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

Devon Alexander vs. Lucas Matthysse, Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud vs. Yusaf “Mack Attack” Mack

Devon Alexander vs. Lucas Matthysse



















SHOW ME SOMETHING GREAT Final Presser: Introductions and Face-Offs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxxSkJ6YG24

SHOW ME SOMETHING GREAT Final Presser: Fighters at Podium
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95lESHmTDAI

Video from Devon Alexander's media workout on Tuesday at Marquette Gym in St. Louis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iom5A4AXCok

If you didn't get enough of the Don King video, Part 1, (http://www.youtube.com/theemcvideo#p/a/u/2/Gciajihiv1U) from his first day in St. Louis last week promoting this Saturday's fight card at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo., check out Day 2:
http://www.youtube.com/theemcvideo#p/a/u/1/wbcYEhGBwjw

HBO Look Ahead: Analysts Jim Lampley and Max Kellerman preview Alexander vs. Matthysse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el-J3_yF1WI

HBO Promo: Alexander vs. Matthysse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33pw0vXeo2M

The winner of this match will become the top contender at the 140-pound weight limit.

Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud
vs. Yusaf “Mack Attack” Mack
IBF Light Heavyweight Championship

Tavoris Cloud returns to the Gateway City after successfully defending his IBF light heavyweight crown in a slugfest against former world champion Glen Johnson on Aug. 7 at Scottrade Center. Cloud won a unanimous decision by the identical scores of 116-112.

Cloud possesses an 81-percent knockout ratio, even though his last three fights were won by unanimous decisions. Possessing an aggressive style and a plethora of power in both hands, Cloud is a throwback fighter that likes to overwhelm his opponents with brute force.

His tenacity and vaunted power have caused other world champions to avoid facing him. Yusaf Mack does not have that luxury as he has been named by the IBF as the mandatory challenger to Cloud.

Mack is a 31-year-old veteran from Philadelphia. He remained unbeaten in his first 24 matches, fighting between middleweight and super middleweight. Mack settled in at the 175-pound light heavyweight limit beginning in 2008, and he promptly reeled off five straight victories.

He fought well in a pivotal fight with respected former light heavyweight world champion Glen Johnson in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Feb. 5, 2010, before being stopped by technical knockout in the sixth round.

In his last appearance, Mack defeated Otis Griffin on March 4 in Los Angeles. This was an IBF elimination bout, which put Mack in line to next face Cloud. He is also the reigning USBA light heavyweight champion; former NABA and NABF light heavyweight champion; and former USBA super middleweight champion.

Bermane “B-Ware” Stiverne
vs. Ray “The Rainman” Austin
WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship

Emerging heavyweight Bermane Stiverne and title-tested veteran Ray Austin will meet for the WBC Silver heavyweight championship, which will have ramifications at the top of the division.

Stiverne has a staggering 86-percent knockout ratio with an equally stunning 14 first-round knockouts. Only two of his fights have gone the distance. Most of his victims have fallen prey to his powerful right hand.

Austin has hovered at the top of the heavyweight division for the last five years, having faced Wladimir Klitschko, Andrew Golota, Sultan Ibragimov, Odlanier Solis and DaVarryl Williamson, among others.

This will clearly be the toughest opponent yet for Stiverne. A win here would set up bigger fights in the future. Austin will be trying to prove that he is still a force in the heavyweight division.

Ryan “The Irish Outlaw” Coyne
vs. “King” David McNemar
Battle of the Undefeated for Cruiserweight Belts

WBA cruiserweight champion Guillermo Jones was to have defended his title against undefeated Ryan Coyne, but Jones suffered an injury in the final week of training. Coyne will now risk his WBC-USNBC national cruiserweight championship against undefeated David McNemar, from Parkersburg, W.Va. The WBA announced Coyne vs. McNemar will also be for their FEDELATIN international title.

Coyne graduated from St. Charles High School where he was named “St. Charles County Football Player of the Year” in 2001. He played collegiate football at University of Missouri from 2001 to 2002. Injuries shortened his football career, and he returned to St. Charles to pursue a boxing career while earning a bachelor’s degree from Lindenwood University in 2005.

He has made steady progress in his boxing career, maintaining an unblemished record since turning professional in 2006. He won the WBC-USNBC national title last summer at Scottrade Center in St. Louis by knocking out Warren Browning in the ninth round. Coyne also is known for having fought into the semi-finals during the fourth season of The Contender, televised on Versus, before suffering an accidental headbutt that forced him to leave the competition.

Coyne trains out of the Sweat Pound 4 Pound Gym in Clayton, Mo., under the tutelage of trainer Jose Ponce. The addition of strength and conditioning expert Matt Brown has helped increase his power.

Cornelius “K9” Bundrage vs. Sechew Powell
IBF Junior Middleweight Championship

IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage has an old score to settle with Sechew Powell. After a stunning fifth-round technical knockout over Cory Spinks in St. Louis on Aug. 7 to win his first world title, the Emanuel Steward-trained Bundrage immediately looked to avenge his first loss as a professional, which came at the hands of Powell in 2005.

Powell is a southpaw who won his first 20 fights before running into Kassim Ouma at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2006, where he lost by decision. His only other loss came against Deandre

Latimore in 2008, a defeat he avenged in his last appearance on March 3, 2010, winning a majority

decision over St. Louis’s Latimore in an IBF elimination bout that earned Powell the right to face Bundrage, the newly crowned champion.

Bundrage was also a fast starter, having won his first 21 fights before running into Powell. He later did what Powell was unable to do, winning a unanimous decision over Ouma in 2008.

Bundrage went on to face future world champion Yuri Foreman in 2009. The bout was ruled no contest after an accidental clash of heads in the third round left Foreman unable to continue. Bundrage immediately went on to take the title from Spinks in his next match.

Raw Quotes

Devon Alexander
vs.
Lucas Matthysse
Special Super
Welterweight Attraction

Devon Alexander: “Lucas say he gonna knock me out. The last guy that said that to me [Juan Urango] got knocked out. I don’t talk trash. I let my hands do my talking for me. Just like our T-shirts today say, ‘R-E-D-E-M-P-T-I-O-N’ is going to happen on Saturday night.”

Kevin Cunningham (Trainer and manager of Devon Alexander): “Devon doesn’t talk trash but I’ll say a few words. Here is a shout out to Cory Spinks. If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have all this big-time boxing going on in St. Louis right now.

“We had a tremendous camp up in Colorado, and on Saturday night, Devon will be victorious.”

Don King: “It’s a Lou think in St. Louis, and out here in St. Charles were proud, and if you cannot hear us, we’ll say it a little louder. You see, this is the Show Me State. What does that mean? It means these fighters can talk all they want today, but come Saturday night they are going to have to show everyone what they are made of.”

Lucas Matthysse: “Look, I traveled thousands of kilometers in training and flying here for this fight, and I didn’t come to take a picture with Don King. I came to beat Devon Alexander, and I will.”

Eric Gomez (Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions, promoter of Lucas Matthysse): “This is going to be a hell of a card. Sechew Powell is good, Tavoris is like a young Mike Tyson, I’ve been watching heavyweight Bermane Stiverne for a long time, and I can’t wait for Saturday night. This is truly a historic card that Don King has put together.

“Thanks to Devon Alexander and his team. We think Devon is one of the top three junior welterweights in the world, and we think Lucas can win this fight. Lucas lost a close decision in the fight with Zab Judah, but he is ready to have the fight of his life on Saturday night.

“This is a great opportunity for Lucas. This is a great thing for him to be fighting Devon on HBO on Saturday.”

Tavoris Cloud
vs.
Yusaf Mack
IBF Light Heavyweight
Championship

Tavoris Cloud: “Missouri, it’s good to be back in the ‘Show Me’ State. Yusaf Mack, he a good fighter, so I heard. All that about him being the new champion ain’t gonna work. It ain’t gonna work, no sir. I’ll see Yusaf Mack in the ring on Saturday night.”

Yusaf Mack: “This city will be smokin’ when I get done with Tavoris Cloud on Saturday night.”

Ryan Coyne
vs.
David McNemar
WBC-USNBC
Cruiserweight
Championship/
WBA FEDELATIN
Championship

Ryan Coyne: “This was supposed the first world title fight for me. Didn’t happen. My opponent [WBA cruiserweight champion] Guillermo Jones may have stumbled while jogging and fell into Arby’s, if you know what I mean.

"I will only look forward now. I plan to put on a great show on Saturday. Fighting in The Family Arena is special for me because I grew up a few miles from here and I fought my last fight as an amateur here and my first fight as a professional.

"I give my opponent, David McNemar credit for stepping and taking this fight with me on short notice. In a couple of days I’ll probably give him a hug for saving this appearance for me.”

David McNemar: I’m 38 years old and I’ve been in this fight game for most of my life, and it’s been a blast. To be up here with all of these great athletes is truly an honor. I’ll give Ryan Coyne the best I’ve got.”

Bermane Stiverne
vs.
Ray Austin
WBC Silver Heavyweight
Championship

Bermane Stiverne: “I’m not much of a trash talker. I don’t trash talk. When it comes to boxing, I’m a business person, and I’ll take care of business on Saturday night. I am a heavyweight contender, and I will be a heavyweight world champion some day. I guarantee it.

“All that other talk you hear doesn’t mean a thing. On Saturday night, everything will be taken care of in the ring.”

Ray Austin: “It’s great to be fighting on this show against Bermane Stiverne. I plan to make the most of this opportunity.”

Cornelius Bundrage
vs.
Sechew Powell
IBF Junior Middleweight
Championship

Sechew Powell: “Cornelius Bundrage didn’t even arrive on time from Detroit to attend this press conference. I will show up on Saturday night to take his title back to Brooklyn.”

Cory Spinks
vs.
Shakir Ashanti
Super Welterweight
Attraction

Cory Spinks: “Thanks for coming out and listening to all us fighters talk trash. Cory Spinks is ready. Whoever this man is I’m fighting is in trouble on Saturday. I am so eager to get back in the ring. St. Louis will see I am ready to be a six-time world champion.

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

No Holds Barred: Kenny "Deuce" Garner‏; Bellator 46, the Don King-promoted boxing card on HBO featuring the return of Devon Alexander

No Holds Barred: Kenny "Deuce" Garner; On this audio edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with heavyweight mixed martial arts fighter Kenny "Deuce" GarnerYou can play or download No Holds Barred at
http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2011-06-22T19_24_59-07_00.

Fighting out of American Top Team in Port St. Lucie, Florida, the
exciting, colorful, and outspoken "Deuce" will be fighting in the main
event of the M-1 Challenge card on Friday, July 8, at The Hangar in
Costa Mesa, California. His opponent will be Pat Bennett, the Team
Bombsquad fighter whom Garner defeated by first-round TKO in the 2010
M-1 Selection Americas tournament final on September 18. This card
will be televised live in the U.S. on Showtime.

Both fighters in this main event have claimed that they are much
improved since their first meeting. In this interview, recorded by
phone on Tuesday afternoon, Kenny "Deuce" Garner vowed to end this
rematch victoriously, and again in the first round. He discussed his
subsequent loss to unbeaten M-1 heavyweight champion Guram
Gugenishvili, and why he believes that he will defeat Guram if and
when they meet again. He outlined the improvements he has made of late
in both grappling and striking, at what weight we can expect to see
him fight this time, and much more.

Plus, we open with a brief preview of some of the combat sports action
coming up this weekend, including Bellator 46, the Don King-promoted
boxing card on HBO featuring the return of Devon Alexander, the U.S.
Pankration National Championships and World Team Trials, and the U.S.
Sumo Open.





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

Yusaf Mack, Ryan Coyne And Sechew Powell; All Three Fighters Are in Title Fights on Saturday

Yusaf Mack: “It feels good to be fighting for my first world title on Saturday night. I’ve worked hard to earn this, and I want to show the world that I am worthy.

“Tavoris Cloud is rough, tough and a ready-to-rumble-type guy, but I’ve got a plan for him. He’s not all kicked up like he seems to be. Anybody can be beaten, and I’ll beat Tavoris on Saturday night.”

Ryan Coyne: “After [WBA champion] Guillermo Jones backed outlast week with an injury, it did hurt because this was supposed to be my first world title fight. But I have an undefeated opponent in David McNemar opposing me on Saturday night, so I have to stay focused on the matter at hand.

