Ijeoma "The Praise" Egbunine is making a homecoming fight May 9th, 2008 at FIESTA RODEO IN ATLANTA GEORGIA.
In the main event Ijeoma "The Praise" Egbunine is fighting Lisa Ested who last fought Ann wolf and lost in a unianimous decision in 2006. There will be three other female bouts on the Golden Girl Boxing Promotions 1st promotion debut show.
Ijeoma said , "this is like a tune up fight for me", Ijeoma "The Praise" Egbunine is fighting for the WBC, IFBA, WIBA Light Heavy Weight Championship sometime in July.
"I have a score to settle with Laura Ramsey, Nikki Eplion" said Ijeoma.
"Then after that I will collect from Natasha Rogasina what belongs to me". "I chased Laila Ali for months, she took a brake now it is you Natasha".
"Natasha you must stop fighting Junior middle weights for Supper middle weights titles, that is an insult to female boxing".
"Natasha you cannot continue with Laila's pattern and others to avoid defeats by me".
"Team Praise" PR.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
STEVE “USS” CUNNINGHAM NAMED BEST BOXER BY RING MAGAZINE; IBF cruiserweight champion best boxer by the”Bible of Boxing” for second consecutive year
Philadelphia- For the second consecutive year, Ring Magazine has named Steve “USS” Cunningham the best boxer in the cruiserweight division.
It was a banner 2007 for Cunningham has he won and then defended the IBF Cruiserweight championship.
Ike and Steve Cunningham
When told of the honor, Cunningham was more then happy of the accomplishment.
“This means a lot to me. It means the hard work I have put in to reach a certain level has continued and people still recognize that. I only plan to bring my skills up to a higher level and continue to reign as champion.”
“The Ring Magazine means a lot and with David Haye moving to heavyweight, I know one of the criteria’s of crowning a new champion is that the top-two contenders fighting each other. As I look at the rankings, I am number-one and Jean-Marc Mormeck is two. We are both promoted by Don King so I hope that a fight with us can be made so I can win that belt.”
Cunningham, 21-1 with eleven knockouts will also be appearing on ESPN radio, 950-am in Philadelphia on the Mike Missinelli show this Friday in the 3 o’clock hour.
The champ will be doing the show live at O'Malley's, 56 Cresent Blvd, Gloucester City, NJ.
contact marc abrams@15rounds.com
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved
It was a banner 2007 for Cunningham has he won and then defended the IBF Cruiserweight championship.
Ike and Steve Cunningham
When told of the honor, Cunningham was more then happy of the accomplishment.
“This means a lot to me. It means the hard work I have put in to reach a certain level has continued and people still recognize that. I only plan to bring my skills up to a higher level and continue to reign as champion.”
“The Ring Magazine means a lot and with David Haye moving to heavyweight, I know one of the criteria’s of crowning a new champion is that the top-two contenders fighting each other. As I look at the rankings, I am number-one and Jean-Marc Mormeck is two. We are both promoted by Don King so I hope that a fight with us can be made so I can win that belt.”
Cunningham, 21-1 with eleven knockouts will also be appearing on ESPN radio, 950-am in Philadelphia on the Mike Missinelli show this Friday in the 3 o’clock hour.
The champ will be doing the show live at O'Malley's, 56 Cresent Blvd, Gloucester City, NJ.
contact marc abrams@15rounds.com
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved
DJ Times Announces ’08 America’s Best DJ Nominees at WMC; Pioneer Pro DJ to re-up as title sponsor of the ABDJ Summer Tour!
Port Washington- As it celebrates 20 years of chronicling United States DJ Culture, DJ Times magazine kicked off its 2008 America’s Best DJ contest on March 25th at Miami’s Winter Music Conference by announcing this year’s top 100 nominees.
Now entering its third year, America’s Best DJ (ABDJ) stands to solidify itself as the pre-eminent DJ & nightlife culture branding event in the nation. Inaugurated in 2006, this exciting prize-packed promotion supports the growth of US DJ & nightlife culture by encouraging dance-music fans to get involved and promote their favorite US-based DJs in a quest to crown America’s top jock. Previous ABDJ winners include New York club king Jonathan Peters (2006) and Miami trance master George Acosta (2007).
For the second consecutive year, Pioneer Pro DJ will serve as title sponsor for the tour, which will culminate with a closing ceremony in Las Vegas. By the end of its 40 events, the tour will have entertained over 100,000 dance music fans throughout the United States.
“Our involvement with America’s Best DJ Tour extends our commitment to the art of DJing, and the experience it has on all it touches. As an industry leader, Pioneer’s success is realized when talented individuals demonstrate their skills using Pioneer Pro DJ equipment - the most advanced players and mixers in the industry,” said Matt Dever, vice president of Pioneer’s Professional Sound and Visual Division.
Over the past two summers, participating fans chose from a panel of America’s Top 100 DJs (nominated by the staff of DJ Times), casting votes both online at www.americasbestdj.net and in-person at 40 tour stops featuring showcased nominees at some of America’s top club venues like Pacha (New York), Ruby Skye (San Francisco), Crobar (Chicago), Space (Miami), Krave (Las Vegas), and Vanguard (Los Angeles).
“We believe that America’s Best DJ—the contest and the tour—will continue to bring visibility for DJ culture and strengthen its lasting foundation in the US,” says DJ Times Editor Jim Tremayne.
For the full list of 2008 America’s Best DJ nominees and more information on the Pioneer Pro DJ presents America’s Best DJ 2008 Summer Tour including tour cities dates and participating nominees, log on to www.americasbestdj.net. Voting for the 2008 contest begins May 1.
About DJ Times & Testa Communications:
In addition to hosting the America's Best DJ contest and tour, Testa Communications also sponsors the International DJ Expo and publishes DJ Times, Club World, The Music & Sound Retailer, and Sound & Communications magazines and produces Convention TV News at trade shows. For more information, visit www.testacommunications.com
About Pioneer Pro DJ:
Pioneer offers a complete line of professional DJ equipment through its Professional Sound and Visual Division. Their DJM, CDJ, DVJ and SVM Professional DJ equipment are known for their high quality sound and reliability and considered the industry standard at clubs, studios, mobile rigs and homes around the world. For more information, visit www.pioneerprodj.com
Pioneer contact:
Jaed Arzadon, 310.952.2451 or jade.arzadon@pioneer-usa.com
For more information on the 2008 International DJ Expo and the all-new
Seminar and Panel program tracks, click to www.djtimes.com/djexpo
CONTACT:
Justin Kleinfeld, Rephlektor Ink.,
Peter Wohelski, DJ Times,
Now entering its third year, America’s Best DJ (ABDJ) stands to solidify itself as the pre-eminent DJ & nightlife culture branding event in the nation. Inaugurated in 2006, this exciting prize-packed promotion supports the growth of US DJ & nightlife culture by encouraging dance-music fans to get involved and promote their favorite US-based DJs in a quest to crown America’s top jock. Previous ABDJ winners include New York club king Jonathan Peters (2006) and Miami trance master George Acosta (2007).
For the second consecutive year, Pioneer Pro DJ will serve as title sponsor for the tour, which will culminate with a closing ceremony in Las Vegas. By the end of its 40 events, the tour will have entertained over 100,000 dance music fans throughout the United States.
“Our involvement with America’s Best DJ Tour extends our commitment to the art of DJing, and the experience it has on all it touches. As an industry leader, Pioneer’s success is realized when talented individuals demonstrate their skills using Pioneer Pro DJ equipment - the most advanced players and mixers in the industry,” said Matt Dever, vice president of Pioneer’s Professional Sound and Visual Division.
Over the past two summers, participating fans chose from a panel of America’s Top 100 DJs (nominated by the staff of DJ Times), casting votes both online at www.americasbestdj.net and in-person at 40 tour stops featuring showcased nominees at some of America’s top club venues like Pacha (New York), Ruby Skye (San Francisco), Crobar (Chicago), Space (Miami), Krave (Las Vegas), and Vanguard (Los Angeles).
“We believe that America’s Best DJ—the contest and the tour—will continue to bring visibility for DJ culture and strengthen its lasting foundation in the US,” says DJ Times Editor Jim Tremayne.
For the full list of 2008 America’s Best DJ nominees and more information on the Pioneer Pro DJ presents America’s Best DJ 2008 Summer Tour including tour cities dates and participating nominees, log on to www.americasbestdj.net. Voting for the 2008 contest begins May 1.
About DJ Times & Testa Communications:
In addition to hosting the America's Best DJ contest and tour, Testa Communications also sponsors the International DJ Expo and publishes DJ Times, Club World, The Music & Sound Retailer, and Sound & Communications magazines and produces Convention TV News at trade shows. For more information, visit www.testacommunications.com
About Pioneer Pro DJ:
Pioneer offers a complete line of professional DJ equipment through its Professional Sound and Visual Division. Their DJM, CDJ, DVJ and SVM Professional DJ equipment are known for their high quality sound and reliability and considered the industry standard at clubs, studios, mobile rigs and homes around the world. For more information, visit www.pioneerprodj.com
Pioneer contact:
Jaed Arzadon, 310.952.2451 or jade.arzadon@pioneer-usa.com
For more information on the 2008 International DJ Expo and the all-new
Seminar and Panel program tracks, click to www.djtimes.com/djexpo
CONTACT:
Justin Kleinfeld, Rephlektor Ink.,
Peter Wohelski, DJ Times,
2008 "IFL Fight Night" broadcast continues on FSN with Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Alex Schoenauer Title Bout, Four Other Matchups Saturday at Midnight
NEW YORK– The first-ever International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI) individual title bout between light heavyweights stars Vladimir Matyushenko (Belarus) and Alex Schoenauer (Las Vegas) and IFL World Grand Prix semifinal contests featuring stars Jay Hieron (Las Vegas), Delson Heleno (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Roy Nelson (Las Vegas) will be among those featured in the next edition of “IFL Fight Night” on Fox Sports Net (FSN). The episode debuts on Saturday, April 26, at midnight local time in most markets. Viewers can confirm the time and replays during the week on their respective regional FSN networks at http://www.ifl.tv/TV-Schedule-FSN.html. In the feature bout, Matyushenko, unbeaten in IFL competition, takes on Schoenauer, who first gained attention in the MMA world as a contestant on the first Ultimate Fighter program, in the IFL’s first individual Championship. Other bouts on the one-hour telecast include: • Hieron, a Long Island, N.Y., native, tries to follow up his submission victory over Donnie Liles (Colorado Springs, Colo.) in this 170-lb. rematch• Heleno, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Capoeira master, also aims to reprise his earlier welterweight victory over Gideon Ray (Roselle, Ill.)• Nelson, whose only IFL defeat was via split decision, battles Renzo Gracie pupil Bryan Vetell (New York) in a heavyweight slugfest• Antoine Jaoude (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), unbeaten in IFL competition, takes on Shane Ott (Reading, Pa.), a surprise semifinalist after a stunning win over Chad Griggs. Veteran IFL play-by-play man Kenny Rice is joined by MMA legend Bas Rutten at the microphone ringside, with Ron Kruck providing additional commentary. The bouts were contested at the Sears Centre in suburban Chicago in November. In addition to the weekly “IFL Fight Night” on FSN, as well as in over 70 other countries and five continents around the world, ranging from HBO Latin America to Star TV in Asia and Middle Eastern Broadcasting and the Armed Forces Network, the first three IFL events of the year are being shown live on HDNet. IFL programming is already among the most viewed MMA programming worldwide, despite being in existence only two years. The next live IFL event is set for May 16 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., where three Championship belts will be on the line. HDNet will again provide live coverage. About the IFLInternational Fight League™ (IFL) has its headquarters in New York and offices in Las Vegas. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv.
"Hey, I'm Giuseppe Franco. I'm not putting my name on the line for something that doesn't work."- Giuseppe Franco * * *
Jerry Milani, Manager of Public Relations International Fight League
Catch the IFL on FSN Saturdays at midnight and LIVE on HDNet on May 16
Singing Sensation; Tasha Mabry will be appearing live at the Denim Lounge in Brooklyn New York Tuesday April 29, 2008, performance at 8:00 PM
Singing Sensation; Tasha Mabry will be appearing live at the Denim Lounge in Brooklyn New York Tuesday April 29, 2008, performance at 8:00 PM
WBO 130 POUND CHAMPION JOAN GUZMAN READY TO DEFEND AGAINST ALEX ARTHUR; FIGHT WILL GET A NEW DATE
SAN DIEGO, Calif– Contrary to information circulated on the internet, undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Lightweight Champion Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs) will travel to Scotland to defend his title against interim champion Alex Arthur.
Joan Guzman and Floyd Mayweather Sr
Inaccurate reports across the internet have stated that Guzman has pulled out of his title fight against Arthur (26-1, 19 KOs), which is currently scheduled for Saturday, May 3 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The highly anticipated fight, however, will likely be rescheduled.
“Guzman is not giving up his belt,” said Jose Nunez, Guzman’s long time manager. “He’s worked extremely hard and gone through tremendous sacrifices to become a world champion. He’s simply not going to give up his belt. Guzman will go to Scotland and he will successfully defend his title. The date will most likely be pushed back a bit.”
Guzman, who has fought in the U.K. once before, has had some trouble securing a visa that will allow him to travel to Scotland. According to Nunez, the issue is being resolved.
Jaon Guzman enter the ring to face Soto
“Rest assured that team Guzman will have all the appropriate paperwork for this fight,” Nunez said. “We know what has to be done and we understand the time frame that is needed to accomplish this.”
“Right now we’re taking a wait-and-see approach,” said Sean Gibbons, matchmaker for Sycuan Ringside Promotions, the company that promotes Guzman. “We are waiting for Frank Warren of Sports Network to give us the new, rescheduled date.”
Frank Warren won the rights to this championship fight in a WBO purse bid.
ABOUT SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS:
Sycuan Ringside Promotions of San Diego is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had six current or former world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts across the country on premium cable networks.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero, former WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz, lightweight sensation Jorge Paez Jr., undefeated cruiserweight prospect Shawn Hawk and once-beaten, super middleweight prospect Henry Buchanan.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Glenn Quiroga, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Scott Woodworth, vice president.
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved
Joan Guzman and Floyd Mayweather Sr
Inaccurate reports across the internet have stated that Guzman has pulled out of his title fight against Arthur (26-1, 19 KOs), which is currently scheduled for Saturday, May 3 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The highly anticipated fight, however, will likely be rescheduled.
“Guzman is not giving up his belt,” said Jose Nunez, Guzman’s long time manager. “He’s worked extremely hard and gone through tremendous sacrifices to become a world champion. He’s simply not going to give up his belt. Guzman will go to Scotland and he will successfully defend his title. The date will most likely be pushed back a bit.”
Guzman, who has fought in the U.K. once before, has had some trouble securing a visa that will allow him to travel to Scotland. According to Nunez, the issue is being resolved.
Jaon Guzman enter the ring to face Soto
“Rest assured that team Guzman will have all the appropriate paperwork for this fight,” Nunez said. “We know what has to be done and we understand the time frame that is needed to accomplish this.”
“Right now we’re taking a wait-and-see approach,” said Sean Gibbons, matchmaker for Sycuan Ringside Promotions, the company that promotes Guzman. “We are waiting for Frank Warren of Sports Network to give us the new, rescheduled date.”
Frank Warren won the rights to this championship fight in a WBO purse bid.
ABOUT SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS:
Sycuan Ringside Promotions of San Diego is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had six current or former world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts across the country on premium cable networks.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero, former WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz, lightweight sensation Jorge Paez Jr., undefeated cruiserweight prospect Shawn Hawk and once-beaten, super middleweight prospect Henry Buchanan.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Glenn Quiroga, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Scott Woodworth, vice president.
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved
BJ FLORES SPEAKS ON THE STATE OF THE CRUISERWEIGHTS
PHOENIX, AZ- After an exciting weekend in Las Vegas taking in the Bernard Hopkins/Joe Calzaghe Light Heavyweight Title bout, undefeated and world ranked cruiserweight BJ Flores spoke about this past weekend’s IBF Title Elimination bout between Tomasz Adamek and O’Neil Bell which took place in Katowice, Poland.
“The ending was very surprising to me, I was shocked that Bell seemingly quit after the seventh round in such an important fight. He’s shown such terrific fortitude in previous world title bouts against Sebastiaan Rothmann and Jean Marc Mormeck that it’s strange he would stop fighting.
On the part of Adamek this was a terrific win. It’s very impressive that he could come up almost 25 pounds from light heavy to cruiserweight and be successful on a world class scale. He looked fast at the higher weight and fought very intelligently against Bell."
About the upcoming fight between Adamek and IBF title holder Steve Cunningham, Flores stated, “It should be an outstanding fight. Both have fast hands and are very smart fighters, particularly their use of combinations. They’re both always in great shape. Hopefully even if the fight is in Poland, it will be broadcast in the US as fight fans will see a terrific bout.”
In regards to his immediate plans, Flores said, “I’m excited to get back in the ring and we should have an announcement in the very near future.”
BJ Flores, 21-0-1 with thirteen knockouts, is currently world ranked #2 by the IBF, #7 by the WBO and #9 by the WBA.
Bernie Bahrmasel
Double B. Publicity, Inc.
“The ending was very surprising to me, I was shocked that Bell seemingly quit after the seventh round in such an important fight. He’s shown such terrific fortitude in previous world title bouts against Sebastiaan Rothmann and Jean Marc Mormeck that it’s strange he would stop fighting.
On the part of Adamek this was a terrific win. It’s very impressive that he could come up almost 25 pounds from light heavy to cruiserweight and be successful on a world class scale. He looked fast at the higher weight and fought very intelligently against Bell."
About the upcoming fight between Adamek and IBF title holder Steve Cunningham, Flores stated, “It should be an outstanding fight. Both have fast hands and are very smart fighters, particularly their use of combinations. They’re both always in great shape. Hopefully even if the fight is in Poland, it will be broadcast in the US as fight fans will see a terrific bout.”
In regards to his immediate plans, Flores said, “I’m excited to get back in the ring and we should have an announcement in the very near future.”
BJ Flores, 21-0-1 with thirteen knockouts, is currently world ranked #2 by the IBF, #7 by the WBO and #9 by the WBA.
Bernie Bahrmasel
Double B. Publicity, Inc.
James McGirt, Jr.; regroups after 1st loss, moving back to middleweight
VERO BEACH, Florida– There’s nothing more devastating in boxing that than a hot prospect’s first pro loss, especially for someone such as James McGirt, Jr. (18-1, 9 KOs), whose last name alone makes opponents perform better. McGirt suffered his first set-back April 11 when another son of a former world champion, Carlos “Baby Sugar” DeLeon, Jr. (20-2-2, 12 KOs), stopped James in the seventh round of their ShoBox co-feature.
Photo courtesy of Emily Harney
DeLeon was floored by McGirt at the end of the sixth round, but he got to his feet just before the bell sounded. “When I dropped him, instead of listening to my father (head trainer “Buddy” McGirt), I got careless,” James explained. “I had him but dropped my right hand and got caught. My legs were a little wobbly, but I was more embarrassed than anything having been knocked down for the first time in my career. I thought that I could deal with it but got hit with an uppercut. I tried to wait it out, hoping he’d gotten tired punching, but I wasn’t punching back and the ref stopped the fight.
Buddy Mc Girt
“The hardest thing in the world is to take your first loss. I still know that I’m going to be a world champion someday. This is part of the learning experience. No excuses. I should have listened and boxed. It’s a hard pill to shallow. I want a rematch, but I know it won’t happen right away. I won’t be able to sleep at night unless I fight him one more time.”
McGirt’s father, 2-time world champion “Buddy,” suffered his first pro loss in his 30th fight, as the No. 1 contender in the world, to Frankie Warren by 10-round decision. “I warned James last year that he was dropping his right hand too much,” Buddy noted. “You can’t take anything for granted. Once he knocked the other guy down, James thought that he had him, but he got caught by that left hook. It’s a great learning experience. I was talking to Roy Jones. He said at least it happened now or he would have kept doing it and now he’ll listen. James can’t have a flamboyant, relaxed attitude like he did in basketball. On the court he could be nonchalant, flashy, but you can’t do that in the ring. They’re always trying to beat Buddy McGirt’s son and Buddy McGirt. In a way I’m glad it happened. It’s going to be a good learning experience for James. I told him he should thank DeLeon for the wake-up call because he got lazy.
“Sure, it’s a hard pill to swallow. I saw the punch hit him and I can still visualize it like a picture in my mind. That night, James became a man, and not just in the ring. Taking nothing away from DeLeon, James had the fight and should have won. Now he has to put it behind him and move forward. After a first loss, you either become a better fighter, or get out of the game. James’ eyes were opened. You can’t do what he did in basketball, not in this business, and now he understands. What he does from here on will determine what he is in boxing.”
McGirt may have been more comfortable making weight and fighting as a super middleweight, but the plan is for him to slowly move back to the middleweight division. “His opponents at super middleweight are too big,” McGirt’s manager Dennis Witherow explained. “I talked with Buddy after the fight and we agree that James needs to fight as a middleweight. They weighed-in the same weight but, in the fight, the difference in their weight made a big difference. He’ll fight at 162-163 in his next fight, hopefully in July. We’re going forward, not looking backwards. The loss is part of the learning process, a bump in the road. He got caught and that’s just part of the game.”
Buddy added, “The last two days (prior to the fight) James just shadow-boxed. He didn’t run or train, ate right before the weigh in, and came in at 166. He won’t have a problem making 163. We saw how small James (166-167 lbs. in the fight) was in comparison to DeLeon (between 180-185 lbs) and even (Jason) Naugler. James will be fighting as a middleweight.”
-JM-
CONTACT:
Bob Trieger
Full Court Press
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved
Photo courtesy of Emily Harney
DeLeon was floored by McGirt at the end of the sixth round, but he got to his feet just before the bell sounded. “When I dropped him, instead of listening to my father (head trainer “Buddy” McGirt), I got careless,” James explained. “I had him but dropped my right hand and got caught. My legs were a little wobbly, but I was more embarrassed than anything having been knocked down for the first time in my career. I thought that I could deal with it but got hit with an uppercut. I tried to wait it out, hoping he’d gotten tired punching, but I wasn’t punching back and the ref stopped the fight.
Buddy Mc Girt
“The hardest thing in the world is to take your first loss. I still know that I’m going to be a world champion someday. This is part of the learning experience. No excuses. I should have listened and boxed. It’s a hard pill to shallow. I want a rematch, but I know it won’t happen right away. I won’t be able to sleep at night unless I fight him one more time.”
McGirt’s father, 2-time world champion “Buddy,” suffered his first pro loss in his 30th fight, as the No. 1 contender in the world, to Frankie Warren by 10-round decision. “I warned James last year that he was dropping his right hand too much,” Buddy noted. “You can’t take anything for granted. Once he knocked the other guy down, James thought that he had him, but he got caught by that left hook. It’s a great learning experience. I was talking to Roy Jones. He said at least it happened now or he would have kept doing it and now he’ll listen. James can’t have a flamboyant, relaxed attitude like he did in basketball. On the court he could be nonchalant, flashy, but you can’t do that in the ring. They’re always trying to beat Buddy McGirt’s son and Buddy McGirt. In a way I’m glad it happened. It’s going to be a good learning experience for James. I told him he should thank DeLeon for the wake-up call because he got lazy.
“Sure, it’s a hard pill to swallow. I saw the punch hit him and I can still visualize it like a picture in my mind. That night, James became a man, and not just in the ring. Taking nothing away from DeLeon, James had the fight and should have won. Now he has to put it behind him and move forward. After a first loss, you either become a better fighter, or get out of the game. James’ eyes were opened. You can’t do what he did in basketball, not in this business, and now he understands. What he does from here on will determine what he is in boxing.”
McGirt may have been more comfortable making weight and fighting as a super middleweight, but the plan is for him to slowly move back to the middleweight division. “His opponents at super middleweight are too big,” McGirt’s manager Dennis Witherow explained. “I talked with Buddy after the fight and we agree that James needs to fight as a middleweight. They weighed-in the same weight but, in the fight, the difference in their weight made a big difference. He’ll fight at 162-163 in his next fight, hopefully in July. We’re going forward, not looking backwards. The loss is part of the learning process, a bump in the road. He got caught and that’s just part of the game.”
Buddy added, “The last two days (prior to the fight) James just shadow-boxed. He didn’t run or train, ate right before the weigh in, and came in at 166. He won’t have a problem making 163. We saw how small James (166-167 lbs. in the fight) was in comparison to DeLeon (between 180-185 lbs) and even (Jason) Naugler. James will be fighting as a middleweight.”
-JM-
CONTACT:
Bob Trieger
Full Court Press
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved
WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS; THE WBC DEEPLY SUPPORTS VITALI KLITSCHKO IN HIS CAMPAIGN TO BECOME MAYOR OF KIEV
WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS
April 23, 2008 – Mexico City.
From the office of WBC President Jose Sulaiman:
THE WBC DEEPLY SUPPORTS VITALI KLITSCHKO IN HIS CAMPAIGN TO BECOME MAYOR OF KIEV
It was not a surprise for WBC President Jose Sulaiman to see that the WBC Emeritus Champion, WBC World Ambassador for Peace and Good Will, and former WBC heavyweight world champion Vitali Klitschko would run for election to become Mayor of Kiev.
President Sulaiman said, “The World Boxing Council respects the freedom of the people of Kiev to elect their mayor, and is very happy and confident that Vitali Klitschko will get the majority of the votes to become a mayor that will be dedicated, with the frame of mind as a champion, organized, charismatic, and a gentleman that comes from the people and will rule for the people.
“The people of Kiev will not vote for a military officer, a doctor, or a boxer, but the people of Kiev will vote for one who gave belief that he will be the best to lead Kiev to the highest accomplishments.
“As a boxer Vitali Klitschko has the dedication, the temperament, the image, the charisma, and the decisive hard working temperament to become a champion, which are exactly the same qualifications to become the Mayor of Kiev.
“As a citizen, Vitali comes from the people; he knows the people, and the people were his passionate followers to take him to the top of the hills, which is the reason why Vitali has the basis to run as a Mayor for the people.
“As a businessman, Vitali has administered in excellence his business of promotion in boxing to be without a doubt one of the very best in the world, and has the financial basis to know exactly what Kiev needs to be accomplished.
“And in synthesis, Vitali Klitschko has all the matters of importance that a citizen expects a Mayor of Kiev to accomplish in regards to perceiving high goals to achieve, to know and rule for the people, to have the capacity, the experience to be a Mayor, and the charisma and gentlemanlike manner that opens the doors with empathy for the people of Kiev and all parts of the world.
“Vitali Klitschko has been one of the greatest all-around champions that the WBC has had, which is the reason why we elected him as Emeritus Champion and a World Ambassador for Peace and Good Will.
“I am sure that Vitali Klitschko is the best option to rule the beautiful and great City of Kiev and that the citizens will vote to elect him.”
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved
April 23, 2008 – Mexico City.
From the office of WBC President Jose Sulaiman:
THE WBC DEEPLY SUPPORTS VITALI KLITSCHKO IN HIS CAMPAIGN TO BECOME MAYOR OF KIEV
It was not a surprise for WBC President Jose Sulaiman to see that the WBC Emeritus Champion, WBC World Ambassador for Peace and Good Will, and former WBC heavyweight world champion Vitali Klitschko would run for election to become Mayor of Kiev.
President Sulaiman said, “The World Boxing Council respects the freedom of the people of Kiev to elect their mayor, and is very happy and confident that Vitali Klitschko will get the majority of the votes to become a mayor that will be dedicated, with the frame of mind as a champion, organized, charismatic, and a gentleman that comes from the people and will rule for the people.
“The people of Kiev will not vote for a military officer, a doctor, or a boxer, but the people of Kiev will vote for one who gave belief that he will be the best to lead Kiev to the highest accomplishments.
“As a boxer Vitali Klitschko has the dedication, the temperament, the image, the charisma, and the decisive hard working temperament to become a champion, which are exactly the same qualifications to become the Mayor of Kiev.
“As a citizen, Vitali comes from the people; he knows the people, and the people were his passionate followers to take him to the top of the hills, which is the reason why Vitali has the basis to run as a Mayor for the people.
“As a businessman, Vitali has administered in excellence his business of promotion in boxing to be without a doubt one of the very best in the world, and has the financial basis to know exactly what Kiev needs to be accomplished.
“And in synthesis, Vitali Klitschko has all the matters of importance that a citizen expects a Mayor of Kiev to accomplish in regards to perceiving high goals to achieve, to know and rule for the people, to have the capacity, the experience to be a Mayor, and the charisma and gentlemanlike manner that opens the doors with empathy for the people of Kiev and all parts of the world.
“Vitali Klitschko has been one of the greatest all-around champions that the WBC has had, which is the reason why we elected him as Emeritus Champion and a World Ambassador for Peace and Good Will.
“I am sure that Vitali Klitschko is the best option to rule the beautiful and great City of Kiev and that the citizens will vote to elect him.”
©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved
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