FIGHTERS PUT FINISHING TOUCHES TO MONTE CARLO MILLION DOLLAR SUPER FOUR PREPARATIONS COUNTDOWN TO EUROPEAN SUPER SHOW‏

Gennady Golovkin is in peak physical condition ahead of the seventh defense of his WBA and IBO middleweight titles in Monte Carlo on Saturday. The unbeaten Kazakhstani yesterday went through his paces during a public 45-minute workout at the suitably grand Monte Carlo Casino.

With his shirt off, he looked lean and ripped as he worked the pads with top trainer Abel Sanchez.

"I'm ready to go," said Golovkin. "I had an eight-week camp and all has gone according to plan."

He defends against Nobuhiro Ishida, a fighter he isn't underestimating.

"We're expecting a hard fight," said manager Tom Loeffler. "Ishida is tall and has some power, but Gennady is in tremendous shape."

Earlier, Ishida worked out and looked sharp and relaxed ahead of the biggest fight of his career.

All the fighters, bar Jean Marc Monrose, who arrives today, put on public workouts against the dramatic backdrop of the famous casino. Unbeaten Edwin Rodriguez got a first hand look at Ezequiel Maderna, who he fights in the first round of the Million Dollar Super Four event. Big around the shoulders, the Argentine is a largely unknown quantity, but Rodriguez isn't taking him lightly given his impressive amateur career.

"We've come off probably the best fight camp ever," said trainer Ronnie Shields. "I couldn't have asked for more and we're planning to put on a show come Saturday night."

There is a buzz around Zsolt Erdei's participation, not least because he hasn't fought in two years and no-one has a real idea of how he'll shape against determined Russian Denis Grachev.

"He has a lot riding on this," said Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman. "He's a massive hero in his native Hungary, with many of his fans expected ringside. He'll be fighting for them as much as himself."

Sergey Rabchenko also looks in tip-top condition ahead of his European junior-middleweight title fight against Adriano Nicchi of Italy. Training camps in France and the UK have prepared him well and he says he is looking to make a statement against Nicchi.

"I'm number two in the WBC. A title fight could be around the corner, so no slip-ups from me," he said confidently.

Meanwhile, cruiserweight Junior Makabu charmed the crowd as he addressed them in his native French. Little-known beyond Africa, he intends making a few waves against local hero Monrose.

The weigh-in takes place 6 pm local time on Friday. 

The event in Monaco is headlined by red-hot WBA middleweight champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin (25-0, 22KO's) defending his title against former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8-2, 9KO's).  The opening round of the Super 4 tournament matches Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15KO's) against Argentinean Olympian Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-0, 13KO's) and former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18KO's) squaring off against Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8KO's).  The card will be distributed in the United States and Canada on PPV by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View.

The "

Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4" and Golovkin's middleweight title defense will be distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and in Canada via Bell TV, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.  In addition, the event will be available via online Pay-Per-View at:

http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Gennady_Golovkin_vs_Nobuhiro_Ishida/1896

The event is promoted by Rodney Berman's Golden Gloves.  The Golovkin-Ishida bout is promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev bouts are promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

 ♔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.

LEO SANTA CRUZ VS. ALEXANDER MUNOZ & J'LEON LOVE VS. GABRIEL ROSADO COMPLETE "MAY DAY: MAYWEATHER VS. GUERRERO" SHOWTIME PPV® TELECAST

The Saturday, May 4 "MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero"SHOWTIME PPV telecast fight line-up is complete with the addition of former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz facing veteran Alexander Munoz in a 10-round junior featherweight fightand rising middleweight star J'Leon Love squaring off against recent world title challenger Gabriel Rosado in a 10-round battle. These bouts, in addition to the already announced Daniel Ponce de Leon vs. Abner Mares 12-round title fight for Ponce de Leon's WBC Featherweight World Championship, will set the stage for the world title clash between Eight-Time and Five Division World Champion Floyd Mayweather and Six-Time and Four-Division World Champion Robert Guerrero at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

 "I'm so excited to be fighting on this card on such the big Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend," said Santa Cruz. "I have been very fortunate to have fought on great events so far in my career, but this is the biggest stage yet. I plan to make my fans happy on May 4 and show the world that I am here to stay."         

