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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Brenneman Replaces Marquardt at UFC Live 4; Cheick Kongo and Pat Barry go toe-to-toe - live tonight at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT on Versus




Nate Marquardt’s loss was Charlie Brenneman’s gain.
by Brian Knapp (bknapp@sherdog.com)

Brenneman will replace Marquardt in a welterweight bout against Rick Story at UFC Live 4 on Sunday at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. Marquardt, who was set to make his first UFC appearance at 170 pounds, was scratched from the lineup on Saturday, a little more than 24 hours before the event. Marquardt was not cleared to fight, though the specific reasons behind his exit were not immediately known.

Spawned by the AMA Fight Club in New Jersey, Brenneman (13-2, 2-1 UFC) last appeared at UFC “Fight for the Troops 2” in January, when he outpointed Amilcar Alves en route to a unanimous decision at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. The 30-year-old Hollidaysburg, Pa., native has won eight of his last nine fights. Brenneman made his UFC debut in March 2010 with a unanimous decision victory over 2009 Dream welterweight grand prix finalist Jason High.

Story (13-3, 6-1 UFC) has rattled off six consecutive wins, including a unanimous nod over Thiago Alves at UFC 130 less than a month ago.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson; WINS IN GEORGIA‏

Last night, former heavyweight title challenger, Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson, added another win to his record, scoring a first round knockout over Harold Sconiers in the main event at the Elder Entertainment Center in Decatur, Georgia.

It was the third consecutive win, and second by knockout, since Johnson's decision loss in his first heavyweight championship opportunity against Vitali Klitschko. Johnson who has vowed to return to championship form, is slowly working his way back into the title contention, as he is now ranked #15 in the WBC. Look for Kingpin, who improved to 25-1-1, 11KO's with the win, to be back in action very soon, as he looks to stay active and work his way back into the title picture.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin Return Bout Set for July 9!‏

Junior middleweight rising star Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin will return to the squared circle Saturday, July 9 when he battles an opponent to be named at Atlantic City’s famed Boardwalk Hall.

The bout will be his first since a shocking defeat against cement fisted spoiler Doel Carrasquillo in February. Since his lone setback, Douglin, 12-1 (8 KO’s), has spent countless hours in the gym honing his craft to become a better overall fighter.

“This sport is my life and I know another loss will destroy me” said Douglin, the 2008 National Golden Gloves Middleweight Champion. “I was overconfident in my last fight and I won’t let that happen again. I’m treating this fight like it’s a world title bout and that I have to shine.”

Tickets to the card, which is headlined by the Paul Williams-Erislandy Lara bout and also includes two world title fights, start at $50 and are available at ticketmaster.com. Douglin’s opponent will be announced shortly.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

TYSON JEFFRIES VS. ARTHUR GUSEINOV OFFICIAL FOR M-1 CHALLENGE: BENNETT VS GARNER - LIVE ON SHOWTIME(R)‏

M-1 GLOBAL announces the addition of 2010 M-1 Selection Americas middleweight tournament winner Tyson ‘The Anti-Hero’ Jeffries (7-5) versus feared Russian striker Arthur Guseinov (7-2) at the mixed martial arts (MMA) event titled M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner. The bouts from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California will air LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast).

The July 8th event is headlined with the rematch between the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Tournament heavyweight finalists Pat Bennett (4-2) and Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner (6-3).

“Tyson Jeffries is a fighter with incredible heart and a determination to consistently improve his game; he adds depth and excitement to every card and he’s a welcome addition on M-1’s second televised event on SHOWTIME,” said M-1 Global Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan. “The European fighters who participated in the March card set an extremely high bar this time out. Guseinov has been very vocal about making this an entertaining battle.”

Tyson Jeffries: Eager for SHOWTIME’s Familiar Spotlights

After enduring a round-and-a-half of pure punishment from newly crowned Middleweight Champion Magomed Sultanakhmedov, Oregon native and Team Quest fighter Tyson ‘The Anti-Hero’ Jeffries has done all he can to prepare himself this time out. When the bell rings to start the action from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, Jeffries will look to draw first blood against feared Russian striker Arthur Guseinov.

Coming from a team known for producing impeccable fighters with sound wrestling foundations, Coach Matt Lindland has placed high expectations on his protégé to execute hard-fought, exciting tilts. As a Sport Fight veteran, Jeffries has built a 7-5 record and possesses the qualities and skills necessary to be a successful professional fighter; being exposed to the Team Quest mentality is certainly aiding his development, “I train with the some of the best fighters in the world ... I owe lots of appreciation to my coaches and friends,” says Jeffries.

Known for his relentless, never-say-die fighting style, Jeffries is a fighter that simply doesn’t quit; he would rather have his arm broken than to ever admit an opponent has broken his will. Although putting forth a valiant effort against Sultanakhmedov, the sturdy American scrapper is covering all bases to ensure he stands with his arm raised on July 8th, calling in some favours to train with Rampage in Las Vegas and at the Wolfslair MMA Academy in England.

2010 was an exceptional year for Jeffries, winning the M-1 Selections Americas tournament middleweight brackets with a solid combination of submission skills and striking abilities. Facing Mike Johnson in his opening round bout, Jeffries systematically dismantled Johnson’s striking with a steadfast defense and effective counter-punching.

Facing the wild striking of Plinio Cruz in his semi-finals bout, Jeffries maintained an impenetrable defesce as he stalked and cut off Cruz’s position inside the ring. Although standing within Cruz’s striking range on occasion which allowed Cruz to score much needed points, Jeffries was able to withstand the barrages and go on to win a razor-thin split decision and berth in the Finals.

Watching Jeffries from the beginning of the tournament, it is easy to conclude that his Finals bout was where he matured as a fighter. The middleweight finals battle with Team Bombsquad’s Mike Geurin took the night’s ‘fight of the night’ honours, is regarded as the highlight bout of the tournament and is also cemented as M-1 Global’s #3 fight of 2010. When Jeffries’ miraculous triangle is tied into the equation, it’s no wonder why this fight also captured the night’s ‘submission of the night’ award as well. Jeffries vs. Geurin exemplified the exciting MMA action that the M-1 Selection tournament was designed to produce.

Jeffries is a patient fighter capable of sitting back and effectively countering while always maintaining an offensive ring position to compliment his takedown threat; he also exhibits a veteran’s composure when timing his opponent’s offensives allowing him to set up his magnificent overhand right. Adding to his versatility, Jeffries is comfortable fighting off his back and has a repertoire of submissions as evident by the elbow-snapping armbar which he transitioned into the bout-ending triangle, a truly miraculous, 11th hour, highlight reel finish.

In the fight game, you’re only as good as your last trip to the mat and Jeffries needs a win to rebound off the one-sided beating issued by Sultanakhmedov, marking this fight as a turning point for Jeffries’ career; kicking off a string of wins will reposition him in the queue for another future title shot while a loss marks him as a +500 journeyman fighter to be used as a stepping stone for other rising prospects.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

An Inside Look at Pat Bennett vs. Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner, 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Touranment Finals Rematch‏; LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8

Standing under the headline bout spotlights at M-1 Challenge XXVI opposite decorated American wrestler, Pat Bennett, is none other than self-marketing machine, Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner; with Garner getting the best of Bennett nearly a year ago in their M-1 Selection Americas tournament final, the New Jersey native and Team Bombsquad fighter will need to deliver a career performance to stop the heavy-striking freight train headed directly in his path. The action goes down from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, July 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast).


As a key member of the Team Bombsquad contingent, Bennett’s manager, Ryan Ciotoli, has nothing but praise for the heavyweight’s performances to date. “Pat’s a three time All-American wrestler, so he possesses a great base and he’s an electrifying striker; hence the reason for his five first round wins. I definitely consider Bennett to be the top contender in the heavyweight division.”

