Figueroa signs with LoNano

Figueroa signs with LoNano

Light welterweight prospect Frankie "El Gato" Figueroa has signed an exclusive managerial contract with Sal LoNano, president of S&L Boxing, it was announced today.

(Frankie "El Gato" Figueroa)



Figueroa (16-2-12 Ko's), fighting out of the Bronx (NY), is the reigning WBC International Mundo Hispano welterweight and New York State light welterweight champion। He has won eight in a row, six by knockout, including a four-round stoppage against Ilidio Julio (35-10-1 Ko) in his last fight on April 13.

(Frankie Figueroa's battle at Madison Square Garden)



LoNano has managed "Irish" Micky Ward and handles another New York light welterweight, Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi, who fights tomorrow night for the IBF title against defending champion Lovemore N'dou at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.

(Luis Rivera, the Seeno Group, Frankie Figueroa and Paulie Malignaggi)



"Frankie has a lot of heart and that's the type of fighter I like to work with," LoNano said. "Nobody was working with him, other than his promoter, and he contacted me to manage him because of my boxing experience with Micky and Paulie. I saw how he fights with so much heart and I believe that he will be a world champion someday."

(Frankie Figueroa and Promoters The Seeno Group after "El Gato's" Victory at MSG)

Awards to be presented in Hip Hop at BB Kings in New York City

Harlem New York, The 5th annual Hip Hop Odyssey International Film Festival and Awards presentation Honorees will include the Cold Crush Brothers, Crash Crew and Public Enemy, the event hosted by comedian Paul Mooney, and will be held at the B.B Kings Blues Club and Grill in New York City on Saturday June 16th 2007.

Curtis "Showtime" Stevens squares off with Andre Dirrell on the under card of Malignaggi N'Dou

Curtis "Showtime" Stevens (17-1 12 Ko's) of Brooklyn, New York, squares off with Andre Dirrell (11-7 Ko's) of Flint, Michigan this Saturday night June 16 2007, on the under card of the Paul Malignaggi (22-1-5 Ko's)of Brooklyn, New York against IBF junior welterweight champ Lovemore N'Dou (45-8-1-30 Ko's) in the main event Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun, in Uncasville, Connecticut, the fight will be televised this Saturday night on HBO's "Boxing After Dark", the replay of the Miguel Cotto Zab Judah fight will start at 9:30 p.m. Malignaggi was defeated by Cotto last year and wants a rematch.
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Paulie Malignaggi (center) and Advisor, speak with Max Kellerman.

Miguel Cotto King of the Ring, Zab Judah's thoughts and The Undercard

Miguel Cotto (30-0 25 Ko's) TKO victory over Zabdiel "Super" Judah (34-5-2 NC-25- Ko's) was stunning, referee Arthur Mercante Jr, stopped the fight, 49 seconds into the 11th round, one of the best fights this year this boxing classic was electrifying for the sold out. The event "Cotto vs. Judah: X-Plosive," promoted by Top Rank , Inc by Top Rank, Inc., Prize Fight Promotions, and televised on HBO Pay-Per-View, will replay on HBO Saturday June 16th at 9:30pm, before the Paulie Malignaggi of Brooklyn, New York and Lovemore N'Dou main event.

Madison Square Garden- The Press Conference, Zabdiel "Super" Judah appears on the dais to attends the official weigh in despite the odds, of the bout with Cotto. Zabdiel "Super" Judah thanked all of his fans and supporters for coming out to support him and promised a good fight with Miguel Cotto.



The Official weigh in, Zab "Super" Judah, the bad boy of boxing and team Judah, watch as Miguel Cotto weigh in before the commission officials.



The Face Off- Cotto vs Judah, both boxers confidently stared each other down, as the popular Cotto crowd chanted "Cotto Cotto", as a minor whisper of hometown locals and fans joined in the cheer "Judah Judah".



The aftermath- post press conference, Zab Judah attended immediately following his courageous attempt to defeat Cotto on the eve of the Puerto Rican day parade. Zab stated " I will not make any excuses, I can not take anything away from him, he is a great fighter, but I had him hurt too, a few times, I'm hurt, lumps in the back of my head, I make no excuses, I want a rematch". Zab a three time world champion and former undisputed welterweight champion fought like a true warrior.



The fans and supporters, Miguel Cotto and Zab Judah entertained 20,658 boxing fans celebrities and hip hop artist, in the house for the main event were Anthony Mason, and prodigal son, Tichina Arnold, Taquara, Knoelle Higgenson, Steve Stoute, Winton Marsalis, Fat Joe, and fellow fighters included Andre Berto, Curtis Stevens, Jeff Lacey, Paulie Malignaggi, Taurus Sykes just to mention a few.

(Team Judah, Tichina Arnold (Actress, former beau of Boxer Lamon Brewster) and Erica)



The Under card

Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.(32-0-1-25 Ko's), defeated Grover Wiley (30-10-1-14 Ko's), in the third round.

(Keisha and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.)



In an bloody super featherweight fight, Humberto Soto (42-5-2-25 Ko's), TKO'd Bobby Pacquiao (27-13-3-12 Ko's), 1:48 seconds of the seventh round. Bobby's famous brother is Manny Pacquaio.

Yuri Foreman (23-0-8 Ko's) of Brooklyn, New York, in a close fight won a decision over Anthony " The Messenger" Thompson (23-2-17 Ko's), of Philadelphia, PA.


Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (13-0-10 Ko's) won an unanimous decision over Jamal Davis (7-2-6 Ko's).


Jesus Rojas (8-0-6 Ko's) unanimously defeated Torrance Daniels (9-2-1-4 Ko's)

(Keisha and Torrence Daniels in NYC, during his last visit to the Big Apple, NYC)

"Black-Tie Boxing" event June 27th at Cipriani Wall Street, Yusaf Mack Mack-Jose Vasquez headlines, Grant & Acevedo on card

An evening of "Black-Tie Boxing" event June 27th at Cipriani Wall Street, Yusaf Mack Mack-Jose Vasquez headlines, Grant & Acevedo on card, “Black-Tie Boxing,”presented by Thomas Gallagher Productions, Inc., will be broadcast live on ESPN2 Wednesday Night Fights. Jake "The Raging Bull" La Motta Living Boxing Legend of the Bronx, NY (83-19-4-30 Ko's), and retired will be in attendance and supported the boxers at the press conference.


Yusaf Mack (22-1-2-14 Ko's) of Philadelphia, PA, and former USBA Champion rated Number 15 by the IBF, headlines a 12-round super middleweight title fight between Puerto Rican power puncher Jose Juan “Zeus” Vasquez (16-1-1-9 Ko's). In a pair of eight-round co-feature events, former world heavyweight title contender “Big” Michael Grant (41-3-31 Ko's), of Brooklyn, NY former World Heavyweight Title Challenger IBC and NABF champion, returns to the ring after a two-year absence against tough veteran Billy “The Kid” Zumbrun (21-8-1-11 Ko's); former Intercontinental welterweight champion Nick “Ace” Acevedo (17-2-9 Ko's), and former star of the The Contender II television reality series, faces dangerous light middleweight Max “Holy Hands” Cuevas (9-5-1-5 Ko's). Scheduled to fight on the show is New York State welterweight champion Allen “Dream Shatter” Conyers (11-2-9 Ko's) versus Adam Salas (10-10-2 Ko's) in a six-round non-title match. Also slated to be on the undercard in four-round bouts are heavyweights Darrel Madison (4-1-3 Ko's) and Rodney Ray (4-4-1-4 Ko's), and amateur super middleweight Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca (2-0-2 Ko's) vs. TBD.


"Michael Grant looks great. He’s now living in Brooklyn and training at Gleason’s. He’s 267 pounds right now with six-pack abs. Every one wants to see how he looks. He’s making a comeback after suffering some injuries and bad luck. Michael’s a great athlete who is 41-3 with 31 knockouts. He’s only 34 and a few years ago, how many people thought (Oleg) Maskaev would be the world heavyweight champion today? The potential is there for Michael to get right into the heavyweight mix with a few wins."
(Yusaf Mack Michael Grant and Darrel "King David" Madison)


Pro boxing goes upscale, a new strict dress code will be enforced - black-tie attire is required, tuxedos and gowns- caviar and champagne replace hot dogs and beer -- and fashion models will replace ring card girls. “We’re bringing class back to boxing,” promoter Mathew Sheldon explained. “Everyone will be served a delicious three-course dinner and we’re going back to the twenties and thirties style of dress in boxing, when men wore tuxedos and women gowns. This is going to be a classy, wealthy crowd. Some of the crazy stuff you may see at other fights you won’t see here. They’ll be sitting at tables, not on folding chairs with people standing in front and spilling beer all over the place. We’re trying to bring young blood into our sport, to make it more mainstream than just for boxing fanatics".

Tickets, priced at $300.00 (dinner included), are on sale by calling Cipriani Wall Street, in New York City (212.699.4099), Gallagher Productions (646.884.6200) or Sheldon Productions, Inc. (212.624.9363). Tables of 10 are still available for $3,000.00. A portion of the proceeds will go the Veterans Boxers Association (Ring 8 VBA). All bouts and boxers subject to change.

Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame June 2007

Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker has been elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame and will be inducted on Sunday June 10 2007 in Canastota, New York. Pernell Whitaker will appear on ESPN Friday Night Fights Studio as a guest Friday, June 15th 2007. Pernell Whitaker, formerly of Norfolk's Young Terrace public housing projects, went on to win an Olympic gold medal, six championship belts and is acclaimed to be one of the world's best fighter and considered by many one of the 100 greatest boxers rated No.48, pound-for-pound.

(Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker)


On December 7, 2006, Roberto Duran, Ricardo Lopez and Pernell Whitaker were announced as the next world champion boxers to be inducted as living inductees. They headed a class that also included non-participants and numerous posthumous fighter inductees. Pernell "Sweet Pea' Whitaker fought over 500 times and only lost 14 of the fights, His official amateur record is 201-14. The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta. The IBHOF is one of two recognized international boxing hall of fames, with the other being the World Boxing Hall of Fame. There are ceremonies conducted every year to honor the inductees and the ceremonies are attended by many former world boxing champions, boxing celebrities and Hollywood celebrities each year.

(Keisha and Roberto Duran)

Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker

In 1982 Pernell Whitaker won the United States Golden Gloves lightweight championship in Munich, West Germany. In 1983 he won the Pan-American Games as a lightweight. In 1984 at the U.S. Olympic Box offs in Fort Worth, TX. Pernell finished first in the lightweight division and went on to win the Gold Medal at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.Pernell Whitaker compiled a professional record of 40-4-1 ND-17 Ko's, in a pro career that stretched from 1984 to 2001. Pernell made his pro debut as a lightweight at Madison Square Garden in 1984 by winning a 2nd round TKO. He won world titles as a lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight. He won his first title by winning a 12 round unanimous decision over Roger Mayweather in 1987 for the NABF lightweight crown. Whitaker’s first loss was a very controversial split decision in a fight with Jose Luis Ramirez for the WBC lightweight title in 1988. Pernell avenged that loss a year and a half later in a fight for the vacant WBC title along with retaining the IBF lightweight title he won six months earlier, the fight was in his hometown of Norfolk, Va. In 1993 Pernell Whitaker beat Buddy McGirt in a 12 round decision for the Undisputed Welterweight Championship of the World. Later that year he retained that title in a draw with Julio Cesar Chavez. One of the title defenses was against Julio Cesar Vasquez in 1995 which was also for the WBA Jr Middleweight title. Pernell Whitaker went on to defend the World Welterweight title nine times until losing a 12 round decision to Oscar De La Hoya in 1997. He earned seven-figure purses and had a 10-year run as the star attraction for HBO Sports. Professional boxers have to wait five years after retirement to be eligible for election into the Hall of Fame.

(Keisha and Pernell Whitaker)

Pernell Whitaker is also considering getting back into he ring, I spoke with him briefly about his career and future, although he is becoming more active in the sweet science, he guaranteed me he had no desire to actually train to fight himself, and in fact that he enjoys working with Calvin Brock, Whitaker worked Calvin Brock's corner on the Briggs Ibragimov heavyweight under card Saturday June 2nd in Atlantic City, New Jersey. When I asked him about accepting his award, he humbly stated he was grateful and honored.

(Pernell Whitaker and Calvin Brock)

Light Heavyweight Antonio Tarver, defeated Elvir Muriqi

Joe LaGuardia's Star Boxing, Gary Shaw Productions and Mohegan Sun presented in Connecticut live at the Convention Centers Exhibit Hall, a double header, Light Heavyweight bout card, this past Saturday June 9th 2007, the main event was Antonio "The Magic Man" Tarver, better known for defeating mega boxing-star Roy Jones, fresh off his brief stint on the silver screen in "Rocky", and a lethargic defeat by Bernard Hopkins last year, former WBA, WBC, & IBF champ, Antonio "The Magic Man" Tarver (25-4-0) returned to the ring to defeat, Elvir The Kosovo Kid" Muriqi (34-4-0), by a majority decision for the IBO light heavyweight championship। Referee Michael Ortega determined that in the 5th round Tarver had accidentally head but Muriqi, who feels he won eight rounds of the fight despite the decision. The co feature was Chad "Bad" Dawson (24-0-0), a New Haven, Connecticut native, an emerging champion and the newest star in the 175 pound weight division stopped Jesus Ruiz (19-5-0)with an accumulation of punches, by TKO two minutes into the 6th round, retaining the WBC light heavyweight championship crown. Chad Dawson, undefeated is the son of a former fighter and corner included Floyd Mayweather Sr. Will Chad Dawson make his second defense against Tarver.

Briggs from Brownsville defeated by Sultan Ibragimov for Heavy Weight Championship, Brock Rocks, Gio's KO, and Shamone's tribute

Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs (48-5-1-42 Ko's) battled at the Boardwalk Hall for the the World Heavy Weight Championship against Sultan Ibragimov (21-0-1-17 Ko's) on Saturday June 2, 2007 in Atlantic City. Shannon Briggs the WBO title holder, looked forward to keeping America in the mix by winning his 13th straight fight. This was Shannon Briggs first title defense since winning the belt in November 2006 from Serguei Lyakhovich.



Sultan Ibragimov, rated #1 by the WBO Organization looked forward to the opportunity to show the world that he deserved to be world champion, now he adds the world heavy weight championship to his title.



On the under card Shamone Alvarez (18-0-11 Ko's) an undefeated welterweight from New Jersey defeated Jose Luis Cruz (32-3-2)to victoriously win the NABO welterweight title. Shamone Alvarez, donated a portion of the proceeds to a trust fund set up for his friend and former, IBF Light weight champ Leavander Johnson's family.





Calvin "The Boxing Banker" Brock (31-1-23 Ko's) of Charlotte North Carolina defeated Alex Gonzalez (18- 5- 8 Ko's) of Veja Baja, Puerto Rico, after a third round knockdown to win an unanimous 8-round decision. Calvin Brock considered by most as the best American heavyweight in boxing and labeled ads the best hope for American heavyweights to reclaim some of the footing the heavyweight division has lost in the last two years. On November 11 at Madison Square Garden, "The Boxing Banker" clearly the smaller opponent was TKO'd as he faced off with Wladimir Klitschko, considered by the International Boxing Organization and the International Boxing Federation the IBO/IBF, world's best. On March 17 in Calvin Brock came back to defeat Ralph "Wild Wild" West (17-12-1-14 Ko's) of Kansas

(Calvin Brock at the Weigh-in)



(Calvin Brock and Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker in Atlantic City, NJ)



Unbeaten middleweight Giovanni Lorenzo (24-0-16 Ko's) of Washington Heights, New York knocked out Bruce Rumbloz (21-14-2, 15 Ko's ) in the third round.



Super middleweight Robert Stieglitz (29-1-18 Ko's) on an 8-round decision against Marlon Haynes (23-7- 12 Ko's).



Flyweight Raul Martinez (19-0-12 Ko's) won a 6-round decision over Alejandro Moreno (21-22-3-10 Ko's).



Noticeably in the mix was Tyler Perry, and heavyweights Bone crusher and Jameel Mc Cline. The event was promoted by Seminole Warrior Boxing, Caesars Boardwalk Hall, Don King Productions, Main Events and Golden Boy Promotions. The event will be televised on CSI Sports television worldwide.

(Keisha and Bone Crusher former Heavyweight Boxer)



(Francis and Jameel Mc Cline, Heavyweight Boxer)



(Keisha and Jeff Mayweather)

"Ireland's" John Duddy and " New Orleans" Dupre Strickland Beacon Boxing Event

New York, New York Patrick G. Sweeney's Lounge

The Press Confrerence

Headlining, Irish ropes promotions "Tomorrow's Champions" Friday night at the famed Beacon theatre live in New York City was the reigning IBA World & WBC Continental American Middleweight Champion will be the northern Ireland born John Duddy against Native New Orlean's own Dupree "The Total Package" Strickland (18-2-1-7 Ko's).

(John Duddy and Dupre Stricland at Press Conference in New York City)


"Ireland's" John Duddy (20-0-15 Ko's) now living in Queens New York defeated, "The Total" package, in a ten round main event, it proved not to be an easy quest, to remain unbeaten. John Duddy trains at Gleasons Gym in Brooklyn New York and is ranked No.8 by the WBO and No.9 by the WBA and No.13 by the IBF. Post fight, John Duddy plans to head to Ireland tentatively to fight there July 14th.


(John Duddy Promoter & Peter Quillin)

Pawel "Raging Bull" Wolak (15-0-9 Ko's) of Brooklyn New York, in a co feature main event tangled with Anthony Little (7-6-1 Ko) ultimately winning. Pawel Wolak born in Poland, now fighting out of Brooklyn is a former wrestler and had plans to become a mixed martial artist, thus becoming an amateur boxer to develop "striker" talent on his feet and to compliment his grappling skills. His amateur record is 40-5, he became so good at boxing that he gave up his UFC dream.

(Pawel "Raging Bull" Wolak, Promoter, John Duddy, Peter Quillin and Dupre Strickland at Press Conference in Manhattan, New York)


Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (12-0-10 Ko's) a popular Brooklyn middleweight pummeled to victory Victor Paz (9-4-1-1 Ko) a 2004 Irish National Senior amateur champion.



Vaughn Parham (2-0-1 Ko) a Bronx heavyweight defeated Kenyatte Ravenell (1-2-1 Ko) of Harlem New York.
(John Duddy and Vaughn Parham at the Press Conference)

Floyd "Pretty Boy" Mayweather, Prince of the ring

Floyd "Pretty Boy" Mayweather Jr,(38-0-24 Ko's) royally accepted the decision over Oscar "Golden Boy" Dela Hoya (38-5-30 Ko's) a superstar whose popularity transcends boxing, Oscar is considered to be one of the best fighters in the world at any weight "Pound-for-Pound", lost his WBC super welterweight title to Mayweather. Floyd Mayweather Jr. who is the welterweight champion, won the bout by a split decision, winning the title and improving his record to 38-0. The final scores were 115-113 De La Hoya, 116-112 Mayweather and 115-113 for Mayweather. The fight took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Early Las Vegas odds had Oscar as a 2-to-1 underdog to the younger Mayweather.

Bernard Hopkins vs Winky Wright- Will "Come to Fight" on July 21st in Vegas

New York City, New York ESPN Zone:The Press Conference
The Battle Royal

Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins (47-4-1-32 Ko's) vs. Winky Wright (51-3-1-25 Ko's) will battle Saturday July 21st at the Mandalay Bay Center in Las Vegas, live on Pay Per View, beginning at 9pm ET/ 6PM PT. Hopkins vs Wright is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Winky Promotions and sponsored by South west Airlines, Rockstar Energy Drink and Tecate Beer. The combined experience of the two fighters will guarantee fight fans a spectacular evening of boxing and a magnificent display of skill and talent, as Bernard and attempt to reign supreme.

The Bottom Line

Hopkins of Northern Philadelphia, "I'm back and my record speaks for itself", said Hopkins, the former undisputed middleweight champion who's Ring magazine light heavy weight belt will be on the line, in this 170 pound bout. Bernard Hopkins was a champion for over ten years, had 20 defense and a win over a man they said was the best light heavyweight in the world, Antonio Tarver. Hopkins retired following the Tarver fight, but is back to continue his track record of greatness. "Winky Wright" is a good fighter, but I'm a great fighter and I'll prove that once again on July 21st".


What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas

Wright of St Petersburg Florida, "I'm glad he stepped up to the plate to fight me when no one else wanted to take the challenge and i respect him for that," said Wright, "But all that goes out the window on July 21st, I'm faster younger stronger and better than Hopkins and he knows it". Wright's win over Tito Trinidad is one of the most dominating big fight wins in recent history.

(Bernard Hopkins boxing cornerman and boxer David Jackson and Darrel Madison of GYMU(r) attend the Press conference in New York, in brotherhood solidarity support of Hopkins and Wright)