Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame Third Annual Induction Ceremony

The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame's Third Annual Induction Ceremony Dinner, took place Friday November 30th 2007 at the Mohegan Sun Casino, the eve of the "Showtime Championship Boxing" triple header Tarver Forrest and Donaire. The Uncas Ballroom, doors opened at 5:30pm, a cocktail hour, dinner and a silent auction were all a part of the gala affair. The U.S Navy and Color Guard accompanied, Amanda Kaletsky who belted the "National Anthem.", the CBHOF's President Glenn Feldman delivered the welcoming address, the opening remarks were by Lynn Malerba the Vice Chairwoman of the Mohegan Tribe. The Master of Ceremonies was Harold Lederman of HBO. The CBHOF ceremony began with a "Ten Count" in memory of those we lost over the past year. CBHOF Awards were presented to; the "Achievement Award"; Dr.Joseph Carpentieri, presented by Dr. Michael Schwartz, the "Amateur Fighter of the Year"; Danny Aquino, presented by Roland Roy, the "Professional Fighter of the Year"; Chad Dawson and the "Official of the Year"; Glenn Feldman, presented by Mike Mazzulli. The CBHOF presented "The Year in Review" a boxing video just before the CBHOF's Induction ceremony,this years inductees included; Lou Brouillard, accepting on his behalf Kevin Brouillard, Johnny Cesario, Johnny Cesario Jr., accepting on his behalf and Tyrone Booze, presented by Ben Yalen and former fighter Marlin Starling. The CBHOF also inducted; Pinky Silverburg, Ronald Silverburg accepted on his behalf, Vic Cardell with Mary Ann Martin accepting on his behalf and lastly Joe Rossi, was presented by Dave Caseti. The ring card girls for the event were Rosanna Picardi, Eva Puhlaski and Aislynn Mae Brooks. Videos of the title fights which took place in Connecticut were shown during the cocktail hour.

Harold Lederman on the dais at the Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Dinner at the Mohegan Sun.


Danny Aquino "Amateur Fighter of the Year" at the Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Dinner at the Mohegan Sun.


"Professional Fighter of the Year" Chad Dawson and Travis Simms at the Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Dinner at the Mohegan Sun.


Inductee Tyrone Booze address the audience on the dais at the Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Dinner at the Mohegan Sun.


Bob Yalen, Marlin Starling and guest on the Dais at the Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Dinner at the Mohegan Sun.


Marlin Starling and Tyrone Booze at the Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Dinner at the Mohegan Sun.


Mr. and Mrs. Ted "Tiger" Lowry attend the Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Dinner at the Mohegan Sun.


Former Professional Fighter Larry Johnson and Keisha the Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Dinner at the Mohegan Sun.


USA Boxing Metro members and referees Sparkle Lee, Eddie Claudio, Guest, Pete Santiago and Sade Murdoch attend the Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Dinner at the Mohegan Sun.


Female Fighter Ardelita Irizarry attends the Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Dinner at the Mohegan Sun.

Tanzee Daniel and Manager Sean Joynes Level 10 Alliance boxing radio interview

Check-out the re-scheduled boxing radio interview with Level 10 Alliance and fighters.

Manager Sean Joynes Level 10 Alliance
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=158385037&blogID=331282091 ">


Tanzee Daniel
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=110546440&blogID=331320841 ">Tanzee's interview

Melba Moore Stars in Ain't Misbehavin

Melba Moore Stars in Ain't Misbehavin December 4-31, 2007







Tony Award-winning musical performer Melba Moore will bring her famous four octave voice to the intimate Prince Music Theater when their Holiday production of Ain't Misbehavin' takes to the stage on December 4. Rounding out the headliners will be Broadway performers Eugene Fleming and Ken Prymus.

The unique combination of these three performers brings an insight and thrill to a show that will light Philadelphia with the vocal power and punch it richly deserves. The smooth-toned, jazz-soaked musical that showcases the music of legendary American composer and piano player Thomas "Fats" Waller lit upon the Broadway scene in 1978 and quickly made stars of its performers, including the late Nell Carter.

Conceived by Broadway director Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horowitz the show brought the Harlem Renaissance to Broadway with such hits as "T'Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do," "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," and the sexy, double entendre ballad "Honeysuckle Rose."

Ain't Misbehavin' will be directed by Prince Music Theater's Associate Artistic Director, Richard M. Parison, Jr. Choreographing the production will be frequent Prince collaborator Mercedes Ellington. Rounding out the artistic team will be the Prince's Resident Music Supervisor Eric Barnes who is fresh off the national tour of Chicago as Associate Conductor, Scenic Designer Todd Edward Ivins, Lighting Designer Shelley Hicklin, Sound Designer Nick Kourtides and Costume Designer Mark Mariani.

Ain't Misbehavin' begins December 4 and will run through December 31. Performances are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Special performances will be added during the week between Christmas and New Years.

Tickets are $35 for preview performances (Dec. 4-Dec.7), $40 for weekday evenings and all matinees, and $55 for Saturday evenings. New Years Eve will see the Prince come alive with the pop of Champagne with exclusive packages that begin at $75. Tickets may be purchased now through UpStages by calling 215 569 9700 or visiting the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street or via our website, www.princemusictheater.org. The show is an exciting holiday group event with special group discounts available by calling 215 972 1006.



www.melbamoore.com
http://www.myspace.com/hushtown

Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga captures a majority decision over Fernando Vargas

Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga knocked down Fernando Vargas in the first and 11th rounds to capture a majority decision over Fernando Vargas in a 12-round super middleweight bout, at the Staples Center in Los Angles. Mayorga, who dominated the bout early and late, improves to 28-6-1. Vargas, who said before the fight that win or lose he would retire, falls to 26-5. He had 22 victories by knockout. Two judges scored the Nicaraguan fighter a winner by scores of 115-111 and 114-112 while the third saw the bout as a 113-113 draw.

Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga


“Vargas started running before the press conference began. One of his handlers had to stop him and bring him back to the press conference."

“I am going to carry a 14-pound pig named Vargas into the ring. Vargas is nothing more than a pig. That is all that he is."

(Holding up a photo of Vargas) “You see this fat girl in this photo? This is the fat girl I am going to knock out. I would like to introduce her to you today. She is Fernando Vargas."

“Do you know who Vargas’ best friend is? It is Jenny Craig because she helps him lose weight."

“If Vargas stands and fights, I will knock him out in two rounds. If he chooses to run like a Barbie doll, I will knock him out in four rounds."

(Pointing to a throng of reporters) “Do you see any fear in my eyes? Do you? I’m not afraid of anyone, especially a coward like Vargas."

“I’ve said it all along that I am going to knock his (bleep) out! I don’t like him and I never have. He keeps pushing up the weight because he is too fat. He is just a fatty who thinks he can still fight. He doesn’t have any fight left in him. He is a coward."

“I’m going to hit him like he’s never been hit before. He doesn’t want to be in the same ring as me."

“Once I knock him out, Mexico is going to stand up and cheer for me. They will cheer for the true champion."

“Just to show you how confident I am in myself, I went to Las Vegas and dropped $1 million on myself to win by knockout. It doesn’t matter if Vargas is in shape or not. He has taken too many hits and suffered too many brutal losses. He shouldn’t be in the ring anymore."

“After I knock him out, I’ll explain to him how I did it because he is not going to know what hit him."

“If that plastic divider wasn’t separating us, I would have definitely hit him."

Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga and “El Feroz” Fernando Vargas seperated by the divider.


“I said this before but it is worth repeating. My mother’s birthday is coming up and one of the gifts I am giving her is a knockout of Vargas.”

Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga and Don King



FERNANDO VARGAS

(As he takes his shirt off) “Where’s the fat now, (Mayorga)? What are you going to say now you little punk? When I took my shirt off you could tell by the look in his eyes he was scared. The eyes don’t lie. They tell the complete story. I saw fear.

“I know what fear looks like because I have seen it in past opponents. Mayorga talks a big game, but he’s scared. He keeps saying I’m not in shape. I’m going to make him look stupid and finally shut him up Friday. He didn’t look as aggressive when he saw me with my shirt off.

FERNANDO VARGAS


“Mayorga stopped talking once he saw my abs. He was expecting me to be fat. Well, look at me now. He is going to do a little show like he always does, but Mayorga is scared and wants to run away. He knows he is in trouble and is going to get knocked out"

“I am a much more intelligent fighter, a much stronger fighter and a much better fighter. I invite everyone to come out on Friday and see how good I am."

“I’ve been working hard since January. We’re back on track and feeling great. I’m going to have Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. Then Friday, I’m going to put it on this cat.

“I want to be remembered as a great champion who never left anything in the ring. The only thing I’m going to leave in the ring on Friday is Mayorga’s blood.

“I’m humbled by the fact that this is my last fight and I am fighting in Los Angeles. I’m really going to soak up this win because this will be my last one.

“The only time I’ve hated someone this much was when I fought Ross Thompson. When I knocked him down I spit on him because he sucker-punched me at the press conference.

“I’m not going to spit on Mayorga because I’ll get fined. But I am going to knock him down and tell that joke to get him back up so I can knock him down again.

“There are going to be a lot of crazy Mexicans (at STAPLES). The fight is going to be crazy. I’m just a Mexican from Oxnard, and I am going to show my fans a true fight. They are in for a treat.

“Analyze the fans when I come out of the tunnel. (See) how crazy they are. (Watch) how they react to me. I want you to compare them to the fans of the top 10 guys now in boxing. You’ll see how crazy my fans are because they’re like me.

“They are crazy, they are fanatical and I love that. I have the best fans in the world.

“I want to retire before I’m 30 years old and I turn 30 in a few weeks.

“I’m looking forward to this and putting on a great show. Mayorga is going to lose as many pints of blood as he wants to on Friday. If he keeps getting back up, he is going to keep losing more blood.

“It won’t go past six rounds.”


Here is what Vargas had to say during a near-75-minute open media workout Thursday:

FERNANDO VARGAS

“I don’t like anything about Mayorga. He has a face only a mother gorilla would love. I’m going to beat the (poop) out of him. He’s a stupid fighter. He doesn’t get it.

“Mayorga says that I’m going to run. I’m not going to run. He’s a stupid (butt). I’m going to knock him out. He’s going to feel the heat.

“I’ve never really hated anyone this much since I fought Ross Thompson. Mayorga has a big mouth and I’m going to shut it for him.

“When I knock him down I’m going to look down at him and say ‘don’t act stupid, it was not that hard.’ That way he’ll get mad and get up, so I can knock him back down again.

“As we get ready for Friday, my trainer, Eduardo Garcia, keeps asking me three things: (1) Is Mayorga more talented than you? No he is not; (2) Is he stronger than you? No he is not; and (3) Does he have more defense than you? No he does not.

“So, plain and simple, that means he is not going to beat me.

“My fans know I’m a smart fighter, but there are also times I have to put myself on the line to make it an exciting fight. Trust me, I’m going to make sure I leave it all in the ring and walk out victorious.

“I told Garcia I wanted to start working out again. He made me who I am, so he knows everything I can do. He, more than anyone, knows my full ability and potential.

"I’m so excited this is happening. He says I am ‘good’ so that I’m so that means that I’m back. He won’t kiss my butt; he tells the truth.

“If he’s happy, I’m happy. He is the father I’ve never had. I have more respect for him than anything. I come to him for advice for more than just boxing, but for life.

“I’ve been working out since January. I’ve been in the gym non stop.

“(The postponement) was very difficult because we had great momentum. But everything happens for a reason. I was taking too many Aspirin and I started bleeding from my stomach.

"I’m a fighter, and I was losing the equivalent of two pints of blood. It took me two months to get back to normal.

“(I can’t forget) what happened at the press conference. The cat tried to sucker punch me. He doesn’t know I’m a counter puncher.

"You try and back hand me at a press conference, that’s the wrong thing to do, I’ll tell you that much. I’ve been in one or two street fights in my life. I let him slip off my jacket and he didn’t land anything.

“I feel good. This is it. I know I’m going to look great in this fight, but that’s it. This is my last fight. I’ve got other things I got to do. I’ve got other business ventures.

“I’m focused. I won’t really think about it being my last fight until I wrap up my gloves for the last time. I am ready to go out on a bang.”

***Edwin Valero and Jorge Linares To Defend Titles in Cancun December 15***

***Edwin Valero and Jorge Linares To Defend Titles in Cancun December 15***

Cancun, Mexico (November 26)— Two of boxing’s electric, young champions, Edwin Valero and Jorge Linares will be defending their titles in “Cancun Night of Champions” Saturday December 15th at the Plaza de Toros in beautiful Cancun, Mexico LIVE on DirecTV, Dish Network, and In Demand Pay-Per-View (Suggested Retail Price $29.95) with coverage beginning at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT. Both fighters are promoted by Teiken Promotions. “It is a pleasure and honor to be able to present this show to the world live via Pay-Per-View from the historic Plaza de Toro in Cancun, Mexico. Proud to be co-promoting with Lou DiBella and Pepe Gomez, this promotion features two of Teiken’s undefeated Champions,” said Akihiko Honda, president of Teiken Promotions.

Undefeated WBA Super Featherweight Champion Edwin “Dinamita” Valero (22-0, 22 KO’s) defends his belt as he goes up against Zaid “El Exterminador” Zavaleta (17-2-2, 9 KO’s) in the main event. The Venezuelan southpaw Valero, just 25 years old, packs a monstrous punch and has been showcased by Teiken throughout South America and Japan. In his last fight, Valero scored an eighth round knockout over Nobuhito Honmo (29-5-2, 5 KO’s) in Tokyo on May 3, 2007. Zavaleta, a native of Mexico, has scored two consecutive knockout wins over Gabriel Rojas and Cristian Favela.



The night’s co-feature bout will be an explosive battle between 22 year old undefeated WBC Featherweight Champion Jorge “Golden Boy” Linares (24-0, 15 KO’s) defending his title against Mexican WBC number one contender Gamaliel “El Platano” Diaz (22-6-2, 9 KO’s). Linares, like Valero, is Venezuelan, lives in Tokyo and is promoted by Teiken. The quick boxer has fought in front of fans in South America, the Far East, and once in the U.S. That one bout was his most recent, where he knocked out Oscar Larios (59-6-1, 37 KO’s) on July 21, 2007 in Las Vegas to claim the vacant WBC Featherweight title. A week earlier, Linares’ opponent in Cancun, Diaz, earned the title shot when he won a decision over Elio Rojas (19-1, 13 KO’s) in a WBC eliminator in Mexico.



A loaded undercard is highlighted by Puerto Rican rising star Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. (9-0, 8 KO’s). The undefeated featherweight is the talented son of super bantamweight boxing legend Wilfredo Vasquez (56-9-2, 41 KO’s).

Also featured will be a WBC Featherweight Eliminator between Mexican Rudy Lopez (20-4-1, 14 KO’s) and hard hitting Japanese veteran Naoki Matsuda (28-7-3, 11 KO’s). This is a rematch of what was a sensational fight on March 31, 2007 in Cancun where Matsuda knocked out Lopez in the fifth round.


For more information on “Cancun Night of Champions” please call your local cable or satellite provider or log onto www.teiken.com or www.dbe1.com.(Videos courtesy of DiBella Entertainment)

CINTRON SUFFERS LIGAMENT DAMAGE IN RIGHT HAND

CINTRON SUFFERS LIGAMENT DAMAGE IN RIGHT HAND

Orthopedic surgeon instructs Cintron to stay out of ring until March 1

TOTOWA, NJ– IBF Welterweight Champion Kermit Cintron suffered severe ligament damage to his right hand in his successful Nov 23 title defense against Jesse Feliciano, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. Reading, PA orthopedic surgeon Dr. R. Scott Cook has advised Kermit that he should not engage in any boxing matches until March 1.

Kermit Cintron


Cintron (29-1, 27 KO’s) injured his right hand in the first round of his Nov 23 bout against Feliciano. Despite the intense pain—which Cintron made evident when he dropped to the canvas following the bout—the champion battled on for 10 rounds before stopping the granite-chinned Feliciano with a two-fisted barrage at the 1:53 mark of round 10.

“I’m disappointed that I injured my hand, but I’m going to do whatever the doctor says because I’m eager to get back into the ring and unify the welterweight title,” said Cintron.

“Kermit will take the time necessary to heal his hand,” said Duva. “We will not run the risk of him entering the ring and injuring his hand further.”

For more info: Main Events Donald Tremblay

Tito Trinidad and Roy Jones Jr. smile for the cameras at their Los Angeles press conference the day after Thanksgiving.

Tito Trinidad and Roy Jones Jr. smile for the cameras at their Los Angeles press conference the day after Thanksgiving, at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, Kyoto Restaurant, in Los Angeles.

Two of the greatest boxers in history, Felix “Tito” Trinidad and Roy Jones Jr., will face each other in a battle boxing fans have been waiting for years to see at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008, and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.

Trinidad (42-2, 35 KOs), from Puerto Rico, and Jones (51-4, 38 KOs) from Pensacola, Fla.,—both destined for the Hall of Fame—have built a staggering list of accomplishments and will enter the ring for this highly anticipated 12-round fight at or below the catch weight of 170 pounds.

Jones is an eight-time world champion, winning belts in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, becoming the first former middleweight champion to win a world heavyweight crown in over 100 years.

Trinidad is a five-time world champion with a stunning career knockout ratio of 80 percent that has won titles in the welterweight, junior middleweight and middleweight classes. He also holds the distinction of having defeated three Olympic Games gold medalists: Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya and David Reid.

Here is what the future Hall of Famers had to say.

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

EIGHT-TIME WORLD CHAMPION ROY JONES JR.

Roy Jones Jr.


“I haven’t felt this excited about a fight in a very long time. You haven’t seen me this pumped up in a long while. I have my fire and energy back. I don’t know how I lost it, but I know I got it back.

“Some of the odds makers have me as a five-to-one favorite. They don’t know what they’re talking about. I should be a 50-to-one favorite.

“I’m revved up for this fight. How can I not be excited? I’m fighting Tito Trinidad.

“Tito says it won’t last two rounds. I’m going to be nice and give him two more rounds and beat him in four.

“I can fight at practically any weight right now. I can drop down to 168 pounds and take on (Joe) Calzaghe. I’ll fight him anywhere he wants. Jones Jr. is back and ready to fight.”


Tito Trinidad and Roy Jones Jr. at ESPN headquarters.(Photos by: David Martin-Warr/DKP


FIVE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION FELIX “TITO” TRINIDAD

Felix “Tito” Trinidad


“Jones and I were suppose to fight during the peaks of our careers. I believed back then that I could beat him and the same holds true today.

“I respect Jones and the great career that he has had. I know he thinks he can beat me, but that’s not going to happen. This will be one of the biggest victories of my career.

“I’ll be ready for whatever Jones brings to the table. I’m always in great shape for my fights so I’ll be ready.

“Even though I’ve been out of boxing for two years, I still feel great. Anyone who knows me knows that I always stay in great shape regardless if I have a fight on the horizon or not.

“I don’t think fighting at 170 pounds is going to be a big deal. The heaviest I’ve fought has been at 160 pounds. I’m a little older now so I carry my weight a lot better than I used to.”

Joan “Little Tyson” Guzman and Abner Mares remain undefeated

Joan “Little Tyson” Guzman (28-0, 17 KO's) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic remains undefeated, the WBO 130-pound junior lightweight champion defeated Humberto “Zorrito” Soto now,(43-6-2, 27 KO's) the WBO Junior Lightweight No. 2 Contender and former Interim Featherweight Champion. The HBO series “Boxing After Dark”, event co-featured rising star and 2004 Olympian Abner Mares in a bantamweight fight against the Argentinean Damian David Marchiano (See below "The Co Feature" for the fight results). With both main events going the distance, 12 rounds and the 5exciting undercards it was a long and powerful night of boxing in Atlantic City.

Joan “Little Tyson” Guzman enters the ring.


Humberto “Zorrito” Soto enters the ring.


Joan “Little Tyson” Guzman exits the ring after his victory.


Joan Guzman a premier boxers in the 130-pound weight class looked to move closer to a 2008 mega fight, by scoring a victory in their bout, on November 17 at the Borgata Hotel Casino & SPA, in Atlantic City, NJ.

Partner quotes

The 12-round championship bout is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Top Rank.

Guzman and Soto in the square ring.


“Borgata is thrilled to partner once again with Golden Boy Promotions, along with Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Top Rank Inc. to bring this highly-anticipated fight to Atlantic City and provide a world-class boxing experience for all our guests – fighters, promoters and customers.”

Joan “Little Tyson”Guzman vs। Humberto Soto promises to be one of the most explosive fights of the year,” stated Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar de la Hoya. “Golden Boy is pleased to bring this outstanding night of boxing to Borgata and to fans watching across the country on HBO.”

Scott Woodworth, VP of Sycuan Ringside Promotions added, “Sycuan Ringside is thrilled that Guzman has had the opportunity to fight the best fighters in his division. We are confident that a victory over Soto will elevate his status among the elite fighters of today.”

"This tremendous matchup is somewhat unsung with all of the great fights this fall. But believe me, Humberto Soto against Joan Guzman is one of the top, most exciting championship fights of the year," said Bob Arum, CEO, Top Rank.

The Co Feature

Unbeaten 2004 Olympian Abner Mares (15-0, 9 KO’s), of Guadalajara, Mexico made his HBO debut in a Co-feature. Abner Mares cemented his status as boxing’s next star defeating Damian David Marchiano now, (14-3-1, 5 KO’s), of San Nicolas, Argentina, in a battle that was truly a brawl to the end, the referee for the contest was Sparkle Lee.

Considered by most boxing insiders to be the sport’s next can’t miss prospect, Abner Mares has burst onto the pro scene, dazzling fans with his speed and boxing skills.

Abner Mares and Team Mares


Despite being just 21 years old, the Montebello, CA resident has already beaten fighters far more experienced than himself, including his most recent conquest over former World Champion Isidro “Chino” Garcia (24-3-2, 8 KO's) to capture the NABO Bantamweight Championship on September 7th. Further confirming his status as a boxing prodigy, Mares is trained by legendary Mexican trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, who considers Mares one of the most talented fighters he has ever trained. Although he has only competed in 14 professional fights, he is already ranked in the top 15 in the world at bantamweight by three of the four major sanctioning organizations.

The Undercard

Also on the November 17th card, was highly regarded junior welterweight contender and Philadelphia native Demetrius “The Gladiator” Hopkins now (28-0-1, 11 KO’s) who defeated Enrique Colin (23-4-3-19, KO's) of Guasave, Mexico, by unanimous decision.

Demetrius Hopkins after his win.


The nephew of middleweight legend Bernard Hopkins, Demetrius has worked tirelessly to create his own identity in the boxing world and has passed with flying colors, earning more respect and acclaim with each outing. The current USBA Junior Welterweight Champion, “The Gladiator” was once seen as strictly a technician in the ring, but with five of his last eight wins coming by knockout over quality competition, opponents now have to fear Hopkins’ power in addition to his boxing skills. In his last fight, Hopkins, who is currently ranked number two in the world by the IBF, and eighth by the WBC, WBA and WBO, scored an emphatic first round stoppage of Haider Berrio on July 21st.

The rest of the undercard

Junior Welterweight, Rock Allen now,(12-0-7, KO's) of Philadelphia, PA., by an unanimous decision defeated Braulio Lopez now,(6-6-1-7, KO's) of Nuevo San Juan, Mexico.

Karl "Dynamite" Dorgean, cousin, 2007 Pan AM Gold Medalist, Barry Richardson, brother, Baker Assistant Coach, Bro Naseem Naazim, father and head- coach, Sharron, trainer and Rock Allen.


Heavyweight Darrel "King David" Madison now (7-1-3, KO's) of West Islip, New York won by an unanimous decision over Ryan Thompson now(3-2-3, KO's) of Cleveland, Ohio.

Coach Frank, Darrel Madison and cornerman after the victory.


Middleweight Diferson LeGrand now, (3-0-2, KO's) of New York, NY defeated James Denson, now (2-2-1, KO's) of Akron, Ohio.

Gary Starks, Diferson LeGrand and fellow stablemate Jeffrey Seabaeno.


Former, Commissioner Larry Hazzard attends Guzman vs. Soto.


Shamone Alvarez attends Guzman vs. Soto.


JOAN GUZMAN-HUMBERTO SOTO NEWS CONFERENCE/LUNCHEON IN NEW YORK CITY
OLD HOMESTEAD RESTAURANT WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14

Bernard Hopkins, CEO of Golden Boy East, Abner Mare, and Damian David Marchiano at the Press conference at the Old Homestead in New York.


Joan “Little Tyson” Guzman (27-0, 17 KO’s) is no stranger to outstanding success in the ring, as he is a former World Super Bantamweight and current Junior Lightweight Champion who has never tasted defeat in the pro ranks. A 1996 Olympian for the Dominican Republic, the Santo Domingo native turned pro in September of 1997 and was quickly dubbed “Little Tyson” for his prodigious punching power.

Joan “Little Tyson” Guzman at the New York City Press conference at the Old Homestead.


By 2002, he was a World Champion, having knocked out Fabio Oliva in three rounds to win the WBO Super Bantamweight Title. After two successful defenses, Guzman moved up to the featherweight division and quickly earned the WBO’s number one contender position. But after a series of postponements of a fight with champion Scott Harrison, Guzman decided to move up to 130 pounds, where he easily outpointed former world champ Javier Jauregui in his divisional debut and then pounded out a 12 round win over Jorge Rodrigo Barrios to win the WBO Junior Lightweight Crown. He now looks to a second successful defense of his title against Soto. Guzman, who is co-promoted by San Diego, Calif. based Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, is trained by one of boxing’s finest teachers in Floyd Mayweather, Sr. The undefeated Guzman is considered to be one of the 130 pound division’s most skilled and dangerous fighters. He faces a tough challenge in the veteran and ring-savvy Soto.

Joan “Little Tyson” Guzman and Floyd Mayweather Sr. at the New York City Press conference at the Old Homestead.


One of the most talented fighters in the game today, Humberto “Zorrito” Soto, 26 is also one of the most avoided. His high level of skill, coupled with a warrior’s heart, has made him one of the most feared junior lightweights in boxing. A native of the boxing hotbed of Los Mochis, Mexico now living in Tijuana, Soto turned pro in 1997 and after some rocky times in the first five years of his career, this two-fisted boxer-puncher hit his stride and has gone unbeaten in his last 20 fights, dating back to 2002.

Humberto “Zorrito” Soto at the New York City Press conference at the Old Homestead.


In 2005, Soto arrived on the world scene when he won the Interim WBC World Featherweight Title by handing 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist Rocky Juarez his first loss as a pro, and since then he has been seemingly getting better with each fight, most recently knocking out highly-regarded Bobby Pacquiao in the seventh round in June, in his biggest win since moving to the super featherweight division where he is currently rated number two in the world by the WBC, fourth by the WBA and third by the IBF and WBO.

Don King celebrated Thanksgiving, by visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany

Don King celebrated Thanksgiving by making a special visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany where he signed autographs and ate with soldiers from the United States military. (See AP story that provides more details, pasted below).



This marks the second time King has visited recovering soldiers at this U.S. military hospital. His first morale-boosting visit took place in September 2005.

King visited Nigeria early in the week with interim World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Samuel "The Nigerian Nightmare" Peter.



LANDSTUHL, Germany: Iconic boxing promoter Don King dropped in on wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans Thursday in a U.S. military hospital in Germany for a Thanksgiving Day visit.

King visited Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in the late morning, shaking hands with swarms of troops, passing out little American flags, posing for photos and even handing out a few pair of boxing gloves.

"The women and men that are wearing these uniforms are indicative to everything that America stands for," King said. "I feel so humbled and so honored to be here."

He sat down for a traditional turkey lunch with the troops, and posed for more photos with the cooks.

The hospital is where some of the most severely wounded troops from Afghanistan and Iraq are taken and operated on or otherwise treated, before they are sent back to the United States.
King told the troops that the job they were doing was appreciated; visiting the wounded both in the wards and the intensive care unit.

Robert Laux, 26, a sergeant of the 101st Airborne Division from Vacaville, California, was recovering in Landstuhl from an injury on his left arm after he stepped on an explosive in Baghdad. Being away from the family on Thanksgiving Day was hard for him, Laux said.
"I miss my family, just staying at home ... just talking and gathering around, that's what I really miss," he said.

Boxing Titans Meet at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 19; Superbout Features Felix “Tito” Trinidad vs. Roy Jones Jr.

NEW YORK— Two of the greatest boxers in history, Felix “Tito” Trinidad and Roy Jones Jr., will face each other in a battle boxing fans have been waiting for years to see at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008, and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.

Tito Trinidad, Don King and Roy Jones Jr., at the New York City Press conference.

Trinidad (42-2, 35 KOs), from Puerto Rico, and Jones (51-4, 38 KOs) from Pensacola, Fla.,—both destined for the Hall of Fame—have built a staggering list of accomplishments and will enter the ring for this highly anticipated 12-round fight at or below the catch weight of 170 pounds.

Jones is an eight-time world champion, winning belts in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, becoming the first former middleweight champion to win a world heavyweight crown in over 100 years.

Trinidad is a five-time world champion with a stunning career knockout ratio of 80 percent that has won titles in the welterweight, junior middleweight and middleweight classes. He also holds the distinction of having defeated three Olympic Games gold medalists: Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya and David Reid.

Felix “Tito” Trinidad


“I always want to fight great fighters and I have always wanted to fight Roy Jones Jr., one of the greatest fighters of the era,” Trinidad said. “I have too much boxing left inside of me and I want to show that I am still one of the best fighters in the world. I feel good at this weight and it will be a great fight.”

Jones minced no words in summing up the match.

Roy Jones Jr.


“We both have bombs in our tank and are phenomenal boxers on top of that,” Jones said. “We are both powerful punchers and it will all depend on who gets there first. I will guarantee this: count on it, this will be a superfight that delivers the goods. We’re going to give fight fans exactly what they want to see.”

“Tito is a great champion and I know he leaves a great legacy behind him. If someone like that challenges you, how are you going to turn that down?”

Promoter Don King is especially proud to be promoting this fight.

“I’ve been trying to put these two superstars in a match for a long time and to get this done just leaves me breathless,” King exclaimed. “This will be a fight for the ages and will be remembered among the greatest events I have ever staged. Tito and Roy, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Don King


HBO Pay-Per-View’s Mark Taffet shares his excitement.

“Tito Trinidad and Roy Jones are two legendary fighters who have participated in some of the biggest and most memorable fights of our generation,” Taffet said. “We’re thrilled that boxing fans will finally get to see this matchup of superstars.”

The Mecca of boxing is proud to be hosting the event at the world’s most famous arena.

“Two legendary fighters at Madison Square Garden in the greatest city in the world, it just can’t get any better than that,” said Joel Fisher, senior vice president, Madison Square Garden Sports Properties. “The Garden is strongly committed to the sport of boxing and Trinidad versus Jones is certainly an event our loyal boxing fans have been waiting to see.”

From 1993 to 2004, Jones was regarded by most as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He was Ring magazine’s “Fighter of the Year” in 1994 and was voted 1990’s “Fighter of the Decade” by the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America.

The list of top-name fighters Jones has defeated reads like a Who’s Who and is even more impressive when one considers the opponents’ records going into the matches: Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (22-1); Thomas Tate (29-2); James “Lights Out” Toney (44-0-2); Vinny Pazineza (40-5); Eric Lucas (19-2-2); Mike “The Body Snatcher” McCallum (49-3-1); Montell Griffin (27-0); Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill (43-2); Lou Del Valle (27-1); Otis Grant (31-1-1); Reggie Johnson (39-5-1); Julio Cesar Gonzalez (27-0); Clinton Woods (32-1); John Ruiz (38-4-1); and Antonio Tarver (21-1).

Trinidad is the greatest and most revered fighter ever from the boxing-crazed island of Puerto Rico. He was named the BWAA Fighter of the Year in 2000 and in that same year participated in the BWAA and USA Today Fight of the Year when he knocked out then-undefeated “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas.

His list of vanquished star foes provides a similar list to that of Jones: Maurice Blocker (34-3); Hector “Macho” Camacho (43-2); “Yory Boy” Campas (56-0); Oba Carr (32-0); Freddie Pendleton (40-20-4); Pernell Whitaker (40-2-1); Hugo Pineda (36-1-1); Oscar De La Hoya (31-0); Fernando Vargas (20-0); William Joppy (32-1-1); and Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga (27-4-1).

Trinidad’s father, manager and trainer Felix Trinidad Sr. was named BWAA Trainer of the Year in 1995 and again in 2000 as well as Manager of the Year in 2000.

Trinidad's father, talks to the press.


The Trinidad vs. Jones domestic pay-per-view telecast will begin at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT and is being produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View, available in more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. This domestic telecast will be available in HDTV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your Trinidad vs. Jones fight week updates, log on to http://www.hbo.com/.

The event will be distributed internationally by KingVision, available through DK International Sales, a division of Don King Productions, Inc.

Andre Berto attends the Trinidad vs. Jones Press conference in New York City.

The event is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Madison Square Garden. MSG Sports Properties is part of Madison Square Garden, L.P., owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation, which includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the Beacon Theatre; MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and FSN New York; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.

Don King Productions has promoted over 500 world championship fights with nearly 100 individual boxers having been paid $1 million or more. DKP also holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including three of the top five: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995.

DKP has promoted or co-promoted 11 of the top 15 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including four of the top five: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in history.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995.

Media Workout Trinidad vs. Jones

Bristol, Connecticut (November 19) Five-time world champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad and eight-time world champion Roy Jones Jr. spent all day at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., on Tuesday promoting their upcoming match dubbed "Bring on the Titans" set for Jan. 19 at Madison Square Garden and on HBO Pay-Per-View, Roy appeared live on the morning show "First Take" with host Dana Jacobson and went over the day's "Hot List" with David Lloyd and paricipated in a chat on ESPN.com. Tito taped interviews for ESPN International and ESPN Deportes and chatted with fans at ESPNdeportes.com. ESPN staffers created huge lines for a 90-minute autograph signing in the ESPN employee cafeteria by Jones and Trinidad. Trinidad (42-2, 35 KOs), from Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico, is a three-time world champion, having won world titles in three different weight classes. He also holds the distinction of having defeated three Olympic gold medalists in his professional career. Jones (51-4, 38 KOs), a native of Pensacola, Fla., reigned supreme for years atop the mythical pound-for-pound best boxing lists while becoming a five-time world champion in four different weight classes.



BIG NEWS:ROY JONES JR. & FELIX TRINIDAD ARRIVE IN SACRAMENTO FOR DON KING’S “UNCOMPROMISING BOLDNESS” CARD;TWO BOXING TITANS TO PROVIDE COLOR COMMENTARYFOR SATURDAY’S INTERNATIONAL TELECAST TEAM Legendary Former World Champions Will Join Rich Marotta During Saturday’s Spectacular DKP-Promoted Fight Card At ARCO Arena; Star boxers Felix “Tito” Trinidad and Roy Jones Jr. will join Don King at Thursday’s Dawson vs. Mendoza final press conference at ARCO Arena (they will meet on Jan. 19 at Madison Square Garden).

SACRAMENTO (Sept. 26, 2007) – Two of boxing’s all-time greats and true superstars, Roy Jones Jr. and Felix “Tito” Trinidad, will work Don King’s stellar fight card Saturday night at at Sacramento’s ARCO Arena. The future Hall of Famers will join Don King at the final press conference on Thursday promoting Saturday’s world championship twin-bill in Northern California. Jones and Trinidad will serve as color analysts for the international broadcast of the sensational Don King Productions-promoted fight card, which is being presented in association with Maloof Sports & Entertainment, headlined by the World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight championship between defending titleholder “Bad” Chad Dawson of New Haven, Conn., and Colombia’s Epifanio Mendoza. The legendary former world champions, who clash in an eagerly awaited 12-round bout on pay-per-view Jan. 19, 2008, at Madison Square Garden, will join blow-by-blow announcer Rich Marotta at ringside Saturday night. Trinidad and Jones will fight at 170 pounds. Long recognized as the world’s most talented pound-for-pound boxer, Jones (51-4, 38 KOs), of Pensacola, Fla., held the coveted 175-pound WBC green belt for nearly seven years (August 1997 to May 2004) and he’ll be ringside to see if Dawson, who holds the same green belt that Jones held for those many years, can keep his undefeated streak going. Jones, 38,last entered the ring July 14, 2007, when he won a unanimous decision against Anthony Hanshaw for the vacant IBC light heavyweight championship. Jones won an Olympic silver medal in 1988 and was a five-time world champion in four different weight classes. Trinidad (42-2, 35 KOs), of Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico, is an ex-world champion at welterweight, junior middleweight and middleweight and is returning to the ring after more than two years. He holds the distinction of having beaten three former Olympic gold medalists (Pernell Whitaker, David Reid, Oscar De La Hoya). The 34-year-old has always been a fan favorite due to his electrifying, wide-open style that served him well with an 80 per cent career knockout ratio. In addition to the Dawson-Mendoza championship bout Saturday night, the co-feature will pit Luis Perez
(25-1, 21 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua, risking his International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight belt against Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko (24-1, 21 KOs) of Accra, Ghana.

Don King's Thanksgiving weekend morale-boosting visits to U.S. military troops in Germany and Iraq.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Legendary promoter Don King packed quite a punch during a special visit to troops in Germany and Iraq as part of a USO/MNC-I expeditionary entertainment tour during Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 22-25). Don King Surprises Troops with Visit & Special Free Viewing of Boxing Event During USO Tour to Germany and Iraq. President George W. Bush Addresses U.S. Armed Forces with Special Thanksgiving Day Message and Kicks Off Internationally Televised Fight to U.S. Troops.


After dining with military personnel at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany on Thanksgiving, he spent time with wounded service members, rubbed elbows with redeploying soldiers at Ramstein Air Base, posed for pictures and signed autographs. King later surprised U.S. forces in Iraq with an unannounced visit and special viewing of the Don King Productions and Main Events co-promoted match featuring “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas vs. Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga boxing event, which will be beamed live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

Vargas vs Mayorga will be televised live to all troops internationally via Armed Forces Network courtesy of Don King Productions. (King has quietly given all of his boxing events to AFN free of charge for decades.)



President George W. Bush also appeared on the telecast, expressing his heartfelt thanks and praise to service men and women serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Immediately following the fight, King mingled and ate lunch with troops in the military dining facility.

“I was supposed to be in Los Angeles to attend my boxing event on the day after Thanksgiving, but there is nothing more important to me than the men and women serving in our great American armed services,” King said. “They are the vanguard of our nation, and when I was invited to visit them in Iraq, it didn’t matter what day it was, I wanted to be there for them.

“My esteemed wife Henrietta could not join me in person for this USO tour but joins me in spirit as we celebrate the great sacrifices that members of our armed forces make in defending our country and the very democracy we are afforded. We are privileged to be Americans.”

Following his USO-sponsored trip to Iraq, Mr. King has planned a three-city stateside base tour and moral booster for the military. He will be joined on this tour titled "We Care" by five-time world champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad and eight-time world champion Roy Jones Jr.

He intends to visit with cadets at West Point Military Academy on Dec. 3; Eglin Air Force Base, Hulbert Field Training Base, and the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida on Dec. 5; and Fort Buchanan and Camp Santiago in Puerto Rico on Dec. 6.
King added: “We want to thank Jim Dolan, his dad Chuck Dolan and mother Helen for supporting our troops and hosting the Trinidad-Jones match "Bring on the Titans" at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 19.

A longtime supporter of the U.S. armed forces, King visited the home of the “Screaming Eagles,” the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. During his visit, he was made an Honorary “Screaming Eagle” by then Lieutenant General David Petraeus for his continuous contributions and support that has resulted in a permanent memorial being built.

Don King Productions has promoted over 500 world championship fights with nearly 100 individual boxers having been paid $1 million or more. DKP also holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including three of the top five: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995.

DKP has promoted or co-promoted 11 of the top 15 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including four of the top five: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in the history of the world.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; and Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995.

The USO is the way for Americans to support their troops. The USO provides a bridge to home for the U.S. military, providing them and their families with entertainment and communication services that improve their lives and boost morale. In 2006, celebrity entertainers traveled more than two million miles on USO tours in 26 countries and 14 states, entertaining service men and women and their families.

AT&T, Inc. is the official telecommunications sponsor of USO entertainment tours. For a list of recent and upcoming USO tours, visit www.uso.org/whatwedo/entertainment. To learn more about the USO or to find out how to support the troops, visit http://www.uso.org/.

# # #

About the USO
For more than 66 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems North America, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, DRS Technologies, Inc., S & K Sales Co., TriWest Healthcare Alliance and The Walt Disney Company. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at http://www.uso.org/.Three-time world champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga (27-6-1, 22 KOs) defeated Two-time world champion “El Feroz” Fernando Vargas (26-4, 22 KOs) in a street-style brawl at the STAPLES Center the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 23.The highly-anticipated main event of a card was scheduled for 12 rounds at a catch weigh of 166 pounds. Vargas vs. Mayorga fight showcased on SHOWTIME® PPV.

MACIO'S Hazardous Material Tour at Gotham Comedy Club

Macio, Gina, Christina & the staff of MacioTV.com are doing it again and ending 2007 with a BANG! If you missed March's extravaganza shame on you~ but don't worry we have just what ya need! lol Mark your calendars for DECEMBER 14TH & 15TH to help us kick off MACIO'S Hazardous Material Tour at Gotham Comedy Club. ~Make sure you join us directly after Friday's 10:30 show for cocktails and MACIO'S media meet and greet. There will be FIVE SHOWS.

Friday December 14th

8:30 PM- ***iPod give aways for Friday's 8:30 show and Saturday's 11:45 show. Must be present to win.******

10:30 PM- Join us for cocktails and for a 2 hour media meet and greet directly following the 10:30 show.

Saturday December 15th

8:30 PM
10:30 PM
11:45 PM- ***iPod give aways for Friday's 8:30 show and Saturday's 11:45 show. Must be present to win.******

As you know we sold out in March and some people weren't able to see the show. We anticipate the same this time, so RESERVATIONS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. For RESERVATIONS call Gotham Comedy Club at: 212-367-9000

We look forward to seeing you all! Bring a friend or two and spread the word!

Hosted By: Macio& Gina Parrilla
Gotham Comedy Club
208 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212 367-9000


~ Macio, Gina, Christina & the staff of MacioTV.com

http://www.MacioTV.com
Macio entertained the WBCares crowd at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City in October. (Macio, and female fighters Jody-Ann Weller and Alicia "Slick" Ashley at the WBCares event.)

James Moore wins NY State Title Fight

James Moore, now (14-0-0) defeated Thomas Davis (11-6-2), a tough junior middleweight from Tennessee. James Hyland now,(10-0-0), a fellow countryman of James from Ireland, and the co-feature, defeated his opponent. Other New York fighters on the under card included: Eilon Kedem, Joe Rosa, Kamel Alolabi, Karl Desravines, Vanessa Greco, Kimberly Tomes, Daniel Sostre, Roman Oliveri and Joseph Judah.
The event took place Wednesday November 21, in Long Island, New York.

KELLY PAVLIK and JERMAIN TAYLOR; RELOAD FOR SECOND BATTLE!, SAT., FEBRUARY 16, 2008 at MGM GRAND in LAS VEGAS

KELLY PAVLIK vs. JERMAIN TAYLOR; RELOAD FOR SECOND BATTLE!, at MGM GRAND in LAS VEGAS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, LIVE ON HBO PAY-PER-VIEW. Tickets On Sale NOW!

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (November 21, 2007) -- The storied middleweight division has been rife with legendary rivalries. In the "40s Rocky Graziano had Tony Zale, in the
"50s Sugar Ray Robinson, Carmen Basilio, and Gene Fullmer had each other and in the
"60s Nino Benvenuti had Emile Griffith. However, for the past 40 years the middleweight division has endured a void -- great champions without great championship rivalries. Until now.







Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor and Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik


Tickets, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200, and $100, go on sale This Saturday! November 24, at 10 a.m. PST, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Tickets will also be sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Macys West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino.) Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or MGM Grand at (800) 929-1111. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com

"I have made a career out of fighting and beating the best and this fight is no exception," said Pavlik. "Just because I beat Jermain before doesn't take away from the fact that he is still the best contender out there. I dedicated my entire being to training to take away his title when we fought the first time and I will do no less to make sure I win this time because that's what it will take to beat him again."

"You can over hype this fight, if you want, call it a career defining fight, because that's exactly what this fight is for me," said Taylor. "This is the most important fight of my career. I'm putting it in my trainer's hands (Ozell Nelson), but I'm putting it in mine also, because I know exactly what I have to do. Ozell has been with me from the beginning, he knows the buttons to push with me that made me a world champion. We are ready to go back to work like we used to do it."

Bob Arum and Kelly Pavlik


"J.D. Power and Associates couldn't rate a fight more dangerous than this one," exclaimed Pavlik's promoter Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank. "Kelly Pavlik is Youngstown's real-life John Henry -- a steel-drivin' man with hammers for fists. Only Kelly's not folklore, he's the real McCoy. He has captured the imagination of sports fans and media worldwide. Anyone who gets into the ring not only fights Kelly, but all of Youngstown. Their first fight was a classic and boxing fans can expect no less this time."

"Taylor-Pavlik was one of the great middleweight fights in memory and a fight that truly deserves a second go," said Lou DiBella, CEO of DiBella Entertainment, Taylor's promoter. "I am proud to be co-promoting the rematch and I'm confident that Jermain can reverse the first result."

Lou DiBella


"The first battle between Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor became an instant classic and has fight fans still buzzing," said Mark Taffet of HBO Pay-Per-View. "The Pavlik-Taylor II rematch will undoubtedly be one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of 2008."

Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs), from Youngstown, Ohio, joins former lightweight champions Harry Arroyo and Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini as hometown world champions. He returns to the ring after a "Fighter of the Year" performance, knocking out Jose Luis Zertuche (19-3-2, 14 KOs) and Edison Miranda (28-1, 24 KOs), in world title elimination bouts, earning him the right to become Taylor's mandatory challenger. All told, Pavlik Ghost wrote a career year against three of the best, who boasted a combined record of 74-4-3 (55 KOs) when he faced them. Pavlik's stoppage of Taylor extended his two-year victory by knockout streak to nine bouts.

Kelly Pavlik


Taylor, (27-1-1, 17 KOs), from Little Rock, Arkansas, the 2000 U.S. Olympic Bronze Medalist, captured the undisputed middleweight title in 2005 when he dethroned Bernard Hopkins, ending the defending champion's record run of consecutive title defenses at 20 -- a run that left world champions Oscar de la Hoya, Felix Trinidad, and Glen Johnson in his wake, among others. Taylor ruled the division for nearly two years, successfully defending his title four times, all against former world champions, including Hopkins again, Winky Wright, Kassim Ouma and Cory Spinks.

Jermain Taylor


The Pavlik-Taylor II pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your Pavlik-Taylor II fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
For room packages and availability and event ticket information about the MGM Grand, call (800) 929-1111 or (702) 891-7777 or log onto the World Wide Web at www.mgmgrand.com

The MGM Grand Garden Arena is home to concerts, championship boxing and premier sporting and special events. The Arena offers comfortable seating for as many as 16,800 with excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting and sound. Prominent events to date have included world championship fights between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson as well as Oscar De La Hoya vs. Bernard Hopkins and George Foreman vs. Michael Moorer; and concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, Gloria Estefan, Janet Jackson, Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Backstreet Boys, ˜N Sync, Sting, Jimmy Buffett and the Barbra Streisand Millennium Concert. The MGM Grand Garden Arena is also home to the annual Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children Benefit and the Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMA).

Olympic-bound boxer Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade

PROVIDENCE – How tough is Olympic-bound boxer Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade, the United States’ best bet to medal next year in China? Andrade recently dominated the AIBA Men’s World Championships in Chicago, capturing a gold medal in the 152-pound division, despite competing with impacted Wisdom teeth that were extracted last week. “I was willing to do anything to get the job done,” Andrade said. “I tried to cover up on the inside and box on the outside, but it hurt when I was hit in the back of my head, never mind every time I was punched in the mouth or face.” Andrade didn’t simply dominate the opposition, he decimated it, winning each match by an average of 13 points, 20-7, excluding his gold medal victory against Non Boonjumnong, of Thailand, when the referee stopped the contest because of an injury – Andrade had floored Boonjumnnong in the opening round and held a commanding lead – at 1:45 of the second round. Leading up to the final, in order, “Boo Boo” defeated Georgia’s Jvania Kakahaber (22-11) and Latvia’s Dmiitrjis Sostaks (19-3), Bulgaria’s No. 1 World rated at the time Magomed Nurudinov (26-6) in the preliminary rounds, Germany’s Jack Culcay-Keith (30-9) in the quarterfinals, and Turkey’s Adem Klicci (22-6) in the semifinals. “Nobody can say anything now,” Andrade remarked about winning his first gold medal in International competition. “It feels good. I dreamed of going to the Olympics and I’ve finally done it. I worked hard to get this gold medal. I wasn’t going to leave it in the hands of the judges (Demetrious lost by one point in the Pan-Am championship match to Brazilian Pedro Lima in Buenos Aires). That (World Championships) was a preview of the Olympics. I’m going to be coming even harder in the Olympics. These other guys better watch out.”Andrade and his Team USA Boxing roommate at training camp in Colorado Springs, flyweight Rau-shee Warren, became the first U.S. boxers since 1999 to win world championships. “We finally got it done,” Andrade added, “making a statement that Team USA is going to be strong to the Olympics. We’re a young team that’s getting even better.” The 19-year-old southpaw Andrade was a two-time U.S. National Championships and double National Golden Gloves champion, who blitzed David Lopez (RSCO-2), Charles Hatley (RSCO-3), Keith Thurman (27-13) and Keith Thurman (21-13) at the U.S. Boxing Trials preceding the World Championships. Andrade and his USA teammates are scheduled to compete November 23-26 in a dual against Team China in Beijing. Demetrious’ participation is questionable because of his recent oral surgery.Impacted wisdom teeth and the best amateur boxers in the world just weren’t enough from preventing “Boo Boo” from being golden at the World Championships. Andrade, who represents the 401 Boxing Club in Cranston (RI), is co-trained by his father Paul and David Keefe. Go on line to http://www.boobooboxing.com/ for more information about Demetrious “Boo Boo” Andrade.