"I am so looking forward to getting back in the ring on May 4 and taking the young Leo Santa Cruz to school," said Munoz. "My experience is going to trump his youth and I plan on handing him his first loss in front of the world on SHOWTIME PPV."

 "This is what every fighter dreams of," said Love. "Thanks to Floyd Mayweather, Leonard Ellerbe and Mayweather Promotions I have been blessed with the opportunity to fight on SHOWTIME PPV in front of the whole world and on the undercard of one of the greatest fighters to ever lace up a pair of gloves [Floyd Mayweather]. Gabriel Rosado is a big name in the sport and a very good fighter, but on May 4, I plan on making a big statement by beating him and letting the entire world know my name. This is it and I can't wait."

"I have had my ups and downs, but I am confident that May 4 is going to be my time to shine," said Rosado. "J'Leon Love is a tough, good fighter who has learned from some of the best, but I know what I am capable of. I am going to come out on top and show boxing fans across the country and around the world what I am made of."

 "Both of these fights are excellent additions to 'MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero' and we are especially excited to see J'Leon Love make his SHOWTIME PPV debut," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. "Fighting on a Floyd Mayweather undercard presents a platform unlike any other in the sport of boxing and we know that these rising stars will take full advantage of the opportunity."

 "Santa Cruz vs. Munoz and Love vs. Rosado add even more incentive for fans to buy this SHOWTIME PPV extravaganza," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "We could not be more impressed or happy with the path that Leo Santa Cruz is on and can't wait for his skills to be tested further against Munoz in front of a worldwide audience on May 4. J'Leon Love has his toughest test to date when he faces Gabriel Rosado. I can't think of a better way to kick-off this exciting night."

 Boxing's latest action hero, 24-year-old Leo "Terremoto" Santa Cruz (23-0-1, 13 KO's) broke onto the international boxing scene in 2012 when he won the IBF Bantamweight World Champion with a 12 round decision win over Vusi Malinga last June. Following that, the punch-a-second native of Huetamo, Mexico went on to defend his belt three times in 2012 with exciting victories over Eric Morel (TKO 5) in September, Victor Zaleta (TKO 9) in November and Alberto Guevara (W 12) in December, establishing himself as a future star. Now making his home in Los Angeles, Santa Cruz returns to the site of his big win over Morel in the hopes of keeping his unbeaten record intact.

 Venezuelan veteran Alexander Munoz (36-4, 28 KO's) lives up to his nickname of "El Explosivo" with each outing thanks to the devastating punching power that has garnered 19 knockout wins in three rounds or less. A rugged competitor who has never been stopped, the 34-year-old from San Felix has won eight of his last 10 bouts, with his only losses coming against World Champions Cristian Mijares and Koki Kameda. On May 4, Munoz will look hand Santa Cruz his first defeat with the entire world watching.

With the talent he exhibits each time he steps between the ropes, Detroit, Michigan's J'Leon Love(15-0, 8 KO's) may very well be the future of the middleweight division. Just 25-years-old, Love has been very impressive in the 160-pound division, most recently stepping up to the test against 28-fight veteran Derrick Findley with a near shutout decision on February 23 in front of his hometown crowd in Detroit. On May 4, he hopes to take another step forward on his trek toward a world title shot by defeating the very tough Gabriel Rosado.

No nonsense Gabriel "King" Rosado (21-6, 13 KO's) epitomizes the relentless attitude of a Philadelphia fighter and, after a rocky start to his pro career, the 27-year-old has run off wins in seven of his last eight bouts, including knockout victories over Jesus Soto Karass, Sechew Powell and Charles Whittaker. In January, he gave a courageous effort in a WBA Middleweight World title bout against Gennady Golovkin before being stopped in the seventh round. Now, his comeback begins in Las Vegas on May 4.

"MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero," a 12-round fight for Mayweather's WBC Welterweight World Championship, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O'Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Star Trek Into Darkness and Valvoline.  The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 4 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.  Also featured will be WBC Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon defending his title against former Two-Division World Champion Abner Mares in a 12-round fight, former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz facing veteran Alexander Munoz in a 10-round junior featherweight bout and rising star J'Leon Love squaring off against recent world title challenger Gabriel Rosado in a 10-round middleweight battle.

 ♔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.

Golovkin vs Macklin: Fight official for June 29 on HBO

Gennady Golovkin will defend the WBA middleweight title against Matthew Macklin on June 29, live on HBO from the Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The fight will headline a Boxing After Dark triple-header, with super middleweight contender Thomas Oosthuizen likely to face Brandon Gonzales, and junior middleweight Willie Nelson also in action.

Press release quotes:

Gennady Golovkin

“I’m excited to return to the United States and once again fight on HBO. Matthew Macklin is a skilled, strong fighter and I look forward to the challenge of defending my titles on June 29th. I have seen a few of his fights and am very conscious of how tough of a battle this is.”

Matthew Macklin

“Golovkin hasn’t put a foot wrong yet as a pro. He’s destroyed pretty much everyone and, as a consequence, he’s probably the most hyped fighter in the sport right now. People have made him out to be this monster, but he bleeds red just like everyone else and, for the first time in his career, he’s going to be stepping into the ring against a big, strong, proper world-class middleweight.

“When you compare my last three opponents to Golovkin’s last three opponents, it’s clear who the proven entity is, going into this fight. I got robbed against Felix Sturm in Germany, it was nip-and-tuck between me and Sergio Martinez until I got caught in the eleventh, and last time out, I blew away Joachim Alcine inside a round, a former world champ who was coming off a career-best win.”

Tom Loeffler, K2 Promotions

“Gennady is excited to return to the ring so quickly to defend his titles against a proven, top-rated middleweight in Matthew Macklin. Gennady was ringside for Macklin’s fight against Sergio Martinez last March and saw firsthand how dangerous he is, as he dropped Sergio in the seventh round. GGG has become one of the most talked-about fighters in boxing. This fight with Macklin will be a very hot ticket. We’re thankful to HBO for featuring Gennady again and also to the Foxwoods Resort Casino for hosting this event.”

Lou DiBella, DiBella Entertainment

“Golovkin-Macklin is one of the very best fights that can be made in the middleweight division and all of boxing. It figures to be a barnburner and we are thrilled that Matthew is getting another deserved opportunity at a world title.”

Kery Davis, HBO Sports

“This is a fight fan’s fight. We are thrilled that both fighters accepted the challenge and we are looking forward to a terrific night of boxing on HBO.”

Scott Butera, Foxwoods

“Foxwoods Resort Casino is proud to be teaming up with DiBella Entertainment and K2 Promotions to bring a stellar championship match to Connecticut; proving once again that Foxwoods is the premier venue for professional boxing on the East Coast. The Golovkin-Macklin fight will be one for the record books.”

♔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.

GOLDEN GLOVES BOSS WARNS CHAMPION 'GGG' AHEAD OF 'MONTE CARLO MILLION DOLLAR SUPER FOUR' 30th MARCH 2013 in Monaco‏

As the date of Gennady Golovkin's title fight in Monte-Carlo looms, Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman has issued a stark warning to the WBA and IBO middleweight champion: "Underestimate Nobuhiro Ishida at your peril."

Unbeaten Golovkin makes his seventh title defence against the Japanese boxer, who is considered an underdog against one of the world's best fighters, in Monaco on March 30.

Berman's fighters have a remarkable knack for upsetting the odds, none more impressive than Corrie Sanders, who stopped heavy favourite Wladimir Klitschko in two rounds for the WBO heavyweight title 10 years ago.The late Sanders was a prohibitive underdog, but he stunned the doubters with the performance of his life.

