Alton Merkerson Roy Jones Jr.'s trainer and Tito Trinidad's father Papa Trinidad, square off before Trinidad vs. Jones

Much strategy was divulged in the Trinidad vs. Jones trainer media conference call that took place on Monday with Roy Jones Jr.'s trainer Alton Merkerson and Tito Trinidad's father Papa Trinidad, including this from Merkerson:
'I saw some things in this camp that I haven’t seen in 3 or 4 years. I see the old Roy; some of things that I saw back when I had him in the Olympics in 88. I saw some of the things out of Roy in this training camp that I saw when he beat Bernard Hopkins with one hand. I saw some of the things in Roy at this camp how he dominated against John Ruiz as a heavyweight. So those things that I saw in him during this training camp are the same things that I saw in him as a young Olympian in 88. Actions speak louder than words. I can’t say anymore. You’ll see it in the fight as it comes up.”

Alton Merkerson



And this from Trinidad Sr.:

“Tito is prepared to go all the way. He will win by any means. He can knock him out at any time, or he is prepared to win by decision.”

Papa Trinidad


Fight info: http://www.donking.com/events/post24_media.htm

Watch today’s press conference and face-offs and other fight-week videos by clicking the link below.

http://www.emcevents.com/TrinidadJonesFIGHTPAGE.html

Trainer for Tito Trinidad – Papa Trinidad (training in Rio Piedra near San Juan, Puerto Rico):
“Tito is prepared to go all the way. He will win by any means.
He can knock him out at any time, or he is prepared to win by decision.”

Trainer for Roy Jones - Alton Merkerson (training in California, Pa., just outside Pittsburgh):
“I saw some of the things out of Roy in this training camp that I saw when he beat
Bernard Hopkins with one hand.”

Question for Papa Trinidad, What did you see in Jones that you picked him as a comeback fight?

PAPA TRINIDAD: “A long time ago, we had been thinking that this would be a good fight for Tito. And now that Tito had a willingness to return, and Tito could make the weight, we saw that it was convenient to do a fight against Jones.”

Does Papa Trinidad see any weaknesses in Jones that you are looking at, or aiming out or training for?

PAPA TRINIDAD: “To the contrary, we have nothing… Jones is a very talented fighter. We want Tito to fight at his very best all the time, and this is why this is the fight of the Titans.”

Father and son training doesn’t normally work out, what is your magic formula?

PAPA TRINIDAD: “I have respect, since he has been my son and I’ve been his father; since he was kid. I taught him to be respectful, as he has been respectful to me; he respects me as a neighbor and if you have that, then everything flows.”

Much has made of the fact that Tito’s previous highest weight has been 160, and he is moving to 170. Much has been made of “will Tito carry his punch’ and” this will be his first time fighting at 170”. Can Papa explain in detail what training regime he has put him through in Puerto Rico? Why will Tito be at his best on Saturday night?

PAPA TRINIDAD: “The feeling has been that as Tito has been changing from weight to weight that all his skills have been there. For this time, you will see an identical Tito mentally, physically, and with the punch and the power. And you will see when he fights Roy Jones that the power will be there.”

Is Papa happy with his conditioning and is he at his best weight right now?

PAPA TRINIDAD: “I am at peace. I feel happy that Tito has so much support. And we are very confident that when the fight day comes Tito will do well.”

The question has been, some people are saying that he will not knock out in 4 and he will knock out in …

PAPA TRINIDAD: “Tito is prepared to go all the way. He will win by any means. He can knock him out at any time, or he is prepared to win by decision.”

What level do you think Tito going to be at with time off; as you know, there is always a problem with ring work on the one hand, and on the other hand, it means he has not been and is not used to being hit as often and has been preserved a little? Can you tell us how the layoff is going to affect Tito?

PAPA TRINIDAD: “In regards the layoff, Tito has been training hard for six months, so he is prepared. Regarding the physical condition and his health, Tito is in excellent physical condition. All the medical exams have been done, including MRI’s and all other tests that are required. They have all been filed before the New York medical commission, so Tito is ready and the best fighter will win, and I have no doubt that who will win is my son.

It’s been a while since Tito has been an underdog going into a fight, how does it feel to be the underdog?

PAPA TRINIDAD: “That gives us motivation, motivation to train and to work hard. Tito has the skill, the motivation, the condition and that adds up to Tito winning this fight.”

Alton Merkerson

How has the training been going?

MERKERSON: “It’s going great. I’d like to say hello to everyone out there. Roy has been training very hard. He’s been very enthusiastic during the training camp. We are just ready to go. Roy was very motivated during the training, he’s put a lot of money in the bank; did all the right things. I haven’t seen this in him in the last two or three years, maybe four years. Eat, sleep, thinking boxing. He is back on track, just like he was back when he was very hot in the boxing game.”

He’s been training for 3 months?

MERKERSON: “Yeah, you know, we started off camp back in Pensacola. We had a beginning stage, a progression stage, and a training stage. We are at the point now where we are ready to fight. We split the camp up into two parts. Did a lot of pre-training in Pensacola—just conditioning—then starting to box and move around in the ring. And once he started boxing, we went up to the mountains in California, Pennsylvania, to finish up the last four weeks and concluded our training at that point.”

Roy hasn’t gone away to training camp for a sometime?

MERKERSON: “It’s been a while. It’s been exciting for me. He’s been very energetic. We had a very small camp, a very productive camp. We didn’t have any problems in the camp at all. Everything went on as scheduled. And he’s just a very motivated guy, like I’ve known him to be over the years. And he’s ready to box.”

How was it getting the weight down?

MERKERSON: “No problem, no problem. I say no problem... if there was a problem, I wouldn’t tell you though (laughter). It’s all in the job. You do what you have to do. Roy will be 39 years old. It’s a little harder for him to lose weight than it was some years ago. But you know when you get a warrior who’s been in combat, he does whatever it takes and doesn’t complain about it.”

So many people remember Roy in his prime being the top…

MERKERSON: “From a training standpoint, those people who haven’t been exposed to it and deal with athletes you know, your body goes through certain transitions in life, especially when it comes with age. But with Roy, that hasn’t been a factor with him. What people fail to realize is that Roy came from a middleweight all the way up to heavyweight and won every title. And once he became a heavyweight—you have to do a lot to put on muscle to hold a solid 200 pounds to fight heavyweight—when he fought John Ruiz. So your body goes through some transitions. Now, you find a heavyweight at that weight, and within three months he came all the way back down to light-heavy, which is a much smaller weight, and you are not just losing fat, you are losing muscle because that’s what you put on. So your body is going to go through some stages that you really can’t explain to people how it is. They have to experience it. You know how people go on diets, and how hard it is to loose weight? And that’s fat, so when you have muscle, it’s that much harder. Now, his body has settled down, and he’s at a lower weight now, so it’s no problem and he’s back to where he used to be. I saw some things in this camp that I haven’t seen in 3 or 4 years. I see the old Roy; some of things that I saw back when I had him in the Olympics in 88. I saw some of the things out of Roy in this training camp that I saw when he beat Bernard Hopkins with one hand. I saw some of the things in Roy at this camp how he dominated against John Ruiz as a heavyweight. So those things that I saw in him during this training camp are the same things that I saw in him as a young Olympian in 88. Actions speak louder than words. I can’t say anymore. You’ll see it in the fight as it comes up.”

Tito Trinidad, who was generally a middle weight before this fight…Why Tito?

MERKERSON: “You talk about Sugar Ray Robinson, and you talk about all those guys in the old days, not trying to be historic, who came from a lower weight and came up to a heavier weight, to be successful. First of all, you’ve got to understand this: Tito is coming up in weight. You’ve got to look at Roy. You tell me one heavyweight who has won a heavyweight title in history, and came back down not only to light heavyweight but came to the weight of 170. So realistically, Tito is coming up. We are giving him an advantage. We are going down to 170 pounds. Do you know how hard that is to do? I’d like my client to concentrate on fighting in the ring, instead of making weight. When it comes to a case like this, Roy doesn’t have his cake and ice cream, too, like Tito does. So that balances things out. Roy has to work hard, and he has to be in shape and work very hard to be able to come down to 170 so he’s not fighting a smaller person. I think they are on even skill. And you’ve got to understand that both of these guys are legends, both of them are still energetic, both of them can still fight, both of them has had lulls in action. But every great fighter you’ve had out there in history, have had some downfalls and that doesn’t mean they didn’t come back. So I totally disagree with people who make those statements.”

