KIMBO SLICE: Among The Standouts Featured On First-Ever MMA Card on Primetime Network Television, TICKETS ON SALE FOR ELITEXC FIGHT CARD MAY 31

LOS ANGELES- Fans seeking to participate in what some regard as the most important fight card in mixed martial arts history, presented by Los Angeles-based ProElite Inc.’s live fight division, EliteXC, have the opportunity to reserve their seats now.

(All photos: Property of CBS)


Tickets, starting at $25, for a history-making event Saturday, May 31, at the Prudential Center at Newark, N.J., are available at Ticketmaster locations, by phone at (201) 507-8900, online at www.ticketmaster.com and at the Prudential Center website at www.prucenter.com. Doors open at 5 p.m. ET. The first live fight is at 6:30.

“I’m obviously very excited to come back to New Jersey, which is my home and a place where I served as a member of the board of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board,’’ said EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw. “Newark is a great city and the Prudential Center is one of the newest, most modern facilities in the United States.

“No one is better at running an event center than AEG. I’m very pleased to be working with them again. From start to finish, it is going to be a spectacular, memorable night of exciting fights and entertainment for fans in the tri-state area. Top to bottom, everybody’s matched tough.

“Kimbo is really excited about returning to New Jersey to fight on May 31. I know he wants to put on a show and continue his magical trip from the street to Elite.’’

The card will be the first-ever MMA event shown live in primetime on network television. “CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS” will air on the CBS Television Network at 9-11 p.m. ET/PT.

The incredibly popular Kimbo Slice (2-0) of Perrine, Fla., will face England’s James “Colossus’’ Thompson (14-8) in what will be a thrilling main event of an outstanding show.

In other televised fights, EliteXC middleweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (15-4) of St. Louis, by way of Davenport, Iowa, will defend against Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith (13-4) of Sacramento, Calif.; Gina Carano (5-0) of Las Vegas, Nev., faces Kaitlin Young (4-1) of Circle Pines, Minn., in an excellent women’s fight at 140 pounds; Phil Baroni (10-9) of Long Island, N.Y., faces Joey Villasenor (25-6) in a 185-pound scrap and unbeaten Brett Rogers (6-0) of Minneapolis throws down with Jon Murphy (4-2) of Minersville, Pa., in a heavyweight match.

The Lawler-Smith dispute, scheduled for five, 5-minute rounds, figures to be a slugfest. The other fights are slated for three, 5-minute sessions with the exception of Carano-Young, which is set for three, 3-minute rounds (see Fighter Pages below).

Matchups for non-televised, undercard bouts that will be streamed live at ProElite.com will be announced soon. Fans can watch pre- and post-fight interviews only at ProElite.com.

Kimbo Slice and Vernon Forrest


Kimbo, who’s trained by the respected legendary fighter and trainer, the no-nonsense Bas Rutten, has required all of 62 seconds to dispatch of his initial two MMA opponents. Kimbo, aka Kevin Ferguson, has shown ferocious striking skills but has yet to be taken to the ground.

“We’re continuing to work on polishing his striking and we’ve changed his stance, which has made him an even better striker,’’ Rutten said. “He is more explosive now and fit. But for a guy who has had only two MMA fights, Kimbo continues to do everything right.

“He is going to surprise everybody with his ground game, especially those who believe he doesn’t have one. After about 200 street fights, he is putting it all on the line and taking a big risk. James Thompson is going to be a great opponent.’’

Already a major MMA attraction, Kimbo made a name for himself on the Internet where videos of the bald, bearded, menacing-looking former underground bare-knuckle street fighter have been downloaded literally millions of times on YouTube.

Kimbo registered a 43-second, first-round knockout (punches) over Tank Abbott in his last start Feb. 16, 2008, in Miami, Fla. Dangerously explosive and always one punch away from ending a fight, Kimbo won his MMA debut Nov. 10, 2007, stopping Bo Cantrell in 19 seconds.

“I’m looking forward to fighting Thompson in Newark on CBS,’’ said Kimbo, who recently re-signed with EliteXC. “But I love to fight and always look forward to fighting. It really doesn’t matter where or against whom. Everybody knows that.

“To all the MMA fighters who continue to disrespect me, to all those who say I don’t have a ground game, I lack this, I lack that, I say, ‘stop talking and bring it on. I’m ready.

"

Thompson, who trains with Randy Couture at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, could be Kimbo’s toughest test. Since going pro in January 2003, the former Pride and Cage Rage fighter has defeated the likes of Dan Severn, Japanese judo legend Hidehiko Yoshida and Don Frye.

The 29-year-old, six-foot-five Thompson possesses significant advantages in age (three years), height (three inches) and experience. The Brit has fought all over the world.

But the key may be whether a veteran known for heavy hands will come out and look for takedowns and try to use his size to wear down Kimbo from the top position on the ground.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me and I will have a solid game plan for it,’’ said Thompson, who has won four times by submission. “The world will be watching. I’ll be ready.’’



Long regarded as one of the world’s most gifted middleweights, Lawler will be making the first defense of the EliteXC belt he won in dramatic, convincing fashion with a third-round TKO (strikes) over defending champion Murilo “Ninja” Rua on Sept. 15, 2007, in Honolulu.

“I fought a smart and controlled fight and kept my distance, but that is how I fight these days,’’ Lawler said. “I told my corner after the second round that I was going to knock him out.’’

Lawler rocked and mocked Rua several times before dropping him with a left hand. After a series of jackhammer right hands and two more lefts, the referee halted matters at 2:04.

While he performed with poise against Rua, the crowd-pleasing Lawler is known for an aggressive, unbashful, at times swing-for-the-fences style, and for putting as much heart and bad intentions behind his punches and lethal flying knee attacks as anyone could expect.

“Every fight’s big, at the time,’’ said Lawler, who recently re-signed with EliteXC. “You live by the moment, fight for today. May 31 is obviously a big fight for me, and more people will be watching. But once I’m in the cage, they’re (his fights are) all equal.”



Smith is a “freestyle” fighter and knockout artist who comes out throwing bombs with an abandon that’s made him a huge fan favorite. Aptly nicknamed “Hands Of Steel’’ -- he’s a union field foreman in his family’s steel business – he’s won 11 of his fights by KO or TKO.

But one of the most dangerous strikers in the business also owns a strong wrestling background and possesses terrific cardio. Smith’s two other triumphs were by submission.

In his EliteXC debut, Smith rallied after losing the first round to knock out Kyle Noke at 0:07 in the second. Two brutal, picture-perfect right hands did all the damage.

“I didn’t fight the first round like I usually do, but I started to get comfortable and find my range toward the end of it,’’ said Smith, who has won nine times in the first round. “I came out pumped for the second and made up for it. Once I got inside – bam -- I knocked him down.”

Until numbing Noke, Smith was best known for his dramatic comeback victory over Pete Sell in perhaps the most totally unexpected, shocking ending to a MMA fight in history.

“Fans know I come to war, that I’m a fighter,’’ said Smith, who rallied from the brink of defeat to score a second-round knockout over Sell Nov. 11, 2006. “I think they love that I engage and I keep punching until I knock you out. They can read that when they watch me in the cage.’’

Since its inception, EliteXC has consistently included women's fighters on its cards. None is more popular than Carano, the most recognizable female MMA fighter in the world.

Carano, aka “Crush” on American Gladiators, will be making her first start since she got up from a hard early takedown to record a 2:53, first-round submission (rear naked choke) over Tonya Evinger on Sept. 15, 2007, in Honolulu.

“When she got me down, I knew I couldn't freak and had to keep my composure,’’ said Carano, who celebrated her first submission by running around the cage. “After reversing her, I considered standing up. But I've been practicing working on top, so I just went through with it.''

It’s apparent the moment you meet Carano that she’s the epitome of strength; a strong woman: mentally, spiritually and physically. Yes, she is more than a pretty face. And the Muay Thai specialist also is smart enough to know she had better not underestimate Young.

“I don’t take anyone lightly,’’ said Carano, who trains at Xtreme Couture gym and also recently re-signed with EliteXC. “I’ve got a big target on me.’’

Carano, who’s not afraid to hit or get hit, garnered national notoriety in 2007 for her quote: “We're not hitting tennis balls. We're hitting people. Isn't that more exciting?”

The talented Young, a devastating striker with excellent skills and a solid Muay Thai background, is excited about getting the chance to test her skills against Carano.

“I’m totally pumped,’’ Young said. “Gina always comes to fight and doesn’t seem to have an off day. I think on paper we are probably even. One of my greatest advantages is definitely that I have a very aggressive striking style. I think it’s more aggressive than Gina’s.’’

Young won her pro debut with a second-round TKO on Oct. 4, 2007, and then gained instant notoriety the following Nov. 24 by registering three devastating first-round knockouts to win a HOOKnSHOOT eight-woman, single night tournament in Indiana. Total fight time: 1:53.

Baroni is a flamboyant, trash-talking, KO artist who exploded on the scene in 2001.

MMA fans may love or hate him, but they can’t ignore a true showman and personality who always makes for entertaining, memorable, non-stop slugfests. His entrance alone, some say, is worth the price of admission. He is of the best interviews in all of sports.

With his pulverizing punching power and dynamic energy that triggers an edgy persona, Baroni truly believes -- sometimes until his very last breath -- that he’s going to win every time.

Baroni, who’s fought the best, may not always back up his words but he’s tough and courageous and one would be hard-pressed to find a fan seated during one of his fights.

“I am sick and tired of what’s been going on and someone’s going to pay and that someone is Villasenor,’’ said Baroni, who has lost two in a row (both were world title fights). “I am going to knock the s--- out of Villasenor and then go after one of the champions again.’’

Villasenor is a well-conditioned, determined, battle-tested, well-rounded veteran who’s always been willing to fight anybody, anytime, anywhere.

“I’ll fight whoever they put in front of me,’’ said a native of Albuquerque, N.M., and a protégé of MMA guru, Greg Jackson. “You can bet there will be a lot of fireworks in this one.’’

A former King of the Cage champion, Villasenor enters this one with momentum, having won his last two starts, including an exciting 4:45, first-round knockout over Ryan Jensen in a rousing battle that featured numerous exchanges on March 29, 2008, in San Jose, Calif.

“He caught me with some shots but then I really connected with that right hook, said."

Villasenor, who stopped Jensen with a series of combinations followed by the punishing right.

Rogers, a big, scary, intimidating sort, will be making his third consecutive appearance for EliteXC. “I’m extremely happy working for them,’’ he said. “EliteXC is a great organization and nothing compares to how I’ve been treated by them. They definitely take care of their guys.’’

The hard-hitting six-foot-five, 27-year-old Rogers has ended his last four fights in the first round. Only one of the relative newcomer’s fights has made it to the second.

“When I touch you with my fists, you are going down,’’ said Rogers, a member of Team Bison who has only been training two years.

Rogers got involved in MMA to keep him off the streets. “Life for me has never beeneasy,’’ he said. “I’d always lived in bad areas, terrible environments, first where I grew up on the south side of Chicago, and then in Minnesota where I moved to in 1992.

“You had no choice but to learn to pick things up. I’m a patient man but everyone has a breaking point. But I knew it was better to train and fight pro then fight on the streets. If I am going to fight, it had better be for the right reasons and get me paid.’’

Murphy scored a career-best 0:19, second-round knockout over Dave Huckaba in his last outing on Aug. 25, 2007, in Jackson, Miss. He dropped Huckaba with a series of punches, the most damaging of which were four vicious right hands.

The following December the former middle linebacker at Syracuse University underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Murphy was back in the gym by early January ‘08. Before resuming training, however, he had a complete hair makeover.

On New Year’s Day, Murphy, who hadn’t seen the inside of a barbershop since October ‘05, shaved his shoulder-length hair and donated it to Locks Of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to children under 18 who suffer from long-term medical hair loss.

“I had known about them for about a year,’’ Murphy said. “It took a while for my hair to grow the required 10 inches it took to donate. I wound up donating about 15 inches.’’

For more information on EliteXC and other MMA-related stories, including bios, video-on-demand, photos, stats, Fantasy Fight Game TM and more, please visit ProElite.com and EliteXC.com.

Fighter pages:
Kimbo (http://kimboslice.proelite.com
Thompson (http://jamesthompson.proelite.com
Lawler (http://robbielawler.proelite.com
Smith (http://scottsmith.proelite.com
Carano (http://ginacarano.proelite.com
Young (http://kaitlinyoung.proelite.com
Villasenor (http://joeyvillasenor.com
Baroni (http://philbaroni.proelite.com
Rogers (http://brettrogers.proelite.com
Murphy (http://jonmurphy.proelite.com

About Pro Elite, Inc.
ProElite, Inc. 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. The company has established a partnership with CBS that brings MMA to a major primetime network for the first time. Through acquisitions of MMA organizations in Asia and Europe, ProElite is a global leader with an exclusive distribution agreement for its program library with IMG Media. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. The company’s social media platform, ProElite.com, continues to add thousands of subscribers each month due to the large number of live streaming MMA events, social networking tools, and original and partner-driven content.

About The Prudential Center
Prudential Center is the first new, state-of-the-art facility built in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area in over 25 years. Located within 2 blocks of Newark Penn Station, it is the home of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, NCAA Division I Seton Hall men’s basketball and the New Jersey Ironmen of the MISL. Prudential Center is managed by AEG, one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world.

IBF junior welterweight champion 'Paulie 'The Magic Man' Malignaggi training in Sicily for his May 24 rematch against Lovemore N'dou in England

N’dou strictly business for champ Malignaggi



Paul Malignaggi talks about up and coming fight with Lovemore N'Dou May 24th in England
Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

SIRACUSA, Sicily– IBF junior welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi has shifted training camp from Vero Beach (Florida) to Sicily in preparation for his May 24 rematch with Lovemore N’dou on the Ricky Hatton-Juan Lazcano card in Manchester, England.



Malignaggi (24-1, 5 KOs) captured the IBF title last June by defeating champion N’dou (46-9-1, 31 KOs) by unanimous 12-round decision.



Paulie successfully defended his belt this past January with a 12-round decision against No. 1 contender Herman Ngoudjo (16-1).



Fighting an opponent he thoroughly outclassed (120-106, 120-106, 118-108) less than a year ago, flooring him in the process, has all the makings of a potential trap fight for Malignaggi, especially with a potential mega-deal on the table to fight Ricky Hatton this fall in New York City, pending wins May 24 by both fighters.



“I’m just working on getting the job done May 24th,” Malignaggi explained. “I’m focused on doing my job on this card, not looking any deeper than I have to. I’m training in Sicily to get acclimated to the time change (like England, 6 hours difference from the East Coast of the U.S.). I have connections here and everything was set-up for me, including my sparring partners. I trained two weeks in Vero Beach with Buddy (McGirt, head trainer) and he’ll catch up with us in Sicily.



“N’dou is a pressure fighter who fights at a high pace. I just have to stay consistent and fight like I did our first fight. I’ll force him into making adjustments. He has to try and get to me, come to me, not stay on the outside. He’s been the same fighter for a long time and I don’t expect anything much different this fight.”



Malignaggi was born in Brooklyn but his Italian immigrant parents moved back to Siracuse, Sicily when Paulie was only a few months old. Six years later, the family decided to move back to the United States, but Paulie’s professional soccer playing father, Nello, stayed only a few weeks before returning to live in Siracuse.

McGirt predicts Malignaggi will be ready for N’dou once again. “N’dou brought in Boza Edwards to train him and I know they’ll be concentrating more on a body attack,” Buddy said. “They’ll judge Paulie off of his last fight (against Ngoudjo) and try to do a couple of things differently. Once things don’t go his way, hopefully, N’dou will go back to fighting the way he always does.

Buddy McGirt


“Paulie won’t be looking ahead to Hatton. He never mentioned Hatton’s name in the two weeks he trained here (Vero Beach). Paulie learned a tough lesson against Ngoudjo, looking ahead to talks about fighting Hatton. There’s no Hatton fight unless he wins this fight. Paulie will be ready.”

Hatton


CONTACT:Bob Trieger Full Court Press

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

STEVE “USS” CUNNINGHAM TRAINING WITH FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION CHRIS BYRD; TWO WORLD CHAMPIONS HELPING EACH OTHER PREPARE FOR BIG FIGHTS

LAS VEGAS- IBF Cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham isn’t sitting around waiting for his next fight. The champ is currently in Las Vegas helping former IBF Heavyweight champion Chris Byrd prepare for his maiden voyage into the Light-Heavyweight ranks when Byrd takes on Shaun George May 16th in Las Vegas.



Cunningham, 21-1 with eleven knockouts is in camp with Byrd for the fourth time and familiarity seems to bring success for the two fighters.

“It’s a great situation for me to be able to come out here and work with one of the craftiest and best boxers of the past decade.” said the current Cruiserweight champ, “I think because we have similar lifestyle for which we have a strong belief in Jesus and we are devoted family men helped build a great friendship. Because of the friendship, I think we bring the best out of each other and want to push each other to make ourselves the best we can be.“

When asked about working with Cunningham, Byrd, 40-4-1 with twenty-one knockouts, said “Every time we work together, even for me who has been around the block, it’s a learning experience. Even more so now that I am a light-Heavyweight because of his speed and power. I can’t get away with anything with him. It’s very equal competition. He is the best cruiserweight in the world Bar None.”

“Because of out similar mentalities we are on the same page.”

Byrd and George will fight at The Cox Pavilion and the fight will be televised on ESPN-2.

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

Has Race Prejudice Become Sophisticated?‏

This presidential election season comes at the closing of the first decade of the twenty-first century and has found American politics and society at an apparent fork in the road. Interestingly enough, American politics and society faced similar challenges moving forward, in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

The respective role of the Democratic and Republican political parties has reversed between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, in the framework of the reality on the ground in both scenarios of the respective Democratic and Republican Parties. At this early stage of the twenty-first century it is difficult to ascertain the trajectory of America’s critical mass at this dubious fork in the road juncture.

A seminal challenge of the nineteenth century which animated both the Black and White “race” in America was the abolition of slavery. The civil war history speaks volumes relative to the political, economic, and social movement of Black and White Americans working together to insure the founding proclamation that all men are created equal with certain inalienable rights is achieved.

Following the end of the civil war, the civil rights of Black Americans could only be guaranteed by the imposition of federal troops in some southern states. This period is popularly known as Reconstruction and lasted for about a decade. During Reconstruction, Black Americans achieved unprecedented advances in business, politics, and the professions that remain unrivaled by the standards of today.

The story of how and why federal troops were withdrawn from protecting the rights of The fortunes of Black American citizens, as part of the great compromise, is perhaps a metaphor for the events that followed and continue. Intimidation, terrorism, violence, murder, lynching, and odious political machinations ruled the subsequent years. The era of racial segregation ensued punctuated by abject poverty and Jim Crow laws.

The Great War and World War II provided an opportunity for Black Americans to transcend their practical circumstance and serve in the armed forces with valor and distinction. The loyalty of Black Americans was tested and confirmed during World Wars I and II, as well as in the Korean conflict, despite the practical scenario on the ground of their respective neighborhoods. However, because of pervasive poverty and oppression, there was a growing sensibility that enough is enough, which correlated with the murder of young Emit Till, Brown verses the Board of Education, and other developments of the time.

The modern civil rights movement was inspired by a historic pattern of blatant economic, political, and social deprivation as well as violence against Black Americans that reached the boiling point. Ultimately, white Americans engaged the struggle to help Blacks achieve their legitimate aspirations as citizens, and ensure that their civil rights were enforced. This was the second great Black and White political coalition mimicking the first civil rights movement. Desegregation of schools, integration of public accommodations, voting rights legislation, and affirmative action statute are examples of advances and victories of the acclaimed modern civil rights movement.

The assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, the titular leader of the civil rights movement, coupled with the apparent social and political success, marked an unceremonious end to the popular political movement. Nevertheless, the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., that we should be judged by the quality of our character not the color of our skin has endured.

Regrettably, the apparent social and political success of the twentieth century’s modern civil rights movement seems to be a metaphor of the auspicious nineteenth century civil rights movement. Its’ promise has eluded the community at large. Hence, the butterfly that emerged from the modern civil rights movement has lost its’ wings and is a caterpillar once again seeking a venue for the hope of political maturation.

Accordingly, the verisimilitude associated with the advent of Senator Barack Obama as a credible and viable candidate for President of the United States, may have unwrapped the American racial pathology. Anecdotal evidence suggests that after Senator Obama demonstrated his capacity to raise millions in campaign funds, in addition to his political rhetorical skills, some among the White American demographic have become malignantly fearful. In this context, the specter of an Obama presidency is a worse-case-scenario political nightmare that must be avoided by any means necessary.

Initially, the Senator very skillfully managed to navigate his campaign beyond the racial divide, despite the assault of negative rumors and innuendoes leveled by his political opponents. Also, the insertion of controversial and incendiary sound-bites associated with his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, coupled with political questions posed by the “forth estate,” required a direct answer from the candidate. Senator Obama responded with a national televised presentation on race that was assessed by many as nothing short of a brilliant, effective way of putting the question to the American people.

As the campaign for the Democratic nomination enters the final stretch, Obama has been able to maintain his lead in the delegate count and the legitimate popular vote. However, the fear-mongering and race-based attacks against Senator Obama and his wife are on a virulent crescendo. Obviously, it remains to be seen who will be the party nominee at the end of the day. Concomitantly, the protracted and racially divisive tactics and subtext of the nomination process is likely to ensure a pyrrhic climax for Democrats moving forward to the November general election.

The Democratic Party is the oldest political party in America and is arguably the most colorful, in the context of its’ transitional political odyssey. In the nineteenth century, the Democratic Party was pro-slavery and facilitated the establishment of the infamous KKK, who terrorized and lynched Black folk as a function of their normal operation. In the twentieth century, the political paradigm changed from conservative Democrat to liberal, and the party merged with the unfolding civil rights movement. As a practical political matter, the Democratic Party is currently positioned as the party of modern civil rights.

In deed there is substantial political irony relative to the evolution of the Democratic Party politics, vis-à-vis, Black Americans. While the jury has not yet returned with a definitive answer to the race issue, we are ever mindful of the current, as well as previous, legacy. On the other hand, the Grand Old Party of President Abraham Lincoln is equally challenged to move beyond its’ propensity toward race-based politics and embrace the rich legacy of its history and bygone age.

There is a groundswell in all quarters regarding this election because of the war, foreign policy, as well as the subliminal racial dimension in the fabric of America’s domestic policy. Many in the Black community suspect that aspects of White America may not be ready for a Black man to be the commander and chief of this great country. Accordingly, the tactics of Senator Obama’s opponents have injected and sustained as race-based political juggernaut, as a last ditch kitchen sink strategy, to awaken the emotions associated with America’s unspoken historical nature.

Both White and Black Americans say that racial prejudice is dormant, strong, and sophisticated in the current domestic and global political vernacular. The political speculation and prognostication about the race dimension has become a feature in the international press. The Times of London published an article on April 24, 2008 under the by line of Anatole Kaletsky, which speaks volumes in itself. The piece was entitled: “Yes it’s politically incorrect but race matters”. Subtitled, “The Democrats must admit it: Obama would lose to McCain.

An interesting quote in the body of the two page single space article reads that: “Mrs. Clinton will now carry on with her campaign is not probable but essential. The voting in Pennsylvania confirms that she has a much better chance than Obama of winning the White House for the Democrats. According to the Associated Press exit polls published yesterday, 16 percent of White Democratic voters considered race an important factor in the Presidential election and 43 percent of these said they would either vote Republican or not at all, if Mr. Obama were the Democratic nominee.”

On the other hand, Obama enjoys overwhelming support from Canadians in his quest to win the White House and believe that he will win the nomination and the Presidency.


Gary James is a freelance writer and political analyst. His second book will be released this summer and his third book will be released in the spring of 2009. For more information contact visit;

Gary James http://www.garyjames.info

Gary James Video Channel http://www.youtube.com/CadreUSA1

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

Black Political Taskforce http://www.blackpt.org

Voters Anonymous http://www.votersanonymous.com




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

FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ RETURNS IN CHICAGO ON FRIDAY, MAY 9TH‏

CHICAGO, IL- Popular bantamweight Francisco “EL NINO AZTECA” Rodriguez will return to action at BATTLE FOR PRIDE on Friday, May 9th at Cicero Stadium, as he takes on Columbian veteran Angel Priolo, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.

Tickets for BATTLE FOR PRIDE may be purchased in advance by calling the 8 Count Productions box office 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 7:00pm with the first bell at 8:00pm.

The 23 year old Rodriguez, 11-2 with seven knockouts, is looking to rebound after the second round stoppage loss of his most recent bout with Andre Wilson on February 15th at Cicero Stadium. Prior to that fight the Chicago fan favorite had won four in a row.

Said Pesoli, “Francisco has continued to improve and was on a nice roll leading up to the fight with Wilson. He was winning that fight and boxing great when he got caught towards the end of the second round. To his credit, he was back in the gym right afterwards and is looking to get back in the winner’s column on Friday, May 9th.

Priolo is a very tough experienced veteran from Columbia and has faced many world class fighters which makes this a solid fight for Francisco.”

Priolo, a native of Barranquilla, Columbia, brings a record of 30-6 with twenty knockouts into the bout with Rodriguez, which is his second consecutive Chicago appearance. His last bout at Cicero Stadium was a battle with highly regarded prospect Abner Mares on April 20, 2007, a fight won by Mares with a sixth round stoppage.

His twelve year career also includes battles with former world champions Jorge Arce, Brian Viloria, Irene Pacheco and Francisco Tejador.

The main event at BATTLE FOR PRIDE features Chicago fan favorite and Season 3 contestant on ESPN’s The Contender, “MACHO” Miguel Hernandez, 20-7 (10KO’s) in a cross-town showdown against fellow Chicagoan “SUPERMAN” Derrick Findley, 10-2 (6KO’s) in a middleweight bout.

In a special feature attraction bout, hard hitting, Chicago based Irishman Henry “THE WESTERN WARRIOR” Coyle, 6-1 (6KO’s) will face veteran Ben Aragon, 7-9-2 (5KO’s) of Billings, Montana in an eight round junior middleweight scrap.

The undercard will feature popular Chicago prospects as super bantamweight Eric Estrada, 3-0 (1KO) faces Ronnie Howell, 1-1 of Cincinnati and lightweight Gadiel Andaluz, 2-0 (KO’s) battles fellow undefeated prospect Jose Mandujano 2-0 (1KO) of Detroit, Michigan, each in four round bouts.

The weigh-in for the BATTLE FOR PRIDE event will take place on Thursday, May 8th at 7pm at Team Doctors Chiropractic Treatment and Training Center of Champions located at 6432 S. Pulaski on the South Side of Chicago. Further information can be obtained at www.teamdoctors.org.

BATTLE FOR PRIDE, an outstanding evening of world class boxing is presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING and Octavius James’ One In A Million Incorporated along with Miller Lite, TCF Bank and AeroMexico, the premier travel source to Mexico.

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 for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxinggym.com

CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998
Bernie Bahrmasel, Publicist/8 Count Productions
www.8countproductions.com

Columbia 1968 Rebellion: The Role of the Black Students and Harlem Community‏

Columbia 1968 Rebellion: The Role of the Black Students and Harlem Community
http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/eg/2008-05-01T04_19_46-07_00
This past week, from April 24 to April 27, 2008, many veterans of the spring 1968 strike and protests at Columbia University in New York returned to the campus for a conference to mark the 40th anniversary of that event (http://www.columbia1968.info/). This gathering also served as a sort of reunion for those who were activists at Columbia and Barnard in those days, including, of course, many who remain active today in various political and social movements.
Back in 1968, I was a freshman at Columbia. Those events, which took place in the context of the growing Black liberation movement in the U.S. and the worldwide struggles against the war in Vietnam, among many other international rebellions and revolts, profoundly changed my life and thinking. They opened my eyes quite wide about some of the horrors going on around the world, and drew me into political activism with their irresistible slogan: Join us!
Today, however, many do not understand what took place or why. Numerous attacks on the protesters have been circulated, especially in the mainstream media, as usual a primary source of confusion, distortion, and lies.
Despite the severe shortcomings of some of the political tendencies which played a key role in those events at Columbia, especially among the leaders of SDS (Students for a Democratic Society, which I joined shortly after the strike of spring 1968), it is my belief as it was then that the basic demands of those actions were just. They sought an end to the building of a university gymnasium by the elite, private Columbia University in nearby Morningside Park, which is public land in Harlem, an end to university involvement in war research, and several related issues.
One of the most distorted features of this struggle involves the role of the Black students. Many accounts talk of the uprising by white students on this Ivy League campus, but either omit or downplay the crucial leadership role played by the Black students and their organization, the Students Afro-American Society (SAS). Still less is recorded about the role of activists from the Harlem community in leading the struggle against the gym, and in assisting the students when they struck Columbia and occupied campus buildings.
Now a new documentary film is trying to set the record straight. It is called "!VALA! The Power of Black Students at Columbia University 1968-2008". This film is the brainchild of Sherry A. Suttles, Barnard class of 1969, who is the film's executive producer, and was a student activist and SAS member in those days. The producer and director of the film is Kamau Suttles, her son.
You can watch the trailer here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=X7S4R-KoEFQ.
Right after a screening and discussion of "!VALA!" this past Saturday, April 26, at this Columbia 1968 conference, we spoke about this film and its message with Sherry A. Suttles, Kamau Suttles, and activist Samuel White Jr., Columbia class of 1968.
Thanks, Eddie Goldman

(Note: This show is not part of the NO HOLDS BARRED series, which will return later this week.)
Enjoy!

Three IFL Championship Bouts Featured on FSN's "IFL Fight Night" Saturday May 3‏

NEW YORK– Three International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI) individual title bouts from the IFL World Grand Prix finals will be featured in the next edition of “IFL Fight Night” on Fox Sports Net (FSN). The episode, which debuts on Saturday, May 3, at midnight local time in most markets, includes bouts on the historic night which saw a total of five IFL champions crowned. Viewers can confirm the time and replays during the week on their respective regional FSN networks at http://www.ifl.tv/TV-Schedule-FSN.html. Bouts on the one-hour telecast include: • Jay Hieron, a Long Island, N.Y., native and current Las Vegas resident, battling Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Capoeira master Delson Heleno in a highly-anticipated matchup between two well-rounded veteran welterweights (170 lbs.).• Wagnney Fabiano (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), putting his unbeaten record on the line for the first-ever IFL featherweight (145 lbs.) belt against L.C. Davis (Kansas City, Mo.), also unbeaten in IFL competition• Matt Horwich (Portland, Ore.), one of the league’s most popular figures and best middleweights (185 lbs.), challenging unbeaten Benji Radach (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) in a battle of proven knockout artists. Veteran IFL play-by-play man Kenny Rice is joined by MMA legend Bas Rutten at the microphone ringside, with Ron Kruck providing additional commentary. The bouts were contested at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., in December. In addition to the weekly “IFL Fight Night,” seen domestically on FSN as well as in over 70 other countries and five continents around the world, ranging from HBO Latin America to Star TV in Asia and Middle Eastern Broadcasting and the Armed Forces Network, the first three IFL events of the year are being shown live on HDNet. IFL programming is already among the most viewed MMA programming worldwide, despite being in existence only two years. The next live IFL event is set for May 16, also at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., where three Championship belts will be on the line. HDNet will again provide live coverage. 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.
"I think it would be fun to run a newspaper."- Charles Foster Kane, Citizen Kane, 1941
Jerry Milani Manager of Public Relations
International Fight League
Catch the IFL on FSN Saturdays at midnight and LIVE on HDNet on May 16

Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary, author of "The Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome" to Speak at Morgan State University on May 7, 2008, ONE NIGHT ONLY!

The Institute for Urban Research at Morgan State University, proudly presents Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary author of "The Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome"


Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary author of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Enduring Legacy of Injury and Healing, addresses the residual impacts of trauma on African Descendants in the Americas. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome lays the groundwork for understanding how the past has influenced the present, and opens up the discussion of how we can use the strengths we have gained to heal.



The book has been praised by Randall Robinson, Bill Cosby, Al Sharpton, and many more. Susan Taylor, Editorial Director of Essence Magazine says that “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is a master work…Her book is the balm we need to heal ourselves and our relationships. It is the gift of wholeness.” Adelaide Sanford, Vice Chancellor of the Board of Regents for the State of New York states that “Dr. Joy Leary’s mesmerizing, riveting book is vital reading for our time…With Dr. Leary’s potent words we can and will heal.”

WHEN: Wednesday, May 7, 2008
TIME: 7:00 PM
WHERE: Clarence Mitchell School of Engineering Building
Morgan State University
1700 East Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore MD 21251
ADMISSION: FREE and Open to the Public

The Golden Boy is coming home to HBO. For the first time in seven years, Oscar De La Hoya will fight live on HBO against former champ Steve Forbes

Olympic Gold Medalist and Six-Division World Champion OSCAR DE LA HOYA and Former World Champion, STEVE FORBES, "HOMECOMING," set for Saturday, May 3 at The Home Depot Center in Los Angeles and televised live on HBO. The bout also marks De La Hoya's return to HBO's Championship Boxing since his last appearance in 2000.

Steve Forbes


"Homecoming" is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with AEG and The Home Depot Center, and sponsored by Cazadores Tequila, Tecate Beer, Rockstar Energy Drink, Southwest Airlines and Affliction Clothing. The event will be televised live by HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.

Oscar Returns

Oscar De La Hoya is one of the most successful prize fighters in boxing history, if the size of his prizes is the measuring stick.



As his May 3 return to boxing approaches after a self-imposed 20-month exile from the ring, De La Hoya is preparing for his 28th world title fight and to face his 22nd world champion. In those fights he has won some form of a world title in six different weight classes ranging from 130 pounds to 160 pounds, a spread of the scales even someone like the legendary Henry Armstrong would have been proud to call his own.

A superstar whose popularity transcends boxing, Oscar is considered to be one of the best fighters in the world at any weight - "Pound-for-Pound."

He is also the biggest non-heavyweight attraction and moneymaker at the gate. Oscar has defeated 17 current or former world champions, one twice.

Oscar fought WBC-IBF middleweight world champion Bernard Hopkins in a title unification bout on September 18, and after a close battle, Hopkins stopped De La Hoya in the ninth round. Oscar lost no prestige in defeat though, gaining the respect of Hopkins and the boxing community for his continued willingness to fight the best.

"Boxing is in my blood. This is the sport I love and will continue being in as long as my body and mind allow me to."



Oscar De La Hoya won the WBO middleweight world title in his last fight on June 5 with a 12-round unanimous decision against defending champion Felix Sturm of Germany.

At the post-fight press conference, Oscar said, "What can I say? It was a tough fight. I underestimated Sturm, but we trained hard and I did my job, I have now captured six titles, and now I look forward to fighting Hopkins. I am really looking forward to that. I have no excuses. Sturm came to fight and he prepared himself very well. He was a very game fighter. I had to fight hard to win this fight, like a warrior. He took me off my game plan because he is a good fighter, but we changed things up and I pulled it out."

Oscar's previous fight was a controversial decision loss against Shane Mosley - the vast majority of people who watched the fight, some 75% according to various internet polls, thought Oscar deserved to win.



Regarding that fight, Oscar said, "When I fought Mosley the first time around, I felt like I lost, that he got me that night. With this fight, I just don't feel that way. I don't want to blame anyone or point fingers, but that will be a mystery to me for the rest of my life. I put it in its proper place. I'm moving forward. After talking with my family and my wife, I feel wonderful. I feel like the champ. My body and my mind feel great. I feel fresh. I feel at ease."

"I will continue on in the sport, the sport that made me who I am today. Boxing is in my blood. This is the sport I love and will continue being in as long as my body and mind allow me to."

Oscar has been successful at the highest levels of competition, and has beaten current or former world champions Felix Sturm, Fernando Vargas, Pernell Whitaker, Arturo Gatti, Ike Quartey, Julio Cesar Chavez twice, Hector Camacho , Miguel Angel Gonzalez, James Leija, Genaro Hernandez, Rafael Ruelas, John John Molina, Jorge Paez, Javier Francisco, Castillejo, Yory Boy Campas, Jimmi Bredahl and Troy Dorsey.
In December, 2001, Oscar formed his own boxing promotion company, Golden Boy Promotions...

2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications and Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved

“VAZQUEZ-MARQUEZ: THE TRILOGY” ON SHOWTIME; Two-Hour Documentary Will Honor The Fighters For Their Unforgettable Trilogy May 3 at 10:45 p.m.

NEW YORK– The best boxing on television continues this Saturday on SHOWTIME. The premium network will honor Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez for their unforgettable trilogy with the premiere of a two-hour documentary entitled Vazquez-Marquez: The Trilogy airing on SHOWTIME Saturday, May 3 at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT. The Trilogy will re-air on SHO TOO on Tuesday, May 6 at 10 p.m. ET/ PT.

For exclusive behind-the-scenes video, fight highlights, photo galleries and more, fans and media should visit the dedicated Vazquez-Marquez page at SHO.com. (http://www.sho.com/site/sports/VazquezVSMarquezTrilogy.do)

Rafael Marquez, during filming of The Trilogy, watched his epic battle with Israel Vazquez for the first time since the fight. Marquez and Vazquez break down the 12-round contest from the opening bell through the thrilling 12th round in Vazquez-Marquez: The Trilogy, which premiere's Saturday, May 3 at 10:40 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME



Vazquez-Marquez: The Trilogy takes viewers inside this incredible rivalry; a rivalry rooted in Mexican pride, fueled by warrior-like determination and cultivated by mutual respect for one another - a true rarity in sport. The in-depth documentary breaks down each of the three fights with opinions and analysis from the fighters, their managers and trainers, reporters and industry experts.

“The three fights between Vazquez and Marquez had all the elements you look for in any great sporting event – close competition, tremendous skill and athleticism and a touch of controversy,” said Ken Hershman, senior vice president and general manager SHOWTIME Sports & Event Programming. “We felt that these three fights deserved more than just a typical replay. Creating The Trilogy allowed us to explore all of the elements of these unforgettable performances in a fresh and interesting way, allowing fight fans to re-live this piece of boxing history in a brand new way.”

“We couldn’t have picked two more professional fighters, athletes or gentleman to be featured on our network. I want to thank them both for everything they have done for us as fans, and for putting on multiple performances that demonstrate boxing's relevance in the crowded sports television landscape. Vazquez and Marquez helped us remain true to our promise to subscribers: to deliver the most compelling, meaningful and thrilling match ups on the first Saturday of every month.”

IRATE JOAN GUZMAN INSISTS HE WAS GOOD TO GO, READY TO FIGHT

SAN DIEGO, Calif.– World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Lightweight Champion Joan Guzman doesn’t believe Scotland-native Alex Arthur, the interim champion, has the heart or desire to fight him for the full version of the title.



“I don’t understand what the hold up is,” said Guzman, who is promoted by San Diego-based Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “Forget everything you’ve heard or read from Arthur and his promoter about me having visa problems. It’s all a smoke screen.

“The truth is, I received my visa on April 24 and was ready to travel to Scotland the next day. I was packed and ready to go. I was excited.



“I could have easily fought him on the original date (May 3). I don’t know why the fight needed a new date other than the fact that Arthur is flat-out scared of me. He was looking for an excuse to postpone this fight because he knew he was going to get destroyed and embarrassed in front of his hometown fans.

“This only makes me angrier. I want to get my fists on him now more than ever before. This guy is in for a real beating. He’s going to get scotch-taped like you wouldn’t believe.”

Guzman was scheduled to defend his WBO 130 pound title this Saturday, May 3, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He received his visa a little later than expected, but he feels he got it in plenty of time for the fight to happen.



“The visa issue wasn’t even a big deal,” Guzman said. “All the paperwork was in order. I’m convinced Arthur is afraid of me. If he really wanted the fight he would tell his promoter to get us a new, immediate date. It has been nearly a week and we haven’t heard a thing.”

ABOUT SYCUAN RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS:

Sycuan Ringside Promotions of San Diego is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had six current or former world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts across the country on premium cable networks.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero, former WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz, lightweight sensation Jorge Paez Jr., undefeated cruiserweight prospect Shawn Hawk and once-beaten, super middleweight prospect Henry Buchanan.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Glenn Quiroga, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Scott Woodworth, vice president.

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

2004 U.S. OLYMPIAN ANDRE DIRRELL TO TAKE ON ONCE-BEATEN ANTHONY HANSHAW ON SHOBOX

NEW YORK– In a match-up of top super middleweight prospects, undefeated 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell (14-0, 9 KOs) will take on once-beaten Anthony Hanshaw (21-1-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round showdown Friday, May 2, live on SHOWTIME (ShoBox: The New Generation, 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

Andre Dirrell


In the co-feature, the promising and once-beaten Antonio DeMarco (18-1-1, 13 KOs) will take on undefeated Juan Castaneda (12-0, 9 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout.

The SHOWTIME event will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC and originate from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Dirrell, who won the bronze medal at the Athens Olympic Games, will continue his recent step-up in opposition. The hard-hitting southpaw is coming off of a third-round TKO over Shannon Miller on Feb. 1, 2008.

According to Dirrell’s trainer and grandfather, Leon Lawson, the former Olympian and 24-year-old Flint, Mich., native is ready for the next step.

“Andre has looked good with everyone he steps in the ring with,” said Lawson, who also trains Andre’s brother and fellow undefeated super middleweight prospect, Anthony. “He has been sparring with the best, and I know he can fight with the best.”

In June 2007, Dirrell faced his toughest opponent to date when he scored a 10-round unanimous decision over fellow prospect Curtis Stevens on national television. The fans and many at ringside voiced their displeasure at the lack of action throughout the contest.

“A lot of the fans know that wasn’t me, but people are going to criticize,” Dirrell said. “I can understand how everybody felt about the fight, but that wasn’t me that night. They will see a lot better performance from me this time.”

Dirrell has studied Hanshaw’s fights on tape in preparation for their upcoming bout.

“I am just going to keep Hanshaw on the outside and put my punches together,” Dirrell said. “I will come away with a good outcome and a really good, crowd-pleasing performance. Just look out for a new Andre.”

Currently training at the Police Athletic League Gym in Winter Haven, Fla., Dirrell praised his upcoming opponent.

“Hanshaw is a good fighter. I have known him since the amateurs, and remember that he won five or six Ohio State Fair championships. Nobody else had done that. He is going to be my toughest opponent yet. There is no doubt about it.”

Hanshaw, a once-beaten legitimate prospect of Warren, Ohio, has an impressive training regimen of his own. He has been training in Houston, Texas, with 2003 World Boxing Hall of Fame Trainer of the Year Ronnie Shields.

Despite the fact that his upcoming opponent won a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics, Hanshaw said that his resume is more impressive.

“Dirrell is up and coming, but he is going to be a little bit too small,” Hanshaw said. “I am going to be too strong for him, especially with me coming back down from light heavyweight to my natural weight.

“Dirrell is a runner, but I’m going to be right on him. He still fights like an amateur. After I slow him down with the body shots, I’ll knock him out in the sixth or seventh round.”

Under the tutelage of Shields, the 30-year-old Hanshaw is in good company. The former three-time light welterweight Golden Glove Champion has trained Mike Tyson, Vernon Forrest, Pernell Whitaker and Evander Holyfield.

“Shields and I have been working on what we are going to do, and I’m going to be right there in Dirrell’s face,” Hanshaw said. “It is going to be a hell of a fight. I am going to take him out of there.

“Being trained by a guy like Ronnie gives me extra motivation. Knowing that he was worked with some of the best fighters in history makes me push it even harder. He is a hell of a trainer.”

A good judge of talent, Shields knows that Hanshaw has the skills to move to the next level.

“Hanshaw has a lot of potential, he always has,” said the renowned trainer. “The thing is you have to bring it out of him. That’s what we are trying to do now.

“Of course I’m confident that he has the abilities to beat Dirrell. Andre moves a lot and is a sneaky counter puncher, but I think Hanshaw is the bigger stronger guy and he should be able to impose his will. Dirrell wants to move, but Hanshaw will make him exchange punches.”

The sole blemish on Hanshaw’s record is a decision loss to future Boxing Hall of Famer Roy Jones, Jr., on July 14, 2007. Hanshaw was impressive in the bout, which was fought at 175 pounds.

Shields knows that this is an important fight for Hanshaw, especially coming off of the loss to Jones, Jr.

“Dirrell is a good fighter and this is a big step up,” Shields said. “Outside of Roy Jones, this is the biggest fight of his career. Hanshaw is focused and ready to prove that he has what it takes to become a champion.”

Play-by-play announcer Nick Charles and expert analyst/boxing historian Steve Farhood will call the action from ringside. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

For information on Showtime Sports, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and EliteXC mixed martial arts telecasts, please go www.SHO.com/sports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young, talented fighters matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise crowd-pleasing and competitive fights while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. To date, 24 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox have advanced to garner world titles includes Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paulie Malignaggi and Paul Williams.

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

A Message From the Desk of; Keisher "Fire" McLeod- Wells, Support Team Free Form

Hello to all my supporters and fans,

This letter is to inform you that my team (Team Free Form) and I are putting together a fundraiser in June. This is to help us attend and compete in this year's upcoming nationals.

Keisher "Fire" McLeod- Wells


Unfortunately, women are not treated as an equal when it comes up to expenses for competitions and awards the way men are. We have to solely provide for ourselves when the men are 100% taken care of for the same competition events. So Team Free Form is holding it's 1st annual fundraiser to help with the cost of travel, food, lodging, etc. Part of the fundraiser will include a 50/50 raffle. For those who are not familiar with what a 50/50 raffle is, it go like this; all proceeds earned from the raffles sold, we'll give 1/2 of the profit to the winner. The more tickets you buy, the higher your odds will be in winning. Most 50/50 raffles do not offer a 2nd or 3rd place winner. But we are!, they will include great prizes as well. 20% of all proceeds will at the same time also goes to The Give A Kid A Dream (GAK) Charity. This is a program funded by Gleason's to provide free training to under-privilege kids. You can purchase these tickets when you see me with cash or send a money order or check by mail payable to: Gleason's Gym c/o Fire Wells 77 Front St.Bklyn, NY 11201

Please make all personal checks payable to Gleason's Gym (Not in my name please). Then I can either mail you the raffle tickets or hold them for you when we do the drawing at the event. Also keep in mind that you do not have to be present at the event to accept award. Just make sure I have your phone number and mailing address. We will also post a video on youtube of the fair drawing.

Thanks in advance for your support!

Sincerely, Keisher "Fire" McLeod- Wells Team Free Form

Here is an article posted on WBAN on Team Free Form and the Golden Gloves

Last Thursday and Friday at the 81st New York Golden Gloves, Team Free form walked away with 3 impressive performances and three Golden Gloves titles. The team was also awarded three Golden Gloves in 2005 and 2006.



This year they produced two new Champions in 138 lb., Rena Anawke and 145 lb. Dariana Casado.

Rena Anawke (Team Free Form)


This year's Golden Gloves tournament marks the team's 10th year anniversary and in the process they have produced 7 Female Golden Gloves Champions and between those Champs have amassed 15 New York Golden Gloves Championships.

Of course the Team has won their share of National Championships but it's the New York Golden Gloves that they are most fond of. Head Coach Lee Shabaka states: "The New York Golden Gloves is our baby.

Lee Shabaka


We have toured the country and have fought in many tournaments but it's the New York Golden Gloves and that trip to Madison Square Garden that we are most passionate about. Though I've trained many women to participant in this tournament I will never get use to the grandeur and excitement that this event presents. It's always a great and gratifying thing to take your fighters to the Garden."

Cara Castronuova (Team Free Form) and MC Goddess


Team Co-Captain and 4-time Golden Gloves Champion Fire Mcleod Wells says: "I'm so impressed by our team's accomplishments this year. We excelled as a team and as individuals. I'm also grateful of the expansion of the team in the past few years. With the addition of the new girls the team has produced more great talent and a diversity in styles which in turn will help in my own development.

Vanessa Grecco (Team Free Form)


Overall it's been a good year for Team Free form, the team is being pitched for a possible reality show, the History Channel just finished filming a documentary including the team in it and the team just produced two new Golden Gloves Champions to add to their list of accomplished fighters. It's all been worth it says Lee Shabaka, we started out with a three girl team back in 98, we now have 25 active members with about 15 of those being competitors. And we're only going to get better as the team matures and the sport of Women's Boxing grows. It all starts here at the amateur level and we plan to do our part in helping to bring Women's Boxing to the forefront."

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

BJ Flores was in Ft. Hood, Texas, this past weekend taking part in a celebration for his longtime trainer Kenny Adams

PHOENIX, AZ— World ranked and undefeated cruiserweight BJ Flores was in Ft. Hood, Texas, this past weekend taking part in a celebration for his longtime trainer Kenny Adams.

Said Flores, “It was terrific, we had a nice party for Kenny at the Officer Headquarters on the army base. Many officers from the military and a lot of his former fighters were there including former bantamweight world champion Eddie Cook as well as former amateur standouts (1988 US Gold Medalist) Andrew Maynard, Brian Lonon, Loren Ross and Ronnie Hughes.

Everyone had a turn to speak and reminisce a little about how much Kenny meant to each one of us and how important his teachings were in making us successful as fighters and as men.”

Continued Flores, “Kenny was my first coach when I was very young, my Dad competed on the Ft. Hood army team starting in 1983 and my brother Jeremy and I started going to the gym. Kenny let me ride on the team bus to other army bases for team meets.

My Dad was my amateur coach (record of 110-9), but when I turned pro Kenny became my head trainer and he’s been with me for my most recent success including my win over Darnell Wilson. Dad and he work great together, for the Wilson fight Dad came to Vegas for two weeks to work with me also. They make a fantastic team.”

On Saturday morning, prior to the celebration, BJ spoke to and gave a boxing demonstration for the teenagers in a youth boxing program at Ronnie Hughes' gym in Killeen, Texas.

“It’s always nice to give back and they also had a lot of questions about professional boxing. Some of them had seen my fight against Wilson on ESPN and they wanted to know more about my career. My focus to them was to get a solid amateur background and be disciplined in your training. Those were the keys to my success.”

In closing, Flores currently 21-0-1 with thirteen knockouts said, “It was a terrific trip, a pleasure to honor Kenny and visit with many of the guys and also great to spend time with the kids at Ronnie’s gym. Kenny’s trained 14 world champions; I’m looking to be his 15th.”

Flores is currently world ranked #2 by the IBF, #7 by the WBO and # 9 by the WBO.

Bernie Bahrmasel; Double B. Publicity, Inc.

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

Election 2008, Social Justice-Myth & Reality‏

The presidential nomination process of 2008 is generating unprecedented interest and participation among all segments of the American citizenry, especially young and new voters. In many states around the country, voter participation in the nomination and party primary process has surged fifty percent in general, and, in some instances, increased more than one hundred percent.



Both political parties recorded a groundswell in all states, but the Democratic Party is experiencing the lion’s share of new constituents. Philadelphia, last of the large delegate states, and according to some political analysts, “a must win state for the Clinton campaign,” 200,000 new voters have been recorded. Anecdotal information suggests that Senator Obama will win a majority of the Democratic Party newcomers.

The increase in voter participation is a healthy development to help mitigate abounding political apathy and a constricted electorate. Not since the high point in the civil rights movement has youth involvement in the political and electoral process been so energetic. Without question the historic nature of this season’s presidential campaign is the likely impetus for the election’s popularity in the Democratic Party.

Senator Hillary Clinton, potentially the first woman Democratic Party nominee, and Senator Barack Obama, potentially the first Black American Democratic Party nominee, are the only nominees left in the race. The eventual nominee will market a watershed in American presidential politics irrespective of the ultimate standard bearer. Hence, the final outcome of the party nomination process will amount to a social justice outcome, the popular politically correct refrain, as the issue of gender or race will prevail at the end of the day.

The social justice political concept has evolved into an umbrella phrase under which the breath of civil rights issues as well as issues of race, class, gender, and the special interests and peculiar needs of the Black and minority community issues are framed. Many in the civil rights Black leadership orthodoxy assert social justice as the over arching goal of the present day civil rights movement. In New York City, urban centers, and inner cities in particular, police brutality, racial profiling, the need for improved employment opportunities, quality education, adequate health care, etc., are positioned as issues requiring social justice.

Social justice has become a ubiquitous euphemism and a smokescreen that obfuscates a direct and coherent solution to problems and issues. It also perpetuates the theory of race and multi-racialism. What is social justice? What does it look like? How can it be achieved? Is social justice a political phantom? Is the goal of social justice a lofty objective that skims the political surface while the public is manipulated by political wedge issues, emotional hot buttons and code words?

The presidential nomination campaign between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for their party’s nod is an interesting case study of social justice and the so-called race question. This writer suspects that the issues associated with this case study will persist in the general election process. Accordingly, the general election will embody either the issue of gender or race as the social justice rhetorical imperative. Interestingly enough, the patent southern strategy of the Grand Old Party (GOP) will likely be applied in either case with a stereotypical gender or race pejorative subtext.

The issue of race has recently emerged as a tactical initiative in the Democratic nomination process with its’ traditional manifestation as an odious political machination. Personal invectives and invidious attacks against the character and judgment of Senator Obama, and longstanding racial prejudice and stereotypes are being superimposed in the public discourse. To his credit, Senator Barack Obama has managed to skillfully navigate the tidal wave of race-based political rhetoric and diversions.

In response to the escalating controversy surrounding the highly charged sermons and comments made by Senator Obama’s pastor, the renowned Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the Senator was compelled to answer a broad range of hyperbolic questions and inferences. Senator Obama stepped to the occasion and delivered what is viewed in many quarters as a brilliant and definitive presentation relative to that challenge that all Americans face in our collective obligation to move America beyond the false divisions associated with racial prejudice and multi-racialism.

The Senator’s presentation and accompanying admonition to Americans is compelling and persuasive and this writer is obliged to abide by this nobleman’s injunction.

We “uni-racialists” hold that multi-racialism is an imposed social construct that facilitates economic, political, and social exploitation of Black Americans in particular, under the auspices of racial superiority. The theory of race distinction was accommodated by the age of enlightenment, which provided the cover narrative for a world wide slavery system, based on racial inferiority.

Unfortunately, the pervasively well documented idea of racial inferiority has crystallized in the human nature consciousness and there is now a visceral and emotional component resulting from five hundred years of the popular history. But, to quote a world respected prophetic preacher, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “no lie lasts forever.”

Senator Obama may be on to something as he raises the point that we need to turn the page on race and political business as usual. In addition to the inspired Senator’s instruction, perhaps we should observe the emerging unity between religion and science on the issue of race.

The latest scientific data confirms that all human beings living the planet earth today as we speak can be traced to a single mother of us all that lived millennia ago in east Africa, in the vicinity of Ethiopian and Uganda. Whether this very distinguished mother responded to name Eve or some other name the similarity of these scientific findings with the Genesis Biblical proposition, of one human family is noteworthy. To again quote the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “truth crushed to the earth will rise some day.”

Obviously, it remains to be seen how the Democratic Party nomination and eventual general election will proceed and end. Nevertheless, history has already been made on multi levels by this presidential campaign and it’s a certain bet that more surprises are in store moving forward. However, it may be safe to forecast that the issue of race is currently on the public discussion table and will likely remain there far beyond the November general election.

My suspicion is that the idea of multi-racialism and race-based electoral politics will ultimately move beyond the vague notions of the social justice political umbrella and take its rightful place in the human mind as the phantom that it is. Now that the racism gene is out of the jar, some are suggesting that race will be a dominant feature, despite Senator Obama’s attempts to elevate the political discourse. Should this be the case, the election will prove among other things that we have not yet crossed the Rubicon.



Gary James is a freelance writer and political analyst. His second book will be released this summer and his third book will be released in the spring of 2009. For more information contact visit www.garyjames.info.

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

JOEL JULIO TO HEADLINE APRIL 30 WEDNESDAY EDITION OF ESPN2 “FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS”; Columbian bomber to battle veteran Ishe Smith on way to title shot

TOTOWA, NJ– World ranked jr. middleweight contender Joel Julio returns to the ring on April 30, 2008, when he challenges veteran Ishe Smith in a 10 round bout from the River Rock Casino Resorts in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. The bout will be broadcast live on a special Wednesday edition of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights,” beginning at 9:00 pm ET.

“I am very excited to fight again on ESPN,” said Julio. “It is very important to me to look good against Ishe because I want to fight for a world title next. Ishe is a good fighter who will bring out the best in me.”

"Sometimes life and circumstances bring the best out of us all!" said Smith.

Julio (31-1, 29 KO’s) is ranked #4 by the IBF and #6 by the WBA and WBC. The 23-year-old Monteria, Colombia native has stopped 21 opponents within the first three rounds. He has won his last four bouts, three by knockout. In 2005 Julio was named “Prospect of the Year” by several media outlets, including ESPN.com. In his last bout on May 16, 2007, Julio blasted Mauro Lucero in one round (KO 1).

Smith (19-2, 9 KO’s) has won four of his last five bouts. The 29-year-old Las Vegas, NV native captured the vacant WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Championship on January 15, 2004, when he decisioned Randall Bailey (W 12). That same year Smith participated in “The Contender” series and lost a split decision to eventual champion Sergio Mora on September 12, 2004 (L 5). In his last bout on February 8, 2008, Smith crushed Carlos De La Cruz in two rounds (TKO 2).


For more info, Main Events: Donald Tremblay

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

Scypion comes on strong with TKO on Hard Rock boxing card; Son of former ‘Fighter of the Year’ in the 80’s wins, Joe Greene: Still Undefeated

By Sharon Robb South Florida Sun-Sentinel



HOLLYWOOD - With former WIBF featherweight champion Deirdre Gogarty working his corner as head trainer, undefeated 28-year-old junior middleweight Wilford Scypion Jr. made his Florida debut with a fourth-round TKO Wednesday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena.

On a night where co-main event fighters Joe Greene of New York remained undefeated with a ninth-round TKO over Joshua Okine of Ghana, and former world champion Juan Urango of Colombia knocked out Carlos Vilches in the fourth round in an IBF title eliminator fight, it was the confident, power-punching Scypion (6-0, 6 KOs) who looked most impressive.

Joe Greene


Scypion overwhelmed William Ganes of Florence, S.C., from the opening bell, with Gogarty shouting encouragement from the corner.
Just as impressive was hometown favorite David Estrada of Hollywood (22-4, 13 KOs), who knocked out Colombian Alex Quiroz Pacheco at 2:45 of the second round. It was Estrada's first fight in seven months since his loss to Andre Berto.

"I'm back," Estrada said.

Scypion Jr., the son of former world title challenger Wilford Scypion Sr. and grandson of the late Texas Zydeco musician L.C. Donatto, is the first pro Gogarty has worked with after training several amateurs.

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