Boxing After Dark: Rigondeaux vs. Agbeko Topical Promo (HBO Boxing)

The epic fall season of HBO Boxing concludes with a triple-header on Saturday, December 7th - #RigoAgbeko @trboxing
♔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, 2012, 2013, All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment Sports and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

DON KING STATEMENT - IBF ORDERS AGBEKO vs. MARES REMATCH; International Boxing Federation Orders Rematch Of Agbeko vs. Mares‏

“I am pleased to see that the International Boxing Federation, the organization that sanctioned the world championship match between IBF champion Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares on Saturday at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, took such swift action in ordering an immediate rematch.

“They wasted no time in determining that Russell Mora, the referee assigned to Agbeko vs. Mares, was in violation of their rules by displaying “inappropriate conduct” for ignoring repeated low blows against my fighter, Joseph Agbeko.

“I commend IBF President Daryl Peoples and IBF Championship Chariman Lindsey Tucker for confirming what everyone who witnessed the bout already knew. Too often, the first inclination when human frailty is exposed is to sweep it under the rug as though it never happened. It is to their credit that Mr. Peoples and Mr. Tucker confirmed that when obvious mistakes are made, it’s best to recognize them and attempt to immediately right the wrongs.

“It was a triple-blow against boxing by hurting fighters, discrediting world championship boxing and the great state of Nevada, where so many of boxing’s most memorable bouts have been staged. This has caused an undeserved negative shadow over Nevada. There should be an investigation to clear any and all doubts as to what occurred in this fight. The people deserve to know more about whatever caused this man to do what he did.

“The honor that was established by exceptional past members of the Nevada State Athletic Commission like Dr. Elias Ghanem, Chuck Minker, Marc Ratner, Dr. James Nave, Luther Mack, Duke Durden, Sig Rogich and many others brought boxing in Nevada to towering heights by being committed to following the rules with honor and integrity. They established an impeccable reputation, and to see the house they built being tarnished brings me great sadness. Inaction in this instance would be unacceptable.

“I urge the state of Nevada and its leaders to step up in similar fashion as the IBF has done. After all, they have an additional obligation to protect those making wagers by insuring that fair play is paramount in their state.

“I look forward to giving two great young athletes, Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares, the fair playing field they deserve to display their wonderful boxing skills.”

♔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.

'UTTERLY DISGUSTING' - JOHN RAWLING‏

John Rawling after he received the link to the six-minute "Low Blow Recap" earlier today regarding Agbeko vs. Mares:

"Utterly disgusting. The ref should never be allowed to work again.
A re-match has to be made, and God alone knows what Oscar De La Hoya was watching.
I have been commentating for 25 years and have NEVER seen a fighter get away with that sort of concerted illegal attack.
It is supposed to be boxing, not gelding."

John Rawling
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rawling




Post-Fight
Press Links III

GAMING STATES DOING THEIR PART TO KILL BOXING
BoxingTalk.com - By G. Leon
http://boxingtalk.com/pag/article.php?aid=21991

Abner Mares-Joseph Agbeko Controversy Tarnishes Golden Boy Promotions
The Desert Sun – By Leighton Ginn
http://sports.mydesert.com/2011/08/16/abner-mares-joseph-agbeko-controversy-tarnishes-golden-boy-promotions/

No More Mora!
TheSweetScience.com – By Ron Borges
http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles-frontpage/13119-borges-no-more-mora

Another Strike Against Boxing
The San Mateo Daily Journal – By Nathan Mollat
http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=165227&title=Simmering%20feud%20beginning%20to%20boil

Kizer: Mora Now Regrets Not Penalizing Abner Mares
BoxingScene.com – By Keith Idec
http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=42700#ixzz1VEHu9r5C

Referees Should be Seen and Not Heard
Pound4PoundBoxing.com – By William Trillo
http://pound4pound.com/BillysBoxingBlog/2011/08/15/referees-should-be-seen-but-not-heard/

Agbeko Robbed in Las Vegas
Boxing.com – By Robert Ecksel
http://www.boxing.com/agbeko_robbed_in_las_vegas.html

Thoughts on Agebko vs Mares
KnockoutDigest.com – By Jeffrey Freeman
http://knockoutdigest.com/archives/8_15_2011.php

Mares-Agbeko Recap
FightNews.com – by Graham Houston
http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/mares-agbeko-recap-92689#more-92689

Mares-Agbeko Rematch Necessary for Tourney Closure
BoxingScene.com – By Jake Donovan
http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=42694#ixzz1VENlsGDo

IBF Orders Mares to Give Agbeko an Immediate Rematch
The Ring – By Lem Satterfield
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168615-ibf-orders-immediate-rematch-for-mares-agbeko

King Commends IBF for Ordering Rematch
The Ring – By Mike Rosenthal
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168619-king-commends-ibf-for-ordering-rematch

Rematch Ordered in Wake of Controversy
ESPN.com – By Dan Rafael
http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/6868161/abner-mares-joseph-agbeko-rematch-ordered-wake-low-blow-controversy

IBF Orders Immediate Rematch of Agbeko-Mares Title Fight
USA TODAY – By Bob Velin
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2011-08-16-boxing-rematch_n.htm

Post-Fight Press Links II

Open Letter to Senator John McCain
8CountNews.com – By Keith Terceira
http://8countnews.com/news/125/ARTICLE/4339/2011-08-15.html

BOXINGTALK BREAKS DOWN THE INEPTITUDE OF RUSSELL MORA,
ROUND BY ROUND
BoxingTalk.com – By Greg Leon
http://boxingtalk.com/pag/article.php?aid=21980

Mares, ref draw criticism in title bout with Agbeko
USA TODAY – By Bob Velin
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2011-08-14-mares-IBF-bantamweight_n.htm

Spice Rack
USA TODAY – SPORTS TELEVISION COLUMN – BY MICHAEL HIESTAND
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2011-08-14-cbs-pga-championship_n.htm

Controversial ref was subject of pre-fight concern
Yahoo! Sports – By Kevin Iole
http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=Al9d5Z8dG1JJzf1_1irIKbSUxLYF?slug=ki-iole_mora_referee_agbeko_controversy081411

