John 'The Quietman' Ruiz' next fight against Jameel McCline on March 8 in Cancun

LAS VEGAS– Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz (42-7-1, 29 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBA and No. 6 by the WBC, returns to the ring March 8 against Jameel “Big Time” McCline on the Oleg Maskaev-Samuel Peter card in Cancun, Mexico.
Jameel “Big Time” McCline


“I’m getting ready to clean-up the heavyweight division, starting March 8 with McCline, and then I want the Maskaev-Peter winner,” Ruiz said from his Las Vegas training camp with head trainer Manny Siaca, Sr. “McCline almost beat Peter in his last fight and he’s a lot better than some people give him credit for. He floored Peter three times but we’ll see how tough he is on March 8.

In his last fight, Ruiz stopped Otis Tisdale in the second round of their October 13 bout in Chicago, which marked the first time since 1999 that “The Quietman” fought an opponent who wasn’t a world champion, former title-holder, or rated in the top 10.

“I’ve always wanted to fight in Puerto Rico,” the first and only Hispanic heavyweight champion remarked. “We just haven’t had the right opportunity, yet. But I’m looking forward to fighting in front of all the Latinos at this fight in Cancun.”

Ruiz, who has fought in 11 world championship fights (including one interim and one eliminator), has beaten three world heavyweight champions -- Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as top contenders Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo and Kirk Johnson during his 15-year pro career.

McCline (38-8-3, 23 KOs) is a three-time world title challenger, currently rated No. 9 by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBO, who has defeated former world champion Shannon Briggs.

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press

Bernard Fernandez: Olympic Education Center KO'd by budget cuts

Bernard Fernandez: Olympic Education Center KO'd by budget cuts
Philadelphia Daily News

IN THE END, it came down to a matter of dollars and cents. Doesn't it always?
The 20-year-old boxing program at Northern Michigan University's U.S. Olympic Education Center more or less ended on Jan. 14, when budget cuts prevented the continued enrollment of 14 student-boxers whose scholarships no longer would be funded. But the official end of a grand experiment that produced 12 Olympians, 97 U.S. national amateur champions and numerous out-of-the-ring success stories doesn't come until Thursday, when head coach Al Mitchell and assistant coach David Reid, America's only gold medalist in boxing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, go off salary.


"The program is about boxing, of course, but it's about more than that," said Mitchell, the 1996 U.S. Olympic boxing coach and a native of North Philadelphia as is his most famous pupil, Reid, who went on to win the WBA super welterweight championship. "These are inner-city kids we're talking about. Numerous guys got their degrees here. Almost 100 percent at least graduated from high school. Three or four of our athletes became teachers. One is a principal. Several others are coaches. We've had athletes go on to own their own businesses, or learn a trade."

Mitchell, 64, and Reid, 34, intend to remain in Marquette, Mich., training amateur boxers at the new Ringside Gym that is being funded in large part by Ringside, a Lenexa, Kan.-based boxing equipment company. One of Ringside's executives is Dave Lubs, who founded the boxing program at NMU in 1987 and served as its first director.

But Mitchell can't say for sure how many of his amateurs from the recently ended semester can afford to remain in the area without subsidies, or how many more from around the nation will arrive minus the inducement of paid educational benefits.


"I keep hearing that they might bring the program back in September, but I don't know if it'll happen," Mitchell said. "The handwriting had been on the wall for a few years now.

"I've got four kids who borrowed money so they could stay up here. I'm still training them. But I suppose if it came to that, I could go back to training pros."

Lubs is more optimistic that the program can be salvaged.

"I refuse to believe it's gone forever," he said. "I'm optimistic that everything will be back in place by next semester.

"The whole idea when we started this thing was to prepare these kids for life after boxing. We knew we'd have an opportunity to build better boxers, but a lot of these kids graduated from high school and went further with their education.

"What irks me is that local review committees all around the country have made recommendations that there should be more of these programs. So what happens? The first thing they do when there's a financial crunch is to shut down the one they have. It just doesn't make sense."

The Olympic Education Center is the result of a partnership between NMU and the U.S. Olympic Committee. In addition to boxing, Olympic sports whose participant-athletes' costs are picked up in part by the university are men's Greco-Roman wrestling, women's freestyle wrestling, men's and women's short-track speedskating and men's and women's weightlifting.

But NMU annually shells out just $20,000 for coaches in those other sports (everything above that is paid by the respective sport's national governing body), as opposed to $110,000 for boxing. And with appropriations for educational institutions in Michigan shrinking yearly since 2003, it became increasingly evident that funding for some programs would be slashed or eliminated altogether.

"The outlay for boxing was significant - 5 1/2 times what it was for our other sports," said Jeff Kleinschmidt, the director of the Olympic Training Center. "We went to USA Boxing and said that we no longer could continue to pay the coaches' salaries at that level. We asked USA Boxing to pick up the difference so that we could be consistent with our other sports. Their response was that they supported the program and wanted to see it continue, but they were unable to furnish the funds needed within the specified time frame.

"Since the coaches are actually employees of Northern Michigan, and the university has rules regarding layoffs, we had to proceed with notifying the coaches of their layoffs in a timely manner."

No coaches, of course, meant the end of subsidies for boxers and the suspension, if not termination, of the program.

Kleinschmidt, like Mitchell and Lubs, is hopeful boxing at NMU can be revived, for altruistic as well as for practical reasons.

"Four members of the 2000 U.S. Olympic boxing team, fully one-third of the squad, came from here," he noted. "But the program was never just about producing Olympians. The educational aspects are just as important."

You don't have to tell that to Ron Aurit, a Philadelphia boxing coach and referee whose Boxing Scholarship Foundation had hoped to place two promising amateurs at NMU.

"That program was their chance for a better life," Aurit said. *

Send e-mail to fernanb@phillynews.com

The Mis-Education of the Negro: 1933-2008 by ALTON H. MADDOX JR.

The Mis-Education of the Negro: 1933-2008 by ALTON H. MADDOX JR.
Amsterdam News

Seventy-five years ago, this month, Dr. Carter G. Woodson published “The Mis-Education of the Negro.” It is a repair book on extirpating the legacies of slavery which have given rise to the maintenance of the badges of slavery. If Dr. Woodson were alive today, Blacks would readily refer to him as a prophet.

Like most experts in a field, his knowledge was acquired through experience. Dr. Woodson learned that the most prominent achievement on his resume was also his most salient disability. He said, “I advocate a more realistic and practical approach in education. It took me over thirty years to get over my Harvard education.”
April 1950 was a bad month for the Black world. Three intellectual giants died during this month. These transitional men, through their works, were models of excellence and they left us with visionary blueprints necessary to navigate Jim Crow minefields.

This group included the educational architect for revolutionizing the Black mind, the legal architect for combatting Jim Crow in the United States and the medical architect of blood plasma. These men, respectively, were Dean Charles Hamilton Houston, Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Dr. Charles Drew.

Despite the verbal warfare that has erupted over the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, “Negro History Week” has failed to pique our historical interests beyond 7 days in February. Obviously, “Negro History Week” should be a matter of concern of Congressmen Charles Rangel and John Lewis, former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, and Robert Johnson, current owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats.
None of these men have made Dr. Woodson proud and they should revisit a course in logic. For example, Mayor Young argues that former President Bill Clinton is blacker than Sen. Obama because President Clinton has bedded down more Black women than Sen. Obama.

That argument could be used to expose Thomas Jefferson’s sexual promiscuity but its conclusion would still be a fallacy. Throughout our existence in North America, white men have been able to treat Black women like sex toys with impunity. What is Mayor Young’s position on Tawana Brawley?

Cong. Rangel argues that it is “absolutely stupid” for Sen. Obama to claim that Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Cong. Rangel is supporting Sen. Clinton’s claim which belittles the role of Dr. King in securing voting rights legislation in 1965.

Assuming arguendo that Cong. Rangel is correct when he argues that it was President Lyndon B. Johnson, and not Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., who meritoriously signed the legislation, he would, nonetheless, have to concede that it was signed with the blood of millions of Blacks starting with Crispus Attucks and continuing beyond the assassination of Malcolm X.

Sadly, it took 178 years for Blacks to simply secure voting rights and, afterwards, Blacks are still treated as “heathens” under the U.S. Constitution. The American Revolution was fought under the mantra of “no taxation without representation.” New Hampshire has a more poignant motto: “live free or die.” Neither phrase applies, positively, to Blacks.

Blacks have failed to perceive the difference between political representation and political presence. Voting only guarantees political presence. It took an armed revolution for whites, with assistance from free Blacks, to secure political representation for themselves.

If Alexander Hamilton returned to New York today, he would swear that slavery was still in effect. Politically and economically, Blacks are still at the bottom of the barrel. Illegal immigrants enjoy more rights than Blacks who have been given no credit for their contributions to this nation.

By distinguishing freedom from slavery, Hamilton argued, “In the former state a man is governed by the laws to which he has given his consent, either in person or by his representative; in the latter, he is governed by the will of another. In one case, his life and property are his own; in the other, they depend upon the pleasure of his master.”

In slavery, we went to the cotton fields and returned to the slave quarters. Today, we simply go to the polls and return to the “hood” penniless. No Black effort is afoot to secure political power. We enjoy no more political rights today than we did in slavery. This is termed the “Illusion of Inclusion.”

Thurgood Marshall always maintained that his greatest legal victory was Smith v. Allwright and not Brown v. Board of Education. The Supreme Court had to address the constitutionality of Texas’ white primary system, which barred Blacks from selecting political candidates.

The Supreme Court, in 1944, overturned Grovey v. Townsend, decided in 1935, because only two of the justices in Grovey were still on the court in 1944. Grovey had ruled that the rules of a political party fall outside the purview of state action which implicates the Fourteenth Amendment. Thus, a political party was free to engage in racial discrimination. Grovey is back in effect. See the primary rules in 2008.
Despite Supreme Court precedent, the white primary still exists today. Whites in Iowa and New Hampshire select the Democratic presidents of the United States. Bill Clinton failed to win either Iowa or New Hampshire in 1992, but he still became the standard bearer of the Democratic Party. This was the sole exception. A victory in New Hampshire usually manufactures a standard bearer for the Democratic Party.
Despite the ruling in Smith v. Allwright, the white primary continued in South Carolina until 1948 when J. Waites Waring, a federal district court judge in South Carolina, ruled it unconstitutional. Gov. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina saw the handwriting on the wall and he became a “Dixiecrat.”

“Pitchfork” Ben Tillman had rewritten the state constitution in 1895 to exclude the Black vote. His political heirs still reside in South Carolina. Judge Waring would later create the legal rationale in Brown v. Board of Education. Ultimately, white supremacists gave him a one-way ticket out of South Carolina. He and his wife fled to New York.

These white supremacists will reappear on January 26. South Carolina was the site of the “Hamburg Massacre” and played a key role in disenfranchising Blacks in the presidential election of 1876, which ultimately placed Blacks under the jurisdiction of the KKK. Unreliable voting machines will be in play in South Carolina on January 26. Where are election monitors when we need them?

The white media reported that Sen. Clinton won the Democratic caucuses in Nevada although Nevada gave Sen. Obama the most convention delegates. This is like the white media reporting that Sen. Al Gore won the White House in 2000 despite his loss to Gov. George W. Bush in the Electoral College. Unfortunately, the U.S. Constitution permits the white media to practice racial discrimination in reporting the news.

Black leaders have steered us back into Jim Crow. Forty-five years ago, our leaders were Revs. King and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and Min. Malcolm X. Today, our leaders are Revs. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Floyd Flake. This is evidence that we have moved backwards from a gerontocracy. There is no substitute for talent.

The federal government has not only tampered with our history and culture but also our reproductive system. A reproductive system which has successively given us David Walker, Nat Turner, Martin Delaney, Marcus Garvey and Elijah Muhammad is now out of order. It stopped functioning completely after Brown v. Board of Education.

Whites have a winning formula for staying on top. Blacks have a losing formula for staying at the bottom of the totem pole. As a matter of law, whites embrace the doctrine of stare decisis. This means that they must follow the teachings of their ancestors.

As a matter of racial accommodation, Blacks summarily reject the teachings of their revered ancestors. It would be impossible for Black leadership to start behaving like Callie House, Denmark Vesey, Henry McNeal Turner and Monroe Trotter among others.
Religion also explains our plight. Blacks embrace a pagan ethic which elevates self-preservation over racial sacrifice. Whites, on the other hand, are urged to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the race. Black preachers advocate personal happiness by preaching JOY. This means putting Jesus first, others next (whites) and yourself last. This will ensure Black JOY.

Thus, Blacks behave like crabs in a barrel. The First Amendment shortchanges the right of Blacks to enjoy religious freedoms. There is an interracial cohabitation between the Black church and the white state. This is paganism.

Only a working knowledge of history can connect our past with the present and pave our future. It starts with the teachings of Ptahhotep. We have gone from the “best and the brightest” to the “dumbest and the dullest.” No “Black Messiah” is on the horizon. Let’s start February with a yearning for learning our history.

The “Thriller in Manila II” was held in Myrtle Beach, SC on Dr. Martin L. King Day. It harbored neither the principles of non-violence nor resembled the Wiley College debating team. Sen. Clinton, who was playing the dozens, was in the ring while Bill Clinton was in her corner. Sen. John Edwards was on the ropes. Don King was MIA.

Jan. 30 UAM’s weekly forum at the Elks Plaza, 1068 Harriet Tubman (Fulton Street) nr. Classon Ave. in Brooklyn at 7:30 p.m. Take the “C” train to Franklin Ave.
Feb. 6 Dr. Leonard Jeffries will be the keynote speaker at UAM’s weekly forum at the Elks Plaza. For further information call United African Movement at 718-834-9034.
See: www.reinstatealtonmaddox.net for “KKK and the Jena 6,” “Couch Potatoes,” “UAM - UNIA As a Model,” and “The Black Vote is Worthless.”

Sports fans; Help Create A Professional Boxer's Pension Plan!

Help Create A Professional Boxer's Pension Plan!

Sponsored by:


Jacquie Richardson, Exec. Director, RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION

Professional Boxing is the only sport that does not have a nationwide pension plan for retired athletes. 87% of professional boxers end their career with some kind of damage. For some, there are brain injuries, neurological and or physical damages, and for too many, these injuries lead to homelessness, substance abuse issues, phsychiatric disorders and dementia pugilistica (the medical term for being "punch drunk."

In 1998, retired professional boxer, Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos started the Retired Boxers Foundation to assist these fighters in the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement. Only one state offers a pension--California--and it charges the fans $.89 per ticket sold at each boxing show, resulting in a pension that pays $2.00 a round. For a boxer like Alex Ramos, it would amount to $150 a month, which is clearly not enough to live on. If EVERY STATE charge $1 per ticket sold, Alex would have retired with a monthly income of nearly $1,200 a month.

If the powers that be in boxing are not willing to initiate a nationwide pension for retired professional boxers, then we will--with the help of sports fans around the country!

We, the undersigned fans of the sport of boxing, would gladly pay an extra $1 for every ticket sold to a professional boxing event, so that professional boxers who risk their lives for our entertainment, have a decent pension when they retire!

Professional Boxing is the only sport that does not have a nationwide pension plan for retired athletes. 87% of professional boxers end their career with some kind of damage. For some, there are brain injuries, neurological and or physical damages, and for too many, these injuries lead to homelessness, substance abuse issues, phsychiatric disorders and dementia pugilistica (the medical term for being "punch drunk."

In 1998, retired professional boxer, Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos started the Retired Boxers Foundation to assist these fighters in the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement. Only one state offers a pension--California--and it charges the fans $.89 per ticket sold at each boxing show, resulting in a pension that pays $2.00 a round. For a boxer like Alex Ramos, it would amount to $150 a month, which is clearly not enough to live on. If EVERY STATE charge $1 per ticket sold, Alex would have retired with a monthly income of nearly $1,200 a month.

If the powers that be in boxing are not willing to initiate a nationwide pension for retired professional boxers, then we will--with the help of sports fans around the country!

We, the undersigned fans of the sport of boxing, would gladly pay an extra $1 for every ticket sold to a professional boxing event, so that professional boxers who risk their lives for our entertainment, have a decent pension when they retire!

We the undersigned, are fans of the sport of boxing and we want to make sure that retired professional boxers have a pension when they retire. Boxing is the only professional sport that does not provide a pension for all of the athletes that risk their lives for our entertainment and we, as fans and consumers, would be happy to pay an extra $1 on the ticket price for professional boxing shows. The Retired Boxers Foundation wants to help every fighter make the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement. Thank you for becoming an "undisputed champion for DIGNITY!

Tickets on sale for the following shows; Gleasons Gym, Golden Gloves, USA Boxing, Alicia Ashley, Ronica Jeffreys, John Duddy, Klitschko vs Ibragimov

USA Boxing Amateurs
Golden Gloves at St. Ann's Warehouse On Wednesday, January 30th
The address is 38 Water St. Brooklyn, NY. The doors open at 6:30PM and the first bout will begin at 7:00PM. The ticket prices are$25.00 General Admission and $15.00 for USA Boxing Amateurs. (The amateurs must have their boxing license in hand.)

Professional Boxing at The Paradise Theatre On Thursday, January 31st


Alicia Ashley and Ronica Jeffrey

Professional Boxing at The Paradise Theatre On Thursday, January 31st, Two of Gleason's top female fighters will be on the card. Alicia Ashley a Professional World Champion and Ronica Jeffrey an amateur National Champion making her pro debut. The address is 2413 Grand Concourse, Bronx NY. The ticket prices are $50 and $30.

Keisha and Alicia Ashley


Ronica Jeffrey


Gleason's Gym

Live Chamber Music and Boxing at Gleason's Gym on Saturday, February 16th

At 8:00PM The International Street Cannibals and Gleason's Gym Present: Strike Part V. Don't Miss It!!! This is part of a new music and boxing series introducing Classical Music to the youth in boxing. Live chamber music will compete with boxing demonstrations. Musicians with harps, cellos, violas, and a double bass will set up in one ring while the young boxers in training will duke it out in another ring.

All boxing will be undertaken by the junior (under 14 years) members of Gleason's Gym. Please contact Bruce Silverglade for further details.Admission is $25.00 per person. All proceeds benefit Gleason's "Give A Kid A Dream" foundation.

Professional Boxing At Madison Square Garden on Saturday February 23rd, Wladimir Klitschko vs Sultan Ibragimov, Also featuring Ireland's Own John Duddy.

The Heavyweight Championship of The World, Klitschko vs Ibragimov


The ticket prices are: $1000, $600, $300, $200, $100. We have the best seats at each price point.

Duddy taking another bite out of Big Apple; “Mean” Joe Greene and Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, Feb. 23 in NYC are on the Klitschko-Ibragimov card

NEW YORK– World middleweight title contender “Ireland’s” John Duddy is looking forward to fighting again in his adopted New York City home for the first time since last May, when he battles tough Tunisian brawler Walid “Tempete de Sable” Smichet (17-3-1, 13 KOs) in the 10-round, off-TV co-feature on the February 23rd heavyweight championship unification show headlined by IBF king Wladimir Klitschko and WBO title-holder Sultan Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden.

“Ireland’s” John Duddy


IBF king Wladimir Klitschko and WBO title-holder Sultan Ibragimov


Presently rated No. 3 by the WBO and WBC, as well as No. 6 and No. 11 by the WBA and IBF, respectively, Duddy (23-0, 17 KOs) also is ranked No. 10 in The Ring magazine.

Duddy, who has fought 11 times in the Big Apple, including five in Madison Square Garden, is training in North Carolina with his head trainer, Don Turner. The unbeaten, charismatic Irishman is coming off of three consecutive fights in Ireland, including his most notable victory to date in December, winning a 10-round decision against former 2-time world title challenger Howard Eastman.

“It’s my homecoming,” an excited Duddy said from training camp about his NYC fight versus Smichet. “It was great fighting in Ireland the past year, but I’m really looking forward to being back where I started my pro career with all those great fans. There’s a lot of interest in my career back home now and a lot of people are flying in to watch this fight. Most importantly, though, I think I’ve shown improvement in my last three fights, although a lot was just simple things we worked on. Don has me boxing like I did before (as an amateur).



Duddy in Big Apple

“After the Howard Eastman fight, I’m confident about getting in the ring with any
middleweight in the world. It wasn’t perfect, but I showed I had a good chin – I always knew that – used my head more and never took a step backwards. I’m much more comfortable. It was a step closer to me getting to the top and I’m happy with my progress.”

Smichet, fighting out of Montreal, has a portfolio that features a win by 10th round knockout of previously unbeaten (17-0) Matt O’Brien for the Canadian Middleweight Interim Title, as well as an eight-round draw against Donny McCrary of The Contender III fame.

Undefeated New York City middleweights “Mean” Joe Greene (17-0) and Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (15-0) are on the Klitschko-Ibragimov card. The main event is the only bout to air on HBO.

“Mean” Joe Greene


Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin


Tickets, priced at $1,000.00, $600.00, $300.00, $200.00 and $100.00, are on sale at the following locations: Manhattan: Demsey’s, 36th W. 33rd (212.629.9899); Queens: Elaine’s Deli, 65 Pl. Maspeth, Fiddlers Irish Pub, 65 Pl. Maspeth, Connelly’s Corner, Grand Ave. Maspeth, Hill Tap Bar, Grand Ave. Maspeth, Doyle’s Corner, Broadway Astoria; Woodside: Starting Gate, Sean Og’s, Saints & Sinners, Gaslight; Sunnyside: McGuinnesses, Maggie Mays; Yonkers: Bronx Heritage, McLean Ave. (914.766.7532); Brooklyn: Gleason’s Gym, 75 Front St. (718.797.2872); Pearl River: Gildea’s Bar & Restaurant (845.735.2564), South Bound Café (845.735.2903); Long Island: Poor House, Hemstead Turnpike (516.859.8780).

For more information go to www.irishropes.com or call Mark Cahoun (917.939.5199), Pat Nee (917.279.7796), Paul McLoughlin (347.219.1530), Jimmy Kaneary (718.594.0861), Paddy Phealon (516.859.8780) and Jerry Quinn (in Boston – 617.733.4535).

CONTACT: Bob Trieger, Full Court Press

SecondsOut Radio: Dimitri Kirilov, Dmitriy Salita On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio

SecondsOut Radio: Dimitri Kirilov, Dmitriy Salita On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio, at http://www.secondsout.com/radio/, host Eddie Goldman begins by discussing some of the social implications of the rise to prominence of fighters from the countries of the former Soviet Union. Two of those fighters, IBF junior bantamweight champion Dimitri Kirilov (29-3, 9 KOs) of St. Petersburg, Russia, and unbeaten junior welterweight Dmitriy Salita (27-0-1, 15 KOs), originally from Odessa, Ukraine, will be headlining a card Thursday, February 28, at the Roseland Ballroom in New York.

Dmitriy Salita


In the main event, Kirilov will be making the first defense of his title, facing Mexican fighter Cecilio Santos (22-8-2, 12 KOs). In the co-feature, Salita will be fighting an opponent yet to be named. We spoke with both Dimitri Kirilov and Dmitriy Salita at a news conference in New York this past week about their upcoming fights and their careers. It is free to listen to SecondsOut Radio, but you must register to gain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/,and listen, learn, and enjoy. 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

NO HOLDS BARRED: Bas Rutten, Jay Larkin, Eddie Alvarez, Paul Daley, Tonya Evinger, Kala Kolohe Hose

NO HOLDS BARRED: Bas Rutten, Jay Larkin, Eddie Alvarez, Paul Daley, Tonya Evinger, Kala Kolohe Hose
http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2008-01-27T17_43_27-08_00
On this edition of NO HOLDS BARRED, host Eddie Goldman focuses on recent developments in two of the most important mixed martial arts companies, EliteXC and the International Fight League (IFL).
EliteXC held a card Friday, Jan. 25, at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This card was televised in the U.S. on Showtime on their ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series, which features up-and-coming fighters, as does their ShoBox series for boxing.
On that card, in the main event, local favorite Eddie Alvarez (http://www.myspace.com/ed_alvarez) knocked out Ross Ebanez in the second round. Paul Daley of England scored a first-round knockout over Sam Morgan. Kala Kolohe Hose of Honolulu scored a first-round knockout over Fred Belleton. Former U.S. national women's wrestling team member Tonya Evinger defeated Julie Kedzie with a first-round rear naked choke submission in what some are calling an upset.
After their fights, we spoke with Eddie Alvarez, Paul Daley, Tonya Evinger, and Kala Kolohe Hose.
The IFL made a series of important announcements last week, including naming former UFC and Pancrase champion Bas Rutten to the newly-created position of Vice President, Fighter Operations.
We spoke with both Bas Rutten and IFL CEO Jay Larkin about these changes as well as what to expect this year from the IFL on a media teleconference call last week.
To listen to NO HOLDS BARRED, click the link at the start of this message, scroll down that page, and just press the play button on the player.
You can also download it by scrolling down that page and clicking on the download link (right-click to save it).
Also, NO HOLDS BARRED is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441.
The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
The NO HOLDS BARRED theme song is called "The Heist", by musician Ian Carpenter (http://iancarpenter.com/).
Make sure to check out my regular weekly boxing show SecondsOut Radio. On this week's edition, we begin by discussing some of the social implications of the rise to prominence of fighters from the countries of the former Soviet Union. Two of those fighters, IBF junior bantamweight champion Dimitri Kirilov (29-3, 9 KOs) of St. Petersburg, Russia, and unbeaten junior welterweight Dmitriy Salita (27-0-1, 15 KOs), originally from Odessa, Ukraine, will be headlining a card Thursday, February 28, at the Roseland Ballroom in New York. In the main event, Kirilov will be making the first defense of his title, facing Mexican fighter Cecilio Santos (22-8-2, 12 KOs). In the co-feature, Salita will be fighting an opponent yet to be named. We spoke with both Dimitri Kirilov and Dmitriy Salita at a news conference in New York this past week about their upcoming fights and their careers. It is free to listen to SecondsOut Radio, but you must register to gain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/, and listen, learn, and enjoy.
Make sure to check out my regular articles on the ADCC News at http://www.adcombat.com and on FightBeat.com at http://fightbeat.com.
NO HOLDS BARRED is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Art of War (http://www.artofwarlive.com), the undisputed arena fighting championship, promoted by SUN Sports and Entertainment, producing world class mixed martial arts events. For more information, check out their web site, ArtOfWarLive.com (http://www.artofwarlive.com).
IFL, the International Fight League (http://ifl.tv/), the world's first professional mixed martial arts league. Make sure to check out their regular TV shows on FSN (Fox Sports Net) (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/1636002) in the U.S., and to check your local listings for dates and times. Check out the IFL web site (http://ifl.tv/), for a listing of IFL live events and their TV schedule, at http://ifl.tv/TV-Schedule.html.
Gladiator Challenge (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/), shaking up the mixed martial arts world since 1999, and now with 30 shows per year. For more news and info, check out their web site, GladiatorChallenge.com (http://gladiatorchallenge.com/).
BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com), your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.
Gladiator Magazine (http://gladmag.com/), for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com) or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear (http://jiujitsuprogear.com/).
FightBeat.com (http://fightbeat.com/), for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.
Thanks, Eddie Goldman
No Holds Barred blog http://nhbnews.blogspot.com/
No Holds Barred podcast http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/
No Holds Barred on MySpace http://www.myspace.com/nhbnews
Enjoy!

POPULAR PHILADELPHIA FAVORITE EDDIE ALVAREZ PUTS ON A SHOW EN ROUTE TO KNOCKING OUT

Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City Hotel & Casino– On an exciting night that featured solid, non-stop action and entertaining fights, crowd favorite Eddie Alvarez (12-1) of Kensington, Pa., sent the hometown fans home deliriously happy by knocking out Ross Ebanez (18-6-1) of Hilo, Hawaii, in the second round Friday on the 2008 premiere of ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series on SHOWTIME.

In the co-feature presented by Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s Live Fight Division, EliteXC, talented Paul "Semtex'' Daley (17-6-2) of England scored a first-round knockout over Sam “The Squeeze’’ Morgan (19-10) of St. Paul, Minn.

