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!”

For all interview and media requests please email: Truinkmedia@gmail.com

Tito Trinidad and Roy Jones Square off

Tito Trinidad and Roy Jones Square off

Tito Trinidad: "I always want to fight great fighters and I am coming back to fight Roy Jones Jr. because he is one of the greatest in the sport."



Don King: "The fight will take place at 170 pounds. We are leaning toward Madison Square Garden but nothing is set at this time."

Tito: "I am going to feel very good at that weight and I feel that I will feel great at that fight."

Don King: "Tito Trinidad and Roy Jones will be doing color [on the pay-per-view telecast] for Vargas vs. Mayorga on September 8 and Chad Dawson on September 29 and Maskaev vs. Sam Peter on Oct. 6. Roy Jones will be his inimitable self as only he knows how to do it. And Tito will do the Spanish version. And they will be on Juan Diaz vs. Julio Diaz, the double D. Roy Jones will be doing rap music and Tito will be doing Reggaetón. Then they will go in the ring and fight. It is taking my breath away. This is a fight made in heaven... quality and competitiveness."

Tito Trinidad: "One month ago, I was not clear whether I would come back to boxing. But right now I have made up my mind. I have conversations with my manager and Don and finally everything has come together. Everything has been agreed... that I am ready to fight Roy Jones and Roy Jones is ready to fight me."

Don King: "Papa Trinidad didn't want his son coming back into boxing if he was going to fight anybody less than a Roy Jones Jr. So he raised the bar real high in honor of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican people. He told me Roy Jones. So my job was to go get Roy Jones. Roy Jones agreed to do business and be involved in history in the making."

Tito Trinidad: "It is true that I said in the past that I would not come out of retirement. But I have been a great fighter throughout my career and I am still healthy and I know that I have too much boxing inside of me and I want to show the world that I am still one of the best boxers. This is a great challenge to fight Roy Jones who is one of the greatest of the era and I never turned down a great fight and I am coming out of retirement for a great fight, with a great fighter like Roy Jones.

It is a huge purse, but at this time that is confidential."

Don King [injects]: "Mucho Grande, muchas gracias."

Tito Trinidad: "There is no next fight. Right now I am focused on fighting Roy Jones, one of the greatest fighters I will ever face. He is a great fighter. After I fight Jones, then I may think of another fight."

What do you think about Mayweather?

Tito Trinidad: "There was talk about fighting Mayweather but because of the difference in weight that fight really could not happen. It will never happen. This fight is at 170 and I will feel great at that weight and it will be a great fight.

I had always said that I will be in boxing as long as my father is. It is 100-percent true that I would only come back if my father did. The only reason I came back is because my trainer, my manager and my friend is back. He is supporting me and we are back together."

Don King: "It is a great day. Papa gave me a hard task to get Roy Jones. Papa said, 'Don’t bring me a mortal man, bring me Roy Jones.'"

Tito Trinidad: "It is just my comeback. I am going to fight Roy Jones."

What about Bernard Hopkins?

Tito Trinidad: "I fought Bernard Hopkins the first time and we won the jackpot. He has been running around ever since. I have been trying to get a rematch with him but it never happened. So right now I am focused on Roy."

What TV will this be on?

Don King: "This fight just came about. So we haven’t gotten that far yet. Papa knows, Roy Jones knows, I know and Tito knows, so it is not an original deal. This is creative, this is history. We have to discuss where the fight will be shown. We have to talk to HBO and we have to talk to SHOWTIME and we have to talk to ESPN and Rupert Murdoch, who is taking over everything. This is the first time since Rumble in the Jungle, where you make the fight, and we didn’t even have television. But right now we have both combatants just sitting here looking at each other and it is just remarkable. Shades of yesterday, fights like that were made 35 years ago."

Roy Jones Jr: "Tito is a great champion and I know that and he has left behind a great legacy. If someone like that comes to challenge you, how can you turn that down? I’d be stupid to turn that down, I fight for a living, that’s what I do. Great fights are made just like what we did here. You make a big fight to give the fans something to come watch. It’s not like the Floyd Mayweather-De La Hoya fight where they gave the fans a dance."

What about fighting at 170?

Roy Jones Jr: "I don’t like it, but for a big fight you have to do those things. It is a wonderful fight and I’m not going to let a few pounds ruin it. Of course it is going to be very difficult. Of course I’m not going to like it. But this is a big fight and the people want it. So we have to make it happen."

Are you too big or fast for Trinidad?

Roy Jones Jr: "Too fast, I may agree with. Too big? He is bigger than me right now. But [me being] too fast [for him], I am going to agree with. We are both powerful punchers, and when you have two powerful punchers it all depends on who is going to get there first. But there is one thing I will guarantee, it will not be like Winky Wright and Bernard Hopkins, two guys that are superior boxer but have no bombs in their tank. We both have bombs in our tank. Plus, we are phenomenal boxers on top of that. So you have everything it takes to make a great fight here. You’ve got two beautiful punchers. You’ve got two beautiful boxers. I am probably the quicker of the two, but pound-for-pound, he is probably the more powerful of the two. So it makes for a great fight."

How much convincing from Don did it take for you to do this?

Roy Jones Jr. "It takes a lot of convincing for me to do anything. It’s how you convince me to do it. He [Don King] just called me and said, 'Hey, Trinidad wants you.' If he wants me then do what you’ve got to do and make it happen. So I came in and we made it happen."

Have you looked at the contract?

Roy Jones Jr.: "I just got here for the press conference and I will look at it now. And I will sign it shortly.

I take my hat off to him for respecting me that much. And now we have two guys who stood up and said they want to fight each other. It didn’t take much to make the fight happen. I don’t change for pretty much anybody. Don King is going to treat me right so I am along for the ride."

Are you going to be OK doing all of that TV stuff?

Roy Jones Jr: "It is OK if I am working for myself. It’s another thing when you’ve got to work for somebody. I’m not going to do what they want me to do all the time, because that’s not how it works. But I’ll do what you want me to do if we do it right. But if you go crazy and do things that I don’t want to do, I am not going to do that."

How hard will it be to get to 170?

Roy Jones Jr: "God works in mysterious ways. After my last fight, I stayed slim because I thought something crazy may come my way. So I am slim. And this fight is worth getting there for."

Roy, you told Don not to put Trinidad in with Hopkins…

Roy Jones Jr: "What I told Don was that Hopkins had everything to gain and nothing to lose. Hopkins is really nothing without a guy like Tito. Now Tito have everything to lose and nothing to gain. Hopkins was going for broke, he was going to do everything he had to do to win the fight. I knew he was a hungry fighter, but I could have been able to deal with him a little better."

Don King: "I want to work with Jim Dolan and Madison Square Garden। Jim Dolan is trying to bring boxing back to America when everyone else is running away from it."

http://www.donking.com/tito_jones_sign.html

Juan Diaz and Julio Diaz formally announcing their lightweight world championship unification match (WBA, WBO, IBF)

Don King hosted a press conference today in Chicago attended by Juan Diaz and Julio Diaz formally announcing their lightweight world championship unification match (WBA, WBO, IBF) at Sears Centre in nearby Hoffman Estates, Ill., on Oct. 13. Both proud Mexicans were respectful of one another, but said and reiterated the fight is of tremedous personal importance to each of them.



Listed below and attached, please find quotes: Diaz vs. Diaz Press Conference Quotes Wednesday, Aug. 29 – Mi Tierra Restaurant in Little Village – Chicago Juan Diaz: “I think this will turn out to be the fight of the year and maybe the fight of the century because both Julio Diaz and I want to win so bad. They will have to take me out of the ring on a stretcher for me to lose this fight. “This is going to be a great, action fight. I’ve got a bull’s-eye on my head. Everybody wants what I have. Many consider me to be the best lightweight boxer out there so everybody wants to fight me. “Both of us have the first name of Diaz. We had no choice when we were born. It’s just the name our parents gave us, no matter how much people want to make of all that. “In February, Julio asked me to put my books down to fight after he became the IBF champion. In April, I picked up the WBO lightweight belt by defeating Acelino Freitas to go with the WBA championship I have held for a long time. Now is the time for a unification fight. “We are getting very close to having an undisputed lightweight world champion. I give all my respect to Julio Diaz but on October 13, I will be the one leaving the ring with three of those world titles. Julio Diaz: “I’ve been asking for Juan Diaz for a long time. This is something that has been important to me and I didn’t want to let it go. He is the biggest star in the lightweight division today. He’s undefeated, a unified world champion with the WBA and WBO belts. “I’ve won some big fights. I am a two-time world champion and the current IBF champion but I haven’t gotten the attention that Juan has. I want what he has and I’m coming to get it. I want to be a unified world champion. “Juan and I have a lot in common. We have the same last name and I see his parents cry when he goes in the ring just like mine do. We’re also both Mexican warriors. We will put on a great fight and the best man will win.”

Legendary Boxing Promoter Don "Only in America" King, To Accept "Pioneer Award"

International Boxing Hall of Fame promoter Don “Only in America” King will be in Las Vegas on Friday to accept a Sam Lacy Pioneer Award from the Sports Task Force of the National Association of Black Journalists at their 32^nd Annual Convention being held at Bally’s.

The task force is comprised of black print and broadcast sports journalist from across the country. The Pioneer Award is the organization’s highest honor, and King will share the stage at the awards ceremony with fellow recipients that have special Nevada ties including boxing referee Richard Steele; Sacramento Kings head coach and former UNLV star Reggie Theus; ESPN NBA analyst and former UNLV standout Greg Anthony; UNLV women’s basketball coach Regina Miller; and former University of Nevada-Reno women’s athletics administrator Dr. Angela Taylor.

“This is a truly great honor for me to be recognized with a Pioneer Award by the august members of the National Association of Black Journalists Sports Task Force while they are convening at their 32nd annual convention,” King said. “These are people I respect and admire. I look forward to joining them and the other Pioneer Award recipients at this celebration of the human spirit.”

The festivities are part of the NABJ task force’s convention, taking place for the first time in Las Vegas, which is ongoing through Aug. 12.

King will also take part in a special workshop earlier in the day on Friday beginning at 4 p.m. titled Is Boxing Down for the Count?

The promotional legend will be joined on a star-studded panel consisting of President of HBO Sports Ross Greenburg; Senior Vice President/General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports Events Programming Ken Hershman; Hall of Fame boxing promoter Bob Arum; undefeated six-time world champion in five separate weight divisions “Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather Jr.; and New York Daily News sports columnist and longtime boxing scribe Tim Smith.

New York Post sports columnist George Willis coordinated the workshop, and USA Today boxing writer Chuck Johnson will serve as moderator during the 90-minute discussion beginning at 4 p।m.

NABJ is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals.

DON KING: 'Only in America'

Don King coined the phrase, "Only in America." He lives it. He breathes it. He believes it. It's part of his soul.

"Only in America can a Don King happen," explains Don. "America is the greatest country in the world—I love America. What I've accomplished could not have been done anywhere else."

Indeed, the odds have always been long for King. A product of the hard-core Cleveland ghetto, he beat the system to become the world's greatest promoter. His shocking hairstyle, infectious smile, booming laugh and inimitable vocabulary have made Don King universally recognizable. He has been featured on the covers of Time, Sports Illustrated, Ebony, Jet, and countless other magazines. He has appeared in movies, television shows and on numerous television and radio talk shows. There was even an award-winning unauthorized movie loosely based on his life and numerous other attempts by Hollywood to depict his larger-than-life personality.

Don's promotions have entertained billions around the globe. His life has been devoted to staging the best in world-championship boxing as well as always giving something back to the people. Don King-promoted events have given the sports and entertainment world some of its most thrilling and memorable moments.

Inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997, King was the only boxing promoter named to Sports Illustrated's list of the "40 Most Influential Sports Figures of the Past 40 Years." The New York Times published a list that included Don King among 100 African Americans who have helped shape this country's history during the last century. When asked recently in a private meeting with Mandalay Bay hotel executives in Las Vegas about what he would like on his epitaph, King quickly responded, "He worked for the day when all people would be clothed in dignity."

This statement belies the belief that King is merely a boxing promoter. At heart, he is, foremost, a civil rights activist.

"Nothing makes me happier than to promote a fight card with boxers from 10 different countries: the fighters, the corner men, the media, the business people-all of them," King said. "The thrill comes when these people, who would never normally come into contact with one another, work together on an event. They learn that no matter what color, race, religion or whatever you are, underneath the skin we are all the same on the inside." King added, poignantly, "I must take the splinter out of my eye before I can ask you take the two-by-four out of yours."

King's career as a promoter spans three decades and includes more than 500 world-championship fights, but it began as a humble plea to help save a Cleveland hospital in 1972. Facing a severe shortage of funds, Forest City Hospital was prepared to shut down. King knew the hospital served a vital function to a poor, working-class community. He sought out heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and asked him to come and support a fundraising benefit to help turn around the hospital. The two men hit it off, and a new era began in boxing.

King inked a fight between Ali and George Foreman in 1974 that promised both fighters more than $5 million each, which was unheard of at the time. When his financial backers lost faith and pulled out and everyone else turned their backs on Don, he held the fight together on his own and took it to Zaire. He proved the doubters and critics wrong by staging one of the greatest fights in history with The Rumble in the Jungle.

King has gone on to set new high-water marks in the boxing promotion business. Nearly 100 individual boxers have earned $1 million, or more, under Don King Productions-promoted events. The first Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield fight shattered all previous viewing records for a boxing event, seen in more than 100 countries by more than two billion people.

Holyfield-Tyson II created even more attention, attracting 1.99 million domestic households in addition to a massive global audience. The live gate sold out in days as a crowd of 16,279 paid a record $14.2 million to see the fight in person.

Don made a commitment to provide quality fight cards, and in 1993 he staged a fight in Mexico headlined by Julio Cesar Chavez that featured four world championship bouts on one night. The public responded as 136,274 fans flocked to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, and established a paid live-gate record of more than 132,000 that is still listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Not just once, but twice, he has promoted fight cards with six world-title fights. In 1994 he staged a record 47 world-championship bouts. In 1981 King was the first promoter in history to guarantee $1 million paydays to non-heavyweights when featherweights Salvador Sanchez and Wilfredo Gomez clashed. That same year he became the first promoter to guarantee one fighter (Sugar Ray Leonard) a $10 million purse in the first Leonard vs. Roberto Duran fight.

But for every successful boxing event Don promotes, he makes it a personal rule to give back far more than he ever receives. King's tireless and continuous philanthropic efforts are rarely chronicled, but, as he says, "If you do something just to get noticed, then it is not a truly charitable gesture."

He established the Don King Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to worthy causes and organizations. As a self-reminder of the economic hardship he endured growing up, King has gone into neighborhoods every holiday season and personally handed out turkeys to needy families. Don's "Turkey Tour" has given away hundreds of thousands of turkey dinners over the years in cities across the country during the holiday season.

King is a longtime supporter of the National Organization for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, National Hispanic Scholarship Fund, National Coalition of Title 1/Chapter 1 Parents, Wheelchair Charities, Our Children's Foundation among other organizations, charities, colleges and hospitals that has made him one of the world's leading philanthropists.

When the Deerfield Beach Fire Department in Florida badly needed a new fire engine, Don stepped forward with the necessary funds.

Don has been bestowed with many honors, including the Black Achievement Award and being named Man of the Year by the Black United Fund and Brotherhood Crusade. Among his proudest moments was when he received the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's women's membership in 1987. Cities including Newark, N.J., have declared "Don King Day" and presented him with official proclamations for "behind-the-scenes" contributions he's made towards community projects.

The NAACP recognized Don with its highest honor, the President's Award, and he received Lifetime Achievement accolades from Grambling State University. Shaw University, the oldest black college in the South, bestowed Don with an honorary doctorate degree and named him to its prestigious Board of Trustees. He also recently received the prestigious “Legacy Award” for Outstanding Community Service from Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY. All three major boxing organizations, the IBF, WBA and WBC, have proclaimed Don King the "Greatest Promoter in History."

He got together with Felix Trinidad, Sr. and Felix “Tito” Trinidad to donate a much needed Fire Truck to Ladder Company 30 in New York’s Harlem.

Together with many celebrity friends such as Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover, Don helped raise enough money to pay off the $5,000,000.00 mortgage at Ms. Dorothy Height’s building in Washington, D.C.

On Dec. 13, 2003, he promoted a sold-out event in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. featuring a record-breaking eight world championship fights. He broke his own record of six world championship bouts on one card.

Don is always supportive of our Armed Forces both here and around the globe. He has visited various military bases and has pledged to help them with their projects. He most recently visited Fort Campbell in Kentucky, the home of the “Screaming Eagles” – 101st Airborne. Don was made an Honorary “Screaming Eagle” by Lt. General David Petraeus for all his contributions and support.

A true patriot, he spent much of last year helping to re-elect President George W. Bush. “I believe in him,” King says. “He says what he means and means what he says. I like the way he stands up. He also put two blacks in very important posts in his cabinet, and that speaks volumes for the man.”

At age 75 (he was born on Aug. 20, 1931) King has no plans to slow down. He gives full credit for his rise from the Cleveland projects to his mother, Hattie, who taught him the difference between right and wrong. Don and his lovely wife Henrietta spend time at their homes in Ohio and South Florida. Their family includes sons, Carl and Eric; a daughter, Debbie; and five grandchildren.

Don King

Fact Sheet


World-renowned promoter of boxing luminaries including Muhammad Ali, “Smokin’” Joe Frazier, “Big” George Foreman, Larry ‘The Easton Assassin” Holmes, “Iron” Mike Tyson, “Sugar” Ray Leonard, Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez, Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins, Ricardo “Finito” Lopez, Salvador Sanchez and Wilfredo Gomez, to name a few.

· Promoter of over 500 world championship fights—so far. Nearly 100 boxers have earned $1 million or more in Don King Productions-promoted fights—so far.

· Don King Productions 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: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995; and Bruno vs. Tyson, 1.4 million buys, March 1996.

· Don King Productions holds the distinction of having 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; Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995; and De La Hoya vs. Trinidad, paid attendance: 11,184, gross: $12,949,500, date: Sept. 18, 1999. (Second-most pay-per-view buys for non-heavyweight fight, 1.4 million.)

· His first boxing promotion is staged on Aug. 28, 1972, a charity event featuring Muhammad Ali for Forest City Hospital in his hometown of Cleveland, becomes the second-largest gross in history for a boxing exhibition ($80,000).

· First to guarantee the then unprecedented amount of $10 million, split between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman to participate in the classic Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire, Africa, on Oct. 30, 1974. This prizefight also holds the distinction of being the first television boxing event to be viewed by one billion people worldwide.

· First to receive $1 million to deliver a prime-time network television match for Muhammad Ali vs. Ron Lyle on May 16, 1975.

· Promoted the classic third and final epic battle between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier known as the Thrilla in Manila viewed by over one billion people worldwide on Oct. 1, 1975.

· First promoter to sell a fight for $2 million to a network featuring heavyweight contenders when Ken Norton faced Jimmy Young on ABC at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 5, 1977.

· First promoter to sell Home Box Office a heavyweight world-title fight telecast for I Love New York featuring Larry Holmes vs. Mike Weaver at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 22, 1979. He declined an $800,000 bid from ABC in favor of HBO for $125,000.

· Promoter of The Last Hurrah featuring Larry Holmes vs. Muhammad Ali, which produced the then-largest live gate in history, $6 million, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on Oct. 2, 1980.

· First promoter to guarantee a boxer $10 million when he paid that amount to Sugar Ray Leonard to face Roberto Duran at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada, on June 20, 1980.

· First promoter to guarantee $1 million fight purses to featherweights when Salvador Sanchez met Wilfredo Gomez at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on Aug. 21, 1981. It took 13 years for another boxing promoter to match this feat.


· Promoter of The Pride and the Glory featuring Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney, which produced the then-largest live gate in history, $8 million, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on June 11, 1982. This event also holds the distinction for the then-highest amount paid for a tape-delayed re-broadcast of a boxing match, $3 million, by ABC.

· Promoted an unprecedented 13 world champions, exclusively, and was the first promoter to stage 23 world championship fights in the same year—1982.

· First promoter to sell Home Box Office a fight for $2 million for Michael “Dynamite” Dokes vs. Mike Weaver at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on Dec. 10, 1982.

· First promoter to establish his own television network, the Don King Sports and Entertainment Network, in 1982.

· First and only promoter to place two world-heavyweight title bouts on the same card during The Crown Affair, which pitted Larry Holmes against Tim Witherspoon for the World Boxing Council title as well as the second clash between Michael Dokes and Mike Weaver for the World Boxing Association championship in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 20, 1983. First promoter to sell a package to these three television entities: closed circuit, pay television and network television.

· Promoter of the Jackson Five’s Jacksons Victory Tour in 1984. This worldwide mega-event grossed $150 million. Don King then brokered an enormous product-endorsement deal on behalf of Michael Jackson to appear in a series of television commercials for Pepsi-Cola.

· Sold Home Box Office a $26 million heavyweight elimination series in 1986, which resulted in Mike Tyson being crowned the fist undisputed heavyweight champion since Muhammad Ali.

· First promoter to stage 25 world-title bouts in one year, 1986, breaking his record of 23 set in 1982. Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1986.

· Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1987.

· Promoter of Once and for All featuring Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks, which became the then-highest-grossing event in history exceeding $13 million at the Trump Plaza Convention Center in Atlantic City, N.J., on June 27, 1988. The fight also held the distinction for the then-largest single payday in history with Mike Tyson receiving an estimated $22 million and Leon Spinks $13.5 million.

· Promoter of Ultimate Glory between legendary Mexican champion Julio Cesar Chavez and Hector “Macho” Camacho, which became the then-highest-grossing non-heavyweight fight in history and fastest sellout in the history of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sept. 12, 1992.

· Promoter of the Grand Slam of Boxing featuring four world championship bouts headlined by Julio Cesar Chavez facing Greg Haugen, which holds the record for largest in-person paid attendance in boxing history with 132,274 people packed into Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, on Feb 20, 1993. (This broke the previous record held by Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney for their fight in Philadelphia, Pa., on Sept. 23, 1926.)

· Promoter of The Fight between Pernell Whitaker and Julio Cesar Chavez attended by 59,995 (the second-highest attendance ever for an indoor bout) at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Tex., on Sept. 10, 1993, which becomes the then-highest-grossing non-heavyweight match in history—breaking his own record for the third time in less than a year. Pay-per-view audience tops 1 million buys.

· Co-promoted Judgment Day between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank for Benn’s WBC super middleweight title, which set the record for highest attendance for a British boxing match, 47,000, on the grounds of the Manchester United Club at Old Trafford Stadium on Oct. 9, 1993.

· Promoter of Explosive Fury: Battle in Puebla featuring Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Andy Holligan, which draws 45,000 people in Puebla, Mexico, on Dec. 18, 1993.

· Promoted, for the second time in his career, more than 20 world-title fights in one calendar year: 22 in 1993. Named Promoter of the Century by the World Boxing Association for 1993.

· First and only promoter to put five world championships on one card—and he did it not once but four times in just over one year: Global Warfare II in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 18, 1994; Revenge… The Rematches in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 7, 1994 (Frankie Randall v Julio Cesar Chavez II; Gerald McClellan v Julian Jackson II; Simon Brown v Terry Norris II & Azumah Nelson v Jessie James Leija II); The Real Thing in the Bull Ring at the Plaza de Toros in Mexico City on Nov. 12, 1994; and Burden of Proof at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 8, 1995.

· First and only promoter to ever hold six world-title fights on the same card—and he did it twice in one year: Judgment Day in Monterrey on Dec. 10, 1994, in Mexico and Unfinished Business on Sept. 17, 1994, in Las Vegas, Nev.

· Promoted an incredible 47 world championship fights in 1994—shattering his previous record of 25 title bouts in 1986. Named Greatest Promoter of All Time by the World Boxing Council in 1994. Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1994.

· Only boxing promoter named to Sports Illustrated’s 40 Most Influential Sports Figures of the Last 40 Years in 1994.

· Promoter of He’s Back featuring Mike Tyson vs. Peter McNeeley, which became the then-highest-grossing event in history, $13,965,500, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on Aug. 19, 1995. Also marked the first time a boxer (Mike Tyson) received $25 million for a 10-round fight.

· Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1995.

· First promoter to pay $30 million to a boxer when Mike Tyson received that amount to face World Boxing Council champion Frank Bruno in The Championship Part 1 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 16, 1996.

· Promoter of Finally featuring Mike Tyson vs. Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, which became the then-highest-grossing event, $14,150,700, in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 9, 1996. It also became the then-most-watched pay-per-view event in history with 1.6 million buys. The match was seen around the world in more than 100 countries—shattering all previous boxing-event viewership records.

· Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1996.

· Named Promoter of the Decade by the International Boxing Federation in 1996.

· Paid Mike Tyson more than any other athlete in history—$120 million—during the 15 months between Aug. 19, 1995, and Nov. 9, 1996, to face the following opponents: Peter McNeeley, $25 million, Las Vegas, Nev., Aug. 19, 1995; Buster Mathis Jr., $10 million, Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 16, 1995; Frank Bruno, $30 million, Las Vegas, Nev., March 16, 1996; Bruce Seldon, $25 million, Las Vegas, Nev., Sept. 7, 1996; and Evander Holyfield, $30 million, Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 9, 1996.



· Promoter of The Sound and the Fury featuring the second pairing of Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield and Mike Tyson, which grossed more than its predecessor to become the then-highest-grossing event in history, $14,277,200, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on June 28, 1997. This event also eclipsed its predecessor to become the most-watched pay-per-view event in history with 1.95 million buys.

· First promoter inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y., in 1997. Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1997.

· Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1998.

· Three streets in Newark, N.J., Irvington, N.J., and Orange, N.J. re-named Don King Plaza in September 1998 in recognition of King’s decades-long business and philanthropic efforts in the state of New Jersey.

· Promoter of Kings’ Crowning Glory… The Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship between Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, which holds the record highest-grossing event ever in Madison Square Garden history and New York state history at $11,425,494 on March 13, 1999. It also holds the record for the fastest sellout for a boxing event in MSG history.

· Co-promoted the Fight of the Millennium between Oscar De La Hoya and Felix “Tito” Trinidad Jr., which holds the record for highest-grossing non-heavyweight fight, $12,949,500, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sept. 18, 1999. This match also holds the record for most-watched non-heavyweight pay-per-view event in history at 1.4 million buys.

· Promoted Unfinished Business… Search for the Truth re-match between Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, which holds the record for largest gross in history at, $16,860,300—the event sold out in 90 minutes—at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 13, 1999.

· Named Promoter of the Millennium by the World Boxing Association in 1999.

· Named Promoter of the Year for the year 1999 by www.SecondsOut.com

· First promoter to host a boxing card at the AmericanAirlines Arena with Glory & Adventure: A Tale of Two Cities featuring Felix “Tito” Trinidad vs. Mammadou Thiam on July 22, 2000. The 12,506 paid spectators contributed to a gross of over $1.2 million.
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· Promoted Forces of Destruction featuring Felix “Tito” Trinidad vs. “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Dec. 2, 2000. An epic battle that included six knockdowns, Trinidad emerged victorious with a knockout in the final round, which garnered him Fighter of the Year and Fight of the Year honors. Holds record for eighth-largest live-gate gross in the history of the state of Nevada.

· Promoted The Middleweight World Championship Series to determine the first undisputed 160-pound champion since Marvelous Marvin Hagler held that distinction from 1980 through 1987. Longtime International Boxing Federation middleweight champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins outpointed World Boxing Council middleweight champion Keith Holmes in The Theater at Madison Square Garden on April 14, 2001, to advance to the championship round. WBA and IBF 154-pound champion Felix “Tito” Trinidad left his 154-pound titles behind to enter the 160-pound fray and defeated two-time World Boxing Association middleweight champion William Joppy by technical knockout in front of 18,235 fans that comprised the fourth-largest live-gate gross in Madison Square Garden boxing history on May 12, 2001. In the MWCS finale, Hopkins dominated the previously undefeated Trinidad and won the tournament with a dramatic final-round TKO in front of 19,075 fans that comprised the second-largest live-gate gross in Madison Square Garden boxing history on Sept. 29, 2001.

· Promoted Cory Spinks vs. Zab Judah II: Arch Rivals… Meet Me in St. Louis, which boasted the second-largest attendance for a boxing match at an indoor arena in history when 22,370 patrons sold out the Savvis Center in advance to witness Zab Judah knock out Cory Spinks in the ninth round to become the undisputed world welterweight champion on Feb. 5, 2005.

· Block of Mississippi Ave. in Atlantic City, N.J., where it meets the famed Boardwalk (adjacent to the former Atlantic City Convention Center know known as Boardwalk Hall), is re-named Don King Plaza on March 13, 2006. King was recognized “for his tireless commitment to establish Atlantic City as one of the great resort destinations of the world.” Unveiling ceremony attended by Don King, Atlantic City Mayor Robert Levy and New Jersey Athletic Commissioner Larry Hazzard. Bally’s President Ken Condon served as Master of Ceremonies.

Facts and biography provided by DKP PR and Press Release NABJ, photos KMPR
For more information contact:
Alan Hopper or Bob Goodman
Don King Productions Public Relations
National Association of Black Journalist