Tony Award winner Melba Moore Palm Springs, Ca
Tony Award winner will make debut as headliner of ....The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies''
....The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies,'' a nostalgic revue of the music, comedy and dance of the 1930s and 40s, is made up of a cast of 59- to 84-year- old chorus ....girls.''
This year's theme is ....Tin Pan Alley,'' celebrating the golden age of American popular music.
Moore started her career in 1967 with a role in the musical ....Hair'' and three years later won a Tony as best actress in a musical for her work in ....Purlie,'' making her the first black actress to do so.
She recorded a string of hits in the 1970s and 80s, including ....Yo Stepped Into My Life,'' ....This Is It'' and ....The Greatest Feeling,'' and also
landed film and television parts and returned to the stage in the mid-1990s to play the role of Fantine in ....Les Miserables.''
....Is there anything Ms. Moore cannot do? I don't think so,'' said Follies founder and impresario Riff Markowitz. ....She is precisely the sort of multi-talented entertainer that a classic Follies like ours requires, and we are honored to share her with Palm Springs audiences for the very first time.''
The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies
128 South Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, California 92262
(760) 778-7654 (Administrative Offices)
For information on show times and tickets, call the box office at (760) 327-0225 or visit www.psfollies.com.
The Melba Moore Team
Thursday, February 14, 2008
JERMAIN TAYLOR "QUOTES" FROM LOS ANGELES PRESS CONFERENCE
" A lot of people have said to me, why don't I take a tune-up and get your confidence back. I don't need a tune-up to get my confidence back, I never lost my confidence. I can beat Kelly Pavlik."
"I choose do this rematch because I want to beat the guy who beat me. I don't want to waste anytime with any tune-up fights. That's what the fans want to see."
"This time when I get him in trouble I will finish him off. He won't get back up. I have no excuses, I lost the fight and I give Kelly Pavlik all the credit."
"I'm coming to fight, I got my butt kick the last time in that ring and I'm a better fighter because of the lost. We had a great training camp and I'm in good shape. I'm at the top of my game and I know I will come away with the victory."
"I took Kelly Pavlik for granted, I underestimated him and I learned something from the loss. I'm not taking anything away from him, but I'm coming to get back everything he took from me. I'm very focus for this fight, everything is on the line with me for this fight."
Tickets priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100 are now on sale and available at any MGM Grand box office outlet. Tickets also are sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall and Ritmo Latino).
Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or MGM Grand at (800) 929-1111.
Contact Your Local Cable or Satellite Provider To Order This Pay-Per-View Telecast.
Legendary Internet Street Fighter Kimbo Slice, Exciting, Hard Hitting MMA Bad Boy Tank Abbott and Shaw will discuss “EliteXC Presents STREET CERTIFIED
Legendary Internet Street Fighter Kimbo Slice, Exciting, Hard Hitting MMA Bad Boy Tank Abbott and Shaw will discuss “EliteXC Presents STREET CERTIFIED: Kimbo Slice vs. Tank Abbott’’ -- and the entire EliteXC Mixed Martial Arts mega-event on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast. In what figures to be a slugfest for as long as it lasts, Kimbo, of Perrine, Fla., and Abbott, of Huntington Beach, Calif., will clash in a highly anticipated main event on a card that also will feature one of the world’s top heavyweights, Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva, of Coconut Grove, Fla.
In other bouts, highly regarded British heavyweight James "The Colossus" Thompson faces unbeaten Brett Rogers of Minneapolis, Edson Berto, of Tampa, Fla., meets Yves Edwards of Conroe, Tex., and Australian Kyle “KO’’ Noke, the bodyguard of the late Steve “Crocodile Hunter’’ Irwin, takes on Scott Smith, of Sacramento, Calif. Charles “Krazy Horse’’ Bennett, of Ocala, Fla., who owns a knockout victory over EliteXC 160-pound world champion KJ Noons, will be opposed by a foe to be announced in a top, non-televised undercard match.
It will be the second professional MMA fight for Kimbo, the legendary Internet street fighter and YouTube sensation who scored a smashing 19-second, first-round knockout in his Street-to-Elite debut. “With these hands I can part the sea. With these hands I feed the family,’’ Kimbo said.
Tank, of Huntington Beach, Calif., is a feared knockout artist and notorious bad boy and trash-talker. A veteran who has never turned down a fight, Tank has called out Kimbo on numerous occasions, including after Kimbo’s EliteXC and MMA debut in November. Tank is supremely confident he will send home Kimbo and his fans unhappy.
Opening Comments:
SHAW: Thank you for being on this conference call with me, with Kimbo and the Huntington Beach (Calif.) Bad Boy, Tank Abbott. We also have Ken Hershman from SHOWTIME with us.
Gary Shaw
This is going to be a great, great event in Florida on Feb. 16.
I want to thank Ken, and I want to thank SHOWTIME for putting this on the air on premium cable. It was originally scheduled to be on pay‑per‑view. But thanks to Kimbo and Tank … it's not all about ripping off fans, it's about giving the fans some great fights on television.
We're really excited about this card. Besides Kimbo and Tank, we have Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva, who I believe may be the best heavyweight in the world. Kimbo tells me that's not so, but that time will come for him as well. Kimbo’s got a big fight. He's got to get past Tank Abbott with a big reputation and a big punch.
We're really, really excited about this event. It's going to be a great promotion. It's at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami. Doors will open at 6 p.m. (ET), fights will go on at 7 p.m.
Tickets are from $35 up to $700. I appreciate everyone being on the call. I'm going to turn it over to Kimbo to say a few words. Then I'm going to turn it over to Tank to say a few words, and we'll get right to your questions.
It is my pleasure at this time to not only bring up the YouTube internet sensation, but the guy that went from the streets to Elite. Two guys that are not only cage tested, but they're street certified, (first) Kimbo Slice.
Photos: Esther Lin/For ProElite, Inc. and TOM CASINO/ELITEXC
KIMBO: What's up?
SHAW: Tell them whatever you want.
KIMBO: That's it.
SHAW: That's it. I hope you heard that, Tank. He said that's it for you and the reporters. So, Tank, take it away.
TANK: I'll tell you what's up. Kimbo's going to be on his back. This fight is going to last about as long as his interview opening did. ‘What's up’ is about how long it's going to take for him to end up on his back knocked out.
KIMBO: Did you have a 6‑pack or 12‑pack before you said something?
TANK: I don't drink beer. I can afford vodka.
KIMBO: OK, even better
SHAW: Tank, do you honestly believe you're going to knock Kimbo out?
TANK: I don't see it going any other way. I can do anything I want to him, but what fun is that? I like to knock people out.
SHAW: Do you think it's a short fight or do you think it's going to take a couple of rounds?
TANK: Doesn't matter. I can go 15 minutes holding my breath standing on my head. So it could be the 14th minute or the first minute, whenever he runs into one.
SHAW: How do you feel about fighting in Kimbo's hometown?
TANK: I kind of like that. I don't like beating up people in my hometown. I like to go to their hometown, so they can see what they're all about.
KIMBO: You better wear a pad with that cup, because I'm going to have you (blanking) blood, homie.
TANK: That sounds good. That's what it's all about.
QUESTION: Kimbo, what's it feel like to be fighting in your hometown in a sanctioned fight in front of what figures to be a sellout crowd on a SHOWTIME telecast that begins at 10 p.m.?
KIMBO: It's going to be different for me. I'm cool with it and I'm comfortable with it. I'm comfortable at the crib, so I'm looking forward to it.
QUESTION: Tank, how did you get your nickname?
TANK: When I was stomping around in the streets, they didn't have anything such as an MMA or cage fighting or anything like that. I showed up at the steps of the Ultimate Fighting and said, ‘Hey, I want to fight.’ And they said you have to be a black belt or something like that.
I said I just got out of jail for beating somebody up, in fact, a cop's son. Isn't this supposed to be about fighting? And they said, yeah, but you've got to have some kind of a black belt or something. And I said that's not what I'm about. I'm about fighting in the streets.
They called me a couple days later and said we came up with this thing called Tank Abbott. It's from the “Every Which Way But Loose’’ movie from Clint Eastwood. There is a guy in there, who’s a street fighting legend by the name of Tank Murdock, and Clint went and fought him.
But that's where the Tank came from. I've been stomping the streets for a long time. I tell you one thing, if Kimbo was back in my era, stomping around Orange County, Calif., he would have been long gone a long time ago.
KIMBO: So you didn't earn your name, your name was given to you out of grace?
TANK: Everybody gets their name given to them. I guess it's earned if you're a street fighting legend and you're a Tank. I guess somebody does give it to you.
QUESTION: Tank, you fought some of the best people in the world in their prime. What level of fighter do you think Kimbo is?
TANK: I will give him his props. Kimbo goes out there, he's tough, he's got (guts) and he's got heart. Those are things you can't teach. But I've been swinging around wrestling rooms for over 30 years and I've been in boxing gyms for over 20, and I've been in the street a lot longer than that. You can never tell. All you can say is that Kimbo is a tough man as far as his heart and his (guts) and his mind, but I don't know how polished he is. So I can't give you an answer on that one.
QUESTION: Kimbo, do you want to comment on that? You're newer to mixed martial arts as an organized sport, even though you have the street fighting background so why do you think you're ready to take on somebody like Tank who has been around and been in with the best for so long?
