Bradley outlasts Holt; Andrade finishes off Tsypko on SHOWTIME‏. BRADLEY UNIFIES 140-POUND WBC & WBO TITLES IN A CLOSE CONTEST;ANDRADE OUTGUNS TSYPKO

ALL photos credit Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

MONTREAL, Canada– Fists were flying in Montreal as Timothy Bradley and Kendall Holt exchanged fierce blows for 12 electrifying rounds to unify the 140-pound World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles on Saturday evening’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. In the end, Bradley won a close unanimous decision with two judges scoring the bout 115-111 and the third 114-112.

Timothy Bradley (24-0) remained the aggressor throughout and the counter-punching Kendall Holt (25-3) never found a rhythm to unify two titles in the light welterweight division.

In the co-feature, an International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight title eliminator, Librado Andrade continually beat Vitali Tsypko to the punch. Andrade earned a clear unanimous decision with two judges scoring the bout 117-109 and the third scoring a shutout, 120-106.

The evening of fights, presented by Gary Shaw Productions, Top Rank, Inc., Thompson Boxing and Gillett Entertainment Group, Inc., emanated from The Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. The co-feature was presented in association with Sauerland Events and Golden Boy Promotions. It aired live on SHOWTIME® at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Bradley of Palm Springs, Calif., was knocked down with a vicious left hook in the first round but jumped right back up. Bradley took a knee in order to compose himself and rose again at the count of “8” to continue on.

A walloping left hook by Kendall Holt floored Timothy Bradley in the first round. But surprisingly, he sprang to his feet and shook it off to record an exciting 12-round unanimous decision on SHOWTIME.


Bradley fought back furiously as the fight progressed. He became the more physical fighter, pushing the action and causing Holt’s corner to yell for him to move forward and take control of the fight.

In the 12th round with less then 20 seconds to go, Holt sent Bradley to the canvas for a second time, but Bradley seemed unfazed and both finished the fight strong.

When ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. announced him as the new 140-pound WBC and WBO champion, Bradley became overwhelmed with emotion and fell to his knees.

The World Boxing Council (WBC) champ coming in, Timothy Bradley took home more hardware, adding Kendall Holt’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) strap to his collection.

After the fight, the undefeated Bradley (24-0, 11 KOs) said, “I kept my faith and gave tonight everything I got. This is a dream come true for me. I knew one day this would happen and I give it all to God. I came in tonight in tremendous shape. I prepared myself well.”

Referring to the two knockdowns, Bradley credited Holt saying, “Kendall is sneaky. He is a crafty fighter and I got caught. He hits hard and I know everybody will be chasing me thinking I have a glass chin but they don’t know how hard he hits.”

An upset Holt (25-3, 12 KOs) said after the fight, “I’m disappointed in myself. I let my fans down and I let my corner down. I gave away the middle rounds with a lack of work.”

When asked what was next for him Holt responded with only one thing in mind. “Rematch. It was a close fight and I want the rematch.”

While Tsypko (22-3, 12 KOs) of the Ukraine started off strong, Andrade (28-2, 21 KOs) proved to be the quicker and more composed fighter. Andrade landed a straight right hand to Tsypko’s jaw that dropped him in the second. Tsypko was able to beat the count but found himself down again in the seventh after being hit with a solid right uppercut.

On the button! Librado Andrade (28-2, 21 KOs) punished Vitali Tsypko (22-3, 12 KOs) with consistent and accurate shots through 12 rounds earning the clear unanimous decision.


A short, flush right hand by Librado Andrade sent Vitali Tsypko down in the second found. Tsypko would again taste canvas in the seventh in his loss to Andrade Saturday in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight eliminator.



In a scintillating 12th and final round, Andrade of Fontana, Calif., and Tsypko kept a quick pace trading blows back and forth. When the final bell rang Andrade was announced the winner, moving him into the number one spot and top contender for the IBF super middleweight title which is currently held by Canadian superstar Lucian Bute.

“He was very economical with his punches,” said Andrade. “I had to be careful when I hurt him. If I got too aggressive, he could get the edge and I would be in trouble. I felt that I had him in the fifth round but he is such a good boxer that he slipped away. “

Speaking of a potential rematch with Bute, Andrade said, “If it happens, I would be more then happy. This is a beautiful city and a beautiful country. The people here support boxing, they support the fighters and Bute is lucky to be from here.”

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING announcers Gus Johnson and Al Bernstein called the action from ringside with Karyn Bryant reporting from ringside. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins Jr., with Ray Smaltz producing with Bob Dunphy directing.

See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.

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Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience©®™2007, 2008 All rights reserved

Andrade to Face Vitali Tsypko In IBF Elimination Saturday, April 4, 2009 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING—Live at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK– The overwhelming fan underdog in his last fight in Montreal, Canada--a controversial loss to Lucian Bute--30-year-old Librado Andrade is looking forward to the cheers that will undoubtedly rain down on him Saturday night from the boxing-crazed Bell Centre crowd.

Andrade (27-2, 21 KOs) is ranked No. 3 in the International Boxing Federation super middleweight division and figures to be a favorite when he meets Ukriane’s Vitali Tsypko (22-2, 12 KOs), who is ranked a notch above him at No. 2. The winner becomes the No. 1 contender and Bute’s mandatory challenger.

Saturday’s elimination bout will air on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live at a special time 10:45 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) to accommodate fans watching the conclusion of the 2009 NCAA® Men’s Final Four®. The fight will take place before Timothy Bradley and Kendall Holt unify their respective World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) 140-pound titles.

The 12-round fights are co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc., Thompson Boxing Promotions, Inc., and Gillett Entertainment Group. The Tsypko-Andrade bout is promoted in association with Sauerland Events and Golden Boy Promotions.

SHOWTIME: What do you know about your opponent Vitali Tsypko?

LIBRADO ANDRADE: “The only thing I know and hope is that he doesn’t run too much. If he doesn’t run then I’ll be OK. If I don’t have to chase him all around the ring I’ll be fine. My coach watches tape of all the fighters. I don’t like to do it. I don’t like to know too much. It’s get into my head the weaknesses of my opponents and it can play tricks with your mind.”

SHOWTIME: The Montreal fight fans are very knowledgeable and actually cheered for you when they showed you on the big screen at Lucian Bute’s last fight there. How did you become so big in Montreal?

LIBRADO ANDRADE: “It started with my fight against Otis Grant in 2006 (a seventh-round TKO). I started training in Montreal before the holidays, came back, but have actually been back in Montreal since Jan. 17. I’ve always just been welcomed there. There are boos at times but there are more cheers than there are boos. The fans there just want to see a good fight. They are not going to just go after the hometown fighter. They are such a good crowd. They seem to recognize me all the time whenever I’m out in public.”

SHOWTIME: Are you surprised you are fighting in Montreal and on SHOWTIME again?

LIBRADO ANDRADE: “I’m very, very surprised. I really thought we were going to fight in the Ukraine where Tsypko is from. I was prepared for that. It’s just really a credit to my management team and my promoters at Golden Boy Promotions to get this fight there. They’ve really done a great job with me and given me an opportunity to really get my name out there.”

SHOWTIME: You are from La Habra, Calif., near East Los Angeles and are signed with Golden Boy. Do you speak much with Oscar De La Hoya?

LIBRADO ANDRADE: “We talk from time to time. I’ve trained with him for about two months in the past. We have a good relationship. It’s not like a buddy-buddy relationship. He’s real nice when I have to deal with him but as my promoter he’s basically dealing with my management team.”

SHOWTIME: Did it take a long time to get over your controversial loss to Bute?

LIBRADO ANDRADE: “No, I got over it right away. I accepted it and moved on. They keep saying he made a mistake but I don’t think he did. He fought a good fight. He was beating me the entire fight. I did come out feeling like a winner in that fight. I fought the way I wanted to fight and finished like I wanted to finish but I ran out of time. But I accepted it right away. I can only ask for one more chance to fight him and I think I will get it. I want to fight him to clear up this mess.”

SHOWTIME: “What are some things you like to do outside of the ring when you’re not training or preparing for a fight?

LIBRADO ANDRADE: “I like to just be at home and relax with my family. I just miss home so much. I think about it all the time. I’m going to be moving back to California after this fight to where I started at the La Habra Boxing Club and I can’t wait to get back on a normal schedule and routine like I’m used to.”

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

SHOWTIME, America’s No. 1 boxing network, proudly presents three world title fights in three weeks.

It begins this Friday, October 24, when undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (22-0, 18KOs) defends his title against once-beaten, No. 1 ranked challenger Librado Andrade (27-1, 21KOs) on ShoBox: The New Generation

Taking place at The Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, Andrade will step into hostile territory when he enters Bute’s backyard. Bute, a celebrity in Canada, has a massive following. In his last fight on PPV in the province of Quebec, Bute drew an audience of more than one million viewers, according to InterBox, the promoter for Bute. A crowd of approximately 16,000 is expected to witness the live event.

Eights days later on Saturday, Nov. 1, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING plays host to one of the biggest little fights since Vazquez-Marquez III, when Cristian Mijares, the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight champion faces the International Boxing Federation (IBF) 115-pound champion Vic Darchinyan in a unification bout. The 12-round fight is only the third unification match in the history of the super flyweight division.

Less than three weeks later, on Friday, Nov. 21, a special edition of ShoBox will feature a world title unification fight between WBA super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero and unbeaten 122-pound IBF champ Steve Molitor. Caballero and Molitor are two of the most feared boxers in the stacked 122-pound division. Both fighters will be making their sixth defense of their respective crowns.

For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com.

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

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

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

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

Lucien Bute Defends IBF Super Middleweight Title Against Librado Andrade on SHOBOX‏

NEW YORK– Undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion Lucien Bute (22-0, 18 KOs) will make the second defense of his title against once-beaten, No.1 ranked challenger Librado Andrade (27-1, 21 KOs) in a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation, Friday, Oct. 24 live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

In the co-feature, top prospect and No. 11 ranked World Boxing Council (WBC) contender Ronald Hearns (19-0, 15 KOs) will take on Paul Clavette (14-1-1, 2 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight bout.

The fights, which feature four boxers with a combined total of 56 KOs and only two loses, will be promoted by Interbox Corporation of Montreal, Canada from the Bell Centre in Montreal.

A southpaw with true knockout power, Bute, of Montreal, is confident in making another defense in his hometown, where he has fought 18 of his 22 professional bouts.

“I’m thrilled to be making another title defense in my backyard,” Bute said. “I worked so hard to get this title that I’m not going to let anybody take it away from me.”

The 6’2’’ brawler may have knockout power, but Bute is going to need more than that to stop Andrade, also 6’2’’, who has never been knocked out.

“I know he (Andrade) is a tough fighter,” Bute said. “But I’m just as tough as he is. I’ve never lost a fight, let alone been knocked out. I’d love to knock him out, but a victory is a victory. As long as I walk out of that ring still a champion I’m happy.”

A hard-hitting Mexican warrior, Andrade is no stranger to world title fights. His sole loss came in a unanimous decision against then World Boxing Association (WBA) and WBC 168-pound champion Mikkel Kessler on March 24, 2007. Andrade bounced back from that loss with three consecutive knockouts in his last three bouts.

In his last fight on March 22, 2008, Andrade registered an eighth round KO over Robert Stieglitz in an IBF eliminator bout to earn a shot at Bute.

“I’m back to the top of my game,” Andrade said. “You only get so many shots at a title in your career, so you better believe that I’m coming prepared. This is what’s it’s all about. This is what I train for.”

Andrade will be traveling to hostile territory to take on Bute. In his only other fight in Canada, on April 8, 2006, Andrade knocked out Otis Grant in the seventh round in a WBC eliminator bout.

“I’m not worried about traveling to his backyard,” said Andrade. “I’m not traveling all the way up there to get beat. I’ll fight him anywhere for that title.”

The co-feature should be as action packed as the main event as it pits two rising prospects with opposing styles. Hearns uses his explosive power to dominate his opponents, while Clavette relies on his polished boxing skills to outpoint his opponents.

Hearns, who has knocked out 80 percent of his challengers, is one of the top prospects in the junior middleweight division. The WBC No. 11 and WBA No. 13 challenger uses strong combinations and devastating right hooks to plow through his opponents.

“My goal is to get to the top, but I have to get though Clavette first,” said Hearns, of Southfield, Mich. “This is a tough fight and I’m not looking past it. I’m confident I’ll win, but for me the only thing I’m worried about is Oct. 24.”

The son of eight time world champion Thomas “The Hit Man” Hearns, Hearns may need to adjust his style against the crafty Clavette, who has never fallen to the canvas in his 16 professional bouts. The 6’3’’ brawler has a height advantage over the 5’10’’ Clavette, who possesses blazing speed and great footwork.

“Style-wise, it’s going to be a different match up,” Hearns said. “But that has never stopped me before. I’ve fought a lot of different style fighters and I’m still progressing as a boxer. I learn something in all of my fights, but the important thing is that I walk out with a victory.”

Clavette, of Quebec, Canada, only has one loss on his record, a split decision against David Banks on May 24, 2006. The prospect knows that he needs a victory over Hearns to stay relevant in the junior middleweight division.

“Oct. 24 is my shot to prove myself on SHOWTIME,” Clavette said. “I know Hearns is coming ready to fight, but I need this win more than he does. This is my big shot and I’m ready.”

Nick Charles will call the action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing. ShoBox recently celebrated seven outstanding years on the air.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

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

About ShoBox: The New Generation

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

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

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

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

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