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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

VICTOR ORTIZ vs. ANDRE BERTO II PRESS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Former World Champions Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto held a press conference on Monday in Los Angeles to formally announce their upcoming rematch of the 2011 “Fight of the Year” on Saturday, June 23, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast), from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KO’s), of Ventura, Calif., and Berto (28-1, 22 KO’s), of Winter Haven, Fla., will square off more than one year after their classic slugfest was named 2011 “Fight of the Year” (USA Today, Ring Magazine) for the vacant WBC Silver Welterweight Championship. The eagerly awaited 12-round fight, which was originally scheduled for February but was postponed when Berto suffered an arm injury in late January, is a rematch of a fiercely contested, multiple-knockdown affair on April 16, 2011 that Ortiz won by a unanimous decision while capturing Berto’s WBC 147-pound title.

Ortiz went on to lose the WBC title in his next fight to pound-for-pound champ Floyd Mayweather via a controversial knockout while Berto won the IBF Welterweight title in his next fight, but then relinquished it with hopes of avenging the only loss of his career against Ortiz.

In the June 23 co-feature, Mexican legend and former Three Division World Champion Humberto Soto (54-7-1, 24 KOs), of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, will face Argentinean knockout artist Lucas Matthysse (30-2, 28 KOs) in a 12-round super lightweight bout.


"Ortiz vs. Berto II: The Rematch," is the highly anticipated 12-round welterweight rematch of USA Today and Ring Magazine's 2011 Fight of the Year between former World Champions "Vicious" Victor Ortiz and Andre Berto for the vacant WBC Silver Welterweight Championship which will take place Saturday, June 23 at at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. The co-feature will see former Three-Division World Champion Humberto "Zorrita" Sotobattle Argentinean knockout artist Lucas Matthysse in a 12-round super lightweight fight presented in association with Baja Boxing Promotions and Arano Box Promotions. The double-header will be telecast live on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Here’s what the participants had to say on Monday.

VICTOR ORTIZ

“I’m counted out 100 percent of the time, but that’s my comfort zone.

“He’s a great fighter, but I’m here to win. It doesn’t matter that this is in my backyard. As long as there is a ring and gloves, I’m comfortable.

“I always fight with my back against the wall. I like being counted out. It makes me hungry.

“I told him I’m going to beat you again and he told me I got lucky. He tried to bring Floyd in, but I told him to keep this between me and him. Floyd doesn’t have anything to do with us. I beat him (Berto) last time and I’ll beat him again.

“The slugfests keep boxing alive. It keeps fans coming back and I expect another one in June.

“I didn’t want to wait, but the postponement gave me time to prepare a little bit more.”

ANDRE BERTO

“I didn’t have to take this fight. I vacated the title to make this happen again.

“This fight is for the fans. The last one was tremendous and this one is going to be even better.

“We’re doing it in Kobe’s (Bryant) house, so come out for a great fight. I know all the stars will come out for it

“I was disappointed with the injury. It was unfortunate, but I’m glad we made the fight happen. Now I’m back to avenge that loss.

“I just need to be smarter and there are a few things I’ll do differently this time.

“I came back from the Ortiz fight hungry, got a world title and gave it up to beat Ortiz. This is the most important fight of my career.

“I feel a lot better. We’re healed and ready to roll.”

HUMBERTO SOTO

“I’m happy to be fighting in Los Angeles. It feels like I’m fighting at home. I expect a very difficult fight. I want to fight like a true Mexican warrior.

“I’m hoping it can be for a world title. I’m going to be in top shape and ready for a war.”

OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President of Golden Boy Promotions:

“We expect a sellout on June 23. The first fight was a tremendous success and we expect the same for the rematch. The last one was the “Fight of the Year” and I don’t think this one will be any different. It will be an explosive fight once again. Will it be repeat or revenge?

“The co-main event will also be great. It has all the ingredients to be a classic. The co-main event could be a main event anywhere.

“We’re also excited that SHOWTIME will also showcase the fighters in FIGHT CAMP 360 with three episodes leading up to the fight.”

RON RIZZO, VP of Operations of DiBella Entertainment

“These guys belong in a venue like this and it’s going to be an amazing event.

“Andre is one of the most dedicated guys I’ve seen in any sport. He’s looking to correct a wrong from last April and I believe he’s going to do it.”


♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

OMAR SHEIKA vs YUSAF MACK April 27th at Resorts in Atlantic City

Omar Sheika (32-11, 21 KO’s)—former 4-time world title challenger—Paterson, NJ

Yusaf Mack (29-4-2, 17 KO’s)—Former World Title Challenger—Philadelphia, PA

Derrick Webster (12-0, 7 KO’s)—Undefeated Super Middleweight Prospect from NJ

Przemyslaw Opalach (9-1, 8 KO’s)—Exciting Polish Middleweight

Juan Rodriguez Jr. (8-0, 3 KO’s)—undefeated Welterweight from Union City, NJ

Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna (7-0, 5 KO’s)—Undefeated Jr. Middleweight-Millville, NJ



The USBA Light Heavyweight championship fight that will take place between Omar Sheika and Yusaf Mack. The fight will take place on Friday night April 27th at Resorts in Atlantic City.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Cleveland’s I-X Center plays host to loaded undercard for Bellator 66

When Bellator Fighting Championships makes its first trip to Cleveland this month, it will bring with it a fight card for the ages. Former Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez will get his chance at revenge when he takes on top-ranked and world renowned grappler Shinya Aoki in a highly-anticipated rematch more than three years in the making. Additionally, the semifinals of the Season 6 Middleweight and Lightweight Tournaments will take place as Bruno Satnos takes on Ohio native Brian Rogers while Vyacheslav Vasilevsky faces Maiquel Falcao to determine the Bellator Middleweight Finals.

Plus, Lloyd “Cupcake” Woodard takes on former Judo Olympian Rick Hawn and Brent Weedman collides with explosive Brazilian Thiago Michel for spots in the Season 6 Lightweight Finals. Rounding out this ultra-stacked lineup is a loaded preliminary card featuring some of the best talent from the Ohio area. Tickets for the event are on sale and are available through Bellator.com or at the I-X Center Box Office. Tickets are priced from $30-$125.

The card will be highlighted by the return of local fan favorite Jessica Eye as she takes on Anita Rodriguez in a fight that is sure to get the Cleveland crowd pumped. Riding a three-fight win streak, the 25-year-old Eye is determined to prove that she should be considered as one of the top female athletes when she battles Rodriguez in a featured women’s fight.

The night will feature the much anticipated Bellator debut of top light heavyweight Attila Vegh as he battles the once defeated Dan Spohn. An Ohio native, Spohn will look to score the biggest win of his young career when he meets one of the most well-rounded mixed martial artists to step in the Bellator cage at light heavyweight. Vegh, a veteran of over 28 contests, will look to use his experience when the two collide in this light heavyweight showdown.

Another light heavyweight matchup will take place as Finland’s Marcus Vanttinen squares off against fellow Bellator veteran and Independence, Ohio native John Hawk. Vanttinen, who owns a decision victory over Bellator Season 6 Middleweight Tournament competitor Victor O’Donnell, will look to prove why he is talked about as one of the top light heavyweight prospects in the sport when he makes his way to Cleveland.

Bellator 66 will also feature a bout between Cleveland’s Frank Caraballo and Donny “Eagle Eye” Walker. Caraballo fights for the first time since a TKO victory over Dustin Kempf at Bellator 51 last year. He will carry a three-fight winning streak into his meeting with Walker, who enjoyed an undefeated streak for more than two years from 2009 to 2011.

A pair of Ohio fighters will face off in a lightweight clash as Tyler Combs challenges established veteran Jason Dent in front of family and friends at the I-X Center. Dent, who has over 30 fights on his resume, will look to get back on the winning track.

In a local feature bout, Mansfeld, Ohio natives Julian Lane and Joe Heiland will collide in a lightweight fight with bragging rights on the line. Lane, who is undefeated in his young MMA career, has finished all three of his opponents while Heiland, a veteran of seven professional fights, hasn’t tasted defeat since a 2009 loss to Bellator Season 6 Featherweight Tournament participant, Daniel Straus.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Dailydaite-Krausova and Mohammedi-Belkacem Battle For WBF Titles On April 20th‏

On Friday April 20 in Dortmund, Germanys undefeated Goda Dailydaite, 6-0
(2), takes on Arleta Krausova, 6-1 (2), from the Czech Republic for the
vacant World Boxing Federation Women’s World Featherweight title on a show
promoted by Khalil Boxpromotion.

Born in Lithuania in 1985, Goda Dailydaite is now residing in Essen, not
far from Dortmund. She turned pro in June 2010, and already in her third
fight, in April 2011, she won an Intercontinental title by defeating
Austria’s Doris Koehler by ten round unanimous decision.

Dailydaite has since scored additionally three victories, and is aiming to
take her career to the next level against Krausova. The 31 year old from
Usti will enter her second world title fight, having lost a spirited
challenge of WBF Super Featherweight Champion Ramona Kuehne on points last
year.

In her last outing Krausova won a minor championship by defeating another
German, Pia Mazelanik, this past November. That bout, like the
Kuehne-challenge, also took place in Germany, so fighting for titles
against Germans in Germany is nothing new to Arleta Krausova.

On the same night in Les Pennes-Mirabeau, France, WBF Intercontinental
Light Heavyweight Champion Nadjib Mohammedi will put his title on the line
against Algerian-born Swiss Mohamed Belkacem at the Salle Jean Roure. This
will be the first defense for Mohammedi, who won the title last year at
the same venue against Georgian George Tevdorashvili.

Being a former French and European Union Champion, as well as a former WBO
World title-challenger, Mohammedi, 25-3 (13), is the more accomplished of
the two. But former Swiss Champion Belkacem, 20-4-1 (9), is no stranger to
competing at championship level himself, and a year ago he proved his grit
by losing a competitive decision to current WBF World Champion Doudou
Ngumbu for the African Boxing Union crown.

The winner of the Mohammedi vs. Belkacem WBF Intercontinental Light
Heavyweight title fight, promoted by Robert Safrani and B C Center, could
be in line to challenge the aforementioned Ngumbu for the World
Championship, so a lot is on the line this coming Friday. The loser will
have to get back in line.
♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.