In your opinion, how has Roy progressed since 2004? How has he improved?

MERKERSON: “He has improved a tremendous amount. Like I was explaining to everyone else and what people have to understand is that Roy made a big transition when he went up to heavyweight, and it took a lot of work on his part. He gained the weight to go up and fight Ruiz. Shortly after that he had to lose the weight to come back down because of the heavyweight fights that didn’t materialize. Mentally and physically, his body went into shock when he had to come down and fight light-heavy again. Not going back and trying to use it as an excuse but the first fight with Tarver when he came back down to light-heavy, his body was totally drained. He actually won that fight. It was a very ugly fight, and his body just didn’t look right and he didn’t have the stamina. But when he fought that fight, he was going through the transition of coming back down. Shortly after that, he had two fights back to back. After the last fight that he had with Johnson, his body had just started coming back around and now his body is used to holding the lower weight and he is doing very well. As I stated before, I’m very impressed with him. Mentally and physically he is very energetic and he is doing things in the gym that he hasn’t done in years and he feels comfortable doing them and now it works for him. So, I’m very pleased with his performance and progression over the past, especially, 8 weeks.”

What do you think he could have done differently, despite the weight loss, in the ring with Johnson?

MERKERSON: “With Johnson, you have to look at it realistically. The fact of the matter is both of times he lost, to Johnson and Tarver, Roy was actually winning the fight. And he got caught with a shot. I know he was in shape because he had to be in shape to get down to the weight. But the thing is, if your body isn’t properly prepared, and ready to take those punches, if you are in good shape you can take a shot most of the time that you can’t take if you aren’t in shape. But like I said, during that time frame, Roy’s body was going through some transitions. I can’t explain it. It puzzled me also. I actually made a statement one time that Roy and I were going to have to sit down and talk and see if he really wanted to do this anymore. Because, the reason I say that, Roy, when he comes to the gym is a very motivated individual, and he’s not a guy who needs the motivation from his trainer to train. When he comes into the gym he is there because he wants to be there and he wants to have fun. But during that time frame, I noticed that he seemed as though he really didn’t want to be in the gym. I think it was from the administrative portion of boxing. I think it was from his body going through fatigue from the weight gain and back down to the weight loss. And he was expecting to fight another heavyweight and couldn’t fight a heavyweight so he had to fight at light heavyweight. I think it was all these things in conjunction that put him into a rut. You know for a fact that if you are studying for a test and you don’t study as you go along throughout the course and all of a sudden, at the end, you try to brainstorm to put all this stuff together at the last minute, you know what, you will draw a blank and it’s just not there. Now, he’s not doing that. He is not cramming. He is doing stuff constantly. He is absorbing it. He is training consistently. Things are not distracting him and he’s back to where he’s supposed to be.”

Why didn’t he fight Chris Byrd after Ruiz?

MERKERSON: “Let me say it this way, I really don’t get involved in Roy’s administrative decisions. If he asks me something, I’ll give him my input. And he accepts it or he don’t accept it. When you get to that level of competition in boxing and you are considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world everybody wants the business to be lucrative. ‘Do I want to be a world champion? Do I want to make a lot of money? I want to be known as a great fighter.’ So, that wasn’t a very marketable fight in Roy’s eyesight. And this is my perception of what I see. Now even though Tyson didn’t have a title, and he could have fought Tyson over fighting Chris Byrd, who do you think would have paid to see the fight? Chris Byrd knew it himself. He went through that turmoil and criticism. It’s not an exciting fight. And Chris Byrd is that, and I’m not saying he’s not a good fighter. Boxers make fights. We are very barbaric if you look at it realistically because people like to see fights. They don’t like to see people hit people and make people miss but don’t stay in there and bang it up. Roy is a boxer himself, right? And what is Byrd? Byrd is not a big puncher and he is not a guy that really bangs it out. I don’t think a lot of people would have been interested in seeing that fight. And that is my personal opinion of it.”

What are your thoughts about people’s perception of Roy having a glass jaw? And what are you doing in particular, with this opponent, to make sure he doesn’t get caught out there?

MERKERSON: “The thing about that - looking at the whole picture - everyone has a glass jaw. If you fight long enough in this game eventually you are going to go down. Look at Muhammad Ali and look at all the other great fighters that have ever fought. If you stay in the business long enough—just like a welder, if you weld long enough, you are going to get burned with the torch. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have a glass jaw because I can tell you right now if anybody—I don’t care how big they are, how athletic they are, and they let me, even if I haven’t been in the ring in years and years—if they let me hit them and I hit them right, they are going to sleep. I don’t consider him have a glass jaw but anybody in boxing couldn’t say that he has one since he’s been down only two times in his boxing career. So in reference to him avoiding getting hit, I can’t do anything to avoid that. He is on the top of his game.”

In Vegas, 2004, when Tarver knocked him out… How did that happen?

MERKERSON: “I was there when it happened and I remember it like it was yesterday. Roy squared up on the rope. Tarver told him to be more aggressive. They were playing cat and mouse and then Tarver became more aggressive and when Roy squared up on the rope, he moved into Tarver’s power hand and he got caught.”

Alan Hopper Don King Productions

'The Ultimate Showdown II' pro-am boxing show on Janury 26 in Mansfield, Massachusetts. Fiorentino fights for third world title

MANSFIELD, Mass.– Reigning IWBF featherweight and NABF super featherweight champion Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino, headlines “The Ultimate Showdown II” pro-am boxing show, presented by Peter Manfredo, Sr. in association with Bash For Cash, on January 26 at the Mansfield SportsPlex in Mansfield, Massachusetts. Fiorentino (16-1, 6 KOs), a Rhode Island Sheriff out of Cranston, fights for her third world title belt in three different weight classes having already captured the IWBF featherweight and lightweight titles. She has since relinquished the latter belt because of IWBF rules restricting champions to only one division. Roger Williams College graduate Fiorentino battles Ela “Bam Bam” Nunez (5-2, 1 KO), a single mother of four, in the 10-round main event despite Missy risking a mandated title shot against WBC super featherweight champion Jelena Mrdjenovich (21-2, 11 KOs).

Fiorentino earned that with a unanimous 10-round decision last July against previously unbeaten Cindy Serrano (15-0-1) in a WBC title elimination fight that was also for the NABF belt. “She (Mrdjenovich) has until April (to make her mandatory) and I haven’t fought since July,” Missy said. “I needed a fight in between as long as it was at 130 pounds. I want to win world titles in three different weight classes. It’ll be nice fighting close to home. Some people came to New York for my last fight but I’ll have a lot more support there this fight. Nunez is aggressive, comes forward, which is good. Her style is the same as mine and I’d rather fight somebody like than chasing ‘em around the ring. It’s going to be a good fight.” Three of New England’s brightest pro prospects are also on the card --

New Hampshire cruiserweight Rich Gingras, Whitman (MA) super middleweight Mark “The Italian Bazooka” DeLuca (3-0, 2 KOs), and Worcester (MA) middleweight Edwin Rodriguez making his pro debut. Gingras (7-0, 4 KOs), of Claremont (NH), was the 2006 Ringside World heavyweight champion before turning professional a year ago. He faces 18-fight veteran Carlos “The Headbanger” Jones in a six-round bout. DeLuca (3-0, 2 KOs), the 2004 National Silver Gloves champion, takes on Cory Jones (2-1) in a four-round match. The 22-year old Rodriguez, born in the Dominican Republic, is making his much-anticipated pro debut after winning 89 of 93 amateur matches, highlighted by gold-medal performances in the 2006 National Golden Gloves Championships and 2005 United States Championship.