Love to hate him or hate to love him, the Port St. Lucie, Florida and American Top Team fighter, Kenny Garner is making a name for himself in the State of Florida, who has him ranked as the #9 heavyweight. With an affliction for the camera, Garner is surprising fans, media and executives at every turn and his ‘in your face’ personality has critics split between whether he’s the ‘real deal’ or just flash in the pan; but his convincing wins – with two having him marked as a huge underdog – the Deuce is proving to be a force to reckon with.

Both men declare they are not the same fighters who entered the ring to faceoff in September but what’s improved their games and how do these men actually stack up against each other?

Bennett states it’s his striking that’s drastically improved since last facing Garner; “I’ve really focussed on my stand up. I’ve worked on improving this aspect to round out my skillset. I’m not the same fighter Kenny is expecting to see. I’ve wanted to fight him again ever since last year and I can GUARANTEE a much different result this time out.”

Conversely, Garner doesn’t seem to care what his opponent as improved; “I will end this fight faster than the last time I beat him, trust me. I’m stronger, faster and more technical. There’s no way he’s stopping my striking. He’s not making it out the first round. Pat’s got no chance.” Garner last faced Bennett in the 2010 M-1 Selection Americas tournament finals and won a convincing first-round TKO; clearly Deuce feels he’ll produce the same results this time out.

Prior to starting the 2010 Selections tournament, Garner’s manager, UFC veteran, Din Thomas, didn’t hold back when discussing his two early losses; “He took a couple bad fights on short notice and when you take a fight without preparation – as a heavyweight – you pay the price.” Garner’s losses came at the hands of Chris Barnett and Tony Johnson Jr; both by way of TKO in the late rounds which may have been attributed to questionable conditioning according to Thomas. In comparison, Deuce has shown exceptional performances when prepared as all six of victories have been total dominations.

Garner opened the Heavyweight brackets of the Selections tournament with a dominating victory over Matt Hopkins; from here, Garner was next slated to fight the imposing Russian favourite, Andre Kapilou, in a semi finals bout he fighter wasn’t even given a ‘fighter’s chance’ of winning and put on a grappling clinic to win a hard-fought decision.

In the Finals, Garner neutralized Bennett’s wrestling skills, stuffed every takedown and put Bennett in a world of hurt, winning via TKO in the opening frame and proving why he should be considered one of the most-feared strikers in M-1’s heavyweight division.

Bennett has his work cut out for him on July 8th. Sporting an established 7-2 combined amateur and professional record heavily weighted in the ‘win’ column with five first-round TKO’s, Bennett is aptly known for his proud wrestling pedigree but has also proven to be a multidimensional fighter able to transition his skills to whatever is set in front of him.


Bennett had recently set his wrestling on the back burner in favour of striking throughout his 2010 M-1 Selection Americas tournament run, displaying a wide array of talents. Opening up the brackets against Nick Smiley, the mild-mannered monster needed a total of 37 seconds to destroy Smiley by TKO. His semi-final bout was a marathon war with Mehdi Hassan where he earned a unanimous decision victory. But the run was halted in the finals by Garner’s lead left hook.

At 6’ 3”, 240 pounds, Bennett has the heavy hands to match Garner’s striking prowess but his advantage comes on the canvass, IF he can secure the takedown. He’ll need to push the pace as he sees fit while being cautiously aware of Garner’s lethal bombs. If Bennett can’t take this fight to the mat, he’s going to wish he had head gear as Garner will look to implant his right hand in Bennett’s face.

Garner has shown time and time again that his defense is steadfast and should Bennett score the single or double-leg, he is well versed in submissions and fight effectively off his back or in top position. Garner’s plan is without a doubt to keep this fight standing and dismantle Bennett from his feet; he’s done it before and knows he can do it again.

This headline bout carries serious implications in both men’s quest for the M-1 Heavyweight strap.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Interview with “Relentless” Lamon Brewster; www.Fightingconnection.com, will revolutionize not just "Boxing but all full contact sports!"

By Pattee Mak on June 18, 2011

Pattee: Hello Mr. Brewster! Currently you are retired from boxing. Your last fight was January 30, 2010 against Robert Helenius in Germany. He won by TKO in the 8th. Can you tell me what happened in that match?

BREWSTER: That particular night was a tragedy because when we got to the venue we arrived at about 7:00 pm and I was suppose to go on at 9:00 pm and so when we got there we walked pasted my opponent’s room and went to my room and I didn’t have a room. They put me in a room with 10 of other guys. But I understand that because I was the opponent.

Now when a fighter wraps his hands he wraps it an hour to an hour and a half before the fight. Normally that is what a fighter does. Because if you wrap it too soon the wraps gets soft. So we sat around for 30 minutes and we waited to wrap my hands and they told us don’t worry about it just wrap your hands. What do you mean don’t worry about it. They said that because Helenius already wrapped his hands. I’ve never been to a fight or anywhere were I wasn’t allowed to watch someone wrap their hands. So basically they said if I didn’t fight they were gonna sue me. So I came to fight that’s who I am, I’m a fighter. So I’m fighting this guy and I just remembered when I got to the 6th round at the beginning of every round I was seeing white and I couldn’t see into the first 30 seconds of each round. I thought maybe he had something in his gloves. I didn’t know what to make of it. During the 6th round in the first 30 seconds he landed a punch and I was blinded in both my eyes and was seeing white. At the 8th round after I was blinded he kept throwing punches and I couldn’t see so the referee stopped the fight. I never did get a chance to inspect his gloves after the fight. So after that I went back to Los Angeles that same night and I had a whole lot of cuts across my eyelids as if you took a razor across my eyelids. I never experienced anything like this because those types of cuts are never like that for a fighter. Even my doctor couldn’t understand it either as it isn’t conclusive to boxing. Afterwards I thought I could have died in the ring.

Pattee: How are you feeling now?

BREWSTER: I had 4 surgeries last year and I have another surgery next month and hopefully this surgery will repair my vision for my left eye. The Doctor said I have a slit across my iris and cornea. Whatever was on his glove cut it and once it started to heal, it infused my eyelid together. They have to give me a cornea transplant. Being a man of faith I believe God closes one door and opens another.

Pattee: OMG! That is awful.

Pattee: What titles did you hold as a professional boxer?

BREWSTER: NABA heavyweight title, WBO heavyweight title, WBO NABO heavyweight title and the WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title.

Pattee: Currently you are involved in a new adventure you are putting together which is an up and coming website called www.fightingconnection.com. How did this come about?

BREWSTER: It’s going to launch this August. I came up with this because a lot of times when I was getting ready to go to camp my trainer would say this is a fight and we would have to find sparring partners to train me for this particular fight and so I always ask someone if they know someone so I can get them to my training camp. Well that is such a headache because lets say I do find someone and you find that person, well say he gets hurts then you need to find someone else or someone to fight a certain way. It’s really hard and I got frustrated and I knew there has to be a better way. So I was talking with a few people and we were brainstorming and I said I was going to have a search engine built. For instance, if I was going to fight a guy who’s 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 225 pounds and he’s a right hand fighter and a boxer who moves to his left, I would go to my website and put all the information in and let it bring up everyone around the world with those same criterias. I personally asked myself the questions to build this site. Nobody knows better than me when they go to camp. I been in camp with guys that I couldn’t open up 100 percent because if I did, I was afraid to hurt them because then I’d have to look again for someone to train with. A lot of times I’d leave my wife on vacation and want to work out. Man let me try to find a gym. So I’d look in the yellow pages or phone book. Now you go to my website, type in the country, zip code, providence etc etc and you click what you are looking for, boxing, mma, mauy thia and press enter and it’ll bring up everything in that region. I believe the cut man is very important to me because when you go to a fight you only get 2 tickets one for you and the other for your trainer. So what me and my trainer would do is once we registered in we would always find someone who was walking around with a bucket and give them $50.00 to work my corner. 9 times out of 10 they would say yes. Although this worked, I got frustrated at that. So now I made it easier for everyone. You’d just type in I’m looking for a cut man, when, where and hit search and the site will bring up all cut men available. I even added a star rating next to the cut man so everyone can vote and see their ratings.

