|
TRUFANBOXING'S CIGAR STORE II |
 |
||||
|
Malignaggi trains at home for bout with Khan
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn May 5, 2010 Paul Malignaggi gives opponent Amir Khan's speed the benefit of the doubt at a Media workout, but warned that Khan may be not as good as he thinks he is, mentioning that his next opponent "has been down a few times" and yes "knocked out". "He's stated he wants Pacquaio and/or Mayweather - I want the drugs he is on" quipped the former champion after a brisk afternoon workout.
"And we will find out what his speed is about, We can all be fast against bums, but we are gonna find out if your speed is real or not . . ."
Concerning Khans only loss, a 1st round KO at the hands of Brendes Presscott - If that happened to me, or any American fighter, I would be long gone".
MORE . . . Quotes from Wednesday’s Open Workout Featuring Paulie Malignaggi as he Prepares for his May 15 Showdown with Amir Khan at Madison Square Garden . . . Paulie Malignaggi: “You’re going to see more improvements on May 15. [Head trainer] Sherif Younan and I have a lot of creativity in the gym. Every fight since I’ve started training with Sherif I’ve been getting better and better. “I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself. I am a perfectionist when it comes to boxing. Come fight night, everything will fall into place like the pieces of a puzzle.” “I believe I’m the faster fighter. If I get hit on chin, I’m not going to wobble. If Amir Khan starts wobbling, I hope they have a pillow for him in the corner, because he’s going to sleep.” “I’m going to enjoy sinking my punches into Khan. Some fights are just business, but not this one. I’m going to enjoy every punch I land.”
Malignaggi’s Trainer, Sherif Younan: “Since day one, Paulie and I just clicked. We understand each other’s styles. My work revolves around speed, and Paulie is all about speed, so it goes hand-in-hand.” “Everything in camp has been wonderful. We’ve actually enjoyed this training camp a lot. As Paulie and I spend more and more time together we learn more, and we are able to employ more tactics. We can’t wait to get into the ring on May 15.”
MARTINEZ: “I PLAN ON BEING WBC CHAMPION FOR A LONG TIME!!!” (January 11, 2010) With rumors swirling about what will be happening with the WBC 154 lb. title, champion Sergio Martinez has come out to set the record straight. In short, despite the wishes of some to become champion without having to go through “Maravilla”, Martinez has no plans on relinquishing the belt anytime soon. “Everyone who knows me knows that I cherish the green belt more than any other accomplishment I’ve ever had in boxing,” said Martinez. “If people are looking for an excuse to become champion without fighting me, I have bad news for them. I plan on being WBC Champion for a long time.” As for future plans, Martinez is gung-ho about chasing down the big name fights that had eluded him prior to his December 5 slugfest with Paul Williams. But even a move up to middleweight for a bout with Kelly Pavlik or a rematch with Williams will have no bearing on his standing as WBC champion. “I know I may have to move up in weight to fight Pavlik or Williams,” said Martinez. “But I will not make any decision on the belt until after the fight.”
###
The World’s Greatest Ever Featherweights Boxers “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” 3-day boxing spectacular Oct. 2-4 at the Paris Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (August 4, 2009) – The deep, talented Featherweight Division of “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” promotion features today’s Pound-for-Pound King, Manny Pacquaio, along with some all-time greats from the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Australia and Nicaragua.
Legendary rivals -- Willie Pep vs. Sandy Saddler, Pacquaio vs. Marco Antonio Barrera, Jeff Fenech vs. Azumah Nelson -- are represented, in addition to other candidates such as Abe Attell, Alexis Arguello, Salvador Sanchez and Kid Chocolate.
On-line voting at www.GreatestEver.com allows boxing fans from around the world to select the greatest boxer in each of the original eight weight classes, highlighted by the all-time pound-for-pound “Greatest Ever.”
The eight categories represent the eight original weight-class divisions: Straw-weights are included in the Flyweight category; Super Middleweight in the Light Heavyweight division. Many fighters fought and won titles at a number of different weights. As far as possible they have been nominated in the division that they made their biggest impact. Fighters have not been nominated on the basis of whether they would beat another fighter in that division, though this is, of course, a consideration. More importantly is their overall record, who they fought at the time, as well as the impact they made on the boxing world, and indeed the world around them. All nominees are listed in the voting section at www.GreatestEver.com.
The 10 Featherweight nominees, including the only two-divisional nominee in the promotion (Sugar Ray Robinson), listed in no particular order, follow with their brief profiles:
ABE “The Little Hebrew” ATTELL – 125-18-23 (52 KOs)…IHOF…American…Pro Years: 1900-1917…sold newspaper to support family, fought daily as Jewish kid living in an Irish neighborhood…first became world champion at 18…18 successful title defenses in a row, featherweight record at that time….controversial figure who was a messenger for mobster/gambler Arnold Rothstein regarding the 1919 Black Sox scandal in baseball…Notable Victories: George Dixon, Battling Nelson and Jimmy Kilbain.
WILLIE “Wil o’ the Wisp” PEP – 230-11-1 (65 KOs)…IHOF…American…Pro Years: 1940-1959…arguably the greatest defensive fighter who reportedly won one round without throwing a single punch…started pro career 61-0…member of the Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame…Notable Victories: Joey Archibald, Chalky Wright, Sal Bartolo (3), Willie Joyce, Manuel Ortiz, Phil Terranova, Paddy DeMarco and Sandy Saddler.
SANDY SADDLER – 114-16-2 (103 KOs)…IHOF…American…Pro Years: 1944-1957…2-time world featherweight champ as well as junior lightweight title-holder…helped train George Foreman to his first world heavyweight championship…stopped only once…best known for 4-fight series with Pep, in which, he won 3 times…Notable Victories: Joe Brown, Willie Pep (3), Lara Salas, Paddy DeMarco, Jimmy Carter and “Flash” Elorde.
ALEXIS Fiaco de Explosivo” ARGUELLO – 80-8 (64 KOs)…Nicaraguan…Pro Years: 1968-1995…3-time world champion…6th boxer to be world champion in 3 weight classes, only the second Latino…suffered non-avenged TKO loss in pro debut…Mayor of Managua…allegedly committed suicide this past July 1…Notable Victories: Ruben Olivares, Alfredo Escalera (2), Bobby Chacon, Jim Watts, “Bazoka” Limon, Ruben Castillo and Ray Mancini.
SALVADOR “Chana” SANCHEZ – 44-1-1 (32 KOs)…IHOF…Mexican…Pro Years: 1975-1982…won world title at 19…died in car crash in 1982 at the age of 23…Notable Victories: Juan Laporte, Pat Cowdell, Azumah Nelson, Danny Lopez (2), Ruben Castillo and Wilfredo Gomez.
AZUMAN “The Professor” NELSON – 39-6-2 (28 KOs)…IHOF…Ghanaian…Pro Years: 1979-2008…fought in obscurity for more than first-half of pro career…established himself, ironically, in defeat versus Salvador Sanchez…Notable Victories: Wilfredo Gomez, Patrick Cowdell, Mario Martinez, Juan Laporte, Jeff Fenech, Calvin Grove, Gabriel Ruelas (2) and Jessie James Leija.
MANNY “Pac Man” PACQUIAO – 49-3-2 (37 KOs)…Filipino…Pro Years: 1995-Present…1ast Filipino and Asian boxer to win 5 world titles in 5 weight classes…1st boxer to won lineal championships on 4 different weight divisions…No. 1 P4P fighter today…fighting November 14 vs. Miguel Angel Cotto…Notable Victories: Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Marco Antonio Barrera (2), Juan Manuel Marquez (2), Oscar Larios, Erik Morales (2), David Diaz, Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton.
JEFF “Marrickville Mauler” FENECH – 29-3-1 (21 KOs)…IHOF…Australian…Pro Years: 1984-2008…1984 Australian Olympian…3-time world champion….fourth-fewest fight all-time to win world title…NOTABLE VICTORIES: Satoshi Shingaki, Daniel Zaragoza, Steve McCrory, Samart Payakaroon, Greg Richardson, Carlos Zarate, Victor Luvi Callejas and Azumah Nelson.
“Baby Faced Assassin” MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA – 65-7 (43 KOs)…Mexican…Pro Years: 1989-Present…7-time world champion in 6 divisions…104-4 as amateur, won first 56 matches, and 5-time Mexican champion…NOTABLE VICTORIES: Frank Toledo, Jose Luis Valbiena, Jesus Salud, Hassem Hamed, Kevin Kelley, Paulie Ayala, Mzonke Fana, Robbie Peden and Rocky Juarez.
“The Cuban Bob Bon” KID CHOCOLATE – 131-9-6 (50 KOs)…IHOF…Cuban…Pro Years: 1928-1938…sparred with Benny Leonard and Jack Johnson…1st Cuban world champion…Notable Victories: Fidel LaBarba, Al Singer and Benny Bass.
GREATEST EVER WEEKEND OF EVENTS
Boxing fans attending the festivities will be able to celebrate, up close and personal, the achievements of the World’s Greater Ever Boxers. A three-day boxing spectacular is planned October 2-4 at the Paris Las Vegas, commencing that Friday with an official welcome reception and official weigh in for the following evening’s professional boxing show, presented by Sterling Promotions, and featuring Team USA versus Team Europe, capped by an exclusive after party. The event culminates Sunday with The Greater Ever black-tie awards dinner, featuring some of the greatest boxers ever, as well as world-class entertainment, and then an exclusive after party.
The Retired Boxers Foundation (RBF) is the official charity for The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer. RBF assists retired professional boxers in the transition from their days in the ring to dignified retirement, helping those suffering from alcohol and substance abuse problems, homelessness and effects of pugilistic dementia.
Four ticket packages are on sale for the Oct. 2-4 weekend’s events through agents at the following numbers: North America – The Sports Alliance (914.941.3366) Smart Ticket Solutions (847.917.8497); United Kingdom and Europe – Rock Solid Events (UK: 0845 0945 606, Outside UK: +44 845 0945 606); Australasia – Events Worldwide Travel Group (Australia: 1300 788 666, Outside Australia: +61 3 5989 7666).
The event-only packages are as follows (all prices USD): Super VIP ($2,500), Platinum ($1,900), VIP ($1,400) and Gold ($1,115). The Super VIP, Platinum and VIP packages have a number or premiums in addition to those detailed in the Gold (welcome function, weigh-in, Greatest Ever poker tournament, exclusive Paris Las Vegas gaming area, exclusive memorabilia, movie screenings, access to Greatest Ever dedicated gaming areas and VIP bar, media and legends signings, general seating for the fights and at the awards dinner). Regional agents can provide additional premiums for individual packages.
-30-
Jimmy Lange Captures WBC USNBC Championship 4,132 Fans Witness Hometown Hero Defeat Houghtaling FAIRFAX, VA – Northern Virginia boxer Jimmy Lange (30-3-2, 21 KOs) thrilled an electric crowd of 4,132 at the Patriot Center on Saturday night by defeating Frank Houghtaling (19-16-6, 4 KOs) via TKO for the vacant 154-lb. WBC USNBC Championship. Lange punished Houghtaling throughout the bout, but the Albany, NY fighter persevered, demanding the best of Lange before retiring in his corner after the fifth round. The fight also marked the end of Houghtaling’s in-ring career, as he announced his retirement and plans to become a preacher in a post-fight news conference. Full results from the card: Andrew Jackson (1-0, 1 KO) def. Delonte Marshall (0-3) KO 1:55 2nd Round Kendrick Walker (1-2-1, 1 KO) draws Taurean Edwards (0-1-1) Majority Draw (40-36, 38-38, 38-38) Yieta Johnson (2-2, 2 KOs) def. “Tatoo” Tom Mitchell (0-2) TKO :58 Otgonbayer Daivii (3-2, 1 KO) def. Francois Ambang (2-3) Split Decision (37-39, 39-38, 39-37) Jennifer Salinas (10-1, 4 KOs) def. Tina Leadbeater (2-3) KO 2:05 2nd Round Juan “Savior” Rodriguez (3-0, 3 KOs) def. Dwartney Wortham (0-2) TKO :54 Purcell “Hard Rock” Miller (23-5-1, 18 KOs) def. Tom Wilt (21-7, 4 KOs) Unanimous Decision (77-74, 77-74, 77-74) WBC USNBC Championship: Jimmy Lange (30-3-2, 21 KOs) def. Frank Houghtaling (19-16-5, 4 KOs) TKO After 5th Round
DeMarcus Corley
Shines Bright in Darwish Brothers Return
-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- "The atmosphere was electric," says Wally Darwish, who promoted the show alongside his brother Hani. "The bouts were evenly matched and none of the fights were walk-overs. There wasn't a single fan that left unsatisfied. Our next show is going to be bigger and better." The next event will take place at the same venue in March with a date to be announced shortly.