BAN BOXING REFEREE RUSSELL MORA FROM THE SPORT NOW: SHOCKING FIGHT RESULT IN JOSEPH AGBEKO vs. ABNER MARES
RingsideReport.com – By Brad Berkwitt
http://ringsidereport.com/?p=14481

De La Hoya: Mares’ punches were on the belt line of Agbeko
BoxingNews24.com – By Dan Ambrose
http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/08/de-la-hoya-mares-punches-were-on-the-belt-line-of-agbeko/

Golden Boy Matchmaker Tweets: ‘I Love Russell Mora’
FightHype.com – By Ben Thompson
http://fighthype.com/pages/content10523.html?PHPSESSID=da9f765f89e2fc5366165d354ea52cd8

A Note on the Refereeing in Agbeko-Mares
TheSweetScience.com – By Thomas Hauser
http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles-frontpage/13117-a-note-on-the-refereeing-in-agbeko-mareshauser

Will IBF grant King a rematch for Agbeko versus Mares?
The Ring – By Lem Satterfield
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168579-will-ibf-grant-king-a-rematch-for-agbeko-versus-mares-it-has-done-so-before

Abner Mares' awarded tainted title win
ESPN.com – By Dan Rafael
http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/6862582/abner-mares-awarded-tainted-bantamweight-title-win

Mares dethrones Agbeko with aid of ref
FOX Sports
http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/Abner-Mares-dethrones-Joseph-Agbeko-with-aid-of-referee-081311

Controversial loss angers Agbeko: ‘All I wanted was a fair fight’
The Miami Herald – By Santos Perez
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/14/2359419/controversial-loss-angers-agbeko.html#ixzz1V7O4BD7Q

The low blow goes to boxing, and the ref that gave Abner Mares a win
BoxingInsider.com – By Rich Mancuso
http://www.boxinginsider.com/columns/the-low-blow-goes-to-boxing-and-the-ref-that-gave-abner-mares-a-win/

WILL THE REAL RUSSELL MORA PLEASE STAND UP!
BoxinginLasVegas.com – By Butch Lewis/Photo: Mary Ann Owen
http://www.boxinginlasvegas.com/where_is_the_real_russell_mora.htm

Rogue ref steals the show
The Ring – By Mike Rosenthal
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168589-weekend-review-rogue-ref-steals-the-show

‘The Most Disgraceful Performance By a Referee that I Have Seen in the last 15 Years.’
15Rounds.com – By Bart Barry
http://www.15rounds.com/%E2%80%9Cthe-most-disgraceful-performance-by-a-referee-that-i-have-seen-in-the-last-15-years%E2%80%9D-081511/

Post-Fight Press Links

Mares beats Agbeko with controversy in tow
Yahoosports.com – by Kevin Iole
http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=Auj16BtN1cc5t0cAZ.YnaAOUxLYF?slug=ki-iole_mares_beats_Agbeko_controversy_081311

Controversy erupts as Abner Mares wins bantamweight belt from Joseph Agbeko
Immediate rematch likely on tap after unsatisfying finish to Showtime tournament
Las Vegas Sun - By Case Keefer
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/14/abner-mares-controversy-joseph-agbeko/

Abner Mares beats Joseph Agbeko for world title
Challenger from Hawaiian Gardens is the new International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion by majority decision.

The Los Angeles Times – By Lance Pugmire
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-boxing-mares-abeko-20110814,0,2490395.story?track=rss

Mora taints Mares victory over Agbeko, ruins good fight
RingTV.craveonline.com – Doug Fischer and Mike Rosenthal
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168561-mora-taints-mares-victory-over-agbeko-ruins-good-fight-

Looked Like Ref Russell Mora Beat Joseph Agbeko
The Sweet Science – By Michael Woods
http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/13107-russell-mora-beats-joseph-agbekostay-tuned-for-avila-from-ringside

Showtime announcer Al Bernstein called ref Russell Mora's work during the Abner Mares-Joseph Agebko bantamweight tournament final on Saturday the very worst he's seen in 15 years. Mora missed numerous low blows thrown by Mora, including a hellacious low left hook which landed right on IBF bantamweight champion Agbeko's cup which the ref called a knockdown. That blow came in round 11, and it was thrown right in front of the ref's face. After 12 rounds, the judges gave Mares a majority decision (115-111, 115-111, 113-113) and Agbeko after said he'd lodge a protest to the IFF.

Jim Gray laced into Mora after the bout and showed him the egregious left hook, which Mora protested he thought was on the belt line. His nonexistent credibility went into the sewer from the gutter when he said he'd like to view the tape later to see if it truly was low, and ventured that the punch might have slipped off Agebko's glove. One wondered if Mora would go after Gray...

If Mora had taken points for repeated low blows (and Bernstein said he saw 25 or 30), and Agebko had been awarded round 11, as he did good work, then those 115-111 scores could've gone to Agbeko. Nevermind that Agbeko's energy had to be affected by being hit low so many times, and who knows how much more zip he would have had if Mares had been forcefully warned, and had a point or two taken away, and was threatened with a DQ, as it looked like he could've or should've been.

♔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.

Rebroadcast of THE BANTAMWEIGHT TOURNAMENT FINAL: AGBEKO VS MARES TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 at 10:30PM ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME

As the boxing world continues to debate one of the year’s most controversial matches Fight fans can judge for themselves!

A Special Rebroadcast of THE BANTAMWEIGHT TOURNAMENT FINAL: AGBEKO VS MARES

Including Jim Gray’s Hard-hitting Interview with Referee Russell Mora that has Everyone Talking TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 at 10:30PM ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME

Agbeko vs Mares: Recap - Bantamweight Tournament Final - SHOWTIME Boxing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b-KTghi0Jw
Al Bernstein and SHOWTIME Sports present the official recap of The Bantamweight Tournament Final match between Joseph King Kong Agbeko and Abner Mares. Watch the highlights from the August 13th event.

