Local trio on fast track

I've been writing so much about the foreign imports and neglecting the homegrown fighters. Devonte Williams (7-0, 5 KOs), David Limerick (4-0, 3 KOs) and Armando Frausto (4-0, 3 KOs) are three Houston fighters still in the infancy of their careers.

Despite joining the prizefighting ranks less than a year ago, all three have embarked on a hyper-hectic fight schedule averaging a fight every two months. Williams, 22, is a defense-oriented stylist, Limerick, 26, a seek-and-destroy slugger, and Frausto, 22, an aggressive boxer-puncher.

Read more at: http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/katy/sports/article/Three-prospects-hoping-to-find-gold-in-ring-6395003.php

Junior welterweight David Limerick (R)

Featherweight Armando Frausto 

Welterweight Devonte Williams

Foreign fighters invade Houston

According to promoter and former heavyweight contender Lou Savarese: "Houston, in the last eight months, has become the most diverse city in the United States surpassing New York."

That diversity has impacted the Houston boxing scene, evidenced by teams of flag-waving, anthem-singing expatriates showing up at local fight cards cheering on fighters from their respective lands in languages ranging from Uzbek to Afrikaans to Polish.

Read more about some of the foreign insurgents who have injected a dose of international adreneline to what was already a colorful and cosmopolitan fight fraternity:

http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/heights/sports/article/Savarese-s-slate-shines-spotlight-on-Houston-s-6371386.php

http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bellaire/sports/article/Russian-Uzbeks-strive-for-boxing-success-in-5511661.php

http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/fortbend/sports/article/Up-and-coming-boxers-find-Houston-a-fertile-place-5492910.php

http://www.chron.com/sports/article/Uzbekistan-boxers-relocate-to-Houston-hope-to-2078715.php

http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/heights-sports/article/Boxing-Mamajanov-rejuvenates-career-in-Houston-2683475.php

http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/heights/sports/article/Four-local-fighters-hailing-from-all-corners-of-5759951.php

Rocky retires

After losing his last fight to Robinson Casstellanos in January, Rocky Juarez decided to retire after 22 years of competing as an amateur and pro. Juarez, 35, came tantalizingly close to striking gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, losing a controversial decision in the featherweight finals. His near miss at the Olympics would prove to be an omen in the pro ranks. Juarez fought five times for a world title with four losses and a draw.

Read more at:

http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/heights/sports/article/Juarez-calls-time-on-extended-career-6358680.php