FIGHTERS PUT FINISHING TOUCHES TO MONTE CARLO MILLION DOLLAR SUPER FOUR PREPARATIONS COUNTDOWN TO EUROPEAN SUPER SHOW‏

Gennady Golovkin is in peak physical condition ahead of the seventh defense of his WBA and IBO middleweight titles in Monte Carlo on Saturday. The unbeaten Kazakhstani yesterday went through his paces during a public 45-minute workout at the suitably grand Monte Carlo Casino.

With his shirt off, he looked lean and ripped as he worked the pads with top trainer Abel Sanchez.

"I'm ready to go," said Golovkin. "I had an eight-week camp and all has gone according to plan."

He defends against Nobuhiro Ishida, a fighter he isn't underestimating.

"We're expecting a hard fight," said manager Tom Loeffler. "Ishida is tall and has some power, but Gennady is in tremendous shape."

Earlier, Ishida worked out and looked sharp and relaxed ahead of the biggest fight of his career.

All the fighters, bar Jean Marc Monrose, who arrives today, put on public workouts against the dramatic backdrop of the famous casino. Unbeaten Edwin Rodriguez got a first hand look at Ezequiel Maderna, who he fights in the first round of the Million Dollar Super Four event. Big around the shoulders, the Argentine is a largely unknown quantity, but Rodriguez isn't taking him lightly given his impressive amateur career.

"We've come off probably the best fight camp ever," said trainer Ronnie Shields. "I couldn't have asked for more and we're planning to put on a show come Saturday night."

There is a buzz around Zsolt Erdei's participation, not least because he hasn't fought in two years and no-one has a real idea of how he'll shape against determined Russian Denis Grachev.

"He has a lot riding on this," said Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman. "He's a massive hero in his native Hungary, with many of his fans expected ringside. He'll be fighting for them as much as himself."

Sergey Rabchenko also looks in tip-top condition ahead of his European junior-middleweight title fight against Adriano Nicchi of Italy. Training camps in France and the UK have prepared him well and he says he is looking to make a statement against Nicchi.

"I'm number two in the WBC. A title fight could be around the corner, so no slip-ups from me," he said confidently.

Meanwhile, cruiserweight Junior Makabu charmed the crowd as he addressed them in his native French. Little-known beyond Africa, he intends making a few waves against local hero Monrose.

The weigh-in takes place 6 pm local time on Friday. 

The event in Monaco is headlined by red-hot WBA middleweight champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin (25-0, 22KO's) defending his title against former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8-2, 9KO's).  The opening round of the Super 4 tournament matches Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15KO's) against Argentinean Olympian Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-0, 13KO's) and former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18KO's) squaring off against Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8KO's).  The card will be distributed in the United States and Canada on PPV by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View.

The "

Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4" and Golovkin's middleweight title defense will be distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and in Canada via Bell TV, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.  In addition, the event will be available via online Pay-Per-View at:

http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Gennady_Golovkin_vs_Nobuhiro_Ishida/1896

The event is promoted by Rodney Berman's Golden Gloves.  The Golovkin-Ishida bout is promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev bouts are promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

 ♔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.

GOLDEN GLOVES BOSS WARNS CHAMPION 'GGG' AHEAD OF 'MONTE CARLO MILLION DOLLAR SUPER FOUR' 30th MARCH 2013 in Monaco‏

As the date of Gennady Golovkin's title fight in Monte-Carlo looms, Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman has issued a stark warning to the WBA and IBO middleweight champion: "Underestimate Nobuhiro Ishida at your peril."

Unbeaten Golovkin makes his seventh title defence against the Japanese boxer, who is considered an underdog against one of the world's best fighters, in Monaco on March 30.

Berman's fighters have a remarkable knack for upsetting the odds, none more impressive than Corrie Sanders, who stopped heavy favourite Wladimir Klitschko in two rounds for the WBO heavyweight title 10 years ago.The late Sanders was a prohibitive underdog, but he stunned the doubters with the performance of his life.

Berman also promoted the heavyweight championship fight when Lennox Lewis was knocked cold by unheralded Hasim Rahman inside five rounds in 2001.

One of Berman's earliest world championship promotions saw unbeaten Olympic champion Kennedy McKinney derailed by little-known South African Vuyani "The Beast" Bungu for the IBF super bantamweight title. Ring Magazine named it 1994's "Upset of the Year".

"I must admit, it's a bit freakish, which is why I learned long ago never to underestimate anyone in boxing," said Berman. "Some of the least likely boxers go on to do great things."

Another such example occurred in 1996 when Sugarboy Malinga, who had lost nine fights, was matched with ferocious puncher Nigel Benn for the WBC super middleweight title. Few gave Malinga a chance, but he captured a split decision in Benn's UK backyard 

Berman was again the mastermind when former lightweight champion Dingaan Thobela knocked out Glenn Catley to win the WBC super middleweight title 13 years ago. It was an extraordinary upset that demonstrated Thobela's power.

Africa's greatest promoter was again on hand when low-key Phillip Holiday challenged vaunted Miguel Julio for the vacant IBF lightweight title in 1995. The Colombian was on a run of 27 stoppages, but this time it was Holiday who inflicted the stoppage, winning by TKO in the 10^th round against every expectation.

Ratanopol Sor Vorapin had made 10 defences of his IBF minimumweight title when he faced Zolani Petelo, another Golden Gloves star, in 1997. Yet the tiny South African overwhelmed him, inflicting a fourth-round stoppage.

 "Complacency is every boxer's biggest enemy, let this be a warning to Golovkin. Ishida will do him no favours," said Berman

Golovkin versus Ishida is the headliner on the "Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four" tournament that features four of the world's best super middleweight and light heavyweight boxers, plus a clash for the European junior middleweight title.

 

Tavoris Cloud; ‘I Am a Vicious Champion’

Undefeated International Boxing Federation light heavyweight champion Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud (23-0, 19 KOs), from Tallahassee, Fla., will make his fourth title defense on Saturday against former World Boxing Association light heavyweight champion Gabriel Campillo (21-3-1, 7 KOs), from Madrid, Spain, at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. (SHOWTIME Championship Boxing at 10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast.)

“I'm going to make a statement that I am a vicious champion and I refuse to be defeated,” Cloud said. “You can train as long as you want, you can train as hard as you want, but it just ain't gonna help you.”

Cloud finds the mere thought of Campillo thinking he can take his title distasteful.

“Campillo's coming to take my title,” Cloud said, “and I'm offended. That's why he's in for a nightmare. It’s going to be Armageddon for him. [I] need to get your [Campillo’s] ass in the ring. Let's get this over with. I’m real serious inside of my head right now.”

That’s tough talk, but Cloud has always backed it up in the ring. He is a throwback fighter in the sense he comes right at his opponents and throws lots of leather. Cloud says his power in the ring comes from his unique training regimen. He’s even got a name for it.

“We do somethin' called Kill-a-Bitch Training,” Cloud said. “This ain't regular training for a regular 12-round fight. I can't even come to the gym and say the wrong thing. My team says, 'Get your mind right.' I'm in a good place because I am world champion.”

Cloud also resents the fact other world champions and top contenders are avoiding him. Cloud became world champion in 2009, and he doesn’t think they can hide from him much longer.

“Guys are refusing to fight me, and they come up with every excuse in the book,” Cloud said. “They don't want to deal with my promoter, things like that. But I know it's B.S.”

♔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.

New road warrior Gabriel Campillo entering enemy territory with upset victory over Tavoris Cloud in mind

Former WBA 175-pound titlist Gabriel Campillo landed in in Corpus Christi, Texas earlier in the week in advance of the Spaniard's challenge for Tavoris Cloud's (24-0-0, 19ko) IBF championship on Saturday night. The battle will serve as the opening televised bout of the Showtime Championship Boxing broadcast that will also feature Paul Williams (40-2-0, 27ko) taking on Nobuhiro Ishida (24-6-2, 9ko) of Osaka, Japan.

Campillo (21-3-1, 8ko) says he and trainer Pablo Sarmiento had a fantastic camp, working with middleweight champion (and Campillos' manager) Sergio Martinez, who is also in heavy training for his upcoming fight (versus Matthew Macklin).

"Few people are giving me a shot in this fight and that just motivates me more to prove them wrong," said the eager Campillo. "This won't be the first time I've gone to another country and returned home an upset victor," continued the Madrid, Spain, native. Campillo has a point. He won his WBA title from an Argentinian in Argentina (Hugo Hernan Garay), defended it successfully against a Kazakhstani in Kazakhstan (Beibut Shumenov), and in his last fight, an IBF eliminator, fought to a draw with a German-based Iraqi in Germany (Karo Murat).

Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing, Campillo's promoter, is with his fighter and recommends the live audience and television viewers that night prepare themselves.

"Gabriel had a fantastic camp and he is fully ready to spring a surprise on Tavoris Cloud on Saturday. He is always at his best when he comes into another fighter's territory and is not expected to win. After the fight, the only ones who are not in shock will be our team.

"We know what's coming."
♔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.

PAUL WILLIAMS & NOBUHIRO ISHIDA, TAVORIS CLOUD & GABRIEL CAMPILLO

The four fighters who will compete in 12-round bouts on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, Feb. 18, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) at American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Texas, will participate in a national media conference call.

In the main event, former world champion, southpaw Paul Williams (40-2, 27 KOs), of Aiken, S.C., will fight for the first time since taking a majority decision over Erislandy Lara last July 9 when he meets Nobuhiro Ishida (24-6-2, 9 KOs) of Osaka, Japan. Ishida has won his last two bouts via first-round stoppage, including an upset over then-undefeated James Kirkland in April of 2011.

Unbeaten Tavoris Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs), of Tallahassee, Fla., will risk his International Boxing Federation (IBF) 175-pound crown for a third time when he faces Gabriel Campillo (21-3-1, 8 KOs) of Madrid, Spain.

Note: Preliminary bouts will be televised LIVE on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)♔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.

SHOWTIME® TAPS BARRY TOMPKINS AND STEVE FARHOOD FOR INAUGURAL SHOWTIME EXTREME® LIVE BOXING TELECAST

SHOWTIME Sports® has named award-winning sportscaster Barry Tompkins and renowned boxing historian Steve Farhood to serve as the announce team for the inaugural presentation of live undercard boxing on SHOWTIME EXTREME—Saturday, Feb. 18 live at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The two-fight SHO EXTREME telecast immediately precedes the live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader featuring Paul Williams vs. Nobuhiro Ishida and Tavoris Cloud vs. Gabrielle Campillo, live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

A 12-round heavyweight bout between American contender Chris Arreola and Eric Molina will headline the SHOWTIME EXTREME telecast which also features Malik Scott vs. Kendrick Releford in an eight-round heavyweight bout.

SHOWTIME EXTREME, the premium network’s sports and action focused multiplex channel, is available in more than 99 percent of SHOWTIME subscriber households nationwide.

“We are proud to welcome Barry Tompkins to the family,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports. “He and Farhood bring a tremendous amount of broadcast and boxing experience to the booth. I am excited to expand our live coverage for the network’s loyal boxing fans and for the fighters who will benefit from the additional exposure.”

The versatile Tompkins’ 40-plus years in broadcasting include calling college football and basketball as well as many legendary fights such as “Sugar” Ray Leonard vs. Marvin Hagler, Mike Tyson vs. Trevor Berbick and Aaron Pryor vs. Alexis Arguello. In 2006, he was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

Since transitioning from a full-time journalist as editor-in-chief of “The Ring” and “KO” magazines, Farhood has provided the color commentary for every ShoBox: The New Generation telecast in the series’ decade-long tenure. Still an active writer in the sport, he received the Nat Fleischer Award for "Excellence in Boxing Journalism” from the Boxing Writers Association of America in May 2011.

♔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.

PAUL WILLIAMS & NOBUHIRO ISHIDA, TAVORIS CLOUD & GABRIEL CAMPILLOSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, Feb. 18, live on SHOWTIME®

The four fighters who will compete in 12-round bouts on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, Feb. 18, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) at American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Texas, will participate in a national media conference call.

In the main event, former world champion, southpaw Paul Williams (40-2, 27 KOs), of Aiken, S.C., will fight for the first time since taking a majority decision over Erislandy Lara last July 9 when he meets Nobuhiro Ishida (24-6-2, 9 KOs) of Osaka, Japan. Ishida has won his last two bouts via first-round stoppage, including an upset over then-undefeated James Kirkland in April of 2011.

Unbeaten Tavoris Cloud (24-0, 19 KOs), of Tallahassee, Fla., will risk his International Boxing Federation (IBF) 175-pound crown for a third time when he faces Gabriel Campillo (21-3-1, 8 KOs) of Madrid, Spain.

♔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.