Seven amateur matches also scheduled featuring four Master’s Division matches: Foxboro police officer David Fascaldo vs. Mass. Department of Corrections officer Eric Flaherty;. “Easy” Ed Nelson, of Brockton, vs. former New York City police officer Steve “The Steel” Gentile; retired U.S. Navy Seals Captain Tony “The Tiger” O’Brien, of Brockton, vs. Louisiana firefighter Bruce McDaniels; Foxboro police officer Frank Acevedo vs. Louisiana firefighter J.R. “The Lion” Moore. Other amateurs on the card are 29-year-old heavyweight James DeLuca, as well as 15-year-olds James Perella, of Mansfield, and Toka Kahn, of Pawtucket.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project assisting U.S. armed forces men and women severely injured during conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places around the world.Tickets are priced at $25.00 (general admission), $50.00 (open seating), $75.00 (ringside) and $175.00 (VIP invitation only). Call 401.723.1359, 508.509.3236 or go to http://www.bashforcashllc.com/ to purchase tickets or for additional information.

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Missy Fiorentino: “I’m training hard and looking forward to fighting for my third world title at three different weight classes. My last fight I won the North American title at 130 pounds. Peter’s (Manfredo, Sr.) is my trainer and he’s going to have me in great shape.”

Rich Gingras: “I’m not much of a talker but I bring a big game. I’m going to dominate the fight from the start. If it goes six rounds it’s up to him.”

Mark DeLuca: “I’m excited to be fighting locally instead of New York, Kansas or anywhere else we’ve fought as amateurs. I’m excited to be a New England fighter. We have some tough fighters here – Missy’s probably the toughest. I’m excited to be on this card with her, Edwin and Rich. I’m going to try and blast this guy out in the first round. I’m going to bring the heart back to Boston and New England.”

Edwin Rodriguez: “I’m looking forward to my pro debut. I’m ready. I’m dying to get into the ring and do what I do – box!

-PM-CONTACT: Bob Trieger Full Court Press

NO HOLDS BARRED: Roy Nelson, Ryan Schultz, Jay Hieron, Tim Kennedy,Papa Trinidad, Alton Merkerson On this edition of NO HOLDS BARRED

NO HOLDS BARRED: Roy Nelson, Ryan Schultz, Jay Hieron, Tim Kennedy, Papa Trinidad, Alton Merkerson On this edition of NO HOLDS BARRED, host Eddie Goldman begins previews of the first event of the 2008 season by the International Fight League (IFL), which will take place Friday, February 29, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, and the Roy Jones. Jr.-Felix Trinidad Jr. fight, scheduled for this coming Saturday, January 19, at Madison Square Garden in New York. On that IFL card, IFL lightweight champion Ryan Schultz fights John Gunderson, heavyweight champion Roy Nelson fights Fabiano Scherner,and middleweight champion Matt Horwich fights Tim Kennedy. We spoke with Ryan Schultz, Roy Nelson, IFL welterweight champion Jay Hieron, and Tim Kennedy on media teleconference calls about their plans for the new year. We also spoke with the longtime trainers of Roy Jones. Jr., Alton Merkerson, and Felix "Tito" Trinidad Jr., Papa Felix Trinidad Sr., ona media teleconference call about the fight this Saturday night. To listen to NO HOLDS BARRED, click the link below and just press the play button on the player: http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2008-01-15T03_40_14-08_00 You can also download it by scrolling down that page and clicking on the download link (right-click to save it). You can also listen to it through the NO HOLDS BARRED blog, athttp://nhbnews.blogspot.com/, and MySpace page, at http://www.myspace.com/nhbnews,also by pressing the play button on the player. Also, NO HOLDS BARRED is available through iTunes athttp://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/). 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'sfirst 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 locallistings for dates and times. Check out the IFL web site (http://ifl.tv/), for a listing of IFL live events and their TV schedule, athttp://ifl.tv/TV-Schedule.html. Gladiator Challenge (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/), shaking up themixed 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 bloghttp://nhbnews.blogspot.com/ No Holds Barred podcasthttp://nhbnews.podomatic.com/ No Holds Barred on MySpacehttp://www.myspace.com/nhbnews

Former Heavyweight boxer Mitchell Rose has released clips from his DVD on Youtube.

Former Heavyweight boxer Mitchell Rose has released clips from his DVD on Youtube. Rose has included a TV interview with court TV's Nancy Grace as well as his own recollection of the street fight at the Sugar Hill Night Club. To purchase the book, please contact MitchRoseBoxer@Yahoo.com or go to http://www.amazon.com/That-Beat-Butterbean-These-Streets/dp/0979779707/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198692803&sr=8-1.


Mitch Rose Speaks On The Tyson Incident - http://youtube.com/watch?v=zgyDHMYk9mE

Mitchell Rose and Lawyer Sanford Rubenstein On Court TV - http://youtube.com/watch?v=AyFaxpaluRg&feature=related

Mitchell Rose: The Family Man - http://youtube.com/watch?v=1MP_mYOcia0

MAIN EVENTS SIGNS WORLD-RANKED CONTENDER TOMASZ ADAMEK

MAIN EVENTS SIGNS WORLD-RANKED CONTENDER TOMASZ ADAMEK


TOTOWA, NJ– Main Events has signed world-ranked cruiserweight contender and former WBC light heavyweight champion Tomasz Adamek, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. Main Events and Warrior Promotions (promoter of O’ Neil Bell) have begun negotiations for a spring IBF-eliminator showdown between Adamek and Bell. The winner would become the mandatory to IBF champion Steve Cunningham.

Ike(l) and Steve Cunningham


“Main Events is proud to sign Tomasz,” said Duva. “He is a former light heavyweight champion and soon to be world cruiserweight champion

Adamek (33-1, 22 KO’s) has stopped 15 opponents within the first three rounds. The 31-year-old Zywiec, Poland native captured the vacant WBC light heavyweight championship on May 21, 2005, when he decisioned Paul Briggs (W 12). He defended the title twice before losing to Chad Dawson on Feb 3, 2007 (L 12). Since moving to cruiserweight he is 2-0, 1 KO. Adamek is also the IBO Cruiserweight Champion and is ranked #6 in the IBF and #7 in the WBA.

Main Events and Ziggy Promotions will co-promote Adamek.

For more info: Main Events (973) 200-7050 Donald Tremblay

Roy Jones Jr., Andrew Golota, Mike Mollo & DeMarcus Corley

Jones, Andrew Golota, “Merciless” Mike Mollo and DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley all performed a light workout and answered questions.

NEW YORK— Roy Jones Jr. worked the mitts and showed the blazing speed that made him the pound-for-pound best boxer on the planet for a decade during a media workout today at Kingsway Gym in New York featuring fighters from Saturday’s “Bring on the Titans” boxing event at Madison Square Garden and on HBO Pay-Per-View.

“Guess who’s back, Roy Jones Jr.,” Jones declared. “Ain’t nobody got the speed to handle me. Only Floyd Mayweather comes close to me and he’s still 10 miles an hour slower,” Jones quipped.

Jones will face Felix “Tito” Trinidad in the main event; the International Boxing Federation North American champion Golota will take on once-beaten World Boxing Association Fedelatin champion Mollo; and the former World Boxing Organization junior welterweight champion Corley will take on undefeated 20-year-old phenom Devon Alexander “The Great” to kick off pay-per-view telecast.

Roy Jones Jr. “The best birthday present for me would be a knock out on Saturday night. Tito’s fighting the toughest fight of his career. He picked me to get up for this fight. He knows I’m a guy who normally beats him so he knows what type of shape he’s got to get in to step into the ring with me. I understand that.
“Ain’t nobody got the speed to handle me. Only Floyd Mayweather comes close to me and he’s still 10 miles an hour slower. I feel good. Now is just the waiting. You fight the fight a bunch of times in your head and I think of different ways to do it. I have several options and every night I think of a different option.

Andrew Golota “Everybody is talking about Mollo’s speed and his offensive abilities. Why isn’t anybody talking about his defense? I guess we’ll know more after the first round. It shouldn’t go the distance. I can’t see it going the distance.
“He says he wants to start fast and be aggressive. I feel the same. It’s better for me because now I know what he is going to try to do. Mollo’s a good fighter and I know he wants to win. How is he going to win? Be there to watch me.
“Bernard Hopkins is my role model. I’m not too old yet. I stay in shape. I even got a hair cut to be more aerodynamic. I feel much lighter!”
Andrew Golota


Mike Mollo: “Golota’s an old fighter. He’s been great and I respect him. He’s fought in some tremendous fights that have slipped away from him for whatever reason.
“I feel like I’m younger and faster and should win the fight. Now I need to get in the ring to prove I’m ready to move to the next level. I fear no one. I have butterflies like I should but no fear.
“I’ve been to the Garden before for a basketball game but this will be my first fight there.”

DeMarcus Corley: “It’s do or die for me right now. I’m fighting on one leg. I’m like a dog with a broken leg. If I lose this one I’m out. I can’t call Don King and ask for another match if I lose another fight. “If I knock this kid Devon Alexander out it would help me. Just getting past him is not enough. I need to knock him out. He and his team have shown me a lot of respect. I appreciate that. After the stare down at the press conference, I told him to bring his “A” game. He asked for me. You gotta be careful what you ask for because you might get it.”
DeMarcus Corley (L) and Yano

Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Roman Karmazin, Alex Bunema & Devon Alexander

Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Roman Karmazin, Alex Bunema & Devon Alexander

NEW YORK— A media workout was held today at New York’s Church Street Gym featuring fighters from Saturday’s “Bring on the Titans” boxing event at Madison Square Garden and on HBO Pay-Per-View. Felix “Tito”Trinidad, Roman “Made in Hell” Karmazin, Alex “The Technician” Bunema and Devon Alexander “The Great” all performed a light workout and answered questions.

Trinidad will face Roy Jones Jr. in the main event; Karmazin will square off against Bunema for the World Boxing Association Intercontinental super welterweight championship; and the undefeated 140-pound Alexander, 20, will take on the toughest test of his young career taking on former world champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley.


FELIX “Tito” TRINIDAD: “I will carry my punch to 170 pounds. I feel strong at this weight. My hands are ready as they have always been. When I catch him, he will feel my power. I have been training for six months to make sure when I step in the ring I will be at my best. I wanted to fight at this weight and I feel stronger today than I have ever felt. I’m ready to go“I have always sparred with bigger guys and we brought in big, strong fighters for sparring. Tonight is my last sparring session and I feel great. I did a lot of sparring for this fight and I’m ready to go 12 rounds but if he goes early I can go home early.

“The last time I was an underdog was against De La Hoya and you see what happened. There is still time for people to change their bets on this fight. Anyone who bets against me is going to lose a lot of money.”

“I want all of my fans here in America, in Puerto Rico and anywhere else in the world to know that I came back to fight for them. I will not let them down. Tito is back.

ROMAN KARMAZIN: “It’s wonderful to be included on the HBO Pay-Per-View telecast on Saturday night. I want all the fans in the Garden and watching on TV to know I will not let them down. They will enjoy watching what I do in the ring.

“I’ve heard Bunema say that he has a plan. I’m curious to see what his plan is. If he thinks I’m one-dimensional, he doesn’t know much about boxing. I’ve seen tapes of Bunema and he is a good boxer. I’m not anticipating an easy victory but I am confident. I’ll knock him out if I get the chance.

“If I can defeat Bunema, I’ll take on any world champion at either 154 pounds or 160 pounds that will agree to fight them. I am a former 154-pound champion and I lost my title to Cory Spinks in a very close decision so I think I deserve another chance at a world title.”

ALEX BUNEMA: “I’ve been waiting for a chance to fight for a title and now I have one. I know Karmazin is a great, pressure fighter but he’s a one dimensional fighter that I will take advantage of. I’ve been fighting bigger fighters so I feel like I can beat him. In fact, I guarantee a win on Saturday night.”

DEVON ALEXANDER: “This is the biggest fight in my life—and it ain’t the last one. I feel the same but in the back of my mind I know I need to step it up for this fight. It’s also a big honor for me to be fighting for the first time at Madison Square Garden, a dream come true for me. This is a big opportunity for me to show the world I can be the best 140-pound fighter in the world.”

MORRISEY’S BOXING & POLITICAL DIVIDE?

CONTACT: Cecelia DaCosta Email: HarlemPIRG@aol.com
HARLEM PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP http://www.harlemweekly.com/ 212.281.8457

MORRISEY’S BOXING & POLITICAL DIVIDE?

Harlem, New York- Keisha Morrisey a candidate for public office in 2002 and 2003 (NYS Assembly in the 70th AD and NYC Council 9th CD respectively), is expanding her professional horizon to include the boxing industry. Ms. Morrisey has engaged the expertise of the renowned boxing reporter Eddie Goldman and is emerging as a boxing correspondent. There is much speculation that Ms. Morrisey is designing a new generation public relations, and marketing career as an advocate for boxing and the fighting arts.


As a Correspondent for No Holds Barred (NHBNews) with Eddie Goldman Keisha has been a guest on the Joey Reynolds Show on AM radio. Touting her Public Relations Company, Ms. Morrisey adds a special quality to the show discussing events and particulars.
Keisha and Eddie Goldman(photo courtesy of Bazooka)

A single mother of a seventeen year old son and member of the controversial “hip-hop” generation Ms. Morrisey’s entry into Harlem electoral politics presented interesting possibilities and challenged pervasive political apathy and the status quo. While this emerging grassroots community leader is currently being touted as a potential candidate for elective office in 2008, Ms. Morrisey may have fortuitously found a worthy market niche to engage her professional talents, skills and interest.


When pressed on the prospect of a run for elective office in November Ms. Morrisey articulates the popular refrain of veteran politicians. “I never say, never.” But the lifelong Harlem resident has been conspicuously absent from the local mix of community based politics. Apparently, Keisha Morrisey has developed a strong affinity to the boxing industry and is exploring the vast knowledge and insight of Eddie Goldman an industry guru. For more than a year she has been on the scene at many boxing events in the capacity of correspondent with her inconspicuous camera.


Ms. Morrisey said, “Eddie Goldman is a boxing institution and I’m gaining a priceless education as a Goldman protégé. Like many of my generation, I am intrigued by professional boxing and Mixed Martial Arts.”

Perhaps Eddie Goldman is passing down his considerable boxing reporting expertise and insights to the emerging generation of industry professionals and fans. Prior to Keisha’s foray into electoral politics, she was a successful event planner, manager and public relations professional in the hip-hop music and entertainment genre. Consequential to the stardom of several artists in the “rap game” the name Keisha Morrisey is a known quantity among many notable personalities in that industry.

Ms. Morrisey said, “I want to parlay the experience and skills that I gained in the music and rap industry into the boxing and entertainment realm. My background in promotions, marketing and public relations is relevant to the growth potential of boxing, and my generation is composed of enthusiastic fans that I am reaching out to. The fan base ranges between the ages of 25 and 45 and they are excited about prospects for the future.”

Keisha Morrisey raises the hope of “Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)” coming to New York as an objective that she is interested in helping to establish in the state. Ms. Morrisey said, “I am exploring the feasibility of developing a campaign to lobby for MMA in New York State. My experience as a candidate for public office may be the kind of exposure that is useful in developing a successful grassroots political campaign to lobby for an expansion of boxing and fighting sports, which will inspire a rebirth of the industry. If my lobbying campaign is successful perhaps that achievement would encourage and inspire me to run for public office again.”


Although some suggest that boxing is currently in its darkest days in terms of general popularity and attendance Ms. Morrisey, who is often referred to as “El Boxing Empress” among people in the game, believes that she brings the necessary ingredients to help the industry’s renaissance.

According to El Boxing Empress, “The advent of a young Black American woman in the reporting, promotion, marketing and public relations aspects of boxing industry may be A-typical, and maybe uncomfortable at times. But trust me, I represent one of the new faces in an emerging boxing and mixed martial arts industry.”

Keisha Morrisey is currently the Director of Events and Publicity for KMPR. Keisha is also a member of USA Boxing Metro, and participates as a volunteer clerk and announcer, while training to be a professional judge. She is developing an Internet presence at http://www.bloodlineboxingentertainment.blogspot.com/ and http://www.keishamorrisey.com/ and www.myspace.com/keishadivine and www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1 and Eddie Goldman; No Holds Barred blog http://nhbnews.blogspot.com/ No Holds Barred pod cast http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/ No Holds Barred on MySpace.com http://www.myspace.com/nhbnews

Andre Berto's Next Plight

***Undefeated Welterweight Star Faces Tough Test In German Michel Trabant***

New York --- Top rated and undefeated welterweight Andre Berto (20-0, 17 KO’s) will face his most experienced opponent to date on February 9 when he takes on German Michel Trabant (43-2-1, 19 KO’s) in a 10-round welterweight contest. The bout will take place at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California and will be televised on HBO’s Boxing After Dark with coverage beginning at 10pm ET.

Andre Berto


Berto last fought on September 29, 2007 when he scored an eleventh round TKO of veteran David Estrada (21-4, 12 KO’s) to capture the NABF Welterweight title and secure the #1 Contender position for the WBC. Berto was relentless throughout throwing ruthless combinations against the courageous Estrada.

Andre Berto


Trabant is a tested veteran of the fight game, with 47 professional bouts and only 2 defeats, and is still only 29 years old. The Berlin native is a former two time European Welterweight champion. Trabant’s career has included signature wins over world class fighters Frederic Klose (41-6, 8 KO’s) and Michele Orlando (35-5-2, 18 KO’s). This will be Trabant’s first fight in America, having been showcased only in Europe throughout his career. The slick boxer looks to take advantage of fighting in front of a worldwide boxing audience on February 9.

February 9th will be Berto’s fourth appearance on HBO. This fight against Trabant is just another step up the ladder to the top of the welterweight division for the 24-year-old Florida native. Berto is looking to show the world why he is regarded as the future of the division.

Andre Berto is promoted by Dash-DiBella Promotions.

Andre Berto and Damon Dash


Contact: Mike Moriarty; DiBella Entertainment

2004 US Olympian Jason 'Big Six' Estrada's 10-round fight Jan. 25 versus former world title challenger Charles Shufford at Foxwoods Resort Casino

U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada plans to retire Charles ShuffordJan. 25 at Foxwoods Resort Casino

PROVIDENCE– Strengthened by his devastating knockout of James Northey last October, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada (10-1, 2 KOs) plans to knock his next opponent, former world heavyweight title contender Charles Shufford, into retirement after their January 25th 10-round, co-main event on “Champions of Tomorrow” at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

The Las Vegas-based Shufford (20-7-1, 9 KOs), who fought Wladimir Klitschko for the WBO in 2001, holds victories against former world champion Lamon Brewster, Elieser Castillo and Jimmy Thunder.

“Shufford’s going to be my biggest test to date and I love fighting at one of the best casino in the world, Foxwoods,” Estrada said. “It’s going to be a great show with a lot of talented fighters in action. Shufford’s very experienced. He’s beaten one world champion and been in with another. I just want to take advantage of this opportunity and make some noise in the heavyweight division. Shufford’s beaten a lot of good fighters but I’m going to retire him like I did to (Robert) Wiggins and (Najee) Shaheed.

“This year I hope to stay injury free and get as many fights as possible. I’m working hard and only took a week off after my last fight. Actually, I was supposed to take a week off, but went back to the gym two days early. I worked through the holidays and started a new tradition, starting training at 11 PM on New Year’s Eve and being in the ring when the clock struck midnight. In 2008, I want to stay busy, win a regional title of some sort, and then take on a top 20 fighter. This is going to be my year.”

Jason, 26, was one of the most highly decorated American amateur boxers ever, compiling an amazing 261-14 record, also becoming the first boxer to win both the U.S. Nationals and U.S. Challenge three years (2001-2003) in a row. Highlights of his amateur career included representing the United States in the 2004 Olympics and capturing a gold medal at the 2003 Pan-American Games.

During his illustrious amateur career, Estrada defeated some of today’s leading professionals including former world title challenger DaVarryl “The Touch of Sleep” Williamson (24-5, 20 KOs), unbeatens Malik Scott (30-0, 10 KOs) and Donnell “The Real Touch of Sleep” Holmes (28-0-2, 24 KOs), Malcolm “The Showstopper” Tann (23-4, 12 KOs), Felix “Bad News” Cora, Jr. (18-2, 9 KOs), and “Famous” Michael Simms (19-7-1, 13 KOs).

Estrada recently opened his gym, “Big Six Boxing Academy” in Providence, and signed a new promotional contract extension with Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc. “I want to help give kids off the streets with lots of energy like I was a place to go and learn how to box,” Estrada explained. “I hope to have 10-12 kids and eventually I’d like to have amateur fights there every other Friday night to start with like I had at the old Coventry where we had fights every Friday. We took care of some issues and I’m happy to still be fighting for CES.”

“Champions of Tomorrow,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., will be taped live and air on Saturday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m. on CN8 and will also stream online at http://www.cn8.tv/. Following the broadcast, the show will be available ON DEMAND to Comcast Digital Cable customers for at least one week. “Champions of Tomorrow” will also air on Cox Sports Television on February 1 at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets for “Champions of Tomorrow” are priced at $40.00, $65.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club). Two VIP Presidential Suites are also available (call CES for details as well as sponsorship opportunities). To purchase tickets or for additional information contact CES (1.401.724.2253/2254 - http://www.cesboxing.com/) or Foxwoods (1.800.200.2882/www.foxwoods.com). Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.

CONTACT: Bob TriegerFull Court Press

ROY JONES JR. PRE FIGHT CONFERENCE QUOTES WITH DON KING

From the Jones training camp in California, Pa. (just outside Pittsburgh)
You are making a lot out of stopping Tito...

RJJ: “He is smaller than me and it will be hard to not try to knock him out.”

Will it be a negative if you don't knock him out?

RJJ: “Trust me, he is not going to go 12 rounds with me. I hear, 'If he does this or if he does that...'. "He may try to do all of that but he is not going to go the distance with me. I really can’t see him going the distance with me.”



Roy, I see you haven't had a knockout in seven fights - what are you going to do different?

RJJ: “You have to look at it like this. Superman had to gain a lot of weight to fight at heavyweight. I had to take off a lot of weight to go back down. That was all muscle. It took me a while to get back to where I feel good again. When I added all of that muscle and then had to lose it, I don't think people were paying attention. I won the heavyweight title then came back to win the light heavyweight title. If you didn't win the heavyweight title then go back down to win the light heavyweight title, then you didn't do what Bob Fitzsimmons did.”

After the loss to Johnson, what made you continue to fight?

RJJ: “I feel so good, but I haven't told you all that, number one. I had to go through a phase where I had to do something for myself. After I won the heavyweight title I came back down and of course there were going to be consequences for that. Because I did something that someone doesn't do every day. It had been 106 years since a former middleweight champion won the heavyweight title. To accomplish that feat, there is a price to pay when you do something historic. People don't understand that. Look at Muhammad Ali. He was at the top but look at the price he has to pay now. He went so high to the top that no one knew the consequences he was going to have to pay. We have to pay a price for the things we do and a lot of times people don't realize that. My Christian brothers and sisters know exactly what I am taking about... because if you don't sacrifice, then you are wasting your time. I knew I was going to have to sacrifice and I paid the price. I am not sure if that was the sacrifice, but I feel like it was. Now I am back, my body is back to where I want it to be and I guarantee he is not going to make 12-rounds with me.”

We hear here in Puerto Rico that it is difficult for you to make weight. Has it been?

RJJ: “If it were, why would I tell you? You are down there in Puerto Rico and you will tell Tito. Are you serious? If I was, you would be the last person to know” (Jones said with a laugh).

Do you still think the fight will last no longer than 4 rounds?

RJJ: “It will no last longer than 4 rounds. No.”

Could you see yourself fighting at 39?

RJJ: “Yes, and let me tell you why. That is the reason why I never wanted to drink and I never wanted to smoke. Because I wanted to be able to perform at any time and at any age if I had to. I wanted to keep my options open because I didn't know what would happen in my career. But I don't know because it's really not my call and I don't know when I am going to leave. Whatever He says, I have to go do. It wasn't my call. I didn't know when I was going to come here. How will I know when I am going to leave? I may have thought so. But I don't know what He had planned for me. What He had planned for me was to go further than I would have wanted I had to go.”


Do you think if you beat Tarver and Johnson that you would be fighting now?

RJJ: “I don't know. Probably not. If I beat them I probably would have walked away. He knows what He wanted, not me. But I would have cheated the world out of a whole lot of blessings that He gave me. I feel like there is a lot more entertainment for me to give this sport than I had let them see already. When they robbed me of the [Olympic] gold medal, He knew what that would do to me. It would make me come back and show the world that I would be the best professional fighter ever. And I did that. Had I won, He knew I probably would have quit. But I didn't win, so He wouldn't let me quit.

“I want to go out the way I want to go. If they beat me being myself, then that's it. Right now I am back to being me. I am back, 100%.”

What does a win mean for you in this fight?

RJJ: “A win doesn't mean much. He’s got to go. He’s got to go in fo'. Just to win the fight would not be good enough for me at this time. He has to go. I really don't care when; he's just got to go. The way I see it, Bernard Hopkins is not as good as me. Oscar De La Hoya is not as good as me. Fernando Vargas? Not as good as me. None of those guys can be my equal, and they stopped him [Trinidad].”

RJJ: “I love what I do. When you see me in the ring, you will say, ‘He loves what he does.’ I have a good time performing for people. The people have not been getting all they can get. I am the big guy. I am the one that has to go perform on January 19th. The women that have to get up every day to fight breast cancer? I want to know that they have a chance to win. They have something that they can't even see. They just know that it is on them. I am going to go out and fight to give them another reason to fight. They have told me I give them the fight. So I feel I have to go out there and perform and have fun because you never know who may be watching. My blessing is to be able to go out there and perform.”

RJJ: “If Joe Calzaghe wins, yes.”

If Hopkins wins?

RJJ: “He doesn't want me. I'm not going to waste my time if he doesn't want me.”

Who will you want to fight?

RJJ: “I don't know yet. I would fight Glen Johnson, Antonio Tarver, Chad Dawson—I don't care. Let me tell you one more time, my time, my probation period is over. I don't care who he is. Line them up and I'll go to them. I don't care where he's at. If we have to go to London to fight Joe, if we have to go to Tampa to fight Tarver, or if we have to go to Miami to fight Glen. I don't care. My name is Roy Jones Jr. I am Superman and I don't care about anybody else.”

Why did Tito pick you?

RJJ: “He wanted to fight somebody with a bigger name. If he fights a person like me, I am explosive with both hands, so he knows he has to come in on top of his game, so he knows he has to get himself ready. He fought somebody like a Bernard Hopkins or a Winky Wright, he wouldn't have to get himself that ready because they are not power punchers. He knows he is a power puncher and to get to another power puncher, you have to be a power puncher. If you put a power puncher in with a boxer, the power puncher is usually going to get beat because those guys will just stay away and outbox them. So he knows Roy is going to be right there in front of him. So he figures, ‘This is the best chance I can take.’ He asked for me. I didn't ask for him.”

RJJ: “Personally, if I have the chance to beat Trinidad, I took the gamble. He took the guarantee. Just like I took the guarantee against Ruiz and he took the gamble. I was the bigger fighter, so I took the guarantee. And I will get it back like Ruiz did.

“I can get a title shot any time I want to. They know I can beat 110% of the champions out there right now. I just have to be motivated. Most of them are going to be trying to not give me a shot.



“The knockouts did not change me as a fighter. I was more of a boxer as a heavyweight. The problem was when I came back to light heavyweight, I lost all of the muscle and I lost all of the energy. I was going for the knockout because I didn't want to go the whole 12 rounds because my body was tired. I couldn't understand why my body was tired and it didn't dawn on me until now.

“The reason why everyone should tune into this fight is because anyone who has ever seen Roy Jones Jr. knows that Roy Jones Jr. puts on a show every time he gets in the ring. I am going to give you a show regardless of who or what is on the other side. Now, with Tito Trinidad on the other side, he comes to fight all day long. He's bringing his left hook to the game and he thinks he is going to knock me out if he can land it. So if you want to see a wonderful fight—two guys who are going to go at it for real—and I'll give you my word right now that he's not going 12 rounds with me. You want to see a wonderful fight and you want to see a good fight with him getting knocked out, then you want to put your money down and check it out on January 19.”

Have you done anything different to get down to this weight?

RJJ: “What I did do is have a much longer camp to let my body do it the right way. It has probably been about a three-month camp. Right now I feel like my old self. I love it. I am a true professional and I will be right where I need to be come fight time.”

I noticed you kept your hands up a little higher in the Hanshaw fight...

RJJ: “I used a different style against Hanshaw because he was so quick, but I think I will keep that style. Especially if the guy is not that big of a puncher it is a good style to use. I am not sure I will use that in the Trinidad fight yet.”

“Right now I feel like I have my body back. I can make those three-punch combinations. The 11th round, that is kind of late to knock somebody down. But it didn't surprise me at all. I could have taken Hanshaw out, but I needed the rounds.”



Would you go to London to fight Calzaghe?

RJJ: “If they sign to fight on January 20th, after I get out of the ring against Trinidad, I will go straight to the UK for sure. I love Calzaghe, don't get me wrong. I think he is one of the best super middleweights to come along. The way I look at things, I try to be as fair as I possibly can. I look at the way the world goes and I want to be fair. Now Hatton came over here to fight Floyd Mayweather, now maybe it is our turn to go over there. So if I need to go, I'll go.”

There is a report that Tyson wants to fight Holyfield a third time. Could you see yourself fighting the winner?

RJJ: “I could see myself fighting the winner of anything.”

RJJ: “After losing to Tarver and Johnson, I needed to get myself back physically—not only physically but mentally also. You don't want to go out like that. I had to go back and do something different. I had to go back and redefine myself. You need to go back and re-motivate yourself. I needed to go back and find myself and see what is going on.”

How big of a factor will the Puerto Rican contingent be at the Garden?

RJJ: “I will just have to tune that out.”

Would you fight Calzaghe at super middleweight, since you haven't fought there since 1996?

RJJ: “I am fighting Trinidad at 170, so what's two more pounds?”



Don King: “Yes, Roy, there is no one that can say they came back down to win both. I think it is phenomenal what is going on. These two guys have pride and glory.”

Don King: “You can watch Roy Jones train on www.donkingnetwork.tv and see all of the great things that we are doing to make this a great show. And we want you to get an all-round view of this phenomenal fighter, the best of the last decade. Look what George Foreman did. He came back and won the title at 45? Time moves on but God utilizes you in the way he wants to utilize you. You can run and not be weary. This fight is as big as when he fought Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle. He was being counted out when everyone was saying that Ali was too old to fight and he couldn't do this and he couldn't do that. It was a foregone conclusion from 90% of the fans that he was going to get destroyed.”

Don King: “That is why I am so honored and pleased that I am a great part of this event. I think you are all going to see a new Roy Jones. This is role-model time, when everyone says ‘No, you can't,’ you say, ‘Yes, I can.’”

Don King: “These boxers are committed to what they have to do. They have to work at it, stick to it and make it happen. That means you have to be focused and disciplined... the struggle goes on. Both of these guys, with Tito coming out of retirement and the only one he was looking for is Roy Jones. This other fighter, Floyd Mayweather, was only looking at the dollar signs. Then his [Trinidad’s] father told him about Roy Jones. Roy heard about it and put himself to work. Right now, it is incredulous. No one can believe it is Roy Jones. You are talking to Roy Jones Jr., the man who has committed himself to excellence.
Hopkins-Calzaghe? If Calzaghe wins?

Don King: “The irresistible force against an immovable object. That is what is going to make this fight.”

Don King: “He wanted the best. I can tell you that right now. I sat with Tito and his father in Puerto Rico. We would make money from beating Floyd Mayweather but we wouldn't get any prestige from beating Floyd Mayweather. Roy Jones is the giant on the scene. He is the biggest name and he has history attached to it. Going beyond the payday and adding to his legacy at the same time. This is what counts.”

FELIX ‘TITO’ TRINIDAD PRE FIGHT QUOTES

From Felix "Tito" Trinidad Training Camp near San Juan, P.R.

TITO: “I made my decision and I want to fight. I am very well prepared.”

What do you think about Jones making the knockout prediction?

TITO: “I think he is going to be embarrassed. It is a promise that he will not be able to fulfill. He is just one more fighter to say something like that. It does not matter to me at all what he says.”


How do you feel when you are not boxing?

TITO: “It was an easier life. It is a very relaxed life with my family. When I am boxing I have a lot more responsibility on my shoulders. I have to sacrifice for training.”

Does he feel like something is missing in his life to go back?

TITO: “There are a couple of decisions I had to make. First of all, I had to think about my family. The fans have driven me to be back in boxing, they are always telling me to fight. Everywhere I went people were screaming for me to come back, and then you have my promoter, Don King, who has been persuing me to convince me to come back and box, and finally myself. After the reaction of everyone and my promoter, I feel the passion to come back. I’m back. At the end, I made the decision because I wanted to come back.”

Did it hurt your pride to lose such a lopsided decision against Winky Wright?

TITO: “It didn’t hurt my pride. My pride has never been hurt. But I didn’t feel well about the loss. I will prove on January 19 that I still have my pride.”

How did you not feel well?

TITO: In the way that I lost the fight, I didn’t feel well. I like to win every fight and I lost that one. So I did not feel good about it. It is impossible to feel good when you lose.”

How does he want his fans to remember him when he retires?

TITO: “I want to be remembered as a great champion; that I always went into the ring and gave my best as a fighter that fought for all of my fans; as a person, that I did my best in everything that I do.”

What would you like for your birthday tomorrow?

TITO: “For my birthday, I will love a huge victory next Saturday for me and for all of Puerto Rico.”

There has been a lot of talk about knockouts…

TITO: “It all began at a press conference when he told me he was going to knock me out in four rounds. I then told Roy Jones that he would not be able to do that because he will not last two. Since then everyone has been talking about knockouts but I am ready to fight 12-rounds. I can beat him under two, under 4 or the full 12, it really doesn’t matter. And it is going to be a great fight and I don’t think anyone should miss it.”

Have you had trouble getting in shape after being inactive?

TITO: “I have to work hard to prepare for every fight. I run early in the morning. Then I go to the gym in the afternoon and work on my boxing. I have been eating the right foods. It is very hard and I have to work on all of the details. I just want to know if, that when he feels my hands hit him, if he is going to be able to take those punches.”

What will you do if you lose?

TITO: “I don’t think about that right now because I don’t think I am going to lose. I will decide after the fight what I will do next.”

What do you think about what you have achieved?

TITO: “In the world of boxing, I gain titles and I learned to be famous and I have a lot of fans. Right now, I just want to get a victory and celebrate that with all of the fans that will be in New York and then go home to celebrate with all of the fans in Puerto Rico. That is what I have missed during my leave, the feeling of the big victory.”

What do you see in your RJ’s style that you can knock him out?TITO: Every weakness that he has for this fight, I will discover in the ring and I will take advantage of it. One of his weaknesses is that everyone he has boxed that punches well, he was knocked out. And I punch well. So lets see of he can stand in there with me.

What does the future hold for you?

TITO: “First of all, I know that I will win the fight. After that, we will go over the fight and see what happened and then make a decision on what we will do next. But we are definitely not thinking about that right now. All I am thinking about is that I am going to win the fight. Right now, I am just waiting for the victory and the celebration tat will follow with the people that I love. After this fight, we will see what is out there and decide what is the best for me to do next.”

You haven’t proved knockout power since you fought Joppy…

TITO: “It has always been there and I am going to prove to all of the people that my punch is still there on January 19.”

Only one fight or are you going to fight more?

TITO: “I am going to win big against Roy and then I am going to decide what I am going to do.”

Would you take a rematch with Wright or Hopkins?TITO: “Of course I would. Those fights have always been in the back of my mind. But we won’t decide on who it would be until after I win this fight.”

How is Tito’s punching power?TITO: “I feel that I still have my punching power and that I have never lost it.”

Do you still feel you are the most popular Puerto Rican fighter – do you think Cotto is gaining on you?TITO: “That is something that I will always leave for the fans to answer. They have to decide. I don’t know. I still have my power and I want to fight and I am ready to fight. They have always showed to me that I am the biggest Puerto Rican fighter.”

What advantages do you think you have in this fight?TITO: “I can tell you that I am a better fighter and I will show him that on January 19.”

Do you think you are rusty?

TITO: “No. I have trained very hard for 6 months to make sure that the time I have had out of the ring will not affect me. You will see that on January 19. I have trained very hard to eliminate any ring rust.”

You took all of the rust out?

TITO: “Yes I took all of the rust out of me training very hard. I feel like I am very young.”

You don’t like when people talk about your age?

TITO: “I really don’t care what they say about my age. I feel good and I know I’m good and it really doesn’t matter to me.”

Was the loss to Winky one of the reasons for a return?

TITO: “This is true to a point. It is something that I have had on my mind. It is not the same with a loss as with a win. And it is something that I want to do now. One of the reasons I came back to boxing is that I want to win this fight. I don’t like to remember a defeat, that’s why I want to win this fight.”

There are rumors that you are using less aged sparring partners in Puerto Rico…

TITO: “Those are just rumors. We know what we are doing. We have been doing this forever and we are using the guys that we need. We have the right people in place to prepare me for the fight. We will show all of the work that we have done – in the fight – when we win.


TITO: I hope he is ready and comes to the ring to do what he has to do. I am coming to the ring to fight, for 12 rounds. If he goes by KO, it will be great. This is going to be one of Tito’s best fights. I can’t wait to get back in the ring.”

Do you want to keep fighting?

TITO: “I am going to bring this victory to Puerto Rico. I can’t wait to fight. I can’t wait to get back into the ring. Then I will know what is next for Tito.”

Who do you think the best fighter is today?

TITO: “The best fighter right now is Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and nobody should doubt that because he is.”

Do you think it will affect you that you only have few fights in the past few years.

TITO: “It is just a matter of training. I have trained very hard for this fight. It is true I have not fought much recently but I was retired. I train to get back on track and Tito is ready. This time is just a matter of training and I am ready. There will be two titans fighting on January 19, and at the end there will be only one winner and that will be Felix Tito Trinidad.

DBE and SALITA AGREE TO CUT PROMOTIONAL TIES

DBE and SALITA AGREE TO CUT PROMOTIONAL TIES

DBE and SALITA AGREE TO CUT PROMOTIONAL TIES

NEW YORK– DiBella Entertainment and Dmitriy “Star of David” Salita (27-0-1, 15 KO’s) have worked out an agreement by which Salita has received a release from his promotional contract with the New York based boxing promoter.
Salita, an Orthodox Jew fighting out of Brooklyn, NY, fought under the DBE banner for nearly 3 years and brought dedication and excitement to every show he fought on. Over those years, Salita built up a new fan base that filled venues in Manhattan to see him fight his way up the world rankings. DiBella Entertainment wishes Dmitriy and Team Salita the best of luck in their future endeavors, both in and out of the ring.

Contact: Mike Moriarty, DiBella Entertainment

ELITEXC SIGNS EDDIE ALVAREZ TO A LONG-TERM CONTRACT

ELITEXC SIGNS EDDIE ALVAREZ TO A LONG-TERM CONTRACT

Promising, Exciting Youngster Faces Ross Ebanez; Paul Daley Faces Sam Morgan In New Co-Features Friday, Jan. 25, On ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series At Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City On SHOWTIME

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 8, 2008) – Popular, flamboyant and charismatic former Bodog star, Eddie Alvarez, has signed a long-term contract with Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s live division, EliteXC, and will co-headline on Friday, Jan. 25, at Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City Hotel & Casino.

“This is another great signing for EliteXC and we’re thrilled to have Eddie with us,’’ said EliteXC Live Events President, Gary Shaw, who made the announcement today. “Eddie is definitely a promising kid with a great future, but what truly amazes me is his incredibly devoted fan base.

“He’s a phenomenon on the East Coast where he may fight on a show that draws 5,000 fans, but two-thirds of them are there to see him. He is like a rock star in some respects. In an around Philadelphia, he is as popular as Philly cheese steak and is the best thing they have going as far as mixed martial arts goes. I look forward to introducing him to the world on SHOWTIME.’’

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

A two-time high school All-American wrestler, Alvarez (11-1), of Philadelphia, will make his EliteXC debut against Hawaiian favorite Ross “Da Boss’’ Ebanez (16-5), of Hilo, Hawaii, on ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

The Alvarez-Ebanez fight, which will be contested at 170 pounds, replaces one slated to include Yves Edwards. In the other ShoXC co-feature, England’s Paul “Semtex’’ Daley (16-6-2) will meet Sam “The Squeeze” Morgan (19-9) of Minneapolis, Minn., in a 160-pound bout.

Tickets for Jan. 25, starting at $40, are available at the Trump Taj Mahal box office and online at www.ticketmaster.com. The live card begins at 9 p.m.; doors open at 8.

In other SHOWTIME-televised fights, Bobby McMaster (8-2), of Boston, Mass., will try to regain his winning ways against the dangerous Bao Quach (11-8-1), of Irvine, Calif., at 150 pounds; “The Hawaiian Rocky Balboa,’’ Kala Kolohe Hose (4-1), of Honolulu, faces Fred Belleton (5-1), of Easton, Mass., at 185 pounds; and Julie Kedzie (9-6), of Greenwood, Ind., will attempt to make it four victories in a row when she battles Tonya Evinger (5-3), of Oak Grove, Maryland, at 140 pounds.

An explosive striker, Alvarez battled his way into MMA from the mean streets of Kensington, Pa., a blue-collar neighborhood near Philadelphia.

"Trouble seemed to find me and I wound up getting into fights on the street, so I decided to take it a little more seriously and really learn how to fight,’’ said Alvarez, who won his initial 10 MMA starts before losing his Bodog Fight welterweight title belt to Nick “The Goat” Thompson on a second-round knockout (strikes) on April 14, 2007.

Although he is not a true 170-pounder, Alvarez has coveted a rematch with his bitter rival. A return bout had been scheduled a couple times but after a February ’08 fight with Thompson fell out, a frustrated Alvarez, after weighing other offers, signed with EliteXC.

“We know Eddie wasn’t happy where he was, but I truly believe he’s found a home here with EliteXC,’’ Shaw said. “With Eddie eventually dropping down to his more natural weight class, 160 pounds, and with the fighters we have at 160, he has a chance to be a big star if he keeps winning.’’

A top-notch wrestler who can move fast, sprawl, and shoot, Alvarez is also a non-stop puncher with quick hands – he delivers uppercuts from every possible direction -- quick feet and excellent head movement. He won his last start with a unanimous decision over Matt Lee on July 14, 2007. But while he dominated, Alvarez’ streak of winning inside the distance (eight knockouts, two decisions) ended.

Ebanez is a BJ Penn fighter unbeaten in his last three outings (2-0 with one no-contest) and 6-1 in his last seven (with the NC). Nicknamed “Da Boss’’ for his intimidating, aggressive style, Ebanez is an experienced, fan-friendly MMA fighter with solid skills. In his lone defeat since March ‘06, Ebanez lost to Mike Pyle on the historic EliteXC “DESTINY’’ fight card on Feb. 10, 2007, on SHOWTIME.

Scheduled non-televised Jan. 25 fights include: Zach Makovsky (3-0), of Philadelphia, vs. Wilson Reis (2-0), of Philadelphia, at 140; James “Binky’’ Jones (4-5), of Baltimore, Md., vs., Mark Getto (1-3-1), of Philadelphia, at 150; Sergio Vinagre (2-1), of New Jersey, vs. Brett Linebarger (2-1), of New Jersey, at 170; Joe Shilling (debut), of Los Angeles, vs. Matt Makowski (1-0), of Philadelphia, at 170; and Doug Gordon (6-4), of New Jersey, vs. an opponent to be determined, at 170.

The fights are scheduled for three, 5-minutes rounds with the exception of Kedzie-Evinger, which is slated for three, 3-minute rounds.

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.

Fighter pages: Alvarez (eddiealvarez.proelite.com), Ebanez (rossebanez.proelite.com), Daley (pauldaley.proelite.com), Morgan (sammorgan.proelite.com), McMaster (bobbymcmaster.proelite.com), Quach (baoquach.proelite.com), Kedzie (juliekedzie.proelite.com), Evinger (tonyaevinger.com), Hose (kalakolohoehose.proelite.com), Belleton (fredbelleton.proelite.com), Gordon (douggordon.com) Makovsky (zachmakovsky.proelite.com), Reis (wilsonreis.proelite.com), Jones (jamesjones.proelite.com), Getto (markgetto.proelite.com), Vinagre (sergiovinagre.proelite.com), Linebarger (brettlinebarger.proelite.com), Shilling (joeshilling.com), Makowski (mattmakowski.proelit.com).

About Pro Elite, 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

Former junior flyweight world champion Hugo “EL INCREDIBLE” Cazares of Los Mochis, Mexico will battle Columbian veteran Kermin Guardia on January 25th

Former junior flyweight world champion Hugo “EL INCREDIBLE” Cazares of Los Mochis, Mexico will battle Columbian veteran Kermin Guardia on January 25th at Cicero Stadium in the main event as Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions present THE MONTH OF THE KINGS, an eight bout card of world class professional boxing.

Cazares, 25-4-1 (19KO’s) will be moving up to flyweight for the twelve round bout with Guardia who brings a record of 37-7 with 21 knockouts into battle.

Cazares won the world title on April 30, 2005 in Caguas, Puerto Rico with a technical decision over Nelson Dieppa. He defended the title five times before losing a very close, hard fought split decision to Ivan Calderon on August 25th of this year in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. He is currently ranked # 2 in the world by Ring Magazine and ESPN.

Guardia is a former minimum weight world champion who hold wins over Juan Alfonso Keb Baas and John Alberto Molina amongst other world class challengers in his career. On May 11, 2007, he won a nationally televised twelve decision over Gerardo Verde in Garland, Texas in which the savvy veteran gave the younger contender a boxing lesson. He followed that up with a hard fought twelve round battle with Juan Esper on October 19th in Miami, Florida that saw him come out on the short end of a majority decision.

The terrific undercard of THE MONTH OF THE KINGS features highly touted Puerto Rican twin lightweight prospects Carlos Juan Velasquez and Juan Carlos Velasquez, Chicago welterweight Ivan Popoca, New York City junior welterweight newcomer Michael Faragon, super middleweight prospect Daniel Jacobs of Brooklyn along with Chicagoland fan favorite Barbaro Zepeda and the pro debut of Chicago based Puerto Rican lightweight Gadiel Andaluz.

Along with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and Chicago’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, THE MONTH OF THE KINGS event 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.

Tickets for THE MONTH OF THE KINGS 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 Master of Ceremonies for THE MONTH OF THE KINGS will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.

8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1997 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/ Additional information can also be obtained by visiting the Golden Boy Promotions website at http://www.goldenboypromotions.com/

CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1997

Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions