SKIP "STRICTLY BUSINESS" SCOTT Comments on July 2nd Heavyweight Championship fight between Klitschko vs Haye

Are you excited about the up coming fight between Klitschko and Haye?

I am excited. It is a very interesting fight and has been talked about for three years.

What were your thoughts when you saw the fight was finally made?

Exactly that, finally! But I do know it is a business and Haye did an incredible job promoting the fight and talking it up, so he not only has European fans interested but actually the World is going to be watching this fight. We haven't had that kind of excitement in the Heavyweight division in years.
Who do you think is happier that the fight is finally made Klitschko or Haye?

That is easy, Haye! He gets a chance to be the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World and his biggest pay day he has ever had. Not bad. Not bad at all!

Who do you think will win the fight and how will that fighter win?

Ouch...that is a million dollar question! I believe it will not go into round 7. You have two hard punchers with questionable chins. Both fighters have been knocked out. At the same time Klitschko's defense and the ability to avoid big punches has improved incredibly well with Emanuel Stewart working with him. Haye has fought tall fighters but none of them are the same as the jab and right hand he will face with Klitschko. I think you will see some interesting movement from both in the first three rounds......then we will see a dogfight...Haye's speed could be an advantage in a slugfest in close.

Do you think the outcome of fight will affect the Heavyweight division and why?

Only if Haye wins. Everyone is ready for a change in the Heavyweight division. It will open a lot of doors and bring some talking back to the division.

If you had to choose which guy you would rather fight?

I would love to fight either, especially Klitschko. He has been champion for the last few years and I think my style would give him problems. I can outjab him because I have a longer reach. He has more experience than me but my heart and desire to win would prevail. He is a great champion but it's getting close to my time to shine. America needs a heavyweight they can be proud of that can box and slug....I'm that guy.

So what if Haye wins would you fight him?

In a New York minute. Yes, he is fast and quick and packs a punch but so do I. I am just as fast as Haye if not faster. My speed is very deceptive because of my size. Not only can I fight at a distance but I can fight in close and when he tries to get close to me he will get hit with jaw breaking uppercuts. So yes I would love to fight Haye, and I wish him the best of luck against Klitschko cause win, lose or draw one of those guys will have to fight me if not both and I am up for the challenge.

Recently...in fact...this past weekend HBO featured a heavyweight fight.

What were your thoughts about the Stiverne vs Austin fight?

If anyone can bring the heavyweights back into the picture is Don King knows that arena well. Stiverne is a new upcoming prospect with a little 'pop' in his punches. Austin still has good experience. I would love to fight either one and sincerely believe I would stop both earlier than the 10th round.

Looking at your record you haven't fought an eight round fight yet.

Are you ready for 8 to 10 rounders?

Absolutely! I train and spar 10-12 rounds. Look ...I've taken my time to do this right so I can be the best heavyweight America can produce. I'm throwing 60 punches a round...every round. I'm jabbing like a heavyweight should. I am a fierce body puncher. I'm ready for television. My agent/promoter, Kerry Daigle, has two to three more fights lined up this year for me. From there...As Mills Lane would say, "Let's get it on"!!

♔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.

Newly-crowned IBF Cruiserweight Champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek of Jersey City and Golwice, Poland returns to Newark’s Prudential Center on Friday, February 27th to make the first defense of his world title against Detroit’s undefeated Johnathon Banks when Main Events and Ziggy Promotions, in association with K2 Promotions, bring boxing back to “The Rock.” The inaugural event of Main Events’ “Brick City Boxing Series” at the Prudential Center also will be aired on Showtime as part of its ShoBox boxing series.

Just a month ago, Adamek (36-1, 24 KO’s) thrilled thousands of cheering fans as he electrified Newark’s state-of-the art arena, scoring three knockdowns over defending champion Steve Cunningham, to earn a blistering 12-round win in a fight that many boxing scribes have dubbed “The Fight of the Year.” Also the former WBC Light Heavyweight Champion, Adamek is no stranger to “Fight of the Year” consideration. Making his first-ever US appearance, the former Polish national amateur standout traveled to Chicago in May of 2005 and defeated Number One Contender Paul Briggs in a brutal 12-round slugfest hailed as a candidate for “Fight of the Year” honors.

Rated number 8 in the world by the IBF and number 1 by WBO, Banks (20-0, 14 KO’s) is a product of Detroit’s famed Kronk Gym, where he is managed by Motor City boxing legend, Emmanuel Steward. A Hall of Fame trainer/manager/color commentator, Steward has helmed the careers of numerous notable world champions, including Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns, former Heavyweight Champions Michael Moorer and Lennox Lewis and current World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko, to name a few. Banks has had the benefit of training side by side with Lewis and Klitschko throughout his career and is associated with the Klitschko brothers’ promotional arm, K2.

Noted Boxing writer Tim Smith said of the Adamek - Cunningham battle , “Fight Of The Year: My pick is Tomasz Adamek - Steve Cunningham for the IBF Cruiserweight title….I saw it live at the Prudential Center in Newark….(The fans) were treated to a rousing display of courage and guts. Adamek had Cunningham on the canvas three times in the fight, and twice he had him down and hurt. But Cunningham kept bouncing back up and firing at Adamek, who has a granite chin….How either man stayed upright for 12 rounds is beyond me.”



“Sometimes, when a fighter with an exciting style, like Tomasz Adamek, gets the chance to perform in front of a huge, enthusiastic crowd of supporters, the level of excitement rises to the point where magic happens,” said promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events. “Tomasz’ appearance at the Prudential Center last month was one of the most exhilarating nights of boxing that I have experienced in a long time. I can’t wait to get back there on February 27th to watch Tomasz make the magic happen again with Johnathon Banks. I have no doubt that everyone who was lucky enough to be there in person last month feels the same way.”

“We are looking forward to this fight for Johnathon,” said Tom Loeffler, managing director of K2 Promotions. “Adamek is considered the #1 Cruiserweight in the world, but Emanuel has been working with Banks his entire career to get him ready for a fight like this. Johnathon has sparred numerous rounds with Wladimir over the last few years, and he hits a lot harder than Adamek. It is a tough fight, but we believe that Banks will beat Adamek to become champion and join Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko as Champions for K2 Promotions.”

“Boxing is back in Brick City and Prudential Center is proud to usher in a new era of championship fighting with Main Events”, said Brian Gale, director of marketing and booking at the arena. “We are excited to welcome back Adamek and hope to give boxing fans quality fights for years to come at Prudential Center.”

An exciting seven-bout undercard featuring local fan favorites is being finalized and will be announced shortly. The first bout starts at 8:30 p.m. and doors open at 8 p.m.

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

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

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

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

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

Ladbrokes.com Fight Night - Press Release: Lee gearing up for Limerick

Lee pictured in training with Wladimir Klitschko and trainer Emanuel Steward


Each morning as Andy Lee steps out to begin his roadwork he peers up at the highest peaks of the Austrian Alps. The fresh, clean mountain air is the perfect setting for clearing his thoughts as he begins his daily run up the picturesque foothills of the imposing mountain range.

With each step he leaves behind the memories of the first defeat of his professional career but looming large in the foreground is the imposing figure of Willie “The Gladiator” Gibbs – the power punching American who will stand across the ring from Lee in his native Limerick on July 19th on the next Ladbrokes.com Fight Night.

Now well into a 6 week training camp in Austria where he’s training alongside and sparring with World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko Lee’s only focus is on next month’s date at the University Sports Arena in his native city.

“It’s beautiful out here,” said Lee. “The scenery is fabulous and the facilities are terrific. It’s great going running in the mornings with the Alps as a backdrop and the fresh mountain air but ultimately I’m here on business.”

As well as getting some ring time with Klitschko Lee ha also imported some top class sparring as he bids to return to winning ways following his shock defeat to Brian Vera in March.

“I’ve been sparring with one of the top German middleweights who recently fought for the European title and we‘ve had some really good spars. That’s helped me to shed the ring rust that accumulated since the Vera fight and can really feel my timing and sharpness improving every day.”

Not for the first time in his career Lee finds himself sharing a training camp with Klitschko, courtesy of the fact that both men are coached by Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward. Klitschko is preparing for the next defence of his title against American Tony Thompson in Hamburg on July 5th and Lee says he’s benefiting from the experience.

“It’s great to see how the heavyweight champion of the world goes about his business. He’s exceptionally dedicated and focused and he’s a great influence to have around. I’ve done some sparring with him and it benefits both of us. It helps him with his speed and helps me with my strength and conditioning and of course it’s a great experience sharing the ring with the heavyweight champion of the world.”

Lee turned 24 earlier this month but the birthday celebrations are well and truly on hold until after his clash with Gibbs. In fact the Castleconnell man admits much of the last few months were spent mulling over his defeat to Vera.

“Initially it was very difficult, it still is but those first few weeks were very, very tough. I came back home to Limerick and shut myself away. I had great support from my family and people back home in Limerick and I had a couple of good conversations with Damian McCann who’s been a great help all through my career and Brian Peters.

“My confidence was badly shaken but ultimately I still believe I can go on to achieve all my goals. People say to me ‘well at least you don’t have that weight of expectation on your shoulders now’ but I still have the same expectations of myself that I’ve always had. Other people’s expectations might have changed but not mine.”

Although he admits watching reruns of the Vera fight have been difficult the Athens Olympian says he has learned from the defeat.

“I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights thinking the fight through and wondering where it all went wrong. I’ve pinpointed the reasons behind it and I’m working hard in and out of the ring to address them.

“I suppose complacency was a major factor, things were moving very quickly for me at that point and there were fights lined up beyond the Vera fight and I got caught up in that and started looking beyond him.

“With the reputation and build up I was getting and with the fight being live on ESPN across the States it was a big stage for both of us and it was only natural that he was going to come in and try and spoil all that for me. He was very hungry and determined and it was his world title fight.

“I was just treating it as another fight but he saw it as his big chance and fair play to him he took it. He was very determined and had prepared excellently and that’s one of the many lessons I’ve taken from it. You can’t overlook anyone and you have to be at your best every time you step between those ropes.”

With the benefit of hindsight Lee also accepts that he fought the wrong fight tactically against Vera. “I suppose there was a macho element involved because when he got through with some good shots I wanted to get in my reply straight away so that led me into a brawl and what has always stood to me in my career has been my boxing skills but that went out the window when the crowd started cheering and I got drawn into his fight. That was a valuable lesson.”

Lee is adamant however that he’s not going to fall back on making excuses for the defeat. “No excuses, full stop. I’ve no one to blame but myself, it’s my career and the buck stops with me so there’s no point in looking around for scapegoats or coming up with excuses.”

Now having dealt with the physical and psychological scars from the Vera defeat Lee is happy to move on and take what he’s hoping is a calculated risk in fighting the highly rated Gibbs.

“A win over Gibbs will probably put me ahead of where I’d have been even if I’d beaten Brian Vera so I’m in no doubt that Gibbs will be treating this fight against me the very same as Vera did. He sees this as his big chance to get back on top. His only defeats have been to top guys in America so he’s a very dangerous fighter and his record shows that he can punch too.”

Indeed with 16 of Gibbs 20 wins having come via knockout many believe that Lee was deserving of an easier nights work as he attempted to bounce back from a defeat. Lee though dismisses that notion.

“I could have taken an easier opponent but I don’t think that would have been right. Limerick people know their sport and I wouldn’t expect them to turn up and pay good money to see me have an easy night. They pay good money to see a good fight, and I think myself and Gibbs will certainly give them their money’s worth.

“It’s a good card because Paul Mcloskey’s in a tough fight as well and then you have guys like Stephen Haughian, John O’Donnell and Jamie Power coming through on the undercard so I think it should be a great night for Limerick and I’m really looking forward to it now.”

Lee’s professional ambitions have seen him leave Limerick for Detroit where he linked up with Emanuel Steward but he admits his thoughts are never far from home.

“The people of Limerick have always been a great support to me, but even more so when I was down after the Vera defeat. They really helped to lift me when I was back home. Everyone I met in the street never said a bad word to me or tried to put me down. People told me that they were still proud of me and that I would be back. It meant an awful lot to me to hear that and that's why I love my city.

“Limerick is the best sporting city in Ireland with the best supporters in Ireland and I hope to bring big time boxing to Limerick and to make Limerick the boxing capital of Ireland."

The 8 fight card in Limerick is packed with talent. The chief support contest will feature the undefeated and highly rated Paul McCloskey as he takes on English Champion Nigel Wright.

Also in action is welterweight prospect Stephen Haughian from Lurgan, Galway’s John O’Donnell, former Lee opponent, Jason McKay, Limerick’s own Jamie Power, Castlebar puncher Keith Cresham and the pro debut of Canadian – Irishman Logan McGuinness.

Tickets for the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night priced from €60 are available from Ticketmaster.ie and all usual outlets.

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

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

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

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