El Boxing Empress Keisha C. Morrissey reflects on her illustrious political and boxing career

KEISHA MORRISSEY: AN INTERVIEW WITH BOXING ROYALTY

KEISHA MORRISEY: AN INTERVIEW WITH BOXING ROYALTY

By: Rich Bergeron

Utilizing her savvy business sense and vast resources culled from her career in politics and the music and entertainment industry, Keisha Morrisey aspires to be the next Don King of the boxing world. She is already more than halfway there. She can make any rock look like a diamond, and she can move mountains with a simple phone call. It is no wonder she calls herself a boxing empress.

“I’m trying and I will succeed,” she said about her foray into the boxing world where she is drawn from an old family connection to the sport. “My background is in the arts entertainment and sports industry overall, doing management, marketing, production and publicity. That’s what I decided I want to do. Entertainment and Music is a part of all of our lives, and that’s where all my background lies. As far as the boxing game, my grandfather was a fighter, and I attended fights and since I was a little girl, so it’s in my blood. Baseball player, Dave Parker, formerly of the Pittsburgh Pirates is also a distant relative, so my siblings and I also went to those games often. I am a hip- hop pioneer as well. I booked acts for dj’s, emcees, and other talent, and I promoted shows at a local nightclub here in Harlem as a teenager. I am hip- hop. I did a lot in the music business, left that alone, then I got into the film industry, and I left that alone and then went into politics, and I did that for five years. I pretty much finished this year, and now I’m back into the entertainment field, not necessarily in music. I’ve been moving into the boxing game and going to Golden Gloves fights. The bottom line is I know I should have been doing it all along. It’s like my grandfather’s guiding me spiritually toward it, like he’s telling me, ‘Hello, boxing is in your blood, this is where you should be.”

For a few years she was even a personal assistant to “Iron” Mike Tyson, after she met him at a Run DMC concert when he was still just a prospect and had not yet made his incredible leap to stardom. Their friendship and business relationship blossomed, and she was at his side during some of his best and worst moments in the sport. She still considers him a dear friend and still the heavyweight champ. Her background helps her see the big picture of the boxing world and how much it needs her help and experience. “I began learning this game in ‘89,” she said. ” I foresaw that there was something missing in the boxing game, and I was involved in entertainment at the time, and in the music business.”

It’s all about making connections for Morrisey. “I always had a good relationship with people,” she said. “All industries are missing that right now.” She works with a handful of clients who are authors, playwrights, comedians, models, politicians, singers, and businesses. “I do business management, event planning, promotions, and strategizing business plans,” she said. “I decided that I probably wanna do that in the boxing business, too. My family has an event planning company and they do weddings, parties, and sporting events. We book different clients or acts to come in and sing anthems, wedding songs, whatever a client wants. The company is based out of Virginia, and I’m here in New York by myself. I do some event planning through a family run restaurant here, in Harlem. I also manage my niece and nephews in their modeling work.”

Outside of her job she said she is primarily a mother who always puts family first. “Yes, that’s it,” she explained. “My son comes first, and everything else comes second.” She also pointed out that her niece and nephews are also training in swimming. “I see them going to the Olympics, they were born in the water,” she said.

Despite her many accomplishments, she’s surprisingly humble about her talents. “It’s second nature for me, and it’s not really a lot to me,” she said. “Publicity is easy for me. Sports writing would be a lot for me right now, and that I’ve realized. I can write movie scripts, books, and for my autobiography I have a lot to go. I am working on a book about my political experience here in Harlem. My campaign manager and publicist will be releasing a book in 2007. The last chapter is about my candidacy work. It’s just about my personal experiences in running for local offices. As a strategic move, I’ll allow his book to come out first, and that will be the perfect segue into my book. I haven’t had a long political career, but I just hope somehow to inspire other young people and tell them, ‘You can run.’”

How she first got into politics is an interesting story about identity and wanting to set herself apart from the rusted wheels of the political machine in her neighborhood that always seemed stuck in park. Nothing ever seemed to go forward, and if anything, the wheels sometimes moved in reverse. “I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness and as a Muslim. Politics wasn’t necessarily discussed at our dinner table,” she said. “I chose the Republican Party, because there was a Democratic club across the street from our housing development. I asked my grandma what that club was, trying to figure out what club I’m gonna go to someday. I said, ‘Grandma, what is that?’ She told me, ‘That’s the politic of the community.’ When I turned 18, the voter registration age, I decided that if to be a Democrat is to be of this community, then I don’t want to be associated with that party. In my 18 years on this earth, the community has gone backwards. I want to be a part of the other team and help bring it back up, because this team right now, that ain’t workin’.”

She maintains that her alignment with the Grand Old Party has nothing to do with George W. Bush or Condoleeza Rice. “It’s first and foremost grassroots,” she said. “There should always be a balance in the community where both parties should be heard on any level. Under Republican leadership, there has been more economic development here in the community, so that’s what I identify with more so. Plus, Madame C.J. Walker and other black entrepreneurs in the 1900s were all Republican, independent, and wealthy. That’s the part of the game I identify with.”

As for the boxing world, Morrisey works primarily with Light Welterweight Francisco “El Gato” Figueroa (14-2, 10 KO’s), a rising star in the division who is coming off an impressive victory against Joey Rios (14-1, 6 KO’s). The bout decided the New York State Light Welterweight Title, and the next step for Figueroa is a bout on the under card of James Toney and Samuel Peter’s rematch on January 6^th. “I’m just an advisor and publicist. We’re still in the process of doing a lot of strategizing, and I don’t want to take him too far away from training,” she said. “I pretty much talk to him, not wanting to take focus away from his training, but after Jan 6^th it will be full speed ahead. As far as the marketing media and public relations aspect, we want to work along with his promoter and strategize a game plan as to how I would like to bring him to more of a professional level.”

Morrissey sees three levels of promotion and marketing. They are elite, middle, and grassroots. “We just wanna come up with a great marketing strategy and get him involved with product placement and sponsorships,” she said. “Frankie is an exciting fighter, and he wants to see nothing less than excitement at his fights, win or lose. He’s a great guy. He’s very focused, very involved with his career. He was managing himself for a while, and he had a promoter who believed in him as well. He’s working with a group who can see his vision and together we will take him to another level. He knows he can’t be a professional fighter forever.”

As far as expanding her empire, she is still taking baby steps in the boxing world. “I just have Frankie for right now,” she said. “Nothing is set in stone. Frankie’s the first. I kinda wanna work with him first. I don’t want too many boxers anyway. I’m a close adviser and publicist to Ijeoma “The Praise” Egbunine (12-1, 8 KO’s), and I am actively beginning to learn more about female boxers such as female boxing prospect Demi Nguyen (2-1).” She plans to eventually add more boxers to her small stable. She also works with Undefeated Female Light Welterweight Chika Nakamura (4-0, 1 KO) by managing her site on MySpace. “I see women in boxing getting really big in the next five years,” she said. DiBella Entertainment’s MySpace site is also the result of her handiwork.

“I’m also learning a little about Mixed Martial Arts, and I have a background in karate. Moses Powell and Fred Hamilton trained me, and I made it all the way up to a brown belt, but I didn’t like the competitive fighting aspect, so I didn’t pursue it. But, the discipline was great for me. As far as MMA catching up with boxing, one of my mentors and colleagues Eddie Goldman, is teaching me more about it. I’ll see. I have some Japanese friends who introduced myself and my son to the Pride Fighting Championships, and I have a couple tapes around. I was kinda amazed, but at the same time I liked it. It’s definitely different. They kick and hit and punch people till they start bleeding. I’m not sure I prefer it over boxing. Boxing is my favorite sport. If it is becoming pretty much equal, now I know I need to get into the boxing game to bring it out more. Particularly on a grassroots level as well.”

She made particular mention of boxing’s lack of marketing to the African American and Latin communities. “Somewhere along the way, we’re not being included in marketing strategies and the African American and Latin communities have to know more, and it’s important that we know who the fighters are first,” she said. “That’s why I say Don King is the master at promoting, and right now probably what the African American community relates to is Don King. Unless you’re a Don King fighter, I guess we’re just missing the message. What Don King brings to the table is excitement. He is boxing; I don’t think anyone will ever be able to take his place, except me. I respect Bob Arum and Cedric Kushner, and I like what De La Hoya’s doing, but nobody can do it like Don King. He’s the master.”

The best part of her work is the freedom she enjoys. “That I can have fun and I make my own rules,” she noted about what she loves most about working as her own boss with important people. “More importantly, it’s not stressful. It’s very time consuming, and I have to sacrifice a lot, but it keeps me young.”

The Fresh Air Fund is something she and Figueroa both have in common. “Unlike a lot of kids from the inner city, we both identify with a lot of travel, and we were both very blessed to be out of New York City,” she said. “I understand this may be our home, but you have to travel to promote yourself.”

She is excited to work with Figueroa to help him promote the program that provides city kids host families to allow them to spend time in the country and get off the busy, and sometimes dangerous urban streets.

“He has a big vision for such a little person,” she said about Figueroa. “He’s gonna stop at nothing short of fulfilling it. He’s very humbled. He wants to give back, and he reached out to The Fresh Air Fund to ask what he can do. We’re coming up with something to do for them. I just want to make sure we package it the right way.”

She credits the program for helping her understand a different culture. “For me, The Fresh Air Fund introduced me to a lot of things I wouldn’t be able to do in the city,” she said. “My grandmother was teaching me a little about the old-fashioned perspective. I hardly ever played outside. I cooked, I sewed, and I read everything. There was no real hardcore domestic work, but I was always very intelligent for my age, and even traveled at an early age to school by myself. With my host family I learned how to build a barn, garden and pick fresh fruit, drive a tractor trailer, feed the animals, groom horses and milk cows. I even met Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette.” She explained that a member of her host family handled all of the entertainment security that came to the Cheshire Fair, and she was ecstatic to get that first early brush with a couple stars of the music industry.

“Even that experience was great for me, and in one of our first conversations we were talking about our experiences in The Fresh Air Fund,” she said about that connection she shares with her fighter. “We keep it real with each other, and we encourage open communication. It lets me know what’s on his mind, and I listen very well. It helps me to package him to make him a greater fighter than what he already is. That comes along with a great training team and good people around you.”

“My ultimate goal is probably to become a promoter and real estate tycoon. I either want to become the first female congresswoman in Harlem or a promoter in boxing entertainment and a business woman,” she said. “However, as long as our current Congressman Charlie Rangel is alive, and as long as Don King is alive, I will continue to learn from them, and hopefully get their blessings, and then they can pass the torch to me and I will keep that torch lit.”

Though she is somewhat uncertain of exactly where the future will lead her, she does have definitive plans. “I do have that mapped out, in the long-term as well as for right now. I just want to be an event planner and publicist to the stars,” she said for now. “Then eventually, I’ll either parlay that back into a political career, or maybe as a promoter. Politics being the last option. I made a great mark, and my name is already out there. No matter how much I manage to stray from it, I always end up right back there. I’ve been working with the luminaries, too. It’s all the same thing. It’s big business.”

Though she has dreams of influencing the boxing world in a big way, she has already made quite a difference in the music business. “That’s where people would really recognize me from,” she reported. “I am the founder of Mobb Deep, that’s my pet project. That’s my baby. They have yet to reach their potential as rap artists. They are still babies in the game.” She’s also worked with Melba Moore, a Tony Award winning singer and actress, just to name a few. She runs her own company, Harlem Entertainment, too. There isn’t much Keisha Morrissey hasn’t done in her business life.

A couple hours after the questions were done, I figured out why she is so good with people. She is a natural born talker with countless tales about her colorful life, and it’s easy to get locked into a long conversation with her. What makes it even easier is realizing that she truly does have the characteristics of an empress, but in her case her power lies in the sheer volume of her class and confidence. She doesn’t need any army to give her clout. All she needs to do is pick up the phone and make a call, and she can sweet-talk anyone into working with her. That soft, understanding voice has unlimited potential to reshape the boxing world as we know it.

Watch out, Don King, for this empress may soon claim your throne.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KEISHA MORRISEY VISIT:

http://www.myspace.com/keishadivine

Demi Nguyen Interview

Demi Nguyen Interview

By: Rich Bergeron

Female Super Middleweight Prospect Demi "Hard 2 Handle" Nguyen (2-1) entered the world of boxing by chance in late 2005, but since then the 34-year-old late-bloomer has built an incredible support team and focused herself on becoming a household name in women's boxing. Los Angeles' Broadway Gym is her second home, and she enjoys the history behind the old-time atmosphere. She often closes her eyes during workout sessions and pictures Muhammad Ali, who also practiced in the same space for some of the most memorable bouts in modern history.

"You walk in, and it just has this old time feel," she said about the gym. "I just feel like Muhammad Ali is in the gym, the ghost of him, even though he's still alive. When I get tired, I look up at the wall, and I see him smiling."

Ali's daughter Laila also trains at Broadway, and Nguyen has even sparred with that big name she aspires to be one day. Lamon Brewster, and a few other famous fighters also used Broadway Gym to further their careers.

Nguyen first found herself in a boxing ring by sheer coincidence. "I wanted to learn self defense, and I wasn't a Martial Arts type person, but I thought, 'If I wanna fight, I need to learn how to box.' I'm not from the city, so I got a phone book out, and I went into the city." She traveled to LA Boxing where a trainer showed her around and showed her the boxing ring. "I fell in love, and I've been in love ever since," she said.

"He asked me to do a couple things in the ring, and at that time I didn't even know any terminology," she said. "I had watched Ali on tape, and I knew how a boxer was supposed to look, but I didn't know any other terminology. He said, 'Throw a jab,' and I said, 'What's that?' I spent two hours there. He showed me a jab, and I threw it, he asked me to try some footwork, and I did it easily. He asked if I was tired, and I told him no. They kept giving me different movements, and I did it all. Once the session was over, I went to the restroom, and when I came out Kevin Morgan, who was my trainer for the first three months and also Laila Ali's trainer, stopped me. He asked if I was there for exercise or to be a boxer. I said, 'No, I'm just here to exercise and learn boxing moves for self-defense. He asked, 'Do you wanna box?" I said, 'What do you mean, be a real boxer? What does that entail?"

He told her boxers have to jump rope and run, and work on conditioning and sparring. She was back the next day to start her training. Morgan told her to go to www.Womensboxing.com, and she got her first glimpse at the world of female boxing she said she "knew nothing about" at the time. She researched a few major fighters and became intrigued. "I heard of Laila Ali, but I never seen her fight, and I found her online, and I was fascinated," she said.

She calls her support team The Knights of The Round Table. On her Myspace site, she explains why:

"My good friend is Jackie Kallen (who the movie Against the Ropes is based on) and she is an advisor to me. She is the person I can talk to about anything in the world. She also has a unique ability to relax and focus me. She can make the rest of the world go away when I need to work. My manager is Steve Foss. He specializes in working with top female athletes. He is widely known and respected in the track and field industry. My head trainer/chief second is Dub Huntley. He is in the Hall of Fame. The book Million Dollar Baby was dedicated to him. He was also a middleweight champion during his amateur career and he fought professionally. He trained Laila Ali (who is the champ of our weight division) and Julio Gonzales who was the former light heavyweight champion. My cut man is Cassius Green. He keeps us all looking good! He protects us from swelling and bad cuts. He handles cuts for Laila Ali, Sugar Shane Mosley, and a lot of well-known boxers."

She added that she gave them the unique nickname because all of them are much older than she is. "They all come together to help me out on my quest for the WBC super middleweight Championship," she said. "Jackie's been with me the longest."

After emailing Jackie while training before her first match, she began corresponding daily with the living legend. "She came down to the gym, and we clicked. She's been with me ever since," said Nguyen. "She gave me advice on how to market myself, how to deal with promoters and how to deal with all the negativity that goes on, and the jealousy. Not just for women, but in the sport itself. She helped me sidestep all that and still remain focused. I really learned that lesson in my first fight. I lost, but not because I was in trouble in the ring. It had nothing to do with my opponent. It was because of the business end of boxing. Now that I know that, and I don't want that repeated, I just came up with a better way of dealing with that side, and I haven't had any trouble since."

Kallen, who has made a name for herself in all kinds of boxing circles, also works with battered women in addition to managing fighters. She has been a pioneering force over the years, and Nguyen treasures her experience. "It is fabulous. I call her mom. Because we email each other every day, and talk on the phone," she said about her mentor. "I communicate with her more than I communicate with anybody. When a fight comes on, she watches, and I watch it, and my trainer and manager, too. We all watch and ask each other, 'What do you think, what did they do wrong, what do you think that fighter needs to do differently?' I watch the fights for excitement, but I also have to study. It's constant teaching. Jackie has just been an angel for me. From the business end to training, to just my overall progress. How I adjust with having to sign autographs and be a role model and have kids asking questions, and looking up to me. She makes sure that I do it the right way, and my image stays as a champion."

When Nguyen's fans kept asking for a MySpace page, Kallen got the ball rolling. "Right now, I've been on two months, and I have over 1,600 friends. They've left comments saying they are happy to be my friend and thanking me, telling me good luck on my career, and asking me to let them know where the fights are," she said. "My friends there are from all over the country as well as in California. I have 3,600 profile views already. People have responded in tremendous fashion. They message me, and I try to answer back."

People are constantly asking her where the closest gyms are to them. She said that the lack of knowledge out there is part of a systematic problem in the sport. "It's not on our minds every day, it's not advertised every day. You don't hear it on the radio. It goes in one ear and out the other," she said. She points to La Habra Boxing Gym and says that more youth centers are cropping up like Oscar De La Hoya's, which she's been to and calls it "beautiful."

Getting more kids, and in particular more women involved in boxing, is going to take a huge effort, she reported. "Exposure, simply just exposure to the sport," she said about the real answer to the problem. "When I speak to kids and when I interact with fans, it's almost like I'm the first female boxer that they've ever met, which is exciting for them. One observation that I've made is that the people who control boxing, the boxing promoters, it's almost like they have tunnel vision when it comes to the fans. We think outside the box. We direct our attention to the fans, put me in front of the fans, and the fans are always like, 'When's the fight, we're going. Let me know when the fight is!' Promoters believe women won't buy tickets to fights, but that's absolutely not true."

Since first stepping into the ring to learn how to defend herself, she's become a dedicated fighter who trains six days a week and spars with professional male and female boxers. Trainer Dub Huntley took her under his wing after her professional debut in October, 2005 against Trudy Mayes. She lost the bout, but it didn't discourage her from participating in the sport. Huntley has worked with her to improve every aspect of her game, and she is currently in negotiating stages for her next professional fight, which she expects to happen in February.

Although she said she had no real role models growing up in the sport, she always loved Muhammad Ali. "I just love watching top athletes perform, whether it's in the NBA, WNBA, or the NFL," she said.

As for which weapon she enjoys using most in the ring, she reported that it is her jab she cherishes above all other punches. "It's a physical chess match, and the jab is the queen," she said. "The jab sets up everything. Done right and effectively, the jab will win you the fight."

Fight night is like another holiday for her. "I love fight night. It's like Christmas. It comes one day a year, and I train, train, train, train, and in my mind, it's all for fight night."

Asked what she would change about the sport, she points to the inequality that plagues boxing. "Sexism that is controlled by the promoters," she said. "Not just in boxing. Racism or sexism happens in all sports. All discrimination sucks."

Her ultimate goal is "to become the new face of women's boxing, a household name." She values her support team for "working very hard to get me that."

She has weathered the ups and downs well. "The best moment for me was actually being in a professional fight," she said. "My worst moment was realizing the dog eat dog world that truly exists within the sport. I have a bachelor's degree in Economics, and I had a traditional, orthodox way of thinking, but when I entered the sport and found out how it's run on the business end, I was very disappointed. It's kind of like a shady way of doing business. I didn't expect that. Now that I know, I've adjusted my thinking, and I'll still get to the top."

Outside the ring she calls herself a "proud parent." She has two daughters, aged 13 and 11. She also cross trains in soccer and has a bunch of soccer friends. "I spend time with my family and friends, I have a husband, and I live a full life," she said. "Lately I've done some speaking at Boys and Girls clubs, and at a few elementary schools. I love that, and I'm going to be doing some more work. Jill Diamond is organizing that for me, and one of her functions is going to be happening soon. I love giving my time, and it's fun when the kids see me, and I sign autographs and take pictures with them. I love that part, and it's totally exciting." Jill Diamond is the Chairwoman of the NABF women's division and holds a position on the WBC female championship committee. She's been working with Nguyen to get her name out there and further her career.

"The fans have really responded well to me, and I appreciate that immensely," said Nguyen. "I don't take that for granted. Even with male boxers, we'll be out somewhere, and people won't shake their hands or take their pictures. With me, they all want to take a picture or get my autograph. It's nice to be a celebrity so early in my career, and I appreciate that, and I work even harder for it."

Though there are only 16 middleweight fighters listed in the www.boxrec.com rankings, Nguyen said there are a lot more women in the division. "I fight middleweight and super middleweight," she said. "I fought my first three professional fights at 159, although I'm a true super middleweight fighter. My manager was brought in so we could address the issue of finding more possibilities. Now that I'm flying in my opponents, we no longer have to pull just from the women in California. Now we're scouring the country, whether it's me going there or them coming here. When you get that opportunity, doors open up, and I'll be a lot more productive."

The details are still being hammered out for her next contract, but she knows her next opponent won't be a local. "She won't be from California, but we don't know who it is yet," she said. "I know her record is going to be slightly above mine, and I want to fight girls that will give me a challenge. I understand that especially with men, they give them easy fights to build their records, but we are not trying to do that with me. I know who my competition is, at the top. We're not trying to get me in the ring to give me something less than a sparring session. I need to improve myself, and I definitely wanna do that. I'll hopefully be fighting someone that has been training and is good. Number one, that's the person I wanna fight."

Asked if she wanted to add anything else, Nguyen was gracious. "Thank you, Rich for the interview, and the opportunity for even more people to know who I am and listen to what I have to say. Thanks to all of my fans who come see my fights. I train hard every day for them, and I can't wait to see you, so bring cameras. I love taking pictures and giving out shirts, and I appreciate my fans. I wanna thank them from the bottom of my heart.

Battle at the Boardwalk; Cotto vs Quintana Margarita vs Clottey

In a final Showtime Championship Boxing telecast of the year Superstar Miguel Cotto (28-0-22-Ko's) of Caguas Puerto Rico defeated Carlos Quintana (23-0-18-Ko's) of Moca Puerto Rico in a 12 round WBA Welterweight Championship co headlining Antonio Margarito (33-4-24 Ko's) of Tijuana, Mexico by decision defeated Joshua Clottey (30-1-20 Ko's) of the Bronx, New York in a WBO Welterweight Championship. The event presented by Top Rank Boxing and Northeast Promotions, was televised live on Showtime Championship Boxing, live at 9pm took place at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City New Jersey.

(Keisha, Atlantic City's, Boardwalk Hall Cotto vs Quintana Magarita vs Clottey)




(Keisha, Miguel Cotto after his defeat of Malignaggi earlier this year at MSG)



(Keisha and Carlos Quintana)



(Keisha, Antonio Margarita)



(Keisha and Joshua Clottey)



The Undercard

Yuri Foreman (22-2-8 Ko's) of Brooklyn, New York advances defeating Donny McCrary (20-5-2-12 Ko's) of St Joseph Missouri, in a 10 rounds junior welterweight bout.

Undefeated Chuck "The Professor" Mussachio (8-0-3 Ko's) of Wildwood New Jersey by TKO'd Tony Pope (15-13-1-11-Ko's) of Norfolk Virginia, in the 3 round, 53 seconds
Referee David Fields stopped the scheduled 6 round Light Heavyweight bout.

Jesus Rojas (5-0-5 Ko's) of Caguas, Puerto Rico advances with a TKO because Ubaldo Olivencia (5-10-2-3 Ko's) of Brooklyn New York was unable to continue in the 2 minutes into the 2nd round of a scheduled 4 rounds. The power of Jesus Rojas's powerful punch, straight body punches this is a Super Bantamweight to be watched. Jesus Rojas remains undefeated, rightfully so, his trainers are Evangelista Cotto and Miguel Diaz.

Wayne "Lights Out" Johnson (14-1-8 Ko's) of Newark, New Jersey by decision defeated Delray Raines (8-1-5 Ko's) of Purcell Oklahoma blemishing his record in a 6 round Middleweight bout.

Alex Perez (7-0-5 Ko's) of Newark, New Jersey defeats Troy Wilson (6-5-1-3 Ko's) of Atlanta Georgia, to begin the evening in a 6 round Welterweight opening bout.

(Henry Crawford fight card was canceled, however Crawford was ready)

(Keisha, Nasir Nettles, trainer and boxer Henry Crawford)

TANZEE DANIEL WINS PRO DEBUT!!

Congratulations!! TANZEE DANIEL WINS PRO DEBUT!!

Tanzee Daniel Starts Her Career With a Bang!

By Rich Bergeron



Tanzee Daniel's cruiser weight showdown with Angie Brooks was supposed to go down earlier than it did, and after the struggle Daniel went through just to get this fight signed in the first place, it was tough for her to deal with yet another setback. After warming up to go at the time she was told she'd be fighting, she had to wait three hours and came in a little off her game. Fighting at the very end of the night, just before the crew at The Roxy in Boston began dismantling the ring for the night's dance crowd, Daniel showed that the delay definitely affected her performance in the first round.

Both women were making their professional debut, and Brooks, from New Haven, CT, spent the first few bouts of the night warming up at ringside and then hanging out waiting to be called to the ring. Finally she went backstage again when she realized the schedule change. Still, she came after Daniel with the more aggressive early attack and looked like she might be able to hang with the New York State native. A heavy crowd favorite, the fans were happy to see Brooks come out so strong. Daniel wasn't able to find any real rhythm until the end of the round.

(Carl Sean Tanzee And Victor)


Daniel didn't wait long to take control of the second round. Brooks was reduced to a lazy jab and a 1-2 combo as her only weapons in the round as Daniel continually pursued her and made her back up. Daniel worked her jab expertly and followed up with excellent hooks. Late in the round she bulled forward and really started pouring it on. She tied in her first uppercuts and slugged her opponent with some stellar hooks.

Brooks was absolutely spent by the third round. Daniel landed her best shots of the night with Brooks against the ropes. She fired off a succession of accurate, blazing, well-timed shots as Brooks covered up. Beginning the barrage with a couple quick 1-2 combos to the belly, Daniel knew she'd turned the tide and didn't stop there. All Brooks could fight back with in the fourth was a few hooks and a flurry that was too little and too late. She held on for dear life through most of the round. Though Daniel also seemed to be pretty spent by the end of the final frame, she still managed to win the round and landed some amazing shots. She started early with a straight jab to the body. She went so ballistic so soon in the round that Brooks couldn't even get out of her own corner. Daniel had her confined there, taking shots from every angle. Daniel landed a great uppercut and a fantastic 1-2. For a moment she looked like she might even get the knockout. Instead, Brooks made it through the whole fight and ended up on the losing end of a 40-36 unanimous decision for Daniel.

(Tanzee Daniel and Jeff Mayweather)


"I got that experience," said Daniel after her first fight. "Next time I'll put on a better show." She mentioned that she was originally scheduled to fight second. She said she warmed up and got cold and "would have been better" had she been able to get out into the ring earlier when she was "more relaxed." Still, she maintained, "I'm gonna do better next time."

No matter what she might think about her performance, the judges all gave her every round, and she did win in impressive fashion. She looks forward to rolling on. "I'll just try to get me some more fights and take it day by day," she said about her future. "It wasn't my best out there tonight, but I'm happy I got the opportunity."

Tanzee Daniel: “I want people to see me as the female Pernel

Tanzee Daniel: ..I want people to see me as the female Pernell Whitaker

Interview by Dan Horgan (Nov 21, 2006)

Tanzee Daniel is certainly self-confident. She likes to compare herself to the defensive wizard Pernell Whitaker (thinking her skills compare), but I personally like to compare the New Yorker to an even bigger name: Muhammad Ali. No, Daniel..s name shouldn' t even be in the same sentence as ..The Greatest..s.., but every dreamer, including Ali, had to start somewhere. Daniel is much like Ali in that she is cocky, opinionated, and most importantly, ultra-talented. The twenty-nine year old heavyweight who makes her pro debut Friday night at The Roxy in Boston is a six time national amateur champion, and a silver medalist at the 2005 Pan American Games. In addition, she was rated the number one female amateur heavyweight by USA Boxing for three years before recently being bumped down to the number two spot. On Friday, she..ll face Angie Brooks, who also is making her pro debut. Check out what Daniel had to say in this Doghouse Boxing exclusive .. I guarantee you won..t be disappointed.

DH: First of all, I would like to say thanks for taking the time out for this interview.

TD: No problem.

DH: What can you tell us about your opponent Friday night, Angie Brooks?

TD: Not much. I know she had a hard time getting fights as an amateur and I think that she use to be into kick boxing or something like that.

DH: Talk about your childhood, and how you got into boxing.

TD: My childhood was pretty normal. I started boxing in 1999. I use to get into a lot of fights on the basketball court. One day someone approached me and told me to consider taking up boxing. He gave me the number to Starrett City Boxing Gym in Brooklyn, New York and I haven't looked back since.

DH: Talk about your amateur accomplishments.

TD: I'm a six-time national champion. I've won three PAL National Championships, two U.S. National Championships, the 2004 Ringside National Championship, a silver medal at the 2005 Pan American Games, and five New York Golden Gloves, which ties Mark Breland's record at Madison Square Garden.

DH: Why the decision to turn pro?

TD: My last year as an amateur was pure hell. I lost focus because of the Olympic letdown. I lost my last three fights to two girls that I previously beat on a number of different occasions. The desire to fight in the amateur ranks is no longer there. But now as a pro, it..s all about getting in the ring with good opposition and gaining recognition.

DH: Describe your training regime.

TD: I work as a customer service rep at Delta Airlines down at JFK Airport. Sunday and Monday are twelve hour days, four in the morning to four in the afternoon. The other days are from four to eleven in the morning. After my shifts, it..s off to the gym, where I spar with men like Luis Collazo, Sechew Powell, and Olympic hopefuls Will Rosinsky and Danny Jacobs. Recently it's been mostly with Will because he is a light-heavyweight that moves a lot and is very sharp defensively. My workouts are no different from the top fighters. As a matter of fact, my trainers are on me more so than the male fighters because as a woman, I have more to prove in the professional game. I do not have a famous father or playboy pictures to fall back on. I'm a real fighter that wants to showcase her skills because I love fighting.

DH: Talk about the state of women's boxing.

TD: To be frank, it sucks. And I'll be honest with you, I blame a lot of it on the Olympic committee's decision of turning down women in the 2008 Olympics. The upcoming US women..s team had a lot of talented female fighters. I'm 100% sure that if the world got a good look at these up and coming girls they would see a group of young ladies that have studied their craft. It's not like the professionals that you see now. Amateurs are now starting at a younger age and they are learning more. They just need a global platform to express themselves on. If they get the exposure they need, the sport as a whole will grow and we'll see much better fights, fighters, and match-ups. Until then we're stuck with the likes of people like Laila, and Mia St John. They are decent fighters, but are more famous for other things than boxing.

DH: You said in your Myspace.com blog that you were unhappy to have to sell tickets in order to be on Lou DiBella's Broadway Boxing. Do you want to comment further?

TD: Lou is a good guy. He was real honest with me. He said he doesn't believe in female fighters. I can understand that because most female fighters that are fighting professionally are not that good. But at the same time, I just wanted a chance to showcase my skills. I've fought at Madison Square Garden seven times. I won five golden gloves and two silvers. I do not freeze up in front of crowds. I give them what they want. Lou has a lot of fighters that fight on his cards and are boring as hell. Either they get knocked out, or show absolutely no boxing skills. As a matter of fact, there is one guy that I know who fought on his card and didn't accomplish half the things that I did. He made his pro-debut on DiBella's card and ended up on the canvas in the second round. The funny thing is he didn't have to sell any tickets at all to get on. Why is it that I have to when I had such a successful amateur background and none of his male fighters have to? Yeah, he has Maureen Shea on his card, but I was also told she can push about 4,000 dollars in tickets. This is a double standard. Women have to sell tickets but men don't. Discrimination if you ask me.

DH: It has been rumored that Martha Salazar and Vonda Ward will meet for the third time in December. What are your thoughts on that bout?

TD: They both are garbage in my eyes. One is overweight, old and slow the other one is slow and can't take a punch. I will have a field day with either one of them.

DH: How many fights before you'd like to take on the winner?

TD: Well that's up to my management team. The goal right now is to build my name up before I fight for a title. I want to clean out the divisions before taking out the so-called best.

DH: What are your goals for your professional career?

TD: I want to be the undisputed champ at heavyweight and light-heavyweight. I want people to recognize me as the female Pernell Whitaker, a champion that you cannot hit even if you tried.

DH: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?

TD: Not to sound trite, but I want everyone to keep their eyes on the light-heavyweight and heavyweight division. You have names like Ali, Wolfe, Egbunine, Ward, Salazar, and the likes that reign there now. But there is one name that is going to surpass them all and that is Tanzee 'Sweet Tea' Daniel. I love this sport with all of my heart. I'm going to prove to the world that there are women that are just as good, if not better, than a lot of these male fighters. It's all about respect. I'm fighting for myself and for the recognition of women boxers as legitimate participants in this sport. Trust me, I'm coming full blast with something that the world has not seen in professional heavyweight female prize fighting: A defensive style with a punch to go along with it.

To learn more about Tanzee, visit her Myspace account at www.myspace.com/tanzeedaniel.

Laila "She Bee Stinging" Ali Daddy's Lil Girl, Unbeaten Champion and No.1 female boxer in the world.

Laila Ali, Unbeaten champion and No.1 female boxer in the world and Daddy's girls
Laila "She Bee Stinging" Ali (23-0-20 Ko's) legendary daughter of "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali, stopped Shelly Burton during a title defense at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The event was the undercard of the Vladimir Klitschko- Calvin Brock heavyweight fight, televised on HBO. Though it was said HBO was not going to televise Laila's TKO Victory over Shelly Burton, the network did highlight 30 seconds of her rumble and a wealth of Muhammad Ali's entrance into the illuminated arena.

(Keisha and Team "She Bee Stinging" and Laila Ali)


(Keisha and Laila Ali at Madison Square Garden Press Conference)



(Keisha and Floyd Mayweather, Sr)

Women in Boxing and the Roles being Played

Written By DJ Carter

Women in Boxing and the Roles being Played. For has mainly been a male dominant sport, more women are taking interest in the sport of boxing. And many women will learn it will not be an easy road to travel. Females boxers, journalists, promoters, manager, and match makers will find it's hard to gain the respect.I have always loved boxing since I was younger. I knew one day I'd always want to see myself covering the sport. What held me back from pursuing my dream was the fear of not being accepted and respected by the predominantly male audience. It wasn't until I reached out Jeff Mayweather, who has become a dear friend of mine, that I finally found the drive to go for it. I am now confident enough not to hide behind the initials of my name, so those wouldn't know I was female. But not every woman will find it that easy, there will be criticism yet to come.I recently had the honor of speaking to one of boxing leading ladies, known as "Fight Lady" to many, who took the time to share her experience with me. For she has worked with some of the greatest in boxing, and has also earned the respect of her male counter parts. I speak of none other than Wanda Bruce, who co promotes with Rock and Sock Productions and "A Ring of their Own".

DJ: I first have to thank you for taking the time to speak with me. So what got you interested in boxing?Wanda: Well I assisted with a press conference for Mike Tyson in an effort to gain votes to bring boxing matches back to DC. It was then I knew I wanted to be further involved.

DJ: What roles have you played that got you to where you are in boxing today?

Wanda: I worked for the Washington DC Boxing Commission and Inspector for a while. Then I put together a successful All Female Boxing Event in 2003. Afterwards, I received a call from Arnie Rosenthal of Rock and Sock Productions and we've been working together since. Along the way I have also worked with Mike Tyson, Roy Jones, Buddy मक Girt and many others. But I am especially interested in Women's Boxing.

DJ: Did you experience any challenges along the way?

Wanda: OH Yes, of course I am a female. No one really took me seriously.

DJ: How is it for you now working in a male dominant business? Do you feel you get the respect you deserve now?

Wanda: Yes it is much better. Yes I do get that respect because I demand it. More people now take me more seriously.

DJ: What events have you worked on for those who aren't aware ?

Wanda: I promote " A Ring of Their Own" which is an all female event, I've done a few PPV events in Canada. Made matches for bouts in South America and other countries. I do everything from braiding the girl's hair, walking them to the ring, getting their spit bucket and so on. I am not the typical promoter.

DJ: What sets you apart from your male counterparts?Wanda: The fact that I am there from beginning to end. Most male promoters do that exactly and just promote. I am their for my girls and truly care about them.

DJ: How do you feel about the Women's Olympic Boxing Competition being eliminated due to it not being as popular as the Men's Olympic Boxing Competition?

Wanda: I feel something needs to be done about it. Most boxers get their start at the Olympics. I don't feel it's fair that women will not be given the same opportunity as men.

DJ: If there was anything change about boxing, what would it be?Wanda: Equality. I hope that one day boxing fans will be just as interested in Women's Boxing as they are in Men's Boxing. I hope one day they are also given that same respect. If people gave them a chance and actually watched a woman's event they may find they actually enjoy it. I feel women display more professionalism in the sport. They pride themselves in competitive match ups and not cat fights or brawls. My goal is to help their skills of boxing be widely recognized.Women involved in male dominant sports have always struck controversy. Without boxing greats like Muhammad Ali there would be no Laila Ali and without Joe Frazier there wouldn't have been a Jacqui Frazier-Lyde. So not to be confused men's boxing I respected greatly. But like the saying goes behind every strong man stands a strong woman.

Wanda Bruce is one of many looking to find their own place in boxing. There are also the Infamous Women of Myspace (Keisha , Katrina, and Bernadette) that have been promoting boxers. They have gotten the like of Dibella to start networking through the site along with many boxers as well. Since then, Gary Shaw has followed in Dibella's steps. And lastly there are women such as the Notorious, no pun intended, Jin Mosley who manages her husband Shane Mosley's career. Just maybe one day men and women will be able to co exist as equals in the sport of boxing. I know that it makes me happy to be apart of the Women of Boxing and the roles we play.

Written by:DJ Carter

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)