SIX QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH LUCIAN BUTE

NEW YORK– Montreal-based Romanian Lucian Bute took time out of his busy fight-week training schedule to answer a few questions from SHOWTIME. The 29-year-old undefeated Bute risks his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight crown against hard-hitting Fulgencio Zuniga on ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, March 13 (live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Bute is making his third defense of the 168-pound title he won with an 11th-round TKO over Alejandro Berrio on Oct. 19, 2007, in Montreal, where the defending champion’s last 11 fights have taken place.

Last Oct. 24 in Montreal on ShoBox, Bute dominated the initial 11-plus rounds against Librado Andrade but fell apart late and was brutally knocked down in the final seconds. Visibly shaken and hurt, Bute barely made it to his feet, but he beat the referee’s “10-count” to retain his belt on a lopsided decision.

SHOWTIME: How important is Friday night’s fight to you and the people of Montreal?

LUCIAN BUTE: “Montreal has become my second native land. I came here to fight my pro debut and just fell in love with the people and the culture. We’re going to keep bringing the major, major championship fights to Montreal because I know the main thing that we are doing here is selling out and that is something not too many promoters can do in other places. This is a tough time for many with the economy where it’s at but boxing still remains an important part of everyday life in Montreal.

“I like being on SHOWTIME and I like being on TV. That’s the way you build up to the big fights. You have to make your name in America. To make the big money you have to be involved in the big fights and SHOWTIME and ShoBox are giving me that opportunity now.”

SHOWTIME: Do you feel like fighting in Montreal gives you a clear-cut advantage in your fights?

LUCIAN BUTE: “When you are fighting at home there are some slight advantages but once that bells sounds there is no one that can help you but yourself. Sure, the arena is packed and they are screaming your name but no one can help you. You are all by yourself and you have to perform. Between the ropes there is no more advantage.”

SHOWTIME: What do you think about Fulgencio Zuniga?

LUCIAN BUTE: “I’ve been watching Zuniga’s fights on tape, especially his last three fights. Of course, I saw his fight against Denis Inkin (for the WBO super middleweight title in which Zuniga lost in a controversial 12-round decision). It was a really, really close fight and I even thought Zuniga won the fight. But the fight was in Germany. I do think that if that fight was in America that Zuniga would have been declared the champion.

“I also have watched his fight three years ago against David Lopez, who like me is a southpaw. (Lopez) was beating him until the final round when Zuniga knocked him out. That just shows me how much heart Zuniga has. He will never quit in a fight, especially a title fight. I also saw his fight against Victor Oganov. I feel like I’ve got the speed on my side. I’ve got the boxing ability and I will make sure we will keep fighting on my level. At my level, speed kills.”

SHOWTIME: Can you compare Zuniga to your last opponent Librado Andrade?

“They are a little similar. I would say that Andrade is a busier fighter and physically a little bit stronger. In fact, probably quite a bit stronger. But on the second punch Zuniga is probably quite a bit stronger. He has more power on every single punch than Andrade does.”

SHOWTIME: Many call your win over Andrade controversial because of what happened at the end of the fight. What are your thoughts about the way the fight ended?

LUCIAN BUTE: “I think it was not a mistake on my part. I just got so tired in that last round. A 126-pounder could have knocked me out I was so tired. I learned from that experience. When I went down there were four seconds left in the fight so all I needed to do was stand up. There were eight seconds when I got to one leg. Whether the ref told Andrade to go back to his corner or not, it’s irrelevant because with just four seconds left in the fight I knew he couldn’t hit me anymore. So I think the referee did the right thing.”

SHOWTIME: Would you like to fight Andrade again?

LUCIAN BUTE: “Absolutely. It’s a must. We have to fight again. Hopefully he will win his mandatory fight aginst Vitali Tsypko (on April 4, also from Bell Centre) and he will be my next opponent for the fall. We need to settle this. I need to do this and he also deserves it.”

Nick Charles and Steve Farhood will call the ShoBox action on Friday night. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing. For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com.

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

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/

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

$25,000 10th Anniversary Grapplers Quest Joins The Fight Expo, March 21-22 in Del Mar, CA

DEL MAR, Calif.- Recognizing the dedicated grappling fan base worldwide, “The Fight Expo,” the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA), grappling and extreme sports family-oriented supershow, announced today a landmark partnership with Grapplers Quest. Under the terms of the five-year deal, “The Fight Expo” will be the exclusive home of all Grapplers Quest Supershows, featuring $25,000 of more in prizes at each event starting with the first co-op event Saturday and Sunday, March 21t-22 in Del Mar, California.

On Saturday, March 21, starting at 2:00 PM, they will showcase a 16-Man No-Gi Superfight Absolute presented by Gameness, Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear, Bud Light and Grapplers Quest includes: Fabricio Werdum (UFC & Pride Veteran), Jeff Glover (21-Time Grapplers Quest Champion), Lucas Leite (BRASA, World Champion), Carlos "Sapao" Ban (Ralph Gracie), Vinicius “Pezao” Magalhães (TUF Season 8 Finalist), Bruno Bastos (Nova Uniao), Bill "The Grill" Cooper (Paragon Jiu Jitsu), Roberto “Tussa” Comargo (Gracie Barra), Roberto "CYBORG" Abreu (Fight Sports), Leo Santos (Saulo Ribeiro JJ), Romulo Barral (Gracie Barra BH), Kevin Lutz (Marine Wrestling/NJMA), Cristiano ´Thite´ Lazzarini (Gracie Barra) and many more.

On Sunday, March 22, starting at 2:00 PM, The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Challenge presented by Gameness and Bud Light includes: Adriano Camolese (Godoi Jiu Jitsu Black Belt), Jeff "Pipelayer" Glover (Paragon Jiu Jitsu/Franjinha Black Belt), Nivaldo De Oliveira Lima (Leo Vieira/Check Mat), Bill "The Grill" Cooper (2005 Grapplers Quest All-Star Champion), Vinicius Magalhães (TUF Finalist), Bruno Bastos (Nova Uniao, 3-Time World BJJ Champion), Carlos "Sapao" Ban (CBJJ Pan American & World Champion), Romulo Barral (Draculino/4-Time GQ Champ), Roberto "CYBORG" Abreu (2008 GQ Advanced Absolute Champion/Koral Team), Roberto “Tussa” Comargo (Gracie Barra Black Belt) , Lucas Leite (2007 GQ All-Star Pro Champion/Team KORAL), Asa Fuller (Cleber Luciano Black Belt) and many more.

Under its founder and CEO, Brian Cimins, Grapplers Quest has become the leading grappling fight organization focused on delivering high-profile professional grappling superfight tournaments, the world’s largest amateur open events for all ages and skill levels; branded Grapplers Quest fight videos and DVDs, photos and products; a searchable database of over 32,000 qualified grappling academies; and news and forums. The partnership brings together Fight Expo’s all-encompassing MMA, Grappling and Extreme Sports Supershow with the leading ground fighting competition in Grapplers Quest.

“What Brian Cimins has built with Grapplers Quest over the past 10 years is remarkable and pioneering,” said Lori Andrews, Fight Expo producer. “This deal marks a significant milestone for Fight Expo as the Grapplers Quest brand is a necessary and natural fit for the rapid expansion of this supershow. Grapplers Quest is recognized the world over as the leader in the grappling world and we are proud to be associated with it. There is tremendous cross-over between submission grappling, MMA and of course other extreme sports like motocross, all of which is accessible and interactive at The Fight Expo. Grapplers Quest, together with The Fight Expo, can now show today’s MMA stars in their early grappling tournaments, as well as introduce fans to the stars of today and the future.”

Grapplers Quest, The World's Largest Ground Fighting Tournament celebrates its 10th Anniversary on March 21-22 at THE FIGHT EXPO, The World’s Largest MMA, Grappling and Extreme Sports Expo in Del Mar, California at The Del Mar Fairgrounds. Grapplers Quest will feature 300 No-Gi Submission Grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Divisions for Men, Women, Children, and Teens of All Ages and Skill Levels and amazingly $25,000 in Cash & Prize Packages.

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

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

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

Bryne doesn’t get bite out of Big Apple, yet

LOS ANGELES– Unbeaten light welterweight Dean “Irish Lightning” Byrne’s dream to fight in New York is only delayed, not shattered, after the recent announcement that “Erin Go Brawl II,” scheduled for March 16 at WaMu Theater in Madison Square Garden, had been canceled.

Byrne (10-0, 4 KOs), fighting out of Los Angeles by way of Dublin, was supposed to fight in an 8-round bout on the card headlined by his friend, Andy Lee, and featuring his hero, Wayne McCullough. Dean, who has Freddie Roach as his trainer, works out at Roach’s famed Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, where he has sparred with Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan and Juan Marquez.

“I was very disappointed,” Byrne said about not fighting Mar. 16 in New York City. “I was looking forward to fighting in front of so many Irish at Madison Square Garden in New York City. A lot of my family were coming over from Ireland and booked flights. It was a big opportunity for us because they’ve never seen me fight as a pro. Hey, that’s boxing and someday I’ll fight there. I want people in New York, all up and down the East Coast where there’s a lot of Irish – Boston and Philadelphia – to see what a good entertainer I am.

“Freddie gave me the weekend off and I was back in the gym on Monday. I’ll continue training hard and hopefully I’ll be in a fight soon, maybe the end of March or in April. Someday, though, I’ll be fighting in Madison Square Garden.”

Byrne had more than 200 amateur fights, winning an Irish National title, and he turned pro in Australia, where he captured the New South Wales State belt on only his fourth pro fight, and one fighter later added the Australian crown in a 10-rounder. On his way from Australia to relocate in Boston, Dean stopped in Los Angeles and trained at World Card, where Roach took a shine to him. “He’s a tough kid who is a really good fighter but doesn’t know it yet,” Roach spoke about Byrne. “He’s learning to sit-down on his punches and has had two knockouts since he’s been with me. Dean’s learned a lot sparring with Manny, Amir and the others. He’s a lot of fun to watch, very exciting and cleaver for a young man. Early in his career he fought 10 rounds for the Australian title, so he already has that experience. He’s one of my best prospects.”

Byrne last fought in December, when he registered a win by fourth-round technical knockout against Francisco Rios Gil (13-8) in Inglewood, California.

“One of Dean’s most important dreams is to fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City,” Bryne’s manager Steven Feder (Standing Eight Management) remarked. “Ever since we started working together, Dean has told me that coming from Ireland and traveling around the world, his dream was to fight in Madison Square Garden. He was excited about fighting in an Irish community. We feel bad for Irish Ropes. Dean was looking forward to fighting on their card with Andy and Wayne. It’s too bad things didn’t work out for that show. Dean Byrne has a clear shot at really making it big in boxing. He’s 10-0 and ready to go. He never had a 4-round fight, starting with a six and going right to eights and then tens. Fans love him and Irish fans on the East Coast will embrace him once they get to see him fight. We train in LA because that’s where Freddie is but New York is my hometown and we hope New York fight fans will make Dean their adopted son.”

See you at the Fights.
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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

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

Khan nightmare still haunting Fagan

The nightmare of his defeat to Amir Khan continues for Oisin Fagan as a planned appearance on the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night at The O2 on March 21 has had to be scrapped.

Fagan suffered a broken leg in his defeat to Khan last December and despite having had his cast removed and returning to training Fagan has been told he will not receive medical clearance in time to fight at The O2.

“The Khan fight was a nightmare and I just wanted to put it behind me as quickly as possible. It was a high profile fight and I felt embarrassed after being stopped in 2 rounds. That’s all people saw on the night and it’s all people remember. Nobody seemed to be too interested in the fact that I broke my leg on that first knockdown.

“Khan caught me with a nice hook but it was a punch that wouldn’t normally have been enough to put me down. It put me off balance though and when my foot turned awkwardly. I felt my ankle doubling up underneath me and heard a sickening crack. I knew at that moment, that I had broken something but I thought it was my ankle. The pain was incredible, but I got back up to fight.”

On his return home to Dublin Fagan was diagnosed with a spiral fracture of the fibula with the doctors amazed that he had managed to stand up let alone fight on with such an injury.

“Most people think I was nuts to get up and fight on with a broken leg but I feel like I have a heart, second to none and while it was very painful trying to reset my feet anytime he'd move, I had every intention of continuing for the whole fight but it was stopped and the defeat definitely goes down as the biggest disappointment of my boxing career.”

The prospect of making a quick fire return to action had motivated Fagan to return to fitness as quickly as possible and he was targeting a comeback on the undercard of the Bernard Dunne – Ricardo Cordoba WBA World title fight at The O2.

“I was very down about the Khan fight but I knew that the best way out of that was to get back in the ring as quickly as possible. After the operation the doctors told me that I could be out for up to a year which was devastating but I dedicated myself and worked so hard to put myself in a position to recover as quickly as possible.

“I converted an old office swivel chair into a training device that allowed me to shadow box while sitting in it and I also took to doing roadwork even on my crutches. When I heard about the big show at The O2 I set my heart and soul on getting a place on that card. I know it sounds crazy but in anticipation of fighting again, I had been sparring 8 and 10 rounds in training and running 10 miles on my roadwork days and generally training like a lunatic to get back in there stronger than ever.

“The bottom line was that it was medical decision to disallow me to fight and even though I made the point that we're not all clones and we don't all heal at the same time, I guess the doctors can't make an exception to the rule for an (extraordinarily and) determined quick-healer like myself, by allowing me to fight just 3 months after breaking my leg

“Personally though, I would much rather hazard physical pain and scars to my body than having to endure these mental scars that I am now tormented with and when it comes to overall health, I think that these psychological torments are so much more difficult to deal with than cuts, bruises and breaks.

“However, I don't blame the Boxing Union of Ireland or the doctors. Rules are rules and they operate to the highest medical standards to ensure that the boxers safety is paramount. Truth be known they have been fantastic and extremely generous, accomodating and supportive since my last fight. Mel Christle and Dr. Joe McKeever in particular have helped me so much through the many troubles and obstacles, which have happened as a result of the Khan fight.

“To be fair to them, their reputation would be on the line if they sanctioned a man to fight just 3 months after breaking a leg, no matter how miraculous my recovery seems to have been. However, I was just so determined to make the Irish people proud and show them that being Irish, for me, is a deep seeded mark of resilience and something that has shaped me throughout my life. This ideal is what drives me through the pain barrier every time I fight or anytime I am posed with a great challenge in my life. I remember where I am from and the courage and great tenacity that we, as a people are born with.

Fagan will now target a return in May. “I just have to wait for word to be released. I was told that since I am showing great improvement, that they would reduce the comeback date from the original 12 months, down to 6 months so that means I should be able to get back in the ring in May.

“I’m not going to stop training even though I have to take this heartbreaking news on the chin. I know at the age of 35, I am coming to the twilight of my career, but I am adamant that I have a few super fights left in me and I'm definitely not finished yet and I believe the underdog will rise, once again!”See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

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

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