★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience©®™

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Joint Statement from Team Guerrero, Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions

Early this morning Six-Time and Four Division World Champion Robert Guerrero was checking in his luggage at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, bound for Las Vegas, and, as he was doing so, made sure to advise the authorities that they needed to be aware that he had a firearm, which was unloaded and in a locked safe box with his luggage to be checked. Guerrero was carrying no ammunition and was within his legal right to possess such firearm in the state in which he resides. He was then arrested. At an arraignment held before the New York State Supreme Court for Queens County, the court, after hearing the pertinent facts of the case, released Guerrero on his own recognizance. The next hearing in this matter is scheduled for after Robert's May 4 fight against Eight-Time and Five-Division World Champion Floyd "Money" Mayweather.

We are very pleased Robert Guerrero was released on his own recognizance this afternoon in the wake of this incident and that he is on his way back to Las Vegas to continue training for his highly anticipated May 4 bout against Mayweather.

♔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.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Queen of Boxing Holly Holm Back in ring May 11 vs. Mary McGee

Holly Holm vs. Mary McGee IBA Junior Welterweight Championship Route 66 Casino Hotel ● Albuquerque, NM ● May 11, 2013

Fresquez Productions held a press conference today to announce its next boxing event, "Mayhem," headlined by 14-time, three division world champion Holly "The Preachers Daughter" Holm (32-2-3, 9 KOs) - the recognized pound-for-pound Queen of Boxing - against challenger "Merciless" Mary McGee (20-1, 11 KOs) on Saturday night, May 11 at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque. "Mayhem," presented by Fresquez Productions in association with Route 66 Casino Hotel, will feature Holm defending her International Boxing Association (IBA) junior welterweight title in the 10-round main event against former NABC World lightweight titlist McGee, who fights out of Gary, Indiana. "Holly Holm has repeatedly proven that she's the best pound-for-pound women's fighter in the world," promoter Lenny Fresquez said. "Mary McGee is a bright, talented boxer who earned this world title shot. She impressed us all last December in her fight on the

Holm-Prazak card at Route 66 Casino Hotel. Unlike others that call-out Holly, only to break negotiations because they were never serious, Mary is stepping up to the plate like a real fighter."

The 31-year-old Holm (32-2-3, 9 KOs) has defeated a Who's Who list of woman boxers from the 140 through 154-pound weight classes, including Ann Sophie Mathis, Christy Martin, Mary Jo Sanders, Mia St. John, Jane Couch, Duda Yankovich and Chevelle Hallback (twice).

"MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero"; May 4

"MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero," a 12-round fight for Mayweather's WBC Welterweight World Championship, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O'Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T and Star Trek Into Darkness. The mega-event will take place Saturday, May 4 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Also featured will be Daniel Ponce de Leon vs. Abner Mares, a 12-round fight for Ponce de Leon's WBC Featherweight World Championship.

Lucian Bute vs. Jean Pascal May 25 at Bell Centre in Montreal

The ultimate Canadian boxing showdown on May 25, featuring world champions Lucian Bute and Jean Pascal, will be held at historic Bell Centre in Montreal, it was officially announced last night at the iconic venue by co-promoters InterBox and Groupe Yvon Michel.

(PHOTO BY; Keisha Morrisey, Jean Pascal after the Hopkins vs. Cloud Boxing Event)

Bute vs. Pascal has the potential to be the Greatest Fight in Canadian boxing history, eclipsing Roberto Duran-"Sugar" Ray Leonard I (1980 in Montreal), Muhammad Ali-George Chuvalo (1968 in Toronto) and Archie Moore-Yvon Durelle I (1958 in Montreal), in terms of national pride and popularity, as well as worldwide interest.

Romania-native Bute and Pascal, who was born in Haiti, have both lived for several years in the Montreal suburb of Laval, Quebec. They're world-class boxers in their fighting primes who have built large, passionate fan-bases throughout Canada. Both fighters proudly call Bell Centre their home: Bute is perfect in 20 fights (15 KOs) there and Pascal has won seven of eight fights (3 KOs).

The 33-year-old Bute (31-1, 24 KOs) captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight title in 2007, stopping defending champion Alejandro Berrio in the 11th round at Bell Centre. The talented southpaw, known as, "Le Tombeur" reeled-off nine straight successful title defenses - including three against world champions Glen Johnson, Brian Magee and William Joppy - before suffering his first loss as a professional last May to Carl Froch (TKO5) in the United Kingdom.

In his most recent fight, Bute moved up to fight in the light heavyweight division, winning a 12-round decision over previously unbeaten Russian invader Denis Grachev (12-0-1) for the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) championship this past November at Bell Centre. Bute is world rated #2 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), #3 by The Ring Magazine, and #4 by the IBF and World Boxing Organization (WBO) in the super middleweight division.

Pascal (27-2-1, 16 KOs), a 2004 Canadian Olympian, moved up to the light heavyweight division in 2009, capturing the WBC 175-pound division crown by way of a 12-round decision over 26-0 Andrian Diaconu at Bell Centre. The 30-year-old Pascal, currently ranked #2 by the WBC, successfully defended his belt at Bell Centre against Silvio Branco (TKO10) and Diaconu (DEC12) in a rematch, and then he added the International Boxing Organization (IBO) championship by defeating 29-0 Chad Dawson by 11th round technical knockout.

Pascal fought a 12-round majority draw with living legend Bernard Hopkins, who won their rematch at Bell Centre by decision. Last December, Pascal returned to the ring at Bell Centre, overcoming a shoulder injury to win a 12-round decision versus 2004 Polish Olympian Alex Kuziemski.

WBC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATION BOUT BETWEEN CHRIS ARREOLA & BERMANE STIVERNE SATURDAY * APRIL 27 * 3 PM CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA Ontario, California

Riverside's Chris "The Nightmare" Arreola (35-2, 30 KOs) the WBC #1 world contender takes on the heavy-hitting WBC #2 world contender, Bermane "B. Ware" Stiverne (22-1-1, 20 KOs) in a heavyweight battle with the winner guaranteed to fight for the WBC Heavyweight World Championship in his next bout. Both Arreola and Stiverne will look to put their power on display to take that next step toward history.

The 12-round WBC World Championship Heavyweight Elimination main event, with the winner guaranteed to immediately fight for the World Championship. The competitive match up is set to take place on Saturday, April 27 at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

In addition, being showcased that night will be Olympian twin brothers from Norwalk, CA, Javier Molina (13-1, 5KOs), the 2008 US Olympian and Oscar Molina (2-0, 1KO), the 2012 Mexican Olympian. Also featured in a 4-round bout, the pride of the Ten Goose Gym, up-and-coming Juan Funez (1-0) of Van Nuys.

GOLDEN GLOVES BOSS WARNS CHAMPION 'GGG' AHEAD OF 'MONTE CARLO MILLION DOLLAR SUPER FOUR' 30th MARCH 2013 in Monaco‏

As the date of Gennady Golovkin's title fight in Monte-Carlo looms, Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman has issued a stark warning to the WBA and IBO middleweight champion: "Underestimate Nobuhiro Ishida at your peril."

Unbeaten Golovkin makes his seventh title defence against the Japanese boxer, who is considered an underdog against one of the world's best fighters, in Monaco on March 30.

Berman's fighters have a remarkable knack for upsetting the odds, none more impressive than Corrie Sanders, who stopped heavy favourite Wladimir Klitschko in two rounds for the WBO heavyweight title 10 years ago.The late Sanders was a prohibitive underdog, but he stunned the doubters with the performance of his life.

Berman also promoted the heavyweight championship fight when Lennox Lewis was knocked cold by unheralded Hasim Rahman inside five rounds in 2001.

One of Berman's earliest world championship promotions saw unbeaten Olympic champion Kennedy McKinney derailed by little-known South African Vuyani "The Beast" Bungu for the IBF super bantamweight title. Ring Magazine named it 1994's "Upset of the Year".

"I must admit, it's a bit freakish, which is why I learned long ago never to underestimate anyone in boxing," said Berman. "Some of the least likely boxers go on to do great things."

Another such example occurred in 1996 when Sugarboy Malinga, who had lost nine fights, was matched with ferocious puncher Nigel Benn for the WBC super middleweight title. Few gave Malinga a chance, but he captured a split decision in Benn's UK backyard

Berman was again the mastermind when former lightweight champion Dingaan Thobela knocked out Glenn Catley to win the WBC super middleweight title 13 years ago. It was an extraordinary upset that demonstrated Thobela's power.

Africa's greatest promoter was again on hand when low-key Phillip Holiday challenged vaunted Miguel Julio for the vacant IBF lightweight title in 1995. The Colombian was on a run of 27 stoppages, but this time it was Holiday who inflicted the stoppage, winning by TKO in the 10^th round against every expectation.

Ratanopol Sor Vorapin had made 10 defences of his IBF minimumweight title when he faced Zolani Petelo, another Golden Gloves star, in 1997. Yet the tiny South African overwhelmed him, inflicting a fourth-round stoppage.

"Complacency is every boxer's biggest enemy, let this be a warning to Golovkin. Ishida will do him no favours," said Berman

Golovkin versus Ishida is the headliner on the "Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four" tournament that features four of the world's best super middleweight and light heavyweight boxers, plus a clash for the European junior middleweight title.

Donaire vs. Rigondeaux world title unification bout Saturday, April 13 televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Caribe Promotions, Tecate and Madison Square Garden, the two world champions will collide on New York's biggest stage -- Radio City Music Hall -- Saturday, April 13 and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®, beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. This marks only the second time Radio City Music Hall has ever hosted professional boxing in its 82-year history. The first fight was the Roy Jones Jr. vs. David Telesco light heavyweight world championship on January 15, 2000

FNF April 5th: Anthony Castrejon vs. Mohammed Lemjardine‏

Friday - April 5th

Held in our most intimate venue!

The Broad Street Ballroom

41 Broad Street, NYC

Doors open @ 7pm

The night's main event will feature a fight between two of America's best young talents as

Mohammed "The Moroccan Assassin" Lemjerdine of West Haven, Connecticut will take on Anthony "Pretty Boy" Castrejon of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Lemerdine is known for his unorthodox style and unrelenting pace and Castrejon is known for his exciting and aggressive fight style.

Two great fighters from opposing coasts. Will it be the fight of the year?

In the co-main event

Villi Bello and Turan Hasanov will square off in a re-match.

Hasanov was victorious over a year and a half ago.

Will he prosper again?

NYC Fight Fans won't want to miss this re-match!

Guerrero-Martinez Headlines “Salisbury Slugfest” April 12!‏

Jake The Snake Promotions will host their first show in Salisbury, MD when unbeaten cruiserweight Alex Guerrero headlines against hard-nosed veteran Pedro Martinez Friday, April 12 at the Wicomico Civic Center.

Fighting for the fifth time in Salisbury, Guerrero is 8-0-1 with five of those victories coming by way of knockout. The older brother of middleweight contender Fernando Guerrero, who challenges for the WBO title April 27 on Showtime, Alex scored a career best victory in his last bout by stopping famed spoiler Harvey Jolly in five rounds.

Guerrero, who trains out of Main Street Gym under the tutelage of Hal Chernoff, is no stranger to fighting tough. Only three of his nine opponents entered their bout with losing records and Guerrero’s last four foes all had more experience than him.

A 13 fight veteran, Martinez will enter the ring with a size and experience advantage. Four of the Philadelphian’s bouts came as a heavyweight and he’s battled notable fighters such as Garrett Wilson, Ahmed Samir, Andreas Gustaffsson and Elvin Sanchez. In his last bout, Martinez dropped a decision against full-fledged heavyweight William Miranda.

Guerrero-Martinez is scheduled for eight rounds

“I’m overjoyed about this event,” exclaimed Jake Smith, a member of the Maryland and D.C. Boxing Hall of Fames who’s assisted many charities in association with his events. “Salisbury is a great fight town and fans have shown up in record numbers during recent cards at the Civic Center. I am expecting a huge turnout for this card and thank the great City of Salisbury for giving Jake the Snake Promotions the opportunity to host an event there.”

Chernoff, the head trainer at the Main Street Boxing Gym and a well known member of the community, agrees.

“It’s always fun to be involved with something like this. What I enjoy most about helping promote in Salisbury is that one of my fighters gets to headline in his hometown and that's a huge thing. This is also great for the local economy. Events like this help hotels, restaurants, taxis and a lot of other area businesses. That means a lot to me and I’m proud to be a part of this.”

On the undercard, former Penn State Boxing Club captain and NCBA medalist A.J. Williams of Rehoboth Beach, DE makes his highly anticipated pro debut against an opponent to be named in a four round middleweight contest. The popular Williams trains and fights out of the Baltimore Boxing Club.

Unbeaten heavyweight knockout artist Jerry “Slug” Forrest looks to score his fifth knockout in six fights when he faces an opponent TBA. The southpaw Forrest, of Newport News, VA, is a protégé of

Seth Mitchell.

More bouts will be added shortly.

BANNER PROMOTIONS SIGNS 2012 OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDAL WINNER TARAS SHELESTYUK‏

Banner Promotions is proud to announce the signing of 2012 Olympic Bronze Medal winner Taras Shelestyuk to a promotional contract.

Shelestyuk of Sumy, Ukraine will compete as a Jr. Middleweight and won his bronze medal in London. He captured the 2011 world amateur championship in the 152 pound weight division.

He won the the Bronze medal in the 2010 European championship and is also a 3-time Ukrainian champion.

The 27 year-old stands 5’10” and had an impressive amateur record of 195-15.

“We are very excited to add Taras to our roster”, said Arthur Pelullo, CEO of Banner Promotions.

“We have big plans for Taras and we feel he will become a world champion”

Shelestyuk’s manager Vadim Kornilov says, ”We definitely have a future star. Banner Promotions is planning to move Taras very fast and get as many fights as we can get him.
Fans should keep an eye on him because he will be the next star”

Shelestyuk will make his professional debut on March 29^th on the undercard of an ESPN's Friday Night Fights event in Verona, New York

Too brutal for NY; Keep ‘ultimate fighting’ ban By MICHAEL E. BONGIORNO

In early March, the state Senate approved the legalization of professional Mixed Martial Arts bouts here, caving to lobbyists for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Let’s hope the Assembly refuses to go along: MMA is a brutal and barbaric pseudo-sport, the modern equivalent of Roman gladiatorial combat, with an audience screaming and howling at every blow and drop of blood.

Channel-surf on any night and you’re likely to come across an MMA fight, with all its kicking, punching and choking associated. I had the misfortune several years ago of briefly viewing a station carrying a match. In the 30 seconds I watched, I saw a fighter’s forehead split open with a gaping, bloody wound that extended from his scalp to his eyebrow. That was enough to convince me that this “sport” has no place in my life, and should have no place in any civilized society.

REUTERS

This doesn’t even show the blood: Daniel Sarafian (r) of Brazil fighting C.B. Dollaway of the United States in a UFC match in Sao Paulo earlier this year.

At least two professional MMA fighters have died as a result of injuries sustained in the ring/cage.

Today’s steroid-driven athletes are bigger, stronger and more dangerous than ever before. The human body can’t absorb the blows delivered by 6-foot-5, 250-pound hockey player or a 6-foot-7, 340-pound defensive tackle without suffering severe trauma. That’s why so much has been written about concussions and head trauma among former NHL and NFL players.

But in MMA, the whole objective is to pound, kick or choke an opponent into unconsciousness.

How can we teach our children that gratuitous violence has no place in society, when every day they are bombarded with violence — with the most brutal contestants lauded as victors and heroes? Evidently, the Republican Conference in the state Senate has the answer: It supports legalization because New York can make money off this misery.

According to a self-serving study cited by the UFC, a MMA event in New York City would employ 300 people and produce $11.5 million in net economic activity. In the view of the Senate Republicans, we should sell our communal soul to the devil and debase our culture for this 30 pieces of silver.

Depictions of violence are commonplace and glorified in America. Yet “experts” and pundits profess it a mystery as to why our children and so many adults resort to violence to solve their everyday grievances, frustrations and problems.

Well, it’s not a mystery to me. From rap music to violent movies to MMA beatings, one message is clear: Brutality is acceptable, especially if it is profitable.

And it has all desensitized many citizens, especially youngsters, to the horror of actual violent crime.

After more than 30 years as a prosecutor, I strive to avoid violence at every turn. I’ve too often seen the horror and damage wrought by guns, knives, bludgeons, fists and feet. It is the “real life” extension of the brutality seen in MMA contests, where fighters risk life and limb with little financial guarantee except for a “per fight” payment.

Although I’m no longer a prosecutor, I still see the faces of victims who were killed or seriously injured by senseless violence. So please forgive me if I’m not entertained by the sight of two human beings battering each other into unconsciousness — all to support a business whose revenues are close to half a billion dollars.

The senators who voted to legalize MMA have voted to degrade our society. Maintaining core cultural values and high moral standards is less important to them than a $5,000 campaign contribution and a few tax dollars.

I pray that the Assembly does the right thing and relegates this legislation to the scrap heap where it belongs. If not, I hope Gov. Cuomo has the moral sense to veto it.

Michael E. Bongiorno was Rockland County district attorney from 1995 to 2007.

♔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.

No Holds Barred: David Rowe on the Lamentable State of Sports Journalism

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with
David Rowe, a professor of cultural research at the University of
Western Sydney in Australia (http://www.uws.edu.au/ics/people/
researchers/david_rowe).
In February, he wrote an article, first for The Conversation and then
republished by Play the Game, which has gained much attention around
the world: "On scandal after scandal, sports journalists drop the
ball" (http://www.playthegame.org/news/detailed/on-scandal-after-
scandal-sports-journalists-drop-the-ball-5558.html).

In this article, he noted that while sport is rocked by numerous
scandals, those who are supposed to be covering them, the sports
journalists, "are looking more than a little dishevelled", and that
most good investigative sports journalism "happens outside the
mainstream institutional media". This should certainly be understood
by those who are familiar with what tries to pass as "journalism" in
the combat sports.

We spoke with David Rowe by Skype Wednesday (Tuesday New York time)
about the many issues facing sports journalists and journalism.

He discussed in this interview what he called "a very basic question".

"What is a sports journalist? What is sports journalists for? What do
they do? Now, I have a kind of old-fashioned idea of journalism as
being about the Fourth Estate, that is, a watchdog on behalf of the
citizenry, speaks truth to power, etc. That's what we expect of people
who call themselves journalists. Now I guess if they want to call
themselves something else, then that's OK, as long as they don't, I
suppose, pretend to be journalists."

We discussed how sports journalists have dealt with such issues as the
Lance Armstrong doping scandal and match-fixing. He said about their
coverage, "Generally I'd have to say, that it's been pretty
lamentable, but on the whole, with some distinguished exceptions",
with many of these journalists acting like fans and getting too close
to the sports organizations than they should.

We also discussed the many types of difficulties facing freelance
sports journalists who do aspire to act as watchdogs on behalf of the
public, how the main target of bad sports journalism has to be the big
media companies which too often act as unofficial public relations
agencies, the training of sports journalists, what fans can do to
pressure the media, some positive signs with the emergence of a new

generation of sports journalists, and much more.

♔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.

WBC SUPER WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION CANELO ALVAREZ AND WBA SUPER WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION AUSTIN "NO DOUBT" TROUT OFFICIALLY SET TO UNIFY 154-POUND DIVISION ON SATURDAY, APRIL 20 AT THE ALAMODOME IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

Unbeaten Mexican superstar and WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez and undefeated WBA Super Welterweight Champion Austin "No Doubt" Trout are set to square off in a 12-round,WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight on Saturday, April 20 from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas in a fight which will be televised live on

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^®(10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT).

Canelo vs. Trout, a 12-round WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Championship Unification fight, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona andAT&T. The fight will air live on SHOWTIME and is presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions.

Canelo, who started training for the fight in his hometown of Guadalajara before moving camp to Santa Monica, Calif., is already familiar his opponent's fighting style and abilities as he was ringside for Trout's December 1, 2012 victory over Miguel Cotto in New York and also watched Trout defeat his older brother Rigoberto Alvarez in Guadalajara in February of 2011.

"Austin Trout impressed me with his win over Miguel Cotto and my brother," said Canelo, who will be making his sixth title defense against Trout. "But I feel that in boxing, it's my time now, and I will show Trout why I am the best in the division. Champions should fight each other because that's what true champions do. I know he will be a tough challenge, but I'm confident I will be the unified champion at the end of the night. Beating him will make a statement, and in so doing, I plan to avenge my brother's loss to him and bring victory home to Mexico too."

The WBA Super Welterweight World Champion Trout, whose performance over Miguel Cotto in December helped further establish him as a force to be reckoned with, is ready for his next contest against Canelo.

"I'm absolutely ready to face Canelo and all of his fans who will be out in full force in San Antonio that night," said Trout, the 27-year old southpaw from Las Cruces, New Mexico who will be making his fifth title defense. "Although he is a true champion, I don't believe he has had the ring experience or has faced the competition he should have in order to be able to handle the skills that I will show him when we fight April 20. I have already defeated his brother and taken his belt, and I plan on making it two for two against the Alvarez's in my in my quest to be the best. I have no doubt that I will retain my title and takes his with me too. I can't wait."

"Canelo has proven with each challenge he has faced that he is getting better and has fast become a superstar in the sport not only because of his talent, but also because of his unbelievable fan base that continues to grow every time he fights," said Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions. "Austin Trout is an incredible fighter with superb boxing skills and a great champion in his own right. I'm very excited to see what happens when these two fighters meet in the ring on April 20. Golden Boy is going back to Texas in true Texas fashion with a huge fight at the Alamodome in San Antonio, the home of great boxing fans who love and appreciate the sport. It's going to be a great night for everyone involved."

"We are very excited to work with Oscar de la Hoya, the entire Golden Boy Promotions team, Canelo Promotions and SHOWTIME on this sensational event," said Texas boxing legend and former World Champion Jesse James Leija of Leija and Battah Promotions. "Boxing fans in Texas have a terrific opportunity to be part of a memorable evening headlined by two of the sports finest competitors."

"At just 22 years of age, Canelo's appeal is undeniable and still growing," said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager for SHOWTIME Sports. "His first appearance on SHOWTIME last fall resulted in record ratings for SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. We are thrilled to have him headlining once again when he will face the toughest opponent of his career. Austin Trout, likewise, helped set a ratings record on our network last December when he upset future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto with an impressive, coming-of-age performance. Canelo vs. Trout is exactly the type of fight that SHOWTIME has become known for - a match-up between two of boxing's brightest stars in which the outcome is impossible to predict. Naturally, as a programmer, I am thrilled to deliver this world championship unification to SHOWTIME subscribers. As a fight fan, I can't wait to be ringside at a raucous Alamodome."

"We are pleased to join Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions and Leijah & Battah Promotions in bringing this highly coveted match-up to our city," said Michael Sawaya, Convention, Sports, & Entertainment Facilities Director of the Alamodome. "San Antonio has long been a host for many championship events and this world title bout continues our long tradition."

The pride of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, 22-year-old Canelo Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KO's) has proven himself worthy of standing side by side with his country's modern day boxing greats, both in the ring and outside of it. A fighting phenom who has been a pro since 2005, Canelo ran through all comers on the local circuit before winning the NABF welterweight title in 2009, before beginning his attack on the international boxing scene. In 2010, Canelo had a breakout year with wins over Jose Miguel Cotto, Luciano Cuello, Carlos Baldomir and Lovemore N'dou, and by 2011 he was a world champion, defeating Matthew Hatton for the WBC Super Welterweight World Championship. Canelo, who has truly become a superstar in Mexico with millions tuning in every time he fights, has since defended his title successfully five times, defeatingRyan Rhodes, Alfonso Gomez, Kermit Cintron, Sugar Shane Mosley and Josesito Lopez. On April 20, he will look to unify the division against Austin Trout in front of an adoring crowd as he fights in Texas for the first time.

Long considered one of boxing's most underrated gems, Las Cruces, New Mexico'sAustin "No Doubt" Trout (26-0, 14 KO's) took the long road to recognition in his pro career after a successful run as an amateur. Willing to go anywhere to fight anyone, the talented Trout built up win after win while waiting for his shot at the gold. That shot came in February of 2011 when he faced Canelo's older brother Rigoberto for the WBA Super Welterweight World Championship. Despite fighting in Alvarez's backyard in Guadalajara, Trout's boxing skills prevailed as he won a 12-round decision and the title. Still looking to convince the boxing world that he was the real deal, Trout successfully defended his title with wins against David Lopez, Frank LoPorto and Delvin Rodriguez, setting up a December 2012 showdown with Puerto Rican icon Miguel Cotto. Again, Trout stepped up when the pressure was highest, winning a 12 round unanimous decision over Cotto in a career best performance that he hopes to top on April 20.

Banner Promotions signs Welterweight Cornelius Whitlock‏

Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions is pleased to announce the signing of Welterweight Cornelius Whitlock to a promotional contract. Whitlock will make his Banner Promotions debut on March 29^th as part of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights undercard at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Whitlock of Landover, Maryland has a record of 1-0-1 with his victory coming by vicious knockout of former amateur standout Shakur Jackson in the third round on January 31^st in Staten Island, New York.The twenty-nine year old Whitlock turned pro on December 19th, 2012 with a draw with Mikkel Lespierre in Lespierre’s hometown of New York.

Whitlock competed in over 30 amateur fights and won Golden Gloves titles and in the world championships.Whitlock has a slick and elusive style with quick hands and footwork and he displayed his explosive power in the win over Jackson.“I am happy to sign with Banner Promotions”, said Whitlock. “This is the first time someone has been behind me in my career so this is pretty big.” Whitlock is trained by Malcolm Lowery and sees big things for his pupil.

“He is a great kid, fights hard and is a gym rat”, said Lowery.

“He has a lot of tools as he is a very slick boxer-puncher with great punching power in both hands.”

“We are very excited about this signing”, said Banner Promotions CEO Arthur Pelullo.

“We got to see Cornelius in person and we came away very impressed after he stopped Jackson and we know he has talent to become a terrific fighter.”

No Holds Barred: Jessica Aguilar Returns

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with American Top Team MMA fighter Jessica Aguilar (http://jessicaaguilar.com).

Widely regarded as the number one fighter in the world in the women's 115-pound division, Jessica Aguilar will be returning to action this Thursday, March 28, after a ten-month layoff. She will be facing Patricia Vidonic on a Bellator MMA card at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida. Right now this fight will just be streamed live on the Bellator web site, and may be shown on tape-delay on Spike TV.

This fight will be a rematch between Jessica Aguilar and Patricia Vidonic. They first fought on the Fight Time Promotions 8 card on February 17, 2012, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with Jessica Aguilar winning by unanimous decision. After that fight, Jessica Aguilar next faced Japanese star Megumi Fujii on the Bellator 69 card on May 18, 2012, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with Jessica Aguilar again winning by unanimous decision.

We spoke with Jessica Aguilar by phone Sunday about her upcoming fight and her career as a fighter.

Speaking of the state of women's MMA, she said, "This is the best it's ever been." She noted, "It's taken off so much since I started. I remember that there only used to be one female fight on a card. Now there's a whole card of females."

We discussed her long layoff, what to expect in this fight with Patricia Vidonic, her desire to compete this year in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in late May (she is a purple belt), where she would like to fight, and her work in the anti-bullying organization Sweethearts and Heroes (http://sweetheartsandheroes.org). She also requested that we mention her shoutouts to: Sweethearts and Heroes, Garden of Life, Jawzz, Everlast, Donkeeboy, Boca Tanning Club, Mma2TheMax, Pro Fight, Onnit, Big Boys Moving, Jugular Energy Drink, Perfecting Athletes, American Top Team, and Paradigm Sports Management.

♔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.

Undefeated Frank Galarza signs with Elite Boxing Enterprises‏

Professional boxing manager A.J. Galante, founder and President of Elite Boxing Enterprises, is excited to announce the signing of fast rising Junior Middleweight prospect Frank ‘Notorious’ Galarza. With very little amateur experience, Galarza captured the 2010 New York Golden Gloves in the 165 pound novice division. Six months after the Golden Gloves, Galarza turned pro and since then has compiled a record of 9(5)-0-1.

“I have had my eye on Frank for some time now” stated Galante. “He has it all. An exciting fan friendly boxing style, toughness, the looks, an inspiring life story, a great personality and most of all, he is a winner. I am honored that he has put his faith in me to help guide his career to the next level. I’m excited to watching him grow as a professional, and I believe we haven’t even scratched the surface of his boxing abilities and he surely will become a force to be reckoned with. My philosophy as a boxing manager is to stay active, and take on the toughest available competition, and Frank fits that mold, he has done it his whole career on his own thus far.”

Galarza, 27, will join forces with Galante, 26, to form one of the younger Boxer-Manager duos in the sport, but the energy between the two will surely make the up and coming management group Elite Boxing Enterprises team even stronger. “To be elite is to be the best or most skilled member of a group, so it only makes sense to sign with Elite Boxing Enterprises” stated Galarza. ”Elite Boxing is a true team and we are establishing a group of elite boxers with a chip on their shoulder. This upcoming year and into the future, fans will continue to hear my name, and I want to spread my reputation further as a fighter who will work harder than anybody and accomplish what many think is impossible”

‘Notorious’ last saw action on March 9, 2013 at the Barclays Center in his hometown of Brooklyn, NY. He dominated tough Mexican Guillermo Ibarra, stopping him in the second round. Galarza is promoted by New Legend Boxing along with Old World Boxing and W.O.N. Promotions.

Elite Boxing Enterprises is a professional boxing management group founded by A.J. Galante in 2011. Also signed to Elite Boxing Enterprises is popular, Top-10 World Ranked Junior Middleweight Delvin Rodriguez.

On April 4th Tommy Gallagher’s prize fighter, Gabriel “Tito” Bracero will be boxing at the Roseland Ballroom in the Main Event.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

No Holds Barred: David Rowe on the Lamentable State of Sports Journalism‏

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with David Rowe, a professor of cultural research at the University of Western Sydney in Australia (http://www.uws.edu.au/ics/people/researchers/david_rowe).

In February, he wrote an article, first for The Conversation and then republished by Play the Game, which has gained much attention around the world: "On scandal after scandal, sports journalists drop the ball" (http://www.playthegame.org/news/detailed/on-scandal-after-scandal-sports-journalists-drop-the-ball-5558.html).

In this article, he noted that while sport is rocked by numerous scandals, those who are supposed to be covering them, the sports journalists, "are looking more than a little dishevelled", and that most good investigative sports journalism "happens outside the mainstream institutional media". This should certainly be understood by those who are familiar with what tries to pass as "journalism" in the combat sports.

We spoke with David Rowe by Skype Wednesday (Tuesday New York time) about the many issues facing sports journalists and journalism.

He discussed in this interview what he called "a very basic question".

"What is a sports journalist? What is sports journalists for? What do they do? Now, I have a kind of old-fashioned idea of journalism as being about the Fourth Estate, that is, a watchdog on behalf of the citizenry, speaks truth to power, etc. That's what we expect of people who call themselves journalists. Now I guess if they want to call themselves something else, then that's OK, as long as they don't, I suppose, pretend to be journalists."

We discussed how sports journalists have dealt with such issues as the Lance Armstrong doping scandal and match-fixing. He said about their coverage, "Generally I'd have to say, that it's been pretty lamentable, but on the whole, with some distinguished exceptions", with many of these journalists acting like fans and getting too close to the sports organizations than they should.

We also discussed the many types of difficulties facing freelance sports journalists who do aspire to act as watchdogs on behalf of the public, how the main target of bad sports journalism has to be the big media companies which too often act as unofficial public relations agencies, the training of sports journalists, what fans can do to pressure the media, some positive signs with the emergence of a new generation of sports journalists, and much more.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Super Four fighters off to Monte Carlo‏

The event in Monaco is headlined by red-hot WBA middleweight champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin (25-0, 22KO's) defending his title against former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8-2, 9KO's). The opening round of the Super 4 tournament matches Edwin Rodriguez (22-0, 15KO's) against Argentinean Olympian Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (19-0, 13KO's) and former two-division world champion Zsolt Erdei (33-0, 18KO's) squaring off against Denis Grachev (12-1-1, 8KO's). The card will be distributed in the United States and Canada on PPV by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View.

EDWIN RODRIGUEZ

"This has been an amazing training camp," said Rodriguez. "Ronnie Shields and the guys at Peak Performance in Houston have me in amazing shape. I am ready to get into the ring and show the world who I am and what I am made of. I want to thank Golden Gloves, my promoter DiBella Entertainment and my manager Larry Army Jr. for this opportunity. I encourage everyone to tune in on March 30 to see me at the top of my game in the biggest fight of my career."

EZEQUIEL OSVALDO MADERNA

"I have had a great training camp and I am excited to finally be departing for Monaco for what is going to be the most important challenge of my life," said Maderna. "We have wrapped up the final stages of training camp, and, come March 30, I will be ready for a war against Edwin Rodriguez."

ZSOLT ERDEI TRAINING W/ FUTURE HALL-OF-FAME TRAINER FRITZ SDUNEK

"I am very happy that the Hungarian fans will have a chance to once again see me fight live and in person. It just multiplies my strength and will to win," said the former two-division champion Zsolt Erdei, regarding the large number of Hungarian fans making the trip to Monaco.

Erdei continued, "I want to prove that the old man is not an old man. So far everything is going well. I have had no problem with my weight, the shape I am in is almost disturbingly good. The bumps are there, of course, over the many years of fighting, but I know that above anything else, my power is still there, and Grachev will find that out on March 30. I'm going to prove that I am still one of the top fighters in the world."

DENIS GRACHEV

"This has been the hardest training camp that I have ever had. I have already made my plans to be back in Monaco in July," stated a determined Grachev.

Excitement is building ahead of the international boxing spectacular, the Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4, which takes place in the famous Mediterranean city next weekend.

The boxers begin arriving from all over the world early next week and will come face to face for the first time at a media conference at the Casino de Monte-Carlo on Tuesday evening. The press conference will include Gennady Golovkin, the WBA and IBO middleweight champion, challenger Nobuhiro Ishida, plus Super 4 contestants Edwin Rodriguez, Ezequiel Maderna, Denis Grachev and Zsolt Erdei. Sergei Rabchenko and Adriano Nicchi, contestants for the European junior middleweight title bout, will also appear, plus undercard fighters Junior Makabu and Jean Marc Monrose. All together, nine separate countries will be represented at the gigantic international final presser.

"I'm very excited, the phone hasn't stopped ringing," said promoter Rodney Berman, of Golden Gloves. "We have broadcasters from all over the world taking the fight and we're expecting many fans from the boxers' countries to attend. This event has really struck a chord."

The "Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super 4" and Golovkin's middleweight title defense will be distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on both cable and satellite Pay-Per-View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH and Avail-TVN in the United States and in Canada via Bell TV for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. In addition, the event will be available via online Pay-Per-View at:

To order the "Super Four" PPV, headlined by WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin defending against former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida, go to your cable company's PPV listings for Saturday afternoon (starting at 3 p.m. ET; event telecast starting at 3:30 pm ET ) and look under boxing for Golovkin vs. Ishida.

The event is promoted by Rodney Berman's Golden Gloves. The Golovkin-Ishida bout is promoted in association with K2 Promotions, while the Rodriguez-Maderna and Erdei-Grachev bouts are promoted in association with DiBella Entertainment.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Super-Four-fighters-off-to-Monte-Carlo.html?soid=1107899787415&aid=6HLqsgskuss

♔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.

Share SBS w/Family or Friends

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Saturday, March 23, 2013