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Paulie's Magic world
Paulie Malignaggi, captured the 140 pound world title IBF Junior welterweight championship, in a colorful cultural and electrifying main event, Malignaggi out powered and out punched, his opponent "The Black Panther" in a performance that was spellbinding. Paulie's boxing documentary debuted early this month to add to his current success, the film's premiere was in Hoboken New Jersey. Malignaggi's father flew in from Italy to be ringside with his son, thus being the eve of Father's Day, it was a complete victory for the family and father and son. Paulie's mom never attends her son's fights.
(Paul Malignaggi and Buddy Mc Girt Sr, corner man helped prepare Paulie for the world title bout)
Lovemore "The Black Panther" N'Dou, 35 a college student and father of four who enjoys reading and owns a film company that has produced two films in boxing.
(Lovemore "The Black Panther" N'Dou)
The events co-feature was two up and coming prospects in the Super middleweight division, an Olympic Bronze medalist in the 2004 games, two time U.S champion and decorated amateur Andre Dirrell against former All- Star High school linebacker and Entrepreneur Curtis Stevens.
Andre's matrix's run
Andre's "The Matrix" Dirrell 23 (12-0-7 Ko's) of Flint Michigan won in a ten round showdown over Curtis "Showtime" Stevens(17-2-12 Ko's) by unanimous decision. Andre landed more jabs, but never checked Curtis's chin due to disappearing acts and the distance running, add a high jump to the ring it could have been an official track meet opposed to a boxing prize fight. Dirrell moved effectively running away from the 43 punches thrown by Stevens in 10 rounds. "The Matrix" it appears is having a hard time making the transition from the Olympics to the Professionals but Saturday night Dirrell mastered Stevens, measuring successfully the sweet science.
(Andre "The Matrix" Dirrell)
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Curtis's square vision
Curtis "Showtime" Stevens 22 (17-2-12 Ko's) of Brownsville Brooklyn, and the other half of the Boxing tag team the "Chin Checkers" was clearly the better fighter but could not figure out how to get close enough to stop "The Matrix" from running away, by cutting off the ring and swinging. Curtis had a plan though, his vision was to take Dirrell out with the "Tyson" like uppercut, stirring the mad 150 yard dash by Dirrell .
(Curtis Stevens and Andre Rozier, corner man prepare for the showdown)
(Curtis Stevens appears for his grand Showdown on HBO Boxing After Dark)
Family Affairs
Adorned in t-shirts that read "Curtisey" team Dirrell and Mr Watson allowed me a few minutes to photograph and to talk with Andre. Happy for his win, he (Andre) said "I'm thankful for this victory", before we briefly chatted about his Olympic experience and future of my niece and nephews as prospects in swimming. Leon Lawson is the Grandfather of the boxing brothers Andre and Anthony, Anthony who is considered the better fighter of the brothers is in a battle for his life, outside of the Boxing ring, he (Anthony) has been diagnosed with cancer and is receiving chemotherapy, Anthony sat ringside cheering his younger brother on to success.
(Andre and Anthony Dirrell)
(Andre and Anthony Dirrell and Cousin Lawson, corner man)
Leon primarily raised and trained both his grandsons. Leon Lawson, an Amateur fighter himself is a dear friend with Muhammad Ali, we took a few minutes to share memories and to show one another photographs before I departed Leon Lawson left me with a momentum, a photograph of himself with Ali.
(Keisha and the Legendary Leon Lawson)
Tanya Rozier, the mother of Curtis Stevens, was in attendance, ring side supporting her prodigal son with jeers of "Showtime". A counselor in the Juvenile Justice department in New York, Tanya trains with her son by riding a bike behind him in the morning for her own personal training as well. Uncle Andre Rozier is in the corner and designs the "Havoc" attire for "Showtime" and other fighters.
(Keisha, Tanya and Curtis Stevens at Madison Square Garden)
(Andre Rozier and Curtis "Showtime" Stevens)
"Primetime" for "Showtime"
DiBella Entertainment President Lou DiBella at the post press conference revealed that executives of the "Contender" Boxing series were there scouting Curtis "Showtime" Stevens as a possible cast member. Does "Showtime" has what it takes to be a "Contender" and hot prospect in Show business?. If he learns and listens he will, his lightning effect will be stunning, in both the boxing and entertainment industry.
(Lou DiBella talks with J.C after the fight regarding Malignaggi and Stevens)
The Undercard
Rasheim Jefferson (15-0-1-6 Ko's) of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, in an eight round junior lightweight brawl defeated by decision Carlos Vinan (7-4-2-1 Ko) of Newark, New Jersey.
(Rasheim Jefferson and Manager after Victory)
Dat Nguyen (10-0-0-5 Ko's)of Vero Beach Florida in the 6th round referee Richard Flaherty stopped the torture of Yamin Mohammed (7-17-1-3 Ko's) of West Carrolton, Ohio by TKO Victory in an featherweight 8 rounds card.
(Dat Nguyen talks with sportswriter after the bout)
Prenice Brewer(4-0-1-3 Ko's) by unanimous decision defeated Sebastian Hamel (6-11-1-1 Ko) of Longueuil, Canada in a 4 rounds junior welterweight bout, to open the show.
(Prenice Brewer make his way to the ring)
(Prenice "Showbiz" Brewer)
(Professional Fighters Ibn Rahaman Ali, Nephew of Muhammad Ali, & USBC Champ, Keisha and David Thomas, sparring partner for Curtis "Showtime" Stevens)
(Ibn Ali Keisha and "King" David Thomas sparring partner for Curtis Stevens)
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