WBC No. 1 cruisweight contender Matt 'Too Smooth' Godfrey's WBC title elimination fight against Rudy Kraj on March 8 in Germany

Godfrey punches way to Germany for WBC Title Eliminator versus Kraj on March 8
(Photo; Courtsey of Bob Trieger)

PROVIDENCE– Unbeaten NABF cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (16-0, 9 KOs), rated No. 1 by the World Boxing Council, travels to Germany to battle undefeated, No. 2 ranked Rudy Kraj (13-0, 10 KOs) on March 8 in a WBC title elimination bout determining champion David Haye’s mandatory challenger.

“Kraj won a Silver Medal in the 2000 Olympics and going overseas to fight him will be a big test,” the 27-year-old Godfrey said. “He’s very good. Kraj is a typical Eastern European fighter who does some things very well. The winner of this fight is going to be set-up nice in the WBC. I’m looking at it as a title fight.”

The WBC title eliminator potentially has additional implications because Haye, who also holds the WBA title belt, fights the same night as Godfrey-Kraj in a unification bout versus WBO champion Enzo Maccarinelli. A win by Haye reportedly will send him up to heavyweight, leaving the cruiserweight division wide open, and the Godfrey-Kraj winner possibly the new WBC champion or Interim title-holder.


“I’ve fought in Europe as an amateur but never in Germany,” Godfrey noted. “I’ve watched the surge of boxing in Europe and always knew that my title run would go through Europe, especially with cruiserweights like Haye, Enzo and Jean-Marc Mormeck. I’ve prepared mentally and I believe that I’m a world class fighter who is ready for this.”

Godfrey has been training almost non-stop since the middle of August. First, his bout against Jeremy Williams in November was cancelled when the show fell apart, and the Kraj fight was originally slated for February. He will head to Germany with his head trainer, former world light heavyweight title challenger “Iceman” John Scully, 10-14 days in advance of the show in order to get acclimated and arrange sparring.

Matt, second heavyweight alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, had a 194-23 amateur record, capturing six national championships -- four open tournaments including the 2004 Everlast U.S. Championships, plus two in the Junior Olympics – as well as a Bronze medal at the 2001 Pan-American Games, Silver in all four of that year’s national major tournaments (National Golden Gloves, PAL (Police Athletic League), U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge) and six-time New England Golden Gloves champion.

The highly decorated U.S. amateur defeated many boxers who today are outstanding professionals such as WBA middleweight title challenger Randy “The Gentleman Griffin (24-1-3, 12 KOs), unbeaten heavyweight prospect Chazz “Mensa With Muscles” Witherspoon (21-0, 14 KOs), Devin Vargas (14-0, 6 KOs), Corey “Black Ice” Cummings (15-2, 12 KOs), Leonard “Haitian Sensation” Pierre (18-3, 13 KOs) and John Johnson (12-1, 10 KOs).


CONTACT:
Bob Trieger
Full Court Press

Chicago based World Boxing Council (WBC) Lightweight Champion David Diaz is preparing to face off against Ramon Montano

CHICAGO- World Boxing Council (WBC) Lightweight Champion David Diaz is preparing to face off against Ramon Montano on Saturday, March 15th at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The ten round non-title bout against Montano will be Diaz’s first return to the ring following his outstanding win over three division world champion Erik Morales on August 4, 2007 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL. The win over Morales was Diaz’s first defense of his WBC title and was noted on many boxing writers' 2007 “Fight of the Year” lists.

Diaz, under the tutelage of head trainer Mike Garcia, has been in camp at Chicago’s JABB Boxing Gym in preparation for his fight with Montano on the undercard of “UNFINISHED BUSINESS, the long-awaited rematch between Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao.

Speaking after an extensive workout, Diaz, 33-1-1 (17KO's) touched on a number of topics;

“I get approached in Chicago a little more since beating Morales. There were over 10,000 people at the fight and many of them have been very gracious to me over the last few months. It feels great, but there is still much to prove so I’m continuing to work hard.”

About facing the Las Vegas native Montano who brings a record of 14-3-2 into the fight on March 15th, “I’ve watched a few of his fights, he’s got a nice jab and comes forward ready to fight. I’m sure he’s training diligently for this opportunity and I’m preparing to be at my best on March 15th. I’m very excited to get back in the ring and fight at the highest level.”

In regards to his training, Diaz, a member of the 1996 US Olympic Team said, “Mike has set up a great camp, training and sparring has been terrific so far.”

The fight against Montano marks Diaz’s third fight in Las Vegas but Diaz is unfazed by the bright lights, “I’m fully aware of fighting on such a big stage but to me it’s a business trip. I’m going there to take care of business and that’s the only thing on my mind. Doesn’t matter to me how big the crowd is or anything like that. The bell rings and I have to be ready to fight.” Diaz won the WBC interim title with a devastating 10th round knockout of Jose Armando Santa Cruz on August 12, 2006 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

About the much rumored bout with Pacquiao for later this year, Diaz said “I’ve heard the talk but I’m so focused on March 15th that I’m not really paying attention to anything else. It’s not my style to look ahead, it’s all about Ramon Montano right now.”

Diaz wanted to pass along a final message to his fans, “I’ve always had terrific support in Chicago and I’ve also gotten great support from new fans after the Morales fight. I’m very thankful and I’m looking forward to putting on a great show on March 15th.”

The fistic debate about which fighter is the best finally will be settled when World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ defends his title against three-division world champion MANNY PACQUIAO in a 12-round battle for pound-for-pound supremacy. Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, in association with Romanza Boxing Productions and MP Promotions, Marquez-Pacquiao II will take place Saturday, March 15 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Tickets for Marquez-Pacquiao II,priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, are on sale at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Talent Headlines at Carolines Comdedy Club in New York City

Martin Castillo, former WBA super flyweight world championOPEN MEDIA GYM WORKOUTS

In anticipation of the separate world title bouts on February 16th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV on the undercard of the Kelly Pavlik vs. Jermain Taylor rematch (The Epic Battle Continues) Martin “EL GALLITO” Castillo and Jose Navarro will hold open media gym workouts on Tuesday, February 5th at the South El Monte Community Gym at 12noon.

Former World Boxing Association super flyweight champion Castillo will face off against current World Boxing Organization super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel while three time world title challenger Navarro will battle current World Boxing Council super flyweight champion Cristian Mijares on the HBO-PPV televised undercard.

The Kelly Pavlik vs. Jermain Taylor rematch (The Epic Battle Continues) is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank Inc. The 12-round rumble will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View on Saturday, February 16th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas beginning at 9p.m. (EST) / 6p.m. (PST). The bout will take place at a catch weight of 166 lbs. as Taylor exercises the rematch clause in his contract from the original Pavlik fight.

Tickets are priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100 are on sale at MGM Grand Arena Box Office. Tickets will also be sold at all Las Vegas Ticketmasters locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Macy's West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino.) Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at 702-474-4000 or MGM Grand 800-929-1111. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com

Martin Castillo, former WBA super flyweight world champion, Jose Navarro, three-time super flyweight world title challenger, Rudy Perez, trainer of Martin Castillo, Frank Perez, trainer of Jose Navarro, Frank Espinoza, manager of Martin Castillo.

INTERNATIONAL FIGHT LEAGUE, HDNET FIGHTS TEAM UP TO TELEVISE FIRST THREE IFL EVENTS OF 2008 LIVE Events From Las Vegas, New Jersey and Connecticut

NEW YORK– The International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI) and HDNet Fights today announced an agreement to televise the first three IFL events of 2008 live, beginning with the Friday, February 29 card from the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. HDNet Fights will also air the April 4 card live from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J., and the May 16 event from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Each two hour show will carry a minimum of five of the eight fights on the card, including no fewer than two championship fights. This is the latest partnership between the IFL and HDNet, which began with the December 29, 2007, IFL Championship event from Mohegan Sun. “We are very pleased to be able to offer our fans around the country these next three events live and in HD,” said IFL President and CEO Jay Larkin. “The quality of our broadcasts is second to none, highlighting the outstanding athletes and exciting bouts as we start 2008 in Las Vegas, live on HDNet.” “The first event we did with the IFL was a great success, and we are very pleased to be able to expand that relationship into the first quarter of 2008,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “HDNet Fights Presents: The IFL is a fantastic addition to MMA action on HDNet.” The Feb. 29 card will be the first in the IFL’s new camp vs. camp format, with Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den meeting Matt Lindland’s Team Quest, and Mario Sperry’s World Class Fight Center against Xtreme Couture. The night will also feature three individual championship defenses, with lightweight titleholder Ryan Schultz, who defeated previously unbeaten Chris Horodecki for the belt, meeting John Gunderson, middleweight champ Matt Horwich, a surprise winner over Benji Radach, defending his crown against Ryan McGivern of Miletich Fighting Systems, and heavyweight champ and Las Vegas native Roy Nelson battling Fabiano Scherner. The two hour show will air live on HDNet at 11 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. PT. About HDNet HDNet Fights (www.hdnetfights.com) is one of the leading Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organizations in the country. Founded by Mark Cuban, HDNet Fights promotes, produces and airs over 24 live MMA events annually for broadcast on HDNet. HDNet Fights is unique as a unifying force in the MMA industry partnering with leading promoters, including M1, Sportfight, IFL, Ring of Combat and others to offer the quality match-ups and productions that MMA fans demand. Founded in 2007, HDNet Fights is led by CEO Andrew Simon while company operations are handled by Dallas MMA legend and former UFC champion, Guy Mezger. HDNet (www.hd.net) is the home for HDNet Fights and is the leader in offering live MMA broadcasts and the leading news and information show for MMA fans, “Inside MMA”. In addition, HDNet provides viewers with the best in original news, sports, music and entertainment programming. From “Dan Rather Reports”, to championship sports coverage from the NHL, NASCAR and Major League Soccer to “Guys Night In” every Friday and the HDNet Concert Series every Sunday, HDNet offers great programming with the world’s best picture quality. Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager and COO Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net. If you don’t already have HDNet, call your local cable, satellite or video provider and order it today! About the IFL International Fight League™ (IFL) has its headquarters in New York and offices in Las Vegas. For more information about IFL, please see: www.ifl.tv.

SecondsOut Radio: Suszannah Warner, Alicia Ashley, Ronica Jeffrey,Jill Diamond, and Women's Boxing

On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio, at http://www.secondsout.com/radio/,host Eddie Goldman focuses on the state of women's boxing. We spoke with NABF strawweight champion Suszannah Warner (http://www.myspace.com/destiny_warner) (8-6, 2 KOs), who won a four-round unanimous decision in a non-title fight over the previously-unbeatenBecky Garcia (5-1, 3 KOs), Friday, Feb. 1, at the Fort McDowell Casinoin Fountain Hills, Arizona. There were two women's fights on Star Boxing's "Punchin' at the Paradise 8" card at the Utopia Paradise Theater in the Bronx, New York, which was held Thursday, Jan. 31. Right after her fight, we spoke with Alicia Ashley (http://www.myspace.com/aliciaslickashley)(14-7-1, 1 KO), who won an eight-round unanimous decision on that card over Brooke Dierdorff (4-2-1, 3 KOs) to win the vacant NABF women's super bantamweight title.
We also spoke with former New York City Golden Gloves champion, super bantamweight Ronica Jeffrey (http://www.myspace.com/ladypantha), who won her pro debut, also on that card,with a four-round unanimous decision over Karen Dulin, also making her pro debut.
And we spoke with Jill Diamond (http://www.myspace.com/neverhitalady), NABF Women's Division Chair, a member of the WBC Championship Committee, and the World Boxing Cares Chair, about the state of women's boxing today.
It is free to listen to SecondsOut Radio, but you must register togain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/,and listen, learn, and enjoy. Thanks, Eddie Goldman No Holds Barred bloghttp://nhbnews.blogspot.com/ No Holds Barred podcasthttp://nhbnews.podomatic.com/ No Holds Barred on MySpacehttp://www.myspace.com/nhbnews

Mitchell Rose book review from critically acclaimed boxing writer Ryan Songalia

People remember Mitchell Rose for his unexpected knockout of then-undefeated media magnet Butterbean. Rose's autobiography "Mike Tyson Tried To Kill My Daddy" is a brutally honest account of a man leading his step by trial and error, while overcoming odds with the fighting spirit he developed in the tough streets of Brooklyn, New York.

Not once in his memoirs does Rose ever claim to be without fault. Rose recalls incidences of delinquency, drug use, street violence, as well as his career as a crack dealer. He tells the story like a man who is not ashamed of his past having accepted it as the road that led him to self-actualization. Vividly he describes his lust for something more, transcending Lafayette Gardens projects with the only tools he had as a teenager, through infamy.

Rose uses his first hand perspective to analyze, just as much as he narrates the world and circumstances that he was exposed to in Brooklyn's inner city. He allows the reader into a world that is seldom accurately portrayed in media in a way that people of all walks can identify with on a common human thread. Not just touching on fisticuffs, Rose delves into the cultural clashes and societal ills that he confronted daily in a manner that lends dignity to his environment.