In the ten-round main event, former
junior-welterweight world champion DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley
of Washington DC and former title challenger Wilson "El Topadora"
Enrique Galli of Long Island by way of Salto Uruguayo, Uruguay
both knew they needed a win to get back into world title
contention. In a classic boxer versus brawler matchup, DeMarcus
"Chop Chop" Corley scored a seventh round TKO over his tough
adversary. Official time was 1:23.
Corley, 140.5, established his speed of
hand and foot over Galli, 141.5, early in the first round. A
Corley left cross on Galli's nose sent the three-time South
American champion. Galli showed a ton of grit as he survived the
assault and began to come forward, applying sustained pressure
to the former WBO 140 pound champion. The two traded blows
throughout, Galli finding most of his success with the right
hand while Corley preferred to uppercut with both hands.
In the seventh round Corley sensed that
his opponent was beginning to fade as he pushed him back. Corley
landed a huge straight left cross on Galli's chin that sent him
sprawling to the floor a second time. Galli bravely rose to his
feet but his corner wisely threw in the towel. The time was
1:23.
"I felt my performance was great," said Corley, now 33-10-1 (19 KO). "On a scale of one to ten, I give myself a nine. I'm not back where I should be but I'm getting there. I'll be back in the gym on Thursday and I'm going to stay busy. Look forward to me continue fighting great fights and becoming world champion again soon. I want to thank the Darwish Brothers for having me on their card and I hope to do it again soon." Galli drops to 31-9 (13 KO).
In a stunning upset, Hector Rivera of
Passaic, NJ defeated previously unbeaten Omar Brito of
Pleasantville, NJ by a four-round unanimous decision. Brito,
135, suffered the first knockdown of his young career in the
first round when a southpaw right hook from Rivera, 134,
crashed into him. Brito survived the round but once again a
right hook would be his bane as a second knockdown followed.
Realizing that he had to catch up in a big way, Brito uncorked
a huge right hand in the third round that put Sanchez on the
canvas and turned the tide. Brito pulled out all of the stops
in the fourth round but it was too little, too late. Scores
were 37-36 across the board.
Rivera improves to 2-4 (1 KO) while Brito drops to 1-1 (1 KO).
Cruiserweight prospect Elvin Sanchez of Paterson, NJ wasted
little time disposing of Charles Presnell, 198.5, of Fernley,
NV by way of Masan City, South Korea. Fifty-six seconds into
the first round Sanchez, 198, blasted a southpaw right hook to
Presnell's liver that momentarily left him paralyzed. Sanchez,
who is managed by Lou Duva, was a class above his opponent.
Sanchez raises his record to 2-0 (2 KO) while Presnell drops
to 0-3.
Despite giving away 21 pounds to his opponent, New Jersey tough guy William "Big Will" Gill of Newark, NJ, 183, pitched an eight-round shutout over Chuck Berry, 204, of Philadelphia, NJ. Gill, who has a deceptive record despite his propensity to pull off upset wins, showed his class against his much bigger opponent. Gill frequently used his speed and power advantage while hitting his opponent seemingly at will. Berry showed plenty of heart and never stopped trying but it was Gill's night.
Scores were 78-75, 77-76, and 79-72, all in favor of Gill,
now 9-21 (7 KO) over Berry, now 4-8 (3 KO).
Unbeaten welterweight prospect Rashad Bogar, 147, of Newark, NJ picked up his second win in as many fights but it wasn't easy. Rami Ibrahim, 145, of Philadelphia used every trick in the book and even a few some have never seen before to ruffle the 2007 Golden Gloves champ. It was Bogar who held the decisive edge in power, speed and technique and that was the difference. Ibrahim, a superstar in the Muay Thai community ranked number 3 in the world, drops to 2-8 while Bogar moves to 2-0 (1 KO).
The scores were identical at 39-37.
Top prospect Remillard moving up featherweight ranks
MANCHESTER, Conn. (December 2, 2008) – What a difference a year makes, especially for 22-year-old Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard, the reigning WBC Youth and USNBC featherweight champion.
A year ago, Remillard (16-0, 8 KOs) was in the midst of a 1 1/2 -year stretch of inactivity due to wrist injury requiring surgery for torn ligaments that separated bones in his hand. Noted hand surgeon Dr. Steven Margles (LaheyClinic in Burlington, MA) operated, using artificial bone and pins to hold everything together. The artificial bone, however, never healed properly and Dr. Margles performed additional surgery, where he took bone from Matt’s hip to his wrist, and held it together with a screw.
Remillard suffered the aforementioned injury in 2006, winning a 10-round decision against Jose Hernandez (6-0) for the WBC super featherweight title, which he was forced to relinquish due to his injury sidelining him for 16 months. During his long layoff, Matt worked with his longtime trainer, Paul Cichon, at the Manchester (CT) PAL gym, just daily stretching, running, walking and calisthenics as he rehabilitated his left hand. Unable to use his left hand, he strengthened his right, and eventually learned how to fight comfortably as a southpaw.
In 2008, however, he returned to the ring with a vengeance, winning all five of his fights and capturing the WBC Youth and USNBC featherweight title belts, as well as being named the NABF and Connecticut Fighter of the Year.
“This year was huge for me after having to take off 1 ½ years to recuperate,” Remillard said. “I felt like I had to step up in order to catch up to where I was. I had time off to mature, in and out of the ring, and work on different skills. I thought that it was reality because everything had been taken away. I came back fully focused and worked with Paul in the gym to become more than a one-handed fighter.
“There are days my hand lets me know it was injured. It’s never going to be 100-percent, but these tools aren’t meant to hit people or take punishment. The most important thing is that it doesn’t hurt to fight.”
The multi-tattooed Remillard realizes he’s in a very competitive division, one dominated by Latinos. “I’m in one of the toughest decisions,” Remillard commented. “There are a lot of tough Mexicans and Olympians. My last fight was against the toughest guy I’ve fought (3-time world champion, 34-9-2 Maurico Pastrana). He’s a world-class veteran who came to fight and was in good shape. I used my boxing skills more and I think that win (6-round decision) has to help move me up the ladder.
“Next year, I hope to have five or six more fight for a regional title like the NABF or USBA, and move up in the rankings. If I can beat a couple of big names in 2009 to use as a stepping stone, I feel that I’ll be able to make some noise in 2010 and possibly fight for a world title. I’m 16-0 now and hopefully I’ll have somewhere in the mid-twenties for wins next year, which will position me to knock on the door for a world title shot in 2010. I leave all of that up to my team – promoter Jimmy Burchfield, manager Bret Hallenbeck and trainer Paul Cichon. I’ll be ready. I’ve never turned down a fight.”
Remillard, rated No. 23 by the WBC, also is ranked No. 5 by the USBA and NABF.
Two years ago, Remillard was wearing a cast and training with one hand; today, he’s one of the brightest American prospects among smaller weight fighters. Oh, what a difference a year has made for “Sharp Shooter.”
-MR-
HOPKINS SCHOOLS PAVLIK
Veteran boxer Bernard Hopkins put back the clock last night, two weeks before daylight savings time, outboxing and outfoxing the young middleweight champion, Kelly Pavlik, over 12 rounds.
Pavlik's straight forward style played into Bernard's hands - as the Ohio native's plan, as in previuos bouts, was to push back his foe through pressure, ultimately to wear down the aging champion. Hopkins simply used lateral movement and stepped back, jabbing at opportunistic times and then confusing his opponent by countering off the jab when an opening ensued.
Simply put, it was textbook, old school boxing, and Pavlik, who had defeated all 34 opponents to date -- could not get off and was off center the whole 12 rounds.
Hopkins, who dominated the middleweight division for 10 years, left the current champion reaching, frustrated, and powerless during the full twelve rounds. JLM
Junior middleweight James Moore joins renowned author George Kimball at September 30th book signing at Hurley’s Saloon in midtown Manhattan New York October 1: Popular Irish junior middleweight James Moore, 16-1 (10 KOS), was among the sports and literary heavyweights who attended a book signing by George Kimball, whose new book, “Four Kings: Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, Duran and the Last Great Era of Boxing,” was just released by McBooks Press. The sensational book chronicles the careers and nine internecine battles between Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran during the mid-1980s, a time when boxing popularity was at its apex. . The book has received rave reviews from scores of publications and boxing insiders, including Sports Illustrated, Moore, Bob Arum and Emanuel Steward. Besides Moore, who lives and fights out of Queens, New York, the signing was attended by former multi-division champion Iran Barkley and noted authors Pete Hamill, Dave Anderson and Ron Ross. Also present was former New York State Athletic Commissioner Ron Scott Stevens, Bruce Silverglade, the owner of Gleason’s Gym, and HBO’s unofficial boxing judge Harold Lederman. Moore is a big fan of Kimball, who he described as “one of the best boxing writers in the business,” as well as the four subjects of the book. As a youngster growing up in County Wicklow, Ireland, he vividly recalls Leonard’s “combination punching and blinding hand speed,” Hagler’s “tenacity and intensity,” Hearns’ “long powerful punches,” and “Duran’s “all around toughness.” This sensational book not only chronicles the careers of these great fighters, but also delves into the tremendous back stories that have never been written about. Kimball also eloquently describes why the era was one of the most compelling in boxing history. “Four Kings” can be purchased at all bookstores, as well as on-line at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. ####
Graham’s Gone but Hopefully Not Forgotten! By: Coach “K” July 30th: After getting back on the winning track beating Juan Lazcano, although not his best performance, Ricky Hatton heads into his world title fight against Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi in November with not only his loss to Mayweather on his mind, but the loss of his career long trainer Billy “The Preacher” Graham. There are several versions of the split floating around. One started when the two returned after the Mayweather fight on separate planes and it continued all through the Lazcano camp. Graham put an end to all the speculation today saying he was retiring and his assistant, Lee Beard, is likely to train Hatton for the upcoming Malignaggi fight but he also said it was Ricky’s call. Graham wished Hatton the best and stated "It's not over between me and Ricky just because I'm not training him any more, I'll be there and I'll be urging him on. I just won't be in his corner that's the only difference."
I don’t think dropping Graham totally would be a good idea at this point Camp Hatton should use Graham in a different or lesser role. Adding a Mayweather Sr; an Emanuel Stewart or our pick John David Jackson could help the Hitman as long as they don’t change too much, too soon. Don’t fix what’s not broken. Add a little defense, a little counter-punching, some ring generalship and let Ricky do what he does best, fight. He must be in that old Hatton / Kosta Tszyu type shape. With the contrasting styles “The Hitman” will need to be in the best shape mentally and physically, because he may find himself chasing the “Magic Man” in a marathon all night and that’s where “The Preacher “ can still contribute! -K-
McGirt headlines first ESPN show
vs. Joval on July 25 in Saratoga
VERO BEACH, Florida (July 8, 2008) –
Coming off of his first pro loss, James McGirt, Jr. (18-1, 9 KOs)
very well could have settled on his next opponent being a confidence
builder. However, instead of fighting somebody brought in to lose
and make James look good, Team McGirt jumped at the opportunity to
fight former IBO and WBU middleweight champion Raymond “Hallelujah”
Joval (37-4, 16 KOs) in the 10-round main event on the July 25th
ESPN Friday Night Fights show at Saratoga Springs, New York.
Back on April 11, Carlos “Baby Sugar”
DeLeon, Jr. (20-2-2, 12 KOs), like James another son of a former
world champion, stopped McGirt in the seventh round of their
nationally televised fight. McGirt had floored DeLeon at the end of
the preceding round but he got careless going for a knockout.
“I learned that I have to be focused
at all times,” McGirt said of his last fight. “I started
lollygagging and got caught with a shot. When they offered Joval, I
said let’s take it. My first loss was a bad experience. I was
depressed for a couple of weeks to the point where I didn’t want to
talk to anybody. But this is what I love to do and I’ve put that
loss behind me. It can happen (loss). A lot of fighters think it
can’t happen to them but it can.
“Raymond is a very good fighter with
a lot of skills. I watched him fight years ago. He has a lot of
experience, which he’ll try and use to his benefit against me. I
have to use my speed and stay one step ahead of him. I’m very
excited to be fighting in my first ESPN main event. I know I am
going to be world champion. In this fight I will prove to the world
that my last fight was a fluke.”
Joval, who fought in the 1992
Olympics representing The Neatherlands, has beaten the likes of Sam
Solivan, Willie Gibbs, and Shannon Taylor. He’s won four in a row
since losing a 10-round decision to Fernando Vargas in 2005.
James head trainer and father, 2-time
world champion “Buddy,” agreed 100-percent for with the decision for
James to fight Joval instead of a walk-over type opponent. “I think
with a lesser guy,” Buddy explained, “my son wouldn’t be as
motivated. He has to have a fire under him. He needs to prove
himself against a more experienced guy like Joval, who is smart and
cagey. My son will be more focused against him, a better guy and
more of a threat. My first loss (in his 30th fight against Frankie
Warren) was devastating and people thought I was crazy coming right
back against a former world champ, Saoul Mamby, a better guy than
the one who had beaten me. I think Joval is better than DeLeon, who
is a puncher; if James didn’t make stupid mistakes, he wins that
fight. Everything happens for a reason and James is much more
serious now.”
James will also drop down to
middleweight – although this fight is contracted at 163 lbs. --
after fighting as a super middleweight his last few bouts. Buddy
added, “James said, ‘Dad, I’m a small super middleweight and some of
these guys are too strong for me.’ Even before his last fight we
decided that he was making the move back to middleweight. He weighed
in at 166 for his last fight and he didn’t do anything the last few
days leading up to the fight. He is on the right program and 163
won’t be a problem. Naturally, Father Time will take its course and
eventually James will be a super middleweight. By the, though, he’ll
be ranked and will be able to make decisions about fighting as
middleweight or super middleweight.”
Responding from adversity is all part
of the maturation process for prize fighters such as James. Another
sign of maturity is making sound career decisions and that’s what
Team McGirt believes is happening now. “We talked about it but we
decided not to take the easy way out,” McGirt’s manager Dennis
Witherow spoke about fighting Joval on ESPN. We wanted a fight to
get us going again. We didn’t think twice about taking on a good
fighter and the exposure James will get from fighting Joval on
national television.”
The marketing of James McGirt, Jr.
may have taken a bump, but just about every fighter suffers defeat,
and one loss doesn’t end a promising career. How a fighter reacts
to adversity ultimately separates contenders from pretenders and
Team McGirt chose to go all in rather than fold.
-JM-
McGirt fighting on ShoBox
April 11 vs. DeLeon
VERO BEACH, Florida (March 25, 2008)
– Unbeaten super middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr. (18-0, 9 KOs)
squares-off with another son of a former world champion, Carlos “Baby
Sugar” DeLeon, Jr. (19-2-2, 12 KOs), April 11 in the 10-round
co-feature on ShoBox, live from Miccosukee Resort in Miami.
“Fighting on ShoBox means everything to
me,” McGirt said. “It’s a stepping stone for my career and I’m very
excited. I fought on ShoBox one other time, when I defeated Aaron
Pryor’s son, Stephan. Every fight is a new chapter in my career, each
one the biggest of my life. I know DeLeon is going to bring his ‘A’
game. I’ve got to be better than him, smarter than him in the ring. I
know my father will be telling me to keep my right hand up.
“I’ve been working very hard, so going
the distance (in his first scheduled 10 round fight) won’t be a
problem, if I need to. It’s his first 10-round fight, too. My weight
is right on and I’ve never been this close to the contracted weight so
far out from a fight. I’ve been in the gym for so long, waiting for a
fight since October, working regularly since right before New Years.
For the past 2 ½ months I’ve been on a strength program, lifting
weights, and I’ve bulked up a little. I’ve found a home at super
middleweight.”
The fathers of McGirt and DeLeon were
world champions at the same time in 1988. James “Buddy” McGirt, St.,
who had a 73-6-1 (48 KOs) record as a pro, was a 2-time world champion
in two weight classes (IBF light welterweight 1988, WBC welterweight
1991-93). Carlos “Sugar” DeLeon, Sr., 52-8-1 (32 KOs) as a pro, was a
4-time WBC cruiserweight champion (1980-82, 1983-85, 1986-88, 1989).
“James is ready to take it to the next
level,” McGirt's manager, Dennis Witherow, remarked. “We’ve had him on
a strength-and-conditioning program. We saw a small difference in his
last fight against (Jason) Naugler, but he had only been on the
program for 30 days. This fight we expect to see a substantial
difference. I think some people are going to be surprised by James’
strength. His boxing skills continue to get better, too. ‘Buddy’ knows
boxing so well that he can even pick-out James’ natural skills and
still make them better. He’s constantly on James to improve.
“We’re all excited about James fighting
again on ShoBox. A win can get James a top 10 fighter next. He’s
willing and deserves that, too. You can count on one hand the number
of rounds James has lost. He wants to prove that he’s a premier
fighter making a name for himself, not the son of a great fighter
being protected. As James’ opponents are better, he gets better.”
McGirt, rated No. 26 by the WBC, is a
southpaw originally from Brentwood, New York, now living and fighting
out of Vero Beach, Florida. DeLeon, rated No. 31 by the WBC, is the
reigning USNBC champion from Puerto Rico.
The McGirts are on a mission to become
the first family in boxing to feature father-son world champions with
the former working his natural son’s corner as head trainer when the
latter captures a major world title.
-JM-
Vinny Paz
vs. Micky Ward “Rumble at the River,” part of “The Budweiser Night at the Fights” series at Twin River, is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., in association with Twin River, Budweiser and Tournament of Contenders. World super middleweight challenger “The Pride of Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr. (28-5, 13 KOs), star of The Contender I television reality series, headlines “Rumble at the River” against Shane “The Irish Hitman” Benfield (17-1, 9 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Paz is a former 5-time world champion who won 50 pro fights, while Ward participated in three “Fights of the Year,” highlighted by his famed trilogy fighting Arturo Gatti. “Vinny Paz and Micky Ward are two of boxing’s all-time great warriors,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said of the two charter members of CES’ Ring of Honor. “They have both kept their fires burning in boxing, Vinny as a television analyst and Micky as a trainer. Many young fighters, especially in New England, are involved in the sport because they watched these two fighters in action. We’re thrilled that they are involved in ‘Rumble at the River’ as team captains. I’m very happy to call Vinny and Micky my personal friends. They know what boxing has done for them and they give a lot back to the boxing community. They’ll be available to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Our unbeaten heavyweight contender, “Baby” Joe Mesi, will also be there for fans to meet.” Mesi ESPN Friday Night Fights In-Studio Guest Undefeated heavyweight contender “Baby” Joe Mesi (36-0, 29 KOs), who is slated to headline the April 4 ESPN2 Friday Night Fights show at Twin River, will make his third appearance as ESPN2 FNF “In Studio” guest on this Friday (Feb. 29) night. Mesi will review the Joe Louis documentary, Klitschko-Ibragimov heavyweight unification fight, Pavlik-Taylor II and preview Vasquez-Marquez III.IWBF lightweight champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (18-4-1, 7 KOs), fighting out of Cranston (RI) puts her belt on the line against veteran contender Belinda “Brown Sugar” Larcuente (23-20-3, 9 KOs), the GBU junior welterweight title-holder from New York City, in the 10-round co-feature. Clampitt is a 3-time world champion, while 20 of Larcuente’s last 21 bouts, dating back nearly five years, have been against world champions. Stoughton (MA) cruiserweight Chris McInerney (9-1-1, 6 KOs) meets former New England title-holder Tim “The Hammer” Flamos (19-4-1, 7 KOs), of Brockton, in a six-round rematch of a bout McInerney won by sixth round TKO last December. Undefeated Russian middleweight Andre Nevsky (3-0, 3 KOs), of Worcester (MA), faces Eric Pinarreta (2-1, 2 KOs), of New Bedford (MA), in a four-round match. USBA No. 4 super middleweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina (20-1-1, 15 KOs), of Providence; light heavyweight “Irish” Joey McCreedy (6-1, 4 KOs), of Lowell (MA); unbeaten Lynn (MA) flyweight Isander Beauchamp (3-0) and Providence junior welterweight Diego Pereira making his pro debut are also on the undercard against opponents to be determined. All fights and fighters are subject to change. Manfredo, Spina, Flamos and Pinarreta are on Paz’ Team Italy; Benfield, Clampitt, McInerney and McCreedy are captained by Ward on Team Ireland. Tickets for “Rumble at the River” are priced at $35.00 (ADA stage seating only), $40.00, $50.00, (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and may be purchased by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET. (Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Rumble at the River.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.) CES-
MALIGNAGGI vs. NGOUDJO At Bally’s Atlantic City--Airing LIVE On SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING ~ January 5, 2008 ~ ***DiBella Entertainment in association with Groupe Yvon Michel - To Promote the First Big Fight of 2008***New York, NY November 10 -- Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (23-1, 5 KO’s) will take on IBF mandatory challenger Herman Ngoudjo (16-1, 9 KO’s) for Malignaggi’s IBF Junior Welterweight Title on January 5, 2008. The bout will take place at Bally’s Main Ballroom in Atlantic City and will be televised LIVE on Showtime Championship Boxing with coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Malignaggi last fought at Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino on June 16 where he scored a 12 round unanimous decision over Lovemore Ndou (45-9-1, 30 KO’s) to win the IBF Junior Welterweight Title. “I am looking to start the New Year off right with a win over a tough competitor in Ngoudjo”, said Malignaggi. “I want to fight the best competition and prove that there is no one better than Paulie Malignaggi in the Junior Welterweight division. I know I have to train through the holidays and that’s always tough, but I plan on making up for it by making Herman Ngoudjo my own personal Christmas tree and lighting his ass up on January 5th.” Ngoudjo most recently defeated Randall Bailey (35-6, 32 KO’s) to earn the mandatory shot against Malignaggi. The Montreal resident lost a controversial split decision to Jose Luis Castillo (56-8-1, 48 KO’s) in January of this year. “On January 5th, I will fulfill my dream to become world champion! I will be the first champion ever born in Cameroon”, said Ngoudjo. “Paul Malignaggi can run all over the ring but he can’t hide. He has no respect for me, but after our fight, he will be begging me for a rematch!” Promoter Lou DiBella is extremely excited for the first battle of 2008. “Paulie has been underestimated his whole career and this fight will give him another chance to prove that he’s an elite champion”, said DiBella. “Herman Ngoudjo is a worthy number one contender who could have easily been given a decision against Jose Luis Castillo.” Ngoudjo promoter Yvon Michel is happy to showcase his fighter to a worldwide audience. “We are thrilled to be associated with Lou DiBella for this event”, said Michel. “We also wish to thank Showtime for launching their 2008 season with this very promising fight. We have a lot of respect for the IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Paul Malignaggi but the time has come for Canadian Herman Ngoudjo.” Tickets priced at $250 and $125 are now on sale and can be purchased at the Bally’s Box Office, by calling DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577, Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. DIBELLA INKS ARGENTINEAN STAR ***DBE Signs Junior Middleweight Sergio Martinez*** New York, NY November 12—DiBella Entertainment has added to its roster today, signing talented Junior Middleweight Sergio Martinez (40-1-1, 21 KO’s). The southpaw has fought all over Europe and South America in his 10 year career. Martinez has fought twice in the United States, most recently earlier this year in Houston where he knocked out Saul Roman (27-4, 24 KO’s) in the fourth round of a twelve round WBC Light Middleweight Title Eliminator. On November 2, Roman defeated one of the division’s established stars, Kassim Ouma (25-4-1, 15 KO’s). His first U.S. fight came seven years ago in Las Vegas, where an inexperienced Martinez battled superstar Antonio Margarito. Despite losing the hotly contested bout by knockout, Martinez showed his toughness and potential. He has won an impressive twenty-four fights in a row. “I am very excited with this signing of an international star in Sergio Martinez,” said DBE president Lou DiBella. “He is a phenomenal boxer who packs a serious punch. I am happy to be promoting a major player in the 154 pound division under my banner.” “DiBella Entertainment is proud to be working with world renowned international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz who assisted us in making the deal to sign Sergio,” said the DBE head. “Sampson is one of the true stand-up individuals in the sport and one of the best minds in the boxing world.” Martinez, who resides in Madrid, Spain, will surely be showcased more on American soil after signing with DiBella Entertainment. “Being a part of DBE, Sergio will have a wealth of opportunities and will finally be recognized by the boxing world,” said DiBella. “I am enthusiastic to begin working with Sergio, his manager Ricardo Sanchez Atocha, and the rest of Team Martinez. He can be a champion.” MM
Jeremy
Williams on Mission vs. Matt Godfrey headlining “Pinnacle FiteNite:
The Heat’s On In Hartford”
Nov. 24 at the Connecticut Convention Center
HARTFORD (November 7, 2007) – Former WBO
heavyweight title challenger Jeremy “Half-Man,
Half-Amazing” Williams has vowed to capture the world
cruiserweight championship, which is the primary reason why he’s
fighting a young buck like unbeaten NABF cruiserweight
Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, headlining “Pinnacle FiteNite:
The Heat’s On In Hartford,” on November 24 at the Connecticut
Convention Center in Hartford.
