Martinez and Macklin go head-to-head‏

Pressure fighting Irishman Matthew Macklin (28-3-0, 19ko) and unorthodox Argentine Sergio Martinez (48-2-2, 27ko) lace their gloves up for a St Patrick's day fisticuffs on March 17 inside New York City's historic Madison Square Garden and the two middleweights engaged in the customary head-to-head prior to a world championship fight that has The Ring magazine title on the line. Andy Lee is the co-feature who is facing an, as yet, undetermined opponent.

Martinez appears to have a height advantage, but both fighters are 5'10. Credit: Ed Diller/ DBE

Middleweight contender Lee, a compatriot of Macklin's, separates the 160lb rivals. Credit: Ed Diller/ DBE

Lee (27-1-0, 19ko) has beaten everyone put in front of him and is chasing a 2012 world title shot. Credit: Ed Diller/ DBE

Martinez and promoter Lou DiBella want opponents with a higher profile but Sergio is mostly avoided. Credit: Ed Diller/ DBE

Martinez has stated he will, once again, fight to raise awareness for victims of domestic violence. Credit: Ed Diller/DBE

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Matthew Macklin warns Sergio Martinez: The Irish are coming!‏

Former world title challenger Matthew Macklin has a message for St Patrick's Day opponent and lineal middleweight champion Sergio Martinez - "the Irish are coming!" Macklin, 29, attempts to unseat Martinez from his throne in the 160lb weight class on March 17 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and is calling on Irish fans from all over the world to support him at the ground dubbed; The World's Most Famous Arena.

Mack the Knife on the podium. Credit: Ed Diller/ DBE

Prior to 2011, Macklin - a former Irish, British and European champion - had fought predominantly on the domestic and continental circuit. One fight last summer, though, propelled him into international stardom as he took on long-reigning Super WBA middleweight titlist Felix Sturm in Cologne, Germany.

Macklin (28-3-0, 19ko) took the fight to Sturm, fought constantly from the opening minute to the last and was largely expected to receive a deserved decision victory on points, however, on all three judges' scorecards he was on the losing side.

Despite the controversial defeat, Macklin had made a name for himself and the performance itself was perceived - by Lou DiBella of DiBella Entertainment - to be worthy of adding him to his own stable of fighters and matching the England-born Irishman with his premier boxer; Maravilla Martinez (48-2-2, 27ko).

"As I have done throughout my entire career I will go up a notch for this fight," said Macklin this week. "Sergio is going to bring the best out of me and I am very confident in my mind that I will be the new middleweight champion come March 17.

He continued: "Fighting at The Garden on St Patty's Day - it's going to be like I'm fighting in Dublin. The Irish are coming from all over the world to see this [and] the atmosphere is going to be electric!

"It is an honour to have the opportunity to fight here at MSG where so many great fights have taken place. I am proud and privileged to be a part of this great tradition."

Providing the co-support to Macklin and Martinez's main event is technically-savvy Andy Lee, a product of Emanuel Steward's renowned Kronk Gym set-up in Detroit and, like Macklin, a pugilist cut from Irish cloth. Lee is a fast-rising contender in the middleweight division and enjoyed a breakout 2011 as he stopped Craig McEwan in a thrilling Celtic War in March, won a one-sided decision over tough journeyman Alex Bunema in May, before avenging his only defeat by boxing smart and overseeing Brian Vera with ease in October.

On the St Patrick's Day undercard, Lee (27-1-0, 19ko) is currently without an opponent, but has the fists and experience to compete for a world title later in the year - something promised to him by promoter DiBella. "I want to thank Lou for letting me showcase myself on this show," Lee said.

"There is nothing more I can wish for then to have this opportunity to fight at MSG on St Patrick's Day. I consider myself as a serious contender and I hope to get my title shot in 2012. I'm not sure who my opponent is going to be yet, but I promise you a good St. Patty's Day beating."

♔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.

Devon Alexander: Marcos Maidana is coming to tear my head off‏

A classic stylistic match-up between the archetypal boxer against the feared heavy hitter takes place on February 25 at the Scottrade Center in Saint Louis as former super lightweight world champion Devon Alexander clashes with macho El Chino; Marcos Maidana. Alexander is relishing the bout - to be competed at 147lbs - and has indicated that he will be ready in order to compete against a Maidana who has one intention - decapitation.

Alexander stripped away his shades to engage in a tense head to head with Maidana. Credit: Hogan Photos

Alexander. Credit: Hogan Photos

"These last few fights at 140 pounds were hard for me to make weight," said Alexander (22-1-0, 13ko) in St Louis this week. "I’m going to be stronger and faster at 147. Maidana is coming to tear my head off, but I’m going to be ready, 110 per cent."

Trainer Kevin Cunningham echoed the sentiment made by his fighter and pointed out the potent threat El Chino poses: "We’re bringing a killer into Devon’s hometown who is going to try and take him out, but that’s the business of boxing. Devon is going to slay the killer on February 25."

Alexander, despite his boxing skills, still has to convince commentators and fight fans that he is a big-time contender. The 24-year-old looked every bit of a world-beater in 2009 and 2010 when he scalped Junior Witter and Juan Urango, however, his three fights since have been questionable.

Against Bradley, in a two-belt unification contest in January, last year, he lost a technical decision in the tenth round due to cuts, however, he attracted criticism for the manner in which he appeared to willingly seek an exit route out of the fight. His heart, desire and willingness to take a punch at elite level consequently came into question. And, in the fight both before and after Bradley, Alexander was the main benefactor of fishy judging and hometown cooking as he secured dubious points victories over Andriy Kotelnik and Lucas Matthysse.

Following the censure regarding his heart, Alexander, however, has been moved into what should be applaudable fights as he has taken on two of the biggest pound-for-pound punchers in the modern game one directly after the other. What would have been more convincing would be to do so away from St Louis.

Maidana. Credit: Hogan Photos

"I’m excited to fight in the United States again," said Maidana (31-2-0, 28ko), unflustered by the prospect of trading leather in the city his opponent was born and raised in. "This [the US] is the Mecca of boxing. I dedicate my life to boxing and I’m taking this fight very seriously."

Maidana's adviser, Sebastian Contursi, added: "We are happy to be here. It’s been a long road with the cancelation of the Guerrero fight, so Marcos is very anxious to back in the ring.

"As usual, we will bring a war to St. Louis and, as everyone knows, Marcos always delivers!"

♔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.

Adrien Broner and Eloy Perez both dressing dapper‏

Adrien 'The Problem' Broner (22-0-0, 18ko) makes the first defense of his WBO super featherweight world championship title at the Scottrade Center in Saint Louis on February 25 and has already talked down the talents of his opponent, Eloy Perez (23-0-2, 7ko): "He’s a feather-fisted puncher in the featherweight division… not a good combination against me who punches like a middleweight," he said this week.

Broner teases Perez over his (lack of) power. Credit: Hogan Photos

♔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.

Rubio doesn’t want to ‘risk’ judges scores, will go for KO against Chavez Jr‏

The Coahuila puncher, Marco Antonio Rubio, who faces Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, February 4, has acknowledged that the WBC middleweight world champion is a dangerous fighter, but said: "I ​​will face the best version of the legend’s son. In his last fights he has shown great advances but I have the punch to knock him out… I don't want to risk with the judges, I’ll go for the knock out."

Rubio (second left) wants to take a famous scalp in Chavez Jr (second right). Credit: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Marco, who looks strong and in very good condition, said that he is in the final stage of the preparation of his next fight against Chavez and is practicing sparring with Marco “Dorado” Reyes (22-1-0, 20ko) and other partners, with whom he puts into practice the tactics deployed to combat the fighter from Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico; Chavez Jr.

The bout to confront Chavez on February 4, will be at the Alamo Dome. After losing his first attempt to be crowned WBC middleweight champion against Kelly Pavlik in 2009, to date, he has added nine wins by ko to his record, which makes him an extremely live opponent, with a possibility to be crowned.

♔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.

WBA orders immediate rematch between Khan and Peterson to take place within 180 days

Peterson’s split decision victory over Khan in Washington DC has been riddled with controversy as a result of a plethora of anomalies in connection with the bout, including referee Joseph Cooper not counting a knockdown of Peterson and deducting two points from Khan for pushing (something for which points are almost never deducted), both of which ended up having a direct impact on the outcome of the fight; the ringside appearance of an unauthorized individual in Mustafa Ameen who apparently handled official scoring slips, seemingly communicated with fight officials throughout the fight and appeared to be photographed posing with a celebrating Team Peterson in the ring following the fight; and possible differences between the score sheet of the WBA and those of the IBF and the District of Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission.

Acting under its authority pursuant to WBA Rule C.26, the WBA concluded that the bout’s outcome was impacted by referee Joseph Cooper’s questionable failure to credit Khan with a knock down in round one and his questionable decisions to deduct points from Khan in rounds seven and 12.

As further cause to order the rematch, the WBA also pointed to Mr. Ameen’s apparent intrusion into the scoring process as well as possible discrepancies between the score sheets of the two sanctioning organisations and the local athletic commission. In its resolution mandating the rematch, the WBA went out of its way to note that under normal circumstances it would not disturb the discretionary function of a referee, however, in this case, because of the multiple irregularities, it was necessary for it to order the rematch.

"I’m pleased that justice has been done and the WBA has ordered an immediate rematch. All we ask as sportsmen is for a fair and level playing field when we compete," said Khan. "Lamont Peterson proved in our fight that he is a great competitor and I hope that a second bout will be just as exciting. I want to prove without doubt that I’m the best in the 140lb division by taking care of business in the rematch."

"I am thrilled about the decision and hope that we can start negotiations and get the rematch done," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "Both Amir and Lamont are terrific young men and athletes who fought their hearts out in Washington last December. I am sure that fight fans from around the world applaud the WBA’s decision since this will be one of the most anticipated fights of 2012."

♔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.

STEVE ‘USS’ CUNNINGHAM Two Time IBF Cruiserweight Champion Of The World Two Time ‘Fighter of The Year’ Briscoe Award Recipient‏

Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham Awarded ‘Fighter of The Year’ Briscoe For Second Time

Two time IBF Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham became the first two time Briscoe Award winner, after receiving his second ‘Fighter Of The Year’ award, at the 4th Annual Briscoe Awards, which took place at the VBA Club in Port Richmond, PA, on Monday evening.

Cunningham, who was awarded the 2007 ‘Fighter of the Year’ Briscoe ahead of his December ‘08 ‘Fight of the Year’ nominated battle against Tomasz Adamek, was put forward for his second Briscoe after securing the IBF title for the second time, and won based on votes cast by boxing fans, boxing media, and the readers of the Web site PhillyBoxingHistory.com.

Speaking from his Philadelphia home earlier today Cunningham said, “Being voted Philly’s boxer of the year for 2010 means a lot to me.

I don’t get to fight at home and so my Philly fans don’t really get to see me fight, so to be recognized was special.

The event was great, a lot of people came out to show support.

I would like to thank John Di Santo, he works really hard keeping Philly’s boxing history alive and organizing the awards, I appreciate all that he does for Philly boxing.”

Also receiving Briscoe Awards on Monday were, Derek ‘Pooh’ Ennis and ‘King’ Gabriel Rosado, for their classic 12-round war, which received the ‘2010 Philly Fight of the Year’. Ennis won the fight, but both boxers rightly won the ‘Briscoe’.

Dhafir Smith won a special Briscoe Award for his ‘Upset of the Year’, for his magnificent victory over former world champion Jeff Lacy. Smith defied all odds by going onto Lacy's own back yard to battle his way to a major upset victory.

Amateur star Damon Allen, Jr. won the ‘Everett Brothers Award’ which is presented by Eddie Everett and Mike Everett in the name of their deceased brother Tyrone and their family's great boxing tradition.

PHOTO CREDIT; Gary Purfield

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Kimbo Slice Invades Heartland Oct. 15 fight in Nebraska

One of the world’s most feared fighters, heavyweight Kimbo Slice, returns to the ring October 15 for only the second time as a professional boxer, facing Tay Bledsoe in a four-round bout at Heartland Events Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.

“Kimbo Slice is a tremendous puncher,” his co-promoter Gary Shaw said. “We believe that he has unlimited potential in boxing. He’ll learn each fight and become even more of a threat in the boxing ring than he ever was in mixed martial arts.”

An underground combat-fighting legend, largely through You Tube, Kimbo Slice, aka Kevin Ferguson, made his much-anticipated MMA debut in a 2007 exhibition in Atlantic City, where he defeated former WBO heavyweight champion and Olympic gold-medalist Ray Mercer by way of a guillotine choke at 1:12 of the first round. Slice soon signed a contract with ProElite and later joined the UFC.

Slice’s development as a boxer has been on an accelerated pace because of world-renown trainer John David Jackson’s presence in his corner as chief second.

In his pro boxing debut this past August in Miami, Oklahoma, Slice (1-0, 1 KO) needed only 17 seconds, including the referee’s 10 count, to register a sensational knockout of James Wade. In front of a sold-out crowd at Buffalo Run Casino, Slice immediately attacked Wade, cutting off the ring and throwing combinations, until a powerful right sent Wade through the ropes and into a deep sleep.

Slice’s other co-promoter, Tony Holden, believes Kimbo Slice is on his way to becoming the most exciting American heavyweight in years. “The heavyweight division is searching for a star that can punch like Mike Tyson and fill arenas,” Holden commented. “Kimbo is developing quickly as a heavyweight boxer and, when he gets some experience, look out!”

Hard-hitting heavyweights Kimbo Slice and Franklin“Yah Yah” Lawrence will be showcased in separate bouts October 15 on the“Rumble in the Heartland” card, presented by Gary Shaw Productions and Legacy Communications, at Heartland Events Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.
♔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.