LOW BLOW RECAP - STAGGERING‏

Referee Russell Mora said Abner Mares' punches were on the belt line. Oscar de la Hoya tweeted, "I watched the fight again and those punches were on the belt line the last one hit agbekos glove."

Do you agree with them after watching this low blow compilation video, below? View it and weep for Joseph Agbeko (and the sport of boxing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mr4LIC6Bj4

♔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.

No Holds Barred: Keisha Morrisey on the Agbeko-Mares Refereeing Disgrace

On this audio edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with our colleague and correspondent Keisha Morrisey.

In the August 13 bantamweight title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, between Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares, referee Russell Mora let Mares land countless low blows without even deducting a point, much less disqualifying him. In the eleventh round, Mora even counted for a knockdown after Agbeko went down from a clear shot to the groin by Mares. This was one of the worst refereeing jobs in modern boxing history, and made the majority decision victory awarded to Mares virtually meaningless.

Outrage has been virtually unanimous among those who saw the fight (except, of course, from the referee), and many are calling for an immediate rematch, as well as nullifying the decision. The New Jersey commission suspended all three judges after their absurd decision in the Lara-Williams fight earlier this year, so it will be instructive to see what action if any the Nevada commission takes regarding Mora.

We spoke by phone late Saturday night right after the Agbeko-Mares fight with Keisha Morrisey. We discussed the refereeing in this fight, what it says about the continuously declining state of boxing, what should be done next, and much more.

CONTROVERSY IN LAS VEGAS‏- Post-Fight Press Links
Controversy looms over Las Vegas (and it smells like stale beer) after inexplicable officiating--which went beyond mere incompetence--marred the main event of the Bantamweight Tournament Final at the Hard Rock on Saturday night.

Please see links, below, to the first of what will certainly be many descriptions and accounts of something that went horribly wrong.

Alan Hopper
DKP

Yahoosports.com – by Kevin Iole
http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=Auj16BtN1cc5t0cAZ.YnaAOUxLYF?slug=ki-iole_mares_beats_Agbeko_controversy_081311

Controversy erupts as Abner Mares wins bantamweight belt from Joseph Agbeko
Immediate rematch likely on tap after unsatisfying finish to Showtime tournament
Las Vegas Sun - By Case Keefer
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/14/abner-mares-controversy-joseph-agbeko/

Abner Mares beats Joseph Agbeko for world title
Challenger from Hawaiian Gardens is the new International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion by majority decision.

The Los Angeles Times - By Lance Pugmire
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-boxing-mares-abeko-20110814,0,2490395.story?track=rss

Mora taints Mares victory over Agbeko, ruins good fight
RingTV.craveonline.com – Doug Fischer and Mike Rosenthal
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168561-mora-taints-mares-victory-over-agbeko-ruins-good-fight-

Looked Like Ref Russell Mora Beat Joseph Agbeko
The Sweet Science – By Michael Woods
http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/13107-russell-mora-beats-joseph-agbekostay-tuned-for-avila-from-ringside

In a great action fight Saturday marred by puzzling officiating by the referee that left fans at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, those watching on SHOWTIME® and the telecast team themselves totally perplexed, Abner Mares won The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title with a majority 12-round decision over defending IBF titlist Joseph King Kong Agbeko.

The unbeaten Mares (22-0-1, 13 KOs), of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., scored two knockdowns – one in the first and one in the 11th that was one hotly disputed – en route to outpointing the New York-based Agbeko (28-3, 22 KOs) of Ghana by the scores of 115-111 twice and 113-113.

But talk afterward centered less on the terrific performances of the talented, proud prizefighters and more on the referee, Russell Mora, whose failure to deduct a point from the winner despite at least five warnings for low blows and several other shots that seemed south of the border left many in disbelief.

During the telecast, SHOWTIME ringside analyst Antonio Tarver said, “Mora robbed all of us of a great fight.’’

There were 1,394 punches thrown in a give-and-take slugfest. Mares connected on 318 of 732, Agbeko on 318 of 732.

“I thought the first knockdown was clear,’’ said Mares, who made history by becoming the first homegrown Golden Boy Promotions boxer to capture a world title. “On the second I hit him on the belt and the ref chose to give him a count. I agree with the ref’s choice.

“I like to work the body but I was making the fight and all he did was counter-punch.

“I’m open to fight anybody (next). I love this tournament and would love to be in another one like this.’’

Said Agbeko, who demanded an immediate rematch, “I felt as though I was fighting two opponents in the ring tonight, Abner Mares and the referee. The referee ruled incorrectly on the knockdowns and he allowed Mares to hit me low repeatedly. Then, in the 11th, he called what everyone could see was another obvious low blow a knockdown.

“I don’t why these things happened to me. I felt the ref was against me from the start. All I wanted was a fair fight.

“I like Abner. He’s a good fighter. But I’m sure he didn’t want to win a fight this way.’’

A 12-round fight promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions will re-air this week as follows:Tuesday, Aug. 16, 10:30 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME

Saturday’s fight will be available ON DEMAND beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 16.

♔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.

Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares both gunning for 118lb glory - 'Boxing’s little guys make the best fights'

Denzil Stone - Atlantic City
The Showtime-organised Winner Takes All: Bantamweight Tournament is set to conclude on Saturday, August 13, with both participants, Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares, determined to take the competition crown, the IBF title at 118lbs and the accolade of the division's finest. Mares pledged to put on a clinic and claimned that boxing's "little guys put on the best fights".

"I feel great," King Kong Agbeko, who withdrew from the original bout scheduled earlier in the year due to suffering a sciatic nerve attack, explained to the media recently. "I was never afraid that I would not fight again. I was surprised a thing like this could happen to me, but I knew in my heart that my career was not going to end this way. I mostly felt very bad that our first fight could not come off as scheduled.
"I have trained for nine weeks and my camp was excellent. At no point did I feel weak and now it is all behind my and I am focusing on Mares," said the Ghanian prizefighter.
"There is no way I am going to lose this fight," added Agbeko (28-2-0, 22ko), the current incumbent of the IBF championship title due to a decision win over Yonnhy Perez in the semi-final last year. "I don’t watch a lot of tape on my future opponents and I have only seen a few rounds of Mares’ fight against Yhonny Perez, but I know he is a very good, fast, aggressive fighter with a big future in this sport.
"I have prepared for everything he brings. He may be the one running in this fight."
The 31-year-old continued: "I am the only champion in boxing now from Ghana and I plan to continue to carry the torch from Azumah Nelson [former three-time world champion]. The winner deserves to be recognized as the number one bantamweight in the world."