Pattee: Who is Sam Simon and how was he involved with the show “The Simpsons”?

BREWSTER: Well “The Simpsons” was a show that was created by my former manger. He actually created Bart Simpson. He helped me and went beyond the call of being a manager. He is considered to be family. He was instructing me to fight for the world title.

Pattee: On 4-10-2004 you fought Wladimir Klitschko at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and won the vacant WBO heavyweight title by TKO in the 5th round. On 7-7-2007 there was a rematch in Germany for the IBF heavyweight title and the IBO heavyweight title. You lost that fight due to your trainer stopping the fight in the 6th round. Can you compare these two fights?

BREWSTER: Let me tell you about that fight. Everyone knows I suffered a detached retina. During that time, I was lying faced down for almost 6 months. It took me a year and a half to recover fully. When the word got out I was coming back to boxing because of my recovery, Klitschko’s people approached me to fight and I said no problem and I want to have a tune up fight beforehand because I’ve been out a year and a half. Well they said no and we’ll pay you extra not to have a tune up fight. So they paid me more than I’ve ever made, even when I had the title. In the 6th round my eye started to swell up and I was very rusty in the fight. So they were worried and thinking something will happen to my eye.

Pattee: Your prediction on the Klitschko-Haye fight coming up?

BREWSTER: I think it’ll be a tricky one to predict because of the fact you can’t count out Haye because he’s proven to be a smart and crafty fighter but at the same time I myself know first hand what it means to be a heavyweight champion and not wanting to give up your title. Klitschko is fighting for legacy whereas Haye is fighting for glory. You got two different mindsets coming into a fight. I think the one that has the best strategy and the most determination will win and no one can go in and say so and so will win but as a fan it could go anyway. Both are proven to have great skill.

Pattee: Out of all your 41 fights, which one was the most difficult?

BREWSTER: Hmmm… was when I lost my title to Siarhei Liakhovich because I was blind and fought 12 rounds and lost. I was in so much pain. I could only breathe through one nostril. I had a one-piece mouthpiece and I couldn’t open my mouth. I had previously broken my nostril in camp. They gave the fight of the decade to someone I know I could have knocked out. Even if I couldn’t see I could have knocked him out but I couldn’t see.

Pattee: From your professional debut on 11-8-1996 in Las Vegas, Nevada through your 23rd fight you never lost a bout. Then on 5-6-2000 you fought Clifford Etienne in Pennsylvania and that all came to an end. What happened?

BREWSTER: I lost my cool because I trained to box him and then when I arrived to fight him I was like this is my first time on HBO, I’m “Relentless” Lamon Brewster and I said he’s been in prison so I’m going to go in there and knock him out. Well you can only practice what you preach and in boxing camp you are trained to box and then when I got to the ring I let the crowd overwhelm me and I let it get the best of me. I never came to the ring with game plan. I was throwing bad punches and I missed. He practiced to brawl and I came to box. My football coach had a quote: “Do it right, do it light. Do it wrong, do it long”.

Pattee: You started fighting at the young age of 7. Usually a typical 7 year old would be playing with GI Joes. How did you get into boxing?

BREWSTER: My mother said I had too much energy because I would tear up all the toys she purchased me. There was a community center down the street from me but didn’t offer anything for a 7 year old but the coach liked my mother so they allowed me to start training for boxing.

Pattee: You have an impressive amateur record of 70-10. Tell me about the 1995 US heavyweight championship as an amateur?

BREWSTER: It was a great career and run. I should have went to the Olympics. I was picked to go but at the same time I went through a divorce and when that happened it was the worse thing that could have happened to me. I was the team caption. I traveled the world with Floyd Mayweather, Antonio Tarver and David Reed who one the gold medal.

