US Olympic Alternate Danny O’Connor; Now a true professional boxer

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.– With his successful pro debut now behind him, 2008 U.S. Olympic first alternate Danny O’Connor is hoping to stay busy as well as further adjust to fighting longer rounds with smaller gloves and no headgear.

In front of a large crowd of his enthusiastic fans and escorted into the ring by a Irish bagpipe player, O’Connor turned in an impressive performance against on September 17 in Manchester (NH), using a devastating body attack en route to stopping Jose Guerrido at 1:55 of the second round, when Guerrido’s trainer – former two-time world champion Aaron Davis – threw in the towel.

“It turned out to be like me and my coaches envisioned it,” O’Connor reflected. “All of the hard training paid off. I felt good in the ring. I was a little too anxious going for the early knockout and didn’t show all of the ability I have. I’m a big body puncher. I love banging the body because it slows down the opponent and leaves open holes for my shots. That’s what happened.

“I did feel a lot of pressure fighting in front of so many of my fans and family, as well as Leon (Margules, Seminole Warriors Boxing executive director) coming up from Florida to watch me fight for the first time. But I’ve always fought well under pressure and I settled right down. It’s going to take a little while to get used to fighting with smaller gloves, but I liked fighting without head gear, and didn’t really get into the longer rounds. Punching felt different with 8-ounce gloves, but it’s something I’ll quickly adapt to. I did feel naked fighting without a shirt. I like fighting as a professional better than as an amateur.”

The 23-year-old O’Connor, fighting out of Framingham (MA), won this year’s US Future Stars National Championship, in which he was named Most Outstanding Boxer, as well as the National Golden Gloves Tournament, both in the 141-pound light welterweight division. Danny’s most notable victory as an amateur was a dominating victory, 23-3, against eventual 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz, of the Dominican Republic, on May 29 in a USA-Dominican Republic dual meet in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“I really couldn’t have asked for a better result,” O’Connor’s co-manager (with Rob Valle) and head trainer David Keefe remarked. “He wasn’t hurt at all and threw some great body shots, which will serve him well as he moved up. I’m also very happy with the promotional pick we made with Leon and Seminole Warriors Boxing.”

Among the celebrities watching O’Connor’s pro debut were legendary boxers Roberto Duran and Tommy Hearns, who won the same National Golden Gloves light welterweight title in 1977 as Danny did this year, Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee, and members of he pop group “Boys Like Girls.” Keefe’s brother John for the is a drummer for gold-record selling “Boys Like Girls” and the band has supported Danny.

For more information about Danny O’Connor go to www.dannyoconnorboxing.com.

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©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Reality TV show winner Otis Griffin fighting for legitimacy in Germany; IBF middleweight Abraham-Marquez title fight....

Reality TV show winner Otis Griffin fighting for legitimacy in Germany; IBF middleweight Abraham-Marquez title fight headlines Saturday’s PPV in U.S. & Canada

HOBOKEN, N.J.– Former NABO champion Otis “Triple OG” Griffin has traveled halfway around the world, from his California home to Germany for Saturday’s (October 4) fight against Enad Licina, in order to prove that “The Next Great Champ” winner is much more than a reality television fighter.

Nothing has come easy for Alabama-native Griffin (19-3-2, 7 KOs), who battles Licina (14-1, 8 KOs) for the vacant IBF Intercontinental cruiserweight title in the 12-round co-feature on a special pay-per-view card, headlined by unbeaten International Boxing Federation middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham defending his belt against former world champion Raul “El Diamente” Marquez, live from Bamberg, Germany.

Abraham-Marquez is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland, presented by Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice Canada, and Bell ExpressVue, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night starting at 9 PM/ET. Al Bernstein and Nick Charles will call the action.

Griffin, fighting out of Sacramento, lost his pro debut to Jimmy Mince by four-round split decision in the preliminary round of the 2004 Oscar De La Hoya-sponsored reality television series on Fox, “The Next Great Champ.” When one of the fighters suddenly quit the show, Griffin was brought back and he took full advantage of his second chance, defeating Mohamad Elmahmoud (DEC4), Mince (DEC4 in semifinals) in a rematch and David Pareja (DEC6) in the championship final. The winner was supposed to fight in a sanctioned WBO title fight, but it never materialized and Griffin eventually built-up his pro record to 16-1-2, setting the stage in 2007 for an NABO light heavyweight championship bout against unbeaten Mike Nevitt (14-0), who Otis stopped in the seventh round.

Yugoslavian cruiserweight Licina (14-1, 8 KOs), rated No. 13 by the European Boxing Union and European Boxing Association, now fights out of Germany, where he’ll take on Griffin in Saturday’s co-feature.

Abraham (27-0, 22 KOs), rated No. 2 by The Ring and ESPN, captured the IBF middleweight title early three years ago by way of a fifth-round knockout of Kingsley Ikeke (23-1). Seven successful title defenses have followed against Edison Miranda, Shannon Taylor, Kofi Jantuah, Sebastian Demers, Khoren Gevor, Wayne Elcock and Elvin Ayala.

The 1992 U.S. Olympian Marquez (41-3-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 2 by the IBF as well as No. 8 by The Ring and ESPN, earned his title shot against Abraham by defeating previously undefeated No. 1 contender Giovanni Lorenzo (26-0) in their June 21st IBF title eliminator.

For more information about the Abraham-Marguez PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com or www.warriorsboxing.com

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©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS ENTERING THE WORLD OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Sycuan Ringside Promotions (SRP) is diversifying its business portfolio by jumping into the hot-as-ever world of mixed martial arts.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions in association with Total Combat Entertainment will present Total Combat “Notorious” on Thursday, Oct. 2 live from the Sycuan Resort & Casino, located just fifteen miles east of downtown San Diego.

SRP, more commonly known for its boxing promotional business than its recent foray into MMA, is looking to bring quality MMA fights to the sports savvy community of San Diego.

“Everyone in the boxing business has seen the growth and potential of mixed martial arts,” said Scott Woodworth, president of SRP. “It only makes sense for us to get involved in the sport. The San Diego community is very big on MMA and we’re aiming to bring competitive and exciting fights to the fans starting on October 2.

“Total Combat Entertainment is well known in Southern California and we’re extremely happy to be partnering with them for this event at Sycuan Resort & Casino.”

In the main event, experienced wrestler and Temecula, Calif. native Jesse Taylor will mix it up with the veteran and dangerous Drew “The Master” Fickett of Phoenix, Ariz. in a three round welterweight fight.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at http://www.sycuan.com/ringside or by calling the Sycuan Box Office at (619) 445-6002. Tickets are priced at $200, $75, $50 and $40. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. PT.

In the co-main event, San Diego-native Kevin Dunsmoor will take on Total Combat veteran Ian McCall of Laguna Nigel, Calif. in a three round bantamweight bout.

The card also features two aggressive females. Kim Rose, who is coming off a win over MMA legend Randy Couture’s wife Kim Couture, will face Megan Gangitano. Both Rose and Gangitano are from the San Diego area and will compete in the 135-pound division.

Another bout to keep an eye will be the 140-pound match up between Nick Alvarado of San Pasqual, Calif. against San Diego local Rolando Perez.

ABOUT SYCUAN CASINO

Open 24/7 and just 30 minutes from downtown San Diego, Sycuan Casino offers an array of exciting gaming activities, entertainment and delicious food. In addition to our 2,000-plus slots, we have a total of 63 table games, including blackjack, pai gow, and mini baccarat in addition to a 24-table non-smoking poker room. The 1,250-seat Bingo Palace provides traditional and video bingo. Sycuan’s Showcase Theatre features great shows and concerts in an intimate, up-close-and-personal venue. And customers have a choice of dining in our international buffet, Wachena Falls Café, Sunset Deli or Bingo Snack Bar.

The Sycuan Tribal Government operates the region's premier Indian gaming and resort facilities, the Sycuan Casino and Sycuan Resort. Sycuan demonstrates its strong commitment to the San Diego region through its support of civic and charitable organizations. The Tribe also seeks to reinvest back into the San Diego community with a progressive business development effort. The Tribe also owns and operates Sycuan Ringside Promotions; the country’s first tribally owned boxing promotion company. Sycuan Funds is a publicly traded and professionally managed mutual fund. Combined, these enterprises now employ nearly 4,000 San Diegans.

ABOUT SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS

Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including undefeated and former World Boxing Organization junior lightweight champion Joan Guzman, 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 Scott Woodworth, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Sean Gibbons, vice president/matchmaker.

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Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

SCORECARD + RICARDO MAYORGA'S POS-FIGHT QUOTES‏

After the 11th round, the judges at ringside at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., had the fight scored:

105-104 Mayorga - Pat Russell
105-104 Mosley - Nelson Vasquez
107-102 Mosley - Tony Crebs

Referee: David Mendoza - Shane Mosley (W) TKO 12 - 2:59

RICARDO MAYORGA (Post-fight quotes taken in the ring): "I was proud of the way Shane fought, like a true champion. He didn't run. I thought I was doing well in the fight, and I came out to win it in the last round, but Shane caught me.

"I will tell that he hit harder than I thought he would."

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©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Luevano-Dib, Mares-Melendez & Rubio-Ornelas on Packed Oct. 18 HBO PPV Undercard in Atlantic City‏

WBO Featherweight Champion STEVEN LUEVANO Battles BILLY DIB; NABO Featherweight Champion ABNER MARES, Risks His Undefeated Record Against LUIS MELENDEZ and in a WBC Middleweight Title Elimination Bout MARCO ANTONIO RUBIO Takes on ENRIQUE ORNELAS all on "Unstoppable"Saturday, October 18 at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall
Live on Pay-Per-View

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ- Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall is four weeks away from "Unstoppable" -- the light heavyweight rumble between undefeated world middleweight champion KELLY "The Ghost" PAVLIK and legendary two-division world champion BERNARD "The Executioner" HOPKINS. The televised undercard features three compelling match-ups featuring fighters with a combined record of 168-12-2 (111 KOs) and a combined winning percentage exceeding 92%. WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano defends his title against top contender Billy Dib, undefeated bantamweight champion Abner Mares battles Luis Melendez and in a WBC middleweight title elimination bout, Marco Antonio Rubio takes on Enrique Ornelas.

Presented by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, in association with Caesars Atlantic City, "Unstoppable" takes place Saturday, October 18 at Boardwalk Hall and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

STEVEN LUEVANO (35-1-1, 15 KOs), from La Puente, California, has reigned as the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion for 14 months. He captured the vacant world title July 14, 2007, knocking the previously undefeated and current WBO junior lightweight champion Nicky Cook in the 11th round. Since winning the title he has successfully defended it twice, including a 12-round decision victory over mandatory challenger Terdsak Jandaeng and a draw against Top-10 contender Mario Santiago in March and July, respectively. Luevano's third title defense of 2008 will be against anotherTop-10 contender in BILLY DIB (21-0, 11 KOs). Dib, an undefeated southpaw from Hurtsville, Australia, has knocked out over half the opponents he has faced in his four-year professional career. The former Australian champion returns to the ring fresh from his biggest victory on July 30, a 12-round unanimous decision for the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) super featherweight title, over Zolani Marali, ending the South African's four-year winning streak.

North American Boxing Organization (NABO) bantamweight champion ABNER MARES (17-0, 10 KOs), from Montebello, California, by way of Guadalajara, Mexico, will be risking his undefeated record and WBO No. 1 world rating when he defends his title against LUIS MELENDEZ. Mares has successfully defended his title twice since winning it last year when he defeated former world champion Isidro Garcia, who retired on his stool after the seventh round. This year he knocked out former world title challenger Diosdado Gabi in the second round and scored a 10-round unanimous decision victory over Jonathan Arias. Gabi and Arias had a combined record of 43-3-1 when they faced Mares. Melendez (25-3-1, 20 KOs), retruns to the ring On the heels of one of his most exciting fights. The Colmbian buzzsaw went toe-to-toe for 12 rounds with WBO junior bantamweight champion Fernando Monriel, coming up short in his first world title fight. Now fighting as a bantamweight, Melendez, who has won 13 of his last 15 bouts, is looking to return to the world championship picture by challenging the No. 1 contender.

The pay-per-view telecast will open with the World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight title elimination bout the winner of which will be declared the WBC's mandatory middleweight challenger to Pavlik. MARCO ANTONIO RUBIO (42-4-1, 38 KOs), from Georgetown, Texas, by way of Torreon, Mexico, enters this fight riding an eight-bout winning streak with seven of those win coming by way of knockout. Since moving up to middleweight at the end of 2006, Rubio has collected the Mexican, the World Boxing Association's FEDECENT and the WBC's FECOMBOX titles en route to becoming the WBC's No. 1 contender middleweight contender. Rubio will be going mano-a-mano against ENRIQUE ORNELAS (28-4, 18 KOs), from La Habra, California, by way of Guanajuato, Mexico. Ornelas, the WBC's No. 2-rated middleweight contender, has won eight of his 10 last fights, including NABF middleweight title fights against former world champion Bronco McKart and Norberto Bravo, stopping both in the fifth and seventh rounds, respectively. In his last fight, on July 4, he provided his own fireworks display, knocking out Daryl Salmon in the second round.

Remaining tickets," priced at $700, $500, $350, $200, $100 and $75, can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster (800) 736-1420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com

The Pavlik vs. Hopkins pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pavlik vs. Hopkins fight week updates, log onto www.hbo.com

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

YUSAF MACK TAKES CARE OF OMAR PITTMAN IN SIX AT THE NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY IN PHILLY

PHILADELPHIA- In front of an enthusiastic crowd at The National Guard Armory, WBA #9 Ranked Light Heavyweight, Yusaf Mack unveiled a piston-like jab over the first five rounds to keep Omar Pittman in check until Mack unleashed a right hand assault that was capped off by a thudding knockdown and subsequent stoppage at 2:59 of round six to capture both the NABA and Pennsylvania state Light Heavyweight championships.

When asked about the knockout, a jubilant Mack responded, "When I saw him getting tired, his hands were dropping and the right hand was working. Everyone knows that my right is the helicopter."

That fight capped a championship doubleheader that saw Derrick “Pooh” Ennis score a convincing ten round unanimous decision over Troy Browning to secure the Pennsylvania State & USBA Regional Jr. Middleweight title by scores 100-90, 100-90 and 98-92.

The card was promoted by Joey Eye Boxing also saw a thrilling Heavyweight bout that saw local favorite Anthony Gatt get off the canvas to batter Jonathan Felton in a four round bout.

The card also saw emphatic knockout wins by Joel Dela Paz, Tyyab Beale & Jules Blackwell.

Dela Paz scored a scary twenty-five second knockout over Ryan Hord. Hord, whose head bounced off the canvas, was ok after lying on the canvas for seven minutes.

Beale won for the first time by stopping Lamont Barnes in round two of their Heavyweight bout.

Blackwell got back in the win column after suffering his first loss by taking out over matched Juvier Dennis

FULL RESULTS

Yusaf Mack (26-2-2, 16 KO’s), 173 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia, Pa. TKO 6 (2:59) over Omar Pittman (15-5-1, 8 KO’s), 169 ½ lbs of Philadelphia—Mack wins the NABA & Pennsylvania Light Heavyweight titles

Derek Ennis (16-2-1, 12 KO’s), 152 ½ lbs of Philadelphia U DEC (100-90, 100-90, 98-92) Troy Browning, (20-3-1, 8 KO’s), 152 lbs of Willingboro, NJ—Ennis wins the Pennsylvania State & USBA Regional Jr. Middleweight title.

Anthony Gatt (7-1-1, 4 KO’s), 218 lbs of West Chester, Pa. U DEC (39-37, 38-37, 38-37) over Jonathan Felton (5-12, 5 KO’s), 228 lbs of Stafford, Va.

Jules Blackwell (8-1-2, 3 KO’s), 123 lbs of Phoenixville, Pa. TKO 1 (2:33) over Juvier Dennis (1-2, 1 KO), 121 lbs of Reidsville, NC

Tyyab Beale (1-1, 1 KO), 236 lbs of Jersey City, NJ TKO 2 (1:59) over Lamont Barnes (1-2, 1 KO), 209 lbs of Philadelphia, Pa.

Joel Dela Paz (2-0, 1 KO), 164 lbs of Atlantic City, NJ KO 1 (0:25) over Ryan Hord (0-2), 163 lbs of West Plains, MO

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

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Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

OSCAR DE LA HOYA AND MANNY PACQUIAO TO ANNOUNCE MEGA-FIGHT AT STATUE OF LIBERTY IN

Los Angeles, CA- Boxing superstars Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao will each make one of the biggest announcements of their respective careers when they officially announce their December 6 mega-fight at one of the most cherished landmarks in the United States-the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York City. The press event, the first ever to take place on Liberty Island, will kick-off a six-city press tour marking the official announcement of what is a dream match-up for sports fans and one of the biggest fights in boxing history.

While the Statue of Liberty hosts more than five million visitors each year, this will be the first press conference ever held on Liberty Island. Dedicated in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States. Over the years, the Statue of Liberty has become a symbol of freedom and democracy as it was the first landmark that millions of immigrants saw upon arrival in the United States. In 1924 it was named a National Monument and is one of the most recognizable statues in the world.



"We are delighted to be hosting this event on Liberty Island," said Brad Hill, President of Evelyn Hill Inc, the Concessionaire to the National Park Service. "This event is unlike anything we have ever done. By virtue of their great successes, Mexican American Oscar de la Hoya and Filipino Manny Pacquiao embody what the Statue of Liberty represents. We are working hard to ensure that this is not only a memorable day for the fighters and their camps, but everyone who attends."

De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, Inc. and sponsored by Cazadores Tequila, Cerveza Tecate, Dewalt Tools and Southwest Airlines. The 12-round, 147-pound welterweight bout is set for Saturday, Dec. 6 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.

"Having the opportunity to announce the fight at the Statue of Liberty is like a dream come true for me," said De La Hoya. "As the son of immigrants and a very proud Mexican-American, I believe the Statue of Liberty is the United States' greatest symbol of freedom and opportunity. I take great pride in what I have been able to accomplish as the son of immigrants and see myself as a true testament to the notion that with opportunity, hard work and determination anyone can realize their dreams."

"Although I am from the Philippines, the United States has given me the greatest opportunity to advance my career and financial security for my family and me," said Pacquiao. "Many Filipinos and some of my family members live there and the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of the great opportunities offered by the United States to the rest of the world."

In addition to the Statue of Liberty stop, the De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao press tour will stop at other monumental locations across the country that reinforces the magnitude of the event. The tour schedule is as follows:

The De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.


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Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Raul Marquez plans to spoil “King” Arthur’s mega-fight plans against Pavlik or Wright IBF middleweight title fight Oct. 4 on PPV in U.S. & Canada

HOBOKEN, N.J.– Former world champion Raul “El Diamente” Marquez, who overcome the destruction of Hurricane Ike, recently broke his Houston training camp and departed for Germany, where on October 4th he challenges unbeaten International Boxing Federation middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham, headlining a pay-per-view card airing in the United States and Canada live from Bamberg, Germany.

Abraham-Marquez is promoted by Wilfried Sauerland, presented by Sauerland Event and its Managing Director, Christian Meyer, in association with Seminole Warriors Boxing. The broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 3 PM/ET – 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, TVN, DirecTV, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice Canada, and Bell ExpressVue, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95. A replay will be shown that same night starting at 9 PM/ET. Al Bernstein and Nick Charles will call the action.

“I don’t talk trash-talk,” Marquez said right before leaving Houston, “but we took on Hurricane Ike, so Arthur Abraham should be nothing. We still don’t have electricity in my house, I’ve been staying at my sister-in-law’s house, and we had to wait 1 ½ hours for gas. I’m very positive about this fight. We’re going over there to win.

“I fought in Germany as an amateur and I’m sure some of Abraham’s coaches remember me. You read about needing to knockout your opponent over there to get a draw (laughs). I just hope the judges are fair. The judges are from America, Mexico and England. Wayne Kelly from New York City is the referee. I couldn’t ask for a better situation over there. All I can hope for is a fair decision. I’m glad this fight is on pay-per-view so people can judge for themselves. If there’s controversy, people back home will be able to see it and know who really won.”

Abraham (27-0, 22 KOs), rated No. 2 by The Ring and ESPN, captured the IBF middleweight title early three years ago by way of a fifth-round knockout of Kingsley Ikeke (23-1). Eight successful title defenses have followed against Edison Miranda twice, Shannon Taylor, Kofi Jantuah, Sebastian Demers, Khoren Gevor, Wayne Elcock and Elvin Ayala.

The 37-year-old Marquez (41-3-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 2 by the IBF as well as No. 8 by The Ring and ESPN, earned his title shot against Abraham by defeating previously unbeaten No. 1 contender Giovanni Lorenzo (26-0) in their IBF title eliminator on the June 21.

Marquez, a 1992 U.S. Olympian who owned the IBF junior middleweight title belt in 1997, is motivated by talk about Abraham fighting Kelly Pavlik or Winky Wright next year. “It’s like they’re ignoring me,” Marquez explained. “They’re looking ahead. I was a 4-1 underdog my last fight and I’ve trained even harder for this one. Only two out of 35 writers picked me to win my last fight and it’s pretty much the same thing for the Abraham fight. Abraham’s people are looking beyond me. I want to spoil all that talk about him fighting Pavlik or Wright in his next fight. Nobody’s giving me much of a shot but I’m ready.

“My game plan is to make him fight. He’s powerful and strong; I am, too. And I’m motivated by him looking ahead. I’ve gone back to my roots with my father (Arturo) and brother (Aldo) in my corner the last four fights. I tried some different trainers but my father made me an Olympian and world champion. I’m older and wiser now. I’m getting hit and cut less. I think my father’s the best trainer in the world. After I beat Abraham he’s going to be Trainer of the Year.”

Despite taking off 1 ½ years to work as a broadcaster, Raul is still much more battle tested in the ring than Abraham – 269 to 161 in rounds fought – having fought world champions Jermain Taylor, Shane Mosley, Fernando Vargas and Yori Boy Campas.

“This isn’t going to be an easy fight and Abraham knows it,” Marquez added. “I have a lot more experience than him having fought Mosley, Taylor and Vargas, as well as other experienced fighters like Campas, (Keith) Mullings, (Jose Alfredo) Flores and (Bronco) McKart. I’ve fought guys with all kinds of different styles. I’m left-handed and I think that’s going to give Abraham problems. I’ve watched tapes of his fights and I think he had problems against (southpaw) Ian Gardiner. Even at 37, I will bring courage, power, great conditioning and keep a steady pace like I did in my last fight.

“After losing to Jermain Taylor, to get this far and fight for a world title again, well, it’s amazing. It’s weird but I feel better now than I ever have. Ten years after I was world champion, 16 years after I made my pro debut (Oct. 3, 1992), I want it (world title) more and appreciate boxing more than ever. I love everything about boxing.”

The 10-round co-feature on the PPV show from Germany has former NABO champion Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (19-3-2, 7 KOs), of Sacramento, taking on Yugoslavian-born Enad Licina (14-1, 8 KOs), now living in Germany, for the vacant IBF Intercontinental cruiserweight belt. Additional undercard bouts to be part of the PPV card will soon be announced.

For more information about the Abraham-Marguez PPV go to www.integratedsportsnet.com or www.warriorsboxing.com

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com

©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

QUOTES FROM MAYORGA-MOSLEY

QUOTES:

Mayorga to Mosley: "I'm glad you're throwing out the first pitch at the Dodgers game tonight. You should be a catcher for the way you take take right hands."

Mayorga to talkative Mosley cutman "Captain" Cassius Green, who always wears his trademark captain's hat, after Green heckled Mayorga from the audience: "I'm glad this guy has his captain's hat on because he and his man are going down like the Titanic on Saturday."

Mayorga after shaking Mosley's hand: "It's cold and sweaty. I know Shane's afraid of me. All I ask of you [Mosley] is that you come and fight like a man. Don't run or else I'm going to buy you roller blades and a pink outfit to go with the pink gloves I gave to you at the last press conference.

"I already retired Fernando Vargas, an L.A. boxing icon, and I plan to retire another on Saturday night. Mosley needs to be at home doing the dishes for his wife."

Shane said, "Mayorga tells a lot of jokes and stories, but he always comes up short. Yes, he won against Fernando Vargas in November, but he didn't knock him out. Remember that when you stand toe to toe with me [Mayorga]. I want you to take it like a man.

"Everyone wants to retire me. I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to knock guys out."
Also, click here to see an Event Page with much information on the fight from the DKP Website:

http://www.donking.com/events/mayorgamosley_92708/index.php

Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

EL Boxing Empress Keisha Morrisey's Myspace http://www.myspace.com/Keishadivine

Honorable Keisha Morrisey http://www.keishamorrisey.com/

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