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DiBella Inks Argenis
Mendez
New York
(June 23, 2009)- DiBella
Entertainment has
announced the signing of
super featherweight
Argenis Mendez (13-1-0,
8 KO’s) to their elite
roster of athletes.
Promoter
Lou DiBella believes
that Mendez will do
great things in the
sport of boxing. “The
kid has a bright
future,” said DiBella.
“He is a truly talented
athlete and knows how to
conduct himself in the
ring. I look forward to
working with him.”
Mendez comes from a
spectacular amateur
background that shows in
his refined ring style.
He is a 2004 Olympian
from the Dominican
Republic and won a
silver Medal at the 2004
Junior World
Championships. Mendez
compiled an outstanding
record of 238-12 as an
amateur.
Mendez is a technical,
heavy handed
boxer/puncher that is
pleasing to watch in the
ring. “He is an
intelligent fighter,”
said Mendez’s manager
Jose Nunez. “Argenis is
a superior and accurate
counterpuncher. I love
his style.”
Mendez, already
establishing and proving
himself as an excellent
pro, has been in the
ring with the likes of
Luis Sosa, Jose
Navarrete, Jaime
Sandoval and Arturo
Gomez.
“I try to take a lesson
from each and every
fight,” said Mendez. “I
keep learning and
improving.”
Mendez , a workaholic,
says nothing matters to
him more that his
family, boxing and his
country. “I want to
give hope to the
Dominican Republic and
my family,” said
Mendez. “That is why I
fight, and I am proud to
have Lou DiBella behind
me.”
READY FOR THE BULL . .
.
FIGHT BETWEEN
MALIGNAGGI AND DIAZ
FINALIZED
“HOUSTON, IT’S LIFT
OFF!” FOR MALIGNAGGI/DIAZ
(June 10, 2009) All open
issues have been
resolved regarding the
proposed Paulie
Malignaggi and Juan Diaz
fight on August 22, 2009
in Houston, Texas.
DiBella Entertainment
and Golden Boy wrapped
up negotiations today
and tied up all loose
ends for the fight-
including the agreed
upon weight of 138.5
lbs.
“I told Paulie to lay
off his Grandma’s pasta
and eat one less cannoli,”
said Lou DiBella about
Malignaggi dropping an
extra pound or two.
“Paulie is confident of
his speed and boxing
ability and is prepared
to win in the lion’s den
of Houston.”
“This is a fight
between two guys
looking to prove
something. We are
both coming of
losses in big fights
and we are both
coming in hungry.
Expect fireworks,”
said Malignaggi.
DBE
A MOST HAPPY FELLA IS LOU
DIBELLA
- Ron Ross
"Excerpts from Boxing News
article"
Hollywood, FL May 30,
2009
My good friend Ramiro Ortiz,
chairman of the Florida
State Boxing Commission had
just finished expressing his
concern about Lou DiBella’s
departure from the ring
after Yusuf Mack’s
demolition of Deandrey Abron
in the 4th round
of the evening’s 4th
bout. It seemed to him that
Lou may have missed a step
or two upon his exit. I told
Ramiro that I was sure that
DiBella was fine but I made
it a point to watch Lou
leave the ring after Kermit
Cintron’s superbly crafted
victory over Alfredo Angulo
in a 12 round Jr.
Middleweight Elimination
bout and Ramiro Ortiz was
right! Lou’s feet
never touched the ring
steps! He was floating on
air as he came down from the
ring – or at least it seemed
so.
And following
the spectacular main event
victory carved out by Andre
Berto who, in defense of his
WBC welterweight crown, was
the matador staving off the
mad bull, Juan Urango, only
DiBella’s lovely girl
friend, Devin, holding onto
his arm, kept him from
sailing off a la the
Goodyear blimp. It was a
promoter’s dream come true –
four fighters on the card
and four wins. DiBella
Entertainment, in
co-promotion with the
Seminole Warriors Boxing
Promotions, pulled off a
“schneid” as the New York
contingent of Berto, Cintron,
Mack and Tor Hamer made a
clean sweep.
Berto, Winter
Haven, Florida, 145 ¾, 25-0.
19 KO’s, moved around the
ring, putting on a masterful
display of speed, dexterity
and counter punching,
nullifying what was soon to
become desperation lunges by
Urango, who pressed the
action beginning to end,
never relenting but never
able to catch anything other
than an assortment of jabs,
hooks and uppercuts that the
elusive Berto peppered him
with round after round.
Berto retained his WBC
welterweight title in
convincing fashion with his
unanimous verdict win of
117-111 and two tallies of
118-112. Urango, Monterria,
Colombia, came in at 146 ½
and suffered his second
setback in 24 fights.
This followed
the outstanding performance
by Kermit Cintron who got
far the better of a mini-war
with tough, previously
unbeaten Mexicali, Mexico
warrior Alfredo Angulo.
Cintron re-establishes
himself as a leading force
to be contended with in the
Jr. Middleweight division,
outworking and outpunching a
tough, resilient opponent
who gave it his all until
the final bell rang but was
unable to contend with the
toughness and punching
prowess of Cintron, whose
only two losses, which were
against Antonio Margarito,
he of doctored gloves
infamy, have to be
asterisked and placed in a
questionable bracket.
Cintron, 153, 31-2*-1, 27
KO’s, won by scores of
116-112 on all three
scorecards is now in line
for a title shot while
Angulo falls to 15-1, 12
KO’s.
A jubilant Kermit
Cintron given a
boost by Ron Shields
Photo:
Susann Ross
Lou DiBella shares
all-winning night
with his girl-friend
Devin
Photo:
Susann Ross
Philadelphia’s Yusuf Mack’s
quicker, shorter punches
proved too much for former
NABO titleholder DeAndrey
Abron, Youngstown, Ohio.
Outscoring Abron through the
first three rounds of a
scheduled ten-round bout,
Mack dropped him with a
left-right combination in
the fourth round. When Abron
got up, Mack nailed him with
a left hook that put him
down again and he was
visibly shaken when his
corner called for a halt at
1:46 of the fourth round.
Mack, 176, improves to
28-2-2, 17 KO’s and Abron,
174 ½, falls to 15-2, 10
KO’s.
Rounding out
DiBella’s night of flotation
and elation was Penn State
grad Tor Hamer’s,
show-opening solid win over
Cincinnati’s Samuel Brown,
246, 4-6-2. Hamer, 222, 6-0,
5 KO’s, dropped Brown with a
left hook just before the
bell ending the first round.
Brown beat the count and
came out for the second
round only to be pummeled by
Hamer and dropped twice
more, the first by a right
uppercut, then a left/right
combination that convinced
referee Tellis Assimenios
that he had taken enough and
called a halt at 1:10 of the
second round.
-RR-
Get The Party started . . .
ALLAN GREEN CALLS OUT CHAD
DAWSON!
New
York (May 19, 2009) – After
learning of IBF and IBO light
heavyweight champion Chad
Dawson's interest in moving down
to 168 pounds, Allan Green's
mouth began to water. Now that
Dawson has taken care of
business by winning a second
unanimous decision over Antonio
Tarver, Allan Green has his
napkin on his lap, eating
utensils in hand, and is ready
for supper.
“If he's coming down to 168,
let’s make this happen. I
respect Chad's skills as one of
the best in the game, but I'm
feeling so focused right now
that I don't see anybody,
including Chad Dawson, doing
much more than six rounds with
me,” said Green.
Coming of his own impressive
and devastating knockout win
over Carlos De Leon last month,
Green has demanded the attention
and respect of the boxing world
and proved he is a force to be
reckoned with in the super
middleweight division.
In a recent interview Dawson's
promoter Gary Shaw mentioned
Allan Green as a possible future
opponent for Dawson, along with
the following names- Jermain
Taylor, Carl Froch, and Mikkel
Kessler.
“Give me a break,” said Green.
“Nobody knows what's going on
with Kessler and Froch decided
to take a vacation for the rest
of the year so he can find the
stones to fight me. Taylor has
his sights set elsewhere. So
that leaves me.”
“Tell Gary to bring it,” said
Green promoter Lou DiBella. “If
Chad is afraid of Glen Johnson
and wants to move down- Allan is
ready, willing, and able.”
Beating someone like Chad
Dawson if he came down to super
middleweight would put Green at
the top of his division and
force the champions to come to
him.
“Allan loves the fight, I love
the fight, and Lou DiBella loves
the fight. Chad Dawson's
manager Mike Criscio loves the
fight. Gary Shaw would clearly
be on board. Hopefully we can
do something over the summer and
then Allan can come right back
and take one of those belts from
Froch or Kessler at the end of
the year,” said Green’s advisor
Greg Leon. "Hopefully the
promoters are on the phone with
HBO or Showtime now, because we
want to make this fight happen.”
DBE
WORLDS COLLIDE: DARCHINHIYAN STOPS ARCE AFTER 11.
TRUFAN Feb 8, 2009
It was a brawl, as the hype said
it would be, but in the end Vic
Darchiniyan proved too much for
Jorge Arce, and when the doctors
stopped the one sided brawl at the
end of the 11th round, it was clear
that the "Pit Bull" is a major
powerhouse in super bantamweight
diviison.
And who can blame him?
Darchiniyan, the southpaw with a
strong left, kept Arce at bay while
winging power shots throughout,
hurting his opponent time and time
again as the rounds progressed - and
although Arce seemed out on his feet
at times, he did have moments that
kept him in the fight although
Darchiniyan won each round by a
clean margin.
As reported by FightNetBoxing.com,
Arce was treated overnight at a
local hospital for an ear injury and
it is not known how long he will
stay there.
In an earlier contest, lightwight
Antonio Demarco retired Kid Diamond
after nine rounds. Diamond had
absorbed many punches and although
the bout was close, a gash on
Diamond's lip proved too dangerous
to continue.
Jr. middleweight prospect Vanes
Martroysian stays undefeated with a
clear cut decision over journeyman
Billy Lyell.
JLM
Boxing Trainer John Bray Establishes
Non-Profit Charitable Organization
January 15, 2009-In an
effort to assist at-risk youth from
the San Fernando Valley in obtaining
both educational and athletic goals,
John Bray has established the John
Bray Boxing Foundation. John knows
first
hand how hard it is to grow up in a
tough neighborhood where kids are
not sure if they’re going to be
successful or live long enough to
see eighteen years old. John wants
to reach the kids and let them know
that success can be obtained through
hard-work, discipline and giving
grace to GOD.
The John Bray Boxing Foundation
was formed in 2008 in conjunction
with the John Bray Boxing Club, a
boxing gym in San Fernando,
California . The John Bray Boxing
Club was later closed; however, the
amateur boxers wanted to continue
being a part of the Club and
subsequently had to train at other
gyms. The John Bray Boxing Club had
much success by transforming at-risk
youth in the neighborhood into
outstanding amateur fighters as well
as disciplined young adults and
children.
John’s ultimate goal is to re-open
the John Bray Boxing Club and
provide children and teens from the
Valley, a youth center equipped with
a computer lab and boxing gym in
order for them to achieve their
goals. Bray is aware that it will
not be easy, but he is however, up
for the challenge and just wants to
give back to the community. After
suffering a near fatal stroke in
2001, John vowed that once he healed
and got on his feet, he was going to
ensure that kids had a place to go
so they didn’t have to deal with the
pressures of gangs, drugs and other
influences that will ultimately lead
to prison and/or death.
The Foundation will now sponsor the
annual events of the John Bray
Boxing Club and accomplish its
mission by providing educational
programs at the youth center
including scholarships for well
deserving students and amateur
boxers. The
Foundation will also sponsor the
John Bray Boxing Club’s amateur
boxers and associated equipment
within the gym.
The activities sponsored by
the John Bray Boxing Foundation will
be funded from various fundraisers,
donations and boxing events.
If you would like to help with
John’s effort and/or for more
information on the John Bray Boxing
Foundation please access
www.johnbrayboxingfoundation.org
or contact Jerry Gonzalez at
559-643-9313 or jerrygonzalez@csufresno.edu
Nagy Aguilera’s coming out party:
“Holiday Hits”
Thursday at Roseland
Ballroom in Manhattan
NEW YORK (December 2, 2008)
– Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Nagy
“Dominican Dynamite” Aguilera has
scheduled a coming out party
Thursday night (December 4),
headlining his first show in the
8-round main event on the third
annual “Holiday Hits” card, at the
famed Roseland Ballroom in
Manhattan.
Aguilera (10-0, 6
KOs), fighting out of Newburgh (NY),
takes on 7-foot Marcellus “More Than
A Conqueror” Brown (25-17-1, 21
KOs), who has been a sparring
partner the past two months for
former world heavyweight champion
Hasim Rahman, in the featured fight
on the 12-bout card “Holiday Hits”
show, promoted by Bob Duffy’s Ring
Promotions.
“I have enough
fighters to start a Christmas
choir,” promoter Duffy joked. “We’re
giving boxing fans in New York City
an early present with the equivalent
of two shows for the price of one.
This is Nagy’s show; his time to
shine. He’s being showcased along
with some of the most talented,
young fighters in New York.”
Aguilera, born in the
Dominican Republic and raised in
Puerto Rico, was the top rated
amateur in both countries before
resettling in Newburgh, New York. He
is a 2-time New York Golden Gloves
champion, as well as a former U19
tournament winner.
“This fight means a
lot to me because I’ll be fighting
in the main event in only my 11th
pro fight,” Aguilera said. “New York
being my home makes it even better.
I’ve never fought anybody as big as
him (Brown), but size means nothing.
I hope he’s coming to fight because
I’m going to knock him out. It’s
going to be a great show.”
Brown has been in
against former world champions Lamon
Brewster, Tommy Morrison and Trevor
Berbick.
“To be a 10-0 fighter
in the main event is a privilege,”
Aguilera’s manager John Silverman
commented. “We’re not taking Brown
lightly. He has 25 wins with 17
knockouts, stands 7-feet and weighs
around 280 pounds. We’re delighted
Nagy is getting this opportunity. In
the heavyweight division, we see
Nagy as an up-and-comer, a young
star ready to take it to the next
level.”
New York City
southpaws Jaffa “African Assassin”
Ballogou and Daniel Judah square-off
in a crossroads fight in the
12-round co-feature for the IBF
International light heavyweight
title. IBF Continental Africa
cruiserweight champion Ballogou
(46-6-1, 40 KOs), born in Togo and
living in Manhattan, battles Bronx
native Judah (22-3-3, 10 KOs) for
Big Apple 175-pound bragging
rights., in the 12-round co-feature.
Ballogou, 40, also is the former WBC
Latin America and WBA
Bronx lightweight
Jorge “The Truth” Teron (22-0-1, 15
KOs), reigning NABF title-holder,
faces Aldo “El Pato” Valtierra
(24-10, 13 KOs) in a 10-round,
non-title Special Attraction. Teron,
trained by former Olympic gold
medalist and world champion, Mark
Breland, is rated No. 4 by the WBO,
as well as No. 14 by the WBA and No.
19 by the WBC, while Mexican warrior
Valtierra is a former WBA Fedecentro
and WBC FECARBOX Central American
super featherweight title-holder.
Popular middleweight
George “Blaze” Walton (18-3, 12
KOs), of Harlem, meets Clarence
“Sonny Bono” Taylor (13-18-3, 6 KOs)
in a 6-rounder. Dublin super
featherweight Eddie “Pride of
Tallaght” Hyland (10-1, 3 KOs),
making his much anticipated New York
City debut, fights Gustavo Dailey
(2-3) in another 6-round bout.
Also on the undercard
in separate 4-round bouts is
highly-touted Brooklyn light
heavyweight Will Rosinsky (2-0, 2
KOs), three-time National Golden
Gloves champion vs. Amador Acevedo
(2-4, 2KOs), Queens, Lou DiBella-promoted
NYC heavyweight Tor Hamer (1-0, 1
KOs) vs. Royal Bryant (1-1-1, 0
KOs), Brooklyn welterweight Luis “El
Mero Mero” Ruiz (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Ken
Durham (4-26-1, 2 KOs), Queens light
middleweight (by way of Cyprus)
Lambrose “Lionheart” Karaolides
(1-0, 1 KO) vs. James Justice (0-1),
New York City light welterweight
Christian Martinez makes his pro
debut against Rochester’s Murray
Cunningham (1-0, 0 KOs), pro
debuting Bronx super flyweight
Emmanuel Gonzalez vs. Jean Ramos
(0-2), Brooklyn light middleweight
(by way of France) Roman Oliveri vs.
Eluid Torres (0-0-1). All fights and
fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at
$150.00 (Golden Ringside), $100.00
(Ringside) and $50.00 (General
Admission), are on sale and
available to purchase at the
Roseland Ballroom, going to
www.ringpromotions.com
or calling 516.313.2304. Doors open
at 6:00 PM, first bout at 6:30 PM.
-RP-
Jimmy Lange Wins Comeback Victory
Impressively over Grover Wiley at
Patriot Center;
“Tattoo” Tom Mitchell Loses Bout,
But Earns Respect in Fight for
Cancer; Promotion to Donate $6,000
to Growing Hope Organization
FAIRFAX, VA (November 2, 2008) -
In the fight of the night, popular
Virginia middleweight contender
Jimmy Lange (29-3-2, 20 KOs)
scored an impressive, unanimous
victory over Grover Wiley
(30-12-1, 14 KOs) at the Patriot
Center Saturday night in his first
action since May 2007. A confident
Lange displayed a strong jab and
landed effective body shots
throughout the ten-round battle,
including a fourth-round knock
down, to defeat the Midwest
veteran who displayed toughness
and a no-quit attitude.
Looking fully-recovered from a
rotator cuff injury suffered
during the first round of his WBC
Continental America’s championship
title bout held 17 months ago,
Lange showed little ring ‘rust’
and provided his loyal and
spirited hometown fans their
money’s worth with the strong
performance.
Even though he was penalized two
points for holding, George Rivera
(9-3, 3 KOs) avenged an earlier
loss to the previously undefeated
Jessie Nicklow (19-1-1, 7 KOs) by
scoring a unanimous decision in
the event’s co-feature. Rivera
deftly boxed throughout the
eight-round contest, avoiding the
constantly-charging Nicklow and
landing the more effective jabs.
Despite losing his professional
debut to Yieta Johnson (1-2, 1 KO)
via second-round TKO, “Tattoo” Tom
Mitchell (0-1) earned the respect
and admiration of the crowd for
his gutsy performance and
heartwarming story of fighting to
raise awareness of childhood
cancer. Mitchell entered the ring
led by his 18-year old daughter,
Shayla, who was diagnosed with
cancer last summer, to thunderous
applause. Later she joined her
Dad and promoter Jackie Kallen in
announcing that $6,000 was raised
from the evening which would be
donated to Growing Hope, a local
non-profit organization that
provides outreach and family
support programs for children
battling cancer. Mitchell donated
his purse, while the promotion
agreed to donate one-third all of
the revenue generated from
Mitchell’s personal ticket sales
to the cause.
In the evening’s other bouts,
Jimmy LeBlanc (12-15-4, 3 KOs)
KO’d Luther Smith (22-8-2, 12 KOs)
in the first round, Tracy Brewer
(3-0, 1 KOs) defeated Calvin
Aughty (0-3) in a competitive,
four-round slugfest, and Curtis
Smith (9-4, 4 KOs) outpointed
Carlos Cisneros (9-16-1, 6 KOs)
for a win.
Official
Results
Lange UD Wiley (100-89, 99-90,
98-91) – 10 Rounds, Jr.
Middleweight
Rivera UD Nicklow (76-74, 77-72,
77-73) – 8 Rounds, Jr.
Middleweight
C. Smith UD Cisneros (59-55,
59-55, 58-56) * 8 Rounds, Jr.
Welterweight
Johnson TKO2 Mitchell (1:46), 4-RD
Featherweight
LeBlanc KO1 L. Smith (1:46), 6
Rounds, Middleweight
Brewers UD Aughtry (40-35, 40-35,
40-35), Super Middleweight
* Bout stopped in six-round (went
to scorecards) as a result of an
accidental head-butt causing a cut
on Cisneros
Attendance: 5,817
Familiar
Faces in the Crowd:
Notable boxers attending the event
included current and former world
champions as well as top Beltway
area prospects: Paul “The
Punisher” Williams, Eric “Mighty
Mouse” Aiken, Demarcus “Chop Chop”
Corley (Johnson’s trainer), Thomas
Snow, Bayan “The Mongolian
Mongoose” Jargal, Fontaine Cabell
(working with Lange), Perry
Ballard, Juan Carlos Robles,
Andrew “Doo Man” Farmer, Kay
Koroma and Tony Jeter. Also seen
were former Redskins linebacker
Ken Harvey, Redskins broadcaster
Larry Michael and JP Flaim of
WJFK’s “The Junkies.”
BB
BOXER VS. BULL . . . who will
win?
CRISTIAN MIJARES AND VIC DARCHINYAN
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
MONDAY, OCT. 13, 2008
El Paseo Inn Restaurant, Los Angeles
History will be made on Saturday,
Nov. 1, when World Boxing
Association (WBA) and World Boxing
Council (WBC) super flyweight world
champion Cristian Mijares climbs
into the ring to face International
Boxing Federation (IBF) world
champion Vic “Raging Bull”
Darchinyan at the The Home Depot
Center in Carson, Calif. Mijares
and Darchinyan are fighting in the
very first 115-pound World
Championship Unification.
The historic showdown is being
co-promoted by DiBella
Entertainment, KO Entertainment and
Gary Shaw Productions and will air
live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9
p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West
Coast) with a 12-round super
middleweight (168 pounds) special
attraction – Andre Dirrell vs.
Victor Oganov.
Tickets are on sale and are priced
starting at $25 to $250 for
ringside. Tickets may be purchased
at The Home Depot Center Box Office,
open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday, and at all
Ticketmaster retail ticket
locations, as well as
www.Ticketmaster.com and
Ticketmaster-Charge-by-Phone, by
calling 213-480-3232.
CRISTIAN MIJARES
“Darchinyan is talking too much
because he’s scared of me. Jorge
Arce talked a lot of trash too and I
shut him up. I’ll do the same with
Darchinyan.
“Everyone knows I’m the smarter
fighter. I learn new things all the
time. From what I’ve seen,
Darchinyan doesn’t grow from fight
to fight. What you see is what you
get. He’s predictable.
“Some people are saying that this
fight could turn into an epic series
like the Vazquez-Marquez trilogy.
Those fights were extremely close.
I don’t see my fight with Darchinyan
being close. I expect to win by a
comfortable margin.
“Darchinyan is a champion and you
have to respect him for that, but he
is vulnerable. Nonito Donaire
proved that by knocking him out.
Darchinyan says he learned from that
fight, but he looks like the same
fighter to me.
“Both of us are confident of
victory. I think Darchinyan is
overconfident. They say they’re
going to knock me out. That’s not
going to happen. I’m too fast, too
slick and too smart for that.
“Fighting in Los Angeles is going to
be great for me. I love the L.A.
area and I have a big following
here. Darchinyan has a nice
following too with the Armenian
population. I’m sure we’ll have a
diverse crowd at The Home Depot
Center.”
VIC DARCHINYAN
“I didn’t have to take this fight
but I’m so glad I did. I will knock
him out, there’s no question about
it. I will come not just to win. I
will knock him out.”
On fighting in front of a
pro-Mexican crowd. “It doesn’t
matter where I fight him. I’ll fight
him anywhere. I’ll fight him in
Mexico. Los Angeles has a big
Armenian community and I will have
tons of support. After the first
round the Mexican crowd will be
silent. There will be nothing for
them to cheer about. I don’t mind
coming in being the bad guy. I know
most of the fans will be against me
but at the end of the night they
will be on my side.
“They said Mijares is
pound-for-pound the best fighter out
there, but after I get finished with
him we’ll see what number he is. I’m
going to give a lesson to the little
boy.
On his style: “I want to show on
Nov. 1 my power. I’m a smart fighter
but I will knock him out with my
power. I know his weaknesses and
they will be exposed.
“After I knock him out I don’t want
to hear any excuses that he’s still
better than me. When I beat him it’s
not going to be because he’s no good
but because I’m so much better.”
 
Mijares and Darchinyan both said they
would come out victorious on Saturday,
Nov. 1.
YA YA BELT YANKED, SAYS CHANCE
Sept 29, 2008
IBA
President Dean Chance has
officially striped Franklin Ya Ya
Lawrence of Indianapolis, Indian
of his Heavyweight Continental
Championship Belt.
Franklin
Ya Ya Lawrence refused to defend
his first Title Defense with Crown
Boxing Inc. of Las Vegas, Nevada
in the time allotted by the IBA.
IBA
President Dean Chance has given
Crown Boxing Inc. of Las Vegas,
Nevada the right to promote the
Heavyweight Continental
Championship for the new Champion
which will be announced shortly by
Crown Boxing Inc.
WBC Welterweight Champion Andre
Berto Prepares for
His First Title Defense on September
27
Sept 1, 2008
(Winter Haven, Fla.)– WBC Welterweight World Champion
Andre Berto (Winter
Haven,
Fla.) (22-0,
19 KOs) will take the ring for his
first title defense on September 27,
facing former World Champion
Steve “Two Pounds” Forbes (Las
Vegas, Nev.) (33-6, 9
KOs). The 12-round
welterweight title bout will be
contested at the Home Depot
Center in Carson, Calif., the site of Forbes’ recent match-up
with Oscar de la Hoya.
The welterweight clash, which
highlights the under card of Shane
Mosley and Ricardo Mayorga’s junior
middleweight match-up, will be
broadcast on HBO’s World
Championship Boxing.
“I feel good, I’m confident.
I’m in tremendous shape and ready to
turn in a good performance on
September 27,” Berto said. “Fans can
expect the same Andre Berto speed
and power, and I’ve been bringing in
smaller guys and slick boxers. We
are working on speed and boxing for
this fight.”
The Florida native opened training camp on August 19 in his
hometown of
Winter Haven.
He and trainer Tony Morgan made the
decision to conduct his training
camp in central
Florida, and
he is preparing for the fight at the
Winter Haven Police Athletic League
gym, the same facility he trained in
as an amateur. His
Winter Haven
training camps have become popular
with fellow fighters, including
Curtis Stevens and Andre Dirrell.
Rising middleweight prospect Daniel
Jacobs is currently training for his
upcoming fight in the small Florida town as well.
Berto won his first major world
title in June with a seventh round
technical knockout victory over
Miguel Angel Rodriguez, claiming the
belt vacated by Floyd Mayweather,
Jr.’s retirement. The win marked
Berto’s 17th knockout in
his last 18 fights, and adds a
second belt to his NABF title.
Forbes, a former super featherweight
champion, has moved up the scale
over his 12-year career,and went the
distance with De la Hoya in his last
fight on May 5. Known for his slick
boxing style, Forbes will provide a
new challenge for Berto.
The31-year-old veteran has never
been stopped, but the same statistic
didn’t deter Berto from becoming the
first to knockout his two recent
opponents.
The fight will be Berto’s
first in the Los
Angeles area, but he has
spent a great deal of time in the
area and looks forward to performing
in front of his
Southern California fans. Tickets are currently
on sale through Ticketmaster and the Home Depot
Center box office and range
from $50 to $350.
JG
Manfredo returns vs.
McCrary
“August Annihilation” August 22 at
Twin River Events Center, RI
PROVIDENCE (July 30, 2008) – Two of
The Contender reality
television series most popular
fighters, “The Pride of
Providence” Peter Manfredo, Jr.
(Season One finalist) and Donny
“The Savage” McCrary (Season
Three participant), battle for the
NABF Interim super middleweight
title in the 12-round main event,
headlining “August Annihilator” on
Friday night, August 22 at Twin
River Events Center in Lincoln,
Rhode Island.
“August Annihilator,” part of the
“Budweiser Night at the Fights”
series, is promoted by Jimmy
Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment
and Sports, Inc. (CES), in
association with Twin River,
Budweiser, The Tournament of
Contenders, and CN8, The Comcast
Network.
The
show will be taped live and air
Saturday, August 23 at 7:30 PM/ET on
CN8, The Comcast Network as well as
Cox Sports Television.
“We
put our fighters in with real
fighters,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield
said. “This is what boxing’s
supposed to be all about. People
don’t want to know the winners
before the fights. Peter Manfredo,
Jr. and these other guys are like
fighters from old warrior days when
they’d fight anybody.”
Manfredo
(30-5, 15 KOs), rated No. 18 by the
WBC, will be fighting at home
against Missourian invader McCrady
(24-7-2, 13 KOs).
Former USNBC and IBF
Intercontinental super middleweight
champion Joey “KO Kid” Spina
(22-1-1, 15 KOs), also fighting out
of Providence, takes on former IBC
Americas heavyweight title-holder
Jim “Steel Chin” Strohl (27-6,
21 KOs) in a six-round bout.
In
a pair of six-round super
middleweight matches, Rhode Island
super middleweight Angel Camacho,
Jr. (10-0, 4 KOs) puts his
unbeaten record on the line against
Brooklyn’s Ariel Espinal
(6-3-2, 2 KOs), while Providence
favorite Richard “Bobo The Bull”
Starnino (9-4-1, 2 KOs) faces
Lowell (MA) slugger “Irish” Joey
McCreedy (8-2, 5 KOs).
Also on the undercard card is
undefeated middleweight prospect
Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez (7-0,
5 KOs), former two-time U.S.
national amateur champion out of
Worcester (MA), who meets Marcus
“Team Savior” Upshaw (8-2, 3 KOs) in
a six-round bout. Providence junior
welterweight Jesus Caro (1-0,
1 KO) squares off against Larry
Foster (0-3) in a four rounder.
Fighting opponents to be determined
are the two newest members of Team
CES, former world title challenger,
featherweight Sandy “Lil’
Tyson” Tsagouris (7-1, 3 KOs),
and Providence junior lightweight
Omar Pena in his pro debut. All
bouts and fighters are subject to
change.
Tickets for “August Annihilator”
are priced at $40.00, $50.00,
(Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00
(Gold) and limited $150.00 (Jimmy’s
Platinum Club) and are available to
purchase 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), at the Players Club
booth at Twin River, or any
TicketMaster location.
Tickets are also on sale at
Manfredo’s Gym in Pawtucket (RI),
401 Gym in Cranston (RI), Rivera
Brother’s in Lynn (MA), Balletto’s
Gym in providence, Big Six Academy
in Providence, and Larry Army
(508.407.5152).
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
“August Annihilator.” Anybody under
the age of 18 must be accompanied at
all times by an adult and they must
enter through the West entrance.)
Press Conference Quotes
Peter Manfredo, Jr.:
“This is just another stepping
stone. McCrary is a tough kid. He
was one of my sparring partners when
I was getting ready for Jeff Lacy.
He’s tough but he doesn’t have the
heart, skill and determination to be
a world champion like me. I’m not
looking past him, but he isn’t going
to beat me August 22nd.
Not on his best day or my worst.
Everything happens for a reason, no
excuses for my fight with Calzaghe.
I had no control because the ref
didn’t give me a shot to fight.
After that I didn’t take fighting
serious and it showed in the Lacy
fight. I had him in the first three
rounds and just blew it. I used to
fight for money but now I’m fighting
because I love it.”
Joey
Spina:
“I’m
fighting a tough guy from Las Vegas
who I’ve fought (sparred). He’s big,
strong and has 21 knockouts as a
heavyweight. I’m back to super
middleweight. My last few fights I
was heavier. I wasn’t serious but
this fight I’m going to be the best
I’ve ever been. Come August 22nd
I will knockout this guy out; I
guarantee. I’m No. 13 in the world (WBO)
right now. This guy is going to
stand in front of me and I’m going
to do what I do…..knock him out!”
Angel Camacho, Jr.: “I’m very excited to be on this card with Peter, Joey and Bobo. I grew
up watching them train and aspired
to be like them. I train with my
friend, Omar.”
“Bobo”
Starnino: “August 22nd I’m going to fight like it’s for my life. I’m a
gladiator who gives it all I got. He
has the fight of his life. I get
stronger as the fight goes on. I
can’t wait.”
Joey
McCreedy: “It’s a great card with Peter and Joey (on top). Bobo is an Italian, I’m
Irish. Everyone knows what happened
when they fight – toe-to-toe all the
way. I hope you’re in shape, Bobo,
because it’s going to be war. I do
respect you. I’ll be punching from
the first round until the end.”
Edwin
Rodriguez: “I’m very excited to be on this card. I cant’ wait to be in the ring to
put on the pain. There are a lot of
middleweights in New England who are
unbeaten that I’m better then. Like
Angel Camacho. Maybe Jimmy can put
that fight together.”
Jesus Caro:
“Peter Manfredo, Sr. has been
training me real good. I’m going to
show everybody at the show what
we’ve been doing. We’re going little
by little and will work to go up in
the ratings.”
Omar
Pena:
“Everyone in the street has been
asking me when I’m going to make my
pro debut. It’s finally going to
happen August 22nd. I’ll
definitely put on a good show.”
-CES-
HOLT, TORRES READY FOR REMATCH
Saturday July
5th in Las Vegas
Trufan July 3,
2008
Kendal Holt has waited almost a year
to get the rematch with Ricardo
Torres, a match that ended in
controversy. For Holt, it gives him
a chance to avenge defeat and
showcase his talent on national
TV.
PHOTO, below. Kendall Holt
stretches during Wednesday's
media workout in Las Vegas. In
an eagerly awaited
12-round rematch of a hotly
disputed fight 10 months ago,
Holt will challenge defending
champion Ricardo Torres for the
WBO junior welterweight title
Saturday in the main event of
ShoBox: The New Generation
on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT,
delayed on the west coast).
Torres is ready to fight. Ricardo
Torres looks to impress upon
American audience this Saturday and
prove that his win over Holt was no
fluke.
Unbeaten, world-ranked Lamont
Peterson hits the mitts before
posing with Rogelio
Castaneda Wednesday. The boxers
will clash in Saturday's
ShoBox 10-round co-feature.
The fight card is promoted by
Bob Arum's Top Rank, Inc.
All bets are off -- for now, but
there will be much at stake when
Torres (left) and Holt get down
for real Saturday at the Planet
Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las
Vegas on SHOWTIME.
Abraham shocks
Miranda; King Arthur stops Pantera
by 4th round TKO
By: Phil Santos
– Overhandright.com
These are the
type of match ups that have fight
fans marking their calendars. It’s
not every week that your treated to
two brutally big punchers, with
exciting styles, meeting for a
second time to settle a score.
Their first
meeting had all the drama,
conspiracy and heavy hitting that
you can squeeze into a middleweight
fight. The result was a decision
win for Arthur Abraham.
The drama came
in round 4 when Miranda crashed home
an uppercut that broke Abraham’s
jaw. Despite the doctor saying he
couldn’t continue and the referee
declaring that Abraham could not
fight on…..he did.
The conspiracy
or home town decision angle is what
many observers believed played into
Abraham’s victory. Miranda was
penalized 5 points for head butts
and low blows, which appeared
excessive to this observer. The
penalties along with some
questionable scoring left the door
open for speculation despite having
been terrific, competitive fight.
Finally the
rematch would settle all of our
unanswered questions. If you route
for Edison Miranda then he was
robbed in Germany and this fight
would go a long way in erasing that
bitter defeat. If you back Arthur
Abraham then Miranda is a pug who
deserved every point deduction and
couldn’t finish Abraham off with a
broken jaw.
In tonight’s
main event, 6-21-08, on Showtime
Arthur Abraham made his American
debut a memorable one. King Arthur
dropped Miranda three times in the 4th
round before the fight was called to
a halt.
Both fighters
exchanged hard shots throughout the
first three rounds. Miranda
steadily moved in on Abraham
stalking and initiating the action.
Abraham was content to cover up and
pick his spots to land effective
counters.
The punch that
changed the fight came early in
round 4 when Abraham scored a
counter left hook that sent crashing
to the canvas. Miranda beat the
count but with over two minutes
remaining couldn’t withstand
Abraham’s assault. Abraham
continued banging counter lefts
flooring Miranda twice more before
it was finally stopped.
Abraham did in
4 rounds what took Middleweight
champ Kelly Pavlik 7 and he now owns
two victories over a tough fighter
in Edison Miranda. A meeting
between Pavlik and Abraham now seem
inevitable. They are the best two
Middleweights in the world,
regardless of what Felix Sturm
thinks, they are both undefeated and
a fight between the two would be a
unification bout and determine the
true Middleweight boss.
ABRAHAM ON THE OFFENSE PHOTO TOM
CASINO: SHOWTIME
For Edison
Miranda the future now holds many
questions. Can he become a viable
title contender at 168? Is his once
rock solid chin now becoming a
question mark? Can Miranda continue
to land fights on HBO and Showtime
or has this devastating loss lead
him back to headlining ESPN cards?
One question
that was answered emphatically was
the Showtime poll question that
asked:
Should Miranda
and Abraham fight again if Miranda
wins the fight? The results 70%
said yes leaving 30%, which must
have been drunk, opting to vote no.
Actually if you think about it that
question never needed asking.
PS
Unbeaten heavyweight prospect
Tony “TNT” Grano in toughest test vs.
Leroy Childs
NABF Top
Prospect Remillard vs. Magallon
headlines June 13th card in Hartford
HARTFORD (June 5, 2008)
– Unbeaten Hartford heavyweight
prospect Tony “TNT’ Grano, one of New
England’s most popular fighters, steps
up in class June 13th when he takes on
Missouri knockout artist Leroy Childs
in the 8-round co-feature on
“Connecticut Conquest” at the
Connecticut Convention Center in
Hartford.
NABF Top Prospect of
the Year, WBC World Youth
featherweight champion Matt “Sharp
Shooter” Remillard (11-0, 7 KOs),
fighting out of nearby Manchester,
headlines in his first title defense
versus Mexican challenger Jose
Magallon in the 10-round main event.
“Connecticut Conquest,”
promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic
Entertainment and Sports, Inc., (CES)
will be taped live and air Saturday,
June 14 at 8 PM/ET on CN8,The Comcast
Network, as well as Friday, June 20 at
8 PM/ET on Cox Sports Television.
Grano (13-0-1, 11 KOs),
2005 U.S. Nationals champion, faces
his toughest test in Childs (13-1, 12
KOs), who has stopped 12 of his 13
career victims.
“Childs can really hurt
people,” CES president Jimmy
Burchfield noted. “This will be Tony’s
toughest fight of his career and you
have to give him and his team a lot of
credit for accepting the challenge to
fight Childs. Team Grano wants to make
an impact in the heavyweight division,
starting with his June 13th fight
against Childs. What better way to do
it than fighting a very tough opponent
at home in front of his family,
friends and fans? I know they can’t
help him in the ring, but Tony will
take care of that himself.”
Hartford’s popular
boxer Israel “Pito” Cardona injured
his elbow, forcing him to withdraw
from his scheduled June 13th fight
against Jason Pires, but former world
title challenger Cardona will be
inducted into the CES Ring of Honor
during a special ceremony. Former USBA
super bantamweight title-holder Pires
(20-3, 9 KOs), now a fulltime New
Bedford (MA) police officer, returns
to the ring in a 6-round junior
welterweight bout after a five-year
absence.
The newest member of
the CES stable, former world
middleweight title challenger Kingsley
“Sharp Knuckle” Ikeke (23-3, 13 KOs),
makes his CES debut in a six-round
super middleweight clash. Ikeke is a
former NABF, NABO, NBA and WBC
FECARBOX middleweight champion.
Others fighting on the
undercard include Hartford favorite
and prison guard, junior welterweight
Addy Irizarry (4-2, 2 KOs), coming off
a very close loss by decision in
Germany, undefeated, top super
middleweight prospect Brian Macy (3-0,
1 KO), of Ledyard (CT), the 2000
National PAL amateur champion and
University of Connecticut graduate vs.
Adrian Redmond (3-5-1, 3 KOs).
Tickets are on sale
now. The $150.00, $100.00 and $55.00
tickets have been sold out. Limited
$35.00 (VIP Bronze) and $80.00 (VIP
Gold) tickets are still available. To
purchase tickets go to or call CES
(401.724.2253/2254), Connecticut
Convention Center (860.249.000),
Manchester PAL (860.645.6261), Willy’s
Gym (860.614.2281), Connecticut
Restorations (860.528.6800),
Strikezone Gym (860.444.2845), L.A.
Boxing Gym (860.221.5987) and 401
Boxing (401.261.9800).
For more information
call CES (401.724.2253/2254), the
Connecticut Convention Center
(860.249.6000), or go on line at
www.cesboxing.com.
Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout 7
PM/ET.
-CES-
Remillard enjoys home cookin’
Friday the
13th at the Connecticut Convention
Center
HARTFORD (May 29, 2008)
-- WBC World Youth featherweight
champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard
makes his first title defense on June
13, practically in his backyard at the
Connecticut Convention Center in
Hartford, against Mexican challenger
Jose Magallon in the 10-round main event
headlining “Connecticut Conquest.”
“Connecticut Conquest,”
promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic
Entertainment and Sports, Inc., will be
taped live and air Wednesday, June 11 at
8 PM/ET on CN8,The Comcast Network, as
well as Friday, June 20 at 8 PM/ET on
Cox Sports Television.
“Every place we go claims
to be the boxing capital of the past,”
promoter Jimmy Burchfield remarked.
“We’re giving each city a chance to show
that it is the boxing capital of the
future, starting with Hartford,
Connecticut. The Connecticut Convention
Center is doing everything possible in
partnership with CES to bring world
class boxing back to Hartford.”
Remillard (13-0, 7 KOs),
fighting out of nearby Manchester, won
the WBC World Youth crown last January
via an impressive 10-round decision
against Manuel Perez (11-3), after Matt
was sidelined for nearly 16-months due
to a wrist injury that twice required
surgery.
“It feels great to be fighting at home,”
Remillard said. “Most fighters don’t get
an opportunity to fight in their
hometown and I’m privileged to have my
first title defense at home. It makes me
work even harder in the gym, knowing
I’ll be fighting in front of my family
and friends. There’s pressure in every
fight, especially when you’re unbeaten.
I guess it depends on how you deal with
pressure. It’s either a negative or
positive and I feel that it’s a
positive. Nobody can help a fighter in
the ring, but there is a hometown
advantage hearing your fans root for
you. I hope all my fans will be there
June 13th.
“I’m not feeling any pain
in my hand. I don’t hold back. If I land
a punch and it hurts a little I’ll just
shake it off and keep going. My hand
feels better with the nicer weather. I’d
never broken a bone before, but cold and
rain bothers the bone. I know my
opponent is a tough Mexican fighting out
of Las Vegas. He comes to fight and
loves to bang. He won’t take a step
backwards, like me, and that’s going to
make for a great fight.”
Remillard, despite losing
16-months because of his injury, still
believes he’s being moved at the right
pace. “I’m only 21 and turn 22 the day
of the weigh in,” he noted. “I’m already
13-0, so I don’t worry about how fast
I’m being moved. I’m in the right place
at the right time.”
Undefeated Connecticut
heavyweight Tony “TNT” Grano (13-0-1, 11
KOs), 2005 U.S. Nationals champion and
arguably the most popular fighter in New
England, faces an opponent to be
determined in the 8-round co-feature.
New Bedford (MA) police
officer Jason Pires (20-3, 9 KOs),
former USBA super bantamweight
title-holder, returns to the ring after
a five-year absence, in which, he
graduated from college (UMass/Dartmouth)
and became a New Bedford police officer.
He’s in a special 6-round junior
welterweight bout vs. TBA.
Others scheduled to fight
June 13 include Hartford favorite,
junior welterweight and prison guard
Addy Irizarry (4-2, 2 KOs), coming off a
very close loss by decision in Germany,
vs. Janae Archuleta (5-14-1, 2 KOs);
undefeated, top super middleweight
prospect Brian Macy (3-0, 1 KO), of
Ledyard (CT), the 2000 National PAL
amateur champion and University of
Connecticut graduate vs. Roger Locklear
(0-2); Hartford super middleweight Tylon
Burris (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Richmond “The
White Tornado” Dalphone (0-3-2)..
Tickets are on sale and
priced at $35.00 (VIP Bronze), $55.00
(VIP Silver), $80.00 (VIP Gold), $100.00
(Diamond) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum
Club VIP). To purchase tickets go to or
call CES (401.724.2253/2254),
Connecticut Convention Center
(860.249.000), Manchester PAL
(860.645.6261), Willy’s Gym
(860.614.2281), Connecticut Restorations
(860.528.6800), Strikezone Gym
(860.444.2845), L.A. Boxing Gym
(860.221.5987) and 401 Boxing
(401.261.9800).
For more information call
CES (401.724.2253/2254), the Connecticut
Convention Center (860.249.6000), or go
on line at
www.cesboxing.com.
Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout 7
PM/ET.
-CES-
Malignaggi’s hand fractured
Hatton fight not in jeopardy
BOSTON (May 27, 2008) –
IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie
“The Magic Man” Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs)
was examined today by his hand
specialist, Dr. Steven Margles, at the
Lahey Hospital in Burlington,
Massachusetts. Dr. Margles confirmed
that Malignaggi fractured his right hand
during his win by 12-round decision
against Lovemore N’dou last Saturday in
Manchester, England.
Malignaggi will stay in
the Boston area with Dr. Margles to
pursue appropriate treatment. “I spoke
with Dr. Margles after he examined
Paulie and the prognosis is good,”
Malignaggi’s promoter Lou DiBella said.
“This should not affect Paulie’s big
fight this fall against Ricky Hatton in
any way.”
-PM-
DUVA BOXING
AND K2 PROMOTIONS REACH AGREEMENT FOR WBC
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION SAMUEL PETER TO
DEFEND TITLE VS. VITALI KLITSCHKO THIS
FALL, AVOIDING PURSE BID
New York, May 9—Dino Duva,
president of Duva Boxing and promoter of
World Boxing Council Heavyweight Champion
Samuel Peter, announced today that
an agreement has been reached with K2
Promotions for the “Nigerian Nightmare’ to
defend his title against former champion
Vitali Klitschko, thus avoiding a
purse bid.
The two sides reached accord at meetings
in Mexico City yesterday, and the WBC
world title clash will take place sometime
this fall, with date, site and television
to be deterimined in the near future.
“The deal was made at the
11th hour, and we are
delighted,” said Duva. “Instead of going
to the WBC offices for a purse bid and
uncertain future, we instead were able to
reach the agreement and announce it in
front of the wonderful Mexican media and
fans.
“We’re ecstatic,” added
Duva. “It’s the best possible deal for all
concerned – the fighters, promoters, and
most importantly the fans.”
The WBC Heavyweight title
tilt will be a co-promotion between Duva
Boxing and K2 Promotions, with Duva
serving as lead promoter.
“It was a long and
complicated negotiation,” said Duva. “I
want to sincerely thank all of the key
parties – my partner Don King, Sam’s
manager Ivaylo Gotzev, Vitali Klitschko,
his advisor Shelly Finkel and promoter Tom
Loeffler
"Last but not least, I
must thank WBC President Jose Sulaiman,
who, along with his son Mauricio, was
determined to get all parties to the table
and make a deal for this great fight,”
wrapped up Duva. “Without their support
and understanding, this never would have
happened.
As part of the agreement,
Peter is free to fight in an interim bout
by July, which is being worked on
feverishly, according to Duva.
CIGAR
TARVER CALLS OUT DAWSON AFTER BOTH ARE
VICTORIOUS
TAMPA,
Fla. (April 13, 2008) – Antonio Tarver registered
a unanimous 12-round decision over defending
champion Clinton Woods to capture the
International Boxing Federation (IBF) light
heavyweight crown and World Boxing Council (WBC)
175-pound kingpin Chad Dawson remained undefeated
with a thrilling, hard-fought 12-round decision
over hard-luck Glen Johnson Saturday on SHOWTIME.
The world championship doubleheader, billed as
“TNT: Title Night in Tampa,” took place at the St.
Pete Times Forum and was promoted by
Gary Shaw
Productions, LLC, and AT Entertainment in
association with Fight Academy. A
crowd-pleasing event aired
on SHOWTIME
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9
p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Tampa’s Tarver
(27-4, 19 KOs),
a former undisputed light
heavy champion and reigning International Boxing
Organization (IBO) titleholder, mostly dominated
en route to winning by the scores of 119-109,
117-111 and 116-112. There were no knockdowns.
“It’s all
about the belts; I’m looking for all the
belt-holders,’’ Tarver said. “He was a tough,
gritty fighter but I came into this in great
shape. I took some and got some (punches) but the
best man won tonight. I’m not surprised by
anything that went on in there.
a Tarver jab connects . . .
“A lot of
credit for my performance goes to my trainer,
Jimmy Williams, who never let me give up or get
down on myself. Jimmy is one of the all-time great
teachers and absolutely definitely should be in
the Hall of Fame.’’
Tarver, who
called out Dawson at the post-fight press
conference – Shaw said a unification world title
fight could take place in the fall -- wasn’t
impressed with Dawson’s performance in the
telecast’s opening bout.
 All
photos by Tom Casino
“Chad Dawson
would be easy pickings now,’’ Tarver said. “He’s
not the fighter now that he was before his fight.
He’s a wounded duck.
“Dawson took
a lot of hard hits against Johnson, but there is a
difference between getting hit by Glen Johnson and
getting hit by me.’’
Woods (41-4-1, 24 KOs), of Sheffield, England,
could not find his range or rhythm for much of the
36 minutes.
“I fought the best
light heavyweight in the world tonight,’’ said
Woods, who was making the fifth defense of the
crown he won in March 2005. “I don’t know if it
is my time to retire or not.’’
Dawson (26-0, 17
KOs), of New Haven, Conn., wanted a tough test and
he got it.
 Both
Dawson (l) and Johnson trade on the inside and . .
.
All
photos by Tom Casino
“Johnson is a
warrior and we trained for that,’’ Dawson said
after winning the fight of the night by the scores
of 116-112 on all the scorecards. “We worked on
stepping around and boxing him in training and we
did that, too.
“I executed my game
plan and landed more punches. Glen is a great
fighter. He caught me with some good shots but I
did my job and took them.’’
There were no
knockdowns in a non-stop slugfest with constant
two-way action, but both boxers were rocked on
several occasions.
.
Johnson (47-12-2, 37
KOs), of Miami, by way of Jamaica, owns wins over
Tarver, Woods and Roy Jones Jr., but almost is as
well known for coming up on the wrong end of
close, unpopular decisions.
both connect with uppercuts in heated exchange.