“I’ll deal with Guillermo Jones and appearing in my first world championship only if I stay focused and win on Saturday night. That’s exactly what I plan to do.”

Sechew Powell: “I plan to make the most of my first chance at a world championship. Cornelius Bundrage waited a long time to get his title, and he picked the wrong guy to make his first defense against. It’s going to be Brooklyn against Detroit in that ring on Saturday night, and Brooklyn is going to come out victorious with the belt.”IBF No. 1-ranked light heavyweight Yusaf “Mack Attack” Mack (29-3-2, 17 KOs); WBC-USNBC undefeated national cruiserweight champion Ryan “The Irish Outlaw” Coyne (16-0, 6 KOs); and IBF No. 1-ranked junior middleweight Sechew “Iron Horse” Powell (26-2, 15 KOs) participated in media workouts today at the Sweat Pound 4 Pound Gym in Clayton, Mo., in support of Don King’s history-making fight card on Saturday at The Family Arena in nearby St. Charles (HBO: 9:45 p.m. ET/PT).

Mack will face undefeated IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud (21-0, 18 KOs); Coyne will risk his WBC-USNBC national title (and the WBA just added their FEDELATIN international title) against undefeated David McNemar (13-0, 10 KOs); and Powell will tangle with IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage (30-4, 18 KOs).

“Tavoris Cloud is rough, tough and a ready-to-rumble-type guy, but I’ve got a plan for him,” Mack, a defiant Philadelphian, said. “He’s not all kicked up like he seems to be. Anybody can be beaten, and I’ll beat Tavoris on Saturday night. I want to show the world that I am worthy.”

Coyne planned to be appearing in his first world title match against WBA cruiserweight champion Guillermo Jones, but Jones suffered a training camp injury late last week that scuttled his appearance. Coyne, from St. Charles, Mo., will face undefeated David McNemar, from Parkersburg, W.Va.

“After [WBA champion] Guillermo Jones backed outlast week with an injury, it did hurt because this was supposed to be my first world title fight,” Coyne said of his initial reaction. “But I have an undefeated opponent in David McNemar opposing me on Saturday night, so I have to stay focused on the matter at hand.

“I’ll deal with Guillermo Jones and appearing in my first world championship only if I stay focused and win on Saturday night. That’s exactly what I plan to do.”

Powell, from Brooklyn, N.Y., will be making his first world championship appearance against Bundrage, the champion, from Detroit.

“Cornelius Bundrage waited a long time to get his title, and he picked the wrong guy to make his first defense against. It’s going to be Brooklyn against Detroit in St. Charles on Saturday night, and Brooklyn is going to come out victorious with the belt.”

Devon Alexander will face Lucas Matthysse in the main event.

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

Devon Alexander Ready For Lucas Matthysse On Saturday At The Family Arena in St. Charles Hometown Star Ready for Argentine Knockout Artist

Twenty-four-year-old Devon Alexander “The Great” (21-1, 13 KOs) walked into his St. Louis gym today for a media workout looking like a mature fighter who knows what is at stake in his 140-pound showdown against Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse on Saturday at The Family Arena in nearby St. Charles (HBO: 9:45 p.m. ET/PT)

When asked about his first loss, suffered at the hands of Timothy Bradley in a pivotal match designed to help determine supremacy at the 140-pound weight limit, Alexander was resolute in his reply.

“I want to show people why I was considered one of the best at 140 pounds,” Alexander said, “and I want those people who believed in me to know that they were not wrong.

“I am one of the most capable and dangerous fighters in the division, a former unified world champion that wants to return to the top. My goal is to prove my greatness and be International Boxing Hall of Fame material before I hang up my gloves.”

His trainer, Kevin Cunningham, echoed and expanded upon his fighter’s comments.

“I’m not too concerned because it’s not like Devon got beat up against Bradley,” Cunningham said. “He just didn’t do as well as he should have.

“Now he has the man I believe is the most dangerous at 140 pounds in front of him on Saturday night, this kid from Argentina, Lucas Matthysse, so this is an opportunity for Devon to answer any questions about how good he can be. I believe he will shine.”



Twenty-four-year-old Devon Alexander “The Great” (21-1, 13 KOs) walked into his St. Louis gym today for a media workout looking like a mature fighter who knows what is at stake in his 140-pound showdown against Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse on Saturday at The Family Arena in nearby St. Charles (HBO: 9:45 p.m. ET/PT)

When asked about his first loss, suffered at the hands of Timothy Bradley in a pivotal match designed to help determine supremacy at the 140-pound weight limit, Alexander was resolute in his reply.

“I want to show people why I was considered one of the best at 140 pounds,” Alexander said, “and I want those people who believed in me to know that they were not wrong.

“I am one of the most capable and dangerous fighters in the division, a former unified world champion that wants to return to the top. My goal is to prove my greatness and be International Boxing Hall of Fame material before I hang up my gloves.”

His trainer, Kevin Cunningham, echoed and expanded upon his fighter’s comments.

“I’m not too concerned because it’s not like Devon got beat up against Bradley,” Cunningham said. “He just didn’t do as well as he should have.

“Now he has the man I believe is the most dangerous at 140 pounds in front of him on Saturday night, this kid from Argentina, Lucas Matthysse, so this is an opportunity for Devon to answer any questions about how good he can be. I believe he will shine.”

Devon Alexander “I want to show people why I was considered one of the best at 140 pounds and I want those people who believed in me to know that they were not wrong.

“I am one of the most capable and dangerous fighters in the division, a former unified world champion that wants to return to the top. My goal is to prove my greatness and be boxing hall of fame material before I hang up my gloves.

“Lucas Matthysse is one of the most dangerous guys out there, a big puncher. But they said the same thing about Juan Urango and I put him out on his back.”

Kevin Cunningham, trainer and manager of Devon Alexander: “We had a tremendous training camp in Colorado Springs.”

On concerns coming off the loss to Tim Bradley: “I’m not too concerned because Devon didn’t get beat up by Bradley, he just didn’t do as well as he should have. Tim has a history of head butts, which played out, but we take full responsibility for not doing what we were capable of.

“Now he has the man I believe is the most dangerous in front of him on Saturday night, this kid from Argentina, Lucas Matthysse, so this is an opportunity for Devon to answer any questions about how good he can be. I believe he will shine.”