The SHOWTIME telecast aired at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City Hotel & Casino,

Other televised fights: Bao Quach (12-8-1), of Huntington Beach, Calif., registered an upset three-round unanimous decision over Bobby McMaster (8-3), of Boston, “The Hawaiian Rocky Balboa,” Kala Kolohe Hose (5-1), of Honolulu, scored an impressive first-round knockout over Fred Belleton (5-2), of Stoughton, Mass., and Tonya Evinger (6-2), of Reno, Nev., by way of Oak Grove, upset Julie Kedzie (9-7), of Albuquerque, N.M., by way of Greenwood, Ind., with a shockingly easy first-round submission.

In non-televised undercard bouts, promising Wilson Reis (3-0), of Philadelphia, submitted Zach Makovsky (3-1), of Philadelphia, at 1:15 of the second round (side choke), James “Binky’’ Jones (5-5), of Baltimore, Md., submitted Mark Getto (1-4-1), of Philadelphia, at 1:12 of the first (kimura), Brett Linebarger (3-1), of New Jersey, knocked out Sergio Vinagre (2-2), of New Jersey, at 2:29 of the third round, Matt Makowski (2-0), of Philadelphia, submitted Joe Shilling (0-1), of Los Angeles, in the first (choke) and Charlie Brennemen (5-0), of Philadelphia, remained undefeated with a split three-round decision over Drew Puzon (1-2) of New Jersey.

With the crowd chanting “Ed-Dee, Ed-Dee’’ even before he made an appearance into the arena, Alvarez (eddiealvarez.proelite.com) was clearly the evening’s most popular winner. After dropping Ebanez during an excellent, fast-paced opening round, he downed the Hawaiian again in the second.

Eddie Alvarez (left) celebrates after closing the show with a second-round KO over Ross Ebanez.

(All photos courtesy of John Beyrooty)


Ebanez (rossebanez.proelite.com) quickly made it to his feet after going down the first time, but Alvarez pounced on him immediately after the second. He landed three big right hands before the referee stepped in and waved off the fight at 2:32. For Alvarez, it was his 11th victory inside the distance.

“I was a little hesitant in the first round after he caught me with a couple of good shots,’’ the exciting Alvarez said. “But I knew I won the round and that he would try and come out strongly in the second. So I stayed patient, continued to circle to my left and closed the show.

“Fighting and winning on SHOWTIME was really a great thing.’’

Daley (pauldaley.proelite.com) overcame a fast start by Morgan to win his fifth in a row inside two rounds. Morgan (sammorgan.proelite.com) may have been slightly ahead after the initial two minutes, but Daley delivered a right elbow that landed flush and that was that.

Paul Daley (right) knocked out Sam Morgan in the first.


“There are a lot of good fighters in EliteXC, and Eddie Alvarez is one of them,’’ Daley said. “But I am the best. I came to the United States to become a world champion. I’ll fight anybody. Line ‘em up.

“He got me with a couple good left shoulders, but I was never hurt. I think the referee did a good job stopping it when he did.’’

In a minor surprise, the soft-spoken, streaking Quach (baoquach.proelite.com) dealt McMaster (bobbymcmcaster.proelite.com) a second straight defeat by the scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28.

Bao Quach (left) scored an upset decision victory over Bobby McMaster.


“I wasn’t worried when he had me down,’’ said Quach after winning for the seventh consecutive time. “I always felt stronger. My leg kicks were the difference.
“This was a great win for me, but all wins are great. What I really wanted was to knock him out.’’

Evinger (tonyaevinger.proelite.com) was perhaps the most impressive winner on the telecast, mostly dominating Kedzie from the outset before getting Kedzie (juliekedzie.proelite.com) to tap out (rear naked choke) after only 1:43 had elapsed.

Tonya Evinger (on ground) was an impressive first-rounder winner over Julie Kedzie (submission).

“It was a hard fight, but I finally did what I had to do and planned to do and, for once, didn’t screw it up,’’ Evinger said. “Lots of people were picking Julie to win and saying bad things about me. I like Julie; she is one of the top-rated girls in the world and I really don’t care what they say about me.

“But I think now the fans have to take me seriously. I really wanted to win this. I guess it does make a big difference when I actually listen to my coach (Ken Shamrock).

“If Gina (Carano) is ready for a rematch, let’s do it. I really want to avenge my loss to her.’’

In the telecast’s opening bout, Hose (kalakolohehose.proelite.com) won a slugfest with Belleton (fredbelleton.proelite.com), stopping him with a perfect right hand to the chin at 4:32 of the first.

Kala Kalohe Hose (right) kicked off the EliteXC fight card on SHOWTIME by knocking out Fred Belleton in the first round of a slugfest Friday in Atlantic City.


It was Hose’s fifth straight victory inside the distance since losing his pro debut (when he fought as a 250-pound heavyweight) and his fourth in a row that ended by KO or TKO in the first round.

This one went a little longer than usual, however. Hose’s last two fights ended in 20seconds and 38 seconds, respectively.

“I knew I had to keep pressuring and get inside because he was so tall. I knew I had to close the distance,’’ said Hose, who was scheduled to face EliteXC/ICON Sport middleweight champion Robbie Lawler in Hawaii in December ’07, but the match was postponed after Lawler suffered a torn bicep in training.

“If I fight Lawler next, that would be great. But I will fight anybody. I just like to fight.’’

Colorful play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo called the ShoXC action with the “Fight Professor” Stephen Quadros serving as color analyst. Legendary Frank Shamrock, who fights Cung Le March 29 in San Jose, Calif., on SHOWTIME, was a guest commentator on the telecast. The executive producer of ShoXC is David Dinkins, Jr. with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

The next EliteXC fight card on SHOWTIME is Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Bank United Center at the University of Miami. In a long-awaited grudge fight, the incredibly popular pride of Perrine, Fla., Kimbo Slice will take on David “Tank’’ Abbott of Huntington Beach, Calif., in the main event.

Tickets for a spectacular 10-bout event start at $35 and are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com and at the BankUnited Box Office at the University of Miami.

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.



About ProElite, Inc.

ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of MMA enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM

About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® ON DEMAND. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

“Champions of Tomorrow” pro boxing show results

Promoter: Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc, Presents
“Champions of Tomorrow” January 25, 2008 live from Foxwoods.

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Jason Estrada (11-1, 2 KOs), Providence, RI WDEC10 (99-91, 99-91, 98-92) Charles Shufford (20-8, 9 KOs), Las Vegas, NV

CRUISERWEIGHTS

Aaron Williams (16-0-1, 11 KOs), Las Vegas, NV WDEC8 (80-72, 80-72, 79-73) Manu Ntoh (17-14-1, 10 KOs), Atlanta, GA via Cameroon

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Joey McCreedy (6-1, 4 KOs), Lowell, MA WDEC6 (59-55, 59-55, 57-57) Chris Traietti (7-1, 4 KOs), Quincy, MA

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Angel Camacho, Jr. (9-0, 4 KOs) WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36) Terrence Jones (10-11, 6 KOs), Oklahoma City, OK

Manuel Antonio Lopes (4-0-1, 1 KO), Brockton, MA DRAW4 (38-37, 37-38, 38-38) John Michael Terry (2-7-3, 1 KO), Portsmouth, VA

Brian Macy (1-0, 1 KO), Ledyard, CT WTKO2 (1:34) Pete Guthy (1-2-1, 1 KO), Myrtle Beach, SC

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Eric Pinaretta (2-1, 2 KOS), New Bedford, MA WTKO3 (3:00) Bobo Starnino (8-3, 1 KO), Providence, RI

FEMALE WELTERWEIGHTS

Addy Irizarry (4-1, 2 KOs), Hartford, CT WDEC4(40-36, 40-36, 40-36) Tonya Gallegos (4-7, 2 KOs), Denver, CO

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Matt Remillard (12-0, 7 KOs), Manchester, CT WDEC10 (98-92, 98-93, 96-94) Manuel Perez (11-4, 2 KOs), Denver, CO
(Remillard wins WBC Youth featherweight title)

Matchmaker: Ted Panagiotis

WEIGHTS FROM FOXWOODS

JASON ESTRADA 241 LBS.
CHARLES SHUFORD 248 LBS.
MANUEL PEREZ 125 LBS.
MATT REMILLARD 124 LBS.(WBC Youth Featherweight Championship)
AARON WILLIAMS 200 LBS.
MANU NTOH 194 LBS.
CHRIS TRAIETTI 174 LBS.
JOEY MCCREEDY 173 LBS.
BOBO STARNINO 159 LBS.
ERIC PANARETTA 163 LBS.
ANGEL CAMACHO, JR. 170 LBS.
TERRENCE JONES 168 LBS.
ADDY IRIZARRY 142 LBS.
TONYA GALLEGOS 143 LBS.
MANUEL ANTONIO LOPES 171 LBS.
JOHN MICHAEL TERRY 171 LBS.
BRIAN MACY 169 LBS.
PETE GUTHY 168 LBS.

“The Ultimate Showdown II” pro-am boxing show, headlined by Missy Fiorentino vs. Ela Nunez fight card results

“The Ultimate Showdown II” in Mansfield, Massachusetts–


WOMEN’S SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Missy Fiorentino (17-1, 6 KOs), Cranston, RI, WDEC6 (60-54, 59-55, 57-57) Ela Nunez (5-3, 1 KO), Jamestown, NY, Fiorentino wins vacant IWBF Super Featherweight Championship), the Fight was stopped by doctor after six rounds due to accidental head butt that caused a severe cut on Fiorentino’s forehead.

CRUISERWEIGHTS
Rich Gingras (8-0, 4 KOs), Claremont, NH, WDEC4 (59-54, 59-54, 59-54) William Bailey (7-13-2, 4 KOs), Chesapeake, MD.

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Mark DeLuca (4-0, 3 KOs), Whitman, MA, WKO4 (1:17) Charles Kirby (1-3, 0 KOs), Philadelphia, PA.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Edwin Rodriquez (1-0, 1 KOs), Worcester, MA, WTKO1 (1:33) Samuel Ortiz Gomez (0-4), Orlando, FL.

AMATEURS

Masters:
Steve Gentile (Howard Beach, NY, WRSC3 Ed Nelson (Petronelli’s Gym)
Eric Flaherty (Bishop’s Boxing), WDEC3 David Fascaldo (Petronelli’s Gym)
J.R. Moore, Monroe, LA, WDEC3 Frank Azevedo (Petronelli’s Gym)

Open:
Calvin Marte (Worcester Boys & Girls Club), WDEC3 Mike Tremblay (Manfredo’s Gym)
Jesus Caro (Manfredo’s Gym), WDEC4 Norfolk Francis (Cappiello’s Gym)

Alston Productions Presents- House Party #9; An Aquarian Birthday Bash for Author Playwrite and Vocalist Valerie Howard, Feb 16th

Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions mark their ten year anniversary as THE HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING

Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions mark their ten year anniversary as THE HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING with an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing as they present CELEBRATION on Friday, February 15th at Cicero Stadium.

Said Pesoli, “I’m honored to enter my second decade promoting professional boxing. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience presenting monthly and sometimes twice monthly events in Chicago. I’m very thankful to the fight fans in Chicago who have been loyal to 8 Count Productions over the last 10 years and we will continue to honor them with great fights and terrific events.”

“On the 15th we’re partnering with Top Rank to bring back Mike Alvarado who’s looked terrific winning twice here in the last year. He's in a very tough fight against Jesus Rodriguez who's a very solid kid from California that I saw win a terrific battle on Showtime last October."

"We’ve also got great young prospects Francisco Rodriguez, Andrzej Fonfara and Ivan Popoca on the undercard. All three of them have turned out to be fighters that our fans have really taken to heart."

"Additionally, Freddie Cuevas, who's been amongst the most popular fighters in Chicago over the last ten years is returning to the ring.”

“Also Top Rank is also sending one of their highly regarded prospects,super featherweight Alejandro Perez.”

Tickets for CELEBRATION are available in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions offices at 312-226-5800. Cicero Stadium is located at 1909 S. Laramie, just minutes from the Eisenhower and Stevenson Expressways. Doors for this event will open at 5:30pm with the first bell at 6:30pm.

Along with Chicago’s 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, CELEBRATION is presented by TCF Bank, Tecate Beer and AeroMexico, Mexico’s premier airline travel headquarters. The SOLO BOXEO TECATE broadcast will be viewed in 42 US markets and 70 foreign countries.

8 Count Productions was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.

To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit http://www.8countproductions.com/" href="http://www.8countproductions.com/" target="_blank">www.8countproductions.com and http://www.jabbboxinggym.com/" href="http://www.jabbboxinggym.com/" target="_blank">www.jabbboxinggym.com
For more information on Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, please visit.http://www.toprank.com/" href="http://www.toprank.com/" target="_blank">www.toprank.com

CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998
The Master of Ceremonies for THE MONTH OF THE KINGS will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.

CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1997
Bernie BahrmaselPublicist/8 Count Productionshttp://www.8countproductions.com/" href="http://www.8countproductions.com/" target="_blank">www.8countproductions.com

Acid test for McCloskey in Limerick

Paul McCloskey has big plans for 2008 but they will all amount to nothing if he can’t get past Mexican dangerman Manuel Garnica at the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night at the University Sports Arena, Limerick on February 2nd.

Unbeaten in 14 pro fights McCloskey enjoyed an excellent 2007 racking up 6 straight wins and picking up the IBF International Light Welterweight title in the process.

For 2008 the classy southpaw is setting his sights on European and even World honours but for the moment his only focus is on Garnica.

The Guadalajara native is well used to upsetting the applecart having previously beaten former world champions Carlos Maussa and Gabriel Ruelas. His win over Maussa came just after the Colombian had lost his IBF world title to Ricky Hatton in 2006.

Garnica’s next fight should have seen him score another upset win but the judges cruelly denied him what seemed to be a clear cut victory over highly rated light welterweight Juan Lazcano.

Garnica suffered a similar injustice in 1999 when he suffered another controversial points defeat to another former world champion, John John Molina. That setback led him to quit the sport in disgust but he returned to the sport just over 3 years ago and he believes he can still get to the very top.

The 33-year-old said, “McCloskey might think I am finished but I still believe I can win a world title. I am more dedicated than ever now. Everybody knows I definitely beat Lazcano in his backyard. After the fight he came into my dressing room and said, ‘if the fight would have been in Mexico, you would have won.’

Garnica insists that he does not have a typical Mexican style and believes that the scheduled 10 rounder will prove a step too far for McCloskey. “I’m a slick boxer who loves to drive opponents crazy by making them miss and then taking advantage of their mistakes. McCloskey has a good record but I do not think he has fought anybody like me before. This is a great opportunity for me and I plan to make the best of it.’’

However despite Garnica’s confidence it’s unlikely that he will have ever come across someone like McCloskey. The Derry man’s nonchalant style belies a focus and destructive power that accounted for Olympic silver medallist and former European champ Tontcho Tontchev in his last outing.

In fact McCloskey’s friend and fellow county man John Duddy probably summed it up best. “Paul looks like he has only two gears, slow and stop. He’s so relaxed in there you get the impression that he could fall asleep and he’s always been that way right since we were coming up together as kids in the amateurs.

“He’s impossible to hit and he’s had some great wins recently. He seems to be really sitting down on his shots now and getting power behind them and it’s great o see him doing so well.”

The Ladbrokes.com Fight Night on February 2nd is headlined by local hero Andy Lee’s 10 round International contest against Argentinean Alejandro Gustavo Falliga. The card also features Matthew Macklin in another scheduled 10 rounder against Frenchman Christophe Karagoz. Irish champions Jason McKay and Ciaran Healy also feature alongside undefeated Mayo prospect, Michael Sweeney.

The event will be televised live on RTÉ TWO.

By Robert Mladinich

By Robert Mladinich


When Harold Sconiers of Tampa, Florida, looks in the mirror these days he doesn’t see the journeyman heavyweight with a 15-17-2 (10 KOS) record that most other people do.

What he sees is the dynamic, hard-hitting heavyweight who made it to the finals of the 1996 Olympic Trials, and began his pro career with six straight knockouts and one decision victory.

Since being stopped in the first round by then undefeated Bermane Stiverne, who had won all nine of his fights by knockout, in February 2007, Sconiers has completely reassessed his life and career.

He has come to understand what transformed him from an exciting amateur and fledgling young pro with seemingly limitless future to a nominal heavyweight who had at one point lost 10 fights in a row.

Now aligned with a new manager, David Selwyn of New York, he plans on utilizing that newfound knowledge to embark on what he believes will be the comeback story of 2008.

“I always knew I had a lot of talent, but I never let that talent completely develop,” said the 31-year-old Sconiers, who has lost to such notables as Clifford Etienne, Maurice Harris, Donovan “Razor” Ruddock, David Defiagbon, DaVarryl Williamson and Eric Kirkland.

“I had a lot of different problems, but my biggest problems were self doubt and self sabotage. I would do things to make sure I never rose above a certain level.”

During his intensive, exhaustive and brutally honest re-examination of himself, he chose to forego all of the negative aspects of his career and instead focus only on the positive. Through lots of reading and candid discussions with his former trainer Larry Berrien, he went about changing the mindset that made him so comfortable with losing.

The first thing he did was look at his complete record from a totally different perspective. Rather than just dwell on the losses, Sconiers lauded himself for beating six previously unbeaten or once beaten fighters. Among them was Ray Austin, who was 14-1 at the time and later challenged Wladimir Klitschko for the heavyweight title.

He also fought Edward Escobedo, who was 12-1, to a draw, and lost a split decision to Ruddock, who has always been a formidable ring presence.

When he examined his 10 fight losing streak, he realized that his opponents had a combined record of 164-32-8. Of the 32 losses, Harris, who had revitalized his once dismal career in much the same way Sconiers hopes to, had incurred 10 of them.

And the always competitive Sherman Williams, accounted for another 10, which means eight other opponents had only 12 losses between them. Several were undefeated at the time they faced Sconiers.

“Losing to all of those guys gave the boxing world the perception that I was washed up and just didn’t care anymore,” said Sconiers. “I realized I had to change that perception, and the only way to change it was to change my old habits and my old ways of thinking, dissect everything I’d been doing wrong, and working really hard to establish a new belief system.”

Tapping deep into his own psyche, Sconiers came to realize that much of his lack of self worth was rooted in childhood issues. As a kid he had a passive personality, and both of his parents were college graduates who held what he calls high ranking positions in the corporate world.

He was bright enough to skip grades in school and he scored high on IQ tests. In no way was he destined to become a boxer. His parents had told him on many occasions that he would be well-suited as psychiatrist or attorney.

His life changed when his father held a Mike Tyson fight party at the family home. To say that Sconiers was mesmerized would be a gross understatement.

“I was instantly locked in,” said Sconiers. “I told myself that I have to do this.”

Sconiers ventured to the Frontline Outreach Gym in Orlando, where he met Antonio Tarver, who was roaring through the amateur ranks en route to the 1996 Olympics. Because Tarver was a few years older than Sconiers, he became a surrogate big brother to him. To this day, Sconiers has the utmost respect for Tarver as both a fighter and a friend.

During Sconiers’ amateur career, which consisted of 77 fights, of which he lost 9, his mother continuously reminded him that, in her opinion, “boxing was for dummies.”

Still, he managed to win a silver medal in the 1996 U.S. Nationals, where he beat eventual Olympic representative and future heavyweight title challenger Calvin Brock, as well as the finals of the 1996 Olympic Trials. In that tournament he lost to Williamson and Lamon Brewster.

When his pro career began to get derailed, the young and immature Sconiers blamed everyone but himself for his shift in fortune.

“I thought the problem was outside me, and thought everyone was responsible but me,” he said. “I dumped Larry in order to self-manage myself. I left what had always kept me grounded. Some of the fights I lost I could or should have won. There’s no way I should have lost to Etienne, but all I did was show up. The Ruddock fight should have been mine.”

As Sconiers lost interest and motivation, he also began dabbling in drugs and alcohol. More times than not, he would take fights on short notice. Even if he had time to train, he never cared if his opponents were switched or where he was lacing them up. Resigned to the fact that he was just fighting for money, he didn’t train hard, if at all.

He’d also pick up a few dollars working as a sparring partner for the likes of Etienne, Shannon Briggs, Jameel McCline, Larry Donald and Kirk Johnson, but the passion was gone. Many of those fighters, as well as their trainers, told Sconiers to snap out of his trance because he was a lot better fighter than he gave himself credit for.

While working with Etienne, the esteemed trainer Don Turner told Sconiers he could make him heavyweight champion of the world if only he’d “get his (stuff) together.”

Sconiers said he was at his personal abyss in mid-2003, when he was stopped by Kirkland, who was 16-1, in the first round in Vallejo, California.

“That was a real bad time for me,” he said. “I was up all night using drugs and alcohol and just didn’t care about anything.”

Although it would be nearly four more years before Sconiers embarked on his personal renaissance, when he looks back on his sordid past that is his most vivid memory. He has learned to use that memory to his advantage.

“A lot of people go down the same route I did and destroy themselves completely,” he said. “I was close to that point around the time of the Kirkland fight, but managed to survive another four years. It is so obvious to me now that I was trying to destroy myself.”

Sconiers is the first to concede that once you fall into the role of an opponent, it is hard to extricate yourself.

“A lot of guys go through this and fall by the wayside,” he said. “Look at Emanuel Burton (Augustus). He’s an immensely talented guy who’s good enough to be competitive and probably beat anyone. But he is in that opponent role, which is hard to snap out of.”

Having done lots of reading on positive thinking and overcoming psychological roadblocks, as well as completely revising his physical training regimen, Sconiers believes he has snapped out of it.

Besides the steadfast support of his beloved wife of six years, Jennifer, who just earned her master’s degree, he believes that his association with Selwyn is a pivotal component to the success he foresees for himself.

They plan on having a momentous and memorable 2008.

“Harold says he is going to be the Cinderella Man of 2008,” said Selwyn. “We plan on keeping a very busy schedule. History has shown that heavyweights are always just a few wins away from redemption. At his best, Harold is very good. It is undeniable that he was his own worst enemy in the past. Now he believes in himself, Larry believes in him, and I believe in him. I’m really looking forward to working with him so he can reach his full potential.”

“We plan on a busy schedule and a lot of upsets,” added Sconiers. “After my first couple of wins, people will probably say they were a fluke. I’m not quite the Cinderella Man and I’m not quite Rocky, but I am an underdog who can make it. Hope sells in boxing, and I plan on being one of the biggest stories of the new year.”

Manager Dave Selwyn can be contacted at: Boxingkid@aol.com

THE MONTH OF THE KINGS, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing set for Friday, January 25th at Cicero Stadium

THE MONTH OF THE KINGS, an outstanding evening of world class professional boxing set for Friday, January 25th at Cicero Stadium, presented by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING. EL Jimador’s Restaurant, 1600 N. Mannheim Road in Stone Park, just west of Chicago, will host the “open to the public” weigh-in at 7pm.

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.

Along with Chicago’s 8 Count Productions and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, THE MONTH OF THE KINGS 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.

Headlining THE MONTH OF THE KINGS is an outstanding flyweight bout between former junior flyweight world champion Hugo “EL INCREDIBLE” Cazares, 25-4-1 (19KO’s) of Los Mochis, Mexico and Columbian veteran Kermin Guardia, 37-7 (21KO’s) both of whom will be making their Chicago debuts.

The full card of boxing is follows:

Hugo Cazares vs. Kermin Guardia, twelve rounds, flyweights
Carlos Ivan Velasquez vs. Ever Perez, six rounds, super featherweights
Barbaro Zepeda vs. Jose Navarrete, six rounds, featherweights
Juan Carlos Velasquez vs. Noe Inzunza, four rounds, featherweights
Ivan Popoca vs. Richard Baldo, four rounds, welterweights
Michael Faragon vs. Heriberto Ponce, four rounds, junior welterweights
Daniel Jacobs vs. Francisco Martinez, four rounds, junior middleweights
Gadiel Andaluz vs. Marsay Buggs, four rounds, super featherweight.

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.

The Master of Ceremonies for CELEBRATION will be Lupe Contreras, the internationally recognized voice of Latino boxing.

Additional information can also be obtained by visiting the Golden Boy Promotions website at http://www.goldenboypromotions.com/

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/

CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1997

Bernie Bahrmasel
Publicist/8 Count Productions
http://www.8countproductions.com/

Lee set for Argentinean test

Argentina proved during last years Rugby world cup that they are not a team to be underestimated and on February 2nd in Limerick it will be Alejandro Gustavo Falliga’s turn to display the famous Argentinean fighting sprit.

The 25-year-old from Buenos Aries faces the daunting task of squaring off with Andy Lee when they clash in the main event in the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night at the University Sports Arena in Lee’s native Limerick.

Lee is currently preparing for the fight in Florida where he is sparring with current heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko. Unbeaten in his 14 pro fights to date the Limerick hero is expecting to return home to a rousing reception in what will be the first ever professional boxing event in Limerick.

Falliga though insists he can spoil the party and inflict the first defeat on Lee’s perfect record. Speaking from his own training camp in Argentina he said, “I know all about Lee and his reputation. When I saw he was scheduled to fight in December I asked my manager to get me a fight with him because I want to test myself against the best. On that occasion it did not happen but thankfully my chance is here now and it’s a big opportunity for me.”

Falliga has suffered 3 defeats in his 19 pro bouts since turning pro in 2004 but has never been stopped and he’s confident that his defeats have made him a better fighter.

“I’m still a young guy and you learn from your defeats. My last defeat was in December on a split decision. I was very upset at that one because I knocked my opponent down twice and I still didn’t get the decision.”

That setback came against his fellow countryman, the undefeated and world ranked Luciano Leonel Cuello and most ringside observers felt Falliga had every right to be aggrieved at the judge’s scorecards.

However has no complaints about his only previous trip to Europe, a 12 rounds points defeat against the Germany’s undefeated middleweight star Sebastian Zbik in a WBO Intercontinental title fight last year.

“You learn from these fights and it was a great experience. I think that will help me greatly for this fight and I’m confident that I can surprise a few people. Of course I know all about Lee’s record and reputation and it’s all very impressive but when the bell goes it just comes down to two guys in the ring so we will see what happens.”

Also featuring on the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night are Paul McCloskey and Matthew Macklin.
The exciting duo will be looking to push their claims for European title fights in 2008 but both have hurdles to overcome in Limerick first.

Macklin is another of the Irish middleweights surging up the world ratings and he will look to get his year off to a winning start against Christophe Karagoz. The French hardman has gone the distance with World Champions in the shape of Cristian Sanavia and Gianfranco Rosi as well as completing all 10 rounds with former European Champion Amin Askiainen last October.

Macklin though is confident that this will be the start of a very important year in his career. “People have always talked about me having potential but this is the year that I have to realise that potential and start winning titles.”

Macklin has left leading trainer Billy Graham, who also trains Ricky Hatton and in an ironic move plans to train Stateside with Floyd Mayweather Snr. "I felt my career needed a new direction,” revealed Macklin.

“I learned so much from Billy and I’m very grateful for the time I spent there but I felt in a way that I was in Ricky’s shadow a little bit. That was fine at the start because it was all part of the learning curve. But I felt that I wanted more than physical aggression. As an amateur I used to box a lot more and that side of my skills has not moved on as I would have liked in the pros so linking up with Floyd Mayweather Snr. should certainly help on that side of things.”

Paul McCloskey’s opponent will be confirmed next week with both McCloskey and Macklin featuring in 10 round contests.

The Limerick card also features Irish Light Heavyweight champ Jason McKay and Irish Light Middleweight champ Ciaran Healy while unbeaten Mayo prospect Michael Sweeney is also set for action.

A number of extra tickets have been made available for the event. These go on sale from Ticketmaster and all usual Ticketmaster outlets from 9am this Friday (January 18th).

Jump Off; The Movie

2008 Playahata Awards

2008 Playahata Awards
http://playahata.com/hatablog/?page_id=3177

We normally begin our awards with a song that in some way represents us but is also pretty popular. Unfortunately this year we didn’t quite find that tune, and we just picked a verse of a song as our anthem, so without further delay let’s get into this year’s anthem and the 2008 Playahata.com awards. Please rise for the playing of “Can’t Win For Losing” by Little Brother. http://playahata.com/hatablog/?page_id=3177

Rap Album of the Year: Talib Kweli – Eardrum
We must admit some of the Playahata family has gone through it’s ups and downs with Talib Kweli. Some have always liked him others have gone from liking him to not being much of a fan, but still supporting his music out of our love for so-called “conscious rap, though most artist who would fall under that label hate such a classification. But whether you’ve soured or become less enamored with Kweli over time one has to admit that he hit the mark again with his latest album Eardrum. It has all the components of a dope album, tight lyricism, thought provoking content, dope beats but this time he even has solid hooks. Though Kweli may have already experienced his peak of commercial penetration, the albums when his profile has been the highest don’t seem to contain his best work. Regardless of BET/MTV spins, it seems that now Kweli is back to making dope music and to us that’s most important.

R&B Album of the Year: Alicia Keys - As I Am
We admit by the end of the year we usually have done a few more rap album reviews than R & B so maybe you heard a great R&B album we didn’t know about, but of all the R&B LPs we heard that dropped this year, Ms. Keys came the strongest. This may come as a surprise to some considering some soul or “Neo-soul” heavyweights dropped this year, such as Jill Scott and Angie Stone, but Keys has come a long way as an artist and she seems to just get better with age. What’s most impressive and promising about her growth is that despite her commercial success she does not continue to go directly to the well, and seems unafraid to take chances musically. She has great handlers and as she is, it seems the sky is the limit. We might be anti-pop at times but Keys is one of the few artist we feel no shame in saying we actually like.

Movie of the Year: The Great Debaters
When some of Playahatas read the email regarding this movie coming out it seemed like a hoax or possibly an exaggeration to some. It’s not that such a movie couldn’t come out but it seemed to have come out of nowhere, not to mention Denzel was still sucking in all the attention from his role in American Gangster. Now a few million dollars and a whole lot of inspiration later here The Great Debaters stands as our movie of the year. A product of Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films production company it’s a testament to what can happen when well heeled Black entertainers start pooling their dollars or at least using them for some good. Not to mention Debaters dug up a somewhat buried bit of history as it’s based on a true story. We admit the movie had some minor flaws, mainly the fact that is seemed to be trying too hard to be tear-jerker but overall it was a great film and a very important one to be made and seen particularly by Black and Brown children.

Runner Up: Sicko
Perhaps we should just reserve a movie of the year or runner up slot for Moore, each year he comes out with a movie. This year Michael Moore did it again with arguably his best documentary, Sicko, which put the American health care system on full blast. Sicko came as a bit of a surprise in that the movie wasn’t about what many presumed it would be, namely the millions of American without health insurance. In fact the movie was actually about the millions of Americans who DO have health insurance and the vile tactics insurance companies employ against their customers and against the creation of a health care system that truly works for everybody. Though the powers that be threw all kinds of roadblocks in his way the movie came out and did quite well at the box office. It’s a shame it couldn’t have come out closer to the election, Hillary Clinton must be breathing a sigh of relief.

Honorable Mention:

No Country for Old Men - I know Chigurh is a fictional character but he still scares me.

Knocked Up - Similar Cast, different storyline, same result - hilarious.
The Namesake - Indian themed, but by no means Bollywood.

Guilty Before Proven Innocent Award: Remi Martin
“Ok so first you said you were not in the car, then you said you were in the car but the gun went off by accident. Yeah, …..you know you phucked up right? Yeah you know it you know you phucked up” … or so goes Playahata’s cleaned up version of the Remi Martin interrogation. Sometimes I don’t know if rappers really start believing their songs or are so many of them this dumb. Worse than that is it seems the female rappers are as bad as the men as this now makes at least 3 prominent female rappers in recent memory that have either done, are doing, or it seems will be doing jail bids – and there aren’t very many prominent female rappers. She can get a good attorney but it seems Remi Ma better hope her trial gets postponed for eternity as we don’t see how she can beat this case when the victim is alive to testify against her. Add to that charges of witness tampering and the manure Remi is standing in just seems to get deeper. All this misfortune allegedly over about 2-3 thousand dollars, damn Remi we thought you rappers were all baaaallllllling (well actually we kind of knew better).

Runner up (Tie): Chris Stokes (B2K’s former manager)
Raz-B may have recanted but his older brother didn’t and we still “think his ass hurt” thanks to Mr. Stokes. It seems the long-standing suspicion of Mr. Stokes being a “short eyes” finally bubbled to the surface when former B2K member, “Raz-B’s”, taped phone confrontation with Stokes, the group’s former manager, over allegations Stokes molested group members and placed them in inappropriate sexual situations, was released into the land of Youtube. Stokes denied the allegations and tried to make the situation out as an extortion plot, but Raz-B’s recant seemed a lot less convincing than his initial accusations, and men, especially men claiming to be heterosexual admitting to being molested, much less falsely claiming they were, just isn’t very common. Besides we’ve always thought acts like B2K, IMX, Immature, etc were more than a little oversexed and homoerotic for child groups, and we have yet to figure out what Stokes was referring to when he said he didn’t “do that” anymore and had changed his life during the taped phone conversation.

Runner Up (Tie): T.I.
“No Bang, No Flash”. That might just be a recap of the execution of the rest of T.I.’s career if charges he tried to purchase numerous assault weapons, and even more damning, silencers, stick. It’s illegal for T.I. as a convicted felon to own such weapons but throw in the numbers, types, and the silencers and T.I.P. may be about to be sent up river for a really long time. With the movies, and other opportunities, seemingly coming left and right T.I. seemed to have the entertainment world in the palm of his hand, now he has to keep it there because he can’t leave his house.

Chevron Award (Most Overrated and/or Gassed up Artist): T-Pain
We almost don’t want to give this award to T-Pain. I mean if you will openly discuss the size of another man’s cock, and said man is not a porn star, but just another entertainer then clearly you don’t have much of an ego. So T-Pain is getting this award not as an artist that is gassed up but more as an artist who is completely overrated. T-Pain is to Roger Troutman what R.Kelly is to Aaron Hall, well maybe not quite but he is certainly guilty of taking another entertainer’s style or signature affect and running with it. I mean it doesn’t take much to have your vocals altered with a synthesizer so there doesn’t appear to be much at the core of T-Pain the artist talent-wise, but he sure has capitalized of his gimmick like few others. What can we say, the music business is a dirty game, you have to get it while you can and while it’s still warm.

Allen Iverson Award (Artist Trying the Hardest to Crossover): Jason Whitlock
You know him as Jason Whitlock, but some of us know him as the Boondock’s Uncle Ruckus. We’re not sure who he Is trying to please with his articles but his budding prowess at blaming the victim is almost certain to land him a regular spot on FOX news some time in the near future. If we have to sit through another 30 paragraphs of Whitlock’s misguided attempts to place “Hip-hop” at the core of all things evil we are going to puke right in the doorway of ESPN’s downtown office. It seems no matter what happens bad weather it be Michael Vick’s conviction, Sean Taylor’s murder, shoplifting at a 7-11, a Tsunami is Southeast Asia Whitlock is right there to blame “Hip-hop”. It’s a really tired play at this point made worse by the fact that you can see it a mile away and we already know what he is going to argue before he writes an article nowadays. Hey Jason, we have some VERY serious issues with rap music and it’s content but we know a stretch when we see one – as Dead Prez might say, “It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop!”

Runner Up: Kim Kardashian
It seems she’s had more brothers inside of her than the Federal penitentiary. We haven’t fully figured out why socialite Kim Kardashian is famous or where she is trying to cross over too but she is clearly into Black men and lots of them, though if one had to ethnically classify her she would probably be considered Persian, (like Iranian or Afghani) although she could pass for White. She’s been linked to numerous Black celebrities, even the “B or C listers” like Ray-J with whom she shot a sex tape in 2007. She was last seen with Reggie Bush with her skirt hiked up, she’s considered horny and possibly dangerous, do not attempt to apprehend unless you’re a male Black entertainer, in which case it’s all good.

Most Likely to Succeed: Glen Ford of BlackAgendaReport.com
Its hard to believe that he was once a speech writer on the Republican side (Newt Gingrich). Now he and Bruce Dixon have built one of the most truthful, no holds barred websites for African American editorials and opinions. Updated weekly www.Blackagendareport.com simply tells the truth how they see it and are not in the business of sparing feelings. Facts, analysis and history have found a consistent home. Any time you tell the truth in spite of popular opinion you are going to be successful. Just remember the African Proverb “truth crushed to the earth rises up twice a strong as before”.

Least Likely to Succeed: Andrew Young, Charles Rangel and their ilk.
Andrew Young “may have” done good in the past but his human rights/civil rights legacy is questionable. He can say what he likes but it’s obvious nowadays that he is playing for media attention and future relevancy. His internal white-liberal-fascination meter leads him to say “Africans must accept neo-colonialism” in 2007! His desire to control a subjugated populace for a colonial leadership wont allow him any more success in a new day and era even among his comrades. Career politicians like Rangel and Young have tried to train others to do things their way and be lead by them. Rangel chastising Chavez in late 2006 for comments, was just the beginning of his attempt to be viewed as HNC. A title that actually does not exist and thus individuals clamoring for it are all less likely to succeed with the targeted audiences. Even with a guaranteed Senior Cabinet position on the horizon should Hilary win the Presidency. Old Guard Representative, Rangel will be just a meaningless name with a huge title serving as a pitbull for those that get out of line. He’s not fading fast, we will see him often but success for him is not possible.

Mantan Award (Community Disservice Award): Cam’ron
The Sultan of Stupidity, the Emperor of Idiocy, the Tycoon of high Cooning, it’s none other than the one and only Cam’ron. Cam’ron doesn’t just do a disservice to the community in general but even in the much smaller community of “ignant” rappers Cam’ron is the high-priest of ignorant shit. Who else could take a very simple phone conversation with 50-Cent into a war of diss records, and 15-minute microwaveable youtube videos. Even 50-Cent remarked that he had to stop going back and forth with Cam’ron because Cam was so ignorant Cam’ron wouldn’t be able to tell whether he was winning or losing. His tour-de-force of stupidity was ultimately his interview on 60-minutes when he took his defense of the “stop-snitching” movement to new lows of absurdity, telling his interviewer that he wouldn’t talk to the police if he new a serial killer was living next door to him. This was at the high points of the corporate media’s very insincere attack on rap music over content and lyrics. Even last year’s co-winner of the Mantan, Russell Simmons, had to give Cam’ron a phone call over his ridiculous “60-Minute” interview. The questioning on “60 Minutes” was a set up that most halfway intelligent people would have seen coming several miles away – but Cam’ron is not most people nor is he halfway intelligent from what we can tell.

Eat and Sleep Award: Lil Wayne
We’re usually on Lil Wayne for being unabashedly conceited and overrated but this year he had to be acknowledged for being something far worse. If Cam’ron could earn himself a Mantan for his 60 minutes interview then certainly Lil Wayne can earn himself a “Eat and Sleep” for the following quote in a rap rag regarding his street authenticity: “If you are talking about rap and beef, I’m the wrong person to talk to. I am from New Orleans. Cut your televisions on. You know where I’m from. I’m from the murder capital, ma. Beef is a different thing there. I have four teardrops on my face and I have to look my mom in her eye every day. I can’t lie to her. phuck what they think and phuck what the world thinks, we real. My mom is real. The first day I got a teardrop I lied. I called her and asked her can I get a teardrop tattoo, but I had already got it.” She said, “When you get it, come by me so I can see how you look with it, cause I was thinking about getting one my phuckin’ self.” “We don’t play. No, I’m not gonna rap about you man, I will murder you, your family, your child, a newborn, I don’t give a phuck. I could never go to hell cause I’ma take over, bytch.”

The Antonio Fargas Award (Pimp Player of the Year): Viacom (VH1, BET, MTV, et al).
Yup, Viacom are the pimps and guess who are the hoes. I mean we expect foolish entertainment fair from BET, VH1, and MTV but the looking for love on national TV shows have to go. Ultimately it’s our fault for continuing to watch this crap but after 2-4 seasons of Flava Flav’s blackface act on “Strange Love” and “Flavor of Love” it’s hard to believe that Ms. New York a.k.a. “The Muppet Lady” is possibly going to be re-upping for a 3RD season of “I Love New York”!! Worse than that many adults believe the show is “real” and that these aren’t a bunch of wanna-be actors and actresses looking for their 7 ½ minutes of fame. People please turn the channel these courting on cable shows like “I Love New York”, “Flava of Love”, etc are about as real as WWE wrestling and less entertaining.

Runner Up: Anucha Browne-Sanders
We know they settled out of court but we’re having a hard time believing Isaiah Thomas was actually trying to have sex with Mrs. Browne-Saunders, not because we think Thomas is some great upstanding guy but because the harassment didn’t seem very sexual and the level of animosity seemed way too high. We do however believe that the Knick’s front office was disrespectful and harassing to Ms. Browne-Saunders and Thomas was verbally abusive on multiple occasions but 11 million dollars worth? For 11 million I think I can do some verbal abuse. In any case though the New York Knick’s management wanted to appeal the court’s 11 million dollar judgment it seems the league commissioner just wanted it to go away so it seems Anucha Browne-Saunders just came up – but hey the Knicks front office is so inept they deserved to be fined 11 million dollars for something.

The Ozzy Osbourne Award (Most Deluded or Strung Out Personality): Britney Spears
We hate to be accused of enjoying someone else’s misfortune. In fact the way Britney Spears life is falling apart is downright sad. But there is something sickly satisfying about knowing “Hollywood” doesn’t just turn famous Black people out, .i.e. Michael Jackson, O.J., etc. It seems Spears has been fighting a very public losing battle with her fame and all that comes with it, over more than the last year. Sure some will say you can’t give “Trailer trash” money but whatever the reason behind it Spears seems like she is living one long nervous breakdown. She shaved her head on the fly, showed some other shaved parts of her body, then got dragged over the coals in the tabloids for appearing and performing on national television relatively out of shape. More important than all the tabloid hate though, is that she is losing custody of her children to a loser like Kevin “K-Fed” Federline. I mean things must really be bad if K-Fed is looking like the perfect embodiment of fatherhood.

Runner Up: Foxy Brown
Despite Foxy Brown’s trashy musical content over the years, we don’t’ think her current predicament is a product of buying into her own hype. We sincerely believe there is something wrong with this girl. Despite repeated warnings and opportunities it seemed ol’ girl was determined to land herself in jail. She almost ran someone over, violated her probation, was late to court hearings due to wardrobe and other cosmetic issues, and lied about being pregnant when it was time to pay the piper. Since then she’s been trying to convince anyone who will listen that she’s learned her lesson and to let her out of jail early. Her anger management issues and erratic behavior are approaching the level of Naomi Campbell but Naomi at least had enough sense to do what she had to do so she only found herself picking up trash on the street not being treated like trash in the pen.

Brotha’/Sista with The High Score: Barrack Obama
We admit we are even a bit stunned at Obama’s viability as a Black candidate for president. It’s a long way from a reality, and even if nominated to represent the Democratic Party in the general election, his taking the White House is hardly a sure thing. However in an America as clearly prejudiced as the one we live in today, we didn’t think he would get this far. This is not like Alan Keyes, Al Sharpton, or Jesse Jackson’s running for president, at this point you have to think that Obama winning is a real possibility. He has galvanized many hopeful and younger voters with his “change” agenda though it’s a little unclear what those “changes” entail. I guess after 8 years of Bush any change would be positive (can you get any worse than the Bush administration?). I guess there is something to be said for Blacks who are not seen as threatening to Whites, i.e. Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, etc. It is a bit constricting though because the minute you do anything or raise any concerns that are ethnically identifiable, most of those same people who you thought had overcome their prejudice will turn on their back on you.

Runner up: Floyd Mayweather
Pound for Pound the best in the world. One can hardly dispute that Mayweather is the best in the game. He started the year off whipping up Zab Judah then knocked off Oscar De La Hoya in a bit of a Yawner. He capped off a great 2007 with a KO of the previously undefeated brawler Ricky Hatton in front of a stadium seemingly full of European hooligans. Better than the boxing though is that Mayweather has stepped up his game outside the ring in terms of promotion and putting fights together. He doesn’t have to worry about Don King or the other crooks of the boxing world ripping him off because guys like him and De La Hoya are starting to cut out the middle men in many case. Mayweather has been on top of the game in boxing for some time, now he is beginning to be at the top of the game in business. That’s one hell of a combination.

Evolution Award: Kimbo Slice
This dude started out as a backyard buckfighter. When you saw him beating on other brothers with his bare hands and knuckles you immediately envisioned slave plantations and the idea that a slave master had put them out there to fight to the death. Now Kimbo Slice is fighting on Pay Per View and choking out former Professional Heavyweight champions like Ray Mercer. He is making 3 times more than what he was making and taking less chances fighting in a controlled environment.

Runner Up: Oprah Winfrey

There was once a time when she was as apolitical as Michael Jordan. She was too “friendly” to have an opinion on anything and pretending that there are no racial differences between her viewers. With wealth approximating 1 Billion dollars she is stepping out of her shell some, openly stumping for Barack Obama over her buddy Hillary Clinton, and even financing a film with a historical Black socialist as the hero. Wow, Oprah done stepped her game up.

Fading Fast Award: 50 Cent
Playahata warned you about this some time ago so 50-Cent can throw all the tantrums he wants but he will never again sell 8 million copies of one album, probably not even 5 million unless he gets Tupac’d. We would be lying if we said we didn’t enjoy seeing him latest album take an ‘L’ to Kanye West’s latest album in their sales war, though that whole situation was trumped up to boost both their album sales. 50-Cent still knows how to make dollars but he will not sell records like he did when he first came out ever again. With all the money and promotion put into his LP failing to go double platinum in a year is a major disappointment. Now if only he would make good on that little retirement promise we would be in business.

Runner Up:Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods may be the best Golf Player in the world, in fact he may be “GOLF” to Madison Avenue but he is increasingly becoming irrelevant to non-Golf fans whose hearts and souls he initially captured. Woods is the most voiceless and invisible celebrity in the history of sports and his successes are becoming increasingly irrelevant to non-golf fans and those who once had an borderline interest in the sport with his arrival. Chalk this up to many different opinions but there is no doubt he lacks charisma and allure. There is only a very small segment of people that follow and celebrate him now. He is young and thus not going anywhere, anytime soon but African Americans no longer even care about his self-proclaimed Caublanasian designation, most now feel “yall can have him”.

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