Boxing Notes: Saturday to be busy fight day

Dean Juipe

Thursday, Sept. 19, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Southern Nevada boxing fans will have their choice of two cards to attend Saturday, as Harrah's in Laughlin offers an A.F. Promotions card while the Aladdin in Las Vegas has a card promoted by Forum Boxing of Los Angeles.

Both cards have double main events.

Veteran Louie Espinoza shares the top of the bill in Laughlin as he fights for the first time since arthroscopic surgery on both elbows. It's also his first fight since losing a tough 12-round battle with Kevin Kelley back on Feb. 2 in Las Vegas.

Espinoza, 50-10-2, will take on Jorge Palmores, 22-14, in a 10-round featherweight pairing.

"I had to do it if I wanted to continue fighting," Espinoza said of having the surgery. "If I was going to quit fighting, I wouldn't have needed to do it."

Doctors cleaned out bone chips in both elbows and Espinoza said he can feel the difference.

"I've known for a while that I should have this done," he said. "But I put it off or told myself it would get better. Now that it's done, hopefully it won't be a problem any more."

Espinoza, 34, is a former WBA world champion who is hoping for another title shot within the year.

"Louie still believes he can beat most of the guys out there," said his manager, Paul Percifield. "If he gets in tip-top shape and gets another couple of wins, I think a title fight will be in store."

Espinoza expects to get at least a few rounds of work from Palomores.

"I don't take anybody lightly," he said. "I always prepare for a battle."

And he has had a few.

"I know some people think Louie's shot, but he's never taken a bad beating," Percifield said. "He's taken some lumps, but he's a rare breed of fighter who doesn't disrespect himself or the sport. As far as I know he's never had a cigarette or even a beer."

Co-headlining in Laughlin is a 10-round welterweight bout between Roger Mayweather, 56-12, and Juan Soberanes, 40-14. Former NABF flyweight champ Ysaias Zamudio, 41-5-1, is also on the card in a 10-round bout with Jose Luis Velarde, 21-10, and there are three other bouts including two women's matches.

Promoter Alex Fried said he may do a second show in Laughlin on Oct. 26, and perhaps a series of shows next year at Harrah's 3,000-seat outdoor arena. "We're going to do professional shows, very classy," Fried said.

Saturday at the Aladdin, Forum Boxing puts Hector Quiroz, 20-1, in with John Avila, 20-1-1, in a 12-round junior welterweight bout, plus Chico Castillo, 22-0, against James Crayton, 20-4, in a 12-round junior lightweight fight.

"I'm sure I'll win," said Quiroz, his once-broken right hand now fully recovered. "I'll punch and he'll move."

Avila didn't agree.

"I've seen Quiroz fight and he's not much of a boxer," Avila said. "His record doesn't intimidate me a whole lot."

Likewise, Crayton said Wednesday he expects to be able to handle the favored Castillo.

"He's not a real big puncher and he's a stationary target," Crayton said. "It's questionable if he can take a punch. Deep down, I think he knows he can't beat me."

Crayton's trainer, Pat Barry, was equally optimistic.

"This fight is a step up for James but I don't see it as a great risk," Barry said. "I'm comfortable with the fight. Castillo hasn't shown himself to be a great puncher and he definitely doesn't have the best chin; he's been floored, cut and banged up."

Which brought this response from Castillo: "I'm the one who'll win. This fight is mine."

Around the ring

The rematch between NABF cruiserweight champ Brian LaSpada of Las Vegas and Canada's Dale Brown could go as soon as Nov. 8 in Calgary; a second option is a January date. The winner could get new IBF champ Adolpho Washington. ... The proposed fight between Wayne McCullough and Duke McKenzie is off again. "I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm ready to fight anytime," McCullough said. His fight with McKenzie, which had been set (without a site) for Sept. 21, has now been called off twice. "If it isn't rescheduled soon, I'll fight on USA (cable) or something just to stay busy," said McCullough, who still expects to fight WBC super bantamweight champ Daniel Zaragoza in January. Incidentally, McCullough and his wife Cheryl -- both natives of Ireland -- recently received their green cards and have become permanent residents of Las Vegas. ... The USA Boxing convention is today through Saturday in Houston, and foremost on the agenda is an explanation for how the amateur organization fell $2 million into debt. Also at the convention, Las Vegas physician Robert Voy hopes to be elected USA Boxing's vice president. ... With the Oct. 12 fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Gonzalez postponed until Jan. 18 and moved from Caesars Palace to the Thomas & Mack Center, Top Rank is trying to move the primary undercard bout (Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Joey Gamache) to Oct. 12 at the Anaheim Pond. If it can be arranged, Gonzalez may also fight on that card. De La Hoya vs. Gonzalez was put on hold Wednesday due to lingering tendinitis in De La Hoya's left shoulder. And instead of being held in an outdoor arena in a Caesars parking lot, the fight will move indoors to the T&M. ... It's official: Alex Zolkin, 24-2, will take on WBO heavyweight champ Henry Akinwande, 30-0-1, on the Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield card Nov. 9 at the MGM.