Abraham-Marquez Press Conference IBF super middleweight world title fight Saturday on PPV live from Germany

BAMBERG, Germany– Challenger Raul “El Diamente” Marquez vowed once again at today’s press conference in Germany to shock the boxing world when he fights unbeaten International Boxing Federation middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham on Saturday at Jako Arena in Bamberg, Germany.

Abraham-Marquez is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland, presented by Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing in English and Spanish at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice Canada, and Bell ExpressVue, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. iN Demand will show a replay the following day (Sunday, Nov. 9) at 2 PM/ET. Al Bernstein and Nick Charles will call the action.

Abraham-Marquez, originally scheduled October 4, was postponed due to Abraham’s sudden illness on the day of the fight.

“I’m confident and feel better than I did the last time,” Marquez said. “I’m going to shock the boxing world on Saturday. His trainer (Ulli Wegner) said that they have a lot of respect for me and that Abraham was sick. They’re looking forward to a tough fight against a veteran with a lot of experience. As a fighter, I respect Abraham but, sick or not, I still would have gone along with the fight. We’re good sportsmen and after the fight we’ll be friends."

Abraham (27-0, 22 KOs), rated No. 2 by The Ring and ESPN, captured the IBF middleweight title nearly three years ago by way of a fifth-round knockout of Kingsley Ikeke (23-1). Seven successful title defenses have followed against Miranda, Shannon Taylor, Kofi Jantuah, Sebastian Demers, Khoren Gevor, Wayne Elcock and Elvin Ayala.

The 37-year-old Marquez (41-3-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 2 (No. 1 unrated) by the IBF as well as No. 8 by The Ring and No. 9 by ESPN, earned his title shot against Abraham by defeating previously unbeaten No. 1 contender Giovanni Lorenzo (26-0) in their June 21st IBF title eliminator. Marquez, fighting out of Houston, was a 1992 U.S. Olympian who was the IBF junior middleweight title-holder in 1997.

The 10-round co-feature on the PPV show from Germany finds former NABO champion and “The Next Great Champ” reality television winner, Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (19-3-2, 7 KOs), of Sacramento, fighting Yugoslavian-born Enad Licina (14-1, 8 KOs), now living in Germany, for the vacant IBF Intercontinental cruiserweight belt.

For more information about the Abraham-Marguez PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com or www.warriorsboxing.com

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©®™ 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

Integrated Sports Distributing Abraham-Marquez world title fight Broadcast live Nov. 8 from Germany

HOBOKEN, N.J.– Integrated Sports will distribute the long awaited November 8th showdown between unbeaten International Boxing Federation middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham and top contender Raul “El Diamente” Marquez, in the United States and Canada, live from Germany.

Abraham-Marquez, originally scheduled October 4, was postponed due to Abraham’s sudden illness on the day of the fight and rescheduled for Nov. 8 at the same site, Jako Arena, in Bamberg, Germany.

Abraham-Marquez is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland, presented by Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DISH Network,Viewer’s Choice Canada, and Bell ExpressVue, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. iN Demand will show a replay the following day (Sunday, Nov. 9) at 2 PM/ET. Al Bernstein and Nick Charles will call the action.

Abraham (27-0, 22 KOs), rated No. 1 by The Ring and ESPN, is coming off of his first fight in the United States (Hollywood, FL), stopping Edison Miranda (30-2) in the second round of their June 21st non-title fight in explosive fashion. Abraham, however, remains somewhat of a curiosity factor in North America in terms of being a serious threat for Kelly Pavlik in a potential unification bout.

“King” Arthur captured the IBF middleweight title nearly three years ago by way of a fifth-round knockout of Kingsley Ikeke (23-1). Seven successful title defenses have followed against Miranda, Shannon Taylor, Kofi Jantuah, Sebastian Demers, Khoren Gevor, Wayne Elcock and Elvin Ayala.

The 37-year-old Marquez (41-3-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 2 by the IBF as well as No. 8 by The Ring and ESPN, earned his title shot against Abraham by defeating previously unbeaten No. 1 contender Giovanni Lorenzo (26-0) in their IBF title eliminator on the June 21st Abraham-Miranda card. Marquez, fighting out of Houston, was a 1992 U.S. Olympian who was the IBF junior middleweight title-holder in 1997.

Despite taking off 1 ½ years to work as a broadcaster for HBO’s boxing telecasts in Spanish, Raul is more experienced in the ring than Abraham – 269 to 161 in rounds fought – having been in against world champions Jermain Taylor, Shane Mosley, Fernando Vargas and Yori Boy Campas.

The 10-round co-feature on the PPV show from Germany has former NABO champion Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (19-3-2, 7 KOs), of Sacramento, taking on Yugoslavian-born Enad Licina (14-1, 8 KOs), now living in Germany, for the vacant IBF Intercontinental cruiserweight belt. Additional undercard bouts to be part of the PPV card will soon be announced.

For more information about the Abraham-Marguez PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com or www.warriorsboxing.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

Giovanni Lorenzo reloads after learning valuable lesson

NEW YORK CITY– 2000 Dominican Republic Olympian Giovanni “El Chico Malo” Lorenzo (26-1, 18 KOs) soon embarks on a mission to prove that, coming off of his first pro loss in June, he still remains a clear and present danger in the middleweight division.

Lorenzo lost a voluntary IBF title eliminator fight to former world champion Raul “El Diamente” Marquez in a razor-close 12-round decision, separated by a single point on all three judges’ scorecards, but only after one point was controversially deducted for a head butt, live on Showtime Championship Boxing from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

“Losing to Raul Marquez in my first TV fight was very difficult for me,” Giovanni said. “At the same time, I have gained a tremendous amount of experience from this fight. I waited a little too much thinking Marquez would fade. My plan was to come on hard down the stretch. I felt like the bigger and stronger puncher in the fight. I learned that I need to be more aggressive. I am hoping to land another really big fight very soon and I am training very hard to regain my status as the top middleweight contender so I can complete my destiny of becoming middleweight champion of the world.

“Marquez is the kind of fighter that, if Abraham takes him lightly (Abraham defends his IBF title Saturday night against Marquez live from Germany on pay-per-view in the United States and Canada), he is capable of pulling off an upset. Marquez should not be underestimated because he shows you many different angles. He can punch a lot harder than people give him credit for and he is a tough, tough Mexican warrior with a ton of experience and determination.”

Going into the title eliminator, Lorenzo had been criticized in some quarters for having fought relatively light opposition. Team Lorenzo rolled the dice, even though they didn’t have to fight an eliminator for “Gio” to get a title shot, accepting the challenge (and risk) to fight the crafty U.S. Olympian Marquez. The former IBF junior middleweight title-holder had a distinct advantage in professional experience having fought 40 pro fights, 257 rounds and battled world champions Jermain Taylor, Fernando Vargas, and Shane Mosley. “Gio,” on the other hand (or glove), at that time had only 25 pro bouts and 90 rounds of action under his belt.

“Giovanni is going to learn a lot from our fight,” Marquez remarked. “He could afford to lose that fight, I couldn’t. He’s young and has a very bright future. He’s a big middleweight – strong puncher, definitely with power – who is going to make a name for himself.”

Lorenzo learned an invaluable lesson against Marquez as the 12-rounds of hard-earned experience will prepare him very well for the future. Giovanni is still a top 10-rated middleweight challenger, No. 6 by the IBF and No. 9 by the WBC, who doesn’t celebrate his 28th birthday until October 13.

“The Marquez fight was a good experience for ‘Gio’ who is still young,” Giovanni’s co-manager Rich Ryan said. “Raul was too savvy, too experienced for ‘Gio,’ who had never fought a lefty before. He’s a much better fighter than he showed in that fight, but he still won six rounds against the house fighter. After the fight, we went back to the hotel and Marquez went to the hospital. The next day you wouldn’t have thought Marquez had won if you had seen him because he’d obviously been to a plastic surgeon and was all bandaged up. We can’t wait to get ‘Gio’ back in the ring to show everybody how much he’s learned and improved.”

Lorenzo posted a 247-16 amateur record, capturing 15 gold medals in International competition. He is from Jeringa, Dominican Republic but now lives and fights out of the Washington Heights section of New York City.

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

Abraham-Marquez; IBF middleweight fight headlines Saturday’s PPV in U.S. & Canada

BAMBERG, Germany-- IBF middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham (27-0, 22 KOs) and mandatory challenger Raul “El Diamente” Marquez (41-3, 29 KOs) voiced their respect for each other at today´s press conference in Bamberg, Germany.

Raul Marquez and Arthur Abraham


Saturday’s Abraham-Marquez headlined card is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland, presented by Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice Canada, and Bell ExpressVue, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night starting at 9 PM/ET. Al Bernstein and Nick Charles will call the action.

“I am happy to be here in Germany to fight Abraham,” the 37-year-old Marquez said. “He is a great champion and I do have a lot of respect for him. But I came here to win. I don´t think there will be a KO.I have prepared myself for 12 rounds. I am ready to exploit Abraham´s weaknesses.”

“King Arthur” will be out to please his home fans – Bamberg is the city where he started boxing – for a second time in 17 months. Back in May 2007, in his first fight after breaking his jaw against Edison Miranda, the 28-year-old knocked out Sebastian Demers in the third round. But “King Arthur” knows that Marquez will be a much tougher opponent. “He is fast, mobile and clever,” Abraham assessed. “In other words: He is a really good boxer. That will be a tough challenge for me. In my last mandatory title defense I stopped Khoren Gevor but Marquez is much stronger than him.”

Abraham’s head trainer, Ulli Wegner, also is full of praise for the former world champion. “I’ve know Marquez for a long, long time,” he remarked. “I saw him at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. During the times of the GDR, he once fought against one of our guys. Ten years ago he was world champion and he has gotten stronger and more experienced since then. Many people were surprised to see him beat Lorenzo in the eliminator, but not me. Arthur will be in for a hard battle but I expect him to succeed.”

In the 12-round co-feature, Enad Licina (14-1, 8 KOs) will clash with former NABO champion Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (19-3, 7 KOs), winner of the “The Next Great Champion” television reality show, for the IBF Intercontinental cruiserweight title.

For more information about the Abraham-Marquez PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com or www.warriorsboxing.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

Raul Marquez plans to spoil “King” Arthur’s mega-fight plans against Pavlik or Wright IBF middleweight title fight Oct. 4 on PPV in U.S. & Canada

HOBOKEN, N.J.– Former world champion Raul “El Diamente” Marquez, who overcome the destruction of Hurricane Ike, recently broke his Houston training camp and departed for Germany, where on October 4th he challenges unbeaten International Boxing Federation middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham, headlining a pay-per-view card airing in the United States and Canada live from Bamberg, Germany.

Abraham-Marquez is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland, presented by Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice Canada, and Bell ExpressVue, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night starting at 9 PM/ET. Al Bernstein and Nick Charles will call the action.

“I don’t talk trash-talk,” Marquez said right before leaving Houston, “but we took on Hurricane Ike, so Arthur Abraham should be nothing. We still don’t have electricity in my house, I’ve been staying at my sister-in-law’s house, and we had to wait 1 ½ hours for gas. I’m very positive about this fight. We’re going over there to win.

“I fought in Germany as an amateur and I’m sure some of Abraham’s coaches remember me. You read about needing to knockout your opponent over there to get a draw (laughs). I just hope the judges are fair. The judges are from America, Mexico and England. Wayne Kelly from New York City is the referee. I couldn’t ask for a better situation over there. All I can hope for is a fair decision. I’m glad this fight is on pay-per-view so people can judge for themselves. If there’s controversy, people back home will be able to see it and know who really won.”

Abraham (27-0, 22 KOs), rated No. 2 by The Ring and ESPN, captured the IBF middleweight title early three years ago by way of a fifth-round knockout of Kingsley Ikeke (23-1). Eight successful title defenses have followed against Edison Miranda twice, Shannon Taylor, Kofi Jantuah, Sebastian Demers, Khoren Gevor, Wayne Elcock and Elvin Ayala.

The 37-year-old Marquez (41-3-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 2 by the IBF as well as No. 8 by The Ring and ESPN, earned his title shot against Abraham by defeating previously unbeaten No. 1 contender Giovanni Lorenzo (26-0) in their IBF title eliminator on the June 21.

Marquez, a 1992 U.S. Olympian who owned the IBF junior middleweight title belt in 1997, is motivated by talk about Abraham fighting Kelly Pavlik or Winky Wright next year. “It’s like they’re ignoring me,” Marquez explained. “They’re looking ahead. I was a 4-1 underdog my last fight and I’ve trained even harder for this one. Only two out of 35 writers picked me to win my last fight and it’s pretty much the same thing for the Abraham fight. Abraham’s people are looking beyond me. I want to spoil all that talk about him fighting Pavlik or Wright in his next fight. Nobody’s giving me much of a shot but I’m ready.

“My game plan is to make him fight. He’s powerful and strong; I am, too. And I’m motivated by him looking ahead. I’ve gone back to my roots with my father (Arturo) and brother (Aldo) in my corner the last four fights. I tried some different trainers but my father made me an Olympian and world champion. I’m older and wiser now. I’m getting hit and cut less. I think my father’s the best trainer in the world. After I beat Abraham he’s going to be Trainer of the Year.”

Despite taking off 1 ½ years to work as a broadcaster, Raul is still much more battle tested in the ring than Abraham – 269 to 161 in rounds fought – having fought world champions Jermain Taylor, Shane Mosley, Fernando Vargas and Yori Boy Campas.

“This isn’t going to be an easy fight and Abraham knows it,” Marquez added. “I have a lot more experience than him having fought Mosley, Taylor and Vargas, as well as other experienced fighters like Campas, (Keith) Mullings, (Jose Alfredo) Flores and (Bronco) McKart. I’ve fought guys with all kinds of different styles. I’m left-handed and I think that’s going to give Abraham problems. I’ve watched tapes of his fights and I think he had problems against (southpaw) Ian Gardiner. Even at 37, I will bring courage, power, great conditioning and keep a steady pace like I did in my last fight.

“After losing to Jermain Taylor, to get this far and fight for a world title again, well, it’s amazing. It’s weird but I feel better now than I ever have. Ten years after I was world champion, 16 years after I made my pro debut (Oct. 3, 1992), I want it (world title) more and appreciate boxing more than ever. I love everything about boxing.”

The 10-round co-feature on the PPV show from Germany has former NABO champion Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (19-3-2, 7 KOs), of Sacramento, taking on Yugoslavian-born Enad Licina (14-1, 8 KOs), now living in Germany, for the vacant IBF Intercontinental cruiserweight belt. Additional undercard bouts to be part of the PPV card will soon be announced.

For more information about the Abraham-Marguez PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com or www.warriorsboxing.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