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Monday, May 5, 2008

ANDRE WARD vs.JERSON RAVELO;CAYMAN KNOCKOUT: CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING ON SHOBOX THE NEW GENERATION, The Cayman Islands Showcases Its Beautiful Shores

NEW YORK- Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward looks to take the next step toward a world title shot when Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism presents “Cayman Knockout: Championship Boxing” from the Caribbean on Friday, June 20, 2008, live on SHOWTIME’s ShoBox: The New Generation (11 p.m. ET/PT delayed on the west coast).

Originating from the beautiful outdoor Truman Bodden Sports Complex in the capital city of George Town on Grand Cayman, the SHOWTIME telecast will feature a 12-round North American Boxing Organization (NABO) super middleweight championship bout between undefeated Ward (15-0, 10 KOs) and former Olympian Jerson Ravelo (18-2, 12 KOs). In another featured bout, once-beaten heavyweight Eddie Chambers (30-1, 16 KOs) will take on hard-hitting, six-foot-four-inch, 260-pound knockout artist, Raphael Butler (30-4, 23 KOs) in a 12-round United States Boxing (USBA) heavyweight championship contest.

What the fighters and promoters had to say at today’s press conference:

ANDRE WARD

"I want to be the best fighter in my era. I will achieve that with class and integrity. I want to change the negative image that boxing has."

"Both Ravelo and I represent ourselves differently from other fighters. We have respect for the sport of boxing and for each other."

Andre Ward (Left)


"I watched Ravello at Gleason's gym. I know who he is and I respect him."

"A victory over Ravelo could put me up in the top 10 for the WBO super middleweight title."

"I am a Christian. God has a plan for my team. I'm not on my own timetable. I'm on his time table. There is a process. My time will come. Working hard for the NABO national title is part of the plan. The stakes are high."

Former United States Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward (right) squares off against former Dominican Republic Olympian Jerson Ravelo (left), Wednesday during a press conference at The Palm Restaurant in New York.
The pair will battle for the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) super middleweight title Friday, June 20, on ShoBox: The New Generation (live on SHOWTIME, 11 p.m. ET/PT delayed on the west coast).

JERSON RAVELO

"It is going to be about preparation for this fight. Ward is a good fighter, and so am I. He is fast, and so am I.”

“I have broken my right hand and had it injured for four years without truly healing. Now, it is completely healed and it feels good and ready to fight."

JERSON RAVELO


"I supported Ward in the Olympics. I made the Olympics in 2000, and it was a dream of mine to win. I achieved my goal, and now I will achieve my goal for a championship title on June 20."

"I'm not saying I am going to knock Ward out. I'm just going to win. I'm ready to go the full 12 rounds."

DAN GOOSSEN (Promoter Goossen Tutor)

"It's seldom when you can sit in front of everyone and tell them that along with the spectacular fight they will witness, they will take in a beautiful venue as the Cayman Islands."

"Sitting ringside outdoor in any arena located near the waves, the beach.... This is one of the most gorgeous prolific sites to have any event at."

DAN GOOSSEN



"Ward overcame all the odds by fighting a bigger man in the Olympics... All the experts thought he wouldn't take the gold medal"

"Ward faces his toughest test on June 20 against Ravelo."

"If I was going to build a fighter, it would be Ward. He is a skilled fighter with natural talent and a class act."

"On June 20, Ward and Ravelo will do all of their trash talking with their fists."

CHARLES CLIFFORD (Cayman Islands Minister)

"It's an honor to host a class act event such as Ward vs. Ravelo".

"We (Cayman Islands) fully embrace this event and are proud of our partnership with Goossen Tutor Promotions and SHOWTIME. We are proud of the talent that will display their skills."

CHARLES CLIFFORD


"The Truman Bodden Sports Complex has been refurbished. We have invested more than one million in the upgrades. We made substantial investments against the back drop of beautiful scenery."

"Our objective is to make this at the very least an annual event."

GORDON HALL (Executive Producer of ShoBox)

“On behalf of SHOWTIME, we’re extremely excited to be included in this fight card from Grand Cayman at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex. It will be the first televised boxing event in the history of the island.

“ShoBox: The New Generation is a series that showcases hopefully the youngest, brightest and most talented fighters that we can find. The one criterion is that they’re willing to be matched tough. I certainly think we have that with these two Olympians: Andre Ward and Jerson Ravelo.



“We’d like to have fighters appear, and hopefully reappear, on ShoBox and turn from prospects into contenders and go on to win world titles.

“Both Andre and Jerson have been on ShoBox before. It’s an extremely important fight at this point in their careers. Hopefully the winner will eventually go on and win a world title and become the 25th fighter that has fought on ShoBox and went on to win a world title.

“I care about the match-ups and making the best fights we possibly can, staying true to our definition of what ShoBox: The New Generation is all about.”

“Certainly this is a fight that epitomizes what ShoBox: The New Generation is all about and we’re extremely excited to be in Grand Gayman.”

“We’re looking forward to having the opportunity in the broadcast to showcase part of the island. We’ll certainly try to give the folks at home a little idea of what a beautiful spot this is.”

“At the end of the day, we look to have an extremely competitive fight and one that would continue to help the tradition of what we have tried to establish on ShoBox: matching young kids tough.”

Eddie Chambers


Six-foot-four-inch, 260-pound knockout artist, Raphael Butler (left) will take on once-beaten heavyweight Eddie Chambers (right) for the United States Boxing (USBA) heavyweight championship prior to the Ward-Ravelo battle.


Raphael Butler


STEVE FARHOOD (ShoBox Expert Analyst)

“I get excited about the match-ups on ShoBox, and this match-up between these two guys is as exciting for me as any we have this year.”

“There are a lot of contrasts: we have east coast, west coast; we have 2004 Olympics, 2000 Olympics; we have undefeated prospect/young contender in Andre, and Jerson is already a young veteran who wants what Andre has.”

“Gordon said we look to showcase young fighters in tough fights. I’d go a step further. I like to see young fighters matched tougher than they’ve ever been matched before. I think this is certainly the case with Andre Ward in this fight. Jerson Ravelo is young veteran and I think he’s definitely the toughest opponent of Andre’s young career.”

“I can’t wait to go. It’s just a little bit difficult to work when you are in a setting like Grand Cayman, but I’ll struggle through it.”

For live video coverage from the New York City Press conference go to;
Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online at http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

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

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

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

Remillard defends WBC Youth title in Hartford‏; Headlining “Connecticut Conquest” June 13 at the Connecticut Convention Center

HARTFORD– WBC Youth featherweight champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard makes his title defense June 13 against Mexican challenger Jose Magallon in the 10-round main event headlining “Connecticut Conquest” at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

“Connecticut Conquest,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., will be taped live and air Saturday, June 14 at 7 PM/ET on CN8/The Comcast Network, as well as Friday, June 20 at 8 PM/ET on Cox Sports Television.

Remillard (13-0, 7 KOs), who hails from nearby Manchester, captured the WBC Youth crown this past January with a convincing 10-round decision versus Manuel Perez (11-3), ending Matt’s 16-months inactive stretch due to a wrist injury that twice required surgery. Remillard won a stay-busy fight March 21 with a win by four-round against veteran Jesus Salvador Perez. Mexican-native Magallon (8-4, 2 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas, has won two in a row.

In the eight-round co-feature, unbeaten Connecticut heavyweight Tony “TNT” Grano (13-0-1, 11 KOs), 2005 U.S. Nationals champion, takes on the stiffest test of his young career, Thomas Hayes (26-2, 18 KOs), of Chicago.

Tony “TNT” Grano


“Boxing is alive in Connecticut and six of the fighters on this card are from Connecticut,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “This is a Connecticut show and we’re very excited about this card and being back in this beautiful building. The Connecticut Convention Center really wants to have boxing here.”

A six-round Special Welterweight Attraction pits Hartford’s Israel “Pito” Cardona (36-9, 26 KOs) against New Bedford (MA) police officer Jason “School Boy” Pires (20-3, 9 KOs) in an intriguing match-up of former champions. Cardona, who unsuccessfully fought Paul Spadafora for the IBF lightweight championship nearly nine years ago, once held the IBO super featherweight and light welterweight belts, as well as the USBA and NABF lightweight crowns. “Pito” announced that this will be his last fight. Former USBA super bantamweight title-holder Pires has not fought in more than five years during which time he attended college and became a police officer.

Others scheduled to fight June 13 against opponents to be determined include Hartford favorite, junior welterweight and prison guard Addy Irizarry (4-1, 2 KOs); Ledyard (CT) super middleweight Brian Macy (3-0, 1 KO), 2000 National PAL amateur champion and University of Connecticut graduate; Hartford super middleweight Tylon Burris (1-0, 1 KO).

Addy Irizarry


Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday, May 2) and priced at $35.00 (VIP Bronze), $55.00 (VIP Silver), $80.00 (VIP Gold), $100.00 (Diamond) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club VIP). To purchase tickets go to or call CES (401.724.2253/2254), Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.000), Manchester PAL (860.645.6261), Willy’s Gym (860.614.2281), Connecticut Restorations (860.528.6800), Strikezone Gym (860.444.2845), L.A. Boxing Gym (860.221.5987) and 401 Boxing (401.261.9800).

For more information call CES (401.724.2253/2254), the Connecticut Convention Center (860.249.6000), or go on line at www.cesboxing.com. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout 7 PM/ET.

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Matt Remillard: “September, 2006 I fought for my first title (WBC Youth super featherweight) in Hartford. I was here (CCC) here then and I’m proud again to be fighting here June 13. But I fractured my wrist in that fight. I’m fighting Jose Magallon, a very tough Mexican, who is a very exciting fighter. With my style it’s going to be head-to-head. I’m looking forward to hurting people again. I believe I have heavy hands. I’m looking forward to bringing Hartford the best fight it’s every seen. This will be my first time headlining in the main event. I’m moving at the right pace. I’m only 21, 13-0, and there’s no rush. I’m looking forward to moving up in the ratings. I’m very excited to be fighting on this card with ‘Pito’ in his last fight. He’ll be remembered as one of the greatest fighters ever to come out of Hartford. I want to pack the house June 13th.”

Tony Grano: “Only four fighters to win the National Championships have been from Connecticut in the lat 81 years and I’m proud to be the only heavyweight. This fight will be against my toughest opponent. He’s 26-2 with 18 knockouts. I’m looking forward to fighting on the same card with Matt Remillard, ‘Pito’ Cardona, Ty Burris, Addy and Brian Macy. It’s going to be a great night and I’m going to put on a great show.”

Israel Cardona: “I’ve been here before but this fight is important for me and not just because it’s here. No excuses, no complaints; I’ve done everything I can. I’ve gotten some new fans in the last three years, but I’m retiring after this fight. Things haven’t gone my way and I don’t see pursuing my career at my age because of the politics of the game. I tried to get back to the top, but the odds were against me. I don’t know why Jason is taking this fight. I know him, we’ve sparred together, but he’s making a big mistake doing this. This is my last hurrah and then I’ll pass the torch to Remillard, (Mike) Oliver and Grano. They’ll take over the local scene. I’ll still be involved in boxing somehow. I got to No. 1 in the world pretty much on my own. I have nothing to complain about.”

Addy Irizarry: “I’m really looking forward to fighting in the Connecticut Convention Center with so many good fighters on this card. I’ve trained hard for this fight. It’s going to be an exciting night of boxing.”



Brian Macy: “I started as an amateur a long time ago in Hartford, but this venue is a lot nicer. Hartford’s a great fight town. The great Willie Pep was from here. I hope to continue the (boxing) legacy. I’m very happy to be fighting here.

Ty Burris: “I want to thank John Scully for taking me on as my head trainer. There’s going to be a lot of great boxing on June 13th.”

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

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

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

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

Jeannine Garside vs Chevell Hallback co-feature June 13 on PPV‏; Holm-Sanders headlines “Finally” PPV card at Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE– The much touted Fight of the Night candidate on the June 13th “Finally” pay-per-view event, airing live (10 PM/ET-8 PM/MT) from Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque, is the 10-round co-feature for the vacant International Female Boxers Association (IFBA) lightweight championship between WIBA featherweight champion Jeannine “G9” Garside (7-0-1, 3 KOs) and WIBA & IBA junior lightweight title-holder Chevelle “Fists of Steel” Hallback (26-5-2, 11 KOs).



The Fresquez Productions, Inc.-promoted “Finally” will be produced and distributed by Integrated Sports for live viewing in the United States and Canada (10 PM/ET) on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, Shaw Communications, DirecTV and StarChoice for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.

“‘Finally” features the greatest collection of women boxers on one show with all eight independently rated among the world’s top 3 by divisions, including five No. 1 rated females, battling in four world title bouts. The headliner matches the top two women boxers in the world today, Albuquerque favorite Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm (21-1-2, 6 KOs), recognized as the No. 1 welterweight in the world, against the world’s No. 1 middleweight, Detroit icon Mary Jo Sanders (25-0, 8 KOs), in the 10-round main event for the vacant IFBA junior middleweight crown as well as universal pound-for-pound supremacy in female boxing.

WIBA champion Garside, the world’s No. 1 rated featherweight from Ontario, agrees that hershowdown against the No. 1 ranked lightweight, WIBA and IBA title-holder Hallback, of Tampa, could very well steal the “Finally” PPV show. “I’ve heard that and it’s because of what both of us bring to the table,” Jeannie explained. “When things get slow in a fight, I pump-up the pace to get the crowd into it. That’s my style; I feel the crowd and love to hear them. I’m so grateful to be part of the best women’s boxing card ever. Every single bout is exciting with eight women coming to fight. The passion in us makes our fights so exciting, especially on a show of this level taking women’s boxing to another level. I’ve sparred with Mary Jo. We’re close and I’m excited to be fighting on the same card as her.

Jeannine Garside

Below and attached please find a Fresquez Productions media release about the
“I’ve known Chevelle since I turned pro and we both fought once on the same card. She is one of the best fighters out there. I believe I’ve been underestimated in the past, but she’s not going to underestimate me. We’re getting an opportunity to put a fire under the butts of everybody watching our fight. It has all of the makings of a great fight….the Fight of the Night!”

Garside was a highly-decorated Canadian amateur boxer who started boxing after watching Christy Martin fight on a Mike Tyson undercard in1996, quickly developing into the 1998 & 1999 British Columbia champion and 1998 British Columbia Fighter of the Year. She earned a spot on the Canadian National Women’s Boxing Team and won a gold medal in the 2000 Canadian National Championships.

Her boxing career suffered a set-back when she tore an ACL in her knee during a touch football game in 2000, which required reconstructive surgery, but a year later Jeannine reached the semifinals of the AIBA World Amateur Championships and she won her fourth straight national title in 2002. Garside finished her amateur career with a 40-5 record. She made her pro debut on December 4, 2004, taking a four-round decision from Heather Percival in Tacoma, Washington, captured the WIBA super bantamweight title in only her fourth pro fight, and the WIBA featherweight title in her seventh.

In her fourth pro fight, the aggressive southpaw Garside easily won a 10-round decision (99-90, 98-90, 98-91) against Lisa Brown (12-1-2) for her WIBA super bantamweight crown. Last November, Jeannine added the WIBA featherweight title belt to her collection, dominating an exciting 10-round decision (100-87, 99-89, 98-90) against Laura Serrano (16-2-2).

“When I won my first world title in only my fourth pro fight,” Garside remarked, “there were some naysayers. Now, though, I have credibility because they know I have the skill and talent of a true champion. My best experience was fighting Europeans in the amateurs, when I developed my ring generalship and mind set I need to fight. I’m proud of my amateur career, but most women don’t spend a lot of time as amateurs. Hopefully, women’s boxing will be added to the Olympics. and more women will get into amateur boxing.”

Also on PPV, IBA junior featherweight champion Wendy Rodriguez (18-4, 3 KOs), of Los Angeles, takes on WIBF-GBU/WIBC minimumweight title-holder Hollie “Hot Stuff” Dunaway (21-6, 10 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas by way of (Van Buren) Arkansas, in a 10-round vacant IBA strawweight title fight; WBC 2007 Fighter of the Year, WBC mininumweight champ Carina “La Reina” Moreno (11-1, 5 KOs), of Watsonville (CA), faces WIBA flyweighttitle-holder Eileen “The Hawaiian Mongoose” Olszewski (5-0-1), fighting out of New York City by way of Honolulu, in a 10-round title fight for the IFBA junior flyweight crown. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $50.00, $100.00, $150.00, $200.00, $350.00 and $500.00, go on sale March 18 at the Isleta Casino and Resort box office, www.tickets.com or at Fresquez Productions, Inc. (508.884.7484). For more information go to www.fresquezproductions.com or www.holmvssanders.com. Doors open at 5:30 PM/MT, first bout 7:00 PM/MT, first televised bout 8:00 PM/MT.

USA vs China and Brazil; USA Amateur Boxing-the Olympic Invitational comes to Bridgeport, Friday May 9th‏


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

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

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

From Street to Elite to "E:60" again Tuesday, May 6, on ESPN, at 7 p.m; Mixed Martial Arts superstar, Kimbo Slice

The excellent "E:60" feature on EliteXC's incredibly popular, legendary street-fighting YouTube sensation and Mixed Martial Arts superstar, Kimbo Slice, will be repeated this Tuesday, May 6, on ESPN. The multi-subject newsmagazine show starts at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

(Photos Property of CBS, Tom Casino/Showtime)


Kimbo will headline the first-ever MMA primetime broadcast on network television when "CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS'' premieres with a five-fight card Saturday, May 31, on the CBS Television Network (9 p.m.-11 p.m. ET/PT). The event will originate from the Prudential Center at Newark, N.J.



The "E:60" segment on Kimbo originally aired in December.


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

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

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