Sunday, April 21, 2013
"BEAUTIFUL BOXER": BEAUTIFUL STORY, BEAUTIFUL MOVIE
Note: The issue of transsexual athletes in the combat sports is still being debated, especially among their most backwards sector, North American MMA circles. This controversy has been covered in depth on No Holds Barred, with recent interviews with transsexual athletes Fallon Fox, Alaina Hardie, Ryka Aoki, and Donna Rose, as well as a commentary supporting Fallon Fox's right to fight in women's MMA.
But this issue is neither new for combat sports nor for my coverage of them. Back in 2005, for the now-defunct and dearly departed BoxingRanks.com site, I reviewed the movie "Beautiful Boxer", about transsexual muay Thai fighter Parinya Charoenphol, also known as Nong Toom. Since that site has totally closed down, I actually had to use the Internet Archive to retrieve it, here.
And since that time, the entire film "Beautiful Boxer" has been uploaded on YouTube, at http://youtu.be/ibZMW6AKe4o.
Take the time to watch it, and you will feel rewarded.
Below is the text of the original article I wrote in 2005 on the film "Beautiful Boxer", minus the links at the end to sites about the movie since they seem outdated as well. Just remember that it was originally written for the audience of what was then a major boxing web site, and that the article also received praise and appreciation from those involved in that site.
"BEAUTIFUL BOXER": BEAUTIFUL STORY, BEAUTIFUL MOVIE
by Eddie Goldman (March 6, 2005)
The fight game is once again emerging as the undisputed champion of cinematic drama. The Clint Eastwood film "Million Dollar Baby" made a big haul at the 2005 Academy Awards, winning four Oscars. The highly-acclaimed documentary "Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story" will debut on the USA Network on Wed., April 20, after a run at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. Another boxing movie called "Black Cloud" is set for its national debut on March 11.
And now from Thailand comes "Beautiful Boxer," a very different kind of story about a different kind of fighting and a different kind of fighter.
If you are expecting "Raging Bull," "Requiem for a Heavyweight" (my personal favorite), "Rocky," or any other of the traditional boxing films, this one is something quite different.
"Beautiful Boxer" is a dramatization of the story of Thai kickboxer Parinya Charoenphol, also affectionately known as Nong Toom. Thai boxing, or muay Thai as it is known internationally, is a brutal form of kickboxing that combines punches, kicks, elbows, fighting while clinching, and even some throws to the mat. And that's just the legal stuff. "Beautiful Boxer" is partially subtitled in English with most of the dialogue in Thai and some in English as well. Once you get past all that, you will find a very human story that will be hard to forget.
The reason is that Parinya Charoenphol, or Nong Toom, was a champion Thai boxer, and a transvestite who eventually had surgery to become a woman.
The film starts with the telling of Nong Toom's life story through flashbacks. Nong Toom is played by Asanee Suwan, himself a champion muay Thai fighter.
As a young boy Nong Toom was brought up to face a very hard life with dirt poor parents. Yet even then he was attracted to girls' clothing.
In an array of seeming contradictions, at least to prevailing stereotypes about gender, he ends up going to a fighting camp to learn muay Thai, and does very well. As his career develops, he starts to fight competitively and win almost all of his fights. An exception is a hometown decision given to a fighter whom he sliced and diced in the ring. Yes, corruption in boxing knows no bounds either of country or style of fighting.
While building a reputation as a top fighter in this brutal combat sport, he also remains gentle on the inside. This film is filled with his strikingly sensitive and haunting observations, with statements made in an increasingly feminine-sounding voice like, "I don't like to hurt strangers. But in the ring you have no choice." If you don't react to these types of statements, and the way they are delivered in this film, then you have a smaller heart than the tin man in "The Wizard of Oz."
Soon it is made clear that Nong Toom's main motivation for fighting as a professional is to earn enough money to pay for what is clinically known as sexual reassignment surgery, or more popularly as a sex change operation.
By this time Nong Toom is taking female hormones and openly appearing at his fights as a transvestite. He comes into the ring wearing women's makeup. This only adds drama to the matches, and many regard this, incorrectly, as simply a gimmick to add heat to the matches.
In the film, the underlying contrast of his success at this seemingly male and brutal style of fighting and his increasingly female appearance and psyche is highlighted, all the while decking and staggering preconceived notions about the nature of masculinity, femininity, and gender as effectively as Nong Toom's punches and kicks are stopping his opponents in the ring.
Eventually Nong Toom's success earns him a fight in Bangkok's famed Lumpinee Stadium, the Madison Square Garden of muay Thai. Despite his growing success as a fighter, he never loses sight of his main goal: To earn enough money for a sex change operation.
Nong Toom continues to take female hormones as part of that transition, while also continuing to fight. Yet the female hormones begin to transform his body and sap his muscle power. Now, as he is growing breasts and has to wear a bra into the ring, he starts losing fights to male opponents.
Women are banned from this style of fighting in Thailand. Even before his surgery, Nong Toom is shown the door from the muay Thai ring.
Yet he still needs cash for his surgery. So he goes to Japan in 1988 to participate in what is essentially a freak show match to face female pro wrestler Kyoko Inoue in the Tokyo Dome. The movie portrays their encounter as a real fight involving mixed styles. In the film, Kyoko Inoue plays herself, and performs various moves from the fake pro wrestling that are not known to work in real fights. In both the film and in the real fight, however, Nong Toom wins by a TKO as Inoue is cut and bleeding from his many blows. According to Tadashi Tanaka of Japan and Dave Meltzer of the U.S., both expert journalists in pro wrestling and the mixed martial arts, this was indeed a real fight and not a fake or staged one, even if it was very strange.
A key scene in the film takes place after this fight. A cute female groupie camps out by Nong Toom's hotel room awaiting him. When he arrives, she tells him that she believes that all this transvestite stuff is merely a gimmick, like some fictional pro wrestling persona. In his room she begins to disrobe and throw herself at him. He tries to be polite, but looks distraught and is obviously not sexually interested in her. At no time in the film do we see Nong Toom having sex or expressing sexual interest in anyone, male or female, but this scene touchingly makes clear that the direction he is heading in is as real as real can be.
Eventually Nong Toom has the sex change operation and becomes a woman. The real Parinya Charoenphol, who is now a successful model and actress in Thailand, makes a cameo appearance as a makeup artist in the film, as a sort of a visual endorsement of the authenticity of this dramatization.
In the U.S., "Beautiful Boxer" has made the rounds at some gay film festivals as well as some independent movie theaters. The fact that it is not an easy movie to pigeonhole, as a gay movie or a martial arts movie or what, led a reviewer in the Village Voice to complain that "some fences just can't be painlessly straddled."
Yet "Beautiful Boxer" is beautiful precisely because of its universality. It transcends all those social barriers that segregate transgender people from everyone else. Nong Toom could be the kid next door, or the fighter on the card you just watched, or anyone else. And that is precisely its point, that it is as natural for transgender people to be who they are as is the grass that grows underneath all our feet.
You will undoubtedly root for Nong Toom as you watch this film. Hopefully it will instruct you, if you didn't already realize it, that the issue of gender needs to be approached with reason, science, logic, history, and compassion, and not superstition, fear, ignorance, prejudice, and hatred.
Do you want a parallel? Look at how Black people were characterized just a century ago, as documented in "Unforgivable Blackness." Race and gender, of course, have very different histories and natures. For one thing, we know that race is not even a scientific category. For another, slavery, apartheid, segregation, and racial discrimination have a different social significance and history from gender discrimination. But the ideological prejudices are similar. The justifications of the persecution and oppression of all these groups use similar religious fundamentalist texts, which support the buying and selling of slaves, and the suppression of anything other than heterosexual relations.
This beautiful movie, "Beautiful Boxer," begins to break down these barriers with this dramatization of this real-life story. It is but one of countless real-life stories which demonstrate that the path taken by Nong Toom is not some "lifestyle," and not a mere "choice," but as natural as the sun that shines above us all.
Only the most heartless, the most prejudiced and bigoted, and the most empty- headed religious fanatics will fail to empathize with the very human dilemma which faced Nong Toom. And only the densest and most closed minds will fail to notice the contradiction between Nong Toom's brutal profession and his gentle and pacific nature.
It will indeed be a shame if this movie gets labeled as simply a gay movie. It is a movie for everyone -- everyone that is compassionate and open-minded, that is. Bigots can stay home and hate themselves as well as everyone else.
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Alaina Hardie,
Asanee Suwan,
BEAUTIFUL BOXER: BEAUTIFUL STORY,
BEAUTIFUL MOVIE,
Donna Rose,
Fallon Fox,
muay Thai fighter,
Nong Toom,
Ryka Aoki,
Thai kickboxer Parinya Charoenphol
UFC 159: Jones vs Sonnen Saturday April 27
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
UFC 159: Jones vs Sonnen
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Middleweight superstar Sergio Martinez headlines the HBO Boxing triple-header: SERGIO MARTINEZ VS. MARTIN MURRAY, LUIS CARLOS ABREGU VS. ANTONIN DECARIE AND CHRIS ARREOLA VS. BERMANE STIVERNE on SATURDAY, APRIL 27
Middleweight superstar Sergio Martinez headlines the HBO Boxing triple-header: SERGIO MARTINEZ VS. MARTIN MURRAY, LUIS CARLOS ABREGU VS. ANTONIN DECARIE AND CHRIS ARREOLA VS. BERMANE STIVERNE on SATURDAY, APRIL 27 at 8:30 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from Buenos Aries, Argentina and Ontario, Cal. exclusively on HBO.
Other HBO playdates: April 28 (8:45 a.m.) and 29 (12:15 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: April 28 (4:00 p.m.) and 30 (11:30 p.m.)
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Other HBO playdates: April 28 (8:45 a.m.) and 29 (12:15 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: April 28 (4:00 p.m.) and 30 (11:30 p.m.)
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
HBO Boxing triple-header,
LUIS CARLOS ABREGU VS. ANTONIN DECARIE AND CHRIS ARREOLA VS. BERMANE STIVERNE,
SERGIO MARTINEZ VS. MARTIN MURRAY
Henderson vs. Melendez, Mir vs. Cormier, and Diaz vs. Thomson all take the stage at UFC on FOX this Saturday in San Jose.
Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez on UFC ON FOX SAT. APR. 20 LIVE FROM SAN JOSE
Benson Henderson will put his lightweight title on the line once again at UFC on Fox 7, where he will appear in the main event against former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez.
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Benson Henderson will put his lightweight title on the line once again at UFC on Fox 7, where he will appear in the main event against former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez.
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Benson Henderson,
Diaz vs. Thomson,
Gilbert Melendez,
Mir vs. Cormier,
UFC on Fox 7,
UFC on FOX Live from San Jose Henderson vs. Melendez
Mike Tyson on his criminal past, new stage show, and going vegan
Mike Tyson on his criminal past, new stage show, and going vegan
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
“I love Mike Tyson because he did it his way.” –Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Today, Mike Tyson finds happiness in simplicity. During our visit to his home in suburban Las Vegas, the former heavyweight champion was a bit reserved until he got the opportunity to show off his beloved pigeon coop.
Tyson explains the nuances and habits of his pigeons just like an accomplished trainer would break down the fundamentals of boxing. Once Tyson allowed his pigeons to fly, he pointed out how the tumbler pigeons would roll over backward during flight. Some pigeons would do so at speeds so fast that they would often kill themselves or come close to death because they didn’t have time to land correctly.
In a sense, the tumbler pigeons mirror Tyson’s life during his younger days. Living fast and reckless only to narrowly escape death or destruction.
Growing up poor in Brooklyn, N.Y., during the 1980s could have that type of effect. Tyson became another soul consumed by the tragedies created by poverty.
“All of my friends were animals,” Tyson revealed while reminiscing about his turbulent childhood.
“We would rob guys. I grew up in a dysfunctional situation where drugs and violence were normal. I would’ve been a drug dealer. When I was starting my pro career and only making like $500 per fight, I used to always hook my boys up with money for crack to sell. But my whole life changed when they killed my friend over a drug deal gone bad. From then on, I never went back to hustling and I stayed focused on boxing.”
Tyson’s gift for obliterating opponents in the boxing ring rescued him from the poverty and criminal activity that gripped most of his peers. Under the guidance of legendary trainer Cus D’Amato (who died in 1985), Tyson became the youngest heavyweight boxing champ in history at the age of 20.
Indeed, Tyson found a way to escape poverty, but he couldn’t escape the allure that comes with money and fame. He slept with countless numbers of women, purchased dozens of exotic cars, threw wild parties, and delved into drug use.
One prison stint, a controversial biting of Evander Holyfield’s ear and two divorces later, Tyson lost nearly $400 million of the money he earned throughout his career.
“When I was younger, all I thought about was fame, fortune, girls, sex and drugs,” Tyson says. “When my career was over, I left a massive wreckage in my past. I realized I won a lot of superficial victories such as sex and money. I’m now trying to make amends. I love moral victories more. And that’s real love when you care more about morals than anything else.”
By the late 2000s, Tyson found himself attempting to walk the straight and narrow for the first time in his life. However, the tragic death of his 4-year-old daughter, Exodus, in 2009 caused Tyson to briefly relapse. She was killed in the family home after playing with a faulty treadmill.
“Where I come from, people aren’t happy, so they get hooked on drugs,” Tyson says. “People get drunk, snort cocaine, smoke marijuana and use syringes because they can’t stop [the] pain. They’re trying to kill pain. Drug use won’t stop until someone can stop the hurt. We’re in pain out here.”
Tyson walked away from drugs and alcohol and has been sober for three years. He’s a devout Muslim and has adopted a strict vegan diet for the past 12 months. The diet allowed Tyson to flush many of the impurities out of his system and he eventually lost 100 pounds.
Tyson now looks back on his past hardships and realizes that they made him stronger and led him to approach life differently.
“I’m glad I went through those experiences because I survived them, and look at where I’m at now,” he says. “Nothing’s perfect in life and I love who I am and who I’m becoming. I’m establishing a relationship with my wife and staying committed. I’m really enjoying this stage of my life.”
This stage of Tyson’s life actually has him on stage. Nearly two years ago, Tyson sat down with his wife, Kiki Tyson, and the two found an interesting way for him to tell his story to the masses. They came up with the one-man stage show, Mike Tyson: The Undisputed Truth.
The nearly two-hour show, directed by Spike Lee, features an unfiltered Tyson divulging stories on fi ghting Don King; time in prison; his mother’s drinking issues; his sexual conquests and how he once caught Brad Pitt making out with his ex-wife, Robin Givens.
“There’s not much of a difference in preparing for boxing and preparing for the stage,” he says. “Everything must be precise. You just have to possess a great deal of confidence and understanding of where to go and how to maintain energy.”
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
boxing,
Cus D'Amato,
Floyd Mayweather Jr.,
Heavyweight Boxing,
Mike Tyson,
Mike Tyson: The Undisputed Truth,
RollingOut
RECENT WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER AJOSE OLUSEGUN RETURNS TO ACTION THIS SATURDAY IN INDIANA
This Saturday night at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, WBC #3-rated junior welterweight Ajose Olusegun (30-1, 18KO's) will return to action for the first time since suffering his first pro defeat to Lucas Matthysse in a bout for the interim WBC title in September of last year. Olusegun will take on veteran
Rynell Griffin in an eight-round bout. The fight is promoted by Hitz Entertainment, in association with DiBella Entertainment.
"I am so glad that I'm getting back in the ring," said Olusegun. "This is going to be my first fight after my loss to Matthysse and I can't wait to do my thing."
Olusegun participated for his native Nigeria in the 2000 Olympics before successfully turning pro in May 2001 with a first-round TKO over Tony Montana.
He won the junior welterweight Commonwealth title in 2007 and defended the belt four times before picking up the British junior welterweight title in 2009.
With all of his professional bouts, up to that point, taking place in the U.K., Olusegun decided to relocate to the U.S. and signed with DiBella Entertainment (DBE). In his first fight under the DBE banner, Olusegun won a dominant near shut-out 12-round unanimous decision over Ali Chebah (35-1). The bout, which took place on Showtime®, was an official WBC light welterweight title eliminator.
The win earned Olusegun his shot at the title against Matthysse. In a grueling and entertaining slugfest, Olusegun was stopped in the 10th-round of their scheduled 12-round championship bout. Olusegun admitted after that bout that he fought the wrong fight, but he took the loss as a learning experience. He is hoping to work his way back into another world title opportunity soon and has even offered up his services to IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander, who was scheduled to fight Kell Brook May 18, before Brook had to pull out after suffering an injury during training.
"I know that Devon is currently looking for an opponent and I would love to get in the ring against him. This is a great opportunity for me to share a ring with the champ and I am willing and able to step in. I am sure boxing fans around the world will like this matchup, so I'm ready to give everyone an exciting fight. I'm here, let's make it happen."♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
Ajose Olusegun,
DiBella Entertainment,
IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander,
Kell Brook suffering an injury during training,
Lucas Matthysse,
Rynell Griffin
CANELO ALVAREZ VS. AUSTIN TROUT AND UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES; Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin "No Doubt" Trout Official Weights; ALAMODOME SOLD OUT FOR AN UNBELIEVABLE NIGHT OF BOXING IN SAN ANTONIO HEADLINED BY CANELO ALVAREZ VS. AUSTIN TROUT
CANELO ALVAREZ, WBC Super Welterweight World Champion
"I want to thank everyone for their support...all of the media and everyone that's helped me get here.
"I'm very happy to be here and I wish the fight was here already.
"I think words mean very little. On April 20th, we will fight and the best fighter will win.
"To be honest, I don't feel any pressure. I believe that if you're scared or anxious it's because you're not ready. I'm ready. I'm confident about this fight. As a matter of fact, I've never felt this ready in my life.
"I'm the kind of fighter that knows how to adapt. I can adapt to my opponent's style anytime.
"On Saturday, expect to see two champions fighting with everything they have. I'll be fighting with everything I've got.
"Knockouts are unpredictable. I can't say that I'm going to knock Trout out, but I also can't say I won't.
"I'm always trying to better myself. I've been training very hard, and God willing, I'll come out victorious on Saturday. I'll show my fans what I'm made of.
"This fight is a great test for me, but it's a difficult one. Trout is a complicated fighter with a complicated style, but I like challenges. I enjoy challenges and that's why I've accepted this fight, because it's a big challenge.
"I feel good. I feel as good as I've ever felt. I'm ready.
"I feel the adrenaline. I'm eager to walk into the ring and hear that bell."
AUSTIN TROUT, WBA Super Welterweight World Champion
"I want to thank Canelo Alvarez for being a hungry fighter, making his demands known and putting his foot down to make this happen. I'm a hungry fighter and I want to fight the best.
"I'm not worried about the officials or the judging. I'm not worried about being in a hostile territory. All I can worry about is the opponent that I have in the ring.
"We've worked hard in this camp because we know who we're going up against. It's not going to be a walk in the park, but we never asked for easy. We want these challenges to prove our worth to the boxing world and that I'm the best 154-pound champion. On Saturday, we're going to let our fists do the talking and I have no doubt that my hand will be raised.
"It's all about the experience. He may have more fights, but I feel like I have more experience than he does between my amateur career and the opponents that I've faced. My last fights, aside from Miguel Cotto, everybody has been bigger. I've fought some middleweights and super middleweights.
"This is something that I've been dreaming about, literally, for the last two months. I wake myself up boxing him, throwing punches and what not. I'm a very visual person so it's been something that I've been visualizing and now we get to see it come to real life. I believe it's going to play out the way I've been seeing it in my head.
"Trout Nation is a lot bigger than they [Team Canelo] thought. We have a lot of fans that are here and excited about me fighting in San Antonio. The love is very heartfelt and I'm just soaking it all in.
"I'm expecting to see a win in my favor. I'm expecting to see a good fight, I'm expecting nothing but the best from Canelo. We're just excited to go in there and get this WBC title that we've been looking for.
"He's never fought anybody my size. The fighters he's faced have been welterweights and even junior welterweights. He's done what he's supposed to do with everyone that they've put in front of him, so I give credit to him for that, but, at the same time, I'm not cut from the same cloth as those guys."
OMAR FIGUEROA JR., Top Lightweight Contender
"This is a great fight card. I think the main event will be the best fight of 2013. I'm as excited for the main event as I am for my own fight. I'm not going to say I'm going to win my fight, I'm not going to say I'm going to lose my fight, the only thing I can promise is that I'm going to fight with the heart and the passion that I always fight with, and hopefully, we come out on top.
"I don't think he [Abner Cotto] will be the toughest opponent I've faced. I think Michael Perez was the most formidable opponent I've had and we all know how I came out in that one. We're hoping for the same result in this one.
"Being able to fight in front of this many fans is an honor, but being able to do it in your own home state is a blessing.
"We worked hard for this fight and it's hard to believe it happened. I used to be in that back row [on the dais] and now I'm sitting in the front with the champions. It's just a dream come true.
"I'm looking forward to a good fight. I want the best for the fans. They're what make this sport happen, so I just want to give them my best."
ABNER COTTO, WBC FECARBOX Lightweight Champion
"I can tell you that I'm ready for this fight. This is biggest fight of my career.
"We know our opponent Omar Figueroa Jr. very well. We know that he's a very strong fighter, but I'm ready for this fight and will bring the victory home to Puerto Rico.
"We love challenges and Saturday is going to be a prime example.
"I want to thank my team, all the fans that bought tickets and everyone watching on television. It's going to be a great fight."
JERMALL CHARLO, Top Super Welterweight Prospect
"Saturday is going to be crazy with 40 thousand people in the stands. I'm part of the future of boxing. Everyone needs to tune in."
JULIAN WILLIAMS, Top Middleweight Prospect
"I'm really excited to be on this card. It's a blessing. I want to fight one of these guys someday [pointing to Canelo and Trout].
TERRELL GAUSHA, 2012 United States Olympian
"I'm blessed to have the opportunity be on this big stage around so many great fighters. I want to put on a great performance.
"One day I'm going to be sitting in one of these front seats [pointing to Canelo and Trout]."
RAUL MARTINEZ, Top Bantamweight Prospect
"It's a great feeling to be in the presence of fighters like Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya and to be trained by Jesse James Leija.
"Being on a card with Canelo and Trout, both great champions, is what boxers dream of. It's so motivating for me. I'm in the gym everyday training hard and it's paying off.
"I want to welcome everyone to the Alamodome. Get there early and watch me get a great knockout."
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, President of Golden Boy Promotion
"Neither one of these guys [Alvarez or Trout] had to take this fight. This is great for the sport that we love dearly.
"Austin Trout is willing to take on any comers. It goes to show you Austin Trout's character. He isn't afraid to go into his opponents' backyards. He's a fighter that went into Miguel Cotto's backyard in New York City and had a tremendous victory against a tremendous champion.
"You don't see fights like the one you're going to see Saturday night [often]. Fighters are usually too afraid to take on the best in their division, but not these two.
"[On Omar Figueroa vs. Abner Cotto] This is the type of fight we look forward to...young, undefeated guys that aren't afraid to take a risk.
"If you're going to go out there and take a risk and fight hard, then there is no loser. Win or lose, great fighters will be back for more. This is what makes boxing the sport that it is. These fighters are going to come out and fight with their hearts.
"[On Canelo vs. Trout] When you put two young hungry fighters together, you get the best. The fans will be the winners because they know they will see a great fight.
"We call Canelo the total package, not only for his abilities, but because he wants to face the best.
"This is a testament to Canelo's confidence in his skills. We are truly excited to be working with Canelo."
JESSE JAMES LEIJA, Former World Champion and Texas Boxing Legend
"The history of the Alamodome and boxing goes back 20 years, since 1993 when Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker. Don King had six months to get that fight together. We had about six weeks.
"We have 40 thousand people coming and that is because of these amazing fighters and the fight card on Saturday night.
"Mike Battah and I have been working very hard to make sure everyone comes out and acknowledges that we have two great fighters and one great night."
MIKE BATTAH, President of Leija and Battah Promotions
"We're building boxing again in Texas in a big way and it's happening this Saturday night.
"We're very happy, proud and honored that fans support us here. This is what boxing is about.
"I want fans to keep coming to the fights and I will work until I die to make this sport the best."
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive Vice President & General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports
"Events like this are a pleasure to work because of the excitement and visibility they generates by themselves.
"I'd like to thank Leijah and Battah Promotions. SHOWTIME has a long relationship with Jesse James Leija going back to some of his biggest fights and it's a pleasure to be working with you again. Most of all, I'd like to thank these two young superstars that we're going to see on Saturday night.
"Canelo Alvarez and Austin Trout are two of the biggest young stars in boxing today and they didn't have to fight each other. These are two champions at the prime of their careers and they deserve credit for taking a difficult fight
"This is one of the most highly anticipated fights on SHOWTIME since the days of Mike Tyson. I can't tell you how much attention, how many calls, how many ticket requests I've received. Nothing else compares to it since the Mike Tyson's fights."
NICHOLAS LANGELLA, Alamodome General Manager
"Oscar De La Hoya is an institution here in San Antonio. The Alamodome is very excited to be bringing this highly coveted match-up to our city.
"San Antonio has long been a host to many championship events. Saturday night continues that long tradition. Welcome to San Antonio. We are going to have a great time on Saturday night."
JOSE "CHEPO" REYNOSO, Canelo's Manager
"At this time, there's not much to say. I don't have many words. All I can say is that on Saturday, Canelo will come out victorious and we'll be dedicating this win to Rigoberto [Canelo's brother]."
EDDY REYNOSO, Canelo's Trainer
"We have a our work cut out for us as always. We're very focused on our work. We're ready for battle.
"A champion that is at this level made it here because of a lot of hard work and dedication.
"We've worked really hard to show that Canelo is the best 154-pound fighter in the world and that he's ready for the fight.
BOB SPAGNOLA, Trout's Manager
"I just want to give thanks to Greg Cohen and
Al Haymon. I want to thank Austin Trout and his trainer Louie Burke, who I include in Austin's small circle of family.
"We've traveled all around the world trying to find opponents for Austin. It's a tough business, but we're here now."
HECTOR SOTO, Vice President of Miguel Cotto Promotions
"Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions have a very important alliance. Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto have great names in boxing and we've joined forces to make the best fights in boxing.
"Abner Cotto is hungry and he's ready for this fight on Saturday. He'll become champion someday.
JOSE SULAIMAN, President of the WBC
"I have a special place in my heart for San Antonio. I lived here about a year, my first year at Trinity University.
"I haven't been traveling much because I've had some health problems, but I had to come to this fight.
Canelo Alvarez is the number one champion in the world and the biggest Mexican superstar."
Canelo vs. Trout Super Welterweight World Championship Unification Fight
Saturday, April 20, LIVE on SHOWTIME® from Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
WBC, WBA & VACANT RING MAGAZINE SUPER WELTERWEIGHT TITLES - 12 ROUNDS
CANELO ALVAREZ – 153 ½ Pounds
AUSTIN TROUT – 153 ¼ Pounds
OMAR FIGUEROA – 134 ½ Pounds
ABNER COTTO – 133 ½ Pounds
SHOWTIME EXTREME:
JERMALL CHARLO – 154 ¼ Pounds
ORLANDO LORA – 154 ¼ Pounds
JULIAN WILLIAMS – 156 ¾ Pounds
DASHON JOHNSON – 156 ¾ Pounds
ABOUT "CANELO VS. TROUT":
Canelo vs. Trout, a 12-round Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight for Canelo’s WBC title, Trout’s WBA title and the vacant Ring Magazine title, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The co-main event will be a 10-round fight between undefeated prospects Omar Figueroa Jr. of Weslaco, Texas and Abner Cotto of Caguas, Puerto Rico for the vacant WBC Silver Lightweight Championship which is presented in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions. The fights will air live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT with Canelo vs. Trout being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
ALAMODOME SOLD OUT FOR AN UNBELIEVABLE NIGHT OF BOXING
IN SAN ANTONIO HEADLINED BY CANELO ALVAREZ VS. AUSTIN TROUT
IN SAN ANTONIO HEADLINED BY CANELO ALVAREZ VS. AUSTIN TROUT
TOP TALENT TO STEP INTO THE RING
IN FRONT OF 38,000 FANS
IN FRONT OF 38,000 FANS
SATURDAY'S BOUTS INCLUDE OMAR FIGUEROA JR. VS. ABNER COTTO,
JERMALL CHARLO VS. ORLANDO LORA, JULIAN WILLIAMS VS. DAHSON JOHNSON AND TERRELL GAUSHA VS. WILLIAM WATERS
The 38,000 fans in the sold out Alamodome tomorrow night are in for non-stop action as the undercard for the WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez and WBA Super Welterweight Austin "No Doubt" Trout showdown is now complete. Unbeaten prospects Jermall Charlo and Julian Williams will be joined by 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha in the SHOWTIME EXTREME bouts that will lead into the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast featuring undefeated lightweights Omar Figueroa Jr. and Abner Cottofollowed by the highly anticipated Canelo vs. Trout 12-round Super Welterweight Title Unification bout.
In the SHOWTIME EXTREME headliner, Houston's Charlo, twin brother of top contender Jermell, puts his perfect 12-0 (8 KO's) record on the line when he battles veteran Mexican contender Orlando Lora (29-3-2, 19 KO's) in a super welterweight bout scheduled for eight rounds.
Plus, an eight-round middleweight contest between Philadelphia phenom Williams (11-0-1, 6 KO's) and Escondido, California's Dashon Johnson (14-10-3, 5 KO's) and in a four round middleweight swing bout, 2012 U.S. Olympian Gausha (3-0, 2 KO's) of Cleveland meets up with Valley, Alabama's William Waters (2-3, 2 KO's).
In an eight-round flyweight contest, unbeaten Ivan Morales (20-0, 13 KO's), the brother of legendary Erik Morales, will continue to make a name for himself when he faces Chihuahua, Mexico's Raul Hidalgo (17-7, 13 KO's).
The vacant WBC Silver Super Bantamweight title will be up for grabs as well when Queretaro, Mexico's Andres Gutierrez (25-0-1, 21 KO's) faces countryman Salvador"Sal II" Sanchez (30-5-3, 18 KO's), the nephew of the late Salvador Sanchez.
Local San Antonio hero Raul Martinez (29-2, 17 KOs) continues his comeback in bantamweight action, as he takes on Omar Gonzales (5-8, 1 KO) in a four-round battle. In the four-round junior lightweight opener, unbeaten Houstonite Miguel Flores(10-0, 6 KO's) meets Weslaco's Guadalupe De Leon (8-13, 4 KO's).
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
ABNER COTTO,
Al Haymon,
BOB SPAGNOLA,
Canelo vs. Trout,
JERMALL CHARLO,
Jose Sulaiman,
JULIAN WILLIAMS,
Official Weights,
Omar Figueroa
FOX DEPORTES CLASSICS TO SHOWCASE UNIFIED SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION DANNY GARCIA & FORMER WORLD CHAMPION ZAB JUDAH ON APRIL 20
DOUBLEHEADER FEATURES BOTH FIGHTERS ONE WEEK BEFORE THEY FACE OFF FOR THE UNIFIED SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Before Danny "Swift" Garcia defends his Unified Super Lightweight World Championship against former World Champion Zab Judah on April 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. live on SHOWTIME, the two super lightweight stars will be featured on FOX Deportes Classics on Saturday, April 20 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.
In the main event, Garcia squares off with future Hall of Famer Erik "El Terrible" Morales in their first of two bouts that took place in 2012 and in the co-feature, Judah faces one of the most feared men in boxing, Argentinean knockout artist Lucas Matthysse in their 2010 showdown.
Despite his success in the 140-pound division, no one outside of his team knew how Danny Garcia would react to facing a legend like Erik Morales when they met in Houston, Texas on March 24, 2012. In his first world title fight, Philadelphia's Garcia rose to the occasion, dropping Morales in the 11th round en route to a 12-round unanimous decision win that earned him the WBC 140-pound crown.
Former Two-Division World Champion Zab Judah had to walk through fire when he faced off against Lucas Matthysse at New Jersey's Prudential Center on November 6, 2010. Judah rose from the canvas in the 10th round against his then-unbeaten foe to secure a 12-round split decision win and position him for a shot at the vacant IBF Junior Welterweight crown which he won four months later.
Garcia vs. Judah, a 12-round bout for Garcia's Unified Super Lightweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona and AT&T. In the co-featured attraction, WBO Middleweight World Champion Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin puts his title on the line against hard-hitting Fernando Guerrero in a 12-round fight. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
FOX DEPORTES CLASSICS TO SHOWCASE UNIFIED SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION DANNY GARCIA,
Garcia vs. Judah,
live on SHOWTIME,
Lucas Matthysse,
Peter Kid Chocolate Quillin,
Zab Judah
HEAVYWEIGHTS RETURN TO THE MECCA Saturday afternoon, April 20th at Madison Square Garden. Undefeated Irish Tyson Fury vs. two-time champ Steve "USS" Cunningham.
Heavyweight contenders Tyson Fury, 20-0, 14 KOs, and Steve Cunningham, 25-5, 12 KOs, will clash in a highly anticipated 12 round bout that will place the winner on track to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world. Only one man will come away victorious in the rare Saturday afternoon clash taking place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden and broadcasted on NBC at 4:00PM ET, and both fighters are determined to be the one. Victory earns the winner the #2 spot in the IBF world rankings, and puts that fighter just one more step away from facing champion Wladimir Klitschko.
In his first American appearance, Tyson Fury is looking to make his mark as the next big thing in the heavyweight division. At 6' 9" tall, he fits the bill literally, but he will try to prove that his feared punching power can make him the new star of the division.
Fury's outspoken nature at the pre-fight press conference brought him much attention, and he is convinced that he can back up his words with an impressive victory over Steve Cunningham, the most seasoned opponent he's faced thus far.
Cunningham, the former two-time cruiserweight champ who always trains like a Spartan, appears hungrier than ever, thanks to Fury's trash talk. He is determined to prove once and for all that his transition to the heavyweight division was the right move. He came close to making his point in his last fight, but a bad decision stalled his climb up the ratings.
Against Fury, Cunningham will look to prove that in this era of BIG heavyweights, he can defeat a true giant. It's a tall order, but it wasn't that long ago that the average-sized Evander Holyfield defied the odds by rising from the cruiserweight division to capture the biggest title in all of sports. Cunningham believes he can do the same.
One thing is for certain, with so much at stake, this fight between two very different boxers, could be a classic. The bigger, younger, and harder-hitting Fury will try to put his foe on the canvas for a 10-count, while Cunningham tries to unravel his untested opponent with his experience, conditioning and ring smarts.
There is nothing like a heavyweight fight with something on the line, and Fury-Cunningham is such a fight. With both men fighting for the right to advance to a final eliminator for the heavyweight championship of the world, something's got to give.
APRIL 20TH FIGHT INFO
April 20th at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York features a 12-round heavyweight battle between Tyson Fury and Steve Cunningham in the main event. Curtis Stevens will take on Derrick Findley in the 8-round middleweight co-feature. Six additional bouts are planned for the undercard. Doors open at The Theater at Madison Square Garden doors open at 1:15PM ET. The main event and co-feature will be broadcast 4PM ET on NBC as a special 2 hour afternoon presentation of NBC Fight Night. The card is presented by Hennessy Sports and Main Events.
The main event is an official IBF Heavyweight Voluntary Eliminator fight for the #2 position. The winner must meet #1 or the leading available contender to establish the mandatory challenger for Heavyweight King Wladimir Klitschko.
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
FURY - CUNNINGHAM VIE FOR TITLE OPPORTUNITY,
Fury-Cunningham press conference LIVE,
Steve USS Cunningham,
STEVENS vs FINDLEY,
Tyson Fury,
Weigh In Live on NBC Sports Network,
Wladimir Klitschko
Friday, April 19, 2013
CURTIS STEVENS READY TO DO WHAT HE DOES BEST - Curtis "Showtime" Stevens vs. Derrick Findley - Sat. April 20th - The Theater at Madison Square Garden
T
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Rising middleweight power puncher Curtis "Showtime" Stevens, 23-3, 17 KOs, is raring to go for his next outing, an 8-rounder against Derrick Findley, 20-9, 13 KOs, scheduled for Saturday afternoon, April 20th, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The fight will be part of a nationally televised NBC afternoon broadcast topped by the Tyson Fury vs. Steve Cunningham heavyweight elimination bout. The broadcast, which is part of the NBC Fight Night series, will begin at 4PM ET.
Stevens has been fighting as a pro since 2004, but it is his last two bouts that have started attracting serious attention. In January, he disposed of the usually durable Elvin Ayala in less than one round to win the vacant NABF middleweight title. That highlight-reel KO was his second straight first-round stoppage, and the Brooklyn native is looking to add another knockout to his collection.
"I don't get paid for overtime," Stevens said about his upcoming fight. "I go rounds in the gym, not in the ring."
Certainly Stevens has been on a real tear after a layoff stalled his promising career. But now that he's fighting regularly and has trimmed down to the middleweight division, the New Yorker looks like he could be a real player among the top fighters in the world.
In Findley, Stevens will be up against a sturdy opponent who's never been knocked out and who is always looking for a fight.
"He looks to knock you out, and that's what I do too," Findley said. "I'm pretty sureI won't have to look for him, and he damn sure won't have to look for me."
If this is true, the fight figures to be explosive.
"He's never been knocked out, but he's never been hit by a guy like me before," Stevens said.
With everyone watching, both live at the Garden and at home on TV, another strong showing by Stevens may start to open some important doors for him.
"This is a great opportunity to go out there and showcase my skills," Stevens said. "In December (NBC's last Saturday afternoon boxing event) four million people were watching, that's incredible. I'm excited to be here in my hometown, at the Mecca (Madison Square Garden), and fighting on NBC. On April 20th, I'll just do what I do best."
APRIL 20TH FIGHT INFO
April 20th at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York features a 12-round heavyweight battle between Tyson Fury and Steve Cunningham in the main event. Curtis Stevens will take on Derrick Findley in the 8-round middleweight co-feature. Six additional bouts are planned for the undercard. Doors open at The Theater at Madison Square Garden doors open at 1:15PM ET. The main event and co-feature will be broadcast 4PM ET on NBC as a special 2 hour afternoon presentation of NBC Fight Night. The card is presented by Hennessy Sports and Main Events.
The main event is an official IBF Heavyweight Voluntary Eliminator fight for the #2 position. The winner must meet #1 or the leading available contender to establish the mandatory challenger for Heavyweight King Wladimir Klitschko.
♔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, 2021, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.
Labels:Boxing, Events, Fight Sports, MMA,
chin checkers,
Curtis Showtime Stevens,
Derrick Findley,
Hennessy Sports,
Madison Square Garden Theater,
Main Events,
NBC Ch.4,
NBC Fight Night series,
Tyson Fury vs. Steve Cunningham
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