IFL Camp Trainer and Author Martin Rooney Takes MMA Skills to the NFL‏

New York; As the International Fight League (IFL) readies for its next event at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 16, IFL Camp Trainer Martin Rooney has his eyes set on several additional goals, including the top of the sports bestseller list and the top picks in the NFL Draft. The Fair Lawn, N.J., resident, one of the most sought-after fitness professionals in the world, has spent a good part of his non-IFL training work this winter readying many of the potential top picks for the upcoming NFL Draft (including potential top pick Chris Long and Rutgers standout Ray Rice) for selection weekend, as well as promoting his MMA-style workout book Training For Warriors, which has rocketed up the sports best seller list (it was at No. 7 this week on ESPN’s list). Rooney, who was a member of the United States Bobsled Team from 1995-1997 and in 2000, and a four-time All Conference MVP performer in Track and Field at Furman University, is also a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Ricardo Almeida and a black belt in Kodokan Judo under Sensei Matsumura and Olympian Teimoc Johnston-Ono of the prestigious New York Athletic Club. He has used all that training to perfect hand-eye coordination conditioning tactics that many of the elite MMA athletes in the world (including top IFL athletes and coaches like Renzo Gracie, Jamal Patterson, Delson Heleno, and many UFC and PRIDE MMA stars) and now apply them to the elite athlete, especially those in the NFL and top collegiate programs. “The mental discipline, quickness and flexibility training that makes Mixed Martial Arts the phenomenon that is has become and has helped forge so many recent successes like the athletes from Renzo Gracie’s New York-based Academy are skills that we have seen translate very well to other sports, especially football,” Rooney said. “It has been great to see how the MMA success story, through a book like Training For Warriors, can help make so many elite athletes even better.” In addition to his draft training and his work with the IFL, Rooney has been the martial arts consultant for the New York Giants and New York Jets and is a speed and conditioning consultant to a host of colleges and many athletes from the NFL, MLB, NBA and WNBA. He has also trained numerous Olympians, including one gold and four silver medalists. Currently, Martin is COO and director of training of the Parisi Speed School. The Parisi Speed School is launching its national franchise opportunity under Martin's leadership, and there are already over thirty franchises in twenty states across the country sold in addition to five company-owned stores in New Jersey. Details of the book can also be found at trainingforwarriors.com. About the IFL International Fight League™ (IFL) has its headquarters in New York and offices in Las Vegas. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv. ---"No, I never threw a spitball. Except when I had to get someone out really bad."- Whitey Ford *Jerry Milani Manager of Public Relations International Fight
*Catch the IFL on FSN Saturdays at midnight and LIVE on HDNet on May 16

Shaun George vs Chris Byrd May 16th On ESPN!‏

Shaun George vs Chris Byrd May 16th On ESPN!


For years, Shaun George has waited patiently for his chance to rise to the top of his division. His journey comes to a head on May 16, when the Brooklyn native faces former two-time heavyweight champion Chris Byrd on ESPN's Friday Night Fights in Las Vegas, NV. The fight will be contested at the light-heavyweight limit of 175 pounds.

"This opportunity means everything to me," says George, 16-2-2 (7 KO). "I'm ready for this step up on May 16. I've been waiting for this kind of fight my whole life. I believe I'm a better fighter and I'm ready to prove it. I know I'm the underdog, but I also know I will come out on top."

Shaun George is currently riding a three-fight winning streak following a dubious decision loss to Alexander Gurov in his opponent's home country. During his last fight, George shut out difficult journeyman Thomas Reid over ten rounds. Reid was a late-replacement for Eric Harding, who withdrew the week of the fight. George was a decorated amateur, winning two New York Golden Glove titles, as well as US National Amateur and Junior Olympic titles. He is trained by the venerable Tommy Brooks and promoted by Hall of Fame Promotions.

George's adversary, whose impressive mark reads 40-4-1 (21 KO), is no slouch either. Byrd has posted victories over heavyweight mainstays David Tua, Vitali Klitschko, Fres Oquendo and Evander Holyfield, among others. A silver medalist in the 1992 Olympics Games, "Rapid Fire" is a sure-fire future Hall of Famer.

"I know he's fast and that he fights intelligently," George concedes. "That doesn't concern me. It won't be about what Chris Byrd can do, but what I can do. This is my time to shine, Chris Byrd just happens to be the opponent set before me.

Shaun George's manager, Hall of Fame inductee Lou Duva, is confident with his fighter's prospects. "I've never seen him this excited about a fight before," says George's manager Lou Duva. "He wants this win, he's training to win and he's going to win.

"I know what this kid's abilities are. Shaun is a good, strong light heavyweight. He throws a lot of combinations and does what it takes to win. I like everything I see about him."

A recent press release issued by the Byrd camp made mention of Byrd's post-George intentions. George says his only concern is on the challenge he has signed to face. "He can look past me all he wants, talking about fighting Jones, Tarver and Calzaghe. My only focus is on the fight in front of me."

Adds George, "The light heavyweight division is the best division in boxing and this fight will show why. I'm bringing my A game and I expect him to do the same."

The Shaun George-Chris Byrd bout is promoted by Banner Promotions.

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CHICAGO'S 8 COUNT PRESENTS BATTLE FOR PRIDE ON FRIDAY, MAY 9TH HEADLINING; Chicago natives “MACHO” Miguel Hernandez and “SUPERMAN” Derrick Findley

CHICAGO, IL, World class professional boxing returns to Cicero Stadium on Friday, May 9th as Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING and Octavius James’ One In A Million Incorporated present BATTLE FOR PRIDE, an action packed evening headlined by an eight round middleweight cross-town showdown between Chicago natives “MACHO” Miguel Hernandez and “SUPERMAN” Derrick Findley.



Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions box office at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 7:00pm with the first bell at 8:00pm.

Hernandez, a popular participant of the Season 3 season of ESPN’s The Contender boxing reality show, is currently a member of the Cicero Police Department. In his only televised bout on The Contender, he lost a very close five round decision to Wayne Johnsen which was broadcast on September 25, 2007.

“I’m thrilled to be fighting again in Cicero; I’ve met many great people since I started working in the community, especially kids in grade school and high school and their parents.” Hernandez is a constant fixture in Cicero, also running a Friday evening youth boxing program at Manor Park for students ages 6 to 15. He is also the proud parent of three boys, the oldest of which is twelve year old Josh, who is also a boxer.

Since turning pro in 2003 with very little amateur experience, Hernandez has impressively compiled a record of 20-7 (10KO’s), which includes a ten round decision over Ryan Davis on February 10, 2007 in Coral Gables, Florida. Hernandez captured the World Boxing Council United States Middleweight Title with the win. His career also includes battles with former world champions Yory Boy Campas and Raul Marquez.

Findley brings a record of 10-2 with six knockouts into the bout with Hernandez. The Chicago area native is currently riding a four bout winning streak since losing a decision to 2004 US Olympian Gold Medalist Andre Ward on November 16, 2006. In his most recent bout, Derrick dropped Nathan Martin twice earning a second round stoppage on February 1, 2008 at the Star Plaza Theater in Merrillville, Indiana.

This will be Findley’s second bout at Cicero Stadium, having battled Jorge Gonzalez in a hard fought six round war on February 17, 2006

The co-main event at BATTLE FOR PRIDE will feature the return of bantamweight prospect Francisco “EL NINO AZTECA” Rodriguez. The 23 year old Rodriguez, 11-2 with seven knockouts, is looking to rebound after the controversial stoppage loss of his most recent bout with Andre Wilson on February 15th at Cicero Stadium.

The undercard will feature prospects super bantamweight Eric Estrada, 3-0 (1KO), lightweight Gadiel Andaluz, 2-0 (KO’s) and popular Irish hard hitting middleweight Henry Coyle, 6-1 (6KO’s) in separate bouts.

More information on the undercard will be announced shortly.

The weigh-in for the BATTLE FOR PRIDE event will take place on Thursday, May 8th at 7pm at Team Doctors Chiropractic Treatment and Training Center of Champions located at 6432 S. Pulaski on the South Side of Chicago. Further information can be obtained at www.teamdoctors.org.

Along with 8 Count Productions and One In A Million Incorporated, the BATTLE FOR PRIDE is presented by Miller Lite, TCF Bank and AeroMexico, the premier travel source in Mexico.

8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.

To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxinggym.com

CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998

Bernie Bahrmasel, Publicist/8 Count Productions