Such was the case
again Saturday.
“The decision was
total bull,’’ Johnson said. “Dawson is a good,
young fighter with a great future, but I really
worked hard for this fight and definitely feel I
won it.
‘I can’t afford to
keep losing these kinds of fights at this stage of
my career. I wish I knew why these kinds of bad
decision keep going against me.
“This loss hurts me
more than any other in my career. I would love a
rematch.’’
SHOWTIME
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al
Bernstein called the action from ringside with
Karyn Bryant serving as special correspondent. The
executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast was
David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING fight card will re-air as
follows:
DAY
CHANNEL
Monday, April 14 at 8
p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Tuesday, April 15, at
9 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME TOO
Wednesday, April 16,
10 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME
For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including
exclusive behind-the-scenes video, photo galleries
and complete telecast information, please visit
http://www.SHO.com/Sports.
Ruiz vows to
clean-up heavyweight division
Starting Mar. 8 vs.
McCline
LAS VEGAS (January 28, 2008) –
Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman”
Ruiz (42-7-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBA and No. 6
by the WBC, returns to the ring March 8 against Jameel
“Big Time” McCline on the Oleg Maskaev-Samuel Peter card
in Cancun, Mexico.
“I’m getting ready to clean-up the
heavyweight division, starting March 8 with McCline, and
then I want the Maskaev-Peter winner,” Ruiz said from
his Las Vegas training camp with head trainer Manny
Siaca, Sr. “McCline almost beat Peter in his last fight
and he’s a lot better than some people give him credit
for. He floored Peter three times but we’ll see how
tough he is on March 8.
In his last fight, Ruiz stopped Otis
Tisdale in the second round of their October 13 bout in
Chicago, which marked the first time since 1999 that
“The Quietman” fought an opponent who wasn’t a world
champion, former title-holder, or rated in the top 10.
“I’ve always wanted to fight in Puerto
Rico,” the first and only Hispanic heavyweight champion
remarked. “We just haven’t had the right opportunity,
yet. But I’m looking forward to fighting in front of all
the Latinos at this fight in Cancun.”
Ruiz, who has fought in 11 world
championship fights (including one interim and one
eliminator), has beaten three world heavyweight
champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony
Tucker – as well as top contenders Andrew Golota, Fres
Oquendo and Kirk Johnson during his 15-year pro career.
McCline (38-8-3, 23 KOs) is a three-time
world title challenger, currently rated No. 9 by the
WBC and No. 14 by the WBO, who has defeated former world
champion Shannon Briggs.
-JR-
Shufford plans to
get untracked
against Olympian Estrada
“Champions of Tomorrow” Jan. 25 at
Foxwoods Resort Casino
PROVIDENCE (January 18, 2008) – Former world
heavyweight title challenger Charles Shufford plans to get his
career untracked and him back into the heavyweight mix with an
upset of 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada in their
10-round, co-main event headlining the “Champions of Tomorrow”
pro boxing show, January 25 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in
Mashantucket, Connecticut.
WBC Youth featherweight champion Manuel Perez
defends his title against Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard in the
other 10-round, co-feature on “Champions of Tomorrow,” promoted
by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. it
will be taped live and air on Saturday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m.
on CN8 and will also stream online at
www.CN8.tv.
Following
the broadcast, the show will be available ON DEMAND to Comcast
Digital Cable customers for at least one week. “Champions of
Tomorrow” will also air on Cox Sports Television on February 1
at 8:30 p.m.
Las Vegas-based Shufford (20-7-1, 9 KOs) is a man
of many diverse talents. He fought Wladimir Klitschko for the
WBO title in 2001, extended present WBC Interim heavyweight
champ Samuel Peter the full distance in 2004, holds a victory
against former world champion Lamon Brewster, and fought a draw
with another ex-world title holder, Kelvin Davis. Shufford has
acting experience having portrayed George Foreman in the movie,
“Ali,” and he’s been the bodyguard of the stars for the past
four years at The Palms in Las Vegas.
“I had a lot of fun doing the movie with Will
Smith,” Charles said. “I got to travel to Africa, too. I work in
security at The Palms. I’ve guarded Michael Jackson, Britney
Spears, Koby Bryant and so many other stars. I love working for
the Maloof brothers (owners of The Palms as well as the
Sacramento Kings). They’re cool. They walk the floor every
night. They’ve been very good to me, working around my schedule
so I have time to train when I have a fight.”
Estrada (10-1, 2 KOs), the Providence native now
rated No. 10 in the NABO, has vowed to knock Shufford into
retirement. “The kid is quick and fast,” Shufford noted, “but I
am, too. I’m taller, stronger and have a longer reach than him.
I’ve learned from my recent losses that I can’t lay back. If I
don’t work, he’s going to beat me, but I’ve been in with
everybody and he doesn’t worry me. I need to be myself and put
it all on the line. I’m looking for a big win in January and
then line-up some fights to show everybody what I can really do.
“I have to stay busy so I’ll have my timing and
sharpness. I had long layoffs because I’m too risky (of an
opponent) in some ways. I’m not fighting for titles and I’m too
good to be an opponent. I know I can fight but I’ve been rusty
my last few fights. I have to put it all together because I feel
I’m a good enough fighter to beat anybody on any given day.”
Manchester (CT) favorite Remillard (11-0, 7 KOs)
has been inactive since suffering a wrist injury that required
surgery after he won the WBC Youth super featherweight on
September 23, 2006. He’s aching to fight Perez (11-3, 2 KOs),
who captured the WBC Youth title in his last fight on November
10 via a unanimous 10-round decision against Victor Barela.
Unbeaten cruiserweight prodigy and 9-time U.S.
amateur champion, Aaron Williams (15-0-1, 11 KOs), takes on
former world kick boxing champ Manu Ntoh (17-13-1, 10 KOs) in an
eight-round battle of cruiserweights.
New England fans have waited a few years for the
light heavyweight showdown between Iraqi War-veteran Chris
Traietti (7-0, 4 KOs) and “Irish” Joey McCreedy (5-1, 4 KOs) and
it’ll finally happen Jan. 25 in a scheduled six-round bout.
Throwback middleweights Richard “Bobo” Starnino (8-2-1, 1 KO),
of Providence, and New Bedford’s Eric Pinarreta (1-1, 1 KO)
bring an old-fashioned border war brawl into the ring.
Also on the undercard in four-round bouts are
unbeaten Rhode Island super middleweight Angel Camacho, Jr.
(8-0, 4 KOs) against Terrance “TJ” Jones (10-10, 6 KOs), vastly
improved Hartford light welterweight Addy Irizarry (3-1, 2 KOs)
meets Tonya Gallegos (4-6, 2 KOs), undefeated Brockton super
middleweight Manuel Antonio Lopes (4-0, 1 KO) faces John “The
Baptist” Michael Terry, and recent University of Connecticut
graduate Brian Macy, a poker card dealer at Foxwoods, makes his
pro debut versus Pete Guthy (1-1-1, 1 KO) in a match-up of young
super middleweights. All bouts and fighters are subject to
change.
Former world title contender “Sucra” Ray Oliveira
will be inducted into the CES Ring of Honor in a ceremony during
the “Champions of Tomorrow.” Unbeaten heavyweight contender
“Baby” Joe Mesi (36-0, 29 KOs), promoted by CES, will make a
special presentation to Oliveira.
Tickets for “Champions of Tomorrow” are priced at
$40.00, $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s
Platinum Club). Two VIP Presidential Suites are also available
(call CES for details as well as sponsorship opportunities). To
purchase tickets or for additional information contact CES
(1.401.724.2253/2254 -
www.cesboxing.com) or
Foxwoods (1.800.200.2882/www.foxwoods.com). Doors open at 6
PM/ET, first bout at
7 PM/ET.
-CES-
“Around The Ring”
Newark Pro Show A Holiday Hit!
By Bobby Breen
12/7/07. The Hall of Fame Promotions Pro
card at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ was a holiday
hit. Promoter Donna Duva-Brooks with Gabe LaConte brought
boxing back to Brick City right where it belongs. Despite a
brawl in the crowd that threatened the close of the show
this card was a huge success. In fact Gabe LaConte got in
the ring at the close of the co-feature and appealed to the
fighting fans to break it up or they risk the future of
professional boxing in Newark and the entire state of NJ.
LaConte’s plea to the brawlers to get in the ring if they
wanted to fight went unanswered. Much to everyone’s
surprise, the crowd responded by taking their seats and the
card continued without further interruptions. Kudo’s to
LaConte, an old school promoter who took control of the
situation and saved boxing for another day in Newark.
All in all, the card was a good
one. 5 bouts in total, two KO’s, two crowd pleasers, and one
average bout to round out the evening. The main event had
Brooklyn’s Light heavyweight Shaun George going against
journeyman Tom Reid of Jackson, TN. Reid, with 55 pro bouts
under his belt was a last minute
stand in for Eric Harding, who pulled out due to injury last
week. Good thing Harding did not show up. George had to work
the full ten rounds to
earn a decision over a very game and clever Reid. This was
George’s fourth bout this year, but he looked a bit rusty
compared to prior outings. I saw a
taped reply of a bout from 2005 of George just the other
night and he did not appear the same. Give Reid credit. At
40 yrs. old Reid has fought many
times, many places, and displayed all the tricks of an old
pro. Reid’s style could have fooled George at times plus his
ruggedness seemed to give George
some difficulty. It was a wonder if George did the old “work
the ten rounds” routine to prepare for tougher competition.
Who knows, but he never put Reid
down or had him hurt to any degree. If George plans on
continuing to campaign for a title shot, he has to show more
than he did against Reid, who admitted afterward his
fighting days are just about done.
Not to take anything away from Shaun George. He is a
talented pro boxer. At 28 yrs. old he has some peak years
ahead of him. I hope he is able to learn
from this bout and prepare to pick up the caliber of
opponents and do what he needs to continue to win. The first
three rounds were average. In round
four George started to dig to the body. This continued
throughout the middle rounds of the scheduled ten rounds. In
round eight George rocked Reid solid, but Reid fought back
gallantly. His years of experience were evident. The final
two rounds had George continuing his pursuit of Reid, easily
landing
on the old pro, but Reid continued to shake off George’s
punches. If decisions were based on heart Reid would have
won. George looked pretty
fresh in the final round, much to his superb condition. The
judges all had it 100-90 for George, which seemed right. But
the question comes to mind,
what if there were stiffer competition, could George’s, who
improves to 16 (KO 7)-2-1, performance ended with the same
result? That boxing fans, is the million-dollar question.
 ALL
PHOTOS MATT DESARCINA
Photo
of Co-Promoter Gabe LaConte with Newark Firefighters, with
Bo James, who received award for community service.
CLICK TO ENLARGE
The co-feature was a Jr.
Middleweight six rounder with Newark’s Alex Perez going
against Cory “Mad Bomber” Peterson of Flint, MI. Great bout.
Perez,
who was 8-0 with 6 by KO, had the height and reach. Peterson
was one tough opponent who came in with a record of 7-1 with
4 by KO. This was fight of
the night. Perez chose to slug it out with a slugger. This
was puzzling, as Perez could
have easily controlled the bout from the outside. Peterson
banged away and almost took the decision. I had it a draw.
The judges saw it at 58-56 all ways. It was close and the
crowd loved it.
This was local boxing at its best. The venue, although
small, was just right. A full house of about 1,000 enjoyed a
pro card in a local arena. Not
too many bouts, so it didn’t drag on and ended a decent
time. The Robert Treat Hotel in downtown Newark has plenty
of parking, good security, the
crowd was festive to say the least, but overall a great
night of boxing.
Referee Lindsey Paige
(M) raises both hands of boxers Alex Perez(L) and Cory
Peterson(R) after their six round all out brawl. Perez won
by unanimous decision, 58-56 on all 3 judges scorecards.
Hey, tough fans come to boxing, what
can I say! But we need to keep the peace in order to enjoy
the sport we all love. Hall of Fame Boxing
Promotions, run by Donna Duva, daughter of famed
trainer/manager Lou Duva, told me during the show, they do
not currently have future dates but hope to
bring boxing back to Newark, NJ. They would have to wait and
see how this show went. This writer certainly hopes they do.
They ran a great card and
they know how to do it well. Let’s all hope they decide to
do it again.
Side notes: Jorge Diaz, New Brunswick,
NJ who recently turned pro at Bantamweight got his second
straight KO, taking out Antonio Vera of San
Juan, PR. Diaz went to the body of Vera, first dropping him
with a liver shot, then finishing him off with another body
blow in the first round of their scheduled four rounder. I
overheard the Doctor say Vera may have received a broken rib
via Diaz. William “Bo” James, the fighting fireman of
Newark, NJ was presented a plaque in the ring by Gabe
LaConte, for outstanding performance to the community. James
campaigned as a middleweight
and super- middleweight from 1986-2001. He had 35 pro bouts
with a win over John “The Beast” Mugabi. He also beat
Michael Moorer as an amateur. James fought Bernard Hopkins
for the IBF Middleweight title in 1996, losing in that
effort. James continues to work for the Newark Fire Dept.
and trains amateur boxers in NJ. Way to go champ, keep up
the great work! Speaking of
Duva’s, Lou Duva was attended to by medical personnel and
taken to the hospital for observation at the start of the
show. According to Donna Duva,
he was okay but they were keeping him for observation. Let’s
keep Lou Duva in our prayers. He is truly one of the NJ
Legends in boxing.
William "Bo" James, former middleweight
contender accepts a plaque for service to the community. Bo
James from Newark, NJ was known as the Fighting Fireman,
and was honored in the ring for his work with amateur
boxers.
The complete results of Hall of Fame Boxing Promotions card
in Newark, NJ
12/6/07;
1) Scott Fairlamb Butler, NJ KO’d
Dino Weingarten Knoxville, TN Hvy. 0:55 Rnd 1
2) John Watson Irvington, NJ UD Fitzgerald Johnson Phil.
PA 168lbs. 4 Rnds.
3) Jorge Diaz New Bruns, NJ KO Antonio Vera San Juan, PR
119lbs. 1:35 Rnd. 1
4) Alex Perez Newark, NJ UD Cory Peterson Flint, MI 154
lbs. 6 Rnds.
5) Shaun George Brooklyn, NY UD Tom Reid Jackson, TN
Lt.Hvy. 10 Rnds.
Referee Earl Morton(L)
with Brooklyn, NY Lt. Heavy contender Shaun George after
his ten round unanimous decision (100-90) victory over Tom
Reid of Jackson, TN.
BB
WOLAK, MUSSACHIO WIN AT WILDWOOD
TRUFAN Nov 11th, 2007
Unbeaten jr. middleweight Pawal
Wolak 18-0 (13 KO's) used his pressure tactic to wear down
veteran Jonathan Reid en route to a 4 rd TKO here at the
Convention Center last night.
Another unbeaten, hometown favorite
light heavyweight Chuck Massachio had a tougher contest,
winning a split decision over New York's Victor Paz.
The bouts were promoted by New
Jersey's KEA
Boxing.
After a feel out first round, Wolak got to work
scoring effectively to the head and body.
In round four, a winded Reid took an eight count to avoid
Wolak's onslaught. Again Wolak went to work on Reid, forcing
his opponent to the canvas again. This time Reid's corner
threw in the towel and the fight was over and 2:09 of the
round.
Wolak(r) crashes right through Reid's guard . . .
As for Mussachio, who registered his
eleventh victory, it was a close battle which saw the
Wildwood resident jabbing and moving throughout the early
rounds, but occasionally letting Paz in to connect with his
left hook. As the fight wore on, Paz was still there and
still punching, as the early lead of Mussachio seemed to
dissipate. After 8 rounds the fight seemed up for grabs, but
Massachio held on for a split decision.
Mgr Edwards poses with Wolak after the bout/TRUFANBOXING
In an earlier light heavyweight
contest, Bobby Jordan used a body punch to stop Dennis
Losada in the second round. In a middleweight contest,
prospect Patrick Majewski stopped Nick Collins in the first
round.
JLM
WILDWOOD WARS ON NOV 10th
October 24, 2007-
Wildwood, New Jersey , – KEA Boxing is turning up the heat
as they head into their 10th show on Saturday November 10th.
After a very successful "Brawls at the Birchwood III"
featuring light heavyweight prospect, Chucky "The Professor"
Mussachio, 10-0, 5 KO's, KEA is taking the show into
Mussachio's backyard.
In the co-feature
of the evening the undefeated and rugged, "Polish Raging
Bull" , Pawel Wolak, 17-0, 12 KO's will be stepping up his
level of competition as he takes on Contender, Jonathon
Reid, 34-7, 19 KO's. Wolak is coming off of an impressive
performance in September on Long Island when he stopped Dan
Wallace, 9-2 in round number 4. Wolak imposes his will on
his opponents every time he fights and the result is always
another "Wolak War". Reid is a cagy veteran who will force
Wolak to step up his game to the next level.
