Michael Carbajal (born September 17, 1967) is a Phoenix, Arizona, USA native who was a four-time world boxing champion. He is nicknamed "Little Hands Of Stone", after his favorite boxer, the legendary "Hands Of Stone", Panamanian Roberto Duran. Boxing has been contested at every Summer Olympic Games since its introduction to the programme at the 1904 Summer Olympics except 1912. ... The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were held in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. ... Boxing at the 1988 Summer Olympics took place in the Chamshil Students Gymnasium in Seoul. ... September 17 is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years). ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... Nickname: Valley of the Sun Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona Counties Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Area    - City 1,230. ... Official language(s) English Capital Phoenix Largest city Phoenix Area  Ranked 6th  - Total 113,998 sq mi (295,254 km²)  - Width 310 miles (500 km)  - Length 400 miles (645 km)  - % water 0. ... Professional boxing bout featuring Ricardo Domínguez (left) versus Rafael Ortíz Boxing, also called Western Boxing, prizefighting (when referring to professional boxing) or the sweet science (a common nickname among fans), is a sport and martial art in which two participants of similar weight fight each other with their... // A nickname is a short, clever, cute, derogatory, or otherwise substitute name for a person or things real name (for example, Bob, Rob, Robby, Robbie, Robi, Bobby, Rab, Bert, Bertie, Butch, Bobbers, Bobert, Beto, Bobadito, and Robban (in Sweden), are all short for Robert). ... Roberto Duran (b. ...

Early career

Owner of a stellar amateur record, Carbajal went to the 1988 Seoul Olympics in South Korea. He cruised through his initial bouts there, and then, in the Junior Flyweight final, he was denied a gold medal by the judges, although many observers felt that Carajal had dominated his opponent throughout the match. This decision, along with Roy Jones, Jr.'s defeat-by-decision, also at the final bout in the same games, was considered one of amateur boxing's most controversial decisions ever made. The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were held in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. ... Roy Levesta Jones Jr. ...

Seven months after the Olympics, in February of 1989, Carbajal made his debut in front of a national television audience as part of the card where Duran became a four-time world champion by beating Iran Barkley in Atlantic City. In his first fight, Carbajal outboxed another future world champion, Will Grigsby. 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Iran Barkley (born May 6, 1960 in Bronx, New York) was an American boxer. ... Alternate meanings: See Atlantic City (disambiguation) Atlantic City is a city located in USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 40,517. ...

Carbajal followed that win with a spectacular first-round knockout of Silviano Perez on NBC. Carbajal started raking up win after win, and in his tenth bout, he met the former WBO world champion Pedro Feliciano, "Kikiriki," handling him a ten-round beating. Four more wins followed, and America began to realize that it had its first Junior Flyweight superstar ever. Knockout (also referred to as a K.O. or knock), is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and others sports involving striking. ... NBC, (Formerly an acronym for the National Broadcasting Company until 2004), is an American television and radio network based in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is one of the sanctioning organizations currently recognizing world boxing champions. ... Pedro Feliciano is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher currently pitching with the New York Mets organization. ... United States is the current Good Article Collaboration of the week! Please help to improve this article to the highest of standards. ...

On July 29, 1990, Carbajal faced the tough Maungshai Kittikasem, who came to Phoenix from Thailand to defend his IBF world Junior Flyweight championship. Carbajal methodically took apart the champion in front of another NBC national audience and in round 7, after a scary combination of punches left Kittikasem laying defenseless against the ropes, the referee stepped in and stopped the fight, making Carbajal the world champion for the first time in his career. July 29 is the 210th day (211th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 155 days remaining. ... This article is about the year. ... The International Boxing Federation, or IBF, is one of many organizations which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC, WBO, and a dozen or so others. ... NBC, (Formerly an acronym for the National Broadcasting Company until 2004), is an American television and radio network based in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ...

