★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience©®™

Sunday, July 22, 2012

WARD vs DAWSON Oakland Press Conference (CHAD DAWSON)

♔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.

WARD vs DAWSON Oakland Press Conference (ANDRE WARD)

Harsh Words At Ward vs Dawson Press Conference

Andre Ward and trainer Virgil Hunter get in a heated verbal altercation with Gary Shaw and Chad Dawson at the opening press conference for their September 8, 2012 title fight on HBO. Oracle Arena in Oakland CA., Will host this BIG fight.

Antonio Leonard Promises Ward Will Beat Anyone at 175lb or 168lb/Andre Ward's Manager James Prince Speaks at Ward/Dawson Presser

Antonio Leonard Promises Ward Will Beat Anyone at 175lb or 168lb

Chad Dawson - Andre Ward Press Conference Quotes

Chad Dawson - Andre Ward Press Conference Quotes

Undefeated WBA and WBC super-middeweight champion, Andre "S.O.G." Ward (25-0, 13 KOs) and WBC light-heavyweight champion, "BAD" Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KOs) hosted a press conference to discuss their upcoming championship bout, taking place September 8, 2012 at Oracle Arena televised live on HBO Championship Boxing.

"This is a big fight for me. I know there will be a huge crowd for Andre, but I'm not afraid. I'm happy to be the underdog in this fight. I haven't been the underdog in a long time and I'll do what I have to do to win this fight" - Chad Dawson

"The road I've taken to this point has not been easy. Being back on HBO is a big thing, but fighting on HBO in my hometown is huge. To be great you have to fight the best. Chad has beaten the best so these are the type fights I want to take. I will put on a great show for all the fans that come out to Oracle Arena." - Andre Ward

Camp Notes; Guerrero vs. Aydin,

Camp Notes

Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero is deep into Training Camp in Lake Tahoe, while Selcuk "Mini Tyson" Aydin Settles into Last Month of Training Camp in San Jose for their July 28 Showtime-Televised Fight at HP Pavilion

Guerrero: California Living in Lake Tahoe Mountains

A former three-division world champion, the talented Guerrero is ready for the difficult challenge of moving up in weight to face number one rated WBC welterweight contender Aydin in hopes of winning a world championship in a fourth weight class.

"It's been a grueling training camp since I arrived four weeks ago," said Guerrero. "There's no cable TV, no busy streets, nothing, just a whole lot of forest and mountains."

Guerrero continued, "I get up at 5:00 a.m. every morning to start my road work. I follow that by a hard workout in the middle of the day, then end with push-ups and sit-ups at night. I'm getting the proper sparring and amount of rounds to get me ready for Aydin, who I know is coming to rip my head off. I'm expecting a rough, rugged fight and the fans will not want to miss it, I can guarantee that!"

When asked about Aydin and his come-forward style, Guerrero said, "My team and I have been studying all of Aydin's fights and we know where we can take advantage of his flaws. Aydin is very strong and puts a tremendous amount of pressure on all of his opponents. I can see why he's been avoided, but I'm ready to take him on even though nobody else wants to."

Guerrero's father, Ruben Guerrero, who also is his trainer, said, "Robert is looking sharp and I'm confident we will win this fight. We've been studying Aydin and we have the perfect game plans for him. I know my son is hungry to take care of his family and believe me; he's going to leave it all in the ring on fight night. This training camp has been very productive."

"I can see Robert's body getting stronger and stronger as each day goes by," manager and nutritionist Bob Santos said. "I think people will be surprised at how Robert's body will look on fight night. We took this risky fight because we believe Robert is on the level of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. A win against Aydin puts us in a wonderful position to challenge the best fighters in boxing."

Guerrero went on to say, "I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for getting me to this point in my career. I have tremendous support from my wife Casey, who's been through a lot. I also want to say that no man in boxing is hungrier than I am. On July 28, everyone is going to see a man that will be fighting to take care of his family, a wife who has battled cancer and is now healthy, a tremendous team who's stuck by my side through thick and thin and a hometown crowd that will be cheering for me to bring it home. Aydin is going to give it absolutely everything he has, just like me, so this fight will most likely be a 'Fight Of The Year' type fight, because neither of us is going to back down. Everyone is in for a treat when we battle at HP Pavilion on SHOWTIME!"

Aydin: From Germany to California

The offensive-minded, hard-hitting Aydin, who hails from Trabzon, Turkey, has been the WBC's number one rated welterweight contender and mandatory challenger for the 147-pound title for almost three years and is eager to showcase his skills and ability to fans and experts all over the world.

"This is the big chance and the big fight I have been waiting and working for," Aydin said. "I will not let this opportunity pass. I give my respect to Robert Guerrero for fighting me when so many other so-called champions have ducked me for years. Unfortunately, Guerrero will find out the hard way why nobody wants to fight me. I will walk right through "The Ghost" and take the belt back home to Turkey! "

To achieve a lifelong goal, Aydin and his team left nothing to chance. The former European champion started training on May 1 in Stuttgart, Germany and moved his training camp to San Jose, Calif., on July 1. He'll spend the last couple weeks winding down his preparation while continuing to acclimate himself.

"When we have to go to the lion's den, we go all the way, " Aydin's promoter Ahmet Oner said. "By coming to San Jose so early, Selcuk wanted to make a statement and show everybody that he is not afraid of Guerrero's hometown advantage. Of course, we know that it is always tough to win in your opponent's backyard, but Selcuk is a true warrior. It doesn't matter where he's fighting, he is always ready for war. "

"Moving training camp from Germany to the United States had different benefits for us, " Aydin's head coach Conny Mittermeier said. "Of course, we wanted to get adjusted to the time difference and the weather conditions over here, but it's also easier to find high-quality sparring partners in the United States than it is in Europe. Especially when you're looking for slick, fast welterweight southpaws."

Aydin has already completed more than 50 rounds of sparring and will end up having done about 100 rounds before wrapping up training camp.

"I had no problems adjusting to everything here in California," Aydin said. "I have trained and fought in the United States before and it feels natural to be here. Boxing is an international sport and the United States is the place to be for big fights and big money. Of course, Turkey is my home country and Trabzon is my hometown, which I am very proud of, but I am also happy and proud to be here. Not many fighters get the chance to prove themselves on the big stage and I thank everybody for giving me this opportunity."

"Thanks to our wonderful hosts at San Jose Boxing & Fitness," added Mittermeier. "We've had ideal conditions for our training. The sparring partners are doing a great job. We have some guys over here who worked with Miguel Cotto for his fight against Floyd Mayweather and with Timothy Bradley for when he prepared for Manny Pacquiao. It doesn't get much better than this. Selcuk is in great shape. Sometimes I have to stop him a little to make sure that he doesn't tear somebody's head off. I have never seen him as focused and as fired up for a fight."

"The Thunderstorm from the Black Sea" ("Karadeniz Firtinasi"), as Selcuk is called in his hometown of Trabzon, knows that it could be difficult to win a decision.

"I am not planning to leave the decision to the judges," Aydin said. "I didn't come to California to outbox or outscore Guerrero. I am on a very simple mission...seek and destroy! Every other day I read somewhere that Guerrero is dreaming of fights against Mayweather and Pacquiao. He can dream whatever he wants when I put him to sleep. 'The Ghost' has no idea what's coming to him. He may have been featherweight and junior lightweight champion, but now he's playing with the big boys. The first time I hit him, he will regret moving up in weight and accepting to fight me."

Guerrero vs. Aydin, a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Arena-Box Promotion and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. The SHOWTIME Championship Boxing telecast will air live at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with co-featured events to be announced and preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

No Holds Barred: Adrien Broner, Vicente Escobedo

No Holds Barred: Adrien Broner, Vicente Escobedo http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2012-07-19T17_34_07-07_00
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with boxers Adrien Broner and Vicente Escobedo, who meet this Saturday, July 21, for Broner's WBO junior lightweight title. This fight will be televised live in the U.S. on HBO and takes place at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The 22-year-old Broner (23-0, 19 KOs) is considered to be one of the rising stars of boxing. The 30-year-old Escobedo (26-3, 15 KOs), a 2004 U.S. Olympian, has recently fought as a lightweight and has never lost at junior lightweight.

We spoke with Adrien Broner and Vicente Escobedo on a media conference call on Wednesday to get their views on what to expect in what is the biggest fight this coming weekend. We also examine the careers of both fighters, why this is likely to be the biggest test yet for Broner, why Broner is being pushed as a budding superstar, and why this fight has all the earmarks of being particularly noteworthy.

ABOUT "BATTLE ON THE BANKS: BRONER VS. ESCOBEDO":

"Battle On The Banks: Broner vs. Escobedo," a 12-round fight for Broner's WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship will take place Saturday, July 21 at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and R&R Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The HBO Boxing After Dark® telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Mike Tyson on ABC Nightline

"Salita Promotion and Fight Factory Gym Start a New Brooklyn Based Boxing Series"‏

"Salita Promotion and Fight Factory Gym Start a New Brooklyn Based Boxing Series"

Salita Promotion and Fight Factory Gym are teaming up to start a new Brooklyn based boxing series dubbed "Brooklyn Brawl." Shows will be held at The Fight Factory, all the matches will be between top and upcoming boxers. Featured fighters will include Golden Gloves Champions, National Champions, and local talent all participating in fights that promise to be exciting.

The goal of this series is to help fighters build a fan base at the grass roots level, and for fans, community leaders, and sponsors to have an opportunity to connect with the stars of today and champions of tomorrow.

Like the beautiful borough of Brooklyn, boxing is a multi cultured sport that attracts boxers from different backgrounds. The diversity of the fighters is a reflection of their origin, background and lifestyle.

In addition all shows will have live performances by a popular artist and include ringside celebrities, radio/TV personalities and politicians to create an exciting one of a kind fight night experience.

The next show is scheduled to take place at the Fight Factory Gym, 24 Cobek Ct., Brooklyn, NY 11223, on Thursday, Aug 23rd. The show will feature twelve exciting matches along with a special performance by Brooklyn’s own Hip Hop artist Rice Maniac fresh off his new video; "The Misfits" which was filmed in Brooklyn. Rice Maniac will entertain the crowd with some of his hit songs.

Star Boxing's upcoming show on Saturday July 28th

Star Boxing's upcoming show on Saturday July 28th at the Paramount Theater in Huntington New York. Headlining the show will be Huntington's own Undefeated Chris Algieri ( 14-0 7KO's) as he takes he takes on Raul Tovar (10-5-1 4KO Mission, Texas)

BOXING; ROGELIO ROSSI VS ALEJANDRO VALORI.

ESTO NO QUEDA ACA TAMBIEN TENEMOS ESTE VIERNES POR LA PANTALLA DE DIRECTV BOXING ROGELIO ROSSI VS ALEJANDRO VALORI..UN VIERNES ESPECTACULAR POR EL TITULO ARGENTINO CRUCERO!!!..ADEMAS JUAN BONANNI..MARTINEZ,BAEZ ENTRE OTROS.

MATEO VERON ENFRENTANDO A JAVIER MACIEL EN LO QUE PROMETE SER UN PELEON, POR LA TV PUBLICA A PARTIR DE LAS 22

ESTE VIERNES SEGUIMOS CON LAS GRANDES VELADAS EN ARGENTINA,SE NOS VA HACIENDO COSTUMBRE Y EN ESTE CASO TENDREMOS A MATEO VERON ENFRENTANDO A JAVIER MACIEL EN LO QUE PROMETE SER UN PELEON, POR LA TV PUBLICA A PARTIR DE LAS 22

THOMPSON BOXING PROMOTIONS TIDAL WAVE HITS THE SOUTHWEST WITH A TRIPLE THREAT THIS FRIDAY, JULY 20!!!‏

A massive Thompson Boxing Promotions tidal wave hits the Southwest as three different fight cards from the Orange County-based company will take place on Friday, July 20, from Laughlin, Nevada to Santa Ynez and Ontario, California.

A regional title fight between Mexican contenders Juan Carlos Burgos and Cesar Vazquez erupts at the Edgewater Casino in Laughlin, a lightweight collision betweenMiguel Acosta and Art Hovhannisyan will be the main event at Chumash Casino, and Charles Huerta faces Eduardo Arcos in a junior lightweight main event from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario.

Few promoters have ever dared this feat.

Tijuana, Mexico's Burgos (29-1, 19 KOs) has proven several times that he's capable of winning a world title and seeks to prove it against equally impressive Cesar Vazquez (25-0, 16 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico in an expected war for junior lightweight supremacy. Both will be battling for the WBO Latino junior lightweight title in Laughlin, Nevada. ESPN2 will televise the event along with a semi-main event pitting East L.A.'s Aron Martinez (17-1-1, 4 KOs) against Prenice Brewer (16-2-1, 6 KOs) in an expected welterweight war. The event is co promoted by Art Pelullo's Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions.

North of Santa Barbara, CA, former world champion and lightweight contenderMiguel Acosta (29-5-2, 23 KOs) of Venezuela battles Glendale, California's Art Hovhannisyan (14-0-2, 8 KOs) in the main event at Chumash Casino in picturesque Santa Ynez. The boxing main event will be televised live on SHOWTIME's ShoBox: The New Generation and it's promoted by Gary Shaw Productions in association with Thompson Boxing Promotions.

Further south, Thompson Boxing's newly signed, Charles Huerta (16-3, 9 KOs)heads a list of outstanding Southern California prizefighters appearing at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario. The popular Paramount prizefighter always brings his caravan of fans. But it won't be easy against the always-dangerous junior lightweightEduardo "Latigo" Arcos (16-7-1, 13 KOs) in the main event set for eight rounds. Don't count out Tijuana's Arcos. Any time he connects it's for good.

Allentown's Miguel Diaz (8-0, 3 KOs) returns to the Ontario faces Evaristo Primero (15-14-1, 7 KOs) in an eight round bout. Despite living in Pennsylvania the hard punching Diaz has become an Inland Empire fan favorite with his aggressive style. Primero has faced the best. Will his experience be too much for Diaz?

It's Colombia versus Mexico when Daulis Prescott (24-1, 18 KOs) fights Pablo Torres (6-4-2, 5 KOs) in a featherweight bout. Prescott is the younger brother of Breidis Prescott who knocked out Amir Khan several years back. Both Prescott brothers wield serious firepower. Torres also has a punch. All of his wins have come via knockout.

Rigoberto Flores (4-1, 2 KOs) of Northridge, Calif. meets Hector Garza (3-6, 2 KOs) of Texas in a six round junior welterweight contest. Flores is making his sixth appearance at the Doubletree and must deal with left-handed Garza. Lefties are puzzling for everyone.

In other fights Sylmar's Sergio Nuñez (6-0-1, 4KOs) fights Houston's Jesus Mendez (3-2, 2 KOs) in a junior lightweight clash. San Pedro's junior bantamweightIsaac Zarate (3-0) opposes Corpus Christi's Jeremy Longoria (3-1, 1KO).

San Diego's junior welterweight Giovanni Santillan (2-0, 1KO) meets Laredo'sAlberto Espinoza (1-1).

Tickets for the "Path to Glory" card are priced at $74, $45 and $30 and may be purchased by calling: 714-935-0900. Bouts subject to change. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the first bell rings at 7:45 pm. The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 North Vineyard Avenue in Ontario. The hotel phone number is 909-937-0900.

It's a triple-header for Thompson Boxing Promotions just take your pick, make the drive and set your DVR!

It Is On This Friday Night!‏ in NYC

This Friday, the All Stars are out! 8 bouts with the most exciting and well known Muay Thai Fighters in the region on display.

Jill Guido (San Francisco) intends on giving Angela Hill her most challenging match yet in the only female bout of the evening. The always exciting Mohammed Lemjerdine steps in to meet one of the toughest journeymen in FNF history with Puerto Rico's Mike Erosa.Erosa just won his last bout by upsetting Canada's Joe Tiping via KO.

The Co-Main event pits Turan "The Tornado" Hasanov vs Liam Tarrant. Both of these fighters are well known competitors at the national level. The main event will feature Danielle Rodriguez vs Chris "The Polish Punisher" Kwiatkowski in Kwiatkowski's return match for his NY audience!

This is the best card of 2012 so far - the main event and co-main events are off the charts! There is still time to purchase your tickets - print them at home!

General Admission: $45
Killer Seats:$85
Primo Seats: $125
When: Friday,July 20th, 2012. Doors open at 7Pm.
Where: Broad Street Ballroom - 41 Broad Street Between Beaver and Exchange Streets.
Who: Friday Night Fights All Stars!
Tickets also available at:
Evolution Muay Thai - NYC, NY
Church Street Gym - NYC, NY
North Jersey MuayThai - Lodi, NJ.
American Top Team - Connecticut
Tiger Schulman's - Wachtung, NJ
Anderson's Martial Arts - NYC, NY

♔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.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Tune into “Nightline” TONIGHT at 11:35 p.m. ET to watch Terry Moran’s full interview.

Former boxing heavyweight champ Mike Tyson said his role in “The Hangover,” the hit 2009 film about three groomsmen and their drunken Vegas debauchery, actually helped him become sober and get his life back on track.
Tyson, who has had three stints in rehab for substance abuse, said he was still in a “dark place” when the movie was filming. But after it came out, he said one day he was swarmed by a tour group full of kids, who hugged him and asked him all sorts of questions about his “Hangover” performance, in which he played himself as the owner of a stolen white Bengal tiger.
“That changed everything for me, which I’m so appreciative,” Tyson, 46, said. “That was just some good stuff.”
In a brutally honest interview with “Nightline” anchor Terry Moran, Tyson opened up about his turbulent past, dealing with substance abuse and moving forward. The champ said he has been sober for over three years now, but still grapples with his demons every day.
“I’m just constantly working on turning. It doesn’t happen overnight,” he said. “I may have a good few years in me but it’s still not out of me. You still have to work consistently. Every moment of the day you have to work because your demons always — that’s who you are.”
Tune into “Nightline” TONIGHT at 11:35 p.m. ET to watch Terry Moran’s full interview.
After years of reigning supreme in the boxing ring, Tyson’s career has been marked by struggle and heartache. Tyson served a three-year sentence in the ’90s for a rape conviction, a crime he still denies he committed.
“I didn’t do that,” Tyson said. “I’m never going to say I did something I didn’t do… I’m just so happy that it’s over.”
The champ’s boxing career then suffered another major blow in 1997 when he bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a fight. He has been married three times, and has sought treatment for his issues with drugs and alcohol abuse.
“Being in rehab, that kicks you’re a–,” he said. “If you really trying to do this thing and you have your demons still banging on you and you want to do the right thing, this is kicking you’re a–, it’s kicking you’re a–, I don’t care how tough you are… it’s killing you but you have to do it.”
Then in 2009, Tyson’s 4-year-old daughter Exodus Tyson died in a treadmill accident at her home in Phoenix, a devastating loss that still pains the champ today.
“I’m traumatized,” he said. “But I know if I dwell on it, I’ll be a psychopath.”
Tyson now has two young children with his third wife Lakiha Spicer. He is on a vegan diet and said he is “constantly working” on turning over a new leaf.
From the boxing ring to center stage, Tyson is about to embark on a new adventure on Broadway — a one-man show about his life called, “Mike Tyson: The Undisputed Truth,” directed by Spike Lee. The show will run six times between July 31 and Aug. 5.
“I like to describe it as me just being naked onstage, not physically naked, but just naked spiritually and emotionally onstage,” Tyson said.
But despite all the good that has come to him in recent years, the champ said he believes he could still fall off the wagon.
“I have to always believe it can happen to prevent it from even going in that direction,” he said. “I’m so weak… [but] I see my faults, I know my flaws, I know my faults, and I’m dealing with those issues in my life to improve my life.”
Tune into “Nightline” TONIGHT at 11:35 p.m. ET to watch Terry Moran’s full interview.
♔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.

Happy Birthday Tat’ Nelson Mandela, He is 94 today

Alfonso Gomez vs Shawn Porter July 28th in San Jose CA

Alfonso Gomez vs Shawn Porter July 28th in San Jose CA; Alfonso Gomez will be fighting undefetead top prospect Shawn Porter on July 28th in San Jose, CA under Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero vs Selcuk Aydin WBC Interim Welterweight Championship on Showtime.
♔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.

Jorge Paez Jr vs Omar Chavez, a long waited rematch Saturday July 21st

Jorge Paez Jr vs Omar Chavez, a long waited rematch

This Saturday a long waited fight will take place at the Municipal Auditorium in Tijuana, Jorge Paez Jr. (31-4-1, 19 KO’s) will give a rematch to Omar “Businessman” Chavez (28-1-1, 21 KO’s).

The clash between the sons of “Maromero” and of Julio Cesar Chavez will be the main event of the card that Zanfer Promotions will hold in Tijuana and which will be broadcasted by TV Azteca.

HOOK TO THE LIVER By José Sulaimán;The conversion of the Baddest Man on Earth

WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS

July 17, 2012 – Mexico City.

From the office of WBC President Dr. José Sulaimán:

The following is one of the weekly “Hook to the Liver” columns by WBC President Dr. José Sulaimán that are published in El Universal every Sunday. From July 15, translated from Spanish:

HOOK TO THE LIVER

By José Sulaimán

The conversion of the Baddest Man on Earth

A moment in our lives comes when fragrance, music, taste, old photos, make us remember times long gone, about beautiful places where you ate a certain food, danced with someone that you enjoyed. A smell that makes you remember long-gone loves, but which have gone away forever. The presence in Mexico of the boxing destroyer Mike Tyson took me to countless mementos that make me live again the thrills and emotions of past boxing

The opening press conference in Mexico City had as many cameras as I had seen in a long, long time. It brought me back to a long time ago day when my dear friend, the late Jim Jacobs, brought to me a video showing the future bomber, even more than Joe Louis, he said, with his 18 KOs in the first round of his first 18 fights. I was impressed, but recommended Jim to keep him fighting to really become what he said.

A few years later, Don King came as his new promoter and Jim's associate, to give him the opportunity to fight champion Trevor Berbick for the WBC heavyweight world title. Tyson became the youngest heavy weight champion of the world at 20 years of age.

A kid, an orphan, and in jail since he was 14, received a gift from God with the coming of Cus D'Amato as his trainer. D'Amato could not enjoy his boy becoming champion, as he passed away about a year before. That evening, Tyson went all over the hotel, casinos, lobbies, and more, wearing his WBC green and gold belt. The following day, with the style of Don King, Tyson was crowned, yes, he received a diamond crown that Muhammad Ali and I gave him, embarrassing for me, the red robe of a king. That night the poor child jumped from poverty to a first step to become one of the greatest of all time.

The day came when he set the highest income in sports by winning more than $30 million in only a little more than the one minute when he defeated Michael Spinks, who stayed on the canvas as long as the fight lasted. Some said that Mike did it out of his outrage caused by Butch Lewis, my late dear friend, for making him wrap his hands twice. It is impossible to ever forget that little piece of Evander Holyfield's ear, which fell to the canvas very close to where I was sitting, after two bites on the ear from Tyson. Nobody in the arena or on TV could explain what had happened. Tyson was desperate for the many head butts from Evander, without any action from the referee. Tyson showed that night what he always claimed: that he was the baddest man on earth.

During the last WBC convention in Las Vegas, I asked Evander to present Mike with his Lifetime Boxing Excellency Award, that he hesitantly presented, while those two boxing barbarians hugged amicably with esteem and mutual respect, an example of what boxing is. What would I give for politicians and promoters doing the same…

How can I forget the savage knockout of Larry Holmes, also one of the greatest ever. I was sad to see that, but it was the punishment that life gives to all those that don’t understand when their cycle of glory is gone. It also happened to Joe Louis, Ali, Ray Leonard, J.C. Chavez, and so many, many others, including Tyson himself.

Tyson, in his prime, married an artist who pushed him into decline, a real drama of someone born in a humble bed, reaching the skies and being dropped mercilessly by one he loved. The same happened when he was blatantly discriminated against by an all-white jury who sent him to jail for the accusation of sex abuse of a girl who went late at night to his room in a hotel — like, for an autograph?

He could not mentally accept the actions of his first wife, and later going to jail. The life of that extraordinary fighter who always had sold-out arenas, who provoked passion and excitement with the power of his fists, with the cheering of his race and the discrimination of others, fell all the way down in the deepest of vices and disgrace. It looked as if the great Mike Tyson was following the path of most fighters who are born in the humblest of beds: to reach glory, money, and beautiful women, then to fall after the lights of their career are off into poverty, hunger, pity, and only dreaming in nostalgia with tears of their times of glory.

But no, Mike Tyson flew from his ashes again into the world, after finding a gracious new wife who has led him away from the dirt to send him back to live in glory. A new Mike Tyson, representing still the greatness of his career in boxing, but now into the lives of those who get up from the canvas and continue their lives struggling for being good, and with success. I will leave the life of this man, whose life I lived very close to during all of his career with his ups and downs, as an example for the young of the world of how to struggle to leave the night behind and move into being someone to follow with his deeds of a good man, carrying with pride his life, like a diamond in boxing, to leave an indelible mark of his passing through life.

Mexico received him in victory with millions of flashes, the applause and admiration that he has always had from Mexicans. Mauricio and I took him to the airport with a feeling of being so proud of the man that once was the baddest man on earth, to one who today is a good human being with a history of glory.

Thank you for reading my thoughts.

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Sunday, July 22, 2012

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Wednesday, July 18, 2012