Mike Alvarado will be at the BWAA 88th Annual Awards Dinner This Thursday Night‏

Only days away from the Academy Awards of boxing, the BWAA has just announced that Mike Alvarado, fresh off his spectacular win over Brandon Rios, will be attending.

He joins an ever growing list of boxing celebrates which includes Nonito Donaire, Juan Manuel Marquez, Roy Jones Jr., Timothy Bradley, Ruslan Provodnikov, Paul Malignaggi, Steve Cunningham, Gennady Golovkin, Danny Jacobs, Bob Arum, and Jim Lampley.
 
There will be ample opportunities to take photos, get autographs, and chat with the many celebrities in attendance.

Dave Diamante the host of NBC's sports show "The Lights" will serve as Master of Ceremonies. 

 ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Kendall Holt vs. Tim Coleman March 16th, on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights

On March 16th, 2012 at Morongo Casino & Resorts in Cabazon, CA, Kendall Rated “R” Holt vs. Tim “Pit-bull” Coleman will collide at welterweight. This bout will be televised on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. It is a do or die match up for each of the two combatants involved, because both Holt and Coleman lost their last outings, respectively. They each lost to top upcoming young prospects. In many aspects, it’s a fight that could’ve happened at 140 a year or so ago on different circumstances. However, it will be going down this Friday, the 16^th, for a bit more than bragging rights. (Photo of Kendall Holt by Keisha Morrisey)

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

An interview with Chevelle Hallback, women’s boxing champion for the ages!

Chevelle “Fists of Steel” Hallback first laced up the gloves in 1996. Given that women’s boxing didn’t have many amateur boxing opportunities, she dove right in and fought her first professional fight less than a year later in 1997, earning her first win against Connie Plosser. Hallback has fought continuously since then with an impressive 28-8-2 (11 KOs) record.

On March 2, 2012, Chevelle Hallback will do it again, fighting a rematch against Terri “The Road Warrior” Blair (11-15-3, 6 KOs) at the Civic Center in Tampa, Florida. In a year of firsts, this will be the first female main event boxing match in the state of Florida, an honor bestowed on Hallback in her first fight fought at home since she began her professional career!

“I’m looking forward to fighting at home for the first time in my career,” Hallback is quoted as saying. “Terri and I had a great battle in 2007. She’s fought the best, has never been stopped and I’m training hard to make this an exciting fight for all the fans. I appreciate Terri for stepping up for this fight.”

The “must see” March 2nd card is promoted by Estrada Entertainment Productions in association with Tampa Baby Boxing Promotions and Reyes “Macho Times” Promotions. (Ticket information can be found at www.tampabayboxing.com.)

Girlboxing had the opportunity to speak with Chevelle Hallback who graciously took time from her training schedule to talk about her upcoming bout, her career and her hopes and dreams for the future.

1. You have a fantastic rematch coming up on March 2nd against Terri “The Road Warrior” Blair, what can you tell Girlboxing readers about this fight?

This is going to be a great fight! This is our second time meeting and when I say her name speaks for itself, I mean she is a warrior. She’s been in there with everyone that is a somebody in boxing. I don’t think her record really speaks for her [11-15-3, 6 KOs] because she is an amazing fighter. The truth is, she got the short end of the stick in most of her fights.

Our first fight [in 2007] was a hell of a fight. It was a tough fight. I came out with a win [78-74, 79-73, 77-75, 8x2], but it was a close fight.

With the upcoming bout, the first time I’m fighting at home, history is being made. The first time a female fight will be the main event on a boxing card in Florida. I can’t ask for anything more. I’m just excited about it and grateful!

2. When you fought Blair in 2007, you were quoted as saying, “It was rough. She never hurt me in the fight, but after the fight, those body shots she landed bruised my ribs.” What are you looking for in your rematch with Blair?

She is a “come get you”, “come right at you” style fighter, but I train for everything. I’ve found through experience that when you think a fighter’s going to come straight at you and you train just for that, they may switch it up on you fight night. To prepare myself whatever they may bring, I fight for all different styles. I don’t know what Blair’s going to do this time around, so I’m training for each and every style of boxing that you can think of.

3. Your last two fights were in Europe against Miriam Lamare and Cecilia Braekhus, both great fighters in the female light welterweight division. You’ve made it known that you are itching to have a rematch against Miriam Lamare after a controversial loss in November of last year. How is that going?

Hallback vs. Lamare

I want a rematch with both, to be honest with you. Right now, I’m starting out with Miriam Lamare, I really, really believe that I got robbed in that fight. I really believe that I beat her hands down. The Braekhus fight, it could have gone either way.

I’m going after Lamare first. I personally asked her for a rematch, but I haven’t had any feedback. After the fight my boxing advisor asked the matchmaker of the fight could we have a rematch and he was like, “no,” at the time.

In terms of a rematch I want it. I want to do this again. I went to her woman to woman. The fans want it, even her fans were saying that they wanted a rematch. I feel that I was robbed, and I’ll even go back to France. I just want the opportunity to get a rematch. [See below for video of Chevelle Hallback's fight against Miriam Lamare.]

4. Can you tell our Girlboxing readers a bit about your boxing career.

I started training on March 20th 1996 to be exact when I first went into a boxing gym, and I turned pro in 1997, I think it was February of 1997. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I don’t have an amateur background. I never fought any amateur bouts at all so it was on-the-job training! But I progressed fast.

I am a student of the game and I used to study fighters like Roy Jones, Jr. and old fighters like Sugar Ray Robinson. I wanted to fight like them. Fighters that had awkward and unique styles.

I’ve been boxing for a long time, but I never took any serious damage during my career and I thank God for that.

5. What are your goals after you’re upcoming match against Terri Blair?

It’s been a long time, but my goal and my dream is to be the first woman to fight on HBO. There’s never been a women’s bout on HBO, not even Laila Ali. That’s my goal. I’m going to keep going till either one of two things happen: I reach the goal or my body tells me it’s time to quit. Right now my body is not telling me that! Like I said, it’s a plan and a goal and I’m striving for it.

I also want to tell Girlboxing readers, no matter how old you are if you feel that you’re capable of anything you keep going pursuing your dream, because if you don’t you end up saying, “I wish”, “I coulda’ woulda’” and it’s too late.

6. You’ve also had an amazing several months because you started the Fists of Steel Boxing Academy, how is that going?

I just started it this past July and it is going great! I love it!

With any business it takes a while for it to build, but it is coming along and I’m happy about it. I have an amateur now and I have a pro fighter, I have my kids and I also have classes. I even have a professional football player taking one of my classes and he loves it.

My amateur fighter, Rebecca just won a fight at the state level. I was very excited about that and my pro fighter will be fighting on the undercard of my fight against Terri Blair on March 2nd.

7. You’ve been in the sport as a pro since 1997 and you’ve witnessed a lot. What are the two or three things that have really changed in women’s boxing since then?

Well, number one, women will be fighting in the Olympics! That’s huge for women’s boxing!

There are more women fighting and it seems that there’s usually one women’s fight on every boxing card these days, especially when it comes to local shows because the women are as good as the men. And more females are getting involved too.

When I first started, I went to the amateur shows, but there was no one to fight. Either they weren’t in my weight class or they didn’t have the skills. That’s why I turned Pro. Now the amateur shows are amazing. There are many more women fighting and the turnout is much bigger.

We still have a long ways to go, but with the Olympics and with what I’m trying to do, we might get it to the half way point where it’ll tip over and get into the spotlight in a positive way … but from when I first started, there’s a huge, huge improvement.

8. If I mention Chevelle Hallback to a room full of female boxers they swoon! They don’t call you “Fists of Steel” they call you “Abs of Steel.” You mean a lot to the sport and continue to inspire a lot of women from professionals on through “Saturday” boxers. What do you tell your own boxers in the gym to keep them going?

First of all, especially when they come in, I ask them, what they want to do and what their goals are. I then tell them what to expect and what the path they’re going to take will be. If they’re there for at least a week, I remind them of their goals and of what they first told me — when I do that I’m talking to them on the inside. It helps people. It is not an easy sport. Sometimes we have to bleed for it.

Most important of all though is when you say you want to do something and you’re determined, and you have it in your heart and in your soul to do it, and you go through whatever you have to go through to do it, at the end of the day you can say, “I did it.”

I think that’s the best reward that anyone can have.

You say, “I did it,” and no one can take that from you. You can give a person a gold medal, or titles or belts, and they’re going to get old or vanish, but what can never be taken away is that you did it. And that’s what I tell my fighters and that’s what I’ll tell Girlboxing readers.

9. Do you have any closing remarks?

Yes. Tell them, Chevelle Hallback is here — and I’m not only doing it for me, but for women’s boxing and for women to do this in the future, “big time”!♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE FOLLOWING PLAN

Undefeated 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade believes his February 10 main-event fight against former USBA junior middleweight champion Derek "Pooh" Ennis, for the vacant North American Boxing Organization ("NABO") junior middleweight title, is a continuation of a well designed plan, eventually landing him a world title fight later this year or in early 2013.

With world title belt implications for the winner, Andrade-Ennis headlines the Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing show on ESPN Friday Night Fights at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Andrade (15-0, 10 KOs), fighting out of nearby Providence, was a much decorated amateur who in 2007 became the first American since 1999 to capture a gold medal at the World Amateur Championships. The talented 23-year-old from Providence is ranked in the top 15 of all four major governing bodies: No. 9 by the World Boxing Organization ("WBO"), No. 13 by the International Boxing Federation ("IBF") and World Boxing Council ("WBC") and No. 15 by the World Boxing Association ("WBA"). He is co-promoted by Star Boxing and Banner Promotions.

"This fight will put me in a good position and let people know that I'm coming hard," Andrade said. "I will be there soon (world champion) but I'm in no rush. I've been handled the right way. We're following the game plan and picking the right fights. Once I get up to 20-0 or so, I'll be ready to call out the big guys like (Canelo) Alvarez.

"I've improved a lot since I turned pro, mentally and physically. I've kept my head on straight, remained focused and have had no distractions at all - in or out of the ring. Physically, I'm in tip-top shape, able to handle whatever comes my way."

IBF No. 9-rated Ennis (23-3-1, 13 KOs) is carrying on the rich tradition of other tough Philadelphia fighters before him such as Joey Giardello, Jeff Chandler, Bernie Briscoe and so many others from the City of Brotherly Love.

"I don't know too much about Ennis other than his record and that he has a good style," Demetrius remarked. "We're looking to step-up and fight guys like him. We're going to make this show rock. I'm going for a big win."

Like Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Roy Jones, Jr. before him, Andrade is a exceptionally gifted boxer who has been unfairly tabbed a "safety-first fighter" because he makes fights look so easy and effortless. Boxing, though, is about hitting your opponent without getting hit. Andrade has done just that and much more during his perfect pro career to this point. The slick southpaw has been thoroughly dominant in his 15 pro fights, knocking out 10 opponents, and winning all but four of 59 rounds on the judges' scorecards.

"Sometimes, it's funny to me that, when I win by a decision, some people get mad because I didn't knockout my opponent," Andrade explained. "But they still get mad when I win by knockout. Whenever I fight, I bring a different look and nobody can say I don't. I beat (Grady) Brewer with my jab and I went to (Saul) Duran's body with power punches until he quit.

"Each and every fight, I'm better, stronger - stepping-up against better competition - and I'm still winning."

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Gunn Furthers Interest In Super Fight With Jones Jr.

This past week there has been much discussion about a potential cruiserweight fight between former IBA World Cruiserweight champion Bobby Gunn and former world champion in multiple weight classes Roy Jones Jr.

Gunn spoke out yesterday in response to Jones Jr’s statement earlier this week:

“Thank you Roy for the response that you gave to me. You are such a classy champion, and that’s why you are loved by the world—not just boxing fans, but the world in general. Everybody knows the name and loves Roy Jones Jr. I truly hope from the bottom of my heart that you get the fight with David Haye or Krzsztof Wlodarczyk, but if you don’t I will give you the fight that the boxing world needs. You and I can be the Arturo Gatti/Mickey Ward cruiserweight super fight. We will be the fight that nobody puts a lot of weight into, but we will put on a show that goes through the roof. We will give the boxing world what they want by giving them the super fight of the year. Styles make a fight, and quite honestly my brother, me and you is a perfect matchup.

Roy, you are a champion in and out of the ring, and it would be my honor and dream to step in the ring with you. Everything I have done and accomplished throughout my life wouldn’t hold a candle to having the chance to step between the ropes with you and go to battle. You are a great man, and I believe you will bring the greatness out of me. God Bless champ, and again, I hope you get what you want, but if you don’t, the Gunn is at your door knocking…it’s not complicated, this is an easy deal. Let’s make it happen.”

In coming weeks the boxing world will find out if this fight will happen or not. With the ongoing drama of the top welterweights in the world, boxing fans could certainly get into looking forward to a matchup between Jones Jr. and Gunn.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

The Great Debate; Watch the entire Bernard Hopkins vs Roy Jones Jr. Los Angeles Debate & PressConference Quotes

The Great Debate; Watch the entire Bernard Hopkins vs Roy Jones Jr. Los Angeles Debate http://punch.freedomblogging.com/2010/02/12/hopkins-vs-jones-the-great-debate/9681/#more-9681






The Rivals: Hopkins vs. Jones II is set for Saturday, April 3 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. The event will be broadcast live on pay-per-view beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.


Bernard Hopkins

"This is 2010. That was 1993. That's 17 years I've been waiting for this fight. It's personal to me and it's important to me that I get this man in the ring and that I send him on his way to the Hall of Fame. I want to make sure that the last person he remembers is 'The Executioner.'"

"You listen to Roy Jones and he says something I agree with. You hate to say it, but we are rivals, and you hate to say it, but it took us 17 years to get here. A lot of other things have happened in our lives in the time it took to get here, but now that it's here, his worst nightmare has come to pass. Me."

"This means a lot to me. This means that Roy Jones Jr. is going to have to fight me off him. When you have that mindset, you are going to have to take risks too. Roy Jones Jr. is going to have to fight to not get knocked out or fight to knock me out. That has been the motivation for 17 years."

"I'd be a fool to think that Roy Jones Jr. is going to train to fight Bernard Hopkins, me, by laying on the beach getting a suntan. I know that that Roy Jones Jr. has something to prove to the world and I know that Roy Jones Jr. is going to come to salvage his career and change the opinion people have of him right now. I never underestimate my opponents, it's not in my character."

"This is going to be devastating because that's the way I want him to remember Bernard Hopkins for the rest of his life. Any time he looks at boxing, he's going to see that I took him to the point that he doesn't even like boxing anymore. He won't even let his kids go to fight anymore. The entire Jones family will leave boxing for good after April 3."

Roy Jones Jr.

"The fight is a rivalry because as the man just said, we are two legendary future Hall of Famers. We've always had a debate about whose career has been the most impressive and April 3 will be the deciding factor."

"The fight is important because, I hate to say it, but first he is my rival, and I must defeat my rival. Secondly, this is the perfect opportunity and perfect timing. The fans wanted it, and since they?? couldn't give them the other fight they wanted??, we're going to give them something else."

"What I have planned is simple. I will fight to get you off me, or I will fight to knock you out, whichever one comes first. Whichever comes first, that's what I'll be doing. I'll knock you out to get you off me, or go after you and knock you out. It doesn't matter."

"The day 'The Executioner' will leave the boxing ring is going to be April 3rd."

"The man's so jealous of me that he doesn't even want to see my kids watch the fight. He doesn't want to see any resemblance of me near a boxing ring because it reminds him of that 17-year nightmare he's had to face."

"This is probably going to be win and go home for me, because after I win, they're going to say I'm beating up old men and I shouldn't fight anymore."

Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions

"These are two legends that we all must respect. It's not one of the best relationships, but now after 17 years we've been able to make the fight. The fact that this rivalry is still there shows how much they wanted this fight."

"Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. are two of the most recognized names in the sport. You've got the Tyson's and Holyfield's, and then you have the Hopkins' and Jones'."

"This fight is so big, that these guys made the front page of the Wall Street Journal. In all my years of fighting, I've never even been on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, that shows you how big this fight is."

John Wirt, CEO of Square Ring Promotions

"There's so much passion and emotion in this fight. These guys really just plain don't like each other and you know that's what a fight is all about. A lot of it's sport but a lot of it's just that these two guys don't like each other."


Naazim Richardson, Hopkins' Trainer

"Bernard Hopkins is one of the most well prepared athletes I've seen in my entire life, but I know that Roy Jones Jr. is going to show up and be the best Roy Jones you've seen in a while."


Alton Merkerson, Jones' Trainer

"Both of these gentlemen are very well rounded athletes and this is going to be a very interesting fight. Don't have any doubt in your mind about whether these men are going to be ready. They are both going to be ready and train hard. On April 3rd it's going to be a fight."


See you at the Fights.
Thank You for your time.

EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey

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

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

©®™2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

BERNARD HOPKINS & ROY JONES JR NEW YORK CITY "DEBATE" The Rivals: Hopkins vs. Jones II; is set for Saturday, April 3

Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins and Roy "The Terminator" Jones stayed true to their reputations as two of the most outspoken boxers in the history of the sport as they announced The Rivals: Hopkins vs. Jones II, which will take place April 3 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be broadcast live on pay-per-view. The debate style format of the press conference was the perfect setting for these two living legends to prove why their nearly two-decade long rivalry is stronger than ever. Below please find a sampling of their bold statements, setting the stage for what will surely be a great night for boxing and a hotly contested fight.


BERNARD HOPKINS

"To not watch this fight would be a disservice because we will be making history.

"Roy Jones Jr. had nothing to do with my legacy and career up until now, but I will be the final chapter [of his]. We probably would have been here earlier if he would have taken the fight when we were debating through the media.

"My statement is simple. This fight is very important to me because it is personal. We have 17 plus years of on and off history. I want to show the world that when our legacy is put together and analyzed, this fight will be the reason. So to me, not only am I a better fighter today, I will prove my legacy on April 3. I have a lot of incentive to win. I have waited 10 plus years to come to this debate.




"Everyone has it in their spirit to get somebody back. Whether it is justified or unjustified. This fight is redemption in a lot of ways - to finish him once and for all.

"I can't speak for Roy, but my name is 'The Executioner.' I execute. I am going for his head.

"He (Jones) won that fight. I have watched that tape a million times. What Roy has to understand is that I got better. I have a resume to show that I have gotten better. That is the difference between then and now. Come April 3, Roy Jones Jr is going to realize that his worst nightmare has come true.






"It is important to get the knockout. There is a financial incentive. I want to finally close a chapter personally. This is a 17 year rivalry.

"I am going to kick his ass."


ROY JONES

"Now, 'Big Head' (Hopkins) has got to get it in his mind. We both went on to do good things in this sport. Mine was great early. His was great late. The facts wont change I am still going to beat him.

"I only hit with one hand last time. I've got two hands now. With two hands, I'm going to beat the hell out of this old man.

"I never have dodged 'Big Head', and I never will. That is why this fight is so important to me.

"We are long time rivals. We waited a long time to fight again. We went our separate ways. I haven't had a rival as long as I have had 'Big Head' sitting around.

"This is like putting on an old pair of pants that still fit after a bunch of years. They probably look better on me now too.

"Have you ever seen somebody run from somebody who he has already whooped? Does that even make sense? Duh!



"I have been trying to fight the bastard for five years. I know Bernard Hopkins. I know him very well. I have never taken anything lightly [and given him reason] to say he hopes I am ready.

"I don't duck and dodge anyone. I was the test he had to pass to get out of high school. He didn't pass that test. Now he wants to retake the test!

"Like I said I am still me. I can care less about how much better he has gotten. My job is to knock him out on April 3 and that is what I am going to do."


See you at the Fights.
Thank You for your time.

EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey

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

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

©®™2007, 2008, 2009 2010 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved