National Teams from the United States and Puerto Rico will convene in the boxing Mecca of Philadelphia for an Olympic-style boxing dual on April 26 at the Liacouras Center. This major event will feature top boxers from both teams as each prepare for the Olympic Games.
The competition will showcase many of the athletes who will be vying for gold in Beijing in August. The United States and Puerto Rico battled prior to the Olympic Games in 2004 as well, and many of the same faces could be on hand for the April 26 match-up. 2007 World Champion and two-time Olympian Rau'shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio) could face a rematch with 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian and Pan American Games gold medalist McWilliams Arroyo. The two squared off at the light flyweight division in their earlier battle, but both have moved up to the flyweight division for the 2008 Olympic Games.
"The U.S. National Team has had a strong rivalry with Puerto Rico for years. This event will preview many of the top contenders in Beijing, and promises to be a night of outstanding competition," said USA Boxing CEO Jim Millman."
The United States is enjoying a resurgence in amateur boxing, and is currently ranked second in the world based upon their finish at the 2007 World Championships in Chicago, Ill. Puerto Rico and the United States haven't faced off in head-to-head dual action since May of 2004 as the two nations battled prior to the 2004 Olympic Games.
USA Boxing, as the national governing body for Olympic-style boxing, is the United States' member organization of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) and a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).
See the competition LIVE Sat., April 26th, on www.GoFightLive.tv, starting at 7 PM EDT!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Black History 101 Mobile Museum Hip Hop artifacts and was in tributeto Proof and J Dilla.
The Black History 101 Mobile Museum showcased its refurbished travel trailer at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit on April 20. The exhibit was attended by approximately 300 people. The exhibit had a variety of rare Hip Hop related material objects. The graffiti concept was done in tribute to Proof and JDilla.
The Black History 101 Mobile Museum made its debut in Detroit this past weekend. The exhibit focused on avariety of rare Hip Hop artifacts and was in tribute to Proof and J Dilla.
Check out the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvBXc22pBHE
The Black History 101 Mobile Museum made its debut in Detroit this past weekend. The exhibit focused on avariety of rare Hip Hop artifacts and was in tribute to Proof and J Dilla.
Check out the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvBXc22pBHE
EliteXC Heavyweight Sensation, Kimbo Slice, Will Headline an Exciting Night of Mixed Martial Arts
THE FIRST "CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" TO BE BROADCAST LIVE ON SATURDAY, MAY 31, ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK
Middleweight Champion "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler will Defend His Title Against Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith
LOS ANGELES— CBS and ProElite, Inc. today announced that the first live prime time mixed martial arts event will be broadcast Saturday, May 31 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS will be broadcast live from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
"We're excited to introduce broadcast television viewers to America's fastest growing sport with this prime time event," said Kelly Kahl, Senior Executive Vice President, CBS Primetime. "EliteXC is putting together a lineup card that showcases the unique personalities, world-class athleticism, and raw power and emotion that characterizes mixed martial arts."
Champion "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler will put his title on the line against Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith in a middleweight championship bout. EliteXC heavyweight phenom, Kimbo Slice, will also participate in the May 31 event along with other stars from mixed martial arts. Additional matchups will be announced at a later date.
PHOTO COURTESY TOM CASINO SHOWTIME NETWORKS; Vernon Forrest and Kimbo Slice
"I am very happy for the highly trained fighters, who will finally get the kind of exposure they deserve, and, of course, the viewers, who will get the opportunity to learn that MMA is truly a sport that requires an abundance of skills, both mentally and physically," said Gary Shaw, EliteXC Live Events President.
CBS and ProElite, Inc., a Los Angeles-based leading entertainment and media company that produces world class mixed martial arts (MMA) events, announced last month they were teaming up to bring MMA to a major broadcast television network for the first time. CBS will broadcast four MMA events per year, produced by ProElite's live fight division, EliteXC, as two-hour live primetime specials.
Mixed martial arts is a sport evolved from a number of ancient combat disciplines including judo, jiu-jitsu, karate, wrestling and kickboxing. World-class athletes engage in hand-to-hand combat in a ring — both caged and traditional — and must adapt their fighting style to fit their opponent. The wide variety of styles and techniques make every event an unpredictable spectacle.
CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS will be produced by SHOWTIME Sports. The executive producer is David Dinkins, Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.
For additional information visit www.proelite.com
Middleweight Champion "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler will Defend His Title Against Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith
LOS ANGELES— CBS and ProElite, Inc. today announced that the first live prime time mixed martial arts event will be broadcast Saturday, May 31 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS will be broadcast live from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
"We're excited to introduce broadcast television viewers to America's fastest growing sport with this prime time event," said Kelly Kahl, Senior Executive Vice President, CBS Primetime. "EliteXC is putting together a lineup card that showcases the unique personalities, world-class athleticism, and raw power and emotion that characterizes mixed martial arts."
Champion "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler will put his title on the line against Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith in a middleweight championship bout. EliteXC heavyweight phenom, Kimbo Slice, will also participate in the May 31 event along with other stars from mixed martial arts. Additional matchups will be announced at a later date.
PHOTO COURTESY TOM CASINO SHOWTIME NETWORKS; Vernon Forrest and Kimbo Slice
"I am very happy for the highly trained fighters, who will finally get the kind of exposure they deserve, and, of course, the viewers, who will get the opportunity to learn that MMA is truly a sport that requires an abundance of skills, both mentally and physically," said Gary Shaw, EliteXC Live Events President.
CBS and ProElite, Inc., a Los Angeles-based leading entertainment and media company that produces world class mixed martial arts (MMA) events, announced last month they were teaming up to bring MMA to a major broadcast television network for the first time. CBS will broadcast four MMA events per year, produced by ProElite's live fight division, EliteXC, as two-hour live primetime specials.
Mixed martial arts is a sport evolved from a number of ancient combat disciplines including judo, jiu-jitsu, karate, wrestling and kickboxing. World-class athletes engage in hand-to-hand combat in a ring — both caged and traditional — and must adapt their fighting style to fit their opponent. The wide variety of styles and techniques make every event an unpredictable spectacle.
CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS will be produced by SHOWTIME Sports. The executive producer is David Dinkins, Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.
For additional information visit www.proelite.com
Ross Realty International; The Right Relationship Makes A World of Difference
Rhonda Ross, President
Greetings!
Welcome to A Whole New World of Real Estate Brokerage!
Ross Realty International is a loyal, private, and internationally-connected oasis where sellers of prime real estate can connect with eager and available buyers around the world. With quality, relationship-centered client services, founder Rhonda Ross, daughter of legendary superstar, Diana Ross, and business mogul, Berry Gordy, has created a whole new world of real estate brokerage. To read more about Rhonda Ross and the launch of RRI click here.
You are among the first to receive the premier issue of the Ross Realty International Newsletter. In it, you will find inside tips about the hotest properties and most well-kept Real Estate secrets for buying and selling real property in Manhattan and around the globe. If you are not currently in the market, please forward this email to someone who is. We guarantee they will thank you for it.
With an exclusive 'Rolodex' that reaches around the world, across the country, and throughout New York City, Ross Realty International has bridged the Manhattan and global real estate markets. Whether buying or selling a property, you require good counsel and a solid plan. Join our growing family and let Ross Realty International show you how:
The Right Relationship Makes A World of Difference
Sincerely,
The RRI Team
Ross Realty International, LLC
(917) 463 - 0397 Tel/Fax
www.RossRealtyInternational.com
Info@RRI-LLC.com
At the Moment...
In each newsletter, we at Ross Realty International will share an "Inside Tip" that is exciting us "At The Moment"...
Your first Inside Tip will be on your television sets. We are very happy to announce that Friday, March 28th between 5am - 8am, NY1 will begin airing the first of three real estate segments that feature president, Rhonda Ross. If you live in the New York City area (and are up that early) please tune in for a little "Ross Realty Real Estate Wisdom". We'll be talking about:
1. How to get your property to stand out in this changing market
2. How to best prepare yourself to purchase a property
3. Exclusive versus Open Listings, choosing the best for you
And don't forget to check out RossRealtyInternational.com if you're thinking about moving and for daily updates of our featured sales and rentals.
Greetings!
Welcome to A Whole New World of Real Estate Brokerage!
Ross Realty International is a loyal, private, and internationally-connected oasis where sellers of prime real estate can connect with eager and available buyers around the world. With quality, relationship-centered client services, founder Rhonda Ross, daughter of legendary superstar, Diana Ross, and business mogul, Berry Gordy, has created a whole new world of real estate brokerage. To read more about Rhonda Ross and the launch of RRI click here.
You are among the first to receive the premier issue of the Ross Realty International Newsletter. In it, you will find inside tips about the hotest properties and most well-kept Real Estate secrets for buying and selling real property in Manhattan and around the globe. If you are not currently in the market, please forward this email to someone who is. We guarantee they will thank you for it.
With an exclusive 'Rolodex' that reaches around the world, across the country, and throughout New York City, Ross Realty International has bridged the Manhattan and global real estate markets. Whether buying or selling a property, you require good counsel and a solid plan. Join our growing family and let Ross Realty International show you how:
The Right Relationship Makes A World of Difference
Sincerely,
The RRI Team
Ross Realty International, LLC
(917) 463 - 0397 Tel/Fax
www.RossRealtyInternational.com
Info@RRI-LLC.com
At the Moment...
In each newsletter, we at Ross Realty International will share an "Inside Tip" that is exciting us "At The Moment"...
Your first Inside Tip will be on your television sets. We are very happy to announce that Friday, March 28th between 5am - 8am, NY1 will begin airing the first of three real estate segments that feature president, Rhonda Ross. If you live in the New York City area (and are up that early) please tune in for a little "Ross Realty Real Estate Wisdom". We'll be talking about:
1. How to get your property to stand out in this changing market
2. How to best prepare yourself to purchase a property
3. Exclusive versus Open Listings, choosing the best for you
And don't forget to check out RossRealtyInternational.com if you're thinking about moving and for daily updates of our featured sales and rentals.
DIACONU vs. HENRY REPLAY AT DONKINGTV.COM
DonKingTV.com will exclusively webcast for free around the world the Adrian Diaconu vs. Chris Henry match for the interim WBC light heavyweight championship on Saturday beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 PT (GMT 5:30 p.m.)
To celebrate his second webcast, Don has broken out three great fights from his film library: Ruiz vs. Valuev, Golota vs. McBride and Golota vs. Mollo.
Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Championship Webcast Exclusively on DonKingTV.com on Saturday Live From Bucharest, Romania
Adrian Diaconu (Romania/Canada) vs. Chris Henry (U.S.A.) in Main Event;
Plus Three More Bouts: Ion Ionut ‘Jo Jo’ Dan (Romania) vs. Raul Balbi (Argentina),
Viorel Simion (Romania) vs. Rudy Encarnacion (Spain),
And Bogdan Dinu (Romania) vs. Stephane Tessier (Canada);
Webcast Begins at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT (GMT 5:30 p.m.)
Visitors to DonKingTV.com Can Also See Three Fights Never-Before-Shown in America:
Nikolai Valuev vs. John Ruiz & Andrew Golota Battles Both Kevin McBride & Mike Mollo
BUCHAREST, Romania—Don King will continue his march into Internet webcasting on Saturday with a battle of undefeated boxers vying for the interim World Boxing Council light heavyweight championship that pits Adrian Diaconu against Chris Henry that can be seen live exclusively on DonKingTV.com for free beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT (GMT 5:30 p.m.) from the Sala Polivalenta in Bucharest, Romania.
Three additional bouts will be shown live from Romania. Undefeated Ion Ionut “Jo Jo” Dan (20-0, 11 KOs), from Romania will take on Argentinean veteran Raul Balbi (55-8-1, 38 KOs) in a North American Boxing Association 140-pound championship; undefeated Romanian prospect Viorel Simion (7-0, 3 KOs) tangles with Spanish battler Rudy Encarnacion (18-11-2, 8 KOs); and 2003 world junior champion Bogdan Dinu, from Romania, will make his professional debut against Stephane Tessier, from Canada.
To celebrate his second webcast, King has broken into his vast vault of previous fights to allow DonKingTV.com visitors to see three big fights for free that have never been shown in America. Beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday through the weekend, fans can see the bout where Nikolai “Giant Russian” Valuev won his first world title in a controversial decision over two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz at Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany, on Dec. 17, 2005.
“I have been overwhelmed by the people’s blessings of success to our pioneer effort in launching DonKingTV.com,” King said. “DonKingTV.com is the people’s global network. I want to thank all the people who have logged on and will long on and to the bloggers who are the modern-day apostles of the media.”
Beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Friday through the weekend, two more fan-favorite fights will be added to the DonKingTV.com schedule: Andrew Golota’s memorable Madison Square Garden brawls with Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride that took place on Oct. 6, 2007, and the slugfest against Chicago heavyweight contender “Merciless” Mike Mollo from Jan. 19.
Diaconu (24-0, 15 KO), born in Romania and now fighting out of Montreal, is the WBC No. 1 ranked mandatory challenger at the 175-pound weight limit and was to have faced WBC champion Chad Dawson during a Don King-promoted fight card on Sept. 29 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif. Diaconu was forced to bow out two weeks prior to that contest after suffering a hand injury that included bone contusions and soft tissue damage.
Diaconu’s perfect record, and ability to re-schedule the postponed match with Dawson, will be challenged by the similarly perfect Henry (21-0, 17 KOs), from Houston, Texas.
“I’m going to win this fight,” Henry said. “He [Diaconu] has no idea what he signed up for and is up against in Chris Henry.”
Henry has shown great power with an 86-percent knockout percentage in 21 fights after being a professional prizefighter for just over three years. Henry’s style is to come straight to his opponents, which should cause fireworks with Diaconu, who possesses power in both hands as well.
“Henry is talking a good game,” Diaconu said. “Let’s hope he brings that spirit to the ring on Saturday.”
Henry has recently teamed with Ronnie Shields, one of boxing’s greatest trainers.
“I needed Ronnie Shields to add just a little polish and experience,” Henry said. “Bobby Benton has always been my trainer and he’ll still be in my corner as a second along with Mike Roberts. Ronnie’s been working with me for about six months now and he has me ready.”
Col. Bob Sheridan will provide blow-by-blow ringside descriptions from Romania and is being joined by special guest analyst Glen Johnson, a former light heavyweight champion. Promoter of the Romanian event is Gankor Promotions. DonKingTV.com is the exclusive webcaster of this event. It’s not TV. It’s DonKingTV.com.
Alan Hopper/Bob Goodman Don King Productions
To celebrate his second webcast, Don has broken out three great fights from his film library: Ruiz vs. Valuev, Golota vs. McBride and Golota vs. Mollo.
Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Championship Webcast Exclusively on DonKingTV.com on Saturday Live From Bucharest, Romania
Adrian Diaconu (Romania/Canada) vs. Chris Henry (U.S.A.) in Main Event;
Plus Three More Bouts: Ion Ionut ‘Jo Jo’ Dan (Romania) vs. Raul Balbi (Argentina),
Viorel Simion (Romania) vs. Rudy Encarnacion (Spain),
And Bogdan Dinu (Romania) vs. Stephane Tessier (Canada);
Webcast Begins at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT (GMT 5:30 p.m.)
Visitors to DonKingTV.com Can Also See Three Fights Never-Before-Shown in America:
Nikolai Valuev vs. John Ruiz & Andrew Golota Battles Both Kevin McBride & Mike Mollo
BUCHAREST, Romania—Don King will continue his march into Internet webcasting on Saturday with a battle of undefeated boxers vying for the interim World Boxing Council light heavyweight championship that pits Adrian Diaconu against Chris Henry that can be seen live exclusively on DonKingTV.com for free beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT (GMT 5:30 p.m.) from the Sala Polivalenta in Bucharest, Romania.
Three additional bouts will be shown live from Romania. Undefeated Ion Ionut “Jo Jo” Dan (20-0, 11 KOs), from Romania will take on Argentinean veteran Raul Balbi (55-8-1, 38 KOs) in a North American Boxing Association 140-pound championship; undefeated Romanian prospect Viorel Simion (7-0, 3 KOs) tangles with Spanish battler Rudy Encarnacion (18-11-2, 8 KOs); and 2003 world junior champion Bogdan Dinu, from Romania, will make his professional debut against Stephane Tessier, from Canada.
To celebrate his second webcast, King has broken into his vast vault of previous fights to allow DonKingTV.com visitors to see three big fights for free that have never been shown in America. Beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday through the weekend, fans can see the bout where Nikolai “Giant Russian” Valuev won his first world title in a controversial decision over two-time World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz at Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany, on Dec. 17, 2005.
“I have been overwhelmed by the people’s blessings of success to our pioneer effort in launching DonKingTV.com,” King said. “DonKingTV.com is the people’s global network. I want to thank all the people who have logged on and will long on and to the bloggers who are the modern-day apostles of the media.”
Beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Friday through the weekend, two more fan-favorite fights will be added to the DonKingTV.com schedule: Andrew Golota’s memorable Madison Square Garden brawls with Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride that took place on Oct. 6, 2007, and the slugfest against Chicago heavyweight contender “Merciless” Mike Mollo from Jan. 19.
Diaconu (24-0, 15 KO), born in Romania and now fighting out of Montreal, is the WBC No. 1 ranked mandatory challenger at the 175-pound weight limit and was to have faced WBC champion Chad Dawson during a Don King-promoted fight card on Sept. 29 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif. Diaconu was forced to bow out two weeks prior to that contest after suffering a hand injury that included bone contusions and soft tissue damage.
Diaconu’s perfect record, and ability to re-schedule the postponed match with Dawson, will be challenged by the similarly perfect Henry (21-0, 17 KOs), from Houston, Texas.
“I’m going to win this fight,” Henry said. “He [Diaconu] has no idea what he signed up for and is up against in Chris Henry.”
Henry has shown great power with an 86-percent knockout percentage in 21 fights after being a professional prizefighter for just over three years. Henry’s style is to come straight to his opponents, which should cause fireworks with Diaconu, who possesses power in both hands as well.
“Henry is talking a good game,” Diaconu said. “Let’s hope he brings that spirit to the ring on Saturday.”
Henry has recently teamed with Ronnie Shields, one of boxing’s greatest trainers.
“I needed Ronnie Shields to add just a little polish and experience,” Henry said. “Bobby Benton has always been my trainer and he’ll still be in my corner as a second along with Mike Roberts. Ronnie’s been working with me for about six months now and he has me ready.”
Col. Bob Sheridan will provide blow-by-blow ringside descriptions from Romania and is being joined by special guest analyst Glen Johnson, a former light heavyweight champion. Promoter of the Romanian event is Gankor Promotions. DonKingTV.com is the exclusive webcaster of this event. It’s not TV. It’s DonKingTV.com.
Alan Hopper/Bob Goodman Don King Productions
Southern Starr Promotions MAY 3RD, 2008
SOUTHERN STARR PROMOTIONS Cinco de Mayo, EXPLOSION, Featuring Singing Sensation Marla Mitchell Televised by Univision MAY 3RD, 2008 at VINELAND HIGH SCHOOL DOORS OPEN AT 6PM • FIRST BOUT 7PM, TICKETS ON SALE NOW $30 GENERAL ADMISSION $60 RING SIDE $75 VIP TABLES AVAILABLE FOR DETAILS CALL 609-202-9278. Official After Party Spot: Harry’s Lounge, Vineland, NJ
ALL BOUTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. NO REFUNDS / NO RETURNS
FEATURED BOUTS and CO-MAIN EVENT
Jose Reyes (24-4,8 KO) WBO Lightweight Latino Champ of Vineland, NJ,
Mighty Mike Tiberi (8-0 ) of Wilmington, DE
Yasin Rashad (6-0-1) of Mobile, AL
Simon O’Donnell (6-1) of London, England
Bryan Green (1-0) of Vineland, NJ
Steve O’Meara (1-0) of London, England
Damien Rapley (6-0-6 KO's) of Queens, NY
Damien Rapley
ALL BOUTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. NO REFUNDS / NO RETURNS
FEATURED BOUTS and CO-MAIN EVENT
Jose Reyes (24-4,8 KO) WBO Lightweight Latino Champ of Vineland, NJ,
Mighty Mike Tiberi (8-0 ) of Wilmington, DE
Yasin Rashad (6-0-1) of Mobile, AL
Simon O’Donnell (6-1) of London, England
Bryan Green (1-0) of Vineland, NJ
Steve O’Meara (1-0) of London, England
Damien Rapley (6-0-6 KO's) of Queens, NY
Damien Rapley
ADAMEK STOPS BELL IN SEVEN; Adamek made his plans clear. “Next Up is IBF Champion Cunningham and then a unification bout against David Haye.”
TOTOWA, NJ – IBF #3 cruiserweight contender Tomasz Adamek secured a world title opportunity today by stopping IBF #7 contender O’ Neil Bell at Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. Adamek floored Bell in the opening round and then schooled the former undisputed world cruiserweight champion for the next six rounds, forcing Bell to retire on his stool prior to round eight (TKO 7).
Adamek’s victory earned him the IBF’s #1 mandatory position. Both IBF champion Steve Cunningham and Adamek are mandated to battle each other in their next bouts.
Ike and Steve Cunningham
At the time of the stoppage all three judges had Adamek ahead on the scorecards (69-63, 68-64, and 67-65). After surrendering following the completion of round seven, Bell complained of “dizziness” and said he “felt ill”.
“Bell was the most dangerous opponent I’ve faced,” said Adamek. “I trained hard and showed what I can do. This was my best performance. I am looking forward to the title fight.”
Both IBF champion Steve Cunningham and Adamek are mandated to battle each other in their next bouts.
APRIL 19 IN KATOWICE, POLAND ADAMEK-BELL IN IBF CRUISERWEIGHT ELIMINATOR
TOTOWA, NJ– Two of the world’s top cruiserweights will vie for the IBF’s #1 mandatory position on April 19, 2008, when Tomasz Adamek (IBF #3) and O’ Neil Bell (IBF #7) battle in a 12 round IBF eliminator, it was jointly announced today by Main Events, Ziggy Promotions, Warriors Boxing, and KnockOut Promotion.
Adamek (33-1, 22 KO’s) has stopped 15 opponents within the first three rounds. The 31-year-old Zywiec, Poland native captured the vacant WBC light heavyweight championship on May 21, 2005, when he decisioned Paul Briggs (W 12). He defended the title twice before losing to Chad Dawson on Feb 3, 2007 (L 12). Since moving to cruiserweight he is 2-0, 1 KO. Adamek is also recognized as the IBO Cruiserweight Champion.
Bell (26-2, 24 KO’s) is the former undisputed cruiserweight champion. The 33-year-old Atlanta, Georgian by way of Jamaica captured the undisputed crown on January 7, 2006, when he stopped defending champion Jean-Marc Mormeck (KO 10). Bell surrendered the undisputed title in his last bout on March 17, 2007, when he lost a decision in the rematch against Mormeck (L 12). Prior to the loss Bell had won 25 consecutive bouts.
“I am very excited about returning to my Polish homeland for this fight against Bell,” said Adamek. “Bell is a very good fighter, but I need to win this bout to get another title shot. I won’t let anyone stand in my way.”
“I look forward to this fight being the first step for me in recapturing the belts that rightfully are mine,” said Bell."
For more info contact; Donald Tremblay Main Events
Adamek’s victory earned him the IBF’s #1 mandatory position. Both IBF champion Steve Cunningham and Adamek are mandated to battle each other in their next bouts.
Ike and Steve Cunningham
At the time of the stoppage all three judges had Adamek ahead on the scorecards (69-63, 68-64, and 67-65). After surrendering following the completion of round seven, Bell complained of “dizziness” and said he “felt ill”.
“Bell was the most dangerous opponent I’ve faced,” said Adamek. “I trained hard and showed what I can do. This was my best performance. I am looking forward to the title fight.”
Both IBF champion Steve Cunningham and Adamek are mandated to battle each other in their next bouts.
APRIL 19 IN KATOWICE, POLAND ADAMEK-BELL IN IBF CRUISERWEIGHT ELIMINATOR
TOTOWA, NJ– Two of the world’s top cruiserweights will vie for the IBF’s #1 mandatory position on April 19, 2008, when Tomasz Adamek (IBF #3) and O’ Neil Bell (IBF #7) battle in a 12 round IBF eliminator, it was jointly announced today by Main Events, Ziggy Promotions, Warriors Boxing, and KnockOut Promotion.
Adamek (33-1, 22 KO’s) has stopped 15 opponents within the first three rounds. The 31-year-old Zywiec, Poland native captured the vacant WBC light heavyweight championship on May 21, 2005, when he decisioned Paul Briggs (W 12). He defended the title twice before losing to Chad Dawson on Feb 3, 2007 (L 12). Since moving to cruiserweight he is 2-0, 1 KO. Adamek is also recognized as the IBO Cruiserweight Champion.
Bell (26-2, 24 KO’s) is the former undisputed cruiserweight champion. The 33-year-old Atlanta, Georgian by way of Jamaica captured the undisputed crown on January 7, 2006, when he stopped defending champion Jean-Marc Mormeck (KO 10). Bell surrendered the undisputed title in his last bout on March 17, 2007, when he lost a decision in the rematch against Mormeck (L 12). Prior to the loss Bell had won 25 consecutive bouts.
“I am very excited about returning to my Polish homeland for this fight against Bell,” said Adamek. “Bell is a very good fighter, but I need to win this bout to get another title shot. I won’t let anyone stand in my way.”
“I look forward to this fight being the first step for me in recapturing the belts that rightfully are mine,” said Bell."
For more info contact; Donald Tremblay Main Events
OSCAR DE LA HOYA'S RETURN TO HBO'S CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING WITH MAY 3 "HOMECOMING" FIGHT AGAINST STEVE FORBES
Olympic Gold Medalist and Six-Division World Champion OSCAR DE LA HOYA and Former World Champion, STEVE FORBES, will host a news conference to announce "HOMECOMING," set for Saturday, May 3 at The Home Depot Center in Los Angeles and televised live on HBO. The bout also marks De La Hoya's return to HBO's Championship Boxing since his last appearance in 2000.
"Homecoming" is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with AEG and The Home Depot Center, and sponsored by Cazadores Tequila, Tecate Beer, Rockstar Energy Drink, Southwest Airlines and Affliction Clothing. The event will be televised live by HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.
"Homecoming" is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with AEG and The Home Depot Center, and sponsored by Cazadores Tequila, Tecate Beer, Rockstar Energy Drink, Southwest Airlines and Affliction Clothing. The event will be televised live by HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.
2-time world heavyweight champion John 'The Quietman' Ruiz, Ruiz rated high, still avoided "Team Ruiz"
LAS VEGAS– Former two-time world heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz used to be the Rodney Dangerfield of boxing as well as one of its most avoided fighters. Now, though, the new Ruiz has gained respect in many circles, particularly after his impressive win against 4-time world title challenger Jameel McCline, yet, John remains the opponent champions and top contenders alike least want to fight.
Top American contender Ruiz and European challenger Alexander Dimitrenko are the only heavyweights rated among the top six in the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation. Rated No. 2 and No. 3 by the WBA and WBC, respectively, and No. 6 by the IBF but, unlike Dimitrenko, Ruiz is also ranked in the top 10 by The Ring magazine.
“After so many years of not being respected,” Ruiz said, “it’s exciting to know and feel that I’m finally being recognized as one of the top heavyweights in the world. I’m glad. It’s been a long time coming. I’m ready to clean-up the heavyweight division and I’m willing to fight any of the reigning champs or other top contenders.
“I can’t wait for my next fight. I’m so much more confident fighting this time around, throwing more punches and combinations, just being more aggressive in the ring. I’m motivated more today than I ever was in the past. I changed my whole team and it’s really made a big difference, especially having Manny Siaca, Sr. as head trainer. I’ve learned so much from Manny. We’ve been working hard and it’s paying off.”
Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KOs) has fought himself back into position for another world title shot, coming off an impressive 12-round decision on March 8 in a near shutout performance (119-109, 118-110, 117-111) against McCline, who is his previous fight had three times floored new Samuel Peter, returning to the vintage days when “The Quietman” first won a world title with a 12-round decision against legendary Evander Holyfield in 2001.
The Puerto Rican-American Ruiz is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He has fought in 10 world championship fights, defeating three world heavyweight champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – in addition to beating top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and McCline during his 15-year pro career.
Bob Trieger, Full Court Press
Top American contender Ruiz and European challenger Alexander Dimitrenko are the only heavyweights rated among the top six in the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation. Rated No. 2 and No. 3 by the WBA and WBC, respectively, and No. 6 by the IBF but, unlike Dimitrenko, Ruiz is also ranked in the top 10 by The Ring magazine.
“After so many years of not being respected,” Ruiz said, “it’s exciting to know and feel that I’m finally being recognized as one of the top heavyweights in the world. I’m glad. It’s been a long time coming. I’m ready to clean-up the heavyweight division and I’m willing to fight any of the reigning champs or other top contenders.
“I can’t wait for my next fight. I’m so much more confident fighting this time around, throwing more punches and combinations, just being more aggressive in the ring. I’m motivated more today than I ever was in the past. I changed my whole team and it’s really made a big difference, especially having Manny Siaca, Sr. as head trainer. I’ve learned so much from Manny. We’ve been working hard and it’s paying off.”
Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KOs) has fought himself back into position for another world title shot, coming off an impressive 12-round decision on March 8 in a near shutout performance (119-109, 118-110, 117-111) against McCline, who is his previous fight had three times floored new Samuel Peter, returning to the vintage days when “The Quietman” first won a world title with a 12-round decision against legendary Evander Holyfield in 2001.
The Puerto Rican-American Ruiz is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He has fought in 10 world championship fights, defeating three world heavyweight champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – in addition to beating top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and McCline during his 15-year pro career.
Bob Trieger, Full Court Press
JOE CALZAGHE WINS DECISION OVER BERNARD HOPKINS
BERNARD HOPKINS VS. JOE CALZAGHE
HBO Sports presented Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe a light heavyweight fight live SATURDAY, APRIL 19(9:45 PM ET/6:45 PM PT) from The Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Six years after unsuccessfully seeking a matchup with Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe now (45-0, 32 KOs), from Newbridge, Wales, finally gets his wish. Known as "The Pride of Wales," the 35-year-old will be fighting at light heavyweight for the first time following a record-tying 21 consecutive world title defenses at super middleweight. In his most recent bout on Nov. 4, Calzaghe unified a host of world titles by taking the belts from Mikkel Kessler in front of a raucous home crowd at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The Hopkins fight will be Calzaghe's first in the United States and only his third outside the United Kingdom, as well as his third HBO appearance.
Over the course of his 20-year career, Philadelphia's Bernard Hopkins now (48-5-1, 32 KOs) has established himself as one of the premier fighters of his era and one of the greatest middleweight champions of all time. After building a reputation on stellar performances against premium competition like Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya, Hopkins cemented his legacy with a stunning victory over reigning champion Antonio Tarver in June 2006 in his first fight at light heavyweight. Following a short retirement, Hopkins returned to the ring last July, scoring a convincing victory over former 154-pound champion Ronald "Winky" Wright in his second light heavyweight bout. This bout marks the 43-year-old Hopkins' 16th appearance on HBO.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Rodriguez & Hinkey ready to shine on “Diamonds in the Rough” pro boxing card
PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island – Pro boxing returns to Boston on May 17 when promoter Peter Manfredo, Sr., in association with Let’s Get It On Promotions, presents “Diamonds in the Rough” at Freeport (I.B.E.W.) Hall in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Worcester (MA) middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez (4-0, 3 KOs) and super middleweight Derek Hinkey (4-1, 4 KOs) are in separate 6-round co-main events. The Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez, winner of the 2006 National Golden Gloves Championships and 2005 United States Championships, is a potential rising star. Hinkey, fighting out of McDermitt, Nevada, is a Native American fighter with a rich amateur career.
“We’re doing this to promote some young talent,” Manfredo said. “Rodriguez and Hinkey were top amateurs and they have good shots of going places in pro boxing. They’re a little rough around the edges – that’s why we named the show ‘Diamonds in the Rough” – and they’re learning as pros to get to the next level.”
Also scheduled to fight on the May 17 card are Whitman (MA) super middleweight Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca (3-0, 2 KOs), 2004 National Silver Gloves champion; Hinkey’s younger brother, heavyweight Tyler Hinkey (2-0-1, 2 KOs); Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro, New England Golden Gloves champion; Brockton (MA) welterweight Alexandria Madgziak. Caro and Madgziak will be making their pro debuts. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $40.00 (general admission), $55.00 (reserved), $75.00 (ringside) and $100.00 (Golden Ringside), are on sale at Freeport Hall and Manfredo’s Gym. Call 401.723.1359 for additional information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press
Worcester (MA) middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez (4-0, 3 KOs) and super middleweight Derek Hinkey (4-1, 4 KOs) are in separate 6-round co-main events. The Dominican Republic-born Rodriguez, winner of the 2006 National Golden Gloves Championships and 2005 United States Championships, is a potential rising star. Hinkey, fighting out of McDermitt, Nevada, is a Native American fighter with a rich amateur career.
“We’re doing this to promote some young talent,” Manfredo said. “Rodriguez and Hinkey were top amateurs and they have good shots of going places in pro boxing. They’re a little rough around the edges – that’s why we named the show ‘Diamonds in the Rough” – and they’re learning as pros to get to the next level.”
Also scheduled to fight on the May 17 card are Whitman (MA) super middleweight Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca (3-0, 2 KOs), 2004 National Silver Gloves champion; Hinkey’s younger brother, heavyweight Tyler Hinkey (2-0-1, 2 KOs); Providence junior welterweight Jesus Caro, New England Golden Gloves champion; Brockton (MA) welterweight Alexandria Madgziak. Caro and Madgziak will be making their pro debuts. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $40.00 (general admission), $55.00 (reserved), $75.00 (ringside) and $100.00 (Golden Ringside), are on sale at Freeport Hall and Manfredo’s Gym. Call 401.723.1359 for additional information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.
CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press
“THE LAW” AND ORDER: LINDLAND SEEKS OREGON STATEHOUSE SEAT MMA Star, Team Quest Coach Running for State Representative in House District 52
NEW YORK and PORTLAND, Ore.,– Mixed martial arts star and Olympic silver medalist Matt “The Law” Lindland has launched a campaign for the vacated Oregon State Representative seat in District 52 in the upcoming election. Lindland, 37, a silver medalist in wrestling at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, and again at the 2001 World Championships, owns the Team Quest Training Center in Portland and is the coach of the camp’s International Fight League entry. Lindland says that like many small business owners in Oregon, he felt the crunch of a struggling local economy that he felt was only being worsened by the state’s political leadership, and decided to try to make a difference in his first foray into politics. “For years the solution has been to raise taxes,” says Lindland, who will run as a Republican candidate. “That doesn’t promote growth from businesses. It doesn’t encourage businesses to bring jobs here. We should be seeing Oregon businesses expand and hire more people, but we aren’t, and that’s because of the burden placed on business owners. “I have been blessed with much success in my athletic career and have done well in business,” he added. “However, the blessings I have enjoyed have come largely as a result of hard work, dedication, and discipline. I have always believed that if a man or woman works hard and works smart, and if government does not get in the way too much, then there is no limit to your potential success.” Before the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Lindland filed and won a lawsuit to ensure that his spot on the U.S. Wrestling team wasn’t unfairly given away due to a scoring error. For more information on the campaign, interested parties can visit www.MattForOregon.com. About the IFLInternational Fight League™ (IFL) has its headquarters in New York and offices in Las Vegas. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv. -- IFL --www.ifl.tv* Catch the IFL on FSN Saturdays at midnight and LIVE on HDNet on May 16
Mijares-Munoz Super Flyweight Title Unification on PPV; Salado-Miranda co-feature May 17 in Mexico
GOMEZ PALACIO, DURANGO, Mexico– WBC champion Cristian Mijares and WBA title-holder Alexander “El Explosivio” Munoz will fight May 17 in the first super flyweight unification title bout in more than 10 years, headlining the “Noche de Campeons” pay-per-view event live from the Auditorio Centenario in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico.
“Noche de Campeones,” promoted by KO Entertainment in association with DiBella Entertainment, will be produced and distributed by Integrated Sports for live viewing in the United States (9 PM/ET) on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and DISH Network, as well as on The Fight Network in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
The 12-round co-feature pits Mexican warriors Omar Salado and Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda in a WBC flyweight elimination bout.
“A worldwide show like this has never happened in Mexican boxing history,” promoter Nacho Huizar said. “The main event is going to be a war. Mijares is a great fighter; a technician who is very dangerous, too. Munoz is a big puncher. It’s going to be a classic fight.”
Mijares (34-3-2, 14 KOs), who has been boxing professionally since 1997, captured the WBC Interim title on September 18, 2006 by 12-round split decision (114-113, 114-113, 113-114) against Katsushige Kawashima (30-4) in Japan. The crafty Mexican southpaw successfully defended his WBC Interim belt the following November in Mexico, winning a 12-round unanimous decision (118-109, 117-110, 116-111) versus Reynaldo Lopez (28-3-2), and won his rematch for the WBC outright championship on January 3, 2007, stopping Kawashima (30-5) in the 10th round.
Mijares burst upon the global scene a year ago with an impressive, one-sided victory by unanimous 12-round decision (119-109, 118-110, 117-11) on PPV against popular, colorful Jorge “Travieso” Arce (46-4-1, 35 KOs) in San Antonio. “I didn’t doubt that I’d beat Arce,” Cristian noted, “but I didn’t think it would be that easy. I’d like to unify the super flyweight titles and then look to the bantamweight and super bantamweight divisions, maybe against Wladimir Sidorenko or Jhonny Gonzalez.”
Currently riding a 24-fight unbeaten streak with 23 wins and one draw, Mijares attributes his success to a combination of a winning attitude, preparation and maximum sacrifice. Now one of the most popular and exciting all-around boxers in the world, Mijares has made four successful title defenses since defeating Arce against, in order, Terrei Kikui (215) by 10th round TKO, Frank Gorrjux (16-7) in the opening round, and Jose Navarro (26-3) via a 12-round decision on February 16 in Las Vegas.
Venezuela-native Munoz (32-2, 27 KOs) is a 2-time WBA super flyweight champion, first winning the coveted belt in 2002 with an eighth-round stoppage of Celes Kobayasho. Munoz made three winning title defenses against Eiji Kojima twice (KO2 and TKO10), sandwiched around a 12-round decision versus Hidenobu Honda (26-2), before losing a 12-round decision and his title belt to Martin Castillo (26-1) in 2004. Munoz won the WBA Fedelatin super flyweight crown in a WBA title eliminator, but Castillo won their 2006 rematch by 12-round split decision.
Munoz regained his WBA super flyweight title on May 3, 2007, taking a dominating 12-round decision from Nabuo Mashiro (9-0) in Japan. In a pair of title defenses, “El Explosivo” retained hos belt with 12-round decisions against, respectively, Kuniyuki Aizawa (13-1-1) and Katsushige Kawasjima (32-6) this past January in Japan.
Unbeaten former WBA Fedelatin super fIyweight champion Salado (19-0-2, 11 KOs) fought a 12-round draw with Ulises Solis (22-1-1) for the IBF light flyweight title in 2006. Salado is rated No. 6 by the WBC and The Ring, as well as No. 11 by the WBA. Miranda (25-3-1, 18 KOs) is ranked No. 3 by the WBC.
Mexican middleweight champion Ruben “Cloroformo” Padilla (15-2-1, 14 KOs) is scheduled to fight in one of two other 10-round PPV bouts against an opponent to be determined.
Slated to fight on the live undercard are other Mexican boxers such as undefeated super lightweight Antonio “Canitas” Lozado, Jr. (14-0, 14 KOs), lightweight Ricardo “Camaleon” Mijares (9-0, 8 KOs) and welterweight Ivan “El Ruso” Pereyra (1-0, 1 KO). All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
“Noche de Campeones,” promoted by KO Entertainment in association with DiBella Entertainment, will be produced and distributed by Integrated Sports for live viewing in the United States (9 PM/ET) on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV and DISH Network, as well as on The Fight Network in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
The 12-round co-feature pits Mexican warriors Omar Salado and Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda in a WBC flyweight elimination bout.
“A worldwide show like this has never happened in Mexican boxing history,” promoter Nacho Huizar said. “The main event is going to be a war. Mijares is a great fighter; a technician who is very dangerous, too. Munoz is a big puncher. It’s going to be a classic fight.”
Mijares (34-3-2, 14 KOs), who has been boxing professionally since 1997, captured the WBC Interim title on September 18, 2006 by 12-round split decision (114-113, 114-113, 113-114) against Katsushige Kawashima (30-4) in Japan. The crafty Mexican southpaw successfully defended his WBC Interim belt the following November in Mexico, winning a 12-round unanimous decision (118-109, 117-110, 116-111) versus Reynaldo Lopez (28-3-2), and won his rematch for the WBC outright championship on January 3, 2007, stopping Kawashima (30-5) in the 10th round.
Mijares burst upon the global scene a year ago with an impressive, one-sided victory by unanimous 12-round decision (119-109, 118-110, 117-11) on PPV against popular, colorful Jorge “Travieso” Arce (46-4-1, 35 KOs) in San Antonio. “I didn’t doubt that I’d beat Arce,” Cristian noted, “but I didn’t think it would be that easy. I’d like to unify the super flyweight titles and then look to the bantamweight and super bantamweight divisions, maybe against Wladimir Sidorenko or Jhonny Gonzalez.”
Currently riding a 24-fight unbeaten streak with 23 wins and one draw, Mijares attributes his success to a combination of a winning attitude, preparation and maximum sacrifice. Now one of the most popular and exciting all-around boxers in the world, Mijares has made four successful title defenses since defeating Arce against, in order, Terrei Kikui (215) by 10th round TKO, Frank Gorrjux (16-7) in the opening round, and Jose Navarro (26-3) via a 12-round decision on February 16 in Las Vegas.
Venezuela-native Munoz (32-2, 27 KOs) is a 2-time WBA super flyweight champion, first winning the coveted belt in 2002 with an eighth-round stoppage of Celes Kobayasho. Munoz made three winning title defenses against Eiji Kojima twice (KO2 and TKO10), sandwiched around a 12-round decision versus Hidenobu Honda (26-2), before losing a 12-round decision and his title belt to Martin Castillo (26-1) in 2004. Munoz won the WBA Fedelatin super flyweight crown in a WBA title eliminator, but Castillo won their 2006 rematch by 12-round split decision.
Munoz regained his WBA super flyweight title on May 3, 2007, taking a dominating 12-round decision from Nabuo Mashiro (9-0) in Japan. In a pair of title defenses, “El Explosivo” retained hos belt with 12-round decisions against, respectively, Kuniyuki Aizawa (13-1-1) and Katsushige Kawasjima (32-6) this past January in Japan.
Unbeaten former WBA Fedelatin super fIyweight champion Salado (19-0-2, 11 KOs) fought a 12-round draw with Ulises Solis (22-1-1) for the IBF light flyweight title in 2006. Salado is rated No. 6 by the WBC and The Ring, as well as No. 11 by the WBA. Miranda (25-3-1, 18 KOs) is ranked No. 3 by the WBC.
Mexican middleweight champion Ruben “Cloroformo” Padilla (15-2-1, 14 KOs) is scheduled to fight in one of two other 10-round PPV bouts against an opponent to be determined.
Slated to fight on the live undercard are other Mexican boxers such as undefeated super lightweight Antonio “Canitas” Lozado, Jr. (14-0, 14 KOs), lightweight Ricardo “Camaleon” Mijares (9-0, 8 KOs) and welterweight Ivan “El Ruso” Pereyra (1-0, 1 KO). All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
IFL Camp Trainer and Author Martin Rooney Takes MMA Skills to the NFL
New York; As the International Fight League (IFL) readies for its next event at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 16, IFL Camp Trainer Martin Rooney has his eyes set on several additional goals, including the top of the sports bestseller list and the top picks in the NFL Draft. The Fair Lawn, N.J., resident, one of the most sought-after fitness professionals in the world, has spent a good part of his non-IFL training work this winter readying many of the potential top picks for the upcoming NFL Draft (including potential top pick Chris Long and Rutgers standout Ray Rice) for selection weekend, as well as promoting his MMA-style workout book Training For Warriors, which has rocketed up the sports best seller list (it was at No. 7 this week on ESPN’s list). Rooney, who was a member of the United States Bobsled Team from 1995-1997 and in 2000, and a four-time All Conference MVP performer in Track and Field at Furman University, is also a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Ricardo Almeida and a black belt in Kodokan Judo under Sensei Matsumura and Olympian Teimoc Johnston-Ono of the prestigious New York Athletic Club. He has used all that training to perfect hand-eye coordination conditioning tactics that many of the elite MMA athletes in the world (including top IFL athletes and coaches like Renzo Gracie, Jamal Patterson, Delson Heleno, and many UFC and PRIDE MMA stars) and now apply them to the elite athlete, especially those in the NFL and top collegiate programs. “The mental discipline, quickness and flexibility training that makes Mixed Martial Arts the phenomenon that is has become and has helped forge so many recent successes like the athletes from Renzo Gracie’s New York-based Academy are skills that we have seen translate very well to other sports, especially football,” Rooney said. “It has been great to see how the MMA success story, through a book like Training For Warriors, can help make so many elite athletes even better.” In addition to his draft training and his work with the IFL, Rooney has been the martial arts consultant for the New York Giants and New York Jets and is a speed and conditioning consultant to a host of colleges and many athletes from the NFL, MLB, NBA and WNBA. He has also trained numerous Olympians, including one gold and four silver medalists. Currently, Martin is COO and director of training of the Parisi Speed School. The Parisi Speed School is launching its national franchise opportunity under Martin's leadership, and there are already over thirty franchises in twenty states across the country sold in addition to five company-owned stores in New Jersey. Details of the book can also be found at trainingforwarriors.com. 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. ---"No, I never threw a spitball. Except when I had to get someone out really bad."- Whitey Ford *Jerry Milani Manager of Public Relations International Fight
*Catch the IFL on FSN Saturdays at midnight and LIVE on HDNet on May 16
Shaun George vs Chris Byrd May 16th On ESPN!
Shaun George vs Chris Byrd May 16th On ESPN!
For years, Shaun George has waited patiently for his chance to rise to the top of his division. His journey comes to a head on May 16, when the Brooklyn native faces former two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd on ESPN's Friday Night Fights in Las Vegas, NV. The fight will be contested at the light-heavyweight limit of 175 pounds.
"This opportunity means everything to me," says George, 16-2-2 (7 KO). "I'm ready for this step up on May 16. I've been waiting for this kind of fight my whole life. I believe I'm a better fighter and I'm ready to prove it. I know I'm the underdog, but I also know I will come out on top."
Shaun George is currently riding a three-fight winning streak following a dubious decision loss to Alexander Gurov in his opponent's home country. During his last fight, George shut out difficult journeyman Thomas Reid over ten rounds. Reid was a late-replacement for Eric Harding, who withdrew the week of the fight. George was a decorated amateur, winning two New York Golden Glove titles, as well as US National Amateur and Junior Olympic titles. He is trained by the venerable Tommy Brooks and promoted by Hall of Fame Promotions.
George's adversary, whose impressive mark reads 40-4-1 (21 KO), is no slouch either. Byrd has posted victories over heavyweight mainstays David Tua, Vitali Klitschko, Fres Oquendo and Evander Holyfield, among others. A silver medalist in the 1992 Olympics Games, "Rapid Fire" is a sure-fire future Hall of Famer.
"I know he's fast and that he fights intelligently," George concedes. "That doesn't concern me. It won't be about what Chris Byrd can do, but what I can do. This is my time to shine, Chris Byrd just happens to be the opponent set before me.
Shaun George's manager, Hall of Fame inductee Lou Duva, is confident with his fighter's prospects. "I've never seen him this excited about a fight before," says George's manager Lou Duva. "He wants this win, he's training to win and he's going to win.
"I know what this kid's abilities are. Shaun is a good, strong light heavyweight. He throws a lot of combinations and does what it takes to win. I like everything I see about him."
A recent press release issued by the Byrd camp made mention of Byrd's post-George intentions. George says his only concern is on the challenge he has signed to face. "He can look past me all he wants, talking about fighting Jones, Tarver and Calzaghe. My only focus is on the fight in front of me."
Adds George, "The light heavyweight division is the best division in boxing and this fight will show why. I'm bringing my A game and I expect him to do the same."
The Shaun George-Chris Byrd bout is promoted by Banner Promotions.
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For years, Shaun George has waited patiently for his chance to rise to the top of his division. His journey comes to a head on May 16, when the Brooklyn native faces former two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd on ESPN's Friday Night Fights in Las Vegas, NV. The fight will be contested at the light-heavyweight limit of 175 pounds.
"This opportunity means everything to me," says George, 16-2-2 (7 KO). "I'm ready for this step up on May 16. I've been waiting for this kind of fight my whole life. I believe I'm a better fighter and I'm ready to prove it. I know I'm the underdog, but I also know I will come out on top."
Shaun George is currently riding a three-fight winning streak following a dubious decision loss to Alexander Gurov in his opponent's home country. During his last fight, George shut out difficult journeyman Thomas Reid over ten rounds. Reid was a late-replacement for Eric Harding, who withdrew the week of the fight. George was a decorated amateur, winning two New York Golden Glove titles, as well as US National Amateur and Junior Olympic titles. He is trained by the venerable Tommy Brooks and promoted by Hall of Fame Promotions.
George's adversary, whose impressive mark reads 40-4-1 (21 KO), is no slouch either. Byrd has posted victories over heavyweight mainstays David Tua, Vitali Klitschko, Fres Oquendo and Evander Holyfield, among others. A silver medalist in the 1992 Olympics Games, "Rapid Fire" is a sure-fire future Hall of Famer.
"I know he's fast and that he fights intelligently," George concedes. "That doesn't concern me. It won't be about what Chris Byrd can do, but what I can do. This is my time to shine, Chris Byrd just happens to be the opponent set before me.
Shaun George's manager, Hall of Fame inductee Lou Duva, is confident with his fighter's prospects. "I've never seen him this excited about a fight before," says George's manager Lou Duva. "He wants this win, he's training to win and he's going to win.
"I know what this kid's abilities are. Shaun is a good, strong light heavyweight. He throws a lot of combinations and does what it takes to win. I like everything I see about him."
A recent press release issued by the Byrd camp made mention of Byrd's post-George intentions. George says his only concern is on the challenge he has signed to face. "He can look past me all he wants, talking about fighting Jones, Tarver and Calzaghe. My only focus is on the fight in front of me."
Adds George, "The light heavyweight division is the best division in boxing and this fight will show why. I'm bringing my A game and I expect him to do the same."
The Shaun George-Chris Byrd bout is promoted by Banner Promotions.
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EMAIL KNOCKOUTPUBLICITY@YAHOO.COM
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/KNOCKOUTPUBLICITY
CHICAGO'S 8 COUNT PRESENTS BATTLE FOR PRIDE ON FRIDAY, MAY 9TH HEADLINING; Chicago natives “MACHO” Miguel Hernandez and “SUPERMAN” Derrick Findley
CHICAGO, IL, World class professional boxing returns to Cicero Stadium on Friday, May 9th as Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING and Octavius James’ One In A Million Incorporated present BATTLE FOR PRIDE, an action packed evening headlined by an eight round middleweight cross-town showdown between Chicago natives “MACHO” Miguel Hernandez and “SUPERMAN” Derrick Findley.
Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions box office 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 7:00pm with the first bell at 8:00pm.
Hernandez, a popular participant of the Season 3 season of ESPN’s The Contender boxing reality show, is currently a member of the Cicero Police Department. In his only televised bout on The Contender, he lost a very close five round decision to Wayne Johnsen which was broadcast on September 25, 2007.
“I’m thrilled to be fighting again in Cicero; I’ve met many great people since I started working in the community, especially kids in grade school and high school and their parents.” Hernandez is a constant fixture in Cicero, also running a Friday evening youth boxing program at Manor Park for students ages 6 to 15. He is also the proud parent of three boys, the oldest of which is twelve year old Josh, who is also a boxer.
Since turning pro in 2003 with very little amateur experience, Hernandez has impressively compiled a record of 20-7 (10KO’s), which includes a ten round decision over Ryan Davis on February 10, 2007 in Coral Gables, Florida. Hernandez captured the World Boxing Council United States Middleweight Title with the win. His career also includes battles with former world champions Yory Boy Campas and Raul Marquez.
Findley brings a record of 10-2 with six knockouts into the bout with Hernandez. The Chicago area native is currently riding a four bout winning streak since losing a decision to 2004 US Olympian Gold Medalist Andre Ward on November 16, 2006. In his most recent bout, Derrick dropped Nathan Martin twice earning a second round stoppage on February 1, 2008 at the Star Plaza Theater in Merrillville, Indiana.
This will be Findley’s second bout at Cicero Stadium, having battled Jorge Gonzalez in a hard fought six round war on February 17, 2006
The co-main event at BATTLE FOR PRIDE will feature the return of bantamweight prospect Francisco “EL NINO AZTECA” Rodriguez. The 23 year old Rodriguez, 11-2 with seven knockouts, is looking to rebound after the controversial stoppage loss of his most recent bout with Andre Wilson on February 15th at Cicero Stadium.
The undercard will feature prospects super bantamweight Eric Estrada, 3-0 (1KO), lightweight Gadiel Andaluz, 2-0 (KO’s) and popular Irish hard hitting middleweight Henry Coyle, 6-1 (6KO’s) in separate bouts.
More information on the undercard will be announced shortly.
The weigh-in for the BATTLE FOR PRIDE event will take place on Thursday, May 8th at 7pm at Team Doctors Chiropractic Treatment and Training Center of Champions located at 6432 S. Pulaski on the South Side of Chicago. Further information can be obtained at www.teamdoctors.org.
Along with 8 Count Productions and One In A Million Incorporated, the BATTLE FOR PRIDE is presented by Miller Lite, TCF Bank and AeroMexico, the premier travel source in Mexico.
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
CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998
Bernie Bahrmasel, Publicist/8 Count Productions
Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions box office 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 7:00pm with the first bell at 8:00pm.
Hernandez, a popular participant of the Season 3 season of ESPN’s The Contender boxing reality show, is currently a member of the Cicero Police Department. In his only televised bout on The Contender, he lost a very close five round decision to Wayne Johnsen which was broadcast on September 25, 2007.
“I’m thrilled to be fighting again in Cicero; I’ve met many great people since I started working in the community, especially kids in grade school and high school and their parents.” Hernandez is a constant fixture in Cicero, also running a Friday evening youth boxing program at Manor Park for students ages 6 to 15. He is also the proud parent of three boys, the oldest of which is twelve year old Josh, who is also a boxer.
Since turning pro in 2003 with very little amateur experience, Hernandez has impressively compiled a record of 20-7 (10KO’s), which includes a ten round decision over Ryan Davis on February 10, 2007 in Coral Gables, Florida. Hernandez captured the World Boxing Council United States Middleweight Title with the win. His career also includes battles with former world champions Yory Boy Campas and Raul Marquez.
Findley brings a record of 10-2 with six knockouts into the bout with Hernandez. The Chicago area native is currently riding a four bout winning streak since losing a decision to 2004 US Olympian Gold Medalist Andre Ward on November 16, 2006. In his most recent bout, Derrick dropped Nathan Martin twice earning a second round stoppage on February 1, 2008 at the Star Plaza Theater in Merrillville, Indiana.
This will be Findley’s second bout at Cicero Stadium, having battled Jorge Gonzalez in a hard fought six round war on February 17, 2006
The co-main event at BATTLE FOR PRIDE will feature the return of bantamweight prospect Francisco “EL NINO AZTECA” Rodriguez. The 23 year old Rodriguez, 11-2 with seven knockouts, is looking to rebound after the controversial stoppage loss of his most recent bout with Andre Wilson on February 15th at Cicero Stadium.
The undercard will feature prospects super bantamweight Eric Estrada, 3-0 (1KO), lightweight Gadiel Andaluz, 2-0 (KO’s) and popular Irish hard hitting middleweight Henry Coyle, 6-1 (6KO’s) in separate bouts.
More information on the undercard will be announced shortly.
The weigh-in for the BATTLE FOR PRIDE event will take place on Thursday, May 8th at 7pm at Team Doctors Chiropractic Treatment and Training Center of Champions located at 6432 S. Pulaski on the South Side of Chicago. Further information can be obtained at www.teamdoctors.org.
Along with 8 Count Productions and One In A Million Incorporated, the BATTLE FOR PRIDE is presented by Miller Lite, TCF Bank and AeroMexico, the premier travel source in Mexico.
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
CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998
Bernie Bahrmasel, Publicist/8 Count Productions
Monday, April 14, 2008
WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER; World Championship City, live on HBO, MIGUEL COTTO vs. ALFONSO GOMEZ, CINTRON vs. ANTONIO MARGARITO, April 12
Miguel Cotto remains Undefeated and the WBA Welterweight champion. Miguel Cotto now
(32-0, 25 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico stopped, in round 5, the Contenders rising star Alfonso Gomez now (18-4-2, 8 KOs), of Guadalajara, MX, in the main event of a scheduled 12-round contest, live from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Miguel Cotto and Alfonso Gomez at the New York City Press conference
Miguel Cotto and Alfonso Gomez face off at the New York City Press conference
Miguel Cotto enters the ring to face Alfonso Gomez
Evangelista Cotto and Miguel Cotto attends the post Press conference
Miguel Cotto, Arturo Gatti attends the Post Press conference to present the undefeated WBA Welterweight champion Miguel Cotto with an exclusive jeweled necklace and ornament set from the new Arturo Gatti Collection Jewelry-line
Alfonso Gomez attends the Post Press conference
Cotto vs. Gomez
Antonio Margarito (36-5, 25 KO's), from Tijuana, Mexico, became the new IBF Welterweight champion, in a co feature stopping the now former IBF Welterweight champion Kermit Cintron, now (29-2, 27 KO's) of Reading, Pa, 1:57 seconds of round 6, scheduled for 12 rounds.
Antonio Margarito and Kermit Cintron attends the New York City press conference
Antonio Margarito enters the ring to face Kermit Cintron
Antonio Margarito enters the ring II
Kermit Cintron and Antonio Margarito in the ring action
Antonio Margarito attends the Post Press conference after the defeat of Kermit Cintron
Antonio Margarito's IBF Welterweight championship belt
Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito in the making? Miguel Cotto challenged Antonio Margarito to meet Saturday July 26, 2008 in the square ring
The Top Rank Under-card
Luis Cruz remains undefeated (5-0, 3 KO's) of Las Piedras, Puerto Rico winning by an unanimous decision over Olvin Meija who now drops to (3-2-1, 3 KO's) of Laredo Texas, in a 6 rounds Featherweight bout.
Jesus Rojas remains undefeated (11-0-, 8 KO's) of Caguas, Puerto Rico TKO'd in round 4, 2;14 seconds, Andre Ledesma who now drops to (14-9-1, 9 KO's) of Cartegena, Columbia, in a scheduled 8 rounds Super Batamweight bout.
Jesus Rojas and Luis Cruz after their victories
Ronny Vargas is still undefeated now (5-0, 3 KO's) of the Bronx New York, TKO'd Robert Irrizarry who now drops to (2-4-0, 0 KO's) of New York City, in round 3, 2:51 seconds, of a scheduled 6 rounds Middleweight bout.
Ronny Vargas and Melissa Hernandez, female fighter and trainer attends the 2008 Golden Gloves Finals in New York City
Richard Pierson now (7-1-, 4 KO's) of Paterson New Jersey won by an unanimous decision over Angel David Gonzalez, who now drops to (6-5-1, 3 KO's) of Guaynabo Puerto Rico, in a 6 rounds Middleweight bout.
Richard Pierson
Luis Del Valle attends the Cotto vs Gomez and Cintron vs Margarito bout April 12, after making an impressive professional debut April 11, with a TKO victory
See more video footage on the Cotto vs Gomez and Cintron Margarito, go to Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience channel at, http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1 See other Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience boxing entertainment videos as well.
Photos property of Keisha C. Morrisey All Right Reserved
Two photo logos Property of HBO
TARVER CALLS OUT DAWSON AFTER BOTH ARE VICTORIOUS
Photos: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME
TAMPA, Fla. Antonio Tarver registered a unanimous 12-round decision over defending champion Clinton Woods to capture the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight crown and World Boxing Council (WBC) 175-pound kingpin Chad Dawson remained undefeated with a thrilling, hard-fought 12-round decision over hard-luck Glen Johnson Saturday on SHOWTIME.
Former undisputed light heavy champ Antonio Tarver had his way against defending champion Clinton Woods, winning a lopsided 12-round decision and the IBF 175-pound title.
The world championship doubleheader, billed as “TNT: Title Night in Tampa,” took place at the St. Pete Times Forum and was promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and AT Entertainment in association with Fight Academy. A crowd-pleasing event aired on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Tampa’s Tarver (27-4, 19 KOs), a former undisputed light heavy champion and reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) titleholder, mostly dominated en route to winning by the scores of 119-109, 117-111 and 116-112. There were no knockdowns.
“It’s all about the belts; I’m looking for all the belt-holders,’’ Tarver said. “He was a tough, gritty fighter but I came into this in great shape. I took some and got some (punches) but the best man won tonight. I’m not surprised by anything that went on in there.
“A lot of credit for my performance goes to my trainer, Jimmy Williams, who never let me give up or get down on myself. Jimmy is one of the all-time great teachers and absolutely definitely should be in the Hall of Fame."
Tarver, who called out Dawson at the post-fight press conference – Shaw said a unification world title fight could take place in the fall -- wasn’t impressed with Dawson’s performance in the telecast’s opening bout.
“Chad Dawson would be easy pickings now,’’ Tarver said. “He’s not the fighter now that he was before his fight. He’s a wounded duck.
“Dawson took a lot of hard hits against Johnson, but there is a difference between getting hit by Glen Johnson and getting hit by me.’’
There was an electric atmosphere inside the jam-packed room where the weigh-in took place.
Woods (41-4-1, 24 KOs), of Sheffield, England, could not find his range or rhythm for much of the 36 minutes.
Tarver and Woods Weigh In
“I fought the best light heavyweight in the world tonight,’’ said Woods, who was making the fifth defense of the crown he won in March 2005. “I don’t know if it is my time to retire or not."
Dawson (26-0, 17 KOs), of New Haven, Conn., wanted a tough test and he got it.
In a tremendous slugfest that featured non-stop, two-way action, Chad Dawson remained unbeaten and retained his WBC light heavyweight title with a close, hard-fought unanimous 12-round decision over Glen Johnson Saturday on SHOWTIME.
“Johnson is a warrior and we trained for that,’’ Dawson said after winning the fight of the night by the scores of 116-112 on all the scorecards. “We worked on stepping around and boxing him in training and we did that, too.
“I executed my game plan and landed more punches. Glen is a great fighter. He caught me with some good shots but I did my job and took them."
There were no knockdowns in a non-stop slugfest with constant two-way action, but both boxers were rocked on several occasions.
Johnson (47-12-2, 37 KOs), of Miami, by way of Jamaica, owns wins over Tarver, Woods and Roy Jones Jr., but almost is as well known for coming up on the wrong end of close, unpopular decisions.
Tarver and Woods Weigh In
+vs+Woods+WI.jpg)
Such was the case again Saturday. “The decision was total bull,’’ Johnson said. “Dawson is a good, young fighter with a great future, but I really worked hard for this fight and definitely feel I won it.
Dawson vs Johnson Weigh In
‘I can’t afford to keep losing these kinds of fights at this stage of my career. I wish I knew why these kinds of bad decision keep going against me.
“This loss hurts me more than any other in my career. I would love a rematch.’’
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al Bernstein called the action from ringside with Karyn Bryant serving as special correspondent. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast was David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING fight card will re-air as follows:
DAY CHANNEL
Monday, April 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Tuesday, April 15, at 9 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME TOO
Wednesday, April 16, 10 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME
For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video, photo galleries and complete telecast information, please visit http://www.SHO.com/Sports.
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®.
Kimbo Slice, who headlines the EliteXC mixed martial arts fight card on Saturday, May 31, on CBS, and WBC super welterweight champion Vernon Forrest, who looks to defend his title against Sergio Mora on Saturday, June 7, on SHOWTIME, pose together at Saturday night’s light heavyweight world championship doubleheader in Tampa.
Photos: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME
The always entertaining Kimbo was interviewed by Al Bernstein during Saturday’s telecast. You can catch the interview during a replay of the thrilling SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, which featured a war between WBC Champ” Bad" Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson as well as a flashy performance by the always entertaining Antonio Tarver against IBF champion Clinton Woods.
Replay schedule:
Tuesday, April 15, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME TOO;
Wednesday, April 16 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.
The telecast is also available On Demand starting this Tuesday and ending on Monday, May 12 where available.
TAMPA, Fla. Antonio Tarver registered a unanimous 12-round decision over defending champion Clinton Woods to capture the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight crown and World Boxing Council (WBC) 175-pound kingpin Chad Dawson remained undefeated with a thrilling, hard-fought 12-round decision over hard-luck Glen Johnson Saturday on SHOWTIME.
Former undisputed light heavy champ Antonio Tarver had his way against defending champion Clinton Woods, winning a lopsided 12-round decision and the IBF 175-pound title.
The world championship doubleheader, billed as “TNT: Title Night in Tampa,” took place at the St. Pete Times Forum and was promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and AT Entertainment in association with Fight Academy. A crowd-pleasing event aired on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
Tampa’s Tarver (27-4, 19 KOs), a former undisputed light heavy champion and reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) titleholder, mostly dominated en route to winning by the scores of 119-109, 117-111 and 116-112. There were no knockdowns.
“It’s all about the belts; I’m looking for all the belt-holders,’’ Tarver said. “He was a tough, gritty fighter but I came into this in great shape. I took some and got some (punches) but the best man won tonight. I’m not surprised by anything that went on in there.
“A lot of credit for my performance goes to my trainer, Jimmy Williams, who never let me give up or get down on myself. Jimmy is one of the all-time great teachers and absolutely definitely should be in the Hall of Fame."
Tarver, who called out Dawson at the post-fight press conference – Shaw said a unification world title fight could take place in the fall -- wasn’t impressed with Dawson’s performance in the telecast’s opening bout.
“Chad Dawson would be easy pickings now,’’ Tarver said. “He’s not the fighter now that he was before his fight. He’s a wounded duck.
“Dawson took a lot of hard hits against Johnson, but there is a difference between getting hit by Glen Johnson and getting hit by me.’’
There was an electric atmosphere inside the jam-packed room where the weigh-in took place.
Woods (41-4-1, 24 KOs), of Sheffield, England, could not find his range or rhythm for much of the 36 minutes.
Tarver and Woods Weigh In
“I fought the best light heavyweight in the world tonight,’’ said Woods, who was making the fifth defense of the crown he won in March 2005. “I don’t know if it is my time to retire or not."
Dawson (26-0, 17 KOs), of New Haven, Conn., wanted a tough test and he got it.
In a tremendous slugfest that featured non-stop, two-way action, Chad Dawson remained unbeaten and retained his WBC light heavyweight title with a close, hard-fought unanimous 12-round decision over Glen Johnson Saturday on SHOWTIME.
“Johnson is a warrior and we trained for that,’’ Dawson said after winning the fight of the night by the scores of 116-112 on all the scorecards. “We worked on stepping around and boxing him in training and we did that, too.
“I executed my game plan and landed more punches. Glen is a great fighter. He caught me with some good shots but I did my job and took them."
There were no knockdowns in a non-stop slugfest with constant two-way action, but both boxers were rocked on several occasions.
Johnson (47-12-2, 37 KOs), of Miami, by way of Jamaica, owns wins over Tarver, Woods and Roy Jones Jr., but almost is as well known for coming up on the wrong end of close, unpopular decisions.
Tarver and Woods Weigh In
+vs+Woods+WI.jpg)
Such was the case again Saturday. “The decision was total bull,’’ Johnson said. “Dawson is a good, young fighter with a great future, but I really worked hard for this fight and definitely feel I won it.
Dawson vs Johnson Weigh In
‘I can’t afford to keep losing these kinds of fights at this stage of my career. I wish I knew why these kinds of bad decision keep going against me.
“This loss hurts me more than any other in my career. I would love a rematch.’’
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al Bernstein called the action from ringside with Karyn Bryant serving as special correspondent. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast was David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.
Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING fight card will re-air as follows:
DAY CHANNEL
Monday, April 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Tuesday, April 15, at 9 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME TOO
Wednesday, April 16, 10 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME
For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video, photo galleries and complete telecast information, please visit http://www.SHO.com/Sports.
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®.
Kimbo Slice, who headlines the EliteXC mixed martial arts fight card on Saturday, May 31, on CBS, and WBC super welterweight champion Vernon Forrest, who looks to defend his title against Sergio Mora on Saturday, June 7, on SHOWTIME, pose together at Saturday night’s light heavyweight world championship doubleheader in Tampa.
Photos: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME
The always entertaining Kimbo was interviewed by Al Bernstein during Saturday’s telecast. You can catch the interview during a replay of the thrilling SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, which featured a war between WBC Champ” Bad" Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson as well as a flashy performance by the always entertaining Antonio Tarver against IBF champion Clinton Woods.
Replay schedule:
Tuesday, April 15, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME TOO;
Wednesday, April 16 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.
The telecast is also available On Demand starting this Tuesday and ending on Monday, May 12 where available.
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