Pattee: Are you currently still do any type of boxing training? If so where and who is training you?

BREWSTER: No I haven’t been able to do anything because of the eye surgery. There is so much pressure. If I stand for a long period of time I get a headache because of the eye surgery.

Pattee: Which boxer did you admire the most while growing up?

BREWSTER: Marvin Hagler. He was a man’s man. I admired the fact that he was a man’s man. He didn’t care to be glamorous. He came to fight. He didn’t have the entourage, fancy cars or the big jewelry. He was a warrior and came to fight. Every time he went to the ring he came to fight. I also admire Julio Chavez because he was a beast and a great fighter and best fighter of all time.

Pattee: Is there anyone you would have liked to fight?

BREWSTER: I just wished I would have fought Wladimir Klitschko when I was right. He knows and I know he can’t beat me. I regret I didn’t get to tune up. I wish I could have had a rematch and a 3rd fight. Even in the 2nd fight he only hit me with a jab and run and no big shots and then I swelled up. He knows and I know he can’t beat me.

You can follow Lamon Brewster on facebook and sign up on www.FightingConnection. Com. He hopes that people see him for what he stands for and people see him as being successful. He wants people to see him as a role model and a role model of faith. No one gave him a chance and he overcame everything through his faith and determination and he wants to set an example that you can do anything you set your mind to do.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Post-Fight Ring Quotes; "SHOW ME SOMETHING GREAT" Devon Alexander vs. Lucas Matthysse

A great night of professional prizefighting in St. Charles in front of a raucous and noisy crowd of 6,238 fans at The Family Arena.

Post-Fight Ring Quotes

Devon Alexander: “Matthysse is a rough and tough fighter. I brought the fight out in me because people had their doubts about my abilities as a boxer.

“The knockdown [first of his career] was a flash knockdown [in the fourth round]. I had to pull it out. I was having flashbacks from my last fight with Bradley, and I wasn’t going to lose two fights in a row. As a matter of fact, I’m never going to lose again.”

Kevin Cunningham: (trainer and manager of Devon Alexander) “I didn’t enjoy watching a rugged, tough guy like Matthysse in there with my fighter. I knew it was gonna be tough. I didn’t want to see my fighter trading with a puncher like Matthysse, but because of all the criticism he took after the Bradley fight, he felt he had something to prove in his hometown.

“I think when Devon reviews the tape of the fight, he’ll see that he was at his most effective when he was using his boxing skills to the fullest.”

Lucas Matthysse: “I gave it my all. It was a tough fight but I thought I won. Once again, I was robbed. He’s lucky he won the fight. I thought when I put him down, I’d finish him off but I couldn’t.”

Tavoris Cloud: “Yusaf Mack is a good fighter. I can’t take nothing away from him. I just caught him with some good shots.

“If you noticed, he was tiring down. I heard him breathing hard during the last three rounds. I was telling him, ‘You’re tired, aren’t you?’

“The whole game plan was to go to the body. He wasn’t hurting me. I knew he was a bouncy-bouncy guy, an in-and-out guy. I wore him down with body shots and took him out.

“Jean Pascal is here tonight. If he’s ready, I’m ready. I’m ready for anybody.”

Yusaf Mack: “He kept clipping me on the top of the head. I kept telling the ref about it but he only warned him once. The ref told me to stop holding him.

“I thought my plan was working well.

“The first shot in the corner dazed me but it was on the top of the head. The final punch was on top of the head also.”

Bermane Stiverne: “I knew he was going to try and box me but he often drops his right hand. I kept listening to his corner. Whatever they said, he did. So I started anticipating that. It became a big advantage for me.

“I was a little too lax but I felt good tonight. I was looking for the perfect shot instead of establishing my jab. The perfect shot did come in the 10th round. It was a short shot, a half-hook right hand that did him in.”

I’m on my way to my first world championship. I can feel it. I still have a lot to learn and I can get better.”

Ray Austin: “I was waiting ‘til he [the referee] reached eight [in his count during the 10th round]. In the dressing room before the fight, he told me as long as I am up by nine it would be OK. Then I got up and bounced around to let him know I was ready. So I got up at eight and bounced around on my feet to let him know I was ready and he stopped the fight. How many rounds do you think I won? [Austin was winning on two cards at the time of the stoppage.]

Ryan Coyne: “There was a reason David McNemar had never been defeated before tonight. He’s a good fighter, tough opponent, tough guy.

“It was very hard to adjust to his style on such short notice after preparing all camp for Guillermo Jones [WBA cruiserweight champion, who was injured the week before the fight].

“Thanks to all my loyal fans who showed up to support me tonight. I will be in my first world championship fight very soon.”

David McNemar: [McNemar was in his locker room after the fight, face down and bawling. After a few minutes, he composed himself.] “Fuckin pussy! Tell me how I lost that fight. Did he outwork me? I came to St Louis on six days’ notice. I sparred twice. I won that fight.

“To be so close to having them give me those belts so I could have taken it home to Parkersburg, West Virginia.

“What big shots [from Coyne]? He doesn't hit hard. I want to fight him again [This was McNemar’s first fight since 2007).]

Cornelius Bundrage: “I was happy with my performance but I felt I could have done better. Sechew is a good fighter. He’s rated higher than me in Ring Magazine. It was a hard fight but I refuse to lose. I grinded him out. All credit to god.”

Sechew Powell: “It was a god fight. He fought just like we thought he would. I didn’t follow the game plan. I should have thrown more combinations.”

Cory Spinks: “I was a little rusty but I had a good time out there tonight. Shakir Ashanti gave me some good work and it was great to be fighting in my hometown.

“This whole week has been inspirational for me. I think I can win another world championship, and the road started tonight.”

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Revenge: The Rematch, Cotto-Margarito II looms for Madison Square Garden Dec. 3

Resurgent Miguel Cotto looks to Madison Square Garden for Dec. 3‏
Michael Marley, Boxing Examiner
There was something missing from the Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend this year in New York.

The huge ethnic celebration did have two Boricua-flavored, club boxing shows put on by Lou DiBella at Roseland Ballroom but, unlike several years past, there was no big fight in the city featuring the island nation’s biggest ring star, Miguel Angel Cotto.

Now I’m hearing that Cotto, who has a 36-2, 29 Kos record as he nears his 31stbirthday in October, may grace the ring at historic Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Dec. 3.

“We’re looking at the Garden,” a member of the Cotto camp told me Saturday night. “They’ve been closed all summer for phase one of a three year, three phase renovation of the arena but they reopen soon with the Knicks and the Rangers returning in the fall.”

That’s the favored site for Cotto’s first bout since his resounding TKO 12 over Nicaragua’s zany Ricardo Mayorga on March 12 in Las Vegas.

Less certain is Cotto’s opposition at 154 pounds.

“We’re looking at all the champions,” the Cotto adviser said. “We’d prefer the revenge rematch with (Antonio) Margarito but it looks like he won’t fight until 2012.”

It’s obvious that Manny Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum hopes to shine up Cotto for a possible second shot at the Pinoy Idol next year.

Cotto made a tradition of fighting in New York in midsummer, beating Yuri Foreman in 2010 at Yankee Stadium and whipping Joshua Clottey at MSG the year before.

Cotto also defeated Brooklyn’s Zab Judah in June of 2007 at “the World’s Most Famous Arena” and also posted June victories over Paulie Malignaggi and Muhammad Abdulaaev in Garden bouts going back to 2006 and to 2005 respectively.

The old song asks, “What street compares with Mott Street in July?” but boxing fans in New York definitely noticed that we just had a Puerto Rican Parade Weekend sans the traditional Cotto bout.

(mlcarley@aol.com)

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved