DELVIN RODRIGUEZ- vs. PAWEL WOLAK UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED‏ FOR JULY 15th AT ROSELAND BALLROOM

This Friday, July 15th, Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing presents the much anticipated jr. middleweight showdown between Delvin Rodriguez (25-5-2, 14KO's) and Pawel "Raging Bull" Wolak (29-1, 19KO's) at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC. The show which will also feature undefeated Puerto Rican welterweight Raymond "Tito" Serrano (15-0, 8KO's) taking on Daniel "The Hudson Valley Kid" Sostre (11-3-1, 4KO's) in the co-feature, will be broadcast live on ESPN's ever popular "Friday Night Fights" series.

Scheduled to see action on the undercard in an intriguing match-up light heavyweight prospects as Lionell Thompson (7-0, 5KO's) looks to stay perfect when he takes on fellow unbeaten, Reggie LaCrete (4-0-2, 3KO's) in a six round light heavyweight showdown where someone's 0 must go.

Two familiar names to the boxing world will also see action on the card in separate bouts, as jr. middleweights, Kevin "Kid" Rooney (1-0) takes on Elmer Vera (0-1) and Steven Gamache (1-0, 1KO) squares off against Rogelio Sanchez (0-3). Both fights are scheduled for four rounds.

Rooney, the son of world renowned trainer, Kevin Rooney, will once again be putting in double duty on July 15th, just like he did when he made his pro-debut on a Star Boxing promoted card in April. When's he not fighting, Rooney works full-time as the Publicist for the promotional outfit. Gamache on the other hand is the son of former Super Featherweight and Lightweight World Champion, Joey Gamache. Both will be looking to improve to 2-0 before their hometown fans.

Scheduled to open up the show will be three separate amateur bouts featuring some of NYC's top up and coming prospects.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Molina Calling Out all 154-lb Champions

Chicago's "King" Carlos Molina and his team are sending out a challenge to the rest of the world's best junior middleweights.

Molina (19-4-2, 6 KOs) established himself as an elite fighter with a near shutout unanimous decision over former world champion Kermit Cintron last Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, and live on the SHOWTIME network.

"It's no longer a secret that Carlos Molina is the world's best 154-lb fighter," said Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing. "This is an open call to all the champions, Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez, Austin Trout, K9 Bundradge and Sergei Dzinziruk: Carlos Molina is ready and able to take any of you on."

In the comeback story of the year, Molina has gone from sitting on the shelf for two years to the breakout fighter of 2011 in the span of four months.

He returned for the first time since 2009 in March at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and fought to a controversial majority draw against Cuban sensation Erislandy Lara (most observers had Molina winning). He returned there on short notice a month later to take out hard-punching Allen Conyers via TKO 7. Then came Saturday's dominance over Cintron.

"If you think about it," stated Luis DeCubas, his advisor, "Lara beat Paul Williams and Cintron beat Alfredo Angulo and Carlos beat both of them, so he could be considered the top challenger in the world. We hope the sanctioning bodies will recognize his amazing accomplishments and move him into a position where he can fight for a world championship."

Margules says that when Molina finally does challenge for a title, it will be the end of an era.

"Once he's a champion, he'll finally stop being considered the underdog in every fight. That might take him some getting used to."

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.
EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

"KING” GABRIEL ROSADO TO BATTLE ALLEN “THE DREAM SHATTERER” CONYERS THIS FRIDAY LIVE AT BALLYS IN ATLANTIC CITY;

"KING” GABRIEL ROSADO TO BATTLE ALLEN “THE DREAM SHATTERER” CONYERS THIS FRIDAY LIVE; This Friday an important Jr. Middleweight bout will take place between Gabriel Rosado and Allen Conyers with the winner taking a big step towards a significant bout. The fight will take place at Ballys in Atlantic City.

Rosado of Philadelphia has a record of 16-5 with nine wins coming via knockout and has fought the best in the Middleweight divisions.

Rosado holds wins over undefeated James Moore (15-0); former world champion Kassim Ouma (26-5-1); Latif Mundy (9-1); Saul Roman (32-5) and has suffered losses to the likes of Alfredo Angulo (15-1); Fernando Guerrero (12-0) in a bout that Rosado sent Guerrero to the deck and a Fight of The Year split decision defeat to Derek Ennis (21-2-1) in a bout for the USBA championship.

Rosado has won two straight which includes his last bout when he stopped Jamaal Davis on February 26th in twelve rounds to capture the interim NABA Super Welterweight championship.

Conyers of Bronx, New York is known for his knockout prowess.

He has a record of 12-5 with nine knockouts and like Rosado has fought top competition.

He began his career with an 8-0 mark with six knockouts.

Conyers has not only faced by but beaten top competition such as Russell Jordan (12-1) via first round stoppage to win the New York State Championship; undefeated and future USBA champion Derek Ennis (10-0-1); and this past January he shocked undefeated rising contender James De La Rosa (20-0)

He has faced former world title challenger Delvin Rodriguez (11-1-1); World Ranked James Kirkland (20-0); Said Ouali (23-2) and in his last bout he was stopped in seven to one of the hottest Jr. Middleweights in the world in Carlos Molina (17-4-2).

The co-feature is a rematch of a fight that took place on January 15th, 2010 when Tony Ferrante eked out a controversial six round split decision over Andre Hemphill in a Light Heavyweight bout.

In that bout, it was Hemphill who landed a great number of body shots that had most ringsiders stunned that he got the nod and Saturday night he will look to even the score with Ferrante.

Ferrante of Philadelphia has a record of 10-2 with five knockouts.

Hemphill, also of Philadelphia has a deceptive record of 10-17-2 with five knockouts.

He is known as a guy who will fight anybody at anytime on just hours of notice and has pulled many upsets in those ten wins. He will look to extract revenge on Saturday night.

In what could be the fight of the night, undefeated knockout artist, Tyrone Luckey (4-0, 4 KO’s) takes on speedy Bryne Green (6-4-1, 3 KO’s) in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

FULL CARD

10 Rounds—Jr. Middleweights—Gabriel Rosado (16-5, 9 KO’s) vs. Allen Conyers (12-5, 9 KO’s)
8 Rounds—Light Heavyweights—Andre Hemphill (10-17-2, 5 KO’s) vs Tony Ferrante (10-2, 5 KO’s)—Rematch
6 Rounds—Jr. Middleweights—Jamaal Davis (12-8, 6 KO’s) vs. Eberto Medina (5-6, 1 KO)
4 Rounds—Welterweights—DeCarlo Perez (3-0-1) vs. Keane Davis (1-2)
4 Rounds—Middleweights—Antowyan Aikens (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Alando Swain (3-1, 1 KO)
4 Rounds—Jr. Lightweight—Tyrone Luckey (4-0, 4 KO’s) vs. Bryne Green (6-4-1, 3 KO’s)
4 Rounds—Jr. Welterweight bout—Naim Nelson (1-0) vs. Korey Sloane (1-0)

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Derric Rossy (25-4-0) of Medford, NY will take on Maurice Harris (24-15-2) July 16, at Resorts Casino and Hotel in N.J

Resorts Casino and Hotel and Carla Hill Promotions and Entertainment present “Boardwalk Boxing” Heavyweight Title Fight.

The event will be held July 16, 2011. Derric Rossy (25-4-0) of Medford, NY will take on Maurice Harris (24-15-2) of East Orange, New Jersey, in the main event for the IBF sanctioned USBA Heavyweight title. Not only are they fighting for the title but it is very rare to have two world rated heavyweights fighting each other which makes for an impressive and exciting evening of championship boxing.

The card will be filled with electrifying local talent. Such as Super Middleweight Troy Maxwell (2-2-0) of Galloway, NJ, Bantam Weight Qa’id Muhammad (5-0-0) of Atlantic City, NJ and Light Heavy Weight Lavarn Harvell (7-0-0) of Atlantic City, NJ.

CARLA HILL is the latest African American female Professional Boxing Promoter in New Jersey. She was born in Atlantic City and raised in Pleasantville, New Jersey. Mrs. Hill earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems at Stockton College. She is a candidate for her Masters of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering and has recently acquired her NJ State Realtors license. Not only is she intelligent but she is no novice when it comes to Professional Boxing, she is the mother of two and is married to the 5 time World Champion and Olympic Silver medalist Virgil Hill. During his long and eventful career, Carla Hill has experienced first-hand the business of boxing and the administration of great promotional events. She has honed her skills and shall be a refreshing professional boxing promoter with her articulate and charismatic approach to the boxing business.

Carla’s ultimate goal is to bring major world title fights back to Atlantic City New Jersey. She has a multi-event commitment from Resorts Casino & Hotel and is presently negotiating for several dates in the future to revive East Coast boxing.

(Sal Musumeci, Carla and Virgil Hill)

Mrs. Hill is inspirational in her business pursuits and a role model to young people. Her life example teaches us to follow our dreams, no matter how great!- To achieve you must believe!
♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

22 year old ‘Bazooka’ Joe Linenfelser Already vet. pro boxer for nearly 6 years “Irish” Micky Ward & Dicky Eklund now working ‘Bazooka’ Joe’s corner

Junior middleweight prospect “Bazooka” Joe Linenfelser (9-1-1, 6 KOs), a 22-year-old boxer from Rockford, Illinois who lived a few years in Florida before returning home, has already been fighting professionally for nearly six years.

When he made his pro debut October 8, 2005, stopping 181-fight veteran Donnie Penelton in the opening round of their fight in Iowa, Joe was only 17 years old, the youngest pro boxer in the United States at that time, and a high school senior in Port Richey, Florida.

Most states require professional boxers to be 18. Iowa, however, licensed Linenfelser at 17 but only after he received special permission, which included a review of his grades and a letter from a teacher, an evaluation in terms of possessing exceptional boxing ability for his age, and undergoing an interview with Iowa Athletic Commissioner Dave Neil to convince authorities that Joe’s decision to turn pro was his own.

“I was going to the gym and the only guys there for me to spar with were pro heavyweights or pros,” Joe explained. “They took it easy on me because I was so young, but I was able to hang with them and decided to turn pro when I turned 17. I just love boxing. I tried to get away from it a few times because I had to make money working. It’s tough putting in a tough 40 hours of work and then go train at night, but boxing sucked me back in. For about 5-6 months, I was the youngest professional boxer in the United States.”

Joe first got the boxing itch when he was only 6 ½, while watching his father Jeff workout. “I bought Joe a pair of Sugar Ray Leonard boxing gloves when he was four,” explained Jeff, who manages his son’s career. “Right away, I knew he was a boxer by the way he threw an overhand right. The other little kids would get hit, cry and stop. Joe always took a good punch and, when he threw that overhand right….all done! He started learning how to box at 6 ½ and had his first amateur fight when he was nine. Joe (36-12 amateur career record) won a few Illinois State championships and reached the final of the Florida Silver Mittens. But Joe didn’t learn the art of boxing in the amateurs, gaining invaluable experience from gym workouts with pros like Pat Coleman.

“Joe’s always had heavy hands. He may not look fast, sort of like watching Kelly Pavlik, but he can really hit. Punching power is about timing, not speed, and Joe has an incredible sense of timing. When he gets moving, he goes one way and throws in motion; his opponent is gone. He played football and wrestled in school. He finished third in the state in wrestling and set a junior high record for interceptions, but I knew from the start that he was a boxer. Joe was a national 140-pound kick-boxing champion when he was 15, but he wasn’t challenged enough and stuck with boxing.”

Jeff has coached his son up to this point, but he just reached an agreement with “Irish” Micky Ward and his brother, Dicky Eklund, to start training “Bazooka” Joe.

In October of 2008, Linenfelser registered his signature victory to date against former NABA & NBA champion “Fearless” Fernando Hernandez, who Joe had previously defeated in a kickboxing fight. Linenfelser put Hernandez to sleep in the fifth round and then into retirement right after their fight in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Next up for “Bazooka Joe” was an eight-round throw-down with 1996 Cuban Olympian Ivan Leden (12-8-1), in Milwaukee, that Linenfelser won by decision.

Linenfelser was inactive the for 14 ½ months (2010-2011) due to an injury suffered in the ring, until his triumphant ring return this past April against Jeremy Marts in Chicago. Linenfelser dropped Marts twice from body shots in the final round en route to a win by unanimous, six-round decision.

“I started fights cautiously for the first few rounds,” Joe described his style of fighting. “I don’t like to miss. I feel one missed punch counts as getting hit with 10. I time my punches and, when I hit them, they’re out. I have a little possum in me. I do a lot of baiting and breakdown my opponents with hard body punches. The last two years I’ve worked hard on body punching with my dad. Fights often come down to body punches landed, when they start holding their elbows down to protect the body, and then it’s time to go upstairs to finish ‘em off.”

Linenfelser’s nickname, “Bazooka Joe,’ was this father’s idea. Jeff went so far as to ask The Topps Company, Inc. for permission to avoid any trademark infringement. “Joe’s was a kid who liked to chew bubblegum,” Jeff explained. “Nobody had ever used that name, which had been around for a hundred years, and Joe does hit like a bazooka - it just kind of fit.”

“Bazooka” Joe Linenfelser is promoted by Bobby Hitz’ Hitz Boxing Entertainment, managed by his father Jeff Linenfelser, and now co-trained by “Irish” Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Rigondeaux targets Ramos

No sooner had new World Boxing Association (“WBA”) Super Bantamweight Champion Rico “Suavecito” Ramos had his arm raised victoriously after his seventh-round knockout of defending champion Akishumni Shimoda last Saturday night in Atlantic City, WBA Interim titlist Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux issued an instant challenge to the 24-year-old Ramos for a supreme 122-pound showdown.

The Shimoda-Ramos fight was on the verge of being called off when Rigondeaux’ Irish manager, Gary Hyde, through renown boxing lawyer Patrick English, lodged an objection to the WBA. The action resulted in the promoters for both Shimoda and Ramos being instructed to make a deal with Team Rigondeaux or their fight wouldn’t be sanctioned.

As WBA world Interim champion, Rigo should have been the next challenger for Shimoda's title, but the Japanese champion by-passed Rigondeaux in favor of an easier title defense against Ramos.

Top Rank-promoted Rigo will now fight Ramos (20-0, 7 KOs) and the Cuban sensation has vowed to take the title belt from Ramos. “I stepped aside and let the fight go ahead,” Rigondeaux explained, “even though they ignored the fact that I was next in line. Ramos will soon regret that he won the title when we get it on.

“Ramos is a tough, aggressive fighter but those types of fighters suit me. I promise he will not have enough time to enjoy this victory because I will be taking that belt from him when we meet in the ring. My goal is to be the undisputed 122-pound world champion and I want to achieve this goal by the end 2012.”

Rigondeaux, arguably the greatest amateur boxer of all-time, defected from Cuba and made his pro debut May 22, 2009, won the NABA super bantamweight title in his third action as a pro and last November in only his seventh fight, he won a 12-round decision against Ricardo Cordoba (37-2-2) to become the WBA Interim 122-pound divisional champion. His last fight was an opening-round destruction of former European champion Willie Casey (11-1) last March in Dublin.

A crafty southpaw and deadly body puncher, Rigondeaux (8-0, 6 KOs) now fights out of Miami, and trains in Houston with Ronnie Shields. Rigo is a 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist, as well as a 7-time national champion who captured a pair of World Championship titles during his amazing 243-4 amateur career.

Hyde also manages promising prospects such as British welterweight Mark Heffron (5-0, 4 KOs) and Georgian junior welterweight Levan Ghvarmichava (4-0, 3 KOs), as well as the newly-signed former European Super bantamweight champion Willie “Big Bang” Casey (11-1, 7 KOs), of Ireland.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Joselito Collado Signs Promotional Contract with Main Events‏

Super Featherweight Joselito Collado of Queens, NY, 12-0, 3 KO's, officially signed a promotional contract with Main Events this week.

Collado's last fight was April 9th, 2011 on the Adamek/McBride card when he fought Rafael Lora and won a 6 round decision. In the amateurs he fought Juan Manuel Lopez in Puerto Rico, he dropped Lopez, but lost a close decision.

Collado is making his Shobox debut on July 15th at Texas Station in Las Vegas against Casey Ramos of Austin, TX (13-0, 4 KO's). The fight will be the opening bout of the Top Rank promotion.

"Signing with Main Events is my biggest win inside and outside the ring," said Collado. "I am very excited to be working with them. I feel comfortable with my career in their hands."

Manager, Jim Cognetta added, "Collado is on his way to another big win inside the ropes against Casey Ramos on July 15th"

Both of Collado's trainers are thrilled with the Main Events affiliation. Trainer Gary Stark, Sr remarked, "It is great to have Main Events behind us, now Joselito will get the recognition that he deserves." Trainer Andre Rozier said, "We are very happy to have signed with a promoter as great as Main Events. With a strong promotional company and team behind him Joselito will reach his goal of becoming champion of the world."

Kathy Duva, Main Events CEO welcomes Collado, "We think Joselito is a terrific addition to our team of fighters. He has the heart, skills and determination we love about all of our fighters. It will be a pleasure to help guide him to a world championship."

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER VS. VICTOR ORTIZ PRESS TOUR QUOTES Tuesday, June 28 - New York City

"STAR POWER: Mayweather vs. Ortiz" is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, DeWALT Tools and AT&T. The 12-round mega-fight, which will be contested for Ortiz's WBC Welterweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, Sept. 17 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

HBO®'s Emmy® Award-winning all-access series "24/7" premieres an all new edition when "24/7 Mayweather/Ortiz" debuts Saturday, Aug. 27 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The four-part series will air for three consecutive Saturday nights before the finale airs the night before the welterweight championship showdown in Las Vegas.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER, Six-Time World Champion in Five Weight Divisions

"I want to thank Victor Ortiz for stepping up to the plate and taking the test.

"I also want to say congratulations to Victor Ortiz. It's not easy to bounce back from a crucial loss. He bounced back like a true champion. I take my hat off to him.

"It's not all about the money. We all know I am going to make a ton of money. He [Ortiz] is going to make some good money too. I earned the right to make the money that I make.

"It starts here. Someone has to give him the opportunity to take the thrown. Why not let it be me?

"I don't duck or dodge anyone. This is for the fans. This is for the Pacquiao fans too. Do I want the Pacquiao fight? Absolutely, if that is what the fans want. I want to give the fans what they want, but I have to take it one step at a time. I cannot overlook Victor Ortiz.

"I don't want to hear about him [Ortiz] losing before. Right now he is the world champion. This is about me facing the world champion and fighting the best.

"My main focus is Victor Ortiz. I want to go to camp and dedicate myself.

"I want to give you excitement. I want to you to enjoy HBO 24/7.

"Anything can happen in the sport of boxing. If you beat me I want you to earn it. I don't want it to be tainted.

"This is not my last fight. Hopefully I can give you 10 more fights. I am closer to 40 than I am to 21, but I am not going anywhere.

"[To Ortiz] On Sept 17, I know you are going to be there and you are going to bring your best, and me and my team are going to bring our best.

"I have to have a lot of Mexican fans and I wouldn't be where I am today without them.

"I want to thank HBO. We have a relationship that goes far back. I am loyal to the company that I am with. I have been with HBO since the beginning of my career.

"My ultimate goal is to take the title from Victor Ortiz."

VICTOR ORTIZ, WBC Welterweight World Champion

"I realize there is a lot of love/hate going on here. Tell me one thing I haven't already heard. People who loved me left me. I have been through a bunch of bull. I am facing one of the best fighters of all of time. That was a dream of mine since I was a little kid. I am not supposed to be here according to statistics.

"I am newly crowned [champion] and I am not ready to give that up.

"It's not a challenge when you are a champion.

"I have to thank my team for motivating me. The times they wanted me to go to war, I went to war. Mayweather is a beast, but I'm a monster. If Mayweather wants to box, I will box. If he wants to bang, I will bang.

"At the end of the day, I am walking away from this fight with that championship. I'll be damned if someone is going to take that away from me.

"This is a dream to me. I am not going to put this dream down. I am going to run with it as long as I can. I want to be like Bernard Hopkins and hold my title for as long as I can.

"I don't need to match Mayweather word for word. I am not a talker. I never have been. At the end of the day, we are going to have gloves and my punches are not as soft as my words.

"I am Mexican to the fullest and I am going to show the world how the Mexicans roll.

"I am tired of hearing that he is fighting Manny Pacquiao next. He is fighting me next!"

"On September 17, there is going to be a repeat of what happened on July 7, 1985, when Roger Mayweather fought Julio Cesar Chavez."

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO, Mayweather Promotions

"This is another Mayweather experience.

"This is going to be the biggest fight of this year.

"Floyd Mayweather doesn't need much of an introduction. He is the biggest star in the sport. He is the biggest attraction in the sport. He is the best fighter on the planet.

"Talk doesn't win fights. Skills do. Last [time] I checked, there was only one undefeated fighter on this dais.

"Mayweather has been the best in the sport since day one. He has been the biggest star in this sport since day one.

"He [Mayweather] is a Six-Time World Champion in Five Weight Divisions and he is back."

RICHARD SCHAEFER, CEO, Golden Boy Promotions

"This is going to be a real fight. It is a dangerous fight for both fighters.

"Year after year, Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions have put together the biggest fights of the year.

"Victor Ortiz has been surrounded by the same team. He believes in them and they believe in them. There is a friendship and a mutual respect there and that is the reason that they keep going from victory to victory.

"I have to applaud Floyd for taking the fight with Victor Ortiz. He might have just challenged himself too much because he hasn't fought in 16 months. Victor Ortiz was active. He is 10 years younger. He can hurt Floyd Mayweather. He has the power and that is the story line. Is the star, the undefeated Mayweather going to remain undefeated, or is the power going to put a stop to that?"

DANNY GARCIA, Ortiz's Trainer

"Floyd Mayweather is one of the greatest champions ever, but I have the current champion and on September 17 I will have the best pound-for-pound fighter.

"We are going to work very hard, we are going to have a good plan and fight a great fight. We expect Floyd to give a great fight too.

"We want to dedicate this fight to the Mexican people.

"About two months ago we became the welterweight champion of the world and we felt amazing. We will feel even more special when we become the pound-for-pound champion on September 17."

ROLANDO ARELLANO, Ortiz's Manager

"We are not making boxing history, we are making sports history. We would like to thank Floyd Mayweather for giving a young lion an opportunity to take over his pound-for-pound kingdom.

"On September 17, we will declare war on Mayweather and Mayweather will declare war on us.

"This fight is one the greatest fight in the history of boxing. It is going to have a local impact, a regional impact, a national impact and a global impact. If you live on the moon, when Ortiz knocks out Mayweather you will about hear it.

"Victor Ortiz will change the course of boxing history, just as the Mexican warriors have before him."

BOB HALLORAN, Director of Sports, MGM Resorts International

"It took 16 months for Floyd to go 10 min away [from home].

"This is the biggest turnout of media and fans since guess when? The last time Floyd was in New York City.

"Regardless of whom you are rooting for, one man made this fight happen [Mayweather]. The reason he [Ortiz] is here is because he is a world champion, and this man elected him to be his next opponent.

"Mayweather is a minus 750 favorite and Ortiz is a plus 525 underdog."

(ALL PHOTOS BY;KEISHA MORRISEY EXCEPT PROMOTIONAL PICTURE)
♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Bout Card Announced for the GBC on July 15th at The Buckhead Theatre‏

Sports Fan Properties & Shea Bailey Promotions present the Georgia Boxing Championship on July 15, 2011 at The Buckhead Theatre. The Georgia Boxing Championship is a Vegas-style professional boxing series that features the best pro boxers from Georgia and around the Southeast and is presented by Tecate, Chevrolet, 680 The Fan & Xfinity.

Some of the biggest names and prospects will be competing in the Georgia Boxing Championship at The Buckhead Theatre on July 15th. Including, welterweight Paul “The Truth” Delgado and light welterweight Nicole “Notorious” Woods. Paul will be making his first return to the ring since his IBF World Welterweight Title fight in Slovenia this past February and Nicole, a former world title fight competitor, Atlanta native and Atlanta Firefighter will top the card.




Paul Delgado (25-10-1) vs Luis Galarza (16-2)? Welterweight 8 Rds (MAIN EVENT)
Nicole Woods (11-8-1) vs Elesia Moreno (1-1)? Light Welterweight 4 Rds
Dino Dumonjic (4-1) vs Jared Robinson (5-0)? Light Welterweight 4 Rds
Winston Mathis (7-4) vs Chris Gray (13-16)? Welterweight 6 Rds
Clinton Hester (1-3-1) vs Nick White (Debut)? Cruiserweight 4 Rds
Keandrea Leatherwood (7-0) vs Martez Barnes (1-0)? Middleweight 4 Rds
Chris Jordan (4-4) vs Quinton Rankin (2-0)? Cruiserweight 4 Rds
Ghislain Ntsikoto (1-1) vs Michael Wicker (Debut)? Middleweight 4 Rds
Jeremiah Adams (Debut) vs Larry Depeyster (Debut)? Super Middleweight 4 Rds

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

McBride faces long odds against undefeated Wach‏

Six years ago, Kevin McBride stood in front of a pack of skeptical reporters and promised to hit Mike Tyson so hard the former undisputed heavyweight champion would feel like he was hit by the “whole of Ireland.”

Fans and experts scoffed, but McBride delivered, ending Tyson’s career with a sixth-round knockout that remains one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.

As he prepares for his latest test July 29th, 2011 against undefeated Polish heavyweight Mariusz Wach, McBride – now 38 – is channeling the same swagger he brought to the ring six years ago Tyson, again looking to land a blow powerful enough to reverberate through the streets of his native Clones, Ireland.

“Hopefully, I can connect,” McBride said, “and the Irish will be singing again.”

Three months removed from a unanimous decision loss to former cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek, McBride (35-9-1, 29 KOs) will face Wach (24-0, 12 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) International heavyweight title in the 12-round main event of “Heat Wave,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. McBride’s bout against Wach is one of two title fights on July 29th; Elvin Ayala (23-5-1, 11 KOs) of New Haven, Conn., will battle former two-time world champion Israel “Pito” Cardona (36-10, 28 KOs) of Hartford in the 10-round co-feature for the vacant WBC U.S. National Boxing Council (USNBC) middleweight title, a belt once held by former world champions Paul Williams and Lamont Peterson.

Once again, McBride faces long odds; Wach is a shade taller at 6-foot-7 ½ and is also seven years younger than his opponent. Originally from Krakow, Poland, Wach now trains in North Bergen, N.J., under the tutelage of Juan and Carlos De Leon, who are famous for their work with undefeated heavyweight “Baby” Joe Mesi.

Though he’s admittedly unfamiliar with the WBC International title and its illustrious history – Wladimir Klitschko, Oliver McCall and John Ruiz are among a prestigious list of former champions – McBride is well aware of what a victory could mean as his career draws to a close. More than half of the fighters who’ve won this belt have gone on to win a major world title, and the winner on July 29th might get an opportunity to add to that list.

For McBride, it’s now or never; despite beating Tyson, he’s never fought for a major world title. After getting knocked out by Andrew Golota in 2007, he took three years off before returning to the ring last summer against journeyman Zack Page. McBride hasn’t had much success in his comeback, winning only once in four tries within the past year, but he knows it only takes one punch to shock the world and take his career to new heights.

“Every fighter has a dream,” McBride said. “I want to be the second Cinderella story of this century. Everyone counted out [former two-time world heavyweight champion] George Foreman [against Michael Moorer in 1994] and he came back and won a world title when he was 45 years old.

“Foreman proved the last thing that leaves you is your power. I don’t have any particular strategy; I’m just trying to catch him on his chin and prove I’m a better fighter. Don’t leave your seat too quickly, because anything can happen at any given second.”

Ranked No. 13 in the WBC, Wach – who recently signed a multi-year promotional agreement with CES in association with Global Boxing Promotions – began working with the De Leon brothers six weeks ago in hopes of becoming a more versatile boxer, not just a puncher with exceptional power.

“The De Leon brothers have been a great addition to my team,” Wach said. “The experience they have between them has given me a new dimension to my arsenal. Juan has helped improve my power by getting me to commit more to my punches. Carlos [a former four-time cruiserweight champion] has fought so many great fighters and has a world of wisdom to impart; it’s a great honor to have him with me. It’s also comforting to know that whatever situation arises, both men in my corner will have the answers waiting for me.”

“He’s learned a lot,” Juan De Leon said. “Whoever has seen him in the past, he looks nothing like he did eight weeks ago. What I’ve been doing is making sure he uses his distance. He’s tall, has a good jab, has tremendous power, footwork, flexibility – he has everything. My job is to put it all together.

“He was built to throw punches,” he added, “but now we’ve taught him how to move and how to cut off the ring. We’ve taught him to use every inch of the ring. He knows when to push and when to step back. He knows what to do when feels a little tired. When either my brother or I say something, he delivers right away. We’ve got a great team here and we’re excited about the opportunity of having a future world champion on our hands.”

Before he focuses on a world title, Wach must first deal with McBride, who has proven he can excel in the underdog role. The 6-foot-6 slugger became the youngest super heavyweight in Olympic history when he represented Ireland in the 1992 Summer Games, competing amongst a field that included former world-title contender Larry Donald and semifinalist Brian Nielson, who won the International Boxing Organization (IBO) heavyweight title in 1996.

“McBride isn’t the fastest fighter, but he’s very tough and smart,” Wach said. “I'm used to facing tall opponents, but what makes this fight different is that McBride has a lot of experience and doesn't give up easily. He took very strong punches from Mike Tyson and never gave up and never quit when Tomasz Adamek was out-boxing him, so I know I'm in for a good challenge.”

Unlike McBride, Wach understands the significance of the WBC International title and has one eye toward the future as he prepares for July 29th. The Klitschkos – both Wladimir and WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko – are waiting in the wings for whichever contender dares to challenge them next.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to fight for this title, because it brings me one step closer to a fight with one of the Klitschko brothers for the world title,” Wach said.

“I want the opportunity to fight the best in the world, but I know I must earn it first, and this is part of that. This belt is essential to my heavyweight championship dreams coming true. All the great fighters have won belts like this one before facing the legends of their day. The legends of my day have won this belt, and so will I.”

Whether or not Wach succeeds depends on McBride’s ability to land his trademark knockout punch. McBride isn’t interested in trying to outbox the taller, rangier Wach on July 29th; his goal is to connect squarely on the chin, perhaps with a blow strong enough to make an entire country feel the aftershock.

“He better watch out,” McBride said. “I’m going to go in there and take care of business. I fight with no fear. This guy is undefeated – God bless him – but I’m not here to lose. I’ve got 29 knockouts, so I must be doing something right.

“This is a great opportunity, and wherever there’s an opportunity, there’s a chance.”

The undercard of “Heat Wave” features Pawtucket, R.I., middleweight Thomas Falowo (3-0, 3 KOs) facing Russ Niggemyer (2-2, 2 KOs) of Hilliard, Ohio; New Haven welterweight Edwin Soto (6-0-1, 2 KOs) battling Jose Duran (6-5-2, 3 KOs) of Sarasota, Fla.; undefeated heavyweight Artur Spzilka of Poland (5-0, 3 KOs) facing Philadelphia’s David Williams (6-4-1, 2 KOs), and New Bedford, Mass., welterweight Johnathan Vazquez (4-0, 3 KOs) taking on Agustine Maurus of Lawrence, Mass., in Maurus’ debut. Cruiserweight Jose Torres of Springfield, Mass., will make his debut against Orion Sistrunk (5-25-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia; super middleweight Greg McCoy (2-3-1, 1 KO) of New Haven will fight in a separate four-round bout; and super middleweight Keith Kozlin (6-2, 4 KOs) of Warwick, R.I., will face Woonsocket’s Reynaldo Rodriguez (5-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round intrastate showdown. Also, former “The Contender” reality television star Jeff Fraza (17-3, 10 KOs) of Haverhill, Mass., will face Pawtucket, R.I., light middleweight Eddie Soto (12-2, 4 KOs) in a six-round bout. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Amanda "The Real Deal" Serrano vs. Karen Dulin SATURDAY - July 16, 2011 Resorts Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City

Amanda "The Real Deal" Serrano vs. Karen Dulin SATURDAY - July 16, 2011 Resorts Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

USBA heavyweight champ Maurice Harris seeks redemption July 16 title defense vs. Derric Rossy in Atlantic City

USBA heavyweight champ Maurice Harris seeks redemption July 16 title defense vs. Derric Rossy in Atlantic City

Much more than his title belt will be on line Saturday night , July 16 when USBA Heavyweight Champion Maurice “Sugar Moe” Harris makes his first defense against Derric“The Shaolin Fist” Rossy at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Harris needs to erase the memories of his last fight in order to keep his roller coaster-like career alive.

Harris (24-15-2, 10 KOs) was stopped in the third round by Tony “The Tiger” Thompson (36-2, 24 KOs) in May, live on ESPN Friday Night Fights in their IBF Box-Off.

“I was used to taking last minute fights and didn’t know how to handle two months of training for that fight,” Harris said.“I left it in the gym and on the roads running. That wasn’t me. I wanted to look so good fighting on television for my family and those supporting me. I put too much pressure on myself. I take nothing away from Tony Thompson. I respect him and he was the better man that night, but he was fouling (rabbit punches) me throughout the fight. No excuses, though, I blame myself. I’m a man. I know I need to focus on the task at hand and not worry about my last fight.”

The 35-year-old Harris, winner of the 2002 Thunderbox Heavyweight Tournament, has defeated world champions (Sergei Liakhovich) and challengers but he’s also lost to several club fighters during his up-and-down career.

“I was so confident Maurice would beat Thompson that I would have bet my house,”Harris’ promoter (Boxing 360 CEO/Founder) Mario Yagobi remarked.” His last fight was a fluke. Maurice was hit behind the head so many times that he had double, even triple vision. Otherwise he would have been able to have a much better performance. I know how talented he is and I believe in him.”

“No way Derrick Rossy beats Maurice, but he also needs to come back strong to show people that this is the real Moe, not the fighter people saw in his last fight. Maurice has it all over Rossy: boxing IQ and experience. He’s motivated because he needs to win. . His boxing career is at stake. There’s no place for him to go if he doesn’t win.”

Rossy (25-4, 14 KOs), rated No. 15 by the WBA, was a standout college football player at Boston College. He also lost in this year’s IBF Box-Off to Eddie Chambers by 12-round decision. His most significant victories have been versus former WBO champion and 1988 Olympic gold-medal winner Ray Mercer (DEC12) and world title challenger Carl David Drummond (DEC10)

“Rossy is a good fighter and it should be an interesting fight,” IBF No. 8 rated Harris commented. “I know he’s inexperienced – he’s been fighting six years and I’ve been doing this for 20 –and he makes a lot of mistakes. I need to beat him to get back where I was. He’s in my way and I don’t plan on giving up my belt.

Other members of Boxing 360’s stable include WBC #5 super bantamweight Leon “Hurry Up” Moore, former IBF super middleweight champion Alejandro “Naco” Berrio, unbeaten welterweight prospect Vitaliy “Demyan”Demyanenko WBC Caribbean & NY State super middleweight champion Lennox “2 Sharpe” Allen, Dominican lightweight champion Eudy “AK47” Bernardo, KO king Tyrone Brunson, heavyweight Mike Mollo, unbeaten NABF featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano, Nick “Hands of Gold” Casal, middleweight prospect DonYil Livingston, Joel Diaz Jr., and “King”David Estrada.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Peter ‘Kid Chocolate’ Quillin on mission

From the mean streets of Grand Rapids to living in New York and now Hollywood, undefeated middleweight prospect Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin is on the verge of boxing greatness, and is being talked about in boxing circles as being a fighter ready for a high-profile world title fight within a year.

Coming off of an explosive third-round destruction of former world title challenger Jesse Brinkley this past April for the USBO super middleweight title, Quillin (24-0, 18 KOs) will return to compete in his natural middleweight division in an old fashioned throw-down with veteran “Marvelous” Tarvis Simms (27-1-1, 11 KOs) in 10-round bout on the July 23 Amir Khan vs. Zab Judah undercard at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Quillin-Simms will be fought on the off-television portion of the event, while Khan vs. Judah headlines on HBO. “A fight is a fight and my time will come,” IBF # 5 rated Quillin said.“I put in the same effort to put on an impressive winning performance,” IBF #5 rated Quillin said. “The pressure last camp was to see how I would beat Brinkley. This time it’s Tarvis Simms and I’m training to destroy him.

“I’m never in a comfortable situation because, in boxing, you can always lose. I figure, why put in anything less than maximum effort in training?I’m trying to prove that I’m an elite, top-10 fighter and, even when I win a world title, I’m always going to be a hungry fighter because of where I come from.After my last fight I went right back in the Wild Card Gym training with Freddie Roach and Eric Brown.I’ve already started back training in the torture chamber (with strength-and-conditioning coach Brad Bose at Anatomi Gym in Santa Monica).”

The 40-year-old Simms is 12 years older than Quillin and the twin brother of two-time World Junior Middleweight Champion Travis Simms. His only loss was a 10-round decision to Allan Green two years ago, when he was a late replacement fighting for the first time in 14 months.

“What I’m looking for against Simms is rounds,” Quillin explained.“My last three fights were all four rounds or less.I had a first-round knockout in Quebec, followed by a fourth-round TKO, and then stopped a world title challenger in the third. Tarvis is 27-1-1 but he’s stepping-up to fight me, not the other way around. I met him and he’s a cool guy. I’m hoping that he’s preparing as hard as me to put in the rounds and showcase his talent. If he does, it will be an entertaining fight.”

No boxer appreciates being active more than “Kid Chocolate,” who was on the shelf for 18 months (2008-2010) with a broken hand, hairline fracture of his eye socket and emergency appendectomy.

“Boxing isn’t a job for me because I love it,” Quillin remarked.“I want to stay busy and active and I’m happy Golden Boy got me right back in the ring. I train hard, five hours a day, six days a week and that doesn’t include all of the running I do.I’m like old-time boxers who liked to fight all the time.I want to bring that back to boxing because fans appreciate and enjoy it.

“I was a street kid growing up in Grand Rapids. I never thought that I’d be anything in life.I learned from boxing that anything I do, I need to fight for it, in or out of the ring. That’s what gave me the courage to move to Brooklyn and then to California.I’ve been to so many different places because of boxing.I’m hungry to make it big. Boxing really saved my life.”

“Kid Chocolate” is continuing on his mission for excellence.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

No Holds Barred: M-1 Hits A Home Run, Boxing Strikes Out, ADCC and Catch Wrestling On Deck

No Holds Barred: M-1 Hits A Home Run, Boxing Strikes Out, ADCC and Catch Wrestling On Deck

http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2011-07-11T03_00_36-07_00

On this audio edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses the main lessons of the three main combat sports shows televised this weekend in the U.S.

The best of the three was the M-1 Challenge XXVI mixed martial arts card, which took place Friday, July 8, at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, and was telecast live on Showtime. In the main event, heavyweight M-1 contender Kenny "Deuce" Garner won by a second-round KO over Pat Bennett. In the co-main event of this card, which had five fights televised, Arthur Guseinov knocked out Tyson Jeffries with a picture-perfect spinning back fist in the first round of their middleweight fight.

The next best show was also on Showtime, but featured boxing. On Saturday, July 9, from Carson, California, Brandon Rios retained his WBA lightweight title with a third-round stoppage of Urbano Antillon in an all-out battle. Also, Carlos Molina upset Kermit Cintron, winning a clear-cut, 10-round unanimous decision in their junior middleweight bout.

The biggest disgrace occurred on the HBO-televised boxing card from Atlantic City, New Jersey, also on July 9. Junior middleweight Paul Williams was given a majority decision victory over Erislandy Lara in a fight which virtually no one except two of the judges thought Williams had won.

We thus discuss the significance of these three shows.

We also comment on some recent developments in grappling, including plans for the 2011 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championships, which take place September 24-25 in Nottingham, England, and the attempts to revive catch-as-catch-can wrestling as a real sport.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

No Holds Barred: George Kimball and the State of Boxing‏

On this audio edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman pays tribute to the noted sports and boxing journalist George Kimball (http://www.georgekimball.com).

After a long battle with esophageal cancer, George Kimball passed away Wednesday, July 6, at age 67, in New York.

While many reminiscences are being written about his life, we are focusing on his contributions to the battle for boxing reform. The lead boxing writer for the Boston Herald for 25 years, George was one of the few newspaper reporters who helped launch the Boxing Writers' Rankings Poll in 2000, and remained a registered voter in it until its demise some years later. We also read comments about his passing from Howie Sirota, who founded the Boxing Writers' Rankings Poll.

On October 18, 2008, we conducted an interview with George in Atlantic City before the Bernard Hopkins-Kelly Pavlik fight. We discussed the book he had just written, Four Kings: Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, Duran and the Last Great Era of Boxing (http://www.mcbooks.com/bookstore/product_details.php?id=739). This marvelous book traced the intertwined careers of Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, and Roberto Duran. We spoke with him right after he had participated in a forum on the book with trainer Emanuel Steward, promoter Bob Arum, and announcer Larry Merchant.

We also discussed with him why such an era of so many great rivalries can't happen today, why media coverage of boxing is harder to do today than it was in the past, the changed role of publicists, the decline of newspapers, the Internet and television and the future of boxing, and more. As part of our tribute to him, we replay that interview on No Holds Barred.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Brandon Bam Bam Rios Vs Urbano Antillon July 9 on Showtime

Brandon Bam Bam Rios Vs Urbano Antillon

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Big stakes for two fighters. Read compubox factors for Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara and watch the fight tonight at 10:15PM ET/PT only on HBO.

Williams Tonight at 10:15PM ET/PT
Williams vs. Lara
Redemption awaits. Watch a preview of Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEO_0gqwxo8&feature=youtu.be


♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

BRANDON RIOS vs. URBANO ANTILLON WBA lightweight championship Saturday, July 9

The undefeated Rios (27-0-1, 19 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., by way of Lubbock, Texas, will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title against Antillon in the main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader. Arguably the division’s most exciting fighter, Rios is coming off the biggest win of his career – a 10th round TKO of defending champion Miguel Acosta on Feb. 26 to capture the WBA title.

Antillon (28-2, 20 KOs), of Maywood, Calif., has given sensational performances in recent fights. In his last outing, he lost a controversial decision against World Boxing Council lightweight champ Humberto Soto last December in the consensus “Fight of the Year.” Though he lost to Soto, Antillon emerged from that fight a world-class contender.

In the co-main event, former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion Kermit Cintron (32-3-1, 28 KOs), of Carolina, Puerto Rico, will square off with Carlos Molina (18-4-2, 6 KOs), of Chicago, by way of Mexico, in a 10-round junior middleweight fight. The event is promoted by Top Rank.

BRANDON RIOS vs. URBANO ANTILLON WBA lightweight championship is underway, SHOWTIME Sports^® takes a look at some of the fighters’ most powerful punches and verbal jabs.
http://www.youtube.com/user/shosports?feature=mhee#p/u/0/AZ85l1hvM1s

BRANDON RIOS:

“Camp is going very well and I’m working with my new strength and conditioning coach. I know he (Antillon) has said the third time is a charm for a world title but in this manner it will not be a charm. He’s a helluva fighter and a tough challenger so we’re ready for the best. I’m just really happy to be fighting back in California again. I haven’t fought here since 2005. I just can’t wait to give the hometown fans what they came for and have paid to see - just two warriors going out. That’s exactly what they are going to get: two guys beating the crap out of each other.

“In the (Miguel) Acosta fight I think I showed the world that I have a lot of heart and that I love boxing a lot and that I love the business. After the first couple of rounds the way Acosta was doing his job, I kept to my game plan and I overcame it and I knocked him out. I think I impressed a lot of people. Two years ago I wasn’t doing the right things outside the ring, but I’ve changed my life around.”

What do you mean that Acosta was doing his job?

“What I mean by that is that he came in to fight. I was always doing my job. I’m pretty much a late starter. I was putting on the pressure from the start and we knew the first couple of rounds were going to be pretty hard because of the way he is. We knew that the momentum would shift as the rounds went on and I would get stronger. He was doing his job but I was just putting the pressure on more and following what my corner was telling me to do and I knew I would come out victorious.”

Can you describe the personality clash between you and Antillon?

“We were supposed to fight a year ago and unfortunately I got cut in sparring. He was running around saying I didn’t want to fight him and that I was chicken. He was just running his mouth and after awhile he just started to get to me. And then when this fight started he was doing it again, just running his mouth and talking all kinds of smack. At the press conference he mentioned my wife. Fighters shouldn’t bring families into it.

“I love it when I have a beef with my opponent. I needed something in the gym because lately it’s gotten a little boring. I have to have that little excitement, someone talking smack about me, someone doing this or that to me. I have to go to the gym mad so I can get a get a good workout and it’s not going to affect me during the fight. I love that. The gym was getting boring until this and now I’m ready to go out and handle my business.”

On watching the Antillon-Soto fight:

“I’ve been watching that fight. (Antillon) came out and showed a lot of heart. He came out and was determined to win that title, but Soto just out-punched him and out-classed him, I guess. To me, I think I hit harder than Soto so it’s going to be a different story. This is just going to be one helluva fight which the fans are going to love. I’m very excited to be fighting against someone who’s going to give me a war. That’s that stuff that drives me. That’s the stuff I live for. That’s why I love boxing. It’s something I can’t wait for.”

What fighters did you look up to when you were growing up?

“I looked up to Julio Cesar Chavez. I liked the way (Diego) Corrales fought. I liked the way Arturo Gatti fought. I liked the way Castillo fought. That’s the type of fighters I looked up. Even in the amateurs, those are the fighters that had I had a similar style with. I took a little bit of everything from Chavez.”

URBANO ANTILLON:

“Our training is going great. If you thought I was in great shape against Soto, I’m probably even in better shape this time. I’m in a different state of mind, a positive state of mind and just looking forward to this fight.

“I’m not feeling any sense of urgency. Are these chances to fight for a world title going to keep coming around? Probably not. But God works in mysterious ways and I have to think that more than ever I’m mentally, physically, emotionally ready to move forward and win this world title.

“I’m not going to change my style. I have boxed in the past but it wasn’t my first choice. It was just something that I had to do. It was more of a survival thing that I did. I made little tweaks here and there with Abel Sanchez and hopefully we’ll be able to adapt them into our game plan. That’s the plan. You’re going to see the best plan for a guy who is aggressive and comes forward.

“I don’t feel pressure whatsoever fighting at home. It won’t be my first time fighting at home and hopefully won’t be my last. It’s always been an honor and, if anything, very motivating. It’s always great to have people backing you up. Sometimes the water can get pretty deep so it’s always good to have people to pull you through those moments and give you that little extra push to come forward. I’ve always had great support from my hometown and hope to bring them a world championship.

“The difference between Humberto Soto and Brandon Rios is that Rios is not a mover, he’s not a boxer. If he tried to do that I’m sure he’s not going to do that great a job at it. You just don’t change things from day to night, I guess. If he wants to stand there in front of me he’s going to get hit. And the ones that have stayed there I’ve been breaking them down or knocking them out. Brandon Rios is nothing special. He’s no different than anyone else. We’re going to go in there with the mission to bring him in and break him down and come out with the victory.”

Is this a personal fight for you like it is for Rios?

“No, not at all. It’s kind of mind boggling the way he’s taken it. I did mention his wife but never in a way that should upset him. He can play victim to whatever he wants and say I said this or I said that. It doesn’t matter to me. But I know why I said it and I know my intentions behind it. He could take it personal but he’s nothing special. He’s just like any other opponent. It’s nothing personal to me except that he’s holding my world title and that’s the only thing personal behind it.”

“I was very surprised the way he reacted actually. I’ve never seen someone lose it like that in front of me so bad. It really took me back to my elementary school years being flipped off by a fifth-grader on the playground or something. It was something else and pretty funny to watch. I’m sure Oxnard and the City Council who gave him a key to the city are pretty proud of him that he reacted like that. He’s a great example to them and the community, I’m sure.”

How can you compare Soto with Rios?

“There’s not much to compare other than they’re both world champions. Soto’s a boxer, a mover and has better defense.”

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Rachel Donaire must reject worst coverup since Watergate

Rachel Donaire must reject worst coverup since Watergate
Michael Marley

Let’s say that Urbano Antillon comes up short in his third try for a world title at the Home Depot Center (Showtime) on Saturday night. Anyone out there think the Urbane One will excuse a defeat by saying he had a sore mistletoe going back to New Year’s Eve?

Btw, had it been an MMA event, David Haye could have kicked Wladimir Klitschko with his missle toe.

And, what if, Raging Bull style WBA champ Brandon Rios is dethroned somehow by the underdog? Anyone think rough and tumble “Bam Bam” will blame it on weak ankles?

No, I didn’t think so.

Like most punters, I’ve got a feeling Antillon-Rios will provide some bombs bursting in air on each fighter’s face but what if it’s just a good but not great scrap. On the other foot, coming on the (ouch) heels of Haye-WKlit, a mediocre match would be an upgrade for viewers.

But, hey, who told Haye to use the same podiatrist that Mr. Blister, Shane Mosley did?

For the rest of the year, I hope losing fighters can start citing injuries above the kneecap. Let’s give the lowest extremities a rest if you will.

How about some knee “ouchies” or some of the familiar baseball injury, some groin pulls? Or a fighter can claim bursitis in his shoulder like Sonny Liston did in the first bout against Cassius Clay?

Which reminds me, how come Ray “Windmill” White never had to have Tommy John surgery?

Good to hear about the impending remarriage between Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire and Bob Arum and the crew at Top Rank.

Hear they’re just finalizing the details and one important one is how Filipina Flasher, Nonito’s sexy wife Rachel, will have to dress during fight weeks, at press conferences and at ringside.

If you recall a peeved Mr. Arum got on his trumpet and accused Mrs. Donaire of dressing like a strumpet.

Arum was not a happy camper when he learned the Donaires had boarded the Good Ship Golden Boy.
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I’m hearing from fashion mavens that, while Rachel has rejected wearing a burqua, she is considering coming to the boxing events dressed as a nun.

“I’m just worried that such attire might be habit forming,” Rachel told a pal in Manila. “Not to mention that I never cared for the penguin look.”

Nunnery wear or what the round card girls wear?

What say you, red-blooded fight fans?

Do you want to see Mrs. Donaire wearing a frilly frock or some other such coverup?

That would be the worst coverup since Watergate.

Which reminds me, what happened to calling disasters “Suchandsuchgate” and so on?

We can label Haye-Klitschko, for historic purposes, Toegate.

Female fashion at ringside works best when less is more, don’t you think?

Well, at least the Donaire and Top Rank have the experiences of their starter marriage to lean in this promotional rematch.

On the serious side, have you noticed I’ve given both Pacquiao and Mayweather the past few days off?

Don’t want to be a Johnny One Note or a Johnny One Toe, for that matter.

It says here “Bam Bam” don’t surf and “Bam Bam” keeps his crown at the Home Depot
Center.

Would it be sarcastic to opine that Robert Garcia’s mouthy charge wants to “nail” Antillon at Home Depot?

Let’s just hope the fight is a lot more “Hammer Time” than what we saw (or in my case, luckily missed due to a fried cable box, thank you Comcast) in Hamburg last weekend.

Haye-Klitschko wasn’t prime heavyweight beef. It was really liver worst.

Ok, don’t forget to tip your waitresses on the way out.

They perform with sore toes and never explain, never complain.


♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.