The plan is to give
Mussachio's hometown fans a taste of what they may have
missed in June at the Birchwood in North New Jersey when
Mussachio won a hard fought decision over Joe Frazier's
fighter Chandler Durham in a very exciting fight. "The Pride
of Wildwood" is local schoolteacher who's had over 100
amateur fights and is excited about returning to his home
town to fight for his loyal fans.
Atlantic City
product, Patrick Majewski, 5-0, 3 KO's , will also be
featured against knockout artist Nick Collins, 4-3, 4 KO's.
Collins has upset on his mind as he will enter the ring with
all four of his wins coming by knockout. Majewski is ready
to impress his home crowd with a step up in his level of
competition.
Antonio "Tony the
Tiger" Espinosa , 9-0, 1 KO will be looking to add his fifth
win since signing a promotional deal with KEA Boxing. The
slick boxing southpaw is a hot prospect in the
lightweight
division, and is looking forward to staying busy fighting
under the KEA banner.
New York based
light heavyweight, Dennys Lozada , 5-1, 2 KO's is taking on
Michael Gutrick, 3-7, 2 KO's. Atlantic City based fighters,
light
welterweight
Linwood Hurd, 1-0-2 and light heavyweight Alfred Kinsey,
6-2-1 , 3 KO's will also appear in separate bouts.
Tickets are
available is several denominations, $75 for
ringside,
preferred seating is $50 and general admission $35. Tickets
are available online at www.ticketmaster.com, show time is 7
PM.
Mesi dedicates
Oct. 12th fight to injured Buffalo Bills lineman Kevin
Everett, Miller vows to upset Mesi
“Cl ash
of the Titans” at Twin River in Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE (September 27, 2007) – Unbeaten
“Baby” Joe Mesi has dedicated his CES debut
on October 12 to injured Buffalo Bills lineman Kevin
Everett, while Shannon Miller has vowed to
upset Mesi in their 10-round main event in “Clash Of The
Titans,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic
Entertainment & Sports, Inc., continuing “The Budweiser
Night at the Fights” series at Twin River Events Center in
Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Former WBC No. 1 contender and NABF
heavyweight champion Mesi (35-0, 28 KOs) fights Miller
(15-3, 9 KOs) for the vacant WBC USNBC heavyweight title.
“I’m known as the third franchise in Buffalo and I do love
he Bills and Sabres,” Mesi said. “I’ve dedicated my next
fight and possibly other fights to Kevin Everett and his
family. I’m sending him a card to let him know and an
autographed pair of gloves, through the Buffalo Bills, with
the message, ‘Keep Fighting, Kevin.’
“All of the guys I fight want to be the
one wearing the T-shirt, ‘I beat Joe Mesi." I’ve watched
Shannon Miller box for a long time. I know he’s experienced
and that this is a great opportunity for him. We’ve always
been respectful towards each other, but he’s not in the same
class as me. I’m going to come in having trained very hard
for him. I’ll be ready. I know he’s going to be in his best
shape to try and score an upset. He is a step up from the
tune-ups I’ve had the last year or so. But I’m too fast and
too strong for him. He’s going to be a good test for me.”
Miller, of course, is looking at Mesi as a
breakthrough fight. “I look forward to this shot at
upsetting Joe Mesi and putting my name on the national
scene,” Miller explained. “Joe’s ‘O’ has got to go!”
“Clash of the Titans” will be taped live
in the Twin River Events Center and air Saturday night,
October 13 starting at 9:30 PM/ET on by CN8, The Comcast
Network as well as Cox Sports Television.
“Both fighters (Mesi and Miller)
understand how important this fight is for the USNBC title,”
Burchfield added. “It’s so important to Miller that he’s
taken off a month from work to train at with his father‘s
camp. He knows what a great opportunity he has to upset Mesi.
This is Joe’s biggest fight because he has a lot to prove.
It’s so important to both of their careers. Both camps have
been very respectful -- Jack Mesi (Joe’s dad/manager) as
well as Shannon’s father, Bob, and his promoter, Lisa (Elovich).
To show you the type of guy Joe Mesi is, he’s dedicating
this fight to Kevin Everett.”
2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six”
Estrada (9-1, 1 KO), NABO No. 14 rated heavyweight,
is slated to fight TBA in the co-feature.
Four-time world champion, 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, also are scheduled to fight on “Clash of the
Titans” in six-round bouts.
Undefeated Pawtucket (RI) light
welterweight Eddie “The Puerto Rican Sensation” Soto
(8-0, 4 KOs) meets Connecticut veteran Shakha Moore
(10-11-3, 2 KOs) in a four-rounder. Also on the
undercard in separate four-round fights are Rhode Island
super middleweight Angel Camacho, Jr. (7-0,
4 KOs), Brockton (MA) light heavyweight Manuel
Antonio Lopes and New Hampshire cruiserweight
Rich Gingras (3-0, 3 KOs), the 2006
Ringside World heavyweight champion as an amateur. 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-
Jack Leonard, boxing trainer, passes away at 89.
WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA August 28th :
Jack Leonard, instrumental trainer/manager/Promoter who led Don Jordan to the
welterweight title in 1959, has died in Florida, it was
learned today.
Leonard died from
heart failure on Saturday, doctors at the Brandywine Health
Care Center confirmed Monday.
Leonard boxed as an
amateur, and turned professionally briefly in California
during the war years. He spent most of his life in
California before moving to Winter Haven in 1984 and help
start a boxing program for the PAL.
Leonard is
remembered for refusing to hand over Don Jordan's contract
to mobsters, and was physically attacked afterward. Leonard
testified before a grand jury that led to eight being sent
to jail.
One of the current
professionals who started under Leonard's
guidance is Andre Berto, a rising prospect at 147lbs.
Leonard is a member of
the U.S. Boxing Hall Of Fame.
JLM
STAR REMEMBERS LEONARD
CLICK HERE
DAVID TUA IS BACK!
Saul Montana came
out fast. Saul Montana went out fast. At 37, the 242 pound
knockout artist from Los Cabos, Mexico had learned when
you’re in against a guy who starts slow, go after him from
the opening bell. David Tua, the 35-year old, 237 ½ pound
once upon a time heavyweight contender, from South
Auckland, New Zealand had learned to take his time and
look for the opening, then let it fly. David Tua went to a
better school than Saul Montana.
With 42 of his 48
wins coming by way of knockout, against 14 defeats, the
bull-like Mexican came charging at Tua, winging away with
sweeping rights and lefts. The Tuaman parried some, took
some, never losing his cool. Then, as the charging Montana
started throwing an overhand right, Tua threw his
signature punch, a whistling, picture perfect left hook.
Montana was already out on the way down as Tua, threw in
another left hook just for good luck. Luck had nothing to
do with it. At 2:15 of the first round of a scheduled
ten-rounder, it was all over. David Tua, with a 48-3-1
record and 41 KO’s, is right back in the heavyweight title
picture.
In the ten-round
co-feature, undefeated Israeli/British heavyweight Roman
Greenberg was unimpressively impressive in stopping 220
pound Damon Reed of Topeka, Kansas who came in with a
43-12 (30 KO’s) record. Such a record leads you to believe
that somewhere along the way, he must have thrown a punch
here and there. After a feel ‘em out first round, the
crowd sat back waiting for the action. They sat, they
waited and they waited, they sat. Okay, Greenberg was not
exactly a tiger, but he was throwing punches, even
flurried on occasion.
Hey, wake up! What’s
this? Middle of the 5th round and Reed threw
two punches. So what if Greenberg’s back was towards him
and he swiped Roman on the back of head on the break! He
landed two punches. There wasn’t a round that could be
considered close and as the fight reached its mid-point,
Reed was moving around like a tipsy sailor on a listing
ship at times. You had to be wondering why Greenberg
couldn’t take this guy out.
Just before the bell
ending the 6th round Greenberg dropped Reed
with a left-right combination. But the referee never saw
it even though every one else did. In the 8th
round Greenberg nailed Reed with a left hook for one of
the weirdest knockdowns ever seen at the South Town
Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah – and a few other places,
also. Just when it looked like the toppled Topekan was
comfortably stretched out, with the referee ready to
count, Reed did a magnificent back flip, bounding to his
feet. Knockdown number two that wasn’t called. Somehow it
was ruled a slip. Like there was a banana peel on the
canvas. It seemed that even Reed was unhappy with the
call. So he took two more trips to the canvas that round,
both from body shots, but mainly from weariness,
unhappiness and maybe he just liked to hear the referee
count. In the ninth round he went down another two times
from body shots and by then the referee did not enjoy
counting any more, so it was all over at 42 seconds of the
9th round. You can’t put down Greenberg’s 26-0
record (18 KO’s) and pitching a shutout in this one. He
may be a guy who just puts out as much as he has to
without taking chances. It wasn’t his fault that he was in
there with someone who seemed to want to be somewhere
else.
Judgment
reserved.
Jeremy Williams
return to the cruiserweight division saw him squeak out a
lackluster 8 round split decision over Salt Lake City’s
popular Gary “Pit Bull” Gomez. Gomez, 196 ½, coming in
with an 18-8-1 record with 7 knockouts, was not supposed
to be in the same league with Williams. But with 300 plus
amateur fights behind him and known for his tough, sturdy
chin, the local favorite never quit trying, bringing the
fight to Williams, showing that he earned his nickname.
The scorecards of 78-75, 77-75 for Williams and a 77-75
call for Gomez, left a disappointed crowd in the arena. I
saw the fight as dead even, 76-76.
New York’s Peter
“Kid Chocolate” Quillen must have been concerned that his
chocolate treats that he tosses to the crowd after each
fight would melt, so he disposed of them as quickly as he
could. He finished off Jose Corral of Mexico with a
sweeping left hook at 1:38 of the 1st round.
Nobody complained about the chocolate.
Quillen, 159 ½, is
now 14-0 (12 KO’s) while Corral, 163 ½, 10-6,
congratulated Quillen but was in no mood to chew on any
chocolate bars.
Advice Center: If
you ever do something you should not have done and you
need a lawyer to defend you, there is this guy Marc
Saggese from Chicago, who is as tough a defense lawyer as
you could want to know – unless you’re fighting him. At
192 ½ pounds, sporting a 3-0 record, all KO’s, and with
matinee idol good looks, the good counselor took all of 40
seconds to win his case against Denver’s Trevor Pasha,
195, still looking for his first win against three losses.
A smashing right to the jaw was all the evidence that
Saggese had to present. Case closed!
-RR-
WILLIAMS NEW CHAMP
July 15, 2007
Antonio
Margarito pressed welterweight mandatory challenger Paul
Williams all night, came on strong near the end, but came up
short on the decision.
Give
Williams his due - he controlled much of the action in the
first six rounds, building a point lead that was hard for
the X-champ to overcome. Although Margarito threw the harder
punches, the new champ was able to get out of range,
recoil, and control the battle time and time again. Williams
threw a maximum output of arsenal at Margarito, and although
many were blocked, impressed the judges to gain victory.
Margarito is a case for a return of the 15 round
championship battle -- he was chasing and chasing, even
opening up a nasty cut on Williams left eyelid, but the
rounds ran out and the chase ended.
It was a
terrific bout in which there were no knockdowns.
JLM
TRAVIS SIMMS & JOACHIM ALCINE
IN VICIOUS VERBAL EXCHANGE,
VIC DARCHINYAN & NONITO
DONAIRE
WARM TO THE OCCASION
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Four excellent
fighters with a combined record of 98-1 with 69 knockouts
will be featured in a sensational world championship
doubleheader on Saturday, July 7, on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT,
delayed on the west coast).
In a battle of
unbeatens in the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event,
local favorite “Tremendous” Travis Simms (25-0, 19 KOs)
defends his WBA super welterweight title against unbeaten
No. 1 contender Joachim “Ti-Joa” Alcine (28-0, 18 KOs).
“The Lord of the Flys,”
undefeated, hard-hitting Vic Darchinyan (28-0, 22 KOs) risks
his IBF and IBO flyweight belts against once-beaten,
world-ranked Nonito “Flash” Donaire (17-1, 10 KOs) in the
co-main event.
A terrific twinbill, is
promoted by Don King Productions
with Darchinyan-Donaire being promoted in association with
Gary Shaw Promotions, LLC.
Tickets, priced from
$35-$350, are on sale at the venue (203-345-2400),
Ticketmaster, online at ticketmaster.com or by charging by
phone at (203) 368-1000, (203) 624-0033, (860) 525-4500 or
(203) 744-8100.
Question:
Travis, how are you doing and
how is training camp going?
Simms:
I am feeling
wonderful. Training camp is going great. We have been
getting some of the greatest sparring. We have been putting
in hours and hours a day of great training and I am just
ecstatic and I cannot wait until July 7.
Question:
Joachim, what are your
thoughts fighting a great champion like Travis Simms?
Alcine:
For me, he
is not a great champion. For me, he is just an opponent and
that is it. I think this event in July will be my day.
Travis can think whatever he wants, but I am the next world
champion and I will prove it. My coach can tell you what is
going to happen that night.
Simms:
You will not
be champion this time.
Question:
Travis, we know you envision
tossing your hat into the political ring at some point.
What are your goals as a fighter?
Simms:
My goal is
unifying this division, showing them that there should be
only one champion. Travis Simms is that champion. I am
willing to step up to the plate and prove it against all the
other great champions. But first, I have to take care of
business by knocking Alcine out.
Question:
What are your comments on
Alcine saying that you are just an ‘opponent?’
Simms:
Well, he
will see. He (has) never (fought) a guy like me. Most of the
guys he takes were opponents to begin with and when you come
to my house, you are going to see what it is like. This is
his first time being in there with a real world champion and
what I bring to the table you cannot match. So watch for
July 7. I guarantee you I will be victorious whether it is
by decision or by knockout.
Question:
Joachim, why do you regard
Simms as just an opponent and not a champion? Where do you
get all your confidence from?
Alcine:
I get my
confidence from my mom, two kids, the people who are going
to watch me, and certainly my coach. That is where I get my
confidence. There is no way that Travis Simms is going to
unify this title. This title is going to belong to me. He is
going to go home with nothing and he knows it. I will prove
it. You will see.
Simms:
You are
going to have to prove it because you are not coming here
(to do anything to me).
Alcine:
I am ready.
I do not know if you are ready, but I am ready.
Simms:
You are
going to be just like the other trainer, Otis Grant. He is
going to come over here and get his butt whopped, and that
is what (is going to happen to you).
Alcine:
You will
see how it is going to be!
Simms:
No, you will
see!
Alcine:
Otis is now
training me and you will see how it is going to be in the
ring. Otis was a world champion.
Simms:
On July 7,
you will see!
Alcine:
His
defense is better than yours. I do not know what you are
going to do that night!
Simms:
Speak some
English first.
Alcine:
You better
start running, my friend, in the ring.
Simms:
You do not
have to worry about that, friend. I am in great shape. I do
not have to run. I am stronger than you. I am faster than
you. I am much more powerful than you. You will see!
Alcine:
I will see
nothing! You do not know what strong is. A strong man is
me and you will see it that night!
Simms:
No, you are
not strong! You look strong, but you have never fought an
undefeated guy in your life. You do not know what it is
like being in there with a real world champion!
Alcine:
You do not
know what a champion means!
Simms:
All you are
is a big amateur! You are going to get your butt kicked
July 7!
Alcine:
(Hey),
strong man, you know I am the next world champion and I will
prove it, my friend.
Simms:
You have
never been a world champion and that is for a reason.
Alcine:
I am going
to be in the book, man. You do not belong to be there!
Simms:
I am a
two-time, undefeated world champion. I fought some of the
best in the business. You fought nobody! Nobody!
Alcine:
I fought
nobody?
Alcine:
I do not
know what to say. You do not know about sparring partners.
Simms:
I am going
to take your heart! That is what I am going to do.
Alcine:
The way I
am now, strong the way I am, my friend, you are out!
Question:
Travis, you are fighting in
Bridgeport and it is right down the road from your hometown.
What will it be like to be fighting in Bridgeport in front
of a home crowd?
Simms:
Oh man, it
means everything. This is my first time fighting in my home
state as a world champion. I am ecstatic about it. I have a
lot of great support there and the same thing with Alcine
when he fought over in Montreal. Now, he has to come into my
house and dance to a different tune. It is easy to go and
fight in front of your home crowd on a consistent basis and
know that you are going to have the win either way. But this
time around, he is the challenger and I am the champion and
he has to come into my house and dance to my beat and to my
tune. When July 7 comes, I am going to show him what it is
like to be in there with a real world champion. This dude
has been in there, and he is a fraud! His trainer, his
promoter. They got this guy figuring that he deserves to be
in this ring among the best fighters in the world, but this
dude is nothing more than just a great – no, I would not
even say great – he is just a decent amateur. He thinks he
is going to come over in here and win my title? (He is)
sick! (He) must be out of (his) mind!
