81st Annual NY Golden Gloves Championships Finals live from Madison Square Garden; Actress vs Dancer, Student vs Teacher and more classic matchups

All the boxing ring's was the stage for the 81at Annual Daily News Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Tournament, Thursdy April 17th and Friday April 18th at the WAMU Theatre at Madison Square Garden. The best amateur boxers in the New York City Metro area put their dukes up for two nights of fights, in front of thousands of fans at the world greatest arena. A total of 31 championship bouts were held over the two days, featuring 62 men and women boxers. The Daily News Golden Gloves has served as a launching point for the careers of world champion boxers such as Emile Griffith, Jose Torres, Floyd Paterson, Howard Davis and Riddick Bowe. The Golden Gloves comprises of nearly 30 nights of elimination bouts held throughout the New York metropolitan area over three months. It is the most prestigious, oldest and largest amateur boxing tournament in the world. Nearly 700 fighters- including more than 40 women- fought in the Golden Gloves this year.



For live video interviews of Nisa Rodriguez, Franchon Crews, Laura Ramirez and Livingstone Joseph, Iran Barkley, Sadam "world Kid" Ali and many more of your boxing favorites go to Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience the Channel- Online at http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

165 Pound Novice- Marcus Browne 17 now (2 KO's, 2 decisions, 1 bye) of the Rockaways who is a student at Concord H.S, where he still trains Marcus Browne defeated Shaka Davidson 25 (1KO, 3 decisions, 1 bye) who is a personal trainer and lives in Mount Kisco New York.

Marcus Browne


114 Pound Women- Keisher "Fire" MCleod Wells 30 of Gleasons Gym (2 decision) a three time champion at 110 pounds, who lives in Brooklyn, won the decision over Alexis Asher 25 of Gleasons Gym (1 bye) the defending champion from Brooklyn, who is a personal trainer and dancer.

Keisher "Fire" MCleod Wells


178 Pound Novice- Joseph Smith, Jr. 18 of Vetereans Memeorial Gym (3 KO's, 1 decision, 1 bye) who is a tree cutter for the LIRR, from Mastic, L.I., won the decision over Sean Monaghan 26 of Freeport PAL (3 decisions, 1 KO, 1 bye) a bricklayer who is a resident of Long Beach.

Joseph Smith Jr.


Sean Monaghan


141 Pound Open- Livingstone Joseph 23 of NYC PAL (2 KO's, 1 decision) who is from Manhattan is a two time Golden Gloves champion. Livingstone Joseph defeated Mike Brooks 20 of Freeport PAL (2 decisions, 1, bye) who is ranked nationally, Brooks who is empolyed as a cook, lives in Oceanside, L.I.

Livingstone Joseph and the Legend Iran Barkley


119 pound Women- Christina Cruz 25 of Gleasons Gym (1 KO, 1 decision) who is a personal secretary from Manhattan defended her championship defeating Christina Rosa 29 of Westbury PAL, who is a jeweler and living in Garden Park City, L.I.

Christina Cruz


138 Pound Women- Chinazo Rena Anakwe 24 of Team Free Form (1 bye) who is enrolled in the Actors Studio AFA program at Pace University and who lives in Brooklyn New York, won a decision over Kathleen Walsh 18 of Heavy Hitters Boxing Club (1 decision) who is from Ronkonkoma, L.I., and works as a lifeguard.

Chinazo Rena Anakwe


Mr & Mrs Flaco and Keisher MCleod-Wells and Chinazo Rena Anakwe


125 Pound Open- Emmanuel Gonzalez 20 of Betances Boxing Club (1 decision, 1 bye) who is an apprentice bricklayer from the Bronx, and who was a finalist in 2007, came back in 2008 to defeat Marcos Hernandez 19 of Gleasons Gym (1 decision, 1 bye) who is a resident of Brooklyn New York, studying humman services at BMCC.

Emmanuel Gonzalez


Emmanuel Gonzalez


Team Emmanuel "Manny" Gonzalez


165 Pound Open- Phillip Jackson Benson 23 of Gleasons Gym (1 KO, 1 decision, 1 bye) who was a novice champion in 2006 and who reached the open final last year, defeated Michael O'Connor 20 of NYC PAL (2 decisions, 1 bye) who was the the novice
champion at 141 pounds in 2005, O'Connor lives in the Bronx New York.

Phillip Jackson Benson


Laura Ramirez 17 of NYC PAL (1 KO, 1 decision) who is from the Bronx, is a student at Harry S. Truman H.S., Laura Ramirez defeated Ruth O'Sullivan 32 of Gleasons Gym ( 1 decision, 1 bye) who is a social worker at the Supreme Court. O'Sullivan is a two time champion and resides in Brooklyn New York.

Laura Ramirez


Laura Ramirez and Livingstone Joseph


Super Heavyweight Novice- Daniel Torres 26, Black Hand Combat (3 decisions, 1 bye) from East Norwich, L.I., who is employed as a Carpenter, defeated Davone Jones 27 of Gleasons Gym (3 decisions, 1 bye) who is employed as a hospital worker and lives in the Bronx.

Daniel Torres


154 Pound Women- Nisa Rodriguez 17 of Betances Boxing Club (1 KO) is a student at SoBRO in the Bronx. This is Nisa Rodriguez's first Golden Gloves tournament, Rodiguez's win came over Justine Herrera 30 of Gleasons Gym (1 KO) who is an administrator at Columbia University, and who was a finalist in the 2006 Golden Gloves.

Nisa Rodriguez


141 Pound Novice- William S. Whitt 19 of Ardon Sweet Science (4 decisions, 1 bye) who is from Sunset Park Brooklyn, is a field worker for the NYC Human Rights Commission. Whitt defeated Paul Diaz-Laru 30 of Church Street Gym ((1 KO, 4 decisions) who is from the Lower East Side in Manhattan. Diaz-Laru is the manager of the Battery Park Community Center.

William S. Whitt


William S. Whitt and trainer


165 Pound Women- Christina Jensen 19 of Vetereans Memorial Gym (1 decision) who is from L.I., is studying criminal justice at Briarcliffe College. Jensen defeated Jennifer Egan 25 of Gleasons Gym (1 bye) who is a resident of Brooklyn New York. Egan is a teacher at the Shallow Middle School in Bensonhurst.

Christina Jensen


Heavyweight 201 Pound Open- Mitchell Balker 24 of Mendez Boxing Gym (2 decisions) who was born in Suriname and a citizen of the Netherlands, Balker came to New York to compete in the Golden Gloves. Mitchell Balker won a close decision over Norman Neely 18 of NYC PAL (1 bye) who is employed as an elder care worker. Neely resides in the Bronx New York.

Mitchell Balker


Norman Neely


176 Pound Women- Tressa Dugan 32 of NYC PAL (1 bye) who is a recent arrival to Manhattan from Atlanta, is a sales manager at L'Oreal. Tressa Dugan lost a close decision to Iris Y. Murillo 20 of Heavy Hitters Boxing Club ((1 bye) who is from Bay Shore L.I., and works as an administrator at the Stony Brook Hospital.

Tressa Dugan


Team Tressa Dugan


Heavyweight Novice- Jerry Gaspard 28 of Church Street Boxing Gym (3 decisions, 1 bye) who lives in Brooklyn New York, owns and operates a fitness center. Gaspard defeated Ngoli Okafor 33 of Mendez Boxing Gym (2 KO's, 2 decisions) who is employed as a personal trainer and lives in the Bronx.

Jerry Gaspard


Amanda Serrano 19 (1 KO) who is a personal trainer from Bushwick New York, and competing in her second Golden Gloves, pulled off the victory, with a decision over Jody-Ann Weller 29 of New York Boxing Gym (1 decision) who is a research scientist, from Pomona New York, this is Jody-Ann Weller's second trip to the finals. Amanda Serrano is the younger sister of Cindy Serrano who is also a professional fighter.

Amanda Serrano


Jody-Ann Weller


Emile Griffith, "Mean" Joe Green, Sadam "World Kid" Ali, Junior Jones and Brendan Smith


"Mean" Joe Green, Sadam "World Kid" Ali, Junior Jones


Nagy Aguillera and guest attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Female fighter Franchon Crews attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Monte Barrett Junior Jones and "Mean" Joe Green attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Ronny Vargas and Melissa Hernandez attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Cara Castronuova and MC Goddess attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Aaron Davis and Chris Smith attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Vanessa Greco Team Free Form member, attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Tony Mitchell, the former tennis player attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved

DIAZ OPENS CAMP IN PREPARATION FOR SHOWDOWN WITH PACQUIAO

CHICAGO, IL- World Boxing Council Lightweight Champion David. Diaz opened up camp this morning at JABB Boxing Gym in Chicago in preparation for his title defense against THE MEXICUTIONER, Manny Pacquiao on June 28th at the

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Said Diaz, “It’s time to go to work, everything is signed, the tickets are going on sale on Saturday and I’m thrilled to start camp.”

Diaz and his team, manager/trainer Jim Strickland and co-trainer Mike Garcia were met by a special guest this morning as Chicago Blackhawks head coach, Hall of Famer Denis Savard stopped by to offer his best wishes to David.

While posing with David and his team for pictures, Savard stated, ‘Hopefully next year I’ll bring the Stanley Cup to put alongside David’s world title belt. I want my team to be tough and keep fighting to the end, that’s what has made David a world champion.”

Savard was enthusiastic about Diaz’s showdown with Pacquiao, “I’ll be there at Mandalay Bay on June 28th. David and Manny are both warriors and it will be a great fight to see in person."

Last month Diaz aced his open tryout with the Blackhawks during the in-between periods celebrity shootout, drilling a goal through the mousetrap sized target from the blue line. “He can fight and he can shoot, I can always use a guy like that”, said Savard.

Tickets for Pacquiao vs.Diaz, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, go on sale This Saturday! April 19, at 10 a.m., at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Dubbed "Republica Enemy No. 1," Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico has had to offer since 2003including Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Juan Manuel Marquez (W 12, D 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). Pacquiao was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories of Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios. The hard-hitting southpaw has won 22 of his last 23 bouts including 2007 victories over Barrera and Solis. Pacquiao’s 12-round split decision victory over Marquez earlier this year not only avenged a disputed draw from their 2004 battle, it also made Pacman a four-division world champion.

Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, will be making the second defense of his title. He successfully defended it against the three-division world champion Morales last summer winning a hard-fought unanimous decision over the future Hall of Famer. Although behind on the scorecards early, Diaz remained cool and rallied before the raucous hometown Chicago crowd of 10,000 to capture the decision. He swept the championship rounds and won the decision by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112. With the victory, Diaz cemented his place among the best lightweights in the sport and one of the most popular and respected athletes in the sports-crazy town of Chicago. A member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, Diaz, with 12 years of experience as a professional, is more than prepared to handle the pressures that come with battling boxing’s pound-for-pound most exciting fighter.

The Pacquiao vs. Diaz pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

SecondsOut Presents Selcuk 'Mini Tyson' Aydin vs Lucky Lewele‏

This Saturday (April 26th) welterweight powerhouse "Mini-Tyson" Selcuk Aydin (14-0-0, 12 kos) is coming home to Trabzon to fight for the vacant WBC international championship against former title holder "Babawazoo" Lucky Lewele (25-4-0) from South Africa. Trabzon's sport fans already go crazy about the upcoming show. It will be the first night of professional boxing ever to be held in the small city at the Black Sea.

Aydin arrived in Trabzon on Monday night and had to go through all kinds of interviews and autograph sessions since he returned home.

Whenever he stops by in a café fans start surrounding him, take pictures with their idol and tell them that they'll pray for his victory.

"I expected some excitement but the support of all the people is just overwhelming!" states Aydin. "I am highly delighted with all the enthusiasm and deeply touched. I promise all my fans that I will show a great fight and blow away Lewele to win the belt for my city and my country!"

On the undercard heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis doesn't fight for a title but for his trip to Las Vegas! Only if Solis beats unbeaten Georgian prospect Mamuka Jikurashvili (20-0-0, 14 kos) convincingly he can go on to give his US debut on May 17th in Primm, Nevada at the "Night of the Rising Stars" headlined by "El Ciclon de Guantanamo" Yuriorkis Gamboa.

Also on the card: Middleweight prospect Mahir Oral (21-1-2) who gives his comeback after a long injury break and unbeaten heavyweight Yakup Saglam (12-0-0, 11 kos) who will fight for the Interim International German Championship.

"I am very proud to bring another big boxing night to Turkey", states promoter Ahmet Öner.

And the next show isn't far. On May 30th Sinan Samil Sam will fight against Matt Skelton for the vacant European heavyweight championship in Istanbul, also on SecondsOut (except UK)

Preview these exciting fighters at http://www.youtube.com/secondsout

WBO 130 POUND CHAMPION JOAN GUZMAN OBTAINS VISA‏

SAN DIEGO, Calif.– World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Lightweight Champion Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs) has obtained a visa that will allow him to travel to Scotland to defend his title against interim champion and Scotland-native Alex Arthur.


“This was the last hurdle that we needed to clear before we could make our title defense,” Guzman said. “Now we’re just waiting on the new date.”

The fight was scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland, but due to Guzman’s visa issues, the fight will now have a new date.

“All we need now is for Frank Warren (promoter) of Sports Network to give us the new, rescheduled date,” said Sean Gibbons, matchmaker for Sycuan Ringside Promotions, the company that promotes Guzman. “Guzman cleared up his visa issues and is now ready to go to Scotland to successfully defend his WBO junior lightweight belt.”

Frank Warren won the rights to this championship fight in a WBO purse bid.

ABOUT SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS:

Sycuan Ringside Promotions of San Diego is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had six current or former world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts across the country on premium cable networks.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero, former WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz, lightweight sensation Jorge Paez Jr., undefeated cruiserweight prospect Shawn Hawk and once-beaten, super middleweight prospect Henry Buchanan.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Glenn Quiroga, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Scott Woodworth, vice president.

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved

2-time world champion John Ruiz walks for U.S. Military Troops‏

LAS VEGAS– Former two-time world heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz still be part of the ESPN Radio 1100, The Dream Team marching to show support for U.S. military troops next Wednesday morning (April 30), starting at 9 AM/PT, in Las Vegas.

Seat Williams, host of “Afternoon Gridlock” on ESPN 1100, has organized The Dream Team to march approximately three hours from Las Vegas City Hall to Nellis Air Force Base in order to help raise awareness and donations for troops and their families.

Ruiz joins The Dream Team that includes former world heavyweight boxing champion “Iron” Mike Tyson, former UFC champion Randy Couture, Williams, and Nellis Air Force Base troops.

“Our soldiers serve all over the world to help keep us free,” Ruiz said. “Joining this march is just my way of showing support for the troops. They are real heroes and should never be forgotten for the sacrifices they make every day for us. I’m honored to have been asked to participate in this great cause. I have a new team and I’m no longer held back from doing things that I really want to get involved in like this.”

Ruiz (43-7-1, 29 KOs) is the former 2-time WBA heavyweight champion presently rated No. 2 and No. 3 by the WBA and WBC, respectively, No. 6 by the IBF, and No. 10 by The Ring magazine. 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.

WPBF-USBC‏; Eileen Olszewski is ranked # 3 ratings committee

The Chairman of Ratings for World Professional Boxing Federation and United States Boxing Council is pleased to announce the introduction and rating of Eileen Olszewski. She is ranked # 3 by our ratings committee.

Eileen Olszewski


Best of luck.

Bazooka,
Chairman of Ratings World Professional Boxing Federation and United States Boxing Council.

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved

Nabaté's upcoming engagements!‏

This week, I will be featured with the legendary drummer, Charli Persip and his high-octane band, SuperSound. It's always an honor to play with him!

Also, I wrote a musical piece for a visually captivating film called 'Empire II'. It was produced and directed by well-respected filmmaker Amos Poe. It premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival next weekend. Here's the link to purchase tickets: http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/filmguide/Empire_II.html

Of course, EVERY Wednesday check out my weekly TV/Webcast show called, 'So Much to Talk About'.

More updates on the horizon.....
Nabaté Isles

Tuesday, April 29th Charli Persip's SuperSound @
"Dizzy" Gillespie Auditorium 53 East 11th Street
(bet. University and Broadway)
8 and 9:30 pm sets
General Admission: $15
Admission w/student ID: $10
www.bahainyc.org/jazz.html

Every Wednesday 'So Much to Talk About'@ 9pm (Eastern Time)

Channel 57 (Time Warner-Manhattan Cable)
Channel 84 (RCN-Manhattan Cable)
Streams LIVE: www.mnn.org, click 57/84 link

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved

Sotheby's/SCP Auctions To Auction Frazier's Thrilla In Manila Robe

Smokin’ Joe Frazier To Auction Thrilla In Manila Robe

New York,- On April 24, Sotheby’s and SCP Auctions will offer a fine selection of sports memorabilia and cards for auction. The April sale includes an outstanding offering of material that comes directly from Smokin’ Joe Frazier. Born in 1944, the 11th child of sharecroppers in South Carolina, Frazier took up boxing at the age of 17, and his raw talent was soon discovered and honed by trainer Yank Durham. Frazier won the Middle Atlantic Golden Gloves heavyweight championship for three straight years. His professional debut came on Aug. 16, 1965, and within 12 months he was 11-0, with every victory coming by knockout. In 1971, Joe Frazier was king of the world. At 27 years old and at 26-0, he was the undisputed and undefeated heavyweight champion. However, one obstacle stood in his way to standing with other all-time immortals in the ring - Muhammad Ali. On March 8, 1971, in the "Fight of the Century" at Madison Square Garden, an unbeaten Frazier won a unanimous decision as he handed Ali his first defeat. Included is Frazier's Robe from the Weigh-In of " The Fight of The Century” (est. $10/15,000). Frazier held on to his title for three years before a younger and stronger George Foreman took it away in Jamaica.

In 1999, ESPN ranked Frazier and Ali’s third bout, nicknamed the “Thrilla in Manila,” as No. 5 on its list of the greatest fights of all time. In 1974, Ali won the second fight in a 12-round unanimous decision that didn’t win the belt for either. In 1975, the two aging heavyweights, then in their early 30s, traveled to fight in Quezon City, Phillippines. Joe Frazier's Fight-Worn Robe from the “Thrilla In Manila” (est. $30/50,000) is also among the highlights of the April sale. Also included is a Fight-Worn Robe from Frazier vs. Jerry Quarry - June 17, 1974 (est. $15/20,000) and a Cornerman’s Shirt Made for Eddie Futch, Joe Frazier’s Trainer (est. $8/12,000).

Registration is required to bid in Sotheby’s auctions. You can register in person at Sotheby’s New York headquarters any time before the sale, or via fax when you submit an absentee bid form.

For more information, please visit www.sothebys.com or www.scpauctions.com.

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved

Nelson, McGivern, Schultz To Defend Titles at IFL Connecticut May 16; Two New Camps Join Team Quest, World Class Fight Center In Bouts at Mohegan Sun‏

NEW YORK, March 31, 2008 – Two IFL stars, Roy Nelson (Las Vegas) and Ryan Schultz (North Platte, Neb.) will make their second respective title defenses and another, Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa) will make his first when the International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI) returns to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., with a minimum of nine bouts scheduled for Friday, May 16. HDNet will have live television coverage of the event. Tickets are on sale beginning today via www.ticketmaster.com, the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office, and by telephone at 860-886-0070. The night will also mark the IFL debuts for the Bomb Squad, a Northeast-based camp which will take on Mario Sperry’s World Class Fight Center from Las Vegas, and for Team Prodigy, an Ohio-based camp which will battle Matt Lindland’s Team Quest of Portland, Ore. In the title bouts, Nelson will defend his heavyweight belt against UFC veteran Branden Lee Hinkle (Weirton, W. Va.). Nelson won the title in December at Mohegan Sun with a knockout of Antoine Jaoude, then defended with a decisive first-round TKO over Fabiano Scherner in Las Vegas in February. Schultz will battle Deividas Taurosevicius (Lithuania) for the lightweight crown. Schultz also won his title in his last visit to Mohegan Sun in December, bouncing Chris Horodecki from the ranks of the unbeaten, then earned a decision win over John Gunderson in Las Vegas in February to defend. McGivern, one of the most improved fighters in the IFL, took the middleweight belt from Matt Horwich in February and has won three of his past four bouts. Other bouts of note include the Bomb Squad’s John Howard (Boston) against WCFC’s Marcello Salazar (Brazil) and Danillo Villefort vs. Mike Massenzio (Paterson, N.J.). Team Quest’s three competitors, who will take on three fighters from Team Prodigy to be announced, are all IFL veterans: Zac George (Norman, Okla.), Matt Horwich (Portland, Ore.) and Aaron Stark (Portland, Ore.). IFL Mohegan SunFriday, May 16, 2008 (order TBD) World Class Fight Center vs. Bomb Squad170 lbs.: Marcello Salazar (Brazil) (1-0 IFL, 7-1-2 MMA overall) vs. John Howard (Boston) (0-0, 8-3)185 lbs.: Danillo Villefort (0-0, 6-2) vs. Mike Massenzio (Paterson, N.J.) (0-0, 10-1)155 lbs.: TBD Team Prodigy vs. Team Quest155 lbs.: TBD vs. Zac George (Norman, Okla.) (1-1, 12-2)185 lbs.: TBD vs. Matt Horwich (Portland, Ore.) (6-4, 21-10-1)205 lbs.: TBD vs. Aaron Stark (Portland, Ore.) (2-2, 5-4) Championship Bouts265 lbs.: *Roy Nelson (Las Vegas) (5-1, 12-2) vs. Branden Lee Hinkle (Weirton, W. Va.) (0-0, 13-9)185 lbs.: *Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa) (6-4, 12-5) vs. Dan Miller (Sparta, N.J.) (1-0, 7-1)155 lbs.: *Ryan Schultz (North Platte, Neb. (6-2, 19-9-1) vs. Deividas Taurosevicius (Lithuania) (3-0, 9-2) *Current Titleholder About the IFL International Fight League™ (IFL) has its headquarters in New York and offices in Las Vegas. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv. ---"You look forward to it like a birthday party when you're a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen."- Joe DiMaggio
* * * *Jerry Milani Manager of Public Relations International Fight League * * * Catch the IFL on FSN Sundays at 5 p.m. and LIVE on HDNet on April 4 and May 16

Nick Charles To Be Honored By Boxing Writers Association‏

SHOWTIME BOXING ANNOUNCER NICK CHARLES TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
FROM BOXING WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, MAY 1, 2008, IN LOS ANGELES

NEW YORK– Nick Charles, who serves as host and play-by-play announcer for the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series ShoBox: The New Generation, will receive the prestigious Sam Taub Award for excellence in broadcast journalism at the 83rd Annual Boxing Writers Association of America Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 1, 2008, in Los Angeles.

The lifetime achievement award, now bestowed upon all four boxing announcers serving SHOWTIME Sports telecasts (Steve Albert, Al Bernstein for Championship Boxing and analyst Steve Farhood for ShoBox), is sweet for the broadcast veteran.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to receive the lifetime achievement award,” said Charles, an Atlanta resident who is known for his accurate, colorful and refreshing delivery. “It means a lot when the Boxing Writers Association of America looks at your entire body of work and decides that you deserve to be recognized for it.”

If you tuned in to CNN during the 1980s and 90s, chances are you saw Nick Charles. Hired to help launch the network in 1980, Charles won three Cable Ace Awards as co-host of CNN’s “Sports Tonite.”

During his time with the news network, Charles covered some of the all-time greatest boxers in many of their greatest fights, including Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Riddick Bowe, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya.

“In the early years of CNN, we had such a can-do attitude,” Charles said. “It was new horizons, un-chartered waters. Ultimately, not only did we not drown, we sailed around the world.

“They had me camp out in Miami after Roberto Duran’s ‘No Mas’ fight until I got an interview. They sent me to Japan to see Buster Douglas knock Tyson on his butt. I was in camp with Hearns in Detroit and at home with Hagler. Through the years, I witnessed boxing history.”

In 2001, SHOWTIME tabbed Charles as its blow-by-blow announcer for the new boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation, which features up-and-coming fighters in tough match-ups in all boxing divisions. Thus far, Charles and his partner Farhood have called the action for nearly every ShoBox telecast since its inception—nearly 125 shows and 250 fights. In that time, Charles has witnessed many fighters advance from prospect to contender; from contender to world champion.

“You know little about these guys except that they better have a blazing desire to succeed,” Charles said. “The fighters have no entourages, and we do not feature ring walks. It is just boxing where two guys are matched tough, and it is a question of who moves forward and who falls back. That is the central theme of every ShoBox.”

With Charles and Farhood at the helm, ShoBox has found a niche with boxing fans and sports enthusiasts.

“Nick is a highly respected sports commentator who has traveled to more than 50 countries and covered all of the major sports stories for the last 25 years,” said Gordon Hall, SHOWTIME vice president and executive producer of ShoBox. “He brings a vast knowledge of boxing and great passion to each telecast. He is a true professional who brings out the best in those around him.”

Charles says the match-ups are what make ShoBox so intriguing.

“We usually have these young undefeated fighters who have never lost, and other times these guys who cannot afford to lose again,” Charles said. “It is all about acclaim and redemption, risk and reward. Ultimately, in this series, people’s careers have either taken off or have ended.”

The well-traveled journalist has worked as a site reporter and host for six Olympics, five Goodwill Games and the Pan-Am Games in Havana, Cuba.

“Nick's love for boxing, and specifically for ShoBox, makes every show special," said Farhood. "He's the ultimate professional, and his enthusiasm never wanes. If you ask Nick, he'll tell you he's lucky to have boxing. But if you ask me, boxing is lucky to have Nick."

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please visit our website at http://www.sho.com/sports.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

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BOX NYC- April 16 2008; Fight card results for Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin, Chazz Witherspoon, Tommy Rainone, Jose Perlata, Gabriel Rosado

Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin now (18-0, 14 KO's) of Brooklyn New York in a 10 rounds Super Middleweights bout stopped Antwon Nichols who now drops to (31-8-4, 27 KO's) of Memphis Tn.

Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin


Chazz Witherspoon now (23-15 KO's) of Woodbury New Jersey won the decision over Domonic Jenkins who drops to (13-8-2, 6 KO's) of La Mesa Texas in a scheduled 10 rounds Heavyweights bout.

Chazz Witherspoon


Tommy Rainone now (11- 3 KO's) of Plainview New York won by a unanimous decision defeating William Wilson who drops to (2-4, 1 KO) of Tacoma Washington in a 4 rounds Lightweights bout.

Tommy Rainone


William Wilson


Jose Perlata (1-O) of Atlanta Georgia in a Pro debut won by an unanimous decision over Garri Basdasarov who now drops to (0-1-2, 0 KO's) of Moscow Russia, in a 4 rounds Lightweights bout.

Jose Perlata


Gabriel Rosado now (8-2-0, 5 KO's) of Philadelphia PA., TKO'd Joshua Onyango who drops to (13-15-0, 11 KO's) of Lake Victori Kenya in a scheduled for 6 rounds Middleweights bout.

Sadam "World Kid" Ali, John Starks and Gary "Kid" Stark Jr., attends the BOX NYC event at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.


©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved

Jerson Ravelo; I WILL BE FIGHTING AGAINST 2004 U.S OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST ANDRE WARD

MANY OF YOU HAVE BEN ASKING ME IF IT'S TRUE IF I WILL BE FIGHTING AGAINST 2004 U.S OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST ANDRE WARD BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN ALL OVER THE INTERNET, THE ANSWER IS YES. THE FIGHT WILL BE ON JUNE 20TH IN THE GRAND CAYMAN ISLANDS, THE FIGHT WILL BE TELEVISED ON SHOWTIME, SAVE THE DATE. THERE WILL BE A PRESS CONFERENCE IN SAN FRANCISCO ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON, THEN ONE IN NEW YORK CITY ON WEDNESDAY, AND FINALLY ONE OUT IN THE GRAND CAYMAN ISLANDS ON THURSDAY, LOTS OF TRAVELING BUT IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT COME JUNE 20TH. THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT TO THE PEOPLE WHO SHOW ME SUPPORT, ALSO THANKS TO THE ONES WHO DON'T, IT SERVES AS A LITTLE EXTRA PUSH.


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CHICAGO, IL Chicago based Irish prospect Henry “THE WESTERN WARRIOR” Coyle will battle Billings, Montana veteran Ben Aragon

CHICAGO, IL Chicago based Irish prospect Henry “THE WESTERN WARRIOR” Coyle will battle Billings, Montana veteran Ben Aragon in a special attraction eight round junior middleweight bout at BATTLE FOR PRIDE on Friday, May 9th at Cicero Stadium.

BATTLE FOR PRIDE, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing is presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING and Octavius James’ One In A Million Incorporated along with Miller Lite, TCF Bank and AeroMexico, the premier travel source to Mexico.



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.

Said Pesoli, “Chicago fight fans, particularly the Irish have really taken a liking to Henry. He’s a tough kid who loves to trade in the middle of the ring. This is his first eight rounder and he’s in against a solid veteran so it’s a true test for Henry.”

The heavy handed Coyle, 6-1 with six knockouts, made his pro debut with a first round knockout of Jason Collazo at Madison Square Garden on March 16, 2007 at a huge New York City St. Patrick’s Day Celebration card headlined by Irish boxing star John Duddy.

In his last Chicago fight, Coyle thrilled the packed Cicero Stadium with a first round knockout of Guy Packer on November 16, 2007. Since then “THE WESTERN WARRIOR” has been on the road knocking out two additional opponents.

Aragon, 7-9-2 with five knockouts, has already had a busy 2008 having fought three times with a 1-1-1 (1KO) record. With vastly more experience, the Billings, Montana resident should prove to be a very tough test for Coyle.

The main event at BATTLE FOR PRIDE features Chicago fan favorite and Season 3 contestant on ESPN’s The Contender, MACHO Miguel Hernandez in a crosstown showdown against fellow Chicagoan “SUPERMAN” Derrick Findley in a middleweight bout.

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. More information on this bout will be announced shortly.

The undercard will feature popular Chicago prospects, super bantamweight Eric Estrada, 3-0 (1KO) and lightweight Gadiel Andaluz, 2-0 (KO’s).

Estrada wlll square off against Ronnie Howell, 1-1, of Cincinnati while Andaluz will battle fellow undefeated prospect Jose Mandujano 2-0 (1KO) of Detroit, Michigan, each in four round bouts.

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.

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

TCF Bank is a subsidiary of TCF Financial Corporation (NYSE: TCB), a $14.3 billion Minnesota-based financial holding company. TCF Bank—Open 7 Days—offers convenient deposit products, lending and business banking services at 235 full service locations in Chicago and Milwaukee areas including branches inside most Jewel-Osco stores. Along with our Totally Free Checking product, TCF offers a high rate Premier Checking product, convenient and affordable Home Equity Products, and Commercial Lending and Private Banking services. For more information about TCF Bank or its Products, call 1-800-TCF-BANK or visit the TCF Web site at www.tcf.com. Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC.

CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998

Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions

www.8countproductions.com

Golden Girl Boxing Promotions 1st promotion; Ijeoma "The Praise" Egbunine, The WIBF World champion Ijeoma Egbunine is back again after a year off

Ijeoma "The Praise" Egbunine is making a homecoming fight May 9th, 2008 at FIESTA RODEO IN ATLANTA GEORGIA.

In the main event Ijeoma "The Praise" Egbunine is fighting Lisa Ested who last fought Ann wolf and lost in a unianimous decision in 2006. There will be three other female bouts on the Golden Girl Boxing Promotions 1st promotion debut show.

Ijeoma said , "this is like a tune up fight for me", Ijeoma "The Praise" Egbunine is fighting for the WBC, IFBA, WIBA Light Heavy Weight Championship sometime in July.

"I have a score to settle with Laura Ramsey, Nikki Eplion" said Ijeoma.

"Then after that I will collect from Natasha Rogasina what belongs to me". "I chased Laila Ali for months, she took a brake now it is you Natasha".

"Natasha you must stop fighting Junior middle weights for Supper middle weights titles, that is an insult to female boxing".

"Natasha you cannot continue with Laila's pattern and others to avoid defeats by me".

"Team Praise" PR.

STEVE “USS” CUNNINGHAM NAMED BEST BOXER BY RING MAGAZINE; IBF cruiserweight champion best boxer by the”Bible of Boxing” for second consecutive year

Philadelphia- For the second consecutive year, Ring Magazine has named Steve “USS” Cunningham the best boxer in the cruiserweight division.

It was a banner 2007 for Cunningham has he won and then defended the IBF Cruiserweight championship.

Ike and Steve Cunningham



When told of the honor, Cunningham was more then happy of the accomplishment.

“This means a lot to me. It means the hard work I have put in to reach a certain level has continued and people still recognize that. I only plan to bring my skills up to a higher level and continue to reign as champion.”

“The Ring Magazine means a lot and with David Haye moving to heavyweight, I know one of the criteria’s of crowning a new champion is that the top-two contenders fighting each other. As I look at the rankings, I am number-one and Jean-Marc Mormeck is two. We are both promoted by Don King so I hope that a fight with us can be made so I can win that belt.”

Cunningham, 21-1 with eleven knockouts will also be appearing on ESPN radio, 950-am in Philadelphia on the Mike Missinelli show this Friday in the 3 o’clock hour.

The champ will be doing the show live at O'Malley's, 56 Cresent Blvd, Gloucester City, NJ.

contact marc abrams@15rounds.com


©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved

DJ Times Announces ’08 America’s Best DJ Nominees at WMC; Pioneer Pro DJ to re-up as title sponsor of the ABDJ Summer Tour!

Port Washington- As it celebrates 20 years of chronicling United States DJ Culture, DJ Times magazine kicked off its 2008 America’s Best DJ contest on March 25th at Miami’s Winter Music Conference by announcing this year’s top 100 nominees.

Now entering its third year, America’s Best DJ (ABDJ) stands to solidify itself as the pre-eminent DJ & nightlife culture branding event in the nation. Inaugurated in 2006, this exciting prize-packed promotion supports the growth of US DJ & nightlife culture by encouraging dance-music fans to get involved and promote their favorite US-based DJs in a quest to crown America’s top jock. Previous ABDJ winners include New York club king Jonathan Peters (2006) and Miami trance master George Acosta (2007).

For the second consecutive year, Pioneer Pro DJ will serve as title sponsor for the tour, which will culminate with a closing ceremony in Las Vegas. By the end of its 40 events, the tour will have entertained over 100,000 dance music fans throughout the United States.

“Our involvement with America’s Best DJ Tour extends our commitment to the art of DJing, and the experience it has on all it touches. As an industry leader, Pioneer’s success is realized when talented individuals demonstrate their skills using Pioneer Pro DJ equipment - the most advanced players and mixers in the industry,” said Matt Dever, vice president of Pioneer’s Professional Sound and Visual Division.

Over the past two summers, participating fans chose from a panel of America’s Top 100 DJs (nominated by the staff of DJ Times), casting votes both online at www.americasbestdj.net and in-person at 40 tour stops featuring showcased nominees at some of America’s top club venues like Pacha (New York), Ruby Skye (San Francisco), Crobar (Chicago), Space (Miami), Krave (Las Vegas), and Vanguard (Los Angeles).

“We believe that America’s Best DJ—the contest and the tour—will continue to bring visibility for DJ culture and strengthen its lasting foundation in the US,” says DJ Times Editor Jim Tremayne.

For the full list of 2008 America’s Best DJ nominees and more information on the Pioneer Pro DJ presents America’s Best DJ 2008 Summer Tour including tour cities dates and participating nominees, log on to www.americasbestdj.net. Voting for the 2008 contest begins May 1.

About DJ Times & Testa Communications:
In addition to hosting the America's Best DJ contest and tour, Testa Communications also sponsors the International DJ Expo and publishes DJ Times, Club World, The Music & Sound Retailer, and Sound & Communications magazines and produces Convention TV News at trade shows. For more information, visit www.testacommunications.com

About Pioneer Pro DJ:
Pioneer offers a complete line of professional DJ equipment through its Professional Sound and Visual Division. Their DJM, CDJ, DVJ and SVM Professional DJ equipment are known for their high quality sound and reliability and considered the industry standard at clubs, studios, mobile rigs and homes around the world. For more information, visit www.pioneerprodj.com

Pioneer contact:
Jaed Arzadon, 310.952.2451 or jade.arzadon@pioneer-usa.com

For more information on the 2008 International DJ Expo and the all-new
Seminar and Panel program tracks, click to www.djtimes.com/djexpo

CONTACT:
Justin Kleinfeld, Rephlektor Ink.,
Peter Wohelski, DJ Times,