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Sunday, July 20, 2008

Ailing ex-boxing champ still has some fight left in him



Ailing ex-boxing champ still has some fight left in him
Pan Am champ vows to fight health troubles

Lee Carr early in his boxing career, when he was a Pan American Games heavyweight champion in 1963. Carr was 47-6 during his amateur boxing career. He was usually able to beat stronger punchers with his quickness, but had trouble with slick boxers.Times Herald-Record/CHET GORDON

By Kevin Gleason
Times Herald-Record
July 20, 2008

DEERPARK - Lee Carr wanted to die. His wife had passed away in 2004, and he expected each of his four operations the past three years would result in his own death.

But for some reason, Carr kept waking up, and he's still trying to understand why.

Do some things happen for a reason? Or are some folks prone to life's misfortunes without explanation? Carr tries to figure out how he went from the 1963 Pan American Games heavyweight boxing champion, one who sparred with Muhammad Ali, to a man so desperate he sat down three months back, gripped a pen with his large right hand and scribbled an ad for the local penny saver:

Retired Boxers Foundation
The Retired Boxers Foundation acted quickly after getting word of Lee Carr's financial woes. RBF called upon Ring 8, a New York-based veterans boxing association, which quickly secured Carr the first of $100 monthly checks. The amount will cover co-payments for his medicine (about $60 a month) and help with bills.


The RBF is a volunteer non-profit organization started in 1998 by Alex "The Bronx Bomber'' Ramos, 47, a former four-time New York Golden Gloves champ who went 39-10-2 as a pro. Ramos has been sober for years after having alcohol and drug problems following his career. With no pension plan in boxing, he created the foundation to help retired boxers down on their luck. And there are many of them. Every cent donated goes to the fighters.


Donations can be made online at retiredboxers.com. Ramos can be reached at rbfalex@gmail.com.

NEED HELP: 69 year old cancer patient needs bill money. Tried all I can. Any donations appreciated. Thank you. Send to: Lee W. Carr, 16 Forrest Drive, Port Jervis, N.Y. 12771-5219.

Lee Carr, Bronx transplant, intensely proud and stubborn, who spent years helping others, including his country and especially his wife, needed help getting off the canvas. Begging for a buck, he figured, was his last recourse.



The rise of a champ
Carr was born in St. Petersburg, Fla., and 6 years old when the family moved to Harlem. He grew up in the South Bronx, where boxing was immensely popular, and watched the fights on TV.

Carr realized by age 15 that he could fight because his one brother, three years older, stopped messing with him. Carr first stepped into a boxing gym at 16. His hero was The Old Mongoose, Archie Moore.

Carr went 47-6 as an amateur. He was usually able to beat stronger punchers with his quickness, but had a heck of a time with slick boxers. He married his first wife and was drafted into the Army three months later at age 23 while she was pregnant. Carr got out two years later, in November 1963, and was offered a contract to fight. He made his pro debut on Jan. 9, 1964, decisioning Dick Greatorex, and won his first six fights.

Many of Carr's best days as a fighter came on the Army boxing team. He progressed from fighter to boxer with an arsenal that included nasty right and left hooks, and a triple left hook — a shot to the body, upstairs to the head, then back to the body.

The repertoire helped Carr take out future pro champion Oscar Bonavena in the second round of the Pan-Am Games semifinals before earning Pan-Am gold in Sao Paulo, Brazil, by knocking out Brazilian Jose Jorge in the first round.

"I used to drop people with the right," Carr says, "and knock them out with the left."

Carr admits that, for whatever reason, he was a better gym fighter than on the big stage. That was proven when, he says, he held his own sparring with Ali for a few days — and $500 — in 1969.

Carr was turned off by Ali's clowning and trash talk. The Greatest didn't wear a mouthpiece, telling Carr, "You can't hit me anyway."

It was a claim, Carr says, proven untrue when he busted Ali's lip with a right uppercut.



"He didn't know that I was a good gym fighter, I guess,'' Carr says. "I hit him and he got a little annoyed."

Ali claimed he wanted Carr to become a regular sparring partner, Carr says, but Ali never called.

Carr wound up 9-8 as a pro. He made about $20,000 in all, his top purse was $5,000 for a third-round knockout loss in '68 to Bonavena, Carr's victim in the Pan Am Games semis. Carr retired after being knocked out by Ron Stander in the sixth round of a fight on May 1971 in Omaha, Neb. It was Carr's eighth defeat in 10 fights. His boxing career was over at 32.

"I peaked right before the service and when I was in the service," he says. "I could see the punches coming. When I fought Leotis Martin (in 1967), I couldn't see none of his punches. That's why I got pounded to death (losing by second-round knockout)."

In that sense, boxing's a harsh microcosm of life. Things become really hard when you don't see the punches coming.



"Things started falling apart"
"I didn't care for it," Dolores Rowland is saying over the phone about her brother placing the ad. Rowland lives in Schenectady and is Carr's only sister. Their two brothers passed away, one in 2006 three months past his 70th birthday, the other in January on his 67th birthday.

Carr's three daughters, all in their 40s, live in Atlanta, Westchester County and Sayville, N.J.

"He did it because he was frustrated,'' Rowland says of the ad. "We (family members) were pulling more for him to sell the house and let it go. But he just won't do it."

It's not so much that Carr won't sell the house to help wiggle from his financial jam. He can't sell the house, not this house, the cramped mobile home filled with stuffed boxes and constant reminders of his late wife, Mary.

Carr had fallen in love with the area while training in the Catskills. The home was a surprise birthday present from Carr to Mary. They settled into their place, just off Route 209 in this tiny Western Orange County blue-collar town, in February 1997. "She had already started to get sick," Carr says.

