An outstanding evening of world class professional boxing on Friday, February 15th at Cicero Stadium presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated.
CELEBRATION marks the 10th anniversary of Chicago’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
Tickets for CELEBRATION are available in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions offices 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 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.
The Denver based Alvarado brings a record of 19-0 (13KO’s) into battle against the Salinas, California native Rodriguez, 17-2 (5KO’s). This will be Alvarado’s fourth Chicagoland appearance in the last year, the past three being broadcast on SOLO BOXEO TECATE.
In his most recent local battle, the heavy handed Alvarado knocked out Jorge Alberto Padilla in the eighth round at the Congress Theater on August 24, 2007. Prior to that, the 27 year old prospect knocked out Francisco Campos on June 8, 2007 and won a majority decision over Carlos Molina on February 16, 2007 at Cicero Stadium. The back and forth war with Molina had the packed house on their feet for the duration of the fight.
Rodriguez is riding a nine bout winning streak, most recently taking a decision over previously unbeaten Omri Lowther on October 19, 2007 at Raley Field in Sacramento, California, a bout broadcast on SHOBOX. The winning streak also includes wins over Hector Alatorre, Carlos De La Cruz and Freddie Barrera.
The full fight card for CELEBRATION is;
Mike Alvarado vs. Jesus Rodriguez, ten rounds, junior welterweights
Alejandro Perez vs. Jorge Cardenas, eight rounds, super bantamweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. Andre Wilson, eight rounds, bantamweights
Andrzej Fonfara vs. Francisco Rincon, six rounds, junior middleweights
Freddie Cuevas vs. TBA, six rounds, middleweights
Ivan Popoca vs. TBA, four rounds, junior welterweights
The open to the public weigh-in will be held at 7pm on Thursday, February 14th at Club Aquarius, 2459 N. Pulaski on the Northwest side of Chicago.
Along with Chicago’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, CELEBRATION is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico, Mexico’s premier airline travel headquarters. The SOLO BOXEO TECATE broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.
The Master of Ceremonies for CELEBRATION will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.
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
For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit.
www.toprank.com
CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998
Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions
www.8countproductions.com
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
KELLY PAVLIK, JERMAIN TAYLOR FERNANDO MONTIEL, MARTÍN CASTILLO CRISTIAN MIJARES, JOSE NAVARRO BOB ARUM and LOU DIBELLA NEWS CONFERENCE LUNCHEON
THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL, BEVERLY HILLS – Boxing’s top two middleweights --undefeated middleweight champion KELLY “The Ghost” PAVLIK and former undisputed world champion JERMAIN “Bad Intentions” TAYLOR -- along with World Boxing Organization junior bantamweight champion FERNANDO MONTIEL and his opponent, former world champion MARTÍN CASTILLO, and World Boxing Council super flyweight champion CRISTIAN MIJARES and his opponent, three-time world title challenger JOSE NAVARRO, plus promoters Bob Arum and Lou DiBella, will host a news conference luncheon at The Beverly Hills Hotel. Promoted by Top Rank and DiBella Entertainment, all three 12-round battles will take place Saturday, February 16, at MGM Grand, and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. PST.
NO HOLDS BARRED: What They Dare Not Tell You
NO HOLDS BARRED: What They Dare Not Tell You
http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2008-02-12T05_27_29-08_00
On this edition of NO HOLDS BARRED, host Eddie Goldman offers a timely and essential commentary on a number of major controversies in the combat sports.
The topics include a review of last Saturday's upset of Paul Williams by Carlos Quintana, the need for a Mayweather-Cotto fight, and this coming Saturday's rematch between Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor; the disastrous debut of Brock Lesnar in UFC, and how that company more and more positions itself similarly to the staged pro "wrestling"; the necessity of understanding real wrestling for understanding mixed martial arts; the purchase by the UFC owners of the assets of Pride even though that organization was well-known as being a front for the Yakuza, the Japanese mob, and the subsequent lawsuit by the main figures in Zuffa, UFC's parent company, against the former owners of Pride; the possibility that the growing number of controversies, lawsuits, and outrages committed by the UFC management could jeopardize their getting sanctioned in New York; why other mixed martial arts promoters should disassociate themselves from the UFC management and the direction they have taken; how most of what claims to be the mixed martial arts media miserably fails to cover these issues; and more.
To listen to NO HOLDS BARRED, click the link at the start of this message, scroll down that page, and just press the play button on the player.
You can also download it by scrolling down that page and clicking on the download link (right-click to save it).
Also, NO HOLDS BARRED is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441.
The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
The NO HOLDS BARRED theme song is called "The Heist", by musician Ian Carpenter (http://iancarpenter.com/).
Make sure to check out my regular weekly boxing show SecondsOut Radio. On this week's edition, we begin by reviewing some important fights of the past week. Discussed are the successful defense by Holly Holm of her IFBA welterweight title over Belinda Laracuente, the entertaining draw between Chevelle Hallback and Melissa Hernandez for the still-vacant IFBA lightweight title, and the surprising upset by Carlos Quintana over the previously-unbeaten Paul Williams by unanimous decision to capture his WBO welterweight title. We next focus on a highly-anticipated rematch coming up this Saturday, February 16, in Las Vegas. When Jermain Taylor, then undefeated and the middleweight champion of the world, first fought Kelly Pavlik last Sept. 29 in Atlantic City, he was a clear favorite going into that bout. Taylor hurt and dropped Pavlik in the second round of that fight, but could not finish him. Pavlik regrouped and went on to drop, and stop, Taylor in the seventh round, winning the fight and the title with a thunderous TKO. Now the rematch is at hand, although it will be at a catch weight of 166 pounds and not for the middleweight title. Still, the legacy of both men is on the line, and the future of their careers will be in large part determined by the outcome of this fight, as they each vow to be the decisive winner this time out. At a prefight news conference in New York, we spoke with the middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs) about this rematch. We spoke with Jermain Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KOs) on a media teleconference call about his approach to this fight. And we spoke with Taylor's trainer, Ozell Nelson, about what changes their team plans to make in this rematch with Pavlik, and about Taylor's engaging manner. This fight will be telecast in the U.S. on HBO Pay-Per-View. It is free to listen to SecondsOut Radio, but you must register to gain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/, and listen, learn, and enjoy.
Make sure to check out my regular articles on the ADCC News at http://www.adcombat.com/ and on FightBeat.com at http://fightbeat.com/.
NO HOLDS BARRED is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Art of War (http://www.artofwarlive.com/), the undisputed arena fighting championship, promoted by SUN Sports and Entertainment, producing world class mixed martial arts events. For more information, check out their web site, ArtOfWarLive.com (http://www.artofwarlive.com/).
IFL, the International Fight League (http://ifl.tv/), the world's first professional mixed martial arts league. Make sure to check out their regular TV shows on FSN (Fox Sports Net) (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/1636002) in the U.S., and to check your local listings for dates and times. Check out the IFL web site (http://ifl.tv/), for a listing of IFL live events and their TV schedule, at http://ifl.tv/TV-Schedule.html.
Gladiator Challenge (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/), shaking up the mixed martial arts world since 1999, and now with 30 shows per year. For more news and info, check out their web site, GladiatorChallenge.com (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/).
BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com/), your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.
Gladiator Magazine (http://gladmag.com/), for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com/) or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear (http://jiujitsuprogear.com/).
FightBeat.com (http://fightbeat.com/), for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.
Thanks, Eddie Goldman
No Holds Barred blog http://nhbnews.blogspot.com/
No Holds Barred podcast http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/
No Holds Barred on MySpace http://www.myspace.com/nhbnews
Enjoy!
http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2008-02-12T05_27_29-08_00
On this edition of NO HOLDS BARRED, host Eddie Goldman offers a timely and essential commentary on a number of major controversies in the combat sports.
The topics include a review of last Saturday's upset of Paul Williams by Carlos Quintana, the need for a Mayweather-Cotto fight, and this coming Saturday's rematch between Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor; the disastrous debut of Brock Lesnar in UFC, and how that company more and more positions itself similarly to the staged pro "wrestling"; the necessity of understanding real wrestling for understanding mixed martial arts; the purchase by the UFC owners of the assets of Pride even though that organization was well-known as being a front for the Yakuza, the Japanese mob, and the subsequent lawsuit by the main figures in Zuffa, UFC's parent company, against the former owners of Pride; the possibility that the growing number of controversies, lawsuits, and outrages committed by the UFC management could jeopardize their getting sanctioned in New York; why other mixed martial arts promoters should disassociate themselves from the UFC management and the direction they have taken; how most of what claims to be the mixed martial arts media miserably fails to cover these issues; and more.
To listen to NO HOLDS BARRED, click the link at the start of this message, scroll down that page, and just press the play button on the player.
You can also download it by scrolling down that page and clicking on the download link (right-click to save it).
Also, NO HOLDS BARRED is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441.
The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
The NO HOLDS BARRED theme song is called "The Heist", by musician Ian Carpenter (http://iancarpenter.com/).
Make sure to check out my regular weekly boxing show SecondsOut Radio. On this week's edition, we begin by reviewing some important fights of the past week. Discussed are the successful defense by Holly Holm of her IFBA welterweight title over Belinda Laracuente, the entertaining draw between Chevelle Hallback and Melissa Hernandez for the still-vacant IFBA lightweight title, and the surprising upset by Carlos Quintana over the previously-unbeaten Paul Williams by unanimous decision to capture his WBO welterweight title. We next focus on a highly-anticipated rematch coming up this Saturday, February 16, in Las Vegas. When Jermain Taylor, then undefeated and the middleweight champion of the world, first fought Kelly Pavlik last Sept. 29 in Atlantic City, he was a clear favorite going into that bout. Taylor hurt and dropped Pavlik in the second round of that fight, but could not finish him. Pavlik regrouped and went on to drop, and stop, Taylor in the seventh round, winning the fight and the title with a thunderous TKO. Now the rematch is at hand, although it will be at a catch weight of 166 pounds and not for the middleweight title. Still, the legacy of both men is on the line, and the future of their careers will be in large part determined by the outcome of this fight, as they each vow to be the decisive winner this time out. At a prefight news conference in New York, we spoke with the middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs) about this rematch. We spoke with Jermain Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KOs) on a media teleconference call about his approach to this fight. And we spoke with Taylor's trainer, Ozell Nelson, about what changes their team plans to make in this rematch with Pavlik, and about Taylor's engaging manner. This fight will be telecast in the U.S. on HBO Pay-Per-View. It is free to listen to SecondsOut Radio, but you must register to gain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/, and listen, learn, and enjoy.
Make sure to check out my regular articles on the ADCC News at http://www.adcombat.com/ and on FightBeat.com at http://fightbeat.com/.
NO HOLDS BARRED is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Art of War (http://www.artofwarlive.com/), the undisputed arena fighting championship, promoted by SUN Sports and Entertainment, producing world class mixed martial arts events. For more information, check out their web site, ArtOfWarLive.com (http://www.artofwarlive.com/).
IFL, the International Fight League (http://ifl.tv/), the world's first professional mixed martial arts league. Make sure to check out their regular TV shows on FSN (Fox Sports Net) (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/1636002) in the U.S., and to check your local listings for dates and times. Check out the IFL web site (http://ifl.tv/), for a listing of IFL live events and their TV schedule, at http://ifl.tv/TV-Schedule.html.
Gladiator Challenge (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/), shaking up the mixed martial arts world since 1999, and now with 30 shows per year. For more news and info, check out their web site, GladiatorChallenge.com (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/).
BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com/), your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.
Gladiator Magazine (http://gladmag.com/), for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com/) or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear (http://jiujitsuprogear.com/).
FightBeat.com (http://fightbeat.com/), for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.
Thanks, Eddie Goldman
No Holds Barred blog http://nhbnews.blogspot.com/
No Holds Barred podcast http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/
No Holds Barred on MySpace http://www.myspace.com/nhbnews
Enjoy!
GOLD-SELLING MIAMI RAPPER PITBULL TO PERFORM DURING ELITEXC’S SPECTACULAR MMA EVENT SATURDAY, FEB. 16, AT BANK UNITED CENTER
LOS ANGELES– From the stage to the cage, without missing a beat.
Pitbull, a hugely popular, gold-selling Miami-based hip hop superstar, will perform during EliteXC’s highly anticipated Mixed Martial Arts event in Miami, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 16, at BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.
The main event will feature Miami’s YouTube legend, Kimbo Slice, against MMA pioneer and fellow street brawler, Tank Abbott, of Huntington Beach, Calif., but the opportunity for the hometown fans to witness live the extraordinarily talented Pitbull is worth the price of admission.
Since he burst on the national scene as a featured performer on Lil Jon’s double platinum selling album Kings of Crunk in 2002, the phenomenal Pitbull has had three smash albums -- his gold-selling debut M.I.A.M.I (2004), El Mariel (2006) and the recently released The Boatlift (2007).
The Boatlift showcases Pitbull’s lyrical prowess as he crusades through 18 tracks penning clever and captivating rhymes on each song. Pitbull has created an incredibly diverse album ranging from R&B-influenced sounds like the first single "Secret Admirer" featuring Lloyd, to hypnotic club banger “Go Girl” teaming with Trina and Young Boss, and current Afro-Cuban melodic single “The Anthem” with a bombastic chant by Lil Jon. "The Anthem" is No. 15 on the Top 40 Rhythm chart and breaking big on Mainstream Top 40 (Pop) radio.
Cuban-American MC Pitbull surpassed gold status for more than 500,000 copies sold of his debut album M.I.A.M.I.: Money Is A Major Issue in the United States. The accomplishment gave Pitbull the biggest-selling bilingual hip-hop debut since Cypress Hill’s 1991 self-titled debut, and put him in the rare category of Latino rappers who have achieved major success in English-language radio. In addition to being the No. 1 Latin artist on MySpace, Pitbull unleashed his sophomore album El Mariel in late 2006 spawning the No. 1 Latin Rap hit, "Dime".
Tickets for a 10-bout event start at $35 and are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and at the BankUnited Box Office. Doors open at 7 p.m. ET; first fight is at 7:30.
Besides an exciting heavyweight brawl between Kimbo (1-0) and Tank (9-13), a tremendous undercard will include Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva (9-1), who lives in Coconut Creek, Fla., vs. former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez (27-7), of Staten Island, N.Y., Australian Kyle “The Ozzie’’ Noke (11-2), the bodyguard of the late Steve “Crocodile Hunter’’ Irwin, vs. Scott “Hands Of Stone’’ Smith (12-5), of Sacramento, Calif., Edson Berto (13-4-1), of Tampa, Fla., vs. Yves Edwards (32-13-1) of Conroe, Tex.
About ProElite, Inc.
ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of MMA enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM
Contacts: EliteXC (Brener Zwikel & Associates, Inc.) Dan Clavadetscher / John Beyrooty
For PITBULL interviews, information, and publicity materials please contact:
Joe Wiggins TVT Records Urban Publicity
Pitbull resources
www.myspace.com/pitbull
http://www.pitbullmusic.com/
Pitbull, a hugely popular, gold-selling Miami-based hip hop superstar, will perform during EliteXC’s highly anticipated Mixed Martial Arts event in Miami, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 16, at BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.
The main event will feature Miami’s YouTube legend, Kimbo Slice, against MMA pioneer and fellow street brawler, Tank Abbott, of Huntington Beach, Calif., but the opportunity for the hometown fans to witness live the extraordinarily talented Pitbull is worth the price of admission.
Since he burst on the national scene as a featured performer on Lil Jon’s double platinum selling album Kings of Crunk in 2002, the phenomenal Pitbull has had three smash albums -- his gold-selling debut M.I.A.M.I (2004), El Mariel (2006) and the recently released The Boatlift (2007).
The Boatlift showcases Pitbull’s lyrical prowess as he crusades through 18 tracks penning clever and captivating rhymes on each song. Pitbull has created an incredibly diverse album ranging from R&B-influenced sounds like the first single "Secret Admirer" featuring Lloyd, to hypnotic club banger “Go Girl” teaming with Trina and Young Boss, and current Afro-Cuban melodic single “The Anthem” with a bombastic chant by Lil Jon. "The Anthem" is No. 15 on the Top 40 Rhythm chart and breaking big on Mainstream Top 40 (Pop) radio.
Cuban-American MC Pitbull surpassed gold status for more than 500,000 copies sold of his debut album M.I.A.M.I.: Money Is A Major Issue in the United States. The accomplishment gave Pitbull the biggest-selling bilingual hip-hop debut since Cypress Hill’s 1991 self-titled debut, and put him in the rare category of Latino rappers who have achieved major success in English-language radio. In addition to being the No. 1 Latin artist on MySpace, Pitbull unleashed his sophomore album El Mariel in late 2006 spawning the No. 1 Latin Rap hit, "Dime".
Tickets for a 10-bout event start at $35 and are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and at the BankUnited Box Office. Doors open at 7 p.m. ET; first fight is at 7:30.
Besides an exciting heavyweight brawl between Kimbo (1-0) and Tank (9-13), a tremendous undercard will include Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva (9-1), who lives in Coconut Creek, Fla., vs. former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez (27-7), of Staten Island, N.Y., Australian Kyle “The Ozzie’’ Noke (11-2), the bodyguard of the late Steve “Crocodile Hunter’’ Irwin, vs. Scott “Hands Of Stone’’ Smith (12-5), of Sacramento, Calif., Edson Berto (13-4-1), of Tampa, Fla., vs. Yves Edwards (32-13-1) of Conroe, Tex.
About ProElite, Inc.
ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of MMA enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM
Contacts: EliteXC (Brener Zwikel & Associates, Inc.) Dan Clavadetscher / John Beyrooty
For PITBULL interviews, information, and publicity materials please contact:
Joe Wiggins TVT Records Urban Publicity
Pitbull resources
www.myspace.com/pitbull
http://www.pitbullmusic.com/
Ali "Hurricane" Oubaali will be featured on ESPN2, February 15th, live from the Mohegan Sun Arena Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut
Ali "Hurricane" Oubaali (20-3, 17 KO's) will be featured on ESPN2, February 15th, 2008, in a co-main event fight against The British Champion Ashley " The Treasure " Theophane (22-2-1-, 7 KO's), the bout is scheduled for 10 rounds, in the Junior Welterweight division, live from the Mohegan Sun Arena Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Ali Oubaali
Aidemmediapr
Ali Oubaali
Aidemmediapr
TOUGH-TALKING, CROWD-PLEASING PHIL BARONI SIGNS MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT WITH ELITEXC
LOS ANGELES– One of the toughest-talking, hardest-fighting, most colorful competitors in Mixed Martial Arts, Phil “The New York Bad Ass’’ Baroni, has signed a multi-year contract with Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s Live Fight Division, EliteXC.
“You know any Jersey boy like me likes a ‘New York Bad Ass’ and Phil’s definitely as bad as they come,’’ said EliteXC Live Events President, Gary Shaw, who made the announcement Saturday. “Phil is a promoter’s dream. He’s a character but also as courageous a fighter as I’ve been around.
“But what I truly love about him is he always comes not only to fight but to win and put on a show. He’s a crowd-pleaser extraordinaire. This is a great addition to the EliteXC family and we are thrilled to sign him. Fans can expect to see Phil back in the cage and fighting his heart out very soon.’’
Baroni’s next fight is March 15 on the EliteXC Hawaii-based Icon Sport promotion. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“This is a great deal and opportunity. I appreciate EliteXC sticking with me and believing in me enough to sign me,’’ said Baroni (http://philbaroni.proelite.com/), whose last fight came against Frank Shamrock (http://frankshamrock.proelite.com/) on June 22, 2007.
A native of Long Island, N.Y., Baroni didn’t win an incredibly exciting slugfest that lived up to its hype and anticipation, but he showed as much grit and determination as anyone could expect.
“I’m looking forward to returning to the cage and kicking (butt),’’ said Baroni, whose EliteXC contract will allow him to continue to perform for Strikeforce. “Everybody knows I got hurt early and couldn’t do everything I wanted to do against Shamrock. But I’m 100 percent now, ready for anybody. I pity the guy I fight next, or the one after that. Trust me, everybody is going to pay from here on out.’’
For more information on EliteXC and other MMA-related stories, including bios, video-on-demand, photos, stats, Fantasy Fight Game TM and more, please visit ProElite.com and EliteXC.com.
ProElite, Inc.
ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of MMA enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM
Contacts:EliteXC (Brener Zwikel & Associates, Inc.), Dan Clavadetscher / John Beyrooty
“You know any Jersey boy like me likes a ‘New York Bad Ass’ and Phil’s definitely as bad as they come,’’ said EliteXC Live Events President, Gary Shaw, who made the announcement Saturday. “Phil is a promoter’s dream. He’s a character but also as courageous a fighter as I’ve been around.
“But what I truly love about him is he always comes not only to fight but to win and put on a show. He’s a crowd-pleaser extraordinaire. This is a great addition to the EliteXC family and we are thrilled to sign him. Fans can expect to see Phil back in the cage and fighting his heart out very soon.’’
Baroni’s next fight is March 15 on the EliteXC Hawaii-based Icon Sport promotion. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“This is a great deal and opportunity. I appreciate EliteXC sticking with me and believing in me enough to sign me,’’ said Baroni (http://philbaroni.proelite.com/), whose last fight came against Frank Shamrock (http://frankshamrock.proelite.com/) on June 22, 2007.
A native of Long Island, N.Y., Baroni didn’t win an incredibly exciting slugfest that lived up to its hype and anticipation, but he showed as much grit and determination as anyone could expect.
“I’m looking forward to returning to the cage and kicking (butt),’’ said Baroni, whose EliteXC contract will allow him to continue to perform for Strikeforce. “Everybody knows I got hurt early and couldn’t do everything I wanted to do against Shamrock. But I’m 100 percent now, ready for anybody. I pity the guy I fight next, or the one after that. Trust me, everybody is going to pay from here on out.’’
For more information on EliteXC and other MMA-related stories, including bios, video-on-demand, photos, stats, Fantasy Fight Game TM and more, please visit ProElite.com and EliteXC.com.
ProElite, Inc.
ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of MMA enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM
Contacts:EliteXC (Brener Zwikel & Associates, Inc.), Dan Clavadetscher / John Beyrooty
FREDDIE CUEVAS RETURNS TO THE RING THIS FRIDAY NIGHT IN CHICAGO
Middleweight veteran “CLASSY” Freddie Cuevas will return to the ring this Friday night, February 15th to take on Dominican Luis Hodge at CELEBRATION, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing marking the 10 year anniversary of Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
Tickets for CELEBRATION are available in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions offices 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 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.
Cuevas’ return marks his first fight in Chicago in almost three years. Long a favorite amongst Chicago fight fans, Cuevas, 25-9-1 (17KO’s) had previously announced his retirement after his battle with middleweight contender John Duddy at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2006.
The 28 year old Hodge, 5-5 (3KO’s) is making his second appearance in Chicago, previously battling highly regarded Polish prospect Andrzej Fonfara on September 17, 2007 at the Congress Theatre.
Speaking after a sparring session at JABB Boxing Gym, the 38 year old Chicago based Cuevas spoke about his comeback,
“The time off has been great for my body. After the Duddy fight I needed a rest. I’ve been a pro since 1995 and had always been either fighting or training to fight without giving my body a break.”
“Now, things that bothered me like my shoulder, my elbow and my back all feel fine. I’ve changed my workout schedule and regimen and feel better than I’ve felt in years.”
“I really had no intention of coming back except that in the last six months while I’ve been training just to keep in shape, my body has responded well and I want to give it one more shot.”
Speaking about fighting back in his hometown of Chicago for the first time in almost three years, Cuevas said, “I’ve fought all over the country and in Europe and often times people have traveled to see me fight in Vegas, New York or Atlantic City. However, I’ve always felt great fighting here, the fans have been very supportive since I turned pro in 1995.
Chicago was the site of Cuevas’ biggest wins of his career, seventh rounds knockouts of former world champions Wilfredo Rivera and Charles Murray in 2002.
CELEBRATION, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing, presented by 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated is headlined by an outstanding battle between junior welterweight prospects Mike Alvarado and Jesus “CHUY” Rodriguez.
As part of the CELEBRATION event, Rocky Martinez and Mike "FLY" Garcia
will be inducted into the 8 Count Productions Hall of Fame.
The full fight card for CELEBRATION is;
Mike Alvarado vs. Jesus Rodriguez, ten rounds, junior welterweights
Alejandro Perez vs. Torrence Daniels, eight rounds, super bantamweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. Andre Wilson, eight rounds, bantamweights
Andrzej Fonfara vs. Francisco Rincon, six rounds, junior middleweights
Freddie Cuevas vs. Luis Hodge, six rounds, middleweights
Ivan Popoca vs. Guadalupe Diaz, four rounds, junior welterweights
The open to the public weigh-in will be held at 7pm on Thursday, February 14th at Club Aquarius, 2459 N. Pulaski on the Northwest side of Chicago.
Along with Chicago’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, CELEBRATION is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico, Mexico’s premier airline travel headquarters. The SOLO BOXEO TECATE broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.
The Master of Ceremonies for CELEBRATION will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.
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 http://www.8countproductions.com/ and http://www.jabbboxinggym.com/
For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit.
http://www.toprank.com/
CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998
Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions
Tickets for CELEBRATION are available in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions offices 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 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.
Cuevas’ return marks his first fight in Chicago in almost three years. Long a favorite amongst Chicago fight fans, Cuevas, 25-9-1 (17KO’s) had previously announced his retirement after his battle with middleweight contender John Duddy at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2006.
The 28 year old Hodge, 5-5 (3KO’s) is making his second appearance in Chicago, previously battling highly regarded Polish prospect Andrzej Fonfara on September 17, 2007 at the Congress Theatre.
Speaking after a sparring session at JABB Boxing Gym, the 38 year old Chicago based Cuevas spoke about his comeback,
“The time off has been great for my body. After the Duddy fight I needed a rest. I’ve been a pro since 1995 and had always been either fighting or training to fight without giving my body a break.”
“Now, things that bothered me like my shoulder, my elbow and my back all feel fine. I’ve changed my workout schedule and regimen and feel better than I’ve felt in years.”
“I really had no intention of coming back except that in the last six months while I’ve been training just to keep in shape, my body has responded well and I want to give it one more shot.”
Speaking about fighting back in his hometown of Chicago for the first time in almost three years, Cuevas said, “I’ve fought all over the country and in Europe and often times people have traveled to see me fight in Vegas, New York or Atlantic City. However, I’ve always felt great fighting here, the fans have been very supportive since I turned pro in 1995.
Chicago was the site of Cuevas’ biggest wins of his career, seventh rounds knockouts of former world champions Wilfredo Rivera and Charles Murray in 2002.
CELEBRATION, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing, presented by 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated is headlined by an outstanding battle between junior welterweight prospects Mike Alvarado and Jesus “CHUY” Rodriguez.
As part of the CELEBRATION event, Rocky Martinez and Mike "FLY" Garcia
will be inducted into the 8 Count Productions Hall of Fame.
The full fight card for CELEBRATION is;
Mike Alvarado vs. Jesus Rodriguez, ten rounds, junior welterweights
Alejandro Perez vs. Torrence Daniels, eight rounds, super bantamweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. Andre Wilson, eight rounds, bantamweights
Andrzej Fonfara vs. Francisco Rincon, six rounds, junior middleweights
Freddie Cuevas vs. Luis Hodge, six rounds, middleweights
Ivan Popoca vs. Guadalupe Diaz, four rounds, junior welterweights
The open to the public weigh-in will be held at 7pm on Thursday, February 14th at Club Aquarius, 2459 N. Pulaski on the Northwest side of Chicago.
Along with Chicago’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, CELEBRATION is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico, Mexico’s premier airline travel headquarters. The SOLO BOXEO TECATE broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.
The Master of Ceremonies for CELEBRATION will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.
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 http://www.8countproductions.com/ and http://www.jabbboxinggym.com/
For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit.
http://www.toprank.com/
CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998
Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions
SecondsOut Radio: Kelly Pavlik, Jermain Taylor, Ozell Nelson, More on Women's Boxing
SecondsOut Radio: Kelly Pavlik, Jermain Taylor, Ozell Nelson, More onWomen's Boxing On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio, at http://www.secondsout.com/radio/,host Eddie Goldman begins by reviewing some important fights of the past week.
Discussed are the successful defense by Holly Holm of her IFBA welterweight title over Belinda Laracuente, the entertaining draw between Chevelle Hallback and Melissa Hernandez for the still-vacantIFBA lightweight title, and the surprising upset by Carlos Quintana over the previously-unbeaten Paul Williams by unanimous decision to capture his WBO welterweight title.
We next focus on a highly-anticipated rematch coming up this Saturday,February 16, Las Vegas. When Jermain Taylor, then undefeated and themiddleweight champion of the world, first fought Kelly Pavlik last Sept. 29 in Atlantic City, he was a clear favorite going into that bout. Taylor hurt and dropped Pavlik in the second round of that fight, but could not finish him. Pavlik regrouped and went on to drop,and stop, Taylor in the seventh round, winning the fight and the title with a thunderous TKO.
Now the rematch is at hand, although it will be at a catch weight of166 pounds and not for the middleweight title. Still, the legacy ofboth men is on the line, and the future of their careers will be in large part determined by the outcome of this fight, as they each vowto be the decisive winner this time out.
At a prefight news conference in New York, we spoke with the middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik (32-0, 29 KOs) about this rematch. We spoke with Jermain Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KOs) on a media tele conference call about his approach to this fight.
And we spoke with Taylor's trainer, Ozell Nelson, about what changes their team plans to make in this rematch with Pavlik, and about Taylor's engaging manner. This fight will be telecast in the U.S. on HBO Pay-Per-View. It is free to listen to SecondsOut Radio, but you must register togain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/,and listen, learn, and enjoy. Thanks, Eddie Goldman No Holds Barred bloghttp://nhbnews.blogspot.com/ No Holds Barred podcasthttp://nhbnews.podomatic.com/ No Holds Barred on MySpacehttp://www.myspace.com/nhbnews
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