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Showing posts with label Gary Shaw. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gary Shaw. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Bobby Gunn Calls Out Kimbo Slice, Gary Shaw


Former IBA world cruiserweight champion Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” Gunn (21-5-1, 18 KO) recently expressed his interest in fighting street fighter turned You Tube sensation, turned MMA fighter turned pro boxer, Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson (7-0, 6 KO) inside the squared circle.
Outside of the boxing ring both fighters carry a more than reputable standing on the bare knuckle circuit, and in 2010 both parties nearly came to an agreement to wage war without gloves as Gunn’s team offered Team Slice $400,000 for a fight. Slice and his team rejected the offer.
Gunn has established himself as the top dog in bare knuckle boxing, winning the first sanctioned even in 123 years. 
“Kimbo and his team can pretend to deny that they were ever contacted about our fight,” said Gunn. “But the writer who broke the original story was Lorne Scoggins, and he was in contact with both camps. It’s simple. On the street, in a vacant warehouse or in the ring, fighters fight. And it doesn’t make a difference to me; every fight is important to me. To be the man, you have to beat the man. And Kimbo Slice, you will never be the man.”
Now nearly three years later, Slice has since moved on from dominating less than formidable street opponents, having done his time as a MMA fighter inside the octagon, and now is focusing his career on professional prize fighting. 
Since turning pro in 2011 Slice has won the first seven fights of his career, with his opponent’s total combined records of 13-19. One of the baddest backyard fighters of recent times, Slice has fallen short in showing his dominance inside the ring. Now promoted by Gary Shaw, Slice is slowly working his way to bigger and better fights in the heavyweight division.
“Kimbo has never proved himself against any reputable opponents,” said Gunn. “He avoided us in the bare knuckle circuit, and since turning pro as a boxer he has struggled to walk through the tomato cans Gary Shaw has put in front of him. I’ve reached out to Shaw countless times to show my interest in going to battle with Slice. We are both bare knuckle legends, and it would be a hell of a show if we met in the ring. Kimbo needs to show he is the real deal and fight a real fighter, and I am more than willing to give him the chance.”
Gunn’s last outing between the ropes was a hard-nosed battle fought against future Hall-of-Famer James Toney, where Gunn suffered a broken hand in the 4th round and was unable to fight past the 5th. 
“A fight with Kimbo makes sense,” Gunn continued. “He wants recognition as a boxer, and he needs to stop fighting these jokers they put in front of him. He wasn’t ready to man up three years ago when we presented him the chance to fight without the gloves. Now we can see if his bite is as bad as his bite by him stepping up and agreeing to fight me. It’s not complicated. It’s time to step up to the plate Kimbo.”
At 39-years-old, Kimbo needs to take on a statement fight in order to establish his legitimacy as a gloved contender. 
Gunn expressed he is willing to fight Slice at the location of his choosing, and whenever he feels ready.




♔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.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Gary Shaw Responds To Tarver's Positive Drug Test‏

Promoter Gary Shaw is concerned about the damage done in the sport of boxing after the news Friday that Antonio Tarver tested positive for a banned substance in a pre-fight drug test conducted by the California State Athletic Commission before his fight with Lateef Kayode.

"It's very worrisome where our sport is heading these days with the recent array of fighters testing positive for banned substances," Shaw said. "With all these fights being canceled its killing the sport and I hope the networks are not going to lose interest. As promoters, we do our best to make sure everyone is abiding by the rules. I'm happy that the commissions are stepping up their stance on catching fighters cheating because the safety of the fighter should always come first.

"It's unfortunate that in Lateef Kayode's first major opportunity, he had to fight on what appears to be an unlevel playing field. I have a lot of respect for Antonio Tarver and would be very disappointed to find out that he knowingly took performance enhancing drugs. It is my hope that Tarver requests that the B sample will be tested and will show that Tarver was clean. However if the sample comes back dirty, then the commission should take appropriate action. It was a very close fight as it was ruled a split draw, but now that we have been informed by the California State Athletic Commission about the alleged drug use, I'll have to talk to Lateef and his management team to see what we'll do to resolve this matter.

"In addition, the horrible scoring by the judges, the excessive use of PED's, and the inability of promoters working together, is only going to kill this sport,'' Shaw continued. "Something needs to be done and major changes need to be made, and the time is now. The boxing business is getting worse by the day and we are losing fans by the minute. Boxing has been around longer than any other sport and we must keep the integrity of the game pure. I implore the commissions around the United States to take severe action against any fighter who doesn't abide by the commissions' standards. We need a strict drug testing policy to rid the sport of those that don't want to play by the rules, and we need more competent judges."

♔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.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Bernard Hopkins & Chad Dawson's promoter Gary Shaw go at it at the Rematch Presser


Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson's promoter Gary Shaw exchange words at the Hopkins vs. Dawson Rematch press conference. The fight takes place Saturday, April 28th, 2012 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. It will be broadcast live on HBO World Championship Boxing.

♔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.

Bernard Hopkins accuses promoter Gary Shaw of lobbying the NJ Boxing Commission

Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard Hopkins accuses Chad Dawson's promoter Gary Shaw of lobbying the NJ Boxing Commission. The Rematch fight between Hopkins vs. Dawson will take place Saturday, April 28th, 2011 at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ. It will be broadcast live on HBO World Championship Boxing.

♔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.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Thomas Dulorme’s NABF welterweight title shot to go ahead, Aris Ambriz drafted in as late replacement


Undefeated Puerto Rican welterweight prospect, Thomas Dulorme (13-0-0, 10ko), was scheduled to fight Jose Reynoso (15-3-1, 2ko) on ShoBox, February 17, but Reynoso pulled out with a hip injury. Aris Ambriz (16-2-1, 8ko) has agreed to step in as a late replacement and the main event will move forward.Promoter Gary Shaw stated: "Ambriz is a tough fighter and he’ll give Dulorme everything he’s got. This is a big opportunity for him going up against one of the best up and coming prospects in boxing and he’s promised to deliver a great show. Dulorme is ready to go and he’s looking to shine on ShoBox."Dulorme versus Ambriz is for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) welterweight title in the main event on ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, February 17, live on Showtime (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). The bout takes place at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California.

♔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.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

BELIEVE IT OR NOT! BERNARD "THE EXECUTIONER" HOPKINS TO FACE FORMER WORLD CHAMPION "BAD" CHAD DAWSON ON OCTOBER 15‏


BELIEVE IT OR NOT! BERNARD "THE EXECUTIONER" HOPKINS TO FACE FORMER WORLD CHAMPION "BAD" CHAD DAWSON ON OCTOBER 15‏

believeitornot, THE OLDEST CHAMPION IN BOXING HISTORY BERNARD "THE EXECUTIONER" HOPKINS TO FACE

FORMER WORLD CHAMPION "BAD" CHAD DAWSON ON OCTOBER 15 IN "believeitornot: HOPKINS VS. DAWSON"

THE WBC AND RING MAGAZINE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT WILL TAKE PLACE AT STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES AND WILL BE PRESENTED LIVE BY HBO PAY-PER-VIEW®
STACKED PAY-PER-VIEW TELEVISED FIGHT CARD TO INCLUDE

ANTONIO DEMARCO VS. JORGE LINARES LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT AND KENDALL HOLT VS. DANNY GARCIA JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT ELIMINATION BOUT

It is hard to believe what WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Champion Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins has achieved during his 23-year long professional career. He was the middleweight champion for ten years, notched a record 20 successful title defenses of that crown and at 46-years-old, has become the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a world title. It's also hard to believe that a young lion like former World Champion "Bad" Chad Dawson, who has wanted a shot at Hopkins for years, will finally get his opportunity to stop Hopkins from continuing his record-breaking journey. "believeitornot : Hopkins vs. Dawson" takes place on Saturday, October 15 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

In addition to this championship main event showdown, the televised pay-per-view undercard will also feature Antonio DeMarco vs. Jorge Linares in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Lightweight World Title and Kendall Holt vs. Danny Garcia in 12-round bout for the vacant NABO Junior Welterweight Title which will also be an eliminator for the number one rating by the WBC and the number two rating by the IBF

"believeitornot": Hopkins vs. Dawson" is a 12-round bout for Hopkins' WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championship Titles. The event is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T and Ripley's Believe It or Not, a new sponsor to the fight game who forged a relationship with Hopkins earlier this year when they made a wax figure of the future Hall of Famer, which will be unveiled during fight week in Los Angeles and displayed at a Ripley's Odditorium in the future. DeMarco vs. Linares is presented in association with Teiken Promotions.

"Chad Dawson has earned the right to challenge me for my titles and I know he's been looking for this fight for a long time," said Hopkins, who will be defending the WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Championships he captured from Jean Pascal on May 21. "But you've got to be careful what you wish for because, believe it or not, I will be prepared once again to beat father time and show the world what I can do. Jean Pascal underestimated me and Chad Dawson better not do the same. He is going to walk away empty-handed on October 15 and I will make history once again."

"Bernard has had a great career, but his believe it or not run as boxing's oldest champion is over now," said former World Champion Chad Dawson. "A strange series of events led to him getting my title, but this was all a temporary side story. I am the true light heavyweight champion of the world and on October 15, I will put the world back where it should be and reclaim my belt."

"The story of Bernard Hopkins is perhaps the most amazing story in boxing and he keeps adding chapters with each great performance," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "He is coming off of a historic victory over Jean Pascal and while most fighters would have rested or come back in an easy fight, Bernard insisted on facing a dangerous challenger in Chad Dawson and I have no doubt that he will amaze the sports world once again and remain the oldest world champion in history. On top of an incredible main event, fight fans will see two explosive matches in the opening fights as Jorge Linares takes on Antonio DeMarco and undefeated star Danny Garcia faces Kendall Holt. This lineup is a night of boxing you will not want to miss as the card is stacked with talent from top to bottom."

Said Gary Shaw, President and CEO of Gary Shaw Productions: "As a boxing fan, I almost hate to see Bernard's run at the top of the division come to an end, but sadly, that's what is about to happen. Chad Dawson is the rightful champion in this division and, like all good fairy tales, Bernard's is about to conclude. On the undercard we have two sensational match-ups for our fighters and I look forward to watching Kendall Holt and Antonio DeMarco emerge victorious."

"Not only does he refuse to rest on his laurels, but at age 46 Bernard Hopkins is taking on one of the best light heavyweights in the world in Chad Dawson," said Mark Taffet of HBO Pay-Per-View. "We look forward to this matchup and the next chapter in Hopkins' history on October 15."

A future Hall of Famer, Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KO's) has shocked the world by accomplishing more after 40 years old than most athletes do in their entire careers. A proud native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hopkins rebounded from a seemingly dead end struggle with life in the streets and a stint in prison to become an inspirational figure who has proven that hard work and determination will allow you to overcome any odds. After coming up the hard way in the ring, Hopkins won the IBF Middleweight World Title against Segundo Mercado in April of 1995 and he wouldn't surrender the belt for 10 years, defending the title a record 20 times against the likes of John David Jackson, Glen Johnson, Simon Brown, Antwun Echols, Keith Holmes, Felix Trinidad, William Joppy, Oscar de la Hoya and Howard Eastman. Following the controversial loss of his title to Jermain Taylor in 2005, Hopkins reinvented himself as a light heavyweight at the age of 41, shocking Antonio Tarver with a unanimous decision victory in 2006, but he wasn't done yet as he went on to defeat Winky Wright, Kelly Pavlik and avenge a previous loss to Roy Jones Jr., with the only blemishes on his record being a narrow split decision loss to Joe Calzaghe and a controversial draw with Jean Pascal. Even after all of those accomplishments, the best was yet to come, as the 46-year-old Hopkins decisioned Pascal in their rematch in May of this year, earning him the WBC and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Titles and true boxing immortality.

At just 29 years old, New Haven, Connecticut's "Bad" Chad Dawson (30-1, 17 KO's) has been considered one of the top fighters in the sport for years and despite his impressive 7-1 record in world title fights, he knows that everything is riding on his October 15 showdown with "The Executioner." The son of a former boxer, Dawson was a stellar amateur, posting a 67-13 record that included an under-19 National Championship. He turned professional in 2001 and fluctuated from middleweight to light heavyweight in his early years, winning a WBC Youth title at 160 pounds in 2003 that he defended three times. In 2005, he defeated Ian Gardner for the vacant NABO middleweight title, but in 2006 he decided that light heavyweight would be his home, and he quickly made his mark with a 12 round win over Eric Harding that earned him the NABF light heavyweight crown. In his next fight, on February 3, 2007, Dawson won his first world championship, decisioning 31-0 Tomasz Adamek. Over his next six fights, Dawson established himself as one of boxing's best as he scored two wins each over Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson and while he lost his belt to Jean Pascal via decision in August of 2010, a clear-cut win over Adrian Diaconu in May put him right back in line for another world title and the biggest fight of his life.

Hard-hitting Mexican standout Antonio DeMarco (25-2-1, 18 KO's) has been a favorite among fight fans ever since his exciting win over Nick Casal in 2007 and he continues to impress with his power and tenacious style. The former WBC Interim Lightweight World Champion and 25-year-old Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico native has notched knockout wins over Kid Diamond, Jose Alfaro and Daniel Attah. After suffering his only defeat in the last five years, a 2010 loss to the late Edwin Valero, DeMarco has learned his lesson and is well-prepared to regain his title and re-cement his place among the lightweight elite.

"I've been waiting for the opportunity to get the WBC title back for over a year and I'm very excited that it's finally here," said DeMarco. "Linares is a great fighter and a two-time champion, but that's what I want. I don't want an easy fight to win the title, I want to beat the best to know that I'm the best, and that's what I'm going to prove in October."

Nicknamed "El Nino de Oro" ("The Golden Boy"), Venezuela's Jorge Linares (31-1, 20 KO's) is one of the most accomplished 25-year-old fighters you will ever find, already having compiled two world championships in two weight divisions. In 2007, Linares won the WBC Featherweight World Title with a tenth round technical knockout over Mexican great Oscar "Chololo" Larios, then a little over a year later, he added the WBA Super Featherweight World Title with a fifth round stoppage of Whyber Garcia. After losing his belt in 2009, the exciting sharpshooter began his assault on the lightweight division, defeating top contender Rocky Juarez and former World Champion Jesus "El Matador" Chavez along the way. Now, he has moved his training camp to Hollywood to train with the legendary Freddie Roach at Wild Card Boxing Club and will be more than ready for his shot at a third divisional championship against DeMarco.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity to fight DeMarco for the WBC World Championship," said Linares. "I am preparing for this fight with my new trainer, Freddie Roach and his team. It has been great camp and I will be 100% prepared to win the fight on October 15."

A talented boxer who enters the ring with a compelling mix of speed and power, Kendall "Rated R" Holt (27-4, 15 KO's) is believed by many to just be hitting his prime at the age of 30. A former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion, the Paterson, New Jersey native owns wins over David Diaz, Isaac Hlatshwayo and Ricardo Torres, and his highlight reel of knockout victories is one of the best in the sport. Fresh off of knockout wins over Lenin Arroyo and Julio Diaz, Holt is looking forward to his showdown with Garcia as he looks to climb back into the world title picture.

"I've watched Garcia on the way up and he's a talented kid, but I'm a man in this game and I'm ready to show it on October 15," said Holt. "This is Jersey vs. Philly and I know he'll be coming hard, but I'll be coming harder. He may be younger, but I'm hungrier."

Twenty-three year-old Danny "Swift" Garcia (21-0, 14 KO's) eagerly took up the challenge to earn his place among the revered Philadelphia warriors of the past when he turned professional in 2007, and he hasn't disappointed yet. He has sailed to a perfect professional record while putting himself in position to move into title contention. A winner of four of his past five fights by knockout, Garcia has already defeated top competition like Ashley Theophane, Mike Arnaoutis and former World Champion Nate "Galaxxy Warrior" Campbell, and nothing would make him happier than adding Holt to his list of vanquished foes.

"I have been waiting since I was 10-years-old to fight on HBO Pay-Per-View, now I have my shot and I'm excited," said Garcia. "This is my time to shine and I'm not going to let anyone take this opportunity away from me."

♔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.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

No Holds Barred: Boricua Invasion Boxing Comes to New York, But Not MMA‏

No Holds Barred: Boricua Invasion Boxing Comes to New York, But Not MMA;
http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2011-06-09T06_55_18-07_00

On this audio edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with boxers Luis Del Valle and Dat Nguyen, who headline the Boricua Invasion card on Saturday, June 11, and also analyzes the stalling of legislation to re-legalize mixed martial arts in New York.

Boricua Invasion I and II take place Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11, both at Roseland Ballroom in New York. Boricua Invasion I will be televised on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, while Boricua Invasion II will be televised on Showtime.

In the main event of Boricua Invasion II, Luis Del Valle (12-0, 10 KOs), originally from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, will face Dat Nguyen (17-1, 6 KOs), originally from Vietnam, in a 10-round featherweight bout. We spoke with both of them at the prefight news conference in New York on Wednesday. We discussed the importance of boxing to Puerto Ricans, their careers and goals, and what to expect Saturday night.
While this innovative pair of boxing cards on successive nights and on two television networks is moving forward, legislation to re-legalize mixed martial arts in New York appears less than likely to pass before the legislature adjourns on June 20. We discuss some of the reasons why, including the negative image of gambling casinos and those associated with them in New York and the stubbornness of the near-omnipotent 67-year-old Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and how supporters of MMA must continue this battle.















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

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Lateef Kayode Returns to ShoBox: The New Generation - Friday, June 10 at 11 p.m. on SHOWTIME‏

SHOBOX: KAYODE VS GODFREY. This Friday at 11pm ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

Undefeated knockout specialist LATEEF KAYODE returns! Showtime’s ShoBox series features two fighters on two seemingly different paths June 10 at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif.

One fighter, Nigeria’s Lateef Kayode (16-0, 14 KOs), is on the rise while the other, Matt Godfrey (20-2, 10 KOs) is coming off his most painful loss.

ShoBox Rising Star: Lateef Kayode - SHOWTIME Boxinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WCohBSEkZU



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

Saturday, May 21, 2011

BERNARD HOPKINS: THE AGELESS WONDER... AND THE STATISTICS TO PROVE IT

We are just a hours away from the most talked about rematch in recent years as Bernard Hopkins attempts to make history this Saturday, May 21 when he faces Jean Pascal for the WBC, WBC Diamond & Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championships in Pascal's backyard at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada in a bout that will be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing® in the United States and on pay-per-view in Canada. If the 46-year-old Hopkins should emerge victorious, he will become the oldest boxer in history to win a significant world title.

Below please find statistics that further illustrate Hopkins' longevity as boxing's ageless wonder reaches for history once again.



(photo by Keisha Morrisey)

HOPKINS AGE STATISTICS:

· Hopkins was born in 1965. In that same year:

o Lyndon B. Johnson was President of the United States;

o The first U.S. combat troops were deployed to Vietnam;

o Malcom X was assassinated;

o The Beatles performed the first stadium concert in the history of rock and roll at Shea Stadium in New York.

· The world's population has doubled since Hopkins' birth year (the population went from 3,334,874,000 in 1965 to 6,775,235,700 in 2011).

· Hopkins entered Graterford State Penitentiary the year Pascal was born (1982).

· Pascal was barely six years old when Hopkins fought his first professional fight (1988).

· When Hopkins won his first world title against Segundo Mercado on April 29, 1995, Pascal was only 12 years old.

· At the time of Pascal's first professional fight (February 3, 2005 against Justin Hahn), Hopkins had already fought 49 professional fights and was preparing to fight Howard Eastman on February 19, 2005 in his 20th defense of his middleweight crown.

· Hopkins' career has spanned nearly 23 years, seven U.S. presidential terms and 11 Olympic Games.

· Thirty-one of Hopkins' 58 professional fights were against opponents younger than him.

· Hopkins has won two fights (against Kelly Pavlik and Enrique Ornelas) where there was at least a 15 year or more age differential between him and his opponent (Pavlik was 17 years younger and Ornelas was 15 years younger).

· There is an 18 year age difference between Pascal and Hopkins, the largest in Hopkins' career.

EL Boxing EmpressSee 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

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

George Foreman Discusses The Possibility Of Bernard Hopkins Breaking His Record As The Oldest Fighter In Boxing History To Win A Significant World...

“Big” George Foreman Discusses The Possibility Of Bernard Hopkins Breaking His Record As The Oldest Fighter In Boxing History To Win A Significant World Title

“You must get a knockout. This fight and the record will not be broken on a unanimous decision. There must be a knockout.

“He is the last, truly, thinking man’s fighter, boxer and puncher. That’s what makes Bernard unique. He thinks in the ring.

“I’ll be watching HBO. Can you imagine? HBO was there when I knocked out Joe Frazier as the inauguration of their fighting program on television. Now, if they’re able to televise Bernard Hopkins breaking the record of George Foreman-man, what a milestone.

[On his own record and career] “I thought such a record would last a lot longer than it has lasted because 45 is phenomenal and just think, Bernard Hopkins is 46. He’s probably the only one who could break such a record because not only does he possess this big punch to get a knockout, but he’s also a good boxer and at times, a counter-puncher. He can pull it off, no doubt about it.

“I think if Bernard has any idea of how great an opportunity this is not only for boxing, but for all sports. Once I became champion again, it pushed other athletes in other sports to even drive and do things at a later age. If Bernard is able to win this thing and do it decisively, it’s going to help boxing. I don’t think guys should be looking at their career as over just because they’re 35. You need time to pursue other things, like get a college education, be a movie star, and then come back, lick your fingers and be a champion again.

[On the similarities between Foreman and Hopkins] “It’s all about pride. That’s about it. It’s not limited to just pride in yourself, but also your community, your family, and boxing. Those are the similarities we have. He looks in the mirror and he still sees a young kid. Bernard Hopkins-he still thinks he’s a kid, you know? I did the same thing.

“You step into the ring at 46, you just got to understand that you are just a kid like the other guy across the ring. You can’t look at yourself as a 46-and that’s a challenge, too. It is a challenge because you walk in the ring. Everybody you know-all your buddies and friends got gray hair. You’re going to have to just get over there and say, ‘I’m not one of those guys!’

“After I lost the title to Muhammad Ali and then [lost to] Jimmy Young, I had so much time off. If I had made up my mind to continue, I think that I could have been champion, regained the title and the reign would have lasted all the way into ’94. Time helped me, but not as much as if I’d been active, I could’ve done it a lot easier.

“Larry Holmes once told me when I made up my mind to get back into boxing, he said, ‘George, you can do it.’ He said, ‘If I had your punch, there wouldn’t be any question about it.’ He encouraged me more than anyone. Muhammad Ali was always, ‘Keep punching. You can do it.’ Joe Frazier-he had a little faith in me. So, from the days back, the previous guys did encourage me in their own way.

“It was so hard to come back after 10 years. I was out there relaxing and enjoying-eating and sleeping when I wanted to. Desserts were on the menu, something I didn’t do previously. To stop all of that and then pursue boxing, go to bed early when babies are crying around the house. I didn’t have that originally. It was rough. It became a job.

“In the first time around, I had this dynamite program with reflexes. I could stop punches before they’d get there, catch them in the air, just before you hit me, I’d hit you; I had this dynamic program of reflexes. Coming back in the gym, I found out, that’s not going to work. So, I had to change my style, set my defense exactly where a guy is going to hit me and not move them around too much. I would have to go longer distance because I knew people would try to extend me because of my age. So, from three and a half miles, I had to add 10 miles to my program of running.

[Staying in shape past 40] “A great obstacle that a lot of people don’t understand is that as you get older, you start looking at young people as if to say, “Oh, that kid.” You can’t do that. That’s the obstacle. Make certain that you look and see-every guy that you see is not a kid. Though he’s 21, 22, or 23, it’s an obstacle to not look at them as competitors equal to you when that bell rings. It’s great.

[On being 45 and setting the age record] “You find yourself at open houses with your children. Then, all of a sudden, you realize you have a grandchild. I had a grandchild. I was having grandkids. Then, you think, ‘Is that possible? I’m the heavyweight champion of the world, a grandfather?’ It did start to sink in. I wondered, ‘I don’t think anyone would ever do this.’ That’s why it’s very important. I’ll be watching anxiously to see how this will turn out because grandpas are competing now.

[On Pascal] “He’s a great fighter. He’s from a great country that has great boxers. He understands that this fight is not only going up to defend his title, but at the same time, he’s got pride in what he’s doing.

[On Pascal's chances of winning on points in Montreal] “Well, one thing you got to understand is that hometown thing. It gives you an extra something in your body that you generally don’t have. I mean, it gives you more courage. It gives you more speed. He is able to land shots that Bernard Hopkins is not able to land. Bernard is a decisive, good, crisp puncher. He doesn’t waste time on throwing nothing shots. The champion-he doesn’t mind. Any shot is a point and I think he’s better equipped to win because he’s not looking for a knockout. It’s a point system and he is better equipped to win this fight on the point system [in Montreal].

[On Hopkins] “The last time I had a chance to communicate with Bernard, he was at a competitive age. He was just doing what he was supposed to do. Of course, he was a veteran fighter, but at this point, we’ve never had a chance to talk about it. He’s one of those guys who just continuously goes out and does what he’s going to do. Probably recently, he’s starting to say, ‘I’m a senior here. This is going to have to be undertaken as a feat,’ but I’ve never had such a conversation with him.

“My hope is that he’ll go out there and put on a good fight. Understand that these fights generally are not won by decisions. In the latter rounds; he should look for a knockout like I did. There was no way I could have been in the record books without that one-two knockout punch. Bernard Hopkins-he’s got it, but he’s going to have to get it by way of knockout.

“Bernard is a thinking man’s fighter. I didn’t realize that until he fought Trinidad. I had no idea. I always considered him a good, rough-and-tough fighter, but with the Trinidad fight, he took his time. He measured the ring. He measured the fighter, used his jab, and threw his right hand from a distance until the time for the knockout. He is the last, truly, thinking man’s fighter, boxer and puncher. That’s what makes Bernard unique. He thinks in the ring. Most people, even myself, were overtaken with that moment. You get excited. A guy hits you in the eye. You got to get him back. You got to get payback. This man thinks. He doesn’t wait for the corner to tell him what’s going on. He thinks while he’s active in the ring.

[On Pascal vs. Hopkins I] “I was just sitting there on the edge, hoping that he’d pull it off, but Bernard has to realize, as I did when I fought Michael Moorer, you must get a knockout. This fight and the record will not be broken on a unanimous decision. There must be a knockout.

[On Pascal vs. Hopkins II] “It is important to appeal to the youthful pride. Meet in the middle of the ring and say, ‘Let’s fight. What are you running from? C’mon.’ [If you do that] you appeal to all of the boxers, ex-boxers and all the fans who want boxing back in its proper position.

“Bernard has to understand that this guy, the champion, could land one punch, two punches, three punches that mean nothing to him, but they could be points in the bag. That’s why I expecting Bernard to load up in the latter end of the fight, and go for the knockout, break that record, and break it fair and square where everybody can see it.

“The first fight is going to have to be erased. The decision was not of quality. The second time around, Bernard will get a knockout.

“I’ll be watching HBO. Can you imagine? HBO was there when I knocked out Joe Frazier as the inauguration of their fighting program on television. Now, if they’re able to televise Bernard Hopkins breaking the record of George Foreman-man, what a milestone..

Foreman Introduces Hopkins:

“Bernard Hopkins-probably the only man that stands a chance to break all records, one that’s going to set and stay there for a long time. Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the great one.”

Hopkins:

“Thank you, Big George. I’d like to say to everybody that’s listening before we start, this is a bittersweet opportunity for me because George Foreman has always been a guy that we came up on-I say “we”-my era with the Ali’s, the Joe Frazier’s, the George Foreman’s. So, I’m going to represent history very well come next Saturday, May 21st. There are not too many fighters able to have this kind of opportunity. So, I will not sneeze at this. I will take this title. I will become the oldest champion. So, thank you, George. Again, I would like to tell everybody it’s a bittersweet opportunity for me because of George’s legacy, but it’s in good hands, George.”

Foreman:

“All records were set to be broken. I’m just hoping someone will come back and do it at 65 so I can come back again.”

Hopkins:

“I will be right behind you…hopefully.”

“Dynasty II: Pascal vs. Hopkins” is presented by GroupeYvon Michel and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Casino de Montreal, Videotron and Coors Light. The 12-round WBC, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight World Championship fight will take place Saturday, May 21 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada and will be televised live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT in the United States and distributed live on pay-per-view in Canada on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, Viewer’s Choice and Sasktel in French and English beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. A 12-round light heavyweight bout between former World Champions Chad Dawson and Adrian Diaconu will also be featured on the telecast. Dawson vs. Diaconu is presented in association with Gary Shaw Productions and InterBox.

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

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Ward vs. Abraham Presser Ward’s Trainer To Abraham: “Your promoters have lost confidence in you.” Abraham To Ward’s Camp: “Talk Doesn’t Matter – I’m

The final press conference for the kickoff of the Semifinals of the Super Six World Boxing Classic turned tense on Wednesday at Arnie Morton’s The Steakhouse in Burbank, Calif., just three days before tournament favorite Andre Ward defends his WBA super middleweight title against former world champion Arthur Abraham, LIVE on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

In a detailed and lengthy speech, Ward’s trainer, Virgil Hunter, told Abraham that his trainer and promoters are displaying a lack of confidence in him to win on Saturday by demanding neutral judges and officials for the Semifinal showdown. Abraham’s promoter responded that they were trying to protect their fighter and claimed that the referee in the Ward-Mikkel Kessler Group Stage 1 bout did not fairly officiate the match.

The Ward-Abraham winner advances to the tournament Final against the winner of the Carl Froch-Glen Johnson Semifinals showdown. The tournament champion earns the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic Cup and global recognition as the world’s No. 1 168-pound fighter.

The 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, Ward (23-0, 13 KOs), of Oakland, Calif., has emerged as the tournament favorite after impressive triumphs in Group Stage bouts over Kessler and Allan Green, as well as Sakio Bika.

Abraham (32-2, 26 KOs) entered the Super Six as a favorite alongside Kessler. But after emerging from Group Stage 1 as the points leader with a knockout over Jermain Taylor, he is now trying to bounce back from consecutive tournament losses to Andre Dirrell and Froch in Group Stages 2 and 3, respectively.

ANDRE WARD:

“I’m born and raised here in America and I don’t talk that much. I think everyone in this room understands that. There’s not much else to say. I’ve prepared the way I’m supposed to prepare, the way a champion is supposed to prepare.

“I respect Arthur Abraham, it’s going to be a tough fight. I want to be a great fighter, but I’m not there yet. These are the kind of fights that you have to take and you have to win to be a great fighter.

“I won’t hear the crowd, I won’t hear anybody on Saturday night. I’m locked in. I’m here to defend my belt and to keep my belt right here in America.”

“My first goal is to win and I know winning in this sport takes care of a lot of problems.

“Sugar Ray Leonard came from a totally different time. Fighting on the network that he fought on, having Howard Cosell, it was just a totally different ballgame. Oscar De La Hoya had the Hispanic community and different things like that, so you have to look at those situations because I’m in a different time. It might be a little bit harder to get the exposure and the just due.”

“At the end of the day, the way my father raised me was to put my nose down to the grindstone and keep working and allow God to open those doors in due season. So I’ve never begged for it and I’ve never demanded it. I just have to understand that I have to keep working and it will come. ”

“I appreciate everyone who attends the fights, but it comes down to going home and kissing my wife and kids, keeping my title and moving on with my career. But with that being said, I think I take the risks I’m supposed to take. I think I do what I’m supposed to, but if you get enough people saying one thing, people start to believe it. I think my fight with Kessler was a very entertaining fight but it’s not me taking punishment so people think it’s not entertaining. From a little boy, I was never taught to get the best bout trophy, I was always taught to get the best fighter of the night. That’s the way it is because whoever I am when my career is said and done, nobody’s going home with me.”

“My coach has always taught me from day one, he’s always wanted me to be a master and masters are able to fight into their late 30s and early 40s like Bernard Hopkins and Glen Johnson. I’m just going to continue to naturally evolve and I hope everyone enjoys my fights. But, ultimately, it’s about winning in this sport. “

ARTHUR ABRAHAM:

“I don’t have to speak much. We just want to perform in the ring and we don’t have to do much talking. We’re here to win in the ring.

“Of course my trainer and my promoter respect me. There’s no question of that. In Europe, we don’t talk very much. I’m here to win.

“I have a lot of respect for Andre Ward. He’s a technically sound boxer. But that talk doesn’t matter when we get in the ring on Saturday. I’m here to win and I’m here to destroy him.

“I’m very happy to be part of this tournament. This tournament started well for me and it will end well.

“I had to make some adjustments to my style for moving from middleweight to super middleweight and then we had to make some more after the losses. We have made the necessary adjustments.”

VIRGIL HUNTER, Ward’s Trainer:

“I’ve been appalled as some of the things that have happened to this point. If Andre wasn’t perceived as a threat, I don’t believe we would have ever heard complaints about the referees like we have. Andre Ward still to this point has not gotten the recognition that he deserves.

“Arthur, this is to you: By complaining about the officials, your promoters are saying they have lost confidence in you. Don’t let anyone speak to you about the officials. Your promoters have lost confidence in you. It’s as simple as that.”


JAMES PRINCE, Ward’s Manager:

“We have respect for Arthur Abraham and his accomplishments in boxing, but come Saturday it’s going to get real hot in the ring. You were a great fighter at 160 pounds but I feel like your advisors have tricked you into placing you into a different weight division where you don’t belong. I want to extend my warmest hospitality and welcome you to the States, but that’s where it ends.”

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.

Photos: Tom Casino / SHOWTIME

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

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS LOOKS TO FINISH STRONG IN 08; Can Christmas Come Early for the Native-American Owned Boxing Company?

SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS LOOKS TO FINISH STRONG IN 08; Can Christmas Come Early for the Native-American Owned Boxing Company?

SAN DIEGO, Calif.– For various reasons, the end of the year is typically a slow period for the boxing industry. Television networks and promotional companies are closing in on their budgets and boxers typically like to enjoy the holiday season away from the ring.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions is bucking that trend by placing three of its boxers into meaningful, “late season” fights. Former world champions Joan Guzman and Carlos Baldomir are in title eliminator bouts, while their newest charge, welterweight Carlos Abregu of Argentina, is fighting for the first time on SHOWTIME this Friday.

Abregu (24-0, 21 KOs), a hard-hitting undefeated prospect who is co-promoted by Gary Shaw, faces his toughest challenge of his career when he meets David Estrada of Chicago (22-5, 13 KOs) in the 10-round main event on ShoBox: The New Generation, Friday, Dec. 5, on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. E/PT, delayed on the west coast).

"Carlos Abregu will get tested against David Estrada,” said Sean Gibbons, matchmaker and vice president of Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “Estrada has fought Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Kermit Cintron. All of these guys are either current or former world champions.

“We feel Abregu has what it takes to challenge for a world title, but he has to move past the prospect label first. A strong outing on Friday and Abregu will show everyone that he is the real deal.”


Baldomir (44-11-6, 13 KOs), a former WBC welterweight champion and close friend of Abregu (both are from Argentina), is inching closer to a title shot when he faces Jackson Bonsu (29-2, 23 KOs) on Saturday, Dec. 20, in a 12-round WBC welterweight title eliminator from Belgium.

“Baldomir is looking great right now,” Gibbons said. “He has that bounce in his step. He wants the distinction of becoming a two-time WBC welterweight champion. We know Baldy can do it. He’ll prove it on Dec. 20.”

Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs), a former two-division champion, is in a 12-round WBA lightweight title eliminator.

Guzman travels to his native Dominican Republic to take on WBA Fedelatin lightweight champion Ameth Diaz (25-7, 19 KOs) on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, from El Palacio de los Deportes in Guzman’s hometown of Santo Domingo.

“We’ve had big plans for Guzman since the very beginning,” Gibbons said. “With a win against Diaz, Guzman is back in the lightweight picture.”

“We’re aiming for three victories in December: one for Abregu, one for Baldomir and one for Guzman. We hope Christmas comes a little early this year.”

ABOUT SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS

Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including undefeated and former World Boxing Organization junior lightweight champion Joan Guzman, World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero, former WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz, lightweight sensation Jorge Paez Jr., undefeated welterweight prospect Carlos Abregu, undefeated cruiserweight prospect Shawn Hawk and once-beaten, super middleweight prospect Henry Buchanan.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Scott Woodworth, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Sean Gibbons, vice president/matchmaker.

See you at the Fights and Thanks for your time.

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

Monday, May 12, 2008

UNBEATEN BRADLEY UPSETS WITTER TO BECOME 25TH SHOBOX ALUM TO WIN A WORLD TITLE FROCH DISPOSES OF RYBACKI IN FOUR ON SPECIAL SATURDAY EDITION OF SHOBOX

NEW YORK– Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley showed no signs of jetlag in his upset, split-decision victory over defending world champion Junior Witter Saturday. Bradley, a four-fight veteran of the SHOWTIME boxing series ShoBox: The New Generation, captured the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Lightweight Championship by scores of 115-113, 114-113 and 112-115 to become the 25th ShoBox fighter to win a world title.

Photos by: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

Bradley celebrated with his team following a victory that made the unbeaten fighter the 25th ShoBox alum to capture a world title belt. ShoBox premiered in July 2001.


