No Holds Barred: Keisha Morrisey on the Agbeko-Mares Refereeing Disgrace

On this audio edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with our colleague and correspondent Keisha Morrisey.

In the August 13 bantamweight title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, between Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares, referee Russell Mora let Mares land countless low blows without even deducting a point, much less disqualifying him. In the eleventh round, Mora even counted for a knockdown after Agbeko went down from a clear shot to the groin by Mares. This was one of the worst refereeing jobs in modern boxing history, and made the majority decision victory awarded to Mares virtually meaningless.

Outrage has been virtually unanimous among those who saw the fight (except, of course, from the referee), and many are calling for an immediate rematch, as well as nullifying the decision. The New Jersey commission suspended all three judges after their absurd decision in the Lara-Williams fight earlier this year, so it will be instructive to see what action if any the Nevada commission takes regarding Mora.

We spoke by phone late Saturday night right after the Agbeko-Mares fight with Keisha Morrisey. We discussed the refereeing in this fight, what it says about the continuously declining state of boxing, what should be done next, and much more.

CONTROVERSY IN LAS VEGAS‏- Post-Fight Press Links
Controversy looms over Las Vegas (and it smells like stale beer) after inexplicable officiating--which went beyond mere incompetence--marred the main event of the Bantamweight Tournament Final at the Hard Rock on Saturday night.

Please see links, below, to the first of what will certainly be many descriptions and accounts of something that went horribly wrong.

Alan Hopper
DKP

Yahoosports.com – by Kevin Iole
http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=Auj16BtN1cc5t0cAZ.YnaAOUxLYF?slug=ki-iole_mares_beats_Agbeko_controversy_081311

Controversy erupts as Abner Mares wins bantamweight belt from Joseph Agbeko
Immediate rematch likely on tap after unsatisfying finish to Showtime tournament
Las Vegas Sun - By Case Keefer
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/14/abner-mares-controversy-joseph-agbeko/

Abner Mares beats Joseph Agbeko for world title
Challenger from Hawaiian Gardens is the new International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion by majority decision.

The Los Angeles Times - By Lance Pugmire
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-boxing-mares-abeko-20110814,0,2490395.story?track=rss

Mora taints Mares victory over Agbeko, ruins good fight
RingTV.craveonline.com – Doug Fischer and Mike Rosenthal
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/168561-mora-taints-mares-victory-over-agbeko-ruins-good-fight-

Looked Like Ref Russell Mora Beat Joseph Agbeko
The Sweet Science – By Michael Woods
http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/13107-russell-mora-beats-joseph-agbekostay-tuned-for-avila-from-ringside

In a great action fight Saturday marred by puzzling officiating by the referee that left fans at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, those watching on SHOWTIME® and the telecast team themselves totally perplexed, Abner Mares won The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title with a majority 12-round decision over defending IBF titlist Joseph King Kong Agbeko.

The unbeaten Mares (22-0-1, 13 KOs), of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., scored two knockdowns – one in the first and one in the 11th that was one hotly disputed – en route to outpointing the New York-based Agbeko (28-3, 22 KOs) of Ghana by the scores of 115-111 twice and 113-113.

But talk afterward centered less on the terrific performances of the talented, proud prizefighters and more on the referee, Russell Mora, whose failure to deduct a point from the winner despite at least five warnings for low blows and several other shots that seemed south of the border left many in disbelief.

During the telecast, SHOWTIME ringside analyst Antonio Tarver said, “Mora robbed all of us of a great fight.’’

There were 1,394 punches thrown in a give-and-take slugfest. Mares connected on 318 of 732, Agbeko on 318 of 732.

“I thought the first knockdown was clear,’’ said Mares, who made history by becoming the first homegrown Golden Boy Promotions boxer to capture a world title. “On the second I hit him on the belt and the ref chose to give him a count. I agree with the ref’s choice.

“I like to work the body but I was making the fight and all he did was counter-punch.

“I’m open to fight anybody (next). I love this tournament and would love to be in another one like this.’’

Said Agbeko, who demanded an immediate rematch, “I felt as though I was fighting two opponents in the ring tonight, Abner Mares and the referee. The referee ruled incorrectly on the knockdowns and he allowed Mares to hit me low repeatedly. Then, in the 11th, he called what everyone could see was another obvious low blow a knockdown.

“I don’t why these things happened to me. I felt the ref was against me from the start. All I wanted was a fair fight.

“I like Abner. He’s a good fighter. But I’m sure he didn’t want to win a fight this way.’’

A 12-round fight promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions will re-air this week as follows:Tuesday, Aug. 16, 10:30 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME

Saturday’s fight will be available ON DEMAND beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 16.

♔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.

WOMEN’S BOXING SUPERSTAR KALIESHA WEST WILL DEFEND HER WBO TITLE ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 20

Kaliesha “Wild Wild” West (12-1-3, 4-KO’s) will take on Mexico’s Jessica Villafranca (12-2-0, 6-KO’s) in a 10-round WBO Female Bantamweight championship battle at the Black Pyramid Casino in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. The bout will be aired on Mexico’s Televisa network at 8:00 PM, CT as part of the HG Boxing’s “Triple Corona” card.

♔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.

All Boxing Fans Meet Jake LaMotta at Ring 10's "1st Annual Fundraiser, Saturday, August 27th, 2011, 1:00pm-6:00pm at Russo's on the Bay ‏

All Boxing Fans Meet Jake LaMotta at Ring 10's "1st Annual Fundraiser" Saturday, August 27th, 2011, 1:00pm-6:00pm at Russo's on the Bay 162-45 Crossbay Blvd,Howard Beach, NY 11414

It has been 60 years since Robinson vs. LaMotta met in the ring for the 6th and final time.
won 83 (KO 30) + lost 19 (KO 4) + drawn 4 = 106
rounds boxed 870 KO% 28.3

Robinson vs. LaMotta: "The Second St. Valentine's Day Massacre" The sensational middleweight title bout between Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta on February 14, 1951, went down in Chicago boxing lore as “the second St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.”

The sensational middleweight title bout between Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta on February 14, 1951, went down in Chicago boxing lore as "the second St. Valentine's Day Massacre." Reprinted from Heydays: Great Stories in Chicago Sports (c) by Christopher Tabbert

*******SAVE THE DATE*******


RING 10
Veterans Boxing Foundation
Of New York
1st Annual Fundraiser
Saturday, August 27th, 2011
1:00pm-6:00pm
Russo's on the Bay
162-45 Crossbay Blvd,Howard Beach, NY 11414, 718-843-5055

Celebrities to be in attendance:
Jake LaMotta, Holt McCallany: star of "Lights Out"
Tony DeMarco,Earnie Shavers, Kevin Rooney
Iran Barkley, Vito Antuofermo, Bert Sugar
Aaron "Superman"Davis, Heavyweight contender Lou Savarese

Plus many more, and a surprise current Champion of the World!

Enjoy a complete brunch with cocktail hour upon entry, followed by dinner and dessert. Top shelf open bar.

Silent Auction: one-of-a-kind boxing memorabilia

Tickets: $125 each

$150 after August 10th

Remit early for favorable seating

Make checks payable to:Ring 10



Mail to: 30 Bowdon Rd, Greenlawn, NY11740



For more information, contact Matt: 631-948-6028


******************************



♔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.

Michael Katsidis blasts Michael Lozada away in three rounds in super lightweight bout‏

Michael Katsidis blasts Michael Lozada away in three rounds in super lightweight bout; By; ‏Petra Kirsch - Gelsenkirchen

Michael Katsidis' homecoming was a hellacious one as he inflicted a sustained beating to the midsection of Michael Lozada who was eventually halted in the third round of a super lightweight (10 stones/ 140lbs) contest in Australia's Gold Coast on Saturday, August 13. A win was a mandatory requirement for "The Great" Katsidis who had suffered two successive losses to Juan Manuel Marquez and then Robert Guerrero.

A win was a formality for Katsidis as Lozada, despite his pre-fight record of 38-8-1, 30ko, had already been kayoed in six rounds in 2010 by the relatively light-hitting Paulie Malignaggi and sustained a first round knockout to defeat to Pier Olivier Cote earlier this year.

Katsidis, meanwhile, despite being widely regarded as a Las Vegas favourite due to his thunderous performances, even in defeat, has to notch up another W on his resume following the aforementioned defeats. Against Guerrero, Katsidis' best round came late in the fight when he began inflicting a number of heavy-handed hook shots to each side of Guerrero's body and it was this tactic that was again adopted against Lozada.

The Australian, who had not fought in front of his home fans since 2006, felt his opponent out early in the first round but following an opening exchange began targeting Lozada's body. In the second round, the 30-year-old - considered a game gatekeeper from the lightweight pool - went headhunting as he caught Lozada flush with an overhand right. Lozada was even felled later in the second round but the referee - Adrian Cairns - deemed it a slip.

The ending finally came in the third round as Lozada failed to make Cairns' count after a severe body-beating from Katsidis. With victory, Katsidis rose to 28-4-0, 23ko and, following the fight, mentioned that his motivation for his barnstorming performance was fighting in front of his family, friends, Australian fans as well as stepping-up to the 140lb weight limit.

Katsidis is now hoping to secure lucrative contests at the new weight, including a bout against Lozada's countryman - three-weight world champion Erik Morales.
In an upset on the undercard, journeyman Jack Asis (24-18-4, 13ko) recorded a second round knockout over world-ranked (IBF; 15) bantamweight Nestor Rocha (23-3-0, 8ko); a former world title challenger.

♔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.

Paddy Monahan, lets get him into theInternational Boxing Hall of Fame (I.B.H.O.F.)‏

Please read this amazing article on Paddy Monaghan, he is the greatest bare kunckle boxer ever, Paddy won 114 fights from 1962 to 1980 with nothing but hand wraps. He was the last bare knuckle champion in the modern era to fight with out gloves and not loose a match.

Here is his story... http://www.fightsaga.com/news/item/1084-Paddy-Monaghan-The-Greatest-Bareknuckle-Boxer-Ever

Let's get this man inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Alan Santana
World Boxing Federation
North America U.S.A.
West Coast Regional Coordinator/ Supervisor
1.310.834.9522
Santana@WorldBoxingFederation.net


♔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.

Fan favorite Sonya Lamonakis will be on The DiBella Entertainment, Broadway Boxing show on August 20th in Worcester, Ma.

Hands That Punch Also Gently Guide
By COREY KILGANNON Published: June 11, 2011

GLOVES OFF Sonya Lamonakis trains at Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn. She is a professional boxer.

AT 5-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Sonya Lamonakis has a stinging left hook. She is the Women’s International Boxing Association’s third-ranked heavyweight, and has all but assured herself a chance to fight for the world title after beating the 300-pound GiGi Jackson in a six-round bout in April.

But her powerful fists become soft, instructive instruments in her day job, as a teacher at the Family Academy, a public elementary school in Harlem.

“Ms. Lamonakis hits big ladies and knocks them down,” said Shyanne Spencer, 8, in describing what her teacher does during time off.

Ms. Lamonakis, 36, teaches technology classes during the day and heads to Brooklyn every day after school for her training sessions, which often include a round-trip run across the Brooklyn Bridge. But at some moments of the day, her identities collide; while on lunch duty, she often catches herself shadow boxing while sparring in her head.

“I’m never going to quit my job,” she said. “I consider teaching my job and boxing my hobby. I didn’t go to college for eight years to be a boxer.”

Ms. Lamonakis will not book a fight unless it fits into her school schedule, she said. In February, she turned down a fight because she had promised to take students on a field trip. Her first professional fight, in Worcester, Mass., fell on a school night. Ms. Lamonakis knocked out her 21-year-old opponent and hopped in her car and drove back to New York City; she was on time for school the next morning.



“The main thing is that she never comes back injured,” Diana Diaz, the principal of the Family Academy, said. She allows Ms. Lamonakis some schedule flexibility when she is preparing for a fight. And fight results are always posted in the main office and delivered with the morning announcements, Ms. Diaz said, “when the public address system’s working.”

On a recent weekday, during a technology class for third graders, Ms. Lamonakis unlocked a metal cabinet and handed out laptops. While she tended to a student, several others fidgeted and began straying from their desks. Ms. Lamonakis seemed to be monitoring the classroom peripherally, the way a champion boxer might size up her position in the ring while tangling with her opponent.

“Girls, have a seat — too much movement for me,” she said.

Her students are intensely interested in her boxing career, and she uses it as a teaching point.

“I always tell them that it’s good to dream but that it’s important to get their education, so they have something important to fall back on,” she said.

At the end of class, Shyanne asked, “Do you still lose sometimes?”

She laughed and said, “Not in a long time.”

After school that day, she headed straight to Gleason’s Gym for a two-hour training session of sparring, shadow-boxing, conditioning and hitting the punching bags and mitts.

“Sometimes teaching is more tiring than training,” she said with a laugh as she drove over the Brooklyn Bridge. “Driving in the car is my recovery time.”

At Gleason’s, while shirtless, glistening men pounded heavy bags, skipped rope and shadow boxed before mirrors, Ms. Lamonakis changed into shorts and a T-shirt and climbed into a ring. With her hands wrapped and gloved, training began.

Ms. Lamonakis was born in Greece and grew up in Turners Falls, Mass., working long hours at her family’s grocery store and diner. She played field hockey and softball at Springfield College in Massachusetts and began teaching while studying for one of her two master’s degrees.

Ms. Lamonakis took up boxing on a lark, at the advanced age of 27. After being invited to a boxing gym, she found she was immediately hooked, and within three months she was competing throughout New England, sweeping major tournaments.

But after her boyfriend was killed in 2005, she moved to New York to try “starting over” and landed a job as a city schoolteacher. She began training at Gleason’s and almost instantly established herself as the top amateur heavyweight in the city, becoming a four-time New York Golden Gloves champion and twice capturing the national title. Since turning pro last year, she has won all five of her fights.

Known as the Scholar — both for her master’s degrees and her strategic boxing style — Ms. Lamonakis has handled many larger, stronger and younger opponents by ducking jabs and working her way inside their punching zones, and then landing short body punches.

“She’s not just strong and aggressive — she’s strong and aggressive and smart,” said Don Saxby, one of her trainers at Gleason’s. “Her aggression is premeditated.”

Ms. Lamonakis has gained a loyal following of family and friends, as well as teachers, students and their parents. Some of them — including one of the school’s assistant principals, Eve Navarro, even show up at her out-of-town bouts. Other supporters, full of cultural pride, show up waving Greek flags, the blue and white matching her boxing trunks.

“All Greeks are fighters,” she said with a laugh. “We’re Spartans. We have it in our blood.”

♔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.

David Tua Outpointed by Monte Barrett in Dramatic Rematch

David Tua Outpointed by Monte Barrett in Dramatic Rematch
by Scott Christ

38-year-old David Tua and 40-year-old Monte Barrett may not have delivered a beauty this morning in New Zealand, but they delivered roughly five thousand times more drama than did Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye in their mega-hyped July fight. Barrett survived a dramatic late rally by Tua to hang on for the unanimous decision victory.

Barrett (35-9-2, 20 KO) won on scores of 115-112, 115-112, and 114-113. Bad Left Hook scored it 116-111 for Barrett, who easily controlled the first six rounds of the fight and had Tua (52-4-2, 43 KO) looking like he had absolutely nothing at all left in the tank.

On that note, I will say that Tua doesn't look like he physically has a lot more left, and if you hadn't already written him off as a serious contender (or potential serious contender), you can do that. But I can say with all sincerity that Tua still has a lot of heart left, and in the second half of the fight, with it clear that he couldn't keep up in a boxing match with Barrett, Tua threw caution to the wind and went for the home run.

In the 12th round, he nearly got it. Tua floored Barrett hard on a pair of big shots, and for a moment, it didn't seem that Barrett would get up. But the American veteran made it to his feet, and had about 45 seconds left in the fight that he had to survive. He basically mustered everything he had left in his body to tie Tua up and try to keep the charging Samoan bulldog at bay, and while he barely made it out of the fight, he did indeed make it out.

David Tua vs Monte Barrett II - Round 12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGVIq52HpCI&feature=player_embedded#at=315

After the fight, Barrett said he was looking to take a vacation instead of looking for a third fight with Tua, but Tua stated that he wanted the third bout, and says he has no intention to retire. If Tua is just looking to take this level of fight, I say there's absolutely a place for David Tua in today's boxing world. The fights may not be the most significant, but he's still among the more entertaining heavyweight fighters out there.

Barrett, who says he wants to start a career in WWE (it's not happening, and I won't start the lengthy list of reasons why it wouldn't be a success), has really made something of a turnaround with his career. He's been effectively shot for a long time, at least in terms of being compared to what he was at his peak. But he just keeps fighting as hard as he can when he gets out there. If you had told me back in 2007 that Barrett would be winning even this level fight in 2011, I'd have taken that bet and given you great odds. But here he is. It's not the most important win, but it's a big win for Monte Barrett.

♔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.

David Tua vs Monte Barrett Saturday August 13, SKY ARENA (channel 038) and SKY ARENA HD (channel 039) from 7

SKY ARENA is delighted to announce boxing expert Mike Angove and boxing commentator Clint Brown will be calling the fight between David Tua and Monte Barrett and the undercard fights at the TelstaClear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau, Auckland on August 13th.

Angove, who called the Sonny Bill Williams vs Alipate Liava 'a heavyweight bout in the Clash For Canterbury in June, says Barrett needs to keep his composure and not get carried away by the fact that he knocked David Tua down in their last fight.

“He really needs to stick to the game plan, fight smart and outbox Tua over the 11 or 12 rounds and then wait for Tua to make a mistake like he did last fight”

Clint Brown, one of New Zealand’s most talented sports broadcasters … says there is plenty of talent coming through in some of the undercard fights.

“New Zealand’s Joseph Parker is trying to box his way to the London Olympics next year.... so should be a great fight night”

The main event between David Tua and Monte Barrett won’t start before 10pm on the night.

The Tua vs Barrett fight can be seen on SKY ARENA (channel 038) and SKY ARENA HD (channel 039) for $29.95. The HD service will only be available to MY SKY HDi subscribers with an HD Ticket. To book now call 0800 759 758.

Saturday August 13, SKY ARENA (channel 038) and SKY ARENA HD (channel 039) from 7pm

David Tua vs Monte Barrett "Weigh in" - Saturday, 13 August, 2011, at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre - No trash talk, no fighting words, this is serious for both fighters. Both Tua and Barrett took to the scales with big intentions. Barrett weighed in at 100.9kg, while Tua tipped the scales at 110.8kg.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpoONRKZwes&sns=fb

♔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.

SHO Sports News Brief with Al Bernstein from The Bantamweight Tournament Final Press Conference‏

SHO Sports News Brief: Al Bernstein Reports from The Bantamweight Tournament Final Press Conference LIVE on SHOWTIME® Saturday, Aug. 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)
Both Joseph King Kong Agbeko and Abner Mares are predicting a tough, entertaining clash Saturday, Aug. 13 in The Bantamweight Tournament Final: Winner Takes All live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). SHOWTIME announcer Al Bernstein caught up with the 118-pounders yesterday at the final press conference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX7AjTOue5c

Agbeko, of Bronx, N.Y., by way of Accra, Ghana, will bring a record of 28-2 with 22 KOs into the 12-round bout. Mares, of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., by way of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, is 21-0-1 with 13 stoppages. The highly anticipated matchup for Agbeko’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title and the promising, unbeaten Mares’ World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver championship belt will take place at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.

♔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.

Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares both gunning for 118lb glory - 'Boxing’s little guys make the best fights'

Denzil Stone - Atlantic City
The Showtime-organised Winner Takes All: Bantamweight Tournament is set to conclude on Saturday, August 13, with both participants, Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares, determined to take the competition crown, the IBF title at 118lbs and the accolade of the division's finest. Mares pledged to put on a clinic and claimned that boxing's "little guys put on the best fights".

"I feel great," King Kong Agbeko, who withdrew from the original bout scheduled earlier in the year due to suffering a sciatic nerve attack, explained to the media recently. "I was never afraid that I would not fight again. I was surprised a thing like this could happen to me, but I knew in my heart that my career was not going to end this way. I mostly felt very bad that our first fight could not come off as scheduled.
"I have trained for nine weeks and my camp was excellent. At no point did I feel weak and now it is all behind my and I am focusing on Mares," said the Ghanian prizefighter.
"There is no way I am going to lose this fight," added Agbeko (28-2-0, 22ko), the current incumbent of the IBF championship title due to a decision win over Yonnhy Perez in the semi-final last year. "I don’t watch a lot of tape on my future opponents and I have only seen a few rounds of Mares’ fight against Yhonny Perez, but I know he is a very good, fast, aggressive fighter with a big future in this sport.
"I have prepared for everything he brings. He may be the one running in this fight."
The 31-year-old continued: "I am the only champion in boxing now from Ghana and I plan to continue to carry the torch from Azumah Nelson [former three-time world champion]. The winner deserves to be recognized as the number one bantamweight in the world."

Mares (21-0-1, 13ko), known for his swift fists and undefeated record, said: "It was difficult for me when our fight was cancelled, but eventually I got over it. I took a few weeks off and then was back in the gym. My camp was different this time around. We changed it up, first when I was in Mexico and then when I was in Santa Fe Springs [California], just so I wouldn’t get stale.
"This camp went by fast and now my training’s done," added the Mexican, a 25-year-old who defeated Vic Darchinyan in the semi-final stage in order to set up the finale with Agbeko. "I’m in great shape and very excited about fighting on Saturday. I’m totally focused and ready to explode. I believe the winner of this tournament should be called the top bantamweight in the world.
"A chance to become the first homegrown Golden Boy world champion is very exciting to me. I definitely would like to be the first, but I don’t feel any nervous pressure.
"I’m really grateful for everyone involved in making this fight happen and for this tournament. Everyone knows that boxing’s little guys make the best fights. Fans are in for a real treat on Saturday."

♔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.

MORALES VS. MATTHYSSE AND VARGAS VS. LOPEZ ADDED TO "STAR POWER" FIGHT CARD‏

ERIK MORALES VS. LUCAS MATTHYSSE AND JESSIE VARGAS VS. JOSESITO LOPEZ ADDED TO "STAR POWER: MAYWEATHER VS. ORTIZ" FIGHT CARD, OFFICIALLY MAKING SEPTEMBER 17 THE BIGGEST NIGHT IN THE BOXING UNIVERSE


"STAR POWER" LIVES UP TO ITS NAME AS SEPTEMBER 17 PAY-PER-VIEW EXTRAVAGANZA INCLUDES THREE TITLE FIGHTS FROM TWO SITES IN ONE NIGHT

The "STAR POWER: Mayweather vs. Ortiz" pay-per-view telecast is now complete with four star-studded fights from two sites all taking place Saturday, September 17 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions announced today that Erik Morales vs. Lucas Matthysse and Jessie Vargas vs. Josesito Lopez have been added to the mega-event, which is being produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®.



The out-of-this-world night of boxing will kick-off with a super lightweight bout featuring undefeated rising star Vargas in his HBO Pay-Per-View debut against hard-hitting Lopez, followed by the first of the night's three world title fights as Mexican boxing legend Morales will face power punching Argentine Matthysse for the WBC Super Lightweight World Championship. The pay-per-view telecast will then go live to STAPLES Center in Los Angeles with Mexican boxing phenom Canelo Alvarez taking on Alfonso Gomez for the WBC Super Welterweight World Championship, followed by the main event welterweight championship mega-fight, Floyd Mayweather vs. Victor Ortiz, live from Las Vegas.

Fans in attendance at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas will be able to see the Alvarez vs. Gomez fight live, while those in attendance at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles will see Mayweather vs. Ortiz live. Following the showing of Mayweather vs. Ortiz at STAPLES Center, fans in attendance will see two special post-fight concerts performed by Los Tucanes de Tijuana and El Gran Silencio.

"The addition of Morales vs. Matthysse and Vargas vs. Lopez to the September 17 fight card makes 'STAR POWER' without a doubt the biggest night of boxing in 2011," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. "Mayweather Promotions is very excited about Jessie Vargas' pay-per-view debut on such a huge event to really get his name out there and show the world what he can do."

"Now that we have a complete pay-per-view card, the stage is set for the world to witness a real supernova of boxing," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "Three title fights in one night is something that we are very proud to bring to boxing fans around the world. Each of these championship fights could stand alone as their own main event and fans will be able to experience them all in one night. Adding undefeated Jessie Vargas in his pay-per-view debut and the legendary Erik Morales, who is fighting to make history as the first Mexican boxing warrior to win world titles in four weight classes, really strengthens the entire 'STAR POWER' event."

A three-division world champion and future Hall of Famer, Erik "El Terrible" Morales (51-7, 35 KO's) ruled the boxing landscape for years, thrilling fans with his classic battles against Manny Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barrera, Paulie Ayala, Wayne McCullough and In-Jin Chi. But when he returned from a nearly three year layoff in 2010, many wondered if the Tijuana native still had what it took to compete with the elite. Those questions were answered loud and clear with a three fight winning streak in 2010 and a Fight of the Year candidate in April of 2011, when he went to war for 12 rounds with Marcos Maidana before losing a razor-thin majority decision. Now, the 34-year old warrior is back in the ring and back in Las Vegas to face the concussive punching Matthysse as he vies to become the only Mexican fighter in history to win world titles in four weight divisions.



"This fight is the chance of a lifetime," said Morales. "I have waited for this moment my entire career. To have the opportunity to win world titles in four weight divisions on Mexican Independence Day and on a night like this is a dream come true. I am going to train harder than ever to make the Mexican people proud and to be victorious on September 17."



One of boxing's hardest punchers, Lucas Matthysse (28-2, 26 KO's) of Trelew, Argentina has made former World Champions Zab "Super" Judah and Devon Alexander see stars in his last two fights, knocking each of them down, only to lose both fights by controversial split decisions. The 28-year-old's new role as the people's champion is a good one for the crowd-pleasing standout, who has been delivering stellar performances from the time he turned professional in 2004. A former WBO Latino and WBO Intercontinental champion who counts "Vicious" Vivian Harris, DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley and Rogelio Castaneda Jr. among his vanquished foes, Matthysse, who has won 93 percent of his fights by way of knockout, is amped up and ready to trade blows with one of the sport's modern greats, Erik Morales, on September 17.



"I cannot wait to get in the ring and fight Erik Morales," said Matthysse. "I will do anything and everything I can to walk away from this fight as a world champion. I will work harder because I don't want to pass up this magnificent opportunity."



Jessie Vargas (16-0, 9 KO's), who grew up in Los Angeles, now resides in Las Vegas and trains at the Mayweather Boxing Club with recently hired trainer Robert Alcazar, is coming off of an impressive second-round knockout win over veteran Walter Estrada on July 8. His extraordinary performance set off a national buzz among boxing writers and fans that the young prospect is on the fast track to boxing greatness. Appearing in the opening bout in his pay-per-view debut, Vargas has the chance of a lifetime to make his name and talent known around the world against a stiff test in Josesito Lopez.



"Floyd Mayweather and Mayweather Promotions have given me an amazing opportunity to fight on the biggest night in boxing this year," said Vargas. "On September 17, I know I will be ready to show the world that all of my hard work and preparation has led to this opportunity. I am so excited to be a part of this event and I look forward to beating Lopez and keeping my undefeated record."



Riverside, California's Josesito Lopez (29-3, 17 KO's) may only be 27-years-old, but he's old school when it comes to his approach to the sport of boxing. This attitude has led him to nearly 30 pro wins, with his only losses coming via narrow decisions. Currently riding a seven-fight winning streak, Lopez showed off his veteran savvy in his most recent victory in January, when he tarnished hot prospect Mike Dallas Jr.'s perfect record by scoring a seventh round knockout.



"I am very excited to be a part of this event and to show the world that I am a force to be reckoned with in the ring," said Lopez. "I haven't lost a fight in over three years and I don't plan on losing this one. Jessie Vargas might be undefeated now, but he won't be after September 17."

"STAR POWER" is a mega-event taking place on Saturday, Sept. 17 from two world-class cities with three world titles at stake. Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz will face off in a 12-round fight for Ortiz's WBC Welterweight World Title from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Canelo Alvarez and Alfonso Gomez will do battle in a 12-round fight for Alvarez's WBC Super Welterweight World Title from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. Also live in Las Vegas, will be Erik Morales vs. Lucas Matthysse in a 12 round fight for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight World Title and an opening fight featuring undefeated rising star Jessie Vargas against top contender Josesito Lopez. The mega event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, DeWALT Tools and AT&T. Alvarez vs. Gomez is presented in association with Canelo Promotions and Morales vs. Matthysse is presented in association with Box Latino Promotions and Arano Box Promotions."STAR POWER: Mayweather vs. Ortiz" will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.


♔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.

OPPONENTS SET FOR AUGUST 19 ALL-NEW YORK "SÓLO BOXEO TECATE" BROADCAST PEREZ VS. RODRIGUEZ AND GOMEZ VS. HALL FEATURED AT PARADISE THEATER

The East Coast return of both lightweight sensation Michael Perez and junior middleweight phenom Eddie Gomez is approaching rapidly and with the anticipation rising for their respective Friday, August 19 bouts in the Bronx, New York's Paradise Theater, these prospects will be tested by opponents looking to spoil their homecoming.

In the 10-round main event, Newark, New Jersey's Perez will face Manhattan's Miguel Rodriguez and in the six-round co-feature, Bronx native Gomez takes on Rochester's Marcus Hall.

The night of world-class professional boxing is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. Doors open at 7:00pm ET and first fight begins at 7:30pm ET. TeleFutura's "Sólo Boxeo Tecate" will be broadcast at 11:30pm ET / PT (10:30pm CT).

Fans at home can also be part of the action by participating in Cinturón Tecate and voting for the fighter in the main event who displays the most character in the ring by sending a text message to 55333. Voting will be open through the end of the weekend.

21-year old Michael "The Artist" Perez (13-0-1, 7 KO's) is a former National Golden Gloves winner whose professional career is looking just as golden thus far. He is unbeaten in 14 fights and is currently riding a streak of three consecutive wins in his family's native Puerto Rico where he has become a fan favorite. Last December, he fought in the "Sólo Boxeo Tecate" Fight of the Year in a classic eight round battle with Jose Hernandez. In May, Perez nabbed his 13th win with a third round stoppage of Ira Terry and now he has his sights set on impressing his local fans in his New York showdown on August 19.

Ponce, Puerto Rico native Miguel Rodriguez (7-3, 3 KO's) now represents his New York City turf proudly and he's not about to let Perez come in and take over later this month. Winner of five of his last seven bouts, with his only losses coming to 7-0 Guillermo Sanchez and 14-0 Mike Faragon, the 26-year-old Rodriguez has been training hard for his moment in the spotlight and will be ready for one of his toughest tests to date against Perez.

Six days before his 19th birthday, teenage phenom Eddie Gomez (5-0, 4 KO's) will get an early present as he gets to fight in his hometown for the first time as a professional. A stellar amateur who has brought his talent, speed and power to the junior middleweight division as a professional, Gomez has impressed all who have seen him thus far. He has racked up three first round knockouts already and has delivered a jolt of fear into his prospective opponents.

Not willing to back down against Gomez, is 21-year-old upstate New Yorker Marcus Hall (5-3-1, 2 KO's). A professional since 2009, Hall has won two of his last three fights, with those victories coming over unbeaten Llyas Aksabaev and 5-1 Stephen Scott. It's clear that he's a scrappy competitor who will give Gomez all he can handle from bell to bell.

Tecate, cerveza con carácter, is the largest beer brand to sponsor boxing matches in the U.S. Part of its commitment to make boxing accessible to consumers is the title sponsorship of "Sólo Boxeo Tecate," which creates an opportunity for local fans to witness some of the most exhilarating fights by today's up-and-coming prospects. Additionally, Tecate has been a primary supporter of Golden Boy Promotions' marquee events since 2007, and has launched a variety of initiatives to ensure consumers are part of the boxing experience, including boxer autograph signing sessions, commemorative cans, PPV mail-in rebate offers, and most recently the launch of a mobile museum "Tecate Museo de Boxeo," which showcases decades of the most memorable moments in the 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.

"STAR POWER: MAYWEATHER VS. ORTIZ" IS A FAMILY AFFAIR‏

The sport of boxing has a rich history of families achieving pugilistic success as a group, be it fathers and sons, brothers (and occasionally sisters), uncles and nephews, or all of the above. Bloodlines run deep and this theme plays out in "STAR POWER: Mayweather vs. Ortiz", the September 17 mega-event which will be presented live by HBO Pay-Per-View®. The boxing extravaganza is loaded with these "fighting families," as five of the eight headlining boxers have made fighting a family affair in one way or another.

The most prominent among them is the Mayweather ménage, with Floyd "Money" Mayweather front and center. Floyd's uncle, Roger, is his trainer, but Roger was also an excellent boxer in his day, winning titles at 130 and 140 pounds in the '80s, facing the legendary likes of Julio Cesar Chavez, Pernell Whitaker and Kostya Tszyu. Floyd's father, Floyd Sr., was also in "Little Floyd's" corner for several years and was a solid welterweight contender in the '70s and '80s, notably facing Sugar Ray Leonard in 1978. Then there's Floyd's uncle Jeff, who was less accomplished than his two brothers but did face an up-and-coming Oscar de la Hoya in 1993 and has gone on to become a respected trainer himself.

The co-feature brings Erik Morales into focus. Like Floyd Mayweather Jr., Morales is a sure-shot for the Hall of Fame when he retires. Also like Mayweather, he comes from a family that has produced four professional fighters. "El Terrible's" father, Jose, had a brief career as a flyweight in the '70s and Erik has two brothers who entered the squared circle as professionals: Diego, who briefly held a super flyweight belt, and little brother Ivan, a currently undefeated bantamweight prospect.

Morales' opponent, Lucas Matthysse, also comes from a fighting family. The Argentine knockout artist's older brother, Walter, was a feared welterweight contender who was only taken the distance by one opponent in his 32 pro fights and fought twice on HBO, against Paul Williams in 2006 and Kermit Cintron in 2007.

The featured fight on the STAPLES Center segment of the event also involves two men with familial pride at stake, in Canelo Alvarez and Alfonso Gomez. Canelo has six brothers, but only three currently are competing as professionals, though none are threatening Canelo's alpha-dog status in the family as Rigoberto, Ricardo and Ramon Alvarez are all older than Canelo and, unlike their younger brother, have tasted defeat. On June 28, 2008, when Canelo defeated Miguel Vazquez, all seven Alvarez brothers fought on the same fight card, calling the historic night "The Alvarez Seven." If that wasn't enough to convince you Canelo stands apart from his brothers, then the fact that the other Alvarezes all have dark hair should tell you there's something special indeed about the carrot-topped, freckled face junior middleweight world champion who will get tested on the upcoming show by the veteran Gomez. Gomez, meanwhile, has no boxing brothers, but when he returns to the corner between rounds, the voice he hears is that of his father, Alfonso Gomez Sr.

Of course, it's the Mayweathers who take center stage anytime boxing families are discussed, both because they've accomplished so much as a group and because their personalities are impossible to ignore. Family legend has it that Floyd Jr. learned to box at the same age he learned to walk. The gym was his second home as far back as he can remember and even in his first home, he was notorious for punching any inanimate object in sight, whether it was meant to be treated like a speedbag or not.

Floyd's professional success has thrust the Mayweathers into the forefront of any discussion about the greatest families in boxing history. With all due respect to the Hiltons, the Chavezes, the Peñalosas, the Byrds, and any others among the 27 families that have produced multiple world titleholders, the top of the list has to boil down to the Mayweather clan and the Spinks family. Brothers Michael and Leon Spinks were both heavyweight champion of the world and Leon's son Cory was world welterweight champ. Plus Cory's brother, Darrell, was a decent club-fighter in St. Louis in the '90s.

So which is the greatest multi-generational fighting family of all-time? The Mayweather crew or the Spinks clan? It's hard to say until both legacies are complete, and the Mayweathers certainly have a chance to add to theirs when Floyd takes on Victor Ortiz on September 17.

In fact, five fighting families have a chance to add to their reputations on that night and it's no accident that the combatants on this card each stand out as the finest fighters their respective families have produced.

♔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.

Women's Boxing: "Queen" Ronica Jeffrey Fights for NABF Super Featherweight Title on 8/19/11

Brooklyn's "Queen" of the ring, Gleason's Gym denizen and three-time Golden Gloves Champion, Ronica Jeffrey (7-0, 1-KO) will be challenging Ela "Bam Bam" Nunez (9-9-1, 2-KO) for the vacant NABF Super Featherweight championship on Friday, August 19th.


The bout will be held at the Rollins Center Arena, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Dover, Delaware and is scheduled for six rounds. The main event will feature Amir “Hard Core” Mansour, (14-0, 11-KO's) vs. Dominick “The Southern Disaster” Guinn, (33-7-1, 22-KO's) for the interim WBO NABO Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship, title. The winner of the bout will be ranked among the Top 15 heavyweights in the world.

Ronica Jeffrey

In speaking with Ronica, she made it clear how important this bout is to her. "Boxing is what I do and enjoy. I’m going in there to give it my all! This is my first time fighting for a belt and my plan is to get the belt!"

"I want to continue boxing until it don’t want me any more," she went on to say. "I don’t think I can give it up myself! After that, I want to help the other girls coming up ... figure a way how to keep myself involved."

Jeffrey is coming off of two decisive wins in her last two outings. One, a 4-round win over Elizabeth Sherman on May 27th and the other 6-round win over D. J. Morrison on April 23rd.

Nunez's suffered two losses in her most recent 6-round bouts against Amanda "The Real Deal" Serrano, a loss on January 29th and a lost by KO on April 22nd.

♔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.

Dan Hardy and Chris Lytle Battle This Sunday Night Live On Versus Plus Jim Miller takes on Ben Henderson - live at 9pm ET / 6pm PT Live This Weekend‏

Main Card

Hardy vs Lytle

Miller vs Henderson

Oliveira vs Cerrone

Sadollah vs Ludwig

Dollaway vs Hamman
Prelims

Benavidez vs Wineland

Herman vs Noke

Vemola vs Markes

Caceres vs Hettes

Miller vs O'Brien

Volkmann vs Castillo

Figueroa vs Reinhardt

♔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.

World middleweight champion Sergio Martinez returns to the ring October 1 versus undefeated European champion Darren Barker

World middleweight champion Sergio Martinez returns to the ring October 1 versus undefeated European champion Darren Barker from historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, airing live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing

The reigning WBC Diamond middleweight champion, reigning 2010 Fighter of the Year, and top three pound-for-pound elite fighter, Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez will return to the ring October 1 from historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Martinez (47-2-2, 26 KOs) will collide with the unbeaten “Dazzling” Darren Barker (23-0, 14 KOs), the über popular product of London, England, and current European middleweight champion.

The co-feature will be a rematch of one of the most exciting fights of 2008, as NABF and NABA middleweight champion Andy Lee (26-1, 19 KOs) attempts to avenge his only loss against the newest member of the DiBella Entertainment stable, Brian Vera (19-5, 12 KOs).

The show will be titled “Noche de ‘Maravilla’”, which translates to “Marvelous Night” in English, a tribute to Martinez’s nickname and the exciting style of fighting all four featured fighters employ in the ring.

“Noche de ‘Maravilla’: Martinez vs. Barker” is being presented by DiBella Entertainment in association with Matchroom Sport, and Caesars Atlantic City, and is sponsored by Corona. The show will be aired live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT.

“Sergio Martinez has never backed down from a challenge, challenges only back down from him,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “This show is about fighters proving themselves when it matters the most. Sergio Martinez is a superstar with more momentum than anyone in boxing, but he must knock off the European champion, Barker, to keep it going. Barker isn’t scared of a challenge; in fact, he begged for one. So, now he gets to prove himself against the best of the best in his division. Andy Lee and Brian Vera are both on the cusp of a fight against the winner of the main event, so Lee must prove that his first fight with Vera was a fluke and Vera must prove that he can do it again. All these storylines will lead to high drama and excitement on October 1.”

“Atlantic City and boxing are synonymous; this city has been built around names like Tyson, Gatti, and Mayweather,” said Don Marrandino, Eastern Division President for Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City. “The October 1 bout between Sergio Martinez and Darren Barker will surely add to Atlantic City’s rich and proud boxing heritage.”

“Sergio Martinez is one of boxing’s brightest stars and it is great to have him back live on the network,” said Kery Davis, senior vice president of programming for HBO Sports. “Darren Barker is another UK fighter looking to make an imprint on the American boxing landscape and he will have his chance in the spotlight on October 1.”

Martinez, 36, a native of Quilmes, Argentina, and now living in Oxnard, California, is coming off a 2010 that can rival any year any fighter has had in a long time, with both of his spectacular wins taking place at Boardwalk Hall. In April, Martinez dominated the heavily favored Kelly Pavlik over 12 rounds to win the unified middleweight championship. He followed up that performance in November by putting a exclamation point on his rivalry with Paul Williams by knocking Williams out cold in the second round of their rematch of the 2009 Fight of the Year. Despite being lauded by publications far and wide as the 2010 Fighter of the Year, Martinez didn’t rest on his laurels, beginning 2011 with a bang when he took on the universally recognized 154 lb. champion, and then undefeated, Sergiy Dzinziruk. Martinez dropped Dzinziruk, who had never before tasted the canvas as a professional, five times en route to an eighth round stoppage win.

“It is an honor to be returning to HBO for the second time this year,” said Martinez. “Just like my nickname and the title of the show say, I will put on a marvelous performance for fight fans worldwide. I know Darren Barker is a tough challenger and will bring a loud contingent of fans, but so did Kelly Pavlik when I fought at Boardwalk Hall last April. Being universally recognized as the pound-for-pound king is my ultimate goal and I won’t stop until I’ve achieved that.”

Barker, 29, a native of London, England, recently completed the trifecta that all fighters from the UK strive for. In 2007, Barker won the Commonwealth title at middleweight by scoring a unanimous decision over then undefeated Ben Crampton at the world renowned York Hall in London, where Barker has fought more than anywhere else. In 2009, he added the British middleweight title to his collection with a seventh round stoppage of Danny Butler. Finally, on April 30 of this year, in his most recent outing, Barker dominated Italian contender and former world title challenger Domenico Spada over 12 rounds to capture the European championship. Now, Barker has his sights set on the ultimate prize, the world middleweight championship.

“I’ve heard all the hype about Sergio Martinez, but I am not going to let that get in the way of my dream of becoming middleweight champion,” said Barker. “I respect Sergio Martinez as a fighter, but he has what I’ve always wanted and on October 1 I’m coming to take it.”

♔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.

"We Are All Warriors" initiative with WARRIOR release‏

We Are All Warriors

Inspired By The September 9th Release Of Lionsgate’s WARRIOR, Multi-Tiered Campaign Celebrates Everyday Warriors Among Us

Winner Of Associated Sweepstakes Sponsored by AMC Theatres® To Receive Free Hometown Premiere Of WARRIOR


The upcoming release of the film WARRIOR, in theatres everywhere on September 9th, has inspired “We Are All Warriors,” a national grassroots and online initiative to identify everyday heroes – the real life warriors among us.

The project is an opportunity for people all over the country to join together to share their stories and answer the central question of WARRIOR: “What Do You Fight For?” From our teachers and coaches to our athletes and veterans, we all fight for something – we are all warriors. At www.WeAreAllWarriors.com, project participants can answer the question in their own words, nominate another everyday warrior, vote for their favorite warriors and rally friends and family to share their contender via Facebook and Twitter.

“We Are All Warriors” will be promoted through media, corporate and non-profit partnerships on both national and local levels. With word first spreading through a series of ESPN-sponsored screenings of the much anticipated and inspiring film, which Edward Douglas of Comingsoon.net has called “as powerful and unforgettable as ROCKY,” the program now expands in its official partnership capacity to include a national promotion with AMC Theatres centered around a sweepstakes where one everyday warrior will receive a free hometown premiere of the film at the nearest AMC theatre.

Said WARRIOR’s director Gavin O’Connor of the initiative, “Everyone fights for something- from parents struggling to support families through tough economic times, to soldiers defending democracy, to teachers combating illiteracy, we fight for things that we believe in. I made this film to celebrate that quality of the warrior within us all, and am proud that this project is reaching out to so many people and inviting them to join in honoring those individuals who embody the qualities of a true everyday warrior. It all comes down to the question, "What Do You Fight For?' and the broad range of partners and participants so far shows how universal and important this topic is."

All of the project’s inspirational submissions will remain on the website to be shared with the world – a true army of some of America’s most extraordinary citizens is already forming, including Massachusetts’ lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray who fights for his constituents, beloved wrestler Anthony Robles, submitted by ESPN, who fought to ascend in his sport despite having lost a leg, Dolores Bastrop, nominated by her husband for her tireless fight for the poor, and Mike Hardin, nominated by a “proud neighbor” for fighting for life, when he rescued a mother and child from a mobile home that had erupted in fire in while they slept.

The website will also regularly feature video diaries from both everyday warriors and celebrity guests including prominent bloggers, parents, coaches, troops, actors athletes, and pastors, answering the film’s central question ‘What Do You Fight For?’ in their own words.

About WARRIOR
Rising stars Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton command the screen as two estranged brothers facing the fight of a lifetime­ in Lionsgate’s WARRIOR, a moving, inspirational action drama from acclaimed director Gavin O’Connor (Miracle).

Haunted by a tragic past, Marine Tommy Conlon (Hardy) returns home for the first time in fourteen years to enlist the help of his father (Nick Nolte) to train for Sparta, the biggest winner-takes-all event in mixed martial arts history. A former wrestling prodigy, Tommy blazes a path toward the championship while his brother, Brendan (Edgerton), an ex-fighter-turned teacher, returns to the ring in a desperate bid to save his family from financial ruin. But when Brendan’s unlikely, underdog rise sets him on a collision course with the unstoppable Tommy, the two brothers must finally confront each other and the forces that pulled them apart, facing off in the most soaring, soul stirring, and unforgettable climax that must be seen to be believed.

A rousing ode to redemption, reconciliation and the power of the human spirit, WARRIOR is also a moving testament to the enduring bonds of family. WARRIOR stars Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom, Star Wars: Episode III), Tom Hardy (the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Black Hawk Down), Jennifer Morrison ("House", Star Trek) and Nick Nolte (Tropic Thunder, The Thin Red Line). The film is directed by Gavin O'Connor; screenplay by Gavin O’Connor & Anthony Tambakis & Cliff Dorman and story by Gavin O'Connor & Cliff Dorfman. Lionsgate and Mimran Schur Pictures present a Lionsgate / Mimran Schur Pictures production. A Solaris Entertainment and Filmtribe production.
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♔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.

Paddy Monaghan: The Greatest Bareknuckle Boxer Ever

Please read this amazing article on Paddy Monaghan, he is the greatest bare kunckle boxer ever, Paddy won 114 fights from 1962 to 1980 with nothing but hand wraps. He was the last bare kunckle champion in the modern era to fight with out gloves and not loose a match.
Let's get this man inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame..

Everyone knows the last bareknuckle championship bout was fought between the great John L. Sullivan and Jake Kilrain in Richburg, Mississippi on July 8, 1889. Sports Illustrated reported as much in the August 23, 1954 issue of that illustrious sports periodical.

Everyone is wrong.

Irishman Paddy Monaghan can give you at least 114 reasons why they are wrong. That is because, from 1962 to 1980, Monaghan visited a dozen countries to fight 114 times wearing nothing on his hands but wraps. He never lost.

Paddy Monaghan was born February 19, 1944 in the village of Ederney in Northern Ireland. He had a difficult childhood, beset by poverty and bullies. He left school at age five, and he developed a reputation as a fighter. As a teenager this tendency would be harnessed by professional bareknuckle manager Tommy Heard, who scolded young Paddy with the tough wisdom: "Only mugs fight for nothing". By the age of eighteen Monaghan was fighting men years older and was himself teaching a little tough wisdom to those who considered him an easy mark.

Monaghan fought under the auspices of the now defunct Bareknuckle Boxing organization (BKB). While the BKB organized the fights and saw that medical supervision was provided, bareknuckle fighting was never sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control. Nor were these fights legal in the US when Monaghan made his way across the Atlantic to expand his fistic empire. According to Paddy, this was hardly a problem as the law cast a 'blind eye' and 'many of them were even punters'. In Paddy's words, punters were "the guys who came to the fights because they loved blood and gore - also the betting!"

He knocked out Canadian Jean Paul Durrell to take the Middleweight (160 pound) championship in 1974. He defended the title twenty-seven times over six years. He did this with no gloves. Compare to the longest reigning gloved middleweight champion of the world, Bernard Hopkins. He was middleweight king for just five years (1995-2005) and defended his title(s) only twenty-one times. One might point out that Hopkins only became the unified champion in 1994 when he added the WBA super world middleweight belt to his WBC, IBF and WBO straps. In short, Paddy Monaghan had the longest reign as middleweight boxing champion of the world with or without gloves, and he defended his title more times than anyone.

Monaghan claims he never considered a switch to Queensbury rules boxing, or gloved boxing as we know it today. "I wouldn't switch over to Queensbury rules..., because my reputation as a BKB fighter meant they would not have accepted me anyway."

Ultimately it was loyalty that kept Monaghan punching with bare knuckles; he had the 'greatest respect' for his longtime manager, Tommy Heard.

Monaghan is also famous for fights that did not involve his fists. Disgusted that Muhammad Ali's title was stripped and his boxing license suspended for actions having nothing to do with the ring, Paddy campaigned to free Ali from his boxing exile. Though Joe Frazier's work on Ali's behalf is well known, he was not the only heavy hitter in Ali's corner during these dark times. Shortly after Monaghan submitted his collected signatures to the US ambassador Ali saw his boxing license reinstated. Upon learning of the Irishman's efforts Ali paid the bareknuckle fighter a visit. This sparked a friendship that has lasted through the years.

Monaghan's story is largely lost to fight fans today, but this should soon change. Just as Monaghan spoke out on behalf of Ali more than four decades ago, an effort is under way to have the world's greatest bareknuckle fighter inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Perhaps more exciting to Monaghan's fans, and more impactful to his legacy, Monaghan's son Tyrone has scripted a biopic about his father's life. Under the auspices of Angel Films Ireland, the younger Monaghan is bringing the incredible tale to film. For American fight fans interested in the film, Paddy promises it will be released in the US. Tyrone Monaghan guarantees world theatrical domination. Who are we to doubt? The Monaghan name is synonymous with 'knockout'!

His is his story... http://www.fightsaga.com/news/item/1084-Paddy-Monaghan-The-Greatest-Bareknuckle-Boxer-Ever

♔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.

LIVE Muay Thai - Blood and Sand X presented by Fight Force

The Gulf Coast's premier cage fighting event is back as Fight Force International presents Blood & Sand X on Saturday, August 13 in beautiful Biloxi, Mississippi at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Fight Force International always puts on jumbo cards and this event is no different. With evenly matched opponents, Blood & Sand shows are always competitive and exciting.

In one of the featured bouts, Drew Wallace (5-1) fights undefeated Jason Knight (3-0) in a lightweight contest. Both fighters have quite a following in the Mississippi area and you can bet this contest will be full throttle from the opening bell. The more seasoned Wallace will look to set the pace early in the fight and use his ring experience to wear down the fast-starting Knight, a grappling prodigy, who has defeated all of his opponents in the first round by submission. Wallace's only defeat came by decision and the veteran looks to be the first to put a check in the loss column for Knight. Both fighters are established stars prepared to take the next step in their careers and they will leave everything in the cage to prove it.

In other action, Zebulon "The Prophet" Stroud (2-0) faces Austin Parker (3-3) in a welterweight battle of up and coming prospects. The undefeated Stroud is quite a talent in the sport while Parker is on a 3-fight win streak, with all of his wins coming in the first round. These two very explosive 170 lb fighters will lock horns in the center of the cage and the result could be fight of the night.

In more action, Harris "The Sandman" Stephenson (2-0) battles Blake Miles (0-2) and James "Razor" Sharp (5-6) takes on Jason Goodin (3-5) in matches that promise to be barnburners. These two matchups are full of risk takers who have wild fighting styles and always give the fans a great show.

♔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.