MySpace: Boxing's Online Neutral Corner Gets A Major Player

MySpace: Boxing's Online Neutral Corner Gets A Major Player
by Eddie Goldman



NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Hotel bars are usually not good for much, especially in a town so full of would-be drunks as New York. Who wants to sit with a bunch of male and female tourists ordering girly drinks from some squirrelly guys all dressed in black? The best joints have bartenders, all of the majority gender, clad like the dancers in the Hank Williams Jr. video "That's How They Do It In Dixie" (and I know where all these places are, too).

But life is disorderly and even this social rule has its exemptions. Those usually occur when an event is in town, its players of note are staying at this hotel, and you are somehow involved with this event. Since last Saturday night was fight night at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the DiBella crew was holed up at the Affinia Hotel near the Garden, that hotel's glitzy bar, Niles, was the place to be, especially if you were covering fight night for FightNightNews.com.

I arrived after doing a late round of interviews on the street outside of the Garden. I met up with three talented and lovely ladies who have become a sort of MySpace Mafia of the boxing world: Bernadette Robinson (http://www.myspace.com/bernapril20), Keisha Morrisey (http://www.myspace.com/keishadivine), and Katrina Walters (http://www.myspace.com/queenofboxing). All three, as I have written previously, have been assisting fighters in getting their stories out to the public via the Internet, and especially through the hugely popular social networking site MySpace.com, whose membership surpassed the 100 million mark Tuesday, August 9.

The "Boxing Queen's" Boxing Trinity (Katrina Keisha and Bernadette)



Inside the bar sat Lou DiBella, obviously still unhappy with the decision in the main event between his fighter, Ike Quartey, and Vernon Forrest, who defeated Quartey in a unanimous if controversial ten-round decision. Quartey and his supporters were also in the bar, not exactly celebrating but also not as distraught and shocked as they were when the verdict was first announced. Also on the scene was Mike Marley, never one to stay away from a place where there are free peanuts (as neither am I).

Ike Quartey, Keisha, David and Fans



Then something unplanned and downright amazing happened. DiBella was buying everyone a round of drinks, but even before the first beer settled in, I asked him, "Why don't you get on MySpace?" We talked a bit about it, he thought about it for a moment, and then he readily agreed. The MySpace boxing queens were already in the house, and it was quickly set up for Bernadette and Keisha to contact his office the following Monday and work out the details.

Right now the DiBella Entertainment profile on MySpace is almost complete and just undergoing some final tweaking. That should be done in a few days. At that time, it will be unveiled to everyone.

The significance will be that DiBella Entertainment becomes the first major nationwide boxing promotional company to set up shop on MySpace. Members of MySpace, where it is totally free to sign up, can opt-in to become a "friend" of DiBella Entertainment, meaning their profiles will be linked to the DiBella Entertainment one, and they will receive messages called bulletins sent out to all the friends at once.

It would be hard to imagine a better viral marketing plan than this, and especially for reaching those most neglected by boxing, the young people who live and breathe the Internet and regard getting information from offline sources as antiquated, untimely, clumsy, inefficient, uncool, and even absurd.

Saturday's Garden show, despite being previewed by the remaining major New York-area newspapers, and headlined by two fights featuring top boxers and loaded with many local up-and-comers on the undercard, only drew 3,012 fans. True, the two top fights were shown live on HBO for no additional charge, Showtime was airing the Marquez brothers' fights live at the same time, and it was unbearably hot in New York during the week leading up to this card. The show was also the third in as many weeks in midtown Manhattan.

But this is also still a big fight town. All someone has to do is mention that I am a boxing journalist and all of a sudden fight fans come out of the closet in droves, offering up their opinions and analyses freely and enthusiastically. (I just spent an hour on the phone with one such friend tonight, when I was supposed to be finishing up this piece!)

MySpace allows for all this to be harvested. It is an online neutral corner, not affiliated with any particular media outlet. Its purchase last year by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has thus far not resulted in any known interference with people using it however they want, save, of course, for the usual limitations on porn, posting media without holding the copyright, etc. And they have taken several steps to protect teenage members from the highly-exaggerated problem of sexual predators, which the technophobic and dying print and electronic media as well as the censorship-happy politicians of the Republicrat Party threatened by the freedom MySpace offers its 100 million-plus members continue to make a big issue.

The real major problems confronting MySpace revolve around its incredibly rapid expansion. When I joined in April 2005, I was in the 13 million group. When Fox News' Bill O'Reilly discussed MySpace at the end of March 2006 (and had trouble saying the name of the site), it had grown to 66 million members. A little over four months later the site had grown by over 50 percent once again, reaching that 100 million mark.

This enormous growth has been recently accompanied by repeated failures of many of the site's features and even total outages, including a summer weekend when it was nearly impossible to log in. The MySpace boxing forum started by boxing writer Tom Luffman now has over 4,000 members, but has been down for several weeks. He received an e-mail this week from their tech people who said they were aware of the problem and were working on it. It is still, however, down.

Many MySpace users, casual and addicts alike, are already grumbling about the site's seemingly growing lack of reliability. But remember that News Corp. paid $580 million last year to buy it and its parent company, Intermix, and that Google recently signed a deal to pay $900 million to Fox Interactive Media, MySpace's current parent, to handle search and provide text-based and keyword ads for those sites including MySpace. These huge media corporations will not so easily throw away their investments because some servers are down and databases not functioning.

So expect MySpace to be healed, sooner or later (and, hopefully for all involved, before the fall school term and the rush by students back to the Internet begin). Expect the DiBella Entertainment profile to be up and running very shortly. And expect it eventually to reap the benefits of online viral marketing and networking, possibly at least in part as soon as the upcoming Sept. 20 Broadway Boxing double show at the Manhattan Center.

So Don, Bob, Oscar, Gary, Dan, Kathy, Frank, Frank, Glenn and Scott, Cedric, Rodney, Leon, and even Klaus-Peter, Wilfried, and the rest of you around the world: Why don't you get on MySpace?

DiBella Entertainment's "Now Or Never" presents two former world champions Ike Quartey vs Vernon Forrest co featuring Sechew Powell vs Kasim Ouma

DiBella Entertainment's "Now Or Never" Saturday night at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York was explosive, titlist and two former world champions duked it out in an main event. Vernon "The Viper" Forrest (38-2-28 Ko's)won over Ike "Bazooka" Quartey (37-3-1-31-Ko's) of Accra Ghana, in an upsetting decision. Ike Quartey is undefeated in three fights since his comeback from a four year hiatus.

(Ike Quartey and Vernon Forrest at the Press Conference in New York City)



(Keisha and Vernon Forrest after his Victory at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden)



(Keisha and Ike Quartey after being defeated)



The Mantra Continues

Kasim "The Dream" Ouma (25-2-1-15 Ko's) of West Palm Beach Florida a former world champion drops Sechew "Iron Horse" Powell (20-1- 12 Ko's) of Brooklyn New York a world rated contender. Sechew Powell is making an HBO debut in a junior middleweight bout.
(Keisha and Kasim Ouma at official commission weigh in at Madison Square Garden)



(Keisha and Sechew Powell at the Press Conference at Gallagher in New York City))


The Undercard

Dash Dibella's undeafeated knockout specialist Andre Berto (14-0 11 Ko's) of Winter Haven Florida, made his Madison Square Garden debut, he battled and TKO'd Roberto Valenzuela (37-25-2-33 Ko's) of Sonora, Mexico. The Berto vs Valenzuela in a welterweight bout scheduled for 8 rounds was stopped early due to Berto's overwhelming combinations of power punches and speed, afflicted onto his opponents body. Andre Berto was a 2004 Olympian in Boxing

(Keisha and Andre Berto at the Press Conference in Manhattan New York)



Queen's Super Middleweight Jaidon "The Don" Codrington (12- 1-10 Ko's) after nearly a year returned to New York and the ring and advanced in a 6 round squared off with veteran Carl Daniels (49- 10-1-31-Ko's)of St Louis Missouri.

(Keisha and Jaidon Codrington at the Press Conference in midtown Mew York)



Rounding out the undercard action of " Now or Never" is female fighter Noriko Kariya (5-1-1-1 Ko) of Jersey City New Jersey and sister of NHL hockey player Paul Kariya defeated Michelle Heron (1-4) of Bothell, Washington in a bantamweight match up.

Darling Jimenez (20-2-2-10 Ko's) of the Bronx New York in an action packed battle stopped Arturo Brambilla (8-8-4 Ko's)of Jalisco early in 6 round scheduled Junior welterweight bout.

(Keisha and Darling Jiminez after his opening victory at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden)

Gleason's Gym The Oldest Active Boxing Gym in the U.S.A

Gleason's Gym "Where boxing is tradition"

The boxer is the best conditioned athlete of any sport. Boxing is the most phenomenal workout you will ever do- a combination of cardiovascular fitness strength quickness and agility. It also provides mental stimulation by exposure to new techniques, which in turn, other stress release. Boxing teaches you how to overcome fatigue and provides the exhilarating and toughness of combat, because boxing involves so many muscle groups it tends to produce fewer repetitive strains injuries than do sports that focus on a single motion, such as cycling and jogging. A 180 pond man can burn in excess of 500 calories in a bout of boxing. If you like baseball you cannot go to Yankee Stadium to train with the Yankees, nor can you go to Madison Square Garden and shoot hoops with the Knicks, Boxing is the only sport you can actually train next to champions and top contenders. You will also have the opportunity to train with the coaches that work with them. Want to train a world champion the go to Gleason's Gym.


The History of Gleason's Gym

Gleason's Gym is the oldest active boxing gym in the United States. They have trained 126 World Champions, two Olympic Gold Medalist and hundreds of Amateur champions. The current 12,00 square foot facility sits in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge. Many great champions have piled their craft at Gleason's Gym. Our first World Champion was Jake La Motta "The Raging Bull", and currently have four World Champions who call Gleason's home.



White Collar Boxing

Gleason's Gym has become synonymous with boxing. Over the years the reputation of the champion boxers Gleason's Gym has produced has earned Gleason's Gym world renowned appeal as the pinnacle of excellence in boxing. However, this home of Boxing champions has gained a new dimension of membership as the gym has come of age. Gleason's Gym created White Collar Boxing. The need for this program arose because of numerous "professional" men and women that began training at the gym in the mid 80's. The boxing workout is very addictive and the non amateur and professional boxers wanted to compete. Both men and women participate the shows. Gleason's Gym holds bouts once a month. The bouts are three rounds of two minute each under the jurisdiction of a referee and wearing full protective equipment. No winner or looser is declared and both participants receive trophy's.

Amateur Program

Gleason's Gym runs a highly successful Amateur Boxing Program. We work closely with USA Amateur Boxing to help guide athletes from age 8 and upwards into competitive boxing. Gleason's Gym has won the team title at seven of the last eight New York Golden Gloves Tournaments. The Amateur program can help guide you from local to International competition.



Trainers

Gleason's trainers are as legendary as the gym itself. The current elder statesman Hecto Roca, Bob Jackson and Tommy Gallagher are part of the 78 trainers who use Gleason's Gym to teach their trade. Gleason's Gym Amateur and Professional Boxing, Kick boxing, Muay, Thai Boxing and General Fitness and Weights. To schedule a meeting with a trainer, they suggest you come and visit the gym at the time you would like to train. The management will introduce you to a trainer who will be available at a time convenient to you.

The Equipment

When you begin training at Gleason's, the gym and your trainer will provide the necessary boxing equipment for you to get started this includes ropes gloves and speed bags. The only piece of additional equipment you will need are hand wraps. the bandages that protect your hands and knuckles from injury; they are available for purchase at Gleason's Gym. Gleason's Gym boxing brand of choice is Everlast- the choice of champions. Gleason's Gym is a distributor for Everlast Boxing equipment and apparel.



The Location




Gleason's Gym
83 Front Street, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn , New York 11201
718.797.2872
www.gleasonsgym.net

Aries Power Boxing and Celebrations

Shout out to all Aries, Aries Power and Aries Rock and to everyone who expressed Alohas, Birthday Wishes, Do it Ups, Hugs and Kisses, Kind Words, and who shared lovely pictures/graphics, memories, poems, rhymes and the birthday songs, including the (Stevie Wonders version-lol) on my born/Earthday April 6. You all keep me going and the vibe alive, to begin I had the opportunity to begin celebrating at the Mayor of the City of New York, Michael R. Bloomberg's and the NYC Commission on Women issues, breakfast reception to celebrate Womens History month.
(Keisha)

Thanks to Kool Herc, DJ Disco Wiz, Kurtis Blow, Joe Conzo, Tony Tone, The B-Boys and B-Girls, Grand Master Caz and other members of the Old School, for a dynamite exhibition and birthday tribute to the Godfather Kool Herc, at the Kennedy Center, Saturday April 1 at the Kennedy Center। Grand Master Caz birthday party is coming up....stay tuned

You know the birthday celebration would not have been complete without spending time with my family and friends, I even attended a friend, from back in the day Dave's birthday party, now that was a reunion, seeing friends you grew up with after so many years.........
(Keisha Dave and Trina)

The boxing enthusiast, we are, another boxing fan Bernadette and I attended the Golden Gloves both nights April 6 and 7, I met many legends and prizefighters including EMMANUEL STEWARD, EMILE GRIFFIN, REYNALDO SNIPES, SMOKING JOE FRAZIER and MARVIS FRAZIER and watched incredible amateur bouts....

(Joe and Marvis Frazier at the Golden Gloves)


(Keisha and Tom Gallagher at the Golden Gloves)


Our boxing crew hosted a JUDAH vs MAYWEATHER fight party in our office, here in HARLEM NEW YORK, it was a blast, it went from a boxing viewing to a comedy show, you had to been there..........
Keisha and Zab Judah)

The infamous Mobb Deeps album is in stores May 2 and tour will be in a city near you, check their myspace page for the dates........... Lastly, Much love to all my BLOG and MYSPACE friends and old friends continued success...

Naturally Yours, KEISHA DIVINE One

Author Blue and Former Boxer Brad Bathgate In the Publishing Ring

Author Blue also known as Brad Bathgate is a poet writer and former professional fighter. Brad Bathgate has penned two novels, the first piece, "Corner Stores In the Middle of the Block" that urban look, poetry and "Pretty Ugly" A Harlem situation. A "Dapper Don" salesman you can find him fashionably promoting and selling his books, while strolling through Harlem or walking on 125th Street.

"His career is write on track"....The New York Daily News

"Keeping the motion in Poetry"... The New York Times

(Keisha and Author and Writer Blue Brad Bathgate at Commissions in New York City)



Look him up at www.poetryisalive.com

A Broadway Boxing's co feature main event Fres Oquiendo vs Daniel Bispo, Curtis "Showtime"Stevens against Jose Spearman

Fres Oquiendo (24-3-15 Ko's) of Chicago, Illinois defeated Daniel Bispo (16-2- 10 Ko's) of Sao Paolo, Brazil. Lou DiBella and Broadway Boxing presented the main event Thursday February 16th 2006 at the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center. The event is sponsored by DiBella Entertainment, HBO Sports, Turning Stone, Locatestock.com and Dash- DiBella Promotions.

(Keisha and Fres Oquiendo at the Commissions official weigh- in)



Showcasing for the first time super middleweight,Curtis "Showtime" Stevens (10-0-9 Ko's) of Brooklyn New York stopped Jose Spearman (29-10-4-10 Ko's) of Columbus Ohio in his first co feature.

(Curtis "Showtime" Stevens)



(Keisha and Curtis "Showtime "Stevens post Victory)



(Keisha and Legendary trainer at the Commissions official weigh-in)

Author Bill Tate; a book worth reading and former boxer

Bill Tate is an ex middle weight boxer and is currently an actor playwright and former middle school instructor in the New York City school system. "Little Wyatt Tate" is his first published novel written from research done in the area of Alabama where the events in Wyatt Tate's life took place, based on true facts, with clippings from the Monroe Journal newspaper files and folk remembrances of people from the area. Wyatt Tate was a blood relative of the author. Stories are still told about Little Wyatt in Clarke, Wilcox, and Monroe Counties if Alabama

(Keisha Morrisey and Living Legend Bill Tate)

I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Tate at the Golden Glove competition, held in Harlem hosted at the local P. A. L, he is a fragile humble and kind fellow of a salesman, who sells his pitch with that big beautiful smile smooth and wobbled voice Mr Tate speaks his mind loud and clear. While at the Golden Gloves Tournament, He, (Bill Tate) mentioned "Little Wyatt Tate" his prolific writing works, we exchanged information and promised to stay in touch regarding future production works and the book "Little Wyatt Tate", three days later I received a package with a book and a kind note, at the end of the scribe it read, "U. O me $15.00 for book" Bill Tate
We have been friends ever since.

A QUICK LOOK AT USA BOXING/ Woman In Boxing

USA Boxing, as the national governing body for Olympic-style boxing, is the United States' member organization of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA). As a national governing body, USA Boxing is responsible for the administration, development and promotion of Olympic-style boxing in the United States. USA Boxing is a non-profit organization and is thus overseen by a Board of Directors.

(Keisha and Bernadette, Members of USA Boxing)

With its headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Boxing sponsors a host of programs -- from developing the sport and its athletes at the local, regional, and national levels, to sponsoring national and international dual competitions and selecting teams for international events, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, and Pan American Games. USA Boxing, formerly known as the United States Amateur Boxing Federation, has governed men's amateur boxing in the United States since 1888. USA Boxing sponsors not only national and international competitions, but also clinics and training camps to help athletes and coaches learn international techniques.

USA Boxing is comprised of 56 Local Boxing Committees (LBC's), which are grouped into 14 geographical regions. These LBC's, along with the coaches, athletes, and officials, form the backbone of USA Boxing and Olympic-style boxing in the United States. USA Boxing's athlete membership is comprised of both male and female boxers. USA Boxing's athletes compete in the 11 Olympic-style weight classes:light flyweight (106 pounds);flyweight (112 pounds); bantamweight (119 pounds); featherweight (125 pounds); lightweight (132 pounds); light welterweight (141 pounds); welterweight (152 pounds); middleweight (165 pounds) light heavyweight (178 pounds); heavyweight (201 pounds); and super heavyweight (+201 pounds). USA Boxing operates on a calendar year basis for operational and financial reporting purposes. The organization publishes its audited financial statements. USA Boxing also files an annual Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service.

(Keisha and Members of USA Boxing, Coach Israel of Juan LaPorte Gym)


(Keisha and Ronica Jeffries, Female Golden Gloves Winner)


(Keisha, Bernadette and Robin Taylor- official judge, (The Training Trinity and USA Boxing Members), at the Golden Gloves Finals in New York City)