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

City of St. Charles Hosts World Championship Weigh-In For Don King Productions "Show Me Something Great... in the 'Show Me' State"

The City of St. Charles, Mo., and its Mayor, Sally Faith, have rolled out the red carpet for Don King by hosting Friday afternoon's Official Weigh-In at their beautiful and historic downtown area supporting the boxing promoter's "Show Me Something Great... in the 'Show Me' State" world championship boxing event taking place on Saturday at The Family Arena in St. Charles.
Show Me Something Great -- YouTube Promo -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PApZuwtgHZY

“We hope everyone throughout the St. Charles County area will stop by the historic district to support Don King bringing this tremendous HBO-televised event to our community,” said Mayor Faith. “This is a great way to showcase the sport along with the city of St. Charles,” she added. “We’re also excited at the prospect of showcasing the fact that the city is NOT under water!” The Weigh-In event is free and open to the general public.
“This is the Show Me State, so I need the people in the St. Charles area to be present for my Weigh In to let everyone around the country know that St. Charles supports big events like world championship boxing,” Don King said. “The hospitality and outreach of St. Charles Mayor Sally Faith, The Family Arena and the citizenry has been heartwarming. I look forward to seeing everyone on Friday, June 24 in the St. Charles historic district.” Promoter Don King will bring Devon Alexander “The Great” (21-1, 13 KOs) back to the St. Louis area on June 25 to face a significant test in his hometown from noted Argentine knockout artist and World Boxing Organization No. 3 ranked contender Lucas Matthysse (28-1, 26 KOs). King will support the Alexander-Matthysse main event with a history-making fight card that will mark the first time four world championships have been presented in Missouri during a single event.

Undefeated International Boxing Federation light heavyweight champion Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud (21-0, 18 KOs), from Tallahassee, Fla., will defend his title against IBF No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Yusaf “Mack Attack” Mack (29-3-2, 26 KOs), from Philadelphia; rising heavyweight Bermane “B-Ware” Stiverne (20-1-1, 19 KOs), from Haiti, will square off in a World Boxing Council heavyweight elimination bout opposing Ray “The Rainman” Austin (28-5-4, 18 KOs), from Cleveland; World Boxing Association cruiserweight champion Guillermo “El Felino” Jones (37-3-2, 29 KOs), from Colon, Panama, will meet undefeated WBC USNBC champion Ryan “The Irish Outlaw” Coyne (16-0, 6 KOs), from St. Louis; and IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage (30-4, 18 KOs), from Detroit, will defend his title against IBF No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Sechew Powell, from Brooklyn, N.Y.

The Weigh-In is open to the public, and Don King, Mayor Faith and additional St. Charles dignitaries will be attending.

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

SHOW ME SOMETHING GREAT..Don King Will Make Missouri History by Presenting Four World Championships Including Undefeated Ryan “The Irish Outlaw” Coyne

SHOW ME SOMETHING GREAT...‏Don King Will Make Missouri History by Presenting Four World Championships Including Undefeated Ryan “The Irish Outlaw” Coyne in His First World Title Fight
King will support the Alexander-Matthysse main event with a history-making fight card that will mark the first time four world championships have been presented in Missouri during a single event.
Devon Alexander Returns Home
To Face Knockout Specialist Lucas Matthysse On June 25 at The Family Arena in St. Charles


Dozens of billboards and bus shelters recently went up in the St. Louis area to promote Don King's history-making, four-world-championship fight card on June 25 at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.Also, see link to brief HEC-TV (St. Louis) feature on educational outreach efforts being done by Devon Alexander:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7mZvr9RfSQ

Alexander, 24, skyrocketed to become the World Boxing Council super lightweight champion at age 22. The talented southpaw became a unified world champion last year after defeating then-International Boxing Federation 140-pound champion Juan “Iron Twins” Urango.

Alexander’s career undefeated streak was snapped on Jan. 29 by World Boxing Organization junior welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich. After suffering numerous head butts throughout the contest, referee Frank Garza halted the match in round 10 after consulting with the ringside physician. The judges favored Bradley 96-95, 97-93 and 98-93.

Rather than opting to face a lesser opponent, Alexander has chosen a dangerous puncher in Matthysse, 28, from Chubut, Agrentina. Matthysse has a career knockout percentage over 92 percent with 26 of 28 victories coming by knockout.

In his most notable bout, Matthysse came within a whisker of knocking out five-time world champion Zab “Super” Judah in the 10th round on Nov. 6 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Matthysse tagged Judah with a brutal right hand in the 10th round that sent Judah to the mat. Later in the round, Matthysse landed a sweeping left hook that staggered Judah again. Judah managed to escape the round and finish the fight—winning by the slimmest margin possible. One judge favored Matthysse 114-113, but the remaining two scorers favored Judah by a point, 114-113.

Matthysee and Alexander have a common opponent in former world champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley. Matthyssee knocked Corley down nine times en route to an eighth-round win by technical knockout on June 21 in Argentina. Alexander won a unanimous decision over Corley in 2008 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

The winner of this match will become the top contender at the 140-pound weight limit.

Tavoris “Thunder” Cloud vs. Yusaf “Mack Attack” Mack
IBF Light Heavyweight Championship

Tavoris Cloud returns to the Gateway City after successfully defending his IBF light heavyweight crown in a slugfest against former world champion Glen Johnson on Aug. 7 at Scottrade Center. Cloud won a unanimous decision by the identical scores of 116-112.

Cloud possesses an 81-percent knockout ratio, even though his last three fights were won by unanimous decisions. Possessing an aggressive style and a plethora of power in both hands, Cloud is a throwback fighter that likes to overwhelm his opponents with brute force.

His tenacity and vaunted power have caused other world champions to avoid facing him. Yusaf Mack does not have that luxury as he has been named by the IBF as the mandatory challenger to Cloud.

Mack is a 31-year-old veteran from Philadelphia. He remained unbeaten in his first 24 matches, fighting between middleweight and super middleweight. Mack settled in at the 175-pound light heavyweight limit beginning in 2008, and he promptly reeled off five straight victories.

He fought well in a pivotal fight with respected former light heavyweight world champion Glen Johnson in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Feb. 5, 2010, before being stopped by technical knockout in the sixth round.

