Cory Spinks and Kevin Cunnigham discussed Cunningham's recent departure as Spinks's trainer after 13 years at media workouts today in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS—A large media contingent arrived for open workouts by hometown sons Cory Spinks and Devon Alexander “The Great” who are appearing in separate championship matches as part of Don King’s “Pride of St. Louis” event at Scottrade Center and Web cast on DonKingTV.com on Thursday.



The Alexander and Spinks workouts were held in separate gyms due to Spinks’s recent split from his trainer of 13 years Kevin Cunningham, which took place three weeks ago. Cunningham, who still trains and manages Devon Alexander, explained his departure from the Spinks camp.



“It just got to the point where Cory’s ready to run his own program with his new team and I respect that and wish him well,” Cunningham said.

Spinks said he was ready for a change and wanted to work with longtime St. Louis trainer Buddy Shaw.

“Egos get in the way,” Spinks said. “It has just been building. We [Kevin and I] have accomplished a lot in my career but I guess it is time for something new. From here, I am still happy and I’ll shine come Thursday night.

“There is no difference (between Kevin and new trainer Buddy Shaw). Kevin was a great trainer. We have got to move on. You still have to be great in the end. This is my job and I plan to do my job come Thursday night.”

Spinks added: “I’m going to have two gold medalists and two heavyweight world champions in my corner on Thursday in my father Leon and my uncle Mike. They have been helping me in the gym, too.”

Former three-time world champion Verno Phillips is ready to face Spinks and become a four-time world champion.

“I know I am fighting him [Spinks] in his hometown, but I plan to get my fourth world title and join the Hall of Fame. I can’t control the hometown fans. All I can do is control what I can do in the ring and show my skills.”

Undefeated 21-year-old 140-pounder Alexander is ready to fight in his hometown as well.

“I know he [Miguel Callist] doesn’t have a big heart like I do,” Alexander said. “I saw his last fight and I saw that he doesn’t have enough heart. The guy barely hit him and he went down. I am going to take his heart very early and test his heart.”

WBA FEDLATIN super lightweight champion Miguel Callist remained undaunted at the prospect of facing Alexander in his hometown on Thursday.

“It’s OK for me,” Callist said. “If you want to be a champion, you come through the front door always. I come to St. Louis for the victory by any means necessary.”

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25 can be purchased at the Scottrade Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 314-241-1888 for an automated line or 314-421-4400 or 618-222-2900 for sales rep, or online at ticketmaster.com. A per-ticket facility fee will be added to all tickets purchased at all locations, including at the Scottrade Center Box Office. Additional Ticketmaster service charges and handling fees apply. For disabled seating, call 314-622-5420. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the first of nine scheduled bouts beginning shortly thereafter.

The free Web cast on DonKingTV.com will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT (blocked in St. Louis area). Spinks vs. Phillips for the IBF junior middleweight championship and Alexander vs. Callist for the WBC Continental Americas and WBA FEDELATIN super lightweight titles will be preceded on the Web cast by two featured attractions.

Undefeated cruiserweight Francisco Palacios, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, will take on Zack Page, from Warren Ohio, and undefeated super middleweight Marcus Johnson, from Killeen, Tex., will face Jose Medina, from Miami, Fla.

Full Quotes

Cory Spinks: (On his split with trainer Kevin Cunningham after 13 years)” “Egos get in the way. It has just been building. We [Kevin and I] have accomplished a lot in my career but I guess it is time for something new. From here, I am still happy and I’ll shine come Thursday night.

“There is no difference (between Kevin and new trainer Buddy Shaw). Kevin was a great trainer. We have got to move on. You still have to be great in the end. This is my job and I plan to do my job come Thursday night.

“I've known Buddy for a long time. He was the first one I thought of. We have worked well together. Things are not going to change Thursday night. I am ready to defend my championship. My opponent is a slick fighter but so am I. I'll make him miss a lot. I plan to shine Thursday night.”

(Would you ever get back together with Kevin Cunningham?) “Not at this point. I take my hat off to the guy for what he did for me. I gotta move on. You can’t stay stuck in that frame of mind. You got to move on. I’m still a world champion. And I want to stay a world champion.

“I’m going to have two gold medalists and two heavyweight world champions in my corner on Thursday in my father Leon and my uncle Mike. They have been helping me in the gym, too.

“Everything is perfect. We are ready to fight. I feel great, look great and am ready to be great. This is a plus in every way. I am going to shine come Thursday night.

“This [St. Louis] is a city of champions—the Cardinals, the Blues, the Rams. I want to continue being a champion.”

Kevin Cunningham (Cory Spinks’s trainer and manager for the last 13 years, who was relieved of training duties three weeks ago): “It just got to the point where Cory’s ready to run his own program with his new team and I respect that and wish him well.”


Buddy Shaw (longtime St. Louis trainer, who took over training duties for Cory Spinks three weeks ago): “I’ve seen him [Cory Spinks] since he was eight years old. You could see there was something special about him when he began to move as an amateur. I am very happy where we are right now.

“I am just here [training Cory Spinks] for Thursday night. This is not the biggest fight for me. I was with Arthur Johnson when he fought Timmy Austin for the bantamweight title in Las Vegas.

“There was a game plan in place. Being a boxer myself, I have watched one tape and seen Verno fight. You don’t change that much. You don’t change the stripes on a leopard. I am happy where we are right now. I am very confident of what he [Cory Spinks] can do.

“Verno is an old veteran and he has been around the block a few times. That will pose a few problems but once we get past that we will be fine.

“Everything has gone smoothly. Great cooperation from Cory. He has been really in it. He has done everything I have asked him to do. He has been happy.

“I can’t change either. There is nothing I can really do. His great potential is yet to be tapped. There is nothing you can do during this time [the past three weeks]. You leave it where it is and I am working with what he can do. Conditioning is where it is and that is what matters at this point.

“There wasn’t a loss of time [between Cunningham leaving and him taking over]. We are right we want to be for the weigh in on Wednesday. He’s running good, he’s training good, he’s had excellent sparring. I’m happy. He has been working on my turf.”

Verno Phillips: “I know I am fighting him [Cory Spinks] in his hometown, but I plan to get my fourth world title and join the Hall of Fame.

“I can’t control the [Spinks’s] hometown fans. All I can do is control what I can do in the ring and show my skills.

“I plan to do my thing and make him look silly. I have a game plan and you will see my game plan Thursday night. I am hard to hit. My hands are perfect and when my hands connect with him, they will be solid. I can fight all night. I am focused. I am going to make a name for myself in Belize.

“I only saw Spinks when he mentioned my name when he got to 154 [pounds]. I look forward to the opportunity to fight him. God gave me a strong lion heart. Boxing is what I love to do. It has kept me out of trouble. I didn’t know I would be a three-time world champion. God has told me I can go for a four-time champion and give me all the things I want before I get out of boxing. That is what I want.”

(How popular are you in Belize?) “They told me that if I win this they would give me a golden key. Maybe I’ll get a statue. It is nice there. It’s a tourist city. Everywhere I go there, I run. They (the people) bow. They kiss my hand. I just want to be humble. I do it for the land and my family.

“I am focused for this fight. I have been watching tapes of his [Spinks’s] fights and concentrating on his moves. I have skill. I have not lost the skill that I have.

“I trained in Denver, Argentina and Arizona. I have been training a long time. We were ready for the [Spinks] fight on January 19 at Madison Square Garden and it was cancelled. Then it was going to move to Germany and it was postponed again. They offered me the fight in his hometown. I talked with my trainer. We are ready to go. We are going to come here and upset him.”

Devon Alexander: “I’m super ready. The hard work takes place in the gym before fights with how much you put into it. That makes the fight easy. I have to calm myself down on fight night because I get so excited.



“I love what I do when I’m in the ring. I get focused. That’s what will make me a world champion, hopefully by next year.”

“I had a lot of decisions early in my career, but I’ve been working on my power and strength. I was working on technique as an amateur, but now I’m working on getting pop to my punches.”

(On his fight with DeMarcus Corley…) “I never made eight rounds before and I then I went 12 with Corley. Now that I know I can go 12, I have been training extra hard for this fight against an experienced veteran.

“Corley was a slick fighter. I was pacing myself. I got the victory. It was a big victory for me. I learned a lot. I got a lot of experience from it. I am my own worst critic. I could have done a lot better than what I did in the fight. I wanted to knock him, but I was satisfied with the decision. I just know I could have done a lot better.

“I am still working on my power. I am progressing. I am 14-0 now. Madison Square Garden was big for me. Not everyone gets to fight in Madison Square Garden. It is just a blessing what has happened to me.

“I never go into a fight thinking I am going to knock a guy out. I have trained very very hard.

I am settled in at 140. That is where I am most comfortable at.

“I hope to fight every two months. I leave it up to my trainer Kevin Cunningham, but I like to fight every two months. That way you are preparing everyday. I am full of energy and I am ready to go.

“I feel good…I am back home in St. Louis…I get to show the fans that they have a real champion here. I have been training for two months. I am excited about it. I just want to show the fans they have a champion here in St. Louis. This week I am just staying fit and staying focused, watching my weight and sticking to the game plan. If I am not ready Thursday night, I will never be ready. I’ve been training very hard for this fight.

“The serious training ended Saturday. We are ready to go. It has been two months of vigorous training. I can’t get tired. I have been running 6.2 miles everyday. I have been in the gym sparring Monday, Wednesday and Friday eight to 10 rounds. We are in the gym Monday through Saturday. If he (Callist) can withstand that, I take my hat off to him.

“Kevin is all business. There is no b.s. It is all hard training here. We don’t show any weakness. He is like a drill sergeant. He has always been like a dad to me. We’ve been together since I was eight years old. I was a snotty nosed kid when I walked in the gym and met Kevin. I came into the gym and I was excited about boxing. I was very small and I had trouble reaching up to the bag. I stuck with it and I am 14-0 now. It is just starting to pay off now.”

(On Thursday’s opponent, continental champion Miguel Callist) “I know he doesn’t have a big heart like I do. I saw his last fight and I saw that he doesn’t have enough heart. The guy barely hit him and he went down. I am going to take his heart very early and test his heart. I will feel him out the first round and then take it from there.

“Every fight is a big fight. This is a unification bout. I train harder and harder each fight. I know the guys going to try to knock my head off. That is why I train twice as hard.”

Miguel Callist: “It’s OK for me [to face Devon Alexander in his hometown]. If you want to be a champion, you come through the front door always. I come to St. Louis for the victory by any means necessary.”

EVENT PAGE: http://www.donking.com/events/prideofstlouis/
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DEVON ALEXANDER “THE GREAT”

DEVON ALEXANDER “THE GREAT”

Undefeated World Boxing Council Continental Americas Super Lightweight Champion
And Former World Boxing Council Youth Welterweight Champion
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on Feb. 10, 1987
Height: 5’ 8 ½” – Weight: Super Lightweight (140)
Record: 14-0, 8 KOs



There is no stretching of the truth when Devon Alexander was said to be a boxing child prodigy or that he grew up in the sport. At age 7, Devon’s older brothers Lamar, 12, and Vaughan, 8, ventured across the street from a basketball court they were playing on in St. Louis to go inside Kevin Cunningham’s Hyde Park boxing gym. All three would go on to box professionally.



“My gym was in the basement of an old police station in Hyde Park, one of the highest crime districts in the city at that time,” Cunningham said. Serving as a police officer in St. Louis’s fifth district at the time, Cunningham would know such a things.

“It turned out to be a good thing for the Alexander brothers, Cory Spinks and all the kids in the program because it kept them off of the streets. As a boxer, I always knew Devon was special.”

Soon after the Alexander brothers had begun learning the basics of the art of pugilism, St. Louis and boxing royalty walked in the gym one day in the form of Spinks. Cory had left the sport of boxing after his beloved brother died, but Cunningham had seen him around town and kept nudging him to stop by his gym.

Spinks returned to the sport under Cunningham’s tutelage and became an instant role model to the other boxers at the gym, especially Devon.

“Cory and Devon connected from day one,” Cunningham said. “They hit it off. Devon followed Cory around like a puppy dog at first and Cory looked after him. They were like brothers from the start.

“Devon was always excited about learning. He loves to train. The more you push him the harder he works. You don’t have to baby-sit him. I had several kids with a lot more natural talent than Devon. The difference between them and him was Devon had a tremendous work ethic. He eats, drinks, sleeps boxing. That’s the difference. If anything, you have to slow him down.’’

Devon went on to become one of the most celebrated amateur boxers in the country. He won every title available in St. Louis before amassing a staggering list of national championships.

Alexander was the four-time Silver Gloves national champion from age 10 to 14; three-time Police Athletic League national champion; 2001 Junior Golden Gloves national champion and Junior Olympic national champion before moving on to win the World Junior Olympics where he was also named Best Boxer; and 2003 U.S. National Champion for those 19 and under.

He won the U.S. National Championship in 2004 in the 141-pound junior welterweight division and was invited to join the U.S. National Team where he was victorious in duel meets against Sweden, England, Puerto Rico and others. He sailed through the Olympic trials before facing Rock Allen in the finals. In a controversial match where Cunningham said Alexander was “robbed,” the computer scoring had ended in a 15-15 draw. A punch-count tally was used to break the tie, and Allen was declared champion.

After over 300 wins against only 10 losses in the amateur ranks, Alexander, barely 17 and still just a junior at Vashon High School in St. Louis, turned pro on May 20, 2004.

The following year, the 2-0 teenager took part in boxing history. He defeated Donovan Castaneda by unanimous decision in front of 22,370 spectators, the second-largest crowd in history to witness a boxing event in an indoor arena at Savvis Center in St. Louis. Alexander’s mentor, Cory Spinks, headlined the card opposing Zab Judah.

Alexander had been quiet—not to mention awestruck—during the media frenzy leading up to the history-making card. After his victory, he opened up a little bit.

“I did not really feel any pressure fighting in front of all these people in my hometown,” the southpaw said. “I am a tad disappointed with my performance.

“No excuses, but truth is, I had to pace myself a little and I was trying to get some air. This was my first six-round fight and I got a little tired in the fifth and sixth rounds. But I learned a lot in there. He was a strong guy and seemed way bigger than I was. But everything is cool. I know you can’t knock out everybody. Down the line, going six rounds will be a good thing for me.”

Still a senior in high school but with enough credits to graduate, Alexander was able to make arrangements at Vashon to send in his homework from Las Vegas where trained with Spinks for a month prior to the event.

“I wanted to get the ceremony,” Alexander said. “I wanted to graduate with my friends. Education is very important to me. Boxing can’t last forever. If I have an education, I can do other things.”

After running his record to 8-0, Alexander was again fighting at home with Spinks on Don King’s Gateway to Glory card at Savvis Center on July 8, 2006, featuring Cory’s successful move up to 154 pounds to dethrone then-International Boxing Federation junior middleweight champion Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin.

Alexander, too, moved up in competition by taking on an 8-3 fighter in Tyler Ziolkowski, who had been in the ring with some notable opponents. The pair had earned the right to vie for the World Boxing Council youth welterweight title, designed for those 23 years old and younger.

“Cory is the king of St. Louis boxing,” Cunningham, who trains and manages both Spinks and Alexander, said. “And basically Devon is the heir-apparent to Cory’s throne. He’s starting to mature into a real pro. It’s a big difference between being and amateur and a pro.”

Amateur scoring values the number of punches landed, not the damage they do. Many pitter-patter amateurs have their gloves full when they hit the pros.

“That’s why I haven’t had as many knockouts,” Alexander said (with three at the time). “I used to be all flick, flick, flick. But now I’m turning my punches over, keeping my fist balled up all the and punching harder.”

Alexander also benefited from three full months spent in preparation, with Spinks, at Don King’s legendary King Training Camp in rural Ohio just outside Cleveland.

(Photo By: Jill Diamond, WBC Chair)


He shocked Ziolkowski by scoring a technical knockout at just 2:40 of the first stanza.

“He knocked Ziolkowski out with a right hook,” Cunningham said of his southpaw. “That’s a good sign that the work we did in camp, focusing on slowing down and developing his power, is working. He’s sitting down on his punches more and landing power shots.

“That guy [Ziolkowski] fought Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. He’s a tough little guy.”

Alexander was pleased as well.

“My winning the WBC Youth Welterweight championship is the just the beginning. It feels good.

“My trainer and I focused on slowing down and turning over my punches so I’ll have more power. I’m still transitioning from amateur to pro but the power is coming.”

Alexander scored a fourth-round technical knockout over Maximinio Cuevas in Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Jan. 6, 2007, before making his first television appearance on SHOWTIME’S popular Sho Box series opposing Scott Ball (8-2) in Belterra Casino and Resort in Indiana on March 2, 2007.

Alexander dominated Ball. In round four, Alexander knocked out Ball’s mouthpiece with a barrage of punches. In the sixth, he broke Ball’s jaw.

In round seven, Alexander scored two knockdowns and Ball was counted out.

Alexander scored another knockout over Marcus Luck in Bridgeport, Conn., on July 7, 2007, and he overwhelmed previously undefeated Cory Peterson (7-0) with a first-round technical knockout in Hoffman Estates, Ill., on Oct. 13, 2007.

Alexander took a huge step in his burgeoning career when he agreed to face DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley for the vacant WBC Continental Americas super lightweight championship.

It was a risky move. Corley was a former World Boxing Organization 140-pound champion and had “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather one punch away from being knocked down and maybe out. He had also faced Zab “Super” Judah, Miguel Cotto, Junior Witter and Jose Alfaro.

If Alexander’s task were not challenging enough, this was a championship match scheduled for 12 rounds when Alexander had never gone past 7 rounds.

“We wanted Chop Chop,” Cunningham said. “We wanted a guy with a name. I’ve told Devon that early in this fight he needs to be on his Ps and Qs because Corley will be dangerous. But by round 6 or 7 Chop Chop is gonna be looking for a doorway to get out of there.’’

Cunningham turned out to be spot on as Alexander dominated Corley from the outset. Alexander sensed early his opponent was not up for his challenge, and he began unloading his arsenal on Corley in an attempt to knock him out.

In the end, Alexander scored a lopsided unanimous decision by scores of 116-111 and 118-109, twice. Alexander, who always feels he can do better, gave constructive thoughts after the fight.


“It felt great to go 12 rounds with a former world champion,” Alexander said. “It was hard because it was my first 12-rounder. I was pressing hard for a knockout in the early rounds but my coach told me to settle down and just do what I do.

“I am ready to do more and I know I will do even better in the future. I want everyone in St. Louis to know that I am coming back with a win and a belt.”

Respected ESPN.com writer Dan Rafael gushed over Alexander in his post-fight commentary:

“Look out, boxing world—here comes Alexander, a skilled fighter with a very bright future. The 20-year-old was impressive and methodical as he scored the best win of his young career by easily handling Corley, a skilled and experienced former titleholder. Alexander did a good job of beating Corley to the punch and racking up points. Although he lost a point in the 12th round for a low blow, it meant nothing, because he had the bout in hand. Alexander is going to be much better after this fight. He learned a lot from Corley and proved to himself he can go 12 rounds, after never having been deeper than seven. If there is one thing Alexander can improve on, it is throwing more combinations. He has the hand speed; he just needs to use it a little more.”

When not in the ring, Alexander, a friendly and out-going person, is also known for his sweet tooth.

“That’s his vice,” Cunningham said. “If you put a cupcake in front of him, oh man!”



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CORY “THE NEXT GENERATION” SPINKS

CORY “THE NEXT GENERATION” SPINKS

Current International Boxing Federation Junior Middleweight Champion
And Former Undisputed World Welterweight Champion
Born on Feb. 20, 1978, in St. Louis, Missouri
Height: 5’ 9½” Weight: Middleweight (160)
Record: 36-4, 11 KOs



How many youngsters can boast that their father and uncle each held world heavyweight titles? The answer is one: Cory Calvin Spinks, the son of former Muhammad Ali nemesis Leon Spinks and Zadie Mae Calvin.



Just five days after Leon Spinks pulled off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history by defeating Ali on Feb. 15, 1978, Cory was brought into the world. Seven years later his uncle, Michael Spinks, pulled off another big upset by defeating the great Larry Holmes to win the International Boxing Federation heavyweight championship.

That is an awful lot to live up to, especially because all of the Spinks were raised in St. Louis. Nearly born in the gym, it was a natural transition for Cory to take up the sweet science.

The youngest of the Spinks fighters did as his father and uncle had done after Don King delivered him the opportunity to become the undisputed world welterweight crown against Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga on Dec. 13, 2003, in Atlantic City, N.J.

Mayorga was one of the hottest fighters in the sport after having destroyed The Ring magazine and Boxing Writers Association of America 2002 Fighter of the Year Vernon “The Viper” Forrest in back-to-back matches in January and July 2003.

Spinks frustrated the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council champion as evidenced by two one-point foul deductions against Mayorga: in round five for hitting after the bell and in round 11 for holding. He also gave the Nicaraguan bomber a boxing lesson that yielded a majority decision that made Spinks the undisputed world welterweight champion. The judges’ scorecards gave Spinks the title by the scores 114-112, 117-110 and 114-114.
He immediately put his titles on the line during his first defense on April 10, 2004, against the lightining-quick and dangerous former world champion Zab “Super” Judah. Spinks controlled the action over the first four rounds with his astute boxing skills. In the later rounds, however, Judah's quick left hands began to find their target. Both men hit the deck late, but all three scorecards favored Spinks as the champion won 116-111 and 114-112 (twice).

"I give Judah credit,” Spinks said after the fight. “He is a great fighter. I was just a better man in the fight. I got a little relaxed in there. I got a little careless and he threw a good shot."
Less than five months later on SHOWTIME, Spinks successfully retained his undisputed world welterweight championship by recording a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision over former WBC champion and No. 1 contender Miguel Angel Gonzalez on Sept. 4, 2004, in Las Vegas.

Spinks won by the identical scores of 118-109 and captured 10 of the 12 rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. Unable to solve the champion’s foot speed and quickness, Gonzalez managed to win only the first and ninth rounds. Referee Joe Cortez deducted a point from the challenger for an eighth-round low blow and warned him for additional infractions.
“I am very satisfied,” Spinks said. I dominated the fight. What more could I ask for?”

What his manager and trainer Kevin Cunningham had been asking for was a hometown fight in St. Louis and bid payday. The enormous Savvis Center was available, and the big payday came by agreeing to a re-match with The Superman, Zab Judah.
Spinks could not have known when he signed the contract was that the pressure to win on his home turf would become even stronger when St. Louisans snatched up all 22,370 tickets a full two days prior to the event. The fight now boasted the second-largest audience in history to witness a boxing match at an indoor arena.

Spinks controlled Judah in the early rounds much as he had done in their first contest with his quick stick-and-move style. Judah stalked him relentlessly, forcing a fight on Spinks.

Near the end of round seven, Judah rocked Spinks right at the bell, but referee Armando Garcia ruled it a push. Spinks reeled from Judah’s attack in the eighth but held his ground.

Spinks appeared to be fully recovered in the ninth round when Judah scored again with a long left cross that rattled Spinks before Judah immediately dropped a right hook that dropped the undisputed champion. On unsteady legs, Spinks marched on with Judah stalking his wounded prey. In an amazing act of sportsmanship reflecting the tremendous respect these two fighters had for each other, Judah dropped his hands to his waist, imploring referee Garcia to stop him from further injuring his friend.

Judah said after the fight, “I remember hitting him and I saw his eyes rolling. He kept moving, going with the flow, then I knocked him down, and I looked at the ref for some help. He’s got a wife and family.” Garcia finally halted the beating at 2:49 of the ninth.

Spinks revealed after the fight that for the first time age had conspired to make it impossible for him to make the 147-pound welterweight limit and retain his strength. He also concluded a divorce after the match, the beginnings of were a distraction to him at the time of Judah II.

Spinks and Cunningham took an 18-month break before making the move to 154 pounds. In so doing, they violated a cardinal rule in boxing: moving up in weight without a tune-up fight. They compounded their poor odds by agreeing to face a world champion, who many believed was the best man at 154 pounds, Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin, from Russia. Karmazin had vanquished the highly touted IBF world champion Kassim Ouma in the summer of 2005.

Spinks and Cunningham both wanted the fight to take place in St. Louis.

(“This is about redemption,” Cunningham said and Spinks echoed. “The people of St. Louis didn’t see the best Cory Spinks. Now they will. We owe this to them.”

After burrowing in for a brutal three-month training camp at King’s secluded country training facility outside of Cleveland, Spinks arrived for the match at Savvis Center on July 8, 2006, and said, “You have no idea how much difference seven pounds makes,” in reference to the extra weight he didn’t have to lose this time. He looked bigger, stronger and with no apparent loss in his trademark speed.

King dubbed the event Gateway to Glory, and over 12,000 St. Louisans showed up to root on their hometown hero. The native son did not disappoint them.

Spinks fought from the opening bell as though he was literally fighting for his life. After trading the first two rounds, Spinks won the next three rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. Spinks did this by displaying excellent boxing skills and bravely throwing combinationsled by jabs that were often followed by straight lefts, which arrived so quickly it appeared as though Karmazin didn’t see them coming.

After the fight, Karmazin said it took him until the seventh round to figure Spinks out. By then, it was too late. Even though Karmazin won the seventh round; won two of the three scorecards in the eighth; and split the final three rounds, Spinks won the majority decision. Two judges scored it 115-113 and the remaining judge saw it at 114-114 draw.

In his last appearance, Spinks scored a lopsided unanimous decision win over IBF No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger “Smooth” Rodney Jones on Feb. 3 in Kissimmee, Fla.

“I feel satisfied with my performance tonight,” Spinks said after the fight. “He’s a long, rangy guy so I had to outsmart him. He’s been in the game a long time, a veteran, but I was the superior boxer. I used my athletic talent and smarts to win.

“I want the cash cows. They know who they are: Mosley, De La Hoya, Mayweather, Vargas, Taylor. I’m ready. It just depends on whether they’re ready for me.

Spinks’s trainer Cunningham liked his fighter’s performance.

“I was happy Cory was able to defend his title,” Cunnigham said. “Rodney put on a game performance. We could have made $2 million in another fight but Rodney deserved his shot.
“So know I’m asking the world’s greatest promoter to do what he does and get us out there in a high-profile fight.”

Just three months later, Spinks moved up to middleweight to face WBC and WBO champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor near Taylor’s hometown of Little Rock, Ark., at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., on May 19, 2007.

In against a bigger man, Spinks put on a classic boxing display. He darted in and scored before moving back out of range. He took risks and never paid the price. In the end, it was a superb showing of what boxing purists call The Sweet Science—hit and don’t get hit.

At the end of 12 rounds, it seemed everyone—fans and judges alike—were in disagreement. Some felt it was close, and others thought Spinks or Taylor won by a wide margin. Many thought there was no way that Taylor should be awarded a victory when Spinks boxed so wonderfully. Taylor advocates thought he had landed heavier blows that should mean more.

Rarely have judges been farther apart. Dick Flaherty scored it for Spinks by the wide margin of 117-111, while Gale Van Hoy scored it by the same wide margin for Taylor at 117-111. The third judge broke the deadlock in favor of Taylor by the razor-thin score of 115-113.

“I don't know what to say. It was highway robbery,” Spinks complained after the loss. “I thought I gave a great boxing display.”

Like his world-famous relatives, Spinks became one of the nation’s best amateur boxers, winning a National Golden Gloves championship, two National PAL championships and a National Silver Gloves title. In all, he compiled a 112-8 record before turning pro.

Prior to punching for pay, Spinks played basketball at Beaumont High School but boxing proved to be his calling. Even though his other brothers Leon, Darryl and Steve had boxed, they did not stick with it the way Cory did. Not joining the foursome in the ring was their sister, Vickie.
Under the guidance of Cunningham, Spinks turned pro in 1997, and ran off a string of 13 consecutive victories before suffering a 12-round split decision loss to Antonio Diaz for the International Boxing Association light welterweight title on Dec. 12, 1998.

Undeterred by the loss, Spinks chalked up 16 successive wins and won both the North American Boxing Organization and United States Boxing Association welterweight titles to set up his first world title shot on April 13, 2002.
Following 12 rounds of action, Spinks dropped a controversial decision to Michele Piccirillo in Italy and missed his opportunity to capture the vacant IBF welterweight crown even though many at ringside felt he had won the match. The judges scored the bout 115-112 twice and 116-111.

“It was a terrible loss,” Spinks said. “I know I won that fight. I just thought that they would not give me another chance.”

After the loss, Spinks and Cunningham decided that they would hook up with Don King Productions and see if he could help guide them to another title opportunity.

In his first fight after the loss, Spinks took on former world champion and veteran contender Rafael Pineda in an IBF elimination bout for the No.1 contender position on Aug. 23, 2002, in Miami.

Although the fight ended with Spinks being cut on an unintentional clash of heads, the pride of St. Louis was declared the winner when the scorecards were tallied after the seventh round.

After ascending to the top of the organization’s rankings, Spinks got another shot at the IBF crown and the opportunity to gain a measure of revenge when he fought a rematch against Piccirillo in Campione D’Italia, Italy, on March 22, 2003.

“I was not going to be denied this time,” Spinks recalled. “My trainer Kenny Adams and Kevin [Cunningham] had me ready to go. It was the same site and the same fighter that I had to face. This time it would be different.”

Spinks controlled much of the hard-fought battle by utilizing his impressive boxing skills. At the conclusion of 12 rounds, Al Bennett scored it 117-111, George Stewart had it 117-112, and Judge Luciano Taliamonte tallied it 115-113 for the winner and new IBF welterweight champion, Spinks.

Spinks enjoys spending time with his young daughter, Breanna, and playing basketball and video games at home. He relishes feasting on chicken and crab legs while watching his favorite movie, “Scarface.” When he tears himself away from the tube, Spinks rolls to the sweet sounds of the late rapper Tupac Shakur and other current rappers, many of whom Spinks counts among his close friends.

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DON KING TV.COM PREMIERES; THE PRIDE OF ST. LOUIS; BOXING & SPORTS FANS LINK TO CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS ON THURSDAY MARCH 27, 2008

ST. LOUIS—Promoter Don King has always been one for accomplishing “firsts” in the world of boxing.


The world came to St. Louis and now the World’s Greatest Boxing promoter, Don King will be taking St. Louis to the world as he steps into the future and starts his own television network via the internet at www.donkingtv.com on Thursday, March 27.



King presents a spectacular “Meet Me in St. Louis” championship doubleheader plus several special attractions free to boxing and sports fans worldwide on DonKingTV.com at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT live from the Scottrade Center.

St. Louis boxers Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks and Devon Alexander “The Great” will showcase their talents before their hometown fans in this pioneering extravaganza, “Pride of St. Louis” sponsored by Kelly Oil Co. Inc., Bentley St. Louis, Don King Presents Prizefighter Game on 2K coming June 10th and the Scottrade Center.

Spinks is a world champion, who will be joined by two former Heavyweight Champions, father Leon and uncle Michael Spinks ringside. His protégé Alexander is nearing his first world-title fight. The last time Spinks performed in his hometown, the second greatest attendance in boxing history was established as 22,370 fans were part of sold-out history.

Spinks (36-4, 11 KOs) will defend his International Boxing Federation junior middleweight championship against IBF mandatory challenger Verno Phillips (41-10-1, 21 KOs) in the main event at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

A second championship fight pitting undefeated World Boxing Council Continental Americas super lightweight champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (14-0, 8 KOs) opposing World Boxing Association FEDELATIN super lightweight champion Miguel Callist (24-6-1, 17 KOs) will also be featured during the four-hour webcast as Col. Bob Sheridan will deliver the blow-by-blow call from ringside.

“This is another new and exciting adventure for us,” said Don King. “Like the Gateway to the West, we will be taking St. Louis and this trailblazing fight card worldwide via the internet. Fans will be able to see IBF 154-pount champion Cory Spinks take on Verno Phillips and undefeated 140-pounder Devon Alexander against Miguel Callist. We want as many people as possible to see just how great our technology is, so we’re making four exciting hours of action available free of charge.”

"The Internet continues to be a driving force in revolutionizing how sports are consumed," said Brad Rinklin, vice president of marketing, Akamai Technologies. "Akamai is excited to collaborate with DonKingTV.com to deliver the live streaming for this premiere event, and to help bring this first-of-its-kind Internet channel to the world of boxing."

The webcast will not be available in St. Louis where fans can see the event live and in person at Scottrade Center. Tickets are still available for the night of boxing featuring nine bouts beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Scottrade Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 314-241-1888 for an automated line or 314-421-4400 or 618-222-2900 for sales rep, or online at ticketmaster.com. A per-ticket facility fee will be added to all tickets purchased at all locations, including at the Scottrade Center Box Office. Additional Ticketmaster service charges and handling fees apply. For disabled seating, call 314-622-5420.

Spinks is the former undisputed welterweight champion who won the IBF 154-pound crown won in St. Louis on July 8, 2006, when he won a majority decision over Roman Karmazin. Phillips is a former three-time 154-pound world champion, a native of Belize now fighting out of Denver, Colo.

In his last appearance, Spinks moved up in weight to face then World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor at the FedEx Forum in Memphis on May 19, 2007.

Taylor experienced tremendous difficulty exerting his will over Spinks, who proved he could not only appear against a unified middleweight kingpin, but that he could compete at the weight. He darted within range to land punches and frustrated Taylor with his defensive skills throughout the fight.

It was difficult to find agreement on a winner among ringside observers after the fight concluded its 12 rounds. Rarely in boxing history have the disparities been greater between three judges. Dick Flaherty rewarded Spinks for his consummate boxing skills by the wide margin of 117-111. Gale Van Hoy favored the heavier-handed Taylor by the same score of 117-111. Michael Pernick favored Taylor by one round with a score of 115-113 to break the deadlock.

The road to retaining his junior middleweight crown will be no easier for the 29-year-old Spinks when facing the veteran Phillips, 38, who has won an impressive three world championships in his career, all at the 154-pound limit.

Phillips won his last world title in 2004 but dropped a close decision to Kassim Ouma in his next match.

Phillips has won his last three fights, most notably scoring a technical knockout over Teddy Reid and winning a unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Candelo.

Alexander has been a child prodigy fighting out of the Spinks camp. He made a significant move up in level of opposition in his last appearance, making a strong statement by winning a lopsided unanimous decision over respected former world champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley to win the WBC Continental Americas super lightweight championship.

Alexander will be in a championship unification match against Callist, who lives in Colon, Panama. At a just-turned 21, Alexander is believed by many boxing experts to be one of the top prospects in the sport. If he can defeat Callist convincingly, Alexander will edge closer to his first world-title fight.

Callist will certainly have the edge in experience. He’s 12 years older at age 33, and he has participated in 31 professional fights to Alexander’s 14. Like Corley, Callist is a southpaw but appears to be on the rise while Corley’s best days are probably behind him.

Callist has only lost once in his last seven matches—to undefeated Marcos Rene Maidana in 2006. In his last appearance, he won a unanimous decision in eight rounds over Charlie Navarro on Aug. 16, 2007.

Pride of St. Louis is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Banner Promotions.

For multi-media event page link, go to http://www.donking.com/events/prideofstlouis/


It's not TV. It's DONKINGTV.COM

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 promoted Cory Spinks vs. Zab Judah II: Arch Rivals… Meet Me in St. Louis, which boasted the second-largest attendance for a boxing match at an indoor arena in history when 22,370 patrons sold out the Savvis Center (now known as the Scottrade Center) in advance on Feb. 5, 2005.

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

Scottrade Center, located in the heart of downtown St. Louis, is one of the finest sports and entertainment complexes in the country, with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and an unprecedented commitment to quality and service. Opened in 1994, the arena is home to the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club and also features a full range of arena programming, including concerts, ice shows, family shows and other sporting events. The building is operated by Sports Capital Partners, owner of the St. Louis Blues, under the leadership of its chairman, Dave Checketts. For more information, please visit www.scottradecenter.com.
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NO HOLDS BARRED: Tom Brands, John Smith, and the 2008 NCAA WrestlingChampions On this edition of NO HOLDS BARRED

NO HOLDS BARRED: Tom Brands, John Smith, and the 2008 NCAA Wrestling Champions On this edition of NO HOLDS BARRED, host Eddie Goldman reviews the 2008 NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championship, which were held March 20-22in St. Louis, Missouri. We have comments from all ten of the individual champions: Angel Escobedo of Indiana (125), Coleman Scott of Oklahoma State (133), J.Jaggers of Ohio State (141), Brent Metcalf of Iowa (149), Jordan Leen of Cornell (157), Mark Perry of Iowa (165), Keith Gavin of Pittsburgh(174), Mike Pucillo of Ohio State (184), Phil Davis of Penn State(197), and Dustin Fox of North western (285). We spoke with Tom Brands, head coach of the 2008 national champion Iowa Hawk eyes, and John Smith, head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. We also plan to have more interviews from this event later this week. To listen to NO HOLDS BARRED, click the link below and just press theplay button on the player: http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2008-03-25T04_36_36-07_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, at http://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 at http://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/), worldwideleaders 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 outtheir 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 allBrazilian 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 martialarts.boxing, entertainment, fight sports, film, literary arts, mixed martial arts, nightlife, politics, special events, performing arts, sports, worldwide

Hatton-Malignaggi on the horizon?

NEW YORK– IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi hopes to ink a pact early next week to confirm his dream deal: a two-fight arrangement culminating with a showdown against the world’s recognized No. 1 junior welterweight, Ricky Hatton, The Ring magazine and IBO title-holder.

Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi


“I’ve got to admit that, after the Cotto fight,” Malignaggi said, “I never thought that I’d get the chance to fight another great champion again. I believed in myself, but it was almost like I proved too much to everyone, that I had skills, but most of all, that I’m as tough as anyone who ever laced on gloves. I’m really grateful that Team Hatton looks like they’ll give me the opportunity to fight on Ricky’s big card in Manchester in May and then against him in the Fall in the United States.

“Ricky and I have a lot in common. Both our fathers were soccer players – his in England and mine in Italy – and we’ve both paid our dues and earned the respect of the fans and other fighters. The only marks on our records came against two great fighters, Mayweather and Cotto.

Ricky Hatton


What makes it so exciting is the big difference in our fighting styles. Ricky is rough and tough; an all-action fighter who takes advantage of everything he can to get the win. You’re never going to see a Hatton fight that doesn’t keep you on the edge of your seat. Most of my fights have been boxing matches. The excitement was dictated by how aggressive the other guy wanted to be. If they brought it, they got it back times 10. I know I’m at the top of my game right now and that’s what it takes to have a chance against a great champion like Ricky Hatton.”

Malignaggi (24-1, 5 KOs) captured the IBF title last June, defeating champion Lovemore N’dou (45-8-1) by 12-found decision, and Paulie successfully defended his belt in January with a 12-round decision against No. 1 contender Herman Ngoudjo (16-1).



“Everyone was blown away when they heard Ricky was going to fight at City of Manchester Stadium,” Paulie continued. “It’s going to be crazy over there! They’ve had a lot of quality fighters in Great Britain - Joe Calzaghe, David Haye, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank. They also had Lennox Lewis, but nothing like what Ricky means to them. Vegas was crazy last December and I know we can bring that atmosphere back when we go at it in the Fall. This won’t be a Friendly, more like a World Cup match, wherever we fight.

“My goal has always been to make the biggest and best fights, just like my great friend, Floyd Mayweather, has told me to do. A match-up between me and Ricky will be a Super Fight, one talked about for as long as there is boxing. No other fight at 140 matters.

Paul Malignaggi and Aaron Baraunstein


And before the fight, well, everyone knows that I talk a lot of smack, so Ricky’s not going to get any breaks there, either. Like with Floyd, me and Ricky can save seeing if we’re cool until once we’ve earned each other’s respect at the only place it counts – in the ring. There is no one, I repeat, no one I want to fight more than the No. 1 guy in the division - Ricky Hatton. Forget the money, forget the titles, this is about being the best. I know that if I get in the ring with Ricky Hatton, I’ll show him and everyone else what I’m made of, that I am the best 140-pound fighter in the world.

“I want to thank Ricky, his father, Ray, his lawyer, Gareth, who I met in Vegas, my team and everyone at Golden Boy and DBE for working so hard on this. I know I’m not always the easiest guy to deal with because I get so emotional over stupid stuff and open my mouth. I want to hype things up and get my chance to prove to everyone that I can walk the walk with the best. I’m ready to sign on the dotted line and prove to the Hattons and everyone else that Paulie Malignaggi is ready and up for the task of making this the biggest and best promotion that it can be. The best versus the best!
‘Magic Man’


If Ricky Hatton can beat me, then he can close the book on the 140-pound division. But no one’s beating the ‘Magic Man’ ever again. Me and Ricky are both professionals and know we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We both know that if we don’t win in May, our fight can never happen. Let everyone know that Paulie Malignaggi will do his part to make this happen and I’m counting on Ricky to do the same.”

CONTACT:Bob Trieger, Full Court Press
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Yuri Foreman: Ready to Move Up, by Jerry Glick

Jerry Glick reporting: The Aviator, located in Brooklyn’s Floyd Bennett Field on the southern tip of Flatbush Avenue, looks like a great venue for boxing. Final Forum’s Sal Musumeci wants to bring boxing back to the borough that was once a hot spot for boxing, and the Aviator is made to order.

Jerry Glick interviews Bernard Hopkins


This is a new opportunity for Brooklyn fans to see their favorite fighters box in a new, spacious, modern venue right in their own backyard.

Headlining the Final Forum show called “Fists a Flying,” that is being co-promoted with Top Rank, will be undefeated NABF Junior Middleweight Champion Yuri Foreman, 24-0 (8) who now lives in Caroll Gardens, Brooklyn, but was born in Belarus in the former Soviet Union. His opponent is Saul Roman, 28-4 (24), who last time out outpointed former world Junior Middleweight Champion Kassim Ouma. Also competing on the April 3rd show will be Joshua Clottey, 33-2 (19), who will face tough, hard hitting Jose Luis Cruz, 34-3 (27).

Yuri Foreman


At the press conference, held at the Aviator, Foreman appeared to be in great shape, ready to step into the ring right now. He said that he is excited about fighting in Brooklyn for the first time.

“I fought many times in New York (Manhattan),” said Foreman. “But this is my first time fighting in Brooklyn as a professional. I fought in the Golden Gloves many times in Brooklyn.” He is very excited about fighting so close to his home.

Foreman knows what his foe, Roman, will bring to the table.

“He has some decent power; you can look at his record,” added Foreman. “He has 24 knockouts. He’s 28 and four, I’m 24 and 0. He has those 24 knockout but most of them against not so good opponents. He fought questionable guys but just recently he got a victory over Kassim Ouma.”

Foreman is expecting a big win in his upcoming fight and a good 2008.

“I expect to have a great and spectacular victory on April third, and after that I hope to get a title shot. April third is the first step.”

Foreman has a lot of talent in his weight class to target. The WBC champ is Vernon Forrest, WBA title is in the hands of Joachim Alcine, Sergiy Dzinziruk has the WBO strap, and Cory Spinks holds the IBF belt.

“I’m ready to fight world class fighters,” declared Foreman.

“This is more like the third step already,” he corrected. “They told me that after Tsurkan I would get an opportunity for a title shot. That was that and I guess this is another one. But I’m just focusing right now on Saul Roman.”

Foreman is hard at work getting ready at Gleason’s gym.

“I never go to camp,” said Foreman. “I am always home.”

Foreman’s manager, Murray Wilson, has plans for his charge that include a world title this year.

“Get past this fight, which I hope we will, and I’m pretty sure we will,” said Wilson. “One more tune up fight, and then I’m sure we’re going for the world championship. We’re calling out Alcine. That should be it before the year is out.”

Foreman is currently ranked sixth for Joachim Alcine’s WBA title.

The 27 year old Foreman is one of the current Jewish fighters, including, Roman Greenberg, and Dmitriy Salita among others, who are bringing Jewish fans back into arenas to watch boxing. There was a time when boxing was well populated with Jewish boxers many of whom won world titles.

Foreman is an excellent draw and is very popular. He is bright, young, good looking, articulate and charming. It also helps that he can fight.

PUNCHLINES

DERRIC ROSSY:

Also on Musumeci’s mind is his heavyweight Derric Rossy’s future. Rossy was on hand at the press conference (he is not on this card) and his most recent fight that took place in China against Ray Mercer was playing on the multiple TV screens over the bar.

“It is currently being entertained,” said Musumeci. “That Rossy will be matched with Hasim Rahman in early May at a site to be announced.”

Rossy, looking about 30 pounds lighter than he was when last seen in these parts, had a few things to say about his career. There have been other changes since he suffered his first defeat.

For one, Rossy appeared to box more than in the past when he fought the aging Mercer.

“Mercer is an old salty dog,” stated Rossy. “He’s older now, but he’s crafty. He took his time in there trying to find his moments. I just kept the same game plan, stick and move, stick and move.”

Rossy had a tough loss to then unbeaten “Fast” Eddie Chambers who dished out a beating; busting Rossy’s eye up in the process.

“I knew what I could learn from it and we learned a lot of things,” he added. “Went back to the drawing board and perfected a lot of things.”

Rossy said that his biggest improvement was his weight loss. He dropped those thirty pounds, and he looked it.

“I felt comfortable with my boxing, rather than being a bully.”

He feels the same way his promoter, Sal Musumeci, feels; that this is his break out year. That in 2008 he will reach all of his goals in boxing.

“We’re planning on trying to get a title this year,” said a very calm and confident Rossy. “The road to get there is open. And we are going to see who will be our obstacles in our way.”

He feels that he is ready to meet whoever it takes to get to the top.

“Pick your spot,” said Rossy. “Any one of them I think we could fight with, especially now. My confidence has never been higher and my conditioning has never been better.”

So this former college linebacker and defensive end has never looked back at his football days, saying, “I don’t know who that guy is any more, I’m a fighter. We’re fighters, we love to fight.”

THE AVIATOR:

Promoter Musumeci is not only excited about the show, but he has announced his intension to make the Aviator a home for his fighters.

“I want to promote my shows here in the future,” said Musumeci. “It’s a beautiful venue.”

Floyd Bennett Field is a historic airport in the southern most area of Brooklyn, NY; at one time it was a busy military base that is now used mostly for recreation. The latest addition to it is the Aviator; a large spacious modern facility with two hockey sized skating rinks, a climbing wall, a gym, and other accommodations.

On hand at the press conference was Dean Rivera who represents the Aviator. I had a few moments to talk to him about the facility.

“We took four hangars and refurbished them,” explained Rivera. “We have a 20 year concession with the National Parks to run the facility.”

Mr. Rivera talked about the storied history of the Brooklyn location.

“Many famous people have flown out of these hangars here including Amelia Earhart, and Howard Hughs; actually the picture on the wall is a picture of Howard Hughs flying out of one of these hangars that our sports venue is built in.”

“During WWII a lot of soldiers flew from here to go to the European theater,” explained Rivera.

“Until 1971 when it was de-commissioned, it lost the postal service contract which back then drove passengers on airlines. Once they lost that the other airports, LaGuardia, Kennedy (Idlewild), came around.”

After that the field lost its direction. It became a place to teach your teenagers to drive, and fly model airplanes, and other things along those lines, until Aviator was built with the intention of bringing people to use their sports facilities and revitalize the area.

“It’s about 175 thousand square feet on 25 acres,” said Rivera. We have just about every sport you can imagine; hockey, basketball, volleyball, football, and gymnastics.”

This venue looks like it will turn into a very good place to hold boxing. That is something that has been in the works for a while.

“We had Golden Gloves here,” said Rivera. “We had NYPD-NYFD charity boxing events here and we spoke to a number of different promoters, and Sal did approach us for this one event that was coming up; Sal was looking to work here.”

He added that it was good timing for everybody, it is certainly good timing for the fans.
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Providence boxing goes national; ESPN2 FNF show, featuring Jason Estrada vs. Lance Whitaker, on April 4 at Twin River Events Center in Lincoln, RI‏

PROVIDENCE– ESPN2 Friday Night Fights comes to Twin River Events Center on April 4th as 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada takes on former NABO/NABA/WBC Continental Americas champion Lance “Mount” Whitaker in the 10-round main event on “Heavy Hitters,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment, Inc.

Estrada (11-1, 2 KOs), 27, completed his amateur career in the U.S. with an amazing 261-14 record. The Providence-native became the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row. “Big Six” won a unanimous 10-round decision versus former world title challenger Charles Shufford in his last fight on January 25.

The massive 6’ 8” Whitaker (32-4-1, 27) has beaten former world champions Oleg Maskaev (KOs) and Al “Ice” Cole, as well as previously undefeated Robert Davis (22-0), and 2-time world title challenger Monte Barrett.

“Providence fans turned out in force last week (March 14), selling out Twin River, and I’m sure will fill the event center again and show people watching on ESPN2 that Providence is the true boxing center of New England,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “Jason is Rhode Island’s first Olympic boxer and he’s stepping up in class to fight Whitaker, who has fought some of the top heavyweights of the past decade, and beaten two world champions. We’re also putting hot cruiserweight prospect Aaron Williams, 9-time national amateur champion, on the card in the co-feature and some of the most popular, exciting fighters in New England – Joey Spina, Jarrod Tillinghast, Joey McCreedy and Iraqi War veteran Chris Traietti – on the undercard with a pair of very promising prospects, Diego Pereira and Isander Beauchamp.”

Like Estrada, unbeaten cruiserweight “Awesome” Aaron Williams (16-0-1, 11 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas but making Providence his second home, is taking a quantum step-up in class in terms of his opponent, former NABO/NBA title-holder Andre “Tombstone” Purlette (40-2, 35 KOs), in the 10-round co-feature.

Power punching Providence super middleweight Joey “KO Kid” Spina (21-1-1, 15 KOs), popular unbeaten Providence light heavyweight Jarrod Tillinghast (9-0, 3 KOs), exciting Lowell (MA) light heavyweight “Irish” Joey McCreedy (7-1, 5 KOs), Quincy (MA) super middleweight Chris Traietti 701, 4 KOs) and Providence junior welterweight Diego Pereira (1-0, 1 KO) and Lynn (MA) flyweight Isander Beachamp (4-0, 1 KO) are scheduled to fight on the undercard. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets for “Heavy Hitters” are priced at $35.00 (ADA stage seating only), $40.00, $50.00, (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and will soon be available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. CES is accepting ticket orders now at 401.724.2253/2254. Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Heavy Hitters.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)


CONTACT:
Bob Trieger
Full Court Press
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Don “The Predator” Frye withdraws Due to Injury; Will Provide Commentary for the Fight

New York– Today YAMMA Pit Fighting (YPF), a new mixed martial arts (MMA) organization created by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) founder Bob Meyrowitz, announced that “Masters Superfight” participant Don “The Predator” Frye has withdrawn from the organization’s debut due to surgery on his shoulder. Frye injured his shoulder while training for the YAMMA Pit Fighting April 11 pay-per-view event, in which he was scheduled to face MMA legend Oleg “The Russian Bear” Taktarov. Frye will still attend the fight and will provide commentary.

Frye will be replaced by legendary MMA fighter Patrick Smith, an American mixed martial artist and professional kick boxer. Smith gained notoriety in the early days of the UFC with his commanding wins in several memorable fights, including his defeat of Ninjitsu practitioner Scott Morris in UFC 2. The Denver, Colorado native stands 6 ft 2 in tall and weighs 230lbs., and has won five of his last six MMA fights.

Smith had been scheduled to face Taktarov in the UFC 6 tournament, but had to pull out of the match due to injuries suffered in an earlier tournament fight. Taktarov went on to win the tournament and capture the UFC 6 championship. MMA enthusiasts that have wondered what the outcome would have been had Smith not suffered the injury just may get their answer. On April 11th in Atlantic City, Oleg Taktarov and Patrick Smith will finally meet in a fight 10 years in the making.

“We regret to announce that Don Frye has suffered an injury and will be unable to compete,” said Bob Meyrowitz, Rope Partners. “However, I am happy to say that Don will be joining us on April 11 and will provide expert commentary for the Masters Superfight between Oleg Taktarov and Patrick Smith. We look forward to Don competing in YAMMA Pit Fighting in the future.”

The YAMMA Pit Fighting event, comprised of an eight-man tournament for the title of YAMMA Heavyweight Champion and two ‘Masters Superfights,’ will air live from the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City on April 11, 2008. The other ‘Masters Superfight’ will feature Eric “Butterbean” Esch versus Gary "Big Daddy" Goodridge. Tickets for the event went on sale March 8 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Trump Taj Mahal Box Office. The live pay-per-view broadcast is available in the United States and Canada through In Demand Networks, TVN Entertainment, Bell ExpressVu, Viewer’s Choice Canada and Dish Network.

The April 11th event will unveil “The YAMMA,” an evolution of the traditional fighting structure that will change how the fight is fought and the strategy the fighters must use to win. This new “ring” has been specifically designed to keep the fighting more explosive and continuous.

For the first time in over a decade, MMA will return to its origins by reviving the hugely popular tournament format, in which fighters will participate in multiple fights on their way to claiming the ultimate victory, the title of YAMMA Heavyweight Champion. The format will test the endurance and skill of each fighter, as victory in each round is rewarded not with extended rest, but with another fight. Tournament fighting has long been a huge draw for dedicated MMA fans due to the non-stop action provided by fight-after-fight formatting.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster’s extensive network of 81 ticket centers throughout the Delaware Valley including Boscov’s, Marshalls and select West Coast Video and Gallery of Sound locations or call Ticketmaster’s convenient Charge-by-Phone service at 1-800-736-1420. For Online Information: www.ticketmaster.com

About Rope Partners

Rope Partners, formed by Bob Meyrowitz and Peter Kauff, have over a 20 year track record of pioneering successful ventures in the music, broadcasting and sports industries. As illustrated by their successes in building the largest independent radio syndication company, DIR Broadcasting, The College Television Network, the largest private television network in the United States, and Semaphore Entertainment Group the originator and founder of the UFC.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/yammapitfighting or www.yammapitfighting.com

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Ladbrokes.com Fight Night - Macklin kicks off massive month for Irish Boxing

Yori Boy Campas, promoter Brian Peters and Matthew Macklin at today's weigh in for the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night

A massive month for Irish Boxing kicks off at the National Stadium in Dublin tomorrow with the next Ladbrokes.com Fight Night. It’s the first of three big promotions all featuring Irish talent up against men with true world class credentials.On Saturday night it’s Irish middleweight champ, Matthew Macklin’s turn to take centre stage as he battles former World Champ Yori Boy Campas of Mexico.Seven days later in Letterkenny Paul McCloskey will also face a test of Mexican machismo when he battles former World Lightweight Champ, Cesar Bazan.

Then on April 12th Bernard Dunne will make his return to the ring in an intriguing clash with former IBF Super Flyweight Champ, Felix Machado of Venezuela.

“Irish boxing is buzzing right now,” said Macklin “and it’s great to be a part of that. I’m delighted to be headlining my own show and I think the general feeling is that my fight with Campas is going to be one for the fans. I think my style will really gel with his style to make it an exciting fight. He only knows one way to fight and that’s to come forward and throw an awful lot of punches but I’m ready to meet fire with fire.

“Ideally I’d like to try and outbox him because that’s why I’ve started working with Buddy McGirt as my new trainer. I think he can help get me back to using the boxing skills I had as an amateur but I know there may come a point against Campas where all that will go out the window and we just stand toe to toe. Part of me even wants that to happen because those are the kind of fight you can make your name in but I know Buddy will be trying to keep me very disciplined in the corner.”

A knee injury has put paid to the Irish Light Welterweight title rematch between Andrew Murray and James Gorman. Murray will still fight on the card against England's Leonard Lothian but won’t be defending his title after Gorman was forced to withdraw on Thursday night.

The Belfast man suffered ligament damage while out running and had to pull out of the fight following medical advice.

Meanwhile Cuban heavyweight sensation Mike “The Rebel” Perez will look to make it three wins from three in the pro ranks when he battles former Polish amateur heavyweight champion Tomasz Zeprzalka.

Perez, a former World Junior Champ in the amateur ranks has brutally despatched his first two professional opponents in under a round. Now based out of Cork the 22-year-old is already being tipped as a future heavyweight world champion.

Another former amateur star on the card is Dublin’s own Ian Tims. The Clondalkin native is a former Irish Heavyweight champ in the amateur ranks and he’ll be looking to get his pro career off to the best possible start with an impressive win on Saturday night.

Also on the card from Liffeyside is Leon Senior. Originally from Dublin but now based in London Senior will be looking for the second win of his pro career.

Unbeaten Belfast welterweight Willie Thompson also features as he tackles unbeaten Latvian Semens Moroshek while undefeated Polish super middleweight, Albert Rybacki will open the show against American Freeman Taft.

The first fight is at 7.15.

The full line up is:

- Matthew Mackin V Yori Boy Campas – Middleweight (10 Rounds)
- Andrew Murray V Leonard Lothian – Light Welterweight (8 Rounds)
- Mike Perez V Tomasz Zeprzalka – Heavyweight (6 Rounds)
- Ian Tims V Klaids Kristapsons – Cruiserweight (4 Rounds)
- Willie Thompson V Semens Moroshek – Welterweight (4 Rounds)
- Leon Senior V Sandris Tomson – Super Middleweight (4 Rounds)
- Albert Rybacki V Freeman Taft – Light Heavyweight (6 Rounds)

Live coverage of the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night begins on RTÉ TWO at 9pm on Saturday and is also available online at www.rte.ie.

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‘GOLDBERG TOE-TO-TOE’ SERIES; RETURNS WITH FRANK SHAMROCK AND CUNG LE

NEW YORK– SHOWTIME mixed martial arts commentator Bill Goldberg goes toe-to-toe with MMA stalwarts Frank Shamrock and Cung Le in the second installment of Goldberg Toe-to-Toe, now available at SHO.com.

Direct Video Link:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1460867964/bclid1460782779/bctid1463215402

Shamrock and Le, both world class mixed martial artists and both San Jose residents, prepare to meet in the cage when EliteXC and Strikeforce return to SHOWTIME, live on Saturday, March 29, 2008 (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Goldberg Toe-to-Toe is a new, unique video series from SHOWTIME Sports and available via a variety of online outlets such as the aforementioned premium network’s website, as well as news, sports and entertainment websites, user generated sites such as YouTube, and interstitially on SHOWTIME and its multiplexes.

Created specifically for the internet, Goldberg Toe-to-Toe is fast-paced, easily accessible, brief content (each episode approximately five-minutes in length), bringing viewers behind-the-scenes and into the lives of MMA’s top athletes. Witness the astonishing training regimens and get to know the true personalities of some of today’s most feared cage fighters.

In this installment, Goldberg goes through full-day workouts with both Shamrock and Le at their respective gyms in San Jose, exposing their different fighting styles and likeable personalities. See if Goldberg can match Shamrock on the exercise ball and in a sword fighting drill. Also, catch Le overpowering the 272-pound Goldberg when the two work on San Shou throwing techniques, the cornerstone of Le’s success in martial arts fighting.

For additional content including more video, photo galleries and MMA news links, please visit http://www.sho.com/site/sports/ShamrockVSLe.do

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Henry Crawford works his way to victory!; By Mike Indri

Henry Crawford works his way to victory!
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation


Newark, NJ - Having to wait more than 90 minutes because promoter Hilliard Edmond forgot the gloves - yes, the boxing gloves! - to be used by the boxers for the five scheduled bouts should have sent a message to the few people that actually came to the Robert Treat Hotel for this very under-publicized fight card.

After retrieving the gloves from his Maplewood home for the ten fighters and getting the debacle of a show to begin, the two hundred or so fight fans that painfully waited for some boxing action had to endure a shoddy undercard, which included six of the eight fighters making pro debuts. The hastily put together bouts did prevent another cancellation on behalf of Edmond promotions.

Luckily the eight round main event between highly regarded jr. middleweight contender Henry Crawford and Jerome Ellis, fighting out of Newark, by way of the Bahamas, somewhat salvaged the night for the new promoter.

Ellis's "Ali-shuffle" in front of Crawford during the introduction heated up the crowd, but is was Crawford who was firing up Ellis with his clean right hands, and stiff jab as the fight began.

A loser of his last three fights dating back to November of 2006, Ellis was a much better fighter than his very deceptive 11-7-1 record would lead to believe, and caught Crawford with several big punches in round two. One of the bombs actually sent Crawford's mouthpiece flying. Both fighters exchanged combinations and the fans appreciated the big time action.

Getting a "wake up call" slap from his long time trainer, Nettles Nasser, between rounds, Crawford settled down and began to box more in round three and made Ellis pay for his wide, knockout-minded swings. Each Ellis miss brought several hard body shots by the undefeated prospect.

Rounds four and five were all Crawford, and the difference was the jab and his superior boxing skill. A quick left hand caught Ellis clean on the chin and sent the stunned fighter to the canvas.

Henry Crawford and trainer Nettles Nasser


As long as Crawford kept to his fight plan of boxing smart and stinging the usually wide-open Ellis with his strong counter punching, win number nineteen was not far away.

Ellis was a good, hard test for the twenty-seven year-old Paterson fighter as there was not let up in the "Bahama Boomer" who continually was looking to make Crawford his eleventh knockout victim. Ten of the eleven Ellis victories have been by stoppage, and he was trying to catch his still learning opponent with that potent right uppercut and left hook.

Another solid Crawford left hand sent a dreary-eyed Ellis reeling into the ropes and down to the canvas for the second time in the fight late in round seven, and a questionable shot to the beaten fighter's upper back drove him back to the deck in the eighth and final round. With no quit in him, Ellis quickly bounced off the floor and gave referee Earl Brown an earful as he disputed the call. Both fighters were slugging away as the bell sounded to end the exciting bout. Judges Pierre Benoist and Lawrence Layton thought Crawford pitchout a shutout, as both scored it 80-69, while Al Bennet saw it 79-70 for the likable Crawford who remains unbeaten at 19-0-1 (8 KO's) with the unanimous decision win. The durable Ellis, who has only been stopped once, slips to 11-8-1.

On the Edmond Promotions undercard:

After the lengthy delay Passaic featherweight Victor Valenzuela started things off in a big way as the highly acclaimed former amateur champion promptly delivered some action to the patient crowd, bouncing a couple of quick left hand off the body and head of Antwon Holcomb.

Holcomb, fighting out of Indianapolis, Indiana and making his pro debut, was given the extra tough task of facing Valenzuela. Valenzuela caught the over-matched Holcomb with another nasty left to the head that dropped the stunned fighter. Obviously hurt from the blow, which knocked off the rubber band holding the dreadlocks of the Indiana fighter, Holcomb beat the count but referee Benjy Esteves wisely waved off the bout at the 1:05 mark of round one of the scheduled four round bout.

The promising Valenzuela is now 2-0 (1 KO), while Holcomb (0-1) drops his too difficult debut.

A "laugher" followed in a four rounder between two more young fighters making their pro debuts. Juan Guaman and Tawan Elman both proved they needed much more work in the amateurs as their "tough man contest-like" winging slap punches brought jeers from the sparse crowd. Guaman did connect with a right hand, which sent Elman to his canvas and looking to call it a night. After pulling himself off the deck and with Guaman looking to land again, Elman draped his arms onto the top rope and surprised referee Benjy Esteves by saying he did not want to fight on.


Credit to Guaman for his gutsy performance, as all fighters that enter the ring deserve their due - even Tawan Elman; who apparently decided against boxing as a profession, one minute and thirty-nine seconds into the first round.

Yet another four round battle of first time professionals followed!
Luckily this bout proved more entertaining, as Eddie Edmond and La-Take Williams gave it their all and scrapped out a four round draw. While Edmond appeared to land the more telling blows, the judges felt neither guy deserved to loss in this hard fought contest of novice junior middleweights.

Well trained Akima Stocks annihilated Angie Campbell in a scheduled four round female bout which served as an embarrassment to all involved in putting this match together, as well as the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board for allowing it to be sanctioned.

Stocks, fighting out of Newark, had registered knockouts in both her two wins, as well as having another fight she was in command of being stopped and ruled a no-contest; due to an accidental head butt which rendered her opponent (Michelle Garland: 06/01/07 at the legendary Blue Horizon in Philadelphia) unable to continue.

Campbell had never fought professionally, and looked like she hadn't even laced up a pair of boxing gloves before tonight's fight…she definitely had no business in the ring and that was obvious BEFORE the opening bell had even rung. Twenty-five seconds into the first round of this scheduled four round mismatch of 152-pound females it was all over; as Campbell had absorbed too much punishment from the dangerous Stocks, now 3-0 with three knockouts. Luckily Campbell did not get seriously injured.

Not one of the better run boxing shows and this type of event definitely will not get the boxing fan to return. Edmond Promotions had either make the commitment to higher quality and more evenly matched fights, or will be facing financial disaster once more.

Fortunately the Crawford-Ellis main event was an entertaining eight rounds and the fans got to see highly touted Victor Valenzuela get his first knockout win as a pro with his picture perfect left hook.


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Former National Committeeman and YRNF Co-Chairman, Tim Kolpien, is in the news, Hockey return in Danbury not official, but close.

Former National Committeeman and YRNF Co-Chairman, Tim Kolpien, is in the news, Hockey return in Danbury not official, but close.
By Eugene Driscoll STAFF WRITER

DANBURY - It's not official, but it's darn close. Tim Kolpien, a businessman from Corning, N.Y., was in the city Tuesday talking to officials about bringing professional hockey back to the Danbury Ice Arena on Independence Way. Kolpien has a deal on the table with Floyd Hall Enterprises, the arena's owner. However, it hasn't been signed, which made Kolpien somewhat hesitant to talk publicly about his plans Tuesday.

An official announcement could come by April 1. Ideally, the team would start playing in the fall. Kolpien's plans were reported Saturday in The News-Times and have been posted on hockey fan Web sites. Meanwhile, Kolpien's general manager, Brendan Tedstone, is scheduled to meet Friday with Section 102 fans - a rowdy, rabid group of Danbury Trashers fans. The group is named after a section of the ice arena.
"We still need to cross our t's and dot our i's, but it's looking very good in Danbury," Kolpien told The News-Times. Kolpien owned the Valley Forge Freedom in Oaks, Pa. The team was affiliated with the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League, which suspended operations in February.

Kolpien said the plan is to form a new team in Danbury and a new league, the Eastern Professional Hockey League. While many look forward to a new team downtown, no hockey team has managed to stay in Danbury for more than two years. The Danbury Trashers, of the United Hockey League, packed the arena, but imploded after owner James Galante was indicted on federal racketeering charges. The New England Stars played in Danbury for a season, but the team and league folded, owing money to the city and to the arena. In general, teams and leagues in minor league sports have a tendency to come and go, which is why Mayor Mark Boughton was "cautiously optimistic" Tuesday.

"Danbury has demonstrated it will support professional hockey. The question is, can the team make money?" he asked. The mayor and Kolpien met Tuesday afternoon in City Hall to discuss the plans. "Minor league sports is a difficult business - there is no question about it," Kolpien told The News-Times. "Unfortunately, there are never any guarantees. "Having said that, we're coming in here with a very strong business plan and a very strong financial plan. Certainly we have the resources to make sure we conduct business in a transparent and honorable way." Kolpien's new league would serve as a development league for the ECHL, a hockey league that feeds players to the American Hockey League. "It's definitely going to be a higher-caliber-type hockey than the Stars," Kolpien said. "These are full-time players, for the most part. They are from all over the country. It is not going to be a team of local all-stars."

In addition to owning the now defunct Valley Forge team, Kolpien is president of Kolpien & Associates, a company that develops public relations and marketing plans for corporations and political campaigns. Kolpien's background is in politics. He served as campaign coordinator for former U.S. Rep. Amo Houghton, an upstate New York politician who served nine terms in Congress. He is also the president of the Apple Tree Group, a media and public relations firm, and was co-chairman of the Young Republican National Federation from 2005 to 2007.
http://www.newstimes.com/ci_8448994?source%253Dmost_emailed.26978592730A3B8C7F471EACE0DA4EF2.html

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