“Pinnacle FiteNite: The Heat’s On In Hartford,”
promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment, Inc. (CES),
in association with Sports Entertainment & Media, Inc., will be
taped live and air on dates and times to be determined across the
country on numerous Comcast regional stations including Comcast
West, American One Network, Fight Network in Canada, Sports Net
New York, GTV in Africa, as well as internationally on KOTV.
Pinnacle FiteNite is produced by 21 Lakes and distributed by
Integrated Sports.
A victory against 26-year-old Providence native
Godfrey (16-0, 9 KOs), rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Council, as
well as ranked No. 4 by the International Boxing Federation and
No. 6 by the World Boxing Association, certainly would jump-start
Williams’ comeback in terms of positioning him for a possible
world title shot. Williams was inactive 2 ½ years, largely spent
as a trainer for the first two seasons of The Contender
television reality series, campaigning as a mixed-martial-arts
fighter, and building his businesses in Long Beach. Jeremy fought
all of his pro career as a relatively small heavyweight until his
ring return last August 18 as a cruiserweight in an eight-round
split decision win against Utah veteran Gary Gomez.
“With all I’ve accomplished as an amateur (two
World titles and a pair of National Golden Gloves championships)
and pro (WBC Americas heavyweight belt), my boxing career would
not be complete without a world title,” Williams said. “When I
fought (Henry) Akinwande for the (WBO heavyweight title, I took
the fight on very, very short notice, got a ton of money and, at
what age, 23, or whatever I was, I thought it was the fastest way
to a championship. I’m 35 now, but I’m not old. I don’t drink, do
drugs or abuse my body. I walk around at 215 (pounds). A
35-year-old fighter today isn’t like one from the eighties or
early nineties. I’m not beat-up and I don’t have a sparring
syndrome problem. Time isn’t of the essence; it’s about the way
you live life. (Evander) Holyfield just fought again for the world
heavyweight title, we had a 50-year-old heavyweight champion
(George Foreman), and Bernard Hopkins is still great at 42.
“Today, I’m a father and a businessman. I just
started a new clothing line (Ring & Cage Clothing, Co.) with
worldwide distribution and I own property in California and
Arizona. I coach Pop Warner football, too. I’m not fighting to pay
the mortgage. Winning the world title is my passion. I’m not your
typical boxer. My first fight back after being out 2 ½ years was
against a tough guy, Gary Gomez, in his hometown (Salt Lake City)
at 4,200-foot elevation. I wasn’t at my best but I guarantee I’ll
look a lot more like myself on November 24th.”
Godfrey also was a celebrated U.S. amateur boxer
who was the second heavyweight alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic
Team. He will be defending his NABF title against Williams in the
12-round main event.
“Godfrey won everything I won (as an amateur) and
his pro career has been very good to this point,” Wiliams
remarked. “But if you look at the details, who has he fought?
(Felix) Cora is a journeyman type. He’s tough but I’ve fought a
lot of tough guys and I was never really a heavyweight, fighting
guys 30-40 pounds heavier. The cruiserweight division is one of
the best with good athletes and not obtrusive giants. I know
Godfrey’s acclaimed by ESPN and others, but who has he fought? He
has been dominant and in control, but he’s never had to bite down
on the mouthpiece, as they say, and gut it out as I have
throughout my career.
“A lot of things in life are about timing and
opportunity. I’m taking advantage of this situation to fight
Godfrey. A win will catapult me; if I lose my career will be over.
I am not taking this fight lightly and counting on just being the
bigger, stronger man. I’ve really working hard to go with the
ability I have. I watch Matt Godfrey’s last four fights every day
to see new things that I may not have seen. It’s an area of
maturity where I’ve grown.”
Unbeaten Las Vegas-based cruiserweight prospect
Aaron Williams (15-0-1, 11 KOs), former nine-time
United States amateur champion, is scheduled to fight in the
eight-round co-feature. On the undercard in separate bouts are WBC
rated No. 23 super middleweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina
(20-1-1, 15 KOs), of Providence; Jackie Kallen-managed
Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (11-0, 7 KOs), of
Manchester (CT), the former WBC Youth super featherweight
champion; cruiserweight Marc “The Defender” Saggese
(3-0, 3 KOs), the high-profile defense attorney from Las
Vegas known as the toughest pound-for-pound lawyer; Hartford
junior welterweight Addy Irizarry (2-1, 2 KOs).
All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets are priced at $35.00 (Bronze), $50.00 (VIP
Silver), $100.00 (VIP Gold), and $150.00 (limited Jimmy’s Platinum
Club). Group discounts are available. Discount tickets are being
offered to members of the Connecticut police and fire departments,
men and women active in the U.S. military, and students. VIP
Presidential Tables (total of 10 tables, 8 per table) are
available by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254. Call CES at
401.724.2253/2254, the Connecticut Convention Center
(860.249.6000), Manchester PAL (860.645.6261) and Connecticut
Restoration (860.528.6800), or go on line at
www.cesboxing.com, to
order tickets or for more information. Visit
www.pinnaclefitenite.com
for additional information. Doors will open at 5:30 PM/ET, first
bout at 6:45 PM/ET.
-CES-
2004 U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada
takes on James Northey in co-feature, Mesi-Miller headlines “Clash of
the Titans”
Oct. 12 at Twin River in Rhode Island PROVIDENCE (October 4, 2007) – 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada takes on dangerous heavyweight opponent James Northey in the eight-round co-feature on October 12 in “Clash Of The Titans,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island. In the 10-round main event, Buffalo’s undefeated “Baby” Joe Mesi has dedicated his CES debut to injured Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett against upset-minded Shannon Miller for the vacant WBC USNBC heavyweight title. “Clash of the Titans,” part of “The Budweiser Night at the Fights” series at Twin River, will be taped live and air Saturday night, October 13 starting at 9:30 PM/ET on by CN8, The Comcast Network as well as Cox Sports Television. Estrada (9-1, 1 KO), the Providence native now rated No. 14 in the NABO, faces his toughest test as a pro in Northey (11-1, 8 KOs), the former NABC and NABC Americas heavyweight champion. Mesi (35-0, 28 KOs), the former WBC No. 1 contender and NABF heavyweight champion, continues his comeback versus veteran Miller (15-3, 9 KOs), fighting out of Troy, New York. “This is truly a ‘Clash of the Titans’ with these two heavyweight fights,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said. “Boxing fans love to watch the big boys fight. We have 35-0 Joe Mesi, who plans on being right in the world heavyweight title mix in 2008, fighting a very, very tough opponent in Miller. Estrada was one of the best amateurs in U.S. history and he’s on a mission to prove that he’s going to be an even better pro than amateur. Fans could be a watching two future world heavyweight champions on October 12th, Joe Mesi and Jason Estrada. “Supporting the main event and co-feature is four-time woman’s world champion Jaime Clampitt, unbeaten super featherweight prospect Matt Remillard, the former WBC Youth champion, and three other young, undefeated fighters – Angel Camacho, Jr., Manny Lopes and Rich Gingras. It’s a knockout card from top to bottom.” Reigning IWBF light welterweight and lightweight champion Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (18-4-1) and Jackie Kallen-managed Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard (11-0, 7 KOs), who has been inactive for more than a year due to hand surgery, are slated to be in the chief supporting, six-round bouts. Clampitt faces an opponentsto be determined and Remillard is matched against Donnell Logan (9-12-, 4 KOs). Also on the undercard in separate four-round fights are Rhode Island super middleweight Angel Camacho, Jr. (7-0, 4 KOs) vs. TBA, Brockton (MA) light heavyweight Manuel Antonio Lopes (3-0, 1 KO) faces Zeferino Albino (2-1, 1 KO), and New Hampshire cruiserweight Rich Gingras (3-0, 3 KOs), the 2006 Ringside World heavyweight champion as an amateur, meets upset specialist Gary Lavender (3-8, 3 KOs). All boxers and bouts are subject to change. Tickets for “Clash of the Titans” are priced at $40.00, $45.00, (Bronze), $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and may be purchased by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET. (Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Class of the Titans.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.) -CES-
DUVA SAYS RAPPAPORT WAS DISRESPECTFUL OF MSG SACRED RING FOR INSISTING ON CHANGE PRIOR TO MASKAEV-PETER WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP; ADDS THAT PETER WILL CHRISTEN IN NEW GARDEN RING WITH A VICTORY
New York, September 20—Dino Duva, president of Duva Boxing, the promoter of WBC no. 1 contender Samuel Peter, was very emotional about the fact that the sacred Madison Square Garden boxing ring has been retired before Peter’s October 6 World Heavyweight Title fight against Oleg Maskaev, and not after the fight.
“Yesterday, I had chills the entire time during the MSG ring retirement ceremony,” said Duva. “Anyone whose life has been boxing had to feel that way. I was always told that the plan was to retire the ring AFTER the October 6 event, meaning Samuel would be able to be the last fighter to win a world championship in this sacred ring.
“It was a bush league, disrespectful manuever by Dennis Rappaport, to insist on that clause changing the size of the ring without my knowledge or approval,” added Duva. “And this was all over a one and a half foot total difference in ring size!
“Not that one and a half feet, or even ten feet, would make a difference in the outcome,” wrapped up Duva. “There will be a major victory for Samuel, but it would have been wonderful for Sam to be the last Champion in history to walk out of that ring. However, there will be a sliver lining to this: Samuel Peter will now be the FIRST fighter in history to win a world title in the new MSG ring, which I'm sure over time will have an equal amount of history to it.”
“Hungry" Peter Preparing for his Prey“Nigerian Nightmare” reports to camp a full eight weeks before his October 6 title challenge. Mandatory #1 Heavyweight challenger Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter has jumped through so many of boxing’s circus hoops and waited so long to pounce on a heavyweight champion that he is already preparing diligently for the hunt of his dreams. Finally scheduled to challenge WBC King Oleg Maskaev on October 6 at Madison Square Garden, Peter began training a full eight weeks in advance of his big day.
Promoter Dino Duva says a Samuel Peter this motivated and hungry is bad news for Maskaev. “He reported to camp eight weeks before the fight. That means you will see the best Sam Peter ever. A new heavyweight champion will be crowned that night and God help Oleg Maskaev.”
In his previous outing, Peter turned in a career-best performance while establishing his dominance over James Toney. Duva says he’s very impressed by the devotion his young slugger is showing as he nears his destiny. "When he fought James Toney in January, Samuel looked the best he’s ever looked. That was because of a five-week training camp. At the time it was his longest. Sam knows that the opportunity to challenge for the heavyweight championship is the chance of a lifetime and he’s working harder than he ever has to take home the belt.”
Manager Ivaylo Gotzev says his man will not only win his first title on October 6, but also light up the once-greatest division in boxing. “We’re putting the heavyweights back in business with this fight. There will be a lot of buzz after this fight when people watch what the new king does to the old one.”
Watching the mice play their games, waiting for his time to strike, Samuel Peter is all done playing. Already hard at work sharpening his reflexes, power and precision, on October 6, the young tiger will be coming with more bite than ever before. CONFERENCE CALL QUOTESKERMIT CINTRON AND JESSE FELICIANO ROMAN KARMAZIN AND LUCA MESSA, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 15, 2007
Kermit Cintron will defend his IBF welterweight title against Jesse Feliciano in one of three 12-round fights Saturday, Sept. 8, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on SHOWTIME PPV. In another, Roman Karmazin faces Luca Messi for the WBA super welterweight Intercontinental crown.
In the highly anticipated Sept. 8 main event, two-time world champion Fernando Vargas faces three-time world champion Ricardo Mayorga at a catch weight of 162 pounds.
Tickets priced at $300, $150, $100 and $50 are on sale online at Ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (213) 480-3232 or (714) 740-2000 and at Ticketmaster ticket centers including Wherehouse Music, Robinsons-May, Tower Records and Ritmo Latino locations. Tickets are also available at STAPLES Center box office and the box office at TEAM LA at Universal CityWalk.
Opening Comments
Karmazin: I've been training very hard, and I'm taking this fight extra seriously, not only because I have a tough opponent in front of me, but also because my trainer, Boris Zykanov, recently passed away. I’ve dedicated my next fight, this fight, and my title run for a new title to my late trainer. I'm training very hard and very seriously to make him proud.
Messi: I trained in Italy for two months. I've been in Miami, or I will be in Miami, for about five weeks in total, for sparring. I'm happy. I feel very good, and the heat is making me get acclimated to the hot weather.
Question: Roman, what do you know about of Luca Messi?
Karmazin: I haven't had a chance to study some film yet. I plan on studying him. I've just been working more on getting ready for the fight and sparring a bit. But I don't take him for granted. I heard he's a very good fighter with a good pedigree. On this level, fighting for what we're fighting for, I don't expect him to be anything but world‑class.
Question: Luca, it’s been a little over a year since you fought and lost to (Michelle) Piccirillo. What have you been doing to stay sharp?
Messi: I continue to train. I have my own gym in Miami and have my own trainer. I had problems with my promoter. I was with him and then with Don King. Now I'm back with Don King Promotions. So I had some legal problems. That’s why I didn't fight.
Question: Luca, will you make a prediction on the fight?
Messi: The only thing I'm going to say is I am coming to win and I'm going to win. That's enough.
Question: Roman, what is your prediction?
Karmazin: The results of the fight; only God knows what the results are going to be, but anything can happen in boxing. But I only come out to win and that is my plan. I intend to win.
Question: Luca, what is your background?
Messi: This is only my second fight in America. I was an Italian 154‑pound champion. I came over as somewhat of an unknown on Aug.13, 2005 and fought Alejandro Garcia, who was like 24‑1 and had 22 knockouts and it went to decision. I surprised everybody. I was tenacious and did a nice job. That was my only title shot. And the rest of it is explanatory on my record.
Question: Roman, if triumphant, would you like a rematch with Cory Spinks, who dethroned you two fights ago?
Karmazin: I would very much like a rematch with Spinks; that's actually all I want right now.
Question: Luca, despite your inactivity the last few years, do you think a victory over Karmazin can make you a major player in the 154‑pound division?
Messi: Exactly, which is why I'm fighting a tough fighter like him. I know he's classified and very highly regarded and I want to show (what I can do). I know that when I win it will place me in the highest possible position for a title fight.
Question: Luca, even if you lose, are you going to get back into the ring again?
Messi: I am sure, absolutely sure, that Don King will put me back in the ring for a title because I came to America because I was promised this by Don King, and I'm here for that reason. Don and I are very good friends. It was my Italian friends and I who invited Don over and facilitated the visit where you saw Don meeting and shaking hands with the Pope.
My brother is a priest and my good friend, a parish priest, sings in the choir in the Vatican. It was through my brother and Don Gilberto that got us in to see the Pope.
I'm from Bergemo, Italy. That's why I'm known as the “Bergemo Bomber.’’ I want to change my name from the Bergemo Bomber to Miami Made in Paradise (Laughter).
Question: Luca, so you got Don hooked up with the Pope?
Messi: Yes. I've got the Victoria Gym, a youth program there. It's a huge gym. It has a swimming pool and everything. And the priests are always invited free there. All the priests, the monsignor, the bishop, they come and work out; they swim in the wintertime because it's cold where I come from. It was easy for me through my brother and Don Gilberto, the monsignor, and the bishop to hook it up because of that.
Question: Roman, how has the loss of your trainer impacted the atmosphere of your training camp?
Karmazin: Losing Boris is a very big loss to me on many levels. But right now I've been working with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym (Hollywood, Calif.). That's where I trained before with Boris. I'm in the same atmosphere I have been in the past.
Question: Freddie’s now in the Philippines, is he going to be coming back Sept. 8 to work your corner?
Karmazin: Yes, absolutely, he assured me he'd be there.
Question: Luca, what is it about Miami that you like in terms of being able to train down there?
Messi: Because of all the beautiful women. (Laughter) I like it because of the sparring partners. I have terrific sparring partners. I don't have that in Italy. Sparring partners are too easy in Italy. Here they are tougher; also my trainer is here. I love and hate him so much.
Question: What part of Italy are you from?
Messi: I'm Neapolitan. My mother is from Naples. But I was raised in Bergemo, Italy, which is near Milano, a very wealthy suburb of Milano.
Question: Luca, is your family all very religious; and if so, how did you end up fighting ‑‑ were you an altar boy to begin with?
Messi: It's very interesting, my family is not that religious. But it's really strange, my brother became a priest and I became a boxer. I'm the first boxer in my family. My brother, Alejandro, is the first priest.
Question: Was your family against you fighting?
Messi: I grew up poor. Even though we're from the south, from Naples, which is poor, I worked at 13 and 14 years old in the foundry area where they make the steel and stuff like that. It's very dangerous and very hard work, so they didn't care if I was boxing or working with hot metal. It's very dangerous. So they never gave a second thought about me being a fighter.
Question: Is your brother, the priest, younger or older?
Messi: He's older.
Question: Luca, is it important for you to win this fight or do you need to win it impressively?
Messi: I feel it's important to win, and I don't care how I win.
Question: Roman, you said Cory Spinks is a top priority to fight again. But being this is for a WBA Intercontinental title, would you turn down a fight for the WBA title, right?
Karmazin: No, of course I wouldn't turn it down. I would take that fight.
Opening comments
Cintron: First of all, I want to thank Main Events and Don King and also SHOWTIME for giving me the opportunity to be able to defend my title one more time. Feliciano is a great fighter. Seems strong from the fights I've seen of him. He comes to fight. He never backs up. Always forward. He's a fighter that tries to win his fights. And I'm getting ready for the fight and I'll be ready for Sept. 8 to defend my title one more time successfully.
Feliciano: My thoughts are, man, I can't believe I got this shot. I've been waiting for this all my life. And now that I have it, I'm going to give it all I've got. I am a true warrior. And I'd like to thank Kermit Cintron for letting me get this shot and Main Events and Don King and Star Boxing. It’s going to be a tremendous show. Cintron is there to defend his title and he comes to fight as well. Once we put our gloves together, it's going to be a major war. It's not going to be a Mayweather fight. It's going to be the real deal.
Question: What was your initial reaction when you found out that you had the opportunity?
Feliciano: I was very excited. I didn't think I would get this shot so soon. I thought maybe next year. But I'll take it however I can get it. I'm ready. I've got nothing to lose. I am going all out.
Question: Kermit, what do you know about this guy? Is there any chance you might overlook him to move on to bigger and better names?
Cintron: No, not at all. I take my fights seriously. They're putting Jesse Feliciano in front of me for a reason. They're giving him the opportunity to fight me for my title. And like I said, he's a fighter that comes to fight and I know he has three good wins under his belt. So I'm not taking this fight lightly. Just going to go in there and do what I do best.
Question: Kermit, how tough was it to get over your knockout loss to Antonio Margarito?
Cintron: It was a fight I wasn't well prepared for. Just a loss, it just happened. And not being well prepared for that fight, only having four weeks of training and only two weeks of being able to hit with my right hand, I just wasn't well prepared for the fight. But I took the fight like a warrior. The loss did me good -- I think that it got me stronger mentally, physically and emotionally.
Question: Why were you only able to train four weeks and what was the matter with your hand?
Cintron: I just had a ruptured tendon. Took cartilage and had no blood flow going to my middle knuckle so my bone was dying. I had to get that fixed, and finally they got it fixed and it's been 100 percent since.
Question: Were you surprised you were able to recover that quickly from that first loss? A few fights later, you we're fighting for a championship. How exciting was that for you to be able to be right back in the thick of things?
Cintron: Definitely not surprised. I knew I could do it. It was just the fact of having the proper training and the proper trainers around me. I was not surprised at all. I decided to go back in there and fight, win fights. I knew that eventually I was going to get my title shot again.
Question: The welterweight division is pretty awesome right now. What kind of a mark would you like to be able to leave on this division in the next few years?
Cintron: Just want to definitely be myself in and outside the ring. And I definitely want to unify the titles. One of my biggest goals is to being able to win all titles and be the undisputed welterweight champion of the world.
Question: Would you want to fight Margarito again, only this time if you were healthy and with a two‑month training camp?
Cintron: Yes, I definitely would love to fight Margarito again, to avenge that loss, and move on to better things.
Question: Kermit, can you talk about your last fight and how, after a couple fights not using it, you have been able to utilize the jab? Do you just think you're just a better, more well‑rounded fighter now?
Cintron: I think that I definitely am. I just needed the proper training and having the proper trainer. I've been improved a lot ever since I've been with Emanuel (Steward), and it's going to continue. I'm going to continue to look better and better as fights goes on.
Question: Everyone seems to have made a big deal of how you were working the pads before your last fight. Was that a factor?
Cintron: The pads, just in general, I had a perfect training camp in Austria, getting ready for the Walter Matthysse fight. I had no complaints at all. I had no injuries. I was 100 percent. I was ready to go. I was focused mentally, physically and emotionally, I was ready.
Question: Kermit, coming off such an impressive knockout, do you feel the need to ‑‑ is it possible for you to top that performance?
Cintron: It was a great performance. Like I said, Emanuel and I have been working hard together. I'm still young in the sport, still learning. I've been boxing seven years. I know I'm going to be better. And as fights, as time goes on, as fights go on, you're going to see that Kermit Cintron will improve more and more.
Question: Jesse, obviously fighting for the title is big and obviously is what you fight for. But Kermit is a much different fighter than, say, Delvin Rodriguez and even Alfonso Gomez. Do you approach it differently, or do you just do what you normally do?
Feliciano: A little bit of both. Like he said, he's not just any regular fighter or any other fighter at that. He's at a whole other level, a whole other stage. I can't go in there like I did in other fights all big-headed. I have to maintain and focus and mentally be ready as well as physical.
Question: Jesse, what do you credit for your resurgence in the sport?
Feliciano: I credit my father. He's been there for me. He's my boxing manager, baby‑sitter/caretaker. He's been everything, taking care of me and helping me. And also credit goes to my son, Jesse James. If it wasn't for my son, I would never have been in this game still. I won that USBA title for my son, rest in peace. He died on June 11th. I dedicate my life to my son.
Question: What happened to your son?
Feliciano: The veins in his lungs were obstructed and his heart only had three chambers instead of four. So he didn't have a good chance of making it. He was alive for about 13 hours. I got to hold him and bathe him before he passed away.
Question: Kermit, didn't your arm turn black in the Margarito fight?
Cintron: My knuckle was turning black.
Question: Did doctors say you would never fight again?
Cintron: The doctor did say that if what they did wasn't going to work, then that would have been it for me.
Question: Kermit, what do you think about (WBO welterweight champion) Paul Williams?
Cintron: I'll fight Paul Williams any day. Everybody keeps saying I'm avoiding Williams. I'm not avoiding him. I think Paul Williams is avoiding me. I think the fight with Paul Williams; it would be a perfect match for me and a great win for me.
Question: Kermit, how important is it to get your revenge against Margarito as opposed to getting a shot at unifying the title against the other champions?
Cintron: Both. I want to fight everybody. I want to fight Margarito. I want to fight every other champion out there in the welterweight division.
Question: Kermit, what has been the reaction following your last fight?
Cintron: A lot of people have been calling. A lot of people have been impressed about it, the way I look, the way I stopped him. Everybody's been impressed. It's a good feeling that a lot of people are opening their eyes and seeing that the fight against Margarito was a difference Kermit Cintron.
Question: Kermit, how do you see this fight playing out?
Cintron: I'm just going to go in well prepared. Feliciano is a fighter that comes to fight and never backs down. I see it a win for me.
Question: Prediction?
Cintron: I don't have any. As long as I win the fight, that's all that matters.
Question: Kermit, last few fights you've been training in Europe and over the place. Where will you concentrate your training camp for this fight?
Cintron: I'm in the Poconos. I'm here with Jermain Taylor.
Question: You've been talking about unifying the titles. Will you wait and see what happens in the next (Miguel) Cotto fight?
Cintron: I think that any possibility I can get to unify the titles I'll take. I'm here. The plan is to keep me busy. That's what we're doing. Eventually by 2008, we'll be unifying the titles.
Question: Specifically what things do you need to learn in order to continue to be successful?
Cintron: I think in boxing you never stop learning. Emanuel Stewart knows every trick in the book about boxing and little by little we've been going one‑on‑one with it and learning.
Question: Kermit, it seems as though regardless to what you've done since the loss to Margarito, you still get questions regarding that fight. Does it bother you?
Cintron: No, it doesn't bother me at all. It's a fight that I looked bad in. I lost a fight. And who cares. I moved on. Everybody's still, I guess, still on that date back in '04. I moved on with my career. I'm a world champion now.
Question: Why would you come back to fight a guy like Jesse Feliciano, who is on such a roll in these last few fights?
Cintron: This is a fight that Main Events and SHOWTIME gave me. It's just through a fight to keep me busy with what I do. I think the busier I am the better I get.
Question: Can you motivate yourself to fight a guy moving up in weight after the tough fights you’ve had?
Cintron: I don't take any fight lightly. Every fighter that steps in there is trying to hurt me. They're trying to win against me of course they want to get the title away from me. That's not going to happen. I train hard for every fight, if not harder, and you will see Sept. 8.
Question: This is the biggest fight of your career, Jesse. Can you continue your level of success?
Feliciano: I'm raising the bar, as you can see. I'm on a whole other level. I'm on a winning streak; I'm not losing. But I think it's going to last. Good things are going to happen to me.
Question: Kermit, what are your thoughts on fighting Floyd Mayweather?
Cintron: It's a fight that every fighter in the welterweight division wants. That's a fight I would love to have, but that's his decision. With my style, Mayweather would be a great fight for me.
Question: Your style is going to pose problems for all the other champs; do you think it's going to be a stumbling block in regards to you unifying?
Cintron: It's up to the other champions. If I don't get the opportunities I will continue to defend my title successfully until I get a chance to fight for the other titles. I think that there are champions they'll fight me.
Question: Were you sparring with Wladimir Klitschko?
Cintron: Yes.
Question: How did it go?
Cintron: It was a totally different experience but it was a great experience for me.
Question: Fighting somebody that tall is getting you ready for Paul Williams, right?
Cintron: Yeah.
Question: Jesse, some regard you as a stay-busy fighter, someone that others fight to stay busy? What do you think about that?
Feliciano: I think it motivates me more to do a better job.
Question: Kermit, you're fighting less than two months after knocking out Matthysse. Is there added pressure to come back so quickly?
Cintron: Not at all, no pressure at all. These are the things I like. I like to stay busy. The sooner I get back into the ring, the better it is. The more fights I get, the better I get.
Question: Jesse, why do you think you have the advantage in this fight especially after the spectacular knockout that Kermit had in his last fight in July?
Feliciano: Everybody thinks I'm the underdog. Everybody wants to fight me because they think it will be an easy fight. I’ll be ready. I'm training hard. This fight is the real deal and we're both coming to fight and we're probably going to steal the show.
Question: What specifically did you see in the fight that Kermit won against Matthysse that you think you can take advantage of?
Feliciano: I'm not really too sure if I can answer that question. But all I saw was a good, pinpoint sharp-shooting assassin right there. He just took that guy out. I don't know, man. It's going to be all‑out war is all I can say. I'm not going to go down in the second round.
Question: Kermit, have you gained more respect since the Matthysse fight?
Cintron: People are still talking about my loss against Margarito, but I've moved on. That was the past. I'm in a better position than I ever was back then. But I do get some props as well.
Question: Did you feel when you first started working with Emmanuel that you had to prove yourself to him?
Cintron: Yeah, definitely and I did prove myself sparring with a kid named Dominic Dawson, who is an extremely fast, good boxer, who is going to be probably making the Olympic team. That's who I've actually been sparring with right now. But, yeah, I definitely felt that I needed to prove myself.
Question: Are you disappointed a guy you called out, Shane Mosley, is fighting Cotto instead?
Cintron: I wasn't disappointed. I just see how fighters are. They try to avoid big punchers. They see what I did to Matthysse and they see and saw that Kermit Cintron is no joke. He's a totally different fighter than he was against Margarito. There are always fights out there -- big fights against other fighters willing to fight me. As long as I stay busy I'll be fine. I'll get that big fight.
Question: What is it that makes you confident you can beat Paul Williams?
Cintron: People keep saying I'm avoiding Williams. I've never avoided anybody. I never backed down, never said no to a fight. Williams is just another fighter. He's more an amateur than a pro, a fighter that throws a lot of punches but with no power. It's a fight that I definitely want. People think I'm avoiding him but I'm not.
Question: So you would love to fight Cotto?
Cintron: I think that the fight would definitely be a fight I would love to have. It would definitely be a great fight.
Question: Will you knock him out?
Cintron: It will be definitely a tough, rough fight. And I know if I connect him with my hard shots that, yes, I think he will go down. And the record for ticket sales at Madison Square would be broken. It will definitely be a big fight.
Question: Jesse, do you see anything in Kermit, any weaknesses, that you can capitalize on?
Feliciano: I don't really see any weakness, especially in his last fight. The Margarito fight is the past. This is a new Kermit Cintron. He's dangerous and nobody to take lightly.
Question: Kermit, what do you think if you never get the fight with Margarito. What is it going to take for you to get rid of that in everybody's mind? Do you think a good fight with Williams would erase that from everybody?
Cintron: I think getting a win over Paul Williams would definitely erase the Margarito fight. But everybody keeps asking me that question. I've moved on from that loss. You can never go back to that. There are a lot better things in the near future for my career.
Closing Comments
Cintron: I want to say thanks to Main Events, Don King and SHOWTIME and Pay Per View for giving me an opportunity to get in a fight and defend my title successfully. I'm looking forward to Sept. 8.
Feliciano: I'd like to thank Star Boxing most of all and everybody for putting this fight together, SHOWTIME and Pay Per View and all the fans out there. You're very greatly appreciated, and thank you for sticking around and here we go for the fight. Thank you.
BEY
FIGHT FACTS AND VIEWS FROM THE BEACON THEATER
- Ron Ross 5/19/07
On the whole, it was a pretty happy crowd walking out of the Beacon Theater last night. They came, they saw, they sang and their main men conquered. I heard this one guy say, though, “Jaysus, wouldja believe – Johnny didn’t knock ‘im out!”
He was referring to John Duddy’s shutout win over Dupre Strickland, the 18-1-1 middleweight who came up from Slidell, LA to fight Duddy. And he did fight him – for one round. Strickland, Duddy’s first southpaw opponent, threw a right jab and started a left cross when Duddy nailed him with his left hook, depositing Strickland on the canvas. It was at that point that Strickland re-assessed the situation and decided his wisest option would be to go into a survival mode. For the next nine rounds Duddy, now 20-0, 15 KO’s, kept coming forward, trying to corner his man, keeping up a constant two-fisted attack but Strickland managed to elude the big punch. He actually opened up cuts at the side of and above Duddy’s right eye as early as the second round which required five stitches. Kudos for cutman George Mitchell who did a great job in keeping the wounds under control.
Meanwhile, Strickland stayed in a completely defensive position. He was a counter-puncher who didn’t counter-punch. It wasn’t until the ninth round that he actually came forward and threw a couple of punches.
Duddy interviewed by MSG after fight
For Duddy, who was fighting his Bon Voyage battle before returning to campaign in the Emerald Isle, it was a complete whitewash with judges Matt Ruggero and Bob Gilson scoring it 100-89 and Luis Rivera, who somehow didn’t give Duddy the two-point credit for his first round knockdown, 100-90.
As for the slightly disappointed fan who wanted to see Johnny “knock ‘im out”, when you pitch a shutout, you don’t have to hit the home-run! Anyhow, if it was a home run from the home team he was looking for, he got it a little earlier in the evening when County Mayo’s Henry Coyle, 155 pounds, 2004 Irish National Amateur Champion, stunned the crowd almost as much as he stunned his opponent, Sam Gomez from Orlando, FL, who he sent back to his own private Disney World with two right hand bombs to the temple at 48 seconds of the first round.
Henry Coyle enjoyed every second of his work
Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillen, Brooklyn’s spectacular middleweight KO artist, did not take any chances with his chocolate treats melting. Nailing the game but completely outgunned Victor Paz, also of Brooklyn, with a crisp overhand right, he dropped him in the first round. Paz got up and tried fighting back but he was no match for Quillen, who dropped him twice more in the second round, first with a right to the jaw and the second, and finishing knockdown, from wicked left hook at 58 seconds of the second round. Another really sweet win for the Candy Man.
In the six round co-feature, Pawel Wolak, 154, Brookly-via-Poland’s version of the Raging Bull, kept up a non-stop bombardment of lefts and rights banging away at Akron, Ohio’s Anthony Little like a woodchopper late for dinner. Little, a tough former marine, tried firing back but it was like a carbine against a howitzer – no match. His corner mercifully called it off at the end of the second round. Wolak is now 15-0, 10 KO’s.
Pawel Wolak removes mouthguard after a short night's work
In a six-round female jr. bantamweight bout, you had the feeling you were watching a fighter against her mirror image. Eileen Olszewski and Kimberly Tomes looked so much alike, from their corn-row hairstyles to their facial features, skin tone and posture that it came down to Tomes’ bloody nose to tell them apart. Olszewski, now 3-0, a three-time U.S. National Champion, was simply too fast with too much hand-speed and firepower for the game, gritty Tomes, winning a solid unanimous decision.
Kenyatte Ravenell, Harlem, NY, 233, 2-1, @ KO’s stopped Vaughn Parham, Bronx, 257 at the end of the third round.
In the opening 4-rounder, Denys Lozada, Nanuet, NY, 175, 5-1, trained by formed Featherweight champion Juan LaPorte outgunned game Steve Marcantonio, Rahway, NJ, 175, 2-4.
Promoter Bob Duffy put together a fine card and even the guy who wanted to see a Duddy knockout went home happy.
"John Duddy Fan Club"
Promoter Duffy contemplating why everyone gets chocolate from Kid Chocolate Quillen except him. -RR- MORE ON DUDDY, QUILLEN, CLICK HERE > > >
CONFERENCE CALL QUOTESDIEGO “CHICO” CORRALES & JOSHUA CLOTTEYTuesday, March 20, 2007
In y et another outstanding, compelling match-up on SHOWTIME, three-time world champion Diego Corrales will move up two weight classes when he returns to SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, April 7, 2007, to take on dangerous, world-ranked challenger Joshua Clottey.
SHOWTIME will televise the 10-round 147-pound bout at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, will promote the event from The Shrine Mosque in Springfield, Missouri.
Question: Chico, why are you moving up two weight classes, and why take on Joshua Clottey, a dangerous world-ranked contender? Corrales: I moved up two divisions because I was stuck at 142 for three weeks (before his last fight) virtually eating nothing. I did not get under 142 until I got to Vegas. So that is why 147 was the best thing for me – just put on a little more muscle mass and carry my size naturally, not put myself in a situation or SHOWTIME in a situation where I could not make weight. Joshua Clottey is a great fighter. Like I have said all the time, I want to make great fights and make great fights happen. So when they asked me about Clottey, I thought it was a great opportunity and a great fight. There was no hesitation at all. I want to be known as a great fighter and the way you do that is by fighting the best fighters out there. Question: When you initially considered moving up in weight, were you thinking two weight classes? Corrales: No. I talked to a couple of doctors and we tried to see what my body could physically do and how long I could maintain. It was a tough decision, but all in all I think I made the best decision with the doctors’ advice and just knowing my body. Question: Joshua, what do you think of fighting a guy moving up two weight classes? Also, how is the hand that you injured in (your last) fight with (Antonio) Margarito? Clottey: I went to Africa and my hand is OK now. Diego Corrales is a three-time champion and a great fighter. I cannot take that away from him. For him moving from lightweight to welterweight is not a problem. So it does not matter if he is moving up two weight classes. He is coming to fight and see what he can do at that weight.
Question: Diego, at this point in your career, how important is this fight? Do you see this as a must-win situation for you? Corrales: Absolutely. I think it is a must-win situation and I am trying to win. Question: Did you feel it was necessary to choose such a difficult opponent? Corrales: I chose a guy like Joshua Clottey because, again, I only want to make the best fights. I think Clottey and I are a fantastic match-up. We are both very good fighters. We are very aggressive. We are both very strong. I will find out how strong I will be at welterweight now. I think that (his) style is exactly what we like to see. I think our skills match up perfectly and I think it is an amazing fight. Clottey is the real thing. He is a real welterweight; he is a real good fighter at welterweight and definitely somebody to respect. I just want to face the best guys out there and this is one of the best guys. Question: Chico, have you sparred with larger guys? Corrales: Always. I never spar with lightweights because they do not stay with me for very long. Question: Joshua, is this a fight that you also see as a fight that you have to win to get another title shot? Clottey: The best thing for me to do is to get the win. You are going to see that if I win, it will put me on top. That is on my mind right now. Question: Chico, you are now training with Dickie Wood instead of Joe Goossen. Can you talk a little bit about making that change? Corrales: Yes, with Michelle being pregnant, I (wanted to) do (my training) camps here in (Las) Vegas. So I did my camp here. It was something he (Goossen) did not like very much. He never wants to travel. Bottom line is I have to be with Michelle and try to be here as far as the baby goes. So if she needs any help, she can call me. I am here ready, easy and available. That really (was the reason we) made that decision. Question: Joe has been talking to the media about the situation from the (Joel) Casamayor fight about his pay. Can you address that? He says that he was not paid for that fight. Corrales: He was paid. We fought the (Jose Luis) Castillo fight and I paid him 10 percent. I told him after (that) was the last time I (would) pay 10 percent. I was paying 10 percent of all the numbers. I said, ‘Well, this is a big payday for you. After this there will be no more 10 percent.’ He was not happy about it, but that was the way I was going to do things. I was starting to pay a flat fee. He was not happy with that and that was fine. He was paid. I have a check to prove it. He was not happy with the way the pay structure changed. Question: So for the previous fights he was paid a percentage. For the Casamayor fight, he was paid a flat fee that you say you paid him? Corrales: Yes. Question: Coming off the Casamayor fight, you said you were not at your best. What would be different in your fight against Clottey, especially given that he is a much bigger guy than Casamayor? Corrales: The difference is I almost died to make the weight then and that is the biggest thing. When you sit back and lose so much weight that a doctor says he is really concerned (something has to change). So I did what I had to do and not kill my body. This is a big change, but I am not dying to make the weight and that makes the biggest difference. I am not killing myself to actually make the weight. In the gym, my best performances were (when I weighed in the mid-150s to high 140s). So this is, again, a smart move. Question: So really (the main reason for training in Vegas is because of) the pregnancy? Corrales: That is why I say it is much smarter for me to be here in the event she needed anything. She has not called me very much, and has not needed very much. So it has been nice. Question: You are living at home during the training camp though, right? Corrales: No, I am not. Question: Where are you living? Corrales: I have a place here in Vegas, but I am not actually at home. Question: What does Dickie bring to the table for you? Corrales: Actually, Dickie and I have had about five or six fights together as a pro (so) we have worked together. He is one of the guys who knew my original style and it was a very easy choice for me to go to him because we have been with each other for so long. I have known him since I was 16 years old. He knows the way I used to do things and he brings a lot to the table by knowing my abilities and all my physical abilities, attributes and strengths. Question: Diego, did you think you stayed at lightweight longer than you should have? Corrales: I do. I think I was really hurting myself doing that. That is a big fighter flaw. We need to sit and have a talk with somebody who says, ‘Hey, it is time for you to make these moves and move up and not hurt yourself anymore.’ I think I could have really used that advice. Question: Diego, what was your impression of Clottey against Margarito? Corrales: He is strong. I got me a brown bag and packed me a lunch because I knew I was going to have a long night. The kid is strong. He is physical and aggressive and I know I am in for a rough fight. I sat back and thought how I put myself in another good one. Question: Diego, specifically in going to Dickie Wood, are you looking to be able to make the transition to welterweight with an eye on building up your strength? Corrales: Having my strength is going to be a big part of it. I need to be as strong as these guys. Question: How are you going to ensure that you are strong enough for a guy who gave such a tough fight to Margarito? Corrales: Had his hand not been injured, you do not know what would have happened in that fight. I will just do what I have to do -- keep coming forward and keep pounding. I think my pace and my two-handed combinations are what will make the biggest difference and I have to use those. Question: Joshua, what do you expect when you fight Corrales? Clottey: I do not know what he is coming to do until we get in the ring. I know he has been fighting a long time and I know he is a very good fighter. I know he used to come forward. I know how to move around, but I like coming forward because I always want to make a fight. So if he is coming forward and I am coming forward, it is going to be a very exciting fight. Question: Is there anything you can do in training to try and avoid the hand injury that you had in the Margarito fight? Clottey: I always give everything to God. I did not come into that fight with Margarito for me to get injured because I knew I would beat Margarito. I knew I was going to win because my training and everything was so good. I knew if I started to use combinations on him, he was not going to do anything. But it happens because I know maybe it was not my time yet. God is the one who does everything. I am not coming in for that to happen again. I am just coming to fight. Whatever happens, it happens. But I think definitely I am going to win. Question: Diego, in your last fight you fought for (promoter) Gary (Shaw), but (when it was over) there was (talk) that you would sign with Golden Boy Promotions, and now you are back with Gary. Could you explain what happened with that situation? Corrales: More or less just simple stuff about our contracts and waiting for us to re-talk. Gary got tied up in it all and honestly, (I) got a little more hurt than anything. It was like, ‘Well, I guess if he does not want to talk about this stuff, I guess he does not want to talk about us redoing things.’ I always said I wanted to be with one person the whole time. I have been with Bob (Arum) and I stayed with Bob for a very long time, and I have been with Gary. I do not like jumping around too much because you have to learn somebody all over again and they have to learn you all over again. It is just a headache. So I got a little upset about us not speaking, and also how busy he was. That is kind of how it happened. Question: So are you happy with the way things worked out? Corrales: They are working out fine. I am happy. I am going to work and that is all that matters to me. Question: Diego, is this your last fight with Gary Shaw? Corrales: No. Question: Diego, you have (lost) your last two fights. Do you think it was because of the weight problems, or does it still really burn you up that you still have those two losses? Corrales: Oh, it definitely irritates me. I am a guy who has competed at video games and air hockey. (So) you can imagine. It burns me up, but all in all, you just have to put it to the side and do what you have to do. Question: Diego, you are obviously hoping for a big win to make a splash in a welterweight division that is a pretty hot now. Is there one name in the division that attracts you the most? Corrales: The only attractive name I have right now is Joshua Clottey. Question: If the opportunity for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather came up in the future, would you be interested? Corrales: Of course, there is interest, but right now the only name I am thinking about is Clottey and that is more than enough name for me right now. Q uestion: Diego, your fights with Castillo were obviously marred by weight problems, both yours and his. If you were able to speak to the commission (to try and help so) this kind of problem would not come up again, what would you tell them?Corrales: Honestly, I would not spend my time talking to the commission. I would talk to the fighters and let them know (that they should) not sit back and kill (themselves) and kill (their bodies) because (they) really are destroying (their bodies) when (they) do those things – torturing (themselves) like that. I mean, my heart was skipping beats. That to me is scary. When you have your heart skipping beats, your body is actually going into a shutdown. I think the biggest thing would be letting fighters know that when you are destroying your body like that, you are literally killing yourself. Question: Wh en you say that you are destroying your body, do you feel at this point that you might have taken your body past the point of no return?Corrales: I do not believe so. Question: So you feel healthy and ready to go at 147? Corrales: I do. I feel very healthy and very good. I am young enough to recover and my body can recover. It remembers a lot of things. Muscle mass is still there Question: Joshua, Diego has said this is a must-win fight. Is that the same situation for you? Clottey: Yes. I respect him a lot and he respects me. When I get a fight with somebody, I always want to respect them and hopefully they will respect me. If I do not get to the ring, you are not going to fight. If you do not get to the ring, I am not going to fight. That night we will fight, and at the end of the fight, we will hug each other and that is it. Question: Joshua, what was your reaction when you heard that Corrales wanted to fight you? Clottey: I was very happy because I never expected that. I am very happy. He is a true warrior. None of the other guys want to fight me. He chooses to fight me for the first time coming to welterweight. I respect him for that, and God bless him for giving me that chance. Question: Joshua, do you think he is making a big mistake fighting you? Clottey: He is a boxer. Everywhere there is a fight, you have to go there. Question: Diego, should we still have weigh-ins the day before, or should they be on the day of the fight? Corrales: There should be something in place where we can regulate the weights. If they can find a way to regulate the weight loss and help fighters maintain weight, that would make a big, big difference. Question: Joshua, do you feel you have an advantage in this fight because Diego is coming up to welterweight and you have been a welterweight for a long time? Clottey: Welterweight is my house and Diego is coming in. Question: Chico, do you have any closing comments? Corrales: Well, Joshua, it was a pleasure talking with you. I am looking forward to seeing you on April 7. I think everybody should watch this fight. It will be a great fight. You have two styles that are going to match beautifully together and we are looking at an awesome fight. Question: Joshua, do you have a closing comment? Clottey: I am very glad SHOWTIME has given me a second chance. Thank you very much. # # #
SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS’ ISRAEL VAZQUEZ PRIMED FOR FIGHT OF LIFE AGAINST RAFAEL MARQUEZ Can a little man defeat a naturally bigger boxer, or does the physically larger man have the advantage? Does size matter? Will this eagerly awaited confrontation, as many predicted once contracts were signed, turn out to be the Fight of the Year? Those questions and more will be answered when Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ Israel Vazquez defends his World Boxing Council and The Ring magazine super bantamweight titles against International Boxing Federation/International Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez on Saturday, March 3 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Tickets, priced at $25, $50, $75, $100, $150 and $200, are on sale at TicketMaster outlets and at TicketMaster.com. They also may be purchased at The Home Depot Center from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and on Fight Day starting at 10 a.m. First bout is at 4 p.m. PT.
“I think it is definitely going to be a fight of the year and I cannot wait for Saturday to get here,’’ said the exciting, crowd-pleasing Vazquez, who will enter the ring for his third title defense with a record of 41-3 with 31 knockouts. “I am looking forward to March 3. We all are.
“I have been waiting for this fight for a long time. Mentally and physically, I am as prepared as I have ever been. I am ready to give my all once I get inside that ring. The only winner, besides me in this fight, will be the fans. I will give them what they want to see.
“To have two world champions from Mexico City going at it is going to be a great fight that everyone can enjoy. I can say I am proud I am a Mexican fighter and both of us are going to be going at it toe to toe.’’
The Little Big Men are highly regarded in the world of boxing and both are fixtures on many pound-for-pound lists. Vazquez has been victorious in nine straight, winning seven by knockout. Marquez has won 15 in a row, 12 inside the distance.
Although moving up a notch in weight, Marquez (36-3, 32 KOs) is expected to provide “El Magnifico” with his stiffest challenge in the 12-round match.
“If I want to be considered the best in my weight class I can’t duck any legitimate challengers,” said Vazquez, who currently resides in Huntington Park, Calif., a Los Angeles suburb. “I expect Marquez to come at me with everything and try to knock me out.
“He is a fighter that carries a lot of punch at 118. But I think we are all interested to see what kind of power he can bring at 122 against a natural 122-pounder like me. He has never had to do that before.’’
Vazquez is one of four current Sycuan Ringside Promotions world champions. He is handled by reigning three-time Manager of the Year, Frank Espinoza.
“I have a great team,” Vazquez, 26, said. “They have done a terrific job for me behind the scenes. It is my job to win in the ring.’’
Outside the ring, the youngest of four brothers is a popular, pleasant, personable, classy young man who would make any mother proud.
Inside, he is a raging tiger who has made a habit of manufacturing mighty performances when the spotlight is shining brightest and the pressure is seemingly at its greatest
With championship belts up for grabs, Vazquez is a flawless 6-0 with five knockouts. With lights-out efficiency, he goes through opponents like a growing teenager goes through pairs of pants, quickly and often.
A two-time world champion at 122 pounds, Vazquez captured the vacant IBF title by knocking out southpaw Jose Valbuena in the 12th-round on March 25, 2004 in Los Angeles.
Vazquez added the WBC belt to his wardrobe with a bloody, convincing, shockingly easy third-round knockout over defending champion and 3-to-1 favorite, Oscar Larios, on Dec. 3, 2005, in Las Vegas.
Vazquez followed the Larios lumping with another impressive, dominating performance. One-sided from the outset, Vazquez sliced and cut up Ivan Hernandez en route to retaining his title with a bloody fourth-round TKO June 10, 20006, in Atlantic City.
So bloodied was Hernandez that Vazquez’s frosted blonde hair had changed colors to a gruesome reddish tint, the result of the challenger’s blood that had spilled onto Vazquez after the champion had spent most of the night landing shots off of the fellow Mexican’s red face.
Vazquez’s star was quietly growing larger and brighter with each outing. He would solidify his reputation as a true warrior and one of boxing’s greatest and most thrilling champions when he rallied from two knockdowns to flatten Jhonny Gonzalez in the 10th round of a tremendous slugfest on Sept. 19, 2006 in Las Vegas.
Vazquez hit the canvas in the fourth and sixth rounds from sharp left hooks. He dramatically turned the tide, however, when he dropped the bloodied Gonzalez the first time in the seventh. After flooring Gonzalez again in the 10th, the challenger’s corner threw in the towel.
Now, Vazquez is days away from what some perceive as the defining fight of his career.
“Whoever wins March 3 is definitely going to have a lot of doors opened for him,’’ said Vazquez, who has looked lightening quick in recent workouts. “My fight with Marquez is going to be a war. I think everyone understands that by now.
“The fans are going to be treated to an excellent fight. You’re going to see two, proud, Mexican warriors battle it out.”
About Sycuan Ringside Promotions
Sycuan Ringside Promotions of San
Diego is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic
promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its
promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had six current or
former world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts
across the country on premium cable networks.
BEY
TIGER " THOMPSON TOOTHLESS AGAINST TIMOR
Saturday February 17, 2007
Jim Amato
OVERVIEW & RESULTS OF HARD ROCK SAMUEL PETER-JAMES TONEY - Ron Ross photos by Susan Ross
It is said in the boxing world that a good big man will always beat a good little man. But when Samuel Peter and James Toney climbed into the ring at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Saturday night, where was the "little man?" Oh, the little man was there, all right, hidden away inside the 234 pounds announced as James Toney. Yup, the same James Toney who told of subsisting on a 1300 calorie-intake diet per day. But remember, he never mentioned how much he ate at night! So, with the fans and media expecting a svelte, trimmed-down version, he actually weighed a pound more than he did in his previous fight with Peter. Peter on the other hand, came in eight pounds lighter than in their first fight four months ago.
The old adage held up - the good big man pounded and pummeled the good little man in the big man's body. Samuel Peter even knocked the little man/big man Toney down in the second round with a ramrod-like left jab. Toney, not a guy accustomed to finding himself squatting on his haunches, tried fighting back. Some of the punches he threw landed, many with a lot of power - the power of the little man. Peter, a real live big man barely blinked as he shrugged the punches off.
However, it was the "big man" Toney who took Peter's punches, took them well and it was here that Toney was truly a "big man."
But all his skills and "smarts" that make him a throwback to the fighters of years past will never make him into what he is not - a true big heavyweight. He took his whupping like a man before a sellout crowd Saturday night and you don't have to like James Toney to appreciate and admire what he does and the toughness and grit of the big/little warrior.
Toney eyes Peter warily after 2nd round knockdown SRoss
Toney came back after the second round knockdown to take the third round. Aside from the twelfth, which Peter virtually gifted him, it was the only round he won. At 38, it may be time for James Toney to think of other avenues. Perhaps he can become a scout leader.
In the evening's co-feature, Travis "Terrible" Simms shocked the smart boys by taking back, after a two year-plus layoff, his WBA Super Welterweight Championship from current titleholder Jose Antonio Rivera. In his sparkling effort, Simms battered Rivera to the canvas in the second round, bloodied him, outpunched, outfought and out-performed him in every aspect of the fight.
BEY
Simms putting the hurt to Rivera S Ross
Simms regains title S. Ross
A fter decking him again in the ninth round and then pounding away at him without letup, Referee Frank Santore, stepped in and called a halt at the two minute mark of the ninth round. It was the first time that Rivera has been stopped. The once-again and new champion, Simms is now undefeated in 25 fights.
By the way, there was another "little" James Toney. For Real! And he did not live inside a big James Toney. No, this James Toney comes from Accra, Ghana and he may be thinking of going back after the welcoming he received. With a record of , 21-2-1, 19 KO’s, he was outgunned and stopped in the fourth round of a scheduled ten by Roman “Made In Hell” Karmazin, St. Petersburg, Russia, 159 ¾, now 35-2-1, 22 KO’s. Karmazin bombed and battered the other Toney who simply didn’t have enough to fight back with. In the fourth round, with a desperate Toney now trying to force the action, Karmazin, counterpunching with precision-like effectiveness, nailed the hapless Ghanian with a smashing two punch combination, left hook, right cross to the jaw, dropping him. When he arose courageously, Karmazinn punished him with a two-fisted attack as he backed him against the ropes. Referee Frank Gentile wisely stepped in, calling a halt at 2:05 of the fourth round.
Roman Karmazin nailing "the other" James Toney Other results:
In an eight round heavyweight blowout, Guillermo Jones, of Colon, Panama, 213, 34-3-2, 22 KO’s wasted no time in disposing of Jeremy Bates, Ashland, Kentucky. He hit Bates, 227, 21-13-1, 19 KO’s with an assortment of power punches that he began throwing before the echo of the bell beginning the first round faded., Right uppercuts from the floor, left hooks, overhand rights, almost all finding their mark, rocking and staggering a very game but totally outclassed opponent. The referee, realizing there was no way for Bates to survive, saved him from further punishment, calling a halt at 1:44 of the opening round.
Devon Alexander, St. Louis, MO, 144, improved to 10-0, 5 KO’s by stopping Maximo Cuevas, Bronx, NY, 147 on cuts in the final round of a scheduled four round bout. Alexander was in complete control at the time of the TKO, 2:0 2 of round 4.
Another heavyweight showdown came to a quick conclusion when Bermane Stiverne, Las Vegas, Nevada, 246, dropped Cleveland, Ohio’s Otis Mills, 216 with a bang-bang left, right combination to the head. When Mills pulled himself up, Stiverne was all over him and referee Frank Gentile stepped in at 1:48 of the first round. Stiverne now stands at 9-0, all KO’s while Mills falls to 5-3-1, 3 KO’s.
It was not a perfect day for Nigeria as Ijoeoma Egbunine, in a women’s super middleweight six rounder, was shockingly upset by Laura Ramsey, Lake Wales, Florida. Egbunine, who came in with a 12-1 record and 8 KO’s was completely overwhelmed as the 36-year old Ramsey opened fire on the Nigerian, dropping her three times and stopping her at 1:44 of round one.
Javier Mora, Anaheim, California, 225, 21-3-1, 17 KO’s, won an unanimous decision over Earl Ladson, North Carolina, 229, 12-14-1, 7 KO’s in a heavyweight six-rounder.
The evening’s opening bout had Anjes Adjaho, Orwell, Ohio, 131, improving his undefeated record to 15-0, 8 KO’s by copping a unanimous decision over Armando Cordova, Tampa, Florida, 133 ¾ , 23-32-2, 17 KO’s in a lightweight six rounder.
Don King, by teaming up with the Seminole nation and Main Event (the Duvas), seems ready to put Florida boxing in the big leagues. This show was an extravaganza, honoring late President Gerald Ford and Rock legend James Brown. The James Brown band performed a tributary salute with Al Sharpton presiding. Also, it is absolutely untrue that Don King taught Rev. Sharpton all there is to know about public speaking.
RR
MOORER LEADS HEAVY PARADE AT HARD ROCK by Ron Ross
When Jimmy Durante used to grunt, “Everybody wantsa get inta the act!” he had no idea how prophetic he was regarding the heavyweight crop of a future generation. Well, last night at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida a combined 80-year old duo, Michael Moorer, approaching 40 and Oliver McCall, 41, put themselves “inta the act.”
Moorer, at 250, wasted no time or energy in blasting out Cliff Couser, St. Louis, 239 ½, with a thunderous right hook at 1:36 of the opening round of a scheduled 10. Moorer, now 48-4-1, with 38 KO’s thereby staked his claim as “heavyweight contender”.
This followed Oliver McCall’s comeback #? with a wearing down, chasing and finally catching Cuban Yamplier Azcuy-Diaz at at 2:28 of the 7th round. McCall, 49-836 KO’s also threw his hat into the heavyweight merry-go-round. Diaz fell to 13-5.
Moving on to the younger generation of heavyweights, Israeli Roman Greenberg,243 ½, after a lackluster first two rounds where he got his nose bloodied in the second by Steve Pannell’s left jab, stopped posturing and began throwing punches in the third round. Whatever he threw seemed to work. The blows did not seem to carry as much authority or pop as the effect it had on Pannell, who lost his eighth out of his last nine by KO. Twice Pannell went down by what seemed to be glancing rights. Sandwiched in between the right a left hook to the body also toppled Pannell who had to remind you of a work of art – he was very much at home stretched out on a canvas. The end came at 2:23 of the third round, raising Greenberg’s record to a still-perfect 23-0, 16 KO’s. Pannell, Nashville, TN , 254, dropped to 34-11, 28 KO’s. The most impressive showing of the night was Mike Marrone’s. non-stop onslaught as he demolished North Carolina’s Ron Bellamy, 225, 14-6-4, 9 KO’s. After dropping Bellamy twice in the opening round, nailing him first with a left, right combination, then a solid left hook to the jaw, he continued his relentless attack without let-up, with referee Jorge Alonso calling a halt at 2:48 of the 3rd round with Marrone hammering away with a savage flurry of lefts and rights against a helpless opponent. Marrone, of Vero Beach, FL improved to 16-0, 13 KO’s.
Other prelims saw Jesus Pabon, 140, San Juan PR, 9-0, 7 KO’s, stop Eli Addison, 138, Winston Salem, NC, 8-3,3 KO’s at 1:03 of the 2nd roundof a scheduled 6.
Danny Vanstaden, 140, 4-1, 3 KO’s, Key West decisioned Marathon, Florida’s Jessie Francisco, 140, 1-3, in a four-rounder.
In the opening four-rounder, Key West’s Timmy Leonard, 155, 3-0, 2 KO’s blasted fellow Floridian Luis Ruiz, 154, making his pro debut, stopping him with a left hook to the body at 1:55 of the first round.
|
|
||||
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
"Don't look
at us, we only got one piece each