In his last appearance, Mack defeated Otis Griffin on March 4 in Los Angeles. This was an IBF elimination bout, which put Mack in line to next face Cloud. He is also the reigning USBA light heavyweight champion; former NABA and NABF light heavyweight champion; and former USBA super middleweight champion.

Bermane “B-Ware” Stiverne vs. Ray “The Rainman” Austin
WBC Silver Heavyweight Championship

Emerging heavyweight Bermane Stiverne and title-tested veteran Ray Austin will meet in an important WBC elimination bout with ramifications at the top of the sport.

Stiverne has a staggering 86-percent knockout ratio with an equally stunning 14 first-round knockouts. Only two of his fights have gone the distance. Most of his victims have fallen prey to his powerful right hand.

Austin has hovered at the top of the heavyweight division for the last five years, having faced Wladimir Klitschko, Andrew Golota, Sultan Ibragimov, Odlanier Solis and DaVarryl Williamson, among others.

This will clearly be the toughest opponent yet for Stiverne. A win here would set up bigger fights in the future. Austin will be trying to prove that he is still a force in the heavyweight division.

Guillermo “El Felino” Jones vs. Ryan “The Irish Outlaw” Coyne
WBA Cruiserweight Championship

WBA cruiserweight champion Guillermo Jones will receive a test from undefeated hometown fighter Ryan Coyne who holds the WBC USNBC national cruiserweight championship.

Jones began his career at 147 pounds but it took him adding and astonishing 53 pounds and fighting at the 200-pound limit before he won his first world championship, a 10th-round technical knockout over Firat Arslan in 2008. Jones is a gifted athlete and true fighter who has an uncanny ability to find a way to win in almost every circumstance.

The Panamanian lost a disputed split decision in 2005 to future world champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, but he rebounded to defeat former world champions Kelvin “Concrete” Davis and Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite.

In his last appearance, Jones scored an 11th-round technical knockout over respected former interim WBA cruiserweight world champion Valery Brudov when the two met on Oct. 2 in Panama City, Panama.

Coyne graduated from St. Charles High School where he was named “St. Charles County Football Player of the Year” in 2001. He played collegiate football at University of Missouri from 2001 to 2002. Injuries shortened his football career, and he returned to St. Charles to pursue a boxing career while earning a bachelor’s degree from Lindenwood University in 2005.

He has made steady progress in his boxing career, maintaining an unblemished record since turning professional in 2006. He won the WBC-USNBC national title last summer at Scottrade Center in St. Louis by knocking out Warren Browning in the ninth round.

Coyne also is known for having fought into the semi-finals during the fourth season of The Contender, televised on Versus, before suffering an accidental headbutt that forced him to leave the competition.

Coyne trains out of the Sweat Pound 4 Pound Gym in Clayton, Mo., under the tutelage of trainer Jose Ponce. The addition of strength and conditioning expert Matt Brown has helped “The Irish Outlaw” to increase his power.

Cornelius “K9” Bundrage vs. Sechew Powell
IBF Junior Middleweight Championship

IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage has an old score to settle with Sechew Powell. After a stunning fifth-round technical knockout over Cory Spinks in St. Louis on Aug. 7 to win his first world title, the Emanuel Steward-trained Bundrage immediately looked to avenge his first loss as a professional, which came at the hands of Powell in 2005.

Powell is a southpaw who won his first 20 fights before running into Kassim Ouma at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2006, where he lost by decision. His only other loss came against Deandre Latimore in 2008, a defeat he avenged in his last appearance on March 3, 2010, winning a majority decision over St. Louis’s Latimore in an IBF elimination bout that earned Powell the right to face Bundrage, the newly crowned champion.

Bundrage was also a fast starter, having won his first 21 fights before running into Powell. He later did what Powell was unable to do, winning a unanimous decision over Ouma when he faced the Ugandan in 2008.

Bundrage went on to face future world champion Yuri Foreman in 2009. The bout was ruled no contest after an accidental clash of heads in the third round left Foreman unable to continue. Bundrage immediately went on to take the title from Spinks in his next match.

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

Devon Alexander ‘The Great’ Dedicates His Performance Against Timothy ‘Desert Storm’ Bradley on Jan. 29 In Memory of Don Kings Wife Mrs Henrietta King

Devon Alexander(R) ‘The Great’ Dedicates His Performance Against Timothy ‘Desert Storm’ Bradley on Jan. 29 In Memory of Don King’s Wife, Mrs. Henrietta King.

Undefeated World Boxing Council super lightweight champion Devon Alexander ‘The Great’ will dedicate his performance on Jan. 29 to his promoter’s wife of 50 years, Mrs. Henrietta King, who died earlier this month after a lengthy illness at age 87.

Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs), from St. Louis, will face undefeated World Boxing Organization junior welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (26-0, 11 KOs), from North Palm Springs, Calif., at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., on Jan. 29 in a long-awaited world championship unification match at the 140-pound weight limit.

“Don King has promoted me since the beginning of my professional career in 2004,” Alexander said from his Las Vegas training camp. “Mrs. King was with Don for over 50 years. Don has always been there for me, and I want to dedicate my performance on Jan. 29 to Mrs. King for always being there for Don.”

Alexander added, “Mrs. King was a great lady and I was honored to have met her. I will honor her with the best performance of my life at the Silverdome in Pontiac."

EL Boxing Empress

See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishadivineel ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 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

Bradley Defends WBO Strap With Controvercial Victory Over Campbell On SHOWTIME‏

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif- Timothy Bradley (25-0, 11 KOs) retained his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Welterweight title with a highly controversial third round TKO over Nate Campbell (33-6-1, 25 KOs) on Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast from the California desert.

Referee David Mendoza ruled that a Bradley punch, not an accidental head butt, in the third round caused a cut and damage to Campbell’s vision that forced the ringside physician to halt the contest on the advice of Campbell’s corner before the start of round four.

In the SHOWTIME® co-feature, young gun Devon Alexander (19-0, 11 KOs) outworked Junior Witter (37-3-2, 22 KOs) to win the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Lightweight (140-pound) Championship by TKO after Witter quit on his stool after eight rounds.

The evening was promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions in association with Don King Productions and Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa.