Champion

Fame and endorsement deals from Phoenix companies and other companies that targeted the Phoenix market came along with the title for the young champion, but with them came trouble. Carbajal began a string of six title defenses against such tough challengers as Leon Salazar, Hector Patri and Robinson Cuesta. Boxing fans longed for a fight with WBC world champion Humberto Gonzalez, also known as "Chiquita," so the fight was scheduled for March 13, 1993. Carbajal was going to become the first Junior Flyweight in history to earn one million dollars for a fight, and the surrounding hype almost resembled that of a heavyweight championship bout. It was the first Junior Flyweight championship bout to headline a Pay Per View event. The World Boxing Council (WBC) has operated since 1963 as a competitor to Venezuelas World Boxing Association (WBA) and, according to its founders, a way to improve professional boxings standards. ... Humberto Gonzalez (born March 25, 1966) is a Mexican meat market businessman and former world boxing champion. ... March 13 is the 72nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (73rd in leap years). ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Carbajal was downed in rounds 2 and 5, and he was bleeding from his right eyebrow when he blasted a tremendous left hand to the side of Gonzalez's chin in the seventh round. Gonzalez turned sideways, and another right hand sent him flat to the canvas. He could not beat the count, and Michael Carbajal had unified the world's Junior Flyweight championship in Ring Magazine's fight of the year. Front cover of the first issue of Ring Magazine Ring Magazine is a boxing magazine that was first published in 1922. ...

More television enodorsement deals followed, including television ads for Diet Pepsi and Emergency Chiropractors, but trouble seemed to follow, as well. He was accused of firing gunshots onto the roof of a party in Scottsdale, and his sister was accused of being involved in a midnight altercation at a Phoenix gas station. This unwanted attention seemed to take its toll on Carbajal, and after two defenses, he fought Gonzalez once again in a pay-per-view match in Los Angeles, California. This time, Carbajal was outboxed and couldn't find the right punch to end it, so he lost a split decision for the first defeat in his career. Diet Pepsi is a low-calorie carbonated cola. ... Scottsdale is a satellite city of Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. Named by the New York Times as The Beverly Hills of the Desert,[1] Scottsdale has become internationally recognized as a premiere (and posh) tourist destination, while maintaining its own identity and culture as The Wests Most... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... This article is becoming very long. ...

Comeback

Carbajal next took on tough Abner Barajas, winning by a fifth-round knockout in Laughlin, Nevada, and then was given another shot at a world title by the WBO world champ Josue Camacho, who came from Puerto Rico to the challenger's hometown to defend his title. In front of another national audience, this time on ESPN, Carbajal put on a brilliant performance and won a unanimous twelve-round decision over Camacho, who was never even rocked despite being blasted on several occasions with combinations to the head and body, and who left the ring with a record of fifteen wins and three losses (with six knockouts) after the defeat. Laughlin is a census-designated place located in Clark County, Nevada. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is one of the sanctioning organizations currently recognizing world boxing champions. ... ESPN (formerly an acronym for the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting sports-related programming 24 hours a day. ...

A world champion again, Carbajal set to try to recover his International Boxing Federation and WBC belts against Gonzalez in a third unification bout between the boxers, and in November of 1994, two months after the Camacho victory, they met once again, this time in Mexico City. Once again, it was a split decision, and once again, Carbajal came out on the losing end. He wouldn't give up, however, and he kept training under the guidance of his brother, Danny Carbajal, the only man ever to train Michael. The World Boxing Council (WBC) has operated since 1963 as a competitor to Venezuelas World Boxing Association (WBA) and, according to its founders, a way to improve professional boxings standards. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... Mexico City (Spanish: Ciudad de México, México D.F. or simply México, pronounced IPA: ) is the capital city of the nation of Mexico. ...

He put another string of seven wins together, against former world champion Jose Quirino, who was beaten in one round, and tough Mauro Salas, who lasted seven. Then he met two-time world champion Melchor Cob Castro in Las Vegas for Castro's International Boxing Federation Junior Flyweight title. Castro had won the title after Gonzalez had retired. Carbajal beat Castro by unanimous decision. This article is about the city of Las Vegas in Nevada. ...

