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Friday, June 17, 2011

New Haven Six to be showcased June 18 on ‘The New Generation Boxing Series’ in Hartford

Undefeated, highly-regarded junior featherweight Luis Rosa, Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs) lead the New Haven Six into the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford this Saturday night, launching “The New Generation Boxing Series,” presented by Bulldog Cartel Promotions, Saturday night, June 18 at.

“This new series is all about Connecticut boxers fighting at home,” said former pro boxer and new Bulldog Cartel promoter Craig Salamone. “There are a lot of talented, young boxers in this state and our goal is to get them fighting at home on a regular basis in order for them to build fan-bases. We have six New Haven-based fighters on this show and our plans call for us to promote our next show in New Haven later this summer.”

The eight-round main event features two veteran cruiserweights sporting deceiving records, Joshua “Juice” Harris (7-4-1, 5 KOs), of Providence, and Harvey “Candy Man” Jolly (11-17-1, 6 KOs).

Undefeated Puerto Rican welterweight prospect Javier “El Chino” Flores (5-0, 5 KOs), now fighting out of Hartford, takes on veteran Shaka Moore (11-15-3, 2 KOs), of Norwalk, in the eight-round co-feature.

Rosa, Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs), who recently signed a promotional contract DiBella Entertainment, takes on dangerous Shawn “Bones” Nichol (5-4, 5 KOs) in a six-round bout. As a heralded amateur boxer, Rosa was a two-time New England Golden Gloves champion and 2009 USA Boxing National Championship silver medalist, which earned him a spot on the US National Boxing Team.

New Haven favorites such as lightweight Oscar Bonilla, junior featherweight Josh Crespo and super middleweight Charles Foster will all be making their pro debuts in four-round matches, respectively, versus Corey White (1-1, 1 KO) and a pro debuting pair of opponents, Frankie Garriga and Lee Snow.

Two other New Haven boxers are slated to be in action June 18: junior welterweight Carlos Hernandez (0-2) and undefeated super lightweight Christian Lao (2-0, 1 KOs), who will square-off, respectively, against Barrington Douse (0-1) and Javier Calderon (1-0, 1 KO).

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Former world light middleweight champion Vincent “The Ambassador” Pettway will be working the corners of Jolley and Snow.EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

David Hayemaker Haye's shocker: I'll KO Klitschko, quit with money and marbles

WBA heavyweight champion Britain’s David Haye takes on WBO, IBO and IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in one of the most anticipated fights of the decade.


David Haye will never do it, never. It’s impossible, really.

When he fights heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko July 2 before 50,000 in Hamburg, Haye certainly can upset the odds and lay claim to the throne.

Simply put, it’s a matter of Haye’s suspect chin (see super middleweight Lolenga Mock decking him in video, going way back to Sept. 26, 2003, not betraying him before he crack Wlad’s lantern jaw with some Hayemakers.

But upsetting Wladimir is not what many think is the impossible feat.

You see, in what may be the most intriguing storyline in boxing these days, Hayes continue to insist against all sensible arguments that, after he whips Wlad, he will retire from the ring on or before his 31stbirthday on Oct. 13.

One keen UK fight observer, Daily Mail pundit Lord Jeff Powell, told me Tuesday he thinks Haye is sincere and dedicated to fulfilling this somewhat odd double goal.

“I think David really means what he says,” Powell told me by phone from London. “He’s got a movie lined up after the fight. It will be shot in Miami, based on his life and he’ll play himself.

“David says he’s got big plans away from boxing so I see no reason to disbelieve him. He doesn’t waver on the retirement deadline or on how he will shock Wladimir.”

Powell, who just visited Klitschko and trainer Emanuel Steward at the champ’s Austrian mountaintop training lair, said he fancies the British Bulldog's chances.

“David’s got the punch to do it although we know how formidable Klitschko is,” the veteran columnist said. “I have an optimistic feeling. Maybe British boxing is on the upswing, first the continuing success of Carl Froch and Amir Khan in the lower weights and now Haye has the big opportunity. Haye winning a heavyweight crown would really be the icing on the cake.”

It’s nothing new, really, Haye has listed quitting while he’s still age 30 as a premier goal for a couple of years.

“I want to get out with two things, money and marbles,” Haye said as quoted by Pat Sheehan in huge tabloid The Sun on Nov. 15, 2010. “I don’t want to ruin my health.”

As bad examples of fighters who lingered too long, Haye usually mentions Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and the still wobbling Roy Jones.

Klitschko, whose fellow champ and brother Vitali fights redoubtable Pole Tomasz Adamek in Poland on Sept. 10, is going to come out fast and aggressive, or at least Haye thinks so.

And the Hayemaker says he’d like a fast pace.


“I’ve got to put him in a dogfight real quick,” Haye said.

Haye had orginally planned to thump both Klitschko Brothers, then hang it up at age 30 but obviously Vitali won't face Adamek on Sept. 10 and then fight again the next month.

So Haye scratched the beating both brothers goal.

If Haye does both, whips Klitschko and then quits the ring, it will be one of the most fascinating fistic stories ever.

The smart money says he won’t win and then abruptly quit.

But, then again, the smart money is on Klitschko and his 49 knockouts in 55 victories.

Won’t it be fun if the smart money winds up looking stupid?

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

SHOW ME SOMETHING GREAT' - JUNE 25; Devon Alexander, Lucas Matthysse, Tavoris Cloud and Yusaf Mack

"Show Me Something Great... in the 'Show Me' State!" featuring former WBC/IBF 140-pound champion Devon Alexander vs. WBO No. 3-ranked Lucas Matthysse and four world championships--a first in Missouri history.

TAVORIS CLOUD: I have been training 8 weeks for this fight. My game plan going in is to win the fight.

YUSAF MACK: I am working in the gym and looking for a win. Tavoris is a rough fighter and I’m just looking for a win and a good fight. He brings it and that is the type of fighter I like to fight. We are going to give the fans what they want to see. Come the 25th at the end of the fight I am going to have my hand raised.

You have a recent common opponent in Glen Johnson. Does that have any bearing on this fight?

YUSAF MACK: It is just the style of fight. Going in, I thought Johnson was old but in this fight I will stick to my game plan to win. I took Glen for granted. I should have looked right in front of me and taken care of business. This fight is going to be different and I’m going to show the world.

TAVORIS CLOUD: I looked at it and initially I dismiss that fight but still keep it inside my head that if he starts to fold under pressure, I go about things as usual. I am not expecting the same fighter. He had time to learn from his mistakes. I am expecting a better fighter since he is fighting for a world championship. I am expecting the best Yusaf Mack we have ever seen.

How much did the Johnson fight do for you?

TAVORIS CLOUD: I learned a lot from that fight. It was a good win as far as my confidence. I never had a lock of confidence when it comes to boxing and maybe that’s the reason why I am undefeated.

What kind of performance do you envision?

TAVORIS CLOUD: I don’t predict knockouts. The outcome and the performance I am looking for is a victory, nothing less than a victory. I respect every fighter that gets inside of the ring, especially with me. We just have to see how it will work out and the fashion that the fight will be won in, I don’t know yet, but hopefully it is in great fashion.

How does it affect the mentality going into the fight as a favorite?

TAVORIS CLOUD: It doesn’t affect me and I don’t let it affect me.

How do you beat Cloud?

YUSAF MACK: I don’t have a strategy – just win.

PERCY CUSTIS, Yusaf Mack’s trainer): We have been watching Tavoris and we know he’s a great fighter. We know he’s in shape and we know what we’re up against. We will do what we have to do and make adjustments as we go along on the day of the fight. Right now we are working on a lot of things that we normally do and the rest is up to him. Tavoris brings a lot of stuff to the ring and we don’t know what he’s going to do that day. We know one thing, we are in good shape and we’re ready to go.