The detail Rose goes into depicts the maturation of a boy, into a man-child, then finally into a man. It was through boxing that Rose transitioned through life stages. And it was through boxing that Rose finally rose above his ghetto restraints to see a world larger than the urban squalor that once imprisoned him.

The story apexes with Rose's quick washout of Eric Esch AKA Butterbean, the gargantuan slugger who had yet to meet adversity until he ran into Rose's straight one-twos. What most attracts the boxing fan is what follows, as Rose chronicles his struggle to make a living as a black-listed "spoiler", a journeyman who upsets stars. It is a story rarely heard by fans, but is stunningly portrayed by Rose's firsthand perspective.

Throughout, Rose remains true to himself and rarely shies away from candor. "Mike Tyson Tried To Kill My Daddy" is a story that many can relate to, and all can enjoy.

NO HOLDS BARRED, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Bob Meyrowitz

NO HOLDS BARRED: Bob Meyrowitz and YAMMA Pit Fighting On this edition of NO HOLDS BARRED, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Bob Meyrowitz, whose new mixed martial arts league, YAMMA Pit Fighting(YPF), will be debuting Friday, April 11, 2008, at the Trump Taj Mahalin Atlantic City, New Jersey, with a pay-per-view show. Bob is theformer CEO of Semaphore Entertainment Group, which produced theoriginal, classic UFC events from 1993 to 2001. Among the topics Bob discussed were the format of tournaments andmasters super fights which will be used in this organization;incorrect speculation about their new fighting surface; how they planto persuade viewers to buy their pay-per-views; the lack ofunderstanding by many of the early, classic UFC events; his opinion ofthe present-day UFC and the quality of their fighters; some of thenewer MMA organizations; the need to produce stars; the reasoningbehind and history of the marketing strategy of the early UFC's,including the use of humor; how a pro boxer would do in MMA; therelation of the early UFC's to various state athletic commissions; theexperience with the New York commission and politicians in 1996 and1997; the importance of ring girls; and more. To listen to NO HOLDS BARRED, click the link below and just press theplay button on the player: http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2008-02-04T08_49_47-08_00 You can also download it by scrolling down that page and clicking onthe 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 IanCarpenter (http://iancarpenter.com/). NO HOLDS BARRED is free to listen to and is sponsored by: Art of War (http://www.artofwarlive.com), the undisputed arenafighting 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 outtheir 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 allBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more. Gladiator Magazine (http://gladmag.com/), for in-depth coverage ofBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well aslifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. GladiatorMagazine 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 martialarts. 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

Paterson, NJ welterweight Henry Crawford replaces Wolak

Unbeaten junior middleweight Pawel Wolak (19-0, 13 KOs) has pulled out of the February 9th 'Night of the Rising Stars' show at the Park Theatre in Union City, New Jersey. “He is not 100%,” states Ivan Edwards, manager of the Polish born fighter.

Pawel Wolak and Ivan Edwards


“We are hoping to have him back in action in the very near future.” Wolak will be replaced by Paterson, NJ welterweight Henry Crawford (17-0-1, 8 KOs) as the main event of the evening. "I am excited to be the main event on February 9th and I plan on showing everyone in attendance my skills, Tuesday, January 29
states Crawford."

Henry Crawford


Promoter: John Lynch : Pound for Pound Promotions
Tickets 100,75 ,50 ,35 dollars tickets going fast

Vanes Martirosyan vs Michi Munoz

TICKETS: $125, $75, $50 @ VanesBoxing.com

Paragon's Plans to Keeppunchin; Sechew "Iron Horse" Powell and Allan "Sweetness" Green on February's ESPN Card

February 29's "Friday Night Fights" broadcast from the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Louisiana, featuring IBF #1-rated Sechew "Iron Horse" Powell (23-1, 13 KOs) and IBF and WBO #14-rated Allan "Sweetness" Green (26-1, 18 KOs) in dual main events, will mark the culmination of a lengthy group effort to bring world-class professional boxing to Central Louisiana.

Sechew "Iron Horse" Powell



"I think it's huge we're sponsoring a major televised boxing event," says Linda Bordelon, Vice-President of Public Relations for the Paragon. "I know the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is tremendously proud of getting to this point. They fought hard for this; they deserve it and we're all thrilled to have it."

Known as the "Pearl of Louisiana", the Paragon was constructed on Tunica-Biloxi Tribe land in 1994 and has quickly expanded to a sprawling 1,000,000 + square-foot resort that rivals anything Las Vegas can offer. With cypress trees and live alligators in its newly constructed eight-story glass atrium, over 2000 slot machines, the full complement of gaming tables, three hotel towers, a top-rated golf course and seven restaurants among its many amenities, the Paragon has turned a once-rural area into one of the country's newest hot spots.

So what does a casino traditionally do once it's all dressed up? It goes out for a night of world-class boxing.

David Rivas, Director of Political Affairs for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe as well as the first independent Native American boxing promoter in history, says that while the Paragon has hosted boxing in the past, this amazing coup to stage a major event started with a call to Louisiana-based husband-and-wife boxing promoters Mickey and Kerry Daigle of Keeppunching Entertainment.

"Kerry is a dear friend of mine. When they asked me who I thought could handle the boxing program for the Paragon, I recommended Keeppunching immediately. Mickey and Kerry are honorable people."

The Daigles began their Paragon tenure by putting on well-attended shows featuring local favorites such as Blake "Candyman" Prevost and "The Fighting Marine" Kasha Chamblin.

Then one day came word that a televised date, originally to be hosted by "The Contender" series of promotions, was suddenly available. Through some quick moves, Keeppunching was able to put together this sensational card and make the fight happen at the Paragon.

Kerry Daigle, KPE Director of Boxing to his wife Mickey's role as promoter, says it took some fast maneuvering.

"When I heard that The Contender had other plans, I spent hours on the phone coming up with an idea for a blockbuster show. When I had a plan put together, I called up my good friend Leon Margules (Head of Florida-based Warrior's Boxing) and together with Allan Green's promoter Tony Holden, we approached ESPN and finalized arrangements for this incredible double-main-event evening, one of the best nights of boxing that will be seen on ESPN this year."

Bordelon calls the big show a "coming out party," for the Paragon and for Louisiana boxing. "We're looking forward to having folks around the country find out about our outstanding facilities. In the Mari Center (Mari means "gathering" in the Tunica Biloxi Tribal language) there are only 2200 seats, so when you sit in this newly updated facility, it's like being at a very intimate gathering, but with all the modern technology and features that a much larger facility would have: great lighting and wonderful sound. The exposure through ESPN is wonderful for us. This will encourage people who have never visited Marksville to come and enjoy everything you could want from a top casino resort and the best southern hospitality on the planet to go with it."

When the bright lights go up and the cameras roll that February Friday night, one of the big winners will be the group who were able to collectively put it all together. While Las Vegas is known as the world's champion of top-level boxing, a hungry, young contender has emerged in Marksville, Louisiana.

And they're working hard on taking Vegas's title away some day.

Tickets are on sale now, priced at $100 Ringside (Limited Seating) and $40 (Reserved Stadium Seating) and can be obtained through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling the Paragon Casino Resort at 1.800.WIN.1.WIN. For more information on the upcoming show, go to www.keeppunching.com. To visit the fabulous Paragon Casino go to www.paragoncasinoresort.com.

WBC FEMALE CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE‏; We welcome Alicia " Slick" Ashley as our NABF Super Bantamweight Champ!

China's Wang Ya Nan lasted a spirited last round attack by USA's Janaya Davis to win by unaminous points decision the WBC Female Middleweight World Title in Macao.The vocally partisan Chinese crowd roared as Wang Ya Nan built up a solid lead with strong accurate punches that kept Davis away, but as she began to tire in the last three rounds Davis found something extra and applied extreme pressure on the local favourite.

Exercise your right to use your Mouse:
http://wbcboxing.com/WBCboxing/Portal/cfpages/contentmgr.cfm?docId=1893&docTipo=1&orderby=docid&sortby=ASCJill Diamond WBC Championship Committee NABF Women's Division, Chair World Boxing Cares, Chair

Alicia " Slick" Ashley; The New NABF Super Bantamweight Champ

On January 31, 2008, Paradise Theatre in the Bronx, Alicia "Slick" Ashley faced Brooke "No Mercy" Dierdorff for a scheduled eight rounds and the NABF Bantamweight Title.
By:David Pambianchi



Former dancer with scholarships to Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham dance schools, Alicia carries ballroom elegance into the ring. A southpaw coupled with an unusual style, hands often down, Alicia still managed to dodge Karen's punches for the first two rounds through a fluid body movement that kept her opponent off balance.

Brooke, a younger fighter of 26, still comes with some tough fighting experience and a lot of heart. But the veteran bloodied her nose in the third round and started to step up the pace. Progressively, Alicia scored higher in the fourth, then slipped in notable hard lefts in the fifth and sixth. Whenever Karen fired back with a flurry, Alicia returned with her own combinations more accurate and connected.


Photo: David Pambianchi

During the final two rounds, a valiant, but frustrated Brooke would rush in attempting to capitalize on her adversary's openings, only to walk into a solid left, and then discover that Alicia had disappeared. Hands up now, Alicia scored heavily with right hooks and lefts. Karen held tough and fought back, however, still unable to do any serious damage.

As Star Boxing Public Relation's Queen Rachel Charles notes, "Getting Old is Not for Sissies." While 40 might be a middle age reminder to some, one determined competitor not only feels, but also glows young and vibrant. Almost to the day of her 8th year in Professional boxing, smooth, smart, educated and savvy, Alicia showed little sign of slowing down and captured the NABF title.

Ronica Jeffrey: First Taste of Bronx Paradise

Ronica Jeffrey: First Taste of Bronx Paradise
by David Pambianchi

Photo: David Pambianchi
At the Paradise Theatre in the Bronx, January 31, 2008, Ronica Jeffrey collided with Karen Dulin for a scheduled 4 round Professional Featherweight Boxing Debut.
For the first two rounds, a faster Ronica scored better in general with especially heavy punches to Karen's body. But make no mistake, tough and solid to the core, she took the blows and keep fighting. During the third round, Ronica, again using her speed advantage, started landing some head shots that took a toll. Karen sometimes looked away to protect her face, when she might have blocked and countered instead of losing precious focus. Never-the-less, during the round four slug fest, Karen fought well despite falling pray to Ronica's single combinations, a left to the body then right to the head.

Photo: David Pambianchi
New Yorkers witnessed a dynamic bout of heart and fury, physical conditioning and grit that did boxing proud. Karen fought with courage and earned her right into Professional boxing. And an equally brave and determined Ronica earned and started her Professional boxing career with a win.

Marcus Cederqvist Gearing Up for the Big Countdown

Marcus Cederqvist
By ROBIN FINN


A DEFINITE contender for the title of Most Precocious Republican in New York City, Marcus Cederqvist, at 37 the baby-faced new executive director of the Board of Elections, is gearing up for his debut as the city’s chief vote counter for Tuesday’s New York presidential primary.

James Estrin/photo- New York Times


Super Duper Tuesday, as it has been called, could be a challenge, particularly if the Giants win the Super Bowl on Sunday and Lower Broadway, where the board, with its inventory of backup voting machines, has its headquarters, is taken over by a victory parade on Primary Day.

Mr. Cederqvist apologizes for the Duper thing’s being over the top. Can’t help himself: This is a big deal with big national stakes, and he is, in a sense, running the show. Keeping tabs on it, anyway. He is, he promises, highly conversant with spreadsheets. And with contingency plans should the local football team prevail. “I want the Giants to win, but...”

Mr. Cederqvist is responsible for monitoring the city’s 1,363 polling stations on Tuesday and supplying them with some 6,300 voting machines — yes, the clunky but dependable Shoup lever machines that must all be replaced by modern, voter-friendly machines in time for the 2009 mayoral election.

He is so new in his role (his predecessor and mentor, John A. Ravitz, resigned in October, but Mr. Cederqvist was not appointed until Jan. 15) that his name isn’t yet etched on the office door.

But public service is old hat. He got his start while a student at the University of Rochester by volunteering for Charles Millard’s 1991 campaign for the New York City Council. He then had a summer internship with State Senator Roy M. Goodman in 1992, after which he coordinated the successful City Council campaign of Andrew S. Eristoff in 1993. By age 25, he was elected Republican leader of the 65th District on the East Side, and he went on to serve as Mr. Eristoff’s chief of staff until 1999.

“Granted, this is a partisan agency,” he says about the board of 10 commissioners: a Democrat and a Republican from each borough, a recipe that he is convinced ensures checks and balances. He is a true-blue Republican — “Better make that true red,” he corrects, with a rare giggle — whose fascination with the party began as a Manhattan teenager improbably attuned to the oratory of Ronald Reagan. But the board’s deputy director and its administrative manager are both Democrats. Hurrah for partisan parity.

“What everyone here is interested in, and what everyone truly wants, is a fair election,” he insists, waving a yellow pencil like a baton. “There isn’t really a Republican or a Democratic way to run an election; there’s just a right way. No, really! Here in this role, my job is very specifically to count votes, not influence them. That’s the only game I’m involved in now. The Board of Elections is kind of like the boiler in your house: It’s something you don’t think about much, but as long as it chugs along and keeps you warm, it’s doing its job.” He frets that the analogy sounds dumb.

But forgive Mr. Cederqvist — who will also celebrate his 38th birthday and first wedding anniversary in this pivotal primary month — for his giddiness. He’s young to the point of idealistic, or at the very least earnestness, even if he happens to be wearing, somewhat baggily, a nondescript old man’s suit in an unbecoming shade of charcoal and a green tie from his father’s wardrobe castoffs. His father, a retired obstetrician and gynecologist, accumulated ties from four generations of happy parents of offspring he delivered.

Mr. Cederqvist is, by his own admission, a diligent former Republican operative, not a clotheshorse, which explains why he says he forgot to wear his most photogenic, and partisan, tie: the blue one decorated with itsy-bitsy elephants, a Christmas present from his father. He does wear a shiny black pair of penny loafers, a post-preppy nod to his alma mater, the Browning School on the Upper East Side, and he vows to purchase some snappier suits. After the primary.

“Being that this is a presidential primary and a contested presidential primary at that, we’re anticipating a high voter turnout, something approaching what you would expect for a general election,” he says, flicking the elephant-themed light switch in his otherwise impersonal office (he has had no time to unpack his family photos or posters).

“I’VE been unbelievably busy,” he reiterates. He has even, because protocol demanded it, already voted (he won’t say for whom, but his palpable disappointment, and fleeting pout, at the news of Rudolph W. Giuliani’s withdrawal is a telltale sign). Mr. Cederqvist, before being named to this post, spent six years as executive director of the New York Republican County Committee. Making it a computer-savvy and candidate-rich organization was his mission.

Being a young Republican activist in New York City, where Democrats prevail nearly six to one and where even his wife is registered with the enemy, has often been alienating. Take, for instance, the collection of petition signatures. “If you’re a Democrat, getting signatures on the Upper West Side is like shooting fish in a barrel,” he says. “For a Republican, it is a horrible, horrible experience. I’ve been called a fascist repeatedly. People are just vitriolic in general.” Then there was the time that, at First Avenue and 79th Street, an older woman spit at him when he asked if she was a Republican.

“Thank God she had bad aim and missed.”

Professional Boxing in Laporte Indiana February 9

Ken Norton "KNOCKOUT" Birthday Bash Celebrating 65years on August 8-9, 2008, in his hometown of Jacksonville, Illinois

Ken Norton Enterprises, Inc., request the pleasure of your company for the Ken Norton “Knockout” Birthday Bash. Ken Norton, Former WBC World Heavyweight Boxing Champion will be Celebrating 65years on August 8-9, 2008, in his hometown of Jacksonville, Illinois.
Our event fundraiser and activities for the weekend will include a Black Tie Dinner and Entertainment Concert and a Parade downtown Jacksonville, Illinois. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Pathway Services Unlimited, Inc. Pathway Services Unlimited, Inc. provides services for the developmentally disabled ranging in ages 0-adult. Also Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Jacksonville, Illinois. Our celebrity friends and confirmed guest include: Howard Davis Jr., Gumersindo Vidot (RBF), Jill Diamond (WBC), Alex Ramos (President RBF) Scott LeDoux, Tim Witherspoon, Hector "Macho" Camacho, Gary Stretch, Chuck Zito.




For More information or to R.S.V.P. contact
Ken Norton Enterprises, Inc.
Donald Hennessey Jr.,Corporate Manager,
Direct Line: 217.245.2420
FAX TO: 217.245.2420
E-mail: kne1978@aol.com
Website www.kennorton.com

A Book Signing Event with Hip Hop's First Photographer Joe Conzo; Born In The Bronx

FYI: We have an item up on Ebay: Tommy Boy presents Hip Hop Essentials: 1979-1991. Retails at $100 but bidding begins at $49.99: - check it out!
Selling Tommy Boy 12 Vol. CD Set: Hip Hop Essentials .

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Peace!
Christie

TSKI BIRTHDAY JAM AND EASTER JUMP OFF.....

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