The special Saturday night edition of the popular, prospect-oriented series was promoted by Hennessy Sports from the Trent FM Arena at Nottingham, England and aired on a same-day tape delay.

In the co-feature, No. 1-ranked WBC super middleweight contender Carl Froch of Nottingham dispatched late-replacement Albert Rybacki of Poland with a fourth-round stoppage.

The undefeated Bradley (22-0, 11 KOs) had never fought professionally outside his home state of California. Earlier this week, he traveled more than 5,000 miles from his hometown of Palm Springs, Calif., to the homeland of the reigning 140-pound champion for his first world title fight.

Early on, Witter controlled a sloppy fight and appeared to be on his way to his third championship defense. But Bradley, reportedly a 6-1 underdog, rocked the champion in the sixth with a devastating overhand right sending Witter down for only the second time in his career.

That one-punch knockdown turned the tide for Bradley who controlled the rest of the contest with effective aggression.

“I knew this fight was mine,” said the newly crowned 24-year-old champion. “I’ve seen the tapes [of Witter’s past fights], and he fades in the sixth and seventh. And I know that’s when I come on. I get stronger in the later rounds.

“I have been working on that punch,” said Bradley of the overhand right that dropped Witter. “He tends to pull back with his chin up in the air and I just caught him. But I couldn’t finish him. I had to be careful in there. He’s got power in both hands.”



“This can be considered an early candidate for upset of the year,” said renowned ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood. “It is so difficult to win a world title on the road. And to do it with as little experience as Bradley has, this was something special. That one-punch knockdown in the sixth proved to be the difference maker in the fight.”

Unbeaten Timothy Bradley of Palm Springs, Calif., scored a sixth-round knockdown over defending champion and hometown favorite Junior Witter en route to winning a 12-round split decision and the WBC 140-pound title Saturday on a Special Edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME.

Witter, 34, drops to 36-2-2, 21 KOs and will have to recalculate his career path. He was lobbying for marquee fights with other top 140-pound fighters including Ricky Hatton.

The undefeated Froch easily outclassed Rybacki and improved his record to 23-0, 19 KOs. Froch was originally scheduled to face Denis Inkin in a WBC final eliminator for the super middleweight title, but Inkin pulled out two weeks ago with a training injury. As a result, the WBC officially named Froch the mandatory challenger to current 168-pound champion Joe Calzaghe.

Froch didn’t have to take this fight to guarantee his title shot but said he was eager to showcase his power to the American television audience on SHOWTIME.



NEW YORK– ShoBox: The New Generation returns to the United Kingdom on May 10, 2008, with an outstanding world title showdown and a promising undercard bout featuring two undefeated prospects.

On a special Saturday night edition of the popular, prospect-oriented SHOWTIME boxing series, World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Lightweight Champion Junior Witter will defend his crown for the third time when he takes on WBC No. 1 contender Timothy Bradley at the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham, England (same day tape delay at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME).

In a spectacular co-feature pitting two young undefeated British prospects against each other, hard-hitting John Murray will take on the slick John Fewkes in a 10-round lightweight bout. The evening of boxing will be promoted by Hennessy Sports.

In his last outing, Witter (36-1-2, 21 KOs), of Bradford, England, successfully defended his WBC title for the second time by scoring a stunning, seventh-round knockout over Vivian Harris on Sept. 7, 2007. In his initial 2007 outing, Witter defended his world championship for the first time by out-boxing Arturo Morua en route to a ninth- round TKO on Jan. 20.

“I know how to prepare for Bradley,” Witter said. “This isn’t my first title defense. Bradley will be a tough out, but I’m confident that I will be the winner. I have the strength, power and experience to take care of him.”

Bradley (21-0, 11 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., is no stranger to the bright lights and big stage of national television, as he will make his fourth ShoBox appearance on SHOWTIME. If victorious against Witter, the promising unbeaten will become the 25th ShoBox fighter to win a world title.

Long considered to be one of the super lightweight division’s top prospects, Bradley has won his last two fights by lopsided unanimous decisions.

“This is what boxing is all about,” Bradley said. “You work hard and put in the sweat and long hours in the gym so one day you set yourself up for a title shot. This is what I’ve been waiting for all my life. I can’t see myself losing this fight. I can see myself becoming a world champion on May 10.”

*CARL FROCH TO MAKE SHOWTIME DEBUT THIS SATURDAY ON A SPECIAL EDITION OF SHOBOX;From Trent FM Arena Nottingham, England 10:45 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME

NEW YORK– Hard-hitting super middleweight Carl Froch has been added as the co-feature to Saturday’s special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, which is taking place from Nottingham, England (SHOWTIME, 10:45 p.m. ET/PT, tape delayed). The main event remains the WBC Super Lightweight World Championship bout between titlist Junior Witter of Bradford, England and American contender Timothy Bradley of Palm Springs, California.Hard-hitting super middleweight Carl Froch squares off with Albert Rybacki, who he will be facing in the co-feature of Saturday night’s telecast. Froch, who weighed in at 167 ½ pounds, is the No. 1 ranked mandatory challenger to WBC super middleweight Joe Calzaghe. Rybacki, who tipped the scales at 168 ¼ pounds, is an undefeated and hard hitting late replacement for Denis Inkin.

In a battle of previously undefeated super middleweights, No. 1-ranked Carl Froch (left) knocked out Albert Rybacki in the fourth round in Saturday's ShoBox co-feature.


The undefeated Froch (22-0, 18 KOs) of Nottingham, was originally scheduled to face Denis Inkin in a WBC final eliminator for the super middleweight title, but Inkin pulled out two weeks ago complaining of a back injury sustained in training. As a result, the WBC officially named Froch the mandatory challenger to current 168-pound champion Joe Calzaghe. Froch, eager to showcase his exciting style to his hometown fans and an American television audience on SHOWTIME, accepted the 12-round International contest against Rybacki.

"Carl Froch is an exciting and talented fighter to watch," said ShoBox Executive Producer Gordon Hall on location in Nottingham. "He's got significant power and a thrilling style. This is a great opportunity to give our viewers a first look at a guy who very well could be the next super middleweight world champion."

"Froch likes to keep busy," said promoter Mick Hennessy of his 30-year-old charge. "Even though he's got a guaranteed WBC world title fight coming up next, he likes to test himself. Froch is getting into the ring against guy with nothing to lose. Rybacki showed up here in great physical shape. We know his a rough, tough fighter and essentially he's gate crashing a world title contender.

"Froch is confident enough to put his unbeaten record on the line against anyone," continued Hennessy. "We did not want to pass up the opportunity to put on a good performance to the American television audience on SHOWTIME. Ticket sales have been strong behind our hometown boy and we expect an excitable crowd to really rock the Trent FM Arena."

*Undefeated Timothy Bradley Fun Facts, Challenging for WBC Super Lightweight Title Saturday On SHOWTIME‏

Undefeated 24-year-old boxer Timothy Bradley, of Palm Springs, has traveled approximately 2,100 miles total for his 21 professional fights. In fact, he has fought exclusively in California and never traveled farther than 230 miles from his hometown. Since turning pro in August 2004, Bradley has fought in Ontario (11 times), Corona (five times), Santa Ynez (three times), Los Angeles (once) and Lancaster (once).

On Saturday, that will change dramatically, however, when the WBC super lightweight No. 1 contender travels 5,300 miles to challenge WBC Super Lightweight Champion Junior Witter in Nottingham, England. SHOWTIME will televise the world title bout at 10:45 p.m. PT.

*CONFERENCE CALL QUOTES JUNIOR WITTER AND TIMOTHY BRADLEY WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008

Question:Junior, can we have opening comments on you? How is training going? What are your thoughts on defending your championship on “ShoBox” on SHOWTIME, and your thoughts on the challenger, Timothy Bradley.

