Share SBS w/Family or Friends

Thursday, June 13, 2013

JOHNATHON BANKS VS. SETH MITCHELL MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL


 

The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.  Banks versus Mitchell is presented in association with K2 Promotions.  We're sponsored by Corona and AT&T.  We'll be live on Showtime Championship Boxing at 9:00 Eastern Time with preliminary fights airing on Showtime Extreme at 7:00 Eastern Time, and the event can be heard in Spanish using second audio programming. 

Those of you who are in the New York area, no excuse not to be there.  We have great seats still available, but they're going fast and very reasonably priced starting at $25 and ringside $250, which is again, in this day and age, two world title fights and a great heavyweight fight, you really can't go wrong.  Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the American Express Box Office at the Barclays Center. 

Now to say a few words, I'd like to introduce a young man who's a former standout Michigan State University linebacker who found his true calling in the boxing ring.  In the first four years of his career, he tore through all of his opposition, beating Taurus Sykes, Timur Ibragimov and Chazz Witherspoon, all those by knockout.  He's extremely eager for the opportunity to avenge his only pro loss when he faces Banks and he'll look to show the resilience of a champion when he attempts to even the score on June 22nd.  He has a record of 25, 1 and 1 with 19 KOs. From Brandywine, Maryland, Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell.  Seth?

Seth Mitchell 
First and foremost, I want to thank my team for giving me this opportunity.  I want to thank Al, Sharif Salim, Lorin Chvotkin, and everybody that's involved on my team. Thanks Johnathon Banks for giving me this opportunity to avenge this loss. 

I'm very excited about this fight.  As Dave said, this is my first pro loss and it was a hard loss.  It took me about a week to get over the loss, but I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. 

Everybody that knows me, they know that I went back to the drawing board.  I'm preparing diligently.  I'm very focused for this fight.  I know Johnathon Banks is preparing hard as well. It's going to be a great fight. 

Again, I don't do a lot of talking.  I just go back to the drawing board and work hard.  I'm very confident in my abilities.  I'm very confident in what I can do, and there's no doubt in my mind that I'm going to come out victorious this time. 

I've watched the fight numerous times.  I saw a lot of mistakes that I made.  I'm not taking anything away from Johnathon.  He did what he was supposed to do that night, but I promise you it's going to be a different outcome from June 22nd.  I just want everybody to tune in because I will be ready. 

I was ready to fight on February 16th and I was really disappointed when the fight got cancelled, but again, I go back to my belief that everything happens for a reason and that just allowed me to hone my skills to get better and to be more prepared for this fight.  I'm definitely a better fighter.  I'm not going to keep saying that.  I just have to go out there and show you what I've learned from that fight, what Johnathon Banks has taught me from that fight, and you will see that on the 22nd.  I'm very prepared for this fight and very focused and just excited that I'm back on this big stage and on Showtime. 

It's not too often you get, not only do you lose, but you get stopped in the second round and have the opportunity to come back and fight on a major network, and I'm very fortunate and very blessed for that, and I'm definitely going to take advantage of this opportunity.  Again, I want everybody to tune in.  I want to thank everybody that's a part of this, and making this happen.  I want to thank my family, my friends, everybody that's praying for me.   Continue to pray for me, and on the 22nd, I will be victorious.  Thanks. 

Itskowitch
Before I introduce Tom, I just wanted to mention one thing.  These two fighters are, in case you didn't notice in listening to Seth, are kind of a stark contrast from Paulie and Adrien in terms of the way that they conduct themselves, and I was around them when they first fought.  I just couldn't believe how they're just such gentlemen and really, really two nice, good guys, respectful athletes, and that's always a breath of fresh air. 

So, now to introduce Johnathon Banks, I would like to turn it over to the managing director of K2 Promotions, Mr. Tom Loeffler.

Tom Loeffler  
We're really excited to be a part of this promotion.  As was already mentioned, it's a great main event, but you couldn't get a better co-feature fight to complement that type of a main event, and you got two tremendous heavyweights in there before the first fight.  Seth was clearly considered the best American heavyweight leading up to-there was a lot of talk of him fighting the Klitschkos down the road, and with everything that Johnathon went through at that point, training Vladimir with the death of Emanuel Steward, everything like that and then just being able to be victorious in that fight, I think he proved there's a lot more to Johnathon Banks than people had known previously.  So, we're looking forward to his fight again just to prove that the first fight wasn't a fluke.  Johnathon, I know has been training really hard for this fight as well. 

So, with that, I want to introduce him.  He's in Detroit, Michigan right now, the WBC International and NABO Champion, Johnathon Banks.

Johnathon Banks       
There's not much to say.  Seth said it all.  I'm not a talker.  He's not a big talker.  There's not much to say. 

I'm looking forward to the fight.  I wish that I wouldn't have broken my thumb preparing for February 16th because I was also looking forward to that fight, but things happen.  This is out of your control.  It was out of my control.  That's the first broken bone I ever had, never had nothing broken on me before, but I ended up breaking my thumb.  So, the fight was postponed, but now we have a new day, June 22nd

I am preparing just like I always have been.  Looking forward to the fight.  I just always believed that Seth Mitchell was one of the best heavyweights out there and I still think so.  So, I would never underestimate a guy like that.  I look forward to the fight. 

I know it will be a big challenge, but challenges are all a part of life and I accept every challenge that ever comes my way.  I'm not walking away from a challenge.  I accept it.  I accept it as it comes, and I really believe that the heavyweight division is going to be-it's going to be filled up with excitement again because this heavyweight fight is going to be a good fight. 

Loeffler          
Thanks a lot, Jonathon.  I guess we can now turn it over to media for questions. 

Q        
Seth, I know one of the things in watching your tape and in talking to you, I'm sure you looked at the things you got away from in the biggest fight of your career, and my question is how do you practice patience?  How do you practice executing and also being loose at the same time without being robotic?

Mitchell         
You have to-I've been working on just being relaxed and it not being anxious.  Even though when I fought him the first time I didn't feel anxious, I didn't feel nervous, when I went back and watched the tape, I could see that I was tight and that I was tense.  So, it's just repetition, repetition in the ring, and repetition in sparring.  I know sparring isn't fighting, and I wouldn't ever say that sparring is fighting, but it's just the more repetitious you get and making a conscious effort of just trying to do the right thing and not being over anxious and just take your time, so that's just what we've been working on. 

Q        
Obviously, instruction and executing your trainer's instructions under fire, is that something you guys are doing?  I don't know if you just recreate the situation that got away from you in this fight, or how is that going, the communication thing?

Mitchell         
The communication is going well, and I always consider myself a good listener.  I don't think I know it all.  I just didn't do what my trainer instructed me to do going into the fight.  We knew a lot of things that Johnathon does, things that we couldn't do and I went out there and did those things, not saying that I was being hardheaded or anything, but I don't know, maybe it was experience, but I definitely showed that I've learned from it, and like I said before, I definitely feel that that loss made me a better fighter, and I just can't wait to show it. 

Q        
So, I guess the same question-being a boxer and a trainer, can you imagine how difficult must it be for Seth to do what he's doing, and as a fighter who's going to be in the ring with him, is that something you're going to try to exploit that maybe that potential that he might be questioning himself after the loss?

Banks 
Well, I don't believe and no interview anywhere have I ever heard Seth question himself.  Seth Mitchell, he admitted that he could listen.  I made a mistake.  'I've done a couple things wrong and other Banks have capitalized on it.'  That's all he ever said.  He never really questioned himself, so therefore, I'm still seeing the strong confident heavyweight that I saw the first time. He's just he's coming back stronger, and he may be a little bit bigger because he's eager to prove himself to the world again, and I just think that's what's going to make this fight a good fight, two fighters trying to prove their selves to the world that they are number one or a good fighter or different things like that. 

So, I just don't believe that he has any doubt in himself or in his abilities.  All his comments, all of his concerns has been just correcting the little mistakes that he made.  That's all his concerns has been.  So, okay, I just don't see him having no lack of confidence in his self.  I think he's fully confident in his ability and I just think he's coming out stronger, bigger and ready to take the world by storm again. 

Q        
Last question for you-getting into the head of another fighter as a trainer, what must he be going through, and as a trainer, what is the key to getting a fighter to execute in the heat of battle?

Banks 
Well, I don't think Seth Mitchell has a problem executing in the heat of battle because he's been in the heat of battle before so he hasn't had too many problems executing in the heat of battle. No matter who you are as a fighter, you get away from certain things that work, no matter who you are, and if you have a chance to correct it, then that's all the better.  So, I don't think he's going to have a problem executing whatever he has, but as a fighter, my particular job is to stop him from executing what he wants to do and his job is to stop me from executing what I want to do.  So, that's the reason we coming together to for one to stop the other and the other to try to stop the one.  So, that signals what it's all about. 

As far as the training part, it's difficult for me because I'm not thinking as a trainer.  I'm only thinking as a fighter.  I took my training hat off when I left Germany. When I get back from here, I'll pick that hat back up and put it back on, but right now, my thoughts are simply either as a fighter and I let my trainer think as himself.

Q        
My last question to you is Tom mentioned earlier when he opened the call that you want to prove that your win over Seth wasn't a fluke.  Is that something that you feel has been out there because I know Seth has given you full credit for executing and I'm just kind of wondering where Tom might be getting that, where you might-have you heard anything like that that makes you ...?

Banks 
You see a lot of things from public.  I've heard different things here, well, he just was a hyped-up individual.  Well, none of that is really-that doesn't matter to me because I know Johnathon Banks.  I know that I was prepared and that I was just going out for a fight. 

So, people may say that I was hyped up over the death of Steward, that this was a fluke, this ... happen to happen, but the rest of it, it doesn't bother me.  I've heard it.  It plays no effect on me.  It doesn't bother me because like I say, I know what it was and I know what it is, and the thing about it at the end of the day, there's still going to be a fight. 

So, I don't believe in flukes.  I don't believe in it just so happen become this or that.  I prepared for the fight and I became victorious and this is fight ... begin.  We both have to train for the fight and only one here can be victorious.  So, as always, I always wish my opponent a healthy training camp and I wish myself a healthy training camp so we can get in there and perform in front of the world.

Q        
My last question for both of you-who is the pressure most on in this fight?  Is it on Seth because he lost, or is it on you because you won a fight that some people thought you were going to lose and now you have to prove it's not a fluke?  To both of you, who's got the most pressure on them or who's, in your perception, who's under the most?

Mitchell         
Me personally, I think the pressure's on me.  The pressure's on me.  It's one thing to lose, but it's another thing to lose back to back to the same fighter.  So, I believe the pressure is on me, but I've said this from day one-I want to be in a situation where the stakes are high.  That means you're headed in the right direction.  So, I think the pressure is on me.  I accept it.  I relish the challenge and the June 22nd, we're going to get it in. 

Banks 
I think the pressure's on me.  I do.  I think the pressure's on me that they're saying he came on TV, he did this and let's see if he can do it again.  I think the pressure's on me, and just like he said, I accept the challenge too.  I've never ran from pressure.  I accept it.  I embrace it.  So, I really believe the pressure is on me and I'm happy to hear how-I have no doubt that Seth will accept the challenge.  I accepted the challenge, and like I say, June 22nd, we going to get it in. 

Q        
I'll start my first question for Seth.  After the first fight, I know you had the right to ask John to give you the immediate rematch and I'm sure that you spent some time thinking about it and talking with your trainer and your team, but was there any discussion or thought either in their minds or in your minds about the prospect of possibly taking some interim fight first rather than going right back in with the guy that had stopped you?

Mitchell         
Not at all.  This is a true story.  When I went back into the dressing room, I was devastated that I had lost.  It was a tough loss for me, but my first question is to Al.  I asked him two questions. I said how far did this set me back and when can we get the rematch.  That was my first two questions to Al, and I just wanted to get back in there not because I didn't think-I just wanted to get back in there because I'm a fighter and I lost. 

When stakes are high, this is a very, very important fight for me, and I understand that and I don't tend to bet with my heart.  When I'm betting, I bet with my head, and I truly believe that I can beat Johnathon Banks.  He beat me the first fight, but I truly believe that I'm a better fighter and I have to show better than what I showed and that was just my mindset. 

I wanted to get in there and correct this wrong, and I know he's going to come to fight, but I'm going to come to fight as well.  Like I said, man, I am truly a better fighter.  I keep saying that, but I don't like to really talk a lot, man, I just got to go out there and show and that's why I want everybody to just tune in on June 22nd and they're going to be in for a shock.  They're going to be like wow, this cat really did go back, look at his tapes, see what he did wrong and this loss definitely made him a better fighter. 

Q        
Seth, when you asked Al those two questions in the dressing room, what were his answers about how far did this set you back and when can we get the rematch?

Mitchell         
He said not long.  Actually, he answered the question probably about two or three days later, and he said it probably was about a seven to eight month setback but we'll get that rematch and you'll just take care of business.

Q        
I understand you as the athlete, the competitive spirit to desire and go make things right in your mind and get the revenge and all that, but that's why boxers pay their advisors and their trainers and the people that work with them to try to take a step back and look for the betterment of the guy's career in the long term.  Did anybody on your team, Al, Sharif, whoever, talk to you about maybe taking an interim fight, trying to convince you otherwise even though you were going to be very adamant about wanting to do the immediate rematch?  Did anybody on the team think that maybe it was best to take the interim fight? 

Mitchell         
There was no talk about an interim fight.  The only time that came up is when Johnathon got hurt, and once Johnathon got hurt, honestly I didn't want to wait seven months, another four months to fight him. I wanted to stay active and fight, but things happen for a reason.  That didn't happen, and June 22nd, it's going to be Johnathon Banks.

Q        
When you were getting ready for the second fight and you had the thumb injury, obviously that's not the type of thing you can go into a fight and fight with, but can you talk about the circumstances of what happened with that and then what your feelings and thoughts were when that happened and you knew that there's no way you can go in there and this was going to have to be postponed?

Banks 
Well, actually I was going to fight with a broken thumb because I wanted to fight, and I don't like to, me personally as a fighter, I don't like preparing for a fight-preparing for a fight, you're spending your money.  Preparing for a fight and then you call the fight off, I don't like doing that, and I was going to go through with the fight.  Vladimir Klitschko called me and asked me not to go through with the fight.  He said, dude, you broke your thumb, why would you take the risk going to a fight handicapped. 

I wasn't thinking with my mind.  I'm thinking with my heart because I just wanted to fight.  That's just me.  I'm saying regardless I want to fight. 

So, I sat down, thought about it and it was bandaged up, I couldn't use it.  I was just going to use my left hand to finish up the training, but no matter what, I listened to what he said and that's why I went on and called off the fight, but I mean, I didn't want to do it because I mean, no fighter likes to be hear about this ... a week or a week and a half, two weeks before the fight. 

Q        
So, you took a call from Vladimir Klitschko to convince you not to go into a fight on this caliber, this significance with a hand that you would obviously not be able to use very well?

Banks 
Yes because that's just-I just wanted to fight. Right.  I'm a fighter.  I just want to fight.  So, I figured if I could walk, if I could talk, if I could throw it, I said let's fight, but like I say, he talked to me,.  That's why once again, that's why you surround yourself with people that are knowledgeable about the game so when you not thinking knowledgeable, they can bring you back to reality. 

Q        
So, now in retrospect, the way that it ended up going down, I have to imagine that you feel as though you made the right decision to postpone it? 

