Dallas’ Brent Urban, a cruiserweight with a record of (6-3-1, 4 KO’s) fell short against Jason Douglas (8-2 4, KO’s) of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada of winning his seventh fight in a row. It is the first time the brawling Urban has been stopped. The fight was stopped at 1:47 of the seventh round in a scheduled eight round bout. Douglas, had previously been fighting in the super middleweight division, but has fought his last nine fights against opponents weighing between 159 and 173 pounds. In addition, Douglas has a vast amateur record of 88 bouts, including 76 wins and 26 by knockout, which proved to be the difference in the fight.

According to Urban, he was in great shape going in to the fight. He said he landed a good punch on his Douglas’ left eye in the second round, which resulted in a cut, but it was not a factor in the fight. He also said he put pressure on Douglas throughout the fight, and noticed his opponent was getting tired in the seventh. Unfortunately, in the eighth round, Urban said he was dazed by a hard punch and wasn’t able to hang on to collect himself. He said the amateur experience of his opponent was a major factor in the fight. Nonetheless, he said he learned a lot and said it would just make him better for his next fight. We look forward to seeing him in the ring in the near future.

Skender Halili (l) lands to Nicholas Cadena.

Halili vs. Cadena
The action started with a welterweight four rounder between Nicholas Cadena, (1-4, 1KO), from Dallas, and the very impressive debut of Skender Halili of Fort Worth. As soon as the bell rang, Halili attacked and landed a vicious right to the head of Cadena and it put him on the canvas. After the eight count, Halili overwhelmed his opponent against the ropes and the fight was stopped at 1:16 of the first round. An interesting side note to this fight, Cadena has lost his last four fights, and by a strange coincidence, three of the losses were against debut fighters.  [read more]

Brent Urban (l) and Coach John Lawson.

He actually started training at the gym, just to get into shape and lose weight. But then he felt the hunger for the ring and was offered a chance to fight professionally. He won his first fight with a third round knockout, and then lost two in a row. This temporarily made him wonder if he really wanted to continue the fight game. But since that fight, he has won seven in a row, with four knockouts. His opponents have ranged from 189 all the way up to 240 pounds. Size doesn’t seem to matter to this fighter.  [read more]

As some of you may know, I've added a feather to my boxing cap. In the past, I've done numerous pencil drawings of famous fighters, made some nice pocket change from selling fight tapes / DVD’s and of course written articles. On July 25th of 2009, I officially dipped my toe into the seedy, shady, underhanded "pond" known as combative sports matchmaking, and by July 17th 2010's Black Gloves Promotions - "Rock the Box" card, I found myself fully drenched by the good, the bad and the ugly that's part and parcel of this profession.  [read more]

Ray Ximenez Jr.

Ximenez plans to compete at a Pleasant Grove tournament on September 11th then join the punch-for-pay ranks.

Ximenez has amassed a record of 95 wins and 15 losses, accumulating several trophie cases worth of championships.  2007 and 2008 National PAL, 2009 Silver Gloves Nationals, three-time Ringside World Champion, 2009 Junior Open Gold Medalist and a five-time  Dallas Golden Gloves winner.  It’d be an understatement to call Ray, Jr. a "topnotch amatuer fighter".  [read more]

In the world of business, the "Hatley Brothers" name is associated with roofing, construction and other ventures.  In the boxing world, the Hatley brothers have forged a long, glorious path of destruction.  On Saturday, August 21st, the Hatley brothers (Charles and Greg Jr.) will apply their penchant for punishment at the Mid-Cities Links’ 18th annual black-tie gala, at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Dallas.  [read more]

NTB’s newest MMA writer Allison Hooper.

She graduated from University of the Cumberlands with a degree in Communications. While at the Cumberlands, Allison was a member of the wrestling, track, and volleyball teams. She was an active participant in the theatre, TV, and radio along with several other clubs and organizations. Allison developed an interest in MMA during her college years. She and her wrestling teammates used the off season to try their hand in different forms of martial; her workouts piqued her interest, which in turn became a passion for the fastest growing spectator sport in America, MMA.

She not only impressed us, but several others MMA web site representatives at the Steele Cage 3 media table that were fortunate enough to get to meet her and listen to her expound on what was happening inside the cage. Still I wonder was it her knowledge of the sport or something else that had them hanging on her every word.

Welcome on board Allison, we appreciate you and look forward to you and Pete (Mulgrew the NTB MMA Editor) covering anything and everything MMA in North Texas, Oklahoma and beyond.  [read more]

The Friday Night Fights at the Cox Convention Center on August 13 was an undisputed, rounding success!

The capacity crowd witnessed catBOX fighter Oklahoma Lightweight Champ Noah Zuhdi (11-1) score a six round unanimous decision over former North American Boxing Association Champion Martin Armenta of Mexico. Throughout the fight, Zuhdi demonstrated his technical boxing skills and handedly won each round, delivering punches with precision and power. The judges scored Zuhdi's fight at six to zero, six to zero and five to one.

In the other co-main event, catBOX fighter Eric Fields (16-1) knocked out Harvey Jolly 2.37 minutes into the third round. Fields dominated the fight from the beginning, rocking Jolly with repeated body shots which finally took their toll on Jolly, who is known throughout the division as a very tough and formidable opponent.  [read more]

In life, some things are inevitable; death, taxes, 100 degree Texas summer days and that top of the morning stroll to the bathroom.  In boxing, certain fighters seem almost destined to bump heads and the Dallas/Ft. Worth area has a shining example: Luis Yanez vs. Rafael Casias.  [read more]

Chuck Liddell

Also in attendance were Cowboy great and sponsor, Randy White who was plugging his BBQ place in Frisco.

The main event pitted Lewisville’s Joe Christopher (10-4) against Joey Gorczynkski (17-9) from Oklahoma for the Steele Cage Welterweight Championship. Although Christopher was the Brazilian Jujitsu artist in the match it was Gorczynkski who looked like the expert. Christopher kept muscling him for top control but it was Gorczynkski who sunk the submission moves. Once by guillotine and the other a rear naked choke, both times Christopher was able to pull a Houdini and fight on. After a few more submission tries Christopher finally got caught in rear naked choke he couldn’t get out of. The official time was 3:52 of the second round. It was the second time in as many fights that Christopher has come up short against Gorczynkski but I have no doubt we’ll see both these men fighting in main events in the near future.  [read more]

Cestus Management’s 140-to-147 pound world contender Ashley Theophane scored an impressive decision victory over IBF number 3 ranked welterweight Delvin Rodriguez. Theophane displayed superb boxing skills as he constantly kept Rodriguez off balance by stepping around the Dominican’s offense and landing sharp combination's to clearly win a close action packed fight. Rodriguez, who is a former 3 time world title challenger, worked hard but in the end, Theophane just proved to be the better fighter. The fight was the main event and took place at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma and was televised live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.  [read more]

The new Texas Middleweight Champion James Freeman.

The night started with a four round lightweight match between undefeated Fernando Rodriquez of Dallas, Texas, by way of Pleasant Grove, and Gerardo Dominguez of Tyler, Texas. In the first round of the fight, Rodriguez was punishing Dominguez with a barrage of body punches. At the end of the first round, Rodriquez connected with a vicious left to the body and put Rodriquez on the canvas. Rodriquez survived the round, but was put down again in the second round with another body punch. Dominguez was the veteran and much older fighter, but he did manage to catch Rodriquez with some good punches of his own. At the beginning of the third round, time was stopped because of a low blow to Dominguez. As the round continued, Rodriquez continued with non-stop body punches, and finally caught Dominguez with a hard right to the head, which momentarily stunned him, and the round ended. Dominguez did not come out at the beginning of the fourth, and the fight was stopped.  [read more]

Earlier this week I received an email requesting my presence July 17, 2010 At Black Gloves Promotions’ “Rock the Boat” card at The Harbor Amphitheater at Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall, Texas. I’m thinking to myself YES, this is much needed after my hiatus from the boxing world, and to top it off its Black Gloves! My first live show was a Black Glove event.

Any who, set, go, I leave my house 30 bound. As I cross the lake I’m giddy with anticipation, a beautiful lake, and live boxing! Now this is going to be a Saturday night. I take the exit and make a right up a small hill and there are cars and people everywhere. My mouth hanging open and I’m saying WOW!!! I drive and drive following a convoy of cars. All of us stopping periodically asking where is the parking for the fight. Over an hour later the sun begins to set and still no parking in sight. I finally try my luck at Cinemark and find a spot. I get out of my car and find my way. I pass everything and everyone; I have to get to The Harbor. It was as if I was a rat in a maze going through shops and restaurants. Through the maze, the ring is in site, but I’m on the back side of the event. I stop and wave to security to let me in, but no luck. Unladylike I open the gate and let myself in.

I’m in, I’m in, and I pass the fighters sitting around trying to get themselves focused for what’s to come. I say good luck guys as I’m looking for a familiar face. I come around the side of the ring and a sea of fight fans in my immediate view. I make it to the front to get my pass and back down to ring side. I’m unhappy because I realized I’ve missed the first few bouts.  [read more]