The boxer's wife had dementia.

Carr was virtually her sole caretaker for her last eight years. He fed her. He bathed her. And when she was especially weak, he carried her.

"She should have been in a nursing home," Rowland says sympathetically. "He did everything for her.

"Little by little things started falling apart. Then he started falling apart."

After 37 years together, the last five in marriage, Mary Carr died. Lee grew angry with God for not having his prayers answered. Anger turned to depression, and as his own health worsened, Carr thought death might be the best alternative.



By 2005 he had his first operation, to repair a heart problem. Soon he needed prostate surgery. Then Carr was diagnosed with colon cancer. "I thought I was gone every time I had an operation,'' he says. "It just felt like that."

At first he refused chemotherapy — "My first wife died taking chemo" — but the cancer spread to his liver and he started accepting regular doses last July. These days Carr receives weekly chemotherapy treatments as an outpatient at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis.

He had gotten by working various jobs, the same as he'd done since the time he retired as a boxer. He had no formal career after boxing and the military, but steady jobs all along.

One of his last jobs was night greeter at a Wal-Mart where he'd give customers hundreds of homemade packets featuring pictures and stories highlighting his career.

"People think you are BS-ing them," Carr says. "So I'd tell them the things I went through in boxing."

But deteriorating health left Carr unable to work and bills started piling up. Family members spread out around the Hudson Valley and beyond helped with his finances as best they could. Most of them invited him to come live with them. But Carr would have none of it.

One relative in particular has been in a position to help. Carr's grandson and namesake has struck it big as a singer/songwriter. Lee Carr, just 24, recently signed a multi-millionaire deal with Jive Records, his signing recorded on YouTube.com, and the title track of his debut album, Stilettos, shows off his magical croon.

she rockin them stilettos (stilettos)

like a super on a runway scene

she rockin them stilettos (stilettos)

oooh shorty doin sumthin to me

she rockin them stilettos (stilettos)

black white pink red man i don't really care

she rockin them stilettos (stilettos)

oooh she rockin thems right there

The older Carr had some musical talent himself. He started playing the saxophone in junior high and still regrets not pursuing a music career after boxing. But he says he witnessed too many children struggle without parental guidance and he needed to be around to raise his children. So he stayed close to home working many different jobs.



Carr still keeps the sparkling sax nearby. A guitar rests to the left of his couch, and when strong enough he still plays the harmonica.

"I always prayed for Lee Carr to become a millionaire," he says with a big laugh. "Lee Carr became a millionaire and it wasn't me.''

His grandson has helped Carr to the tune of a couple thousand dollars, the grandfather says. But the bills — mortgage, gas, electrical — continue to devour his $660 monthly Social Security checks. Medicare covers most of his chemotherapy bills, but Carr spends about $60 a month on medicine co-pays.

The Retired Boxers Foundation recently got wind of Carr's situation and sprang into action. The tiny non-profit group relies on donations and puts every cent into the pockets of retired boxers down on their luck. RBF contacted Ring 8, a New York-based veterans boxing association, which has begun sending Carr monthly $100 checks. RBF plans to continue helping Carr.

"He was a real gentleman," says foundation vice president Mike Indri, who spoke to Carr by phone. "He was really refined. You usually don't get that speaking to ex-fighters. Look at the heart of this guy. We have guys half his age who are capable of working and they won't take a job because they think it's beneath them."

Boxing has no pension plan.

"I can count on one hand guys who better themselves through boxing," Indri says. "These guys wind up with nothing."



A cry for help
Placing the ad was one of the hardest things Carr has ever done. He's not only proud and stubborn but smart and well read. Carr's depth of knowledge extends well beyond boxing and into religion, philosophy, music and politics. He greets just about any topic with an opinion and evidence, often anecdotal, to support the opinion.

But intellect doesn't pay the bills. How many employers, as Carr puts it, are looking to hire a 69-year-old cancer patient?

"I was up the creek and I didn't know what to do," he says. "That's (asking for money) worse than being on Social Security, to me.''

He's thinking of removing the ad, in its third month. He's only gotten $20 or so, and has actually lost a few bucks on the idea with weekly ad rates at $4. One woman came by and cooked him a ziti dinner and another promised to regularly drop off eggs.

"I've always been told that if people want to do something for you,'' Carr says, "you should let them do it.''

Carr's spirits have been high. He's thrilled with the gesture of the boxers' foundation. Carr says he feels pretty good despite the chemo and has been able to work a bit lately, helping install televisions in homes.

And he no longer wants to die.

In fact Carr has become almost obsessed with making it to 70, a goal that will be achieved come Oct. 1. The milestone is a biblical thing, he explains, a sign of good living. The family's planning a nice birthday party.



A believer in God, Carr has moved toward agnosticism since his wife's death. According to the dictionary definition, agnostics find it impossible to know the truth in matters pertaining to God and the afterlife. Carr still reads the Bible and, "I believe there could be the possibility of creation,'' but it's clearly a confusing time for him spiritually.

"I just want to make it to 70," he says.

Such talk draws snickers from family members. "I tell him, 'You are going well past 80,' '' Rowland says. "He's too stubborn not to.''

Do some things happen for a reason? Maybe. Carr has no explanation for while recently collecting scraps on the side of Routes 42/97, he found an unblemished Freddie Jackson CD featuring the very song, "You Are My Lady,'' that he'd sing to his dear wife.

There's something that I want to say

But words sometimes get in the way

I just want to show

My feelings for you

There's nothing that I'd rather do

Than spend ev'ry moment with you

I guess you should know

I love you so.

"I've lived a decent life," Lee Carr says. A poster of Martin Luther King hangs on a wall opposite the couch. "I just happen to be one of those hard-luck guys."

kgleason@th-record.com



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I saw Lee fight in the old Madison Square Garden and he was a terrific right hand puncher. With him having prostate surgury, colon cancer, chemo, the death of his wife, no wonder his faith is shaken to the roots.I wish to God I could help him. So many people this winter will be freezing and in grave danger without any real help from HEAP's limited resources. I hope to God the USA stops sending one more dollar to Iraq and helps people here at home.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080720/SPORTS/807200326/-1/NEWS

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

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

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

Saturday, July 19, 2008

STAY AT HOME SOCCER DADS‏; THE LATEST INTERNET PHENOMENA: STAY-AT-HOME SOCCER DADS FIND FREEDOM AND WEALTH THROUGH E-COMMERCE

THE LATEST INTERNET PHENOMENA: STAY-AT-HOME SOCCER DADS FIND FREEDOM AND WEALTH THROUGH E-COMMERCE

While mothers and wives are leaving the home to hold down nine-to-five J.O.B..'s, the Internet revolution has created a new class of stay-at-home soccer dads: On-line marketers.

"E-Commerce has given me new-found freedom to stay at home with my kids while still making a good income," said Long Island 's Ron Douglas who markets cook books on line. "I guess you can call me the new soccer dad."

A year ago, Douglas was commuting to New York City for a 60-hour-a-week job as finance manager for Wall Street' s J.P. Morgan. "We were doing fine, but I had a disconnect with my family," Douglas said, explaining that he had little quality time with his four-year old daughter and newborn son. "In a way, my Internet business saved my family."

Douglas credits a large part of his success to Internet marketing guru Mike Filsaime, another Long Islander whose mission is to teach people like Ron to become E-Commerce success stories.

"Internet marketing is recession-proof and thrives both in good and bad economies," said Filsaime, who found his freedom on-line after years as a car salesman. "When the economy is good, people buy more products on line, when it's bad, people shop from the comfort of their home instead of driving to the store."

Another benefit of a tough economy for Filsaime, who sells products that show people how to make money on line, is an increase in the number of people looking to make money working from home.

Both Douglas and Filsaime agree, it is the openness and spirit of cooperation between fellow Internet marketers–many of them stay-at-home dads, that contribute to their success.

"We use chat rooms, forums, affiliate programs, and other communication tools to stay in touch with each other and our customers," Douglas said. In fact, some of his products are compilations of recipes from his on-line community,

Douglas emphasized than none of the successful marketers use spam, the illegal process of sending out annoying mass e-mails to strangers. "All of our customers have 'opted-in,' which means they have expressed in interest in our products and are likely to buy," he said. "With all of the legitimate tools available to build powerful e-mail lists of customers," spam is unnecessary."

Life at the Douglas household is still hectic at times with mom at work and dad working at home. But with many of the automated features of the systems developed by people like Mike Filsaime, Ron can tend to his business from the comfort of his own.

You can find a description of the cookbook at www.recipesecrets.net

http://www.recipesecrets.net/amwr1-cookbook.pdf

CONTACT ADAM WEISS 917-863-1155

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

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

SHOBOX RETURNS TO NEW YORK WITH TWO UNDEFEATED PROSPECTS



Jorge Teron (left) and Pawel Wolak (right) pose at a press conference in New York City on July 10, 2008, to announce their Aug. 1 “ShoBox” fight.
Photo Credit; Sal Acquista

NEW YORK– ShoBox: The New Generation returns to New York City for the first time in four years with New Jersey’s own Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak (21-0, 14 KOs) as he puts his undefeated record on the line against ShoBox veteran Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (19-3, 19 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight bout, Friday, Aug. 1, live on SHOWTIME at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

The co-feature pits undefeated, Bronx native Jorge “The Truth” Teron (21-0-1, 14 KOs) against the hard-hitting Mexican, Michael Lozada (29-4-1, 22 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight battle.

The fights will be promoted by Gotham Boxing from the Aviator Arena in Brooklyn, New York.

Born in Poland, “Raging Bull” Wolak has an aggressive, in-your-face style. He is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision victory against then once-beaten Troy Browning on May 17, 2008.

Prior to his fight against Browning, Wolak thrilled boxing fans at Madison Square Garden when he registered a stunning and electrifying second-round knockout of Dupre “Total Package” Strickland on March 15, 2008.

Smith on the other hand is looking to keep his championship hopes alive. This fight is a must win as he’s lost two of his last three fights by unanimous decision – albeit to world-class opposition in Sechew Powell and Joel Julio – and a loss here could be detrimental to his career.

Fighting on ShoBox might be Smith’s good luck charm since he has won his previous three fights on the acclaimed SHOWTIME series.

Smith’s impressive victories on ShoBox provided nationwide notoriety. He notched a decisive unanimous decision win against Randall Bailey, handed David Estrada his first defeat, and outpointed veteran Sam Garr.

Smith gained additional mainstream success when he was tapped to be on the reality TV show The Contender in 2004. He would ultimately be matched against Sergio Mora, the tournament’s eventual winner, where he lost by split decision. Mora went on to become a world champion when he upset Vernon Forrest on June 7, 2008 to win the WBC super welterweight belt via majority decision on SHOWTIME.

The Teron-Lozada fight has the potential to be another explosive match-up. Teron is coming off six impressive knockout victories in his last ten fights while the aggressive Lozada is on an extraordinary run having won seven straight fights by way of knockout.

Teron grew up and still lives in the Bronx, only a subway ride away from the Aviator Arena. He will rely on home court advantage in his continuing quest for a lightweight title.

Nick Charles will call the action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing. ShoBox recently celebrated seven outstanding years on the air.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.

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

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

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

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

Premium Network to Showcase Finest Showtime Championship Boxing, ShoBox, EliteXC and ShoXC Moments Of The Past 18 Months

NEW YORK- The most thrilling and spectacular mixed martial arts and boxing moments from the past 18 months will be highlighted when SHOWTIME proudly presents SHO Sports: The Best and Beyond Saturday, July 19, 2008, at 11 p.m. ET/PT.

Hosted by former NFL player and wrestling superstar Bill Goldberg, the informative and entertaining 30-minute program will feature the most exciting knockdowns, shockingly quick endings and the biggest, baddest fighters from SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, ShoBox, EliteXC and ShoXC. Also included will be a tribute to the late lightweight world champion Diego Corrales, highlights of the epic and now legendary Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez trilogy, a celebration of ShoBox reaching its 100th episode on Nov. 2, 2007, and a sneak preview of the new INSIDE THE NFL coming to SHOWTIME this fall.

Adding an interactive element to the program, SHO Sports: The Best and Beyond will feature the top-three greatest moments voted on by fans at www.SHO.com/sports.

“Coupling live EliteXC events on SHOWTIME with our acclaimed boxing programs has given this network the most explosive 1-2 punch in sports television,” said Ken Hershman, SHOWTIME Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sports and Event Programming. “The Best and Beyond is a great celebration of the drama of boxing and the exhilaration of mixed martial arts.”

In the midst of its 22nd year, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING has consistently provided viewers with the most competitive, meaningful match-ups in the sport. With evenly matched fights, surprising outcomes and new champions, the flagship series of SHOWTIME Sports has set itself apart by televising fights on the first Saturday of every month.

The acclaimed ShoBox series debuted in July 2001. It features up-and-coming prospects determined to make a mark and eventually fight for a chance at a world title. It is pure, basic boxing, reminiscent of the golden days of the sport. An amazing 28 fighters coming out of ShoBox have gone on to capture world titles.

Los Angeles-based EliteXC 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 the CBS Television Network that brings live MMA to a primetime broadcast television for the first time.

ShoXC patterned after ShoBox, pits developing fighters in tough match-ups. ShoXC acts as a springboard for the future stars and champions of EliteXC.

The creative director of “Sho Sports: The Best and Beyond” is Jonathan Heaps. The program was produced by Eric Jones and Marc Youngblood. After its initial airing on July 19, the program will be repeated several times on SHOWTIME and made available via SHOWTIME On Demand throughout the month of July.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.

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

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

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

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

CHICAGO'S PRIDE, JULY 25 AT THE ARAGON


CHICAGO, IL- Tickets are now on sale for an evening of world class professional boxing as Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, presents CHICAGO’S PRIDE on Friday, July 25th at the Aragon Ballroom headlined by local fan favorite Francisco “EL NINO AZTECA” Rodriguez squaring off against El Paso slugger Alex “EL DIABLO” Becerra in a ten round bantamweight bout.

Tickets, starting at $30, for CHICAGO’S PRIDE can be purchased in advance through the 8 Count Productions Office at 312-226-5800 or through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com , 312-559-1212). The Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., adjacent to the corner of Broadway and Lawrence. Doors will open at 7pm, with the first bell at 8pm.

The 24 year old Rodriguez, 12-2 (8KO’s) is looking to add to his win column following his devastating three round destruction of Columbian veteran Angel Priolo on May 9th at Cicero Stadium. Rodriguez dropped Priolo in each of the first three rounds before referee Gerald Scott called a halt to the battle at the 2:23 mark of the third.

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico native Becerra sports a record of 19-6 (9KO’s) over his nine year career including ten round battles with Valentin Leon (W-MD10) and David Martinez (L-MD10). This will be Becerra’s Chicago debut.

In the co-main event, popular Chicago featherweight Jose Hernandez will return to the ring after a one year absence to face Mexico City’s Jose Navarrete over eight rounds.

The heavy handed Hernandez, 22-4 (14KO’s) was last seen losing a very close twelve round decision to three time world title challenger Rocky Juarez in the co-main event on the massive Oscar De La Hoya/Floyd Mayweather PPV card on May 5, 2007 in Las Vegas.

A native of Mexico City now living in Chicago, Navarrete holds a slightly misleading record of 9-15 with three knockouts. Most recently he battled highly regarded unbeaten prospect Argenis Mendez over six rounds before dropping a six round split decision in a bout televised by SOLO BOXEO from Reading, PA on June 6, 2008.

In a six round featherweight special feature attraction at CHICAGO’S PRIDE, Puerto Rico native Ivan “THE BABY BOY ASSASSIN” Rodriguez, 8-4-1 (3KO’s) currently residing in Waukegan, IL, returns to the ring in a six round bout against San Luis Potosi, Mexico born, Barbaro Zepeda.

Also appearing at CHICAGO’S PRIDE will be popular Chicago light heavyweight Mike “THE HAMMER” Nevitt, 14-1 (5KO’s) in a six round bout and unbeaten Puerto Rican sensation Gadiel Andaluz, 3-0 (2KO’s) in a four round lightweight bout

Much more information on CHICAGO’S PRIDE will be announced shortly.

Along with Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions, CHICAGO’S PRIDE is presented by TCF Bank and Miller Lite.

The Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be nationally known professional sports announcer, Thomas Treiber.

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

To view the seating chart and poster for this event or for more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit www.8countproductions.com and www.jabbboxinggym.com

CREATING CONTENDERS SINCE 1998

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

KIRILOV-DARCHINYAN BATTLE FOR THE IBF CROWN; TOP PROSPECT ANDRE DIRRELL AIMS TO STAY UNBEATEN

NEW YORK– International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight champion Dimitri “The Baby” Kirilov (29-3-1, 9 KOs) will defend his title against former IBF flyweight champion and knockout artist Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan (29-1-1, 23 KOs), Saturday, Aug. 2, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Vic Darchinyan



In the co-feature, U.S. Olympian and undefeated prospect Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell (15-0, 10 KOs) puts his flawless record on the line against fellow unbeaten Mike “The Persecutor” Paschall (17-0-1, 4 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight brawl.

Andre Dirrell


The telecast will originate from the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash. and is promoted by Gotham Boxing, Inc.

Kirilov, who is trained by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, captured the IBF crown by winning a close unanimous decision against former U.S. Olympian Jose Navarro on Oct. 13, 2007. The scores were 116-112, 114-113 twice.

In his most recent outing in February, the Russian-born Kirilov wasn’t able to finish Cecilio Santos (22-8-3, 12 KOs) and had to settle for a draw. Although one judge scored the fight for Kirilov, 116-112; the other two scored it even at 114 each.

Darchinyan had an iron grip on the flyweight division, successfully defending his IBF title six times - five inside the distance. He eventually lost his 112-pound strap in a major upset to Filipino star Nonito Donaire. Darchinyan now aims to wreak havoc on the 115-pound, super flyweight division.

Kirilov-Darchinyan is a match up of varying styles. Kirilov, known for his tremendous speed and ability to outbox his competition, relies heavily on his quick hands. He loves to pepper his opponents with a precise left jab.

Darchinyan, a southpaw, is quite the opposite from his counterpart. Not nearly as polished and refined as Kirilov, Darchinyan employs an in-your-face game plan that has produced 23 knockout victories for the Armenian-born boxer. Darchinyan is often described as possessing bone-crushing power.

Dirrell, who has fought on the prospect-based series ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME, will attempt to prove he is no longer a prospect but a championship contender when he faces the undefeated Paschall in the co-feature.

In his last fight in May, Dirrell looked extraordinary against Anthony Hanshaw (21-2-1, 14 KOs), registering a fifth round TKO on ShoBox.

Despite a slow start, Dirrell came on strongly and with a left hand to the head sent Hanshaw to the canvas at the end of the fourth round near his opponent’s corner. Following a flurry of unanswered punches to Hanshaw’s head early in the fifth, referee Pat Russell stopped the contest at 1:13.

Dirrell, who won the bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games for the United States, is a tall, agile southpaw with solid power in both mitts.

In his 18 fight career, Paschall has scored several impressive unanimous decision victories against veteran boxers. The prospect is taking a tough test on August 2 against Dirrell. With only four knockouts to his credit, Paschall will have to rely on his boxing skills if he hopes to stay undefeated.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING announcers Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside with Jim Gray reporting from ringside. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please visit the SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

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

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

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

No Holds Barred on DojoRadio.com and MediaFire.com‏


No Holds Barred on DojoRadio.com and MediaFire.com Reports are still coming in about No Holds Barred being unable to be played through on Podomatic, and cutting out part of the way through the show. This is a continuing problem there, which is why I am posting the show for download on these other sites, at these addresses: http://nhbnews.dojoradio.com/ http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=25383b37f3d776587069484bded33bcd953b4e4689e56022' DojoRadio is just starting out and actually is not finished yet, but the downloads there work fine, as they do on MediaFire. If you listen through iTunes, use these sites instead, since iTunes just gets the feed from Podomatic. Thanks, Eddie Goldman http://eddiegoldman.comStarlite Boxing's Sweetscience The Video Channel Online http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

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

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

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

IBF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION STEVE “USS” CUNNINGHAM THANKS HIS FANS & GIVES AN UPDATE ON NEW VENTURES HIS 32ND BIRTHDAY


PHILADELPHA— Today on July 15th, IBF cruiserweight champion, Steve “USS” Cunningham is celebrating his 32nd birthday by doing what he does everyday and that’s train hard to prepare for his next title defense.

“I want thank God in Jesus name for another year of health for me and my family” said Cunningham who sports a record of 21-1 with eleven knockouts.

“I feel like I am getting better each day and I am excited to get back in the ring.”

“I want to thank my fans, some who have called and emailed me already to wish me a happy birthday and I just want to let them know I been training harder then ever while waiting for my next fight. My promoter Don King has been working hard to make some things happen but fights have fallen through due the other sides pricing themselves out of the fight.”

The champion is also pleased to announce two new ventures as fans can now purchase official USS Cunningham apparel by clicking www.cafepress.com/usscunningham where fans can buy anything from shirts & hats to clothes for infants plus a lot more.

The second venture is “Champ Camp” where Cunningham is giving fans a hands-on opportunity to train and take boxing lessons from the champ himself (SEE ATTACHEMNT FOR DETAILS)

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

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

Vietnamese-born Featherweight on “Hot Fights…Summer in the City” At B.B. King Blues Club Wednesday Night August 6




DAT NGUYEN TO BE CO-PROMOTED BY DBE AND FEATURED AT BROADWAY BOXING


NEW YORK– DiBella Entertainment presents “Hot Fights…Summer in the City”, a special edition of their hit series “Broadway Boxing” Wednesday night August 6 live at B.B. King Blues Club (237 West 42nd Street) in the heart of Times Square.

One of the highlights of the card will certainly be Vietnamese-born featherweight Dat “Dat Be Dat” Nguyen (12-1, 6 KO’s) who has dazzled fans at shows throughout his 4-year career. “I am very excited to be co-promoting Dat with Richie Cappiello,” said DiBella Entertainment head Lou DiBella. “He brings a ton of charisma coupled with great skill into the ring and I am happy to showcase his talents. We hope the Vietnamese community of New York can come out and support Dat at B.B. King’s on August 6.”

“I am happy to be fighting on DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing in the heart of New York City,” said Nguyen. “To become a star in the fight game, you need to show everyone how great you are and I am prepared to show everyone in New York what Dat Nguyen is all about. I hope the Vietnamese community can come out and support me!”

Nguyen last fought on April 12 where he won an eight-round majority decision over Robert Daluz at The Roxy in Boston. Nguyen is trained by known teacher and former legendary fighter James “Buddy” McGirt in Vero Beach, Florida where Nguyen now lives.

Tickets for Broadway Boxing are priced at $160 (VIP seats and VIP tables), $100 (ringside seats and ringside tables), and $60 (standing room only). Due to the intimate size of the venue, only 550 seats are available. To purchase tickets, please call DiBella Entertainment offices at (212) 947-2577. Call quickly because over 200 tickets have already been sold!

For more info on Dat Nguyen, please visit www.datbedat.com

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

“Hot Fights…Summer in the City” To Feature Will Rosinsky, Philip Jackson-Benson, and Ryan Kielczweski at B.B. King Blues Club Wednesday Night August 6

THREE HOT PROSPECTS MAKING PRO DEBUTS AT AUGUST 6 BROADWAY BOXING


NEW YORK– DiBella Entertainment presents “Hot Fights…Summer in the City”, a special edition of their hit series “Broadway Boxing” Wednesday night August 6 live at B.B. King Blues Club (237 West 42nd Street) in the heart of Times Square.

The card will feature a loaded undercard highlighted by three top prospects making their pro debuts. They should be no stranger to Northeast boxing fans. Queens light heavyweight Will Rosinsky, a U.S. National Champion and former 4-time New York Golden Gloves Champion will enter the ring at B.B. King’s for the first time as a professional. “I have had my eye on Will for several years and know he has the talents and mindset to be the real deal,” said DiBella Entertainment head Lou DiBella. “He is an accomplished amateur and someone that will move up the ladder in this sport very quickly.” The 23-year-old Queens College student is known to bring a certain flair to the ring and huge crowds decked out in “Got WILL Power” t-shirts to come cheer him on.

Brooklyn native Philip Jackson-Benson, a former 2-time New York Golden Gloves Champion in his own right, also will be making his pro debut in a 4-round middleweight bout on August 6. “Philip is a talent making his debut in a tradition-rich division,” said DiBella. “He is a great kid and a fellow Brooklynite. He has the right tools to become a major player in the fight game.”

Philip Jackson Benson



Lowell, Massachusetts lightweight product Ryan Kielczweski rounds out the hot young talent to be featured in Times Square. “We have dubbed Ryan ‘The Polish Prince’,” said DiBella. “I know he’ll have his fans from Lowell as well as the large New York Polish community cheering him on at Broadway Boxing.”

“I am really proud that these top talents have decided to make their pro debut on a DBE card,” said DiBella. “This sport needs up and coming fighters especially out of the talent rich areas of New York City and New England. I know these three young men will show the crowd what they are all about at B.B. King’s.”

Tickets are priced at $160 (VIP seats and VIP tables), $100 (ringside seats and ringside tables), and $60 (standing room only). Due to the intimate size of the venue, only 550 seats are available. To purchase tickets, please call DiBella Entertainment offices at (212) 947-2577. Call quickly because over 250 tickets have already been sold!

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

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

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

DBE Middleweight to face Raymond Joval on Pugnacious Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment Night of Fights



JAMES “BUDDY” MCGIRT JR. TO HEADLINE ESPN2 FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS LIVE FROM SARATOGA
FRIDAY JULY 25

NEW YORK- DiBella Entertainment middleweight James “Buddy” McGirt Jr. (18-1, 9 KO’s) faces his next test next Friday night July 25 as he takes on talented, quick handed veteran, Raymond Joval (37-4, 16 KO’s). The fight will be televised on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights LIVE from The City Center in Saratoga Springs, New York.

The Brentwood, NY born McGirt is coming off the first loss of his career, a seventh round knockout at the hands of power puncher Carlos DeLeon Jr. (20-2-2, 13 KO’s) on April 11 in Miami. McGirt had just knocked down DeLeon to end the sixth round. As McGirt was about to finish him off, DeLeon countered with a big left hook to get the tough-fought win.

“This is do or die time for me,” said McGirt. “I had the opportunity to showcase my skills on national television in Miami and I didn’t capitalize on it. July 25 in Saratoga is going to be a different story. I am going to get my career back on track with a win over Joval.”

The night of fights is promoted by Pugnacious Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment. For tickets, please visit the City Center Box Office or call (518) 527-0160.

For more information, log onto www.dbe1.com or www.pugnaciouspromotions.com

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

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

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

Monday, July 14, 2008

Night of Champions II


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

Night of Champions


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

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

Dr. Walter J. Turnbull Memorial Service‏


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

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

Junior middleweight James Moore returns to the ring against Lloyd Christian Joseph in New York City’s Times Square on Wednesday, August 6.


Junior middleweight James Moore returns to the ring against Lloyd Christian Joseph in New York City’s Times Square on Wednesday, August 6.

In his first fight since losing a disputed decision to Gabriel Rosado on June 4, the enormously popular junior middleweight James Moore, 15-1 (10 KOS), a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, who fights of Queens, New York, will take on Lloyd Christian Joseph, 12-6-3 (5 KOS), in an 8 round bout on Wednesday, August 6, at B.B. King Blues Club in the heart of New York City’s Times Square.

The show, which is being called “Hot Fights…Summer in the City,” is being promoted by DiBella Entertainment (DBE).

The 35-year-old Joseph, a native of the Virgin Islands who resides in Brooklyn, New York, should provide a stern test for Moore. Besides beating former world champion Keith Mullings, he has gone the distance with top contenders Joshua Clottey and Godfrey Nyakana. He also battled to a draw with Aaron Mitchell, who was 12-1 at the time of their meeting.

“I’m just happy to get back in the ring, and back on track,” said the 30-year-old Moore. “I look at the loss to Rosado as a minor bump in the road. I just need to put that loss aside by keeping myself busy and getting back the momentum I had going into that fight. Joseph is a tough guy, who will come to fight. That’s exactly the type of fight I’m looking for right now.”

Moore is now trained by Lennox Blackmoore, who unsuccessfully challenged the great Aaron Pryor for the world junior welterweight title in 1981.

Blackmoore is glad to be working with Moore, who he wholeheartedly believes has championship potential. “James is all business in training, and in the ring,” said Blackmoore. “He is a very good listener and a quick learner. He doesn’t take any shortcuts and is ready to put the past behind him and get back where he belongs…on the road to a title.”

B.B. Kings is located at 237 West 42 Street in Manhattan. Tickets are priced at $160 (VIP seats and VIP tables); $100 (ringside seats and ringside tables); and $60 for standing room only. Due to the intimate size of the venue, only 550 seats are available. DBE is conducting a special pre-sale before the full card is announced. To purchase tickets, call DBE at 212-947-2577.

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

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

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

Universal Federation For The Preservation Of Hip-Hop Culture Inc.



Universal Federation For The Preservation Of Hip-Hop Culture Inc.
603 PROSPECT AVE
BRONX NY
www.hiphopfederation.net
Universal Zulu Nation/Crash Crew/ Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock

http://communities.msn.com/TheLegendaryCrashCrew/_whatsnew.msnw

www.zulunation.com
Kings Of Hip-Hop DVD IN Stores Now

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

Daniel Santos Wins His Third World Championship on Friday By Dethroning WBA Super Welterweight Champion Joachim Alcine


BAYAMON, Puerto Rico—Daniel Santos became a world champion for the third time by defeating previously undefeated World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Joachim Alcine in Montreal on Friday night at the beautiful outdoor Uniprix Stadium.

The energetic crowd of nearly 10,000 in Alcine’s adopted hometown of Quebec could not prevent Santos, who was making his 12th world championship appearance, from exerting his considerable experience on Alcine, who was making his first title defense after winning the crown just one year ago.

The end came suddenly when Santos landed a devastating left hand in the sixth round that left the champion sprawled on the canvas where he was counted out by the referee at 2:10 into the round.

The Puerto Rican-born and -bred Santos (32-3-1, 23 KOs), an Olympic Games bronze-medal winner in 1996 that went on to defeat the likes of Antonio Margarito and “Yory Boy” Campas while claiming the World Boxing Organization welterweight and junior middleweight championships, believes this victory will propel him to greater heights.

“Alcine is a good fighter and I gave him a lot of respect,” Santos said, “but in the end my experience took me to victory. I do not believe there is anything I cannot achieve in the ring when I am prepared and focused, which I am right now.”

“My goal is to unify the division. I have earned the right to fight in elite, top-level matches. If a fighter like Oscar De La Hoya wants to fight, I’m ready. If a fighter at 160 pounds like Kelly Pavlik or Jermain Taylor wants to fight, I’m ready.”

Promoter Don King, who was sitting ringside watching his fighter in Montreal, was impressed with Santos’s performance.

“I thought Danny was sensational,” Kind said. “He reclaimed the glory of yesteryear by landing a rare and unique one-punch knockout of a champion. It proves that Danny is not only a great boxer but a powerful puncher to be reckoned with. Danny’s calling out everyone from Oscar De La Hoya to any world-title holder out there.”

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

BATTLE OF LIGHT HEAYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS; TARVER vs. DAWSON SET FOR OCTOBER 11 SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING



NEW YORK– Building upon its tradition of delivering the most evenly matched and significant fights in boxing, SHOWTIME Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sports and Event Programming Ken Hershman officially announced today the fight that boxing pundits and fans have been waiting for. World champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (27-4, 19 KOs) and undefeated “Bad” Chad Dawson (26-0, 17 KOs) will face off in a battle of light heavyweight kingpins on Saturday, Oct. 11 live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

“There’s been a ground-swell of anticipation for this fight for more than a year,” said Hershman. “Two of the pound-for-pound best going toe-to-toe—this is what SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is all about. Tarver-Dawson is yet another example of SHOWTIME delivering on our promise to televise the most meaningful and competitive match-ups in the sport.”

Tarver, the former undisputed light heavyweight world champion, is the only man to stick two losses on the professional resume of future Hall of Famer Roy Jones, Jr.

After registering a definitive unanimous decision over the defending IBF 175-pound champion Clinton Woods on April 12 on SHOWTIME, Tarver is back on top of the deep light heavyweight division.

Dawson, of New Haven, Conn., is out to prove that he is the man to be at light heavyweight. A ShoBox alum with speed, coordination and power, Dawson is considered by most industry insiders to be the next star of the star-studded division.

“SHOWTIME has had the opportunity to present Chad Dawson on his rise from unknown prospect to world champion,” Hershman said. “Now he’ll face a legendary and highly confident fighter in Antonio Tarver, who may be fighting the best he ever has. It’s a compelling fight on many levels.”

On the same night Tarver was dethroning Woods, Dawson successfully defended his WBC title against the hard-hitting and aggressive Glen Johnson. Albeit a difficult fight for the young champion, Dawson won the unanimous decision and showed his mettle against a heavy-handed adversary.

After the fight, Tarver had some choice words for Dawson in front of a packed media center at the St. Pete Times Forum.

“Chad Dawson would be easy pickings now,’’ Tarver said. “He’s not the fighter now that he was before this fight (against Johnson). He’s a wounded duck.”

Tarver continued, “Dawson took a lot of hard punches against Johnson, but there is a difference between getting hit by Glen Johnson and getting hit by me.

Dawson had this to say: “Johnson is a warrior and we trained for that,’’ Dawson said after winning by scores of 116-112 on all the scorecards. “Glen is a great fighter. But I did my job and now it’s time to move on and fight the big names and the best fighters.

Upon agreeing to the Tarver fight, a clearly agitated Dawson added: “It’s about time he stepped up to the plate. He has finally stopped making excuses and it’s time we settle this. After this fight, I’m going to perform my own trick – I’m going to make the Magic Man disappear.”

“Just like Roy Jones, Glen Johnson, Montell Griffin and Reggie Johnson, Dawson is going to become another world champion with a big ‘L’ on his record from me!,” Tarver said.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING announcers Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside with Jim Gray serving as roving reporter and Karyn Bryant as special correspondent. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins, Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports Programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

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

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

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

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

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

McCloskey desperate for title action




Paul McCloskey is hoping that an impressive win over English Champion Nigel Wright on the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night at the University Arena in Limerick on July 19th will land him the title shot which he desperately craves”.The County Derry stylist is unbeaten in 16 pro fights and he says he’s ready for a title shot be that on the British, European or World stage.“I feel I’m ready for anyone right now,” said the Dungiven native. “I’m 28 so I don’t have any time to waste and I’d jump at the chance of fighting for a major title.”McCloskey has watched with interest some of the major moves in the light welterweight division recently and he hopes to join the movers and shakers with a win over Wright.

“Things are changing all the time, the WBC, WBA, WBO titles have all changed hands recently as has the European title. I’d love a crack at any one of those guys. Ricky Hatton is still the top man in the division and that would be a dream fight for me. I was over in Manchester sparring his brother Matthew before his last fight and Ricky was training for the Lazcano fight. I would have loved the chance to spar Ricky as well but with me being a southpaw and Lazcano being orthodox it wasn’t really an option.”

Speaking of southpaws McCloskey has also been keeping a close eye on fellow portsider and British champion David Barnes who retained his title last weekend courtesy of a points win over former champ Barry Morrison.

“It wasn’t the greatest of fights to be honest but Barnes did what he had to do. Morrison just didn’t seem to have a plan B and you can be assured if I got a crack at Barnes I’d have plenty of plans up my sleeve. He’s a good, solid fighter but I’d be very confident of beating him. He likes to fight at his own pace so I don’t think he likes to be put under pressure.”

In fact McCloskey believes there are a lot of similarities between Barnes and his opponent in Limerick, Nigel Wright. “Well the obvious one is that they are both southpaw but I think they have similar styles as well. Nigel has a tendency to fade in the middle rounds so again I think that putting pressure on him from the start might be the best way to fight him.

He is a pretty fast starter himself though but I think I’ll surprise him because I’ll be quick out of the blocks as well.”

As well as working hard with trainer John Breen McCloskey has also spent time with Ricky Hatton’s conditioning coach and nutritionist Kerry Kayes.

“I had a few good conversations with Kerry when I was in Manchester and since then he’s been over to Belfast to speak with me and the rest of the lads at John’s gym. I’ve always been very interested in that side of the sport and it’s something I’ve always taken seriously so it was great to get some input from Kerry as well.”

McCloskey ha brought in Ugandan puncher Badru Lusambya for some intensive sparring ahead of his July 19th date in Limerick and he says preparations could not have gone better. “Lusambya’s been giving me some good work. He’s unbeaten in 18 fights and has 16 KO’s so he’s pretty ambitious himself. I get great sparring in the gym as it is with the likes of Neil Sinclair, Stephen Haughian, Jim Rock and Jason McKay but you need new guys as well to freshen things up. At this level you can’t afford to cut any corners in your preparations and this fight with Wright really is a very important one for me.”

McCloskey admits to being puzzled at recently being named “the most protected fighter at light welterweight” by the Ring magazine but he says he’s not unduly bothered.

“At the end of the day what’s written on a piece on paper doesn’t matter, it’s what you achieve in your career. I know people will look at my last few fights and say that they’ve been too easy but that’s because I’ve made them look easy.

“That’s my style of fighting and I think it demoralised some of these guys. Garnica had been robbed against Juan Lazcano not long before fighting me and of course he went on to fight Ricky Hatton recently. Bazan was a former World Champion and believe me has was still a tough, tough guy.

“Since fighting me both Bazan and Garnica have gone on to record wins and Bazan is scheduled to fight on the Cotto – Margarito undercard in a couple of weeks time. People have said that they were finished but I think that’s because I made them look finished so sometimes you can be a victim of your own success. I know though that if I get the opportunity I’ll prove I belong at the highest level.”

McCloskey’s ten round bout with Wright is the chief support to the clash between Andy Lee and Willie “The Gladiator” Gibbs on the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night at the University Arena in Limerick on July 19th.

The 8 bout card also features welterweight prospect Stephen Haughian from Lurgan, Galway’s John O’Donnell, former Lee opponent, Jason McKay, Castlebar puncher Keith Cresham, Limerick’s own Jamie Power and the pro debut of Canadian – Irishman Logan McGuinness.

Tickets for the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night priced from €60 are available from Ticketmaster.ie, and all usual outlets.

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