22:30Sheikah's domination
22:31just continued.
22:33It raged on
22:34with his best round
22:35in round number six.
22:36Sheikah again
22:37with the barrage of punches,
22:38you'll see.
22:39And Brown going down
22:40from a right uppercut,
22:41the only knockdown
22:42of the fight.
22:42Brown did fight back
22:43bravely,
22:44but clearly his best days
22:45are behind him.
22:46Omar Sheikah,
22:47the convincing,
22:48unanimous decision,
22:49goes to 19-1.
22:50Is WBO champ
22:51Joe Calzaghe next?
22:53Then Danny Romero,
22:54one-time arch rival,
22:55now close friend
22:56of Johnny Tapio,
22:56that former flyweight champ
22:57Rodolfo Blanco,
22:5856 seconds into the fight.
23:01Romero brought the crowd
23:02to its feet
23:03with a resounding
23:03left hook to the body.
23:05It was all over.
23:0625-year-old Danny Romero
23:07of Albuquerque
23:08to 36-3-1
23:09with 32 knockouts.
23:11Next once,
23:12122-pound champ,
23:14Nesta Garza,
23:14who represents the WPA.
23:16As we close in
23:18on our marquee matchup
23:19here at the pit,
23:20here's a reminder.
23:21Exactly three weeks
23:22from tonight,
23:23we'll be in Manchester,
23:24England,
23:24to bring you the latest
23:25in the continuing saga
23:26of former undisputed
23:27heavyweight champion
23:28Mike Tyson.
23:29His first fight
23:30since his latest
23:31controversial incident
23:32versus Orlin Norris
23:33back in October.
23:34Tyson will meet
23:35the British heavyweight champion
23:36Julius Francis.
23:37A ferocious Mike Tyson.
23:46That's all it took.
23:47One shot.
23:48He may not get up.
23:51It's over.
23:52It's over.
23:55Mike Tyson returns
23:57to the ring.
23:58Not on pay-per-view.
24:01Only on Showtime.
24:03Mike Tyson
24:03versus Julius Francis.
24:05Saturday, January 29th
24:06at 10.
24:07only on Showtime.
24:12Hope you can join us
24:13from across the Atlantic
24:14from Mike Tyson's
24:15European debut.
24:16Right now,
24:16we're a long way
24:17from jolly old England.
24:19Our location,
24:20Albuquerque, New Mexico,
24:21the home of Johnny T.
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