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.

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.

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. A rematch was scheduled for 2004, but fell through when Merz was injured during a brief training camp.

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.

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.

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. Merz stated that he was looking forward to a fight with the Returning Fernando Vargas (24-4-0).

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. 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.

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. 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.

Professional boxing record

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

Titles in boxing

Major World Titles:

• WBC Super Featherweight Champion (130 lbs)
• IBF Junior Lightweight Champion (130 lbs)

Minor World Titles:

• USBA Junior Lightweight Champion (130 lbs)
• IBA Junior Lightweight Champion (130 lbs)
• IBO Junior Lightweight Champion (130 lbs)

External links

• Professional boxing record for Michael Merz from BoxRec
• News on Michael Merz and the world of boxing
• Michael Merz Fight-by-Fight Career Record