Witter: It’s great to be getting back in the ring. It feels like a while since I've been here. Training's gone very well. It's been a long hard slog, and I'm just raring to go. Timothy Bradley is obviously accomplished in his own right. He's done quite well for himself, and he's going to find out on Saturday night that he is in with the champ.

Question: You have improved like 1,000 percent since the last time you fought on SHOWTIME. What do you credit that to?

Witter:I put it down to dedication, hard work and listening to my trainers.

Question: Timothy, what are your thoughts on finally fighting for the world championship and trying to become the 25th ShoBox alum to win a world title?

Bradley: This is a dream come true. I've been waiting on this pretty much my whole life. It is going to be a very exciting fight, and I am expecting the best. Junior Witter is not the same fighter he was eight years ago. He is at the top of his game, and I feel I'm in the prime of my game right now. It’s going be an explosive night. I am confident I can win the fight and that I'm going to win. I'm just really anxious to get in the ring right now. Because the (Jose Luis) Castillo fight fell through, the warriors that we are, we decided, ‘hey let's get in there and let's do this you know.’ So, everybody pretty much is running for Junior Witter. He has something that I want and that's the WBC title. I'm going to go get it.

The undefeated Bradley, who is fighting in his first world title fight, stands in front of a mirror in his hotel gym and says “I’m so slick, he (Witter) will think that he’s fighting two of me.”


Question: Junior, is there anybody that you fought that you can compare style‑wise to Bradley? What kind of a fight do you expect from him?

Witter: I'm not really counting on anything. I've seen Bradley box. He is aggressive enough. He's got quick hands. He's got decent power. I'm just taking it as it comes.

Question: Timothy, what's it going to be like fighting in England? Have you prepared differently because basically you are going to be the bad guy wearing the black hat? Does that bother you at all?

Bradley: No, it doesn't bother me at all. Coming from California, and California being predominantly Latinos and me fighting a lot of Latino fighters, I am like the underdog anyway. They always cheer for their guy. I'm use to it. So, I'm used to the oohs and ahhs, and the boos, and people telling me that I am nothing. It doesn't really bother me, man. Once I get in the ring and just start doing my thing, I earn my respect that way. So, I'm not really worried about that.

Question: Timothy and Junior, can you talk about your opponent and what impresses you from the films?

Bradley: What I notice in his film is that Witter is multi‑versatile. He can fight from any position. It doesn't matter where he is in the ring or what position's he's in. He has really good power and speed. So, it's going to be really challenging to get in there, figure Witter out and break him down.

Bradley and Samuel L. Jackson


Witter: Bradley has good hand speed. He works well when he goes to work. He has belief and desire. He is going to be good to face, and one who thinks he can do it.

Question: Timothy and Junior, does it concern you that neither of you has been in the ring for awhile? What are you trying to do to overcome the lack of ring time?

Bradley: I put in the work in the gym. So, it's like I sparred over 100 rounds for this fight. So, that will be out of the question. My timing is on. It's on point. I'm not really looking forward to having any ring rust on May 10.

Witter: Ring rough is not even a question or a thought in my head. When I won the world title I had 11 months out of the ring before that, and I got in and I boxed fine. My last fight was in September, but the way I train, I am in the ring all the time training. It's not like it's something under consideration.

Question: Timothy, who were some of your sparring partners for this fight? Were they trying to emulate Witter's style?

Bradley: I sparred against Dominic Salcedo. He's a very good fighter. He switches a lot. He can punch from any angle. He has a really known style. He has fast feet and gets out of the way like Witter. I had really good preparation for the fight. I sparred a lot of rounds with him and made sure my time was going on be to point.

Question: Is Witter more of just a switch‑hitter though? Would you consider him to be unorthodox or unpredictable?

Bradley: Witter is unpredictable. He can punch from any position he is in. If you think you are in the clear, you're not because he is so fast he can leap in with punches. So, he is a very dangerous champion, and that's why nobody wants to fight him.

Question: Do you feel that maybe you are taking this fight a little bit too early?

Bradley: I really don't care about the critics, man. It doesn't really bug me at all. I know what I can do. I know when I get in there with someone that's really good, I will step up to the plate and take the challenge and beat him. You don't know until you get in the ring. I am at the peak of my career right now. I am 24 years old. I've had 21 fights with 11 KOs. I am a hard worker. I have been working hard for the past three years to get to this point.

Question: Do you wish you had more quality rounds under your belt, or do you just feel ready?

Bradley: No way. I'm ready, man. I've had some tough fights. It's all prepared for me for this. Mentally, physically, and emotionally, I'm ready for this next stage. You guys will see on May 10th. You're definitely going to see.

Question: Junior, does the tremendous amount of attention on this fight affect the way that go in to the fight? Do you feel the need to not only win, but make a statement?

Witter: It's (media attention and television coverage) not going to change the way I fight. I'll be focused on what I'm doing, the way I prepared for it. I know it's an opportunity to show the world what I can do, and reinforce the fact that I am the best light welterweight there is throughout all the federations and so forth. I have just been focusing on what I'm going to do. I'm going to get in the ring and I'm going to do what I do best.

Question: Why has it been so long since you have been in the ring? Was it because of the politics of boxing, or was that planned?

Witter: It's the politics of boxing. I had a slight injury that I had to deal with straight after the Vivian Harris fight (September 2007). It took me a little bit to get back to fitness where I thought I was ready to fight. Since then, we've had a couple of people pull out, like Demetrius Hopkins.

Question: Timothy, how is it going to be for you to challenge a world champion on his home turf without having a lot of experience on a professional level?

Bradley: I will stay focused, stay with the game plan, listen to my corner and listen to my trainers. I'm just here to do a job. I'm just going to be completely focused on Witter.

Question: What is the source of your confidence knowing Witter’s record and his experience?

Bradley: I'm just confident in my abilities. I'm just confident. I am a hard worker. I have talent and I put in the work. I put in the miles. I put in the hours of studying videos. I'm just dedicated to the sport. That's what builds my confidence. I'm ready for this big stage.

Question: Timothy and Junior, do either of you want to make a prediction for the fight?

Bradley: My prediction is I just want to win. That's it. That's just hands down. I don't care how I get the ‘W,’ I just want to win. I don't really make predictions. Fighters can sit here and say I'm going to knock Witter out. But, it's a whole different ball game once you get in the ring.

Witter: I predict an exciting fight, and the champion will remain the champion. I'm going out there and will deliver some pain. I am not about to give in.

Question: Timothy, since you are fighting on foreign soil, do you feel like you have to knock Witter out to win? Are you concerned about a close fight not going your way?

Bradley: No, I don't have any thoughts about that. They have judges who judge the fights, and they have the fight fans who judge it. They have their own opinion. Whoever wins the fight should win the fight definitely. It doesn't bother me at all. I never really think about. At the end of the day, I have to live with the decision.

Question: Is your mindset then to go out and win rounds and leave no doubt?

Bradley: I definitely think that way. You have to go out and beat the champion. You just can't dance around the ring and not do anything at all. You take it to the champion. It has to be precise, and that's what we're planning on to do.

Question: Junior, when did you injury your knee, and how is it holding up in training camp?

Witter: I injured my knee about six weeks before I boxed Vivian Harris. Surgery was the week after. I'm fine now. I have not had a problem with it.

Question: How much do you know about Bradley as a fighter?

Witter: I don’t know loads and loads about Bradley, but I'm not a studier of boxing and what everyone is doing. I look at who you are right now. I find a weakness exploit it.