Alcine:
You are a
funnyman.
Question:
Travis, how do you deal with
the possible distractions of fighting in your backyard?
Simms:
There is no
distraction whatsoever. My training is going great. I feel
very, very good. I feel very strong. Like I said, come
July 7, you will see. Jose Rivera – he said the same thing
and what happened? I kicked his butt and I am going to do
the same to Alcine.
Question:
Travis, does some of your
motivation stem from facts you got a relatively late start
as a pro and had a couple of layoffs?
Simms:
Absolutely.
Like I said, I have a lot to prove. I have a lot of things
that I want personally as a world champion. I want to
solidify my legacy of being one of the best pound for pound,
all time fighters in the world and this is what all great
fighters have to do. We have to go through this. You look at
guys like Bernard Hopkins. He had 20 title defenses. I am
sure every guy that he fought said the same thing. ‘Oh, I am
going to beat him, I am going to beat him.’ They will see. I
am by far one of the best fighters, not only in my division,
but I think pound for pound in the world. On July 7, I am
going to kick off my other campaign with Alcine.
Question:
Joachim, you have fought a
number of former top level fighters, but (none in Simms’
class), so why are you so confident you are going to win.
Alcine:
The thing
is, he is calling himself the best pound for pound. Do not
forget that night when I am going to finish with him, what
will that make me? Will I become a pound for pound or will I
just become Alcine? I do not know. I do not think about it
because I am so confident because I have been waiting for
that belt for so long. I passed over a lot of obstacles in
my life and I passed through it. Travis Simms is not an
obstacle for me! He is just out there for me to shine. That
is all! I am going to shine and the people in his hometown
are going to love me because I am going to show them that
they are supposed to love me.
Simms:
You are
going to be Canadian bacon when I am done with you!
Alcine:
And the
same way if you come and fight (in Canada); the people will
love me still. But the people are going to love me in his
hometown. I am going to show him.
Question:
Joachim, talk about some of
the obstacles you have had to overcome.
Alcine:
Those
things are very personal. I wish I could tell you, but I
will keep it (between) me and my family. That night is going
to be just the night for me to shine. It will not be an
obstacle night because Travis Simms is not an obstacle for
me.
Simms:
Well, you
will see. I am a world champion for a reason, buddy!
Alcine:
You will
not be it anymore! Enjoy it now because there will not be
any more belt for you because it is going to be mine!
Simms:
You will
never be a world champion, trust me.
Alcine:
There is a
beginning for everything. You never been a world champion,
but you can become a world champion. So there is a
beginning for me too!
Simms:
I will give
you a job to work for me after I knock you out!
Alcine:
You cannot
knock me out, man! Stop dreaming! You better dream because
that is it!
Simms:
I will give
you a job; just remember that! I will give you a job!
Question:
Joachim, what have you seen in
Travis’ style, in his record, specifically, that has given
you this confidence that you are so sure you are going to
beat him?
Alcine:
I have seen
Travis fight and he is not a pompous boxer. He has good
skills, a good left hand. But that is all he has. For me, I
have everything. I can fight forward. I can fight backwards
against champions anytime. I am not worried about being in
the ring with him. He can do nothing with me! The only way
he can fight is be patient and throw his left. It does not
work like that.
Simms:
For a real
fight, coming off a two and a half-year layoff and all I
needed was a second to knock him out. You are going to
see!
Alcine:
I told you
already! There will be no knockout for you. I am the one who
is going to take you out of the ring!
Simms:
Listen. I
have an amateur record. I have fought the best in the
division as a world champion. You fought nobody and you
think you can do something with me? You are going to see!
Alcine:
It does not
matter who you fight.
Simms:
You are
going to get your butt kicked! That is all that matters. You
can throw all the kicks you want but come July 7, you will
have to deal with me. You are going to get your butt
kicked, trust me.
Question:
Travis, what does this fight
mean to you as far as appeal and marketability? Would you
say it is the most important fight of your career at this
point?
Simms:
I would say
every fight is important to me, not just this fight here.
This is just my next fight. I approach this fight like I
approach any fight – in great shape, very confident, and
(ready to take) care of business. I am not overlooking
Alcine, but I will be victorious. I do not know where he
gets this BS from about he thinks that he is going to come
in there and he is going to beat me, he thinks he can do
this and he can do that, all I got is a straight left hand.
Buddy, you have got me all wrong! Whoever is sitting down
and talking to you, that is all lies and you know it! So
July 7, you will see what it is all about. Do not think I
have just got a left hand.
Alcine:
Listen. I
(will) show you what strong is!
Simms:
When I knock
you out, it is going to be with the right hand!
Alcine:
I am
stronger than you!
Simms:
You must be
out of your mind!
Alcine:
Are we
talking about skills? I have more skills than you have.
Simms:
You must be
out of your mind! You are nothing I have never seen before.
But I am everything that you have never seen before and
everything that you have never even been in there with. So
come that night, I am going to be your biggest nightmare.
Alcine:
I see why
you go away with nightmares. You cannot turn against you,
my friend.
Simms:
By the way,
I am not your friend!
Alcine:
I am hoping
that after I kick your butt, you will come and shake my hand
after the fight!
Simms:
Yeah, you
are not going to worry about that. You are only going to be
leaving with Canadian bacon!
Question:
Travis, have you ever seen
Alcine fight, and, if you have, what are some of the
weaknesses that you plan to exploit on July 7?
Simms:
I am not
going to tell you that. We have a lot of things we have been
working on. Like I said, Alcine is a decent amateur at
best. I have seen guys like him my whole lifetime and been
victorious over these guys in my lifetime. This guy has
never faced a guy like me and he is going to be in for a
state of shock. I do not know where the heck he is getting
this mentality thinking he can deal with me or fight with
me. When I kick his butt, and he is looking up at the
lights, he is going to understand what it is like being in
there with a world champion!
Alcine:
Do not
forget one thing. What you see on tape and not what you are
going to get. You are going to get something different
especially for you -- especially for you.
Simms:
You are the
same old, same old. You do not change.
Alcine:
You will
see. I have different styles of boxing. I am a boxer with
a lot of skill. You know what skill is? I will show you!
Simms:
I want to
see it. You have to show me!
Alcine:
When I am
finished with you, you will know.
Question:
Travis, you came back after a
long layoff and fairly demolished the defending champ, Jose
Antonio Rivera, on SHOWTIME. What did that performance and
what did that win mean to you coming back after the lengthy
layoff and regaining your title?
Simms:
Like I said,
Jose is someone actually I even like. So a fight coming back
against him was great. I looked forward to that fight. I
knew what I had to do to beat him, the same way I know what
I have to do to take care of Alcine. (Against) Jose, (I)
fought the perfect fight against him. We strategically
planned to fight that way and that was our goal. With Alcine,
we have a different approach, a different style, and this
guy is not going to last. He thinks he can stay in there
with me? He is out of his mind. I do not give him eight
rounds.
Question:
Travis, can you compare
Alcine’s style to Rivera’s or are they totally different?
Simms:
It is
totally opposite, but I will handle him in the same way.
Alcine:
I have
sparred with guys bigger, stronger, hit men – all kinds.
And you?
Simms:
We have got
the best ones right here in New York City.
Alcine:
You are
going to fight with a heavyweight that night.
Simms:
We have got
the best fighters in New York. You will see what happens.
Alcine:
You are not
the best fighter yet! You are nuts! When the time comes, I
will let you know.
Question:
Travis, are you back to where
you were before the layoff, before you won the title the
first time? Not that you are getting old, but you are a
little bit older. Is it tougher to get in shape nowadays or
are you back to the same way?
Simms:
I am back
all the way and I am ready to go. I do not know who the
heck is telling Alcine all that information, but all they
are doing is making it worse for the kid. I was trying to
let the kid leave with some dignity, but I am going to do
him worse than I did Jose.
Question:
Travis, how long have you been
seriously training for this fight?
Simms:
Right after
my last fight, we were back in the gym. We were having Luis
Collazo out, Randy Griffin -- we are getting ready for his
middleweight world title fight coming soon. This is who
these guys have to deal with. They are thinking that this is
a game? I am going to show them that it is not a game!
Question:
Travis, do you want to fight
on a more consistent basis?
Simms:
I do not
like layoffs. In the average week, we fight every night.
So fighting every three or four or six months, I do not like
it. But it will still be my second fight in ’07 and I look
for many more. I look to come back and unify the division.
Alcine:
I do not
know if you are in good shape.
Simms:
You do not
have to worry about that, baby! I am a world champion for a
reason! You have to make sure you are in good shape!
Alcine:
It might be
a little bit longer, maybe one round more because you say
you are in shape. I say one more round, not more than
that. So that means if I have to take you out in the fourth
round, I will take you out in the fifth!
Simms:
I see how
Grant is trying to motivate you a lot, but make sure you do
not overtrain. I see how Grant is trying to motivate you a
lot, but make sure you do not overtrain.
Alcine:
I cannot
overtrain. I am the best puncher in the world, man!
Simms:
I like my
meat just right!
Question:
Travis, you have been compared
to a young Roy Jones with the power and speed that you
have. Would you say experience is the best teacher in
regards to this fight?
Simms:
Absolutely.
Experience is the best teacher, and Travis Simms has a lot
of experience. Like I said, it is an honor to be mentioned
among guys like Roy Jones because he was pound for pound,
one of the best in boxing to date. I liken myself after guys
like Roy, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, and then I
look to take that next step and be the next great world
champion.
Alcine:
While you
talk about world champions and great champions, Sugar Ray is
a great champion, Roy Jones was a great champion. But you do
not compare to those guys. I am the one they are going to
compare to those guys. I am the one that is going to be on
the map, not you!
Simms:
What have
you accomplished? Nothing, nothing at all! You should not
even be fighting for a world title at this point. You have
not done anything and you have not fought anybody.
Alcine:
You think I
did not fight anybody?
Simms:
You fought
nobody! You fought nothing but a phony! You got a padded
record!
Alcine:
When you
call me nothing, it is in the ring, man! It is in the ring!
I will show you what a record is.
Simms:
Yeah, okay.
Question:
Joachim, you won the right to
challenge for this title over a year ago. Does that
extended waiting time add to your determination to win this
fight?
Alcine:
Yeah, I
think so because things I have to learn in the gym to win
the title fight. Things that will make the fight easier for
me, I learn it. So that was for me to be patient and waiting
for the fight. That was a good thing for me because on the 7th
of July, the fight will be easier because if you are talking
about the last few months, the fight will be literally more
difficult. But what I learned in the last few months, I am
telling you, the fight will not be difficult because I am
going to be the next world champion.
Simms:
Is that guy
speaking English?
Begin Closing
Comments.
Simms:
July 7 is
going to be a spectacular event. I am looking forward to it.
Don King named it the “Fistic” Fireworks and that is exactly
what it is going to be. This is a great, great time and
celebration for America, for our independence, and it is the
weekend of the Fourth of July and I am excited. I am ready
to go and ready to have the fireworks pop off and then to
get Alcine out of here, defend my title. It is going to be
an easy defense. Then we are looking on to fighting the
bigger and better names in boxing.
Question:
If triumphant, can you name a
couple of the guys you are looking at in your division.
Simms:
Right now, I
am going after this pound for pound king and maybe
Mayweather, Jr. He is the WBC champion and is considered
the No. 1 fighter in the world, and I am ready to dethrone
him and ready to take over that position.
Question:
Joachim, can we get some
closing comments from you?
Alcine:
The only
thing I can say is Travis Simms is a dreamer and that is
all. But the thing is, I love him now, but after the fight
I am going to knock him out and I am still going to love
him. I want him to know that. I love you.
Begin Interview with
Vic Darchinyan and Nonito Donaire
Question:
Vic, do you have any opening
comments?
Darchinyan:
It is nice to be here in America
training. My training session is very good. I am looking
forward to this fight and I am going to show a good fight.
Question:
Nonito, can we have some
opening comments from you?
Donaire:
It is a pleasure to be here. Like
he said, it is something I am looking forward to as well.
Question:
Nonito, this is a big fight
for not only you, but for the family. Since Vic already
owns a victory over your brother, do you get any added
incentive from that? Any revenge on your mind?
Donaire:
Well, it is not so much for
revenge. Like I have been telling everybody, it is more of
living the dream to be a world champion. It is that
hunger. It is just a pleasure; it is the dream of fighting
to be at this level. It is a great feeling.
Question:
Vic, in your last fight, your
opponent ended up in the hospital and for a while it was
touch and go. Can you tell us what was going through your
mind right after that fight and in the days immediately
following?
Darchinyan:
After my last fight, it was very hard (on
me) because my opponent was very bad. He was in a coma in
the hospital. Thank God, everything passed and now I am
concentrating on my training and concentrating on my fight.
I am confident in my training and ready for this fight.
Question:
Vic, it is important for you
to win all your fights by knockout because you say the best
way to draw attention to the lighter weight classes and guys
like you is to win by knockout. The one title defense you
did not get a KO came against Glenn Donaire, Nonito’s
brother. You wanted to try to get that decision reversed.
How does that play into your upcoming fight against Nonito?
Darchinyan:
I think everyone will agree with me, it
was a knockout. It was not a head butt. It was not the
elbow. It was a knockout. I broke his jaw; he broke the
corner and he screeched and put his hands up. I am very
upset. It is still in my mind; is my title fight going to be
settled by knockout? It is not revenge against his brother.
It is revenge for me because I knocked out his brother. Now,
I am going to knock him out twice because it still is in my
mind. I did have a knockout. He put his hands up and puked
in a corner. I am going to show how ready I am for this
fight and how is will be a very good drama if he can stand
up 10 rounds.
Question:
Vic, you are known as a very
energetic and aggressive fighter. Are you going to change at
all and how (has his last fight against Victor Burgos)
mentally affected you? Obviously, seeing what happened, you
seemed kind of upset after the fight
Darchinyan:
I was very upset. But no, I thank God he
is OK. No, I am not going to change my style. I am not going
to change anything. I am going to go again for a knockout,
and I am going to knock out Nonito that night. I feel my
power is better now. I can feel it in every training, every
sparring. I can punch.
Question:
Do you think Nonito is better
than his brother?
Darchinyan:
I think he is better than his brother,
and I think he has learned some lessons, maybe running
lessons. He is going to start running in the ring.
Question:
Nonito, why do you think you
will be able to defeat Darchinyan and what did you learn
from his fight with Glenn.
Donaire:
All I have to say, first of all,
is I am really hungry and I am going to work hard for this
fight and I will give it all I have got. So do not
underestimate the hunger of a person like myself who lived
for this dream ever since I was a little boy. So that is one
thing. But for all these fights, it is all the same thing.
He fought the same way. He did not change. He is vulnerable
and that is one thing that I need. It does not matter what
style he fights. It does not matter how he is going to come
at me. But his vulnerability is the key to beating him and I
know I can beat him.
Question:
Where do you see him
vulnerable? Is it in defense? Any comparison to other
fighters who have been undefeated with roughly similar
styles as punchers?
Donaire:
Well, everything that he does is
vulnerable. I mean, everything that he does, that is just
his way or thing. He tries to take you out. But the guys
that he fought, they were very small and those guys – they
are going down the hills and they are small. And that is
why he can bully them. But that is just the way he is and
he is vulnerable.
Question:
Nonito, you have been fighting
recently at 115. So you could be naturally bigger than
Vic. But the question is, will making 112 pounds be easy
for you?
Donaire:
It is always easy when you are
determined, when you know that you are on to something. You
know, your mind, your body – you work hard for it. There
should not be any doubt of me making that weight because I
work my butt off to get to here. This is the dream right
here. I am going to make it happen.
Question:
Vic, the fact that you are
fighting a guy that has been fighting at 115 play into the
thinking and into making this fight for you because you have
been saying you want to move up to 115 or 118 or 122?
Darchinyan:
In my career, I have fought guys at
120-125. But I have fought guys who are 120-125 and I beat
them by knockout. I have fought guys bigger than Nonito and
all of my opponents are bigger than me. I like bigger
guys. I like it because I keep getting more powerful. Make
sure you do not do like your brother. Be like a man, no
hands up and go to corner.
Question:
Vic, what is the difference
between fighting in the United States in an event like this
compared to fighting in another country?
Darchinyan:
I have fought most of my professional
fights in Australia. But before that, I was an amateur. I
did more than 300 amateur fights and 170 were international
fights. I have been all over the world. I have fought
everywhere and in every city, every country in Europe and in
America.
Question:
What is it like fighting in
America at an event like this?
Darchinyan:
I fought in America in the amateurs too.
I fought in the Olympic Games, I fought for a world title. I
love this crowd. I like people – they like power here in
America. They do not like people who run. They like people
who come and destroy. America is my style. I love it and I
love fighting in America.
Question:
Vic, you had a great amateur
career, but it seems like in recent fights, you have been so
determined to win by knockout, you do not always utilize all
the boxing ability that people know you have. Is that
because you are looking for a knockout, or is it because you
do not have to utilize boxing? What is your mindset there?
Darchinyan:
My mindset is all about a knockout. When
I am punching a person, I can feel it. If I am punching a
human, I can knock him out. Also, where it is coming from?
My power, I know it is not enough. I know when I am
punching, I become much stronger and stronger. When I knock
out someone, I know it is not the end and that I can punch
harder. It is all part of my mentality. I am ready for it.
Of course, I would love to be a heavyweight. I know I am
going to destroy everyone. All my power, everything, all my
knockouts are because I believe it. I believe I can punch
harder and I can knock out everyone.
Question:
Nonito, I have seen you and
your brother fight. How would you describe the difference
between you and your brother’s style?
Donaire:
My brother is a lot smaller than I
am and he is a brawler. For me, I am a smart fighter and
that is the difference between us. We are completely
opposite in fighting styles.
Question:
How do you think that plays
into a fight with Darchinyan? What do you feel is going to
be effective for you?
Donaire:
It is a classic brawlers-boxer
style for this fight, I think. The best fighter wins. I
think I have the speed and power to do it, and he believes
he has the power to do it. But I have the speed advantage.
Question:
Where are you sparring right
now or where are you training?
Donaire:
I am training at Wild Card (North
Hollywood, Calif.) right now. I have been sparring with a
lot of left-handed fighters, so I am well prepared for this
fight.
Question:
Vic, you have been fighting at
the flyweight level. Does that weight hurt you? Is it time
to move up now? Is that why you are fighting Nonito?
Darchinyan:
My point is not to stay in one weight
division and defend and defend. I would like to do
something in boxing. I want to make my name bigger.
Everyone is going to remember me. First of all, I have
stayed as a flyweight because I wanted to unify. I waited a
long time. We tried to unify it and have talked to WBC, any
champion for unification. Now I believe it is not going to
happen. So I want to move up to super flyweight and maybe
see if I can unify at super flyweight. I have two belts and
everyone who thinks they are stronger than me or can beat
me, come on. I have a belt for you. Come and pick it up.
I do not want to keep my belt if someone is stronger than
me. I do not want to just hide and just defend (against)
small opponents (who are ranked) No. 15, No. 20, – like the
WBC champion, who has 18-20 defenses. Anyone who thinks he
is better than I am, well, I am ready for him. So that’s
why I want to move up now to super flyweight.
Question:
Nonito, is your plan to
utilize your boxing ability and speed and be more of a
boxer/puncher in this fight?
Donaire:
Whatever comes my way, whatever
style he makes, I always have something to counter whatever
it is that he is trying to come up with. If he uses his
strength, I have strength in myself. I have more first
round knockouts than he does. He has more knockouts than
me, but consider who he fought. Yeah, he fought and knocked
the guys out, but I myself have a lot of strength. I have
been fighting at 118 and all those guys up there and I’ve
knocked them out. I’ve dropped each and every one of them.
It is just unfortunate that I was the short notice kind of
fighter except recently. I am confident with my strength.
So whatever he brings, I am going to try to come up with
something better.
Question:
Nonito, it is every boxer’s
dream to get a shot at a world title. What does it mean to
you, and what was your first reaction when you heard that
you were going to get a chance to fight Vic Darchinyan for
the IBF/IBO flyweight titles on SHOWTIME?
Donaire:
Well, the moment they even said I
had a chance for a world championship, I did not care who it
was. Just to be fighting for a world title, I mean, as a
fighter, I do not think you should be saying no to
anything. You are a fighter, you are here, you are ready to
fight and give your life because you are a fighter. That is
what I am going to come into the ring with that mentality to
go all out.
Question:
Vic, how did you receive the
name “Raging Bull”?
Darchinyan:
“Raging Bull” came out from my first
fight in professional boxing. At that time, I did not know
any English. The first time I came to Australia, I had my
first pro fight. And they told me you look like a raging
bull, we are going to give you a new name, “Raging Bull,”
and Armenians explained to me what Raging Bull means because
you are so like a bull coming and you want to destroy your
opponent. I loved it because I feel like it is like me.
When I am going in the ring, opponents come around from you,
you are going to find him and catch him and destroy him. It
has been like my style.
Question:
The IBF named you recently IBF
Champion of the Year in 2006?
Darchinyan:
Yes.
Question:
Can you comment on being the
IBF Champion of 2006 and being Ring Magazine Fighter
of the Month.
Darchinyan:
I am very happy to be Fighter of the
Month. I would be happier to be Fighter of the Year in
Ring Magazine. At the moment, I would like to be in the
top ten for pound for pound, and in the future when I do
more fights, when I prove I am a good fighter and everyone
believes me, I would like to be No. 1 pound for pound. It
is my dream. When I was a kid, I wanted to be world
champion. I have a dream and now I realize that more big
things can happen with me. I will become No. 1 pound for
pound.
Begin Closing
Comments.
Donaire:
Like I said, I am looking forward
to this fight. It is not that I talk crap or anything. I
never do. I am just going to bring what I can out there and
I am going to do my best and I am hoping to come out on July
7 as a champion.
Question:
(But) If you are able to
dethrone Darchinyan, this would be a very, very big and
monumental deal in your career?
Donaire:
Definitely. Like I said, you have
to respect that he is a world champion. He has beaten a lot
of fighters and that is why I am hyped for this fight
because I know I am fighting the best at 112 and I want to
be the best after this.
Question:
Vic, can we get some closing
comments from you?
Darchinyan:
Nonito, what did you think when I fought
your brother, was he knocked out or was it a point
decision? You are a boxer and you watched the fight and you
saw what happened. What did you think?
Donaire:
Well, I saw the fight. It was the
elbow. He could see it, yeah. (Manager) Cameron (Dunkin)
saw it all and it was the elbow.
Darchinyan:
You upset me more now!
Donaire:
It does not matter if you are
upset! But one thing I have got to say, Julie (last name
unknown) said hi and she said she was waiting for you
yesterday and everything like that. But you can be upset as
you want, it does not matter.
Darchinyan:
I am telling you, I am promising you!
Donaire:
What is that?
Darchinyan:
There is going to be fireworks in your
head on fight night!
Donaire:
You can do whatever you want, we
will see what happens. Like I said, I respect you are the
champion or whatever.
Darchinyan:
You know, every time I go out. I prove
what I say. Thank you very much to SHOWTIME and thank you to
Americans for watching and supporting me. I am going to
show a great fight and you are going to see. What I am
saying, is what I promise and what you will see.
Donaire:
And I am looking forward to that.
Like I said, you can say all you want. That is your
belief. I have my own belief in myself.
Darchinyan:
You just turned 24. I do not want to
upset you.
Donaire:
You are making me laugh. You are
making me smile. I mean, as much as you say you are angry,
we will see what happens in the ring. You can spar big
guys. I spar big guys myself.
Darchinyan:
Okay, you are good for it.
# # #
Lange
Captures WBC Title with 8th Rd KO at Patriot
Center
Title Victory Provides Highlight to 4,382 Fight Fans
Fairfax,
VA --- Showing his fearless courage and trademark heart,
Jimmy Lange
scored an eight-round TKO of
Fontaine Cabell
in their highly-anticipated rematch to capture the
previously vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental
America’s 154-pound title in front of 4,382 jubilant
hometown fans at the Patriot Center on Saturday night.
Unlike
their first match, held in Fairfax last December, Lange and
Cabell went toe-to-toe from the opening bell with the local
favorite jumping in front and winning round one. However,
Cabell, a Staten Island, NY, native now residing in Orlando,
FL, employed the same attacking-strategy and didn’t back
down from the Lange onslaught
and launched his own flurry of
jabs and counters that often rocked Lange over the next few
rounds.
Despite
some visual bruising to Lange’s face, the season one
“Contender” star continued his relentless pursuit and seemed
to take control in the sixth round after Cabell absorbed a
barrage of body punches throughout the first five rounds.
With a renewed confidence, Lange went to work in the
seventh round, connecting with a shower of devastating body
blows and solid jabs that led to a knockdown. Seizing the
moment, Lange stormed out of his corner in the eighth round
to continue his assault on the visibly shaken Cabell until
referee Joe Cooper stepped in and stopped the fight at 0:55.
The
championship victory improved Lange’s record to 28-3-2, 20
KOs, while Cabell fell to 21-7-2, 16 KOs.
The
remainder of the seven-bout card proved to be equally
exciting with a solid mix of veterans and prospects putting
on a great show. In the Co-Main Event, Detroit southpaw
Damian Fuller
(28-4-1, 13 KOs) looked world-class in dispatching of
Smithsburg, MD’s Dean
“Pit Bull” White (14-7-1, 7 KOs), ending White’s
evening in the third round with a technical knockout.
The
evening’s first fight didn’t last long, but was exciting
while it lasted. Arlington, VA’s
Bayanmunkh Bayanjargal
(2-0, 2 KOs) utilized some impressive punching power to
record a first-round TKO of
Shane Gierkie
(2-12, 2 KOs) of Cuyahoga Falls, OH.
Despite
not having a professional fight among the two of them,
Arlington’s Tracey Brewer
(1-0) and Alexandria’s
Tim Schahe (0-1) delighted the crowd by waging a
back-and-fourth slugfest, reminiscent of two veterans. At
the end of four rounds, Brewer emerged victorious on all
scorecards, and both fighters earned the fans’ respect for
their explosive performance.
Damon Antoine
(5-13-1, 3
KOs) of Akron, Ohio, jumped all over
“Irish” Mike Carrigan
(3-1, 3 KOs) early and often in their scheduled four-round
contest, handing the Vienna, VA fighter his first loss with
a second-round knockout.
Former
world champion William
“King KO” Guthrie (35-4-3, 28 KOs)
of St. Louis, MO
escaped with a draw in an evenly matched
six-round contest against
“Gentleman” James Johnson
(20-29-2, 11 KOs), while Philadelphia’s
Lenny De Victoria
(9-8, 2 KOs)
pounded his way to a win against
Jason Jordan (3-9-2).
Jackie “First Lady of Boxing” Kallen,
best known for her role on “The
Contender” and for managing former world champion
James Toney, promoted the show through
ICE Promotions
and veteran JD Brown
served as matchmaker for the card.
Official
Results
Jimmy Lange TKO 8 (:55) Fontaine Cabell
Damian Fuller TKO 3 (2:20) Dean White
William Guthrie Draw 6 James Johnson
Lenny De Victoria UD 6 Jason Johnson
Damon Antoine KO 2 (1:40) Mike Carrigan
Tracey Brewer UD 4 Tim Scache
Bayanmunkh Bayanjargal TKO 1 Shane Gierke
BISHOP
DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT’S PAULIE
MALIGNAGGI CHALLENGES LOVEMORE N’DOU FOR IBF JUNIOR
WELTERWEIGHT TITLE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 16, AT MOHEGAN SUN
ARENA
***Curtis Stevens faces
unbeaten Andre Dirrell in co-feature; HBO’s Boxing After
Dark to Televise***
New York, May 10—DiBella
Entertainment’s Paulie Malignaggi challenges
veteran world titlist Lovemore N’dou in an IBF Junior
Welterweight Championship bout on Saturday night, June 16
at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, it was
announced today by DBE president Lou DiBella.
HBO Sports exciting
Boxing After Dark series will televise live. It will be
Malignaggi’s second straight appearance on BAD.
In the co-feature,
Brownsville, Brooklyn’s Curtis Stevens (17-1, 12
KO’s) makes his HBO debut in a 10 round super middleweight
battle against fast rising prospect Andre Dirrell
(11-0, 7 KO’s), the 2004 Olympic Bronze medalist. Stevens is
yet another fighter groomed and developed on DBE’s Broadway
Boxing, sponsored by HBO.
“Magic Man” Malignaggi
(22-1, 5 KO’s) comes off a convincing unanimous decision
triumph over Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry on February
17 at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. Malignaggi made
his return to the ring a winning one in his first fight
since his courageous battle against world champion Miguel
Cotto last June 10th.
N’dou (40-8-1,
30 KO’s), fighting out of Sydney, Australia, by way of South
Africa, is dubbed the “Black Panther” and will provide
Malignaggi with a championship test, as he has never failed
to rumble with the best of the best. “Lovemore makes great
fights, and I expect him to do the same on June 16th”said
promoter DiBella.
Stevens (17-1, 12
KO’s) comes off a convincing unanimous decision victory over
Darnell Boone on March 22 at the Hammerstein
Ballroom, his fourth straight victory.
Flint, Michigan native
Dirrell is undefeated in 11 professional tries, including 7
KO’s, so it will be the gifted boxer/puncher vs. knockout
artist when the two collide.
Tickets go on sale
Monday, May 14th for $150; $100; $75; $45, and will
be available through the Mohegan Sun Box Office or any
Ticketmaster outlet.
CIGAR
Note:
“ MAGIC
MAN,” FILM CHRONICLING PAULIE MALIGNAGGI, TO DEBUT AT
HOBOKEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ON TUES, JUNE 5
***Malignaggi’s promoter Lou
DiBella is executive producer***
New York, May 10—“Magic
Man,” a film that chronicles the rise of Brooklyn
Light Welterweight contender Paulie Malignaggi, to
his dramatic fight with Miguel Cotto will make its debut at
the Hoboken International Film Festival on
Tuesday night, June 5, at 8:00 PM, it was
announced today by executive producer and co-producer Lou
DiBella, Malignaggi’s promoter and the president of
DiBella Entertainment.
Brave St. Productions
is a full service, content creation and production company
that services the worldwide television broadcast arena.
Brave St. conceived the concept of “Magic Man”
and was on location often and was hands on in the editing
process. “Magic Man” is their first effort
into a feature documentary/ independent film.
“We are extremely
excited that our first attempt at a feature documentary has
been accepted into the Hoboken International Film Festival,
which is one of the top 10 film festivals in the word,” said
Brave St. partner Russell Best.
“’Magic Man’
is a real life Rocky story,” added Tammy Leetch, Brave St.
partner.
The independent film
will follow Malignaggi from the beginning of his
professional career to his gutsy performance as he fought
for a championship against WBO world titlist Miguel Cotto
at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2006.
The flick on the
flamboyant and charismatic Malignaggi will give movie goers
a behind the scenes look at the “Magic Man” –Malignaggi’s
nickname – and the world of professional boxing,
highlighting his training camp to fight night of the epic
title fight at the Mecca of Boxing in New York City.
The festival received
over 1,000 submissions, and Magic Man was among the five
percent of the projects selected. The festival concludes on
June 7 with a Gala Awards Ceremony.
Malignaggi has a pro
ring record of 22-1 with five knockouts, his only career
setback coming in valiant fashion against Cotto.
Malignaggi will face
Lovemore N’Dou for the IBF Junior Welterweight Title on
Saturday, June 16th, at Mohegan Sun Arena, in
bout televised live on HBO.
Tickets are available
on line at
www.hobokeninternationalfilmfestival.com.
For
more information call DiBella Entertainment at 212-947-2577.
U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada
continues heavyweight mission May 11
PROVIDENCE, RI (May 7, 2007) - 2004 U.S.
Olympian Jason "Big Six" Estrada is back in action May 11 on
"The Pride Is Back" card at Twin River Event Center in
Lincoln, Rhode Island.
Estrada (8-1, 1 KO), fighting out of
Providence, takes on former IBU heavyweight Robert Hawkins
(21-7, 7 KOs), only five weeks after Jason pitched a shutout
against veteran Zack Page (13-11-1), winning a six-round
decision (60-54 three times) on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.
Hawkins has beaten Boris Powell, Gary Bell,
Robert Wiggins and the late Jerry Ballard, as well as been
in against Oleg Maskaev, David Tua, Samuel Peter and Kevin
Johnson.
"I don't care who he's fought," Estrada said.
"I just hope that he shows up. A lot of guys have pulled out
of fights against me. I won't believe I'm fighting him until
I see him in the ring. I guess, in a way, it's a compliment
(opponents pulling out), but it's difficult because I can't
work on one strategy. But I've been training hard and I'll
be ready May 11.
"I felt stronger and lighter in my last fight
(career low of 239 pounds). I'm going to be fighting at 240
or lighter from now on. I fought six rounds and could have
gone another six if I needed to. I'm confident now that I
can be strong the entire fight, no matter if it's six,
eight, 10 or 12 rounds. I want to stay active. I'm more
motivated fighting every 5-6 weeks compared to being out
three months. I just have to be injury free to stay busy. My
body feels great."
Estrada-Hawkins is a six-round co-feature on
"The Pride Is Back," headlined by the return of "The Pride
of Providence" Peter Manfredo, Jr. (26-4, 12 KOs) in the
10-round main event against Ted Muller (19-10-2, 9 KOs).
Estrada, 26, has been friends with Manfredo
for 10 years. They both workout of Manfredo's Gym, which is
owned by Peter's father, Peter, Sr., in Pawtucket (RI).
