Who DAT? Six Questions with Buddy McGirt-trained DAT NGUYEN - ShoBox: The New Generation TOMORROW/Saturday at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT

SIX QUESTIONS WITH DAT NGUYEN'

World-renowned trainer Buddy McGirt did a double take the moment he first laid eyes on Dat “Be Dat” Nguyen during a sparring session with Arturo Gatti before Gatti’s second fight with Micky Ward in late 2002.

“I saw this guy who could really hit and said he should be knocking everyone out,” McGirt said. “He was in there doing his thing and I liked him. Someone said they were looking for a fighter so I gave them Dat’s number. And that’s how we met.”

NY Post Journalist George Willis and Buddy McGirt

For the past five years, McGirt has trained Nguyen of Vietnam, who will headline on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME® this Saturday LIVE at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Nguyen (17-1, 6 KOs), a U.S. resident now living in Vero Beach, Fla., will face promising Luis Orlando “Orlandito” Del Valle (12-0,10 KOs), of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, in a 10-round featherweight fight at Roseland Ballroom in New York City. The card co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Gary Shaw Productions will include an 10-rounder that pits 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, power-punching Jonathan Gonzalez (13-0, 13 KOs), of Rio Piedras, against Colombian Richard Gutierrez (26-6-1, 16 KOs), of Miami, in a junior middleweight match.

A former kickboxer who was born in Bien Hoa about 45 minutes north of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Nguyen graduated from high school in 2001 and received a full scholarship to Northern Michigan University, home of the U.S. Olympic Center. He spent three years there studying computer information systems.

The 28-year-old Nguyen has won his last six starts, all by decision, including an eight-round decision over Andres Ledesma in his last fight on Oct. 10, 2009.

Although it’s been 20 months since he’s fought, McGirt doesn’t believe in ring rust when you’re young. “That’s a load of crap,” he said. “As long as you take care of yourself it doesn’t matter how long it’s been.”

Nguyen answered six questions.

Question: There will be a lot of Puerto Rican fans in the crowd on Saturday rooting for your opponent. Are you concerned about that and do you hear the crowd when you’re in the ring?

Nguyen: “I hope that there will be a few Vietnamese fans there. I’m sure their will. But it doesn’t matter. I’m always in for putting on a good show for whoever is there. It all depends. Usually when I fight I don’t hear anything. If I concentrate and pay attention and try to hear them, I can sometimes hear them. When I’m focused then I can’t hear them.”

Question: What has training with Buddy McGirt meant to you these past five years?

Nguyen: “Buddy has trained multiple world champions. With Buddy, he’s very calm and when he’s calm I’m relaxed. He just has so much experience. I do whatever Buddy says to do. Buddy doesn’t really take the credit for all the champions he’s produced. He’s very humble and doesn’t talk about a lot of his other fighters. I’m just happy to be part of his stable of fighters.”

Question: What do you think about the featherweight division right now and are you ready to call anyone out?

Nguyen: “(Laughing) No. Not quite yet. There’s a lot of talent in this division and I’m happy to be part of it. There’s (Yuriorkis) Gamboa and Chris John and all the other champions. (Juan Manuel) Lopez just lost but he has so much heart. Those are some of the guys I would like to fight because they are so well known and well respected.”

Question: You opened your own gym called Miracle Boxing Academy in Vero Beach. Would you like to stay in the fight game after your boxing career is over?

Nguyen: “I love this art and I’ve been doing it so long it just felt like the right thing to do. It’s made me a better fighter. I’m doing homework every day when I’m training other people. It’s been a real blessing for me. It’s something I did to give myself the best opportunity to succeed as a fighter right now.”

Question: Not many boxers get full college scholarships for boxing, but you did. How did that come about?

Nguyen: “Yes, I received a full scholarship to Northern Michigan University where the U.S. Olympic Center is. I fought in the U.S. Nationals and the coaches like Al Mitchell recognized that I had some talent. I even beat Andre Dirrell in the 1999 National Junior Olympics. I left after three years to turn professional and am still a few credits short of getting my degree. It gave me a lot of confidence and opened up my eyes to a lot of different things.”

Question: You are a self-described “computer nerd” and even operate your own website. What do you plan on doing with your computer education?

Nguyen: “I’ve always worked on computers and I fix people’s computers. I do everything on my website (www.miracleboxing.com). If I didn’t get the boxing scholarship and wasn’t so focused on making the Olympics then I would probably be a computer engineer right now. If I do something I go the whole nine yards so it’s something I’ve kind of put on backburner for now.”

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

Hallback-Garside potential female Gatti-Ward fight‏; Holm-Sanders headlines June 13 at Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque

Holm-Sanders headlines June 13 at Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE- Four time world champion Chevelle “Fists of Steel” Hallback (26-5-2, 11 KOs) is one of the most recognizable, experienced and respected woman boxer in the world.

Her June 13 showdown against WIBA featherweight champion Jeannine “G9” Garside (7-0-1, 3 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature feature for the vacant International Female Boxers Association (IFBA) lightweight championship on the “Finally” pay-per-view event, airing live (10 PM/ET-8 PM/MT) from Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque, not only figures to be a candidate for Fight of the Night, it also has all the makings of a female version of Gatti-Ward.

“Finally,” promoted by Fresquez Productions, Inc., 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, Bell Expressvue and StarChoice for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.

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 fighters, will battle in four world title bouts on “Finally.” The main event features 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, versus the world’s No. 1 middleweight, Detroit icon Mary Jo Sanders (25-0, 8 KOs), fighting in the 10-round main event for the vacant IFBA junior middleweight crown and pound-for-pound supremacy.

The No. 1 ranked lightweight, WIBA and IBA title-holder Hallback, of Tampa, and WIBA champion Garside, the world’s No. 1 rated featherweight from Ontario, agree that their fight will steal the “Finally” thunder and the PPV event will take women’s boxing to another level.

“We fought on the same card once but I didn’t see her fight,” Hallback said of Garside. “I know she has a big heart and can really fight. I may have more pro fights, but she had a lot of amateur fights, and I didn’t have one. Experience-wise, we’re even or she may even have a little more experience. She’s coming to fight and I am, too. Our styles help us put on a show for fans. We’re both very exciting fighters. It’s going to be like the 4th of July in June. We’re going to be a tough act to follow for the main event. Jeannine’s coming prepared to win and prove that she’s one of the best. So am I. This fight will go down in the history books. In 10 years, boxing fans will be talking about Hallback-Garside.

“There are a lot of good, quality fighters – some of the best females in the world – on this pay-per-view card. I’m excited to be fighting on it. It’s important that mainstream watches so women’s boxing gets to the next level. We belong on prime time TV. I’m excited to be part of it.”

Hallback is one of only five boxers to fight Holm and Sanders, dropping 10-round decisions to both. “Holm-Sanders isn’t going to be like my fight with Garside,” Chevelle noted. “Their fight is between good boxers with some power. It’s going to be a chess match. Holly moves a lot, Mary Jo doesn’t move as much. I pushed both fights, pressuring them throughout. I think it’s going to be a close match between two good fighters.

Also on PPV, IBA junior featherweight champion Wendy Rodriguez (18-4, 3 KOs), of Los Angeles, faces 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 bout for vacant IBA strawweight title; WBC 2007 Fighter of the Year, WBC mininumweight champ Carina “La Reina” Moreno (11-1, 5 KOs), of Watsonville (CA), meets WIBA flyweight title-holder Eileen “The Hawaiian Mongoose” Olszewski (5-0-1), fighting out of New York City by way of Honolulu, in a 10-round 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.

The Golden Boy is coming home to HBO. For the first time in seven years, Oscar De La Hoya will fight live on HBO against former champ Steve Forbes

Olympic Gold Medalist and Six-Division World Champion OSCAR DE LA HOYA and Former World Champion, STEVE FORBES, "HOMECOMING," set for Saturday, May 3 at The Home Depot Center in Los Angeles and televised live on HBO. The bout also marks De La Hoya's return to HBO's Championship Boxing since his last appearance in 2000.

Steve Forbes


"Homecoming" is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with AEG and The Home Depot Center, and sponsored by Cazadores Tequila, Tecate Beer, Rockstar Energy Drink, Southwest Airlines and Affliction Clothing. The event will be televised live by HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.

Oscar Returns

Oscar De La Hoya is one of the most successful prize fighters in boxing history, if the size of his prizes is the measuring stick.



As his May 3 return to boxing approaches after a self-imposed 20-month exile from the ring, De La Hoya is preparing for his 28th world title fight and to face his 22nd world champion. In those fights he has won some form of a world title in six different weight classes ranging from 130 pounds to 160 pounds, a spread of the scales even someone like the legendary Henry Armstrong would have been proud to call his own.

A superstar whose popularity transcends boxing, Oscar is considered to be one of the best fighters in the world at any weight - "Pound-for-Pound."

He is also the biggest non-heavyweight attraction and moneymaker at the gate. Oscar has defeated 17 current or former world champions, one twice.

Oscar fought WBC-IBF middleweight world champion Bernard Hopkins in a title unification bout on September 18, and after a close battle, Hopkins stopped De La Hoya in the ninth round. Oscar lost no prestige in defeat though, gaining the respect of Hopkins and the boxing community for his continued willingness to fight the best.

"Boxing is in my blood. This is the sport I love and will continue being in as long as my body and mind allow me to."



Oscar De La Hoya won the WBO middleweight world title in his last fight on June 5 with a 12-round unanimous decision against defending champion Felix Sturm of Germany.

At the post-fight press conference, Oscar said, "What can I say? It was a tough fight. I underestimated Sturm, but we trained hard and I did my job, I have now captured six titles, and now I look forward to fighting Hopkins. I am really looking forward to that. I have no excuses. Sturm came to fight and he prepared himself very well. He was a very game fighter. I had to fight hard to win this fight, like a warrior. He took me off my game plan because he is a good fighter, but we changed things up and I pulled it out."

Oscar's previous fight was a controversial decision loss against Shane Mosley - the vast majority of people who watched the fight, some 75% according to various internet polls, thought Oscar deserved to win.



Regarding that fight, Oscar said, "When I fought Mosley the first time around, I felt like I lost, that he got me that night. With this fight, I just don't feel that way. I don't want to blame anyone or point fingers, but that will be a mystery to me for the rest of my life. I put it in its proper place. I'm moving forward. After talking with my family and my wife, I feel wonderful. I feel like the champ. My body and my mind feel great. I feel fresh. I feel at ease."

"I will continue on in the sport, the sport that made me who I am today. Boxing is in my blood. This is the sport I love and will continue being in as long as my body and mind allow me to."

Oscar has been successful at the highest levels of competition, and has beaten current or former world champions Felix Sturm, Fernando Vargas, Pernell Whitaker, Arturo Gatti, Ike Quartey, Julio Cesar Chavez twice, Hector Camacho , Miguel Angel Gonzalez, James Leija, Genaro Hernandez, Rafael Ruelas, John John Molina, Jorge Paez, Javier Francisco, Castillejo, Yory Boy Campas, Jimmi Bredahl and Troy Dorsey.
In December, 2001, Oscar formed his own boxing promotion company, Golden Boy Promotions...

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

WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER; World Championship City, live on HBO, MIGUEL COTTO vs. ALFONSO GOMEZ, CINTRON vs. ANTONIO MARGARITO, April 12

Miguel Cotto remains Undefeated and the WBA Welterweight champion. Miguel Cotto now
(32-0, 25 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico stopped, in round 5, the Contenders rising star Alfonso Gomez now (18-4-2, 8 KOs), of Guadalajara, MX, in the main event of a scheduled 12-round contest, live from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Miguel Cotto and Alfonso Gomez at the New York City Press conference


Miguel Cotto and Alfonso Gomez face off at the New York City Press conference


Miguel Cotto enters the ring to face Alfonso Gomez


Evangelista Cotto and Miguel Cotto attends the post Press conference


Miguel Cotto, Arturo Gatti attends the Post Press conference to present the undefeated WBA Welterweight champion Miguel Cotto with an exclusive jeweled necklace and ornament set from the new Arturo Gatti Collection Jewelry-line


Alfonso Gomez attends the Post Press conference


Cotto vs. Gomez


Antonio Margarito (36-5, 25 KO's), from Tijuana, Mexico, became the new IBF Welterweight champion, in a co feature stopping the now former IBF Welterweight champion Kermit Cintron, now (29-2, 27 KO's) of Reading, Pa, 1:57 seconds of round 6, scheduled for 12 rounds.

Antonio Margarito and Kermit Cintron attends the New York City press conference


Antonio Margarito enters the ring to face Kermit Cintron


Antonio Margarito enters the ring II


Kermit Cintron and Antonio Margarito in the ring action


Antonio Margarito attends the Post Press conference after the defeat of Kermit Cintron


Antonio Margarito's IBF Welterweight championship belt


Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito in the making? Miguel Cotto challenged Antonio Margarito to meet Saturday July 26, 2008 in the square ring


The Top Rank Under-card

Luis Cruz remains undefeated (5-0, 3 KO's) of Las Piedras, Puerto Rico winning by an unanimous decision over Olvin Meija who now drops to (3-2-1, 3 KO's) of Laredo Texas, in a 6 rounds Featherweight bout.

Jesus Rojas remains undefeated (11-0-, 8 KO's) of Caguas, Puerto Rico TKO'd in round 4, 2;14 seconds, Andre Ledesma who now drops to (14-9-1, 9 KO's) of Cartegena, Columbia, in a scheduled 8 rounds Super Batamweight bout.

Jesus Rojas and Luis Cruz after their victories


Ronny Vargas is still undefeated now (5-0, 3 KO's) of the Bronx New York, TKO'd Robert Irrizarry who now drops to (2-4-0, 0 KO's) of New York City, in round 3, 2:51 seconds, of a scheduled 6 rounds Middleweight bout.

Ronny Vargas and Melissa Hernandez, female fighter and trainer attends the 2008 Golden Gloves Finals in New York City


Richard Pierson now (7-1-, 4 KO's) of Paterson New Jersey won by an unanimous decision over Angel David Gonzalez, who now drops to (6-5-1, 3 KO's) of Guaynabo Puerto Rico, in a 6 rounds Middleweight bout.

Richard Pierson


Luis Del Valle attends the Cotto vs Gomez and Cintron vs Margarito bout April 12, after making an impressive professional debut April 11, with a TKO victory


See more video footage on the Cotto vs Gomez and Cintron Margarito, go to Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience channel at, http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1 See other Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience boxing entertainment videos as well.
Photos property of Keisha C. Morrisey All Right Reserved
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