KIMBO: I'll take on anybody. Everybody says I'm the new kid on the block or whatever. But it's the era. Being street certified mixed with MMA, Tae Kwon Do, Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing and wrestling. You combine that and you're going to have a type of fighter like myself. I'm not one‑dimensional. Whatever anybody wants to do, I'm down to do. You want to take it to the ground, let's take it to the ground. You want to stand up, let's stand up. I'm down for that. That's my thing, that's what I'm about. That's how I live. That's my life. I don't even see Tank. I'm seeing through him.
TANK: See, that's the kind of thing I'm talking about. Those are the kind of things you can't learn. That's not technique, that's why I can't wait to step in the ring with him.
QUESTION: Tank, do you expect this fight to go out of the first round?
TANK: I don't have any expectations; I don't know about Kimbo.
QUESTION: Kimbo, any expectations in how long you think this is going to go?
KIMBO: No, I don't have any either.
QUESTION: Is there any possibility, has it entered your mind, that Abbott has simply too much experience for you?
KIMBO: I kind of look at it like a chick that does porn. Just because she did 100 porn scenes, that doesn't mean I'm going to be afraid to [be with] her. I'm going to still get that [girl]. That's how I look at it.
QUESTION: Tank, you fought twice in 2007, once in 2006 and twice in 2005: When you're not fighting, what do you do?
TANK: My hobby is drinking. I like to have as much fun as I can. When I'm training, I train. But I like to have fun also. I like to hang out at the bars and write the book that I'm doing.
QUESTION: You're doing a book right now?
TANK: I've already got it written. It's about 676 pages. I'm pecking away on it, putting it on a computer. It's got some good stuff in it. It's about my days when I was stomping in the streets about 12, 13, 14 years ago when the whole MMA scene came about.
QUESTION: Tank, was your era on the streets so much tougher than Kimbo’s?
TANK: Because there was no referee and there were no people walking around watching it. When you entered into a fight you assumed the risk to die. You didn't have to worry about somebody as a referee stepping in and saving it. Like I said, I've got well over 200 street fights under my belt.
QUESTION: Your response to that, Kimbo?
KIMBO: I was smelling chicken and looking at the food. I wasn't paying Tank any attention.
QUESTION: Gary, Gina Carano was originally supposed to be on the card. She dropped off. Can you tell us what happened as far as her participation in this show?
SHAW: Sure, we wanted her to be on the show. She was training for American Gladiators, and at this point she wasn't ready to compete on this date.
QUESTION: Is there any concern on your end as far as her other activities interfering with her fight career? Is that something you've talked to her about?
SHAW: No, we have a long‑term contract with Gina. It was a great opportunity for her to be on “American Gladiators’’ and be “Crush,’’ and I think it will help her career. As soon as they're done with all the meetings they have to do, all the PR appearances -- she was just on "The Today Show" two days ago -- she'll be ready to fight.
She wasn't ready in February. Hopefully, she'll be ready for our big March 29 card in San Jose.
QUESTION: Gary, a question (regarding) the back and forth you've had with Dana White, the conversation you had and then he had with Yahoo Sports. Have you had a chance to read that commentary from Dana, and do you have any other reaction to him?
SHAW: Look, no, truthfully I haven't read it. Though a lot of people have called me (about it). All I'm saying is, and I've said it all along, there is a differentiator. If you fight for the UFC, you can't be bigger than Dana White and the UFC. If you fight for EliteXC, as a fighter, you're bigger than Gary Shaw. It's about the fighter. It's not about me. Whether it's Kimbo, who was signed to us, or any other fighter, I believe we represent some of the greatest fighters in the world. I believe that Antonio “Big Foot” Silva could knock out any heavyweight in the UFC.
Now, I'm not disparaging the UFC. They have some great fighters and great fights. They have a good brand. They do a good job marketing their brand, but they don't own MMA. They don't own the space. They have a brand. You know what, if you hold up the belt there, all you are is the club champion. Until Dana White is willing to fight his fighters against other brands, all they are club champions.
I extend the challenge and always have ‑ it's like Kimbo, you want to fight him? Call us up, you can come in the cage and fight him. You want to fight Jake Shields, fight Jake Shields. We're proud of the people we represent. Robbie Lawler, I could go down the whole roster.
But for Dana White to try to convince the fans that he owns all of the best fighters in the world? To say that this is just a starting point for fighters and then they're going to go to UFC? He is full of (poop). Let him fight our fighters.
I’ll tell you what, let's do some fights winner‑take‑all. Let's put up a million dollars purse. Let's pick a weight. Let's really get it on for the fans. When he's ready to do that, then give me a call.
QUESTION: Kimbo, your last fight out you finished it so quickly we didn't get to see a whole lot. Are you looking forward to showing everybody your ground skills and what you've been working on?
KIMBO: Yes, I'm dying for that. I'm dying to get the opportunity to show off a little stuff. I've got a lot of tools in my arsenal now. I'm not afraid to use them. I'm getting to the point where it's second nature. I'm just excited to be where I am, to get to bang‑up Tank and make a good future and a good name for myself.
QUESTION: Kimbo, what does it mean to have your second fight in EliteXC take place in your backyard where the fans are going to be going crazy for you?
KIMBO: It's exciting. But I'm not letting it get to me because I've got a bigger fish to fry.
QUESTION: Kimbo, how has the transition been going from street fighting to MMA, coupled with your rising popularity, gone for you?
KIMBO: It's really hard. It's more skilled fighters and better fighters. I'm proving myself now, because people feel like the guys that I fought were pretty much nobody's. But you never know what another guy has. You never know what type of skill the next man has. If a guy's willing to fight you, that says a lot. He's sure about himself. You can't take that from anybody. Like every fight, the best man's going to win. Whoever trains the hardest and wants it more is going to win. That's what it's about for me.
QUESTION: Kimbo, where did you get your nickname?
KIMBO: Kimbo has been my name since I was a kid. That's my child given name. Slice was an internet given name from my very first fight. And Slice was a given name I earned from the streets.
TANK: So they gave that to you?
KIMBO: It was earned.
QUESTION: Gary, why did EliteXC decide to go to Florida for this event? Was it specifically because of Kimbo being from there? Could Florida be a frequent stop for you guys?
SHAW: Great question. Let me try to tell you why I went to Florida: K-I-M-B-O. I believe that Kimbo's going to be a giant, giant star -- although I know Tank Abbott feels differently and feels that he's going to be the one with the success.
I thought Florida was a natural place. We looked at several different locations in Florida. I wanted to stay near where Kimbo's home and home base is. The University of Miami has a great arena. It's the right size. I think Florida is a hot bed for MMA from Tampa, St. Petersburg all the way down. I just thought it was the right venue at the right time. SHOWTIME agreed it was the right venue at the right time, and that's how we wound up there.
If we draw well enough, we'll be back. We expect a sellout crowd. We're looking at the American Airlines Arena as well for another fight. We've also looked at the Hard Rock and the St. Pete Times Forum. Florida is a place that EliteXC is going to hang their hat, absolutely.
QUESTION: Kimbo, you said that you're looking through Tank. Does that mean you're looking forward to your next match after him?
KIMBO: Yeah, pretty much. I'm preparing for whatever. I've trained for Tank a long time, preparing for his style. I know just the type of fighter he is: aggressive, hitting hard and just coming at you. I've trained well for that. I'm pretty much prepared to take Tank out. I'm going to change my name from Kimbo to Blackhawk because only a Blackhawk chopper can destroy a Tank.
QUESTION: If you're looking past Tank, is Sean Gannon possibly one of the guys you're looking at?
KIMBO: Who? Sean Gannon? Is that even an option?
SHAW: Anything you want to do is an option.
KIMBO: I'm down for that. I want to do that bare knuckle. That fight's owed to me. I want that more than anything.
SHAW: Yes, it is a possibility. One thing that I like about this fight, it went from just an MMA fight to being personal. The reason this fight got made so quickly is Kimbo said that ‘I want Tank. I trained for a pay‑per‑view fight, I want that fight back.’ If Sean is the one that Kimbo wants and there is a score to be settled ‑‑ then we'll go out as a company that represents Kimbo and we'll do everything in our power to make that fight. But you know my career in boxing. I think Kimbo knows this better than anybody, and I'm sure Tank knows this as an ultimate professional. You better take care of business on Feb. 16.
QUESTION: Is Tank signed beyond this fight?
SHAW: Yes, we have options on Tank.
QUESTION: Tank, didn't you call Kimbo out after his fight in Atlantic City?
TANK: I don't know if you'd call that a fight. But, yeah, that's what it's all about. Like I said, he's a street warrior, I'm a street warrior. It's a matter of time before we meet up. I was ready to meet up right then and there. But as it is, we're going to meet up with SHOWTIME and EliteXC in Miami on Feb. 16.
QUESTION: How much had you heard of Kimbo before the fight in Atlantic City with Ray Mercer?
TANK: Not that much. I think his name came up a couple of times. I checked him out on the internet for maybe something that lasted 20 seconds, and then I went to the bar.
QUESTION: Have you been impressed with anything you've seen from Kimbo in either of his two fights?
TANK: I haven't really seen his last fight. The fight with Mercer, I mean, not really.
QUESTION: You’ve both been in lots of street fights, some for money. How did you manage that? Who kept that under control for people to get paid after it was done?
KIMBO: I'll pass on that.
TANK: One time I had this guy who wanted to fight, and he was crying about the money. I said we can fight in a warehouse. He said who is going to hold the money, this is going to turn into a circus. I said, ‘you show me your money, I'll show you mine. You put it in the front pocket, after I knock you out, I'll take it.’ He didn't show up.
QUESTION: Kimbo, you’re in a movie called "Blood and Bone.’’ Can you tell us anything about it?
KIMBO: What do you want to know?
QUESTION: What is your role in it? How was the experience?
KIMBO: It was cool. The experience was OK. I got my SAG card.
QUESTION: Gary, Tank and Kimbo were supposed to happen last year in Atlantic City, and it fell through and disappointed a lot of people. Last weekend, we had Rico Rodriguez versus Mike Howell that was signed and not delivered. Is it an interest of yours, and will you potentially pick up this fight of interest?
SHAW: I don't know if it's a fight that we pick up. But we currently have Rico Rodriguez. He is signed to our brand. He's a fighter that we would definitely use. He's on our radar, for sure. It's unfortunate that card went under. People don't realize how many cards fail in the MMA world due to different things. I'm proud that every EliteXC card that we've ever said we'd put on we do put on. But, yes, there were fighters on that card we'd be very interested in. Maybe some who were in this office yesterday.
QUESTION: Other than the UFC, you're the only other promoter in MMA history to have Tank Abbott and Ken Shamrock under the same promotional banner at the same time. Their rivalry dates back years and it is well publicized. You like to have ‘personal’ fights for your shows. Are you planning a fight between the two of them?
SHAW: If it's personal, it will go. As long as there are real personal rivalries and real fights, and we can give the SHOWTIME audience real fights. You know, Tank, I have a lot of respect for you; taking on Ken and Kimbo in the same call.
TANK: It's safe from a phone distance, right? Sounds like most of the guys in the MMA will. But I'll step up.
SHAW: We know you'll step up and that's why you're going on SHOWTIME against Kimbo. The same reason I put you in against Ken and also put Kimbo in against Ken.
TANK: Sounds good.
SHAW: Maybe eventually you and Kimbo can face Frank and Ken in a tag team match.
TANK: Now you're talking.
SHAW: There you go.
QUESTION: Tank, not to take away from your fight with Kimbo, but you and Ken had a lot of heat in the past. Has it cooled off? Is this guy still your nemesis? Do you still want this one?
TANK: Ken is the antithesis of me. You run around and show your legs and act like you're a superstar, when all you are is a clown. I like to go out and fight and I really don't care. I don't need everything to be right or wrong or just perfect. I don't need to walk around like I'm a superstar. I'm just myself when I cruise around. I don't need to make waves.
He's the kind of guy that would go into a restaurant and say, ‘Do you know who I am? Go tell the person that I'm here.’ I just hide in the back and don't care.
QUESTION: Tank, can you speak about Kimbo’s internet legacy?
TANK: Believe it or not, I don't have a computer. Actually, I got one for my book, but I'm not hooked up to the internet. So I really don't follow that stuff. Most of the people on the internet are a bunch of bozos that want to talk a bunch of smack. Probably if you could reach through the internet lines, you'd find a 16‑year‑old kid that hasn't been able to shave and he's telling you, hey, I can beat you up.
QUESTION: With Tank you're facing a guy, a legendary pioneer in the sport of MMA, original UFC bad boy. What does the fight with him mean to you?
KIMBO: It means a whole lot to me. Unlike him, I've been watching Tank since I was a shorty. It sparked my interest from growing up banging from that time. So to fight a guy like him means a lot to me. That's why I can't lose and I won't lose. Losing is not an option, especially to Tank. Beating Tank means a whole lot to me, and I'm looking forward to this fight.
I just think Feb. 16 is a tad bit too long. But I've got to be patient. I've waited this long, you know, it's all good.
TANK: Sounds like (when) Cabbage (Correira said) I (was going) to pass the torch off to him. Only thing I'm passing off to Kimbo is a knockout.
KIMBO: I ain't Cabbage, I'm Kimbo.
TANK: Who are you?
SHAW: Maybe you guys want to fight tonight?
KIMBO: I'm down for that.
QUESTION: This year, EliteXC has announced three shows so far and a lot more planned. Can you tell us what your philosophy is and your view is in positioning EliteXC?
SHAW: I know we'll be profitable because my mother and father are backing me. But on a serious note, EliteXC is all about the fighter. It's a fighter‑friendly company. We care about the safety and welfare of every fighter that we represent. We have, probably, the biggest mixed martial arts library in the world today. We have several brands around the country. We have a huge internet play that is an important part of the company that works for the fighters and works for the fans.
We have a contract with SHOWTIME where we'll have roughly 14 fights on SHOWTIME, and millions of eyes this year. We have King of the Cage, a brand in the United States, probably doing more fights than any other brand in the United States. We'll do over 40 fights. And Cage Rage in England, and Icon and Rumble World, and Spirit MC, which will allow us, like on our Jan. 25 fight card, to bring Paul Daley from England and put him on SHOWTIME in the U.S.
It will give us an opportunity to bring Kimbo this year over to England to fight in front of all those fans, and for them to get to see, feel, smell and touch him and see how real he is. We have a lot of opportunities. We’re growing every day. We're really excited. We think we bring the best fights. I believe we put on exciting events for the fans. We're event friendly in the arena. We’re on TV and get the eyeballs that watch our fights. A lot of people said a lot of nasty things last year about us and never thought we were going to really get off the ground. But this rocket ship launched.
The one thing we promised was we'd give the fans real fights. One thing I'm really proud of is that I represent real fighters that will fight anybody in the world. It's not ‘well, I don't want to fight him. Give me two fights, three fights before I fight him.’ The fighters we represent just want to fight. For that, I'm proud of the people that we represent.
The eyeballs on SHOWTIME that have watched our fights have seen great fights, exciting fights. Nick Diaz against KJ (Noons), KJ against “Krazy Horse’’ (Charles Bennett), Kimbo's quick demolition in the last show, the coming of age of Gina Carano. We haven't even shown Robbie Lawler that much. There is so much. “Big Foot’’ Silva, I keep saying, I believe he's the single best heavyweight in the world today. The fans are going to get to see all these fighters, not to mention all the other fighters that we have coming. They're beginning to be exposed to new and young fighters. So thank you for your question.
QUESTION: When you raise the issue of being fighter friendly, do you think things like the UFC's lawsuit against Randy Couture is going to hurt them? And do you also see the need to bring MMA contracts in line with what is required in boxing by the Muhammad Ali Act?
SHAW: Let me comment. First of all, I won't comment on other people's lawsuits. So the Randy Couture-UFC lawsuit, that is something they'll have to battle out in the media and in the court room.
When I say we're fighter friendly, you can ask any fighter that's either won or lost in one of our shows, and they'll tell you what it is like to fight for EliteXC. How we take care of them, how we care about them before the fight, during the fight, after the fight. This is a fighter‑friendly company.
As far as contracts go, I don't discuss contracts. But we're basically in line with the Muhammad Ali law. We don't sign anybody for 20‑year contracts. We don't have any slaves, no indentured servitude here. Fighters fight for us because they want to fight for us because we treat them well.
I invite you, and any reporter to certainly go to any fighter that's fought for us and ask how we fight them. We treat them like the world champions that we believe all fighters are.
QUESTION: Tank, what weight are you at now and who are you training with for Kimbo?
TANK: I fluctuate between 261 and 67.
QUESTION: What camp or group are you training with now?
TANK: I just got my old friends that I've known for a long time and bang around with them. It's not really a camp or a team or anything. It's just buddies I've been banging with for a long time.
QUESTION: Gary, is a Ken Shamrock versus Kimbo a match in the future?
SHAW: Kimbo has a fight Feb. 16. Ken Shamrock's got a fight March 8. So why don't you ask me that question on March 9.
QUESTION: What weight is Ken going to be fighting at the Cage Rage event?
SHAW: I don't know. Right now I'm told by one of the fight team members it's unspecified. But if you email it a continuation of what you had been working on? Are you continuing to learn different things? We know you want to showcase all the skills you say you possess. How did it play out right after that last fight as far as training?
KIMBO: We picked up where we left off and added more new stuff into my arsenal.
TANK: I'm looking forward to this Feb. 16 fight. Like I said earlier Kimbo's got (guts), heart and the street mentality. I can't wait to lay my ears back and get down with him. It's going to be fun for me. It's going to be a long night for Kimbo and a short one for me. But I can't wait. I wake up every morning and start laughing because I wish it was already Feb. 16.
It's not often you get to get in the cage and fight a guy that's got the street warrior to him, and I kind of look forward to that.
Tickets for a spectacular 10-bout event start at $35 and are
available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/
and at the BankUnited Box Office at the University of Miami.
In other bouts, highly regarded British heavyweight James "The Colossus" Thompson faces unbeaten Brett Rogers of Minneapolis, Edson Berto, of Tampa, Fla., meets Yves Edwards of Conroe, Tex., and Australian Kyle “KO’’ Noke, the bodyguard of the late Steve “Crocodile Hunter’’ Irwin, takes on Scott Smith, of Sacramento, Calif. Charles “Krazy Horse’’ Bennett, of Ocala, Fla., who owns a knockout victory over EliteXC 160-pound world champion KJ Noons, will be opposed by a foe to be announced in a top, non-televised undercard match.
It will be the second professional MMA fight for Kimbo, the legendary Internet street fighter and YouTube sensation who scored a smashing 19-second, first-round knockout in his Street-to-Elite debut. “With these hands I can part the sea. With these hands I feed the family,’’ Kimbo said.
Tank, of Huntington Beach, Calif., is a feared knockout artist and notorious bad boy and trash-talker. A veteran who has never turned down a fight, Tank has called out Kimbo on numerous occasions, including after Kimbo’s EliteXC and MMA debut in November. Tank is supremely confident he will send home Kimbo and his fans unhappy.
Opening Comments:
SHAW: Thank you for being on this conference call with me, with Kimbo and the Huntington Beach (Calif.) Bad Boy, Tank Abbott. We also have Ken Hershman from SHOWTIME with us.
Gary Shaw
This is going to be a great, great event in Florida on Feb. 16.
I want to thank Ken, and I want to thank SHOWTIME for putting this on the air on premium cable. It was originally scheduled to be on pay‑per‑view. But thanks to Kimbo and Tank … it's not all about ripping off fans, it's about giving the fans some great fights on television.
We're really excited about this card. Besides Kimbo and Tank, we have Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva, who I believe may be the best heavyweight in the world. Kimbo tells me that's not so, but that time will come for him as well. Kimbo’s got a big fight. He's got to get past Tank Abbott with a big reputation and a big punch.
We're really, really excited about this event. It's going to be a great promotion. It's at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami. Doors will open at 6 p.m. (ET), fights will go on at 7 p.m.
Tickets are from $35 up to $700. I appreciate everyone being on the call. I'm going to turn it over to Kimbo to say a few words. Then I'm going to turn it over to Tank to say a few words, and we'll get right to your questions.
It is my pleasure at this time to not only bring up the YouTube internet sensation, but the guy that went from the streets to Elite. Two guys that are not only cage tested, but they're street certified, (first) Kimbo Slice.
Photos: Esther Lin/For ProElite, Inc. and TOM CASINO/ELITEXC
KIMBO: What's up?
SHAW: Tell them whatever you want.
KIMBO: That's it.
SHAW: That's it. I hope you heard that, Tank. He said that's it for you and the reporters. So, Tank, take it away.
TANK: I'll tell you what's up. Kimbo's going to be on his back. This fight is going to last about as long as his interview opening did. ‘What's up’ is about how long it's going to take for him to end up on his back knocked out.
KIMBO: Did you have a 6‑pack or 12‑pack before you said something?
TANK: I don't drink beer. I can afford vodka.
KIMBO: OK, even better
SHAW: Tank, do you honestly believe you're going to knock Kimbo out?
TANK: I don't see it going any other way. I can do anything I want to him, but what fun is that? I like to knock people out.
SHAW: Do you think it's a short fight or do you think it's going to take a couple of rounds?
TANK: Doesn't matter. I can go 15 minutes holding my breath standing on my head. So it could be the 14th minute or the first minute, whenever he runs into one.
SHAW: How do you feel about fighting in Kimbo's hometown?
TANK: I kind of like that. I don't like beating up people in my hometown. I like to go to their hometown, so they can see what they're all about.
KIMBO: You better wear a pad with that cup, because I'm going to have you (blanking) blood, homie.
TANK: That sounds good. That's what it's all about.
QUESTION: Kimbo, what's it feel like to be fighting in your hometown in a sanctioned fight in front of what figures to be a sellout crowd on a SHOWTIME telecast that begins at 10 p.m.?
KIMBO: It's going to be different for me. I'm cool with it and I'm comfortable with it. I'm comfortable at the crib, so I'm looking forward to it.
QUESTION: Tank, how did you get your nickname?
TANK: When I was stomping around in the streets, they didn't have anything such as an MMA or cage fighting or anything like that. I showed up at the steps of the Ultimate Fighting and said, ‘Hey, I want to fight.’ And they said you have to be a black belt or something like that.
I said I just got out of jail for beating somebody up, in fact, a cop's son. Isn't this supposed to be about fighting? And they said, yeah, but you've got to have some kind of a black belt or something. And I said that's not what I'm about. I'm about fighting in the streets.
They called me a couple days later and said we came up with this thing called Tank Abbott. It's from the “Every Which Way But Loose’’ movie from Clint Eastwood. There is a guy in there, who’s a street fighting legend by the name of Tank Murdock, and Clint went and fought him.
But that's where the Tank came from. I've been stomping the streets for a long time. I tell you one thing, if Kimbo was back in my era, stomping around Orange County, Calif., he would have been long gone a long time ago.
KIMBO: So you didn't earn your name, your name was given to you out of grace?
TANK: Everybody gets their name given to them. I guess it's earned if you're a street fighting legend and you're a Tank. I guess somebody does give it to you.
QUESTION: Tank, you fought some of the best people in the world in their prime. What level of fighter do you think Kimbo is?
TANK: I will give him his props. Kimbo goes out there, he's tough, he's got (guts) and he's got heart. Those are things you can't teach. But I've been swinging around wrestling rooms for over 30 years and I've been in boxing gyms for over 20, and I've been in the street a lot longer than that. You can never tell. All you can say is that Kimbo is a tough man as far as his heart and his (guts) and his mind, but I don't know how polished he is. So I can't give you an answer on that one.
QUESTION: Kimbo, do you want to comment on that? You're newer to mixed martial arts as an organized sport, even though you have the street fighting background so why do you think you're ready to take on somebody like Tank who has been around and been in with the best for so long?
KIMBO: I'll take on anybody. Everybody says I'm the new kid on the block or whatever. But it's the era. Being street certified mixed with MMA, Tae Kwon Do, Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing and wrestling. You combine that and you're going to have a type of fighter like myself. I'm not one‑dimensional. Whatever anybody wants to do, I'm down to do. You want to take it to the ground, let's take it to the ground. You want to stand up, let's stand up. I'm down for that. That's my thing, that's what I'm about. That's how I live. That's my life. I don't even see Tank. I'm seeing through him.
TANK: See, that's the kind of thing I'm talking about. Those are the kind of things you can't learn. That's not technique, that's why I can't wait to step in the ring with him.
QUESTION: Tank, do you expect this fight to go out of the first round?
TANK: I don't have any expectations; I don't know about Kimbo.
QUESTION: Kimbo, any expectations in how long you think this is going to go?
KIMBO: No, I don't have any either.
QUESTION: Is there any possibility, has it entered your mind, that Abbott has simply too much experience for you?
KIMBO: I kind of look at it like a chick that does porn. Just because she did 100 porn scenes, that doesn't mean I'm going to be afraid to [be with] her. I'm going to still get that [girl]. That's how I look at it.
QUESTION: Tank, you fought twice in 2007, once in 2006 and twice in 2005: When you're not fighting, what do you do?
TANK: My hobby is drinking. I like to have as much fun as I can. When I'm training, I train. But I like to have fun also. I like to hang out at the bars and write the book that I'm doing.
QUESTION: You're doing a book right now?
TANK: I've already got it written. It's about 676 pages. I'm pecking away on it, putting it on a computer. It's got some good stuff in it. It's about my days when I was stomping in the streets about 12, 13, 14 years ago when the whole MMA scene came about.
QUESTION: Tank, was your era on the streets so much tougher than Kimbo’s?
TANK: Because there was no referee and there were no people walking around watching it. When you entered into a fight you assumed the risk to die. You didn't have to worry about somebody as a referee stepping in and saving it. Like I said, I've got well over 200 street fights under my belt.
QUESTION: Your response to that, Kimbo?
KIMBO: I was smelling chicken and looking at the food. I wasn't paying Tank any attention.
QUESTION: Gary, Gina Carano was originally supposed to be on the card. She dropped off. Can you tell us what happened as far as her participation in this show?
SHAW: Sure, we wanted her to be on the show. She was training for American Gladiators, and at this point she wasn't ready to compete on this date.
QUESTION: Is there any concern on your end as far as her other activities interfering with her fight career? Is that something you've talked to her about?
SHAW: No, we have a long‑term contract with Gina. It was a great opportunity for her to be on “American Gladiators’’ and be “Crush,’’ and I think it will help her career. As soon as they're done with all the meetings they have to do, all the PR appearances -- she was just on "The Today Show" two days ago -- she'll be ready to fight.
She wasn't ready in February. Hopefully, she'll be ready for our big March 29 card in San Jose.
QUESTION: Gary, a question (regarding) the back and forth you've had with Dana White, the conversation you had and then he had with Yahoo Sports. Have you had a chance to read that commentary from Dana, and do you have any other reaction to him?
SHAW: Look, no, truthfully I haven't read it. Though a lot of people have called me (about it). All I'm saying is, and I've said it all along, there is a differentiator. If you fight for the UFC, you can't be bigger than Dana White and the UFC. If you fight for EliteXC, as a fighter, you're bigger than Gary Shaw. It's about the fighter. It's not about me. Whether it's Kimbo, who was signed to us, or any other fighter, I believe we represent some of the greatest fighters in the world. I believe that Antonio “Big Foot” Silva could knock out any heavyweight in the UFC.
Now, I'm not disparaging the UFC. They have some great fighters and great fights. They have a good brand. They do a good job marketing their brand, but they don't own MMA. They don't own the space. They have a brand. You know what, if you hold up the belt there, all you are is the club champion. Until Dana White is willing to fight his fighters against other brands, all they are club champions.
I extend the challenge and always have ‑ it's like Kimbo, you want to fight him? Call us up, you can come in the cage and fight him. You want to fight Jake Shields, fight Jake Shields. We're proud of the people we represent. Robbie Lawler, I could go down the whole roster.
But for Dana White to try to convince the fans that he owns all of the best fighters in the world? To say that this is just a starting point for fighters and then they're going to go to UFC? He is full of (poop). Let him fight our fighters.
I’ll tell you what, let's do some fights winner‑take‑all. Let's put up a million dollars purse. Let's pick a weight. Let's really get it on for the fans. When he's ready to do that, then give me a call.
QUESTION: Kimbo, your last fight out you finished it so quickly we didn't get to see a whole lot. Are you looking forward to showing everybody your ground skills and what you've been working on?
KIMBO: Yes, I'm dying for that. I'm dying to get the opportunity to show off a little stuff. I've got a lot of tools in my arsenal now. I'm not afraid to use them. I'm getting to the point where it's second nature. I'm just excited to be where I am, to get to bang‑up Tank and make a good future and a good name for myself.
QUESTION: Kimbo, what does it mean to have your second fight in EliteXC take place in your backyard where the fans are going to be going crazy for you?
KIMBO: It's exciting. But I'm not letting it get to me because I've got a bigger fish to fry.
QUESTION: Kimbo, how has the transition been going from street fighting to MMA, coupled with your rising popularity, gone for you?
KIMBO: It's really hard. It's more skilled fighters and better fighters. I'm proving myself now, because people feel like the guys that I fought were pretty much nobody's. But you never know what another guy has. You never know what type of skill the next man has. If a guy's willing to fight you, that says a lot. He's sure about himself. You can't take that from anybody. Like every fight, the best man's going to win. Whoever trains the hardest and wants it more is going to win. That's what it's about for me.
QUESTION: Kimbo, where did you get your nickname?
KIMBO: Kimbo has been my name since I was a kid. That's my child given name. Slice was an internet given name from my very first fight. And Slice was a given name I earned from the streets.
TANK: So they gave that to you?
KIMBO: It was earned.
QUESTION: Gary, why did EliteXC decide to go to Florida for this event? Was it specifically because of Kimbo being from there? Could Florida be a frequent stop for you guys?
SHAW: Great question. Let me try to tell you why I went to Florida: K-I-M-B-O. I believe that Kimbo's going to be a giant, giant star -- although I know Tank Abbott feels differently and feels that he's going to be the one with the success.
I thought Florida was a natural place. We looked at several different locations in Florida. I wanted to stay near where Kimbo's home and home base is. The University of Miami has a great arena. It's the right size. I think Florida is a hot bed for MMA from Tampa, St. Petersburg all the way down. I just thought it was the right venue at the right time. SHOWTIME agreed it was the right venue at the right time, and that's how we wound up there.
If we draw well enough, we'll be back. We expect a sellout crowd. We're looking at the American Airlines Arena as well for another fight. We've also looked at the Hard Rock and the St. Pete Times Forum. Florida is a place that EliteXC is going to hang their hat, absolutely.
QUESTION: Kimbo, you said that you're looking through Tank. Does that mean you're looking forward to your next match after him?
KIMBO: Yeah, pretty much. I'm preparing for whatever. I've trained for Tank a long time, preparing for his style. I know just the type of fighter he is: aggressive, hitting hard and just coming at you. I've trained well for that. I'm pretty much prepared to take Tank out. I'm going to change my name from Kimbo to Blackhawk because only a Blackhawk chopper can destroy a Tank.
QUESTION: If you're looking past Tank, is Sean Gannon possibly one of the guys you're looking at?
KIMBO: Who? Sean Gannon? Is that even an option?
SHAW: Anything you want to do is an option.
KIMBO: I'm down for that. I want to do that bare knuckle. That fight's owed to me. I want that more than anything.
SHAW: Yes, it is a possibility. One thing that I like about this fight, it went from just an MMA fight to being personal. The reason this fight got made so quickly is Kimbo said that ‘I want Tank. I trained for a pay‑per‑view fight, I want that fight back.’ If Sean is the one that Kimbo wants and there is a score to be settled ‑‑ then we'll go out as a company that represents Kimbo and we'll do everything in our power to make that fight. But you know my career in boxing. I think Kimbo knows this better than anybody, and I'm sure Tank knows this as an ultimate professional. You better take care of business on Feb. 16.
QUESTION: Is Tank signed beyond this fight?
SHAW: Yes, we have options on Tank.
QUESTION: Tank, didn't you call Kimbo out after his fight in Atlantic City?
TANK: I don't know if you'd call that a fight. But, yeah, that's what it's all about. Like I said, he's a street warrior, I'm a street warrior. It's a matter of time before we meet up. I was ready to meet up right then and there. But as it is, we're going to meet up with SHOWTIME and EliteXC in Miami on Feb. 16.
QUESTION: How much had you heard of Kimbo before the fight in Atlantic City with Ray Mercer?
TANK: Not that much. I think his name came up a couple of times. I checked him out on the internet for maybe something that lasted 20 seconds, and then I went to the bar.
QUESTION: Have you been impressed with anything you've seen from Kimbo in either of his two fights?
TANK: I haven't really seen his last fight. The fight with Mercer, I mean, not really.
QUESTION: You’ve both been in lots of street fights, some for money. How did you manage that? Who kept that under control for people to get paid after it was done?
KIMBO: I'll pass on that.
TANK: One time I had this guy who wanted to fight, and he was crying about the money. I said we can fight in a warehouse. He said who is going to hold the money, this is going to turn into a circus. I said, ‘you show me your money, I'll show you mine. You put it in the front pocket, after I knock you out, I'll take it.’ He didn't show up.
QUESTION: Kimbo, you’re in a movie called "Blood and Bone.’’ Can you tell us anything about it?
KIMBO: What do you want to know?
QUESTION: What is your role in it? How was the experience?
KIMBO: It was cool. The experience was OK. I got my SAG card.
QUESTION: Gary, Tank and Kimbo were supposed to happen last year in Atlantic City, and it fell through and disappointed a lot of people. Last weekend, we had Rico Rodriguez versus Mike Howell that was signed and not delivered. Is it an interest of yours, and will you potentially pick up this fight of interest?
SHAW: I don't know if it's a fight that we pick up. But we currently have Rico Rodriguez. He is signed to our brand. He's a fighter that we would definitely use. He's on our radar, for sure. It's unfortunate that card went under. People don't realize how many cards fail in the MMA world due to different things. I'm proud that every EliteXC card that we've ever said we'd put on we do put on. But, yes, there were fighters on that card we'd be very interested in. Maybe some who were in this office yesterday.
QUESTION: Other than the UFC, you're the only other promoter in MMA history to have Tank Abbott and Ken Shamrock under the same promotional banner at the same time. Their rivalry dates back years and it is well publicized. You like to have ‘personal’ fights for your shows. Are you planning a fight between the two of them?
SHAW: If it's personal, it will go. As long as there are real personal rivalries and real fights, and we can give the SHOWTIME audience real fights. You know, Tank, I have a lot of respect for you; taking on Ken and Kimbo in the same call.
TANK: It's safe from a phone distance, right? Sounds like most of the guys in the MMA will. But I'll step up.
SHAW: We know you'll step up and that's why you're going on SHOWTIME against Kimbo. The same reason I put you in against Ken and also put Kimbo in against Ken.
TANK: Sounds good.
SHAW: Maybe eventually you and Kimbo can face Frank and Ken in a tag team match.
TANK: Now you're talking.
SHAW: There you go.
QUESTION: Tank, not to take away from your fight with Kimbo, but you and Ken had a lot of heat in the past. Has it cooled off? Is this guy still your nemesis? Do you still want this one?
TANK: Ken is the antithesis of me. You run around and show your legs and act like you're a superstar, when all you are is a clown. I like to go out and fight and I really don't care. I don't need everything to be right or wrong or just perfect. I don't need to walk around like I'm a superstar. I'm just myself when I cruise around. I don't need to make waves.
He's the kind of guy that would go into a restaurant and say, ‘Do you know who I am? Go tell the person that I'm here.’ I just hide in the back and don't care.
QUESTION: Tank, can you speak about Kimbo’s internet legacy?
TANK: Believe it or not, I don't have a computer. Actually, I got one for my book, but I'm not hooked up to the internet. So I really don't follow that stuff. Most of the people on the internet are a bunch of bozos that want to talk a bunch of smack. Probably if you could reach through the internet lines, you'd find a 16‑year‑old kid that hasn't been able to shave and he's telling you, hey, I can beat you up.
QUESTION: With Tank you're facing a guy, a legendary pioneer in the sport of MMA, original UFC bad boy. What does the fight with him mean to you?
KIMBO: It means a whole lot to me. Unlike him, I've been watching Tank since I was a shorty. It sparked my interest from growing up banging from that time. So to fight a guy like him means a lot to me. That's why I can't lose and I won't lose. Losing is not an option, especially to Tank. Beating Tank means a whole lot to me, and I'm looking forward to this fight.
I just think Feb. 16 is a tad bit too long. But I've got to be patient. I've waited this long, you know, it's all good.
TANK: Sounds like (when) Cabbage (Correira said) I (was going) to pass the torch off to him. Only thing I'm passing off to Kimbo is a knockout.
KIMBO: I ain't Cabbage, I'm Kimbo.
TANK: Who are you?
SHAW: Maybe you guys want to fight tonight?
KIMBO: I'm down for that.
QUESTION: This year, EliteXC has announced three shows so far and a lot more planned. Can you tell us what your philosophy is and your view is in positioning EliteXC?
SHAW: I know we'll be profitable because my mother and father are backing me. But on a serious note, EliteXC is all about the fighter. It's a fighter‑friendly company. We care about the safety and welfare of every fighter that we represent. We have, probably, the biggest mixed martial arts library in the world today. We have several brands around the country. We have a huge internet play that is an important part of the company that works for the fighters and works for the fans.
We have a contract with SHOWTIME where we'll have roughly 14 fights on SHOWTIME, and millions of eyes this year. We have King of the Cage, a brand in the United States, probably doing more fights than any other brand in the United States. We'll do over 40 fights. And Cage Rage in England, and Icon and Rumble World, and Spirit MC, which will allow us, like on our Jan. 25 fight card, to bring Paul Daley from England and put him on SHOWTIME in the U.S.
It will give us an opportunity to bring Kimbo this year over to England to fight in front of all those fans, and for them to get to see, feel, smell and touch him and see how real he is. We have a lot of opportunities. We’re growing every day. We're really excited. We think we bring the best fights. I believe we put on exciting events for the fans. We're event friendly in the arena. We’re on TV and get the eyeballs that watch our fights. A lot of people said a lot of nasty things last year about us and never thought we were going to really get off the ground. But this rocket ship launched.
The one thing we promised was we'd give the fans real fights. One thing I'm really proud of is that I represent real fighters that will fight anybody in the world. It's not ‘well, I don't want to fight him. Give me two fights, three fights before I fight him.’ The fighters we represent just want to fight. For that, I'm proud of the people that we represent.
The eyeballs on SHOWTIME that have watched our fights have seen great fights, exciting fights. Nick Diaz against KJ (Noons), KJ against “Krazy Horse’’ (Charles Bennett), Kimbo's quick demolition in the last show, the coming of age of Gina Carano. We haven't even shown Robbie Lawler that much. There is so much. “Big Foot’’ Silva, I keep saying, I believe he's the single best heavyweight in the world today. The fans are going to get to see all these fighters, not to mention all the other fighters that we have coming. They're beginning to be exposed to new and young fighters. So thank you for your question.
QUESTION: When you raise the issue of being fighter friendly, do you think things like the UFC's lawsuit against Randy Couture is going to hurt them? And do you also see the need to bring MMA contracts in line with what is required in boxing by the Muhammad Ali Act?
SHAW: Let me comment. First of all, I won't comment on other people's lawsuits. So the Randy Couture-UFC lawsuit, that is something they'll have to battle out in the media and in the court room.
When I say we're fighter friendly, you can ask any fighter that's either won or lost in one of our shows, and they'll tell you what it is like to fight for EliteXC. How we take care of them, how we care about them before the fight, during the fight, after the fight. This is a fighter‑friendly company.
As far as contracts go, I don't discuss contracts. But we're basically in line with the Muhammad Ali law. We don't sign anybody for 20‑year contracts. We don't have any slaves, no indentured servitude here. Fighters fight for us because they want to fight for us because we treat them well.
I invite you, and any reporter to certainly go to any fighter that's fought for us and ask how we fight them. We treat them like the world champions that we believe all fighters are.
QUESTION: Tank, what weight are you at now and who are you training with for Kimbo?
TANK: I fluctuate between 261 and 67.
QUESTION: What camp or group are you training with now?
TANK: I just got my old friends that I've known for a long time and bang around with them. It's not really a camp or a team or anything. It's just buddies I've been banging with for a long time.
QUESTION: Gary, is a Ken Shamrock versus Kimbo a match in the future?
SHAW: Kimbo has a fight Feb. 16. Ken Shamrock's got a fight March 8. So why don't you ask me that question on March 9.
QUESTION: What weight is Ken going to be fighting at the Cage Rage event?
SHAW: I don't know. Right now I'm told by one of the fight team members it's unspecified. But if you email it a continuation of what you had been working on? Are you continuing to learn different things? We know you want to showcase all the skills you say you possess. How did it play out right after that last fight as far as training?
KIMBO: We picked up where we left off and added more new stuff into my arsenal.
TANK: I'm looking forward to this Feb. 16 fight. Like I said earlier Kimbo's got (guts), heart and the street mentality. I can't wait to lay my ears back and get down with him. It's going to be fun for me. It's going to be a long night for Kimbo and a short one for me. But I can't wait. I wake up every morning and start laughing because I wish it was already Feb. 16.
It's not often you get to get in the cage and fight a guy that's got the street warrior to him, and I kind of look forward to that.
Tickets for a spectacular 10-bout event start at $35 and are
available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/
and at the BankUnited Box Office at the University of Miami.
WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS
WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS
From: WBC President Jose Sulaiman
Mexico City- “The World Boxing Council is very pleased to celebrate its 45th anniversary with a tremendous boxing event in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 16.
“I am very proud of WBC middleweight world champion Kelly Pavlik and our former world champion Jermain Taylor, as well as Top Rank and DiBella Entertainment, for accepting to abide by the WBC Rules and Regulations with respect to the Pavlik-Taylor rematch, as it is an over-the-weight bout but involves the WBC champion.
“Several rules apply to this very important rematch, including Rule 1.22 which says: ‘The WBC Board of Governors, with a majority voting, may grant special authorization to allow a WBC champion to engage in a non-title 10 or 12-round bout.’
“The WBC will present a medal of honor to the winner of the fight, which will be officially sanctioned by the WBC.
“It gives me great satisfaction to see the loyalty to the WBC of these two boxers, both of whom have had very long relationships with us and built their careers using our affiliated titles as stepping stones to get to the highest levels of their careers today.
“Also on the card is WBC super flyweight world champion Cristian Mijares, one of the most solid champions in the world today, who will defend the title against former Olympian Jose Navarro.
“The Mijares-Navarro fight will be the WBC’s 1647th world title bout, and the 262nd WBC world title bout in the State of Nevada .”
From: WBC President Jose Sulaiman
Mexico City- “The World Boxing Council is very pleased to celebrate its 45th anniversary with a tremendous boxing event in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 16.
“I am very proud of WBC middleweight world champion Kelly Pavlik and our former world champion Jermain Taylor, as well as Top Rank and DiBella Entertainment, for accepting to abide by the WBC Rules and Regulations with respect to the Pavlik-Taylor rematch, as it is an over-the-weight bout but involves the WBC champion.
“Several rules apply to this very important rematch, including Rule 1.22 which says: ‘The WBC Board of Governors, with a majority voting, may grant special authorization to allow a WBC champion to engage in a non-title 10 or 12-round bout.’
“The WBC will present a medal of honor to the winner of the fight, which will be officially sanctioned by the WBC.
“It gives me great satisfaction to see the loyalty to the WBC of these two boxers, both of whom have had very long relationships with us and built their careers using our affiliated titles as stepping stones to get to the highest levels of their careers today.
“Also on the card is WBC super flyweight world champion Cristian Mijares, one of the most solid champions in the world today, who will defend the title against former Olympian Jose Navarro.
“The Mijares-Navarro fight will be the WBC’s 1647th world title bout, and the 262nd WBC world title bout in the State of Nevada .”
INDUSTRY LEADERS LAUD CHICAGO'S 8 COUNT ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY
On the day of their tenth anniversary event, CELEBRATION, set for Friday, February 15th at Cicero Stadium, Chicago’s 8 Count Productions is receiving praises from many of professional boxing’s leaders.
Said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions, “Golden Boy Promotions congratulates Dominic Pesoli and 8 Count Productions on their 10th anniversary. It’s always a pleasure doing business with them and we look forward to co-promoting outstanding events with them in the future.“
From Kathy Duva, President of Main Events, “It’s always great to watch hard-working dignified people succeed in the boxing business. 8 Count has been a pleasure to deal with and we look forward to another 10 years of working with Dominic Pesoli’s promotional firm.”
Stated Carl Moretti, Vice-President of DiBella Entertainment, “In a business where often times you don’t look forward to working on a show, working with Dominic and the 8 Count staff is always a refreshing and enjoyable experience. He is truly one of the best people on the sport.”
Said Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, “Happy 10th anniversary to Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions. Pesoli doesn’t have the name recognition of Bob Arum or Don King, but he’s done a tremendous job of practically single handedly keeping boxing alive in Chicago with monthly (and sometimes twice-monthly) cards. One of the reasons for Pesoli’s success is a strong working relationship with Top Rank’s Arum and Golden Boy Promotions, with whom he partners on his televised cards.”
About the anniversary, Pesoli said, “It’s always great to hear from people that you respect and enjoy working with in boxing. The fans have been terrific the last couple of weeks with their phone calls for tickets and to offer congratulations.
I’d also like to thank the boxing websites for the terrific job they continue to do along with the local media, both of whom have been very supportive throughout the last ten years. It means a great deal to me to read the high regard that the boxing community holds 8 Count.
It’s been a fantastic run these last ten years and we plan on continuing to promote great events with terrific fights for many years to come.”
CELEBRATION, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing, presented by 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated is headlined by an outstanding battle between junior welterweight prospects Mike Alvarado and Jesus “CHUY” Rodriguez.
As part of the CELEBRATION event, Rocky Martinez and Mike "FLY" Garcia will be inducted into the 8 Count Productions Hall of Fame.
Tickets for CELEBRATION are available in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions offices at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.
The full fight card for CELEBRATION is;
Mike Alvarado vs. Jesus Rodriguez, ten rounds, junior welterweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. Andre Wilson, eight rounds, bantamweights
Andrzej Fonfara vs. Jorge Gonzalez, six rounds, junior middleweights
Freddie Cuevas vs. Luis Hodge, six rounds, middleweights
Alejandro Lopez vs. Torrence Ray, six rounds, featherweights
Ivan Popoca vs. Guadalupe Diaz, five rounds, junior welterweights
Along with Chicago’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, CELEBRATION is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico, Mexico’s premier airline travel headquarters. The SOLO BOXEO TECATE broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.
The Master of Ceremonies for CELEBRATION will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.
8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.
To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxinggym.com
For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit.
www.toprank.com
CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998
Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions
Said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions, “Golden Boy Promotions congratulates Dominic Pesoli and 8 Count Productions on their 10th anniversary. It’s always a pleasure doing business with them and we look forward to co-promoting outstanding events with them in the future.“
From Kathy Duva, President of Main Events, “It’s always great to watch hard-working dignified people succeed in the boxing business. 8 Count has been a pleasure to deal with and we look forward to another 10 years of working with Dominic Pesoli’s promotional firm.”
Stated Carl Moretti, Vice-President of DiBella Entertainment, “In a business where often times you don’t look forward to working on a show, working with Dominic and the 8 Count staff is always a refreshing and enjoyable experience. He is truly one of the best people on the sport.”
Said Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, “Happy 10th anniversary to Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions. Pesoli doesn’t have the name recognition of Bob Arum or Don King, but he’s done a tremendous job of practically single handedly keeping boxing alive in Chicago with monthly (and sometimes twice-monthly) cards. One of the reasons for Pesoli’s success is a strong working relationship with Top Rank’s Arum and Golden Boy Promotions, with whom he partners on his televised cards.”
About the anniversary, Pesoli said, “It’s always great to hear from people that you respect and enjoy working with in boxing. The fans have been terrific the last couple of weeks with their phone calls for tickets and to offer congratulations.
I’d also like to thank the boxing websites for the terrific job they continue to do along with the local media, both of whom have been very supportive throughout the last ten years. It means a great deal to me to read the high regard that the boxing community holds 8 Count.
It’s been a fantastic run these last ten years and we plan on continuing to promote great events with terrific fights for many years to come.”
CELEBRATION, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing, presented by 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated is headlined by an outstanding battle between junior welterweight prospects Mike Alvarado and Jesus “CHUY” Rodriguez.
As part of the CELEBRATION event, Rocky Martinez and Mike "FLY" Garcia will be inducted into the 8 Count Productions Hall of Fame.
Tickets for CELEBRATION are available in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions offices at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.
The full fight card for CELEBRATION is;
Mike Alvarado vs. Jesus Rodriguez, ten rounds, junior welterweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. Andre Wilson, eight rounds, bantamweights
Andrzej Fonfara vs. Jorge Gonzalez, six rounds, junior middleweights
Freddie Cuevas vs. Luis Hodge, six rounds, middleweights
Alejandro Lopez vs. Torrence Ray, six rounds, featherweights
Ivan Popoca vs. Guadalupe Diaz, five rounds, junior welterweights
Along with Chicago’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, CELEBRATION is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico, Mexico’s premier airline travel headquarters. The SOLO BOXEO TECATE broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.
The Master of Ceremonies for CELEBRATION will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.
8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.
To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxinggym.com
For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit.
www.toprank.com
CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998
Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions
SBS PREDICTS; Taylor Will Win. Will Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor's come back to haunt Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik?
SBS, listened to Jermain Taylor's ((27-1-1, 17 KOs) of Little Rock Arkansas), International conference call and has reviewed the undisputed middleweight champion, Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik's ((32-0 29 KOs) of Youngstown Ohio), media materials, press conference footage, and videos, regarding this Saturday' s rematch between Pavlik and Taylor, and with all considered, both fighters are, humbly up for the challenge at 166 lbs, but will Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor's come back to haunt Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik? Or will Pavlik remain the middleweight superstar- undisputed? Tune In.
SBS: Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor, will show that, he-Taylor is dedicated, hungry, loyal and willing to do what it takes to prove that, he-Taylor will pull it off, this out weighs Pavlik's dynamic pound for pound speed. A stoppage would be sweet, and a reborn superstar "Taylor" would be sweeter. Taylor will win.
Keisha and Jermain Taylor
Keisha and Kelly Pavlik
SBS: Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor, will show that, he-Taylor is dedicated, hungry, loyal and willing to do what it takes to prove that, he-Taylor will pull it off, this out weighs Pavlik's dynamic pound for pound speed. A stoppage would be sweet, and a reborn superstar "Taylor" would be sweeter. Taylor will win.
Keisha and Jermain Taylor
Keisha and Kelly Pavlik
GOLD-SELLING MIAMI RAPPER PITBULL TO PERFORM LIVE DURING ELITEXC’S SPECTACULAR MMA MAIN EVENT OF LOCAL FAVORITE AND YOUTUBE LEGEND KIMBO SLICE
LOS ANGELES– From the stage to the cage, without missing a beat. Local Favorite and YouTube Legend, Kimbo Slice, Faces Tank Abbott. In Main Event of What Will Be an Exciting Evening of Fights and Music.
Photos: Esther Lin/For ProElite, Inc.
Kimbo Slice
Pitbull, a hugely popular, gold-selling Miami-based hip hop superstar, will perform during EliteXC’s highly anticipated Mixed Martial Arts event in Miami, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 16, at BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.
The main event will feature Miami’s YouTube legend, Kimbo Slice, against MMA pioneer and fellow street brawler, Tank Abbott, of Huntington Beach, Calif., but the opportunity for the hometown fans to witness live the extraordinarily talented Pitbull is worth the price of admission.
Tank Abbott
Since he burst on the national scene as a featured performer on Lil Jon’s double platinum selling album Kings of Crunk in 2002, the phenomenal Pitbull has had three smash albums -- his gold-selling debut M.I.A.M.I (2004), El Mariel (2006) and the recently released The Boatlift (2007).
The Boatlift showcases Pitbull’s lyrical prowess as he crusades through 18 tracks penning clever and captivating rhymes on each song. Pitbull has created an incredibly diverse album ranging from R&B-influenced sounds like the first single "Secret Admirer" featuring Lloyd, to hypnotic club banger “Go Girl” teaming with Trina and Young Boss, and current Afro-Cuban melodic single “The Anthem” with a bombastic chant by Lil Jon. "The Anthem" is No. 15 on the Top 40 Rhythm chart and breaking big on Mainstream Top 40 (Pop) radio.
Cuban-American MC Pitbull surpassed gold status for more than 500,000 copies sold of his debut album M.I.A.M.I.: Money Is A Major Issue in the United States. The accomplishment gave Pitbull the biggest-selling bilingual hip-hop debut since Cypress Hill’s 1991 self-titled debut, and put him in the rare category of Latino rappers who have achieved major success in English-language radio. In addition to being the No. 1 Latin artist on MySpace, Pitbull unleashed his sophomore album El Mariel in late 2006 spawning the No. 1 Latin Rap hit, "Dime".
Tickets for a 10-bout event start at $35 and are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and at the BankUnited Box Office. Doors open at 7 p.m. ET; first fight is at 7:30.
Besides an exciting heavyweight brawl between Kimbo (1-0) and Tank (9-13), a tremendous undercard will include Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva (9-1), who lives in Coconut Creek, Fla., vs. former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez (27-7), of Staten Island, N.Y., Australian Kyle “The Ozzie’’ Noke (11-2), the bodyguard of the late Steve “Crocodile Hunter’’ Irwin, vs. Scott “Hands Of Stone’’ Smith (12-5), of Sacramento, Calif., Edson Berto (13-4-1), of Tampa, Fla., vs. Yves Edwards (32-13-1) of Conroe, Tex.
About ProElite, Inc.
ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of MMA enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM
For PITBULL interviews, information, and publicity materials please contact:
Joe Wiggins TVT Records Urban Publicity
Pitbull resources
www.myspace.com/pitbull
http://www.pitbullmusic.com/
Contacts: EliteXC (Brener Zwikel & Associates, Inc.)
Dan Clavadetscher / John Beyrooty
Photos: Esther Lin/For ProElite, Inc.
Kimbo Slice
Pitbull, a hugely popular, gold-selling Miami-based hip hop superstar, will perform during EliteXC’s highly anticipated Mixed Martial Arts event in Miami, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 16, at BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.
The main event will feature Miami’s YouTube legend, Kimbo Slice, against MMA pioneer and fellow street brawler, Tank Abbott, of Huntington Beach, Calif., but the opportunity for the hometown fans to witness live the extraordinarily talented Pitbull is worth the price of admission.
Tank Abbott
Since he burst on the national scene as a featured performer on Lil Jon’s double platinum selling album Kings of Crunk in 2002, the phenomenal Pitbull has had three smash albums -- his gold-selling debut M.I.A.M.I (2004), El Mariel (2006) and the recently released The Boatlift (2007).
The Boatlift showcases Pitbull’s lyrical prowess as he crusades through 18 tracks penning clever and captivating rhymes on each song. Pitbull has created an incredibly diverse album ranging from R&B-influenced sounds like the first single "Secret Admirer" featuring Lloyd, to hypnotic club banger “Go Girl” teaming with Trina and Young Boss, and current Afro-Cuban melodic single “The Anthem” with a bombastic chant by Lil Jon. "The Anthem" is No. 15 on the Top 40 Rhythm chart and breaking big on Mainstream Top 40 (Pop) radio.
Cuban-American MC Pitbull surpassed gold status for more than 500,000 copies sold of his debut album M.I.A.M.I.: Money Is A Major Issue in the United States. The accomplishment gave Pitbull the biggest-selling bilingual hip-hop debut since Cypress Hill’s 1991 self-titled debut, and put him in the rare category of Latino rappers who have achieved major success in English-language radio. In addition to being the No. 1 Latin artist on MySpace, Pitbull unleashed his sophomore album El Mariel in late 2006 spawning the No. 1 Latin Rap hit, "Dime".
Tickets for a 10-bout event start at $35 and are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and at the BankUnited Box Office. Doors open at 7 p.m. ET; first fight is at 7:30.
Besides an exciting heavyweight brawl between Kimbo (1-0) and Tank (9-13), a tremendous undercard will include Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva (9-1), who lives in Coconut Creek, Fla., vs. former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez (27-7), of Staten Island, N.Y., Australian Kyle “The Ozzie’’ Noke (11-2), the bodyguard of the late Steve “Crocodile Hunter’’ Irwin, vs. Scott “Hands Of Stone’’ Smith (12-5), of Sacramento, Calif., Edson Berto (13-4-1), of Tampa, Fla., vs. Yves Edwards (32-13-1) of Conroe, Tex.
About ProElite, Inc.
ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of MMA enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM
For PITBULL interviews, information, and publicity materials please contact:
Joe Wiggins TVT Records Urban Publicity
Pitbull resources
www.myspace.com/pitbull
http://www.pitbullmusic.com/
Contacts: EliteXC (Brener Zwikel & Associates, Inc.)
Dan Clavadetscher / John Beyrooty
FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ IN SOLO BOXEO CO-MAIN THIS FRIDAY NIGHT
Chicago bantamweight prospect Francisco "EL NINO AZTECA" Rodriguez will battle Andre Wilson this Friday night, February 15th in the SOLO BOXEO TECATE televised co-main event at Cicero Stadium, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
The Rodriguez/Wilson bout, scheduled for eight rounds is one of the feature attractions at CELEBRATION, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing marking the 10th anniversary of 8 Count Productions.
Tickets for CELEBRATION are available in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions offices at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.
Said Pesoli, “Francisco has looked terrific recently and has improved a great deal. We’ve had a very good response from his last SOLO BOXEO TECATE appearance (RTD7 over Ivan Rodriguez) as well as his last fight which is up on Youtube (UD8 over Robert Da Luz). We’re expecting great things from Francisco in 2008 and this fight is hopefully another step in that direction.”
The 23 year old Rodriguez, who had a stellar amateur career, has amassed a huge following in Chicago while running his record to 11-1 with seven knockouts.
Said Rodriguez, " This is a great opportunity for me to fight on SOLO BOXEO TECATE. Not only can fans in Chicago watch me in person but so can fight fans in many countries who get the broadcast. I've prepared well for this fight and I'm looking forward to Friday night."
Wilson, a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, brings a record of 9-1 with eight knockouts into battle with Rodriguez. He is coming off a first round knockout of Aaron Sannipoli on May 30, 2007 in Kansas City.
Wilson’s only loss was a much disputed four round majority decision to Shimon Bain on April 14, 2007 in Nassau, Bahamas, which most ringside observers felt was unfairly given to the hometown favorite.
CELEBRATION, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing, presented by 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated is headlined by an outstanding battle between junior welterweight prospects Mike Alvarado and Jesus “CHUY” Rodriguez.
As part of the CELEBRATION event, Rocky Martinez and Mike "FLY" Garcia will be inducted into the 8 Count Productions Hall of Fame.
The full fight card for CELEBRATION is;
Mike Alvarado vs. Jesus Rodriguez, ten rounds, junior welterweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. Andre Wilson, eight rounds, bantamweights
Andrzej Fonfara vs. Francisco Rincon, six rounds, junior middleweights
Freddie Cuevas vs. Luis Hodge, six rounds, middleweights
Ivan Popoca vs. Guadalupe Diaz, four rounds, junior welterweights
The open to the public weigh-in will be held at 7pm on Thursday, February 14th at Club Aquarius, 2459 N. Pulaski on the Northwest side of Chicago.
Along with Chicago’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, CELEBRATION is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico, Mexico’s premier airline travel headquarters. The SOLO BOXEO TECATE broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.
The Master of Ceremonies for CELEBRATION will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.
8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.
To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit http://www.8countproductions.com/ and http://www.jabbboxinggym.com/
For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit.
http://www.toprank.com/
CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998
Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions
The Rodriguez/Wilson bout, scheduled for eight rounds is one of the feature attractions at CELEBRATION, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing marking the 10th anniversary of 8 Count Productions.
Tickets for CELEBRATION are available in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions offices at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.
Said Pesoli, “Francisco has looked terrific recently and has improved a great deal. We’ve had a very good response from his last SOLO BOXEO TECATE appearance (RTD7 over Ivan Rodriguez) as well as his last fight which is up on Youtube (UD8 over Robert Da Luz). We’re expecting great things from Francisco in 2008 and this fight is hopefully another step in that direction.”
The 23 year old Rodriguez, who had a stellar amateur career, has amassed a huge following in Chicago while running his record to 11-1 with seven knockouts.
Said Rodriguez, " This is a great opportunity for me to fight on SOLO BOXEO TECATE. Not only can fans in Chicago watch me in person but so can fight fans in many countries who get the broadcast. I've prepared well for this fight and I'm looking forward to Friday night."
Wilson, a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, brings a record of 9-1 with eight knockouts into battle with Rodriguez. He is coming off a first round knockout of Aaron Sannipoli on May 30, 2007 in Kansas City.
Wilson’s only loss was a much disputed four round majority decision to Shimon Bain on April 14, 2007 in Nassau, Bahamas, which most ringside observers felt was unfairly given to the hometown favorite.
CELEBRATION, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing, presented by 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated is headlined by an outstanding battle between junior welterweight prospects Mike Alvarado and Jesus “CHUY” Rodriguez.
As part of the CELEBRATION event, Rocky Martinez and Mike "FLY" Garcia will be inducted into the 8 Count Productions Hall of Fame.
The full fight card for CELEBRATION is;
Mike Alvarado vs. Jesus Rodriguez, ten rounds, junior welterweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. Andre Wilson, eight rounds, bantamweights
Andrzej Fonfara vs. Francisco Rincon, six rounds, junior middleweights
Freddie Cuevas vs. Luis Hodge, six rounds, middleweights
Ivan Popoca vs. Guadalupe Diaz, four rounds, junior welterweights
The open to the public weigh-in will be held at 7pm on Thursday, February 14th at Club Aquarius, 2459 N. Pulaski on the Northwest side of Chicago.
Along with Chicago’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, CELEBRATION is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico, Mexico’s premier airline travel headquarters. The SOLO BOXEO TECATE broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.
The Master of Ceremonies for CELEBRATION will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.
8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.
To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit http://www.8countproductions.com/ and http://www.jabbboxinggym.com/
For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit.
http://www.toprank.com/
CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998
Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions
Eddie Goldman On Joey Reynolds Show
Eddie Goldman On Joey Reynolds Show
http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2008-02-14T13_33_40-08_00
Eddie Goldman of No Holds Barred (http://nhbnews.blogspot.com/) and SecondsOut Radio (http://secondsout.com/radio) was on the nationally-syndicated "Joey Reynolds Show" early Thursday morning, Feb. 14. Eddie is the boxing correspondent for this show. Along with guest John "Cha Cha" Ciarcia (http://www.chachajohn.com/), the noted radio host, restaurateur, actor, producer, and former boxing promoter, Joey and Eddie had a spirited and humorous discussion about the woes of boxing, Wladimir Klitschko, and the continuing mess regarding the distribution of media credentials for boxing events. Also announced was the relaunch of The Boxing Standard (http://boxingstandard.blogspot.com/).
The "Joey Reynolds Show" is a national radio broadcast in New York on WOR 710 AM and on 100 other stations via the WOR Network. The show airs live beginning at midnight EST and runs to 5 AM EST.
For more information on the "Joey Reynolds Show," go to http://wor710.com/pages/46370.php?contentType=4&contentId=157588.
For more information on show producer Myra Chanin, go to http://motherwonderful.com/.
No Holds Barred blog http://nhbnews.blogspot.com/
No Holds Barred podcast http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/
No Holds Barred on MySpace.com http://www.myspace.com/nhbnews
Enjoy!
Thanks, Eddie Goldman
http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2008-02-14T13_33_40-08_00
Eddie Goldman of No Holds Barred (http://nhbnews.blogspot.com/) and SecondsOut Radio (http://secondsout.com/radio) was on the nationally-syndicated "Joey Reynolds Show" early Thursday morning, Feb. 14. Eddie is the boxing correspondent for this show. Along with guest John "Cha Cha" Ciarcia (http://www.chachajohn.com/), the noted radio host, restaurateur, actor, producer, and former boxing promoter, Joey and Eddie had a spirited and humorous discussion about the woes of boxing, Wladimir Klitschko, and the continuing mess regarding the distribution of media credentials for boxing events. Also announced was the relaunch of The Boxing Standard (http://boxingstandard.blogspot.com/).
The "Joey Reynolds Show" is a national radio broadcast in New York on WOR 710 AM and on 100 other stations via the WOR Network. The show airs live beginning at midnight EST and runs to 5 AM EST.
For more information on the "Joey Reynolds Show," go to http://wor710.com/pages/46370.php?contentType=4&contentId=157588.
For more information on show producer Myra Chanin, go to http://motherwonderful.com/.
No Holds Barred blog http://nhbnews.blogspot.com/
No Holds Barred podcast http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/
No Holds Barred on MySpace.com http://www.myspace.com/nhbnews
Enjoy!
Thanks, Eddie Goldman
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