Berman also promoted the heavyweight championship fight when Lennox Lewis was knocked cold by unheralded Hasim Rahman inside five rounds in 2001.

One of Berman's earliest world championship promotions saw unbeaten Olympic champion Kennedy McKinney derailed by little-known South African Vuyani "The Beast" Bungu for the IBF super bantamweight title. Ring Magazine named it 1994's "Upset of the Year".

"I must admit, it's a bit freakish, which is why I learned long ago never to underestimate anyone in boxing," said Berman. "Some of the least likely boxers go on to do great things."

Another such example occurred in 1996 when Sugarboy Malinga, who had lost nine fights, was matched with ferocious puncher Nigel Benn for the WBC super middleweight title. Few gave Malinga a chance, but he captured a split decision in Benn's UK backyard 

Berman was again the mastermind when former lightweight champion Dingaan Thobela knocked out Glenn Catley to win the WBC super middleweight title 13 years ago. It was an extraordinary upset that demonstrated Thobela's power.

Africa's greatest promoter was again on hand when low-key Phillip Holiday challenged vaunted Miguel Julio for the vacant IBF lightweight title in 1995. The Colombian was on a run of 27 stoppages, but this time it was Holiday who inflicted the stoppage, winning by TKO in the 10^th round against every expectation.

Ratanopol Sor Vorapin had made 10 defences of his IBF minimumweight title when he faced Zolani Petelo, another Golden Gloves star, in 1997. Yet the tiny South African overwhelmed him, inflicting a fourth-round stoppage.

 "Complacency is every boxer's biggest enemy, let this be a warning to Golovkin. Ishida will do him no favours," said Berman

Golovkin versus Ishida is the headliner on the "Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four" tournament that features four of the world's best super middleweight and light heavyweight boxers, plus a clash for the European junior middleweight title.

 

Undefeated WBA middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin vs. Gabriel Rosado on HBO Jan. 19.

♔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.

Perry frustrated with Margarito’s untimely Retirement‏

When junior middleweight Abel “Truth Serum” Perry received word that he’d be facing Antonio Margarito May 26, the Colorado City native was confident that a victory over the former three-time welterweight champion would lead to the kind of opportunity he’s dreamed of since day one.

With many ups and downs during his 6 ½ year pro career, Perry, 18-5 (9 KO’s), won five straight bouts and believed that May 26 would be his sixth. This was until Margarito injured his Achilles 12 days before fight night and the bout was postponed until July.

“Everything was rescheduled for July 7 to my knowledge and I actually saw on the internet that the fight was going to take place on the 21^st,” said Perry. “To be honest, I assumed he wasn’t training because he looked heavy in recent photos.”

He also viewed the delay as something that would only benefit him leading up to the fight of his life.

“I was actually grateful for the postponement because many of my fights came on short notice or without a proper training camp. For the Margarito bout, my manager Bobby Dobbs sent me to a training camp in Big Bear Lake, CA where I was working with Carson Jones and Gennady Golovkin. I was sparring world class guys and the extra time would only give me a bigger advantage. This was the perfect situation.”

To his unpleasant surprise, Margarito announced his retirement on June 8, canceling the fight altogether while leaving Perry without the career-changing opportunity.

“It left a sour taste in my mouth. I felt wronged because they changed the date multiple times and I committed so much time preparing for this fight, while I could’ve been looking for another fight. Everybody was writing me off and they expected Margarito to run right through me. If he’s retiring because he doesn’t have what it takes to fight top guys any longer and I’m supposedly a “safe opponent,” why not face me in a farewell fight?”

“This was a major letdown and Margarito handled this like anything but a professional,” stated Dobbs. “My fighter was in camp getting ready to pull off the upset, only for Margarito to cancel the bout after agreeing to reschedule it. I understand that he’s taken a ton of punishment during his career and didn’t want to fight again, but since this is the case, why even sign to face Abel?”

While Dobbs explores other suitable options, Perry will remain at Big Bear as a sparring partner for Jones and Golovkin.

♔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.