Mares (21-0-1, 13ko), known for his swift fists and undefeated record, said: "It was difficult for me when our fight was cancelled, but eventually I got over it. I took a few weeks off and then was back in the gym. My camp was different this time around. We changed it up, first when I was in Mexico and then when I was in Santa Fe Springs [California], just so I wouldn’t get stale.
"This camp went by fast and now my training’s done," added the Mexican, a 25-year-old who defeated Vic Darchinyan in the semi-final stage in order to set up the finale with Agbeko. "I’m in great shape and very excited about fighting on Saturday. I’m totally focused and ready to explode. I believe the winner of this tournament should be called the top bantamweight in the world.
"A chance to become the first homegrown Golden Boy world champion is very exciting to me. I definitely would like to be the first, but I don’t feel any nervous pressure.
"I’m really grateful for everyone involved in making this fight happen and for this tournament. Everyone knows that boxing’s little guys make the best fights. Fans are in for a real treat on Saturday."

♔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.

The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All grand finale will take place on Saturday, August 13, live on SHOWTIME®

International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight World Champion Joseph Agbeko and undefeated rising star and World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Bantamweight Champion Abner Mares.
Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs), of Accra, Ghana, will defend his IBF title against the fast-rising, Mares (21-0-1, 13 KOs), of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif. by way of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, in the tournament final. Mares’ WBC Silver bantamweight belt will also be on the line.

The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All set to take place on Saturday, August 13, 2011 live from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. and to be televised live on SHOWTIME. The event is promoted by Don King Production and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona.

♔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.

Agbeko-Mares Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All

Just steps away from where all the action will take place one month from now at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Joseph King Kong Agbeko and Abner Mares took part in a spirited press conference Thursday at Muse Hall.

The press conference was well attended by a group of Las Vegas’ finest boxing media who heard from both fighters and their camps and promoters, including the legendary Don King, who waved flags for both Ghana and Mexico while heaping praise on Agbeko.

International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight champion Agbeko takes on undefeated rising star and World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver 118-pound titleholder Mares in The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All on Saturday, Aug. 13, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

“With the type of fight this will be, it's proper for this fight to be at a place called Hard Rock,” King said.

Here are what the fighters and their promoters had to say on Thursday:

Joseph King Kong Agbeko:

“I had my first fight in Vegas at Hard Rock and won by KO. I'm happy to be back.

“I want to thank Abner Mares and his team for their patience. It's going to be a great fight.

“I thank SHOWTIME for this tournament. It will make me the best 118-pounder in the world when I win on Aug. 13.

“My prediction is that the announcer will say "And STILL IBF bantamweight champion of the world...

“I love fighting boxers over fighters because boxers use their brain. This will be a good fight.

“I know that we have both fought Vic (Darchinyan) and Yonnhy (Perez). He survived that but he will not survive me.

Abner Mares:

“I expect nothing but tough fights at this point in my career. It helps me prepare better. Against Vic (Darchinyan), I fought a war. I'll do whatever I need to do.

“In December, I had to change my plan because of the cut (on my head). Depending on how the fight goes over the first few rounds, I'll adjust. I plan to box more this time but you never know.

“It would mean everything to get the IBF world title. Knowing you're the world champ, that's everything.

“It was frustrating at the time the first fight was called off. I was at the peak of my training and I can't lie, I'm human and I was very frustrated. It destroyed me a little bit, but then I regrouped and the more mature Abner prevailed. It's Joseph's health and that's serious. I'm glad he's better. I saw him at the press conference before the fight in April and he was weak and limping. I felt bad and realized that could have been me.

“I took three weeks off after the fight was called off and took my family vacation but I went right back to the gym when I got home and now I feel just as ready as last time, ready to be a world champ.

“Never in my short life did I think that I'd be sharing the stage with Don King. This is incredible.

“I want to be Mexico's 20th world champion. I made my dream come true when I went to the Olympics in 2004 and now I will make my dream come true of becoming a world champion.

“Thanks to SHOWTIME for showcasing me. Many people know who I am because my last two fights were on SHOWTIME.”

Don King, Agbeko’s Promoter:

“It's always a pleasure to be in Las Vegas. Thanks to Ken Hershman who chose to endure and conquer. This is more than a fight. It will be dedicated to W.E.B. DuBois. He died in '93 in Ghana and now the mantle has fallen on Joseph Agbeko. DuBois said in the 20th century color line is the biggest problem in America and now, King Kong will come down and beat on his chest and the elephants will come running. Mares will be Poncho Villa and Agbeko will win for his Ghanaian people. This is a fight for unity, solidarity and togetherness.

“I like Mares but it's going to be a day for Joseph. You've got to be there on the scene. If you can't, check it out on the screen. This fight is a statement. We're part of history, and sorry Abner, to be a part of history, one must be sacrificed.

“Not only did Agbeko defeat something I can't pronounce (Sciatica) but he will defeat Abner Mares this August 13 and we'll be going on to better things.

“This is a great tournament. SHOWTIME has been a vanguard for fighting for what is right.”

David Itskowitch, Golden Boy Promotions COO and Mares’ Promoter:

“I'm excited about this event, the Final of The Bantamweight Tournament.

“The first round was a great one and Saturday, Aug. 13, live on SHOWTIME at The Joint, we'll have a great ending. Tickets are very reasonable, starting at $25. You can get tickets at the Hard Rock box office and Ticketmaster.com.

“When Abner wins this fight on Aug. 13, he will be the first fighter to have his pro debut all the way through winning a world championship with Golden Boy. It's been quite a journey. I'm proud to know him. He is a family man and an example for all athletes. He got here by winning a great knock-down, drag-out fight against Vic Darchinyan and the Final should be just as exciting.

“The Joint is a great place to see a fight. It's a fun spot. There’s not a bad seat in the house.

“This fight would not be happening without SHOWTIME. I want to thank Ken Hershman. We hit a bump in the road with this tournament but Ken stuck with it. He has a lot of experience in persevering like he has in the Super Six. Thanks to Gordon Hall, David Dinkins (Jr.), Chris DeBlasio and the entire team that kept everything together.”

♔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.

JOSEPH AGBEKO AND ABNER MARES HOST LAS VEGAS PRESSER ANNOUNCING THEIR AUG. 13 WORLD TITLE FIGHT TO DETERMINE BANTAMWEIGHT TOURNAMENT FINAL WINNER

JOSEPH AGBEKO AND ABNER MARES HOST LAS VEGAS PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING THEIR AUG. 13 WORLD TITLE FIGHT TO DETERMINE BANTAMWEIGHT TOURNAMENT FINAL WINNER Thursday, July 14 Noon PT At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas Muse Hall

International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight World Champion Joseph Agbeko and undefeated rising star and World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Bantamweight Champion Abner Mares will meet to announce their world title fight in The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All set to take place on Saturday, August 13, 2011 live from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. and to be televised live on SHOWTIME.

The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All grand finale will take place on Saturday, August 13, live on SHOWTIME® (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The event is promoted by Don King Production and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona.

♔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.

Don King Summer Sizzler Showcases Hard Punchers at BankAtlantic Center On Saturday, July 11

SUNRISE, Fla.—Two of the hardest-hitting boxers in the world will meet when International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Joseph King Kong Agbeko defends his crown against two-division world champion Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan at BankAtlantic Center on Saturday, July 11 and on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The championship is scheduled for 12 rounds.

The televised co-feature will showcase two world-ranked No. 4 contenders when emerging lightweight Antonio DeMarco (20-1, 14 KOs), from Tijuana, Mexico, meets Anges “Baby Face” Adjaho (25-1, 14 KOs), from Benin, Africa, now fighting out of Geneva, N.Y.

The event is promoted by Don King Productions in association with BankAtlantic Center. Agbeko vs. Darchinyan and DeMarco vs. Adjaho are co-promoted with Gary Shaw Productions.

Both main event fighters possess eye-popping knockout percentages. Agbeko (26-1, 22 KOs) from Accra, Ghana, now fighting out of Bronx, N.Y., has knocked out over 81 percent of his opponents with Darchinyan (32-1, 26 KOs), from Sydney, Australia, by way of Armenia, right behind him at 76 percent.

The Aussie bomber is a four-time world champion at flyweight and super flyweight. He will leave his IBF, WBC and WBA titles at 115 pounds behind to move up to the 118-pound limit to face the champion. If victorious, Darchinyan will become a three-division world champion.

The Ghanaian powerhouse gave a gritty performance to win his world title, scoring a seventh-round technical knockout over Luis “El Demoledor” Perez—a tough-as-nails Nicaraguan who had been champion since 2003—at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif., on Sept. 29, 2007.

“I’ve seen stronger fighters than Darchinyan,”Agbeko said defiantly. “I respect him for what he has accomplished but I don’t think he has the true heart to beat me and take my punches.

“This fight will be the genesis of King Kong and the defining moment of why my parents named me this at birth. This is my destiny.”

The brash Darchinyan sees a different outcome.

“Agbeko may have seen stronger fighters than me but I guarantee you he has never fought any of them,” Darchinyan retorted. “The only thing he and King Kong have in common is they are both works of fiction. After I’m through with him he’ll have to change his name to King Con.”

Both fighters only have one loss each. Agbeko lost his second professional fight and has not lost since—24 wins in a row—while Darchinyan was shocked by flyweight Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire on July 7, 2007, in Bridgeport, Conn., who landed a fight-changing left hook in round five that lead to a technical knockout.

The loss came in Darchinyan’s first appearance after a traumatic 12th-round stoppage of Victor Burgos on March 3, 2007, at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Darchinyan had been dominant in the contest but was taken by surprise when Burgos was rushed to a nearby hospital after the match suffering from a brain injury. Heroic efforts by doctors saved Burgos’s life, but he will never box again.

Darchinyan moved up to super flyweight, winning the IBF title by fifth-round knockout over Dimitri Kirilov on Aug. 2. He added the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council 115-pound crowns with a thrilling knockout over favored Cristian Mijares in round nine on Nov. 1 in Carson, Calif.


In his last appearance, Darchinyan was yet again dominant in a highly anticipated match against Mexican strongman Jorge Arce at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Feb. 7. Clearly the best fighter in the world at 115 pounds, Darchinyan pounded Arce for 11 rounds until the referee halted the beating.

Although a champion himself, King Kong will be in the toughest challenge of his career against the Raging Bull, who is currently listed near the top of the top pound-for-pound best boxer lists.

The co-feature is a pivotal matchup for DeMarco, 23, and Adjaho, 32, with ramifications for the entire lightweight division. Both are near the top of the world rankings with only one career loss each and an identical number of knockouts at 14.

DeMarco, ranked No. 4 by the WBA, is the younger, more visible contender with multiple television appearances and hasn’t lost in his last 14 fights. While this will be Adjaho’s first television appearance in the United States, he grew up in boxing gyms as his father was a national boxing coach in Benin, Africa.

A child prodigy who compiled a stellar amateur record of 164-3, Adjaho, ranked No. 4 by the IBF, claims to have never been knocked down as an amateur or as a professional. Adjaho disputes his lone loss, a split decision, which came against Miguel Acosta in 2007 even though Acosta hit the deck twice during the fight.

In domestically non-televised action, fans at BankAtlantic Center will be treated to a full undercard highlighted by an important IBF elimination bout (for No. 1 and mandatory challenger) between former cruiserweight world champions Steve “USS” Cunningham (21-2, 11 KOs), from Philadelphia, and Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite (23-3, 19 KOs), from Guyana now fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Cunningham lost his IBF cruiserweight title at the hands of former light heavyweight world champion Tomasz Adamek in one of last year’s most memorable fights. In fact, the Boxing Writers Association of America designated the fight as one of the five nominees for “Fight of the Year” in 2008. The match took place at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 11.

