★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience©®™: Lateef Kayode

Showing posts with label Lateef Kayode. Show all posts

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, June 2, 2012

"Four Warned" Final Press Conference Quotes

All eight fighters participating in Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING “Four Warned” event and the SHOWTIME EXTREMEfighters participated in a final press conference on Thursday, just two days before the highly anticipated June 2 Quadrupleheader which will be telecast live on SHOWTIME^®(9:00 p.m. ET/PT) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

“Four Warned,” a rare four-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast, features former Light Heavyweight World Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) facing unbeaten Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KO’s) in a 12-round cruiserweight fight, former undisputed junior middleweight kingpin Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO’s) returning to the ring to meet undefeated Peter Quillin (26-0, 20 KO’s) in a middleweight bout, Austin Trout (24-0, 14 KO’s) risking his perfect record and WBA Super Welterweight belt against Delvin Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KO’s) and IBF number one rated bantamweight contender Vusi Malinga (20-3, 12 KO’s) facing IBF number five rated bantamweight contender Leo Santa Cruz (19-0-1, 11 KO’s) for the vacant IBF bantamweight title. All four bouts are set for Saturday, June 2, airing live on SHOWTIME (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. “Four Warned” is presented by A.T. Entertainment, Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions with Trout vs. Rodriguez being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Malinga vs. Santa Cruz being presented in association with Branco Sports Productions. The event is sponsored by Corona and AT&T.

Headlining the SHOWTIME EXTREME preliminary fight telecast will be a 10-round battle for the NABF and vacant WBO Inter-Continental Super Middleweight titles between talented up-and-comer Dyah Davis (21-2-1, 9 KO’s) and perennial contender Sakio Bika (29-5-2, 20 KO’s), beginning live at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Also featured on the SHOWTIME EXTREMEM telecast (time permitting) will be highlights from the showdown between unbeaten lightweight rising star Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (22-0, 14 KO’s) and crafty southpaw Manuel Leyva (21-5, 12 KO’s).

Tickets for “Four Warned” are available for as low as $25, with VIP floor seats priced at $200. Other tickets in the 8,000-seat outdoor stadium at The Home Depot Center are available at $50 and $100. Fans can purchase tickets at AXS.com or by phone at 1-888-9-AXS-TIX (1-888-929-7849), as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available for purchase by calling 1-877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 1-877-234-8425.

Here’s what the fighters had to say on Thursday:

TARVER:

“Sometimes when you sign for a fight you never know how it will turn out, but this event took a life of its own. It wasn’t until the kickoff (press conference) when I realized what I was really in for. Everything had to take a back seat to my training. The passion and love for the sport still lives inside.

“Age is nothing but a number. I know this is the fight that will bring the best out of me because I know he will press hard all night long looking for that lightning in the bottle that I know won’t come. You’ll see on Saturday.”

“They (SHOWTIME) wanted to mic me up for the bout [to commentate and fight simultaneously], but I know I have my hands full with Lateef.

“I guess Lateef took offense to how I critiqued his fighting – he was used to the compliments. It’s different to look in the mirror and say I need to do this and that. We need training camp to become better, well-rounded fighters. I was trying to help him and he thought I was disrespectful.

“It’s going to be an interesting fight. Trust me, I’m in good shape. I haven’t taken him lightly. I know he has potential, I know he has the power to end the fight in one punch and that’s why I went back and trained hard for this.”

KAYODE:

“I’m ready for this fight. This is the happiest I’ve ever been. I stay in the gym, I work hard and I listen to my trainer.

“I’ve never fought anyone like this. For me to fight this man I’ll need to dig deep into my soul.

“I will knock you down. I’m sorry to say this to my brother, but on June 2, you will have to go down.

“He said I was too aggressive when I was fighting, but I’m going to show him aggressive on Saturday.”

WRIGHT:

“I’m so excited to be back in the ring – it’s been three years. Boxing got real boring for me and and no one wanted to fight me.

“Now that I’m back, I needed a great challenge. I’m coming back because I want to be champion. Peter is a great fighter, he’s coming to fight and I’m coming to fight. You’re going to see on Saturday. I wouldn’t come back if I wasn’t ready. I’m back to be the champ.

“To be the best, you got to fight the best, and Peter is a step in that direction.”

QUILLIN:

“I know this is a tough fight and a great opportunity for me. I trained harder than ever for my time in the spotlight.