Banks 
Definitely, definitely.  I definitely made the right decision because as I said once that night, once I sat and thought about it and I said you know what, he's right, why will I go into fight handicap because I don't like to say okay, Johnathon Banks, you lost the second fight, what happened, I said well, you know, I don't know.  I want to be 100%.  If I lose, let me lose at 100%.  I can live with that, losing at 100%, but I can't live with being halfway ready and then I lose.  I don't want anything like that to happen. 

Q        
Also, if you do lose in that situation, then you're in a position of do I just keep my mouth shut and I got the loss or do you say something and have guys like me say all you're doing is making excuses?

Banks 
Exactly.  I would just keep my mouth shut.  You would never know it unless somebody else came and told you or unless somebody came and whispered in your ear, you wouldn't know because I wouldn't have said anything. 

Q        
Do you think that just from a pain threshold and a physical aspect of making the fight that you could have actually gone and fought with a broken thumb?

Banks 
I know I couldn't.  I couldn't even ball my fist up.  It was too swolen for me to ball my fist up, but I'm just talking to you about the will of a fighter that wanted to fight.  That's how I'm coming to you from.  I wasn't thinking as an individual saying do you know what, I shouldn't fight because it could be long-term damage, it could be nerve.  I wasn't thinking like that. 

Q        
So, how is the thumb now?  Are you perfectly back to normal?  There's no issues?

Banks 
Everything is fine. 

Q        
Well, I'm glad to hear that.  Tom, are you there, Tom Loeffler?

Loeffler          
Yes, I'm still here. 

Q        
Are you the one that called up Vladimir and told him talk to Johnathon he's acting crazy?

Loeffler          
No, actually Johnathon had let him know ahead of time once he went to see the doctor and everything like that and I think he was just looking at letting Vladimir know.  I naturally agreed with what Vladimir explained to him because in a fight like this, at this caliber and at so much at stake, it just doesn't make sense to go into it.  Every fighter is never really 100% after sparring and little nicks and bruises and things like that, but to have a broken thumb and to go into a fight like this just wouldn't really have made sense, although it did take a little while to convince Johnathon of that, I know that.

Q        
I know that in your last fight with Johnathon, you were on your way to a professional title shot against one of the title holders, and I know you were hurt against Chazz Witherspoon.  You recovered in that fight.  Was it more difficult to recover against Johnathon Banks because of his experience?

Mitchell         
I guess you could say.  He did the right thing.  I guess Chazz Witherspoon when I got hurt and he had got close, he allowed me to grab him and gave me the time to recover whereas in that instance when I had got buzzed and tried to grab Johnathon, he stepped back and he kept his hands going and didn't allow me to fully recover and that allowed me to get knocked down two more times and the ref stopped the fight.  So, I guess that could be attributed to his experience, but it is what it is.  It's something that happened and I just had to learn from it and I believe I have. 

Q        
Do you think in your last fight that you were overconfident going into this since you dominated some of the other opponents?

Mitchell         
I wouldn't necessarily say that I was overconfident.  I never underestimate any of my opponents. I train extremely hard, and I don't go out there trying to take everybody head off, but when you look at my record, before this fight, I had knocked out I believe either 12 or 13 or 13 of my last 14 opponents and then when I went back and looked at the tape, even though I don't in my mouth I don't say that I'm trying to go out there and destroy my opponent, that's what my actions showed, and it caught up with me that night. 

Q        
Yes.  My last question for you is-obviously Johnathon being a trainer and also a fighter, he got to see different tactics that fighters use to the ability to beat another opponent.  Do you think him obviously being a trainer and a fighter, that helped him to adapt to your styles since you have a little less experience than him?

Mitchell         
I think just his experience in general definitely might have helped him out, but he's a fighter as well.  Like he said, when you get in that ring, a lot of times you take that training hat off and you become a fighter and he did what he was supposed to do.  I have no excuses.  I just got to get better, so better, and I definitely plan on doing that on the 22nd

Q        
Now, obviously since you beat Seth in your last fight, I know that you trained the Klitschkos, was that something that you were looking for before having a rematch with Seth?

Banks 
What do you mean? 

Q        
No, were you actually looking to fight a Klitschko because there's a couple of rumors that you might fight a Klitschko even though you trained them before?

Banks 
No.  I wasn't looking to anything actually before the fight.  I was looking for Mitchell. I wasn't looking to fight-I wasn't beefing with any other fighter, but him.

Q        
Would you ever fight one of the Klitschkos though for the title?

Banks 
Who knows?  I don't know.  That's a question that really can't be answered because the question really is null and void if I can't be successful on June 22nd

Q        
That's true.  Now, your training style, do you think that helped you in the fight against Seth Mitchell last time, having that training mentality and then like Seth just said, the training mentality kind of goes out the window and then the fighting mentality takes over?

Banks 
Well, I wear two different hats.  I wear a training hat and a fighter hat.  When it's time for me to prepare for my fight, the training hat goes off and the fighter hat comes on.  So, the two don't connect with one another. 

When I'm a fighter, I'm a pure student of the game, and I'm listening to my trainer.  When I'm a trainer, that's when I'm a pure trainer, I'm a teacher of the game.  So, it's just two different situations.  So, to answer the question, I don't think-it didn't hurt me, but I don't necessarily say it just helped me out to be also to be a trainer in boxing.

Q        
Obviously, having Emanuel Steward in your corner for a while, that obviously rubbed off on you.  How did his training tactics help you as a fighter and also as a trainer?

Banks 
Well, most of all, you got to understand that for literally for 15 years, I traveled with him.  I've been around him and lived with him.  I learnt a lot from this man.  So, like I say, everything that I've accomplished in boxing that the majority-a lot of the things I accomplished in boxing I owe to him because he taught me so much, and he was a big influence.

Q        
One question for both you guys, same question.  Just talk about some of the challenges mentally and physically you have in such a long layoff.  It's been seven months since you've fought.  What are the difficulties of waiting so long in between fights and how do you manage that? 

Mitchell         
Well, for me I just-once the fight got made-I was back in the gym.  We fought November 17th, I believe.  I was back in the gym the first week in December, not training like really hard but just getting back into the gym, and once the fight was scheduled, I went into my training camp, and then once the fight got postponed, I just stayed in the gym but then I wasn't killing myself in the gym because you don't want to over train or peak too soon, and that's just how I handled it.  I'm always in the gym. In six and a half years, I've never been out of the gym longer than three and a half weeks. 

I always go to the gym. I just starting so late, I have to stay in the gym to continue to learn and I believe that's why my learning curve has grown so rapidly, but it's just staying in the gym, not overtraining, not sparring all the time because your body-mentally and physically, you can get worn out, at least I can, but just stay in the gym and stay sharp and try to learn from my trainer Andre Hunter.  That's just how I approached it, but I'm ready to go though.

Q        
Johnathon, same question to you.  Obviously, you had the injury to heal from, but just the long layoff and how do you expect that to affect you if at all?

Banks 
I've had longer than this, so it doesn't affect me at all.  You talk about I've been in boxing for quite some time now.  So, a long layoff, a short layoff, the preparation is the same.  So, no, I don't feel that it will affect me at all. 

Q        
This one's for Seth and I want to ask a similar question to Johnathon.  When title shots at heavyweight are often handed out to fighters after just a few solid wins, it's fairly easy to get a world title shot at heavyweight sometimes compared to other weight classes, do you think victory over Johnathon will get you close to a world title shot, and do you think you're ready for one?

Mitchell         
I definitely think that a victory will get me closer, hopefully a title eliminator or somewhere in that caliber, and I definitely feel that I'm ready.  I've grown a lot and this fight has definitely made me better, and on the 22nd, the world will see that I'm not calling the first fight a fluke at all.  I've said from day one, Johnathon did what he had to do, he did what he was supposed to do, but he also made me a better fighter, and I definitely feel that I want the big fight, and after this fight, I have to go out here and take care of business, but after this fight, I definitely want the big fight, and I definitely think it'll move me closer to a title shot not only because I just won my next fight but it says something to accept the challenge and fight the person that just not only beat you but stops you in the second round to not fight anybody else, go back, take care of that business and it just shows the character, shows the type of fighter and the type of person and man that I am. 

Q        
Before you lost to Johnathon, you were quite frankly, the highest-ranked prospect in America in heavyweight boxing and that loss set you back somewhat, but would you say that victory over Johnathon would just put you say back where you were anyway?  It would basically just delete your loss on your record?

Mitchell         
I believe it will, I believe it will, and that's why I've trained very hard.  I'm ready to fight now actually.  I'm just maintaining now, but I'm excited about the fight and I definitely think that within this fight it might even put me higher than what I would have been if I hadn't loss because like I said before, it says something about a man's character, it says something about a fighter to not take any tune-up fights and just go back in there and win the fight. It shows something about the kind of fighter that you're made of. 

Q        
This one's to Johnathon.  It's a similar question.  I hope it's not too controversial for you.  If you're victorious over Seth for a second time, you would surely be in the line for a world title shot, but do you think you could ever step in the ring with Vladimir, and if you did get a world title shot, would you probably go after the Vitali instead?

Banks 
That is a little difficult question to answer because I really I can't adjust my vision to see past June 22nd.  So, that's what's on my radar.  That's the biggest-I don't know if you saw Seth Mitchell, but he's a big guy.  So, I've got a big old guy in front of me.  So, that's all I'm looking at. 

So, it's kind of difficult for me to try to look past that particular date and say, for instance, for the future, do I want to be the heavyweight champion of the world?  Yes.  Will I be?  I definitely believe so, but like I say, all of that is really null and void if I can't put on a good performance and be victorious on June 22nd.

Q        
Well, talking about performances, going into your first fight with Seth, did you believe that you could possibly pull of the KO win because you had an early knock out?  Was that your plan, and do you think a similar thing could happen in the rematch?

Banks 
Well, going in the fight, I knew that I'm in the heavyweight division, and I know that one punch can turn the whole fight around.  Did I plan to stop him in the second round?  No.  Did I think that was going to happen?  No. I was prepared for 12 rounds. 

Right now, I'm prepared to go 12 rounds.  I'm not just jumping in looking for a rush and hurry to get a knock out.  I'm prepared to go 12 rounds, and when the bell rings, we'll see what happens.  But no, I didn't try to predict-I'll be lying to say if I predicted the fight would end early or it would end by knockout.  No, I had no clue that it would.

Q        
Okay.  I've got one final question for you.  We often see a heavyweight especially in recent years, naming no names, but we all know who we're talking about, we often see a lot of animosity between fighters especially at heavyweight.  Would you say that there's any animosity between the two of you or do you have nothing but respect for each other, and why would you say that your characters are like that and not so fiery like other fighters?

Banks 
Me personally, I can't speak for any other fighters, but what I will say is the situation that we're-I don't feel that you have to have animosity against an opponent to fight them.  Also, you have to have animosity against an opponent to go up against them or defeat them. 

This is a business that we're in and me and Seth Mitchell both have a job to do.  So, his job is to beat or knock out his opponent, and my job is to beat or knock out my opponent.  We both have a job.  What happens in this particular job is we're facing each other.  If he was facing someone else or someone else, I believe his job would be the same and my job would be the same. 

Mitchell         
I definitely I feel that to say I look at it like this-this is a business.  My opponent's going to prepare.  I'm going to prepare.  I want everybody to do what a lot of fighters out there, they hate all other fighters because they're doing this and they're doing that.  The bottom line, when you get in the ring, you have to do what you're supposed to do.  If you take care of what you're supposed to do, then everything will be all right, and I truly believe that if I hate on somebody else and don't want them to succeed, God is not going to continue to bless me and that's just how I look at it.  That's just my nature.

Q        
Because of the way the first fight ended, do you feel that you need to not only win this fight but win in a really explosive way?

Mitchell         
I need to win the fight.  That's my mindset.  Obviously, I always want to go out there and I want to look impressive, and my style resonates with the fans and with the people, but at this point in time, these days in my career especially with this fight, the victory is most important.  I've got to get the W.

Q        
You were just talking about being professional and doing your job.  What do you think about the way that Malignaggi and Broner are approaching their fight in the main event?

Mitchell         
To each his own.  I'm big fans of both of them.  Adrien Broner and me have a personal relationship, but I know Paul Malignaggi but not on a personal relationship level, but both of them are hell of a fighters and I can't speak on how they feel their fight.  That's just what they do.  To each his own, but I know I'm looking forward to a good fight.

Q        
Okay.  For Johnathon, you stopped him early in the first fight, so you already have kind of a blueprint on how to do it.  Are you going to be looking to just go out and land something big again?  Is that the way to beat Seth Mitchell?

Banks 
I think going out trying to land something big is the way you get some big.  So, I didn't plan that the first fight.  I didn't go out trying to land something big, and I'm not going to go out there this time trying to look smack-down big.  I'm a boxer, that's what I do, move around the box.  So, if I see an opening, I'll try to capitalize on it, but like you say, it's going to be a couple battles, it's going to be a tough fight, but am I looking to go out there, start winging punches and see what happens?  No, that's not what I'm going to do. 

Q        
Same question for you about Malignaggi and Broner.  What do you think of the way they're approaching the fight in terms of the way that you and Seth are approaching the fight?

Banks 
Well, it's almost the same thing that Mitchell said.  To each his own.  This is what they-these are these guys' personalities, and I think no matter what, when you have two fighters, you must show their personalities.  These guys' fans, they're talkers.  It's what they do.  It's their personalities.  So, that's what they're doing.

Q        
Okay.  Just one last question for you-are you still sparring at all with Vladimir when you're training him now or do you just leave that to the other people?

Banks 
I leave it to other people.  I haven't seen Vladimir in a little while, so I leave it to the other guys. I leave it to the other guys to do so. 

Swanson         
That's the end of our call.  You guys, if you want to make one last quick comment and we'll let you go back to the gym, I imagine.  Why don't we start with Seth?

Mitchell         
I just want to just thanks everybody again for being on the call.  It's been a long time coming. I'm well prepared.  I know Johnathon and I know you're prepared, but just be ready for a good fight because I'm going to bring it.  June 22nd is going to be a good fight and I definitely plan on being victorious. 

Banks 
Thank you, Kelly.  I wish Seth Mitchell a good training camp, a good finishing of the camp, hopefully no injuries and I wish myself the same thing. Once again, I am really I'm excited.  I look forward to Jun 22nd.  It's going to be a very good show.

 END OF CALL

Malignaggi vs. Broner, a 12-round fight for Malignaggi's WBA Welterweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, June 22, 2013 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.  The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and R & R Promotions, supported by Golden Boy Promotions' sponsors Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGbeginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT (delayed on the West Coast).  In the co-featured bouts, Johnathon Banks will look to repeat his 2012 upset win over Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell as he defends his NABO and WBC International Heavyweight titles in a 12-round fight presented in association with K2 Promotions and number one rated WBC super middleweight contender Sakio Bika faces number four rated WBC super middleweight contender Marco Antonio Periban in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Super Middle weight World Championship.  SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING? is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). 
♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

No Holds Barred: King Mo On His June 19 Bellator Fight


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with Bellator MMA fighter "King" Mo Lawal (http://www.twitter.com/KingMoFH).
He will be returning to action Wednesday, June 19, in the semifinals of Bellator MMA's four-man light heavyweight tournament, facing MMA veteran Seth Petruzelli. This fight will headline this card, which takes place at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma, and will be televised live in the U.S. on Spike TV.
This will be the first fight for "King" Mo following his upset loss to Emanuel Newton on February 21, 2013, in the Bellator Season 8 light heavyweight tournament semifinals. In that fight, he lost by first-round KO after Newton landed a spinning backfist.
We spoke with "King" Mo Monday by phone about his June 19 fight and the lessons of his last fight.
In this interview, he admitted, "I got caught" by Newton's spinning backfist. And, he said, in preparing for the June 19 fight with Petruzelli, "I had to make some adjustments."
But he added, "I'm not going to change much," noting that his wrestling, grappling, sparring, boxing, and kickboxing are all "on point."
He already weighs 210, just five pounds over the MMA light heavyweight limit, and said, "I'm always in shape. I'm ready to go."
He also discussed his training with Olympic gold medalist wrestler and current Iowa State coach Kevin Jackson, and noted boxing trainer Jeff Mayweather, along with numerous active fighters. We also discussed the first-round TKO upset win in boxing this past Saturday by Adonis Stevenson over Chad Dawson to capture the WBC light heavyweight belt.
In addition, "King" Mo is signed to perform in the TNA pro wrestling organization, which also airs on Spike TV. We discussed his training for that, how it compares to the other training he is doing, and what real catch wrestling moves he is learning there. And we discussed Quinton "Rampage" Jackson also signing with both Bellator and TNA, the continuing turmoil in international wrestling and some of his experiences there, and more.


♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

WBA Welterweight World Champion Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi and Two-Division World Champion Adrien "The Problem" Broner





FACTS:         
Malignaggi vs. Broner, a 12-round fight for Malignaggi's WBA Welterweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, June 22, 2013 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.  The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and R & R Promotions, supported by Golden Boy Promotions' sponsors Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).  In the co-featured bouts, Johnathon Banks will look to repeat his 2012 upset win over Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell as he defends his NABO and WBC International Heavyweight titles in a 12-round fight presented in association with K2 Promotions and number one rated WBC super middleweight contender Sakio Bika faces number four rated WBC super middleweight contender Marco Antonio Periban in a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Super Middle weight World Championship.  SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® is available in Spanish on secondary audio programming (SAP).  Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
 
♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Undefeated Lightweight Prospect Mel Crossty Returns To Action June 14

Undefeated Lightweight Prospect Mel Crossty Returns To Action June 14
Next month from his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, undefeated lightweight up-and-coming prospect Mel “Black Diamond” Crossty (5-0-1, 1 KO) will return to action following a near 16-month layoff as he seeks his sixth consecutive win as a professional.
Having turned pro in 2008, Crossty stayed consistent within the squared circle, defeating the opponents he needed to, keeping his unblemished record intact.
His career hit a speed bump in 2009 when he encountered managerial issues, and was unable to get a fight.  But rather than becoming complacent with his training he stayed diligent and awaited his opportunity to lace up the leather again and go to work.
Recently signing with Starpower Boxing out of Cincinnati— a full spectrum boxing managerial company—Crossty is anxious to return to action June 14.
 “Come June 14 I’m looking to be very impressive, which I know I will be,” said Crossty.  “I am ready to get back in there and do what I know how to do.  At the end of the day it is about getting that victory, and I’m ready to get it done.”
At 27-years-old Crossty has already has the chance to spar with world champions and contenders, including Adrien Broner, Devon Alexander and Sharif Bogere, to name a few, and most recently has been training in Las Vegas with Floyd Mayweather Sr. in preparation of his upcoming bout.
Crossty has the fast hands and the determination to reemerge onto the boxing scene and make an impact within the lightweight division, and his road to working towards the hardware will commence June 14.  
 “My training has been going great,” Crossty continued.  “I have been getting great work, and been giving those guys great work as well.  I really feel that right now, I am ready to match someone will my skill level.  I believe that going forward in six or seven fights I will be able to compete with any of the top fighters.  Right now it’s about going out there and feeling comfortable in the ring.”
Now teamed up with Starpower Boxing, Mel Crossty has a promising future ahead of him as long as he can execute inside the ring as he has done through the early part of his pro career.  A soft-spoken, class act in and out of the ring who wants nothing more than to fight and pursue his dream of going to war for a world title one day, Crossty is anxious to pick up where he left off last April.
“Now being with Starpower Boxing, we are taking it straight up,” said Crossty.  “I am one of the first fighters on Starpower, and we are ready to take it to the next level.  We are going to make my name big and the Starpower name big.  Getting to the top is what we are set on, and that’s what we plan on doing.”
Also on the card is Starpower’s welterweight William “Action” Jackson (10-1-1, 5 KO).  Jackson is a quick and powerful welterweight who stayed busy inside the ring until 2011 when he ran into his own promotional problems.  During his run he took down up-and-coming undefeated prospects, and at 24-years-old is bringing both experience and maturity into the ring June 14 when he looks to get back to his winning ways and put on a show in front of his Ohio fan base.
Starpower Boxing was established Michael Grace in 2013 to give boxers a stable managerial company to be fight under with the fighters’ best intentions in mind.

    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    Monday, June 10, 2013

    UFC 161: Evans vs. Henderson; Light Heavyweight, Rashad Evans, vs. Dan Henderson taking place Saturday, June 15, 2013, at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg




    UFC 161 fight card: Henderson vs. Evans
    UFC 161: Evans vs. Henderson; Light Heavyweight, Rashad Evans, vs. Dan Henderson taking place Saturday, June 15, 2013, at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg 
    Main Card
    Evans vs Henderson
    Nelson vs Miocic
    Jimmo vs Pokrajac
    Davis vs Sexton
    Barry vs Jordan
    Prelims
    Shields vs Woodley
    Stout vs Krause
    Pierson vs Robertson
    Delorme vs Figueroa
    Clarke vs Maguire
    Jabouin vs Pague
    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    HBO Boxing After Dark: Mikey Garcia vs. Juan Manuel Lopez"Juanma" Lopez Saturday, June 15, at the American Airlines Center






    Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion MIKEY GARCIA will make his first title defense, against former two-division world champion JUAN MANUEL "Juanma" LOPEZ, Saturday, June 15, at the American Airlines Center (2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX 75219). The fight will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at 10:45 p.m. ET/PT. This will be the first time HBO has televised a boxing event from the American Airlines Center.

    Making their Dallas debut, Garcia and Lopez boast a combined record of 64-2 (56 KOs) -- a winning percentage of 97% and a victory by knockout ratio of 87.5%.

    Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with PR Best Boxing, Foreman Boys Promotions 
    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    GLORY 9 New York; Glory 9 international kickboxing in NYC. This will be the best kickboxing event ever assembled in the US. We will be featuring Tyrone Spong and other international stars competing in an 8 man tournament, super fights, plus an exciting under card featuring local fighters Don't Miss this opportunity to see this extraordinary event in New York City. Event Details: Date: June 22nd Hammertstein Ballroom 311 W 34th St, New York Doors open at 5:00pm, Prelims begin at 6:00pm and main event starts at 8:00pm

    Lou Neglia Presents Glory 9 International Kickboxing in NYC 

    This will be the best kickboxing event ever assembled in the US. We will be featuring Tyrone Spong and other international stars competing in an 8 man tournament, super fights, plus an exciting under card featuring local fighters. Don't Miss this opportunity to see this extraordinary event in New York City.

    Event Details:
    Date: June 22nd
    Hammertstein Ballroom
    311 W 34th St, New York
    Doors open at 5:00pm, Prelims begin at 6:00pm and main event starts at 8:00pm

    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    All Triple Header Contestants Confident of Win on Friday, June 14th NBCSN Fight Night‏

    NO LACK OF CONFIDENCE
    FOR TRIPLE HEADER CONTESTANTS
    ON FRIDAY, JUNE 14TH
    NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT CARD
       
    Bryant Jennings vs. Andrey Fedosov 
    Sergey Kovalev vs. Cornelius White 

    Ronald Cruz vs. Ray Narh

    The next edition of NBC Sports Network's Fight Night features a dynamite triple header of boxing action on Friday, June 14th, at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA. Each and every combatant in the three nationally televised feature bouts is fully convinced that he will come out victorious. The telecast will begin at 8PM ET. We know this is impossible but all six fighters talk a pretty convincing game.
    Philly heavyweight Bryant Jennings, 16-0, 8 KOs, is never short on confidence. His tear through the IBF rankings last year turned "BY BY" from unknown prospect to bona fide contender in 12 months. He sees his 10-round main event meeting with Russian Andrey Fedosov, 24-2, 19 KOs, as another chance to prove what he can do.
    "I really don't know much about him, I just how much I put into this and know what I can bear and that he's no threat at all," Jennings said. "I also know that he don't work as hard as me, he may think he wants it more (than me) but he has no idea how bad I want this. I live this 24/7, 365! He's not ready for B. Y.! I am confident of a win come June 14th."
    But Fedosov isn't impressed.
    "Boxing is something I've done my entire life. I was born and bred to do this, and I am happy to come back to America to showcase my talents," Fedosov said. "There is nothing that makes me think I won't win this fight. I would not have taken this fight if I was not confident that I can beat Bryant Jennings."
    In the 12-round co-main event, undefeated Russian light heavyweight KO sensation Sergey Kovalev, 20-0, 18 KOs, is certain he has the goods to defeat his rugged opponent, Cornelius "Da Beast" White, 21-1, 16 KOs.
    "I will win because I am dedicated to this fight, I have a big desire to win, and I am hungry," said Kovalev. "I do not know much about White, but this is not unusual for me. My job is to train as hard as I can. I have every confidence that I have all the tools I need to beat White."
    Thus far, Kovalev has had more than enough to turn back every foe willing to step into the ring with him. His recent knockouts have moved him up the 175-pound rankings and impressed just about everyone who watched. However, Houston's Cornelius White thinks a fight with Kovalev is exactly what he needs.
    "It is a great opportunity for me to show the world that I am an elite fighter," White said. "This is the next step I need to get me closer to a world title. To fight a strong, undefeated fighter (like Kovalev) says a lot about me. I'll fight anybody. This fight will put my name out there. This will change my life!"
    The winner of Kovalev-White becomes the voluntary IBF mandatory challenger for Bernard Hopkins' light heavyweight title.
    In a welterweight 10-rounder, Bethlehem's Ronald Cruz, 17-1, 12 KOs, looks to bounce back from his first pro defeat against battle-tested banger Ray Narh, 25-2, 21 KOs, and Cruz is convinced he can do it.
    "Number one, I know I have the skills and capabilities to beat anyone," Cruz said. "Number two, I'm eager to fight for a world title, and Narh is in my way. Added to all this, I have to prove that I'm a lot better fighter than I was in my last fight."
    However, Narh has made his bones by visiting hometowns and defeating local stars. He sees Cruz as just another opportunity to do what he does best.
    "Gonna win this match because I got more experience and his style suits me perfectly," Narh said. "I'll teach him the art of boxing. The harder he comes, the harder he will fall."
    There can only be one winner in each of the three fights, so it will be interesting to see who gets the last word.

    ABOUT FRIDAY, JUNE 14

    The Jennnings-Fedosov, Kovalev-White and Cruz-Narh fights top a seven-bout card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem

    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    HARRY JOE YORGEY TO REMATCH JULIUS KENNEDY ON SATURDAY JUNE 15TH AT THE VALLEY FORGE CASINO AND RESORT PLUS TEVIN FARMER VERSUS VICTOR VASQUEZ IN A PHILADELPHIA LIGHTWEIGHT SHOWDOWN ON A TERRIFIC 10 BOUT CARD




    On Saturday night June 15th, Marshall Kauffman’s Kings Boxing Promotions will present a great night of boxing at the Valley Forge Casino and Resort that will be headlined by an intriguing rematch featuring local favorite Harry Joe Yorgey ans Julius Kennedy in Jr. Middleweight bout scheduled for 10 rounds.
    On March 15th, Yorgey and Kennedy battled to a disputed six round split decision for which Yorgey’s hands were raised in victory.  Many in the crowd disagreed and the two will mix it up in the rematch.
    Yorgey of Bridgeport, PA has a record of 26-2-1 with 12 knockouts and is looking to get back into title contention.
    Yorgey was undefeated in his first twenty three bouts (22-0-1) with big wins over Ronnie Warrior Jr. (11-0-1); Jason LeHoullier (21-0-1) & Ronald Hearns (21-0) before losing to heralded Alfredo Angulo. Yorgey got back with three consecutive victories before being stopped in eight to undefeated Jermell Charlo on January 26th in Las Vegas.  His last bout was the aforementioned draw with Kennedy.
    Kennedy of Windsor Mill, Maryland has a record of 7-5-1 with three knockouts.
    The thirty-three year old has quality wins over Inka Laley (3-0-1) & Aaron Pryor Jr. (12-1) as well as a draw with Jesse Nicklow (20-2-2). In his last bout, Kennedy dropped a six round unanimous decision to undefeated Alantez Fox on January 12th.
    After losing to Yorgey, Kennedy was stopped by DeCarlo Perez in five rounds on April 19th.
    In the eight round co-feature, it will be a Lightweight Philadelphia turf war between Tevin Farmer and Victor Vasquez
    Farmer of Philadelphia has a record of 10-4-1 with 1 knockout and is riding a three bout winning streak.
    Farmer has quality wins over Tim Witherspoon Jr. and Tyrone Luckey and has won six of his last seven with his only blemish losing to hot prospect Jose Pedraza when he took a fight on SHO BOX on just a few days’ notice.  Farmer is coming off a four round unanimous decision over Jesus Bayron on April 26.
    Vasquez of Philadelphia has a record of 16-7-1 with seven knockouts and is always in action packed fights.
    Vasquez has quality wins over Thomas McCuiston (1-0), Tyric Robinson (9-4-1) and Angel Rios (9-5). The “Blood and Guts” Warrior of Philadelphia has been in many memorable scraps.  He is coming off a six round unanimous decision over Esteban Rodriguez on January 26th at Harrahs Philadelphia.
    Frankie De Alba (7-1-2, 3 KO’s) of Bayamon, PR will take on Jamell Tyson (3-9-2, 1 KO) of Rochester, NY in a six round Lightweight bout.
    In a six round Cruiserweight bout, Jeremey Stauffer of Reading, PA (7-2-2, 6 KO’s) takes on returning Kamarah Pasley (5-6, 2 KO’s) of Philadelphia, PA
    Todd Unthank-May (6-0, 2 KO’s) will see action in a six round Light Heavyweight bout against an opponent to be named.
    Jovantae Starks (6-0, 5 KO’s) of Minneapolis, MN will take part in a six round Jr. Middleweight bout against an opponent to be named.
    In a four round Lightweight bout, Travis Thompson (4-9-2, 3 KO’s) of Pottstown, PA will take on an opponent to be named.
    Also in a four round Lightweight bout, Damon Allen (1-0, 1 KO) of Philadelphia will take on an opponent to be named.
    In a four round Featherweight bout it will be a battle of pro debuter’s as Tony DuBose will take on John Portillo.
    Khalib Whitmore of Philadelphia will make his pro debut against Brian Donahue (2-4-1) of Philadelphia in a four round Light Heavyweight bout


    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    June 14th: FNF Presents the first NYC FULL RULE Amateur Muay Thai event!‏

     June 14th: FNF Presents the first NYC FULL RULE Amateur Muay Thai event!‏


     Friday, June 14th
    @ The Broad Street Ballroom
    (41 Broad Street, NYC)
    Doors open @ 7pm
     
    Two of the hardest hitting middle weights scheduled for a head on collision Friday June 14th! This Main Event Features Deshawn Robinson against Villi Bello

    Robinson is known for his super-human punching power whileBello has earned a reputation as one of the toughest competitors for his "never back down" in the ring.

    Additional matches include Stephan Smarth against Randy Fortier for the  
    first ever amateur Full Rules Muay Thai fight in New York! 

    The undercard for this event will feature 
     
    Kate Allen vs. Prairie Rugilo
    Dave Aykarian vs. Ulbino Guzman
    Will Watson vs. Johnny Bianco
    and many more!


    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT SENSATION ANTOINE “ACTION” DOUGLAS TO TAKE ON IBAHIEM KING ON JUNE 14TH AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN ARENA IN WEST ORANGE, NJ Douglas looks to shine on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights undercard

    On Friday night, June 14th, a special night of boxing will take place as Greg Cohen Promotions and GH3 Promotions will present ESPN’s Friday Night Fight’s at the South Mountain Arena in West Orange, New Jersey.

    One of the featured fights on the undercard will pit rising and undefeated Middleweight prospect Antoine “Action” Douglas taking on his most experienced rival in Ibahiem King in a bout scheduled for six rounds.
    Douglas of Washington, D.C. has shot out to a perfect mark of 7-0 with five knockouts and this will already be his sixth fight of 2013.
    Douglas has been stepping up the competition with each fight and has already appeared on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights two times in 2013.
    “I am always ready to fight, no matter how experienced he is or what his record is.  I have the same mindset”, said Douglas.
    “I have been working and sparring with southpaws.  I am faster and stronger”
    Douglas is not worried that King has 19 professional fights.
    “I am faster, I have more skills and with my amateur background, I look at myself as being the more experienced fighter”
    King of West Palm Beach, Florida has a record of 11-8 with two knockouts and is by far the most experienced for the twenty year-old Douglas.
    This will be the seventh undefeated fighter that King will have faced which includes top prospects Abraham Han, Edwin Rodriguez, J’Leon Love and Delen Parsley.  King is coming off a 3rd round stoppage over Anthony McManaway on February 16th.
    In the twelve round main event, it will be a twelve round Bantamweight battle of undefeated fighters as Jundy Maraon (15-0-1) of the Philippines takes on Juan Carlos Payano (13-0, 7 KO’s) of the Dominican Republic.
    Doors open at 6:00 pm and the action starts at 7:30.
    The Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain is located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange, New Jersey.

    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    Usmanee vs. Hovhannisyan and Ortiz vs. Kaufmann Top Stacked Night of World-Class Boxing at Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain



    Usmanee vs. Hovhannisyan and Ortiz vs. Kaufmann Top Stacked Night of World-Class Boxing at Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain
    On Friday, June 14, Vito Mielnicki of GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions (CGP), in association with First Round Promotions, will proudly present an exciting night of world-class professional boxing, live from the Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain in West Orange, New Jersey and broadcast worldwide on ESPN Friday Night Fights.
    In the 10-round main event, IBF #14-rated featherweight Arash Usmanee (20-1, 10 KOs) of Montreal, Canada (via Afghanistan) will face once-beaten contender Art “Lionheart” Hovhannisyan (15-1-2, 8 KOs) of Glendale, California (via Armenia).
    And in the exciting 10-round heavyweight co-feature, WBA #2-rated Luis “El Mercedez” Ortiz (19-0, 16 KOs) of Miami, Florida (via Cuba), will take on WBA #11-rated Travis “The Truth” Kaufmann (24-1, 18 KOs) of Reading, Pennsylvania in a WBA Heavyweight Elimination Bout with the winner positioning himself for a title shot.
    31-year-old Usmanee has already won the NABA and WBC Continental Americas Championships as a professional. As an amateur he was a five-time National Canadian Champion. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Usmanee and his family moved to Alberta, Canada, when he was three years old. He now resides in Montreal. Usmanee’s only career defeat was a highly controversial 12-round decision to fellow contender Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy on January 4 of this year.
    As an amateur, 31-year-old Hovhannisyan gained extensive international experience and was a four-time Armenian National Champion, going 163-12. He moved to the United States in 2007. He is coming off the only loss of his promising career, a very close decision to Alejandro Perez last February. Hovhannisyan has served a sparring partner for former pound-for-pound #1 Manny Pacquiao.
    34-year-old southpaw Ortiz was an accomplished amateur, finishing with a record of 343-19. He was a long-time member of the Cuban National Team and competed internationally. Ortiz won the Cuban National “Playa Giron” in 2006 and won the Pan-American Championships, took silver at the World Cup (Team Competition) in Russia, was a quarter-finalist at the world championships and won several medals at the Cuban Championships. As a professional, he has already held the WBO Latino, WBA Fedelatin and WBC FECARBOX Heavyweight Titles.
    27-year-old Kauffman is the World Boxing Federation Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion and a former Number-One Ranked American Amateur Heavyweight. He received a full scholarship to Northern Michigan University for boxing, but elected to focus on fighting professionally. Kauffman’s promising career has been hampered by injuries in the past, but he has picked up his activity rate since signing with GCP.
    “I am extremely happy to bring ESPN to my hometown of West Orange,” said co-promoter Greg Cohen, CEO of Greg Cohen Promotions. “Vito and I are committed to bringing world-class boxing events to New Jersey and this spectacular event is a testament to that. It will truly be a great night for boxing in my home state.”
    “We also have a number of local hot prospects on the undercard,” said Vito Mielnicki of GH3 Promotions. “This show will be an important showcase for the four televised fighters as each will be looking to line up world-title shots in the immediate future with a victory. But it will also shine a light on the up-and-coming young fighters about to make waves on the world scene. I am very proud to be a part of such an amazing night of boxing.”
    Undercard match-ups will be announced soon.
    JORGE “KING” DIAZ TAKES ON YENIFEL VICENTE AS CO-FEATURE ON ESPN’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS ON JUNE 14TH IN WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY‏
    On Friday night June 14th, once-beaten Featherweight contender, Jorge “King” Diaz returns to the ring and the national stage as he will take place In the ten round co-featured when he  takes on Yenifel Vicente at the South Mountain Arena in West Orange, NJ.
    The Diaz – Vicente fight will be part of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights and is promoted by GH3 Promotions, Pound for Pound Promotions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions.
    Diaz of New Brunswick, New Jersey has a record of 17-1 with ten knockouts and the New Brunswick, New Jersey native sees this as an incredible opportunity to put himself back in prime position in the Featherweight division.
    Diaz has prepared very hard and sees Vicente as the perfect opponent to look good against.
    “The training has been up to par.  I see him as a tough opponent who likes to come forward and doesn’t mind exchanging fire”, said Diaz
    “This is a great opportunity to showcase what I have been working on”
    Diaz will look to win back some of the critics and fans who may have jumped off the bandwagon after March 26, 2011 thrilling defeat to future world title challenger Teon Kennedy in Atlantic City.
    “This is a second title fight to me.  This is America, the home of the free and land of the second chance.  This is a second chance for me to get to where I have to get to”
    Diaz likes his chances against the tough fighter from the Dominican Republic, who boasts a record of 24-1-2 with 16 knockouts.
    “1-2-3, The bell goes ding, out comes the guy from across the ring.  As I knock him off his feet, the crowd goes crazy for the King”, finished up the poetic Diaz

    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    Sunday, June 9, 2013

    "KNOCKOUT KINGS II, Andre Berto vs. Jesus Soto Karass a 12-round welterweight main event, takes place Saturday, July 27 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas


    "KNOCKOUT KINGS II," featuring Two-Time Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto facing tough Mexican veteran contender Jesus Soto Karass in a 12-round welterweight main event, takes place Saturday, July 27 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.  The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija & Battah Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T.  In the 12-round co-featured attractions, Weslaco, Texas' undefeated rising star Omar Figueroa Jr. squares off against Tokyo's Nihito Arakawa for the vacant WBC Interim Lightweight World Championship in a fight promoted in association with Teiken Promotions and unbeaten knockout artist Keith Thurman and fellow power-puncher Diego Gabriel Chaves battle for Chaves' WBA Interim Welterweight World Championship in a fight promoted in association with KO International.  The tripleheader will be broadcast live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT and will be available in Spanish via second audio programming (SAP).









    ANDRE BERTO, Former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion
    "I'm looking forward to this challenge on July 27.  As you can see, it's an exciting undercard with my man Keith Thurman and my man Omar Figueroa.
    "I've been through some ups and downs.  I feel that I have made some of the right changes that I needed to get focused.
    "I have a new team and I'm dedicated to win another world title.
     "I let the big show get away from me twice, once against Victor Ortiz and once against Robert Guerrero.  I'm coming to San Antonio focused.
    "It's going to be a hell of a show.  Make sure you buy your tickets or tune in on SHOWTIME because there's nothing stopping me.  I'm ready.
    "You can have all the power in the world, but if you don't know technique or don't have a strategy, then you've got nothing.  I've made changes in my game plan and I'm going to fight smarter.
    "Soto Karass is a good fighter.  I've seen his fights.  There's nothing too spectacular about him, but he does have that tough Mexican fighting style."
    JESUS SOTO KARASS, Veteran Welterweight Contender
    "I have a great test ahead of me.  I have followed Andre Berto's career very closely.  When he was a world champion, I was hoping I was going to get to fight him someday.
    "I wasn't ready for him then, but now that I got offered the fight, I know I'm ready.
    "This is a very important fight for me and I know I'm ready.  I'm going to give it everything I've got to prove all of the doubters wrong.
    "I decided that this year is the year I'm going to become a world champion.
    "San Antonio is one of the best places for boxing. With these ticket prices, I'm hoping the arena is going to be full of Mexicans and Mexican Americans.
    "The name of this fight is 'Knockout Kings II' for a reason and I'm going to try to make sure it lives up to its name."
    OMAR FIGUEROA JR., Undefeated Texas Rising Star
    "This fight is called 'Knockout Kings II' for a reason.  I always go out there looking for the knockout.  This is a great fight card for the fans.  This is what boxing needs.
    "It especially means a lot for my home state of Texas.  This is perfect for me.  All of my friends, family and fans can come up and see me fight.
    "I'm at a loss for words when I think about fighting for my first world title here in Texas.  I pictured myself being in this position because as a fighter, you have to see it in order to achieve it.  This is what we've wanted and what we've been working so hard for.
    "July 27, you'll see fireworks in the ring.
     "San Antonio is the perfect place for a card like this.  I can't describe what it was like being at the Canelo vs. Trout fight.  Hearing 40,000 people cheer was incredible.  I'm so grateful for this opportunity and proud to be a part of this fight card."
    KEITH THURMAN, Undefeated Top Rated Welterweight Contender
    "The last time I was in Texas was when I was competing as an amateur in the 2008 Olympic Trials.
    "I don't know if there is another fighter out there that's hungrier than me.  They've been feeding me, but I'm still starving   I have a long time left in this game and I don't know when I'm going to get enough of it.
    "I'm looking forward to this fight.  My opponent is a young hungry fighter with a record of 22 and 0 with 18 knockouts and I am 20 and 0 with 18 knockouts.  You know this is going to be a fight.
    "If you're a boxing fan and you're from around here, then you have to be here unless you've got a family emergency.
    "Come support the undercard that has a lot of local fighters and local talent.
    "I don't expect this fight to go more than two rounds.  If the fight goes more than two rounds, find me and I will give you a refund."
    ERIC GOMEZ, Vice President and Matchmaker of Golden Boy Promotions
    "We've been around for a little over a decade and we've done great events and I don't think we've had a partner like Leija and Battah Promotions.  They're committed to boxing and committed to Texas and they're doing an amazing job.
    "Don't blink when Keith Thurman fights, because you might miss something big.
    "Everyone has been looking for the next great fighter in Texas, the next great champion from the state and I think we've found him in Omar Figueroa.
    "In boxing, there are great events and then there are great fights.  Last month at the Alamodome, there was a great event.  This main event is a great fight.  Styles make fights and both of these guys really come to fight.  They're going to come to fight hard because that's what they know how to do.
    "This is little bit of a crossroads fight for both Berto and Soto Karass.  The winner is going to go on to bigger and better things and whoever loses is going to have to take a hard look at their career."
    JESSE JAMES LEIJA, Former Two-Time World Champion & Texas Boxing Legend
     "We have a strong undercard with great local talent from San Antonio.  We see great things happening for these guys in the future.
    "We're excited to have Omar Figueroa back again, but maybe he will give us two rounds this time.
    "I'm a huge fan of Andre Berto and of Jesus Soto Karass.  I'm also a huge fan of the sport of boxing and Mike [Battah] and I have worked really hard with Golden Boy Promotions to bring the best events to San Antonio.
    "We want to fill the AT&T Center with 18,000 people and I think that's doable.
    "We're bringing great fights, big names and we hope everyone comes out and supports boxing in San Antonio."
    MIKE BATTAH, President of Leija and Battah Promotions 
    "We are growing this fight business and it's growing in a fast way.  San Antonio is going to be the hub of boxing and we're really excited about that."

    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    AALAN MARTINEZ TO FACE CHARLIE SERRANO FOR VACANT WBO LATINO FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE :


    On Friday, July 12th Mexican lightweight Aalan Martinez (14-2-1, 10 KOs) will get an opportunity to redeem his last loss in a significant manner when he steps into the     ring with featherweight Charlie Serrano


    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    Tuesday, June 4, 2013

    WBA Intercontinental Welterweight Champion Marcos "El Chino" Maidana, top rated welterweight contender Josesito Lopez and top rated super welterweight contenders Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo and Erislandy Lara will face off



    Maidana vs. Lopez, a 12-round fight for Maidana's WBA Intercontinental Championship, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona.  The tripleheader will take place on Saturday, June 8 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The event can be heard in Spanish using secondary audio programming (SAP).  Maidana vs. Lopez is presented in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions.  Also featured will be a 12-round super welterweight showdown between all-action warrior Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo and top rated super welterweight contender Erislandy Lara and a 12-round fight between veteran Demetrius Hopkins and unbeaten phenom Jermell Charlo for Hopkins' USBA Junior Middleweight Championship and Charlo's WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Championship. Preliminary fights will air on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).



    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    Hitz Boxing returns Saturday, June 8 to the Horseshoe Casino and in the main event, "Fast" Fres Oquendo vs. Derric Rossy



    THE MAIN EVENT:
    WBA Latin American Heavyweight Champion “Fast” Fres Oqendo (35-7, 23 KOs) will defend his title as well as vie for the vacant NABA Heavyweight belt against Derric Rossy (28-6, 14 KOs) during the 10 round main event at “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” on Saturday, June 8, at 7:30 PM at the The Venue inside of Hammond, Indiana’s Horseshoe Casino. Dynamic super middleweight Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez (10-0, 7 KOs) and equally exciting lightweight Frankie “Time Bomb” Scalise (6-1, 6 KO’s) are the co-features for the evening. 
    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    Chad Dawson defends his WBC Light-HeavyWeight Title against Adonis Stevenson




    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.

    ESPN Friday Night Fights: IBF Intercontinental Lightweight Title: John Molina vs Andrey Klimov June 7th - Sherman Oaks, CA



    ♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, 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, 2012, 2013 All photos other than those specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Impress Photo-Studios♔ and KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Blog-Online Publication all rights reserved.