Bradley, of neighboring Palm Springs, Calif., was the overwhelming house favorite with his fans cheering wildly for him and booing his Jacksonville, Fla., opponent. Both fighters came out strong in the first round landing punches and pressing the action. In the third, after an accidental clash of heads, Campbell signaled to Mendoza to acknowledge the mishap as Bradley unleashed a fury of punches before the bell.

Campbell returned to his corner with blood surrounding his eye and was heard saying, “I can’t see, I can’t see. My eye is blind. I have spots in my eye.”

Ringside physicians could not allow the bout to continue and Campbell offered no protest as the fight was called.

When the decision was announced—a TKO victory for Bradley, rather than a No Contest—heated arguments ensued from Campbell, his camp and promoter Don King.

Campbell told SHOWTIME reporter Jim Gray, with Bradley standing close by, “Of all the fighters in boxing, I am the only one who has fought anyone you put in front of me and I never complained about a decision. The camera caught it and the ref said it was a head butt. He never hurt me with nothing. I’m not mad with Tim. He did his job but this is wrong. I shouldn’t have that TKO on my record. It’s wrong.”

To Bradley, Campbell said, “Be fair. Be honest (about the decision). It’s about what is right and what is wrong.”

Mendoza stood by his decision, explaining to Gray, “They both were head butting each other as they were fighting and after that last head butt, Bradley threw a punch and that is when he started bleeding. The blood didn’t start coming out until the punch. The last thing I saw before the blood started coming out was a punch and I have to go with a punch.”

When it was Bradley’s turn to talk, he said, “I don’t know, I was just in there fighting. I felt our heads collide and I see him get a cut. But I attacked and the ref was doing his job. I don’t know what’s going on. I’m here doing my job taking care of my business in the ring. It’s not my job and not my problem. It didn’t even matter. He was going to get beat tonight anyway. As the rounds kept going on, he was getting older and older.”

In the co-feature, Alexander, of St. Louis, Mo., was able to withstand and eventually conquer the unorthodox fighting style of England’s Witter. Witter, who kept switching stances and throwing wild shots, wasn’t able to hurt Alexander who kept moving forward. After the eighth round Witter walked over to Alexander and told him and his corner that he could not go on.

After the fight Witter explained, “My elbow went in the fourth round and basically I couldn’t keep him off with one hand. I battled through for a few rounds. I kept switching, which was working to an extent, but I couldn’t box the way I wanted to. I didn’t feel good. I didn’t feel good at all.”

When asked if the decision was his or came from his corner, “It was a mutual agreement. We decided to let this one go. As much as I wanted to do it, I just wasn’t able to. It’s not that I wanted to quit, I wanted to win. I think it was a close fight.”

Witter was down 80-72 twice and 79-73 on the official judges scorecards.

Witter followed by saying this would not be his last fight but that he just needed to get with his promoter and trainers and decide what the next move will be.

An extremely emotional Alexander was humbled by the win and remembered his father who passed away when he was a teenager. He said, “This feels good, baby. This is to my dad. I got it now. I got it. I train hard everyday. I didn’t miss a day at the gym when I was an amateur and I stay dedicated through my professional career. Now, I have the green belt, the title. My coach (Kevin Cunningham) never gave up on me and now I got it. I had Don King with me and he never gave up on me. We are taking it back to St. Louis.”

The 22-year old continued, “I’ve got a dynamite team and we had a game plan. We had an A-plan, a B-plan, and a C-plan. We had all of it. I told him in the press conference there is nothing he could do in the ring to stop me from walking out with that belt.”

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING announcers Gus Johnson and Al Bernstein called the action from ringside with Gray reporting. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins Jr., with Ray Smaltz producing and Bob Dunphy directing.

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©®™2007, 2008 All rights reserved

Jesus Rodriguez vs. Devon Alexander in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS—Jesus “Chuy” Rodriguez, a winner in 11 of his last 12 matches, signed a contract today to face undefeated World Boxing Council No. 1-ranked super lightweight Devon Alexander “The Great” on Friday, April 24 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis and on SHOWTIME®.

Alexander (17-0, 10 KOs) is the Gateway City’s fastest-rising star, and Rodriguez (19-3, 5 KOs), from Salinas, Calif., will look to give him a stiff test in a match scheduled for 10 rounds.

The main event will feature two more St. Louisans battling for the vacant International Boxing Federation junior middleweight championship when former four-time world champion Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks (36-5, 11 KOs) meets IBF No. 6-ranked contender Deandre “The Bull” Latimore (19-1, 16 KOs).

Both fights will be televised on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT (10 p.m. CT, delayed on the West Coast). A full undercard will be presented. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The event is promoted by Don King Productions with Spinks vs. Latimore presented in association with Rumble Time Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.

Alexander, a 22-year-old phenom trained and managed by Kevin Cunningham, was recently named mandatory challenger to the WBC 140-pound champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley, so he has his first world championship match riding on this fight.

Devon Alexander and Kevin Cunningham,


Bradley added the World Boxing Organization 140-pound title to his resume by defeating then-champion Kendall Holt on April 4, also on SHOWTIME, which means Alexander will next face a unified world champion if he can get past Rodriguez.

“A world championship fight is what I have been working towards my whole life,” Alexander said. “To earn that chance in front of my hometown fans in St. Louis would mean a lot to me.”

Alexander’s promoter Don King sees a bright future for this budding star.

“Devon Alexander has all the skills to become a world champion and he’s going to earn his first title shot by defeating Jesus Rodriguez in St. Louis on April 24,” King said. “Not only is Devon a great fighter but he’s an outstanding individual, a young man the people of St. Louis can be proud of.”

Rodriguez’s three losses have all come against undefeated fighters. He lost his debut against a fighter also making his first appearance in 1999 and against two fighters who remain undefeated: Vladimir Zykov, who had 15 wins when he faced Rodriguez in 2006, and Mike Alvarado, who had 19 wins when Rodriguez dropped a 10-round decision when they met on Feb. 15, 2008.

It should be noted that Rodriguez defeated Omri Lowther, a highly decorated amateur who was undefeated in nine fights as a professional when they met in 2007. Rodriguez won an eight-round unanimous decision.

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©®™2007, 2008 All rights reserved

ST. LOUIS—The three best boxers in St. Louis will be showcased on the same Don King-promoted fight card at Scottrade Center on Friday, April 24.

The main event will feature the long-awaited hometown showdown for the vacant International Boxing Federation junior middleweight championship between former four-time world champion Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks (36-5, 11 KOs) taking on IBF No. 6-ranked contender Deandre “The Bull” Latimore (19-1, 16 KOs).

Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks
The co-feature showcases the Gateway City’s fastest-rising star, undefeated World Boxing Council No. 1-ranked super lightweight Devon Alexander “The Great” (17-0, 10 KOs) meeting an opponent to be announced.

Kevin Cunningham and Devon Alexander “The Great”


Both fights will be televised on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT (10 p.m. CT, delayed on the West Coast). A full undercard will be presented. Doors open at 6 p.m.

“I love St. Louis and I’m happy to have the top three prizefighters from this great American city on the same card at Scottrade Center,” King said. “Spring is almost here so it’s the perfect time to meet me in St. Louis on April 24 to see the best of the old and best of the new. It's going to be what we call a Lou thing.”


The event is promoted by Don King Productions with Spinks vs. Latimore presented in association with Rumble Time Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.


Spinks, 31, is a former undisputed welterweight champion who also held the IBF junior middleweight championship, a crown he won in St. Louis on July 8, 2006, by winning a majority decision over then-champion Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin.

Spinks lost that title at Scottrade Center on March 27, 2008, dropping a split decision to Verno Phillips after making the decision to split with his longtime trainer and manager Kevin Cunningham. Spinks and Cunningham have since reconciled and are working together again, and Phillips has vacated the title to move up to the middleweight division. Spinks thinks he will regain the title because his vast world championship experience will be too much for his 23-year-old cross-town rival.

“Deandre faced my stablemate Devon Alexander in the amateurs when they were both coming up,” Spinks said. “My question to Deandre is who have you faced? The first time he met a guy with a winning record, Ian Gardner knocked him out in three. He stopped Sechew Powell in his last fight but he’s not ready for me yet.”

Latimore, 23, met Powell in the biggest fight of his young career during his most-recent appearance on June 11 at the Hard Rock Times Square in New York. Powell had earned the IBF’s No. 1 ranking in the junior middleweight division and was mandatory challenger to face the newly crowned champion Phillips but decided to face Latimore first.

The match was competitive until the seventh round when Latimore broke through, hurting Powell with a right hook. Latimore rocked Powell again with an uppercut before pinning him in a corner. Powell’s lack of an appropriate response led the referee to halt the contest in a major upset victory for Latimore.

Latimore co-promoter Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment, is looking forward to the event.

“It is an honor to work on this show with Don King, as well as co-promote boxing’s next great young champion, Deandre Latimore, with our partner Rumble Time Promotions,” DiBella said. “The Battle of St. Lou will guarantee high drama.”

Alexander, a 22-year-old phenom who is also trained by Cunningham, was recently named mandatory challenger to the WBC 140-pound champion, so he has his first world championship match riding on this fight.

“A world championship fight is what I have been working towards my whole life,” Alexander said. “To earn that chance in front of my hometown fans in St. Louis would mean a lot to me.”

Spinks won his first world title by defeating Michele Piccirillo in 2003 to become the IBF welterweight champion. He added the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association 147-pound titles by defeating Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga later that year.

After successfully defending his crowns with a unanimous decision win over Zab “Super” Judah in a seesaw affair in 2004 that saw both fighters hitting the canvas, Spinks agreed to a rematch with Judah in front of a record crowd of 22,370 in his hometown on Feb. 5, 2005. Judah scored a technical knockout in round nine to spoil Spinks’s homecoming.

After moving up to 154 pounds and becoming world champion again, Spinks took a one-time gamble at 160 pounds to challenge then-World Boxing Council and -World Boxing Organization middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor at the FedEx Forum in Memphis on May 19, 2007.

Taylor experienced tremendous difficulty exerting his will over Spinks, who proved he could compete at the higher weight by darting in and out of range while landing during exchanges. Ringside experts and judges had difficulty agreeing on a winner after the fight went the distance. In a rarity, one judge favored Spinks by the wide margin of 117-111, while another judge favored Taylor by the same score. The third judge favored Taylor 115-113 to break the deadlock.

Nick Charles will describe the ShoBox action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood serving as expert anlyst The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phil dir 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.
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©®™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

Don King Brings Star-Studded Fight Card to China on Nov. 7, World Championship Boxing at Sichuan Gymnasium in Chengdu;

CHENGDU, China—Fresh from the great success of the recent Olympic Games in Beijing, boxing promoter Don King has announced two heavyweight fights, a WBC Strawweight world championship and two additional matches featuring a former five-time world champion and a top-ranked undefeated challenger will all be part of his international fight card that he is presenting with Chengdu Sports Industry at Sichuan Gymnasium in Chengdu, China, on Friday, Nov. 7.

The greatest Polish heavyweight in history, Andrew Golota (41-6-1, 33 KOs), from Warsaw, Poland, will meet former No. 1 heavyweight contender Ray “The Rainman” Austin (24-4-4, 16 KOs), from Cleveland, Ohio, for the World Boxing Council USNBC International heavyweight championship.

A WBC heavyweight elimination bout will also be showcased, pitting established contender Jameel “Big Time” McCline (38-9-1, 23 KOs), from New York, against one of Chicago’s best young punchers, “Merciless” Mike Mollo (19-2, 12 KOs).

The interim WBC strawweight championship will be up for grabs when Juan “El Exterminador” Palacios (24-2, 19 KOs), from Managua, Nicaragua, squares off against Japanese champion Teruo Misawa (18-4-4, 7 KOs), who hails from Tokyo.

The Chinese crowd will also be treated to two of the best professional prizefighters in the sport appearing in separate bouts against opponents to be named. Former five-time world champion “The Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera (63-6, 42 KOs), from Mexico City, will appear at lightweight and undefeated WBC No. 1-ranked super lightweight Devon Alexander “The Great” (15-0, 8 KOs), from St. Louis, Mo., will compete at the 140-pound limit.

A WBC female middleweight championship will be contested when champion Wang “China Doll” Ya Nan (7-0, 3 KOs), from Shanghai, China, defends her crown against Akondaye Fountain (7-1, 4 KOs), from Houston, Texas.

King has themed the event as “We Are Together,” which is the English translation of Wo Men Zai Yi Qi—the rallying cry used by the Chinese people to lift the spirits of those who were struck by May’s devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province near Chengdu that registered 8.0 on the Richter scale. Thousands perished in the temblor and that also left 1.5 million people homeless.

“We are all truly together in bringing this international event to China,” King said. “We are an American company coming together with our friends at Chinese Sports Industry to present this history-making fight card in Chengdu. The World Boxing Council will host its annual convention in Chengdu at the same time. And all of us support the ongoing recovery in Sichuan Province after the earthquake.

“The Chinese people proved their resilience by presenting China’s first Olympic Games in tremendous fashion and we will present a professional prizefighting success in Chengdu on Nov. 7. Working together we can achieve great things.”

This historic boxing event coincides with and will conclude the WBC’s 46th world convention, which begins in Chengdu on Sunday, Nov. 2.

The 40-year-old Andrew Golota, who has lived in Chicago since emigrating from Warsaw in 1991, is one of the best heavyweights to have never won a world title. He has been in four heavyweight world-championship matches, including three in a row during 2005 and 2006.

He fought then International Boxing Federation heavyweight champion Chris Byrd to a draw at Madison Square Garden in 2004, and later that year—after knocking down then World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz twice in the second round at the Garden (and Ruiz had a point deducted for hitting on the break in round four)—he still suffered a decision loss. Many ringside observers felt Golota had won both contests.

Golota was defeated in the first round while attempting to dethrone knockout artist and then World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion “Relentless” Lamon Brewster in 2005. His first world title appearance in 1997 ended the same way against Lennox Lewis.

Golota recently rebounded with three wins. Most notably, he defeated Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride with a technical knockout in round six when they met in 2007, and in his most recent appearance on Jan. 19, he won a unanimous decision over “Merciless” Mike Mollo.

Standing in the way of Golota’s quest for a fifth chance at a world championship is durable Ray “The Rainman” Austin, a competitor who has risen from the tough streets of Cleveland to become a world-championship-level contender.

Austin is a mammoth 6-foot-6-inch puncher who normally weighs just below 250 pounds. His size and strength alone present challenges for anyone stepping into the ring with him.

When he is in peak physical condition, he can contend with anyone as evidenced by the fact that he fought all of the following notable fighters to a draw: Lance “Mount” Whitaker, Larry Donald and future heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov.

Austin earned his first and only world-title shot when he faced IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on March 10, 2007, where he suffered a second-round technical knockout at the hands of the Ukrainian giant.

He won a unanimous decision over Domonic Jenkins in Carson, Calif., on Sept. 27 in his last outing.

Jameel McCline has been a “whisker” away from winning his first heavyweight world championship, twice, and has contended in four world championship matches.

He is another giant boxer that stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and has weighed as much as 277 pounds before entering the ring. For a big man who came to the sport later than most, his athletic abilities and agility—not to mention punching power—are astonishing.

He beat Michael Grant and Lance “Mount” Whitaker in 2001, and the following year he defeated Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs and faced Wladimir Klitschko in his first world-championship match. He fought gamely against Klitschko but suffered a 10th-round loss by technical knockout.

He shocked then IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd when they met at Madison Square Garden in 2004, sending Byrd to the canvas with a devastating right hand early in the second round. Byrd literally hung on to McCline in desperation and narrowly escaped being knocked out. Byrd not only recovered but went on to win a narrow split decision.

McCline regained his championship-level skills in 2007 when he and Nikolai “Russian Giant” Valuev set an all-time record for combined weight at 590 pounds. McCline suffered a heartbreaking loss in his third world-championship appearance when he was forced to withdraw against Valuev after suffering a freak knee injury at the end of the third round that left him unable to continue.

Undaunted, McCline became a last-minute substitute after Oleg Maskaev was sidelined after a training injury just before he was to meet Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter for the WBC interim heavyweight championship at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 6, 2007. McCline shocked Peter by sending him to the canvas in the second round and twice more in the third. The referee almost halted the contest, but Peter survived the round and rebounded to win by decision.

Mike Mollo wants to end McCline’s quest to appear in another championship match and catapult himself back into title contention. The Chicago native ran his undefeated record to 15-0 before suffering his first setback at the hands of DaVarryl “Touch of Sleep” Williamson in 2005.

The young prospect regrouped quickly, and stunned Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride with a second-round stoppage when they met in 2006.

In the biggest test of his career, Mollo tangled with Andrew Golota earlier this year in a highly entertaining slugfest. Mollo had his opponent staggered on several occasions, but the wily Golota survived the early storm to prevail by decision after 12 rounds.

Juan Palacios fought for and won the WBC interim strawweight championship by defeating Omar Soto by technical knockout in round 10 when they met in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on Aug. 2.

Palacios comes from the notoriously tough streets of Managua, Nicaragua, and like so many of his fellow countrymen before him, he fights in an exciting, straightforward style. He is a busy fighter who is comfortable boxing or brawling.

His challenger, Japanese champion Teruo Misawa has built a respectable record and will be fighting for the first time outside of his native country. He plans to use this opportunity to prove himself on the world stage.

Marco Antonio Barrera is one of the greatest fighters of this era, winning five world titles in three separate weight divisions. Now a lightweight, Barrera would like nothing more than to become the first Mexican-born champion to win world titles in four weight divisions before he hangs up his gloves.

His wins over Prince Naseem Hamed, Erik Morales, Johnny Tapia and Paulie Ayala will always be remembered in the annals of boxing history and by boxing fans everywhere for the way Barrera displayed his considerable skills and tremendous heart.

Chinese fans will also be able to witness one of the top prospects in all of boxing when Devon Alexander appears on the card. Fans in his native St. Louis are expecting great things from this undefeated WBC No. 1-ranked contender at the 140-pound limit. Boxing aficionados have also been buzzing about the emerging skills of this 21-year-old, who will be challenging for a world title in the very near future.

Don King Productions will return to China to co-promote a historic fight card with Chengdu Sports Industry at Sichuan Gymnasium in Chengdu on Friday, Nov. 7. Please see event press release attached and below.

Also please our event web page at

http://www.donking.com/events/chengdu_11708/index.php

Alan Hopper
Don King Productions
Event Page:

http://www.donking.com/events/chengdu_11708/index.php

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

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