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Showing posts with label Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

“The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” 3-day boxing spectacular Oct. 2-4 at the Paris Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS– The Welterweight Division is the most star-studded, evenly matched weight class, from top to bottom, in “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” promotion.

Eight Americans, one Mexican and an Irishman who grew-up in Canada comprise the welterweight candidates list of “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxers,” which includes eight International Hall of Famers and the remaining two, Thomas Hearns and Oscar de la Hoya, are certainly headed there, too, when eligible.

On-line voting at www.GreatestEver.com allows boxing fans from around the world to select the greatest boxer in each of the original eight weight classes, highlighted by the all-time pound-for-pound “Greatest Ever.”

The eight categories represent the eight original weight-class divisions: Strawweights are included in the Flyweight category; Super Middleweight in the Light Heavyweight division. Many fighters fought and won titles at a number of different weights. As far as possible they have been nominated in the division that they made their biggest impact. Fighters have not been nominated on the basis of whether they would beat another fighter in that division, though this is, of course, a consideration. More importantly is their overall record, who they fought at the time, as well as the impact they made on the boxing world, and indeed the world around them. All nominees are listed in the voting section at www.GreatestEver.com.

The 10 Welterweight nominees, including the only two-divisional nominee in the promotion (Sugar Ray Robinson), listed in no particular order, follow with their brief profiles:

“Sugar” RAY ROBINSON – 175-19-6 2 NC (109 KOs)…IHOF…American…Pro Years: 1940-1965…85-0 (69 KOs) as an amateur…in the U.S. Army during WWII…world welterweight champion 1946-51, 128-1-2 (84 KOs) by 30 years old…5-time world middleweight champion…Notable Victories: Jake LaMotta (4), Carmen Casilio, Carl “Bobo” Olson, Henry Armstrong, Rocky Graziano, Kid Gavilan, Sammy Angott, Marty Servo, Fritzie Zivic, Izzy Jannazzo, Randy Turpin and Gene Fullmer.

BARNEY “The Pride of the Ghetto” ROSS – 72-4-3 2 ND (22 KOs) …IHOF…American…Pro Years: 1929-1938…U.S. Marine credited with killing 22 Japanese soldiers at Guadacanal…made more money than Babe Ruth and also had a candy bar named after him…later worked for Al Capone…first 3-weight class world champion…never stopped…Nitable Victories: Bat Battalino, Tony Canzoneri (2), Sammy Fuller, Jimmy McLarin (2) and Ceferino Garcia.

JIMMY “Baby Face” McLARIN – 74-4-3 2 ND (20 KOs)…IHOF…Irish…Pro Years: 1923-1935…moved to Vancouver when he was 3…2-time world champion…Sammy Mandell (2), Young Corbett III, Barney Ross, Tony Canzoneri and Lou Ambers.

MICKEY “The Toy Bulldog” WALKER – 93-19-14 1 NC 6 ND (60 KOs)…IHOF…American…Pro Years: 1919-1935…fought from welterweight up to heavyweight, including draw against heavyweight champ Jack Sharkey…Notable Victories: Jack Britton, Pete Latzo, Mike McTigue, Paul Berlenbach, and Maxie Rosenbloom.

OSCAR “Golden Boy” de la HOYA – 39-6 (30 KOs)…American…Pro Years: 1992-2008…1992 Olympic gold medalist…defeated 17 world champions…10-time world champion in 6 weight classes…1st American of Hispanic heritage to own a national boxing promotional firm (Golden Boy Promotions)…Notable Victories: Jorge Paez, John-John Molina, Rafael Ruelas, Gernaro Hernandez, Jesse James Leija, Julio Cesar Chavez (2), Pernell Whitaker, Hector Camacho, Ike Quartey, Arturi Gatti, Fernando Vargas, Yori Boy Campas and Felix Sturm.

THOMAS “Hit Man” HEARNS – 60-5-1 (47 KOs)…American…Pro Years: 1977-2006…8-time world champion in 6 weight classes…1977 National Golden Gloves Tournament champion…Notable Victories: Pipino Cuevas, Wilfredo Beneitez, Roberto Duran and Virgil Hill.

AARON “The Hawk” PRYOR – 39-1 (35 KOs)…IHOF…American…Pro Years: 1976-1990…204-16 as an amateur including 1972 National AAU Championship gold medal performance…later became a minister…Notable Victories: Alexis Arguello (2), Alphonso Frazer, Julio Valdez, Antonio Cervantes and Gaetan Hart.

“Sugar” RAY LEONARD – 36-3-1 (24 KOs)…IHOF…American…Pro Years: 1972-1999…named after Ray Charles…1976 Olympic gold medalist…8-time world champion in 5 weigh classes…Notable Victories: Wilfred Benitez, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler.

JOSE ANGEL “Mantequilla” NAPOLES – 77-7 (54 KOs)…IHOF…American…Pro Years: 1958-1975…Nickname means Butter…national hero in Cuba and Mexico…114-1 amateur in Cuba…found asylum in Mexico after Fidel Castro banned pro boxing in Cuba…Notable Victories: Carlos Hernandez, Eddie Perkins, Adolph Pruitt, Curtis Coke and Emile Griffith.

EMILE GRIFFITH – 85-24-2 1 NC (23 KOs)…IHOF…US Virgin Islander…Pro Years: 1958-1977…discovered by accident while working in a hat factory on a hot day when he stripped to his waist and owner sent him to trainer Gil Clancy…Notable Victories: Benny Paret, Dick Tiger, Nino Benvenuti, Bennie Briscoe, Joey Archer (2), Don Fullmer and Denny Moyer.


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

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Son of Former Legendary Champion to Battle Harry Joe Yorgey In Matchup of Unbeatens on ShoBox: The New Generation

NEW YORK– Ronald Hearns loves March and all the madness that goes with it.

The son of legendary eight-time world champion Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns, Ronald earned his college degree in criminal justice from American University in Washington D.C. While in college, Hearns played for the basketball team. This year American University’s basketball team won the Patriot League and advanced to the exclusive tournament field of 64 for the 2009 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship for the first time.

But this Saturday night, Hearns will be nowhere near a court; rather, he’ll be in the ring when he faces fellow unbeaten junior middleweight Harry Joe Yorgey in a 10-round bout on a special Saturday edition of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

Detroit’s Hearns (21-0, 17 KOs) and Yorgey (21-0-1, 9 KOs), of Bridgeport, Pa., will open the ShoBox telecast from the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.

World-class super middleweight Andre Dirrell (17-0, 12 KOs), of Flint, Mich., will meet Derrick Findley (13-2, 8 KO’s) of Gary, Ind., in the ShoBox main event. The event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and DiBella Entertainment.

SHOWTIME: You played collegiate basketball at American University. Did you follow its run in the NCAA tournament?

RONALD HEARNS: “Oh, man, yeah, I love March Madness®. I don’t know many of the players, but I got an email from the coach. My bracket is going OK. I like Pittsburgh. I like Connecticut and l like Louisville.

SHOWTIME: You turned professional after obtaining your college degree. Did you always think you would be a professional fighter?

RONALD HEARNS: “Boxing was always my first love. I always wanted to box since I was about 10 or 11 years old but my dad never allowed me to fight at that time so every time I tried to sneak into the gym the guys would catch me and ban me from the gym. My dad told me once I got my college degree that I could box so I went and did that. He knew I’d be a grown man then and could make my own decision. So the day I came home from graduation I told him I wanted to go to the gym and that’s when I started training.

“It’s something that’s just in me. I love boxing so much. Every time I put a tape in and watch a fight, I just want to get up and start punching somebody. It doesn’t matter if it’s my dad I’m watching or someone else, I just love watching boxing. You could say I’m a real student of the game.”

SHOWTIME: You haven’t fought since last appearing on SHOWTIME in October when you beat Paul Clavette. Has the layoff affected you and your training?

RONALD HEARNS: “It’s been kind of hard because I was scheduled to fight in January but that fight was called off. But I always stay in the gym no matter what. I’m always in there training. I’m a real gym rat. Harry’s a great fighter. He’s a real good boxer and can be flashy at times. You know when you get two undefeated fighters in the ring at the same time that someone’s ‘O’ has got to go. We’re putting it all on the line and hope to put on a great show for the people.”

SHOWTIME: Has it been difficult being the son of Thomas Hearns?

RONALD HEARNS: “Yeah, in a way it’s been tough because the expectations have been set so high. With the things he accomplished the bar is set pretty high. I turned pro so late (age 25) and have really had to learn on the job. People don’t know that I was never really around boxing that much as a kid. I was never in the gym training and really learning how to box. Things are just starting to fall in place right now. But I think I don’t really have all the wear and tear on my body from my limited amateur experience so right now I don’t think that age (Hearns recently turned 30) really matters.”

SHOWTIME: What are some of your earliest memories of your father and boxing?

RONALD HEARNS: I think just watching early tapes of my dad’s fights. The Pipino Cuevas fight (for the WBA welterweight championship in 1980), the (Juan Domingo) Roldan fight (for the WBC middleweight championship in 1987), the first and second (Sugar Ray) Leonard fights and the (Marvin) Hagler fight. There were just so many memorable moments. Just sitting back and putting the tapes in. I just never get sick of watching them. He’ll be leading me into the ring on Saturday. He always lets me know he’s there for me and that I can give him a call anytime I need something. He’s been there and there’s nothing he hasn’t seen inside the ring.”

SHOWTIME: What kind of style will we see from you early on Saturday night?

RONALD HEARNS: “Well, Harry Joe is a front-runner. He always starts pretty quick. I’m going to go out there and try to slow him down early. I’m just going to work off my jab and once I get my jab going everything else will fall into place. I’m ready to go out there and perform and show the people how I’ve progressed and how I’m trying now to make a name for myself. I believe this fight will prove to people that I can do some special things in boxing.”

About ShoBox: The New Generation

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

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 23, 2009

Philadelphia Fan Favorite Takes On Ronald Hearns In Battle of Unbeatens on ShoBox: The New Generation, Saturday, March 28, Live on SHOWTIME, 11 p.m. E

NEW YORK– “Lightning” Harry Joe Yorgey puts his undefeated record on the line March 28, when he faces fellow unbeaten junior middleweight Ronald Hearns in a 10-round bout on a special Saturday edition of ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

Yorgey is proud to have the opportunity to compete on national television.

“If I’m a boxing fan and I don’t have SHOWTIME then I’m going to run out and get it,” the outgoing, well-spoken Bridgeport, Pa., resident said. “You’ve got two guys that are undefeated trying to make it to the top. It’s going to be great.”

Detroit’s Hearns (21-0, 17 KOs), the son of legendary Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns, and Yorgey (21-0-1, 9 KOs) will open the ShoBox telecast from the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.

World-class super middleweight Andre Dirrell (17-0, 12 KOs), of Flint, Mich., will meet Derrick Findley (13-2, 8 KO’s) of Gary, Ind., in the ShoBox main event. The event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and DiBella Entertainment.

Yorgey was interviewed recently by SHOWTIME.

SHOWTIME: What are you thoughts about Ronald Hearns?

YORGEY: “Well, we’ve seen a lot of film on Ronald Hearns. He’s a tall fighter and he has a long reach and he knows how to use it. He uses it to his advantage. With a guy like this you have to box and move and stay inside with him. You have to respect his record of 21-0 and 17 knockouts. Of course, I’m aware of who his father is. So many people and reporters have asked me about that. I respect that a lot, but I’m not fighting his father. If he fights anything like his father then I’m in for a big, big fight.”

SHOWTIME: He has a distinct height advantage. How will you cope with that?

YORGEY: “I’m 5-10 and a half and that’s about right for my division. I’ve fought a lot of taller guys, especially in the amateurs, and believe it or not you’ve got to establish your jab. You can’t sit on the end of his jab at his distance. You’ve got to work the angles. I’m ready for whatever he brings to the table.”

SHOWTIME: You quit your full-time job to concentrate on boxing and training for your fights? How is your training going?

YORGEY: “Yeah, it’s going really well. I worked construction for about 10 years. It was tough, the 12-14 hours a day and then two more hours in the gym and then jogging. I had to do it to pay the bills and be a good father to my four kids. These guys I’m going to start facing are not doing that. They’re committed to boxing. So my wife and I got together and she agreed to go back to work and let me train a little in the morning with conditioning and I do my boxing training at night. It’s been tough. I went through a legal battle with my former team. They cancelled some fights on me and so that set me back a little bit but we’re getting through it. I am working with my trainer Henry Rachich and it is going great.”

SHOWTIME: Who was your major influence in boxing growing up?

YORGEY: “My father and I have been watching fights since I was two years old and running around punching the walls. Marvin Hagler was my favorite fighter. I remember watching his fights. My father finally put me in the gym when I was eight or nine years old.”

SHOWTIME: You have four kids. Do they watch your fights?

YORGEY: “Yeah, they do. My oldest son is 12 and he’s had two sparring matches so far. We’ll see if he sticks with it and likes it. He’s going to be in Oklahoma with me and will carry my (IBF North American) belt into the ring.”

SHOWTIME: You’re dedicating this fight to someone close to you. Can you tell us more about that?

YORGEY: “My buddy’s’ niece just turned 23 and the doctors have only given her a couple of months to live. She has a rare, aggressive form of cancer called Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor. I know she’s battling right now and she’s hurting and fighting the cancer day-by-day. Her name is Shannon Yoder and we’re going to have a raffle at the fight to help her family with the medical costs. You can check out my web site at www.harryyorgey.net for more information on it.”

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

About ShoBox: The New Generation

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

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, January 26, 2009

Newly-crowned IBF Cruiserweight Champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek of Jersey City and Golwice, Poland returns to Newark’s Prudential Center on Friday, February 27th to make the first defense of his world title against Detroit’s undefeated Johnathon Banks when Main Events and Ziggy Promotions, in association with K2 Promotions, bring boxing back to “The Rock.” The inaugural event of Main Events’ “Brick City Boxing Series” at the Prudential Center also will be aired on Showtime as part of its ShoBox boxing series.

Just a month ago, Adamek (36-1, 24 KO’s) thrilled thousands of cheering fans as he electrified Newark’s state-of-the art arena, scoring three knockdowns over defending champion Steve Cunningham, to earn a blistering 12-round win in a fight that many boxing scribes have dubbed “The Fight of the Year.” Also the former WBC Light Heavyweight Champion, Adamek is no stranger to “Fight of the Year” consideration. Making his first-ever US appearance, the former Polish national amateur standout traveled to Chicago in May of 2005 and defeated Number One Contender Paul Briggs in a brutal 12-round slugfest hailed as a candidate for “Fight of the Year” honors.

Rated number 8 in the world by the IBF and number 1 by WBO, Banks (20-0, 14 KO’s) is a product of Detroit’s famed Kronk Gym, where he is managed by Motor City boxing legend, Emmanuel Steward. A Hall of Fame trainer/manager/color commentator, Steward has helmed the careers of numerous notable world champions, including Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns, former Heavyweight Champions Michael Moorer and Lennox Lewis and current World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko, to name a few. Banks has had the benefit of training side by side with Lewis and Klitschko throughout his career and is associated with the Klitschko brothers’ promotional arm, K2.

Noted Boxing writer Tim Smith said of the Adamek - Cunningham battle , “Fight Of The Year: My pick is Tomasz Adamek - Steve Cunningham for the IBF Cruiserweight title….I saw it live at the Prudential Center in Newark….(The fans) were treated to a rousing display of courage and guts. Adamek had Cunningham on the canvas three times in the fight, and twice he had him down and hurt. But Cunningham kept bouncing back up and firing at Adamek, who has a granite chin….How either man stayed upright for 12 rounds is beyond me.”



“Sometimes, when a fighter with an exciting style, like Tomasz Adamek, gets the chance to perform in front of a huge, enthusiastic crowd of supporters, the level of excitement rises to the point where magic happens,” said promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events. “Tomasz’ appearance at the Prudential Center last month was one of the most exhilarating nights of boxing that I have experienced in a long time. I can’t wait to get back there on February 27th to watch Tomasz make the magic happen again with Johnathon Banks. I have no doubt that everyone who was lucky enough to be there in person last month feels the same way.”

“We are looking forward to this fight for Johnathon,” said Tom Loeffler, managing director of K2 Promotions. “Adamek is considered the #1 Cruiserweight in the world, but Emanuel has been working with Banks his entire career to get him ready for a fight like this. Johnathon has sparred numerous rounds with Wladimir over the last few years, and he hits a lot harder than Adamek. It is a tough fight, but we believe that Banks will beat Adamek to become champion and join Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko as Champions for K2 Promotions.”

“Boxing is back in Brick City and Prudential Center is proud to usher in a new era of championship fighting with Main Events”, said Brian Gale, director of marketing and booking at the arena. “We are excited to welcome back Adamek and hope to give boxing fans quality fights for years to come at Prudential Center.”

An exciting seven-bout undercard featuring local fan favorites is being finalized and will be announced shortly. The first bout starts at 8:30 p.m. and doors open at 8 p.m.

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