“There are a bunch of inspiring stories on this card and I’m glad to be part of it.

“Hard work means easy work. I believe that I’m a future superstar of this sport.

“My dad came here 32 years ago on Saturday to this country for opportunity and now I’m fighting here for opportunity. I came from the floor to the big stage.”

TROUT:

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to fight alongside these guys. All excitement aside, I have my eye on the prize. I’m ready to make a statement.

“I want to be the pound-for-pound champ and I feel like Delvin is the gatekeeper to bigger and better things. I’m excited to get in there and put my stamp on the game. Win or lose, I’m going to give it all.”

RODRIGUEZ:

“This fight speaks for itself. The fans know it’s going to be exciting.

“Austin must be doing something right to be in the position he is now as an undefeated fighter, so we have a lot of respect for him.

“I’ve been training hard for this opportunity and this shot at the world title. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs so to get this opportunity is a blessing. We trained for seven weeks and now the fight is finally here. It’s going to be a great night of boxing.”

MALINGA:

“I’m happy to stand next to these legends. I’m prepared and have been training very hard. I’m hoping to take the title to Africa and on Saturday. I’m going to win.”

SANTA CRUZ:

“This is my first time fighting for a title. This is what I’ve been training for. I know Malinga will come ready because he wants the title, but Mexicans are warriors, too.

“I trained harder than ever because I want this title and I want it to stay in California. I can’t wait to get in there and win it.”

DAVIS:

“There’s a lot of history here and I’m happy to be part of it. I’m ready and it’s my time to shine. I’ll let my fists do the talking.”

BIKA:

“I’ve trained very hard and I’m happy to be on the undercard of these legends. I’ll bring my best Saturday because I know everyone will be watching.”

BOGERE:

“We’re coming to fight. I’m the lion. I’m happy to be put on with these legends of boxing. This is like a dream come true and I can’t wait for my time to shine.”

Friday, June 1, 2012

SNEAK PEEK VIDEO: Saturday's In-Show Feature Detailing The Events Leading Up To Antonio Tarver vs. Lateef Kayode

Rarely in sports are athletes afforded the opportunity to take their critics to task on the field of battle.

After receiving some words of advice following his appearances on ShoBox: The New Generation,

Unbeaten Lateef Kayode felt slighted by IBO Cruiserweight Champion and SHOWTIME Analyst Antonio Tarver.

This Saturday, June 2, Tarver and Kayode will settle the score in the ring.

Take a sneak peek at Saturday’s in-show feature segment

to witness what transpired leading up to this compelling matchup of teacher vs. student.

VIDEO: Highlights from "Four Warned" Kickoff Press Conference - Telecast Airs Live on Saturday, June 2 on SHOWTIME‏

Hear from Antonio Tarver, Lateef Kayode, Ronald "Winky" Wright and Peter Quillin at the pre-fight press conference before they step into the ring on Saturday, June 2nd at 9PM ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

The June 2 edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will feature two of the most renowned fighters of this era – Antonio Tarver and “Winky” Wright – putting their reputations on the line in separate bouts when they take on two of the sport’s most promising up-and-comers – Lateef Kayode and Peter Quillin.

The four fighters recently met in Los Angeles and delivered a highly spirited press conference to kick off the promotion for “Four Warned” – the rare, four-fight premium television card that will also feature two world championship fights when Austin Trout defends his WBA super welterweight title against the rugged Delvin Rodriguez and Vusi Malinga battles Leo Santa Cruz for the vacant IBF Bantamweight belt.

♔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, May 31, 2012

ANTONIO “MAGIC MAN” TARVER AND WINKY WRIGHT FLORIDA MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES

ANTONIO “MAGIC MAN” TARVER AND WINKY WRIGHT

FLORIDA MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES “I’m a sharpshooter. I punch organs. I target organs: liver, kidney, heart.

I don’t just punch mass, I punch organs and I punch that chin.” – Antonio Tarver

Tarver vs. Lateef “Power” Kayode to Headline “Four Warned” Quadruple Header

On Saturday, June 2, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME^®

From The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Less than three weeks before Antonio Tarver steps into the ring to continue his campaign at cruiserweight by taking on the unbeaten power puncher Lateef Kayode, the “Magic Man” held an open workout on Tuesday before a packed house of his hometown media at Calta’s 24/7 Fitness.

Tarver vs. Kayode will headline “Four Warned,” a stacked night of boxing on SHOWTIME^® featuring four high-stakes prizefights. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGtelecast will air live at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on Saturday, June 2 from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Joining Tarver at the workout on Tuesday was his good friend Ronald “Winky” Wright, who will fight in the co-main event, making his return to the ring against rising star “Kid Chocolate” Peter Quillin.

After a storied career at light heavyweight, Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s), of Tampa, Fla., made an emphatic debut in the cruiserweight division last summer. The Magic Man headed to Sydney, Australia and stopped hometown favorite Danny Green (RTD 9) on July 20, 2011 to capture the IBO cruiserweight title. Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO’s), of St. Petersburg, Fla., will return to the ring for the first time since April 11, 2009. He faces Quillin (26-0, 20 KO’s), who will risk his unblemished record.

Kayode (18-0, 14 KO’s), who is trained by the acclaimed Freddie Roach, is not only taking the biggest leap in competition in his career, but he is also facing a man who knows him very well. Tarver has been ringside providing expert analysis for all five of the Nigerian-born Kayode’s appearances on ShoBox: The New Generation.

Here’s what Tarver and Wright had to say on Tuesday:

ANTONIO TARVER:

“This guy is predicting he’ll knock me out in the fifth round. If Kayode comes in with that type of recklessness, he can be out before that because he has never been hit by someone who can punch as hard as me. And not just punching hard, I’m a sharpshooter. I punch organs. I target organs: liver, kidney, heart. I don’t just punch mass, I punch organs and I punch that chin. Remember that the chin is not a muscle so you can have all the muscles surrounding your neck and body, chest and abs, because if I touch that chin the right way, it’s lights out, baby.

“There are no more guys like myself. Shane Mosley lost. Bernard Hopkins lost. I’m the last Mohican. I’m the last guy who is 40-plus.

“We have a storyline here: A young guy who took offense to what I was saying as a commentator. I was just doing my job. I think the youth, the inexperience got the best of him. He’s got his handlers saying that he’s ready to roll the dice. But you’ve got to respect his position. He’s a young fighter coming up that has nothing to lose. So Kayode is in a beautiful position and if he loses to me, what has it done? It’s going to set him back a little bit but he can regroup. I can’t regroup if I lose to Lateef Kayode. There would be an asterisk and a question mark by my name and we can’t have that.

“He’s only got two hands and he can’t throw them but one at a time. We’re going to simplify it. I’ve fought a lot of strong guys that didn’t get lucky, that couldn’t hit me, couldn’t find me. So he’s coming in here trying to get lucky. I’m coming in here to rely on my skills, my experience and my conditioning to win this fight. I’ll take Kayode places he’s never been. And that’s in deep waters. He’s never been in there with a fighter like me and I’m going to show him what it’s all about.

“This is what sparring is all about. I’ve got young guys in here. I don’t have any old punching bags in here. Because if I can’t get it done in the gym, I can’t get it done June 2.

“We’re putting everyone on notice. Expect the unexpected. Kayode said the fight is going to end, that he’s going to knock me out in the fifth round. He might have a good prediction in the fifth round but I think he’s got the storyline a little twisted.

“We’re in a phone booth in camp. That’s definitely what we think the fight will represent, a phone booth. We like it in close quarters. I’m too old to run.

“I had a chance to commentate a few of his fights and he didn’t like the things I was saying. But as a young fighter, you can’t always feed them cake and ice cream. Sometimes you’ve got to put something in the back of his head so he could say, ‘You know what? Maybe there is something I can go back and work on.

“It’s about skill and I got it. We’re not going to wait for anyone to tell us how great we are because if you wait for someone to give you a compliment, you’ll be waiting forever and a day. We know who we are and we are going to continue to display it. We’re going to kill our critics with success. We got the skill, us throwback fighters. And I’m a throwback fighter because I’m older now, I’m sitting down [on my punches] more and I’m a fan friendly fighter.

“What keeps the fire burning? Critics, naysayers and my own personal achievement. People can laugh now when I tell them I’m going to become heavyweight champion. They don’t want to buy into it but they will because at 210 pounds, I’m elusive. I’m powerful. I’m strong and they can’t hit what they can’t see. I’m not a big, robotic fighter that can’t move. So those are they’re advantages. The only hope they got is to hit me on the chin and knock me out. And that’s never been done before. .

“I’m going to get that heavyweight title. Wladimir Klitschko, here I come. I’m going to get that heavyweight title. That’s coming back to America, baby. Trust it. Stamp it. Write it down.”

WINKY WRIGHT:

On making his return to the ring on a card with friend and fellow Floridian Antonio Tarver:

“It feels good. It makes it easy. To have your homeboy on the same card, we go out there and kick some butt. You know me.

When discussing the bravado displayed by Kayode and Quillin at the kickoff press conference:

“Young guys, young guys. Inexperience and all of that. The nervousness is getting to them and they want to prove this and prove that. The only time you’ve got to prove something is in the ring.

“Fans cans expect a great fight. They can come to see Winky Wright knock Kid Chocolate’s head off – not knock him out – knock his head off. He thinks I’m going to run? We’ll see. I’m going to show him a fight.”

“Four Warned” features former Light Heavyweight World Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) facing unbeaten Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KO’s) in a 12-round cruiserweight fight, former undisputed junior middleweight kingpin Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO’s) returning to the ring to meet undefeated Peter Quillin (26-0, 20 KO’s) in a middleweight bout, Austin Trout (24-0, 14 KO’s) risking his perfect record and WBA Super Welterweight belt against Delvin Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KO’s) and IBF number one rated bantamweight contender Vusi Malinga (20-3, 12 KO's) facing IBF number five rated contender Leo Santa Cruz (19-0-1, 11 KO’s) for the vacant IBF bantamweight title. All four bouts will be telecast on Saturday, June 2, live on SHOWTIME® (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. “Four Warned” is presented by A.T. Entertainment, Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions with Trout vs. Rodriguez being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Malinga vs. Santa Cruz being presented in association with Branco Sports Productions. The event is sponsored by Corona and AT&T.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

TRAINING CAMP QUOTES: ANTONIO TARVER & LATEEF KAYODE, "WINKY" WRIGHT & "KID CHOCOLATE" QUILLIN, AUSTIN TROUT, DELVIN RODRIGUEZ & LEO SANTA CRUZ

Training camp continues in full steam for the talented and confident boxers who'll be fighting on "Four Warned" - the highly anticipated quadrupleheader featuring a pair of boxing legends in dangerous assignments and two world championship fights on Saturday, June 2, live on SHOWTIME® from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

In the main event, former light heavyweight champion and current SHOWTIME boxing analyst Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver (29-6, 20 KO's), of Tampa, Fla., will face unbeaten, hard-hitting Lateef "Power" Kayode (18-0, 14 KO's), of Hollywood, Calif., by way of Lagos, Nigeria, in a 12-round cruiserweight bout.

Former world champion Ronald "Winky" Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO's), of St. Petersburg,Fla., returns to the ring to face undefeated Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (26-0, 20 KO's), of Brooklyn, N.Y., in a 10-round junior middleweight co-feature.

In the featured world title fights, WBA super welterweight titlist Austin "No Doubt" Trout (24-0, 14 KO's), of Las Cruces, N.M., will defend against third-ranked WBA contender Delvin Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KO's), of Danbury, Conn., by way of Santiago, D.R., and IBF No. 1-rated bantamweight contender Vusi "Marvelous" Malinga (20-3, 12 KO's), of Johannesburg, South Africa, and unbeaten IBF No. 5-rated bantamweight contender Leo "Terremoto" Santa Cruz (19-0-1,11 KO's), of Lincoln Heights, Calif., will clash for the vacant IBF bantamweight crown.

Other than Malinga, who's still in South Africa, all the fighters on "Four Warned" train in the United States. Here's what the seven fighters said from their training camps:

Antonio Tarver

"I changed things up starting with my last fight against Danny Green. I ran when I needed to run and I got into condition. I didn't overdo it and over-train like I normally had to do in order to make weight. I had to kill myself to get down in the past and we're not doing that now. We're taking our time, working in the gym and working on strength and conditioning and we're being consistent.

"If we miss a day to get some rest, that's OK and it's not the end of the world. As long as I'm eating good, living right and getting my rest, that's the main thing. We're not going to beat ourselves up in sparring. If I get fatigued to the point where I'm not as sharp anymore, they'll pull me out. I'm doing things like the veteran that I am and we're doing it real smart.

"We're keeping things in perspective. It's about having my body catch up with my mind, because my mind is there. I'm sharp. The reflexes are still there as well, but the body has to catch up because when I put my mind on it, the mind is already there and I'm dialed in, but the body needs to get the endurance built up. Don't worry, things are coming along great and we'll peak on fight night.

"I'm working in Tampa with my longtime trainer Jimmy Williams and Buddy McGirt comes down three or four days a week. He'll also be down the week before we leave for the fight and he knows what we've got to work on. Jimmy and Buddy work together great and I think I've got the best of both worlds with these guys. Jimmy is a great guy in preparation and I think Buddy is the best trainer in the game between rounds as far as giving the proper instructions and making sure he has his fighter's attention and focus."

Lateef Kayode

"I've had a great camp at The Wild Card. I have a great team. We started early, so I've been working for a long time. It will be three months by fight time. I'm in the best condition ever. My body can take anything he throws at me. If he wants to trade, I will trade and if he wants to box, I will box. I can go 12 rounds without a problem, but there is no way he will be able to withstand the kind of punishment I will give him unless he plans on running away all night. Either way I am knocking this man out.

"If it goes the distance, they might try to rob me, so I am going to put Tarver to sleep before the 12th round. That way I am the judge and the jury."

Winky Wright

"Camp is great. We're ready to fight. I'm ready to kick some butt.

"It's been great training in Tampa, while being home to see my kids. It motivates me even more to have my family around, but I'm glad I went away to Phoenix for a month to get my body used to the intense training again.

"Now I'm just fine-tuning and getting ready for June 2. There are a lot of different things I'm doing in camp with my trainer Dan Birmingham, but you have to wait to see it on fight night."

Peter Quillin

"The day of the fight will mark the 32-year anniversary of my father leaving Cuba and coming to the United States. He arrived in the United States on June 2, 1980, so I have a stronger reason why this fight means so much to me. I'm living the true American Dream.

"Winky keeps saying he is coming to knock Kid Chocolate's head off. I really want to know who put a battery in this man's back. Now the fans will expect Winky Wright to keep his word, but I will continue to be the powerhouse that I am. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

"This camp has taught me that if I want to perform at the top level, then I have to prepare at the top level. You can expect nothing less from me - only hard work. I'm a fulltime fighter that believes the job can never be done. When it comes to boxing, there's always room for improvement and ways to get better.

"The atmosphere at Wild Card is really supportive. You feel like you are going into the ring with a posse of other professionals right there with you. I'm fortunate to have Freddie Roach and Eric Brown working (with me) six days a week and I'm also blessed to work with Brad Bose who does my condition training three days a week. My brother Chedrick and my father Pedro have been the key to me in this camp with their support and love for me. That's why I know I'm going to take Winky Wright to Pluto.

"Thanks to all my sparring partners for prepping and pushing me. I'm the sharpest I ever been.

"I can't relate to Winky's saying he's excited to be fighting on the same card as Tarver and that 'it feels good, it makes it easy to have your homeboy on the same card.' Winky makes it sounds like Tarver is going to help him fight me, but on June 2nd, it's just me and him. He'll wish he had Tarver's help.''

Austin Trout

"I'm training at Las Cruces PAL Boxing Gym, the same gym I've trained at since I was 10-years-old.

"Camp has been great. I'm focused. I'm in terrific shape. I'm right on schedule. My weight is good. All I need is for time to go by so I can get in there on June 2nd.

"I've been running six or seven miles a day and sprinting three or four of those miles. I've been sparring 12 rounds with 30 seconds rest with three different guys - Shiju Shabazz, Aie Han and J.C. Candelo.

"I want to dedicate this camp to my good friend Lavar Washington, a childhood friend who passed a few days ago.''

Delvin Rodriguez

"I've been training in the Adirondacks for the last four weeks and will stay here until I leave for the fight. This is my first time at this location, up in the mountains, and it's perfect, with no distractions and great running.

"This is my third camp with my trainer (former heavyweight contender) Fernily Feliz and we've had an excellent camp. Sparring has been terrific with Sechew Powell and Denis "Mama's Boy" Douglin.

"This is my third fight at 154 and I feel much stronger since moving up from 147. I don't have to worry about making weight."

Leo Santa Cruz

"This is a great opportunity to become a world champion. It will be the toughest fight of my career because I know Malinga will come very well prepared, but am very optimistic that I will win.''

"It's been a great camp. I've been training for almost two months and have had something like 95 rounds of sparring (with Julian Ramirez, Raymond Chacon and Joseph Diaz). I'm in great shape thanks to Jose Santa Cruz (trainer) and Daniel Garcia (conditioning trainer).

"This is a dream come true fore me. I am really looking forward to June 2nd.''

Tickets are on sale for as low as $25, with VIP floor seats priced at $200. Other tickets in the 8,000-seat outdoor stadium are priced at $50 and $100. Fans can purchase tickets at AXS.com or by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849), as well as The Home Depot Center Box Office (open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT). VIP Suites are available for purchase by calling 1-877-604-8777. For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, please call 1-877-234-8425.

"Four Warned" features former Light Heavyweight World Champion Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver (29-6, 20 KO's) facing unbeaten Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KO's) in a 12-round cruiserweight fight, former undisputed junior middleweight kingpin Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO's) returning to the ring to meet undefeated Peter Quillin (26-0, 20 KO's) in a middleweight bout, Austin Trout (24-0, 14 KO's) risking his perfect record and WBA Super Welterweight belt against Delvin Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KO's) and IBF number one rated bantamweight contender Vusi Malinga (20-3, 12 KO's) facing IBF number five rated contender Leo Santa Cruz (19-0-1, 11 KO's) for the vacant IBF bantamweight title. All four bouts will be telecast on Saturday, June 2, live on SHOWTIME® (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. "Four Warned" is presented by A.T. Entertainment, Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions with Trout vs. Rodriguez being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and Malinga vs. Santa Cruz being presented in association with Branco Sports Productions. The event is sponsored by Corona and AT&T.

“Four Warned”; Antonio Tarver vs. Lateef Kayode

“Four Warned” features former Light Heavyweight World Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) facing unbeaten Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KO’s) in a 12-round cruiserweight fight, former undisputed junior middleweight kingpin Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO’s) returning to the ring to meet undefeated Peter Quillin (26-0, 20 KO’s) in a middleweight bout, Austin Trout (24-0, 14 KO’s) risking his perfect record and WBA Super Welterweight belt against Delvin Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KO’s) and IBF number one rated bantamweight contender Vusi Malinga (20-3, 12 KO’s) facing IBF number five rated bantamweight contender Leo Santa Cruz (19-0-1, 11 KO’s) for the vacant IBF bantamweight title. All four bouts are set for Saturday, June 2, and the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will air live on SHOWTIME® (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® (8:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. “Four Warned” is presented by A.T. Entertainment, Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions with Trout vs. Rodriguez being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Malinga vs. Santa Cruz being presented in association with Branco Sports Productions. The event is sponsored by Corona and AT&T.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

CUNNINGHAM – TARVER: A Social Media Experiment

After many months of disregarding and downplaying a potential bout with former two-time IBF Cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, former Light Heavyweight world champion Antonio Tarver has finally stepped up to the plate, well sort of.

For the past several months, Cunningham & Tarver have been going back in forth on twitter but whenever the prospect of a fight gets brought up, Tarver has had one excuse after another and then Tarver took a June 2^nd fight with little known Lateef Kayode.

Well finally Tarver, has acknowledged that a fight with Cunningham would be a meaningful one and has said a fight with Cunningham could happen if Cunningham could get support of the fans to tune in by garnering 20,000 twitter followers.

Team Cunningham decided to step up to the challenge and has launched a twitter campaign titled, "Can Twitter Make A Fight?- @USSvsMagicMan". This social media experiment will see if twitter is a powerful enough tool to get this fight made with the support of 20,000 boxing fans. The team acknowledges that this is a tall order given the lack of attention the cruiserweight division gets in the states, but they feel that if fans want to see a good fight, this should not matter.

When asked about the prospect of this fight happening, Cunningham said, "This is a fight I have wanted for the longest and Tarver has made up many excuses to not make it happen. I was honestly ready to move on from the idea, but he made the challenge and me and my team are crazy enough to call him on it. Following @USSvsMagicMan is not about being a fan of mine or Tarver's it's about being a fan of boxing and wanting to see a good fight and taking action to get it made".

Boxing fans are now asked to simply follow @USSvsMagicMan and when the number soars to the magic number of 20,000 then this important fight can and will happen.

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