Cunningham suffered three early knockdowns from the heavy-handed Adamek, but many felt he should have been declared the victor after 12 rounds, but Adamek won the split decision.

Braithwaite won the WBC cruiserweight title in 2002 by defeating Vincenzo Cantatore, and he successfully defended that title three times before suffering a decision loss to Jean-Marc Mormeck in 2005.

Big Truck has also tangled with the likes of future world champions Guillermo Jones and Enzo Maccaranelli in 2005 and 2007, respectively. Always dangerous, Braithwaite would like nothing more than to earn another shot at a world title.

Also appearing will be undefeated and rising Cuban prospect Angelo “La Cobra” Santana (5-0, 4 KOs).


See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

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

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

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

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

ABREGU KNOCKS OUT GARCIA IN THRILLER; QUINTERO EARNS UNANIMOUS WIN OVER FERGUSON; DON’T MISS THE REPLAY WEDNESDAY MAY 6, 10 P.M., ON SHOWTIME

SANTA YNEZ, Calif.– Undefeated Carlos Abregu met the canvas twice Friday night before sending Irving Garcia there with just one second remaining in the fourth round for a TKO win in the welterweight main event on ShoBox: The New Generation. It was an action-packed fight that had the Chumash Casino Resort crowd on its feet cheering for more.

Abregu vs Garcia – Irving Garcia surprised everyone, especially Carlos Abregu, with his first-round knockdown Friday night on ShoBox: The New Generation. But it was Abregu who got the win with a technical knockout when referee Jack Reiss called the fight at 2:59 in the fourth round. Abregu vs Garcia – Carlos Abregu recorded the knockout punch with just one second remaining in the fourth round against Irving Garcia. Abregu vs Garcia – Carlos Abregu said after the fight he was surprised by the speed and power of his welterweight opponent, 30-year-old Irving Garcia.
Photo Credit:Tom Casino

Abregu (27-0, 22 KOs), of Salta, Argentina, overcame two knockdowns in the first and fourth rounds, finally connecting on a straight right followed by a right uppercut sending Garcia (17-4-3, 8 KOs) to the ground before referee Jack Reiss stopped the fight to Garcia’s visible displeasure.

“That was one of the most wildly entertaining fights I’ve seen in years,” SHOWTIME announcer Nick Charles said afterward. “Wow. Some guys would have come unwound after being hit like that. It was all bullets and gun smoke tonight."

Abregu said he “just got caught” in the first round on a right counter by Garcia but came back in the second round with a flurry of combinations that had Garcia off balance the entire round. “I don’t know how I survived that second round,” said Garcia, of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. “I’m very disappointed

Said Abregu, sent to the floor on a left hook by Garcia with 1:27 in the fourth: “I thought my hand was going to hurt I was hitting him so hard in the second round. I knew I had hurt him, but he kept coming. He wouldn’t go down.”

Abregu said he was surprised with the performance of the 30-year-old Garcia. “On the tape I watched of him I didn’t think he would be that fast,” he said.

In an entertaining co-feature lightweight bout, Marvin Quintero (16-1, 12 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico, dominated Wes Ferguson (20-4-1, 6 KOs) of Las Vegas, over eight rounds winning on all three scorecards, 78-74, 79-73, 78-74. The evening was presented by Gary Shaw Productions.

Marvin Quintero dominated Wes Ferguson for eight of 10 rounds, winning the lightweight bout Friday night by scores of 78-74, 79-73, 78-74 in the co-feature.

At the end of the second round Ferguson staggered Quintero and then swung big, missing and slipping to the canvas. “I had my opportunities to knock him out but I wanted to prove to people that I could box,” Quintero said. “It was a very tough fight but none of his punches really hurt me. I give myself a nine out of 10. I could have worked harder training for this fight.”

Undefeated super middleweight Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell was in the stands watching his brother Anthony win a super middleweight undercard bout in a first-round knockdown against Alexander Quiroz of Miami, Fla., in just under a minute. Andre was interviewed by SHOWTIME’s Steve Farhood between the telecast’s two fights about his future plans.

Dirrell grew up in the same gym as Ferguson in Flint, Mich. “I’ve known Wes since he was 8 years old,” said Dirrell, who hopes to fight again at the end of June. “I thought he hit the jab perfect tonight. He just didn’t counter. He’s slick enough to be a top prospect. I think he can do it.”

Dirrell last fought on SHOWTIME in March, winning a sixth-round TKO over Derrick Findley to improve to 18-0 with 13 knockouts.

2008 Olympian Gary Russell Jr. fought on the undercard, beating Alvaro Muro (6-14, 5 KOs) of Moreno Valley, Calif., in a four-rounder by decision, 40-35 on all three judges’ scorecards. It was the third straight win to no defeats for Russell, who turned pro in January. Russell was interviewed between fights Friday.

Russell vs Muro – Olympian Gary Russell Jr., won a unanimous decision over Alvaro Muro, 40-35, on all three judges’ scorecards.

“I give myself a B tonight,” Russell said. “I’m glad I fought someone who didn’t just go down right away. He was tough.”

Charles called Friday’s action from ringside with boxing historian Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox was Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

“That was the most exciting fight I’ve seen in my eight years doing ShoBox,” Farhood said after the Abregu fight.

Friday’s ShoBox telecast will re-air on SHOWTIME 2® on Wednesday, May 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast also will be available ON DEMAND from May 4-May 31.

Mixed Martial Arts is up next on SHOWTIME as the network will premiere a new series for the next generation of MMA stars entitled Strikeforce Challengers. The debut of Strikeforce Challengers will take place on Friday, May 15 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. In the main event, unbeaten 155-pound sensation Billy Evangelista (9-0) will face BJ Penn protégé “Iron” Mike Aina (11-6-1). The SHOWTIME telecast will air live beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) and feature up to five fights.

