Undefeated middleweight prospect Victor “THE UKRAINIAN TIGER” Polyakov will face Derrick “SUPERMAN” Findley at Cicero Stadium on Friday, March 14th as part of MARCH BADNESS, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
Tickets for MARCH BADNESS 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.
A member of the 2004 Ukrainian Olympic team, the 26 year old Polyakov,
7-0 with six knockouts, has thrilled Chicago crowds with his stunning power since turning professional in November 2006.
Said Pesoli, starting his second decade of promoting with the MARCH BADNESS event, “This is a very good test for Victor, it’s his first eight rounder and in Findley he’s facing a real tough kid with a lot more pro experience. We’re expecting Victor to have a huge 2008 and this fight is hopefully the first step in that direction.”
Said the Chicago based Polyakov, “I’ve got the Kryptonite ready for Superman. He’s a very solid fighter and I’ve been working hard in preparation for my fight with him. The Chicago fight fans have been terrific to me and I’m looking forward to putting on a great performance.”
In his last bout, which can be viewed on Youtube.com, Polyakov scored a devastating first round knockout of Brad Hill on December 14, 2007.
A resident of Gary, Indiana, the 23 year old Findley, 10-2 (6KO’s), has won four in a row since battling 2004 US Olympian Gold Medal winner Andre Ward in November 2006, dropping a six round decision.
This is Findley’s second appearance at Cicero Stadium, his first being a six round war with Jorge Gonzalez on February 17, 2006 which was broadcast on SOLO BOXEO. He is promoted by Octavius James’ Merrillville, Indiana based One In A Million Incorporated. .
MARCH BADNESS is headlined by an outstanding lightweight clash between former world champion Javier “EL Chatito” Jauregui and world ranked contender Miguel “EL Anestesista “Huerta.
Along with Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, MARCH BADNESS 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 full MARCH BADNESS card is as follows;
Javier Jauregui vs. Miguel Huerta, twelve rounds, lightweights
Brandon Rios vs. Alvin Brown, eight rounds, lightweights
Victor Polyakov vs. Derrick Findley, eight rounds, middleweights
Leo Martinez vs. Jose Navarette, six rounds, lightweights
Gadiel Andaluz vs. Nick Arellano, four rounds, lightweights
Eric Estrada vs. TBA, four rounds, super bantamweights
Javier Estrada vs. TBA, four rounds lightweights
The Master of Ceremonies for MARCH BADNESS will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.
The open to the public weigh-in for MARCH BADNESS will take place on Thursday, March 13th at 7pm at EL Jimador Restaurant, 1600 N. Mannheim Rd in Stone Park, just north of Lake St.
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 www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxinggym.com
For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit
www.toprank.com
CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998
Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions
www.8countproductions.com boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worlwide
Saturday, March 1, 2008
WBC INSTALLS GIOVANNI LORENZO AS #1 CONTENDER; Undefeated challenger presses for June battle against WBC champ Kelly Pavlik
TOTOWA, NJ– The WBC has released its February ratings and undefeated middleweight contender Giovanni Lorenzo has been installed as the #1 mandatory challenger to WBC champion Kelly Pavlik, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. Although honored by the ranking Lorenzo makes it clear that he wants to fight Pavlik “today” and not wait for the mandatory term to expire.
“Everyone knows that a fight between me and Kelly will be an all action, knockdown fight,” said Lorenzo. “Someone's 0 will have to go and most definitely it will be by brutal knockout. I was the first one to congratulate Kelly back stage after he won the title in Sept, and I will be the first one to take it from him on June 7th . . . if he can get his promoter to agree to the fight.”
Lorenzo (26-0, 18 KO’s) has stopped his last eight opponents. The 27-year-old Washington Heights, NY resident by way of Jerringa San Cristobal, Dominican Republic has knocked out 15 opponents within the first three rounds. In his last bout on Dec 17, 2007, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Lorenzo blasted Ulises Duarte in one round (KO 1).
For more info: MAIN EVENTS, Donald Tremblay
“Everyone knows that a fight between me and Kelly will be an all action, knockdown fight,” said Lorenzo. “Someone's 0 will have to go and most definitely it will be by brutal knockout. I was the first one to congratulate Kelly back stage after he won the title in Sept, and I will be the first one to take it from him on June 7th . . . if he can get his promoter to agree to the fight.”
Lorenzo (26-0, 18 KO’s) has stopped his last eight opponents. The 27-year-old Washington Heights, NY resident by way of Jerringa San Cristobal, Dominican Republic has knocked out 15 opponents within the first three rounds. In his last bout on Dec 17, 2007, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Lorenzo blasted Ulises Duarte in one round (KO 1).
For more info: MAIN EVENTS, Donald Tremblay
DAVID DIAZ OPEN WORKOUT; THURSDAY, MARCH 6TH—12NOON @JABB BOXING GYM
CHICAGO, IL, World Boxing Council Lightweight Champion David Diaz will host his only open workout on Thursday, March 6th at JABB Boxing Gym (410 N. Oakley, Chicago, IL 60612) beginning at 12 NOON CST.
Diaz is currently training for his battle with Ramon Montano set for Saturday, March 15th at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., which will be broadcast live as part of UNFINISHED BUSINESS, headlined by the highly anticipated rematch of JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ and MANNY PACQUIAO for the WBC and vacant Ring Magazine Super Featherweight World Championship.
Said Diaz, “The Chicago fight fans and media have always been very supportive and I’m glad to open up my workout to them on Thursday. We had a big crowd at our last one before the Morales fight and it was great to see everyone.”
Chicago native Diaz brings a record of 33-1-1 (17KO’s) into the bout with Las Vegas resident Montano, 14-3. In his last bout, Diaz defended his title in an epic battle against boxing legend Erik Morales on August 4, 2007 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, before 10,000 Chicago fight fans.
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 Top Rank Inc. and Golden Boy Promotions, 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
boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
Diaz is currently training for his battle with Ramon Montano set for Saturday, March 15th at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., which will be broadcast live as part of UNFINISHED BUSINESS, headlined by the highly anticipated rematch of JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ and MANNY PACQUIAO for the WBC and vacant Ring Magazine Super Featherweight World Championship.
Said Diaz, “The Chicago fight fans and media have always been very supportive and I’m glad to open up my workout to them on Thursday. We had a big crowd at our last one before the Morales fight and it was great to see everyone.”
Chicago native Diaz brings a record of 33-1-1 (17KO’s) into the bout with Las Vegas resident Montano, 14-3. In his last bout, Diaz defended his title in an epic battle against boxing legend Erik Morales on August 4, 2007 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, before 10,000 Chicago fight fans.
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 Top Rank Inc. and Golden Boy Promotions, 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
boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
Eileen Olszewski; The new WIBA Women's Flyweight World Champion, The Story: By David Pambianchi
Everyone has a right to test their courage and skills, to face an opponent, a challenge, whether in space flight, a game of chess or a sports competition. The need for accomplishment and gratification, a few extra pounds lifted at the gym, a few seconds cut on race time, we all have our little victories that make us feel good about ourselves, and sometimes, we dream big, of that special moment, and hope to make it as grand as possible..
Other times, we simply recognize accomplishments, hard work and dedication in others. As women’s boxing expands its place in the arena, we all get to share the experience and excitement. That “giving it everything you got,” you hear a lot in boxing, and no sex, race, sport or other activity in life has a monopoly on Heart.
The match up: Two personal fitness trainers, albeit two highly proficient professional boxers, Eileen Olszewski and Stefania Bianchini destined to fight for a boxing title.
Setting out two oceans away, Eileen’s journey carries her from Hawaii to New York to Italy, pineapples to hot dogs to espresso.
On the surface, she brings merely 4 undefeated professional bouts.
Yet, consider this:
3 time National Golden Gloves Champion
3 times Daily News, New York Golden Gloves Champion, placing her in the company of boxers like Sugar Ray Robinson, Riddick Bowe and Emile Griffith.
Eileen and Iran Barkley
40 amateur fights with 10 knock outs (including an upset against a 49-0 opponent)
Never knocked down
Eileen fought her recent August match in the Bronx with a severe cold, but kept it from her manager, David Selwyn, for fear of worrying him and canceling that match.
“She fought her heart out that night against a very determined fighter,” he comments.
After just 6 months, David Selwyn’s initiative and perseverance landed Eileen a title bout on Sept. 14, 2007, in Rovigo, Veneto, Italy, bringing to mind Venice, gondolas and Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark’s Square).
But business first, Eileen prepares, “Fighting for the WBC Title is a dream come true. They are the most recognized and respected professional sanctioning boxing organization. Stephania is a true champion, strong body and heart, and I look forward to our fight. I want to make an impression on the European fight fans that appreciate women’s boxing.”
Female Fighters Jill Emery (L) and Eileen (R)
Stephania’s straight shot for a title with no amateur background, and her ability to deliver a tough performance against champion, Regina Halmich, demonstrates fortitude and bravery. Now, 16 fights later, 14-2, her experience and honed skills distinguish her as a formidable Title defender. Stephania studied Eileen’s “You-tube” Beacon Theatre fight in May, and noted that Eileen was a skilled boxer, which is beautiful to see and compete against.
