Michael Merz

Michael Merz
Statistics
Real name Michael Anthony Merz, Jr.
Nickname(s) Hands of Steel
Rated at Super Featherweight
Light Welterweight
Light Middleweight
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Reach 68 in (173 cm)
Nationality American
Born (1979-01-16) January 16, 1979
East Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights 33
Wins 33
Wins by KO 30
Losses 0

Michael Anthony Merz (born January 16, 1979) is a retired American professional boxer of Italian and German descent. Nicknamed "Hands of Steel," he graduated from East Central High School in San Antonio, Texas.

Merz was born in East Los Angeles, California, and moved to San Antonio, Texas when he was 8 years old. Merz began martial arts training there and is a Yondan in Aikido. Merz was never defeated his entire boxing career and officially retired from boxing in 2010, after compiling a professional record of 33 (30 KO) wins and 0 losses. He won five Titles at the Junior Lightweight/Super Featherweight Division.

Amateur career

Merz amateur career included 67 wins, 20 by knockout, with no losses. In 1996, he won the National Golden Gloves title in the Lightweight division. In 1997, at the age of 18 he won the National Golden Gloves title in the Junior Lightweight division. He won two other Regional titles in two different weight classes, and a National Title in the Junior Lightweight division. He would make his professional debut on September 9, 1997.

Professional career

Super Featherweight

On September 9, 1997, Merz defeated Jerry Cooper by scoring a first round KO victory. In his fifteenth professional fight, he defeated 1996 Silver Medalist Angel Fuentes (21-0-1), scoring a first round KO victory. After seventeen consecutive knock out victories in the Junior Lightweight/Super Featherweight division, Merz moved up to fight at Super Lightweight. He returned to the Super Featherweight division on April 20, 2002 and defeated Guillermo Espadas (24-3-1)for the IBA Junior Lightweight title. In his first title defense he faced undefeated Darrell Cotley (19-0-0) Merz scored an eight round KO victory, and retained his title.[1]

Merz vs Castaneda

On January 3, 2003, Merz defeated IBF Super Featherweight champion Juan Castaneda (39-1-0). Merz knocked Castaneda down three times before the fight was declared a KO victory in the fourth round.[2]

Merz vs Armanda

On July 16, 2003, Merz (24-0-0) defeated newly crowned WBC Super Featherweight champion Fernando Armanda (32-0-2). The fight took place in Mexico City, Mexico, on the "Julio César Chávez Mega Card" at the Azteca Arena. Over 80,000 spectators attended the super fight card, and this unification bout was one of the featured fights. Merz knocked Armanda down in the eight round, Armanda recovered and knocked Merz down in the same round. Merz took the control of the fight in the ninth round, and scored the KO victory in the tenth round.[3] A rematch was scheduled for 2004, but fell through when Merz was injured during a brief training camp.[4]

Merz vs Cuellar

On December 31, 2005, Merz defeated the interim IBO Junior Lightweight Champion Julian Cuellar (23-1-0) via second round KO. Merz vacated his title and announced his retirement the same night of the fight. Merz's retirement ended 2007.[5]

Merz vs Sanchez

On March 4, 2007, Merz returned to the ring and defeated Augustine Sanchez (31-4-1) via fifth round KO. To most reports Merz appeared sluggish and not prepared for the fight. He stated when interviewed after a bout, Merz said, "I struggled making weight for this one, No excuses, but that fact and my apparent ring rust, I am really surprised I made it one round, let alone five!" He complimented Sanchez, and thanked him repeatedly for the match. This would be Merz'z last fight at the Super Featherweight/ Junior Lightweight division.[6]

Super-Welterweight

Merz vs Guadaramma

On May 2, 2009, Merz made his 154 lb debut and faced Isidro Guadaramma (31-0-1). Merz defeated Guadaramma via KO in the first round. Merz appeared more focused and his overall performance was sited as one of the best of his career.[7] Merz stated that he was looking forward to a fight with the Returning Fernando Vargas (24-4-0).[8]

Merz vs Urkal

On November 21, 2009, Merz defeated Oktay Urkal (38-3-0) by TKO in the sixth round. Merz knocked Urkal down four times during the fight, then official R. Jenkins called the fight in the sixth round when Urkal was unable to respond to a standing eight count.[9] Merz was praised by trainer his Joe Rodriguez, when Rodriguez stated after the fight that the Vargas fight was now a reality, and he also stated that he had never seen Merz more focused for anything like this.[10]

Merz vs Vargas

On September 18, 2010, Merz defeated Fernando Vargas (26-5-0) by KO in the fourth round. Merz knocked Vargas down early in the first round, (:48) and continued to outbox Vargas as the fight progressed. In the fourth round, Merz knocked Vargas down again. The fight was declared a fourth round KO when Vargas was unable to answer the ten count. Merz suffered a broken left thumb in the first round of the fight.[11] After the fight at the post fight meeting it was reported that Merz stated that he, "Was Done!" he also stated that there was nothing left for him in boxing. His trainer and team all made it clear that they were disappointed with Merz's comments, and stated that it was unlike him to act that way, and his behavior was unprofessional.[12]

Trainers

Theodore Pontoja 1995-2001
Gilbert Alcoser 2001
Jesse Cantu 2001-2003
Tony Ayala Sr. 2002
Rudy C. Garcia 2003-2005
Joe Rodriguez 2008-2010

Personal life

Merz married Theresa Correa in 2011, and currently resides in San Antonio, Texas.

Professional boxing record

33 Wins (30 knockouts), 0 Losses, 0 Draws
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Win 33-0 United States Fernando Vargas KO 4 (10) 2:14 2010-09-18 United States Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Win 32-0 Germany Oktay Urkal TKO 6 (10) 1:06 2009-11-21 United States The Pechanga Resort and Casino, Temecula, California
Win 31-0 Mexico Isidro Guadaramma KO 1 (10), 1:19 2009-05-02 United States Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas
Win 30-0 Mexico Jose Luis Estrada KO 2 (10), 1:25 2008-12-18 United States The Pechanga Resort and Casino, Temecula, California
Win 29-0 United States Samuel Flores KO 1 (10), 1:38 2008-07-26 United States Hammond Civic Center, Hammond, Indiana
Win 28-0 United States Wendell Johnson KO 4 (10), :49 2008-01-12 United States Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas
Win 27-0 Dominican Republic Roberto Chapa KO 2 (10), 1:55 2007-10-14 United States Spirit Mountain Casino, Grand Ronde, Oregon
Win 26-0 United States Augustine Sanchez KO 5 (12), 2:54 2007-03-04 United States Home Depot Center, Carson, California For USBA Super Featherweight title.
Win 25-0 Puerto Rico Julian Cuellar KO 2 (12), 1:48 2005-12-31 United States Home Depot Center, Carson, California For IBO Junior Lightweight title.
Win 24-0 Mexico Fernando Armanda KO 10 (12), 2:34 2003-07-16 Mexico Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico For WBC Interim Super Featherweight title.
Win 23-0 Mexico Juan Castaneda KO 4 (12), 1:16 2003-01-03 United States Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada For IBF Super Featherweight title.
Win 22-0 United States Darrell Cotley KO 8 (12), 2:46 2002-08-24 United States Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Win 21-0 United States Guillermo Espadas KO 2 (12), 3:00 2002-04-20 United States American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
Win 20-0 Puerto Rico Alfredo Roman KO 3 (12), :26 2002-03-09 United States Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 19-0 Mexico Luis Marquez KO 4 (12), :55 2002-01-26 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York For WBC Continental Americas Super Featherweight title.
Win 18-0 United States Jared Brooks TKO 6 (10), 1:51 2001-10-27 United States Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon
Win 17-0 Mexico Michael Morales KO 2 (8), 1:04 2001-07-07 United States Silver Star Casino, Choctaw, Mississippi
Win 16-0 United States James Coker KO 1 (8), :51 2001-05-26 United States Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California
Win 15-0 Mexico Angel Fuentes KO 1 (8), 2:47 2000-11-18 United States Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California
Win 14-0 United States James Coker TKO 4 (8), 3:00 2000-05-27 United States Live Oak Civic Center, Live Oak, Texas
Win 13-0 United States Louis Leija KO 1 (6), 2:54 2000-01-01 United States Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut
Win 12-0 Mexico Roberto Molina KO 3 (6), 1:06 1999-11-20 United States Chinook Woods Casino Resort, Lincoln City, Oregon
Win 11-0 Puerto Rico Leonardo Mas KO 1 (6), :58 1999-08-14 United States Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Win 10-0 United States Terrence Shannon KO 1 (6), 1:24 1999-06-19 United States Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Win 9-0 United States Lamar Owens KO 1 (4), 2:38 1999-03-20 United States Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Win 8-0 Philippines Rey Olivares KO 1 (4), 0:18 1999-01-02 United States Thunderbird Wild West Casino, Norman, Oklahoma
Win 7-0 United States Leon Vela KO 2 (4), 1:09 1998-09-09 United States Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California
Win 6-0 United States Arturo Gonzales KO 2 (12), 1:43 1998-05-06 United States Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida
Win 5-0 Puerto Rico Oscar Lara KO 2(4), :27 1998-04-18 United States Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida
Win 4-0 United States Wade Mayer KO 1 (4), 1:07 1998-03-10 United States Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Win 3-0 Mexico Carlos Paez KO 3 (4), 1:02 1998-01-23 United States Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida
Win 2-0 Mexico Javier Puya KO 3 (4), 1:26 1997-11-18 United States Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida
Win 1-0 United States Jerry Cooper KO 1 (4), 1:02 1997-09-09 United States Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida

Titles in boxing

Major World Titles:

Minor World Titles:

References

  1. ↑ Michael Merz vs. Darrell Cotley Post Fight.expressnews/archive.com (2002-08-25). Retrieved on 2015-05-22.
  2. ↑ Fight Log: Merz Captures IBF Title. texasproboxing.com (2003-01-04). Retrieved on 2015-05-22.
  3. ↑ Michael Merz vs. Fernando Armanda.expressnews/archive.com (2003-07-17). Retrieved on 2015-05-26.
  4. ↑ Round by Round: Michael Merz, Top Super Featherweight Today. texasproboxing.com (2003-07-17). Retrieved on 2015-05-26.
  5. ↑ Michael Merz: Knock Out of the Year!. proboxing.com (2005-01-01). Retrieved on 2015-05-26.
  6. ↑ Michael Merz vs. Michael Merz.expressnews/archive.com (2007-03-05). Retrieved on 2015-05-22.
  7. ↑ Post Fight.expressnews/archive.com (2009-05-03). Retrieved on 2015-05-26.
  8. ↑ Fernando Vargas vs. Michael Merz: Is It To Late For This Fight?. texasproboxing.com (2009-06-01). Retrieved on 2015-05-22.
  9. ↑ Michael Merz: It's NOW Or NEVER. Doghouseboxing.com (2009-12-20). Retrieved on 2015-05-22.
  10. ↑ Michael Merz: It's NOW Or NEVER. Doghouseboxing.com (2009-12-20). Retrieved on 2015-05-22.
  11. ↑ Fernando Vargas vs. Michael Merz: Post Fight Summary. texasproboxing.com (2010-09-19). Retrieved on 2015-05-22.
  12. ↑ Fernando Vargas vs. Michael Merz: Post. texasproboxing.com (2010-09-19). Retrieved on 2015-05-22.

External links

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