SecondsOut Radio: Holt-Bradley Preview; More on Khan-Barrera,Margarito Hand Wrap, and Heavyweight Controversies On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio, host Eddie Goldman once again discusses some of the good and bad going on in boxing. We begin with the ever-burgeoning negative side. We follow up on the commentaries of the past two weeks on this show by Dr. Margaret Goodman, focusing again on why the March 14 fight between Amir Khan and Marco Antonio Barrera should have been stopped far sooner than itwas because of a severe cut on Barrera's forehead due to an accidental head clash in the first round. We discuss the latest findings in the Antonio Margarito-Javier Capetillo hand wrap scandal, where authorities in California have officially revealed that the hand wraps they were attempting to use against Shane Mosley in their January 24 fight contained calcium and sulfur, two key ingredients of plaster of Paris. We explain that while lifetime bans of Margarito and Capetillo might be justified in this case, there is, unfortunately and incredibly, no central body in boxing which has the authority to issuesuch a ban. And we also discuss how the American boxing establishment has let the marquee division in boxing, the heavyweights, slip right through their hands and end up centered in Europe. On the positive side, we preview the important 140-pound title unification fight between WBO champion Kendall Holt (25-2, 13 KOs) and WBC champion Timothy Bradley (23-0, 11 KOs). This fight, between thesetwo Americans, will take place Saturday, April 4, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It will be telecast live in the U.S. on Showtime. We spoke with both Kendall Holt and Timothy Bradley to get their viewson what they expect to happen in this fight. It is free to listen to or download SecondsOut Radio, but you mustregister to gain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/,and listen, learn, and enjoy.
Thanks, Eddie Goldmanhttp://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
Showing posts with label Marco Antonio Barrera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marco Antonio Barrera. Show all posts
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Don King Files Protest on Behalf of Marco Antonio Barrera; Promoter Claims Amir Khan Won a ‘Tainted Victory’ Until a Rematch Can Be Held
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.—Promoter Don King has filed a protest with the British Boxing Board of Control, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association on behalf of Marco Antonio Barrera claiming his accidental clash of heads with Amir Khan during the first round of their match should have resulted in the fight being ruled no contest.
The five-time world champion Barrera and rising 22-year-old British star Khan—who had been knocked out in 54 seconds six months earlier and badly needed a win—had barely begun to fight in front of a sold-out crowd of 20,000 at M.E.N Arena on March 14 in Manchester, England, when the two boxers’ heads inadvertently slammed together while trying to land punches.
The accidental meeting of heads occurred during the second minute of the fight, opening a huge gash on the left side of Barrera’s head. The deep scalp cut began to bleed profusely and immediately caused a virtual blood waterfall to spill into Barrera’s left eye.
Photos by David Martin Warr
“Amir Khan is in possession of a tainted victory,” King said. “The referee and doctor should have stopped the fight immediately after that incredible, accidental clash of heads. That they allowed the fight to continue with Barrera competing at a huge disadvantage goes against everything that’s designed to protect the health and safety of boxers, the good of the sport and uphold the traditions emanating from the Marquis of Queensbury rules.”
Under the rules governing the bout, had the fight been stopped prior to the end of the fourth round due to the accidental headbutt, the official ruling would have been no contest requiring an immediate rematch. Barrera’s head cut had been gushing blood that flowed into his eye and impaired his vision from the first round, but referee Dave Parris waited until midway through the pivotal fourth round before asking the ringside physician to inspect the open wound for the first time.
Even though blood was visibly flooding Barrera’s eye during the inspection, literally blinding him, the doctor inexplicably ruled the fight could continue only to recommend the fight be stopped in the following round. The key difference being that the rules then allowed for the fight to go to the judges’ scorecards for a decision, which favored Kahn unanimously. After the fight, Barrera would need 33 stitches to close the massive laceration.
Khan, his promoter Frank Warren and the fight’s referee all hail from England—and almost all of the audience were there to see the Briton face the stiffest test of his career.
The English announcers for the Sky Box Office pay-per-view telecast were vivid in their descriptions during the fight.
“It was a heck of a clash, wasn’t it?” blow-by-blow announcer Ian Darke exclaimed in the first round to expert analyst Jim Watt, a former lightweight world champion. Darke later asked Watt, “What can they do?,” referring to Barrera’s cornermen after round three.
“I don’t know that any cut man can stop that,” Watt replied. “I mean that’s like something you would expect in a road accident. That’s horrendous. It’s long and it’s deep. You saw the impact when the heads clashed. That’s as bad a clash of heads as I have seen in all my years in boxing and the damage, I don’t reckon they can do anything with that.”
Darke concurred, “It’s like trying to stem a flood, really, with handkerchiefs or something, isn’t it?”
Barrera said immediately after the contest that the fight should have been stopped in the first round.
“If I’d have had both my eyes the fight wouldn’t have ended this way,” Barrera said. “I couldn’t see the guy from the first round, the blood was in my eye and I just couldn’t see with it.”
Chief Physician for the Florida Boxing Commission and Vice President of the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians Dr. Allan Fields, who inspected Barrera prior to the fight and was in attendance at the match in Manchester, said he believes the inspection by the ringside doctor came woefully late and the contest should have been stopped earlier.
“I question why the officials waited to make this decision until the fifth round,” Fields said in a statement. “Barrera was visibly impaired by an accident for almost four rounds, placing him at unnecessary risk and certainly contributing to his subsequent decision loss.”
King is imploring the BBBC, WBO and WBA to step up and right what he perceives as a wrong.
“Marco Antonio Barrera should not lose any of his position and stature to this travesty of justice,” King added. “He should not be punished for what was beyond his control. He fought like the great Mexican champion he is with valor, courage and honor while those charged with ensuring a level field of competition failed the sport and the fighter greatly. They endangered his health and safety and every other boxer who follows him into the ring hereafter if this error in judgment is not corrected.
Photos by David Martin Warr
“Knowing the rules of the sport originated in England and are designed to create a level playing field to protect boxers from fighting at a disadvantage after an accident, the doctor’s decision to wait until the fourth round for a doctor’s inspection and the subsequent stoppage the following round certainly raises needless questions and suspicions,” King said. “Barrera needed a seeing-eye dog to make it back to his corner from the first round but the officials let it continue.”
This dangerous officiating, if not corrected, leaves a black eye on the sport. This is why I am appealing to Paco Valcarcel at the WBO; Gilberto Mendoza Jr. at the WBA; and everyone at the British Boxing Board of Control to correct this egregious error and order an immediate rematch.”
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
The five-time world champion Barrera and rising 22-year-old British star Khan—who had been knocked out in 54 seconds six months earlier and badly needed a win—had barely begun to fight in front of a sold-out crowd of 20,000 at M.E.N Arena on March 14 in Manchester, England, when the two boxers’ heads inadvertently slammed together while trying to land punches.
The accidental meeting of heads occurred during the second minute of the fight, opening a huge gash on the left side of Barrera’s head. The deep scalp cut began to bleed profusely and immediately caused a virtual blood waterfall to spill into Barrera’s left eye.
Photos by David Martin Warr
“Amir Khan is in possession of a tainted victory,” King said. “The referee and doctor should have stopped the fight immediately after that incredible, accidental clash of heads. That they allowed the fight to continue with Barrera competing at a huge disadvantage goes against everything that’s designed to protect the health and safety of boxers, the good of the sport and uphold the traditions emanating from the Marquis of Queensbury rules.”
Under the rules governing the bout, had the fight been stopped prior to the end of the fourth round due to the accidental headbutt, the official ruling would have been no contest requiring an immediate rematch. Barrera’s head cut had been gushing blood that flowed into his eye and impaired his vision from the first round, but referee Dave Parris waited until midway through the pivotal fourth round before asking the ringside physician to inspect the open wound for the first time.
Even though blood was visibly flooding Barrera’s eye during the inspection, literally blinding him, the doctor inexplicably ruled the fight could continue only to recommend the fight be stopped in the following round. The key difference being that the rules then allowed for the fight to go to the judges’ scorecards for a decision, which favored Kahn unanimously. After the fight, Barrera would need 33 stitches to close the massive laceration.
Khan, his promoter Frank Warren and the fight’s referee all hail from England—and almost all of the audience were there to see the Briton face the stiffest test of his career.
The English announcers for the Sky Box Office pay-per-view telecast were vivid in their descriptions during the fight.
“It was a heck of a clash, wasn’t it?” blow-by-blow announcer Ian Darke exclaimed in the first round to expert analyst Jim Watt, a former lightweight world champion. Darke later asked Watt, “What can they do?,” referring to Barrera’s cornermen after round three.
“I don’t know that any cut man can stop that,” Watt replied. “I mean that’s like something you would expect in a road accident. That’s horrendous. It’s long and it’s deep. You saw the impact when the heads clashed. That’s as bad a clash of heads as I have seen in all my years in boxing and the damage, I don’t reckon they can do anything with that.”
Darke concurred, “It’s like trying to stem a flood, really, with handkerchiefs or something, isn’t it?”
Barrera said immediately after the contest that the fight should have been stopped in the first round.
“If I’d have had both my eyes the fight wouldn’t have ended this way,” Barrera said. “I couldn’t see the guy from the first round, the blood was in my eye and I just couldn’t see with it.”
Chief Physician for the Florida Boxing Commission and Vice President of the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians Dr. Allan Fields, who inspected Barrera prior to the fight and was in attendance at the match in Manchester, said he believes the inspection by the ringside doctor came woefully late and the contest should have been stopped earlier.
“I question why the officials waited to make this decision until the fifth round,” Fields said in a statement. “Barrera was visibly impaired by an accident for almost four rounds, placing him at unnecessary risk and certainly contributing to his subsequent decision loss.”
King is imploring the BBBC, WBO and WBA to step up and right what he perceives as a wrong.
“Marco Antonio Barrera should not lose any of his position and stature to this travesty of justice,” King added. “He should not be punished for what was beyond his control. He fought like the great Mexican champion he is with valor, courage and honor while those charged with ensuring a level field of competition failed the sport and the fighter greatly. They endangered his health and safety and every other boxer who follows him into the ring hereafter if this error in judgment is not corrected.
Photos by David Martin Warr
“Knowing the rules of the sport originated in England and are designed to create a level playing field to protect boxers from fighting at a disadvantage after an accident, the doctor’s decision to wait until the fourth round for a doctor’s inspection and the subsequent stoppage the following round certainly raises needless questions and suspicions,” King said. “Barrera needed a seeing-eye dog to make it back to his corner from the first round but the officials let it continue.”
This dangerous officiating, if not corrected, leaves a black eye on the sport. This is why I am appealing to Paco Valcarcel at the WBO; Gilberto Mendoza Jr. at the WBA; and everyone at the British Boxing Board of Control to correct this egregious error and order an immediate rematch.”
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
Sunday, March 15, 2009
SecondsOut Radio: Khan-Barrera Controversy, Dr. Margaret Goodman PartOne On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio
SecondsOut Radio: Khan-Barrera Controversy, Dr. Margaret Goodman Part One On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio, host Eddie Goldman begins by commenting on the fifth-round technical decision victory by Amir Khan over Marco Antonio Barrera Saturday, March 14, in Manchester, England. We reflect on what this fight did and did not prove regarding Khan's technique and chin in the wake of his first-round defeat last year by then-little-known Breidis Prescott. We discuss what questions were and were not answered regarding the legendary but aging Barrera,whose performances of late cannot be analyzed without bringing up the question of whether he should retire or not. We focus on the controversial ending to this fight, which was only stopped in the fifth round due to a cut from an accidental head clash in the first round which left an open gash on Barrera's forehead. And we ask whether or not this fight, had it been held outside England, would likely have been stopped prior to the fifth round, which thus would have resulted in a no decision under the unified rules of boxing. Next, we begin a lengthy interview with Dr. Margaret Goodman, a neurologist and former chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. In the first part of this interview,the topics include why certain substances such as steroids and marijuana are dangerous to the health of fighters and are thus banned. We also discuss many other issues related to the health and safety offighters. It is free to listen to or download 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
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
Monday, March 2, 2009
Barrera on historic mission Khan next on Mexican’s hit list, “Don’t forget what I did to Prince Naseem Hamed”
HOBOKEN, N.J.- The 12-round main event March 14th between 22-year-old lightweight prospect Amir Khan and Hall of Fame bound multiple world champion, “The Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera, shapes up as a potential classic at The M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Khan (19-1, 15 KOs), 2004 Olympic silver medallist, defends his WBA International lightweight crown against Barrera (65-6, 43 KOs) in a 12-round bout. Barrera, rated No. 1 by the WBO, has already captured the WBO super bantamweight (three times), WBC and IBO featherweight, WBC and IBF super featherweight titles. The Mexican icon has defeated a Who’s Who of contemporary world champions and/or challengers during his sensational 19-year pro career such as Erik Morales (twice), Paulie Ayala, Prince Naseem Hamed, Kevin Kelly, Johnny Tapia, Robbie Peden, Mzonke Fana, and Rocky Juarez (twice).
“The reason I took this fight is because a win here puts me in line to realize my top remaining goal to become the first Mexican-born fighter to win world championships in four separate weight divisions,” Barrera said. “I’ve been world champion in three weight divisions (122, 126 and 130) and my goal is to win a world championship in the lightweight division. I don’t want to wait. I want to get there as fast as I can. A win over Khan puts me right where I want to be.
“I will beat Khan because I have more experience than him and I’m still a much better fighter than he is. Khan is tall and has a good jab and hand speed. He is a good young fighter but there’s nothing he can do between now and March 14 to surpass my skills and experience. Jose Luis Balbuena and Kennedy McKinney are two fighters I successfully defended my WBO super bantamweight titles that I can compare to Khan. They were both good fighters with good hand speed that I was able to defeat. McKinney won an Olympic gold medal. Don’t forget what I did to Prince Naseem Hamed, too, another highly-touted guy with fast hands.”
Integrated Sports is distributing three 12-round championship bouts featured on the “Khan-Barrera” pay-per-view card, presented by Frank Warren, in North America for live viewing at 4 PM/ET – 1 PM/PT on cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. Veteran blow-by-blow announcer Ian Darke and color analyst, former WBC lightweight champion Jim Watt, will be calling the action from ringside for Sky Box Office and Integrated Sports PPV.
In addition to Khan-Barrera, two other fights will be broadcast on PPV: former WBO cruiserweight title-holder Enzo Maccarinelli (29-2, 22 KOs), the No. 1 contender, battles No. 2 rated and NABO champ Ola “Kryptonite” Afolabi (13-1-3, 5 KOs) for the vacant WBO cruiserweight championship; WBO super middleweight champion Nicky “Cookie” Cook (29-1, 16 KOs) defends his title belt against undefeated No. 1 contender Roman “Rocky” Martinez (21-0-1, 12 KOs).
The Ring No. 6 rated Maccarinelli beat Mohamed Azzaoui, Wayne Braithwaite, Bobby Gunn, Marcelo Fabian Dominguez and Mark Hobson (twice) during his WBO title reign (2006-2008). London-born Afolabi, now living in California, captured the NABO crown last April with a 10th round TKO of previously unbeaten Eric Fields.
Former European champion Cook, rated No. 6 by The Ring, won the WBO super featherweight title via a 12-round unanimous decision in his last fight against Alex Arthur (26-1). NABO super featherweight title-holder Martinez, fighting out of his native Puerto Rico, is rankd WBA No. 9 by The Ring.
Integrated Sports: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events is Integrated Sports. Among the many events brought to North American viewers by Integrated Sports include World Championship boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Christian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Nicolai Valuev and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports has distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Team of Argentina. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.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
Khan (19-1, 15 KOs), 2004 Olympic silver medallist, defends his WBA International lightweight crown against Barrera (65-6, 43 KOs) in a 12-round bout. Barrera, rated No. 1 by the WBO, has already captured the WBO super bantamweight (three times), WBC and IBO featherweight, WBC and IBF super featherweight titles. The Mexican icon has defeated a Who’s Who of contemporary world champions and/or challengers during his sensational 19-year pro career such as Erik Morales (twice), Paulie Ayala, Prince Naseem Hamed, Kevin Kelly, Johnny Tapia, Robbie Peden, Mzonke Fana, and Rocky Juarez (twice).
“The reason I took this fight is because a win here puts me in line to realize my top remaining goal to become the first Mexican-born fighter to win world championships in four separate weight divisions,” Barrera said. “I’ve been world champion in three weight divisions (122, 126 and 130) and my goal is to win a world championship in the lightweight division. I don’t want to wait. I want to get there as fast as I can. A win over Khan puts me right where I want to be.
“I will beat Khan because I have more experience than him and I’m still a much better fighter than he is. Khan is tall and has a good jab and hand speed. He is a good young fighter but there’s nothing he can do between now and March 14 to surpass my skills and experience. Jose Luis Balbuena and Kennedy McKinney are two fighters I successfully defended my WBO super bantamweight titles that I can compare to Khan. They were both good fighters with good hand speed that I was able to defeat. McKinney won an Olympic gold medal. Don’t forget what I did to Prince Naseem Hamed, too, another highly-touted guy with fast hands.”
Integrated Sports is distributing three 12-round championship bouts featured on the “Khan-Barrera” pay-per-view card, presented by Frank Warren, in North America for live viewing at 4 PM/ET – 1 PM/PT on cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. Veteran blow-by-blow announcer Ian Darke and color analyst, former WBC lightweight champion Jim Watt, will be calling the action from ringside for Sky Box Office and Integrated Sports PPV.
In addition to Khan-Barrera, two other fights will be broadcast on PPV: former WBO cruiserweight title-holder Enzo Maccarinelli (29-2, 22 KOs), the No. 1 contender, battles No. 2 rated and NABO champ Ola “Kryptonite” Afolabi (13-1-3, 5 KOs) for the vacant WBO cruiserweight championship; WBO super middleweight champion Nicky “Cookie” Cook (29-1, 16 KOs) defends his title belt against undefeated No. 1 contender Roman “Rocky” Martinez (21-0-1, 12 KOs).
The Ring No. 6 rated Maccarinelli beat Mohamed Azzaoui, Wayne Braithwaite, Bobby Gunn, Marcelo Fabian Dominguez and Mark Hobson (twice) during his WBO title reign (2006-2008). London-born Afolabi, now living in California, captured the NABO crown last April with a 10th round TKO of previously unbeaten Eric Fields.
Former European champion Cook, rated No. 6 by The Ring, won the WBO super featherweight title via a 12-round unanimous decision in his last fight against Alex Arthur (26-1). NABO super featherweight title-holder Martinez, fighting out of his native Puerto Rico, is rankd WBA No. 9 by The Ring.
Integrated Sports: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events is Integrated Sports. Among the many events brought to North American viewers by Integrated Sports include World Championship boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Christian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Nicolai Valuev and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports has distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Team of Argentina. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.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
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
ESPN DEPORTES ENHANCES ITS BOXING PROGRAMMING LINEUP, MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA SIGNED AS COMMENTATOR
ESPN DEPORTES ENHANCES ITS BOXING PROGRAMMING LINEUP
Weekly Boxing Program Debuts January 23; Legendary Boxer Marco Antonio Barrera Signed as Commentator; Bernardo Osuna Joins ESPN2 Friday Night Fights
Marco Antonio Barrera
In its continued commitment to better serve the U.S. Hispanic sports fan, ESPN Deportes announced today significant enhancements to its boxing programming lineup, highlighted with the launch of Golpe a Golpe, weekly, live news and analysis boxing program that will be co-hosted by legendary boxer Marco Antonio Barrera. In addition, the 2009 season of Viernes de Combate (Friday Night Fights) will premiere with numerous production enhancements, including its own Spanish-language studio show incorporated into each broadcast.
Set to debut Friday, January 23 at 6:30 p.m. ET, Golpe a Golpe will be ESPN Deportes’ first news and analysis show fully dedicated to the world of boxing. The live 30-minute program will be co-hosted by SportsCenter anchor Jorge Eduardo Sánchez and Marco Antonio Barrera. The Golpe a Golpe show will extend beyond television to include radio, online and wireless to broaden fan interaction. ESPNdeportes.com will dedicate a special page to the program featuring weekly chats, blogs and video segments with Barrera exclusively produced for online. Content on ESPN Deportes Mobile will be blogs, videos and audio podcasts of the show.
“This is the beginning of an exciting new era for boxing on ESPN Deportes,” said Lino Garcia, general manager, ESPN Deportes.” “Boxing is one of the most popular sports among Hispanics and with this program we hope to fill the void for consistent boxing news and information on Spanish-language television.”
“We are proud to add Marco Antonio, a boxing legend and hero for millions of fans, to our commentator lineup,” said Chris Calcinari, vice president, production and operations, ESPN Deportes, ESPN International. “His experience will bring instant credibility to the show.”
In addition, starting with the 2009 season, boxing series Viernes de Combates will feature its own Spanish-language production of a special show incorporated into each broadcast. The program will originate from Bristol, Connecticut and feature Jose Hernandez and Leopoldo Gonzales as hosts, joined by a special in-studio guest analyst. ESPN Deportes’David Faitelson and Robert Sierra Noches will call the action for Viernes de Combates set to premiere January 30 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PST. with main event Herman Ngoudjo (17-2, 19 KO’s) vs. Juan Urango (20-1-1, 16 KO’s) of Colombia for the vacant IBF Jr. Welterweight title.
Barrera has left his mark in every division in which he has set foot - from Super Flyweight to Super Featherweight - earning world titles in three weight classes. He caught the boxing world’s attention February 3, 1996, after defeating former IBF Super Bantamweight Champion, Kennedy McKinney (28-1-1). Today, a 16-year veteran of the sport, Barrera is a seven-time world champion in three different weight classes WBO Super Bantamweight (122 lb), IBO / WBC Featherweight (126 lb), WBC Super Featherweight (130 lb) and IBF Junior Lightweight (130 lb) divisions, Barrera (61-4, 42 KOs) is without question one of the greatest Mexican fighters of all-time. On January 8, 2009, Barrera announced that he will face Johnny Nolasco of the Dominican Republic in Guadalajara, Mexico on January 31, 2009.
In addition to the boxing enhancements on ESPN Deportes, ESPN2 Friday Night Fights will feature former Telefutura Solo Boxeo analyst Bernardo Osuna throughout the network’s 2009 coverage. Osuna will be featured as part of a rotating panel that will appear in-studio on select telecasts. The entire rotating panel will be announced at a later date and will feature Bernard Hopkins. One of the most respected boxing journalists on Spanish-language television brings a wealth of knowledge on Hispanic up-and-coming boxers to ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. His professional achievements include the prestigious Sam Taub Award for excellence in broadcast journalism presented by the Boxing Writer’s Association of America, three Emmy awards, seven Golden Mic awards by the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California and a Journalist of the Year award by the World Boxing Association in 1997.
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, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Don King Brings Star-Studded Fight Card to China on Nov. 7, World Championship Boxing at Sichuan Gymnasium in Chengdu;
CHENGDU, China—Fresh from the great success of the recent Olympic Games in Beijing, boxing promoter Don King has announced two heavyweight fights, a WBC Strawweight world championship and two additional matches featuring a former five-time world champion and a top-ranked undefeated challenger will all be part of his international fight card that he is presenting with Chengdu Sports Industry at Sichuan Gymnasium in Chengdu, China, on Friday, Nov. 7.
The greatest Polish heavyweight in history, Andrew Golota (41-6-1, 33 KOs), from Warsaw, Poland, will meet former No. 1 heavyweight contender Ray “The Rainman” Austin (24-4-4, 16 KOs), from Cleveland, Ohio, for the World Boxing Council USNBC International heavyweight championship.
A WBC heavyweight elimination bout will also be showcased, pitting established contender Jameel “Big Time” McCline (38-9-1, 23 KOs), from New York, against one of Chicago’s best young punchers, “Merciless” Mike Mollo (19-2, 12 KOs).
The interim WBC strawweight championship will be up for grabs when Juan “El Exterminador” Palacios (24-2, 19 KOs), from Managua, Nicaragua, squares off against Japanese champion Teruo Misawa (18-4-4, 7 KOs), who hails from Tokyo.
The Chinese crowd will also be treated to two of the best professional prizefighters in the sport appearing in separate bouts against opponents to be named. Former five-time world champion “The Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera (63-6, 42 KOs), from Mexico City, will appear at lightweight and undefeated WBC No. 1-ranked super lightweight Devon Alexander “The Great” (15-0, 8 KOs), from St. Louis, Mo., will compete at the 140-pound limit.
A WBC female middleweight championship will be contested when champion Wang “China Doll” Ya Nan (7-0, 3 KOs), from Shanghai, China, defends her crown against Akondaye Fountain (7-1, 4 KOs), from Houston, Texas.
King has themed the event as “We Are Together,” which is the English translation of Wo Men Zai Yi Qi—the rallying cry used by the Chinese people to lift the spirits of those who were struck by May’s devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province near Chengdu that registered 8.0 on the Richter scale. Thousands perished in the temblor and that also left 1.5 million people homeless.
“We are all truly together in bringing this international event to China,” King said. “We are an American company coming together with our friends at Chinese Sports Industry to present this history-making fight card in Chengdu. The World Boxing Council will host its annual convention in Chengdu at the same time. And all of us support the ongoing recovery in Sichuan Province after the earthquake.
“The Chinese people proved their resilience by presenting China’s first Olympic Games in tremendous fashion and we will present a professional prizefighting success in Chengdu on Nov. 7. Working together we can achieve great things.”
This historic boxing event coincides with and will conclude the WBC’s 46th world convention, which begins in Chengdu on Sunday, Nov. 2.
The 40-year-old Andrew Golota, who has lived in Chicago since emigrating from Warsaw in 1991, is one of the best heavyweights to have never won a world title. He has been in four heavyweight world-championship matches, including three in a row during 2005 and 2006.
He fought then International Boxing Federation heavyweight champion Chris Byrd to a draw at Madison Square Garden in 2004, and later that year—after knocking down then World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz twice in the second round at the Garden (and Ruiz had a point deducted for hitting on the break in round four)—he still suffered a decision loss. Many ringside observers felt Golota had won both contests.
Golota was defeated in the first round while attempting to dethrone knockout artist and then World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion “Relentless” Lamon Brewster in 2005. His first world title appearance in 1997 ended the same way against Lennox Lewis.
Golota recently rebounded with three wins. Most notably, he defeated Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride with a technical knockout in round six when they met in 2007, and in his most recent appearance on Jan. 19, he won a unanimous decision over “Merciless” Mike Mollo.
Standing in the way of Golota’s quest for a fifth chance at a world championship is durable Ray “The Rainman” Austin, a competitor who has risen from the tough streets of Cleveland to become a world-championship-level contender.
Austin is a mammoth 6-foot-6-inch puncher who normally weighs just below 250 pounds. His size and strength alone present challenges for anyone stepping into the ring with him.
When he is in peak physical condition, he can contend with anyone as evidenced by the fact that he fought all of the following notable fighters to a draw: Lance “Mount” Whitaker, Larry Donald and future heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov.
Austin earned his first and only world-title shot when he faced IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on March 10, 2007, where he suffered a second-round technical knockout at the hands of the Ukrainian giant.
He won a unanimous decision over Domonic Jenkins in Carson, Calif., on Sept. 27 in his last outing.
Jameel McCline has been a “whisker” away from winning his first heavyweight world championship, twice, and has contended in four world championship matches.
He is another giant boxer that stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and has weighed as much as 277 pounds before entering the ring. For a big man who came to the sport later than most, his athletic abilities and agility—not to mention punching power—are astonishing.
He beat Michael Grant and Lance “Mount” Whitaker in 2001, and the following year he defeated Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs and faced Wladimir Klitschko in his first world-championship match. He fought gamely against Klitschko but suffered a 10th-round loss by technical knockout.
He shocked then IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd when they met at Madison Square Garden in 2004, sending Byrd to the canvas with a devastating right hand early in the second round. Byrd literally hung on to McCline in desperation and narrowly escaped being knocked out. Byrd not only recovered but went on to win a narrow split decision.
McCline regained his championship-level skills in 2007 when he and Nikolai “Russian Giant” Valuev set an all-time record for combined weight at 590 pounds. McCline suffered a heartbreaking loss in his third world-championship appearance when he was forced to withdraw against Valuev after suffering a freak knee injury at the end of the third round that left him unable to continue.
Undaunted, McCline became a last-minute substitute after Oleg Maskaev was sidelined after a training injury just before he was to meet Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter for the WBC interim heavyweight championship at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 6, 2007. McCline shocked Peter by sending him to the canvas in the second round and twice more in the third. The referee almost halted the contest, but Peter survived the round and rebounded to win by decision.
Mike Mollo wants to end McCline’s quest to appear in another championship match and catapult himself back into title contention. The Chicago native ran his undefeated record to 15-0 before suffering his first setback at the hands of DaVarryl “Touch of Sleep” Williamson in 2005.
The young prospect regrouped quickly, and stunned Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride with a second-round stoppage when they met in 2006.
In the biggest test of his career, Mollo tangled with Andrew Golota earlier this year in a highly entertaining slugfest. Mollo had his opponent staggered on several occasions, but the wily Golota survived the early storm to prevail by decision after 12 rounds.
Juan Palacios fought for and won the WBC interim strawweight championship by defeating Omar Soto by technical knockout in round 10 when they met in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on Aug. 2.
Palacios comes from the notoriously tough streets of Managua, Nicaragua, and like so many of his fellow countrymen before him, he fights in an exciting, straightforward style. He is a busy fighter who is comfortable boxing or brawling.
His challenger, Japanese champion Teruo Misawa has built a respectable record and will be fighting for the first time outside of his native country. He plans to use this opportunity to prove himself on the world stage.
Marco Antonio Barrera is one of the greatest fighters of this era, winning five world titles in three separate weight divisions. Now a lightweight, Barrera would like nothing more than to become the first Mexican-born champion to win world titles in four weight divisions before he hangs up his gloves.
His wins over Prince Naseem Hamed, Erik Morales, Johnny Tapia and Paulie Ayala will always be remembered in the annals of boxing history and by boxing fans everywhere for the way Barrera displayed his considerable skills and tremendous heart.
Chinese fans will also be able to witness one of the top prospects in all of boxing when Devon Alexander appears on the card. Fans in his native St. Louis are expecting great things from this undefeated WBC No. 1-ranked contender at the 140-pound limit. Boxing aficionados have also been buzzing about the emerging skills of this 21-year-old, who will be challenging for a world title in the very near future.
Don King Productions will return to China to co-promote a historic fight card with Chengdu Sports Industry at Sichuan Gymnasium in Chengdu on Friday, Nov. 7. Please see event press release attached and below.
Also please our event web page at
http://www.donking.com/events/chengdu_11708/index.php
Alan Hopper
Don King Productions
Event Page:
http://www.donking.com/events/chengdu_11708/index.php
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
The greatest Polish heavyweight in history, Andrew Golota (41-6-1, 33 KOs), from Warsaw, Poland, will meet former No. 1 heavyweight contender Ray “The Rainman” Austin (24-4-4, 16 KOs), from Cleveland, Ohio, for the World Boxing Council USNBC International heavyweight championship.
A WBC heavyweight elimination bout will also be showcased, pitting established contender Jameel “Big Time” McCline (38-9-1, 23 KOs), from New York, against one of Chicago’s best young punchers, “Merciless” Mike Mollo (19-2, 12 KOs).
The interim WBC strawweight championship will be up for grabs when Juan “El Exterminador” Palacios (24-2, 19 KOs), from Managua, Nicaragua, squares off against Japanese champion Teruo Misawa (18-4-4, 7 KOs), who hails from Tokyo.
The Chinese crowd will also be treated to two of the best professional prizefighters in the sport appearing in separate bouts against opponents to be named. Former five-time world champion “The Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera (63-6, 42 KOs), from Mexico City, will appear at lightweight and undefeated WBC No. 1-ranked super lightweight Devon Alexander “The Great” (15-0, 8 KOs), from St. Louis, Mo., will compete at the 140-pound limit.
A WBC female middleweight championship will be contested when champion Wang “China Doll” Ya Nan (7-0, 3 KOs), from Shanghai, China, defends her crown against Akondaye Fountain (7-1, 4 KOs), from Houston, Texas.
King has themed the event as “We Are Together,” which is the English translation of Wo Men Zai Yi Qi—the rallying cry used by the Chinese people to lift the spirits of those who were struck by May’s devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province near Chengdu that registered 8.0 on the Richter scale. Thousands perished in the temblor and that also left 1.5 million people homeless.
“We are all truly together in bringing this international event to China,” King said. “We are an American company coming together with our friends at Chinese Sports Industry to present this history-making fight card in Chengdu. The World Boxing Council will host its annual convention in Chengdu at the same time. And all of us support the ongoing recovery in Sichuan Province after the earthquake.
“The Chinese people proved their resilience by presenting China’s first Olympic Games in tremendous fashion and we will present a professional prizefighting success in Chengdu on Nov. 7. Working together we can achieve great things.”
This historic boxing event coincides with and will conclude the WBC’s 46th world convention, which begins in Chengdu on Sunday, Nov. 2.
The 40-year-old Andrew Golota, who has lived in Chicago since emigrating from Warsaw in 1991, is one of the best heavyweights to have never won a world title. He has been in four heavyweight world-championship matches, including three in a row during 2005 and 2006.
He fought then International Boxing Federation heavyweight champion Chris Byrd to a draw at Madison Square Garden in 2004, and later that year—after knocking down then World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz twice in the second round at the Garden (and Ruiz had a point deducted for hitting on the break in round four)—he still suffered a decision loss. Many ringside observers felt Golota had won both contests.
Golota was defeated in the first round while attempting to dethrone knockout artist and then World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion “Relentless” Lamon Brewster in 2005. His first world title appearance in 1997 ended the same way against Lennox Lewis.
Golota recently rebounded with three wins. Most notably, he defeated Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride with a technical knockout in round six when they met in 2007, and in his most recent appearance on Jan. 19, he won a unanimous decision over “Merciless” Mike Mollo.
Standing in the way of Golota’s quest for a fifth chance at a world championship is durable Ray “The Rainman” Austin, a competitor who has risen from the tough streets of Cleveland to become a world-championship-level contender.
Austin is a mammoth 6-foot-6-inch puncher who normally weighs just below 250 pounds. His size and strength alone present challenges for anyone stepping into the ring with him.
When he is in peak physical condition, he can contend with anyone as evidenced by the fact that he fought all of the following notable fighters to a draw: Lance “Mount” Whitaker, Larry Donald and future heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov.
Austin earned his first and only world-title shot when he faced IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on March 10, 2007, where he suffered a second-round technical knockout at the hands of the Ukrainian giant.
He won a unanimous decision over Domonic Jenkins in Carson, Calif., on Sept. 27 in his last outing.
Jameel McCline has been a “whisker” away from winning his first heavyweight world championship, twice, and has contended in four world championship matches.
He is another giant boxer that stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and has weighed as much as 277 pounds before entering the ring. For a big man who came to the sport later than most, his athletic abilities and agility—not to mention punching power—are astonishing.
He beat Michael Grant and Lance “Mount” Whitaker in 2001, and the following year he defeated Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs and faced Wladimir Klitschko in his first world-championship match. He fought gamely against Klitschko but suffered a 10th-round loss by technical knockout.
He shocked then IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd when they met at Madison Square Garden in 2004, sending Byrd to the canvas with a devastating right hand early in the second round. Byrd literally hung on to McCline in desperation and narrowly escaped being knocked out. Byrd not only recovered but went on to win a narrow split decision.
McCline regained his championship-level skills in 2007 when he and Nikolai “Russian Giant” Valuev set an all-time record for combined weight at 590 pounds. McCline suffered a heartbreaking loss in his third world-championship appearance when he was forced to withdraw against Valuev after suffering a freak knee injury at the end of the third round that left him unable to continue.
Undaunted, McCline became a last-minute substitute after Oleg Maskaev was sidelined after a training injury just before he was to meet Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter for the WBC interim heavyweight championship at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 6, 2007. McCline shocked Peter by sending him to the canvas in the second round and twice more in the third. The referee almost halted the contest, but Peter survived the round and rebounded to win by decision.
Mike Mollo wants to end McCline’s quest to appear in another championship match and catapult himself back into title contention. The Chicago native ran his undefeated record to 15-0 before suffering his first setback at the hands of DaVarryl “Touch of Sleep” Williamson in 2005.
The young prospect regrouped quickly, and stunned Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride with a second-round stoppage when they met in 2006.
In the biggest test of his career, Mollo tangled with Andrew Golota earlier this year in a highly entertaining slugfest. Mollo had his opponent staggered on several occasions, but the wily Golota survived the early storm to prevail by decision after 12 rounds.
Juan Palacios fought for and won the WBC interim strawweight championship by defeating Omar Soto by technical knockout in round 10 when they met in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on Aug. 2.
Palacios comes from the notoriously tough streets of Managua, Nicaragua, and like so many of his fellow countrymen before him, he fights in an exciting, straightforward style. He is a busy fighter who is comfortable boxing or brawling.
His challenger, Japanese champion Teruo Misawa has built a respectable record and will be fighting for the first time outside of his native country. He plans to use this opportunity to prove himself on the world stage.
Marco Antonio Barrera is one of the greatest fighters of this era, winning five world titles in three separate weight divisions. Now a lightweight, Barrera would like nothing more than to become the first Mexican-born champion to win world titles in four weight divisions before he hangs up his gloves.
His wins over Prince Naseem Hamed, Erik Morales, Johnny Tapia and Paulie Ayala will always be remembered in the annals of boxing history and by boxing fans everywhere for the way Barrera displayed his considerable skills and tremendous heart.
Chinese fans will also be able to witness one of the top prospects in all of boxing when Devon Alexander appears on the card. Fans in his native St. Louis are expecting great things from this undefeated WBC No. 1-ranked contender at the 140-pound limit. Boxing aficionados have also been buzzing about the emerging skills of this 21-year-old, who will be challenging for a world title in the very near future.
Don King Productions will return to China to co-promote a historic fight card with Chengdu Sports Industry at Sichuan Gymnasium in Chengdu on Friday, Nov. 7. Please see event press release attached and below.
Also please our event web page at
http://www.donking.com/events/chengdu_11708/index.php
Alan Hopper
Don King Productions
Event Page:
http://www.donking.com/events/chengdu_11708/index.php
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
Friday, May 30, 2008
PACQUIAO AND DIAZ READY TO EXPLODE IN “LETHAL COMBINATION”; LIVE ON HBO-PPV, SATURDAY, JUNE 28 at MANDALAY BAY
LAS VEGAS, NEV.- MANNY PACQUIAO vs. DAVID DIAZ; When two explosive world champions at the top of their game mix it up for the world title, it’s a “Lethal Combination!” Newly-crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion MANNY PACQUIAO and WBC lightweight champion DAVID DIAZ will battle in a 12-round rumble with Diaz’s title at stake. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Pacquiao vs. Diaz will take place Saturday, June 28, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. PDT.
Tickets for Pacquiao vs.Diaz, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, go on sale This Saturday! April 19, at 10 a.m., at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Dubbed "Republica Enemy No. 1," Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico has had to offer since 2003including Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Juan Manuel Marquez (W 12, D 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). Pacquiao was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories of Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios. The hard-hitting southpaw has won 22 of his last 23 bouts including 2007 victories over Barrera and Solis. Pacquiao’s 12-round split decision victory over Marquez earlier this year not only avenged a disputed draw from their 2004 battle, it also made Pacman a four-division world champion.
Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, will be making the second defense of his title. He successfully defended it against the three-division world champion Morales last summer winning a hard-fought unanimous decision over the future Hall of Famer. Although behind on the scorecards early, Diaz remained cool and rallied before the raucous hometown Chicago crowd of 10,000 to capture the decision. He swept the championship rounds and won the decision by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112. With the victory, Diaz cemented his place among the best lightweights in the sport and one of the most popular and respected athletes in the sports-crazy town of Chicago. A member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, Diaz, with 12 years of experience as a professional, is more than prepared to handle the pressures that come with battling boxing’s pound-for-pound most exciting fighter.
The Pacquiao vs. Diaz pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
Tickets for Pacquiao vs.Diaz, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, go on sale This Saturday! April 19, at 10 a.m., at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Dubbed "Republica Enemy No. 1," Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico has had to offer since 2003including Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Juan Manuel Marquez (W 12, D 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). Pacquiao was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories of Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios. The hard-hitting southpaw has won 22 of his last 23 bouts including 2007 victories over Barrera and Solis. Pacquiao’s 12-round split decision victory over Marquez earlier this year not only avenged a disputed draw from their 2004 battle, it also made Pacman a four-division world champion.
Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, will be making the second defense of his title. He successfully defended it against the three-division world champion Morales last summer winning a hard-fought unanimous decision over the future Hall of Famer. Although behind on the scorecards early, Diaz remained cool and rallied before the raucous hometown Chicago crowd of 10,000 to capture the decision. He swept the championship rounds and won the decision by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112. With the victory, Diaz cemented his place among the best lightweights in the sport and one of the most popular and respected athletes in the sports-crazy town of Chicago. A member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, Diaz, with 12 years of experience as a professional, is more than prepared to handle the pressures that come with battling boxing’s pound-for-pound most exciting fighter.
The Pacquiao vs. Diaz pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
WORLD CHAMPION DAVID DIAZ STOPS TRAFFIC IN CHICAGO
WORLD CHAMPION DAVID DIAZ STOPS TRAFFIC IN CHICAGO
CHICAGO, IL- World Boxing Council Lightweight Champion David Diaz took a quick break from preparation for his title defense against “THE MEXICUTIONER” Manny Pacquiao on June 28th as he was honored as the Grand Marshal at Chicago’s Cinco de Mayo Parade on Sunday afternoon.
Ten of thousands lined the parade route along Cermak Rd. in the Little Village Mexican neighborhood, many moving past the barricades to personally wish Diaz well and have their photograph taken with the Chicago native.
Shouts of “VIVA MEXICO” and” VIVA DIAZ” filled the air along the two mile route as Diaz and his family rode past the huge crowds on the beautiful spring day.
“It was a great parade, the people were terrific. The support they showed me as I work towards the fight with Pacquiao truly humbled me. I’m glad I had the opportunity to share this with my wife and little boy and with all of the families that turned out.”
Diaz heads to San Antonio, Phoenix and San Diego this week for press events leading up to LETHAL COMBINATION, his showdown with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Remaining tickets for Pacquiao vs. Diaz, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Dubbed "Republica Enemy No. 1," Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico has had to offer since 2003including Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Juan Manuel Marquez (W 12, D 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). Pacquiao was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories of Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios. The hard-hitting southpaw has won 22 of his last 23 bouts including 2007 victories over Barrera and Solis. Pacquiao’s 12-round split decision victory over Marquez earlier this year not only avenged a disputed draw from their 2004 battle, it also made Pacman a four-division world champion.
Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, will be making the second defense of his title. He successfully defended it against the three-division world champion Morales last summer winning a hard-fought unanimous decision over the future Hall of Famer. Although behind on the scorecards early, Diaz remained cool and rallied before the raucous hometown Chicago crowd of 10,000 to capture the decision. He swept the championship rounds and won the decision by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112. With the victory, Diaz cemented his place among the best lightweights in the sport and one of the most popular and respected athletes in the sports-crazy town of Chicago. A member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, Diaz, with 12 years of experience as a professional, is more than prepared to handle the pressures that come with battling boxing’s pound-for-pound most exciting fighter.
The Pacquiao vs. Diaz pay-per-view telecast beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.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
CHICAGO, IL- World Boxing Council Lightweight Champion David Diaz took a quick break from preparation for his title defense against “THE MEXICUTIONER” Manny Pacquiao on June 28th as he was honored as the Grand Marshal at Chicago’s Cinco de Mayo Parade on Sunday afternoon.
Ten of thousands lined the parade route along Cermak Rd. in the Little Village Mexican neighborhood, many moving past the barricades to personally wish Diaz well and have their photograph taken with the Chicago native.
Shouts of “VIVA MEXICO” and” VIVA DIAZ” filled the air along the two mile route as Diaz and his family rode past the huge crowds on the beautiful spring day.
“It was a great parade, the people were terrific. The support they showed me as I work towards the fight with Pacquiao truly humbled me. I’m glad I had the opportunity to share this with my wife and little boy and with all of the families that turned out.”
Diaz heads to San Antonio, Phoenix and San Diego this week for press events leading up to LETHAL COMBINATION, his showdown with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Remaining tickets for Pacquiao vs. Diaz, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Dubbed "Republica Enemy No. 1," Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico has had to offer since 2003including Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Juan Manuel Marquez (W 12, D 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). Pacquiao was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories of Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios. The hard-hitting southpaw has won 22 of his last 23 bouts including 2007 victories over Barrera and Solis. Pacquiao’s 12-round split decision victory over Marquez earlier this year not only avenged a disputed draw from their 2004 battle, it also made Pacman a four-division world champion.
Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, will be making the second defense of his title. He successfully defended it against the three-division world champion Morales last summer winning a hard-fought unanimous decision over the future Hall of Famer. Although behind on the scorecards early, Diaz remained cool and rallied before the raucous hometown Chicago crowd of 10,000 to capture the decision. He swept the championship rounds and won the decision by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112. With the victory, Diaz cemented his place among the best lightweights in the sport and one of the most popular and respected athletes in the sports-crazy town of Chicago. A member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, Diaz, with 12 years of experience as a professional, is more than prepared to handle the pressures that come with battling boxing’s pound-for-pound most exciting fighter.
The Pacquiao vs. Diaz pay-per-view telecast beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.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
WORLD CHAMPION DAVID DIAZ BLOGGING FOR THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
CHICAGO, IL World Boxing Council Lightweight Champion David Diaz and The Chicago Sun-Times have partnered to bring fight fans worldwide a unique opportunity for a behind the scenes look as he prepares to defend his title against boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao on June 28th at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Diaz will be updating his Chicago Sun-Times blog on a regular basis until fight time. The blog can be viewed on the Chicago Sun-Times website at www.suntimes.com/sports/boxing
Said Diaz, "It's a very busy time preparing for this fight but I wanted to share
the experience over the next two months with fight fans, not only in Chicago, but all over the world."
Tickets for Pacquiao vs.Diaz, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, go on sale This Saturday! April 19, at 10 a.m., at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Dubbed "Republica Enemy No. 1," Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico has had to offer since 2003including Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Juan Manuel Marquez (W 12, D 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). Pacquiao was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories of Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios. The hard-hitting southpaw has won 22 of his last 23 bouts including 2007 victories over Barrera and Solis. Pacquiao’s 12-round split decision victory over Marquez earlier this year not only avenged a disputed draw from their 2004 battle, it also made Pacman a four-division world champion.
Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, will be making the second defense of his title. He successfully defended it against the three-division world champion Morales last summer winning a hard-fought unanimous decision over the future Hall of Famer. Although behind on the scorecards early, Diaz remained cool and rallied before the raucous hometown Chicago crowd of 10,000 to capture the decision. He swept the championship rounds and won the decision by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112. With the victory, Diaz cemented his place among the best lightweights in the sport and one of the most popular and respected athletes in the sports-crazy town of Chicago. A member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, Diaz, with 12 years of experience as a professional, is more than prepared to handle the pressures that come with battling boxing’s pound-for-pound most exciting fighter.
The Pacquiao vs. Diaz pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
Diaz will be updating his Chicago Sun-Times blog on a regular basis until fight time. The blog can be viewed on the Chicago Sun-Times website at www.suntimes.com/sports/boxing
Said Diaz, "It's a very busy time preparing for this fight but I wanted to share
the experience over the next two months with fight fans, not only in Chicago, but all over the world."
Tickets for Pacquiao vs.Diaz, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, go on sale This Saturday! April 19, at 10 a.m., at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Dubbed "Republica Enemy No. 1," Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico has had to offer since 2003including Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Juan Manuel Marquez (W 12, D 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). Pacquiao was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories of Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios. The hard-hitting southpaw has won 22 of his last 23 bouts including 2007 victories over Barrera and Solis. Pacquiao’s 12-round split decision victory over Marquez earlier this year not only avenged a disputed draw from their 2004 battle, it also made Pacman a four-division world champion.
Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, will be making the second defense of his title. He successfully defended it against the three-division world champion Morales last summer winning a hard-fought unanimous decision over the future Hall of Famer. Although behind on the scorecards early, Diaz remained cool and rallied before the raucous hometown Chicago crowd of 10,000 to capture the decision. He swept the championship rounds and won the decision by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112. With the victory, Diaz cemented his place among the best lightweights in the sport and one of the most popular and respected athletes in the sports-crazy town of Chicago. A member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, Diaz, with 12 years of experience as a professional, is more than prepared to handle the pressures that come with battling boxing’s pound-for-pound most exciting fighter.
The Pacquiao vs. Diaz pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
Friday, April 25, 2008
DIAZ OPENS CAMP IN PREPARATION FOR SHOWDOWN WITH PACQUIAO
CHICAGO, IL- World Boxing Council Lightweight Champion David. Diaz opened up camp this morning at JABB Boxing Gym in Chicago in preparation for his title defense against THE MEXICUTIONER, Manny Pacquiao on June 28th at the
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Said Diaz, “It’s time to go to work, everything is signed, the tickets are going on sale on Saturday and I’m thrilled to start camp.”
Diaz and his team, manager/trainer Jim Strickland and co-trainer Mike Garcia were met by a special guest this morning as Chicago Blackhawks head coach, Hall of Famer Denis Savard stopped by to offer his best wishes to David.
While posing with David and his team for pictures, Savard stated, ‘Hopefully next year I’ll bring the Stanley Cup to put alongside David’s world title belt. I want my team to be tough and keep fighting to the end, that’s what has made David a world champion.”
Savard was enthusiastic about Diaz’s showdown with Pacquiao, “I’ll be there at Mandalay Bay on June 28th. David and Manny are both warriors and it will be a great fight to see in person."
Last month Diaz aced his open tryout with the Blackhawks during the in-between periods celebrity shootout, drilling a goal through the mousetrap sized target from the blue line. “He can fight and he can shoot, I can always use a guy like that”, said Savard.
Tickets for Pacquiao vs.Diaz, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, go on sale This Saturday! April 19, at 10 a.m., at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Dubbed "Republica Enemy No. 1," Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico has had to offer since 2003including Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Juan Manuel Marquez (W 12, D 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). Pacquiao was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories of Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios. The hard-hitting southpaw has won 22 of his last 23 bouts including 2007 victories over Barrera and Solis. Pacquiao’s 12-round split decision victory over Marquez earlier this year not only avenged a disputed draw from their 2004 battle, it also made Pacman a four-division world champion.
Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, will be making the second defense of his title. He successfully defended it against the three-division world champion Morales last summer winning a hard-fought unanimous decision over the future Hall of Famer. Although behind on the scorecards early, Diaz remained cool and rallied before the raucous hometown Chicago crowd of 10,000 to capture the decision. He swept the championship rounds and won the decision by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112. With the victory, Diaz cemented his place among the best lightweights in the sport and one of the most popular and respected athletes in the sports-crazy town of Chicago. A member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, Diaz, with 12 years of experience as a professional, is more than prepared to handle the pressures that come with battling boxing’s pound-for-pound most exciting fighter.
The Pacquiao vs. Diaz pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Said Diaz, “It’s time to go to work, everything is signed, the tickets are going on sale on Saturday and I’m thrilled to start camp.”
Diaz and his team, manager/trainer Jim Strickland and co-trainer Mike Garcia were met by a special guest this morning as Chicago Blackhawks head coach, Hall of Famer Denis Savard stopped by to offer his best wishes to David.
While posing with David and his team for pictures, Savard stated, ‘Hopefully next year I’ll bring the Stanley Cup to put alongside David’s world title belt. I want my team to be tough and keep fighting to the end, that’s what has made David a world champion.”
Savard was enthusiastic about Diaz’s showdown with Pacquiao, “I’ll be there at Mandalay Bay on June 28th. David and Manny are both warriors and it will be a great fight to see in person."
Last month Diaz aced his open tryout with the Blackhawks during the in-between periods celebrity shootout, drilling a goal through the mousetrap sized target from the blue line. “He can fight and he can shoot, I can always use a guy like that”, said Savard.
Tickets for Pacquiao vs.Diaz, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, go on sale This Saturday! April 19, at 10 a.m., at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Dubbed "Republica Enemy No. 1," Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico has had to offer since 2003including Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Juan Manuel Marquez (W 12, D 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). Pacquiao was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories of Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios. The hard-hitting southpaw has won 22 of his last 23 bouts including 2007 victories over Barrera and Solis. Pacquiao’s 12-round split decision victory over Marquez earlier this year not only avenged a disputed draw from their 2004 battle, it also made Pacman a four-division world champion.
Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, will be making the second defense of his title. He successfully defended it against the three-division world champion Morales last summer winning a hard-fought unanimous decision over the future Hall of Famer. Although behind on the scorecards early, Diaz remained cool and rallied before the raucous hometown Chicago crowd of 10,000 to capture the decision. He swept the championship rounds and won the decision by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112. With the victory, Diaz cemented his place among the best lightweights in the sport and one of the most popular and respected athletes in the sports-crazy town of Chicago. A member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, Diaz, with 12 years of experience as a professional, is more than prepared to handle the pressures that come with battling boxing’s pound-for-pound most exciting fighter.
The Pacquiao vs. Diaz pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
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