His third title reign lasted 22 months and three defenses, including an eighth-round knockout of tough two-time challenger Tomas Rivera), before he lost his crown again. On January 18, 1997, Carbajal suddenly looked aged and was unable to do anything against the charges of Colombian Mauricio Pastrana. Carbajal still made the fight close, but lost a twelve-round split decision. January 18 is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

After that, a fight that should have taken place long before came up, as Carbajal met Canada's Scotty Olson in San Antonio, Texas. Carbajal showed he had more left than Olson did, and dominated the fight until a spectacular right hand sent Olson down for the count in round 11. Nickname: Alamo City; River City Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Bexar County Mayor Phil Hardberger Area    - City 1067. ... Official language(s) See: Languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 268,581 sq mi (695,622 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ...

The win over Olson gave Carbajal a minor title, but in July of 1997 in Las Vegas once again, he was shockingly handled by South Africa's Jacob Matlala. Matlala handed Carbajal his first knockout defeat ever, finishing the past-his-prime former world champion in round nine. Carbajal did not fight for 19 months after this defeat. Jacob Baby Jake Matlala (born August 1, 1962 in Meadowlands, Johannesburg) was a South African boxer and junior flyweight champion. ...

Second comeback, and retirement

Although counted out by most boxing experts when he announced a comeback early in 1999, Carbajal still had one last hurrah left in him. He won three bouts, and on July 31, 1999, he took the short flight from Phoenix to Tijuana to challenge WBO world Junior Flyweight champion Jorge Arce, who was fighting in his hometown. Arce dominated Carbajal for nine of the first ten rounds, but the older man showed he was still dangerous when he floored the 20-year-old Arce in the eighth round. The fight moved along, but Carbajal's lightning struck in the 11th. This time, Carbajal struck with a devastating overhead right that sent Arce helplessly into the ropes. The referee stopped the fight, and Michael Carbajal was a world champion for the fourth time. 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... July 31 is the 212th day (213th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 153 days remaining. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Tijuana (Spanish [tixwana], English usually [ˌtiːəˈwɑnə]), is the largest city in the Mexican state of Baja California and the seat of the municipality of Tijuana; the citys current mayor is Jorge Hank Rhon of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). ... The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is one of the sanctioning organizations currently recognizing world boxing champions. ... Jorge Travieso Arce Jorge Arce (born July 27, 1979) was a world champion in the light flyweight (108-pound) division in the sport of boxing for several years, and is now a top contender in the flyweight (112-pound) division. ...

After this fight, Carbajal understood it was time to retire, and he did so the way every boxer would like to do it--as a world champ. Carbajal is trying to live a quieter life nowadays in Phoenix, but he does many public appearances. He enjoys meeting his public and signing autographs for his fans, and remains at his old fighting weight.

Michael Carbajal and former rival Humberto Gonzalez were elected together, to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, in 2006. Carbajal owns two boxing gyms in Phoenix. The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

His career record was 49 wins against four losses, with 33 wins coming by way of knockout.

Humberto Gonzalez (born March 25, 1966) is a Mexican meat market businessman and former world boxing champion. ... Humberto Gonzalez (born March 25, 1966) is a Mexican meat market businessman and former world boxing champion. ... Humberto Gonzalez (born March 25, 1966) is a Mexican meat market businessman and former world boxing champion. ... Jorge Travieso Arce Jorge Arce (born July 27, 1979) was a world champion in the light flyweight (108-pound) division in the sport of boxing for several years, and is now a top contender in the flyweight (112-pound) division. ...

Amateur Career

• 1986 National Golden Gloves Light Flyweight champion
• 1987 Light Flyweight silver medalist at Pan-American Games
• 1988 United States amateur Light Flyweight champion
• Olympic silver medalist as a Light Flyweight at 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Results were:
  • Defeated Kwang-Soo Oh (South Korea) points
  • Defeated Dang Hieu Hien (Vietnam) points
  • Defeated Scotty Olson (Canada) points
  • Defeated Robert Isaszegi (Hungary) points
  • Lost to Ivailo Kristov (Bulgaria) points

See also

Michael Carbajal vs. Humberto Gonzalez I The Michael Carbajal vs. ...