★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience©®™

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Jamel Herring Punches His Ticket for the 2012 Olympic Games in London While Michael Hunter Advances‏

Team USA added a fifth member to their Olympic boxing team on Tuesday evening as light welterweight Jamel Herring (Coram, N.Y.) qualified his spot in London. Herring won his third bout in four days to qualify the light welterweight division for the United States squad. Heavyweight Michael Hunter (Las Vegas, Nev.) notched his second win of the tournament to advance to the semifinal round but has not officially qualified his spot yet/

The United States Marine Corps Sergeant faced off with Yoelvis Hernandez of Venezuela in light welterweight quarterfinal action with the winner earning a berth in London and the loser going home empty handed. The bout was a close contest throughout the nine minutes of action with Herring taking the critical first round lead by a 5-3 margin. Hernandez pulled it to a 7-6 margin with only the final round remaining, but Herring refused to give up his lead and his Olympic dream. He staved off a late comeback, winning a 12-10 final decision and a berth on the 2012 Olympic Team.

“I can actually say that hard work pays off,” Herring said after his bout. “I turned a dream into a reality, especially since about a year ago, not too many people gave me a chance.”

Hunter recorded his second straight convincing victory of the tournament, defeating Figueroa by a 25-7 margin. Once again, Hunter enjoyed a big first round, taking a 10-4 lead after one. He continued to pour on the points in the second, claiming an 18-6 advantage as the final round begin. Hunter went on to win the bout 25-7 to join Herring and Browne in the semifinals. As his weight division requires a top three finish, he is not qualified for the Olympic Games with Tuesday’s victory.

Herring is the second of three Olympic Trials winners to qualify his spot at the Americas Qualifier after falling short at the 2011 World Championships, the first international qualifying tournament for the 2012 Olympics. Herring earned his spot at the Americas Qualifier by winning the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships in the deepest weight class in the tournament. A two-time Armed Forces National Champion, Herring won a silver medal for the United States at the 2010 World Military Championships.

He is a member of the Marine Corps boxing team led by Head Coach Jesse Revelo, and has served two tours of duty in service to the United States. The United States has never failed to qualify the light welterweight division with the most recent Olympic medal in the weight class coming at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney with a silver medal performance by Ricardo Williams.

Team USA now has five qualified athletes with Herring joining flyweight Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio), bantamweight Joseph Diaz, Jr. (S. El Monte, Calif.), welterweight Errol Spence(Desoto, Texas) and light heavyweight Marcus Browne (Staten Island, N.Y.).

Lightweight Jose Ramirez (Avenal, Calif.) and middleweight Terrell Gausha (Cleveland, Ohio) will look to join them when they take the ring for their qualifying bouts on Wednesday. Ramirez will take on Alejandro Rynn of Canada while Gausha battles Puerto Rico’s Enrique Collazo. Super heavyweight Dominic Breazale (Alhambra, Calif.) will compete in Wednesday’s action as well, facing home nation boxer Gidelson Silva of Brazil. As Breazale must place in the top three with Hunter, Wednesday’s bout will not be his qualifying contest.

U.S. Results

141 lbs: Jamel Herring, Coram, N.Y./USA dec. Yoelvis Hernandez, VEN, 12-10

201 lbs: Michael Hunter (Las Vegas, Nev.) dec. Marcio Figueroa, VEN, 25-7

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

TRAD TKO Fighters Head Up May 20th London Mega Show‏

TRAD TKO Fighters Head Up May 20th London Mega Show

Over the past few years Miranda Carter has been quietly pioneering a
series of Sunday afternoon events at York Hall in Bethnal Green. In the
past these events have featured maybe six or seven bouts, however her
latest offering, which takes place this coming Sunday, is far from low key
affair, instead entering the mega event zone with a fourteen bout card.

The event, titled ‘Rolling Thunder’, heavily features fighters from Johnny
Eames’ famous Canning Town fight factory - the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym.

Originally the event was to feature just three of the East London trained
stars but after Butch Lesley had to withdraw from the original headlining
British Masters title bout with Menay Edwards, this was increased to five,
including the new headlining bout, a rematch between Hackbridge, Surrey’s
Danny Connor and Ely, Cambridgshire’s Tyler Goodjohn, this time for the
British Masters Welterweight title.

Last time these two met, back in March last year, Goodjohn came out on
top, however things may be a little different this time around, as Connor
has really turned his career around, racking up five top class wins out of
six outing. Goodjohn on the other hand has had just two wins out of three,
and the loss was a brutal knockout dished out by the forceful hands of
Vinny Woolford in November last year.

Heading up the support is Connor’s TRAD TKO gym mate, former British
Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams, who will be making his first
appearance since the shock loss of his coveted Lonsdale belt back in
January.

Surprisingly Williams isn’t looking for an easy fight, to ease himself
back, oh no the man nicknamed ‘Solid’ is so determined to get back on the
Championship trail that he has elected to face Lithuania’s #1 ranked
Remigijus Ziausys.

Also on the support card is rising Cruiserweight star Menay Edwards, who
will be making his first outing under the TRAD TKO banner. Edwards, whose
record stands at 7-1, will be looking to impress, against unbeaten
Lawrence Bennett, in order to earn the right for a tilt at the Southern
Area title later this year.

Making his debut at the event is yet another TRAD TKO newbie, Eric ‘Congo
Warrior’ Mokonzo, who will be receiving a baptism of fire at the hands of
Hayes hardman Darren McKenna.

Former World amateur #2 female boxer Areti Mastrodouka is the fifth of the
TRAD TKO squad that will take part in the ‘Rolling Thunder’ event. In her
debut, at Miranda Carter’s March 2012 event, Mastrodouka put on a stylish
display to beat Kristine Shergold by a 60-55 points margin.

On the 20th May, 36 year old Mastrodouka is set to face a much younger
opponent in 20 year old Latvian #1 ranked featherweight Julija Cvetkova.

Of the non-TRAD TKO contingent, the pick of the bunch sees Epsom, Surrey’s
unbeaten Middleweight J.M. Coyle face a stern test, as he takes on
Wickford, Essex hardman Danny Brown. Coyle may have the unbeaten record
but Brown will be no walk over especially as he’ll be looking to extend
his excellent run of a win and a draw against previously unbeaten
opponents so far in 2012.

Another potential cracker sees two unbeaten fighters, Light Welterweights
Luke Fowler and John Brennan, battle it out.

Also on the card are unbeaten foursome, Upminster Lightweight Ryan Taylor,
Stratford Super Middleweight Scott Hartley, Luton Light Welterweight Danny
Mulhern and Kensington Middleweight Daley Ojuederie, who will be joined by
debutantes, Bexleyheath Lightweight Jack Dishart, Middleweight Alex McKay
and Tilbury Welterweight Matt McCarthy - who are all against yet to be
named opponents.

photo credit is not required but should you do so, please credit - Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

Josh Barnett and Gilbert Melendez To Take Part in SHOWTIME Live Web Chats This Week‏

WHO: STRIKEFORCE Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez
Former Heavyweight Champ & Grand Prix Finalist Josh Barnett

WHEN: Melendez: Thursday, May 17, at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT
Barnett: Friday, May 18, at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT

ACCESS #:Fans can submit questions via Twitter using the hashtag #StrikeforceChat, via the Strikeforce Facebook page www.facebook.com/StrikeforceMixedMartialArts or via Ustream at www.Ustream.TV/SHOSports.

WHAT:Melendez and Barnett will participate in the SHOWTIME Live Web Chats found at http://sports.sho.com/chat as the countdown continues to the mega-STRIKEFORCE event this Saturday, May 19, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) and SHOWTIME EXTREME® (8 p.m. ET/PT) from HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

The main event will feature Barnett against Daniel Cormier in the Final of STRIKEFORCE: World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament. In the co-feature, Melendez will defend his STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Championship against Josh Thomson.

In other fights on SHOWTIME: Rafael Feijao vs. Mike Kyle, light heavyweights; and Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Chris Spang, welterweights.

Preliminary fights on SHOWTIME EXTREME: Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg, lightweights; Virgil Zwicker vs. Carlos Inocente, light heavyweights; Gian Villante vs. Derrick Mehmen, light heavyweights; and Quinn Mulhern vs. Yuri Villefort, welterweights.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Strikeforce : Melendez Thomson III: A Trilogy in the Making

After the first intense battle between Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez, fight fans demanded a rematch. Their second encounter was the dramatic slugfest in which Melendez won the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship belt. Relive both fights and prepare for the third chapter in the Melendez Thomson trilogy! Live on SHOWTIME, Saturday May 19th at 10PM ET/PT. As a prelude to the STRIKEFORCE: World Grand Prix – Heavyweight Tournament Final on Saturday, May 19, SHOWTIME EXTREME will offer replays of STRIKEFORCE fights featuring the four top fighters on the May 19 event -- Josh Barnett, Daniel Cormier, Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson. Additionally, a number of previous fights including all the heavyweight tournament fights are currently available online at http://sports.SHO.com.

The Saturday, May 19, Barnett-Cormier clash for the World Grand Prix heavyweight championship highlights a live four-fight card on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast). In the co-feature at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., Melendez defends his STRIKEFORCE lightweight title against former champ and longtime adversary Thomson in the rubber match of an exciting rivalry. Preliminary matches on SHOWTIME EXTREME begin live at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Relive the Excitement of Barnett, Cormier Tournament Fights,

Melendez-Thomson I & II & More, Weeknights on SHOWTIME EXTREME®

STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix – Heavyweight Tournament Final

Live on Saturday, May 19, on SHOWTIME, Prelim Fights Live on SHOWTIME EXTREME

Melendez vs. Thomson I
http://sports.sho.com/#/mma/videos/980

Thomson vs. Melendez II
http://sports.sho.com/#/mma/videos/981

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Silva
http://sports.sho.com/#/mma/videos/983

Andrei Arlovski vs. Kharitonov
http://sports.sho.com/#/mma/videos/982

Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum
http://sports.sho.com/#/mma/videos/984

Brett Rogers vs. Barnett
http://sports.sho.com/#/mma/videos/985

Cormier vs. Jeff Monson
http://sports.sho.com/#/mma/videos/986

Barnett vs. Kharitonov
http://sports.sho.com/#/mma/videos/989

Silva vs. Cormier
http://sports.sho.com/#/mma/videos/990

THOMAS “CORNFLAKE” LAMANNA LOOKS TOWARDS SUMMER FIGHT AS HE REMAINED UNDFEATED AFTER DEFEATING LAST MINUTE REPLACEMENT

On April 27^th at Resorts in Atlantic City, Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna remained perfect as he scored a six round unanimous decision over last minute replacement Sean Wilson in a Middleweight bout.

With the win, LaManna (8-0, 5 KO’s) is looking to come back in July at his more natural Jr. Middleweight weight class.

LaManna had to move up in weight just twenty-four hours before the fight as his bout with Keauntry Henson was scrapped due to Henson having an unforeseen personal issue.

Like LaManna, Wilson had his fight fallout the day before and he was left without an opponent and despite the six pound weight disparity, Wilson & LaManna were matched up.

LaManna drank some fluids before he jumped on the scale to weigh 158 lbs to Wilson’s 160 lbs.

LaManna boxed his way to unanimous decision victory to move his record to 8-0 with five knockouts.

“That stuff is just part of the business”, said LaManna

“I knew I worked hard and was able to fight . Fighting a bigger guy didn’t phase me at all. Even though I trained to fight a southpaw and Wilson was Orthodox, I was confident in the work I put in and my skills to get the victory”

The twenty-year old native of Millville, NJ also credits his one week stint at The Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas for his success in the fight.

“I learned a lot that week when I was at the Mayweather Boxing

Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna will be back in the ring in July.

“I am looking forward to a fight in the summer and my team has been talking about some exciting opportunities for that fight”♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

No Holds Barred: King Mo Lawal

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with "King" Mo Lawal.

"King" Mo, of course, has been in the news a lot recently. On Thursday, it was officially announced that he had signed a deal to fight in the Bellator Fighting Championships MMA company, where he will start fighting in their light heavyweight tournament scheduled for January 2013, as well as perform for the TNA pro "wrestling" company.

After a hectic day of interviews, meetings, and a media conference call, we caught up with "King" Mo right after his last appearance late Thursday night, May 10. We then hit some of New York's best night spots: Jimmy's Corner, owned by the legendary boxing trainer Jimmy Glenn, where he had a soft drink, and Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar, where he had a soft drink and dinner, along with our colleague and correspondent Keisha Morrisey and Darryl Satcher. Finally, at about 3 AM Friday, we sat down to record an interview.

"It's been a rollercoaster ride of a year, and now we're back to the top, top of the ride," said "King" Mo in this interview. He said that he will be training in TNA's developmental group with Al Snow. "Maybe some of the moves that he teaches from the catch wrestling I can apply to MMA," said Mo.

He also expressed support for Bellator's tournament format, where contenders first have to win an eight-man, three-month tournament to earn a title shot. "I feel the best way to find out is deserving of a title shot is through a tournament," he said.

We also discussed the issue of drug testing, about which he said he is open to any type of drug testing, already having been a resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center for many years, where state-of-the-art drug testing is done. And we discussed more on his participation in the Bellator light heavyweight tournament, his training for MMA while performing in TNA at the same time, his desire to return to the Sugar Bar and Jiimmy's Corner when he next visits New York, and more.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

WBF Doubleheader in Hungary‏

WBF Doubleheader in Hungary

Tibor Feja and his Feja Promotion is staging a major WBF doubleheader on
Saturday May 12 in Budapest, Hungary, featuring an interesting female
world title defense, and two local boxers clashing for the vacant
Intercontinental Super Middleweight strap.

World Boxing Federation women’s World Bantamweight Champion Renata
Szebeledi, 15-9 (8), is making the first defense of her title against
tough Romanian Eva Marcu, 7-3 (2), in a rematch.

The two fought last June, with Szebeledi coming out on top after a rough
encounter, and now Marcu will get her chance at redemption and her first
world championship.

In her first bout after defeating Marcu last year, Szebeledi travelled to
Germany to capture the WBF World title with an inspired performance
against local favorite Pia Mazelanik. Since then she has racked up three
non-title victories, before dropping a close decision in an IBF Super
Flyweight challenge against Simona Galassi in Italy. Now back at her
natural weight, Szebeledi is looking forward to defending her world
championship in front of her local fans, and with Marcu coming off a fresh
victory last month she is sure to be in for another hard challenge.

In the second WBF title fight of the night, Budapest-rivals Attila Baran,
9-2 (4), and Janos Olah, 10-8-1 (3), will duke it out for the vacant
Intercontinental Super Middleweight championship. Both have mixed in minor
championship territory in their careers, but Baran (19) has youth on his
side, while Olah (30) is the more experienced and tested.

It shapes up to be an interesting night of championship boxing in Budapest
on May 12, and while Szebeledi and Baran must be considered slight

favorites, it is bound to be competitive action in both fights.

LAMONT PETERSON VS. AMIR KHAN II CANCELLED

LAMONT PETERSON VS. AMIR KHAN II CANCELLED

UNIFIED JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH SCRAPPED AFTER PETERSON TESTS POSITIVE FOR BANNED SUBSTANCE A failed pre-fight drug test administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), coupled with the Nevada State Athletic Commission's (NSAC) legal inability to hold a formal hearing on the matter of licensing Lamont Peterson for his Saturday, May 19 rematch against Amir Khan until Tuesday, May 15, has forced the cancellation of the event.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME EXTREME Lineups Confirmed For STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix Heavyeight Final‏

SHOWTIME^® and STRIKEFORCE^® have confirmed the full fight card for Saturday, May 19, when former UFC^® titleholderJosh Barnett will meet two-time Olympic wrestler Daniel Cormier in the much-anticipated conclusion of the STRIKEFORCE^® WORLD GRAND PRIX HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT. The STRIKEFORCE lightweight championship will be on the line in the evening’s co-feature, a rubber match between two long-time rivals, when champion Gilbert Melendez defends his title against no. 1 contender Josh Thomson.

Also on the SHOWTIME card, former STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight champion Rafael Feijao will rematch against Mike Kyle, whom he lost to on June 6, 2009. In the opening fight of the telecast two up-and-coming welterweights will face-off when Nah-Shon Burrell takes on Chris Spang.

The main card, headlined by Barnett vs. Cormier will air live on SHOWTIME^® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), while preliminary fights will be shown live on SHOWTIME EXTREME^® at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on West Coast).

MAIN CARD – LIVE ON SHOWTIME AT 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)

* All bouts are subject to change.

STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament Final – 5 Rounds

Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier

STRIKEFORCE Lightweight Championship – 5 Rounds

Gilbert Melendez vs. Josh Thomson

STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Special Attraction – 3 Rounds

Rafael Feijao vs. Mike Kyle

STRIKEFORCE Welterweight Special Attraction – 3 Rounds

Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Chris Spang

PRELIMINARY CARD – LIVE ON SHOWTIME EXTREME AT 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)

* All bouts are subject to change.

STRIKEFORCE Lightweight Special Attraction – 3 Rounds

JZ Cavalcante vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg

STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Special Attraction – 3 Rounds

Virgil Zwicker vs. Carlos Inocente

STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Special Attraction – 3 Rounds

Gian Villante vs. Derrick Mehman

STRIKEFORCE Welterweight Special Attraction – 3 Rounds

Quinn Mulhern vs. Yuri Villefort

Mauro Ranallo will call the action alongside analysts Frank Shamrock and Pat Miletich with Heidi Androl serving as cageside reporter. The executive producer is David Dinkins Jr.

Carbon NYC's Spring Charity Soiree‏ with Boxer Tor Hamer

Team Tor is proud to announce our involvement with Carbon NYC's Spring Charity Soiree. We donated a 1-on-1 boxing lesson with Tor and two tickets to his next fight, The event is next Friday May 11th and tickets are still available

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

STRIKEFORCE® HEAVYWEIGHT GRAND PRIX FINAL on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT.

STRIKEFORCE heavyweights Josh “The Warmaster” Barnett and Daniel “DC” Cormier. Additionally, current lightweight kingpin Gilbert “El Niño” Melendez, as well as his opponent and number one contender Josh “The Punk” Thomson.

STRIKEFORCE^® HEAVYWEIGHT GRAND PRIX FINAL will air live on SHOWTIME^® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), while four preliminary fights will be shown live on SHOWTIME EXTREME^® at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on West Coast). In addition to the previously mentioned matchups, the four-fight main card will also feature a light heavyweight grudge match between Rafael “Feijão” Cavalcante and Mike Kyle, as well as a welterweight battle between Nah-Shon Burrell and Chris Spang.

RICHARD PIERSON TO BATTLE GARY JONES FOR WBC FECARBOX SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 13TH AT ROBERT TREAT HOTEL IN NEWARK‏

On Wednesday night June 13th, The Robert Treat Hotel in Newark will play host to a night of championship boxing which will feature Richard Pierson boxing Gary “Fast Hands “Jones for the WBC Fecarbox Title

The show is promoted by Gabe LaConte’s First Round Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions.

Pierson of Paterson, New Jersey has a record of 11-2 with eight knockouts and is coming off an impressive fourth round stoppage over durable Charles Hayward on April 18^th at The Robert Treat Hotel.

It was the first time that Hayward was stopped and for that matter even knocked down as a professional or amateur.

Pierson has quality victories over the likes of Anibal Acevedo, Curtis Jones, Ray Smith, Jimmy Campbell and Jamaal Davis.

Jones of Washington, D.C. is by far the most decorated and experienced foe of Pierson’s career as he brings in a mark of 22-2 with eight knockouts.

Jones, thirty-four years old turned pro in 1996 and went on to win his first sixteen bouts before being stopped by former world title challenger J.C. Candelo.

Three wins followed which includes solid victories over Giorbis Barthelemy (20-5-1) and former world title challenger Sam Garr (31-4).

Jones took eight years off before returning to the ring in 2011 and Jones has scored two wins in his comeback which includes his last bout when he scored a six round unanimous decision over Nathan Bedwell on October 1^st.

An outstanding undercard is being assembled that will feature some of the best prospects and most popular fighters in the tri-state area.

In the six round co-feature, Bantamweight Qa’Id “Kid Dynamite” Muhammad will see action.

Muhammad, 7-0 with six knockouts is one of the best prospects in the lower weight divisions.

Muhammad scored an explosive third round stoppage over experienced Steven Johnson on April 18^th at the Robert Treat Hotel. Muhammad’s opponent will be named shortly

Also seeing action in separate six round bouts will be Lightweight Nicky Demarco (4-2, 2 KO’s) of Staten Island, NY; Jr. Middleweight Tommy Rainone (17-4, 4 KO’s); Heavyweight John Lennox (10-1, 5 KO’s)

Appearing in four round bouts will be Welterweight Anthony Young (4-0, 2 KO’s) of Atlantic City; Heavyweight Aaron Kinch (3-0-1, 1 KO) of Newark and Welterweight Mike Concepcion (1-0) of Newark.