The Year That Was

Maybe this post should have been written three months ago, but since the blog was started about a year ago, perhaps this is as good a time as any for a year in review.

On June 5, Yuri Foreman, the WBA junior middleweight champ, faced Miguel Cotto in the first fight in the new Yankee Stadium. Foreman fought well, the first Jewish boxer defending a world title in three decades (according to the oft-pedaled line), but Cotto was ahead on the scorecards after six rounds. In the seventh, Foreman, who relies on constant lateral movement, tore his ACL and his meniscus. Yet, he gallantly fought on in a stunning display of determination.

In the eighth, Foreman's corner threw in the towel, but referee Arthur Mercante refused to stop the bout. The contest wasn't stopped until Cotto threw a debilitating body shot in the ninth, in the process earning Foreman's title. Foreman has since recovered from the injuries and is back in training. There has been speculation that he could fight Pawel Wolak in March and/or Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June.

On April 24, Mariano Plotinsky attempted to become the second Jewish world champion within a five month span when he took on WBO light heavyweight champion Jürgen Brähmer in Germany. Showing grit and courage, Plotinsky was ultimately overmatched, succumbing to Brähmer's pressure in the fifth. Since the fight, Plotinsky has effectively retired from the ring and now continues to train fighters.

Alexander Frenkel won twice this past year, including an honorable mention for knockout of the year against Enzo Maccarinelli in the seventh round of their September 18th bout. The Maccarinelli fight earned Frenkel the EBU European cruiserweight title. He is next scheduled to enter the ring in February.

Dmitriy Salita got back on the winning track this year. He defeated two journeymen with winning records. Salita, who has become his own promoter, hopes to fight in Israel in 2011. He has talked about battling Mike Anchondo or Ricky Hatton, among others.

Ran Nakash fought and won four times this year, including three knockouts. He's looking to face veteran cruiserweight Bobby Gunn in 2011.

And finally, Max Heyman came back after a two and a half year absence from the ring. He went 2-1 in 2010, including avenging a split decision loss against Mike Alderete.

Mariano Plotinsky vs.Thomas Ulrich

March 7, 2009
Dresden, Germany
Freiberger Arena
WBO Inter-Continental light heavyweight championship

part 1


part 2


part 3


Plotinsky: black and white trunks
Ulrich: black, white, and red trunks

Plotinsky Moving On

The boxing career of Mariano Plotinsky, 35, appears to be over. The Buenos Aires native has been struggling with degenerative arthritis in his left elbow. He had surgery after his last fight, but the injury hasn't relented.

Nicknamed El Demoledor, Plotinsky has a background in various combat sports. In the boxing ring, he amassed a record of 16-4 with 8 KOs, employing a brawling style. Plotinsky first became a prize fighter at the improbably late age of 28. After dropping his debut, Plotinsky won his next seven fights. The light heavyweight beat Mariano Ruben Diaz Strunz by unanimous decision to win the Argentina title in October 2008.

After fighting his entire career in South America, Plotinsky traveled to Germany to face Thomas Ulrich for the vacant WBO Intercontinental title in March 2009. Ulrich had challenged for a world title on multiple occasions and Plotinsky entered the ring as a significant underdog. But Plotinsky captured the belt in his more renowned opponent's home country thanks to an 11th round knockout.

Plotinsky received a chance to challenge for the WBO light heavyweight championship of the world last April against the beltholder Jürgen Brähmer. In the face of an onslaught by the taller more skilled champion, Mariano never once took a backwards step, exhibiting admirable courage and heart. Because of the elbow injury, the Brähmer bout appears to have been his last.

In his retirement from boxing, Plotinsky, who is married with children, will continue to train prospects in combat sports. Best wishes to Mariano and his family.

Mariano Plotinsky vs. Jürgen Brähmer

April 24, 2010
Hamburg, Germany
WBO light heavyweight championship

part 1


part 2


Plotinsky: black and red trunks
Brähmer: black, gold, and red trunks

Plotinsky Stopped in the 5th

In the fifth round, WBO light heavyweight champion Jürgen Brähmer threw a left hook that wobbled the challenger, Mariano Plotinsky. Plotinsky stabilized himself before receiving a left cross to the chin from the southpaw. Plotinsky seemed to take it well and was preparing to answer when the fight was curiously stopped at 2:36 by the referee, Paul Thomas. Plotinsky immediately contested the stoppage.

Brähmer, who moves to 36-2 with 29 KOs, scored a flash knockdown in the first round. The noticeably taller champion was calculating from the outside all night. Brähmer was often able to get his punches off first.

Plotinsky, who falls to 16-4 with 8 KOs, courageously attempted to barrel his way past Brähmer's steady guard. Even after getting knocked down in the first and staggered in the third, Plotinsky continued to stay aggressive. It was a gutsy performance, though in a losing effort. After the contentious stoppage, Plotinsky was classy, clapping for Brähmer when the winner's name was announced.

Plotinsky, Brähmer Weigh In

Mariano Nicolas Plotinsky (16-3, 8 KOs) will battle WBO light heavyweight champion Jürgen Brähmer (35-2, 28 KOs) for the belt in Hamburg, Germany tomorrow at 11:30pm local time. Both fighters weighed-in under the 175-pound light heavyweight limit. The challenger, Plotinsky, stood on the scales at 174.1 lbs while Brähmer was 174.3.

Plotinsky's Opponent in a Car Wreck

In what has already been a weird build up to a championship bout, Jürgen Brähmer, who is scheduled to take on Mariano Plotinsky this Saturday, wrecked his car today. According to Focus.de (in German), Brähmer totaled his BMW, but survived the incident uninjured.

Brähmer, who was sentenced to 16 months in prison for assault in January and is appealing to overturn the conviction based on a technicality, is making his second defense of the WBO light heavyweight title. Earlier in the week, it was reported that the cancellation of flights to Europe, due to the cloud of volcanic ash floating over the continent, was complicating Plotinsky's arrival. The fight is still scheduled to take place in Hamburg, Germany on Saturday.

Plotinsky's Title Shot

Mariano Plotinsky (16-3, 8 KOs) is getting his first shot at a world championship this Saturday. The Argentine native, who is 35 years old, will battle WBO light heavyweight champion, Jürgen Brähmer (35-2, 28 KOs), in Hamburg, Germany.

It was reported back in January that Brähmer, who has previously served time in prison, was sentenced to 16 months in jail. What became of that sentence, I do not know. For what it's worth, Brähmer is ranked #3 in FightNews's light heavyweight rankings and BoxRec has him rated as the 8th best light heavyweight in the world. His last two bouts were victories against previously undefeated men. Coincidently, one of Brähmer's losses came against Plotinsky's co-nationalist, Hugo Hernan Garay, a unanimous decision back in 2008.

In addition to avoiding jail time despite an apparent conviction, German fighters seem to receive certain hometown benefits in the ring. Plotinsky, however, is familiar with fighting in Germany. His last two contests, both wins, took place there. This weekend, he hopes to continue that trend against his champion southpaw opponent.

To fight in Germany, of course, you have to get there. With the cloud of ash- that spewed out of a volcano in Iceland last week- hovering over Europe, flights across the Atlantic to Europe have been canceled. That has made getting to Germany a dicey proposition for Plotinsky thus far.

Plotinsky to Fight for the Title

Mariano Plotinsky will face Juergen Braehmer for the WBO light heavyweight championship of the world. The fight is scheduled to take place in Hamburg, Germany on April 24, 2010.

Plotinsky (16-3, 8 KOs) has won his last five fights, including an 11th round knockout of Thomas Ulrich for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental light heavyweight title last March. Braehmer (35-2, 28 KOs) is making his first title defense.