In a special primetime edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on Saturday, May 16 (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast), undefeated and No. 1 ranked 2004 Olympic Gold medalist Andre Ward (18-0, 12 KOs) defends his North American Boxing Organization (NABO) and North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super middleweight titles against Colombian knockout artist Edison Miranda (32-2, 28 KOs) at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. Also, undefeated John Molina (16-0, 12 KOs) will fight an opponent to be determined and Shawn Estrada (5-0, 5 KOs) takes on Tony Hirsch (8-1-1, 4 KOs) in a four-round super middleweight fight.

MMA resumes on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) on Saturday, June 6, when Robbie Lawler throws down with Jake Shields in the Strikeforce main event at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. In one of the co-featured fights, Nick Diaz takes on hard-hitting KO artist Scott Smith.

On Saturday, July 11, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Vic Darchinyan (32-1-1, 26 KOs) will attempt to become a world champion in a third weight class when he challenges IBF bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko (26-1-22 KOs) live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

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

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

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

©®™2007, 2008 All rights reserved

SecondsOut Radio: Johnny Bos Talks Boxing

SecondsOut Radio: Johnny Bos Talks Boxing On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio, host Eddie Goldman had thepleasure of speaking with one of the most knowledgeable people alivein the sport of boxing, the legendary matchmaker Johnny Bos (*http://myspace.com/snoopbee). Right after the marathon of televised fights on Saturday, December 13,we had a lengthy discussion by telephone about the fights themselves and also numerous pressing issues in boxing. We began with the Yuri Foreman-James Moore junior middleweight fight, won by Foreman by alopsided ten-round unanimous decision (Johnny is Yuri's matchmaker). We also analyzed the Kendall Holt-Demetrius Hopkins, James Toney-Fres Oquendo, Wladimir Klitschko-Hasim Rahman, and Shawn Estrada-Shaun Spaid fights, as well as the Tomasz Adamek-Steve Cunningham and Joseph Agbeko-William Gonzalez fights from Thursday, December 11. Interspersed in our discussion were commentaries on why boxing is killing itself today, why young fighters are not being developed properly, how boxing is more "crooked" today than in the past, whichmajor promoter has a history of putting on the best and most competitive cards, the many obstacles Johnny is trying to overcome to continue working in boxing, and more. Johnny is a one-of-a-kind personality and a genuine throwback to theglory days of boxing, so this interview should stimulate some very lively and absolutely necessary discussion about the fate of the sport and business of boxing. It is free to listen to SecondsOut Radio, but you must register to gain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/,and listen, learn, and enjoy.

Thanks, Eddie Goldman http://eddiegoldman.com

See you at the Fights.

Thanks for your time.

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

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

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

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

International Boxing Federation world-championship doubleheader on Thursday at Prudential Center—the first title card in Newark in 60 years

NEWARK, N.J.—Boxers preparing for the International Boxing Federation world-championship doubleheader on Thursday at Prudential Center—the first title card in Newark in 60 years (VERSUS 8 p.m. ET/PT)—participated in a media workout today.



IBF cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham (21-1, 11 KOs), from Philadelphia, said his Polish-born opponent Tomasz Adamek shouldn’t place too much emphasis on the fact he was able to defeat former undisputed cruiserweight world champion O’Neil “Supernova” Bell in April.



“Tomasz Adamek didn’t beat O’Neil Bell. O’Neil Bell quit. If Adamek has a false sense of hope because of that win, he needs to know there’s no quit in me. I haven’t put in all this work and become world champion to go out on my stool. The only way I go out without my belt is if they carry me out.”

“I still live in the hood in Philadelphia as a world champion. I’m still trying to get out of the hood. That’s motivation enough for me to win right there.”

Former World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion Adamek (35-1, 24 KOs) Adamek, who did not participate in the today’s media workout, was reached by phone.

“I prefer to spend the last few days of training alone,” Adamek said. “I’ll see Cunningham on Thursday night. I expect this match to go the same way as the Bell fight where nothing surprised me and I was able to dictate the pace of the fight.”

The co-feature pits IBF bantamweight champion Joseph King Kong Agbeko (25-1, 22 KOs), from Accra, Ghana, against his mandatory challenger, IBF No. 1-ranked William “Chirizo” Gonzalez (21-2, 19 KOs), from Managua, Nicaragua.

Joseph King Kong Agbeko


“I saw Agbeko defeat Luis Perez to become champion but I didn’t see anything special in him,” Gonzalez, making his first world-title appearance, said. “I don’t think he’s special. I am very confident. This match is very important to me and my future, but I’m trying to not think of that right now, only about Agbeko and his championship. I will defeat him and win his belt.

When told of the challenger’s boasts, Agbeko was undaunted.

“I’m glad Gonzalez is confident,” Agbeko said. “He will need his confidence to stay in the ring with me. I know he’s 21 and 2, but he’s never been in the ring with King Kong.”

See you at the Fights and Thanks for your time.

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

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

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

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

SecondsOut Radio: Joseph Agbeko, Jorge Teron, More on the Decline of American Boxing‏

SecondsOut Radio: Joseph Agbeko, Jorge Teron, More on the Decline of American Boxing On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio, host Eddie Goldman begins by discussing the unfortunately recurrent theme of the decline of American boxing. This decline was most recently written about by veteran UK sports writer Kevin Mitchell in a piece on the sports blogs of the Guardian of the UK entitled "US boxing is in danger of being consumed by its own bastard children" (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2008/nov/23/boxing). We comment on that article, and also discusswhy having top 140-pound fighter Ricky Hatton, victorious this past Saturday night over Paulie Malignaggi, fight the Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao winner is also not good for boxing.

Eddie Goldman and Joseph "King Kong' Agbeko


One champion fighter who has been absent from action for over a yearis IBF bantamweight champ Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko (25-1, 22 KOs). Originally from Ghana and now fighting out of the Bronx, New York, Agbeko is now finally supposed to be defending his belt December 11 in Newark, New Jersey, against challenger William Gonzalez (21-2, 19KOs). Before this December 11 fight was announced, we caught up with Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko at a New York news conference to discuss the reasons for his absence from the ring, and his plans to defend his title.

