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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

SecondsOut Radio: Kelly Pavlik, Jermain Taylor, Ozell Nelson, More on Women's Boxing‏


SecondsOut Radio: Kelly Pavlik, Jermain Taylor, Ozell Nelson, More onWomen's Boxing On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio, at http://www.secondsout.com/radio/,host Eddie Goldman begins by reviewing some important fights of the past week.
Discussed are the successful defense by Holly Holm of her IFBA welterweight title over Belinda Laracuente, the entertaining draw between Chevelle Hallback and Melissa Hernandez for the still-vacantIFBA lightweight title, and the surprising upset by Carlos Quintana over the previously-unbeaten Paul Williams by unanimous decision to capture his WBO welterweight title.
We next focus on a highly-anticipated rematch coming up this Saturday,February 16, Las Vegas. When Jermain Taylor, then undefeated and themiddleweight champion of the world, first fought Kelly Pavlik last Sept. 29 in Atlantic City, he was a clear favorite going into that bout. Taylor hurt and dropped Pavlik in the second round of that fight, but could not finish him. Pavlik regrouped and went on to drop,and stop, Taylor in the seventh round, winning the fight and the title with a thunderous TKO.
Now the rematch is at hand, although it will be at a catch weight of166 pounds and not for the middleweight title. Still, the legacy ofboth men is on the line, and the future of their careers will be in large part determined by the outcome of this fight, as they each vowto be the decisive winner this time out.
At a prefight news conference in New York, we spoke with the middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs) about this rematch. We spoke with Jermain Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KOs) on a media tele conference call about his approach to this fight.
And we spoke with Taylor's trainer, Ozell Nelson, about what changes their team plans to make in this rematch with Pavlik, and about Taylor's engaging manner. This fight will be telecast in the U.S. on HBO Pay-Per-View. 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 JOHNSON, RAY “BOOM BOOM” MANCINI, LUC ROBITAILLE AND JOSE SANTOS HEADLINE SUPERSTAR HONOREES AT 17TH ANNUAL SPORTS LEGENDS AWARDS

Public Invited to Spinal Cord Research Benefit Dinner on Saturday, February 23
Downtown Los Angeles, For The Paralysis Project of America

Traditional Memorabilia Auction Expanded To Feature 10-Day Online Bidding Opportunities Beginning Tuesday, February 12 at http://www.paralysisproject.cmarket.com/

LOS ANGELES– Basketball’s Kevin Johnson, boxing’s Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, hockey’s Luc Robitaille and thoroughbred racing’s Jose Santos will return to the limelight on Saturday, Feb. 23, when these memorable sports superstars are honored and their spectacular careers celebrated at the 17th Annual Sports Legends Awards at The Omni Hotel in Los Angeles. Johnson will be presented with the annual John R. Wooden Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Paralysis Project of America’s annual awards ceremony, benefiting spinal cord research, is open to the public. Serving as the event’s emcee will be veteran sportscaster and sportswriter Diana Nyad, a Hall of Fame distance swimming standout in her own right, who was an honoree in 2007.

Also being honored will be Hall of Fame motocross champion and ESPN Supercross analyst David Bailey, who will receive the 2008 Bill Shoemaker Award for media awareness of the spinal cord injured and for his public advocacy for a revolutionary new safety device to be worn by motocross racers – the Leatt Brace.

Tipping off the evening’s festivities at 5:45 p.m. is a reception, featuring autograph opportunities with current and former Sports Legend Award honorees, as well as a sports memorabilia auction and Diamond Bar and Big Screen TV raffle. The dinner begins at 7 p.m., followed immediately by the Sports Legends Awards presentation at 8 p.m.

For the first time in the event’s 17-year history, bidding in the sports and entertainment memorabilia auction officially begins with an Online Auction running Tuesday, Feb. 12 (5 a.m. PT) through Thursday, Feb. 21 (5 p.m. PT) at http://www.paralysisproject.cmarket.com/. It concludes with the Live Event at the Sports Legends Awards ceremony between 5:45-8 p.m. PT on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Sports Legends Awards honorees are selected annually for their contributions to sports by The Paralysis Project of America’s Business and Sports Councils. Headed by co-chairmen Bob Seagren and Gary Stevens, the Sports Council includes former Sports Legends Award winners Pepper Davis, Jim Hill, Rafer Johnson, Jim Knaub, Jack Kramer, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Joe Morgan, Don Newcombe, Bill Sharman, Al Unser, Rogie Vachon, Jamaal Wilkes and John R. Wooden.

“The 2008 class of Sports Legends are superstar athletes who continue to display the heart of a champion,” says Catherine Lepone, executive director of The Paralysis Project of America. “Their participation is a tribute to those who have suffered a life-altering injury that challenges their ability to walk or compete in sports activities as they once did.”

“This year’s honorees are not only sports heroes but outstanding citizens, and we’re extremely thrilled that the public will have a tremendous opportunity to meet and mingle with their favorite sports greats during our 17th Annual event,” says David G. Geffen, president of The Paralysis Project of America Board of Directors.

“We’re also opening up our sports and entertainment memorabilia auction to a wider online audience beginning February 12,” Geffen adds. “We’ll have a wide collection of memorabilia available at http://www.paralysisproject.cmarket.com/, and all proceeds from the auction will continue to directly support important fund raising efforts for spinal cord research.”

A few of this year’s Sports Legends auction items will include: an exclusive two-ticket package to the IRL’s 2008 Indianapolis 500 that includes two Gasoline Alley pit passes and lodging donated by former Sports Legends honoree Andy Granatelli, as well as numerous group ticket and luxury box packages for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Kings, L.A. Avengers and L.A. Galaxy. Tickets to the 2008 Prime Time Emmy Awards also will be on the auction block.

2008 Sports Legends Awards Honorees

Johnson, born in Sacramento, Calif., broke the school scoring record at the University of California, Berkley, en route to his selection in the 1987 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. After one season, “KJ” was traded to the Phoenix Suns where he spent the remaining 12 seasons of his illustrious NBA career. The 6-1 point guard became a three-time NBA All-Star, four-time NBA All-Pro and Most Improved Player (1989), as well as a gold medalist on the U.S. World Championship team in 1994. He posted a career average of 17.9 points and 9.1 assists per game, and retired in 2000 as one of only four players in NBA history to average 20 points and 10 assists per game in three different seasons. During his 13-year NBA career he compiled 6,711 assists, but that total has been far surpassed off the hardwood thanks to his generous commitment to the well being, education and future of young people. While competing in his third NBA season, Johnson created the faith-based St. HOPE Foundation (www.sthope.com), an organization to assist the inner-city community of Oak Park in his hometown of Sacramento. Today, St. Hope serves more than 2000 children, and in the last 15 years has been responsible for renovating nine buildings, providing 282 jobs through 14 new businesses, and opening multiple charter schools with a total of more than $11 million in development.

Mancini, from of Youngstown, Ohio, followed in the footsteps of father Lenny, a 1940s lightweight boxing contender. A former Junior Olympian and successful amateur with a 43-7 record and 23 knock outs, Mancini entered the professional ranks at 18, when he won his first fight, knocking out Phil Bowen in the first round on Oct. 18, 1979. His all-out offensive fighting style and quick and decisive knockouts led to his “Boom Boom” nickname, and also caught the attention of major television networks where his career was heavily featured. In 1981 he won the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Lightweight Championship belt from Jorge Morales, and a year later he captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) Lightweight Championship from Art Frias. Mancini retained the WBA title until 1984, when he was upset by Livingstone Bramble. He also lost the rematch in 1985. He retired from the ring in 1993 with a professional record of 295-5 with 23 KOs. At the height of his ‘80s success, Mancini parlayed his notoriety into an acting career, which he immersed himself in during and after his retirement, including appearances in numerous television shows and films, as well a producing credits for films such as “Turn of Faith” (2001).

Robitaille, a native of Montreal, Québec, and current Los Angeles resident, ranks as the highest scoring left wing in National Hockey League (NHL) history and the all-time Los Angeles Kings leader in goals scored. A future member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and an eight-time All Star, Robitaille retired following the 2006-07 season as one of the greatest players in NHL history after a 19-year professional career, compiling 1,394 points (668 goals, 726 assists) in 1431 career regular season games with the Kings, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins. In 159 playoff games, including a run to the 2002 Stanley Cup with the Red Wings, he totaled 127 points with 58 goals and 69 assists. Originally drafted by the Kings in 1984, Robitaille became the first King to win the Calder Cup Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year, and later joined legendary Wayne Gretzky in leading the Kings to the club’s first Stanley Cup Finals in 1993. That season, Robitaille served as captain and set league single-season records for most goals (63) and points (125) by a left wing, marks that still stand. With 14 of his 19 seasons spent in a Kings uniform, his popular No. 20 jersey became only the fifth to be retired in club history on Jan. 20, 2007. Currently, he serving in his first season as L.A. Kings President, Business Operations, and along with his family, recently created the Shelter for Serenity, a disaster relief project that benefits victims of the Gulf Coast hurricanes (http://www.shelterforserenity.org/).

Santos, a current Florida resident, first raced horses at Club Hipico de Concepcíon at age 14 in his native Chile, before moving to the United States in 1984 at age 23 where his career blossomed. He became the top money-winning jockey four consecutive years between 1986 and 1989, winning the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 1988. He is a seven-time winner of Breeders’ Cup races and was victorious in the 1999 Belmont Stakes aboard Lemon Drop Kid, leading to his selection by his peers as the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award recipient. In 2003, Santos nearly pulled off the coveted Triple Crown, riding Funny Cide to wins at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes but finishing third in the Belmont Stakes. Santos’ career ended in 2007 in a three-horse racing accident in New York’s Aqueduct Racetrack that resulted in five broken vertebrae, a broken sternum and several broken ribs. Although he had designs on a return to racing later that year, doctors persuaded him to retire, which he did on July 30, 2007. A week later he was inducted into the Racing Museum’s Hall of Fame, after compiling career totals of 25,928 mounts, 4,083 wins and earning of $188,561,787, ranking him No. 11 on the all-time jockey rankings list.

Bailey, a native of San Diego, is the step-son of former professional motocross standout Gary “The Professor” Bailey. Turning pro in 1979, the 18-year-old Bailey rapidly became one of the leading young motocross riders and eventually earned a factory sponsorship by Honda for the 1982 season. In 1983, he captured his first American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) national victory in the Anaheim Supercross, and went on to win the AMA Supercross and AMA 250 National Motocross titles. The 1986 season marked the best of his career, when he competed in three series, Supercross, 250cc and 500cc motocross, winning 500cc series and finishing runner up in the other two. Tragically, his career was cut short when he crashed in a practice session in Lake Huron, Calif., just before the start of the 1987 season. The accident left Bailey with significant spinal cord damage, and he became paralyzed from the waist down. He withdrew from the industry and sport he loved for seven years before re-emerging in 1994 as a supercross commentator for ESPN. In 1999, Bailey was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Today, he continues his role as a TV broadcaster, and also serves as the spokesperson of the Full Circle Foundation (www.fullcirclefoundation.com), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping others with spinal cord injuries and contribute to finding a cure. For the past year, Bailey also has made a passionate plea to the top riders in the sport of motocross to start wearing the Leatt Brace, worn around the neck and shoulder to reduce the range of motion in the neck that a rider may endure during a severe crash. The goal of this device is to reduce the amount of paralyzing injuries that have seemed to have surged in recent years.

Nyad, a graduate of Lake Forest College and 2007 Sports Legends honoree, was arguably considered the greatest long-distance swimmer in the world for 10 years (from 1969-1979). In 1979, she stroked the longest swim in history, making the two-day, non-stop, 102.5 mile journey from the Island of Bimini (Bahamas) to Florida in a world record that still stands today. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1986, the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2003, and the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. In the 1980's, Nyad embarked upon an illustrious career in television, radio, and print. She has served as a senior correspondent for Fox Sports News, hosted her own show on CNBC, and announced numerous sporting events for ABC Sports including three Olympic Games.

Complete ticket information for the 17th Annual Sports Legends Awards can be obtained by contacting Nicole Levitt of the Wide Angle Group at (310) 397-9267.

Net proceeds benefit The Paralysis Project of America (http://www.paralysisproject.org/), founded by the parents of young people paralyzed by spinal cord injury, along with others dedicated to finding the ultimate cure for paralysis.
CONTACT:Barry Smith/Alyshia Kisor/ Bonnie Winings SWPR Group, Inc.

ROCKY MARTINEZ AND MIKE GARCIA TO BE HONORED IN CHICAGO ON FRIDAY NIGHT‏

As part of their 10 year anniversary, Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, has announced plans to honor Rocky Martinez and Mike “FLY” Garcia this Friday night, February 15th at Cicero Stadium with both being inducted into the 8 Count Productions Hall of Fame as part of the CELEBRATION boxing event.

Said Pesoli, “Rocky and Mike have been members of the 8 Count family right from the start as both appeared on our first card, February 20, 1998 at the Park West Theater. While both are now retired, they have stayed very active with 8 Count and Chicago boxing and have always been true credits to the sport.

With the ten year anniversary we wanted to start our Hall of Fame and were honored to begin with these most worthy inductees. Given the popularity Rocky and Mike have always had and the terrific fights on this card, we're expecting a huge crowd for this event and I'd encourage fans to obtain tickets in advance."

Born in Acapulco, Mexico, Rocky Martinez was a three time world title challenger who was not only incredibly popular in Chicago but also fought in high profile fights all over the world. His colorful career included battles in South Africa, France, Puerto Rico, England, Germany and Denmark, but he always maintained a huge, loyal following in Chicago.

Martinez’s crowd pleasing style was a throwback to earlier times in the sport as he was a tough, skilled warrior who would fight anyone, anywhere. Martinez finished his illustrious and memorable thirteen year career in April 2005 with a record of 40-12-1 (20KO’s)

Mike “FLY” Garcia was a highly skilled featherweight contender whose career was cut short due to elbow injuries. Starting with his pro debut in October 1992, Garcia consistently thrilled the Chicagoland fight crowds with his world class skills and fast, heavy hands.

On the first 8 Count Productions card, Garcia highlighted the event by defeating Carmelo Negron, winning a ten round unanimous decision while capturing the Illinois State Super Featherweight title.

Since he retired, Garcia has become a much sought after trainer, counting WBC Lightweight Champion David Diaz, heavyweight contender Mike Mollo, UFC star Andrei Arlovski, International Fight League’s Mike Miller, NBA star turned professional boxer Kendall Gill and boxing prospects such as Ivan Popoca amongst his clients, along with a host of amateur and white collar boxers at JABB Boxing Gym.

Garcia’s six year career ended with a record of 26-0 with eighteen knockouts.

CELEBRATION, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing, presented by 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated is headlined by an outstanding battle between junior welterweight prospects Mike Alvarado and Jesus “CHUY” Rodriguez.

Tickets for CELEBRATION are available in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions offices at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.

The full fight card for CELEBRATION is;

Mike Alvarado vs. Jesus Rodriguez, ten rounds, junior welterweights
Alejandro Perez vs. Torrence Daniels, eight rounds, super bantamweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. Andre Wilson, eight rounds, bantamweights
Andrzej Fonfara vs. Francisco Rincon, six rounds, junior middleweights
Freddie Cuevas vs. Luis Hodge, six rounds, middleweights
Ivan Popoca vs. Guadalupe Diaz, four rounds, junior welterweights

The open to the public weigh-in will be held at 7pm on Thursday, February 14th at Club Aquarius, 2459 N. Pulaski on the Northwest side of Chicago.

Along with Chicago’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, CELEBRATION is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico, Mexico’s premier airline travel headquarters. The SOLO BOXEO TECATE broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.

The Master of Ceremonies for CELEBRATION will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.

8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.

To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit http://www.8countproductions.com/ and http://www.jabbboxinggym.com/

For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit.
http://www.toprank.com/

CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998

Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions

Teddy Atlas Foundation Sponsors Golden Gloves

New York— The best in amateur boxing comes to Staten Island when The Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation sponsors a Daily News Golden Gloves boxing competition on Wednesday, February 13 at the Petrides School (715 Ocean Terrace). Atlas Foundation creator and ESPN2 Friday Night Fights analyst Teddy Atlas will be joined by former world heavyweight champion Michael Moorer and members of the New York Jets. Tickets are limited for this event and are priced at $50 and $20. For tickets and more information call 973-733-1585 or visit http://www.dratlasfoundation.com/. All ticket proceeds go to charity. Doors open at 6:30 PM with the first bell at 7:30 PM.
The mission of the Atlas Foundation is the awarding of scholarships and grants to worthy individuals and organizations based upon scholastic potential, community service, athletic achievement and economic need. Since it's inception in 1997, the Foundation, thanks to the generosity of its supporters, has been able to give in excess of $1,000,000.00 to worthy causes.

SHOWTIME SPORTS DEBUTS UNIQUE SHORT-FORM PROGRAMS

NEW YORK— SHOWTIME recently unveiled two unique short-form series in support of its live sports telecasts. Entitled Goldberg Toe-to-Toe (EliteXC/MMA) and All Access (boxing), the five-minute documentary-style episodes are available to viewers via a variety of media outlets, such as news, sports, entertainment and pop-culture websites, http://www.sho.com/, user generated websites such as YouTube, and interstitially on SHOWTIME and its multiplexes.

“We want to reach fans in a unique and compelling way,” said Ken Hershman, senior vice president and general manager, SHOWTIME Sports and Event Programming. “By creating these short-form programs and making them available across multiple media platforms, we are making it easier for fans to go where they have never been able to go before. Our viewers can now become the proverbial ‘fly on the wall’ as the athletes attend press conferences, go through training camp and participate in many other activities in the build-up to their events.”

Internet phenomenon Kimbo Slice is preparing to take on MMA legend and feared knockout artist Tank Abbott this Saturday, Feb. 16, on SHOWTIME (live at 10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). The first installment of Goldberg Toe-to-Toe follows Bill Goldberg, a former NFL football player and wrestling superstar, as he joins Kimbo for a full-day workout at Bas Rutten’s gym in Los Angeles. Tune in to see if Goldberg, now a SHOWTIME and EliteXC analyst, can keep up.

Goldberg Toe-To-Toe with Kimbo Slice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1C39PCW1Ls
All Access: Vazquez vs. Marquez III takes a behind-the-scenes look at Israel Vazquez’ and Rafael Marquez’ preparations for their third and deciding fight. From the kick-off press conference in Los Angeles to the fighters training camps and the gates of The Home Depot Center, All Access: Vazquez vs. Marquez III brings viewers into the gyms, homes and the hearts and minds of champions.

The first of the four-part short-form series debuted last week and is currently available at a variety of outlets. The remaining three episodes will debut on consecutive Thursdays leading up to the fight, with the final installment premiering on Tuesday, Feb. 26, online and on SHOWTIME.

All Access: Vazquez vs. Marquez III: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_9LDqK1jhw The first two fights were heralded as old school, classic give-and-take slugfests, with the second scrap capturing Fight of the Year honors from the most respected media outlets in boxing. Now, Vazquez and Marquez are set to battle for the World Boxing Council (WBC) 122-pound title, The Ring Magazine belt and super bantamweight supremacy in the third and final chapter of boxing’s best rivalry in years. Vazquez vs. Marquez III will air live on SHOWTIME, Saturday, March 1, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® ON DEMAND. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

MORE POPULAR THAN SLICED BREAD? KIMBO Gets Long Awaited Showdown with TANK ABBOTT The Slugfest Highlights EliteXC’s “Street Certified” Live MMA Event

LOS ANGELES– Are you ready for some February Fireworks? The Street Fight of the Year will take place inside a cage.

In what will be a thrilling heavyweight brawl and South Florida homecoming, the incredibly popular Kimbo Slice (1-0) of Miami will face hard-hitting David “Tank’’ Abbott (9-13) in the main event of “Street Certified” on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.



Tickets for a spectacular 10-bout event, presented by Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s EliteXC, start at $35 and are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and at the BankUnited Box Office at the University of Miami. Doors open at 7 p.m. The first live fight is at 7:30.

SHOWTIME will televise five fights including the Kimbo-Tank showdown live at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), while five non-televised undercard matches will be streamed live on the leading MMA internet site, ProElite.com

“There are a lot of fans who’ve waited a long time for two legendary, slugging fighters who built their reputations as street brawlers before turning to mixed martial arts to get it on, and EliteXC is proud to be the ones who finally were able to make it happen,” EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw said.

“I’d hate for longtime, hardcore MMA fans not to get to see the Kimbo-Tank fight come off. It is going to be as thrilling a fight as one can be for as long as it lasts. It may not be fun for one of the fighters, but, from a fans’ point of view, Kimbo versus Tank was a long time coming and sure will be fun to watch.

“From top to bottom, this card is stacked. All the fights are competitive, non-stop action fights with no clear-cut winners. It is what EliteXC is all about. We expect to sell out the BankUnited Center and look forward to putting on a great show for those in attendance and those tuning in on SHOWTIME.”

In addition to Kimbo-Tank, the SHOWTIME telecast will include: Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (9-1), a highly touted Brazilian who lives in Coconut Creek, Fla., and is considered one of the world’s top heavyweights, versus tough contender Ricco Rodriguez (27-7), of Staten Island, N.Y., England's James “The Colossus” Thompson (16-7) battles unbeaten Brett Rogers (7-0) of St. Paul, Minn., in a heavyweight match, Australian Kyle “The Ozzie” Noke (14-3-1), the bodyguard of the late Steve “Crocodile Hunter’’ Irwin, meets Scott “Hands Of Stone’’ Smith (14-4), of Sacramento, Calif., in a compelling contest at 185 pounds; and Edson “Little Tiger” Berto (14-4-1), of Tampa, Fla., faces Yves Edwards (32-13-1) of Conroe, Tex., in a scrap at 160 pounds.

A non-televised undercard, which will be streamed live at ProElite.com, will include: Rafael Feijao (4-1), of Brazil, vs. John Doyle (6-2), of Allentown, Pa., at 205 pounds; Mike Bernhard (3-0), of Miami, vs. Lorenzo Borgameo (2-0), of Miami, at 170; Eric Bradley (2-1), of Las Vegas, Nev., vs. Mikey Gomez (6-3), of Orlando, Fla., at 170; Mario Rinaldi (6-2), of Miami, vs. Dave Herman (9-0) of Indiana at 265; and Jon Kirk (10-2), of Houston, vs. Yosmany Cabezas (4-0), of Tampa, Fla., at 185 pounds.
Fighter pages (non-televised bouts): Borgameo (http://lorenzoborgame.proelite.com/), Bernhard (http://mikebernhard.proelite.com/), Bradley (http://ericbradley.proelite.com/), Gomez (http://mikeygomez.proelite.com/), Rinaldi (http://mariorinaldi.proelite.com/), Herman (http://daveherman.proelite.com/), Kirk (http://jonkirk.proelite.com/), Cabezas (http://yosmanycabezas.proelite.com/), Feijao (http://rafaelfeijao.proelite.com/), Doyle (http://johndoyle.proelite.com/).
In addition to the fights being streamed live, fans can watch pre- and post-fight interviews on ProElite.com. The 10 contests are scheduled for three, 5-minute rounds.
For Kimbo (http://kimboslice.proelite.com/), the back-yard brawling street fighter and Internet superstar legend formerly known as Kevin Ferguson, his second MMA start will be a home game.

“I’m looking forward to fighting in Miami, but I just like to fight,” said Kimbo, a natural athlete and star football player in high school. “With these hands I can part the sea. With these hands I feed the family.”

Kimbo grew up bashing the neighborhood bullies in Perrine, Fla., near Miami, which may help explain why he brings the same fervor and edge-of-your-seat anticipation into a cage as Mike Tyson brought to the ring in professional boxing.

Yet, if one can get past the mean, scary, intimidating looks, Kimbo is truly a shy, brutally-honest, funny, marketable man and devout father of six. “I am what I am,” said Kimbo, 33, who was offered an academic scholarship to the University of Miami.

“I’ve learned a lot. There is a time and place for everything.’’

Kimbo, whose YouTube video-taped fights have been downloaded millions of times and made him one of the most popular, widely-recognized figures in the history of the Internet, made a successful transition from Street To Elite by scoring a smashing, electrifying 19-second, first-round knockout over Bo Cantrell in his MMA debut on Nov. 10, 2007, at Corpus Christi, Tex., on SHOWTIME.

Kimbo possesses excellent striking skills. He is a well-conditioned power puncher who comes to war. Yet his ground game is underrated -- he just didn’t get the chance to illustrate it during his abbreviated match against Cantrell.

“It’s all good,” said Kimbo, who’s going from the small screen of a computer to the big screen of television for a second time. “But I hope I get a chance to show more of my overall skills in this fight, but you never know. At some point, you’ll see I have a ground game to go along with my standup.’’

A sign of the times, perhaps, Kimbo could be the first superstar athlete to get his start in any professional sport after making a name for himself via the Internet. Outside the cage his career has been on the rise since his memorable EliteXC and SHOWTIME fight, and he is more in demand than ever.

Kimbo was on Jimmy Kimmel Live in early February and ESPN’s “E:60” featured him on a program that aired in December. In an interview during the ESPN segment, Tito Ortiz downplayed Kimbo’s ability, which prompted Shaw to call out Ortiz.

“Any time someone talks either on TV or to a reporter and demeans a fighter or says ‘let's bring it on,’ I'm willing to do the fight,’’ said Shaw, who’s also one of the leading boxing promoters in the world. “Kimbo would get into the cage with Tito Ortiz any day and would probably knock him out.’’
Ortiz or not, Kimbo is a legitimate force to be reckoned with in ‘08. His goal is to become EliteXC world heavyweight champ. “I have dedicated myself to this and train very hard,’’ he said. “When the time comes to fight for the title, I’ll be ready. You know, though, I feel ready now. I’ll fight anybody.’’
Tank (http://tankabbott.proelite.com/) hails from Surf City (Huntington Beach, Calif.), but he is no beach boy. In fact, this rough, tough dude does not ride waves -- he makes them. Throughout his career, fans either loved him or detested him because of the reckless way he would attack an opponent or the disdain he would show toward them.

A bad boy with hands that could crush any foe, Tank is a notorious trash-talker that fights with a fury and intensity that has made him an MMA mainstay for many years. No stranger to the big stage or fighting in an opponent’s backyard, the experienced veteran will empty his tank and give it all he's got.

His nickname tells all: Like a tank, Abbott is designed to engage enemies head-on, using direct two-fisted fire from, in his case, his fists. Be assured a guy that can bench press 600 pounds and competes with a total disregard for his opponents will not respect a fighter with one fight -- no matter his reputation.

A true icon of MMA and one of the individuals who helped usher the sport into the mainstream, Abbott does not pull punches – or words – and has long claimed he could put a beating on the massive Slice. Now, a fighter known for being very blunt and telling it like it is will get his opportunity.
“If Kimbo thinks he’s just going to come in and overwhelm me, throw a few punches and knock me out, he is dead wrong,’’ said Tank, who is infamous for his 'fight anyone anywhere mentality' and has called out Kimbo numerous times. “People think I’ll be gassed after a few punches and just fall down.
“Everyone is in for a big surprise. This is going to be a fun night for everybody, but especially for me. I’m looking forward to Feb. 16. Once I land – and I will land – you will see what I’m talking about.
Some may say the free swinging Tank possesses more name value than game value these days, but he certainly doesn’t lack confidence. “Watch the YouTube star go down the tubes,’’ the striker supreme said. “I don’t respect anybody in the cage. On Feb. 16, watch the way the Kimbo crumbles.’’
Silva (http://antoniosilva.proelite.com/), who has won all nine of his bouts in the opening round, is making his second start since dropping down after competing as a 300-pound super heavyweight.
A rising star, it is Silva’s his first crack at a “name’’ heavyweight and his shot to prove he’s No. 1 in his weight class in EliteXC. In his last outing and first in nine months -- a trimmed-down, 265-pound Silva scored an impressive first-round submission (rear naked choke) over hard-trying but outclassed Jonathan Wiezorek (http://jonathanwiezorek.proelite.com/) on Nov. 10 at Corpus Christi on SHOWTIME.
Silva possesses excellent striking and grappling skills and moves extremely well for a fighter his size. The six-feet-four-inch Silva has been touted by Shaw as “being the best heavyweight in the world. I know Ricco disagrees, which is why this is going to be a great fight.’’
Offered Silva: “Since dropping to 265 pounds, which I had planned all along, I feel quicker and faster. My best days are ahead of me. I want to continue to stay active. I do not overlook anybody but I would be comfortable fighting any of the biggest-named fighters right now.

“My goal is to prove I’m the No. 1 heavyweight in the world.’'

Rodriguez (http://riccorodriguez.proelite.com/) has fought the biggest names in MMA, including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria, Tim Sylvia, Jeff Monson, Andrei Arlovski, Pete Wilson and Randy Couture.

A recent signee with EliteXC, Rodriguez has struggled with well-documented weight and substance abuse issues, even ending up on VH-1’s “Celebrity Rehab’’.

Rodriguez, however, is now lean, clean and headed in the right direction -- in and out of the cage. He has won six of his last seven; the loss came in a good performance in a fight he took on short notice with top IFL heavyweight, Ben Rothwell.

Once considered one of the world’s most talented and dangerous heavyweights, Silva is looking to re-establish himself in the division. For sure, he will not be intimidated by Silva.

“Silva is a phenomenal opponent,’’ said Rodriguez, who’s coming off a TKO over Kevin Filal on Dec. 9, 2007. “He’s huge and fast with great speed and agility. I haven’t fought a guy his size but I’ve been training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas where the guys are serious and the tempo and energy level is always high. So it doesn’t matter who I fight as long as I’m in my best physical shape, which I will be.

“Like me, who once fought at 330 pounds, Silva is coming down from super heavyweight. What EliteXC is doing by basically bringing the best fighters together is a great thing for the fans and sport and I’m happy to be part of it. I definitely feel healthier. I feel 265 will be a great weight for me to fight at.

“It is more than just a fight for me. It’s an opportunity to show the fans, myself and the company I’m not on the downside and can contend with the best. A win gets me back on top and into the spotlight. This is going to be my best fight; maybe the fight of the night. Someone is going to lie down.’’
Smith (http://scottmith.proelite.com/) has won all 14 of his fights by knockout or technical knockout, including 12 first-round stoppages. He will be making his first start since signing with EliteXC.
A “freestyle” fighter and one of the most dangerous strikers in the business, Smith is remembered most for his dramatic comeback victory over Pete “Drago” Sell in perhaps the most totally unexpected, shocking ending to a fight in MMA history.
“This is obviously a great opportunity for me and I am grateful to EliteXC for giving it to me,’’ said Smith, who rallied from the brink of defeat to register a remarkable second-round knockout over Sell on Nov. 11, 2006. “I am really looking forward to fighting for EliteXC.’’
Smith is a KO artist who comes out throwing bombs with an abandon that has made him a fan favorite. Aptly nicknamed “Hands Of Steel’’ -- he’s a union field foreman in his family’s steel business -- his record includes 12 victories inside the distance. But he also shows a strong wrestling background and possesses terrific cardio. His two other triumphs were by submission
“The fans know I come to war, that I am a fighter,’’ Smith said. “I think they love that I engage and I keep punching until I knock you out. They can read that when they watch me in the cage.’’

A former WEC light heavy and Gladiator Challenge heavyweight champ, Smith has fought some of the biggest names in MMA, including Dave Terrell, Patrick Cote, James Irvin and Jaime Jara. In his last start, Smith scored a 22-second, first-round TKO over Jeff Morris Dec. 22, 2007, at Sacramento.
Noke (http://kyle-noke.proelite.com/), who turned pro in 2002, is 6-1-1 in his last eight outings and undefeated (3-0-1) in his last four.
The lone loss came on a split decision to Shooto fighter & BJJ Black belt George Sotiropoulos on Feb. 25, 2006, in a rematch of a fight Noke had won in 2005 on a night in which Noke fought for more than 45 minutes to win an eight-man tournament.
A Integrated Martial Arts fighter turned some heads when he recorded an exciting knockout (cuts) at 4:22 of the second round over highly regarded Seth Kleinbeck (http://sethkleinbeck.proelite.com/) on the EliteXC Nov. 10 event at Corpus Christi.
“I want to show the rest of the world that Australia has some good fighters and I guess I did that,’’ said the popular Noke, who was born in Queensland, but fights now out of Albuquerque, N.M.. “That was a very good win for me, but a very hard fight. This fight is going to be hard, too. They all are.”
Since the exciting triumph, the Aussie has received attention as a pound for pound contender. But if he upends Smith, which could be his sternest challenge to date, he will truly have made his mark not only on the EliteXC middleweight division but on the worldwide MMA map.
Berto (http://edsonberto.proelite.com/) has won two in a row since an eight-fight unbeaten streak (7-0-1) ended in shocking fashion when he lost by third-round knockout to Noons on July 26, 2007, on ShoXC: The Elite Challenger Series on SHOWTIME at Santa Ynez, Calif.
A true mixed martial artist, Berto is an athletic, accomplished fighter who possesses a strong ground game and excellent standup. He is extremely dangerous when he connects with a head kick and is notorious for tapping guys with his heel hook.
But it wasn’t his night against Noons, who went on to upset Nick Diaz to become the EliteXC world lightweight champion.
.“I am a much better fighter than I showed against Noons,’’ said Berto, whose father, Dieuseul, owns and operates a mixed martial arts gym in Winter Haven, Fla. called Tigersworld. “I was really dehydrated and very fatigued. It just didn’t allow me to be myself out there.”
In his last outing, Edson, the brother of top boxing contender Andre Berto, recorded a three-round decision over IFL veteran Josh Odom on Nov. 10, 2007. “The fans will see the real me on Feb. 16,’’ said Berto, who is nicknamed '"Little Tiger" for his ferocious fighting style. “This is going to be a great fight.’’
Edwards (http://yvesedwards.proelite.com/) is one of the toughest fighters in combat sports. An excellent striker who is dangerous in the clinch and well versed on the ground, The American Top Team member is equally capable of knocking out or submitting an opponent with his “Thugjitsu’’ fighting style.

A winner of two in a row, a native of the Bahamas has faced a Who’s Who of fighters, including Caol Uno, Matt Serra, Rich Clementi, Josh Thompson and Hermes Franca. His KO of Thompson, via a spectacular head-kick, is regarded as one of the greatest knockouts due to a kick in MMA history.

Edwards snapped a career-high three-fight losing streak by submitting Nick Gonzalez (rear naked choke) at 3:05 of the first round on Nov. 10, 2007, on SHOWTIME at Corpus Christi.

In his most recent outing, Edwards scored a knockdown en route to a second-round submission over Alonzo Martinez on Dec. 15, 2007. The 11-year MMA veteran dropped Martinez with a left hand, which helped set up a rear naked choke that forced Martinez to tap out at 3:04.

It was Edwards’ first fight since the death of Sammy Vasquez two weeks earlier. “To everybody, it was a death in MMA, but to me, it was a friend who died,’’ said Edwards, who helped train Vasquez. “He was the kind of guy who worked a lot of hours during the day and made his training time before and after work. He’d come in and help me get ready when other people couldn't. I think about Sammy a lot.’’

Until winning his last pair, Edwards had fallen on tough times, which was a drastic departure for a fighter accustomed to winning and stringing together six and seven victories at a time.

“I am very happy to be with EliteXC and I appreciate the opportunity they are giving me,’’ said Edwards, who’s one of the most celebrated fighters to come out of Texas. “They believe in me. I believe in myself. But I know I can’t afford to screw up and lose any more fights.’’
Thompson (http://jamesthompson.proelite.com/) is aptly nicknamed. At six-foot-five and weighing close to 290 pounds, “Colossus’’ is just that – huge. A former Pride and Cage Rage fighter, he lives in England but recently joined Couture and his stable of strong wrestlers at Xtreme Couture.
“It was a hard decision to leave my old team (Trojan Free Fighters) and switch to Xtreme Couture, but to prepare myself for the top EliteXC fighters like Kimbo and ‘Big Foot’ Silva, I knew it had to be made,’’ said Thompson, who will be making his EliteXC, United States and SHOWTIME debut.

“Already one of the biggest differences is I used to fight anywhere between 265 and 290 pounds. Now I'll fight at 254 pounds, so my stamina has gotten much better. Signing with EliteXC and fighting in the states on SHOWTIME is a great chance for me to make new fans and I’m looking forward to it.

“I have the best fans in the world and I don't make life easy for them, as I have more ups and downs than a rollercoaster, but I truly appreciate their support. I feel ready and excited for 2008.

“I have a new team, a new organization to fight for and a new goal: to make ‘08 the year of ‘The Colossus.’ ”

Thompson, who’s fought all over the world, has fought some of the best in his division. One of his best victories came on a unanimous five-round decision over San Severn Sept. 12, 2004. Another top win came versus Japanese judo legend Hidehiko Yoshida on New Year's Eve 2006.

“This fight on Feb. 16 is a big one for me,’’ Thompson said. “I am coming off a bad performance in my last fight and nobody wants to be on the wrong end of a loss like that. Since then I have had four different fights cancel so I have been waiting a long time to fight again.

“Now I get the opportunity to fight in EliteXC and have my first fight in the states. It is really exciting for me and basically a fresh start for my career. I can't wait for the day to get here.’’

Rogers (http://brettrogers.proelite.com/) will be making his second appearance for EliteXC. In his debut and last outing, he registered a 1:43, first-round submission (strikes) over Ralph Kelly on Nov. 10 at Corpus Christi, Tex.

A big guy with heavy hands, Rogers is making his initial appearance on SHOWTIME.
SHOWTIME announcer Mauro Ranallo will handle play-by-play for EliteXC with world wrestling star Bill Goldberg and The Fight Professor Stephen Quadros, serving as color analysts. The executive producer is David Dinkins, Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.
For more information on EliteXC and other MMA-related stories, including bios, video-on-demand, photos, stats, Fantasy Fight Game TM and more, please visit ProElite.com and EliteXC.com. For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video, photo galleries and complete telecast information, please visit http://www.SHO.com/Sports.

About ProElite, Inc.
ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of MMA enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM

About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® ON DEMAND. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

COUNTDOWN TO PAVLIK-TAYLOR II PREMIERES SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH ON HBO IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING BOXING AFTER DARK

NEW YORK- HBO Sports is presenting a thirty-minute special analyzing the upcoming HBO Pay-Per-View showdown between two of boxing's most compelling competitors:
Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor. Their eagerly anticipated rematch is set for Saturday, February 16th in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.


The special "COUNTDOWN TO PAVLIK-TAYLOR II," which will feature fighter profiles, expert analysis and forecasts for the 166-pound showdown, will premiere on the main service on Saturday, February 9th immediately after the HBO BOXING AFTER DARK telecast, which airs at 9:45 p.m. (ET/PT).

Pavlik (32-0, 29 KO's), native of Youngstown, Ohio, scored a thrilling upset victory in their firs encounter on September 29th in Atlantic City, registering a senenth-round KO triumph.

(Photos courtesy of: NDH Consultants)


Taylor (27-1-1,17 KO's) has been a powerhouse in the middleweight division since winning the world title from Bernard Hopkins in 2005 and looks to erase the only blemish on his accomplished career.
(Photos courtesy of: NDH Consultants)


The countdown special will also be available on HBO ON DEMAND subscribers 24 hours a day from Monday, February 11 through Monday, February 18.

ADDITIONAL HBO REPLAY DATES:
Sunday, February 10th at 11:15am
Monday, February 11th at 3:00pm & 11:00pm
Wednesday, February 13th at 11:30pm & 8:30am
Thursday, February 14th at 12:00am
Friday, February 15th at 7:30pm & 2:20am
Saturday, February 16th at 4:30pm


ADDITIONAL HBO2 REPLAY DATES:
Sunday, February 10th @ 1:45am
Tuesday, February 12th @ 5:30pm & 10:00pm
Friday, February 15th @ 11:30am & 12:35am
Saturday, February 16th @ 9:30am

ALL TIMES ARE ET/PT


Contact Your Local Cable or Satellite Provider
To Order
This Pay-Per-View Telecast

Don't miss these two exicting fights, this Saturday, Feb 9th, at 9:45 PM,
BAD: PAUL WILLIAMS VS. CARLOS QUINTANA AND ANDRE BERTO VS. MICHEL TRABANT followed by Countdown to Pavlik-Taylor II which will premiere this Saturday immediately after, Williams vs. Quintana. Williams is making his first title defense after winning the belt in a hard-fought contest against Antonio Margarito in July 2007. Quintana's only defeat came at the hands of superstar Miguel Cotto. Both Williams and Quintana are known for their speed and power punches.

BAD: PAUL WILLIAMS VS. CARLOS QUINTANA AND ANDRE BERTO VS. MICHEL TRABANT

Williams is making his first title defense after winning the belt in a hard-fought contest against Antonio Margarito in July 2007. Quintana's only defeat came at the hands of superstar Miguel Cotto. Both Williams and Quintana are known for their speed and power punches.



Don't miss these two exicting fights, this Saturday, Feb 9th, at 9:45 PM, followed by Countdown to Pavlik-Taylor II ET/PT.

Reggie Johnson vs. Julio Cesar Gonzalez, February 23 @ Lake Charles Civic Center‏

Reggie Johnson vs. Julio Cesar Gonzalez, February 23 @ Lake Charles Civic Center‏
Contact: Kerry Daigle @ Keep Punching

Want interviews with the participants, promoters, managers, matchmakers, etc. Send your requests to: Kerry Daigle at keeppunching@cox.net Click below!! More to come!! http://www.keeppunching.com/johnson_gonzalez/johnson_gonzalez_site2.html

Counter Punch LLC would like for you to go checkout the world's first and only boxing card game that was created by our company called: Counter Punch

Also start chatting with other boxing fans in one of our COUNTER CHAT rooms.

Go to www.counterpunch.biz for more information.

Thanks in advance,

Counter Punch Staff

The incredibly popular YouTube fighting legend and Mixed Martial Arts superstar, Kimbo Slice, appears on the nationally televised Jimmy Kimmel Live

The incredibly popular YouTube fighting legend and Mixed Martial Arts superstar, Kimbo Slice, will be a special guest on the nationally televised Jimmy Kimmel Live show Thursday Feb. 7 at 12:05 a.m. ET/PT on ABC.


The always entertaining Kimbo (kimboslice.proelite.com), who scored a 19-second, first-round knockout in his EliteXC and MMA debut in November, will discuss, among other things, his eagerly anticipated, long-awaited grudge fight with David "Tank'' Abbott (tankabbott.proelite.com) set for Saturday, Feb. 16, at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami on SHOWTIME.

Besides Kimbo, who is on the cover of the current edition of "Fighters Only,'' a top British magazine, Jimmy's guests Thursday/tonight will include TV personality "Dr. Phil" McGraw.

GAELIC STORM; Undefeated junior middleweight James Moore will headline a pre-St. Patrick’s boxing extravaganza called “Gaelic Storm” on Sat. March 15

Undefeated junior middleweight James Moore, 14-0 (10 KOS), a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, who fights out of Queens, New York, will headline a pre-St. Patrick’s boxing extravaganza called “Gaelic Storm” on Saturday, March 15th, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. His likely opponent is Freddy Curiel, 18-6-2 (8 KOS), of Vernon, New Jersey. Curiel was a popular participant on season two of “The Contender” television series.

James Moore and Keisha


Also scheduled to appear is another undefeated junior middleweight, Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak, 19-0 (13 KOS), a native of Poland who fights out of Brooklyn and lightweight Oisin Fagan, 20-5 (12 KOS), a native of Dublin who fights out of Oklahoma City.

Pawel Wolak, Keisha, and Wolak's trainer


“Pre-St. Patrick’s Day boxing shows have become an institution in New York,” said Mike O’Sullivan, the co-owner of Celtic Gloves Promotions, a newly formed company that promotes Moore and will be promoting the bout. “The ink is barely dry on our contract with MSG and we are getting calls for tickets. We expect the night to be a sellout, and for this to be a breakout fight for James Moore.”

The 29-year-old Moore, a former captain of the Irish national amateur team that included John Duddy, is a veteran of over 300 amateur fights. As a professional, his superb boxing ability and two-fisted body attack has made him a New York fan favorite. Other good things lie ahead for the amiable Irishman.

On February 19th he will be honored as a “Future Champion” by Ring 8 of the Veteran Boxers Association in New York. On February 24th he will be feted by the American Association for the Improvement of Boxing (AAIB) at their annual luncheon in White Plains, New York. By fight night, he will have appeared on numerous radio programs, including the nationally syndicated Joey Reynolds Show and Talkin’ Boxing with Billy Calogero.

“I’m thrilled to be headlining at Madison Square Garden, especially two days before St. Patrick’s Day,” said Moore. “This is what I’ve dreamed of all my life. This is going to be a great night for me and a great night for Irish boxing. March 15th can’t come soon enough.”

James Moore and Kristal Hart


To purchase tickets call Celtic Gloves Promotions at 917-559-8467, Gleason’s Gym at 718-797-2872 or through Ticketmaster.

James Moore, Keisha Morrisey and Kevin McBride

Israel 'Pito' Cardona, the new welterweight gatekeeper's fights unbeaten Decarie Saturday night in Montreal

HARTFORD- Former world lightweight title challenger Israel 'Pito' Cardona has become a gatekeeper of the welterweight division since returning to the ring nearly two years ago after being retired 3 1/2-years.

Hartford-native Cardona (36-8, 28 KOs), now 33, heads north of the border for a 10-round test in the main event Saturday night at the Montreal Casino against unbeaten prospect Antonio Decarie (17-0, 5 KOs), the 25-year-old former Canadian light welterweight champion.

'Pito' won his first 24 pro fights, 18 by knockout, including an IBO super featherweight winning performance against Jeff Mayweather and Cardona later defeated Steve Larrimore for the IBO light welterweight crown.

In 1997, 'Pito' stopped 'Mighty' Ivan Robinson (23-1) in the third round of their USBA lightweight title bout and three fights later, Robinson beat Arturo Gatti for the first of two times in their 1998 Ring Magazine Fight of the Year.

After his win against Robinson, Cardona extended his win streak to six, including four USBA title defenses against Sam Girard, Richard Kiley, Golden Johnson, which was also fought for the NABF belt, and Joel Perez. In his only major world title fight, though, Cardona lost a 12-round decision to undefeated Paul Spadafora (26-0) for the vacant IBF lightweight championship in 1999.

Cardona retired in mid-2002 at the age of 27, sporting a 34-6 record, due to his frustrations with boxing politics. He returned to the ring two years ago with a new manager, Bret Hallenbeck, and new trainer, John Scully. Cardona's first two comeback fights resulted in a pair of TKO victories before he became a gauge for young, talented welterweights to measure themselves. 'Pito' lost an eight-round decision to 13-1-1 Juan Maniel Buendia and was stopped in the third round of his last fight to 11-0 Mike Jones last November.

'I understand if people think of me as a gatekeeper,' Cardona said, 'but that's not what I am. I'm at the end of my career with maybe a couple of years left. Each fight is a must win for me; I can't afford to lose. I'm shooting for gold and I can't waste my time waiting around for a big fight to happen. I need to win a few in a row to get a big fight and that's why I'm willing to go
into this guy's backyard in order to get back to where I was.

'The stoppage in my last fight was ridiculous. I fought an undefeated kid (Jones) who was nothing. The ref didn't know me and stopped the fight before I ever got started. I was on my way to knocking him out. It was only a matter of time. I was sitting on the ropes like I usually do. I even threw a nasty hook but the ref stopped it and damaged my career. Now, I have this opportunity, and I have to go in and be an animal. I have to destroy him to make some noise in this division. This fight I will be the judge and referee. I want to shut a few mouths, too. It's all about getting bigger and better fights. I'm a veteran, so I don't mind going into his backyard. All of the pressure is on him. He's undefeated and fighting at home. I'm focused on him and have trained hard.'

Cardona works nights as a lieutenant for a Hartford-based security company, as well as a boxing trainer at LA Boxing in Hartford.

CONTACT:Bob Trieger, Full Court Press

Bid on the ultimate VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT! WBC World Title Heavyweight Fight between Oleg Maskaev and Samuel Peters

From February 8th to 13th, you can bid on a fabulous Cancun getaway as well as ringside tickets to the WBC World Title Heavyweight Fight between Oleg Maskaev and Samuel Peters, all to support Susan G। Komen for the cure. Be your own Champ! Fight breast cancer... and have a ball!

1. 2 ringside tickets to the fights
2. 2 nights in the Presidential Suite of a luxurious Cancun Hotel
3. 2 RT coach tickets from anywhere in North America to Cancun
4. Limousine to and from the airports
5. A pair of Gloves signed by Oleg, Sam & the King!

www. ebay.com/donking
_____________________________________
Also for Valentine's Day:
Run (don't walk) to any book store in your area and get (or order)
"Sonnets" by Robert Witkow
Robert is our 'double lung transplant' survivor who came with World Boxing Cares to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital's children ward. He's not only a well know artist, the dad of the Caliope (child genius), but his book "Sonnets" was recently published and is now available.
I vote Robert as fighter of the year!


Jill Diamond
WBC Championship Committee
NABF Women's Division, Chair
World Boxing Cares, Chair
And now for the news:

http://www.wbcboxing.com

HIP HOP Conference in New York City

Hip Hop conference 2/9 and 2/10 in New York City also added to the the conference roster of speakers are Bro Mutwase from St. Louis, Bro Ampu from Philadelphia, Bro Chief liberation from Oakland, and Starwalker from New Jersey. If you have teenagers, this is a must see event.

Nabaté's TV/Webcast show 'So Much to Talk About' will interview one of the most prolific writers of the 20th Century, Mr. Budd Schulberg

For the next two Wednesdays (two-part interview February 6 and 13 ), Nabaté's TV/Webcast show will air an interview with one of the most prolific writers of the 20th Century, Mr. Budd Schulberg. Mr. Schulberg has written great novels like 'What Makes Sammy Run' and 'The Harder They Fall', penned the Oscar-Winning screenplay for 'On the Waterfront', and is a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame. His son, Benn, who is an accomplished writer himself, is producing a documentary on his father's life and he's part of the interview as well.

Nabaté Isles

'So Much to Talk About' Every Wednesday @ 9pm (Eastern Time)
Channel 57 (Time Warner-Manhattan Cable)
Channel 84 (RCN-Manhattan Cable)
Streams LIVE: www.mnn.org, click 57/84 link

McGIVERN TO REPLACE KENNEDY IN IFL MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE BOUT AT ORLEANS ARENA IN LAS VEGAS


NEW YORK and LAS VEGAS– Miletich Fighting Academy middleweight standout Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa), recognized as one of the most improved, up-and-coming athletes in the International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI), will fight for the 185-lb. title against current champion Matt “Suave” Horwich (Portland, Ore.), one of three championship matchups at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, February 29. McGivern replaces Tim Kennedy (Fayetteville, N.C.), an active U.S. Military member who has been called into duty. Four other bouts have also now been finalized on the eight-bout card, including three featuring Xtreme Couture vs. Mario Sperry’s World Class Fight Center camps. Benji Radach (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) will compete for Xtreme Couture in a middleweight bout against Leopoldo Serao (Brazil), Lew Polley (Coconut Creek, Fla.) will battle Alexandre Ferreira at 205 lbs., and Santino Defranco will take on Rafael Dias in a featherweight contest. The Lions Den’s Pat Healy (St. Louis) will take on Team Quest’s Jake Ellenberger (Omaha, Neb.) in a matchup that may determine a future title bout at 170 lbs. (Team Xtreme Couture’s Jay Hieron of Las Vegas holds the belt at present). “While it is disappointing to us and to Tim that he will be unable to compete due to his military obligations, we are excited and fortunate that a fighter of Ryan McGivern’s caliber is available to step in,” said Bas Rutten, IFL Vice President, Fighter Operations. “Ryan has been a great success story and his all-around style should make for an entertaining matchup with Matt Horwich.” As previously announced, two other IFL titleholders will place their belts on the line as Roy Nelson (Las Vegas), who knocked out Antoine Jaoude (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) to win the heavyweight crown, will take on IFL newcomer Fabiano Scherner (Portland, Ore./Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), who trains with Lindland at Team Quest. Ryan Schultz (North Platte, Neb.), whose lightweight victory over Chris Horodecki (London, Ontario) raised eyebrows in the entire MMA community, makes the first defense of his lightweight belt against John Gunderson (Medford, Ore.), who competes for Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den. Matt Lindland’s Team Quest will take on Lion’s Den in three bouts in the other camp matchup. Tickets are available at www.orleansarena.com, all Coast Casino box offices, The Galleria at Sunset, by calling 702-284-7777 or by visiting www.ifl.tv. IFL Las VegasFriday, February 29, 2008 Preliminary Bout145 lbs.: Ian Loveland (Portland, Ore.) (0-2 IFL, 8-7 overall MMA) vs. Dennis Davis (Las Vegas) (0-0, 13-6) Team Xtreme Couture vs. MMA Top Team (Mario Sperry)145 lbs.: Santino Defranco (0-0, 10-3) vs. Rafael Dias (0-0, 8-3-1)185 lbs.: Benji Radach (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) (5-1, 17-4) vs. Leopoldo Serao (0-0, 11-6)205 lbs.: Lew Polley (Coconut Creek, Fla.) (0-0, 6-0) vs. Alexandre Ferreira (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (0-0, 15-5) Team Quest (Matt Lindland) vs. Lions Den (Ken Shamrock)170 lbs.: Jake Ellenberger (2-2, 16-3) vs. Pat Healy (St. Louis) (2-1, 18-12)*155 lbs.: **Ryan Schultz (North Platte, Neb.) (5-2, 18-9-1) vs. John Gunderson (Medford, Ore.) (2-2, 15-5)*265 lbs.: **Roy Nelson (Las Vegas) (4-1, 11-2) vs. Fabiano Scherner (Portland, Ore.) (0-0, 7-5) Championship Bout*185 lbs.: Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa) (5-4, 11-5) vs. **Matt Horwich (Portland, Ore.) (6-3, 21-9-1) *Championship Bout**Current Titleholder About the IFL International Fight League™ (IFL) has its headquarters in New York and offices in Las Vegas. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

WBC No. 1 cruisweight contender Matt 'Too Smooth' Godfrey's WBC title elimination fight against Rudy Kraj on March 8 in Germany

Godfrey punches way to Germany for WBC Title Eliminator versus Kraj on March 8
(Photo; Courtsey of Bob Trieger)

PROVIDENCE– Unbeaten NABF cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (16-0, 9 KOs), rated No. 1 by the World Boxing Council, travels to Germany to battle undefeated, No. 2 ranked Rudy Kraj (13-0, 10 KOs) on March 8 in a WBC title elimination bout determining champion David Haye’s mandatory challenger.

“Kraj won a Silver Medal in the 2000 Olympics and going overseas to fight him will be a big test,” the 27-year-old Godfrey said. “He’s very good. Kraj is a typical Eastern European fighter who does some things very well. The winner of this fight is going to be set-up nice in the WBC. I’m looking at it as a title fight.”

The WBC title eliminator potentially has additional implications because Haye, who also holds the WBA title belt, fights the same night as Godfrey-Kraj in a unification bout versus WBO champion Enzo Maccarinelli. A win by Haye reportedly will send him up to heavyweight, leaving the cruiserweight division wide open, and the Godfrey-Kraj winner possibly the new WBC champion or Interim title-holder.


“I’ve fought in Europe as an amateur but never in Germany,” Godfrey noted. “I’ve watched the surge of boxing in Europe and always knew that my title run would go through Europe, especially with cruiserweights like Haye, Enzo and Jean-Marc Mormeck. I’ve prepared mentally and I believe that I’m a world class fighter who is ready for this.”

Godfrey has been training almost non-stop since the middle of August. First, his bout against Jeremy Williams in November was cancelled when the show fell apart, and the Kraj fight was originally slated for February. He will head to Germany with his head trainer, former world light heavyweight title challenger “Iceman” John Scully, 10-14 days in advance of the show in order to get acclimated and arrange sparring.

Matt, second heavyweight alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, had a 194-23 amateur record, capturing six national championships -- four open tournaments including the 2004 Everlast U.S. Championships, plus two in the Junior Olympics – as well as a Bronze medal at the 2001 Pan-American Games, Silver in all four of that year’s national major tournaments (National Golden Gloves, PAL (Police Athletic League), U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge) and six-time New England Golden Gloves champion.

The highly decorated U.S. amateur defeated many boxers who today are outstanding professionals such as WBA middleweight title challenger Randy “The Gentleman Griffin (24-1-3, 12 KOs), unbeaten heavyweight prospect Chazz “Mensa With Muscles” Witherspoon (21-0, 14 KOs), Devin Vargas (14-0, 6 KOs), Corey “Black Ice” Cummings (15-2, 12 KOs), Leonard “Haitian Sensation” Pierre (18-3, 13 KOs) and John Johnson (12-1, 10 KOs).


CONTACT:
Bob Trieger
Full Court Press

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Chicago based World Boxing Council (WBC) Lightweight Champion David Diaz is preparing to face off against Ramon Montano

CHICAGO- World Boxing Council (WBC) Lightweight Champion David Diaz is preparing to face off against Ramon Montano on Saturday, March 15th at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The ten round non-title bout against Montano will be Diaz’s first return to the ring following his outstanding win over three division world champion Erik Morales on August 4, 2007 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL. The win over Morales was Diaz’s first defense of his WBC title and was noted on many boxing writers' 2007 “Fight of the Year” lists.

Diaz, under the tutelage of head trainer Mike Garcia, has been in camp at Chicago’s JABB Boxing Gym in preparation for his fight with Montano on the undercard of “UNFINISHED BUSINESS, the long-awaited rematch between Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao.

Speaking after an extensive workout, Diaz, 33-1-1 (17KO's) touched on a number of topics;

“I get approached in Chicago a little more since beating Morales. There were over 10,000 people at the fight and many of them have been very gracious to me over the last few months. It feels great, but there is still much to prove so I’m continuing to work hard.”

About facing the Las Vegas native Montano who brings a record of 14-3-2 into the fight on March 15th, “I’ve watched a few of his fights, he’s got a nice jab and comes forward ready to fight. I’m sure he’s training diligently for this opportunity and I’m preparing to be at my best on March 15th. I’m very excited to get back in the ring and fight at the highest level.”

In regards to his training, Diaz, a member of the 1996 US Olympic Team said, “Mike has set up a great camp, training and sparring has been terrific so far.”

The fight against Montano marks Diaz’s third fight in Las Vegas but Diaz is unfazed by the bright lights, “I’m fully aware of fighting on such a big stage but to me it’s a business trip. I’m going there to take care of business and that’s the only thing on my mind. Doesn’t matter to me how big the crowd is or anything like that. The bell rings and I have to be ready to fight.” Diaz won the WBC interim title with a devastating 10th round knockout of Jose Armando Santa Cruz on August 12, 2006 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

About the much rumored bout with Pacquiao for later this year, Diaz said “I’ve heard the talk but I’m so focused on March 15th that I’m not really paying attention to anything else. It’s not my style to look ahead, it’s all about Ramon Montano right now.”

Diaz wanted to pass along a final message to his fans, “I’ve always had terrific support in Chicago and I’ve also gotten great support from new fans after the Morales fight. I’m very thankful and I’m looking forward to putting on a great show on March 15th.”

The fistic debate about which fighter is the best finally will be settled when World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ defends his title against three-division world champion MANNY PACQUIAO in a 12-round battle for pound-for-pound supremacy. Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, in association with Romanza Boxing Productions and MP Promotions, Marquez-Pacquiao II will take place Saturday, March 15 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Tickets for Marquez-Pacquiao II,priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, are on sale at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.