Question: Why did it take six years after you fought Zab Judah in June 2000 to show the boxing world that you are a world champion?

Witter: The politics of boxing is scary. That's why it took so long. No one wanted to give me a shot after Judah. They realized that I was good. They were managing to find a way to avoid that. But, I went on to win the European International title, and I did everything I had to do. I took the long road because it was the only road that was really left for me and it's just gone that way.

Question: Timothy, do you feel any kind of nerves being in a fight like this?

Bradley: You are going to have some nerves. This is a fight. It's not dancing. I've had people around me to keep me focused and keep me on the quest that's ahead. So, I'm all right. I'm just relaxed and really anxious to get in the ring.

Question: Junior, is there any chance that you may be taking Bradley a little lightly? Are you looking forward to calling some of the other guys in the 140-pound division out?

Witter: I am not taking Bradley lightly at all. I've called out a couple of people. No one's really stepped up to the plate the way I would like them to. I accept that and I will do the job on Saturday night.

Question: Junior, if you win this fight, who would you like to fight? Do you think Hatton will ever fight you?

Witter: I think the Hatton fight will happen. It's that much of a big demand in the U.K. from the boxing world unit. The pressure is on him to take the fight.

Question: Timothy, what kind of adjustments have you made to prepare for this fight now that you are in England? What's this week been like so far?

Bradley: This has just been a pretty light week. All the hard work's been done in the gym. I have been pretty much just breaking a sweat, and that's just pretty much it. I have gotten a lot of rest and eaten quality food. I am just staying focused on the game plan, and that's all.

Question: What did you learn from your first ShoBox experience, and what do you take from that into this fight?

Bradley: I just have to get in there and do my thing. I have to stay relaxed, stay calm, stay focused and fight like a champion. Being on a big network with a new promoter on ShoBox, I felt like I had to prove myself to everybody. Things like that just kind of bit me in the ass. But, I've been through that and it's not a big deal. This is what I do for a living. I'm going to get in there and I'm going to do what I do. I just have to stay relaxed, and that's it.

Question: Did you have your body fat measured?

Bradley: I'm about three percent body fat right now.

Question: Does it motivate you that people say you are taking this fight too early in your career?

Bradley: That motivates me. Negative comments always motivate me and get me up for the challenge. I really don't care what people say, or what they think. How many people get a chance to fight for the world title as quickly and as fast as me? It has taken me a little less than three‑and‑a‑half years to get to this point. I worked my way up through the rankings and got to the No. 1 challenger spot. It's either sink or swim. It's either you do it or you don't do it. I'm going to do it.

Question: Did you do anything to compensate for the time difference in your preparation?

Bradley: No. I trained at the regular time and trained like I normally do. I am ready.

Question: What were the circumstances like for you on the actual day before word of the cancellation of the Castillo fight came out? Did you get a little bit of inkling beforehand?

Bradley: The cancellation did not really bother me at all. You know, it bothered me a little bit. But, my dream was always to fight for the title and win the title, to become the WBC world champion. So, the WBC granted me the No. 1 challenger spot. I was not punished because Castillo likes to eat a lot of burritos and stuff. I got what I wanted, and now we’re here.

Question: Timothy, who does the desert area in California (Palm Springs) have so many good fighters? What breeds all these great fighters over there?

Bradley: The heat. (Laughing). I guess it's the heat. I'm not sure. Just having about six or seven local gyms in the area helps. It's just having Palm Springs and every location, every city in the valley. We just have some great trainers come through that desert that push fighters. We train in the heat, and it's really challenging for us. So, we come in great shape. We are hungry fighters because we definitely want to be the best.

Question: When you are out running, do you ever worry about rattlesnakes and stuff?

Bradley: No, I never worry about that. I do a lot of my running in the hills, the mountains and on the track. So, when I do my distance, I like to run on the street. I run too much in the sand. Rattlesnakes like to come out in the heat, so I really don't do too much running when it gets to be midday. That's when they're out.

Question: Timothy, have you embraced the role of being the underdog, and do you feel any kind of pressure or anything?

Bradley: No, I don't feel any kind of pressure. I really don't get into all the odds and stuff like that and listen to all that stuff. I pretty much think positively the whole time. I am on Witter’s home soil. I'm definitely not going to be the favorite. So, I expected that. It doesn’t bother me at all.

Question: Is there any kind of pressure going in to this fight, or is this just another fight? Is this the fight of your career at this point.

Bradley: This is the fight of my career. This is the big stage, man. It doesn't get any higher than this. I am taking it as an opportunity. I thank Junior Witter and Mick Hennessy for putting this show on. It's exciting for boxing, and it's exciting for me. It’s going to be a great fight.

Question: Junior, since they are basically two different fighters height and style-wise, how do you go from training for someone like Demetrius Hopkins to training for Bradley?

Witter: I basically do the same training route to the end. Then, I'll just tweak my style for my opponent. I got to that level where I'm just about to tweak and the fight got cancelled. I took a little bit of time off and just eased off a bit. I kept fit, kept sharp and then just tweaked things at the end for Bradley. So, I'm cool.

Question: Timothy, what was it like going from getting ready to fight Castillo to fighting Junior Witter, a far more better fighter at this stage of their careers?

Bradley: I just trained for the Castillo fight and took about a week off. I heard they were negotiating and stuff like that and I went back to the gym and been in the gym ever since. Now, we're at this point. When you train so much, you train so hard and you get hungry. You want to fight. You need to release. Witter and I are both going to be in prime time May 10th. You are going to see some fireworks.

Question: Junior, do you have a particular routine for fight days that you've developed over the years?

Witter: I chill. I'll have something to eat, go for a little walk, have a rest, and have something else to eat. Bob comes over and cuts my hair. Then I just relax and do very little.

Question: What time do you like to get to the venue?

Witter: I like to get to the venue about two hours before the fight. I like to play the music, get into the zone, and get ready to do my stuff.

Question: Timothy, how long have you been in England?

Bradley: I've been in England since Sunday.

Question: Have you been able to acclimate to the time change?

Bradley: I'm sleeping at night, and waking up early. I am fine.

Question: Junior, do you have any plans on coming into fight here in America?

Witter: Yeah, I want to headline a big card over there. For me, it's a case of getting the next fight. The next fight can be done as soon as it can be done. If you can do one over there, brilliant. If the next one can't be over there, it can't. Just get me another fight.

Question: Junior, is this just another fight for you?

Witter: It's another dangerous fight. It's not the biggest. It's not going to be the last. I'm going to remain champion. That's what I've got to do.

Question: Junior and Timothy, do you have any closing comments?

Witter: Timothy, I am glad you took the fight. I am glad you came over. It is not your night. It's not your month. You might come again. I'm still going to remain champ.

Bradley: I want to thank my promoter Gary Shaw and Thompson Boxing Promotions for making this fight possible. I just want to thank Hennessy Sports and Mick. I just want to thank the champion for giving me a shot at his title. All praises to the Lord Jesus Christ. Let's do this.

If you missed Saturday’s exciting telecast, catch the replay on SHOWTIME.

Monday, May 12 8 p.m. ET/PT Showtime Extreme

Tuesday, May 13 Midnight Showtime Extreme

And anytime at SHOWTIME On Demand beginning Tuesday, May 13.

Nick Charles and Farhood called the action from ringside in Nottingham with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing. The executive producer of ShoBox: The New Generation is Gordon Hall.

For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and EliteXC mixed martial arts telecasts, please go www.SHO.com/sports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young, talented fighters matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise crowd-pleasing and competitive fights while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. To date, 25 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox have advanced to garner world titles including Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paulie Malignaggi, Paul Williams and Timothy Bradley.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® ON DEMAND. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

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