Jorge "The Truth" Teron

Another fighter having difficulty securing a date is lightweight prospect Jorge "The Truth" Teron (22-0-1, 15 KOs). The 23-year-old Teron, also from the Bronx, New York, had been scheduled to face journeyman Aldo Valtierra (24-10, 13 KOs) on November 21, but thatentire card was cancelled. However, Teron will now be facing Valtierraon a card on Thursday, December 4, at Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan,New York, promoted by Bob Duffy's Ring Promotions. Again, before the November 21 show was cancelled, we had a chance at aNew York news conference to speak with Jorge Teron about his plans andhis career. Last but not least, the subject of the serious problems facing boxingwas also discussed this past week on the "Joey Reynolds Show", anational radio broadcast in New York on WOR 710 AM and on 100 otherstations via the WOR Network, and also available online (http://wor710.com/pages/46370.php?contentType=4&contentId=157588). The guestsin this segment were myself, Eddie Goldman, and comedian Jackie "TheJoke Man" Martling, who is also a boxing fan. In a discussion led by Joey Reynolds, also a big supporter of boxing,we focused upon the continuing problems with the treatment of themedia at the Nov. 8 fight between Joe Calzaghe and Roy Jones Jr. at Madison Square Garden, as well as other problems plaguing the sport. It is free to listen to SecondsOut Radio, but you must register togain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/,and listen, learn, and enjoy.

Thanks, Eddie Goldman http://eddiegoldman.com

See you at the Fights and Thanks for your time.

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

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

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

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

NO HOLDS BARRED: Jay Hieron, Wagnney Fabiano, Bob Meyrowitz, YAMMA Preview, IFL Review‏

NO HOLDS BARRED: Jay Hieron, Wagnney Fabiano, Bob Meyrowitz, YAMMA Preview, IFL Review

http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2008-04-05T14_20_06-07_00

On this edition of NO HOLDS BARRED, host Eddie Goldman reviews the IFL mixed martial arts card held Friday, April 4, at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and previews the debut show of YAMMA Pit Fighting mixed martial arts this coming Friday, April 11, at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Right after their fights, we spoke with two of the IFL champions, 170-pounder Jay Hieron and 145-pounder Wagnney Fabiano, about their successful title defenses Friday night. Hieron, a former Div. I college wrestler at Hofstra, scored a TKO win over Mark Miller with a ground-and-pound attack, winning at just 2:10 of the first round. Fabiano, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and expert, scored a first-round knockout of Shad Lierley in just 37 seconds, landing a beautiful straight left-right hook combination that put him away.

This coming Friday, April 11, the much-anticipated and already controversial debut show of YAMMA Pit Fighting takes place at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This will be an all-heavyweight show, with two Masters’ Superfights and a one-night, eight-man tournament. This card will also be shown live on pay-per-view.

To get the latest on this card and clear up some of the mysteries about this show as well as some of the confusion being spread by some so-called media members, we spoke directly this past Thursday afternoon with Bob Meyrowitz, a co-founder of the UFC and now the man in charge of YAMMA Pit Fighting.

To listen to NO HOLDS BARRED, click the link at the start of this message, scroll down that page, and just press the play button on the player.

You can also download it by scrolling down that page and clicking on the download link (right-click to save it).

Also, NO HOLDS BARRED is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441.

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

The NO HOLDS BARRED theme song is called "The Heist", by musician Ian Carpenter (http://iancarpenter.com/).

Make sure to check out my regular weekly boxing show SecondsOut Radio, at http://www.secondsout.com/radio/. On this week's edition, we speak with Joseph Agbeko, the IBF bantamweight champion, and Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko (25-1, 22 KOs) was not widely known to the boxing world before his title fight Sept. 29, 2007, with then-IBF bantamweight champion Luis Perez. Most of his fights had been in Africa against opponents who were nowhere near being world-ranked. But that did not stop Agbeko from pulling the upset and dethroning the veteran Perez with a seventh-round TKO. We discussed with Joseph Agbeko his background as a fighter and his plans for his next fight. We also recently spoke with Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, at the kickoff news conference to announce the April 19 fight between two champions, light heavyweight king Bernard Hopkins and super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe. We spoke with him about this fight, and also about the plans of Golden Boy Promotions to enter the worlds of soccer (football) and mixed martial arts. Also, we discuss the narrow view of much of the boxing media towards combat sports, their failure to understand other real combat sports such as mixed martial arts and wrestling, and their fawning over the staged pro "wrestling" spectacle, which has left so many of its participants prematurely dead. It is free to listen to SecondsOut Radio, but you must register to gain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/, and listen, learn, and enjoy.

Make sure to check out my regular articles on the ADCC News at http://www.adcombat.com and on FightBeat.com at http://fightbeat.com.

NO HOLDS BARRED is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

YAMMA Pit Fighting (http://yammapitfighting.com). The producers of the original UFC and Live Nation (http://livenation.com/), worldwide leaders in live entertainment, present YAMMA Pit Fighting mixed martial arts. On the streets, it's against the law. In the pit, it IS the law.

IFL, the International Fight League (http://ifl.tv/), the world's first professional mixed martial arts league. Make sure to check out their regular TV shows on FSN (Fox Sports Net) (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/1636002) in the U.S., and to check your local listings for dates and times. Check out the IFL web site (http://ifl.tv/), for a listing of IFL live events and their TV schedule, at http://ifl.tv/TV-Schedule.html.

Gladiator Challenge (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/), shaking up the mixed martial arts world since 1999, and now with 30 shows per year. For more news and info, check out their web site, GladiatorChallenge.com (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/).

BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com), your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

Gladiator Magazine (http://gladmag.com/), for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com) or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear (http://jiujitsuprogear.com/).

FightBeat.com (http://fightbeat.com/), for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.

Thanks, Eddie Goldman

No Holds Barred blog
http://nhbnews.blogspot.com/

No Holds Barred podcast
http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/

The Boxing Standard
http://boxingstandard.com/

No Holds Barred on MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/nhbnews

Enjoy!