YUSAF MACK: I am on my game and just ready. I want to put on a good show and hopefully get a good win. Steve Cunningham and Eddie Chambers (who were in camp with Yusaf), they have all been there before and I’ve been there before and they are pushing me.

With Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal fighting is there added pressure for you to be added into that conversation?

TAVORIS CLOUD: I am not thinking about those fights right now. The only fight I am thinking about is Yusaf Mack on June 25th. Other than that, no other fight matters to me right now.

What are your aspirations in the division?

TAVORIS CLOUD: My plan is to stay in the division and running it, unifying the titles as much as I can. I’m not going anywhere for a while.

KEVIN CUNNINGHAM, trainer and manager of Devon Alexander: I was training at this location [Colorado Springs] when I had Cory Spinks against Zab Judah in the first fight and you know how that turned out, so wait until you see this. We are in a town called Monument, Colorado. It’s about 20 miles north of Colorado Springs, 7500 feet above sea level. There are a bunch of ranches and farmland up here and it’s a beautiful place to train. I look out my window every morning and look at Pikes Peak. We didn’t run Pikes Peak, but we are at 7500 feet so we didn’t need that and we have had a great training camp.



DEVON ALEXANDER: It’s definitely good to be back. Training at the high altitude is great and the last time I was here was the USA Championships as an amateur. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday we run the trail and on Tuesday and Thursday we run a monster hill and it’s going pretty good. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday we are sparring and Tuesday and Thursday in the gym. So every day we are doing something hard. I am ready to rock and roll now.

ERIC GOMEZ, Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions: Lucas is obviously very excited for this opportunity. This is a great opportunity for him. He lost a very close decision to the IBF Champion Zab Judah. We know that Devon is a top-notch fighter and this is going to be a great fight.

LUCAS MATTHYSSE: I have been in Oxnard, California for two months and we are training out of the Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez training camp. This is a very important fight for me. It is going to be a tough fight. I have been training very hard and am in the last stages of preparation. This is going to be my last week of sparring. This is a very important fight, which I am dedicating to Argentina. It is great training here. It is my second time here. The first time I came over I spent three weeks for the Judah fight and I felt if I had been here longer it would have been better. So this time I have been here for two months and the preparation has been great. It’s tough training but I like it and it’s going to prepare me for this fight. Maravilla has been great and I’ve had the opportunity to train and spar with him a few times. He is one of the top southpaws in the game and it has helped my preparation and I’m very excited.

Have you gotten over the disappointment of the loss to Bradley?

DEVON ALEXANDER: No one likes to lose. I was upset for about a couple weeks but my coach was talking to me and it wasn’t like it was the end of the world. It’s not like Bradley dominated the fight. It was something I didn’t do. I didn’t follow the game plan. There were things I was supposed to be doing in the ring to come out with the victory and Bradley didn’t do anything that we didn’t prepare for in camp. It was all me and I definitely learned from that. Now I am back and ready to rock and roll. I just put it behind me and now I am 110%.

DON KING: We have the biggest show that has ever been in Missouri with four world title fights plus Devon Alexander “The Great” and Lucas Matthysse so we need to make certain the people get what they pay for and get what we promise. This event means a lot to me because I am a promoter of the people for the people and this is an example of that and that’s why I am appreciative of Kevin Cunningham who has been working with me and in the St. Louis area in the great state of Missouri. I have been in touch with the Mayors of St. Charles and St. Louis and the President of the St. Louis Board of Alderman to make this a real happening. It is going to take people like Devon Alexander, Kevin Cunningham as well as Eric Gomez and Lucas Matthysse to make this happen. And we have one of St. Charles’ own in Ryan Coyne challenging Guillermo Jones for the cruiserweight championship of the world, along with the guy that beat Cory Spinks, Cornelius Bundrage—they call him K-9—who is taking on Sechew Powell defending his title for the first time. We have a super hero who fought there before in Tavoris Cloud, the Thunder Cloud who is going to be defending his title against Yusaf Mack. And we put Cory Spinks back on who is looking for redemption from the loss to K-9. I will be arriving in St. Louis tonight (Tuesday, June 14) to work throughout the night of the fight. It means a lot to me to be turning 80 and have a birthday present and you bring these young men together to give them an opportunity to get them into the eyes of the world and it makes me feel good and not do it with knives or guns but with physical prowess and with understanding and love in their heart. They are going to go after it and do each other in. It is a great feeling for me and God bless America and it’s the greatest country in the world.

Talk about fighting in St. Charles.

DEVON ALEXANDER: It feels good and actually I will be fighting right around the corner from where I just moved. It’s going to feel good to get back in the ring in my hometown. My coach and I are preparing 120% to stay focused once we get there and will put on a spectacular performance for the fans in St. Louis.

Do you feel the loss was a blessing in disguise?

DEVON ALEXANDER: I hate to lose and even as an amateur I won every tournament I was in. That fight taught me I had to do what I needed to do, in any circumstance and any obstacle there is in that ring I need to get through it. I didn’t do what I was supposed to do and you saw the result of that. Whoever saw the fight saw that Bradley wasn’t better than me that night – it was all me and what I didn’t do. That’s why we are taking on a tough guy like Matthysse because the Bradley fight didn’t take anything out of me. It only motivated me to get in with the best and continue to fight the best. That’s why I am taking on one of the toughest guys in the division.

Lat time you fought here you thought you were distracted. What will happen this time?

DEVON ALEXANDER: At this point in my career every fight means everything. I have to stay focused no matter how high the stakes are or how low the stakes are, you have to stay focused and follow the game plan. At the end of the day it is going to be you and that guy in the ring and it’s who wins the game will win the fight. That’s what I learned.

Is Matthysse’s knockout power a concern?

DEVON ALEXANDER: Of course I will be concerned about whatever the other person’s strong trait is. We are prepared for that and ready to go 12 hard rounds. We know what we have in front of us and I am confident in my team that we have a strong game plan.

KEVIN CUNNINGHAM: I call him Lucas ‘The Beast’ Matthysse. I think he’s a beast and he’s got the highest knockout percentage in the division and that makes him the biggest puncher in the division. We know exactly the challenge we have in front of us and this is exactly what we want. This fight is a lot more dangerous than the Tim Bradley fight. Devon has to be on his game. He is prepared and he has to be focused. These are the type of fights that if you want to claim you are the best in your division these are the types of fights you need to take on. A lot of guys think Maidana is the toughest guy in the division and I think it is Matthysse. He has a better punching style and better boxing skills. He is the most dangerous guy in the division and that’s what we are going to be dealing with n the 25th.

He knocked out Corley in short…

KEVIN CUNNINGHAM: You are talking about Chop Chop and he is pretty much chopped liver. He is a strong guy and has a decent skill set. This is the type of guy that Devon will rebound with. Most guys coming off a loss are looking for an easy guy and that’s not what we are in business to do. We want to prove we are the best so we have to beat the best.

What did you gain from watching the Judah fight?

DEVON ALEXANDER: Nothing because he is not going to get the same thing he got from Zab with me. I think Zab is older and his legs are pretty much gone. I am fresher, younger and hungrier. I will be on him and throwing punches all night.

Does the criticism after your last loss weigh on you?

DEVON ALEXANDER: I am going to look spectacular. I learned from the loss against Bradley. I want to beat him and beat him convincingly. Not just go in there and it be an OK fight. I want to say ‘OK, I lost the Bradley fight but now I am back on top’ and be one of the best in the division.

Are there similarities between Judah and Alexander?

LUCAS MATTHYSSE: I learned a lot from the Judah fight but this is going to be a different kind of fight because Devon is a much better fighter. He is a better boxer and throws more punches and he will be the best fighter I have ever faced. Martinez has given me tips. It is going to be a tough fight and I am very well prepared.

Did he spar with Brandon Rios?

LUCAS MATTHYSSE: I learn from any fighter I go in and spar with. It was a great experience and I did very well against him. We both learned from each other. It was six rounds of intense sparring and it was a great opportunity.

Do you agree with Kevin Cunningham when he stated you are better than Maidana?

LUCAS MATTHYSSE: It is due to my training. I train hard. There are a lot of good fighters in this division: Maidana, Kahn, Judah, Alexander. My main thing is I want to be included in the mix and this is my opportunity and I’m happy to be here.

Have you changed training in anticipation of this fight?

DEVON ALEXANDER: We didn’t change much. We added a little strength and conditioning but other than that I just got back to what I do best. We added the stuff I needed to be doing in the Bradley fight, just doing it right instead of going in there and just doing anything.

You are going into another guy’s hometown, Lucas. Does that make you nervous?

LUCAS MATTHYSSE: No, I am not worried at all. I train for a knockout. I can’t worry about a decision and I can’t let it get to a decision and that’s what I have been working for.

Did you predict a round?

LUCAS MATTHYSSE: I don’t like to predict rounds. That is not my job. If it does go the distance, I have to respect the judges and there won’t be a hometown decision.

Do you hear criticisms regarding the Bradley fight?

DEVON ALEXANDER: People want to criticize everything you do. People criticize Pacquiao, Mayweather or Obama, everyone that is at the top of their game. It’s part of the territory. I didn’t read anything after the fight. I just stayed to myself. I knew there was going to be criticism. I just stayed away from it and blocked it all out. I know what I’m capable of doing in the ring and it only motivated me to get back in the gym and get back on top. So it didn’t affect me at all.

Can you respond to the type of criticism?

KEVIN CUNNINGHAM: I wasn’t surprised by it. I lay the blame on Devon and me and that’s where it should be laid. When you don’t go out and do what you’re capable of doing, you are going to get criticized. I accept the criticism, he accepts the criticism and we accept full responsibility for coming up short in a great opportunity that was before us, but I’m telling you we won’t come up short on June 25, and I believe this fight is going to be a lot tougher fight than the Bradley fight.

Did you ever think of taking a lighter fight?

KEVIN CUNNINGHAM: If I thought that Devon wasn’t the real deal and exactly who we say he is, then I would think about taking a couple steps back and find a soft touch, but Devon is clearly one of the best fighters in the division, so we don’t need to look for a soft opponent. As far as the Bradley fight, Devon didn’t perform up to his capabilities, and Bradley got the decision, which he deserved, but if you look a the fight, it was a close fight, a back-and-forth fight, and when you see that and say that Devon wasn’t performing up to his capabilities, but it’s a close fight with the No. 1 guy in the division. It was a close fight and my guy is doing nothing he is capable of doing and I know that so there is no reason to take a step back. So that is why we are taking this fight and if Devon performs the way he is capable of performing and we’ll move on from there.

Did you start to slow against Judah?

LUCAS MATTHYSSE: That was the game plan. I felt he was an older guy. In the first few rounds we had to work the body and then finish the fight strong and put a lot of pressure on him. The game plan worked perfectly and I won that fight. I thought I won the fight and the judges saw it differently and there is nothing to say about that. I learned a lot in that fight and one thing you can’t take for granted when fighting in another guy’s hometown you have to fight hard and challenge him every single second every single minute of every round.

Why didn’t you fight up to your capabilities against Bradley?

DEVON ALEXANDER: I didn’t do what I needed to do. I listened to the crowd and did what they wanted me to do which is just go out there and fight and that’s not how I do it. We had the perfect game plan throughout camp and we threw it all away in one night and that’s not good.

The Bradley fight is motivation because I know I am way better than Bradley and I let it slip out of my hands. After the fight a guy was telling me that Sugar Ray Leonard lost his first fight against Duran then he came back and knocked him out. That is motivation too. I am self-motivated in any situation but as far as this situation it just got me more motivated.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

DEVON ALEXANDER: I can’t say that I have a biggest inspiration because I look at all positive inspirations. My mom, my dad and my coach, too, inspire me. No one is bigger. I just use it all and take it and use it.

What is your biggest fight to date?

LUCAS MATTHYSSE: It would have to be the Zab Judah fight. It was a very important fight. Now this fight is going to be the biggest and most important fight, so I can demonstrate what I am capable of doing. I train very hard.

How do feel about being the loser in the Bradley fight and coming right back for a big fight when the winner has turned down a much bigger fight and is sitting on the sidelines?

DEVON ALEXANDER: I don’t know who is advising Bradley but coming off a big win and Kahn has a belt I would have definitely taken the fight. I don’t know what Bradley’s problem is and I heard they even upped it to $1.8 [million]. I want to get back to where I am in position to where I am fighting in Vegas. People promise fights and you never know what can happen. You have to take the opportunity as they come and I would have taken it. But everything happens for a reason.

KEVIN CUNNINGHAM: You know how we operate. We make fights, we don’t turn down fights. We would have taken that fight but I don’t want to speak for Tim and his team because I’m sure they have a strategy. I can only speak for us, and if we had the opportunity, we would have taken it and hopefully for us if Devon beats Matthysse we get the winner of Kahn-Judah or something like that.

What did you want Devon to become more aware of when you went back to camp?

KEVIN CUNNINGHAM: You can’t prepare for Matthysse the way you prepare for Tim Bradley. They are two different fighters, and I think Matthysse is more dangerous. This guy is the biggest puncher in the division. For the most part, we got back in the gym and stayed positive and want to turn the Bradley negative into a positive on June 25. We got back in the gym and worked on the basics, and we’ll come out smelling like a rose.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.
EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

NABA Lightweight Champion Logan Cotton McGuinness headlines ‘Friday Night At The Fights’ Troy Ross returns for June 24 show in Ontario, Canada

NABA Lightweight Champion Logan Cotton McGuinness defends his title for the first time June 24th in the 10-round main event against Daniel “Canerito” Ruiz, headlining “Friday Night At The Fights,” at Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

The “Friday Night At the Fights” show is presented by United Boxing Promotions, in association with McGuiness’ promoter, Hennessy Sports, and Groupe Yvon Michel.

Hot, unbeaten prospect McGuinness (14-0-1, 7 KOs), rated No. 11 by the WBA, will be fighting at home where he won the NABA belt this past February, stopping veteran Hector Julio Avila (47-5) in the fourth round.

The only blemish on Cotton’s otherwise perfect pro record is a six-round draw 13 months ago with dangerous Walter Estrada, who holds victories against former world champion Nate Campbell and Verquan Kimbrough.

Ruiz (22-3-1, 16 KOs) will be fighting outside of his native Mexico for the first time. He is undefeated in his last five fights with four wins and a draw. He is the former Mexican Pacific Coast Featherweight Champion.

Two-time Canadian Olympian and world title cruiserweight challenger, Troy Ross (24-2, 16 KOs), fights an opponent to soon be determined in an eight-round Special Feature. Ross is the top-rated IBF contender at No. 3 (#1 and #2 are not rated), as well as ranked No. 5 by The Ring magazine, No. 14 by the WBA, and No. 15 by the WBC.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Georgia Boxing Championship July 15th at The Buckhead Theatre; Nicole Woods featured‏

Nicole Woods fights for a living and for a good cause.

Woods, ranked No. 4 in the light welterweight division with a 12-6-1 record, divides her time between boxing professionally and fighting fires in Fulton County.

“Being a firefighter gives you one of the best schedules to have if you fight,” said Woods, who has been responding to emergencies for more than a year.

The 32-year-old Brooklyn, New York native has been boxing much longer (seven years) than she has been fighting fires and even though the two professions are similar, in a sense, Woods got drawn to each in a different manner.

“After college, I still wanted to pursue something athletically,” said Woods, who attended South Carolina State on a basketball scholarship. “I was watching boxing on television and figured ‘hey let me go and give that a try.’ Because I was already athletic, I kind of picked it up pretty quickly and I’ve been doing it every since.”

However, putting out hazardous fires began by way of a personal recommendation.

“I was working as a human resource manager but I was just bored,” said Woods, who also has a master’s degree. “A girl that boxed with me was a firefighter said ‘you would love it, you should try it.’ So initially I was like ‘no’ then I was like ‘let me give it a try.’ I did and I love it.”

Competing in the ring has also been beneficial to Woods since it has allowed her to travel to Uruguay, Germany and Argentina.

“Nicole is not like a lot of fighters,” Barry Richardson said. “She goes into hostile territory.”

“…At the end of the day I want to be able to say I went and I fought with all my heart and I’m the best in the world not just because I stayed in one place and I was safe,” Woods said. “I want to be able to beat you in your house because I’m just that good.”

Five to six days a week, Woods has been training with Richardson at Metro Fitness in East Point. This month, she will begin sparring three days a week to continue to prepare for a bout on July 15 at the Buckhead Theatre, which is being promoted by Shea Bailey and Greg Barckoff.

Woods also thanked her sponsors Vixente Boxing Apparel, Mix 1, Belts and Money, and AA Boxing.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

SIZZLING SUMMER SHOWDOWN-RODRIGUEZ TO TAKE ON WOLAK-IN MUST SEE FIGHT-ON ESPN'S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS‏

On July 15th, Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing presents a highly anticipated ESPN "Friday Night Fights" card at New York City's famed Roseland Ballroom with a sensational main event, featuring exciting former welterweight world title challenger, Delvin Rodriguez (25-5-2, 14KO's) looking to throw himself into the mix of top jr. middleweight contenders when he takes on top rated, Pawel "Raging Bull" Wolak (29-1, 19KO's) in a can't miss, all-action showdown.

"This fight has all the makings to be a fight of the year candidate," stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO and President of Star Boxing, Rodriguez's promoter. "You have two guys who continuously produce fireworks each and every time they step into the ring, going up against one another in what is arguably the most important fight of their respective careers. These are the type of fights that as a true fight fan you just know you can't miss."


"I'm excited to get back into the ring and show that I am a force to be reckoned with in the jr. middleweight division," said Rodriguez. "I have a new team behind me and I feel better than I ever have before. On July 15th, Pawel Wolak and the entire world will see a stronger, faster, and more exciting Delvin Rodriguez."

"I want to thank Delvin Rodriquez for taking the fight," stated Wolak. "It is going to be a hard fight with lots of action. I expect Delvin will give me everything he's got and I will be prepared. The fans will get their money worth like they do with every fight of mine. I am looking forward to continuing towards my goal of winning a world title by end of 2011."

The bout between Rodriguez and Wolak, who is rated as the WBO #3, WBA #6, IBF #8, WBC #11 jr. middleweight in the world, has huge implications for both fighters. Wolak, who is currently riding an eight fight win streak, including his most impressive victory to date in his last bout, when he dominated and made former WBA jr. middleweight champion Yuri Foreman retire on his stool after six rounds, is looking to cash in on his recent success, and earn his shot at a world title. While Rodriguez on the other hand, who has become a fan-favorite, drawing some of the highest ratings on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" over the years, knows a win over the red-hot Wolak will throw him right into the mix with the top jr. middleweights in the world, and put him back on the path to challenging for another world title.

The Rodriguez-Wolak bout is scheduled for ten rounds and is promoted by Star Boxing in association with Top Rank.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Monday, June 13, 2011

"Punchin at the Paradise" show, Thursday July 7th, at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, NY

"Punchin at the Paradise" show, Thursday July 7th, at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, NY. The card will feature popular Yonkers middleweight/policeman/all-around good guy, Bryant Pappas (12-0, 12KO's) and exciting Bronx super featherweight prospect Danny Valle (4-0, 3KO's) as well as two separate showdowns for Bronx neighborhood bragging rights and four additional amateur bouts to open the show.


EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Troy Ross added to June 24 professional boxing, show in Canada‏

World cruiserweight contender Troy Ross has been added to the “Friday Night At The Fights” professional boxing card, June 24 at Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

“Friday Night At The Fights” is being presented by United Boxing Promotions in association with Hennessy Sports and Groupe Yvon Michel.

Ross is the top-rated IBF contender at No. 3 (#1 and #2 are not rated), as well as ranked No. 5 by The Ring magazine, No. 14 by the WBA, and No. 15 by the WBC. The two-time Canadian Olympian will face an opponent to be determined June 24 in a eight-round bout. Troy wants a rematch with IBF champion Steve Cunningham and he also has issued a challenge to unbeaten Lateef Kayode for a major showdown later this summer.

“I can’t wait to get back in action,” Ross said. “I’m trying to force (IBF champion Steve) Cunningham into a rematch. I dropped him and should have won that fight by technical decision because he thumbed me in the eye and the fight was stopped (cut eyelid) because of that. I’m fighting June 24th to get sharp for Cunningham, Kayode or any of the top 10 fighters I may fight this year on my way to winning a world title.”

A native of Guyana who lives in Toronto, Ross (24-2, 16 KOs) was a member of the 1996 and 2000 Canadian Olympic Teams, and winner of The Contender, Season Four reality television series.

Ross’ most notable wins to date have been against former NABF/USBA champion Felix Cora, Jr. (TKO1), Ehino Ehikamenor (TKO4), David Haye-conquerer (as an amateur) Michael Simms (DEC10), Akinyemi Laleye (DEC5), and Brazilian Olympian Daniel Bispo (KO1). Troy’s last fight was a win by unanimous 10-round decision over Carl Handy (24-7-2) this past October.


Troy Ross (L). Photo by Durell Wambolt/The Boxing Examiner

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Sunday, June 12, 2011

STRIKEFORCE RETURNS TO WASHINGTON ON JUNE 24 WITH THE SPORT'S TOP RISING STARS;MAIN EVENT: CAROS FODOR vs. JAMES TERRY

The sport’s fastest-rising stars continue their budding careers when STRIKEFORCE® returns to ShoWare Center in Kent, Wash., on Friday, June 24. In the main event of STRIKEFORCE Challengers, lightweight Caros “The Future” Fodor (8-2) of nearby Kirkland, Wash. defends his home turf when he meets the hard-hitting James Terry (10-2), a protégé of middleweight star Cung Le.

The night’s co-feature is equally explosive, as Woodinville’s Ryan Couture (2-0), the son of UFC® Hall of Famer Randy Couture, looks for his third straight victory when he battles undefeated Matt Ricehouse (4-0).

STRIKEFORCE Challengers also features Lorenz “The Monsoon” Larkin (10-0) taking on Gian Villante (7-2) at light heavyweight, a middleweight bout between Antwain Britt (11-5) and UFC® veteran Danillo Villefort, as well as a women’s 145-pound contest between Julia Budd (1-1) and Germaine de Randamie (2-1).

STRIKEFORCE® Challengers, which is presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, will air LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

“Washington has become a hotbed for mixed martial arts and we’re excited to head back to Kent with this exciting card featuring local stars Caros Fodor and Ryan Couture,” STRIKEFORCE CEO Scott Coker said. “Our Challengers events have delivered some outstanding fights and we expect nothing less on June 24.”

Caros Fodor (fighting out of Kirkland, Wash.), a 27-year-old former Marine, has won three straight STRIKEFORCE bouts, including a third-round TKO of David Douglas in April. Now, the grappling ace seeks his ninth professional win when he meets James Terry (fighting out of Livermore, Calif.) at ShoWare Center. A training partner of former middleweight champion Cung Le, the 30-year-old Terry is riding a three-fight win streak of his own. He would like nothing more than to spoil Fodor’s homecoming by scoring a knockout victory on June 24.

Ryan Couture (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.), the son of UFC pioneer Randy Couture, returns to his native Washington with hopes of carrying on his legendary family name. Two straight submission wins have kicked off Couture’s career, and now the 28-year-old faces the toughest test of his career when he locks horns with up-and-comer Matt Ricehouse (fighting out of St. Charles, Mo.) in 155-pound action.

Perhaps no fighter heads to Kent with as much momentum as undefeated light heavyweight Lorenz Larkin (fighting out of Riverside, Calif.) The 24-year-old Larkin has finished eight of 10 opponents, including a knockout of Scott Lighty in his STRIKEFORCE debut in April. “The Monsoon” hopes to keep his streak alive when he enters the cage against 25-year-old Gian Villante (fighting out of Bellmore, N.Y.), whose seven victories have all come by way of stoppage.

Former UFC competitor Danillo Villefort (fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) makes his STRIKEFORCE debut on June 24 in search of his fifth consecutive victory. The American Top Team product, known for his slick submissions and heavy hands, expects a war when he meets knockout artist Antwain Britt (fighting out of Virginia Beach, Va.). The 33-year-old Britt has 11 victories, nine of which have come by knockout, and looks to fuel a run in the 185-pound division by besting Villefort.

An outstanding women’s 145-pound content pits Julia Budd (fighting out of Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada) against Germaine de Randamie (fighting out of Utrecht, The Netherlands). Nicknamed “The Jewel,” Budd is a devastating kickboxer with the ability to finish any and all opponents. Her bout with de Randamie could be a slugfest, as “The Iron Lady” has won two straight fights, including a brutal knockout over Stephanie Webber in January.
EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

UNDEFEATED BANTAMWEIGHT JUAN DOMINGUEZ TO COMPETE FOR THE NEW YORK STATE TITLE ON JUNE 24 AT CORDON BLEU IN WOODHAVEN, NEW YORK‏

THREE NEW YORK STATE TITLE BOUTS ON THE LINE

PLUS EILEEN OLSZEWSKI BATTLES MELISSA McMORROW FOR LADIES NEW YORK STATE FLYWEIGHT TITLE; JONATHAN CUBA vs. ARIEL DURAN FOR THE NYS LIGHTWEIGHT CROWN; ALSO APPEARING TOMMY RAINONE; MARTIN WRIGHT; EDWARD VALDEZ; TRAVIS
PETERKIN & THE BURRELL TWINS

On Friday night June 24th New Legend Boxing Promotions in association with Old World Boxing promotions presents a night of boxing that will feature three fights for the New York State Title.

The main event will be an eight round bantamweight fight featuring undefeated Juan Dominguez of Brooklyn, New York via Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic taking on an opponent to be named for the New York State title.

Dominguez has a perfect mark of 7-0 with five knockouts and the twenty-five year old has taken out his last five opponents within three rounds.

In his last bout, Dominguez stopped undefeated Gabriel Gomez in three rounds at the Cordon Bleu on March 4th.

The eight round co-feature will pit popular Eileen Olszewski taking on Melissa McMorrow in a battle for the New York State Super Flyweight bout.

Olszewski of New York has a record of 7-2 and has fought all over the world and is a former world champion

She has won two in a row which includes an eight round unanimous decision over Anastasia Toktaulova on December 17th in Miami

McMorrow of San Carlos, California has a record of 4-2-3 has fought good competition.

She held undefeated fighters, Amaris Quintana (1-0 & 2-0-1) to draws in their two encounters.

McMorrow will be making her second consecutive trip to New York as she lost a unanimous decision to Keisher Mcloed-Wells (3-1) on February 9th at BB Kings in Times Square.

In a third New York State title bout, Jonathan Cuba (5-3, 4 KO's) will take on Ariel Duran (7-2, 4 KO's) in an eight round bout for the New York State Lightweight championship.

Cuba of New York is known as a tough hard punching fighter who is willing to take on all comers.

Duran of The Dominican Republic won his first six bouts and now he will be making his American debut as he as previously fought all of his fights in his homeland.

In a six round Welterweight bout, current New York State Welterweight champion, Martin Wright will compete in a non-title bout against Willie Walton.

Wright (9-1-2, 4 KO's) of Brooklyn won the New York State championship with an exciting split decision victory over Mike Ruiz on May 19th.

Walton (4-4 with all of wins coming by stoppage) is from Salt Lake City, Utah.

Popular Welterweight Tommy Rainone (14-4, 4 KO's) of New York will look to make it two in a row when he takes on an opponent to be named in a six round bout.

Edward Valdez (4-8-2, 3 KO's) of New York will take on Nalo Leal (3-11-1, 1 KO) of Airway Heights, Washington in a six round Lightweight bout.

Super Middleweight Travis Peterkin (2-0, 2 KO's) of Brooklyn will look to stay perfect when he takes on Terrence Anderson (2-4, 1 KO) of San Antonio Texas in a bout scheduled for four rounds.

Rounding out the card will be the dynamic Burrell Twins in separate bouts.

The Burrell's from Brooklyn, New York via London, England in four round bouts that will feature Deano (2-1, 1 KO) & Scotty (3-0, 2 KO's). Each will see action in Lightweight bouts against opponents to be named.


EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix: Heavyweight Tournament, airing on SHOWTIME on June 18

STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament Video Recap‏
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D66DvJ81WSs
The battle for pound-for-pound supremacy rages on as the Strikeforce World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament continues on June 18th.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Rising star Javier Flores ready to shine June 18 on ‘The New Generation Boxing Series’ card in Hartford‏

Undefeated Puerto Rican welterweight prospect Javier “El Chino” Flores takes on veteran Shaka Moore in the eight-round co-feature on “The New Generation Boxing Series,” presented by Bulldog Cartel Promotions, Saturday night, June 18 launches its Saturday night, June 18 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

The eight-round main event features battle-tested cruiserweights with deceiving records, Joshua “Juice” Harris (7-4-1, 5 KOs), of Providence, and Harvey “Candy Man” Jolly (11-17-1, 6 KOs).

Flores (5-0, 5 KOs), now fighting out of Hartford, has stopped each of his five opponents as a professional, including an electrifying second-round knockout of Marcus Hall this past February. As an amateur in Puerto Rico, Javier won 65 of 68 matches with 32 knockouts and all of his losses were on points.

“I’m going to give the public a good fight to watch,” Flores said the former Puerto Rico Nationa Boxing Team member. “I’m giving a maximum effort to make it an action-packed fight. I don’t go into a fight looking for a knockout, but after a round or two feeling out my opponent, once I know he can’t hurt me I apply more pressure, break him down, and the knockout comes.“I have power in both hands and a variety of punches. My friends like my left upper-cut the best and I’m working to use that punch in combinations with different punches.”

The 35-year-old veteran Moore (11-15-3, 2 KOs), of Norwalk (CT), is coming off of a win in April by fourth-round technical decision against Noel Garcia, also at the Connecticut Convention Center. During his 15-year pro career, he’s fought the likes of Israel “Pito” Cardona and Demetrius Hopkins.

“I know my opponent has a lot of experience,” Flores noted. His last fight I noticed that he didn’t have a lot of stamina. On June 18th I’m going to apply pressure and expose him”

Another hot prospect on the card, super middleweight Lamar Russ (7-0, 5 KOs), puts his perfect record on the line against TBA. Russ, also fighting out of Hartford, upset Haitian Olympian Elie Augustama by six-round decision in December.

Promising junior featherweight Luis Rosa, Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs), representing New Haven, vs. Shawn “Bones” Nichol (5-4, 5 KOs) in a six-rounder. Also fighting on the undercard in four-round bouts are New Haven junior welterweight Carlos Hernandez (0-2) against Springfield’s (MA) Barrington Douse (0-1), along with three New Haven boxers making their pro debuts – lightweight Oscar Bonilla vs. Corey White (1-1, 1 KO), junior featherweight Josh Crespo vs. Frankie Garriga and super middleweight Charles Foster vs. Lee Snow. Garriga and Snow will also be making their pro debuts.

Former IBO super bantamweight champion “Machine Gun” Mike Oliver (24-2, 8 KOs), rated No. 2 by the USBA and fighting out of Hartford, vs. TBA and unbeaten New Haven super lightweight Christian Lao (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Javier Calderon (1-0, 1 KO)have been added to the card.

Former world light middleweight champion Vincent “The Ambassador” Pettway will be working the corners of Jolley and Snow.
EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Keisher "Fire" McLeod-Wells will be featured on the History Channel, "Only In America With Larry The Cable Guy" June 14th‏

Tune into The History Channel for the show "Only In America w/ Larry The Cable Guy", or set your DVR. Keisher "Fire" McLeod-Wells will be featured in this episode June 14th. Keisher "Fire" McLeod-Wells takes on Larry in the boxing ring at the legendary Gleason's GymEL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.

EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Azumah Nelson Foundation Charity Auction/Meet & Greet at World Famous Gleason's Gym -June 13th,2011

Azumah "The Professor" Nelson, former WBC world champion, put African boxing on the map KO after KO and became the only boxer from the continent of Africa to date to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Azumah Nelson will make his first appearance at New York's famous Gleason's Gym on June 13, 2011, from 6-9pm for a meet and greet charity auction, benefiting the Azumah Nelson Foundation's "Mentoring for a Brighter Future" building project in Akuse, Ghana- which marries sports & education. The Azumah Nelson Academy is being built on 50 acres of land acquired by Azumah Nelson to give back to the young people & future of Ghana, as he calls on the help of the global village to raise every child by mentoring for a brighter future.

Azumah Nelson holds his title of "The Professor" to heart, as he has made it his life's mission to educate the children of the black star nation of Ghana, West Africa. Azumah Nelson has dedicated all proceeds from his new documentary entitled Zoom Zoom -The Professor, which made its US debut at the National Geographic Headquarters in Washington DC on April 2, 2011, along with his book Azumah Nelson, The Professor: 12 rounds of Boxing & Life, to raising money for the Azumah Nelson Academy building project.

Azumah Nelson holds the high reverence of being dubbed the Mohammed Ali of Africa, a man who is bigger than life to most Africans and boxing fans throughout the world, whom he has inspired not only through his globally recognized accomplishments, but also through his compassion & dedication to giving back to his nation & to Africa as a whole. Today hip-hop artists from Africa name check him in their raps & young boxers from Ghana like Joshua Clottey, who has garnered international fame, fight in his name & shadow because he paved the way to respecting the strength, power & intelligence of the African fighter.EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.

EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Saturday, June 11, 2011

“Iron” Mike Tyson the youngest ever claimant of a world heavyweight title gets enshrined in The Hall of Fame

"Iron" Mike Tyson set to officially become an immortal boxer tomorrow; Tyson still commands heavyweight attention

Back in the 1980s, before he became an out of control, walking car crash of a public figure, Tyson was seen as an invincible wrecking machine. Serious, experienced writers were debating just how great Tyson actually was; with publications such as Boxing Illustrated and others putting out a number of articles that imagined “Tyson Vs. The All Time Greats.” Some seasoned followers of the sport even suggested Tyson was the finest heavyweight fighter in history next to the peak Muhammad Ali.

Mike Tyson Truly Deserves His Hall of Fame Induction

When most people think of Mike Tyson, they either think of his out of the ring problems or his appearances in movies like Hangover.

It is odd to see a whole new generation of kids coming up who don’t remember Tyson and his unbelievable ability to knock almost anybody out.

Even if people do remember Tyson’s boxing, they think of the Holyfield ear biting incident and his epic loss to Buster Douglas in 1990, but Tyson was so much more than that.

Tyson started his career with 19 straight knockouts, and was one of the most dominant punchers that ever lived. Before the loss to Douglas, Tyson won his first 37 professional fights, with 33 coming by knockout.

The buster Douglas loss set Tyson back, but not as far back as his four year prison sentence set him back. Even after four years away from the sport of boxing, Tyson came back to win nine more fights before eventually calling it a career after a loss to Kevin McBride.

Between his 50-6-2 career record and his knockout power, Tyson will always be remembered as one of the best fighters the sport had ever seen, and for that period of time from his first fight until his jail time, there was no better fighter in the world.

Tyson deserves this honor of being inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Team Puerto Rico ShoBox Show at Roseland Ballroom, NYC, Saturday June 11th, ‏

Saturday's Boricua Invasion II will feature four more members of Team Puerto Rico: featherweight Luis "Orlandito" Del Valle (12-0, 10 KOs) vs. Dat Nguyen; junior middleweight Jonathan "Mantequilla Gonzalez (12-0, 12 KOs); and light welterweight Sanchez vs. Arroyo. Also scheduled for action are Team Puerto Rico light welterweight Jorge "Machito" Maysonet Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs); plus a special off-TV appearance by Puerto Rico-born light welterweight Gabriel "Tito" Bracero (15-0, 1 KO) of Brooklyn. The main bouts of Boricua Invasion II will be broadcast live on Showtime: The New Generation.



On the undercard, team member Jorge “Machito” Maysonet Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs), the promising son of former world title challenger Jorge Maysonet Sr., will look to stay unbeaten in a light welterweight four-rounder, Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico’s undefeated junior middleweight Elieser Gonzalez (11-0, 6 KOs), Bronx, New York super bantamweight Raul Lopez (5-1, 3 KOs) and undefeated Puerto Rican women’s sensation Amanda Serrano (9-0-1, 5 KOs) will all see action.





EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Gabriel Bracero, to be highlighted on tonight's episode of ShoBox: The New Generation, featured in the New York Times

His Second Chance May Be Fighter’s Last

Gabriel Bracero built an impressive professional boxing record: five victories and no losses.

He also built an ugly criminal record: attempted murder, aggravated assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

As a price, he spent almost six years in prison. Since his release in January 2009, he has improved his record to 16-0.

“I’m not proud of my past,” Bracero said, “but it’s something I have to live with.”

From Jake LaMotta and Sonny Liston to Mike Tyson and Bernard Hopkins, boxing has always attracted, and often forgiven, a criminal element. Some, like Liston, appear to show no remorse. Some offer their later boxing careers as redemption tales.

“The guy was miserable, just angry and ignorant,” said Bracero, a 30-year-old junior welterweight from Brooklyn, as he described his younger self. “He was always running with the wrong crowd. I’m glad that guy is dead.”

Credible or not, embraceable or not, Bracero will have to be reckoned with in the ring. His trainer hopes he will get a title shot next year.

Last Saturday morning in Gleason’s Gym, the boxing cathedral beneath the Brooklyn Bridge where Tyson unleashed fistfuls of demonic rage, Bracero leaned on the ropes and flashed a choirboy smile at the gym rats scurrying past him, many of whom called him Champ, although he has never won a professional title.

“Many of these people have known me since I was a little kid, they know my story, they know the hell I’ve been through,” Bracero said. “By calling me Champ, I think they are acknowledging the fact that I have had to overcome many obstacles just to get to where I am today.”

Bracero will face Guillermo Valdes at Roseland in Manhattan on Saturday, the second half of a two-day card that begins Friday and features mostly Puerto Rican fighters.

“Gabe is a crowd-pleasing brawler with a huge Puerto Rican following,” said Lou DiBella, the promoter who represents Bracero. “Since he’s come out of prison, he has resonated with many people in the community, especially fellow Puerto Ricans, who see him as the underdog.”Bracero was 8 when he began training as a boxer in a gym in the hardscrabble Sunset Park neighborhood where he grew up and now lives with his wife, Iris, and four children. He was introduced to the sport by his father, Hilergio Bracero, who fought in the Golden Gloves boxing tournament in the 1970s.

(Luis Del Valle, Gabriel “Tito” Bracero and Jonathan Gonzalez/photo by Keisha Morrisey)

“We could see early on that Gabe just had this special gift,” said Elsa Centeno, Bracero’s mother. “My three other sons gave boxing a try, but Gabe, it was like he was born to do this.”

At age 11, Bracero won a Junior Olympic championship, and he capped his amateur career by twice winning the Golden Gloves at 139 pounds, first as a 17-year-old novice in 1998, and a year later in the open division.

“The most important thing I saw in him was that he was fearless,” said the veteran trainer Tommy Gallagher, who began training and managing Bracero after his second Golden Gloves title.

“I saw in him a champion’s attitude,” Gallagher said of the 5-foot-7 ½ Bracero. “If you look into his little black eyes, he has that you-have-to-kill-me-to-beat-me attitude. I was impressed with that attitude.”

But Bracero often took his attitude to the streets, becoming every bit the brawler outside the ring.
“I loved to fight, especially with the guys who were bullies,” Bracero said. “I was loyal to a lot of people who I thought were my friends. Whenever trouble started, I’d always jump in to defend them.”

(Bob Duffy and Tommy Gallagher (photo by Keisha Morrisey)

On an early summer morning in 2001, Bracero said, he and a friend drove to Bayonne, N.J., to settle a score. Bracero said his friend fired the bullets that left two men injured, one of them paralyzed. They fled to Brooklyn, but were caught and arrested a short time later. Bracero was initially charged with attempted murder and released on $250,000 bail.

While awaiting trial, he returned to boxing, and to an undisciplined life.

“I started robbing drug dealers,” he said. “I’d point a gun at them, take their money and resell their drugs. I figured, these are horrible people anyway, and they would never turn me in to the police because they would get in trouble themselves.”

But Bracero’s promising career was interrupted in July 2003, in broad daylight, at the corner of 55th Street and Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park.

“I put my gun in this dude’s face, robbed him and started running,” Bracero said. “He started chasing me, so I turned and fired a shot into the ground to slow him down, but he kept coming. I looked back and thought I saw him holding a gun, so I fired again and hit him in the leg.

The guy went to the police. I couldn’t believe it.”

Bracero was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and sent to Rikers Island.

“You have no idea how disappointed I was,” Hilergio Bracero said. “Here was my son, who had what it took to become a world champion, and now he was going to prison. It was a terrible waste.”

While Gabriel Bracero was at Rikers Island, Gallagher sent him a photo taken two weeks before his arrest. The photo showed Bracero at a black-tie event with Luis Collazo, Paulie Malignaggi and Yuri Foreman, up-and-coming fighters who each went on to win a title.

“It was an attempt to motivate the kid,” Gallagher said. “In Gabe’s world, the street thugs were the superstars, the only ones who got respect. I tried to get it through his head that there was still a life beyond that world, that there was still something to strive for.”

When Bracero saw the photo, he said, he curled up in a ball and cried.

“These were the guys I grew up with, guys I sparred with, guys I was better than,” Bracero said. “I wanted to be out there doing what they were doing. I prayed to God every night for a second chance.”

In April 2005, Bracero was transferred to the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y.

“Boxing has always been my therapy, so I did anything I could to keep in shape,” Bracero said. “I braided my bed sheets in my cell, watered them down to give them enough weight, and used them as a jump rope.”

In July 2006, Bracero was moved to the Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, N.Y., which has a boxing program for inmates.

“I knew that was a sign that I was destined to continue my career,” Bracero said. “I worked out in the ring and sparred every chance I got. A lot of guys who were doing life would come watch me work out. They would say things like, ‘You’re going to get out of here one day and become champion of the world.’ ”

In March 2008, Bracero was sent to Sing Sing in Ossining, N.Y., for one month, then was transferred to a prison in Annandale, N.J., to serve time for the Bayonne shooting. He accepted a plea bargain, reducing the attempted murder charges to aggravated assault. He was paroled in January 2009 and immediately reported to Gallagher to resume his career.

Since then, Bracero has reeled off 11 victories. Gallagher said that his plan was to “keep him as active as possible, and hopefully, he’ll be in line for a title shot early next year.”

DiBella said that he shared Gallagher’s vision for Bracero, and that he thinks Bracero “has what it takes to be a champion.”

“The kid has made some big mistakes, but I’d like to think he learned from them,” DiBella said. “After everything he’s been through, he’s never going to be afraid of whoever is waiting for him inside the ring.”

Before walking out of Gleason’s last Saturday, Bracero bounced off the ropes and walked to a rusty locker upon which he had taped the photo that Gallagher sent him in prison.

“I’ve lost a lot of time,” Bracero said, “but I’m still young enough to prove that I really do belong in the same class as those guys.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/10/sports/for-gabriel-bracero-a-long-road-back-to-the-boxing-ring.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=sports

Bracero returns to the ring Saturday night from the Roseland Ballroom in Times Square as part of Boricua Invasion II. Highlights of Bracero’s bout with Guillermo Valdes (15-3, 3 KOs) will be shown on the Showtime series ShoBox: The New Generation, which will air the event’s top two bouts as part of their broadcast. In the main event, featherweights Luis Del Valle (12-0, 10 KOs) battles Dat Nguyen (17-1, 6 KOs) in an NABA title fight. Bracero is scheduled to be in the ring at 9pm.

In Bracero’s last bout, he won an 8-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Danny O’Connor on ShoBox.

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Friday, June 10, 2011

Who DAT? Six Questions with Buddy McGirt-trained DAT NGUYEN - ShoBox: The New Generation TOMORROW/Saturday at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT

SIX QUESTIONS WITH DAT NGUYEN'

World-renowned trainer Buddy McGirt did a double take the moment he first laid eyes on Dat “Be Dat” Nguyen during a sparring session with Arturo Gatti before Gatti’s second fight with Micky Ward in late 2002.

“I saw this guy who could really hit and said he should be knocking everyone out,” McGirt said. “He was in there doing his thing and I liked him. Someone said they were looking for a fighter so I gave them Dat’s number. And that’s how we met.”

NY Post Journalist George Willis and Buddy McGirt

For the past five years, McGirt has trained Nguyen of Vietnam, who will headline on a special edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME® this Saturday LIVE at 10:35 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Nguyen (17-1, 6 KOs), a U.S. resident now living in Vero Beach, Fla., will face promising Luis Orlando “Orlandito” Del Valle (12-0,10 KOs), of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, in a 10-round featherweight fight at Roseland Ballroom in New York City. The card co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Gary Shaw Productions will include an 10-rounder that pits 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, power-punching Jonathan Gonzalez (13-0, 13 KOs), of Rio Piedras, against Colombian Richard Gutierrez (26-6-1, 16 KOs), of Miami, in a junior middleweight match.

A former kickboxer who was born in Bien Hoa about 45 minutes north of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Nguyen graduated from high school in 2001 and received a full scholarship to Northern Michigan University, home of the U.S. Olympic Center. He spent three years there studying computer information systems.

The 28-year-old Nguyen has won his last six starts, all by decision, including an eight-round decision over Andres Ledesma in his last fight on Oct. 10, 2009.

Although it’s been 20 months since he’s fought, McGirt doesn’t believe in ring rust when you’re young. “That’s a load of crap,” he said. “As long as you take care of yourself it doesn’t matter how long it’s been.”

Nguyen answered six questions.

Question: There will be a lot of Puerto Rican fans in the crowd on Saturday rooting for your opponent. Are you concerned about that and do you hear the crowd when you’re in the ring?

Nguyen: “I hope that there will be a few Vietnamese fans there. I’m sure their will. But it doesn’t matter. I’m always in for putting on a good show for whoever is there. It all depends. Usually when I fight I don’t hear anything. If I concentrate and pay attention and try to hear them, I can sometimes hear them. When I’m focused then I can’t hear them.”

Question: What has training with Buddy McGirt meant to you these past five years?

Nguyen: “Buddy has trained multiple world champions. With Buddy, he’s very calm and when he’s calm I’m relaxed. He just has so much experience. I do whatever Buddy says to do. Buddy doesn’t really take the credit for all the champions he’s produced. He’s very humble and doesn’t talk about a lot of his other fighters. I’m just happy to be part of his stable of fighters.”

Question: What do you think about the featherweight division right now and are you ready to call anyone out?

Nguyen: “(Laughing) No. Not quite yet. There’s a lot of talent in this division and I’m happy to be part of it. There’s (Yuriorkis) Gamboa and Chris John and all the other champions. (Juan Manuel) Lopez just lost but he has so much heart. Those are some of the guys I would like to fight because they are so well known and well respected.”

Question: You opened your own gym called Miracle Boxing Academy in Vero Beach. Would you like to stay in the fight game after your boxing career is over?

Nguyen: “I love this art and I’ve been doing it so long it just felt like the right thing to do. It’s made me a better fighter. I’m doing homework every day when I’m training other people. It’s been a real blessing for me. It’s something I did to give myself the best opportunity to succeed as a fighter right now.”

Question: Not many boxers get full college scholarships for boxing, but you did. How did that come about?

Nguyen: “Yes, I received a full scholarship to Northern Michigan University where the U.S. Olympic Center is. I fought in the U.S. Nationals and the coaches like Al Mitchell recognized that I had some talent. I even beat Andre Dirrell in the 1999 National Junior Olympics. I left after three years to turn professional and am still a few credits short of getting my degree. It gave me a lot of confidence and opened up my eyes to a lot of different things.”

Question: You are a self-described “computer nerd” and even operate your own website. What do you plan on doing with your computer education?

Nguyen: “I’ve always worked on computers and I fix people’s computers. I do everything on my website (www.miracleboxing.com). If I didn’t get the boxing scholarship and wasn’t so focused on making the Olympics then I would probably be a computer engineer right now. If I do something I go the whole nine yards so it’s something I’ve kind of put on backburner for now.”

EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Bad blood Karalexis, Howard exchange heated words on eve of main-event showdow Friday, June 10th

The good will emanating from last week’s media teleconference between Alex Karalexis and Tiawan Howard evaporated in a heartbeat Thursday night as the two fighters engaged in a classic war of words at the final weigh-in and press conference for “Nowhere To Hide.”

Karalexis (10-5, 5 KOs), a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) contender who’ll end his 14-month drought Friday, June 10th, 2011 against Howard (8-7, 3 KOs) in the main event of Classic Entertainment & Sports’ professional cage fighting show at the Twin River Event Center, took exception Thursday when his opponent weighed in at two pounds over the contract limit of 171. The Boston native promised to not only beat Howard, but “dominate,” sparking an animated reply.

“Anyone ever see ‘Alice In Wonderland?’” asked Howard. “I’m nobody’s stepping stone – nobody’s stepping stone. Look at my record. I’ve never been knocked out. I’d love to see him knock me out. I’ll welcome it. He’s going to dominate? Anyone bring their 3D glasses? Bring it on. This is a fight.

“He’s acting like this isn’t going to be a fight. I don’t come to play or give lip service. I am what I am. I’m a hard-working mixed martial arts fighter and if he’s as good as he claims to be – as good as everyone on the internet and all around the world thinks he is – then he’s going to submit me or knock me out.”

Howard has lost four of his last five fights dating back to 2010, including a unanimous-decision loss to Greg Rebello of Providence, R.I., this past December at Twin River. Karalexis’ last fight was a loss to “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 13 finalist Anthony Pettis in April of 2010, his third loss in four fights.

“If you were that good, you would’ve beaten Pettis,” Howard said, “ and if you were that good, you’d still be in the UFC. Sorry, you’re no [George St. Pierre]. There are too many holes in your game. Your striking is weak and your footwork is subpar.

“You think just because you have [former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell] in your corner that I’m supposed to be scared? I’m not fighting them. I’m not fighting your corner. I see how you fight with your chin up in the air. You’re open for a roundhouse kick to the head. I’ve said all I have to say. I’m leaving it in cage.”

For Karalexis, Friday will be his first fight in New England since 2006 and will also mark his return to the welterweight division, where he built an 8-2 record before losing three of his next fights at 155 pounds while transitioning to the WEC.

“I’ve got a lot left to offer,” Karalexis said. “I took some time off. I even thought about hanging it up, but I’m glad to be back. I worked really hard to get back here. I’m excited. There’s a lot of great talent on this card and it’s going to be a good night of fights. Don’t blink [Friday], because I’m going to dominate.”

Damien “The Omen” Trites (5-4, 1 KO) of Boston will face B+F Boxing veteran Jeff “Candyman” Anderson (8-4, 2 KOs) of Lincoln in the welterweight co-feature. Trites is coming off a loss to Dan Lauzon in December at Twin River.

“This is what I do,” Trites said. “I don’t do this for fun. I do this to make a better life for my son and I. Jeff Anderson will have to kill me to win because I’m willing to die in the cage. You will see nothing but ruthless aggression. I’m always moving forward. I respect Jeff, but I guarantee my hand will be raised.

“I’m willing to put my body on the line to get that win,” Anderson said. “He is a tough fighter and a good guy, but this is a sport, so I’ve got to bear down and do what it takes to win.”

Friday’s card also features a showdown between rising stars Saul “The Spider” Almeida (8-1) of Framingham, Mass., and Cody “The Wolverine” Stevens (8-1, 2 KOs) of Mansfield, Ohio at a catch-weight of 157 pounds. The winner of this bout will move one step closer toward a shot at qualifying for the UFC.

“I promise I carry that ‘Wolverine’ moniker for a reason because I fight with relentless aggression,” Stevens said. “I’ve dedicated my life to this and I’ll go all 15 minutes if need be.”

Added Almeida: “It’ll be a great night [Friday]. I have no doubt the best man will win.”

The undercard also features former “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 12 competitor and Strikeforce veteran Marc Stevens (13-6, 6 KOs) of Lorraine, N.Y., battling Abe “Thumper” Pitrowski (5-0, 1 KO) of Pawtucket, R.I., in a lightweight bout; light heavyweight Dan McGuane (2-0) of Lincoln fighting Fall River, Mass., native Kenny Hazzard (2-3, 2 KOs); Ralph Johnson (4-3, 3 KOs) of Worcester, Mass., facing welterweight Tim O’Connell (3-3, 3 KOs); and Dinis Paiva Jr. of East Providence, R.I., making his professional debut against Springfield lightweight Jon Marcheterre (0-1).

Barrington “Rude Boy” Douse (7-9, 2 KOs) of Springfield/American Fight Team will step into the cage against Middletown, Conn., and American Martial Arts veteran Jason Bennett (4-4, 2 KOs) in a featherweight bout. EL Boxing Empress See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved