Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Francisco “El Gato” Figueroa’s Looks To Rumble With Brooklyn’s Star
At the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach Florida (on July 28th), Francisco “El Gato” Figueroa’s round 12 KO that sent Mexican fighter Ubaldo Hernandez (22 wins, 18 losses, 10kos) through the ropes made Figueroa the winner of the vacant NABF title. Figueroa’s highly intense bout (the first 12 round fight of his career), which showcased as a main event on Seeno Group’s “Saturday Night Showdown,” now ranks him number 12 in his weight class by The World Boxing Council. Although Hernandez’s record might be looked at as not so great, he is credited with going toe-to-toe against fighters such as Miguel Cotto, Vivian Harris, Jose Cotto, Demetrius Hopkins and Juan Urango.
Figueroa literally went to war with the extremely aggressive Hernandez. However, in round 12 as Hernandez stood blocking a barrage of body shots, Figueroa saw a clear opening. A straight left to the head meant no chance of recovery for. Hernandez. His head went through the bottom rope and legs flew in the air. When officials pulled Hernandez from the ropes to the canvas, he just laid there, unconscious, for nearly five minutes, as Figueroa celebrated coming one step closer to a world title.
Following Figueroa’s November 2006 defeat over fellow Bronx-native Joey Rios (in a bout now popularly known as “The Battle For The Bronx”) Figueroa was looking forward to a match-up that would be credited as the biggest fight of his career.
“Those things made me who I am now,” says Figueroa who, while homeless in 2002, spent a year sleeping in the basement at the Morris Park Boxing Gym in the Bronx. “I’ve come too far to turn back now. I’m very confident that I will be seeing a world title in the very near future.” Figueroa is now managed by Sal Lonano, who once managed the careers of Pauly Malignaggi and Mickey Ward. Veteran trainer Buddy McGirt Sr. is now in Figueroa’s corner as well.
During Miguel Cotto’s Madison Square Garden mega-bout against Brooklyn Southpaw Zab Judah on June 9th those in the know undoubtedly agree that Figueroa’s impact on unbeaten WBA welterweight Champion, Cotto, was evident. As one of Cotto’s chief sparring partner, Figueroa, who once shared the same trainer (Chelo Bentacourt) with Judah, spent a month in Puerto Rico assisting Cotto prior to his HBO pay-per-view ko victory versus Judah.
“When Cotto was fighting Judah everybody was calling my phone and text messaging me telling me how they saw Cotto using my flowboating technique, something he’s never done before,” says Figueroa explaining the components of the flowboating method he innovated. “Flowboating is a bobbing and weaving technique consisting of spinning on the heels and balls of the feet with a movement at the waist.”
Also the chief sparring partner to unbeaten light welterweight champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, “Vicious” Vivian Harris, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti and others, Figueroa boasts about all of the fighters respective 2006 wins, subsequent to his intense involvement with them. “I’m boxing’s best kept secret,” says Figueroa. “And I’m ready to prove it!”
For all interview and media requests please email: Truinkmedia@gmail.com
Monday, September 3, 2007
Tito Trinidad and Roy Jones Square off
Tito Trinidad: "I always want to fight great fighters and I am coming back to fight Roy Jones Jr. because he is one of the greatest in the sport."
Don King: "The fight will take place at 170 pounds. We are leaning toward Madison Square Garden but nothing is set at this time."
Tito: "I am going to feel very good at that weight and I feel that I will feel great at that fight."
Don King: "Tito Trinidad and Roy Jones will be doing color [on the pay-per-view telecast] for Vargas vs. Mayorga on September 8 and Chad Dawson on September 29 and Maskaev vs. Sam Peter on Oct. 6. Roy Jones will be his inimitable self as only he knows how to do it. And Tito will do the Spanish version. And they will be on Juan Diaz vs. Julio Diaz, the double D. Roy Jones will be doing rap music and Tito will be doing Reggaetón. Then they will go in the ring and fight. It is taking my breath away. This is a fight made in heaven... quality and competitiveness."
Tito Trinidad: "One month ago, I was not clear whether I would come back to boxing. But right now I have made up my mind. I have conversations with my manager and Don and finally everything has come together. Everything has been agreed... that I am ready to fight Roy Jones and Roy Jones is ready to fight me."
Don King: "Papa Trinidad didn't want his son coming back into boxing if he was going to fight anybody less than a Roy Jones Jr. So he raised the bar real high in honor of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican people. He told me Roy Jones. So my job was to go get Roy Jones. Roy Jones agreed to do business and be involved in history in the making."
Tito Trinidad: "It is true that I said in the past that I would not come out of retirement. But I have been a great fighter throughout my career and I am still healthy and I know that I have too much boxing inside of me and I want to show the world that I am still one of the best boxers. This is a great challenge to fight Roy Jones who is one of the greatest of the era and I never turned down a great fight and I am coming out of retirement for a great fight, with a great fighter like Roy Jones.
It is a huge purse, but at this time that is confidential."
Don King [injects]: "Mucho Grande, muchas gracias."
Tito Trinidad: "There is no next fight. Right now I am focused on fighting Roy Jones, one of the greatest fighters I will ever face. He is a great fighter. After I fight Jones, then I may think of another fight."
What do you think about Mayweather?
Tito Trinidad: "There was talk about fighting Mayweather but because of the difference in weight that fight really could not happen. It will never happen. This fight is at 170 and I will feel great at that weight and it will be a great fight.
I had always said that I will be in boxing as long as my father is. It is 100-percent true that I would only come back if my father did. The only reason I came back is because my trainer, my manager and my friend is back. He is supporting me and we are back together."
Don King: "It is a great day. Papa gave me a hard task to get Roy Jones. Papa said, 'Don’t bring me a mortal man, bring me Roy Jones.'"
Tito Trinidad: "It is just my comeback. I am going to fight Roy Jones."
What about Bernard Hopkins?
Tito Trinidad: "I fought Bernard Hopkins the first time and we won the jackpot. He has been running around ever since. I have been trying to get a rematch with him but it never happened. So right now I am focused on Roy."
What TV will this be on?
Don King: "This fight just came about. So we haven’t gotten that far yet. Papa knows, Roy Jones knows, I know and Tito knows, so it is not an original deal. This is creative, this is history. We have to discuss where the fight will be shown. We have to talk to HBO and we have to talk to SHOWTIME and we have to talk to ESPN and Rupert Murdoch, who is taking over everything. This is the first time since Rumble in the Jungle, where you make the fight, and we didn’t even have television. But right now we have both combatants just sitting here looking at each other and it is just remarkable. Shades of yesterday, fights like that were made 35 years ago."
Roy Jones Jr: "Tito is a great champion and I know that and he has left behind a great legacy. If someone like that comes to challenge you, how can you turn that down? I’d be stupid to turn that down, I fight for a living, that’s what I do. Great fights are made just like what we did here. You make a big fight to give the fans something to come watch. It’s not like the Floyd Mayweather-De La Hoya fight where they gave the fans a dance."
What about fighting at 170?
Roy Jones Jr: "I don’t like it, but for a big fight you have to do those things. It is a wonderful fight and I’m not going to let a few pounds ruin it. Of course it is going to be very difficult. Of course I’m not going to like it. But this is a big fight and the people want it. So we have to make it happen."
Are you too big or fast for Trinidad?
Roy Jones Jr: "Too fast, I may agree with. Too big? He is bigger than me right now. But [me being] too fast [for him], I am going to agree with. We are both powerful punchers, and when you have two powerful punchers it all depends on who is going to get there first. But there is one thing I will guarantee, it will not be like Winky Wright and Bernard Hopkins, two guys that are superior boxer but have no bombs in their tank. We both have bombs in our tank. Plus, we are phenomenal boxers on top of that. So you have everything it takes to make a great fight here. You’ve got two beautiful punchers. You’ve got two beautiful boxers. I am probably the quicker of the two, but pound-for-pound, he is probably the more powerful of the two. So it makes for a great fight."
How much convincing from Don did it take for you to do this?
Roy Jones Jr. "It takes a lot of convincing for me to do anything. It’s how you convince me to do it. He [Don King] just called me and said, 'Hey, Trinidad wants you.' If he wants me then do what you’ve got to do and make it happen. So I came in and we made it happen."
Have you looked at the contract?
Roy Jones Jr.: "I just got here for the press conference and I will look at it now. And I will sign it shortly.
I take my hat off to him for respecting me that much. And now we have two guys who stood up and said they want to fight each other. It didn’t take much to make the fight happen. I don’t change for pretty much anybody. Don King is going to treat me right so I am along for the ride."
Are you going to be OK doing all of that TV stuff?
Roy Jones Jr: "It is OK if I am working for myself. It’s another thing when you’ve got to work for somebody. I’m not going to do what they want me to do all the time, because that’s not how it works. But I’ll do what you want me to do if we do it right. But if you go crazy and do things that I don’t want to do, I am not going to do that."
How hard will it be to get to 170?
Roy Jones Jr: "God works in mysterious ways. After my last fight, I stayed slim because I thought something crazy may come my way. So I am slim. And this fight is worth getting there for."
Roy, you told Don not to put Trinidad in with Hopkins…
Roy Jones Jr: "What I told Don was that Hopkins had everything to gain and nothing to lose. Hopkins is really nothing without a guy like Tito. Now Tito have everything to lose and nothing to gain. Hopkins was going for broke, he was going to do everything he had to do to win the fight. I knew he was a hungry fighter, but I could have been able to deal with him a little better."
Don King: "I want to work with Jim Dolan and Madison Square Garden। Jim Dolan is trying to bring boxing back to America when everyone else is running away from it."
http://www.donking.com/tito_jones_sign.html
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Juan Diaz and Julio Diaz formally announcing their lightweight world championship unification match (WBA, WBO, IBF)
Listed below and attached, please find quotes: Diaz vs. Diaz Press Conference Quotes Wednesday, Aug. 29 – Mi Tierra Restaurant in Little Village – Chicago Juan Diaz: “I think this will turn out to be the fight of the year and maybe the fight of the century because both Julio Diaz and I want to win so bad. They will have to take me out of the ring on a stretcher for me to lose this fight. “This is going to be a great, action fight. I’ve got a bull’s-eye on my head. Everybody wants what I have. Many consider me to be the best lightweight boxer out there so everybody wants to fight me. “Both of us have the first name of Diaz. We had no choice when we were born. It’s just the name our parents gave us, no matter how much people want to make of all that. “In February, Julio asked me to put my books down to fight after he became the IBF champion. In April, I picked up the WBO lightweight belt by defeating Acelino Freitas to go with the WBA championship I have held for a long time. Now is the time for a unification fight. “We are getting very close to having an undisputed lightweight world champion. I give all my respect to Julio Diaz but on October 13, I will be the one leaving the ring with three of those world titles. Julio Diaz: “I’ve been asking for Juan Diaz for a long time. This is something that has been important to me and I didn’t want to let it go. He is the biggest star in the lightweight division today. He’s undefeated, a unified world champion with the WBA and WBO belts. “I’ve won some big fights. I am a two-time world champion and the current IBF champion but I haven’t gotten the attention that Juan has. I want what he has and I’m coming to get it. I want to be a unified world champion. “Juan and I have a lot in common. We have the same last name and I see his parents cry when he goes in the ring just like mine do. We’re also both Mexican warriors. We will put on a great fight and the best man will win.”
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Legendary Boxing Promoter Don "Only in America" King, To Accept "Pioneer Award"
The task force is comprised of black print and broadcast sports journalist from across the country. The Pioneer Award is the organization’s highest honor, and King will share the stage at the awards ceremony with fellow recipients that have special Nevada ties including boxing referee Richard Steele; Sacramento Kings head coach and former UNLV star Reggie Theus; ESPN NBA analyst and former UNLV standout Greg Anthony; UNLV women’s basketball coach Regina Miller; and former University of Nevada-Reno women’s athletics administrator Dr. Angela Taylor.
“This is a truly great honor for me to be recognized with a Pioneer Award by the august members of the National Association of Black Journalists Sports Task Force while they are convening at their 32nd annual convention,” King said. “These are people I respect and admire. I look forward to joining them and the other Pioneer Award recipients at this celebration of the human spirit.”
The festivities are part of the NABJ task force’s convention, taking place for the first time in Las Vegas, which is ongoing through Aug. 12.
King will also take part in a special workshop earlier in the day on Friday beginning at 4 p.m. titled Is Boxing Down for the Count?
The promotional legend will be joined on a star-studded panel consisting of President of HBO Sports Ross Greenburg; Senior Vice President/General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports Events Programming Ken Hershman; Hall of Fame boxing promoter Bob Arum; undefeated six-time world champion in five separate weight divisions “Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather Jr.; and New York Daily News sports columnist and longtime boxing scribe Tim Smith.
New York Post sports columnist George Willis coordinated the workshop, and USA Today boxing writer Chuck Johnson will serve as moderator during the 90-minute discussion beginning at 4 p।m.
NABJ is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals.
"Only in America can a Don King happen," explains Don. "America is the greatest country in the world—I love America. What I've accomplished could not have been done anywhere else."
Indeed, the odds have always been long for King. A product of the hard-core Cleveland ghetto, he beat the system to become the world's greatest promoter. His shocking hairstyle, infectious smile, booming laugh and inimitable vocabulary have made Don King universally recognizable. He has been featured on the covers of Time, Sports Illustrated, Ebony, Jet, and countless other magazines. He has appeared in movies, television shows and on numerous television and radio talk shows. There was even an award-winning unauthorized movie loosely based on his life and numerous other attempts by Hollywood to depict his larger-than-life personality.
Don's promotions have entertained billions around the globe. His life has been devoted to staging the best in world-championship boxing as well as always giving something back to the people. Don King-promoted events have given the sports and entertainment world some of its most thrilling and memorable moments.
Inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997, King was the only boxing promoter named to Sports Illustrated's list of the "40 Most Influential Sports Figures of the Past 40 Years." The New York Times published a list that included Don King among 100 African Americans who have helped shape this country's history during the last century. When asked recently in a private meeting with Mandalay Bay hotel executives in Las Vegas about what he would like on his epitaph, King quickly responded, "He worked for the day when all people would be clothed in dignity."
This statement belies the belief that King is merely a boxing promoter. At heart, he is, foremost, a civil rights activist.
"Nothing makes me happier than to promote a fight card with boxers from 10 different countries: the fighters, the corner men, the media, the business people-all of them," King said. "The thrill comes when these people, who would never normally come into contact with one another, work together on an event. They learn that no matter what color, race, religion or whatever you are, underneath the skin we are all the same on the inside." King added, poignantly, "I must take the splinter out of my eye before I can ask you take the two-by-four out of yours."
King's career as a promoter spans three decades and includes more than 500 world-championship fights, but it began as a humble plea to help save a Cleveland hospital in 1972. Facing a severe shortage of funds, Forest City Hospital was prepared to shut down. King knew the hospital served a vital function to a poor, working-class community. He sought out heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and asked him to come and support a fundraising benefit to help turn around the hospital. The two men hit it off, and a new era began in boxing.
King inked a fight between Ali and George Foreman in 1974 that promised both fighters more than $5 million each, which was unheard of at the time. When his financial backers lost faith and pulled out and everyone else turned their backs on Don, he held the fight together on his own and took it to Zaire. He proved the doubters and critics wrong by staging one of the greatest fights in history with The Rumble in the Jungle.
King has gone on to set new high-water marks in the boxing promotion business. Nearly 100 individual boxers have earned $1 million, or more, under Don King Productions-promoted events. The first Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield fight shattered all previous viewing records for a boxing event, seen in more than 100 countries by more than two billion people.
Holyfield-Tyson II created even more attention, attracting 1.99 million domestic households in addition to a massive global audience. The live gate sold out in days as a crowd of 16,279 paid a record $14.2 million to see the fight in person.
Don made a commitment to provide quality fight cards, and in 1993 he staged a fight in Mexico headlined by Julio Cesar Chavez that featured four world championship bouts on one night. The public responded as 136,274 fans flocked to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, and established a paid live-gate record of more than 132,000 that is still listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Not just once, but twice, he has promoted fight cards with six world-title fights. In 1994 he staged a record 47 world-championship bouts. In 1981 King was the first promoter in history to guarantee $1 million paydays to non-heavyweights when featherweights Salvador Sanchez and Wilfredo Gomez clashed. That same year he became the first promoter to guarantee one fighter (Sugar Ray Leonard) a $10 million purse in the first Leonard vs. Roberto Duran fight.
But for every successful boxing event Don promotes, he makes it a personal rule to give back far more than he ever receives. King's tireless and continuous philanthropic efforts are rarely chronicled, but, as he says, "If you do something just to get noticed, then it is not a truly charitable gesture."
He established the Don King Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to worthy causes and organizations. As a self-reminder of the economic hardship he endured growing up, King has gone into neighborhoods every holiday season and personally handed out turkeys to needy families. Don's "Turkey Tour" has given away hundreds of thousands of turkey dinners over the years in cities across the country during the holiday season.
King is a longtime supporter of the National Organization for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, National Hispanic Scholarship Fund, National Coalition of Title 1/Chapter 1 Parents, Wheelchair Charities, Our Children's Foundation among other organizations, charities, colleges and hospitals that has made him one of the world's leading philanthropists.
When the Deerfield Beach Fire Department in Florida badly needed a new fire engine, Don stepped forward with the necessary funds.
Don has been bestowed with many honors, including the Black Achievement Award and being named Man of the Year by the Black United Fund and Brotherhood Crusade. Among his proudest moments was when he received the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's women's membership in 1987. Cities including Newark, N.J., have declared "Don King Day" and presented him with official proclamations for "behind-the-scenes" contributions he's made towards community projects.
The NAACP recognized Don with its highest honor, the President's Award, and he received Lifetime Achievement accolades from Grambling State University. Shaw University, the oldest black college in the South, bestowed Don with an honorary doctorate degree and named him to its prestigious Board of Trustees. He also recently received the prestigious “Legacy Award” for Outstanding Community Service from Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY. All three major boxing organizations, the IBF, WBA and WBC, have proclaimed Don King the "Greatest Promoter in History."
He got together with Felix Trinidad, Sr. and Felix “Tito” Trinidad to donate a much needed Fire Truck to Ladder Company 30 in New York’s Harlem.
Together with many celebrity friends such as Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover, Don helped raise enough money to pay off the $5,000,000.00 mortgage at Ms. Dorothy Height’s building in Washington, D.C.
On Dec. 13, 2003, he promoted a sold-out event in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. featuring a record-breaking eight world championship fights. He broke his own record of six world championship bouts on one card.
Don is always supportive of our Armed Forces both here and around the globe. He has visited various military bases and has pledged to help them with their projects. He most recently visited Fort Campbell in Kentucky, the home of the “Screaming Eagles” – 101st Airborne. Don was made an Honorary “Screaming Eagle” by Lt. General David Petraeus for all his contributions and support.
A true patriot, he spent much of last year helping to re-elect President George W. Bush. “I believe in him,” King says. “He says what he means and means what he says. I like the way he stands up. He also put two blacks in very important posts in his cabinet, and that speaks volumes for the man.”
At age 75 (he was born on Aug. 20, 1931) King has no plans to slow down. He gives full credit for his rise from the Cleveland projects to his mother, Hattie, who taught him the difference between right and wrong. Don and his lovely wife Henrietta spend time at their homes in Ohio and South Florida. Their family includes sons, Carl and Eric; a daughter, Debbie; and five grandchildren.
Don King
Fact Sheet
World-renowned promoter of boxing luminaries including Muhammad Ali, “Smokin’” Joe Frazier, “Big” George Foreman, Larry ‘The Easton Assassin” Holmes, “Iron” Mike Tyson, “Sugar” Ray Leonard, Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez, Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins, Ricardo “Finito” Lopez, Salvador Sanchez and Wilfredo Gomez, to name a few.
· Promoter of over 500 world championship fights—so far. Nearly 100 boxers have earned $1 million or more in Don King Productions-promoted fights—so far.
· Don King Productions holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including: Holyfield vs. Tyson II, 1.99 million buys, June 1997; Tyson vs. Holyfield I, 1.6 million buys, November 1996; Tyson vs. McNeeley, 1.58 million buys, August 1995; and Bruno vs. Tyson, 1.4 million buys, March 1996.
· Don King Productions holds the distinction of having promoted or co-promoted 11 of the top 15 highest-grossing live gates in the history of the state of Nevada including four of the top five: Holyfield vs. Lewis II, paid attendance: 17,078, gross: $16,860,300 (NOTE: Also second-highest live-gate gross for any event in history.), date: Nov. 13, 1999; Holyfield vs. Tyson II, paid attendance: 16,279, gross: $14,277,200, date: June 28, 1997; Holyfield vs. Tyson I, paid attendance: 16,103, gross: $14,150,700, date: Nov. 9, 1996; Tyson vs. McNeeley, paid attendance: 16,113, gross: $13,965,600, date: Aug. 19, 1995; and De La Hoya vs. Trinidad, paid attendance: 11,184, gross: $12,949,500, date: Sept. 18, 1999. (Second-most pay-per-view buys for non-heavyweight fight, 1.4 million.)
· His first boxing promotion is staged on Aug. 28, 1972, a charity event featuring Muhammad Ali for Forest City Hospital in his hometown of Cleveland, becomes the second-largest gross in history for a boxing exhibition ($80,000).
· First to guarantee the then unprecedented amount of $10 million, split between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman to participate in the classic Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire, Africa, on Oct. 30, 1974. This prizefight also holds the distinction of being the first television boxing event to be viewed by one billion people worldwide.
· First to receive $1 million to deliver a prime-time network television match for Muhammad Ali vs. Ron Lyle on May 16, 1975.
· Promoted the classic third and final epic battle between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier known as the Thrilla in Manila viewed by over one billion people worldwide on Oct. 1, 1975.
· First promoter to sell a fight for $2 million to a network featuring heavyweight contenders when Ken Norton faced Jimmy Young on ABC at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 5, 1977.
· First promoter to sell Home Box Office a heavyweight world-title fight telecast for I Love New York featuring Larry Holmes vs. Mike Weaver at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 22, 1979. He declined an $800,000 bid from ABC in favor of HBO for $125,000.
· Promoter of The Last Hurrah featuring Larry Holmes vs. Muhammad Ali, which produced the then-largest live gate in history, $6 million, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on Oct. 2, 1980.
· First promoter to guarantee a boxer $10 million when he paid that amount to Sugar Ray Leonard to face Roberto Duran at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada, on June 20, 1980.
· First promoter to guarantee $1 million fight purses to featherweights when Salvador Sanchez met Wilfredo Gomez at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on Aug. 21, 1981. It took 13 years for another boxing promoter to match this feat.
· Promoter of The Pride and the Glory featuring Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney, which produced the then-largest live gate in history, $8 million, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on June 11, 1982. This event also holds the distinction for the then-highest amount paid for a tape-delayed re-broadcast of a boxing match, $3 million, by ABC.
· Promoted an unprecedented 13 world champions, exclusively, and was the first promoter to stage 23 world championship fights in the same year—1982.
· First promoter to sell Home Box Office a fight for $2 million for Michael “Dynamite” Dokes vs. Mike Weaver at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on Dec. 10, 1982.
· First promoter to establish his own television network, the Don King Sports and Entertainment Network, in 1982.
· First and only promoter to place two world-heavyweight title bouts on the same card during The Crown Affair, which pitted Larry Holmes against Tim Witherspoon for the World Boxing Council title as well as the second clash between Michael Dokes and Mike Weaver for the World Boxing Association championship in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 20, 1983. First promoter to sell a package to these three television entities: closed circuit, pay television and network television.
· Promoter of the Jackson Five’s Jacksons Victory Tour in 1984. This worldwide mega-event grossed $150 million. Don King then brokered an enormous product-endorsement deal on behalf of Michael Jackson to appear in a series of television commercials for Pepsi-Cola.
· Sold Home Box Office a $26 million heavyweight elimination series in 1986, which resulted in Mike Tyson being crowned the fist undisputed heavyweight champion since Muhammad Ali.
· First promoter to stage 25 world-title bouts in one year, 1986, breaking his record of 23 set in 1982. Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1986.
· Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1987.
· Promoter of Once and for All featuring Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks, which became the then-highest-grossing event in history exceeding $13 million at the Trump Plaza Convention Center in Atlantic City, N.J., on June 27, 1988. The fight also held the distinction for the then-largest single payday in history with Mike Tyson receiving an estimated $22 million and Leon Spinks $13.5 million.
· Promoter of Ultimate Glory between legendary Mexican champion Julio Cesar Chavez and Hector “Macho” Camacho, which became the then-highest-grossing non-heavyweight fight in history and fastest sellout in the history of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sept. 12, 1992.
· Promoter of the Grand Slam of Boxing featuring four world championship bouts headlined by Julio Cesar Chavez facing Greg Haugen, which holds the record for largest in-person paid attendance in boxing history with 132,274 people packed into Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, on Feb 20, 1993. (This broke the previous record held by Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney for their fight in Philadelphia, Pa., on Sept. 23, 1926.)
· Promoter of The Fight between Pernell Whitaker and Julio Cesar Chavez attended by 59,995 (the second-highest attendance ever for an indoor bout) at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Tex., on Sept. 10, 1993, which becomes the then-highest-grossing non-heavyweight match in history—breaking his own record for the third time in less than a year. Pay-per-view audience tops 1 million buys.
· Co-promoted Judgment Day between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank for Benn’s WBC super middleweight title, which set the record for highest attendance for a British boxing match, 47,000, on the grounds of the Manchester United Club at Old Trafford Stadium on Oct. 9, 1993.
· Promoter of Explosive Fury: Battle in Puebla featuring Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Andy Holligan, which draws 45,000 people in Puebla, Mexico, on Dec. 18, 1993.
· Promoted, for the second time in his career, more than 20 world-title fights in one calendar year: 22 in 1993. Named Promoter of the Century by the World Boxing Association for 1993.
· First and only promoter to put five world championships on one card—and he did it not once but four times in just over one year: Global Warfare II in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 18, 1994; Revenge… The Rematches in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 7, 1994 (Frankie Randall v Julio Cesar Chavez II; Gerald McClellan v Julian Jackson II; Simon Brown v Terry Norris II & Azumah Nelson v Jessie James Leija II); The Real Thing in the Bull Ring at the Plaza de Toros in Mexico City on Nov. 12, 1994; and Burden of Proof at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 8, 1995.
· First and only promoter to ever hold six world-title fights on the same card—and he did it twice in one year: Judgment Day in Monterrey on Dec. 10, 1994, in Mexico and Unfinished Business on Sept. 17, 1994, in Las Vegas, Nev.
· Promoted an incredible 47 world championship fights in 1994—shattering his previous record of 25 title bouts in 1986. Named Greatest Promoter of All Time by the World Boxing Council in 1994. Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1994.
· Only boxing promoter named to Sports Illustrated’s 40 Most Influential Sports Figures of the Last 40 Years in 1994.
· Promoter of He’s Back featuring Mike Tyson vs. Peter McNeeley, which became the then-highest-grossing event in history, $13,965,500, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on Aug. 19, 1995. Also marked the first time a boxer (Mike Tyson) received $25 million for a 10-round fight.
· Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1995.
· First promoter to pay $30 million to a boxer when Mike Tyson received that amount to face World Boxing Council champion Frank Bruno in The Championship Part 1 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 16, 1996.
· Promoter of Finally featuring Mike Tyson vs. Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, which became the then-highest-grossing event, $14,150,700, in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 9, 1996. It also became the then-most-watched pay-per-view event in history with 1.6 million buys. The match was seen around the world in more than 100 countries—shattering all previous boxing-event viewership records.
· Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1996.
· Named Promoter of the Decade by the International Boxing Federation in 1996.
· Paid Mike Tyson more than any other athlete in history—$120 million—during the 15 months between Aug. 19, 1995, and Nov. 9, 1996, to face the following opponents: Peter McNeeley, $25 million, Las Vegas, Nev., Aug. 19, 1995; Buster Mathis Jr., $10 million, Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 16, 1995; Frank Bruno, $30 million, Las Vegas, Nev., March 16, 1996; Bruce Seldon, $25 million, Las Vegas, Nev., Sept. 7, 1996; and Evander Holyfield, $30 million, Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 9, 1996.
· Promoter of The Sound and the Fury featuring the second pairing of Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield and Mike Tyson, which grossed more than its predecessor to become the then-highest-grossing event in history, $14,277,200, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on June 28, 1997. This event also eclipsed its predecessor to become the most-watched pay-per-view event in history with 1.95 million buys.
· First promoter inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y., in 1997. Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1997.
· Named Promoter of the Year by the World Boxing Association for 1998.
· Three streets in Newark, N.J., Irvington, N.J., and Orange, N.J. re-named Don King Plaza in September 1998 in recognition of King’s decades-long business and philanthropic efforts in the state of New Jersey.
· Promoter of Kings’ Crowning Glory… The Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship between Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, which holds the record highest-grossing event ever in Madison Square Garden history and New York state history at $11,425,494 on March 13, 1999. It also holds the record for the fastest sellout for a boxing event in MSG history.
· Co-promoted the Fight of the Millennium between Oscar De La Hoya and Felix “Tito” Trinidad Jr., which holds the record for highest-grossing non-heavyweight fight, $12,949,500, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sept. 18, 1999. This match also holds the record for most-watched non-heavyweight pay-per-view event in history at 1.4 million buys.
· Promoted Unfinished Business… Search for the Truth re-match between Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, which holds the record for largest gross in history at, $16,860,300—the event sold out in 90 minutes—at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 13, 1999.
· Named Promoter of the Millennium by the World Boxing Association in 1999.
· Named Promoter of the Year for the year 1999 by www.SecondsOut.com
· First promoter to host a boxing card at the AmericanAirlines Arena with Glory & Adventure: A Tale of Two Cities featuring Felix “Tito” Trinidad vs. Mammadou Thiam on July 22, 2000. The 12,506 paid spectators contributed to a gross of over $1.2 million.
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· Promoted Forces of Destruction featuring Felix “Tito” Trinidad vs. “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Dec. 2, 2000. An epic battle that included six knockdowns, Trinidad emerged victorious with a knockout in the final round, which garnered him Fighter of the Year and Fight of the Year honors. Holds record for eighth-largest live-gate gross in the history of the state of Nevada.
· Promoted The Middleweight World Championship Series to determine the first undisputed 160-pound champion since Marvelous Marvin Hagler held that distinction from 1980 through 1987. Longtime International Boxing Federation middleweight champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins outpointed World Boxing Council middleweight champion Keith Holmes in The Theater at Madison Square Garden on April 14, 2001, to advance to the championship round. WBA and IBF 154-pound champion Felix “Tito” Trinidad left his 154-pound titles behind to enter the 160-pound fray and defeated two-time World Boxing Association middleweight champion William Joppy by technical knockout in front of 18,235 fans that comprised the fourth-largest live-gate gross in Madison Square Garden boxing history on May 12, 2001. In the MWCS finale, Hopkins dominated the previously undefeated Trinidad and won the tournament with a dramatic final-round TKO in front of 19,075 fans that comprised the second-largest live-gate gross in Madison Square Garden boxing history on Sept. 29, 2001.
· Promoted Cory Spinks vs. Zab Judah II: Arch Rivals… Meet Me in St. Louis, which boasted the second-largest attendance for a boxing match at an indoor arena in history when 22,370 patrons sold out the Savvis Center in advance to witness Zab Judah knock out Cory Spinks in the ninth round to become the undisputed world welterweight champion on Feb. 5, 2005.
· Block of Mississippi Ave. in Atlantic City, N.J., where it meets the famed Boardwalk (adjacent to the former Atlantic City Convention Center know known as Boardwalk Hall), is re-named Don King Plaza on March 13, 2006. King was recognized “for his tireless commitment to establish Atlantic City as one of the great resort destinations of the world.” Unveiling ceremony attended by Don King, Atlantic City Mayor Robert Levy and New Jersey Athletic Commissioner Larry Hazzard. Bally’s President Ken Condon served as Master of Ceremonies.
Facts and biography provided by DKP PR and Press Release NABJ, photos KMPR
For more information contact:
Alan Hopper or Bob Goodman
Don King Productions Public Relations
National Association of Black Journalist
Sunday, August 12, 2007
UNDISPUTED AND UNDEFEATED WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION JERMAIN "BAD INTENTIONS" TAYLOR TO DEFEND TITLE AGAINST UNBEATEN NO. 1 CONTENDER KELLY PAVLIK
New York City, Press Conference Jermain Taylor vs Kelly Pavlik, Tavern on the Green @67th St CPW, Tuesday July 31
Undisputed and Undefeated World Middleweight Champion Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor will make the fifth defense of his two-year title reign when he faces the stiff test of number 1 contender (WBC, WBO) Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik on Saturday night, September 29, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
"Taylor/Pavlik is a classic middleweight showdown, a true throwback fight," said DiBella. "The tickets are reasonably priced and are already in high demand with a significant casino presale. Any fight fan wanting to see this historic battle should act fast and purchase their tickets as soon as possible."
"This is going to be a terrific fight, something that boxing really needs. The eyes of the sporting world will be watching these two great fighters in Atlantic City on Sept. 29," said Bob Arum, CEO, Top Rank.
Taylor, the favorite son of Arkansas, has successfully defended his middleweight crown against legendary Bernard Hopkins, Winky Wright, Kassim Ouma, and Cory Spinks since first taking the title from Hopkins in 2005.
HBO Sports World Championship Boxing will televise the world championship bout live at 10:15 p.m. ET/ 7:15 p।m. PT. Kery Davis, senior vice president, HBO Sports.
Taylor (27-0-1, 17 KO's) has yet to taste defeat since turning professional in 2000. Pavlik, likewise undefeated, gets his first chance at a championship on the heels of a spectacular knockout victory over Edison Miranda. No. 1 rated by both the WBC and WBO, Youngstown, Ohio's undefeated Pavlik is a bona fide knockout artist, registering 28 KO's in 31 career triumphs as a professional.
Taylor first captured the undisputed middleweight championship against the legendary Bernard Hopkins on July 17, 2005 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV, with a 12 round split decision triumph, and defended the title for the first time against Hopkins on December 3, 2005 at Mandalay Bay in Vegas with a unanimous decision victory. Taylor has since defended his title twice in 2006, first in Memphis in a controversial draw against Winky Wright on June 9, and last December 9 defeating former champion Kassim Ouma in Little Rock. Cory Spinks was next on the Taylor checklist, and Jermain was up to the challenge once again with a unanimous decision triumph in Memphis on May 19.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Malignaggi Counters Chavez
BROOKLYN (August 2007) – IBF light welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (24-1, 5 KOs), still savoring his masterful title-winning performance against Lovemore N’dou, is home in Brooklyn fuming about Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (33-0-1, 26 KOs) and his team openly challenging him.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Demi "Hard 2 Handle" Nguyen's, Next Fight Night- "Under the Lights" Friday August 10th
(Demi "Hard 2 Handle" Nguyen)
Demi "Hard 2 Handle" Nguyen [3(1 ko)-1] vs. Leslie "Feuer Frei" Lubaczewski
[pro debut, West Virginia]
Where:
Raley Field
400 Ballpark Drive
West Sacramento, CA 95691
When:
Friday, August 10th
Ticket Pricing:
$45 - $125 Ringside
www.raleyfield.net
www.ticketmaster.com
Special Guest:
World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, "Smokin" Joe Frazier
MARQUEZ vs. VAZQUEZ II
CABALLERO vs. LACIERVA
WBC and WBA Super Bantamweight Championships
Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007
From The Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas
VAZQUEZ EVENS THE SCORE;
MARQUEZ LOOKING FOR THE RUBBER MATCH
NEW YORK (August 5, 2007) – La Venganza! It was vengeance, vindication and redemption for a jubilant Israel Vazquez Saturday night on SHOWTIME. Vazquez stopped Rafael Marquez in a rematch to regain the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Bantamweight world title that he lost to Marquez earlier this year at 1:16 of the sixth round in an old-school, classic and bloody slugfest.
The main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast from the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas had everything: tremendous offensive technique; non-stop, two-way action; a touch of controversy; and the contemplation of a third fight.
In Saturday’s co-feature, a World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Bantamweight world championship, Celestino Caballero retained his belt by unanimous decision over Jorge Lacierva in another action-packed battle (116-110, 116-111 and 115-112).
Marquez and Vazquez picked up where they left off in their first fight on March 3, 2007, which saw Marquez rally from an early knockdown to dethrone Vazquez at the end of round seven.
That fight, a Fight of the Year candidate, seemed to pale in comparison as “Round Eight” began Saturday with the Mexican warriors going toe-to-toe from the start. Both fighters thrilled the fans in attendance and viewers across the country with blazing speed, devastating power and an ability to take advantage of each others defensive openings.
In the third round, a Round of the Year candidate, Vazquez landed vicious left hooks to the body and head of Marquez, swelling and cutting his right eye. But Marquez fired right back with powerful overhand rights and uppercuts to open cuts near both eyes of his opponent. As combinations from one fighter landed, the other seemingly loaded up with a barrage of his own.
“One of those old-time fights,” bellowed announcer Steve Albert during third-round action.
Early in the sixth, with blood flowing steadily from a deep gash over his left eye, Vazquez landed another devastating hook that sent Marquez to the canvas. A weary Marquez rose, shook off the sting and immediately engaged Vazquez. With the fighters trading punches along the ropes, referee Guadalupe Garcia stepped in to stop the fight.
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2-2-2
“I don’t understand,” complained Marquez, who lost the first of his 10 career title fights. “I was throwing punches. I was able to fight. I don’t know why the referee didn’t see his eyes and think that he was hurt too.”
Said SHOWTIME analyst Al Bernstein: “I am loath to criticize an official. My whole career I have been loath to criticize officials. However, I feel that this stoppage was premature. Israel Vazquez was superb tonight and may very well have knocked out Marquez later in that round—no question. However, I do feel that the Garcia stopped this fight too quickly.”
“It was only a matter of time,” said Vazquez (42-4 32 KO’s) who now has six KO’s in seven world championship fights. “I couldn’t finish him earlier because he is a great fighter, but if not (stopped) then, I would have finished him in the next round. I knew he was in trouble.”
Marquez lost his first fight in seven years and drops to 37-4 with 33 knockouts.
“After the first fight, man-to-man, we told him we’d give him a rematch,” said Marquez, 32, a two-time world champ. “And now, man-to-man, we want him to know we want the third fight.”
“It was an easy decision for me to stop this fight,” said Garcia. “Marquez was in bad shape. He got knocked down, got up and was taking more punches. In this sport, the interest of the fighters is the best thing.”
In the WBA title fight, referee Laurence Cole had his hands full for an awkward and tangled, albeit exciting, 12 rounds.
The feisty—and much smaller—Lacierva (5’ 6”) of Mexico City, took it to the champion Caballero early winning most of the first six rounds. But Caballero, dubbed “The Towering Inferno” because he stands nearly six feet tall, was able to use his significant reach advantage to control the latter half of the fight.
Despite repeated warnings from Cole, both fighters scraped aggressively and pummeled each other round after round with blatant disregard for the rules and the bell. Elbows, forearms, heads and fists were flying as Lacierva kept machine-like pressure on his opponent throughout.
Caballero, of Panama, improved to 27-2 (18 KO’s) in his second successful title defense while Lacierva dropped to 32-7-6 (22 KO’s).
In between fights, fellow former world champions “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas and Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga, who are scheduled to settle a bitter personal dispute on Sept 8 (SHOWTIME® PPV), were interviewed by ringside reporter Jim Gray via three-way remote (taped) from Los Angeles and Miami respectively. Both fighters were given the chance to discuss what set off a press conference brawl on July 11 at STAPLES Center in L.A., and their impending scrap.
It is clear that tempers have not settled and both fighters are anxiously awaiting their next meeting Sept. 8, dubbed The Brawl by co-promoters Main Events and Don King Productions.
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3-3-3
Catch the replay of tonight’s explosive fights and the compelling interview with Vargas and Mayorga, on Tuesday, August 7, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (SHO Too) and Wednesday, August 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (SHO) or when available at SHOWTIME On Demand.
Albert and Bernstein called the action from ringside with Jim Gray and Karyn Bryant reporting from the arena. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins Jr., with Bob Dunphy directing.
HIDALGO, Tex. (Aug. 5, 2007) – Sycuan Ringside Promotions went three-for-three Saturday at the Dodge Arena, highlighted by Israel Vazquez’s sensational sixth-round knockout of Rafael Marquez to regain the World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title.
In a serious candidate for Fight of the Year, which included an incredibly exciting, brutal third stanza that could turn out to be the Round of the Year, a carved and bloody but indomitable Vazquez (42-4, 32 KOs), who is co-promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, registered the fight’s lone knockdown when he dropped Marquez in the sixth.
Moments later, the referee stepped in and stopped the exciting, give-and-take slugfest at 1:16. Vazquez, who turned the tables on Marquez (37-4, 33 KOs) after losing last March 7, was ahead by the scores of 48-47 on the three scorecards after five completed rounds.
“We hit the trifecta and it can’t get any better than that,” said Glenn Quiroga, President of the San Diego, Calif.-based boxing group. “Tonight was a tremendous night for Sycuan Ringside Promotions and I am very proud of everyone involved.
“Israel’s fight with Rafael was tremendous. The third round was like Hagler-Hearns only 38 pounds lighter.’’
Said Scott Woodworth, Vice-President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, “I have been in boxing a long time, but, seriously, this was the greatest fight I have ever seen. The third round was more than any fan possibly could ask for. The entire fight was just breathtakingly unreal.
“Vazquez and Marquez are, indeed, true warriors – ultimate warriors. Both were cut and bloodied but never quit throwing punches or giving 100 percent.
“This was a great night for boxing and I am already looking forward to their third fight.’’
The rubber match, both Woodworth and promoter Gary Shaw announced afterward, would take place in early 2008.
Vazquez, who was cut around both eyes, was quick to credit his cornermen. “My cutman, Joe Sanchez, did an unbelievable job,” he said. “I knew the cuts were bad but I was never worried they were going to stop the fight because I could see.
“I can’t say enough about my new trainer, Rudy Perez, either. He was fabulous from day one of our training camp. He had me in excellent shape and our game plan worked to perfection.
“A lot of people questioned me for taking this fight so soon because of the nose injury I suffered in our first fight. But it was never a factor or a problem tonight.
“I told everyone the real Israel Vazquez would show up this time around. It wasn’t easy, of course. Rafael Marquez is a great champion. But I do feel a little satisfaction proving so many people wrong. I am very happy to have won my title back and brought it back to Sycuan.’’
In a tough, hard-fought encounter immediately preceding Vazquez-Marquez on SHOWTIME, Celestino Caballero, co-promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Seminole Warriors Boxing, retained his World Boxing Association (WBA) 122-pound crown with a unanimous 12-round decision over Jorge Lacierva.
“The best is yet to come,’’ said Panama’s Caballero (27-2, 16 KOs), who overcame a slow start to triumph by the scores of 116-110, 116-111 and 115-11. “I wanted to look better, but it is hard to look good against a guy who fights as dirty as Lacierva (32-7-6, 22 KOs).
Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ promising young junior welterweight Jorge Paez Jr. (16-1, 10 KOs) got the night off to an excellent start by pitching a six-round shutout over Jaime Orrantia. Paez won by 60-54 on all the cards.
About Sycuan Ringside Promotions
Sycuan Ringside Promotions of San Diego is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had six current or former world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts across the country on premium cable networks.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including Vazquez, Caballero and Paez, International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight champion Julio Diaz, World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight champion Joan Guzman, former WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir and undefeated cruiserweight prospect Shawn Hawk.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Glenn Quiroga, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Scott Woodworth, vice president।
Photos: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME
The four fighters competing in the 122-pound world title fights Saturday on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) made weight easily Friday.
Former WBC champion Israel Vazquez (left) and defending WBC super bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez each weighed in at 121 pounds.
Jorge Lacierva tipped scale at 121 pounds, while reigning WBA 122-pound titleholder Celestino Caballero weighed 121 1/2.
In an eagerly awaited rematch, Marquez defends against Vazquez and Caballero risks his belt against Lacierva in the top fights of a six-bout card Saturday at Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Tex.
The fight card is presented by Gary Shaw Productions and Sycuan Ringside Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions.
The main principals for Saturday's SHOWTIME show (left-to-right): Rafael Marquez' manager Jaime Quintana, promoter Gary Shaw, Marquez, Israel Vazquez, Executive Vice President Sycuan Ringside Promotions Willie Tucker, Vazquez' manager Frank Espinoza and Vice President Sycuan Ringside Promotions Scott Woodworth pose after Thursday's final press conference at Hidalgo, Tex.
Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007,
Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas
In a rematch of a leading candidate for Fight of the Year, Rafael Marquez will defend his WBC super bantamweight title against former champion Israel Vazquez this Saturday, Aug. 4, on SHOWTIME at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Tex.
In the first half of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast that begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast), Vazquez’ Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ stablemate, WBA 122-pound titleholder Celestino Caballero, will defend against Jorge Lacierva.
The world championship doubleheader is presented by Gary Shaw Productions and Sycuan Ringside Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
“Ferocious” Fernando Vargas and Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga New York Media Press Conference
“Ferocious” Fernando Vargas and Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga New York Media Press Conference took place at the Affinia Manhattan Hotel - Grand Ballroom in Midtown. Vargas and Mayorga presented themselves in front of the New York media.
(Vargas, (above) Mayorga, (below))
“El Feroz” Fernando Vargas (26-4-22 Ko's) of Oxnard, California and Ricardo "El Matador" Mayorga (27-6-1-22 Ko's) of Managua, Nicaragua traveling road show made a stop in the Big Apple on Wednesday July 25 with a noon press conference at the Affinia Manhattan (formerly Southgate Towers Hotel) in anticipation of their September 8 " The Brawl" at STAPLES Center, in Los Angeles and on pay per view.
Mayorga will be joined by his promoter Don King from Don King Productions.
Vargas will be joined by his promoter Kathy Duva from Main Events.
Two-time world champion “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas and three-time world champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga barely made it through their promoters’ announcement of their upcoming match at STAPLES Center on Sept 8. during the first press conference for the event held at the downtown Los Angeles venue (on July 11), before taunting erupted into a street fight that resulted in punches being thrown and landed—and some blood from a cut under Mayorga’s right eye. The New York Press conference appeared to be pretty much the same with a lot of name calling between the two brawlers, it was almost impossible to photograph the two together, until Mayorga requested that the two meet at the media dais, dressed with a plexi-glass two separate the two fighters and mediocre security.
(Vargas and Mayorga at New York Press Conference)
Kermit Cintron (28-1-26 Ko's) of Reading, Pa. (Puerto Rico)the IBF Welterweight Champion will be on the under card of “THE BRAWL”.
(Kermit Cintron (L) and Joey Gamache (R), team Cintron, also see (JULY 14 POST) Gotti vs Gomez Cintron vs Matthysse)
(Maureen Shea and Team Shea Luigi, attend New York Press Conference Vargas vs Mayorga)
If you have not been able to attend either of the highly spirited press conferences promoting "The Brawl" featuring "Ferocious" Fernando Vargas vs. Ricardo "El Matador" Mayorga from STAPLES Center and on pay per view Sept. 8, check out the excellent video link, below, made after the Los Angeles press conference that captures the flavor of the event:
http://www.donking.com/videos/brawl/brawl.html
Also, attached and pasted below please find quotes from yesterday's New York City press conference. I have also attached and pasted the quotes from the Los Angeles presser as well.
Alan Hopper
DKP
www.donking.com
The following conversations with “El Feroz” Fernando Vargas and Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga took place at their Wednesday, July 25 press conference inside Affinia Manhattan’s Grand Ballroom in New York. This followed their July 11 press conference at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in which a brawl broke out. Mayorga and Vargas charged each other from opposite sides of the room at the New York conference but were restrained before they could reach one another. At the end of the conference, Mayorga persuaded Vargas to join him, briefly, for the traditional fighter pose for photographers. The event press release follows the conversations.
Fernando Vargas in response to the first press conference…
That’s what happens when cats do stuff like that at a press conference. Did you think I was just going to sit there and take that? I was prepared for it. He’s a bully and that’s the way bullies act, when it is convenient for them to act like that. But I knew it was coming, so I took my glasses off. If I had them on when he tried to hit me, they would have gone to the side of my face and I would not have been able to react and everyone would have grabbed us and it would have been over. And it would have looked like he got the best of me. All of my fans would have been saying, “look at Fernando, he just got smacked silly by Mayorga.”
But it didn’t work out that way. Look at Mayorga, as dark as he is, and he’s darker than me, he turned completely white when I fought back. He felt my power…and I got him.
I am a professional, but if someone acts unprofessional towards me, I will act unprofessional right back. He felt the difference when someone is not going to take that. He knows that and I went and got him. The first overhand right missed, but then I got him with two good uppercuts.
And look at the plexiglass over there (set up for the face-off to keep the fighters clear from each other), he’ll go up there to the glass and act all crazy. He’s a cat that likes to put on a show. But you know what? My buddy saw Mayorga before the L.A. press conference in the hotel lobby. Mayorga then saw me coming then jumped, not walked, jumped into the elevator and started to push the buttons in a panic to shut the elevator before I got there.
But that is just the beginning. That was round one. Mayorga is a stupid fighter and I am an intelligent fighter and I’m going to pick my spots. I am going to knock him out. He already felt my power once. And it’s going to be great to do that at the STAPLES Center in front of a lot of crazy Mexicans. All of my fans will be going ape. This fight is for pride and I will look good doing it.
When it’s over? Remember after he fought Oscar and he was hugging and kissing him after Oscar knocked him out? He’s going to do the same to me. That’s his nature.
Ricardo Mayorga, after a rant against Vargas…
I am sorry if I have offended anyone. I have a great team with me for this fight. If you want to put money on the fight, I would bet two or three rounds. I predict I will knock him out in two rounds.
I had a dream last night that I threw a rotten orange at Fernando Vargas and hit him in the chin. And he went down. And he didn’t get back up. That’s what is going to happen on September 8th.
Fernando knows that this is his last fight and the reason he says that is because he knows he will lose. Lose in the worst way.
Roberto Duran’s son is in my camp helping me prepare to destroy Vargas. Therefore, I dedicate this fight, and this win, to the great Roberto Duran.
Additional Press from DKP
WWW.DonKing.com
Punches were thrown and landed at the intial press conference announcing Vargas vs. Mayorga at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles today. Attached please find a brief synopsis of the events followed by quotes from Mayorga and Vargas.
Brief Synopsis and Quotes
Initial Press Conference Announcing Vargas vs. Mayorga;
Chick Hearn Press Room at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles;
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Don King from Don King Productions and Kathy Duva from Main Events formally announced the showdown between two-time world champion “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas and three-time world champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga in the Chick Hearn Press Room at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles today.
The room was packed with media, and all went well until the trash-talking Mayorga approached the podium and Vargas immediately removed his sunglasses. Vargas initially maintained his composure while Mayorga repeatedly referred to him as “fatty” as well as other terms not normally deemed acceptable in public company.
Vargas grabbed his crotch and gestured to Mayorga and said, “Here’s your fatty.”
The breaking point came when Mayorga said he was going to do Vargas’s family a favor by retiring him and not allow his family to suffer every time he steps in the ring.
Vargas and members of his camp stood up and went after Mayorga, and a melee ensued. Order was restored when Mayorga left the press conference and Vargas was allowed to address the media.
RICARDO MAYORGA: “I’m very dedicated and focused. Believe it or not, I want everyone to know in this moment even if nobody believes me I have already been training for two months. I have the same hunger and strength I had when I won my first world title. Take a look at my two first world title fights—that’s the Mayorga you’re going to see on Sept. 8.
I’m going to finish you [Vargas] but you’re finished already.
“I’m going to give Vargas the chance to cash his last pension check. I would like to say publicly that ‘fatty’ over here [Vargas] has always feared me. When I was crowned junior middleweight world champion most recently against Michele Piccirillo, Vargas tried to have the World Boxing Council strip me of the title so it could be handed to him.
“I conceded to take this fight at 162 pounds because fatty couldn’t lose any more weight. After this fight I’m going back to 147. I want Mayweather, Mosley, all of them.
“I will do Vargas a favor by retiring him in this fight so his family doesn’t have to suffer every time he steps in the ring. I’m going to do your wife a favor and not let her cry anymore after I disfigure you. [while translator is repeating Mayorga’s comments in English press conference fight begins after Mayorga slaps Vargas, and Vargas lands two blows before order can be restored.]”
FERNANDO VARGAS: “This will be my last fight for one reason only. It’s for pride. I can’t leave my career after a loss.
“I called [longtime trainer and mentor] Eduardo Garcia and asked him if we would train me for one last fight. He said with a chuckle, ‘You still want to fight?’ I said told him just one more, Garcia. It’s for pride.
“Mayorga can disrespect me all he wants but not my queens [his mother, wife and daughter]. He says he’s been training for this fight for two months. I’ve been training since January. I’m already down to 183.
“We should have sold tickets to this press conference. We had a little fireworks here today. There will definitely be fireworks in the ring at Staples Center on September 8.”
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
And Still the Light Heavyweight Champion of the World... Bernard Hopkins, the Golden Boy claims supremacy
On Saturday July 21 2007 HBO live- ppv presented Bernard Hopkins(48-4-1-32 Ko's) of Philadelphia Pennsylvania defeat of Ronald "Winky Wright" (50-4-1-25 Ko's) of St. Petersburg Florida, one of the best pound for pound fighters in the sport. The two elite fighter combined experience displayed both skill and talent, that will stand out among the finest of this generation. Bernard Hopkins one of the best fighters in the era, had retired following the Antonio Tarver fight, on June 10 2006, but came back to continue on his track of greatness. Hopkins, 42, fought Wright for the 170- pound Ring Magazine belt.
The event was promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Winy Promotions and sponsored by Southwest Airlines, Tecate beer, and Rockstar Energy Drink, and held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
(Bernard Hopkins and John David Jackson, trainer at New York Press conference)
(Chris Lighty, Ronald "Winky" Wright and trainer at New York Press conference)
Monday, July 23, 2007
WBO/WBA Lightweight Titleholder Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz has been deputized as a Volunteer Voter Registrar in his hometown of Houston
FROM: The League of Women Voters of the Houston Area
CONTACTS: Linda Cohn (linda@thecohns.net)
Ann Wood (lwv.voter@earthlink.net)
Co-chairs, Voter Registration
The League of Women Voters of Houston the Houston Area and Voter Registrar Paul Bettencourt, the Harris County (Texas) Tax Assessor/Collector, are pleased to announce that WBO/WBA lightweight champion Juan Diaz has been deputized as a Volunteer Voter Registrar.
Mr. Diaz, Twenty-three-year-old unified lightweight champion completed the prescribed training program at the Harris County Tax Office and received his Certificate of Appointment on July 18, 2007, His first registration was for his mother.
Mr. Diaz may now accept voter registration applications in an official capacity on behalf of Harris County (Texas).
His first voter registration duties will be discharged in connection with a Naturalization Ceremony on Wednesday, July 25, 2007. This ceremony will take place at the Berry Center in Cypress, Texas. Two thousand five hundred petitioners will be sworn in as American citizens by the Honorable Sim Lake, United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas. Each new citizen is immediately eligible to register to vote. To that end, the League of Women Voters has organized a corps of Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrars, and Mr. Diaz will be part of that group.
It is expected that Mr. Diaz’s first registered voter will be a new American citizen by the name of Mrs. Olivia Diaz. Mrs. Diaz was born in Mexico, is a long-time resident of Houston and, not incidentally, is Juan Diaz’s beloved mother.
Alan Hopper
Don King Productions
www.donking.com
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Political News; SPOILING THE SPOILER?
JULY 20, 2007 Contact: Raphael
SPOILING THE SPOILER?
In an oblique reference to Rev. Al Sharpton's proposed national campaign against Mayor Giuliani, should he gain the GOP presidential nod, author and political activist Gary James aims a political shot at Sharpton's bow.
James said, "If Giuliani gets the GOP nomination for president, I will campaign in target communities around the country to bring about his victory. And in the process of the national political exercise I plan to get in fighting shape in order to change the political paradigm in the Black American community."
James made these comments during a workshop in Brooklyn which discussed the political implications of his newly released book entitled "ERACISM." The workshop was sponsored by Voters Anonymous Political Education & Research Organization which has launched a voter education prison initiative.
Jabar, a retired Corrections Officer who was assigned to Riker's Island for more than twenty (20) years and the CEO of Voters Anonymous said, "Prison culture has a great influence on street culture. Therefore, while inmates are a captive audience we will provide them with voter education material, and relevant books for their enlightenment and growth." Referencing the Voters Anonymous brochure, Jabar continued, "We are disseminated this brochure and voter education lectures to inmates free of charge and are in the process of establishing Advisory Committee's in target areas in order to help inmates with the challenges associated with returning to their communities. We are pleased to announce that Gary's book ERACISM is included in the free mailing as it provides an overview of local and national politics for the past forty (40) years."
Keisha Morrisey the Harlem Voters Anonymous Coordinator and former candidate for the New York State Assembly in the 70 AD and candidate for the City Council in the 9th CD, also known as El Boxing Empress in the world of boxing said, "I am discussing the Voters Anonymous Prison Inmate initiative with some boxers who expressed an interest in playing a support role on a community level, and with people like Don King who has a reputation of positive social action at the community level."
(Keisha at Simms vs Alcine, "Fistic Fights" World Championship Boxing and Don King)
James believes that Mayor Rudy Giuliani will most likely win his party nomination and the current Democratic Party's underdog former Senator John Edwards is his predicted winner of the Democratic Party nomination. Relative to front runners Senators Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama, James offers the following.
"I suspect that ultimately Senator Clinton will be defeated by the white male syndrome that remains in control of the party's presidential primary electorate, but her bid will be historic. The rock star celebrity of Senator Obama is very fascinating. He has eclipsed the conventional agenda of the national civil rights leadership, and simultaneously engaged a new generation of electoral participation. Obama will most likely lose the vote of the civil rights orthodoxy to Senator Clinton, wife of the 'first black' president of the United States.
Apart from the down side of both Senators Clinton and Obama as it relates to their prospects for success in their party's primary, there is another political hurdle. In the unlikely event that either of them prevails, they would be hard pressed to formulate the required southern strategy to prevail in the general election. Consequently John Edwards is my bet to win the nomination and assemble the strongest general election coalition that gives his party the best possibility to regain the White House, James said.
"The abounding speculation about Mayor Bloomberg resigning his Republican Party status to enter the presidential fray as an independent is way off the mark. The Mayor has very skillfully and tactfully positioned himself to seek the GOP line if necessary to contest for Governor in 2010," according to James.
James has a book signing event at Harlem's Hue-Man Bookstore and Café at 6:00 PM on Friday July 27, 2007. For more information access, www.votersanonymous.org and www.garyjames.info.com