Sweet Hawaiian pineapple or Italian gelato, the menu includes two talented boxers that promises up to 10 intense grueling rounds of action, fighting to attain that special moment, and live the dream. Both compete with pride, one, to emerge victorious.
Eileen Olszewski wins the WIBA Women's Flyweight World Champion February 28, 2008 defeating Elena "Baby Doll" Reid in a 10 round decision.
Maskaev vs Peter and Diaz vs Campbell History in Cancun world championship twinbill on March 8 featuring televised live in America on HBOPeter
CANCUN, Mexico—The first world heavyweight championship ever staged in Mexico will take place in Cancun’s Plaza de Torros on Saturday, March 8 when World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev makes the second defense of his title against WBC interim heavyweight champion Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter to determine the sole WBC heavyweight champion.
The two had been scheduled to meet in New York’s Madison Square Garden on Oct. 6, but a back injury forced Maskaev to pull out of the fight on Sept. 21.
The WBC Board of Governors convened on Sept. 24 and voted Peter its interim heavyweight champion. Peter chose to make a title defense on Oct. 6, winning a unanimous decision over Jameel “Big Time” McCline.
A tremendous co-featured main event will showcase a second world championship when undefeated World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization lightweight champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz (33-0, 17 KOs), from Houston, Tex., takes on IBF No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Nate “Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell (31-5-1, 25 KOs), from Jacksonville, Fla.
Tickets priced at $1,000, 500, $300, $150, $100, $70, $50 and $10 are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets including http://www.ticketmaster.com/ or by calling Ticketmaster in Mexico at +5255 5325 9000.
Both fights will be televised live in America on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT. “History in Cancun” is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Duva Boxing and Pepe Gomez Promotions.
Two domestically non-televised matches have been added to the card including former two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (42-7-1, 29 KOs), from Chelsea, Mass., squaring off against New York native Jameel “Big Time” McCline (38-8-3, 23 KOs), and former two-time WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo (56-8-1, 48 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico will meet undefeated Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (21-0, 11 KOs), from Palm Springs, Calif.
Maskaev (34-5, 26 KOs), from Kazakhstan and a U.S. citizen since 2004 with homes in Staten Island, N.Y., and West Sacramento, Calif., is riding a 12-fight winning streak that includes a 12th-round technical knockout over Hasim “The Rock” Rahman to win the WBC heavyweight crown in Las Vegas on Aug. 12, 2006.
The Russian-American won many fans that night with a dramatic and gritty final-round stoppage in a fight that was up for grabs. It has been said it takes heart to win the big ones, and Maskaev proved he had the heart of a champion. He landed a devastating left hook that sent Rahman down midway through the final stanza and shortly thereafter finished him off with an unanswered barrage that caused the referee to step in and halt the action during the last minute of the contest.
Perseverance has been a model for Maskaev in his career. A Russian amateur star who stopped Vitali Klitschko in the first round, Maskaev turned pro in 1993 but was matched too soon with the likes of Oliver “The Atomic Bull” McCall and David Tua.
He ran his record to a respectable 20-2 before stumbling against Kirk Johnson in 2000, Lance “Mount” Whitaker in 2001 and Corey Sanders in 2002. Many thought it was time for Maskaev to throw in the towel, but he took a year off and came back with a new team and vision, and he hasn’t lost a match in over five years.
Maskaev will again face the type of young lion in Peter (29-1, 22 KOs) that has caused him so much trouble in the past. The 26-year-old from Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, now living in Las Vegas, is on the precipice of achieving the success many boxing experts and fans have predicted would come for this heavy-handed knockout artist.
Promoter Don King has been telling everyone within earshot that Peter could be the next Tyson (King co-promotes Peter with Duva Boxing), and the Nigerian’s 75-percent knockout percentage backs the claim. His lone loss came by decision in 2005 against Wladimir Klitschko after Peter had knocked him down three times.
Peter has now honed his boxing skills to the extent he beat Old School boxing master James “Lights Out” Toney in back-to-back appearances on Sept. 2, 2006, and Jan. 6, 2007—both on 12-round decisions. Those victories made Peter the WBC No. 1-ranked heavyweight and the mandatory challenger to Maskaev.
Peter survived a scare from McCline, who agreed to face the Nigerian just two weeks prior to their Oct. 6 meeting. McCline has a history of being dangerous early, having knocked out heavyweight contender Michael Grant in just 43 seconds and dropped then International Boxing Federation champion Chris Byrd early in the second round when they met in 2004.
Juan Diaz became the second-youngest fighter to win a world title in the history of the sport in 2004 when, at just age 20, he won the WBA lightweight championship. In the last year, he stopped both Acelino Freitas and Julio Diaz to gain the WBO and IBF belts.
A relentless, punishing boxer that burrows forward throwing punches in bunches at all times, Diaz has become one of the most exciting boxers in the sport. When not in the ring, Diaz is a senior at the University of Houston-Downtown who would like to go on to law school someday.
In contrast, Nate Campbell didn’t participate in his first professional fight until he was almost 28 years old. A gifted athlete, Campbell learned the tricks of the trade inside the ring. His efforts have resulted in him being named IBF mandatory challenger to Diaz.
Campbell has unusually long arms, and it will be interesting to see if his reach advantage can help him find a way to do what nobody has been able to do before him: slow down and defeat the ever-charging Baby Bull. A true working man-boxer, this high-profile fight has afforded Campbell the opportunity to have a sequestered training camp in Miami. At age 35, he wants to make the most of his second world-title appearance.
●
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.
Dino Duva, the president of Duva Boxing, has promoted great fighters and great fights during four decades in boxing. Growing up in a renowned boxing family, the Duva name has become synonymous with excellence in the fight game as the “First Family in Boxing.” Working closely with his Hall of Fame father, Lou, and his late, great brother Dan, Duva has been involved in the promotion of over 100 world championship fights including such titlists as Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker, Arturo Gatti, and Mark Breland. Duva is presently the promoter of Samuel Peter, regarded by many as the top young heavyweight contender in boxing.
LEGENDARY KEN SHAMROCK MAKES ELITEXC DEBUT MARCH 8 ON HISTORIC NIGHT ON SHOWTIME
NEW YORK – On Saturday, March 8, SHOWTIME will present an unprecidented night of unarmed combat action with back-to-back sports telecasts featuring boxing and mixed martial arts. The evening begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT with live world championship boxing followed by an explosive MMA event from global partner EliteXC. Both exciting events will take place in London and air back-to-back on SHOWTIME.
Widely recognized as the leader in premium sports television, SHOWTIME made history on Feb. 10, 2007, when it became the first premium network to televise mixed martial arts (MMA). Now, fans will witness the classic power of boxing followed by the fresh, raw excitement of mixed martial arts—two major events on one special night.
“I have always believed that boxing and MMA are the perfect complement to one another,” said Ken Hershman, the Showtime executive behind MMA’s move to premium television. “We have seen strong crossover appeal to the core demographic for both boxing and MMA. March 8 is the prefect way to build on that success.”
Talk about a one-two punch! At 9 p.m. ET/PT, live from the O2 Arena (delayed on the West Coast), SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will present WBO cruiserweight world champion Enzo Maccarinelli against fellow world champion David Haye (WBA and WBC) in a highly anticipated unification bout between the British compatriots. It’s an important night for the division and, with an expected live crowd of 20,000, a fight fan’s dream match-up of offensive-minded brawling Brits.
In the second-half of the televised twinbill, legendary Ken “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” Shamrock returns to the cage to face Britain’s Robert “Buzz” Berry in the main event of EliteXC Presents: Cage Rage 25 at Wembley Arena. The EliteXC telecast will air on a same-day delay immediately following the boxing telecast.
Shamrock, one of the true MMA legends, is looking forward to displaying his skills on SHOWTIME.
“I’m totally committed to getting back into the cage injury free and anxious about fighting in England and on SHOWTIME for the first time,” Shamrock said. “Fight fans in England are a special breed and they are going to be treated to a very special show. Give me a fight or two and I will be ready to fight anybody.”
Shamrock, one of the most popular heavyweights on the planet, has defeated the likes of such MMA greats as Bas Rutten, Maurice Smith, Dan “The Beast” Severn and Kimo.
An exciting night of EliteXC fights will include a featherweight title clash between Jean Silva and Masakazu Imanari, UK heavyweight contender Gary Turner versus Mustapha Alturk and Pierre Guillet against Tom “Kong” Watson in a middleweight match.
In a non-televised fight March 8, Shamrock’s son, Ryan, will take on Giorgio Andrews.
“It is very exciting for both Ryan and me,” the older Shamrock said. “We will be making MMA history by being the first father and son to ever fight on the same card. This is a great opportunity we are getting with EliteXC and SHOWTIME.’’
For more information on this event, 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 more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video, photo galleries and complete telecast information, please visit our website 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®.
Widely recognized as the leader in premium sports television, SHOWTIME made history on Feb. 10, 2007, when it became the first premium network to televise mixed martial arts (MMA). Now, fans will witness the classic power of boxing followed by the fresh, raw excitement of mixed martial arts—two major events on one special night.
“I have always believed that boxing and MMA are the perfect complement to one another,” said Ken Hershman, the Showtime executive behind MMA’s move to premium television. “We have seen strong crossover appeal to the core demographic for both boxing and MMA. March 8 is the prefect way to build on that success.”
Talk about a one-two punch! At 9 p.m. ET/PT, live from the O2 Arena (delayed on the West Coast), SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will present WBO cruiserweight world champion Enzo Maccarinelli against fellow world champion David Haye (WBA and WBC) in a highly anticipated unification bout between the British compatriots. It’s an important night for the division and, with an expected live crowd of 20,000, a fight fan’s dream match-up of offensive-minded brawling Brits.
In the second-half of the televised twinbill, legendary Ken “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” Shamrock returns to the cage to face Britain’s Robert “Buzz” Berry in the main event of EliteXC Presents: Cage Rage 25 at Wembley Arena. The EliteXC telecast will air on a same-day delay immediately following the boxing telecast.
Shamrock, one of the true MMA legends, is looking forward to displaying his skills on SHOWTIME.
“I’m totally committed to getting back into the cage injury free and anxious about fighting in England and on SHOWTIME for the first time,” Shamrock said. “Fight fans in England are a special breed and they are going to be treated to a very special show. Give me a fight or two and I will be ready to fight anybody.”
Shamrock, one of the most popular heavyweights on the planet, has defeated the likes of such MMA greats as Bas Rutten, Maurice Smith, Dan “The Beast” Severn and Kimo.
An exciting night of EliteXC fights will include a featherweight title clash between Jean Silva and Masakazu Imanari, UK heavyweight contender Gary Turner versus Mustapha Alturk and Pierre Guillet against Tom “Kong” Watson in a middleweight match.
In a non-televised fight March 8, Shamrock’s son, Ryan, will take on Giorgio Andrews.
“It is very exciting for both Ryan and me,” the older Shamrock said. “We will be making MMA history by being the first father and son to ever fight on the same card. This is a great opportunity we are getting with EliteXC and SHOWTIME.’’
For more information on this event, 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 more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video, photo galleries and complete telecast information, please visit our website 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®.
Nate Campbell: ‘Juan Diaz Is Not a Demigod’, Nate Campbell's upcoming challenge of undefeated, unified lightweight champion Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz
Nate Campbell's upcoming challenge of undefeated, unified lightweight champion Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz, IBF No. 1-Ranked Lightweight Thinks Juan Diaz Can Be Defeated;
Says He Will Teach Diaz ‘Things He Doesn’t Want to Know’.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—International Boxing Federation No. 1-ranked lightweight and mandatory challenger Nate “Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell is confident going into his match against undefeated unified lightweight world champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz on March 8 at Plaza de Torros in Cancun, Mexico.
“I don’t want to sound conceited or overconfident but Juan Diaz is not a demigod,” Campbell said. “A demigod is half mortal, half god and I just don’t see that. Unless my team and I have been in this sport too long—or not long enough—we are seeing a lot of hype.”
Campbell (31-5-1, 25 KOs), who is co-promoted by Don King Productions and One Punch Productions, made his comments about Diaz (33-0, 17 KOs) recently while visiting King’s South Florida headquarters.
“Take a good look at who this man has fought and ask yourself, ‘Who has he fought?’ There are lots of fighters out there who throw a lot of punches. I’m going to teach things to Juan that he doesn’t want to know. I can stop this man and I don’t believe he can beat me.”
Campbell thinks he has been underestimated throughout his career, and he looks forward to utilizing a six inch reach advantage over Diaz.
“Nobody thinks I can punch,” he said, “but there’s something about the way I punch that makes guys change their mind when they get in the ring with me. Juan Diaz will ask himself after the first punch I land that makes clean contact, ‘What part of the game is this?’
“Joel Casamayor has fought Jose Luis Castillo, Acelino Freitas, Diego Corrales and me. When a reporter asked him who hits the hardest, he said, ‘Nate Cambell.’ On top of that, I heard Casamayor predicted that I’m going to win against Diaz.”
Campbell’s fight is part of the History in Cancun event that will include the first world heavyweight championship ever decided in Mexico when World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev faces WBC interim champion Sameul “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter. Both Diaz vs. Campell and Maskaev vs.
Peter will be televised live in America on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT. The event is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Duva Boxing, Pepe Gomez Promotions and One Punch Productions.
Tickets priced at $1,000, 500, $300, $150, $100, $70, $50 and $10 are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets including www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster in Mexico at +5255 5325 9000.
Campbell said his preparation for the fight has been going well while splitting training time in West Palm Beach and Pembroke Pines in South Florida.
“I hate it when fighters say, ‘I’m in the best shape of my life,’” Campbell said. “I’m always in great shape. I will say though that this is the first time in a long time that I’ve been able to focus only on my training and no other outside stuff like relationships or family problems.
“I have stayed away from everything and everyone that could distract me from winning these titles. My promoters Don King and Terry Trekas have taken good care of me. My trainer John David Jackson and his assistant Noel Carbajal and all my gym mates have been great as usual.”
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.
Dino Duva, the president of Duva Boxing, has promoted great fighters and great fights during four decades in boxing. Growing up in a renowned boxing family, the Duva name has become synonymous with excellence in the fight game as the “First Family in Boxing.” Working closely with his Hall of Fame father, Lou, and his late, great brother Dan, Duva has been involved in the promotion of over 100 world championship fights including such titlists as Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker, Arturo Gatti, and Mark Breland. Duva is presently the promoter of Samuel Peter, regarded by many as the top young heavyweight contender in boxing.
Alan Hopper, Don King Prouctions
EVENT PAGE LINK: http://www.kevincalero.com/donking/event%5F3808/
Says He Will Teach Diaz ‘Things He Doesn’t Want to Know’.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—International Boxing Federation No. 1-ranked lightweight and mandatory challenger Nate “Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell is confident going into his match against undefeated unified lightweight world champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz on March 8 at Plaza de Torros in Cancun, Mexico.
“I don’t want to sound conceited or overconfident but Juan Diaz is not a demigod,” Campbell said. “A demigod is half mortal, half god and I just don’t see that. Unless my team and I have been in this sport too long—or not long enough—we are seeing a lot of hype.”
Campbell (31-5-1, 25 KOs), who is co-promoted by Don King Productions and One Punch Productions, made his comments about Diaz (33-0, 17 KOs) recently while visiting King’s South Florida headquarters.
“Take a good look at who this man has fought and ask yourself, ‘Who has he fought?’ There are lots of fighters out there who throw a lot of punches. I’m going to teach things to Juan that he doesn’t want to know. I can stop this man and I don’t believe he can beat me.”
Campbell thinks he has been underestimated throughout his career, and he looks forward to utilizing a six inch reach advantage over Diaz.
“Nobody thinks I can punch,” he said, “but there’s something about the way I punch that makes guys change their mind when they get in the ring with me. Juan Diaz will ask himself after the first punch I land that makes clean contact, ‘What part of the game is this?’
“Joel Casamayor has fought Jose Luis Castillo, Acelino Freitas, Diego Corrales and me. When a reporter asked him who hits the hardest, he said, ‘Nate Cambell.’ On top of that, I heard Casamayor predicted that I’m going to win against Diaz.”
Campbell’s fight is part of the History in Cancun event that will include the first world heavyweight championship ever decided in Mexico when World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev faces WBC interim champion Sameul “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter. Both Diaz vs. Campell and Maskaev vs.
Peter will be televised live in America on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT. The event is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Duva Boxing, Pepe Gomez Promotions and One Punch Productions.
Tickets priced at $1,000, 500, $300, $150, $100, $70, $50 and $10 are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets including www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster in Mexico at +5255 5325 9000.
Campbell said his preparation for the fight has been going well while splitting training time in West Palm Beach and Pembroke Pines in South Florida.
“I hate it when fighters say, ‘I’m in the best shape of my life,’” Campbell said. “I’m always in great shape. I will say though that this is the first time in a long time that I’ve been able to focus only on my training and no other outside stuff like relationships or family problems.
“I have stayed away from everything and everyone that could distract me from winning these titles. My promoters Don King and Terry Trekas have taken good care of me. My trainer John David Jackson and his assistant Noel Carbajal and all my gym mates have been great as usual.”
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.
Dino Duva, the president of Duva Boxing, has promoted great fighters and great fights during four decades in boxing. Growing up in a renowned boxing family, the Duva name has become synonymous with excellence in the fight game as the “First Family in Boxing.” Working closely with his Hall of Fame father, Lou, and his late, great brother Dan, Duva has been involved in the promotion of over 100 world championship fights including such titlists as Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker, Arturo Gatti, and Mark Breland. Duva is presently the promoter of Samuel Peter, regarded by many as the top young heavyweight contender in boxing.
Alan Hopper, Don King Prouctions
EVENT PAGE LINK: http://www.kevincalero.com/donking/event%5F3808/
ROBERT GUERRERO RETAINS IBF FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE WITH SCINTILLATING EIGHTH-ROUND KO OVER JASON LITZAU, TRAVIS WALKER GETS REVENGE, STOPS T.J. WILSON
LEMOORE, Calif. Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero produced perhaps the finest performance of his career Friday when he successfully defended his International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight title with an exciting eighth-round knockout over Jason “The American Boy’’ Litzau in a thrilling one-sided war in the main event on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME.
Robert Guerrero lands a left uppercut en route to knocking out Jason Litzau in the eighth round and retaining his IBF featherweight title Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME.
Photos: Daisy Rosas/For Showtime
Afterward, a triumphant Guerrero poses with his wife, Casey. This was his second fight since Casey, who is now in remission, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007.
In the co-feature, promising once-beaten Travis “Freight Train” Walker got back on track by registering a second-round knockout over the only boxer to defeat him, T.J. Wilson, in a non-stop action heavyweight fight.
In a thrilling heavyweight brawl for as long as it lasted, Travis Walker registered a second-round knockout over T.J. Wilson in a rematch of a fight Wilson won by controversial first-round KO on Oct. 19, 2007 on ShoBox.
The crowd-pleasing doubleheader, promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, LLC, took place in front of a sellout crowd at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Calif. It aired live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Fans anxiously awaiting the highly anticipated rubber match between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez today/Saturday, March 1, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) got more than an appetizer. They got two marvelous main courses rolled into one.
So what else is new? After all, this is ShoBox and exhilarating, compelling matchups has been the norm since the popular pugilistic series debuted in July 2001.
Southpaw Guerrero (22-1-1, 1 ND, 15 KOs), of nearby Gilroy, Calif., fairly dominated Litzau (23-2, 19 KOs), of St. Paul, Minn., before dropping him twice in the eighth round. After the second knockdown, the referee stopped the contest at 2:25.
Making the second defense in his second stint as IBF 126-pound kingpin, Guerrero floored the challenger the first time with two left hands approximately 40 seconds into the session. A three-punch combination ended the evening for Litzau.
“It went how I expected it to go,’’ Guerrero said. “A lot of fans came here and a whole lot more were watching on SHOWTIME to see me put on a good show and I think I did. The support I get is just incredible and I really appreciate the fans that come to see me fight or watch on television.
“I expended a lot of energy at the beginning throwing a lot of power punches. A lot landed, but some missed, too. Between rounds, my corner told me to just go out and relax and box more and let the knockout come and sure enough they were right and it did.
“I’ll fight anybody next. There are a lot of big fights out there. If the winner of Vazquez-Marquez wants to move up, I would fight either of them. I am ready to fight now.’’
Litzau started slowly and seemed reluctant to let his fists go. Once he picked up the pace, however, he landed some solid shots, but rarely in combination. Guerrero also made him miss, at one point avoiding six consecutive punches.
“I have nothing but respect for Guerrero. He is a great champion,’’ said Litzau, who’s three fight-winning streak ended. “He came in and did his job. He got a little dirty at times and got me with some good headbutts, but you will not hear any excuses from me.
“I worked my butt off in the gym and trained hard. I was as ready as I could be, but this was his night. I know I did my part to make this a very entertaining fight, but I’m just 24 and I will be back.’’
In the telecast’s opening bout, Walker (27-1-1, 21 KOs) of Houston, Tex., exacted sweet revenge on Wilson (12-2, eight KOs) of Miami, Fla. Walker won by knockout at 1:50 of the second round.
This was a rematch of a fight Wilson won on a controversial 15-second, first-round KO on Oct. 19, 2007, on ShoBox.
Both boxers came out aggressively and connected with solid shots in a fast-paced opening round. The second frame picked up where the first left off until Wilson ran into a Walker right uppercut. Walker continued to connect with unanswered right and left hands and had Wilson out on his feet when the referee stepped in and waved off the proceedings.
“I have never been motivated for any fight before and this is total vindication and exactly the kind of fight I wanted,’’ Walker said. “I did what I was supposed to do in our first fight. I knew he wasn’t in my league and I couldn’t wait to show the world that.
“He hit me with the same kind of punches this time as he did in our first fight, but this time the referee let it go on. The guy lost a lot of weight and came in shape (at 264, Wilson weighed 18 pounds lighter than he did four months ago), but it didn’t matter.
“Maybe the loss was a good thing. It made me smarter. I do know the real Travis Walker got to show what he was about tonight. I would love to fight any of the top heavyweights.’’
If Wilson has his way, he and Wilson will have a third encounter.
“There’s a rematch clause in my contract, so, yes, we will fight again,’’ Wilson said. “I have no idea why the referee stopped the fight. I could have gone on. I wanted to go on. Walker got his rematch with me. Now he has to give me a rematch with him.’’
Nick Charles called the action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing.
Friday’s stirring bouts will re-air this week as follows:
DAY CHANNEL
Saturday, March 1, at 3 a.m. ET/PT SHOTOO
Monday, March 3, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Tuesday, March 4, at Midnight ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Thursday, March 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT SHOTOO
Four world-class boxers with a combined record of 93-0 will headline a “Special Edition” of ShoBox on Saturday, March 29, (SHOWTIME, 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) in England. In the main event, the World Boxing Council’s (WBC’s) No. 1 and No. 2 super middleweight contenders, respectively, Carl Froch (22-0) and Dennis Inkin (32-0), collide in a 168-pound elimination bout. The winner becomes the mandatory challenger to WBC titleholder Joe Calzaghe. In the co-feature, John Murray (23-0) faces John “Fireball” Fewkes (16-0) in a junior welterweight bout.
The ShoBox telecast will follow an excellent EliteXC Mixed Martial Arts event on SHOWTIME (9 p.m., ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) that features the legendary Frank Shamrock against Cung Le.
For more information on Showtime Sports, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and EliteXC mixed martial arts telecasts, please go www.SHO.com/sports.
About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talented fighters matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise crowd-pleasing and competitive fights while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paulie Malignaggi and Paul Williams.
boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
Robert Guerrero lands a left uppercut en route to knocking out Jason Litzau in the eighth round and retaining his IBF featherweight title Friday on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME.
Photos: Daisy Rosas/For Showtime
Afterward, a triumphant Guerrero poses with his wife, Casey. This was his second fight since Casey, who is now in remission, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007.
In the co-feature, promising once-beaten Travis “Freight Train” Walker got back on track by registering a second-round knockout over the only boxer to defeat him, T.J. Wilson, in a non-stop action heavyweight fight.
In a thrilling heavyweight brawl for as long as it lasted, Travis Walker registered a second-round knockout over T.J. Wilson in a rematch of a fight Wilson won by controversial first-round KO on Oct. 19, 2007 on ShoBox.
The crowd-pleasing doubleheader, promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, LLC, took place in front of a sellout crowd at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Calif. It aired live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Fans anxiously awaiting the highly anticipated rubber match between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez today/Saturday, March 1, on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) got more than an appetizer. They got two marvelous main courses rolled into one.
So what else is new? After all, this is ShoBox and exhilarating, compelling matchups has been the norm since the popular pugilistic series debuted in July 2001.
Southpaw Guerrero (22-1-1, 1 ND, 15 KOs), of nearby Gilroy, Calif., fairly dominated Litzau (23-2, 19 KOs), of St. Paul, Minn., before dropping him twice in the eighth round. After the second knockdown, the referee stopped the contest at 2:25.
Making the second defense in his second stint as IBF 126-pound kingpin, Guerrero floored the challenger the first time with two left hands approximately 40 seconds into the session. A three-punch combination ended the evening for Litzau.
“It went how I expected it to go,’’ Guerrero said. “A lot of fans came here and a whole lot more were watching on SHOWTIME to see me put on a good show and I think I did. The support I get is just incredible and I really appreciate the fans that come to see me fight or watch on television.
“I expended a lot of energy at the beginning throwing a lot of power punches. A lot landed, but some missed, too. Between rounds, my corner told me to just go out and relax and box more and let the knockout come and sure enough they were right and it did.
“I’ll fight anybody next. There are a lot of big fights out there. If the winner of Vazquez-Marquez wants to move up, I would fight either of them. I am ready to fight now.’’
Litzau started slowly and seemed reluctant to let his fists go. Once he picked up the pace, however, he landed some solid shots, but rarely in combination. Guerrero also made him miss, at one point avoiding six consecutive punches.
“I have nothing but respect for Guerrero. He is a great champion,’’ said Litzau, who’s three fight-winning streak ended. “He came in and did his job. He got a little dirty at times and got me with some good headbutts, but you will not hear any excuses from me.
“I worked my butt off in the gym and trained hard. I was as ready as I could be, but this was his night. I know I did my part to make this a very entertaining fight, but I’m just 24 and I will be back.’’
In the telecast’s opening bout, Walker (27-1-1, 21 KOs) of Houston, Tex., exacted sweet revenge on Wilson (12-2, eight KOs) of Miami, Fla. Walker won by knockout at 1:50 of the second round.
This was a rematch of a fight Wilson won on a controversial 15-second, first-round KO on Oct. 19, 2007, on ShoBox.
Both boxers came out aggressively and connected with solid shots in a fast-paced opening round. The second frame picked up where the first left off until Wilson ran into a Walker right uppercut. Walker continued to connect with unanswered right and left hands and had Wilson out on his feet when the referee stepped in and waved off the proceedings.
“I have never been motivated for any fight before and this is total vindication and exactly the kind of fight I wanted,’’ Walker said. “I did what I was supposed to do in our first fight. I knew he wasn’t in my league and I couldn’t wait to show the world that.
“He hit me with the same kind of punches this time as he did in our first fight, but this time the referee let it go on. The guy lost a lot of weight and came in shape (at 264, Wilson weighed 18 pounds lighter than he did four months ago), but it didn’t matter.
“Maybe the loss was a good thing. It made me smarter. I do know the real Travis Walker got to show what he was about tonight. I would love to fight any of the top heavyweights.’’
If Wilson has his way, he and Wilson will have a third encounter.
“There’s a rematch clause in my contract, so, yes, we will fight again,’’ Wilson said. “I have no idea why the referee stopped the fight. I could have gone on. I wanted to go on. Walker got his rematch with me. Now he has to give me a rematch with him.’’
Nick Charles called the action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing.
Friday’s stirring bouts will re-air this week as follows:
DAY CHANNEL
Saturday, March 1, at 3 a.m. ET/PT SHOTOO
Monday, March 3, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Tuesday, March 4, at Midnight ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Thursday, March 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT SHOTOO
Four world-class boxers with a combined record of 93-0 will headline a “Special Edition” of ShoBox on Saturday, March 29, (SHOWTIME, 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) in England. In the main event, the World Boxing Council’s (WBC’s) No. 1 and No. 2 super middleweight contenders, respectively, Carl Froch (22-0) and Dennis Inkin (32-0), collide in a 168-pound elimination bout. The winner becomes the mandatory challenger to WBC titleholder Joe Calzaghe. In the co-feature, John Murray (23-0) faces John “Fireball” Fewkes (16-0) in a junior welterweight bout.
The ShoBox telecast will follow an excellent EliteXC Mixed Martial Arts event on SHOWTIME (9 p.m., ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) that features the legendary Frank Shamrock against Cung Le.
For more information on Showtime Sports, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and EliteXC mixed martial arts telecasts, please go www.SHO.com/sports.
About ShoBox: The New Generation
Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talented fighters matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise crowd-pleasing and competitive fights while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paulie Malignaggi and Paul Williams.
boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
SCHULTZ, NELSON DEFEND BELTS, MC GIVERN WINS IFL TITLE IN LAS VEGAS World Class Fight Center, Team Quest Take Camp Victories
LAS VEGAS– Lightweight Ryan Schultz (North Platte, Neb.) and heavyweight Roy Nelson (Las Vegas) defended their respective International Fight League titles and middleweight Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa) won his first belt before 3,931 at the IFL event tonight at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Schultz ground out a unanimous decision over John Gunderson (Medford, Ore.) to retain his title, maintaining strong position throughout the match. Most of the bout was contested on the ground, with both fighters escaping potential chokes in the final two rounds. Nelson earned a first-round TKO victory over Fabiano Scherner (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) to defend his heavyweight crown. Nelson took Scherner down midway through the round and used a flurry of right hands to secure the stoppage at 3:20. In what many felt was the best bout of the night, McGivern topped defending champion Matt Horwich (Portland, Ore.) by unanimous decision in a battle in which both fighters had strong moments. Horwich nearly secured an armbar at the end of the second round, when McGivern was likely saved by the bell. In the closing seconds of the fourth round, McGivern delivered a series of strikes that staggered the former champion, but the champion held on until the bell. In the camp vs. camp matchups which preceded the Championship bouts, World Class Fight Center and Lion’s Den/Team Quest were victorious. Rafael Dias (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) starting things off well for Mario Sperry’s WCFC in its win over Team Tompkins with a victory at 145 lbs. over Santino Defranco (Tempe, Ariz.) by way of rear naked choke submission two minutes into the first round. At 185 lbs., hometown favorite Josh Haynes (Las Vegas) defeated Leopoldo Serao (San Francisco) via unanimous decision to even the camps at one win apiece. WCFC took two out of three bouts when Alexandre Ferreira (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) recorded a rear naked choke over Lew Polley (Coconut Creek, Fla.), just 0:20 into the first round. Jake Ellenberger (Omaha, Neb.), representing Team Quest, decisioned Pat Healy (St. Louis) to open his camp’s matchup with Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den. Schultz’s win over Gunderson secured the triumph for Team Quest, while Nelson’s win provided the final 2-1 margin. Prior to the team matchups, Ian Loveland (Portland, Ore.) submitted Dennis Davis (Las Vegas) via guillotine choke in the second round of their featherweight contest. IFL Las VegasFriday, February 29, 2008 Preliminary Bout145 lbs.: Ian Loveland (Portland, Ore.) def. Dennis Davis (Las Vegas) via submission (guillotine), 2nd, 0:58 Team Tompkins vs. World Class Fight Center (Mario Sperry)145 lbs.: Rafael Dias (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), WCFC, def. Santino Defranco (Tempe, Ariz.) via submission (rear naked choke), 1st, 2:03185 lbs.: Josh Haynes (Las Vegas), Team Tompkins, def. Leopoldo Serao (San Francisco) via decision (unanimous) after three rounds205 lbs.: Alexandre Ferreira (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), WCFC, def. Lew Polley (Coconut Creek, Fla.) via submission (standing guillotine choke), 1st, 0:20 Team Quest (Matt Lindland) vs. Lion’s Den (Ken Shamrock)170 lbs.: Jake Ellenberger (Omaha, Neb.), Team Quest, def. Pat Healy (St. Louis) via decision (unanimous), after three rounds *155 lbs.: **Ryan Schultz (North Platte, Neb.), Team Quest, def. John Gunderson (Medford, Ore.) via decision (unanimous), after five rounds*265 lbs.: **Roy Nelson (Las Vegas), Lion’s Den def. Fabiano Scherner (Portland, Ore.) via TKO (strikes) 1st, 3:20, Championship Bout*185 lbs.: Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa) def. **Matt Horwich (Portland, Ore.) via decision (unanimous), after five rounds *Championship Bout**Defending Champion 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
Too Smooth” Godfrey heads to Germany for March 8th WBC Title Eliminator versus Kraj
“PROVIDENCE – Undefeated WBC No. 1 cruiserweight contender Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (16-0, 9 KOs) broke his Hartford-based training camp on Tuesday and departed for Germany to acclimate himself for his March 8 WBC title elimination showdown against unbeaten No. 2 ranked Rudy Kraj (13-0, 10 KOs) in Krefeld.
“I’ve been training for this fight since Christmas,” the 27-year-old NABF champion Godfrey explained, “but I really started training camp around the first week of September for a fight (versus Jeremy Williams) that fell out right before Thanksgiving. So, I’m ready for this fight, and I want to go in and let everybody see what all of this hard work and training has done for me. People are going to see the Matt Godfrey who was so explosive against (Shaun) George and (Felix) Cora (Jr), in addition to seeing some different stuff that comes from new conditioning training that allows me to do a lot more in the ring. Click on the results of March 8 and see Godfrey as the decisive victor.”
The winner of Godfrey-Kraj not only will become the WBC’s mandatory challenger, it also has additional implications because WBC/WBA title-holder David Haye fights WBO champion Enzo Maccarinelli on March 8 in London. A Haye victory 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.
“We had the DVD player going every day and we’ve noticed some different things about Kraj that we’ve worked on,” Godfrey spoke about his 2000 Olympic silver medal winning opponent, Kraj. “He’s a solid opponent with good strength and size. He’s the real deal and it’s going to be a great fight.
“I’m not concerned about fighting him in Germany. We’re going over there early to get acclimated to the weather and time. We’ll have ample time to adjust. The winner could be the new world champion or interim title holder. The worst that can happen is the winner is the mandatory contender, and that’s why I’m looking at this as a world title fight, whether it is or isn’t.”
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
Photo Courtesy of Ed Rosa
Howard Schatz photographs the Klitschko fight from ringside for Sports Illustrated
Howard Schatz photographed the Klitschko fight from ringside for Sports Illustrated at MSG last weekend. SI published a double-paged spread as well as an image for their feature. This is an extraordinary amount of national coverage and a unique win for boxing.(Photo Courtesy Of: Howard Schatz and Claire Skowronek)
Claire Skowronek, Producer
Schatz/Ornstein Studio
claire@howardschatz.com
Our newly launched website:
http://www.howardschatz.com/
boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
Gotham Boxing and Bash Boxing promotion presented “The Russians Are Coming” at Roseland Ballroom, Thursday February 28, here are the results
Gotham Boxing and Bash Boxing promotion presented “The Russians Are Coming”, at the Roseland Ballroom, Thursday February 28, here are the results.
Headliner IBF junior bantamweight world champion Dimitri Kirilov improves to(30-3, 9 KO's) in his first title defense against Cecilio "Boga" Santos, who drops (22-9-2, 12KO's) in the main event.
Dimitri Kirilov and Dmitriy “Star of David” Salita
Returning to the ring of ever popular Dmitriy “Star of David” Salita remains undefeated (28-0-1, 15 KO's), in the co-feature, stopping Fabian "El Lobo" Luque who drops to (21-7-5, 12 KO's) of Mexico.
New York State champ and Undefeated Bronx and Puerto Rican star Jorge "The Truth" Teron improves to (20-0-1, 11 KO's) stopping Sandro Marcos, who drops to (27-17-2, 23 KO's) of Mazatlan, Mexico winning the vacant WBO Intercontinental Lightweight Championship.
Team Teron Mark Breland and Steve.
WIBA Women's Flyweight World Champion Elena "Baby Doll" Reid dropped to (19-4-5, 5 KO's) the three time Golden Gloves champion, puts her belt on the line against Eileen "Hawaiian Mongoose" Olszewski, who improves to (5-0-1).
Flag-waving patriots saluted U.S. Marine Jon Schneider when the Yonkers, NY native faced, Boston's Tyrone Smith (5-5-2, 2 KO's) in a six round Heavyweight attraction, which ended in a draw.
Jon Schneider
boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
Headliner IBF junior bantamweight world champion Dimitri Kirilov improves to(30-3, 9 KO's) in his first title defense against Cecilio "Boga" Santos, who drops (22-9-2, 12KO's) in the main event.
Dimitri Kirilov and Dmitriy “Star of David” Salita
Returning to the ring of ever popular Dmitriy “Star of David” Salita remains undefeated (28-0-1, 15 KO's), in the co-feature, stopping Fabian "El Lobo" Luque who drops to (21-7-5, 12 KO's) of Mexico.
New York State champ and Undefeated Bronx and Puerto Rican star Jorge "The Truth" Teron improves to (20-0-1, 11 KO's) stopping Sandro Marcos, who drops to (27-17-2, 23 KO's) of Mazatlan, Mexico winning the vacant WBO Intercontinental Lightweight Championship.
Team Teron Mark Breland and Steve.
WIBA Women's Flyweight World Champion Elena "Baby Doll" Reid dropped to (19-4-5, 5 KO's) the three time Golden Gloves champion, puts her belt on the line against Eileen "Hawaiian Mongoose" Olszewski, who improves to (5-0-1).
Flag-waving patriots saluted U.S. Marine Jon Schneider when the Yonkers, NY native faced, Boston's Tyrone Smith (5-5-2, 2 KO's) in a six round Heavyweight attraction, which ended in a draw.
Jon Schneider
boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
Friday, February 29, 2008
Nabaté Isles perform with the great saxophonist Oliver Lake at the Jazz Gallery Saturday, March 1st, 9 and 10:30 pm sets
Oliver Lake's Organ Quartet
featuring:
Oliver Lake, Alto Saxophone
Nabaté Isles, Trumpet
Jared Gold, Organ
Johnathan Blake, Drums
@
The Jazz Gallery
290 Hudson Street
(between Spring and Dominick Streets)
Cover: $15
Students/Members: $10
(212) 242-1063
www.jazzgallery.org
boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
featuring:
Oliver Lake, Alto Saxophone
Nabaté Isles, Trumpet
Jared Gold, Organ
Johnathan Blake, Drums
@
The Jazz Gallery
290 Hudson Street
(between Spring and Dominick Streets)
Cover: $15
Students/Members: $10
(212) 242-1063
www.jazzgallery.org
boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
A Message from Tyler Perry
Thank you all for making WHY DID I GET MARRIED? the number one DVD this week as well as buying WHAT'S DONE IN THE DARK.
It's so good to know that I can count on you. (smile) Thank you, again! I want to say a quick congratulations to Lavan Davis, Lance Gross, HOUSE OF PAYNE and Janet Jackson. They all won Image Awards. I am so happy for them, especially Lavan. I'm telling you, nobody would give this man a shot. Now look! I'm just blown away. Another reason that I'm writing is this.
When we won the Image Award for HOUSE OF PAYNE, I said something that I didn't know I had said until I watched the show played back that night. I said that if 1000 people tell you no and you get one yes from God then that's all you need to make it. That thing woke up something in me. I realized at that moment that I had had a lot of NO's in my life. I had a lot of people say, "You can't!" and "You never will!" I had a lot of doubters and hardly anybody ever said that I could. And through the hardest times in my life I had to learn how to encourage myself.
And I want to tell you that if nobody else will encourage you then encourage yourself. If you have a dream, keep working towards it. It's great to have people give you awards and appreciate what you do, but back in the day, it wasn't that way at all. I remember when I was broke and working a dead end job clearing about 300 dollars a week. This wasn't long ago at all, as a matter of fact. What I would do though was on my lunch break I would spend the time writing down play ideas, writing down movie ideas, planning a tour for my play, looking at maps of the country, calling theaters. I knew that I had ideas that would move people--that would help them in one way or another, so I just kept going. I didn't have a dime to my name. I didn't know how I was going to get there, but I knew that I would in some way. And then God made a way. And look, when I would really get down I used to go out to the nicest neighborhoods and go to open houses and just look at them and believe. I would put on my nicest closes and go out and test drive the finest cars. Now I know that these are material things but this is about an exercise in faith. In order to get to your dreams you have to see yourself there. You have to see yourself doing better. Use your mind to see yourself doing better. The Bible says, "As a man thinketh, so is he." Stir up the gift in you. People are waiting for your dream to come to pass. Don't give up. I often think about all the times I wanted to give up. I thought about how hard it was and how much I was going through. I look at my life now and I say to myself, "Boy I'm glad you kept going!" What if I would have stopped, can you imagine? No plays, no movies, no Madea, not even this email. Again, God has given us all gifts and if you give up on your dreams then the world will never know. We're waiting for you! God bless...Live well, Tyler Perry To respond to this message, please go to> http://www.tylerperry.com/messageboard
boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
Black WallStreet
Black WallStreet
Little Africa has provided this reference to provide an historical
example of how African-Americans, working together, can make a
tremendous difference in their lives and community.
Black Wallstreet was physically destroyed by jealous whites, the
message here; however, is not about anger or revenge--It is a simple
plea to recapture that thriving community's pride and spirit.
Moreover, we hope that this example encourages you to replicate its
cultural and economic success.
The highlighted (blue) passages focus attention on the success of our
people and provides additional perspective that you should keep in
mind as you think about the opportunity that the Block IV Corporation
articulates in the Village GoldMine. The Block IV Corporation has
also injected additional comments (red) throughout the text.
Black Wallstreet
The date was June 1, 1921, when "Black Wallstreet," the name
fittingly given to one of the most affluent all-Black communities in
America, (This was not the only thrinving black community.) was
bombed from the air and burned to the ground by mobs of envious
whites. In a period spanning fewer than 12 hours, a once thriving 36-
Block business district in northern Tulsa lay smoldering--A model
community destroyed, and a major African-American economic movement
resoundingly defused.
The nights carnage left some 3,000 African Americans dead, and over
600 successful businesses lost. Among these were 21 churches, 21
restaurants, 30 grocery stores and two movie theaters, plus a
hospital, a bank, a post office, libraries, schools, law offices, a
half dozen private airplanes and even a bus system. As could have
been expected the impetus behind it all was the infamous Ku Klux
Klan, working in consort with ranking city officials, and many other
sympathizers.
In their self-published book, Black Wallstreet: A Lost Dream, and its
companion video documentary, Black Wallstreet: A Black Holocaust in
America!, the authors have chronicled for the very first time in the
words of area historians and elderly survivors what really happened
there on that fateful summer day in 1921 and why it happened. Wallace
similarly explained to BE why this bloody event from the turn of the
century seems to have had a recurring effect that is being felt in
predominately Black neighborhoods even to this day.
The best description of Black Wallstreet, or Little Africa as it was
also known, would be liken it to a mini-Beverly Hills. It was the
golden door of the Black community during the early 1900s, and it
proved that African Americans had successful infrastructure. That's
what Black Wallstreet was all about.
The dollar circulated 36 to 100 times, sometimes taking a year for
currency to leave the community. Now in 1995, a dollar leaves the
Black community in 15-minutes. (Black economic success depends on us
spending our money with us.) As far as resources, there were Ph.D.'s
residing in Little Africa, Black attorneys and doctors. One doctor
was Dr. Berry who owned the bus system. His average income was $500 a
day, a hefty pocket change in 1910. (We provided for ourselves the
same services that we currenly rely on others to provide.)
During that era, physicians owned medical schools. There were also
pawn shops everywhere, brothels, jewelry stores, 21 churches, 21
restaurants and two movie theaters. It was a time when the entire
state of Oklahoma has only two airports, yet six Blacks owned their
own planes. It was a very fascinating community.
The area encompassed over 600 businesses and 36 square blocks with a
population of 15,000 African Americans. And when the lower-economic
Europeans looked over and saw what the Black community created, many
of them were jealous. When the average student went to school on
Black Wallstreet, he wore a suit and tie because of the morals and
respect they were taught at a young age.
The mainstay of the community was to educate every child. Nepotism
was the one word they believed in. And that's what we need to get
back to in 1995. The main thoroughfare was Greenwood Avenue, and it
was intersected by Archer and Pine Streets. From the first letters in
each of those three names, you get G.A.P., and that's where the
renowned R and B music group The Gap Band got its name. They're from
Tulsa.
Black Wallstreet was a prime example of the typical. Black community
in America that did businesses, but it was in an unusual location.
You see, at the time, Oklahoma was set aside to be a Black and Indian
state. There were over 28 Black townships there. One third of the
people who traveled in the terrifying "Trail of Tears" along side the
Indians between 1830 to 1842 were Black people.
The citizens of this proposed Indian and Black state chose a Black
governor, a treasurer from Kansas named McDade. But the Ku Klux Klan
said that if he assumed office that they would kill him within 48
hours. A lot of Blacks owned farmland, and many of them had gone into
the oil business. The community was so tight and wealthy because they
traded dollars hand-to-hand, and because they were dependent upon one
another as a result of the Jim Crow laws.
It was not unusual that if a resident's home accidentally burned
down, it could be rebuilt within a few weeks by neighbors. This was
the type of scenario that was going on day- to-day on Black
Wallstreet. When Blacks intermarried into the Indian culture, some of
them received their promised '40 Acres and A Mule' and with that came
whatever oil was later found on the properties.
Just to show you how wealthy a lot of Black people were, there was a
banker in the neighboring town who had a wife named California
Taylor. Her father owned the largest cotton gin west of the
Mississippi [River]. When California shopped, she would take a cruise
to Paris every three months to have her clothes made.
There was also a man named Mason in nearby Wagner County who had the
largest potato farm west of the Mississippi. When he harvested, he
would fill 100 boxcars a day. Another brother not far away had the
same thing with a spinach farm. The typical family then was five
children or more, though the typical farm family would have 10 kids
or more who made up the nucleus of the labor.
On Black Wallstreet, a lot of global business was conducted. The
community flourished from the early 1900s until June 1, 1921. That's
when the largest massacre of non-military Americans in the history of
this country took place, and it was lead by the Ku Klux Klan. Imagine
walking out of your front door and seeing 1,500 homes being burned.
It must have been amazing.
Survivors we interviewed think that the whole thing was planned
because during the time that all of this was going on, white families
with their children stood around the borders of their community and
watched the massacre, the looting and everything--much in the same
manner they would watch a lynching.
In my lectures I ask people if they understand where the word
"picnic" comes from. It was typical to have a picnic on a Friday
evening in Oklahoma. The word was short for "pick a nigger" to lynch.
They would lynch a Black male and cut off body parts as souvenirs.
This went on every weekend in this country, and it was all across the
county. That's where the term really came from.
The riots weren't caused by anything Black or white. It was caused by
jealousy. A lot of white folks had come back from World War I and
they were poor. When they looked over into the Black communities and
realized that Black men who fought in the war had come home heroes
that helped trigger the destruction.
In 1910, our forefathers and mothers owned 13 million acres of land
at the height of racism in this country, so the Black Wallstreet book
and videotape prove to the naysayers and revisionists that we had our
act together. Our mandate now is to begin to teach our children about
out own, ongoing Black holocaust. They have to know when they look at
our communities today that we don't come from this.
Excerpt from Black Elegance Magazine (issue unknown)
Title: Ron Wallace Co-Author of Black Wallstreet: A Lost Dream
Chronicles a Little Known Chapter of African-American History in
Oklahoma
By line: As Told To Ronald E. Childs
http://www/littleafrica.com
boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
Little Africa has provided this reference to provide an historical
example of how African-Americans, working together, can make a
tremendous difference in their lives and community.
Black Wallstreet was physically destroyed by jealous whites, the
message here; however, is not about anger or revenge--It is a simple
plea to recapture that thriving community's pride and spirit.
Moreover, we hope that this example encourages you to replicate its
cultural and economic success.
The highlighted (blue) passages focus attention on the success of our
people and provides additional perspective that you should keep in
mind as you think about the opportunity that the Block IV Corporation
articulates in the Village GoldMine. The Block IV Corporation has
also injected additional comments (red) throughout the text.
Black Wallstreet
The date was June 1, 1921, when "Black Wallstreet," the name
fittingly given to one of the most affluent all-Black communities in
America, (This was not the only thrinving black community.) was
bombed from the air and burned to the ground by mobs of envious
whites. In a period spanning fewer than 12 hours, a once thriving 36-
Block business district in northern Tulsa lay smoldering--A model
community destroyed, and a major African-American economic movement
resoundingly defused.
The nights carnage left some 3,000 African Americans dead, and over
600 successful businesses lost. Among these were 21 churches, 21
restaurants, 30 grocery stores and two movie theaters, plus a
hospital, a bank, a post office, libraries, schools, law offices, a
half dozen private airplanes and even a bus system. As could have
been expected the impetus behind it all was the infamous Ku Klux
Klan, working in consort with ranking city officials, and many other
sympathizers.
In their self-published book, Black Wallstreet: A Lost Dream, and its
companion video documentary, Black Wallstreet: A Black Holocaust in
America!, the authors have chronicled for the very first time in the
words of area historians and elderly survivors what really happened
there on that fateful summer day in 1921 and why it happened. Wallace
similarly explained to BE why this bloody event from the turn of the
century seems to have had a recurring effect that is being felt in
predominately Black neighborhoods even to this day.
The best description of Black Wallstreet, or Little Africa as it was
also known, would be liken it to a mini-Beverly Hills. It was the
golden door of the Black community during the early 1900s, and it
proved that African Americans had successful infrastructure. That's
what Black Wallstreet was all about.
The dollar circulated 36 to 100 times, sometimes taking a year for
currency to leave the community. Now in 1995, a dollar leaves the
Black community in 15-minutes. (Black economic success depends on us
spending our money with us.) As far as resources, there were Ph.D.'s
residing in Little Africa, Black attorneys and doctors. One doctor
was Dr. Berry who owned the bus system. His average income was $500 a
day, a hefty pocket change in 1910. (We provided for ourselves the
same services that we currenly rely on others to provide.)
During that era, physicians owned medical schools. There were also
pawn shops everywhere, brothels, jewelry stores, 21 churches, 21
restaurants and two movie theaters. It was a time when the entire
state of Oklahoma has only two airports, yet six Blacks owned their
own planes. It was a very fascinating community.
The area encompassed over 600 businesses and 36 square blocks with a
population of 15,000 African Americans. And when the lower-economic
Europeans looked over and saw what the Black community created, many
of them were jealous. When the average student went to school on
Black Wallstreet, he wore a suit and tie because of the morals and
respect they were taught at a young age.
The mainstay of the community was to educate every child. Nepotism
was the one word they believed in. And that's what we need to get
back to in 1995. The main thoroughfare was Greenwood Avenue, and it
was intersected by Archer and Pine Streets. From the first letters in
each of those three names, you get G.A.P., and that's where the
renowned R and B music group The Gap Band got its name. They're from
Tulsa.
Black Wallstreet was a prime example of the typical. Black community
in America that did businesses, but it was in an unusual location.
You see, at the time, Oklahoma was set aside to be a Black and Indian
state. There were over 28 Black townships there. One third of the
people who traveled in the terrifying "Trail of Tears" along side the
Indians between 1830 to 1842 were Black people.
The citizens of this proposed Indian and Black state chose a Black
governor, a treasurer from Kansas named McDade. But the Ku Klux Klan
said that if he assumed office that they would kill him within 48
hours. A lot of Blacks owned farmland, and many of them had gone into
the oil business. The community was so tight and wealthy because they
traded dollars hand-to-hand, and because they were dependent upon one
another as a result of the Jim Crow laws.
It was not unusual that if a resident's home accidentally burned
down, it could be rebuilt within a few weeks by neighbors. This was
the type of scenario that was going on day- to-day on Black
Wallstreet. When Blacks intermarried into the Indian culture, some of
them received their promised '40 Acres and A Mule' and with that came
whatever oil was later found on the properties.
Just to show you how wealthy a lot of Black people were, there was a
banker in the neighboring town who had a wife named California
Taylor. Her father owned the largest cotton gin west of the
Mississippi [River]. When California shopped, she would take a cruise
to Paris every three months to have her clothes made.
There was also a man named Mason in nearby Wagner County who had the
largest potato farm west of the Mississippi. When he harvested, he
would fill 100 boxcars a day. Another brother not far away had the
same thing with a spinach farm. The typical family then was five
children or more, though the typical farm family would have 10 kids
or more who made up the nucleus of the labor.
On Black Wallstreet, a lot of global business was conducted. The
community flourished from the early 1900s until June 1, 1921. That's
when the largest massacre of non-military Americans in the history of
this country took place, and it was lead by the Ku Klux Klan. Imagine
walking out of your front door and seeing 1,500 homes being burned.
It must have been amazing.
Survivors we interviewed think that the whole thing was planned
because during the time that all of this was going on, white families
with their children stood around the borders of their community and
watched the massacre, the looting and everything--much in the same
manner they would watch a lynching.
In my lectures I ask people if they understand where the word
"picnic" comes from. It was typical to have a picnic on a Friday
evening in Oklahoma. The word was short for "pick a nigger" to lynch.
They would lynch a Black male and cut off body parts as souvenirs.
This went on every weekend in this country, and it was all across the
county. That's where the term really came from.
The riots weren't caused by anything Black or white. It was caused by
jealousy. A lot of white folks had come back from World War I and
they were poor. When they looked over into the Black communities and
realized that Black men who fought in the war had come home heroes
that helped trigger the destruction.
In 1910, our forefathers and mothers owned 13 million acres of land
at the height of racism in this country, so the Black Wallstreet book
and videotape prove to the naysayers and revisionists that we had our
act together. Our mandate now is to begin to teach our children about
out own, ongoing Black holocaust. They have to know when they look at
our communities today that we don't come from this.
Excerpt from Black Elegance Magazine (issue unknown)
Title: Ron Wallace Co-Author of Black Wallstreet: A Lost Dream
Chronicles a Little Known Chapter of African-American History in
Oklahoma
By line: As Told To Ronald E. Childs
http://www/littleafrica.com
boxing entertainment fight sports mixed martial arts special events sports worldwide
IFL middleweight champion Matt Horwich, will defend his title on Feb. 29 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas
Matt Horwich, the IFL Middleweight champion, who fights out of Team Quest in Portland, Ore., will defend his middleweight crown vs. Ryan McGivern from Miletich Fighting Systems in Bettendorf, Iowa. The bout is one of three championship fights on the eight-bout card on Feb. 29 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Horwich defeated Benji Radach on Dec. 29 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. to win the first IFL middleweight title. ---"Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing."- Thomas Jefferson * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Catch the IFL on FSN Sundays at 5 p.m. and LIVE on HDNet on Feb. 29, April 4 and May 16
CBS and ProElite Join Forces to Bring Mixed Martial Artsto Primetime Broadcast Television
One of the Fastest-Growing Spectator Sports Comes to CBS; A Los Angeles-based leading entertainment and media company that produces world class mixed martial arts (MMA) events, today jointly announced a multi-year agreement that will bring one of the fastest growing spectator sports to a major broadcast television network for the first time. CBS will broadcast four MMA events per year, produced by ProElite's EliteXC fight division, as two-hour live primetime specials targeted for Saturday nights. The agreement augments an existing relationship between CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS) (NYSE:CBS.A) and ProElite (Pink Sheets:PELE), which began broadcasting its EliteXC live MMA events on CBS's SHOWTIME premium cable network in 2007. EliteXC events will continue to air on SHOWTIME. Additionally, CBS Interactive and ProElite's new media division, ProElite.com, will collaborate on generating interactive content for both companies' platforms, including CBS Sports.com. The online offerings could include streaming of events, clips syndicated across the CBS Audience Network, and other enhanced content to build an online community around each CBS broadcast and ProElite event. "Mixed martial arts is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and a wildly popular entertainment vehicle for upscale, young adult audiences," said Kelly Kahl, Senior Executive Vice President,CBS Primetime. "It's original programming for Saturday night; it'slive, creating an event-atmosphere; and it's something that hasn'tbeen seen on network television, until now." "This is a pivotal moment for the sport of mixed martial arts nowthat a major television network plans to broadcast live MMA eventsduring primetime hours," said Douglas DeLuca, Chief Executive Officer of ProElite. "We are delighted to enhance our partnership with CBS tobring American audiences the very best in MMA competition through ourEliteXC brand. "The network television agreement with CBS is an important milestone for ProElite as we continue to implement our growth strategy and develop existing relationships with our international partners." "Our world-class fighters and the high production value of our events continue to drive ProElite as a global MMA organization that is fortified by the bedrock foundation of a partnership with CBS," said Gary Shaw, President of EliteXC. "Broadcasting our events on CBS will instantly engage a new fan base, as well as provide an opportunity for EliteXC to further establish itself as the world's premier MMA organization." The intense nature of the contests and the theatrical elements of its live events have made mixed martial arts one of the fastest growing spectator sports in the United States. Over the last several years, the genre has seen tremendous growth in popularity, especially among the coveted 18-34 demographic. Mixed martial arts is a sport evolved from a number of ancientcombat disciplines including judo, jiu-jitsu, karate, wrestling and kickboxing. World-class athletes engage in hand-to-hand combat in aring--both caged and traditional--and must adapt their fighting style to fit their opponent. The wide variety of styles and techniques makeevery event an unpredictable spectacle. About ProElite (www.proeliteinc.com) ProElite, Inc. delivers the most exciting entertainment experiencein 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 viathe Internet. The company has established itself as a global leader by acquiring MMA organizations in Asia and Europe, and partnering with broadcasters such as British Sky Broadcasting and CJ Media in Korea. The company has an exclusive distribution agreement for its program library with IMG Media. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem, all the whileremaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools (elitexc.com).ProElite's live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world's top fighters. Complementing ProElite's live events division is the company's social media platform, ProElite.com. Since the beginning of 2007, ProElite.comcontinues to add thousands of subscribers each month due to the large number of live streaming MMA events, social networking tools, and original and partner-driven content. ProElite.com also recently launched the largest online martial arts school locator as a way formartial arts practitioners to find the best locations to train, and for schools and dojos to help market themselves. ProElite.com -Empowering the Fight Community (TM). About CBS Corporation CBS Corporation is a mass media company with constituent partsthat reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast industry, as well as newer businesses that operate on the leading edge of the media industry. The Company, through its many and varied operations,combines broad reach with well-positioned local businesses, all of which provide it with an extensive distribution network by which itserves audiences and advertisers in all 50 states and key international markets. It has operations in virtually every field of media and entertainment, including broadcast television (CBS and The CW - a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros.Entertainment), cable television (Showtime and CBS College SportsNetwork), local television (CBS Television Stations), television production and syndication (CBS Paramount Network Television and CBS Television Distribution), radio (CBS Radio), advertising on out-of-home media (CBS Outdoor), publishing (Simon & Schuster),interactive media (CBS Interactive), music (CBS Records), licensing and merchandising (CBS Consumer Products), video/DVD (CBS Home Entertainment), in-store media (CBS Outernet) and motion pictures (CBS Films). For more information, log on to www.cbscorporation.com. Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, andSection 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements, including, but not limited to, broadcasting four MMA events in one year, as well as others discussed in the company'sfilings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. ProElite, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events orotherwise. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. At the time of their issuance, the shares of common stock and the underlying shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants are restricted securities, within the meaning of federal securities laws, that have not been registered under the Securities Act, or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements.
NO HOLDS BARRED: Gary Shaw on Vazquez-Marquez and Elite XC-CBS Deal
NO HOLDS BARRED: Gary Shaw on Vazquez-Marquez and Elite XC-CBS Deal On this special edition of NO HOLDS BARRED, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Gary Shaw, who serves as a boxing promoter with his Gary Shaw Productions and as a mixed martial arts promoter as president of EliteXC. We spoke Friday afternoon, Feb. 29, just before the weigh-ins for the highly anticipated rubber match between WBC super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez (42-4, 31 KOs) and former world champion Rafael Marquez (37-4, 33 KOs), who, in classic battles last year,split their first two fights. The third fight takes place Saturday, March 1, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Showtime will televise it in the U.S. In a short but explosive interview, we discussed the significance of the deal announced Thursday, Feb. 28, that CBS will televise four live Elite XC shows a year in prime time; that the second Vazquez-Marquez fight narrowly lost in the voting by the Boxing Writers Association of America for 2007 fight of the year; why boxing could not get a network TV deal like Elite XC did; when and where the first CBS-televised Elite XC show might take place; an evaluation of Elite XC star Kimbo Slice as a fighter; and where Elite XC stands in relation to UFC. To listen to NO HOLDS BARRED, click the link below and just press the play button on the player: http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2008-02-29T17_04_28-08_00 You can also download it by scrolling down that page and clicking onthe download link (right-click to save it). You can also listen to it through the NO HOLDS BARRED blog, athttp://nhbnews.blogspot.com/, and MySpace page, at http://www.myspace.com/nhbnews,also by pressing the play button on the player. Also, NO HOLDS BARRED is available through iTunes athttp://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download. The NO HOLDS BARRED theme song is called "The Heist", by musician Ian Carpenter (http://iancarpenter.com/). NO HOLDS BARRED is free to listen to and is sponsored by: YAMMA Pit Fighting (http://yammapitfighting.com/). The producers of the original UFC and Live Nation (http://livenation.com/), worldwide leaders in live entertainment, present YAMMA Pit Fighting mixed martial arts. On the streets, it's against the law. In the pit, it IS the law. IFL, the International Fight League (http://ifl.tv/), the world's first professional mixed martial arts league. Make sure to check out their regular TV shows on FSN (Fox Sports Net) (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/1636002) in the U.S., and to check your local listings for dates and times. Check out the IFL web site (http://ifl.tv/), for a listing of IFL live events and their TV schedule, athttp://ifl.tv/TV-Schedule.html. Gladiator Challenge (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/), shaking up the mixed martial arts world since 1999, and now with 30 shows per year.For more news and info, check out their web site,GladiatorChallenge.com (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/). BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com/), your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more. Gladiator Magazine (http://gladmag.com/), for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com(http://bjjmart.com/) or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear (http://jiujitsuprogear.com/). FightBeat.com (http://fightbeat.com/), for news, results, interviews,and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts. Thanks, Eddie Goldman No Holds Barred bloghttp://nhbnews.blogspot.com/ No Holds Barred podcasthttp://nhbnews.podomatic.com/
The Boxing Standardhttp://boxingstandard.com/ No Holds Barred on MySpacehttp://www.myspace.com/nhbnews
The Boxing Standardhttp://boxingstandard.com/ No Holds Barred on MySpacehttp://www.myspace.com/nhbnews
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