"The only one missing is Matt (Godfrey),"
Estrada explained. "We all started boxing together years ago
as amateurs. (Godfrey is the No. 3 rated cruiserweight in
the world). It'll be nice someday to have all three of us
fighting on the same card in a big show. I've known Peter
since I walked into the gym when I was six. It's going to be
great fighting together again on May 11.
Estrada was one of the most celebrated
amateur boxers in U.S. history, registering a remarkable
261-14 record in the United States, including an
unprecedented three consecutive triumphs in the U.S.
Nationals and U.S. Challenge (2001-2003). He captured a gold
medal at the 2003 Pan-American Games and represented the
U.S. in the 2004 Olympics.
-JE-
MICHAEL KATSIDIS, JOAN GUZMAN & OSCAR LARIOS
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Wednesday, April
18, 2007,
Tortilla Jo’s at Downtown Disney, Anaheim, California
The
only boxer from the Dominican Republic to win world titles in
two weight classes will try to make it three when current WBO
lightweight champion and former WBO 122-pound
kingpin
Joan Guzman (27-0, 17 KOs) steps up in weight to challenge
fellow unbeaten and interim WBO lightweight titleholder
Michael Katsidis (22-0, 20 KOs) on Saturday, May 26, 2007, at
The Arena at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.
In the co-feature, undefeated Jorge Linares (23-0, 14 KOs) and
ex-WBC 122-pound champ Oscar Larios (59-5-1, 37 KOs) collide
for the vacant WBC featherweight belt.
Tickets
for “Relentless” are priced at $100, $65, $45 and $25 and go
on sale Thursday, April 19, at The Arena at the Anaheim
Convention Center, Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone (714)
740-2000, online at
www.ticketmaster.com
and at all participating Ticketmaster retail locations.
HBO Boxing After Dark will
televise the doubleheader beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT
(delayed on the west coast). Golden Boy Promotions, in
association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions, Rockstar Energy
Drink and Tecate will present the event.
JOAN GUZMAN
“I want to thank all the fans for their continued support and
thank everyone involved for making this fight. This is the
kind of fight that boxing needs and that the fans won’t want
to miss.
“I am moving up in weight because I want to be a world
champion in three different weight classes, and there are not
too many of those. I am also moving up because I am a fighter.
I am willing to get in the ring with anybody, but there was no
one else for me to fight.
“This is a dangerous fight, but I like challenges and have
never turned one down. It could be the most grueling fight of
my career, but 2007 is going to be a breakout year for me.
“I know Katsidis is coming to win and will be in great shape.
He is a tremendous offensive fighter, but I am not sure about
his defense, or if he cares much about his defense.
OSCAR LARIOS
“I am very excited about this fight. It is the biggest of my
career. But there is a lot of pressure: one win and I stay in
the picture; one loss and I am out of the picture, so you know
I will be ready.
“I am the mandatory challenger to the WBC champion (Injin
Chi), but the Korean keeps making excuses not to fight me. So
my total focus now is on Linares, who is a young, tall,
exciting puncher who I have a lot of respect for. I know him
well. We both trained in the same gym for fights when we were
in Tokyo.
“A lot of people may think my best days
are behind me, but I do not care what they think. I still feel
good and feel stronger fighting at featherweight. Making 126
pounds will not be a problem.
“Linares has never been in with anybody
like me. I am not afraid to fight anybody, anywhere. I fought
Manny Pacquiao in the Philippines in front of 18,000 fans so
that should tell you something.’’
KLITSCHKO ROCKS BROCK AND THE
GARDEN
- Ron Ross
photos by Lisa Ross
There’s that special
aura created by a heavyweight championship, especially a
heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden. The
electricity in the air, the breath-holding tension, the
inexplicable nervousness that grips nearly everyone. As well as
the 14,260 fans, it gripped Calvin Brock who, despite being a
very adept tap dancer, slipped and tripped over his own feet in
attempting to stay out of harm’s way in the opening round. He
made the work of the guy from CompuBox, whose job was to tick
off Brock’s punches, pretty easy in those first three minutes.
“Zero” does not require much ticking. Klitschko, working behind
an effective left jab, plodded after but couldn’t corner his
jittery, over wound opponent.
Vladimir was anxious to
get back to work after the first round break, edging to the
center of the ring awaiting the bell for round two like a hungry
wolf licking his chops but Referee Wayne Kelly moved him back to
his corner. The Russian Professor, utilizing his four inch
height advantage, continued relying on his left jab to hold his
man at bay. Brock, seemingly having rid himself of some of those
mental butterflies, now fought back, winging away with swiping
hooks at the body. He did not seem willing to gamble and
continue working inside where his punches would have better
leverage.
In the third round he
did make the effort to shorten the distance by roughhousing his
way in and grabbing before Klitschko could counter. Trying to
keep the fight in the center of the ring, Klitschko continued
controlling the action with his left jab. At the end of four
rounds, it seemed that he might have left his right hand back in
the dressing room.
By the fifth round, the
natives were growing restless even though Klitschko was now
throwing the jab with much more snap and unloading it as a
weapon more than a measuring rod or defensive tool as he had
earlier. Then came the rights! Two big ones as the fifth round
was closing out and the Garden was rocking.
In the sixth round,
Brock, trying to nullify the big right by not giving Klitschko
room to throw it, bulled his way in and tried turning it into
more of a barroom brawl type of match. He simply could not get
the range to throw his own right and test the big guy’s chin.
That’s when the Brock
backers made their mistake. In round seven, trying to urge their
man on they erupted into a chant, USA! USA!, never taking into
account that the transplanted Ukrainian who was now living here
might be the one inspired as he considered the USA his new home.
Okay, it’s only a “maybe”, possibly just a coincidence, but
that’s when the big right hand bombs were unloaded. One after
another, first hurting Brock, then staggering him and BOOM!
dropping him with a thud. They were right hand bombs reminiscent
of vintage Ingemar Johannsen and Lennox Lewis. As Brock pulled
himself up, still obviously dazed, Referee Wayne Kelly took a
careful look and called it over at 2:10 of round seven. He and
his brother, Vitaly, former heavyweight titleholder who was
working his kid brother’s corner, embraced in a joyful moment in
the center of the ring. At the time of the stoppage, Klitschko
was well in the lead, having won five of the first six rounds on
most cards.
Brotherly Love Vitaly and Wladimir hug
Winner and still champ ...
Brock, in a refreshing
post-fight interview, showed by actions to some “punks” of
recent past post-fight talks, what it means to be a champion in
and out of the ring. You don’t even have to have a belt or a
crown. He gave Klitschko all the credit due him for winning the
fight on ability and did not detract from his performance at
all. “He was even a better fighter than I thought he was.” He
also stated that he will come back and win the heavyweight
title. For Brock at 224 ½, it was his first loss against 29 wins
including 22 KO’s. Klitschko, 241, improved to 47-3, 42 KO’s.
In a spirited semi-final
Laila Ali showed “Daddy” that there is still an Ali to carry on
the family tradition in the ring. With her legendary father,
Muhammad Ali, sitting at ringside, she defended her WBC super
middleweight championship by stopping courageous but outgunned
Shelley Burton at 1:58 of the fourth round. Burton, of
Kalispell, Montana, 8-3, 2 KO’s gave it her all, fighting like a
bulldog but Ali’s big right hand powerpunching was too much to
overcome. After Ali cornered her on the ropes in the fourth,
showering her with a two-fisted, no-let-up arsenal, referee
Arthur Mercante, Jr, whose dad was seated at ringside with
Laila’s dad, wisely called a halt.
The largest crowd response
of the night by far was the crescendo-like roar of love,
devotion and adulation when the Greatest Of All Time, Muhammad
Ali, made his entrance. It was a bittersweet moment as I made my
way with Budd Schulberg to greet Ali. The last time I was with
Ali was in December of 2004 at the celebration of the of photo
essay book of his life, G.O.A.T. The affair was held at the
Miami Beach Civic Center and it was a by invitation only gala
that filled the arena. That night, although Ali did not address
the audience, he climbed into the ring, walked around it waving
and acknowledging the cheers. Last night the change was so
marked that when I returned to my seat I was in a
near-depression. Ali couldn’t seem to control a continuous
tremor and his eyes were blinking non-stop. It seemed obvious
that he had no conception of his surroundings or what was
transpiring. This giant of a personality, possibly the greatest
figure the sport has ever known – in fact he transcends the
sport – is a benchmark in my life. My very first date with my
wife Susan was on February 10, 1962. I took her to Madison
Square Garden to see a young but already headline-grabbing
prizefighter named Cassius Clay make his New York debut! What a
sight to behold. That is the Muhammad Ali we will always relate
to.
In a lackluster twelve
round IBF Jr Lightweight eliminator, two once-upon-a-timers,
Kevin Kelley and Manuel Medina, 39 and 35 respectively, boxed to
close but majority decision that went against the New York
favorite, Kelley, by scores of 115-113, 115-113 both for Medina
while Judge Steve Weisfeld scored it even at 114-114. At 39,
Kelley can still hold his own with the best, and the
disappointment was evident.
In another ten rounder,
this one for the New York State Heavyweight Championship, Long
Island’s star attraction, Derric Rossy of Medford, 245, looked
as though he was going to take out Shannon Miller, Troy, NY, 227
½, inside of five rounds the way he was teeing off from the
opening bell. But as the fight wore on you got the feeling that
Miller was one of those inflatable Bop bags that you buy at Toys
‘r Us. You keep hitting it and it just bounces back for more.
Rossy looked sharp and kept up his attack for the full ten
rounds, winning by shutouts, 100-90 on the cards of Ron McNair
and Glenn Feldman and 98-91 on Tom Schreck’s card. The only
problem was, Miller was not just a punching bag. This kid was
tough, resilient and punched back. He also came in head first
and opened a cut by head butt that may cause cancellation of
Rossy’s scheduled December 15th fight at Kings Point.
Derric Rossy on the attack against a durable Shannon Miller
In other bouts:
Frankie Figueroa,
Bronx, 139 ½, 14-2, 10 KO’s won a ten round majority decision
over Joey Rios, also of the Bronx, 138 ¾, who suffered his first
loss, 14-1, 6 KO’s, for the New York State Jr Welterweight
championship.
Andy Lee, Limerick,
Ireland, 160, 6-0, 3 KO’s took all six rounds on all cards,
defeating Dennis Sharpe, Bayonne, NJ, 162 ½, 17,3, 4 KO’s.
Andy Lee tees off on Dennis Sharpe
Reggie LaCrete,
Brooklyn, 174 ½, opened the show by scoring a TKO in his
pro debut over Denys Lozada, Brooklyn, 172 ½, 2-1 in a
scheduled four.
It was a
Heavyweight Night and all the stars were out. Let's have
more such nights in New York.
RR
 Jimmy
Lange and Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson to Headline December 9th
Boxing Event at the Patriot Center;
Major Lea gue Boxing show will also feature Spivey vs. White
rematch
FAIRFAX, VA
(October 28,
2006)– Two of the Washington area’s top boxers will serve as
co-headliners and a highly-anticipated, super lightweight
contenders’ rematch highlight a six-bout fight card presented by
Major League Boxing set for Saturday, December 9, 2006 at the
Patriot Center.
Northern
Virginia fan favorite JIMMY
LANGE (27-3-1, 19 KOs) will return for his fourth
consecutive bout in Fairfax joining one of the region’s all-time
great fighters, former three-time world champion
MARK “TOO SHARP” JOHNSON
(44-5, 28 KOs) of Washington, D.C. as the evening’s main
attractions. Opponents for both fighters will be announced
shortly.
After an
impressive showing earlier this month
“THE PRIDE OF PORTSMOUTH” DORIN
SPIVEY (34-4, 28 KOs) returns to Northern Virginia to
face DEAN “THE PIT BULL”
WHITE (13-5-1, 6 KOs) of Smithsburg, MD in an
exciting eight-round rematch. The two fighters squared off back
in 1998 with Spivey earning a seventh round TKO in Virginia
Beach.
Lange looks to
continue on the winning track after scoring a tenth round TKO
win over Tommy Wilt earlier this month at the Patriot Center.
“I look
forward to getting right back to work and preparing for December
9,” said Lange who recently returned to camp at trainer Buddy
McGirt’s Vero Beach, FL gym. “I chose to return to the Patriot
Center for my next fight instead of pursuing other options
because of the great support I always receive from my hometown
fans.“
Johnson, the
first and only African-American boxer to ever capture a world
championship flyweight title, suffered a loss to WBO
bantamweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez in his last fight held on
February 25, 2006 in Las Vegas. This will be Johnson’s second
fight in Virginia (first was June 12, 1992 in Alexandria) and
first area appearance since July 2004 (Bowie, MD).
“Boxing has
been great to me and my goal is to get back into world title
contention, eventually fighting (Robert) Guerrero for his IBF
Featherweight Title,” explained Johnson who has captured the WBO
Super Flyweight, IBF Flyweight and Super Flyweight championship
belts during his illustrious 12–year career. “It all starts with
this fight in December where I’ll get a chance to see how I feel
fighting at 126 in front of a great hometown crowd.”
Promoter Joe
Hensley of Major League Boxing anticipates another attractive
and competitive card, top-to-bottom, with a total of six bouts
to be scheduled. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with the first
bout slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will go onsale in the
immediate future.
BBshop
Undefeated WBA Lightweight Champion Juan Diaz
To
Face Tough Ecuadorian Challenger Fernando Angulo
In
Nov. 4 Co-Featured Main Event
From Phoenix On SHOWTIME
PHOENIX - The
co-featured main event on the Nov. 4 edition of SHOWTIME
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will showcase World Boxing Association (WBA)
Lightweight Champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz against Ecuadorian
challenger Fernando “La Fiera” Angulo from Chase Field in
Phoenix, Ariz.
This bout and the world
heavyweight championship main event featuring World Boxing
Organization titlist Sergei “White Wolf” Liakhovich vs. Shannon
“The Cannon” Briggs is being promoted by Don King Productions
and will air live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m.
ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Tickets for the
event—priced at $39, $54, $104, $204, $304 and $504—are on sale
now at the Chase Field box office, Ticketmaster,
ticketmaster.com,
or can be charged by phone at (480) 784-4444.
Appearing for the first
time since signing with King, the 23-year-old Diaz (30-0, 15
KOs) became the youngest current world champion at age 20 by
scoring a unanimous decision to dethrone Lakva Sim in front of a
hometown crowd in Houston on July 17, 2004. The
relentless-punching phenom’s story becomes even more incredible
when one learns that he is a junior pre-law major at the
University of Houston-Downtown, who hopes to help the less
fortunate with legal matters at the conclusion of his boxing
career.
Standing in the way of the
student-boxer’s seventh successful title defense is Angulo
(18-3, 12 KOs), a man who had little, if any, of the
opportunities afforded the poorest of Americans when he grew up
in the jungles of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest after he fled
from abusive parents at age 7. At 11, he lived alone in the
jungle for 18 months, fending for himself by hunting. When the
hunt went poorly, he would subsist on bugs, worms, snakes or
anything he could find. The only thing he wouldn’t eat were
frogs as he doesn’t like them.
In another unusual twist,
Angulo is managed by Javier Zapata, who also manages Carlos
Baldomir, the 16-to-1 underdog that shocked Zab “Super” Judah
with a unanimous decision win before knocking out Arturo
“Thunder” Gatti. Angulo and Baldomir come from similar
backgrounds.
“Both these fighters come
from the type of poverty where they are used to fighting for
their lives,” Zapata said. “The only difference between
Baldomir and Angulo is that one grew up in the streets and the
other one had to survive in the jungle.”
Zapata pointed out another
shared trait between Baldomir and Angulo. Both boxers suffered
defeats early in their careers prior to working with more
skilled trainers. Angulo lost his first, sixth and seventh
fights, but he has won 13 straight since joining Venezuelan
trainers Fernando Montanez and Ramon Cotua.
SHOWTIME
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call
the action from ringside with Jim Gray serving as roving
reporter. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast will
be David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.
For information on
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and “ShoBox: The New Generation”
telecasts, including complete fighter bios and records, related
stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at
http://www.sho.com/boxing.
Lange Scores 10th Round TKO to Regain Winning Form
Saturday Night at the Patriot Center
FAIRFAX,
VA
(October 9, 2006) --- Needing a strong performance to get back
on the winning track, popular Northern Virginia middleweight
contender Jimmy Lange
didn’t disappoint the 3,614 boisterous fans Saturday night at
the Patriot Center, using an impressive surge late in the fight
to record a ten-round technical knockout (2:45) over tough
veteran Tommy Wilt
in the Main Event. Lange of Great Falls, VA, improved to
27-3-1, 19 KOs, while Wilt from Altoona, PA, dropped to 20-6, 4
KOs.
Due to a
schedule conflict, Lange’s head trainer
Buddy McGirt was
unable to work Saturday’s fight, so Lange’s camp enlisted the
legendary International Boxing Hall of Famer
Angelo Dundee and the
highly-regarded Tommy
Gallagher to ser |
