Q & A With UBO Title-Challenger Anthony Dirrell; Dante Craig Steps In To Face Dirrell

In the following Q & A, Dirrell speaks, among other things, about his upcoming fight, new promotional company Team Dirrell Promotions and about beating cancer. And would he ever consider the possibility of one day fighting his brother, Super Six participant Andre?

On July 2nd at Atwood Stadium in Flint, Michigan, local boxing star Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell (21-0, 18 KOs) will take on Dante Craig for the vacant Universal Boxing Organization™ (UBO) Inter-Continental Super Middleweight title.

Dante Craig
Anthony Dirrell has a new opponent for Saturdays Universal Boxing Organization™ (UBO) Inter-Continental Super Middleweight title fight at the Atwood Stadium in Flint, Michigan. Original foe Michi Munoz won’t be able to fight after being arrested, and in steps 2000 Olympian Dante “Inferno” Craig (18-9-1, 13 KOs).

32-year-old Craig turned professional in 2001, beating undefeated Darren Fallen at “The Mecca of Boxing”, Madison Square Garden in New York.

But already in his third professional fight he came up short when another undefeated opponent, Sherwin Davis, stopped him in the third round.

Since being derailed by Davis, Craig has operated with mixed results. His best victory came in 2006 when he stopped former WBA World Champion Carl Daniels, but that triumph was followed by s string of defeats to the likes of Olympic Bronze medalist Terrence Cauthen and undefeated prospects Michael Walker and Aaron Pryor Jr.

The UBO Inter-Continental title fight against Anthony Dirrell is a massive opportunity for Dante Craig to fulfill some of the promise he showed as an amateur and in parts of his professional career.

Taking the fight on short notice certainly proves he is a game and true professional fighter

In the following Q & A, Dirrell speaks, among other things, about his upcoming fight, new promotional company Team Dirrell Promotions and about beating cancer. And would he ever consider the possibility of one day fighting his brother, Super Six participant Andre?

Anthony, It is well known that your brother Andre won an Olympic Bronze medal, but you were also a very good amateur yourself. Please tell me a bit about your own amateur career, and how it came about that you turned professional in 2005?

I had a good amateur career and my record was 170-23. I have won many amateur titles, and also, I was injured but still competed in the 2004 Olympic trials and got 3rd place. Turning pro for me was a big transition, I enjoyed the move to the pros but early on I was cautious about fighting without headgear.

You are fighting Dante Craig for the UBO Inter-Continental Super Middleweight title on July 2nd. He has fought some big names, is a former NABC champion and has been in several title fights while this will be your first championship fight. Do you feel a lot of pressure ahead of this fight, and how do you expect to handle the challenge that is Michi Munoz?

I don't feel any pressure fighting Dante Craig. I'm just looking forward to the opportunity to step up and fight an opponent with a lot of experience. I expect to handle fighting Craig well, and I'm working hard in the gym for this fight.

Tell me about Dirrell Promotions?

Other fighters like Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones, Oscar De La Hoya & Floyd Mayweather Jr. have started their own promotional companies. Team Dirrell felt it was a good opportunity for us as well. We want to give back to our hometown Flint, Michigan. We want the fans and our city to get behind us and our new boxing promotion company.

Anthony "The Dog" Dirrell
The Craig fight will be your biggest fight so far inside the ring, a title fight in your hometown, but I take it your biggest fight outside the ring was when you were diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in 2007. Thankfully you beat the disease, but how did it change your life, and did you ever fear that it would end you boxing career?

Cancer was definitely the biggest challenge in my life. With the support of my fans, friends and family I was able to beat cancer and get back in the boxing ring.

The disease did cause for you to be out of the ring for almost two years, but you have won nine straight fights since coming back in late 2008. Do you feel as if your boxing career has a greater purpose now, than just becoming a champion and getting big fights?

Boxing is what I love to do, I'm happy to be fighting for my first pro boxing title and I work hard to provide for my family. Having cancer has definitely made me look different at my life.

The Klitschko brothers have stated many times that they would never fight each other. You and Andre box in the same weight class, but would the two of you ever fight each other if the circumstances were right? Perhaps if both of you become world champions and it’s the biggest and most lucrative fight out there for you?

We spar together, but under no circumstances would my brother Andre and I ever fight each other in a real fight.

Please describe how a typical day for you looks when you are preparing for a fight?

A typical day for me when I'm training for a fight is getting up at 6am for breakfast, 8am going for my daily run, then go home to relax, 1pm going to the gym and train. I usually spar 3 times a week, I also make sure I eat healthy and maintain my weight as I prepare for a fight.

What kind of show can the fans expect from you and Dirrell Promotions on July 2nd at Atwood Stadium?

The fans can expect a good boxing show, and we also have a fireworks show for the fans. This is a big event for Team Dirrell Promotions and our city. Flint has gone thru a lot of changes with factories closing and a lack of jobs. Team Dirrell Promotions wants to lift up our city and inspire our community.

Anything you would like to say in closing?

I want the fans to know that Anthony Dirrell is on the rise in the sport of boxing. I'm looking for a world title fight in the near future. I want to thank my fans for their support. I want all my fans to come out and support Team Dirrell Promotions and my fight against Dante Craig on July 2 at Atwell Stadium.



UBO Inter-Continental super middleweight title weigh in

Anthony Dirrell 166.2 lbs vs Dante Craig 167.7 lbs
Venue: Atwood Stadium, Flint Michigan
Promoter: Team Dirrell Promotions

Video courtesy of Eric Woodyard Flint Journal

http://video-embed.mlive.com/services/player/bcpid619299298001?bctid=1034479101001

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Figueroa plans to put Bailey into checkmate position Friday night on ESPN

NEW YORK – NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa feels every fight is like a chess match and he plans to put former 2-time world champion Randall Bailey into a checkmate position Friday night on ESPN2 during their scheduled 12-round IBF title eliminator in Memphis.

The winner between IBF No. 3 rated Bailey (38-6, 34 KOs) and No. 6 ranked Figueroa (20-2, 13 KOs) will earn a title shot against IBF champion Juan Urango.

Figueroa, riding a 12-fight win streak dating back to 2004, broke camp today in southern Florida and tomorrow he heads to Memphis. “Bailey’s a big banger who uses a single punch – right hand – to stop most of his opponents,” Figueroa said. “I’m not worried about what he’s bringing, more about what adjustments will be made during the fight. The key is figuring out your opponent and making the key adjustments to win. I’m very confident. I love to fight and this is what I do – fight! Figuring out a fighter and making adjustments in the mix is like playing chess. Both fighters come into the fight with a game plan but adjustments have to be made during the fight. I have to put him into a checkmate position to win the fight and reach my goal of winning a world title. I’m not looking past him, but I have one eye on Urango because that’s what drives me. It’s part of me, part of my goal, to be world champion. I’ve overcome obstacles to reach this point and I need to win this fight to have a shot at winning a world title.”

Also rated No. 11 by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBA, the 30-year-old Puerto Rican-American, born in Spanish Harlem and fighting out of the Bronx, is now handled by Roy Jones, Jr.’s Square Ring Promotions.

“I’m in the best shape of my career,” Figueroa added. “This training camp has been the best due to my manager, Sal LoNano, sending me to Boston for training at Mike Boyle’s for strength and conditioning. It continued in Florida with some great work with my trainer, Eggie Martinez, and valuable sparring sessions.”

For more information about Gato Figueroa visit his web site at www.teamgato.com.

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Barrera faces Wrath of Khan; Mar. 14 PPV show also features Maccarinelli-Afolabi & Cook-Martinez title fights

HOBOKEN, N.J.– The hype surrounding 22-year-old lightweight prospect Amir Khan may not be the same since his stunning first-round knockout loss to Breidis Prescott last September, but the 2004 Olympic silver medallist has the full confidence of his head trainer, Freddie Roach, as they prepare in Los Angeles for Khan’s showdown with multiple world champion “The Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera, Saturday, March 14 at The M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom.

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.

Khan (19-1, 15 KOs), training at Roach’s famed Wild Card Gym, defends his WBA International lightweight title against seven-time world champion Barrera (65-6, 42 KOs) in the 12-round main event. The two other PPV fights will be former WBO cruiserweight title-holder Enzo Maccarinelli (29-2, 22 KOs) against NABO champ Ola “Kryptonite” Afolabi (13-1-3, 5 KOs) for the WBO cruiserweight championship, while 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).

Khan, coming off of a win by second-round TKO of Oisin Fagan for the WBA International title last December, is rated No. 9 by the WBO and No. 13 by the IBF. Roach favourably compares his prospect, Khan, with his ace, pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

“Athleticism, speed.....everything,” Roach explained why he believes Amir will emerge victoriously. “Barrera’s best was at 122 and 126; Amir is a big 135-pounder. It’s the perfect time – 22-year-old kid against a 35-year-old veteran. We respect Barrera and there’s a lot we have to lookout from him. Barrera can set-up guys with his experience but we’ve really prepared for that.

“Amir reminds me a lot of Manny Pacquiao. They’re both very athletic and Amir is the only guy who can run with Manny. I remember Manny getting knocked out early in his career (by Rustico Torrecampo in 1996) and everybody writing him off. Amir came in on a bigger stage from the Olympics, but I believe he’ll rebound and become world champion. I brought Amir here (Wild Card) to camp to be with Manny and sparring together built Amir’s confidence. If he can do as well as he did with Manny, he can do as well against anybody. He just made a young man’s mistake against Prescott, going for the knockout, and he got caught. Anybody can get caught and Amir is perfecting his defense. He has come along well since his first fight (vs. Fagan) with me.”

Barrera, who has held world titles in three different weight classes during his 19-year pro career, holds wins against a Who’s Who of contemporary world champions and/or challengers such as Erik Morales (twice), Paulie Ayala, Prince Naseem Hamed, Kevin Kelly, Johnny Tapia, Robbie Peden, Mzonke Fana, and Rocky Juarez (twice).


WBO No. 1 rated Maccarinelli, ranked No. 6 by The Ring, defeated Mohamed Azzaoui, Wayne Braithwite, Bobby Gunn, Marcelo Fabian Dominguez and Mark Hobson (twice) during his WBO title reign (2006-2008). The WBO No. 2 rated London-born Afolabi, now living in California, captured the NABO crown last April, stopping previously unbeaten Eric Fields in the 10th round.

Cook won the WBO super featherweight title in his last fight, taking a 12-round unanimous decision from Alex Arthur (26-1) last September in The M.E.N. Arena. The former European champion is rated No. 6 by The Ring. Puerto Rican star on the rise, NABO super featherweight title-holder Martinez, in addition to being the WBC’s top contender, is also rated No. 4 by the 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.

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©®™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

Top rated light welterweight contender Frankie Figueroa signs with Square Ring; Fighting Gavin Rees Nov. 8 on Jones-Calzaghe in Madison Square Garden

LAS VEGAS– NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa has signed a promotional contract with Roy Jones, Jr.’s Square Ring Promotions and the Bronx fighter has been added to the November 8 Jones-Calzaghe HBO PPV card at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Figueroa (19-2, 13 KOs) has been in Las Vegas training for his Nov. 8th 10-round fight against former WBA light welterweight Gavin “The Rock” Rees (27-1, 13 KOs). “Fighting Rees is a phenomenal first step for me by my new promoter,” Figueroa said. “Square Ring is doing its job and I’m doing mine by focusing to fight my best. To be fighting on the Jones-Calzaghe card will catapult me to a different level….the big-time! I want to thank Team Rees for allow me to fight Gavin. It’s a great opportunity for me as well as Gavin. Beating a former world champion would show my great heart and chin and for him a win would be good coming off of his first loss. Millions of fans will be watching me take a step toward a world title.”

Figueroa, a Puerto-Rican-American born in Spanish Harlem, not too long ago was counseling rebellious teens in New York City. He was a 2-time New York City high school wrestler, 14-0 as a senior, who didn’t start boxing until eight years ago after taking advice from a friend.

Now 30 and in his sixth year fighting as a pro, “El Gato” is one of the top rated light welterweights in the world: WBC #4, IBF #5 and WBA #15. His last fight on May 5 was a win by 12-round decision against Luis Rodriquez (22-1), extending Frankie’s win streak to 11, dating back to March of 2005.

Welch-born Rees, who has never fought outside of the United Kingdom as a pro, captured the WBA title in 2007, winning a 12-round decision from Souleymane M’baye (35-1-1). This past March, though, Rees suffered his first loss when Andriy Kotelnik (28-2-1) stopped him in the 12th round for the WBA crown.

“A good win against Rees should position me for a title shot against Kotelnik, or a fight against any of the other top 140-pounders win the world, in 2009,” the U.S. Army veteran Figueroa commented. “I see a lot of myself in Rees, but I’m a little quicker, a lot stronger, and a better thinker. I haven’t fought too often at home in New York City lately and this fight is going to be colossal. It’s going to be crazy like the last time I fight in Madison Square Garden (November 11, 2006), when I beat Joey Rios (14-0) on the Klitschko-Brock card for the New York State title (WDEC10). Rios was ‘King Kong’ in the Bronx at that time but people in New York City knew what I could do.

“I’m training in Las Vegas because my trainer, Buddy McGirt, is there working with Paulie Malignaggi (for his Nov. 22 fight against Ricky Hatton). I go where my trainer is. I love it. I’m training at Bones Adams’ gym and there’s a lot of good sparring there.”

Figueroa is nicknamed “El Gato” – The Cat – because he was the only one quick enough to catch a cat that was a mascot at his original gym in the Bronx. This cat is now a fan-friendly, southpaw slugger who is coming out of the bag on Nov. 8 at home in the Big Apple.

“At this stage of my career,” Frankie concluded, “Rees is my biggest fight and I’m getting a great opportunity to knock down the doors for a world title fight. I’ve had good fights in the past but nothing came out of it. Things are going to be different after this fight.”

For more information about Frankie Figueroa visit his web site at www.teamgato.com, where you can enter a sweepstakes to win what he’s wearing in the ring Nov. 8 as well as a cash prize by simply filling out the mailing list form on the home page.

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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

“Beibut The Beast” Boxing’s Top Secret Project

KAZAKHSTAN– Former Kazakhstan Olympian Beibut “The Beast” Shumenov is the greatest fighter in the world that most boxing fans haven’t heard of, at least not at this stage of his young professional career.

In less than 10 months, 24-year-old Shumenov has won all six of his pro fights, five by knockout, capturing three title belts – WBC Asian Boxing Council, WBO Asia Pacific and PABA Interim light heavyweight championships.

Earlier this month in Chimkent, Kazakhaston, Shumenov (6-0, 5 KOs) easily won a 12-round decision, in his WBC and WBO Asian title defenses, against former WBC title-holder Montell “Ice” Griffin (50-8, 30 KOs), whose victims over the years include a pair of future Hall of Famers, Roy Jones, Jr. and James Toney (twice). Beibut won every round, nearly stopping Griffin in the opening round, en route to shutting out the former world champion by lop-sided scores of 120-108, 120-108, 120-107. After the fight Griffin, rated No. 22 by the WBA, was taken to the hospital for stitches for a cut over his eye as well as to get his ribs examined after Beibut’s devastating body attack.

Shumenov, already rated No. 15 by the WBO prior to his victory against Griffin, was highly touted in the 2004 Olympics, winning his opening bout against Polish representative Aleksy Kuziemsky (presently 15-0 as a pro prospect), 37-22. Amidst rumors of a hand injury, Beibut was defeated in the round of 16 by Turkey’s Ihsan Yildorim Tarham, 27-19, in the same light heavyweight division Andre Ward of the United States won a gold medal.

Last November in North Carolina, Shumenov won his pro debut with a first-round TKO of Walter Edwards, followed in order by an opening-round knockout of Cedric Howard in Florida, and fourth-round TKO of 68-fight veteran Shannon Miller in Tennessee. In April,

Beibut put Donnell Wiggins (24-10-4) to sleep in the second round of their fight in Kazakhstan for the WBC Asian and PABA Interim light heavyweight crowns. Ten days later, Beibut stopped Lavell Fingers (26-2) in the first-round of their April 22 fight, also held in Kazakhstan. Beibut successfully defended his two Asian titles and also collected the PABA Interim crown.

Trained by Kenny Adams and advised by E Point K Consulting, Shumenov is resting in Kazakhaston and will return to Las Vegas in late September, early October to prepare for his next fight. Beibut plans to make a title run in 2009.

The word is slowly getting out in boxing: “Beibut The Beast” is on the loose!

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Message from Team Edgar Santana...‏

Due to recent rumblings regarding MSG being a potential venue for a September 20th Roy Jones - Joe Calzaghe showdown and Dmitry Salita joining Jones’ Square Ring promotional company, Team Santana has instructed promoter Lou DiBella to reach out to Square Ring and make a Santana – Salita fight.



Santana – Salita is a fight people want to see and would no doubt be a commercial success. We sincerely hope that Jones - Calzaghe comes to NYC. Roy Jones is an active legend and it would be an honor for Edgar Santana to be on a Roy Jones undercard. We can make MSG buzz with further excitement by taking on Salita. We are eagerly waiting to see if Lou Dibella can strike the deal. Once the fight is made the NY Puerto Rican community will come out in mass to buy tickets.

Edgar Santana is ready, willing and able !!

Team Santana

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Heavyweight Terrorizes Fields with Vicious First Round TKO; Barrett Calling out top British Heavyweight David Haye

MONTE BARRETT ANNIHILATES TYE FIELDS; WANTS DAVID HAYE NEXT



NEW YORK– Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett (34-6, 20 KO’s) was supposed to be just a step up fight for gigantic six-foot-eight heavyweight Tye “Big Sky” Fields (41-2, 37 KO’s) on Fields’ way to heavyweight success. The 37-year old Barrett had other ideas Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Fields’ hometown.

Barrett was coming into this fight confident; knowing he trained hard and knowing he had a great opportunity to knock off a giant heavyweight. Barrett did just that. The Bronx native walked into the ring, was introduced, and heard the bell ring to start round one. Fifty seven seconds later, Barrett was standing over Fields, victorious by savage first round knockout.

Barrett threw vicious combinations and according to Compubox, he landed all of the six power punches he threw. “I was a desperate fighter and desperate fighters do desperate things," said Barrett. “This win will serve notice that Monte Barrett still has some gas left in his tank and will do anything to get to that top level of the division.”

“I want David Haye next. I just sleighed one giant in Tye Fields and now I’m ready to go across the pond and beat that big Brit. I know I am better than him and will knock him flat on his back. Haye is a David Telesco look-alike and we’re ready to Roy Jones him.”

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James McGirt, Jr.; regroups after 1st loss, moving back to middleweight

VERO BEACH, Florida– There’s nothing more devastating in boxing that than a hot prospect’s first pro loss, especially for someone such as James McGirt, Jr. (18-1, 9 KOs), whose last name alone makes opponents perform better. McGirt suffered his first set-back April 11 when another son of a former world champion, Carlos “Baby Sugar” DeLeon, Jr. (20-2-2, 12 KOs), stopped James in the seventh round of their ShoBox co-feature.

Photo courtesy of Emily Harney


DeLeon was floored by McGirt at the end of the sixth round, but he got to his feet just before the bell sounded. “When I dropped him, instead of listening to my father (head trainer “Buddy” McGirt), I got careless,” James explained. “I had him but dropped my right hand and got caught. My legs were a little wobbly, but I was more embarrassed than anything having been knocked down for the first time in my career. I thought that I could deal with it but got hit with an uppercut. I tried to wait it out, hoping he’d gotten tired punching, but I wasn’t punching back and the ref stopped the fight.

Buddy Mc Girt



“The hardest thing in the world is to take your first loss. I still know that I’m going to be a world champion someday. This is part of the learning experience. No excuses. I should have listened and boxed. It’s a hard pill to shallow. I want a rematch, but I know it won’t happen right away. I won’t be able to sleep at night unless I fight him one more time.”

McGirt’s father, 2-time world champion “Buddy,” suffered his first pro loss in his 30th fight, as the No. 1 contender in the world, to Frankie Warren by 10-round decision. “I warned James last year that he was dropping his right hand too much,” Buddy noted. “You can’t take anything for granted. Once he knocked the other guy down, James thought that he had him, but he got caught by that left hook. It’s a great learning experience. I was talking to Roy Jones. He said at least it happened now or he would have kept doing it and now he’ll listen. James can’t have a flamboyant, relaxed attitude like he did in basketball. On the court he could be nonchalant, flashy, but you can’t do that in the ring. They’re always trying to beat Buddy McGirt’s son and Buddy McGirt. In a way I’m glad it happened. It’s going to be a good learning experience for James. I told him he should thank DeLeon for the wake-up call because he got lazy.

“Sure, it’s a hard pill to swallow. I saw the punch hit him and I can still visualize it like a picture in my mind. That night, James became a man, and not just in the ring. Taking nothing away from DeLeon, James had the fight and should have won. Now he has to put it behind him and move forward. After a first loss, you either become a better fighter, or get out of the game. James’ eyes were opened. You can’t do what he did in basketball, not in this business, and now he understands. What he does from here on will determine what he is in boxing.”

McGirt may have been more comfortable making weight and fighting as a super middleweight, but the plan is for him to slowly move back to the middleweight division. “His opponents at super middleweight are too big,” McGirt’s manager Dennis Witherow explained. “I talked with Buddy after the fight and we agree that James needs to fight as a middleweight. They weighed-in the same weight but, in the fight, the difference in their weight made a big difference. He’ll fight at 162-163 in his next fight, hopefully in July. We’re going forward, not looking backwards. The loss is part of the learning process, a bump in the road. He got caught and that’s just part of the game.”

Buddy added, “The last two days (prior to the fight) James just shadow-boxed. He didn’t run or train, ate right before the weigh in, and came in at 166. He won’t have a problem making 163. We saw how small James (166-167 lbs. in the fight) was in comparison to DeLeon (between 180-185 lbs) and even (Jason) Naugler. James will be fighting as a middleweight.”

-JM-

CONTACT:
Bob Trieger
Full Court Press
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved