Miguel Cotto and "Sugar" Shane Mosley, Saturday November 10th Welterweight Championship fight, formally announced

Miguel Cotto and "Sugar" Shane Mosley, Saturday November 10th, Welterweight Championship fight, formally announced


Undefeated WBA welterweight champion MIGUEL COTTO, from Puerto Rico, and four-time world champion SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY, from Pomona, Calif., news conference to announce their world welterweight championship fight. Cotto vs. Mosley will take place Saturday, November 10, at Madison Square Garden and broadcast Live on HBO Pay-Per- View, beginning at 9 P.M. ET / 6 P.M. PT

MIGUEL COTTO, WBA Welterweight Champion, (30-0, 25 KOs)

SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY, Four-time world champion, (44-4, 37 KOs)

WaMu THEATER AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

QUOTES FROM COTTO VS MOSLEY

NEW YORK CITY PRESS CONFERENCE

NEW YORK (September 6) . . . Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley met today at Madison Square Garden WaMu Theatre to announce their October 10^th Welterweight Championship. Here are quotes from today's event.

BOB ARUM

This is going to be the biggest test of Miguel's career

MIGUEL COTTO

"My power and experience of Mosley –that is the great ingredient for this terrific fight.
Every time that I have been fighting at Madison Square Garden it has been electric. The support of the fans has been incredible and that shows me that they believe in me.

"Everybody knows what type of caliber fighter Mosley is. But everyone also knows about my capacity, and for this fight if I have been training 100%. I'm going to train 200% because I'll be ready for whatever Mosley is going to bring to the table.

"In Puerto Rico, New York and Las Vegas I have been watching how my fans have been growing. I have to get more fans and defeating anyone will put me on that level. And defeating Shane Mosley will do that. I'm not the same as Tito Trindad…I'm going to be even more popular."

(Miguel Cotto at dais)

(A Birthday Cake for Shane Mosley, celebrating 36 years September 7th, compliments of Cotto)


("Sugar" Shane Mosley at dais)


SHANE MOSLEY

"I felt weak to make lightweight and then when I moved up to welterweight I started to feel that my opponents knew about my power. I already proved in super welterweight that I can knock out people…with my two knock outs against Fernando Vargas. However Cotto is one of the best welterweight out there besides me, but on November 10 ^th I don't want to leave any doubt that I am that best.

"I respect Cotto, he's good. But he hasn't faced the opposition that I have faced in my career which includes victories over Oscar de la Hoya twice.

"Cotto only has one style (a conventional fighter) and I have been facing fighters with different styles. I can adjust my style and I believe Cotto's style is perfect for me. I believe Cotto is going to come straight forward right at me and that's exactly what I'm looking for. I know that he is not a KO artist with one punch, but I also know that I can knock him out.

"I'm the type of fighter that knows how to deal with any situation and for this fight I'm going to bring everything, whatever is necessary to win.

"Growing up in California with fighters like Richie and Albert Sandoval. When I was 9 years old they started calling me Sugar because they said I looked like Sugar Ray Leonard. Since that day I've always had that name.

(Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins and Jack Mosley,(Shane's dad))

"When I was 13 years old I met Sugar Ray Leonard. I met his wife and I told her my name was Sugar too. She said, 'if they name you Sugar you have to be good.' And I told her 'I'm good, I'm real good.'

"Since then, that name has always given me a little magic. Maybe some of that magic is still on me.

"The name Sugar is special to me. I understand its significance of it, and it is a lot of pressure to carry that name. But I can handle it.

"Nothing will stop me from meeting my destiny of becoming the best welterweight out there. Cotto comes to fight every time.
(Bernard Hopkins, Cassius (Mosley trainer) and Jack Mosley)

Bob Arum

"This is the biggest test for Miguel Cotto. He is fighting a legend, and a Hall of Famer in Sugar Shane Mosley. November 10^th will be a magical night at Madison Square Garden."

Richard Schaefer

"I have not a doubt that this bout will go down in the history books alongside the best ever at Madison Square Garden, and this will be one of the fights we talk about for a long time.

(Eddie Goldman and Bernard Hopkins)


Bernard Hopkins

"A lot is riding on Cotto's shoulders in this bout, and the Hispanic community respects that. You're going to hear Cotto, Cotto, Cotto. The name will start to change as the fight goes on but not because of what they hear, but because of what they see in the ring.

"On November 10^th, the best man has to prove he's the best fighter. On that night, its going to be mano y mano, and they will have to fight for themselves."

Tickets to the event arepriced at $750, $500, $300, $200, and $100 and include a $4.50 facility charge, went on sale today and can be purchased at the MSG Box Office, TicketMaster outlets & TicketMaster phone (866-4487849), and online at www.ticketmaster.com / www.thegarden.com

Promoted by Golden Boy and Top Rank, in association with Madison Square Garden, the event will take place on Saturday, November 10 at Madison Square Garden. The Cotto vs. Mosley pay-per-view telecast, airing at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, 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 Cotto vs. Mosley fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com .

SecondsOut Radio: Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Jack Mosley, Bernard Hopkins On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio

SecondsOut Radio: Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Jack Mosley, Bernard Hopkins On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio, at http://www.secondsout.com/radio/,host Eddie Goldman previews another of the notable fights taking placeduring boxing's fall feast: the showdown between the undefeated WBAwelterweight champion, Miguel Cotto (30-0, 25 KOs), and the formerworld champion, Shane Mosley (44-4, 37 KOs). This fight takes placeSaturday, November 10, at Madison Square Garden in New York. At a recent news conference at Madison Square Garden, we spoke withboth of the principals in this fight, Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley,about what they see happening November 10. We also spoke with JackMosley, the trainer and father of Shane Mosley, and light heavyweightchampion Bernard Hopkins, there as president of Golden Boy PromotionsEast, whose parent company promotes Mosley, about this fight. It is free to listen to SecondsOut Radio, but you must register togain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/,and listen, learn, and enjoy. Thanks, Eddie Goldman No Holds Barred bloghttp://nhbnews.blogspot.com/ No Holds Barred podcasthttp://nhbnews.podomatic.com/ No Holds Barred on MySpacehttp://www.myspace.com/nhbnews

Kevin McBride’s New York City Press Conference and the Resurrection

Kevin McBride’s New York City Press Conference Quotes


McBride: “I’m coming here (NYC) to win. I’m a big heavyweight and I proved myself against (Mike) Tyson. A lot of people said Kevin McBride wouldn’t beat him and I did. Talk is cheap and I have to do it October 6. You’re supposed to be as good as your last fight, but I’ve changed my whole team, totally. Before the Tyson fight I benched 260-pounds; now I can do 460, and I feel strong. But I have to prove it in the ring October 6, on my own. I have a great team behind me now.

“I wanted to fight in the Olympics and I accomplished that. I fought my idol, Mike Tyson, and it was a great night beating a legend. Years before in my first pro fight I fought a draw – it should have been a win – and afterwards I told my father I wanted to fight Tyson someday. He said if I believed in myself and worked hard I would. It was the greatest night of my life. And I met Muhammad Ali, who shook my hand and said, ‘I’m the greatest, you’re the latest.’ I was supposed to get a world title fight but I didn’t get good advice or have structure. I took one fight that I barely won and I lost my last fight. Mike Mollo didn’t beat me; I beat me. Now, Jerry Quinn is 100-percent behind me with our new team.

“I’m looking forward to October 6th. I’m a man of action more than words. This is the toughest game in the world; unforgiving but it’s going to be an explosion. Andrew Golota is going to need all the Polish there; I’m going to have a lot of Irish there for me. I appreciate all of the Irish supporting me and they’ll witness a fairytale story that’s real. I’ve dreamed of fighting in Madison Square Garden and on October 6th I’m going to knockout Andrew Golota. It ain’t going the distance.”


-KM-

McBride’s Career Resurrected by New Manager Quinn

BOSTON (August 21, 2007) – For now, at least, Irish heavyweight champion Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride is best known as the fighter who knocked “Iron” Mike Tyson into retirement. McBride, however, can change his legacy if he defeats Andrew Golota on October 6, and then eventually attains his nearly lifelong dream of becoming the first Irish-born heavyweight champion of the world.

McBride (34-5-1, 29 KOs), now 34 and living in Boston, believed he’d get his world title shot after stopping 20-1 favorite Tyson in the sixth round of their June 11, 2005 fight. The 6-6, 280-pound Irishman thought he had fights lined-up against then world heavyweight champions John Ruiz and Lamon Brewster, but promotional problems and a series of questionable business decisions by his advisors cost McBride a chance to cash-in on the worldwide fame he had gained after beating Tyson.

Ten months after the Tyson fight, the now Don King-promoted McBride defeated Byron Polley and then, tapped out and desperate to get back in the ring, he took an ill advised fight against Mike Mollo, who knocked out McBride on national television in the second round, and Kevin’s once promising career suddenly was on the ropes.

“I beat my idol, Tyson, and by beating a name fighter like him, it got me in the picture,” McBride said. “I was supposed to get title fights but nothing materialized. I won my first fight (after the Tyson fight) but didn’t look good and then lost my last fight which I never really should have taken. Now, I have a new team and my manager, Jerry Quinn, is pulling no punches to get me my world title shot. I’m back with the strength-and-conditioning coach I had when I fought Tyson, Radovan Serbula. Jerry also hired a coach in the Boston area to work with me (Arsen Sarkisov), and then he brought in a world-class trainer to handle me, Buddy McGirt. I’m delighted with our whole new team that Jerry has put together.

(Kevin McBride)


“I have the ability to be world champion. I’m going to beat Golota and redeem myself. It will get me back in the picture for a world title fight. I’m not looking past Golota. I’m going in against him with one thing in mind – win at all cost. October 6th is going to open the door or shut it. One way or the other it’s going to be exciting. I started boxing at nine and that’s when I first dreamed of becoming the first Irish-born heavyweight champion
of the world. Now, thanks to Jerry, I have another chance to fulfill my dream.”

Quinn, a well known national philanthropist and successful businessman, who owns the Kells of Boston restaurant/bar, has been a good friend and sponsor of McBride’s for the past six years. Born and raised in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, Jerry immigrated to the United States in 1972.
(Andrew Golota)


After his devastating loss to Mollo, McBride was left for dead, boxing wise, but Quinn put his money where his mouth is, becoming Kevin’s manager and undisputed leader of the New Team McBride.

“I always saw great potential in Kevin and believed he would be world champion after he defeated Tyson,” Quinn explained. “I still do. I made a proposal to him, a package that included a weekly salary, car, paying for his training, etc. But I wanted total control because it’s the only wait it could work. I knew that he wasn’t getting the proper training and guidance after the Tyson fight. I had a vision. I wanted to change his whole team, but Kevin wouldn’t accept it at the time, and he shot me down. He was committed to his old team and persuaded by them.

“Three weeks after his last fight, I made a similar presentation to Kevin, and he accepted. I make all of the business decisions now, working with my associate, Bob O’Guin. I sent Kevin back to Radovan and he works out with him six days a week. I hired a Russian trainer, Arsen Sarkisov, whose family has been in boxing for years. Kevin trains with him five nights a week in the Boston area. Back in April, I contacted Buddy McGirt and we went to his gym in Vero Beach (FL) for a week. Buddy was a great champion and he’s one of the best trainers in boxing today. There was immediate chemistry between Kevin and Buddy. He agreed to train Kevin, who heads back to Vero Beach around September 1 for a month of training camp. My job is to give Kevin the tools to become world champion; his is to train hard and fight. I still believe that he will be the heavyweight champion of the world.”

McBride represented Ireland in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona as the youngest super heavyweight ever. He was eliminated in what was only his sixth match and he then turned pro. Kevin fought a six-round draw in his pro debut against Gary Charlton in London, and then won his next 19 fights. In 1999, he relocated in Boston and his roller coaster like career has taken him to the heights of slaying Tyson to the depths of despair in his last bout.

With a new team in his corner, McBride continues his journey to become the first Irish-born heavyweight champion of the world. To get there, though, “The Clones Colossus” needs to get past Golota on Oct. 6 in a must win situation at the famed Madison Square Garden.

(Boxer James Moore, Keisha Morrisey and Kevin McBride (Luck of the Irish)at New York City Press Conference)


The green dream continues for Kevin McBride, thanks in large part to his new manager, Jerry Quinn. Winning the world title may be longshot for the likeable McBride but, then again, how many people honestly thought he’d beat Tyson?

-KM-

CONTACT:
Bob Trieger
Full Court Press

Oleg Maskaev to Face Samuel Peter in Boxing Mecca

Oleg Maskaev to Face Samuel Peter in Boxing Mecca
Madison Square Garden, New York
Saturday, October 6, 2007 live at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Only on SHOWTIME

World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev will make the second defense of his title against WBC No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Oct. 6 on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) in a highly anticipated championship match scheduled for 12 rounds. The event is being promoted by Don King Productions and Duva Promotion in association with Madison Square Garden.





Oleg Maskaev (34-5, 26 KOs)



“The fight is three weeks away and training is great like always, A lot of positive energy in camp. I am doing what I have to do step by step mentally and physically.”

“I have had three or four big fights, but this is one of the biggest fights of my career.”

“I don’t know if Peter is tough or not, we will find out soon enough on October 6...”

“In training, I focus on myself, not Peter. We will find out if Peter is overrated really soon and so will the fight fans.”

“As far as who I fight next, it could be Klitchko, we will see what happens after this fight.”

“I don’t know what is going to happen, but something will happen, I am going there to win.”

“All I have to say to Peter right now is God Bless you.”


Dennis Rapaport (Maskaev promoter)

“People are trying to make Peter the next Mike Tyson, it’s more like Cecily Tyson. Sure Peter is a strong fighter, but he is a bit amateurish.”

“Makaev loss’ came at a low point in his life, he was having managerial issues as well as personal. He was mentally devastated.”

“Since I have been with Maskaev, he has not had any letdowns. Take a look at his career, all his opponents have been quality opponents.”

“As I keep saying, this is a true boxing Cinderella story, every time you see a Cinderella story, Cinderella always prevails and Oleg Maskaev will win on October 6.”

“Maskaev is in shape, Peter is not and Maskaev has ability. This is a case of the bull against the Matador. Oleg will prevail and win, this guy is not the same person, he has a great team and support. He is in shape and he can get in the ring today.”


Samuel Peter (28-1, 22 KOs)



“I have been waiting for a while for this moment and the time is right now. Everything is all about time. When the right time comes it all happens.”

“I am my own fighter, I fight my own battles, and I am ready, I will stop him and I will knock him out.”

“I would like to say thanks for the blessing from Maskaev, but I have already been blessed by the almighty.”

“As far as Maksaev is concerned, I will give him my message in the ring come October 6 at Madison Square Garden.”


Ivaylo Gotzev (Peter Manager)

“Team Maskaev are on an ego building trip. Yes, they have a proven fighter, but we’re here taking over the heavyweight division. They continue to talk about Maskaev’s Cinderella’s story, but his Cinderella story is about to come to an end. The clock is going to run out and he will not make it past midnight.”

“We are on a mission, to crown a new heavyweight king and put the heavyweight division back in business. Peter is from Africa, but he will be representing the world as a heavyweight Champion.”

“October 6 is going to be a rude awaking to a nightmare for Maskaev, especially if he is underestimating Peter.”


Dino Duva (Peter Promoter)

“Regarding the Cecily Tyson comparison, that is insulting and just for that, Samuel is going to make sure that Dennis walks out of MSG after the fight like a sissy.”

“If they are counting on Samuel Peter not being in shape, they are in for a rude awakening. This is the longest that Samuel has ever been in training camp for a long time and he will be in the best shape of his life. Translation, it’s over for Oleg’s Cinderella story.”

“October 6 will mark the beginning of a new glory era for the heavyweight division. The Samuel Peter era.”

The Undercard

Kevin McBride(34-5-1, 29 Ko's) (photo top) vs Andrew Golata (39-6-1, 32 Ko's)( photo under)in a heavyweight attraction, and Jose Antonio Riveria (38-5-1, 24 KO's)and two time world champ at 147- and 154- pounds(photo third)vs Daniel Santos (30-3-1, 21 Ko's)(Photo fourth)in a WBC Super welterweight No. 1 ranking and mandatory new challenger to new champion Joachim Alcine. The fights will be two domestically non televised matches.








The Worldwide fans

IBRAGIMOV AND HOLYFIELD HIT THE HARD ROCKIN NEW YORK CITY ON AUGUST 30TH!

IBRAGIMOV AND HOLYFIELD Hit the Hard Rockin New York City to promote title fight October 13th for the WBO Heavyweight title.



HOLLYWOOD, FL, August 24 - With just a month and a half to go before their historic heavyweight title fight in Moscow on October 13th, unbeaten WBO Heavyweight Champion Sultan Ibragimov and his challenger, legendary four-time heavyweight king Evander Holyfield, will meet the United States media on Thursday, August 30, at the Historic Paramount Theater at Hard Rock Café in New York City.


Ibragimov vs.Holyfield, which is presented by Seminole Warriors Boxing, Golden Boy, Golden Grain Promotions, Main Events, Yuri Federov Sports Lab, Real Deal Promotions and Sampson Lewkowicz in association with Nafta Moskva and the Seminole Tribe of Florida will be available to U.S. viewers through PAY-PER-VIEW, check your subscriber for local listings.

Tickets, priced from just over $10.00 (300 rubles) to $3,000.00 (75,000 rubles). There are also a limited number of VIP tickets available. Tickets may be ordered by calling +7 (495) 228-0418 or +7 (495) 643-1825, or by visiting http://www.ring-side.ru/ or http://www.hockey-palace.ru/. Fans outside of Russia can also purchase tickets to this historic event, which will see Holyfield attempt to win a record fifth world ! heavyweight title by beating undefeated Russian hero, Ibragimov, by calling Seminole Warriors Boxing at 954-985-1155 or visiting http://www.warriorsboxing.com/.

Duddy looks to continue European campaign, set for Spanish Conquest eye on Victory

Duddy looks to continue European campaign, set for Spanish Conquest eye on Victory

Unbeaten middleweight sensation John Duddy will look to continue his march to European and World honours on the next Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the National Stadium, Dublin on Saturday, October 20th on the night of the “Celtic Tigers”.
Duddy will headline the event with support from Irish middleweight champion, Matthew Macklin and undefeated light welterweight Paul McCloskey on what promises to be a real showcase of Ireland’s finest fighting talents.



All three men are pushing towards title contention with the trio eyeing up European titles. Duddy is adamant though that he is not looking beyond his next outing at the spiritual home of Irish boxing. The New York based Derry man said, “Everyone wants to know about the future and talk about European titles and World titles but I never give it a second thought because I always need to stay focused on the job at hand and for me that’s October 20th at the National Stadium.

”I’m in a great position now because there are avenues open to me on both sides of the Atlantic. I’ve a good team behind me with the McLoughlin brothers so we’re definitely moving in the right direction.”

Also on board that team is new trainer Don Turner. The veteran American was in Duddy’s corner for the first time at the National Stadium in July when he stopped seasoned Italian campaigner Alessio Furlan in the tenth and final round. (See Press Release Below; NEW YORK CITY (July 30, 2007))Turner was pleased with Duddy’s performance and the fighter himself was thrilled to be back home after 20 consecutive wins Stateside.

“I’m delighted that we made the decision to come home for my last fight and I’m already looking forward to this next one,” said Duddy. “Fighting in New York is something special and for a guy from Derry to headline at Madison Square Garden is amazing but at the end of the day it’s just not home.”



(John Duddy and former trainer, Mr Keitt and Keisha)

Duddy enjoyed the acclaim of his home crowd last time and he says the atmosphere left his speechless. “I can’t enjoy the crowd until I’ve done the business in the ring but as soon as the referee stopped the last fight at the Stadium I turned and looked out into crowd and it was amazing. Everyone was going nuts and it’s just an incredible feeling. I fought at the Stadium so many times as an amateur but that was something else and I have to take my hat off to everyone who came out to support me. Hopefully they’ll all be back on October 20th.”

Duddy set for Spanish Conquest

The second wave of the latest Spanish armada is set to hit Irish shores next month when Pablo Navascues (pictured left) looks to upset John Duddy’s European and World title ambitions.



Navascues’ compatriot Kiko Martinez left Irish fight fans reeling with his smash and grab raid on Bernard Dunne last month and now its Duddy’s turn to repel the Spanish invasion.

The two men clash on the next Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the National Stadium, Dublin on Saturday, October 20th on the night of the “Celtic Tigers”.
Duddy – Navascues will headline the event with support from Irish middleweight champion, Matthew Macklin and undefeated light welterweight Paul McCloskey.
Navascues is the reigning Spanish light middleweight champion and has an excellent record of 25 wins and just one defeat. With 18 of his 25 wins coming via the short route he is clearly a major threat to the unbeaten Duddy.

The Madrid’s native sole reversal came back in 2000 on a cuts defeat and his winning run since then has seen him surge into the European ratings. The 31-year-old believes a win over Duddy could be his ticket to major title contention.
Speaking from his training camp Navascues said, “I want to fight prestigious boxers like Duddy because I don’t have time to waste in my career. I would like to fight for a major title early next year and this fight can help to get me there.”
Navascues has followed Duddy’s career Stateside but feels that his time on the European scene will be less fruitful. "Duddy is a good boxer with a lot of power in both hands. I admire what he has achieved in his career in the U.S. but Europe is different. Our records are similar and I’m sure that both of us will be at our best. I also think that our styles are quite similar and it will be an honour to beat him!"
The atmosphere at the National Stadium for Duddy’s Irish professional debut in July was white hot and it’s sure to be just as electric next month and Navascues is relishing the prospect.

"My only fight abroad was in Russia a long time ago and I won that by a second round knockout. I actually enjoy fighting away because I don’t have the pressure of fighting in front of my own supporters.”

Navascues country man Kiko Martinez stunned Irish fight fans last month and he says Duddy could be in for a similar shock. "I think Kiko Martinez was lucky because Dunne is a good boxer with a great future. I plan on the same outcome as Martinez but I won’t need luck to do it, I will prove my ability against Duddy.”
Tickets for the “Celtic Tigers” Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the National Stadium, Dublin on October 20th are priced from €50 and are available from Ticketmaster.ie and all usual outlets.
For more information about John Duddy go to www.irishropes.com

NEW YORK CITY (July 30, 2007) – Prodigal son John Duddy triumphantly returned to the Emerald Isle for his first pro fight there, stopping Alessio Furlan (19-9-5) in the 10th round of their July 14th bout, picked-up a few stitches in the process, and showed improvement working with his new head trainer, Don Turner.

Derry City, Northern Ireland-native Duddy (21-0, 16 KO’s), now fighting out of Queens (NY), also continued his mission to become only the third Irish-born middleweight to capture a major world title at 160 pounds, joining “Nonpareil” Jack Dempsey (real name John Kelly) and Stevie “Celtic Warrior” Collins. Dempsey, who was from County Kildare but also fought out of New York City, was the world middleweight champion from 1884 to 1891. Dublin’s Collins won the WBO 160-pound title in 1994 and them moved up to super middleweight.

Duddy, who fought many times as an amateur in Ireland, always wanted to fight there as a pro. It became a reality on July 14 and the experience couldn’t have been better for the fighter known in the U.S. as “Ireland’s” John Duddy, but as the “Derry Destroyer” back home.

“It was a great experience for me,” Duddy said from his home in Queens. “The reception I received at home proved to me that, I had made at in America, but I still hadn’t fought in Ireland, and I really wanted their support, too. Everybody was so supportive. I can’t compare fighting at Madison Square Garden and in Ireland. I’m looking forward to hopefully experience more at both places.

“The people in New York City don’t really know me but they’ve watched and supported me. Back home they know me and I was glad to see people who’ve know me since I was a boy - friends, neighbors and teachers. Before they had great respect for me and now the same people are asking for my autograph. I had a ball.”

Turner has trained 19 world champions including Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes, Aaron Pryor and Mike McCallum. He and Duddy only had four weeks working together for the fight against Furlan.

“There were a lot of circumstances leading up to my last fight,” Duddy explained. “I had changed coaches and the added pressure of fighting in Ireland for the first time as a pro. There were many factors but nobody left the fight, or after watching on TV, feeling unhappy. I think people saw some slight changes. I made some of the same mistakes but I did show some of the things Turner had been working on with me. I’m capable of learning what Don’s teaching me and everyone will see more improvement. This was just the tip of the iceberg in our partnership. I know what he wants and he believes I’ll learn it. Unfortunately, we only had four weeks working together before this fight. I used my head more, maybe too much at times, thinking about what Don had taught me, instead of just letting go. I look forward to getting back in the gym with Don.”

Duddy, reigning IBA and WBC Continental Americas champion, is now rated in the top 10 of all four major boxing organizations: WBO No. 6, WBA No. 9, IBF and WBC No. 10. He will soon briefly go back home to attend his best friend James Moore’s wedding, then return to New York and head back to training camp in the Pocono Mountains with Turner.

The cut he suffered above his left high forced the shifting of his next scheduled fight from August 26 to probably October 6 in Belfast. “When and who I fight are out of my hands,” Duddy remarked. “That’s left to my promoter (Irish Ropes) and manager (McLoughlin Brothers). I just keep fit. Dates and opponents often change in boxing and, at the end of the day; I’ve got to be ready to fight. I’m looking forward to my next fight.

“Circumstances, health wise, have changed the scheduled date. Cuts are part and parcel with the game. Cuts come with the job. I was actually cut three times in the last fight; all by head butts, but cutting isn’t a problem for me. The fight before that, I had a small nick (against Dupre Strickland), and I came out of the fight against (Anthony) Bonsante without any cuts. I have ‘Big George’ (Mitchell) in my corner and he does a fantastic job. After the fourth round there was no mention of my cuts, just the fight.”

Demetrius Andrade ready to take on the World

Demetrius Andrade ready to take on the World


(US Olympic boxer Demetrious Andrade (M) proudly wearing the gold medal he recently won at the US Boxing Trials. His coaches are pictured with him - (L) David Keefe, (R) his father Paul Andrade)

PROVIDENCE (September 13, 2007) – Fresh off of his thoroughly dominating performance at the US Boxing Trials, where he qualified for the 2008 United States Boxing Team, amateur boxing star Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade has shifted his sights on the AIBA Men’s World Championships, October 23-November 3, at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Andrade, the No. 1 rated welterweight in the U.S., is the two-time U.S. National Championships and National Golden Gloves champion. The 19-year-old southpaw blitzed the opposition at the US Boxing Trials -- defeating in order David Lopez (RSCO-2), Charles Hatley (RSCO-3), Keith Thurman (27-13) and Thurman (21-13) again in the championship bout – to secure a position on Team USA.

All of the members on Team USA, however, need to qualify for the Olympics by finishing among the top eight in The Worlds or by placing in two other International tournaments. “It feels good to be on the team,” Andrade said. “I’ve worked very hard to get there but my goal is to win a gold medal at the Olympics. I trained super hard with my father (Paul) and David (Keefe). They prepared me to do well. I knew what I had to do and did it. It was easy.”

Demetrious will soon join his Team USA teammates at training camp in Colorado Springs to get ready for the World Championships, which in many ways serves as a prelude in boxing to the 2008 Olympic Games in China.

With Cuban Erislandi Lara reportedly not competing due to his failed defection at the Pan-Am Games, Andrade’s chief competition at The Worlds figures to come from Russians Andrey Balanov and Ruslan Khairov, although Bulgaria’s top ranked Magumed Nurudinov and Pan-Am Games gold medal winner Pedro Lima, who edged Andrade 7-6 in the championship bout held in Lima’s native Brazil, should also be in the medal hunt.

“I’m going through them all,” Andrade predicted. “No mercy for anybody. After this (World Championships) they won’t want to fight me in the Olympics. I won but lost in Russia and Brazil (due to controversial hometown scoring against Andrade). That doesn’t happen in tournaments like these…..oh, Roy Jones and Evander Holyfield were robbed in the Olympics.”

Andrade believes he’s improved in several ways like sitting down better (on his punches) and taking baby steps forward (rather than rushing in). His jab has been extremely effective but he also realizes that he has to work on some small bad habits to become an even more complete boxer.

All of the hoopla surrounding the Olympics, according to “Boo Boo,” hasn’t changed him because of his strong support system. “It’s all starting to hit me but I don’t feel any pressure,” Andrade concluded. “I keep a tight circle and don’t go around with a lot of people hanging around me. More people seem to know who I am now, but I know what can happen. My father and Dave give me tips about what to do or not to do in and out of the ring. Right now, I’m just getting focused on the World Championships and qualifying to box in the Olympics.”
-DA-

ANDRE BERTO vs. DAVID ESTRADA CO-MAIN BOUT ON TAYLOR - PAVLIK WILL BE CROSSROAD BATTLE FOR BOTH FIGHTERS

ANDRE BERTO vs. DAVID ESTRADA CO-MAIN BOUT ON TAYLOR - PAVLIK WILL BE CROSSROAD BATTLE FOR BOTH FIGHTERS




NEW YORK, September13th- While most fight fans at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall and those viewing live on HBO World Championship Boxing on September 29th are anticipating the World Middleweight Championship bout between champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor and #1 challenger Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik, they will also be treated to a co-main event featuring two of the welterweight division's elite in a crossroads battle. Fast rising Andre Berto will square off against fellow Floridian David Estrada in a 12-round bout for the vacant NABF welterweight title as well as a stronger foothold in the sports most exciting division.

Berto, nearly a three year pro, made a name for himself as an amateur while attempting to make the 2004 U.S. Olympic boxing team. He was disqualified during a preliminary trials bout, and suddenly his Olympic dream was gone. Through a twist of fate, he suddenly found himself invited to be the first ever member of the Haitian boxing team, a country of which he holds dual citizenship due to his parents birthright. Though his Olympic dream was briefly realized, (he lost a razor-thin decision in his first bout), he joined professional a few months later with a three round knock out, and hasn't looked back since. Berto is now 19-0 with 16 KOs and of his three bouts that have gone the distance, he has only lost four of a possible fifty four judged rounds- relying on constant pressure to either knock his opponent out, or win the round overwhelmingly.

Though both fighters frequent Miami area gyms, neither has had much contact with each other over the years- the closest contact being when Berto appeared on the undercard of Estrada's biggest win which was a (TKO-11) over Chris Smith. Berto acknowledges that Estrada will be his toughest test to date.

“He's definitely a step up in class. He's been in with world class competition so he's gonna be a real good test for me," said Berto. Although Berto boasts a 84% knockout ratio, the scheduled 12-round distance doesn't phase him in the least. “I'm definitely ready to go the distance if necessary. We're putting in a lot of hard work in the gym and I'm looking forward to it.”

For Miami's Estrada, the fight with Berto can reignite his career in a big way. The 21-3, 12 KOs, former USBA welterweight champ is riding a three fight KO win streak after dropping two straight to pound-for-pound elite “Sugar” Shane Mosley (L10) and current IBF king Kermit Cintron (TKOby10). Exactly one month after facing Berto, Estrada will have been a pro for eight years and is well aware that he is regarded as a stepping-stone in this match - a view he doesn't quite share. “His camp might think so, but he knows he's in for a war and the fight of his life," said Estrada.

Estrada knows that Berto can be hurt, as evidenced by his hitting the deck in his last fight against Cosme Rivera. "He has bitten off more than he can chew, not because Cosme dropped him. Anyone can get knockdown, but he handled it well, he got up and won the fight. On September 29th the world will see what kind of fighter I am when I'm prepared," said Estrada.

Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment is as excited as any fan would be over this pivotal matchup. "This will be an explosive bout between two Florida natives, as Berto puts his youth, power and speed up against the experience, toughness and resiliency of Estrada."

Tickets for Jermain Taylor vs. Kelly Pavlik "Throwback" are priced at $400, $300, $200, $100 and $50, are now on sale and can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420 or by visiting http://www.ticketmaster.com/ .

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For more information on DiBella Entertainment,visit http://www.dbe1.com/, Caesars Atlantic City http://www.caesarsac.com/, HBO www.hbo.com/boxing, Top Rank http://www.toprank.com/

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MAYWEATHER & HATTON KICK OFF FIVE-CITY GLOBAL MEDIA TOUR IN LOS ANGELES

MAYWEATHER & HATTON KICK OFF FIVE-CITY GLOBAL MEDIA TOUR IN LOS ANGELES SEPTEMBER 17 LOS ANGELES (September 11) — Helping to promote their upcoming “UNDEFEATED” welterweight championship, “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather and Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton will pack their bags and take off on a five-city global media tour which marks the first time since the days of Muhammad Ali that a press tour has traveled across the seas. The two champions own a combined record of 81-0 and will collide in the ring December 8 at MGM Grand, live on HBO Pay-Per-View.

The first city on the historic trip will be in Los Angeles, followed by stops across the globe including Mayweather’s hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich. as well as New York City, before crossing the Atlantic for stops in London, England and Hatton’s hometown of Manchester.

“UNDEFEATED,” featuring Mayweather’s defense of his world welterweight championship against the universally recognized world junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, will be promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Tickets for “UNDEFEATED,” priced at $1,000, $750, $600, $300 and $150, go on sale Monday, Sept. 17 at 10 am PT Tickets will be available for purchase by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or to charge by phone with a major credit card call (702) 474-4000. Ticket sales will be limited to two (2) per person. The Mayweather vs. Hatton pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT, 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 Mayweather vs. Hatton fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com. For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com.

FIGHTING IRISHMEN: CELEBRATING CELTIC PRIZEFIGHTERS 1820-PRESENT HOSTS PUGILISTS AND POPCORN FORUM ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 FEATURING BOXING LEGEND

FIGHTING IRISHMEN: CELEBRATING CELTIC PRIZEFIGHTERS 1820-PRESENT HOSTS PUGILISTS AND POPCORN FORUM ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, FEATURING ON THE WATERFRONT AUTHOR BUDD SCHULBERG; BOXING LEGEND “IRISH” MICKY WARD; BOXING PROMOTER LOU DIBELLA; ACTOR TONY LOBIANCO; AND FEMALE FIGHTER MAUREEN SHEA



What: Pugilists and Popcorn Forum on boxing cinema presented by Fighting
Irishmen: Celebrating Celtic Prizefighters 1820-Present in association with the South Street Seaport; film clips and lively discussion on Hollywood ’s fascination with the sweet science.

Who: On the Waterfront author Budd Schulberg; legendary boxer “Irish” Micky
Ward; boxing promoter Lou DiBella, actor Tony LoBianco, female boxer
Maureen Shea; moderator Jim Houlihan, curator of exhibit (speakers subject
to change).




When: Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Where: Tour
South Street Seaport Museum
12 Fulton Street

Panel Discussion
Downtown Association
60 Pine Street

Subways: 2,3,4,5,J,Z or M to Fulton Street ; A or C to Broadway-Nassau.

Time: 6:00 PM tour, 7:30 PM Panel discussion

Tickets: $35 and $50 VIP (vip ticket also includes private tour or exhibit;
refreshments included in price of admission)

Contact: Carol Rauscher, 212-748-8776, crauscher@southstseaport.org

“Bad” Chad Dawson takes on WBC No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Adrian “The Shark” Diaconu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 6, 2007 Don King Brings World Championship Boxing to ARCO Arena Undefeated WBC Light Heavyweight Champion ‘Bad’ Chad Dawson Takes on Undefeated No. 1-Ranked Mandatory Challenger Adrian Diaconu on Sept. 29; TICKETS TO BATTLE OF ‘THE UNDEFEATED’ GO ON SALE SATURDAY SACRAMENTO, Calif.

Promoter Don King, in association with Maloof Sports and Entertainment, will present a highly anticipated world championship battle of the undefeated at ARCO Arena on Saturday, Sept. 29, when World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion “Bad” Chad Dawson takes on WBC No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Adrian “The Shark” Diaconu, from Romania now fighting out of Montreal, Canada. Tickets priced at $30, $50, $75, $100 and $250 will go on sale Saturday (Sept. 8) at 10 a.m. PT. The quickest and most convenient way to purchase tickets is by calling Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone at (916) 649-TIXS or by visiting their Web site at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available for sale at the ARCO Arena Box Office and at all Sacramento-area Ticketmaster outlets. The main event will be televised on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).



“I couldn’t be more excited to be promoting this light heavyweight championship with the Maloofs at ARCO Arena on Sept. 29,” an ebullient Don King said. “We are looking forward to bringing World Championship Boxing to a region with such rich boxing heritage.” “The Maloof family loves the sport of boxing going all the way back to my father,” Gavin Maloof said. “We are proud to be bringing Don King to Sacramento to promote this world championship card at ARCO Arena. It will be a great event for boxing fans in Sacramento.” Dawson (24-0, 16 KOs), from New Haven, Conn., possesses the WBC 175-pound title Roy Jones Jr. held from 1997 to 2004. Dawson won the title in a magnificent display of boxing, pounding on then-previously undefeated champion Tomasz Adamek (31-0). Both fighters tasted the canvas on Feb. 3 in Kissimmee, Fla., but Dawson built a strong scorecard lead, survived his knockdown and won a 12-round decision. Diaconu (24-0, 15 KOs) earned the WBC No. 1 ranking and became mandatory challenger to Dawson by scoring a third round technical knockout over Rico Hoye in an elimination bout staged in Montreal on May 9. Possessing knockout power in both hands, Diaconu will certainly be looking to test Dawson’s chin in the hope of gaining his title.

