★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience©®™

Friday, May 10, 2013

DIERRY JEAN AND MOOKIE PENDARVIS FIGHT FOR TOP SPOT IN IBF JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION

Dierry Jean 139.6 lbs. vs. Cleotis Pendarvis 139.8 lbs.

John Thompson 153.8 lbs. vs. Giovany Rodriguez 155.8 lbs.

Ahmad Cheiko 150.4 lbs. vs. Shad Howard 148.2 lbs.

Cecil McCalla 146.6 lbs. vs. Abel Perry 148.6 lbs.

Antoine Douglas 158.8 lbs. vs. Coy Witt 158.6 lbs.

Chris Plaitis 137.8 lbs. vs. Octavio Garay (NA)

♔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, 2012, 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.

RAY MERCER AND FIND A DREAM ANNOUNCE RELOCATION OF HEADQUARTERS TO LOS ANGELES

Find A Dream—a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that reaches out to community children and provides them a healthy channel to find and work towards fulfilling a dream—has recently announced that within the month they will be relocating their headquarters to the Los Angeles area.

What makes Find A Dream unique is the majority of their Board includes former boxing champions and future Hall-of-Famers, including US Olympic Gold medalist and former heavyweight champion Ray Mercer, 3-time world cruiserweight champion Bobby Czyz, 4-time world heavyweight champion Michael Moorer, former champion and renowned trainer Buddy McGirt, Hector Camacho Jr. and more

“Everything has been moving along so great with Find a Dream,” said Board Member Ray Mercer. “We are still kicking on strong in Myrtle Beach, and this will give us a chance to bring to California what we did to the East Coast. Our goal is to continue to expand so we maximize our efforts in reaching the greatest amount of children. I am so honored to be such a proactive foundation in benefiting the lives of children.”

Founded in 2010, the organization has prominently expanded on an international level as they have opened up two facilities in the United States, and have participated in various speaking engagements through Europe to spread awareness of the importance of providing children with a healthy outlet to allow them to work towards their goals in life and have a structure to follow.

“We have continued to progress over the past three years, and the move to California makes the most sense,” said Rod Ricciardi, founder of Find A Dream. “We need to be right in the mix of the Mecca of the entertainment, sports and social world, and I have no doubts we will find much success on the west coast. Find A Dream’s impact is felt every time an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child, and when a community comes together for the common good.”

Last year Find A Dream opened up a facility in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and their ongoing plans for 2013 include opening up another facility in the LA area and organizing several fundraisers to promote the foundation’s efforts.

“We would like to give a special thanks to Pete Guthrie and One Punch Fitness in Myrtle Beach who opened up their facility to Find A Dream last year,” Ricciardi continued. “It is the ongoing support from people like Pete who allow us to thrive and offer a place for kids to go to train. One Punch Fitness is the area’s premier workout facility and boxing training club, and Find A Dream is more than honored to be associated with them.”

Find A Dream is a nonprofit organization unlike any other. They have partnered with professionals to deliver on their promise of positive change in young lives.

World-Ranked Contenders Jean & Pendarvis Battle For IBF 140-Pound Top Spot Friday on ShoBox on SHOWTIME‏

Dierry Jean & Cleotis Pendarvis are on weight & ready to put on a good show tomorrow (Friday) at 11p ET/PT!

WHO’S NO. 1? WORLD-RANKED CONTENDERS

DIERRY JEAN AND MOOKIE PENDARVIS FIGHT FOR
TOP SPOT IN IBF JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION;

CLASH OF UNBEATEN MIDDLEWEIGHTS IN CO-FEATURE

In what will be a hard-fought, high-stakes matchup for the No. 1 spot in the IBF’s 140-pound division, undefeated Dierry “Dougy Style” Jean (24-0, 16 KOs), of Quebec, Canada, will face southpaw Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis (17-3-1, 6 KOs), of Los Angeles, Calif., in the 10-round main event this Friday, May 10, on ShoBox: The New Generation live on SHOWTIME^® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). Jean and Pendarvis are ranked No. 3 and No. 7, respectively, in the IBF.

Unbeaten middleweights John “Apollo Kidd” Thompson (11-0, 4 KOs) of Newark, N.J., and left-hander Geovanni “Tarantula” Rodriguez (8-0, 5 KOs), of San Juan, Puerto Rico, clash in the eight-round co-feature from Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla. This will be the toughest fight for both of them.

All four boxers will be making their ShoBox debuts; more importantly all of them will have an opportunity to make a name for themselves. Due to the significance of the fight and the exposure they’ll be getting on SHOWTIME, this is especially true for the main events.

“The main event is a little bit different because it features two prospects who are fighting for a guaranteed shot at the IBF world title,’’ said ShoBox expert analyst Steve Farhood. “Dierry Jean is undefeated but untested at the highest level. Pendarvis has three losses, but has more impressive wins than Jean does.

“This is a good style matchup; Jean is a fast-handed counter-puncher, Pendarvis an awkward boxer- puncher. I’m looking forward to it.’’

As for the co-feature, Farhood said, “This is a typical ShoBox contest featuring two undefeated prospects. We don’t know how good they are, but we’re going to find out on Friday night.’’

The 5-foot-7, 31-year-old Jean, who was born in Haiti, will be making his second start in the United States. All his other fights took place in Canada, 23 of them in Montreal. His lone U.S. outing came in January 2008 in Hollywood, Fla. In his most recent fight, he registered two knockdowns en route to retaining his NABF title with a second-round TKO over Juan Rivera on Feb. 16 in Gatineau, Canada.

A solid amateur before turning pro at the age of 26 in December 2006, Jean is an excellent boxer who likes to work the body. His two most significant victories came in back-to-back fights in 2012, a dominant TKO 11 over Ivan Cano on Oct. 26 and a lopsided 12-round decision over Lanardo Tyner on May 19.

“Except for the one week I took off after my last fight, I’ve been in the gym training for this fight,’’ Jean said. “I've been sparring with a few left-handed fighters. I don't like fighting lefthanders, but I'm pretty comfortable with them. I’ve fought two or three of them as a pro. My first fight was against a lefthander.

“Pendarvis is a pretty good fighter. He's quick, but he makes many mistakes. I'll make him pay for every mistake he makes.’’

Jean has lived in Canada since he left Haiti with his brother, aunt and grandparents when he was 10. His parents had died three years earlier. He didn’t take boxing seriously until he was 18. “Before that, I played basketball, soccer and did martial arts,’’ said Jean, who speaks French, English and Creole.

Regarding his nickname, Jean said, "I got it from another boxer, Matthew Jerman, who liked the way I fought and said I fought like him. So he gave me ‘Dougy Style’’ because I can do everything in the ring. I can move forward and put pressure on you, I can move away and box and I can just brawl.’’

Pendarvis is a 5-foot-7, 26-year-old, eight-year pro who has won six consecutive fights and 12 of his last 14 dating to December 2006. Both defeats came on points in tight fights; one on an eight-round majority decision to then-unbeaten Mauricio Herrera (12-0) in October 2009 and the other on an eight-round split nod to veteran Terrance Cauthen in June 2010.

A resident of Long Beach, Calif., Pendarvis won the USBA junior welterweight title two outings ago and retained it in his last start with a sixth-round TKO over Michael Clark on Dec. 21, 2012. Mookie scored two knockdowns in the third, rocked Clark several times and eventually wore him down with body punches.

A top amateur before turning pro in October 2004, Pendarvis is primed to take advantage of the biggest opportunity of his pro career.

“I’m ready,’’ he said. “This is my chance and I will go out and perform. It's going to be entertainment, and the world will know who I am. I stay in the gym. I've been preparing for this fight for almost two months.

“To be honest, they've been disrespecting me with some of the articles they've been putting out. So I don't really think much of Jean or his team. I just want to go out, prove myself and do what I've got to do.

“I will beat him. I know I'm going to beat him. That's what I do – go out and upset fighters. I get stronger and better every day. I'm just ready for war. That's all I think about every day, going to war. I want to say thanks to SHOWTIME for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talents and to let the world see me.

Mookie won his toughest fight long ago. “I was born in Inglewood, Calif., and I have three brothers and one sister,’’ he said. “My mom has been paralyzed since a car accident in 2010. I’ve been through a lot. I went through the foster-care system. I experienced the streets. It was rough, but it made me who I am today.

“I just want to send a message out to all the kids that are out there looking for something to do with their lives in the belief that there’s no tomorrow. All I want to say to them is that there is a tomorrow, that there’s always a brighter day. You just have to work hard and stay focused.’’

Doug Fischer, the editor at RingTV.com (Ring Magazine online) has known Mookie for years and has always been impressed with his talent.

“I used to watch him train when he was still a kid at the Broadway gym in the Watts area where he grew up,’’ Fischer said. “Besides having the best name in boxing -- Cleotis ‘Mookie’ Pendarvis – he has always had a lot of natural talent. “He was a good amateur, and made it to the Western Olympic Trials in 2004.

“Mookie's problem in the pro ranks was that he never had a real promoter behind him, thus he always lacked consistency. However, he has been a part of many world-class training camps and has helped top fighters such as Shane Mosley, Amir Khan and Antonio Margarito get ready for explosive southpaws such as Zab Judah and Manny Pacquiao.

“Now that he has a solid management team behind, he's finally strung some wins together and has remained in training for more than a year. I think this consistency along with his natural ability makes him a threat in the 140-pound division. I think he will beat Dierry Jean on Friday.’’

Thompson is a 6-foot-1, 24-year-old who is trained by former world champion Buddy McGirt and trains out of McGirt’s new gym in Nutley, N.J. A bronze medalist at the 2007 National Golden Gloves Championships, Thompson scored several impressive victories during an accomplished 111-fight amateur career, including two over 2008/2012 Mexican Olympian Oscar Molina and Detroit prospect Domonique Dolton.

The up-and-coming, well-conditioned youngster has been kept busy since going pro in June 2011. He fought three times that year, seven times in 2012 and once so far in 2013 (TKO 5 over Blake Grayson on Feb. 9). He actually had two fights scheduled after Grayson but both fell though.

“I’ve been working with Buddy going on a year now, and it is the best thing that ever happened to me,’’ Thompson said. “Buddy brings a lot of things to the table. He just opened up a new gym in Nutley. I started working with him after my fight in June last year. The December fight was my first with him.

“I'm a boxer. I'm very fast, so I use my speed to my advantage. Some people are fast or strong. Me being fast and having the smarts and the ability to adapt to people has helped me a lot. I'm just ready to fight, and am very excited to be fighting Friday on ShoBox.’’

Offers McGirt: “This kid has a lot of talent; he’s progressing all the time. We’re just adding some polish to what’s already there. He has a lot of confidence and he thinks he’s good, but he really doesn’t know how good he can be. But that will come; he’ll find himself. It’s been really great working with him and his father. No problems at all.’’

Thompson, whose father, John Thompson III, started training him when he was four and will be in his corner on Friday, works part-time at the Newark Liberty Airport in the baggage department. He’s also an accomplished artist/painter and has an art business. Little wonder he pictures himself as a future champion.

Rodriguez is a 24-year-old, 5-feet-11 southpaw who’s making his 2013 debut. Like Thompson, he was also an outstanding amateur, winning silver medals at both the 2009 Jose “Cheo” Aponte Tournament and the 2007 Puerto Rican National Championships. He made his pro debut in October 2009.

While he hasn’t been as busy as Thompson – this is Rodriguez’ first start in eight months, and he only fought twice in 2012 and one time in 2011, the latest in the line of promising, Puerto Rican prospects is fit, determined and confident of a victory on Friday.

“I've been preparing very hard for this fight and I'm ready to make a good impression,’’ said Thompson, who recorded a fifth-round TKO over Daniel Rodriguez (no relation) last Sept. 12. “I’ve trained almost two months, at two different gyms. I know absolutely nothing about the guy I'm fighting.

“I'm an aggressive southpaw, a strong, hard puncher. You’ll see what I can do on Friday.’’

Barry Tompkins will call the ShoBox action from ringside with Farhood and former World Champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Surging Lightweight Boxer Bahodir ‘Baha’ Mamadjonov Signs with Promoter Don King

(Photo of Don ing by; Keisha Morrisey)

Emerging lightweight boxer Bahodir “Baha” Mamadjonov traveled to Don King’s office in South Florida today to sign a long-term promotional agreement with the legendary promoter.

A heralded amateur with over 200 fights, Mamadjonov won several championships fighting out of his native Uzbekistan before moving to Houston two years ago to turn professional under the guidance of trainer Ken Richardson. He has fought often and risen rapidly as evidenced by his record: 13-1 with nine knockouts.

“Signing with Don King brings me closer to my goal of winning a world championship,” Mamadjonov said. “That is what drives me every day. I want to win a world title for my family and the people of Uzbekistan who always believed in me.”

Key to Mamadjonov’s success has been a fearlessness and work ethic that has allowed the 25-year-old to take fights on short notice that less industrious fighters would have missed. His trainer said some have gone as far as criticizing him for moving his fighter along too fast.

“My belief is that if a boxer is prepared and stays in training year-round, he can and should be ready to fight at all times,” Richardson said. “Baha is passionate about the sport and wants to fight as often as he can.”

Mamadjonov’s rapid rise began when his first six fights took place in less than six months. That was in 2011. He fought six more times in 2012.

Richardson further tempted fate by accepting four key fights for Mamadjonov in the last 16 months on notice varying from two weeks down to three days.

Archie Ray Marquez was 12-1 before facing Mamadjonov on Nov. 10, 2011, and Michael Clark was 42-6 going in against the Uzbeki on March 1, 2012. Mamadjonov won both fights by decision, serving notice he would be a force to be reckoned with.

Undefeated Darley Perez was to have met Michael Katsidis last August, but Katsidis pulled out two weeks before the fight with a knee injury. Mamadjonov took the fight and dominated until round five when an accidental clash of heads resulted in blurred vision in his left eye.

After suffering a flash knockdown in round eight, Mamadjonov still almost won the fight, which went to Perez by split decision after 10 rounds.

Another undefeated and touted lightweight, Angelo Santana, lost his opponent on April 12 just one week before the match. Mamadjonov willingly accepted the challenge and made the most of the opportunity.

After suffering a flash knockdown from a Santana jab in round 2, Mamadjonov took control of the fight. After six rounds, the three judges had the fight scored even at 66 apiece.

In a pivotal round eight, Mamadjonov battered Santana unmercifully along the ropes before he crumbled to the mat. The Cuban made it to round nine, but Mamadjonov floored him twice more before the referee halted the contest.

“I hit Santana with a body shot in the seventh round and I heard him groan so I tried to stop him,” Mamadjonov said. “In the eighth round, I said to myself, ‘Baha, you must stop him now.’

“Don’t forget, I took the fight on short notice and had to lose a lot of weight quickly. There was no time for me to waste.”

Promoter Don King loves what he has seen from his newest fighter.

“I am extremely pleased and proud to have Baha with me,” King said. “I expect great things from this young man because he’s dedicated and committed to becoming a world champion. He took the fight with Santana on almost no notice and stopped a great lightweight.

“Baha reveres industrialist Alisher Usmanov from his native Uzbekistan and he wants to bring a world title back home for him and the people of Uzbekistan.”

Mamadjonov risked everything to come to the United States to pursue his dream of winning a world title.

“When you see me fight ferociously it’s because I want to achieve great things,” Mamadjonov said. “I want a world title more than anything I have ever dreamed of in my life.”

Mamadjonov is proud to be represented by King.

“Don King is a superstar in my country,” Mamadjonov said. “Just the fact I was meeting with him in his office today was news in Uzbekistan. I can’t wait to tell everyone back home he is now my promoter.

Trainer-manager Richardson echoed the feelings of his fighter.

“Don always took my calls when I was looking for a promoter,” Richardson said, “and I never forget that. When fate brought us together for the Santana fight, I was reminded that Don is a world promoter. I’ve always said that if you are or want to be a world champion boxer, Don King is the guy you want to be with.” (photo of Don King by Keisha Morrisey )

♔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, 2012, 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.

It's Chocolate Time! Peter Quillin ready to unify world middleweight title

Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight champion Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (29-0, 21 KOs) has officially arrived on the International boxing scene, after destroying challenger Fernando Guerrero (25-2, 19 KOs) en route to victory by seventh-round technical knockout in his first title defense, April 27 on Showtime Championship Boxing from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Now, the 29-year-old Quillin is one of the hottest boxers in the world, ready to unify the 160-pound division, assuming he can overcome some potential boxing politics in order to make a deal against one of the other major world middleweight title holders.

"I want to fight one of the other champions," Quillin said. "Sergio Martinez would be my first choice, but he's injured and out for the rest of the year. (Daniel) Geale is the IBF champion and that, right now, looks like the easiest unification fight to make."

Unifications are difficult to make a for wide variety of reasons and, unfortunately, Quillin against any of the other world champions faces the additional problems stemming from animosity between rivals Showtime and HBO, as well as Quillin's promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, and Top Rank. What Quillin has on his side, however, in addition to his rising popularity, is the fact that not only is he the only American-born world middleweight champion, but he's also the only American ranked among the consensus top 10 in independent rating systems.

"We'll fight anybody in a unification or major fight," added John Seip, who co-manages Quillin with Jim McDevitt. "Peter was awesome in his last fight. He really hurts his opponents with both hands. He connected on 50-percent of his power punches against Guerrero and that's an astronomical number. Nobody in this division can handle him. It's a numbers game, now. The promoters and networks have to put egos aside and give fans what they want with Peter in a major fight.

"No offense to (Brian) Vera or (Marco Antonio) Rubio, but we're looking for much bigger fights. Peter has earned the right to be a main event fighter. He helped open-up Barclays Center and had a lot of fans there against Guerrero. You don't make big money winning the world title belt; you do retaining it, and now it's time for Peter to reap the fruit of his labor. The biggest market in boxing is in America and a unification fight belongs here. Martinez is out with injuries, (Julio Cesar, Jr.) Chavez won't fight us, Golovkin has a fight at the end of June, but Geale interests us."

The affable Quillin goes into animal status when he steps between the ropes and into the ring. He has developed into a monster counter-puncher with power in both hands, to go with a chameleon-like ability to adjust his style according to what's most advantageous in each particular fight, often surprising opponents who based their game plan on Quillin's previous fight, and he also possess an incredible chin that allows him to walk through punches.

In his last two fights, Quillin has recorded an amazing 10 knockdowns, four against Guerrero and six more last October when he ripped the WBO belt from previously unbeaten defending champion Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam (27-0).

"And one other knockdown in my fight before that (N'Jikam)," Quillin noted, "against Winky (Wright), making it 11 knockdowns in my last three fights. "I never want to lose and just work hard to win every fight. I challenge myself in training camp for every fight and I have great trainers - Eric Brown (boxing), Brad Bose (strength and conditioning) and Robert Garcia (nutritionist). I'm improving every fight. I've gained valuable experience, become more confident since becoming world champion, and feel very comfortable in the ring. In my last fight, I showed improvement in ring generalship, composure, and even my interviewing skills. I'm becoming the full package."

It's Chocolate Time!

Ava Knight to Face Linda Soto May 11th in Toluca, Mexico

On May 11, 2013 at the Gimnasio Agustin Millan en Toluca, México IBF ,WBC Silver, WBC Diamond Flyweight Champion Ava “Lady of Boxing” Knight, 11-1-3 (5KOs) of Chico, California will be defending her WBC Silver Female Flyweight Title against Linda “La Muñeca” Soto, 5-2-0 (3KO), of Sonora, Mexico in a 10-round bout. Knight is coming off a unanimous decision win over Susana Vazquez in January at the Gimnasio Manuel Bernardo Aguirre in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Holly Holm-Mary McGee Set For May 11 Showdown at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque

Fresquez Productions held a press conference today to announce its next boxing event, “Mayhem,” headlined by 14-time, three division world champion Holly “The Preachers Daughter” Holm (32-2-3, 9 KOs) – the recognized pound-for-pound Queen of Boxing – against challenger “Merciless” Mary McGee (20-1, 11 KOs) on Saturday night, May 11th

♔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, 2012, 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.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI VS. ADRIEN BRONER PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FAST-TALKING WORLD CHAMPIONS SET TO COLLIDE ON JUNE 22 AT BARCLAYS CENTER IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Saturday, May 4, an unforgettable day for boxing, kicked off with a Las Vegas press conference to officially announce the June 22 world championship showdown between two of the most colorful characters in the sport, WBA Welterweight World Champion Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi and Two-Division World Champion Adrien "The Problem" Broner at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York which will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^®.

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI, WBA Welterweight World Champion

"[To Broner] Now you're fighting a real fighter. Real fighters punch back.

"He's coming up to a real weight class against a real man. He's going to get hit a lot too.

"[To Broner] Guys like you, they're a dime a dozen.

"I am fortunate to get these kinds of opportunities and usually I'm able to upset the apple cart.

"Adrien is nothing more than a Floyd Mayweather wannabe. He doesn't just fight like him. He talks like him. He breathes like him. He needs to get his own character.

"He doesn't have his own personality. It's a big insecurity.

"I didn't get my titles handed to me. I had to earn them.

"What happens to Broner when it isn't easy? He's never been put in that situation before.

"I thought this was the easiest fight they offered me. They're giving me this ex-junior lightweight. It was a no brainer.

"He has good speed and good timing, but his power is overrated. A lot of what he does is overrated.

ADRIEN BRONER, Two-Division World Champion

"[On his June 22 fight] Everyone is saying 'He's going up in weight. Is he going to be strong enough and fast enough to take on a world class world champion?' I know Paulie is going to come out to fight like he always does, but this will be his fourth loss to a world champion. He just keeps getting whooped by champions.

"I take him seriously, but he's a clown. He's going to come out with big feet, dyed hair and a crazy outfit, but I'm going to punch him until his nose is red enough to complete out the outfit.

"I moved up for the opportunity to be a 23-year-old three-time world champion in three different weight classes.

"I call him a one handed bandit. He's never thrown a right hand ever.

"On June 22, he's going to wish there's another corner he can run to.

"It's going to be a hell of a night.

"He's telling me to be more creative. I don't have to be more creative. I'm just going to mess him up.

"He isn't getting on my nerves. This is boxing.

"All of the good fights at 140 were already matched up.

"He feels like I'm just a 135-pound fighter, but he's not on my level.

"It is going to be the 'AB Show.'

"He can really box. I'm not taking him lightly. No one just handed him that belt.

"It's going to be a hell of an event. Paulie is going to bring his following. I'm going to bring mine. He's from Brooklyn; it's going to be a packed house."

"You guys will be surprised when you see me fight at 147."

RICHARD SCHAEFER, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions

"These two are not only two of the most exciting fighters in the sport, they are also two of the biggest talkers.

"This is champion against champion.

Malignaggi vs. Broner, a 12-round fight for Malignaggi's WBA Welterweight World Championship will take place Saturday, June 22, 2013 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, supported by Golden Boy Promotions' sponsors Corona and AT&T. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) and will be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP). In the co-featured bout, Johnathon Banks will look to repeat his 2012 upset win over Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell as he defends his NABO and WBC International Heavyweight titles in a 12-round fight presented in association with K2 Promotions. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

JOHN “APOLLO KIDD” THOMPSON READY FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION DEBUT THIS FRIDAY NIGHT ON SHO BOX PLUS ANTOINE DOUGLAS TO SEE ACTION ON UNDERCARD

This Friday night at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma undefeated Jr. Middleweight John “Apollo Kid” Thompson and undefeated Middleweight Antoine “Action” Douglas will be back in action in separate fights.

In the main event, undefeated Dierry Jean (24-0, 16 KO’s) will take on Cleotis Pendarvis in an IBF Jr. Welterweight Elimination bout.

Thompson and Douglas are promoted by Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions.

Thompson (11-0, 4 KO’s) of Newark, NJ will take on fellow unbeaten Giovany Rodriguez of Puerto Rico in the eight round televised co-feature.

“All I know he is a southpaw and ranked number two in Puerto Rico”, said Thompson.

“I finally get to showcase my talent for television. This is a great opportunity”.

“I am very confident this win will boost my rankings and open up new doors”.

As for Douglas, he will take part in a scheduled six round bout against Coy Witt.

Douglas (6-0, 4 KO’s) of Washington, DC is one of the top Middleweight prospects in the United States.

“Camp has been great. I feel strong, fast and my weight is good”

Douglas doesn’t know much about Whitt but he feels that he will have a big performance on Friday.

“I have only seen one piece of footage on him and based on that, a knockout is the plan”

This will already be Douglas’ fifth fight of 2013.

“My team is doing their job and my only worry is boxing. After this win I will be back to fight on June 15^th.

Thompson and Douglas are managed by William Mielnicki.

IBF JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION LAMONT PETERSON TO HOLD WASHINGTON, DC MEDIA WORKOUT AHEAD OF HIS MAY 18 SHOWDOWN AGAINST LUCAS MATTHYSSE AT BOARDWALK HALL IN ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY WHICH WILL BE TELEVISED LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Lamont Peterson will hold a Washington, DC media workout in preparation for his May 18 bout against Lucas Matthysse at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey which will be televised live on SHOWTIME^®. Also working out for the media will be Lamont's younger brother, lightweight contender Anthony Peterson, who will also fight on May 18 in Atlantic City.

Peterson vs. Matthysse, a 12-round 141 pound catch-weight fight, will take place Saturday, May 18 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME^® at 9:15 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) immediately following ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. GUERRERO Epilogue which will air at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. In the co-main event, IBF Welterweight World Champion Devon Alexander defends his title against IBF number four rated welterweight contender Lee Purdy. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^®is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP). Preliminary fights will air live onSHOWTIME EXTREME^® at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Middleweight Showdown; Thomas Falowo vs. Tylon Burris, Friday, May 17th at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I.

One of the potential show-stoppers on this card is the 6-round middleweight bout between rising prospect Thomas Falowo of Pawtucket, RI, and hard-hitting Hartford, Connecticut, native Tylon Burris

Since suffering his first and only loss in May of 2012, Falowo has become even more focused on his goal of capturing a world title, winning each of his last three fights by knockout. He's on the cusp of becoming a legitimate contender in the middleweight division, but Burris is no pusher. After ending a five-year layoff in May of 2012, Burris has won his last four fights to run his unbeaten record to 5-0, which includes an impressive knockout win over previously-unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Kevin Cobbs. Expect fireworks in this middleweight showdown

Gingras set to face Amparo, Falowo battles Burris as regional showdowns heat up May 17^th card

With Vladine Biosse andShelito Vincent already grabbing headlines as the co-main event on Classic Entertainment & Sports' Friday, May 17^th, 2013 professional boxing event at Twin River Casino, the stacked undercard is threatening to steal the spotlight.

Two more regional showdowns are on tap for "The New Era," starting with Pawtucket, R.I., middleweight Thomas Falowo (9-1, 7 KOs) stepping up to face undefeated power-puncher Tylon Burris (5-0, 3 KOs) of Hartford, Conn., in a six-round bout. Super middleweight Rich Gingras (12-3, 8 KOs) of Attleboro, Mass., a former contestant on The Contender reality television series, will battle the red-hot Joey Gardner (11-5-1, 1 KO) of Woonsocket, R.I., in a six-round bout.

The always-busy Falowo, who's known for throwing a high volume of punches from start to finish, will have his hands full with Burris, who has raised eyebrows in New England following an impressive knockout win over previously-unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Kevin Cobbs in November. Falowo has won his last three bouts, all by knockout, since suffering his first loss in May of 2012.

The Gingras-Gardner showdown came to fruition after Providence's Alex Amparo was forced to withdraw from his scheduled rematch with Gardner due to a rib injury. Gardner, who has won his last three fights, will instead face Gingras, a former cruiserweight now looking to make his mark in the super middleweight division.

FIGHTERS PUT FINISHING TOUCHES TO MONTE CARLO MILLION DOLLAR SUPER FOUR PREPARATIONS COUNTDOWN TO EUROPEAN SUPER SHOW‏

Gennady Golovkin is in peak physical condition ahead of the seventh defense of his WBA and IBO middleweight titles in Monte Carlo on Saturday. The unbeaten Kazakhstani yesterday went through his paces during a public 45-minute workout at the suitably grand Monte Carlo Casino.

With his shirt off, he looked lean and ripped as he worked the pads with top trainer Abel Sanchez.

"I'm ready to go," said Golovkin. "I had an eight-week camp and all has gone according to plan."

He defends against Nobuhiro Ishida, a fighter he isn't underestimating.

"We're expecting a hard fight," said manager Tom Loeffler. "Ishida is tall and has some power, but Gennady is in tremendous shape."

Earlier, Ishida worked out and looked sharp and relaxed ahead of the biggest fight of his career.

All the fighters, bar Jean Marc Monrose, who arrives today, put on public workouts against the dramatic backdrop of the famous casino. Unbeaten Edwin Rodriguez got a first hand look at Ezequiel Maderna, who he fights in the first round of the Million Dollar Super Four event. Big around the shoulders, the Argentine is a largely unknown quantity, but Rodriguez isn't taking him lightly given his impressive amateur career.

"We've come off probably the best fight camp ever," said trainer Ronnie Shields. "I couldn't have asked for more and we're planning to put on a show come Saturday night."

There is a buzz around Zsolt Erdei's participation, not least because he hasn't fought in two years and no-one has a real idea of how he'll shape against determined Russian Denis Grachev.

"He has a lot riding on this," said Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman. "He's a massive hero in his native Hungary, with many of his fans expected ringside. He'll be fighting for them as much as himself."

Sergey Rabchenko also looks in tip-top condition ahead of his European junior-middleweight title fight against Adriano Nicchi of Italy. Training camps in France and the UK have prepared him well and he says he is looking to make a statement against Nicchi.

"I'm number two in the WBC. A title fight could be around the corner, so no slip-ups from me," he said confidently.

Meanwhile, cruiserweight Junior Makabu charmed the crowd as he addressed them in his native French. Little-known beyond Africa, he intends making a few waves against local hero Monrose.

The weigh-in takes place 6 pm local time on Friday.

The event in Monaco is headlined by red-hot WBA middleweight champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin (25-0, 22KO's) defending his title against former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8-2, 9KO's). The opening round of the Super 4 tournament matches Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15KO's) against Argentinean Olympian Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-0, 13KO's) and former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18KO's) squaring off against Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8KO's). The card will be distributed in the United States and Canada on PPV by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View.

The "

Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4" and Golovkin's middleweight title defense will be distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and in Canada via Bell TV, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. In addition, the event will be available via online Pay-Per-View at:

http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Gennady_Golovkin_vs_Nobuhiro_Ishida/1896

The event is promoted by Rodney Berman's Golden Gloves. The Golovkin-Ishida bout is promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev bouts are promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

♔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.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Adrien Broner’s “About Billions” Reality Show Debuts April 28th (Video)

About Billions is an online reality show based around the life of Adrien Broner and his crew Band Camp. In this episode, Adrien Broner and Band Camp travel to Las Vegas.

♔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, 2012, 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.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

MAYWEATHER VS. GUERRERO OFFICIAL POST-FIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE

Floyd Mayweather spoke to the media during the post-fight press conference following his dominant unanimous decision victory over Robert Guerrero. You don't want to miss what he had to say about his performance, his opponent, his future plans, and much more.

♔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, 2012, 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.

Gabriel Rosado shows class, vents about his split-decision loss to J'Leon Love

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI v ADRIEN BRONER - FULL, UNCUT and UNCENSORED PRESS CONFERENCE

IT'S ONE FOR THE MONEY - FLOYD MAYWEATHER DOESN'T SKIP A BEAT IN RETURN TO THE RING WITH DOMINATING WIN OVER ROBERT GUERRERO

Boxing's Pound-For-Pound Champ Extends His Undefeated Record To 44-0

In Front Of 15,880 At MGM Grand Garden Arena In Las Vegas on SHOWTIME PPVShowing no ill effects from a one-year layoff, boxing superstar Floyd "Money" Mayweather didn't skip a beat in his return to the ring, retaining his WBC Welterweight World Championship and capturing the vacant Ring Magazine Welterweight World Championshp with a dominant 12-round unanimous decision win over Six-Time and Four-Division World Championship Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

At age 36, the universally regarded No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world employed his superb defensive skills and a powerful right hand to effectively dominate the 30-year-old Guerrero. In his first fight since a May 5, 2012 triumph over Miguel Cotto, Mayweather scored the unanimous decision by the score of 117-111 three times.

Mayweather (44-0, 26 KO's), of Grand Rapids, Mich., landed 60 percent of his power shots to Guerrero's 28 percent and used his signature lateral movement in a 12-round master performance during which the challenger only managed to land 19 percent of his total punches thrown.

"The less you get hit in this sport, the longer you last," Mayweather said. "I needed my father (trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.) this night and we were victorious. The less you get hit, the longer you last. Continue to box. If the knockout came, I was going to take it.

"Everyone was saying that at the age of 36, I didn't have it no more. My defense wasn't sharp after the Cotto fight, but I have proved myself. Cotto is a future Hall of Famer. I've been in with some of the best. All I want to do is give the fans exciting fights."

Mayweather leaned mostly on his speedy right hand throughout the fight, a weapon that the southpaw Guerrero (31-2-1, 18 KO's), of Gilroy, Calif., couldn't seem to see or react to. After the fight, Mayweather, who opened up a cut over his opponent's eye in the 8th round, claimed that he hurt his most effective weapon midway through the fight.

"He was barely slipping by the punches," Guerrero lamented. "I landed some good punches. He's a great fighter. He's slick, he's quick. He came out and did his thing. He was a little better than I thought. I thought I was going to catch him. He was on his game tonight."

Also on the SHOWTIME PPV telecast, Abner Mares dethroned defending WBC Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon to win a world title in a third division. Mares (26-0-1, 14 KO's) knocked down Ponce De Leon (44-5, 35 KO's) twice en route to a ninth round (2:20) technical knockout victory.

Undefeated Leo Santa Cruz (24-0-1, 14 KO's) put on a dominating performance in his first fight at 122-pounds, knocking down Alexander Munoz (36-5, 28 KO's) three times en route to a fifth-round technical knockout win (1:05). The former IBF Bantamweight World Champion picked apart Munoz, a former world title challenger, in a scheduled 10-round bout that was never in doubt.

In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME PPV telecast, J'Leon Love (16-0, 8 KO's) overcame the bout's lone knockdown to score a 10-round split decision over the game Gabriel Rosado (21-7, 13 KO's) by the scores of 97-92, 95-94 and 94-95.

Brian Kenny served as host of the SHOWTIME PPV telecast with Mauro Ranallo calling the action, Al Bernstein and Paulie Malignaggi serving as expert analysts with Jim Gray and Heidi Androl reporting. The telecast was produced by David Dinkins, Jr., with Bob Dunphy directing.♔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, 2012, 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.

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