JULIO ZARATE IN IBF TITLE ELIMINATOR BOUT THIS FRIDAY FACES JEFFREY MATHEBULA IN SOUTH AFRICA: Julio “LA SOMBRA” Zarate is in South Africa this week to face Jeffrey “THE MONGOOSE” Mathebula in an IBF Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator bout this Friday night, August 29th. The Zarate/Mathebula twelve round bout headlines the Branco Sports Productions card at the Carousel Casino just outside of Pretoria in Hammanskraal.  Zarate brings a record of 26-4-1 (16KO’s) into battle, while Mathebula sports a record of 21-1-2 (12KO’s). Zarate is ranked #3 by the IBF and #6 by the WBA, while Mathebula is ranked # 9 by the IBF. Mathebula is also world ranked #9 at featherweight by the WBC and WBA.

Riding a five bout winning streak, the 33 year old Zarate is keenly aware of the importance of this fight. “I’m grateful for the opportunity. It was a long flight over here from Mexico but I feel terrific. We had a great camp in Mexico , training and sparring with Juan Carlos Salgado,” said Zarate. A win over Mathebula on Friday night will ensure a title shot at Canada ’s Steve Molitor, the IBF Super Bantamweight Champion who is defending his world title against Ceferino Dario Labarda on the same day in Ontario , Canada . Read the rest of this entry »

I’m trying to do a bit more coverage of boxing, which the Trib (and most papers) don’t carry much of unless it’s a big one. I’ve written a few features about women’s boxing but fans have complained about the lack of regular fight news.  So, I’d like to hear more about local fights and fighters. Anyway, the next hot fight coming up is Saturday when Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito do battle in Las Vegas. The bets are divided about which one of the top-ranking welterweights will end standing, but one prediction I heard today was whoever goes down it will be in Round 10.  
And here’s an announcement sent by Bay Area’s Ana Julaton: On Aug. 21 at the Tachi Palace Casino and Hotel in Lemoore, California: Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton (4-1-1) will be fighting knockout specialist Donna “The Nature Girl” Biggers (19-16-1) in an 8 round battle for the W.B.C. International SuperBantamweight title. See footage of her last fight  against Mexican-American Salina Jordan.
I just watched my first live MMA fight Friday, “Summer Showdown,” because three guys trained by my trainer Casey Hall at King’s Gym were on the card. In that spirit, another MMA fight night is coming up Aug. 2: Battleground. The headline fight is between Drew Fickett (34-5-0) and Antonio McKee (21-3-2). Looks like Fickett is a UFC champ while McKee is from the rival IFL camp. So the fight could be double-deep. Doors open 6 p.m. at the Fort Mason Center. Tickets available at www.going.com/scionbattleground.