Press Conference Quotes

Quotes taken at ARCO Arena Press Conference in Sacramento in the morningAnd at AT&T Park Press Conference in San Francisco in the afternoon Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007 “Bad” Chad Dawson: “The ring is my home. It’s where I’m most comfortable. This is going to be my coming out party. They said Tomasz Adamek was tough and look what I did to him. I’m going to do what I did to Adamek to Diaconu on Sept. 29. “I’ve seen Diaconu’s last few fights. He’s tailor-made for me. He can try to come inside on me or work from the outside. I’ve got a plan to cover whatever he tries to do. I put in the work in training camp. I’ve got a couple more weeks to go. I’ve learned so much from my new trainer Eddie Mustafa in the first five weeks of training for this fight. I will have a tough fighter in front of me [on Sept. 29] but I will do what I have to do to win. Eddie Mustafa (Dawson’s trainer): “I’ve seen that Diaconu has said he’s coming to kick Chad’s ass. I want to remind him that you’ve got to bring your ass to the fight to do that. Talk’s cheap. You’ve got to bring it.” Adrian “The Shark” Diaconu: “I have had good training, sparring and diet leading up to this fight. I’m not so good with English so you’ll have to let my actions speak for me in the ring. “On September 29 I’m going to put everything in my two hands, all of my experience and preparation, to win the fight.” Pierre Bouchard (Diaconu’s trainer) “We respect Chad Dawson. He had a great fight with Tomasz Adamek to become WBC light heavyweight champion but on September 29 there will be blood in the water and the shark will attack.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 12, 2007 Two Boxing World Championships at ARCO Arena on Sept. 29 Battle of ‘The Undefeated’ in World Boxing Council Light Heavyweight Championship:Champion ‘Bad’ Chad Dawson Takes on No.-1 Ranked Adrian ‘The Shark’ Diaconu International Boxing Federation Bantamweight Championship:Champion Luis ‘El Demoledor’ Perez Squares Off Against Joseph ‘King Kong’ Agbeko SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Promoter Don King, in association with Maloof Sports & Entertainment, will present two world championship boxing matches at ARCO Arena on Saturday, Sept. 29 where the main event will feature a battle of “The Undefeated” with World Boxing Council light heavyweight champion “Bad” Chad Dawson opposing WBC No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Adrian “The Shark” Diaconu. The second world championship features two once-beaten fighters with Luis “El Demoledor” Perez (25-1, 21 KOs), from Nicaragua, making the first defense of his International Boxing Federation bantamweight title opposing British Commonwealth champion Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko (24-1, 21 KOs), from Ghana. Tickets priced at $30, $50, $75, $100 and $250 are on sale now and can be purchased most easily by calling Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone at (916) 649-TIXS or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available at the ARCO Arena Box Office and at all Sacramento-area Ticketmaster outlets. Both world championships will be televised on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). A full, domestically non-televised undercard will be announced soon. Dawson (24-0, 16 KOs), a 25-year-old southpaw from New Haven, Conn., possesses the WBC 175-pound title Roy Jones Jr. held from 1997 to 2004. He will have a fresh face in his corner when he makes his second title defense as previous trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. has been replaced by veteran Eddie Mustafa. “I felt like I had to make a change,” said Dawson, who is training in Las Vegas. “Floyd is a great trainer, but our personalities just weren’t clicking. “Eddie Mustafa understands what I need to do to get better,” said Dawson, who has been described by Mustafa as an exceptional athlete. “I am still young and learning every day. Eddie is great at identifying weaknesses and making them disappear.” Mayweather took over from two-time Trainer of the Year award-winner Dan Birmingham, who had been with Dawson since 2005. Mayweather was in Dawson’s corner on Feb. 3 in Kissimmee, Fla., when Dawson upset previously unbeaten Tomasz Adamek (31-0) to win the WBC light heavyweight crown and during his first successful title defense against Jesus “Chuy” Ruiz on June 9. Dawson’s longtime friend and manager, Mike Criscio, does not see any problems with the change in trainers. “I have known Chad since he was 11 years old,” Criscio said. “I have seen him go from a boy, to a teenager, and now to a man. Simply put, Dawson is a phenomenal athlete. Just about any trainer can be with him at this point in his career and win with him.” Dawson has a tough test in front of him as Diaconu, aptly nicknamed “The Shark” for his ferocious attacks to the body, will attempt to pressure the champion into making mistakes. “Since Diaconu has an aggressive style, my game plan is to keep the jab in his face and work off of that,” Dawson said. “I know I am quicker and more agile than him, so I know I can outbox him.” Diaconu is in a similar position that Dawson faced when he fought Adamek. Dawson was undefeated, but nothing in his record stood out as a harbinger of his subsequent domination of the seemingly invincible Pole. Adamek admitted after the fight that Dawson was by far the fasted opponent he had ever faced. “Diaconu has a great record, but I don’t think he has been tested by someone of the likes of Chad,” Criscio said. “Chad had not been greatly challenged before he won his title earlier this year because he was so young. Diaconu is almost in the same position as Dawson was with Adamek. Chad has to be very careful because we know this guy is tough.” Dawson said he will not be overlooking Diaconu. “I respect all of my opponents,” Dawson said. “I know Diaconu is solid, but when I bring my “A” game to him, it is going to be tough for him to hang with me.” Diaconu (24-0, 15 KOs), 29, born in Romania and now fighting out of Montreal, won the British Commonwealth light heavyweight championship by scoring a unanimous decision over Andre Thysse in Montreal on May 16, 2006. He earned the WBC No. 1 ranking and became mandatory challenger to Dawson with a third-round technical knockout over Rico Hoye in an elimination bout staged in Montreal on May 9. Possessing knockout power in both hands, Diaconu will certainly be looking to test Dawson’s chin in the hope of gaining his title. “Chad has been saying that I have never fought anyone important and there is some truth in what he says.” Diaconu said. “The reason for that is because the last two years nobody wanted to fight me. I was too much of a risk for the bigger names. “Dawson better be 100-percent ready and not underestimate me like Rico Hoye did or he is going to get the same surprise. This is my time. It is my turn to shine. I waited very patiently for this opportunity and I am ready for anything Chad brings. I will step into the ring on fight night a very confident man with one goal in mind, to break Dawson down and bring the WBC light heavyweight championship home to Montreal.” “I am ready and very well prepared to deliver the goods in the biggest fight of my life. All my years of training since I was a small boy in Romania, my more than 250 amateur fights, my amateur gold medals and my undefeated pro record will serve me well on September 29. Diaconu is trained by Pierre Bouchard.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside for the domestic television audience with Jim Gray and Karyn Bryant serving as roving reporters. The executive producer and director of the telecast will be David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing. SHOWTIME’s telecast of both world championship matches will take place during the premium network’s free preview weekend and will be available in approximately 54 million homes, a record for SHOWTIME previews.

About Don King Productions

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. About Maloof Sports & EntertainmentMaloof Sports & Entertainment includes the Sacramento Kings (NBA), Sacramento Monarchs (WNBA) and ARCO Arena. Led by Joe and Gavin Maloof and owned by the Maloof family with a group of long-term partners, the organization is committed to the community in Sacramento and to making a positive, meaningful difference in the lives of families in need and at risk in the Sacramento region. For more information about Maloof Sports & Entertainment, please visit kings.com, sacramentomonarchs.com and arcoarena.com or call 916-928-0000. About Showtime Championship BoxingSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING just celebrated 20 years of hard-hitting, explosive programming last year. In March 1986, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING was born when “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler defeated John “The Beast” Mugabi in a spectacular and unforgettable 11th-round knockout in Las Vegas. Since that time, the network has aired some of the most historic and significant events in the sport including both Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson bouts. Always at the forefront of boxing, SHOWTIME has set itself apart by telecasting “great fights, no rights” on the first Saturday of every month. SHOWTIME is the first network to regularly deliver live boxing in High Definition. In addition, SHOWTIME continues to be a pioneer in sports television with a number of interactive features across multiple platforms making SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts the most enjoyable, immersive viewing experience for the boxing audience. For information on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and “ShoBox: The New Generation” telecasts, including complete fighter bios and records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http://www.sho.com/boxing.

“Iceman” Scully & Ross Training in Godfrey’s Corner

“Iceman” Scully & Ross Training in Godfrey’s Corner
PROVIDENCE (September 8, 2007) – Unbeaten NABF cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, rated No. 2 by the World Boxing Council, has been joined in his corner by new head trainer “Iceman” John Scully and strength-and-conditioning coach Ross Enamait, Godfrey’s manager Bret Hallenbeck announced today.

(Scully and Jose Rivera)


Godfrey (16-0, 9 KOs) recently relinquished his NABA, WBC Continental Americas and USNBC titles to concentrate on a major world title shot. He also is rated No. 4 by the International Boxing Federation and No. 6 by the World Boxing Association.
Scully is a former world title challenger who trains former 2-time world champion Jose Antonio Rivera, bantamweight title contender Mike Oliver and former world lightweight title challenger Israel “Pito” Cardona, who also is managed by Hallenbeck.

Ross Training (www.rosstraining.com) is owned and operated by Enamait, an innovative athlete and trainer who has designed programs specifically for boxers.

“Scully is one of the hottest young trainers in boxing,” Hallenbeck said. “Not only was he a fighter, he fought for the world title, and has trained a world champion (Rivera). He’s known Matt for years. To become a world champion, Matt needs any edge he can get and there’s no replacement for being in the best physical condition as possible. We believe Ross can get Matt into great shape and together with John, Matt can reach ta the next level, which is a world championship. We’re delighted that they’re on Team Godfrey.”

Godfrey is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc.

(Keisha and Matt Godfrey)

“The Brawl” Vargas vs Mayorga has been, rescheduled for Friday November 23rd in Los Angeles California

"Ferocious" Fernando Vargas vs. Ricardo "El Matador" Mayorga “The Brawl” Rescheduled for Friday, Nov. 23 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles California, all tickets previously purchased will be honored.

The Problem

Routine Blood Test by Vargas Reveals Severe Anemia;
Sept. 8 Boxing Event at STAPLES Center Will Be Rescheduled

Vargas’s doctor ordered him on Aug. 25 to not participate in the highly anticipated match’s original date to take the necessary weeks of treatment to correct an iron deficiency. Vargas health has already improved to the point he is “chomping at the bit” to get back to full training, which will occur in about three weeks.

Promoters of the event, Don King Productions and Main Events in association with STAPLES Center, worked diligently to find an available date in the crowded STAPLES Center schedule before deciding on the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend. The event will also be televised live domestically beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT at a suggested retail price of $44.95 and is being distributed by SHOWTIME® PPV.

Tickets remained on sale during the five days it took to reschedule the match. Astonishingly, undaunted boxing fans purchased over $16,000 worth of tickets during this time period—an incredible testament to the public’s desire to see Vargas vs. Mayorga.

Vargas (26-4, 22 KOs) is a two-time world champion and Mayorga (27-6-1, 22 KOs) is a three-time world champion. Their upcoming bout had been aptly dubbed “The Brawl” after a highly contentious confrontation between the fighters erupted at the initial press conference announcing the event in Los Angeles and again at a subsequent press conference in New York.





The Sports & Entertainment Center of the World, STAPLES Center is the downtown Los Angeles home of the most popular concerts, special events and five professional sports franchises: The NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers; the NHL's Los Angeles Kings; the AFL's Los Angeles Avengers; and the WNBA's Los Angeles Clippers as well as championship boxing, tennis, family shows and special events. Since its October 17, 1999, grand opening, STAPLES Center, twice named Arena of the Year, has welcomed over 25 million guests.

Main Events was founded in 1978 by Kathy Duva's late husband Dan Duva. In addition to the hundreds of world title bouts it has promoted, Main Events has promoted some of the biggest PPV events in history like "Showdown" the 1981 undisputed welterweight unification bout between "Sugar" Ray Leonard and Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns; "The Battle of the Ages" 1991 undisputed heavyweight championship between Evander Holyfield and George Foreman; the "Miss Howard Stern New Year's Eve" pageant, and the 2002 Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson heavyweight showdown which at the time set the record for the highest grossing PPV event of all-time.

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.

Andre Berto to pay tribute to Legendary Promoter Jackie Leonard at September 29 bout in a co feature on the Jermain Taylor vs Kelly Pavlik Undercard

RISING STAR REMEMBERS A LEGEND
***Hard Hitting DBE Welterweight Andre Berto to pay tribute to
Legendary Promoter Jackie Leonard at September 29 bout***



Winter Haven, FL August 28 ---Many sports fans say the younger athletes of today don’t remember or think about the legends that came before them. This is not the case with DiBella Entertainment power puncher Andre Berto who was saddened to hear about the passing of legendary Promoter/Trainer Jackie Leonard today at the age of 89. “Jack was a great man. He really cared about his fighters and the sport of boxing,” said the 2004 Olympian.

Jackie Leonard promoted many world title fights including those involving Sugar Ray Robinson and Archie Moore. Later in life, Leonard opened up a boxing gym in Winter Haven, Florida. This is where Jackie met a young Berto. “Jack is the man who taught me how to form my foundation of boxing. He taught me how to throw my first correct punch,” said the undefeated welterweight.

Berto (19-0, 16 KO’s) is currently preparing for a clash with David Estrada in the co-feature bout on the September 29th Jermain Taylor-Kelly Pavlik card at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Berto wants to dedicate the bout to Jackie Leonard and will pay tribute to him by wearing a “JL” patch on the trunks he will wear in the ring that night.



There are those who question whether or not Jackie Leonard should be in Boxing’s Hall of Fame. Berto feels “a person like Jack definitely is a Hall of Fame figure in the sport and should have a spot in Canastota. Jack was a great person and a true friend. He gave me a chance and for that I will always love him.”

Andre Berto thorough defeat

Andre Berto is coming off of a win of Cosme Rivera Friday July 27 at the Saratoga Springs City Center in conjunction with the horse raceway series.

Francisco “El Gato” Figueroa’s Looks To Rumble With Brooklyn’s Star

Bronx King Looks To Rumble With Brooklyn’s Star

At the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach Florida (on July 28th), Francisco “El Gato” Figueroa’s round 12 KO that sent Mexican fighter Ubaldo Hernandez (22 wins, 18 losses, 10kos) through the ropes made Figueroa the winner of the vacant NABF title. Figueroa’s highly intense bout (the first 12 round fight of his career), which showcased as a main event on Seeno Group’s “Saturday Night Showdown,” now ranks him number 12 in his weight class by The World Boxing Council. Although Hernandez’s record might be looked at as not so great, he is credited with going toe-to-toe against fighters such as Miguel Cotto, Vivian Harris, Jose Cotto, Demetrius Hopkins and Juan Urango.

Figueroa literally went to war with the extremely aggressive Hernandez. However, in round 12 as Hernandez stood blocking a barrage of body shots, Figueroa saw a clear opening. A straight left to the head meant no chance of recovery for. Hernandez. His head went through the bottom rope and legs flew in the air. When officials pulled Hernandez from the ropes to the canvas, he just laid there, unconscious, for nearly five minutes, as Figueroa celebrated coming one step closer to a world title.

Following Figueroa’s November 2006 defeat over fellow Bronx-native Joey Rios (in a bout now popularly known as “The Battle For The Bronx”) Figueroa was looking forward to a match-up that would be credited as the biggest fight of his career.







“Those things made me who I am now,” says Figueroa who, while homeless in 2002, spent a year sleeping in the basement at the Morris Park Boxing Gym in the Bronx. “I’ve come too far to turn back now. I’m very confident that I will be seeing a world title in the very near future.” Figueroa is now managed by Sal Lonano, who once managed the careers of Pauly Malignaggi and Mickey Ward. Veteran trainer Buddy McGirt Sr. is now in Figueroa’s corner as well.

During Miguel Cotto’s Madison Square Garden mega-bout against Brooklyn Southpaw Zab Judah on June 9th those in the know undoubtedly agree that Figueroa’s impact on unbeaten WBA welterweight Champion, Cotto, was evident. As one of Cotto’s chief sparring partner, Figueroa, who once shared the same trainer (Chelo Bentacourt) with Judah, spent a month in Puerto Rico assisting Cotto prior to his HBO pay-per-view ko victory versus Judah.

“When Cotto was fighting Judah everybody was calling my phone and text messaging me telling me how they saw Cotto using my flowboating technique, something he’s never done before,” says Figueroa explaining the components of the flowboating method he innovated. “Flowboating is a bobbing and weaving technique consisting of spinning on the heels and balls of the feet with a movement at the waist.”

Also the chief sparring partner to unbeaten light welterweight champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, “Vicious” Vivian Harris, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti and others, Figueroa boasts about all of the fighters respective 2006 wins, subsequent to his intense involvement with them. “I’m boxing’s best kept secret,” says Figueroa. “And I’m ready to prove it!”

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