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Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Son of Former Legendary Champion to Battle Harry Joe Yorgey In Matchup of Unbeatens on ShoBox: The New Generation

NEW YORK– Ronald Hearns loves March and all the madness that goes with it.

The son of legendary eight-time world champion Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns, Ronald earned his college degree in criminal justice from American University in Washington D.C. While in college, Hearns played for the basketball team. This year American University’s basketball team won the Patriot League and advanced to the exclusive tournament field of 64 for the 2009 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship for the first time.

But this Saturday night, Hearns will be nowhere near a court; rather, he’ll be in the ring when he faces fellow unbeaten junior middleweight Harry Joe Yorgey in a 10-round bout on a special Saturday edition of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

Detroit’s Hearns (21-0, 17 KOs) and Yorgey (21-0-1, 9 KOs), of Bridgeport, Pa., will open the ShoBox telecast from the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.

World-class super middleweight Andre Dirrell (17-0, 12 KOs), of Flint, Mich., will meet Derrick Findley (13-2, 8 KO’s) of Gary, Ind., in the ShoBox main event. The event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and DiBella Entertainment.

SHOWTIME: You played collegiate basketball at American University. Did you follow its run in the NCAA tournament?

RONALD HEARNS: “Oh, man, yeah, I love March Madness®. I don’t know many of the players, but I got an email from the coach. My bracket is going OK. I like Pittsburgh. I like Connecticut and l like Louisville.

SHOWTIME: You turned professional after obtaining your college degree. Did you always think you would be a professional fighter?

RONALD HEARNS: “Boxing was always my first love. I always wanted to box since I was about 10 or 11 years old but my dad never allowed me to fight at that time so every time I tried to sneak into the gym the guys would catch me and ban me from the gym. My dad told me once I got my college degree that I could box so I went and did that. He knew I’d be a grown man then and could make my own decision. So the day I came home from graduation I told him I wanted to go to the gym and that’s when I started training.

“It’s something that’s just in me. I love boxing so much. Every time I put a tape in and watch a fight, I just want to get up and start punching somebody. It doesn’t matter if it’s my dad I’m watching or someone else, I just love watching boxing. You could say I’m a real student of the game.”

SHOWTIME: You haven’t fought since last appearing on SHOWTIME in October when you beat Paul Clavette. Has the layoff affected you and your training?

RONALD HEARNS: “It’s been kind of hard because I was scheduled to fight in January but that fight was called off. But I always stay in the gym no matter what. I’m always in there training. I’m a real gym rat. Harry’s a great fighter. He’s a real good boxer and can be flashy at times. You know when you get two undefeated fighters in the ring at the same time that someone’s ‘O’ has got to go. We’re putting it all on the line and hope to put on a great show for the people.”

SHOWTIME: Has it been difficult being the son of Thomas Hearns?

RONALD HEARNS: “Yeah, in a way it’s been tough because the expectations have been set so high. With the things he accomplished the bar is set pretty high. I turned pro so late (age 25) and have really had to learn on the job. People don’t know that I was never really around boxing that much as a kid. I was never in the gym training and really learning how to box. Things are just starting to fall in place right now. But I think I don’t really have all the wear and tear on my body from my limited amateur experience so right now I don’t think that age (Hearns recently turned 30) really matters.”

SHOWTIME: What are some of your earliest memories of your father and boxing?

RONALD HEARNS: I think just watching early tapes of my dad’s fights. The Pipino Cuevas fight (for the WBA welterweight championship in 1980), the (Juan Domingo) Roldan fight (for the WBC middleweight championship in 1987), the first and second (Sugar Ray) Leonard fights and the (Marvin) Hagler fight. There were just so many memorable moments. Just sitting back and putting the tapes in. I just never get sick of watching them. He’ll be leading me into the ring on Saturday. He always lets me know he’s there for me and that I can give him a call anytime I need something. He’s been there and there’s nothing he hasn’t seen inside the ring.”

SHOWTIME: What kind of style will we see from you early on Saturday night?

RONALD HEARNS: “Well, Harry Joe is a front-runner. He always starts pretty quick. I’m going to go out there and try to slow him down early. I’m just going to work off my jab and once I get my jab going everything else will fall into place. I’m ready to go out there and perform and show the people how I’ve progressed and how I’m trying now to make a name for myself. I believe this fight will prove to people that I can do some special things in boxing.”

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Malignaggi, Kendall Holt and Timothy Bradley.

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick Morrisey for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Dunne in Demand

Newly crowned WBA Super Bantamweight champ will celebrate the one week anniversary of his sensational World title triumph on “Tubridy Tonight” on RTÉ One this Saturday night (9:35pm).

Dunne was a guest on the popular chat show last month and he promised to return with the WBA belt so he will fulfil that promise tomorrow night. Host Ryan Tubridy said, "We were all so delighted with Bernard's big win on Saturday night so I can't wait to get him back on the couch to talk about the match and what it's like to be a World Champion."

Dunne has had a hectic schedule since his stunning eleventh round win over defending champ, Ricardo Cordoba at The O2 on last weekends Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night.

That busy week will continue tomorrow with Dunne and his new belt making an appearance at half time during the Ireland V Bulgaria World Cup soccer qualifier at Croke Park before heading for the Tubridy Tonight studios.

The Dubliner has been in huge demand by the media following his historic triumph and his fight of the year candidate with Cordoba has drawn interest from across the world. He will appear as the main guest on Hardcore Sports Pound-4-Pound Radio show across North America tomorrow alongside boxing legend Roy Jones Jnr. and former IBF super bantamweight champ, Steve Molitor.

Host Jason Abelson said, “It will be great to have both Bernard and Roy on to talk about their fights last weekend. Bernard’s fight with Cordoba was sensational, it had everything and it will be very interesting to get Bernard’s take on it.”

For those looking to listen on this side of the Atlantic Pound-4-Pound is streamed live on hardcoresportsradio.com from 5pm GMT on Saturday. Simply click on the "listen live" link.

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick Morrisey for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Black Broadcasting Network Announces New Sports Programming Targeting Urban Viewers

HOUSTON- Black Broadcasting Network (BBN), the only 24/7 multiplatform network exclusively targeting 18-34 year old urban African-American audiences, today announced the addition of sports to the network's programming mix. Black College Sports, Ringside Boxing and Premier Basketball League will all be available in full HD to viewers when the network launches later this year.

-- Black College Sports will showcase the latest sports highlights from
historically black universities and colleges nationwide. It will also
include in-depth interviews with players and coaches, from football to
men and women's baseball to volleyball.
-- Ringside Boxing will offer boxing fans front-row access to one of
America's most watched and beloved spectator sports. Ringside Boxing
is partnering with BBN to bring IBF World Championship boxing to
primetime.
-- Premier Basketball League is the first exclusive basketball league
purely designed for the ultimate fan experience around today's modern
world. Presently there are 13 teams in the PBL league with some very
recognizable players from the collegiate and pro levels as well as
some of the best street ballers around.

"Including these programs in our lineup reflects Black Broadcasting Network's commitment to providing quality, best-in-class content for our viewers," said Yusef F. Muhammad, BBN's President. "Since a wide variety of sports play an important role in young viewer's lives, we want to make sure that we offer them a diverse line up of programs to enjoy - all in thrilling HD."

For more information please visit www.blackbroadcasting.com.

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick Morrisey for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada plans to upset No. 1 rated Alexander Povetkin April 4 in Dusseldorf, Germany

PROVIDENCE– 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada held an open media workout today at his ”Big Six Academy” in Providence before he departs Sunday for Germany to fight Alexander Povetkin, 2004 Olympic gold medalist and the IBF’s No. 1 contender, April 4 in Dusseldorf, Germany.

(Picture by Emily Harney)


Estrada (15-1, 3 KOs) and Povetkin (16-0, 12 KOs) nearly fought several times as amateurs but it never materialized, due to their contrasting schedules, until now as professionals. Povetkin, who has a mandated title shot this fall against IBF heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko, signed to fight Estrada because, according to reports from his camp, he wants a test not a tune-up.

“Training has gone well and my body is good,” Estrada said today. “I’m going over there to whoop his butt. He’s going to be out of his league. He’s not used to fighting somebody like me. This isn’t going to be cute; it’s going to be a real fight. The only real fight he’s been in was against Eddie Chambers (WDEC12). I thought he (Povetkin) lost but they gave it to him. He’d throw five slaps but only two would be what I call clean. I’m a lot more aggressive and mean than Eddie Chambers.”

Providence-native Estrada was one of the most highly decorated American amateur boxers ever, compiling an amazing 261-14 record in U.S. competition. He was the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row.

For more information about Estrada go to his promoter’s (Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.) web site at www.cesboxing.com.

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick Morrisey for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved