``xBy Katherine Dunn

Nov. 10, 2001
Emerald Queen Casino
Tacoma, Wa
Promoter: Brian Halquist
Matchmaker: Bob Oleson
Inspector: Tom Sporar
Referees: Paul Fields, Ron Rall
Judges: Alan Krebs, Joe Macaluso, Tom McDonough
Physician: Dr. Charles Weispfenning

The Washington Department of Licensing adopted, for
this club show, the unified rules of the Association
of Boxing Commissions.

In a scheduled10 round main event, Trevor Brown,
156 1/2 lbs, of Orlando, FLA improved to 11-2-0, 9
KOs, with a first round stoppage of Jeremy Morrison,
160 1/2 lbs, now 14-5-0, 9 KOs, of St George, Utah.
Morrison didn’t land a single punch and was knocked
down twice. Referee Paul Field called it off at 2:35
of the 1st round. A TKO win for Brown.

Over 6 rounds, Louis Sargeant, 166 1/2 lbs, of
Richmond, B.C. moved up to 4-5-1,1 KO, with a
unanimous decision win over Kip Triplett, 169 3/4 lbs,
now 10-10-3, 2KOs, of Creswell, OR.

In a bout listed for 6 rounds, Robert Linton, 162 1/2
lbs, now 7-1-0,4 Kos, of University Place, WA TKO’d
Dexter Williams, 162 1/2 lbs, now 7-15-3, 3 KOs, of
Las Vegas. Williams was out-classed from the get go
and ref Paul Field stopped the fight at 1:28 of the
4th round.

In a trio of four round bouts:

Michael Sams, 180 1/4 lbs, now 4-0-1, of Colfax, WA
suffered a deep cut near the eye resulting from an
accidental head butt during his match with James
Partch, 176 1/4 lbs, now 0-5-1, of Boring, OR. The
ringside physician recommended that the bout be
stopped at 1:41 of the 2nd round. The match was
declared a technical draw.


Eric Aiken, 122 3/4 lbs, now 2-1, 1 KO, of
Forestville, Maryland won a unanimous decision over
Angelo Torres, 122 1/2 lbs, now 3-4-1, 2 KOs, of
Lakewood, WA.


Chubby 18-year-old Chauncy Welliver, 257 1/2 lbs, now
6-0,2 KOs, of Spokane, WA gave boxing lessons to buff
, 31 year-old former San Francisco Forty-Niner, John
Clark, 261 1/2 lbs, now 1-1, of Ft Worth, TX. Welliver
won a lop-sided unanimous decision.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xEmerald Queen Smoker Results``x1005841280,45399,``x``x ``xBy Adam Pollack

After Hasim Rahman knocked out Lennox Lewis in the 5th round, HBO
commentators compared it to Clay-Liston, Ali-Foreman, Tyson-Douglas, and
Baer-Braddock. Which one of these upsets really was the biggest?

5. Muhammad Ali KO8 George Foreman 1974

Not really that huge when you consider that Ali was a former dominant
heavyweight champion who had beaten most every top contender, and was coming
off 12 round decisions over Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in rematches.
However, he had lost to both Frazier and Norton and Foreman had knocked each
of them out in 2 rounds, and Ali had shown signs of aging against Norton.

However, Foreman was a Sonny Liston type fighter and Ali had proven he could
beat that type of boxer. Also, Foreman knocked boxers out quickly and like
Liston, wasn't used to going rounds. Ali had never been stopped and had
taken Frazier's best over 15 rounds. The men Foreman knocked out weren't
defensive specialists that Ali had proven to be.

Foreman last went 10 rounds in 1971, three years previously. Since then,
the only time he went past 2 rounds was the 4th round KO of Luis Pires in
1971. Foreman had three years of not going past 2 rounds. Since winning
the title in January 1973 with a 2 round KO over Frazier, Foreman had only
gone 1 round with Joe Roman and 2 with Norton. This was not a man used to
going more than a couple of rounds.

Conversely, Ali had taken the best Frazier had to offer over 27 rounds, and
had gone a great number of rounds since then with top contenders such as
Ellis, Mathis, Chuvalo, Quarry, Patterson, Foster, Bugner, Norton, and
Frazier.

4. Cassius Clay TKO7 Sonny Liston 1964

Liston last went 10 rounds in 1960, with Eddie Machen, four years before
meeting Clay. Since then, he only had a KO3 Howard King and KO1 Albert
Westphal in 1961, a KO1 Floyd Patterson in 1962, and another KO1 of
Patterson in 1963. Liston had been inactive, and had fought a paltry number
of rounds and fights in the last three years.
None of Liston's opponents had the footwork and headmovement of a Cassius
Clay. Patterson was essentially a large light heavyweight with little
footwork and had been dropped in almost every championship fight he had
during his reign. However, Liston was a huge man with devastating power.

Clay was an undefeated gold medalist who had beaten some top contenders such
as Alonzo Johnson, Alex Miteff, Sonny Banks, Archie Moore, Billy Daniels,
Doug Jones, and Henry Cooper. Still, Clay had been dropped by Banks and
Cooper, men who didn't hit as hard as Liston, and had struggled with Doug
Jones. Clay hadn't demonstrated a huge punch and seemed too weak to
withstand Liston's brand of power. However, he had lightning hand speed,
excellent footwork, and managed to defeat every opponent put in front of him
to that point.

3. Hasim Rahman KO5 Lennox Lewis 2001

Lewis had established himself as the undisputed heavyweight champion with
his defeat(s) of Evander Holyfield. He also had recent wins over linear
champion Shannon Briggs, Michael Grant, Francois Botha, and David Tua.
Lewis had demonstrated some chin weakness in being knocked out by Oliver
McCall in 1994, and had been hurt in bouts with Briggs and Holyfield,
amongst others. However, Lewis did take it well over 10 rounds from an in
shape Ray Mercer and dominated hard punching David Tua over 12 rounds.

However, Lewis was 35 years old at the time, a large 253 pounds, was
fighting Rahman at altitude, and rumors had it that Lewis hadn't been
training seriously.

Rahman was 28 and had spent a month in South Africa to prepare. Rahman was
a top ten fighter, having a W10 Ross Puritty (who has wins over Joe Hipp and
Vladimir Klitschko, and a D10 with Tommy Morrison), an impressive W10 over
former WBC champion Trevor Berbick, W12 Obed Sullivan, and W12 Jesse
Ferguson (who had a win over Mercer).

However, Rahman had recently been knocked out by David Tua and Oleg Maskaev,
so many believed Rahman couldn't take it. However, Tua was a huge puncher
(KOs over Maskaev, Izon, and Ruiz), and Rahman had won every round against
Tua until being tagged in the 9th round. Rahman was also winning the
Maskaev bout until being knocked out in the 8th. Maskaev had wins over Alex
Stewart and Derrick Jefferson, and was leading on points until being knocked
out by Tua late. Rahman had proved he could compete with top fighters and
had only been stopped late in those bouts. Against Corrie Sanders, he
showed heart by coming off the canvas to knock Sanders out. Sanders had a
W12 Puritty and KO2 Al Cole.

2. James 'Buster' Douglas KO10 Mike Tyson 1990

Tyson was the power punching dominant machine of the late 80's, knocking out
almost every top contender. He knocked out Tony Tubbs in 2 and Michael
Spinks in 1 round in 1988, Frank Bruno in 5 in 1989, and Carl Williams in 1
in 1989. However, when you look at it, like Liston, he had fought twice per
year in the past two years and didn't go too many rounds.

Well publicized was his break with trainer Kevin Rooney, excess weight (260
pounds) between fights, turmoil with wife Robin Givens, and his admittedly
poor training habits. In fact, Tyson was knocked down in training just
before the fight by sparring partner Greg Page. Regardless, because Tyson
was an undefeated killer puncher facing a man who had sketchy results over
his career, almost no one gave Douglas a chance.

James Douglas had been knocked out in 2 rounds in 1981 by David Bey, had an
8 round draw with Steffan Tangstad in 1982, was knocked out in 9 by Mike
White in 1983, and lost a 10 round decision to Jesse Ferguson in 1985. Bey
had lost to Holmes (who Tyson knocked out), Tangstad had lost to Spinks (who
Tyson knocked out), and Ferguson was stopped by Tyson in 6 rounds in 1986.

However, in 1986, Douglas won a 10 round decision over former WBA champion
Greg Page (the man who decked Tyson in sparring). In 1987, he was knocked
out in 10 rounds by Tony Tucker in a fight for the vacant IBF title (Spinks
refused to face Tucker and was stripped). Tyson then won a 12 round
decision over Tucker, but struggled with him.

Douglas was leading on points in the Tucker fight and was boxing well until
it appeared he ran out of gas. Subsequently, Douglas knocked out Mike
Williams in 7 rounds, won a 10 round decision over former WBC champ Trevor
Berbick (like Rahman)(whom Tyson stopped in 2 rounds), and won a 10 round
decision over Oliver McCall. Like Tyson, McCall was an aggressive fighter
with a hard punch. Douglas demonstrated good boxing skill, speed, footwork,
and conditioning in that fight with McCall.

1. James Braddock W15 Max Baer 1935

In all of the above fights, at least you can say that the underdog was a top
contender who had defeated some top guys. However, James Braddock's career
had been spent losing to a host of top contenders and noncontenders. He had
lost a 15 round decision to Tommy Loughran for the light heavyweight
championship. Amongst others, Braddock lost to Maxie Rosenbloom, Ernie
Schaaf, Charley Retzlaff and future light heavyweight champion John Henry
Lewis in 1932. He even lost to Al Ettore via a DQ4 in 1933.

However, in 1934, Braddock avenged his loss to John Henry Lewis with a 10
round decision win. In 1935, he defeated Art Lasky via 15 round decision.
Lewis was a little known light heavy at the time and Lasky had not
established himself as a top heavyweight contender. Apparently, those two
wins set up the title shot against Baer, but neither win was really
sufficient to make Braddock an even arguable legitimate contender for the
title, given his lack of wins over any top heavyweights, and his numerous
losses.

On the other hand, Max Baer had brutally knocked out former champion Max
Schmeling in 10 rounds, and had won the title by knocking out Primo Carnera,
dropping him 11 times in 11 rounds. Baer's recent performances indicated he
would easily handle the undeserving Braddock. The only thing that indicated
Baer might lose is that he was known for poor training habits, and early in
his career had inconsistent results against top contenders. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLewis vs.Rahman and Upsets``x1005841953,86170,``x``x ``x by Sin City Richey

1916:
Jack Dillon ND 10 Mike Gibbons, St. Paul, MN.

1926:
Tod Morgan W 15 Carl Duane, NYC. Retains World Super Featherweight Title.

1943:
Beau Jack W 15 Bob Montgomery, NYC. Regains New York World Lightweight Title.

1960:
Tommy Gibbons, 69, dies.

1962:
Troy Dorsey born.

1967:
Jose Bonilla born.

1977:
Pipino Cuevas KO 11 Angel Espada, San Juan. Retains WBA Welterweight Title.

Samuel Serrano KO 10 Tao Ho Kim, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Retains WBA Super Featherweight Title.

Jorge Lujan KO 10 Alfonso Zamora, Los Angeles. Wins WBA Bantamweight Title. Upset of the year candidate.

Guty Espadas KO 8 Alex Santana, Los Angeles. Retains WBA Flyweight Title.

1993:
Charles Murray KO 5 Courtney Hooper, Atlantic City. Retains IBF Super Lightweight Title.

Zack Padilla KO 7 Efrem Calamati, Arezzo, Italy.

1994:
Vuyani Bungu W 12 Felix Camacho, Hammanskraal, SA. Retains IBF Super Bantamweight Title.

1999:
Mark (Too Sharp) Johnson No-Contest 4 Raul Juarez, Washington, D.C. Retains IBF Super Flyweight Title.``xcyberbox``xmike@cyberboxingzone.com``xThis Day in Boxing -- November 19``x1006143258,86526,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

The coach is back in training. Burly, serious
Lee Jenkins flashes his famous grin and says he’s
getting up early for road work these days. He’ll be 55
years-old by January 22, when he takes his place as
one of the many relay runners carrying the 2002
Olympic torch in its ritual journey around the nation.
The distance he’ll run with the torch is short, a
single lap of the average track, but Jenkins means to
do it right. He says he’ll take along "a couple of
vans full of young people to cheer me on." Those who
know him say that’s typical, and he’s lucky that his
beautiful wife Molly is a frequent and patient
shepherd for his endless field trips.

During his 28 years of work for the Portland
Parks and Recreation Department in Portland, Oregon,
Jenkins has seldom gone any where without a crew of
kids trailing around after him. He has supervised and
taught thousands of kids everything from basketball to
ping pong, over the years. But among boxing people,
his commitment to the ring sport has always been
clear. Jenkins has been an important coach for
hundreds of Portland’s amateur boxers, including many
who eventually became professionals. Among those who
count him as one of their first and best teachers is
current IBF Jr. lightweight champion, Stephen "2
Pound" Forbes of Portland.

Jenkins served in the U.S. Army in Viet Nam, and
later graduated from Portland State University.
Starting his coaching career as a "recreation
coordinator" at Peninsula Park Community Center in
Portland, Jenkins worked in several of the city
community centers and a community school. While
overseeing the boxing programs and fielding
competitive boxing teams, Jenkins himself boxed as an
amateur until well into his 40’s..

"My last bout was at the 1988 Seattle Golden
Gloves," he recalls. The change in amateur rules about
age sidelined him from that point on, but didn’t
diminish his interest.
Jenkins served the Oregon Association of US Amateur
Boxing Inc for years as an officer and as Junior
Olympic Chair.

In 1987, when the Oregon State Boxing and
Wrestling Commission was created by the legislature,
Jenkins was one of five volunteers appointed by the
governor to serve as unpaid commissioners. After a
decade on the State Commission, Jenkins stepped down
and became an officer in a fledgling non-profit
organization called the Oregon Boxing Council. The
avowed aim of the OBC is to design an insurance and
pension plan for professional boxers.

Jenkins has been the Recreation Supervisor for
Portland’s busy University Park Community Center since
1994.


The 11,500 runners who will carry the Olympic
torch through 46 states in the U.S.A. were chosen by
the Salt Lake Olympic Committee and corporate sponsors
including Coca Cola and others, from more than 210,000
nominations. The committee says it looked for torch
bearers whose lives served as inspirations to others.
Precisely that has been Lee Jenkins job for nearly 30
years. He will be one of 54 runners chosen to carry
the torch through the Columbia River Region. He and
several other runners were introduced to the media at
an Oct. 11 ceremony in downtown Portland. After a 65
day journey around the U.S., the torch is scheduled to
arrive in Salt Lake City on February 8, 2002 to open
the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBoxing Coach to Carry Olympic Torch``x1006181464,18494,``x``x ``xMarooned in the Islander Ballroom, Observations from the Mandalay Bay Leading up to, During, and Following Rahman-Lewis II
By Josh Gross

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 17 -- Thanks to the good people at CyberBoxingZone.com, as well as my MaxFighting.com editor and CBZ contributor Tom Gerbasi, I was given the opportunity to play boxing writer at the Hasim Rahman-Lennox Lewis rematch Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay. It marked my first departure from the familiar trappings of a relatively new sport, mixed martial arts -- maybe you know it as Ultimate Fighting -- to the history-rich sport of boxing we all know and love. Anyhow, this was really my first chance to cover professional boxing, and I couldn’t think of a better way to indoctrinate myself than a heavyweight championship fight in Vegas. Could you?

Following a longer than remembered drive from San Diego Thursday night, I picked up my credential first thing Friday morning. Soon, I found myself meandering through the bowels of the hotel in search of the media center.

Once inside the a Islander Ballroom, which served as home for the post-fight press conference and 600-plus credentialed journalists covering Don King’s latest circus, I began to feel the part. There was little going on because the start of the undercard was a few hours away, so I decided to cruise through the hotel and soak up the atmosphere surrounding a heavyweight championship fight.

Sadly though, I didn’t sense much energy from the throngs putting mortgage payments on the roll of the dice, and save a few gents sporting British flags/capes, the Lewis’ contingent seemed less rowdy than anticipated. Not that I was hoping for some thuggery mind you, but the Brits can be passionate about their fighters and I was hoping to witness it firsthand.

Eventually, I figured I’d best head back to the media center for the early-afternoon start to the nine-bout card. Then, in a moment I had secretly been waiting for, I heard the booming, boisterous voice of the one and only Don King. I think he was yelling something about Puerto Rico and ‘Tito’ Trinidad, but that could have been leftover ramblings from September’s middleweight unification hype ringing in my head.

King truly was a sight to see. He sported a sequined red, white and blue denim jacket, and, of course, his hair gave the impression of a man that had just stuck his tongue in a light socket -- only in America. To top his festive ensemble off, he waved a scaled-down version of Old Glory to passers-by as he made his way to the mostly-empty media center. I’ve seen King on television thousands of times but, without sounding ridiculous, he seemed, well, cartoon-like in person.

If there was ever a person that loved the limelight it’s King, and, not surprisingly the dynamic promoter attracted the camera’s eye as he delivered several more pre-fight interviews. Soon (in all honesty much faster than I thought would have been possible) the novelty wore off, and it was time to watch some boxing.

I’m used to fight cards in which every bout is closely watched by both fans and media-types. I quickly learned boxing is not the same way, as it became clear just how main-event-driven boxing actually is. The media center felt like a ghost town when Venezuelan Yober Ortega landed a sweeping right hand to the jaw of Jose “Cheo” Rojas 36-seconds into the fourth round of the first fight of the night. With the KO, Ortega, now 32-3-1 (22), picked up the vacant WBA super bantamweight championship.

No one seemed to care.

A little more than half an hour later I was part of a small group that saw Wayne Braithwaite KO Louis “The Lion” Azille 2:09 of round three. Braithwaite, who moved his record to 17-0, is now in line for a mandatory shot at the WBC cruiserweight title.

Again, it seemed like no one cared.

Two fights, two KO’s…little more than two people in the room. Two more matches followed -- decision victories for Jose Quintana over Terrell Hargrove, and Rhoshii “Mongoose” Wells over Kenny Ellis -- and something interesting happened.

Like a pack of jackals to a dead carcass, the writers came out in droves once the crafts service people laid out a delectable spread of hotdogs, nacho cheese sauce, chips and chili -- and you wonder why there aren’t more size 30 waists amongst the best and brightest of today’s boxing writers.

Now, before I get ostracized from ever covering a major boxing event again, I have to say that I met some really great people -- most of which weren’t slobs. Seriously though, I want to thank everyone that took time out to speak with the kid wearing glasses, sitting next to his silver laptop for six hours.

As time for the start of the pay-per-view drew close, the energy in the room picked up. Yet, despite being on most of the 10 or so televisions and projection screens set up throughout the press area, Oliver McCall’s battle with Henry Akinwande did little to sway attention from the piping-hot nacho cheese sauce.

Down big on the three judges’ cards heading into the final round, McCall needed to finish the fight if he was going to win. With time running out he scored a huge right straight that dropped Akinwande to the canvas, and, for the first time all evening, the volume level of the media center quaked. Officially, McCall won at the 2:13 mark of round ten, and, fittingly, he cried. But it was joys of tears, not insanity so I didn’t feel bad for cracking a smile.

Finally, six o’clock rolled around and the images I had been watching on TV the past three hours were now available to the tens of thousands pay-per-view patrons sitting at home. I was waiting for a spike in action, people running in and out of the press area and all sorts of over controlled mayhem -- instead I got ‘The Coal Miner’s Daughter.’ Actually, that’s unfair of me. Christy Martin, 44-2-2 (31), thoroughly out boxed opponent Lisa Holewyne en route to a unanimous decision victory and the so-called women’s pound-for-pound championship.

With only two fights left until the main event, the media room was basically clean of any journalists. There were some poor shmucks like me that were stuck in back, but, really, what did I have to complain about? I just like to whine. Go ahead ask Gerbasi if you don’t believe me. Anyhow, at the very least I was saving 50 bucks so I was a happy camper.

Back to the action: last seen amputating Felix Trinidad’s gloves from his skull, William Joppy faced Howard Eastman for the WBA middleweight crown. Yes, that’s right, middleweight title. Months earlier, Joppy had been act one for Trinidad in Don King’s middleweight unification tournament. In the end Bernard Hopkins walked away with all three belts, and the 160-pound start was dubbed as “super champion” by the WBA. Evidently, once you’re “super” the WBA says you can’t keep the belt that made you “super”, so the vacant title was on the line again. Kinda like a retarded form of kryptonite if you ask me.

Joppy controlled the early rounds, as the D.C. native seemed to enjoy the fact that he could get hit without fear of losing his head. For his part, Eastman never backed down, as his straight-ahead style proved effective in the mid-to-late rounds. In the 12th and final round, Eastman made Joppy take a knee in the last 10 seconds; however, it was too little too late for the Brit. Judges Bill Graham and Robert Watson scored it 115-112 and 114-112 respectively, and judge Chuck Giampa had it at an even 113-113. The majority decision earned Joppy his third WBA middleweight championship, and upped his record to 33-2-1 (24) while Eastman suffered his first defeat in 33-career bouts.

Excitement in the media center was steadily picking up. Between fights, the live television broadcast showed Rahman outside Lewis’ dressing room demanding firsthand inspection of his tape job. He was denied, and the momentary comic relief got a chuckle from those in the room. Only one more fight to go before the rematch, and my adrenaline was starting to flow.

We’d have to wait a bit as Friday “The 13th” Ahunanya faced Sergei Liakhovich for the NABA heavyweight title. Liakhovich used his strength and mean streak in the ring to control and pound on Ahunanya for the majority of the 12-round contest. When it was all said and done, Liakhovich’s hand was raised thanks to a unanimous decision and Friday “The 13th” looked about as scary as Tuesday the 20th.

Finally! It was time for the big money, smack-talking, hype-driven heavyweight title rematch everyone had been waiting for. I moved from the desk that my computer sat on, to a seat in front of the giant projection screen to the left of the dais. After all, a larger-than-life fight deserved a larger-than-life view. Lewis looked ready, and determined as he made his way to the ring. Rahman looked distracted, and he seemed more concerned with the status of his belt than anything else.

The fight was entertaining, albeit one-sided. With each passing second, the South African version of Lennox Lewis that came in sluggish and unmotivated vanished from the collective memories of everyone in the Mandalay Bay Events Center as he executed a beautifully effective and simple game plan to perfection.

Rahman could do little but appear awkward, as Lewis double-upped on stiff jabs, which aided the Brit in reducing “The Rock” into the one-hit wonder he sadly turned out to be. I say ‘sadly’ because I enjoy watching and listening to Rahman. He’s intelligent, funny and most importantly he worked his ass off to avoid possible Buster Douglas comparisons.

Unfortunately for him, the real Lennox Lewis came to fight and it was going to take more than one solid right hand to the chin to finish him. Gaining confidence in each of the first three rounds, Lewis finished Rahman with a huge left hook-right cross combination that instantly floored the short-lived champ. Officially, the fight ended 1:29 of round four, but at the post-fight press conference Lewis, and trainer Emmanuel Steward, made it sound like the fight was over before it started. Lewis did dominate, and the win firmly placed him back on the track he was before the derailment in Johannesburg last April.

I’m not quite sure how to end this. The experience was great, and I’m better for it. I was surprised by the lack of energy in both the building and press room leading up to the main event, however, during the post-fight press conference most of the “old-school” boxing writers, that can be so jaded at times, seemed to have a little kick in their step. Call me corny, but I tried to envision myself in the same spot 30 years from now and it seemed plausible. Regardless, it was a damn cool evening if you ask me.
``xcyberbox``xmike@cyberboxingzone.com``xLewis KO4 Rahman Ringside Report``x1006186926,38495,``x``x ``x16 nov 2001 - Recife, Pernambuco.

Luciano Torres KO1 Reginaldo Andrade - lightheavy

Ronaldo Pereira KO1 Edmílson dos Santos - heavy

Kélson Pinto KO1 Ulisses Pereira - jr middle

Mike Miranda TKO3 Eduardo Rocca (Argentina) - jr. middle``xcyberbox``xmike@cyberboxingzone.com``xResults From Brazil``x1006204421,93979,``x``x ``xBoxer John Ruiz Named Individual Athlete of the Year
World Boxing Association Heavyweight Champion Wins Again

BOSTON—World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz was named Boston’s Individual Athlete of the Year for 2001 for the second consecutive year.

Ruiz, the first Latino heavyweight champion of the world, was unable to attend the Boston Sport Awards ceremony last night at historic Faneuil Hall because he is currently at his Las Vegas training camp preparing for his first world heavyweight title defense against Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield. Ruiz vs. Holyfield III will take place Dec. 15 at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

Ruiz’s brothers, Robert and Eddie, accepted the BSA award on his behalf. Ruiz vs. Holyfield III marks the first time a New England native—Ruiz was born and raised in Massachusetts—will defend his world heavyweight title in New England.
``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Ruiz Receives Prestigious Award``x1006300647,66580,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa
Photo: Ruthie DiTucci


NEW YORK, Nov. 24 — After James Butler sucker-punched Richard Grant last night at the Roseland Ballroom, I was sure I had my lead -- "I went to a boxing match last night and a hockey game broke out."

And then I saw the blood.

Grant had won a unanimous decision over the power-punching Butler. After the decision was announced, Butler approached as if to shake hands, then punched an unprepared Grant, who slumped to the canvas spouting thick gouts of blood.

It was perhaps one of the stupidest pre-meditated crimes ever committed as not only was the assaault being televised, but the Roseland Ballroom was packed with policemen who attended the bouts, a benefit for the Twin Towers Fund.

The NYS Athletic Commission, the house security, and the paramedics on site, all worked calmly and professionally. Grant was taken to a local hospitl while Butler was taken away by detectives from Midtown North. The ESPN tape of the event was handed over to police, and Butler's purse was withheld pending a hearing.

Both Cedric Kushner and Lou DiBella immediately confirmed that they would never use Butler again, even assuming he would retain his license.

New York City police Sgt. James Foley said Butler was in police custody and charged with second-degree assault.

Grant was treated for a cut tongue at St. Vincent's Hospital.

On the undercard:

Brian Adams TKO 5 Richard Kiley: Kiley's eye closed; Adams injures right hand
Brian Viloria W 4 Mike Thomas
Clarence Vinson W 6 Jhovanny Collado
Paul "the Dead End Kid" Malignaggi W 4 Cornell Jackson
Regilio Tuur L 8 Orlando Salido
Jeffrey Resto TKO 3 Anthony Simpkins
Jermain Talylor TKO 4 Undra White``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xButler -- From Prospect to Pariah``x1006643131,19629,``x``x ``xBy Chauncy "Babyface" Welliver

Pasco, WA, Nov. 24 -- I fought John Williams at the Track Arena in a scheduled 4 rounder. I easily won every round, but had to settle for a draw. Williams, now 2-1-1(2 ko), was warned many times for holding , head-butting, and elbowing while I lost two points for "showboating." This was his judges but it's good to still be undefeated somewhat, as I am now 6-0-1. I asked for a rematch as I tore all the ligaments in my left thumb. Williams said I've already beaten him twice now (I beat him in his pro debut). At least he knows who the real winner was.

``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x"Babyface" Welliver Claims Robbery in Draw``x1006726776,37726,``x``x ``xThe following release answers some questions from Friday night's unfortunate outcome following Richard Grant's triumph over James Butler. Promoter Jimmy Burchfield and Grant try to make sense over Butler's unspeakable actions.

JIMMY BURCHFIELD - President, Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc.

What is your affiliation with Richard Grant what drew you to him?

JB: I am his promoter and I have been since 1998. We had an open spot on one of our cards and my matchmaker Ted Panagiotis suggest we use Richard. Ted had been in conversation with his trainer Owen Campbell and had heard good things about Richard despite his 5-5 record. I thought I would give him a shot and he performed excellent in beating a very game Derrick Whitley - who himself has went on to really score some big wins. We brought him back to take on former NABF champ Scott Pemberton. Grant wobbled Scott pretty bad in the 3rd round, but Pemberton is a HUGE puncher and he rallied back in the 4th to stop Richard. But, even in defeat he showed great charisma and the fans really took to him. We brought him back again to fight Paschal Collins, who was 13-0. Collins was the brother of Steve Collins and trained by Goody Petronelli. Well, on just 48 hours notice Grant really gave Collins a beating an won easy. After that we have been together since. His only stumbling blocks with CES have come when he did not train against Apolinar Hernandez and Will Taylor. Even than, many thought he had beaten Taylor. Say what you want about his record, since he joined CES he is 9-3, 1 KO and has beaten the than WBO #15 Vitali Kopytko, former contender Kevin Pompey easily and now James Butler. Those are pretty solid credentials if you ask me. On top of it all though, Richard is a likeable guy. He has a huge smile that lights up the room whereever he goes. He has a great personality.

What did you think of what happened Friday night and what was going through your head?

JB: At first I did not know what to think. We worked so hard for this. We put together a world class corner with former world champion Mark Breland, Al Gavin and his long time cornerman Owen Campbell. Everything seemed to click for Richard and I was so happy for him. Whenever Butler hit him I did not know what to do. I have been all over the world for boxing and I have never seen anything like that. So brutal. My first thoughts once I collected myself was if Richard was OK. CES and Grant have been through alot together and more than anything I feel as though the CES team are like family. When he went down I felt as if a family member or close friend had just been assaulted. It was not until he looked up at me from the cavas - somehow putting on a smile and said "Jimmy, I'm OK" did I feel somewhat relieved. A career ended injury could have come from that, but the main thing was that he was OK and alert.

What happens now?

JB: Now we wait for the NYSAC to care of what they have to do. I feel he should be dealt the harshed punishment ever dealt a boxer. This was not like anything else. You see other fouls and other acts of unsportsmanlie conduct but I cannot think of any this brutal and this premeditated. Than I want the law to deal with him in the harshest manner. People need to know right off the bat that boxing and the law will not stand for this kind of nonsense. Boxing is supposed to be a sport. Once that is through we will sit with Richard and map out the next chapter in his career. We would love a world title shot or a shot at Thomas Tate or Charles Brewer for one of the regional belts.

RICHARD GRANT

How did you get 8 losses - and what adjustments have you made?

RG: This is the 1st fight that I trained 100% for. My promoter Jimmy Burchfield drove to New York to give me a pep talk and make sure that I was training. Than, he turned my fiancee against me. Man, she made sure I was up at 5 AM every morning for my road work and she took me to the gym everyday. If I slacked - she would beat my ass and I'm serious!

You were so confident in pre-fight interviews, why?

RG: I knew that James Butler could not beat me. The first time we fought I fought his fight. Toe to toe and I still won. This time I came in with a solid game plan to use my jab and box and it worked perfect. I knew if I could beat him at his game before that I surely could beat him at my game. Plus, I had alot of confidence in my corner. Jimmy helped me put together a real world class corner. With Mark Breland, Al Gavin and Owen - things looked great from the start!

Many have asked why you limited your arsenal somewhat to the left hand?

RG: Why fix something that ain't broke? I was winning easy using my jab and my left hook - why change that? By throwing more right hands I would be just doing what HE wanted. The whole fight he was waiting for me to throw the right so he could counter - I would have to be stupid to give him that opportunity. That would be me making the fight easier for him and harder for me. That's not smart boxing.

How do you feel about how he reacted to the loss?

RG: I could see where he would me mad. He just got beat by Sven Ottke - what better way to get back in the title picture than to avenge the only other loss on his record. But, being mad does not account for the cheap shot. I mean, I have been to the top and the bottom of boxing. I have lost 8 times and I have even been stopped. The thought of doing anything but kick myself in the ass and congratulate the winner has never crossed my mind.

Knowing that he may be mad - did you expect a harsh reaction?

RG: My corner told me not to go over to him, but in my heart I felt I could. He fought a tough fight and I wanted to tell him that and to tell him to keep his head up. I know what its like to lose and it ain't fun. Besides, who the hell would have thought he would have done something like that - I mean it was a charity event with hundreds of policemen! Did he think that no one would see??

Was there any doubt in your mind that you had won the decision?

RG: None at all - I mean the guy barely touched me. You know, I heard that some of the crowd got some free drinks - I want to know how that one judge (later informed to Richard that it was Tom Kazmarek) got in on the free drinks! I have watched the fight over and over and I cannot figure out how he could have given Butler four rounds!

What do you think will happen now?

RG: You will have to talk to my promoter Jimmy Burchfield. But, I can say this. I trust the NYSAC will do the right thing and give Butler the harshest fine and suspension ever given a fighter. They should take his whole purse and give it all to the World Trade Center. What Butler did was barbaric! People say bad things about Mike Tyson, Andrew Golota and now Zab Judah - they all did their thing WITH GLOVES ON! And, none of their victims had to be rushed to the hospital like I did. Also, I think he should be charged with assault with a deadly weapon. If a pro fighter hits someone on the streets with no gloves that is the charge, so why would this not work here? The fight was over and he hit me with no gloves! I think he should be locked up to teach a lesson. Show the world that this is the wrong thing. Show the kids that want to get into boxing and all other sports that this is not the way to handle losing.

As for your boxing career, what is next?

RG: Well first I got to heal. I have a ton of stitches in my mouth and I need dental work because alot of my teeth got messed up. Once I am ready to go I want the big fights. Forget the record, everyone saw what I have to offer. I have talent and I am willing to show that against the best. Sven Ottke would be nice for the belt. As for an appetizer - what about Thomas Tate. He robbed my CES stablemate Fernando Zuniga and I would love to have the chance at avenging that loss. You listening Thomas?? Let's do it!"

Anything else you would like to say?

RG: Thank you New York for your support. I only took the Butler fight because it was a charity show and I hope we were able to raise some money for the WTC. Also, I would like to thank the NYPD and the NYFD members on hand at the fight. When I was on the canvas bleeding, thinking my career could be over, it was the chants from the crowd of "Lock him up" that helped me. It showed that they supported me and that they all felt I had won. That made me feel good. Also, my promoter Jimmy Burchfield and my man Teddy P. (Ted Panagiotis) - they have stuck by me no matter what and I respect them both for that and I consider them to be my close friends in and out of boxing. My girl for kicking my ass into shape. The promoters of Friday's fight (DiBella Entertainment) and mostly ESPN for putting me on TV again. And the NYSAC because they handled things well in the ring and I know they will handle them well outside. Peace and love all. Thanks.



``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Richard Grant, Promoter Speak``x1006780892,77589,``x``x ``x


Muhammad Ali: The Greatest Collection (1999)




• Contains three of Ali's greatest fights: I Shook Up the World: Clay vs. Liston (1964), Rumble in the Jungle: Ali vs. Foreman (1974) & Thrilla in Manila: Ali vs. Frazier III (1975)

• Featurette: Muhammad Ali: Boxing's Best

• Bonus CD-ROM Disc Containing: The Ali Influence, a look at Ali's impact on the great fighters of today, including Oscar de la Hoya, Prince Naseen Hamed, Roy Jones and Lennox Lewis; A fight-by-fight look at the professional record of Muhammad Ali; Timeline of Ali's life and career; Essay on why Ali is the greatest heavyweight champion of them all; Miscellaneous facts, stats and trivia; Listing of the 10 most significant fights of Ali's career; Web Access

``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCBZ DVD Pick of the Week``x1006793356,28312,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

Pasco, WA, Nov. 24, 2001 -- The Saturday, November 24, club show at the TRAC Arena in Pasco, Washington started an hour late, according to matchmaker Bob Oleson. The problem was a miscommunication that meant the ambulance, which is required to be parked outside every boxing show, was late in arriving. Other than that, the 570 or so ticket holders saw a fast 8 bouts with several early stoppages.

The promotion was a cooperative arrangement between Oregon Trail Promotions of Portland, Oregon, Canadian-American-Mexican Boxing, an organization founded by matchmaker Bob Oleson of Beaverton, OR. and Jim Lopez of nearby Othello, WA.

The Jr Welterweight main event was scheduled for 10 rounds but ended in the 9th when tough Jesus Santiago, (now 5-0) originally from Mexico and now fighting out of Bob Jarvis’ Hillman City Gym in Seattle TKO’d Othello Washington’s Alfonso "Scooter" Meza (now
9-11).

In 4 round bouts on the under card:

At junior lightweight, Angelo Torres (now 3-3) of Seattle won a unanimous decision over Cesar Garcia Lopez (2-4) of Woodburn, OR

Junior middleweight Reggie Davis (now 2-1) of Portland, OR stopped Dwayne Anderson (1-2) of Canada by TKO in the first round. Body shots did the trick.

Women lightweights, Laramie Hinostroza (now 4-1) of Kansas won a unanimous decision over Lynn Yang of Seattle who is now 0-1.

Heavyweight Chauncy Welliver of Spokane,WA drew with Jonathan Williams of Seattle (now 2-1-1).

Lightweights, with Rafael Ortiz of Salem, OR, won his pro debut bt TKO in the 2nd round over Gabriel Flores of Othello, WA who is now 0-1.

Welterweights, Manuel Reyes (Now 2--0) of Othello, WA stopped Frank Bybee (now 1-1) of Spokane, WA. by KO in the second round.

Light heavyweights, Josue Cielos of Seattle, won his pro debut with a first round KO over Scott Sales (now 1-3) of Eugene, OR .

Referees: Mike Fisher, Barry Druxman

``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFast Go Results From Pasco, WA``x1006795099,24357,``x``x ``xNovember 27, 2001

Simi Valley, CA - The New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame inducted boxing
celebrities, Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos, Johnny “Bump City” Bumphus, Michael Spinks, Mustafa Hamsho, Curtis Harris, Ernest “Red” Barron, Tony Thornton, Sylvester Cuyler, Phil Saxton, Jimmy Young and Bobby Cassidy, on Thursday, November 8th, 2001 at the elegant Venetian in Gardner, New Jersey. Inducted posthumously were Sal Belloise and Robert Kimbrough. They named Steven Ham as the “New Jersey Amateur Boxer of the Year,” and presented The Paul Cavaliere Memorial Award to IBF World Featherweight Champion Frankie “The Shark” Toledo. They named Pete Nozza as their 2001 “Man of the Year.”
The highlight of the evening was the humble and touching act of
generosity by internationally recognized trainer, Lou Duva. Just before the induction ceremony and unknown to the audience, Duva had presented Johnny “Bump City” Bumphus with his championship ring, which Johnny had lost during his period of addiction which ended five years ago. Both Alex Ramos and Johnny Bumphus were deeply touched by Duva’s actions.

There is a lot of history between the fighters and Lou Duva. Ramos was Shelly Finkel’s first professional fighter, signing with Top Rank in 1980, and was subsequently moved from Top Rank to Main Events in 1982. Johnny Bumphus and Alex Ramos were two of NBC’s “Tomorrow’s Champions,” and Bumphus was also moved over to Main Events. Bumphus and Rocky Lockridge would become Lou Duva’s first two world champions. Rocky Lockridge—inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000--was also present at the 2001 induction.

Shortly after Lou Duva’s quiet presentation of the Championship ring to Bumphus, Alex Ramos was introduced and approached the podium for his acceptance speech. Stunned by Duva’s action, Ramos, choked with
emotion, had a hard time speaking. He explained to the audience his
pride in being a part of the boxing family which included Lou Duva,
Donna Duva, Tommy Brooks, Johnny Bumphus and Rocky Lockridge, and said
to Duva, who was seated directly in front of the podium, “especially Lou Duva and he knows why.” Ramos talked about the mistakes he has made in his life—specifically the years he spent “in the darkness” of alcoholism and drug addiction. He told the audience that “My past is like my ass. It’s behind me and it’s gonna stay there!” He talked about the Retired Boxers Foundation he started to help his brothers who remain “in the darkness.” He talked about his mission to help fighters who have trouble making the transition from their glorious days in the ring, to a dignified retirement. He said it was “the fight of my life. I feel more like a champion now, than when I was fighting!” Mustafa Hamsho embraced Ramos as he returned to his seat next to Johnny Bumphus.

There is clearly a bond between fighters that the audience was
privileged to witness that night. Johnny “Bump City” Bumphus was introduced by his old friend and trainer, Lou Duva. Duva was very humble and wanted the audience to hear from the champion, Johnny, so he kept his comments very brief. As Johnny approached the podium and began to speak, the audience listened intently as Bumphus began the story of the outpouring of emotion that surrounded Ramos’s speech and would color Johnny’s. “I know that the ring Lou Duva gave me is not the one that I lost during my addiction. I am sober now and have been for five years. I know that Lou Duva took that ring off his own finger and I know that it is not my ring, but Lou’s. I know because my ring was inscribed, “Johnny Bumphus” and this ring has my name and Rocky Lockridge. We were Lou Duva’s first two world champions. I am deeply touched by what he did. Not only did he
give me his championship ring, he also helped me when I needed it the
most. He gave me a job training fighters and helped me stay sober. I cannot thank Lou Duva enough.”

“I don’t think the audience totally grasped the significance of what
happened when Lou Duva gave Johnny his championship ring,” said Jacquie Richardson, Executive Director of the Retired Boxers Foundation. “Alex (Ramos) and I are used to getting letters and calls from fighters who have lost everything and are fighting for their way back to a normal life. Many of them were forced to sell their belts for money so they could buy food, and for some, to buy drugs or alcohol. When the fighters recover from their addictions, they don’t even mention their losses because of a sense of shame that they feel. What Lou Duva did tonight was incredibly generous and respectful of where Johnny has been and where he is today and I have a new respect for Lou,” continued Richardson.
Ramos and Richardson tell stories about fans who have bought
prizefighters personal trophies, belts, Golden Gloves, Olympic Medals,
etc., and write to the Retired Boxers Foundation asking the RBF to
contact the fighters so that they can “write a little something about
how they won the belt/trophy, etc.” They say they want the fighter’s
personal story and signature so that it becomes a part of the
trophy/belt and increases the value to memorabilia collectors.
“I would love to see the fans and collectors return the belts and
trophies they have collected or bought. Most of these were stolen or
sold when the fighters were down and out and no one knows what these
items mean to the fighters. Ramos knows what he’s talking about. His 1984 USBA Championship Belt was returned to him in 1999, and one pair of his four New York Golden Gloves was returned to him this summer during a visit to New York. “You don’t know the value of these things until you are older, looking back at what was and what could have been,” said Ramos.

If anyone wants to, they can send any found items to the Retired Boxers Foundation and we will make a point of presenting them to the fighters they were awarded to in the first place. This is a part of “restoring the dignity” of our fighters in need,” said Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos, founder and president of the Retired Boxers Foundation. They can be mailed or shipped directly to the Retired Boxers Foundation at:

“Fighters Helping Fighters”
RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION
3359 Bryan Avenue
Simi Valley, CA 93063

If you know the whereabouts of any fighter’s belt or trophy, including
their Golden Gloves, please call Alex Ramos at the Retired Boxers
Foundation, (805) 583-5890. If you would like to make a donation so
that the RBF can help the fighters, your donation is tax deductible and should be mailed to the above address. For more information about the Retired Boxers Foundation, please visit their website at
www.retiredboxers.org. The Retired Boxers Foundation, is an IRS
501(c)3 nonprofit corporation started by 1984 USBA Middleweight
Champion, Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos in 1995 to help fighters in
need. Ramos is leading a campaign called “Fighters Helping Fighters” to inspire other fighters to help. Ramos started the Retired Boxers
Foundation because of what happens to professional boxers once their
careers are over. Because boxing is the only sport that does not
provide adequate pensions to fighters once they retire, too many of them suffer in the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement.

For more information on the Retired Boxers Foundation, “Fighters Helping Fighters” program, call Alex Ramos at (805) 583-5890 or visit their website at www.retiredboxers.org. The Fighters Helping Fighters
campaign has assisted over 100 retired professional boxers and their
families, including arranging surgery, tax consultation to clear up
problems with the IRS, legal services, rehabilitation services, Dignity Bags for homeless fighters and fighters in convalescent homes as well as financial assistance for the families.

``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release: Hall of Famers Honored ``x1006867449,71500,``x``x ``xBy Phrank Da Slugger

  • November 2001 Rankings, now with with records.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew World Rankings``x1006999172,51618,``x``x ``x


    Notes of a Cornerman
    by Tom Smario





    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCBZ Book Pick of the Week``x1007074895,68932,``x``x ``xPress Release
    Acelino Freitas vs Joel Casamayor Fight Jan. 12

    Promoters Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions, Inc., and Mat Tinley/America Presents Boxing, LLC, in association with Sunset Station Hotel and Casino, Budweiser, and Cabo Wabo, will present a sensational world championship fight card on Saturday, January 12, 2002, at the Cox Pavilion at UNLV, which is adjacent to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight will be televised on "Showtime Championship Boxing" at 10:00 PM ET/PT.


    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS, WBO, WBA TITLES

    WBO Champion WBA Champion

    ACELINO FREITAS VS JOEL CASAMAYOR

    30-0, 29 KOs, Salvador, Brazil 26-0, 16 KOs, Miami Lakes, Florida

    World Boxing Organization jr. lightweight champion Acelino Freitas, 30-0, with 29 KOs, of Salvador, Brazil, will face World Boxing Association champion Joel Casamayor, 26-0, with 16 KOs, of Miami Lakes, Florida, in a highly-anticipated world title unification fight, scheduled for twelve rounds.

    Freitas is one of boxing's most exciting performers, and one of the top young fighters to come from South America in many years. He is extremely offensive-minded, aggressive, and has great speed and punching power - his style in the ring has been compared to that of a "young Roberto Duran." When this fight was set, Acelino said simply, "That will be another victory."

    A left-hander with exceptional skills and speed, Casamayor has been successful at the world championship level not only as a professional, but as an amateur as well. As a member of the Cuban national team, he was the 1989 World Amateur champion and a 1992 Olympic gold medalist. "I'm at the top of my game," Joel said. "I'm in tremendous shape. Frietas is a good fighter, but a little slower than me."

    ACELINO "Popo" FREITAS (30-0, 29 KOs)...
    Age: 26 (9-21-75)
    Residence, birthplace: Salvador, Brazil
    Record: 30-0, 29 KOs
    Height: 5'7", reach: 67 ½"
    Promoter: Arthur Pelullo/Banner Promotions
    Self managed, trainer: Oscar Suarez

    World championship fights: 7-0, with 7 KOs
    WBO jr. lightweight (130 pounds) world champion, six successful defenses...
    WBO "Fighter of the Year" for 2000
    Former NABO jr. lightweight champion, one successful defense...
    Former Brazilian lightweight champion, one successful defense...


    Joel "Cepillo" Casamayor (26-0, 16 KOs)...

    Age: 30 (7-12-71)

    Residence: Miami Lakes, Florida
    Birthplace: Guantanamo, Cuba
    Record: 26-0, 16 KOs
    Height: 5'5", reach: 71"
    Promoter: Mat Tinley/America Presents Boxing
    Manager: Luis DeCubas, trainer: Joe Goosen

    World championship fights: 7-0, with 4 KOs
    WBA super featherweight (130 pounds) world champion, four successful defenses
    Former WBA interim super featherweight world champion, one successful defense
    1992 Olympic gold medalist, 119 pounds...
    1989 World Amateur champion, 119 pounds
    Supporting bouts will be announced.

    Ticket prices: $30, $55, $105. Available at Thomas & Mack Ticket Office and all Tickets.com outlets, charge by phone at 1-888-464-2468, or purchase online at www.tickets.com.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFrietas-Casamayor set for Jan 12``x1007136597,95663,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena
    December 1, 2001

    RANDOLPH, MA – The fans from Haverhill, a suburb 30 minutes north of Boston had traveled that far to see one fight of promoter Doug Pendarvis’ 8-bout card at the beautiful ballroom at Lombardo’s. In the process, they had waited a long time to see their favorite son, Jeff Frazza step into the ring and pick up his 11th win. The fight was scheduled last night but didn’t happen until after midnight due to a late start and the fact that 6 of the previous seven bouts went the distance. But what the devoted fans of Haverhill got out of their night’s entertainment was something rather unexpected. After laboring through 8 rounds, Jeff Frazza, 138, appeared to have eked out a victory in his encounter with journeyman Andre Baker of Lumberton, NC, but to his dismay, and to the 1,000 or so in attendance, the decision was awarded to Baker via split verdict (78-75 Frazza & 77-75 twice for Baker). For what it’s worth, the CBZ had Frazza winning 77-76, but won’t complain with the judges this time.

    Entering the bout with a record of 4-14-1 with 2 KO’s, Baker had lost all 8 of his fights this year. The combined record of his opponents however was an impressive 77-4-2, with only two of those opponents owning defeats. This time, you could tell that the 27-year old Baker had concerned Frazza’s following, but not to the point where a Frazza win was in doubt. After all, you have to beat the daylights out of the hometown kid to pull out an upset, but maybe the judges of the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission decided to pay attention this time. Controversy aside, Frazza who lost for the second time in 12 fights will have to go back to the drawing board if he wants to become a legit prizefighter. He was building towards that loss by plodding after his opponents with his earmuffs on (as Teddy Atlas likes to say) and not working to get inside. Baker, using effective movement took advantage of Frazza’s flaw by throwing quick shots and moving out of harm’s way. Only Baker’s lack of activity made the scoring of the fight somewhat controversial. It was Baker who landed all of the effective looking punches last night but not with much consistency.

    The main event might not have happened had it not have been for promoter Richard Cappiello’s heroics. During the 5th round of a boring 8-round fight between WBO #1 jr. lightweight contender Daniel “The Prophet” Attah, of Kalaba, Nigeria and Ever Beleno of Colombia, the center of the ring caved in. Cappiello crawled underneath the ring to fix whatever had snapped and the fight commenced shortly after. The CBZ was underneath to see it happen. Unfortunately, once the fight resumed, the extra breather didn’t inspire the two reluctant jr. lightweights to fight any harder. Attah won a majority decision (80-74, 77-75, 76-76) over Beleno, a two time world title challenger. In the process, Attah, a southpaw did little to make Acelino Freitas quiver over his next mandatory defense should he defeat Joel Casamayor next year or decide to keep his title. Beleno, a loser of now 7 of his last 8 bouts was the aggressor throughout the fight but didn’t press enough to impress the judges. Attah is now 20-0-1 with 8 KO’s, while Beleno drops to 38-9 with 35 KO’s.

    There might have been a very good reason why Chelsea’s Andy Rivera broke his thumb in pulling out of his bout with Philadelphia’s Willie Gibbs last night. Rivera may have seen a film of one of Gibbs’ fights before or he could very well have just met the 25-year old Gibbs in person. That’s the impression I had when I saw this can’t-miss prospect, a cousin of World Middleweight Champion Bernard Hopkins. Gibbs didn’t even have to throw a punch before I knew that Gibbs was a dangerous dude. As soon as he removed his medieval garb, similar to what cousin Bernie wears, you knew that poor Angelo Smith, his opponent last night or anyone else for that matter was about to be battered into unconsciousness. It’s not that Gibbs is a mean looking guy or anything, in fact he looked more like a model if anything else, it was the confidence and focus you could see deep in his eyes. He knew it was over before it started. As fate would have it, Gibbs, 161, scored his third 1st round knockout (at 2:51) in as many tries flooring Smith three times in the process.

    So why have you might not have heard of Gibbs yet? It’s because the former captain of the U.S. amateur team lost a disputed verdict to the highly touted Jeff Lacy, the 2000 U.S. Olympian who himself is regarded as a fearsome prospect. According to his post-fight statements, Gibbs has just signed a promotional deal with the Brockton-based promoter, Cappiello, a nephew of Rocky Marciano.

    “I was looking to add another fighter to my stable and asked Aaron Torres about any good fighters from Philadelphia that he knew of,” said Cappiello following Gibbs’ win. “Torres mentioned Willie as being a sensational fighter. I have huge plans for him next year. We’re going to be moving him around but he’ll be fighting a lot in Massachusetts where he’ll also be living. I’m telling you right now, Gibbs is going to be a world champion some time soon.”

    Gibbs also shares Cappiello’s sentiments. “Whatever they want me to do, I’ll do,” said Gibbs. “Whoever they want me to fight, I’ll fight. I am going to do whatever it takes to get me to the top.”

    “If you ask Bernard, he’ll tell you. Bernard has already anointed Willie as the next middleweight champion,” said Gibbs’ co-trainer Aaron Ford. “We knew he was going to be a good fighter. He’s a student of the game and puts 110% of his time in boxing,” added Charles Ramey, another trainer of Gibbs. Unless Gibbs has the same difficulty as Lacy in finding willing opposition for him to destroy, expect a quick rise to the top. But if those who are willing catch a glimpse of Gibbs, it might be a good idea for them to break a thumb or two.

    In other bouts, Aaron Torres, a jr. lightweight prospect out of Brockton via Philadelphia and Puerto Rico won a 4-round shutout over Mobile, Alabama’s Richard Dinkins. Torres had knocked out Dinkins earlier this year and had also defeated Baker in his last fight but had his hands full this time in Dinkins who was determined to remain erect (sorry, I had to say it) despite getting tagged with some decent shots. Torres is now 7-1 with 4 KO’s while Dinkins is now 10-20-2. Pudgy Eddie “The Fightin’ Irish” Bishop a jr. middleweight of Stoughton, Ma also remained unbeaten with a 4-round shutout over the a safe Kevin Cater of Winston-Salem, NC. Bishop is now 6-0, with 3 KO’s while Carter falls to 6-22 with one KO. Massachusetts Featherweight Champion, Elio Rodriguez of Fitchburg defeated Canadian Bob Rishea over six rounds by three scores of 60-53. Rodriguez is now 8-3 with 2 KO’s while Rishea is 2-17-2.

    Another local favorite, Willie “Bad News” Barnes, a hefty fellow, lost a four round decision to the towering Yakoubou Moutakilou (a.k.a. “Prince Majestic”) of da Bronx. Majestic (easier to say and type), who went the distance for the first time is 3-0. Barnes who had not fought since 1987 is now 2-6-1. Also making his long awaited return to the ring was Peru’s Luis Villalta who drew with 39-year old Freddie Cruz of Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic. Surprisingly, Cruz appeared to be having his way with the rusty Villalta until an accidental clash of heads caused a gaping cut over Villalta’s left eye. Since the fight had been stopped before the fourth round, the fight was automatically declared a technical draw (according to Mass State Commissioner, Nick Manzello) although the ring announcer announced it as a “no-contest”. Villalta who was fighting for the first time since 1998 is now 25-1-1 with 21 KO’s while Cruz is 52-31-10 with 17 KO’s.

    Promoter – Doug Pendarvis
    Non-televised

    Trivia Question (for blondes only): How many knockout wins does Prince Majestic have?

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFrazza Shocked by Journeyman``x1007228051,59511,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Consider this exercise in visualization.
    Picture Oregon’s state boxing commission as a fat
    pink guy, naked as a plumbers’ butt-crack and bent
    over, cheeks spread, primed and lubed for a
    proctological probe. Got the picture? Now imagine the
    line forming to take advantage of this posture.

    This image came to mind on Friday and Saturday,
    Nov. 16 and 17, when a two day Original Toughman
    Tournament, promoted by the ubiquitous Art Dore, took
    place in the Salem Armory just a mile or so from the
    domed capitol of Oregon. It was the first tough guy
    event in the state since the legislature created the
    state boxing and wrestling commission back in 1987.
    This is especially ironical since the legislative
    intent was to eliminate tough guy shows. I know this
    because I was one of the three people who wrote the
    first draft of the law.

    During its first decade, the Oregon Commission was
    built and steered by one of the other drafters of the
    law, Executive Director Bruce Anderson. He ran a
    hard-nosed, protect-the-fighters, damn-the-money-guys
    agency that broke ground nationally for, among other
    things, serious medical standards, and requiring
    promoters to carry increased medical insurance, full
    disclosure contracts with fighters, and complete bonds
    to cover show expenses. Anderson retired at the end of
    1998.

    Oregon is a big state with a small population—less
    than the island of Manhattan on a Sunday morning when
    all the commuters are at home in the burbs and
    burroughs. There hasn’t been a lot of pro boxing here
    over the last two decades, and now it’s relegated to
    two or three shows a year on Indian reservations. Tech
    industry has changed the bigger towns, but most of the
    state is still farming, logging, cowboy country. Prime
    turf for tough guys.

    Using the cute moniker Adoreable Promotions of
    Bay City, Michigan, Art Dore has been doing Toughman
    shows in various states for 21 years, often televised
    on the FX cable network. Art Dore is the man who
    spawned the career of Butterbean. He’s made several
    overtures to Oregon in the past, but until this year
    he was always sent packing by the Commission. The law
    hasn’t changed, but enforcement has apparently
    disappeared despite the fact that the Commission is a
    branch of the Oregon State Police and the actual
    licensing authority is the Superintendent of State
    Police.

    Jim Cassidy, the current Executive Director of the
    commission, has been in the job for around three
    years, and his record is mixed. He’s affable, anxious
    to please the promoters, a
    bend-over-backwards-show-must-go-on guy. Promoters and
    some managers love him. His first year was marked by
    various problems, including allowing three boxers who
    were on the national suspension list to appear on a
    single card. His second year started off with a bang
    when a forged negative drug test flew by him and he
    let a drug-positive fighter box.

    This year, the commission lost most of its funding
    when the pay-per-view boxing and wrestling promoters
    sued to escape from paying state taxes and won.
    Overnight, the commission went from producing surplus
    money each year, to depending on the charity of the
    already strapped budget of the Oregon State Police. My
    hunch is that money problems are behind the tough guy
    invasion.

    Cassidy has only had a couple live boxing cards to
    regulate and tax this year, but he’s been chatting
    with Tough Guy promoters since April. That’s when Art
    Dore’s outfit first started talking to him. That’s
    when the Carolina based King of the Ring tough guy
    operation was invited to send a representative to an
    Oregon Commission meeting. It’s just a hunch, but say
    the pleasant Mr. Cassidy didn’t really understand how
    flatly the tough guy promotions violate state and
    federal laws. Say, for the sake of argument, that
    Cassidy just wants more promoters coming in to put on
    more shows that he can tax to pay his salary and keep
    the phone turned on in the office. Say the tough guy
    promoters can smell a weak commission from ten states
    off.

    Now Cassidy says he "doesn’t approve of tough guy
    fights, doesn’t condone them", but "the law is too
    vague to prevent them." He couldn’t license the
    promoter for the November event, couldn’t license the
    fighters, or assign officials or make any safety
    requirements stick. He couldn’t tax them either.
    According to Cassidy, all he could do was "stay as far
    away as possible, in case something horrible happens."


    Please refer to the visualization exercise at the top.

    The toughman design is revised by promoters
    whenever necessary to get around little problems that
    might interfere with un-licensed, un-trained,
    uninsured truckers, clerks, burger flippers, book
    keepers and tractor jockeys paying for the privilege
    of whopping away at each other.

    The current Adoreable incarnation has an
    interesting twist. The basic ingredients are familiar
    to observers of the tough guy phenomenon. The
    participants pay $50 each for the right to play in one
    of two weight classes—light heavyweights, which ranges
    from 160 lbs to 184 lbs, and heavyweights, from 185
    lbs up. They wear helmets and 16 OZ gloves. The
    tournament winners get a jacket and a trophy. In some
    shows the promoter may choose one or more participants
    to advance to a regional and finally a national
    tournament, where the final winner is supposed to get
    $50,000. That didn’t happen in Oregon. In addition to
    the $50 entry fees, the promoter sells tickets to the
    live audience and rakes in television money. But
    here’s the twist.

    Because many state boxing commissions have
    banned toughman fights, Dore has created something
    called the American Boxing and Athletic Association,
    which he claims is an amateur association. Because the
    fighters don’t get paid, Dore claims they are
    amateurs. Most state commissions, including Oregon, do
    not regulate amateur events. This flabby pretext was
    enough to get Cassidy’s pants around his ankles.

    The Oregon law does exempt amateur events from state
    regulation and taxation. But it defines amateur as
    organizations "recognized by the state," and names the
    official national amateur organization, US Amateur
    Boxing, Inc. as the defining regulator of all amateur
    boxing. So, I asked Cassidy, has the state
    "recognized" Dore’s ABAA as an official amateur
    organization. No, he says.

    So, the Friday night pre-lim show had 27 bouts, with
    each of the 54 participants ponying up $50 each for
    the right to step into the ring. That $2700 more than
    covered the total of four cheezy jackets and four
    trophies given to winners during the weekend. Most of
    the labor was volunteered by the eager suckers of the
    town and, and there was still the live gate from five
    or six hundred ticket buyers each night. What a deal.

    Though the bouts were three one-minute rounds, a lot
    of the tough guys got extremely tired. This didn’t
    bode well for the winners who advanced to the second
    night where they often fight two bouts in one night,
    or if they’re unlucky enough to keep winning, three
    bouts. Some weighed in fully dressed and glugging
    water to make that 160 pound minimum weight. Others
    stripped to squeak in under 184. They fought each
    other. One guy was considerably over 50 years old. A
    local wrestling referee, skilled in not seeing
    anything wrong, served as the third man in the ring.
    One local fight guy observing said the rules seemed
    non-existent. The kid who got knocked out in the last
    fight on Friday night was carted off to the hospital
    by ambulance. Rumor has it that he suffered a
    fractured orbital bone around his eye. Is he insured
    by the promoter? Nobody seems to know.

    Jim Cassidy, the Executive Director of the Oregon
    State Police Boxing and Wrestling Commission, says he
    doesn’t know and doesn’t want to know.

    There are several things I’d like to know:

    --Why is the law that successfully excluded tough guy
    promotions for more than a decade suddenly "too vague"
    to keep them out?

    --Isn’t the state liable if "something horrible"
    happens to a guy in a tough guy fight? Couldn’t he or
    his survivors sue the Commission big time for failing
    to enforce its own laws? How would a wrongful death
    judgement fly in the Public Safety Building where the
    Superintendant of State Police has his office?

    --If the State Police didn’t approve or condone the
    event, why didn’t they file an injunction to stop it?
    Were they afraid of a costly lawsuit? Were they
    vulnerable to judgement because Cassidy had been
    actively courting the promotion for many months? Were
    they unwilling to pay the legal fees to defend from
    such a suit?

    --Why didn’t Cassidy simply say this alleged amateur
    organization is not recognized as such by the state of
    Oregon’s Commission? If Dore had demanded a hearing to
    seek recognition, the Commission would simply site the
    benchmark standards of US Amateur Boxing, Inc. Do you
    have less than six pounds weight spread between
    opponents? Are your officials trained and certified by
    a recognized organization? Do your boxers have
    amateur passbooks? Pre and post fight physicals?
    Medical insurance? Have they been trained by certified
    coaches? No? Then you’re out.

    There are a lot of questions. But if something big
    doesn’t happen to change this situation, tough guys
    have come to Oregon to stay. Adoreable is looking to
    come back soon, this time in the town of Pendleton.
    And King of the Ring promotions is looking to land in
    the town of Medford in April. There will certainly be
    would-be promoters inside the state who would like to
    cash in as well. And the naked pink guy may be turning
    blue.


    ---30---

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTough Guys Cast Oregon Commission as Ned Beatty in "Deliverance"``x1007321893,56132,``x``x ``xBy Alf Herigstad, Co-Manager, Jon "Too Sweet" Williams

    This is in response to Chauncy's claim that he was robbed in Pasco on November 25. As Jon's co-manager, I was sitting at ringside the entire fight. Here is what happened; Jon won the first two rounds handily, Chauncy was on the run 90% of the time, Chauncy also found himself on the ropes on several occasions. During those first two rounds Jon used his jab effectively, stopping Chauncy in his tracks every time it landed and forcing his retreat. Jon came out on top in every exchange, even hurting Chauncy, I know this because I could see it on Chauncy's face right before he ran away with Jon following after him.

    The third round was more even than the first two, but I still believe
    it belonged to Jon. The fourth round was rather uneventful, and I believe that is why the judges decided on a draw. Jon had the fight won, he was not tired, or hurt, if he did anything wrong it was that he kept letting Chauncy back in the fight. This speaks to Jon's relative inexperience, and is a situation easily corrected, we don't expect Jon to EVER let ANYONE back in the fight again. So, Jon got a draw because the judges thought he could have done a little more even though he had the fight won. So be it, it's a draw.

    Chauncy's claim of "easily winning every round," is simply untrue. Chauncy should get his hands on a tape of the fight and take another look. Chauncy also claimed that Jon was warned several times for holding, headbutting, and elbowing. These statements are absolutely outrageous! I was in his corner and if there were any warnings like that I would have remembered. Chauncy also claims that they took two points away from him for "showboating" . . . well, think about it Chauncy, if any points had been taken away from either fighter it would not have been a draw....would it have? Of course not! No points were taken in that fight. Chauncy also makes the statement that they were "Jon's judges," what a load of crap! Chauncy is from Spokane, Jon is from Olympia, the fight was in Pasco, Duh! If anybody was the hometown boy it was Chauncy.

    You are right about one thing Chauncy, Jon does know who the real
    winner is. I'm sure we will meet again on some pugilistic pathway in the future. So keep on your toes Chauncy, keep training and improving, because Jon definitely is.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWilliams responds to Welliver``x1007331067,21742,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    MASHANTUCKET, CT – Vinny Paz may have shown signs of his 38 years, most of which that have been spent battling, however he still had enough in the tank to win an entertaining 10 round unanimous decision over a game Levan Easley of Queens, NY last night at the Fox Theater in Foxwoods Resort Casino. The win for Paz was his 49th in his quest for 50 wins and Paz made it known who he would like his 50th to be against. And no, he’s not looking for it to be against archrival Dana Rosenblatt.

    “Jimmy Burchfield is working on setting up a title shot with Eric Lucas for his WBC belt,” said Paz who is now living in Providence. “That is my main objective and as we speak that’s the only thing I’m thinking about. Hopefully, that will be number 50 for me and that would be one hell of a way to go out. It’s a tall order but I think I can do it.”

    Last night Vinny had somewhat of a tall order in 6’ foot Levan Easley, who hadn’t fought since his war last November with New Bedford’s Scott Pemberton, one he had lost but came very close to snatching when he had Pemberton on the floor and nearly out in the first round. Easley, 171, was successful early on landing some powerful hooks to the solid cranium of Vinny Paz. But it was Paz’ titanium head and sheer will to win that made the difference throughout nearly every round. Easley claimed that he had broken his right hand as early as the third round just when it seemed that the Pazmanian Devil was heating up. It always does when Paz starts to bleed. One of those right hands caused Vinny’s nose to ooze blood, however not the way it had when Aaron Davis had bloodied his face in January.

    From thereafter, the fight turned into a movie script. Personally, I had never seen so much showmanship and taunting in my life. Paz would lean on the ropes and challenge Easley to come after him. Easley on the other hand would try to do the same thing. Anything Paz would do, Easley would attempt. Along the way, Paz’ unfortunate face collected a cut over his left eye and a cut on his hairline. The hairline cut bled profusely but it only made Paz fight with even more vigor. And when it came down to sheer fighting, Paz did more and landed some powerful hooks, few of which appeared to stagger the stubborn Easley. Paz won by scores of 99-92 (the CBZ’s score), 97-92 and 97-93.

    “It was a tough fight and I knew it would be a tough fight,” said Paz. “That’s why I was in good shape. I went 10 hard rounds, entertained a lot of fans and that’s always my objective; win first and entertain second and I think I did both tonight.”

    The loss for Easley dropped his record to a dismal 14-7-2 with 6 KO’s. But Paz knows that records don’t necessarily mean a thing especially when they meet him.

    “I don’t care what the guy’s record is. Easley can fight. Just look at Richard Grant. The guy was 13-8 when he beat Butler who was a short time ago the number one contender. Easley was in there to win. I tried to knock him out but whenever anyone fights me they come in great shape because it’s a very big fight for them.”

    If things go the way Paz would like them to, he could very well get the big one he is clamoring for and his 50th win as a pro.

    This past February, female boxing attained some credibility when two fine capable boxers, Liz Muehller and Jamie Clampitt went at it for 6 hard rounds. That contest won by Liz Muehller of New London, CT made it very clear that female boxing is not always the joke that everyone assumes it to be. Last night, the fans probably got the same impression, particularly with Muehller, 131, who won her rematch with Jaime Clampitt with more ease over a 10 round distance. Clampitt, 135, of Calgary, Alberta fought competitively with Muehller for the first four rounds but couldn’t keep the bull-like Mueller at a distance or exchange with any success on the inside. Clampitt had never gone past 6 before and it showed against with the slightly more experienced Muehller. Liz, who upped her record to 8-2 with 2 KO’s won by scores of 97-93 and 98-92 twice. Clampitt dropped to 5-2 with 2 KO’s.

    A couple of things might have been answered in Gary “Tiger” Balletto’s bout with Atlanta’s John Trigg. One: Balletto can lose to just about anyone. Two: Gary has a good chance of knocking anyone silly if he catches you. For three and a half rounds it appeared that Trigg, 138 ½, was going to pull off a minor upset until a gargantuan right hand from Balletto, 140 ½, dropped the durable Trigg like a sack of bricks. Trigg barely made it up at Charlie Dwyer’s mandatory count of 8 but couldn’t make it out for the fifth round, a round he surely would have made it through. For Balletto, now 23-0-2 with 19 KO’s, will need to learn some defense if he hopes to step up and defeat a contender, however, as he showed once again, he is one big punch away of winning any fight.

    In the most entertaining and competitive bout of the night, the consistently exciting Daniel Alicea, 134, of Brooklyn, NY via Santurce, Puerto Rico won another hard fought 8-round unanimous decision (78-74 twice and 77-75) over Bernard Harris. It was Alicea, 134, who brought the best out of both men with his non-stop punching style and at times, it appeared as though Harris, 136, of Detroit enjoyed every minute of it. Harris who has been in with his share of top opposition over the years was very good at slipping Alicea’s shots but they were too many for the young Puerto Rican. But the crowd enjoyed it more. Alicea improved to 26-4-1 with 20 KO’s while Harris dropped to a deceiving 21-15-2 with 10 KO’s

    In the first bout of the evening, Paul Malignaggi, 136, of Brooklyn, NY won a 4 round unanimous decision over Jose LaPorte, 132 ½, of Worcester, MA. Malignaggi, a former national US amateur champion brought a huge following but didn’t look too promising. Malignaggi couldn’t get past LaPorte’s gloves as most of LaPorte’s previous opponents have and was even staggered in the third round. Malignaggi did win every round based on his activity as all three judges had it 40-36 in his favor. Malignaggi is now 5-0 with 3 KO’s. LaPorte is now 2-6-2 with 1 KO.

    Promoter – Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports
    Matchmaker – Ted Panagiotis
    Non Televised
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPazmanian Devil Cooks up 49th Win``x1007829689,70088,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Tis’ the Season to be Boxing

    With Vinny Paz defeating LeVan Easley this past Friday night at the Fox Theater in Foxwoods Resort Casino, boxing season has officially begun in New England. By the end of this week, boxing in New England will have seen three nationally televised boxing events, including its second heavyweight championship bout in over 35 years. Yes you read correctly, the rubber match between Chelsea’s John “The Quietman” Ruiz and four time heavyweight champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield is in fact a world heavyweight championship bout for the WBA title. The belt that Ruiz and Holyfield will battle for belonged to Lewis until the Brit allowed the organization to strip him for his reluctance of facing his former employee, Ruiz.

    This action has disturbed many folks within the fight game, particularly the fight fans but whether you like it or not, the WBA title has been one of the three widely recognized boxing organizations. Though they lack a considerable amount of credibility, if they possess any at all, the WBA, the WBC and the IBF share roughly the same amount of merit.

    And before you jump down my throat and gag me with this linear crap, just remember that if you’re a complete believer in the expression, “linear champion” then you’re also stating that Jack Johnson won his title over Jim Jeffries, who had been off for a number of years. You’re also saying that Mike Tyson was not the youngest heavyweight champion in history. Yeah, that’s right. You’d be saying that Tyson didn’t win acclaim as the linear heavyweight champion until crushing the frightened Michael Spinks in 91 seconds, just days before his 22nd birthday. That would make Floyd Patterson still the youngest heavyweight champ of all time.

    And if you believe that Ruiz-Holyfield III is of little interest within the boxing media, then you should know that over 275 writers all over the world requested to cover the bout, which will be shown live on HBO, a network that has also bought into the hype of Ruiz and the ongoing career of the legendary Holyfield. And why not? Name a few heavyweight fights over the past couple of years that have given us some decent night’s entertainment. Lewis-Rahman I & II were terrible matches that culminated with one-punch knockouts for both men. There was little drama or actual boxing in either bout with the exception of the build-up for the rematch. Over the years we haven’t got much of anything out of Lewis other than some knockouts and a reluctance to try and defeat someone at their own game, despite owning several physical advantages. When a boxer fights someone at his own game that usually spells E-X-C-I-T-E-M-E-N-T.

    What you should also consider is the fact that all of the 1,200 seats for Ruiz-Holyfield III available to the public were sold within 3 hours. Foxwoods gave the other 2,800 tickets away to their high rollers. There is so much local interest in this fight that Foxwoods is showing the fight on closed circuit on two huge television screens in separate rooms of course. If there are still seats remaining and you’re interested in being close to the excitement while the fight is taking place, call 1-800 PLAY BIG.

    Incidentally, the Ruiz-Holyfield III trilogy is the second heavyweight rivalry in history that has had three consecutive back-to-back title fights with the same two fighters going at it. (Yeah, I know that sounded strange but I didn’t attend the Derek Zoolander School for Kids Who Can’t Read Good.) The first time this happened was when Floyd Patterson regained the title in 1960 by reversing a knock out loss to Sweden’s Ingemar Johannsen. Patterson knocked Johnassen out a second time in the rubber match in 1961.

    Ruiz-Holyfield III could have sold out the Mohegan Sun Arena, a 10,000 seat venue just a few minutes down the road from its competitor Foxwoods. That Arena will host two back-to-back nights of quality boxing live of ESPN2. Both nights will showcase two of New England’s top performers in New Bedford’s “Sucra” Ray Oliveira (on Thursday) and Hartford’s Eric Harding (on Friday night).

    Oliveira (42-8-1 with 19 KO’s), who recently lost his NABF jr. welterweight to Ghana’s Ben “Wonder” Tackie in a thriller of a fight that saw both man throw over a combined 2,700 punches, will meet the rugged Omar Weis of Argentina in a 10-round contest. Weis (33-3-1, 16 KO’s), who is better known for his somewhat controversial points defeat to welterweight contender, Antonio Diaz last year is also coming off a loss and will look to show the boxing world that his close-call with Diaz wasn’t just a bad night for Tono. Oliveira, a veteran of over 360 rounds of fistfighting also knows what kind of situation he is in.

    “I want a make a huge statement,” Oliveira told the CBZ. “For one, there will be a lot of people in the media there who haven’t seen me fight and two, there are a lot of people who say that I shouldn’t have taken this fight. I love (Weis’) style. I keep telling everyone that Weis had the style to make Diaz look awful even though I still had Diaz winning the fight. I believe that I have a style to look great against Weis.”

    A win for Oliveira could thrust him back in the title picture or in line for a possible big money fight. But there is no question which fighter Oliveira would like to step in the ring with.

    “I want what’s best for me and that’s world championship belts. But I want Micky Ward more than anyone or anything.”

    Like Oliveira, Ward is a Massachusetts native who is slated for a relatively lucrative January 5th date on HBO with former world champion Jesse James Leija. In order for Oliveira to lure Ward or Kostya Tszyu in a fight he will have to fight his way through Weis and look impressive.

    Oliveira isn’t the only boxer who is accustomed to throwing over 1,000 punches per fight. Jr. middleweight contender, Kassim Ouma (13-1-1) of Uganda fresh off of his punch-a-thon with former WBO champion Verno Phillips will be co-featured with Pedro Ortega (29-9-1) of Mexico, a former world title challenger. “Bad” Chad Dawson, a can’t-miss prospect out of New Haven will also be featured in a 4-rounder. Remember that name!

    If you’re staying at Foxwoods Friday night and you’re not a devoted Wayne Newton fan (who is performing at the Fox Theater that night) then you may want to drive down the street to the Mohegan Sun Arena to see an interesting light heavyweight battle between two highly regarded contenders in the division. Hartford’s Eric Harding (20-1-1, 6 KO’s), best known for giving Roy Jones, Jr. one of his toughest fights to date will face the dangerous punching Khalid Jones. It is Harding’s second fight since losing to Roy Jones, a fight in which he tore his right bicep.

    Jones (16-0, 12 KO’s) is most known for knocking out Beethaven Scotland, a fight that took Scotland’s life. If Jones has recovered from the tragic death of Scotland, it will show to a degree with Harding, one of the more crafty light heavyweights in recent years. To expect Jones to defeat Harding is a tall order and too much to ask of the brave Jones. Speaking of which, I’m tired of all of the ranting about today’s top 175-pounders. To be brutally honest with you, the light heavyweight division should be considered the most competitive in boxing. Name a division, other than light heavyweight, where there are contenders facing each other. Jones will be yet another top light heavyweight that Harding has faced & Harding has only 20 wins. Harding has also defeated Montell Griffin and Antonio Tarver.

    Reggie Johnson, the former two time world champion and current USBA & NABF champion has also defeated a slew of top fighters including, Chris Johnson and Will Taylor since losing to world champion Roy Jones, Jr. Johnson is scheduled to face Tarver in January with a co-feature of hard-punching David Telesco versus Julian Letterlough. Can someone explain to me why he or she believes the light heavyweight division is boring? It might have to do with the fact that Roy Jones makes it look too easy in a division he isn’t suited. If you don’t enjoy RJ, then you can enjoy who’s below him because it’s a downright shame if you don’t.

    Anyway, to catch up on the latest light heavyweight saga, make sure to catch Harding-Jones on ESPN2 or take the ride over to the Mohegan Sun Arena. To purchase tickets for the Oliveira-Weis or the Harding-Jones events, call: 800-477-6849.

    & a happy boxing season to ya!


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta - Boxing Season Hits New England``x1008076462,10063,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    In Portland, Oregon today, Dec. 10, 61-year-old Jerry Dusenberry was arrested by Portland Police on four counts of child sexual abuse committed against an 8-year-old boy. Dusenberry is being held with bail set at 1 million dollars.

    A career employee of the Bonneville Power Administration, Dusenberry has served for many years as a volunteer with many youth organizations from the Boys Scouts of America to the Portland Parks and Recreation Department. His most prominent role was as
    a volunteer official for amateur boxing programs.

    Starting out as a referee and judge, Dusenberry advanced to hold office in the national organizing body of the amateur sport, U.S. Amateru Boxing, Inc, located in Colorado Springs, CO. After serving several terms as national secretary of the organization,
    Dusenberry was elected president in October of 1993. He served two terms of two years each. During his administration he supervised the design of the computer scoring system for international competition,
    and supervised the U.S. boxing team at the Olympic Games in Atlanta.

    Police raided Dusenberry’s modest home in Portland today, following a complaint from the mother of the alleged child victim. At a police press conference announcing the arrest, a department spokesman said
    that two adult men had filed a complaint with police last March, alleging that Dusenberry had molested them both some 20 years ago, when they were small boys.

    Reportedly, when one of the victims discovered that another man had the same experience, the two met and decided to come forward. Unfortunately, police did nothing to investigate the allegations made by the two adults.

    Meanwhile, Dusenberry was volunteering in a city-run mentoring program and coaching basketball for the city parks department. During the last two months he is alleged to have met the child victim in the mentoring program, persuaded the child to join the basketball
    program as well, and then molested the child at Dusenberry’s home.

    Police spokesman said journals and calendars were
    found in Dusenberry’s home, in which the suspect
    documented his sexual activity with children. Police
    say the target group were 8 to 10 years old. The
    strategy, according to police statements, was to
    identify children from one-parent homes, ingratiate
    himself with the family, and gain influence over the
    child. Portland Police Spokesmen say they expect many
    more victims to come forward in the next few weeks.


    ---30---

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xEx-Prez. of U.S. Amateurs Charged With Child Molesting``x1008166253,40063,``x``x ``xBYRD MOVES TO ENFORCE FEDERAL COURT RULING GUARANTEEING IBF CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT

    Chris Byrd, the International Boxing Federation's No. 1 heavyweight contender and its mandatory title challenger, brought an action Tuesday in U.S. District Court to enforce the terms of the court's prior order, which guarantees Byrd an IBF title shot by April of 2002.

    "I've earned the top spot and proven myself to be the No. 1 and
    mandatory contender based on winning the IBF tournament," said Byrd from his home in Flint, Mich.

    Byrd beat Maurice Harris in May in New York City and then David Tua in August in Las Vegas, Nev., to win the IBF tourney and earn the shot against that organization's champion.

    "The court (U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey) has made it clear that Chris is entitled to a shot at the title, and we intend to see that he gets it," said Richard Edlin, the attorney representing Byrd.

    "Not only has the IBF failed to comply with the court order, but the (Lennox) Lewis-(Mike) Tyson negotiations are intended to result in a spring bout between those two, thus, making it impossible for the court order to be complied with," said Edlin.

    "Chris is going back to the same court that ruled in September that Chris Byrd was the mandatory challenger and guaranteed by April, 2002, to fight the winner of Lewis-(Hasim) Rahman for the IBF championship," said Edlin.

    Lewis currently is negotiating to defend the IBF and World Boxing Council titles against Tyson this spring, a time which would preclude the winner from facing Byrd during April.

    "It is truly troubling that we have to resort to the court system when Chris has done everything that was asked of him in the ring, where this matter belongs," said Cedric Kushner, co-promoter of Byrd.

    "Chris has fought his way to the mandatory spot," said Bill Kozerski, co-promoter of Byrd. "He took the risks and has earned this title shot and shouldn't be denied."

    Edlin, of the New York City law firm of Greenberg Traurig, said the District Court ruled during September that the winner of the Lewis-Rahman bout last month could make a defense prior to meeting Byrd, but with the stipulation that the title fight had to be completed no later than February,
    2002.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Byrd Awaits Guaranteed Title Shot``x1008169499,91209,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION (Ledyard, CT) – Gabe Mari (LaMarca when he was a pro himself), the longtime trainer of WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz has always conducted himself the way as his favorite prospect. The usually placid Mari, who is normally more subdued than the Chelsea champion himself didn’t hold back at the final press conference earlier yesterday at a press conference held at Foxwoods Casino Resort. Normally, all of the heated words have spewed from the mouth of the boisterous Norman “Stoney” Stone, Ruiz’ esteemed manager, who was also himself yesterday. This time however, the fireworks began with what Mari had to say.

    “Everyone keeps on saying that Holyfield is the offensive fighter,” said Mari. “We’re the offensive fighter and we’re going to knock you out Saturday night Evander! Every round tomorrow night is going to be just like the 11th until we knock him out.

    Mari, if you don’t recall is referring to the round in which Ruiz floored the former cruiserweight and four time heavyweight champion in the 11th with a ramrod right cross. When Holyfield returned to his feet he had to hold on for dear life just to finish the round. It was a round that ultimately showed who the better man was that night and made him the first heavyweight champion of Latino descent. Ruiz’ parents were originally from Puerto Rico until emigrating to Chelsea, MA, one of the largest Hispanic communities in greater Boston. Ruiz makes his first defense of that title in front of a hometown crowd (4,000) in nearby Connecticut. The 29 year old Ruiz was the least unruly about his upcoming scuffle with Holyfield.

    “Everyone keeps telling me that Holyfield is washed up,” said Ruiz. “But I know that he is the toughest guy out there. He always comes to fight and so do I, which is why I’ll always be ready for him. People wanted me to fight someone else but Evander is the best guy out there.”

    “If Holyfield is so washed up, then how come no one else is calling him out,” asked Stoney. “Johnny is the only guy who will fight him. No one wants to risk fighting him. We’ve fought him twice and now we’re fighting him for the third time and the last time because this time we’re knocking him out!”``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xQuietman’s Corner Wages War of Words with Team Holyfield``x1008351666,23744,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    UNCASVILLE, CT - Early on in his career, Ray Oliveira had a run-in with a bullet, one that nearly ended his boxing career. In a drive-by shooting, a hollow shell came an inch from nearly having his leg amputated, according to the doctors. The doctors also suspected that Oliveira would never walk again. The doctor’s prognosis was obviously derived before knowing the kind of individual Ray Oliveira is: Ray not only walked again, but also fought several times, twice in world title fights.

    In all of his fights since the gunshot wound, Oliveira had worn a brace around his knee just in case. It was wrapped around his leg in case of the worst happening. And the leg would never become a problem for him in his next 40 or so fights. But last night in his first fight since losing to a great bout with Ben “Wonder” Tackie, Oliveira needed to labor through 10 rounds with Argentina’s Omar Weis to come up short of a win. After 10 rounds with the Argentinean, whom most felt defeated Antonio Diaz last year, all three judges scored the bout a draw with three identical tallies of 95-95. The CBZ had Oliveira winning it 97-94.

    “About two weeks ago I felt something tear in my leg when I was running but no one would believe me,” said Oliveira. Rob Soucy, who writes for the Pawtucket Times in Rhode Island, mentioned that he had seen Oliveira end a sparring session in the first round over a week ago when his leg gave in. “I never had a problem with my leg until recently. I told everyone that I would wait until Saturday to see how it felt. It still hurt but I thought I could fight. I felt like pulling out (of the fight) but I don’t like to cheat the fans. “(The fans) came to see me fight Omar Weis, not Omar Weis fight a replacement.”

    “When Ray arrived for the weigh in yesterday he was 3 pounds overweight,” said Oliveira’s promoter Jimmy Burchfield. “The kid couldn’t train because of his leg. When he looked into the arena and saw James Orso running the steps to make weight himself, he went and did the same thing. By the time he got done, he was hobbling over to the scale. I’m unhappy that the judges didn’t give him the decision but I’m very proud of Ray. The kid is a warrior in every sense of the word.”

    The lack of sharpness and Oliveira’s right leg showed more so early on when Weis, 139 ½, used effective movement to get out of the way of most of Oliveira’s punches, particularly his right hand whenever he would attempt to throw it.

    “I just couldn’t sit on my right hand,” said Oliveira. “I couldn’t push off my leg and when I’d throw it, I’d fall forward from being off balance.”

    From the mid to later rounds Oliveira began to find his slippery foe with his trademark left hooks to the body as well as the jab that was landing because of the body attack. Weis (now 34-3-1 with 16 KO’s), who lucked out on his latest visit to the U.S. is now 34-3-1 with 16 KO’s. If he was looking to get a close decision, he was fighting the right guy in the right place. All but one of Oliveira’s blemishes occurred in Connecticut.

    Oliveira’s latest blemish moves his mark, now 42-8-2 with 19 KO’s and effectively took him out of the jr. welterweight sweepstakes. But as Oliveira mentioned last night, he has no intentions of making the 140-pound weight limit again.

    “I can’t make this weight anymore,” admitted Oliveira. “I’ve been fighting at 140 for most of my career. It’s just killing me. I weighed 160 pounds today trying to replenish myself. It’s obvious to me that the weight loss is just too much for me and the next time you’ll see me fight it will be at welterweight.”

    Last night’s show was the first pro boxing card held at the brand spanking new Mohegan Sun Arena. And it was put in full use with the 8 fights on the card. In a 10-round co-feature, Kassim “The Dream” Ouma, 152, West Palm Beach, FL via Uganda overwhelmed a ring-worn Pedro Ortega, 152 ¾, Tijuana, Mexico. Ouma, who had recently defeated former WBO champion Verno Phillips was in with a much easier opponent who couldn’t mount much of an offensive attack or defend against one. Ouma is now 14-1-1 with 9 KO’s while Ortega goes back to Tijuana with a record 29-9-1 with 18 KO’s.

    In other bouts, Demetrius Hopkins survived an early scare when his opponent, Ike Ezeji floored him with a right hand in the first round. Hopkins, the nephew of Bernard Hopkins got up and took it out on Ezeji Philadelphia style but found that taking him out wasn’t easy. Needless to say Hopkins got a good 6 round workout and won by scores of 58-55, 59-53 and 59-54. The win improved Hopkins to 9-0-1 with 3 KO’s. Ezeji dropped to 5-5-1 with 2 KO’s.

    In a hardcore boxing brawl, Dennis Sharp, 161 ¾, of Bayonne, NJ pounded Donald Labbe, 159 ¼, of Lewiston, ME until referee Dick Flaherty mercifully halted the bout at 1:55 of 4th round. Labbe hung in there and even landed some powerful left hooks to the body but Sharp was just too, well, sharp for Labbe. Sharp is now 8-0-1 with 3 KO’s while Labbe slipped to 2-2.

    Jose “El Gallo” Reyes, 129, Vineland, NJ won a 6 round unanimous decision over Calvin Shepard, 127, ½, of Jacksonville, NC. Reyes, who improved to 7-1 with 3 KO’s won by scores of 60-53 and 60-54 twice. Peter Manfredo, Jr., 159 ½, of Providence, RI won an easy 4 round decision over John Lennox Lewis, 160, of New York, NY. Manfredo is now 11-0 with 5 KO’s while Lewis dropped his record to 10-6-1 with 7 KO’s.

    In the first bout of the evening, New Haven prospect “Bad” Chad Dawson, 165 ¾, made quick work of James Orso, 169 ½, of McIntosh, AL. After two knockdowns referee Dan Schiavone counted the reluctant Orso out at 1:58 of the first round. The win improved Dawson’s record to 3-0 all by the knockout route and I still want to see how good he is. All of his knockouts have come in the first round. Orso slipped to 2-2.

    Tulsa, Oklahoma’s T.J. Smith, 261 ¼, crushed the 306-pound Steve Griffin with a left cross, moments into the bout. Griffin was counted out at 30 seconds of the first round while lying on the canvas.

    Promoter – Duva Boxing
    Television - ESPN
    Ring Announcer – M. Mark Beiro
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOliveira, Weis Battle to a Draw``x1008351945,97145,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    UNCASVILLE, CT – If there’s one thing that Eric “The Magic Man” Harding knows it’s that he was put on this planet to fight. It’s a tendency that a lot of men from Philadelphia have had, however, not too many have reached the potential that the soon to be 29 year old has reached. Harding, has lived in East Hartford, CT for the better part of his career since moving from Philadelphia. But as Harding explains, leaving the streets of Philadelphia has much to do with his success in the boxing ring.

    “My trainer, (Howard) Moses wanted to bring me to Hartford because of all of the problems you can run into in the street,” said Harding. “The day before I was suppose to leave, one of my best friends Jermain Wade wanted me to go out with him on Halloween. On Halloween people usually go out with masks on and a lot of bad things go on. That night he took a bullet through the back of his head and that was it. If I never moved or went out with him that night, the same thing could have happened to me.”

    Thankfully, it didn’t. Since migrating to East Hartford, Harding has established himself as one of the finest 175-pounders in the world. In the process, Harding has compiled an impressive record of 21-1-1 with 7 KO’s. Though that isn’t a great number of pro bouts for a man that has been a professional since 1991, Harding has been in with a who’s who of the light heavyweight division, defeating the likes of Montell Griffin, Antonio Tarver and giving undisputed light heavyweight champion Roy Jones, Jr. his toughest fight as a pro. His latest fight tonight at the magnificent Mohegan Sun Arena was no exception. Harding, 173 ¼, took on tough, George (Khalid) Jones (now 16-1 with 12 KO’s), 174, of Paterson, NJ and knocked him out at 57 seconds of the 7th round with a perfectly timed left cross.

    Harding, not known for his punching power was simply too experienced for the brave Jones who took a huge step up in class. After a few competitive rounds, the Magic Man pulled a few tricks out of his hat and began landing crisp counters, shots that steadilly took Jones apart.

    “It was too soon for Jones to get in the ring with me especially with the tragic situation with Bee Scotland,” said Harding. Scotland died from injuries sustained in his fight with Jones over the summer. “Everyone kept saying that he had power. If he did I didn’t feel any of it.”

    Jones, who like Harding is a southpaw had some success and landed some clean shots however, the ones that founds its way, did not appear to effect him.

    “I am dedicated now more than ever,” said Harding. “And 365 days from now, I’ll be the world champion.”

    Though he may seem brash, you can see the sheer confidence in his eyes. It’s as if he is already a world champion. And how can you blame his faith? Harding fought several rounds with the a torn bicep in his lone title shot with Roy Jones, Jr. until the fight was stopped before the 11th round. What’s most surprising is the fact that despite his handicap, he made the bout competitive.

    “I named him the Magic Man because he had it all from day one,” said Moses. “When he turned pro in Philadelphia he had to fight a guy named Robert Thomas. After we weighed in, I found out that Thomas had over 30 fights going in. I told Eric that I wouldn’t let him fight him. He pleaded with me to let him fight until I finally gave in. He nearly beat the guy and had him out but got a draw.”

    In Thomas’ next fight he snatched the unbeaten streak of former IBF super-middleweight champion Charles Brewer who was 14-0 and beat him again two fights later.

    “(Harding) has natural talent and he really likes to fight. His grandfather (Al Hauser) fought Sugar Ray Robinson in 1942. Boxing is in his blood.”

    “I love to fight,” admits Harding. “I really love to fight. I love the physicality and figuring people out. It’s really fun.”

    And if Harding’s prophecy is correct, we’ll find out how much magic he really has.

    Robert Wiggins, of Providence, RI drove to Atlantic City on Wednesday to fight who ever a promoter put in front of him in a 6, an 8 or a 10 rounder. Yesterday, Ron Guerrero pulled out if his 10-round co-feature with Erik “Stonekold” Kirkland leaving the co-feature to be filled with a somewhat capable opponent. As a result, opportunity knocked for the 33-year old Wiggins. Wiggins received a phone call to be the replacement and drove all the way back from Atlantic City to the Mohegan Sun to pull out the biggest victory of his career, a 10th round knockout over Kirkland, a touted Duva prospect that had a 13-0 record.

    “I didn’t even know who I was going to fight down there but saw this fight as a big opportunity for me,” said Wiggins who is now 13-0-1 with 6 KO’s. “I was expecting to fight a 6-rounder which is why the fight was a little tough for me but Kirkland was tough anyway. He took a lot of good shots.

    It was evident early on that Kirkland was in for a tough fight. After a feeling-out first round, Wiggins, 216, began landing lead straight lefts and right hooks. He seemed so energized that he decided to land a punch after the bell that ended the second round, a foul that referee, Dick Flaherty penalized Wiggins for. The point deducted from Wiggins didn’t come into play though, neither did the horrendous scorecards which had Kirkland, 222, leading on two (86-84 by Arthur Mercante, Sr. and Glen Feldman) of them. Only Steve Weisfeld had the right guy winning the fight 86-84 (as the CBZ had it).

    Midway through the third round, Wiggins staggered Kirkland into the ropes with a hard left hand, which should have been ruled a knockdown. Wiggins did it again moments later and Flaherty finally ruled a knockdown. From that point on, Wiggins began to wield haymakers, some of which landed but Kirkland used the loose ropes ala rope-a-dope style to lean back and pull away from them. It seemed to be his only defensive tactic and it eventually got him doped.

    “I knew I could time him coming off the ropes,” said Wiggins. “As soon as he bounced off the ropes he stepped over to the right and I let my left hand go and it caught him.”

    The roundhouse left caught Kirkland on the kisser and sent him to the canvas for the second official knockdown of the fight. Kirkland returned to his feet at the count of three but his trainer, Dwight Yard instructed his charge to take advantage of the time. Kirkland took full use of the count and some as Flaherty counted to ten. Yard and the rest of Team Kirkland seemed furious but it was obvious that Kirkland was out of it.

    The win improved Wiggins’ record to 17-0 with 7 KO’s. Kirkland, who is now 13-1 will need plenty to work on if he is to be talked about as a prospect some day. According to Duva Promotions’ PR man, Tony Paige, Lorenzo DiClemente, the manager of Kirkland got in a shouting match with Lou Duva over the way Kirkland’s hands were wrapped. The argument caused Duva’s fibulator to go off and he was rushed to Backus Hospital in Norwich as a precautionary measure. As of this writing Duva was reported to be A-okay.

    In other bouts: Carl “Ingemar” Johanssen, 131, of Long Branch, NJ won 6 round unanimous decision over a competitive Angel Rios, 130 ½, of New York, NY. The new Ingo is now 9-0 with 4 KO’s while Rios is 9-3 with 6 KO’s. Troy Ross, 175 ½, Toronto, Canada dropped the iron chinned Dan Sheehan, 178, Salem, NH in the second round but couldn’t put on the finishing touches on the stubborn New Englander. Sheehan who had only been stopped twice was able to recover from the hard right hook that floored and landed some heavy rights in the final 4th and final round. Ross, who won by three identical scores of 40-35 improved to 5-0 with 2 KO’s while Sheehan is now 8-14 with 3 KO’s. Matt Hill, 144 ½, Baltimore, MD seemed to have a delayed reaction to a furious combination landed by Kendall “Rated R” Holt, 142, Paterson, NJ. With Hill covering up to protect himself. Having no other choice but to do the right thing, referee Joe Cusano stopped the fight at 1:49 of the second round. Holt is now 5-0 with 3 KO’s while Hill is now 4-13-1 with 3 KO’s. Former US Olympian, Dante Craig, 153 ½, of Cincinnati, OH overwhelmed Jerome McLean, 150 ¼, of Laurinburg, NC, stopping him at 2:19 of the first round. McLean weighed in yesterday at 141 and then was ordered to the buffet table to make the fight look more competitively. Naturally it didn’t help poor McLean, now 3-2 with 1 KO. Craig is now 4-1 with 3 KO’s. In the swing bout of the evening, Alexis Mejias, 227 ½, of Humacao, Puerto Rico had an easy time dispatching Everard Ramage (a killer of a name to pronounce for this Bostonian), 199, of New York, NY at 39 seconds of the second round. Mejias is now 4-0 with 2 KO’s.

    Promoter – Duva Boxing
    Television Network – ESPN2
    Ring Announcer – M. Mark Beiro
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHarding Shows More Magic, KO's Jones in 7th``x1008394414,18838,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    MASHANTUCKET, CT – Sometimes, judging fights can be a tough task, especially for yours’ truly. Tommy Kazmarek once wrote a book about judging and if anyone bought it, they should burn the damn thing as Mike Katz mentioned from ringside. How do you score some fights much less write about doing it? Kazmarek was one of the judges who scored the third meeting between John “The Quietman” Ruiz of Las Vegas via Chelsea, MA and Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield. To nearly everyone’s surprise Kazmarek came up with an even tally of 114-114. The fight itself turned out to be a draw as judges Don O’Neil had it 115-113 for the champion and Julie Lederman had it for Holyfield 116-112. The CBZ had it 115-114 for Ruiz and will accept any hate mail or criticism, for I had no clue how to score this one. The only thing I’ll agree with you on is the fact that it was one of the ugliest heavyweight championship fights seen in years. How do you a score a fight where one guy is initiating clinches and the other guy isn’t able to get off any punches? That’s at least how I saw the fight but again, what do I know? Everyone in the press section had Holyfield winning by wide margins.

    As early as the first round you could tell that this wasn’t going to be an Ali-Frazier III or even a Holyfield-Bowe III. Ruiz, 232, started by lunging in, this time not even leading with the jab and tying the frustrated Holyfield up like a prison guard. It was as if they never fought each other before even though they had previously spent 24 rounds together. Then again, maybe they knew each other too well and didn't want to engage each other the way they had in recent meetings. Once referee, Steve Smoger would separate the two, which took a long time, Holyfield would look for an opening and threw towards that opening infrequently. In fact, the chiseled 219-pound Holyfield landed only 152 punches out of 470 while Ruiz landed fewer (141 of 411). That’s what I had a hard time believing. Other than the 10th round, there didn’t seem to be much action let alone punches. Both fighters were disappointed. Holyfield was obviously the most disappointed.

    “I’m disappointed,” said the former 4-time heavyweight champion. “I feel that I won and did all I could to win the fight. I had good balance this time but he was able to duck under a lot of shots. He was really tricky and very awkward.”

    Though most would like to see Holyfield call it a career, how did Ruiz convince him of quitting the game? It was clear that Holyfield had more desire this time around. Ruiz now 37-4-1 with 27 KO’s), displayed little passion, a quality he had shown in defeating Holyfield this past March in Las Vegas. Ruiz and his trainer concede that it had much to do with Holyfeld’s resilience and the fact that the older man shattered his nose in the first round. It appeared that Ruiz’ nose was injured in the final round, the one in which it began to drip blood.

    “We have to take (Ruiz) to the hospital to look at his nose,” said Norman Stone, Ruiz manager. “We’re all done fighting Evander Holyfield, who as far as I’m concerned is the greatest heavyweight to ever walk the planet. Kirk Johnson is next!”

    Not fighting each other for the 4th consecutive time is probably the only good outcome of this fight but you can assure that Holyfield, now 37-5-2 with 25 KO’s will attempt to do what it takes in order to fulfill what he feels is his destiny: become the undisputed champion.

    “I don’t quit and I will not quit,” said Holyfield. “People don’t realize what goals and fantasies are. Goals are what you work for and fantasies are what you wish for. I’ve been working to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since I regained part of the title from Riddick Bowe. I said that I would retire as the undisputed champion and I meant it. People will find out that I am the boss and I’m here to stay until I become the undisputed champion”

    And judging by the way most folks saw his fight last night, Holyfield proved he should have been considered at least one of the bosses.

    In the co-feature of last night’s HBO televised event, IBF bantamweight champion Timmy Austin, 118, of Cincinnati, OH made his 8th defense of the title by winning a lopsided decision over Ratanachai Vorapin, 118, 40-5 with 28 KO’s Dankoonthod, Thailand. Austin seemed the more active fighter and the most difficult to hit. It was somewhat of a dull fight as you might have seen it but looked like a Morales-Barrera compared to the main event. The judges at ringside had it for Austin by scores of 115-112, 117-110, and 118-109. The “Cincinnati Kid” ran his record to 24-0-1, 21 KO’s while Vorapin is now 40-6 with 28 knockouts.

    In other bouts, “Irish” Tommy Martin, 241, of Davie, FL stopped Craig Tomlinson, 236, of Reading, PA 22-7-1 with 13 KO’s in the 9th round. Referee Frank Cappaccino counted to ten at 2:26 of the round. Nate Jones, 229, of Chicago, the US Olympic Bronze medallist scored a 4th round stoppage over Drexi Frank James, 202, of Miami, FL at 1:29 of the round. Jones is now 18-1-1 with 8 KO’s while James is now 8-2 with 4 KO’s. Danny Williams, 258, of London, England, scored a second round TKO at 2:21 over Shawn “Rockin” Robinson, 215, of Stafford, MO to up his overall mark to 23-1 with 18 KO’s.
    And in the first bout of the evening, Alberto Trinidad, won a four round majority decision (40-36, 39-37 and 38-38) over Roger Glover.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThree No Charm for Ruiz-Holyfield III: D 12``x1008488153,88614,``x``x ``xBy Chris Bushnell

    Holyfield-Ruiz III was a lot like Jurassic Park III: predictable storyline, slower than the original, and left plenty of room for an unnecessary Part IV. In the rubber match, boxing dinosaur Evander Holyfield appeared to have narrowly defeated Ruiz after a bloody final round that saw Ruiz hanging on for dear life. But the judges showed an apathy similar to the fans' and, unable to come to a consensus, declared the bout a draw. It was the correct decision, although not because the fight was incredibly close and featured a
    number of impossible-to-score rounds. It was correct because neither Ruiz nor Holyfield did enough to win, let alone be called champion.

    The first round of the third fight looked like just about every other round in the trilogy: Holyfield looking for a knockout punch, Ruiz throwing awkward one-twos, plenty of clinching and lots of complaining to the referee. Ruiz complained that Holyfield pushed him to the canvas, Holyfield complained that Ruiz hit him low, Ruiz complained that Holyfield was shoving his forearm into his neck, Holyfield complained that Ruiz was holding instead of fighting. In between the complaints, they hugged like old friends. The pro-Ruiz crowd that filled Foxwoods Casino's new arena were eerily silent.
    This was a bout for the heavyweight title?

    Truth be told, Holyfield did manage to establish his left hook in the opening round. Several times when Ruiz came at him to bearhug, Holyfield ripped off a short hook that landed on the button. One of these early hooks shook Ruiz in the fight's opening seconds, as it would several times throughout the bout. But Holyfield seemed convinced that the hook would fold Ruiz, and so he kept the punch cocked and ready more often than he let it go. As with most fighters who are shot: he could see the openings, but he couldn't pull the trigger.

    With Holyfield waiting for the perfect opening, Ruiz was free to do as he pleased... which was little. In a few rounds, especially early in the bout, Ruiz remembered that he could pretty much tag Holyfield any time he wanted to. As such, Ruiz took turns leading with a jab, a lead right, uppercuts, hooks, you name it. Mostly Holyfield just stood there and watched the punches land. But unlike the previous fights, Ruiz rarely got on the offensive. He seemed content to jerk his torso around and stay out of Holyfield's way. Anytime the men got close, Ruiz immediately tried to clinch. Referee Steve Smoger nearly went hoarse trying to separate these men over twelve full rounds.

    Most of the rounds were slow. Much slower than those of the earlier fights. And each round was difficult to score with the lack of action, let alone the lack of clean punches. Ruiz may have stolen the tepid second round with a big uppercut just as Holyfield likely stole an uneventful fourth round with a similar single blast from underneath. So unmemorable were the other events in those rounds that one punch was all it took to swing the judges one way or
    another. And some rounds didn't even have one punch to go by, such as the dreadful seventh round. By far and away the most boring round of the 36 these two have fought, the seventh round featured not a single punch worth remembering. In a perfect world, we could score this round 9-9, because neither man did enough to deserve the 10-10 that the rules require for an even round.

    Holyfield-Ruiz III was a real snoozer until the ninth round, when Holyfield suddenly woke up. For a flash in the that stanza, Holyfield looked like the aggressive warrior from the first Riddick Bowe battle. Instead of loading up on single bombs, he threw combinations at angles, catching Ruiz with a series of crisp punches for the first time all night. Evander's late rally extended
    into the tenth, and was slowed only when Ruiz' holding and grabbing became flagrant. The round ended strong as well, with Ruiz spinning Holyfield into a corner and unleashing the first sustained combination of his own. Holyfield let his own hands go, and ended the 15-second exchange with a vicious right hand that swiveled Ruiz' head and stopped him in his tracks.

    By the time the final round came around, one thing was certain: the fight was up for grabs. With seemingly everything on the line, neither man fought with intensity. But halfway through the round, Ruiz ducked into a short Holyfield hook that busted his nose. The blood began to pour out of Ruiz' nostrils. Holyfield now swung wildly to try and finish Ruiz off. A couple of early glancing shots indicated that Ruiz was either hurt or being extremely distracted by the unending fountain of blood that washed down his face. But
    Ruiz eventually tied Holyfield up. The rally stopped, and each time
    Holyfield again tried to land, Ruiz immediately grabbed Holyfield's waist and forced Smoger to take the maximum time to break the fighters.

    With a clear victory in the final round, a smiling Holyfield was swarmed by cornermen who were certain he had won. By contrast, Ruiz looked concerned and anxious in his corner. The final tally was eventually read: 116-112 for Holyfield, 115-113 for Ruiz and 114-114 Even. When the fight was announced a draw, an ecstatic Ruiz jumped up in the air twice and screamed "Yeah! Wooooh!" We've never seen anyone so excited to get a draw.

    Now what? After this lackluster follow-up, it's difficult to imagine the public (or a cable network) being interested in Holyfield-Ruiz IV. And yet, it seems somehow fitting. Since neither of these fighters appear to be good enough to beat a Top Ten heavyweight, they might as well continue to fight each other.

    If we were John Ruiz, we'd certainly want to fight Holyfield again. It sure beats the prospect of facing WBA mandatory Kirk Johnson. Johnson's inactivity is a factor, but Ruiz himself hadn't fought since March of this year. Johnson would have to be the favorite. A more likely scenario is that Don King gets the ratings switched, or that Holyfield becomes a mandatory for yet another rematch because of the draw. For Holyfield, who would he rather face than Ruiz? Now winless in four of his last five fights, Holyfield doesn't yet have the momentum for a big money showdown with Tyson. He'd have to face another young, and certainly more talented, prospect before earning another title shot... and that seems unlikely.

    No, Holyfield and Ruiz are made for each other. Maybe they could do it once a month, each time in a different city. Or maybe they could fight three times in three days? Perhaps their next fight should stipulate that they'll fight as many rounds as it takes. No matter what they decide, you can bet the boxing public, despite the complaints, will show up to watch. After all, didn't Jurassic Park III make a killing at the box office?

    Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHolyfield Draws with Ruiz``x1008549098,2441,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    A former president of U.S. Amateur Boxing pled not guilty to multiple charges of child sex abuse last week in Portland, Oregon. Jerry Dusenberry of Portland was indicted for molesting an 8-year-old boy he met when he volunteered with a youth mentoring program in this city. According to Portland Police, the boy told his mother and the mother filed a police report. A search of the un-married Dusenberry’s modest home produced computer files, journals and calendars in which he is alleged to have documented his sexual
    contacts with boys between the ages of 8 and 10 years.

    Dusenberry’s bail has been set at 1 million dollars and his trial is scheduled for January 23.

    Portland police say that since the charges hit the local news media, at least ten other people have stepped forward with additional allegations against Dusenberry.

    Meanwhile, more about Dusenberry’s activities have come to light. As reported in the Friday, Dec. 14 issue of the Portland Tribune Newspaper, reporter Jim Redden wrote:

    "This is not the 61-year old Dusenberry’s first brush with the law. He was convicted of felony theft charges in Colorado on July 21, 1999.

    Dusenberry defrauded USA Boxing of more than $10,000 when he served as that organization’s volunteer president from 1992 to 1996.

    USA Boxing is the national amateur boxing organization that fields America’s Olympic boxing teams. It is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which is located in El Paso County.

    Dusenberry continued to live in Portland while serving
    as president. According to El Paso County Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Zook, he falsely claimed to have hired a secretary in Portland to handle his paperwork.

    "He filed phony reimbursement claims to compensate himself for paying for the secretary," said Zook.

    Other USA Boxing officials eventually grew suspicious of the arrangement and brought the matter to the district attorney?s office.

    "He made up all kinds of elaborate stories about why we couldn’t find her, all of which were lies," said Zook. "He even went so far as to rent a post office box to give her a phony address."

    Dusenberry eventually plead guilty to felony theft charges. He was given a three year suspended sentence on the condition that he reimburse USA Boxing in the amount of $10,778, perform 250 hours of community service and not commit any other crimes.

    Told of the Portland indictment, Zook said, "Sounds like he violated "the terms of his probation and should be sentenced on the theft charges."

    It was during Dusenberry’s Presidency of the national amateur organization that USA Boxing was discovered to have fraudulently obtained millions of dollars in grants from the U.S. Olympic Committee. In a negotiated settlement, US Amateur Boxing agreed to pay
    back a fraction of the money.

    Meanwhile, Redden reports that local police had but flubbed a chance to prevent Dusenberry’s most recent victim from being molested. Redden reports:

    "When Dusenberry volunteered to be a mentor at Portland Impact,(where Dusenberry met the boy) the organization had the Multnomah County Sheriffs do a criminal background check. The Sherriff’s Department
    found he was listed as a fugitive from Colorado, apparently a computer record of an arrest warrant issued in the fraud case. The actual theft conviction wasn't in the computer because it was a negotiated suspended sentence. But the Multnomah County Sherriff never ran down the fugitive status and never told Project Impact.

    This error was expanded when the Portland Police failed to investigate a report made by two adult men who came to the Department in March of this year to report that they had been sexually abused by
    Dusenberry some 15 years before, when they were children.


    ---30---

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOregon Cops Blew Chances to Stop Child Molester ``x1008561821,6212,``x``x ``xRead the December WAIL! ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRead the December WAIL! ``x1008619768,68169,``x``x ``xPAZ-LUCAS INFORMATION!

    PROVIDENCE -- There have been numerous reports in print, web and television media regarding a proposed matchup of WBC super middleweight champion and former five-time world champion and WBC #23 Vinny Paz in 2002.

    According to CES President Jimmy Burchfield, the fight has been agreed to in principle by the camps of Eric Lucas and Vinny Paz. The main hurdle before a full announcement can be made is where the fight will be held. Currently the bout is being negotiated for either Foxwoods Resort Casino, which would put the fight in their 4,000 seat Bingo Hall or the Mohegan Sun Casino, which would use their new 10,000 seat arena.

    The target date for the fight is currently March 1 and ESPN2 has shown strong interest in carrying the fight. As more information becomes available CES will release it to the media.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Lucas-Paz Could Be Set for March 1st``x1008870369,3333,``x``x ``x

    Muhammad Ali Collection
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDVD Pick of the Week``x1008887813,85560,``x``x ``xVena has become more than just a casual fan of boxing
    By Doug Hastings




    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCBZ Editor Vena Profiled by Burlington Sports``x1008951449,79334,``x``x ``xWard-Leija in HBO main event Jan. 5
    “Real Men, Real Fights” in San Antonio

    MIAMI, Fla. – Fresh off the announcement that his last (July 13) match against Emanuel Burton was named 2001 Fight of the Year by USA Today, junior welterweight “Irish” Micky Ward is ready to return home to Lowell (MA) after three-weeks of extensive training in Miami in preparation for what may set the standard for the 2002 Fight of the Year -- his January 5th showdown on HBO against veteran “Jessie” James Leija in San Antonio, Texas.

    Ward (37-10, 27 KOs) and Leija (42-5-2, 18 KOs), the “Texas Tornado,” will wage war in the 10-round main event, promoted as “Real Men, Real Fights,” at Freeman Colisium.

    Ward, whose fight against Burton also produced USA Today’s Round of the Year (9), has been training at Pat Burn’s gym in Miami. Burns was the 1992 and 1996 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team coach. Team Ward returns home to Lowell (Mass) this weekend for the holidays before departing for Texas.

    “Micky’s received world-class training under the supervision of Pat Burns,” his manager, Sal LoNano, reported from Florida. “The style of his main sparring partner, Lamar Murphy, is just like Leija’s. With extremely good weather down here, Micky has also been able to get in a lot of running.”
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Ward-Leija Under way for Jan 5th``x1009037815,62960,``x``x ``x

    Sting Like a Bee
    By Jose Torres and Bert Sugar

    This classic boxing book has just been re-issued in an attractive, oversized paperback. Grab it!




    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBook Pick of the Week``x1009054400,82603,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Why Ruiz Still Deserves Our Attention

    “He sucks!” muttered some ringside observers. “If he can’t knock out a 39-year old, how would he do against a top contender, let alone Lennox Lewis,” asked skeptical observers who witnessed John “The Quietman” Ruiz narrowly retain his WBA heavyweight title with a dubious draw with Evander Holyfield on December 15th. Some time ago, you may remember me mentioning in the CBZ news section that the Quietman would eventually become a world champion and earn some deserved respect. After his latest episode with Holyfield, you’re probably still wondering if I believe that adulation would be tossed his way. Well, stop wondering. I do believe Ruiz is a good fighter and one of the best heavyweights in the world.

    I guess from what you’ve read after Ruiz’ forgettable performance, the bold statement I just made could make you say to yourself, “What a homer!” Some of you believe that I’m a homer or someone who totally favors New England based fighters because I usually have nice things to say about them. You might even think that you’re writer has a “Yankees Suck” bumper sticker draped on the back of his brand new Porsche to spite any visiting New York fan on Interstate 95. Well the truth is, that bumper sticker is as authentic as the fancy car I drive. In truth, I drive a 97’ Chevy Cavalier (& think that it’s really made of paper mache) and know for a fact that the Yanks are the greatest baseball team ever to play the field.

    Like anyone in New England or particularly in the Boston area, where I’m from, I wish the Sox were on top, just as I hope that the New England fighters would surpass their expected limitations and become world champions. You don’t expect fighters like Ruiz, Micky Ward, Ray Oliveira or Vinny Paz to attain high status in the fight game. But if you look at their careers and their accomplishments, they most certainly have. Say what you will about the WBA heavyweight title, but who would have thought that Ruiz would come back from a 19-second knockout to reel off 11 straight wins and eventually win the title? Paz is a two division champion and may possibly win his thrid should he fight Eric Lucas for his title. Ward went from a journeyman who was used to pad records in the early 90’s to a top-notch contender. Oliveira is a walking punch-stat machine and is one of four active fighters to have fought over 370 rounds without ever being stopped. Getting back to my point, any sportswriter covering his or her local beat wants the athletes they’re covering to perform well. Do you think Ron Borges of the Boston Globe would have had a fun time covering the New England Patriots this year if they weren’t in contention for the AFC East division title? I’ll bet you my autographed Micky Ward 8x10 picture he wouldn’t.

    When I predicted before the first Holyfield-Ruiz fight that the man from Chelsea would become a world champion, I said it because he is an excellent and disciplined fighter. Even after his ugly showing in their third fight over a week ago, I still believe that he can not only fight, but is one of the best heavyweights in the world with or without the spurious WBA belt. Prior to losing the controversial decision to Holyfield in the August of 2000, Ruiz had been trying to erase the memory of his knockout loss to the once fierce, David Tua. As fate would have it Ruiz would have a terrible task of disproving that popular belief by fighting Evander Holyfield, who despite his advanced age can still fight. It’s as if Ruiz inherited Holyfield’s crown of disrespect when he was seeking it over a decade ago. To go back in time 10 years, it was Holyfield if you don’t recall, now regarded by most as an all-time great heavyweight champion who struggled with 42-year old versions of George Foreman and Larry Holmes in title defenses. And it was because of those performances that Holyfield had to defeat Riddick Bowe and Mike Tyson to show what kind of fighter we were watching all of these years.

    People have criticized the way in which Ruiz fought Holyfield. As a fan of the game, I certainly didn’t appreciate the way he was fighting him. In fact, it worsened my hangover. It was a horrific fight: little excitement, few punches thrown, and a lot of mauling and holding on Ruiz’ part. It wasn’t pretty in the least bit, but when has beating Holyfield looked pretty? Bowe, the first man to defeat him had himself in big trouble in all three of his meetings with the Real Deal, despite owning advantages in height (3 inches), weight (roughly 30 pounds) and arguably having the best trainer in boxing (Eddie Futch). It could be argued that a healthier Holyfield would have whipped Bowe had he not have contracted hepatitis B for their third fight. Some felt, including the HBO cast that Moorer got lucky in his first meeting with a one-armed Holyfield and let’s not even talk about Lewis. Lewis had the same advantages as Bowe (with the exception of Holyfield being nearly 4 years older than when he fought Bowe) but fought Holyfield as if he were the one who had been a cruiserweight, keeping the smaller man at bay. I’ve never seen such a big man appear so cautious against an aging man who never had a reputation as a dangerous puncher. For Ruiz’ part, the guy knew that fighting Holyfield could be an arduous and dangerous task. Most fighters don’t look the same when they fight Holyfield.

    Outside of how he looked against Holyfield and obviously Tua, Ruiz is usually the aggressive guy. Ruiz is one of the only heavyweights who throws the jab correctly. Not only is there snap and precision behind the punch, there’s oomph, made in part when he steps in with it. Any one who knows boxing particularly a trainer will always make the fighter step forward with his jab. Where Ruiz learned to fight at the Somerville Boxing Club that’s exactly what they teach. I remember watching Steve Saggese, one of their amateur heavyweights knock out two opponents in Golden Glove tournaments: each of them went out from a single heavy jab. Ruiz steps in with the jab although it didn’t happen much with Holyfield, because he realized that trying to back him up would cause problems. If you try to back Holyfield up, he’ll counter you and wear you down. Just ask Mike Tyson or anyone else who attempted to back the Real Deal up. Hasim Rahman doesn’t have a clue as to why he defeated Lewis the first time around. In one moment of a fight he was losing, he decided to back Lewis into the ropes with three or four jabs. Lewis not knowing how to combat someone while backing up got his feet tangled up against the ropes, which set up Rahman’s picture-perfect right hand. That strategy was forgotten in the rematch as Rahman thought that his pre-fight tormenting of Lewis would defeat the Brit. When you see John Ruiz fight again (probably against Kirk Johnson in April) you will see him backing his opponent up with the jab and being more aggressive. And if Ruiz doesn’t get by Johnson, then I’ll admit to you that he was an overrated fighter.

    “Irish” Micky Ward, one of boxing’s most exciting fighters has been home in Lowell for the holidays but will make his way to San Antonio for an early installment of 2002 Fight of the Year. Hey, at least we won’t have to wait all year for it. On January 5th, in case you haven’t set 15 reminders for yourself, Ward faces the ever-resilient, “Jesse” James Leija (I’ve always loved that name) in an HBO main event billed as “Real Men, Real Fights.” Ward will be holding an open work out at World’s Gym in Somerville (Mass) today (Friday) before heading deep in the heart of Texas. If you’re interested in seeing him train at World’s, go to the front desk for admission. The password is: “Hey juicehead, I’m here to trade liver shots with Micky Ward.” Okay, I’m kidding. The work out is being held for the media only, because we’re cool. But I’ll give you a million bucks if you say that.

    Speaking of Ward, ESPN2 will rebroadcast Ward’s memorable slugfest from the summer with Emanuel Burton (now Augustus) tonight. Personally, it was the best fight I’ve ever been to and one of the best I’ve ever seen. It was a real fight between real men. According to an article written by Max Kellerman, the “Duece” will review this year’s highlights, which have been quite historic to say the least. Speaking of which, look for the 2002 CBZ awards to appear in our next issue of Wail.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1009506717,4734,``x``x ``xThe following interview appeared on another web site and is a tribute to the late great sports journalist, Dick Schaap.

    THE FIRST FAMILY OF SPORTS JOURNALISM ON BOXING:
    Dick and Jeremy Schaap Spend a Few Minutes Talking About the Sweet Science
    with Barry Lindenman
    xbarry13@carolina.rr.com


    When it comes to sports journalism, the name Schaap is synonymous with style, class and professionalism. Both Dick and his son Jeremy, exemplify the way sports should be reported in the media. The elder Schaap’s long and distinguished career as a sports journalist has seen him venture into virtually all phases of the media: print, radio and television, not to mention his current role as theater critic for ABC’s World News Now. From 1959-1963, he worked for Newsweek magazine and in 1973, he became the editor for SPORT magazine. Schaap left SPORT magazine in 1977 and joined ABC’s World News Tonight in 1980. Currently, he is serves as the host for ESPN television’s The Sports Reporters as well as The Sporting Life for ESPN radio. Along the way, Schaap has won a total of six Emmy Awards as well as one Cable Ace Award. Schaap is also the author of over thirty books, including his latest. After helping numerous athletes such as Hank Aaron, Joe Montana and Bo Jackson pen their autobiographies, Schaap has finally turned the tables on himself. His just released autobiography, Flashing Before My Eyes, chronicles his fifty years in the business of journalism and features two of his personal favorites, Muhammad Ali and Billy Crystal on the cover.

    Following in his father’s footsteps, Jeremy Schaap has quickly made a name for himself in the world of sports journalism. Also a member of the ESPN sports staff, the younger Schaap has himself won four Emmy Awards, three for his work on the network’s Outside The Lines series, and one as a feature producer for ESPN’s SportsCenter. He has covered every major sport during his tenure at ESPN including the NFL, the NBA, Major League Baseball as well as professional golf, horse racing and college football and basketball.



    BL: Tell me about your introduction to boxing and who were some of the fighters that you’ve come to know.

    DS: I first really started covering boxing with the Sugar Ray Robinson fights and the Floyd Patterson fights in the late fifties. I got to know Sugar Ray but I certainly would not say we were good friends. Sugar Ray Robinson was at the top of the boxing world during the 1950’s when it seemed that he would either win or lose the championship about every three or four months. I can remember going to his office in Harlem and seeing these two wonderful huge photographs of his fights against Randy Turpin that had been enlarged. The first one had a caption on it that said, “Paradise Lost,” and the other one with a caption saying, “Paradise Regained.” Sugar Ray and talked about doing some articles together or writing a book together but dealing with Sugar Ray was a lot like fighting him. He would fake you in and then he’d drop you. I remember attending a press conference of Sugar Ray’s once at which he said that he felt like Alexander the Great because he had no more worlds to conquer. John Lardner, who was a fellow columnist of mine at Newsweek at the time quickly reminded Sugar Ray that Alexander the Great died in his 30’s. Ray didn’t exactly like that. Floyd was a friend and has been a friend for a long time. He was probably the first athlete that I met who was younger than I. He won the heavyweight championship not long after I got out of college. We became friends from the beginning in an era when you could get much closer to fighters and all athletes for that matter. The day of the third Johansson fight in Miami Beach, I spent virtually the whole day with Floyd from the morning right up until fight time. In fact I was in his dressing room with him playing Tonk, a five-card rummy game that very few white people know how to play. In the middle of the card game, about an hour before fight time, Floyd fell asleep. He was the first athlete I’d ever seen that reacted to nervousness by falling asleep. Floyd was always completely open and honest. When I see Floyd today, it reinforces my feelings about the sport of boxing. I’m a fan of boxers but not of boxing. As much as it did for Floyd, I hate to see what it’s done to Floyd. I don’t see him much anymore but I still think of him
    as a friend.

    JS: When I was about 8 or 9 years old, I became sort of a sports freak. I wasn’t a football fan. I wasn’t a hockey fan. I wasn’t a basketball fan. But I did love baseball, boxing and horse racing. I remember having a book that was an encyclopedia of world boxing champions. I can remember studying the book as a kid. Probably the athlete my father most admired was Muhammad Ali. As a kid, I got to spend some time around Ali at his training camps. In particular, I remember spending a lot of time with him before one of the Norton fights. I became an enthusiast after that.




    BL: Of all the fighters you’ve covered, who would you say was the most misunderstood by the public?

    DS: I think most fighters are misunderstood by the general public in the fact that they’re all looked upon as viscous and cruel. While certainly there are some who live up to that, Mike Tyson for example, there are so many who outside the ring who are not like that. For example, Lou Savarese has been a friend of mine almost since he got started in boxing. I love Lou. He’s just such a nice, sweet guy. Floyd Patterson is the same way. Lennox Lewis, who I only know slightly seems to be the same way. In fifty years of covering the sport, of course Muhammad Ali is by far the dominant figure.

    JS: I think Lennox Lewis. I think he’s misunderstood by most of the American boxing press corp. I think he’s treated unfairly. I don’t think he’s given any respect mostly because of his accent. This is a guy who for years Riddick Bowe ducked. Now, Mike Tyson has been ducking him. Yet when he fights guys like Holyfield, or Michael Grant or David Tua, most of the American writers write him off. They suggest that he has no heart and because he’s not a crowd pleaser, he’s not a real fighter. That upsets me because I think Lennox deserves better than he’s gotten, especially from the American media.



    BL: Although all sports have their fair share of “characters,” boxing for whatever reason, seems to have more than its fair share in terms of its participants, managers, promoters, etc. Who would you say is your favorite all time “character” in the sport of boxing?

    DS: I worked with Rocky Graziano and Rocky was certainly a character. We wrote an article together in the late fifties for SPORT magazine called, “For $50,000 I’d Fight Any One of These Bums,” referring to the current middleweights at that time, long after Rocky had retired. Rocky used to tell me that he still worked out at the Gotham Health Club with people like Paul Newman, Ben Gazarra, and Tony Franciosa. This was a time when Marlon Brando was the number one actor in the world and the Actor’s Studio was really at its peak. Rocky said that he used to go over to the Actor’s Studio and that he went there one day and saw four guys standing in a corner learning how to be actors. He said they were all trying to learn how to talk like him! I loved Rocky. He was a lot of fun. I think that boxing and horse racing are the sports that probably produce the greatest characters. Part of the reason is that in both sports, no matter where you turn, the scent of larceny is in the air. That’s a very sweet odor that lends itself to characters and funny situations.

    JS: Of the people that I’ve been around, in terms of characters, I found the promoter Don Elbaum certainly a character. I’m still not sure whether he conned me on the first boxing story I did as a reporter or not. He tried to sell us on a story about a fighter named Kenneth Kidd who was fighting what was supposed to be his last fight against Meldrick Taylor in 1996. I asked him why this was his last fight and he said that he had to donate his kidney to his brother after the fight and he wouldn’t be able to fight with one kidney. To this day, I really don’t think Kenneth Kidd ever had to give up his kidney. That taught me a lesson about boxing and about promoters and fighters. I knew Riddick Bowe in the early ‘90’s and I liked him a lot. I liked his personality and as a young guy coming out, he was so full of life that I found him very charming. Obviously, he’s had a lot of problems since then and I don’t know exactly what happened and how he got to where he is today.


    BL: Despite the pervasive violence that inflicts our country and the world for that matter, the popularity of boxing has decreased over the years. What factors do you attribute to its waning popularity of the sport?

    DS: It’s kind of ironic that the two sports with the greatest characters, boxing and horse racing, have both been on the decline. In both cases it’s for the lack of a suitable hero. Some people who love boxing might love Mike Tyson, but people outside of the sport are generally repulsed by him and therefore, repulsed by the sport. There is never going to be another Ali. Sugar Ray Leonard was as close as anyone came after Ali to being Ali, but he wasn’t Ali. You need heroes like that for a sport to surge the way basketball did with Michael Jordan. Now he’s gone and that sport is having problems.

    JS: There’s so many theories about why boxing isn’t what it was forty years ago. I think it has a lot to do with the ascendancy of other sports, in particular pro football and pro basketball. I think a lot of that really has to do with television. In the early days of television when there were only three or four networks, boxing was on constantly. One of theories is that as boxing moved on to television, people got used to seeing it on TV rather than going to the arenas and eventually the small fight clubs started to die. So you had fewer boxers and fewer people who were interested in it. I also think that the corruption and “alphabet soup” of the sanctioning bodies certainly has contributed to the confusion on the part of the public. Also the fact that you can’t see any of the big fights on free TV like you can see the Super Bowl or the World Series has certainly reduced its reach to the viewing public. Today, even huge sports fans can’t name more than two or three heavyweights. All of these factors have hurt boxing.


    BL: Many great fighters still continue to fight well into their forties and some even into their fifties. What do you think it is about boxing that makes it particularly hard for athletes to leave behind even after their skills have diminished?

    DS: Today, it’s money. There’s no question about that. Unless you endorse a grill that cooks hamburgers and steaks, where else can you make the kind of money that you can make in the ring if you’re good? Of course there are some guys who keep boxing that are terrible. In most of those cases I would think it’s because it’s the only way they know how to make a living.

    JS: I think more so than other sports, there’s no other way to approximate it. If you’re a basketball player and you quit, you can still go out and play five on five at the YMCA. If you’re a football player, you can still throw the ball around with your kid. There’s no way to approximate fighting except to fight. It is, from what I understand without ever having fought myself, quite an adrenaline rush. It appears to be more of a narcotic than other sports. So to go cold turkey must be very, very difficult.

    BL: Most people would agree that boxing wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for Don King. That being said, do you think Don King has been good or bad for boxing?

    DS: I think on balance, Don King has been bad for boxing. I think he’s done some very good things and I think he did a heck of a job of promoting Ali but I think I could have promoted Ali. He’s in it for Don King and that’s understandable because that’s why people go into business. He’s just kind of slippery about it.

    JS: I think Don has been bad for boxing too. He has one great contribution to the history of the sport and that is the fight in Zaire. That fight doesn’t happen without Don King and he deserves credit for making that fight. You have to give him credit for his intelligence and his powers of persuasion. On the other hand, if anybody has helped make the sport a farce, it also been Don King. Look at the way he has treated his fighters. It’s unconscionable making people sign blank contracts and manipulating the rankings. Certainly there was nothing pristine about the sport before Don King but he’s dragged the sport through the mud with him. I think the best thing that can happen to the sport is what Senator John McCain has suggested about a national boxing commission to handle rankings and make matches. I would trust that much more than I would trust Don King or Bob Arum.

    BL: What’s your opinion about the current popularity of women’s boxing? Do you think they should be given a legitimate chance or do you think it’s just a sideshow attraction to try and sell tickets?

    DS: I once went to a party given by Sylvester Stallone to watch a Tyson fight. It was commemorating the 20th anniversary of “Rocky.” There were several heavyweight fighters there including Muhammad who was there with his wife Lonnie. Christy Martin was fighting on the undercard and I remember turning to Lonnie Ali and asking her, “does Muhammad like that?”
    And she said, “only if they’re fighting over him!” I guess that’s sort of the way I feel about women’s boxing.

    JS: I’ve seen a few women’s fights on the undercard of some championship fights I’ve covered and I don’t really like it. I don’t think that it’s something that the American public is clamoring for. I think it is kind of a sideshow. I think the fact that many of the women fighters who are receiving attention are the daughters of Ali and Frazier and Foreman just tells you that this is not a real sport yet. Maybe it will be one day.


    BL: Boxing is increasingly becoming more and more “Hollywood” and more like professional wrestling with all the lights and laser shows during the fighter’s long, grandiose entrances into the ring. Do you think this trend is serving to help or hurt the sport?

    DS: I don’t think it has any effect upon the sport. It’s effect is on the production. To me it’s hokey. I find it very difficult to go to sporting events any more because you can’t hear yourself talk. Between rounds or between periods, I’d like to be able to talk to the person next to me. It’s awfully difficult these days with all the entertainment that’s going on at sporting events.

    JS: I was at the Roy Jones fight at Radio City Music Hall. It was one of those things where he had his rap introduction with all the lights, etc. I don’t like that. I don’t know if it helps or not. I don’t think boxing needs to give people the impression anymore than it already does that it’s somehow staged or fixed. I think boxing unlike wrestling is about what happens inside the ring. I think it should remain so and anything that distracts from that hurts it.


    BL: Because of the action, unusual characters and easy target for cliché, Hollywood often uses boxing as a backdrop for its movies. Do you have a favorite boxing movie?


    DS: There have been some good ones. “Champion” was a great movie. Of course “Raging Bull” was a terrific movie except it was too nice to Jake LaMotta. At his worst, he was worse. I just watched “Somebody Up There Likes Me” the other day. It’s not really a very good movie but it was nice to see a young Paul Newman. It’s a formula “rags-to-riches” story but it’s reasonably well done.

    JS: “The Harder They Fall” is a great movie and so is “Golden Boy” but I’d have to say “Rocky” is the best boxing movie ever made. I love that movie.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAn Interview with the Late Dick Schaap and Son, Jeremy - By Barry Lindenman``x1009978276,40567,``x``x ``xNothing but respect at Ward-Leija press conference
    “Real Men, Real Fights” Saturday night on HBO

    SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Unlike most press conferences in boxing, today’s at Dave & Buster’s for Saturday night’s “Real Men, Real Fights,” headlined by “Irish” Micky Ward versus “Jesse” James Leija, was more like a mutual admiration society meeting. Nothing but respect was spoken by the two veteran warriors.

    “I can’t wait for Saturday night, it’s going to be a great fight,” the soft spoken Ward said. “We’re both good for boxing. I respect him a lot, but I came here to win, most definitely.”

    “Micky Ward’s a tough fighter,” Leija remarked before his hometown press. “If you had a football or basketball team, you’d want Micky Ward on that team because he never quits and always gives 110 percent. We’d make a great team together, unfortunately, we’re fighting each other. But that’s only in the ring; I like Micky, he’s a great fighter.”

    Ward-Leija is Saturday evening’s main event on HBO (10:30 p.m. eastern), live from the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio. Ward (37-10, 27 KOs) and Leija (42-5-2, 18 KOs) are scheduled to fight 10 rounds.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Ward-Leija, "Real Men, Real Fights"``x1010170452,54238,``x``x ``xBATTERED DORIN LIFTS TITLE FROM BALBI
    Ward-Leija goes to cards after five

    Only five days into 2002, and we have a serious candidate for Fight of the Year. No, it isn't Leija-Ward. That bout could have been a contender had it not been stopped just as it was starting to get good. The already-nominated slugfest was the lightweight battle between Leonard Dorin and now-former WBA titlist Raul Balbi. For 12 vicious rounds, these two men put on a breathtaking display of athleticism, courage, determination, and violence. Not even a questionable decision could spoil this one.

    Only the most serious boxing fans had heard the name Raul Balbi before this fight. Despite a 53-fight career and a legitimate world title, Balbi's name has been absent from the discussion surrounding the busy 135 lb. division. His opponent, Romanian amateur star-turned undefeated pro Leonard Dorin, was even more anonymous. But no one who saw them wage war for 36 minutes will forget them.

    Despite a solid advantage in both reach and height, Balbi welcomed Dorin's first round charge with a fist-first style. Within seconds of the opening bell, both men were in close quarters, throwing short, crisp punches at the other. Dorin was the aggressor, bulling in with his broad shoulders and then turning his whole torso with each lead right hand. Balbi showed a little more variety, mixing in hooks and uppercuts with his chopping right hands. Dorin was the first to go to the body, but he didn't get the best of it. Once the downstairs punches began, Balbi expertly found that soft spot just under Dorin's ribs time and again. As the two exchanged blow for blow, it was Dorin that was moving forward, giving him the edge in an otherwise close round.

    As good as the first round was, the second was even better. Balbi-Dorin may yet be defeated for Fight of the Year, but round two is going to be a favorite for Round of the Year 360 days from now. As in the opener, both fighters wasted no time in throwing punches and landing. Balbi found that his left hook was able to snap Dorin's head more often than his other punches. Dorin's big right continued to land, and was often followed up by a flush left hook. Balbi never failed to land to the body in these lightening exchanges. His lefts loudly tagged Dorin's side before the two came together, and his left and right ripped uppercuts into Dorin's chest as he bent over before falling into a clinch.

    Nearing the midway point of this all-out brawl, a Balbi body shot momentarily stopped Dorin in his tracks. Balbi now turned the punch skyward, and tore into Dorin with a series of left uppercuts, each more spine-shattering than the previous. One of these uppercuts opened a small cut over Dorin's right eye. As the fight wore on, the cut would grow from a nick to a large gash, the largest of the many cuts Dorin would sustain in this bout.

    Despite the fact that Balbi never stopped punching, Dorin regained his composure at some point. Dorin's technique may not be pure boxing, but it's incredibly effective. Using his brute strength and unwavering determination, Dorin waded through the storm of punches until he was close enough to land his own. Once there, he squared up and shifted his weight into every punch. By the closing seconds of round two, Dorin had snapped through enough clean punches to turn the tide. Both men were pounding each other upstairs and down when the bell finally rang, sending a capacity San Antonio crowd to it's
    feet.

    Dorin's late-round rally hadn't been enough to take the 10-9 from Balbi, but it was enough to set the stage for a long night. Round three was slower than round two, but only a little. Significant in this round were the adjustments that Balbi began to make in the ring. While Dorin continued to bull forward and throw bombs, Balbi started putting together a plan to slow him down. Part one of the plan was body shots. Although Balbi had been steadily working the body from the opener (as had a diligent Dorin), his attack in
    round three increasingly focused on Dorin's sides. Balbi left hooks tore into Dorin's side at every interval. When the two were trading furiously, Balbi mixed in a hook to the side every third punch. When the action momentarily subsided in a semi-clinch, Balbi struck Dorin's ribs in three and four punch sets. Despite this attention to the body, Dorin wasn't ready to slow down yet. He kept the stanza close by landing a series of clean left hooks to close the round.

    Balbi also discovered in round three that during bursts of punches to the head, Dorin would effectively cover-up to deflect the incoming and stop punching. As the fourth began, Balbi rushed at Dorin and ripped into him with a three punch combo. Then a four punch combination. Two more three punch flurries opened up Dorin's cut and began swelling his eyes. But no sooner had the final punch landed and Balbi paused to take a breath, Dorin threw and landed a massive left hook. The punch sailed past Balbi's guard and snapped his head back violently. Balbi's knees snapped straight when the blow landed, but he was not otherwise hurt.

    Balbi continued to pepper Dorin, who in turn continued to draw gasps with the one or two big punches he would land at the end of a Balbi combination. Balbi returned to the body after a few big Dorin blows, and then once again ripped upwards with the left uppercut. One such uppercut hurt Dorin, and a second sent him back into a corner... the first and only time in the bout that Dorin actively retreated. Balbi gave chase, and tore into Dorin's body with four quick body shots, two to each side. A Balbi straight right bounced Dorin off the ropes, and for a moment the fight looked to be coming to a
    close. Dorin's original cut was now spilling blood, and another cut on his other eyelid was causing a gross swelling above the less-bloody of the two eyes. Balbi's attack subsided briefly, and after a clinch, referee Rafael Ramos called a doctor up to inspect Dorin's cuts.

    Dorin's eyes were in bad shape, but he was allowed to continue. He came out and won the fifth round. Four rounds of non-stop highlight footage had slowed the pace. Over and over, the two fighters threw simultaneous punches, one of the two would land, and then a clinch/tangle/leaning would force the ref in to call for a break. Balbi continued to bank points early in the round by making the most of these short offensive opportunities. But his quicker combos gave way to a few monster Dorin right hands. While Balbi landed more, Dorin's bigger shots were the more telling blows, as the fight
    had slipped into a pace that favored his bomb-and-clinch style.

    Balbi corrected this trend in the sixth, by flurrying more and slipping Dorin's shots. By now, Dorin's two major cuts had been opened by further uppercuts, and a family of smaller nicks dotted the swelling round both his eyes. He couldn't have been able to see much, although Balbi was rarely anywhere but in front of him. His face a mess, Dorin could do little more than summon his courage and throw in the direction of the incoming. He didn't land many of these attempt in the sixth, but in the seventh he again was able to land enough to steal the round from Balbi.

    Balbi, who was completely unmarked at this point, was fighting with complete confidence. He knew he had banked a decent lead in the early rounds, and even though Dorin was occasionally making the rounds close with his more eye-catching bombs, he seemed in control. If Balbi had any problems, it was in believing that Dorin was able to withstand the punishment his face as taking. Convinced that Dorin's face could be no more damaged, Balbi returned to the body in round eight. The attack was brutal. Balbi routinely hit Dorin in the left side with flush hooks that reverberated through the arena. A clear Balbi round.

    Despite all the ribcage shots, Dorin kept coming. In the ninth, he finally got was he was looking for: a punch that hurt the champion. It was a lead right thrown exactly as all the others had: with Dorin's full effort launched into the punch. It crunched Balbi's face and rendered him motionless until the follow-up hook could also find its target. Now it was Balbi's chance to stop punching. Another Dorin power shot stood Balbi up in place, and when he
    tried to step back, his legs wobbled under him, making his retreat look worse than it was. To prove that he was all right, Balbi grinned and waved Dorin in for more. Dorin gladly lunged in and landed another big right, but Balbi fired back with a series of body shots that showed he was far from knocked out. Balbi and Dorin engaged in more even exchanges until the bell, making this another close round, but one in which Dorin had to win because of Balbi's rubber-kneed moment.

    The tenth round saw the momentum completely shift after Dorin committed a foul. The stocky Romanian had swung his wrecking ball to the body nearly as much as Balbi in many previous rounds, and more than a few of his shots had unintentionally drifted low. Balbi had already been given a breather several times when Dorin again landed low a minute into the tenth. The referee correctly deducted a point from Dorin, and a grimacing Balbi took only a minute before resuming the fight. But two punches later, Dorin again drifted low, to the exact same spot on Balbi's pelvis. It wasn't the crotch shot
    that usually sends guys to the canvas in pain, but it was well below the belt. Balbi again turned around in pain, and the ref again called time. No point was taken, although it would have been justified.

    Balbi was angry when the fight resumed, but Dorin seemed even more pumped up. Fighting as though he had been the one hit low, a fresh Dorin now exploded on Balbi, landing a number of big punches in a frenetic flurry. To his credit, Balbi steadied himself and went back to picking off Dorin's misshapen face. Several big hooks landed squarely on Dorin's biggest cut, spreading blood everywhere. Balbi's rally was enough to win the round, giving him 10-8 with the penalty. But it was a close round, and many probably scored it 9-9 for Dorin. This two-point swing can wreck havoc with scorecards, as the eventual split decision would show.

    Dorin continued to appear pumped up in the eleventh, perhaps even too much so. Twice he shoved Balbi across the ring, both times because he looked too excited to control himself. Dorin's energy allowed him to land some big shots in the eleventh, but Balbi took the round when a big left hook staggered Dorin in place for a moment near the end of the round.

    The final round was everything it should have been. Dorin, looking as energetic as he had in any round, pushed the action and was again landing big shots as the men came together. But despite this final round effort, Balbi had enough presence of mind to keep away from a knockout situation. Balbi, who rarely used his legs to move, finally began to shuffle away from Dorin in the final minute of the round, although the fighters ceremoniously let it all hang out for a final ten seconds of fist-flying-free-for-all.

    Boxing Chronicle scored this bout die Raul Balbi 115-112, rewarding Dorin for his late effort, but recognizing that Balbi's early lead held up. One judge agreed with us. Another scored it 115-112 for Dorin. The third and decisive judge scored the bout 114-113 for Dorin, the new WBA lightweight champion. Without question it was a close bout, but the verdict was still a stinker. It seems clear that Dorin's more attractive head-snappers swayed the judges in rounds when Balbi was consistently hitting Dorin on every part of his
    body. This was a classic fight, a close fight, and Dorin's late-round efforts were impressive. But he didn't deserve to win.

    Balbi-Dorin was such a vicious, thrilling bout that Ward-Leija had nowhere to go but down. Even without the anti-climactic ending, it would have been a letdown.

    But there were some interesting developments in Ward-Leija that made it an intriguing bout while it lasted. The first surprise of the night was the fighter's weights. Jesse James Leija, who had seen his best days at 130, and who had twice been roughed up by moving up to 135 to face De la Hoya and Mosley, was now fighting at 140. Micky Ward, who has fought at 140 his entire career, was expected to be the bigger man. This was especially the case when Leija weighed in at 138.5 to Ward's 140.5. But by fight time, Ward had bulked up to a firm 147, while Leija was the bigger man at 153.

    As the fight began, Ward began throwing his rarely-used right hand, and caught an unsuspecting Leija off guard with the blow. But Leija wasted no time answering with a crisp right of his own, landing a solid one-two and then smacking Ward's side several times with a looping right. A few seconds later, Leija again pounded Ward's left side and the Irish brawler didn't appear to like it. Leija was effective using a little footwork and a slight advantage in speed to land good shots on Micky early. But less than two minutes into the bout, Leija emerged from a clinch bleeding from the right eye.

    A doctor was called to the ring, and while Leija's cut was already long and thin, it wasn't bleeding very hard. He had fought with worse. Leija attacked Ward with some urgency, and quickly landed another firm right. Ward raised out his gloves and began to gesture for Leija to bring it on when another Leija right interrupted Ward's taunt. Micky backed into a corner and Leija ripped into him with more body shots. Finally uncorking his legendary left, Ward got in a few good body shots of his own before the bell, but the first was a clear round for Leija.

    Back in his corner, Leija's bleeding was quickly stopped by cutman Al Gavin. But despite the lack of flowing blood (for now), the cut didn't look like it would last all night. Running diagonally up towards the center of Leija's head, the cut ran the length of his eye and ended above the eyebrow line.

    Ward continued to try out his improved right hand in the second, but Leija was effectively slipping the punch and countering with his own shots. While both men were landing, the action was far from furious. Both Ward and Leija have announced retirements in their careers (Leija after Mosley, Ward before the Neary fight), and the pace showed that both men had seen better days. Still, the contest was very even, with Ward's left doing damage when he got close and Leija using angles to catch the defense-free Ward. After two more
    minutes, the doctor was again called to look at Leija's face. Already, the cut was worse. Most doctors would have stopped the bout right then. But this was Leija's proclaimed last-ever fight in hometown San Antonio, he was winning, and the fight had barely began. They let it continue.

    Leija attacked Ward with urgency, and his added size came in handy. A big Leija hook rattled Ward, and when another landed Ward looked wobbly. Leija pulled his way out of several clinch attempts to land follow-up shots, but could not find the combination that might have made it an early night. As the seconds ticked out, Leija was closing the show on a near-perfect round when Ward launched a massive overhand right. The punch turned Leija's head. A split second later a left hook crashed into Jesse James' face and snapped his head straight back. It was a wicked combination, and drew a loud gasp
    from the pro-Leija crowd.

    By round three, the pace had slowed even further. Micky Ward was having problems finding his target. Often he would swing a wild left hook that would miss Leija by a mile and nearly turn Ward around. Leija boxed smart in this round, moving left or right and hitting Ward in between. Ward bought some time in the middle of the round by switching southpaw. But Leija waited, Ward eventually switched back to conventional, and then Leija resumed scoring points. Three rounds complete, three rounds to Leija.

    Ward finally got his left arm going in the fourth round, and after a few slashing hooks, Leija's cut was flowing blood. At first the blood formed a streak down the side of Leija's face. By mid-round, his face was covered. By the end of the round, Ward's blond hair was more than half-red, having been dyed while Leija bled on him in clinches. It was a close round, but one in which Leija continued to control the pace and land more often.

    With four in the bank, the chance of a no-contest was over. If the fight were stopped due to Leija's cut, the cards would choose a winner. The fight would last only one more round.

    The fifth was a big Ward round. A triple left hook stunned Leija early in the round, and while he recovered nicely, the blood was becoming a major problem. Referee Lawrence Cole seemed transfixed by the cut, which was over four inches long and widening with every Ward hook. Leija survived the round.

    When Leija returned to his corner, cutman Al Gavin said "Holy Crap!" Even he was taken by the cut. The doctor came over to inspect, as he had in between each round, and rightly called the fight off. This was not a case of Leija copping out like Camacho Jr. did. Camacho had a small cut. Leija had a major gash that was still dripping blood in the post-fight interviews.

    Ward and his corner were livid at the stoppage, although after the fight they agreed that the cut was bad. The first score read was 48-47 Ward, giving them a ray of hope. But the next two scores of 48-47 and 49-46 went to Leija, giving him a win and Ward an 11th loss. (Boxing Chronicle scored it 49-46 Leija). After the fight, both men said that it should have been called a no-contest. Maybe they're right.

    And so 2002 kicks off with a bang, a dud, and the year's first questionable decision. Yep, looks like it will be another typical year of boxing.

    .....Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDorin-Balbi / Leija-Ward Fight Reports by Chris Bushnell``x1010412447,4005,``x``x ``x‘Mandatory Mayhem’ Pits Two World Champions Against Their No. 1 Contenders at Miami Jai-Alai on Jan. 19

    WBO Junior Welterweight Champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley Defends Title Against Former Champion Ener Julio; Two-Time WBA Light Flyweight Champion Rosendo “The Buffalo” Alvarez Puts His Crown on he Line Against Pitchit Siriwat; Tickets Go on Sale Monday at 11 a.m. at the Miami Jai Alai Box Office

    MIAMI—A world championship boxing doubleheader will take place Jan. 19 at Miami Jai Alai when new World Boxing Organization junior welterweight champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley makes his first title defense against the former champion and current No. 1 contender Ener Julio and World Boxing Association light flyweight champion Rosendo “The Buffalo” Alvarez defends his title against former champion and No. 1 contender Pitchit Siriwat.

    Ringside tickets priced at $75 and general admission seats at $30 will go on sale Monday at 11 a.m. in the Miami Jai Alai box office located at 3500 NW 37th Ave., (305) 633-6400. Doors for the event open at 2 p.m., and the first bout will take place at 2:30 p.m. The co-featured main events will begin at 6 p.m. and will be televised in a special early evening edition of SHOWTIME Championship Boxing.

    Corley (26-1-1, 16 KOs), from Washington, D.C., won the WBO 140-pound title in a shocker in Las Vegas on June 30. He was a last-minute substitution for Julio (21-3, 16 KOs), who had been scheduled to face Felix Flores but was diagnosed with cataracts during fight week. The flashy and outspoken Corley gladly stepped in to face Flores for the vacant title.

    He sensed from the opening bell that Flores was not adjusting to his
    southpaw style and floored him with a crushing right uppercut midway through round one. Corley knocked the Puerto Rican down again before referee Jay Nady ended the punishment just before the end of the round.

    Routine eye surgery has corrected Julio’s vision—so the WBO has made him its No. 1 contender—and he will attempt to regain the title from Corley. It will not, however, be the first time the two have met. Julio believes he ended up on the wrong side of a hometown decision when he faced Corley in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24, 1999, for the United States Boxing Association 140-pound title.

    In the co-feature, two-time champion Alvarez (30-2-1, 19 KOs), from
    Nicaragua, avenged a disqualification loss to Beibis Mendoza on Aug. 12, 2000, with a split-decision victory in a rematch on March 3 where he also walked away with the WBA 108-pound title.

    One of the most distinctive credits on Alvarez’s resume is neither a win nor a loss. He knocked down Mexican superstar Ricardo “Finito” Lopez for the first time in his career in the second round when they fought in Mexico City, Mexico, on March 7, 1998. After an accidental clash of heads in the seventh round sent the match to the scorecards, the bout was ruled a controversial technical draw. This draw is noteworthy because it remains as the only blemish on Lopez’s record, which now stands at 50-0-1.

    Siriwat (25-1, 12 KOs), from Thailand, won the WBA 108-pound title on Dec. 3 1996, and successfully defended his title five times before being stripped of the title for failing to come to terms with then-No. 1-rated contender Alvarez.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Don King Doubleheader at Miami Jai-Alai``x1010415256,24929,``x``x ``xRICHIE MELITO AND ELVIR MURIQI TO CO-HEADLINE SHOW AT THE PARK CENTRAL NEW YORK HOTEL

    NEW YORK, Jan. 8 - On January 24th, Ring Promotions is pleased to kick off 2002 with a night of professional boxing in the heart of New York City. Featuring some of the metro area's most exciting fighters, the eight bout card will be held at the Park Central New York Hotel, located on 7th avenue (between 55th and 56th streets). Doors open at 7:00pm, and the first bout begins at 7:30pm.

    Co-headlining the card will be two New York favorites, cruiserweight Richie "The Bull" Melito and light heavyweight Elvir "The Kosovo Kid" Muriqi. Also featured will be heavyweight prospect Elfair McKnight, a four-time New York Golden Gloves champion, and Kathy Collins, one of the best pound for pound fighters in women's boxing.

    "This is a great way for Ring Promotions to kick off not only the new year, but our relationship with the Park Central New York Hotel," said Bob Duffy of Ring Promotions. "We have eight shows scheduled for this venue and we couldn't be happier about bringing big time boxing back to New York City."

    Melito, 25-1 (23 KOs), will battle a to be determined opponent in a scheduled 10 rounder. One of the hardest punchers in the heavyweight division, Melito expects to be even more devaststing at cruiserweight, where he will now campaign. 'The Bull' will look to challenge the division's elite over the next year, and hopefully bring a title home to his fans in Queens.

    "The Kosovo Kid" has gained notice as one of the fighters to watch in the light heavyweight ranks. 20-1 with 10 KOs, the 22-year-old Muriqi will fight eight rounds in his first bout since undergoing hand surgery.

    Tickets for this exciting night of boxing, priced at $35 (General Admission), $50 (Ringside), and $125 (VIP Seating), may be purchased by calling 516-313-2304, or at the following locations:

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Ring Promotions Back in NYC on Jan 24th``x1010499778,21289,``x``x ``xFormer Two Time World Champion Genaro Hernandez Join Team Reggie Johnson

    Los Angeles based Genaro Hernandez, (W.B.A.'s Superfeatherweight Champion from 1991-1994 and the W.B.C.'s Superfeatherweight Champion from 1997-1999) has been enlisted to help put the finishing touches on Reggie's preparation for his bout against Antonio Tarver on January 25, 2002.

    "I have known Genaro for many years" stated Reggie. "I've always respected him as a fighter. We trained in the same gym when I moved to California. He had heart, focus, drive and commitment. He (Genaro) reminds me of me. So when the opportunity presented itself for Genaro to join our team, it made sense. I had several choices presented to me as candidates. But I wanted somebody new. Someone with a fresh energy. That's Genaro. I believe he'll add a new dimension to our strategy and game plan. I'm glad he wanted to do this," Reggie added.

    Genaro was one of the more popular fighters of the nineties. His epic battles with the likes of Jorge Paez, Jimmy Garcia, Oscar DeLaHoya, Azumah Nelson and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., reminds us of the days gone by in boxing. A forgotten memory of why we fell in love with the sport. Why we loved (or hated) the athletes themselves. A time when the best fought the best. No wrangling, posturing, network barriers or pay-per-view households to divide up. Just good fights.

    Genaro has spent the last few years as a commentator for HBO's Spanish Network.
    "I enjoy commentating. I think I could have fun for a long time announcing the action. But I really miss the hands on experience," Genaro revealed. "Reggie is a tremendous athlete with unique talents. He is the best in the Light Heavyweight division. I'm excited to be in his corner. Anything I can do help, I will" he concluded.

    Genaro's role will be that of both corner man and real time fight strategist. Extra eyes in the corner. Someone who will use his experience in championship rounds to augment Reggie's ring generalship during the fight.

    Genaro will complete the Johnson corner of Derwin Richards (best known for his pitched battle against Julian Jackson), Chuck Bodak (the world's best known cut-man) and Bob Jordan (also co-advisor to Reggie).

    "I'm very excited about my direction," Reggie announced. "This is it! I can't wait for January 25th to unveil the all new Reggie Johnson."




    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Genaro Hernandez Joins Forces with Reggie Johnson``x1010518794,56984,``x``x ``xLEIJA CHANGING HIS TUNE
    By Jerry Colton

    SAN ANTONIO, TX - Just when you think you are about to witness something good in this cut-throat sport, things turn sour real quick. After winning a technical decision in San Antonio Texas against Lowell's Micky Ward, Jesse James Leija was the first to say, "No one should have won this fight, he (Ward) didn't beat me and I didn't beat him". These were the words of Leija in front of an HBO world wide audience. His tune quickly changed in the company of friends and fans at a local restaurant, according to the San Antonio Express News. "I clearly won the fight. He had as much of a chance to win the rounds as I did," said Leija.

    In a recent interview with Leija for RING 99, Leija spoke on the controversy surrounding the fight between himself and Hector Camacho Jr. We asked Jesse how pissed off he was after the Camacho decision and he stated, "Actually, the Camacho fight didn't upset me at all. I've always said that everything happens for a reason. As long as I win the fight, in my mind, nothing else matters. The decision is not in my hands but the fight is. I know I won the fight, but you have to except the politics in boxing….. It's something you can't change". Well Jesse has a little sole searching to do with the decision of his latest fight with Ward. We all know that Jesse has no control over the judging but he certainly has two eyes with which he can see that the cut that was ruled a head butt by referee Laurence Cole was actually a punch landed by Ward in the early going.

    Cole, who was on the right side of Ward when the left hook was thrown said, " I didn't see a punch, either," he said. "Experience tells me if it wasn't caused by a punch, it has to be a head butt. So I assumed it was a head butt. I don't have the benefit of a replay. I have to make my call." I believe that Cole made an honest call. Not the correct call, but one he "thought" was right.
    A protest has been submitted to the Texas Athletic Commission by Ward's manager, Sal Lonano but that protest may fall on deaf ears. You see referee Laurence Cole is the son of Texas Boxing Commissioner, Dickie Cole. Will the father over rule the sons inadvertent call and change the decision to a no contest or a draw? Either is of little consolation for Ward. One thing is for sure.

    In the coming days or weeks ahead we will find out two things; 1) Will the Texas Athletic Commission be fair and honest and render an appropriate ruling? And 2) Is Jesse James Leija just a good PR man or does he live by the words he speaks concerning fairness and honesty?
    Using the same philosophy as Leija regarding the outcome of a fight, Micky Ward can disregard the judges decision and come away knowing that he won by TKO in 5. If Leija is not just a lot of talk, he'll agree.

    As many others, I'd like to remember Jesse James Leija as the 2 time world champ whose epic battles with Azumah Nelson (4 times), Mosley and DeLaHoya to name a few was the warrior from Texas we always rooted for and not the guy who let his corner quit for him on his stool.

    Jerry Colton is the Managing Editor for www.Ring99.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLeija Changing His Tune - By Jerry Colton``x1010519070,84995,``x``x ``xBoxing has no borders; no wars.
    It brings people together as Brothers and Friends
    By Jerry Colton

    In June of 1938 a boxer by the name of Joe Louis fought a German fighter by the name of Max Schmeling in a heavyweight contest that wasn't exactly your average boxing match. You see, Max Schmeling, at the time, didn't just represent another opponent to Louis or the fans. Schmeling represented Nazi Germany's most prominent symbol of "Aryan superiority." Louis was fighting for America and it was an "us against them" atmosphere. The two fighters were only symbols of each country.

    Today, we are very fortunate in this country to have sports with it's members made up of men and women from all parts of the world. These men and women play side by side and the opponent is just "another team". In boxing we are just as fortunate to have fighters right here that have made the United States their homes and yet are still able to represent their homeland by carrying it's flag and wearing its colors. We root for some of these men and women regardless of their nationality, beliefs or religion.

    Some examples are Vasilly Jirov of Kazakhstan, Joel Casamayor of Cuba, Jesus Chavez of Mexico and more. These men made America their home and we accept them as our own yet they still take great pride in representing their countries of origin. It is almost never an "us against them" attitude in boxing when a fighter is from another country no matter where it may be. The world is our arena in boxing.
    Today as wars continue throughout the world many sports continue on as usual and boxing is one of them. Even as our troops fight in the Middle East, boxing continues there on a grand scale, especially amateur boxing. Who would think, with all the turmoil in these regions that tournaments are being held with talented young fighters from India, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey just to name a few. Well, they are and it's an example of how the sport of boxing is like a brotherhood, like a universal team.

    I have the honor and privilege to know one of these young fighters. His name is Muhammad Athar Aziz Mughal or as he likes to be called Athar. Athar is from Lahore in Pakistan and is an accomplished young amateur boxer and a very dear friend. He is a tall, fierce 130 pounder who has made quite a name for himself throughout the region with close to 100 amateur fights under his belt. His shelf lined with trophies surrounded by the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals he has won in worldwide competition is a testimonial to his talents. Athar's talents in the sport of boxing is equally matched in his personality. He is a very friendly young man who is looking forward to visiting the United States and train along side his brother-boxers. His plans are to come to Lowell, Massachusetts and train at the popular West End Gym. Using Yahoo's instant messenger, I am able to speak with Athar 3 or 4 times a week to answer the many questions he has as we wait for the Embassy in Pakistan to give him the okay to travel. With the threat of war between India and Pakistan looming, Athar is concerned that his dreams of visiting the U.S. may be dashed.

    Nevertheless, we continue to make our plans and I continue to answer his questions, which are many. He has a great interest in our training methods. He tells me what he does in Pakistan and I tell him some of the routines we do here. He asks about weight training, roadwork and conditioning. Most of the routines he does in his gym we do here as well. At times our conversations sometimes drift to other subjects. One of those times was very troubling to me when he mentioned that it may not be good to come to the U.S., at this time, because of the dislike of Muslims after the events of September 11th. For a moment I sat silent at my keyboard. How do I answer this young man. I was very saddened by the statement. Now I find myself in a position to explain to my friend about the feelings of Americans in regards to Muslims. Am I qualified? To be honest, I never had any hate towards anyone in regards to the September 11th attack except to the perpetrators themselves and the group they represented. Yes, these people were Muslims but "Muslims" did not attack us, fanatics, crazy people, attacked us. But I knew his concerns were valid. I explained to him, like in any country, you have people who lump ethnic groups together and people who judge other people by what they are wearing, their accents or the color of their skin. I told him that what transpired on September 11th brought a lot of attention to Muslims and most of that attention was that people were now starting to read about the Muslim religion and understand what it was "truly" about. I assured him that most Americans are not anti Muslim, as it is believed to be in his region. I assured him that he would be welcomed here and it would be a pleasurable experience. I think what bothered me the most was that something like this has to even be explained, but unfortunately it does. It also bothered me that one has to concern himself with something like that in the persuit to better himself in his chosen sport, boxing. I guess if I were traveling to his part of the world my concerns would be many as well.

    All this made me sit back and think of our sport. Day in and day out we go to the gym and work with kids who are black, white, Hispanic, Dominican and Asian. We work with kids who are Irish, Italian, Portuguese and others. Some are Catholic, some Jewish, some Muslim and almost every other religion you can think of and we don't give it a second thought. Everyone sweats the same, bleeds the same and cries the same. What a great sport to be involved in when none of these differences in people mean a thing.

    We have a motto for our RING 99 organization and that is: "He who sheds his blood with me on this field of battle, shall forever be called my Brother." How true that is.

    I'm really looking forward to Athar's visit to the United States. I hope the situation in his part of the world does not prevent him from making the trip. Although I've never met Muhammad Athar Aziz Mughal in person, over the last year and a half of our chatting and emails, he is like a close friend to me and I look forward to working with him in the gym. On occasion this sometimes "sleazy" sport we call boxing brings about good things.

    Jerry Colton is the Managing Editor for www.Ring99.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBoxing Brings People Together - By Jerry Colton``x1010586609,71126,``x``x ``xBernard ‘The Executioner’ Hopkins vs. Carl Daniels
    Undisputed World Middleweight Champion Hopkins Will Enter Record Books for Most Successful Middleweight Title Defenses with Win Over No. 1 Contender Daniels Feb. 2 at Sovereign Center in Reading, Pa.; Tickets Go on Sale Saturday at 10 a.m.

    READING, Pa.—Big-time professional boxing makes its debut at the new Sovereign Center when undisputed world middleweight champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins makes a mandatory
    defense against No. 1 contender and former world champion Carl Daniels on Jan. 19.

    Tickets priced at $20, $35, $75 and $150 go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Sovereign Center box office (plus 50-cent facility charge) and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling (215) 336-2000 or purchased on the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com. The main event will be featured in a special doubleheader edition of HBO World Championship Boxing at
    9:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. PT.

    Event promoter Don King said he went to great lengths to make sure this fight took place in Hopkins’ home state of Pennsylvania.

    “Bernard really wanted the fight to be in Pennsylvania, and he and all of his fans deserve it,” King said. “We also tried to make tickets as affordable as possible to make sure as many of his longtime supporters can be at the Sovereign Center to see their champ live.”

    Hopkins (40-2-1, 29 KOs), 37, born, raised and still living in Philadelphia, is making his first appearance since winning Don King’s Middleweight World Championship Series in the biggest fight of his career against previously undefeated Puerto Rican superstar Felix “Tito” Trinidad at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sept. 29.

    Hopkins, the longtime International Boxing Federation champion, also picked up the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association 160-pound titles in King’s tournament to become the first undisputed middleweight champion since Marvelous Marvin Hagler held that distinction from 1980 to 1987. He is also considered by many experts to be the best “pound-for-pound” boxer in the world.

    A win over Daniels, the mandatory challenger, would move Hopkins ahead of legendary Argentinean middleweight Carlos Monzon for most successful world title defenses by a middleweight. He tied Monzon, the all-time leader with 14, in his win over Trinidad.

    “Monzon’s record has always been on my goals list,” Hopkins said. “If I can win with this one, then it’s Canastota time,” referring to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y.

    Daniels (47-3-1, 30 KOs), 31, born, raised and still living in St. Louis, is a former WBA junior middleweight champion and is currently the IBF No. 1-ranked middleweight contender. He won the WBA 154-pound title when he defeated Julio Cesar Green in 1995 in Lyon, France.

    Since moving up to 160 pounds in 1998, Daniels has been undefeated in 10 fights. He earned the right to this middleweight world title shot by defeating Brian Barbosa in a 12-round elimination bout in his last outing in Chester, W. Va., on Dec. 29, 2000. Daniels will be making his sixth world title fight appearance.

    “I have heard Hopkins talking about Carlos Monzon’s record and Canastota,” Daniels said. “Before he gets the plaster cast for his bust at the International Boxing Hall of Fame, he better worry about Carl Daniels on February 2."

    Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission Executive Director Greg Sirb is excited to have world-class boxing in his state.

    “We did 50 fights in 2001 but because we’re not a gaming state, our opportunities for world championship boxing are limited,” Sirb said. He added, “The people that come to our matches are fight fans.”

    In domestically non-televised undercard action, another world title fight will be featured as former World Boxing Organization 140-pound champion Randall Bailey (24-1, 24 KOs), from Miami, faces Demetrious Ceballos (24-3, 15 KOs), from Colon, Panama, for the vacant WBA super lightweight title. [Full undercard information will be provided in a future release.]

    Don King Productions holds the distinction of having promoted seven of the 10 largest pay-per-view events in history, as gauged by total buys, including the top four; the highest live-gate gross in history; the largest attendance for a boxing match in history; and promoting or co-promoting 15 of the top-25 live-gate grosses in Nevada history.

    Don King Productions also has promoted more than 500 world-championship fights. Nearly 100 individual boxers have earned $1 million or more in Don King Productions-promoted matches.

    The Sovereign Center is a state-of-the-art facility located in downtown Reading, Pa. The venue opened its doors in September and is the home of the Reading Royals of the East Coast Hockey League and has hosted many other sports and entertainment events.

    SMG manages the Sovereign Center for the Berks County Convention Center Authority. For more information call (610) 898-SHOW or visit us on the Internet at www.sovereigncenter.com.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Hopkins vs. Daniels``x1010765286,41587,``x``x ``xThis year's inductees have been officially named. Visit the following links in the CBZ Encyclopedia to learn more about them.Hall of Fame Inductees -- 2002

    Ingemar Johansson
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/ingorec.htm

    Victor Galindez
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/galindez.htm

    Jose Pipino Cuevas
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/cuevas.htm

    John C. Heenan
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/heenan.htm

    Charley Mitchell
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/mitchell.htm

    Sixto Escobar
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/escobar.htm

    Benny Bass
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/bass.htm

    Harry Harris
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/harris-h.htm

    The Dixie Kid
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/dixiekid.htm



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xVisit the the 2002 Hall of Famers``x1010767458,13127,``x``x ``xWHY IS
    LESTER BEDFORD
    DOWNRIGHT ORNERY?

    Bedford tries desperatly to defend "KEMOSABE"
    By Jerry Colton

    Whoa there partner, settle down.... we know ya' got a heap of explanin' to do, but don't go getting unhitched from yer saddle! Yep, Ol' Lester Bedford sure has got his spurs dug in down in Ol' San Antonio. The good ol' boy has written an open letter explaining, or trying to explain, why his boy, Jesse James Leija got the decision against "Irish" Micky Ward last Saturday night. The first thing that strikes me as smack-dab, gaul dang strange, is why ol' Lester has to write an open letter to the public explaining "why his guy won".

    Not only does ol' Lester think it's necessary to write an open letter to the public explaining why his guy won, he gets down-right insulting to Micky Ward in doing so. What's all the fuss about there partner? Your guy won the fight. Why do you find it necessary to go into all the details of a fight that was witnessed by millions of people on HBO? There ain't something bothering you now is there partner? Wasn't it your boy who first stated after the fight that "nobody won this fight?" There is no need to go into the details of the fight as it has been analyzed and reanalyzed 100 times by sports writers and fans.

    Everyone saw what happened yet you find that you have to, for whatever reason, justify it by an open letter detailing the accomplishments of your fighter over the years. While doing so, you also find it necessary to try to insult and scoff at the accomplishments of "Irish" Micky Ward. Your statement that the results has turned into a "Poor Micky Fest" shows your ignorance and unproffesionalism. If I remember correctly, it was "Poor James Leija" after the Camacho fight. I don't believe that Camacho's camp wrote any open letter explaining why their guy won. They waited for the decision of the commission after the protest. And, after the protest I don't remember any crying or whining from that camp. You, Mr. Bedford, have already started your whining and crying before the protest is even ruled upon. Is there something about the protest that may be legitimate that you are worried about? Do you think that some of the "good ol' boys" just may see that it was a punch that opened the eye and not a head-butt? Well partner, if I were you I wouldn't go worrying yourself about that. Dang, you got to remember who the referee was, who the commissioner is and where the fight took place. Shit..... Micky Ward ain't got a pole-cats chance in hell of winning that there protest. But you can bet your boots on this cowboy; Cameras don't lie, the fans are not stupid, you can count "your" blessings that the fight was stopped and the deserving fighter will go on to a bigger fight.

    Who's really trying to "Mask this baby with controversy, true or not, and hope like hell we all get another payday.?"
    Having said all this partner, there is just one last thing to say, "Hi-Ho Silver, Away!!!"
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xIs Lester Bedford The Lone Ranger? - By Jerry Colton``x1010775685,16883,``x``x ``xThe Pugilistic Pride of Puerto Rico
    By Barry Hanley

    Considering the dimensions of the small Caribbean Island, Puerto Rico has a pugilistic pedigree that is truly astounding. Think Torres,Camacho,Trinidad,Ortiz,Vazquez. The list goes on and on.
    Considering Puerto Rico's position as a bastion of the 'sweet science,' it was hardly surprising that an episode of Friday Night Fights would be broadcast from it's bountiful shores.

    The fights took place at the Hector Sola Bezares Arena in Caguas, a town about fifty miles from San Juan. 8 thousand fans packed into the 7 thousand capacity arena and even more were turned away at the door. With such enthusiasm and adoration it is little wonder that so many young men decide
    to lace up the gloves and forget about careers on the catwalks of Paris and
    Milan.

    The first bout of the evening featured a pair of 106 pounders. Mike Thomas from Baltimore faced local Cagueno, Ivan Calderon. Calderon represented Puerto Rico in the last Olympics. His years at the upper echelons of the amateur ranks proved to be a solid foundation from which to fashion a successful pro career. From the opening bell it became apparent that Calderon would dominate the fight. His elusive style and his confusing Southpaw stance proved to be too much for the Baltimore product. The Puerto Rican was very fond of a sneaky right hook often employed by left-handed fighters. The orthodox Thomas found it hard to adjust to a right hook thrown from such a short distance.

    In the third, Calderon hurt Thomas with 40 seconds to go in the round. A trio of hard straight right hands did the damage but Thomas held on and was saved by the bell. The fourth was the Baltimore fighters best round as he closed on Calderon and held his own at his specialty fighting on the inside. Calderon got wise to these tactics and was soon using his impressive mobility to avoid being sucked into his opponents fight plan. Exhibiting excellent ring generalship he stayed outside and picked his spots with ease. His constant head movement made it a frustrating night for the American fighter. Sure enough, the 8-rounder went to the superior boxer. Much to the partisan crowd's glee Referee Roberto Ramirez held Calderon's hand aloft after a unanimous decision. The second bout of the evening featured another product of Caguas, Miguel Cotto. The 21 year old made short work of his opponent, Joshua Smith. Smith was shellacked from the outset. In the first round 30% of Cotto's power shots found Smith's chin. The effect was cumulative and in the second the fight was stopped by Smith cornerman, Miguel Diaz. Realizing that his fighter had no way of winning he thought that, on this particular night discretion would be the better part of valor.

    Next up, Daniel Jimenez,a 129 pounder from the Dominican Republic, faced another local lad, Pascali Adorno. This four rounder was low on technical merit but rated highly on the the Richter scale for sheer 'balls to the wall' battling on both sides. Jimenez and Adorno stood toe to toe for 12 minutes in a 'swingfest' that ended in a decision for the Dominican. In a close fight it was pleasing to see that home cooking wasn't on the menu in Puerto Rico.

    The main event of the evening had the WBA flyweight champion of the world, Eric Morel , facing a former Olympian from Ghana, Alex Ali Baba. Morel has an impressive record of 30-0 with 17 KO's and goes by the nomme de guerre, 'The Little Hands of Steel.' He won the title from Thai fighter, Pishuachak. This would be no soft 'homecoming' fight for the Puerto Rican who now lives in the U.S. Baba came to fight and in the tradition of fighters from Ghana he was as tough as old shoe leather. Morel proved his champion pedigree in spite of this. From the outset Morel established himself as the classier boxer who would dictate the ebb and flow of the fight. Midway through the
    first round he landed a solid right cross. The first hard shot of the night and one that stamped his authority all over the fight. Baba was stunned but steady. Not surprising considering that he has never been down in 31 fights.

    The second round was closer but Morel proved to be the more elusive of the two and Baba's punches seldom hit their intended target. Baba did put together a nice series of hard body shots in the third. This drove Morel to the outside where he was highly effective. Morel employed a cunning combination of body shots and uppercuts in the fourth. The crowd chanted 'Poriqua' as Morel began to totally take over the fight. In the 7th, Baba put up his last gasp attempt at turning the fight in his favor. He sucked Morel inside and pummeled his body. Surprisingly, Morel took the best that Baba could give and the proceeded to beat him at this own game. This proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. When a fighter realizes that even fighting to his strengths is futile his morale swiftly shoots down the crapper.

    In the 10th and final round Morel realized that he had a wounded opponent so he attempted to close the deal with a well planned assault to Baba's head and body. Despite the battering, Baba made it to the bell but lost the unanimous decision to the latest product of the proud Puerto Rican pugilistic tradition, Eric Morel.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMorel Baffles Baba, Wins 10-Round Decision``x1010932063,30562,``x``x ``xFREITAS SHUTS DOWN CASAMAYOR'S OFFENSE
    By Chris Bushnell

    It should have been one of the biggest fights of the year. Two undefeatedworld champions meeting in a Las Vegas ring to unify their titles. But Joel Casamayor, a national hero in Cuba even after his 1996 surprise defection, and Acelino Freitas, a celebrity in Brazil who regularly attracts 50,000 spectators to his title defenses, were barely able to fill a small arena on the UNLV campus in a fight broadcast for free by Showtime. This is what happens when both men, one a pound-for-pound list contender, the other one of the pound-for-pound hardest punchers, don't speak English.

    Luckily, the punches did this talking on this night. Particularly
    well-spoken were the power shots of Acelino Freitas, which rattled Casamayor in the early rounds and prevented the WBA champion from establishing a rhythm against his WBO counterpart. Freitas' power was backed up by an impressive 30-0/29 record, and in the opening round, he tried his best to make it 31-0/30. Pushing a heavy right hand into Casamayor's face, Freitas immediately showed that his training had corrected one of his more obvious flaws: looping punches. Casamayor, who likes to start slow, was initially
    overwhelmed... not only by Freitas' punches, but with the relentless pressure being applied by the Brazilian titlist. Freitas was cutting off the ring with surprising ease, and scoring with his right fist.

    As the opener progressed, Casamayor began rolling with some of Freitas' power shots, but he was not countering. A Freitas uppercut could not be avoided, and after eating the punch, Casamayor left himself open for a Freitas flurry to the body before a bell closed the first stanza. An easy round for Freitas. Casamayor's laser left hand was missing from the first round, and made only a brief appearance in the second. The Cuban tagged Freitas with a pair of
    crisp lefts early in the second round, but a hyper-aggressive Freitas
    answered back with a wild-swinging rebuke. Twice Casamayor made the cardinal mistake of backing straight up from such an assault, and both times Freitas right hands caught him leaning back. After the second right hand, Casamayor briefly rested on the ropes, and a surging Freitas fired a beautiful left hook to the body followed by a heavy right to the head. The head shot drove Casamayor back into a neutral corner, although he escaped before Freitas could land another clean shot. Freitas was not only landing the cleaner shots, but also establishing himself as the bigger, stronger man. When Casamayor finally offered a combination of his own, Freitas showed off a few
    defensive skills of his own, slipping all four punches with his hands at his sides.

    Casamayor had made no secret of his desire to take his time and make the proper adjustments, but he was eating too much leather in the opening rounds. Freitas, following a textbook lesson on how to neutralize a southpaw, continued to launch lead rights in the third round. Several landed immediately, followed by one that landed on Casamayor's right shoulder. Casamayor was in retreat when the punch landed, and it caught him off balance. Falling backwards, Casamayor tried to catch himself on the top rope, but fell to the canvas unhurt. Despite the awkward footwork that contributed to the downing, referee Joe Cortez had no choice but to rule it a knockdown... after all, Casamayor had clearly been knocked down by a punch.

    Freitas, surging with adrenaline, pounced on Casamayor when he beat the count, battering him with another series of lead rights. Several times, Freitas would double up on the right, and one such occasion busted Casamayor clean and opened a small cut over his left eye. Three rounds in the books, and Freitas had already banked a robust four-point lead. Casamayor began warming up in round four, finally landing his left hand with authority. But Freitas' energy, output, and power had Casamayor backing up for most of round four. With Freitas controlling the pace, it was extremely difficult for Casamayor to score points of his own. And even when he did,
    Freitas' large, loud power blasts were the more telling blows of yet another round. Casamayor was dying to establish a pace that would allow him to box, but Freitas was having none of it. Casamayor's frustration began to show through. He twice butted Freitas in a manner that looked less than unintentional, he began pushing his shoulder into Freitas' face during clinches, and thrust his forearm into Freitas' throat during one entanglement. These tactics couldn't reverse a clear 10-9 for Freitas in round four, and did little better in a slower, but still Freitas-dominated fifth.

    Freitas finally began to slow in the sixth. Casamayor pumped out his left twice, landing each time. A third left caught Freitas completely off guard and snapped his head and torso back violently. Casamayor calmly followed up with another three well-placed and well-timed lefts, and suddenly the momentum had shifted. Casamayor's retreat ended, and now it was Freitas who was circling and looking for an opening. But Casamayor's enthusiasm got the best of him. Once then men came together into a clinch, and Freitas spun out as Cortez called for a break. Still, Casamayor threw a left at the back of Freitas' head. The punch landed, although not hard. Still, Freitas' legitimate complaint got him a short break while Cortez stiffly warned Casamayor. The fight resumed, but moments later, the men clinched again, this time with Casamayor's head stuck under Freitas' armpit. Reaching under, Freitas tapped Casamayor on the chin to taunt him, and as Cortez came in to separate the men, Casamayor threw a punch at Freitas in retaliation. Cortez
    hadn't seen the tap that inspired the punch, and so he called time to deduct a point from Casamayor for hitting on the break. The penalty stifled the Casamayor rally. His 10-9 was reduced to 9-9, thus holding Freitas' early lead steady.

    Freitas continued to fatigue in round seven, a round in which the pace slowed tremendously. Despite becoming arm weary, Freitas had enough energ to move around the ring. His circling prevented Casamayor from launching any sustained attack, although he did eat the occasional straight left. Casamayor won the round, a round that Freitas almost completely took off, but it wasn't particularly impressive. Casamayor's right hook was merely a rumor, not only in this round, but all night. His vaunted jab made only occasional appearances.

    Freitas' corner begged him to hit Casamayor, and in the eighth round he reestablished himself by planting his feet in center ring and throwing his entire body into power shots as the men came together. At first, Casamayor countered these heavy blows with his own crisp punches. But as the round wore on, it was Freitas who was doing all the work. Casamayor didn't eat every shot, but he tasted more than he's used to. Freitas repeatedly landed his rights on the side of Casamayor's head, and a string of such punches near the end of round eight made Freitas throw his hands up in victory when the round finally came to an end. A sluggish and frustrated Casamayor stomped
    back to his corner, fully aware that the fight was slipping away from him.

    To Casamayor's credit, he completely turned the tide in round nine. Coming on quickly, Casamayor established his left with a few solid blows. A clash of heads opened a small cut over Freitas' right eye, and while the blood was minimal, the cut seemed to distract him. Casamayor now attacked more freely as Freitas tried again to use the ring to his advantage. As the round wore on, it was clear that Freitas was losing all his steam. Casamayor landed his first solid combination of the night in the round's final minute, and when
    Freitas appeared too tired to answer back, Casamayor began taunting and toying with him. Finally demonstrating the sharp, accurate punching that had won him his title, Casamayor bloodied Freitas' nose with a blistering left before the bell sent the men back to their corners.

    Casamayor appeared to have Freitas where he wanted him: fatigued with three rounds to go. It appeared that Casamayor need only continue to tag his opponent with well-timed lefts and eventually he would go. And for 90 seconds, Casamayor did just that. Freitas looked very tired. His punches now seemed to bounce off Casamayor, and his coordination revealed his fatigue. But for some unknown reason, Casamayor suddenly stopped punching.

    For the final 90 seconds of round ten, Casamayor's output dried up. Freitas replied by smacking Casamayor to the body. When Casamayor didn't respond, Freitas aimed downstairs again. Still no response. Freitas continued to punch to the body, and as Casamayor offered no reply, Freitas' body assault sparked a mini-rally. The round closed with Freitas hammering Casamayor's stomach with a series of shots, enough to win him the round on our card.

    The eleventh round was a bore. Without question, both men were saving up for the final frame. Casamayor won the round as a seriously weary Freitas reemerged, bringing into question whether or not he could last the final round.

    Casamayor's corner pulled no punches before the final stanza. Casamayor definitely needed a knockdown to keep things close, and his corner insisted on one. Although both men were tired, they met in center ring, both firing punches. Freitas was still looking very tired, but he continued to throw shots. What he lacked in power in the final round, he made up with in determination. He may have even won the first minute of the final round, before Casamayor put it together. Landing a series of clean lefts, Casamayor won the final round, although there was never even a hint that Freitas might
    go down. Simply put, both men were tired. As the final twenty seconds ticked off, both fighters tried to let it all hang out for one last barrage, but both men tired after a few swings, and both looked relieved when the final bell sounded.

    Boxing Chronicle scored the bout 115-111 for Freitas, although a couple of rounds could have swung to Casamayor. Still, the knockdown in round three and the point deduction for hitting on the break looked like too much for Casamayor to overcome. Indeed, these two points made up the difference as all three judges tallied 114-112... for Freitas.

    The new WBA and WBO champion was besides himself with elation. He cried and screamed and cheered all at once. Casamayor was less racious, literally running from the ring back to his dressing room within seconds of the verdict's announcement.

    With Floyd Mayweather heading up to 135 and beyond, Acelino Freitas can now be called the best 130 lb. fighter in the world. Of course, Freitas' own struggles with the 130 lb. weight class may send him up to 135 sooner rather than later. And Boxing Chronicle isn't sure they'd pick Freitas over Jesus Chavez, another volume puncher who has shown time and again that he doesn't tire late in a fight. Still, Freitas must be considered "the man" at 130 now. With his good looks, big punches, and international popularity, we should be hearing a lot more from him in the months to come.

    For his part, Joel Casamayor's legend was nearly erased in this, his defining bout. Call it an off-night, because Casamayor showed none of the skills that earned him an Olympic Gold Medal and a WBA world title. His defense was minimal, his offense limited to the left, and his own stamina in question when it mattered most, Casamayor will have to regroup mentally before returning to the ring. Casamayor also strains to make 130, and we may see him move to 135 before Freitas does. If he can regain his prior form, he'd still be a serious threat to the likes of the IBF Spadafora-Manfredy showdown. Only time will tell how he will cope with his first professional
    defeat. If his hasty departure from the ring is any indication, it might not be that easy.

    .....Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFreitas Shuts Down Casamayor's Offense; W12 - By Chris Bushnell``x1010936358,38465,``x``x ``xThe 2001 Year End CBZ Awards

    Fighter of the Year: Bernard Hopkins
    By JD Vena

    2001 had an abundance of many surprises. In some respects, 2001 was appropriately termed “the year of the upset,” as a result of some of the unlikely winners who triumphed during the calendar year. But in most respects, it was a defining year for a select few who attained greatness from their brilliant performances, some of which were upsets.

    “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather, Jr. began the year with a surprisingly easy win over heated rival, the gigantic Diego “Chico” Corrales. In what was thought to be a pick-em fight, Mayweather dominated his taller foe and showed why he’s one of the best when it comes to big fights. Mayweather finished the year with 2 solid wins over top contemporaries (Carlos Hernandez and Jesus Chavez) of his respected weight class, one of them he had to labor with two broken mitts!

    The remarkable career of Kostya Tszyu has long gone unnoticed. The Russian “Thundah from Down Undah” made some serious rumblings this year and may have matched Mayweather in terms of accomplishments. Tszyu, the complete package when it comes to boxing, went 3-0 and unified the jr. welterweight title for the first time in over 30 years. After defeating Sharmba Mitchell for his WBA title and winning a decision over the European champion, Oktay Urkal, Tszyu starched (no matter what anyone says) IBF counterpart Zab “Supah” Judah, a potential superstar under two rounds.

    Denied a big win over Mexican rival Erik Morales in 2000’s fight of the year, Marco Antonio Barrera redeemed himself and unleashed a full-sized keg of whup-ass when he defeated brash Brit, Naseem Hamed this past April. Barrera took the clown prince to school in upsetting the dominant featherweight of our time. In his next outing, Barrera showed consistency when he stopped Enrique Sanchez in 9-one sided rounds.

    All things considered, when you look back at the aforementioned fighters and wonder why they didn’t win the win acclaim as fighter of the year, it was because of Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins. Although he may have recently tarnished his old-school image by ruining his relationship with Lou DiBella, Hopkins showed why he is one of the more polished fighters in the world.

    Like Tszyu, Hopkins unified a division that had not been for a number of years. Like Mayweather had against Corrales, Hopkins dominated a highly regarded fighting machine in Felix “Tito” Trinidad (last year’s winner of this award) before stopping him inside the distance this past September. Like Barrera’s win over the Prince, Hopkins’ win over Trinidad was a significant upset to many. In one night of fist-fighting Hopkins, who had lurked in the shadows of more popular fighters like de la Hoya, Mosley, Trinidad and Roy Jones suddenly became a high roller in the sport. Earlier on this year, that would not have been considered the fate of the Philadelphian even though he had been a reigning middleweight champion since 1995.

    In March, Hopkins snatched the WBC title by mauling Keith Holmes over 12 rounds but wasn’t entirely impressive in doing so. He required dirty tactics to frustrate the taller southpaw Holmes and didn’t make any new fans from the showing. That is why many sided with the Puerto Rican powerpuncher, who mopped the floor with 2-time champion, William Joppy in May. Most felt that Trinidad would go on to meet Roy Jones in another lucrative big-fight showdown, immediately after he got through with the then 36-year old. But as some felt, including Jones, the last man to defeat Hopkins, the Executioner executed the perfect fight plan, a strategy that foiled Trinidad’s future endeavors and nearly everyone’s expectations. Hopkins’ win over Trinidad tied the great Carlos Monzon in record title defenses with 14 and is now talked about as one of the greatest middleweights of all time. And if he never has another year like the last one, folks will always remember that 2001 belonged to Bernard Hopkins.

    Runner Up: Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

    Fight of the Year: Micky Ward W10 Emanuel Augustus
    By JD Vena

    A battered fighter sat in a metal chair stooped over with his face caked into a damp towel. “I feel like I’m hung ovah,” moaned the fighter. Those close to him scurry around the 8’ x 10’ room searching for ice as if it were the most valuable resource on the planet. To Micky Ward it was the only commodity that could cool him down. For after what he had been through about an hour beforehand Ward became hotter than ever (literally and figuratively) after swapping some 2,100 punches with Emanuel Augustus for 10 solid rounds.

    The strength of Ward was completely sapped from his body, which had spent 40 minutes trying to wear down Augustus, a wily foe who simply would not wilt under the extreme pressure. In fact, at certain moments of their fight it was Augustus who was doing the bang-up job to the proud journeyman-turned-contender. Their heroic effort was nearly too much to endure, but in the end, Ward had put forth enough to overcome Augustus’ challenge and whatever doubts that may have passed his mind.

    “I’ve fought a lot of tough guys,” said Ward. “But no one has been tougher than him.”

    Ironically, the scene described in Ward’s compact dressing room did not resemble the curtained dwellings where Augustus had been before and after the fight. Shortly after waging the fight of his life, Augustus changed, packed his bags and left the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, as if he had just finished a workout. Where did he summon the might to get up and go? Had he substituted any of the remaining energy he had left for his fight with Ward, maybe things could have been different, but that would be far too difficult to imagine. Ward and Augustus put their bodies through a human version of an Indianapolis 500. What a workout: What a fight!

    Runner-Up: Julio Gonzalez W12 Julian Letterlough

    Knockout of the Year: Hasim Rahman KO5 Lennox Lewis
    By JD Vena

    Knockout (nok’ out’) n 1. The act of knocking out or the state of being knocked out. 2. Slang. Something that is exceptionally attractive. – Webster’s Dictionary

    When you envision the perfect knockout, particularly a classic one, you think of the one-punch knockouts, the one’s that can leave you speechless with your mouth agape. You think about the knockouts that lead a crowd into a chorus of “Ohhhh!” You think about Sugar Ray Robinson knocking out Gene Fullmer in ’55, Mike McCallum’s knockout over Donald Curry in ’87, Vencent Pettway’s knockout of Simon Brown in ’95 or more recently, Anthony Mundine’s knockout over Timo Masua (if you happened to have seen it). A knockout is what separates boxing from other sports just as a fighter can be momentarily separated from his senses from absorbing one or more blows. At any given moment, a boxing match can end before its scheduled distance and in South Africa, the end came shockingly for Lennox Lewis who was stretched out on his back by a powerful right hand thrown by Hasim Rahman

    For all intents and purposes, Hasim Rahman’s knockout over Lennox Lewis was truly something to behold. The right hand not only separated Lewis from his senses, it separated him from his title of world heavyweight champion, albeit the separation seemed as long as it took for Lewis to be counted out. Lewis repaid Rahman later in the year with a devastating one-punch kayo. The difference between the two knockouts had to do with the startling fashion in which Rahman knocked Lewis flat. Lewis’ knockout of Rahman might have been just as devastating but it was for the most part expected. Rahman turned Lewis into the one of the horizontal British heavyweights that had been previously knocked stiff. The punch had a numbing effect on those that witnessed the spectacle and if you’re a fan of the one-punch knockout then this one was certainly exceptionally attractive.

    Runner-Up: Lennox Lewis KO4 Hasim Rahman

    Comeback of the Year: Manuel Medina
    By JD Vena

    Marco Antonio Barrera, one of the more popular and recent stars to emerge from Mexico, seems to have been around for a while. Well before Barrera took the Prince to school, Barrera was thought have seen his best days years ago, a time when he was beating up the likes of Kennedy McKinney and Jesse Benavides. Going into his match-up with Hamed, Barrera was thought to have been a name that the Hamed could add to his resume. As fate would have it, Barrera turned back the clock this year with a complete 12-round shellacking of the Naseem Hamed. What does Marco Antonio Barrera have to do with Manuel Medina you ask? Not only did Medina add his name to the lists of great featherweights and Mexican boxers, he reminded us that you should never write him off. In November, Manuel “Mantecas” Medina won a version of the featherweight title for the 4th time when he stopped Frankie Toledo in 6 rounds.

    The 31-year old Medina just won’t go away even when you forget all about him. You may have thought that his career was winding down when he was stopped by Hamed in ’96. You may have thought that Medina was finished as a top echelon fighter in ’97 when Derrick “Smoke” Gainer burned him over 8 painful rounds. Less than a year from that defeat, Medina is somehow wearing the IBF title. You thought he was finished when he lost the title the following year to Paul Ingle. You may have even forgot that he was still fighting but the ever-resilient Medina reminded us once more that he belongs in the same category of great featherweights and Mexican fighters. You don’t think so? Consider that his latest recapture is second most recorded for a single weight class. Only Sugar Ray Robinson had more recaptures with five. Consider that the first time Medina won a world title was over a decade ago when he lifted the title from Troy Dorsey (August 12, 1991). Also consider that no other featherweight has remained among the divisions’ elite as long as Medina. If you end up forgetting that Medina is still hanging around the sport (let’s hope it’s not too much longer), then at the very least you not forget to realize that Medina has been a great fighter.

    Runner-up: Oliver McCall

    Round of the Year: Round 10 of Micky Ward-Emanuel Augustus
    By Chris Strait

    While watching Emmanuel Burton (Augustus) and Mickey Ward pound away at
    each other in the final seconds of the 10th and final round, I was immediately struck by the significance of what I was watching. It is hard enough to keep up that relentless punching pace in the first round against a non-descript, light-hitting opponent, much less against a quality fighter/decent puncher, much less in the final round, much less after nine rounds of the exact same level of action!

    If you are still not convinced of this tremendous achievement, then remember that Augustus was down the round before, from a left hook to the body from ward. I have been hit with crippling body punches, ladies and gentlemen. You don't even want to jump rope after that, much less keep fighting at an even higher pace. And don't forget that Mickey Ward's left hook to the body is one of the most devastating punches in the game right now. Speaking of devastating punches... how about the chins on both of these guys?!

    This fight was right there with Letterlough-Gonzalez for fight of the year in 2001. Julio Gonzalez and Julian Letterlough were correctly awarded title shots for their anticipation (although those shots were against fighters far more talented than they were). Sadly the same justice was not done for Ward and Augustus ... at least, not yet. If Ward should beat another top contender (even though as it stands, he has a technical decision loss to Leija), there will be no one more deserving... and a fighter like Augustus should never be more than one impressive victory away from a title shot.

    Runner-Up: Round 2 of Ezra Sellers-Carl Thompson

    Upset of the Year: Hasim Rahman KO5 Lennox Lewis
    By JD Vena

    You’d think that the negotiations for this years’ heavyweight superfight between Lewis and Tyson would have been going fairly quick. After all, their fight was all but made before Hasim Rahman delayed their dealings with a rocket of a right hand. Years ago, I can remember HBO analyst Larry Merchant poignantly describing boxing as “the theater of the unexpected.” Just when you think you’ve seen it all, something out of the ordinary happens. You’d think that in a sport about two people fighting each other with gloves on for money, boxing couldn’t have too many surprises. From a paraglider flying into a boxing ring during a nationally televised heavyweight championship fight to Tyson both ears of Evander Holyfield, boxing is full of surprises, sometimes good ones. Going into Lewis’ optional defense against Rahman, you may have thought that “Fan Man” would have a better shot gliding across the Atlantic Ocean to crash into the ring that Hasim “The Rock” Rahman stretched Lennox Lewis in than the latter happening. Either way, this year’s unlikely upset was certainly something that reminded us of a Holyfield or a Douglas beating Tyson.

    Like Tyson before him, Lewis appeared to have been establishing his legacy in the sport. In the previous two years, Lewis had won two fights over the great but well-traveled Holyfield, destroyed contenders Michael Grant and Francois Botha and whipped David Tua over the 12 round distance. With the lack of competition, Lewis needed to remain consistent in order to attain the greatness that others got a taste of this year. Lewis was expected to be just as dominant against Rahman, a man who had been knocked clear out of the ring a year and a half ago. But Rahman wouldn’t have his turn until he knocked Lewis cold first.

    What Rahman did with his right hand not only changed the course of the negotiations of Lewis-Tyson; it halted Lewis’ march toward greatness. And though Tyson may be a decided underdog should he and Lewis finally meet for a big payday, you should expect the unexpected.

    Runner-up: Marco Antonio Barrera W12 Naseem Hamed
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe 2001 CBZ Year End Awards``x1010969497,15281,``x``x ``xAn appeal to remember South Wales boxing hero Johnny Owen has been
    launched. Twenty-one years after his death, a £40,000 appeal, backed by the South Wales Echo newspaper with the slogan 'Fight for Johnny', is underway to erect a statue in Johnny's honor in his hometown of Merthyr Tydfil.

    Johnny died in 1980 following his world title bid against Mexican Lupe Pintor at Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium. In the biggest challenge of his career, he was knocked down in the 12th round and went into a six week coma from which he never regained consciousness. Thousands turned out in tribute at his funeral in Merthyr Tydfil.

    Joe Calzaghe has donated a pair of autographed boxing gloves for auction. Robbie Regan - 2 time World Champion - has given the appeal his full support.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Local Welshmen Support the Great Johnny Owen ``x1011015909,19074,``x``x ``xWard-Oliveira: Great Idea, Great Fight

    Besides the official protest filed by Sal LoNano, the manager of Lowell’s “Irish” Micky Ward, many in the boxing media have supported LoNano’s views of Ward’s controversial technical decision loss to former world champion, “Jesse” James Leija nearly two weeks ago. It’s not that anyone felt that Ward should have received a technical decision. In the five rounds that had been fought, Ward may have won one of those rounds. It’s the fact that Lawrence Cole, the third man controlling the bout ruled that the cut over Leija’s right eye was the result of a head butt that even he did not see. Since most believed that the cut was caused by a punch and that Leija could not continue on the behest of the ringside physician, Ward should have been awarded a TKO victory. HBO commentators Larry Merchant and Jim Lampley were unequivocal as to how they called the action and made it clear that the cut did not appear to be the result of a clash of heads. In a segment on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, boxing analyst Teddy Atlas also voiced his dispute over the fight’s dissatisfying result. In light of this public outcry by the fans and media, LoNano’s protest to the commission could overturn the decision.

    The recent success of Micky Ward, besides the full use of his surgically repaired fists has had to do with the influence of the worldwide media particularly heard on Friday Night Fights, the only televised weekly boxing magazine. And why not? If you’re a true old-school boxing fan, what’s there not to love about Ward? While you’re thinking about that, ask yourself what’s not to love about “Sucra” Ray Oliveira.

    In ESPN’s final show of 2001, they announced their annual year-end awards, something they have done for the past two seasons. Ward (2-0 on ESPN in 2001) was named the network’s Fighter of the Year by their crew by virtue of his impressive knockout over Steve Quinonez and his unforgettable slugfest with Emanuel Augustus in New Hampshire. Though wins over obscure opposition such as Augustus and Quinonez don’t appear too impressive on paper, Bob Papa, ESPN’s Blow-by-Blow announcer said it best when he thought Ward should be bestowed the honor as more of a “lifetime achievement” for what he has brought to boxing on ESPN. Though he won’t get an argument from this scribe about his selection, JD Superstar believes that Papa and everyone else on the Duece blew it when they did not include Oliveira as their winner or even a selection for the 2000 awards. Of the six fighters that were to be selected two years ago, Oliveira wasn’t even a consideration.

    Oliveira, a fighter who has faithfully appeared on ESPN boxing shows since 1992 was the only fighter in 2000 who fought three times against world rated boxers on Friday Night Fights and won each encounter. In February of that year, Oliveira upset unbeaten “Vicious” Vivian Harris in an exciting fight. Oliveira then knocked out Isaac Cruz, a replacement for Freddie Pendleton and finished the year by outpointing “Cool” Vince Phillips in a fight that saw both combatants throw a combined 2,989 punches, the second most thrown in history (to Padilla-Oliveira’s 3,020 punches in ’93). After a year that should have awarded him adulation from the media, particularly from ESPN, Oliveira wasn’t even a footnote.

    This leads me to my outcry for Ray Oliveira: let’s start to support him and give him his just dues. HBO tagged Ward-Leija as “Real Men, Real Fight.” They used Leija because they thought of him as this die-hard fighter who deserved better than what he received in his fights with Hector Camacho, Jr. and Juan Lazcano. But ask yourself, what would be more exciting than to see Oliveira’s punch volume, his reputation for never being stopped in over 370 rounds of professional boxing and his good sportsmanship matched with what Ward brings into the ring? It's difficult to imagine how great the fight between the two would be considering the fact that it's also a battle for home supremacy. Ward-Leija was a good match-up but not quite the whole package of what a Ward-Oliveira fight delivers.

    The 34-year old Oliveira has seen his share of adversity and ate it up when it stared him in the face. In ’94 Oliveira broke his nose four days prior to facing Charles “The Natural” Murray. Instead of postponing or pulling out from the injury, Oliveira took the fight and a unanimous decision over Murray in his own backyard. In his fight with Phillips, Jimmy Burchfield, Oliveira’s promoter urged his charge to pull out of the fight because of an injured shoulder, again Oliveira showed what he was made of. In his last fight, Oliveira re-injured his right leg (a limb that had been shot years ago) two weeks before facing Omar Weis. The injury also kept Oliveira away from the gym, but when it came to fight time, Oliveira managed to get his weight down and stepped through the ropes to do what he knows nothing else. Those are attributes that you can't expect from a athlete, but Oliveira has done it through and through. Quitting or backing down has never been a consideration for Oliveira, but unfortunately, not many have taken notice.

    If any of you noticed in between one of the rounds of the Dorin-Balbi fight, HBO captioned the names of boxing’s “Top Action Fighters.” Oliveira’s name appeared as one of the 16 fighters and though they spelled his name incorrectly, maybe they are now cognizant of what Oliveira brings to the sport of the boxing. If they want to start a trend of pitting real fighters together to make real fights, then Oliveira should be at the top of their list.

    Iceman Comments

    A few months back I touched on Hartford’s “Ice” John Scully and his desire to get bitter Bostonian rival Joey DeGrandis into the ring with him. Scully has been talking to a number of people and he is a little more optimistic over the possibility of settling their 14-year feud. According to Scully, the former world title challenger, “spoke to Otis Grant who had talked to Bobby Hitz (DeGrandis’ new promoter) in Las Vegas. They said they are interested in fighting me.”

    “Joey tells people that he wants to fight me, but in my heart I know he’s scared to face me,” said Scully. “I just hope it happens. I was talking to a guy from Boston who said that knows Degrandis. Anyway, he said that DeGrandis has been telling people from Boston that he doesn’t want to fight me because I had too many losses. Yet, in one of his last fights he fought a kid who I believe was 0-10! The guy also told me that it is just Joey and his way
    of getting out of the fight with me. A few years ago I remembered that Al Valenti was told by Joey that he will ‘fight anyone.’ At the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, the night Daniel Zaragoza fought Wayne McCullough, Valenti offered Joey the fight with me. The article a few days later quoted Valenti as saying “Joey said he would fight anybody. I guess anybody doesn’ include John Scully.” According to Scully, DeGrandis may return to New England soon for a fight or two and if he does, Scully will be there to pick a fight with him.

    Upcoming Boxing Events

    Cappiello Promotions returns Friday night at the Roxy in downtown Boston where Brockton’s Tim Flamos (14-2-1, 6 KO’s) defends his New England and Massachusetts cruiserweight titles against Hector “The Pit Bull” Sanjurjo. Sanjurjo (12-5-5, 7 KO’s), better known for his TKO victory over Scott Pemberton and his disqualification loss to former title challenger Derrick Harmon, has won 4 straight going into this interesting match-up. Yeah, I know that’s the same night as Ben Tackie vs. Teddy Reid and Reggie Johnson vs. Antonio Tarver but that’s what VCR’s are for.

    In the co-feature, Everett’s Richie “The Mountain” LaMontange (23-4-1, 19 KO’s), New England’s best cruiserweight meets the durable Danny Sheehan of Brockton in what will be one hell of a fight. The puncher versus the chin. I say no more. In other matches, hot prospects, William “The Gladiator” Gibbs (3-0) a cousin of Bernard Hopkins, Aaron “2-guns” Torres (7-1, 4 KO’s) and “Cocky” Kevin Watts appear in separate 4-rounders. Doors will at 5:30 (which means there’s plenty of time to booze it up) with the first bout scheduled for 7:00 PM. For ticket information call (508) 587-5554 or (508) 587-3370.

    On February 1st, New England’s finest featherweight, Edwin Santana (27-4-5, 6 KO’s) returns to the ring for the first time since losing to former WBA junior lightweight Joel Casamayor in a 12-rounder. The 11-year veteran Santana will be fighting in his hometown of Lawrence at Central Catholic High School against Isidro Tejedor (15-5, 7 KO’s) of Miami in a 10-rounder. The bout headlines an exciting 6-bout card promoted by Doug Pendarvis. The card includes: hot prospect Gil Reyes (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Lawrence, Adam Harris (4-0, 4 KO’s) of Worcester, Jason Lehoullier (1-0) of Portsmith, Mike Culbert (24-4-1) of Brockton and Yacoubou Moutakilou (aka Prince Majestic) in separate feature attractions. Doors open at 7:00 and the first bout begins at 8:00 PM. For ticket information call (978) 687-1701 or (617) 825-3283.

    The Golden Glove tournaments have begun all over New England. To read up on the action in Lowell, check out:

    http://www.ring99.com/

    Jerry Colton, the editor for the New England based site will be covering each fight throughout the course of this, the 56th annual tournament. Each show will be run on Tuesday nights at the Lowell Auditorium and the doors open at 7:00 with the first fight going off at 7:30. For ticket information call (978)454-2299.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta - By JD Vena``x1011237546,39343,``x``x ``xThe CBZ would like to extend its condolences to the family and friends of the late Carl "Bobo" Olson, a former middleweight champion of the world who died earlier today in a Honolulu hospital.

    To learn more about the impressive career of Bobo Olson, visit the links below in the CBZ's encyclopedia.

    Pro Record
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/olson-b.htm

    Cyberbio by Matt Tegen
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/olson-bb.htm

    Rest in Peace Champ!
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCarl "Bobo" Olson Dead at 73``x1011323692,30691,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    The Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington hosted
    it’s latest pro fight card on January 12, with Chris
    Byrd’s littler brother featured and losing in the ten
    round main event. Trevor Brown, 155 and 3/4 lbs, of
    Orlando, Florida moved up to 12-2 with his split
    decision win over Patrick Byrd,153 1/2 lbs, of
    Flint,Michigan. Byrd, who has now lost 6 consecutive
    fights, dropped to 14-9. The bout was close on most
    score cards but so dull that most of the thousand-plus
    members of the audience drifted off toward home before
    the final bell. Judge Glen Hamada called 94-96 for
    Byrd. Judge Alan Krebs saw it as 96-94 for Brown.
    Judge Morris McCullum was apparently watching some
    other fight in some other dimension, scoring 99-91 for
    Brown.

    In a six round heavyweight match labeled as a
    semi-main, Jonathan Williams, 201 1/2 lbs, of Olympia,
    Wa won a unaimous decision over Chubby Chauncy
    Welliver, 260 1/4 lbs, of Spokane, Wa. This was a
    rubber match for the pair, with Welliver winning the
    first encounter, a draw in the second match, and now a
    win for Williams. Welliver falls to 6-1-1. Williams
    improves to 3-1-1. Scores were 59-56, 58-56, and
    59-55.

    In other bouts on this card:
    In a six round Jr. middleweight bout, the judges
    didn’t care much for Jeffrey Horan’s run and shoot
    style and gave a lop-sided unanimous decision to
    slugger Chris Huntwork. Horan, of Seattle, weighed 152
    1/4 lbs, and moved down to 5-4. Huntwork fights out of
    Portland, OR and weighed 151 lbs, improving to 6-12-1.

    Undefeated Ronald Simms of Converse, District of
    Columbia, stayed that way with a majority decision
    over Mark Woolnaugh, 172 1/2 lbs, of Qualicum Beach,
    British Columbia. Simms weighed 172 1/2 lbs, and his
    record now stands at 6-0. Woolnaugh goes to 6-2-1. The
    scores were 58-56, 57-57, and 58-57.

    Victor Bramson, 164 1/2 lbs, of Willamina, OR, now
    2-0-1, fought to a four round draw with Louis
    Sargeant, 169 1/4 lbs, of Richmond, B.C., now 4-5-2.
    The judges cards read 39-37, 38-38, and 37-39.

    Josue Cielos, 174 3/4 lbs, of Seattle improved to 2-0
    with a unanimous four round decision over wind-milling
    Neil Stephens, 173 1/2 lbs, of Kent, WA. Scores were
    40-35, 39-35, 39-35.

    The grandson of the late Fred Enslow, a local lawyer
    and longtime volunteer for amateur boxing, remained
    undefeated as he won his 4th pro match. Michael Sams,
    179 1/2 lbs, of Tacoma, WA wona unanimous decision
    over Scott Lansdon, 183 1/4 lbs, now 4-10, of Baker
    City, OR. Despite lansdon’s crude efforts he managed
    to smack Sams’ head pretty often. Sams had been a
    pre-law college student before dropping out to pursue
    pro boxing. The judges called it 39-37,39-37, and
    40-36 for Sams.

    Promoter: Brian Halquist productions
    Matchmaker: Bob Oleson
    Inspector: Tom Sporar
    Ringside Physician: Peter Marsh, M.D.
    Referees: Jeff Macaluso, Robert Howard
    Judges: Alan Krebs, Glen Hamada, Morris McCullum
    Time keeper: Curtis Leach
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xChubby Chauncey and Chris Byrd's Brother lose``x1011360464,85098,``x``x ``xSometimes, when you have something really difficult to say, something that genuinely hurts to admit, it's better to get it out in one shot, like ripping off a band-aid quickly and suddenly. So here goes. For the next few sentences, I'm going to defend Mike Tyson.

    Tyson shouldn't have scrimmaged with Lenox Lewis at their press conference on Tuesday, but that shouldn't mean the end of his boxing career. There are plenty of reasons that Nevada, or any other state, could legitimately refuse to license Tyson to fight, but yesterday's melee shouldn't be one of them. If nothing else happens between now and April, the Lewis-Tyson fight should go on as scheduled.

    That hurt, but it was the right thing to do.

    It's not that I particularly admire Tyson as a person. I don't. He's obviously unstable, and has a history of abusing the weak and defenseless, from young girls in hotel rooms to old men on the side of the road. He's basically a coward, despite all the bravado, cursing and crotch-grabbing to which he treated reporters at the end of yesterday's "press conference."

    Nor do I admire Tyson as a fighter, at least not anymore. The phenom who lit up the boxing world by practically decapitating his opponents in the early 80s was just a poor man's Joe Frazier to begin with, and belongs to the past in any event. This century's Tyson, the one who had a bit of trouble taking out Brian Nielsen, of all people, hasn't truly impressed since our current president's father was in office.

    I'm not particularly looking forward to the fight, either. In the first place, I made a decision after Tyson's rape conviction that he'd never get money directly out of my pocket, ever again, for anything. I don't begrudge him the right to work if people choose to let him, but I don't have to pay for it, and I won't. Maybe I'll catch the replay on Showtime or HBO if the fight's any good, but I won't contribute to the bottom line.

    And in fact, I think the fight will stink. There's at least a fifty percent chance, given Tyson's involvement, that it will end in some fresh form of controversy/disqualification (maybe Tyson will bring a gun into the ring hidden in his cup). Even if it doesn't, Lewis is excruciatingly boring when he could possibly be threatened. Against Tyson you'd expect Lewis to stick and move all night, with Tyson completely lacking the skills to get inside even if he had the confidence to try. A poor man's Lewis-Tua, which makes me sleepy just to think about it.

    But even with all these reasons not to care, something in me still cries out for fairness. The dust-up in Manhattan was idiotic on all sides, including on the part of the promoters who apparently didn't see fit to provide any security for the event. But I saw the tape of the press conference, and while Tyson certainly initiated things by rushing over to Lewis' side, the first physical contact came from Lewis' bodyguard, and the first punch between the fighters themselves was thrown by Lewis.

    This is the second time Lewis has been involved in a fracas before a major fight, and the second time he bears at least some responsibility for starting or continuing it. I don't hear anyone clamoring to take his license away. Nor do I recall any action being taken against Riddick Bowe after he took a cheap shot at Larry Donald before their fight. Or against either Ali or Frazier when they scuffled in front of Howard Cosell before their third bout. If Tyson is fit to fight after a rape conviction, two prison sentences, and biting someone's ear off in the ring, this is small potatoes.

    In the press this morning, there were the usual platitudes about how bad the Lewis-Tyson spectacle was "for boxing," and about how "sad" Tyson had become. Bull. No one's genuinely sad when Tyson is involved in a spectacle, because the only reason to watch him anymore is for the vicarious thrill of being around someone who might implode or explode at any moment. And the truth is that this sort of occurrence is practically the only way boxing has been able to get any coverage in the mainstream press, even with all the genuinely great fights that have taken place over the last few years. Maybe one more person will watch Barrerra-Morales II (another pair that engaged in some pre-fight scuffling, by the way) as a result of being amused at the Lewis-Tyson debacle. If so, this event will have been, at worst, neutral for boxing.

    It kills me to say it, but let the show go on. At worst, it'll just be another chance for Tyson to part some fools with their $49.95. Anyone who buys his fights these days deserves to lose it.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x"Let the Show Go On . . . *Sigh*" by Chuck Bogle``x1011808287,49599,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    Cumana, Venezuela


    The Venezuelan Press has named hard-working and generally overlooked Yorber Ortega as fighter of the year. Ortega is prepping for a February title defense in Thailand. He syas he wants a couple of non-title fights mixed in with his defenses as he is nearing the end of his career and wants to earn as much as possible over the next year or two. He is willing to fight often to achieve that goal.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xYorber Ortega -- Venezuelan Fighter of the year``x1011903484,92926,``x``x ``xFIGHT RESULTS - RING PROMOTIONS - NYC - JANUARY 24, 2002

    LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS:
    Elvir Muriqi W DQ 5 (1:10) Erin Fitchett
    Fitchett's corner threw in towel

    LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS:
    Brian Barbosa TKO 2 (2:53) Tyler Hughes

    JR. MIDDLEWEIGHTS:
    Yuri Foreman TKO 1(2:50) Israel Felix

    JR FEATHERWEIGHTS:
    Billy Maysonet DRAW 4 Jose Espinal
    Scores were: 39-37 Espinal, 39-37 Maysonet, 38-38

    JR. WELTERWEIGHTS:
    Julio Aquino TKO 2 (1:48) Kevin Carey

    JR. WELTERWEIGHTS:
    Roberto Astacio W 4 (U) Richard Dean
    Scores were 40-36 twice, 39-37``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMuriqi and Barbosa win in NYC``x1011985716,87775,``x``x ``xTHE RAMADA RUMBLE
    By Dan Hanley

    The Ramada Inn
    Rosemont, Illinois

    On Friday, January 25th, with the ESPN cameras humming, Bobby Hitz
    Promotions, in conjunction with Banner Promotions, treated Chicago to an
    explosive marathon card. Aptly named, the Ramada Rumble, the card, with
    virtually no media publicity to fall back on, still drew a SRO crowd of true
    fight fans, who were repaid in kind with a night of controlled mayhem.

    In the co-main event, Ben Tackie, 139 1/2, Los Angeles, California, locked
    horns with Teddy Reid, 140, Baltimore, Maryland. At stake was Tackie's NABF
    title and Reid's USBA belt. However, there was a presumption hanging over the
    arena this night in the form of a looming title opportunity against world
    champ Kostya Tszyu. And these two 140 pounders want their name on that
    contract in a bad way.

    In as explosive a first round as one could imagine, Reid, 19-4-1 (13), met an
    unusually cold and passive Tackie at mid-ring and proceeded to rake him along
    the ropes for the first two minutes of the round. Perhaps seeing an early
    night in the cards for him, Reid, complacent in the way he was tagging his
    opponent, walked into a booming right hand which left him dazed and
    clutching, while Tackie, 23-2 (14), now took his turn at teeing off on his
    opponent. Another right hand by Tackie late in the round had Reid, who
    welcomed the bell, all but out.

    Round two, amazingly, saw Reid jump back into the fray and sweep the round on
    greater punch volume. But round three left mouths in the Ramada auditorium
    agape as Tackie looked to end matters early, hurting Reid with a right
    uppercut, only to inspire Reid to cut loose with everything in his arsenal.
    Tackie again hurt Reid with a right hand at the bell, while the crowd treated
    the combatants to a standing ovation.

    Round four saw a concerned referee in Pete Podgorski looking on intently as
    Tackie continued hunting down Reid, whose tank was drying up under the
    extreme pace. Unbelievably however, Reid started the fifth firing salvo after
    salvo at his Ghanaian born tormentor before finally running around with no
    sympathy from the power punching Tackie. Podgorski, with the urging of the
    vocal crowd raised Tackie's hand at 2:35 of the fifth, and left us catching
    our breath over this early candidate for fight of the year.

    The co-main event, split between ESPN and ESPN2, had a tough act to follow,
    but gave it a world class go. And the duke-out between Reggie Johnson, 172
    1/2, Houston, Texas, who defended his USBA and NABF titles, and top-ranked
    Antonio Tarver, 174, Orlando, Florida, did not disappoint the crowd.

    Ina battle of duel southpaws, Tarver adhered to a solid game plan of stick
    and move, while Johnson, aware of his height and reach deficit, took the play
    to Tarver's ribs. And after an even first round, Tarver proceeded to sweep
    rounds two through six with sharp combinations while Johnson continued his
    very discreet bodywork.

    In round seven, a prolonged attack by the former middleweight and light
    heavyweight champ on Tarver's head and body shaded the round for Johnson. And
    even when Tarver was able to let loose, Johnson rolled with every punch. At
    this point, one could not help but think, although behind on points, Johnson
    was in complete control. So cool was he under pressure, it appeared as if
    every punch he shipped was part of his long term plan. Indeed, Johnson
    continued his increased pace into the eighth while trying to finish Tarver in
    the ninth, dumping him with a counter left hook for an eight count. But,
    Tarver was not out yet and the two traded bombs until the bell, with Tarver,
    18-1 (16), the fresher.

    Appearing to have shot his bolt, Johnson, 42-6-1 (24), now lolled his way
    through the final three rounds as Tarver, at times, rocked Johnson in the
    corners. With nothing left but heart, Johnson looked for one big shot to turn
    the fight around, finding only Tarver's jab instead.

    The scorecards of the bout were...unusual. Judges Crystal Wright and Bill
    Lerch scored for Tarver 115-112 and 114-113 respectively, while judge Mike
    Glienna had a curious 115-112 for Johnson. The unofficial CBZ card read,
    116-112 for the new USBA/NABF champ.

    In other bouts, Germaine Sanders, 147 1/2, Chicago, Illinois, demonstrated
    why he's called 'Silky Smooth' as he cut, decked and stopped the brave
    Wilfredo Ruiz, 151, Monteria, Columbia. Sanders, upping his record to 20-1
    (15), punched from every angle on the teak-tough South American, who dropped
    to 29-6 (21). The time was called by ring announcer Mark Beiro as :01 of the
    sixth round. It is now time for Sanders' braintrust to get even braver with
    his next opponent.

    In a scheduled super middleweight six rounder, Chicago favorite, Oscar Bravo,
    168, improved to 15-1 (12), with an impressive display of power over the
    vastly more experienced Juan Carlos Viloria, 173, Cordoba, Columbia. The dead
    game Viloria had no answer to Bravo's attacks or counters and was stopped at
    1:24 of the fourth round, while dropping his slate to 24-16-2 (15).

    The six round cruiserweight show opener between Felix Cora, 186, Galveston,
    Texas and Chris Thomas, 188, Chicago, Lillinois, saw Cora a step ahead of
    Thomas in every department, even kidney-punching, which cost him a point in
    the fourth. However, the Texas southpaw, as spry in the sixth as he was in
    the first, impressed while upping his log to 7-0 (5) and winning a unanimous
    decsion over Thomas, who dropped to 10-3 (9).

    In scheduled four rounders, face-first clubfighter, Tony DeGrandis, 175,
    Chicago, Illinois, pounded out a unanimous decision in a crowd pleasing
    contest over Minneapolis native Kwan Abdul Manasseh, 179.

    Ed Gutierrez, 194, Oaklawn, Illinois, poleaxed the massive Roosevelt Reece,
    230, Kokomo, Indiana, at 1:51 of the first round.

    Carvin Mafatau, 237, Muncie, Indiana, ragdolled Quentin Osgood, 216,
    Minneapolis, Minnesota, all over the ring for a 1:16 intervention in the first

    And finally, in a woeful contest, Chicago's Fernando Hernandez, 154, cuffed
    his way to a unanimous decision over the equally negative John Valentin, 154,
    Miami, Florida. The only blight on an otherwise brilliant night of boxing.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTackie kayos Reid``x1012238069,73041,``x``x ``xFORREST PUTS THE HURT ON MOSLEY
    Stunning upset overshadows Gatti comeback

    In an upset every bit as shocking as Bernard Hopkins' knockout of previously
    unbeaten Felix Trinidad, Vernon Forrest stunned the boxing world by toppling
    the other claimant to top pound-for-pound honors, Sugar Shane Mosley. For
    twelve one-sided rounds, Forrest put a systematic beating on the previously
    undefeated two-division champion, knocking Mosley down twice, and nearly
    finishing the job on a half dozen other occasions. Mosley's advantages in
    speed, movement, and versatility were nullified by Forrest's power in the
    early rounds, and the new champion's uncanny ability to tie Mosley up in the
    late rounds. Forrest's perfect gameplan may not have been enough to install
    him as the new pound-for-pound champ, but it was more than enough to take
    Mosley's title by a wide unanimous decision.

    Maybe it's wrong to call this win an upset. After all, Vernon Forrest
    brought into the ring a sterling 33-0/26 record, an unfairly stripped IBF
    welterweight championship belt, and bragging rights over Mosley, who he had
    defeated ten years prior during the '92 Olympic trials. Still, in the days
    leading up to this showdown, it was nearly impossible to find anyone who
    would pick Forrest over Mosley. Mosley's spectacular rise to the top of the
    boxing world had eclipsed Forrest's lackluster Evander Holyfield-managed
    stint as a pro, and on paper his skills overwhelmed the standard
    jab-right-hook attack of Forrest.

    In fact, the first round played out just as many thought the entire fight
    would. In that round, Mosley fired big power shots that landed first and did
    the damage. Mosley glanced a giant overhand right off Forrest's head early
    in the opener. Forrest waited until the one-minute mark to register an
    answer, a perfect one-two that tagged Mosley on the chin and earned a nod of
    respect from the welterweight champion. But Mosley's much heralded speed
    flashed again, as a blistering three punch combo caught Forrest off guard,
    and sent him back a few steps on his heels. Forrest wasn't hurt, but he
    could do little more than cover up as Mosley launched several more blinding
    combinations at him to close the round.

    If Mosley has a weakness as a welterweight, it's been his reliance on power.
    The ease in which he dropped Shannan Taylor with a single overhand right
    seemed to convince Mosley that he was too strong for the division. In his
    last bout, Mosley wasted three rounds against Adrian Stone doing little more
    than looking for an opening. Once he found the opening, he leveled Stone for
    a 10-plus count. Leading into this fight, both Mosley and his trainer/father
    Jack could do little more than insist that Forrest wasn't ready for Mosley's
    power. When the second round began, Mosley fought not in the fluid,
    combination style that had brought him victory in his best fights, but fought
    as though he were looking for the one punch that would show Vernon Forrest
    how good he was.

    Unfortunately for Mosley, Forrest was also loading up with big punches. Both
    men threw simultaneous right hands early in the second round, both missing by
    a mile. What did hit, however, were the two men's heads... hard. Both guys
    backed away from the butt holding their heads. Mosley was cut on the
    hairline, and blood traced his face for the first time. After a brief
    time-out, the fight resumed. Forrest now launched a heavy one-two, and his
    right hand chopped into Mosley's face as he backed up with his hands down.
    The punch rattled Mosley, who wobbled a few steps back towards the ropes.
    Forrest now let his hands go. Mosley leaned back on the ropes, blocked a
    right and a left hook, and then ate the punch that would change his career.
    It was a big right uppercut, and it sailed between Mosley's gloves and
    snapped his head straight back. Mosley's legs straightened beneath him, and
    only the ropes kept him standing. Eyes rolled back in his head, a limp
    Mosley rested on the ropes for a half-second before a roundhouse Forrest
    right tagged him on the cheek and sent him to the canvas in a heap.

    A dazed and confused Mosley pulled himself up by nine, but his eyes looked
    foggy as referee Steve Smoger asked him if he was able to continue. Mosley
    responded enough to convince Smoger to continue the bout, and a still wobbly
    Mosley staggered towards a swinging Forrest, trying desperately to hang on.
    There was two minutes left in the round.

    Mosley's legs were like rubber, and his arms were little better. His
    attempts to hug Forrest resulted in Mosley flopping this way, then that,
    occasionally catching a breathtaking Forrest power punch in between. Mosley
    eventually caught enough of Forrest's arms to force a break, but Smoger's
    separation nearly downed a weak Mosley, so gone were his legs. Forrest
    smacked Mosley with a big right, and then another. Mosley fell backwards
    across the ring, crashing into the ropes and then eating more Forrest shots
    as the challenger gave chase. This pace continued for most of the rest of
    the round. Mosley never seemed to regain his legs, twice almost falling to
    the canvas without even being touched. At one point, Mosley backed away from
    another clinch, but while stepping back his own legs gave out, sending him
    reeling into the ropes. Forrest followed up right a right hand to the chin
    that sent Mosley falling forward into him. Forrest wasn't sure whether he
    should punch or clinch back as Mosley fell forward, tried to hug him, and
    ended up face down on the canvas. Smoger ruled the fall a knockdown, a
    delayed reaction from the right hand. It was a proper call.

    Mosley beat this count as well, looking no better for wear and tear. But
    somehow, he made it out of the round. When the bell finally rang, a dazed
    Mosley staggered back to the wrong corner. His survival in this round says
    volumes about his courage and determination. Not many fighters would have
    heard the final bell.

    Mosley didn't look much better after the one-minute rest period. He began
    round three shuffling left and then right, trying his best to stay away from
    Forrest. But the footwork was not the gliding dancesteps of the graceful
    pound-for-pound boss, but the unstable baby steps of a hurt fighter. Forrest
    took his time giving chase, missing a big right hand and eating a fairly
    solid right to the body from Mosley. Forrest uncorked a picture perfect hook
    into Mosley's face a few times, and again Mosley was forced to try and make a
    clinch. Once broken, he returned to his attempts to circle away. But with
    Mosley's mobility hampered by bad legs, Forrest was repeatedly able to trap
    Mosley on the ropes. There, Mosley had no answer. Forrest would step back
    to his perfect range, and bounce a series of shots off a defensive Mosley.
    Mosley occasionally would try and fire back, but Forrest was too far away.
    Mostly, however, Shane was forced to stay covered up and absorb power shots.
    It wasn't pretty.

    To his credit, Mosley's legs began to come back to life in the final minute
    of round three. Forrest, sensing this, began winding up his punches more,
    and Mosley (for the only time all night) was able to make Forrest miss badly
    with wild swings. These big misses were exactly the openings that Mosley had
    hoped for, but in his current condition he wasn't even able to throw a return
    punch, let alone land one.

    Mosley had desperately needed to make it through round three, and he had. He
    looked somewhat better to begin round four, but instantly fell back into the
    pattern of looking for the haymaker that would turn things around. Mosley
    cracked Forrest with a big overhand right in the round's opening seconds,
    then fired a few fierce blows to Forrest's ribs. But no sooner had Mosley
    displayed signs of life, Forrest returned to the uppercut and stopped Mosley
    in his tracks. The first one halted Mosley in place, and a follow-up
    uppercut shook Mosley's legs again. A clean, flush, loud right hand
    followed, and Mosley was back on the ropes hanging on for dear life. Mosley
    was now clearly a desperate fighter, and he began swinging for the fences on
    those few occasions when he could get his arms moving. A quick Mosley hook
    backed Forrest off the ropes, but once in center ring, Mosley again took the
    worst of it. Shane launched a big right hand, which landed to the oohs of
    the crowd, only to be answered with a bigger, harder right. Twice more
    before round five closed, Mosley hurled his body into a solid clean punch,
    only to have Forrest answer with one or two harder blows. After the third
    time this happened, Forrest didn't stop with a quid pro quo shot, and he
    landed a series of big right hands on Mosley to close the round.

    Forrest was winning the fight easily, and seemed to hurt Mosley nearly every
    time he landed flush. But Mosley started the fifth round looking his
    freshest since the knockdowns. Jerking his upper body around, Mosley was
    clearly trying to establish a boxing rhythm. Forrest began backing up under
    Mosley's renewed energy. Mosley now applied constant pressure to Forrest,
    following him around the ring without giving him a second to breath.
    Unfortunately, Forrest was pumping out his jab continuously as he moved back,
    and Mosley was never able to get his feet set before launching his shots.

    After backing away from Mosley for half a round, Forrest took a moment to
    score some points, again landing the uppercut, backing Mosley to the ropes,
    and landing some heavy shots before moving back to center ring. Despite
    taking heavy beating, Mosley was not completely done yet. Mosley showed what
    his game plan might have looked like in the closing thirty seconds of round
    five, stepping around Forrest after he missed, and launching shots while
    Forrest was bent over. Mosley spun and countered Forrest several times to
    close the fifth, but couldn't land clean. In all, another round for Forrest.

    With the fight half-over, Forrest had banked a sizable points lead. Even
    though still loading up with singular bombs, Mosley was showing signs of
    making adjustments in the sixth round. And so, Forrest unveiled the second
    part of his plan: holding. Again and again, Mosley would fire first from the
    distance, leaping in with reaching punches. Forrest was able to see these
    shots coming and cover up... and then tie Mosley up. Over and over, Mosley
    would launch, Forrest would tangle, and it would take Smoger a good five
    seconds for force a break. A few times Mosley's shots landed. Instead of
    holding, Forrest fired back. Near the end of the round, Mosley landed a huge
    right to the top of Forrest's head, the best punch of the round. It might
    have been enough to swing the round to Mosley, given Forrest's holding... but
    Vernon answered Mosley's right with two of his own, including a fierce shot
    that swiveled Mosley's head and appeared to rock him again just before the
    bell ended the round.

    The desperation was growing with Mosley, now on stable legs but unable to
    solve the Forrest puzzle. Mosley's upper body movements began getting more
    frenetic. He spun his gloves, rocked his torso from side to side, and jutted
    out his chin in a series of feints. But every time Mosley would get close,
    Forrest tangled him up in his web. Again and again, Mosley tried to rip his
    arms from Forrest's clutches and continue throwing, but he could not. This
    time stalling technique didn't bode well for Forrest, who now gave the
    impression that Mosley was regaining momentum. In fact, round seven was
    shaping up to be a Mosley round, based solely on Forrest's holding... and
    then Forrest nailed Mosley with a massive right. The punch rocked Mosley
    like so many others had this night, and when the bell sounded a moment later,
    there was no choice but to give Forrest a 10-9.

    Forrest's holding continued into the eighth round. Mosley stung Forrest with
    a sharp left hook early in the round, which only encouraged Forrest to hold
    some more. In fact, Forrest did nothing but hold in this round, while Mosley
    spent an enormous amount of energy repeatedly trying to free himself from the
    clinches. Mosley ended the round by nailing Forrest with a big right, the
    only other punch of significance in this forgettable round. Forrest, intent
    on answering every Mosley punch, fired back with a right of his own. It
    tagged Mosley on the chin a good two seconds after the bell rang to end the
    round. Mosley had finally banked a "rally round," despite Forrest's
    post-round power shot.

    It was Mosley who was now making the fight, with Forrest appearing to sit on
    his substantial lead. But while Mosley launched and Forrest slipped and
    grabbed, Mosley still wasn't able to gain control. Over and over, Mosley's
    bombs missed. There was a definite feeling that if Mosley would swing his
    punches in four and five punch flurries, a coasting Forrest could be in
    trouble. But for whatever reason, Mosley could not land his shots. And when
    he did, Forrest scored in return. Mosley landed a single big right at the
    midway point of round nine, only to have Forrest answer with a one-two-three
    that was heavier and cleaner. Each time that Forrest landed, Mosley needed a
    few seconds to recoup, and while Forrest's blows were infrequent, he scored
    enough to win the round and halt any hopes Mosley may have had for sweeping
    the final rounds.

    Forrest wised up in the tenth. Despite clearly winning the fight to this
    point, Forrest was putting himself at risk of a funny decision by wasting a
    few rounds doing more clutching than punching. He changed his tactics in the
    tenth, and Mosley paid the price. Coming in behind a jab, Forrest was
    repeatedly able to back Mosley straight back. Each time, Mosley would end up
    on the ropes, where he was most vulnerable. Forrest pinned Mosley to one
    side of the ring at the halfway point, and landed two flush rights to
    Mosley's face. Mosley was again wobbling on the ropes, looking ready to go.
    Forrest landed an uppercut, another right, and then a hook to Mosley's side
    that made the champion crinkle his face in extreme pain. Replays showed the
    body shot went low, but Smoger didn't notice, especially not after Forrest
    stood Mosley up with an uppercut a fraction of a second after the belt shot.
    Mosley was now ready to go. He leaned forward, trying to clutch, and lost
    his mouthpiece. A bizarre New York rule requires an immediate replacement,
    so despite no lull in the action, Smoger called time and sent Mosley to his
    corner to get the gumshield washed out. Of course, the process took too
    long, giving Mosley 20 seconds to recover. He barely could. He hung his
    arms over the top rope and hung his head down as he waited for the
    mouthpiece. Once he got it, Forrest went back to work. It was a huge
    Forrest round, and when the bell ended it, a swollen and distant looking
    Mosley gazed at Forrest and dragged himself back to his corner.

    Forrest was now unstoppable. The more desperate Mosley became, the more he
    loaded up with knockout attempts. Forrest was able to avoid almost all of
    these swings, tying up Mosley time and again, forcing him to waste even more
    energy trying to get free. Forrest mixed in a series of casual one-twos,
    hurting Mosley again and again with each heavy right hand. But Forrest was
    tiring, and Mosley was beginning to land more haymakers than he should have.
    But it was all too little, too late.

    Mosley's corner stopped short of asking for the knockout before the final
    round, although Mosley seemed to understand where he stood. Forrest, perhaps
    exhausted, perhaps distracted his imminent victory, looked extremely tired in
    the final round. As Mosley tried in vain to land a power shot, Forrest
    easily tangled him up in clinch after boring clinch. Mosley earned the final
    round in his column, as he was the only one fighting, but it was hardly
    enough to win him the bout.

    And so Vernon Forrest made it look easy: beating Mosley up early, clutching
    to sit on his lead in the middle rounds, putting more hurt on Mosley in the
    tenth, and then holding again to end the fight. Boxing Chronicle gave Mosley
    only the 1st, 8th, and final round... 117-109 Forrest. The official tallies
    were similar, giving Forrest a wide victory by scores of 115-110, 117-108 and
    118-108.

    Still undefeated, Forrest (34-0/26) picks up the WBC belt (he should also be
    the IBF champion, but for that sanctioning body's idiotic decision to strip
    Forrest for facing Mosley), but not the pound-for-pound title. Forrest
    fought a brilliant gameplan, using his height and jab to full advantage,
    hurting Mosley when the champ made basic mistakes of dropping his hands and
    backing straight up, and then neutralizing Mosley's flurries with a
    frustrating series of clutches, hugs, and armlocks. It may have been a
    perfect plan, but it certainly doesn't put Forrest on top of the
    pound-for-pound list.

    What it does do for Forrest, however, is earn him a much-deserved spot atop
    the welterweight division, pound-for-pound or not. Forrest's career has been
    conducted largely in obscurity. Remember, this guy was on the same Olympic
    team as De la Hoya, and is only just now getting recognition. This win will
    earn Forrest at least one big payday, and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

    As for Mosley (now 38-1/35), his next move is unknown. After the fight, he
    was extremely gracious in defeat. But he took a serious beating and may not
    want an immediate rematch. And while Mosley made no excuses, we find it
    interesting that Mosley swore to us that he would never again try and make
    the 147 lb. weight limit when we interviewed him back in October
    (http://www.boxingchronicle.com/articles/mosleyinterview.html). Was he
    drained at 147, or was he in such great shape that he was convinced his power
    would rescue him? Without question, this was Mosley's most lackluster ring
    performance since he won the IBF lightweight title from Philip Holiday in his
    1997 HBO debut. Most of the credit for Mosley's inability to perform must go
    to Vernon Forrest... but there is no question that Mosley is capable of more
    than he showed this night. He will come back, but will he ever be able to
    defeat Vernon Forrest?

    On the undercard, Arturo Gatti returned to the ring in his first fight since
    losing to Oscar De la Hoya nearly a year prior. Paired with free-swinging
    Terronn Millett, Gatti needed to do what he had promised for so long: box in
    stead of brawl. Luckily for Gatti, Millett was incredibly easy to hit. The
    first one-two Gatti threw landed completely flush, as did any and all right
    hands Gatti launched during this short bout.

    Millett, who was able to swell Gatti's tender skin by landing only single
    digits in the opening round, simply couldn't get out of the way of Gatti's
    bombs. A conservative Gatti became more bold in round two, mixing in his
    dreaded hook with his never-missing right. He hurt Millett in this round by
    going downstairs and then up, but didn't drop him until round three, after an
    accumulation of blows sent Millett down face first. Millett beat the count
    only to get up and take an even more heinous series of flush shots. The bell
    to end round three saved him from further punishment, but Gatti continued
    hammering in the fourth, putting an already weakened Millett down for the
    second time in the bout. Referee Jimmy Santa, apparently oblivious to the
    one sided drubbing taking place in front of him, allowed Millett to continue
    yet again, and after another half dozen flush, head-snapping Gatti power
    shots sent Millett to his back, the fight was finally called off.

    Gatti (now 35-5/28) declared this fight as his comeback, and while Millett
    isn't as tough at Kostya Tszyu, he was a legitimate opponent at 140. Gatti,
    looking fit and claiming to have ended his between-fight partying, may have
    found a good weight class for his ever-changing frame. While Gatti has a
    long way to go before he can again call himself a boxer, he showed decent
    patience against Millett, and fired almost all of his combinations from
    behind a substantial jab. What's more, Gatti didn't cut in this fight, a
    fact that completely stunned Gatti cutman Joe Souza. Gatti's next likely foe
    will be the winner of a Ward-Leija rematch. If Gatti can stay in shape, and
    continue to work on his jab, we might just pick him to win it.

    .....Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xForrest Upsets Mosley in 12``x1012238261,93205,``x``x ``xResults from Jan. 25, 2002 pro boxing card “Friday Night Fights at the Roxy”

    At The Roxy, Boston

    TIMMY FLAMOS WDEC10 HECTOR SANJURJO
    Flamos Retains New England & Massachusetts
    Cruiserweight Titles
    Timmy “The Hammer” Flamos, 191, won a 10-round split decision against Hector “The Pitbull” Sanjurjo, 192, to retain his New England and Massachusetts cruiserweight titles. The much-anticipated match was action packed, although difficult fight to score because neither fighter was seriously hurt at any point. Flamos (15-2-1, 7 KOs) was able to fight his fight: inside and rough. The 34-year-old from Brockton showed considerable improvement in style, using a surprising jab to his advantage and showing better balance. Sanjurjo (13-6-5, 7 KOs), of Taunton, was dangerous when he had some distance to fire his lead left. Flamos won on two judges' cards, 96-94 and 97-93, Sanjurjo won the other, 97-93.

    RICH LA MONTAGNE WDEC6 DANNY SHEEHAN
    In the co-feature, cruiserweight Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne, 191, made the most of his first fight in Boston in nearly two years by winning a unanimous six-round decision from always-tough Danny Sheehan, 193, and gaining a wife. LaMontagne (24-4-1, 19 KOs), of Everett, and Sheehan (193), of Lawrence, stood toe-to-toe most of the fight and had the standing room only crowd cheering from the opening bell to the final seconds. After the bout, LaMontagne took the microphone, dropped to one knee, and proposed marriage to his girl friend, Ann Marie LaFauci. The judges had LaMontagne winning 58-56, 58-56 and 59-54.

    AARON TORRES WDEC6 CALVIN SHEPPARD
    Lightweight prospect Aaron “2-Guns” Torres (8-1, 4 KOs), the Philadelphia native fighting out of Brockton, put on a stylish boxing exhibition, pitching a shutout against veteran Calvin Sheppard, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. All three judges had Torres winning 60-54.

    WILLIAM GIBBS TKO2 PEDRO GONZALEZ
    Undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins’ cousin, “Sir” William “The Gladiator” Gibbs, 160, showed why he is considered a future world champion, scoring a TKO against Pedro Gonzalez, 160.5, when the latter failed to answer the bell for the third round. Gibbs (4-0, 4 KOs), the Philadelphia native fighting out of Brockton, rocked Sanchez, of Sarasota, Florida, with a wide array of combinations to the head and body.

    KEVIN WATTS WDEC4 ROBBY SANCHEZ
    “Cocky” Kevin Watts, 138.5, dominated Robby Sanchez, 138.5, in their four-round junior middleweight bout. Watts (15-1, 6 KOs), of South Boston, out-boxed his Miami opponent from start to finish in workmanlike fashion. Watts won on the cards 59-54, 59-54 and 58-56.

    TOMMY ATTARDO WDEC4 JAMES MC CRAY
    Coming off a loss to former U.S. Olympic star Jeff Lacy, junior middleweight Tommy Attardo, 155, won all four rounds against James “Rocky” McCray. Attardo (9-6-12, 1 K0), of South Boston, and McCray, 160, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, exchanged haymakers on several occasions in this crowd-pleasing fight.
    Attardo was the winner on all three judges’ cards by identical scores of 40-46.



    CRUISERWEIGHTS – Tim Flamos, Brockton, MA WDEC10 Hector Sanjurjo, New Bedford, MA Flamos retained New England and Massachusetts cruiserweight titles; Rich LaMontagne, Everett, MA WDEC6, Danny Sheehan, Lawerence, MA.

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS – Willie Gibbs, Philadelphia, PA/Brockton, MA TKO2 Pedro Gonzalez, Sarasota, FL.

    JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS – Tommy Attardo, South Boston, MA WDEC4 James McCray, Atlantic City, NJ.

    JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS – Kevin Watts, South Boston, MA WDEC4 Robby Sanchez, Miami, FL

    LIGHTWEIGHTS – Aaron Torres, Philadelphia, PA/Brockton, MA WDEC6 Calvin Sheppard, Winston-Salem, NC,

    Special thanks to Bob Triiger of Full Court Press & Cappiello Promotions for providing the results.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFriday Night Results in Boston``x1012264775,48928,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    WBA 122-lb Champion Yorber Ortega has to change his travel plans. His title defense in Thailand against Yoddamrong Sithyodithon has been moved up 5 days, to Wednesday, February 20.

    The Venezuelan Ortega, who won the title this past Nov 17 in Las Vegas, continues his intense, twice-daily work-out sessions in Maracay under the careful eye of "Professor" Eleazar Castillo, one of the best (if overlooked) trainers in the game.

    Castillo reports that he and his fighter will travel to Thailand February 13.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWBA 122 Title bout moved to Feb 20``x1012327824,50602,``x``x ``xSantana headlines “The Showdown” Friday night
    Pro boxing at Central Catholic HS in Lawrence

    LAWRENCE, Mass. – Lawrence featherweight Edwin “Lightning” Santana, hoping to position himself for another world title bout, will fight before his hometown fans for the first time in more than five years when pro boxing returns to Lawrence this Friday night (February 1) at Central Catholic High School.

    Santana, the 31-year-old former New England featherweight and junior
    lightweight champion, now sporting a 27-4-5 (6 KOs) pro record, headlines Friday evening’s “The Showdown” card, promoted by Pendarvis Boxing Promotions, in association with Foxwoods Resort Casino, First Choice Limousine Service, Frugal McDoogal and AD Medical Service.

    “Fighting in front of my fans in Lawrence will give me added motivation,” Santana said about fighting at Central Catholic High School. “I’m pleased to know my family and friends will be watching the fight. They’ll give me a big boost. Everybody likes fighting at home; we get psyched up for it. The last time I fought here (WDEC10, May 17, 1996) was the toughest fight of my career, at that time, because (Rafael) Meran was the Dominican junior lightweight champion. I’m in good shape and really looking forward to fighting again in Lawrence.”

    Over the course of his 11-year career, Santana, 31, has fought for three world titles without success due to a variety of reasons. He lost all three in 12-round decisions. Against Kevin Kelley for the WBU featherweight title, Edwin admitted he wasn’t mentally ready for the fight and he suffered a broken nose in the fourth round. Television commentator and undisputed light heavyweight champion, Roy Jones, said Santana had “the heart of a lion” for fighting the last eight rounds (12-round loss by decision) with a broken nose. In his next fight against Orlando Canizales for the IBA featherweight championship, Edwin took the fight on only two-and-one-half weeks and he wasn’t physically prepared. Despite a large blister on his foot that developed by the eighth round, the result of wearing new boxing shoes, he went the distance and lost a split decision. In his last fight (May 5, 2001) against WBA super featherweight Joel Casamayor, Edwin admitted that Casamayor was too big for him, as well as a great fighter.

    “People don’t want to hear excuses and I don’t like making them,” Edwin added, “but there were reasons some of my losses. I just want one more title shot.”

    “Edwin’s never caught a break,” Santana’s manager/trainer Mel Peabody
    remarked. “He ends up losing a split decision against Canizales in a fight he should and could have won. He has trouble breathing because of bronchitis against Bones Adams – who went on to become the IBF super bantamweight champion – and fights ends up a draw. And Edwin’s beating Ben Tackie for nine rounds, but he gets caught in the last round (KO punch). Tackie’s now the IBF mandatory No. 1 junior welterweight contender. All we want is one more title shot and Friday night’s fight is the first step towards one. He’s in with a tough opponent, too.”

    Santana is matched against featherweight Isidro Tejedor (15-5, 7 KOs), of Miami, in the 8-round main event.

    Two other Lawrence fighters are on the card, junior middleweight prospect, Gil “Sugar” Reyes (3-0, 2 KOs) versus veteran Kevin Carter, of North Carolina, and always-tough cruiserweight Danny Sheehan against Chris Franks, of Manchester, NH.

    In the co-feature, Lowell featherweight Jose Ayala (5-2) is matched against Canadian veteran Bobby “Too Sweet” Rishea, in a six rounder. Also scheduled to be on “The Showdown” in four-round bouts are Worcester heavyweight sensation Adam Harris (4-0, 4 KOs) against Rodney Ross, of Philadelphia; light middleweight Jason “The Hammer” LeHoullier (1-0), of Portsmouth (NH), squares off against Thomas Coleman (0-1), of Philadelphia; All matches and boxers are subject to change.

    Santana, Reyes, Ayala and LeHoullier are all former New England Golden Gloves champions as amateurs.

    Ticket prices are $50.00 Gold VIP, $35.00 ringside and $20.00 general. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the first bout is scheduled for 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale in Lawrence at Micky’s Sports, 268 S. Broadway, 978.687.1701; Subway, 361 Essex, 978.686.0640. For more information call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions at 617-825-3283.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Edwin Santana Returns! ``x1012344207,10816,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    1978 Arrested for purse snatching as a 12-year-old in Brooklyn and sent to Tryon School for Boys.

    1979 A boxing instructor at a New York State correction facility for boys brings Tyson to the attention of Cus D'Amato, who had guided Floyd Patterson to the heavyweight title.

    1982 Expelled from Catskill High School for a series of transgressions.

    1984 D'Amato becomes Tyson's legal guardian.

    March 6, 1985 In his professional debut, Tyson defeats Hector Mercedes in one round.

    Nov. 4, 1985 D'Amato dies of pneumonia.

    Feb. 20, 1986 Tyson sexually propositions a sales clerk in an Albany, N.Y., shopping mall and becomes violent and abusive when she rebuffs him. Later the same night, he is ejected from a movie theater following a similar incident.

    Nov. 22, 1986 Tyson knocks out Trevor Berbick in the second round, winning the WBC heavyweight title to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20.

    March 3, 1987 Tyson defeats James "Bonecrusher" Smith at Las Vegas to win the WBA heavyweight title.

    May 30, 1987 Tyson knocks out Pinklon Thomas in the sixth round at Las Vegas to retain his WBA-WBC heavyweight titles.

    June 21, 1987 A parking lot attendant alleges Tyson tried to kiss a female employee and struck the male attendant. He is charged with misdemeanor assault and battery and assault with a deadly weapon, and pays $105,000 to settle the case out of court.

    Aug. 1, 1987 Tyson decisions Tony Tucker to retain the WBA-WBC heavyweight titles and win the IBF heavyweight title.

    Oct. 16, 1987 Tyson knocks out Tyrell Biggs in the seventh round in Atlantic City to retain the world heavyweight title.

    Jan. 22, 1988 Tyson knocks out Larry Holmes in the fourth round to retain the world heavyweight title.

    Feb. 9, 1988 Actress Robin Givens and Tyson marry in a civil ceremony at New York.

    March 20, 1988 Tyson knocks out Tony Tubbs to retain the world heavyweight title.

    March 25, 1988 Jim Jacobs, Tyson's co-manager, is buried in Los Angeles. Givens and her mother, Ruth Roper, demand access to Tyson's money for a down payment on the $4.5 million home in Bernardsville, N.J.

    May, 1988 Tyson dents his $183,000 Bentley convertible in a fender-bender in New York City and gives the slightly damaged car to two policemen, who later are suspended when their superiors found out.

    June 17, 1988 Givens and her family go public with tales of beatings by Tyson.

    June 27, 1988 Tyson sues manager Bill Cayton to break their contract, then knocks out Michael Spinks in 91 seconds to retain the world heavyweight title.

    July 11, 1988 Tyson hires Donald Trump as an adviser.

    July 27, 1988 Tyson settles the Cayton suit out of court, reducing Cayton's managerial share from one-third to 20 percent of purses.

    Aug. 23, 1988 Tyson breaks a bone in his right hand in a 4 a.m. street brawl with professional fighter Mitch Green in Harlem.

    Sept. 4, 1988 Tyson is knocked unconscious after driving his BMW into a tree. Three days later, the New York Daily News reports the accident was a "suicide attempt" caused by a "chemical imbalance" that made him violent and irrational.

    Sept. 12, 1988 Tyson sends tennis player Lori McNeil, an alleged victim of his violence, 1,000 roses to wish her luck in the U.S. Open.

    Sept. 21, 1988 Tyson threatens a TV reporter outside his Bernardsville, N.J. home and throws a Walkman at the camera crew.

    Sept. 30, 1988 Givens says in a nationally televised interview that Tyson is a manic-depressive and that she is afraid of him. Tyson sits meekly next to her.

    Oct. 2, 1988 Police go to Tyson's Bernardsville, N.J., home after he hurls furniture out the window and forces Givens and her mother to flee the house.

    Oct. 7, 1988 Givens files for divorce.

    Oct. 14, 1988 Tyson countersues Givens for divorce and annulment.

    Oct. 26, 1988 Trump bills Tyson $2 million for services rendered in his role as adviser. Tyson signs partners with promoter Don King.

    Nov. 16, 1988 Givens sues Tyson for $125 million, charging libel because of a New York Post story in which Tyson calls her and her mother, "the slime of the slime."

    Nov. 23, 1988 Tyson again sues Cayton.

    Nov. 30, 1988 Tyson is sued for $92,000 by a Manhattan furrier for a Russian sable coat the furrier claims Tyson and Givens bought as a birthday gift for Givens' mother.

    Dec. 12, 1988 Sandra Miller of New York sues Tyson for allegedly grabbing her, propositioning her and insulting her at a nightclub. A jury later finds Tyson guilty of battery, fining him only $100.

    Dec. 15, 1988 Lori Davis of New York sues Tyson for allegedly grabbing her buttocks while she was dancing at the same nightclub on the same night as the incident with Miller.

    Jan. 11, 1989 During a deposition in his lawsuit to oust Cayton as his manager, Tyson makes blatant sexual hand gestures and a sexually explicit statement to a female attorney.

    Feb. 14, 1989 Tyson and Givens are divorced in the Dominican Republic.

    Feb. 25, 1989 Tyson knocks out Frank Bruno to retain the world heavyweight title.

    March 27, 1989 Givens withdraws her $125 million libel suit against Tyson.

    April 9, 1989 Tyson is accused of striking a parking attendant three times with an open hand outside a Los Angeles nightclub after the attendant asked Tyson to move his Mercedes-Benz out of a spot reserved for the club's owner. The charges are later dropped due to lack of witness cooperation.

    April 26, 1989 Tyson gets a speeding ticket in downtown Albany, N.Y., for driving his 1989 Lamborghini 71 mph in a 30 mph zone while drag racing with a friend.

    May 5, 1989 Tyson gets another speeding ticket in downtown Albany, N.Y., for driving his Lamborghini at an unspecified speed above the 30 mph limit, again while drag racing.

    June, 1989 Tyson and Givens' divorce is finalized, and Tyson is fined $300 and sentenced to community service for speeding violations.

    July 21, 1989 Tyson knocks out Carl "The Truth" Williams to retain the world heavyweight title.

    Feb. 11, 1990 Tyson is knocked out by James "Buster" Douglas in the 10th round and loses his world heavyweight title.

    Aug. 17, 1990 Phyllis Polaner, former aid to Givens, sues Tyson for sexual assault and harassment.

    Nov. 1, 1990 A New York City civil jury finds Tyson committed battery in the Sandra Miller case, but Miller is awarded just $100 in damages because the jury decides Tyson's behavior was "not outrageous."

    March 28, 1991 Tyson admits paternity of an 8-month-old girl born to Kimberly Scarborough of New York.

    June 28, 1991 Tyson outpoints Razor Ruddock in 12 rounds.

    July 18, 1991 Tyson meets Desiree Washington, a Miss Black America contestant, at a pageant rehearsal. They go to the boxer's hotel room in the early morning hours.

    July 22, 1991 Washington files a complaint with police alleging Tyson raped her.

    Sept. 9, 1991 A special grand jury indicts Tyson on rape and three other charges. Two days later, he is booked in Indianapolis and released on $30,000 cash bond.

    Oct. 2, 1991 Natalie Fears files a $12 million palimony and paternity lawsuit in Los Angeles.

    Oct. 18, 1991 A Nov. 8 fight between Tyson and heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is postponed because of a rib injury Tyson sustained while training.

    Jan. 7, 1992 A court-ordered blood test shows that Tyson is not the father of Natalie Fears son.

    Jan. 21, 1992 Judge denies motion to delay rape trial.

    Jan.-March 1992 Tyson is found guilty on one count of rape and two counts of deviate sexual conduct and sentenced to 10 years in prison, four suspended. Superior Court Judge Patricia Gifford orders him to serve the term immediately.

    May 8, 1992 Tyson is found guilty of threatening a guard and disorderly conduct in prison, adding 15 days to his sentence.

    June 22, 1992 Washington files a civil suit seeking unspecified damages against Tyson.

    Oct. 28, 1992 Tyson's father, Jimmy Kirkpatrick, dies in Brooklyn, N.Y. Tyson does not ask for a leave to attend the funeral.

    Nov. 17, 1992 Washington's attorney, Deval Patrick, says she is undergoing treatment for a sexually transmitted disease she contracted from Tyson in Indianapolis. He won't identify the disease.

    July 13, 1993 Noemi T. McKenzie, of Woburn, Mass., files a civil lawsuit in Marion Superior Court alleging Tyson committed battery against her on July 18, 1991, during a rehearsal for the Miss Black America beauty pageant.

    March 1994 Tyson fails his high school equivalency test. Had he passed the two-day test, three months would have been deducted from his sentence.

    Feb. 13, 1995 Tyson's release date is moved up from May 9 to March 25, his original release date, by the Indiana Department of Correction.

    March 13, 1995 WBO heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe pays a 45-minute visit to the Indiana Youth Center to discuss a possible $120 million fight with Tyson after his release and says the boxer is "in excellent shape."

    March 25, 1995 Tyson is released from the Indiana Youth Center near Plainfield, Ind.

    August 19, 1995 Tyson begins comeback with 89-second victory over Peter McNeeley in Las Vegas.

    Dec. 16, 1995 Tyson knocks out Buster Mathis, Jr. in third round in Philadelphia.

    March 16, 1996 Tyson knocks out Frank Bruno in third round to win the WBC heavyweight title in Las Vegas.

    April 9, 1996 Mike Tyson was accused by a 25-year-old beautician from Gary, Ind. of sexual battery in a nightclub on Chicago's South Side on April 7.

    April 26, 1996 Chicago police say the accusations of sexual battery by the beautician were baseless.

    Sept. 7, 1996 Tyson knocks out Bruce Selden in the first round to win the WBA heavyweight title.


    Nov. 9, 1996 Evander Holyfield stops Tyson in the 11th round for the WBA title.

    April 1997 Tyson marries Monica Turner in a civil ceremony at New York.

    June 28, 1997 Tyson is disqualified after the third round for biting Holyfield's ears. Tyson claims he was retaliating for a head butt inflicted by Holyfield that opened up a gash above his right eye. Referee Mills Lane says the butt was accidental.

    July 9, 1997 The Nevada State Athletic Commission, in a 5-0 voice vote, revokes Mike Tyson's boxing license and fines him $3 million for biting Holyfield in their June 28 WBA championship bout. Tyson, who also is ordered to pay legal costs, can apply for reinstatement of his license in one year.

    Oct. 16, 1997 Tyson is ordered to pay boxer Mitch Green $45,000 even though a jury ruled the former heavyweight champion was provoked into a Harlem street fight in 1988.

    Oct. 29, 1997 Tyson breaks a rib and punctures lung on his right side when his motorcycle skids off a Connecticut highway after hitting a patch of sand.

    March 5, 1998 Tyson files a $100 million lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New York against Don King, accusing the promoter of cheating him out of tens of millions of dollars.

    March 9, 1998 Tyson files a lawsuit against former managers Rory Holloway and John Horne, claiming they betrayed him by arranging a deal that made King the former heavyweight champion's exclusive promoter.

    March 9, 1998 Sherry Cole and Chevelle Butts file a $22 million lawsuit against Tyson claiming he verbally and physically abused them March 1 at a Washington bistro them at a restaurant after his sexual advances toward one of them were spurned.

    July 16, 1998 The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstates a $4.4 million award that a jury decided boxer Tyson owes former trainer Kevin Rooney for unjustly firing him.

    July 29, 1998 Tyson appears before the New Jersey Athletic Control Board to get a boxing license to resume his career. Tyson chokes back tears as he apologizes for biting Evander Holyfield's ears. At the end of his 35-minute appearance, however, Tyson curses in front of regulators after being continually questioned about biting Holyfield.

    Aug. 13, 1998 On the eve of a meeting of the New Jersey Athletic Control Board, Tyson's advisers abruptly withdraw his application for a boxing license.

    Aug. 31, 1998 Tyson is involved in a minor auto accident in Gaithersburg, Md., and has to be restrained by bodyguards from fighting the driver of the other car.

    Sept. 2, 1998 Richard Hardick files an assault charge against Tyson. Hardick says he was kicked in the groin by Tyson after his car rear-ended a Mercedes driven by Tyson's wife, Monica, on Aug. 31.

    Sept. 3, 1998 Abmielec Saucedo files a criminal assault against Tyson claiming Tyson punched him in the face as Saucedo talked with another driver following the accident of Aug. 31.

    Oct. 13, 1998 The psychiatric report of Tyson is released. According to doctors who examined him for five days, the report states Tyson is depressed and lacks self-esteem, but he is mentally fit to return to boxing. The psychiatrists believe Tyson most likely won't "snap" again as he did when he bit Holyfield.

    Oct. 19, 1998 The Nevada Athletic Commission votes 4-1 to restore Tyson's boxing license, with the lone holdout commissioner James Nave.

    Dec. 1, 1998 Tyson pleads no contest to misdemeanor assault for kicking and punching two motorists involved in the Aug. 31 auto accident in Maryland.
    Jan. 16, 1999 Tyson knocks out Francois Botha with 1 second left in the fifth round in his first fight in 19 months. It is only Tyson's seventh fight in eight years. At the end of four rounds all three judges have Botha ahead.

    Feb. 5, 1999 Tyson is sentenced to two concurrent two-year sentences for assaulting two motorists after a traffic accident last summer. Judge Stephen Johnson suspended all but one year of jail time. Tyson is also fined $5,000 and sentenced to two years' probation after his release from jail. The decision could lead to more jail time for violating parole in Indiana.

    March 5, 1999 Tyson must serve an extra 60 days in Maryland jail for violating terms of his Indiana probation for a 1992 rape conviction. The 60-day sentence will be served at the end of the one-year sentence he is serving in Montgomery County, Md., for a misdemeanor assault. His Maryland sentence could be reduced for good behavior. Tyson will pay the state of Indiana $80 per day for the cost of his incarceration on the probation violation, and Indiana will reimburse Maryland authorities.

    May 24, 1999 Tyson is released from a Maryland jail after serving 3 1/2 months for assaulting two motorists.

    Oct. 23, 1999 Tyson knocks down Orlin Norris with a punch after bell ending first round. Norris hurts knee in falling and cannot continue. Fight is ruled a no-contest. No disciplinary action is taken.

    Jan. 29, 2000 Tyson stops Julius Francis in second round at Manchester, England. His appearance is protested by women's groups and politicians, who believed he should not have been allowed in Britain because of his conviction for rape.

    June. 24, 2000 Tyson stops Lou Savarese in 38 seconds, then elbows referee to floor and tries to punch Savarese at Glasgow, Scotland.

    Aug. 23, 2000 Tyson is fined $187,500 by the British Boxing Board of Control for misconduct.

    Oct. 20, 2000 Andrew Golota quits after the second round against Tyson at Auburn Hills, Mich. Fight later is ruled a no-contest.

    Aug. 17, 2001 Prosecutors announce they will no file rape charges against Tyson stemming from an allegation by a 50-year-old woman that she was raped on July 16 at Big Bear, Calif.

    Jan. 16, 2001 Michigan suspends Tyson for three months and fines him $5,000 for refusing to submit to a urine test before the Golota fight.

    Oct. 13, 2001 Tyson stops Brian Nielsen after six rounds at Copenhagen, Denmark.

    Jan. 1, 2002 Witness say Tyson threw glass Christmas ornaments at journalists trying to interview him in Havana, Cuba.

    Jan. 18, 2002 Tyson's wife Monica sues for divorce at Rockville, Md. Tyson countersues at Las Vegas.

    Jan. 22, 2002 Las Vegas police turn over to the Clark County district attorney the results of a four-month investigation of a women's allegation that Tyson raped her and claim there is probable cause a crime occurred.

    Jan. 22, 2002 Tyson throws a punch at a Lennox Lewis bodyguard and Lewis throws a punch at Tyson at a news conference to formally announce Tyson's scheduled challenge to Lewis on April 6 at Las Vegas.

    Jan. 29, 2002 Tyson was denied a boxing license by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTyson Chronology: 25 Years of Shame``x1012408390,82526,``x``x ``xBy Adam Pollack

    As many of you may be aware, Tyson was denied his application for a license renewal in Nevada by a vote of 4-1.

    As a fan, this makes me sad in that I want to see him fight. Ultimately, this ruling probably won't make a huge difference because another jurisdiction will likely grant him a license to box.

    In terms of a decision, I believe it was the right result, but I watched the hearing and believe the process was flawed. The questions at times seemed inappropriate, delving into his personal life and life outside of boxing. I believe the only factors that should be relevant to Tyson's license to box are how Tyson has conducted himself in the ring. He's applying for a boxing license, not political office.

    The emphasis and discussion regarding the press conference last week was misplaced as well. It is understood that this is how these press
    conferences go down these days. It was also part of a script that Tyson was to face off with Lewis. Regardless, Tyson did not strike Lewis or anyone else. It was a bodyguard that first made physical contact with Tyson, and it was Lewis that struck Tyson. Tyson took a swipe at the bodyguard, but it did not land and I do not believe Tyson intended to land it. We don't see the commission calling Lewis before it for having the wrestling match with Rahman and now punching Tyson and causing him to be cut.

    Also, although Tyson's commentary at the Lewis press conference towards a reporter was disgusting, I don't believe it should have been focussed upon the way it was because I believe he is entitle to engage in his free speech rights to respond to another person's antagonistic free speech towards him. Yes it was gross, but he did not move to attack the reporter, and I don't believe it has ever been written that fighters have to be likable characters.

    Also, I felt the commissioners revealed bias, made inappropriate commentary on Tyson and his life, and openly revealed their feelings towards him even before he answered their questions. At times the commissioners appeared preemptively contentious even before answers were given. This should have been a question and answer session, not the commissioners' pontificating. It appeared they already had their minds made up going into the hearing despite certain statements to the contrary. In fact, some of the commentary and back and forthing with Tyson and his representatives was so downright odd that it had me questioning the competence of some of these people to be commissioners. I found it embarassing at times. This was not due process.

    That said, Tyson's patterns in the ring as well as his answers to questions were less than satisfactory. Even before the Holyfield fight he was a dirty fighter, but his conduct has been even more strange in the past number of years. He bit Holyfield, tried to break both Holyfield and Botha's arms, hit Norris after the bell, and hit the referee and Savarese after the referee clearly stepped between them. Tyson admitted he tried to break Botha's arm but that it was in response to Botha's holding tactics. He claimed his punch against Norris was already being thrown when the bell rang and that Norris took a dive from a light punch. He claimed that the referee was in error by not grabbing him instead of Savarese and that he was in the heat of the moment at the time.

    First of all, attempting to break an opponent's arm because he has been holding is clearly a disproportionate response. The Norris punch was clearly after the bell and clearly not in motion before the bell. Tyson's excuse for the Savarese affair was sorely inadequate. Tyson knows fully well that when a referee steps between two boxers, they need to stop punching. His heat of the moment excuse is exactly what the commissioners are concerned about: Tyson cannot control himself.

    Ultimately, I cannot blame the commission for voting against licensing him because it was obvious that Tyson could not provide adequate assurances that he would not snap against Lewis. I do not believe Tyson was adequately prepared to do so. I do not know if he was unwilling to properly prepare or if those surrounding him simply were incompetent. I think it may be the latter because I don't know what the hell they were trying to do by showing him in the latest Crocodile Dundee movie. They had no real focus and neither did Tyson.

    What Tyson needed was a moving speech about how saddened he was about how he had conducted himself and that he saw this as his last chance to go down in history as a champion and not just be remembered as the ear biter, that his personal pride and respect for boxing history would not allow him to do something terrible again, that this was his last chance at redemption. Instead Tyson was short with his answers, and generally was instructed to simply listen to his attorney's rendition of facts and then affirm that the statement was true. This was hardly the convincing performance he needed, especially that the burden under the law was upon him to convince the commission that he should be granted a license.

    Ultimately, aside from Tyson's responsibility, those surrounding him made the biggest mistake allowing the press conference to occur before he was licensed, and to instruct Tyson to engage in a stare down. They blew this fight. When you know you have a ticking time bomb, you don't light a match under his ass before he's licensed by putting him in close proximity with a man towards whom he's openly expressed hostility. Huge mistake. I truly believe that if there was no press conference debacle that he would have been licensed. Enough time had passed after his last ring debacle and he conducted himself well in the last fight with Nielsen. However, the whole
    mess of a press conference simply had everyone focussing on Tyson's past conduct once again. The press conference did him in, and ironically, it was the least egregious of all of Tyson's conduct.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe Tyson Debacle``x1012411343,34713,``x``x ``xCan anybody tell me why the mean lady from The Weakest Link was sitting in with the Nevada Boxing Commission on January 29th? Her hair wasn't as red as it appears on network TV, but I could have sworn it was her. Sure looked to me like she was dying to get all gussied up in black vinyl and give Mike Tyson a pants-down spanking.

    Maybe what Iron Mike needs is a little Victorian discipline.

    Who knows? A couple of weeks on a short leash trailing behind Mistress Ayoub or Agwe or whatever the mean lady's name was, might be the most effective training he ever had. Maybe French kissng her high-heel sneaker every night before curling up at the foot of her bed would put him in touch with his feminine side.

    Scary thought, that.

    Frankly I don't care if I ever see Mike Tyson fight again, because he's become a bore, but the exercise in sanctimony performed by that august body, the Nevada Boxing Comission, was much more of an atrocity than Tyson's quasi-rumble with Lennox Lewis and friends before the press in New York City. There was Dr. Flip Homansky, ring doctor to the stars, doing his Sensitive Nineties Guy impression and evoking memories of Nancy Reagan by saying with a look of pale regret writ large upon his face, "It was just time that someone said. No."

    Gosh, Flip.

    That statement's right up there its simple-minded perspective with, "Can't we all just get along?" (I think Wink Martindale with a fake goatee should play you in the movie.)

    Then there was Bailey, the new guy on the commision, with his brow-furrowed ultra-sincerity and that I-really-want-to-understand-you-Mike spiel--the man's apparently watched way too many Richard Dreyfuss flicks.

    Tyson himself, appearing old and tired (make that very old and very tired), overweight and sad, promised solemnly to be a good boy and never do it again. "It" being anything that the Weakest Link lady might disapprove of, which--judging by her clenched demeanor--probably included the thinking of impure thoughts.

    And his droning gray eminence of laywer doing that logically-evasive-yet-somehow-forthcoming lawyer thing we've all come to loathe and love courtesy of LA LAw, Law And Order, The Practice, and the Clinton administration...that was sweet, huh? Even his suit looked like it had died of boredom.

    It was, in sum, a lounge act from hell, far less entertaining than the usual lame dance number featuring bare-chested gay guys armed with teensy whips chasing around half-naked hookers pretending to be ponies to some marshmallow disco tune, while a seventy-year-old Jewish comedian wearing a sombrero tells sixty-year-old fart jokes.

    But no doubt it played in Peoria.

    And this, the applause emananting subsequently from the heartland, helps to convince me that the commission's vote to deny Mike Tyson a boxing license in the state of Nevade--more pertinently, in the suddenly family-oriented enchanted kingdom of Las Vegas--was in essence a marketing decision.

    Since the tragedy of last September 11, our country self-image has been transformed from a brawling, confusing menage a 300 million into a red, white, and blue poster for noble enterprise and enduring freedom, with pre-pretzel George W. playing the fife, head wrapped in a bloody bandage, and ol' Enron-loving Dick Cheney waving a tattered battle flag, leading a parade of soldiers, paperboys, waitresses, factory workers, farmers, et al, black and brown and white together, all with shining countenances and all fervently committed to spreading the gospel of the American Dream to the ends of the earth. Even junkies and armed robbers, poltroons and deviants of every stamp, are now given to sporting flag pins and pasting anti-Osama stickers on their bumpers. But while the war on terrorism is a commitment worthy of our passion, the fallout from the war effort is strictly commercial. Patriotism is once again box office. Morality sells. Simple values are in vogue. No matter what your belief as to how deep a hold these values and passions have on the American public, it's plain that profit-taking and exploitation are, as always, also in vogue. Thus it is my fervent and deeply held belief that the Nevada Boxing Commission, after receiving counsel from various and sundry millionaires with vested interests in the outcome of their deliberations, recognized that the quick hit of 200 hundred million that would be generated by Tyson vs. Lewis was small potatoes by contrast to the long-term gains that might be accrued by consolidating Las Vegas' image as oasis of family fun, and that this, not any semblance of a moral consideration, informed their decision. And it was apparent from watching the commision in action that this decision had been made long before their ludicrous dog-and-pony show.

    Perhaps they acted with some reluctance. 200 million in hand is a great temptation. But they did so realizing that they could not afford to swim against the tide of generic media-sponsored virtue that is washing shore-to-shore, and were therefore forced to have faith that this tide will continue to run long enough for their judgment to show a profit. Given the public's short attention span, it's unlikely that their faith will be rewarded.

    Though the four members of the commision who voted against the issuance of a license to Tyson have assured us that their decision was based not upon the dust-up with Lewis in New York, but upon their concerns over Tyson's pattern of behavior during the past year, this is patently false. Nary a whisper of said concern was heard prior to the press conference. Everyone knew a license would be issued. But after the press conference, once the media had freshly demonized Tyson, portraying him as a creature of darkness, yet another insane adherent of Islam, the members of the commision were on the tube night and day, expressing their angst over the vast moral dilemma with which they had been confronted.

    And now, out there in the hinterlands, solid middle-of-the-road citizens are saying to themselves, Y'know, now they kicked that no good expletive deleted outa the place, maybe it's time I took granny and the kids to Las Vegas for some good ol' All-American Keno and craps.

    At least such is the commission's hope.

    There is no doubt that to a great degree Mike Tyson brought all this down on himself, that he enabled the commission's hypocrisy by his continued malfeasance. Surely he and his advisors understood the tenor of the times; surely they understood that Tyson's image was such that even the slightest misstep would create a media furore and cause him to be cast in the worst possible light. If, as has been suggested, the display of testerone by Tsyon, Lewis, his bodyguards, hairdresser, dogwalker and best friend Pete at the press conference was a staged event, Tyson's advisors should have kept its dire potentials in mind and never have bought into it, knowing the volatility of the circumstance. I have no personal knowledge of Tyson, and as stated, I don't care if I ever see him fight again, because his schtik has become tiresome and he's no longer much of a fighter. (Then neither do I care if I ever see Lennox Lewis or any other of the current crop of heavyweights fight again, for more-or-less the same reasons.) Whether he is man or man-beast is beyond my capacity to determine--I am not so prescient or well-grounded in the study of psychology as are, it would seem, those journalists who assess the measure of his soul on a daily basis. Obviously Tyson has problems, but many athletes have had disturbing histories and, rightly or wrongly, have been granted leniency under the law and the absolution of the media. But Tyson has never warranted this tender treatment. He is the Bad Man From The Streets, and as such, plays into the stereotypes that fund a reflexive judgment on the part of the fools who command the bully pulpits along press row.

    It's quite possible that Tyson is a terminal asshole who is dangerous to himself and others, but that fact, if true, should not occlude the ultimately more salient fact that those who sit in judgment upon him, be they members of the Nevada Boxing Commission or gentlemen of the press or ravers on call-in shows, are for the most part motivated to damn him not because he is who he is, but because they are who they are. Whether they are purely cynical in their stance or are giving voice to a morality they glean from television and have learned to parrot, or be they the so-called opinion-makers who preach only what they believe their audience can accept, only what they want to hear, Tyson has become for them all a kind of pornography. They can't wait for him to fuel their arousal, to provoke an incident that will allow them to vent their crypto-sexual outrage. He is the target of a national focus that longs for him to perpetrate a final tragic act, a murder or a self-immolation of some sort, and being at the center of this million-eyed stare, perhaps he will be prompted to satifsfy that longing. For it is clear that whatever the extent of his personal darkness, the nature of his culpability, the quality of his rage and duplicity, he is tormented by this focus, challenged and even goaded by it. Perhaps one day soon he will provide us with the profound yet fleeting gratification of seeing his celebrity displayed post-mortem in all its bloody and broken hubris on the cover of a dozen tabloids. The demon whom we have exorted and exalted, whom we have licensed to play out his creaturely life before our eyes, now brought low not by his actions alone, but also by the radiation of our distaste for this charmed and charmless icon that we have partially created out of our need for demons, for figures that have the power to eat our sin, to absorb our own darkness and shape it into a form that we feel comfortable in condemning.

    What the Nevada Boxing Commission did on January 29th is, in the end, irrelevant. The fight will or will not take place. Tyson will likely die horribly or diminish into a pitiable state. September 11th will fade into history and be remembered on national occasions with speeches and shows of grief, both actual and contrived. And scarcely anyone will be left to wonder why the mean lady from The Weakest Link sat in on the licensing hearing. But the commission's actions are valuable in one regard. Irrelevant and fundamentally meaningless though they are, their very insignificance, the smallness of their scope, succeeded in sharpening the general focus to such a degree, it had the effect of a flash bulb going off, allowing us to take a snapshot of the culture that mostly illuminates not the state of Mike Tyson's soul, but the state of the national consciousness, spots and all. In the image of the tired, declined athlete, the aging bad-boy monster surrounded by his bland mouthpieces and wishing for his Zoloft; in the serial blah blah blah of the commissioners; in the prurient glee of the media; in the shabbiness of the entire business; anyone who wanted to look closely enough could see the operations of the forces that employ us to their ends, the reactive nature of our morality, the deprived condition of our spirits, the randomness of our days. For that alone, even in its hypocrisy and sanctimony, the commission and that bright light city whose imperatives they serve should be congratulated. The sport of boxing can hold its head high--it has joined the great parade and now can proudly go ompah, oompah, oompah with all the rest of the Uncle-Sam-come-latelys. And the image cultivated by the resort, the idea promoted that it is home to larger than life figures in their decline remains intact. Gone are Elvis and Frank, but hey, Iron Mike lives on in the desert.

    For a while, anyway.

    Viva Las Vegas.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBright Light City Gonna Knock Me Out - By Lucius Shepard``x1012490786,17278,``x``x ``xAn undisputed boxing weekend
    Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins defend world titles on Saturday

    by Kris Van de Velde,
    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/



    The first weekend of February 2002 is certain to go down into the history
    books. Two undisputed world championships on one and the same night has
    become an unicum in today's boxing world. After the great upset victory of
    Vernon Forrest against Shane Mosley last week, boxing has a second golden
    opportunity to promote itself towards the general public and force the
    shameless Tyson Tales to the background.

    Light heavyweight champion and WCOB #1 Roy Jones Jr. is defending his world
    crown against Australian Glenn Kelly (#8, v800 - all values unofficial
    until Feb. 5, when the new rankings will be published) at the American
    Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.
    Many experts claim it's just another piece of cake for the easy-going
    Jones, who has reportedly been pressurized to face either Hopkins,
    Jirov or Michalczewski later on this year. Jones will not play basketball
    before he enters the arena on Saturday, but he has been rapping and
    promoting his first single even in the course of this week! With Mosley's
    shattering defeat fresh in everyone's memory, people wonder whether Jones
    is not pushing his luck a bit too far. After all, Kelly is undefeated in 28
    fights and knows he has nothing to lose.
    If he turns out victorious, Roy Jones will get 800 points behind his name.
    A fair number, but not enough to threaten current World Cup leader Antonio
    Tarver, who earned 1400 points by outpointing #4 Reggie Johnson last week.

    The second undisputed title fight will be held in Reading, Pennsylvania,
    and sees
    middleweight king Bernard Hopkins (#1 ,v2000) defend against fellow
    American Carl Daniels (#8, v800).
    At 37, Hopkins suddenly became one of boxing superstars last
    September by crushing Felix Trinidad in twelve rounds. But how much is left
    in Hopkins' tank after the biggest fight of his life? Has he managed to
    prepare himself physically and psychologically for this mandatory but less
    significant defence? Carl Daniels is a former
    champion at super-welter and has been living up to this fight for several
    months. Perhaps no major attraction, but certainly no push-over neither.
    The middleweight division has been largely inactive in January, which
    implies that the winner of Hopkins-Daniels will automatically take the lead
    in the WCOB rankings.

    On the undercard in Miami, Ronald Winky Wright (#3, v1600) puts his WBO
    title at stake against Jason Papillon (#28, v306). Technician Wright is
    likely to push Fernando Vargas down to third in the WCOB total ranking.

    Supporting the main event in Reading is #12 super lightweight Randall
    Bailey (v480), who meets #56 Demetrious Ceballos (v55). Bailey can swap
    places with Micky Ward if he wins.

    Former Olympic champion Vassily Jirov (#2, v1800) defends his IBF
    cruiserweight title in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday against tough
    Argentinean veteran Jorge Castro (#11, v490).
    The unbeaten Kazakh is a clear favourite but should not take chances
    against Castro, who is best known for his stunning knock-out victory over
    John David Jackson at middleweight. Jirov, a tremendous body puncher, will
    become the new number one at cruiserweight if he beats Castro.

    A top bantamweight contest takes place in Panama City on Friday. Local hero
    and WBO champion Mauricio Martinez (#7, v900) faces Puerto-Rican Omar
    Adorno (#32, v276) and may move up to rank 6 if successful.

    Over in Telde, Spain, European super featherweight champion Boris Sinitsin
    (#10, v600) meets Spaniard Pedro Miranda (#32, v276) in an interesting
    rematch. Sinitsin won their first encounter a few months ago, but the fight
    was hard and close. The winner will firmly establish himself in the
    division's top ten. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWeekend Preview``x1012586316,75077,``x``x ``xHere is a little preiview from our next iussue of WAIL!


    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/wail_feb02-mcd.htm``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xReview of Sting Like a Bee``x1012605739,78017,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    LAWRENCE, MA – Don’t let me hear you say that New England is the haven for biased hometown judging, unless of course the bias is against the hometown fighter. Over the past few years, close decisions have been going the other way and there is certainly nothing wrong with that when an unwelcome visitor deserves the nod. It’s when the hometown kid appears to have won the fight only to hear otherwise. That was the case a few months ago when Haverhill prospect Jeff Frazza lost a close, split decision to Andre Baker of North Carolina on a Doug Pendarvis promoted card. Though Frazza wasn’t impressive, his work rate seemed to have won his fight with a journeyman who entered the ring with a 3-14 record. Last night at the gymnasium of Central Catholic High School in Lawrence it happened again. Edwin “Lightning” Sanatana, 127, of Lawrence via Santo Domingo, D.R., who hadn’t fought since losing a lopsided decision last year to then champion Joel Casamayor, appeared to have outfoxed Colombia’s Isidro Tejedor, 129, for 8 rounds only to lose a split decision. The verdict shocked everyone in attendance (of approximately 800) who were silent after the scorecards (79-73, 77-75 and 75-77) were read in Tejedor’s favor. The CBZ had it 76-74 for Santana.

    Reportedly, Santana had been battling the flu but even in his lackluster showing, it appeared that his in-and-out strategy and higher punch volume (no CompuBox wasn’t there, it just appeared that he was throwing more) had been piling up points. For his part Tejedor, the stronger puncher of the two had moments on the inside but those flashes didn’t happen often or appear impressive. What’s more surprising is that as of 9:00 last night, Tejedor wasn’t even in the building. Pendarvis feared and everyone else feared a no show and the anxious crowd had to wait an hour for the main eventors to step into the ring. Whether it was bad directions (I had a bitch of time finding this place) or lack of motivation, Tejedor improved to 15-6-4 with 8 KO’s on a night he should have lost. If Santana (now 27-5-5 with 7 KO’s) wants a rematch, he might be better served fighting Tejedor in his own backward.

    In other bouts:

    Jr. middleweights: Jason Lehoulier, 151, Nottingham, NH TKO1 (1:48) Thomas Coleman, 152 ½, Philadelphia, PA. Gil “Sugar” Reyes, 151, Lawrence, MA TKO4 (1:38) Kevin Carter, 146, Lumberton, NC.

    Featherweights: Jose Ayala, Lowell, MA TKO5 (1:02) Bobby Rishea, Bradford, Ontario.

    Heavyweights: Adam Harris, 197 ½, Worcester, MA TKO1 (2:37) Rhonek Ross, 182 ½, Philadelphia, PA.

    Promoter: Doug Pendarvis
    Referees: John Zablocki and Mike Ryan
    Judges: Leo Gerstel, Robert Kaprielian and Kenneth Volovick (a.k.a. “The Three Blind Mice)

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJudges Spoil Homecoming for Santana``x1012658177,39747,``x``x ``xCanadian Welterweight Champion and Olympian Hercules Kyvelos (21-0 11KOs) carried his unbeaten record to a 21st victory, scoring a unanimous 10-round decision over New Jersey-based Johnny Molnar (19-2-1 10KOs) this evening in the Super Welterweight Main Event on Showtime’s ShoBox at Bally’s Resort Casino in Atlantic City.

    The judges scored the fight 95-94, 96-93 and 99-91. Kyvelos clearly
    dominated the fight from the opening bell. Fighting Molnar’s fight, Kyvelos outfought his opponent on Molnar’s home turf.

    Kyvelos demonstrated to American fans his lightening speed, superior
    combination skills and his status as world title contender.

    Kyvelos is ranked 5th in both the WBC and IBF and 10th in the WBO. Kyvelos returns to Montréal on Sunday. This is Kyvelos’ fifth victory on U.S. television. Showtime’s ShoBox features the new generation of professional boxing’s hottest prospects.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xKyvelos Beats Molnar to stay undefeated``x1012698529,18235,``x``x ``xBy Chris Bushnell

    We've all been here before: Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones defend their titles against weak opposition in hopes of generating interest in a rematch of their 1993 showdown. Two years ago, the victims were Syd Vanderpol and Richard Hall. After that showcase, the Jones-Hopkins finale never took place... and after Hopkins and Jones beat up the hapless Carl Daniels and Glen Kelly in a double-header in 2002, the showdown doesn't look any closer to happening than
    it did in 2000.

    The roadblock to Jones-Hopkins II is money. But here, neither Jones nor Hopkins is concerned with how much they'll earn for the fight... both are concerned with how much the other guy is getting. Hopkins feels that his thrilling victory over Felix Trinidad entitles him to a majority of the cash, while Jones insists that he's the one who deserves the bigger percentage. During a heated exchange between the two undisputed champions between their title defenses, Hopkins was wise enough to suggest that both men could split the mountain of gold, 50-50. It was a suggestion that Jones scoffed at. The fact of the matter is that both of these guys needs this fight: their current
    weight divisions are practically void of talent.

    Roy Jones, who has fed on a steady diet of no-hopers, faced his weakest competition since the Hall fight in Australian Glen Kelly. Although undefeated down under, Kelly's lack of skill was apparent from the bout's opening moments. With his hands covering his face from the opening bell, Kelly approached Jones in the first as though he were scared for his life. Staring at Jones in wide-eyed amazement, Kelly seemed too frightened to return fire when Jones began pounding him. Despite advantages in fight-time weight, reach, and height, Kelly's slow hands and comical lack of balance made him an easy target for the lightening quick Jones. It didn't matter what punch Roy wanted to throw: lead rights, lead hooks, lead body shots...
    they all landed flush.

    Despite repeated verbal lashings between rounds by trainer Jeff Fenech, Kelly just couldn't get his own fists moving. Moving his hands left him open for Jones' speedy counters, so Kelly was mainly content to stand still, except when flinching away from Jones' feints. But even with his hands over his face, Kelly was vulnerable to Jones' accurate punching. Big Jones rights staggered Kelly twice in the second. A dazzling Jones left hook/uppercut dropped Kelly to all-fours in the third. The fourth and fifth rounds saw a timid Kelly wobble with nearly every Jones blow. And Jones dumped Kelly to the canvas again in the sixth with a vicious left hook to the body. Get the picture?

    Kelly was the perfect opponent for Roy Jones to show off his tremendous skills, and never was that more clear than in the seventh round. After toying with Kelly for half the round, Jones backed to the ropes and put both of his gloves behind his back. Kelly threw three jabs at the defenseless Jones. The light-heavyweight champion slipped all three with ease, then uncorked a right from behind his back. The punch was a blur even in slo-mo replay, and it bounced off the top of Kelly's head, sending him to the canvas in a heap. He would not beat the 10-count. Save that one for the highlight reel.

    After the sensational knockout, Jones (46-1/37) put on his championship belts, which not only include those of the WBC, WBA and IBF, but also straps from the IBO, WBF, IBA, and two belts from the NBA (no, not the basketball league). In a post-fight interview, Jones ranted against Hopkins, claimed for the umpteenth time that he was finally ready for Dariusz Michaelczewski, and gave shout-outs to the cel-phone wielding homies that make up his crew. At some point during his half-serious tirade, even Jones had the audacity to insult Hopkins' choice of opposition on the undercard.

    Not that Carl Daniels was worthy of much praise. Somehow Daniels was deemed to be Hopkins' mandated challenger... despite having not fought since December of 2000. It showed. The awkward southpaw stuck a few decent straight lefts into Hopkins' face in the opening round before settling into a more comfortable groove of absorbing near-constant punishment. Hopkins took his time breaking Daniels down, landing a much-harder lead cross of his own, a series of hooks to the chin, and a barrage of body punches that punctuated Hopkins' effort in every round. Those body shots had the flabby Daniels visibly wincing by round six, but the game challenger kept trying to make a fight until the end of the tenth. By then, having dropped every round
    to Hopkins, Daniels' corner wisely decided that enough was enough. He would not leave his stool for round eleven.

    While Roy Jones clearly needs Hopkins because his division is void of serious opposition, Hopkins isn't in a much better position. With the dispatching of Felix Trinidad, the middleweight division is looking almost as empty as the light-heavyweight class. While there are a lot of big names one division south, few of those fighters will be venturing to 160 in the near future. Once negotiations with Jones stall out, Hopkins (now 41-2-1/30) will likely move DOWN to 154 to get his share of the big money. Despite making his pro debut at 177 lbs., Hopkins has had no problem weighing-in below the middleweight limit for his last several defenses. A few more pounds to 154
    shouldn't hurt him too badly.

    Lost in the back-and-forth between Jones and Hopkins, and the attention paid to the lack of talent in this night's opposition, was the fact that Hopkins broke Carlos Monzon's outstanding record of 14 successful middleweight title defenses. While few people will remember #15 against Daniels, the win is a major milestone for Hopkins, and a world record that will likely stand for years, if not decades. And let's not forget... the streak continues. Unless Hopkins moves up to face Jones or down to face the talent pool at junior
    middle, the record will only grow.

    The bottom line: will Hopkins and Jones ever fight? Probably... but not soon.

    .....Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJones-Hopkins II: Don't hold your breath ``x1012717068,87653,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    You always hear about these people, the one’s who have nothing better to do than to send viruses through the Internet, or get themselves off on the latest sex with animals web sight. It’s discouraging to know that there are people out there besides the Taliban who have nothing better to do than to waste their lives away. Were they picked on a little too much in grade school? Did they pay any attention of what was going on in the classroom? Were they allowed to participate in the neighborhood activities? Did they ever get a date to the junior or senior prom?

    Sometimes I thank God for being blessed with who I am. After all, I’m as funny as Jim Carrey, as handsome as Brad Pitt, I'm hung like Mr. Ed and date Halle Berry. All kidding aside, I’m glad that I was blessed with a moderately functional brain that knows what’s right from wrong. When viewing last night’s doubleheader on HBO, I was hit with a startling statistic, one that really woke me up in the wee hours of the night. On the HBO telecast, fans were asked to submit their vote as to who they felt would win in a rematch between Roy Jones, Jr. and Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins. In a shocker, 22% of the voters felt that Hopkins would win. Maybe I should give them the benefit of the doubt. After all, maybe they accidentally voted for Hopkins. Or maybe they thought it was possible that Roy Jones could get a better screw job than the one he received in Seoul, South Korea in the 1988 Olympic Games? Maybe they weren’t aware that Jones is the bigger fighter and easily defeated Hopkins with one hand years ago. Unfortunately, I tend to besiege myself with sheer optimism. The most likely scenario is that these weirdos smoke crack. What the hell is wrong with you people?

    It’s not like Roy Jones defeated Michael Spinks or even Mathew Saad Muhammad last night. He whipped a plodding, strong, light heavyweight in Australia’s Glen Kelly in seven utterly one-sided rounds. It wasn’t even the impressive manner in which he disposed of Kelly: fighting in “chicken mode” with his hands literally behind his back before delivering a crunching right hand to the ear. It’s the fact that he has never, since we’ve seen him on television or in person come close to really losing. Sure there was the rediculous DQ loss to Montell Griffin in ’97 and the time he was floored by Lou Del Valle the following year, only to win every other round. You could also throw in Roy’s fight with Eric Harding, arguably the second best light heavyweight in the world who gave Roy fits when the champion was spending the majority of his time promoting their match. Outside of 10 rounds of his entire career, Jones has never shown a sign of not being the best fist fighter on the planet. Jones consistently makes everything that happens in a boxing ring look easy, almost as easy as clicking your mouse on the name that said “Roy Jones, Jr.”

    So what are these people watching when they see the likes of Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins perform in the ring? What do they not notice? Do they not notice the huge disparity in skill or speed between the two? Do they notice that aside from Trinidad, a predictable fighting machine, that Hopkins is actually hit by the punches that are thrown at him where as Roy Jones does not get hit? Is it really because Jones’ opponents are not nearly as talented as the ones who face the Moselys, the de la Hoya’s, the Trinidads or the Hopkins? Or is it that Roy Jones is just that damn good? I think it has to do with the latter.

    For over five years now Jones has dominated the light heavyweight division, a division that nearly everyone looks at distortedly because of the unsupported notion that the division sucks. People mistakenly point that Jones does not fight in a talented weight class. This is what really chaps my ass. Can anyone tell me what is wrong with today’s light heavyweights? Besides the fact that they all fight each other unlike every other weight class, what isn’t reasonably impressive about the way Reggie Johnson, Eric Harding, Montell Griffin, Antonio Tarver, Julio Gonzalez or Dariusz Michalzewski fight? What about today’s crop of 175-pounders makes you believe that they are not a talented bunch? Is it the fact that their hands aren’t as fast as “Sugar” Shane Mosley? Is it the fact that they all don’t posses the ability to slip or roll with punches the way Floyd Mayweather does?

    There has never been an era in boxing when the light heavyweights possessed the skills that a world class lightweight would have. Even Billy Conn managed to absorb a few punches from his contemporaries, as did Ezzard Charles. The fact of the matter is, given their size, light heavyweights weren’t made to move around like Speedy Gonzalez or even Virgil Hill for that matter. Virgil Hill, if you don’t recall was the dominant light heavyweight of the 90’s heralded for his tremendous speed and excellent foot movement for a man his size. The along came Roy Jones. Since the days of Georges Carpentier, light heavyweights have been fighters who were typically too big for middleweights and too small for heavyweights. In today’s bunch you have a strong class of fighters dominated by the most gifted and hardest working boxer in the world, who fans won’t appreciate until he hangs ‘em up or until they quit smoking crack. That’s when they’ll realize after years of insanity, that it’s time to move out of their parent’s garage.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xScientific Research Reveals 22% of Fight Fans Smoke Crack``x1012718317,15803,``x``x ``x


    The Gloves: A Boxing Chronicle
    By Robert Anasi

    Published by North Point Press; February 2002; $24.00US/$38.95CAN; 0-86547-599-7

    Read an excerpt from this new book


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBook Excerpt: "The Gloves"``x1012946196,72892,``x``x ``xBy Joe Koizumi

    TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC #16 ranked 115-pounder Takuya Kiya (19-4-1, 14 KOs), 116.25, sent Thai #9 Saengcharoen Mahasaph Condo (3-5-1, 1 KO), 116, twice before he finally sank the overmatched opponent at 2:01 of the 8th round in Tokyo.

    Kiya, previously ranked in the top ten by the WBA and the WBC, had dropped due to his upset defeat by the current WBC super-fly champ Masamori Tokuyama, raised his stock by acquiring the national title, but forfeited it to Shingo Sasaki by a hard-fought decision last year. Kiya, a good boxer-puncher, is gunning for any title again through his fluctuating career.

    Undercard:
    Upcoming Shunsuke Ito (10-1-1, 7 KOs), 139, continued his KO streak by halting Thailander Chalaamdam Sistyatraditrakam, 139, at 2:50 of the 6th round in a scheduled 8.

    Promoter: Kaneko Promotions.

    (2-13-02)
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWBC # 16 Kiya sinks Saengchareon ``x1013637539,9475,``x``x ``xNew York, Feb. 14-Boxing trainer Teddy Atlas knows a thing or two about heavyweights, having trained both Mike Tyson and Michael Moorer, two former heavyweight champions. Now, Atlas has heavyweight Michael Grant in an Elizabeth, New Jersey gym every day as Grant hits the comeback trail after successive losses to Lennox Lewis and Jameel McCline.

    And Atlas, who doubles as ESPN/2's Friday Night Fights expert analyst, likes Grant's progress. "He's been turning the corner in the past couple of weeks," says Atlas. "He's training well. It's been difficult but he's gaining confidence. He's sparring and in the gym every day. His commitment and attitude is what you want it to be. There's something to build on to get back where we want to be."

    Grant has a non-televised fight slated for March 9, and Atlas envisions several more similar endeavors before heading back up to the big time. "Our plan is to keep him busy," says Atlas. "We'll have four or five fights off television, and then access where we are. We getting ready for March 9, then looking at April and May, a fight every month. Four fights and we'll see where we are."``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTeddy Atlas to keep Michael Grant busy on comeback``x1013711566,54112,``x``x ``xBOSTON -- Pendarvis Boxing Promotions and M & M Sports – in association with Budweiser, Foxwoods Resort & Casino, Holiday Inn in Randolph, Wellcare Management and Frugal McDoogal - presents "The Final Decision," a professional boxing card celebrating Black History Month Friday night, February 22 at The Roxy nightclub in Boston. The bouts will be videotaped and shown in MSG network.

    Headlining the nine-fight card will be lightweight Levander Johnson (30-3-1) against TBA in the 10-round main event. Johnson, of Atlantic City (NJ), has a victory against former WBA light welterweight champ Sharmba Mitchell and a pair of world lightweight championship losses to Orzubrk Nazasrov (WBA) and Miquel Angel Gonzalez (WBC). Sierra, of Columbia, has been in against former IBF junior welterweight champ Terronn Millett, as well as world-class contender Diosbelys Hurtado.

    Luis “El Puma” Villalta (26-1-1, 22 KOs), of Peru, and Freddy Cruz
    (52-31-10, 17 KOs), of the Dominican Republic, meet in a rematch from their November 30th fight that ended in a technical draw due to a cut suffered in the first round. The lightweights will battle in the eight-round co-feature.

    Brockton light heavyweight Mike Culbert (24-4-1, 6 KOs), after nearly a two-year layoff, returns to action against James McCray, of Atlantic City (NJ). Also on the undercard, Philadelphia-based middleweight “Sir” William “The Gladiator” Gibbs (3-0, 3 KOs), fighting out of Brockton, is matched against Harold Tucker, of Philadelphia. WIBF America’s flyweight champion, Wendy “Queen of Thunder” Sprowl (5-1, 2 KOs), of Hull, has a non-title tune-up against Terry Moss (0-0), of Miami (FL). Heavyweights Paul Voravko,
    of Atlantic City, and Sasha Blasi, of Long Island, will be both making their pro debuts in a four-round match-up.

    Also slated to be on the card are Worcester’s unbeaten Adam Harris (5-0, 5 KOs) New York heavyweight Prince Majestic (2-0, 2 KOs), and Everett cruiserweight Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne (24-4-1, 19 KOs).

    All matches and boxers are subject to change.

    Ticket prices are $60.00 Gold ringside, $40.00 ringside and $25.00 general Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with the first bout is scheduled for 7 p.m. To order tickets or for more information call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions at 617-825-3283.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Levander Johnson Headlines Black History Month Card in Boston``x1013784948,6566,``x``x ``xROCK or Just a PEBBLE?

    Mr. Rahman, you were quick to point out in your letter to Evander Holyfield, that he did not want to fight you.

    Well now it's my turn. After receiving no reply to the open letter sent to you by my manager, Kevin Barry, I now feel compelled to know "Why Won't You Fight Me?"

    Has it got anything to do with the fact that you have been KNOCKED OUT 3 TIMES, and that I have a pretty good punch? You know that anyway! Remember December 20, 1998 in Miami?

    I DO!

    Most fighters pray for the opportunity to avenge a loss.

    Apparently, most fighters, except Hasim Rahman.

    These are the challenges in life that show the true character of the man. I am waiting for you to show your character.

    As previously offered I am giving you the opportunity "TO FACE YOUR FEAR!"

    DON'T RUN from it. I'M NOT GOING AWAY. Let's give the fans what they really want to see, and MAY THE BEST CHIN WIN!



    - David Tua







    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOpen Letter from Tua to Rahman``x1013788154,11090,``x``x ``xTacoma Bid for Tyson Fight Triggers Hoorah,
    plus Club Show Plans
    By Katherine Dunn

    The angry letters to the editor of the Tacoma
    News Tribune have a familiar tune that begins, "As a
    woman, wife and mother,…" and include phrases like
    "outraged", "enough is enough," and "What message
    would we be giving to our children…?’ The topic, of
    course, is Mike Tyson.

    It seems Tacoma promoter Brian Halquist has been
    actively lobbying Tyson business-guy Shelly Finkel in
    a bid to bring the Lewis-Tyson bout to the Tacoma
    Dome. The DECENT people of the area are naturally
    upset. The fight fans are keeping their ears peeled.

    A BIG fight is not as silly a notion as it might
    seem for this smallish, rusty port on Puget Sound.
    Tacoma has always been a good fight town. It’s the
    homeground of Greg Haugen, Leo Randolph, Rocky
    Lockridge, Johnny Bumphus, and Sugar Ray Seales, among
    many others. Tacoma amateurs are among the busiest and
    best trained in the nation. The long time coach of the
    oldest amateur boxing program in the city is Tom
    Mustin, the 2000 Olympic coach. The city turns out in
    force for the annual Tacoma Golden Gloves Tournament.
    And the Emerald Queen Casino, tucked into a by-water
    in the harbor, has been running sold-out professional
    club shows every month with promoter Brian Halquist at
    the helm. A running contract with the Showtime network
    even televises some of the Emerald Queen cards.

    Still, the odds against the mildewed left armpit
    of the nation getting this big show are probably slim.
    But even thinking about it gives the local wowsers the
    pleasure of all that righteous indignation. Just what
    February needs in the dank zones. A reason to get up
    and rant every morning.

    Meanwhile, Halquist and company are putting together
    their regularly scheduled club show at The Emerald
    Queen Casino for Friday, Feb. 22. Matchmaker Bob
    Oleson describes the proposed card this way:

    In a 10 round middleweight main event, Seattle’s Kenny
    Ellis (24-4-2) takes on Quandray "Candy" Robertson
    (11-3) of Salem, Oregon.

    An 8 round lightweight match features Seattle
    semi-golden kid, Martin O’Malley (17-1) vs an opponent
    yet to be announced. If O’Malley shows well here, the
    promoter plans to bring him back for a March 30 main
    event at the Emerald Queen.

    Six rounds for Junior Middleweights Chris Huntwork
    (5-12-10 of Portland, OR vs Eduardo Mendivil 97-2-3)
    of Hemet, CA.

    Portland Jr middleweight Reggie Davis (2-1) is
    pencilled in a four round bout if an opponent can be
    found.

    A heavyweight four rounder pits Jonathan Williams
    (2-1-1) of Seattle against Joe Guzman (1-0) of
    Portland.


    --30--

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTacoma Bids For Tyson Fight``x1013907392,35172,``x``x ``xMoorer Settles for 10 Round Win Over Davis; Bojado Upset!
    By JD Vena at Ringside

    UNCASVILLE, CT – Former two-time heavyweight champion Michael Moorer used to be thrashed when he walked back to his corner in between rounds. He was often accused of going through the motions, to put it lightly, by his former trainer Teddy Atlas. If ever Moorer needed a lambasting or some kind of talkin’ to it was last night or maybe it should have happened during training camp. After Moorer, 223 ½, of Monessan, PA had knocked one-time prospect Robert Davis, 234 ½, of Akron, OH to the canvas twice and had him out on his feet in the opening frame, Michael Moorer plodded his way to winning a unanimous 10-round decision (97-91, and 99-89 twice) last night on Showtime at the Mohegan Sun Arena at the Mohegan Sun.

    What had been expected by most would have been an early knockout win for the only southpaw heavyweight champion, and early on it appeared that the state he had Davis in, a fighter not known for taking a good shot but possessing a stern ticker that a knockout was eminent. But Moorer lulled the action thereafter and many of the 4,000 in attendance had left the Arena as early as the 5th round. Moorer had looked better against previous and better opposition during his latest attempt to regain the heavyweight title. In January of last year, Moorer had pummeled Terrence Lewis in the early going but Lewis knocked Davis cold in their encounter the following May. Davis was a replacement for former US Olympian Lawrence Clay-Bey who pulled out of their match for personal reasons. When asked if the change in opponent had any kind of impact on Moorer he said, “I prepared for a win. Styles make fights and he was a tough fighter tonight.”

    After the opening round, Moorer decided that it would not be in his best interest to go for the finish, but instead of pressuring Davis, he seemed content to just throwing enough punches to keep his adversary honest. Moorer also complained of severe pain in his right shoulder, which was probably why his terrific jab was underused. In the fourth round while Moorer was fighting off the ropes, his right hand got caught in the ropes while trying to unleash a wicked punch. That kind of punch usually takes its toll and could have played a roll in his sub-par performance but Moorer appeared to be sucking wind as early as the third round. The win improved Moorer’s overall mark to 43-2-1 with 34 KO’s while Davis is now 26-4 with 15 KO’s. If Moorer is to be considered the force in the division he once was years ago he could use some of the heat that was spewed on him way back when.

    In what should not have been too much of a surprise, veteran contender Juan Carlos Rubio, 143 ½, of Colima, Mexico (now 27-6-2 with 10 KO’s) upset former 2000 Olympian Francisco “Panchito” Bojado, 144 ½, (now 9-1, with 9 KO’s) over 10 action-packed rounds. Bojado a fearsome 18-year old prospect out of the Main Events stable, became discouraged after not taking his foe out early as he had been accustomed to in his previous 9 pro fights. Bojado won all of his fights within the first 3 rounds and it was evident after those stanzas that Rubio was going to be a serious test for the young charge. Rubio, who had been in with likes of Teddy Reid and Enrique Sanchez controlled the tempo for te remainder of the fight.

    “That was our plan all along,” Rubio told the CBZ through an interpreter. “We knew that we should take our time and that he wasn’t going to come into this fight in the best of shape. I’ve been training for over two and a half months for this fight and with the experience that I had, there was nothing he could do to discourage me.”

    When Rubio made it through the first few rounds, you could see the fatigue in the young Bojado. He was in uncharted waters having never fought over 3 consecutive rounds in his life. When there were breaks in the action, Bojado would remove his mouth piece at times to get a breather. But besides the lack of conditioning, Bojado couldn’t find the necessary answers or the defense to keep his busier foe off him. There were times when Rubio was literally pounding Bojado but Panchito hung tough. He didn’t dog it in the fight but appeared that he, like Moorer had blown it in the gym.

    “He was looking to load up with every shot,” said Bojado’s trainer Roger Bloodworth. “I think it was obvious that Rubio knew this and he took advantage of it. I feel really bad for Jeff (Lacy) who didn’t get any credit for his win tonight over a guy with a lot of fights.”

    Jeff Lacy, 167 ½, of St. Petersburg, FL, another promising Olympian out of the Main Events stable was paired with one-time contender Glenn “The Promise” Thomas, 169 ½ of Louisville, KY and easily passed his scheduled 10-round test. Shortly into the first round of this one, Lacy, nicknamed “Left Hook” needed only a straight right hand to the midsection to make the 39-year old surrender on his knees. After absorbing what appeared to be a an average right hand to the lower right abdomen, which didn’t look too solid, Thomas took a knee and the entire ten-count from referee Dick Flaherty at the :55 second mark. Lacy is now 8-0 with all of which have ended within the distance. Thomas is now 29-8.

    Lacy has had the same degree of difficulty of strong opposition as has “Bad” Chad Dawson of New Haven, CT. Like Lacy, it appears that there aren’t too many opponents who can withstand the power of the 19-year old Dawson, also a super-middleweight and a fan favorite in Connecticut. In an off-television match, Dawson, 164 ½, annihilated Atlanta’s Jerald Lowe at 2:56 of the first round. Dawson had Lowe on the canvas from a strong combination and then beat him up on the ropes while Lowe was defenseless. Dawson is now 4-0 all by KO while Lowe who had only been stopped one other time (to Lacy) is now 3-4.

    Lucia Rijker, 133 ¼, of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, the best in women’s boxing wailed on Carla Witherspoon, 132 ½, of Philadelphia, PA until referee Michael Ortega halted the bout at :29 of the 3rd round. Witherspoon, a relative of Tim Witherspoon looked more like a relative of Bambi as she froze like a deer in headlights whenever Rijker was on the attack. Rijker, now 15-0 with 14 KO’s had not fought in two in a half years is looking to get in the ring with Christy Martin by the end of the year.

    In other bouts:
    Justo Sencion, 141 ½, Washington Heights, NY KO8 (2:28) Omar Vasquez, 139 ½, Mexico City, Mexico. Sencion: 19-1, 10 KO’s
    Vasquez: 7-14-4, 5 KO’s

    Dan Judah, 174 ½, of Brooklyn, NY W8 (80-72 twice, 79-73) Robert Davis, 172 ½, Tallahassee, FL.
    Judah: 14-0-1, 7 KO’s
    Davis: 5-11-3

    Promoter – Main Events and Fighnight, Inc.
    Network – Showtime
    Ring Announcer – Jimmy Lennon, Jr.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMoorer W10 Davis; Ringside Reports by the CBZ``x1013968049,9752,``x``x ``xBy Francis Walker

    Paulie Ayala is prepared to go to war with Bones Adams again. The bout is scheduled to take place on Sat., Feb. 23, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and will be televised live on HBO. The last time Ayala and Adams fought at the Mandalay Bay Events center was on Aug. 4, 2001. Both men staged one of the most exciting fights in the year 2001. Ayala-Adams I was a highly exciting, action packed contest. After 12 rounds of action, Ayala was awarded a razor-thin, unanimous decision that stirred controversy.

    There were no knockdowns, however, in the second round Ayala staggered Adams in the with a right hand. All three judges at ringside scored the bout 10-8 for Ayala, instead if 10-9. The extra point awarded to Ayala made a whole world of a difference, as two of the three judges scored the fight 114-113 and 115-112 for Ayala, and the other had it 114-113 for Adams. If the second round was scored 10-9 as some thought it should have, the bout would have been ruled a majority draw.

    This is not the first time Ayala was awarded a decision that raised eyebrows.

    Ayala, a former WBA bantamweight champion, was the first to hand Johnny Tapia his first professional loss. In what was billed as the "Fight of the Year" in June 26, 1999 in Las Vegas, Ayala was ahead on the judges' scorecards 116-113, 116-113, and 115-114 at the end of the contest. Many ringside observers felt that the scores should have been closer and that Tapia had won.

    Ayala again drew controversy once again, as he defeated Tapia in a non-title rematch in Oct. 7, 2000 again in Las Vegas. Ayala-Tapia II was just as exciting as the first, but again many felt that Ayala should have lost the rematch. Ayala won by scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113.

    Ayala is pretty hard to beat and Adams, a former WBA super-bantamweight champion, finds himself in a tough decision. Adams, who vacated the W BA title for the opportunity to fight Ayala last year, has a similar fighting style to Ayala's. Adams, like Ayala, does not rely on a lot of power. Adams throws a lot of punches in combinations and is very fast with his hands. The difference is Adams has a better defense, while Ayala is more aggressive.

    If Ayala-Adams II is just as exciting as the first, then Ayala would probably win another decision considering Ayala's controversial decisions has occurred in Las Vegas.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAyala vs. Adams II on Feb 23``x1013969490,66020,``x``x ``xMoorer out-boxes Davis, Lacy KO's Thomas,
    & Bojado Stunned In Upset
    By Francis Walker

    Michael Moorer is back and looking good following his three-year absence
    from boxing. Moorer (43-2-1, 34 KOs), dropped Robert Davis (26-4, 15 KOs)
    twice in the first round en route to winning a unanimous 10-round decision
    at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT on Sat., Feb. 16. On the
    undercard, super middleweight contender, Jeff Lacy (8-0, 8 KOs) remains
    undefeated as he scored a questionable 55-second KO of Glen Thomas (29-8, 16
    KOs) and hard-hitting lightweight prospect Francisco Bojado (9-1, 9 KOs) lost
    for the first time in his career in a stunning upset, losing a unanimous
    decision to Juan Carlos Rubio (27-6-1, 10 KOs). All three bouts were
    televised live on Showtime.

    Michael Moorer reached the top of the boxing world when he became the first
    southpaw light heavyweight contender to win the world heavyweight
    championship by defeating Evander Holyfield on April 22, 1994. However,
    Moorer's rise to fame came crashing down after only his first defense seven
    months later, as he lost the heavyweight championship at the peak of his fame
    to a 45-year-old, George Foreman.

    Moorer won the heavyweight title for a second time on June 22, 1996 when he
    out-pointed top contender, Axel Schultz in his native Dortmund, Germany to
    win the IBF heavyweight title. Moorer reclaimed the credibility he once had
    after stopping Frans Botha (KO 12) and Vaughan Bean (W 12). However, in an
    attempt to unify the IBF title Moorer was KO'd in the eighth round of his
    rematch with Holyfield, then the WBA heavyweight king.

    Drinking, partying, and chasing women led to Moorer's exile from boxing.
    Moorer had lost his desire and passion to train hard and compete like the
    contender he once was. Last Spring, Moorer decided to rededicate himself to
    boxing and at age 34, is younger than Holyfield, Tyson, and Lewis who all has
    done a tremendous job at keeping themselves at the top of the division the
    last 10 years in the public eye, but are tall on thin legs.

    Moorer was once known for his southpaw right jabs and hand speed. He was a
    fast heavyweight, considering he use to fight at 175. Against Davis, Moorer
    did not refer to his right jabs and did not appear to be as fast as he once
    was. However, Moorer still managed to out hustle Davis, who was dropped twice
    in the first round by Moorer's two-punch flurries. For the remainder of the
    contest, Davis found himself fighting in tight clinches and could not hit
    Moorer cleanly.

    Moorer will have another opportunity to reclaim what was twice lost, but like
    very fighter in the fight game Moorer has to prove himself. Davis, a tall,
    strong and sturdy 6' 3," heavyweight contender was a tough test. However,
    Moorer is going to have to challenger the many bigger and harder tests the
    heavyweight class offer.

    Aside from Holyfield, Lewis, and Tyson the only fighters who pose a real
    serious threat in the division are Wladimir Klitschko and Jameel McCline
    because, they are both over 6' 5," and weigh more than 245-pounds of muscle.
    Johnny Ruiz, the WBA heavyweight champ, had three grueling fights with
    Holyfield and could very well lost the title to the slick-boxing undefeated,
    but still unproven WBA No. 1-ranked contender, Kirk Johnson.

    David Tua is a strong knockout puncher and is a very exciting fighter.
    However, Tua mainly relies on his lethal left hook, which was not enough to
    dethrone Lewis of the heavyweight title, or match skills with Chris Byrd. Tua
    can be easily out-boxed.

    Bojado shocking loses first: Francisco Bojado was said to have been boxing's
    next big superstar. As a former member of the 2000 Mexican Olympic boxing
    team, Bojado compiled an impressive amateur record of 168-15 with 85 KOs as
    an amateur. Having knocked out his first nine opponents since his
    professional debut on Jan. 13, 2001. Bojado was outclassed and out-boxed, as
    he lost to an opponent who was not even a ranked contender, much less a
    threat.

    Juan Carlos Rubio constantly pressured Bojado from the opening bell. Rubio
    often launched three-four punch combinations and managed to stalk Bojado
    backward throughout the bout. Bojado kept his hands below his chest and ran
    low on gas after the third round. Bojado even allowed Rubio to score a
    knockdown in the eighth round, as Bojado's glove touched the canvas while
    Rubio's relentlessness proved to be overwhelming for Bojado.

    Rubio won by scores of 96-94 twice and 98-92.

    Jeff Lacy, the IBF's No. 14-ranked contender, won another (too easy) contest.
    Just under a minute into the first round, Lacy landed a left jab to the right
    ribcage of Glen Thomas, which led to a delayed knockdown and the stop to the
    contest. There was speculation that Thomas took a dive. It sounds fishy, as
    Lacy is being moved through the ranks too fast against weak opposition.

    What happened to Bojado, as confident against unproven foes, and could happen
    to Lacy.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMoorer wins, Bojado loses``x1013977799,62553,``x``x ``xJohn ‘The Quietman’ Ruiz Wins Latino Fighter of the Year Award at World Boxing Association Convention in Caracas, Venezuela
    Longtime Manager Norman ‘Stoney’ Stone Captures Manager of the Year Nod

    BOSTON—The first Latino world heavyweight champion, John “The Quietman” Ruiz, was named Latino Fighter of the Year for 2001 by the World Boxing Association at their annual convention in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday.

    “It’s a great honor because there are so many great Latino fighters in the world,” Ruiz (37-4-1, 27 KOs) said after winning the award. “For me to be named Latino Fighter of the Year by the WBA is unbelievable. I want to thank the WBA for not overlooking me.”

    Ruiz captured the WBA title with a unanimous 12-round decision over the legendary Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield on March 3, 2001, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Ruiz retained his crown on Dec. 15 after Ruiz vs. Holyfield III ended in a draw at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

    Ruiz’s longtime manager, Norman “Stoney” Stone also picked up the WBA award for Manager of the Year for 2001.

    “I don’t get Manager of the Year without John Ruiz,” Stone said. “Fighters make managers, but this is the greatest honor.”

    Stone mortgaged his home on three separate occasions to fund Ruiz’s dream of becoming world heavyweight champion. He has served as the Chelsea fighter’s manager since 1989 when Ruiz was a 175-pound amateur.

    Ruiz, promoted by Don King, is currently in San Juan to accept the award for Puerto Rican Fighter of the Year from The Puerto Rico Boxing Commission. Stone will join Ruiz at the formal ceremony where the award will be presented on Thursday.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release: Ruiz Named Latino Fighter of the Year by WBA``x1014063419,87880,``x``x ``xLIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER JUAN GOLO GOMEZ-TRINIDAD TO HEADLINE
    RING PROMOTIONS' MARCH 7 SHOW IN NYC

    Hot prospects Elfair McKnight and Yuri Foreman Also to Appear on Card at the Park Central New York Hotel

    NEW YORK, Feb. 19 - After playing to a packed house in January, Ring Promotions returns to the Park Central New York Hotel in midtown Manhattan on March 7 with another action-packed night of professional boxing, headlined by lightweight contender Juan Golo Gomez-Trinidad.


    Gomez-Trinidad, a cousin of boxing superstar Felix 'Tito' Trinidad, will fight an eight rounder against a to be named opponent. The San Juan, Puerto Rico native is currently ranked number one by the NABA, number nine by the IBF, and owns a 20-2 record with 13 KOs. He is also a former NABO champion who only lost his title when it was stripped from him due to inactivity stemming from a broken hand.

    "We had a great night in January at the Park Central Hotel, and we're proud to present another card of real fights for real fight fans," said Ring Promotions' Bob Duffy.

    Appearing on March 7 will be heavyweight prospect Elfair McKnight (2-0), who has four NY Golden Gloves titles and four Empire State Games titles to his credit. At 5'10, some have questioned whether McKnight can compete with the giants of the division. "The Wyandanch Warrior" has no such doubts. "All my titles that I won as an amateur, I won in the open division at super heavyweight," said McKnight. "It benefits me because I'll be quicker, but it doesn't really matter because I've always fought bigger guys."

    Exciting junior middleweight Yuri Foreman will also be in action after an impressive pro debut. Foreman, a native of Israel now living in Brooklyn, scored a first round stoppage of Israel Felix on January 24, and will look to continue his winning ways in March.

    In addition, a four round female bout pitting Norma Galloway against Meagan McBain will be a featured attraction on the eight bout card.

    Tickets for this exciting night of boxing, priced at $35 and $50, may be purchased by calling 516-313-2304, or at the following locations:

    The Park Central New York Hotel
    870 7th Avenue
    New York, NY
    212-247-8000

    The Waterfront Crab House
    2-03 Borden Avenue
    Long Island City, NY
    718-729-4862

    For more information on the Park Central New York Hotel, Please visit www.parkcentralny.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTrinidad Cuz to Headline Show in NYC``x1014139254,60366,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena at Ringside

    LOWELL, MA – Another sell-out crowd filled the historic Lowell Auditorium last night to witness New England’s winners of the four regional New England tournaments (held in Lowell, MA, Holyoke, MA, Vermont and Fall River, MA) compete for area supremacy. Most in attendence were there to drink some brews and behold the occasional savage brawls that elicit excitement year after year. Usually the contests held in the Auditorium aren’t appreciated unless the competitors are giving it their 100%. What the fans got last night's fights was a little excitement and some masterful performances by some promising young men, particularly two Providence standouts, Josh Beeman and Matthew Godfrey, both of whom won easily in their final matches.

    The 20 year old, Beeman, a 139-pounder from Providence scored the night’s only knockout with a picture perfect combination, a right hand followed by a left uppercut which left Wilfredo Vasquez of the Fall River region on the mat dazed and confused. Beeman, who entered the ring with an impressive 92-12 record was declared the winner at the :38 mark when referee Mike Ryan called a halt to the bout midway through his unnecessary 10-count. The win not only won Beeman his first New England Golden Gloves title, but the tournament's outstanding boxer award. The reason why you may have never heard of him before was because the man who had defeated him the last two years in the finals was the late Luis Ayala of Lowell who was gunned down in the street by a couple of cowardly carjackers last year.

    “God rest his soul,” said Beeman of his former conqueror. “He was a fighter who helped get me to where I am today. My goal right now is to make the Olympic team”

    Beeman’s stablemate, Matthew Godfrey, also 20 years old is another fighter who aspires to make the Olympic team in 2004. And if he looked as sharp and as composed as he did in dismantling a brave Paul Cyr of Gorum, New Hampshire last night, he has a very good chance. Godfrey, a southpaw won the 201-pound class with skills and composure that you rarely see from most professional heavyweights. And his craft was in full display as he did everything he wanted to do against Cyr but knock him out. The knockout nearly came in the third round when Godfrey landed a powerful right hook that spun Cyr around in a circle. Ryan initiated a mandatory 8-count, which for the most part finished up the round. The win for Godrey was his third Golden Gloves Title, first at heavyweight. Godfrey lost to Jerson Ravelo (a 2000 Olympian) as a 165-pounder in the 2000 U.S. Nationals. Be on the look-out.

    In other Final Results:
    Gregory Cutler of Hartford, CT, protégé of former world title challenger won a 4 round decision and the 112 pound title by outworking Jonathon Vasquez of the Fall River, MA region. Cutler will be attending the University of Michigan on a 4-year boxing scholarship. Miguel Cruz of Lawrence, MA, who is trained by Mel Peabody and spars with world fetaherweight contender, Edwin Santana won the 119-pound title by decisioning Jose Ortiz over 4 rounds. Felix Cruz of the Holyoke, MA region smothered Emmanuel Montano of the Vermont region by bullrushing Montano with short crisp shots. Tha lanky, taller Montano just couldn’t get off any shots and lost a clearcut decision, one that awarded Cruz the 125-pound title. Simeon Donwell of Beverly, MA defeated Jeff Tavano of the Fall River region to claim the 132-pound title. Raul Baez won the 147-pound title by defeating friend (and you could really notice) Richie Torres. Michael Andrade won the 156-pound division title in an exciting match with Henrique Palau and 17-year old Jaidon Codrington won the 165-pount class when he stopped Eddie de la Cruz at 1:37 of the third round. The bout was stopped more of because of de la Cruz’s tactics of holding & hitting. Stephen Richards of Bridgeport, CT who was being cheered on by former 2-time welterweight champion “Magic Man” Marlon Starling (who received a nice ovation) when he defeated the 10th ranked amateur light-heavyweight in the country, Moses Motavo of Revere via Uganda. Motavo, who is trained by Gene McCarty of the Somerville Boxing Club, the same gym that molded WBA champ Johnny Ruiz went after Richards early on as if Richards had stolen something from him but Richards settled into a comfortable counterpunching mode which won over the judges and the light heavyweight title. Nate James of Malden, MA, however took home the 201+ title for the SBC when he defeated pudgy policeman, Shawn Gannon over 4-rounds.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe 56th Annual New England Golden Glove Finals ``x1014270147,65019,``x``x ``x
    New WBA 122 lbs champion World Cup leader for two days?

    by Kris Van de Velde

    Thailander Yoddamrong Sithyodthong (#35, v255) won a unanimous 12-round
    decision over WBA 122 lbs title holder Yober Ortega (#7, v900) in Korat,
    Thailand, on Thursday. The scores were 117-112/116-112 and 118-111. Many
    rounds were in fact difficult to see a winner, but Sithyodthong landed the
    cleanest punches against the ever-coming forward Venezuelan and caused
    another upset in this divison this month. A few weeks ago, WBC champion
    Willie Jorrin was also surprisingly held to a draw against Osamu Sato.
    Sithodthong's victory puts him in the provisional lead of the World Cup
    Rankings, 100 points ahead of Sato. Unfortunately for the Thai, Paulie Ayala
    and Clarence Adams meet each other as well this weekend, the winner of that
    bout grabbing at least 1200 WCup points. Nevertheless, the competition at
    122 lbs is fierce.

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOrtega loses 122-lb WBA Title``x1014411098,58663,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Boston, MA – Former lightweight contender, Levander Johnson won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Jesus Zaratin last night at the Roxy, a night club in Boston as part of a 5-bout card promoted by Doug Pendarvis in honor of Black History Month. Johnson, 136 ½, of Atlantic City was the aggressor throughout the 10 tedious rounds, which saw Zaratin, 138 of Mexico City move in circles. The power-punching Johnson, who had defeated former world champion Sharba Mitchell (’94) and lost in two subsequent title challenges to then champions, Miguel Angel Gonzalez (‘94) and Orzubek Nazarov (’97) had difficulty in finding his fleet-footed rival until the very last round, one in which he caught Zaratin with a clean right hand. The shot floored the Mexican until he managed to his feet at referee Dick Flaherty’s count of 5, the moment when the bell rang to end a bout. Johnson, who improved to 31-3-1 with 25 knockouts won by scores of 98-90, 99-90 and 99-89 and is looking to reenter the title picture he exited (for two years) after his loss to Nazarov. Zaratin is now 21-5-4 with 14 stops.

    The WWF, which comes to Boston on Tuesday could have taken a few pointers from what took place at ringside prior to the Johnson-Zaratin main event. Ring announcer Larry Rosoff allowed Roy “The House of” Payne, a boxer based in Worcester to voice some of his frustrations in finding willing opposition in the Boston area. Payne, a 13-11-4 (with 6 knockouts) cruiserweight, who has fought the likes of Ramon Garbey and Arthur Saribekian has been eking to thurst himself into the New England Boxing scene for a number of years. Payne took it upon himself to call out the names, Timmy Flamos of Brockton, the NE cruiserweight champion and the better known Richie LaMontange of Everett as future opponents. The crowd seemed to appreciate Payne’s bravado but LaMontange’s promoter, Rich Cappiello appeared to be embarrassed by Payne’s bold challenge. After Payne handed the microphone back to Rosoff, Cappiello grabbed it as if it were Vince McMahon stealing it from Stone Cold Steve Austin (yeah, so I watch the WWF). Instead of accepting Payne’s challenge, Cappiello offered Payne a fight with Hector Sanjurjo of Taunton, who defeated Payne by decision in 1997. In the commotion, Payne’s co-manager, Mike Nosky, a knowledgeable scribe from Secondsout.com consented with Capp’s offer as long as a win for Payne would guarantee him a fight with LaMontange. Cappiello tried to play the crowd by matching Payne with Sanjurjo, but they simply didn’t buy it. Nosky had clearly stifled Cappiello’s rebuttal with his counter challenge. Cappiello could be heard saying “Hey, I’ll have to talk to Richie (LaMontange) about it,” while Nosky would reply, “What do you mean you have to talk to Richie? You’re challenging my guy with Sanjurjo and you haven’t even talked to him yet. Just give me a guarantee for Payne to fight LaMontange if Roy beats Hector and we’ll take it!” Cappiello backed it down with a, “Hey folks, I guess he won’t fight Hector,” line. It’s too bad LaMontange wasn’t there to defend his own dignity, because Cappiello didn’t do a good job protecting it. Stay tuned…

    In the co-feature, Louis Villata avenged a 3-round technical draw when the worst referee in boxing, Jordan Picot counted to ten over Freddie Cruz. Villalta, 126, of Lima, Peru, appeared well on his way to beating Cruz but Picot, who had not been doing his job throughout the fight suddenly ended the night early at 1:22 of the 7th round with a surprising knockout. Villalta floored Cruz with a right hand in the 1st and 2nd rounds but the inept Picot didn’t see the punches and ruled the knockdowns as slips. You could have been seated at the Fleet Center down the street to notice that they were actually knockdowns. As the 7th round came to a close, Villalta shoved Cruz into the ropes and as he was falling and Picot tried to get in the action, Villatla landed a fight hand to thhe back of the ear. Picot didn’t hesitate to count this time. Hopefully, Nick Manzello, the state’s commissioner will finally ask Picot, who may have had a clue at one time or another to step down from the tasks that he clearly isn’t capable of handling. Villalta is now 26-1-1 with 21 knockouts, while Cruz who drew with Villalta in November when an accidental cut ended their first fight, fell to 53-31-10 with 17 KO’s.

    “Sir” William “The Galdiator” Gibbs, a middlweight from Philadelphia and cousin of Bernard “The Executioner" Hopkins went the distance for the 1st time in 5 bouts with a unanimous decision (40-36 x3) over Michael Corleone of Brooklyn, NY. Corleone was called in as a replacement only yesterday for Keith Sonley of New Brunswick, Canada, who wasn’t allowed into the U.S. because of a criminal background check by our trusty customs department. Apparently, Pendarvis made an offer to Corleone that he couldn’t refuse but defeating Gibbs would have been too much a task. Corleone fought his heart out and lasted the four round limit.

    In other bouts, Mike Culbert, the former Massachusetts middleweight and super-middleweight champion won an ugly four round decision over James “Rocky” McCray of New Jersey. Culbert of Brockton, MA, who had not fought since defeating Jimmy Cappiello (no relation to the aforementioned promoter) in 2000 improved to 25-4-1 with 5 KO’s. McCray, who pulled out a draw in the CBZ’s eyes fell to 7-26-1 with 4 KO’s. Wendy Sprowl, a 105-pound mother of two of Hull, MA won a 4-round decision over Terry Moss of Miami, FL.

    Promoter – Doug Pendarvis
    Ring Announcer – Larry Rosoff
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJohnson Decisions Zaratin; Payne Calls Out LaMontange``x1014444822,85931,``x``x ``xHome of the Buckeyes plays host to Friday Night Fisticuffs
    By Barry Hanley

    This week's installment of Friday Night Fights took place at the Schotenstein Center within the confines of Ohio State University, home of the buckeyes. Instead of a game of hoops the fans were treated to a triple header of boxing action.

    First off, a pair of 170 pound light-heavyweights tore it up. Local product, Anthony Hanshaw from Mansfield, Ohio (13-0 with 10 KO's) faced Dana Rucker (13-3-0 with 10 KO's) a former kung fu enthusiast who came late to the fight game. Hanshaw came into the ring with much pomp and circumstance. Ten members of his high school band led him to the apron.

    The fight opened with a solid first round of high powered body assaults by the crowd favorite. Hanshaw came to the fight with a glossy and extensive amateur record of 300 plus fights capitulated by a position as an Olympic alternate in Sydney. In the second Rucker got knocked by glancing left hook that caught him on the hop. Hanshaw continued to dominate in the 3rd as his body barrages intensified. In the 4th Rucker managed to halt the onslaught temporarily with a ramrod left jab that stunned Hanshaw. Hanshaw regrouped though and landed a stunning blow of his own before the bell that ended the round. The 5th round featured a lot of holding as the fighters began to tire. The round ended badly for Hanshaw as Rucker landed a nice left hook a split second before the bell rang. Rounds 6 through 10 were close rounds fought in the trenches. Hanshaw barely dominated throughout but finished strongly as the partisan crowd buoyed him ! to dig deep for a final spirited assault. He shellacked Rucker until the final bell and was caught by a right hand as it rang to end the bout. A unanimous decision granted Hanshaw the win much to the crowds delight.

    Next up, there was a four round welterweight fight featuring Mark Scott (2-1-1) and local boy "Raging" Craig Webber ( 10-0-0). Webber attacked his hapless opponent from the opening bell and despite lacking the 'woo factor' in his punches, he overwhelmed Scott with sheer volume. Webber knocked Scott in the second after a barrage of body, body, head combos that took the fight out of the latter. Scott went into flight mode for the rest of the fight as his nads began to shrink. "Raging" Scott Webber did his best Jake La Motta and won the bout on sheer aggression. He knocked Scott down twice in the third and forced him to take a knee at 2:14 in the fourth. The Ref called the fight off at aforementioned time.

    The main event of the evening turned out to be a strange fight illustrating the importance of mental stability and focus in all fighters. Personal tragedy can often effect a fighters performance. No evidence of this was more convincing than Buster Douglas's demolition of the previously invincible Mike Tyson. Tyson had just gone through personal losses. Oddly enough, Douglas was on hand for tonight's proceedings. The man who slayed the Dragon all those years ago in Tokyo looked like a bloated and lamentable shadow of his former self.

    Tonight's big fight in Ohio featured a pair of junior welterweights. Vivian Harris, a 23 year old prospect fighting out of Brooklyn but originally from Ghana (19-1-2, 15 KO's) faced the third local lad of the evening, Michael Clark, 28 years old with a record of 26-1 with 13 wins coming by way of knockout. The first started badly for the severely outmatched Clark. Harris felled him with a cobra like combo that was about the swiftest this hack has ever witnessed. A left hook punctuated be a beautiful right cross sent Clark deckside. Clark made it to the bell but got hammered again in the second. The rangy and well chiseled African connected with another sweet straight right that was too much for Clarks whiskers to withstand.
    In the 3rd, Harris continued to stalk his shorter and less talented opponent. The crowd were ominously silent as they felt their man's impending doom at the hands of the speedy African.

    Amazingly, Harris failed to close the deal early. Clark began to show flashes of the skills he picked up in the Kronk gym in Detroit. It isn't surprising that the best 'steward' of a fighter, the aptly named Manny, would get the best out of even a limited charge. Clark was clawing his way back into the fight as Harris, who had looked so deadly earlier on, began to lose all his venom. Apparently,a close friend of his had just passed away. It showed in his eyes. He looked sad and disinterested as he lost the focus a fighter needs to dispatch a pesky opponent. Clark continued to hang on until the final bell and lost a unanimous decision.

    Harris lost his focus and will need to heal his bruised psyche before he steps up the caliber of the opposition he faces.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHaris Sleepwalks to Win on ESPN``x1014498375,87046,``x``x ``xCHOI STOPS YAMAGUCHI IN THE 10TH TO KEEP WBC 108-POUND TITLE

    By Joe Koizumi

    CHIBA, JAPAN-Korean Yosam Choi (24-1, 13 KOs), 108, kept his WBC 108-pound belt as he responded to hot but light rallies of Japanese Shingo Yamaguchi (11-3-1, 5 KOs), 106, with solid and effective counters with precision, dropped him with a vicious overhand right in the 9th and finally halted him at 2:18 of the 10th at Tokyo Bay NK Hall in Chiba.

    Scored after the 9th: Victor Cervantes (Mexico) and Herbert Minn (US) both 89-81, and Brad Vocale (Australia) 88-82, all for the 29-year-old champ. It was a more furious give-and-take fight than the tallies indicated.

    Yamaguchi, having won last 11 bouts straight, made a very good start with plenty of jabs and positive combinations in the opening session. Choi, making his third defense, found his range and began to take the initiative in the second.

    The Japanese kept moving well and positively threw light but fast punches, which were averted by Choi’s tight defense. The Korean was in command with strong countering overhand rights, and occasionally shook up the game but less experienced opponent in the second through fifth sessions.

    Yamaguchi sustained a gash caused by Choi’s right shots in the 6th, when he showed good combinations-if not so accurate and effective-by pinning the champ to the ropes despite the champ’s retaliation.

    Choi turned loose in the 7th and followed up more furiously to make him a bloody mess and stagger him with a wicked right cross and looping left hook in the 8th.

    Choi exploded his favorite overhand right to the neck of Yamaguchi, dropping him flat on the deck for a while. The Japanese promptly pulled himself up and gamely resumed fighting with the rubbery legs only to be saved by the bell.

    Yamaguchi, in the 9th, desperately attempted to force him to the ropes with a fusillade of punches, but Choi beautifully countered with precision, almost toppling him in the center of the ring. The referee Bruce McTavish, a Philippines-based New Zealander, wisely declared a well-time stoppage to save him from further punishment.

    The winner Choi will be obliged to meet the WBC interim champ Jorge Arce, Mexico, within 90 days.

    Undercard:
    The WBC #29 ranked OPBF heavyweight champ Peter Okhello (10-2, 9 KOs), 245.75, overwhelmed gallant but slower Auckland Aumatagui (3-2, 1 KO), 252.5, with his aggression, floored him in the third with a right cross and finally halted him at 1:30 of the 6th canto in a non-title 8.

    The 6’4” Japan-based Ugandan utilized his longer and strong left hand, and often bounced him off the head. The 6th saw Peter bang him out with a lifting left uppercut followed by a vicious overhand right to prompt the ref to halt the proceedings.

    Upcoming Keisuke Ayukawa (12-4-1, 9 KOs), 118, sent Thailander Daochai Sor Sor Gogym, 117, crashing to the deck twice and disposed of him at 0:13 of the second round.

    Promoter: ex-WBA 108-pound champ Katsuo Tokashiki’s Tokashiki Promotions.

    Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi (as for the main event and the Okhello-Aumatagui bout).

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xChoi Keeps WBC 108-lb Title with Kayo``x1014506396,56944,``x``x ``xLike most rematches, the second bout between Paulie Ayala and Bones Adams couldn't live up to the original. The toe-to-toe action that placed the first contest in contention for 2001 Fight of the Year may have been missing, but it was replaced by a masterful boxing display on the part of Paulie Ayala. Having eked out razor thin victories in his previous four bouts, Ayala silenced his critics with a performance deserving of the one-sided scorecards that were read in his favor.

    After only the first round, there was little indication that the rematch would lack the fireworks of the first fight. Both Ayala and Adams opted to start fast, hurling wicked punches at each other for most of the three-minute time limit. Ayala went first, dipping his knees and launching the first body shots of the evening. Adams wasted no time answering over the top with his long right hand, and the fight was on. At center ring, Adams used the distance to hurl his long arms at his opponent, landing some clean crosses and a series of flush hooks to Ayala's body. But unlike the first bout, in which he often stood and traded with Ayala, Adams now tried to land his punches and then move out of the way. This boxing-over-brawling style change might have worked against the typical opponent, but Ayala's persistence would not be denied.

    As Adams circled left, then right, it was Ayala that was pressing the fight, following Adams closely while throwing punches. It didn't take long for Adams to make the same mistake he had in the first fight: backing straight away from his opponent. By mid-round, Adams had backed straight into the ropes, where Ayala's shorter punches were in perfect range. A quick jab-left-hook from the southpaw stance turned Adams' head in three different directions, and got an early rise out of the largely pro-Ayala crowd. Adams, remembering the trouble he got into during the second round of the first fight, quickly returned the action to center ring. There, the two traded a variety of punches from a variety of angles, with both men landing clean. Adams continued to land to Ayala's side and Ayala's own body work was supplemented with right hooks, left crosses, and a textbook double-jab. Based on output, aggression and clean punching, the first stanza was an easy one to score for Paulie Ayala.

    Bones Adams continued his attempts to box in the second round, but his average footwork soon lead him into the ropes again, and Ayala was on top of him throwing punches in bunches. Pinned against the ropes, Adams' power shots were smothered. Desperate for some room to breath, Adams began loading up with his right hand. After working his way off the ropes, Adams finally landed a huge right cross to the center of Ayala's face. But no sooner could the crowd gasp at the crushing blow, Ayala answered with an equally well-timed left cross. Adams regrouped quickly, and returned his attention to his opponent's midsection, but Ayala was on a roll. By doubling up with his jab, and then occasionally hooking off the stick, Ayala raised a small welt under Adams' left eye in round two. Continuing the assault, Ayala landed yet more clean combinations to Adams' head. Soon, Adams' lateral movement began looking like partial retreat, as did an attempt to turn southpaw in the round's closing seconds. The change in stance didn't deter Ayala, who promptly landed a heavy straight left just before the bell. Another round for Ayala.

    Ayala's biggest strength, as displayed in his two action-packed bouts with Johnny Tapia, is a consistent workrate. As the third round began, Adams was continuing an attempt to pick his spots, fight in spurts, and land then move… and it played into Ayala's style perfectly. Occasionally, when Bones would load up with a power shot, or dig to the body, Ayala was right there in front of him punching. And when Bones sought to move away, Ayala was right there in front of him punching. What does this add up to? If you answered "a one-sided round," then score yourself a point. Although Adams occasionally landed his right, and continued to target the body when he could, he was quite simply being taken to school by Paulie's perpetual punching. By the end of the round, both of Adams' eyes began showing signs of swelling, and Ayala was having no problem making it look like he was doing all of the work.

    The frustration began to build in Adams in the fourth, but he couldn't channel the energy into punches. If anything, Adams began looking for the One Big Punch almost exclusively. As he moved left, then right, Adams would only occasionally stop to throw. His home run swings were easy to see coming, and Ayala looked superb slipping, catching punches on the arms, and blocking shots with his gloves before answering with crisp, clean punches to the chin. What's more, a bulked up Ayala was suddenly looking like the bigger puncher, stunning Adams with his accuracy and swiveling Adams' head with easy-to-see punches to the point of the chin. After four rounds, Ayala was up, four to zip.

    Adams simply could not establish a rhythm, and had to settle for landing the occasional big punch on Ayala. In the fifth round, Adams landed some of his best punches, but Ayala always answered with several return shots in combination. What's more, Adams stifled his potential rally by opening and closing the round near the ropes, the one place that he looked most vulnerable. With his back to the wall, Adams' upper body movement consisted of little more than rocking his torso back and forth. With Ayala correctly letting his own hands go during these sequences, it wasn't long before Adams' untukced chin began tasting leather. During the middle minute of round five, Adams was able to bring the fight to center ring. But every time he scored, Ayala had an answer. Adams was being outhustled, plain and simple.

    The first half of round six continued at a similar pace. Near the mid-way point, one of Adams' big right crosses finally found the bullseye, slamming into Ayala's nose and stopping the two-division champion in his tracks. But Adams was not prepared to follow-up his success, and after 20 seconds of waiting for another opening to land power, Ayala had shaken out the cobwebs and was returning fire. Two huge left uppercuts from Ayala regained the momentum for Paulie, and the punches drove Adams into the ropes where he was most vulnerable. Later in the same round, after Adams had managed to move the exchanges back to center ring, Ayala tagged him on the temple with a looping right hook. This punch also sent Adams retreating to the ropes, where Ayala was able to walk right up to him and begin launching heavy punches. As the 10-second warning clapped, Adams (still on the ropes) countered an Ayala hook with a punishing straight right that landed full-force in the center of Ayala's face. One-half second later, Ayala cranked off a straight left, which hit Adams equally hard on the nose. The punch snapped Adams' head straight back and allowed Ayala to close out the final seconds with a three-punch flurry. As the bell sounded to end the round, an excited Ayala lifted his hands in the air and returned to his corner claiming victory. In a way, he was right. The Boxing Chronicle scorecard listed each of the first six rounds in Ayala's favor, as did the cards of the three official judges.

    Bones Adams was in a terrible rut. Unable to get his hands moving, and now trailing badly on the cards, he needed to either win round seven or else pack it in. He opted for the former. Still throwing one punch at a time, Adams was still getting the worst of it. Then, an Adams left hook grazed Ayala's face. Ayala quickly shook his head that he wasn't hurt, and in that moment Adams threw yet another bombs-away right hand. The punch only clipped Ayala on top of the head, but it sent an off-balance Ayala crashing into the ropes. Unaware that Ayala had been sent reeling more by a slip than by the punch, the crowd erupted with a cheer. This reaction seemed to surge Adams' adrenaline, and for the first time a lively looking Adams began putting his own punches into combination form.

    Adams, sensing that Ayala was hurt, uncorked three successive one-twos, each landing flush on Ayala and sparking a serious Adams rally. Adams looked like the fighter from the first bout, and Ayala backed up a few steps with each landed combo. But just as the rally was on, Ayala timed a perfect counter left that stopped Adams in his tracks. It was now Ayala's turn to rally, and he controlled the next 30 seconds with the steady, accurate pace that had banked him the first six rounds. The round was winding to a close, and it appeared as though Adams was about to give away the one round he might have won. Luckily for him, he stopped his retreat, planted his feet, and landed his best combination of the entire night: a lead right hand followed by a right uppercut and a left hook. All three punches not only landed clean, but also landed from the distance at which Adams is most effective. The combo also came just before the round ended, ensuring that Adams would finally bank one frame in his favor.

    Bones couldn't afford to lose another round, and he rushed at Ayala in round eight and landed another heavy right cross to Ayala's chin in the first ten seconds. The punch made Ayala jump back a step, and then back away from Adams. It was the only time Ayala wasn't moving forward all night… but Adams couldn't capitalize. For reasons that only he can understand, Adams stopped throwing his punches in bunches and returned to the single-punch strategy that had allowed Ayala to take a commanding lead. Ayala was able to recover after 30 seconds, and soon regained control with a right hook and a series of flush body shots. Adams, desperate to maintain control, loaded up with a series of wild swings, all of which missed by a mile. Ayala twice nailed Adams with his own one-two after these misses, and Adams was once again in jeopardy of letting the round slip away. But in the final 10 seconds, Adams nailed Ayala twice with huge left hooks. Both shots landed flush and seemed to again stun Ayala. The punches saved the round for Adams.

    Hurt by Adams in the previous round, and perhaps tiring from his nearly-constant output, Ayala looked slower in round nine. Now it was Adams who was landing first, again beginning the round with a stream of jab-crosses. But Adams also seemed to be admiring his own work. His big blows, when they landed hard, gave him a few seconds of respite from Ayala's pressure. But these pauses weren't filled with follow-up punches, but rather lapses of inactivity on the part of Adams. Ayala was noticeably slower in this round, and when Adams ended the round with another pair of heavy right hands, he had found himself the winner of a third consecutive round.

    This was do-or-die time for Adams. He needed to keep up the pace, continue to land big punches, and hope to sweep the final three rounds to keep it close. But Paulie Ayala had other plans. He stormed out of his corner in round ten and showed a renewed vigor, attacking Adams with both hands. Adams continued to find a target for his right hand during the first half of this round, but Ayala was answering every single blow with two, three, and four punch combinations. Three times, Adams landed a perfect right cross only to stand still and wait for Ayala to counter with a three-punch combo. Each time, after Ayala registered his superior response, Adams dropped his hands, stood up straight, and made a face to indicate his utter frustration with his mistake. Simply put, Ayala was giving the judges no choice but to score for him. It didn't matter if Adams was hurting Ayala with the individual right hands because Ayala was able to land two or three solid shots to Adams' face after each one.

    Adams fell back into his early-round rut in round eleven, just at a time when he should have been displaying the desperation and determination of a fighter who knows he is behind. Instead, Adams was simply the catcher for all of Ayala's fastballs, which included a steady diet of clean two-punch combinations and a stinging right hook at round's end that may have hurt Adams. But Ayala was not only throwing more often, he was landing. His accuracy in round eleven was the best of the night; it seemed almost every punch he threw landed square on Adams' unprotected head.

    Adams' frantic corner let their man know that he needed to win by kayo in the final round. Bones began the last round quickly, but Ayala was more than willing to trade. At the one-minute mark, Ayala landed two lead left hands to the center of Adams' face. That was it. Adams seemed to fold up his tent at this point. He stopped throwing with intensity, and seemed to resign himself to seeing the scorecards. Ayala, despite an obvious lead, was not content to coast, and he tagged Adams with several heavy right hooks to the head and lefts to the body before the two ended the round with the requisite 10-second mutual flurry. When the bell rang, both men knew the outcome. Ayala thrust his arms in the air and screamed in joy. Adams raised his arms half-heartedly, surely knowing that the scores wouldn't be pretty.

    And they weren't. Two judges saw it 118-110, while a third scored 117-111, all for Ayala. Boxing Chronicle scored the bout 117-111 for Ayala, as well.

    And so Paulie Ayala re-established the sterling reputation that had been slightly tarnished in the wake of several controversial decisions. Unlike the first bout with Adams, Ayala looked like a solid junior featherweight, as opposed to a blown-up bantam. What's more, he once again proved that his dedication to training, aggressive style, and clean accurate punches could lead him to victory. It was a complete performance.

    Next up for Ayala might be the winner of Barrera-Hamed. It's difficult to imagine Ayala moving up in weight again, especially to take on two serious power punchers like Barrera and Morales. Still, given his determination and output levels, Ayala could make the fight interesting. We'll just have to wait and see.

    Ayala's boxing clinic came only minutes after one of boxing's best ended his long career on the canvas. Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson, who for years was considered one of the sport's pound-for-pound best, faced off against Rafael Marquez in a rematch of their sizzling 2001 war. Unlike their first battle, however, this fight was no brawl.

    Too Sharp, unable to bring his once-devastating power with him to the 118 lb. Division, opted to box against the crafty Marquez instead of go to war. Big mistake. The former 112 and 115 lb. champion tried to jab and move against the bigger Marquez… it was a hopeless plan. The shorter Johnson spent most of the fight thrusting out a jab that stopped at least a foot away from Marquez' face, if not his gloves. Marquez was also wary to exchange in the early rounds. The result was four rounds devoid of action and marred by constant boos from the crowd. Who would have guessed?

    Johnson occasionally landed a right hook in the opening rounds, but that was about it. Johnson appeared confused by Marquez, who was well-prepared and throwing punches from a variety of angles. Johnson began circling counter-clockwise in round two, a big mistake for a lefty facing a righty, and soon began catching Marquez' swift right counter.

    When Marquez threw his own jab, which he did infrequently in the opening few rounds, he was able to touch Johnson with ease. After finding his range, Marquez slowly began mixing in hooks, crosses, and devastating uppercuts each time Johnson got in close enough. Too Sharp was Too Slow this night, and when his boxing skills could do little more than touch air, he appeared confused and without a backup plan. It was just such confusion that engulfed Johnson in the seventh round, when he simply stood there as Marquez launched a straight right at his face.

    The punch landed on the button and sent Johnson down onto his back, the first time he had been downed in his pro career. Johnson remained on his back as he watched the referee count to seven. He then popped up, albeit on wobbly legs. Marquez only had 15 seconds remaining in which to flurry on Johnson, but he landed several more heavy shots before the bell.

    Johnson came out in the eighth looking lost. When he tried to box, he jabbed into the air, and when he tried to attack he was beaten back. A calm and collected Marquez opened with a series of body shots and right hands. As his corner screamed "Ante, Arriba" (Spanish for "Down, Up") the fighter followed the instruction to a tee. Marquez ripped off two wicked body shots and followed with a flush right to the head. Dipping downstairs again, Marquez uncorked a left hook that missed Johnson's side, but caught him in the center of the belly. The punch buckled Johnson's legs, and the follow-up right to the head knocked him to the seat of his pants. As Johnson sat on his tail and again watched the ref count, he looked finished. He nodded his head as if to say, "yeah, you got me," and then slowly raised himself at the count of eight. Marquez rushed at Johnson, missed with a jab and then landed two fierce uppercuts, one from each hand. The second one dropped Johnson for a third time, this time stiff as a board on his back. Referee Tony Weeks didn't even attempt a count, waving off the fight immediately.

    And so comes the likely end to the otherwise-brilliant career of Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson. He was an awesome force at 112 lbs. during the late 1990s. The big fight for him was always one division above against then 115 lb. champ Johnny Tapia. But the fight was never made, and Johnson was forced to display his awesome boxing and power punching skills against no-name competition. Perhaps his best moment came in a mandatory title defense against Arthur Johnson. It was supposed to be a solid test for Too Sharp, but he knocked Arthur out in the first round. After that fight, Too Sharp seemed on a collision course with 118 lb. champ Tim Austin, but a parole violation sent him to prison and resulted in a 19-month layoff. Too Sharp had looked pretty good in two comeback fights before dropping the decision to Marquez last year. A win in the rematch might have revived his comeback, but now it is all over. Johnson looked old, slow, and at times shot. A successful businessman outside of the ring (Johnson owns several hair salons), Too Sharp will likely now retire. He never got the recognition or paydays that were heaped upon many of his contemporaries. He was one of boxing's best-kept secrets. It's too bad that his legacy never grew to match his talent. He will be missed.

    Which is not to take anything away from his conqueror, Rafael Marquez. The brother of featherweight contender Juan Manuel Marquez is now guaranteed a shot at Austin. Austin, also a southpaw, is not old, not shot, and packs a much more serious wallop than Too Sharp did at 118. Austin will be a heavy favorite when the fight is made, but don't count Marquez out. He has plenty of experience, loads of talent, and has shown that he can make adjustments mid-bout. It could be a great fight.

    .....Chris Bushnell
    (Please send comments to us at: comments@boxingchronicle.com)

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAyala W 12 Adams; Johnson Kayoed``x1014576944,41967,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Emerald Queen Casino
    Tacoma, WA
    Friday, February 22, 02

    Promoter: Brian Halquist
    Matchmaker: Bob Oleson

    A sold out to over-flowing crowd packed the arena
    at the Emerald Queen on Friday night, maybe attracted
    by the recent spate of news coverage about promoter
    Brian Halquist’s effort to bring the Lewis-Tyson
    heavyweight match to Tacoma.

    One proposed bout, featuring Seattle star Martin
    O’Malley, did not take place because no opponent was
    found for O’Malley. Matchmaker Bob Oleson says they
    hope to feature O’Malley on the next scheduled Emerald
    Queen show on March 30.

    In the 10 round main event, Seattle’s Kenny Ellis, 160
    lbs, (now 25-4-2) stopped Quandray "Candy" Robertson,
    158 lbs, (now 11-4-0) by TKO in the 8th round.

    Eduardo Mendivil, 149 3/4 lbs, (now 8-2-3) of Hemet,
    CA won a close decision over Chris Huntwork, 152 1/2
    lbs, (now 6-13-1) of Portland, OR in 6 rounds.

    Portland’s Reggie Davis, 158 1/2 lbs, (3-1) stopped
    Victor Branson (now 2-2-1) of Willamina, OR by TKO in
    the 3rd round.

    In a heavyweight four rounder, Joe Gusman, 196 1/2
    lbs, (now 2-0) of Olympia, WA but fighting out of
    Portland, OR KO’d Jonathan Williams, 205 1/2 lbs, (now
    2-2-1) of Seattle in the first round.

    Neil Stephens, 175 3/4 lbs (now 2-3) of Kent, WA won a
    four round decision over James Partch, 169 1/2 lbs,
    (now 0-6) of Eagle Creek, OR.

    Greg Piper, 125 1/4 lbs,(now 3-0) of Portland, OR
    stopped Alejandro Navarete Perez, 121 1/2 lbs, (now
    0-1) of Tualatin, OR in the third round of a scheduled
    four.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xEmerald Queen Club Show Results``x1014582346,51189,``x``x ``xMashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation – Whether you have ever believed in Vinny Paz’ comeback at the age of 39 or his abilities as an overall fighter, you cannot deny his fighting spirit. It’s an entity that has guided him through the blood and guts, a broken neck, rigorous hours in the gym, memorable slugfests and most importantly, it's won him two world titles. This Friday night Vinny Paz will step through the ropes at Foxwoods Casino for what he’s promising to be his last time – so long as he wins his third world title and 50th fight. Paz will challenge WBC super-middleweight champion Eric Lucas of Montreal, who makes his second defense of the crown since winning it in July of last year. Though he set his goal to retire at 50 wins, many felt he would hang em up when he was thoroughly beaten by Aaron Davis just over a year ago. Since the defeat however, Paz has reeled off three straight wins setting up his first challenge of a legitimate world (albeit alphabet) title since losing in a bid for one of Roy Jones' belts in 1995.

    "I know this kid is tough," said Paz, 49-9, 30 KO's, "I am in the best shape of my life and I am prepared to go to war to take home this WBC title. I want to bring it to show my parents and than I want to give it to Jimmy Burchfield, my promoter and my friend - he is the best promoter in the world."

    Paz is certain his days are numbered and that he is a decided underdog against the Canadian. But he assures that he will bring what is necessary to leave boxing the way he envisions.

    “I use to say to my friends, ‘I’m going to keep fighting until I reach 50 wins’ just to bust balls,” Paz told the CBZ in a recent interview. “We considered 50 wins a mountain, but I’m ready to climb it.”

    Lucas (34-3-3 with 14 KO’s) doesn’t like Paz’ chances in their showdown which will also be televised by ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. He like so many have bought into the fact that Paz isn’t the same man that had been dubbed the Pazmanian Devil, a relentless beast who loved to bleed and loved to bang. Lucas has since developed a similar role inside the ring and has been unyielding in his two most recent title fights, beginning when he won the title in sensational fashion avenging a defeat to England’s Glen Catley. In his first defense this past November, Lucas destroyed an overmatched Dingaan Thobela, the first boxer to win world titles in the lightweight and super-middleweight divisions. Should Paz upset Lucas, he would be the second.

    "I respect Vinny Paz as a champion and a fighter. I know he is a warrior," said Lucas in a teleconference call last week. "Having Vinny Paz on my resume will greatly help my career and I thank Vinny for the opportunity to beat him in front of his hometown fans."

    Don Majeski, Lucas’ US representative was equally if not more optimistic of Lucas’ chances. "I guarantee that Vinny Paz will win 50 fights - that 50th win just won't come on March 1 because Eric Lucas will knock Paz out in one round,” boasted Majeski, who added even more fuel to a fire that still burns in the old Pazmanian Devil.

    “The Lucas people made my job 10 times easier,” said Paz’ longtime trainer Kevin Rooney. “Vinny now has more motivation than I could ever give him after hearing that crazy first round knockout prediction.”

    Burchfield, Paz’s promoter and longtime friend challenged Majeski a $10,000 wager. The loser will have to donate the winnings to a charity of the winner’s choice. But outside of the publicity, two interesting stories could unfold in the outcome. If Paz wins it’s a terrific end to what would have to be considered a Hall of Fame career. Pazwould have the opportunity to exit boxing and join both Evander Holyfield and Virgil Hill as the only fighters to win world titles in three separate decades. If Lucas wins as most feel he will, it will allow him more paydays, like the nice sum he’s expected to receive Friday night until he decides when it’s time for him to exit boxing the way he hopes.

    “I will die winning this belt," said Paz. "I will sacrifice my body and do whatever I have to do inside the ring to take this belt home to Rhode Island. This is my belt and there is no way I am losing this fight.”

    Your writer believes that Paz and his fighting spirit are right.

    Plenty of tickets are still available and with a main event of this magnitude on “Vinny’s turf” and an exciting undercard to boot, this show is a must see for New England boxing fans. The Lucas-Paz championship bout headlines a first-time ever seven bout card at Foxwoods. Mashantucket rules stipulate that only six bouts take place at their casino. Even Don King wasn’t able to pull of his marathon card at Foxwoods when he was there promoting Ruiz-Holyfield III.

    “There were some tickets set aside at the beginning to ensure that there would be some available near the end,” said promoter Jimmy Burchfield. “Now is the time to get your tickets. We held back some great seats so any ticket you buy, will be a good one.”

    “The matches will all have tremendous excitement,” said matchmaker Ted Panagiotis. “We have fights on the undercard that could be main event fights on other shows.”

    In the co-feature, two undefeated lightweights will battle. Providence’s exciting prospect Gary “Tiger” Balletto will be risking his 23-0-2, 20 KO’s record against 21-0, 14 KO’s Mike DiBenedetto of Chicago, IL. The bout, where somebody’s “0” will go, is scheduled for 10 rounds. Balletto is void of any defense but he has proven throughout his career that he is dangerous whenever he fights. He was life and death with the usually durable James Trigg of Atlanta until a booming right hand ended there contest in five rounds. Both fighters should prove to be their toughest tests thus far.

    Also on the undercard will be a tremendous matchup featuring former world title challenger Joe Gatti, brother of the famed former world champion Arturo Gatti, taking on former IBA champion Tim Shocks. Gatti, of Montreal, Canada, brings a professional record of 29-7, 21 KO’s into the fight against the 21-11, 14 KO’s Shocks, of Seattle, WA but now fighting for Providence’s Classic Entertainment & Sports. Hot prospect Peter Manfredo, Jr. of Pawtucket debuts in a new weight class as he drops down to the junior middleweight division to face off against tough veteran Tommy Attardo. Manfredo, Jr. will be risking his 11-0, 5 KO’s record against his toughest opponent to date in South Boston’s Attardo, who brings a 9-6-1, 1 KO record into the ring.

    Also on the undercard will be the Boston Herald and Flash/Pro Boxing Update “Prospect of the Year” Chad Dawson. The undefeated Dawson, 4-0, 4 KO’s, will be making hid debut in the super middleweight division. The New Haven, CT native will be taking on his toughest challenge when he squares off against Canadian Martin Desjardins (2-1-1, 2 KO’s). Rounding out the card will be two exciting four rounders featuring former US National Amateur champion Paul Malignaggi (6-0, 3 KO’s) vs. Ryan Maraldo (10-7-1, 3 KO’s) and five-time former Puerto Rican national amateur champion Angel Torres (4-1, 2 KO’s) vs. power-punching Pasqual Rouse (9-7-2, 7 KO’s).
    To order tickets, priced at $150, $250 & $350, to Friday’s exciting card, call Foxwoods Resort Casino at 800-PLAYBIG or call Classic Entertainment & Sports at 401-724-2253.

    Select Items of Releases Sent by CES were used in this article

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPaz Guns for Lucas' Title and 50th Win - By JD Vena``x1014865805,7414,``x``x ``xFebruary 26, 2002

    OSAKA, JAPAN-There happened great many claims on yesterday’s Japanese 118-pound title bout in Osaka, Japan, as Ryuichi Minoriyama looked to have led on points over the defending champ Nobuaki Naka after 10 rounds.

    It seems that the officials might be influenced by preoccupations that (1) the unbeaten WBC #14 and OPBF #1 ranked Naka had been a prohibitive favorite with Minoriyama having lost in his last two bouts, and (2) Minoriyama had very barely passed the weigh-in by shedding two pounds in two additional hours.

    The official tallies were 97-97, 96-96 and 96-95 for Minoriyama, but it was only the 10th and final session that Naka was in clear command, while Minoriyama controlled the fight and gained more points than the champ.

    Shinnosuke Minoriyama, the challenger’s father-manager-trainer, entered the champ’s dressing room where Naka was surrounded by press people afterward, and angrily said, “Which on earth should be the winner? We demand a rematch!”

    Naka and his manager Sanshiro Kojima may respond to his verbal attack and will give his son another shot in Amagasaki City, the champ’s home turf, on May 26. It will be a grudge fight
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJapanese Title Verdict Disputed``x1014917594,53400,``x``x ``xTEDDY ATLAS TO RECEIVE SAM TAUB AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM FROM BOXING WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

    New York, Feb. 27-ESPN/2's Friday Night Fights expert analyst Teddy Atlas
    will receive the Sam Taub Award for "broadcast excellence" from the Boxing
    Writers Association of America at its annual awards dinner in Manhattan this
    spring.

    Atlas, who is teamed with blow-by-blow man Bob Papa, also handles ringside
    commentary for ESPN's new monthly "Boxing Specials" series, and worked NBC
    Sports' coverage of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games from Sydney.

    "Working with Teddy is like having a chip of paint fall from the past on
    every broadcast," says Papa. "He's such a boxing historian and brings his
    knowledge of the game and its history to the telecasts. He grew up in the
    game, and worked under the legendary Cus D'Amato, so he has a unique
    perspective."
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAtlas Wins BWA Award for Excellence in Broadcasting``x1014926241,89878,``x``x ``xAndrew ‘Six Heads’ Lewis To Defend His WBA Welterweight Title Against Ricardo ‘El Matador’ Mayorga
    Unfinished Business Will Be Addressed at Sovereign Center on March 30; IBF Junior Bantamweight Champion Felix Machado Will Defend His Title Against Mandatory and Undefeated No. 3-Ranked Contender Martin “El Gallo” Castillo;
    Bouts Will Be Featured on Showtime Championship Boxing

    READING, Pa.—Undefeated World Boxing Association welterweight champion Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis will defend his title against mandatory No. 1 contender Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga at the Sovereign Center on March 30. The bout is being promoted by Don King Productions.

    Tickets priced at $20, $35, and $50, with a limited number of Reading Golden Circle seats available at $150, are on sale now in the Sovereign Center box office (plus 50-cent facility charge) and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling (215) 336-2000 or purchased on the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com. The world title fights will be featured on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing.

    Lewis (21-0-1-1 NC, 19 KOs), from Guyana now fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y., won his title by defeating James Page with a seventh-round technical knockout in Las Vegas on February 2001. This will be his third world title defense.

    “I've been training and working extra hard for months,” Lewis said. “This is a tough defense, but I am in top shape and I plan to go all-out and keep my world title. But this is going to be a wild one, believe me.”

    Mayorga (22-3-1-1 NC, 20 KOs), from Managua, Nicaragua, earned his first world title shot against Lewis on July 28 in Los Angeles. The two had barely begun to fight when an accidental head-butt at the start of round two caused a cut on Lewis’s left eyelid that led to an immediate stoppage with the bout being ruled a no contest.

    Lewis promised Mayorga a rematch after recuperation from his injury and has made good on that promise.

    (More…)

    Lewis vs. Mayorga II Release – Page 2

    “I said I would knock out Lewis in three rounds before our last fight, but it didn’t get that far,” said the brash Mayorga. “I was in hostile territory at the last fight. I’m glad my promoter, Don King, won the purse bid this time. I promise to fulfill my original prediction—three rounds.”

    Another world title fight with international flare takes place when International Boxing Federation junior bantamweight champion Felix Machado (21-3-1, 11 KOs), from Bolivar, Venezuela, puts his title on the line against mandatory and undefeated No. 3-rated leading contender Martin “El Gallo” Castillo (21-0, 13 KOs), from Mexico City, Mexico.

    Other notable fighters that are scheduled to fight in domestically non-televised undercard action include former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion and current top contender Oliver McCall (38-7, 28 KOs) from Chicago. McCall hasn’t lost a fight since 1997 and is currently riding a 12-fight winning streak. In his last outing, he catapulted himself back into the top 10 in the world rankings by stunning former world heavyweight champion Henry Akinwande with 10th-round knockout with less than a minute to go in the fight on Nov. 17 in Las Vegas.

    Undefeated Puerto Rican light heavyweight Danny Santiago (21-0, 14 KOs), formerly from the Bronx now fighting out of Ocala, Fla., is scheduled to appear as is undefeated Las Vegas super welterweight sensation Roshii “The Mongoose” Wells, (15-0-1, 8 KOs).

    Another former world champion, super middleweight Frankie Liles (32-2, 20 KOs), from Los Angeles, will be matched with a light heavyweight opponent, and two fighters from Felix Trinidad Sr.’s Puerto Rican boxing stable will appear in separate four-round matches: Alberto DeJesus Trinidad (3-0), a lightweight from Rio Piedras that was a crowd-pleaser while winning his fight in Reading on the undercard of Hopkins vs. Daniels and Mario Santiago (3-0, 3 KOs), a super bantamweight from Ponce.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x"Six Heads" Lewis to Defend Against Mayorga``x1014991704,98584,``x``x ``xLucas set to take centre stage
    Baby Jake Matlala says farewell at World Cup bonanza in Carnival City

    by Kris Van de Velde

    A quiet boxing weekend lies ahead of us with the WBC super middleweight championship between defending title holder Eric Lucas (#3 ,v1600 - all values unofficial until March 5, when the new WCOB rankings will be published) and 39-year-old challenger Vinny Paz (#19, v410). The bout takes place at the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, CT. The champion should be considered the best bet. Paz lost his two latest big fights against Aaron Davis and Dana
    Rosenblatt and it remains to be seen how much he has left to offer at the highest level.

    Lucas was outclassed by Roy Jones Jr. in 1996, but recovered well from that defeat. He suffered another set-back against Glenn Catley at the end of 1999, but took revenge last July and grabbed the WBC title in the process. In his only defence so far he stopped South African Dingaan Thobela in eight.

    Lucas-Paz is also a fight for the World Cup lead at 168 lbs. The winner will take at least 410 points, which is significantly more than Mehdi Sahnoune's total of 283 points. In addition, Lucas can upstage rival title holders Joe Calzaghe and Sven Ottke in the Total Ranking. Ottke only fights a low-ranked opponent in two weeks, Calzaghe stays out of the ring until late April.

    Over at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, Tony Oakey (#50, v160) squares off against Andrei Kaersten (#74, v55) in a battle between unbeaten light heavyweights. The WBU belt is at stake. Lightweight coming-man Steve Murray (#71, v67) faces a potentially difficult task against Russian Victor Baranov (#52 , v150 at 140 lbs). But it's a lot more rewarding than meeting five-pointers ...

    An excellent card in Carnival City, South Africa, features local legend Baby Jake Matlala (#9, v700) in his allegedly ultimate fight. The extremely popular light flyweight wishes to bow out in style as he is set to face well-ranked Juan Herrera (#26, v322 at 105 lbs) for the WBU title. A win would put 40-year-old Matlala in second place in the World Cup behind Yosam Choi.

    The co-feature consists of four IBO or WBU title bouts with lots of WCup poins to be gained or left. Cruiserweight Sebastian Rothmann wants to get himself closer to the top 10 by beating Briton Garry Delaney, who possesses 166 value points linked to his 49th place in the Total Ranking. More importantly, Rothmann can enter the World
    Cup race in fifth position.

    The outcome of the super lightweight clash between Argentinean Pablo
    Sarmiento (#25, v330) and Stephan Carr (#39, v227) is also one to look out for. The winner will establish himself in the high-quality WCup top 10 and move up to about fifteenth in the Total Ranking.
    Next up is undefeated bantamweight Silence Mabuza (#52, v150), who is
    gambling by accepting to fight #34 Jose Sanjuanelo (v262). Success means a place in the WCup top 5.

    Finally, super featherweight Philippe Ndou (#18, v420) is the only one to face an unranked opponent, namely Russian Nikolai Emereev.

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWeekend Preview ``x1015004622,21178,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    A Federal jury has awarded former heavyweight title claimant Tim Witherspoon $1.3 million in a breach of contract and fraud case against his former promoter.

    The jury found that in 1995, Dennis Rappaport, of Dennis Rappaport Productions, misrepresented the fact that his license to promote had been revoked by the New York State Athletic Commission. The suspension prevented Mr. Rappaport from arranging fights for Witherspoon, who was making a comeback at the time.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTim Witherspoon Wins $1.3 Million``x1015014891,46336,``x``x ``xMASSHNTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION (Ledyard, CT) – Going into the 12th and final round of their exciting fight for the WBC super-middleweight title, Eric Lucas must have been wondering why his older, smaller challenger had remained upright throughout the beating he was absorbing. But when it was over and he had retained his title for the second time, he knew it had everything to do with Vinny Paz and his fighting heart. It wouldn’t take a genius to figure that out. Lucas, 167, of Montreal, Canada had his way with the Pazmanian Devil most of the bout by controlling the distance with his longer punches, particularly with his sharp jab. It was enough to win a convincing decision over Paz as the champion’s performance was rewarded by scores of 116-110, 117-112,119-110. The CBZ had it 116-112 for Lucas.

    Lucas’ obligatory defense didn’t appear to be an enjoyable one for the 30-year old, but it was an especially painfull one for Paz. But despite the usual wounds that Paz had sustained throughout his storied career and in last night’s fight, be it cut or swollen eyes, bloody or broken nose, nothing could discourage Paz from making it tough for Lucas. Paz suffered his first cut in the second round, one that appeared gruesome enough to end the bout early, but Paz made the fight go on until the final bell sounded. If you’ve ever known Paz, you’d understand that that is the point when his fights begin and it was another tough one for Paz.

    Paz really came alive in the fifth round when he backed Lucas into the ropes by bulling and punching and gave better than he received while Lucas was on the ropes. His moments came again at the end of the 8th round but Lucas kept up with the pace and landed his own power shots. But his best round was the 12th, when Vinny, a bloody mess forgot about the distance that Lucas had controlled and fired at Lucas as if it were his last round. It may have been as Vinny muttered, “I don’t know,” when asked what is next.

    After the bout Lucas stated that he, “expected Paz to be more offensive but he fought a tough fight.” Lucas, now 35-4-3, with 13 KO’s to will now build on this win as Paz, who we may not see fight again walked out of the ring at 49-10 with 30 KO’s. Whether he does or not, Lucas will know why Paz still believes in himself.

    In the 10-round co-feature, Mike Di Benedetto, 136, of Chicago, IL, got to keep the “o” at the end of his last name but not the one in his loss column. His opponent, Gary “Tiger” Balletto, 135, of Providence, RI salvaged a win that almost appeared unlikely until Balletto hurt Di Benedetto with a series of pulverizing shots late in the fight. Besides both fighters being undefeated they shared many similarities:both are of proud Italian descent and both have little if any defense. Throughout the fight the two took turns in swapping swapping punches and rounds but it was Di Benedetto who was in command after six (though all three judges had the fight even at 57-57 a piece). Late in the 7th round, Balletto staggered DiBenedetto with a hard right hand but couldn’t put the finishing touches on, which are usually pretty wild to say the least until Dick Flaherty saw fit to stop the fight at 2:37 of the 9th round. The win for Balletto was a typical win for him. In his last fight, he was life and death with John Trigg until Balletto turned matters around with a right hand. Balletto is now 24-0-2 with 21 KO’s while DiBenedetto is now 21-1-2 with 14 KO’s.

    In a 4-round bout, Peter Manfredo, Jr., 156 ½, of Providence, RI won a hard-fought decision over tough Tommy Attardo, 155, of South Boston, MA. Manfredo, who socred aflash knockdown in the first round with a left hook, took Attardo apart on the inside but the Bostonian held tough as he normally does and fought back every time Manfredo stopped punching. At times, the bout even looked competitive. Even in the fourth round when Santa appeared ready to call a halt of the action, Attardo fought back with as much as he had – everything. But it was Manfredo who won by three scores of 40-35. Manfredo is now 12-0 and 5 KO’s and should never appear in another 4-rounder for the rest of his career. Attardo is now 9-7-1 with 1 KO.

    Joe Gatti, 167 of Montreal, Canada, the older bro of Arturo showed some thunder in stopping Tim Shocks, 166, of Seattle, WA at :45 of the 4th round. Gatti sporting the now custom, GoldenPalace.com logo on his back used a heavy jab to consistently move Shocks backwards while mixing in some heavy body shots. Shocks, who had gone the distance with Paz in October of last year was stunned by a Gatti right hand that buckled Shocks’ knees. Shocks lay on the ropes and took a pounding until referee Jim Santa, gave Shocks an early Christmas present by stopping it when he did. Gatti is now 30-7 with 22 KO’s while Shocks slipped to 21-12-1 with 14 KO’s.

    In the first bout of the evening, Angel Torres, 124 ½, of Manchester, CT let one slide when he appeared to hurt Pasqual Rouse, 126, of Yonkers, NY in the 4th and final round but held back and lost a 4-round majority decision (40-36, 39-37 and 38-38). Torres landed a crisp right hand to begin the final round that shook and cut Pasqual and then looked as though he floored Pasqual however Dick Flaherty ruled it a slip. It wouldn’t have mattered (or shouldn’t have) in the scoring as Pasqual improved to 10-1-2, 7 KO’s while Torres is now 4-2 with 2 KOS.

    In the swing bout, “Bad” Chad Dawson, 167, of New Haven, CT arguably the best young prospect of New England defeated Martin Desjardins, 168, of Montreal, Quebec by three scores of 40-35. Dawson is now 5-0 with 4 KO’s while DeJardins is now 2-2-1 with 2 KO’s.

    Mentioned a previous story, the $10,000 wager between Paz' promoter Jimmy Burchfield and Lucas' US representative Don Majeski of whether Lucas would score a 1st round KO last night doubled to $20,000 by fight time. But when it was over and Majeski visited Burchfield's suite for a bubbly and to pay up, Burchfield grabbed the check, held it over his head and tore it to shreads in good fun, which was what their wager was all about.

    Promoter – Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports
    Matchmaker – Ted Panagiotis
    Network – ESPN2
    Attendence – 2,200
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLucas has a Devil of a Time Defeating Paz - By JD Vena``x1015045837,45511,``x``x ``xINGLEWOOD, CA - On Thursday night, WBO #5 ranked junior lightweight contender Calvin Davis, of Philadelphia, improved to 22-1 (8 KO's), with a unanimous 8 round decision win over rugged Mexican journeyman Justo Almazan (now 5-22) at Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood, California. Davis showed some impressive skills, but typically started rounds quickly, then faded into a pattern of occasional bursts. Almazan got his share of shots in as well, but the pace was clearly set by the more skilled Davis. However, I don't think WBO/WBA champ Acelino Freitas has anything to worry about.

    In the co-feature, WBO #2 ranked super middleweight Miguel Jimenez, of Puerto Rico, 20-1 (10 KO's) also took a sloppy unanimous 8 round decision over another journeyman with an unimpressive record, Vincent Moses (4-23). The judges scorecards all read 80-72. Like the main event, the opponent was durable, but not very threatening. And also like the main event, the top ranked fighter showed little ability to test a champion like Joe Calzaghe.

    Typically WBO champs tend to be softer than that of the WBC, WBA, and IBF, but in these two divisions (168lbs, and 130lbs), the true champs of each division hold the WBO belt. Not to say Jimenez and Davis don't both possess skills, but they are no threat to the current titleists.

    In other action, heavyweight Damien "Bolo" Wills won his pro debut with a second round TKO win over late replacement Richard Rasalichi (sp?), in front of several crowd supporters. There was little technique from either man, but more controlled action from Wills, and Rasalichi simply ran out of gas after 2 rounds, and the bout was stopped in the corner. It was the only stoppage of the night.

    Heavyweight southpaw Steve "The Gentle Giant" Vukosa, of North Hollywood by way of Quincy, Mass. was a bit too gentle in winning a unanimous six round decision over Frank Edmunson of North Carolina. Edmunson's nickname was the "Ring Doctor", but it might as well have been the "Rule Breaker", because he was warmed for everything from low blows, to holding and hitting, to rabbit punching. Both men looked soft in the middle, and seemed content to swing with their dominant hands and neglect the jab. Vukosa moves to 6-0 (3 KO's), and Edmunson drops to 9-16-1 (4 KO's).

    In the opener, South Central's Marsha Valley ran her record to 10-5-4 (4 KO's) by winning a unanimous six rounder over previously undefeated Shirvelle Williams (now 4-1, 1 KO). Valley stung Williams with several shots, but couldn't follow up effectively. Williams only moments of offensive success came in the last two rounds, after Valley's hair was knocked loose from it's pins, causing her to have difficulty seeing the punches.

    The card started late, featured an MC repeatedly asking us between rounds to applaud for Can't Lewz productions and Richard Steele (the promoters), and didn't feature a single knockdown.... but other than that, it was a great night of boxing. I'm sorry, I think I'm just still a little spoiled by that last Burbank show... 5 fights, 5 brutal knockouts. Where is that when you need it?

    But you have to like any fight card that takes place in a small tent on a huge property, and features celebrity sightings as varied as Marlon Wayans, Mickey Rourke, and Barry Williams (Greg Brady on "The Brady Bunch"). Now that is an L.A. fight crowd!
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDavis Defeats Almazan by Chris Strait``x1015090695,31949,``x``x ``xSUGAR RAY LEONARD BOXING SIGNS BUFFALO’S UNDEFEATED HEAVYWEIGHT SENSATION “BABY JOE” MESI

    Sugar Ray Leonard and SRL President Bjorn Rebney Announce Signing in Buffalo, NY, Site of SRL Boxing’s Next ESPN2 Event On April 5 Featuring “Baby Joe” Mesi

    Los Angeles, CA - After much speculation, Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing (www.srlboxing.com) has signed Buffalo, New York’s undefeated heavyweight “Baby Joe” Mesi (www.babyjoemesi.com) to an exclusive promotional agreement. “We are thrilled to be joining forces with Baby Joe,” said Leonard, “Joe’s tremendous talent and power inside the ropes is equaled by his strength of personality and humanity outside the ropes. We believe that he is one of the top young heavyweights in the world. This young man can have a tremendous positive impact on our sport.” “Baby Joe” will be the Main Event on April 5th’s Buffalo Blast, promoted by SRL Boxing and broadcast by ESPN2 from the Alumni Arena in the University at Buffalo.

    “Baby Joe” Mesi is currently the No. 1 ranked contender in the North American Boxing Association and No. 6 in the North American Boxing Federation. Mesi is 21-0 with 19 knockouts since turning pro in 1997. Mesi says about the signing, “We want to be with one of the game’s top promoters and one who will work side-by-side with Team Mesi in our quest to become heavyweight champion of the world. After reviewing countless proposals, there was no company stronger overall than Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing. In addition to “Sugar” Ray being trustworthy and well respected, we have much in common – he has traveled the road I’m on and we both want to work in our communities and to use our celebrity to help others.”

    Mesi is a huge supporter of the National Kidney Foundation and Leonard is International Chairperson of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. “Baby Joe” was given the honor of carrying the Olympic torch through Buffalo. In 1996, Joe was the first alternate on the United States Olympic Team in the Super-Heavyweight Division.

    Team Mesi manager Jack Mesi said, “In all of our negotiations, it was important to Joe and me that the promoter we selected would bring great boxing cards back to Buffalo.”

    Leonard’s goal for SRL Boxing has been to provide the most exciting, well-matched fights in the sport and to change the focus of the sport to make the fighters and the fans the sport’s primary beneficiaries. Since its kick-off in 2001, SRL Boxing’s monthly ESPN2 Events have sold out venues across the country and have generated many of the highest television ratings on the network.

    Mesi joins an impressive group of fighters at SRL Boxing. Diobelys Hurtado 33-2-1 (25 KO’s) is the IBA Junior Welterweight World Champion. Bjorn Rebney, President and CEO of SRL Boxing, says of Hurtado, “He is one of the most exciting and dangerous junior welterweights in the world today.”

    Also newly signed is the undefeated IBF Cruiserweight World Champion, Vassiliy Jirov of Phoenix. Rebney says, “Vassiliy Jirov is the finest Cruiserweight anywhere. Without question, Jirov is the best body puncher in boxing.” Jirov was a gold medal winner in the ’96 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

    SRL Boxing has also signed exclusive long-term promotional agreements with Paul Williams 14-0 (12 KO’s), the heavily recruited undefeated Junior Middleweight from South Carolina, as well as with undefeated Daniel “Super Sweet” Mitchell 4-0 (2 KO’s), a top prospect trained by Miguel Diaz.

    Bjorn Rebney proudly said, “This is only the beginning. Ray has tremendous respect for the fighters and a tireless work ethic, as only another fighter can. It is evident not only in the caliber of fights we are promoting, but also by the complete open book policy Ray has implemented to protect fighters so that they get the money they’re due.” Leonard adds, “We are particularly pleased that these men are not just great fighters, they also uphold the human values that serve as the foundation for our company and all of it ventures.”



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Sugar Ray Signs Joe Mesi``x1015097291,14868,``x``x ``xThe new WAIL! is on-line --

    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/wail_02_2002.htm



    TABLE OF CONTENTS -- March 2002

    Editorial
    By GorDoom

    The 2001 Year-End CBZ Awards
    Compiled by JD Vena

    Land of Hope and Glory
    By David Payne

    Boxing on "The Simpsons"
    By Kristian Nordestgaard

    George Foreman Grilled
    By Lee Michaels

    Eddie Perkins Interview
    By Dan Hanley

    "Philadelphia" Jack O'Brien -- "Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick"
    By Tracy Callis

    Would Conn Really Have Beaten Louis?
    by Don Colgan

    Forever Noble
    By Tom Donelson

    Ghouls and Rules in Boxing
    By Adam Pollack

    Friday Night Fights
    By Steve Coughlin

    Book Reviews & Excerpts:
    Sting Like a Bee: The Muhammad Ali Story

    The Gloves [Excerpt] [Review]
    By Robert Anasi

    Dick Tiger: The Life and Times of a Boxing Immortal (Pt. 3)
    by Adeyinka Makinde

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMarch WAIL! On-line``x1015186640,36575,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    The big Couer d’Alene Casino is high up in the skinny
    part of Idaho, near Flathead Lake. It’s just a skip
    down from the Canadian border and a holler East of
    Spokane and it’s not the first place you think of when
    boxing is the topic. But matchmaker/promoter Moe Smith
    says he’s been putting on fight cards for around fifty
    years and his last five years have been spent staging
    regular pro shows at the Couer d’Alene, including
    several in the Heavyweight Explosion" series of cedric
    Kushner. It’s not surprising then, that Moe and his
    colleagues came up with the notion of creating the
    Northwest Boxing Hall of Fame.
    Dave Matheson, the CEO of the casino says, "we
    are excited to have some of the most legendary movers
    and shakers of the boxing world here at the Casino.
    We’ve worked hard to establish ourselves as a big
    player in the boxing world today. We feel it is time
    to honor and pay tribute to some of the greats in the
    Northwest."

    The debut of what is panned as an annual event took
    place on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 with the ceremony
    inducting the first class of the Northwest Boxing Hall
    of Fame. Among the special guests were Journlist Bert
    Sugar and ex-fighters Bob Foster, Livingstone Bramble,
    and Gene Fullmer.

    The Class of 2002 NW Boxing Hall of Fame inductees
    included:
    Referees and commission members: Jerry Armstrong and
    Jim Reilly of Idaho and Jimmy Rondeau of Washington.
    Matchmakers: Benny Georgino of the Lucky Eagle Casino
    in Rochester, WA. and Bob Oleson of Beaverton, Oregon
    who works on shows all over four states and more.
    Managers George Chemeres of Seattle and Mike
    "Motormouth" Morton of Portland, Oregon.

    The Boxers inducted included(in random order)
    Greg Haugen, Leo Randolph, Andy Kendall, Boone
    Kirkman, Ray Lampkin, Sugar Ray Seales, Pete
    Rademacher, Mickey Hewitt, Marvin Camel, Larry Buck,
    John L. Sullivan, Joe Hipp, Pat McMurtry, George Logan
    and Harlan Breshears.

    The ceremony included a buffet style supper around the
    official ring and each inductee was introduced in the
    ring and awarded an inscribed trophy. Moe Smith says
    the Casino has designated a room to house the Hall of
    Fame and each inductee will be represented by framed
    photographs and other mementos of their careers.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew Northwest Boxing Hall of Fame Launched``x1015249194,96358,``x``x ``xEric Lucas new super middle leader
    Baby Jake gets standing ovation after winning final fight

    by Kris Van de Velde

    Canadian Eric Lucas (#3, v1600 - all values unofficial until March 5)
    raised himself to the very top in the super middleweight divison after successfully defending his WBC title against Vinny Paz (#19, v410) on Friday. Lucas proved too quick and too busy for the veteran challenger and got a wide unanimous decision: 116-110, 117-111, 119-110. In World Cup terms, Lucas wins 410 points and becomes the new provisional leader, overtaking French coming-man Mehdi Sahnoune, who officially leads the competition after February with 283 points. In fact, Lucas scored the double, as 410 points are also sufficient to slip past Joe Calzaghe in the Total Ranking, though only just.

    Despite his new defeat at the highest level, 40-year-old Paz has indicated he is not considering retirement yet.

    South African little legend Baby Jake Matlala (#9, v700) ended his active boxing career in splendid fashion by overpowering Colombian Juan Herrera (#26, v322 at 105 lbs) in seven exciting rounds. Matlala controlled the fight throughout and knocked his useful opponent down twice with crisp combination-punching. As the referee saved Herrera from further punishment, Matlala received a standing ovation from the 5,500 attendants at ringside, including the nation's hero Nelson Mandela and actor Will "Ali" Smith. The 40-year-old Baby Jake has always been tremendously popular in his country. During his 22-year-career he won WBO belts at 108 and 112 lbs and defeated American star Michael Carbajal. Despite his age, Matlala never looked old against Herrera, and the 240 WCup points are truly well-deserved!

    On the massive but quality undercard, local cruiserweight star Sebastian Rothmann (#18, v420) hurt his right hand in the fourth, but still managed to stagger and outpoint faded Briton Gary Delaney (#49, v166) over 12 rounds. Rothmann provisionally enters the World Cup race in fifth place and firmly establishes himself in the top 15 of the Total Ranking.

    Bantamweight prospect Silence Mabuza (#52, v150) impressed with a strong stoppage win over higher-ranked Argentinean Jose Sanjuanelo (#34, v262). Quite a number of points for Mabuza, who is therefore set to move up considerably in the Total Ranking. He's currently fourth in the World Cup as well.

    Another big-earner this weekend was super lightweight Pablo Sarmiento (#25, v330). The Argentinean put in a crushing performance against Stephen Carr (#39 ,v227), who was knocked out in the second round. The list of 140 pounders with high-value wins thus continues to grow bigger. 227 points cannot be ignored, but since the competition is so fierce at this weight, it remains to be seen whether Sarmiento will actually feature in the WCup top 10 in April! A top 20 spot in the Total Ranking should be a possibility, though.

    Commonwealth super middleweight champion David Starie (#18, v420) had a very easy night as he kayoed Australian Marc Bangero (#95, v15) after barely one minute.

    Light heavyweight Tony Oakey (#50, v160) stayed unbeaten at York Hall in Bethnal Green, England, by decisioning late-sub Kostya Shvets (#86, v28) of the Ukraine over 12 rounds.


    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWeekend Round-up ``x1015261131,17294,``x``x ``xBy Joe Koizumi

    WBA top ranked 115-pounder Alexander Munoz, who boasts of his perfectly unblemished mark of 21-0, 21 KOs, arrived in Tokyo in preparation for his mandatory shot at the WBA super-fly throne against Japan’s Celes Shoji Kobayashi at Budokan (Martial Arts Hall), Tokyo, on March 9.

    The hard-punching Venezuelan, whose amateur record was 163-9, 129 stoppages, will be a most dangerous challenger against Kobayashi, a durable southpaw, 24-4-3, 14 KOs. Kobayashi, 29 and 6 years his senior, dethroned Venezuelan veteran Leo Gamez by a 10th round TKO in March of the previous year, and kept it once by a hairline decision over another Venezuelan Jesus Kiki Rojas last September. Munoz is reportedly the most expected prospect in Venezuela. He scored an important triumph over ex-WBA fly champ Sornpichai Kratindaeng-Gym via 5th round TKO in December, 2000 to become a perennial top contender.

    Munoz is a preflight favorite among fight fans here, but Kobayashi depends on his incredible durability and stamina, so if it should go to a late stage of a fight, the Japanese lefty will have a good chance to outhustle the highly reputed hard-hitter.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x21-0 Munoz arrives in Japan``x1015269338,11285,``x``x ``xBy Joe Koizumi

    TOKYO, JAPAN-WBC flyweight champ Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, a lefty Thailander, will put his belt on the line against unbeaten Japanese prospect Daisuke Naito, 19-0-2, 14 KOs, in Khonkaen, Thailand, on April 19.

    Pongsaklek, 43-2, 25 KOs, dethroned Filipino Malcolm Tunacao by a stunning first round TKO and kept his belt three times, beating Hayato Asai (TKO5), #1 ranked Alex Baba (Technical Decision 8), and Luis Lazarte (TKO2) to his credit.

    Naito had a crack at the Japanese national title against currently WBC #9 ranked Takefumi Sakata, an unbeaten combination puncher, and fought a grueling battle to a well-received draw in Tokyo last July. Naito is a good puncher with a good heart, so he may show a better fight than Asai and Lazarte. But the southpaw champ boasts of his very busy punching and tight defense, plus superior power. It will be a good fight of the hard-punchers.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPongsaklek to Defend Lineal World Flyweight Title``x1015353630,74962,``x``x ``xBy Chris Strait

    On Thursday, March 14, 2002 Ron Williams Promotions brings another fight night to the Burbank Hilton. If it ends up being half as entertaining as the last card I attended there, it will be well worth the price of admission.

    Last November: 5 fights, 5 knockouts, 5 brutal endings. Although that may seem hard to live up to, a few of the same fighters will be featured, so the chances are good. 4 undefeated novices will attempt to move forward in their careers, while the main event will feature the entertaining Carlos Madrigal taking on veteran Julio Coronel for the vacant NABA bantamweight title. Here is a tentative schedule:

    At the Hilton Convention Center, Burbank, CA
    Carlos Madrigal (18-3) vs. Julio Coronell (20-15)
    Jason Parillo (5-0) vs. Ruben Navarro (1-3)
    William Adamyan (5-0) vs. TBA
    Rafael Garcia (1-0) vs. Tony Sanza (2-4)
    Aaron Brink (0-1) vs. Milan Rodzak (1-1)
    Rita Valentia (1-0) vs. TBA

    FOR TICKET INFORMATION CALL: 1-661-296-9376
    Be sure to also visit RWpromotions.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMadrigal and Coronel to Headline Fight Night in Burbank``x1015422592,46156,``x``x ``xby Kris Van de Velde

    Mahmutov retains European title
    Russian flyweight veteran enters WCup race in third place

    Russian veteran Alexander Mahmutov (#5, v1200) retained his European
    flyweight title in Madrid, Spain, on Tuesday with a unanimous decision
    against French challenger Mimoun Chent (#35, v255). The 36-year-old had too
    many boxing skills for the often wildly attacking Chent, and also landed
    the cleanest punches. Chent also got cut above the right eye in the seventh
    round, but was allowed to go the distance. There were no knockdowns during
    the fight. Mahmutov therefore enters the World Cup competition at 112 lbs
    in a provisional third place behind leader Eric Morel (900 pts) and Mexican
    Abel Ochoa (276 pts). He is also set to move up to fourth in the Total
    Ranking at the expense of WBO titleholder Fernando Montiel.


    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB: Mahmutov retains European title ``x1015429617,8766,``x``x ``x
    WAIL! PDFs

    The Barge Fight
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDownload "The Barge Fight"``x1015439829,98560,``x``x ``xUndefeated super welterweight sensation Nick Acevedo of New York City steps up and meets his toughest opponent by far in former International Boxing Federation junior welterweight champion Vince Phillips of Las Vegas in the 10-round main event on the nationally televised card presented by Cedric Kushner Promotions Friday, March 29, at Paris Las Vegas.

    The 10-round heavyweight semi-main event features Swedish Olympian Attila "The Hun" Levin of Pembroke Pines, Fla., who's co-trained by the legendary Angelo Dundee, against hard-hitting Ron Guerrero of Corpus Christi, Texas.
    Five other bouts are on the Cedric Kushner Promotions card that is televised live by ESPN2.
    The 27-year-old Acevedo is, perhaps, the most highly regarded 154-pound prospect in boxing, and a win over the veteran Phillips, the only person to beat current 140-pound world champion Kostya Tszyu, could boost him into the top 10.
    Phillips, however, still has championship aspirations of his own, and is well aware a win over the youngster is a must if he expects to get another title shot.

    The card starts at 5 p.m. (Pacific) with doors to the Paris Theatre opening at 4:30.
    Tickets, priced at $35 for general admission and $50 for ringside reserved, are on sale at both the Paris Las Vegas and Bally's-Las Vegas box offices from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Tickets also are available by calling 702-946-4567 or 877-374-7469.

    Cedric Kushner Promotions of New York City is one of the leading promoters in boxing and promotes, among other fighters, International Boxing Federation's No. 1-ranked heavyweight, Chris Byrd.

    Also on the card is Willie Palms of Jersey City, N.J., against Sedreck Fields of Richmond, Va., in a six-round heavyweight fight; Rupert Thomas of West Palm Beach, Fla., against James Walton of Cleveland in a six-round heavyweight bout; unbeaten James Elizalde of Corpus Christi against Joseph Awinongya of West Palm Beach in a six-round cruiserweight fight; Israel Garcia of New York City against Jason Gethers in a four-round heavyweight bout; and undefeated Olanda Anderson of Colorado Springs, Colo., against Derek Berry of Pomona, Calif., in a four-round heavyweight fight.

    Acevedo made his 10-round debut in only his 11th fight, stopping John Molnar in the ninth round during August of 2000. In his next outing, three months later, Acevedo halted Marco Lizarraga in the sixth of a 12-round fight for the International Boxing Association-Continental welterweight championship.

    Acevedo's most recent bout was a decision over Kenito Drake Jan. 26 in New York City on the undercard of the Vernon Forrest-Shane Mosley World Boxing Council welterweight championship show.

    The 38-year-old Phillips has a record of 43-6-1 with 32 knockouts and is the most accomplished and experienced opponent Acevedo has faced.

    Phillips knocked out Tszyu in the 10th to win the IBF junior welterweight title May 31, 1997, in Atlantic City, N.J.
    Phillips defended successfully three times, stopping Mickey Ward in the third round and Freddie Pendleton in the 10th during 1997 and Alfonso Sanchez in the first during 1998.

    Phillips is unbeaten as a super welterweight and has won his past two fights by knockout, halting Marlon Hayes in the seventh June 23 and then Carlito Brozas in the third Nov. 3 in Las Vegas.


    The 25-year-old Levin has a record of 23-1 with 20 knockouts and has won his past nine fights by knockout, the most recent a second-round stoppage of Jim Huffman on a Cedric Kushner Promotions card Jan. 30 in Miami Beach, Fla.
    Levin, who represented Sweden at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, knows he, too, is but an impressive win or two away from cracking the top 10.

    The 28-year-old Guerrero has a record of 15-3-2 with 10 knockouts. Three of his past four wins have come by knockout, the most recent a seventh-round stoppage of Terrance Lewis on a Cedric Kushner Promotions show Aug. 25 in Laughlin, Nev.
    The 29-year-old Palms has a record of 10-1-1 with five knockouts and is coming off a win over Tali Kulihaapai on a Cedric Kushner Promotions card Jan. 18 at Paris-Las Vegas.

    Fields, also 29, has a record of 16-14-1 with 12 knockouts and is coming off a win over Jeremy Bates on that Cedric Kushner Promotions card Jan. 30 in Miami Beach. Fields has been in with several top heavyweights, including world-ranked Jameel McCline, Oleg Maskaev, Shannon Briggs and former
    WBC heavyweight champion Oliver McCall.

    The 32-year-old Thomas, originally from Jamaica, has a record of 10-1-1 with eight knockouts.
    The 31-year-old Walton has a record of 17-1-2 with 10 knockouts.
    The 31-year-old Elizalde has a record of 7-0 with three knockouts.
    The 27-year-old Awinongya, originally from Ghana, has a record of 9-3-3 with three knockouts and has won six straight. He's coming off a win over David Na'il on the Cedric Kushner Promotions card Jan. 30 in Miami Beach.
    The 31-year-old Garcia has a record of 11-1 with seven knockouts.
    The 26-year-old Gethers has a record of 4-3-1 with three knockouts.
    The 29-year-old Anderson has a record of 2-0 with one knockout and made his pro debut on that Cedric Kushner Promotions card Jan. 18 at Paris Las Vegas.
    The 30-year-old Berry has a record of 7-1-1 with four knockouts.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Nick Acevedo to Face "Cool" Vince Phillips``x1015442277,39584,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo

    TODAY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DATE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.......BAR NONE

    March 8, 1971 was the day the world stopped. It was the day the sports world would change forever. It was the day an 11 year old kid's life would never be the same.

    For this is the day that an 11 year old kid sat on the floor at 108 Ardmore Ave in Haddonfield N.J. 08033 reading the Courier Post about that night's big Fight. This pimpled face kid counted down the minutes, and kept asking his father who he thought would win tonight. This would go on to become Christmas Eve, Easter Sunday, And New Years eve for this school skippin brat. This is the Night that
    Ali and Frazier came to blows, and put on a fight for all-time
    between two of the six greatest Heavyweights who have yet lived. So don't try to contact me tonight after 11:03, I will be watching the fight beginning at the exact same time it started. I will be thinking back to 1971 and reminiscing.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMarch 8, 1971``x1015605615,47607,``x``x ``xUndefeated Paul "The Pittsburgh Kid" Spadafora (34-0, 14 KOs) goes against Angel Manfredy (39-5-1, 29 KOs) at the AJ Palumbo Center at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA on Saturday, March 9th. The fight will be broadcast HBO Boxing After Dark.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xSpandafora vs. Manfredy -- Mar 9``x1015610022,53363,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    Ring Promotions put on another solid show in New York City last night. Several up-and-coming local talents were featured before a sell-out, standing-room-only crowd. Unfortunately for the touted Andre Eason exposed himself a low level club fighter with no real potential.

    The evening started off with what turned out to be the best fight of the night. Waleed McFadden, Brooklyn tough guy who has been making some noise in the gyms, made his pro debut against Robert Astacio. In the first, Waleed pressed forward, left hand down and chin out, and his dreds covering one eye sort of like a black Veronica Lake. A calm and composed Astacio covered up and looked for openings to counter. At the start of the second Astacio began to control with a sporadic jab, and well-timed counter rights. Later, in the 3d and 4th, he switched up, slamming home some good left hooks while a puzzled Waleed looked for the right. All in all, a good solid performance by Astacio. Astacio appears to lack strength, but that may increase as he continues to work.

    The crowd truly came alive with the women's fight between Norma Galloway and Meaghan McBain. (that's my way of saying that I really didn't pay to close attention to this one.) Galloway copped a close nod.

    Gut-check of the night went to Chi Chi Rosdo and Chris Medina, a rematch of their October 2001 draw. Chi Chi lived up to his nickname and eeked out a split decision.

    In the final bout, purported prospect Andre Eason clubbed and pushed his way to a TKO (i.e. quit) over Michael Melvin, a late sub for Juan Golo Gomez-Trinidad. Eason fights with his feet planted wide apart, when he tries to move forward, he leads with his face. He showed no aptitude at all for moving up to tougher fights. His trainer, Yoel Judah, was nearly as comical as his fighter; between rounds Judah would rattle off 10 and 12 punch combinations, ostensibly as an example of how Eason should approach the match. Not once, however, did Judah say something as constructive as "hold your hands up."

    Ring has cards coming up on April 3 and 25th and if you are in the New York area, this is a great way to spend the evening, as the show is well run and there is an endless supply of Kit Kat bars ant the snack counter.

    Andre Eason TKO 4 Michael Melvin (Melvin retired in corner)
    Anthony Armstead W 6 (Unanimous) Mohammed Nuhu (60-53, 60-54, 58-55)
    Ubaldo Olivencia Majority Draw 4 Miguel Quintana (39-37 Olivencia, 38-38, 2x)
    Ariel Espinal W 4 (Unanimous) Victor Barnes (39-37 twice, 38-37)
    Norma Galloway W 4 (Split) Meagan McBain (39-37, 40-36, 37-39)
    Chi Chi Rosado W 4 (Split) Chris Medina (40-36, 39-37, 38-39)
    Roberto Astacio W 4 (Unanimous) Waleed McFadden (39-37 twice, 40-36)``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xResults From NYC; Park Central NY Hotel``x1015624307,99392,``x``x ``xBy Frank J. Lotierzo

    Can we as boxing columnists please stop matching the Champions of today with past greats? It's just my opinion but a present day title-holder cannot be fairly or accurately ranked until his career is completed. No one can predict how a supposedly great champion of today, undefeated or not, is going to rank until his career has heard its last bell.

    Case in point : As recently as 21 months ago a well-respected monthly boxing publication matched Oscar De la hoya against 10 of the greatest welterweight champions ever. In the panel's opinion, the then undefeated De la hoya would have defeated all but three of their top 10, which included Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns.

    I say to them, based on what?

    After seeing former lightweight champion Shane Mosley out-box and out-punch De la hoya in only his third fight as a Welterweight, I wonder how the same panel would rank the slightly- tarnished "Golden Boy". Could they possibly have believed that on his best day he would have beaten Sugar Ray or the "Hit Man"? I question whether Oscar could have beaten the best Donald Curry or Wilfred Benitez. And it's not a given that he could beaten Carlos Palomino.

    Did you know that in 1968 "Mr Boxing," Nat Fleisher, the founder of Ring magazine, did not have Muhammad Ali ranked in his top ten heavyweights of all time? However, his top 10 did include the likes of Jim Jeffries, Max Schmeling and James Braddock. I believe it is reasonable to assume that had Fleischer lived to see Ali's entire career, he would have been capable of making a more balanced evaluation, "Mr.Boxing" questioned Ali's toughness and ability to take a punch from a proven knockout puncher. Had he been around to see Ali's three fights with Joe Frazier and his title-winning effort against the fearsome George Foreman, Fleischer would have seen that Jeffries, Schmeling and Braddock had nothing to beat Ali with. He would painfully have had to admit that all three of them would have been only too glad to pay their way into a gym just to see Ali hit the heavy bag.

    Still not convinced ? Here's the best example why we need to wait until a fighter's career has ended before evaluating his place among the all-time greats: In 1988 another high-profile boxing publication rated then-undefeated heavyweight champion Mike Tyson the second-greatest heavyweight ever. Only the incomparable Muhammad Ali ranked above him. Incidentally, this ranking came on the heels of Tyson's 91-second knockout of 31-year- old former light heavyweight champion Michael Spinks. Does knocking out an over-fed 175-pounder in the signature fight of his career afford such a lofty place in history? Not when 21months later, Tyson was seen searching the canvas for his mouthpiece while being counted out against a journeyman named Buster Douglas-the same Buster
    Douglas who had been KO'd in three of four career defeats and entered the ring against Tyson in Tokyo a 42-1 underdog. Douglas will be remembered forever for being the first fighter to expose the myth called Mike Tyson. He also provided answers to the questions that some of us had about Tyson.

    What kind of chin does he have; can he get up off the canvas to win a fight; and how will he cope with a fighter who can take his punch?

    Six years later , Evander Holyfield, coming off the two worst fights of his career (the third bout with Riddick Bowe, in which he was knocked out, and a desultory effort against Bobby Czyz) showed, in front of the largest viewing
    audience ever to witness a televised fight, undeniable proof of Tyson's shortcomings. Holyfield, who had to be medically cleared to fight by the Mayo Clinic, erased any benefit of doubt afforded Tyson after the Douglas fight by scoring a Round 11 TKO. Once again Tyson showed he could not cope with a fighter who could not be intimidated and even dare to fight back. In the rematch eight months later Tyson showed he could not take a butt-kicking like a champion. When Tyson committed the most cowardly act in boxing history by biting both of Holyfield's ears, he was telling us that he wanted out of the fight before he was knocked out by Holyfield for the second consecutive time.

    Is this the body of work of a fighter considered to be the second-best heavyweight ever by some of those who are supposed to know? They could not have been more wrong! A fighters career must be complete on order to determine when he was truly at his best. Trying to match yesterday's fighters with those of today is about as credible as the computer that said light heavyweight champion Bob Foster would knock out heavyweight champion Joe Frazier one month before they fought. Frazier went on to knock Foster out cold in the second round.

    Frank J. Lotierzo
    "Toe to Toe"
    ESPN Radio 1490
    GlovedFist@Juno.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRating Fighters Past and Present : Pointless Until Career Complete``x1015626701,68501,``x``x ``xThis one is very tough to explain -- you will have to check it out yourselves --

    http://boxopera3.com/


    I dare JD Vena to go to the casting call!``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBoxOpera 3``x1015630168,67060,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Stephen "2 Pound" Forbes, the IBF 130 pound champ,
    says he has pulled out of the March 22 Phoenix, AZ
    card promoted by America Presents for broadcast on
    ESPN2. Forbes was originally booked to defend his
    title against Ernesto Zepeda on that show. When Zepeda
    was sidelined by a training injury, the search for a
    substitute was on. Forbes says the opponent kept
    changing every week. "The fact is, there was no stable
    opponent. There were too many different styles to
    train for properly." After several such changes,
    Forbes decided to pull out. He says the promoter
    "Understood. I’m a champion. I’m not a preliminary
    fighter."

    Forbes says his next bout will be a mandatory defense
    against Lamont Pearson. The date has not yet been set.
    Forbes says Pearson is scheduled to fight on the March
    22. "I’ll go and watch his fight and hopefully we’ll
    sign the contract right after that."

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x"2 Pound" Bows Out For Now ``x1015685701,23001,``x``x ``xBy Joe Koizumi

    Beloved by great many Japanese fight fans, WBA #12 ranked lightweight Rick Yoshimura Roberts, 37, announced he'll hang up the gloves for good after he suffered a defeat by a unanimous 12-round verdict at the hand of Masakazu Satake in a quest for the OPBF 140-pound title underneath the WBA 115-pound title bout in Tokyo yesterday.


    Frederick Roberts, a US military computer engineer, was born in New York on February 12, 1965, and made his unsuccessful debut there on November 10, 1983, losing a 4-round decision to Michael Dominguez. Rick suffered his second setback to Thomas Otero by a 4-round decision in January 1984. He was just 0-2, and gave up fighting until he entered the US army to be transferred to Japan in 1987.


    Working in Misawa Base Camp, Rick resumed training at Hachinohe Boxing Gym and made his second debut in Japan by outscoring Shigenori Motoi over 6 rounds after a 46-month layoff in 1987. He got married with an attractive Japanese girl named Yoshimura, and began to fight as Rick Yoshimura. The lanky Alexis Arguello stylist improved a lot since, and captured the Japanese 140-pound title by stopping Yoshihiro Yamamoto in 6 rounds at the Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, in January 1990. Rick kept it twice but lost it to ex-Olympic gold medalist, imported Russian, Viacheslav Ianovski on points in March 1991.


    The US military order moved Rick to Tokyo from Misawa, and then he moved from Hachinohe Teiken Gym to Ishikawa Gym presided by ex-Japanese light champ Keiichi Ishikawa in 1993. Rick kept winning after he forfeited the Japanese junior welter belt as he moved down to the lightweight division.


    In September 1993, Rick seized his second Japanese national belt in the 135-pound class when he chalked up a fine second-round TKO victory over Makoto Nishizawa in Tokyo. In his first defense, however, Rick lost his diadem to an upcoming hard-hitting novice named Hiroyuki Sakamoto (who later had a world title shot four times, losing to Steve Johnston, Cesar Bazan, Gilberto Serrano and Takanori Hatakeyama) via upset 9th round TKO in December that year.


    With Sakamoto renouncing the national light belt, Rick was given another chance to regain the throne and did so by beating Hiroyuki Maeda, a currently world-rated welter campaigner, in January 1995.


    Since then, the stylish jabber registered 22 defenses of the title to his credit by defeating the likes of: Jun Nakaya (W10), Hisao Arai (KO5), ex-champ Hiroyuki Maeda (W10), Masaaki Morooka (TKO8), Hiroshi Ikehata (TKO4), Koji Takae (W10), Shinji Kamei (TKO5), Yasunobu Tsukamoto (W10), Tomoaki Sakayori (KO8), Kazu Arisawa (KO3), Yudai Okane (TKO5), ex-Olympian Satoru Higashi (W10), Yoichi Iwamoto (TKO5), Andrei Bunta (TKO7), Yasuharu Yamaguchi (TKO3), Norio Kimura (W10), Kenji Fukunaga (TKO10), Takayuki Yoshioka (W10), Tadashi Yuba (D10), Takahiro Shimada (W10), Hironari Ohshima (W10) and Takehiro Shimada again (W10).


    After his 21st defense, Rick was obliged to leave Japan as the US government transferred him to a military base in Florida. He was to forfeit his national belt upon his departure, but the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) gave Rick a special permission, considering his great contribution to the Japanese boxing world, to make his 22nd and final defense in November 2000. He scored a successful record-breaking defense by beating Shimada at the Korakuen Hall. (Ironically enough, Shimada welcomed a coronation to become the national 135-pound champ by dethroning Norio Kimura on the same card of Rick’s final showing yesterday.)


    Rick welcomed a couple of climaxes in his 18-year career. One was his exhibition with his idol Alexis Arguello at the Korakuen Hall in a promotion titled “World Challenger Scout” promoted by this reporter in 1995, while Rick was the national 135-pound champ and Arguello was in the twilight of his long career after his final and ill-fated comeback. Yours truly remember Rick was greatly excited to exchange gloves with Arguello before the audience.


    Another climax was his first and last world title shot on February 17 of the previous year, when Rick failed to win the WBA world lightweight throne as he battled to a controversial draw with Japanese defending champ Takanori Hatakeyama over 12 grueling rounds. Rick kept outboxing and outlegging to piling up more points than the champ, who, aware of being behind on points, desperately kept boring in to sweep the last five sessions. Some people said that Rick had accumulated more than 5 points before Hatakeyama’s last surge. The official tallies were: 115-112 for Rick, 116-111 for Hatakeyama and 114-114 by a Nicaraguan judge named Alexis Arguello. Without Rick’s penalty deducted for his holding in the 9th canto, he would have been the winner and new champ. Before this title bout materialized, great many Japanese fans had earnestly urged Hatakeyama to give Rick a shot at his world belt, so did he. The long anticipated card gathered a sellout crowd at the Ryogoku Sumo Arena then. It was a very good fight.


    Rick, who was still very popular among fight fans here, was booked this time against upcoming southpaw speedster Masakazu Satake in a bid for the latter’s OPBF super-light crown. It was agreed by both parties that they would fight at the 138-pound catchweight, since Rick is a legitimate lightweight and Satake a 140-pounder. Rick fought well, though beaten decisively by the fast-handed and fresher Satake on points.


    Rick, whose overall record was 38-6-2, 20 KOs, announced his retirement from boxing after this setback, and he will return to Florida to resume his military service. Rick, keep your head high. You were a great national champ we, Japanese fans, will never forget. Your 22 defenses of the national title, the very most in Japan, will shine here despite your departure and retirement.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRick "Yoshimura" Roberts retires ``x1015795234,73751,``x``x ``xMUNOZ, 22-0, 22 KOs, DEMOLISHES KOBAYASHI IN 8 TO WIN WBA 115-POUND BELT

    By Joe Koizumi

    March 9, 2002, TOKYO, JAPAN-Unbeaten Venezuelan hard-puncher Alexander Munoz (22-0, 22 KOs), 115, impressively dethroned defending champ Celes Shoji Kobayashi(right photo) (24-5-3, 14 KOs), 115, Japan, as he displayed devastating power in dropping him five times en route to a fine TKO victory at 1:31 of the 8th round at Bodokan (Martial Arts Hall) in Tokyo.

    Munoz, 23, sent the champ, 29, to the deck in the second, 6th, 7th and the fatal 8th (twice) to show his awesome power.

    Scored after the 7th: Guy Jutras (Canada) 69-62, Derek Milham (Australia) 69-62, and Jose Laurino (Uruguay) 68-62, all for the Venezuelan KO artist.

    Munoz started a furious attack in the opening canto by battering the champ even on his guard with all his power for full three minutes. Kobayashi covered himself up well and sometimes retaliated with his southpaw lefts to the breadbasket in the second, when Munoz caught him with a vicious left hook to have him kneel down for a mandatory 8 count.

    Kobayashi was in command in the third as he often connected with southpaw lefts to the face of the aggressive Venezuelan. They fought on nearly even terms in the 4th with Munoz roughly attacking and Kobayashi coming back with effective combos to the belly.

    Munoz regained his pace by shaking up the champ with a left uppercut to the chin and maintaining his aggressiveness in the 5th. In the 6th, Munoz floored him again with a right-left-right combination but Kobayashi desperately fought back to survive the crisis.

    The fatal 8th saw Munoz force him to the ropes to drop the champ by a left hook and once more by a wicked right. Referee Stanley Christodoulou declared a halt to stop the massacre. The dethroned champ stayed prone on the canvas for some minutes.

    The newly crowned champ, who looked like a young Wilfredo Gomez, celebrated his triumph and dedicated his coronation to the aficionados of his mother country. Munoz avenged the losses of his senior compatriots Leo Gamez and Jesus Kiki Rojas by Kobayashi by banging out the Japanese southpaw to the punch.

    UNDERCARD:
    OPBF SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
    WBC #12 ranked Masakazu Satake (15-2-4, 8 KOs), 138, kept his OPBF 140-pound title by posting a unanimous decision over WBA #12 ranked lightie Rick Yoshimura Roberts (38-6-2, 20 KOs), 137.5, over 12 rounds.

    Scored: referee Morita 117-115, judges Uchida and Abe 119-112 and 120-112 respectively, all for the fast-moving lefty Satake.

    They showed a very lousy fight in the first half to be severely jeered by the crowd, though Satake was slightly leading on points. But Satake, 24 and 13 years his junior, started fireworks by battering the lanky veteran with a fusillade of punches in the 8th.

    The Japanese, making his 6th defense, swept the last three rounds to confirm his victory over the still popular US military computer engineer who had registered 22 defenses of the Japanese 135-pound title before moving to Florida.

    JAPANESE FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
    Upcoming Eiichi Sugama (23-2, 19 KOs), 125, kept his national feather title as he was awarded a unanimous technical decision over Haruhiko Okuda (21-3-2, 15 KOs), 126, due to the latter’s bad bleeding at 2:58 of the 9th round.

    Scored at the stoppage: 88-84, 89-84 and 87-86, all for Sugama who controlled the proceedings by connecting with more accurate shots to the onrushing Okuda, who suffered nasty cuts on both eyebrows.

    JAPANESE LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
    Rugged puncher Takehiro Shimada (11-3, 7 KOs), 135, captured the Japanese lightweight belt by eking out a hairline but unanimous decision over lefty defending champ Norio Kimura (17-5-2, 5 KOs), 135, over 10. It was a terribly lousy contest.

    Scored: Asao 97-95, Fukuchi 96-95 and Abe 96-94, all for the body puncher.

    Promoter: Akihiko Honda’s Teiken Promotions.

    WBA supervisor: Renzo Bagnariol (Nicaragua).

    The WBA president Gilberto Mendoza came to Tokyo just to witness this mandatory title bout during his brief two-day visit.

    (3-9-02)

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x"Explosivo" Munoz goes to 22-0 in Title Win at 115``x1015871776,20770,``x``x ``x
    Bert Sugar and Friends




    Wanna see more like this -- go to


    RoundCardGirlz.com/
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPhoto of the Week``x1015964256,48517,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    Reports from Juárez Hopital in Mexico City today indicate that Luis Villanueva, better known as "Kid Azteca," has been hospitalized in with serious kidney failure, as well as agonizing complications from anemia, pneumonia, and peritonitis. The 88-year-old is on a respirator.

    The legendary boxer welterweight, born according the some records in 1915 (although the hospital reports June 21, 1913), fought from 1929 through 1961 in nearly 250 fights, holding the Mexican welterweight title for many years, and fighting some of the top fighters of the Thirties and Forties, including Cefarino Garcia, Cocoa Kid, Fritzie Zivic, and Baby Casanova.

    Azteca's doctor, Elí García Ruiz, has placed him on dialysis but his condition remains grave and his prognosis guarded. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMexican Icon Kid Azteca Hospitalized in Grave Condition``x1016220521,25757,``x``x ``xBy Chrsi Strait

    In front of a packed house under a tent shade in the parking lot of the Burbank Hilton (something must have been wrong with the convention center this time around), Carlos Madrigal won the WBO intercontinental bantamweight belt with a hard-fought fifth-round TKO win over durable mexican veteran Oswaldo Guerrero.. "El Terror" had his local fan base behind him as he pounded his rival at will. Guerrero showed a tremendous chin, but had simply taken too much punishment throughout... and his corner called a halt at the
    end of the fifth. Madrigal moves to 19-3 (14 KO's), while Guerrero slips to 27-14 (24 KO's).

    This was an action packed fight that was non-stop punching from the start. Madrigal showed patient aggression, as many fighters would've become frustrated with such a resilient opponent. "El Terror" simply began luring Guerrero in with decent defensive moves. He also showed a good chin himself when getting tagged in between punches. While certainly living up to it's billing as a main event, this bout was just the icing on the cake. The great action had been going on all night.

    Heavyweight prospect Steve "the Gentle Giant" Vukosa, of Quincy Massachusetts, moved to 7-0 (4 KO's) with a second-round knockout of game but overmatched David Johnson, of Cleveland, now 0-3. Johnson leaped right into Vukosa at the opening bell, but Vukosa's southpaw left began bothering him soon thereafter. After being stunned by a vicious straight left to the jaw in the second, Johnson was caught with a left to the body, and went down for the count at the 2:52 mark. Vukosa had fought only two weeks before, going the 6 round distance.

    Another barn burner took place when Joshua Zurfluh of Long Beach moved to 2-1 with a four round majority decision over Ruben Navarro (now 1-4-1-1KO), of Northridge. This junior middleweight bout was close and full of action, but a knockdown in the first made the difference, as Navarro went down late in the round. Zurfluh was landing the uppercut at will, also, which I'm sure made an impression on the judges. However, the Valley crowd was not happy that the decision went against their man.

    There were a couple of mismatches on the card as well. In another heavyweight matchup, local favorite Milan Rodzak got his third win (all knockouts) against one loss by beating pitiful Shane Harris, 2-5 (2 KO's). Harris has pop in the right hand if he ever lands it... but has the punch-taking ability of a four-year-old. So naturally, after Rodzak landed a hard shot to the eye (in all fairness, it could've been a thumb), Harris quickly gave up...going down 3 times in the opening round (twice officially). On his third trip, he was counted out.

    In the middleweight opener, Rafi Garcia got his second win, by stopping a game but sloppy Vincent Rendon in the first round. Rendon was making his debut, and looks as if more time in the gym is in order. The fans booed the stoppage.. but I think the ref did a good thing in saving us from watching 3 more rounds of impotent flailing.

    I must say Ron Williams and RW promotions did it again... giving those in attendence as good a show in the parking lot as he had in the ballroom a few months back. the action was consistent. The hot dogs were good. The beautiful, business-minded Dazza was selling her calendars again... no, I still didn't buy one. And except for the occasional parking lot tree sticking up in the middle of the general admission seats, you'd have never even known we were outside. My only gripe was with the hip-hop opera after the third fight (no,
    I'm not kidding!). But overall, keep up the good work. I will definitely be back.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMadrigal Pounds Geurrero ``x1016222256,72257,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    Kid Azteca passed away in the early hours this morning at Juarez Hospital. His end by all accounts was extremely painful.

    At his side was his friend of 60 years, Carlos Moreno.

    Azteca was born Luis Villanueva Páramo on June 21, 1913 in Tepito, Mexico; he moved with his family to Nuevo laredo as a young boy. He was Mexican welterweight champion from 1932 through 1949.

    On a related note, Manuel Villanueva, a man who claims to be the son of Kid Azteca has surfaced in Colonia Guerrero. He claims he ran away as a young boy and that his father refused to ever see him again. Carlos Moreno denies that the Kid ever had any children. At the Kid's hospital bedside, an indignant Moreno called the putative son a liar: "God could not give him everything -- fame, money, victories. But not children. Let's not invent things. This guy who says he is [Azteca's} son is an imposter."

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xKid Azteca dead at 88``x1016299426,9280,``x``x ``xKlitschko stops Botha and hops over Lewis
    Corey Sanders and Daniel Santos new World Cup leaders

    by Kris van De Velde

    WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko is the new leader in WCOB's heavyweight Total Ranking thanks to an eight-round stoppage win over South African Francois Botha in Stuttgart, Germany, on Saturday. Referee Genaro Rodriguez halted the unequal battle after Botha had been wobbled and eventually floored by a hard straight right. The win gave the youngest of the Klitschko brothers 306 WCup points, linked to Botha's 28th place overall.

    Botha lived up to his reputation as spoiler as he bothered the taller
    Klitschko with clinching and wild offensives for most of the early rounds - just like he did against Tyson three years ago. Klitschko initially looked uninspired and rusty after a nine-month lay-off. In the fifth round, Klitschko gradually found his range with the jab and started landing some good shots.

    Botha tired and already received a warning blow in the seventh, before the 25-year-old Ukrainian finished his night's work a round later.

    As long as the other top heavyweights do not feel the need to climb into the ring, Wladimir Klitschko will at least enjoy seeing his name at the top of the Total Ranking. With 306 points added to his 1800 starting points, he is currently 106 points clear of Lennox Lewis.

    However, In the 2002 WCup competition he has to be content with a
    provisional third place behind his elder brother Vitaly and American Corey Sanders. Sanders (#22, v352) became the new leader on Sunday after he stopped Russian Oleg Maskaev (#26, v322) in the eighth round at the Gold Coast Casino in Oroville, California. The 312 lbs. Sanders was behind on points when he delivered two big left hooks that dropped Maskaev. He managed to get back on his feet, but was soon floored again. The referee halted the bout. Sanders, who was lying third in the WCup standings with 172 points after beating Terrence Lewis in January, thus gets another 322 points and now heads the competition with 494 WCup points.

    Former WBC cruiserweight champion Juan Carlos Gomez is now officially
    pursuing a career at heavyweight. He warmed up for bigger events when
    stopping unranked Ken Murphy in two rounds.

    Another German boxing star, Sven Ottke (#2, v1800), succesfully defended his IBF super middleweight title for the 13th time against unheralded Australian challenger Rick Thornberry (#80, v40) in a bout unworthy of being labelled "world championship". Ottke easily won every round on all scorecards, but beating somebody the likes of Thornberry does not provide him with too many WCup points. His compatriot and EBU champion Danilo Häussler will have liked to
    see it happening as he leads the competition with 420 points following his victory over #18 Glenn Catley last week.

    We have a new unofficial World Cup leader at super welterweight: Daniel Santos (#5, v1200 at 147 lbs). The classy southpaw showed great skills in stopping the ever-coming forward Yori Boy Campas (#6, v1000) for the WBO title in Las Vegas. Santos had a scary moment in the eighth round, but replied with a hard left in the eleventh that cut the demoralized Campas, who decided he had taken enough punishment. As a result, Santos earns Campas' 1000 WCup points and moves ahead of Angel Hernandez by 400 points.

    At welterweight, Antonio Margarito (#15, v450) stopped Antonio Diaz (#6, v1000) in the tenth round of a second WBO championship bout. Diaz started off quick, but Margarito proved the better boxer. After a few rounds Margarito connected more and more of his punches and floored his opponent with a series of uppercuts in the tenth. Diaz' corner had seen enough and threw in the towel. Margarito thus firmly establishes himself amongst the top welterweights, and assumes second place in the WCup standings, behind Vernon Forrest.

    Cruz Carbajal (#36, v248) crowned himself WBO bantamweight champion in Veracruz, Mexico. Carbajal knocked out defending title holder Mauricio Martinez (#7, v900) in the ninth round after a spirited effort. Carbajal therefore chases Wcup leader Rafael Marquez by merely 100 points. It'll be interesting to see how that race develops, especially with highly-touted Timothy Austin still inactive
    in 2002.

    More top-class bantamweight action took place in Vyborg, Denmark, on
    Friday. European champion Spend Abazi (#25, v330) kept his belt with a good points win over Russian Dimitri Kirilov (#13, v470 at 115 lbs). The fight was quite even for most of the rounds with Abazi taking a slight advantage thanks to his higher workrate. However, in the 12th round Abazi brushed aside any possible doubts as he knocked the previously unbeaten Kirilov down to take a 115-114/116-112 and 117-111 decision. In the current WCup standings Abazi's victory translates in a provisional third spot behind Marquez and Carbajal.

    On the Vyborg undercard, highly-ranked welterweight Thomas Damgaard (#7, v900) stopped unranked Wilfredo Ruiz in two rounds. It was Damgaard's second outing of the year, but both were five-pointers, keeping him well out of the spotlights in the World Cup.

    Light heavyweight Mads Larsen (#12, v480) on the other hand improves to a provisional third place in the competition by outpointing Frenchman Joe Siluvangi (#59, v115) over eight rounds. The Danish hope is now scheduled to face European champion Yawe Davis.

    Super middleweight Michael Kessler (#17, v430) added 12 points to his WCup tally by stopping #98 Arthur Allen in six.

    At York Hall in England's Bethnal Green, middleweight Ryan Rhodes (#26, v322) got stopped by Lee Blundell in three rounds, turning the previously unranked Blundell into a useful name in the current middleweight WCup standings. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWeekend Round-up ``x1016462682,97726,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Boxing Loses a Saint

    I can remember the scene at the Somerville Boxing Club as if it were yesterday. It was a typical fall day at the gym, which saw several hard working young men and boys working on their mechanics. There were some skipping rope, some wailing on heavy bags hung from the ceilings, and others looking into mirrors while they threw punches in the air. But in one of the club’s two rings, middleweight Andy Rivera would be seen firing crisp punches at the target pads worn by Ralph Palmacci. At 80 years old Palmacci does his best in keeping up with his feisty protégé who pushes himself until the bell ends three minutes of rigorous excercise. During the minute hiatus, the eyes turn to Palmacci, who removes the target pads from his tired hands and steps out of the ring and to his surprise each member of the gym looks on proudly as they applaud Palmacci as if he had just won a world title.

    It was comeback story to say the least, one that any one could be proud of. Just two months prior Palmacci had a total knee replacement. After years of fighting and walking the tall staircases everyday to teach youthful pugs how to throw punches and protect themselves, Palmacci’s worn body had started to give out on him but his heart and desire never failed him. This past Tuesday, Palmacci’s body finally gave out on him when he passed away in a hospital bed. Palmacci left behind fond memories and many admirers.

    “Everyone loved Ralphy,” said dear friend Norman Stone, the manager of Johnny Ruiz. “He feared no one and loved everyone. That’s something that everyone could agree with about the guy.”

    Through his adult life and much of his later years, Palmacci dedicated his weekday evenings and weekend afternoons overseeing the development of the youth of the Boston area. It was one of his strongest pleasures to see these kids make the most of themselves and one of them ended up with a championship belt.

    “He was so happy to see Johnny win the title,” said Stone. “That was something that he and everyone else in the gym wanted and I’m happy that he got to see it happen.”

    Ruiz and Stone recently each donated $10,000 checks in Palmacci’s name to the Somerville Boxing Club, so that saints such as late Palmacci could have a facility to train boxers. Through his elder years and deteriorated knee, nothing could keep Palmacci from carrying out his charitable duties. He made himself available day in and day out so that he could watch boxing reward some of the hardworking individuals that came to him. Palmacci got to see plenty of it throughout his well-lived life, one that you could easily applaud.

    Cappiello Mohegan Sun Bring Boxing Back to Boston in Style

    Beginning Friday night at the Roxy in downtown Boston, promoter Rich Cappiello, a second cousin of the late great Rocky Marciano and Mohegan Sun Casino will team together to bring a new television series to Fox Sports Net New England. It’s an 8-fight deal, which will be rebroadcasted on the network on Sunday afternoons to showcase some of the better talent of the region.

    “We wanted to give New England fighters more exposure so that they could build a following,” said Cappiello. “We’re hoping that with added exposure on Fox Sports Net New England, fighters will be able to advance much quicker to the next level because of marketing advantages that they never had before. Going into the ‘Mohegan Sun’s Fight Night in New England’ will be more like a night on the town. Our goal is to bring a little bit of the Las Vegas boxing experience to Boston and other parts of New England on a monthly basis.”

    The first to possibly benefit from the inaugural show will be the winner of boxer/model/actor Richie “The Mountain” La Montange 24-4-1 (19 KO’s) of Everett and Dorchester native Wilfredo “Pepe” Muniz who clash in a 10-round cruiserweight bout. It’s a crossroads match-up between two fighters who will head in certain direction. Several years ago, LaMonthange had been moving towards a world title shot until losing distance fights to Kenny Keene and current IBF titlist Vasily Jirov. LaMontange was the first to extend Jirov the 12-round distance. Muniz had also enjoyed early success going 10-0 until suffering devastating losses to New England Cruiserweight champion Timmy Flamos.

    Those who either attend the show or catch in on Fox will finally be able to see what I’m talking about when they witness “Sir” William “The Galdiator” Gibbs (5-0, 4 KO’s) take on Bahamian Kenny “The Jake” Stubbs (10-6, 7 KO’s) in a 6-round middleweight bout. Gibbs, a cousin of undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins now lives in Brockton, the home of the last undisputed champ, Marvin Hagler. Former Puerto Rican amateur star, Aaron “2-Guns” Torres will also look to take advantage of his first TV appearance when he faces the Bahamian champion Holbrook Storr (5-0, 1 KO) of Nassau. In three other scheduled bouts, Shaun Creegan (9-1) of Plainville, MA will meet Rocky McCray and Harold Rodrigues of Taunton will make his pro debut in taking on Billy “The Kid” Mofford and Christina Rondeau of Woonsocket, RI takes on Erica Sugar of Garrett Park, MD.

    Providing the TV commentary will be Stu Tayloy with Malden’s Dana Rosenblatt will handle the solor commentary with George Kimball of the Boston Herald. The doors will open at 5:30 with the first bout scheduled for 7:00. For ticket information call 508-587-5554 or 508-587-3370.

    Though the match-up guarantees excitement, I can’t say I’m too excited for the proposed Micky Ward – Arturro Gatti brawl slated for May 18th. The fight will be as exciting as any fight you can make with the possible exception of Kostya Tszyu’s first defense of the undisputed 140-pound title against the division’s most deserving contender, Ben “Wonder” Tackie. What makes me cynical of the Ward-Gatti fight is the fact that it will take place the same night Tszyu and Tackie fight for division bragging rights. This is one of those times I wish I could be in two places at one time.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta - By JD Vena``x1016508395,69002,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    Two-time New York Golden Gloves Champion Carmine Tufano goes against Brad baker (14-2, 12 ko) Friday, March 22 at the Huntington Hilton in Huntington, NY.

    The well-conditioned Tufano, at 17-1, 1 NC, looks to establish himself as a contender for a 169-lb title shot.

    Tufano, whose last fight was postponed due to a cut in sparring, was anxious
    to get back in the ring. "I can't believe Friday is almost here," he said.
    "It's been a long time in between fights (last fight June 16, 2001). But I
    got the rust off in sparring. I worked hard in training and I'm ready."

    Dead End Kid Paulie Malignaggi battles Ryan Maraldo in a 6-round co-feature.

    Meanwhile, Aneudi Santos, the Hofstra University sophomore fighting Marvin
    Anderson in a four-round light heavyweight bout, was busy at the library
    putting the finishing touches on a paper due before spring break. Santos, a
    native of the Dominican, is 2-0 in the pro ranks.

    For tickets to the Winters Boxing card, call 631-491-5807. "We sold out our
    first show (January 18) with a crowd of more than 1,200 in the Huntington
    Hilton ballroom," said Winters. "We are hoping for more of the same on
    Friday."
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTufano Headlines Long Island Card``x1016649282,47113,``x``x ``xWeekend Preview: Super flyweights battling for top positions;
    Tokuyama and Japan ready to counter Munoz;
    Roberts-Garcia and Baldomir-Cruz other fights to look out for

    by Kris van De Velde

    The WBC super flyweight title is on the line this weekend at the Yokohama Arena in Japan, when defending champion Masamori Tokuyama (#1, v2000) squares off against his compatriot Kazuhiro Ryuko (#22, v352). Japan lost the WBA title in this division last week, as Celes Kobayashi got defeated by Alexander Munoz from Venezuela. As a result, Munoz also leaped ahead of Tokuyama in WCOB's Total Ranking by 240 points. But Tokuyama can reclaim his number one position if he beats Ryuko, who's worth 352 points at present. In the 2002 World Cup competition Tokuyama can enter in third place, but Ryuko can become the new leader if he causes a second upset in two weeks!

    The right to face universally recognized welterweight champion Vernon
    Forrest is at stake in Friday's clash between Carlos Baldomir (#8, v800) and unbeaten Jose Luis Cruz (#26, v322) in Mazatlan, Mexico. The 30-year-old Baldomir is a very experienced Argentinean who has lost nine times in his pro career, but who has recently been on a winning spree.

    Cruz, quite a puncher, should surely not take him too lightly.
    Lots of World Cup points are to be won in this fight, and the winner will normally move up to seventh place in the Total Ranking.

    The Elephant & Castle Centre in London is the venue for Steve Roberts' important match-up with Mexico's Quirino Garcia (#16, v440). Roberts (#10, v600) has won all of his 28 fights to date and has been moving up the ladder at a consistent pace. With Garcia he faces a seasoned fighter, who will probaby answer many questions about Roberts' aspirations at the highest level.

    The winner of this bout will establish himself at the very top of the super welterweight division, as a sixth place in the Total Ranking is within reach. Both fighters already scored some WCup points this year too. Roberts is lying 7th with 82 points, Garcia 5th at middleweight with 86 points. They can move up to third place in the competition led by new WBO champion Daniel Santos after his win over Yori Boy Campas with 1000 points.

    Former middleweight and super middleweight star James Toney (#10, v600) is still pursuing his cruiserweight ambitions with a solid fight against Sione Asipeli (#35, v255). Toney is looking forward to a shot at Vassily Jirov's IBF belt. If successful on Friday, Toney will enter the World cup race in a provisional 4th place, and move up to 8th in the Total Ranking.

    Former Mayweather victim and high-ranked super featherweight Jesus Chavez (#5, v1200) is looking to get back to winning ways with a bout against Luis Lizarraga (#52, v150) in Austin, Texas on Friday. But beating someone ranked outside the top 50 will not make him look that impressive in the current World Cup standings, where Acelino Freitas and European champion Pedro Miranda are calling the shots.

    Light heavyweight Montell Griffin (#10, v600) returns to the ring after an ordinary five-pointer earlier on this year, and steps up the competition with a scheduled fight versus Rodney Toney (#50, v160 at 168 lbs) in Las Vegas on Saturday. Although definitely not a superfight, it's a fight Griffin needs in order to maintain his shaky position in the division's top 10.

    On the same show, cruiserweight Arthur Williams (#16, v440) meets undefeated heavyweight Kelvin Davis (#90, v20 at +190 lbs).

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    www.worldcupofboxing.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Preview``x1016808597,57060,``x``x ``x“Mountiain” La Montange Pummels “Pepe” Muniz
    By JD Vena

    Boston, MA – In previous televised main events, Everett’s Richie LaMontange has come up short. But last night La Montange, a part time actor/model came through as a full time fighter with a pulverizing 2nd round KO over cross-town rival Wilfredo “Pepe” Muniz at a sell-out standing room only crowd at the Roxy. The bout was the first of promoter Rich Cappiello’s 8 planned boxing events to take place over the course of the year, all to be televised on Fox Sports Net New England.

    Muniz, 194, of Dorchester, MA via Puerto Rico was himself hoping to take advantage of the television exposure but his plans came crumbling down with a La Montange left hook early in the second round. La Montange, who models and acts on occasion is not known for his left hook but has been working on his hook and other aspects of his game which have kept him from beating the likes of Kenny Keene and IBF cruiserweight champion Vasily Jirov. But La Montange, 195, made good with his recent development with Goody Petronelli.

    “When I started working with Goody, he had me open up my hook a little more,” said La Montange of his new trainer who has worked with the likes of Marvin Hagler, Robbie Sims and Steve Collins. “Before I wasn’t able to land the punch because I was so tight but the work paid off.”

    Did it ever. After a feeling out first round, which saw Muniz circle and jab, La Montange became more aggressive in the second and landed a hook that sent Muniz on his back and had him looking up at referee Paul Casey who stopped the bout towards the end of his count at the 1:04 mark.

    “I had a lot of personal problems before with the custody battle for my daughter,” said Lamontange who proposed to Ann Marie LaFauci in his previous bout. “But everything is starting to come together. Everything is clicking now.”

    LaMontange was also the hometown favorite as evidenced by the enormous crowd that packed into the popular night club. Among the fans, San Diego Charges QB, Doug Flutie. “It was great to see all of my friends and fans here but when I'm in the ring, all of my focus is on my opponent.” LaMontange improved to 25-4-1 with 20 KO’s .

    La Montange wasn’t the only fighter to benefit from a thrilling win on a television appearance at the Roxy. Brockton’s “Sir” Willie “The Galdiator” Gibbs and Aaron Torres, two promising arrivals from Philadelphia made good in scoring impressive knockouts in heir bouts. Gibbs, 159, a cousin of middleweight champ, Bernard Hopkins scored a devastating knockout when he flattened Kenny Stubbs, 158 of Nassau, The Bahamas early in the third round. Gibbs had Stubbs on the mat twice in the second round from a body beating, which led to his head assault in the third.

    “My plan is to always start off with a body attack,” said the winner who improved to 6-0 with 5 knockouts. “I was very confident with coming out with leading with my right hand in the third.” Just seconds into the third, “The Gladiator” charged across the right with a long right hand that felled the Bahamian flat on his back. After struggling to his feet for the third time, referee John Zablocki waved it over at the :12 of the round.

    Torres, 135, got rid of his Bahamian opponent, Darren Miller, 133, also of Nassau early in his bout with a crunching left hook to the body. “He stunned me with a wild hook,” said Torres. “But I was never hurt. I noticed that when I hit him to the body that he cringed and when he did I followed up with another left hook. I knew he wouldn’t get up from that shot.” Miller, who was clearly in pain made no attempt as Zab counted him out at 2:40 of the round. The win improved Torres to 9-1 with 5 KO’s.

    Billy Mofford, 211 of Stoughton, MA won a 4-round unanimous decision over debuting Harold Rodriguez, 220, of Taunton. Mofford is now 3-1-1Shaun Creegan, 163, a South Boston chimneysweeper, returned to the ring after a 3 ½ year absence to win a 4-round majority decision over trial horse Manny Teo, 161, of Marlboro, MA. Creegan’s punch is about as soft as his midsection, though Teo couldn’t do enough to keep him off of him. Creegan improved to 10-1-2 and has yet to score a knockout. He’ll fit down a chimney before that happens. Also drawing a decent crowd last night as Christina Rondeau, 128, of Woonsocket, RI won her first professional fight with a third round knockout over Korin Pacheco, 128, of Manchester, NH who was making her debut. Rondeau’s debut 2 years ago ended in the first round when an accidental head butt opened a gash over one of her eyes. She is now 1-0-1.

    If you weren’t at the Roxy last night or were too drunk to remember anything, Fox Sports Net New England will broadcast the show on on Sunday, March 31st at 3 PM.

    Promoter- Richard Cappiello
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLa Montange KO2 Pepe Muniz``x1016902921,25362,``x``x ``xby Barry Hanley

    Friday Night Fights of May 22nd took place at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Arizona. The main event of the evening featured one of the fight games most technically proficient boxers…..James 'Lights Out' Toney. To say Toney has a weight fluctuation problem would be like saying a one legged duck swims in a circle. The facts are there for all to see. Toney has come to the apron in a wide variety of incarnations since his heyday, during which he pummeled 'Second to' Nunn and terrified most elite fighters. His most recent appearance was on the silver screen in the weak and inaccurate Michael Mann rendition of the Ali Story. Toney played Joe Frazier. Tonight he came in at a portly 195, a vast improvement from his last outing at 225, where he proved a dead ringer for the man he played in the movie.

    The undercard of the evening kicked off with a pair of super bantamweights. Twenty-two year old Orlando Salido 11-8-1 with 7 KO's faced Thirty-one year old Lamont Pearson 17-0-1 with 10 kayos. Both fighters backs were emblazoned by the henna week long tattoos that have become so prevalent since Hopkins started the trend against Trinidad. Perhaps superstition has something to do with it.

    The first round set the tone for the fight, not an uncommon scenario. The favored Pearson was simply outworked by Salido who combined a bevy of quality body shots with a barrage of alternating left and right hooks to the noodle. Pearson appeared to be loading up excessively and in doing so, forgot about the jab, the only weapon that could have kept Salido at bay. You can't open a can without a can opener and in boxing the jab is the can opener. The lack of any jab allowed Salido 'into the kitchen' and he capitalized accordingly.
    The second was a virtual carbon copy. Salido's work rate continued to escalate and Pearson had no answer for his frenetic attack. In the third, Pearson continued to wait for a shot at Salido's suspect whiskers. The latter has been knocked out five times. The wait proved in vain though. Salido continued to dominate. In the seventh round Pearson finally connected with the right cross he had been envisioning all night. Salido took it and continued though, winning the fight in a unanimous decision in what most considered an upset.

    The next fight of the evening featured two real female fighters. It was refreshing to see two boxers in there as opposed to some eye candy that couldn't knock snow off a rope. If that's what you're into try mud wrestling. The women in question were two featherweights, Jojo Wyman 8-3-1 with no knockouts versus Laura Serrano, 13-0-2 with 4 KO's. Serrano had the more impressive pedigree coming in. Her first fight as a pro was a draw against Christy Martin. The determined Mexican proved a handful for the Coalminer's daughter.

    At the opening bell both squared off in the southpaw stance. Serrano came forward throughout the fight. Her rugged determination was well met by some superb counterpunching from Wyman.

    Serrano, a certified lawyer in her native Mexico, didn't miss a beat though. Wyman's lack of punching power proved ineffective in deterring her constant forward onslaught and this shaded a close fight in the judges eyes. In close fights, the judges always give it to the aggressive fighter who spends his/her time in the ring going forward, not a policy that favors counterpunchers. Laura 'the Poet of the Ring' got the decision in the six round affair.

    On to the main event, Thirty-three-year-old James 'Lights-Out' Toney came with an impressive record of 62 wins with 40 knockouts and a left hook that would topple a well fed bull. The cannon fodder for tonight was Sione Asipeli, a strapping unknown lad from Tonga. Apparently his moniker means young lion in Tongan. Tonight, James Toney would assume a new role as Androcles.

    Asipeli had managed to amass a record of 17 -3-2 with 8 KO's while Toney boasted a record of 62-4 -2 with 40 knockouts.

    In the first, Asipeli made his intentions clear. He was in the desert to fight. The young lion gamely took the fight to Toney, albeit in a one dimensional, predictable fashion. Full marks for chutzpah. Unfortunately, this played directly into Toney's hands. He is a master of the rope a dope and a supreme in fighter of the highest caliber. From the outset, Toney was uncannily accurate with his inside bombardment. Toney's punches were indeed, smart bombs.
    In the second, Asipeli continued with his full ring press and Toney continued to pick him off with a selection of uppercuts, straight rights and assorted hooks. This proved to be the formula for the rest of the fight. Toney, having declawed his exhausted opponent, was content to coast to a unanimous 100-90 decision. Toney still wants Jones but a Jirov fight would be a battle of epic proportions. Both fighters are the finest exponents of precise infighting. It is sure to be a thrilla in the phone boxila.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xToney Tames Tongan Tomcat``x1016906176,54154,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    Winters Boxing promoted another solid, near-sellout night of boxing at the Huntington Hilton in Melville, Long Island last night.

    In the main event, Carmine Tufano stunned the crowd of about 1,000 with a second-round tko over tough, hard-punching Brad Baker. Tufano came out fairly calmly in the first two rounds, and the sturdy Baker did manage to land a few hard punches.

    In the first round, Tufano backed to the ropes and came off it with a left hook, but did not land. Apparently that little moment inspired a clever trap. In the second, in mid ring, Tufano guided Baker with his right on Baker's left shoulder. Baker spun to his right and as he did so, Tufano dug home a solid left hook that dumped Baker to the canvas.

    Referee Wayne Kelly tolled the 8-count, then gave Baker a chance to stay in the fight. Tufano pinned Baker to the ropes -- a complete reversal of their position just a minute or two before -- and Kelly wisely stopped the fight.

    Tufano had mentioned to me his admiration of Sugar ray Leonard. The move Tufano used was the exact move Leonard used to deck Don LaLonde. I wonder -- was Tufano watching old tapes this week?

    The undercard had its share of knock-outs, so, it was off to the hotel bar for drinks and cigars just a little earlier than usual.

    The only dissapointment was that Dead End Kid Paulie Malignaggi's bout was scratched when his opponent's paperwork was not timely processed.

    results:

    Super Middleweight Carmine Tufano Beat Brad Baker TKO 2
    Light Heavyweight Aneudi Santos Beat Andrew Hutchinson UD 4
    (Santos is well-schooled but needs to move his hands a little more)
    Light Heavyweight Jose Diaz Beat Akbar Muhammad KO 2
    Light Heavyweight Daniel Edouard Beat Rod Jacobs KO 1
    Light Middleweight Adam Green Beat Mike Chennells TKO 2
    (Green looks good in stopping Chennels)``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTufano Triumphs on Long Island``x1016931289,64847,``x``x ``xNew York-March 27, 2002-Cedric Kushner Boxing, Inc. (CKB) announced today that it has entered into an Exclusive Co-Promotion Agreement with America Presents Boxing, LLC. Pursuant to the terms of the Co-Promotional Agreement, Cedric Kushner Promotions, Ltd. (CKP) will be the exclusive co-promoter for more than 14 of America Presentís current fighters including heavyweights David Tua, Fres Oquendo and Ray Mercer, the IBF junior lightweight champion Steve Forbes, and top contenders Hector Camacho Jr. and Ben Tackie.

    "We are thrilled to announce this strategic arrangement with America Presents. I think this relationship is a classic ëwin-winí for both the fighters and CKP," said CKP President Cedric Kushner. "We are excited to be involved with some of the finest talent in the business and genuinely believe that CKP can be a benefit to all of those involved.î

    "America Presents is making this decision because we genuinely believe it is in the best interest of our fighters. Cedric Kushner is an outstanding promoter and one of the most honorable and fair people in boxing," added Mat Tinley, President of America Presents. "Cedric is distinguished in his ability to regularly generate outstanding opportunities for fighters and to promote events efficiently. These important characteristics are not an accident; they are a testament to the unique abilities and indefatigable passion of Cedric and his outstanding promotional team."

    The first event under this arrangement will be on April 13, 2002 at Mountaineers Race Track and Gaming Resort in West Virginia and will feature David Tua vs. Fres Oquendo as the main event to be televised on Showtime.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPR - Kushner Teams with America Presents``x1017341159,68398,``x``x ``xSIX HEADS GOES DOWN IN FIVE
    MAYORGA BECOMES NEW WELTERWEIGHT WILD CARD


    The undefeated world champion has become a rarity in the sport of boxing. Saturday night, Andrew Six Heads Lewis became the latest fighter to lose his belt and his zero after brash Costa Rican Ricardo Mayorga unleashed a series of vicious right hands to his head. As Lewis tried in vain to regain his senses, Mayorgas stock shot through the roof. Hes now not only the new WBA 147 lb. champion, but also the prime candidate for a fat payday against the winner of Mosley-Forrest II

    Lewis and Mayorga had met in the ring before. For one action-packed round on the Roy Jones-Julio Gonzalez undercard, Lewis and Mayorga traded heavy punches before a nasty clash of heads early in the second opened up Lewis forehead and stopped the fight. Somewhere in that heated four minutes, Ricardo Mayorga became convinced that he could defeat Six Heads Lewis, and in the days leading up to their rematch he told anyone who would listen that he would win and that it would be easy. He was right.

    Six Heads Lewis, despite 19 knockouts in 21 straight victories, had done little to cement himself among boxings elite. His lone impressive outing was a demolition of inactive titlist James Page. In that fight, Lewis showed that his quick hands, awkward stance, and active style could work wonders against a fighter who was barely fighting back. Paired with Mayorga, who was drooling over the thought of heated exchanges, Lewis was completely ineffective.

    Lewis opened the first round by tripling up with his jab time and again. Most trainers lust for a fighter with a triple jab but Lewis version leaves a little to be desired. At its best, its a flicking range finder, thrown from an extended elbow and used to set up Lewis best weapon, the straight left. At its worst, however, Lewis jab consists of little more than Lewis waving his wrist towards his opponent as pure distraction. Early in the opening round, Lewis jab resembled that first version and indeed a few solid left hands landed for the champion.

    Ricardo Mayorga was not going to be distracted by a few left hands. The glare he was shooting Lewis in the opening round had begun at the weigh-in, continued through Lewis ring entrance, and was now leading the charge as Mayorga leapt into range and fired his awkward clubbing punches. Mayorga glanced a few shots off Lewis head early in the round, then followed up with some heavier shots as the first came to an end. The effort was enough to tilt a close round to him on our scorecard.

    Another close round emerged in the second, the only round that Lewis banked on our unofficial card. Mayorga was swinging and missing for most of the first minute before getting trapped on the ropes and eating a perfect Lewis left cross. Lewis followed with a right uppercut, a punch that landed flush, momentarily buckled Mayorgas legs, and made the challenger taunt Lewis for more. Lewis backed towards center ring, where his style should have had the advantage, but Mayorga kept it close by popping Lewis with a loud, flush
    right and left seconds before the bell.

    The first two rounds were very close, but the third was not. Mayorga quickly established a rhythm, countering Lewis flicker-jab/left cross/bearhug offense with big overhand rights. Time and again, Lewis stepped right into Mayorgas power shots and each time the blows seemed to stop Lewis in place for a fraction of a second longer than the previous clean punch. In the power department, this fight was no contest. Lewis best lefts had no effect on Mayorga, while Riicardos power shots all seemed to hurt Lewis.

    After swinging and landing with a number of wrecking ball rights, Mayorgas confidence erupted. Taking a page from the Roy Jones book, Mayorga even willingly backed himself into a corner and invited Lewis to come at him. When Lewis finally accepted the offer and launched a huge left hand, Mayorga slipped the blow, stepped around Lewis and pounded him back with a chopping right. The sequence drew a huge cheer from the crowd and pumped Mayorga with even more self-confidence.

    Lewis was looking tired as the fourth round began, and Mayorga may have caught Lewis resting when he swept a long left uppercut across the distance and tagged Lewis face loitering unprotected. The punch again buckled Lewis legs and forced him to clinch hard. Lewis was now fighting completely ineffectively. His jab was reduced to the aforementioned wrist-snap, his legs rarely planted when he threw, and his left hand couldnt hit the target, let alone the bullseye. Time and again Mayorga would load up with the right hand and land it on Lewis head. Sometimes the punches were counters to Lewis misses, but other times a confused Lewis seemed to be sitting there waiting
    to get hit.

    After two minutes of eating Mayorga bombs one at a time, Lewis sparked his attempt at a rally. Mayorga, perhaps needing a break, stopped throwing punches as Lewis finally let his hands go in combination. Mayorga was on the receiving end of more than a few blows in this flurry, but Lewis power was anything but concussive, and after 30 seconds Lewis was the one in need of a break. With time running out, Mayorga waited for Lewis to stop his assault, then busted him in center ring with two gigantic bombs, one from each hand. The punches hurt Lewis, who turned and walked slowly back to his corner after the bell.

    With Mayorga successfully throwing and landing his biggest shots, and with Lewis doing little in the way of defense, the end seemed near. It was. 45 seconds into the fifth round, Mayorga again clubbed Lewis with a big right hand. Lewis stepped back, bounced out his legs, and then stepped forward again just as Mayorga was launching a downward angled left hook. The punch landed knuckles-first and stunned Lewis in place. He froze in front of Mayorga squared up, and then the real big shots came. Mayorga pounced on the frozen Lewis, leading with a left hook that rattled Lewis head. Mayorga followed immediately with another hook, and then a right. The three punches all landed flush in a seconds time. Lewis had already begun falling over backwards with the second hook. The final right hand made sure that the fight was over.

    Lewis crashed backwards onto the canvas, but somehow managed to pull himself up to his feet before referee Rudy Battle had reached the mandatory eight. Lewis may have been up, but he was not in good shape. Arms down, he was staring off into space. Lewis was looking right through Battle, who was now standing in front of him, asking him if he could continue. Lewis was unable to even acknowledge the referee. He simply stood there, hands still down, as Battle twice asked him if he was able to fight on. After the second question, Lewis lightly shook his head as if to clear the cobwebs but he
    still didnt appear to even know Battle was in front of him. That was it. Battle waved the fight off and embraced Lewis, who could do little more than embrace him back. Mayorga KO5.

    After a minute on the stool, Lewis had regained his senses. Soon he was on his feet and engaging in a four-alarm screaming match with Don King. King had been rebuffed by Six Heads during recent contract negotiations and was all too happy to see Lewis lose. The Don has options on the new champion (what else is new?) and was genuinely thrilled at the chance to tell Lewis just how badly he had screwed up.

    Ricardo Mayorga couldnt thank King enough after the belt was strapped around his waist for the first time, but that tune will change. King allegedly promised to buy Mayorga a new Corvette if he won. Good luck collecting on that one, Ricardo. Perhaps Mayorgas praise of boxings godfather was sheer delirium. After all, the once poverty-stricken Mayorga had hit boxings equivalent of the lottery: a shot at big money against a bigger name. Mayorga may not have the boxing skills to out-Sugar Mosley or the major-league power to upset the bigger Forrest but he has heart, and that counts for a lot. He also has the WBA welterweight title. And that means that no matter who he fights next, well be hearing more from Ricardo Mayorga.

    ..Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMayorga Downs Lewis in Five - By Chris Bushnell``x1017581610,86260,``x``x ``xBy Bill Calogero
    www.TheDailySports.com

    March 30, 2002
    Concho, Oklahoma – Zahir Raheem became the new NABF Featherweight Champion with a 12-round, unanimous decision over Joe Morales at the Lucky Star Casino, which was broadcast live on ShowTime’s ShoBox, The Next Generation series.

    Raheem set out to make a statement by dominating throughout most of the fight. He proved to have superior hand and foot speed over Morales. He was able to keep Morales at bay with a constant jab, followed by solid punches both to the body and head.

    Both fighters stepped up the action at the beginning of the fourth round. A solid right landed squarely on Morales’ jaw, which stopped him in his tracks. Sensing he stunned his opponent, Raheem jumped all over him with a flurry of punches ending with a hard left-right-left combination that put Morales down. He got up quickly, but was still obviously hurt. Raheem again jumps all over Morales with a flurry of punches, but Joe fights his way out of the round.

    The remainder of the fight followed the same pattern. Sensing his was behind on points, Morales attempted to brawl with Raheem, hoping to land a KO punch. The punch never came. Raheem was able to use his foot and hand speed by landing punches, then getting out of the way, which helped him stay in control of the fight until the final bell sounded.

    The judges scored the fight 114-112, 118-108, and 119-107. TheDailySports.com scored the fight 117-109, also in favor of Raheem. Zahir Raheem improves his record to 19-0 and now is looking to jump up in the rankings as well as the next level of competition.

    In other action, Jeff Lacy looked to get some work in as he faced a tough Bobby Jones. Leading up to this fight, Lacy had never been beyond the second round, winning his first eight bouts all by knock out.

    Bobby Jones proved to everyone that he has a very solid chin as he took a beating from Lacy for all ten rounds of their Supper Middleweight bout. Lacy showed his boxing skills with beautifully thrown combinations that landed throughout the fight. Jones was able to land many shots, but just did not posses the power to hurt Lacy.

    Lacy claimed to have hurt both of his hands during the fight and thought it was as early as the fourth round. As the final bell sounded, Jones’ face was completely swollen. He took a beating and only seemed to be in trouble twice during the fight, once in the third round and once in the fifth round.

    Lacy went the distance for the first time in his pro career to improve to 9-0-0 (8 KOs) with a unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 96-94, 97-93, and 97-93. TheDailySports.com scored the fight 98-92, also in favor of Jeff Lacy. Lacy hopes to move up to the next level of competition.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xShoBox Fight Results ``x1017596639,60808,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    March 31, 2002. Venezuelan Felix Machado retained the IBF 115-lb. Title with a 6-round technical decision after 6 rounds in a nationally televised bout last night.

    Machado has a major threat on the horizan -- fellow Venezuelan Alex Munoz recently won the WBA title with a devestating kayo in Japan.

    Here is Machado's record --

    Felix Machado

    Birthplace Bolivar, Venezuela
    Division Super Flyweight
    Age 29
    Born 1972-08-22
    Stance Southpaw
    Trainer Carlos Pinango

    Career Record: Won 23 (KOs 12) Lost 3 Drawn 1 Total 27

    1993
    04-17 Jesus Rattia Caracas, Venezuela L TKO 3
    08-06 Elvis Montoya Turmero, Venezuela W PTS 6
    09-30 Elvis Montoya Venezuela W PTS 6
    10-04 Antonio Osorio Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela W PTS 6

    1994
    07-06 Tirso Rivera Venezuela W PTS 8
    08-20 Luiz Longa Bolivar, Venezuela W KO 5
    12-10 Alfredo Aponte Los Teques, Venezuela W TKO 6

    1995
    03-11 Edison Torres La Guaira, Venezuela W PTS 10
    05-20 Jesus Rattia La Asuncion, Venezuela W PTS 10
    08-26 Fernando Blanco Bolivar, Venezuela W PTS 12
    12-16 Adonis Cruz Managua, Nicaragua L DQ 8

    1996
    04-29 Alcibel Flores Turmero, Venezuela W TKO 6
    06-15 Jesus Rattia Miranda, Venezuela W TKO 6
    10-14 Vicente Rivera Turmero, Venezuela W TKO 5

    1997
    03-15 Daorung Chuvatana Bangkok, Thailand L SD 12
    (For WBA Bantamweight Title)
    09-27 Eidy Moya Caracas, Venezuela W UD 10

    1998
    03-05 Rafael Castro Caracas, Venezuela W KO 6
    05-27 Euclides Bolivar Caracas, Venezuela W TKO 4
    08-29 Saul Guaza Caracas, Venezuela W TKO 7

    1999
    03-23 Jose Arroyo La Guaira, Venezuela W TKO 2
    08-10 Livaniel Alvarez El Paraiso, Venezuela W TKO 2
    11-17 Antonio Jaramillo Panama City W TKO 5

    2000
    05-20 Julio Gamboa Tunica, MS, USA D PTS 12
    (For Vacant IBF Super Flyweight Title)
    07-22 Julio Gamboa Miami, FL, USA W UD 12
    (For Vacant IBF Super Flyweight Title)
    12-16 William De Sousa Maracay, Venezuela W TKO 3
    (retains IBF Super Flyweight Title)

    2001
    06-16 Mauricio Pastrana Cincinnati, OH, USA W UD 12
    (Retains IBF Super Flyweight Title)

    2002
    03-30 Martin Castillo Reading, PA, USA W TD 6
    (Retains IBF Super Flyweight Title; Machado cut by butt)``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMachado Cut, Retains Title``x1017601377,80394,``x``x ``xApril 1, 2002
    Weekend Round-up: Nicaraguan too strong for WBA champion
    Mayorga forces Lewis to surrender
    Machado beats Castillo on a narrow technical decision

    by Kris Van de Velde

    After Vernon Forrest's stunning victory over Shane Mosley in January,
    another recognized welterweight champion suffered a similar devastating loss in Reading, Pennsylvania on Saturday. WBA titleholder Andrew Lewis (#3, v1600) got surprisingly overpowered by relatively low-ranked Nicaraguan Ricardo Mayorga (#39, v227) and surrendered in the fifth round after being knocked down. Southpaw Lewis simply did not have an appropriate answer to Mayorga's aggressiveness and rather awkward style. Both boxers
    landed hard punches, but Mayorga seemed to cope better with them than the champion under pressure. In round 5, Mayorga connected with a left hook and two right hands that floored Lewis. He got up but signalled to referee Rudy Battle he had enough.

    Mayorga earns a massive 1600 World Cup points with his upset victory,
    putting him in second place behind Forrest, who leads with 2000 pts, and fourth in the All Weights category together with Freitas and Mormeck.

    The co-feature in Reading came to a premature end when the IBF super
    flyweight clash between champion Felix Machado (#3, v1600) and challenger Martin Castillo (#9, v700) was halted in round 6 after an accidental clash of heads. Machado was subsequently pronounced the winner by technical decision as the three judges scored 58-56 in his favour. Castillo had a good start, but the taller Machado appeared to be turning matters his way from the third round. Despite the clear unanimity of the judges, there were people who did not agree with the verdict. As with Leija-Ward earlier this year, it's nevertheless an official result and Machado thus earns 900 WCup points, putting him in second place in both the WCup ranking and WCOB's Total Ranking.

    In the latter he closes the gap with leader Tokuyama to just 52
    points and pushes his compatriot Alexander Munoz, who briefly led the TR a few weeks ago, back to third place. It will be interesting to see what those three 115-pounders do next.

    In Seoul, South Korea, featherweight In Jin Chi (#14, v460) stayed on
    course for a rematch with WBC champion Erik Morales by convincingly
    stopping Samuel Duran (#49, v166) in three rounds. The 126 lbs competition is still pretty low-key at present, and Chi profits to enter the standings in an unofficial third place behind Chacon and Ramirez.

    In Concho, Oklahoma, featherweight Zahir Raheem (#30, v290) was too quick and skilled for Joe Morales (#50, v160) in a 12-round-bout. Raheem dropped his foe in the fourth with two right hands, but Morales managed to recover and go the distance. Raheem will enter the WCup race in an unofficial fourth position, slightly behind In Jin Chi (see paragraph above).

    Super middleweight prospect and former Olympian Jeff Lacy (#38, v234) had to settle for a points victory for the first time in his pro career against durable Bobby Jones (#54, v140 at 160 lbs). Jones absorbed quite some punishment early on, but hung on to test Lacy for the rest of the ride. Scores were: 97-93 (2x) and 96-94. Later it turned out Lacy injured both his hands in round 4. Lacy's third outing of the year was his first against a ranked opponent. His efforts will thus finally pay off in the next official rankings, which will be released on April 5.

    Back to Las Vegas, Nevada, where 38-year-old Vince Phillips (#21, v360 at 140 lbs) scored a surprisingly easy ten-round decision over previously undefeated Nick Acevedo (#45, v190 at 154 lbs) in a welterweight contest. Phillips - a former super lightweight champion who beat Kostya Tsyzu a while ago - dominated the entire bout with a high workrate and banging right hands. Acevedo never stood a chance. Let's see whether Phillips can still be a high player at 147 lbs in the twilight of his career.

    On the same card, heavyweight Attila Levin (#66, v86) looked unimpressive in outpointing Ron Guerrero over ten rounds. The unbeaten Levin did a fairly good job in World Cup terms, however, as a win over #42 Guerrero provides him with 208 points: enough for an unofficial fifth place in the 2002 competition. Remember: everyone can look good against warmed-up corpses ...

    Former heavyweight champion Oliver McCall saw his fight against Maurice Harris cancelled after Harris pulled out with an injury.

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Round-up``x1017693765,87494,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn at ringside

    TACOMA, WA - The Saturday night fight card at the Emerald Queen
    drew a full house as usual. The main event featured
    local middleweight prospect Kenny Ellis of Seattle.
    Ellis weighed in at 158 1/4 lbs (now 26-4-2) for a ten
    round encounter with 160 3/4 lb Kippy Warren of
    Lethonia, GA. Warren (now 16-4-2) is tall and inclined
    to switch from right to southpaw stance. He spent
    Saturday night in a lefty posture that gave Ellis
    plenty to think about over the distance. Ellis won a
    unanimous decision.

    In a semi-main 8 rounder, former national amateur
    flyweight champ Martin O’Malley of Edmonds, WA stepped
    in at 137 3/4 lbs to meet Rudolfo Lunsford ,139 1/2
    lbs, of Brandon, Fla. O’Malley chose to stand and bang
    in the fight of the night. O’Malley suffered a cut in
    the final round and improved to 18-1, 14 KO’s with a
    decision win. Lunsford regressed to 11-18-2, 7 KO’s.

    On the undercard:

    Female flyweights, Para Draine, 109 1/2 lbs, of Mead,
    WA won a unanimous decision in four over Robin Pinto,
    113 1/2 lbs, of Summerland, British Columbia. Pinto is
    now 1-2 as a pro. Draine’s record is 11-4-2 as of this
    comeback bout after a two year absence from the ring.

    Manuel Reyes, 154 1/4 lbs (now 3-0, 2 KO’s) of
    Othello, WA won a third round stoppage over Irwin
    Green, 153 1/2 lbs, of Tacoma, WA who was making his
    debut.

    William Chapman, 145 3/4 lbs (now 3-0) of Portland won
    a four round decision over Christian Lopez, 137 1/2
    lbs, making his debut out of Othello, WA.

    Emerald Queen Casino
    Promoter: Brian Halquist
    Matchmaker: Bob Oleson

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xEmerald Queen Fight Results``x1017755251,71044,``x``x ``xLAUGHLIN, Nev.-Hard-hitting Jeremy Williams of Long Beach, Calif., faces David Bostice of Mesa, Ariz., in one of two heavyweight, 10-round co-main events on the nationally televised boxing card presented by Cedric Kushner Promotions Sunday, April 21, at the Flamingo Laughlin.

    Slugger Samson Po'uha of Las Vegas faces Sherman Williams of Las Vegas in the other heavyweight 10-round co-main event.

    Also on the Cedric Kushner Promotions card, which will be televised by Fox Sports Net as part of its on-going "Sunday Night Fights" series, are five more bouts, including highly regarded and undefeated heavyweight Jean Bergeron of Montreal and a women's junior bantamweight fight featuring Marilyn Salcido of Rialto, Calif.

    The card starts at 2 p.m. (Pacific) with doors to the Flamingo Ballroom opening at 1:30.

    Tickets, priced at $20, $35 and $60 with all seats reserved, are on sale at the Magic Booth in the Flamingo Laughlin casino from 6 a.m. to midnight daily. Tickets also may be ordered by calling (702) 298-5111 or (800) 435-8469 from 6 a.m. to midnight daily.

    Cedric Kushner Promotions of New York City is one of the leading promoters in boxing and promotes, among other fighters, the International Boxing Federation's No. 1-ranked heavyweight, Chris Byrd.

    Everlast, the sponsor of this Cedric Kushner Promotions card at the Flamingo Laughlin, has been at the forefront of boxing equipment for almost 100 years.

    Also on the Cedric Kushner Promotions card in six-round heavyweight fights are Phil Jackson of Miami, Fla., against Brian Nix of Rochester, N.Y.; and Greg Pickrom of Houston against Melvin Foster of Washington, D.C.

    In a four-round battle of unbeaten heavyweights, Olanda Anderson of Colorado Springs, Colo., meets Chad Butler of New Brunswick, N.J.

    Bergeron faces 6-foot-11 1/2-inch Marcellus Brown of Atlanta in a six-round fight.
    The 29-year-old Jeremy Williams, originally from Fort Dodge, Iowa, has a record of 36-4 with 33 knockouts and each of his wins dating back to 1993 have come by KO.

    He's coming off an impressive first-round knockout of Louis Monaco, who has met three former heavyweight world champions, on March 17 on a Cedric Kushner Promotions card on Fox Sports Net in Oroville, Calif.

    The 29-year-old Bostice has a record of 27-5-1 with 13 knockout. He's coming off a win over Frankie Swindell Feb. 8 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Bostice also has a win over former IBF cruiserweight champion Al Cole during December, 2000, on a Cedric Kushner Promotions card in Las Vegas.

    The 30-year-old Po'hua, originally from Tonga, has a record of 20-4-1 with 18 knockouts. He was the Golden Gloves national champion as a super heavyweight for 1991.

    The 29-year-old Sherman Williams has a record of 19-6-1 with 13 knockouts and is coming off a win over Cole Jan. 26 in New York City on the Vernon Forest-Shane Mosley World Boxing Council welterweight championship card promoted by Cedric Kushner Promotions. Williams also has a draw with Jameel McCline, ranked No. 6 by the IBF and No. 8 by the World Boxing Association.

    The 28-year-old Bergeron has a record of 13-0 with nine knockouts and is coming off a win over Jason Nicholson Jan. 18 on a Cedric Kushner Promotions card in Las Vegas.

    The 34-year-old Brown has a record of 24-12-1 with 21 knockouts. He's coming off a win over Najee Shaheed Jan. 30 in Miami Beach, Fla.

    The 37-year-old Jackson has a record of 43-11 with 38 knockouts. On May 6, 1994, in Atlantic City, N.J., he fought Lennox Lewis for the WBC heavyweight championship.

    The 32-year-old Nix has a record of 15-8 with three knockouts and has won four of his past five fights.

    The 32-year-old Pickrom has a record of 13-5-1 with 11 knockouts and has won three straight. His most recent win was his most impressive, an upset unanimous decision over Ed Mahone Feb. 16 on a Cedric Kushner Promotions card in Las Vegas. Pickrom has a win over McCline and has fought current WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz.

    The 31-year-old Foster has a record of 23-11-1 with 17 knockouts. Foster's faced four former heavyweight world champions--Trevor Berbick, Michael Moorer, Hasim Rahman and Mike Weaver, who he stopped in the ninth round.

    The 29-year-old Anderson has a record of 2-0 with one knockout.

    The 21-year-old Butler has a record of 2-0 with two knockouts.

    Salcido has a record of 6-2-2 with one knockout and has four wins and one draw in her past five bouts.

    An opponent for Salcido will be determined.
    The card also will be televised in more than 100 countries on a delay basis.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCKP PR: Bostice-Williams on Fox Fight Series, April 21st``x1017756434,79982,``x``x ``xBY JD Vena

    On Thursday night at the Foxwoods Resort & Casino, Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton will look to work off the ringrust that built up in a concrete/steel cell owned by the government when he meets super-middleweight trial-horse Lloyd “Jabba” Bryan in a 12 rounder. Pemberton of New Bedford, MA was on the road to a title shot while holding the NABF title until the federal government took the wind out of his sail with charges or embezzlement and extortion. Pemberton was incarcerated until January when he had his sentence reduced. His 22-1-1 (18 KO’s) record has remained the same since he won the NABF crown with an exciting knockout over Le’Van Easley in September of 2000. A win for Pemberton will earn him the vacant NABO title and a spot in line for a world title shot.

    Also appearing on the card are a handful of New England’s brightest prospects. Jr. middleweight prospect, Peter Manfredo, Jr. (12-0, 5 KO’s) of Pawtucket, RI faces Grady Brewer in his first 8-rounder. And “Bad” Chad Dawson (5-0, 4 KO’s) of New Haven, CT arguably the brightest prospect on the New England circuit will meet Chad Sawyer of Calgary. Also appearing on the card are Jevon Langford, a Cincinnati Bengal and reportedly a relative of the late great Sam Langford will face Billy “The Kid” Mofford who had won a four-rounder two weeks ago in Boston. Charles Wade (4-0) another exciting prospect from Hartford, Joe “The KO Kid” Spina and Shakha Moore are also slated to appear in separate bouts.

    The show is being promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports and will be televised on NESN on April 20th. On the microphone will be my drinking pal and Secondsout.com scribe, Mike Nosky. For ticket information call (401) 724-2253 of Foxwoods at 1 800 PLAY BIG.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe Sandman Returns!``x1017885885,17628,``x``x ``xSanjurjo-Barnes headline second “MSFNNE” show
    Mohegan Sun’s monthly boxing series stops April 19 at Roseland Ballroom

    BOSTON, Mass. – The “Mohegan Sun FightNight New England” monthly pro boxing series shifts to the Roseland Ballroom in Taunton (MA) Friday night, April 19 for its second show in an eight-fight television deal between Cappiello Promotions and Fox Sports Net New England.

    Taunton cruiserweight Hector “The Pitbull” Sanjurjo (12-6-5, 7KOs) battles Jermal “Last Dragon” Barnes (14-2, 4 KOs) in the 10-round main event.

    Cappiello Promotions – in association with Mohegan Sun, Holiday Inn of Randolph and Boston, Metro Ford of Raynham, Budweiser and Everlast. – presents “Mohegan Sun FightNight New England,” featuring New England’s best pro boxers on a monthly basis. Fox Sports Net New England will broadcast the April 19th show Sunday afternoon (3:30-5:30 p.m.), April 28.

    “It’s a great fight card with a great main event,” promoter Rich Cappiello said. “Hector lost a split decision to (N.E. & Mass. cruiserweight champion Tim) Flamos in his last fight. It really could have went either way, but now Hector needs a win to get back in the mix and a win against Barnes will get him there. Jermal is a real tough fighter from New York. A victory for Hector can set-up a potential match for him against Richie LaMontagne or possibly a rematch with Flamos.”

    Sanjurjo, 25, is a native of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. He has been in with the iron, including four world title light heavyweight contenders – David Telesco (LTKO6), Derrick Harmon (LDQ8), Eric Harding (LDEC6) and Will Taylor (LDEC6).

    Philadelphia lightweight Aaron “2-Guns” Torres (9-1, 5 KOs), now fighting out of Brockton, tangles with tough opponent, John Trigg (6-13-4, 2 KOs), of Atlanta. Triggs’ record is deceiving, especially considering he’s fought former IBF super featherweight champion Roberto Garcia, Olympian Juan Diaz, unbeaten Gary Balletto and Justo “Sensational” Sencion.

    “Aaron’s in a crossover fight against a kid whose opponents in their last eight fights were a combined 91-6-2,” Cappiello noted. “He was giving Barletto (24-0-2, 21 KOs) a very tough fight until he got caught.”

    In another six-round match, “Cocky” Kevin Watts (15-1, 4 KOs), of South Boston, faces Ed McAloney (8-3), of Pembroke, in a match-up of Bay State junior welterweights.

    On the undercard in four-round matches are, after a 19-month layoff from the ring, Randolph heavyweight Brian McDonough makes his return against Tony Foster, of Athens, Georgia, Taunton heavyweight Hasrold Rodriquez (0-1) gets it on with Dorchester’s Willie “Bad News” Barnes, and USA lightweight kickboxing champ Christina Rondeau (1-0-1), of Johnston (R.I.), tangles with Michelle “Sharkey” Taylor, of Pittsfield. Crowd pleaser Danny Sheehan, of Brockton, will also be in action.

    “The winner of Watts-McAloney will get a shot at (Haverhill’s) Jeff
    “Hellraza” Fraza (10-2, 6 KOs) next month,” Cappiello added. “And if
    McDonough looks good I’d love to match him against Peter McNeeley.”

    All matches and fighters are subject to change.

    The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Tickets prices are $50.00 ringside and $25.00 general admission. For more information or to order tickets call (508) 587-5554 or (508) 587-3370.

    Tickets will also be available at the door.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPR -- Barnes-Sanjurjo Set for April 19th``x1017886302,75644,``x``x ``xNEW YORK, April 3 - If you want to see the future of boxing in New York City, look no further than the Park Central New York Hotel on Tuesday, April 23. From top light heavyweight prospect Elvir Muriqi to rising young stars Paul Malignaggi and Yuri Foreman, Ring Promotions' latest show will be the place to be for local boxing fans.

    Headlining this exciting card will be "The Kosovo Kid", Elvir Muriqi, who will face a to be determined opponent. Muriqi (22-1 with 11 KOs) is coming off a first round stoppage of Joe Harris in March. The hard-hitting Albanian, who is trained by the highly-regarded Teddy Atlas, has become one of the most popular fighters in the metro area since coming to the Bronx from his native Kosova in 1996.

    Bensonhurst, Brooklyn's Paulie Malignaggi is building quite a following of his own after only a handful of pro fights. 6-0 with 3 KOs, the two-time Golden Gloves champion and US amateur champion combines flash with power, a lethal combination for opponents of the 20-year-old.

    Having just turned pro in January on Ring Promotions' first Park Central NY show, power punching junior middleweight Yuri Foreman has already put together an impressive 3-0 record with 2 KOs. Originally from Israel, but now making his home in Brooklyn, Foreman, 21, has already been labeled a "can't miss" prospect. In his last bout on March 21, Foreman decisioned George Armenta over six rounds.

    Also appearing on the April 23rd show will be the crowd pleasing Kemal Kolenovic, unbeaten junior welterweight Roberto Astacio, light heavyweight Anuedi Santos (who also pulls double duty as a Hofstra University student), and Ann Marie Saccurato, a national Golden Gloves winner making her professional debut.

    Tickets for this exciting night of boxing, priced at $100 (VIP table with food and drinks), $70 (first row ringside), and $50 (general admission) may be purchased by calling 516-313-2304, or at the following locations:

    The Park Central New York Hotel
    870 7th Avenue ( between 55th and 56th Streets)
    New York, NY
    212-247-8000

    The Waterfront Crab House
    2-03 Borden Avenue
    Long Island City, NY
    718-729-4862

    First bout begins at 8pm

    For more information on the Park Central New York Hotel, Please visit www.parkcentralny.com

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPR -- NYC Fight Card Scheduled for April 23rd``x1017943088,25228,``x``x ``xSandman Back with a Bang
    By JD Vena

    MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION (LEDYARD, CT) - Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton, 168, of New Bedford, MA was victorious in his long awaited return to the ring when his opponent, Lloyd “Jabba” Bryan retired after three rounds. The hard punches landed by Pemberton, particularly the body shots were what seemed to convince Bryan to call it a night. As his nickname suggests, Bryan may not have been in the best of shape but Pemberton was delighted with the win.

    “I knew I hurt him with a body shot which he said broke his ribs,” said Pemberton. “I’m never satisfied with my performances because it takes me a while to get warmed up and I end up stopping them early. But I am happy to win and see my friends and fans here who have stuck with me through this whole thing.”

    Pemberton now 23-2-2 with 19 KO’s was locked up after being charged by the federal government for extortion and embezzlement. Pemberton was released this past January and has been in training ever since, trying to get back what he was building towards – a world title shot. For tonight’s effort Pemberton won the vacant NABO super-middleweight title.

    “It’s a great feeling to be back,” said Pemberton. “I have always used my 10-year old son Jarel as my motivation but now I have my little girl Rylie along with my fiancee, Peg who has been by my side for over 10 years. I’m motivated and more focused now than I ever was in my career.”

    In an exciting 8-round co-feature Peter Manfredo, 155, of Pawtucket, RI won a workman-like unanimous decision over a game Grady Brewer, 156, of Lawton, OK. Manfredo used a steady head and body attack to chop down his mid-western foe and cut him in the final frame with a crisp left hook. Manfredo earned scores of 79-75, 78-74 and 79-73 for his efforts as he improved to 13-0 with 5 KO’s. Brewer is now 10-4 with 7 KO's


    Atlanta’s John Trigg, 140, of Atlanta, GA and Shakha Moore, 142 ½, of Norwalk, CT engaged in a hardfought 4-round brawl in the opening bout only to come up with a split draw. Trigg, now 7-13-5 with 2 KO’s was the aggressor throughout but ate more punches in the opening two rounds. Moore, now 8-7-1 with 1 KO, had trouble fending off the relentless Trigg down the stretch. The scorecards read 4-round draw: 39-37, 38-38, 37-40.

    Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino, 128, Cranston, RI thrilled the audience by scoring an impressive knockout over Ragan Pudwill, 129 ¾, of Mandan, ND (now 3-6) at 1:26 of the second round. Referee John Callis counted to ten after the second knockdown scored by Fiorentino then stopped the fight after the third knockdown in a fight that saw the busy Missy throwing and landing hard bombs. Fiorentino scored her second knockout in as many fights.

    Jevon Langford, 278, Providence, RI reportedly the great grandson of the ever great Sam Langford extended his record to 3-0 with 3 KO’s when he starched Orlando Galbreth, 273, of Red Springs, NC of the opening frame. Langford, also a defensive end with the Cincinnati Bengals dropped Galbreth early in the first round with a right hand followed by a heavy jab. When Galbreth arose to his feet, Langford pounced on him like a loose ball. A fusillade of punches dropped Galbreth who was saved by referee Callis at 1:45.

    It’s good to see a young fighter throw body shots early on in their careers. But as most professionals know, you have to be able to protect your chin when you’re throwing them. For Joe Spina, of Providence, RI it didn’t matter even though he was hit by Antonio Baker’s left hook each time he attempted to go downstairs. In what should have been upset of the night, Spina was given an early Christmas present from the three ringside officials who all had Spina winning by scores of 40-36, 37-39 39-37. The CBZ had it 40-0 the other way. Baker, 176, of Orrum NC stunned Spina on a number of occasions and appeared to have floored him in the final round when Spina’s glove touched the canvas. But referee Joe Cusano didn’t notice it. Apparently the judges didn’t acknowledge the fall in the scoring either. Baker goes back to North Carolina with a record of 1-5. If you have NESN you’ll be able to judge for yourself on April 20th when the show is aired as a rebroadcast.

    Promoter- Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports
    Matchmaker - Ted Panagiotis
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPemberton KO3 Bryan``x1017979725,93656,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel

    It happens slowly at first. A wrinkle. A laugh-line. A single grey hair. As Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson age, as their weeks become months, their years decades; as former big-league prospects David Tua and Ike Ibeabuchi count their days (albeit in different places: the former is on the island of Samoa, the latter’s on Devil’s Island); as great ex-champs like Holyfield and, yes, we dare say it, Riddick Bowe, wave good-bye to the men they once were; while all this is going on, a few young guns are taking aim at the heavyweight championship of the world.

    It wasn't like this a few years ago. There were pugs on the scene that looked mean enough, hungry enough, to punch their way to the title. Clifford "The Black Rhino" Etienne looked, for a time, like he might go the distance. Larry Donald, Kirk Johnson and John Ruiz almost cancel each other out. What about Lawrence Clay-Bey? Henry Akinwande? Oleg Maskaev? Dannell Nicholson? What about Oliver McCall? Jimmy Thunder, the Maori from New Zealand, wasn’t always looked upon as a latter-day Primo Carnera. Shannon Briggs is another man who fell short of his potential. (Shannon’s moment in the sun - "winning" the crown from Big George Foreman by decision in 1997 - was highway robbery at its most blatant.)

    These men, perhaps not the big winners, went further than most of us dare, or even risk imagining. We may regret they fell short of the mountaintop, but we venerate their efforts, their methods, as we look forward to the next crop of heavyweights.

    Chris Byrd (34-2 19 KOs) may be slipping, but Fres Oquendo (21-0 12 KOs) is still fresh. Byrd is an especially interesting case: a middleweight in a heavyweight's body, a primer on the fine art of boxing, a defensive master with, unfortunately, no substantial wallop. Oquendo burst on the scene as the last-minute replacement who KOed a shot David Izon (25-3 21 KOs). The injured boxer Fres Oquendo replaced was a doctor who speaks funny English.

    No heavyweight forecast would be complete without mentioning Dr.Vladimir Klitschko. One of two huge fighting Ukrainian brothers, Vlad Klitschko might have what it takes to one day become heavyweight champion. Klitschko's power indicates that when his punch lands it does damage. But Vlad’s not been tested. Not yet, anyway. He’s being brought along slowly. Wins against Axel Schulz, Phil Jackson, David Bostice and Wolfgramm may look good on paper, but don't amount to much. Even Klitschko's demolition of Frans "The White Buffalo" Botha (44-4 28 KOs), who’d been softened-up by everybody, is nothing to get excited about. I fear Klitschko’s handlers - his manager, trainer, his cut man, his Munich-based promoters Universum - know something about their fighter we don't: That maybe Dr. K can’t take a punch! Someday, perhaps we’ll find out.


    Climbing the ranks and moving up fast is the bruiser Jameel McCline (27-2 16 KOs). Like many heavyweights before him, he came up the hard way, fists in the ‘hood, working the gyms, laboring in obscurity, hard time in the ring . . . until he began pounding other contenders. After bulldozing Michael Grant (32-2 22 KOs) and embarrassing Lance Whitaker (21-2 18 KOs) in 2001, McCline looks poised for a shot at the heavyweight title - or, failing that, a poke at Vladimir Klitschko.

    But instead of dream matches what’s coming up might just be primetime nightmares. Oquendo battles Tua on Showtime April 13 in a fight that has potential, with the undercard a confidence-builder for Lance Whitaker versus the out-of-gas David Izon. HBO counterpunches on April 27 with Jameel McCline fighting the aforementioned Shannon Briggs (36-3 30 KOs). These bouts, like Vlad’s with Botha, are a chance to make cash money, to create buzz where none exists, to give a fix to the heavyweight junkies, to separate the men from the boys.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAge of Anxiety``x1018017441,29092,``x``x ``xBaby Joe Mesi Pleases Hometown Crowd
    By Bill Calogero at Ringside

    BUFFALO, NY - Baby Joe Mesi continued his march towards a World Heavyweight Title shot with a 6th round TKO over Keith McKnight tonight at the sold out University of Buffalo’s Alumni Arena, televised live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, promoted by Sugar Ray Leonard.

    Mesi dominated through out the fight. His crisp and powerful jab sent McKnight to the canvas in the 4th round.

    Baby Joe started the 5th round by landing a left-right-left combination to McKnight’s head, which sent him into the ropes. A flurry of body and head shots, followed by a solid right hand sent McKnight down again, getting to his feet at the count of nine. As he was ready to continue, the round ended.

    Round six started where round five left off, Mesi was landing solid shots to the body and the head when the referee jumped in and stopped the fight at 1:06 of the round.

    Mesi improves his record to 22-0 (20 KOs) and during the post-fight interviews stated, with Sugar Ray Leonard at his side, that they hope to have their next fight in the June or July time frame, possibly in Buffalo.

    In other action, Oscar Leon became the NEW IBA Jr. Welterweight Champion, with a
    12-round decision over John Michael Johnson.

    Carlos DeLeon Jr. battled Anthony Armsted to a Majority Draw in their 4-round Middleweight bout.

    Demario Crittenden made his pro debut with a Majority Decision over Ray Morales in their 4-round Bantamweight bout.

    Promoter - Sugar Ray Leonard
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMesi KO6 McKnight``x1018127738,4783,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel


    April 10, 2002
    The 2002 Collection (Not Puff Daddy. Big Daddy!)

    What do multi-millionaire former heavyweight champions do with all their money? More often than not, they usually spend it. Champs are as likely as not to live the high-life, are loose with the buck, and they seem to shop till they drop. Occasionally they're cautious and invest their green with the savvy of an Enron executive. But they frequently just throw it away - on suburban castles, on cars, on impulse, on mischief - and, sadly, sometimes end up as broke economically as they end up broke physically.

    Riddick Bowe (40-1 35 KOs) is again in the news. He isn't contemplating a return to the ring. Nor has he kidnapped his wife and children a second time. Bowe has also not tried re-enlisting the Marines. Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe made headlines because he was robbed - not by a boxing judge or sanctioning body - by his nephew, Abraham Wright, and his girlfriend, Alicia Medina, both of them 24-years old. And what did they steal from Big Daddy? Well, furs, furs, and more furs.

    The NYPD recovered nearly $1,000,000 in stolen goods from a furrier last week in Manhattan. The pilfered pelts, all purchased by Bowe over the years, for reasons beyond reason itself, included: two mink bedspreads worth $70,000 each, in addition to fifteen mink and ermine coats. Sounds like an awful lot of dead animals for one man. But, after all, Riddick Bowe lives in Fort Washington, Maryland, and we know how cold it gets in Maryland.

    Despite his accomplishments in the ring, Bowe's post-boxing life has been a tragedy writ large. To those who knew him when, Big Daddy Bowe was always seen as a bit of a nut, as a gentle giant without much ambition or focus; but thanks to his manager Rock Newman and his master trainer Eddie Futch, Riddick made it to the mountaintop, he fought his way into the record books.

    But Bowe, like so many others before him, seemed to age from fight to fight. His two debacles against Andrew Golota (36-5 29 KOs) in 1996, hot on the heels of the Bowe-Holyfield (36-4 25 KOs) trilogy, weakened Bowe both physically and mentally. He was once a funny and articulate man, but now he’s a basket case.


    Boxing is, as we know, the cruelest sport. Although violence can be a thing of beauty, the cult of martyrdom has its limits. Dementia pugilistica (becoming punch drunk) is an inevitable consequence of a lifetime of shots to the head. Poor Riddick Bowe, rich Riddick Bowe, is, it turns out, once again a victim of his own wretched excess.

    Big Daddy’s fur coats and bedspreads are his again, and a lurid trial will no doubt follow. We all wish Riddick Bowe well. We only hope our wishes haven’t come too late in the game.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNYC Police Recover Riddick Bowe's Furs``x1018448132,78989,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel

    For those of us on pins and needles in anticipation of June 8, chances are we’ll have to wait a bit longer - before throwing in the towel, before beginning to begin waiting for another long wait before beginning to begin waiting again.

    Although a deal’s been struck, the contract's signed, the venue's booked, and a bout between the champ and his erstwhile challenger looms on the horizon, nothing is, as we know, as it ever appears.

    In the spirit of Elvis Presley, Tyson sightings have become as common, and as improbable, as eyeballing The King buying burgers. One week Mike’s here, the next week he’s there. Before we know it he’ll be everywhere and nowhere at one and the same time.

    If we were in Tyson’s corner, we’d send him a one-way ticket from the tropical island where he was just spotted - eating and drinking, fondling the ladies, frolicking in the sun, surf and sand - to landlocked Memphis, Tennessee. After all, Memphis is where Mike and Lennox are about to meet, are supposed to meet, to stage a heavyweight prizefight.

    Mike Tyson is running out of time. He’s running out of gas. And sooner or later he’ll be running out of money. Mike needs to fight Lennox Lewis while there’s even a remote possibility of an upset. Otherwise, who is Mike Tyson? Who will he have been?

    Iron Mike Tyson's life the movie has been a series of pans and jump cuts, gradual and sudden fades. And although Mike trashed our fondest hopes that he’d remain a man to emulate, we regret having to watch the eclipse of a kayo artist reduced to nothing. But Tyson's no fool. He must know, in his heart of hearts, what we know: that Iron Mike’s career is over, finished, kaput, that he has a snowball’s chance in hell of beating Lennox Lewis.

    The former world champion is a serious fellow - but he’s not taking this fight very seriously. He has a manager of record (Shelly Finkel), but no promoter will even get near him. Worst of all: Tyson has no trainer! Are he and his diminished skills, his slowed reflexes, his rolls of fat, about to climb through the ropes to battle Lennox Lewis? It’s not likely. Why? Well, because even Mike Tyson has his pride. He’d rather live fast, play hard and die young, instead of getting bruised for a truckload of greenbacks.

    With his finances a wreck, his relationships gone sour, his career in free-fall, his legend in tatters, Mike Tyson is doing everything in his power to encourage this downward spiral. Perhaps one day he’ll actually fight Lennox Lewis. But it’s not likely to occur June 8. Between now and then, someone will drop a wrench in the works.

    Historically, most fighters’ lives come into focus the moment they enter the ring. But this isn’t true for Mike Tyson. Tyson is so estranged from the pug he once was, so alienated from the man in the mirror, that nothing can salvage the wreck that remains of Iron Mike Tyson.

    The aforementioned Tyson-Presley connection isn’t as strange as it seems. Think about it. The meteoric rise. The dramatic collapse. Elvis Aaron Presley went from Memphis to Vegas in his all-too-short, abbreviated lifetime. Michael Gerard Tyson may yet make the same trip in reverse. And although Tyson’s Greatest Hits remain a perennial bestseller, does anyone remember Elvis’ string of Top-10 rockabilly chartbusters? Hound Dog. Heartbreak Hotel. Careless Love. In The Ghetto. It’s Now or Never.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xElvis Tyson``x1018618063,88016,``x``x ``xBill Calogero
    www.TheDailySports.com

    Daniel Alicea won the vacant NABF Jr. Lightweight Title with a 12-round decision over Brian Adams last night. The bout was televised live on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, outdoors in Miami, Oklahoma.

    Alicea dominated most of the fight with his aggressive style, landing an assortment of body and head shots throughout the bout. Brian Adams spent the majority of the fight moving away and trying to use his jab, but he never was able to land many hard punches. He did stun Alicea slightly in round four and appeared to have shifted into a higher gear for rounds seven and eight, landing solid right hands and uppercuts setup by his jab, but it was already too late.

    Two of the three judges scored the fight 119-109 and the third had it 118-110, all in favor of Daniel Alicea. TheDailySports.com also scored the fight 118-110 in favor of Alicea.

    Daniel Alicea improves his record to 27-4-2 (20 KOs) and Brian Adams left the ring with a 15-3-1 (7 KOs) record.

    In other action, USBA Lightweight Champion Julian Wheeler improved to 22-6-2 in a non-title match with Isidro Tejedor with a 10-round decision win. The judges scored the fight 98-90, 99-89 and 100-88, all in favor of Wheeler. TheDailySports.com scored the fight 98-90, also in favor of Julian Wheeler. Tejedor took the fight on three days notice and had two points deducted by the referee in the first and fourth rounds, both in our opinion were bogus calls.

    In a 4-round Lightweight bout, Paul Malignaggi won a decision over Sterling Gethers to keep his undefeated record in tact, as he improved to 7-0. All three judges scored the fight, as did TheDailySports.com, 40-36 in favor of Malignaggi. Malignaggi, who does not show much power in either hand, brings a “showboat” style into the ring and will certainly have trouble down the road when he faces tougher opponents. He was not that impressive to act the way he does. For that, TheDailySports.com gives him a huge thumbs down!

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAlicea Wins NABF Title!``x1018809258,55129,``x``x ``xBy Chris Bushnell

    Before stepping into the ring with Fres Oquendo, David Tua correctly concluded that the bout was “do or die” for his flagging career. Who knew that he would do both? Yes, Tua got the job done, knocking out Oquendo in the ninth round with a series of crunching left hooks. But along the way, Tua turned in his worst performance ever in a boxing ring, renewing serious doubts about his future as a top contender. Then again, it could be worse… he could be Lance Whitaker.

    For a guy who knew a loss could mean retirement, David Tua sure didn’t look like a hungry fighter on the scales. Tua weighed in at a thick 243 lbs (ten more than he had in his loss to Byrd and twenty over what he weighed in his prime). When the opening bell sounded, Tua rushed at Oquendo and launched a series of wild left hooks, any one of which would have crippled Oquendo had they not been a mile off target. The West Virginia crowd, unaccustomed to big time prize fighting, oooh’d and aahh’d each home run swing. For almost a full minute, Tua pressed forward with his frenzied assault. And then… well, that was it.

    After only one minute of action, David Tua’s cheeks began bulging with each labored breath. That’s right, the Tuaman was already out of gas. Oquendo had retreated with haste under Tua’s attack, but now that the danger was gone he was able to implement his own gameplan: jab and move.

    Oquendo is no Ray Leonard on his feet, but compared to a slow plodder like Tua, he’s a freakin’ ballerina. Pumping out a quick (and relatively powerless) jab allowed Oquendo to move any way he wanted in the tiny 18’ ring. First he would circle left, pop Tua with a few light jabs, then circle right. Tua, like an oil tanker, is unable to stop on a dime. Every time Oquendo switched directions, it took Tua a second to stop plodding one way and begin plodding the next. Against Chris Byrd, Tua was being kept away with a series of quick combinations from a variety of angles. But as early as one minute into the bout, Fres Oquendo showed that you could keep Tua away with little more than a range-finding jab.

    After a one-minute break, Tua had regained enough energy to go another hard 30 seconds, and he began the second round by grazing Oquendo with a left uppercut and missing with more telegraphed haymaker hooks. By giving up 11 inches in reach, Tua usually needed to leap across the distance to throw his hook, and Oquendo had little trouble staying away from these wild attempts. A few big tosses had Tua huffing again, allowing Oquendo to take over the fight. Fres shuffled left and right, forcing a lumbering Tua to give slow chase. Unlike Byrd, Oquendo rarely ventured beyond the jab in these early rounds. Occasionally he would follow with a right, or hook off his flickering stick, but mostly he was content to bank another easy round with just a jab. It’s not easy to win a round with a tapping jab, but Tua was too tired to throw punches. With 1:15 left in the round, Tua finally swung another improbable hook at Oquendo, then waited 30 seconds before missing with a windmill right. Those were the only two punches Tua threw in the final half of the round.

    Tua’s corner was beside themselves after the second, and began begging Tua to throw more punches… or any punches at all. Their request would go unfulfilled. Tua came out for the third and followed Oquendo around without throwing a punch for a full minute. When he finally did throw a bomb, Tua again got a rise out of the crowd. It was a left hook (of course), and it caught part of Oquendo’s head. Oquendo, awakened by the sudden incoming, quickly fired back three punches, catching Tua with a cross. Oquendo, with only 13 knockouts in 22 fights, is not known for his power, and Tua was completely unfazed. But rather than engage his light-fisted opponent in an exchange, Tua simply went back into statue-mode. For the third consecutive round, Tua’s attempted punches in the final two minutes of the frame could be counted on one hand. Oquendo seemed so surprised that he was able to completely tame Tua with nothing beyond a light jab that he began smiling late in the round. His smile grew to a laugh, and by round’s end he broadly grinned at Tua and began taunting him to throw a punch. None came.

    By the fourth, Tua looked finished. In addition to breathing hard and not throwing punches, his visible frustration seemed to be morphing into visible resignation. Tua didn’t throw a punch for a full minute, then after missing with another reaching hook, waited another minute before throwing again. Oquendo looked like he was doing a training drill: shuffle, jab, shuffle, jab, shuffle, jab. Oquendo landed an occasional right hand, but again none of his punches landed with authority.

    Tua didn’t throw any punches in the first minute of round five, either. Then, all of a sudden, he unleashed a beautiful double hook, downstairs and up. The body shot landed loud and clean, and the hook upstairs wasn’t flush, but it rattled Oquendo anyway. The old Tua could throw more than two punches at a time. The current version can’t, and Oquendo quickly reestablished the pace with his jab. Tua’s two-punch rally couldn’t win him the round but his chances improved when he caught Oquendo with his back to the ropes in the final minute and unleashed a wicked right and left to the body. Again, Oquendo got off the ropes and circled back to center ring. A huffing Tua simply followed him, but this time Oquendo launched a left uppercut. The punch landed square and was followed by two jab-crosses from Oquendo. Tua walked into most of these blows, making them the most effective punches Fres had landed all evening, and giving him the only close round.

    A dejected looking Tua emerged for round six, and immediately began following Oquendo around the ring without throwing any punches. Breathing hard and moving slow, Tua had nothing to offer. He looked more out of shape than he had against Lewis or Byrd. Two minutes into the round, Tua finally returned to the body, again landing a hard shot to each of Oquendo’s sides. But during the two minutes of inactivity that preceded those shots, an accumulation of Oquendo jabs had raised a small but noticeable mouse over Tua’s right eye. Worse, Oquendo was now becoming bolder with his offense, which included a huge right hand to Tua’s ear at the end of the round. The punch rocked Tua’s head to the side (one of the few Oquendo punches that did) and momentarily stopped him in place.

    By round seven, Tua was looking so shot that even his opponent was beginning to notice. After a minute of non-action, Tua suddenly launched a wild hook at Oquendo. The punch missed by a mile and was so forcefully thrown that Tua spun around and crashed sideways into Oquendo. Oquendo initiated a clinch, but couldn’t help from laughing. He was still smiling widely at Tua when, after the break, he threw and landed a crisp jab-cross combination. Aside for a couple of Tua rights to the body later in the round, Oquendo was again unopposed.

    The eighth round was mostly more of the same. It was Tua’s turn to smile early in the stanza when Oquendo initiated a sudden clinch. Before the ref could yell for a break, Oquendo suddenly shoved Tua off and then hammered him with a roundhouse right. It was a Bernard Hopkins signature move, and it was one of the best shots Oquendo landed all night. Tua offered little in return, except for another left hook with five seconds left on the clock. Unlike his previous efforts, this hook landed flush. But if Oquendo was hurt, he didn’t show it. The bell rang, and Oquendo simply smiled, raised his arm in the air and returned to his corner as though he had just won the fight. He hadn’t… but he had just banked the eighth round, giving him a clean sweep on the Boxing Chronicle scorecard.

    The rest of the fight seemed like a mere formality. Oquendo was clearly not going to knock Tua unconscious, and Tua didn’t appear to be able to throw (let alone land) any significant punches. This even seemed obvious to the combatants, both of whom did very little for the first half of the round. Then, without warning, Tua launched an overhand right that clipped Oquendo in the chin. Oquendo was shaken and tried to clutch Tua. Tua had been unable to avoid clinches all night, but now he was throwing. Instead of keeping his hands up, Oquendo was trying to hook Tua’s arms. But Tua’s left had already begun flying, and it made contact on the point of Oquendo’s chin.

    Still unable to clinch, Oquendo now backed up a few steps and found his back to the ropes. He slipped another Tua right and then saw another Tua hook headed his way. As he had done many times before, Oquendo leaned back to avoid the punch. Maybe the ropes didn’t give him enough room… or maybe he wasn’t fast enough… but the punch landed on the jaw and sent his exposed chin flying into the air. How many times have we seen Tua do this to an opponent in the late rounds?

    Unlike most of his opponents, Oquendo did not fall to the canvas in a heap. Somehow he withstood the blow, and circled out to center ring. But his legs were not well, and when a charging Tua came straight at him, he backed straight up… all the way across the ring into a neutral corner. Oquendo was trapped and hurt. Tua was all over him, unloading with both hands, throwing more punches in these final 10 second than he had in the previous six rounds combined. Oquendo tried to bob and weave around the onslaught. A few of Tua’s early blows only grazed him or were blocked on the arms. But after a half dozen attempts, the clean punches started coming. A hook, another hook, a miss and then a massive overhand right. The ref moved closer to the action as Tua landed another hook and another right. The ref was staring at Oquendo and practically between the men when Tua’s biggest hook of the night slammed into Oquendo’s head. That was enough for the official, who jumped between the fighters and waved the bout off. Because the flurry was so quick and Oquendo was still standing and trying to weave, for a brief moment it seemed like a quick stoppage. But as Tua ran to his corner to celebrate, Oquendo took a few steps forward, unaware of where he was, and began wobbling/dancing in place. He instinctively grabbed the top rope to avoid falling over backwards, and was still in la-la land when trainer Felix Trinidad Sr. finally made it over to him. The stoppage turned out to be 100% correct.

    And so once again, David Tua snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. In his corner, Tua was overjoyed. He can now stave off retirement for another day. But the facts remain: Tua looked horrible. Worse than vs. Lennox. Worse than vs. Byrd. Worse than… ever. He was undertrained, slow, unimaginative, and unable to adapt. Oh, and he didn’t throw any punches. At the time of the stoppage, one judge agreed with Boxing Chronicle, and had Oquendo sweeping every round. Two others gave Tua only a single round. Given this performance against a fighter as powerless as Oquendo, just who does Tua think he’s going to beat?

    Well, maybe the answer is Lance Whitaker. If you want to talk about a fighter losing all credibility, you need look no further than Whitaker, who fought on the Tua-Oquendo undercard. Whitaker was fighting on television for the first time since coming to the ring overweight at 274 lbs. and losing to Jameel McCline. This night he weighed in at an untrained 281 and couldn’t even beat a 16-3 club fighter that had taken the bout on a week’s notice. Did we mention that Whitaker closed ray Austin’s right eye early in the second round, and he still couldn’t beat him. Couldn’t even hit him. Rarely even tried.

    In this miserable excuse for a tune-up, Goofi earned his new nickname by putting on a boxing display that would make Mia St. John blush. When a 281 lb. man gets exhausted, as Whitaker did even earlier than Tua, punches become slaps. Actually, slaps is a compliment. They become waves. Whitaker, when he gathered enough energy to throw, lightly tossed his open gloves at his opponent as though he were shoo-ing flies… in slow motion. Oh, sure, occasionally Whitaker would really lay into Austin with heavy blows, but those efforts came only briefly in rounds 8 and 10. If this had been a 12-rounder, Whitaker might have had a heart attack.

    In the end, the judges called it a draw. To be fair to Whitaker (who is an incredibly nice guy outside the ring), we actually scored this fight for him by a slim margin. But many rounds were close, and while our cards said Whitaker, our eyes said Austin. One man looked like he knew how to fight and landed clean punches. The other looked like he had a mosquito problem, and badly needed a nap.

    At the end of the night, neither Tua nor Whitaker lost… and in today’s heavyweight division, that and a little name recognition can make you millions. Both men will fight on, but after these bouts it’s clear: neither man will ever become heavyweight champion of the world.

    …..Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTua KO9 Oquendo & Whitaker D 10 Austin``x1018809503,32139,``x``x ``xApril 15, 2002


    Greetings from the island of Samoa! Wish you were here! Nestled in the heart of Polynesia, Samoa is a sweetheart piece of real estate hugged by blue water. Its white sand beaches, palm trees, its virgin rain forests, the waterfalls, the mountains, a tropical paradise. And Samoa, lest we forget, is a land of volcanoes.

    We came to Polynesia looking for Samoa's favorite son, the pugilist David Tua. We searched towns and villages, hut and high-rise, in hope that we'd find the top-ten contender. One stray lead led to another stray lead, led to dead ends, led to cul-de-sacs, led to nowhere. Then we heard gossip the gent was in the good old USA, way down south in Chester, West Virginia.

    We grabbed our bags and raced to the airport. Air Samoa got us to America in record time. As luck would have it, we saw Tuaman at The Harv pull a rabbit out of a hat versus Fres Oquendo.

    This was a fight that was Oquendo's to lose. Tua's a headhunter with just a left hook and he's slow, can't cut off the ring, and he telegraphs his punches. Chris Byrd and Lennox Lewis already proved what no longer needs proving: David Tua is resilient, but he's a limited fighter. But God bless his Samoan heart! The man copes with pain better than most of us.

    Team Oquendo, masterminded by trainer Felix Trindad Sr., knew what their fighter had to do and their fighter did it. Move to the left, move to the right, jab, jab, move, move, jab, toss in a right, move and keep moving. For eight stanzas Fres did just that. He boxed circles around the pug from Polynesia. Tua lunged with punch after punch for round after desperate round. He became frustrated, he became tired, Tua was swelling. But the proud David Tua - he wouldn't quit. The man ate plenty of leather, but he kept pressing forward, pressing forward, till the bloody end.

    The finale came at 1:54 of round nine. Oquendo, who boxed beautifully, let his guard lapse a second . . . and David Tua, the professional prizefighter, saw what he came for. His bread and butter punch didn't do it, not the left hook - the left hook, the great equalizer, the punch that can daze a man, that can knock a man down, that can send him to dreamland. The former one-handed fighter David Tua clubbed a right to Fres' head that really stunned him. A quick left and a quick right and Oquendo's wobbling. Tua let loose his killer instinct - Tua erupted - and it was like a rerun of a rerun we've not forgotten. Tua threw a left and right in quick succession, and Fres Oquendo, the favored fighter, was on Queer Street. Out on his feet, he was a man living dangerously, so the ref, in his wisdom, stopped the action. The referee, a ghost of a presence, is there for a reason. He's the angel of mercy who saves the fighter from himself.

    Who else David Tua can beat remains a mystery. Lennox Lewis and Byrd are out. Ike Ibeabuchi is not. What about Tyson? Probably a no-show. Against Vladimir Klitschko? Doesn’t seem likely. And McCline? Who knows? The future's not happened. This is boxing, this is pugilism, this is the fight game, where everything and nothing is ever certain. With one sweep of the hand, loss becomes victory. David Tua doesn't trust boxing judges. Tua’s fists did the judging for him.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPostcard From Samoa by R. Ecksel``x1018894266,98150,``x``x ``xA blow out of the blue
    Samoan puncher David Tua new World Cup leader at heavyweight

    by Kris Van de Velde

    Heavyweight David Tua (#15, v450) revived his career with a shocking
    ninth-round stoppage over Fres Oquendo (#7, v900) in Chester, West Virginia
    on Saturday. The Samoan puncher had been slumping back in the rankings
    following losses to Lennox Lewis and Chris Byrd, but his victory over
    coming-man Oquendo puts him back at the very top of boxing's maiden weight
    class. Tua also replaces Corey Sanders as leader in WCOB's 2002 World Cup
    competition with 900 points against 496. It was more or less a lucky win
    for Tua, though, as he found himself outboxed by Oquendo for practically
    the entire fight. Oquendo was heading towards a clear decision victory when
    he suddenly got bombed by an overhand right from Tua. Oquendo wobbled and
    was unable to resist Tua's follow-up, leaving the referee no other option
    but to halt the bout. Boxing is a hard business. Tua is the man again, but
    Oquendo - at
    30 - should still have time to come back from his first defeat as a pro.

    On the undercard, Lance Whitaker (#18, v420) had to settle for a ten-round
    draw against unrated Ray Austin after a fight not worth seeing. It looks as
    if Whitaker's on the road to nowhere...

    In Nakornatchasima, Thailand, local hero Yodsanan Nanatchai 3K Battery (#9,
    v700)
    captured the vacant WBA title in the super featherweight division with a
    12-round points win over Mongolian Lakva Sim (#6, v1000). Most of the fight
    was closely contested, with Yodsanan having the upper hand at the start and
    at the finish. Scores were: 116-112, 120-109 and 119-110. Yodsanan becomes
    second in the World Cup competition behind Acelino Freitas, who's still
    ahead with 1600 points.

    Italian welterweight Michele Piccirillo (#6, v1000) became IBF champion in
    Campione
    d'Italia after a close battle with American Corey Spinks (#25, v330). It
    was a difficult fight for the home favourite as Spinks kept on scoring from
    his southpaw stance. The Italian landed the harder blows, however, and that
    seemed to impress the judges most. Piccirillo gets a recognized title, but
    he enters the World Cup race outside the top five as Spinks' head was
    "only" worth 330 points.

    Finally, light heavyweight southpaw Derrick Harmon (#21, v360) will move
    back up in the rankings with a lopsided ten-round decision win over
    Glencoffe Johnson (#18, v420) in Las Vegas. Harmon worked without risking
    too much and collected points round after round with Johnson unable to get
    close enough. Harmon - a former Roy Jones Jr. victim - becomes fourth in
    the WCup standings at 175 lbs.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Round-up ``x1018963815,40470,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    A few months back you may recall reading about Hartford’s “Iceman” John Scully and his quest to lure amateur nemesis Joey DeGrandis of South Boston into a boxing ring with him. Scully has dreamed of settling an old score with DeGrandis who began a post-fight melee moments after the referee DQ’d the Bostonian after the first round was completed in their Golden Gloves Finals match in 1988. The fight saw national attention and appeared in USA Today the day after. The two turned pro and went separate ways after the contest and both received title shots at super-middleweight and light heavyweight. Scully dropped a 12-round decision in Germany to then champion Henry Maske while DeGrandis was shut out over 12 rounds by then champion Charles Brewer.

    Both DeGrandis and Scully took some time off shortly after the title fight defeats but have since resumed their careers with Scully doing all the talking of making the match. According to DeGrandis’ promoter, one-time fighter Bobby Hitz, Scully has been labeled a stalker from his obsession with calling out DeGrandis. In addition to training his body, Scully has been training amateur fighters and recently returned from Vegas where Greg Cutler, one of his proteges lost in the quarterfinals in the U.S. Championships. But when he returned from the two-week stint, he heard some startling news.

    It appears that DeGrandis’ lack of interest to meet Scully in a professional match may have done him some good. Or maybe not should there be nothing left of him after Saturday night. DeGrandis will be receiving his 2nd title shot after winning 6 straight over nondescript opponents. As you might have heard, promoters of WBO light heavyweight champion Dariusz Michalzewski are offering an undeserved title shot to DeGrandis next month in Germany. Many felt that DeGrandis’ title shot with Brewer was kind enough but to be granted a second shot against a man regarded as the third if not the second best light heavyweight in the world is absurd. Though this may infuriate the boxing purists who believe that title shots should be earned, it hasn’t heated the Iceman.

    “I am not upset about DeGrandis getting another shot,” Scully told the CBZ. “I am all for a fighter to take advantage of whatever opportunities he can get. If I had been more active as a fighter in the last 2 years it could have been me going there to fight Michalzewski.”

    As most would suspect, Scully doesn’t exactly fancy DeGrandis’ chances but is still optimistic that their 14 year feud will eventually end in a boxing ring. “I think Joey will come to fight. He will not punk up but I just think Dariusz is too big and has too strong of a jab for a guy with Joey’s style. It is a huge step up in class. I have been assured by Bobby Hitz that after this fight, that a fight between Joey and I will still happen. I think no matter what happens with Joey and Michalzewski, a fight between us will still be a big event here in New England.”

    Scully was to fight in Toronto on April 26th until a replacement for Rashad Lee, Scully’s original opponent could not be found. “I felt real sharp and ready to fight but without a promoter behind me, I haven’ been able to do that. I have been training every day and have been to Las Vegas, Rhode Island, New York City and Boston over the last few months sparring. I am going to keep working hard in case something comes up again but it is very frustrating to have these fights keep falling out.”

    Scully expressed interest in appearing on one of Rich Cappiello’s Mohegan Sun FightNight New England cards. A possibility could be a May bout in Massachusetts. Speaking of Cappiello, his next show is this Friday at the Roseland Ballroom in Taunton. Taunton’s own Hector “The Pit Bull” Sanjurjo (12-6-5 with 7 KO’s) will be facing Jermal “The Last Dragon” Barnes (14-2 with 4 KO’s) in the main event. Sanjurjo is coming off a disappointing loss to Tim Flamos of Brockton for the New England cruiserweight title. Sanjurjo’s record may not look admirable on paper but he suffered somewhat forgivable losses to title challengers, Eric Harding, David Telesco, Will Taylor and Derrick Harmon. The loss to Harmon was three years ago when Sanjurjo, ahead on all scorecards decided to sucker punch Harmon when they were to touch gloves before the 8th and final round. While the referee was jawing at Sanjurjo, the Pit Bull decided to spit on Joe Goosen, Harmon’s trainer. Sanjurjo also owns a stoppage victory over recently crowned NABO super-middleweight champion Scott Pemberton of New Bedford. Also appearing on the card is Aaron “2-Gun” Torres (9-1 with 5 KO’s) of Brockton via Philadelphia who faces Holbrook Storr of the Bahamas. Storr, a former Bahamian champion was to have fought Torres a month ago until he sustained an injury. “Cocky” Kevin Watts (15-1 with 4 KO’s) of South Boston faces Eddie McAlone (8-3) of Pembroke and heavyweight Brian McDonaugh makes his return after a 19-month layoff. Four other bouts are also slated to appear on the card. Doors open at 6:00 PM with the first match scheduled to kick off at 7:45. Ringside seats are $50 and general admission if $25. To reserve tickets or for more information call (508) 587-5554 or (508) 587-3370. Fox Sports Net New England will rebroadcast the show Sunday afternoon (3:00-5:00 PM), April 28th.

    George Kimball a multiple award winning scribe of the Boston Herald is having a busy week for himself. Not only will he be one of Fox’ guest commentators on Friday, he will host the annual Eamonn Coghlan-Neil Cusack Marathon Golf Classic, tomorrow (April 17th) at Hingham's South Shore Country Club. The tournament will host a slew of local including former Red Sox ace Luis Tiant, former Patriots Gino Cappelletti, Babe Parilli, Larry Eisenhauer, Len St. Jean, and Bill Lenkaitis. Also commiting to the event are former Bruins Ken Hodge, Ken Hodge III, and John Bucyk, former Red Sox pitcher Bill Lee and former manager Joe Morgan, former Celtic Ernie DiGregorio, former Boston Marathon winner Jack Fultz, and boxers Rich LaMontagne, Dana Rosenblatt, and Kippy Diggs. No Peter McNeeley will not be playing.

    Named for Coghlan and Cusack (who in 1975 became the only Irish citizen to
    win the Boston Marathon), the Classic is run by Kimball and a committee co-chaired by Jim
    O'Brien, of Scituate and Lowell, and Peter Kerr, of Weymouth. The annual springtime event has raised nearly $200,000 for Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin, Ireland. Although the field at this year's event is once gain sold out, spectators are welcome but may only heckle LaMontange. Just kidding, from what I hear, he doesn’t need it.

    “Irish” Micky Ward has been in training for the past several weeks and has been recently working on his physical strength for his scheduled big-money fight with former world champion, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti on May 18th at the Mohegan Sun. “I’m lifting more because I have to be physically stronger for this guy,” Ward said from his training camp. “I’m going to get in a lot more sparring rounds, too. This is going to be a very tough fight. Gatti’s tough and very
    durable, but he can be beat, and that’s what I plan on doing. He reminds me a little of (Shea) Neary, only he’s (Arturo) a better boxer. I want to be inside – not too close –and not at the end of his punches. He’s going to feel my body punches.”

    Ward had arguably his best fight against Neary when he stopped the “Shamrock Express” on his own turf with a succession of hard body shots and uppercuts. Though the 36-year old’s time is running out, he may have a worthwhile gig when he decides to finally hang up the gloves. According to Bob Trieger, Ward’s publicist, Ward may be teaching boxing lessons to those interested at the World’s Gym in Tewksbury, (pronounced Tooks-bury) MA where he has been bulking up. Though it should be interesting and grueling, I doubt anyone will be walking out of there knowing how to throw his patented hook to the body, a blow that has won him a few big ones and has made him so popular.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1019006487,85406,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel


    CBZ, April 18, 2002
    Holy smokes! Evander’s at it again. For the umpteenth time, contrary to common wisdom, the laws of nature, contrary to common sense, the once-great Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield is about to climb back into the ring to do battle June 1. His forty-fourth prizefight is against former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman -- but Holy’s real fight is with Father Time himself.

    We can’t count the number of times we thought - and hoped - Holyfield would hang ‘em up and call it quits. Over and over again during his long, productive, but mercilessly bruising career, we’ve watched this fine pugilist up the ante against opponents he had no chance of beating, but against whom Evander won.

    Winning, of course, is what Evander Holyfield is all about. Even now, whenever he’s asked why he keeps fighting, Holyfield, like a broken record, keeps saying the same thing over and over again: "To be the very best." But at the age of 39, an old man in boxing terms, the gent from Georgia ought to give it up, spare us and, more importantly, spare himself from suffering any more bodily harm. Even if he wins against the 29-year old Hasim Rahman, Evander is already much diminished, a gladiator severely compromising the possibility of a long and healthy life . . . should he be so lucky.

    Evander has had nineteen full-blown fistfights since he dispatched Buster Douglas to win the heavyweight crown in 1990. And although a few of these matches were walkovers - think of George Foreman (1991), Bert Cooper (1991), Larry Holmes (1992), Ray Mercer (1995), Bobby Czyz (1996), Michael Moorer (1997) and Vaughn Bean (1998) - so many of his skirmishes were do-or-die, the kind of donnybrooks that can, will, must age a man during 36-minutes of trading punches.

    His trilogies with Riddick Bowe, Lennox Lewis and John Ruiz fattened Holy’s bank account, but drained him of his vitality. His two wars with Tyson, in 1996 and 1997 - Iron Mike lost the first, Holyfield lost his ear in the second - might have been the perfect time for Evander to throw in the towel. No one would have, could have blamed him if he declared: That’s it! Enough is enough! I’m outta here! But in Holyfield’s chest beats the heart of a lion. Quit is the one word that’s missing from Evander Holyfield’s vocabulary.

    No one’s too thrilled at the prospect of Holyfield fighting Hasim Rahman in Atlantic City - except, perhaps, promoter extraordinaire Don King, the original Prince of Darkness, who wouldn’t shed a tear if Evander was carried from the ring unconscious on a stretcher. DK only cares about DK. Holyfield and his ilk (namely every boxer battling under King’s aegis) are just meal tickets, a way to expand his already corpulent fame, fortune and reputation. So what if someone gets hurt? So what if a mere pug is reduced to a shambling wreck? Don’s the "Only in America" man. The sport may be called boxing, but DK knows, or has at least convinced himself, that MONEY is the only game in town.

    Hasim "The Rock" Rahman will earn $2 million for his efforts. Holyfield walks away (hopefully) with a cool $5 mil - a spit in the ocean in terms of Evander’s finances. During yesterday’s news conference in Manhattan to announce the fight, Evander asked rhetorically, "Does age determine when you stop?" and "Can I still perform?" The answers to those two question are, respectively, respectfully, yes and no.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOld Man and the Sea``x1019146435,83874,``x``x ``xBy Joe Koizumi

    Hard-punching WBC flyweight champ Pongsaklek Singwangcha Wonjongkam (44-2, 26 KOs), 112, registered the quickest KO defense in flyweight history, as he exploded with a vicious southpaw left to the bottom of previously unbeaten Japanese Daisuke Naito (19-1-2, 14 KOs), 112, blasting him out in just 34 seconds of the opening session in Khonkaen, Thailand.

    Naito made fireworks from the start, showing a furious opening attack to the champ, who kept cool and covered himself up well. Suddenly Pongsaklek, making his 4th defense, landed a devastating left to the face of the Japanese, flattening him unconscious for more than 10 count.

    The previous record was scored by Frenchman Emile "Spider" Pladner when he dismantled Frankie Genaro to capture the NBA flyweight belt 58 seconds into the opening canto on March 2, 1929. Pongsaklek broke this record thanks to Naito’s reckless and careless strategy. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPonsaklek Retains Flyweight Title in 0:34``x1019226080,39573,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel

    One needn’t be a family man to be crazy about kin who kick ass. As long as there were fathers and sons, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters who let things get out of hand, tempers raged, fists flew, and whoever remained standing was winner and still champion.

    Sometimes it’s not necessary to take a shot to the head to see double. Starting with those twins fighting out of the Eden Gym, the acrimonious Cain and Abel, renegade relatives relied on the kayo with regularity, if not with pleasure.

    Jack (Twin) Sullivan and Mike (Twin) Sullivan both fought the great Stanley Ketchel. In 1908, Jack lasted twenty rounds with the middleweight champ, but Mike was knocked cold in the first.

    Henry Cooper (who lost to Muhammad Ali in 1963 and 1966) and his twin brother Jim were blue-eyed, blond British bombers who, via their ring exploits, did their mother Lily proud.

    Jem Ward (who won the championship in 1825 and was the first man ever awarded a belt) and his younger brother Nick (champ from 1835-1841) were hardheaded bareknucklers in a class all their own.

    "Terrible" Terry McGovern and his younger brother Hugh were superb fighting featherweights at the start of the last century.

    Monte and Abe Attell (featherweight champ from 1906-1912) had a lot in common. The two boys looked alike - and they adored punching guys in the face.

    Other brawling brothers included Tom and Mike Gibbons (who fought, and lost to, Jack Dempsey in 1923); Paddy and Tony DeMarco (the former won the lightweight title in 1954, the latter became king of the featherweights a year later); and the Quarrys, Mike (flattened by Bob Foster in 1972) and Jerry (the glorious 1970s heavyweight who fought Ali, Patterson and George Chuvalo) were bruisers as much as they were brothers.


    No fan of the fight game could ever forget Neon Leon and Michael Spinks. And, of course, there were those inimitable Zivics from Pittsburgh, PA: Eddie (lightweight), Jack (lightweight), Joe (middleweight), Pete (bantamweight), and the baby of the family, the fabulous Fritzie Zivic (who beat Henry Armstrong in 1940 to win the welterweight title).

    A number of sons followed in their father’s footsteps. New York born Jacob Hyer, the so-called "Father of the American Ring," was the first Yank to fight professionally in public. His son Tom Hyer, a chip off the old block if there ever was one, became America’s first, but not last, heavyweight champion in 1849.

    Joe Frazier (heavyweight champ 1970-1973) was a man as tough as he was talented. His son Marvis, more earnest than inspired, fell somewhat short of Dad’s deadly accomplishments.

    And, lastly, we come to the father-son duo of Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Jr. Pretty Boy Floyd’s old man was one helluva a fighter (his uncles Roger and Jeff weren't pushovers, either) and gave Sugar Ray Leonard fits when the two men met in 1978.

    Perhaps the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. But when it comes to family fisticuffs, to pugilistic progeny, we understand all too well the meaning of the expression blood relatives.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMayweather Family Affair``x1019232228,31288,``x``x ``xSanjurjo Loses a Hometown Decision in His Backyard
    By JD Vena

    TAUNTON, MA – It shouldn’t have come as too much of a surprise. As the CBZ has been reporting during the last few New England shows, fighters have been losing decisions in on their own state and sometimes in their own city, even if they appear to deserve to win. In the last 8 months, Lawrence’s Edwin Santana and Haverhill’s Jeff Frazza have lost on their own turf. Last night’s 10-round cruiserweight contest between Jermell “The Last Dragon” Barnes of Rochester, NY and Taunton’s favorite pit bull, Hector Sanjurjo was the latest hometown disappointment. After 10 rounds it seemed that even though Sanjurjo slowed down the stretch that he still had won a majority of the rounds by pure aggression and an effective body attack. But two of the ringside officials appreciated Barnes’ crisp jab and occasional lead right hand, shots that swelled Sanjurjo’s right eye.

    Judges Robert Kaprelielian and Leo Gerstel had Barnes ahead 96-94 and 97-93 while Nick Previti had Sanjurjo winning by a 98-92 tally. The CBZ also liked Hector a 97-93 winner because of Barnes’ lack of activity. He waited too much and didn’t work on the inside during any time of the bout. Instead he’d push, but despite going the distance in his hometown, Barnes had no doubts that he would be announced the winner.

    “I had to shed 24 pounds in 17 days,” said Barnes. “You do the math. That might have been the reason why I (wouldn’t pull the trigger) when I should have. But I knew I won the fight. I hit him with so many clean right hands. I couldn’t miss with it. The next time out I’ll be in much better shape.”

    Barnes now 15-2 with 4 KO’s had previously lost two straight; one to Sione Asipelli and the other to Brittish heavyweight Michael Sprott who at 230, had outweighed him by some 25 pounds. “I’m difinitely staying at cruiserweight,” said Barnes. Sanjurjo is now 12-7-5 with 7 KO’s.
    Other results:

    Kevin “Cocky” Watts, 138, South Boston, MA TKO2 (1:05) Ed McAlone, 136, Pembroke, MA

    Billy “The Kid” Mofford, 212, Randolph, MA WU4 Danny Sheehan, 197, Salem, New Hampshire.

    Harold Rodriguez, 240, Taunton, MA TKO2 Knowledge Bey, Rochester, NY

    Dave “The Hammer” Hamilton, 165, Brockton, MA WS4 Manny Teo, 162, Springfield, MA

    Promoter - Rich Cappiello
    Network - Fox SportsNet New England (April 28th 3:00-5:00 PM)``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBarnes W10 Sanjurjo``x1019324838,17867,``x``x ``xMAYWEATHER LOSES FIGHT, BUT NOT DECISION
    Bogus decision lifts title from Castillo’s waiste
    Also: Stevie Johnston mounts a comeback


    There was only one problem with Floyd Mayweather’s unanimous decision victory over WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo: Pretty Boy Floyd lost the fight. Despite the fact that Castillo landed the cleaner, harder punches, swept the championship rounds, and set the pace of the entire bout, three blind judges incredulously handed Mayweather his 29th straight victory… and Castillo’s championship belt. Luckily, the WBC-approved officials have no jurisdiction over the mythical pound-for-pound list, a list that no longer includes Mayweather’s name.

    On paper, Mayweather’s handspeed should have been more than enough to tame the come-forward style of Jose Luis Castillo. Indeed, the first round showed this to be true. Unleashing a very Roy Jones-esque lead left hook in the bout’s opening moments, Mayweather quickly demonstrated the quickness that had made him a star. Castillo looked overwhelmed. Following Mayweather around the ring, Castillo hardly got a punch off as the young challenger jabbed him to the stomach and threw blistering combinations to the head. By round’s end, Castillo’s nose was trickling blood and it looked like we might
    have a repeat of Mayweather-Chavez on our hands.

    Mayweather resumed his assault in the second round, circling the champion and firing quick bursts of power punches. But mid-way through the round, the fighters clashed heads. Mayweather emerged from the clash pawing at an insignificant cut over his left eye. The wound was little more than a scratch, but the sight of blood confused Mayweather. Unsure of how badly he was cut, Mayweather’s footwork began to morph into a retreat. Castillo, always coming forward, chased Mayweather around the ring for the remainder, landing a series of body shots every time Mayweather strayed too close to the
    ropes.

    Mayweather began complaining to his corner about a sore left shoulder before the third round began, but the arm looked fine as Mayweather began jabbing to open the third. Castillo applied constant pressure to Mayweather, and instead of keeping the fight at or near center ring, Mayweather was finding himself increasingly trapped on the ropes by Castillo. Normally, Mayweather is safe on the ropes; he simply tucks his chin and weaves out of harm’s way. But this night, Castillo found success by digging to Mayweather’s stationary
    body. One particularly hard shot was a beautiful Castillo left uppercut/hook that caught Mayweather on the chest. A moment later, Castillo threw a wild left hook (partially blocked) and a heavy straight right hand (unblocked) that scored. The sequence didn’t buckle Mayweather’s legs, but it did fill Castillo with confidence. From here on out, Castillo never again looked concerned with Mayweather’s speed.

    Castillo continued putting incredible pressure on Mayweather in the fourth, staying right in front of him no matter which way he glided. Again, Mayweather’s back was soon sliding over the ropes, giving him precious little room to work his magic. Mayweather responded to the pressure by simply moving more. But with Castillo always on top of him, Mayweather’s movement started to look like running… especially when the only offense to accompany the shuffling was a flicking jab. Midway through the round, Mayweather switched to southpaw and landed his only effective blow of the round: a crisp right uppercut. But the punch didn’t stop Castillo, who fired his long right at Mayweather before clipping him with part of a left uppercut. Mayweather was clearly giving Castillo respect, and with good reason: Castillo had gained 13 pounds since the weigh-in, giving him a full weight class of size over Floyd.

    Mayweather had a nice fifth round, perhaps the only frame in which he
    adjusted his style to compensate for Castillo’s pressure. Mayweather
    succeeded in picking Castillo off as he came in, leading with left hooks, right hands, and occasionally even throwing his punches in combination. If Mayweather could have put together a few more rounds like this one, the fight might have more closely resembled his bout with Jesus Chavez. Castillo took all of Mayweather’s shots with ease, his solid chin showing no dents.

    Castillo, who again continued to focus mostly on the body, may have lost this round, but he got in the last word. With 10 seconds before the bell, Castillo nailed Mayweather with a beautiful left hook, snapping his head like few opponents ever had. Castillo missed a few other swings and ended up in a clinch with Mayweather. The bell rang to end the round, and Castillo immediately ripped two gigantic left hooks to Mayweather’s upper ribs. Mayweather put on his best gangsta face and slapped hands with Castillo after the fouls, but the body shots must have had some effect: Mayweather would only win one more round from here on out.

    The sixth began very close, with both men throwing and landing clean shots. But while Mayweather’s speedy shots were effective, Castillo’s thudding blows were the story of the round. Castillo was clearly the harder puncher, and he scored repeatedly to Mayweather’s body. More than a few of these downstairs hooks caught Mayweather on or slightly below the beltline, and all of the bodywork visibly bothered the challenger. At one point, with Castillo on top of him, Mayweather turned and complained to the ref about the body shots. Before the ref could respond, Mayweather had slipped to the canvas, showing how unfocused he was. On his feet again, Mayweather could do little
    more than skate along the edge of the ropes, stopping occasionally to get hit. Castillo landed two solid right crosses before the round was out, perhaps the hardest shots Mayweather has ever taken.

    Castillo had begun to turn the tide in the sixth and he took full control in the seventh. Mayweather was now in full retreat, using his feet as a mode of transportation away from the incoming. Castillo’s own footwork was to be commended, as he repeatedly cut the ring off and trapped Mayweather with his back to the ropes. Again and again and again, Castillo dug to the body with loud, flush shots. Mayweather had no effective answers. Near the end of the
    round, Castillo uncorked two more big hooks to the side and followed with a slashing right that Mayweather could not avoid. The punch swiveled Mayweather’s head and drew a broad smile on his face. The fight was getting closer on the cards.

    Mayweather needed to bring the action to center ring. Early in the eighth, Mayweather was able to move off the ropes and get some footing over the Budweiser logo. Here, his jab and long punches landed clean. But after a brief rally, Castillo pushed a long right hand into Mayweather’s face, snapping his head straight back. This was all it took to send Mayweather back into safety mode. Castillo could not afford to get into a boxing match with Mayweather, and so he continued to press the action. Again, Mayweather frequently found himself on the ropes eating a seemingly endless diet of Castillo body shots. Castillo was so intent on roughing Mayweather up that he frequently ignored referee Vic Drakulich’s calls for break by getting in one or two more punches before being physically separated. By the eighth, however, this trick was wearing thin with the ref, and after Castillo brushed Mayweather’s face with a blatant post-break hook, Drakulich called time and deducted a point from Castillo. Because of his relentless pressure and high volume of landed body shots, Castillo won the round… but the deduction reduced his effort to a 9-9 on the cards.

    Mayweather’s corner asked their man to attack Castillo at the start of round nine, but it was Castillo who drew first blood. Pinning Mayweather into a neutral corner, Castillo ripped with a huge lead right-left hook combo that shook Mayweather. Floyd responded by simply running. Moving left, then right, Mayweather spent most of the ninth trying to simply not get hit. Occasionally he would flick out a jab or lead with a hook of his own, but Mayweather seemed to have little more than survival on his mind in this stanza. No matter which way he went, however, Castillo was within range. The pressure being applied by the champion was impressive, but in this round
    his accuracy failed him. With Mayweather offering little beyond the
    occasional pick-off, Castillo really only needed a few clean shots to bank another 10-9. Unfortunately for Castillo, those punches didn’t come, and Mayweather eked out a much-needed round with his potshots.

    Castillo was doing a pretty good job recreating the style of his mentor, Julio Cesar Chavez. Pressuring Mayweather to the ropes, Castillo repeatedly gave himself opportunities to score. Again and again, Mayweather would be trapped against the wires, allowing Castillo a free swing or two before Mayweather could move to another side of the ring. Often, Mayweather ducked the most lethal of Castillo’s attempts… but the body shots continued to land clean and Castillo found Mayweather’s chin more often than any of his previous foes. Mayweather didn’t appreciate the pressure he was under, and
    had begun shoving Castillo off with his elbow when he got too close.
    Drakulich began warning Mayweather of this foul early in the round. Near the end of the round, Castillo again had Mayweather on the ropes and landed a heavy left uppercut/hook and a right cross. Mayweather responded by throwing his right forearm into Castillo’s nose, restarting the blood flow. A second later, Mayweather was again warned about the elbow/forearm use, and two seconds after that Mayweather did it again. Drakulich stopped the action and
    now deducted a point from Mayweather. The fouls had now cancelled each other out, although this one changed Castillo’s 10-9 into a more lucrative 10-8 round.

    The fight was now even on the Boxing Chronicle scorecard, although Castillo had long since established control of the momentum and pace. Now in the championship rounds, it was do or die time for Mayweather. Needing a new tactic to combat Castillo’s inertia, Mayweather now opted to plant his feet and left Castillo run into him at center ring instead of push him back to the ropes. The result was most of the eleventh round being fought on the inside.

    Cheek to cheek, Mayweather and Castillo leaned on each other in center ring and waged a brutal inside war. For the first minute of the battle, it was all Castillo, as the champion showed a fluid deftness at inside work, hammering Mayweather to the body and head. Mayweather rallied in the second minute of this new battle, by stepping back a half step and finding just enough range to fire punches in groups of two and three. As Mayweather began to move his arms, Castillo returned to the body, landing hooks and jabs to
    Mayweather’s midsection over and over and over again. As the seconds clicked away, Mayweather’s efforts looked to be making this another close round. But just before the bell sounded, Castillo dipped his knees slightly and then shot up with a long uppercut. The punch caught Mayweather on the chin and snapped his head straight back. The punch drew a gasp from the pro-Mayweather crowd and gave Castillo the close round.

    Mayweather was trailing on the unofficial Boxing Chronicle scorecard and had to know that the fight was close. He needed to win the final round big. Instead, he hardly mounted an effort. In fact, the first minute of the twelfth was largely uneventful. Castillo finally began throwing punches at the halfway point… and Mayweather didn’t. Castillo was clearly tired, but his face bore a look of sheer determination. His punches in the final round weren’t as hard as some of his earlier shots, but it was clear that he was digging deep to mount the effort. For his part, Mayweather simply coasted,
    jabbing occasionally, holding when he could, and doing next to nothing to demonstrate that he wanted 10 points. It was a pretty shabby display from a man who claims to be pound-for-pound best.

    The bell finally rang, and both fighters took a moment to get in an extra punch before each raised their hands in victory. But while Castillo shots his arms in the air and began jumping in place, Mayweather meekly raised his arms and shuffled back to his corner a defeated man.

    The final tally on the Boxing Chronicle card was 114-112 for Castillo, a tally that reads much closer than the fight actually looked. So dominant was Castillo down the stretch, and so passive was Mayweather at times, that nothing seemed odd when Michael Buffer announced that the judges had scored the bout 115-111, 115-111 and 116-111. And then there were those awful words: “And NEW…” Castillo had been robbed.

    This was a completely bogus decision, and one that will absolutely knock Mayweather’s name off the pound-for-pound list. With Forrest, Hopkins, Jones, Barrera, Tszyu, Austin, Ayala, Mosley, Lopez and Morales (not to mention DelaHoya, Vargas, Trinidad, Tapia, or Morel), there simply isn’t room on the list for a light-hitting runner who couldn’t move up five pounds and beat an easy-to-hit brawler. Mayweather may keep his pristine record (now 28-0/20) and add another WBC belt to his collection… but he has suffered a serious setback. After the fight, Mayweather repeatedly claimed that a shoulder injury only left him with one arm (of course, he also repeatedly claimed that he had no excuses)… but he also downplayed talk of a rematch.
    Unfortunately for Mayweather, a rematch will be the only way he can restore his standing.

    The likely next Mayweather opponent won’t be Castillo, but the man Castillo conquered, two-time lightweight champ Stevie Johnston. Unfortunately for Mayweather, Johnston didn’t look his age on the undercard. Instead he looked fresh as ever during a one-sided boxing contest against former featherweight titlist Cobrita Gonzalez. After a bit of a slow start, which included a Gonzalez left hook in round two that seriously wobbled Johnston, the former champ got into a rhythm. Johnston set it all up with one of the most versatile jabs in all of boxing. Sometimes his stick was a mere range-finder
    for his crisp, accurate left cross. Other times, Johnston would stuff the jab into Gonzalez’ face with force. Still other times, Johnston would triple up on the jab, throwing three distinct jabs in combination, getting a slightly different angle on each shot.

    Despite spending a week of his training camp in the clink (Johnston was way behind on child support payments), Little But Bad looked as good as ever. He retains decent hand speed, can still box circles around most guys, and still looks like he can make 135 with ease. Against Gonzalez, Johnston threw a variety of punches, including some great body shots and a wicked right hook. Even now, on the backside of his career, Johnston might prove to be a serious challenge to Floyd Mayweather… especially if this lackluster version of the
    Pretty Boy shows up in the ring again.

    …..Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMayweather W12 Castillo; Captures Lightweight Title``x1019395395,82917,``x``x ``xGatti vs. Ward at Mohegan Sun

    An Explosive Night of Boxing in the Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, May 18th

    UNCASVILLE, CT (April 17, 2002) – Mohegan Sun, in association with Main Events and HBO Boxing After Dark, brings two of the most explosive boxers in their weight class to Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, May 18th. Arturo Gatti will face Micky Ward in a 140 lb. weight class duel. These two gladiators of the squared circle have provided fight fans with some of the most exciting moments in professional boxing in recent years. The Gatti vs. Ward battle will be broadcast live on HBO Boxing After Dark.

    Held in the Mohegan Sun Arena, tickets for this night of boxing are on sale now and available at Mohegan Sun’s in-house Box Office, on-line through tickets.com, by calling tickets.com at 1.800.477.6849 or at any tickets.com outlet at a cost of $250, $175, $100 & $40. The first bout begins promptly at 8:30pm.

    Gatti (34-5-0, 28 KOs), from Jersey City, New Jersey, is the former IBF jr. Lightweight champion. He turned pro in 1991 and won his first professional title in 1994 by beating USBA junior lightweight champion Pete Taliaferro with a first round TKO. He participated in the “Fight of the Year” three consecutive years 1996-1998. In his last bout, Gatti put himself in junior welterweight title contention by pummeling Terron Millett with a four round TKO.

    Ward (37-11, 27 KOs), from Lowell, Massachusetts, is the former WBU light welterweight champion. He made his professional debut in 1985 and has gone on to become one of boxing’s most televised fighters with 26 appearances on ESPN and/or ESPN2, four on HBO and one on pay-per-view. His July 13, 2001 match against Emanuel Burton produced the consensus 2001 Fight of the Year according to USA Today, Ring Magazine and others.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPR: Ward-Gatti Tickets on Sale``x1019481650,70135,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel


    How many times have we seen it happen? Too many times to count. The boxing superstar, the pug with the backing, the big name with the big numbers and the big dreams about a big-time future loses a prizefight, but gets the decision.

    Granted, judging a fight is a subjective matter. Even among the experts, the cognoscenti, the connoisseurs, even among the diehard fans of the sweet science of bruising, someone’s crazy about the aggressor, another loves a mercurial slickster. Could this explain the disparity between perception and most judges' scorecards?

    Maybe this isn't incompetence or a difference of opinion. Perhaps it's more sinister than we think? Could it be just plain old everyday lousy stinking corruption? You know: The exchange of honesty and integrity for a measly buck?

    One needn't go far to see a landscape littered with bad decisions. Remember Eric Morales - the former "El Terrible" - winning a decision in 2000 against his less-damaged opponent Marco Antonio Barrera? Ronald "Winky" Wright made Fernando Vargas look like an amateur the same year, but Vargas, on another planet, somehow got the nod. How about when the flummoxed Julio Cesar Chavez was awarded a draw in 1993 against Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker? There was Sugar Ray Leonard's theft, with a little help from his friends in 1987, of Marvelous Marvin Hagler's middleweight title. Remember the scorecards from James Toney vs. Dave Tiberi in 1992? Or the conclusion to the George Forman-Shannon Briggs folly in 1997, one of the crummiest decisions in history?

    Any way you cut it, it seems the more things change, the more things stay the same. Skip back a half-century to 1947 and the lousy decision that followed Joe Louis vs. Jersey Joe Walcott. What can you do? Maybe it’s a world of bad decisions, but they plague boxing the way locusts plague plantations.

    Why do we accept this? How can we stand it? Why don’t we put up a fight? Or are poor verdicts in boxing just one of those things, something dreaded but inevitable, something over which we have no control, something like bad weather, something like death, something like taxes? We've seen bogus decisions from the highest court in the land down to judges at an Indian-run casino. Is there no system of checks and balances? Isn’t there any justice?

    Considering Floyd Mayweather's distractions outside the ring - the hip-hop, the gangsta ethos, the wealth, the domestic violence - it's surprising he went the distance with Sr. Castillo. Mayweather never hit the deck, but he was body-shot to death and he was wobbled. Floyd was cornered and punched, cornered and pummeled, caught with straight rights, lefts and quick uppercuts. Pretty Boy was out-fought, out-hustled and out-gutted by the hungrier, the tougher, by the more valiant man in the ring.

    In the record books it will read: Jose Luis Castillo came to town a champion and walked from town a nobody, while the bruised and bloodied Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather strolled away with another trophy. But don’t you believe it.

    The beauty and grace, the poetry and power, the element of surprise still beats in boxing’s heart. But we ought to drop a line to those judges suggesting that, when there's a free moment, they might see an opthamologist. Failing that, they should find another profession.

    I can almost visualize them, but I can't quite recall the folks who finessed their woeful decision. Does anyone out there remember the names of the questionable three judges in question? Was it Clarence Thomas? Lance Ito? Judge Judy?

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJudges Blew the Mayweather Call``x1019490069,61333,``x``x ``xMayweather outpoints Castillo, did he?
    Bredahl and Calzaghe superb new World Cup leaders

    by Kris Van de Velde

    Being the best in one weight division doesn't mean you are the best in another one. Exactly what super featherweight star Floyd Mayweather experienced in Las Vegas on Saturday, despite being "awarded" a very controversial points decision over Jose Luis Castillo in a battle for the WBC lightweight title. Mayweather started the much-anticipated fight well, but Castillo adjusted his style and became the aggressor halfway through. Mayweather claimed he hurt his left shoulder, while the Mexican landed the better shots and appeared headed to a successful defence of his title. However, the judges saw it different and gave it to Mayweather by 115-111, 115-111 and 116-111. A rematch has apparently been ordered and agreed.
    Although the result may be highly unfortunate, WCOB respects the official outcome of a fight to maintain its own objectivity. Hence, Mayweather joins Leonard Dorin at the top of the 2002 World Cup competition with 1800 points and becomes the new number 1 in WCOB's Total Ranking.

    On the MGM Grand undercard, former lightweight champion Stevie Johnston (#6, v1000) could be in line for another shot at a recognized belt after convincingly beating Alejandro Gonzalez (#20, v400) over twelve rounds. Johnston proved to quick and clever and didn't give his Mexican foe the opportunity to fully unload.

    British super middleweight star Joe Calzaghe (#1, v2000) successfully defended his WBO title and leadership in WCOB's Total Ranking with a unanimous points victory against American Charles Brewer (#7 ,v900) after 12 thrilling rounds in Cardiff, Wales. Both combattants bombed each other relentlessly and were rocked on several ocassions but there were no knockdowns. Unbeaten southpaw Calzaghe never stopped attacking and got most of the rounds but had to grit his teeth until the final bell to overcome a late charge by Brewer.
    The judges had it 118-111, 117-112 and 119-109 in favour of Calzaghe. A great win for a
    worthy champion. Calzaghe now sprints away from the rest in the Total Rankings, and also becomes the new 2002 World Cup leader, beating the 420-point-mark set by European titleholder Danilo Häussler in March.

    On the same night, super welterweight Gary Lockett (#38, v234) surprisingly dropped a
    12-round-decision against Yuri Tsarenko (#86, v28).

    In Copenhagen, Denmark, local hero Johnny Bredahl (#5, v1200) put on an impressive
    performance against Eidy Moya (#4, v1400) to capture the WBA bantamweight title in his 54th professional fight. Bredahl flattened the outclassed defending champion in round 9 for nearly 5 minutes. After a good opening round of the Venezuelan, a superb Bredahl wore an increasingly frustrated Moya down with fine jabs and hard straights and uppercuts. Thanks to his scintillating win, the Danish star becomes the new supremo at bantamweight on WCOB terms at the expense of Rafael Marquez. Bredahl replaces the Mexican at the top of the World Cup ranking by 400 points, and does the same in the Total Ranking by 600 points.

    On the undercard, welterweight Thomas Damgaard (#10, v600) entered the arena for the third time this year, but his opponents have not been of the standard one would expect of a top tenner. As a result he has not gained many places in the rankings since the start of 2002, if at all. Last Friday, Damgaard scored an 8-rounds decision over Frenchman Abdelhakim Mehidi (#97, v13) after a tough battle.

    As expected, WBO light heavyweight champion Dariusz Michalczewski (#3, v1600) had
    little or no problems with his questionnable American challenger Joey DeGrandis (#62,
    v102 at 190 lbs) in front of his home crowd in Gdynia, Poland, on Saturday. DeGrandis was completely out of his depth against the undefeated long-time titlist and went down rather easily after a straight right halfway through the second round. He didn't beat the count.
    Michalczewski enters the WCup competition in an unofficial eighth place and remains third in the Total Ranking behind Roy Jones Jr. and WCup leader Antonio Tarver.

    Unbeaten German Michel Trabant (#30, v290) won the European welterweight belt with a unanimous decision over defending champion Christian Bladt (#11, v490). It was a
    moderately-paced contest in which both competitors proved easy to hit. Bladt, working well and landing multiple clean uppercuts, had the better of Trabant initially, but then faded away badly. Trabant grew increasingly confident and outpunched Bladt for the remainder of the fight. The three judges scored in favour of the German, who is now 36-0. A win that counts for 24-year-old Trabant as he becomes fifth in the high-value welterweight World Cup ranking.

    Bantamweight Heriberto Ruiz (#12, v480) came back from a knockdown in the eighth round to outpoint Trinidad Mendoza (#67, v82 at 115 lbs) over ten rounds in Edinberg, Texas. Ruiz solidifies his 12th spot in the Total Ranking. On the same night, well-ranked American welterweight Danny Perez (#17, v430) looked good against Pedro Ortega (#82, v36 at 154 lbs), who retired after eight rounds.

    Over in Tokyo, Japan, high-placed bantamweight Katsushige Kawashima (#13, v470) stepped down a division to capture the national 115 lbs title with a split decision victory against Shingo Sasaki (#20, v400 at 115 lbs). It was a spectacular battle with Kawashima landing the harder punches, while Sasaki had the higher work-rate. Kawashima came on strong especially in the second half, which convinced two of the three judges to give him a slight advantage.
    Kawashima therefore enters the WCup competition in a provisional fourth place with 400 points, 48 points ahead of his compatriot and WBC champion Masamori Tokuyama.


    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Round-up ``x1019493077,19724,``x``x ``xSaturday, April 27, at the Multnomah Kennel Club in Portland, OR
    Tony Martinez vs Francisco Mendez, ten rounds, Jr. Middleweights

    Saturday, May 11, at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA.

    Friday, May 31 at Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, OR. A Sugar Ray Leonard promotion to be broadcast on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. James Toney is proposed for a main event against an opponent yet to be named.

    Saturday, June 1, at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, WA.
    Jr. Middleweights Emmett Linton of Tacoma vs banger Quandray
    "Candy" Robertson of Salem, OR.

    Saturday, June 15 in Boise, ID. Cruiserweight Kenny Keene in the main event.

    Saturday, June 22, at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPacific Northwest Fight Schedule --- Spring 2002``x1019493797,16560,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    A serious Jr. Middleweight bang fest is scheduled for
    the ten round main of the club fights at the Multnomah
    Kennel Club in Portland, Oregon this Saturday night,
    April 27.
    Tony Martinez of nearby Salem, OR is a right handed 25
    year-old with a record of 11-1-2, 7 KO’s and a
    reputation for good conditioning and a lot of gumption
    no matter what’s in front of him. His opponent for the
    evening is Francisco Mendez, a tall, 30 year-old
    Southpaw from Mexico who head-butted Martinez in their
    first meeting a few months ago in Boise, ID. The
    resulting cut stopped the action and had the bout
    registered as a technical draw in the third round.
    Mendez has an official record of well over thirty
    bouts and he’s lost around two thirds of his fights.
    The experienced Mendez lost 10 round decisions to
    Roger Mayweather in 1999, and to Luther Smith in 2000.
    On the other hand, Gary Jones stopped him in the
    second round in 1999.

    The dog track undercard currently looks like this:

    .4 rounds, Jr. Middleweights—Reggie Davis of Portland
    vs Manuel Reyes of Kennewick, WA

    4 rounds, light heavyweights-- Luis Lopez of Othello,
    WA vs Neil Stephens of Seattle.

    4 rounds, lightweights-- Rafael Ortiz of Woodburn, OR
    vs Christian Lopez of Othello, WA.

    4 rounds, light heavyweights—Jorge Ceillos of Tacoma,
    WA vs Louis Sargeant of Vancouver, B.C.

    A 6 round jr. Middleweight bout between Chris Huntwork
    and Virgil Bohnenkamp, both of Portland.

    Matchmaker Bob Oleson says he’s also looking for an
    opponent for world ranked Jr. Middleweight Alex Bunema
    for a proposed six rounder..

    Oregon Trail Promotions produces this show, which
    starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Multnomah Kennel Club, 944
    NE 223rd Ave, Woodvillage, OR. Ticket prices range
    from $50 to $10.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPortland Dog Track Fights Coming Right Up``x1019611036,81807,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    New York Park Central Hotel
    April 23, 2001 Results

    Some prizefighters are like a Rolls Corniche and others are like a Yugo. This applies to trainers, managers, cut men, and promoters as well. In boxing there are the rich and poor, the good, bad and ugly, the shining superstars, and the lackluster pugs.

    Nothing compares with being ringside in an arena surrounded by 35,000 maniacs. Like the games at the now-defunct Roman Colosseum, the air and light at these events is heavier, is weighted, is loaded, the oxygen is electric, almost visible, the atmosphere feels charged with fistfuls of anxiety, thrill and anticipation.

    But of the fight game's many beauties, one of it's most sublime is boxing's portability. A twenty-four foot ring can be erected almost anywhere. I've seen matches in high school auditoriums, in nightclubs, in movie theaters, in churches, on pedestrian walkways and, last night, in the basement of Manhattan's Park Central Hotel.

    Some visionary in management convinced higher-ups to fill the hotel pool in the cellar with cement. So, instead of an under-used tub of aqua for tourists in The Apple here to visit ruins, Park Central now has a hall in the cellar, a room for weddings, for bar mitzvahs, for conventioneers -- and, of course, for swells of the sweet science of bruising.

    Tuesday night's fight card was assembled to showcase the skills of light-heavyweight attraction Elvir "The Kosovo Kid" Muriqi (23-1 12 KOs). Now living and fighting out of the Bronx, this refugee from war-torn Yugoslavia has established a wide, if not deep, New York following. His opponent for the evening, Mike Coker (13-4 10 KOs) of Ozark, Alabama, lasted a minute before the Kosovo Kid bounced a right off his head. The pug from Ozark hit the deck for a ten-count that seemed to last forever. Coker eventually rose to his feet, and the Kosovars in the audience, it's fair to say, went absolutely wild.

    The fighters on the evening's undercards can best be summed up in one word: inexperienced. Six fights preceded the main event, featuring boxers ranging from middleweight down to junior-featherweight. The twelve fighters in the six bouts had, before yesterday, a combined record of 16 wins, 12 losses, and 6 draws. Do these numbers define what it means to be a club fighter?

    We're not talking about the old days, when fight-clubs were a hothouse where the seeds of future champions were planted, sprouted, nurtured and encouraged to grow into hearty contenders. It's all showbiz now, and the great, small venues of the past - with the exception of Philly's Blue Horizon - are either derelict, are distant memories, or are parking lots.

    But no matter who's fighting, no matter how skimpy their record, how limited their skills, no matter the venue, there's nothing as exciting as watching two men go at it toe to toe, will to will, in a fight for supremacy, in a fight to win, in a fight for survival.

    Complete results
    Light Heavyweight Elvir Muriqi Beat Mike Coker KO 1
    Light Middleweight Kamel Kolonivic Drew with Israel Felix PTS 4
    Light Welterweight Roberto Astacio Beat Pablo Tejeda UD 6
    Middleweight Daniel Edouard Beat Cesar Gomera TKO 4
    Light Welterweight Maximo Cuevas Beat Ben Wagaba UD 4
    Super Bantamweight Ubaldo Olivencia Beat Rodrigo Pastor UD 4
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMuriqi KO1 Coker & other results from NYC``x1019662631,95733,``x``x ``xTAUNTON, Mass. – Last Friday night’s “Mohegan Sun FightNight New England” monthly pro boxing show, second in an eight-fight series, was a big hit with the capacity crowd at the Roseland Ballroom in Taunton. The videotaped broadcast of the Rich Cappiello-promoted event is scheduled for this Sunday afternoon (3-5 p.m.) on Fox Sports Net New England.

    “It was an exciting night of boxing,” promoter Rich Cappiello said. “We sold out the place again and the fights were very competitive. There was a lot of controversy in scoring because three of the decisions could have gone the other way. The response to our series has been great.”

    Cappiello Promotions teamed with Mohegan Sun, primary sponsor of the monthly boxing series on Fox Sports Net N.E., and brought in The Rendon Group Productions, a Boston-based television production company with a New England Emmy Award winning portfolio, to promote professional boxing on a monthly basis in New England. Timothy T. Egan is the Supervising Producer and Jeff Schmidt the Show Producer.

    Fox Sports Net New England broadcasts the “MSFNNE” shows nine days after the live event on Sunday afternoons (3-5 p.m., nine days after the live fights). Corporate sponsors include Holiday Inn of Randolph and Boston, Metro Ford of Raynham, Budweiser, and Everlast.

    Three of last Friday night’s five bouts ended in controversy, two by split decision and another by majority decision, to go along with two stoppages. The three televised bouts include the main event, pitting Rochester (NY) school-teacher Jermal “Last Dragon” Barnes (14-2) against hometown favorite Hector “The Pitbull” Sanjurjo (12-6-4) in the 10-round match-up of rugged cruiserweights; junior welterweight “Cocky” Kevin Watts, of South Boston, put his 15-1 pro record on the line in the six-round co-feature against Ed McAloney (11-4), of Pembroke; crowd pleasers Danny Sheehan (8-16), of Brockton, and Randolph’s Billy “The Kid” Mofford (3-1-1, 1 KO) battled in a four-round heavyweight bout.

    Once again the “MSFNNE” announcing team found blow-by-blow announcer Stu Taylor, color commentator “Dangerous” Dana Rosenblatt, and guest analyst George Kimball. Taylor has been in radio since 1991. He presently has a Saturday show on WBIX-1060 – “Stu Taylor on business” – as well as two national shows entitled, “Equity Strategies,” on The Business Talk Radio Network and Radio American Network. He and Rosenblatt, the WBC’s sixth-rated super middleweight contender with a 37-1-1 (23 KOs) pro record, have also paired as announcers on DirectTV and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing in New
    York. Kimball, veteran Boston Herald staff sportswriter/columnist, is
    recognized as one of the foremost writers in boxing. He is also a weekly columnist for the Irish Times in Dublin and worked as a DirecTV analyst with Rich Marotta.

    Ringside reporter Terri Fuentas, host of the popular show Pachanga Latina on Univision-Boston, conducted several interesting interviews for Sunday’s broadcast. Among those in the Metro Corner segments with Terri are John T. Yunits, Jr., Mayor of Brockton, and Ed Nottle, manager of the first-year Brockton Rox minor league baseball team.

    The next live “MSFNNE” boxing show will be Friday night, May 24 at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere. Watts and Jeff “Hellraza” Fraza (10-2), of Haverhill, are slated to headline the card in the 10-round main event for the vacant Massachusetts junior welterweight title. Also scheduled to be fighting on this card are cruiserweight Colm Keane (5-0, 1 KO), of Dorchester via Galway, Ireland vs. Roy “House of” Payne (13-12-4, 6 KOs) in the co-feature; undefeated middleweight “Sir” William “The Gladiator” Gibbs (6-0, 5 KOs), from Philadelphia now fighting out of Brockton; super middleweight Shaun “Big Trouble” Creegan (10-1-2), of Lynn; super bantamweight Melvin Cumba (4-0, 2 KOs), from Brockton via Puerto Rico;
    middleweight Ann Marie Francey (1-0, 1 KO), of Somerville.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xControversial Barnes-Sanjujro Bout to be Televised on Sunday``x1019697036,2169,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    Even a cursory glance suggests that most boxers’ lives look like movies. The combination of defying odds in an unforgiving world, only to top it with a brilliant second act by defying odds in an unforgiving sport, gives the arc of their careers the tidy compactness, the narrative breadth, of a trip to the cinema.

    One needn’t go to film school or be a movie buff to know the fight game’s biggest stars. Consider, for a moment, former middleweight champion Jake LaMotta. Perhaps we have DeNiro and Scorsese to thank for the portrait of The Raging Bull that’s been burned in our brains. But Jake’s life was cinematic, even X-rated, before it ever hit the silver screen. Given the cops and crimes and capers and creeps, given the kayos, it’s surprising it took so long to complete Jake's coronation.

    So too with Rocky Graziano. He’s another wild and crazy middleweight champion. Rocky exhibited warning signs at an early age. And Graziano, like so many teenagers before and after him, managed to live down to his potential: dead-ender, jailbird, army deserter, imposter, hood, hell-raiser and hooligan. Rocky was all things to a few people (parole officers, judges and screws) . . . before he discovered Boxing. Rocky Graziano, to his credit, punched his way from the slums of New York to a knockout existence in La La Land. RG became a celeb, a megastar, a showbiz stalwart. Da Rock was a man-made machine made for malapropisms, the TV laugh track’s best friend and worst enemy.

    There’ve been books, poems, plays, operas and films - even a Miles Davis soundtrack - inspired by Jack Johnson. The son of former-slaves, Jack Johnson was the first African American to ever win (let alone fight for) the heavyweight title. Papa Jack was a natural. He was pure boxing genius. He also spearheaded the 20th century notion of black power. Jack Johnson, The Galveston Giant, is up there, way up there where the air is rare, alongside men like Malcolm, like Martin, like Marcus Garvey. Jack Johnson was more divisive in his day than Muhammad Ali was in his. Larger than life, bigger than death, Jack Johnson exemplifies life the movie.

    Another pug whose life was like a film is the former light-heavyweight champion Battling Siki. Born Louis Phal in Senegal, Siki fought his way out of Africa and won the light-heavyweight title in 1922 by KOing the great French fighter Georges Carpentier. For a time in Paris, Siki was an absinthe-drinking, wobbling boulevardier. There are stories of Siki, in a bowler and spats, walking down the Champs-Elysees with his pet parrot, his pet monkey, with a lion cub on a leash leading him to the Louvre. (When asked about his extravagance, Louis Phal's pat answer was: "Me Siki. Me different.") Siki eventually made his way to New York City, where he won some, then lost some, then lost a few more. Battling Siki was found dead in 1925 in front of a building at 33 West 41st Street. Siki had been shot twice in the back.

    How many movies are there? How many have we seen? How many have yet to be made? The Life of Harry Greb. The Life of Carlos Monzon. The Life of Primo Carnera. The Life of Freddie Mills. The Life of Marcel Cerdan. The Lives of Kingfish Levinsky, Kid McCoy and Stanley Ketchel. The Life of Floyd Patterson and the Life of Sonny Liston. The Life of Iron Mike Tyson. If a screenwriter actually cooked this stuff up and had the nerve to submit it, he’d probably have enough rejection letters to wallpaper the world. But truth is always stranger than fiction. Fact trumps fantasy nine times out of ten.

    Which brings us, not a moment too soon, to the Life of Johnny Tapia. Even now, as you read these words, some diligent wordsmith is trying to make sense of an existence that defies comprehension. Born into a world of inequity, insecurity, want and deprivation, Johnny Tapia's story - "Mi Vida Loca" - opens with the pre-teen surviving a bus crash off a cliff. At twelve his mother was kidnapped, before being raped, stabbed, hanged and murdered. And we're just getting started! What's to come? What isn't to come? There's the crime. The drugs. The women. The bushels of cocaine. There's the overdoses. The depressions. The bi-polarity. The time in the pen. There's the suicide attempts.

    And, for the record, there were the prizefights.


    There was Teresa, Tapia's rock and his redeemer. Jesus came hot on Teresa's heels . . . and before you could issue a ten-count, it was time for the rest period we confidently call Johnny Tapia's salvation.

    There are tragic and stunning moments in this fabulous flick. The star of "Mi Vida Loca" - the one and only Johnny Tapia - is about to make an appearance in Manhattan Saturday night. People are already circling the block, and each other, in and around Seventh Avenue.

    And, hell, why not? Johnny Tapia's in town!



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMi Vida Loca Hits Manhattan``x1019771147,35777,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Whenever I admit to someone that I'm an award winning boxing columnist,
    that someone will always bring up the same lingering question "What's up
    with Tyson?" There is never anything like, "Who do you like in the
    Kostya Tszyu-Ben Tackie match-up," or "Do you think Mosley can come back
    from the beating he took from Forrest." But who can blame them for
    their innocent inquiry? If they happen to pass a magazine stand, who is
    gracing the covers of the boxing mags that you and I purchase? It's
    that same face that we can't seem to get over month after month: the mug
    of Iron Mike. His dome is a catalyst that most editors use to sell
    magazines whether what's said about him in the publication is good or
    bad. It's as if the fight game still revolves around the wild man that
    is Mike Tyson.

    Whenever I answer the small talk question with, "He doesn't have any
    confidence, especially since Holyfield whipped his butt," they always
    reply with, "If he had Kevin Rooney in his corner, he never would have
    lost his title. He'd be 100-0, would have murdered Holyfield and never
    would have gone to prison." That's usually the point when my stomach
    curdles or when I say, "How about them Patriots?"

    I don't know who started the fabrication, but what the hell would Kevin
    Rooney have done to allow Tyson to become champion or attain some
    credibility? Was it not Tyson who destroyed himself? Or are we to
    believe that Rich Giaghetti, Tommy Brooks or Aaron Snowell allowed Tyson
    to deteriorate?

    Someone started the rumor, and it spread all over the sportsworld like
    the flu. Unfortunately, it's remained the popular train of thought over
    the years. They'd say, "Tyson started to deteriorate when he dumped
    Kevin Rooney." Well, I say horseshit! I say Tyson started to
    deteriorate when he believed in his own media created mystique and used
    it to defeat frightened opponents. As he has compared himself with
    Liston, he depended on the use of intimidation and when he couldn't
    intimidate his opponent, he began to doubt himself.

    Did fighters like Michael Spinks and Tyrell Biggs appear confident when
    they stepped into the ring with "Iron" Mike? He looked sensational in
    those fights because he beat them in a way that you wish you could beat
    someone in a fistfight if they crossed you the wrong way. He struck
    fear in his opponents and by doing so, he became the ultimate toughguy,
    the last dude on earth you'd want to meet in an alley. When fighters
    fought him back in the 80's and partially in the 90's, they allowed
    Tyson to look sensational. That's why it never had a thing to do with
    Kevin Rooney who took over after Teddy Atlas and Cus D'Amato laid the
    foundation.

    Vinny Paz, the old warrior from Rhode Island has always used the cliche,
    "Only the strong survive in this game." Though the saying may seem a bit
    hackneyed, you can't deny its certainty if you know what preparing for a
    fight and stepping into the ring is all about. Thinking strong has been
    what's kept the Pazmanian Devil a stern competitor over the years. It's
    reminded him when the goings got tough in training or in grueling fights
    that you must believe in yourself and ignore the pain. Thinking about it
    makes you weak. Thinking strong rejuvenated Paz' career when many felt
    it was over after losing one-sided fights to Hector Camacho and Loreto
    Garza over a decade ago. It fueled him when he successfully came back
    from breaking his neck, something that should have spelled the end of
    his career. His inner strength has been the story of his fabled career.
    His story had little to do with his ring skills, the kind that is
    displayed by fighters like Tszyu or Forrest. And it certainly didn't
    have much to do with the guy who held the target pads or gave him
    instructions in between the rounds of his slugfests.

    In Paz' case, he had the famous Kevin Rooney, who made a name for
    himself handling Tyson's career when the Brooklyn Bomber was considered
    to be invincible. Other than Tyson and Paz, I don't know another fighter
    that Rooney has trained other than Frank Houghtaling. This is why I've
    always wondered why everyone says that Tyson needs him in his
    preparation for Lennox Lewis.

    Rooney's reputation started shortly after Tyson was becoming one of the
    biggest stars in sports. He was thought of as spawn of Cus D'Amato, the
    man who taught Floyd Patterson and Jose Torres how to fight. Rooney
    seemed to be what was left of the legacy started by D'Amato who for
    several years raised young boys to become prizefighters. When D'Amato
    passed in 1985, Rooney assumed the responsibilities as Tyson's head
    trainer. Why? It wasn't because Tyson needed him. He needed a trainer
    like any other fighter. Rooney just happened to be there when D'Amato
    passed away a few months after Tyson turned 19.

    If Tyson is or was such a great fighter, then he wouldn't have needed
    Rooney. He would have known what it took to get him in the best
    possible shape and he would have known how to adapt when the going got
    tough in the squared circle. It wouldn't have mattered if Aaron Snowell
    were giving him instructions; the fighters are usually the guys who
    figure out their opponents while they are in the ring, just as
    Holyfield, not Don Turner figured Tyson out. If Snowell contributed to
    Tyson's demise, then how come Tim Austin, the best bantamweight in the
    world has Snowell in his corner? & if you remember correctly, it was
    Frankie Randall who floored Julio Cesar Chavez and defeated him for the
    first time in his career with Snowell in his corner.

    Hey, I'm the last guy in the world who would knock a boxing coach. They
    are saints. They are there for our youth on their own time when other
    role models aren't there for them. Libby Medeiros of Swansea, Mass opens
    the Fall River P.A.L. every day to help kids who want to make themselves
    fighters, but it's up to the individual if he or she wants to become a
    fighter. I'm sure if Teddy Atlas were reading this, he'd be nodding in
    agreement. You don't need Kevin Rooney to call out number sequences to
    defeat Lennox Lewis. I'm sure every boxing trainer knows that for Tyson
    to beat Lewis and to become a 3-time heavyweight champion, he must train
    like it's his last fight, he must be able to move his head, jab to get
    inside and work once he gets there. And if it doesn't work, he's gotta
    keep trying. He must believe in himself. If Kevin Rooney is the only
    guy who is capable of helping Tyson reach that level of intensity, then
    I hope he starts touring the country as a motivational speaker.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTyson & Rooney Go Together Like Milk and Lemonade``x1019833112,88984,``x``x ``xTapia aiming for 3rd belt and World Cup lead
    Mi Vida Loca faces Manuel Medina at Madison Square Garden

    by Kris Van de Velde

    The spotlights will be put mainly on Madison Square Garden in New York this
    weekend for the scheduled doubleheader Medina-Tapia and McCline-Briggs.
    Mexican veteran Manuel Medina (#8, v800) has been on-and-off champion at
    featherweight for almost a decade. On Saturday he makes his first defence
    of yet another reign as IBF champion against popular Johnny Tapia. Despite
    his consistent presence at top level, Medina fell always short on the major
    occasions. Also Tapia, a former titleholder at 115 lbs and 118 lbs, might
    just be too strong for technician Medina. Tapia is already higher ranked at
    #5 (v1200) and his determination to win this bout is undoubtedly enormous.
    A megafight with Naseem Hamed is looming behind the corner. Of course his
    age, 35, might start bothering Tapia slightly. For now, the winner of
    Medina-Tapia will become the new unofficial World Cup leader at the expense
    of Julio Pablo Chacon, who has been ahead since January with 490 points.
    Tapia is currently 10th with 105 points, but the American from New Mexico
    is favourite to add Medina's 800 points to his credit.

    Jameel McCline (#16, v440) is one of those rising heavyweights looking to
    join the major league. Shannon Briggs (#35, v255) is a colourful fighter
    who has always failed to make that final leap forward so far. He outpointed
    legendary George Foreman in 1997 but that decision was extremely
    questionnable. Afterwards Briggs got stopped by Lennox Lewis in five.
    McCline came forward last year with wins against Michael Grant and Lance
    Whitaker, but those results may be misleading and the 31-year-old might
    find it hard to prove his value against Briggs, who should understand this
    is his ultimate call. The winner will do well in the current WCup
    competition, unofficially led by David Tua, and move up to about 11th place
    in WCOB's Total Ranking.

    Two light heavyweights are trying to consolidate their top positions this
    weekend. Julio Gonzalez (#9, v700) can hop over Glenn Kelly in the Total
    Ranking on Saturday provided he beats Joseph Kiwanuka (#45, v190 at 168
    lbs) at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, CA.
    Montell Griffin (#11, v490) on the other hand wants to find his way back in
    the top 10 with a win over Rodney Toney (#51, v155 at 168 lbs). Griffin
    lost his tenth place to busy Mads Larsen last month, but the gap is only 27
    points.

    At the Ramada O'Hare in Chicago, high-ranked super welter Angel Hernandez
    (#10, v600) takes it easy with a five-pointer against unranked Tom Younan.
    Hernandez is a former World Cup leader and is still lying second behind
    Daniel Santos. A five-pointer won't help him forward, though. On the same
    show, #6 cruiserweight O'Neill Bell (v1000) steps in the ring for the
    second time this month and meets Ernest Mateen (#71, v67). Only two weeks
    ago, Bell convincingly stopped Ka-Dy King in three rounds to pick up 145
    WCup points.

    Super lightweight Omar Weiss (#14, v460) did not waste much time
    celebrating his upset victory over Hector Camacho Jr. last month, as the
    WCup #3 already makes another ring appearance in Leemore, California on
    Saturday. This time it's a five-pointer against Arturo Urena, so Weiss will
    not threaten Gatti and Leija at the top of the 2002 competition.

    Huddersfield, England, is the venue for a Commonwealth welterweight title
    bout between Australian Julian Holland (#24, v338) and unbeaten James Hare
    (#73, v61). A spot in the division's top 20 could be the reward for the winner.

    Finally in Riesa, Germany, European super middleweight champion Danilo
    Häussler (#8,
    v800) defends his title for the second time in two months against Italian
    Mustapha Illir (#74, v58 at 160 lbs). Häussler beat Glenn Catley on a
    controversial decision last time out, a fight that gave him the lead in the
    WCup competition at this weight. Meanwhile, Joe Calzaghe unofficially
    overtook Häussler last week by beating Charles Brewer, and fighting Illir
    will not provide the German with enough points to retaliate. He could climb
    up to 7th in the Total Ranking, though.
    Former WBC 168 lbs. titlist Markus Beyer (#10, v600) is scheduled to face
    another Italian, Vincenzo Imparato (#60, v110). As for his compatriot
    Häussler, Beyer may unofficially gain one place in the Total Ranking to
    become 9th. He'd pass Dana Rosenblatt by just 20 points.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Preview ``x1019833217,68901,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel


    We know Tyson needs boxing lessons. We know he needs sociability lessons. But who knew Iron Mike Tyson needed lap dance lessons?

    According to one Casey Paxton, 23, an "exotic dancer" renowned in the southwest for her bumps and grinds, she recently had an encounter with Mike Tyson she's not likely to soon forget.

    Sometime after midnight on April 7, Ms. Paxton, under the employ of an establishment called the Hi-Liter Gentleman's Club in Phoenix, Arizona, spotted the former heavyweight champion making nice with other ladies. Never one to skip a beat, Casey Paxton asked Iron Mike if he'd care to buy a lap dance. Tyson, who can apparently afford to be picky and choosy, said no, but in keeping with his generosity of spirit offered the girl $10, and told her to get lost.

    The only people not lost at most lap dance emporia are the poor lap dancers themselves. (Most of the male patrons are stuck in a miasma of lust, deep frustration and delusion.) So perhaps there's some irony, even some blasphemy, in Mike telling anyone, even a stripper, to get lost. In any event, the exotic dancer left the exotic pugilist to get on with job at hand.

    Some time later that evening, Paxton ran into Tyson again - but she must have rubbed him the wrong way on their first go-round. Iron Mike Tyson, the tragicomic scourge of the boxing scene, exploded and, according to the complainant, the soon-to-be former-stripper, he head-butted her above the left eye.

    Where in the world did Tyson learn to head-butt? Cus D’Amato, Teddy Atlas and Kevin Rooney never taught him that. We’re not certain, but could have Mike acquired this new skill from the man called Evander Holyfield? No. It couldn't be. Or could it? The last time Tyson and Holyfield clashed, in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 28, 1997, Iron Mike confessed that he "snapped" and, rather than suffer another defeat at the hands of the gospel-singing Holy Man, bit off a chunk of The Real Deal's ear.

    Not, alas, one of boxing finer moments.

    Casey Paxton may be a lap dancer, but she's no fool, and she hasn't much conscience. With the assistance of counsel, Casey hit back and socked the Iron Man with a multi-million dollar lawsuit. The plaintiff's 24-year old boyfriend, Marcus Easton Smith, supposedly caught a left to the face just moments after Casey's close encounter. Chances are, he’ll sue too.

    When the police came to investigate the scene of the alleged crime, neither Paxton nor Smith appeared to be injured. And the eyewitnesses, such as they were, proved as unreliable as they were shady. The cops never asked Marcus Smith how he felt about his squeeze earning rent on the laps of strangers. Perhaps the fuzz had better things to do at the Hi-Liter Gentleman's Club in Arizona.

    We have no problem with litigation, per se. Torts just don't concern us. (Tarts are another matter!) But we suggest that Casey Paxton and her boyfriend grab a ticket and get ready to stand in line . . . because everybody who is anybody is suing Mike Tyson. What they hope to gain from a man so in debt remains a mystery.

    What’s Mike Tyson doing in Phoenix, anyway? Isn't Tyson supposed to rise from the ashes against Lennox Lewis in Memphis? Why isn't he doing roadwork? Why isn’t he sparring? What's he doing getting lap danced to death in a dump with no mortgage and no future? Is this what they mean by the hard time before the main event?

    I don't think so.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTyson's No Lap Dance Champ``x1019866288,93319,``x``x ``xBy Chris Strait

    Hollywood Park in Inglewood, CA had it's 'Last Thursday of the month'
    show last night, promoted by Richard Steele's Can't Lewz Productions. There was good action all night, even though the show was clearly missing a headliner. The main event was likely to have been the bikini contest... sponsored by Deja Vu Showgirls. So, as you might imagine, these were not your typical ring card girls!
    In the 'official' main event, Justo Almazan, of Mexico City made a step on his long journey toward becomning a .500 fighter, when he moved to 8-23-3 (0 KO's) with an 8-round majority decision win over Leobardo Roman of Los Mochis, Mexico.. now 12-15-5 (2 KO's). Each Lightweight's lack of power made for an entertaining fight, as both could not keep the other man's respect. There were no knockdowns. Judges scorecards read 76-76, 77-75, 78-74.
    In the co-feature, which was clearly the main event for the fans, local favorite Michael Santos remained undefeated, now 4-0 (2 KO's) with a 6th round stoppage over Warren Bromberger of Gardena, 3-6 (3 KO's). Santos looked far the smaller man, but had the better chin. As both Welterweights traded, this became the clear difference.
    Santos was caught by occsasional bombs, but after a flash knockdown in the first, was able to Rock Bromberger throughout. Although Bromberger was hurt for most of the sixth and final round... he looked no worse when referee Jose Cobian decided to stop the action with less than a minute left in the fight. Despite the bad stoppage, Santos was clearly on his way to a victory.
    The fight with highest punch output of the night was another 6 rounder; this one a Super Featherweight clash between Jaime Orranda of Lakeside, CA, and Ulises Pena of Michoacan, Mexico. Both men engaged in high volume punching, although a power deficit on both men's part, kept anyone from being in danger. Pena won a unanimous decision and moved his record to 4-3.. while Orranda drops to 5-2.
    The two opening bouts were Cruiserweight battles featuring 4 local novices to the game. Alex Conte moved to 2-1-1 with a 4-round split decision over debuting Craig Casey. Both men were floored in the first round. Casey was called down. Conte was not.... and that made the difference in the scoring.
    Robert Green ran his record to 2-2 (2 KO's) with a fourth round TKO over Cecil Pannell, now 0-4. Pannell showed more skill than his 0-4 record now implies, but revealed his achilles heel early when he was staggered by an ordinary looking combination in the first round. In round 4, he was rocked badly by a few more shots, and the bout was stopped.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAlmazan Stops Roman ``x1019930377,39749,``x``x ``xMore Controversy: tapia takes Medina's Crown;
    Jameel McCline outclasses Shannon Briggs

    By Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com


    Only seven days after Floyd Mayweather, Jr. was handed a gift decision over a reigning world champion Jose Luis Castillo, an equally bad decision was rendered against Castillo’s stablemate, four-time IBF featherweight champ Manuel Medina. After throwing an unbelievable 1466 punches in defense of his crown, Medina felt as though he had done enough to win. Three judges disagreed, and Medina’s title belt was soon hanging off the shoulder of challenger Johnny Tapia.

    To be fair, it was a close fight. When it was all over, the Boxing Chronicle scorecard had Medina a winner by only a 115-113 margin, just an easy two-round swing from the 115-113 that Tapia won by. But the arithmetic didn’t tell the story of the fight, which in this case was a tale of Tapia being unable to establish a rhythm, set the pace, or unleash his trademark bursts of aggression. What’s more, you’d be hard pressed to select two rounds to swing, given consistent nature with which Medina’s fists found their target.

    Boxing Chronicle even scored the opening round, one of the fight’s closest, for Tapia. Digging hard to the body from the get-go, Tapia tried to get off to a quick start. He followed by launching a few straight rights at Medina’s face, including one that caught the champion’s attention. Medina didn’t wait around for a Tapia follow-up, and immediately bounced away from Mi Vida Loca. For the rest of the round, if not the entire fight, Medina stayed on his toes. Hopping left and then right, Medina began implementing the style that has driven more than one opponent crazy: punch and move. As he covered the ring’s real estate, Medina constantly pushed out a steady diet of flicker jabs. As Tapia landed in the first round, including a nice overhand right counter near the frame’s end, these light blows would be rendered insignificant. But as the fight wore on and Tapia’s output evaporated, Medina’ constant pawing added up to big points.

    Johnny Tapia isn’t exactly known as a knockout-artist, either. He rarely scored the kayo at his best weight, 115. But since moving up to full-feather, Tapia had dropped three consecutive opponents for the count. He came out in the second round looking to make Medina his fourth victim, committing more to power shots than the combination style that had made him a star. Pressing a circling Medina, Tapia followed trainer Jesse Reid’s yelled request for a right to the body and a left hook upstairs. Both punches landed flush. Tapia continued to give chase, walking into and through Medina’s jab to land two more left hooks and an array of body shots.

    Underneath the tattoos, Tapia looked a little soft. After over-committing to his power swings, he even looked a little winded. As Tapia stopped punching to get a breath, Medina continued to pump out the jab. While he didn’t return fire, Tapia again racked up points by twice standing in place with his hands down and bobbing around Medina’s triple-jab. The confident display of defense helped Tapia win the second round, despite a few flush Medina rights near round’s end.

    Before coming out for the third, Tapia could be heard telling Reid that he felt his arms were slow. Maybe Tapia was undertrained, or maybe he was just loading up too much on single bombs, but his assessment was correct. The quick snap that generally defines Tapia’s offense was missing. In fact, all of the offense was missing as a slightly-winded Tapia started slow in round three. Medina continued to pile up the jabs while Tapia again tried to simply bob out of the way. After two or three such occasions, Medina wisely moved his jab to the part of Tapia not moving: the stomach. Time and again in the third, Medina forcefully stepped into a jab aimed right at Tapia’s navel. While not a flashy punch, it worked wonders. Tapia’s legs seem to go soft after a full round of these punches. Not soft like he was hurt and wobbly, mind you, but soft like he was wading through knee-high mud. As the round ended, Tapia looked so listless that Medina finally stepped into him with a combination of something other than jabs… and landed. Tapia wasn’t hurt, but after Medina again threw crosses and hooks and landed clean, there was no choice but to give him the round.

    With Medina bouncing around the ring and throwing constant jabs, it was Tapia’s job to either cut off the ring and pin him in a corner, or else punch through the offense to get close enough to retaliate. Instead, a listless Tapia did little more in round four than follow Medina around the ring. All the while Medina was throwing… 130 punches in all. Occasionally, Tapia would get close enough to land a hook to the liver, but mostly he caught Medina’s light punches on the face. With Medina’s confidence growing, even Tapia’s bobbing was becoming ineffective. Twice Tapia tried to slip a combination, got caught, and then stood up straight in frustration with his own lack of timing.

    The fifth round was another close one, although the level of action hardly qualifies this stanza for Round of the Year honors. Tapia finally trapped Medina in a corner to start the round, and mixed in a roundhouse right and left hook with a few body shots. The mini rally briefly awakened the largely-silent crowd, but soon the fight slipped back into the previous all-Medina pattern. Jab, jab, jab. Medina stuck his fist into Tapia’s belly and forehead alternately as the challenger again looked tired. Tapia finally loaded up with a right hand counter over Medina’s almost-backhanded jab and the punch landed square and bloodied Medina’s nose. Medina jabbed back at Tapia for a few seconds before answering with his own right cross. Medina’s right also hit paydirt, bloodying Tapia’s nose. The punch didn’t hurt Tapia, but he wearily let the momentum of the blow carry him into the ropes. The strands bounced Tapia back toward Medina a few steps, but the bell rang before a proper follow-up could be thrown. A discouraged Tapia returned to his corner.

    Tapia cleared his head and returned in the sixth with renewed aggression. Chasing Medina with increased intensity meant that the circling champion’s back began grazing the ropes more often. This gave Tapia chances to get close enough to land. Focusing again on the body, Tapia crunched Medina with some loud punches to the ribs. Tapia also landed a lead right hand in these exchanges, and the power with which it landed was enough to offset Medina’s peppering pitty-patts. If Tapia could get close, his harder shots were more than enough to win. Tapia banked the sixth.

    Johnny had worked his tail off to catch up with Medina in round six, and he looked like he needed round seven to recover. In his worst round of the night, Tapia simply plodded after Medina, catching most of the champ’s 95 jabs on either the face or stomach. Tapia missed with a couple of wild hooks, just about the only punches he threw at Medina in the seventh. And while Medina rarely needed to extend himself beyond the jab to win, when he did throw a 1-2-3, Tapia was right there to be hit.

    Medina was now where he wanted to be. He had set the pace of the fight, demonstrated that he had the stamina to keep it up, and created a situation where Tapia would have to make the adjustments in order to turn the tide. Tapia did what he could in the eighth and ninth, focusing exclusively on Medina’s body in an effort to slow him down. Tapia’s decision was disastrous in the eighth, as Medina simply hit Tapia with everything but the kitchen sink while he was trying to get in and land one decent hook to the body. Tapia took a lot to give a little in the ninth, as well, although when Tapia finally dug with loud body shots in this round, Medina’s face showed that they were having some effect. Still, these dipping side hooks were not nearly enough to win the rounds, especially with Medina throwing and landing constantly upstairs.

    Trailing badly on the cards, Tapia suddenly came alive in round ten. He rushed at Medina, pinned him in a corner, then ripped off the first six punch combination of the night. The crowd finally woke up, and Tapia swung his arm over his head to ask for more cheers. When the crowd obliged, Tapia attacked Medina again with an upstairs and down flurry. As Tapia took a breath, he again waved for applause before launching into Medina with his newly quick hands. In these flashes of aggression, the old Johnny Tapia was on display. The punches were crisp, fast, and thrown in combination. Unfortunately, the rally lasted only for a minute. Tapia, again visibly tiring, returned to a body attack. Medina jabbed his way back into contention, but he couldn’t pile up enough blows to reverse Tapia’s early bombardment.

    Both fighters looked tired in round eleven. Tapia continued to load up with single shots, and each time he missed he needed 10 seconds to recover. Medina fought the eleventh more cautiously, although he still threw over 100 punches. The round was shaping up to be another one in which Medina won on sheer output when Tapia cracked him with a good lead right hand in the final 30 seconds. Medina took the punch well, but began a hastier retreat when two more Tapia rights landed on his head. Medina never was in jeopardy of going down, but the punches were very effective. If nothing else, they helped Tapia eke out a close round.

    Heading into the final round, Tapia's corner stopped short of telling him he needed a knockout. They did tell him he needed the final round, a fact that Tapia already appeared to understand. But despite the urgency, Tapia barely mounted an effort in the final round. It was all Medina, bouncing as though he were ready to go 12 more rounds, flipping out his jab in perpetuity, and making it impossible for Tapia to land a punch in his most desperate hour. Sure, Tapia finally got close enough to fire home a few solid hooks upstairs in the waning seconds… but it was not nearly enough to win the round, and not nearly enough to overcome the impression that he had lost the fight.

    Medina was elated after the final bell rang, but his face slowly turned to stone as decision took its sweet time making its way into the hands of Michael Buffer. 114-114 was the first score. Something fishy seemed afoot. But two scores of 115-113 seemed right on the money, until Michael Buffer read Johnny Tapia’s name. By majority decision, he was the new IBF 126 lb. champion.

    Medina was standing by the ropes as the decision was read, and no sooner had Tapia been hoisted into the air by Jesse Reid, Medina was halfway down the aisle, heading back to the dressing room in disgust. He had reason to be pissed. His title had just been taken in what appeared to be another bogus decision. While closer than the Mayweather contest points-wise, Medina’s handling of Tapia was even more effortless than Castillo’s taming of the Pretty Boy. It was a bunk decision, and even Tapia seemed to know it.

    Tapia raised his new belt in the air, but his anonymity on the east coast combined with the questionable outcome to produce an eerie silence as Tapia tried to celebrate. There were no adoring Albuquerque fans there to cheer him on.

    Tapia now appears lined up to face Naseem Hamed, if and when the former featherweight king ever comes out of hiding. Tapia’s promoters had hoped the Medina fight would prime a New York audience for a Hamed-Tapia showdown. Now, it might be best if they look elsewhere. As for Tapia, he can revel in his win if he likes (after all, he’s lost a few close ones, too)… but deep down he must ask himself: was this just an off-night, or at 35 is my body no longer able to perform like it once did? It’s a question he’ll have to answer before risking his new belt against someone like Hamed.

    On the undercard of Medina-Tapia, Jameel McCline continued his surge in the heavyweight rankings with a convincing win over heavyweight coulda-been Shannon Briggs. The 264 lb. McCline was too cautious to do anything in the opening round, but soon found that Briggs was incredibly easy to hit.

    McCline looked nervous in the first round. The suddenly 268 lb. Briggs walked McCline down with minor aggression in the opener before morphing into a human target. From the second round on, McCline couldn’t miss Briggs with his jab. McCline’s stick was most impressive when he doubled up with it, which he often did once his confidence rose in the middle rounds. At first, McCline was too cautious to throw anything beyond the jab… but by the fourth he was following with big right hands. Briggs’ only answer was to mouth off… although it seemed to work. McCline could have probably continued to throw one-twos until Briggs fell down, but every time the dreadlocked Briggs taunted McCline, the latter seemed content to simply bank the points instead of take further risks.

    In the sixth round, McCline finally committed to a punch beyond a cross. After landing a jab and a heavy right hand, McCline whipped around with his hook and slammed Briggs in the face. Briggs flopped onto his back in a neutral corner. So powerful was the momentum of the fall that Briggs’ legs flipped up over his head, his soles momentarily pointed at the Madison Square Garden ceiling. Briggs arose with more trash talk, but the fight was basically over. Carrying the 40 pounds weight gain in his newly-muscled shoulders and arms, Briggs was simply too tired to lift his hands to protect himself. For each of the remaining rounds, McCline was able to nail Briggs with a one-two any time he pleased. Unfortunately for his fans, he only pleased a couple of times per round. But, hey, when your opponent is just standing there, why do more? McCline paced himself nicely, upping his offense ever so slightly each round until the tenth, when he simply smacked Briggs around the ring at will.

    The final scores were all in agreement, McCline over Briggs 99-90 (Boxing Chronicle also scored for McCline 99-90). Jameel now improves to 28-6-3/16 and becomes one of the top contenders in this barren division. There are still plenty of questions remaining about McCline, who after all has only beaten the unproven Michael Grant, the exposed Goofi, and the untrained Shannon Briggs. McCline has a long way to go before he could compete with a Lennox Lewis. But the kid has a work ethic, and now he has another high-profile win. That’s more than enough to make millions. Only time will tell if it’s enough to make a champion.

    …..Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTapia wins Gift Decision; McLine tops Briggs``x1019976867,35146,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    UNCASVILLE, CT – Last night at the Mohegan Sun Arena, heavyweight Clifford “The Black Rhino” Etienne continued to show signs of improvement but as he had shown in his lone disaster, he displayed signs of fatigue and a shaky chin late in the fight. Etienne of Baton Rouge, LA was undefeated prior to losing for the first time to Fres Oquendo last year. But despite the devastating setback, the Rhino didn’t appear to be gun-shy in his first bout against a credible heavyweight in Terrence Lewis of Philadelphia. After 10 exciting rounds, Etienne won by scores of 97-93 twice and 96-93.

    Ettienne, 225, was the busier fighter early on and throughout most of the fight but was holding on and not throwing much down the stretch. “You can’t knock everyone out. The guy could punch and the guy could take a punch. (My critics) said that I couldn’t take a punch after I lost to Oquendo, but Lewis hits a lot harder.”

    The fight had its ebbs and flows, which made it so exciting. Etienne landed the crisp combinations and hurt Lewis him at times, but Lewis, 236, showed courage in coming back with his own heavy blows. Unfortunately, for Lewis, his homerun balls were off their mark and that had much to do with an improved defense displayed by Etienne. In fact Etienne showed signs of Jack Mosley in-and-out boxing, leading with left hooks and throwing them in three punch salvos (as pointed out to me by good pal and pro prizefighter, Roy Payne).

    “I learned a lot from Shane and Jack,” said Etienne. “They helped me with moving my shoulders and I think that it helped my defense and timing.” Etienne had worked with Jack Mosley following his loss to Oquendo but cut him loose after being dissatisfied with the atmosphere of Big Bear California.

    “I want to be prepared to not only fight for the heavyweight title but to win it,” said the Rhino who is now 24-1 with 17 KO’s. Many people felt that he was on his way to at least fighting for the heavyweight championship until the loss to Oquendo derailed his hopes. Whether he can climb that high in the division’s hierarchy or not, one thing last night’s fight proved is that Etienne is still a fun heavyweight to watch.

    Early on in his career, American 2000 Olympic silver medallist, Rocky Juarez of Houston was receiving most of the boxing world’s attention. But after being extended the distance a few times, most fans and some of the media turned their heads towards the knockout artists such as Francisco Bojado and Jeff Lacy. After a year and a half in the pro ranks Bojado and Lacy have thus far shown that they can look a bit ordinary. But Juarez has shown in all of his bouts that he is a solid fighter and can be matched with difficult opponents. That was proven again last night. In the first televised bout of Showtime’s boxing tripleheader, Juarez , 126 ½, scored an impressive 5th round TKO over Javier Ortiz, 124, of Salinas, Puerto Rico. “Going in, I thought that this guy would bring out the best in me and he did.”

    Juarez’ best was impressive from the get go. He began his night’s work by flooring Ortiz towards the end of the first round with a brutal left hook/ right hand combination. To Rocky’s surprise, Ortiz managed to his feet and finished the round. But the Texan never became overanxious. Even when Ortiz made the next frames more competitive with his herky-jerky upper body movement and fast hands, Juarez fought intelligently, picking and choosing his spots. Towards the end of the fifth, Juarez unleashed a furious combination that hurt Ortiz along the ropes and once he had him hurt, he didn’t lay off until referee Dick Flaherty mercifully stopped the fight at the 2:01 mark.

    Juarez improved his record to 9-0 with 6 KO’s. “This was the kind of win that I think will make people pay more attention to me.”

    Malik Scott, 217, of Philadelphia, PA knocked out overmatched Britton Thomas, 212, of Trenton, NJ with a picture perfect right hand at 2:01 of the first round. Scott, who mentioned that he has been working exclusively on his left jab said that his right hand landed so solidly because of his jab which set it up. “If I don’t start that combination with the left jab, the the right hand isn’t going to happen.”

    Scott, who is trained by former lightweight contender Harold Knight says that he’s in no rush to get to the top and appreciates these learning stages. Scott is now 10-0 with 6 KO’s while Thomas is now 13-7 with 10 KO’s.

    In Other bouts:

    Chris Stallworth, 183, Pittsburgh, PA floored William Broadie, 188, of East Hartford, CT midway through the opening round as well as the second but had to labor to win a lopsided unanimous decision. Stallworth, who improved to 5-0 won by identical scores of 39-33. Stallworth lost a point for holding in the fourth.

    Nate Campbell, 130 ¼, and undefeated prospect from Jacksonville, FL had a tougher time then expected against Puerto Rican journeyman, Jaime Torres until Torres’ corner called it quits after 5 rounds had been completed. Campbell is now 20-0 after scoring his 18th inside the distance. Torres is now 8-9 with 4 KO’s.

    Promising Juan Diaz, 134 ½, the 18-year old gunslinger of Houston, TX overcame a vicious gash above his left eye to outwork tough Nelson Medina of Queens, NY over 8 rounds. Diaz was his usual left hook happy self but Medina wouldn’t wilt under the endless assault. Diaz, who has been busy since turning pro in 2000 is now 15-0 with 7 stops. Despite his sheer bravery, Medina, now 24-22-2 with 7 KO’s lost every round on the judges scorecards (80-70 and 80-69 twice).

    In a 4-round battle people named Chad, Chad Dawson, 167, of New Haven, CT won a lopsided (40-36 x3) decision over Calgary’s Chad Sawyer. Dawson is now 7-0 with 5 KO’s while Sawyer slips to 4-2.

    PROMOTER – Main Events, Inc.
    NETWORK - Showtime
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRhino, Juarez Win at the Mohegan Sun``x1019976961,44261,``x``x ``xANARCHY IN ANAHEIM
    By Chris Strait at ringside

    In the first of four scheduled televised cards at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, CA, there was no shortage of action. Bob Arum brought thrills, though not always the ones he had intended. A card that could've been marred by headbutts, a few spectator brawls, and an obviously fixed undercard fight, was saved by good fight action. That was the reason we went in the first place, but we needed a little reminding.
    In the main event, Light Heavyweight contender and local hero Julio Gonzalez scored a 7th round TKO over Joseph Kiwanuka, of Uganda. Both men started out with good body work, but it soon took the pattern of a typical Gonzalez fight, with Julio wearing his opponent down with a steady attack. Gonzalez ripped uppercuts and hooks in, and bloodied (perhaps broke) Kiwanuka's nose in round 3. The Ugandan did manage to get some solid shots in, but Gonzalez seemed largely unaffected. By the middle rounds, Kiwanuka's trunks had changed from white to red, and he was fading badly. His corner called a halt at the end of the 7th round. Kiwanuka drops to 27-5-2 (20 KO's). Gonzalez runs his record to 29-1 (19 KO's).
    I'd like to thank Julio and Joseph for not only providing decent action, but for keeping the fight going through rounds 5 and 6. The crowd would have missed a knockout, had it occurred then, due a melee and near riot near press row. A couple different fights broke out.. and only after it was subdued by the understaffed security, was the Anaheim PD brought in. The action was a little too close to this reporter, but I was lucky. An entire press table was taken out at ringside in the process.
    In the co-main event between southpaw Super Featherweights Jesus Zatarin and Arnulfo Castillo (both of Mexico), separate headbutts opened three cuts.. 2 on Castillo, and 1 on Zatarin, which led to a stoppage in round 6. The action was slow to progress, and the butts seemed to curtail any momentum that might be building. Castillo moves to 36-1-3 (21 KO's). Zatarin drops to 21-6-4 (14 KO's).
    The greatest story of the night was the tragedy-turned-triumph-turned-tragedy of Joey Torres. After spending 23 years in prison for a murder he is allegedly innocent of, Torres was finally making his professional debut. With star baseball players Eric Davis and Paul Molitor by his side (two men who assisted his cause), he took on light heavyweight Perry Williams, 0-1, of Bartlesville, OK.
    After attempting a cheap shot by tricking Williams into an opening belt glove-touch (which became a wild left hook), Torres angered his foe. Williams then promptly landed a straight right on the chin of Torres, sending him down. Torres was badly hurt and wouldn't have been allowed to continue in most other circumstances, but after all, this was his homecoming in a way. However, as we all soon learned, his newly found star power was not his only ally.
    Williams not only made no effort to finish his wounded prey, he sagged against the ropes.... routinely 'acting' bothered by what were obvious slaps at the rib cage. When he went down softly from these shots, the crowd began a chorus of boos that would not stop until the main event came on. Williams again went down in the second from slaps, and his corner tossed in the towel. Now, if there really was an injury that none of the audience noticed, I apologize, but to me this seemed an obvious fix. Not that I can say I was surprised, given the circumstances, but they could've at least treated the audience to a good acting job.
    In other action, unbeaten Heavyweight Javier Mora, of Anaheim, scored a 2nd round knockout of Arkansas' Ronnie Smith. Smith made an effort, but 272 was a bit much for his 5'11" frame to hold, and he quickly became tired. He could not rise when a Mora combination sent him to the canvas. Mora moves to 13-0-1 (12 KO's), while Smith drops to 6-22 (6 KO's).
    Jose Armando Santa Cruz, of Mexico City, improved to 7-0 (2 KO's), when he scored a 6 round unanimous decision over tough but outgunned Utah native Justo Sanchez, now 12-14. The two Lightweights traded shots throughout, but Santa Cruz's superior height and skills were the difference.
    In the Super Bantamweight opener, Robert Ortiz of Simi Valley won a unanimous 4 round decision over Stevie Walker of Palmdale, who was making his debut. Walker tried a Naseem Hamed style of switch hitting and outside uppercuts, but became fatigued quickly and was penalized a point for holding in round 3.

    PROMOTER - CantLewz Promotions
    Attendance - 5,049.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGonzalez Stops Kiwanuka in 7``x1020010618,61269,``x``x ``xby Jim Dickinson.



    Saturday 27th April 2002.

    Unbeaten but previously untested James "Lord Of The Manor" Hare, from Roberttown in Northern England, turned in the best performance of his six year career last night, landing a chopping right cross to the chin of defending Commonwealth champion Julian Holland in the sixth round, sending him crashing to the canvas. The 29 year old Aussie climbed to his feet but Hare swarmed all over him, forcing referee Paul Thomas to intervene at 1.26 of the round just as the towel was thrown in.

    Over the past few years Hare's career has been going nowhere fast, and there has been a suspicion that, because of his middle-class family background, he's been treating the sport as a bit of a hobby. Indeed, his "Lord Of The Manor" nick name plays up to the image.

    However, after just one fight in 2000, he knuckled down last year with six solid victories and in January he outboxed hard hitting Frenchman Monney Seka (9-1-1) to pick up the inaugral European Union welterweight championship.

    Even with that title, he was ranked only 12th best in Europe, and 11th best in England, so it's not surprising the 25 year old switch hitter was the underdog last night against big punching Holland (27-2-1, 17ko's).

    The challenger, 20-0-1, had a cautious start, showing the busy champion too much respect in giving away the first two rounds without much of an argument, preferring to back off rather than stand and trade.

    In the third, Hare came to life, making Holland miss, and backing him up with fast combinations from unusual angles. The Briton won a close round and grew noticably in confidence. Round four saw the champion failing to land any significant punches, as Hare started to turn the contest into his kind of fight - a cat and mouse boxing match. In the fifth he was first to the punch and even landed a few pot shots. Melbourne's "Gold Coast Golden Boy" showed flashes of his power and remained competitive, but was being outboxed, although the sudden ending in round six was unexpected, given that the challenger has stopped just 9 of 21 opponents and seemed to be content to box intelligently to a points decision - until Julian marched forward with his hands low.

    "I was setting him up for the right hand. If you catch anyone right they will go. All this hasn't sunk in yet, but there's more to come from James Hare."

    Holland can be forgiven for taking the new champion lightly. Hare has boxed almost exclusively in the North of England, 200 miles outside London; television exposure and title opportunities have been very limited but for the biggest night of his six year career, a sell out crowd turned up at the Huddersfield Leisure Centre to cheer him on.

    Julian had been highly rated; WBC#8, IBF#10 & WBO#6, so Hare can expect a top ten ranking following this victory. The British 147lb division is weak at the moment; he'd be favoured to win a showdown with domestic champion Neil Sinclair (22-3), and a match with fellow Brit Jawaid "Too Sleek" Khaliq, the IBO champion (who was at ringside) would be an attractive and logical step forward.

    I'd pick him to outbox Khaliq, who was very nearly beaten by late sub Maxim Nesterenko in February. An alternative step forward would be a challenge for the European title, won by Germany's Michel Trabant (37-0) last weekend.

    Hopefully the impressive stoppage won't change Hare's mindset; he is first and foremost an unorthodox stylist with tremendous reflexes, and he has a good future ahead, although forays into the upper levels of the world welterweight title picture are best left on the back burner for the time being.



    Undercard results.



    Former WBO featherweight champion Steve Robinson (32-17-2) finally reached the end of the line, losing on points (79-74) over eight rounds to local favourite Steve Conway (24-4), the younger man by nine years. In the early-mid 90's the Welsh pressure fighter enjoyed many memorable championship nights, until Prince Naseem Hamed dethroned him in September 1995.

    Since then he's had success on a lower level, winning the European and WBO intercontinental titles, but losing against the likes of Istvan Kovacs, Cassius Baloyi, Manuel Calvo, and Juan Carlos Ramirez; last November up and coming Scott Harrison (WBC#9) stopped him in three rounds.

    33 year old Robinson unwisely gave the game a final fling last night, against an opponent who wouldn't have lived with him back in the glory years, but the rapid decline was evident from the opening bell and light punching Conway (just 2 inside the distance wins) boxed his way to a comfortable points win.

    The victory should open a few doors at domestic level for the tattooed southpaw.

    Robinson, once called the "Cinderella Man" immediately announced his retirement upon leaving the ring after his sixth straight loss. Over 13 years, his career has come full circle; he started out as a journeyman, and sadly leaves the sport as one.

    British boxing fans will miss him.

    Local flyweight prospect Dale Robinson (7-0, 3 inside the distance), twice UK amateur champion in 1999 and 2000, returned to action after an 11 month lay off, in a scheduled six rounder against Jason Thomas (6-16-3). Despite the poor record, the tough Welshman has often extended some of the best flyweights in Britain and Europe.

    22 year old Dale, eager to impress his family and supporters in the packed, vociferous crowd, shook off the rust in a competitive opening round and had the Merthyr Tydfill southpaw in trouble at the end of rounds two and three. The finish came seventy two seconds into the fourth after a clash of heads led to a bad cut over the left eye of the Welshman and the referee had no option but to stop the fight.

    It was a sharp, impressive performance from Robinson who was probably on the way to a legitimate stoppage win in the fifth or sixth rounds. Manager Tommy Gilmore hopes to steer him towards a British or Commonwealth championship by the end of the year.

    Local cruiserweight Mark Hobson (16-3-1) won a close (96-95) ten round British title eliminator against Lee Swayby (13-12-2). Hobson briefly touched down in the fourth but used his superior jab and movement to stay out of harms way for the rest of the hardfought contest. Swayby suffered a horrible vertical gash over his left eye in the final round.

    Victory earns Hobson the right to challenge domestic champion Bruce Scott later in the year. He has already failed in an attempt to win the WBU title, being stopped in ten rounds by Sebastian Rothmann a year ago, and will have to sharpen up his defence against the hard punching Scott. Hobson will have learned lessons from this contest though and if he can become British Champion, a WBO title opportunity against Johnny Nelson could materialise.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHare dethrones Holland for Commonwealth Welter Title``x1020012258,95865,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    The Theater, Madison Square Garden
    New York,, NY

    Rumor has it that all three judges scored the first three rounds of the Briggs-Mcline fight for Johnny Tapia.

    IBF Champion Manuel Medina, winner of last year's CBZ Comeback Fighter of the Year, lost a majority decision to challenger Johnny Tapia. This writer was especially intersted in scoring this fight as it was my first chance to sit with ex-pro fighter "Schoolboy" Steve Small during a bout. Usually Steve and I reconoiter before and after the big matches at the Garden. Small is one of those few, rare guys who truly knows boxing, and is one of the most thoughtful commentators in the sport.

    Clearly Tapia won the first round, mainly on the basis of a series of pretty solid left hooks. Yet, with 30 seconds to go in the first, Small pointed out that the awkward Medina was making small adjustments that would stand him in good stead.

    Sure enough, with the second and third rounds, Medina began avoiding Tapia's left, while landing many of his own.

    As the bout progressed, Medina began using a cute little fade away move during which he would shift to southpaw and land a jab as Tapia turned towards him.

    By the end of the fight, Small had scored it 8-4, along with most of the press that I spoke to, including Bert Sugar. The closest was a 7-5 score for Medina.

    Then came the scores. Two "judges" for Tapia, a third called it a draw. OUCH!

    The time has come for some deep thinking on how to cure the problem of poor decisions. The level of incometence is truly striking -- not just in New York, but across the country.

    The saddest part of the outrage was that the press simply shrugged it off as another day at the office.

    Complete Results --
    Light Middleweight Yuri Forman Beat Michael Doaks UD 6
    Light Middleweight Anthony Thompson Beat Fausto Alvarque KO 1
    Super Middleweight Jermain Taylor Beat Joe Garcia KO 6
    Super Middleweight Jerson Ravelo Beat Aaron Norwood TKO 3
    Super Middleweight Tito Mendoza Beat Leroy Brooks TKO 3
    Heavyweight Jameel McCline Beat Shannon Briggs UD 10

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCBZ Eyewitness to Medina's Mugging by NY Judges``x1020013671,17470,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Saturday, April 27, Multnomah Greyhound Park, Portland, OR

    Promoter: Oregon Trails, Inc.
    Matchmaker: Bob Oleson

    Judges: Joe Bonaventura, Greg Baker, Bob Flamme
    Referees: Mike Fisher, Jim Erickson, Darrell Lewis
    Ringside Physicians: Dr. Louis Rios, Dr. Patrick
    Shipsey


    The tall Southpaw Francisco Mendez proved a
    frustrating spoiler in the ten-round main event of an
    entertaining card under the grandstands. The 30-year-old Mendez
    has only won a third or so of his more
    than thirty bouts, but the Mexican’s experience and
    awkward style were enough to win a split decision over
    25 year-old Tony Martinez of Salem, OR. With Mendez
    moving and firing from the distance of his long right
    jab, Martinez focused on landing a right hand and
    spent the early to mid rounds doggedly chasing and
    seldom landing. By the time Martinez figured out how
    useful a left hand could be for this encounter, both
    fighters were running out of steam. There were no
    knockdowns, but the final round featured triple trips
    to the deck, with the pair dragging each other down,
    and then alternating slipping, first Martinez and then
    Mendez. A split decision for mendez with the scores
    reading 96-94, 94-95, and 96-93. Martinez’ record
    slips to 11-2-2, 7 KO’s.

    In a dramatic opening 4 rounder, Rafael Ortiz, 135 lbs
    of Lebanon, OR , improved to 2-0 with a knockout win
    over Christian Lopez, 133 lbs, now 0-2, of Othello,
    WA. Late in the second round, Ortiz dazed Lopez with a
    serious right to the head and then chased him down and
    caught him again with a lights-out right that floored
    Lopez for the count. The ref called the stoppage at
    3:08 of the second round, because the bell could not
    save the downed fighter.

    A special feature of the evening was the six round
    bout between world ranked Alex "The Technician"
    Bunema, 162 lbs, (now 20-3-1) and Louis "Chocolate
    Thunder" Sargeant, 170 lbs, (now 4-7-2) of Richmond,
    B.C. but originally of British Guyana. The talented
    Bunema took his time jabbing and moving early while
    Sargeant relied on a sturdy defense with a few
    ventures in the hook category. Sargeant went to his
    knees after a body shot in the second round, but
    seemed ruggedly determined again until he hit the deck
    harder and flatter in the fifth and the ref called it
    off at 2:28 of the fifth. TKO win for Bunema, who is
    now operating out of Seattle under the guidance of Ray
    Frye and Roland Jankelson.

    Portland favorite Reggie Davis, 154 lbs, (now 4-1)
    kept his prospects going with a fast and flashy
    performance against rugged and absorbent Manuel Reyes,
    154 lbs ( now 3-1), of Kennewick, WA. Davis won a
    unanimous decision in four using a concerted body
    attack to keep Reyes off balance and on the defensive.

    A 4 rounds light heavyweight match between Luis Lopez
    of Othello, WA and Neil Stephens of Seattle. We didn’t
    find records for the pair, but the bout suggested
    neither had much experience. [Editor's note -- the CBZ's records show Stephens entereing this fight with a 2-2, 1NC record). Stephens had a slow,vertical, petrified European style, but his basic jab
    and advance technique was more than sufficient for the
    first two rounds. Lopez ducked some in the early going
    and didn’t get much done. His style was schoolyard
    posturing, bully poses, and not many punches thrown.
    One ringsider remarked that he looked as though he’d
    never even watched boxing on television to see what it
    ought to look like. But Stephens seemed to tire as the
    rounds went on, and Lopez began to toss wide haymakers
    that occasionally landed. It wasn’t pretty but it was
    shockingly effective. The crowd was on its feet
    roaring and stomping as Lopez turned it all upside
    down late in the fourth and dropped Stephens hard. He
    beat the count and the judges called it a unanimous
    decision victory for Stephens. The scores were 40-36,
    40-36, 39-37.

    The fight of the night was between Chris Huntwork, 151
    lbs, now 8-12-1 or thereabouts, and Virgil
    Bohnenkamp,150 lbs, now 4-4 both of Portland, who
    cooked up a 6 round jr. Middleweight barn-burner.
    Bohnenkamp came out with faster moves and higher
    skills to dominate the chasing Huntwork until a big
    right connected toward the end of the first round,
    dumping Bohnenkamp. He beat the count at the bell and
    came out on the attack in the second. Huntwork spent
    plenty of time covering up or not, on the ropes, as
    Bohnenkamp peppered away at him, but on the rare
    occasions when Huntwork landed one of his patented
    wrecking balls, Bohnenkamp was clearly hurt. Hot
    cutman, Tom Smario kept Bohnenkamp going despite a
    bloody nose and mouth and gashes over both eyes. By
    the end of the fourth, Bohnenkamp was still pitching
    but his knees had an odd, locked angle which didn’t
    improve in the minute break. Late in the fifth,
    Huntwork just shoved Bohnenkamp, who fell like a phone
    pole, flat on his back and got up just in time for the
    bell with wobbly legs. The ringside physician said
    Bohnenkamp was through for the night. A TKO win for
    Huntwork at the end of the fifth round.




    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPortland Dog Track Fight Results``x1020019926,91913,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    Can anyone recall when a heavyweight title fight was weeks away yet generated no copy? Outside of Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, the nation's newspapers, the world's websites, the universe of boxing scribes, has turned a deaf ear, a blind eye, a cold shoulder to the June 8 Lewis-Tyson prizefight.

    Maybe everyone is busy with other things. Is it Christmas yet? Is it New Years? Kwanzaa? Maybe no one wants to risk predictions on the unpredictable Mike Tyson. Maybe everyone is sitting tight and waiting for the meltdown. But is there nothing to say about a fight of this scale, a contest of this magnitude?

    We know Mike Tyson is a sideshow freak whose connection to boxing is peripheral. We also know that Lennox Lewis, a fine champ and as decent as they come, is as controversial as a coconut. So what if the homebody is no match for the homie outside the ring? Inside the squared circle, I imagine, but doubt we'll see, it's another story.

    Could there ever be two men less alike than Lennox Lewis and Iron Mike Tyson? One is tall. The other is short. One has dreads. The other shaves his head. One is in shape. One is not. One held onto his money. The other went shopping. One is ending his career. The other's career has ended. Lennox wants peace and quiet to focus on this fight. Iron Mike Tyson wants lap dances.

    Must we resort to analogies like light and dark, like the banality of good versus evil? Must we revert to Obe Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader to signify this match-up? Must it be biblical? mythical? historic? legendary? in order for us to sit up and take notice? Or have we changed? Has the fight fans' traditional love of the heavyweights been dumped in the waste bin of history? Is Tyson-bashing out of fashion? What's wrong with us? Have we given up kicking a man when he's down?

    Or are we just Tysoned out?

    The 20,000 seats for Pug At The Pyramid sold out overnight. Someone out there, at least those who bought tickets, seems to think this fight will happen. Most of us do not. The titleholder is in his training camp getting down and dirty. Lennox Lewis is doing what needs doing, whatever needs to be done, to mop the floor with Iron Mike Tyson. The scourge of boxing, mad dog Mike Tyson, in the meantime does nothing, because he knows there's nothing he can do.

    During the length and breadth of his career, Mike Tyson has revealed that he is, if nothing else, captain of his own ship, master of his own fate, winner and still champion of his own undoing.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLewis vs. Tyson (The Misfortune 500)``x1020193030,60998,``x``x ``xBy Tom Gerbasi

    NEW YORK, April 26 - Ace photographer Teddy Blackburn, who receives the Boxing Writers Association of America's "Good Guy" award tonight, said "when you see Gerald for the first time, it will change the way you feel about boxing."

    He's referring to Gerald McClellan, the former WBC middleweight champion who had his life altered permanently by a brutal bout with Nigel Benn in 1995. The Freeport, Illinois native is blind, nearly deaf, and can barely walk. And yes, seeing him for the first time does alter your perception of the sport sometimes referred to as the "Sweet Science".

    There's nothing sweet about what happened to McClellan, no silver
    linings or happy endings. Lisa McClellan, Gerald's sister, said that in terms of her brother's health, "I think this is about it as far as any big progress." So he will never see his three children again, never hit a heavy bag with reckless abandon, or do roadwork in the morning.

    And it can happen to any boxer.

    "It's a wake up call," said middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, who
    visited the G-Man in his hotel room yesterday. "I could be Gerald
    McClellan after any fight I fight."

    McClellan, 34, arrived in New York yesterday evening with Lisa and his
    Aunt Lou after a 19-hour train ride from Freeport. It was the first time McClellan had been out of his hometown since he returned home after surgery for a subdural hematoma suffered in the Benn fight. The reason for the trip is to share the 'Good Guy' award with Blackburn, who humbly told Lisa after being notified, "I didn't come to see your brother and my friend to win an award. But since I did win, I want you both to come and share it with me. This is Gerald's day, not my day."

    Says Lisa, "We were really excited for Teddy because he's been there,
    and he's done so much to keep Gerald's name out there."

    Unfortunately, McClellan's damaged brain has erased many of his
    memories, including those of his career, his fights, and his friends. After a little prodding, Gerald remembered Blackburn, who remembered the drill of tapping McClellan's hand once for yes and twice for no.

    "Teddy," said McClellan, "You are a friendly man, a handsome man, and a helluva talent."

    He then proceeded to drill Blackburn on not only his love life but also his weight. "Are you ashamed of your weight?" laughed Gerald, unable to see, but able to smile.

    Just as suddenly, McClellan will yell out for Lisa, reaching out for
    someone to hold his right hand, a sign of security for Gerald, who ironically used his right hand to knock out most of his opponents.

    Blackburn returns, and the two continue their conversation. It's a
    bittersweet time for the Michigan native who currently resides in the
    Bronx. "I make a living taking pictures of boxing and I love boxing, but when you see a friend, a fighter that you know, someone you've shot pool with and watched tapes with, and you see him with a vacant look and knowing that he might be in that chair for the next 30-40 years, blind and with faded memories, I say, 'what's wrong with me?'"

    It's a question many of us have asked ourselves, but we still thrill to a good fight, appreciate a talented warrior, or even a gutsy kid who overachieves and gets one of those boxing rarities: a break. Most of all, after these conflicts of conscience we usually gain a greater
    appreciation for those who step into the ring.

    And McClellan remembers that he was not only a fighter, but also a world champion. "Show the G-Man's moneymaker," said Lisa, and McClellan raises his right fist, which looks as imposing as it did when he was knocking out foes with very little effort in the early to mid 90's. "At times," says Lisa, "if he's talking to me, he'll talk as if he's retired, he's hurt, he's got brain damage, and he's blind. But if someone else talks to him about boxing, he talks like what happened seven years ago never happened. I think that's why he got upset at the train station because he doesn't like for anyone to
    say that he's not fighting anymore."

    Light heavyweight champ Roy Jones Jr., one of the few in the boxing
    community to still support Gerald's trust fund, has never gone to see
    his amateur nemesis (McClellan owns a victory over Jones) because many
    believe HE won't fight again. Hopkins, in town to receive the Fighter of The Year award, has wanted to see Gerald for some time, and the opportunity presented itself last night. Still his loquacious self, Hopkins did look visibly shaken after spending time with McClellan. "I'm angry because no one other than Roy Jones and some
    others have done anything for Gerald McClellan," said Hopkins. "Money's not always everything, but he needs help. I have a two and a half year old daughter. Who's going to take care of her if I end up like this?"

    In watching McClellan and Hopkins interact, there's a selfish side that makes you wish that the G-Man was healthy so he could trade blows with the pride of Philadelphia. "He was a threat to everyone in the division," said "The Executioner", who was wary to give out any of his trade secrets. "When you're sparring with these guys any of them show you something?" asked Gerald. "You hurt em?"

    Hopkins answered yes and McClellan grabbed the champion's fist. "Put it on my chin."

    "Not too hard, I don't want to put you to sleep," retorted Hopkins.

    "You ever had a streetfight?" inquired McClellan.

    "About 100,"

    Once again, McClellan grabs Hopkins' hand and asks him to repeat after
    him while tapping his hand, "This guy sounds like me and him will get
    together and make some money."

    McClellan smiles as the room erupts in laughter. He still looks the same as when he terrorized the middleweight division, and though he requires 24 hour a day care from his sisters, he still has fight left in him, as evidenced when he yelled, "I can wheel myself," when Lisa was trying to assist him into his hotel room.

    Lisa and Sandra McClellan have been selfless in helping their brother,
    effectively putting their lives on hold for what may be forever. For
    Lisa, it's a labor of love. "I told someone the other day that I never give it a second thought," she said. "If I did give it a second thought then maybe I'd realize that I put my life on hold, and I'll think about the reality of it. But I don't even think about it."

    Not that she has the time. Both sisters are raising children in addition to caring for Gerald, which has become a full-time job as well. "He's with Sandra from about 8 to 4, and she gets him out everyday," said Lisa. "And then he's at my house in the evening. We try to put him on the treadmill three days a week. Plus we have kids who are in sports so we've been going to track meets and baseball games, just to get him out."

    Seeing his own children has also become a part of Gerald's routine.
    Gerald Jr. 13, and Forrest 12, are still in Freeport and being raised by their mothers, and Mandell 7, is being raised by her mother in Detroit. McClellan sees Forrest every day, and Gerald Jr. on the average of once every couple of weeks.

    Another visitor, Blackburn, may come to Freeport less frequently, but is nonetheless still affected by the condition of his friend. "I waited over two years to go visit him," he remembers. "It took me a long time to get the guts to go see him because I knew it wasn't going to be pretty. I was knocked out myself. I held his hand for three hours, once for yes, and twice for no. It was hard to see him."

    Blackburn's reason for keeping Gerald's name in the public eye is also
    fairly straightforward. "He's a friend, and I felt bad that everybody
    forgot him."

    In spurts, public awareness of McClellan's plight has helped keep the
    trust fund used for his care afloat, with a CNNSI feature on him last year being the most obvious aid. "A lot came in, not just money, but cards from the CNN story," said Lisa. "It picked up quite a bit, but has died down a little now. We get maybe four or five pieces of mail a week."

    Lisa admits, "We do what we have to do," to care for Gerald, and despite her brother's injuries, "I still love boxing."

    But don't cross her, as she remains fiercely protective of her brother, like any good sister would be. "The reason why I'm so fond of people like Teddy is because they haven't just jumped on the bandwagon after seven years," she said. "What's important to me is who's been there and who's still there, not somebody who is in today and out tomorrow."

    The fair-weather friends have come and gone, and Gerald McClellan will
    never have the life he dreamed about when he was on top of the middleweight division. The life he lives now is far removed from anything that we could ever imagine living. But he does live it, along with his family and friends. Oh, Teddy was right; after seeing Gerald I will never look at a fight or fighter the same way again, but that may be a good thing. Because maybe after more people in the industry see Gerald they too will feel the same way, and reforms can be enacted to care for fighters once their careers are over.

    It would be a legacy to be proud of.

    Send Contributions for Gerald McClellan to:
    Gerald McClellan Estate
    Fifth Third Bank
    PO Box 660
    Freeport, IL 61032

    [Editor's Note: The CBZ would like to send its many thanks to Tom Gerbasi and the good folks at www.MaxBoxing.com, who gave us permission to publish this great piece.]``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGerald McClellan``x1020296650,37731,``x``x ``xATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—For the first time in Boardwalk Hall boxing history, fight fans attending the June 1 heavyweight bout between Evander Holyfield and Hasim Rahman will be buying more tickets in fixed seats that make up the new bowl-shaped seating layout rather than temporary bleachers now that the $90-million renovation of the historic Hall was completed in October 2001.

    The new seating bowl at Boardwalk Hall has increased the number of permanent arena seats from 4,600 to 10,200, all of which are upholstered with cup holders, with a total seating capacity scaled at over 12,000 for the June 1Holyfield vs. Rahman event. The permanent seating is designed around a floor hockey layout, which allows for additional floor seating to be added for boxing matches.

    The largest crowd to attend a boxing event at the Boardwalk Hall took place on June 27, 1988, when Mike Tyson knocked out Michael Spinks in the first round to unify the heavyweight crown. The 21,785 people that witnessed that event set a record that still stands to this day; however, of the seats sold, only 4,600 were permanent. The remaining 17,185 fans sat in bleachers placed above and below the balcony, and chairs that were placed on an incline at ground level.

    The historic Boardwalk Hall, which first opened in 1929, held it’s first boxing match on July 26, 1929. Since then, the Boardwalk Hall has hosted over 66 boxing events, including 31 world title bouts. The first world title fight took place on Dec. 7, 1963, when 11,793 boxing fans saw the 15-round match between Dick Tiger and Joey Giardello for the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council middleweight championship. Giardello won the match by decision.

    The last heavyweight fight in the East Hall (the largest of the three rooms that held boxing events) was held on March 28, 1998. On that night heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis defended his WBC title by knocking out Shannon Briggs in the fifth round. The last boxing event to take place in East Hall was on Halloween night in 1998 when Naseem Hamed defended his World Boxing Organization featherweight title with a 12-round decision over Wayne McCullough.

    The last boxer to take a punch at Boardwalk Hall was Rahman, when he lost to Oleg Maskaev on an eighth round TKO on Nov. 6, 1999 in the Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Boardwalk Hall.

    Holyfield vs. Rahman tickets, priced at $50, $100, $175, $300, $500 and $750, are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets or by toll-free phone at (800) 736-1420, or in person at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall Center Box Office Monday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or on the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com. The bout is being promoted by Don King Productions in association with Park Place Entertainment and will be telecast on HBO.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDKP Press Release - Holyfield-Rahman Seat Upgrades at the Boardwalk Hall``x1020296849,70458,``x``x ``xBoxers Come Out for the G-Man in NYC
    by Thomas Gerbasi (May 1, 2002)

    NEW YORK, Apr. 30 - Despite a 19 hour train ride, and a hectic Friday that included a standing ovation at the Boxing Writers Association of America dinner, Gerald McClellan didn't want to rest, didn't want to stop meeting members of the New York boxing community that came out to pay their respects to the stricken former middleweight champion.

    For the most part, McClellan has been forgotten by the boxing community, and most notably by many of those who called him a friend when he was terrorizing the middleweights in the 90's. But boxers in town last week weren't going to make the same mistake, coming to the G-Man's hotel room on Friday to talk with the former champ, or just to hold his hand.

    And once he got your hand, he wasn't letting go.

    Dressed in a tuxedo, McClellan and his sister Lisa greeted Ricardo Williams Jr., Mark Breland, Paulie Malignaggi and Brian Adams. Also making a visit was Lou DiBella, the former HBO boxing czar who not only financed McClellan's trip to New York, but the upcoming photo book to be released this year by ace photographer Teddy Blackburn. All proceeds from the book will go to the McClellan trust fund.

    Worn out by the lengthy trip from his home in Freeport, Illinois, McClellan was less animated with current middleweight champ Bernard Hopkins on Thursday than he was when junior welterweight prospect Ricardo Williams Jr. entered the room on Friday.

    "G is for the G-Man," said McClellan. "G is for my favorite son, little G-Man. G is for my favorite color, green, and G is for my favorite pop, grape."

    McClellan gave Williams advice about listening to his parents and quizzed him on his career.

    And while it was heartwarming to see McClellan and Williams form a bond, it wasn't an easy sight to see. Williams' father, Ricardo Sr., left the room with tears in his eyes, with manager Buddy LaRosa telling him, "This is why you take care of these kids outside of the ring, because inside, they're on their own." Truer words were never spoken.

    For lightweight up and comer Malignaggi, there was a tentative look in his eyes as he awaited his opportunity to see McClellan, who Paulie remembered as one of his favorite fighters. And that's an understandable reaction.

    It was tough enough for the media to see Gerald, with some reporters opting to not even enter the hotel room, but for an active fighter, who still has to step between the ropes knowing what may happen, it must be magnified one hundred times.

    "What do you do to make weight?" asked McClellan.

    "Train hard," answered Malignaggi.

    "What do you eat?"

    "Chicken, fish."

    "What do you want to eat that you can't?"

    "Pizza."

    Gerald smiled.

    There were occasional smiles and laughs on Friday, but there were many more moist eyes and headshakes. How do you love or participate in a sport that does this to its participants? And what if you are an active participant? Brian Adams had a look of disbelief and sadness as his close friend Mark Breland sat with McClellan. And for a fighter to continue fighting he has to believe with every fiber of his being that, "this can't happen to me."

    But it can.

    McClellan and Breland spent their time together talking about their careers, and Gerald immediately took to the former welterweight champion and Olympic gold medallist. He even asked Breland, "Are you Lisa's date?" It brought a smile from Breland, but the classy ex-fighter appeared to have a thousand thoughts running through his mind as he spoke with McClellan, 999 of them most likely saying, "thank god, I got out of boxing when I did."

    A small group of reporters crowded around the room while McClellan held court, and cameras from CNNSI and ESPN filmed Gerald for upcoming features.

    But when the cameras turned off, it was a group of fighters who weren't there for a photo op, but to salute a brother. A fallen brother who represents what may happen to them at any time. It's something that we can't understand, but the fighters know. You can see it in their eyes.

    Send Contributions for Gerald McClellan to:
    Gerald McClellan Estate
    Fifth Third Bank
    PO Box 660
    Freeport, IL 61032

    [Editor's Note: The CBZ would like to again thank Tom Gerbasi and www.MaxBoxingcom for permitting the submission on this article. The piece was originally publiched by MaxBoxing.]``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMcClellan (Part 2)``x1020426813,33210,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    What's worthy of comment or analysis? What's not considered, weighed and balanced, embraced, or rejected? As we edge toward June 8, toward the summation of grace at its most incoherent, Mike Tyson has once again grabbed all the newspaper headlines. How now? Mike finally confessed to biting Lennox Lewis. Is this newswire? Is this newsworthy? Is this an echo of a rerun? Have we already begun? Is it time out? Is it time to start over?

    The Melee At The Millennium on January 22 was one of the worst press conferences in history. Bad blood led to push came to shove and Mike Tyson had ceased being collegial. Some punches were thrown, but mostly it was grappling, there was wrestling, there was some biting. Then the audience started baiting Tyson, began to mock him. A pyromaniac lit the fuse and Tyson exploded.

    Iron Mike Tyson is going public again. After serving Hawaiian punch to reporters earlier this week, tonight on Fox, live and in living color, Mike will field questions the way a shortstop fields grounders. His eloquence, ease and confidence will be apparent to whoever’s watching. Mike Tyson will illustrate, as though any illustration were necessary, that he remains the man, a millionaire superstar, the former heavyweight champion, and you’ll note the sense of purpose, the sense of gravity, the sense of mission.

    The seats at The Pyramid will soon hold fannies full of fanatics who are cruising for bruising. Pay-per-view sales are already through the roof. Interplanetary sales are skyrocketing. Iron Mike Tyson, in an orchestrated publicity blitz, is creating controversy and pandemonium. And he is not banging the drum slowly. No, it's the high-hat cymbals, his foot is on the pedal, he's tapping the snare, he’s beating a tattoo, and he’s leading a march down the middle of Main Street. It’s a May Day parade in the good old USA, it's only in America, and it's cacophonous illusion. Yet it's also boxing, it’s boosting sales, it raises expectations, and it’s sowing seeds of doubt and confusion.

    Many people, knowledgeable people in the heart and soul of the fight game, believe that Mike Tyson will dethrone Lennox Lewis. Even an insider like Evander Holyfield, who knows both men better than most of us, believes Iron Mike will smash the guy with the dreads. They might be right. It's a prizefight, the men are heavyweights, and anything is possible. Clever Lennox might emerge victorious. Tyson's fists might be a prelude to the smelling salts.

    Which leads us to the question that won't go away: Is boxing, is Memphis, are America and the world ready for Mike Tyson to become the new heavyweight champion? Reductio ad absurd as it might sound, one of Mike's Hail Marys! might knock Lennox Lewis into oblivion. Tyson looked great on CNN hitting the mitts in front of cameras. But as any old pro will tell you, the good thing about mitts is that they don't hit back. And they don't dance out of the way. And they're not 6'5". And they don't grab you when you get close enough to punch. We'd like someone, maybe Real Deal Holyfield, to tell us how Tyson overcomes this conundrum?

    There are moments when we don't know what to think or where we stand. Yet when extraordinary men say extraordinary things in extraordinary times, the most extraordinary thing is sometimes its extraordinary ordinariness. Mike Tyson, after owning-up to biting Lennox Lewis in January, also let us know what to expect a little more than a month from now. Whether we're ringside in Memphis, Tennessee, or in a room by ourselves or alone together, try remembering Mike Tyson’s soundbite to yesterday’s press corps.

    "On June 8, flesh will not be enough. I will take Lennox's title, his soul, and smear his pompous brains all over the ring when I hit him."

    An interesting statement on the face of it, yet there are irregularities, inconsistencies and inconsiderations. But Mike Tyson is what Mike Tyson does. Whether we like it or not, the man is a boxer, he’s a professional fighter, Iron Mike is a showman. He knows his value. He knows his audience. He knows his future. But does Mr. Mike Tyson actually know how to beat the champion Lennox Lewis?

    I guess we'll find out in a few weeks.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTyson Armed To The Teeth``x1020547521,95865,``x``x ``xBy Jim Dickinson

    LONDON,ENGLAND - Margate's Mehrdud Takalobigashi, aka Takaloo, came through a punishing battle to stop Croydon veteran Gary Logan in ten rounds last night. The lightly regarded WBU light middleweight championship was at stake as the York Hall fans were treated to one of the most thrilling, evenly contested fights in recent years.

    26 year old Takaloo, rated third by the WBO, won the vacant belt by stopping previously unbeaten Manchester prospect Anthony Farnell (who had won 26 straight) in the first round of a big upset last July, and after his first defence against former Commonwealth welterweight champion Scott Dixon had also ended inside three minutes, nobody gave 33 year old Logan (31-5-1) much chance of lasting to the half way point.

    In Britain, in addition to Takaloo (18-2), we also have three other highly regarded light middleweights, each holding a championship. Former WBO title challenger Wayne Alexander (18-1) holds both the British & European titles, Richard Williams (14-1) is the reigning Commonwealth & IBO champion, and Steve Roberts (29-0) holds the WBF version.

    Fans and the media are becoming increasingly frustrated at the politics between rival promoters Frank Warren and Barry Hearn, which continues to see these four fighters avoid facing each other and last night's WBU fight appeared, on paper at least, to be another marking time occasion, with hardly anybody giving the challenger a chance.

    In 1996, "Shogun" Logan was stopped by Ensley Bingham in a British title fight; he then quit the sport and became a referee. Most of his wins had come at welterweight and last year the lure of boxing tempted him back. He beat Adrian Kirkbride (2-3), Spencer Fearon (10-3) and Ojay Abrahams (18-31-4) in a total of seven rounds, but the comeback ran out of steam in October, when Hussain Osman (8-3) outpointed him over 12 rounds.

    Going into this contest, Takaloo clearly had a power advantage with a 70% knockout ratio, compared to Logan's 45%, although the challenger was vastly more experienced, having boxed 205 rounds to the champion's 82.

    Despite a seven month lay off, the champion started fast, clearly aiming for an early night's work, and Logan concentrated upon surviving the initial onslaught.

    Takaloo attempted to pin his opponent on the ropes and blast away, but the occasional retaliation punches did find their mark, particularly in an exciting second round, suggesting that this was not going to be as straight forward as most people expected.

    Rounds three to five were evenly contested, with Takaloo perhaps just edging them on workrate alone, but the champion was wrongly awarded a knock down in the sixth, when Logan, with his back to the ropes, slipped on an advertising board and fell to one knee. Takaloo landed a short punch, and the referee issued a count.

    The champion, clearly the stronger man, tried hard to finish him off, but Logan responded with tremendous grit and determination, winning rounds seven, eight and nine on my card to make the thrilling contest evenly poised going into the final three rounds. Logan's experience told as the champion constantly loaded up with big punches, only to be met with more accurate counters.

    Both fighters started strongly in the tenth, and Takaloo landed a cracking right hand that sent Logan to the canvas. The challenger was up at the count of eight, but was unsteady on his legs and constant pressure from Takaloo forced referee Ian John-Lewis to intervene at 2.26 of the round.

    After the toughest fight of his career so far, the left the ring with a nasty gash over the right eye. Ring announcer Michael Pass roused the crowd into giving both fighters - good friends away from boxing - a deserved standing ovation.

    Takaloo, trained by former world title challenger Jim McDonald, had the name "Tom" on the back of his trunks, and afterwards dedicated the fight to him; Tom was a guy who worked out at the same gym as Takaloo, sadly he passed away from cancer earlier this year.

    Promoter Frank Warren handles both Takaloo and European champion Alexander, who takes on WBO champion Daniel Santos in the summer. Should Alexander prevail, an all-London clash with Takaloo looks a natural.

    What next for Logan ? Unfortunately, his tremendous effort may have done him more harm than good; it's hard to see another champion wanting to take him on voluntarily. Like I said, there is currently a general reluctance among the top British light middleweights to take on risky opponents.

    Perhaps a move down to welterweight will provide new opportunities for him. The British 147lb division is short of depth, and on the strength of last night's performance, match ups with new Commonwealth champion James Hare, British champion Neil Sinclair or IBO champion Jawaid Khaliq would be attractive propositions.



    Undercard results.



    Former British title challenger and current WBO intercontinental lightweight champion Steve Murray (21-1) marked time with a routine win against moderate Russian import Rozalin Nasibulin (7-5). The Harlow puncher, ranked 4th in Britain, picked up a cut on the nose and showed little variety until a vicious single left hook dropped his southpaw opponent heavily in the fifth. Nasibulin failed to beat the count. It was scheduled for 8 rounds.

    26 year old Murray hopes to challenge for the British title again later this year, should current champion Bobbie Vanzie (who beaten Murray 12 months ago) win the European championship on May 25th, and vacate the domestic title.

    Former domestic amateur champion Stephen Foster, 21, outpointed journeyman Gareth Wiltshaw (3-11-1) over four rounds at super bantamweight. Foster, son of former world title challenger Steve "The Viking" Foster, threw 227 punches on the way to his fourth straight victory since turning pro last September.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTakaloo Wins in a War``x1020617040,85984,``x``x ``xDid any of you astute readers know that in a gesture of good sportsmanship, former two-time heavyweight champion Mike Tyson took time out last week to call his good buddy Lennox Lewis and invite him to his luxury suite in Maui for a game of chess? Apparently, Tyson uses chess to sooth his mind after a grueling workout and figured Lennox would appreciate the humble gesture. The reason why you might not have heard about Tyson’s unprecedented act of kindness is because it was announced the same day that George Bush declared that he and his buddy Osama bin Laden are slated to play together in a best ball golf tournament in Coral Springs within the upcoming weeks. Okay, so if you believed any of this then you’d probably believe that Malden super-middleweight “Dangerous” Dana Rosenblatt signed a contract with the promoter of Vinny Paz, Jimmy Burchfield. But it’s true, Rosenblatt who has been sidelined for over a year due to injuries signed with Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports last week.

    Since 1996, a heated feud had between Paz and Rosenblatt began prior to their meeting that summer. Both said some things that infuriated each other and since their two meetings and some violent press conferances, there has been no love lost in one of the most heralded New England rivalries. But last week, Rosenblatt joined CES’ team and promoter Burchfield has every intention of carrying out the usual duties he has performed for his other cherished prospects. Burchfield is also a dear friend of Paz and mentioned to Paz that he would be inking Rosenblatt, who is expected to return to the ring some time in June.

    “I told Vinny that we would be signing Dana,” said Burchfield. “And he said, ‘you gotta do what you gotta do, but just so you know, I may still want to fight him.”

    “Any fighter we sign, we treat them as individuals,” said Burchfield. “If matching them together is the best option for both of them that is what we’ll do. We have great plans for Dana who is a fan favorite in New England and we hope to get him a world title just as we would like to have all of our fighters win world titles.”

    Stay tuned.

    Besides Rosenblatt, another popular fighter in the Boston area signed with Burchfield recently. Everett’s Richard “The Mountain” LaMontange was thought to be finished following a one-sided decision loss to Gary Wilcox two summers ago. The loss came during some complicated times for LaMontange who also models and played a character in Flawless, a 1999 film starring Robert DeNero. To top off his busy lifestyle, LaMontange was fighting his biggest fight, a custody battle over his then 11-year old daughter. With all that’s happened over the past few years, convincing Burchfield to sign him wasn’t easy.

    “He came to me recently and asked if I would sign him,” said Burchfield. “I told him up front that I wasn’t too impressed with they way he had looked his past few fights. But he’s been training with Goody Petronelli, the great trainer out of Brockton and when I talked with Goody he said that Richie is more focused than he has ever been and that he’s training very hard.”

    LaMontange will more than likely appear on Burchfield’s June card which will take place in the Boston area. In case you haven’t heard already, Burchfield’s next show is slated for May 23rd at the Mansion (The Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet) and will be headlined by Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton. The bout for Pemberton will be his second since his January release from the clink. Pemberton faces Wendall Hall while another local favorite, Providence’s Peter Manfredo, Jr. is scheduled to fight in his first ten rounder. Also appearing on the card will be streaking cruiserweight, Roy “The House of” Payne of Worcester and Cincinnati Bengal, Jevon Langford. For ticket information call (401) 724-2253.

    Since his 10-round draw with Omar Weis this past December, New Bedford’s “Sucra” Ray Oliveira has been recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. Three weeks before his duel with Weis, Oliveira reinjured his right knee while running. The injury hampered his training significantly and ultimately cost him a victory in their close fight. But according to “Sucra” his knee has progressed tremendously since his surgery in late February. He is back on the running the streets and back in the ring.

    “I was in the ring for the first time the other day sparring with Scott (Pemberton), said Oliveira. “We went 4 rounds and he got the better of me each round but I was happy how it went because he couldn’t move me backwards. I felt comfortable pushing off my back foot and throwing my punches. By the way it’s going I want to be in the ring with anyone by the end of June.”

    Though the two-time title challenger has campaigned the majority of his career in the talented jr. welterweight division, don’t expect Oliveira to return to the realm of 140-pounders.

    “I haven’t been able to make the weight comfortably for years. When I make the weight, it takes away most of my strength and my abilities. I fought Vernon Forrest at 147 (in 1997) on 5 days notice and went 12 rounds with him.”

    Former pound for pound entrant, “Sugar” Shane Mosley was lucky to make it the limit with the welterweight champion. One of Oliveira’s most noted wins was a dominant victory (despite what Teddy Atlas says) over “Cool” Vince Phillips in December of 2000. Phillips is himself a welterweight contender off of his impressive win over Nick Acevedo a month ago.

    “Unless the money is right at 140, I’ll fight there,” said Oliveira. “But right now, I have every reason to be confident in competing with the best welterweights on the planet.”

    Since his recent success, it hasn’t been very hard for Lowell’s “Irish” Micky Ward to receive strong local support. Since his string of impressive wins began in 1996, Ward has been packing all fight venues in acquiring more and more fans. But going into the biggest fight of his pro career, a May 18th showdown with former world champion Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, Ward will have more than some rampant fans behind him. In fact, “Lowell Spinners” will appear on the back of his trunks when he meets Gatti in his special HBO main event.

    The Spinners are an exciting farm team for the Boston Red Sox based in Lowell. According to Ward’s publicist, Bob Trieger, it is the first time a professional team has teamed up with a professional boxer in this manner.

    “It’s great having the Spinners in my corner,” said Ward. “The Spinners have become a great part of Lowell and this is my city. Everybody knows how classy the Spinners are and I like to think that I have a similar reputation in boxing.”

    “Ward is the type of boxer both in the ring and outside the ring the Spinners would like to be associated with. The fact that he is from Lowell makes it that much better,” said General Manager Shawn Smith. “We are truly extremely proud to have Micky Ward, a local hero, where special Spinner shorts. We wish him the best of luck and look forward to welcoming him back to Lowell with the biggest win of his career!”

    Replicas of the shorts will be made available for fans to purchase with Ward and the Spinners donating the proceeds to “Kids in Disabilities Sports, Inc.” The CBZ will keep you posted.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta - By JD Vena``x1020822174,3230,``x``x ``xFelix Trinidad faces Frenchman Cherifi
    by Kris Van de Velde

    One of the boxing world's biggest questions is how Felix Trinidad has
    recovered from his devastating loss to Bernard Hopkins last Autumn. Tito
    will give us a hint when he steps into the ring with Frenchman and former
    WBC titlist Hacince Cherifi in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
    Interestingly, Trinidad (#2, v1800) continues his career at middleweight.
    Many experts felt he should, if possible, go back down to 154 lbs where he
    is alleged to be at his best. For both fighters, this one is vital.
    Trinidad is looking forward to a rematch against Hopkins or De La Hoya and
    should convince the critics he is capable of doing Hopkins more harm next time.
    His 34-year-old European opponent Cherifi (#15, v450) should not pose a
    serious problem, but Trinidad should not underestimate him neither. Cherifi
    knows he is at the crossroads of his career coming from losses against
    Harry Simon and William Joppy in the past two years. A new defeat would
    logically signal the end of his career at top level.

    The middleweight World Cup competition is currently led by Harry Simon (900
    pts),
    directly followed by Hopkins (800 pts) and Robert Allen (420 pts). Trinidad
    can thus enter in third place if he beats Cherifi. The Puerto-Rican hero
    can likewise consolidate his second spot in the total ranking.

    It appears that the second wave of major super lightweight fights is ahead
    of us. Total ranking leader Kostya Tszyu and World Cup leader Arturo Gatti
    are scheduled to fight next week, and now we can lick our fingers with a
    contest between #10 Diobelis Hurtado (v600) and #11 Randall Bailey (v490)
    on the Trinidad-Cherifi card. Both boxers have already put in a significant
    result this year. Hurtado defeated Ricky Quiles and Bailey stopped
    Demetrios Ceballos. They are currently lying sixth (322 pts) and sixteenth
    (130 pts) respectively in the WCup, but the victor will become the
    runner-up to Gatti.

    Italian middleweight Christian Sanavia (#14, v460) defends his European
    title against French challenger Morrade Hakkar (#29, v298) in Milan on
    Saturday. Quite some points up for grabs in this match-up, which will
    probably see the winner enter the top 10 of the division.

    Mendoza, Argentina, is the venue for featherweight and former World Cup
    leader Julio Pablo Chacon's next ring appearance. Chacon (#3, v490) will
    not be defending his WBO title when he squares off against compatriot
    Victor Hugo Paz, though. Paz, who holds an amazing 69-30-3 record, is
    unranked and will not provide Chacon with many fresh WCup points as a
    result. It means Johnny Tapia should not worry that Chacon will catch up
    with him again in the WCup standing. The gap, 310 pts, is not incredibly
    big and Chacon could have closed it by beating someone inside the top 28.
    In the overall ranking, Chacon only required 111 points to get ahead of the
    still inactive Marco Antonio Barrera ... A missed opportunity.

    A good bout at super welterweight takes place in Dover, Delaware. Kassim
    Ouma (#15,
    v450) attempts to move further up in the rankings by beating Jason
    Papillion (#32, v276). Ouma is lying 11th in the WCup competition so far,
    but might climb as high as fifth place if he comes through well. A top 10
    spot in the total ranking is likewise within reach.


    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Preview``x1021040213,38566,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    New York, NY -- If Mad Dog Mike's bark is worse than his bite is the subject of many an argument. Creating dust storms, smoke and mirrors in a world of harcopy defines Mike's monopoly of the media. But it still appears as if the old conjurer's trick - one day headlines/ the next day bread lines - remains a role in Comrade Tyson's repertoire.

    Where is Lennox Lewis while all this is going on? Locked away far from the maddening crowd? Without TV, radio or newspapers? Without the internet? Without distraction? Without the Man from Brownsville? One would think Lennox Lewis needs Mike Tyson like he needs a hole in the head. We assume the heavyweight champion is waiting for the other shoe to drop. (Everyone else is!) But Lennox, as usual, remains silent. He's almost invisible, an enigmatic Rastaman, a shadow champion, a reluctant warrior, and he’s the world's most elusive interview.

    In the spirit of equal time, we booked a flight though Tip-Top Travel and got our tickets for a song. We flew nonstop from New York to Miami Beach, Fla., before hopping a prop to Kingston, Jamaica. Our agent got us a killer deal that included two nights in a hotel called The Pegasus. A Goliath towering over urban decay, Golgotha at home in the ruins, the high-rise was conceived in the well-worn Conrad Hilton/Donald Trump tradition. Blaring-trumpet grotesque, an overblown folly, a simulacrum of paradise behind barbwire. The creepy dump was such a downer that even banana daquiris didn’t help. After questioning the concierge, the maitre d’, the valet, the bellhop, and several hookers turning tricks in the parking lot, we concluded the champion wasn't there, and wasn't likely to ever be there.

    We hired a car and driver and sped off in search of Lennox Lewis.

    Verdant vegetation greeted us at every turn. We stopped in Ochos Rios and had a real swell lunch. The ackee and saltfish. The jerk chicken. The bully beef. The breadfruit. How delicious! How satisfying! How inexpensive! We made a pit stop in Montego Bay to fill ‘er up, buy beer and replenish our stash. We raced along Jamaica's shining north coast, past white sand beaches, past Errol Flynn's mansion, past rusting hulks of old shipwrecks. We were finally approaching the champion's stomping grounds high above Negril!

    Lennox Lewis’ real estate is as pretty as a postcard. But the locked gates suggested that the champion wasn't home. Didn't we have a date? Didn't we have an appointment? Where was the card that man gave us? A servant in livery suddenly appeared to set the record straight. "Mr. Lennox has decamped for the Poconos," he informed us. "And the exit, gentleman, is the way you came in."

    Damn! We missed the champ Lennox Lewis! We had no choice but to turn around and go back to the USA.

    We got lucky in the airport lounge and met a smuggler working as a snitch for Reggae Airlines. The dude gifted us a lift across the border to a training camp in Pennsylvania. We e-mailed Team Lewis the details of our arrival, and we expected a car, a driver, a limo, or a flunky to greet us at the runway. But the place was deader than a doornail.

    Our bags fell from our hands to the tarmac. A sky full of stars began colliding with our mission. From New York to Jamaica to The Poconos in under twenty-four hours. We were tired. We were wiped. We were famished. But the prospect of obtaining an exclusive interview was a spur in the side of our ambivalence. We schlepped down a pitch-black road late at night with no map in the middle of nowhere. After several hours of wandering the wilderness, we saw what looked like lights in the distance. The closer we got, we the more excited we became. There were lights. It was civilization. It was a gas station. It was "Charlie's Shell." And it was, at that very moment, the answer to all our prayers.

    Charlie himself offered us a beer, which we drank though it tasted like water. "You'll never find the champ by walking around after dark in the mountains of Pennsylvania. The Poconos is a big place," said Charlie, as he crushed a beer can in his fist. "Lennox Lewis is a private man. He's a man with many secrets." There was a pause. We asked, "Do you know him? Have you seen him? Have you met him?" "Well, no, not exactly," answered Charlie, "but for a price I can lead you to his training camp!"

    Charlie nickled-and-dimed us for minutes on end until we finally relented. The country bumpkin pocketed the cash and pointed at his derelict pick-up. We climbed into the open back, which smelled of wet hay, old dogs and urine. Intrepid reporters learn over the years that a great scoop requires great sacrifice. In that venerable tradition, in that odiferous atmosphere, with that statistic behind the wheel chugging beers and burning rubber, we began rapidly ascending the Pocono Mountains, we were re-entering the sublime heart of darkness.

    After several harrowing minutes, Charlie brought his beaten Chevy to a halt. "This is it, guys. You're here."

    We looked around and noticed that we were surrounded by nothing but forest. "Here? This is it? It looks like we're in the Amazon jungle."

    "You see that path there between those trees?" Charlie pointed at some foliage. "Follow that path there. You see it? Don't you? Two-hundred feet as the crow flies and you'll come face to face with Lennox Lewis."

    We looked at ourselves. We looked at each other. We looked at Charlie as he sped away with our money. We heeded Charlie's advice and tried burrowing through the birches. There was underbrush and mud and muck and insects and it was an adventure to someday tell the grandkids. But ultimately it was stripped-down, barebones, in your face, cutting-edge investigative journalism, and it had a purpose, it was important, it was a paycheck.

    We spotted what looked like a compound protecting a dignitary from invaders. Spotlights, sentries and German shepherds had locked-down the Team Lewis training camp. We ninjas had to resort to another plan of action. After rejecting an invasion by land, air and sea, we thought that tunneling might be the answer. But at what cost? We felt that pyrotechnics, creating a distraction and storming the fortress, was dramatic but a little too risky. We reasoned that Lennox Lewis, a diligent and careful pugilist here in the Poconos to train for Mike Tyson, was bound to wake up early and do roadwork. It was now 3:00 AM. We only had to stiff out a few more hours. Then we'd catch Lennox unawares and hear in his own words what he's been up to.

    The temperature began to drop. And it began raining cats and dogs. Our equipment - the digicam and lights and tape recorders - our cocktail shaker, swizzle sticks and chillum - all got soaking wet. It's a good thing our camouflage was wash-and-wear, because we were about to meet the heavyweight champion.

    The sun broke the blues of drench and ache and birds sang, it was a new day, but where was Lennox Lewis? It was almost six o'clock and the champion was nowhere to be seen. We had just about had it and were ready to split when my eagle-eyed accomplice saw what we came for. It was a telephoto view of the champion Lennox Lewis, and he was jogging, he was headed right toward us.

    We hid behind a wall of trees. We held our breath, counted the seconds, and didn't make a sound. After all, we’re pros at this game. We love stalking celebrities. This is stuff we live and die for.

    The element of surprise shocked Lennox Lewis and he hardly knew what hit him: "Champ! Champ! We've got a few questions! Champ! What about Memphis? Champ! What about Mike Tyson? Champ! What about the bite? Champ! What about the fight?"

    "No comment," was Lennox Lewis' protean comment, and he ran in the other direction. We got what we came for, and felt vindicated, victorious and defeated all at once.

    Back in Gotham, our ink-stained editor suggested that next time, before jet setting around the globe, we had first better “stop, look and listen.” Boss bullied us into letting our “ fingers do the walking” in the future. Chief challenged us to "spend more time home alone with our laptops sitting by the TV.” Because Mike Tyson, while he’s just the challenger and not the champion, has “plenty to say” and, besides, in case we hadn’t noticed, “Iron Mike is the man of the moment."

    Wiser words were never spoken. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe Ultimate Lennox Lewis Interview``x1021040407,43455,``x``x ``xWell, with some HTML help from Kristian Nordestgaard we have finally posted the May 2002 issue of Wail!

    So, go to MAY 2002 WAIL! THE CBZ JOURNAL.

    Make sure you let us know what you think.


    Editorial
    By GorDoom

    Stillman's Gym: The Center of the Boxing Universe
    By John Garfield

    Laila Ali Interview
    By Katherine Dunn

    Analysis: Reflections on Foxy Boxing: Why was Fox's Tacky Schlockfest such a Knockout? It's the Payback, Stupid!
    By DscribeDC

    Interview: Borge Krogh
    By Kristian Nordestgaard

    A Champion in Ireland: The Visit of John L. Sullivan
    By John Anderson

    When Validation lacks Validity
    By Frank J. Lotierzo

    Artie Towne
    By Harry Otty

    The Truth About Maxie Rosenbloom
    By Chuck Hasson

    "Philadelphia" Pal Moore
    By Jim Amato

    Unlucky 13: Marciano-Walcott I
    By Paul Drolet

    Best U.S. Amateurs
    By Adam Pollack

    Of Boxing Names -- Chicken and Chocolate
    By Enrique Encinosa

    Rodolfo Gonzales Interview
    By Dan Hanley

    "Joe Choynski: "Clever, Shifty, and Explosive"
    By Tracy Callis

    Ali: The Evolution of a Legend
    By Adeyinka Makinde

    The Barge Fight
    By Donald Cogswell

    Sparring with Joyce Carol Oates
    By Robert Ecksel

    Anatomy of the Knockout
    By Tom Donelson

    Column
    by Steve Coughlin

    Exclusive Book Excerpt:
    The Autobiography of Buddy Baer
    By Buddy Baer and Vicki Baer``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRead the May WAIL -- The CBZ Journal``x1021040527,45130,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 02
    At the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

    The regular show at the wedding cake paddle-wheeler on the bay starts at 8 p.m. This month’s line-up has a ten round Jr. Lightweight main event scheduled between Luis Puma Villalta (26-1-1, 2 KO’s) and Pedro Garcia, (10-2-0, 6 KO).

    A six round Super Middleweight semi features local guy Tim Shocks (21-12-1, 14 KO) vs Jeremy Morrison (14-5, 9 KO) of St. George, Utah.

    A quartet of 4 round bouts includes:


    Light heavyweights, Scott Sales (1-3-0, 1 KO) of Eugene, OR vs James Partch (0-6-2) of Boring, OR.

    Middleweights Sinan Kuch (1-0, 1 KO) of Portland, OR vs Gonzalo Dominguez (0-2) of Hood River, OR.

    Featherweights, Angelo Torres (4-4-1, 2 KO) of Lakewood, WA vs Cesar Garcia (2-4-1, 1 KO) of Salem, OR.

    Light Heavyweights Victor Branson (2-2-1) of Willamina, Or vs Josue Cielos (1-1, 1 KO) of Seattle.
    ``xkdunn``x``xFight Night In Tacoma—the Saturday Line-Up``x1021061043,12827,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel

    Lennox Lewis finally dissed Mike Tyson.

    While Iron Mike Tyson has his say with the boasts, with the trash talk and wild predictions, the champion Lennox Lewis has finally broken his silence and described Iron Mike as "a cartoon."

    We love animation, crave comic books, comic strips, comic comments as much as they next guy. But we can’t help wonder what the heavyweight champ is thinking. The wonderful world of Disney has granted us characters as memorable as they are improbable. Yet Lennox Lewis, who chooses his words with care, when he chooses them at all, must have something specific in mind to throw such a low blow at his challenger Mike Tyson.

    Culling the archives of the cartoon canon, our archivists have been sifting for a connection. In the black and white universe that defines the cartoon, there are as many heroes as there are villains. There’s the "What’s up, Doc?" insolence of Bugs Bunny versus his hapless predator Elmer Fudd. There’s the Road Runner and his ineffectual assailant called Wile E. Coyote. There’s that spinach-gulper with the forearms and tattoos, the inimitable Popeye the Sailor Man, besieged by his clumsy nemesis Brutus (a.k.a. Bluto).

    There are superheroes galore in bleeding ink printed on paper just a notch above ass-wipe. Superman. Batman. Captain Marvel. Captain America. The Incredible Hulk. The Green Hornet. Spider-Man. These adolescent fantasies are ready-made for teens chock-full of testosterone. But our caped crusaders are champions, they’re the best at what they do, fighting crime, eradicating evil, beating-up on bad guys. Odds are Lennox Lewis, when he calls Iron Mike "a cartoon," didn’t have these gentlemen in mind.

    But for every good guy, for every white hat, for every knight in shining armor, there’s a demonic character whose dastardly deeds set the stage for an epic struggle. Who are some of these troublemakers? The Joker. The Riddler. The Penguin. Lex Luther. Some of our all-time faves! And there are such wicked stalwarts as Phobia, Malice, Fatality, Tao Jones, Spoilsport, Doomsday, Carnage and Dr. Doom. Although not household names, once these harbingers of darkness enter the ring it’s a fair fight versus the light.

    None of which helps us fully catch the extent of Lennox Lewis’ drift. If we could corner the champ, ask him a few pertinent questions, perhaps this mystery might be solved. But Lennox remains incommunicado. He says what he wants when he wants if he wants and no amount of prodding makes a difference.

    But as we scan our stacks of comic books and rerun Fritz The Cat, we think we understand what the heavyweight champion means when he calls Mike Tyson a cartoon. Lennox Lewis is speaking longhand, when all he needs to say is: That’s all folks!



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMike Tyson’s Loony Tunes``x1021066051,69702,``x``x ``xHard-hitting heavyweights Terrance Lewis of Philadelphia faces Robert Davis of Akron, Ohio, in a rematch of what many considered the "fight of the year" for 2001 Saturday, May 25, on the Cedric Kushner Promotions nationally televised "Memorial Weekend Heavyweight Explosion" card at the Las Vegas Hilton.

    This 10-round, main event rematch comes almost exactly one year to the day from their first meeting. On May 22 in San Francisco, Lewis stopped Davis in the ninth round of a seesaw battle.

    Six other bouts are on the Cedric Kushner Promotions card May 25 at the Las Vegas Hilton, including-DaVarryl
    Williamson of Denver against Dale Crowe of Cincinnati in the heavyweight semi-main event, the Las Vegas debut of undefeated welterweight sensation Anthony Thompson of Philadelphia and a women's bout featuring Mandy Lynn La Pointe of Las Vegas.

    The card starts at 7 p.m. (Pacific) with doors to the Hilton Center opening at 6:30.
    Tickets, priced at $25 and $35 for reserved and $45 for ringside, are available at the Las Vegas Hilton box office daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and by calling 702-732-5755 or 800-222-5361 during those hours.

    This card will be televised by Fox Sports Net as part of its "Sunday Night Fights" series. The card will be telecast Sunday, May 26.
    The 20-year-old Thompson, a three-time national amateur champion and 2-0 as a pro, meets Ruben Munoz of Mira Loma, Calif., in a four-round fight.

    La Pointe faces Stephanie Dobbs of Norman, Okla., in a four-round bantamweight bout.

    Three more heavyweight fights are on the Cedric Kushner Promotions card, which is sponsored by Everlast-David Vedder of San Jose, Calif., against Zuri Lawrence of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., in a six-round bout; Billy Zumbrun of Ogden, Utah, against Byron Polley of St. Joseph, Mo., in another six-round fight; and undefeated Alvin Manley of Little Rock, Ark., against Wes Taylor of Atlanta in a four-round bout.

    The 29-year-old Lewis has a record of 30-11 with 20 knockouts while the 30-year-old Davis has a mark of 26-4 with 15 knockouts.
    Lewis knocked down Davis twice and built an early lead during their exciting first meeting. Then, starting with the middle rounds, Davis rallied and took charge. Davis had Lewis in trouble during the ninth, but this before one punch to the head brought a sudden end to the action-packed and lauded fight.

    Both Lewis and Davis have fought two former heavyweight world champions, World Boxing Association title-holder Greg Page and WBA and International Boxing Federation king Michael Moorer. Lewis was stopped by both while Davis knocked out Page and went the distance against Moorer.

    That 10-round loss to Moorer Feb. 16 in Uncasville, Conn., was Davis' most recent outing. Lewis' most recent fight was less than one month ago, April 27 in Uncasville on a Showtime-televised card, when he lost a close and controversial decision to Clifford "The Black Rhino" Etienne.

    Williamson, who has a record of 15-1 with 14 knockouts, and Crowe, who has a mark of 21-5-2 with 13 knockouts meet in an eight-round fight.

    The 33-year-old Williamson, a five-time national amateur champion, has won 12 straight, most recently on the Cedric Kushner Promotions card televised by Showtime April 13 in Chester, W. Va., when he stopped Abdul Muhaydin in the third round.
    Williamson is one of the more diverse heavyweights in action today. He has a Masters degree in administrative services, was a standup comic and tried out for quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.

    The 25-year-old Crowe, one of the more gregarious fighters competing, has a win against Page and a draw with Moorer.
    The 20-year-old Thompson stopped Fausto Alvaraque in the first round April 27 in New York City and halted Elvisto Mills in the second March 17 in Oroville, Calif.
    Thompson, the favorite to win the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics had he not turned pro, attended Temple University and majored in accounting before concentrating solely on his pro career.
    The 27-year-old Munoz has a record of 4-2-3 with three knockouts.
    The 37-year-old Vedder has a record of 21-20-5 with three knockouts, but has fought for four world championships--for the World Boxing Council light heavyweight titles against Virgil Hill and Jeff Harding, for the IBF 175-pound crown against Henry Maske and for the WBC cruiserweight championship against Anaclet Wamba.
    The 31-year-old Lawrence has a record of 16-7-3 with no knockouts and has won four straight.
    The 29-year-old Zumbrun has a record of 8-3-1 with five knockouts and also has won four straight, the most recent a second-round knockout of previously undefeated Barry Lineberger on the Cedric Kushner Promotions card Feb. 16 at the Las Vegas Hilton.
    The 22-year-old Polley has a record of 7-1 with two knockouts.
    The 30-year-old Manley has a record of 4-0 with two knockouts.
    The 28-year-old Taylor has a record of 4-6-1 with four knockouts.
    La Pointe has a record of 1-1-1 with no knockouts.
    Dobbs has a record of 0-1.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCKP PR- Terrance Lewis Rematched With Robert Davis``x1021076182,68668,``x``x ``xTRINIDAD COMEBACK: BUSINESS AS USUAL
    Hurtado knocks out Bailey in slugfest
    By Chris Bushnell

    After the beating that Bernard Hopkins put on Felix Trinidad during their September, 2001 encounter, no one would have been surprised if Trinidad had returned to the ring a changed fighter. Perhaps he’d be overly defensive, or not commit to his punches. Maybe his chin would pull a Vargas, or his style would pull a DelaHoya. After all, Trinidad didn’t simply hand over his undefeated record to The Executioner... it was taken by force.

    So imagine Hacine Cherifi’s surprise when he gets into the ring with
    Trinidad, and the Puerto Rican superstar is looking like September was only a dream: quick jabs, combination punching, concussive power. The shock might be enough to make someone quit, which Cherifi did shortly after peeling himself off the canvas for the third time. That’s right: Trinidad is back. Middleweights beware.

    Cherifi, himself a former claimant to the world middleweight title, has not made a career out of making other guys look good. His long arms punch from bizarre angles and seem to be able to tie up opponents who aren’t even range to be clinched. The challenge for Trinidad was to solve this puzzle while working through whatever psychological wounds the Hopkins fight had left behind. It took about 90 seconds.

    Trinidad approached Cherifi quickly, but threw few punches in the first minute of the second phase of his career. Cherifi gave Trinidad plenty to look at, jerking his upper body in a series of spastic feints designed to make Tito flinch. Feeling brave after a minute of circling, Cherifi threw the first significant punches of the night. He twice glanced a wide hook off of Trinidad’s temple. Unfazed by the blows, Trinidad answered the assault with a sharp straight right that cracked Cherifi on the jaw and sent him back
    a few steps. Hands high, Trinidad pressed in after his early success,
    landing another solid lead right before the bell brought the first comeback round to an end.

    Trinidad not only established his dominance in speed and power in the first, but he also apparently completely figured out Cherifi’s timing. Opening the second round quickly, Trinidad pumped his jab and began unleashing quick three punch combinations in Cherifi’s direction. Cherifi tried his best to retreat in the smaller-than-average ring, but Trinidad effectively cut off the ring with his feet before unloading with his fists. The adoring San Juan crowd, who had begun chanting “Ti-To” before the bout even started, raised the decibel level with each Trinidad flurry. The fighter and crowd seemed to push each other, and by mid-round Trinidad was fluidly peppering Cherifi with every weapon in his arsenal. Cherifi ate straight rights, double hooks, and a couple of left uppercuts that found their target. During the attack, Trinidad looked as calm and collected as ever. Even when Cherifi finally landed in return (and he did clip Trinidad with a pair of clean two-punch combos as the pace slowed in the final minute), Trinidad simply kept coming
    forward while throwing and landing.

    Trinidad continued to look sharp in the third. Pacing himself a bit more, Tito controlled the pace behind a wicked jab. Doubling up with the stick, Trinidad would expertly move his feet closer to Cherifi as he threw, making his follow-up right all the heavier when it landed. But Trinidad’s jab was more than just a set-up punch. Delivered on it’s own, it violently snapped Cherifi’s head back. Three times at mid-round, Trinidad suddenly thrust his jab through Cherifi’s tight guard and landed loudly. Cherifi tried to make an adjustment, and began ducking low as Trinidad would jab or feint. With 35
    seconds remaining in the round, Cherifi ducked one such feint only to stand up into the path of Tito’s right hand. The punch dropped Cherifi onto the seat of his pants. He arose slowly but steadily, taking a deep breath as referee Ismael Quinonez Falu completed the mandatory eight. Trinidad took a few bounces and then came at Cherifi, immediately landing an identical chopping right hand. Cherifi retreated to the ropes, and then to a neutral corner, with Tito chasing and throwing all the way. Felix managed to score a
    few more heavy shots before a bell saved Cherifi from further harm.

    Cherifi had been unable to block Trinidad’s jab in the third, and it was little surprise when Tito began pumping it again in the fourth. Cherifi tried to cope, but Tito’s jab was ruining everything. If Cherifi stood still, he ate jabs. If he threw punches, the jab tilted his head and made him miss. As long as Trinidad started with the jab, he could throw almost anything else he wanted. He punished Cherifi with the right, but also mixed in uppercuts and a few hooks to the body. But it was an upstairs hook that ended the fight. Cherifi was trying to return fire when he swung around into
    Tito’s hook. The punch rocked Cherifi’s head and he again fell back onto his shorts. Cherifi tried to push himself up, but his knees could not hold him and he fell back into the ropes. Turning around to a kneeling position, Cherifi used the ropes to pull himself up. There he found the ref completing the count of eight.

    Trinidad now moved in to finish. Cherifi alternately covered up and ran, but it was no use. Trinidad was all over him, throwing punches from angles without pause. After eating a series of heavy shots, Cherifi moved to a neutral corner and managed to bob and weave his way around a half dozen wildly thrown Trinidad haymakers. As the crowd rabidly cheered him on, Trinidad steadied himself, let Cherifi move away, then more patiently approached him. Trinidad launched a long right hand that nicked Cherifi. Tito followed the momentum of that punch forward, and then swung with a shorter left hook. Again, Cherifi’s head spun around and he fell to the canvas. Cherifi again beat the count, but this time his face showed complete resignation. After Falu reached eight, he looked at Cherifi, realized that
    he did not want to continue, and waved the fight off. Trinidad KO4.

    An elated Trinidad soaked in the adoration as credentialed personnel quickly filled the ring. As the celebration tapered off, Triniad (now 41-1/34) called for his next fight to be with Hopkins. Although an interim fight with the DelaHoya-Vargas winner might be more likely, Trinidad showed that a Hopkins rematch is not out of the question. Following the first fight, it seemed as though Trinidad would need as much recovery time as Fernando Vargas needed after his first loss. Not so. Trinidad looked fresh, strong, and most importantly: unaffected. He may or may not be able to turn the table on Hopkins… but at least we now know that he isn’t damaged goods. That’s bad news for everyone at 160.

    20 pounds south, two great 140 lb. fighters waged a power struggle on the Trinidad-Cherifi undercard. Hard hitting Randall Bailey got up off the canvas to drop his opponent, Diobelys Hurtado in an exciting contest. Unfortunately for Bailey, however, the fight didn’t end until Hurtado returned the favor, getting up from the knockdown and again dropping Bailey - this time for the count.

    Bailey was looking for new life in the junior welter division after his 25-0/25KO record was snapped by Ener Julio. He stormed out against Hurtado in the opening round, pressing Hurtado into the ropes and firing heavy haymakers. A few of these bombs landed, including a hook that rocked Hurtado back on his heels in the opening seconds, and a stiff right hand near round’s end that sparked a mini-flurry before the bell.

    Hurtado looked to be in more trouble in the second round, as he circled away from the charging Bailey only again to find himself trapped on the ropes. Bailey dug several hard shots to the body as Hurtado cupped his gloves over his face for protection. At first Hurtado looked like he might stay folded up on the ropes until Bailey dropped him. But then all of a sudden, the opposite happened. As Bailey took a step towards an all-defense Hurtado, a quick right hand shot out of Hurtado’s shell and slammed into Bailey’s jawbone. The punch landed with a loud crack, and Bailey fell to one knee.
    Bailey easily beat the count, but now it was Hurtado’s chance for an attack. Swinging wildly, Hurtado tagged Bailey behind the ear, sending him again staggering into the ropes. Hurtado continued his assault, landing another right and a long left hook that opened a short gash over Bailey’s right eye. Bailey managed to force a clinch and buy some time to get out of the round, but his early lead had instantly evaporated. As round three began, Bailey tried to maintain the pressure, chasing Hurtado away from center ring and into the ropes… but he couldn’t follow-up his footwork with meaningful punches. For his part, Hurtado welcomed the bullrushes. He countered Bailey off the ropes with a series of short rights that mirrored the one from round two, and mixed in more than a few counter
    hooks and body shots. At first, Bailey walked through the punches and tried to fire his own big blows. But Bailey was head-hunting, and while he was able to land a few good shots, he was being outworked by Hurtado after each attempt.

    Hurtado continued to counter off the ropes in round four. Bailey started strong by punishing Hurtado with an overhand right and following with a short shoeshine to the body, but soon Hurtado was again countering with two or three punches at a time. Bailey usually came at Hurtado while crouching low, leaving himself wide open not only for Hurtado’s downward right hand, but also his upward hooks and uppercuts.

    By round five, Bailey had taken so many counterpunches that his own offense began to dwindle. Bailey continued to chase Hurtado from one side of the ring to another, but was now rarely following up with punches. Hurtado responded by taking a bit of a breather himself, and the fifth round was much slower than the round that preceded it.

    Hurtado was having such an easy time on the ropes, especially after Bailey’s inactive fifth round, that he got a little lazy. Early in the sixth round, Hurtado was again fighting off the ropes when he dropped his left. The opening was filled with a windmill Bailey right hand. The punch slammed into Hurtado’s ear and made him bounce off the ropes. At first Hurtado looked fine. Then, a full second after he looked unfazed, Hurtado’s right knee suddenly buckled and he dropped to the canvas in a seriously delayed reaction.

    Hurtado beat the count, but was looking a bit unsteady. Using his amateur experience to full advantage, Hurtado managed to keep Bailey off him with a series of thrusting upper body feints. As Hurtado bounced life back into his legs, Bailey mostly stayed away. By round’s end, Hurtado had returned to countering Baileys’ one-at-a-time offense, although not often enough to prevent a 10-8 for Bailey.

    Hurtado’s corner implored him to not blow the fight, and so the Cuban
    defector stormed out to start round seven with both fists flying. At center ring, Hurtado repeatedly flung a wide right and left at Bailey, and managed to catch at least part of Bailey’s face with each punch. Each time he was hit, Bailey seemed to curl up for a second. When two, three, and eventually four one-twos went unanswered, Hurtado allowed his rally to snowball into a full-fledged flurry. As Bailey crouched and curled up to defend himself, he exposed his sides. Hurtado pounded Bailey on the right side before standing
    him up with an uppercut to the belly. Bailey partially tied Hurtado up, and referee Luis Pagon called for a break. Hurtado took a step back, readied himself, then let his entire weight fly into a wide right hand. Expecting the punch was aimed at his head, Bailey again covered up. But the blow was headed south, and it sank directly into Bailey’s undefended ribs. The punch buckled Bailey’s knees and he fell downwards to the canvas. The left hook that Hurtado landed as Bailey was going down was irrelevant. It was the body
    shot that had done the damage.

    Pagon leaned in and began his count. But as four turned into five, Bailey wasn’t looking up at the ref, but further burying his head in his arms. He was in pain. At nine he half-heartedly tried to stand up, but it was not happening. The ref reached ten, waved the fight off, and Bailey collapsed back down to the canvas and spit out his mouthpiece. He was still grimacing when he was raised onto a stool a minute later. Hurtado KO7.

    Diobelys Hurtado, a great contender who until now had been best known for almost derailing Whitaker-DelaHoya, and for dropping Kostya Tszyu twice in the first round before being knocked out, has finally made his mark. With this win, he not only picks up an impressive victory, but a bogus WBA title belt. Because Tszyu holds the WBC and IBF belts in addition to his WBA trinket, that organization has declared him “super-champion.” In the bizarre world of boxing politics, this designation leaves the WBA “regular” championship at this weight vacant. That vacancy has been filled now by Hurtado, who doesn’t need a phony title belt to prove that he’s one of the best. We’ll definitely be hearing more from him.

    ….Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com


    Tito Not Finito
    By Robert Ecksel

    Many fighters never quite recover from their first loss in the ring. Winning as a child and winning as an adult becomes as habit-forming as winning as a world champion. But there comes a moment in each man's life when he must confront the inconceivable. It may be death or tragedy so immense that it’s a mismatch versus puny reality. Yet the measure of men is not only the extent of their wealth and the breadth of their accomplishments: It's also dependent on a man's ability to bounce back from defeat.

    In his first fight since the loss of his middleweight title to Bernard Hopkins on September 29, 2001, Felix "Tito" Trinidad (41-1 34 KOs) got his feet wet against a French-Algerian former champion named Hacine Cherifi (32-6 20 KOs). Cherifi fought bouts with scores of tough customers during his heyday of honest contention. So he's as deserving as any man to be the welcome mat for Tito's return to center stage.

    Although Hacine Cherifi displayed boxing skills and courage in abundance, Trinidad was too focused, too hungry, had too much to prove to too many people (including himself) for Cherifi to even dream of going the distance. Not that a decision at the end of twelve rounds could have ever gone to Cherifi. Tito is a proud Puerto Rican. The fight was staged at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The referee was from Puerto Rico. The three impartial judges were from Puerto Rico. Everyone but the promoter Don King has a home in Puerto Rico.

    Trinidad dashed from his corner like a man on a starry mission. He boxed beautifully, bobbing and weaving and jabbing his way into Cherifi's face. It was the Tito of old resurrected, the knockout knockout artist alive and well and punching an opponent. Cherifi is no slouch in the fighting department. He gave it his best shot while it lasted. But by round three Tito's hooks began landing, his right hand had found the range. With a half-minute left in the third stanza, Tito caught Cherifi with a picture-perfect left that swiveled the Frenchman's head before he fell. Like all great warriors over the centuries, Hacine Cherifi rose to his feet and kept fighting.

    In round four we saw Tito's impersonation of a man-eater going for the kill. Another fabulous Trindad left hook dropped the discouraged Cherifi to the canvas. It was now only a matter of time. Trinidad caught his challenger with shots to the body and head. A classic right-left combination put Hacine on all fours. Cherifi took the ten-count. Hacine Cherifi has the face of a man whose profession is fighting for a living. And the expression on that fine pug's mug, though in French, about said it all: Hacine Cherifi was hurting. Hacine Cherifi was in pain. Maybe his rib was broken. Maybe it was his spirit. Hacine Cherifi is nobody’s fool and knew it was suicide to rise and continue.

    Tito Trinidad won the prizefight fair and square. There was no trash talk, no bad blood, no corruption, there were no low blows nor bad decisions. It was a W, it was an L, it was a payday for the two men. Tito remains a glorious fighting machine, though he has his imperfections. But Felix Trinidad was victorious last night against the willing Hacine Cherifi. Win, lose or draw, Felix Trinidad is an artist at the art of demolition, one of the pound-for-pound greatest punchers in the fight game today.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCBZ Reports: Trinidad Stops Cherifi``x1021209975,87586,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel


    Many fighters never quite recover from their first loss in the ring. Winning as a child and winning as an adult becomes as habit-forming as winning as a world champion. But there comes a moment in each man's life when he must confront the inconceivable. It may be death or tragedy so immense that it’s a mismatch versus puny reality. Yet the measure of men is not only the extent of their wealth and the breadth of their accomplishments: It's also dependent on a man's ability to bounce back from defeat.

    In his first fight since the loss of his middleweight title to Bernard Hopkins on September 29, 2001, Felix "Tito" Trinidad (41-1 34 KOs) got his feet wet against a French-Algerian former champion named Hacine Cherifi (32-6 20 KOs). Cherifi fought bouts with scores of tough customers during his heyday of honest contention. So he's as deserving as any man to be the welcome mat for Tito's return to center stage.

    Although Hacine Cherifi displayed boxing skills and courage in abundance, Trinidad was too focused, too hungry, had too much to prove to too many people (including himself) for Cherifi to even dream of going the distance. Not that a decision at the end of twelve rounds could have ever gone to Cherifi. Tito is a proud Puerto Rican. The fight was staged at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The referee was from Puerto Rico. The three impartial judges were from Puerto Rico. Everyone but the promoter Don King has a home in Puerto Rico.

    Trinidad dashed from his corner like a man on a starry mission. He boxed beautifully, bobbing and weaving and jabbing his way into Cherifi's face. It was the Tito of old resurrected, the knockout knockout artist alive and well and punching an opponent. Cherifi is no slouch in the fighting department. He gave it his best shot while it lasted. But by round three Tito's hooks began landing, his right hand had found the range. With a half-minute left in the third stanza, Tito caught Cherifi with a picture-perfect left that swiveled the Frenchman's head before he fell. Like all great warriors over the centuries, Hacine Cherifi rose to his feet and kept fighting.

    In round four we saw Tito's impersonation of a man-eater going for the kill. Another fabulous Trindad left hook dropped the discouraged Cherifi to the canvas. It was now only a matter of time. Trinidad caught his challenger with shots to the body and head. A classic right-left combination put Hacine on all fours. Cherifi took the ten-count. Hacine Cherifi has the face of a man whose profession is fighting for a living. And the expression on that fine pug's mug, though in French, about said it all: Hacine Cherifi was hurting. Hacine Cherifi was in pain. Maybe his rib was broken. Maybe it was his spirit. Hacine Cherifi is nobody’s fool and knew it was suicide to rise and continue.

    Tito Trinidad won the prizefight fair and square. There was no trash talk, no bad blood, no corruption, there were no low blows nor bad decisions. It was a W, it was an L, it was a payday for the two men. Tito remains a glorious fighting machine, though he has his imperfections. But Felix Trinidad was victorious last night against the willing Hacine Cherifi. Win, lose or draw, Felix Trinidad is an artist at the art of demolition, one of the pound-for-pound greatest punchers in the fight game today.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTito Not Finito, Stops Cherifi``x1021228512,95205,``x``x ``x
    Felix Trinidad returns with a bang
    Hurtado stops Bailey and becomes 2nd in 140-pound World Cup

    by Kris Van de Velde

    Felix Trinidad (#2, v1800) blasted himself back on the world scene last Saturday as if the shocking Bernard Hopkins defeat never happened. In front of a home crowd in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tito looked awesome in his fourth-round-stoppage over heralded Frenchman Hacine Cherifi (#15, v450) and is hoping for a rematch against Hopkins as soon as possible.
    The former welter, super welter and middleweight titlist dropped Cherifi in round 3 and
    twice in round 4, forcing the outclassed Cherifi to retire.
    In the 2002 World Cup competition Trinidad provisionally enters in fourth place with this victory. But 450 points are not quite enough to bother leader Harry Simon (900 pts) and Hopkins (800 pts) at this stage. New EBU champion Morrade Hakkar is also slightly ahead of him with 460 points (see below). On the other hand, Trinidad strengthens his number 2 spot in WCOB's total ranking.

    On the San Juan show, Cuban super lightweight Diobelis Hurtado (#10, v600) continued his recent excellent form by knocking out Randall Bailey (#11, v490) in 7 spectacular rounds.
    Hurtado already floored his opponent in the second round with a right hand, but Bailey came back strongly to score a knockdown of his own in round 6. However, Hurtado didn't let it slip away and battered Bailey to the canvas with a series of cracking body punches in the following round. Bailey could not make it back on his feet.
    Due to his second big win this year, Hurtado climbs from sixth to second in the current
    WCup standings. The margin towards leader Arturo Gatti (1400 pts vs 812 pts) is still
    considerable, though, and the latter is also making his second ring appearance next week...
    As far as the total ranking is concerned, the Cuban may end up in eighth place when the next official rankings are released on June 5.

    Light flyweight Alex Sanchez (#22, v352 at 112 lbs) and #21 Jose Victor Burgos (v360)
    came to a narrow 12-round draw. The judges had it 115-113, 113-115 and 114-114, but most observers felt Sanchez had done enough to get the verdict.

    Another high-ranked super lightweight, #7 Terron Millett (v900) had a very tough night and had to be content with a narrow split decision win over unranked Damone Wright. Millett was in serious trouble on several occasions and didn't look recovered from the stoppage loss against Gatti last January.

    In Milan, Italy, the European middleweight title changed hands. Local favourite and defending champion Cristian Sanavia (#14, v460) retired in the seventh round against French challenger Morrade Hakkar (#29, v298) claiming he couldn't see anymore. Sanavia had started the rematch (the Italian won a controversial split decision at the end of last year) well, but suffered a cut on the right eye in round 6. It forced Sanavia to attack desperately. Hakkar managed to hang on and re-established his pumping jab, which appeared to demoralize the titleholder, who turned his back in round 7.
    Hakkar earns 460 points with his victory and nicks third place away from Felix Trinidad in the World Cup ranking. He is also set to enter the top 10 in the overall ranking, and thus overtakes his compatriot Cherifi as best Frenchman.

    Super welterweight coming man Kassim Ouma (#15, v450) notched up a second good win this year by stopping Jason Papillion (#32, v276) in eight rounds in Delaware. It was a one-way affair from the start and Ouma gradually wore his foe down. Ouma's body attack was especially impressive. In World Cup terms, Ouma adds 276 points to the 106 he already had, and provisionally moves up from eleventh to fifth in the standings.

    Over in Tokyo, featherweight Takashi Koshendo (#44, v196) successfully defended his
    OPBF belt against his compatriot Toshikage Kimura (#41, v214) with a unanimous decision.
    Koshendo used his counterboxing skills to full effect and will likely enter the top 20 in
    WCOB's total ranking.



    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Round-up ``x1021230984,69568,``x``x ``xBump City Fight Results

    Katherine Dunn

    Saturday, May 11, 02
    At the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

    Promoter: Brian Halquist
    Matchmaker: Bob Oleson
    Washington Supervisor: Tom Sporar
    Referees: Paul Field, Ron Rall
    Judges: Joe Macaluso, Roy Silverman, Tim Wood


    The Puyallup Tribe owns and operates the wedding cake paddle-wheeler casino in Tacoma, and their regular pro fight cards are solidly popular, standing-room-only events.
    The scheduled ten round main on May 11 featured Luis Puma Villalta , 130 lbs, originally of Chile, who is listed by Fight Fax with a record of 26-1-1, 2 KO’s going in. This sounds like the guy lacks the power to dust a chandelier, but Villalta’s manager insists that’s a typo and that the fighter actually has 24 KO’s. Witnesses say this is a credible claim because Villalta is tremendously fit—not just a six-pack but a twelve-pack—and gorgeously skilled. His unfortunate opponent was the absorbent but giftless Pedro Garcia, 131 1/2 lbs (10-2-0, 6 KO going in to the bout) of Mexico. Word is that Garcia was badly wobbled by the end of the second round but Villalta kept him around to play with until 2:58 of the fifth round. A KO win for Villalta and a thorough thumping for Garcia.

    Local guy Tim Shocks, 165 1/4 lbs (Now 21-12-2, 14 KO) of Seattle was leading on all cards in a scheduled six rounder vs Jeremy Morrison, 166 lbs (Now 14-5-1, 9 KO) of St. George, Utah when a head butt occurred. Morrison came up spouting blood and the ringside physician called a halt. The bout was declared a technical draw at :31 of the third round.

    Two of the scheduled four round bouts were scratched when both middleweight Gonzalo Dominguez of Hood River, OR and featherweight Cesar Garcia of Salem, OR did not show up for the weigh-in or the fights. This left the promoter with a minimal 24 rounds scheduled.

    In the remaining pair of four round bouts:

    Victor Branson, 165 1/2 lbs (Now 3-2-1) of Willamina, OR stopped Josue Cielos (Now 1-2, 1 KO) of Seattle at 2:54 of the first round.

    In a historic breakthrough, James Partch, 171 1/2 lbs of Boring, OR. netted his first victory, improving to 1-6-2 with a TKO over Scott Sales, 173 1/4 lbs (Now1-4-0, 1 KO) of Tri-Cities, WA. The ref called it off at 1:33 of the second round.

    The good sized crowd was reportedly not happy with the total of 26 minutes,32 seconds of boxing.





    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xBump City Fight Results``x1021314410,18473,``x``x ``xBy Jim Dickinson

    Saturday 11th May, Dagenham, England. Chatham's Johnny Armour (29-1) was extremely fortunate to hang onto the WBU bantamweight championship at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre on Saturday night, against fellow veteran Francis Ampofo, who fights out of Bethnal Green.

    Most ringsiders looked on with astonishment when, after 12 exciting rounds - of which I had Ampofo winning nine - the Master of Ceremonies announced a majority draw verdict. Scores of 114-114 (twice) and 116-112 failed to reflect or reward Ampofo's dominance and superior workrate.

    Francis landed nearly all of the telling punches, leaving Armour with cuts and bruises at the end of the gruelling contest. It was a crowd pleasing fight but the result leaves a sour taste in the mouth. There really is no excuse for two judges to indulge in this kind of fence-sitting.

    Armour, a former British, Commonwealth and European champion, was badly beaten in a WBU super bantamweight title shot against Carlos Navarro in December 1998, and has since averaged just one fight per year. Despite having 17 stoppage wins, the last time he beat a decent opponent inside the distance was in 1995.

    He outpointed Ghanian born Ampofo (17-9) to win this championship in December 2000, this was his first defence and although he now intends to stay busy, Manager Terry Toole has ruled out a rubber match.

    "We want to keep Johnny active and busy, but a third fight with Ampofo is not on our agenda at all".

    That's either very unfair on Francis, or the ultimate compliment, depending upon your point of view. Sky Television, who televised this contest in Britain and Europe, may insist upon a third instalment.

    Johnny is coming to the end of his career and, on this performance, careful match making will be needed to extend his reign of this lightly regarded championship.

    It's hard to see where Francis - who turns 35 next month - can go from here either. He's been one of Britain's most popular fighters in the lower weight divisions over the past decade, and he has also held British and Commonwealth titles at both flyweight and bantamweight.

    Undercard results.

    Crawley's British and Commonwealth super bantamweight champion Michael Alldis (24-8) successfully defended the latter title against South African Vuyani Phulo (14-9-4), stopping the challenger with a left hook to the body in the eighth round of a tepid affair.

    33 year old Alldis has held these belts on and off for the past several years, in one of Britain's more unfashionable divisions. A previous attempt to step up to featherweight resulted in a beating at the hands of former IBF featherweight champion Paul Ingle in 1997.

    Despite not being one of Britain's outstanding domestic title holders, Michael is very capable at this level and with no bright prospects on the horizon, he should remain champion for some time yet.

    Unbeaten Manchester bantamweight Darren Cleary moved to 3-0-2 with a four round points win over Jimbo "Jumbo" Rooney, who falls to 1-1.

    Supermiddleweight Jason McKay recorded his second win, outpointing journeyman Harry Butler over four rounds.

    Heavyweight Fola O'Kes moved to 3-1 (3 ko's) after stopping winless Lee Nicholson in the opening round.

    Barking featherweight Marc Callaghan (13-4-1) outpointed Andrew Ferrans (10-3-1) over six rounds.

    Welsh lightweight prospect Jason Cook moved to 16-1 with a six round points win over import Andrey Devyataykin (7-1-1).
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xArmour lucky to retain WBU Title``x1021327375,70756,``x``x ``xBy Joe Koizumi

    Ex-WBA 130-pound champ Yongsoo Choi (28-3-1, 18 KOs), 130.75, made a successful comeback when he decked Thai top-ranked Petarun Worsuraphol (13-5, 3 KOs), 130.5, twice en route to a fine TKO victory at 2:21 of the 5th in Tokyo, Japan.

    The 29-year-old Choi had scored three wins in as many bouts after forfeiting his WBA belt to Japanese Takanori Hatakeyama here in 1998, but announced his farewell to the ring before he made a comeback this time. Choi, a notorious slow starter, warmed up his engine and began fireworks from the third, dropping the game Thailander in the 4th and 5th to prompt the referee’s intervention.

    Choi will continue fighting and aims to regain the world throne here in Japan.

    In other action, Japanese #7 super-light Feifong Kogure (11-4-1, 5 KOs), 139.75, had an upset triumph after he outhustled #5 Hironari Ohshima (15-3, 11 KOs), 139.75, over 10 gruelling rounds. They furiously mixed it up toe-to-toe and hotly exchanged all they had. Kogure, in the 9th, twisted his right ankle but showed his guts to dominate the last two sessions.

    Japanese top ranked Tatsuhisa Kawashima (17-7-3, 6 KOs), 137.75, withstood a critical moment in the 5th, and earned a less impressive but unanimous nod over unranked Makoto Ohkubo (11-5-1, 7 KOs) over 10.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xChoi returns with TKO win``x1021327513,53437,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    There are Kings and Queens, Dukes and Duchesses, lots of Lords and Ladies. Being a Royal might be fun, but sometimes it isn't easy. Witness the exit of Princess Diana. Witness the last fight of Prince Naseem Hamed.

    A Palace Coup was staged April 7, 2001 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Marco Antonio Barrera, a tough hombre by any standard, stormed the citadel and deposed the King of the Featherweights. Naseem Hamed, once revered, a potential pound-for-pounder, was exposed as a fighting fraud. Barrera applied the basics, Boxing 101, the jab, combinations, blocking punches, and won the Keys to the Kingdom.

    Naseem Hamed has been rightly-celebrated for his one-punch kayo power. But the game the Prince plays is called Boxing. It's not called Knockout. No wonder Hamed lost big-time.

    Much like the first Tyson-Holyfield bout, it was clear from the opening bell that the underdog (Barrera/Holyfield) would undo the over-hyped champion (Hamed/Tyson). Almost anyone can flummox the public. Only a few men can fool a professional prizefighter. Both Barrera and Holyfield, like so many heroes before them, illustrated that great boxers almost always defeat great punchers.

    Twenty years ago, Naseem Hamed was spotted by the trainer Brendan Ingle, while the Irishman was on a bus passing through Sheffield, England. Small surprise! - outside the window a small dark child was beating up three white men. That tiny boy became the Prince. Despite a lifetime spent in the gym, Hamed always did it his way. He doesn't jab. He doesn't bob and weave. He pulls away from punches. What he does isn't pretty. But to the Prince's credit, his unorthodox style, his charisma, his moxie and his wallop have earned this fine gentleman a fortune. But Hamed can't seriously be considered one of boxing's all-time greats. Not by a long shot. Not when the first live opponent he faced made Naseem look like a bit of a girl.

    The Yemeni-Englishman's career isn't over, despite his year-long vacation. Naseem Hamed is now getting ready to fight in the London Arena on Saturday May 18. But Hamed has, of necessity, lowered his sights. He's now fighting lesser men, fighting for smaller purses, fighting with fewer illusions. Hamed's next contest is against the Spaniard Manuel Calvo (33-4 14 KOs). Perhaps this match is a confidence builder. Or a walk in the park. Or a no-brainer (i.e. a paycheck). Naseem Hamed needs to prove himself to those who love the fight game. A fight with Manuel Calvo just won't do it. Until Hamed fights a fight that matters, the Prince, we fear, still remains just a Pretender to the Throne.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPrince Seeks Crown``x1021382169,1208,``x``x ``xOn May 13, 2002, The Korea Boxing Commission (KBC) was finally affiliated with the Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA), a regional body under the WBA.

    Previously the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) had solely governed the regional championships in Asia and the Pacific after the World War II, but Yangsup Shim, ex-vice president of the KBC, established the PABA in order to stimulate the regional activities years ago.

    The development of the PABA, thanks to its versatile and energetic secretary-general Alan Kim, was such that it became a legitimate subsidiary organization under the WBA, which decided not to recognize the OPBF any longer. Eventually the OPBF became the regional body just under the WBC.

    A sort of antagonism between Shim and the KBC had been reported for years, but they reached an amicable settlement and the Korean Commission now decided to join the PABA.

    The WBA makes it a rule to rank a PABA champ in the top 15 of its world ratings, while the WBC does so an OPBF champ. There have been no actual confrontation between the OPBF and the PABA, but each obviously goes to a different direction of the WBC and the WBA respectively.

    It is only Japan that has not affiliated with the PABA in Asia, as the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) said that it would retain its attitude to support only the historically long OPBF until Korea, where the PABA headquarters are located, should show the flag and become a member of the PABA. Now the JBC might have to consider its political decision as to how to be related with the PABA – in association with the Japan Pro Boxing Association (JPBA), the union of managers and promoters, the president of which is Masahiko “Fighting” Harada.

    The activities of the OPBF have been very active, but those of the PABA might surpass them in terms of the number of regional championship bouts held in Thailand, Australia, and Indonesia.

    Lately such PABA champs as Yodsanan 3K-Battery and Yoddamrong Singwangcha successfully seized the WBA world championships in the 130-pound and the 122-pound divisions to show PABA’s developments and contributions to the Asian boxing fraternity.

    Meanwhile, the OPBF also boasts of good WBC champs such as 115-pounder Masamori Tokuyama and 108-pounder Yosam Choi, both of whom had been formerly OPBF titlists prior to their WBC coronations.

    For Korea, whose fistic activity is at the bottom due to a lack of professional boxers caused by a recession, its affiliation with the PABA may stimulate bosing activiy there.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xKorea Joins the PABA by Joe Koizumi``x1021470376,90433,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    Everyone loves a champion. And why not? We rightfully honor, revere, respect and glorify these wildcats among us mere mortals. Although only boxers, these men were larger than life and gave character to their eras. Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Marciano, Ali and the young Mike Tyson, in their day, in their way, offered us thrills beyond comprehension.

    Yet for every ring general, every sweet scientist, for every man whose every move was poetry in motion, there were equal numbers of heroic pugs whose gifts hide in the shadows.

    A couple thousand years ago, for example, an Olympic Greek boxer named Eurydemus took a helluva shot to the mouth . . . and swallowed his own teeth, rather than let his opponent guess he'd been hurt.

    The Brits in Regency England toasted their favorite gluttons for punishment, their man's ability to withstand an awful beating, the depth of their favored fighter's "bottom."

    The longest bare-knuckle fight in history - between Jack Smith and James Kelly in Melbourne, Australia in 1856 - lasted for six hours and fifteen minutes.

    These men qualify as tough guys.

    How do we distinguish the tough guys from the mercurial divinities of the squared circle? How to recognize the go-for-broke, devil-may-care, what-have-I-got-to-lose types who'll take four shots to the head in the hope of landing one of their own? Are their fists as big as ham hocks? Have their features been remodeled by a cubist? Are their noses a memory, their ears an aberration, their scars a medal, a certificate, an award, a plaque for a lifetime of service? If so, then these are the tough guys, the pit bulls, the Sherman tanks and battering rams, the condemned cracking jokes with their executioners, the cavalier rarities here on earth to remind us of what is possible.


    There've been so many whacked and rugged bruisers it's hard to know where to start. Jake "The Raging Bull" LaMotta (Middleweight Champion 1949-1951) fits almost everyone's definition of a tough guy. A sado-masochist in gloves and satin trunks, Jake liked getting beaten almost as much as he loved dishing it out. There was Rocky Graziano (Middleweight Champion 1947-1948), who socked his way from a dead end roach palace to a world of wealth and glitz. There was Carmen Basilio (Welterweight Champion 1955-1956, 1956-1957/Middleweight Champion 1957-1958), whose wit was as wicked as his temper. There was Gene Fullmer (Middleweight Champion 1957/1959-1962), the world's toughest Mormon, a man possessed who fought like a human buzz saw stuck on fast-forward. Even contenders like Tony Galento (1930s), Kingfish Levinsky (1930s), George Chuvalo (1960s), Jerry Quarry (1970s), Chuck Wepner (1970s) and Tex Cobb (1980s) were warrior-kings who refused to throw in the towel.

    In the company of such pillars of strength, we must add the name Arturo Gatti. Arturo Gatti (34-5 28 KOs) fights the gritty Mickey Ward (37-11 27 KOs) Saturday May 18 at the Mohegan Sun Casino. Gatti will brawl with the nonchalance of a man who has transcended reason. And make no mistake about it, Arturo Gatti is the gift that keeps on giving: a daredevil, a high-flying trapeze act, a nut with no net and no insurance.

    After singing praise to the titleholders who've blessed us with their presence, we should take a moment of silence and thank the insatiable roughnecks, the unheralded tough guys who gave it their all, who fought, and fight, to the last, like there was no tomorrow.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xArturo Gatti: Celebration of the Tough Guy``x1021489426,46294,``x``x ``xBy Nicolás Espinosa S. :La Prensa de Panama, 12 May 2002
    (Translated by Art Peyton and Mike DeLisa)

    Discrepancies around the year exist in which the Panamanian pugillist made his professional debut


    Roberto Durán will retire officially from the ring this June 15. June is a very special month for him, not just because of his birthday but also because it is amonth in which he won some important fights

    Four of the five world titles that he won were in that sixth month of the year: lightweight (Ken Buchanan), welter (Ray Leonard), junior middle (Davey Moore) and super middle (Pat Lawlor).

    The 50-year-old Durán turned professional at end of the 60's, a time of great pugilistic movement in Panama, where each corner had a prospect.

    But today we don't want to speak on this, but of the real record of whom has been the biggest boxer that Panama and Latin America has produced in all times.

    We believe that it is the opportune moment to know the true record of Roberto
    Durán. We talked about true because at the moment two "official" records
    exists, one more publicized than the other. Unfortunately, the one that is
    known to world and is mostly used, it is the mistaken one.
    But, when we talked about mistaken it is not for the amount of fights (120)
    or because he has more victories or less (104 victories with 70 KO), but
    because his purported debut in March 1967 never occurred.

    Difficult investigation
    We won't give many spins in order to arrive to the core of the matter. Most record books show that Roberto "Hand of Stone" Duran turned pro on March 8 1967, facing Carlos Mendoza from the state of Chiriqui in the Colon Arena.

    We can now prove that Duran did not turn professional until February 23, 1968, when in the Colon Arena against Carlos Mendoza; that is to say 12 months after what is pointed reflected on most records for Duran.

    Investigating when indeed Roberto Duran entered to the ranks of
    professionalism was not easy. The newspapers of the time mentioned very little or almost nothing about the preliminary bouts of the weekly cards.

    That is to say that it mentioned only prospects, headliners or a great star. Nevertheless, a fact here, another there, that united us with the details at the hand of the historian Luis Morales, who gave us the truth and is the one that we today give to you.

    The gist in the record of Roberto Duran occurs in their first years of activity, since in the record professional of 1967 it is pointed out that the Panamanian made his first 11 bouts between that year and the following, while in the record of 1968 makes their first nine fights the year of his debut.

    Bound for Winnipeg
    The career of Roberto Duran, you could say, began with the preliminary round at the Pan-American Games of Winnipeg of 1967. The Federation of Amateur Boxing organized a preliminary round with boxers of the clubs Cincuentenario (nine), Panama (four) and Marañón (one) and the winners would be part of the isthmus delegation.

    Duran, who competed with the "Club Cincuentenario, on June 21 1967, according to the newspaper The Expreso, defeated Enrique
    Warren in the flyweights (112 pounds), by decision.
    Nevertheless, Roberto was not selected to go to Winnipeg, as the Duran has said, "the club was sanctioned" and its boxers could not participate in the isthmus team.

    This is the first fact that checks that Duran could not give the jump in March 1967, because he was signed up still in the Amateurs. The
    Pan-American Games of Winnipeg took place from July 22 to August 7.

    But there are other interesting details that should not left out. On August 21, 1967 in a note to a columnist in the Critic, it is made known that the chiriquian prospect Carlos Mendoza will shortly make his debut in the lines professional ranks.

    That is to say, that the adversary of Duran also had not debuted the month of March 1967.

    Another curious fact with regard to the record in the self-procliamed "Bible of Boxing," The Ring Record Book, is that March 8, 1967 was a Wednesday, a day a bit uncommon for a card in Panama. In that time, the programs occurred the days Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

    In the particular case of the card which saw Roberto Duran in action for the first time in his career, February 23, 1968, was a Saturday and was organized by the Leoma company headed by Leopoldo Peña.

    The main event that day was Colombian Heliodoro Pitalúa against Miguel Riasco of the capital city over 10 rounds at 124 pounds. Ernesto Ñato Marcel went in the co-feature against
    Machito Guerrero, in six rounds and 123 pounds.


    Compare the two records and the differences that they have to each other.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe true record of Roberto Durán ``x1021553542,85072,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    If Lowell’s “Irish” Micky Ward is not remembered for winning a world title belt, he’ll probably be remembered for what Arturo “Thunder” Gatti will be remembered for. Gatti, the fearsome foe that Ward will face at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday night has won a world title unlike Ward. For nearly two years, Gatti wore and defended the IBF jr. lightweight title around his waist but most will reminisce about the wars that Gatti had been involved in. There were his come-from-behind knockout wins over Wilson Rodriguez (in ’96) and Gabriel Ruelas (in ’97) and there were his toe-to-toe wars with Ivan Robinson (in ’98). Those were the fights that left viewers and other pundits muttering, “That was the fight of the year” after each one.

    Gatti will forever be etched in our minds as a gladiator and sometimes, that can be more important in the public spectrum than winning a world title. For Gatti, it was his sheer guts and determination that willed him through his epic battles, wars that made you shake your head and wonder how a human being could withstand such adverse and painful capacities.

    In the past three years, Ward has participated in the bouts we like to call “Fight of the Year.” His war with Emanuel Augustus last summer was described by this scribe as the “greatest fight he had ever seen” and won the CBZ’s honor for Fight of the Year. To add to his repertoire, his action-packed brawls with Reggie Green (in ‘99), Shea Neary and Antonio Diaz (in 2000) were nearly just as exciting as Ward-Augustus.

    That is why Gatti’s jr. welterweight “Fight of The Year” with Micky Ward on Saturday night promises to deliver what many envision will be the most memorable slugfest ever waged. It’s the same reason why Ward-Gatti or whatever you want to call it will be a more heralded bout than jr. welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu’s title defense against Ben “Wonder” Tackie, the most deserving title challenger in the division. The Tszyu-Tackie fight will be televised by Showtime in Las Vegas but it wouldn’t matter if it were HBO or ESPN2. More fans will probably go with Ward-Gatti. Not because Tszyu or Tackie does not deliver, it’s what Ward and Gatti unload during their typical fights and the fact that they’re actually fighting each other.

    Even when you are an exciting or explosive fighter like Tackie or an all-time great fighter like Tszyu, it’s the bleeding pugs like Ward and Gatti that command our attention and our respect. They are the glorified club fighters, the fighters that aren’t blessed with the most skill, but have the wherewithal to beat anyone. They are the Carmen Basilio’s who beat the Sugar Ray Robinsons.

    “I’ve seen Micky fight many years ago,” recalled Tony DeMarco, a former world welterweight champion of the Gatti/Ward mold. “I was amazed by his talents, his aggression, and his will. He reminds me of fighters like Basilio, Buddy Hayes and Tommy Collins of years ago. He’s a throwback.”

    Like Gatti, DeMarco is one of those fighters who are better known for his great fights. In June of ’55, DeMarco lost his welterweight championship to Basilio in a gut-wrenching affair that saw both men hurt and battle adversity throughout the fight. Though the fight was fairly competitive, the tireless Basilio had enough to stop the stubborn champion in the 12th round. Four months later the two went at it again and the result was nearly the same: Basilio by TKO in the 12th.

    “When I fought Carmen Basilio they were absolute wars,” DeMarco told the CBZ. “The first fight was called the best fight of the year until the second one happened.”

    If Ward-Gatti fulfills its billing as expected, then you can rest assured that the fans will want to see them clash again. But Ward isn’t worried about a second fight or what winning Saturday’s fight can add to his future. He’s prepared for Gatti like it’s his last and after watching him hit the target pads held by his brother Dicky Ecklund in an open-workout session on Tuesday, Ward appeared ready for anything Gatti will present him.

    “We have a bunch of different gameplans,” said Ward. “You can’t just go into a fight with one. Whether I’m trying to smother him on the inside or moving around, I don’t want to be on the end of his punches. That’s his game. I want to be in close and take his power away from him.”

    “We really worked on Micky’s legs,” said Ecklund. “We have a place in Lowell that the fighters like to call ‘Fort Hill’ which is a very big hill. He usually runs it with my nephew Shawn and when he ran it recently, he told Shawn he wanted to do it again. No one is crazy enough to do that.”

    “It’s one thing to run the hill,” said Ward. “You have to want to run the hill. You got to have the desire to train and at 36, I still have what it takes to win and get ready for fights.”

    Though most have pointed to Ward’s age as being a disadvantage, Ward likes to point out that he has taken better care of himself than most fighters have. Since the start of his thrilling career (June of ’85), Ward has competed in the illustrious 140-pound division. And unlike Gatti, who is known for melting his body to make the limit of anything under 142 pounds, Ward has been making the weight with ease.

    “Staying at this weight my whole career has been the reason why I’ve preserved my body for all of these years of tough fights,” said Ward. “I’ve never had to kill myself to make weight. My weight is always right. I’ve been around 146 all month. I never have to worry about my weight, just working on my timing and endurance. I don’t know how someone can lose 20 pounds and put it back on by fight time. I don’t know how you could prepare for a fight thinking about weight the whole time. I’m sure that they might have strength for a few rounds but come rounds 6,7, and 8 it’s going to take a toll on them.”

    Whether the toll has taken too much out of “Irish” Micky Ward, we’ll find out in a couple of days. But regardless of who wins on Saturday night, we’ll always know why we’ll remember fighters like he and Gatti.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x“Irish” Micky Ward: “I like to please fans.”``x1021595503,76202,``x``x ``xNew leader in All Weights category?
    Thailander Sithyodthong threatens Vernon Forrest
    While Tszyu defends his belts and Gatti his WCup lead at 140 lbs.

    by Kris Van de Velde

    It is not quantity but quality that characterizes the upcoming fight
    weekend. The super
    lightweights and super bantamweights, two of the most spectacular weight
    classes of the beginning of the year, are again attracting the boxing
    world's attention. On WCOB terms, it is Thailander Yoddamrong Sithyodthong
    who may turn out to be the star of the week as he will be battling to
    dethrone Vernon Forrest as World Cup leader All Weights!

    WBA 122 lbs. titlist Sithyodthong (#8, v800) is having his second major
    fight of his 2002 campaign against Japanese Osamu Sato (#5, v1200).
    Sithyodthong burst onto the scene last February by comprehensively beating
    Yober Ortega. The latter was then ranked #7 in WCOB's total ranking, which
    means Sithyodthong earned 900 WCup points with that victory.
    After a brief period as leader in the annual competition, the South Asian
    got overtaken by Paulie Ayala, who outpointed Clarence Adams and took 1200
    points. But the undefeated Sithyodthong is now fighting back! By taking on
    the higher-ranked Sato he could in theory add 1200 points to his tally and
    raise his total to 2100 - 900 points more than Ayala and 100 more than
    welterweight king Vernon Forrest in the All Weights category!
    Therefore the Thailander has to get past Sato of course, a strong
    competitor himself this year and fighting in front of his home crowd. Sato
    drew with WBC titlist Willie Jorrin in February but many observers felt he
    should have got the decision. Having already 800 points in the bag, Sato
    may himself nick the 122 lbs. World Cup lead away from Ayala if he beats
    Sithyodthong. He cannot threaten Forrest, however, as 1700 points are the
    maximum Sato can hope for.

    There is a second great super bantamweight fight scheduled at the Memorial
    Auditorium in Sacramento, CA. Oscar Larios (#11, v490) faces Israel Vazquez
    (#12, v480) for the so-called WBC interim title and the alleged right to
    fight genuine titlist Willie Jorrin later in the year. The winner will in
    any case unofficially enter the World Cup race in fourth place and raise
    his value considerably in the total ranking.

    Although the Sithyodthong-Sato contest might be slightly more significant
    in the WCOB context, the super lightweight fights featuring Kostya Tszyu
    and Arturo Gatti will probably get more attention Saturday. There is also a
    reason for it. "Undisputed" champion Kostya Tszyu (#1, v2000) is finally
    starting his 2002 campaign at the Mandalay Bay Center in Las Vegas, and the
    popular Australian is doing it in style by facing a high-ranked contender
    in the person of Ben Tackie (#9, v700). But Tszyu has a problem. Tackie's
    head is worth 700 points while Arturo Gatti is leading the World Cup
    competition with double as many. Moreover, Gatti (#3, v1600) is fighting
    again on the same night. In Uncasville, Connecticut, he is set to square
    off against #12 Mickey Ward, good for 480 additional points should Gatti
    emerge victorious again! So, if Tszyu wishes to win this year's competition
    he will still have some work to do after dismantling Tackie.
    The challenger from Ghana is a respected puncher, who recently disposed of
    #23 Teddy Reid, which gave him 346 WCup points. If Tackie causes an upset
    this weekend, it will be him who takes over from Vernon Forrest in the
    World Cup All Weights. But Mickey Ward is not totally out of it neither. If
    the veteran of many ring wars found Gatti's number and Tszyu retains his
    belts, Ward will find himself on top in the 140-pound World Cup with a
    200-point bonus over Gatti. Many scenarios, a lot at stake. That's WCOB at
    its best.

    Featherweight Naseem Hamed (#5, v1200) starts his comeback in London this
    Saturday,
    fourteen months since his rather embarassing points loss against Marco
    Antonio Barrera.
    Hamed's opponent will be European champion Manuel Calvo (#30, v290), who's not
    expected to beat the extravagant Briton but at least give him a decent
    workout. Hamed might need a strong showing to give his moral a boost in the
    light of his alleged fight against Johnny Tapia later this year. In WCOB
    context, Hamed would hop over the still inactive Erik Morales and join
    Julio Pablo Chacon in third place of the total ranking.

    Hamed's compatriot and fellow-featherweight Michael Brodie (#28, v306)
    takes chances
    with a scheduled contest against higher-ranked Argentine Pastor Maurin
    (#25, v330). Maurin has already scored 98 points this year and is lying
    14th in the World Cup. He could gain about 10 places if he beats Brodie on
    home soil. The winner will also move up to the top 15 in the total ranking.

    British lightweight star Colin Dunne (#12, v480) will also appear on the
    undercard. He faces Wayne Rigby (#55, v135 at 140 lbs) and victory might
    move Dunne up a spot at the expense of Julien Lorcy.

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Preview``x1021655862,51265,``x``x ``xSaturday, May 25, 02
    6 p.m.
    At Matt Dishman Community Center
    77 NE Knott St
    Portland, OR

    The historic Knott Street Boxing Club hosts this big end-of-season amateur smoker with 25 bouts scheduled so far and close to 20 teams competing from all over Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Coaches Joel Caldera and Rudy Garza are the organizers. The doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $7 for adults, and $3 for those aged 16 and under.
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0``xPortland Amateur Smoker``x1021659785,15948,``x``x ``xFriday, May 31, 2002
    Chinook Winds Casino
    Lincoln City, Oregon
    ESPN2 Friday Night Fights

    James "Lights Out" Toney (around 61-4-2, 38 KO’s) continues his cruiserweight comeback in a ten round co-main versus a fellow 34 year-old, Michael Rush (22-5-1, 13 KO’s) of Tampa, Florida. Toney’s original opponent, jason Robinson, was scratched due to a training injury.

    In the co-main event, 33 year-old middleweight Verno Phillips (as of June, 2000 he was 31-8-1, 16 KO’s) takes on 28 year-old Romanian Tony Badea (25-4-1, 15 KO’s) now fighting out of Edmonton, Canada.

    Currently scheduled for the undercard:

    A heavyweight six rounder features Chauncey Welliver of Spokane, Wa vs Joe Guzman of Portland, OR.

    A middleweight six round bout matches Victor Branson of Willamina, OR vs Mark Woolnaugh of Vancouver, B.C.

    In four round bouts:

    Welterweight Darrell Suekrow of Edmonton, Canada meets Eduardo Mendivil of Hemet, CA.

    Jr. middleweight Virgil Bohnenkamp of Portland, OR tangles with Jeff Horan, fighting out of Seattle.

    Tickets range from $30 to $150. The show is booked to broadcast live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xJames Toney & Verno Phillips cause Commotion at the Ocean``x1021673587,80440,``x``x ``xMike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing > PS2 > E-toy > Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing - Etoy Card Game

    UK version of the Mike Tyson e-toy

    US version of the Mike Tyson e-toy



    Title > Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing - Etoy Card Game
    Date Uploaded > 10th May 2002
    Description > Get right in the ring with mighty Mike Tyson in the most aggressively realistic card game ever!
    Technical Description > Using your skill and judgement, play your boxer's trump card to knock out your opponent.
    File Size > 701kb
    File Type > E-toy


    Estimated Download Time
    56K 2 minutes 7 seconds
    Dual ISDN 1 minute 1 second
    T1 / DSL / Broadband 11 seconds

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDownload a Free Mike Tyson E-Toy Game``x1021674928,68953,``x``x ``xDiamond whiskers on display in Sacramento
    by Barry Stephen Hanley

    ESPN's Friday night Fights on May 17th came from the historic Memorial Coliseum in Sacramento. The main event proved to be a battle of staggering proportions as Oscar Larios (43-3-1,30 KO's) stopped Israel Vazquez (31-2-0, 24 KO's). This was a rematch of their Super Bantamweight fight in 1997 when Vazquez poleaxed Larios in the first round. On this occasion, Larios was out for revenge and was determined to prove that his whiskers were far from suspect. Well, he did that admirably. As a matter of fact, both men exhibited chins that were superior to granite. These scrappers had diamond chins.

    Cliches abound in the busted beak business, but for sheer balls to the wall fighting this fight was up there with the classics. In the first round Larios made his fight plan perfectly clear, namely a rangy outside approach. Larios, the taller man, began to pump a hard jab followed by ramrod right hands. The pace was frenetic and hard-core. No pauses for effect. The energy in this fight was something to behold. The term 'gladiator' is often bandied about but these guys would have looked at home in the Coliseum. The second round proved to be as energetic as the first as Larios continued to keep Vazquez at bay with good jabbing and laser guided right hands to a jawbone that would make an African Rhino green with envy.

    Vazquez landed his first meaningful shot in the third. Considering the outcome of their previous encounter, Larios took it well and commenced what became a true war of chins. In the fourth Larios took his foot off the pedal and began to let Vazquez in for a chance to shower his mandible with vicious hooks. Shots that would have staggered aforementioned Rhinoceros had little effect on Larios. The pace of the fight never faltered as it went into the later rounds. Larios outworked Vazquez but the latter was always dangerous and seemed to be poised to land a shot that would take the wind out of Larios's sails. In rounds 8,9 and 10 Larios threw over a 100 punches and never sucked wind. In the 11th and 12th the astounding pace remained as steady as the 1st. Finally, the accumulation of punches had the desired effect on Vazquez. With 1:05 to go in the final round, Larios landed a wicked right hand to the left ear of Vazquez. He dropped like a duck from a shotgun blast as his Achilles heel was finally located. After gamely rising to his feet, Larios was struck with two more right hands and referee Pat Russell stopped the awe inspiring fight.

    The undercard of the evening featured a pair of featherweights from south of the border. 24 year old Miguel Casillas ( 24-2-1 with 18 KO's) from Culiacan faced Javier Juaregui, a 28 year old from Guadalajara with a record of 43-10-2 with 31 KO's. Casillas seemed to be the sharper fighter in the opening round. As the rangier man, he attempted to keep Juaregui at bay with the jab. Initially this strategy proved successful but in the 2nd and 3rd Juaregui was getting inside and landing vicious hooks to the body and head. At the end of the 3rd Casillas received a standing 8 as Juaregui connected with a left hook that sent him to the canvas.

    Casillas got his revenge in the 4th, sending Juaregui deckside with a well delivered left hook. Juaregui found his range in the 5th again landing a right hand bomb that would have knocked a bullock. Casillas managed to remain vertical and was saved by the bell as Juaregui was breathing down his neck.

    "No me bajen la pinche guardia. Boxea este cabron." ( Don't drop your bloody guard. Box this bastard) Casillas's corner pleaded. In one ear and out the other. Juaregui piled on the pressure again in the 6th. Reminiscent of a poor man's Roberto Duran, he came off the stool truly full of the proverbial piss and vinegar. His intent was too much for Casillas to handle. After a barrage of well aimed left hooks, Referee Marty Denkins called the fight at 2:58 of the 6th round. Juaregui was jubilant in victory as he too avenged a previous defeat at the hands of his opponent.

    The third fight of the evening featured a pair of Super Bantamweights. Osvaldo Guerrero faced Asihiko Nago from Okinawa. Nago looked sharp from the outset and bore a striking resemblance to the late Bruce Lee. Unfortunately the fight was called at 1:55 of the 5th round after an accidental headbutt opened a serious gash over Guerrero' eye. The fight went to the cards and all three judges gave it to the Japanese fighter 49-45.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLarios stops Vasquez in Rematch``x1021745245,50132,``x``x ``xMohegan Sun Undercard Results

    Peter Nieves, 136, San Juan, Puerto Rico 15-4-1, 8 KO’s W4 Jose Laporte, 136, Worcester, MA 2-7-2, 1 KO.

    Giovonni Lorenzo, 159 ¼, Washington Heights, NY 4-0 3 KO’s W4 Muhammed Nuhu, 156, Accra, Ghana 3-9, 1 KO

    Andre Eason, 143, Brooklyn, NY 10-1, 5 KO’s W4 John Trigg, 141 ¼, Atlanta, GA 8-15-5, 2 KO’s

    “Fast” Freddie Cadena, 140, Paterson, NJ 11-0, 7 KO’s W8 Marcos Badillo, 139 ½, Mexico City, Mexico 15-22-1, 6 KO’s

    Dominic Guinn, 225 ¾, Hot Springs, AK 16-0, 13 KO’s TKO1 (2:09) Frank Drexi James, 193, Miami, FL 8-4, 4 KO’s

    “Bad” Chad Dawson, 170, New Haven, CT, 7-0, 5 KO’s TKO1 Gary Grant, 170, Kingston, Jamaica 10-10, 5 KO’s
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWard-Gatti - Undercard Results``x1021776005,2467,``x``x ``xWARD-GATTI LIVES UP TO ITS BILLING, WARD WINS FIGHT OF THE YEAR!
    By JD Vena at ringside

    UNCASVILLE, CT – It could have been called World War III but the tag was taken by Rocky II (I’m a historian). It could have been called Rocky VI because what was waged at the Mohegan Sun Arena was nothing short of a Rocky movie. In what most had expected “Irish” Micky Ward and Arturo “Thunder” Gatti waged what is sure to be named this year’s fight of the year, a brawl won by 36-year old Ward. The gunslinger from Lowell MA, now 38-11 with 27 KO’s overcame an early rounds deficit to come on strong down the stretch and nearly kill Gatti in winning a 10-round majority decision. In the pivotal 9th round, Ward scored the only knockdown of the fight with his trademark left hook to the body and proceeded to pound Gatti into near submission for the rest of the frame. If it were only referee Frank Cappuccino who had been taking those punches that Ward was unleashing with utter fury down the stretch. More on that later.

    Behind on the judges’ scorecards, Ward let loose with a furious assault of head and body punches, one of which broke the ribs of Gatti. But it was Ward’s inner strength, which runs deep in Ward’s endless pit of guts which won him the fight, regardless of what the scorecards read when the two were done swapping murderous blows. Judges Richard Flaherty and Steven Weisfeld had Ward winning by tally’s of 94-93 while Frank Lombardi had it a 94-94 even draw. The CBZ had it 94-93 for Gatti but still felt Ward won the fight. More on that later.

    Early on in what would become a quick fight for the fans and long one for the fighters, Gatti, 140 ½, did as he promised – he boxed. He used his defense, which in his case was circling around the ring. Ward, 140 ½, the slower of the two pressed on and ate as many punches as Gatti usually absorbed in his memorable slugfests, but he knew what was imminent, it just came at a tremendous price. After four rounds, Gatti became Arturo “Thunder” Gatti and the fight of the year was on its way.

    “I knew Gatti would be tough, but not that tough,” said a relieved Ward at the post fight press conference. “I didn’t know people could be that tough. He had nothing to prove to me. I had all the respect in the world for him before the fight. That’s why he’s called ‘Thunder.”

    For poor Thunder Gatti, the fight could have gone either way in the scoring but for a man who shouldn’t have been allowed to finish the 9th or start the 10th for that matter, he came out a true champion by finishing the 10th round and winning it. When Ward began to punish Gatti in the 9th, you were expecting Cappuccino to stop the fight at any moment, which is probably why Dick Flaherty scored it for Ward by a 10-7 mark. But when 21 seconds had elapsed before Ward and Gatti touched gloves for the final round you got wonder what was going on in the useless referee’s mind let alone his heart.

    Had another fighter been absorbing the beating Gatti was receiving, the fight would have been halted. But what was Cappuccino thinking when it appeared that McGirt was climbing up to the ring apron to stop the fight but was stopped? And what was Capp thinking when the bell rang for the 10th and Gatti’s entire corner was practically in the ring? Gatti could have been DQ’d. After all, that’s what happened to Marco Antonio Barrera when his corner climbed up on the ring apron when Junior Jones was opening up a can of Whup-Ass. What was Cappuccino thinking when Gatti was belting Ward in the ass with left hooks and then didn’t grant Ward the 5-minute’s rest when he was hit in the groin? At least a point was taken away from Gatti in the 4th round, but something tells me that if the fight were better officiated then Ward would have won this fight anyway. If the fight was held in a parking lot and there were no judges then you would have said that Ward won the fight.

    Gatti is a warrior. He’s proved it time and time again. But he didn’t deserve the beating he took just because he’s tough enough to take one so severe. For Ward, who is now in a better position than he has ever been in his long career, he is finally a commanding presence in the fight game and will likely earn the lucrative paychecks he expects and deserves in the future. Hopefully, Gatti, now 34-6 (with 28 KO's) has earned enough money in a career that has been great to the fans. More importantly, you gotta hope that the damage that both Ward and Gatti soaked up last night won’t be as everlasting as Ward-Gatti will be remembered as an all-time classic and fight of the year.

    Promoter – Main Events
    Television – HBO
    Ring Announcer – Mark Beiro
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWARD W10 GATTI - Ringside Report``x1021789196,18240,``x``x ``xINSTANT CLASSIC: WARD-GATTI IS FIGHT OF THE YEAR
    TSZYU FLAWLESS AGAINST TACKIE
    OBA CARR FORCED INTO RETIREMENT

    At 8:00 p.m. in Las Vegas on the night of May 18, the big story in boxing was Kostya Tszyu. The undisputed 140 lb. champion had just completed one of his best-ever performances, shutting out dangerous Ben Tackie over 12 flawless rounds. But only an hour later it was more like "Kostya Who?" as the headlines shifted from Sin City's sweet science to the bloody war waged between Arturo Gatti and Irish Micky Ward in the backwoods of Connecticut. Gatti vs. Ward was not only Fight of the Year, it was best fight of the last several years... which technically makes it Fight of the Century. And if that sounds like a bit too much praise, then consider this: Gatti and Ward have already logged four Fight of the Years between them (Gatti-Rodriguez, Gatti-Ruelas, Gatti-Robinson I, Ward-Burton) and this bout was better than any of them.

    Expectations were high for this showdown, primarily because neither Gatti nor Ward were disciples of Willie Pep, boxing's patron saint of defense. Both men prefer to block punches with their faces before firing back, and boxing fans have come to recognize that this can make for an entertaining contest. In fact, the first punch of the fight, a short left hook from Ward, landed square in the middle of Gatti's flat face. But instead of unloading his own bombs instantly, Gatti backed away from Ward and was soon gliding across the ring on his toes. As Ward gave chase, Gatti showed off his improved footwork by circling the ring and staying out of range.

    Thunder Gatti didn't intend to run all night, and after a few floats around the real estate, he stopped and fired a combination. As expected, the blows made solid contact before Gatti bounced away a few steps. A second later, as Ward had just begun his forward momentum again, Gatti popped into Ward's personal space and again fired off a free-swinging combination, punctuated by a trademark left hook that landed flush. That final punch opened up a small but deep cut over Ward's right eye, making losers out of those boxing fans who wagered Gatti would be the first to bleed (i.e. Everyone). Ward immediately pawed at the eye and Gatti again swung a crisp combo at his opponent. The intense action was drawing huge cheers from a crowd that had loudly booed Gatti during the introductions.

    As the round wore on, Ward continued to apply his customary full court press while Gatti danced away with ease and used a few more flurries to widen Ward's now-flowing eye gash. A clear 10-9 for Gatti, but things were just getting started.

    Gatti was back on his toes to open round two, and the movement was creating all kinds of problems for Micky. Gatti was looking like the 130 lb. version that had outboxed Tracy Harris Patterson for a world title so many years ago. To compliment his footwork, he was coming into Ward with a quick jab and no one-and-done kayo attempts. Behind the jabs, Gatti was letting his hands go. He threw his right with a relaxed fluidity, and swung his entire body into the follow-up hooks. He dug a loud hook to each of Ward's sides, and was doing an above-average job at, gasp, not getting hit. Ward did find a home for his own left hook, as well as an overhand right, but Gatti's movement stymied much further scoring. Frustrated and bleeding, Ward repeatedly punched his own mitts together to try and get himself going.

    For Ward to stop Gatti from using every inch of the 22-foot ring, he would need to attack the body. In round three, Ward demonstrated why he's one of the most fearsome rib-hunters in the sport. After Gatti logged another minute of moving and punching with great effect, Ward finally looped in a hook to Gatti's liver. Gatti grimaced at the punch, pinned his right elbow to his side, turned that side of his body away from Ward, and backed up. Ward never slows his aggression, and as Gatti tried to back up for a breath, Ward was on him. Ward fired again to the body, and again made Gatti lower his elbow for protection. Ward followed up with a right to the face, and a hook upstairs. The pro-Ward crowd now erupted with cheers as their man finally began administering punishment. Gatti took a number of shots in the face, but fired back a few of his own. As both men stood their ground near center ring, the crowd rose to its feet. Although brief, the toe-to-toe exchanges were dazzling. With a minute to go in the round, the action cooled long enough for a few butts to return seats. Although Ward had taken the lead in the round, Gatti stormed back before the bell. Catching his breath, he now fired to Ward's body and Micky backed up a few steps. Gatti followed the body shots with an uppercut that drew blood from Ward's nose. Gatti pumped out a jab and unloaded two more four-punch flurries before the round's end, ensuring that he would get the 10-9 in a very close stanza.

    Next to the words "Round Four" in our notebook is the word "WAR." It was the only notation my hand could muster as the fighters went into the trenches in this thrilling round. Gatti was still moving and flurrying in the fourth when Ward timed him with a beautiful straight right hand. The punch cracked into the side of Gatti's head and buckled his knees. This time there was no fancy footwork from Gatti. He crouched over as Ward unloaded heavy shots upstairs and down. After a series of crushing blows, Gatti planted his feet and swung back. The pitch battle was on. Gatti landed a big hook immediately, and another after missing with a wild right. Ward hammered Gatti to the sides, and ripped back with his own hooks to the head. The battle slowed a bit in the final minute, and at the slower pace Gatti was able to regain a bit of control. Remembering to start with the jab, Gatti again uncorked three and four punch combos to the head. One flurry sent Ward back into a neutral corner, where he ate a few more head-turning blows. As the round wore down however, Gatti threw a hook to the body that missed Ward's side and clipped him on the lower half of his beltline. Ward was dropped by the punch to all fours, and he punched the canvas in pain. Referee Frank Cappuccino took a point from Gatti and then sent him to a neutral corner. At this point, Ward should have received five minutes to recover. But there were only a few seconds left in the round, and an inexperienced timekeeper simply rang the bell to end the round. Cappuccino was confused by the bell, and then suddenly declared the round over. He sent both men back to their corners... no extra rest time for Ward. Gatti's rally scored him a 9-9 with the deduction on our card, although a 10-8 for Ward would have been reasonable in this very close round.

    Gatti clearly wanted to make up for the point deduction, and he stormed out of his corner to begin round five. Coming right at Ward, Gatti threw about 10 punches in combination at Ward's head. Not all landed, but enough did that Ward was sent back on his heels to the ropes. Following him in, Gatti dug to the body and fired a few more shots upstairs. But instead of moving away and beginning again, Gatti chose to remain on the inside. Perhaps he found his easy-to-hit target too inviting. No matter the reason, it was the wrong move. Ward is most dangerous in a phone booth, where the men now fought the next minute of the round. At such close range, Ward began landing his hook to the body, and a nice uppercut of his own. Gatti landed back in these close quarters, but Ward had the upper hand and it showed. Gatti took some heavy shots to the head and looked like he was fading under Ward's constant pressure. To try and revive himself, Gatti all of sudden exploded with a massive flurry to the head. He threw a good eight punches in tight sequence at Ward's face, and landed most of them. The crowd gasped at the speed and violence of the sequence. But their shock soon turned to pure boxing bliss as Ward, who was battered back into the ropes by the flurry, waited until Gatti was done before answering with an eight-punch flurry of his own. Ward came off the ropes and his own hands exploded. It looked as though he were rolling his gloves in place, as fighters often do when they're introduced in the ring, only he was bouncing his gloves off Gatti's chin. The crowd exploded in cheer.

    Gatti fell back into the ropes, his head waving in different directions with each flush punch. Somewhere in this mayhem, Gatti received a cut of his own, albeit a small insignificant nick over the right eye. Ward continued to smack Gatti around the ring before the bell saved him from further punishment. All of a sudden, Gatti's early lead seemed meaningless.

    Ward continued to apply the pressure to open round six. As Gatti moved away, Ward gave chase, and was throwing and landing some heavy shots. Gatti still didn't look fresh, and he was backed into a corner and eating Ward rights about a minute into the frame. But from that corner, Gatti lunged in with a haymaker of a right hand. The punch slammed into Ward's face, opening a tiny cut over Ward's left eye. Ward wasn't wobbled by the punch, but it certainly got his attention. Gatti was able to circle out of the corner, and Ward was now a bit slower in chasing him down. Ward's caution allowed Gatti to re-establish his footwork. Gatti circled the ring on somewhat renewed legs, and after a bit of time to clear his head, he began throwing the jab again. This was bad news for Ward, because when Gatti threw his jab, the combination punches that followed seemed to land and land clean. After a few Gatti flurries, Ward's lower lip began to swell (it would split and bleed down his face a round later), and Micky ended the round in a neutral corner taking a series a head-snappers from a rallying Gatti.

    Gatti was back to the gameplan of box and move, and round seven was almost all Gatti. When Gatti moved, Ward could not keep up, and when Gatti moved after hitting Ward he once again began dominating the scoring. Gatti punished Ward in this round, and Ward looked battered. The cut he sustained in round one had continued to bleed all night, streaking down his face and mixing with the blood that came from his nose and mouth. Ward did his best to keep his hands high as Gatti flurried around him, but plenty of Arturo's punches found their target. A desperate Ward, who did little in terms of offense in the round, finally turned southpaw for the last 20 seconds of the round. All he got for his ingenuity was a Gatti hook to the chin that sent him back a few steps into the ropes. Returning to his corner, Ward was chastised by his team for being a punching bag during the preceding round.

    Whether you gave round three to Gatti or Ward, the lead was now squarely with Gatti. He was boxing beautifully, outthrowing and outlanding Ward, and this pace continued well into round eight. It was all Gatti, in fact, until about 40 seconds remaining. Gatti had been punching and moving at a high rate for most of the round, and he slowed noticeably in the final minute. Ward noticed this and pounced. He began with a long right hand, followed with a big hook, and when both punches landed, he threw two more. Gatti was punched out, and could barely lift his arms to defend himself. Resting on the ropes, he tried to cover up, but Ward continued to pound him. Gatti briefly escaped only to have Ward chase him to another side of the ring, landing all the way. As the clock ticked out, Gatti was in serious trouble. A ref like Jay Nady would have already stepped in, as Gatti was doing nothing in return. Trapped on the ropes, Gatti looked out on his feet as Ward freely pounded his sides and head. Even Cappuccino, always late with the stoppage, was looking in close when a bell rang to save Gatti from a certain knockout. Another 10 seconds and the fight is over.

    Gatti staggered back to his corner and slumped onto his stool. Once again, his lead on the scorecards was looking irrelevant. He continued to look weary as round nine began. Oh what a round. This is one that will be talked about for years.

    Ward came at Gatti in round nine intent on finding out what the man had left in the tank. He crossed Gatti's face with a right and followed by turning his shoulders into a left uppercut. Gatti backed away from the flush shots and Ward followed with a vicious left hook to the side. Gatti's face crinkled in pain. His gooey legs tripped back a few steps and he sank to he knees in obvious distress. Cappuccino picked up the count at five, and by seven Gatti's face was still grimacing from the blow. He was struggling to gulp in a breath, and as Cappuccino called "eight," it momentarily looked like Gatti might not beat the count. At nine and half, Gatti slowly raised himself to his feet, but he did not look ready to fight. Cappuccino, ever the old-school ref, simply waved the action back on, and before you could say "ouch," Gatti was receiving the beating of his career.

    Gatti's hands were down as Ward attacked freely, landing almost every punch he threw. A right, a left, a right and a left landed as Gatti staggered backwards across the ring. Ward mixed in two beautiful body hooks to the same spot that had just dropped Gatti, as the crowd tried to blow out the fighter's eardrums with their supersonic cheers. Ward spent nearly a minute battering Gatti's unprotected face from one end of the ring to the other, causing serious swelling to both of Gatti's eyes. God only knows what was keeping Gatti upright (or keeping Cappuccino from calling it), but just as the objective fan would assume Gatti was about to suffer serious brain damage, he woke up. Planting his feet near center ring, Gatti finally fired back with a hook. It landed, and a tiring Ward stopped punching. Gatti fired with two shots to the body, and Ward mustered up another crunching overhand right to Gatti's head. Gatti again dug to the body, and while Ward answered with another flush punch, it was Gatti who now refused to stop throwing. Swinging full power into his punches, Gatti began to chop down Ward. Ward took the shots in place at first, but after a sustained rally of axe swings, he began to retreat to a neutral corner. Gatti followed him in, and spent the middle minute of the round beating Ward up nearly as savagely as he himself had just been beaten. Punishing Ward to the body with repeated wrecking ball hooks, Gatti took his revenge for the knockdown. Suffice to say that the crowd was in absolute boxing nirvana.

    Ward somehow hung in there, confident that Gatti, too would punch himself out. He was right. Gatti's arms could muster no more bombs, and with 40 seconds to go, Ward got his own chance at a miracle rally. With Gatti again too tired to defend himself, Ward now regained control and began to batter Gatti into the ropes. After two crisp rights, Ward measured Gatti with a stiff-arm left and then clocked him with an overhand right. Gatti bent over and looked out on his feet. Ward continued to pound on Gatti's sides, and the fight once again could have been stopped. Gatti simply stood there, semi-crouched, semi-protected while eating shots for a good 15 seconds. Gatti tried for a miracle, nailing Ward with a short right out of nowhere with only seconds to go, but the follow-up homerun hook missed, and Ward got in two more sickening body shots before the bell rang. It was a round for the record books, right up there with Round Four of Foreman-Lyle or Round Ten of Holyfield-Bowe.

    Gatti returned to his corner looking even worse than he had a round previous. He looked so out of it that when the tenth and final round was about to begin, it looked to Ward's corner as though Gatti would not come out for the round. Ward raised his hands and began to run around the ring in celebration before Cappuccino informed him that the fight was still on, and the tenth round would be contested.

    As miraculous as Gatti's comeback in previous fights have been, including several of the rallies from the edge of the defeat from this bout, perhaps his best rally of all time was this final round. After being out on his feet to end nine, Gatti came out and won the final round going away. He started by moving as he had in his best round, and after a short time he was again landing fierce combinations behind the jab. Ward got in his own fair share of heavy blows in the final round, but Gatti's hooks were landing hardest and most often. Plus, Gatti was effectively moving in between exchanges to control the pace. And even in the final 15 seconds, when both men stood at center ring in the traditional let-it-all-hang-out-final-flurry, it was Gatti's hook that got through and made Ward retreat a step and bend over.

    With that final round in his column, Gatti had won the fight on the Boxing Chronicle card 95-93. If the very close third round had swung to Ward, it would have been 94-94. If ever a draw seemed acceptable, this would have been the fight. In fact, the first official score read was 94-94. The other two judges scored the bout 94-93 and 95-93... for Micky Ward.

    It was probably a hometown decision. We can't really find another round to swing to Ward, despite the fact that this was a back-and-forth battle. Still, there could be little to complain about. This was an all-time classic fight, a fact that both fighters seemed to recognize and they hugged and shared a few laughs together in the ring after the fight.

    So what's next for these warriors? Only a masochist would suggest a rematch, but let's face it... it will be the fight we most want to see. Certainly Gatti will want the do-over, despite the fact that this fight is that rare beast in boxing: the loss that doesn't, in any way, hurt the reputation or standing of the loser. If anything, Gatti looked his best in years for much of this fight. And his reputation as a crowd-pleaser has never been more complete. Rematch or not, Gatti will have more big paydays awaiting him.

    And we say "rematch or not" because Micky Ward seemed hesitant to accept a rematch on the spot after the bout. While Ward freely admitted that the bout could have swung either way, he seemed fully aware of how much punishment he took during the bout. Ward has been thinking about retirement a lot lately. Once he's recovered, another big payday may be too tempting.. but as the adrenaline wore off and the effects of yet another war began to sink in, you could sense that Ward was thinking that maybe, just maybe, he's done enough in the sport. Only time will tell.

    If you have to pick a loser on this night, as we said earlier, it was Kostya Tszyu. The Russian-turned-Australian threw a shutout in Las Vegas against Ben Tackie. From the opening bell, Tackie gave up his height advantage by crouching in his stance and then standing exactly at the end of Tszyu's power shots.

    From the opening bell, every time Tszyu threw a punch, Tackie was right there at the end of it. Tszyu must have landed 80% of his jabs flush on the face, so easy to hit was Tackie. But Tszyu did far more than jab. He followed his perpetual jab with almost every punch in the book. But his variety of punching paled in comparison the variety of speed at which he threw. While the constant flow of blows kept Tackie inactive most of the night, the real reason Tackie couldn't get anything started is that he didn't know what to expect. Sometimes Tszyu would throw a light right hand, sometimes he would step in and really launch it. He would throw a one-two-one-two with the third punch as the heaviest, then throw the same combination making the first and fourth punches heavier. Like Greg Maddux, Kostya Tszyu was striking out the side with change-ups.

    If there is one thing Tszyu didn't do, it was throw to the body. Oh sure, occasionally he would launch a shot downstairs, such as in the second when Tackie finally dug with two downstairs rights and Tszyu quickly answered with a harder version of the same punch. But when you can land as often as you could on Tackie this night, why throw anything but head shots? Did we mention yet that Tszyu was landing everything?

    And when we say everything, we mean everything. Tszyu would sometimes throw a jab-strength right hand behind the jab. But after he threw the punch, he would leave his shoulders turned, and then pump the right hand as though it were a right jab from the southpaw stance... only Tszyu's feet were still in the conventional stance. These rights would land flush and set up a left hook, or simply continue until Tszyu's left resumed the jabbing.

    Kostya also was giving Tackie fits by mixing up his right. Tszyu would alternate throwing a wide looping right and a short straight right. He would sometimes throw the looping one lighter and then short one harder. Sometimes he would do the opposite. Tszyu threw a lot of double lead right hands. Tackie never knew what to expect.

    For most of the early rounds, Tszyu spent a fair amount of time mixing in heavy committed blows with his "lighter" shots (the lighter shots still landing with blistering effect). But as Tackie upped the pace in round three, and again in the fifth, Tszyu seemed to realize that his opponent was not going to fold. As such, he paced himself a bit coming down the stretch. That's not to say that Tszyu threw fewer punches, but that he settled into a rhythm of beating Tackie while not really laying into his shots unless he needed to. By round seven, it was beginning to look like mittwork, with Tackie's face as the mitts. Tackie would simply try and walk Tszyu down while he continually circled his hands into Tackie's nose. We even scored that seventh round 10-8 without a knockdown, so effortless and one-sided was Tszyu's output.

    Occasionally Tackie would catch Tszyu with part of a hook or right hand, but every time Tackie lucked out with a meaningful shot, Tszyu punished him back. By mid-fight, Tszyu had Tackie so well timed that almost every time Tackie threw he was sharply countered after missing. By the end of the fight, Tackie was trying to throw less, while Tszyu's accurate boxing simply banked round after round. We scored it 120-107. Two judges agreed that Tszyu won every round but forgave Tackie the seventh and scored 120-108. One charitable judge gave Tackie a single round, 119-109.

    After the fight, an old and overweight looking Vince Phillips began calling out Tszyu for a rematch. A good payday for both, but not a competitive bout. Tszyu's only real challenge may come in a rematch with Judah, although another Tszyu blowout wouldn't be a shocker there, either. We'd like to see Tszyu even move up to 147... after this night it's clear that no one is going to take his titles any time soon.

    On the Tszyu undercard, Oba Carr saw the end of his career look him straight in the eye as he lost his second consecutive bout. Both losses have come to late sub unknowns, and while his last loss was a second round TKO, this loss was far more humiliating. Carr lost every single round on the Boxing Chronicle card, and on one of the official cards as well. Two judges gave Carr a single round. Combined with a knockdown and two points lost for fouls, Carr loses by 13 pts (100-87) in a 10 round contest. He should have even been DQ'd after round nine, when he hit his opponent twice while Joe Cortez hugged him to end the round. Incredibly, Cortez took no points there, either.

    Carr not only lost this fight, but demonstrated that he is absolutely, positively shot. Almost every single clean punch that his opponent, Ukrainian prospect Kuvanych Toygonbayev (now 18-1/12), landed wobbled Carr. Worse, the perennial contender was missing wildly all night with punches that looked like they should have come from Mia St. John, not a one-time contender for the welterweight crown. Carr's arms swings often left him hunched over off balance, and his power was gone. He did manage to find a hole in Toygonbayev's style late in the fight, and landed a series of hooks to the body/hook to the head combos... but it was not nearly enough. Toygonbayev was simply too adept at finding Carr in close. Every time Carr tried to hold, he'd eat a short hook or uppercut. He was staggered back several steps on his heels from mediocre punches at least a fifteen times during this fight, maybe twice that. He needs to retire. Please, Oba... retire.

    .....Chris Bushnell
    boxingchronicle.com


    HBO vs. Showtime
    By Robert Ecksel

    Like a couple of heavyweight paladins pounding each other senseless, HBO and Showtime, boxing’s cable giants, went for broke on Saturday night May 18. Evenly matched with comparable records and equivalent power and bottom, the corporate bruisers rumbled for the umpteenth time and HBO, as we’ve seen time and again, remains winner and still champion.

    One still can’t help but wonder what the programmers at these establishments are thinking. Weeks can go by (which at times can feel like years) without the sweet science gracing the airwaves. After a steady diet second-rate movies and sitcoms about dysfunctional families, we grow impatient with all the faux drama, but relax in the knowledge that the fight game will challenge and defeat the bloat of ennui, sloth and tedium.

    Showtime commenced the evening’s festivities with undisputed
    junior-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu (29-1 23 KOs) defending his 140 lb. title against a tough guy from Africa named Ben Tackie (24-3 15 KOs). A cousin of Ghana’s legendary Azuma Nelson, Ben Tackie came to the Mandalay Bay thirsting for blood and hungry for the title. The only problem with this picture is a man named Kostya Tszyu. Tszyu’s road to riches has been as convoluted and profound as Ben Tackie’s. And Kostya Tszyu’s fists showed us, in case we’ve forgotten, that his wins over Julio Cesar Chavez, Sharmba Mitchell and Zab Judah were no fluke. So make no mistake about it: The man from Russia fighting out of Australia is the genuine article. A boxer. A slugger. A fistic wunderkind. A champion for the ages. The capable Ben Tackie displayed great heart and great courage and a great chin, but failed, much though he tried, to win a single round. Hail Kostya Tszyu the
    conquering hero!

    No sooner had Showtime’s Tszyu-Tackie bout ended than we heard Jim Lampley’s voice in the next room. It was the moment we’d all been waiting for. HBO’s main event of the evening, the battle between Arturo Gatti vs. Mickey Ward, was about to begin. Anyone with even a passing acquaintance with the fight game, or a love of fireworks, knows and esteems these two men. Everything that’s bad about boxing - the venal promoters, the corrupt judges, the trash-talking loonies and grand dementos - gets obliterated by the raw talent of Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward. Either gent could fight a lesser pug
    to satisfy the whim of a creditor. But that is not in Arturo Gatti’s style. It’s not the style of the debonair Mickey Ward.

    Arturo “Thunder” Gatti (34-6 28 KOs) met Irish Mickey Ward (38-11 27 KOs) and reminded us, at what incalculable cost to themselves we can only guess, why boxing is so thrilling, so heartbreaking, so heart-rendering, so tragic. These gallant warrior-kings went toe-to-toe for thirty torturous minutes. Throwing bombs at each other’s body and face for round after bloody round was more disquieting to us viewers than it was to our gladiators. Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward. Mickey Ward and Arturo Gatti. Can words possibly describe the immensity of these gentlemen’s efforts?

    Arturo Gatti has been born and reborn a half-dozen times, first as a boxer, then as a slugger, then as a bob-and-weaver, then as a kayo artist. Gatti’s latest incarnation as superhero suits this pugilist perfectly.


    Mickey Ward is solid like a rock. He’s unflappable. Consistent. He doesn’t make waves. All he does is fight with brilliant reckless abandon each time he enters the ring. Mickey wins some. He loses some. But everyone respects Mickey Ward every minute of every day.

    Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward fought their fight as though they had nothing to lose. The early rounds were Gatti’s. The middle rounds were Mickey Ward’s. The last third of the battle was up-for-grabs, it was anybody’s fight, it was give-and-take, nip-and-tuck, punch and counterpunch, do-or-die. The ninth round alone will go down in the books as war at its most unsophisticated. Not only did these titans fight their hearts out, as they always have and always will, Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward also bring, as they always have and always will, a special sort of dignity to a sport that has too many undignified moments.

    After such a fine night of boxing, there’s just a single thing anyone of sane body and mind could possibly ever conclude: We’re damned lucky to be living in the age of Kostya Tszyu, Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTszyu W12 Tackie & Ward W10 Gatti Reports By C. Bushnell and R. Ecksel``x1021816127,60795,``x``x ``xOr Christmas comes early for boxing fans
    by Steve Coughlin

    In what is certain to go down as one of the best fights of 2002,
    Irish Mickey Ward earned a tough, majority decision against
    Arturo Thunder Gatti. The official scores were 94 to 94, 94 to 93
    and 95 to 93. This writer had the fight scored 95 to 94 for Gatti.

    Round by round :

    Round 1 : Ward lands a hard right hand very early in the round
    but it?s Arturo who controls most of the round. By the end of the
    Stanza, Ward is bleeding from a cut above his right eye and Gatti
    is actually BOXING well. 10 to 9 Gatti.

    Round 2 : Mickey lands two more powerful hooks early but Gatti is
    punching in bunches. Gatti finishes the round strong and does some
    important bodywork. 10 to 9 Gatti.

    Round 3 : It`s beginning to look like Arturo is too quick & powerful
    for Ward. Mickey is now bleeding from the nose & mouth from the
    force of Arturo fast & powerful combinations. With a minute left in
    The round, Ward lands some powerful hooks to the body and the war is on.
    10 to 9 Gatti.

    Round 4 : The round starts off with Arturo becoming the aggressor and
    is again landing 5 at a time. Ward lands a hard right hand and is
    starting to get to Arturo now. Ward is winning the round when Arturo
    hits him low and is penalized a point. 10 to 8 Ward.

    Round 5 : The first minute & a half is Gatti?s but at the middle of the
    round Ward lands a series of punches and has Arturo?s attention again. Ward`s
    right eye looks like it`s getting worse but he still presses ahead. With 15
    seconds remaining Ward rips into Gatti and earns a draw. 10 to 10 even.

    Round 6 : This session saw some very heated exchanges with Ward looking the
    hunter. Gatti gets back to boxing and at about 1:30 left in the round
    crushes Ward with a huge right hand. At this point the only thought I have is
    man are these guys WARRIORS !!! Arturo lands a few hard rights at the end of
    the round. 10 to 9 Gatti.

    Round 7 : Gatti starts out the round and is again landing in bunches.
    At this point, both guys look like they`ve gone 15 rounds. The pace of
    this fight is brutal, but in reality it`s just an average effort form both men.
    The round ends with a few nice exchanges but I feel that Gatti has gotten the
    better of it. 10 to 9 Gatti.

    Round 8 : Ward lands hard early, Gatti is punching in volume as with the ½
    way point approaching Gatti is now cut too. The round ends with Ward beating
    on Gatti and looking like he`s getting the advantage. 10 to 9 Ward.

    Round 9 : As if the fight hasn`t been good enough already, round 9 will go
    down as HBO`s round of the year. Ward smells the kill and goes for the KO.
    Out of nowhere, Ward lands a left hook to the ribs that puts Gatti down for the fight`s only knockdown. But like the true warrior he is, Gatti summons the will to actually turn the action in his favor and is landing in bunches again. 10 to 8 Ward.

    Round 10 : Remarkably, Gatti has dug deep and is taking the action to
    Mickey. How, I have no idea, but even after that vicious hook in the
    previous round Gatti is walking Ward down with combination punches.
    The round end with both fighters using everything left in their tanks
    for a final violent exchange. 10 to 9 Gatti.

    In summary, this turned out to be exactly what every hard-core fight fan knew it would be when it was first announced ... an all out war!

    Undercard Results :

    In the main support, local favorite Chad Dawson improved to 7 and 0, 5 kos, against overmatched 10 to 9 Harry Grant. Dawson scored a knockdown at one minute into the fight and Grant decided he had enough after a standing 8 count at 1:36 of the first round.

    Heavyweight prospect Dominic Guinn blows out another outclassed opponent, Frank James, at 1:33 of round 1. Guinn hammered James with a right hand and James takes a knee for the count. Guinn improves to 16 and 0, 13 kos.

    Puerto Rican prospect Freddy Cadena, now 11 and 0, 7 kos, won a boring 8-round unanimous decision against Mexican trailhorse Marcos Badillo.

    In what was far & away the only interesting undercard fight of the night, Jr. Welter John Trigg was flat-out robbed of a 6-round decision against Zab Judah protégé Andrea Eason. Trigg looked the busier fighter and scored the fight's only knockdown with :15 remaing in the 6th & final round, a round that he was well ahead in even before the knockdown. When the scores were read, unanimous decision for Eason at 58 to 56, 58 to 55 & 59 to 55, the crowd voiced it's loud displeasure for well over 5 minutes. As Trigg left the
    ring, he was given a standing ovation. As Eason left, the crowd booed him as if
    Andrea had kicked their children. Another one of those decisions that
    almost begs for an investigation as to how it was awarded.

    In a cure for insomnia, Jr. Middleweight Giovani Lorenzo won a unanimous
    4 round decision over a reluctant Muhammad Nuhu. Scores were 37 to 36
    twice and 38 to 35.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWard vs. Gatti Round by Round``x1021843579,83482,``x``x ``xThe Prince reigns supreme.....
    in a world of his own

    By Jim Dickinson.

    London, Saturday 18th March 2002. According to Prince Naseem Hamed's post fight interview, he is now a "world champion" after "boxing fantastically" against European champion Manuel Calvo; his fans are "ignorant" and he will be fighting in eight weeks time, "possibly against Marco Antonio Barrera if he wants it".

    Back in the real world of boxing, 28 year old Naseem delivered the worst performance of his 10 year professional career, picking up the lightly regarded vacant IBO featherweight championship (which one wag dubbed "the ever vacant championship") by outpointing Spanish veteran Calvo, a 33/1 underdog prior to the first bell.

    Hamed's victory is not in dispute; he won every round and threw the better punches. Yet by his own high standards, he stank the joint out. Fans were leaving the London Arena in their droves well before the final bell, and of those that stayed to the end, a significant number indulged in chants such as "What a load of rubbish", "What a waste of money", "You're sxxx and you know you are" and "Are you Frank Bruno in disguise ?".

    The Sheffield southpaw was clearly rattled by the crowd's unhappiness with his lacklustre performance, and while sat on his stool in the later rounds, he shouted out "who gives a fxxx about the crowd ?"

    The decision was also booed and jeered, and if this is the best that Hamed can do against limited opposition, it won't be the last time he hears such vocal criticism.

    On June 22nd Barrera faces Erik Morales in their highly anticipated Las Vegas rematch, and Hamed's name dropping seemed to be a desperate attempt to put a positive spin on his embarrassing night's work. Following his humiliating defeat by Marco last year, Hamed tellingly neglected to enforce a contractual rematch clause, instead opting to let it expire.

    That speaks volumes.

    After being out of the ring for 13 months, some ring rust was to be expected but nobody could have anticipated such a dramatic decline in his skills, speed and reflexes, even though he has really only impressed once - against ancient Vuyani Bungu in March 2000 - since 1999.

    After a quiet opening round, Naseem landed a few punches in rounds two and three, before being caught in the fourth. He hardly opened up during the middle rounds, and the crowd began venting their frustration as early as the fifth. Apart from the odd pot-shot, the former WBO champion seems content to pile up the points, and a last round attempt for a knock out served only to remind onlookers of how potent and destructive he used to be.

    On this form, he would struggle badly against either Barrera or Morales and whilst the bold talk suggests an immediate return to the highest levels of the featherweight division, his plans for the rest of the year tell another story.

    Fellow Brit Michael Brodie (33-1) and current IBF champion Johnny Tapia (52-2-2) are likely to be the next two opponents. Brodie was stopped by Hamed inside a round during the amateurs, and 35 year old Tapia, a blown up bantamweight, has seen better days, with many observers considering him fortunate to have got the decision over Manuel Medina a few weeks ago.

    In reality, manager Riath - Naseem's brother - is going to have a hard time steering the Prince back to the big time, whether the ability remains, or not. Riath burned his bridges with Bob Arum during the build-up to the Barrera showdown last April, and Arum certainly won't do them any favours.

    Top British promoter Frank Warren took Naseem all the way to the top in the mid-late 1990's, until a well publicised dispute in 1998 saw them go their separate ways. Warren has since tried to goad the Prince into a humiliating return to his stable, including staging a December 2000 contest between Acelino Freitas and Daniel Alicea in Hamed's hometown, and publicly inviting Naseem to fight the winner in front of all his Sheffield fans.

    Naseem declined.

    Warren currently handles the WBO featherweight champion, Julio Chacon, and next month he stages Chacon's latest defence, against up and coming Brit Scott Harrison. If Harrison wins, and this writer expects him to prevail, Warren will use his tenure as new champion as yet another carrot with which to tempt Hamed to his fold.

    And so, for the first time in his career, the steadfast Prince finds himself short of options and popularity. Many of the sell out twelve thousand strong crowd, and Sky television PPV customers, will have second thoughts about shelling out more money to watch Hamed in action, especially after his "who gives a fxxx about the crowd?" outburst.

    His Stateside paymasters, HBO, will not have been impressed with this performance, the first contest under their new agreement after a previous one was terminated last Autumn. HBO are likely to press for the Tapia match next, which would at least be for the recognisable IBF championship.

    A bout with Brodie, who is little known in the States, would be a showdown between the IBO and WBF title holders, and the American television giants have little time for worthless belts. Such a match up, whilst appealing in Britain to both the fans and Sky television, would be a hard sell on American soil.

    During his championship reign, boxing pundits on this side of the pond noted with irony the way that Hamed's stateside appearances - against the likes of Kevin Kelly, Wayne McCullough, Cesar Soto and Augie Sanchez - were flawed, compared to his superior, occasionally sublime, performances in Britain.

    Few who were there in person, or who watched on television, would argue that his career-best performance against then top-rated contender Jose Badillo in October 1997, in front of his home town fans and this writer, reached heights that few boxers have ever approached.

    Such days now seem so long ago.


    Undercard results.

    The aforementioned Michael Brodie, of Manchester, outlasted ultra-tough and ultra-dangerous 46-2 Argentinian Pastor Maurin, over 12 hard fought and often thrilling rounds.

    Brodie's only loss was, in most observer's eyes, a rip off against WBC super bantamweight champion Willie Jorrin in September 2000. Jorrin was somehow awarded a close decision that night, despite clearly losing at least eight rounds.

    Since then Michael has moved up to featherweight and three stoppage wins over good opponents led to this, his biggest test to date. Brodie vs Maurin deserved to be for a more recognized version of the world title than the WBF bauble, but then the Manchester favourite always knew that this was a stepping stone to a dream fight with Prince Naseem.

    At times that prospect was hanging by a thread, but Brodie battled through the toughest challenge yet to win clearly on points.

    He started well, and appeared to be in for a relatively easy night's work against the initially reluctant Maurin, who had taken Marco Antonio Barrera the distance in 1999. The Argentinian burst into life in the fourth round, rocking the hometown favourite, who did well to stay on his feet. Round five was more competitive, but Michael regained the initiative in the sixth, dropping his opponent with a splendid right hander - something that Barrera could not do in their encounter.

    The next three rounds were thrilling episodes, but Brodie was caught clean in round ten and, frankly, was saved by the bell. The crowd were on their feet during the final two rounds, cheering on the home fighter who showed tremendous grit and durability to stay out of harm's way and emerge a clear points winner after 12 cracking rounds.

    Michael will need a good rest, but he is as ready as he will ever be to face Prince Naseem. He certainly has the power to trouble Hamed, and the workrate to outhustle him over the course of a 12 rounder, although the defence needs some work.


    An anticipated domestic slobberknocker between fellow Brits Colin Dunne (36-1) and Wayne Rigby (20-7) never reached boiling point. Dunne holds the WBU lightweight championship, which was at stake tonight, Rigby dropped down from 140lbs, where he holds the WBF version.

    Both fighters are renowned in Britain for their "give everything and then some" performances in both victory and defeat, but their styles failed to gel and Dunne boxed his way though the early and middle rounds, before coming on strong in the later rounds. Rigby never got out of the starting blocks, and was retired in his corner at the end of round ten.

    Dunne bounced back in style from a controversial points decision over South African Martin Jacobs in January. Rigby is far better than this performance suggests, and after a good rest, he should be back to his best at 140lbs. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHamed beats Calvo``x1021987084,24970,``x``x ``xSithyodthong misses golden opportunity
    Tszyu dominates, but Ward and Gatti shine forever
    Epic battle in Connecticut makes Ward new WCup leader at 140 lbs

    by Kris van de velde

    Thai super bantamweight Yoddamrong Sithyodthong (#7, v900) failed in his unique bid to become the new World Cup leader in the All Weights category as he was knocked out by Osamu Sato (#5, v1200) in his first defence of the WBA title in Saitama, Japan. Victory would have raised Sithyodthong's points tally to 2100 - or 100 more than Vernon Forrest. It was not to be as Sato showed that his draw against WBC titlist Willie Jorrin earlier this year was no coincidence. The Japanese newcomer at top level floored Sithyodthong twice in round 7 and flattened him for the count a round later. Sato now leads the WCup competition at 122 lbs with 1700 points against 1200 for Paulie Ayala and 900 for Sithyodthong.

    The World Cup leadership at super lightweight changed hands as well last
    weekend. Arturo Gatti (#3, v1600), who had been ahead since January,
    suffered a very close points defeat against Mickey Ward (#12, v480) after a classic contest in Uncasville, Connecticut. Both fighters received a
    standing ovation from the crowd and basically both left the ring as
    winners. Only Ward got the majority decision by the judges: 94-93, 94-94
    and 95-93.
    Gatti initially had too much speed for the 38-year-old Ward, but the latter
    fought back and appeared slightly stronger in toe-to-toe action. The
    defending World Cup leader, who got a point deducted for a low blow in the
    fourth, turned the tide again in rounds six and seven while Ward dug deep
    to find the power to go to war in the two following rounds. It was an
    incredible battle with a dramatic conclusion as Gatti dropped to his knees
    in the ninth following a fierce body shot by Ward. The last round saw Gatti
    controlling the exhausted Ward again, but he lacked one single point on the
    scorecards to get a draw (too bad for Gatti that one judge scored the ninth
    round 10-7 in favour of Ward).
    Mickey Ward, who lost an unfortunate technical decision to James Leija in
    January, earns 1600 points with his epic victory and is the unofficial new
    World Cup leader. He is also set to climb from rank 12 to rank 2 in the
    overall ranking! Not bad for a "veteran".

    Meanwhile in Las Vegas, Kostya Tsyzu (#1, v2000) successfully defended his
    "undisputed" world title at the same weight with amazing ease against WCOB
    #9 Ben Tackie (v700). Tszyu dominated the entire fight and took a landslide
    points decision. Tackie did try, but the Australian exhibited boxing skills
    and a snapping jab to keep the African at bay.
    After a rather long period of inactivity, Tsyzu enters the 2002 World Cup
    competition in an unofficial fourth place and is surely still very much in
    the race for final victory at the end of the year.

    On the same show, welterweight Oba Carr (#15, v450) suffered his second
    consecutive
    defeat as he got clearly outpointed by rising Uzbek Kuvan Toygonbayev over
    ten rounds.
    Toygonbayev was simply too strong and too aggressive for Carr, who is just
    a shadow of his former self. A fine start of the WCup competition for
    Toygonbayev!

    Over at the London Arena, featherweight Naseem Hamed (#5, v1200)
    disappointed in his first comeback fight since losing to Marco Antonio
    Barrera in April last year. Hamed had to go the full distance with former
    European champion Manuel Calvo (#30, v290) and failed to answer his critics
    and please the crowd. The unanimous decision in his favour was wide, but
    the lightning speed and cracking power that had become Hamed's trademark
    were hardly noticeable.

    Hamed's next fight might be versus compatriot Michael Brodie (#28,v 306),
    who scored a unanimous 12-round decision over Argentinean Pastor Maurin
    (#25, v330) on the undercard.
    Brodie used his superior boxing skills to get the better of Maurin, who
    remained dangerous throughout the bout. Brodie had a tough fourth round,
    but came back to knock Maurin down in the sixth with a left hook and
    straight right. The high-ranked Latin American was not hurt, though, and
    fought back aggressively in the final three rounds, dropping a suffering
    Brodie in round 10. The Briton looked dazed but the bell saved him. Thanks
    to his splendid win, Brodie is set to enter the World Cup race in the top
    five with 330 points, at least ahead of Naseem Hamed (290 pts).

    Also on the London card was lightweight contender Colin Dunne (#12, v480),
    who forced his opponent Wayne Rigby (#55, v135 at 140 lbs) to retire after
    the tenth round. Dunne may move up a spot in the overall ranking, but won't
    make the top 10.

    Another spectacular warfare took place in Sacramento for the interim WBC
    title at super
    bantam. Oscar Larios (#11, v490) scored a 12-round TKO over Israel Vazquez
    (#12, v480) after the latter was floored twice. An excellent result for
    Larios, who may feature in the top five of the WCup standings on June 5.

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Round-up``x1021987201,62350,``x``x ``xIrish heavyweight champ Kevin McBride well connected
    Headlines Friday night’s MSFNNE Revere show at Wonderland Ballroom

    BROCKTON, Mass. - Irish heavyweight champion Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride (25-4-1, 20 KOs) is a well-connected, up-and-comer in boxing circles. The 6-7, 260-pounder headlines the third “Mohegan Sun FightNight New England” monthly pro boxing show Friday night (May 24) at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere.

    McBride squares off against Gary “The Bull” Winmon (25-7, 17 KOs), of
    Donora, Pennsylvania, in the 10-round main event.

    How connected is McBride? Well, he’s promoted by Rich Cappiello, legendary heavyweight champ Rocky Marciano’s second cousin, while his head trainer is none other than Brockton’s famed Goody Petronelli, who handled former world middleweight champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler, as well as ex-WBO super middleweight & middleweight title-holder Steve “Celtic Warrior” Collins. And for good measure his assistant trainer, Chris Pender, is the cousin of former world middleweight champion Paul Pender.

    McBride, currently residing in Brookline and fighting out of Brockton, hails from the town of Clones in Ireland, where former WBA featherweight champion Barry “The Clones Cyclone” McGuigan is also from and Kevin was once a stablemate of present world heavyweight champions Lennox Lewis and John “The Quietman” Ruiz.

    “I’m Rocky’s cousin and Goody trained Marvelous Marvin and Steve Collins,” promoter Rich Cappiello said. “We’d both like to bring Kevin to a world championship. Kevin has a lot of potential. We’re going to keep him busy and expect big things from him this year. We’re trying to build a following for him here. What better place for an Irish heavyweight than Boston?”

    Cappiello Promotions - in association with Mohegan Sun, Holiday Inn in Randolph and Boston, Metro Ford of Raynham, Budweiser and Everlast - has an eight-fight deal with Fox Sports Net New England and the May 24th fights will be videotaped and broadcast Sunday afternoon (3:30-5:30 p.m.), June 2. The announcing team includes blow-by-blow commentator Stu Taylor, world middleweight contender “Dangerous” Dana Rosenblatt handling color, and
    Boston Herald boxing scribe George Kimball as the guest analyst.

    The six-round co-feature finds super middleweights Dave “The Hammer”
    Hamilton (15-8, 5 KOs), of Hanson, against Shaun “Big Trouble” Creegan (11-1-2, 1 KO), of Lynn. Also in a six-round match is unbeaten middleweight prospect, “Sir” William “The Gladiator” Gibbs (6-0, 5 KOs), the Philadelphian now fighting out of Brockton, as well as undisputed world middleweight champ Bernard Hopkins’ cousin, versus Jerald Lowe, of Atlanta.

    On the undercard in four-round matches are middleweights Ron Lapido (5-0-2), of Canton, versus Atlantic City veteran James “Rocky” McCray; welterweights Ann Marie Francy (1-0), of Somerville, against New York invader Annmarie Saccurato making her pro debut; welterweight John Mercogliano against Robby Sanchez, of Miami.

    All matches and fighters are subject to change.

    The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Tickets prices are $60.00 Gold Ringside, $50.00 ringside and $25.00 general admission. For more information or to order tickets call (508) 587-5554 or (508) 587-3370. Tickets will also be available at the door.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPR - Irish Heavyweight Champ, McBride Back in Action``x1022066215,21590,``x``x ``xPEMBERTON & MANFREDO, JR. READY TO "RETURN TO THE MANSION"

    PROVIDENCE - NABO super middleweight champion Scott "The Sandman" Pemberton is ready to "Return to the Mansion," Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston on Friday night, May 24th to defend his championship against former title challenger Wendell Hall of Lexington, KY in the Foxwoods Resort Casino main event.

    New Bedford's Pemberton came back from an 18-month layoff to score a sensational 3rd round TKO over former world title challenger Lloyd "Jabba" Bryan this past April. That win garnered him the NABO title and has also reentered him into the world ratings (WBO #10 & WBC #20). As a former NABF champion who never lost the belt in the ring, he was also reinstated as the #1 rated fighter by the NABF.

    "I am ready for Wendall Hall," said Pemberton, 23-2-1, 19 KO's. "People keep asking me about other fights and other fighters. At this point in my career I cannot look past anyone and I am ready for Wendall Hall."

    Hall unsuccessfully challenged Bernard Hopkins for the USBA crown in 1993. He brings a professional record of 19-8, 8 KO's into the fight.

    In the Budweiser co-feature, 21-year old sensation Peter Manfredo, Jr. continues his climb up the ladder as he steps up into his first 10 round fight against tough veteran Mike McFail. In addition, this will be Manfredo's first attempt at a major professional title as the vacant EBA super welterweight crown will be on the line.

    Manfredo, coming off his first eight round fight in which he soundly defeated rated prospect Grady Brewer, brings into the fight an unblemished record of 13-0, 5 KO's. The bout marks the Pawtucket native's third bout in the super welterweight division (154 lbs.) after beginning his career as a middleweight (160 lbs.).

    Despite a less than stellar record of 11-9-1, 3 KO's, Mike McFail may prove to be Manfredo's toughest fight yet. The Baltimore native has been in with some of the world's best and has a reputation of ending the unbeaten streak of young fighters, as undefeated prospects Norman Smith, Juan Diaz and NABF #8, USBA #14 rated contender Marlon Hayes - who McFail defeated via six round decision, all fell victim to McFail.

    Headlining the undercard will be the local debut of heavyweight Jevon Langford, who also plays defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL. He risks his 3-0, 3 KO's record against former WWF & ECW wrestler Carl Pappalardo, who also sports a professional record of 3-0, 3 KO's.

    Rounding out the show will be bouts featuring local stars Missy Fiorentino (Cranston, 2-0, 2 KO's) and Angel Torres (Willamantic, CT, 5-2, 3 KO's). Plus an exciting matchup between Norwalk, CT's Shakha Moore and fan favorite Matt Hill is scheduled.

    Tickets for the event are priced at $25, $30, $40 and $50. Tickets are available by calling Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. at 401-724-2253. Doors to Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet open at 6:30 PM with the first bout beginning at 7:30 PM. The event is being sponsored by Budweiser and Foxwoods Resort Casino.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPR - Pemberton, Manfredo, Jr. Headline Card at the Mansion``x1022066331,2717,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    After his outrageous outburst and duel with hand-picked reporters on Maui Wowie two weeks ago, after his PR flacks and handlers reacted like rats on a sinking ship, Iron Mike has toned down the bluster and bloviating, the blarney and the bullshit. Yet Tyson continues to impress the press with the worthiness of his every utterance. The Sports Illustrated, Boxing Monthly and The Ring cover stories, the eloquent and generous piece in the New York Times Sunday Magazine, to be followed by spreads in Mad and Guns & Ammo, continues a long and twisted tradition of glorifying those we fear the most.

    Our culture loves guinea pigs who rise and fall with the regularity of the sun and the moon. But one needn’t be a sinner or saint to be deified in an America bereft of actual heroes. Celebrity is quite enough. So of necessity we make do, we settle for less, we lower our standards just enough to get from point A to point B, from round to round, from prizefight to prizefight.

    Mags, rags, websites and TV have a real relationship with Mike Tyson. And like most long-lasting affairs, there have been ups and downs, good times and bad, joy and doubt, fear and apprehension. But through it all - through the flirtations, the infidelities, the miscommunication, through the vagaries of life lived in symbiosis - there has been a conspiracy of willingness between all concerned to see it through to the bloody end.

    Yet as we count the seconds, minutes, hours and days until we hit June 8, our ambivalence toward Mike Tyson is coming home to roost. Kid Dynamite has once again entered our homes, invaded our lives, has had his say, and we feel like victims of a two-bit mugging. Rather than run and hide or duck and cover or act like we’re on another planet, we’re obliged, due to professional duties, due to our love of the game, to buckle down and face the music.

    No one in our immediate circle is betting the farm on a Tyson victory in Memphis. Mike’s too far gone for that. Most insiders think it's absurd to believe Mike Tyson might beat Lennox Lewis. And even though all is quiet on the Tyson front (for now), it won’t remain so for long. Mike Tyson has proven several times that he can demolish anyone with his mouth. But who beside Brian Nielsen, Lou Savarese and Andrew Golota can Iron Mike Tyson ruin with his fists? Surely not Lennox Lewis.

    One needn’t be an ex-heavyweight champion to be a man beset and afflicted. Virulent, contagious, disabling and, some would have us believe, incurable, the ailment, the illness, the sickness called megalomania is alive and well in the hall of mirrors where the self does all its best preening. This disease has also become, in the carnival atmosphere of Mike Tyson on planet earth, as permanent as his tattoo of Che Guevara. This doesn’t make Mike right or wrong, doesn't make him good or bad. It only makes Iron Mike seem unseemly, a threat to the status quo, a notorious but calculated swing and a miss.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMike Tyson Uncovered``x1022091289,80534,``x``x ``xby Adam Pollack
    apollack11@hotmail.com

    Mike Tyson can defeat Lennox Lewis if he can stabilize his mind and remain in control during the fight. However, that is a big IF. This fight will be a test for Tyson in every way and he will be forced to demonstrate the championship character he has lacked for so long. Tyson will be frustrated in multiple ways in this fight and if he cannot overcome that frustration in positive ways he will be lost and resort to his street tactics and risk disqualification.

    Tyson will be somewhat frustrated by Lewis’ height, reach, footwork, and speed. Lewis won’t just be there for Mike. If a little speed, timing, and footwork by Orlin Norris early could frustrate Tyson a bit, Lewis will be able to do so as well. It will be difficult for Tyson to get close to hit Lewis. He will have to be prepared to track him down.

    However, Tyson has always proven over the course of his career that he can get inside on his opponents. No one has ever been able to keep Tyson outside for an entire fight. He is going to get inside on Lewis. It is just a matter of how much Tyson takes before he gets inside, and how well Lewis defends and fights on the inside once Tyson is there.

    Making things more difficult, Tyson will have to deal with a lot of incoming long, hard and quick punches by Lennox. This will require Tyson to be mentally prepared to deal with some punches in order to get in his own. He must have the attitude that no matter how much he takes on the outside, he will eventually get in close.

    Unfortunately, many fighters break down on the outside and cease to press in. This is especially so with Lewis because he hits fighters hard enough on the outside that it deters their attack. When Lennox chills them out with his power, they simply play right into his hands because then the pace slows to a level comfortable to him (Lewis does not like pace). Then Lennox can simply outbox them and set up for occasional big ones. This is exactly what happened with David Tua. Tua did not press in and take risks because he knew he would have to deal with a lot of punches and a lot of power to get close. However, getting close was the only way he could have won. He took the easy way out and remained cautious on the outside, allowing Lewis to comfortably outbox him.

    Unlike Tua, Tyson is not the type of fighter to lay back and allow himself to be outboxed for the duration of the fight. He will attack with ferocity, and more importantly, with speed. Ray Mercer took the punches, kept coming in, and was able to get to Lewis and make it a very close fight. To Lewis’ credit, he proved he could survive in close with a hard puncher. However, Tyson has much more speed and will be able to get the punches there better. That is his edge over Mercer and Tua. Lewis won’t always be able to pick up on his punches the way he could with those men. However, Mercer and Tua may have been able to take it better than Tyson and so there is a question whether Tyson can deal with Lewis’s firepower.

    Tyson will experience serious power that he has not had to deal with since Razor Ruddock. He used to have a very good chin and defense, but on the comeback trail has been more vulnerable to being hit and has not reacted to punches as well as he used to. Holyfield and Botha hit him often with good right hands and even some hooks. Mike’s head movement has somewhat returned and he has kept his gloves up a bit better recently. However, because of his height and over-reliance on dipping left, he is often vulnerable to right hands, Lewis’ best punch. Even Nielsen demonstrated this vulnerability, especially when Tyson was not active on the outside or forgot to jab high and dip right rather than left. Even an iron-chinned Holyfield was dazed a few times by Lennox’s right hand.

    Because of Lennox’s excellent reach and speed, if Tyson dips too soon or too far away (right or left), Lewis is going to read him and has enough reach to step in over the top and punch down onto Tyson’s chin. Conversely though, Lewis has to be aware that if he reaches too far down or lingers with his punches, Tyson may come over the top with a fast counterpunch.

    Of course there has always been a question mark regarding Lewis’ chin and it is probably Tyson who has the better jaw. Lewis has been stunned quite often in his career and has been taken out early by both McCall and Rahman. Tyson’s only two knockout losses came late, in the 10th by Douglas, and in the 11th by Holyfield. Lewis seems more affected by punches than Tyson, but overall has been able to engage in survival tactics in order to get himself out of trouble. Tyson takes it until he has been so broken down that he can no longer take it.

    Here is where Tyson’s speed can again become a strong factor. Because Lennox likes to punch hard, he often overreaches with his punches and fails to bring them back quickly enough. Lewis often gets away with this because of his ability to lean back and because of his height and reach. However, his tendency to linger out there can prove to be his undoing against a fast counterpuncher like Tyson. If Mike is prepared to quickly counterpunch over the top of Lewis’ punches or punch at the same time as Lewis steps to him, he may do exactly what Oliver McCall did when he stopped Lewis. Any time Lewis stepped in to punch, McCall threw a hook and immediately followed with a right. This rolling and countering style proved fruitful in the 2nd round when he caught Lewis at the end of Lennox’s overextended right hand with a well timed right of his own. McCall proved the best way to catch Lewis is to time him and use his own power against him. In the post fight interview, McCall credited Tyson with an assist. Obviously, Tyson believed he understood how to defeat Lewis.

    It is of great importance that no matter how often or hard Tyson is hit or how frustrated he becomes, he needs to keep the pace quick and not forget to hit the body. He forgot to hit Evander to the body and it cost him dearly. Against Nielsen, Tyson has seemed to remember the effectiveness of a body attack.

    Lewis has never liked a consistently fast pace. He is a burst fighter. He fights quickly for short periods, but likes to get respect with his power and settle the pace down and essentially be a cautious boxer in between. With his great size and style, he cannot keep up a fast pace for 12 rounds. If Tyson is prepared to wear him out with body shots and force him to constantly work, Lewis will gas out. Even in the second Holyfield fight, when Evander stuck hard jabs to Lennox’s body, Lewis eventually seemed pretty spent in the later rounds. He still sucked it up and did what he had to, but his form got a whole lot sloppier and he left himself vulnerable much more often. If he does that with Tyson, he will get hurt. Tyson must always remember no matter how hurt he is or how far behind he may be that Lewis will tire, and he does not have the greatest chin.

    Tyson’s representatives’ interactions with the commission and referee is important here because Lewis often wears his foul cup protector quite high. Lewis is quite aware of Tyson’s body punching prowess and may attempt to wear his cup high. Not only does this make blows appear low when they are not, but more importantly, immensely diminish the impact of what should be legally landed body blows. This is an unfair advantage. It is embarrassing for a heavyweight champion to admit he cannot take body blows by purchasing a foul protector that is too large or wearing it way too high. Hopefully, the referee/commission will see to it that Lewis wears his cup at the proper height - a line between the navel and the hip bones.

    As discussed, at some point Lewis will slow down, Tyson will get inside, and will land a good punch and hurt Lennox. If Tyson gets in close or hurts him, Lewis will illegally hold him and/or pull down on his neck. That is Lennox’s modus operandi. In addition to illegally holding, Lewis has also held and hit. He flagrantly held Michael Grant with his left and hit him with right uppercuts. This is a harm foul and should be dealt with strictly.

    Tyson hates to be held and may attempt forearms or punches on the break in response. He needs to control himself and not get too out of hand. This is where pre-fight coaching of the referee on the part of Tyson’s people is extremely important. The referee needs to understand that holding is illegal. The referee needs to properly enforce that rule with strong cautions and points off if Lewis continues, or a frustrated and disgruntled Tyson will take matters into his hands and the fight will get out of hand. Understand that Tyson’s illegal inside tactics are often a response to illegal holding tactics. This is why it is extremely important that the referee be even-handed in rule enforcement and not be biased against Tyson for his past acts.

    It could also be important that the judges understand that holding should count against a fighter in the scoring because it is essentially an illegal time out. Yes, to be considered is the possibility of a Tyson decision. Remember, Lewis barely defeated Mercer and had close decisions with Holyfield. Tyson could out-point the clutching Lewis.

    Tyson must also remember to jab. Mercer, Holyfield, and Rahman all did well when they kept a quick well timed jab going. Lewis picked up on single big hook from Tua just as Evander did with Mike in their first fight. Tyson cannot forget to work his way in with straight punches because at range, Lennox will often see it coming. The jab can serve a defensive and offensive purpose for Tyson because not only does it assist him in throwing Lewis (who doesn’t necessarily pick up on jabs that well) but it will also deter Lewis’ right hand. Against Tony Tucker, Tyson proved he can out-jab a tall man and win a decision.

    Some reason that because Holyfield beat Tyson and Lewis beat Holyfield, Lewis should beat Tyson. When Foreman destroyed Frazier and Norton, most thought Ali too would be destroyed because Muhammad lost to Frazier and Norton. However, Ali had a different style than those men which matched up well with Foreman. Just because Lewis defeated Holyfield and Tyson lost to Evander, does not necessarily mean Lennox will defeat Tyson.

    Stylistically, this is not that bad a match-up for Tyson. In terms of style and ability, Evander presented an entirely different opponent for Tyson than Lennox will. Against Tyson, Holyfield did not punch as hard as Lennox will, but he threw more, faster, and in compact combinations. Holyfield also knew how to fight on the inside and had better counterpunching skills than Lennox. A shorter and aggressive Tyson was made to order for Evander. Conversely, Lennox was better able to handle Holyfield because Evander never had the aggressive ferocity or power of a Tyson.

    Lennox Lewis is a big one-two type fighter who keeps his opponents away with height, reach, a bit of footwork, and quick stinging blows, not with punch volume and not with quick inside counterpunches or combinations. Mike Tyson will pick up on Lennox Lewis’s punches much more easily than he did with Holyfield. Mike will be more aggressive than Evander and step in with faster and harder counterpuches. Lewis won’t take it as well as Evander, and he won’t be able to maintain the same pace that Evander did.

    Of concern is despite the fact that this is a fairly good match-up for Tyson , Mike is afraid of Lennox Lewis. He has continually asked for additional tune up bouts before taking on Lennox, including in his post fight interview after his last fight with Brian Nielsen. The recent tune up fights have been good for him because Tyson needs to rebuild his confidence. However, if he doesn’t feel ready, why then is he taking this fight? He quit during the second Evander Holyfield fight and tried to outdo himself by attempting to get the Lewis fight derailed by engaging in a pre-fight press conference brawl.

    All this further serves to highlight what an intensely psychological sport boxing is. No other sport puts combatants out there in front of the public in a position where if they lose, not only do they lose, but they can suffer a beating and be knocked out cold. This engenders a natural fear in its combatants that only those with strong psychological discipline can overcome.

    Tyson is a bully and bullies do not want to allow themselves to get knocked out for everyone to see. Under those circumstances, if he has no confidence, what will he do under duress? Does Tyson sufficiently believe in himself to fight a disciplined fight, or fear the consequences of engaging in bad behavior once again? Tyson has idolized Sonny Liston. Would he bet against himself and throw the fight so he could later say he wasn’t really knocked out, saving face in his own perverse way?

    Tyson needs confidence and determination going into the fight. He needs to understand he can win. He needs a game plan to mentally prepare him for how he will react to various frustrating situations during the fight. He also needs his people to ensure the referee is educated regarding proper foul cup position and holding tactics. Given Lewis's less than stellar chin, Tyson's speed, power, and ability to get inside on his opponent, Mike Tyson has good chance to win the fight if he can keep his head together.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAnalysis of Tyson v. Lewis ``x1022179655,6355,``x``x ``xSTATEMENT OF RING 8
    May 21, 2002

    In recent years, the New York State Athletic Commission has been rife with problems. Qualified personnel have been forced out of their positions and replaced by political appointees. This is detrimental to boxing and, most of all, to boxers.

    The chairmanship of the New York State Athletic Commission is now vacant. Most of the candidates currently mentioned for the chairmanship are individuals who are under consideration primarily because of their political affiliation.

    Ring 8 implores Governor George Pataki appoint a qualified chairman who:

    (1) Understands the sport and business of boxing and the people in boxing;

    (2) Will run the commission for the benefit of the boxers and the sport of
    boxing;

    (3) Will run the New York State Athletic Commission without regard to any political party affiliation; and

    (4) Possesses the leadership, management, and administrative skills
    necessary to run the commission effectively.


    This issue is not just about the sport of boxing, but also the safety of boxers involved in the sport. Ring 8 urges Governor Pataki to take the crucial aforementioned items into consideration when he appoints a new chairman.

    Bob Bartels, President

    Ring 8 is the New York City arm of the Veteran Boxers Association. There are forty-one chapters in the United States and England; each one designated as a "ring." The most active of these chapters is Ring 8 in New York, which has 565 members.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRing 8 Weighs in on Next NY Commission Chairman``x1022247401,61761,``x``x ``xby Dave Iamele
    Ringside photos by Marianne Synborski

    May 2002, Uncasville, CT (May 18). “The body, Micky!!! Throw to the boodddy!!” I yelled at the top of my lungs (probably rather unprofessionally) to “Irish” Micky Ward. After ten minutes of action, it appeared that Arturo “Thunder” Gatti’s bold pre-fight bluster about beating up Micky Ward every round was going to prove prophetic. I had Gatti winning the first three rounds easily. It seemed the younger Gatti’s speed and boxing skills were going to be way too much for the veteran Ward to handle. I should have known better than to count out Micky Ward.





    WARD

    If the name Micky Ward doesn’t sound familiar to you, it should. “Irish” Micky, 36 (now 38-11, 27 KOs) from Lowell, MA, probably has appeared more times on ESPN/ESPN2 boxing programs than any nonchampion in the last 15 years. His match against Emmanuel Burton on ESPN2 in July of last year provided 2001’s “Fight of the Year” according to boxing experts.

    Although Ward turned pro in 1985, it wasn’t until 1999 that he began to make some noise in the 140-lb range when he TKO’d tough Reggie Green with only 20 seconds left in the bout. The following year, Ward traveled to London, England, to take on previously unbeaten Shea Neary (then 22-0, 17 KOs) on HBO’s Boxing After Dark. After losing every round, Ward smashed Neary to the ribs with one of his bread and butter body shots, and it was all over—TKO 8th round comeback win for Irish Micky.

    Although last year was his fight-of-the-year affair with Burton, 2002 began on a down note when Jesse James Leija won a controversial technical decision over Ward when the fight was stopped after five rounds due to a cut around Leija’s eye. The referee incorrectly ruled a head butt caused the cut, and that poor call resulted in a disappointing loss for Micky.



    Believe me when I tell you that after this past Saturday’s bout with Gatti, Micky Ward won’t waste one second more thinking about the Leija bout since Ward/Gatti undoubtedly will be the 2002 “Fight of the Year.” I would state that confidently even if there were still 11 months left to the year! That’s how good a bout it was.



    GATTI


    Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, 30, from Jersey City, NJ, via Montreal, Canada (now 34-6, 28 KOs), turned pro in 1991 and won his first six bouts (5 by KO) before losing to unheralded King Solomon in November of 1992. Gatti rebounded from his loss to win his next 17 bouts (15 by KO) before winning the IBF 130-pound title from Tracy Patterson in December of 1995.



    But it wasn’t until the following year that Gatti won a place in the hearts of all boxing fans when he KO’d Wilson Rodriguez after six of the most ferocious rounds ever witnessed. Gatti’s eyes were swollen immediately in Round 1, and in Round 2 Gatti found himself on the canvas, seemingly ready to go. However, Gatti mounted a vicious body attack that left the Spaniard with a broken rib and sent him crashing to the canvas in the fifth round! In the next round, Rodriguez was starched by Gatti as he tried to protect his injury. This amazing bout was 1996’s “Fight of the Year.”

    Incredibly, Gatti fought an almost as equally compelling bout in October of 1997 against former champion Gabriel Ruelas. Both men traded blow upon blow, and Gatti appeared headed for defeat until one miraculous left hook left Ruelas “Thunder” struck! TKO 5 for Gatti.

    1998 proved to be a nightmare of a year for Arturo. He was cut and stopped by Angel Manfredy in January and lost back-to-back bouts with Ivan Robinson in August and December. Although the first Robinson bout was another “Fight of the Year” candidate, and some believed Gatti may have deserved the nod in the second bout, many boxing observers had to wonder if Gatti’s face-first, aggressive style and porous defense—along with a reputed “rock star” lifestyle—had left him washed up at 26.

    Gatti recuperated for most of 1999, only boxing once in August when he TKO’d Reyes Munoz in Round 1. February of 2000 found Gatti amid a sea of controversy after he devastatingly kayoed Joey Gamache in the second round of their February 26 bout. It was alleged that Gatti had never “made weight,” and he was an enormous 19 pounds heavier than Gamache on fight night.

    Gatti strung together a couple more victories before being outclassed by Oscar de la Hoya in March of 2001. Again, Gatti’s tender skin around his eyes busted open, and Gatti’s corner eventually had to throw in the towel to protect him during Round 5.

    In March of this year, Gatti bombed out former champ Terronn Millet in four rounds. His new trainer, former champion Buddy McGirt, promised we would see a “new” Gatti who would box more and bomb less. If Gatti had done that all ten rounds this past Saturday, he would have won easily.

    THE FIGHT

    To put two great fighters together who separately had provided so many memorable boxing matches only makes sense. But, amazingly, it still happened.

    The Mohegan Sun may have hosted bigger fights, and they may have hosted more important fights, but they may never host a better fight than Micky Ward vs. Arturo Gatti. For ten electrifying rounds, these two pugilistic gladiators hammered one another unmercifully while the 6,000+ fans on hand cheered wildly.

    As I stated way back at the beginning of this column, I had Arturo Gatti following Buddy McGirt’s game plan to perfection and winning all of the first three rounds. But, in the fourth round, Ward began to find his distance better and started to connect. Near the end of the round, Gatti caught Ward flush with a low blow that sent Ward to his knees, pounding the canvas in frustration. No-nonsense referee Frank Cappuccino immediately deducted one point from Gatti.

    The next couple of rounds seemed to swing Ward’s way as he drew Gatti out of his plan to box and into Ward’s idea of boxing: a brawl. As Gatti seemed more inclined to trade, Ward began landing more and finally started connecting with his trademark body shots. In Rounds 7 and 8, Gatti responded to McGirt’s pleading to box more and bomb less and appeared to regain the control he enjoyed in the first three rounds.

    And then, Micky Ward pulled a … well … a Micky Ward! He came out for the ninth round like a man possessed and drilled Gatti to the body until Gatti couldn’t catch his breath. The culminating crushing body shot made him cringe in pain and drop to his knee.

    Cappuccino gave him a lengthy nine-count before he rose with fear and uncertainty in his swollen eyes as he gazed across the ring with a newfound respect for Irish Micky. There was still plenty of
    time for Ward to finish Gatti off, and that’s precisely what he attempted to do. A revitalized Ward pursued doggedly his wounded prey, raining blows upon the still dazed, fleeing Gatti. Just when it seemed that Ward was ready to polish him off, Gatti drew upon the reserves that have seen him turn around such misfortunes and began to impose his will over an arm-weary Ward.

    Now, Gatti was battering Ward from pillar to post! These two men seemed to be able to dish out and absorb a superhuman amount of punishment. As many on hand wondered if Ward had spent the last of his reserves trying in vain to finish off his wounded foe, he came back—yet again!—to have Gatti virtually out on his feet at the end of the round! Amazing!

    How hurt was Gatti? Well, his trainer, McGirt, was up on the ring apron for the last 20 seconds of the round and appeared ready to throw in the towel, just as the bell sounded, to save his man from further punishment. McGirt also told Gatti between rounds that he wasn’t going to let Gatti “be a punching bag,” so he better look alive or Buddy would stop the bout. To Gatti’s credit, he drew up everything he had left and won the last round on all three judges’ cards.

    If you have read all this but did not see the bout, I will finally tell you that Micky Ward won a razor-thin majority decision over Arturo Gatti by scores of 94-94, 95-93, 94-93. Although many of the boxing press at ringside believed that perhaps Gatti should have been awarded the decision (I had Gatti winning by a point), no one thought the outcome was bad enough to be considered a “rob-job.” The point deduction in the fourth round did cost Gatti a majority draw, and that point in conjunction with Judge Richard Flaterly’s (also of Massachusetts) dubious scoring of Round 9 (10-7) for Ward, cost him the victory.

    So, while Ward may have received some small benefit-of-the-doubt from his home-state judge, no one was crying sour grapes after this great fight, and no one who witnesses the punishment Ward absorbed would call this a “gift decision.”

    WRAP UP

    How good was Ward-Gatti? “Fight of the Year” is a gimme, so let me put it to you this way: Tyson/Lewis would have to be a no-rules steel-cage match to provide one-half the excitement of Ward vs. Gatti!

    It was fitting that HBO commentator Jim Lampley spoke of the 140-lb. clash between these two fighters as a throwback to the days of the Old Gillette Friday Night Fight Nights. This contest was not for any bogus title; it was just two tough-as-nails warriors who give 110% every time out. After this match was over, the only thing that rained fans had on their minds as they filed out was wishful thoughts of Ward-Gatti II!

    May 18 was one of those rare nights in boxing when everyone who left the arena left a winner. All credit must be given to Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward who both, as promoter Gary Shaw said, “leave their blood and guts in the ring every time they do battle.” They are a pride to the sport. Both HBO and the Mohegan Sun also deserve credit for knowing a good bout when they see one.




    Arturo Gatti already has voiced strongly his desire for a rematch, and if Micky Ward is willing to put himself through that type of hell again, look for Ward/Gatti II to be the “Fight of the Year” in 2003.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWard vs. Gatti: Boxing at it’s Best``x1022703276,20523,``x``x ``xAn enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowd jammed the auditorium as The Knott St Boxing Club presented 18 busy bouts of amateur action on Saturday, May 25 at the Matt Dishman Community Center in Portland, Oregon. Results of the bouts were as follows:

    The award for Outstanding Boxer of the night was presented to Ray Lampkin Jr. by his father, Ray Lampkin.


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xKnott St Rumble Results``x1022718753,87620,``x``x ``x[Editor's Note: Mike DeLisa, founder of the Cyber Boxing Zone, is a longtime advocate of a Uniform State Law for the regulation of boxing. DeLisa gave a speech on that topic before the Association of Boxing Comissions in July 1994. Bert Sugar holds a similar opinion, and we are happy to present the full text of his recent speech before the Senate. This, guys, is the solution, NOT another Federal agency. -- The Editors]


    U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE AND TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOREIGN COMMERCE AND TOURISM.

    Prepared Testimony of Bert Randolph Sugar, May 22, 2002.

    To understand the sport of boxing, one must first understand its roots. Unlike many of today’s sports, boxing did not spring full-blown from the brow of an inventor, as basketball did from the brow of Dr. James Naismith in 1896, nor date back to the happening of some specific occurrence as rugby did when, in 1823, a soccer player at Rugby school picked up the ball and ran with it.

    Instead, boxing’s roots are buried in antiquity, traceable, at least in part, to the practice of a form of the sport as we now know it by the ancient Sumerians approximately five thousand years ago. From there it was a short hop, skip and overhand right to other places throughout the ancient world, finally surfacing in ancient Greece around 900 B.C.. As practiced by the Greeks, the sport became less of a sport and more of a brutal spectacle, the “hands and arms enveloped in ponderous gauntlets,” as Virgil wrote in the Aeneid, “stiffened in rigid coils, insewn with lead and with irons.” The object was not only to win but to win by stretching (the opponent) hurt to the death on the yellow sand” of the arena. Not content with mortal hurt, the lead and iron were replaced with spikes to insure death.

    With the conquest of Greece by the Holy Roman Empire, boxing became an integral part of Rome’s “bread and circuses” pageantry, trained gladiators taking part in exhibitions, usually held following the chariot races and immediately preceeding the wrestling and running events. Finally tiring of the wanton brutality and waste of life, Emperor Theodoric ended the gladiatorial contest in A.D. 500, allowing only fighting with bare fists. Those, too, were soon banned, and boxing all but disappeared from the face of the globe.

    Twelve centuries were to pass before boxing resurfaced in what had once been a Roman colony, England. Like Greece and Rome before it, England, in the early eighteenth century, considered sport an honorable, even noble pursuit. The manly sport of boxing befitted the Englishman’s concept of himself and his country as a molder of men as neatly as a well-tailored waistcoat. Indeed, poet John Milton, in his Treatise on Education, recommended boxing for young men as an excellent athletic exercise and builder of character.

    However, the sport of boxing was hardly the sport we know today, resembling more organized king of the mountain than boxing, with wrestling, choking and gouging an integral part. It remained for one man, James Figg, to bring order out of chaos and a small smattering of science to barbarity.

    Figg opened an Amphitheatre on Tottenham Court Road dedicated to the teachings of “the manly art of foul play, backsword, cudgeling, and boxing.” From the day it opened in 1719 it was liberally patronized by many royal and noble parsonages--“the fancy”--who supported his exhibits with their presence. Boxing, as taught by Figg, was a mere interlude to the entertainments given by exponents of cudgel play, backsword, quarterstaff, and other practices of the day.

    Time has a way of mis-bestowing its memorial garland now and then. And so it is that the name James Figg endures fallaciously in the history of a sport that honors him. For even though Figg is known as the “Father of Boxing,” his fame might have the same mythic trappings as that of Abner Doubleday, who is wrongly credited with “Inventing” baseball. Figg, who professed to teaching his students the art of “scientific boxing,” was in reality teaching them nothing more than the art of fencing with the two weapons with which nature and God had endowed them, their hands. His methods, indeed even his technical terms, guards, acts, and the positioning of the feet and hands, were borrowed from fencing.

    The true science of boxing had its foundation and beginning in the teachings of Jack Broughton, who pioneered in the modern art of self-defense. According to Pugilistica, “The successor to Figg in popularity, Boughton far exceeded that stalwart crudgeler in fistic science and application of those principles which stripped the practice of boxing of any of those features of ruffianism and barbarity with which the unregulated contests of mere bruisers had invested it.”

    By the 19th century all of England had embraced the sport of boxing, so much so that they celebrated it in chauvinistic verse:

    Since boxing is a manly game
    And Britons recreation,
    By boxing we will raise our fame
    ‘Bove any other nation.
    Throw pistols poniards swords aside.
    And all such deadly tools.
    And boxing be the Britons pride
    The science of their schools.


    However, by the beginning of the 19th century the sun was already imperceptibly setting on the English boxing empire, the result of “Yankee-doodle-dom,” the influx of Americans drawn to England, thus creating the international sport of boxing.

    But just as James Watt’s newfangled steam-powered ships were bringing American fighters over to England, they were also bringing boxers back across the Atlantic--now an even smaller pond, due to Mr. Watt’s invention--in effect fueling what would be the start of boxing in America.

    Soon American boxing “rings”--then actually rings drawn in the sand--would be filled with immigrants from England and Ireland, all seeking to escape their hardscrabble roots and find fame and fortune.

    Throughout the next century-and-a-half boxing has continued to be the refuge of those seeking to escape their roots as youngsters from the tenements, the ghettos, the projects and the barrios all used the sport as a social staircase out of the mean streets that formed their limited existences, with first the Irish, then the Jewish, Italian, African-American and Latino boxers attempting to gain full fellowship into our society by the only means of escape they possessed: their fists.

    And, as they turned to boxing, many also turned their lives around, much as former middleweight champion Rocky Graziano of “Somebody Up There Likes Me” fame did. Speaking in his native New Yorkese, peppered with more than a few “dems” and doses,” Graziano would say of his less-than-exemplary behavior: “I never stole nuthin’ unless it began with a ‘A’…’A’ truck, ‘A’ car…’A’ payroll…” And then, in a telling indication of just what the sport meant to him, would add, “If it wasn’t for boxing, I woulda wounded up electrocuted at Sing Sing Prison.”

    But even as they fought in hopes of finding a way out of places which offered them little presence and less of a future, they did so alone, almost naked, save for a pair of boxing trunks and two gloves. As Buster Mathis Sr. once said of his manager and trainer when they continued to use the pluralistic “we” once too often, “Where do they get that ‘we’ s--t? When the bell rings they go down the steps and I go out alone.”

    It is for these warriors, boxing’s most precious commodity, that we must seek help—help they are often denied in the world outside the ring, where they can least defend themselves. And help as well for the sport itself which provides them with their sole hope of gaining admittance to full fellowship into our society.

    For while each and every boxer struggles to gain his place at the top of boxing’s mountain, their climb is made all the more difficult by our country’s inequality at the international boxing table.

    It is an inequality that was best articulated by WBC president Jose Sulaiman, who, when asked by New York Times columnist Dave Anderson, “Why doesn’t the United States have more of a ‘say’ in the world of boxing?” answered: “Because they’re unorganized and speak with 50 voices.”

    That lack of organization by the powers-that-be who run boxing, so to speak, has made our country-which can boast of supplying 60% of all boxers, 70% of all champions and 80% of all money in boxing--a second-rate power in the sport. And allowed those groups which I call “Alphabet Soups” to control the sport, most from outside the U.S..

    It is for that reason that American boxing needs a way of becoming organized to the point of having one voice at the international boxing table. And why the Muhammad Ali Bill is an important first step.

    For the Muhammad Ali Bill is the first piece of meaningful legislation ever to come out of Congressional hearings—most of which have been little more than fault-finding hearings about the sport, like the Roth investigation of the controversial decision in the James Toney-Dave Tiberi fight a few years back.

    However, I happen to agree with the bill’s sponsor, Senator John McCain, who is quoted as having said, “So many people have said I want a federal commission with ultimate authority. That would be a last resort. I’m a fundamental conservative, I want to limit government.”

    In keeping with Senator McCain’s stated goal, we do not have to re-invent the boxing wheel; the mechanism to organize the sport is already in place. And it is called “The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.”

    This is a group that was organized in 1892—not incidentally, the same year as the John L. Sullivan-James J. Corbett fight, the fight which brought in modern boxing as we know it today, with three-minute rounds and gloves under the Marquess of Queensberry Rules.

    The stated purpose of The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws is “to ptomote uniformity in state law on all subjects where uniformity is desirable and practable, by voluntary action of each state government.”

    As such, The National Conferencce of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws has drafted uniform laws in many fields and then encouraged states to adopt them on a state-by-state basis as law—including such diverse laws as the UCC, the Probate Act, the Anatomical Gift Act, and the Interstate Family Support Act.

    And why do we need uniform laws? My colleague, Michael DeLisa, making a speech to a group known as the Association of Boxing Commissions back in 1994, cited the case of former heavyweight champion Bob Fitzsimmons who, in 1914 at the age of 50, applied for a license in the State of New York and was turned down by the New York State Athletic Commission. His appeal was denied by the New York Supreme Court (NY Supreme Court 146 New York Supplement 117 (1914) ), and two days later Fitzsimmons went over the border and fought in the State of Pennsylvania.

    Pennsylvania, in its infinite non-wisdom, gave neither reciprocity nor full faith and credit to the New York State decision--and Fitzsimmons fought in the state twice after being turned down by New York and having that denial upheld on appeal.

    But one state failing to recognize another state’s refusal of a license to a boxer is hardly limited to the case of Bob Fitzsimmons. In fact, it happened again this year when, after the State of Nevada refused to grant Mike Tyson a license to fight Lennox Lewis other jurisdictions lined up, with licenses in hand for Tyson-one State, Georgia, requiring only $10 for the license, less than it costs for a dog license.

    In a manner similar to the time my daughter’s cat went into her hall closet and gave birth to kittens and she came down the stairs hollering, “The cat just fell apart,” boxing has fallen apart, with no uniformity nor reciprocity for its rules and regulations

    The world of boxing today is like the old wild, wild west, with an anything-goes as far as the boxing rules of the several states regulating the sport..

    This lack of uniformity can best be seen by comparing the very definition of the word “boxing”: While Hawaii defines it as, “A contest in which the art of attack and defense is practiced with gloved fists by two contestants,” the State of Florida defines it as a “Means to compete with fists,” with nary a word about gloves contained therein.

    Then there’s the difference, on a state-to-state basis, on such things as scoring, with Montana giving a 10-9, not 10-8, round to a boxer who knocked down another, with the other boxer getting up right away, thus showing he’s not hurt, while Florida will make it a 10-9 round if the fallen fighter takes a 9-count, which shows his “ring generalship,” as opposed to one who gets up immediately in a groggy condition. (And here, words like “ring generalship” are almost impossible to define, even by General George Patton.)

    And so, while the Muhammad Ali Bill is the correct first step, it still does not provide for the state-to-state uniformity needed to conduct boxing in the United States, nor for the United States to be able to conduct itself as a single entity--not 50 different ones at the international boxing table.

    Instead this August Committee should urge The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (or the Association of Boxing Commissions) to draft a bill which every state could then adopt.

    (And here, let it be known, that after years of not wanting to be involved in sports, finally in 2002, The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws approved and recommended for enactment in all states of the Uniform Athlete Agents Act.)

    I believe it time the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Foreign Commerce and Tourism urged the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform Laws to draft a uniform law covering the sport of boxing, one which would make boxing a uniform sport within our borders. And thus ensure that the noble and high-minded goals contained in the Muhammad Ali Bill become the law in all 50 states.

    Thank You, Bert Randolph Sugar

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBert Sugar Calls for Uniform Law as Alternative to Federal Regulation``x1022792502,86002,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel

    Most pugs their age would hang up their gloves and pull out the old rocking chair. Most men who’ve earned that much dough would settle for the immensity of riches. But Commander Vander isn’t like most men. Neither is The Rock. Or Lennox Lewis. Or, needless to say, Iron Mike Tyson. Most men don’t beat up other guys to earn their daily bread. Most men, when all is said and done, are no match for the bruisers ready, willing, able, and about to get it on.

    Fight fanatics should be thrilled with the bouts that are looming on the horizon. Four of the finest big men on the planet, four cats who’ve been world champions, who’ve socked their way to the heights of the hit parade, are prepared to destroy one another with their courage, their cojones, their ambition and their fists.

    On Saturday, June 1 in Atlantic City, Evander Holyfield rumbles with Hasim Rahman. One week later, on June 8 in Memphis, Tennessee, the reigning champion Lennox Lewis squares off against his nemesis (perhaps the world’s nemesis) Mike Tyson. By the time we reach Sunday morning, only two of the four men will remain standing. One of them will be the heavyweight champion of the world. The other will be the next challenger in line for a shot at that gentleman’s title.

    Everyone is an expert when it comes to the subtle art of making predictions. As hardcore lovers of the sweet science, we’re entitled to our learned opinions. Each of us has our all-time faces, our durable likes and dislikes. But in lieu of astrology or a crystal ball or a turbaned gypsy with the hots for boxing, no one can be certain which of the four prizefighters will finally emerge victorious. Life is unpredictable enough as it is - without some 220 pounder trying to knock us into kingdom come. Yet of the many joys associated with titans, the most cocksure is that a single punch can flatten a man, a solo shot with bad intentions is enough to starch an opponent.

    No one in their right mind underestimates Evander Holyfield. Holy’s shown us several times that he may be down but he’s never out. It still remains to be seen if The Rock is an aberration, a flash in the pan, a footnote in the annals of boxing history, or a man truly flirting with destiny. But Hasim Rahman, who has been there and done that, knows exactly what we know: Evander Holyfield is The Real Deal, the genuine article, a solid gold warrior, a champion not just in name, but also in spirit.

    Once Holyfield and Rahman settle their differences, we’ll have just a week to recover before the next battle begins. Despite different promoters, different cable networks, different announcers and emcees, despite differences of opinion, the match we’ve been anticipating for a decade - Tyson vs. Lewis - Lewis vs. Tyson - will finally commence. As one’s star has risen, the other’s has fallen, precipitously, perhaps unexpectedly, perhaps inevitably. But we had better prepare ourselves for a take-no-prisoners, don’t-shoot-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes, all-out war of attrition. And even though it looks like the Rastaman - with his height and reach, his desire and ring smarts, his reason for revenge - will take Mike Tyson apart, thank heavens these men are pugilists, because it insures that uncertainty remains the only certainty.

    Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s Supermen!

    Who’s packing kryptonite the next several days is anyone’s guess. Fortunately for lucky us, we’re about to find out.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAtlantic City vs. Memphis``x1022863540,99968,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Friday, May 31, 2002
    Chinook Winds Casino
    Lincoln City, Oregon
    ESPN2 Friday Night Fights
    Promoter: Sugar Ray Leonard Promotions
    Matchmakers: Ron Katz and Bob Oleson
    Referees: Jim Erickson, Mike Fisher, Jeff Macaluso,
    Judges: Greg Baker, Bob Flamme, James Howard, Trevor Lewis, Denis Ryan

    James "Lights Out" Toney, 197.25 lbs (Now 64-4-2, 41 KO’s) 33 years, of Detroit, MI continued his cruiserweight comeback with a TKO win at 2:10 of the 10th round over 34 year-old, Michael "Gold" Rush, 188.25 lbs (Now 23-6-1, 13 KO’s) of Tampa, Florida. A chubby Toney dominated Rush from the opening bell, and gave the impression he could have gotten rid of Rush at any point. He didn’t choose to put a concerted attack together until the 10th round when a hook to the liver stung Rush hard. The following barrage went unanswered so the ref stopped the fight.


    In the Junior middleweight co-main event, the scheduled Verno Phillips was replaced by Darrell Woods, 154 .25 lbs, (now 20-6, 15 KO’s) of St. Petersburg, FL. With one weeks notice, the 6’3" Woods took on 28 year-old, 5’10", Romanian Tony Badea (25-4-1, 15 KO’s) now fighting out of Edmonton, Canada via Los Angeles. Woods used a long jab and his reach to keep Badea at bay, but even when Badea managed to get close, Woods out fought him on the inside despite an ugly cut and swelling over his right eye. Badea went down toward the end of the 4th round and survived by beating the count just at the bell. In the 7th round, with Badea soaking up punishment on the ropes, ref Jeff Macaluso stopped the fight. A TKO win for Woods at 2:27 of the 7th.

    In a six round welterweight bout, light-fisted 28 year-old boxer Eduardo Mendivil, 148 lbs, (now 9-3-3, 1 KO) of Hemet, CA.
    won a unanimous decision over 26 year old Darrell Sukerow, 147 lbs, of Edmonton, Canada, now fighting out Portland, OR. Scores were 59-55, 59-55, and 58-56.


    In a middleweight four round bout 21 year-old Mark Woolnaugh, 168.25 lbs, of Vancouver, B.C. moved to 8-3-1, 2 KO’s, with a unanimous decision over 38 year-old Victor Branson, 166.25 lbs, of Willamina, OR who devolves to 3-3-1, 1 KO.


    26 year-old Jr. middleweight William Chapman, 150 lbs, of Portland, OR improved to 4-0 with a four round unanimous decision over Jeff Horan, 153.5 lbs, (now 5-5, 4 KO’s) fighting out of Seattle.

    Louis Sargeant, 174 lbs, of Richmond, B.C. won a unanimous 4 round decision over James Partch, 175 lbs, of Portland, OR.

    --30--
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xCommotion At The Ocean Results``x1022958280,29609,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo

    WBO Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko of the Ukraine met with former WBO champ "Merciless" Ray Mercer at a press conference today at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Their meeting was to announce their upcoming match which will take place on the 29th of this month at the very same casino. This will be the second major heavyweight fight in A.C. this month, including tonight's heavyweight title elimination between former champs Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield and Hasim "The Rock" Rahman. Both fighters spoke after promoters Cedric "I sound like Alfred Hitchcock" Kushner and Diane Lee Fischer. Mercer spoke first, saying that he considers this "a do or die fight" and that he's "in shape" and expects to win. Klitschko said that he is working on his English and said that if we can't understand him like we should, we will know what he means through his fists on the 29th.

    Both fighters were asked their predictions on tonight's Holyield-Rahman bout. Klitschko said Holyfield is a friend of his and he expects him to win. Mercer said Holyfield will win because he doesn't think Rahman has paid his dues. After the press conference I spoke with Mercer who told me he expects Tyson to beat Lewis. Mercer said Tyson told him after he beats Lewis he will give Mercer a shot at his title since the two were supposed to meet last year.

    Wladimir Klitschko is 38-1 with 35 and Mercer is 30-4-1 (22). ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xKlitschko-Mercer To Duel Later This Month``x1022978377,66554,``x``x ``xHatton Tops Magee
    By Jim Dicksinson

    Britain's top fighter, Ricky "Hitman" Hatton (29-0), came through the toughest test of his five year career, outpointing fierce rival Eamonn Magee over twelve hard fought, thrilling rounds in what was, for all intents and purposes, a world title eliminator between WBO#1, WBA#5 and WBC#3 Hatton, and WBC#5 Magee. The score cards read 116-111 (twice) and 115-112; both fighters were cheered on by a twenty thousand strong sell out crowd at the M.E.N. Arena.

    The fight, and the occasion, deserved to be for more than the lightly regarded WBU light welterweight championship, of which Hatton was making the sixth defence.

    He was the 1997 British amateur champion, and over the past eighteen months good fighters like Tony Pep, Freddie Pendleton, Justin Rowsell and Mikhail Krivolapov have all been stopped inside the distance.

    The unbeaten Manchester star burst out of the blocks, and promptly hit the deck for the first time as a professional in the opening 60 seconds, but he wasn't badly hurt and bounced back to his feet at the count of three. The southpaw Irishman's tactics were based upon his impressive counterpunching, and he was content to rest on the ropes and try to catch his younger opponent on the way in. It worked then, and Hatton was hurt in the second round too, but he managed to modify his tactics from the third onwards, and pulled away down the stretch. Magee was pinned to the ropes for much of the fight, and was always trying to react to attacks from Hatton, instead of taking the initiative, which resulted in him losing too many rounds to have a chance of winning by decision.

    In round four, Ricky suffered a nasty cut beneath his right eye, but thankfully for him previous cuts above both eyes never reopened. His excellent workrate and accuracy won the day, and few light welterweights will be able to survive his relentless bombardments of punishment to head and body.

    On reflection, Eamonn may think that he could have done more, but he proved beyond doubt that he's world class, and a rematch somewhere down the line is likely.

    For Ricky, a WBO title shot beckons later this year, but the ultimate goal is a crack at undisputed champion Kostya Tszyu. He would be favoured to dethrone DeMarcus Corley, although victory would automatically remove him from the rankings of the WBA, WBC and IBF, thus depriving him from attaining mandatory challenger status, which is probably his only way of getting a fight with the Australian based superstar.

    In the meantime, this win should move the "Hitman" even higher up the main three rankings, and in my view Hatton (and Magee, for that matter) would make mincemeat out of Tszyu's next challenger, Gianluca Branco.

    In the past, Britain's top promoter Frank Warren has brought stars like Mike Tyson, Marco Antonio Barrera and Acelino Freitas to our shores, and he will relish the challenge of staging Tszyu vs Hatton in an open air venue, perhaps next summer since the undisputed champion appears content for his mandatory defence against Branco to be his only other fight of 2002.

    For now, 23 year old Ricky can enjoy his deserved status as Britain's most popular fighter. Prince Naseem Hamed is on the decline, while Lennox Lewis has fought just once in Britain in recent years.

    Undercard results.

    Local favourite Anthony Farnell lost a second attempt to become a WBU champion. Last year, he was knocked out in the opening round of a challenge for the light middleweight version; he moved up to 160lbs and after a few warm up contests, Frank Warren matched him against London based South African Ruben Goenwald as the chief supporting contest to Hatton vs Magee.

    After 12 hard fought rounds which "Arnie" generally dominated, Goenwald was awarded a controversial decision that left ringsiders scratching their heads. The local fighter had three points deducted for low blows, yet he decked Goenwald in rounds nine and twelve and, for what it's worth, was a clear winner on my scorecard.

    Warren was seething afterwards, and assured a close to tears Farnell that a rematch would be quickly arranged. There has been a feeling among British fight fans that Anthony is something of a manufactured boxer, who has benefited from careful matchmaking because he's a popular lad with an exciting style, who sells tickets by the sack full.

    His devastating first loss, against WBO#2 light middleweight Takaloo, was a real shocker and critics argued that he'd finally been exposed. On this occasion, he was the moral winner at least, and his incredible effort should earn some well deserved sympathy, so when the dust settles Farnell may realise that it's not the end of the world.

    His vociferous supporters will turn out in their droves for the rematch, which will probably see him reverse this loss, although Anthony will have to learn to keep his body punches above the waistband.

    A third WBU title fight on the show saw another local ticket seller, Michael Gomez, retire on his stool after eight rounds against up and coming Kevin Lear at super featherweight. Gomez, WBO#4, is a former British champion and appears destined to remain at domestic level. It was Lear's 13th straight victory. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHatton W12 Magee - Fight Report from Manchester, England``x1023027944,31077,``x``x ``xBy Chris Bushnell

    Evander Holyfield is back. He’s back in the ratings, back in contention, and back to his old form. Well, almost. The three-time legitimate heavyweight champion (and one time illegitimate heavyweight champion) has risen from the ashes of the John Ruiz series with a startlingly fresh performance against recent heavyweight champion, Hasim Rahman.

    The pushing-40 Holyfield may have looked old against Vaughn Bean, been outclassed by Lennox Lewis, and looked completely shot against the aforementioned Ruiz, but with his career on the line, Holyfield battered Rahman around an Atlantic City ring for eight rounds before a grotesque swelling on Rahman’s head sent the fight to the cards early. In short, it was Holyfield’s best outing in five years… and more than enough to secure another shot at a heavyweight championship belt. Holyfield had insisted that Ruiz’ awkward style, flagrant holding, and epileptic punching were the cause of his lackluster showing.

    Against a conventional boxer-puncher like Rahman, Holyfield would be given every opportunity to prove his point. Holyfield met Rahman in center ring moments after the opening bell, and immediately established a superior jab. But Evander was not content to simply feel Rahman out. Early in the opening round Holyfield began countering Rahman’s jab with a short left hook. Time and again, Holyfield slipped right, watched Rahman’s jab sail past and then fired a short hook into the center of Rahman’s face. At first this seemed like a mere reaction to Rahman’s stick, but after a short period of time it became clear that the hook was a major part of Holyfield’s gameplan. If Rahman passively stood there, Holyfield’s short hook, which nearly morphed into an uppercut at times, would dig hard into Rahman’s body. More often, however, Rahman ducked right into the path of the punch as he dipped his head behind the jab. Holyfield had clearly spent some quality time watching Rahman on video. Rahman wasn’t completely ineffective in the first round. He landed a solid right hand on Holyfield in the final minute of the round. But beyond that shot, most of Rahman’s punches were slaps to Holyfield’s arms as the bout moved to close quarters. In close quarters, Holyfield continued to throw and land his short hook, including two crunching shots to Rahman’s mouth that were landed when Hasim was facing away from all three judges. It wasn’t surprising to see Holyfield land punches on Rahman, but no one was expecting Holyfield to be controlling the action, fighting with vigor, and maintaining a busy pace.

    After only one round it was clear that Holyfield was looking more like his younger self. In round two, Holyfield further established his dominance as the fight turned into a rough slugfest. Time and again, the fighters would come together, fists flying. Rahman mostly missed. Holyfield was landing. At first he threw a long jab-cross, but by mid round had changed it up to short one-two that loudly crashed into Rahman’s mug. Holyfield filled the space in between with a steady diet of short left hooks. Plenty of these shots landed on Rahman’s right side. Others landed on the upper ribs. Rahman even ducked his head into the path of a few incoming hooks. In short, Holyfield was doing a number on him. Rahman desperately needed to establish the jab, but every time he reached out, Holyfield found a way to put his hands on him. While Holyfield may not have been unleashing the most unique series of punches, he successfully changed up his offerings often enough that Rahman didn’t know what to expect. By mid-round, Rahman was getting that look on his face… the one that looks like he might rather be elsewhere.

    Midway into the third, a round in which Holyfield was already winning, Rahman found himself typically off-balance after missing with a big bomb. As a bent-over Rahman started to stand upright, the back of his head ran into a big Holyfield right. A rattled Rahman grabbed on for dear life. Since he was bent forward, he ended up grabbing one of Holyfield’s legs, and the ensuing bear hug briefly lifted Holyfield off the mat. Sensing that Rahman was hurt, Holyfield jumped on Rahman after the ref forced a clean break. Coming at Rahman, Holyfield landed a perfect left to the body before following with a long right hand to the head. The punches further shook Rahman, who now began backing up into a neutral corner. You should never retreat against Holyfield unless you’re setting a trap. Rahman wasn’t. As Holyfield charged forward, throwing punches all the way, Rahman tried to cover up and weather the storm. A big Holyfield right hand wove through Rahman’s guard, snapping Rahman’s head back and drawing huge cheers from the crowd. After another half-dozen punches, only a few of which landed, Holyfield needed a breather. He backed towards center ring. Rahman came out of his corner, but was too gun-shy to attack. While Holyfield caught his breath, Rahman simply stood there and watched. The result was a huge round for Evander Holyfield.

    The fighters had maintained an intense pace through three rounds, and it wasn’t surprising when the pace slowed in the fourth. Both men jabbed ineffectively for a minute before a Rahman right cross (his only real weapon) caught Holyfield on the face. Evander backed up a few steps towards the ropes. There, he blocked a few more Rahman attempts before another sizzling right hand found it’s way through Holyfield’s cross-arm defense. With Holyfield taking a break on the ropes, the blow looked eerily like the punch that knocked out Lennox Lewis. Indeed, it landed loud and flush as sweat flew from Holyfield’s shaved head. Unlike Lewis, however, Holyfield did not fold up. In fact, Holyfield immediately fought back. Still on the ropes, Holyfield took two more rights before countering with a right uppercut that landed clean and allowed him to shuffle away from the ropes. Holyfield now hooked off the jab, and then buried his right hand into Rahman’s side. Holyfield’s answers had discouraged Rahman from attempting a finish, and the fight returned to a slower pace. For the final minute of the round, Rahman tried (and failed) to get in a hard head shot to Holyfield while Holyfield focused almost exclusively on body shots to close out the stanza. Rahman’s big right hand was enough to give him this very close round… but Holyfield’s bodywork looked like it would pay bigger dividends down the road.

    Between rounds, the experience gap between the two fighters was immense. While Holyfield would return to his corner and calmly absorb advice and fluids, Rahman usually sat in his corner wide-eyed and nervous, a cornerman trying to calm him about Holyfield’s alleged headbutting, or a small cut that had briefly appeared on Rahman’s forehead. Rahman came out for round five in a malaise. As he has in past bouts, his face (if not fighting style) seemed to say, “I’d rather be fishing.” Holyfield controlled another slower round for over two full minutes before Rahman finally woke up and remembered to land his right hand. The punch was Rahman’s best of the night: a well-timed counter that sailed over Holyfield’s jab. The blow landed hard, and while the granite-chinned Holyfield wasn’t wobbled, he did briefly stop punching. As the round ticked out, Rahman finally followed up with a second jarring right hand… but Holyfield answered this final blow with two rights of his own. Rahman’s haymaker, the defining blow of the round, stole the round from Holyfield. It would be the last Rahman would win. As Holyfield came out for round six, the tide looked like it might be shifting. Holyfield, who had started so incredibly well, had slowed. Worse, Rahman was just beginning to time his right hand. But the rally was over no sooner than Holyfield swiped Rahman with a right hand and left hook early in the sixth. The Rock drifted back a step to the ropes and covered up as a lively Holyfield began letting his hands go. After a half-dozen unanswered shots to Rahman’s sides and head, Holyfield again needed a short rest. Rahman simply couldn’t capitalize. He would let Holyfield hold on after a flurry, and then bounce away after the ref finally called for a break. Rahman waited until Holyfield was recovered before finally launching a huge right hand. The punch crunched Holyfield in the mouth and could have been a deciding blow… had Holyfield not also thrown a beautiful right hand at the exact same time. Holyfield’s punch landed simultaneously, and with equal devastation. Afterwards, it seemed like neither man was aware that the other might be hurt, and 30 seconds of inactivity followed the double-punch. Holyfield secured the round in his favor when, with 10 seconds to go, he nailed Rahman with a heavy right hand. By this time, Holyfield had taken over the bout. He was landing more often, and his punches had more of an effect. And while Rahman remained dangerous, Holyfield only had one punch to look out for: the right. Rahman tried to fire his money shot home, but rarely jabbed before launching. Holyfield would simply let Rahman miss, then unload while his opponent was off-balance.

    Midway through the seventh, Holyfield caught Rahman with a left hook, followed by a sharp right hand. The punches hurt Rahman, who again retreated to the ropes and covered up. Holyfield once again exploded in a flurry of punches, battering Rahman on the ropes with a vigor not seen in years. At one point during Holyfield’s smothering assault, the fighters clashed heads. More specifically, the top of Evander’s tucked head clashed with the side of Rahman’s forehead. Coming in the middle of both men swinging for their lives, it was a classic example of an accidental clash of heads. The problem was that within a half-second of the butt, a small bubble appeared just on the front of Rahman’s temple. Within less than a second of the bubble’s appearance, Holyfield landed a downward right hand right on the swelling, and soon clipped the spot with another heavy shot. The two punches aggravated a mouse that was growing just fine on it’s own, and within seconds Rahman was sporting a fierce four-inch hematoma on his left forehead. Rahman survived the flurry, but was in no condition to pound Holyfield back as he rested up again. Rahman pawed at the swelling, aware that something was wrong but unable to detect the size of the large growth on his head. The swelling distracted Rahman from rallying, and Holyfield landed a few more right hands to the spot before a bell sent Rahman back to his corner. Cornerman Miguel Diaz immediately applied a freezing Enswell to the flesh bubble, trying in vain to disperse the fluid accumulating on Rahman’s head. Rahman groaned in pain as Diaz did his best… but when round eight began, the swelling clearly looked larger than it had when Rahman first arrived in the corner. If Holyfield was looking young before, he was looking particularly sprite in the eighth round. Rahman was clearly in distress as the round began, and his condition seemed to spur Holyfield on. Evander wasted no time in launching the overhand right, and within seconds he had landed three heavy flush shots right on the point of swelling. Rahman’s demeanor quickly switched from distracted to resigned. He backed away from Holyfield as he pawed at his head, pausing only to glance towards his corner for help. But this was not Rahman dogging it and looking for a way out.

    The hematoma on his head had grown a large as a normal man’s fist, and after little more than a minute of Holyfield aggression in round eight, a doctor was brought in to look at the inflating wound. In a neutral corner, Rahman was told that the swelling was merely an accumulation of blood under the skin, and that if he could see he would be allowed to continue. Rahman probably could see just fine, but he opted out anyway. In this case, he could not be blamed. The swelling was abnormally grotesque, and the thought of Holyfield landing punches to the spot at will was just too scary. The doctors shouldn’t have made Rahman make the choice… but he did, and we went to the cards. With round eight partially completed, the judges should have scored it and included it in their tallies. For some reason they didn’t, reading off the scores of only the seven completed rounds.

    One judge had Holyfield ahead 69-64. Melvina Lathan, one of the worst judges in the history of the sport, had Rahman ahead 67-66. The third and deciding judge gave Holyfield a technical decision with a score of 69-64. Boxing Chronicle had Holyfield ahead 68-65 after seven rounds. If the final round had been scored (and there was no way to score it for anyone but Holyfield), the scores would have been 79-73, 79-73 and 76-76, still a victory for Evander, although by majority decision instead of split. And so Evander Holyfield (now 38-5-2/25) has once again injected new life into his career. Although there was talk of a rematch from the Rahman camp, it’s unlikely. Holyfield has his mind set on the title, which means that he’s gunning for the winner of either Lewis-Tyson of Ruiz-Johnson. Since no one really wants to see Lewis-Holyfield III or Ruiz-Holyfield IV, we all know who Evander will be rooting for. This version of Holyfield might be able to take on the inactive Johnson… and we all know what would happen in Holyfield-Tyson III. So just when you though Evander was done, he’s back in line for a world title. He will be 40 before he fights again… and damn if he didn’t look better than the heavyweights who are 10 years his junior.,, for one night, anyway. As for Rahman, he’s still at the crossroads. He claimed he would retire if he lost to Evander Holyfield. He lost, but the headbutt-stoppage gives him an excuse to continue. But headbutt or not, Rahman is going to have to cope with the fact that he was losing by a wide margin to an aging Holyfield who was considered shot. It’s one of many things Rahman will have to cope with. Another is his flagging career. After his upset of Lewis, he was offered a five-fight deal with HBO; a deal that would have paid him tens of millions. Instead he was swayed by Don King and a duffle bag stuffed with cash. Now he’s lost twice and seems headed back to the bottom of the heavyweight barrel. Maybe Rahman can turn it around by facing someone like an untested Jameel McCline or heir-apparent Wladimir Klitschko. More likely is that Rahman will pull a Larry Donald and creep into the bogus Top Tens with a steady diet of Don King-supplied B and C level fighters. Who knows? Maybe Rahman can defy the odds and create his own spectacular comeback…. but let’s face it: he’s no Evander Holyfield.

    …..Chris Bushnell http://www.boxingchronicle.com

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHolyfield Revives Career with Headbutt Win over Rahman``x1023028580,89024,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel




    Certain entities rise and fall and rise theatrically from the ashes. Take Atlantic City, for instance. From happy hunting ground for Absegami Indians to newfangled resort to fool’s paradise in a century, AC has had more reversals than the warrior Evander Holyfield.

    From the 1880s to the 1940s, "The Queen of the Coast" was a Mecca for sweaty Northerners. Desperate to escape the sizzling city in the old days before there was coolant, thousands fled New York and environs to a town boasting world-class entertainment. Stars from stage and screen made Atlantic City an A-1 destination. And many icons graced the piers which perched above the Atlantic: Al Jolson. Amos ‘n Andy. Bob Hope. Frank Sinatra. Jackie Gleason. Benny Goodman. Burns and Allen.

    As if all that showbiz wasn’t enough to put Atlantic City on the map, there was also the mother of all beauty pageants to lure bored citizens seaside. Begun as a lark in 1921, Miss America paraded moral standards while half-dressed women hinted otherwise. In a time before cable and internet and Playboy magazine, Atlantic City’s Miss America Pageant was the hottest thing going.

    But things change. Times change. Tastes change. Atlantic City changed as well. By the late 1950s, AC was on the skids. It’s former glories, such as they were, became a shadow of an echo of a memory. The city’s crumbling infrastructure and fleeing population were evidence of paradise lost.

    A couple of diehards clung to a past that was untenable, unrecognizable and beyond resurrection. These attractions were a sexy blonde on a snow white steed doing swan dives in a tub of cold water and a maudlin memento of ragged strippers mourning vaudeville at the Globe Burlesque Theater. Two noble institutions tried to keep hope alive, but it was futile, there was rock ‘n roll, there were TV dinners. These postcards, a heartfelt tribute to a bygone era, were only relevant to an anthropologist or a wrecking ball.

    As if in celebration of the bicentennial itself, in 1976 the founding fathers rolled the dice on a bet that gambling was good for Atlantic City. The place was such a slum that anything had to be better. So up they went, casino after casino, and down they came, neighborhood after neighborhood, and in their wake there was avarice, along came vice, along came boxing.

    Former champions Evander Holyfield and Hasim Rahman met Saturday night in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. Ostensibly an IBF/WBA elimination bout, the two pugilists about eliminated each other. Holyfield is a full-fledged warrior from his head down to his toes. Hasim Rahman is a rugged bruiser with more courage than he has talent. We knew these two pugs would duke it out. There was a shot at the title at stake. Holyfield gave 200%. The Rock must return to the drawing board.

    What about the single right which dropped Lennox Lewis in Johannesburg? Was that just a lucky punch? A shot in the dark? Was it Hasim Rahman’s Oliver McCall moment? Is Lennox actually as china-chinned as these hits suggest? Will Mike Tyson . . . ? Thoughts like these troubled us as Hasim Rahman came up short, they annoyed us as he came away misshapen.

    Holyfield is as Holyfield does. He was masterful. He was in control. He was the ring general. And his crisp, compact, short left hook remains a thing of exceptional beauty. Evander didn’t completely dominate the challenger Hasim Rahman, but the fight was too one-sided to generate much enthusiasm. Holy’s desire to win at all cost is a part of boxing legend. Vander’s speed and experience and confidence and connects were helped by headbutts in Atlantic City.

    Both men knew that this bout’s winner gets a shot at the big kahuna. Considering all that’s in the balance, it’s hard - no, make that impossible - to understand what Hasim Rahman thought he was doing. Team Rahman had no strategy, no comprehensive fight plan, for countering Evander Holyfield. Holy does what he’s always done. We thought The Rock knew better than to spend the evening headhunting. Evander Holyfield is way too smart to fall for that old ruse. Way too smart for Hasim Rahman.

    Holy’s skull bonked The Rock’s forehead several times. Occasionally Rahman was struck and dazed, now and then he bled, and sometimes he was wobbled. But The Rock is no sissy. He gave it all he had. Unfortunately what he had wasn’t nearly enough. To add to his troubles, a grotesque hematoma began to emerge as a lump above his left temple. This orb grew bigger and bigger round after round until it looked like a hardball. Former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman had turned into a gargoyle. (Or as The Rock described it at the post-fight press conference: "I got this extra head on my head.") The ring physician, with a little prodding from Larry Hazzard and HBO, stopped the experiment and went to the judges’ scorecards. Commander Vander strolled away with a win and hopes for a fifth heavyweight title. Hasim Rahman walked away with more questions than he had answers.

    If Evander Holyfield is Atlantic City, Hasim Rahman might be Trenton.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCBZ Ringside Report: Holy Rolls The Rock``x1023112904,67300,``x``x ``xby Barry Stephen Hanley

    One quality fight and two instantly forgettable ones took place at the Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, Oregon on Friday Night. In the main event James Toney beat Michael Rush in a cruiserweight bout that ended by TKO at 2:10 of the 10th. A thrilling rematch of the Balbi/Dorin battle was scheduled but ESPN refused to show the bout because Dorin bore a Golden Palace.Com temporary tattoo on his back. This caper is strictly forbidden by the powers that be at ESPN. Heaven forbid that a guy that puts his life on the line should try to make a few unfiltered bucks. Anyway, highlights were shown and Dorin won in his home country of Romania.

    The first and best fight of the evening featured another Romanian. The Junior Middleweight bout had Tony Badea (28-5-1, 15 KO's) versus Darrell Woods (19-6-0). Woods won by stoppage at 2:29 of the 7th round. Badea, a tough Romanian cut from the same cloth as Dorin, took the fight to the taller and rangier American fighter from the opening bell. In the second, Badea hurt Woods with a series of quality combinations on the inside. Woods, reminiscent of Tommy Hearns failed to capitalize on his physical advantages choosing to fight Badea's fight on the inside. Ironically, this proved to be an effective strategy. Woods accurate power shots on the inside had more snap and the cumulative effect began to hurt Badea. The Romanian was then utterly psyched out. He had managed to tailor the fight to his strengths but was still on the losing end of the exchanges. Referee Jeff Macaluso called it off in the 7th after Badea was subjected to a par! ticularly savage battering.

    The next fight of the evening fell into the instantly forgettable pantheon of the busted beak business. Two relatively unknown Welterweights, Eduardo "Mama's Boy" Mendivel ( 8-3-3, 1 KO) and Daniel "Big Red" Sukerow (10-7, 5 KO's). Despite the presence of top caliber Oregonian fighter Greg Haugen in his corner, Mendivel didn't show anything impressive. Both men fought a dull, unimaginative fight in which Mendivel took a unanimous decision.

    On to the main event featuring the mercurial James "Lights Out" Toney. Toney has gone through more reincarnations and reinventions than Madonna. In his bloated Cruiserweight version, he looks sluggish and lackadaisical. Toney, is capable of flashes of brilliance though. His defensive expertise gives a tantalizing glimpse of what could be.
    Prior to the Rush fight, Toney was ranting and raving about Roy Jones Jr., " I don't kiss nobody ass like Roy. I'll fight anyone, anywhere." When queried on a fight with Jirov he was adamant, "It's the only fight that anyone wants to see in the Cruiserweight division." Toney may be right but his surly attitude and unappealing braggadocio will not endear him to the fans.
    He coasted through the fight never looking remotely in trouble. During the fight, Toney began posturing as if he was on a carefree walk in a park somewhere. He seemed bored and unchallenged and so was everyone who saw the fight.
    Toney scored a knockdown in the 10th with a vicious left hook to the body a la Mickey Ward. The body blow knocked the fight clean out of Rush and Ref Mike Fisher called it off at 2:10 of the 10th and final round.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFriday Night Fights in Oregon ``x1023113274,36925,``x``x ``xSven Ottke new supremo at super middleweight
    Leonard Dorin new World Cup leader "All Weights"
    Evander Holyfield still in the game with deserved technical win over
    Rahman

    by Kris Van de Velde

    Leonard Dorin (#2, v1800) gave Rumanian professional boxing a welcome boost in Bucharest on Friday, when he outscored Raul Balbi (#6, v1000) for the second time in five months to retain his WBA belt. His undisputed victory made the Rumanian lightweight star again the sole World Cup leader in his division and the new leader in the "All Weights" category. Dorin added 1000 points to his points tally and thus now exceeds Vernon Forrest's mark by 800 points. The year is far from over, but already now it is clear that Dorin could be a strong contender for the primary WCup honours at the end of December.

    The rematch versus Balbi did not deliver the same spectacle as in January. This time, Dorin was simply too strong and peppered the Argentinean with right hands from the start. Balbi had a brief moment in the eighth, but couldn't turn the tide. Dorin still floored his foe in round 11 before taking the unanimous decision: 118-111, 117-112 and 118-110.

    Also on Friday, James Toney (#8, v800) kept his hopes of a shot at a recognized cruiserweight belt alive when he stopped Michael Rush in the tenth round after an entertaining contest. Rush actually did a fine job against a once again heavy Toney (198 lbs), but a well-placed body shot floored him. Toney will most likely rise to seventh place in WCOB's total ranking.

    Moving on to Saturday, the results of which will be processed in view of the July ranking, most attention obviously went to the heavyweight showdown in Atlantic City between veteran warrior Evander Holyfield (#4, v1400) and Hasim Rahman (#10, v600). Rightfully so, because the two former champions delivered a good, fast-paced and clean fight, rather ironically halted due to an alleged accidental headbutt. In round 8, the swelling above Rahman's left eye had become so tremendous that the ring doctor had no other option but to advice a halt to the bout. The scorecards up until that point were consulted and two of the three judges correctly had Holyfield clearly in front.
    The third judge strangely had a point in favour of Rahman.

    After an even opener, Holyfield took control with great left hooks and his traditional combination-punching. Rahman had no definitive answer to that, until he turned on the aggression in round 5 and began landing some good right hands. But one round later, Holyfield showed his still exceptional determination and physical condition with an assault that brought the Rock on the ropes. Although he mostly didn't do enough to earn a round, Rahman was surely not out of his depth against Holyfield, and he may still have a future at top level. He also joined a growing list of fighters who blame Holyfield for excessive use of his head.

    Thanks to his technical decision win, Holyfield becomes second in the
    running World Cup series at heavyweight with 600 points. Leading is David Tua with 900 points after his k.o.-win over Oquendo. In the overall standings, Holyfield temporarily moves up to a joint-second place with Lennox Lewis. But as everyone knows, Lewis is fighting Tyson next week and can earn 1600 points in that one...

    In Nuremburg, Germany, Sven Ottke (#3, v1600) retained his IBF super
    middleweight title with another easy points win over #5 Thomas Tate
    (v1200). The scorecards read 119-111, 116-111 and 118-109. Ottke also
    scored a knockdown in round 2, while the American challenger had a serious lack of ideas against the awkward titlist. The unbeaten German superstar takes over from his English rival Joe Calzaghe in both the WCup as the total ranking. The gap in the WCup is slightly over 300 points, so it should not be too difficult for Calzaghe to retaliate. It will be interesting to see how this competition further develops and eventually determines who of the two can rightfully claim to be the best super middle in the world.

    Super lightweight Ricky Hatton (#6, v1000) will climb to the very top of his division's rankings after a convincing but tough 12-rounds win over Irishman Eamonn Magee (#13, v470). Things looked horrible for Hatton initially, as he was dropped on his back by a perfect counter-right and rocked badly again in the second. Afterwards however, Hatton changed tactics and outboxed Magee with straight blows and superior speed for the remainder of the fight.

    Magee lured too much for the knockout blow and basically gave many rounds away by trying to trap Hatton. The outcome was thus never contested: 116-111 (twice) and 115-112 in favour of the 23-year-old rising star, who surely had a great learning experience.

    On the Manchester undercard, well-ranked middleweight Anthony Farnell (#31, v283) controversially lost a 12-rounds decision against South African Ruben Groenewald (#61, v106 at 168 lbs). Farnell scored knockdowns in rounds 9 and 12, but also lost three points for hitting below the belt. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Round-up``x1023122015,56717,``x``x ``xfay
    I have no doubt that when the definitive film about Mike Tyson's life is made, the plot will greatly resemble the plot of King Kong. Taken from a jungle where if he did not rule, he was at the least a contender. His career guided by a white man, his soul nourished by the ministrations of an elderly Italian Fay Wray. Exploited, put on display and encouraged in his beastlike violence. Cheered, goggled at, then ridiculed. Always the symptoms, the warnings, that one day he might break the bars of his cage and turn on his keepers. Inflamed by beautiful women, often to the point of apparent criminal behavior. Enraged by the flashbulbs of the media. Slowly driven mad, the victim both of his nature and of ours...That is the simple skeleton Hollywood will unearth from the technicolor corpus of Mike Tyson's life. A more exhaustively researched and carefully crafted project, whether film or book, would likely reveal the skeleton of an entirely different creature, one that might surprise us. But Hollywood will surely seize upon the superficial similarities between last century's great ape and the millennial version, and enshrine that statue in our minds. That is how we will see him. That is how history will see him. Indeed, that is how many of us see him now.

    We have always been passionate about Mike Tyson. Like any truly
    larger-than-life figure--and in this regard, Tyson is the only other member
    of a pantheon that includes Muhammad Ali--he is less a man than a repository
    for our passion, a focus through which we pour the excess of our emotions,
    the extremes of feeling that we cannot or are not permitted to express
    toward those we know. We can rise to our feet in wonderment at what he
    does, we can talk excitedly about him, we can revile him, we can personify
    him in any way we choose, inject him with our hope, our self-loathing and
    self-approbation, our perverse urges, our sin. And eventually, should he
    survive to this, we will perform the ultimate cruelty and ignore him. He
    has for us the importance of a vast target, a Macy's parade balloon floating
    overhead, a face in the clouds. We are free to feel toward him as we accuse
    him of feeling toward us. (Does anyone not believe that Tyson has directed
    toward his audience every emotion his audience has directed toward him, and
    done so for much the same reasons and with much the same explosive passion,
    reacting to what he perceives as our reaction, both parties essentially
    ignorant of the other?) If we are interested in Tyson, it might be
    instructive at this moment to step back and make a last attempt to discover
    who he is and was, and what he meant to the world we invented for him to
    rage in. We should listen to those among us who have known him and those
    who understand the sport of boxing and what he has accomplished; but we
    should notice that even their opinions of the man are widely varied, and
    that many of these opinions, like Tyson himself, have grown large and
    distorted and acquired a lurid and practiced coloration under the promptings
    of countless television interviewers and chat room hosts. If we are not
    interested in Tyson, then we should quit saying we are not interested or
    --a more honest choice--admit that we have lied. Certainly anyone
    interested in boxing is interested in Tyson. How could we not be? Our
    attitudes toward him have always been generated by the same battery that
    generated his attitudes toward us. We are--to one degree or
    another--accomplices in each other's lives, distant cousins in a kind of
    diffuse, electronically united family, and in the end we will listen to none
    but our own emotional and unanalytic voices concerning him. Between Tyson
    and us, it's personal.

    When he was a young fighter, obeying the rules, speaking in even tones to
    reporters, acting the good ape, it was the potehtial lawlessness of Tyson's
    style that excited us. The shattering outcomes of his bouts, the
    possibility of bone, of gross anatomical insult. That he could do these
    things, commit these offences, yet still wear a suit and spell his
    name--this charmed us. The thought of all that violence civilized! Yet
    even when we claimed to love him and stood in awe of his performances, we
    nourished the potentials of our hatred and disgust. The histories of all
    great bone-breakers are essentially the same. Sooner or later we turn on
    them and demand their blood, just as the crowds in the Collossieum once
    demanded the lives of their ex-favorites. Perhaps we do this in part
    because we are guilty at the pleasure they have given us, at the hint of
    bloody voyeurism that attaches to our witness. Perhaps we feel that such
    brutality, even in the service of our entertainment, deserves a cruel
    punishment. But why we do this is unimportant--the important thing is that
    we do it, that something in the style of these men makes us yearn for their
    destruction.

    The fact that in Muhammad Ali and Tyson we have created two icons of such
    imposing and opposing character (not made them out of whole cloth, but
    enabled them, encouraged them in their ways), doubtless speaks to some
    unsavory cultural determinant. A study of the changes in our society viewed
    through the lens of these two men and how we related to them might well be
    illuminating, but even on a superficial level it's interesting to
    contemplate the demonization of Tyson, his seeming transformation into a
    grotesque, in contrast to the process by which Ali achieved cannonization.
    Ali came to us out of the delirium of the 60s, from the city of sweet julips
    and fast horses, bearing a noble Roman name, looking like a young movie
    star, and possessed of a beautiful style. His speed and fluidity were
    balletic, an art, and for this we forgave him what he did to other men. The
    beatings and the humiliations. He won a gold medal at the Games of Rome and
    defeated the monster Sonny Liston for the championship of the world. His
    politics and his glibness attracted displeasure for a while, but his
    politics were validated by history and his glibness grew on us in time. He
    seemed to become, eventually, something of the man we wanted him to be. He
    became Ali, an ambassador to the world, a figure ennobled by his wars. He
    ascended marble stairways and spoke with kings. Along the way he had a
    life, made bad mistakes in marriage, committed dishonorable acts, most of
    which will remain his secret, and now, his voice muffled by the gray silk of
    his disease, he cannot tell us who he was or is. We venerate him, we pity
    him, this old man who plays magic tricks for children. We think we know
    him, but we are wrong.

    Tyson, on the other hand, came to us from Brownsville, as hard, drab, and
    tore-down a place as the name implies. He was lifted from the criminal
    streets, from a prison road, and brought before us shy, sullen, and
    uncommunicative. His speed was the speed of a crocodile striking and his
    style was a slaughterhouse hammer. He won no medals, and his championship,
    albeit well-earned, had more the feel of an execution than an ascendancy.
    His bad intentions were a metaphor for the smash-and-grab economics of the
    80s. His left hook was Greed. We winced when it connected. We forgave him
    nothing. Through death or duplicity, his handlers abandoned him in
    mid-career, and these and other betrayals--both real and imagined--served to
    unhinge him. He seemed to become the animal Destructor robot we wanted him
    to be. He became Iron Mike, assaulter of women and men, the deranged victim
    of his past or--more pertinently--his nature. Then he fell apart. He
    descended into prison, reclaimed his title, let it slip away. Along the way
    he had a life, made hideous mistakes in marriage, committed many
    dishonorable acts, most of which have been televized. Now he squints and
    grimaces at us, a gold-toothed mask with a feral smile, and when he tells us
    who he is, we only hear the expletives and think the rest a con. We abjure
    him, we deride him, this borderline psychotic who takes happy pills and
    boasts of fornication. We think we know him, but we are wrong.

    Perhaps these men would have achieved exactly what they have if we had not
    elevated them and wedded them to our expectations. Again, this is
    unimportant. That we have done so unites us in a public whisper that
    insists upon completion for the arc of our expectations, and thus the fight
    that will take place on the night of June 8th is not merely a fight--it is
    on some level a celebration of hubris, the final act, perhaps, in a play
    that we have helped author for the past twenty years, the ritual destruction
    of a devil made from the raw materials of a man. If it proves not to be the
    final act, if Tyson wins, not to worry. It won't be long before he'll make
    that climb to the top of the Empire State and either die for us or destroy
    himself in some suitably post-modern fashion. A night like that is written
    into our contract with him--its inevitability is guaranteed. But the
    likelihood is that Lennox Lewis will serve as the executioner of our
    consensus and knock Tyson from his height, leave him twitching and rumbling
    on his back. Then someone will mouth a platitude that serves as epitaph,
    the lights will go down, the crowd will go home, and all that will remain of
    what once seemed so monstrous, so irresistable in its natural force, yet was
    so pitifully vulnerable despite this, will be the dead flesh, the official
    cleaners, and an awful stink ripening in the streets.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xKong by Lucius Shepard``x1023206844,50235,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    The Portland Rose Garden arena will be the site of three upcoming pro fight cards as announced Wednesday, June 5. Oscar De La Hoya’s "Golden Boy Promotions" will stage the first in the series on Thursday, July 18. Headlining will be WBO Intercontinental bantamweight Champ, Carlos Madrigal (21-2, 14 KO’s) of Oxnard, CA. The 24 year-old Madrigal will meet 25 year-old Alejandro Barrera of Culiacan, Mexico. Barrera’s record is 14-0, 10 KO’s.

    Also appearing on the July 18 card will be IFBA bantamweight champ, Bridget "Baby Doll" Riley, against an opponent yet to be named.

    Oscar De La Hoya told the assembled reporters that he would not be attending the July kick-off show in the Rose Garden because he would be in training for his bout with Fernando Vargas, which is scheduled for Sept. 14.

    The Rose Garden press conference declared a cooperative venture featuring the sponsorship of the Spirit Mountain Casino run by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, for the Golden Boy Promotions events at the Rose Garden.

    Golden Boy has been promoting in five other venues in California and in Talahassee, Florida using what the company chief operating officer, Roy Englebrecht referred to as "the Golden Boy program." All the events run on Thursday nights, so as not to compete with other entertainment options. They feature reasonable ticket prices. Tickets at the Rose Garden will range from $15 to $75. Golden Boy pledges to use top rated fighters in their main events, and to feature local talent on the undercards. The promotional company is also committed to having at least one women’s bout on every show.

    In addition to the July 18 date, Golden Boys is scheduled for pro fight cards at the Portland Rose Garden on September 19, and November 14.

    ---30---

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0``xGolden Boy Promotes at the Rose Garden``x1023322230,19359,``x``x ``xThe CBZ’s Lewis-Tyson Prediction Poll
    Conducted By JD Vena

    Lewis Picks: 18
    Tyson Picks: 9

    Well folks, it’s Friday and it seems that tomorrow’s heavyweight championship bout, what many (for some outlandish reason) have called the biggest heavyweight prize fight in years, may actually take place at the Pyramid in Memphis. Don’t get me wrong,
    it’s certainly a big one as any fight involving Leg Iron Mike (as the Ol’ Spit Bucket likes to call him) but this one has some real hair on it Though both fighters, particularly, Tyson have seen better days, the man credited as being the youngest heavyweight champion in history, will step into the ring for the first time as an underdog when he challenges for Lewis’ title. That’s why this fight is more than just a fuss. Some feel that Tyson will get blown out, something that has never happened thus far in his career. Some have even called this fight a mismatch and pointed to the fact that Tyson shouldn’t be licensed to fight. Whether you believe the fight should have been allowed or not, this fight is hardly a mismatch, especially when the man he will be fighting crumbles whenever he’s hit on the chin.

    After recent performances, it’s hard to imagine Tyson resembling the form that made him the most fearsome heavyweight since George Foreman. Logic says that Lewis is simply too big and will be at the top of his game when the first bell tolls. But that sounds too perfect. I don’t think for a minute that Lewis is scared of Maniac Mike, but he will fight him scared. In the past Lewis has blown out weak opposition like Michael Grant and Frans Botha because of their limited defenses, but he is tentative to move forward with his power shots when he faces a dangerous opponent. And whether you like to admit it or not, Tyson is still very dangerous, especially in the power department.

    Lewis’ power is practically absent when he decides to not move forward with his punches. You’d think that Holyfield would have been decapitated had Lewis’ punches been moving through him. But they weren’t, mainly because Lewis was content with keeping the much smaller Holyfield away from him. My guess is that he’ll use the same approach with Tyson who is the best aggressive fighter that Lewis has ever faced. People often say that Lewis was undertrained when he fought Rahman in South Africa. It makes sense because Rahman is no premier heavyweight. But in reality, the reason why Rahman won is because for a moment in their first fight, he decided to back Lewis up while throwing punches. Backing up creates problems for the giant Lewis, as he’s susceptible to lose his balance. If Tyson presses Lewis and gets him off-balance then my guess is, one of Mike’s haymakers catches Lewis clean on the chin and knocks him flat in round two. Call me crazy but it’s just something I can forecast.

    I leave you with the bold predictions of some of boxing’s best.
    JD Vena,
    Associate Editor,
    The CBZ

    “Unless Lewis gets mugged on the way to the ring, I like him to win in 11 rounds.”
    Bert Randolph Sugar,
    Author & Historian

    “Chris Dundee always told me never to bet on a heavyweight fight, where logic often goes out the window. On paper, Lewis would be a logical choice to win by a KO or on points. He is taller, hits very hard and is motivated to put the hurt on Tyson; Lewis has also fought a higher level of quality and performed better than Tyson over the last few years. Although I pick Lewis, I do believe that there's a high level of probability that the fight will end with a Tyson disqualification. If Iron Mike can not put the hurt on Lewis at once and finds himself on the long end of that pesky jab and hard right hand, his cromagnon instincts might kick in and he might go munching on human flesh or decide to test his power shot on Lewis' protection cup or go after the ref....”
    Enrique Encinosa.
    The CBZ

    “Lewis KO 3 - Lennox needs to get his respect from Tyson early - it's his only way to win, and I think he'll do it with his right hand, early and often.”
    Thomas Gerbasi,
    Associate Editor,
    MaxBoxing.com

    “Tyson by kayo -- Tyson is still a dangerous guy, even though most people seem to overlook that fact. I believe his punching power, speed, and desire are going to carry him to a major, upset win over Lewis. I see Tyson stopping a tentative Lewis in one or two rounds. I don't think Lewis, for all his size and weight, can keep Tyson off of him.”
    Michael DeLisa,
    Founder/ Co-Editor,
    The CBZ

    “I am taking the 'road less traveled' for this fight. As the fight draws closer, I am drawn more and more to Mike Tyson. I like how Mike has handled himself to this point leading up to the fight. Of course, that could just mean Mike knows he is being sent to the proverbial slaughter - but I really think Lennox Lewis will push the issue early and get caught. Tyson will drop Lewis in the second round with a left hook and for the next round or so, Lewis - knowing that Tyson can hurt him - will attempt the old ‘clutch and grab.’ Tyson will again hurt Lewis in the fourth and finish him off with a stunning display. After the fight, Tyson will embrace Lewis and agree to give him a rematch later this year. Of course, officially my money is on Lewis and the under.”
    Mike Nosky,
    SecondsOut.com
    (Self-proclaimed Tyson's Biggest Fan)

    “This is a toughie for me, since I don't care much for either guy. Since Lewis has all the advantages--height, reach, activity, better competition--it's hard to pick against him. But this fight is really all about who lands first, and Tyson's hand speed gives him a legitimate shot. I've got a funny feeling, but I guess I'll be conservative and say Lewis in seven rounds.
    Lucius Shepard,
    The CBZ

    “I really believed, like Lewis, that there should have been a clause in Tyson's contract, disallowing his purse if he fouled out in some outlandish way -- by either biting or kneeing or butting or kicking or God knows what. Hitting Tyson in the wallet these days hurts him much worse than in the head. I thought such a purse-snatching/foul clause would have been the best deterrent for keeping Tyson's behavior in some kind of check. Without one, he can quit in a variety of ways if the going gets rough. Without one, he may do something outrageous by the end of the first round. There is no way that Tyson will stand for any elongated punishment in this contest and I fear an early DQ. I expect Lewis to establish his jab and reach early and to back Tyson up. Tyson doesn't fight well that way. I then expect Tyson to leap forward with very rough tactics. I expect 20 seconds of fierce warfare, then a shoulder roll from Tyson, knocking Lewis down. The ref will warn Tyson, who will shrug. The round will settle into Lewis outboxing him. Toward the end of the round, Tyson will leap in with his left hook followed by his head. If he connects, Lewis will go early. If he misses, Tyson will go early by his own strange means. The public wants to see Tyson knocked out but, as you know, the boxing public rarely ever gets what it wishes for. Lewis wins on a foul, Round 2. In my head, Lewis stops Tyson after 8 rounds, but Tyson won't stand for it.”
    Jamie Merolla,
    The CBZ

    “I like Lewis in 9. I think that he's much closer to his prime than Tyson and much more well conditioned the last few years against tougher opposition. I think he does enough to keep Tyson at bay early and then he steadily comes on.”
    Steve Kim,
    MaxBoxing.com

    “Lewis by KO in round 6”
    Dave Iamele,
    The CBZ

    “Lewis by 12 round unanimous decision. If you saw Lewis-Tua, you've seen Lewis-Tyson.”
    Stephen Tobey
    MaxBoxing.com

    “I haven’t got one right in a year but I like Lewis inside of 5 rounds, possibly in the 1st.”
    Eric Jorgensen,
    The CBZ

    “Everybody from Memphis to Maui, every writer, butcher, welder, and stripper with a beating pulse is looking forward to it. We’re all looking forward to these two archenemies finally stepping into the ring come Saturday night. Everybody except for one guy. And although Tyson will quickly discover what 250 pounds of Lennox Lewis feels like when it leans on you like an oak tree, everybody at least back up Iron Mike with that overused “puncher’s chance” cliché. They give Tyson a chance despite a thick layer of ring rust, shaky balance, waning speed, a Swiss-cheese defense, and a bum-of-the-month resume. But everybody from the fans to the media gives Tyson at least a chance of connecting one crushing haymaker on Lewis’ questionable chin and reclaiming the heavyweight crown for the third time in his troubled career. Everybody except for one guy. It’s the same guy being forced into a fight that down deep, he truly doesn’t want –
    Mike Tyson. At the core of all the hooks, crosses, and uppercuts that start flinging from the opening bell, this fight will come down to one thing. Confidence. Mike Tyson is stock out of it. Lewis wins by 2nd round DQ.”
    Ted Bodenrader,
    The Ring Magazine

    “Lewis comes out cautiously, and tries to handle Tyson's charges. Tyson tries hard for 3 or 4 rounds, but doesn't make much progress. Then, Lewis gets lazy in the 5th, and Tyson strikes quickly, dropping Lewis. Lewis gets up, but Tyson swarms him, causing Eddie
    Cotton to stop the fight with 1:00 to go in the 5th.”
    Knucklejunction,
    The CBZ

    “Lewis by DQ in 5.”
    George Kimball,
    The Boston Herald

    “I'm fascinated by the building frenzy that is surrounding this fight. It wobbles the mind to realize that there are a TON of people who really believe Ol' Leg-Iron Mike is going to win. My problem with that is how a fighter who hasn't had one good performance in over 12 years is going to beat a legitimate champion like Lewis. Not to equivocate but I see 3 scenarios. 1- Lewis wipes the floor with him. I see it much like the first Foreman-Frazier fight. 2- Before Lewis
    can KO him, Tyson goes mental & forces a DQ. 3- The fight devolves into a Bonecrusher Smith type cure for insomnia & Lewis wins by decision.

    At any rate, I don't see how an unstable, undisciplined, head case,
    who has hardly fought any rounds the last few years & is more than 12 years past his prime can win against a legitemate heavyweight champion with skills & power like Lennox Lewis.”
    Gordoom (a/k/a the Ol’ Spit Bucket),
    Managing Editor,
    The CBZ

    “Tyson by 7th round KO”
    Fred Sternburg,
    Public Relations Savant

    “Tyson starts strong and hurts Lewis But Lewis then takes advantage of reach and frustrates Tyson. Eventually Tyson gives in and gets KO’d in the later rounds.”
    Dom Forticella.
    The Herald (New Britain, CT)

    “Tyson by 5th round KO.”
    Scott Ghertner,
    MGM MIRAGE

    “ Lewis by KO inside 8 rounds. Lennox will come out cautiously & box from the outside for the first round or two. Tyson will become frustrated getting peppered with the jab and will start throwing wild shots while leaving himself wide open. And that WILL cost him dearly. I just see this fight being a replay of Foreman - Frazier I with Lewis playing the part of Big George, except that he'll outbox Mike before he smashes him into next week. By Sunday morning, Tyson will no longer be a threat to the Heavyweight Championship again and may well retire if he gets the beating I'm almost certain he'll get Saturday night.

    Let's get real for a minute here folks, Tyson was past his prime a FULL DECADE AGO ! His last impressive win was against Frank Bruno in the 1996 rematch, and in my opinion it had more to do with Frank soiling himself than Mike's ability.

    And while Mike's been feasting on guys like Julius Francis, Lou Savarese, Brian Neilsen, Orlin Norris and Bruce "Well, she LOOKED 18" Sheldon (looking average while doing in), Lewis has fought and dominated Evander twice, destroyed Michael Grant & Frans Botha, and took some real hell from a motivated Ray Mercer. While Mike's been fighting opposition that would have trouble getting rated in the IBO's top 10, the fighters that Lennox has beaten are/were real threats to win a title.

    Also, the only times Lennox has lost was due to his own carelessness and overconfidence. And he avenged both losses. I doubt seriously that he'll be either careless or overconfident for this fight. And to make matters worse for Ol' Leg Iron ( big ups to 'Bucket) is that Lennox is angry & motivated for him. When Lewis is in this state of mind, he finishes the job quickly & brutally.

    This could be every Tyson haters favorite fight.”
    Steve Coughlin,
    The CBZ

    “THE X FACTOR IS THE LEWIS CHIN, if he had Holyfield's chin we would be asking if Tyson could take the Lewis right for 12 rounds. Neither fighter is at his peak so that's a wash. Who ever is the winner should be regarded the better fighter. I have said since 1986 that Tyson is overrated, nothing that happens in this fight will change that. However right now I think he's a little underrated. Say what ever you want about Tyson, he was a force because he could really punch and get his punches off quickly. He still can do both if he is in condition. I have to believe he will be at his best for this fight. I've been terrible picking fights in which Lewis was a participant. When I have felt he wins easy he has struggled or lost. When I felt he was going to get beat he has fought well. I just can't pick his fights. Right now I think Lewis is slightly overrated, coming off his knockout of Rahman, and Tyson slightly underrated coming off his fight with Neilson. Call me a cynic but, I just have a feeling I'll be back to 1988-89 defending my opinion on Tyson as to why I think he is one of the three most overrated heavyweight champions in history along with Johnson and Dempsey. After seeing Rahman fight Holyfield this past weekend, knowing he has a knockout win over Lewis, could you honestly say a Tyson knockout over Lewis is a reach in this fight? NO, TYSON KO in 3.”
    Frank J. Lotierzo
    ESPN Radio 1490
    "Toe to Toe"
    & The CBZ

    “Lewis by 2nd round disqualification. Mike is too crazy to be in a boxing ring at this point. This fight shouldn't even be taking place.”
    Kurt Emhoff,
    Maxboxing.com

    “Like many, I'm kind of on the fence about the Tyson fight...my head says Lewis but my gut says Tyson in a shocking KO. I'll go with Tyson by knockout, early. If it doesn't happen early it won't happen.”
    Ted Kluck,
    The CBZ

    “I would think Tyson's window of opportunity is rather small, based on his recent outings and the mystery of his current training. First off, if he weighs more than 230 his chances are much reduced, but below that he's in shape and would be quicker than Lewis, which could be interesting. Tyson's power can potentially spring the upset anytime over the first three rounds, but after that his focus and stamina are highly suspect. And of course, if Tyson's eating Lewis' left jab all night---and he should be, given the size differential alone--his focus will depart much earlier. Lewis has had some alarming low points against subpar foes like McCall and Rahman, but he's usually ready for the big ones like Golota, and Holyfield. He may not come out like a barnburner but he doesn't have to, just consistent boxing will be enough to let Tyson self-destruct. But Tyson probably won't allow himself tobe knocked out ala Buster Douglas, so I'd predict Tyson does something squirrelly to get DQ'd in round 6.”
    Jay Miller,
    Quincy (Mass.) Patriot Ledger

    “I will go with the upset and take Tyson to win. He SEEMS motivated for this fight and I think his lack of size compared to Lennox could really work in his favor. If Tyson can get his head moving and fight with intensity I think he will be too quick and too strong for Lennox.”
    “Ice” John Scully
    Former World Title Challenger

    “Lewis is victorious one way or another. The particulars of this contest are still very questionable to me. Tyson has IMO laid the groundwork necessary to quit this contest and in my opinion will do so if Lewis frustrates him with his superior skills. Short of Tyson landing the homerun bomb early in the fight, something Tyson could do, I don't give him much of a chance against Double L.”
    Jack Dunne
    MaxBoxing.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWho Will Win Lewis vs. Tyson? The Experts Decide``x1023411150,38495,``x``x ``xLEWIS BRUTALIZES UNPREPARED TYSON
    By Chris Bushnell

    Mike Tyson has always known that he couldn’t beat Lennox Lewis. He knew it in 1996, when he paid Lewis $4 million in step-aside money so that he could first face the softer Bruce Seldon for WBA title. He knew it a few months later when he vacated the WBC title rather than face Lewis, his mandatory challenger. He knew it in New York, when his press-conference scuttle with Lewis seemed like an easy way to get out of the fight. And he knew it in Memphis, where boxing officials had set up a ring in which Tyson would pay for his crimes against the sport. As the one-time Baddest Man on the Planet was lead to the ring by his team of yes-men, the aggressive scowls and overflowing energy Tyson flaunted at the weigh-in were replaced by a bounce-free stroll and a look of concern. Mike Tyson was in for a beating… and he knew it.

    Tyson calmly ducked between the ropes as rapper DMX loudly requested that the Memphis crowd “Suck. My. Dick,” over the sound system. The gangsta rap was soon replaced with the more soothing grooves of Bob Marley as a robe-less Lewis confidently made his way to the ring. The squared circle was divided in half by a row of security men in bright yellow shirts. Lewis quickly made his way towards the human wall to get in a stare at Tyson. Meanwhile, another battle of champions was brewing. Michael Buffer and Jimmy Lennon, Jr. got into a war of catchphrases as they took turns announcing the sanctioning bodies, ringside officials, and eventually each fighter. In the end, it was Buffer by vicious knockout.

    Eventually the fight was on. The ring cleared, the fighters passed on final instructions, and they met in center ring. For a few seconds, Tyson bristled with energy. His gloves shook in front of his face, and his head darted about. Both fighters threw jabs, and it was Tyson’s stick that landed clean, pushing a bouncy Lewis back a few steps. Lewis was on his toes, backing away from Tyson as Mike missed with a lunging overhand right. Lewis countered the whiff with a long right uppercut that also missed. Tyson crashed into Lewis after missing his right and the two bounced into the ropes. But as they bounced off, Tyson was turned to the right. Lewis jumped on him, throwing an overhand right and two uppercuts. The right was blocked by Tyson’s glove, but the left uppercut that followed landed flush on Tyson’s chin. Tyson stood still, his gloves pinned to his chin as Lewis immediately followed with a right uppercut. This punch also landed on Tyson’s face, and Lewis clinched to prevent a counter. Tyson would later tell ESPN that Lewis hurt him in the first round, and this sequence, 30 seconds into the bout, was the most likely source.

    Tyson must have been rattled by Lewis’ power, because he immediately stopped moving his head. For the rest of the round, and most of the rest of the fight, Tyson would simply walk into Lewis (occasionally behind a jab) without moving his head at all. Four times in a row, in fact, Tyson simply threw himself at Lewis and ended in a clinch. The only punch Mike Tyson landed in these attacks was a nice headbutt on the fourth lunge. Already, Tyson was there to be hit. But Lewis was still antsy. He was on his toes, backing away from every Tyson charge. At one point, Tyson double jabbed him as he backed up and the resulting clumsy retreat drew a rise from a crowd that thought Lewis might have been wobbled.

    Lewis wasn’t yet standing his ground in the opening round. He managed one decent right hand as Tyson was coming in head-first, but near the end of the round Tyson nicely hooked off the jab. The hook landed right on Lennox’s chin, but Tyson had failed to turn over his fist. While Lewis’ head snapped back, he had not tasted Tyson’s full power. After the punch, the two clinched yet again, and a frustrated Tyson pushed his forearm into Lewis’ throat. Believe it or not, it would end up being the closest Tyson would come to committing a foul.

    Lennox Lewis did commit a foul in the first, although it was a minor one. After Lewis tagged Tyson with a short right and a bent-over Tyson fell into a clinch, Lewis did what everyone on the high side of a clinch does: lean down on your opponent until the ref calls for a break. Eddie Cotton didn’t warn Lewis this time, but he would later. The first round ended shortly after Cotton called for a break. Tyson had been the aggressor, and Lewis had nervously skirted away from his uninspired attacks, but the Lewis uppercuts were the only telling blows of the round, and tilted a close feel-out round to the champion.

    Returning to his corner, Lewis was immediately told by trainer Emanuel Steward, “If you could see how bad he looks, you’d be surprised.” He was right. By round’s end, Tyson’s head movement was a rumor and he was looking winded. Back in his corner, Tyson was also looking discouraged. He complained to his trainer about Lewis’ holding, and asked Ronnie Shield to remind the ref to watch for it.

    Tyson rushed at Lewis to open the second round and missed the jab he threw. He crashed into Lewis again, and Lewis simply caught him. As the ref moved in for a break, Tyson turned to him and began complaining about being held. Cotton forced the break, turned to Lewis, and gave him a stern lecture on the penalties associated with further holding. It seemed like an overreaction, especially given the manner in which the offending clinch had originated. Back in action, Tyson missed another jab and fell into another clinch. After a break, Tyson again came straight into Lewis without moving his head. This time, Lewis timed him with a right uppercut, and the punch landed hard and clean on Tyson’s chin. Lewis followed quickly by stuffing two loud jabs into Tyson’s face and then backing away as Tyson tried to answer with a Hail Mary hook. Tyson was already looking worn out. He stood at a distance with his hands at his chin, and again stepped into Lewis’ range. Lewis nailed Tyson with another jab-uppercut, and after a break timed another uppercut to Tyson’s body. After each of these short attacks, the men fell into what can only be described as mutually-caused clinches. But after the uppercut to the body, Cotton again called time and gave only Lewis a long warning about holding.

    Lewis was beginning to realize that Tyson wasn’t going to suddenly start bobbing and weaving like the old days. He ended the round by pumping his jab and then landing a crisp right uppercut-left hook combo with 15 seconds to go. The post-uppercut clinch was broken, and Lewis again loaded up the uppercut. Tyson walked right into it just as the bell rang. Landing right on the point of Tyson’s chin, the punch swiveled his head to the side. When Tyson got to his corner, he slumped forward on his stool, looking as though he was already seriously discouraged.

    Tyson came out jabbing in the third round, but couldn’t find his target and again fell into clinch position. Rather than risk another warning from Cotton, Lewis now openly shoved Tyson off him. Lewis now answered back with his own jab. Lewis pumped the punch into Tyson’s face with authority, and glanced a few right hands off Tyson’s head. Tyson’s only answer was a digging body shot on the break that Cotton didn’t see. Back at center ring, Lewis freely thrust the jab. It was a sharp contrast to the range-finding jab Lewis had used in the opening rounds. Three hard flush jabs landed on Tyson’s face. One of them opened a two-inch gash over Tyson’s right eye. Lewis targeted the cut with two lightly-thrown lead left hooks and locked Tyson’s right arm after landing them. But Tyson’s left hand was free and he looped a long left hook at Lewis and rocked the champion’s head straight back. It was Tyson’s best punch of the night, and Lewis seemed unaffected.

    Tyson tried to follow-up with another hook, but like so many of his punches it was a wide, wild swing and Lewis was able to see it coming a mile away. Tyson was looking winded before, but after two huge blows he looked even more tired. For his next assault, he stood as still as possible and walked right up to Lennox Lewis without moving his hands at all. Lewis launched a downward right hand that crashed into Tyson’s face as he walked in. After yet another break, Tyson missed badly with an overhand right. Lewis again stuffed his jab into Tyson’s bloody face. Lewis closed the round with a series of unanswered jabs, following with the right hand only once: half-second after the bell. The blow landed square on Tyson’s nose.

    Tyson had lost all three rounds on our cards, and he came out to start round four with a dazzling three seconds of head movement. But after bobbing his torso left and right like he were working on a drill, Tyson ended on the left and just hung there. Lewis jumped on his and powered in a massive right hand into his face. It was Lewis’ best clean punch of the night, but it was soon a memory as a much better Lennox Lewis right hand crashed into the side of Mike’s head and violently snapped it to the side. Tyson fell into Lewis, who now shoved him off. Tyson flicked a weak hook that missed and tasted a pretty decent Lewis left hook in return. Lewis followed with a long left hook to the body and Tyson had no answer. Emanuel Steward would have preferred Lewis jump on Tyson, but instead he returned to the jab. Time and again Lewis pumped a heavy jab into Tyson’s face and snapped his head back. At mid-round he finally followed these unopposed jabs with a vicious right uppercut that filled the Memphis Pyramid with the sound of snapping leather. Lewis followed with another uppercut with another series of flush, heavy jabs. Tyson simply stood there, unable to get out of the way. Lewis grew so confident that twice he left his jab extended and measured Tyson for loaded right crosses that busted Iron Mike right on the nose.

    Tyson finally threw something in return after this one-sided assault. Twice he missed badly with a hook before falling into a clinch. But just as Lewis might have been getting cocky, Tyson slammed Lewis square in the mouth with an overhand right. It was a great punch, the kind that pushes the opponent’s chin straight in, but Lewis took it without shaking. There wasn’t much time left the round, maybe 20 seconds. But no sooner had Tyson landed a serious blow, Lewis answered. Lewis flicked two light jabs, then let go with a compact right cross. The punch landed on Tyson’s forehead, and his knees buckled. Tyson dipped to where he was bending over just as Lewis’ follow-through left him draped over Tyson’s back. Thinking that Tyson was bent merely to clutch his waist, Lewis once again began to lean down on Tyson. But Tyson was headed towards taking a knee, and Lewis’ extra pushing down accelerated his descent. Tyson flopped onto his back and referee Eddie Cotton ruled immediately that Tyson had been pushed to the canvas. It was a close call, but one in a string of decisions Cotton ended up making in favor of Tyson.

    Tyson lay on the canvas for a few seconds, breathing very hard. He lifted his arms and gestured to Cotton as though maybe he might get a pull up to his feet. When Cotton wouldn’t help him, he slowly rolled over and raised himself up. Cotton had failed to stop the clock as Tyson went down and then walked it off. The remaining 10 seconds had ticked away, and a bell sounded to end the round. Lennox Lewis started to walk from a neutral corner, where he had stayed while Tyson loitered on the canvas, towards his stool when Eddie Cotton stopped him. Cotton grabbed his arm and signaled that Lewis was being deducted one point. It was a dubious decision, and one, which potentially made the fight close, especially if a scorecard had given the close first round to Tyson.

    When Lennox Lewis finally did make it back to his corner, he quickly got an earful from Emanuel Steward. Steward was livid that Lewis hadn’t tried to finish Tyson in that round, and was screaming himself hoarse that Tyson was exhausted and finished. He was right.

    Both fighters sensed that the point deduction put the momentum of the bout up-for-grabs and began the fifth round with a burst of energy. Tyson lunged with a laughable overhand right that missed, and Lewis tattooed him with a quick double jab. One of these two heavy jabs opened another cut on Tyson, this one over his left eye. After a brief clinch, Lewis jabbed at the new cut again and the blood began to trickle down the left side of Tyson’s face. Lewis wasn’t done jabbing, and he launched four more jabs. One of these was a stiff jab to Tyson’s stomach. The punch demonstrated the confidence Lewis was now fighting with. Lewis may have even crossed over from confident to cocky, as he now began keeping his hands down and jabbing from the waist. Cocky or not, it was working. Mike Tyson was not moving his head, and Lewis’ jab was busting up his face.

    After half a round of jabs, Lewis followed up with another blistering uppercut. He jabbed again, and when his jab hung up on Tyson’s shoulder, he hooked his right into Tyson’s head. Tyson was hurting, and Cotton again called time to give Lewis a lecture. The crowd now booed what was beginning to look like an anti-Lewis bias. When the fight resumed, Lewis took his time, again throwing and landing a series of clean, head-snapping jabs. Tyson’s face now began to swell, his cuts growing wider as the lumps grew over each eye. There was still a full minute left in the fifth.

    Lewis’ jab was looking spectacular, thanks in large part to Tyson’s inability to block the punch with his gloves. Near the 1:00 left mark, one particularly heavy jab seemed to rattle the winded Tyson, who took a wobbly half step backwards. Lewis jabbed out the remaining minute of the round, adding in only a single right hand and a single right uppercut to the mix. No matter, Tyson’s face was being mangled, and Lewis was setting a deadly pace. Back in corner after the round, Steward was still furious with Lewis. He wanted a stoppage, and he wanted it now. Lewis would later claim that he felt Tyson needed more softening up. In his corner, Tyson was being begged to start punching. Lewis’ jab was preventing Tyson from getting even a single punch off. But Tyson barely heard his corner as he moaned about his two cuts.

    Lewis continued jabbing relentlessly in the sixth round. After 30 seconds of stick, Lewis launched a wicked one-two that landed flush and expelled sweat from every inch of Tyson’s head. Tyson simply stood there and took it, and so Lewis threw another. This second right hand landed with full force on Tyson’s left ear. Tyson’s was undefended when the punch landed, and his head was thrust so violently sideways that Tyson’s right ear actually touched his right shoulder. Say what you want about Tyson’s diminished skills, but his chin has always been first rate. Withstanding this punch alone was an amazing feat.

    Tyson looked seriously weary, and he half-heartedly launched an overhand right that was so slow it had no chance of landing. Tyson came out of that clinch to find two jabs and two big right hands waiting for him. Lewis was really loading up with his shots, and Tyson was eating them clean. Tyson looked in a daze. It must have been instincts, because all of a sudden Tyson, who hadn’t thrown a two-punch combination since the first round, suddenly nailed Lewis with a beautiful left uppercut-right hook combo. It was as though Tyson’s body had suddenly remembered an old Catskills move. But Tyson was too tired at this point, and even though both punches caught a surprised Lewis on the chin, neither one had any effect whatsoever.

    Lewis finished the sixth round strong, nailing Tyson each time he stumbled forward. Lewis landed another overhand right with 50 seconds to go, a glancing right with 30 seconds to go, and a picture perfect uppercut to Tyson’s chin with 15 seconds to go. Yes, they were fighting at the slow pace that you might expect from two 36 year-olds, but Lewis was still putting a serious beating on Tyson.

    Tyson had absorbed a series of wrecking ball punches in the sixth, and he again slumped onto his stool in between rounds. His plastic surgeon raised him up to pinch his gaping cuts as everyone else in his corner simultaneously yelled instructions. The chaos got to Ronnie Shields who screamed that “only one fucking person talk at a time!” It didn’t help. Everyone kept talking at once while Tyson whimpered at the pain from his cuts.

    The beating continued in round seven, again with Tyson simply standing there and taking his beating as though he expected it. Lewis opened with a well-timed one-two. He pecked Tyson with three jabs before landing another one-two. Two more jabs, and a one-two. Tyson was getting hammered. Lewis threw another one-two and the right hand missed Tyson’s head and landed on his right shoulder. As Lewis pulled his arm back, his elbow crossed in front of Tyson’s face. Referee Eddie Cotton now jumped between the fighters and started yelling at Lewis for elbowing Tyson. He was drowned out by the crowd’s boos. Lewis looked at him like he was crazy. It was another questionable move. Simply put, Tyson was getting beaten up, and Cotton gave him what amounted to a free standing-eight count.

    After Cotton had finished his warning, Lewis and Tyson met in center ring for a telling moment. Both men stood with their gloves up, and for a moment they both froze while watching each other. After two seconds of stillness, Tyson twice feinted at Lewis, who immediately flinched. Even at this late stage of the game, with Tyson bloody and battered, Lewis was still showing tremendous caution. A short time later, however, Lennox again got the upper hand. He pumped two more ridiculously heavy telephone-pole jabs into Tyson’s face. Tyson nose began to trickle blood. Then Lewis pushed out a jab that he left extended to measure Tyson for a huge right. Tyson’s face was exposed and the right hand detonated on Tyson’s face. What was keeping Tyson standing? Lewis landed a few more jabs, easily controlling Tyson before trying a left hook. Tyson tried to clinch after the hook, but Lewis shoved him off. No sooner than Tyson was pushed back into range, Lewis fired two jab-crosses. The second one landed particularly flush and the blood now poured from Tyson’s nose.

    Tyson was a complete mess. He was bleeding from two cuts and his nose, his eyes were closing, and he looked like he could barely hold up his hands to protect himself. Lewis showed no mercy, and three times nailed Tyson with one-twos. The third rocked Tyson’s head, but still he remained standing. Lewis jabbed again and hooked with his right hand. He punctuated the round with one more one-two and a seriously busted-up Tyson stumbled back to his corner.

    The knockout seemed inevitable. Lewis shoved his jab into Tyson’s face six times to open round eight, and completed the sequence with two short body shots as Tyson came in close for a hug. After the break, Tyson came at Lewis with a right cross to the ribs that landed clean. Another break and Tyson again slammed his right into Lewis’ side. These were the only scoring punches Tyson had landed in several rounds. But after trying a third body blow, Tyson walked into a short Lewis uppercut. The blow landed clean but paled next to the left uppercut that quickly followed and drove Tyson’s head backwards. Lewis was only two-thirds of the way through his combination, and continued with a downward right hand that hit Tyson on the forehead and made him dip his knees nearly to the canvas.

    We said “nearly” to the canvas. Tyson’s knees buckled in place and he dipped so low that his ass was only inches from the canvas. Tyson started to pop back up from this knee-buckle when Eddie Cotton jumped in and suddenly ruled that Tyson had been knocked down. He hadn’t. His gloves hadn’t touched the canvas. Neither did his posterior. Cotton was once again interrupting a Tyson beating. Tyson got the eight count, and a chance to catch his breath… but eight seconds was not going to save him now. He barely responded when Cotton asked him if he wanted to continue. Tyson’s right eye had swollen shut and his left eye was 75% there. His nose was still bleeding and he looked like he was done. Lewis clocked Tyson with a big right as action resumed, then hammered him with a right uppercut-left hook combo. Lewis missed with another right, but landed the follow-up hook as Tyson retreated to the ropes. Lewis followed him in… and ducked a sweeping Tyson right hand in the process. After missing the right, Tyson fell into a clinch with Lewis, and from that clinch stuffed the champ with a short right uppercut to the chin.

    Cotton called for a break and pushed the fighters apart. Lewis sucked in a deep breath, readied himself, and then launched a long right hand. Tyson was one again hanging his torso in place to the left and the punch swept across his chin. Tyson’s head swiveled and his entire body froze in place. He began to slump to the canvas. Lewis was again draped over Tyson after the punch and his was just beginning to lean on a bent-over Tyson when Tyson fell out from underneath him. So, in effect, Lewis pushed him down… but only a little. He was already going to the canvas. Cotton thought about calling another foul on Lewis, but then he looked at Tyson.

    Tyson was on his back on the canvas, holding his right hand over his hurting face. When Tyson removed his hand, his face was a mess of blood. The cuts on his eyes dripped lines of blood down each side of his head. Tyson’s eyes were closed. Yes, swollen shut, but closed also. Tyson briefly opened his eyes at the count of four, then closed the remaining slits again and rested his head back on the canvas. At six he reopened his eyes, and a seven-and-a-half he rolled over to try and beat the count. By nine he was still crouched on his knees. Before Cotton could call “Ten,” Tyson’s weight fell back into the ropes. Cotton waved the fight off. Tyson was not getting to his feet by 10. Lennox Lewis KO8.

    Simply put, this was by far the worst beating Mike Tyson has ever taken. Worse than the Douglas beating, much worse than the Holyfield KO. And it wasn’t that much of a surprise. Tyson looked overweight and listless. He was exhausted after two rounds, and timid after only one. His skills have gone past eroded. Many of them are extinct. Lennox Lewis has been sporting some grey hair recently, but Mike Tyson looked older than George Foreman for much of this fight. For anyone who saw past the Tyson mystique and really looked at his recent outing, this was no surprise. Tyson has long been a shell of his former self, propped up by investors who want their end back. Perhaps the only surprise for Tyson-watchers was that he fought within the rules and didn’t quit on his stool. Then again, Tyson was beaten so badly that he probably wasn’t aware that fouling out was an option.

    In fact, Tyson was beaten so badly that Lennox Lewis actually beat the mean out of him. After the fight, Tyson was extraordinarily gracious. He called Lennox Lewis “masterful,” and tripped over himself trying to give Lewis respect. At one point, as the two men stood next to each other calmly answering questions, Tyson reached over and wiped a bead of sweat off of Lewis’ face. It was a tender moment eclipsed by the sheer creepiness of Tyson’s new demeanor.

    Okay, it wasn’t a completely new Tyson. He was quick to mention that he originally said he wanted two fights before facing Lewis and that he probably wasn’t fully ready. He also clamored for a rematch, although there is absolutely, positively no need for one. Lewis was gracious and gave Tyson a “maybe.” The real signs point to an imminent retirement from Lewis. He’s cleaned out the misfits (Golota, McCall, Botha, Akinwande, Tyson), the other titlist (Holyfield) and the #1 contenders (Grant and Tua) from the division. If he fights on, he has to face Chris Byrd, or else face an unmarketable Ruiz-Johnson winner. No one wants to see Holyfield III. The Klitschkos aren’t yet big box office draws in the U.S. There’s no one left for him. He’ll probably call it quits at the top of his game.

    As for Mike Tyson, he needs another payday. But at the post-fight shindig, he mentioned that he might just “fade off into the sunset and just fly my birds.” That’s unlikely. Although he would absolutely prefer to retire from fighting, he needs the money… badly. Then again, there won’t be any big money waiting for him. He’s been roughed up by Lewis and is not likely to get in with a heavyweight just as big but 10 years younger. Tyson is probably finished, and that’s just fine with him. You know what? That’s just fine with us, too.

    …..Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com

    Memphis Tempest in a Teapot
    By Robert Ecksel

    There were seven so-called wonders of the ancient world. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Lighthouse of Alexandria. The Temple of Artemis. The Statue of Zeus. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. The Colossus of Rhodes. And The Pyramids of Giza. Six of the seven wonders of the world were destroyed by earthquakes and fire. Only the Pyramids in Egypt remain standing. Only the Pyramid in Memphis sponsors prizefights.

    What has four eyes and pees? Mississippi? Or Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis? Such beautiful mind equations must be asked after sitting through the Memphis Tempest in a Teapot. Along for the ride on pay-per-view to check out Saturday’s fistic fantasy, we got to eavesdrop on a epic sitcom, a newsreel of salesmanship and self-delusion. We were privileged to watch Lennox Lewis rope-a-dope and drop the curtain on the Mike Tyson Roadshow. Reality TV we’re already used to. Surreality TV won’t be the next attraction.

    Boxing’s ultimate tour de force will finally be forced to tour. Kicked out of cities, burbs and hamlets, out of bus stations, out of shelters, out of town, former champion Mike Tyson now becomes landlord of an asteroid. Our Moonman, this otherworldly spectral presence, after his swan song Saturday night, is now fodder for telepsychics, instead of fodder for fight fans. After successfully hoodwinking the public, bulldozing loyalists, black-bagging diehards for as long as we can remember, the Iron Mike Tyson house of cards collapsed with a bang, with a whimper, with a thud.

    We watched his emergence from the slum of the slums. From down and out in Brownsville to a starry world of glitz. From roachville karma to a cosmology of bling. Despite the caper quotient of his bad boy masquerade, we’ve followed Mike Tyson’s every move, hung onto every word, savored every left, every uppercut, every knockout. We always suspected there was something more we were supposed to learn from Iron Mike Tyson. We knew he was here because he had something to teach us.


    (It turns out that all Mike could reveal was what we already knew, but might have chosen to forget: That talk is cheap. Don't believe the hype. Silence speaks volumes. That actions speak louder than words.)

    The possibility of another Tyson reign has finally, perhaps eternally, perhaps for evermore been put to rest. Thanks to the heavyweight champion of the world, thanks to that gentleman Lennox Lewis, the thunder and plunder and blunder and wonder is finally six feet under. There’s no possibility of ever taking Mike Tyson seriously again. Not, at least, as a prizefighter. Mike will always be around, he'll come and go, he’ll remain a celebrity, he'll lurk in the shadows. He’ll become captain of his very own nostalgia industry. Tyson's place in boxing history is reserved for his retirement, it's assured, it’s well-deserved, his legend is a dead certainty: the youngest man at age twenty to ever hold the heavyweight title. But to believe in Mike Tyson after all is said and done is like believing in Santa or Area 51. It’s the fetish of the tooth fairy amidst decay.

    Lennox Lewis brought the curtain down on the Tragedy of Iron Mike Tyson. We’re not surprised it has come to this. We sometimes refuse to see what’s in plain sight because it’s painful, it's melancholy, it’s perception. We want to believe because we need to believe because if we cease to believe we’ll believe in nothing. Once we start challenging thought-patterns, jabbing, countering, bobbing and weaving and bitch-slapping our baser instincts, then everything begins to wobble like Mike Tyson at The Pyramid in Memphis.

    Michael Gerard Tyson. Mike Tyson. Kid Dynamite. Iron Mike. The Baddest Man on The Planet. The Greatest Show on Earth. From Brownsville to Mudville in three-plus decades. A high-life lived high-speed like a roadhog with road rage in a cotton-pickin’ summer. It’s the arc of Tyson’s destiny that sets him apart from other men. Life is about survival of the fittest. It’s always been dog-eat-dog. Mike Tyson, among other things, proved Darwin right. Only the strong survive. Mike Tyson clawed his way from the primordial sludge of Brooklyn to the bright lights of the big city. He fought his way to the mountaintop. He entered the pearly gates of heaven.

    But what goes up must come down. And this, too, with a nod to Sir Isaac Newton, Mike Tyson has also proven. Mr. T disintegrated, with insistent prodding from Lennox's fists, and was bleeding over both eyes and from his nostrils. The once-feared and ferocious Iron Mike Tyson was a beaten man before the opening bell sounded. And, to steal a quote from Rocky Graziano, "when he hit the deck he splashed on it like an egg droppin’ on a sidewalk from an eagle’s ass." That’s Da Rock for you. The essence of eloquence with a punchline. What Lewis did to Tyson wasn’t pretty to look at. It was anything but sunnyside up.

    The exquisite and transparent Lennox Lewis is a man as good as his word. He said it was his goal to shut down Mike Tyson. It’s quiet at the moment. At the foot of The Pyramid lays a ruin once known as Bummy Ike.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLewis KO's Tyson - CBZ Reports``x1023630880,45682,``x``x ``xBy Monte Cox

    There was once a young fighter who wielded fists of Iron and exploded with speed and a raging fury that has rarely been matched in the annals of boxing history. He spoke of driving opponents noses “into their brain”, punishing his opponents until they “began to make noises somewhat like a woman screaming,” and created a swath of terror in the hearts of his opponents. He truly was “the barbarian king”. Last night the barbarian king was laid to rest. The speed was gone, the fury dimmed, reduced from a man of Iron to a heap of rusty metal. His skills no longer sharp, but dulled due to age and inactivity.

    Mike Tyson got old last night. It happened to Joe Louis, it happened to Muhammad Ali, and last night it happened to Mike Tyson. One needs to look no further than a review of the film of Tyson’s loss to Lennox Lewis. Watch Tyson’s right hand. Every time he stepped to throw his once favorite right to the body he missed, or landed with his forearm. Lewis did nothing special to avoid the punch. Tyson simply could not find the mark. When a fighter who depends on speed, explosiveness, and timing loses these attributes he is finished as a top fighter. Mike Tyson was not the young Iron Mike of old but an old fighter. It was as if his idol Dempsey had stepped in against Tunney. Tyson could not avoid his opponent’s jab, and he could not get off his own punches.

    Lennox Lewis did what he had to in order to win. He kept Tyson at bay with his left jab, and landed strong right hands from the outside. Whenever Tyson tried to pressure his way inside he was greeted with short hard uppercuts that discouraged Tyson’s aggression. Unable to land cleanly Tyson was a fighter reduced to trying to land one big punch and with his skills gone he could not find the will to win.

    The Barbarian King that exploded on the heavyweight scene as a dynamo in1985 became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20. He unified the titles as a time when they were fractured seemingly beyond repair, and gained linear recognition when he annihilated Mike Spinks in 91 seconds at the age of 21 in 1988, which was his peak performance. The Mike Tyson of that night is still considered by many as one of the greatest heavyweight champions of history. Tyson was one of those rare fighters who peaked early like Wilfred Benitez. Benitez had been the youngest boxing champion in history at age 17 when he won the Jr. Welter title from the great Antonio Cervantes, he was Welterweight Champion at age 20, and Jr. Middleweight Champion at age 22, but he was shot as a fighter by age 26. So was Mike Tyson. Tyson’s skills deteriorated by his mid 20’s, his powerful punch still produced a number of sensational knockouts making him as Emmanuel Steward told him last night, “the most exciting heavyweight of the last 50 years”.

    The once great barbarian king lost his throne in the eyes of the imagination of the public last night. He can no longer be called the “barbarian king”, he is no longer “Iron Mike”, he is simply a washed up old fighter. The Tyson of last night would be hard pressed to beat any top contenders with the boxing skills to evade his lunges. It is difficult to see the Tyson of 2002 defeating Chris Byrd, John Ruiz, Kirk Johnson, or either of the Klitchko brothers. Tyson needs a stationary target to have any chance. Should he continue to fight to make money Tyson needs a Ray Mercer, David Tua, Oliver McCall, or a Jameel McCline who will stand in front of him. They will not be intimated. A very good heavyweight champion laid Tyson’s mystique, damaged by his losses to Holyfield, to rest last night. The barbarian king is dead. May he rest in peace.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDeath of a Barbarian King``x1023646006,39609,``x``x ``xScott Harrison comes of age.

    By Jim Dickinson.

    GLASGOW, Scotland - Scotland's up and coming featherweight contender Scott Harrison overcame his toughest test to date against lively Victor Santiago, finally stopping the dangerous Puerto Rican at 2.22 of the sixth round. It was an absolute cracker of a fight, with fortunes swaying between both combatants until the British and Commonwealth champion strung together a sustained barrage that forced referee Paul Thomas to step in.

    Harrison was due to face WBO champion Julio Pablo Chacon, who withdrew a couple of weeks ago, so Santiago stepped in for what was billed as the "interim" WBO title, a pointless championship, but in Britain there is an obsession with irrelevant belts. We have numerous WBF, IBO and IBC title holders and just as many intercontinental champions.

    Scott, a genuine world class featherweight, is head and shoulders above such meaningless baubles and later this year he'll get the opportunity to dethrone Chacon in front of his vociferous fans, who sold out the Braehead Arena this evening. Chacon's no mug but I'd take Harrison to beat him in the later rounds.

    Prior to the first bell, both fighters had identical records of 16-1-1. Harrison had beaten the better quality opposition (with wins over former world champions Tracy Harris Patterson, Tom Johnson and Steve Robinson), while Victor had, on paper, the bigger punch, with twelve stoppages to his credit.

    The 24 year old hometown fighter started quickly, and after a solid right hand hurt the visitor, an early finish seemed on the cards, but confident Santiago had clearly not come over to lose, and he rallied towards the end of the round with some sizzling combinations. Scott found himself taking more clean punches than at any other time in his six year career, but he kept pressuring the Puerto Rican throughout the next three rounds.

    Skillwise, it's been said that while he does nothing outstandingly well, he is very competent in all aspects of boxing, and in that regard his style is a bit like former super middleweight world champion Steve Collins. He simply maintained a frenetic workrate, took what was dished out to him, and a series of big punches almost brought matters to a conclusion in the fifth. Santiago gamely survived, but was hammered to defeat in the next round.

    He is one of the most lively and dangerous overseas fighters to grace a British ring in recent years, and has nothing to be ashamed of. He gave it his all, and against a lesser opponent than Harrison, his effort would have been enough to pick up the interim championship and book a showdown with Chacon later this year.

    With Prince Naseem Hamed in decline, and Lennox Lewis turning 37 in three months time, Harrison, along with Ricky Hatton, fronts the next generation of British stars forging their way into world championship boxing. He is physically strong at the weight, has a solid dig in both hands, a great chin, underrated boxing skills and a workrate that few can match.

    HBO television are aiming to match Hamed against IBF champion Johnny Tapia for late summer. The once-untouchable Prince will be looking over his shoulder and this writer would take Scot to beat him right now.

    Undercard results:

    Hot super featherweight prospect Alex Arthur recorded his ninth inside the distance win in 11 professional contests with a routine victory over late sub Nikoal Eremeev. Alex, a former Commonwealth games gold medalist and quarter finalist at the world amateur championships, dished out a steady beating and the Russian did not come out for round six.

    Arthur is a stable mate of Scott Harrison; they're the best prospects to come out of Scotland for many years.

    Two local light welterweight prospects, Gary Young and Ricky Burns, impressed with first round stoppage wins over Daniel Thorpe and Gary Harrison respectively.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHarrison Stops Santiago``x1023646163,16604,``x``x ``xA brief look at those inducted on Sunday into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The info below is from the Hall, and may not match the Cyber Boxing Zone, which has more up-to-date research:


    BENNY BASS     — Born Dec. 4, 1904, in Kiev, Russia. Turned pro in 1921, fighting out of Philadelphia. Won the vacant NBA featherweight championship in 1927, which he later lost to Tony Canzoneri. Defeated Tod Morgan for the junior lightweight championship in 1929. Registered over 200 fights in 19-year career. Died June 25, 1975.


    AARON BROWN     — Born Dec. 23, 1883, in Fulton, Mo. "The Dixie Kid" was regarded as a clever boxer deft at counter-punching. Captured the world welterweight title in 1929 with a 20-round victory over Barbados Joe Walcott. A veteran of over 150 bouts. Died April 6, 1934.

    JIMMY CANNON — Born 1910. Began his journalism career at age 17 as a copy boy for the New York Daily News. Earned distinction as a sportswriter for the New York Post, New York Journal-American and King Features Syndicate. Died Dec. 5, 1973.

    IRVING COHEN — Born Jan. 2, 1904, in Vilna, Russia. One of the top managers of boxing's golden age. Began managing in 1935 and eventually guided nearly 500 pro fighters in a 35-year career, including Rocky Graziano. Died June 25, 1991.


    PIPINO CUEVAS     — Born Dec. 27, 1957, in Mexico City. Cuevas turned professional in 1971 after a modest amateur career. Known for an explosive left hook. Won the Mexican welterweight title in 1975. At age 18, defeated Angel Espada for WBA title in July 1976 with a second-round TKO. Successfully defended the title 11 times before losing to Thomas Hearns in 1980. Retired in 1989 with a 35-15 record with 31 KOs.

    AILEEN EATON — Born Feb. 5, 1909, Vancouver, B.C. Eaton was promoter at Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles from 1942 to 1980. Promoted more than 2,500 fight cards, 100 title bouts and 10,000 matches. Among the fighters she promoted were Sugar Ray Robinson, Floyd Patterson, Carmen Basilio, George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Carlos Palomino. Died Nov. 7, 1987.


    SIXTO ESCOBAR     — Born March 23, 1913, in Puerto Rico. Escobar was the first Puerto Rican boxer to win a world title when he KO'd Baby Casanova in 1934 to win the NBA bantamweight championship. Lost and regained the championship twice. Retired with a 45-22-3 record (22 KOs). Died Nov. 17, 1979.

    JEFF FENECH — Born May 28, 1964, in Sydney, Australia. Regarded as an intelligent, aggressive boxer. Won three world titles in three weight divisions in only 20 fights over a 3 1/2-year period. Captured the IBF bantamweight title in 1985, followed by WBC junior featherweight crown in 1987 and WBC featherweight title in 1988. Quest for a fourth world title halted by Azumah Nelson in a controversial decision for WBC super featherweight crown. Retired in 1996 with a 28-3-1 record with 21 KOs.


    VICTOR GALINDEZ     — Born Nov. 2, 1948, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Captured Argentine and South American light heavyweight titles in 1972. Won vacant WBA light heavyweight championship in 1974 with a 13th-round TKO of Len Hutchins. Successfully defended the title 10 times before losing to Mike Rossman in 1978. Regained it in a 1979 rematch before losing it again to Marvin Johnson. Retired with a record of 55-9-4, with 34 KOs. Died Oct. 26, 1980, in an auto racing accident.

    REG GUTTERIDGE — Born March 29, 1924, in Islington, England. His grandfather was a renowned boxer and father and uncle were trainers. Became one of England's most popular boxing scribes and radio-television broadcasters.


    HARRY HARRIS     — Born Nov. 18, 1880, in Chicago. Exceptionally tall for a bantamweight (5-foot-8), he was nicknamed "The Human Hairpin." Won the world bantamweight championship in 1901. Retired with a record of 41-2-7. Died June 5, 1959.


    JOHN HEENAN     — Born May 2, 1835, in Troy, N.Y. Boxed from 1858 until 1863 and claimed the American heavyweight title following retirement of John Morrisey. In 1860, he fought Tom Sayers of England to a 42-round draw in what is considered the first significant international heavyweight championship contest. Died Oct. 28, 1873.


    INGEMAR JOHANSSON     — Born Oct. 16, 1932, Goteborg, Sweden. Was a 1952 Olympic heavyweight silver medalist. Carried a tremendous right hand knockout punch dubbed "Hammer of Thor" and "Ingo's Bingo." Captured the European heavyweight title in 1956. Johansson astounded the boxing world on June 26, 1959, by knocking champion Floyd Patterson to the canvas seven times in a three-round victory. Lost to Patterson in two subsequent rematches. Retired in 1963 with a record of 26-2, 17 KOs.


    CHARLEY MITCHELL     — Born Nov. 24, 1861, in Birmingham, England. Although he never weighed more than 160 pounds, Mitchell routinely fought bigger opponents. In 1883, he dropped John L. Sullivan in the first round of a fight halted by police in the third round. Drew with Sullivan in a 39-round fight in 1883. Died April 3, 1918.

    OWEN MORAN — Born Oct. 4, 1881, in Birmingham, England. Was a world bantamweight champion, who caused a stir when he knocked out former lightweight champion Battling Nelson in 11 rounds in 1910. Died March 17, 1949.

    DAMON RUNYON — Born Oct. 4, 1884, in Manhattan, Kan. Began his sportswriting career with Denver Post and later worked for New York American, covering most of the major fights during his career. Responsible for giving many boxers their nicknames, including Jack Dempsey (The Manassas Mauler). Died Dec. 10, 1946.

    YOUNG DUTCH SAM — Born Jan. 30, 1808, in London. His father was famous Dutch Sam, another Hall of Famer. Fought as a welterweight and retired from the ring having never lost a fight. Died Nov. 4, 1843.

    SAM SILVERMAN — Born Dec. 25, 1912. A promoter from New England who staged more than 10,000 fights during a 40-plus-year career, including 32 of former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano's 49 pro bouts. Promoted 25 world championship fights. Died July 9, 1977, in an automobile accident.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHall of Fame Inductees``x1023721119,93006,``x``x ``xThe International Professional Ring Officials ("IPRO") group has scheduled its convention and training seminars for Saturday, August 17th in Seattle, Washington.

    IPRO offers intensive training for professional boxing officials.

    IPRO has established a training camp environment for professional boxing officials who want to improve their skills. "We believe that better officials make for better boxing and we need to be accountable for our actions. It's not enough for a referee to just have knowledge of the rules and good ring movement. He's got to receive training from doctors so he can recognize the danger signs of concussions and head injury to protect the health and safety of the fighters. Our goal is to establish consistent training and the evaluation and grading of boxing officials at the same level that exists in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball." says Larry Abbott, IPRO Vice President.

    Scheduled speakers for the training seminars are Marc Ratner, Joe Cortez, Tom Kaczmarek, Dr. Margaret Goodman and Dr Flip Homansky.

    Members can attend any or all of the training sessions, although for IPRO certification, ring doctors must attend the medical seminar, referees must attend the medical seminar and Joe Cortez' seminars and judges must attend Tom Kaczmarek's workshop.

    The events will be held at The SeaTac Marriott Hotel, near the Seattle
    Tacoma Airport. There will be a cocktail and dinner party Saturday evening. Rooms are available at the special rate of $79 per night for IPRO members.

    Secretary-Treasurer Glen Hamada is arranging a Salmon Fishing Derby on
    August 15th and a Golf Tournament on August 16th.

    IPRO is a not-for-profit group. Annual dues are only $36, which includes the training seminars as well as newsletters, membership card and membership patch.

    For additional information or to request a membership application for IPRO, contact Barry Druxman, President IPRO1@webtv.net.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRing Officials Schedule Training Camp``x1023731176,39886,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    Now that the cheers and jeers and brickbats and smirks have returned to their place of origin; now that the smoke has cleared, now that the dust has settled; now that the remains of a former heavyweight champion have been dumped in a roadside receptacle; perhaps now that blessed silence has returned, we can consider the full extent of what we witnessed Saturday night at The Pyramid.

    Admittedly, Mike Tyson looked bad, real bad, no, make that absolutely awful, dreadful, terrible, the worst, during his feeble challenge for the heavyweight title. Some of us who’ve been following Mike’s career for almost twenty years didn’t really expect anything else. But as rotten as Tyson has looked since he emerged from the joint, as woeful and pathetic and disengaged as he appeared against Peter McNeeley, Bruce Selden, Franz Botha, Orlin Norris and Brian Nielsen, Mike Tyson has never ever appeared as clueless as he appeared on June 8 in Memphis, Tennessee.

    Except only once before.

    We have to go back in time, way back in time to that day in the life and career of Iron Mike Tyson that he, and every lover of the fight game, has spent years trying to forget. Picture it: Mike Tyson and his spanking new bride, the smart as a fox Robin Givens, in a sit-down with Baba Wawa on ABC’s 20/20. That was the ignoble moment Iron Mike was put down, shot down, stripped of his dignity by a blabbing bride with a hunger to humiliate. That night Givens made some unsubstantiated claims (no doubt with an eye on their future divorce) which showed Mike Tyson in the worst possible light.

    That marital moment, that martial moment, might have been the nadir of Mike Tyson’s trajectory. It was certainly the beginning of the end. Even though Mike had not yet been beaten in the ring - that was just around the corner - he was smacked around on national TV by a flyweight named Robin Givens. That was one night Mike Tyson didn’t fight back. It may have been the only time in his short, tumultuous life when Mike behaved like a pacifist. The problem with Tyson and Givens and Barbara Walters, we later found out, was that Tyson had been drugged, ostensibly for his own good, with a medical cocktail prepared by a honeymooner from hell.

    Remember Tyson that evening? While Givens bitched and moaned and griped and whined and did all but castrate the heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson sat there stone-faced, he sat there like a bump on a log. He was expressionless. He was immobile. He was a zombie in the outer limits. To be fair, Robin Givens only called Mike Tyson a wife-beater and cur, a vicious animal and psychopath and manic-depressive. No doubt at her lawyer’s urging, Robin kept the really bad stuff to herself. But Robin Givens could have called Mike Tyson every name in the book that night with the legendary Baba Wawa. Tyson appeared to be man enough to endure any and every slight, every low blow, every slur, every aspersion cast on his character. Tyson looked like wallpaper or office furniture or a house plant. Mike Tyson did nothing - because he was too zonked to do anything. He was too doped-up on Thorazine or Paxil or Prozac or Valium or Effexor or Zoloft or Lithium or whatever Robin slipped him to raise a hand, or to even raise an objection. A low-rent Hollywood actress fed Mike some pharm-illogical substance that had turned the baddest man on the planet into the most passive man on earth. Mike Tyson? Passive? You had to see it to believe it. He was shockingly inert, and little else, against Robin Givens on ABC. And he was passivity itself in his "fight" with Lennox Lewis on June 8, 2002.

    Now that the tears of joy and/or tears of sorrow have dried on our rosy cheeks, now that Mike Tyson has been knocked out of contention forever, now that we have a quiet minute far from the madness of civilization, it’s the perfect time to ask an important question: Who Drugged Mike Tyson?

    This question isn’t asked to create controversy, nor voiced in the hope of creating buzz. Since most people have their heads up their ass, what difference would it make, anyway? We ask because we love boxing. We ask because we want answers. We ask because we want an explanation for Mike Tyson’s willingness to take such a ugly beating. At least when Tyson lost to Buster Douglas in 1990, he fought back, knocked Douglas to the canvas, and even after Iron Mike was floored for good, one eye closed, a broken pug with no illusions, Tyson, crawling on all fours, fumbled for his mouthpiece, put it between his jaws, so he could rise and continue fighting. This man, be he a winner or a loser, is the man we know as Mike Tyson.

    Or consider his two bouts with Evander Holyfield in 1996 and 1997. The first fight was Holyfield’s night as he bullied and manhandled the former champion. But Tyson didn’t quit. He was knocked down midway through and beat the count to give it his best shot. If the ref hadn’t stopped the fight when he did, Tyson would probably still be gunning for Holyfield. Even during the two men’s second bout - where Tyson "snapped" and bit both The Real Deal’s ears - Mike showed us a desperate character, but a character who refused to say die.

    Which brings us to the impossibly gross conclusion to the Saturday night massacre. It wasn’t only that Lennox is at the top of his game and Tyson is on the skids, nor that Lennox’s height and reach trumped anything Tyson had to offer. No, something else was going on. Something was seriously amiss. Something was wrong with Iron Mike Tyson. Since we were locked out of the closed door meetings preceding the fight, it’s our responsibility to blow the lid on what went down.

    A few weeks ago Mike Tyson was photographed by paparazzi and he was flabby and out of shape. He had no handle on his love handles and he was smoking a doobie like some refugee from Woodstock. Then, almost overnight, Team Tyson threw open the doors to the media . . . and there he stood: A fit, trim, cut and developed Mike Tyson who was cruising for bruising. We can’t help but honor a man who can change his body in the blink of eye. We also can’t help but wonder which steroids spurred this radical transformation.

    Although these banned substances have their place when it comes to building muscle, in the squared circle, when there is ritual and rules and regulations to temper the animal instincts, this junk can only drive a pugilist batty. Which, as we know, is Mike Tyson’s cross to bear; and boxing’s goal to avoid. After the Melee at the Millennium in Manhattan where Tyson exploded and bit the leg of Lennox Lewis, after Team Tyson hit the road in a frenzied search for a place to stage a prizefight, after the fighters weighed-in separately, after a wall of men stretched diagonally across the ring to create a barrier between Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis, why leave to chance any possibility that Tyson might flip and begin fouling? The powers that be were plenty aware of the dangers that shadow Mike Tyson. But unlike us, who don’t have Tyson’s ear, who can’t threaten to withhold his priceless paycheck, these men in black understand there are forces that pack more punch than Mike Tyson or Lennox Lewis. After all, there’s MONEY to consider. No doubt this is the argument that was used to convince Mike Tyson to take his medicine like a man.

    One needn’t be a conspiracy buff or a champion of Lee Harvey Oswald to know that something stinks in the state of Denmark. There is nothing most people won’t do for money, there’s no level to which most people won’t sink. And boxing, not surprisingly, where testosterone flows as freely as water, with its glorified half-wits clinging desperately to power, is more susceptible to shenanigans than most activities. Considering Tyson’s indebtedness, his explosiveness and his catalogue of vulnerabilities - considering all the greenbacks at stake - it’s completely reasonable to assume there was hanky-panky behind the scenes. (When isn’t there hanky-panky behind the scenes?) We won’t hold our breath for someone to step forward and confess that he slipped Mike Tyson a Mickey. But what we witnessed prior to and at The Pyramid in Memphis simply does not compute. Tyson was a man-eater one minute, a lamb led to slaughter the next. (After the fight, Tyson tenderly wiped a drop of blood from Lennox’s brow? After his loss, Tyson kissed the champion’s mother lovingly on the cheek?) This radical split was one of two things: It was either Dr. Jeckyl/Mr. Hyde in gloves and satin trunks or an example of better living through chemistry. Either way, the fight was a debacle. Either way, the sport of boxing needs to take a step back and take a good long hard look at itself and consider where the sweet science is headed. After the obligatory trip to the safety deposit box, the fight game’s next stop might just be to hell in a handbasket.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWho Drugged Mike Tyson?``x1023754156,13999,``x``x ``x


    http://www.plutosplight.com/index.htm
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xSay What! of the Week: Buster Douglas, Movie Star``x1023807855,12389,``x``x ``x Well, time is drawring neah and on July 27th, we’ll find out what happens when John “The Quietman" Ruiz fights someone othah than Evandah Holyfield. The proud Pawtah Rican from Las Vegas (via Chelsea, MA) makes his second defense of his WBA title, the one Lennox Lewis withdrew in lieu of fighting Ruiz against the awginization’s numbah one contendah, Kirk Johnson. As predicted a few months ago, yaw writah still likes Ruiz in this one, not because Johnson, like my ex-girlfriend is from Nover Scotier, but because Ruiz has the tools necessary to defeat him. You haven’t been able to see these tools in Ruiz’ last three pahfawmances because he was fighting an undahrated old man named Holyfield, who a few weekends ago proved against Hasim Rahman that he is still a very much fawce in the division.

    “So many people have asked us if we think Johnny is so good then why couldn’t he knock out a 39-year old Holyfield,” said Nahmin Stone, the vocal managah of Ruiz. “My ansah to them is, fight him! See faw yaself how good he still is. I was telling everyone how easy he was going to beat Rahman who knocked Lewis out cold last yeah.”

    So why was it difficult faw Ruiz to look like a world beatah against Holyfield? Because Lennox Lewis didn’t even look like one when he decisioned Holyfield in November of ’99. Looking back, most felt that Holyfield won at least 5 rounds and had he possessed enough nitro in the tank could have pulled out a couple maw. At 39, Holyfield can still fight, just not as often as it would be necessary to best a giant like Lennox Lewis who fights too defensive-minded faw Holyfield. If you try to take Holyfield out you pose a significant risk as Lewis and Ruiz found out when they tried to become maw aggressive. Against Holyfield, Ruiz wasn’t able to move Holyfield backwids with the jab to set up his punches because Holyfield doesn’t back up – he slips and countas you to death. Ruiz had to adapt and shahp-shoot Holyfield with his undahrated jab and smothah him on the inside. As a result, we had a numbah of dull and ugly moments in theah 3-fight series.

    Against Johnson, expect Ruiz to move Johnson backwids with his jab and set up a combination that knocks Johnson out within 8 rounds. Ultimately, as I had mentioned months back, Ruiz and Holyfield will gahnah respect by not fighting each othah.

    In the next few weeks, boxing hits New England for some interesting fights. On Friday, June 21st at the Wondahland Ballroom in Reveah, Cappiello Promotions has set up a battle for the vacant New England jr. welterweight title. No, the combatants won’t be “Irish” Micky Wahd and “Sucra” Ray Oliveira as some, including myself have dreamed about. But the match-up is still intriguing.
    “Cocky” Kevin Watts (16-1, 5 KO’s) of South Boston will face Jeff “The Hellraza” Frazza (10-2, 6 KO’s). The bout was to have originally taken place last month until Frazza had his ribs busted by Micky Wahd who was then preparing faw Gatti.

    Like Wahd and Gatti, the Watts-Frazza match-up is a throwback match-up of Italian versus Irish heritage and guarantees excitement. On the undercard, prospects Aaron “Two Gun” Torres (9-1, 5 KO’s), the Philadelphian now fighting out of Brockton and Jimmy LeBlanc (9-1) of South Boston ah both slated to appeah in separate attractions. Faw maw infamation or faw tickets call (508) 587-5554 or (508) 587-3370.

    The following Friday night (the 28th), two of the Boston areas’ most populah fightis, will engage in separate attractions in what Rhode Island promotah Jimmy Burchfield is billing as the “Battle at the Castle.” The historic Castle at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, will play host to an exciting 7-bout cahd. In the main event, Paz nemesis, “Dangerous” Dana Rosenblatt (37-1-1, 23 KO’s) of Malden, fully recovid from his injured shouldah will try to work off the ring rust against Colombian National Champion, Juan Cahlos Vilawria (Ed note: Juan Carlos Viloria). Vilawria (23-16-1, 13 KO’s) has been in with tough competition, including WBC super-middleweight champion Eric Lucas and WBA cruisahweight champion Gene-Mahc Mawmeck (Ed note: Jean-Marc Mormeck) of France.

    In the co-feachah, the likable Richie “The Mountain” LaMontange (25-4-1, 20 KO’s) of Everett, MA will take on veteran journeyman Aht Jimmahsin (Ed note: Art Jimmerson) in a 10-round battle for the EBA cruisahweight title. LaMontange, who is rated #2 by the NABF, could be in position to fight for the title should he defeat Jimmahsin. Othah popular local fightahs, including Bubba Conway (2-0, 1 KO) of South Boston, Mike Culbert (25-4-1, 6 KO’s) of Brockton and Joey Spina (4-0, 3 KO’s) of Providence ah scheduled to appeah. Fah ticket info call (401) 724-2253.

    Don’t ask why but on the same night, Doug Pendahvis (Ed note: Pendarvis) hosts a 6-bout show at the Roseland Ballroom in Taunton. Sweden’s Tonton Semakala (12-0, 4 KO’s) faces ever-tough Tommy Attahdo (10-8-1, 2 KO’s) of South Boston. Facing tough undefeated talent is nothing new to the light-hitting Attahdo (Ed note: Attardo), who has even gone up three weight classes to fight Olympian Jeff Lacy, but a month ago Attahdo did the unthinkable - he knocked out an opponent. Look faw Attahdo to have maw confidence faw this encountah. Semakala has a shaky chin and if Attahdo is on, he could pull off an upset. Wusstah (Ed note: Worcester) cruisahweights Roy “The House of” Payne (13-11-4, 6 KO’s) and Adam Harris (4-0, 4 KO’s) will also appeah in two of the othah 4 fights. Fah ticket info, call (617) 825-3283.

    Recently, Hahtfid light-heavyweight “Iceman” John Scully, was hit with some disturbing news. No Joey DeGrandis didn’t retire – not yet anyway. Scully had aspirations of playing volleyball with some of the bunnies at Hugh Heffnah’s Playboy Mansion, but US Olympian Lawrence Clay-Bey, who is trained by Scully will not be fighting there on the July 9th ESPN show as expected. Accawding to Scully, Foxwoods and/aw ESPN has a written rule, which states that you cannot fight 45 days prior to the day you ah scheduled to fight. Clay-Bey is already penciled in faw an August 3rd bout at Foxwoods against an opponent to be named.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta - By JD Vena``x1024155215,47131,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    No. Not really. Not yet. Just kidding. Just wishful thinking. Just hoping for the best. But after watching the champion take Mike Tyson apart at The Pyramid, after watching and/or reading about a number of top-notch pugilists who ended up down and out, we urge Lennox Lewis, with the utmost respect and gratitude, to hang ‘em up and get on with other things.

    The Saturday night massacre was, as the champ put it, "a defining fight for Lennox Lewis’ legacy. You could say it’s the icing on Lennox Lewis’ cake." And so it was. Happy Birthday. Congratulations. We wish you well. We wish you a long and healthy life. And although our hopes for your well-being are heartfelt and sincere, it all adds up to one big zero if you insist on fighting.

    Not every man you’ll meet in the future will be a pushover like Mike Tyson. Not every pug you’re likely to fight will show you the respect - or be hobbled by the crippling self-doubt - you encountered Saturday night in Iron Mike. Hungrier men with the same dreams you had are gunning for Lennox Lewis and have you in their sights. They know your history. Everyone has heard of Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman. We needn’t waste our breath telling you one squeeze of the trigger is all it takes. Whichever sharpshooter gives it his best shot, whichever country or continent or corral he comes from, your next rival may catch you unawares and he might put you down, he might ice you, he might turn you into a trophy for his den.

    Although they are few and far between, you wouldn’t be the first prizefighter to quit while he was ahead. We’ve grown accustomed to the norm: an aging champion fights past his prime and is rocked by guys he used to eat for breakfast. We love the cats who give their blood, sweat and tears to the sweet science. What we do not love, and in fact fear, is that monsters are trying to kill you - and sooner or later they will succeed.

    You’ve been lucky so far. Only a couple of one-hit wonders ever starched you. Your cautious/thoughtful nature, your cautious/thoughtful ring-style, while never scintillating, has saved you from a pounding. We're glad you’ve not been beaten up. With a little luck, that will never happen to Lennox Lewis. But if you choose to play this game which is never play and not a game, if you decide, as we’ve decided, that you’re as good as any man out there, and decide, as we have not decided, that you can beat back every challenge, we suggest you prepare for the worst as we have prepared for the worst, with regret, with apprehension, with dread.

    Admittedly, there’s no one on the horizon who looks too menacing. The one pug who could give you trouble, the troubled Ike Ibeabuchi, sexually assaulted an escort and is locked-down on anti-psychotics. The other contenders for your crown, while all are gifted, appear unequal to stealing your title. Evander Holyfield and the Klitschkos and Chris Byrd and Kirk Johnson are anything but knockabouts. One of them might just pop you from your perch. These gentlemen desperately want what you alone possess. Why risk upending your triumph?

    Boxing history is littered with men who failed to get out while the getting was good. The exceptional Muhammad Ali is a prime example. Joe Louis is another. Sugar Ray Robinson another still. Even Commander Vander, everyone’s favorite warrior’s warrior, is a thirty-nine year young miracle worker, just a few years older than Lennox Lewis, and he flirts with danger every time he flirts with destiny. Like The Greatest and The Brown Bomber and Sugar Ray and The Real Deal and too many other pugs of genius to name, time is not on your side.

    You are still young enough, smart enough, wealthy enough, to say goodbye to the fight game without regret and get on with the rest of your life. Few are the men who have the nerve to bail while they’re on top. These gents are the rarities, the exceptions to the rule. To turn your back on what has been good to you and you so good to it takes guts of gold. Why be carried from the ring when you can walk away of your own volition?

    We concur when you contend, "It’s been a great long road and I finally completed what I wanted to do." We accept your assertion, "I just wanted to complete my legacy." We second that emotion when you profess, "I just wanted to prove to people that I’m the best fighter in the world, the best on the planet." We even raise a toast to your analogy, "I’m like fine wine, this is my time."

    But Lennox, we love you like a brother and don’t want to see you hurt. Fine wine you may indeed be, but don’t get drunk on your own vintage hubris. Fine wine should be sipped, not gulped, savored, not abused. And even though the best grape comes to life in a vintner’s cellar, the last place we want to see you is in a room where it’s cold and it’s dark and it’s quiet. So please, Lennox Lewis, just retire, get out while you can. There’s nothing left to prove. There’s nothing left in boxing to accomplish. Your achievements are huge and will never be forgotten. There’s no fight out there that will exalt you more than you are exalted at this very moment.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLennox Lewis Retires!``x1024266444,12980,``x``x ``xWBC #10 SATAKE KEEPS OPBF 140-POUND BELT BY 8TH ROUND KO OF KOREAN PARK

    June 16, 2002, AKASHI, JAPAN-WBC #10 ranked elusive southpaw Masakazu Satake (16-2-4, 9 KOs), 140, kept his OPBF 140-pound belt as he impressively utilized his excellent reflexes in averting the constant attack of Korean champ Hwangyoung Park (12-3, 11 KOs), 140, and finished him with a single right hook to the bottom at 2:05 of the 8th round in Akashi, Japan.

    Satake, making his 7th defense, made best use of his vaunted footwork and had the Korean hard-puncher missing almost all punches, piling up points with sharp counters. The 8th saw Satake connect with a countering southpaw right hook to the other lefty, Park, who fell and barely stood up wobblingly only to be counted out by the third man.

    Satake, in his 7th defense, raised his stock by lopsidedly beating ex-Japanese champ Rick Yoshimura Roberts (who had kept his national title 22 times) into retirement last March. If Satake should fight and display his incredible reflexes based on his career as a basketball player in the US, he might be able to attract US aficionados with his remarkable agility.

    Promoter: Kinya Yoshida’s Akashi Promotions.

    Matchmaker: Joe Koizumi.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xSatake kayos Park by Joe Koizumi``x1024322081,44430,``x``x ``xRecord of Marco A. Barrerra``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRecord of Marco A. Barrerra``x1024583297,19284,``x``x ``xRecord for Erik Morales``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRecord for Erik Morales``x1024587560,42302,``x``x ``xBudd Shulberg on Tyson-Lewis``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBudd Shulberg on Tyson-Lewis``x1024596066,9477,``x``x ``xJune 18, 2002

    TOKYO, JAPAN-Underdog Teruo Nagase (21-5-2, 12 KOs), 147, impressively kept his Japanese welter belt as he landed many right crosses to WBA #10 ranked taller jabber Hiroyuki Maeda (24-7-2, 14 KOs), 147, and withstood his last surge to earn a split but well-received decision over 10 heats at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

    Scored: 97-95 and 98-95 for Nagase, and 96-95 for Maeda, ex-national 135-pound and 140-pound champ, who failed to win his third different class title.

    Nagase, making his third defense, had shown lackluster performances in his last two bouts, barely retaining it by a controversial nod over Motoki Sasaki and a draw with Yoshiaki Takenaka, so Maeda, despite a 10-month layoff due to a hand injury, was favored to capture the national title. But Nagase, a stocky puncher, was in command in the second through 8th, when he almost toppled the prefight favorite with solid right shots.

    Maeda displayed his determination by landing good uppercuts to dominate the last two sessions, which was not enough to overcome his early deficits on points. It’s an upset result.

    Undercard:
    Japanese #5 feather Motokazu Abe (9-0-1, 7 KOs), 126, sank Thai #3 feather Thongcharoen Ausuwannasilp (9-7, 1 KO), 126, with a countering right at 3:10 of the 7th round. A haymaker was landed just at the bell.

    Promoter: Kenji Yonekura’s Yonekura Promotions.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNagase Retains Japanese Welter Title by Joe Koizumi``x1024596265,67246,``x``x ``xWeekend Preview: Mexican fury in Las Vegas
    Barrera and Morales meet again for honour and rank 1

    by Kris Van de Velde

    It took over 2 years but this Saturday Mexican ring stars Marco Antonio Barrera (#2, v1800) and Erik Morales (#5, v1200) are finally facing each other again in a long-anticipated rematch at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Their classic first fight concluded with a narrow points victory for Morales, but quite a few observers thought the more aggressive Barrera deserved the verdict. In any case, Barrera did not suffer a lot from that third loss in his career, as he went on to rise in the people's esteem by easily outpointing British hot shot Naseem Hamed last year. On the contrary, Morales had two rather disappointing performances against In Jin Chi and Guty Espadas in 2001, and people are wondering whether El Terrible is still as strong as before the first Barrera fight. Morales will surely need to be at his peak this weekend, because the controversy surrounding the decision in the previous encounter might not be beneficial for him, if the fight would again turn out to be close.

    Whether the rematch will be just as spectacular remains to be seen. There's been a lot of hype preceeding this contest, emphasizing the existing rivalry between Mexico City - Barrera's native soil - and Tijuana - Morales' neighbourhood. Yet both protagonists have been out of the ring for a while. Barrera had his last bout in September last year, Morales had his as long as eleven months ago. One could thus expect a bit of ring rust initially.

    Since the start of WCOB in January, the prolonged inactivity of the two alleged best featherweights in the world has provided the opportunity for others to take centre stage. Johnny Tapia, for instance, is currently leading both the 2002 World Cup series as WCOB's total ranking. In the latter, Morales has even dropped from second to fifth over the past few months. However, the winner of Morales-Barrera II will rather easily overtake Tapia and co again.

    There's a very interesting bout on the undercard, too. It features two unbeaten WBO titlists squaring off against one another: Super flyweight champ Pedro Alcazar (#5, v1200) versus stylish flyweight Fernando Montiel (#5, v1200 at 118 lbs). It has everything to become a cracker on its own and the winner will become second to Alex Munoz in the 2002 WCup competition at super flyweight, as well as top 3 in the overall ranking.

    On Friday, another high-ranked Mexican featherweight is making his second ring appearance of the year. Juan Manuel Marquez (#6, v1000) is currently fifth in the World Cup with 306 points, but will not improve a lot with a fight against #95 Hector Marquez (v15) at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas.

    An OPBF title bout at super welter takes place in Osaka, Japan, on Friday. It puts undefeated Australian Nader Hamdan (#37, v241) opposite Nobuhiro Ishida (#59, v115) and the winner will climb up to anywhere near rank 25 in WCOB's total ranking.

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/ ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Preview``x1024602547,65766,``x``x ``x



    Tickets available online at
    TicketWeb.com     or
    Order by phone:1-866-468-7619
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGerry Cooney Comeback at BoxOpera 3 on July 11``x1024612320,60112,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    When Leon Spinks beat Ali their first time around in 1978, when Larry Holmes put some serious hurt on Muhammad in 1980, when Trevor Berbick brought down the curtain on The Greatest’s career in 1981, I was a baby psychologically, king of the kindergarten, master of a teensy-weensy universe, but I was aware enough of the world around me, and Muhammad Ali’s place in it, to know that something real had died, that a big-league icon had fallen, that an era like none other had ground to a halt.

    It’s been little more than a week since Lennox Lewis quashed Mike Tyson, soulful days spent nitpicking, another epoch is kaput. It wasn’t as though Mike Tyson was the end-all and be-all of existence. Nor that he was the greatest heavyweight in history. But Mike Tyson held the spotlight as effectively as Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano and Ali. Which is not to say that Iron Mike was or was not their equal in and/or out of the ring. But Iron Mike Tyson was a media sensation. He was a man right in sync with his empty era.

    What happened to Mike Tyson at The Pyramid on June 8 is no laughing matter. There's nothing funny about witnessing a man belittled. Many believe Iron Mike got what he deserved. Many felt that Tyson had it coming. But Mike Tyson - the heavyweight champion of trash talk - a pug who could offend almost everyone - was a man, is a man who has dignity and pride in fistfuls.

    His defeat at the hands of Lennox Lewis was an appalling bit of retribution, one man paying for all of our crummy sins. Fight fans around the world eyeballed boxing as grotesque as it was not reciprocal. Just because one was a Tyson-hater didn’t make one a Lewis-lover. All of our feelings toward Tyson (and toward Lennox Lewis) were too tangled for easy answers. But Mike Tyson, of his own doing, of his own crazy choosing, came to exemplify so much that is wrong with the world, so much that is wrong with boxing, so much that is wrong with no restraint. The man may have inspired scorn and envy and loathing and thrill in equal measure. Yet the same man, Michael Gerard Tyson from Brownsville, Brooklyn, The Catskills, New York, America, The World, was always evolving, was always devolving, he became a mirror for our sorry delusions.

    To see a prizefighter flat on his back, barely conscious and bleeding from his orifices is not a sight for sore eyes. The grueling beating Tyson absorbed wasn’t just an example of a boxer outsmarting a mere puncher. No, what we witnessed was deeper, darker than that. Mike Tyson responded to the call of the wild. He gorged in an orgy of incomprehension. With our brewskies and party favors and our congenital blood-thirstiness, we sat back and savored what became a rerun from Raging Bull. Jake LaMotta, to prove some pointless point that only made sense in a realm of senselessness, let Sugar Ray Robinson beat the shit out of him, so that after 15 Jake could mumble through swollen lips, almost as if to himself: "Hey, Ray, I never went down, man! You never got me down, Ray! You hear me, you never got me down." Although Lennox Lewis did indeed finally bring Mike Tyson down, the same masochistic spirit that inspired Jake LaMotta inspired Mike Tyson. It was like Jake and Mike were bad boys who needed to be punished.

    But weren’t we punished, as well? We might not have been black and blue. We might not have needed stitches above both eyes or cotton in our noses. But we were hurting. We too had suffered. After all, we had ringside seats at a blood-spattered execution. What joy was there watching a human humiliated, homo sapiens beaten to a pulp? Few folks hoped Tyson would recapture the crown. But even fewer were the people who derived much pleasure from seeing a man so dramatically diminished. Lennox might have been pulling the wings off a fly for all the meaning the bout engendered.

    Perhaps we’re beyond feeling sorry for Mike Tyson. But Mike Tyson, like it or not, notice it or not, is a brother, a kindred spirit, a fellow traveler on all our dreamy journeys, he is us, and we, at the end of time, are Mike Tyson.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWelcome to Palookaville``x1024629444,27580,``x``x ``xBert Sugar and "Schoolboy" Steve Small have joined foces to provide an exclusive technical breakdown of the upcoming Barrera vs. Morales Featherwieght Match. read what they have to say then make your pick.


    Analysis of the Barrera vs. Morales Fight
    By Bert Sugar and Steve Small
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBert Sugar on Morales vs. Barrera``x1024669484,11651,``x``x ``xFrazza Wails on Watts; Wins NE title
    By JD Vena

    REVERE, MA – Coming off a disappointing split decision lossin his home state this past November, might have saddened some faces, but Jeff “The Hellraza” Frazza made a trimphant return to the ring last night that summoned smiles. In front of his supportive fiery friends from his hometown of Haverhill, Frazza shook off nearly 7 months of ringrust and shook up cross-state rival “Cocky” Kevin Watts of South Boston over 10 one-sided rounds to win his most significant fight of his career and the vacant New England jr. welterweight title at the Wonderland Ballroom last night. Frazza, 139 ½, who had made a slow start in his last fight a split decision loss to Andre Baker of North Carolina (who drew with South Boston’s Jim LeBlanc in the co-feature), didn't waste any time pressing the action throughout the exciting battle. Watts, 138 ¼, on the other hand was tardy on delivering his shots and allowed the stronger Frazza to begin and end nearly all of the exchanges. All three judges favored Frazza by marks of 98-91, 97-92 and 99-90.

    The fight was to have originally taken place a month ago until Frazza suffered broken ribs from sparring with Micky Ward, but Frazza not only recovered from the injury, he looked better than he has ever looked.

    Things just weren’t going well for Watts, now 16-2 (5 KO’s) who was cut over the left eye in the first round from what could have been a head butt. Even when Watts was able to plant his feet and throw, he wasn’t able to keep the determined Frazza at a comfortable range or do enough to steal rounds. Watts was more comfortable holding Frazza on the inside as a way of keeping himself from getting hit, and it cost him in the 9th when referee Ed Fitzgerald deducted a point as a result. It was simply Frazza’s night, who improved to 11-2 with 6 KO’s. Though it appeared months ago that he might not have the ability to compete with a world class fighter, last night’s performance proved that he may possess the fire required to diffuse some of the other up and comers of the jr. welterweight division.

    In other bouts:

    Jeff Jones, 206, of Brockton, MA TKO1 Dan Veskovic, 211 ½, Massachusetts

    Martin Thornton, 163, of Dorchester, MA NC3 (bad cut) James “Rocky” McCray, Philadelphia, PA

    Knowledge Bey, 209, Syracuse, NY W4 Steve Scigliano, Quincy, MA.

    Jose Ortiz, 146, West Springfield, MA D4 Larry Green, Haverhill, MA

    Jimmy LeBlanc, 144, South Boston, MA D6 Andre Baker, Lumberton, NC

    Last night’s Mohegan Sun Fight Night card will be broadcasted on Fox SportsNet New England on Sunday, June 30th at 3:30 PM.

    Promoter – Cappiello Promotions
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFrazza W10 Watts``x1024724241,13725,``x``x ``xJUDGES TO BARRERA: SORRY ABOUT LAST TIME
    Rematch fails to live up to hype
    By Chris Bushnell


    In boxing, rematches are tallied with big roman numerals (Holyfield-Tyson II, Ali-Frazier III, et. al.). But in the case of Barrera-Morales II, it would be more accurate to simply refer to the bout as Barrera-Morales Lite. Just like a watered down drink, this rematch had the look and smell of the real deal but only half the punch. Like the original, the fight featured dramatic shifts in momentum, a controversial “was-it-a-knockdown?” moment, and one of those special Las Vegas decisions that demands a return engagement. Unlike the Y2K Fight of the Year, however, the bout was plagued with long stretches of inactivity, much-deserved booing from the crowd, and an overwhelming sense of caution that betrayed the unusually vicious pre-fight banter. Barrera-Morales Lite may not have been an all-time classic fight, but it had its moments…

    All expectations were that Barrera and Morales would go to war seconds after the opening bell sounded. After all, they had done so in their first meeting and two years of trash talking only seemed to stoke the hatred between these Mexican rivals. Once in the ring, however, all the machismo evaporated and the two featherweight powerhouses began a tactical boxing match. Maybe each man had planned on surprising the other by boxing around the brawl, and now both were shocked that the other wasn’t attacking. Or maybe they stood an arm’s length apart and suddenly remembered the pain and agony of their earlier war. Or maybe they were saving their energy for the later rounds. No matter what the reason, the bout started slow.

    In the first round, Barrera began circling away from the taller Morales, and the WBC titlist was hesitant to follow too closely. When the fighters did get in range, they would exchange jabs upstairs or down before moving some more. Barrera landed a decent right hand by leaping in early the round and Morales clubbed Barrera’s noggin with power once later in the round. But that was about it in an unexpected feel-out round between two fighters who know each other quite well. Because Morales was the one coming forward, he banked the uneventful round in his column.

    Barrera continued to move around the ring in the second round. At first it looked like he might be trying to bait Morales into walking into a punch as the Mexico City native clipped a jabbing Morales with a left uppercut and bloodied his nose. But it would be the only memorable punch of the round, as both fighters seemed to decide that the first round provided too much early contact. Barrera circled at will, keeping away from Morales’ long right hands and winning a nothing round with the uppercut.

    The pace only barely picked up in the slow third round. Morales seemed prepared to use his height and jab to fend off a charging Barrera, but was caught off guard when Barrera opened the bout in near-retreat mode. As Barrera floated around the ring in the third, Morales was forced to fire first. Often in this round, he ended up being the one who lunged because Barrera was moving away so quickly. While not entirely fan-pleasing, Barrera’s strategy might have worked if he countered the off-balance Morales in these attacks. For whatever reason, Barrera either couldn’t or wouldn’t. He looked like a fighter struggling to warm up in the third. When he finally launched left uppercut, it sailed upwards with so little snap that Morales openly laughed at Barrera after the punch missed him.

    If the third round was boring, the fourth was pure torture. Barrera continued to run away from Morales, who looked like he needed a breather from the track meet. Barrera managed to clip Morales with a light right hand, the only real punch thrown in the first half of this round. Morales tried to take away Barrera’s legs by jabbing to the body, and Barrera answered back with some belly shots of his own. The two traded downstairs jabs for most of the rest of the round. Morales had to be ruled the winner of this awful contest if for no other reason than he was coming forward and Barrera was retreating at every turn. Morales punctuated the round with a nice left hook to Barrera’s face. It wasn’t a particularly crunching blow, but it was enough to silence a crowd of 14,000 that had justifiably begun to boo.

    The action picked up in the fifth round as both men landed big right hands in the first half of the round. Compared to the highlight-reel fifth round of Barrera-Morales I, this was a severe letdown. Barrera’s footwork began to slow slightly and Morales began to catch up with him more in the second half of the fifth. The taller Morales continued to diligently jab to the body, and pounded Barrera again with a big right hand after trapping him in a neutral corner. While Barrera calmly moved around the ring without throwing, he was on his way to giving away another round to Morales. Then, with ten seconds remaining in the round, the timekeeper sounded the clapper as he always does. Morales heard the clap and for some reason thought it was the bell. He dropped his hands and began turning to return to his corner. Barrera realized that the round was still going and jumped on his opponent. Morales barely had time to cover up as Barrera suddenly burst with energy and landed two blistering uppercuts and a left hook. Morales came out of his shell throwing, and for the final 10 seconds, the two fighters let it all hang out. The exchange woke up the crowd, and in many ways the fighters themselves. Morales earned the round on BoxingChronicle’s card, but Barrera no doubt stole it on several of the official judges’ sheets.

    Barrera came out quickly in the sixth round, suddenly flowing with energy. Barrera still moved side to side, but held his ground more firmly as Morales stepped in to attack. Barrera timed Morales’ jab to the stomach perfectly, punishing Morales with a clean left uppercut to the chin each of the five times he attempted it. With Barrera more stationary, Morales was able to add in a few long right hands. The blows rocked Barrera’s head to the side, but he was not wobbled. The round was shaping up to be the fight’s most exciting, and most even, until Barrera slammed Morales with two big right hands. The punches came at the end of a clinch, and Barrera chopped into a bent-over Morales with each one. He followed a moment later with another sharp uppercut and a few body shots while Morales leaned on the ropes. Barrera had finally done his part to make this a fight, and the now-cheering fans were grateful.

    Barrera came out throwing in the seventh, and quickly remembered how easy Morales was to hit. After only a few shots, the protruding cheekbones and eyebrows of Morales began to swell. One particularly beautiful Barrera right hand landed in the center of Morales’ forehead and pushed his head straight back. Throughout the incoming, Morales continued to fire jabs and rights to Barrera’s body. Late in the round, after Barrera had slowed a bit, Morales launched a long right hand. Barrera saw the punch coming and lifted his gloves up to his face. But the right was headed south, and it landed loud on Barrera’s left side. Barrera’s knees quaked, he took half a step back and fell to the canvas. Referee Jay Nady felt as though Barrera was off balance and had slipped. No knockdown. It was a questionable call, at best. After getting up, Barrera was back to moving, but showed the effects of the bodywork and was unable to glide completely away from Morales. El Terrible finished the round strong, adding in a series of long punches to the recovering Barrera.

    Barrera needed to turn the fight around immediately. He didn’t get off to a great start in round eight. Morales opened the round by pumping his jab into Barrera’s mouth. The pace slowed again, with Barrera backing away and trying to catch Morales coming in. It was shaping up to be another uneventful round until Barrera unloaded on Morales with 15 seconds left on the clock. Morales was temporarily with his back to the ropes when all of a sudden Barrera opened up with a lightning fast double right hand followed by a left hook. The two rights landed loud on the center of Morales’ face. The hook opened a small but deep cut over Morales’ right eye, a nice match for the black mouse that had popped up underneath it. After the three-punch combo, Morales dove at Barrera and hugged his waist hard. Nady had to give hum a good tug to force the break, evidence that the punches hurt Morales. The sequence swung the round to Barrera.

    Erik Morales’ corner spent so much time trying to stop the slow of blood from the cut that they didn’t really get a chance to ice the swelling on the bottom half of his eye. When round nine began, the bleeding had stopped, but the swelling had spread around to the side of Morales’ eye, which appeared to be nearly closed. With Morales visibly wounded, and overtly protecting the eye with a raised glove, Barrera fought with new passion. He quickly landed another left uppercut to Morales’ chin and then a big right hand. After each punch, a stunned Morales again grabbed on for dear life. After Nady forced a break, Barrera finally looked like himself and openly attacked Morales. Blood soon poured from Morales’ mouth as Barrera let both hands go in short, flush flurries. Morales fired back, landing several well-timed right hands. But he was the one moving backwards now, and the punches lacked the steam to slow a surging Barrera. If Morales’ eye wasn’t closed to open the round, it was slammed shut by the end. Unable to see the punches coming, Morales was getting hurt by Barrera’s onslaught, which included two more big shots near the bell that again forced Morales to clinch hard.

    Going into round ten, Barrera seemed to have turned the tide. Although Morales likely retained a points lead, he was defenseless with his eye in such bad shape and seemed unable to last three more rounds. Barrera stormed out in the tenth to see what Morales had left and quickly ran right into Morales’ right hand. Morales was throwing the right with more than a little desperation, and he caught a careless Barrera with the punch a number of times. Barrera’s attack now stopped, and Morales returned to the body. Morales closed the round by focusing on Barrera’s ribs. At one point, Morales stepped hard into a navel-high jab and the punch hurt Barrera. He gingerly retreated as Morales came on to finish the round strong, nailing Barrera with one final right to the body as the bell rang. Just as Barrera was ready to claim the fight from a wounded Morales, the tables were turned again and it was Barrera who was stopped in his tracks.

    The eleventh round was back to the slower pace of the early rounds, with each man looking to save a little something for the final stanza. Morales found Barrera with the right while Barrera’s own right started some fresh swelling over Morales’ good eye. It was a difficult-to-score round until the final seconds, when Barrera trapped Morales in a corner and nailed him with a short right hand. Again Morales grabbed Barrera’s waist and hung on for dear life.

    Barrera needed to win the final round to salvage a draw on the Boxing Chronicle scorecard. His corner told him that he needed a knockout to win. He tried his best. Barrera came out in the final round and did more damage to Morales than he had in the previous eleven rounds combined. Barrera crushed Morales’ cheek with a hook in the opening seconds, and Morales again tried to clinch. Barrera was free swinging now, and landed two more blows that wobbled Morales. Morales would try unsuccessfully to grab onto Barrera for much of this round, while Marco Antonio was coming at him with both hands flying. With breaks only to comply with Jay Nady’s request for a break, Barrera hammered Morales from one side of the ring to the other. Morales was shaken by a several of Barrera’s punches, but he would no go down. When the bell sounded to end the one-sided carnage, a battered Morales shot his hands in the air. Barrera turned and causally walked back to his corner, hands down.

    It appeared to be a sure-fire win for Erik Morales, even though the Boxing Chronicle scorecard read 114-114. Despite the fact that Morales looked like he had been in a car accident while Barrera was virtually unmarked, the Barrera-inflicted damage was confined to just several rounds. Barrera also won a couple of rounds that he was otherwise losing with bruising exchanges that hurt Morales. So when Michael Buffer announced scores of 116-112 and 115-113 twice, everyone assumed that Morales’ early lead had held up.

    But boxing’s kangaroo court handed down another bizarre verdict, giving Barrera the unanimous decision. Morales couldn’t believe it. Tears running down his face, he stormed out of the ring in disgust. He would return moments later to prove his sportsmanship. The loss was his first defeat, blemishing his sterling record to a still-incredible 41-1/31. He now loses the WBC featherweight title (which Barrera refused to accept) and a likely showdown with Paulie Ayala. On the other hand, he probably gets a nice tune-up and then a big money third chapter with Barrera.

    And so, Barrera won the first fight but lost the decision and lost the second fight but earned the decision. Can you say “rubber match?” Barrera-Morales III seems like a foregone conclusion. After all, both fighters have something to prove. Not only to each other… but to the fans.

    Marco Antonio Morales

    by Robert Ecksel

    Victory comes in all shapes and sizes. So does losing. This is true of basketball, baseball, hockey and football. It might even be true of golf and tennis. Each of these sports can on occasion deliver thrills to their loyal fans, but the narrative which travels from game to game is rarely the subject of extremity. Whereas boxing, as we well know, specializes in extremes. Boxing is extremity in action, action in extremis. Maybe it’s not fair to compare any contest to something as deadly serious as the sweet science. But boxing, perhaps by design, perhaps by default, occupies the same virgin territory as the ball-centered pastimes just alluded to.

    Hot on the heels of Lewis-Tyson, one week before the heat of Klitschko-Mercer, two Lords of the Ring met last night and a swell time wasn’t had by all. The most recent installment of fight for your life was beamed from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and showcased the talents of Marco Antonio Barrera and Eric Morales. These scrappers might campaign as featherweights, but there’s nothing small-time about these pugilists. Men’s men, giants at their craft, Barrera and Morales are the kind of gents who’d rather ruin lives than simply live them.

    Most of the commentary preceding this fight focused on the differences between our two warriors. (One would have thought that ‘the differences between the two warriors’ routine would have been played out before the showdown in Memphis.) Extra attention was paid to the featherweight superstars’ respective backgrounds. Eric Morales was born south of the border dirt poor in Tijuana. Marco Antonio Barrera was born into the upper middle-class comforts of Mexico City. (Or as Morales reminded us: "Kill a guy from the capital. Do something good for your country.") El Terrible began boxing in a gym above a whorehouse. Barrera, in keeping with his socio-economic good standing, began boxing in a gym where the words low blow had a different meaning.

    Differences may exist between Srs. Barrera and Morales, but their similarities are even more striking. Naturally, both men are prizefighters. Naturalmente, both men are Mexican. Their heights and weights are about the same. So too is their marquee value. But the ultimate similarity between Marco Antonio Barrera and Eric Morales is that each fighter won a fight against the other which the Ray Charles judges handed to the loser.

    Ordinary men live ordinary lives and it’s no crime to be chummy with desperation. Even those for whom success is a given, a proven fact, even those whose accomplishments exceed the norm of expectation, must be considered, in a CyberBoxingZone context, as runners-up, as also-rans, as contenders versus the glorification of the prizefighter.

    Imperfect though they may be, Marco Antonio Barrera and Eric Morales are cats who’ve striven for immortality in the midst of mere mortals. These caballeros both quantify and qualify the world’s finite possibilities, as they knock our conventional aspirations down and out of contention. Of course, it’s all relative. The humdrum cadavers we’ll eventually become because of fate or nonchalance or carelessness or neglect may simply be an expression of the live fast, play hard, and leave a beautiful corpse ethos. But no matter how wild and crazy our lives might be or might have been or may yet become, they can’t hold a candle to the klieg light of life lived battling as a prizefighter. We may risk bankruptcy and disgrace and ignominy and ruin through the repetition of daily life, but boxers, our celebrated inverse role models, defy odds as they defy death as though it were a walk in the park.

    Maligned harbingers of the belly of the beast though they may indeed be, boxers still hold pride of place in a cultural landscape beset by contradiction. We personally might not have chosen to sock other men or be rocked in return. Our desire to drop our foes is usually the province of language, the childlike ABCs, the world where actions speak not louder than words. Whereas the professional puncher, he who lets his fists do the talking in the silence of sublime cruelty, sets new standards for confrontation, relinquishes the old standard peace treaty, dissolves the comprehensible like a lump of sugar in a cup of simmering java.

    We’ve grown to expect the unexpected from the fight game, just as we’ve learned to expect the unexpected from life. Bad decisions (i.e. official corruption) have become as commonplace as blood from a clash of heads. We no longer get upset or worked up or care or concern ourselves with the constant backdoor shenanigans. But as round blends into round, fight into fight, year after inexorable year, as some men are invigorated and others destroyed by the sacrificial rites within the squared circle, it sometimes feels as if our beloved boxing, the undisputed king of sport, willfully assembled a pick-up team comprised of Dale Earnhardt and Tony Canigliaro and Brian Piccolo and Darryl Strawberry and Tonya Harding and O.J. Simpson and Mike Tyson.

    With the world aflame and reality a tragic farce of epic dimensions, have we any right to expect that boxing, dominatrix of the outer reaches of civilization, should be any different? The answer is, and will always be, an emphatic and unequivocal YES.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBarrera W12 Morales - Fight Reports``x1024847407,20482,``x``x ``xRingside Report - Barrera vs. Morales II
    By Steve Coughlin

    Las Vegas Nevada, June 22, 2002

    Epic battles between great fighters usually produce highly-anticipated rematches that have a hell of a time living up to the fans expectations. Add Barrera-Morales II to that list.

    It was a good fight, but the first fight was so exciting it?s hard to believe that both guys are still at the top of the game.

    For as much animosity as they showed each other in the months preceding the fight, one could almost feel the mutual respect between the two Mexican Featherweights as they entered the ring.

    Barrera had nothing to prove. In his mind, and in the minds of most fans who were lucky enough to have seen the first fight, he won the first time around and went on to beat down Prince Naseem Hamed. But what makes a fighter great isn?t just talent. It?s a willingness to fight and beat the best. Morales had a lot to prove, mostly to himself. After the Barrera fight, Erik looked very average in going the distance in his next two outings. A win over Barrera would put him back at the top of the game and, to his credit, he wanted this fight badly.

    The MGM was buzzing in anticipation well before the fighters climbed through the ropes. It was, without question, the loudest, most vocal fight crowd this writer's ever experienced. The chants of "Tijuana, Tijuana, Tijuana" from the Morales fans would be drowned out with
    "Ba-rrera! Ba-rrer-a! Ba-rrer-a." The crowd was more than ready and it pumped up both men as they approached the ring. With both the crowd and the fighters juiced it was time to start the rematch.

    Round 1
    Barrera opens the fight as the aggressor landing hard rights & lefts to Morales's ribs. Morales lands his first hard shot, a right to Barrera?s waste with less than a minute left. Barrera's jab is keeping Erik at bey until Marco crashes a hard right into Morales's
    jaw with 12 seconds left in the round. Barrera 10 - 9.

    Round 2
    Both fighter exchange single shots when Morlaes lands a hard right that has his supporters chanting Tijuana. Midway into the round, Barrera hurts Morles with a hard combination. Both fighter exchange big shots until Morlaes smashes another big right into Marco with 10: remaining. Morales 10-9; 19-19.

    Round 3
    Morales controls the early action with his jab. Barrera hammers a couple of more combos but Morales is just the busier of the two. Morales 10-9; Morales 29 - 28.

    Round 4
    Morales is now the aggressor and has Barrera throwing single punches. Barrera lands a clean right hand at the one minute mark, but he can't seem to land the much needed second shot. At 2:30 into the round, Erik hammers Marco Antonio with a left hook and closes the stanza with a hard right hand. Morales 10-9; Morales 39-37.

    Round 5
    Morales is pressing the fight and Barrera can?t seem to get loose. The action is kind of slow until Barrera goes below the belt. What follows is the best exchange of the fight so far. Erik is just landing more often than Marco. Morales 10-9; Morales 49-46

    Round 6
    Barrera must sense that the fight?s getting away from him. Within 10 seconds he lands a very hard jab and is moving forward. Barrera lands two hard shots to close the round, Marco?s best since the first. Barrera 10-9, Morales 58 - 56

    Round 7
    For the first time of the night, Morales is the last fighter out of his corner. Barrera goes low again, getting his second warning from Jay Nady. With a little more than 1:30 gone, Barrera lands the best punch of the fight - a crushing right hand that snaps Morlaes's
    head back. Morales seemed to have scored a knockdown but Nadee was right on top of the action and correctly ruled that Erik was stepping on Marco's foot. Barrera rallying now. Barrera 10-9; Morales 67 - 66

    Round 8
    Barrera is still moving forward using his educated jab to keep Morales at bay. Midway through the round Barrera pushes Morales to the canvas. Morales seems angered but can't get off. Barrera closes the round with another hard combination that rocks Morales. Barrera 10 - 9; 76 - 76

    Round 9
    Barrera comes out strong yet again and has Erik on the defensive. Marco is pressing Morlaes and is hurting Erik with combination punching. Morales is attempting to use his jab, but Marco is just walking through it. With a minute to go Barrera lands a series of right hands shots. Morales counters with 5 hard shots of his own.
    Marco finishes the round moving ahead and lands another hard right. Berrara's on a roll. Barrera 10 - 9; Barrera 86 - 85

    Round 10
    Morales decides to take charge. He's landing hard shots and moving forward for the first time in rounds. Both fighter trade bombs at 1:30 but it's Erik that's pressing the action. Morlaes hurts Barrera for the first time with a minute left and finishes strong.
    Morlaes 10 - 9; 95 - 95

    Round 11
    Barrera comes out jabbing and lands a few hard right hands in the first minute. Has Morlaes blown his chance by not taking over the round after a good tenth? Morales lands another good right but Barrera's hook is getting to Erik. Now it's Barrera Moving ahead and that's the way the round closes. Barrera 10-9; Barrera 105-104

    Round 12
    Barrera gets off the first big shot of the round and hurts Morlaes. Morlaes gets his composure and lands his own hard right. With a minute gone the fighters engage in the fight's best exchange since the 5th round. With a minute left Barrera pounds Morales
    with a left hook, hard right, left hook that has Erik on the defensive. Morales land one last hard right but it?s Barrera that finishes the late exchanges and pulls out what I feel
    was the best round of the fight. Barrera 10-9; Barrera 115-113

    In the end, there were almost as many unanswered question as there were after the first fight. More than a fair share of ringside observers felt that Morales had won the fight big and got robbed as badly as Barrera had in the first fight. Barrera's contingent
    walked away feeling that justice had been served, but that it was indeed a close bout. I just felt that Marco had done a little more during the second ½ of the fight and deserved the nod.

    Can you say Barrera-Morlaes III? Sure, I knew you could !


    Undercard Results :

    Saturday?s opening 8 round bout pitted Super Bantamweights Oxnard?s Jose Aguiniga against Mexicali?s Ruben Lopez . Aguiniga controlled the bout from the opening bell and scored a knockdown in the 1st. Jose kept the pressure on Ruben in the second & third rounds. Aguiniga finished off Lopez in the fourth round, when Jose landed
    a hard right hand that was the effective end of the bout. Lopez?s corner mercifully threw in the towel a few seconds later at 1:55 of the fourth. Aguiniga moves to 14 ? 0, 10 KOs.

    In a 4 round Jr. Featherweight bout, Orlando Curz of San Juan, Puerto Rico (3-0, 3 ) faced Alberto Cepeda of Ciudad, Mexico ( 17 ? 10 ? 1, 12 ). The first real action of the bout occurred when the crowd booing hit a fever pitch from the lack of action.
    In the second Cruz picked up the pace and pushed Cepeda from post to post. Cepeda quits on his stool just prior to the start of the 3rd round.

    The third fight of the night saw undefeated WBO champions Pedro Alcazar, Panama City ( 25 ? 0 ? 1, 14 ) take on Mexico?s Fernando Montiel ( 23 ? 0 ? 1, 17 ) for the sanctioning body?s Super Flyweight belt. Both fighter start off slowly but things really heat up in round two. With about a 1:30 left in the round Montiel lands
    some VERY hard punches that are getting to Pedro. Alcazar comes out with a purpose in the third and fourth and is pressing the action to Montiel. Fernando regroups in the fifth, when he lands a hell of a shot into Alcazar?s family jewels. Montiel?s the hunter and he?s
    catching his pray often. A series of hard combinations has Alcazar wobbling on the ropes, unable to defend himself, getting stopped at 1:16 of round 6.

    Bout # 4 brought local veteran Justin Juuko ( 36 ? 6 ? 1, 26 ) in to test Puerto Rico?s latest rising star Miguel Cotto ( 9 ? 0, 7 ). Juuko looks the part of a tough fighter getting past his prime. Cotto drops Justin twice, once in the third and once in the fourth,
    before he closes the show with a vicious left hook. Joe Cortez stops this rather one-sided affair with :14 remaining in the 5th round. Juuko may want to consider a career change after this fight.

    Prior to the main event, heavy underdog Edgar Pedraza of Mexico City ( 1 ? 5 ? 2, 0 ) got knocked down by 9 ? 0, 5 KO favorite Luis Acero with :20 left in the opening round. Acero just kept pounding on Pedraza until Edgar was finally saved by Robert Byrd with 1:04 remaining in the fourth of a scheduled four round fight.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRingside Report - Barrera vs. Morales II``x1024929067,60550,``x``x ``xAfter watching Erik Morales "lose" his title to Marco Antonio Housefighter, I left the country for Honduras. This was a planned trip, not a reactive one, but had I not been intending to travel, I almost certainly would have been tempted to go somewhere far away from the odious business of boxing--and that, the business of boxing, is what was on display last Saturday night in Las Vegas. I doubt very much that Mr. Chuck Giampa truly believes that Barrera won eight rounds, and I also doubt very much that his colleagues in malfeasance, Mr. Ford and Mr. Hallen, truly believe that Barrera won seven.

    Do I think the fix was in? No, not really. But I do think that Las Vegas judges in general understand what is required of them and, if they wish to retain their priviledges, they act in accordance with those requirements. There have been so many awful decisions over the past few years in big time fights, it has become obvious that what happens during the fight is considerably less important than what happens prior to the fight. The marketers, not the fighters, have become the real arbiters of the sport. And everyone in the media seems just fine with that--I mean, there have been a handful of outcries, but the majority of boxing writers have chosen to downplay the injustice of the decision in Morales-Barerra II
    and view it as "a make-up call."

    A make-up call?

    For a group prone to moralizing over the degenerate natures of certain athletes, this hardly strikes a moral tone--in fact, it smacks of utter hypocrisy.

    Of course none of the above should come as news and it does no good whatsoever to moan about it--nothing anyone says will have the slightest effect on the status quo, unless one is fabulously wealthy and is prepared to pay the networks, the casinos, et al, a handsome sum in order to ensure honest judging and competent officiating. But if the sport is to be taken away from the fighters and the fans, then I feel we should be granted a few wishes by way of compensation. Everyone, of course, will have their own list, but for the record, this is my short list of things I would like to replace the pleasure that watching good fighters work once brought me.

    1. I wish that Jay Nady next be sent to referee a cockfight in a Mexican brothel, a venue where ineptitude such as he customarily exhibits is dealt with harshly and summarily. Should his qualifications not rise to the standards of such a position--something I consider a distinct possibility--I would accept instead his assignment to spend a week breaking up mating duels in the orangutang cage at the Bronx Zoo.

    2. I wish that Larry Merchant's supply of Scotch be cut off and that once dried out, he be made to sit in front of a television set and watch himself conduct post-fight interviews until he chokes on his own unctiousness.

    3. I wish that Judges Ford, Hallen, and Giampa henceforth be mandated to dress up as the Three Stooges whenever called upon to perform their official function.

    4. I wish that the Las Vegas Commission be forced to stand in the ring before every major fight and sing "Tomorrow" from the musical "Annie."

    5. I wish that George Foreman's head undergo liposuction.

    6. I wish that I be given custody of Jim Lampley, that I be allowed to convey his hair-spray junkie, idiot-grinning ass to a desert island where I will hunt him for sport. If I am only granted one wish, this is the one I choose.


    I'd really like to wish for open scoring and some legitimate oversight process for all ring officials, but getting that's about as likely as achieving world peace. I realize that even this much is a lot to ask, but if you think about what's been taken away from us, it's only fair.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xSix Wishes by Lucius Shepard``x1024935316,79623,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel (robert.ecksel@gte.net)

    The Ukrainian heavyweight sensations are sky-high. Their long and winding road to credible contention has been a take-no-prisoners demolition derby. There’s not a trial horse alive who hasn’t been dragged kicking and screaming into the Klitschko Brother’s Kiev glue factory. Such immortals as Wolfgramm, David Bostice, Obed Sullivan, Phil Jackson, Charles Shufford, Vaughn Bean, Axel Schulz, Ross Purity, Orlin Norris, Herbie Hide and Frans “The White Buffalo” Botha were buffaloed by Vlad and Vitali. Two blood brothers, a couple of big boys in gloves and satin trunks, the type of boys to make a grown man weep, the kind of boys to make a mother proud.

    Vitali Klitschko is in training for his July 20 fight in Dortmund, Germany with America’s own Larry Donald. But his baby bro’ Vladimir is here in the good old USA. Carefully handled and cautiously matched during the breadth of his career, Vladimir Klitschko has been overprotected by his Munich-based promoter Universum. Whether or not the Big U can help their pug on Saturday remains a bone of contention. The next man slated as a notch on Klitschko’s belt is the sometimes less than Merciless Ray Mercer. A former contender now impersonating the man who wasn’t there, Ray has been away too long to put much dent on Vladimir Klitschko.

    Hailing from The Garden State of New Jersey, this former-Marine sergeant came to boxing a latecomer, but Ray Mercer made up for lost time. A 1988 Olympian, Ray burst on the scene when he bushwhacked Tommy Morrison in 1991. And no one socked Lennox Lewis as much as Ray Mercer at The Garden in 1996. But as so often happens to low-flying veteran pilots strafing hamlets for the freedom of the fight game, Ray Mercer fell off the radar screen. He was no stealth bomber, so perhaps he took a hit.

    With dollar signs in his eyes and retirement in his future, Ray Mercer reappeared and signed to fight Mike Tyson on December 8, 2001. That date nosedived and the bout was fast-forwarded to January 19. Ray Mercer booked a one-way ticket on the Tyson Limited’s magical mystery tour to nowhere. Then the litigious Lennox Lewis intervened. Prodded by the strength of the champion’s argument, prodded by his squadron of ambulance-chasers, the court declared Mike Tyson vs. Ray Mercer null and void. Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson was suddenly the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

    Vladimir Klitschko and Ray Mercer lace ‘em up Saturday night at the Trump Taj in Atlantic City. The mystery concerning Klitschko’s beard may finally be solved. Ray Mercer gives and takes a good shot. Vlad can also dish out it out. Dr. K is educated and knows it’s better to give than to receive. But Ray Mercer won’t quit without a fight. Vladimir Klitschko sees the heavyweight throne and imagines it’s almost his. Ray Mercer sees the leader of the pack and thinks that he’s green and hasn’t been tested. Ray Mercer can’t wait to get his shot at nuking Vladimir Klitschko. We hear from anonymous sources that Kid Klitschko feels the same way toward Ray Mercer.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLet’s Go! Klitschko!``x1025117894,21410,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel (robert.ecksel@gte.net)

    It’s almost June 30. It’s almost Sunday. It’s almost your birthday. You lived your life to the max the past 13,000 days. You've literally done it all. You’ve been director and star of your own home movie. You’ve inhabited your life-form to the fullest for thirty-six combustible years. We tip our hat to your success and grandiose sense of theater. We’ve also brought a gift of thanks for the crazy times you willed us.

    Happy Birthday, blessed Cancer! According to our records, you were born inauspiciously on June 30, 1966 in New York, just across the East River. We hear you were noisy at birth. And, perhaps worst of all, we hear you had the crummy misfortune be born into deprivation, depravity, rats and roaches. Although just spitting distance from the glossy towers of Manhattan isle, your ghetto, your home on the range called Brownsville, was borderline blight of the boroughs, a quintessential slum’s slum, a pimple on fair Brooklyn’s ass.

    According to this book I found in a stall being manned by some wizard - “Seeing Stars: Astrology for Pugilists” - there are other media divas beside yourself who first saw the light of day on June 30. That sublime songstress Lena Horne was born on that date in 1917. (“In my early days I was a sepia-colored Hedy Lamar. Now I’m black and a woman, singing my own way.”). Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to sit on the Supreme Court, was born on June 30, 1908. (“In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves tribute.”) We’re not sure what that means. We’re not sure what anything means.

    We understand there’s a rematch clause to your first pummeling at the hands of Lennox Lewis. We understand that you and Rasta walked away with a cool $30 mil each. We understand it was Team Lewis who requested the rematch clause in the first place, fearing (unnecessarily, as it turned out) that you might deck the champion. Logic suggests that the 1.8 million pay-per-view buys you attracted was an homage to your charisma. But that audience, like your future potential, has shrunk dramatically since June 8.

    I can’t stop leafing through “Astrology for Pugilists” It says here that other people of renown who share your birthday are Princess Diana, born June 30, 1961, extinguished in 1997; Mick Jagger’s long-suffering bride, Jerry Hall, born June 30, 1956 (“Mick and I love each other. We’re great friends.”); and there’s Pamela Anderson, born in June 30, 1967, just a year after you, the blonde bombshell Baywatch babe with the ballistic ballooning boobs.

    There’s no denying that your accomplishments are nothing to sneeze at. Yours is a remarkable achievement. To be frank, it’s unreal, it's altogether beyond the beyond. So many of us are barely out of the gate - and you’ve already won the race, lost your footing, look your fortune, lost your standing, and are facing the future with a handicap. But you’re not stupid. We don’t buy into your Neanderthal act. For argument sake, let’s say you get your rematch with Lennox Lewis. Nothing fundamental will have changed between now and then. You’ll get hurt again. The soft tissue of your brain will be like a bocci ball on a roll. You’ll get another payday. And, all things being equal, that should be that. Yet you intuit as we intuit that a year from now no one will remember quite what happened to Mike Tyson in Memphis. We’ll vaguely recall that you lost to Lennox Lewis, but the depth of that defeat will fade like the depth of all defeats over time. You’re the birthday boy who’s always played our short memory the way Jimi Hendrix played electric guitar. You’ve been a virtuoso in so many realms. And although no boy scout, you’re our one and only Mike Tyson. Which is why we fear, not unreasonably, that another beating like the one at The Pyramid will not just finish you as a coherent (if not quite comprehensible) companion, but you might even die in the process.

    This dog-eared and yellowing paperback has some really amazing stuff in it. It says here than the man who discovered the wreckage of the Titanic in 1985, Robert Ballard, born in 1942, has the same birthday, June 30, as you, Mike Tyson. And, let’s see. What other jewels are buried in these crumbling pages? Ah, here’s one. Bummer! Wouldn’t you know it? Ron Goldman was born on June 30, 1968. We hope your end is less bloody than his.

    You are Mike Tyson: the arrowhead riding shotgun on the octane of time’s arrow. And it’s been one helluva ride. We picture you cracking open some bubbly in celebration at having already lived this long, surrounded by strangers posing as friends, hemmed in by greedy entities disguised as loyal homies, and we see you’ve got yourself another marginalized, fractured birthday in a bubble. It behooves you, Mike Tyson, to break free while you can.

    Go get therapy. Find counsel. Get born again. Do something. Don’t just stand there. Do anything. Be a man of action. Take care of bizness while there’s even an ounce of sympathy left for you in America. Let the chrysalis emerge from the cocoon and you can become one of our beloved old doddering grandfathers. You and George Foreman and Larry Holmes and Bill Cosby and can kid your way through old-timers day. Your wisecracks and innuendo and irreverence will be a meal ticket to maintaining the spotlight. For God’s sake, Mike, you’re already in the Pantheon. Just grabbed the dial and fine-tune your frequency. Before you know it, no one will remember or even care what kind of thug you used to be. You can become a talk show host, a shock jock, you’ll still be master of the outrageous. If you make even a halfhearted attempt at appearing as if you’re thinking of considering redemption, our Pavlov’s dog populace will greet you with open arms. You’ll cash in. You’ll earn a nice living. But if you maintain your course, the bling-bang-crash-splat of inhaling and exhaling headlines, you’ll head headlong into an early grave. It wouldn’t surprise us if that was all you ever secretly wanted. A finale to all the crap. Adios to the endless bullshit. Finally a little peace. Maybe a little quiet. So what if it’s for eternity, rather than for a minute?

    “Seeing Stars: Astrology for Pugilists” is a book you gotta check out. The weird connects and disconnects one can glean from such an innocuous little pamphlet. Texas mother of the year, murderess Andrea Yates, was born June 30, 1964, just two years before you. Talk about the heavy price of fame! (“I realized it was time to be punished,” Yates confessed.) Another June 30 from Celebrity Fingerprint was born 1929 and named Imelda Marcos. First Lady of the Philippines and a vicious dictator in her own right, Imelda was nothing if not a piece of work. (“I did not have three-thousand pairs of shoes. I had one-thousand and sixty.”)

    Mike Tyson. It’s your birthday. Thirty-six fun-filled years down. How may fun-filled years to go?

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHappy Birthday, Tyson``x1025299479,24629,``x``x ``xEssex, England, Saturday 29th June 2002.
    By Jim Dickinson.


    IBO light middleweight champion Richard "The Secret" Williams (15-1-1) escaped with his lightly regarded title after referee Richie Davis called a halt to the proceedings at 2.43 of the third round. Under IBO rules, the contest ended too early for the score cards to be consulted, and the official result is a technical draw.

    After a shaky opening round, challenger Paul Samuels (16-2-1) from Wales, was getting on top and may well have been on his way to an upset stoppage victory.

    Williams, the prefight favourite, tagged Samuels cleanly with a big right hand in the first round, and the taller challenger was under severe pressure in the final minute, but he wisely forgot about trying to salvage the round, and simply tucked up and weathered the storm.

    Samuels got his jab working in the second round, and grew in confidence. He landed a cracking right hand of his own and wobbled the champion, who was making his first defence. Williams, a former Commonwealth champion, went into his shell and allowed the challenger to capitalise. Paul did the better, cleaner work for the rest of the round as it became apparent that Williams had clearly felt the full force of that punch. Richard returned to his corner with a deep gash over his right eye, the result of an accidental clash of heads.

    Williams tried to open up in the third, but Samuels marched forward, determined to land his own big punches. The heated action was close quarter stuff, in the centre of the ring, and the challenger landed several more right hands, one of which ripped open another cut above the champion's right eye, forcing referee Richie Davis to stop the fight.

    Samuels initially thought he was automatically the winner, but IBO rules said otherwise.

    Promoter Barry Hearn immediatley announced that a rematch would be arranged once the cuts had healed. Prefight, Hearn was boasting that Williams could soon be challenging Oscar De La Hoya, but on last night's performance it would be an unrealistic and unlikely proposition. Last year saw the emergence of Williams in Britain as one of our best 154 pounders, and he needs to redeem himself in the return bout with Samuels before thinking about challenging the very best in the world.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWilliams & Samuels draw for IBO Middle Title``x1025532538,97035,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel (robert.ecksel@gte.net)


    The century-long search for a Great White Hope continues willy-nilly. There’s no disputing that we’ve made some progress over the years. Nothing less than the Civil War brought chattel slavery to an end. (The battle over wage slavery has hardly begun.) And in the wake of Nat Turner and the Scottsboro Boys, in the wake of Billie Holiday singing "Southern trees bear strange fruit," the voting rights act was finally made law in 1964. At this point in history, even sepia-toned stars of the silver screen such as Denzel Washington and Hale Berry have been lionized for their acting skills, no matter the color of their skin. All of which seems to suggest that there’s been a seismic shift in the nation’s views toward race. But it just ain’t so. If you don’t believe me, turn on the local news for the latest update.

    Despite steady progress over the decades, despite steady regress during the last twenty years (reverse discrimination, indeed!), we’re older but no wiser, no more enlightened, no less rigid than our forebears when it comes to opening our minds. One need not be a rocket scientist to eureka the shallows of racist notions. One needs just recognize the fallibility of one’s thoughts (they might be true, they might be false, they may be beside the point) and kayo belief systems grounded in rampant whitebreadism. Tiny though our world is, an inconsequential speck of big bang effluvia twirling in the exurbs of a garden variety spiral nebula, we have nevertheless convinced ourselves that we have the answers, that we’re always right, that we definitely know more than the next guy, despite all the evidence to the contrary - especially if he doesn’t look, sound, act, talk, feel or spend as we do.

    The notion of a Great White Hope is a relatively new phenomena. In the old days, long before there was any need for a Great White Hope, there were Great Black Hopes aplenty who, fine pugilists though they were, were more often than not denied their rightful shots at the title. A divine martial artist like Tom Molyneaux was an exception, but Sam Langford, Joe Jeannette and Sam McVey were the rule. These firebrands were the best fighters on the planet, yet were forced, due to the intolerance of their era, to fight one another, to toil in relative obscurity. But before Plessy-Ferguson and school discrimination and Malcolm X and all the liberation movements which shook off defective reasoning the way a dog shakes off fleas, skin color was deemed more important than wallop, talent, skill, courage or vision.

    A master boxer battling out of Galveston, Texas was about to turn America’s stale prejudices on its head. Jack Johnson the Galveston Giant was a pugilist for the ages. He was lightening fast, could punch with either hand, and was a defensive master par excellence. In addition to these admirable qualities, Papa Jack possessed a handful of less admirable qualities, as well. He had the hots for fast cars (no crime). He also had a thing for white women (big crime). Yet when all is said and done, Jack Johnson was larger than life, a superior being, regardless of his chosen profession, regardless of his race. Jack Johnson boxed like a dream, played standup bass like a pro, danced like Fred Astaire, spoke several languages fluently, he was witty, he was clever, he was charming, he was nobody’s fool. But Jack Johnson not only defied the nation’s speed limits and expectations. He also thwarted self-preservation. And Jack Johnson, to his credit, also engineered a head-on collision with America’s doctrine of racial purity. That Jack Johnson brawled from 1897-1928, that Papa Jack fought the power fifty years before it could make any difference, was just a happenstance of bad-timing. America was hardly ready for Jack Johnson. But Jack Johnson was primed to take on the USofA.

    After a decade of clamoring for a shot at the heavyweight crown, a pasty gentleman named Tommy Burns (Heavyweight Champion 1906-1908) acquiesced to Papa Jack’s wishes. The two men met in Sydney, Australia on December 26, 1908 and it was a classic example of worlds colliding. Big met small. Black met white. The future was about to detonate the past. What occurred in Rushcutter’s Bay was, perhaps not surprisingly, one of the worst mismatches in history. Johnson played with Burns the way a cat plays with a mouse, taunting and goading and humiliating the paleface, before finishing him off in the 14th round. It was radical, a paradigm shift in the world of boxing, in the history of race relations, that cannot, will not, be denied.

    Jack Johnson’s assumption of the throne was a gilded moment in the evolution of the species. African Americans went wild in the streets in celebration of Papa Jack’s victory. Some night-revelers met their match and were stomped, beaten, clubbed and shot. Others less fortunate were hung from their necks until they died. Whether so few murders resulted from restraint in the face of a changing world or the fact that these perps’ sheets and pillowcases were on their beds and not their heads has vexed historians forever. Be that as it may, Papa Jack Johnson was undisputably the baddest man, white or black, on the planet.

    No sooner had Li’l Arthur ascended to the heights then the media began propositioning a honky, any honky, to "wipe the golden smile off the niggers’s face." Misfits who knew nothing but their crops and hogs and their cross-eyed brats knew that Jack Johnson would be impossible to beat. So a box-off between chalky contenders ensued for what was then called the White Heavyweight Champion of the World. Even though hindsight is always 20/20, what looks like a joke in retrospect looked like a joke even then. Great White Hopes like Gunner Moir, Canadian Arthur Pelkey, Carl Morris, Gunboat Smith, Luther McCarty, Al Palzer, Britain’s Bombardier Billy Wells, Fred Fulton, George "Boer" Rodel and Frank Moran the fighting dentist ("They pay me more to knock teeth out than put 'em in.") met the stringent criteria for entering the no-contest. These men were big. They were tough. They were not the wrong color.

    During the great Joe Louis’ twelve glory years as heavyweight champion from 1937-1949, many of the men he fought were a whiter shade of pale. But because Joe Louis was Joe Louis - a patriotic symbol whose championship reign coincided with the war against fascism - and, even more significantly, because Joe Louis wasn’t Jack Johnson - there was no call for a Great White Hope to bomb the Brown Bomber back to Alabama. Instead, Joe Louis fought everyone: full-fledged meanies who were gunning for the title and several cats known disparagingly as Bums-of-the-Month. Gentlemen like Tony Galento, Jack Roper, Johnny Paycheck, Arturo Godoy, Gus Dorazio, Abe Simon and Buddy Baer ate plenty of leather from the sock of the nonpareil Brown Bomber.

    Muhammad Ali is another champion who refused to duck anyone. He fought black men, yellow men (Japanese wrestler Antonio Anoki) and, naturally, he fought white men, as well. Some of the rays of sunshine Muhammad rocked were Henry Cooper, Karl Mildenberger, Brian London, Jurgin Blin, Rudy Lubbers, Richard Dunn, Jean-Pierre Coopman, Joe Bugner and Chuck Wepner. Even though Black Power was in full-flower during the years of The Greatest’s greatest triumphs, the silly notion of a Great White Hope was deemed as politically incorrect as it was politically inexpedient.

    After the Big Three, after Papa Jack, the Brown Bomber and Ali, there were fabulous fighters who, though not quite their predecessors’ equal, followed very much in their betters’ footsteps. Joe Frazier had his Jerry Quarry and Ron Stander. George Foreman had his King Roman. Larry Holmes had his Gerry Cooney and will soon have his Butterbean. Mike Tyson had Peter McNeeley and Brian Nielsen. Commander Vander had Bobby Czyz. And Lennox Lewis, if we’re not mistaken, is about to have his very own Great White Hope who goes by the name of Vladimir Klitschko.

    The latest and ostensibly Greatest White Hope, Vladimir Klitschko (38-1 35 KOs), met his toughest challenge yet in the person of Ray Mercer (30-4 22 KOs) at the Trump Taj in Atlantic City. Broadcast around the world courtesy of HBO, this bout, like so many others before it, was a one-sided affair created to showcase the house fighter. Klitschko is young, attractive, personable and, of course, he’s white. So, he’s a property. He’s an industry. He’s got a future. But he also has some talent. Vlad has a variety of punches at his disposal - a stiff jab, a quick left hook, an uppercut, a booming right cross. But as Ray Mercer proved, just by showing up, Vlad Klitschko isn’t quite ready to ascend to boxing’s Mount Everest.

    Considering how little Ray Mercer has left, he succeeded in busting-up Vlad Klitschko quite effectively. But Vlad the Impaler did an even better job of rearranging Ray Mercer’s features. Admittedly Ray Mercer has excuses (as though any were necessary). Virtually inactive since his 1996 bout with the champ Lennox Lewis, beset by physical and managerial woes, it’s surprising Ray gave as good an account of himself as he did. But a knockdown in round one (Vladimir’s take: "I surprised. He fall down."), followed by first blood in round five, concluding with a TKO stoppage at 1:06 of round 6, revealed, as was apparent from the opening bell, that life’s a Klitsch, and then Mercer dies.

    Vladimir Klitschko is anything but marginal. One day he might even be the heavyweight champion. But he’s no more ready to battle Lennox Lewis than we are. Not yet, anyway. Vlad K needs more seasoning. He needs a few more fights. He needs to wait until Lennox grows a bit older. Then, and only then, Klitschko might be able to do to Lennox Lewis what he did to Ray Mercer on Saturday, June 29, at AC’s Trump Mahal. But the boxing public, the same public which has so emphatically failed to warm to the current champion, should be prepared: Vlad Klitschko is no mad dog. He’s as engaging, decent, polite, handsome, refined and intelligent as Rasta. But the Ukrainian, to our pleasure, appears to have a killer instinct. Perhaps that killer instinct will soon be crowned heavyweight king of the universe.




    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe Taj Mirage (Great White Hopeful)``x1025534476,67190,``x``x ``xWBA EUROPE - Official statement from the General Secretary
    Date : Tue, 2 Jul 2002 20:57:28 +0200
    To all European Members:


    I have received a copy of the resolutions adopted by the company EBU, Ltd. on last 15th June and I find myself in the obligation to answer them due to my position within WBA in Europe.

    The Director of this private limited company, Rubén Martínez, is trying to monopolize the different Official Federations in each country through the way of pressure and blackmail, making that all those titles holding the word Europe or which are fought by Europeans have to pass only under his control, firstly with the original title EBU; secondly with the one created recently, the EU and, lastly with the WEBU created for women …..

    In addition to this, he is menacing with the possibility to take reprisals against officials and boxers taking part in fights for other titles including the word Europe. Just baring in mind this latest point, it is clearly stated that the main aim of this company is not the interest of boxers and other professionals involved in this sport, but the own and egoist interests of the company EBU, Ltd.

    Rubén Martínez attended last 16th and 17th February to a meeting called by the Executive Committee of this World Boxing Association held in Caracas, Venezuela, but, for reasons I do not know yet, Rubén Martínez decided, three hours before the celebration of the meeting programmed between the WBA and the EBU, not to attend it and to continue his journey to Mexico. The meeting held in Italy would have been a good opportunity to settle differences, we were willing to it, but it was not possible… Once more it seems that Rubén Martínez is frightened about the possibility to hold a meeting with the WBA.

    After all these events, I am thinking of several questions that I would like to pose to Rubén Martínez:

    1.- Is the director of EBU, Ltd so afraid of the rest of bodies working in Europe?

    2.- How can someone who changed the articles of association of an institution having a tradition of almost 60 years, to be able to remain in his position of general director, try to be an example of integrity and good image for the world of boxing?

    3.- What could the European Court of Competence think on the minutes of the meeting of EBU, Ltd.?

    4.- How can a private company take the possession of a geographical denomination, which is a common heritage, such as Europe?

    5.- And the most important one, if from the WBA we have made an offer to settle differences with EBU, Ltd. baring in mind the interests of European boxing (boxers, promoters, officials, federations, etc.) with the main purpose to place European boxers among the best of the world and give more dynamism to this sport, how can Mr Martínez refuse to this when we have offered, from the very beginning, the possibility to reach solutions?

    Nobody can be better than its competitor if the latter is not recognized and nothing can be recognized if it is not made from mutual respect.

    If you continue this way, Rubén, your future will be the sale of plots in the Moon.

    Manuel Canadas
    General Secretary



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xEBU accused of nasty stuff by WBA``x1025651852,78373,``x``x ``xComments on European Boxing by Prof. Manuel Vitoria
    dr_manuel_vitoria@hotmail.com


    . - Doctor in Medicine and Surgery
    . – Specialist in Orthopaedics by the University of Lyon, France
    . – Specialist is Sports Medicine
    . – Professor of Medicine of Physical Education at the University of the Basque Country
    . – Member of the Olympic Academy of the Spanish Olympic Committee

    Old stories tell that Europe was a beautiful girl whose father was the king of Phoenicia and, when Jupiter, the most powerful god of the Olympus, was enchanted by her, he decided to kidnap her. In order to reach his objective, he converted himself into a bull and went to a prairie to be seen by the young girl, who got closer to him to play and even got on his haunches. The evil bull (Jupiter) took advantage from the situation provided by his strategy and kidnapped Europe. Venus had mercy on the young girl and she promised her that a portion of the Earth would bear her name.

    The history has been repeated several times, there are many people who have tried to own this small continent, which is the birthplace of occidental culture and wisdom.

    Peoples and races such as Genghis-Kan, Muslims and Ottomans among others have tried to own this continent, but, sooner or later, Europe has returned to its original status of birthplace of freedom and culture. Barbarians have not survived it.

    More recently, there have been many essays to tyrannize Europe, such as the one by Adolf Hitler in 1939, which implied a high price in human lives and a great war, although the end of the dictator was his suicide in a dark bunker of Berlin.

    Baring in mind the differences, mainly in size, but not in quality, there is a new small tyrant looking for the domination of Europe to his wishes, trying to possess its name and its territory for his own interests and willing to be the “king” of a territory owned by every human being and that cannot be the estate of any individual.

    As you might have already guessed, this terrible person is Rubén Martínez, better known as Rubén the 1st of Europe, perpetual president of the EBU, private and speculating company belonging to the world of boxing and boxers.

    The worst aspect of this situation is that he can get to convince with his lies and demagogy to good faith people who trust on these characters taken from the operetta who only want to create a monopoly in the European professional market that can have very bad consequences for those professionals in this sector who are obliged to work for a sole company and to obey its rules and whims.

    It has been proved for many years that the only way to improve service and customer attention is through the way of a healthy and reasonable competence. Monopolies maintained thanks to pressure and fear are lacking of time…


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xComments on European Boxing by Prof. Manuel Vitoria ``x1025703473,90814,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    The Lucky Eagle Casino in Rochester, Washington kicks off its 36th pro boxing card at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. Matchmaker Bennie Georgino offers mostly talent from the Pacific Northwest in these club cards.
    The scheduled main event is a 10 round Junior Middleweight bang-fest between 30 year-old Quandray "Candy" Robertson, (11-3, 8 KO’s) of Salem, Oregon vs 34 year-old Luis "Tyson" Vasquez (31-22, 25 KO’s) of Mexico. This is Robertson’s third appearance at the Lucky Eagle, where he is known for his slugging power as well as an occasional gas shortage.

    A pair of 8 round bouts are billed as tangles for Northwest Boxing Association championships.

    19 year-old heavyweight Chauncey Welliver of Washington takes his 12-1 record in against Felipe Bojorquez, 10-1, 10 KO’s. Bojorquez is originally from Mexico but trains and fights out of Riverside, CA. This 8 rounder is billed for the NWBA heavyweight title.

    38 year-old Ron Pasek of Edmonton, Canada takes his 11-17-3, 7 KO record in against 36 year-old Chris Huntwork, 7-12-1, 5 KO’s, of Portland, Oregon. This scheduled 8 round bout is for the NWBA Junior Middleweight title.

    Also scheduled in preliminary bouts:

    Mike Lucero of Portland, Oregon vs Ruben Munoz of Sonora, Mexico are booked for four round Jr. middleweight tangle.

    Middleweight Damion Hatch of Bend, OR meets Dominic Rivera of Portland, Oregon for a scheduled four.

    Canadian Steve Lowry meets Rafael Ortiz and Marquez Gibson meets Christian Lopez.


    ---30---
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0``xLucky Eagle Line-Up for July 13``x1025820501,60901,``x``x ``xEx-Prez of US Amateyr Boxing Convicted of Child Molesting

    By Katherine Dunn

    Jerry Dusenberry, aged 62, pled guilty on July 3 to multiple charges of child molestation. A Multnomah County Court Judge in Portland, Oregon sentenced Dusenberry to ten years and three months in prison for first degree sex abuse involving four small boys since 1991. The initial charges were brought in December by the family of an 8 year-old boy who had been paired with Dusenberry in a school-based mentoring program. Months earlier, two adult male former amateur boxers filed formal reports to Portland police that Dusenberry had molested them when they were between 8 and 10 years old. Police failed to follow up on the report because the alleged incidents were so old. Investigators suspect that many more children were victimized by Dusenberry over nearly forty years. When his house was searched, a journal and calendar were found, documenting his contacts with children.

    According to The Oregonian newspaper, a plea agreement was made with Dusenberry so that the children would not have to testify in a trial.

    Back in the early 80’s Jerry Dusenberry was the head hoo-ha official of amateur boxing in Oregon. He was lean and military with a white buzz cut, wearing Simon Pure white clothes at every amateur match. He acted as judge and referee, and chief of officials for the state. He was a strict by-the-book disciplinarian, conducting officiating seminars and cracking the whip over the other volunteer refs and judges.

    He’d been an amateur boxer for a while. He once told me that he’d spent most of his childhood and adolescence in foster homes and that boxing had been his salvation. For a while in the late 1950’s and early 60’s he tried volunteer coaching in some of the city amateur programs, but several coaches caught a weird hit off him and advised him to go into officiating instead.

    This is the uncomfortable thing about the Dusenberry case. A lot of people suspected for many years that there was something hinky about the Duz, as he was called, and little boys. There was gossip. Coaches and coaches’ wives, and the kid boxers themselves would talk out of the sides of their mouths. As a reporter from 1981 on, I’d hear it or half hear it. But there was noting solid. The gossip came from gossips, after all. Was it true? I couldn’t figure out how to prove it one way or another. So I didn’t do anything.

    He’d take picked kids to the beach, to his home. There was talk. They were white kids from screwed up homes, single parents, foster families, poverty. They were dislocated, vulnerable kids. Sometimes the Duz would befriend the single Mom or the bewildered foster or grandparents wondering how to provide proper male role models for the angry 8 or 9 year-old boy. That was his preferred age range. Between 8 and 10. And there was The Duz, righteous and concerned. Strict but kind. Nobody reported it. Nobody contacted the cops. The little boys, as far as we can tell, didn’t scream for help. This is the world of boxing. A tough world where the shame of being sodomized would zip any lip. If it was you, at the age of 8, would you have told?

    And by then, of course, he was a respected official. The guy who decided whether your kid won or lost in any match. The talk went on behind his back, but nobody did anything. I didn’t do anything.

    He gradually worked his way up in the national amateur organization. By 1975 he was a referee-judge in all levels of world competition and acting as team manager for U.S.A. teams in international competition. From 1988 to 1992 he served as Vice-President of USA Boxing, Inc. And he was elected President of the organization in 1992 and served through the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

    During his presidency, Dusenberry oversaw the development of the computer scoring system now in use for international competition. Reluctantly, he also bowed to the decision of the federal courts in 1993 requiring USA Boxing, Inc. to allow females to participate in amateur boxing.

    A couple of years after he stepped down from office, Dusenberry pled guilty to fraud against USA Boxing, Inc. during his administration. He was given a suspended sentence. It seems he claimed he’d hired a secretary to help with the extensive correspondence and paper work involved in being president. USA Boxing, Inc. paid a substantial amount of money to this alleged secretary by mail over the years. But apparently that money went directly to the Duz and no actual secretary ever existed.

    All those years, Dusenberry had worked for the Bonneville Power Administration, gradually moving into mid-level management. He caught flack at work for using the company phone and the company time to do his USA Boxing, Inc. business.

    Somehow he found time to volunteer for other community youth programs, coaching basketball, mentoring. All positions in which he had direct contact with small boys.

    So now, after forty years and an unknown number of victims, Dusenberry has been caught, has pled guilty, and will do time. Finally one little kid told his mother and his mother went to the cops. Who knows what childhood abuse and torment made the Duz into a sexual predator of children. Whatever it was is certainly not an excuse, but maybe there’s an explanation. But what explains the rest of us? Those who knew and those who suspected--all of us who did nothing all these years. How do we explain that? And we’re still walking around.

    ---30---
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0``xThe Duz Pleads Guilty``x1025820580,23138,``x``x ``xby Adam Pollack
    apollack11@hotmail.com

    106

    Raytona Whitfield defeated Ryan Schmidt in the final. Whitfield had
    previously defeated Schmidt in the semifinals of both the 2001 Golden Gloves and 2001 PAL.

    Whitfield is still second best to Aaron Alafa, who did not participate. Alafa won the 2001 Golden Gloves and 2001 PAL, defeating Raytona Whitfield in the finals both times. Alafa again defeated Whitfield in the quarterfinals of the 2002 U.S. Championships, which Alafa eventually won.

    112

    Ron Siler defeated Roberto Benitez in the final. At the 2002 U.S.
    Challenge, which Siler eventually won, he defeated Benitez 21-15. Benitez narrowly missed the 2000 Olympics, losing to Olympic representative Jose Navarro. On the way to the finals of the 2002 Golden Gloves, in the quarterfinals, Benitez defeated Francisco Rodriquez, the 2001 champion, whom Benitez had also defeated at the 2002 U.S. Championships.

    Siler is the standout of the small men. Siler was the 2000 Golden Gloves and the 2000 PAL champion at 106 pounds. At 106, Siler stopped current 106-pound champion Aaron Alafa at the 2001 U.S. Championsips. At that weight, Siler has two wins over Raytona Whitfield -- a decision at the 2001 U.S. Championships, and stopping him via RSC 4 at the 2001 U.S. Challenge. Siler also won the 2001 PAL at 112 pounds.

    119

    Rashiem Jefferson defeated Torrence Daniels in the final. Jefferson had lost to Daniels 29-14 in the consolation final of the 2002 U.S. Challenge, but avenged that loss with his 2002 Golden Gloves victory over Daniels.

    Jefferson had lost to Roberto Benitez 22-12 in the 2000 Olympic Trials at 112, but moved up in weight and won the 2001 Golden Gloves at 119. Jefferson lost to Miguel Albares 26-16 in the semifinals of the 2002 U.S. Championships, and lost to U.S. Champion Aaron Garcia 26-15 at the 2002 U.S. Challenge.

    Daniels defeated Miguel Albares 7-6 in the semifinals of the 2001 PAL, but lost to Eric Nemo in the final. Daniels lost to Aaron Garcia 18-6 in the semis of the 2002 U.S. Championships. In their rematch at the 2002 U.S. Challenge, Albares defeated Daniels 21-7. Daniels then defeated Rashiem Jefferson 29-14 in the consolation final, before losing to Jefferson in the finals of the 2002 Golden Gloves.

    Right now, the dominant fighter at 119 pounds is Aaron Garcia, who did not participate. Garcia lost to Clarence Vinson 9-4 in the 2000 Olympic Box-Offs. He won the 2002 U.S. Championships and 2002 U.S. Challenge.

    125

    Mickey Bey defeated Dat Nguyen in the final. Ngyuen lost to eventual 2002 U.S. Champion Johnny Vasquez, Jr. 3-0 in the quarterfinals of that tournament. At the 2002 U.S. Championships, Nguyen had previously defeated 2001 U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge runner up Jose Perez, Jr., 8-7.

    Along the way to winning the 2002 Golden Gloves, Bey defeated Apollo Welch (2002 U.S. Championships runner-up) and Carney Bowman (2001 PAL runner-up) in the prelims. Bey had previously lost to Welch 18-9 in the semifinals of the 2002 U.S. Championships and 23-20 in the consolation final of the 2002 U.S. Challenge. Bey lost to 2002 U.S. Champion Johnny Vasquez, Jr. 19-13 in the 2002 U.S. Challenge.

    The best at 125 is Johnny Vasquez, Jr., who won both the 2002 U.S.
    Championships and 2002 U.S. Challenge, but did not participate in the 2002 Golden Gloves.

    132

    Lorenzo Reynolds defeated Karl Dargan in the final. Dargan defeated Jose Orozco in the quarterfinals (2000 125 pound PAL champion). Dargan was the 2001 PAL champion at 125 pounds.

    Reynolds defeated Lionel Madrigal in the semifinals, avenging a 2001 U.S. Championships 14-12 loss. Reynolds also defeated Carl Phillips, Jr. in the quarters, who had defeated Francisco Tafoya (2001 U.S. Challenge 125 pound consolation final winner) in the prelims.

    Reynolds lost in the finals of the 2002 U.S. Championships to Verquan
    Kimbrough 14-14 (54-52) and again in the U.S. Challenge to Kimbrough 14-10. Kimbrough is tops at 132 right now, but did not participate in this tournament.

    139

    Larry Gonzales defeated Leo Moreno in the final. Most importantly, Gonzales defeated Andre Dirrell in the semifinal. At the 2002 U.S. Championships, 2001 PAL Champion Dirrell had won via RSC 4 over 2000 PAL Champion Gonzales.

    Gonzales held a 2001 U.S. Championships decision over 2002 U.S. runner-up Omri Lowther, Atlanta, Ga., but lost to eventual 2001 champion Rock Allen 21-10 at those championships in the semifinals. Gonzales was stopped in the 4th round in the 2001 U.S. Challenge final by Juan McPherson. Rock Allen won the 2002 U.S. Championships and 2002 U.S. Challenge.

    At the 2002 Golden Gloves, Gonzales defeated Joshua Sosa in the
    quarterfinal. Sosa had defeated Joe Hernandez, who had defeated 2002 U.S. Champion Rock Allen.

    139 appears to be a division in flux.

    147

    Newcomer Durrell Richardson defeated Maxell Taylor. Taylor had defeated Abdon Lozano 10-4 at the 2002 U.S. Championships, but lost to Raymond Biggs 13-4. Biggs lost to eventual champion Rondale Mason 10-9 in the semifinals of those championships.

    Richardson defeated Nelson Romine in the semifinals. Romine had defeated Jose Gonzalez (stopped in 2 rounds by Raymond Biggs at the 2002 U.S. Championships), who had earlier defeated Corey Bernard and Tiger Allen.

    Richardson defeated Abdon Lozano in the quarterfinals. Lozano had defeated Omri Lowther, who was moving up from 139. Richardson also defeated Mikel Williams, who had lost to 2001 Golden Gloves Champion James Parison 16-6 in the 2002 U.S. Championships.

    After losing to Rondale Mason in the 2002 U.S. Championships, Juan McPherson defeated Raymond Biggs and Mason at the 2002 U.S. Challenge and appears to be the best at 147 right now. None of the top amateurs at 147 competed in the Golden Gloves.

    156

    Jesse Briseno defeated James Parison in the final. Parison was moving up from 147, where he was the 2001 Golden Gloves Champion. Parison had defeated Joseph Rosendo in the semis, who had lost to Andre Berto 15-10 in the 2002 U.S. Championships.

    Briseno defeated Jeshawn Johnson in the semifinals. Johnson had previously defeated 2001 Golden Gloves Champion and 2002 runner up in the U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge, Andre Berto. Johnson may be one to look out for.

    The best at 156 right now is 2002 U.S. Champion Jesus Gonzalez, who did not participate.

    165

    Newcomer Jaidon Codrington defeated LaJuan Simon in the final. Simon had defeated Walter Wright in the quarters. Wright lost to Sechew Powell in the 2001 U.S. Championships final at 156 pounds and was moving up.

    Codrington defeated Leon Hinds in the quarterfinals. Hinds lost to Mike Martinez 10-7 in the semi of the 2002 U.S. Championships. Hinds lost 12-9 to U.S. Champion Julius Fogle at the 2002 U.S. Challenge. Fogle is the best right now at 165, but did not participate.

    178

    Allan Green defeated 2002 U.S. Champion Curtis Stevens in the final.
    Stevens had defeated Eric Kelly in the round of 16. Kelly was moving up from 165, where he was the 2000 Golden Gloves champion and 2001 U.S. Championships runner-up. Green had lost 20-12 to Terrance Johnson in the 2000 PAL final, and held a 12-9 decision over Travoris Cloud in that tournament. 178 is obviously in a state of flux.

    201

    Matt Godfrey defeated 2000 Golden Gloves runner-up Charles Ellis in the final. Godfrey defeated 2001 Golden Gloves and PAL champion Devin Vargas in the semifinal.

    Godfrey was a 2001 semifinalist at 178 pounds in the 2001 U.S.
    Championships. At 201 pounds, at the 2001 PAL, Godfrey lost in the semis to Francisco Palacios, who lost to Vargas in the final. Palacios also lost to Vargas in the semis of the 2002 U.S. Championships.

    B.J. Flores is the best at 201, having defeated Vargas in the finals of both the 2002 U.S. Championships and the U.S. Challenge, but did not participate in this tournament.

    201+

    Malcolm Tann defeated Derrick Kaisershot in the final. Kaisershot defeated Mike Alexander in the semi, who had previously defeated 2002 U.S. Challenge consolation final winner Davin King. Alexander was the 2001 Golden Gloves runner-up, and had defeated Gavern in the semis of that tournament. Kaisershot lost to Jason Estrada 11-2 in the 2002 U.S. Championships.

    Tann defeated Jason Gavern in the semi. Gavern defeated Nicolai Firtha in the quarters. Gavern had lost in the quartfinal of the 2002 U.S. Championships to eventual champion Jason Estrada. Tann also earlier defeated Ija Flappingeagle. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRecap of the 2002 National Golden Gloves ``x1026309522,59947,``x``x ``xJune Ratings (as of 6/9)

    I¹ve been doing these monthly ratings since 1983. There are 3 criteria I use
    to rate fighters:

    €Quality of Opposition

    €Performance

    €Activity

    I am not ranking the best from 1 to 10; rather, this is to see who deserves
    a title shot. I rate all 18 divisions, a time-consuming activity to say the
    least. Therefore, commentary only appears every 3rd month.

    Some mistakingly think the Champion in each division is the guy who I think
    is the best. This is not the case. There are 2 criteria by which I determine
    Champions: the 1st is lineage (The Man who beat The Man who beat The Man);
    and the 2nd is defeating another fighter also ranked in the top 3 in the
    division.

    ³Inactive List² means a fighter has not fought in 6 or more months. It may
    mean that he is or will be dropping in the ratings due to his inactivity. It
    is unfair to other fighters for a guy to sit on his rating. If a fighter has
    a fight scheduled or is injured, I try to take this into consideration.

    I do not recognize ³Super Champions² or other such nonsense. If the WBA
    wants to take its world title recognition from a fighter, then it has
    stripped him as far as I¹m concerned.

    These ratings are online at www.cyberboxingzone.com. Fighters¹ records are
    linked to their names.

    Heavyweights (over 195 lbs)
    Champion: Lennox Lewis (WBC, IBF, IBO)
    1. Wladimir Klitschko (WBO)
    2. Chris Byrd
    3. Evander Holyfield
    4. David Tua
    5. Kirk Johnson
    6. Jameel McCline
    7. Fres Oquendo
    8. Vitali Klitschko
    9. John Ruiz (WBA)
    10. Oliver McCall

    Big Heavyweight month. 1st, of course, Lewis disposed of the shell of Mike
    Tyson. Before that, Holyfield took care of the blip on the radar known as
    Hasim Rahman. Rahman took full advantage of an underfocused and poorly
    trained Lewis and since has gone back to what he is: a fringe
    contender...The Klitschko-Mercer fight which occured after these ratings
    were done cements Wlad¹s place as the number 1 contender here...Byrd back in
    action, his 1st fight since defeating Tua last year...The Tuaman rises again
    after his late-round stoppage of Oquendo. Tua showed that even when he¹s
    losing every round of a fight, he¹s still dangerous late...Oquendo doesn¹t
    drop far as he was very impressive before getting caught...McCline still
    learning but looks good...Johnson will be inactive a year when he finally
    gets back in against Ruiz in July...Ruiz and McCall move up to fill
    vacancies. But who else is there? Says a lot about the curent sorry state of
    the division.

    Crusierweights (195 lbs)
    Champion: Jean-Marc Mormeck (WBA)
    1. Vassili Jirov (IBF)
    2. Johnny Nelson (WBO, WBU Heavy)
    3. Wayne Braithwaite
    4. James Toney
    5. O¹Neill Bell (NBA)
    6. Ezra Sellers
    7. Virgil Hill
    8. Fabrice Tiozzo
    9. Jason Robinson
    10. Alexandre Gurov

    Boxing¹s traditional moribund division is actually in better shape than the
    weight class just under it. (But more on that below)...Toney, Bell and
    Robinson all recently won. Toney perhaps prepping for Jirov...The promising
    Braithwaite will meet just-below #10 Vincenzo Cantatore for the vacant ŒBC
    title this summer...Mormeck will make his 1st defense as well...On the down
    side, ex-Champ Tiozzo seems to have disappeared...Nelson was shaky in a win
    over Sellers, who impressed and thus remains in place.

    Lt. Heavyweights (175 lbs)
    Champion: Dariusz Michalczewski (WBO)
    1. Roy Jones (WBC, IBF, NBA, IBO, IBA, WBF)
    2. Eric Harding
    3. Antonio Tarver
    4. Bruno Girard (WBA)
    5. Reggie Johnson
    6. Clinton Woods
    7. David Telesco
    8. Derrick Harmon
    9. Mads Larsen
    10. Montell Griffin

    And here we are at boxing¹s lamest weight class. Begin with this: Jones can
    collect 6 more meaningless belts and he still won¹t be the Champion.
    Michalczewski is the man who beat The Man, and until Jones beats him (even
    if that means he has to -gasp!- go to Germany), Roy is just another
    pretender. His next title defense versus Woods proves no more than wins over
    Harmon, Johnson, Telesco and other no account contenders in this sorry
    division. Be a man, Roy - take on Michalczewski, Hopkins or Jirov...Jones
    makes me reconsider listing all world ³titles². They are meaningless, but
    I¹ve always felt this puts them in context...The Champion and Girard active,
    and Harmon recently scored a good win over Glen Johnson...Harding and Tarver
    perhaps will decide a worthy challenger in their upcoming rematch.

    Super Middleweights (168 lbs)
    Champion: TITLE VACANT
    1. Sven Ottke (IBF)
    2. Joe Calzaghe (WBO)
    3. Antwun Echols
    4. Danilo Häussler
    5. Charles Brewer
    6. Thomas Tate
    7. Markus Beyer
    8. Omar Sheika
    9. Eric Lucas (WBC)
    10. Medhi Sahnoune

    The seesaw continues - I moved Calzaghe back ahead of Ottke after his defeat
    of Brewer, and now replace him as Ottke defeats Tate. Ottke¹s list of
    victims is impressive, with Calzaghe¹s being slightly less so...In addition
    to the top 2 and their challengers, Echols, Häussler and Beyer all
    active...But what¹s happened to Sheika?...This is currently -gasp!- a strong
    division. There are a load of guys below #10 who are promising, fighters
    like Siaca, Kessler, Ikeke, Ben-Salah, Starie and young guns like Lacy,
    Brähmer and Ravelo. The future here looks surprisingly good.

    Middleweights (160 lbs)
    Champion: Bernard Hopkins (IBF, WBC, IBC)
    1. Felix Trinidad
    2. William Joppy (WBA)
    3. Howard Eastman
    4. Harry Simon (WBO)
    5. Erland Betare
    6. Armand Krajnc
    7. Tito Mendoza
    8. Antonio Perugino (WBU)
    9. Robert Allen
    10. Raymond Joval

    Trinidad predictably impressive against Cherifi, but after him there is a
    HUGE drop off...I, for one do not wish to see him rematch against Hopkins. I
    like Tito too much to see him get knocked out again. Hey, there¹s always the
    winner of de la Hoya-Vargas...Simon in since last time with his win over
    Krajnc...Cristian Sanavia out after being upset by Morade Hakkar (who will
    face Eastman this summer). Joval returns to fill the void...Joppy MIA since
    his slim win over Eastman last year...Perugino, Mendoza and Joval all
    active.

    Jr. Middleweights (154 lbs)
    Champion: Oscar de la Hoya (WBC)
    1. Fernando Vargas (WBA, IBA)
    2. Winky Wright (IBF)
    3. Kassim Ouma
    4. Bronco McKart
    5. Steve Roberts (WBF)
    6. Javier Castillejo
    7. Emmett Linton
    8. Verno Phillips
    9. Kirino Garcia
    10. Mamadou Thiam

    Lots of action in this excellent division. While everyone waits on the top 2
    to settle their score, the contenders aren¹t cooling their heels. Wright
    faces McKart in July; Ouma continues to score impressive wins; Linton with
    another good win in his comeback; and Castillejo, Thiam and Roberts all
    active...Garcia moved up to 160 since these were done and will be gone here
    next month...Thiam moves in to replace Alex Bunema , who drew with Carlos
    Bojorquez. Thiam will vie for the vacant -and of course worthless- WBA title
    in August. The ŒBA will strip Vargas and deem the winner of his bout with de
    la Hoya their ³super champion². Whatever. More sanctioning fees for those
    crooks.

    Welterweights (147 lbs)
    Champion: Vernon Forrest (WBC, IBA)
    1. Shane Mosley
    2. Antonio Margarito (WBO)
    3. Thomas Damgaard
    4. Ricardo Mayorga (WBA)
    5. Michele Piccirillo (IBF)
    6. Corey Spinks
    7. Antonio Diaz
    8. Danny Perez
    9. Andrew Lewis
    10. Rafael Piñeda

    Busy couple of months here. As we wait for the big Forrest-Mosley rematch,
    some manuverings below...Spinks actually moved up after his razor thin
    decision loss to Piccirillo. Many at ringside believe he got a raw
    deal...Damgaard active...Perez with another good win, this time a stoppage
    of Jr Middle Pedro Ortega...Couple fighters I had rated just below #10 lost,
    leaving me with little to choose from if one of these guys lose.

    Jr. Welterweights (140 lbs)
    Champion: Kostya Tszyu (WBC, IBF)
    1. Micky Ward
    2. Arturo Gatti
    3. Zab Judah
    4. Diobelys Hurtado (WBA)
    5. James Leija
    6. Randall Bailey
    7. Demarcus Corley (WBO)
    8. Vivian Harris
    9. Ben Tackie
    10. Sharmba Mitchell

    What a month! In one of boxing¹s elite weight classes, we have a dominant
    Champion and a number of interesting challenges for him...Tszyu masterfully
    turned back Tackie, who falls to 9. Looks like Leija is next...Hurtado
    returns to the Top 10 with a strong win over Bailey...Ward and Gatti both
    move up after their awesome war. Bring on the rematch!...Hurtado¹s return
    forces Oktay Urkal out...And Ricky Hatton lurks just below. More wins over
    solid comp and he¹ll be a threat here.

    Lightweights (135 lbs)
    Champion: Floyd Mayweather
    1. Jose Luis Castillo
    2. Steve Johnston
    3. Leonard Dorin (WBA)
    4. Juan Lazcano (IBA)
    5. Paul Spadafora (IBF)
    6. Julien Lorcy
    7. Arnulfo Castillo (WBB)
    8. Raul Balbi
    9. Carlos Gerena
    10. Stefano Zoff

    Yes, Castillo got screwed, but I recognize official results and so we have a
    new Champion here. Hopefully the rematch will clarify things...I read that
    Mayweather renounced the WBC title, so that is reflected here. If anyone
    knows different, please let me know...Dorin may have won a questionable
    decision in prying away Balbi¹s title, but he definitely got it right in the
    rematch. Ringside observers say Balbi did not perform nearly as well in the
    2nd fight...Johnston still near the top with his win over Alejo Gonzalez.
    When¹s he get a title shot? And Lazcano, too...Julio Diaz shockingly
    exits...Lorcy and ACastillo active...And don't ask where Artur Grigorijan
    is. When he defeats a live opponent, maybe he¹ll appear.

    Jr. Lightweights (130 lbs)
    Champion: TITLE VACANT
    1. Acelino Freitas (WBO)
    2. Joel Casamayor (IBA)
    3. Steve Forbes (IBF)
    4. Phillip Ndou
    5. Jesus Chavez
    6. Yodsanan Nanthachai (WBA)
    7. David Santos
    8. Cassius Baloyi
    9. Lakva Sim
    10. Carlos Hernandez

    Kudos to the WBA for reminding everyone just how corrupt, inept and
    cancerous to the sport they are. A mere 4 months after Freitas unified the
    ŒBO and now bogus ŒBA titles, they stripped him. Great... Nanthachai, a good
    fighter, enters after winning the worthless ŒBA belt vs ex-titlist
    Sim...John Brown exits after too much inactivity...Ndou, Baloyi and
    Casamayor all won recently...A rematch between Freitas and Casamayor would
    fill the newly vacant Championship...Ernesto Zepeda out after he loses on a
    cut. But he could be back...Hernandez returns to fill the void.

    Featherweights (126 lbs)
    Champion: Marco Antonio Barrera
    1. Johnny Tapia (IBF)
    2. Naseem Hamed (IBO)
    3. Juan Manuel Marquez
    4. Manuel Medina
    5. Erik Morales (WBC)
    6. Juan P. Chacon (WBO)
    7. Victor Polo
    8. Oscar Leon (IBA)
    9. William Abelyan
    10. Michael Brodie (WBF)

    The ramifications of the Barreras-Morales rematch will show here next month..
    Needless to say, Morales will rise...Derrick Gainer finally exits. After
    many scheduled title defenses that did not come off, I¹ve said adios...Also
    leaving since last time are John Michael Johnson, who lost, and Cassius
    Baloyi, who moved up to 130...Replacemensts are Leon, who impressively beat
    Johnson; a returning Abelyan; and Brodie who, rising from 122, looked good
    in winning over Pastor Maurin...Hamed finally back in the ring...And highly
    ranked Tapia eeks one out vs Medina, who rises due to his good performance.

    Jr. Featherweights (122 lbs)
    Champion: Manny Pacquiao (IBF)
    1. Paul Ayala (IBO)
    2. Oscar Larios
    3. Agapito Sanchez (WBO)
    4. Bones Adams
    5. Jose Luis Valbuena
    6. Diego Morales
    7. Israel Vazquez
    8. Willie Jorrin (WBC)
    9. Kozo Ishii
    10. Osamu Sato (WBA)

    Some, like The Ring, consider Paul Ayala the Champion in this division. He
    is the most accomplished fighter and maybe the best here. But according to
    my system, Pacquiao won the title when he blasted out fellow top 3 fighter
    Ledlo Ledwaba. So there it is...Larios¹ excellent win over Vazquez can¹t
    move him ahead of Ayala. Vazquez doesn¹t drop much due to his good showing.
    Both made clear why Jorrin isn¹t fighting them...Another WBA Titlist For A
    Week enters and exits. Yodnai Sithyodthong defeated Yober Ortega and then
    was promptly knocked out by the capable Sato...Pacquiao¹s KO of Jorge Julio
    was really impressive. Yes, Julio was old and a career Bantam, but I didn¹t
    think I¹d ever see him get manhandled like he was by the Champ.

    Bantamweights (118 lbs)
    Champion: TITLE VACANT
    1. Veeraphol Sahaprom (WBC)
    2. Johnny Bredahl (WBA)
    3. Rafael Marquez
    4. Heriberto Ruiz
    5. Tim Austin (IBF)
    6. Eidy Moya
    7. Hugo Dianzo
    8. Adan Vargas
    9. Danny Romero
    10. Silence Mabuza (IBO)

    Bredahl almost won the vacant title here when he, formerly #3, beat Moya,
    previously #4. But it keeps an unsavory dilemna from happening: Sahaprom has
    long held the top spot and no one should leapfrog him...As noted above,
    Jorge Julio exits after his loss at 122...Jose Laureano leaves as well after
    losing to Dianzo, who looks even better now for his close decision loss to
    Paul Ayala last year...Sahaprom and Ruiz active...And Romero returns after
    many years to this weight class. He has much potential, as usual, to move
    way up here. Whether he stays active enough to capitalize is always the
    question.

    Jr. Bantamweights (115 lbs)
    Champion: Masamori Tokuyama (WBC)
    1. Felix Machado (IBF)
    2. Mauricio Pastrana (IBA)
    3. Gerry Penalosa
    4. Martin Castillo
    5. Alex Muñoz (WBA)
    6. Pedro Alcazar (WBO)
    7. Malcolm Tuñacao
    8. Celes Kobayashi
    9. Luis Bolaño
    10. Katsushige Kawashima

    For the 1st time in nearly a decade, the name Samson Lukchaopormasak does
    not appear here. The longtime Thai contender has retired. He was an
    excellent power puncher but unfortunately never faced the best of his day. A
    proposed bout with Penalosa would have been good...Kawashima takes the open
    place...The tragedy of Pedro Alcazar occurred after these ratings were done..
    And obviously Fernando Montiel will move in high as well...Penalosa
    active...And when Mark Johnson returns it will be at 115, so look for his
    name here again in the future.

    Flyweights (112 lbs)
    Champion: Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (WBC)
    1. Eric Morel (WBA)
    2. Fernando Montiel (WBO)
    3. Hawk Makepula (IBO)
    4. Alejandro Montiel
    5. Alexandre Mahmutov
    6. Adonis Rivas
    7. Damaen Kelly (WBF)
    8. Peter Culshaw (WBU)
    9. Irene Pacheco (IBF)
    10. Medgoen Lukchaopormasak

    This is a great division. Lots of activity, lots of movement...Alejandro
    Motiel, who had been inactive, returned to break his ankle and lose via TKO
    to a lesser fighter. It was a fluke loss, but allows his brother and
    Makepula to move ahead of him...Of course Fernando moved up in weight after
    these were done... Wonjongkam, Rivas, Kelly, Culshaw and Medgoen all active..
    Ex-Champion Medgoen back in after a long period of inactivity...You may
    wonder why Makepula is rated so far above Pacheco. Pacheco beat Makepula a
    couple years ago, right? Yes, albeit controversially. Since, Pacheco has
    been habitually idle while Makepula remains active with good wins.

    Jr. Flyweights (108 lbs)
    Champion: Yeosam Choi (WBC)
    1. Rosendo Alvarez (WBA)
    2. Ricardo Lopez (IBF)
    3. Bebis Mendoza
    4. Jorge Arce
    5. Fahlan Sakreein
    6. Melchor Cob-Castro
    7. Nelson Dieppa (WBO)
    8. Wendyl Janiola
    9. Jose Victor Burgos
    10. Agustin Luna

    Big news after these were done was Arce going into the Champion¹s backyard
    and handling him. Arce is The Man here, beating Choi who beat Sorjaturong
    who beat Chiquita Gonzalez...I hate this, but had to drop the great Lopez
    below a guy he beat, Alvarez. Lopez is inactive and will continue to fall
    till he fights...And a 2nd titlist on the verge of disappearing is Dieppa
    for the same reason...One of the best little fighters most of us have seen
    left when Jake Matlala retired. Luna replaces him with a solid win over
    Jesus Martinez...Mendoza, Sakreein and Burgos active, the latter in a good
    scrap with ex-titlist Alex Sanchez...Janiola in with a surprising upset of
    ex-Champ Sorjaturong...And perennial 105-lb contender Joma Gamboa was
    looking good till a headbutt ended his bout with Juan Rubillar early. Good
    performance, but not enough to crack the Top 10.

    Strawweights (105 lbs)
    Champion: TITLE VACANT
    1. Jose Aguirre (WBC)
    2. Keitaro Hoshino (WBA)
    3. Roberto Leyva (IBF)
    4. Chana Porpaoin
    5. Miguel Barrera
    6. Daniel Reyes
    7. Noel Arambulet
    8. Jaewon Kim
    9. Genki Ohnaka
    10. Hiroshi Matsumoto

    Little happening in this thoroughly irrelevant division as usual. The best
    fighter here, Aguirre, is idle...Kim enters with an upset of Hiroshi
    Nakajima, who leaves...Joma Gamboa also out as he moves up...Reyes
    inactive...And in the lone bright spot, newcomer Ohnaka and contender
    Matsumoto engaged in a good 10-rd scrap.

    World Champions: 13 (of 17)

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPhrank's New Ratings``x1026346948,74600,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    How much of the current brouhaha is a carefully orchestrated publicity blitz to bring the two pugs together remains a mystery. But givens the givens, the circuitous ins and outs of the wonderful world of boxing, it’s more likely that not there is nothing accidental about the war of words flying back and forth between heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and his number one challenger Vladimir Klitschko.

    The opening salvo was fired by Lennox Lewis during a Monday afternoon sit-down with Sky Sports during a benefit at London’s Grosvenor House. After reiterating, as he has so many times in the recent past, "I’ve already done everything that I wanted to do in the sport of boxing," Lennox put his favorite pastime chess aside and appeared to celebrate fishing. And a mild-mannered Vladimir Klitschko went for the bait - hook, line and sinker.

    The British-Jamaican-Canadian paladin heaped scorn on the younger Klitschko by suggesting a fight with the Ukrainian giant would be pointless. Were that not enough, Lennox said, almost as if in passing, "He’s not ready for me yet. It would be a waste of my time to go and fight him. I would knock him out." Then, as if to rub salt in Klitschko’s wounds, Lennox declared: "Vladimir Klitschko . . . he’s not tough enough." Although it’s too early to place your bets, it sounds like Lennox Lewis knows what he’s talking about.

    But Vladimir Klitschko, to his credit, won’t take a slight without a fight. Vlad the Bad released a written statement where he countered Lennox’s claims with counterclaims of his own. Dr K stated that, "Lennox is looking for an excuse to not to have to fight me," and, in response to the dig at the Klitschko cojones, alleged, "I’m tough enough."

    Even though Vitali and Vlad Klitschko are shining lights among the heavyweights; even though Vlad impaled Ray Mercer in Atlantic City on June 29; even though Vitali is likely to do the same to Larry (Not So Legendary) Donald on July 20 in Germany; neither man appears quite up to the task of dethroning Lennox Lewis. Although the two look-a-likes are the future of the division, Lennox Lewis remains very much the man of the moment. The present and the future will some day get it on, but that day isn’t, nor should it be, now.

    We need only look at Vlad Klitschko’s demolition of Ray Mercer two weeks ago to understand why. VK had the more credible skills. He had the height, weight and reach advantage over Mercer. Klitschko was also fifteen years younger than the pug from New Jersey. And while Klitschko has been busy pounding contenders like clockwork the last few years, methodically smashing nobodies on his way to a top-ten ranking, Ray Mercer was all but invisible during the same time period. Whether it was good fortune or just dumb luck that Vlad caught Ray when he did is open to debate. But among those of us at ringside, the feeling was unanimous that Klitschko was fortunate he didn’t meet the Mercer who rocked Holyfield in 1995, or the Ray Mercer who smacked around Lennox Lewis in 1996. That Ray Mercer would have given this Vlad Klitschko a run for his money.

    But Vlad the K did what was necessary to bring Ray Mercer down. Except for heart and resiliency and a few lucky punches, Mercer brought nothing with him into the ring at the Trump Taj Mahal. Yet even with nothing, he bruised Vlad beautifully with scrapes, lumps and red swellings. (Klitsch was a marked man.) Maybe one had to see it in the flesh to believe it, but those discolorations were real enough, alright, as real as a jab to the nose, as real as a right to the temple, as real as the laces on gloves scraping against an opponent’s face.

    Which brings us, finally, to the question that won’t go away. Is Vladimir Klitschko ready for Lennox Lewis? If an emphatic yes doesn’t spring from our lips as effortlessly as a cough or sneeze, perhaps we should ask another question: Is Vladimir Klitschko ready for Evander Holyfield? Or Hasim Rahman? Or Kirk Johnson? These are the men Vlad needs to fight - and beat decisively - before he steps in the ring against a sweet scientist with the skills of the champion Lennox Lewis.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWar of Words``x1026353986,98137,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    Hot on the heels of Cher’s retirement (where she warbled "Do You Believe?" one final time), Felix Trinidad, one of boxing’s pound-for-pound greatest kayo artists, one of fistiana’s socko box office attractions, has said enough is enough and decided to throw in the towel. Although only twenty-nine years old and in his boxing prime with an almost perfect 41-1 (34 KOs) record to his credit, Tito is allegedly calling it quits, he has supposedly said adios to the wonderful world of prizefighting.

    But many people both inside and outside the fight game’s inner sanctum have greeted the announcement with skepticism. Have we grown suspicious of easy answers? Are we suddenly unwilling to accept things at face value? Is something wrong? What’s come over us? Is it possible that the power behind the Trinidad throne makes us wary of everything that touches the battle royale?

    The shocking news that Tito is finito came to us Tuesday via Trinidad’s promoter extraordinaire Don King. As the grinch who stole Christmas put it: "He decided there was nobody else he wanted to fight, so he retired." Thanks, Don, that’s great, mil gracias for the info. You’re rarely so succinct. You hardly ever say so much in so few words. We’re more accustomed to your diarrhea of the mouth, the con man’s eternal chatter. Well, we’ll leave it to you, maestro, to set the record straight . . . assuming that’s what you’re doing.

    The primary reason for Trinidad’s abrupt exit ostensibly concerns Bernard Hopkins and his unwillingness to grant Tito a rematch. Lest we forget, on September 29 Hopkins executed Felix in the twelfth and final round of their middleweight title bout. Equipped with a game plan, helped by a battery of hard lefts and rights, aided by a gritty toughness honed on the mean streets of Philly and in the squalor of the joint, Hopkins exposed Trinidad in ways only Bernard Hopkins would have believed possible. No doubt that devastating loss put a chink in Trinidad’s psychological armor, so we can’t blame him for chomping at the bit in anticipation of payback time.

    We last saw Trinidad in action against a masochist named Hasine Cherifi on May 11. Unless our eyes were deceiving us, that night Felix Trinidad looked like the happiest man on earth. He was having a ball smacking around his opponent. Tito was confident. He was smiling through his mouthpiece at all the fun he was having. He seemed overjoyed at the opportunity to drop a man using nothing but his fists. Tito, naturally, wants to beat up the likes of Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas. But Bernard Hopkins, who has inked a deal to fight no-name Erland Betare, would rather fight a Frenchman than a Puerto Rican any day. Bernard Hopkins is no fool. He’d rather fatten his bank account with an easy defense, rather than give Trinidad a chance to exact revenge. And Oscar De La Hoya, in lieu of cutting another Grammy-nominated CD, would rather fight Fernando Vargas, and vice versa, for the highly-coveted championship of Los Angeles. Most men would rather fight almost anyone beside Felix Trinidad Garcia. But is that any reason for Tito to turn his back on the glories of the sweet science?

    A statement released in Spanish from Team Trinidad spoke of Felix’s health, his desire to spend more time with his family, and Tito’s wish to commence his "college studies" - all of which is well and good. But Felix Trinidad already graduated summa cum laude from the School of Hard Knocks. Any higher education at this point seems almost redundant. Not everyone agrees, however. For instance, Mr. Only In America, the exemplary Don King, expressed the opinion that Tito’s attitude was a "refreshing breeze." Considering all the hot air DK has spewed over the years, his choice of words may just possibly make a helluva lot sense.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBuenos Noches, Sweet Prince: Farewell to Felix "Tito" Trinidad``x1026354118,87907,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Aftah dispatching the 41-yeah old Ray Mercah, accolades were heaped on Wladimeah Klitschko like the punches he dumped on the old man who had previously nevah been stopped. Many especially the HBO broadcast team, which includes Larry Merchant, Jim Lampley and sometimes Emanuel Stewid praised Klitschko faw his shahp punching and consistency, in hopes to build a match-up with world champion Lennox Lewis. This is usually what happens when any big heavyweight that they televise wins in somewhat impressive fashion. But one of the people who wasn’t impressed with what Klitschko did just ovah a week ago was the vocal managah of John “The Quietman” Ruiz, Nawmin Stone.

    “By now I should be used to getting slighted, but what I saw and heard the othah night was so rediculous, it wasn’t even funny,” said Stoney. “Honestly, I just don’t get it. Klitschko beat up a and old man who stood right in front of him and threw maybe one right hand, and I am supposed to be impressed by that? If it is Johnny in there, they say he beat up a washed up old man and that is that.

    Stoney continued:

    “I know Lewis wants to fight an undefeated guy, but after Johnny kicks (Kirk) Johnson’s July 27th at the Mandalay Bay, he will not be undefeated any more. Emanuel says Johnny won his belt in court. Well, if naybody won the title in court, it’s his guy, Lewis, who did it twice.”

    “Lewis is just doing to us what he did befaw and that is duck us. When we wah No. 1 and Michael Grant was No. 2, Lewis knew he had a pawk chop and went faw Grant. Grant’s people knew what they had, too, and cashed in. Meantime, we fight 36 rounds with Evandah Holyfield. Who else can say that? No way should Lewis fight anyone but us. Just like there is no way he should go around calling himself undisputed champion. Hey, we dispute him. Johnny is the champion of the WBA, the oldest of all the awginizations. Let’s put Lewis and Johnny togethah and then we can see who the real champ is. There is absolutely no question in my mind that Johnny deserves to get the first shot at Lewis befaw anybody.”

    Stoney predicted a 7th round knockout today at a press conference in Boston hyping his chahgis bout with Johnson on the 27th.

    Ruiz is not the only top New England fightah being slighted lately. World champion Kostya Tsztyu was recently asked who he felt were the best five jr. welterweights in the world. Naturally, Tszyu chose himself as the head honcho, but said the “next best four in the division in no particluar order are Sharmba Mitchell, Zab Juder, Ahturo Gatti & Diobelys Hurtado.

    In case you didn’t notice the insult, it was the fact that Gatti not “Irish” Micky Ward, who defeated Gatti in a memorable suggest in May was not included in Tszyu’s estimation.

    Since 1999 the Hampton Beach Casino in New Hampshire has hosted an ESPN2 Friday Night Fights show every summah. And each yeah, eithah a classic wah aw just an exciting fight takes place. In 1999, you had Micky Wahd out-willing Jermal Corbin. In 2000, you had the Julian Letterlough-Demetrius Jenkins slugfest that saw both men hit the canvas a number of times. The ending was explosive as Letterlough, the exciting light heavyweight scored a dramatic knockout in the 7th round. And last year, we had the unforgettable Ward-Augustus brawl, which many believed to the fight of the year (including the CBZ). This Friday night, the Casino may not get a Ward-Gatti or a Ward-Augustus for that mattah but in matching Edwin “Lightning” Santana of Lawrence, MA and hahd-punching Angel Vasquez of Hartford, CT, the venue will see the best New England match-up since the first Paz-Rosenblatt fight in 1996.

    Santana, 27-5-5 with 6 KO’s, a native of The Domican Republic is a crafty boxah who hasn’t had many breaks since turning pro in 1990. Most of his blemishes were eithah controversial or against bigger opposition. In 1998 he was one round from dominating Ben Tackie. The end came with a crunching right hand from Tackie in the 10th. In his last big opportunity, Santana met Joel Casamayor for his WBA title, even though the shot wasn’t deserved. Casamayor , the naturally bigger man and better boxer, won every round, but the stubborn Santana hung in there until the final bell.

    Vasquez, 22-1 with 16 KO’s was a hot prospect until running into Victah Polo at the Roxy in Boston two yeahs ago. Polo, a two-time title challengah had his way with Vasquez and nearly had him out early in winning a unanimous 12-round decision. Both fightis will now have a chance to shine and see this fight as a must-win. The winnah should not only earn local bragging rights, but a place in the top ten. Faw ticket infamation, contact the Casino box office at (603) 929-4100.

    Speaking of the Roxy, on the 26th, the venue will host Rich Cappiello’s fifth Mohegan Sun FightNight New England series. Kevin “The Clones Collossus” McBride (26-4-1 with 21 KO’s) along with New England Jr. welterweight champion, Haverhill’s Jeff “The Hellraza” Frazza (11-2 with 6 KO’s), Aaron “Two-Gun” Torres (9-1, 5 KO’s) and Willie “The Gladiator” Gibbs of Philadelphia will appear on the show. Faw ticket infamation, call (508) 587-5554 or (508) 587-3370 or purchase them at the door. Don’t fahget to dress cheezy.
    ``xkdunn``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1026421019,37801,``x``x ``xFight Night At The Rose Garden
    The Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon
    Sponsored by Spirit Mountain Casino, and The Rose Garden Arena
    Promoter: Golden Boy Promotions
    Thursday, July 18, 02
    Fights begin at 7:30 p.m.

    This is the first of three shows, two months apart, scheduled for 2002 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, OR. Golden Boy Promotions is the company of Oscar De la Hoya, who will NOT be present for this card because he is in training for his bout with Fernando Vargas. Ticket prices for this event start at $15.

    In the 10 Round bantamweight main Event

    Carlos Madrigal (21-2, 14 KO’s) of Los Angeles, CA vs Neddy Garcia (13-3) of Texas. Garcia replaces undefeated Juan Beltran (12-0, 9 KO’s) of Los Mochis, Mexico, who had visa trouble getting into the U.S.

    In a six round semi-main event:
    Originally scheduled, Portland’s Reggie Davis (5-1) has pulled out of this show to handle a domestic situation, and the promoter is looking for another 6 round bout to fill in. Ed Steinfeld, Event Manager for Golden Boy, says he’s hoping to find a match for tough bantamweight Nestor Rocha (6-0) of Los Angeles.

    Golden Boy Promotions makes a point of having at least one women’s bout on each card. For the Rose Garden kick off show they hope to offer busy and talented bantamweight Bridgett "Baby Doll" Riley (12-2, 6 KO’s) of Los Angeles in a six round bout. Ed Steinfeld says he should have an opponent for Riley solidified within the next few days.

    In four round bouts on the undercard:

    Greg Piper (3-0, 2 KO’s) of Portland vs Cesar Garcia (3-4) of Salem, OR. in a featherweight match.

    Heavyweights, Joe Guzman (2-0) of Portland vs Emanuel Laurent (1-0) of Los Angeles.

    Lightweights, Butch Chapman (4-0) of Portland vs Reggie Lowe (2-0) of Seattle, WA.


    Tickets are available through Ticket Master or at the Rose Garden box office.

    --30--
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xRose Garden Line-up for Thursday, July 18``x1026421094,49545,``x``x ``xSantana Spoiled, Again!
    By JD Vena

    HAMPTON BEACH, NH – Well it happened again. For poor little Lawrence featherweight, Edwin “Lightning” Santana enough wasn’t enough to win even when it appeared to most that he had. In February in his hometown of Lawrence, Santana lost to another unheralded fighter named Isidro Tejedor, though it appeared that Santana deserved the nod. Last night, it happened again in his adoptive home state of New Hampshire as he and replacement Rogers Mtagwa of Philadelphia fought to a 10 round draw at the Hampton Beach Casino televised by “the Duece.” After a shaky start but strong finish for Santana, only one liked him by a score of 97-94, while another had it the opposite and another an even 95-95.

    Mtagwa, 130, a native of Tanzania was a last minute fill-in for Conneticut rival, Angel Vasquez, who reportedly suffered a concussion. Vasquez and Santana was supposed to be an anticipated match between two New England featherweights who were looking to move back into the world rankings. Instead, Santana, 125 ½, was stuck with a heavier opponent in Mtagwa who was clearly the physically stronger of the two, especially early on. But Santana would rally down the stretch and in the thrilling 9th round, Lightning struck Mtagwa just when it seemed Santana was in trouble. Santana hurt Mtagwa towards the end of the round with a left hook and had enough zeal to win the last, however, it might not have been viewed that way by the judges. The CBZ saw it for Santana 97-94 (as did my ringside pal Steve Tobey of MaxBoxing).

    Santana now 27-5-6 with 6 KO’s must have the highest drawing percentage in boxing, but as much appeal with the hometown boxing officials as he does with punching power. Apparently, you must have a heavy punch in order to win over the judges in New Hampshire. But Israel “Pito” Cardona, 142 ½, of Hartford, CT didn’t have much of anything in his co-feature with Miguel Figueroa. The listless, one-time contender, Cardona was taken to school for 10 rounds. Figueroa, 143, of Camden, NJ seemed to have an easy time as Cardona walked him down and ate combination after combination, much like the way he did against Julian Wheeler over a year ago. Somehow, one of the judges had Figueroa winning at the end by a tally of 96-94, but was overruled by correct scores of 97-94 and 98-92 (as the CBZ had it). Cardona, now 34-6 and Santana may be better off hanging them up, but at least Santana can still fight. He just can’t seem to win.

    In an otherwise exciting card promoted by Sal LoNano, the manager of Micky Ward (who was in attendance), most of the other local New Englanders and prospects thrilled the audience, when they weren’t fighting themselves. (There were at least 4 brawls at the Casino.) In the opening bout, Kendall Holt, 145 ¾, of Paterson, NJ won a 6UD (58-56, 57-55 & 57-56) over punkish Norberto Frias, 149 ¾, of Brooklyn. Frias landed one of the hardest low blows I have ever seen. Holt literally used the entire 5 minutes to recover, also a rarity, but man, did he need it. Holt is now 8-0 with 6 KO’s while Frias drops to 7-4-1 with 2 KO’s.

    Anthony Washington of Philadelphian welterweight also won a UD over Dillon Carew of Laconia, NH. Washington is now 16-1-1 with 3 KO’s. Tom Wilt, 155, of Altoona, PA pulverized Adrian Vee Brown, 156, of Manchester, NH until 2 knockdowns in the 4th prompted referee Norm Vellieux to correctly halt the bout at 2:35 of the round. 3-time New England Golden Gloves winner “Machine-Gun” Mike Oliver, Jr., 122, of Hartford, CT decimated Jhovany Collado, 124, of New York with 2 picture-perfect right hooks. Each time Collado was hit by the punch, he crumbled. After the second one, Vellieux halted the fight at 1:07 of the 1st. Oliver is now 3-0.

    In the final two swing bouts, Jason Lehoullier, 154, of Portsmouth, NH literally overwhelmed Terry Smith, 160, of San Pedro, CA until referee, Robert LaPlant stopped the fight at 1:42 of the 3rd. Lehoullier is now 3-0 and seemd to only land fights once a year at the Hampton Beach Casino. In another shocker, Lawrence (where else right?) welterweight “Sugar” Gil Reyes, 155, seemed to win at least 3 of the 4 rounds in his test against Ian Gardner, 155, of Toronto only to lose by a majority vote after 4 rounds. One judge had it even at 38-38 a piece, while the other two knuckleheads had Gardner 39-37. Reyes and Gardner are now both 4-1.

    Promoter – S & L Boxing in association with Mohegan Sun
    Network – ESPN2
    Ring Announcer – Mark Beiro
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xSantana D10 Mtagwa``x1026543046,62343,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    George W. Bush wants Osama bin Laden. I want a Pulitzer Prize. And Lennox Lewis wants $30 million for a rematch with Mike Tyson. Are you listening, Santa? Once your elves finish processing orders for Eminem and Jesse Ventura action dolls, consider filling our Christmas stockings with something other than coal.

    The heavyweight champion of the world gives the impression of being an all-around nice chap. He doesn’t get arrested. He doesn’t assault lap dancers. He doesn’t mug convention’s PG sensibilities. He doesn’t bite ears or thighs. And so Lennox Lewis, still basking in the glory of whooping Mike Tyson June 8 at The Pyramid, was recently awarded a CBE, Commander of the Order of the British Empire. (We don’t know if that makes you an Earl, Duke, Baron, Count, Lord or Marquis, so, if you don’t mind, we’ll still call you Champ.) Looking phat in a bow tie, top hat and tails, riding high after canoodling with Queen Elisabeth and Prince ("I want to be your tampon.") Charles, Lennox announced to the world that, in lieu of retiring from boxing, for a price he’ll give us a replay of the Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson mismatch.

    Well, gee, Lennox, thanks for nothing. If you don’t want to retire, don’t retire. It’s your call. Do whatever suits you. We don’t much care. Do whatever turns you on. Our lives will continue no matter what. But please don’t dangle the prospect of another Lewis-Tyson farce before our eyes. We may be hungry for action, but we’re not that hungry. We’re not starving. Not by a long shot.

    We presume Lennox Lewis’ remarks were off the cuff. Rasta’s handlers surely didn’t okay his latest statement to the press. If they knew what Lennox was going to say in advance, they would have locked him in the Tower of London. But the poker-faced champ has once again let his ego loose without a leash. Don’t get us wrong. We’re happy that Lennox is being honored by Britain’s distinguished House of Windsor. Not every boxer gets lionized by the old farts of Buckingham. Mick Jagger ("Sympathy for the Devil") and Paul McCartney ("Back in the USSR") may be eminently suitable for knighthood. But Lennox isn’t rock ‘n roll. He isn’t white. We’re not even sure he’s English. Maybe things have really changed on the other side of the pond?

    Needless to say, we’re pleased as punch that the Rudy Giuliani Suite at Balmoral Castle was available for Lennox’s stay in Merry Olde England. We only wish that Lennox Lewis, who chooses his words with care, when he chooses them at all, had consulted us before mouthing-off, because he sounds real silly, disingenuous, money-grubbing, not smart. Lennox Lewis sounds like he thinks we’re complete fools.

    After all, who in their right mind would pay another fifty smackers to watch Lennox pulverize Tyson a second time? We may have bought into Rocky II and Reagan II and even Celebrity Boxing II, but the very thought of witnessing Lewis-Tyson II is more than most of us can bear. Tyson’s fans, few though they are, wherever they are hiding, dread the thought of seeing their man flattened again. And Lewis’ fans, few though they are, wherever they are hiding, scoff at the notion of Lennox wasting one more minute on Mike Tyson. But Lennox Lewis, with his improvident choice of words, is blurring the lines between what is allowed and what is acceptable, between what is cool and what turns us off.

    If you want to tease us, champ, give Vlad Klitschko a shot at the heavyweight title. Name your price - ten mil, twenty mil, thirty mil, the sky is the limit - because no one cares anymore about Michael Gerard Tyson. Iron Mike was an oddity, a curio, a sideshow attraction before he even signed to fight you. And now, as you well know, he’s little more than an asterisk. You may think that we believe you are the greatest thing since chopped liver, but you’re not, we don’t, you’re sadly mistaken, you’re just heavyweight champion, and your days are numbered. Your monster paydays and groovy lifestyle is something the working class dreams of. But if you insist on putting your foot in your mouth, we’ll be forced, against our better nature, to consider you the enemy. We don’t want that for Lennox Lewis. We assume Lennox Lewis doesn’t want that for Lennox Lewis, either.

    We understand that Bonny Prince Charlie admitted that he missed the June 8 demolition in Memphis. We hear that the future king also confessed that he wasn’t even a boxing fan! We always knew there was something seriously amiss with the monarchy. Perhaps that explains it.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xkdunn``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLennox Lewis Superstar``x1026941103,37687,``x``x ``xBurton Replaces Phillips at Legends Casino Friday, July 19

    By Katherine Dunn

    Sugar Ray Leonard is the promoter and the new indoor arena at Legends Casino in Toppenish, WA. outside Yakima is the host site for the July 19 edition of ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.

    Emanuel Burton Augustus (26-19-5, 13) steps in as a short notice replacement for the previously announced Vince Phillips. Emanuel, a 27 year-old veteran of many wars as well as Mickey Ward, says Burton is his middle name and Augustus is his real last name. He now wishes to be listed as Emanuel Augustus. His opponent for this 10 round Jr Welterweight main event is serious 21 year-old Carlos Vilchez (37-1-2, 24 KO’s) of Argentina. On paper this doesn’t look like a walk in the park for either guy. Should be a good contentious scrap.

    In the co-main ten round Jr. Middleweight match, tough Verno Phillips (32-9-1, 17 KO’s) of Denver meets classy boxing Alex Bunema (20-3-2, 12 KO’s) now fighting out of the Seattle area.

    A quartet of six-rounders fill out the card.

    Jr. Bantamweight Women, Elena Reid (9-1-2, 3 KO’s) of Phoenix, AZ meets prosecuting attorney Yolanda Gonzalez (7-4-1, 3 KO’s) of New Jersey.

    Jr. Middleweight Manuel Reyes (3-1, 2 KO’s) of Othello, WA meets Jason Naugler (5-1, 3 KO’s) of Calgary, Canada.

    Jr. Welterweight Jesus Santiago (5-2, 1 KO) of Seattle meets Armando Robles (4-1-1, 1 KO) of Utah.

    Light heavyweights Luis Lopez (0-2) of Othello, WA meets Chad Sawyer (4-2-1, 1 KO) of Calgary, Canada.

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xVince Phillips Scratched, Emanuel Burton Steps In For Friday Night Fights``x1026958871,17781,``x``x ``xFight Night At The Rose Garden, Some Fall-Out and Change
    The Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon
    Sponsored by Spirit Mountain Casino, and The Rose Garden Arena
    Promoter: Golden Boy Promotions
    Thursday, July 18, 02
    Fights begin at 7:00 p.m.

    This is the first of three shows, two months apart, scheduled for 2002 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, OR. Golden Boy Promotions is the company of Oscar De la Hoya, who will NOT be present for this card because he is in training for his bout with Fernando Vargas. Ticket prices for this event start at $15.

    In the 10 Round bantamweight main Event

    Carlos Madrigal (21-2, 14 KO’s) of Los Angeles, CA weighed 116 lbs for his encounter with Luis Malave,115 lbs, ( 8-2-1, 6 KO’s) of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Malave is the latest in a series of proposed opponents for Madrigal on this card.

    In a six round semi-main event:

    Golden Boy Promotions makes a point of having at least one women’s bout on each card. For the Rose Garden kick off show they advertised and hoped to offer busy and talented bantamweight Bridgett "Baby Doll" Riley (12-2, 6 KO’s) of Los Angeles in a six round bout. Reportedly, Riley fell and injured a leg while running on the day before the weigh-in. A last minute scurry, however, produced what may well be an excellent bout between Layla McCarter, the IWBA 126 pound champ, and Ada Velez (10-1, 5 KO’s) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who is the International Boxing Association 118 pound champ. McCarter was not able to make it in time for the official weigh-in at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday the 17th of July. Ada Velez made up for some of the weight difference by stepping onto the scales wearing shoes, jeans, and a big sweatshirt to reach a mighty 124 pounds.

    In four round bouts on the undercard:

    Greg Piper (3-0, 2 KO’s) 125 lbs, of Portland meets Cesar Garcia (3-4), 126 lbs, of Salem, OR. .

    Joe Guzman (2-0), 197 pounds, of Portland meets Emanuel Laurent (1-0), 226 lbs, of Los Angeles.

    Butch Chapman (4-0), 149 lbs, of Portland vs Reggie Lowe (2-0), 152 lbs, of Seattle, WA.


    Tickets are available through Ticket Master or at the Rose Garden box office.

    --30--
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xRose Garden Line-Up Changes``x1027059856,31907,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Thursday, July 18, 02---Fight Night At The Rose Garden
    The Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon
    Sponsored by Spirit Mountain Casino, and The Rose Garden Arena
    Promoter: Golden Boy Promotions
    Matchmaker Ed Steinfeld
    Referees: Dave Hagen, Jim Erickson, Darrell Lewis, and Mike Fisher



    The huge Rose Garden didn’t seem empty with somewhere between three and five thousand fans focused tightly on the ring for the first of a scheduled three fight cards booked for the arena over the next four months.

    In the 10 Round bantamweight main Event

    Carlos "El Terror" Madrigal (now 22-2, 15 KO’s) of Los Angeles, CA weighed 116 lbs for his encounter with Luis Malave,115 lbs, (now 8-3-1, 6 KO’s) of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Malave was the latest in a series of proposed opponents for Madrigal and came in on very short notice. Madrigal, the WBO Intercontinental bantamweight Champ, nearly lost it all in the first round when a resounding left hand to the chin from Malave caught the champ cold. Madrigal staggered backward, stunned and hurt, but managed to evade and survive Malave’s leap forward to inflict more damage.
    Madrigal came out on the offense with a calculated jab and body shot combo that worked and kept working in the second. Malave waited and tried to counter, but the two were jaw to jaw and storming by te end of the round. Malave’s slick boxing revived in the third, with a jab that kept madrigal slightly off balance. But Madrigal attacked with persistent hooks to the body. Madrigal’s body assault continued in the fourth round with increasin effect, until a massive hook on the ropes dropped malave to his knees. He beat the count but referee james Erickson called it off and Malave didn’t argue. A TKO win in a classy scrap for Carlos madrigal at 2:17 of the fourth round.


    In a six round semi-main event:

    Bridget "Baby Doll" Riley was scheduled to appear but reportedly injured her leg while running the evening before the weigh-in. A last minute scurry produced an interesting replacement in Layla McCarter, (Now 11-7-4, 2 KO’s)the IWBA 126 pound champ, of Las Vegas. McCarter, a natural featherweight stepped in with Riley’s scheduled bantamweight opponent, Ada Velez (Now 10-1-1, 5 KO’s) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who is the International Boxing Association 118 pound champ. At the weigh-in Ada Velez managed to reach 124 pounds by stepping onto the scales wearing shoes, jeans, and a big sweatshirt. With the bout billed for the first ever oregon State Women’s Jr. Featherweight Championship and a colorful belt on the line, this six rounder was busy and close. The southpaw Velez got inside on the taller McCarter and worked for volume punching to oppose the accurate jab and right hand of McCarter. One judge called it 58-56 for velez and the other two called 57-57. The majority draw meant the belt and the title remain vacant, but the fight was a quality affair.

    In four round bouts on the undercard:

    It was sharp-shooting that made the difference for Greg Piper (now 4-0, 2 KO’s) 125 lbs, of Portland against the shorter, busier Cesar Garcia (3-5), 126 lbs, of Salem, OR. Garcia fought to get inside on the long-armed Piper, but by the end of the fourth was hurt and staggering, hanging on to Piper to stay upright at the bell. The judges scored it 40-36, 39-37, and 38-38, a split decision win for Piper.

    Generously tattooed Joe Guzman (now 3-0) of Portland looked positively petite next to the taller, 226 pound Emanuel Laurent (1-1) of Los Angeles. But Guzman was not impressed and jumped in to dominate the first round with a jab and body work combo that depressed Lowe. Laurent rallied for the second round and the two went toe-to-toe, both disregarding defense. Guzman eventually tired from eating right hands and began backing up a bit. He made up for it in the third with a forward thrust dishing up right hands for Lowe to swallow. The fourth round was busy and close but we gave it to Guzman at the final bell. The judges called it unanimous with the scores reading 40-36, 40-36, and 39-37, all for Guzman.

    Butch Chapman (now 5-0), 149 lbs, of Portland fought Reggie Lowe (2-1), 152 lbs, of Seattle, WA. with so much confidence that it convinced even Lowe. Chapman was busy and determined against the taller, rangier Lowe, whose respectable jab might have been useful if it had been deployed more often. Chapman repeatedly trapped Lowe in corners and on the ropes, mauled him for a while, and then deliberately backed off and let him survive to slog on. Chapman won every round on the judges cards, for a unanimous 40-36 victory.


    Light heavyweight Neil Stephens, 175 lbs, (now 6-3) of Seattle stopped Scott Sales, 175 lbs (now 1-5) of Renton, WA. with body shots in the first round. First a right hand under the floating ribs had Sales taking a knee in a corner. He beat the count that time, but another right to the same spot dropped him into a fetal position on that right side and he didn’t get up. Referee Dave Hagen called the fight over, and Sales didn’t get up until the ringside physician came to check him out. Then he leapt to his feet with a livid red mark already showing on his side. A KO win for Stephens at 1:35 of the first round.

    --30--
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xMadrigal’s Body War Halts Malave at the Rose Garden``x1027059935,83092,``x``x ``xJune 30 Kaona Klongpajol TKO1 Poonsawat Eausampan

    July 1 Panomdej Or.Yutthanakorn KO1 Yongyuth Sor.Sermsuk

    July 2 Saksri Piriyanoppachai KO1 Chakajpetch Lukkasetchai

    July 3 Manadej Sithniwat W6 Somsak Yukkasetchai

    July 5 Jordan Kongrungroj KO2 Rak Sor.Chitlada

    July 7 Slaton Vor.Sakawee W6 Teppanom Sakpanya

    July 8 Kaichon Sor.Vorapin W6 Samunprai Sabuyoko-Gym

    July 9 Rung Por.Puangkaew TKO3 Kittisak Sor.Poonsawat

    July 10 Yamamoto Yosuke (JAP) KO4 Petchingchai Chor.Praram 6

    July 12 Nindam Or.Nuangchamnong KO4 Turbo Chor.Suan-Anan

    Tassanu Ussawabhop
    Songchai Promotion's Co-ordinator

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xResults From Thailand``x1027078912,43148,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    No one knew it or even suspected it at the time. All indicators suggested he was the best pound-for-pound now fighting. He wasn’t Sweet ‘n Low or NutriSweet. He was smooth like honey and maple syrup. There were dissenters, of course. Not everyone has a sweet tooth. Roy Jones lovers, Trinidad worshipers and Naseem Hamed loyalists begged to differ. It wasn’t an easy argument to settle. It was like asking, What’s better? To live forever or to live for all eternity? But we’re all diehard aficionados, fan’s fans, the nuts who live and die for the sweet science, and many of us gave Shane Mosley the nod as the cherry on top of that killer dessert. Shane was like molasses. He was the equal of both Sugar Rays. Shane Mosley was sweet as sugar. It wasn’t until the nonpareil slugger met Vernon Forrest January 26 at Madison Square Garden that we learned we were mistaken.

    There have been a zillion theories floated for Sugar Shane Mosley’s first loss. Looking past his opponent was one. Forrest’s superior size and punches were another. And Vernon, like any smart student who wants to get ahead, used his head.

    "My best three punches are the rabbit punch, the choke hold and the headbutt." (Chuck Wepner)

    A good hard head is like having an iron third fist if used with caution and discretion. Along with shots to the kidney and the sublimity of the low blow, we have a cornucopia of offenses that are as common in boxing as kisses on a third date. But when fighters start complaining about these minor infractions, you can be sure the complainant was the loser. Winners never complain. What’s there to complain about? Winning? There’s a duh quotient floating around somewhere worth calculating.

    The true champions always seem to learn from their first loss. They make adjustments, fine-tune highly-calibrated skills to march even closer to the beyond. After Ali hit the deck in the Fight of the Century in 1971, The Greatest beat Smokin’ Joe in 1974 and in The Thrilla in Manilla in 1975. Two times out of three, he whooped Joe Frazier.

    Sometimes a pro can bring in a new trainer, a conditioning coach, a nutritionist or psychologist or hypnotist or yoga master, but sometimes it doesn’t make any difference. Sometimes one fighter just has what it takes to 9 times out of 10 beat the other. No matter what adjustments the beaten man might make, he’s an L to another pug’s W.

    When Vernon Forrest’s cranium bonked Sugar Shane’s brain in round one of their first prizefight, Mosley was never the same fighter. He was not only no longer the Sugar Shane of old. He was Shane Mosley of Pomona, California on his way to his first professional loss. That the loss mirrored a loss as an amateur in 1992 to the same fighter speaks volumes. It suggests, headbutts aside, the Vernon Forrest has Shane Mosley’s number.

    When the late Mike Tyson fought Evander Holyfield in 1996, it was obvious from the opening bell that Holy had Brooklyn’s number. It was signed, sealed and delivered by Vander in a minute. When Marco Antonio Barrera exposed Naseem Hamed a year ago, that was another example of the natural order, of blessed met expectations, of mere man falling before superman.

    Now that Shane Mosley and Vernon Forrest are about to do the rematch, what can we expect? Judging from Forrest’s farce at Friday’s weigh-in, it might be a whole different fight. Forrest, to the dismay of everyone, came in overweight at 147.3 lbs. He disappeared for awhile, reappeared for awhile, and climbed on the scales a second time. He was still over the welterweight limit. He disappeared again. Who knew what he was up to? How does one lose weight in an Indianapolis, Indiana evening? Pawn jewelry? Shave a goatee. Lop off a finger? I wish I knew, because the third try was the charm. 147 on the dot. The fight was on!

    Only in boxing (and the DEA) could stupid stuff like a few ounces create a stir. It’s like urine samples and blows south of the border and black eyes and and limos and mansions. It’s boxing. And it’s beautiful. And it’s bizarre. Forrest failing to make weight could mean everything or nothing. Was Team Vernon using a faulty scale? Or was Forrest over- and or under-trained? When Shane Mosley starts hitting Vernon Forrest, as he will, as he must, it will be interesting to see how Forrest reacts. It goes without saying that if Sugar Shane Mosley decisively beats Vernon Forrest, Roy Jones will, we hope, pass Shane Mosley the P4P diadem.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xkdunn``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xForrest vs. Sugar``x1027275671,52383,``x``x ``x&
    Tarver beats the hell out of Harding
    By Chris Bushnell

    About the best thing one could say about the uninspired rematch between Vernon Forrest and Shane Mosley is that it was a tough fight to score. In round after ugly round, Forrest controlled the pace with a mind-numbing parade of feints and clinches while Mosley tried to pick him off with an improbable one-punch knockout. In some rounds, Mosley's infrequent bombs stole the show, while in others Forrest's ability to confuse and intimidate his rival was amazing.

    At the end of the night, Mosley had actually stolen enough of the lame rounds to tally a lead on the Boxing Chronicle scorecard. But the numbers didn't accurately tell the story of Mosley's performance, which was anything but worthy of a title change.

    Usually all-smiles prior to a fight, a grim-faced Mosley wouldn't
    even look at Forrest during the final instructions. Moments later,
    Mosley steamrolled Forrest by landing a lead left hook and piston right cross nearly simultaneously with the opening bell. Forrest was stunned by the lightning quick punches, and grabbed onto Mosley as the two fell into the ropes.

    Once separated, Mosley darted his head and circled his gloves in a display of overwhelming energy. Mosley launched a wild overhand right and tried to find Forrest's body as the first minute of the bout ticked away. Forrest backed away from Mosley at first, but finally answered with a blistering counter right hand at the 60-second mark. The punch rattled Mosley to the tips of his toes.

    There is an unwritten rule in boxing that says when a fighter gets hit, anything new he learned in the gym goes out the window and the old tendencies resurface. After the first minute of their rematch, both Mosley and Forrest proved this theorem correct. The champion quickly took to his frustrating jab-and-hold formula while Mosley reverted to his obsession with welterweight power. Rather than pepper Forrest with the combinations he is famous for, Mosley hunted for an opening to land a bomb. As the first round ticked away,
    Mosley touched Forrest's body a few times, but landed little else.
    As such, he eked out a close opener on our cards.

    In the second round, Mosley again loaded up with one-punch, launching
    and landing a heavy overhand right. Again, Forrest was quick to respond, cracking Mosley with a perfect straight right a few seconds later. Both men were firing their most deadly weapons at full tilt, and each seemed startled when the other landed. Trying to keep the fight at center ring, Mosley glided to Forrest's right, pausing only to miss another speedy one-two.

    Sugar followed up his miss with an overhand right that landed, but was surprised when Forrest countered with a short left hook. The two spent the entire round launching individual home-run swings, and with no other memorable clean shots to score, Mosley again seemed to just barely win a close round.

    The key to Forrest's success was an effective jab, and he started the
    third round by pushing out his long left arm more frequently. Before too long, Forrest instinctively followed the jab with a cross and Mosley's chin was open. Mosley was attempting to avoid the blow with his careful footwork, but Forrest never stepped into Mosley when he moved away. Instead he shuffled sideways with Mosley, cutting off the ring and forcing Mosley's back to touch the ropes. On the ropes, Mosley quickly learned what Forrest had been working on in camp: a much-improved left hook. The punch, which had debuted a round earlier, again strafed Mosley’s face. Shane escaped unharmed
    from the exchange, but was still looking too hard for a perfect opening. He found one such opportunity late in the round, when his uppercut snapped Forrest's head and brought a rather-sedated crowd to its feet. After the blow landed, Mosley's arms became tangled in Forrest's. Had he intended the uppercut to start a three or four punch combination, Forrest might not have been able to grab him so easily. But with a one-and-done offense, Mosley needed to do much more to secure the round.

    After Forrest's dramatic destruction of Mosley in the first bout, the
    conventional boxing wisdom said that Forrest had fought at his best
    while Mosley had other tools he could fall back on. That wisdom was being turned on its ear early and often as Mosley's battering ram gameplan looked too much like his first losing effort while Forrest was showing off a few new tricks.

    Primarily, Forrest was catching Mosley with a short left hook that the challenger was simply not expecting. Forrest led with the hook twice in the first minute of round four, landing one on Mosley's jawline and missing a second when Mosley ducked just in time. Mosley took the punches better than he had Forrest's first-fight power shots, but the accumulation of clean shots seemed to be weighing very heavily on his mind. Mosley kept away from Forrest for a good minute after the hooks, getting close only to land two dipping hooks to the body just before Forrest completed his clinches.

    If Forrest's body was all that was available, then Mosley would take it, and he attacked downstairs again by reaching back before landing a wide right hand to Vernon's side. It was a beautiful punch, and set up a crisp left uppercut that Mosley planted on Forrest's chin a moment later. Again, Forrest clinched after the telling blow, preventing any follow-up beyond a few tapping shots to the side before the break. Mosley's uppercut was the telling blow of the round, and tipped another close (but slow) round in Mosley's favor.

    With Mosley's brute power getting through to Forrest occasionally,
    the champion's trainer begged for his man to take control of the pace. Ronnie Shields yelled at Forrest "I want you to make this a dull fight!" Ever the perfect student, Forrest followed his coach's instructions perfectly.

    Forrest came at Mosley in the fifth round pumping out his jab and
    twitching his cocked right hand. The frantic herky-jerky motion of Mosley's stance had quelled with fatigue, and Forrest had landed enough heavy blows by this point to have Mosley's complete respect.

    Now Forrest bought time, grabbing Mosley's arms when he got close and toying with his reflexes by constantly stomping his feet or lurching his shoulders. Despite the fact that Forrest's black mouthpiece was hanging out of his open mouth for the entire round, Mosley could not muster the nerve required to call Forrest's bluffs and counter. Instead he stayed out at the end of Forrest's range-finder, giving
    Vernon a chance to catch his breath as well as establish the pace.

    Although Forrest didn't really tag Mosley with any significant blows, the effortless manner in which he tamed the once-ferocious Mosley with body language won him the round.

    As the sixth began, Mosley ventured out with two wild overhand rights. The first landed on Forrest's temple, the second on his ear. Forrest may have been stunned, but his ability to tangle Mosley up after each blow prevented any follow-up shots from confirming. After bouncing these two rights off of Forrest's head, Mosley again was kept at bay by Forrest's pawing jab and intimidating (but unthrown) right. Time and again Mosley would circle, build
    up the courage to throw first, miss and then wind up in a clinch that
    lasted longer than the space between punches. The Indianapolis crowd booed at first, and then seemed apathetic. Then, with 30 seconds to go, the entire crowd leapt to its feet. A real fight had broken out in the stands, and for the remainder of the excruciatingly boring sixth round, the entire crowd turned their heads away from the welterweight championship to watch two drunks tussle. Even Evander Holyfield, with his front-row-center seat, joined the crowd in watching the sideshow. Only the television audience actually witnessed the last half-minute of this round, not that anything of
    import happened. When it came time to score, we tallied the round for Mosley based on his two rights to start the frame. Many ringsiders, including the official judges, favored Forrest and the way in which he flexed his ring generalship. But clinches aren't punches, and we'll stick with our vote for Mosley in round six, no matter how minimal his effort may have been.

    With Mosley throwing only a handful of punches per round, Forrest
    needed to land only a minimum of his own shots to tip these close rounds in his favor. He did so in the seventh by returning to his hook. Forrest landed the wide left twice early in round seven, then followed with two rights, one a fist and one a forearm. Both nailed Mosley on the mouth. At the end of these punches, Mosley appeared lost. Unable to solve the Forrest puzzle, Mosley settled for targeting his few attempts to the body. And while these infrequent swings did find Forrest's ribs, they were too few and too far
    between to actually weaken the champion's legs. Beyond these shots,
    Mosley didn't appear to have a backup plan. As he pondered his options, Forrest again taunted him with feints. In fact, the last 20 seconds of the round was little more than a series of Forrest fake-outs. Each time Vernon jerked, Mosley pulled away. Finally, Forrest actually followed through with a punch, and the resulting jab pushed Mosley's forehead back so that it was pointing towards the ceiling. A clear round for Forrest.

    The eighth frame was another hand-wringer for anyone asked to choose a 10-9 winner. 99% of the round involved Forrest feinting, keeping Mosley away with soft jabs that found air but established a distance, and ugly wrestling spawned from the perpetual clinching. This was not the sweet science. In terms of ring generalship, Vernon Forrest was dominating the match. Mosley was a mess of reactions and simply could not control the pace of the bout.

    That said, Forrest didn't land one meaningful punch on Mosley in the
    entire round. Mosley did land, although not much. He shook Forrest with a wicked left hook that timed Forrest's own hook early in the round, and popped Forrest's sides as the referee called for breaks. As far as offense goes, it was minimal at best but when compared with Forrest's efforts, we scored for Mosley. In our book, ring generalship cannot exists completely free of clean punching, and thus Forrest simply cannot win the round by forcing Mosley to be inactive.

    In his corner, Mosley was being told that he was way behind in the
    fight. Mosley realized the situation he was in, but simply couldn't find a way to work around Forrest's octopus clinches. Early in round nine, Mosley landed two solid left hooks to the body. As Forrest tried to hook Mosley's arms, a frustrated Sugar blatantly
    laced Forrest before the break. Forrest got in a lick of revenge by
    tagging Mosley with a double left hook in the next exchange, and Mosley again was reduced to hunting for bodyshot openings. The round was not fought with much intensity, and the constant holding seemed to exhaust the live crowd as much as the fighters. So dull was the round, that Mosley was able to easily steal the round when he popped Forrest on the forehead with a flush overhand right, one of the night's best. The audience, starved for action, cheered for the
    first time in several rounds. The cheer soon grew to a mini-standing
    ovation, as Mosley quickly followed his right with a hook-right-hook to a bent-over Forrest. The sudden explosion of handspeed and the rare appearance of a combination made the crowd go crazy. Forrest was not hurt, but he let the round slip away.

    As in the first fight, Forrest looked like he was trying to coast out
    the final half of the bout with his jab. For the most part his plan was working: Mosley was winning rounds only by stealing them. But in the tenth, Forrest's coasting was simply coasting. The tenth was the only round that Mosley won with a modicum of authority. Flashing renewed upper-body movement, Mosley quickly attacked Forrest with the overhand right. After the punch ricocheted off the top of Forrest's head, Mosley swung the right with a scary intensity to Vernon's ribs. The dormant crowd cheered Mosley on, hoping that
    his mini-rally might spark a competitive fight. Backing Forrest to the ropes, Mosley uncorked a violent hook/uppercut to the center of Forrest's chest. Forrest immediately countered over the top with a chopping downward right hand that nailed Mosley's face and stopped the rally. The rest of the round quelled to the previous one-punch-and-clinch action of the early rounds but Mosley's temporary rally banked him the round.

    In the eleventh round, both fighters appeared to be leaving saving up
    for the final round. Two and a half minutes of clinching returned the bout to a boring pace before Forrest finally moved his hands. As Mosley circled past a neutral corner, Forrest clipped him with a lead left hook and a flush follow-up right hand. Mosley's knees jolted and he leaned on the ropes. Now it was Mosley's turn to hold on, and he grabbed Forrest before more damage could be done. The round ended a moment later, leaving Forrest a clear-cut winner.

    A few seconds before the final round, this reporter looked down at his notebook and saw Mosley leading Forrest by a score of 106-103. The score didn's seem right. The entire fight was being controlled by Forrest. Mosley had been reduced to a desperate puncher. The fact that Mosley had stolen a number of rounds in which Forrest had done next-to-nothing did little to erase the fact that Mosley was not “doing enough to take the title. Even though he was winning the fight on our cards, the overall impression of the fight was that he was trying to catch up and simply couldn't.

    Mosley's father/trainer told him he needed knockout in the final
    round. Mosley opened the round by launching and landing three perfect overhand rights. Each punch caught a cautious Forrest standing still, although none of these blows came close to rendering him unconscious. Unfortunately, these right hands made up the bulk of the action, as the two tired fighters closed the show with a series of clinches. The final thirty seconds of the round saw neither man attempt any serious blows. Not even the ten-second
    clacker could inspire Mosley and Forrest to let it all hang out for the final bell.

    Again, based on his rights, we scored the final round for Mosley. But the overwhelming feeling in the air was that Mosley had come far short of wrestling Forrest's title away.

    The final Boxing Chronicle scorecard read Mosley 116, Forrest 112. But many rounds could have swung, and anyone impressed with the way Forrest kept Mosley away by threatening to throw his right could have easily flipped the tally to 116-112.


    Such was the case with the official judges, who scored the bout
    115-113, 116-112, and 117-111 for Vernon Forrest.

    With his victory, Vernon Forrest (now 35-0/26) established himself as a superstar, and a rightful claimant to the title of best welterweight in the world. But, ironically, this reputation-solidifying win probably did little to raise Forrest's stock. Once again, Forrest won an unexciting fight. Worse, he now sits on the throne as king of an empty division. Unless Kostya Tszyu moves up in weight, Forrest may now be where Mosley was a year ago: an undefeated champion without a defining challenger.

    For Mosley (38-2/35), the defeat is a major setback and not just
    because Mosley has pulled a DelaHoya and lost two important bouts in a short period of time. Mosley's biggest setback comes from the seeming evaporation of his once dominant style. The body work, the combinations, the angles, the creativity all gone. Seemingly self-hypnotized by his brutal kayos of Willie Wise, Adrian Stone, and Shannan Taylor, Mosley has now twice relied on his booming power to save him, and come up short. After the bout, he sighted the difficulty in making 147 but the problem may run deeper. With
    an announced move to 154, Mosley will have to recapture some of his
    lightweight lightning if he hopes to battle even bigger opponents.

    On the undercard: Antonio Tarver avenged his only defeat by knocking
    the high holy shit out of Eric Harding. Harding dominated the first three rounds of the fight, mainly because Tarver appeared too scared to challenge the man who shattered his jaw with a single punch. But in the fourth round, Tarver countered an attacking Harding with a short left hand. The punch turned Harding's knees to jelly. What followed was a series of Tarver left hands that crashed into Harding's unprotected face. Three such blows sent him down
    the canvas, although referee Bill Paige somehow ruled the downing a
    slip. When Harding arose, he walked into more punishment, including six consecutive Tarver left hand home run swings, each of which pounded Harding an inch closer to the canvas, which he eventually collapsed to. Paige looked certain to stop the fight, but the round was over, and Harding made it back to his corner.

    Unfortunately, the one-minute rest did nothing to heal his dead legs. 20 seconds into the fifth, three more unopposed Tarver lefts sent Harding down again. Paige again began a count as Tarver yelled at him to stop the fight.

    Completing his count, Paige asked Harding “Are you okay?� Harding answered "I'm from Philadelphia." Perhaps Harding was protesting that as a veteran of Philly gym wars, he was used to this type of punishment. Paige accepted the answer, and a reluctant Tarver smashed Harding with two more left hands before he finally collapsed to the canvas in a manner that suggested he wouldn't be getting up any time soon.
    Tarver KO5.

    Tarver (now 20-1/17) retains his #1 ranking, making him an eventual
    mandatory challenger to Roy Jones. Despite the thrilling kayo, don't expect Jones-Tarver to be any better than any of Roy's other fights. If Tarver is a deer-in-the-headlights against Jones for half as long as he was against Harding, then he'll be toast.

    -- Chris Bushnell
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xMosley Can't Wrestle Title From Forrest``x1027275786,51716,``x``x ``xby Steve Coughlin

    Conseco Fieldhouse INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 20, 2002)

    In front of a Indiana record crowd of almost 16,000, Vernon Forrest (35-0, 26 KOs) defended his W.B.C. Welterweight Championship with a 12-round unanimous decision over former champ Sugar Shane Mosley ( 38-2, 35 KOs). The official scorecards read 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111. CBZ had it 116-112.

    The fighters entered the ring to settle it once & for all. Mosley would tell anyone that would listen that the head butt in round two of the first fight threw off his equilibrium and this time it would be his fight. Forrest had a chip on his shoulder. He thought that Mosley was just making excuses and that the rematch would be even easier for him. Vernon thought he had a real good chance to get a knockout. When a reporter ask him what made his style so effective against a great fighter like Mosley, Vernon said: "There are 50 guys I know of that could beat Shane Mosley."

    50 guys that can beat Mosley? Well, start namin? names Vernon, because we can't wait to see 'em!

    Forrest was also upset that Mosley had the nerve to be talking about a De La Hoya fight before their fight. When asked about his own future, Forrest would only say that he would have a few more fights against the "right" fighters and walk away.

    Mosley also had mentioned that Forrest had used nylon in his cornrows in the first fight & that Vernon's hair was actually a weapon. Just when you think you've heard it all! This sent Forrest into a frenzy. "When I kick his ass this time, what will his excuse be? Just accept that you lost and move on!"


    Round 1
    Shane lands a really hard combination very early and appears to have
    hurt Forrest. Forrest comes firing back a few seconds later. Forrest
    is working the body early. At the close of the round, Mosley lands a
    hard right but Forrest land three hard shots to finish the round.
    10-9 Forrest

    Round 2
    Shane lands another hard shot to start the round. Forrest is moving
    forward now. Vernon lands his best punch, a body shot that lifts
    Shane's leg off of the ground. Both fighters are landing some pretty good shots but Forrest is working a bit harder.
    10-9 Forrest 20-18 Forrest

    Round 3
    Mosley finally starts to land his left hook. Forrest sticks Shane with a crisp, hard combination. Shane firing back but it?s one punch at a time. Shane's best round.
    10-9 Mosley 29-28 Forrest

    Round 4
    Forrest is still the aggressor but Shane is boxing well and defending well too. Shane getting off a bit more but still not in bunches.
    10-9 Mosley 38-38

    Round 5
    Not much going on with Vernon keeping Shane off balance with his jab. Towards the end of the round Vernon lands another hard body shot.
    10-9 Forrest 48-47 Forrest

    Round 6
    Both fighters are working their jabs now. Vernon is throwing and landing at a higher rate. Vernon pushing forward and lands a hard right to the head and one to the body.
    10-9 Forrest 58-56 Forrest

    Round 7
    Both fighters are still cautious but it just feels like Forrest is doing a bit more and stealing the round. With a minute left in the round Vernon pounds Shane with two hard right hands.
    10-9 Forrest 68-65 Forrest

    Round 8
    Vernon slams a hard jab into Shane?s face and backs him up with it. Forrest is still the aggressor and is landing more often. Near the close of the round the fighters exchange hard left hooks. Shane needs to pick up his pace if he wants to win.
    10-9 Forrest 78-74 Forrest

    Round 9
    Things start to heat up. Shane's frustration is showing itself. He laces Vernon, drawing his first & only warning of the fight. Forrest is pissed and starts after Shane. Halfway through the round, Vernon drops two really hard left hooks and presses Shane. With the round coming to an end, Shane lands his best punches of the fight, but they're not enough to hurt Forrest.
    10-9 Mosley 87-84 Forrest

    Round 10
    Forrest looks to be in charge with his jab and his pace. About half way through the round he rocks Shane with a straight right. Forrest is still working the body & it is paying dividends. After an exchange of rights, Vernon crashes a hook that moves Shane. Forrest just getting there first as the best round of the fight comes to an end.
    10-9 Forrest 97-93 Forrest

    Round 11
    The story of the fight and the series is Vernon's jab. It?s kept Shane form getting off all night. Lots of holding until the half way mark. Forrest hurts Mosley again with a right. With 20 seconds left the fighters exchange solid punches.
    10-9 Forrest 107-102 Forrest

    Round 12
    Shane takes a huge right hand & walks right through it. He keeps coming forward and is out punching Forrest for the first time in a while. With a little more than a minute left, Shane lands a huge right hand but can?t follow up with anything. Forrest shakes it off. Mosley round but far too little too late.
    10-9 Mosley 106-112 Forrest

    After the fight, you got the feeling that Forrest had done more, landed more power punches and made the fight. It wasn?t a dominating performance but he did control most of the fight and fought it on his terms. To Shane's credit, he never stopped trying to figure out a guy that just seems to have his number.

    Barrera has Junior Jones, Tommy Hearns had Iran Barkley and now Shane has Vernon Forrest. Mosley is far from finished, and may well go onto greater heights. He admits to having trouble getting to 147 for a couple of years now and feels that he'd be much stronger & better served at 154.

    Mosley is planning to move up to Jr. Middle and hopes for a shot against the winner of De La Hoya and Ferando Vargas. Forrest has no concrete plans but would like to unify the Welterweight division and then move up. But he's happy to remind everyone that he's a free agent and he takes the best offers available. But Vernon maintained that he would only have three or four more fights and then retire.

    Forrest was the first to address the press. He was asked if he thought that he had won "Yeah, I thought I had won a unanimous decision, but it was a close hard fight. I was concerned about the possibility of a draw or Shane winning a decision because that's the way it goes in the sport."

    Vernon was asked about his future & if he?s really going to retire in three or four fghts. "I'd like to fight the other Welterweight Champions and then maybe the wnner of De La Hoya vs. Vargas. But I am serious about retiring. A lot of people gut hurt in the sport. It's dangerous. So it will be only three or four fights. And they have to be the right fights."

    The next reported wanted to know if he had a preference as to which Welterweight Champion, Mayorga or Magarito, he would face. "No, it makes no difference, it doesn't matter to me."

    Mosley was up next and couldn't have been much more gracious. "I thought I had done enough to win the fight, but when I heard 115-113, I thought it could go either way. I give Vernon all the credit in the world. He fought a smart, good fight."

    Shane was then asked how these two losses would look on his record when he retired. "I thought I fought well and that I did a good job. It was a good showing; I just didn't get the decision."

    I asked Mosley if he was surprised that Forrest took that early first round combination so well or was that used as part of a plan to get Vernon to react a certain way. "Well, it was a hard right hand, but it didn't land square on the chin. To his credit he took it well."

    Someone asked Shane if he thought he would get the late 2002 fight with De La Hoya in spite of the loss. "We'll have to see but anything's possible."

    At that point I asked Shane: "Most people feel that the De La Hoya vs. Vargas fight has been settled already and that De La Hoya will win. Who do you like in that fight and do you feel that Vargas has a legitimate chance?"

    "Oh, Vargas has a real chance. I just feel that De La Hoya will out point him. Vargas is strong so it will be a tough, close fight but I think Oscar will do enough to win."

    After Shane finished up with the reporters, the press conference ended. As I was Leaving the building, I saw Shane & his father. They were mobbed by a group of well-wishers, kids & autograph seekers. I watched as Shane addressed each & every one of them, making sure to give the kids even more attention. Only after all of the security guards and Conseco employee's hands were shaken did he head to his locker room. Not many people saw this and it's a shame.
    It's the kind of thing that makes you proud to be a fan of the sport and of Mosley's. Sugar Shane Mosley may not have a title right now, but he'll always be a champion.


    Complete Undercard Results:

    The opening bout saw Pomona Light Heavyweight Dimitrique Edwards improve to 4-0, 2 KOs with a four-round majority decision over Chicago?s Patrick Lewis. The scores were 39-37 twice and 38-38. Lewis falls to 5-2, 4 KOs.

    Heavyweight Duncan Dokiwari, now 17-1, 15 KOs, pounded on all parts of a HORRIBLY overmatched Tim Knight. Dokiwari scored knockdowns in rounds one & three before closing the fight in the fifth by beating Knight to a right hand. Knight drops to 18-43, 5 KOs.

    In the NABO Welterweight Championship, Jose Celaya was quite fortunate indeed to retain his title over Hector Quiroz. Jose was getting the better of Quiroz through five. But in the sixth Celaya took a real beating. He got flattened twice and was on his way out when the bell saved him. Quiroz won the seventh and scored a volume of solid shots in the eight. Ceyala came back with a solid round in the ninth. Midway though the tenth, an accidental head butt caused a nasty gash on Quiroz, which forced the fight into the hands of the judges. The scores of 97-91, 97-92, 96-92 in favor of Ceyala were booed loudly for minutes after the fight.

    Hometown Jr. Middleweight Sherwin Davis dropped Michael Soberanis
    twice in the second and finished him in the third of a scheduled six.
    Davis moves to 13-0, 8 KOs. Coberanis goes to 2-5.

    In a matchup of local, undefeated prospects, Indiana State Lt Heavy
    Champ Nick Cook (now 11-0, 6KOs), of LaPorte, defended his title with
    a hard-fought, eight round unanimous decision over Indy?s George Blades (14-1, 10 KOs). The judges? scores were 79-72, 78-73 and 77-74.

    Indianapolis Heavyweight Enrique Ruiz (13-2-2, 11 KOs) stopped
    large & lovely Nick Flores in the second of a fight slated for six. In what will go down as the best laugh of the night, a Ruiz fan shouted "hit him in the blubber," which quickly brought a smile to Flores's face.

    Evander Holyfield's buddy Xavier Tollivar moved to 9-2, 6 KOs with a
    first-round blow out of Cincinatti Welterweight Mark Scott. Scott drops to 3-3, 1 KO.

    Clarence Vinson improved to 10-0, 5 KOs by battering Jose Beltran throughout a scheduled eight round bantamweight contest. Beltran is now 7-11-1, 4 KOs.

    The first rematch of the evening was a 10 round Light Heavyweight contest between once-beaten top contenders Antonio Tarver and Eric Harding. Give Tarver credit; he put a mandatory title shot against Roy Jones Jr. on the line by taking any fight, let alone this one, with an opponent who had broken Tarver's jaw and handed Antonio his only defeat as a professional. Nothing to choose from for the first three rounds but in the fourth, Tarver hammers Harding and puts him down for his first knockdown. Tarver Jumps on Eric from the start of round five and is hurting Harding badly. Tarver scores two more knockdowns in the round and avenges his only defeat as a professional.

    In the post fight interview, a classy Tarver was quick to praise his opponent. "I learned a lot from the first fight. He broke my jaw and he beat me badly, but the loss made me a more determined fighter. In this fight, I was excited but I had to be cautious. I didn?t want to rush things because the last time he handed the fight to me, so this time I had to be careful." Antonio then asked for the fans and the boxing press to demand that Roy Jones to honor his mandatory defense. "It's up to you to demand it. He gets away with fighting
    nobodies and then claims there?s no one for him to fight. Tell him I'm waiting." I then asked him if he would consider fighting Michalczewski in an effort to smoke Roy out. "WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO? I mean, I'm ranked in the top two in EVERY sanctioning body & just beat a guy who's probably the toughest other top contender in the division. Make him fight me now. It's up to you to DEMAND it. Don't let him get away with avoiding me." Tarver was then asked what had him so upset after the fight was stopped. "Fighters get hurt in this sport too often and suffer to much. I was hitting him with a lot of clean punches and I?m one of the hardest hitters in the division. I mean, guys are taking beatings and 24 hours later are dying. Fighters just have to be protected better."

    PROMOTERS:

    DeBella Entertainment in association with
    Pacer?s Sports & Entertainment.

    Official Attendance:
    15,775 - New Indiana State Boxing attendance record Old record of 13,025 - Roy Jones Jr. vs. Richard Hall in May of 2000.

    Official Stupidity:
    In the 6th round of the main event, almost everyone's attention, including Mosley & Forrest, was drawn to a huge fight to what would be the right of the TV screen from the HBO broadcast. Couldn't you morons have just let it go and sit back and enjoy the show? I GUARANTEE you that the guy who got pounded into submission does now. And the winner, if you can call him that, was probably thinking the same thing as the 20 police officers escorted him to an awaiting squad car. If you can?t behave yourself in public, please stay the hell home!

    For the CyberBoxingZone.com
    Steve Coughlin
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCBZ Ringside Report: Forrest W 12 Mosley & Postfight Interviews``x1027287077,53237,``x``x ``xLegends Friday Night Fights
    By Katherine Dunn

    Friday, July 19, 2002
    The Yakama Nation Legends Casino
    Toppenish, WA
    Executive Director of the Yakama Nation Boxing Commission: Bruce Anderson
    Promoter: Sugar Ray Leonard Promotions
    Matchmakers: Ron Katz, Bob Oleson
    Ringside Physicians: Jack Battalia, M.D., Glenn Doornink, M.D.
    Referees: James Ericksen, Mike Fisher, Jeff Macaluso
    Judges: Greg Baker, Loren Glover, Jim Howard, Denis Ryan, Bruce Seibol, Tom Sporar
    TV Broadcast: ESPN2 Friday Night Fights



    This action card packed so much bang that all but one of the six bouts appeared on national television.

    The 27 year-old Emanuel Burton Augustus, 140.5 lbs (now 27-19-5, 14) stepped into the main event as a short notice replacement for the previously announced Vince Phillips. His opponent for this 10 round Jr Welterweight affair was serious 25 year-old Carlos Wilfredo Vilchez , 142.5 lbs (now 37-2-2, 24 KO’s) of Argentina. Between Vilchez’ hammering jab and Augustus’ snakey inside moves it was a busy seminar in pugilism. Vilchez suffered a cut near his left eye in the third which re-opened badly in the 8th round. Augustus kept slamming rights into the eye until referee Jeff Macaluso halted the action and called for Dr. Jack Battalia to take a look. On the advice of the doctor the ref stopped thefight at 2:22 of the 8th round. A TKO win for Augustus. Two of the judges had Vilchez ahead on the cards at the time of the stoppage.

    In the co-main ten round Jr. Middleweight match, dangerous 32 year-old Verno Phillips, 155 lbs, (now 33-9-1, 18 KO’s) of Denver was the worst nightmare of last minute replacement Tony Badea, 156 lbs, (now 25-6-1,15 KO’s). Badea came in on one days’ notice when Alex Bunema dropped out. Then he forfeited 20 percent of his $8,000 purse to Phillips because he didn’t make the contract weight. Adding plenty of injury to insult, Phillips proceeded to mug the 28 year-old Badea. A left to the body dropped Badea to his knees in the first round, and the right that came just before that scraped up his cheek bone. Varying his methods, Phillips used a right hand to bounce Badea off the ropes and to his knees again in the second. To his credit, the doughty Badea was up quick each time and gamely sailed back into the fray. In the third round Badea was figuring out how to counter the Phillips thunder, but suffered a cut over the left eye. Phillips went for body-head combinations in the fourth, dropping Badea to his knees again and, when he got up with his eye gushing blood again, Phillips used a left hook to spin Badea into a corner where he flopped against the ropes and referee Mike Fisher called it enough. A TKO win for Phillips at 2:59 of the 4th round.

    A quartet of six-rounders fill out the card.


    Jr. Bantamweight Women, 20 year-old Elena Reid, 113 1/4 lbs (now 10-1-2, 4 KO’s) of Phoenix, AZ stopped 38 year-old prosecuting attorney Yolanda Gonzalez, 114. 1/4 lbs (now 7-5-1, 3 KO’s) of New Jersey at 1:35 of the 5th round.

    Jr. Middleweight Jason Naugler, 153 3/4 lbs (now 6-1, 4 KO’s) of Calgary, Canada stopped 30 year-old Manuel Reyes, 149 3/4 lbs (3-2, 2 KO’s) of Othello, WA at :52 of the first round.

    Jr. Welterweight Jesus Santiago, 142 3/4 lbs (now 6-2, 1 KO) of Seattle decisioned Armando Robles , 139 lbs(now 4-2-1, 1 KO) of Utah. The judges scores were unanimous, 40-36, 39-37, and 39-37.

    Light heavyweights Chad Sawyer, 172 1/4 lbs(now 5-2-1, 1 KO) of Calgary, Canada won a majority decision over Luis Lopez, 173 3/4 lbs (now 0-3) of Othello, WA.

    ---30---
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xLegends--Burton TKO Vilchez and more``x1027287976,15370,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    One of the all-star top-ten murderous fighters of all time, the extraordinary, the one and the only, the legendary Roberto Duran, is finally retiring from boxing. At the age of 52, he might have quit decades ago, had he wanted, if there was anything else to do, if he could have afforded it. But the inimitable "Manos de Piedra" fought till he could fight no longer, finally meeting his match in a car crash in Argentina last October. A lifetime of black eyes and broken ear drums and bloody noses and sore hands and blurred vision and cuts and bruises and welts and headaches didn’t do it. No, it took nothing less than flesh meets glass and metal, leading to the specificity of broken ribs and a collapsed lung, that humbled Duran to say No Mas a last time. There is some irony and perversion and injustice in the fact that Roberto Duran is best remembered for a single slip-up, a single slip of the tongue, in an otherwise illustrious career. RD’s big crime? He said: "No mas." But we forgive Duran his trespasses. We’re willing to ignore his careless diction. Why? Because this man was a fighter’s fighter. He was the dark side of the moon in the squared circle. He may have had hands of stone, but in his breast beat the heart of a cobra.


    It may comes as a surprise to some, but the little boy Roberto Duran, born in 1951, didn’t graduate from prep school. Like so many fighters before and after him, Duran had a very special up-close-and-personal relationship with a slum he called mi casa. The Duran’s rundown shack was in a ramshackle Central American carbuncle called Panama. Their home was in a town without pity. Kids ran wild, free of discipline, free of hope, free of family values. Everyday no dinero. Each crummy blistering sunrise a carbon copy of the last. But it wasn’t as though the Duran’s had nothing. There was an abundance of heat and dust and thirst and dirt in their lives, eternal hunger, lots of opportunity for mischief, enough spare time for young Roberto to hone his charming skills.

    Due to poor record-keeping, Roberto Duran’s complete won-loss record from the age of three to eleven is at best sketchy and incomplete. The few fragments we were able to unearth indicted he was a vicious, ferocious little scrapper who fought like though there was no tomorrow.

    Of the many dynamic episodes in Duran’s Life the Movie, the most cinemagraphic is the shot a five foot tall, twelve year old, that piercing black-eyed ragamuffin, scrawny and dirty Roberto Duran, trying his best to woo a little girl. Because Duran’s family was so broke that they didn’t have any money, little Roberto couldn’t buy chocolate or flowers or forget-me-nots to impress the lass. What’s a poor Panamanian to do? If one embodies the essence of machismo, if one is Roberto Duran, it’s simple: Knockout a horse with a single punch. Ka-pow! The horse took the ten-count, but lived to gallop another day. The Hands of Stone had cemented his starry reputation. The girly Duran hoped to bed fled from Panama City.

    Duran turned professional at the ripe old age of fifteen, even though he’d been a seasoned pro forever. Roberto Duran and boxing were a match made in heaven. He was an assassin in gloves and satin trunks, a gladiator in the bright light of night. Punch. Box. Glide. Move. Clever. Resilient. Strong. Tough. Determined. A demon in the ring. Roberto Duran owned all the gifts the God’s of Pugilism bestow. He was a force of nature. He was unflappable. He was unstoppable. And he was feared. The phrase "killer instinct," originally coined to describe the unrelenting Jack Dempsey in his prime, defines a maelstrom like Roberto Duran to a T.

    Roberto Duran won the lightweight title in 1972 by low-blowing Ken Buchanan into submission. Rather than rest on his laurels, catch his breath after years of struggle to capture the crown, Duran embarked on twelve defenses in the next seven years, winning each and every one of them.

    In 1980 Duran moved up in class and decisioned Sugar Ray Leonard for the welterweight title. For those who don’t remember those glory days, Sugar Ray Leonard was a 24-karat media darling, one part Ali, one part Oscar De La Hoya, one part Oprah. He was the golden boy with the golden smile and the golden skills and golden future full of golden opportunities on streets paved with glittering gold. But there was this dark hombre named Roberto Duran standing in the way. He was blocking the view. That was a helluva fight in New Orleans as Duran and Leonard went toe-to-toe for fifteen grueling rounds. Even though he lost the contest, Sugar Ray showed the world a thing or two: Sugar Ray Leonard was a man to take seriously.

    Blown away by Duran’s commanding performance, everyone was dumbstruck.

    Five months later, Duran met his Waterloo. A recently refurbished, wised-up Sugar Ray Leonard met Duran in the rematch in Montreal. Due to overeating before the fight, possibly food poisoning, due to cramps and indigestion, due, more likely than not, to Sugar Ray’s superior speed and boxing skills, in frustration Duran uttered his now-infamous words: "No mas."

    Many theories were floated by experts at the end of the scandalous donnybrook, by medical men, by psychologists, by quacks and know-it-alls. One labcoat brandishing a sheaf of documents declared that Roberto Duran had a heart condition. When his trainer Ray Arcel heard the diagnosis, he replied, "Duran has a heart condition? He doesn’t even have a heart."

    Roberto Duran returned from the dead in 1983 and flattened Davey Moore to win the super-welterweight crown. It was nice while it lasted. Within a year a second round kayo at the hands of Tommy (The Hit Man) Hearns signaled the end of Duran’s career. But Roberto Duran never liked signals. Or, for that matter, ends of careers. So he returned two years later and in 1989 out-pointed Iran (The Blade) Barkley to win his fourth title at age thirty-seven.

    Roberto Duran fought everybody. Esteban de Jesus (1978). Carlos Palomino (1979). Sugar Ray Leonard (1980/1989). Pipino Cuevas (1983). Marvelous Marvin Hagler (1983). Thomas Hearns (1984). Vinnie Pazienza (1995). Macho Camacho (1996). William Joppy (1998). Roberto Duran has fought everyone but you and me. Lucky for us, Duran is retiring.

    As fearsome a warrior as ever lived, as fearless as courage itself, Roberto Duran, an awe-inspiring creature from infancy to middle-age, finally says sayonara to boxing. Roberto Duran may be missed, but he will never be forgotten. He is the ultimate warrior king. Roberto Duran is Manos de Piedra.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xkdunn``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNo Mas, Finalmente for Roberto Duran``x1027540298,6151,``x``x ``xRoy Jones Jr. Meets Clinton Woods at the Rose Garden, Portland
    By Katherine Dunn

    As of Wednesday, July 24, Roy Jones Junior’s personal assistant assures us that the Jones vs Clinton Woods fight will take place on Sept. 7 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, OR. Linda Padgett says a press conference will be held Tuesday, July 30 at the Rose Garden to announce the event. Winky Wright vs Bronco McKart is scheduled for the undercard. This will be an HBO show.
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xRoy Jones Jr. Comes To The Rose Garden``x1027540352,73872,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    A lefty classic called "Animal Farm" was a parody where pigs replaced bureaucrats. We've come a long way, baby. At least now we know our leaders aren't animals. Boxing like politics makes for strange bedfellows. And since in both games it's always every man for himself and God against everybody, a punchy alias goes a long way toward marketability. Hence The Black Rhino vs. The White Buffalo.

    Showtime's Clifford Etienne vs. Frans Botha on Saturday July 27 shares the evening with HBO's John Ruiz vs. Kirk Johnson and the pay-per-view blowout between the Easton Assassin Larry Holmes and America's very own Pillsbury Doughboy Butterbean. With such stiff competition all in one night, I wonder what's on Beavis and Butthead?

    Aside from Clifford Etienne's colorful past, real cool stuff like armed robbery and prison, there's not much to distinguish his boxing career. Frans Botha did his wildman thing in deepest darkest South Africa. His boxing skills, never distinguished, are these days bargain-basement.

    But these two warriors, courageous and bold and heroic pugs who seem like they stepped from a comic book, have nicknames that are groovier than their punches. The Black Rhino. The White Buffalo. It's music to the ears. And like most things in boxing, it smacks of tradition.

    A name change. Sometimes it's really simple. Just change this name to that. Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali to The Greatest, for example. Others times it's just so obvious. The father of boxing (Jack Broughton) is called The Father Of Boxing.

    A prefix to a real name sometimes says it all. Consider that sweet welterweight trio, Sugar Ray (Robinson), Sugar Ray (Leonard) and Sugar Shane (Mosley). My mouth waters at the thought of all that talent.

    Numerous fighters, not surprisingly, takes their nicknames, their fighting names, their noms-de-guerre, from animals in the wild (like our pals Frans and Clifford). Others satisfy the needs of place or former occupation - before our young worthies quit the straight life and began breaking noses for a living.

    The allonyms used by boxers in Regency and Victorian England were as colorful as the times themselves. A Young Ruffian fought. So did an Old Ruffian. Beef a la Mode was a burly contender. So was Cabbage, Giblet Pie, Young Rump Steak, Catsmeat and the anomalous Fighting Quaker. Alongside these gentlemen scuffled such notables as No Neck (Duggan), Gallows Dick, Yokel Brute, Holy Land Pink, Cripplegate, Death and The Chelsea Snob.

    Some of the animals who brawled in the ring were The Old Mongoose (the brilliant Archie Moore), El Terrier, The Bobcat (Bob Foster) and The Big Cat (Cleveland Williams). The Wild Bull of the Pampas (Luis Angel Firpo) was a name contender. There were those champions The Hawk (Aaron Pryor) and The Game Chicken. There’s The Rhino and The Buffalo.

    Sometimes noms-de-guerre were an astute summing up of a fighter's essence: The Old Master (Joe Gans), The Toy Bulldog (Mickey Walker), The Mighty Atom (flyweight champ Jimmy Wilde), Gentleman Jim (Corbett), Two Ton Tony (Galento), The Cinderella Man (James Braddock), The Clown Prince of Boxing (Max Baer), Homicide Hank (murderous Henry Armstrong), Hands of Stone (Roberto Duran) and the canvas-loving Fainting Phil (Scott).

    Black men, especially in the past, were assigned somewhat peculiar honorifics. Of course there was the phenomenal Brown Bomber (Joe Louis). One of Joe's contemporaries was Gorilla Jones. Some years earlier there fought The Black Terror (Bill Richmond) and The Black Menace (Harry Wills). There was a Young Massa, in addition to a Little Chocolate, a Kid Chocolate, an Old Chocolate and a Chocolito. There was also a Boston Tar Baby (the great Sam Langford) and The Moor, a champ known also as Snowball (the even greater Tom Molyneaux).

    Where the fighter was born looms large in the soul of the fight game. Those with a sense of boxing history will recognize most of these champions: The Manassa Mauler (Jack Dempsey), The Brockton Blockbuster (Rocky Marciano), The Bronx Bull (Jake LaMotta), The Boston Strong Boy (John L. Sullivan), The Galveston Giant (Jack Johnson) and The Michigan Assassin (Stanley Ketchel).

    As we bob and weave our way across America, we come upon a St. Paul Phantom, Livermore Larruper, Herkimer Hurricane and The Saginaw Kid, The Milwaukee Marvel, The Kansas Rube, The Meriden Buzzsaw, The Pottawatomie Giant (6'6" Jess Willard), The Brooklyn Bomber (Solly Kreiger) and The Harlem Harlequin ("Slapsie" Maxie Rosenbloom). Jersey Joe (Walcott) and Philadelphia Jack (O'Brien) were terrific boxer-punchers. As were The Pittsburgh Kid (Billy Conn) and The Boston Gob (Jack Sharkey).

    Both here and abroad we find fighters representing foreign lands. There's The Light of Israel (English champion Daniel Mendoza) and The Croat Comet (low-blow artist Fritzie Zivic), as well as The Durable Dane, The Barbados Demon, The Bristol Unknown, The Basque Woodchopper, The Scotch Wop (Johnny Dundee), Australian Hard Rock and The Elongated Panamanian (Al Brown).

    Having exhausted most possibilities, The Name Game takes a swing at the former jobs of professional prizefighters. In Merry Olde England there were pugs who once were The Gasman, The Coachman, The Nailer, The Collier, The Bargeman, The Waterman and The Tinman. There also was a Master of Rolls and Sailor Boy, a Knight of the Cleaver and a Bath Butcher.

    Closer to home, we in the USA had ragamuffins on filthy streetcorners: Newsboy Brown, The Fighting Newsboy and Abe The Newsboy (Hollandersky). There was the Georgia Shoeshine Boy (Beau Jack), and The Boilermaker and The Fighting Marine (heavyweight champs Jim Jeffries and Gene Tunney). Men with nerves of steel were The Man of Steel (middleweight sensation Tony Zale), the macho Upstate Onion Farmer (Carmen Basilio) and The Fighting Dentist (Leach Cross), who knocked out teeth at night and replaced them the next day.

    As The Black Rhino and The White Buffalo get ready to duke it out, we need to thank all the managers and trainers and promoters and cutmen, all the highlife and lowlife and middlebrow, the fancy fancy and the swell swells, all the weirdos and riffraff and wiseguys and freaks who gave their fighters great nicknames for eternity.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe Name Game (Black Rhino vs. White Buffalo)``x1027557185,23905,``x``x ``xOn Which Side His Bread Is Buttered
    by Robert Ecksel

    "I am not a glutton. I am an explorer of food." (Archie Moore/Light-Heavyweight Champion/1952-1962)

    Heavyweights have all the luck. Not only do they make the big bucks, they score the most knockouts and get the cool chicks. And the Goliaths, unlike other boxers, can eat all the food they want.

    With weight-classes ranging from heavyweight down to paperweight, it appears Boxing is an Equal Opportunity Destroyer. But then there's the problem of making weight.

    For those not eternally dieting, the fight game's obsession with food - and not eating it - might seem perplexing, but it means the world to professional prizefighters.

    What the poor boxer endures to get in shape! Getting up before dawn to run five miles; abandoning sex for weeks; shadowboxing; jumping rope; chopping wood; the speed bag; the heavy bag; the medicine ball; and, for good measure, rounds and rounds of spirited sparring.

    On top of all that, those fly-, light-, bantam-, feather-, welter- and middleweights cannot, dare not, eat. (They must make weight.) There are boxers who've used coke, speed and Slim-Fast to get in fighting trim. And then there's the old pug's trick of re-chewing food . . . before spitting out the pulp.

    But the heavyweights, God love 'em, can eat to their hearts' content. What's a calorie anyway? How many men have actually gobbled their way out of championship contention? Who remembers Buster Douglas? Thank goodness there are cats like Evander Holyfield, naturally smaller men, who put on pounds of muscle to rumble with the giants. Then there are heavyweight sensations like George Foreman, whose connection to food is a longstanding, running joke.

    And there are dudes like Butterbean (62-2 48 KOs), the so-called "King of the 4-Rounders," a fatty in flag-colored trunks whose true talents emerge once he's eating. It's been a while since we've seen Eric Esch in action, but we hear Bean's in training in secret facilities at a strip mall right next to a McDonald's. Rumor has it Esch is so psyched for his bout with former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes that Butter's stopped living at MackeeDees.

    Larry Holmes (68-6 44 KOs) needs no introduction. Heavyweight champion from 1978 to 1985, he’s known as Larry Legend to his greatest fans. As befits an overweight, doddering fifty-two year old grandfather, Holmes owns half of Pennsylvania, he's an industry, he's the lordy-lordy lord of the manor. But like Ali's match with the Japanese wrestler Antonio Anoki in 1976, like boxing kangaroos, like Primo Carnera and Celebrity Boxing, Larry Holmes sinks awfully low to dishonor his former achievements. If he needed the money it would be one thing, but Holmes is set for life, he's rolling in it. So why is Larry playing the stooge?

    When asked about his upcoming bout, Holmes called Butterbean a "fat slob impersonating a fighter." Larry also confessed, "I'm a long way from being a chump." He added, with a nod to Rodney Dangerfield, "I never get (any) respect." And, for good measure, he avowed, "This is to get rid of some of the gaudiness and honky-tonk from the sport."

    We fear Larry is pulling our leg. We fear Larry is having one of his "can’t carry my jockstrap" moments. We fear Larry Holmes isn't fearing for himself.

    We may poke fun at Holmes and Butter, but we hardly hate the gents. We just wish Larry Holmes would call it a day. And Butterbean? He almost has our admiration. After all, with little talent and fewer skills he's turned his ineptitude into a commodity. He's a legend. He's a folk hero. He’s Butterbean! But what he does in the ring isn't boxing. We're not sure what to call it. But thank our lucky stars. Rich tubs of lard are going to act silly this weekend on TV.

    Tickets! Get yer tickets!

    robert.ecksel@gte.net
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOn Which Side His Bread Is Buttered``x1027632834,26192,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    A conversation during the John Ruiz-Kirk Johnson media conference call on July 16th:

    Mike Katz: "Hey Stoney. “Is ‘loudmouth’ one word or two words?”
    Norman “Stoney” Stone: (with attitude) “What?”
    Mike Katz: “Iasked if ‘loudmouth’ was one word or two words.”
    Stoney: “I’ll tell you what. I’ll see you after the fight and you can ask me again.”


    For several years, it’s been the same ordeal - Norman Stone does the yapping outside the ring, and his protégé, John Ruiz does the fighting inside it. After all, for a fighter nicknamed “The Quietman,” it’s common knowledge Ruiz would need a guy like Stoney to take care of the Quietman’s entire verbal defense. But as in few cases, the wars outside the ring for Team Ruiz have been rougher than the ones Ruiz has been involved in, including his three 12-rounders with Evander Holyfield, who himself has battled and conquered doubters throughout his career.

    The strong criticism developed in March of 1996 when Ruiz stepped in with fellow prospect David Tua. Ruiz came out cold and was knocked cold in brutal fashion. In :19, anyone who didn’t know a thing about John Ruiz wrote him off like a Michael Grant. What those folks didn’t realize was that he had the desire to come back and win 11 straight (10 by knockout) to earn a #1 spot with the WBA and a crack at its title vacated by Lennox Lewis who has admittedly refused to fight him. Despite strong showings against Holyfield, it’s been hard to convince the boxing world that Ruiz is a force in the division. He’s had to ward off his opposition, while Stoney has gone word-for-word with the press. That is why there is nothing new or intimidating to Team Ruiz regarding its newest challenge, 1992 Canadian Olympian, Kirk Johnson.

    “No one gives Johnny any credit for his skills,” Stoney said in a recent conference call. “But he’s got a lot of them, more than Kirk Johnson has, that’s for sure. I’ve watched old fights of him (Johnson) and he’s like a little baby in the corner. He comes back after the round and he’s asking his guys, ‘How am I doing?’ How am I doing? What the fuck is that? It’s like he’s not sure of himself. I don’t see how this fight could go past round four.”

    But that’s not what the oddsmakers are saying, in fact, Ruiz is one of the handful of champions who has been installed an underdog (3-1). For some odd reason, the feeling among most boxing observers is that Johnson is a better fighter, having knocked out Oleg Maskaev (who has been KO’d 5 times), and won decisions over Larry Donald and Alfred “Ice” Cole.

    “It’s almost funny but it’s rediculous” said Stone. “No one in boxing besides us can beat Evander Holyfield. We went 1-1-1 against him but we should have been 2-0-1 against Holyfield and Johnny still doesn’t get his respect.

    “They’re building (Johnson) up for Lewis, but if he loses, Lewis will look for someone else. Lewis knows. Johnny kicked the shit out of Lennox in sparring and Lennox doesn’t want any part of him. I’m not saying Lewis can’t fight by any means. I’m just saying that Lewis is scared of Johnny. It seems like the only way Johnny can earn his respect from people is if he gets to fight Lewis. Until then we’ll keep taking the criticism, defending the title and going to the bank.”

    And if Ruiz keeps defending his title, then maybe Stoney won’t have to do as much talking. Either that or guys like Mike Katz may need to watch their backs.


    New England Chatta

    Promoters Jimmy Burchfield and Rich Cappiello continue their monthly boxing shows Friday night. And it wouldn’t be right unless they held them on different nights. I’ll be attending “The Who” concert at the Tweeter Center and won’t be covering the event for you my dear readers. Burchfield’s show will be held at the Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston, RI where Gary “Tiger” Balletto meets Aldrich Johnson in a 10-round lightweight encounter, while jr. middleweight prospect Peter Manfredo, Jr. of Providence meets Charles Clark. Also on the appearing on the card are Brockton’s Tim Flamos, the New England cruiserweight champion, Missy Fiorentino and a rematch between light heavyweights Joe Spina and Antonio Baker. Baker lost a highly controversial decision in their first encounter. For tickets call (401) 724-2253.

    Cappiello will host his Mohegan Sun FightNight New England show at the Roxy in Boston where Irish heavyweight champion, Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride (26-4-1/ 21 KO’s) squares off against the Bahamian heavyweight champion Reynaldo Minus (16-11/ 14 Kos). “Sir” William “The Gladiator” Gibbs (7-0/ 6 KO’s) the only fighter with two nicknames, will step up in class and face Minus’ older brother, Kenworth (13-6/ 7 KO’s). Aaron “2-Guns” Torres is also slated to appear on the card. For ticket information call 508-587-5554 or 587-3370. Capp’s show will be videotaped and broadcast Sunday afternoon (3:30-5:30 PM), August 4th.

    In case you haven’t heard by now, Sugar Ray Leonard hits Foxwoods again next week to promote two shows (on the 2nd and 3rd). Each night has an intriguing match-up in both main events. On the 2nd, New Bedford’s Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton will face his sternest test when he steps in with former world champion, Charles “The Hatchet” Brewer of Philadelphia. A win for Pemberton could mean a world title shot. One the next night, Michael Grant will try to rebound from two humiliating defeats when he faces determined Robert Davis. For tix call 1-800-PLAY BIG.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRuiz and Stoney Continue The Fight/ New England Chatta (Just a small cup)``x1027645275,16521,``x``x ``xCappiello Promotions
    Presents
    Mohegan Sun FightNight New England
    July 26th at The Roxy

    RESULTS

    MAIN EVENT/HEAVYWEIGHT/10 ROUNDS

    WKO3
    KEVIN ‘The Clones Colossus’ McBRIDE RAYNARDO MINUS
    South Boston, MA Nassau, Bahamas
    27-4-1 (22KO) 16-12 (14KO)
    255 ½ 246

    CO-FEATURE/MIDDLEWEIGHTS

    WKO3
    WILLIE ‘The Gladiator’ GIBBS KENWORTH MINUS
    Brockton, MA Nassau, Bahamas
    8-0 (7KO) 13-7 (10KO)
    160 161 ½

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS

    WKO4
    MARTIN ‘The Irish Assassin’ THORTON MANNY ‘Cheeks’ TEO
    South Boston, MA Hudson, MA
    1-0-1 (KO) 4-9
    164 ¾ 162 ½

    WELTERWEIGHTS

    WDEC4 (39-36, 39-36, 39-36)
    JOSE ORTIZ LARRY ‘The Dream’GREEN
    Springfield, MA Haverhill, MA
    3-5-1 0-1-1
    147 144 ½

    HEAVYWEIGHTS

    WKO1
    DAN VESCOVIC TROY LOZANO
    Brockton, MA Roxbury, MA
    1-1 (KO) 0-1
    214 220

    MIDDLEWEIGHTS

    MAJORITY DRAW (38-37, Smith, 38-38, 38-38)

    CAESAR CRUZ JERRY SMITH
    Springfield, MA Atlanta, GA
    1-0-1 13-26-1
    155 ½ 160 ½

    (The broadcast of the card will be shown Sunday (3:30-5:30), August 4 on Fox
    Sports Net New England.)
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xResults from Boston``x1027884410,59981,``x``x ``xby Lucius Shepard

    It was an accident, I must have hit the Buy button on my TV screen when I sat on the remote. Or maybe the cat did it--he has a taste for nasty remnants. In any case, that's how I wound up watching the PPV card called "Respect." I wonder where they got that title? In my view it would have more properly been called "Huh?"or "What?" or "Are You Serious?" And Norfolk, Virginia... that's no place to hold a fight. You have to ask yourself who they outbid for the card. Blowfish, Minnesota? Spitwad, Arkansas? And the promoter, Darryl LaCroix or whatever--I'm picturing a Nissan dealer with a white belt and Elvis sideburns. You also have to ask yourself, if the people of Norfolk flocked to this bad boy, what do they
    usually do for kicks? I once lived in a town where the big event each year occurred when the carp came close to shore to breed and all the men got out into the water with oars and ax handles and so on and went to bashing in the heads of the horny fish and piling them up on the beach for later use as fertilizer. You have to think that in Norfolk the Carp-Bashing Festival would pass for Mardi Gras. That a winning $5 scratch ticket is the Norfolkian equivalent of an orgasm. That a new traffic light in northern Virginia causes as much excitement as a Sondheim opening on Broadway. .

    I bet Michael Buffer spent the entire weekend in hiding. With that
    white dinner jacket and gelled hair, he might have been mistaken by the town's more politically astute for an Arab terrorist.

    Anyway, to the fights.

    The jab was still pretty, but when Larry Holmes tried to move he had a hitch in his get-a-long like ol' Walter Brennan. Nevertheless, it was sufficient movement for Holmes to jab his way to a lopsided decision over the man known as Butterbean, who by contrast was about as mobile as a piggybank. Mixing in a smattering of right hands with his jab, Holmes opened a cut over the Bean's left eye in the fourth and by the fifth the left side of the chunky Alabaman's dum-dum shaped head was as red as a spanked bottom. The Bean avoided a shut-out when the referee of this non-contest ruled a Holmes slip in the tenth round to be a knockdown, but in truth he hardly laid a glove on the 52-year-old ex-champ, and Holmes, though he fought safety-first for the most part, established clearly that in boxing a has-been stands head and shoulders above a never-was.

    As a boxng match this was always nothing more than the subject of a bar room debate, one of those "What do you think would happen if..." deals, and if it had been contended in a bar, Butterbean might have had a shot. But as things were, he stood as much chance of winning as a Marvel comic book villain--which he somewhat resembles--would of outthinking Doctor X. Adding to the somewhat surreal atmosphere generated by the sight of 334 pounds of pinkish humanity clad in the Stars and Bars taking baby steps toward an elderly black gentleman and occasionally windmilling his stubby arms to no effect was the fact though the knowledgeable Murray Sutherland was ostensibly the brains of Butterbean's team, the loudest voice heard in his corner was that of Art Dore, the promoter of the Toughman contests on Fox.

    On the undercard, Carl Daniels rebounded from an early knockdown and toughed out a decision over a competent Colombian journeyman, and Jaqui Frazier-Lyde TKOed a German kickboxer named Heidi whose master plan was short on blitzkrieg and whose defensive scheme seemed funded by the notion that if she stood up real tall and backed straight up, Frazier-Lyde would weary of hitting her in the face. The most interesting contest of the night may been the duel of the divas prior to the main event, in which two young Afro-American women, respectively singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America," attempted to set the record for injecting the most
    syllables ever into one- and two-syllable words. You know, like "...and the la-ha-ha-ha-ah-ha-ha-and of the
    free-ee-ee-ee-ee-yeah-eh-eh-eh-wo-hoo-un-huh-huh-huh..." Marvin Gaye would have been proud. All in all it was marginal entertainment, but it was cheaper than a movie date with popcorn and sodas--this my actual excuse for having bought it. I believe my girlfriend may have made the most cogent comment on the evening when she opined that Larry Holmes' breasts were shapelier than Butterbean's. For my part, I'm going have to straddle the fence on that one. I was so happy to hear the final bell, I thought they were both beautiful.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHonest, It Crawled Into My Hand``x1027884811,18382,``x``x ``xJuly 29, 2002


    YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Noel Arambulet of Venezuela earned a majority decision over champion Keitaro Hoshino of Japan to capture the WBA minimumweight title Monday.

    There were no knockdowns in the bout at Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Hall in Yokohama. Judge Derek Milham of Australia scored the bout 117-112, and Erkki Meronen of Finland scored it 117-111, in favor of Arambulet. American judge Luis Rivera scored the fight a 114-114 draw.

    The 28-year-old Arambulet, the WBA's No. 1 challenger, opened the bout by launching a flurry of punches at the champion's face. Hoshino, on his heels, tried to shield his head from the blows.

    The 32-year-old Hoshino attached Arambulet's body, but was outmatched by the speedy challenger.

    The fight was Hoshino's first defense of the title he won from Joma Gamboa of the Philippines in Tokyo on Jan. 29.

    Arambulet improved to 18-2-1, 1 NC, including 10 knockouts. Hoshino slipped to 23-8, with six knockouts.

    The New Champion's Record



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xArambulet regains WBA 105-lb Title ``x1027957663,50665,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    Good things are said to come in threes. The three wishes granted by the genie in the magic lantern. The three Magi. The three boxing matches Saturday night. The Three Stooges.

    At nine o’clock sharp Showtime brought us The Black Rhino vs. The White Buffalo. A lackluster affair by lackluster pugs who are not the past and not the future, only in boxing can a joke like Etienne-Botha be the best bout of the night. A punching bag against a tomato can under the glare of tungsten lights ought to generate a little heat. But not when Clifford Etienne fights Francois Botha. They wrestled. They grappled. They held on for dear life. They traded bombs. The best shot of the night was from The Black Rhino at the end of round eight - after the bell had sounded - and the South African White Buffalo was on Queer Street. Yet another boxing irregularity had ensued. This time, the ref, Elmo Adolph, didn’t hear the bell. The judges didn’t hear the bell. The fighters didn’t hear the bell. That’s funny, I heard the bell - and I was over a thousand miles away! Well, that’s boxing for you, that’s showbiz, that’s life. After ten of the crudest rounds ever, the judges saddled both fighters with a majority draw. Talk about a wild kingdom. Talk about justice at the end of a gun.

    Perhaps the less said about Larry Holmes vs. Butterbean the better. This fiasco proved once and for all that the sublime doesn’t always follow the ridiculous. The 334-pound flag-swathed native of Jasper, Alabama met a cheerless cheerleader from a retirement village. Holmes and the flesh of Esch waltzed around the ring like it was Die Fledermaus in Virginia. Slow, boring, sluggish, insubstantial for round after laborious round. Midway through the fight, Butterbean was cut above his left eye. This livened things up a bit. But Butter, ever true to form, bled blubbery blood. At least it’s a good thing Bean has a healthy appetite, because he ate leather all evening. As the fight progressed, the King of the 4-Rounders became Queen of the 6-Rounders became Jack of the 8-Rounders before finally becoming Joker of the 10-Rounders. Larry Legend was the Ace of Spades.

    To conclude the remarkable night, HBO forced us to watch John Ruiz of Puerto Rico defend some title against number one contender Canadian Kirk Johnson. The ugliest fight in recent memory, if not of all time, this bout had wastebin of history written all over it. Low blows, headbutts, rabbit punches, shots to the kidney, it was a clinic in the fine art of fouling. Referee Joe Cortez lectured the fighters several times on the manly art of self-defense. Not that it made much difference. To lovers of the fight game, the match was a sucker punch from hell. To heavyweights Kirk Johnson and John Ruiz, it was all in a night’s work. Oh, Canada. Oh, Puerto Rico. Oh, what a night.

    "You can play football, and you can play baseball, but you just can’t play boxing." (Buster Mathis Sr.)

    For an activity as formal, as ritualized, as rule-bound as pro boxing, a lot of guys sure fight dirty. Although there have been refs and umps for 5000 years whose job was to limit the damage, a lot of good it did.

    After several centuries in the spotlight, boxing (along with the Roman Empire) took it on the chin. For 1300 years there were no Friday Night Fights. When the Brits resurrected the sweet science in the 1700s, the locals were bonkers and loved stuff like cockfighting, dogfighting, bull-baiting, bear-baiting, ratting and farting contests. After hours, there were lashings of whores and Roman Catholics, and public executions by hanging.

    Boxing was right at home.

    "What the hell do I care about dirty fighting?" (Rocky Graziano)

    Broughton’s Rules of 1743, established after Jack Broughton accidentally killed George Stevenson during a fight in 1791, took a stab at controlling the mayhem. These rules mandated umpires to settle disputes, a half-minute rest period between rounds, and forbid gouging and hitting or kicking a fallen man.

    The London Prize Ring Rules of 1838 further legitimated this madness by setting ring size at "four and twenty feet square," and by outlawing such niceties as biting, butting and wearing spiked boots. Yup, the game was getting soft, alright, but not that soft. It was still okay to trip a man and pull his hair, fine and dandy to hold a man in a headlock and punch him in the face.

    Boxing today is governed by the Marquis of Queensberry Rules of 1867. These rules made boxing gloves the norm (signaling the end of the bareknuckle era), established 3-minute rounds with a 1-minute rest period, and introduced the 10-count.

    "Who is this guy Queensberry? I don’t see anything wrong with sticking your thumb in my guy’s eye. Just a little." (Two Ton Tony Galento)

    Even today, the rules keep changing. The standing 8-count, the 3-knockdown rule, 12- instead of 15-round championship fights - these are very modern advancements. But the more things change the more they stay the same. And despite centuries of regulation, some guys still love a dirty fight.

    "It was a lovely, eye-gouging affair." (Whitey Bimstein)

    Maybe rules in boxing are like rules in business and politics: mere window-dressing.

    "You’re supposed to do anything to win. You’re not an alter boy in there. Hit ‘em on the break, backhand, do all the rotten stuff to ‘em. What are they going to shoot you for it?" (Billy Conn)

    Shouldn’t the fact that dirty fighting exists be somehow hush-hush, the boxing secret that dare not speak its name? But fighters talk freely about this aspect of the game, because it’s so common, so pronounced, so everyday.

    "I wasn’t a dirty fighter, but hit them after the bell, or when they were down or getting up." (Lou Jenkins)

    The sum of a man’s punches is sometimes inadequate to an evening’s task. If ambushing a man with a choke hold, joint lock, eye poke and groin rupture doesn’t slow him down, what’s a poor fighter to do?

    "I never had a glove on in my life and said, What the hell good are these? You can’t pick up a baseball bat or nothing." (Charlie Phil Rosenberg)

    Rules are made to be broken. No doubt about it. The question is: How far is one willing to go?

    "If I hit a guy and his eyeball fell out of his head, I would eat it before he got it back. That’s the kind of mentality you have to have." (Bobby Czyz)

    There is beauty in violence, violence in beauty, poetry in a perfect punch.

    To foul or not to foul? That is the question.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMore Low Blows``x1028029925,5209,``x``x ``xYoddamrong, Yokthai scored KO victories

    July 26, 2002

    The Mall Shopping Center, Tapra Branch, Bangkok

    Pongsith Wiangwiset (THA) W12 Mkhuseli Kondile (SA)
    #8 Pongsith Wiangwiset finally captured vacant PABA Super Featherweight title by outpointing tough South African Mkhuseli Kondile who ranked #5. The contest was a classsic match. Both fighters were southpaw and snatched away the rapidity in throwing punches throughout. Kondile made more aggressive and tried to use his right jabs all time. However, Pongsith was faster and used his lefts so well. He countered with left straight and left cross, most were hit the target.

    Pongsith also had more tactics in close range. He threw his right hooks to Kondile’s body explicitly until the South African found out the trouble all 12 rounds. He used left straight and left cross to counter Kondile in long range. He, then, punched the body when Kondile tried to get in close. Pongsith was finally crowned by unanimous decisions. Scored: 120-110 from the Supervisor Mr.Alan Kim (KOR) and twice 118-111 from 2 Thai judges.

    Pongsith is 2-1 (no KO). All Thai boxing fans felt surprisingly to Pongsith’s performance. It was top form and perfect style in just few pro fights. It definitely caused of his high experience in amateur. As for Kondile, he drops to 17-4-1 (14 Kos). He was praised a lot also for his brave heart and great stamina. Some ringside audience said Kondile almost threw his right jabs, but didn’t follow by his lefts. If he used more lefts, he might hurt and made Pongsith more trouble.

    Yoddamrong (Sithyodthong) Singwangcha KO2 Edward Escriber (PHI)
    This was Yoddamrong’s first return since he lost the WBA Super Bantamweight title to Osamu Sato on May 18th in Japan. He was in the new version with more aggressive style. He pressured ex-Philippines Bantamweight champion Escriber since the bell rang to start the fight. He sank Escriber to the canvas in late of the 1st round by right hook to the head. Thereafter, he finished the matter in the 2nd round by his hard left hook to Escriber’s body.

    Yoddamrong ups his records to 28-1-1 (13 kos). He is in line to regain his WBA Super Bantamweight crown against the winner of Osamu Sato and # French Salim Medkoune held in September 2002. As for Escriber, he drops to 17-11-3 (9 Kos).

    Yokthai Sith-Oar TKO4 Rodel Orais (PHI)
    Yokthai was in trouble in the 2nd round. However, he made more aggressive and sent the Filipino to the canvas twice in the next round by body attacking. Yothai sank Orais again in the 4th round and then the referee stepped in to call a halt.

    Yokthai moves up to 27-3-1 (16 kos). He is planned for WBA Bantamweight challenge against Johnny Bredalh. As for Orais, he drops to 13-7-1 (5 Kos). He claimed that he slipped in the final knockdown and he should earn a chance to continue the fight.

    Yours Sincerely,

    Tassanu Ussawabhop

    Songchai Promotion’s Co-ordinator

    July 29, 2002
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPongsith crowned PABA Champion``x1028042999,40464,``x``x ``xOSAKA, Japan (AP) -- Alexander "Explosivo" Munoz of Venezuela kayoed challenger Eiji Kojima of Japan in the second round Wednesday to retain his WBA world superflyweight title.

    Munoz, who entered Wednesday's bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium as the clear favorite, floored Kojima with a powerful right after 2 minutes, 18 seconds of the second round to improve his record of 23-0 with 23 kayos.

    The 23-year-old Munoz captured the superflyweight title by defeating Japan's Celes Kobayashi last March in Japan. It was his first title defense.

    Kojima, 25, dropped to a 6-1.

    Alexander "Explosivo" Munoz


    Hometown San Felix, Venezuela
    Birthplace Miranda, Bolívar, Venezuela
    Division Super Flyweight
    Born 1979-02-08
    Stance Orthodox
    Manager Andres Gomes and Akihiko Honda
    Trainer Orangel Ramos


    Record
    Won 23 (KOs 23) Lost 0 Drawn 0 Total 23

    1998
    10-03 Alexander Granadillo Caracas, Venezuela W TKO 3
    10-27 Andres Medina Miranda, Venezuela W TKO 3
    11-24 Andres Medina Miranda, Venezuela W TKO 2

    1999
    03-13 Fernando Guevara Miranda, Venezuela W TKO 1
    05-28 Jose Arroyo Cumana, Venezuela W TKO 3
    06-19 Sahit Barrios Caracas, Venezuela W KO 1
    07-31 Ramon Gamez Turmero, Venezuela W KO 10
    10-31 Vicente Rivera Carrizal, Venezuela W TKO 3
    11-06 Benjamin Rivas Barranquilla, Colombia W KO 6
    12-04 Jesus Rattia Cumana, Venezuela W TKO 6

    2000
    04-01 John Ortiz Cumana, Venezuela W TKO 2
    04-15 Victoriano Hernandez Turmero, Venezuela W TKO 3
    05-25 Euclides Bolivar Maturin, Venezuela W TKO 3
    07-18 Benjamin Rivas Miranda, Venezuela W KO 1
    07-28 Saul Guaza Turmero, Venezuela W TKO 10
    10-31 Felix Bracho Turmero, Venenzuela W KO 3
    12-16 Sornpichai Kratindaenggym Turmero, Venezuela W TKO 5

    2001
    03-19 Oberto Flores El Paraíso, Venenzuela W TKO 3
    07-07 Pedro Medrano Turmero, Venenzuela W KO 1
    11-12 John Ortiz Turmero, Venezuela W KO 3
    12-21 Hernan Berrio Cardenas Turmero, Venezuela KO 3

    2002
    03-09 Celes Kobayashi Tokyo, Japan TKO 8
    (Wins WBA Super Flyweight Title)
    07-31 Eiji Kojima Osaka, Japan TKO 2
    (Retains WBA Super Flyweight Title)






    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x"Explosivo" Munoz retains WBA world 115-lb title ``x1028120474,92553,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    On the morning of Thursday, Aug. 1, the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon announced the postponement of the scheduled Sept. 19 fight card promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy, Inc. The date was to be the second show in a three fight series with the third event in November. All three cards were to be promoted by Golden Boy, Inc. The decision was revealed just 2 days after a press conference at the Rose Garden announced a Roy Jones Jr title defense to take place in that arena on Saturday, Sept. 7, which will be broadcast on HBO. No new date has been set for the De La Hoya promoted show.
    *****************************************************************``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xRose Garden Postpones 2nd De La Hoya Promotion``x1028231687,75615,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    On Thursday, Aug. 1, the Yakama Nation Athletic Commission was admitted to full membership in the Association of Boxing Commissions, during an afternoon session of the annual ABC meeting in Miami, Florida. The executive director of the Yakama tribal agency is Bruce Anderson, the retired former executive director of the Oregon Boxing and Wrestling Commission. Anderson, a founding member of the ABC, presented the Yakama application for membership. The Yakama Nation Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington has presented many boxing events, including shows broadcast by ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.
    ****************************************************************
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xYakama Nation Joins ABC``x1028251170,5856,``x``x ``xAh you tiyid of hearing it? No not my spiel about Ruiz being a legit heavyweight with a chance to defeat Lennox Lewis (which by the way, I was right about him beating Johnson). In fact, I’ll save that faw latah. What I’m referring to, is the hosscrap that has been shoveled into owa eahs by the HBO boxing broadcast team for the past several yeahs.

    Last Satiday’s heavyweight championship title fight between WBA champ, John “The Quietman” Ruiz and #1 challengah, Kirk Johnson proved to be an unexciting contest between two top heavyweights. And HBO did everything in theya powah to belittle the event once they realized that Ruiz was the bettah man. After all, a boring fight doesn’t mean that a fight isn’t a significant one. In the Ruiz-Johnson fight, theya wah few punches thrown by both men, few that landed, rabbit punching, low blows (all thrown by Johnson) and frequent clinching. Aside from the names I just mentioned in this paragraph and the low blows, you’d think I were talking about the recent Forrest-Mosley rematch two weeks ago. And in case you fawgot, Forrest and Mosely fought for the designation of best welterweight on the planet. So why was Ruiz, who won faya and squaya and appeahed to be on the verge of winning by a late rounds stoppage, criticized so hahshly by HBO’s people?

    It could have to do with Ruiz’ association with managah, Nahmin Stone who voiced his disgust with HBO and its staff last week (saying that HBO, Merchant and Lampley suck) priyah to the fight. But the real blame could be directed to HBO’s devotion to Lennox Lewis.

    Theya were a numbah of comments and questions the othah night that you should have noticed as biased propaganda. One was the gross statement that spewed out of Merchant’s mouth regahding the third lob blow, which resulted in the second point deduction. Aftah it was replayed in between rounds, Mechant had the audacity to say that the punch, “may have been borderline,” as if tyring to insinuate that Ruiz was faking the injury. Larry, maybe it wasn’t directly on the nuts, but it was cleahly low. And anyone who knows that that once you’ve been hit with a low blow, the second, aw God fahbid the third, will hurt a lot maw. Nevahtheless, I’m shoowa that Ruiz’ toilet looked like a giant Mahgarita after the fight.

    Merhcant and Emanuel Stewid also tried to mitigate Johnson’s fault by blaming Ruiz faw “bending down.” Guys, it would have been Ruiz’ fault if Johnson was bending down and/aw Ruiz was pushing aw pulling down on him. I don’t remember George Foreman rifling low blows at Joe Fraziah when Fraziah was bending in half. Maybe, just maybe, Johnson’s low blows had to do with his uttah frustration with his opponet as was the case in his first encountah with Al “Ice” Cole a few yeahs ago, another foulfest that should have ended in a DQ.

    You’d think that all of his connah experience would make Stewid microphone-friendly when it came to analyzing fights and techniques but I’m seriously beginning to doubt his overall credibility. And why in the blue hell would he be analyzing a John Ruiz or Kirk Johnson fight in the first place? That’s like Papa Trinidad being a commentatah for De La Hoya’s fights.

    After the fight Satahday night, you may remembah Lampley questioning Stewid whethah Stoney’s account of Ruiz getting the bettah of Lewis in sparring was accurate, as if Stewid (who chastises Lewis in his corner but compliments him after his fights) was going to say so. Well predictably, Stewid dismissed it saying it nevah happened and although I wasn’t theya to attest to Stoney’s account, neithah was Stewid, who should have admitted that he wasn’t training Lewis at the time and can’t comment about it. That would have been the honorable thing to do. HBO should be ashamed of the unprofessional mannah in which they tried to distort the facts.

    One last comment, which stuck me, was when Merchant mentioned Lewis as being “the heavyweight of the 90’s,” when analyzing past Canadian heavyweights. Well if you can remembah back on June 1st, Merchant said the same thing about Evandah Holyfield. Maybe that got to Lewis. It’s this writah’s opinion that HBO wants only what Lennox Lewis wants and it’s cleahly not John Ruiz.

    Which reminds me, there is no way that you can tell me that Ruiz, who is now 12-1-1 with 10 KO’s since his loss to David Tua a century ago is not the most deserving challengah to Lewis’ title. He is 2-1-1 in his most recent fights and his opponents were Holyfield and Johnson, legitimate challengah’s in the division. That’s compared to Chris Byrd’s 4-0 versus a fat Tua, Jeff Pegues, Maurice Harris and David Veddah (Vedder) or Wladameah (Wladamir) Klitschko’s 5-0 against Mercah, Botha, Chahles Shuffid and Byrd. Though those ah nice wins to have on yaw resume as a young contendah, those names ah not Holyfields.

    Ruiz’ performance on Satahday wasn’t pretty, but he won faya and squaya no mattah what kind of angle HBO tried to create. Right now Micky Wahd deserves a title shot or should be a consideration faw a crack at Tszyu. But if boxing awahded title shots to the boxis who wah the most exciting, then Wahd should have got one aftah his fight with Reggie Green in ’99, aw his fight with Neary in ’00 or his wah with Emanuel Augustus in ’01. Even after waging perhaps the most exciting fight ever waged against Arturo Gatti, there could be maw deserving challengis in the 140-pound division. And in getting back to the heavyweights, Ruiz should be viewed as the logical opponent faw Lennox Lewis, whethah it’s good for HBO aw not.

    I hope you got yaw tickets faw tomorrow night’s action at Foxwoods. Scott “The Sandman” Pembahton (24-2-1/ 20 KO’s) of New Bedfid, faces his toughest test in former world champion and perhaps the best American supah-middlweightm, Chahles “The Hatchet” Brewah (37-9/ 26 KO’s) of Philadelphia. Pembahton is a spitting image of Brewah stylewise and in terms of physical abilities. Both ah explosive powah-punchis in the Tommy Hearns mold, have shaky chins but enormous heart. Both have been in tough moments in theya careah and came back to win in thrilling fashion. Pembahton was down and nearly out against Le’van Easley two yeahs ago, but stormed back to stop Easley and win the NABF title. His reign was shortlived due to legal problems but you have to admire the prospect of going after Brewah who like Pemberton is dangerous when hurt.

    Brewah, was nearly out of it while defending his title against Herol Graham a fee yeahs back but came back to stop Graham by knockout. The fight is a main event and will be shown on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights and a win for eithah man should create another title threat, especially if it’s Pemberton since Brewah has lost in his last three title fights.

    In an interesting cruisahweight match-up, nice-guy Richie LaMontange (26-4-1/ 21 KOs) of Everett, MA will battle 2000 Olympian Michael Bennett (9-2/ 9 KO’s) in a make or break fight. With all 4 men being power punchers, you should have a good night’s worth of fiyaworks. Speaking of Olympians, Lawrence Clay-Bey (15-1), the oft-injured heavyweight of the 1996 Games will meet Brian Nix (17-8) in an 8-rounder. Hot female sensation, Jaime Clampitt, formerly of Calgary will also be featured on the card.

    On Satahday night at Foxwoods, Michael Grant (34-2/ 25 Kos), will try to rebuild himself back to HBO’s standards when he meets the courageous Robit Davis (27-4/ 15 KOs), who recently avenged his latest loss to Terrence Lewis. Hot Hartfid prospects, “Bad” Chad Dawon and Mike Olivah will also be featured. Sugar Ray Leonard is promoting both shows. Faw ticket info to eithah show call 1-800 PLAY BIG.

    ``xkdunn``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta - By JD Vena``x1028309165,38918,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Just as HBO is preparing to broadcast from his hometown, a boxing manager in Portland, Oregon has filed a lawsuit against the huge cable networks’ parent company.

    The September 7 Roy Jones Jr vs Clinton Wood title defense scheduled to be aired by HBO from the Rose Garden Arena of Portland, Oregon will have no more interested viewer than John Brune, a publicity and advertising specialist with an interest in managing boxers. Brune is suing HBO for trademark infringement for the use of the slogan "The Heart And Soul of Boxing." The cable network has been using the slogan to advertise its boxing programming since 1999. Brune asserts that he created the slogan and has been using it in advertising and publicity consistently since 1994. Brune owns the service mark ,"The Heart And Soul Of Boxing," as registered with the U.S. Patent Office. Brune says a subsequent application for the service mark by HBO was denied by the Patent Office.

    The filing states that, beginning in march of 2000, Brune made written and telephonic efforts to communicate with HBO regarding its use of his slogan.
    Brune’s attorneys filed his lawsuit in late July in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York.

    Michael Lennon, an attorney with the Baker Botts LLP law firm of Houston and New York, says the company has 20 days to respond to the filing of Brune’s complaint. A spokesman for Time Warner Entertainment was not available for comment.

    Back in the early 1990’s, Brune entered into a partnership to assist in managing and publicizing boxers with long-time fight manager Michael "Motormouth" Morton of Portland. Brune told the CBZ that the slogan "The Heart And Soul of Boxing," was inspired by Morton and was designed specifically to use in Morton’s advertising of his fight management business. Morton’s ads using the slogan started running in 1994 and have appeared in many boxing publications, sometimes on a page facing a big HBO ad.

    The complaint filed in federal court describes Mike Morton this way:

    "Born in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn and nicknamed "Motormouth" by boxing promoter Don King for his fast-talking, Mr. Morton has been managing boxers
    since 1935, and his experience and skill in managing boxers is well known in the boxing world. Six of the more than 60 professional boxers he's managed
    have fought in world championship bouts: Ray Lampkin against Roberto Duran for the lightweight title, Mike Colbert against Marvin Hagler for the middleweight title, Marcellus Allen against Michael Moorer for the
    light-heavyweight title, Andy Kendall against Bob Foster for the light-heavyweight title, Jesus Pimentel against Ruben Olivares for the bantamweight title, and most recently, in 1996, Miguel Arrozal in a World
    Boxing Association featherweight title bout against Eloy Rojas."

    Morton has suffered health setbacks in recent years, but still manages several Oregon fighters.

    John Brune says he will be at the Rose Garden on September 7, "selling "Heart and Soul of Boxing" apparel."

    *************************************************
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xDavid vs Goliath….. Fight Manager vs HBO for the hotly disputed "Heart & Soul of Boxing."``x1028309241,38673,``x``x ``xSERGIO CARLOS SANTILLÁN EN LA MIRA DE NARVÁEZ

    El actual campeón argentino super mosca Sergio Carlos Santillán (11-0-2, 4 ko's) podría ser el próximo rival del campeón mundial mosca WBO Omar Andrés Narváez (12-0-1, 7 ko's), si la Organización Mundial de Boxeo aprueba el pleito.

    El empresario Osvaldo Rivero ya habría iniciado las gestiones para intentar realizar dicho combate a mediados de septiembre en Chubut si se descarta el choque entre coprovincianos con Horacio Chicagual.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xSergio Carlos Santillan en la mira de Narvaez``x1028327710,43046,``x``x ``xHatchet Wins in a Wild One
    By JD Vena

    MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT RESERVATION (Ledyard, CT) – You know, I’ve been called a homer time and time again but if you frequent the fights, then there isn’t a better place to live than in New England. It’s a place where great fights take place fairly often. You had Ward-Augustus and Tackie-Oliveira last year, Ward-Gatti this past May and now last night’s Brewer-Pemberton fight at Foxwoods Resort & Casino, the venue that is saying will host the Ward-Gatti rematch on November 17th. But last night’s super-middleweight brawl between Charles “The Hatchet” Brewer and Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton and the rest of the card was something to relish, controversy or not.

    Brewer, 169, of Philadelphia and the former IBF super-middleweight champion nearly knocked Pemberton out in the second round but then found himself in a world of trouble during the following few frames. In the 6th, Brewer miraculously turned the tide and scored a come-from-behind stoppage win in what some felt was a controversial stoppage. Brewer was the victim of a similar ending in an exciting brawl with fellow contender, Antwun Echols two years ago but like in that confrontation, there were few complaints from the fans who knew they saw a great battle.

    After a cautious first round, Brewer staggered Pemberton in the 2nd and then nearly knocked him through the ropes, a moment when referee Steve Smoger deemed that a knockdown had been scored. Brewer battered Pemberton for the remainder of the round but it was his last good moment until the 6th.

    Midway through round three, Pemberton lashed out just as he has in all of the fights he has been hurt in and had Brewer in serious trouble. From rounds three through five, Brewer absorbed a beating more severe than his loss to WBO champ Calzaghe. Pemberton worked brilliantly behind the jab and mixed in a debilitating head and body attack that kept you wondering how long he’d last. Before the fifth round began, Smoger allowed the ringside physician to examine Brewer for a laceration over his left eye and when the fight resumed, Pemberton kept pounding him. After five rounds had elapsed, it seemed that Brewer had weathered the worst of it.

    “I didn’t hit him with many clean shots because if I hit him with one clean shot, he would still be laying on the canvas,” said Pemberton. “He hit me with some good body shots and that really slowed me down and hurt me but not to the point where I was out of it. I'm in great shape and knew I could recover."

    Brewer agreed with Pemberton’s assessment:

    “I had made this fight tough for me but I knew I could let him punch himself out and hit him with some body shots,” said Brewer. “I love going to the body more than anything. I’d rather hurt someone to the body instead of the head.”

    Brewer followed the body attack with a barrage of punches midway through the 6th and Smoger issued another mandatory 8-count when Pemberton was stuck in the ropes. When the action ensued, Brewer began to pour it on and Pemberton hit the deck for the first time in the fight. Perhaps the weakened look in his body prompted Smoger to halt the fight when he fell to his knees because when Pemberton jumped to his feet, Smoger stopped the fight at 2:03 of the round

    “I felt he stopped it too soon,” said Pemberton, now 24-3-1 with 20 KO’s. “Maybe he saw something but I could have continued. I want to go out on my shield.”

    Though Pemberton was upset with his performance, as was Brewer, there wasn’t an unsatisfied patron in the Fox Theater last night. But don’t expect to see it again.

    “I don’t plan on fighting this guy again,” said Brewer now 38-9 with 27 KO’s. “No one gives me rematches. I’m taking this victory and moving on.”

    But the way it's been going, whether it happens again or not you can rest assured knowing that we'll probably see and exciting fight in New England.

    In a rousing co-feature with a memorable finish to a fairly crude fight, Richard LaMontagne, 193, of Everett, MA scored a sensational 11th round knockout over 2000 Olympian, Michael Bennett, 194, of Chicago in what could go down as this year’s knockout of the year. Bennett scored most of the telling blows early on but it was LaMontagne who did all of the hurting throughout the fight. Bennett tired badly after the fifth round, a round in which he had never fought past, but he hung in there landing crisp shots but mainly holding LaMontagne whenever he was in close.

    Towards the end of the 11th round, Bennett was tardy with a wide left hook and LaMontagne shot a right cross down the middle. The punch caught Bennett flush on the chin and folded him lawn chair. Bennett’s legs were underneath his butt when referee Charlie Dwyer halted the fight at 2:57 of the round.

    Up until the stoppage, LaMontange led on one card by a tally of 95-94, but trailed by 96-93 and 95-94 by the other two scorecards. “I planned for 12 rounds,” said the victor who improved to 27-4-1 with 22 KO’s. “I conserved too much early on because I felt a pop in my right pec(toral) when I was throwing an uppercut. That’s why I let him muscle me around in the clinches. But I got pissed off at his headbutts and his rabbit punching. I don’t care about points being taken away, I just wanted him to stop but I knew I was going to get him late.

    LaMontange who was the first man to extend IBF champion Vasily Jirov the 12-round limit, said he wants the Russian again. Asked what he would do differently?

    “Fight harder! I want him and I know I can beat him.”

    Nearing 37 and fighting for the first time this year, Lawrence Clay-Bey, 246, of Hartford, CT shook off some ring rust and stopped Brian Nix, 263, of Rochester, NY, at 1:47 of the 3rd round. The two fought competitively up until Clay-Bey landed a crisp one-two combo, which dropped Nix for a count of 6. Referee Steve Smoger stopped the fight when Nix was staggering on his feet. Clay-Bey, the captain of the 1996 US Olympic team still showed hand speed but plenty of girth at this weight, the heaviest of his career (by a pound). He improved to a 16-1, with 11 KO’s, while Nix, slipped to 17-9 with 3 KO’s.

    Heralded amateur star, Mike Oliver, Jr., 119, of Hartford, CT knocked out DeMario Crittenden, 117, of Niagra Falls, NY at 2:56 of the 3rd round. Oliver is now 4-0 with 2 KO’s. And in the swing bout, Bernard Dunne, 126, of Dublin, Ireland another amateur standout won in devastating fashion when he stopped Christian Cabrera, 127, of Providence, RI at 2:03 of the 2nd round.

    Promoter – Sugar Ray Leonard
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBrewer TKO6 Pemberton ``x1028358011,41678,``x``x ``xGrant Continues KO Streak
    By Glenn Brooks

    MASHANTUCKET, Conn. – Michael Grant’s rebuilding year continues.
    Grant notched his fourth straight knockout win after suffering
    back-to-back losses to Lennox Lewis and Jameel McCline, stopping Robert Davis at 2 minutes and 10 seconds of the third round in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout Saturday at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

    “I’m not ready to launch off into space,” said Grant, who is now 35-2
    with 26 knockouts. “But I can get off the ground.”

    Grant opened things up at the start of the third round, punishing Davis with one uppercut after another until he put Davis on the canvas. Davis got up and took a few more seconds of punishment before referee Mike Ortega stepped in and stopped the fight.

    “The way we were working in the gym, we were trying to make the first
    round more like the third round,” said Grant on the eve of his 30th
    birthday. “We wanted to push it a little more.”

    Grant took a conservative approach to the first round, controlling the action, but not applying too much pressure. Davis (27-5, 15 KOs)
    dominated the second round, ripping several left hooks into Grant’s
    body.

    “I didn’t think he hurt me,” said Grant. “I just had to keep going
    forward like a professional.”

    After the stoppage, Grant celebrated by lifting his trainer, Teddy Atlas over his shoulder.

    “I’ve been in camp since January,” said Grant. “He’s giving me August
    off.”

    Grant weighed 256 to Davis’ 231.

    In the co-feature, Bulgarian lightweight Tontcho Tontchev won a
    six-round technical decision over Peruvian Luis Villalta. At the end of the sixth round, Dr. Joseph Carpenteri advised referee Steve Smoger to stop the fight due to a cut next to Villalta’s left eye that was opened in the third round. Arthur Mercante, Sr. and Tom Kaczmarek scored it 60-51 and Robert Paolino had Tontchev leading 59-52.

    In the last round, Tontchev (27-1, 16 KOs) drilled Villalta with one
    right hand after another. Only Villalta’s clinching kept him from
    hitting the mat. Villalta pushed Tontchev down and hit him in the back
    of the head and tackled Tontchev, prompting Smoger to take two points
    from Villalta (27-2-1, 23 KOs).

    Chad Dawson of New Haven, Conn. had a difficult time with Miami’s
    Faustino Gonzalez, but took control of the fight in time to score a
    six-round unanimous decision. Dawson is a 6-foot-, 2-inch southpaw, as is Gonzalez, though Gonzalez appeared to be the taller fighter. The judges’ scorers were 59-54, 58-56 and 59-55. Dawson, who weighed 170 ¾ to Gonzalez’s 170 ¾, improved to 8-0 with 5 KOs. Gonzalez dropped to 9-6 with four stoppages.

    Albert Erosomole, 159, Miami, won a four-round unanimous decision over
    Tommy Attardo, 159, South Boston. All three judges scored it 40-36.
    Erosomole is now 6-0 with 2 KOs, Attardo 10-10-1 with 2.

    In a battle of Connecticut featherweights, Manchester’s Angel Torres
    scored a six-round unanimous decision over Luis Rivera of New Haven. The scores were 60-52, 60-51 and 59-53. Torres improved to 7-2 with 3 KOs, Rivera left the ring at 6-7 (1 KO).

    Tanzanian heavyweight Mshaka Mululu, 237, won a four-round unanimous
    decision over New York’s Barry Lineberger, 250. The scores were 40-36
    (twice) and 39-37. Mululu is now 2-0 with 1 KO; Lineberger is 3-2 with 2 KOs.

    Promoter: Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing
    Matchmaker: Ron Katz
    TV: ESPN


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMichael Grant KO3 Robert Davis``x1028484684,72744,``x``x ``xby Dave Iamele

    July 2002


    Because casual fight fans are more included to watch two
    big guys trying to knock each other’s block off than two little guys
    trying to outbox one another, the heavyweight division has long
    been boxing’s “crown jewel.”

    Reasonably, heavy’s get paid the most because they bring
    in the most pay-per-view money. That being said, heavyweight
    aficionados will be pining for the good ol’ days of Tyson, Holyfield,
    and Lewis soon. The heavyweight division of today (and the
    foreseeable future) is a barren wasteland that could only possibly
    be rivaled by the cruiserweight division. Tyson, Holy, and LL have
    been the division’s Big 3 from the mid 80’s until present day, but all three are in the twilight of their careers.

    Tyson, even after Double L retires, will never again be able
    to compete with the upper echelon—even in its current sorry state.
    As for Evander, he looked great pounding Rahman, but, alas, that is
    simply too little and too late. He had three opportunities against
    John Ruiz, and he could not rise to the occasion enough to secure
    one convincing victory. Lewis faces an IBF-mandated defense
    against feather-fisted and fleet-footed Chris Byrd (yawn) or he will
    be stripped of one of his two titles. Also, he could face WBA
    champion John Ruiz (double yawn). Lewis doesn’t want to face
    Byrd or Ruiz because there is no money to be made since no one is
    interested. Either of the giant, robotic Klitschko brothers probably
    would make for the best challenge, but Lewis states he isn’t
    interested in either one. That certainly doesn’t leave many viable
    challenges out there for him.

    A glance through the division’s top-ten provides only one
    name worth mentioning: Jameel McCline (28-2-3). “Big Time”
    McCline is a powerful heavyweight who is making up for his late
    start in boxing by taking on the toughest opponents. Although
    McCline is an interesting prospect who is still learning on the job,
    he doesn’t seem to possess the intangibles that make for a great
    heavyweight champion. McCline undoubtedly will be involved in
    intriguing matches in the future—and may even capture a portion of
    the title—but I doubt he could be a long-reigning champion. The
    same thing probably could be said about the Klitschko’s.
    When Lennox hangs up the gloves, we will go through a
    period of time similar to that of post-Larry Holmes and pre-
    Tyson—in other words, a void. Possibly, the fighter who is poised
    to take over the heavyweight division isn’t even boxing now. I refer
    to the incarcerated Nigerian Ike Ibeabuchi. Before being sent to the
    slammer, “The President” ran roughshod over the big guys, beating
    both rugged David Tua and slippery Chris Byrd. In fact, he gave
    both their first loss. Ike may be out of jail by next year, and I can see only one obstacle preventing him from defeating any and all
    heavyweights and reigning for years: he’s nuttier than a fruitcake.
    He makes Mike Tyson look like Mr. Mental Health in comparison.

    To give you an example of Ike’s state of mind, here’s one
    of my favorite Ike stories. When he was with promoter Cedric
    Kushner, he told him he wanted to go shopping. Kushner sent Ike
    out with one of his lackeys to accompany him. Ike spent several
    hours in the finest haberdasheries in New York City picking out
    material, getting fitted, etc. After a great pile of packages was
    prepared, Mr. Ibeabuchi was presented with the hefty bill and
    promptly went ballistic. It seems in his mind he believes he should
    not have to pay for any goods or services. You can only imagine
    why he’s in jail.

    So, my advice to boxing fans is to look to the little guys to
    provide the big action. While it is unfortunate the heavyweight well
    has temporarily run dry, we are lucky to have plenty of boxing
    talent in the lower-weight classes: (from smallest to largest)
    Ricardo Lopez (50-0-1), Eric Morel (31-0), Rosendo Alvarez (31-2-
    1), Tim Austin (24-0-1), Rafael Marquez (27-3), Clarence “Bones”
    Adams (41-5-3), Johnny Tapia (52-2-2), Paulie Ayala (34-1), Erik
    Morales (41-1), Marco Antonio Barrera (55-3), Floyd Mayweather
    (28-0), Acelino Freitas (31-0), Joel Casamayor (27-1), Paul
    Spatafora (35-0), Zab Judah (27-1), Shane Mosley (38-2), Kostya
    Tszyu (29-1-1), Vernon Forrest (34-0), Oscar de la Hoya (34-2),
    Fernando Vargas (22-1), Bernard Hopkins (41-2-1), Joe Calzaghe
    (33-0), Roy Jones (46-1).

    That’s over 20 great boxers all under 175 pounds! With all
    these top boxers and the dozens more that are near the top (or
    just very good practitioners of the sweet science), boxing should be
    able to get by without a dominating heavyweight champion. It
    depends on whether boxing fans (you) tune in to see the lighter
    guys compete. So, please do, you won’t be sorry.

    Anyone who watched this past Saturday’s HBO boxing program already knows what I mean. The show opened with 118-lb. champion Tim Austin vs. Adan Vargas. The bout was a rock ‘em, sock ‘em affair before Austin’s championship class emerged.

    Austin eventually won by 10th-Round KO. In contrast, the show’s
    main event pitted WBA heavyweight titleholder John Ruiz vs. Kirk
    Johnson. This bout was a clinch-filled snooze-fest that Ruiz “won”
    after Johnson was disqualified for repeated low blows. Now, which
    bout seems more interesting to you?

    Of course, this is not to say that any lower-weight bout will
    be more exciting than any heavyweight match. Obviously, there
    have been numerous thrilling heavyweight bouts, but in today’s age
    of “B” class big guys, you will unquestionably get more bang for
    your buck with guys under 190 lbs.

    “Tito” Finito?
    The boxing world was set on its cauliflowered ear when
    Puerto Rican superstar Felix “Tito” Trinidad recently announced his
    retirement.

    Trinidad (41-1) exploded on the boxing scene in 1993 with
    a crushing 2nd-Round KO of 147-lb. champion Maurice Blocker. In
    1999, Tito challenged boxing’s Golden Boy, Oscar de la Hoya. Felix
    captured Oscar’s WBC title by winning a controversial 12-round
    decision. Trinidad also has scored impressive victories over former
    champions Pernell Whitaker, David Reid, Fernando Vargas, and
    William Joppy. In addition to winning portions of the welterweight
    (147 lb.) title, Felix also held titles at 154 and 160 lbs.
    Trinidad received his lone loss at the hands of now-unified
    middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins in September of last year
    in the final round of the middleweight unification tournament at
    MSG in NYC. Although Felix rebounded from his sole defeat by
    bludgeoning rugged Frenchman (an oxymoron if ever there was
    one) Hacine Cherifi earlier this year, he became increasingly
    frustrated by his inability to persuade either Hopkins or de la Hoya
    into a big-money rematch. With seemingly no worthwhile foe on
    the horizon, Tito simply decided to walk off into the sunset.
    Many have speculated that Tito’s retirement is simply a
    ruse to lure either Hopkins or de la Hoya back to the bargaining
    table or even to escape his long-term contract with Don King. I
    don’t buy into either one of those theories; I think Tito will simply
    pull a Marvin Hagler and fool everyone by staying retired.
    If he does remain inactive, look for him to return to
    Canastota to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in five years.
    It’s a lock. I hope you enjoy your retirement, Tito, you’ve earned it.

    Boxing fans worldwide will miss the brilliant banger, but it’s nice to see boxers retire with both their finances and the facilities intact.

    Saratoga Fight Card Update
    Last time out I alerted fans to the fact that big-time boxing
    was returning to the area this August. I can now happily report
    that on August 16 at the Saratoga Springs City Center, ESPN2 will
    televise its Friday Night Fights program.

    The main event features always-exciting Julian “Mr. KO”
    Letterlough (18-3-1) vs. Ravea Springs (24-2-0) in a ten-round
    bout. Letterlough is the 13th-ranked light heavyweight and was a
    participant in last year’s ESPN2 “Fight of the Year.”

    The co-feature pits Saratoga’s own Gary “The Whip” Wilcox (17-3-1) vs. Rochester’s Jermell Barnes (15-2-0), also for ten rounds, in the cruiserweight division. There also will be a minimum of five other bouts ranging from four to eight rounds. Tickets are on sale now for $20 to $50. For more information, call (518) 286-9199. The first bout starts at 7:30, and doors open at 6:30.

    I’m thrilled to see big-time boxing return to our area, and
    hopefully The Turning Stone will see that this caliber of a card can
    be profitable. Maybe they’ll kick their boxing program back into
    high gear and out of neutral. Hey, what can I say? I’m an optimist!

    Local Latest
    Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough fractured his left index finger
    sparring Tuesday and will be out of action for at least six weeks.
    Local promoter Don Cepiel is scrambling to find a suitable
    replacement to step into the ring with Ravea Springs. Two names
    mentioned by Don Cepiel were O’Neil Bell and USBA cruiserweight
    champion Calvin Davis. Look for further details in days to come.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe Heavy Wait``x1028553414,62144,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE

    RING RAGE X 


    Saturday, August 17, 2002 

    Multnomah Greyhound Park

    944 NE 223rd

    Wood Village, OR 


    First Bell – 3:00 pm

    Doors Open at 2:00 pm 


    10 Round Heavyweight Main Event

    Gresham’s Own – John Egge

    -vs-

    Robert Ryan 


    Featured on the undercard:

    Jeff Horan, Chris Huntwork, Louis Lopez, Dominique Rivera, Frank Bybee,

    Angelo Torres, and Reggie Lowe 

    Tickets available at all Fastixx locations 

    For additional information and press passes contact:

    Nanci James at Oregon Trail Promotions, Ltd. 503.233.0286 

    Card subject to change and approval of the Oregon State Boxing and Wrestling Commission
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xDog Track Show...Aug. 17``x1028584931,45155,``x``x ``xby Adam Pollack apollack11@hotmail.com

    This year’s U.S. Women’s National Championships were held in Scranton, Pennsylvania, July 28 - August 2. The following is not an exhaustive list of results, but representative and interesting bouts that captured my eye in each division.

    Junior 147
    Final
    Keriann McNulty RSC 3 Nasheba Thomas

    I am not really discussing the junior division (15-16 year olds), but
    McNulty deserves a mention because the skill, conditioning, and speed she demonstrated in the final was excellent. She will eventually be a force to be reckoned with in the senior division.

    Senior (17-34 yrs.)
    100

    Final
    Linda Carillo dec. Dana Dudley 30-1

    Former 1998 and 1999 106 pound champion Carillo is a calm boxer who throws her punches in a compact manner. Not much power, but good footwork and well timed punches, especially with the jab, enabled her to comfortably outbox Dudley, who demonstrated determination and toughness, but whose skill and defense were not quite on Carillo’s level. In fairness to Dudley, she certainly landed more than once, and was never hurt, despite what the score suggests.

    106
    Qtrs.
    Carina Moreno dec. Alicia Avila 19-5

    Semis -- Carina Moreno dec. Samantha Sanchez 24-5

    Good bout where Sanchez constantly pressed with big punches, but Moreno demonstrated nice footwork and timing, quickly hitting Sanchez on the way in, then gracefully moving away. Moreno’s well of conditioning was too much for this very tough and aggressive opponent.

    Final -- Carina Moreno dec. Monay Mincy 13-12

    Very competitive and close bout. Mincy demonstrated beautiful outside boxing with fast counterpunches and essentially controlled the bout for the first two rounds. However, 2000 and 2001 Champion Moreno maintained her poise and kept the bout close with compact punches that weren’t flashy, but
    were probably scoring. Moreno’s conditioning won her the bout as the tiring Mincy was hit a fair amount in the 3rd round. If it had been a rounds scoring system, Mincy probably would have won, but with computer scoring, Moreno just edged it. Mincy definitely has a future.

    112

    Rd. of 16

    Eileen Kuwaye dec. Vanessa Greco 30-6
    Sacred Downing dec. Angela Duran 12-1
    Karen Davis dec. Camille Casson 14-6
    Emily Klinefelter dec. Krystel Cordova 16-10
    Heather Donoho dec. Anna Marandi 8-5

    2001 National Champion Eileen Kuwaye was patient in defeating Greco.
    Although Kuwaye clearly deserved the decision, she did not land as many as
    the score would indicate, while Greco did not seem to receive credit for the
    many counter punches she landed. Greco received a standing 8 in the 3rd
    round that seemed unnecessary.

    Sacred Downing, 2001 Junior Champion, demonstrated a quick boxing style a la
    Floyd Mayweather and looks to be a comer.

    Qtrs.

    Mandie Mutigli dec. Becky Garcia 18-6
    Eileen Kuwaye dec. Leanna Romero 27-1
    Sacred Downing dec. Heather Donoho 3-2
    Karen Davis dec. Emily Klinefelter 14-10

    Kuwaye gets in gear and really puts it on Romero with a nonstop attack.

    Downing and Donoho engage in a mental war, each utilizing footwork and
    attempting to get the other to lead so they could counterpunch. Good
    matchup, but Downing’s speed and better punch form gave her a slight edge.

    Semis

    Eileen Kuwaye RSC 1 Mandie Mutigli
    Sacred Downing dec. Karen Davis 12-1

    Kuwaye really rolling now. Not the prettiest in terms of skill, but has
    good chin, willingness to step into range, heavy clubbing hands, and sets an
    excellent pace to literally impose her will on opponents.

    Downing’s skillful headmovement, speed, counterpunching, and footwork make
    her an interesting contrasting matchup against Kuwaye for the final.

    Final

    Eileen Kuwaye dec. Sacred Downing 18-8

    Kuwaye was impressive, constantly attacking with an array of punches,
    countering and stepping in on Downing, maintaining a better pace than
    Downing was prepared for. Downing fought hard, but Kuwaye’s experience and
    determination were the difference.

    In terms of overall ability, talent, skill, and depth of competition, 112
    was one of the tournament’s better divisions.

    119

    Rd. of 16

    Anju Reejhsinghani dec. Deborah Stein 9-2

    Anju defeats last year’s champion and looks strong and well conditioned.

    Qtrs.

    Anju Reejhsinghani dec. Melissa Davis 24-13
    Stella Nijhof RSC2 Raelina Shinn (18-0 score - outclassed)

    Anju rolling in her Aaron Pryor-esque pressure style.

    A 2000 champion at 125 pounds, Nijof is a skilled southpaw with beautifully
    controlled footwork and good counterpunching, but little power. The bout
    probably should not have been stopped because Shinn was still competing and
    was not in danger of being hurt.

    Semis

    Anju Reejhsinghani dec. Wendy LaMotta 16-11
    Stella Nijhof dec. Alison Fasano 12-4

    Final

    Stella Nijof dec. Anju Reejhsinghani 9-1

    Excellent style matchup. Anju did all the work, forcing the pace with her
    nonstop attack, but had difficulties landing on the constantly moving much
    taller matador southpaw Nijof. 2000 Champion Nijof did not throw very
    often, choosing to carefully pick her punches, but her minimalist style seem
    to be effective with the judges. Close bout could have gone either way.
    The judging here seemed one-sided, because it was obvious Anju landed many
    more punches than she was given credit for, Nijof did not throw very often,
    and this was a much closer bout than the 9-1 score would indicate.

    125

    Rd. of 16

    Mary Barrett dec. Christina Munski 27-4

    Qtrs.

    Amber Gideon dec. Teresa O’Toole 11-5
    Mary Barrett dec. dec. Rebecca Rodriguez 18-2

    Semis

    Amber Gideon dec. Maia Kahaunaele 6-2
    Mary Barrett dec. Lisa Martin 10-5

    Final

    Amber Gideon dec. Mary Barrett 6-6 (32-24 tiebreaker)

    This final was another interesting matchup. Taller Barrett appeared to be
    more fluid and skilful, throwing her punches with the better form and speed.
    However, former 2000 and 2001 132 pound champion Gideon was a bull with
    large thighs who at times attacked ferociously, swinging at her opponent
    with quick charges that often had Barrett on her heels. However, when
    Barrett attacked, she appeared to control the action with her quicker and
    more compact punches. The bout was close, but the decision went to Gideon,
    a tough and hard worker whose pressure style seemed to impress the judges.
    Barrett’s smoother style impressed the crowd, which slightly booed the
    decision.

    132

    Rd. of 16

    Caroline Barry RSCO 2 Paula Linman
    Kattlin Diaz dec. Rhonda Luna 7-7 (37-34)
    Jennifer Han dec. Denise Bowers 10-3

    Barry with a ferocious body attack, the best of the tournament.
    Han demonstrates smooth outside boxing.

    Qtrs.

    Naquana Smalls RSC 1 Tara Opislowski
    Caroline Barry dec. Christy Slone 21-9
    Kattlin Diaz dec. Jennifer Han 9-7

    Diaz upsets 2001 125 pound champion Han. Han a good boxer with a future,
    but seemed a bit thrown off by Diaz, who stayed low with her chin tucked,
    then would suddenly charge in with combinations. Han was a bit too straight
    up and went straight back, enabling Diaz to land. Han picked it up in the
    3rd, but Diaz had controlled the bout and established too big a lead to
    overcome.

    Semis

    Naquana Smalls dec. Anca Neagu 15-11
    Kattlin Diaz dec. Caroline Barry 11-10

    Diaz proves to be the master of winning the close one, winning one on a
    tiebreak, and two others by a combined three punches. Quite frankly, it
    looked as if Barry had pulled it off, and a likely explanation for the
    outcome is that the judges failed to score Barry’s good right counterpunch
    to the body, which landed quite often. Barry was given a completely
    unnecessary standing 8 count in the 3rd by a jumpy referee.

    Quite often in the tournament, some referees seemed to look for any excuse
    to administer an 8 count and to stop a bout. This essentially can ruin a
    boxer’s chances because women are only allowed one standing 8 per round -
    upon their second 8 count, the bout is automatically terminated.

    In contrast, men are allowed two per round and the bout is stopped on the
    third. Quite often, the referees seemed to be more cautious with women’s
    safety than they would be with men’s. One premature 8 count can essentially
    cost the boxer the bout because if they are in fact a bit hurt or knocked
    down later in the round, then the bout will have to be stopped.

    If the women are only allowed one freebee, then the referees need to ensure
    they are administering only truly necessary 8 counts. I witnessed bouts
    stopped that should not have been, but because a referee was quick to
    administer the 8 count, the second one came prematurely, costing the boxer
    her opportunity to compete.

    Final

    Naquana Smalls dec. Kattlin Diaz 10-6

    Smalls’ hard working style a bit too much for Diaz. Smalls a bit raw, but
    tough, very busy and spirited. Again Diaz manages to keep the score close.

    139

    Qtrs.

    Jill Emery dec. Molly McConnell 15-15 (64-60)

    Very close competitive bout that truly could have gone either way. Tall
    long-armed Emery a 2000 champion at 156 and a 2001 champion at 147, moving
    down in weight.

    Semis

    Toni Keese dec. Cassandra McFerson 7-6
    Angel Bovee dec. Jill Emery 6-5

    Battle of the former champions. Bovee a 2001 champion at 156, just a bit
    more relaxed and compact with her punches, edges this very close bout.

    Final

    Angel Bovee dec. Toni Keese 9-1

    Bovee’s experience comes through. She deserved it, but the bout was
    probably closer than the score reveals.

    147

    Qtrs.

    Natalie Brown RSC 1 Tammy Evans

    Semis

    Elizabeth Quevado dec. Elizabeth Mooney 21-16
    Natalie Brown dec. Vikki Marlow 19-6

    Final

    Natalie Brown dec. Elizabeth Quevado 10-9

    Brown is tough and a hard worker, and did deserve the decision.

    156

    Semis

    Yvonne Reis dec. Roselin Morales 8-4
    Jennifer Thyssen dec. Adreinne Lugg 8-6

    Final

    Yvonne Reis def. Jennifer Thyssen 9-5

    Southpaw Reis a bit better boxer.

    165

    Qtrs.

    Janaya Davis RSC 3 Jenna Johlin

    Semis

    Kimico Pugh dec. Emilia Longoria 8-4
    Jenaya Davis dec. Elizabeth Stecki 20-10

    Final

    Janaya Davis RSC 1 Kimico Pugh

    Odd final where Pugh just seemed to fall apart and cover up, not wanting to
    fight. Davis to her credit took advantage with a constant attack.

    178

    Qtrs.

    Marisol Jimenez dec. Angela Hanrahan 10-2

    This is one bout that truly demonstrates the sketchy and inconsistent
    judging. Some bouts, the judges went wild, hitting the button for anything
    that even appeared to be scoring, regardless whether it was partially
    blocked. However, in contrast, for this one, both boxers obviously scored
    quite often with clean blows, yet neither seemed to be given proper credit.
    This bout was also closer than the score revealed.

    Semis

    Faye Jacobs Hollins dec. Tricia Turton 7-5
    Marisol Jimenez dec. Erica Garcia 13-3

    2001 champion Hollins landed a whole lot more, but properly, the judges did
    not score her many slapping blows that did not land with the white portion
    of the gloves.

    Final

    Faye Jacobs Hollins dec. Marisol Jimenez 22-2

    Hollins a bit taller, quicker, and slightly better conditioned. Her right
    hand won her the bout. However, the score seemed more lopsided than was
    proper.

    201

    Semis

    Devonne Canady dec. Alisa Hollis 11-7

    2001 National and World Champion Devonne Canady and Hollis in a good bout.
    Hollis competitive and built solid as a rock, but Canady lands strong jabs
    and good rights to take it.

    Final

    Devonne Canady def. Sonya Lamonakis 18-3

    This one was much closer than the score indicates. Lamonakis seemed to have
    Canady’s number, boxing well and throwing off Canady’s rhythm with
    combinations, outworking her. Canady did manage to land a big right that
    dropped Lamonakis in the 2nd round, but she recovered well and continued to
    box effectively. The bout could have gone either way, but Canady just edged
    it in the 3rd. Again, the judging does not reflect the true
    competitiveness of the bout. In fairness to the judges, Canady’s blows were
    harder and more obvious, and were therefore more likely to be noticed, but
    certainly Lamonakis landed a whole lot more than three punches.

    More often than not the judges would get the right winner, but quite often the scores were more lopsided than was proper, suggesting that they were watching one boxer more than another.

    201+

    Semi

    Celia Villacres dec. Samatra Doyle 1-0

    Villacres completely outworks and owns the highly defensive Doyle, and
    despite the fact that most of her blows were sloppy, probably should have
    been given credit for more of them, given her hard work ethic and the fact
    that Doyle did almost nothing.

    Final
    Yvette Tatum def. Celia Villacres RET 2

    Tatum’s bit of footwork and boxing was somewhat effective, and she appeared to be winning. Villacres retired in the corner, seeming to claim a leg injury.


    ``xkdunn``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x2002 U.S. Women’s National Championships (results)``x1028657309,75442,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Some whining was heard among the fans in Portland, Oregon when the Rose Garden Arena announced that the scheduled September 19 date for the next Golden Boy, Inc. fight card was postponed. Golden Boy spokesman Ed Steinfeld says this was, understandably, because "The Rose Garden did this great thing in bringing in the Roy Jones Jr. title defense on September 7. " Steinfeld says they wanted "some decompression time for the fight fans between shows." The new, still tentative date is Thursday, October 3. "That’s the date we all nodded our heads over and said yeah, let’s aim for that," says Steinfeld. The promotion company and the arena were satisfied with the 3700-plus fans they drew for their first card in July. Steinfeld says, "considering the last attempt at a big fight card in that arena drew 1200, we thought just under 4,000 was doing alright. And as the word gets out, particularly among the Latino community, we think we’ll do even better….We’ll be there for a long time."

    ---30---
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xGolden Boy Has New Date for Rose Garden``x1028657369,34293,``x``x ``xFedelatin Rankings``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFedelatin rankings``x1028660727,51578,``x``x ``xTuesday Night Fights
    by Barry Hanley

    The Buchmuller Ice Rink in Sacaucas, New Jersey played host to the last of the Summer's installments of Tuesday Night Fights on 'the Deuce.' The main event of the evening featured Light Heavyweights Demetrius Jenkins and George Jones. Jones won by unanimous decision. The undercard had Junior Welterweight Demetrius Hopkins beating Edwin Vazquez also by the unanimous thumbs up from the judges in attendance. 2000 Olympian Dante Craig won by the same route against fellow Welterweight Najal Turpin.

    The triple header was hardly worthy of a ringside apparition by the ghost of New Jersey's favorite son but it proved to be an interesting evening nonetheless. The first fight of the evening featured the nephew of the Executioner himself, Bernard Hopkins. Demetrius Hopkins was given his first pair of boxing mitts at the tender age of four by the undisputed triple belt holder. Despite the pedigree and Lou Duva's lofty expectations Demetrius Hopkins has a long way to go before he could pose a threat to the elite of the Junior Welterweights. Judah and Tzyu have little to fear from the younger Philadelphia pugilist. On this night Hopkins ( 10-0-1) squared off against Juan Vazquez ( 19-7-1), a talented journeyman from Puerto Rico who hadn't fought in two years. Hopkins had a higher connect percentage throughout the fight but Vazquez was the more aggressive fighter, constantly coming forward preventing Hopkins from the domin! ant performance that Duva needed for some credibility. While his more illustrious uncle roared encouragement from his corner, Hopkins showed flashes of talent but failed to exploit the ring rust and looks like a rough hewn gem that needs serious polishing. Hopkins by unanimous decision

    Next up , a pair of Welterweights squared off for six rounds of action. Former Olympian Dante Craig (4-0-0) faced Najal Turpin (6-1-0 ). This proved to be a pretty uneventful fight. Craig dominated throughout and took the unanimous decision.

    The main event of the evening highlighted the fragility of all of us, including those who take the three steps onto the ring apron. Traumatic events can knock anyone sideways and fighters are no exception. Light Heavyweight George Jones ( 17-1-0)killed an opponent last year. James Scotland died because of injuries sustained by Jones fists. Understandably, Jones now looks at his livelihood in an entirely different light. According to his rambunctious trainer 'Nettles' Nasser, Jones had a nervous breakdown after the tragedy. The feelings of guilt overwhelmed him and his psyche was forever altered. Credit to Jones. He got back into the ring in a valiant attempt to conquer the demons that almost sent him to the funny farm. This took a courage that few of us can contemplate. It can be summed up in two simple words..........true grit. He suffered his first defeat perhaps in the hope that a good beating wou! ld atone for what he perceived as his cardinal sin.
    When many would hang up the gloves and look for saner ways to make a buck, Jones went back to the gym and forged a new, more mature approach to the fight game. Much like DeNiro in 'The Deer Hunter' he no longer takes pleasure in the kill but rather has reverence for the whole process.

    George 'Caliph' Jones knocked Demetrius Jenkins down at 2:01 of the second. Rather than pour on a vicious assault to close the deal, Jones settled for single straight left shots. Demetrius Jenkins ( 21-1-7) was wild early on. He had no chance handling a crafty Southpaw like Jones. Jones had replaced killer instinct with stealth and economy. He cruised to an easy victory and had Jenkins teetering on the edge of oblivion on more than one occasion, a ticket that he'll reluctantly, if ever, punch again.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJones beats Jenkins at Light Heavy``x1028730220,61035,``x``x ``xJuly 22 Wonchana Chuwattana KO1 Satandej Sithsopa BKK not shown weight
    July 23 Pikartsuek Sithsothorn KO2 Sakchai Or.Siamchai BKK not shown weight
    July 24 No Competitions
    July 26 Ole Tor.Sitthichai W6 Kola-Lek Kiatpoonpol BKK 107 lbs.
    July 28 Damrong Sithsoey TKO1 Tanongsak Kiatpailin BKK 114 lbs.
    July 29 Maengpong Kiat Thor.Bor.Ubol TKO1 Slaton Vor.Sakavee BKK 113 lbs.
    July 30 Yodkraiwon Buayai 2000 W6 Buriram Muangsurin BKK 106 lbs.
    July 31 Siangtip Sithsoey KO1 Tawon Por.Surasak BKK not shown weight
    Aug 1 Singsiam Or.Chiangkarn KO1 Adulsak Singklongsee BKK 105 lbs.
    Aug 2 Kwanthai Chor.Nor. Pattalung KO1 Daoloi Sakmuangkrabi BKK 105 lbs.

    Results Provided by Tassanu Ussawabhop of Songchai Promotion's Co-ordinator
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xResults From Thailand``x1028894234,43601,``x``x ``xMormeck and Leyva aiming for the top in total rankings
    French cruiserweight can also extend World Cup leadership

    by Kris Van de Velde

    It's quiet in boxing circles these days. Yet two people could become the most valuable fighter in their respective weight divisions. Most of our attention will go to southern France, where two WBA title fights will be held in Marseille. Cruiserweight World Cup leader Jean-Marc Mormeck can extend his already comfortable lead with an extra 330 points if he defends his belt successfully against #25 Dale Brown. He would then be 1330 points ahead of Johnny Nelson, meaning that the Briton already needs to beat someone in the top four in order to get by Mormeck. In addition, Mormeck can also cruise past IBF titlist Vassily Jirov - who has been inactive since February - in the total ranking. The Frenchman captured the title against Virgil Hill earlier on this year, and a good performance would further enhance his growing reputation.

    On the same card, super welterweight Mamadou Thiam (#6, v1000) squares off against Santiago Samaniego (#32, v276) for the WBA "interim" belt. The true WBA champion Fernando Vargas has been out of the ring for a long time, but as his fight with Oscar De La Hoya is scheduled for 14 September there seems little need to allow an "interim" title fight one month prior to that date. It means that four different fighters are going to contest the same title within a month's time with the winners of both matches unlikely to ever face each other! Nevertheless, it's a good pairing for the on-going World Cup competition, currently led by Andrei Pestriaev. If Samaniego causes an upset, he will be right at the Russian's heels. On the other hand, the Argentine is a little too low-ranked to really boost big favourite Thiam's ranking.

    The undercard also features match-ups with French prospects Brahim Asloum (118 lbs), Christophe Canclaux (154 lbs) and Mehdi Sahnoune (168 lbs).

    Besides Mormeck, strawweight Roberto Leyva (#2, v1800) can likewise become the new number one in WCOB's total ranking. The Mexican defends his IBF belt against fellow-unbeaten Miguel Barrera (#29, v298) at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas. A win would put him back in front of World Cup leader Noel Arambulet, who rushed to the top last month by beating Keitaro Hoshino. Leyva can also improve his WCup ranking. He is currently 7th, but could make it to fourth behind Arambulet, Hoshino, Kim and Bustos.

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/ ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Preview ``x1028908706,95146,``x``x ``xBy Joe Koizumi

    Ex-WBA 115-pound champ Hideki Todaka (19-3-1, 10 KOs), 119.25, displayed an impressive one-punch KO of former Thai champ Saencharoen Mahasapcondo (8-8-1, 2 KOs), 117.5, with a smashing right at 0:48 of the 4th round in Nagoya, Japan. Having had his jaw broken by Venezuelan Leo Gamez in forfeiting his WBA belt via 7th round KO in October 2001, Todaka was forced to take a long layoff without fighting in the previous year.

    Todaka, a rugged puncher, decked his second comebacking bout as he showed his previous form in producing a flattened pancake.

    Undercard: Japanese #5 super-feather Tsuyoshi (Kinzo) Nakamura (17-3-1, 8 KOs), 132, almost swept all rounds without the final session to earn a unanimous decision over Filipino Raffy Aladi (27-20-1, 12 KOs), 131, over 8.

    Promoter: Midori Promotions.
    8/11/2002
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTodaka KO 4 Mahasapcondo``x1029162829,93921,``x``x ``xWeekend Round-up
    Samaniego shocks Thiam
    Miguel Barrera joint World Cup leader after beating Roberto Leyva

    by Kris Van de Velde

    It was a weekend coloured by two upsets. At strawweight, Colombian Miguel Barrera (#29, v298) unexpectedly had the better of Mexican Roberto Leyva (#2, v1800) in an IBF title fight in Las Vegas on Friday. After a thrilling contest, Barrera earned a unanimous decision: 116-112, 115-113 (2x). His victory translates into 1800 World Cup points, putting him alongside Noel Arambulet at the top of the standings.

    An even greater surprise took place in Marseille, France, where Argentine super
    welterweight Santiago Samaniego (#32, v276) halted big favourite Mamadou Thiam (#6,
    v1000) in the last round of a WBA interim title affair. Puncher Thiam controlled the first
    half of the fight easily but could not find the finishing blows. As the rounds went by, Thiam gradually ran out of steam, allowing Samaniego to come into the fight. In the 12th round, Samaniego suddenly started a fierce attack on the Frenchman, which prompted Thiam's corner to stop the fight!
    The Argentinean thus earns 1000 World Cup points, as many as Daniel Santos currently has and only five fewer than leader Andrei Pestriaev. Good perspectives for Samaniego, who in theory should face the winner of De La Hoya and Vargas next.

    On the same show, Jean-Marc Mormeck (#2, v1800) delivered a decent performance against Dale Brown (#26, v330), defending his WBA cruiserweight title and premier WCup position successfully. Mormeck needed a few rounds to get into the rhythm, but eventually stopped his American foe in round 8.
    Mormeck therefore extends his WCup leadership with another 330 points and also overtakes Vassily Jirov in WCOB's total ranking.

    At super bantam, unranked Gerardo Espinosa outpointed Omar Adorno (#39, v227) in San Jacinto. Scores were: 117-110, 117-111 and 117-112. It puts Espinosa just inside the WCup top 10 in this division, by two single points at the expense of Shigeru Nakazatu.

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Results``x1029163432,66414,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Stephen "2 Pound" Forbes, 25, has been out of the ring for eleven months but he steps in to defend his IBF 130 pound championship on Sunday, August 18 against his former foe David Santos, who is 31. The 12 round title bout will be broadcast on FOX Sports Net Sunday, August 18 at ………… The fight takes place at the Pechanga Casino in Temecula, CA.

    This duo met two years ago in a US Boxing Association title fight in which the clever, crisp boxing Forbes dominated the sturdy Santos on points and battered him into the blood zones before the final bell.

    Santos lost his first world title challenge in November of 1999 when Joel Casamayor out-slicked him for the WBA "Interim" title. Santos climbed back on the horse with a tough decision win over Luis Lizzaraga in a title elimination bout in February.

    Forbes has been tangled in contract disputes with his former manager since his first title defense and second win over John "The Eastern Beast" Brown back in September of 2001. Originally from Portland, Oregon but fighting out of Las Vegas, Forbes record is 20-1, 5 KO’s. Santos, of St. Petersburg, FL is 41-4, 26 KO’s.

    On the undercard, an IBF cruiser eliminator match between savvy war horse James Toney ( 64-4-2, 40 KO’s) and southpaw Jason Robinson (16-2, 10 KO’s).
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xForbes v Santos On FOX Sunday Matinee``x1029262721,89649,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    David Tua and Michael Moorer are unusual men. Unlike most of us, they use their fists to earn a living. This sets them apart from the bulk of humankind. It gives us a reason to focus on their triumphs.

    Although both prizefighters are on the downside of their careers, fine careers they were, full of accomplishment, full of prizefights, full of knockdowns and knockouts. They may not have realized every ounce of their potential, but make no mistake about it: these men are winners, they are tough guys, the genuine article, from their head down to their toes. They may spend the sunrise dreaming of jousting draped in silk pajamas, but they still have this hunger to risk their lives trading punches inside the squared circle.

    Hosted by Atlantic City’s Trump Taj Mahal, David Tua vs. Michael Moorer on August 17 looks like boxing as it ought to be. Two hombres slipping but not over the hill see a heavyweight division bereft of towering talents. Lennox Lewis remains an obstacle by any standard, but he’s an obstacle considering retirement. Evander Holyfield remains a vital presence, even though he’s almost forty. The Klitchkos and Rahmans and McClines and Byrds don’t take dives for nobody. A few good men, and only these men, separate David Tua and Michael Moorer from the crown.

    The controversial deeds of professional pugilists seem embodied in the psyches of men like Michael Moorer. Watching Moorer in the ring is an anything goes proposition. One never knows which Michael Moorer will ever show. He usually masters his self-doubt to win most of his fistfights, but sometimes he’s a shadowy sleepwalker.

    Michael Moorer (43-2 34 KOs) was light-heavyweight champion from 1988-1993, before deciding it was time to stop dieting and time to move up in weight. On April 2, 1994, Michael Moorer met Evander Holyfield in the biggest fight of his life, a fight for the heavyweight championship of the world. Who could ever forget that evening? The Man from Georgia was having an off-night. Holyfield couldn’t punch. Evander could barely stand. (After the fight, he was diagnosed as having a noncompliant left something or other, Holy had a hole in his heart, an injury later healed by Jesus, with a little help from Benny Hinn, and confirmed by Ray Mercer and Riddick Bowe (1995), Mike Tyson (1996), and by Hasim Rahman just this past summer.)

    Michael Moorer was one lucky pugilist that singular, starry night. Not only was Holyfield out of it, but Moorer’s corner was graced by hall-of-fame trainer Teddy Atlas. Atlas was stunned by Moorer’s nonperformance in the ring against Evander Holyfield. Atlas begged and pleaded with Moorer to wake up and snap out of it. Teddy Atlas was magnificent. He was like a cornerman in a boxing movie. What a night it was! No one expected the prizefight to end the way it did. Who would have ever believed it? Teddy Atlas won the heavyweight title (with a little help from his fighter Michael Moorer).

    Michael Moorer’s next fight was on November 22, 1994 against a elderly gent staging a comeback named Big George Foreman. Fighting in his usual cautious manner, Moorer got careless or clumsy or overconfident - and Foreman’s booming right knocked Double-M down and out. Quite a moment in the career of Big George Foreman. An earth-shattering moment, it’s fair to say, in the life of Michael Moorer.


    David Tua (43-3 35 KOs) has been around the block a few times himself. Samoa’s number-one pugilist has fought John Ruiz (1996), Oleg Maskaev and Ike Ibeabuchi (1997), as well as Hasim Rahman (1998). More recently, and more significantly, the pug from Polynesia suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Lennox Lewis (2000). Like other warriors emboldened by traditional tribal customs, Tua eats lots of leather in his quest for the big kahuna.

    David Tua’s last outing, on April 13, 2002, catapulted him back into the heavyweight picture. After taking shot after shot to the temple and head for round after glorious round, Tuaman caught up-and-comer Fres Oquendo and turned the Puerto Rican into mincemeat. Tua sucked it up all night, alright, but David Tua is no glutton for punishment. Like Joe Frazier and Jerry Quarry and George Chuvalo and a Panzer Division, David Tua only fights moving forward. Punches bounce off Tua the way a ball bounces off a wall. Pain is the price Tuaman pays to get close enough for a knockout.

    Michael Moorer is psychology in action. He’s a tiny African American boy clinging to decades-old resentments while living inside a big, strong, black man’s body. David Tua, by contrast, is ethnology in action. He’s a real-live headhunter. And just because he’s not cooking missionaries in a pot doesn’t mean he’s not licking his chops at the thought of Michael Moorer. To psyche himself for battle, Moorer dresses in camouflage, locks himself in a dark room, and watches videos of Bruce Lee, Dirty Harry, and the Director’s Cut of COPS. David Tua builds a bonfire and summons ancestral Samoan spirits to help him grok an evening of damnation. Michael Moorer is one tough cookie. The same must be said of David Tua. We know one punch can take out Michael Moorer. Nothing allowed by the Marquis of Queensberry seems to bring down David Tua.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMatch Made In Heaven (Tua vs. Moorer)``x1029277729,88636,``x``x ``xCalzaghe leaves Ottke in peace
    Santos and Takaloo fight for WCup lead at 154 lbs

    by Kris Van de Velde

    Undefeated super middleweight Joe Calzaghe (#2, v1800) steps into the ring in Cardiff on Saturday for another defence of his WBO title. Calzaghe is lying second in the World Cup competition but misses a golden opportunity to overtake leader and rival belt holder Sven Ottke. Indeed, Calzaghe's opponent on Saturday, American Miguel Jimenez, is only ranked #49, which corresponds to 166 value points and the Welshman needs 340. It is even more sad when realizing that Ottke himself is facing an even lower-ranked challenger next. However, in any case the WCup will remain undecided in this weight division for the time being. There is a slightly different scenario concerning WCOB's total ranking. Here, Calzaghe can earn just enough points to overtake Ottke until the latter climbs in the ring next week.

    On the same show in Cardiff, Daniel Santos (#2, v1800) is making his first defence of the WBO super welterweight title against Briton Mehrdud Takaloobighashi (#31, v283). A potentially treacherous task as Takaloo is known to be a dangerous puncher. The winner of the fight will become the provisional World Cup leader at this weight. Former leader Santos only needs 5 points to regain his status at the expense of Andrei Pestriaev, and Santos is worth so much that Takaloo could immediately jump to the front if he causes an upset. Interestingly, after almost eight months of inactivity, Oscar De La Hoya will finally lose his number one slot in the total ranking as well.

    On Friday there is a good match-up between two well-ranked cruisers. Ravea Springs (#28, v306), coming off an upset win over Willie Guthrie, squares off against Kelvin Davis (#17, v430). Both feature high up in the current WCup standings. Davis is fourth, Springs seventh. Second place behind Jean-Marc Mormeck is a potential reward.


    The Trump Taj Mahal is the scene for what could be a dramatic showdown at heavyweight. Former World Cup leader David Tua (#6, v1000) will be trying to close down the gap to Lennox Lewis with a win over former "world champion" Michael Moorer (#17, v430). Tua put his career back on track earlier on this year with a shocking knockout victory over high-ranked Fres Oquendo and could secure another megafight if he overcomes the 34-year-old Moorer, whose present shape is a question mark. After years of inactivity
    and problems outside the ring, Moorer launched a comeback in January. For him the Tua fight is definitely a make or break situation.

    On the undercard, unbeaten former Olympian Jermain Taylor (#58, v120 at 160 lbs) meets Sam Hill (#19, v410 at 168 lbs). A good chance for both to improve their respective rankings.

    Over in Berlin, Germany, Michel Trabant (#11, v490) is set to make the first defence of his European welterweight crown against Joszef Matocsi (#99, v11). Trabant did not look impressive when winning the title against Dane Christian Bladt and needs to show that he is worthy to be put against a world class opponent. In Wcup terms, little will change as Matocsi is pretty much down in the ranking.

    Light heavyweight Thomas Ullrich (#21, v360) continues on the road back after his defeat against Glencoffe Johnson with a tough task versus Rodney Moore.

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/ ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Preview ``x1029513586,62624,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Saturday, Aug. 17, 02
    Multnomah Greyhound Park,
    944 NE 223rd, Wood Village, OR.
    Promoter: Oregon Trails Promotions
    Matchmaker: Bob Oleson


    In a main event scheduled for ten rounds, John Egge, of Gresham, Oregon. Egge stopped Robert Ryan of Spokane, WA cold in the first round.

    On the undercard:

    Junior middleweight Jeff Horan of Seattle won a six round decision over Chris Huntwork, of Portland.
    At Super Middleweight, Louis Lopez of Othello, WA TKO’d Dominic Rivera of Portland in the third round of a scheduled six.
    Welterweight Reggie Lowe of Tacoma drew over four rounds with John Rodriguez of Boise, Idaho.

    Also welterweights, Frank Bybee of Plumber, Idaho won a four round decision over Tony Jimenez of Boise.

    ---30---
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xDog Track Matinee Results``x1029697618,75243,``x``x ``x The Tuaman kayoes Moorer in 30 seconds
    Santos climbs off canvas to regain World Cup lead at 154 lbs
    Puerto Rican heads total ranking, as does Joe Calzaghe at 168 lbs

    by Kris Van de Velde

    British super middleweight hero Joe Calzaghe (#2, v1800) made another easy defence of his WBO title, winning every round against Miguel Jimenez (#49, v166) in Cardiff. Calzaghe suffered a hand injury during the bout. Since Jimenez was not exactly the highest-ranked contender, Calzaghe remains second in the World Cup behind rival champ Sven Ottke. However, in WCOB's total ranking, he overtakes the German with a small margin.

    A second WBO title fight at super welter saw defending champion Daniel Santos (#2, v1800) regain the World Cup leadership with a decision win over Briton Takaloo (#31, v283). Santos only needed five single points to better Andrei Pestriaev's leading mark and thus now has some breathing space. In addition, he is the first to get ahead of the inactive Oscar De La Hoya in the total ranking. Well-deserved for Santos as he is at least entering the ring and against decent opposition as well. It wasn't a straightforward win, though. Santos namely had to climb off the floor in round four.

    Meanwhile, Joan Guzman (#23, v346) picked up the vacant WBO super
    bantamweight title with an impressive third-round stoppage over Argentina's Fabio Oliva (#18, v420). Guzman produced a fierce body attack to secure victory. The Domenican is therefore set to move up from 13th to about 4th place in the WCup standings at this weight.

    Samoan heavyweight puncher and former World Cup leader David Tua (#6,
    v1000) is still a force to be reckoned with after scoring his second big win this year. On Saturday, Tua blew away former world champion Michael Moorer (#17, v430) in 30 seconds with a three-punch-combo in Atlantic City.

    Tua therefore strenghtens his second place in the WCup and is now only 270 points short of Lennox Lewis. The Cup is not in the bag yet for the "undisputed" champion! It could be sweet revenge for the Tuaman, who was soundly outpointed by Lewis last year.

    Rising-star Jermain Taylor (#58, v120 at 160 lbs) withstood his first
    genuine test as a pro. Taylor dominated the entire bout against well-ranked Sam Hill (#19, v410 at 168 lbs) and increases his value considerably. The American and former Olympian is a welcome addition to the 160/168 lbs divisions.

    German undefeated welterweight Michel Trabant (#11, v490) had to cope with two nasty cuts above both eyes in his first European title defence against little known Hungarian Joszef Matolcsi (#99, v11). Moreover, Matolcsi was game until Trabant unleashed some well-placed liver shots that hurt the challenger in rounds 5 and 6. He tried faking low blows, but the referee wasn't to be fooled and stopped the contest. 24-year-old Trabant is well-placed in the World Cup owing to his victory over Christian Bladt earlier this year, but Matolcsi was too low-ranked to gain places in the current ranking.

    On the same show, former cruiserweight champion and now campaigning as a heavyweight Juan Carlos Gomez had no trouble in a five-pointer against Brazilian Daniel Frank, stopping him in two rounds. It will be interesting to see when Gomez is pitched against a credible heavyweight opponent.

    On Friday, Ravea Springs (#28, v306) moved up to second place in the 2002 World Cup series at cruiserweight with a fine ten-round win over previously unbeaten Kelvin Davis (#17, v430). The latter hit Springs badly in rounds three and ten but Springs controlled the fight throughout. Frenchman Jean-Marc Mormeck leads the series at this weight.

    American super featherweight Steve Forbes scored 430 points in Temecula, California, with a hard-fought split decision win over #17 David Santos, but ironically lost his IBF belt nonetheless. Forbes weighed in over the limit and the title has been declared vacant. Two judges had it 117-111 for Forbes, whereas the third saw Santos in front with 115-113. In any case, Forbes will enter the WCup standings in about sixth place and could even move up to third place in the total ranking.

    James Toney (#7, v900) secured a showdown with IBF cruiserweight titlist Vassily Jirov after knocking out Jason Robinson (#31, v283) in seven rounds. Toney had his man on the floor in the fifth already, but Robinson survived two rounds more until a left hook flattened him. Toney has been scoring quite well this year and the extra 283 points may put him in third place in the current WCup series.

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/ ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWeekend Round-up: Tua KO 1 Moorer``x1029770883,65017,``x``x ``xBy Chris Bushnell

    Exactly one year ago this weekend, boxing fans shut the book on David
    Tua's career as a serious heavyweight contender. An embarrassing loss
    to Chris Byrd, the result of lousy conditioning, was the third strike.
    Having already walked through his shot at Lennox Lewis (strike one) and having barely escaped with a victory against Danell Nicholson (strike two), the iron-chinned left hooker looked finished. Flash forward 365
    days and Tua is once again making serious waves in the heavyweight
    division. His blink-of-an-eye demolition of aging Michael Moorer may
    not
    be a victory to boast about, but in today's heavyweight division, a win
    is a win and a concussive knockout is a first class ticket to a title
    shot.
    Michael Moorer's southpaw stance might have given David Tua trouble had
    the two-time heavyweight champion of the world not squared up on his
    opponent only seconds into their fight. As the men met at center ring,
    Tua threw a right to the body, and Moorer moved his right leg back to
    absorb the blow. Putting his hand on Tua's ducked head, Moorer guided
    the charging bull into the ropes as he landed two more rib-cracking
    body
    shots. Referee Rudy Battle was about to step in and call for a break
    when Moorer voluntarily spun off the ropes, catching part of a Tua left
    hook in the process.
    Tua was on top of Moorer, following him straight back into his own
    corner. Moorer stopped when his back hit the ropes. Again, he meekly
    tried to tie up Tua by placing his left hand over Tua's draped neck.
    With his rear semi-resting on the middle rope, Moorer had to lazily
    lean
    forward to attempt the semi-clinch. He leaned right into a wild Tua
    roundhouse right. Fight over.
    Tua's mammoth fist busted Moorer right on the mouth, and his legs
    melted
    underneath him. As he started slowly slumping in place, Tua clipped the
    top of his head with a follow-up hook and second right hand. Neither
    blow was flush, but each snapped Moorer's limp head to sideways. As Tua
    turned to retreat to a neutral corner, Moorer's unconscious body fell
    back over the bottom rope. Moorer's eyes were open, but were completely
    blank. For a few seconds, his upper torso hovered in air. He was
    motionless. Rudy Battle didn't even pretend to begin counting. Tua by
    KO
    in 30 seconds.
    Before we all hop on the Tua bandwagon, let's remember a couple of key
    facts:
    First: Michael Moorer was not a suitable challenge. The former champion
    was coming off a two year drinking binge, er, layoff. In his six return
    fights, Moorer had failed to look impressive against
    bottom-of-the-barrel competition. And let's not forget that Moorer, a
    natural light-heavyweight, had never faced anyone with the size or
    power
    of Tua.
    Second: As good as Tua looked, this fight lasted only 30 seconds. After
    his fight with Chris Byrd, we wrote: "The new, slim Tua looked a lot
    like the old, slim Tua... for about 30 seconds. In the opening moments
    of the first round, Tua effectively cut off the ring against the
    circling Byrd and caught the southpaw in a corner. Stepping in close
    enough to punch, Tua quickly unleashed a left and a right to the body
    and followed with a solid left hook that caught Byrd as he spun out to
    center ring."
    Does that sound familiar? After his 30 seconds of glory against Byrd,
    Tua went on to do a whole lot of nothing for 12 rounds. Tua's weight
    for
    the Byrd fight: 233. Tua's weight for the Moorer fight: 243. If Moorer
    could have somehow lasted a round or two, it may have been a whole
    different fight. Which is not to take anything away from Tua's
    impressive knockout... but it is to say that the jury is still out on
    this late-career "comeback."
    And even though Tua may not be fully revived in our book, we'd still
    pick him to repeat his 19-second kayo of John Ruiz. And that alone
    makes
    him a legitimate challenger... for at least one of the titles.
    .....Chris Bushnell http://www.boxingchronicle.com


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xTua Back in the Mix with 1-round Kayo``x1029782522,98067,``x``x ``xChauncy –Splat Down or Splash Down?

    by Legs McGurk

    Did he jump? Or was he pushed? That was the mystery swirling around the arena at the Lucky Eagle Casino in Rochester, WA on Saturday, July 13. The question mark was over Chauncy Welliver’s second and final trip to the deck at the end of the third round in his 8 round North West Boxing Association heavyweight title bout against Felipe Bojorquez.

    At 3;31:49 am of July 14, 02, just hours after winning the "title" by DQ while flat on his back and apparently sleeping, Chauncy Welliver posted the following message on the CBZ message board:

    "Hello this is Chauncy Welliver and tonight I won a fight vs Felipe Bojorquez on my back. That’s not the way you want to win a title.
    I was knocked down by the hard punching Bojorquez in the first but recouped to win the 2nd and 3rd and at the end of the third I was walking away and the next thing I know I’m talking to the doctor. He threw 2 deliberate shots after the bell when I had my back turned about 3 seconds after the bell. I’m not sure if he deserves a rematch after 2 blatant fouls like that. One thing is that he was ready to go and the game was to take him late. But I’ll be back. I’m 19 and I have a belt and I don’t feel right about having it."

    I saw this fight live and now, having watched the videotape and confirmed my impressions, I still don’t know whether Chauncy was faking or genuinely unconscious. But I am ready to say that Chauncy’s version is NOT what happened. Bojorquez did not hit Chauncy when his back was turned. Bojorquez threw that last right hand while the sound of the bell was still in the air, just as referee Paul Field was stepping between the two boxers. Chauncy was facing Bojorquez and took a single right hand to the jaw. Chauncy paused for a split second, seeming to look at the ref, and then crumpled backward, falling flat on his back with his arms flung above his head.

    There he stayed. For a long time. He lay still all the while the ref walked Bojorquez back to a neutral corner, and while his own corerman came in and watched Bojorquez get yelled at. Chauncy still didn’t move while the crowd chanted "Bullshit! Bullshit!" Not because of the foul—and it was a foul—of hitting after the bell, but because the crowd believed Chauncy was faking. It didn’t look like much of a punch. And there was that moment of hesitation before Chauncy fell. Still, there is such a thing as a delayed reaction.

    But the crowd had turned against Chauncy. Even after he had finally been lifted up to his stool by the doctor and his cornermen, the crowd didn’t buy it. They booed the announcement of Chauncy’s win by disqualification. They cheered Bojorquez. They cheered the announcement of a possible re-match. But when Chauncy took the microphone and tried to address them, they booed uproariously, not allowing him to speak. It was quite a turn around for these fans.

    Despite his floppy, grandmotherly torso, the 19 year-old Chauncy Welliver (262 lbs) of Spokane had a following among the jam-packed crowd in the Lucky Eagle’s new boxing/bingo hall. He’s a confident Southpaw showman, and his now 12-1 record included enough fancy dancing, and pitty-pat storms to entertain. So the crowd was on Chauncy’s side when he stepped in with the taller, older and slightly less pudgy Felipe Bojorquez (259 lbs) 10-1, 10 knockouts going in, of California.

    When Chauncy was floored by a major left hand in the first round, the crowd was shocked. When Chauncy got up dazed and and went to the ropes, delivering a shoe-shine flurry beneath Bojorquez’ blasts, the crowd was impressed with his rally. Bojorquez lost his mouthpiece in the last minute of the round and the fans took this as a good sign for Chauncy.

    But then in the second round, the chipper Chauncy had Bojorquez on the ropes and seemed to be scraping the wrist tape of his gloves across Bojorquez’ face. This caused the scholars near me to gasp out, "Lacing! My god, he’s lacing him!" They were surprised at the revival of this classic technique by one so young. But seconds later, still inside, Chauncy ducked his head and jerked it up in a massive head-butt to Bojorquez’ face. The move was so clearly visible and so blatantly deliberate that the entire room burst out in boos. The ref hauled Chauncy into mid-ring for a severe scolding and the round continued.

    But this obvious foul made the crowd suspect that the local favorite had gone over to the dark side—that he was prepared to do anything to win. And things were not looking all that good for Chauncy. His tootsies certainly twinkle but they are seldom planted. His punches are fairly quick, and occasionally numerous, but seem to lack the impact suitable for his size. He is an arm puncher. He was breathing through his mouth from the opening round. Bojorquez, on the other hand, had plodding but solid feet, a stalking shot-picking strategy, and a substantial thwock in each hand. He landed his right whenever he threw it, and that was often. Though Bojorquez was tiring, he was not visibly moved by anything Chauncy delivered.

    That was the situation at the end of the third when Chauncy went down. Bojorquez’ last punch was a foul, but it was a heat of the moment item, and most likely not deliberate. I, along with much of the crowd, was convinced that Chauncy was faking to force the DQ. As the fans drifted out to the parking lot or settled in for drinks or dinner, the talk went on. "An Oscar-worthy performance" was a common phrase. And the kid had laid the groundwork for us all to doubt him with that head butt in the second round.

    Now, watching the tape, I think maybe Chauncy did get cold-cocked. Maybe. But it wasn’t a sneak attack from behind and there were not two punches involved. It was face to face, just that one ballistic right hand to the left side of Chauncy’s jaw. Washington gave Chauncy a 90 day suspension to recover from the KO. We’ve all read and heard of amnesia immediately surrounding a head injury. Maybe somebody told Chauncy this weird tale of an attack from behind, and he believed them. Maybe he dreamed it that way in the fog of waking up. But for the sake of Bojorquez’ reputation I figure the record needs to be set straight on this one.

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xChauncy Welliver --- What Really Happened``x1029880742,46721,``x``x ``x3 agosto 2002 - Phoenix, Arizona, USA
    Acelino Freitas W12 Daniel Attah - WBO super feather
    Laudelino Barros (Brasil) TKO1 Dennis Matthews
    Archak Ter-Meliksetian (Brasil) KO1 Jaime Barahona
    Valdemir Pereira (Brasil) TKO 4 Roberto Enriquez
    Juliano Ramos peleó también ???

    17 ago 2002
    Berlin, Germany
    Juan Carlos Gomes TKO2 Daniel Frank - heavy
    Zsolt Erdei W8 José Roberto Coelho

    17 de agosto de 2002
    Colégio Castelinho, em São Paulo, Sao Paulo.

    Nelson Lemes KO2 Humberto Conceição (welter) (4 rounds)
    Jair da Silva D4 Josemar Santos (welter) (4)
    Gilberto Melo W4 Eduardo França (pesado/heavy) (4)
    Fábio Maldonado KO2 Jonatas dos Santos (pesado/heavy) (4)
    Anderson Clayton KO2 João Pereira (welter) (6)

    Amigos / friends:
    Rogério Lobo - pesado/heavy - KO by 4º - Owen Beck, Cassino Mandalay Bay
    (La Vegas). En que fecha ??? In which date ???
    Manoel da Cruz, 35 years old - Super light - abandonou el boxeo / colgó los
    guantes.

    Luís Augusto Fernandes dos Santos - welter - peleó 5 (1-4) en USA / fought 5 times (1-4) in USA. Against who? / Con quien ?

    José Luiz "Snoopy" Rodrigues, jr middle, peleó dos veces en los EUA (Las Vegas) / fought two times en Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Against who? Con quien?

    Reinaldo Carrera (reinaldocarrera@aol.com) maneja los boxeadores / is the manager of Daniel Bispo (cruiser/cruzero 10-0) and Reginaldo Martins (fly /mosca).

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xResults From Brazil``x1029930609,88992,``x``x ``xCES & NESN PRESENTS THURSDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
    Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports & NESN presents two special boxing events over the next two weeks. Tonight, Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 7:00 PM NESN will present the "Mohegan Sun Fight Night." Televised bouts will include world rated contender Dana Rosenblatt vs. Juan Carlos Viloria, Narragansett's Jaime Clampitt vs. Connie Becthel, Mike Culbert vs. Manny Teo and an EBA cruiserweight title fight between Rich LaMontagne and Art Jimmerson. The bouts were held in Boston, MA on June 28th and presented by CES, Mohegan Sun and Miller Lite.

    Next Thursday, August 29, 2002, Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. & NESN presents "Foxwoods Fight Night." Televised bouts will include Tim Flamos vs. Chris Brown, Joe Spina vs. Antonio Baker II, and two EBA title fights featuring Peter Manfredo, Jr. vs. Charles Clark and Gary Balletto vs. Aldrich Johnson. The fights will again start at 7:00 PM on NESN. These bouts were taped on July 27th at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston and presented by CES, Foxwoods and Budweiser.

    TV SCHEDULE

    Thursday, August 22
    7:00 PM
    NESN
    CES & Mohegan Sun Boxing
    Dana Rosenblatt vs. Juan Carlos Viloria, 10 Rounds Super Middleweights
    Rich LaMontagne vs. Art Jimmerson, 10 Rounds EBA Cruiserweight Title
    Jaime Clampitt vs. Connie Betchel, 6 Rounds Super Lightweights
    Mike Culbert vs. Manuel Teo, 6 Rounds Super Middleweights

    Thursday, August 29
    7:00 PM
    NESN
    CES & Foxwoods Boxing
    Gary Balletto vs. Aldrich Johnson, 10 Rounds EBA Lightweight Title
    Peter Manfredo, Jr. vs. Charles Clark, 10 Rounds EBA Super Welterweight Title
    Joe Spina vs. Antonio Baker II, 4 Rounds Light Heavyweights
    Tim Flamos vs. Chris Brown, 6 Rounds Cruiserweights
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - CES & NESN Join Forces``x1030016716,69779,``x``x ``xBENEFIT, FOX SPORTS NET AND TELEMUNDO CARDS
    IN NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA, LAS VEGAS AND OKLAHOMA
    AUGUST 31 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29

    FEATURING MASKAEV, CAMACHO JR., LEVIN,
    THOMPSON, JEFFERSON, SHUFFORD, WILLIAMS


    Cedric Kushner Promotions will present five cards in 30 days during August and September it was announced today.
    The cards, which will be televised by Fox Sports Net, Telemundo and the Cedric Kushner Sports Network, will be held on Aug. 31, Sept. 6, Sept. 8, Sept. 21 and Sept. 29.

    The card Aug. 31 is in Bridgehampton, N.Y., and features heavyweight Oleg Maskaev against former International Boxing Federation cruiserweight champion Al Cole.

    The card Sept. 6 is in Compton, Calif., and features world-ranked super lightweight Hector Camacho Jr. against Arturo Urena.
    The card Sept. 8 is in Lawton, Okla., and features heavyweight Attila Levin against Ross Puritty.
    The card Sept. 21 is in Las Vegas and features heavyweight Derrick Jefferson against Fernely Feliz.
    The card Sept. 29 is in Lemoore, Calif., and features heavyweight Jeremy Williams against Gilberto Martinez.

    The cards Sept. 8 in Lawton and Sept. 29 in Lemoore are televised by Fox Sports Net, the card Sept. 6 in Compton is televised by Telemundo and the card Aug. 31 in Bridgeport is televised by the Cedric Kushner Sports Network.

    The card Aug. 31, dubbed "Summer Punch," is a benefit to assist five organizations in the New York City and Long Island areas.
    Three of the cards are at casinos. The card Sept. 6 is at the Crystal Park Casino in Compton, the card Sept. 21 is at the Stratosphere Hotel Casino & Tower in Las Vegas and the card Sept. 29 is at the Palace Indian Gaming Center in Lemoore. The card Sept. 8 is in the Great Plains Coliseum and hosted by the Fort Sill Apache Casino.

    Also on the Fox Sports Net card Sept. 8 in Lawton will be undefeated welterweight sensation Anthony Thompson. And on the card Sept. 21 in Las Vegas is heavyweight Charles Shufford.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - KUSHNER TO PRESENT 5 CARDS IN 30 DAYS ``x1030016828,5442,``x``x ``xLegendary boxing writer/historian Bert Sugar to serve as event emcee

    CANASTOTA, NY – AUGUST 23, 2002 – The International Boxing Hal of Fame, Canastota, New York, announced today former heavyweight champ Ken Norton, junior welterweight star "Irish" Micky Ward, female champ Christy Martin, and former welterweight champs Tony DeMarco and Marlon Starling will be guests at a "Night of Champions" fund-raiser at PHILLIPS Old Colony House on Thursday, September 19, 2002. Bert Sugar, one of boxing's foremost writers and historians, will emcee the evening's festivities.

    "The Hall of Fame is very excited about hosting a 'Night of Champions' in Boston for the first time. Boston is a great fight city with great fans so this promises to be an unforgettable night for everyone," said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. "The Hall of Fame's mission is to preserve boxing's history and fund-raisers such as this will allow us to continue doing just that."

    The evening will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and consist of a cash bar, buffet, silent auction, autograph and photograph opportunities and a program featuring speeches by the celebrity guests.

    A key player in the heavyweight division during the 1970s, Norton was the WBC heavyweight champion in 1978. He engaged in a classic three-fight series with Muhammad Ali. Also during his career Norton scored wins over Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Young among others. In 1992 Norton was elected into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

    Fighting out of Lowell, MA, Ward scored a 10-round victory over Arturo Gatti on May 18, 2002 in an amazing battle that is the leading contender for "Fight of the Year" honors. One of today's most exciting fighters, Ward has also defeated Shea Neary, Reggie Green and his victory over Emanuel Burton was one of the highlight battles of 2001.

    Known as "The Coal Miner’s Daughter" Martin's aggressive ring style has made her a fan favorite and one of the most popular boxers in the world. A Sports Illustrated cover subject in 1996, Martin turned pro in 1989 and has compiled a 44-2-2 (31KOs) as a professional. She is trained and managed by her husband, Jim.

    In 1955 Boston's Tony DeMarco defeated Johnny Saxton via 14th round TKO for the welterweight title. Also that year DeMarco engaged in two classic wars with Carmen Basilio, with their second battle named "Fight of the Year."

    DeMarco's record reads 58-12-1 (33KOs) and includes wins over Paddy DeMarco, Kid Gavilan, Chico Vejar, and Gaspar Ortega among others.

    Known as the "Magic Man," Starling posted an impressive 97-13 amateur record before making his pro debut in 1979. As a pro he captured both the WBC and WBA welterweight championships in the late1980s. Fighting out of Hartford, CT, his pro record reads 45-6-1 (27KOs) and includes wins over Mark Breland, Lloyd Honeyghan and Simon Brown.

    Known for his trademark hat and cigar, Bert Sugar has been editor of The Ring, Boxing Illustrated and Fight Game magazines. The author of over 50 books, Sugar has also appeared in several motion pictures and television programs, including Play it to the Bone, Night and the City, The Great White Hype, and HBO’s Arliss.

    Tickets are $75 per person or $750 per table and can be purchased by calling event chairperson Mike Vellano at 508-580-2445, Tom Clasby at 617-471-8244, Mark Carey at 617-471-3010 or the Boxing Hall of Fame at 315-697-7095. Only a limited number of tickets will be available. All proceeds will benefit the Boxing Hall of Fame.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xInternational Boxing Hall of Fame about its Sept. 19 fundraiser in Boston``x1030219608,46247,``x``x ``xChicago, Illinios - At the 2002 Women’s National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions, Iowa City’s Katy Klinefelter won the 119 pound junior division (13-14 year olds) to become Iowa’s first female national boxing champion. Katy won a decision over Texas’ Stephanie Martinez in the final Saturday night after defeating California’s Kaliesha West in the semifinal via a walkover.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xIowa has a National Champion``x1030459719,83069,``x``x ``xWell, as you guys may know, Uncle Bert is one of our good friends and you will be seeing more of him on this site in the weeks to come.

    Here is a little taste --

    http://www.softycentral.com/snds2002funstuf.htm``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe Bert Sugar Archives``x1030482357,37138,``x``x ``xA message from Bill Meartz, coach of the West Portland Boxing Club in Oregon.

    > Hi Friends! - We are home and with us we brought
    >the "2002 Women's National Golden Gloves 139 pound Champion".
    > > Last night, August 24th, Molly McConnell boxed the #1 ranked girl in the country (Angel Bovee, from New York) and
    won a unanimous decision. This is the first time
    since 1983 that someone from Oregon has won the National Golden Gloves.

    The 2002 Women's National Golden Gloves took place at the Ramada Plaza O'Hare in Chicago. Molly drew a bye in the first round (quarter finals). In the semis she
    boxed Lily Avetyan, California and stopped her in the
    third round; to move into the finals on Saturday the 24th of August. Molly boxed the #1 ranked 139 pounds (Jr Welterweight) in the country from New York, Angel Bovee. Molly was overwhelmed with joy and shed more tears in
    triumph than she does in defeat. She lost a 15-15 tie-breaker at the US Championships in Scranton, PA in early August to Jill Emery of New York who was a two time National Champion at 156 and 147. How ever Jill Emery was eliminated in the next round by Angel Bovee. Angel Bovee has beat Jill Emery
    the last two times they boxed, which kind of tells you what a fluke Mollie’s loss to Jill was. Molly and I both wanted to box Jill only because we were both very confident of a victory.

    We will all be home tomorrow, Monday the
    26th, but will depart for Kansas City, MO on Tuesday for the "Ringside Labor Day Tournament", which is the largest boxing event in the world, drawing boxers from other countries besides North America. We will have Sammy "The Man" Perez, now ranked #2 in the US at 11 years old open, Junior (Tenacious) Martinez, 12 open, Aaron "Offense" Turner ranked #5 at 14 years old open.
    Two of our boxers will be making their first appearance at a National Tournament, Scott Harrie, 14 132 lbs and Ken Christian 15 112lbs and of course Molly McConnell at 139 lb Women's Open.

    I do believe Molly will attend the National PAL in Augusta, Georgia at the end of September. I will be going to Istanbul, Turkey to Coach the US Women's Team at the World Championships and Molly will not be going to that, but I am sure she will be doing some International events for USA Boxing this year.

    Women's boxing has improved ten fold since its inception in 1993. In the early days the girls looked awful with swinging arms and non-stop action. Now you see some very good boxers and many of them still in the Junior division.
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xMolly McConnell at Women’s National Golden Gloves``x1030490778,73448,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    CHICAGO, IL – Though he enjoys a variety of topics of conversation, nice-guy, “Ice” John Scully of Hartford most likes to discuss his desire to get back in the ring with an old-amateur nemesis, Joey DeGrandis, formerly of South Boston. The two faced each other in the 1988 New England Golden Gloves 156-pound final in Lowell, MA. After Scully had controlled the tempo of the first round, DeGrandis let loose with a right hand after the bell sounded. DeGrandis was disqualified after muttering something to the referee and/or Scully. Within seconds, the ring filled up like an Irish pub and a melee ensued for several minutes. Scully was held in the basement of the auditorium for two hours before being escorted to his car by the police. The altercation attracted national attention appearing in USA Today news the following day as well as local network television .

    “I was 18 at the time,” remembers DeGrandis. “The guy had much more experience than I had. I was 4-0 and he was going to the Olympic Trials that year. Something was said after the first round. He knew how to get to an inexperienced kid like me at the time and I did the wrong thing. One of my brothers ran into the ring and all hell broke loose.”

    To this day, people still recall the story and frequently ask Scully if he and DeGrandis will fight again. Though Scully wishes for the fight to happen and has even gone so far as sending e-mails to DeGrandis’ former promoter Bobby Hitz, DeGrandis is more concerned with the current fight, one that he is fortunately winning.

    For over a year now, DeGrandis has been winning his battle with drugs an alcohol, a war that nearly ruined him, following his 12-round decision loss to then IBF super-middleweight champion, Charles Brewer in December of 1997.

    “After I fought Brewer, I had to have surgery to remove bone chips form my elbow,” DeGrandis told the CBZ. “When you have surgery, you’re usually prescribed pain killers. I was given OxyContin, a very addictive drug to help ease the pain. The surgery didn’t go too well. My elbow ended up getting infected not once, but twice and that increased my prescriptions. What happened next was what nearly destroyed me.”

    DeGrandis fell victim to addiction and drugs and alcohol took over his life like a full-time job.

    “Nothing else mattered to me,” said DeGrandis. “My best days were when I would take a day off of drinking but taking pain killers and then vice versa. Addiction is a disease and it was severe enough to the point where I hated who I was looking at in the mirror every day. I hated who I became. Then one day my sister, Kathy grabbed me by the hand and checked me into a detox around Boston.”

    But it was another familiar face that not only helped DeGrandis find an opening to life but true love.

    “My dad had a good friend in the fire department named Lt. William Osterguy, who heads the employee services. He got me to move to Chicago where there is a halfway house called the Guildhaus. That’s what helped me get back on my feet.

    His two feet was what led him to dentist to purchase a new mouthpiece. Low and behold, DeGrandis found more than something that would protect his teeth that day.

    “I met a girl named Lee O’Connor and she’s the girl of my dreams,” says DeGrandis. “She got me to go running and she helped me find myself. She likes me for the fact that I’m helping myself and going to AA meetings to try and help other people. We go for runs and just last year we ran the Chicago Marathon.”

    Soon the desire to fight came back to DeGrandis and he notched 6 straight wins over non-descript opposition until being overmatched against WBO light heavyweight champion Dariusz Michalzewski in his home country of Poland on April 20th of this year. Michalzewski stopped DeGrandis in the 2nd round.

    “Going to Europe was an experience,” said DeGrandis. “I can honestly say that though he hit me with a good punch, I wasn’t hurt. It knocked me into the ropes and I tripped over my feet and the fight was over.”

    Friday night at the Roseland Ballroom in Taunton, DeGrandis returns to his home state when he faces tough-guy Danny Sheehan in a 10-rounder, headlining a 6-bout Rich Cappiello promoted show. It will be the first time in just over 5 years that DeGrandis has fought in Massachusetts.

    “DeGrandis has a good following here,” said Cappiello. “I’d like to get him some fights and then match him and Scully together. That’s the grudge match that everyone around here wants to see.”

    As you might have expected someone else is happy to see Joey return to New England.

    “I am going to a wedding in Easton, PA on Saturday,” said Scully. “But I am still going to make the trip to Joey D's fight to make it known to all involved that desire to fight on my part is real. I just feel that we should fight. I have had a lot of trouble getting fights in the last year after I beat Cleveland Nelson in Toronto and this is a fight that makes sense and is do-able. It is the only fight that fans in this area would really want to see either of us in.”

    But DeGrandis isn’t so keen over the idea.

    “Hey, I’ve proven that I’ll fight anyone on any given day if the money is right,” said DeGrandis. “I’m one of the toughest guys around but I’m in this game to make money, not satisfy this guy’s 14-year obsession. Boxing isn’t everything to me. This is a business and he should be thinking the same way. I hear Scully is a nice guy from what I’ve heard but the only way I’ll fight him is if I’m paid $25,000. If I’m not going to be paid that much then (Scully) is wasting his time. Right now I’m only concerned about Danny Sheehan and from what I’ve heard about him he’s also a tough guy, but he better bring a machine gun with him because he’s going to find out very quickly how tough I am.

    Whether or not DeGrandis faces Scully in the professional ranks, he will not be moving back to Southie or somewhere in Massachusetts even.

    “I’m happy to be fighting in New England again,” said DeGrandis. “I’ll always appreciate New England but the life I’ve found and my love is in Chicago.”

    Also featured on Friday’s card are some of the exciting prospects. Fast-rising middleweight, “Sir” William “The Gladiator” Gibbs (8-0/7KO’s) will face Muhammed Nuhu (4-9/1 KO of Accra, Ghana in a 6-rounder and Aaron “2-Guns” Torres (9-1/5 KO’s) now fighting out of Brockton, will meet Darren Miller (3-2) of Nassau, The Bahamas. Also slated to appear are Ian “The Truth” Gardner (4-1) of Brockton against Kenny “The Jake” Stubbs (10-7) also of Tha Bahamas, Worcester’s John “The House of Rain” Rainwater (8-9/ 3 KO’s) against Willie Kemp (14-27/ 8 KO’s) of Troy NY and Houston Craton of Brockton and Derek Ennis of Philadelphia debut against each other.

    The bouts will be videotaped and broadcast on Fox SportNet New England on Sunday, September 8th at 3:30. Doors will open at 6:00 and the first bout is scheduled to kick off at 7:30. For ticket information call 508-587-5554 or 508-587-3370.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDeGrandis Gets Back``x1030587112,33718,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    Birthday greetings to the world’s most famous living trainer! On Friday, August 30, 2002, the brilliant yet benign Angelo Dundee turns 81 years young. His half-century in the fight game have been exemplary and should serve as an example to us all. Light on his feet, sharp as a tack, Angelo Dundee is the sort of man who counters boxing’s sordid reputation.

    Angelo Dundee is one of the few trainers of genius to have never boxed amateur or pro. Even though Angie made it a habit to avoid getting socked in the face, Dundee still came up the hard way. He began as a bucket boy at Stillman’s Gym, the fabled University of Eighth Avenue, in the tempestuous 1940s. It was during the war years, in that stinky, smelly, sacred environment, that Angelo Dundee, as he put it, "learned from the cream of the creme."

    The octogenarian trainer was always more headshrinker than he ever was conditioning coach. Angelo Dundee was the preeminent master at discerning an opponent’s frailties and inspiring his fighter to exploit them. Such boxing luminaries as Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Carmen Basilio, Willie Pastrano, Luis Rodriguez and Sugar Ramos found famed and fortune under the tutelage of Angelo Dundee.

    From 1950 to 1994, the Fifth Street Gym in Miami Beach was Angelo Dundee’s Harvard. Run in tandem with his brother Chris, the Fifth Street Gym was a Mecca where the devout could come and worship. The rediscovery of Miami Beach in the 1990s as a playground by the young and restless KOed the gym at Fifth and Washington Avenue. In its place now stands an art deco office building of absolutely no significance.

    In addition to being steward of fifteen world champions, in addition to remaining delightfully accessible, down-to-earth and unpretentious, Angelo Dundee also possesses a heavyweight, world-caliber wit. Some of Angelo’s best bons mots have a hallowed place in the boxing quote hall-of-fame.

    "Philadelphia is not a town. It’s a jungle. They don’t have gyms there. They have zoos. They don’t have sparring sessions. They have wars."

    "I got so bored (in Zaire), I was teaching the lizards to do push-ups."

    "Muhammad Ali is Muhammad Ali, and compared to him all other men are earthlings."

    "I’m only as good as the guy on the stool."

    "This kid (Sugar Ray Leonard) could feint you out of your jockstrap."

    "When you’re working with a fighter, you’re a surgeon, an engineer and a psychologist."

    "George (Foreman) has three speeds - slow, stop, and wait a minute."

    "Those two guys have been around. They’re as old as water." (describing Roberto Duran’s cornermen, 74-year old Freddie Brown and 81-year old Ray Arcel)

    "When I see things through my eyes, I see things."

    "Hey, Muhammad, remember that redhead who was after me in Miami? The old broad had more chins than a Chinatown phonebook."

    "Whenever a guy comes to me and talks about his wife or girlfriend, I say, ‘Look, do me a favor, go hit the light bag.’"

    In a game not always known for its open-mindedness and generosity of spirit, Angelo Dundee is the exception that proves the rule. Full-fledged good guy, guardian angel and star trainer all at once, Angelo Dundee justifies using the word sweet in the phrase sweet science of bruising.

    Happy 81st, Angie! We’re in your corner all the way.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAngelo Dundee, 81 - Happy Birthday!``x1030641300,42446,``x``x ``xDeGrandis Wins Happy Homecoming
    By JD Vena

    TAUNTON, MA – “He’s tough as nails,” said Joey DeGrandis following his 10-round decision victory over durable Danny Sheehan. “But that is what I expected.” But what happened last night exceeded expectations when DeGrandis, 179, formerly of South Boston who now lives in Crestwood, IL on the outskirts of Chicago, battled 10-hard rounds with Sheehan of Brockton. DeGrandis who had been fighting in his home state for the first time in five years won a unanimous decision over Sheehan but it came at a tough price. Though all three judges had it in DeGrandis’ favor by tallies of 97-92, 98-92 and 99-90, this was no walk in the park.

    “Look at my hands,” DeGrandis said in his dressing room following the win. “You can barely see my knuckeles.”

    DeGrandis’ knuckles, though surrounded by 10 ounce padding during the fight found Sheehan’s head and body throughout the fight but, Sheehan, a hard man at 179, never wilted and came back with his own shots, enough to steel a few rounds and make last night’s card at the Roseland Ballroom a competitive see-saw contest.

    “I won’t argue the decision,” said Sheehan. “He’s a tough, tough guy but I thought I won. It’s the same old story, I have more losses than I have wins. A judge is going to give it to the guy who has the better record. But (Joey) definitely fought a tough, hard fight.

    DeGrandis, now 30-5 with 13 KO’s is now looking ahead to bigger or better things and hopefully another fight that is now as tough as this one.

    “You can’t pay Danny or myself what we deserve for a fight like this,” said DeGrandis. “Guys like to dance around and make their money but we earned it tonight.”Sheehan dropped to 8-18 with 3 KO’s.

    In other bouts:

    Willie “The Galdiator” Gibbs, 158 Philadelphia TKO2 (:20) Muhammed Nuhu, 159, Accra, Ghana

    Ian Gardner, 159, Brockton, MA TKO3 (:44) Kenny Stubbs, 164, Nassau, The Bahamas

    Derek Ennis, 151, Philadelphia, PA W4 (38-38, 38-37 & 40-36) Houston Crayton, 155, Brockton, MA

    John “The House of Rain” Rainwater, 199, Worcester, MA W4 (39-36, 39-37 & 38-37) Willie Kemp, 205, Syracuse, NY

    Aaron “2-Gun” Torres, 132, Brockton, MA TKO2 (1:44) Derek Miller, 125, Nassau, The Bahamas.

    Last night’s show was videotaped and will broadcast at 3:30 PM on Sunday, September 8th on Fox SportsNet New England.

    Promoter – Cappiello Promotions

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDeGrandis Decisions Sheehan``x1030772401,27459,``x``x ``xBOSTON, Mass. – Pendarvis Boxing Promotions has announced that its pro boxing card, "The Irish Explosion," has found a new home at the National Guard Armory in Braintree and been pushed back a week until Friday night, September 13.

    Super middleweight Shaun "Big Trouble" Creegan (13-1-2, 2 KOs) is still scheduled to headline the show, originally slated for Sept. 6 in Dorchester, in the 8-round main event against veteran Lloyd Bryan (20-9, 9 KOs), of Capitol Heights, Maryland.

    The card is promoted by Pendarvis Boxing Promotions, in association Rolling Rock, Coors, North Shore Pontiac & Buick, First Choice Limousine, North South Physical Therapy, Inc., and Frugal McDoogal.

    Creegan, of Plainfield via Lynn, will be in the eight-round main event against TBA. In the six-round co-feature, WIBA No. 1 ranked middleweight Leaticia “Baby Girl” Robinson (8-0, 7 KOs), of Chicago, puts her unbeaten record on the line against Evelyn Holley (1-1-2), of Philadelphia.

    All matches and boxers are subject to change.

    Scheduled to fight on the undercard in separate bouts are Worcester
    cruiserweight Roy "House of" Payne (14-11-4, 6 KOs), Taunton heavyweight Harold Rodriguez (2-1, 1 KO), South Boston lightweight Eddie McAloney (11-5, 5 KOs), New Bedford lightweight David Marmood (4-1), and South Boston middleweight Martin "The Irish Assassin" Thorton (1-0-1, 1 KO).

    Ticket prices are $40.00 (limited) ringside and $25.00 general admission. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m. Call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions at 617-825-3283 to order tickets or for more information. Tickets are also available at Tara's Pub (1912 Dorchester Ave. – 617.282.5637) and will also be sold at the door.

    (The National Guard Armory in Braintree is located at 275 Union St., off X17.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Pendarvis Announces New Show``x1030807254,89055,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo

    This is a sad day in your heart I'm sure. Saturday, August 31, 1969 he was called, on the eve of his 46th birthday. Rocky had talked the pilot into making the flight that night against his better judgement. Yes, Rocky wanted to get back to be there for the birthday party that was planned for him by his wife and friends. He had just finished up speaking at a dinner banquet for which he was paid $3,000 (cash I'm sure). You know Rocky couldn't pass up a chance for a quick 3 grand, and keep uncle Sam from taking a cut. Talk about a match made in Heaven, which is no doubt where Rocky retired too.

    I remember it was a Sunday morning, it was a beautiful sunny day. At that time I was 9 years old. Boxing had been an obsession for about 3 or 4 years by then. August/ September 1969 a lot was happening in heavyweight boxing, at least in my life. In June Frazier had just TKO'd Quarry in 7. Ali was doing the talk show circuit, Frost, Cavett, Douglas, & Parkinson. Ellis had the WBA Title and the Ellis-Frazier hype was starting. Rumors were always around then that Ali & Frazier were going to fight in some obscure place, a Jet flying at 30,000 feet, an Indian reservation, and even at Frazier's gym in Philly.

    I was at Radnor field at the end of Radnor ave in Haddonfield N.J. I loved to ride a bike when I was a kid and I usually rode up there on Saturday & Sunday mornings to see who was out. A guy lived at the end of Radnor named Bob Mitchell, he was older than me, I think he was about 15 or 16. He was a good Basketball player from what I remember, I used to talk to him a lot because he followed boxing.

    He was a big Ali fan so you know I pestered him. I remember going up the street and not seeing anyone. So I parked my Schwinn Apple Krate and sat on the bleachers hoping maybe Bob would come out and talk some boxing. After a while I got back on my bike and started to leave, just as I was going by his house he came out with a paper in his hand. I rode up to him hoping that he was going to show me an article on Ali. He showed me the paper ( The Courier Post ) it had a picture of Marciano knocking out Archie Moore in what was his last fight 14 years ago. The Headline said "Former Champ Marciano dies in plane crash."

    I couldn't believe it, I had heard so much about Marciano from my
    grandfather. He hated blacks so you know he made Marciano even greater than he was, plus he was Italian. He always used to tell how
    Rocky would've knocked out Ali. At that time Questions were still out
    there about Ali's chin, and some even questioned his heart, remember this is late summer of 1969. The Ali story is about half complete. Three months later in January 1970 Worner productions releases the computer fight between the only two undefeated Heavyweight Champions at the time. The computer goes with Marciano via 13 th round KO.


    WHAT I RESPECT ABOUT ROCKY MARCIANO:

    The title meant something to him. Being undefeated meant something to him. This is why he trained like no other fighter. He never sold out, he could have made a king's fortune to come out of retirement and fight Patterson or Liston but, he didn't. He loved being perfect too much and was smart enough to know that he could never summon the greatness back. No way he would let Patterson or Liston have his name on their record knowing that the name was all that remained. No, he was to selfish in a good way, to let those names be on his resume like his is on Louis' or Ali on Holmes' or Holmes' on Tyson's Being undefeated separated him from others and he knew it. Guys like us can argue all day who could've or would've beat him but, nobody ever did.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRemembering The Rock``x1030908438,84833,``x``x ``xBy Bill Meartz, Coach of the West Portland Boxing Club, Portland, Oregon

    Ringside National Labor Day Championships

    West Portland Boxing Team came home with one Gold and two Silver.
    The Ringside Tournament is the largest gathering of amateur boxers in the world. This year over 1000 boxers went to Kansas City, Missouri to take part in the best event in Amateur Boxing.
    Molly McConnell with back to back tournament victories first the National Golden Gloves and Now the Ringside Tournament.

    Molly McConnell won the Gold

    Thursday August 29th Molly stopped Tawanna Martin from Rapid City, South Dakota in the first round. Saturday August 31st Molly won a unanimous decision over Belinda Olivares of San Antonio, Texas
    Sunday September 1st Molly won on a first  round stoppage of Amber Claussen of Pierce, Nebraska. (Amber stepped into the finals with a 28-3 record)

    Molly's next stop is the National PAL in Augusta, Georgia. Our goal is to take the number one ranking at 139lbs.
     
    Aaron Turner, 14 years old 156 open class lost a split decision to Darius Gausha of Cleveland Ohio. Aaron fought a beautiful fight and I am still sick over the decision, He did everything perfect.
     
    Kenny Christian, 15 years old 112 Novice class lost in the finals to Hector Hernandez of Las Vegas Nevada
    Junior Martinez, 12 years old 75 pound open class lost a split decision in the semi finals.
    Also from Oregon: Ray Lampkin of Knott Stree won in the 125 pound Novice Class and Gil Whitfield won in the 35+ Masters division.``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xMolly Wins Again!``x1031016990,68312,``x``x ``xThe September edition of the World Cup Of Boxing rankings has been released. To see the new rankings, go to http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/ and click on Rankings.

    After the spectacular month of July, the boxing world almost fell back to sleep in August. Few significant fights and as a result not so many changes in the World Cup competitions at the various weight classes. However, it might just be the silence before the storm, because the fight schedule for the last third of the year looks very good on paper indeed! First, there is the long-awaited super welterweight clash between Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas on 14 September. Both have been inactive for so long others have already passed them in our total ranking. Daniel Santos specifically is doing very well. The Puerto Rican regained the World Cup lead in August and even overtook De La Hoya in the overall ranking!

    New cruiserweight star Jean-Marc Mormeck also secured the first spot in the total ranking at the expense of Vassily Jirov, who hasn't fought since February. In the lowest category, strawweight, Colombian Miguel Barrera upset highly-regarded Roberto Leyva and totals a mere five points more than Noel Arambulet to take the World Cup lead.

    The WCOB team congratulates these and all boxers who fared well in August.


    For more information on World Cup Of Boxing, please visit: http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB September Rankings ``x1031237109,93052,``x``x ``xFight Night - September 7, 2002.
    Rose Garden Arena
    Portland, Oregon
    First fight: 4:00 P.M. (PT).
    HBO telecast: Co-Feature - 7:00 P.M. (PT), 10:00 PM (ET); Main Event - 8:00
    P.M. (PT), 11:00 PM (ET).

    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD
    Champion WBC No. 1 Ranked Challenger
    ROY JONES JR. VS CLINTON WOODS
    46-1, 37 KOs, Pensacola, Fl. 32-1, 19 KOs, Sheffield, Eng.

    CO-FEATURE - 12 ROUNDS, IBF JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
    Champion IBF No. 1 Ranked Challenger
    "Winky" WRIGHT VS BRONCO McKART
    43-3, 25 KOs, St. Petersburg, Fl. 45-3, 29 KOs, Monroe, Mi.

    12 ROUNDS, LIGHTWEIGHTS - NBA TITLE
    LEMUEL NELSON VS JOHNNY WEST
    24-5-1, 12 KOs, Pensacola, Fl. 12-1-1, 11 KOs, Miami, Fl.

    10 ROUNDS, JR. MIDDLEWEIGHTS
    EMMETT LINTON VS CHARLES WHITTAKER
    30-3-1, 15 KOs, Tacoma, Wa. 19-11-1, 12 KOs, Hollywood, Fl.

    8 ROUNDS, HEAVYWEIGHTS
    GABE BROWN VS ALBERT STEWART
    12-2-1, 8 KOs, Pensacola, Fl. 10-4-1, 8 KOs, Forrest City, Ark.

    6/8 ROUNDS, JR. BANTAMWEIGHTS
    VERNIE TORRES VS JULIO CESAR OYUELA
    22-4, 13 KOs, Pensacola, Fl. 7-6-2, 2 KOs, Miami, Fl.

    6 ROUNDS, HEAVYWEIGHTS
    EZRA SELLERS VS KEVIN TALLON
    24-5, 22 KOs, Pensacola, Fl. 9-10, 4 KOs, Lawrenceburg, In.

    4 ROUNDS, BANTAMWEIGHTS
    KIEYON BUSSEY VS REUBEN RUIZ
    1-0, 1 KO, Pensacola, Fl. 0-1-1, Atlanta, Ga.

    4/6 ROUNDS, WELTERWEIGHTS
    WILLIAM CHAPMAN VS JEFF HORAN
    5-0, 0 KOs, Portland, Or. 5-5-1, 4 KOs, Narragansett, R.I.

    4/6 ROUNDS, HEAVYWEIGHTS
    JOE GUSMAN VS SHANE HARRIS
    3-0, 2 KOs, Olympic, Wa. 2-7, 2 KOs, Ventura, Ca.
    # # #

    -------------------------------------------------------------
    Portland Oregon Sports Authority
    www.portlandsports.org
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xComplete Undercard for Jones Jr vs Woods``x1031259745,69665,``x``x ``xPress Release 9/5/02

    Friday, September 13, 2002 at 7:00pm
    Candy Robertson Faces Experienced Lovato "Candy's in in my class!!!"
    For
    Fight Night 37
    7 Bouts Scheduled


    Dateline: Rochester, WA, September 5, 2002

    Northwest favorite Candy Robertson returns to the Lucky Eagle Casino
    after
    pounding Luis Tyson Vasquez in a first round victory in July to face
    another
    experienced fighter. Rudy Lovato says he will win this 10 round "Main
    Event" as "Robertson is not in my class." Robertson is known for his
    furious attacking style and a powerful knockout punch. This "Main
    Event"
    will be the fourth at the Lucky Eagle Casino for Robertson, who hails
    from
    Portland.

    Remaining bouts are as follows.

    Ron Pacek vs. Jason Parillo (6 rounds)
    Mike Lucero vs. Rafael Ortiz (6 rounds)
    Damion Hatch vs. Amafor Ishwar (4 rounds)
    Daeern Darby vs. David Candengo (4 rounds)
    Greg Piper vs. Angelo Torres (4 rounds)
    Marquez Gibson in a rematch with Christian Lopes (4 rounds)

    Changes and additional information will be announced as they occur.


    Tickets $40 ringside, $25 reserved, $20 reserved of general admission
    available at Ticketmaster, casino (800-720-1788) or Twin Cities
    Fuller's
    stores. Fighters are subject to change and contract approval by the
    Washington State Boxing Commission.


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xLucky Eagle Card for 9-13-02``x1031260059,85376,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    SOMERVILLE, MA – If the first go-at-it between Lowell’s “Irish” Micky Ward and Arturo Gatti of Jersey City proved anything, it’s that the boxing scenes in Sly Stallone’s Rocky movies made over two decades could be perceived as appearing realistic. It what many, including this writer have called their May encounter the greatest fight of all time, Ward and Gatti went at it for 40 violent minutes until the time-limit of fighting for 10 rounds was up . Ward (38-11/ 27 KO’s) won a majority decision but the two warriors proved that human beings are capable of giving and taking severe punishment. To many it was the pinnacle of excitement in boxing, and probably one of its better memories. The fight became a modern-day folktale.

    The two met again earlier today at Good Time Emporium in Somerville, MA a suburb of Boston (about 20 minutes south of Lowell) to announce their much anticipated rematch on November, 23rd at the brand new Boardwalk Hall at Bally’s in Atlantic City. And like us, they seemed eager to do it again but this time, they will be paid 7 figures and for good reason.

    People who never discuss boxing still talk about their first fight. For a couple of weeks following the bout, sports talk-radio shows would discuss the excitement that took place on that cold spring night in Connecticut. And after November 23rd, you can expect the same attention, for this one promises to be no different.

    “Two of boxing’s toughest and most courageous fighters meet again to set the boxing world afire,” said Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events. “Boxing insiders are convinced that Ward-Gatti is 2002’s ‘Fight of the Year.” That opinion may change after Ward-Gatti II on November 23rd.”

    “We’re happy to be involved with this historic rematch to an all-time great fight,” said Lou Dibella, Ward’s advisor. “Micky and Arturo deserve a huge showcase and we’re thrilled HBO (who will broadcast the event live at 9:45 p.m. EST) is giving it to them. I believe Ward and Gatti are the two toughest fighters I’ve ever seen.”

    And just about everyone else could agree with that assessment. After a rather dull summer season of fights that included Lewis-Tyson, Forrest-Mosley II and Ruiz-Johnson, nothing could be more redeeming to fight-fans or even the casual ones who were fortunate enough to witness the first one. Even if the rematch is not as exciting as the original, it is sure to be a classic.

    “This fight has always been about the fans, which is why we don’t care where it takes place,” said Sal Lonano, Ward’s manager.

    The first battle between Ward and Gatti was held at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut and it was expected that the rematch would take place either their or its neighbor, Foxwoods. But the two teams agreed that the Boardwalk Hall was a more suitable venue due to the abundance of seats that will be affordable for the interested fight goers. The most expensive seat in the joint will be $300 with the cheapest being $50.

    “I don’t mind fighting in New Jersey at all,” Ward told the CBZ. “Most of my early fights (20) took place in New Jersey. I have a good following down there and I expect a lot of my fans to drive down there. Everyone expects to see a good fight and I’m sure Arturo and I will give them just that”

    It would be hard to believe that all of the grit and fire that they put forth the first time around will be as plentiful. Who could imagine that either of them would have anything left in the tank? Both teams’ assured the media that their charges are in tremendous shape. Certainly, they both looked to be in fighting trim. Neither of them could have been more than 150 pounds. But just how much can these fighters give and take?

    “Micky is better today than he was going into the first fight,” said Dick Ecklund, Ward’s brother and trainer. “I can’t hold the target pads for him anymore until I get ones that have extra padding. My hands can’t take it. Sal thought I was full of it until I had him put the pads on.

    According to Lonano, he put one pad on his left hand, Ward hit it with an uppercut and Lonano, who is probably 6’3, 240, said that the pain in his shoulder lasted for several days.

    “I don’t know what to do with him,” said Ecklund. “He ran Fort Hill four times in one run. When he fought (Emanuel) Augustus, the fight he threw (over 1,100 punches) he only ran it once.”

    “I don’t know what it is,” said Ward. “I guess the older I get the more mature I get. What we are going to work on is being more busy and moving my head more.”

    Gatti (34-6/ 28 KO’s) a former IBF jr. lightweight champion said that he plans on starting his camp next week and like Ward will be get over 8 weeks of solid training. Both camps understand that preparation, like in anything else is what will lead them to victory.

    “After our first fight, people would come up to me and tell me what a great fight we fought,” said Gatti. “You can’t say anything bad about either of us. We make the sport look good. A lot of people said that there should not have been a winner that night. Maybe they were right, but after this one, I’m definitely getting my hand raised.

    Gatti is coming off a rough couple of weeks to say the least. Nearly two weeks ago Gatti’s brother Joe fought Germany’s Sven Ottke for the IBF super-middleweight title and was stopped in the 9th round. Later that night in his hotel room, the elder Gatti collapsed and was treated for slight bleeding in the brain and a concussion.

    “My brother is feeling much better now,” said a relieved Gatti. “That really scared the hell out of me and my family. Immediately after my brother checked into the hospital, my mother called me and told me I had to quit boxing. It’s tough to think about it. You don’t want it to happen to anyone but guys like myself and Micky are fighters. This is what we do and these are the risks we take.”

    “I told Micky that if he’s taking too much in there that I’m gonna stop it,” said Ecklund. “He knows and we’ve talked about this. When people ask him, ‘When is it going to be too much?’ he’ll tell them ‘When Dickie says I’ve had too much.’ There’s no way I’m letting any of my fighters, be it my brother or anyone else take too much punishment.”

    What ever happens on November 23rd, hopefully, our re-living of the Rocky fantasy that is Ward-Gatti will be just enough to talk about it in the same positive manner the first one has been relished.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWard Gatti II: The Rematch We’ve all Been Waiting For``x1031275399,71899,``x``x ``xNew York, NY (September 6, 2002) – Welterweight Champion Vernon Forrest, who’s popularity continues to soar nationwide, has been selected as an “HBO Star” to compete as a celebrity picker for HBO’s Inside The NFL (INFL) “Beat The Experts” game, a new interactive football picks competition posted on the hbo.com/infl web site. Other HBO stars participating include Steve Shapira (Bobby B from The Sopranos) and Jim Turner (Kirby from Arliss). America Online (AOL) will help promote the game.

    Forrest will submit his picks and challenge Inside The NFL’s on-air experts Bob Costas, Chris Carter, Dan Marino, and Chris Collinsworth. Fans, who also will be able play the game, can view Forrest’s picks, weekly score and season standings on www.hbo.com/infl.

    “I am a sport fanatic and I expect to win,” said Forrest. “Dan Marino and those guys have nothing on me.”
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Forrest to Conquer HBO's NFL Experts``x1031409802,46230,``x``x ``xBOSTON, Mass. – Even though he isn't Irish, he's ready to explode on the pro boxing scene. Four-time National amateur champion Sechew Powell has been added to Pendarvis Promotions' September 13 "Irish Explosion" card at the National Guard Armory in Braintree (MA).

    Powell (1-0, 1 KO), a junior middleweight from Brooklyn, is a southpaw many boxing experts believe is a future world champion. He is matched against Many "Cheeks" Teo (4-9, 3 KOs), of Hudson (MA), in a scheduled four rounder.

    In the eight-round main event, super middleweight Shaun "Big Trouble"
    Creegan (13-1-2, 2 KOs), of Plainfield via Lynn, faces Brockton tough guy Danny Sheehan.

    The card is promoted by Pendarvis Boxing Promotions, in association Rolling Rock, Coors, North Shore Pontiac & Buick, First Choice Limousine, North South Physical Therapy, Inc., and Frugal McDoogal.

    WIBA No. 1 ranked middleweight Leaticia “Baby Girl” Robinson (8-0, 7 KOs), of Chicago, puts her unbeaten record on the line in the six-round co-feature, against Evelyn Holley (1-2-1), of Pennsauken, NJ.

    All matches and boxers are subject to change.

    Scheduled to fight on the undercard in separate bouts are Worcester
    cruiserweight Roy "House of" Payne (14-11-4, 6 KOs), South Boston
    lightweight Eddie McAloney (11-5, 5 KOs), New Bedford lightweight David Marmood (3-1), and South Boston middleweight Martin "The Irish Assassin" Thorton (1-0-1, 1 KO).

    Ticket prices are $40.00 (limited) ringside and $25.00 general admission. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m. Call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions at 617-825-3283 to order tickets or for more information. Tickets are also available at Tara's Pub (1912 Dorchester Ave. – 617.282.5637) and will also be sold at the door. (The National Guard Armory in Braintree is located at 275 Union St., off X17.) ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Pendarvis Show Adds Former Amateur Star``x1031410026,84585,``x``x ``xYou know the rest of the story--

    By Chris Bushnell

    EXTRA! EXTRA!  Stop the presses!  Roy Jones dismantles Clinton Woods in six rounds!

    In one of the least-anticipated fights of the year, light heavyweight scrooge Roy Jones easily tamed no-hoper Clinton Woods over six rounds of one-sided sparring while a boxing-starved crowd from Portland, Oregon watched on in awe.  It was the umpteenth such performance from Jones, the self-proclaimed pound-for-pound best and self-inflicted most protected fighter under HBO contract.  As with Roy's other fights against the bottom of the barrel, all the talk from Jones was about other opponents, this time John Ruiz and Antonio Tarver.  We've heard it all before.  Remember when he was going to fight Buster Douglas and Hasim Rahman? Or when he was definitely, absolutely going to fight Dariusz Michalczewski and Vasilly Jirov?  What about one of the many times he claimed a deal to fight Bernard Hopkins was done?  Let's face it folks: it's all hype. 

    The most frustrating thing about Roy Jones, Jr. is that he could probably beat all of the guys he calls out but refuses to fight.  Easily.  Instead he faces off against sanctioning body stiffs like Woods, who talk a good game, land a few body shots in the first round, and then back off once Jones gets his game going.  Such was the case when the Sheffield, England mandatory contender bulled into Jones at the opening bell and clipped a couple short left hooks off his gloves.  Jones responded immediately, landing an uppercut, a left hook and a right hand in such quick succession that it's unclear which blow came first.  So much for Clinton Woods.

    Stunned by Jones' speed, Clinton Woods could do little more than catch.  Sure, he tried to come forward, cut off the ring on Roy and land shots in the corners... but it was futile.  Jones simply slipped out of every trap, firing off hard snapping punches as he effortlessly glided away from harm.  For a brief moment in round two, Jones opted to fight Woods from the ropes instead of moving back to center ring.  During this one-minute "exchange," one of Wood's improbable swings caught a portion of Jones' face.  The semi-punch raised a minor swelling over Jones' right eyelid, perhaps the only facial mark Jones has ever received as a fighter, pro or amateur. 

    If Jones' contusion inspired Woods, it was not evident.  The one-dimensional British Commonwealth champion had already been punched into passivity by a steady stream of Jones pot shots, all of which started coming in harder and faster as the seconds ticked away.  Unwilling to take it easy on a man who punched him in the eye, Jones upped the velocity of his punches in rounds three, four and five.  Woods' ambitious aggression melted under the heat of Jones' handspeed, and after only several minutes of official action, Woods' footwork started heading in reverse, his punch output dropped to nil and his head began snapping this way and that.  Another opponent turned back.

    Now unopposed, Jones began his usual tricks: bolo punches, Ali shuffles, and body punches that hurt just to watch.  This last weapon sapped Woods even further; several times Jones' shots to the liver twisted his face in pain.  Midway through the sixth round, with Jones' sweeping hooks picking up intensity every stanza, Woods' corner mercifully threw in the towel.  At the time of the stoppage, Woods was actually motioning to his chin, enticing Jones to hit it again.  At least the man wanted to earn his record $1 million purse. 

    What's next for Jones?  Mark our words: no one.  The chances of him fighting for a heavyweight title are almost nil.  His chances of facing one of the opponents boxing fans want to see him against aren't much better.  His likely next foe is Antonio Tarver.  Big deal.  Sure, Tarver gets major brownie points with the fans for risking his mandatory shot against Eric Harding... but except for the knockout punch, did Tarver show anything in that bout?  For the first several rounds, he stared at Harding in a combination of fear and anxiety, his gloves too tentative to move.  Roy Jones will have a field day with him. 

    We're often asked at Boxing Chronicle who we think the #1 pound-for-pound fighter is.  Because the pound-for-pound list was created to measure pure talent (i.e. If Jones and Mayweahter could magically be the same weight, who would win?), we've always felt that activity level, talent of opposition, and willingness to face the best were irrelevant factors in determining which puglist owned a style and technique superior to all others... but that view is beginning to change.  How long can we grandfather Jones into the pound-for-pound list when he refuses to do little more than hold public workouts against Everlast heavy bags disguised as #1 contenders?  At some point, Jones is going to have to find an opponent that the boxing public thinks is a challenge.  Even if victories over guys like Hopkins of Jirov would be no more taxing on Jones than his victory over Clinton Woods, he must eventually make such a fight.  His legacy depends on it.

    .....Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com
     
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xRoy Jones TKO 6 Clinton Woods``x1031531530,83642,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Saturday, Sept. 7, 02
    The Rose Garden Arena,
    Portland,Oregon
    Square Ring Promotions with Jordan/Nike
    Supervisor: Jim Cassidy, Executive Director, Or. Commission
    Referees: Jim Eriksen, Mike Fisher, Darryl Lewis, Jay Nady
    Judges: Greg Baker, Bob Flamme, Jim Howard, plus WBC judges
    Ringside Physician: Dr. Louis Rios, M.D.

    Whatever complaints fans might have about the way Roy Jones Jr conducts his business, there’s no denying he shares the goodies with the other fighters in his Pensacola stable. The line-up for the Sept. 7 card in Portland, OR was color coded in advance. The red corner wins. The blue corner loses. Roys’ boys were all in the red corner. That was true in Jones vs Woods, of course. The code held true in Winky Wright vs Bronco McKart, and it held true all the way through the undercard with one exception.

    The only really unexpected result was a no contest due to a cut stoppage during the 4th round of a 10 round Jr Middleweight bout between Emmett Linton, 156 1/4 lbs, (now 30-3-1-1NC, 15 KO’s) of Tacoma, WA. and Charles Whittaker, 156 lbs, (now 19-11-1-1NC, 12 KO’s) of Hollywood, Fla. The Southpaw Linton was in the red corner as one of the three token locals scheduled for this show in the Pacific Northwest. Linton was the talent pick as well as the paper prospect to win this one. Whittaker apparently took umbrage at his designated loser status and was making things warm for Linton, when an accidental headbutt in the fourth round slashed a spouter over Linton’s right eye and the ringside physician advised ref James Erickson to stop the bout.

    Crusty luck haunted the entire trio of local fighters booked for the card. Portland heavyweight Joe Guzman, 3-0, 2 KO’s, was in line for a win over tanker Shane Harris, 2-7, 2 KO’s of Ventura, CA until the day before the show when somebody decided Harris had been knocked out too many times in a row and shouldn’t be allowed to play. That scratched Guzman from the show.

    The lone remaining Portlander was William "Butch" Chapman, 150 lbs, now 6-0, whose four round tango with scrappy Jeff Horan, 152 lbs, now 5-6-1, 4 KO’s, of Narragansett, R.I. kept getting re-shuffled as the show went on. The two finally met in a walk-out bout after most of the crowd and the press had vacated the arena, leaving a small but ardent core of fans snugged close to ringside. Half way through the fourth busy if messy round, Chapman ate a nasty right to the jaw from Horan and hung on to survive. Chapman won a majority decision, 38-38,39-37,39-37. But he was spitting blood after the final bell. The price he paid was a severely fractured jaw and, reportedly, the loss of several teeth. A source close to Chapman’s camp says this may be a career-ending injury.

    So much for the Northwest contingent on this card. The Pensacola crew, however, all got their wins.

    The hefty favorite on the undercard for many fans was a six round bout in what the announcer called "the Very Heavyweight Division." The Pensacola side was Gabe Brown, 336 lbs, now 13-2-1, 8 KO’s. his shorter opponent was Albert Stewart, 327 lbs, now 10-5-1, 8 KO’s, of Forrest City, Ark. This was sumo with fists. Brown had a larger bra size but his ballast was pendulous and tended to droop uniformly. Stewart’s center of gravity was all out in front, which bent an alarming curvature into his spine to support the cantilevered belly. Seeing these pre-Pritikin grotesqueries in motion had its own amazement value, but the pair could actually box a little bit. Brown liked the long jab and countering pit-a-pat flurries. He delighted the crowd with occasional fits of fanciful footwork and flouncy show-boating. The shorter-armed Stewart favored forward momentum and working the abundantly available body. The judges called it 60-55,59-55, 59-55, all for Brown.


    In the four round bantamweight opener, Kieyon Bussey, 120 lbs, now 2-0, 1 KO, of Pensacola won a unanimous decision over Reuben Ruiz, 119 lbs, 0-2-1, of Atlanta, Ga.

    Vernie Torres, 118 lbs, now 23-4, 13 KO’s of Pensacola won a unanimous six round decision over Julio Cesar Oyuela, 118 1/4 lbs, now 7-7-2, 2 Ko’s, of Miami, Fla.

    A 12 round match ended with the National Boxing Association lightweight title in the hands of Lemuel Nelson, 134 1/4 lbs, now 25-5-1, 12 KO’s, of Pensacola. The win over Johnny West, 135 lbs, now 12-2-1, 11 KO’s, went to Nelson despite the cut he suffered from an accidental head butt in the 7th round. The ref stopped the bout at :33 and the judges scores to that point gave the win to Nelson.

    Pensacola heavyweight Ezra Sellers, 212 lbs, now 25-5, 23 KO’s stopped a hapless Kevin Tallon, 210 lbs, now 9-11, 4 KO’s, of Lawrenceburg, Ind., whose notion of offense was to put his head down and run at Sellers belly, trying to ram him. Goat Boy, as some fans called Tallon, went down three times, the last time due to a right to the jaw. Tallon was declared KO’d at 1:23 of the first round in a scheduled 6.

    ---30---
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xRoy's Boys: The Undercard``x1031531587,94560,``x``x ``x
    by Lucius Shepard

    Time was when real fighters trod the earth. Giants with battered
    noses and misshapen ears and lumps of scar tissue above their eyes and many with dim lights behind their eyes. They were beautiful in their passion and their inevitable fall. They bled...Hell, they gooshed blood and were indomitable in their pain. They didn't have somebody in front of them to hit, they'd damn well hit themselves. Alas, those days are gone and all we now have are pretenders.

    Right?

    Whatever.

    There was a lot of cologne abuse in Portland's Rose Garden last
    night. Walking around before the opening bout, watching the TV people
    uncoiling their cables, Michael Buffer primping, the white-haired old farts of the commission in their power ties and self-important suits, I had the distinct impression that the men outperfumed the women by a wide margin.

    Must have been a bad smell somewhere.

    Maybe everyone was anticipating the undercard, nine incredibly
    uninteresting fights, the most entertaining of which, a MobyDickweight
    contest between Al Stewart and Gabe Brown, collectively 664 pounds of
    rippling, crinkly blubber, drew significant laughter from the crowd.
    Both fighters at times listed to the side or back, not driven to do so by a punch or pressure of any sort, but simply impelled in one direction or another by the tidal movement of the belly rolls and chest flab that swung from their frames like enormous wattles and dewlaps.

    Maybe everyone had a presentiment that the co-feature, Winky Wright and Bronco McCart, would end in an unsatisfying disqualification,

    Maybe they knew they were going to see a nice prelim kid in the
    walk-out fight who--thanks to inept training--held his head teed-up like a golf ball, thus allowing another prelim kid to shatter his jaw and end his dream.

    Or maybe it was a personal problem.

    Be that as it may, this night was not about Winky or Bronco or
    funny fat guys or shattered jaws or questions of hygiene. It was about Roy Jones Jr., the most despicable of those pretenders previously mentioned.

    I mean, what's wrong with this guy?

    He's too chicken to cross the Atlantic and fight the mighty Darius
    Michaelwho's-he-ski. Too weak-minded to step up to the plate and
    confront the dreaded Joe Calzaghe.

    Why, Roy, why?

    Well, maybe because without straining your brain you can pretty
    much imagine how these fights would go. Maybe because Jones doesn't need them -- they need him. Boxing is, after all, a business. You want the title? Come to the champ like Clinton Woods, Roy's opponent last night, and take the short money. That's what title-seekers traditionally do. Otherwise, shut the hell up.

    The question should be, Why won't these guys cross the Atlantic to
    Jones?

    As Jones asked in his post-fight press conference, Do they have
    planes in Germany? In Wales? Can't these guys afford a ticket? Gee, you think maybe they don't want to fight him and not the other way around?

    I couldn't care less whether the Pole or the Welshman take their
    lumps from Jones. I'd like to see Jones fight Michael Spinks and Dwight Muhammad Qawi and men of that sort, because there's nobody around today who can lay a glove on him. It's not going to happen, of course. Not unless somebody invents a Wayback Machine. But I'd like to see it.

    A couple of the old crusty Jones-haters in the corner, guys who've seen it all, know it all, react to my wish list by saying, Are you kidding? Those guys would murdelize him. Jones wouldn't last three rounds with Vic Galindez, Saad Muhammad, James Scott. This Jones guy's got no heart.

    No stones. Ahrr! Grrr! Mutter!

    Yeah, uh-huh. You bet.

    The Roy Show began with the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey,
    which broke into a disco thing. Dancing girls and fog materialized on a high stage, and then there was Roy, wearing what looked to be a cross between an A-line smock and a trash bag, rapping lyrics of his own creation into a headset mike. On seeing this, the old crusties wanted to hurl.

    You could hear them say: There's no rapping in boxing! You walk
    in the ring, you stand there dumb and docile like a slaughterhouse ox until you hear the bell, then you run across to the other guy and you bleed all over him.

    That's what you do in boxing!

    The young folks in the crowd loved the entrance, though. And
    that's not such a bad thing, is it? To bring the younger generation into the game? Or would the crusties prefer that the boxing fan base continue to dwindle until finally there is nothing more than a handful of geriatric cases remaining, relics with drool cups and tubes in their arms who sit staring into space and whisper the hallowed names of "real fighters," going, "Basillio...Zale..." and intoning the statistics of various other gentleman whom Jones would have treated like a Benihana chef treats a stalk of celery?

    There's been so much dissing of Jones recently, I must admit I've
    had a tendency to buy into it...or at least to suspect that I might be wrong in my assessment of his ability. But I'm back in the Jones camp now, because last night I found there is a qualitative difference between seeing Roy Jr. live and watching him on TV. The flatness of a TV perspective makes it almost impossible to understand what he does--which is, apparently, to abrogate the laws of physics.

    Jones' hand speed is readily visible on the small screen, but his body speed is not. He resets so quickly, it almost seems he's
    a shapeshifter, his substance flowing from one point to another. Clinton Woods was a serious opponent. He had a plan and he consistently tried to execute it. He was determined and tough. Jones peeled him like a banana and pulped him up. Along the way he did things that left knowledgeable boxing people with their jaws dropped--that feint and off-balance right hand that buckled Woods at the end of the third, for instance. The word all these same people used to describe what they had seen was "spectacular." Even some of the old crusties were heard to utter that word.

    The reason some folks don't cotton to Jones is that he makes the
    sport look easy. Boxing's not supposed to be easy. It supposed to be grunt and bleed and suffer. It's about struggle and passion. Jones is playing a far more sophisticated game. Like a chess grandmaster, he thinks in multiple dimensions, he's ten moves ahead. He sets up counters against leads his opponent hasn't conceived of yet. It's like watching a trapeeze artist flying without a net--it looks so effortless, but you know it's not, you know it takes planning and training and genetics, tremendous skill and
    strength of mind. Even the old crusty guys enjoy a three-ring circus, but when it comes to the squared circle, they don't want their heroes dressing in sequins and silk and acting like rock stars. They want to see an humble mein, a no-nonsense pair of dark trunks, a broken orbital ridge.

    The crusties didn't much care for Ali--remember?--until he began to suffer.

    There's talk going round that Jones needs a great opponent to
    secure his legacy.

    Huh?

    This is a three weight-class world champion who's essentially
    undefeated, who's made almost everyone he's ever fought look like they
    belonged to a sub-species.

    His legacy =is=secure.

    Sure, it would be nice if an outstanding opponent was out there.
    Got any suggestions?

    How about Antonio Tarver?

    Please!

    Bernard Hopkins?

    Been there, done that.

    And besides, 40 percent of a zillion dollar pie wasn't enough for
    Bernard? For a man who says for him it's all about the money?

    Gee, you'd almost think Bernard doesn't want to fight Roy.

    Wouldn't it be nice to watch Jones stick around until he gets old
    and slow so we could see if he could take a punch, if he could survive
    adversity, if he could get his head pounded into the shape of dented
    canteloupe, slobber blood, have brain tissue spray from his nose, and
    still find a way to win?

    Sorry, you're not going to see it, because Jones isn't as stupid as his predecessors. When he feels his talent eroding to that point, he'll retireto his Pensacola home.

    Bad Roy! say the crusties. You ain't a man unless you stick around and take your beating.

    Wrong.

    He's a man because he's wise enough to know better and that really tics the crusties off.

    No one complained when Julio Cesar Chavez--who had only one quality win, his stoppage of Edwin Rosario--fought his list of Tiajuna taxi drivers.

    Why?

    Because =El Gran Campeon Mexicano= took plenty of punishment on the way to his Ws. He was a tough guy...well, he was until Franke Randall taught him that discretion was, indeed, the better part of valor. He satisfied the credential requirements of those who demand a blood price for their adulatory witness. According to their lights, Jones hasn't paid his dues and so they won't let him in their club.

    Screw their club--Roy's got his own club and he shares it with the eliteof the game.

    Roy Jones Jr. is a flat-out physical genius. He's Mozart, he's
    Picasso, he's more gifted than Muhammad Ali.

    Uh-oh! Here come the outraged yelps from the crusties, but it's
    the facts, man. Jones can do things with his body that no fighter before him could do. He's a complete original. Like one of his fighting cocks, he jumps in, rakes you with his spurs, and then he's gone. Trying to catch him with anything serious is like trying to punch a river underwater.

    Is he the best ever? Could he beat Earthquake Slivowitz or Little Jimmy Blitzkrieg or Kid Gravity?

    Who fucking cares? That kind of speculation is garbage, a game for people with way too much time on their hands. There are far too many variables that come into play when you try to compare fighters of different eras for anyone to make other than an educated guess as to what would happen should they meet. Yeah, we all do it sometimes, but let's not take it seriously.

    The salient points concerning Jones are as follows:

    1) He's the best fighter working today. Who's better? Floyd
    Mayweather? You think Jones would have lost to Castillo?

    2) He would be a top guy, if not =the= top guy, in any era...and
    I'm talking middle, super-middle and light-heavy.

    3) Though he struts and plays and shows-off and commits indiscrete ring entrances, the man is a solid citizen who helps his friends and the needy and takes care of his business in the manner of a good businessman.

    4) He's never out-of-shape or in any way unprepared for his job.

    5) You'll never catch him with a drug or a hooker or anything
    remotely criminal.

    What's not to like?

    If you can't appreciate Roy Jones Jr. for who he is, a unique
    talent, a truly great fighter who had the misfortune to come along at a time when there were no great opponents, then either you have the brains of a box of popcorn or else you're so deep into crustiness mode, you'll need a shovel to scrape the gunk off your face and get the dark out of your eyes. Other fighters have been short on talented opposition, but they escaped excoriation because they took their beatings. When they offered a brilliant performance like the one Jones gave last night, the headlines did not read, JONES KICKS TOMATO CAN. Jones just won't bleed for us and instead of considering how remarkable that is, especially for someone who's smaller
    than everybody he fghts, there are those who think it's heartless and
    cowardly and worthy of scorn.

    The bottom line is this: Last night Roy Jones Jr. came into the
    Rose Garden and did his thing. He made people gasp, roar and look at one another in disbelief. He crushed his opponent yet treated him with respect.

    He performed acts of nearly magical physical brilliance and everyone
    walked away saying, Wow! He put on a show and he took care of business. He made the place--and more pertinently, the sport--smell good.``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``x The Roy Show``x1031595260,49482,``x``x ``x
    By Joe Koizumi

    Unbeaten speedster Noriyuki Komatsu (14-0-5, 6 KOs), 112, acquired the vacant OPBF flyweight belt as he displayed his busier hands in outspeeding and outpunching Korean champ Jungoh Song (6-2-1, 1 KO), 111.75, to win a unanimous decision over 12 heats in Osaka, Japan. Scored: referee Sarasas (Thailand) 117-113, Yasuda (Japan) 118-110, and Kim (Korea) 115-113, all for Komatsu, handled by ex-world top bantam contender Eijiro Murata.

    Komatsu kept whipping the slower Korean, who attempted to mix up in his peek-a-boo style but got outclassed by the faster Japanese.

    The OPBF 112-pound title had been renounced by unbeaten southpaw Hiroshi Nakano, who will concentrate on treating his fractured left hand.

    Promoter: Eddie Taunsend Promotions.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xKomatsu wins OPBF belt``x1031783586,12068,``x``x ``xBy GorDoom

    The Ol' Spit Bucket has been eating big helpings of crow since last Saturday night. No one on the CBZ has been more critical of Roy than my own bad self ... His lack of quality opposition, his seemingly lack of passion for the sport or his legacy, etc. etc.

    When you see him on TV he looks extraordinarily talented but because of the one dimensional view that TV gives you, I never quite got it. As my buddy, Lucius Shepard, who attended the fight with me as a CBZ reviewer told me, "This guy is Barishnikov, Mozart & Jordan wrapped into one little package". I loved Lucius' line about, "Kid Gravity", 'cause that's who he is.

    Seeing him live I realised Roy is simply the most amazingly talented fighter I've EVER seen. This is a hard pill for The Bucket to swallow. Eder Jofre, the young Cassius Clay, Roberto Duran & Sugar Ray Leonard have always been the gold standard for me as far as sheer talent. Yeah, well ... Now I have to put Roy Jones in that pantheon. & what's worse & really hard to swallow, he very well may be at the top of that distinguished list.

    Despite my doubts, Clinton Woods turned out to be no tomato can. He came in with a game plan & really tried to implement it. The guy has skills. He's not a plodder or a straight up Euro-style fighter. He has a good jab & good movement & he was tough as nails. But Roy feinted him out of his cup & bedazzled him with an assortment of punches from angles I never knew you could throw them from.

    Woods hung tough but simply got overwhelmed by a force of nature known as Roy Jones Jr. The most stunning thing for me is how small Roy is. During the weigh in I stood close to him at one point & then on fight night, I was walking in the corridor on the way to my fighter's dressing room - I was working the corner of one of the undercard matches - & Roy was walking down the hall by himself. As he passed me I said, "Good luck,champ". He smiled, said thanks, then stopped, tapped me on the shoulder & said," But I don't think I'm gonna need much". & ambled down the hall.

    I'm just under 5'9 & Roy was maybe a half inch taller than me. He's small boned & even has small hands. It's hard to believe he could weigh 175 pounds. He looks like an absolutely natural middle. When I couple what I learned from watching him live & throw his lack of size into the equation, It really is incredible what he's been able to do against light heavy's who are WAY, WAY, bigger than him.

    So ... Mr. Kid Gravity, a tip of the fedora to you, you are one helluva fighter. & Mea Culpa champ, I've NEVER been so wrong about a fighter. Gotsta say, this hasn't been easy to write. But as a journalist I think it's important to admit when you've been wrong about somebody. Especially after the reams of bad press I've written about Roy over the years.

    Granted, I still wish he would fight better comp. But the reality is that there is no one around today between middle & cruiser that even belongs in a ring with him.

    Ya know, if you cook crow just right & put a little salsa on it, it really isn't that hard to swallow ...
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRoy Jones: A Complete Reassessment``x1031790474,39116,``x``x ``xDe La Hoya vs. Vargas Pre-Fight Analysis
    By Steve Small and Bert Randolph Sugar










    Oscar De La Hoya


    Strengths :

    • Quick hands, sharp puncher, fast. Has an accurate jab that he uses well. Throws quick right hand double or triple left hook combinations.


    • Fast feet, moves well laterally. Can shift quickly from side to side, making it hard for an opponent who has difficulty setting his feet to keep up with him.


    • Underrated defensive fighter. Hard to hit with a solid shot, moves very well. Opponents throwing one punch at a time will have trouble finding him.


    • Smart fighter. Tougher mentally than people credit him being.


    Weaknesses :

    • Hasn't brought his power up with him to heavier weight classes. De La Hoya is hitting junior middleweights with the same punches he landed against smaller fighters, but with far less effect.


    • Stands up when he punches instead of staying down, taking away his power and making him vulnerable to good counter punchers.


    • His new style of boxing (left hand low, right shoulder back and daring his opponent to throw right hands so he can counter) is a dangerous style to use against an aggressive fighter with a good left hook.


    • His stamina is a question mark. He has tired in the late rounds of tough fights.


    What De La Hoya must do to win :

    • Control the fight with his jab and his movement, sticking his jab in Vargas' face then doubling and tripling up with it before moving away to his left or right, but not straight back.


    •
    Nail Vargas coming in to get his respect, then outbox him. De La Hoya needs to hit Vargas with a couple of hard right hands early to make Vargas think twice before moving in on him.


    • Avoid macho exchanges with Vargas and trading punches. De La Hoya must fight his fight and not worry about trying to prove something to others.

    Fernando Vargas


    Strengths :

    • Tough, strong, determined fighter.


    • Hard, fast puncher who throws good combinations to the body and head.


    • Very good left hook.


    • Aggressive fighter who exerts pressure on opponents and forces them into slugging contests.


    • Excellent body puncher who can hurt an opponent with body shots from either hand.


    Weaknesses :

    • Doesn't use his jab well. He needs to move forward behind his jab instead of lunging or jumping in.


    • When he rushes in, he tends to raise his head up, exposing his chin and leaving himself open.


    • Doesn't move his head enough, but walks straight in, standing straight up and thereby makes himself an easy target for jab-right combinations.


    • Has trouble keeping his emotions in check, sometimes losing focus and composure.


    What Vargas must do to win :

    • Vargas must jab back at De La Hoya and try to disrupt Oscar's rhythm, at tactic Mosley used well.


    • Go to De La Hoya's body. When Vargas gets inside, he must stay inside and pound De La Hoya's body with hooks. This maneuver will accomplish two things: it will slow De La Hoya down and prevent him from moving laterally.


    • Press De La Hoya and wear him out by attacking from the opening bell. Vargas must slide with De La Hoya when he moves and stay on top of him, not letting him rest, pounding him in the body and pushing and wrestling with him inside - tactics which won't allow him to hold and cause him to tire late.






    Things to watch for :

    • What style will De La Hoya use? Oscar has talked about stopping Vargas early, but demanded they use 10 ounce gloves instead of the customary 8 ounce. This is a strong indicator that he intends to box and not slug it out.


    • Will Vargas be able to maintain control over himself and his inner feelings? Given the personal animosity Vargas has toward De La Hoya, the question becomes : Will Vargas be able to keep his cool when De La Hoya frustrated him with movement?


    • Watch for left hook counters from De La Hoya to Vargas' rights. Vargas sometimes tips his right by raising his elbow. If he does this, watch for De La Hoya to slip to his left, let the punch go over his shoulder and counter with his left hook, his best punch.


    • De La Hoya has been employing a more aggressive style taught to him by Floyd Mayweather, Sr. If he can't hurt Vargas early, is he willing to absorb punishment from Vargas to continue being aggressive? Or will he change tactics and become a boxer, shifting and moving?


    • Who can adapt better as the fight progresses? De La Hoya is a boxer/puncher who is trying to be more of a puncher. Vargas is a puncher/boxer who is trying to more of a boxer. How will each react if things don't go their way? That may be the clue to the fight.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOscar-Fernando Pre-Fight by Bert Sugar``x1031869343,87287,``x``x ``xThe CBZ’s De La Hoya-Vargas Prediction Poll
    Compiled By JD Vena

    De La Hoya: 15
    Vargas: 2
    Draw: 1
    Undecided: 1

    A 12-round draw:
    “I don’t always agree with Emmanuel Steward but he was dead on last week when he called this an even right. You can take Vargas’ recent showings and throw them out the window. This fight has been on his mind for a decade. It’s why he gets up in the morning. It’s not going to come down to who looks better on paper, as stat guys like Kellerman would have you think. Holyfield looked wretched against Bobby Czyz but was a different guy when you put Tyson in front of him. We’ll see the best possible Vargas in this fight. Is it good enough to beat Oscar? Well, Oscar is still the faster, crisper, craftier man in there. But while De
    La Hoya was a sensational lightweight, he wasn’t quite as devastating at welterweight, where you could make an argument that he lost four times (Whitaker, Quartey, Trinidad, Mosley). Is yet another step up in
    weight going to make him any better? Doubtful. On the other hand, 154 pounds is Vargas’ domain, his natural weight. Therefore, Oscar will try to turn this fight into a chess match, with lots of lateral movement, which would certainly be in his best interest. Vargas’ best chance would be to inflict pressure on him, to throw a high volume of punches, as he did with Quartey. He basically out-hustled Quartey in that fight, and with superior conditioning here, I think he can do it again. Not to mention that De La Hoya does not handle pressure well. As a side note, the rekindled marriage between Oscar and Bob Arum gives De La Hoya the concrete advantage here, especially with this fight on Vegas soil and no Don King to make it an even playing field. I see Vargas outhustling him over twelve rounds, but getting stiffed on the judges’ call. Let’s call it a draw.”

    Ted Bodenrader,
    The Ring Magazine

    “Oscar De La Hoya - winner by 12 round unanimous decision over Fernando Vargas.”

    Dan Cuoco,
    Director,
    International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO)

    “De La Hoya W 12 - ODLH is too disciplined for Vargas, and his speed gives him an edge that Vargas' strength won't be able to counter. If Shibata Flores and Wilfredo Rivera can land almost at will on Vargas, what will a sharp puncher like De La Hoya do?”

    Thomas Gerbasi, Jr.
    www.MaxBoxing.com

    “I think De La Hoya will win but I picked Custer and had seven points on Little Big Horn so what do I know.”

    Bert Randolph Sugar,
    CNN/ Boxing Historian

    “I think that Oscar will fight a very sound technical fight and will win a decision. Oscar is a REAL professional and I think he will box and pick his shots and not get emotional like Fernando wants him too. Even if he does.....Oscar has an image among some people as being kind of 'soft' because of the way he boxed the last few rounds against Trinidad but I don’t see it that way . I think that is an unjust label ....I think Oscar can dig down and rumble if that is what the moment calls for. It's a real good fight but I have Oscar as a grade above Fernando

    “Iceman” John Scully,
    World Title Challenger

    “Just a gut feeling, but I think this one has a chance to be the fight of 2002. Considering that Gatti & Ward will fight twice this year that's saying a lot!

    Vargas just plain hates De La Hoya and, in this case, I think the emotion will be a positive. I believe him when he says that he'd rather die than loose to Oscar, so expect Fernando to dig even deeper than he did against Trinidad. Keep in mind that when Vargas fought Tito, he FOUGHT Tito. He had Trinidad in
    really deep water, something Oscar wasn't able to do. And he took Trinidad's Sunday best for 11+ rounds. As soon as Oscar tasted Felix's power he got on his bicycle and rode it like Greg LeMond. Fernando's the bigger man of the two; maybe not taller, but he is thicker.

    Oscar has a lot to prove, mostly to himself. If he wants to be at the top of the food chain again he knows he needs to look impressive against Vargas. And I really think he's heard enough of Fernando's gums flappin' and is ready to silence him. Oscar has a huge advantage in big fight experience which should give him an early edge. A win by De La Hoya sets up a megafight with Bernard Hopkins or Vernon Forrest, rematches with Mosley & Trinidad and maybe even a shot at Joe Calzaghe & his Super Middle title. A loss will
    likely send Oscar back to the recording studio. Coming into the ring, expect the crowd to be behind Vargas. When I was at the Barrera - Morales rematch I noticed just how divided the crowd was - there was a TJ faction and a Districto Federal faction. The ONLY thing they could agree upon the entire evening
    was cheering wildly for Ferocious Fernando as he entered the arena. The crowd swarmed him and he loved it. He promised he'd win for all of Mexico, which had the crowd beyond frenzied.

    My only question about Vargas is did he leave everything he had in the ring with Felix and is he now a shot fighter ?

    Is Oscar still hungry enough to gut out a war to win another title?

    My pre-fight answer to both questions is 'I just don't know'.

    Vargas has an edge in power, toughness & age. He's the 'fighter' of the two.

    Oscar is the better pure boxer and has an advantage in experience.
    He's the athlete of the two.

    Usually, I have a strong opinion on big fights, but not in this one. I have a feeling that I'll be in the minority with my pick, but I'm going with a gut instinct & select the fighter over the boxer - Vargas, in a real war, by late round TKO.

    Steve Coughlin,
    The CBZ

    “Vargas by decision -
    On paper it should be DelaHoya based on handspeed and Fernando's dented chin... but Oscar is coming off of surgery on his power hand, hasn't fought in 15 months, hasn't had a tune-up since his mediocre debut at 154 over a year ago, is a slow starter (especially after an extended layoff), and will be the smaller man in the ring. Given Vargas' determination, its going to be a tough night for DelaHoya. Sure, Oscar could jab, move and box to a decision, but can he go 12 hard at 154 without tiring in the late rounds? We doubt it. Vargas rallies late and takes it on all cards in a slim but decisive victory.”

    Chris Bushnell
    Editor, BoxingChronicle.com
    Staff Writer, CyberBoxingZone.com

    “De La Hoya TKO 9 - I can really see Vargas' emotions getting the best of him. De La Hoya is a much more mature fighter.”

    Stephen Tobey,
    MaxBoxing.com

    “This will be tactical fight, despite all the bad blood between the two. There may be some fireworks early, but Oscar is too fast and too smart to get knocked out by Vargas. Oscar will outbox him on his way to a twelve round unanimous decision.”

    Knucklejunction,
    The CBZ

    “I'm not sure I've gotten one right yet, but you may record that Eric T. Jorgensen takes De La Hoya on points.”

    Eric Jorgensen,
    The CBZ

    “Personally, I think Tito ruined Vargas. It VERY hard for any fighter to recover from a beat down like that. Then when Rivera almost knocked him cold it was telling & the fight with Shibata Flores wasn't one in which Vargas shined.

    I also think all the pent up emotion in Vargas is going to work against him. Being in a rage DOES NOT help a fighter. You have to keep your wits about you.

    If Oscar is close to his old self, I can see him cruising to a decision win or a late round TKO. By cruising I don't mean it's going to an easy fight but if Oscar still has his skills, Vargas will have his moments but I think Oscar wins going away.

    GorDoom a.k.a. The Ol’ Spit Bucket
    Managing Editor, The CBZ

    “I like Oscar by a unanimous decision, 116-112.”

    Mark Beiro,
    Ring Announcer

    “This is almost like scouting an old timers game in that both guys haven't fought in a while. Vargas on Sept 22, and Oscar back in June of 2001. This will hurt the PPV #'s and the fight itself as both guys will be looking to get their bearings early on! Will pass on pick BUT if gun put to head would take Oscar on points!”

    Pedro Fernandez,
    Host-Radio America Network www.RingTalk.com

    “Oscar is certainly a better boxer than Vargas. But there are two salient factors against him. One, he hasn't fought in almost a year with a damaged hand, and two, Vargas really wants to kill him. There is one salient factor in his favor. Vargas' brutal KO by Felix Trinidad and his two subsequent fights which showed that Vargas had gone back in form. I predict that Vargas' last gasp of motivation will inspire him to fight at his best level since Trinidad. I also predict that since De La Hoya really doesn't like to get hit (who does?) and mix it up, he will choose to box Fernando at long range. And he will succeed, for the most part, except for Vargas' rough stuff -- elbows, shoulders, cuffing, heeling, the like. I say Vargas will lose one, possibly two, points on fouls and referee's subsequent deductions of points. There will be at least one flash knockdown of Vargas. Vargas might then throw Oscar down in frustration. De La Hoya by cautious, unanimous decision followed by a Vargas riot in the ring.

    James A. Merolla,
    The Attleboro Sun Chronicle & The CBZ

    “De La Hoya by kayo after the 6th round. Vargas was wrecked by Trinidad.”

    Mike DeLisa,
    Publisher, The CBZ

    “I like De La Hoya to a unanimous decision over Vargas.”
    Mel Baron,
    FightNews.com

    “I know a lot of you don't like Vargas because he has a lot of the street in him, but I'll be rooting my ass off for him Saturday night. This is why I don't want to make a pick on this one because I am so emotional. I usually go with my first instincts and a long time ago, even before the fight was made, when I thought about what would happen if they met, I picked Oscar by decision. He has the speed, experience, and enough power and footwork to pull it off. However, now I am not so sure.

    This may be one of those fights where willpower overcomes the odds. Vargas has wanted this fight his entire career. It's all he ever talked about. This is the defining fight in his mind. This is like Evander always dreaming about fighting Tyson. He wants Oscar so badly, he can taste it. I think there is something in his soul that tells him that when the going gets tough he will have the edge on Oscar becasue he believes he is a coward deep down.

    However, it isn't just Vargas' willpower that may allow him to pull this one off. There are other considerations that may weigh in his favor.

    I liked Oscar's style in the ring, but I understood criticism from those who always sensed a fakeness to him outside the ring. It didn't bother me. I also appreciated the criticism that he always had to have an edge in his fights. He took on Chavez when he was over the hill. He took on Whitaker when he was aging, almost losing to Rivera, and becasue he was a small blown up lightweight. That bothered me a little bit, but I understood it was good business.

    The first true risk he took was with Quartey, but he fought very cautiously, only pulling it out in the last round. He then took on a risk he had to take in Trinidad, but I thought he fought like a coward, although I still thought he won. However, the super cautious way he fought lent some insight into how he would fight against a strong guy.

    Against Mosley, he again thought he had a big edge because he was going up against a shorter blown up lightweight. In his mind, it was a fight he was supposed to win. That's why he was so destroyed psychologically when he lost. He blamed everyone but himself. He blamed his trainers. He blamed
    his promoter.

    Oscar quote:
    ‘I don't have blue eyes and I am not white, but a Mexican arriving on the cusp of fame, and that is what they do not support. Bob Arum's people hope that I lose because they can't see a Mexican above them, and also that he has defeated one of the biggest Jews to come out of Harvard.’

    Witness a guy falling to pieces.

    Then he talks and talks about rematches and fighting the best, but he fights nobodies. He didn't look all that good in boxing cautiously to win the title from Castillejo.

    Only now he takes on Vargas after Vargas showed vulnerability and possible shotness against Trinidad and Rivera. Again, not Trinidad or Mosley, the guys he kept talking about fighting - always that edge. Is this really a guy who wants to be in boxing? Does he believe in himself? He insists on 10 ounce gloves. Doesn't want to get hit hard. Vargas is a guy that Oscar believes he should beat. If Oscar doesn't handle Fernando early, what will he do?

    I think his cautiousness outside the ring will translate into cautiousness inside the ring. He may stand and fight here and there, testing Vargas, but overall he is going to try to box cautiously. He doesn't want to BEAT Vargas - he wants his decision. And who is the money maker - who is the guy boxing wants to win? If it is close, it's going to Oscar.

    Now look at Vargas. An unbelievably talented youngster who was I believe the youngest national champion in U.S. history, younger than Tyson. Hell, they kept him out of international competition because he was too young.

    He is not risk averse. He is willing to get in there in fight. He told us that, and he proved it, at a much younger age than Oscar. He got in there with a guy no one wanted to fight, a guy who could make anyone look bad, a guy Oscar would NEVER step in the ring with: Winky Wright. Maybe he lost, maybe it was a draw, maybe he won. But the kid has balls. Against Quartey he fought his ass off in one of the best fights you'll ever see. Again, not risk averse. He fought his heart out against Felix, stood there with him, took devastating bombs, got dropped, but came back to drop Felix. He fought as best he could and got stopped, but he FOUGHT. He did what he said he would. Vargas is an honest fighter and I believe him when he says he would rather die than lose to Oscar. Don't underestimate motivation. He is more of a fighter deep down than Oscar.

    Yes he got dropped by Rivera, but he came back soon thereafter and stopped him with a body shot. Rivera was not on his way out against Oscar, and it took 10 rounds of pounding for Mosley to take him out. Against Anthony Stephens, Vargas again stopped him with a wicked body shot fairly early, after Stephens had given Trinidad hell before being stopped. Vargas is tough and he can crack. Oscar does not take it well to the body at all and I think that is the first key to beating him. Break the body.

    One other thing to consider is that Vargas isn't just a puncher. He does have boxing skills. He can move, he does have speed. He boxed the pants off Campas. He can play Oscar's game better than many may realize, and that could throw Oscar off. A puncher who can box is sometimes the toughest guy to beat.

    The real question is whether Fernando has tightened up his defensive liabilities. Oscar has that blazing left hook and left uppercut, and Vargas tends to stand too straight up and is a bit stiff defensively. He did get dropped by Rivera right. Against Felix, he got caught with that hook. However, Oscar doesn't look like a killer puncher at 154 and he definitely is not as strong as Felix. Oscar can probably hurt him, but I don't know that he can finish him. Even standing in there with a stronger Trinidad, Vargas made it to the 12th, and again, Oscar does not have the same conditioning that Trinidad has.

    The other question many are asking is whether Vargas is shot. When Felix pounds on fighters it tends to ruin careers. However, I think Vargas was young enough to bounce back. I also think there has been enough recovery time. Many think this delay because of Oscar's hurt wrist is hurting Vargas. I think he is in even better shape and these extra months has only provided him extra healing time from the Trinidad bout. Also, again you have to consider motivation. Desire will help Vargas overcome. If he goes down, he's going to get up.

    And he's going to hit Oscar, hard. If Oscar got a bit rocked in the 12th by a lightweight like Mosley, he's in for some pain when he gets cracked by Vargas. Fernando isn't just going to sleepwalk around the ring for 12 rounds like Felix. He's a bit slicker than that, so expect him to be a much more of a tactical challenge than Trinidad. In fact, Fernando may be enough of a blend of Mosley and Trinidad to test Oscar in an entirely new way.”

    Adam Pollack
    Cyberboxingzone.com

    “I'd think Vargas will come out fast and try to just overpower the Golden Boy, which could make for some excitement early. But ultimately Oscar gets away, bides his time, turns it into a boring chess match and maybe takes Vargas out late when he's tired of chasing De La Hoya. Vargas is bigger and stronger and wins if it's a brawl, but Oscar knows this and makes sure it isn't going that way. De La Hoya
    TKO-10.”

    Jay N. Miller
    Quincy Patriot Ledger

    “I was too young to have picked a 32-year old version of Ali over the seemingly invincible George Foreman. I probably would have went with Foreman. You’d think that I’d learned my lesson for not picking Holyfield over Tyson the first time or thinking that Sugar Ray Leonard would easily dispatch Hearns in their 1989 rematch. After all, Hearns had shown in his prior matches that he was worse for wear than his rival Leonard. It’s clear that Vargas has it in for De La Hoya as Hearns and Holyfield had for their antagonists. You don’t need to be a psychiatrist or a 2nd-grader to know this. Like De La Hoya, Vargas always appears to train hard before all of his fights and I don’t think he takes Oscar lightly even though the Oxnard native is the more natural and stronger 154-pounder. Though Hearns and Holyfield proved that you shouldn’t always judge someone by their last performance, Vargas looks too vulnerable to me and believe De La Hoya will be too sharp for Vargas' slowed reflexes. And judging by Vargas' weak defense (holding his hands too far out, leaving him susceptible to the left hooks and brutal follow-ups), I’m forced to go with Oscar. Machismo and desire are great attributes but contrary to what some believe, Oscar has huge cajones and will either win by a convincing decision or late rounds stoppage. As he had against Tito, Vargas will display his huge heart.”

    JD Vena,
    Associate Editor, The CBZ
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe Experts Pick The Winner of De La Hoya - Vargas``x1031880648,44850,``x``x ``xPendarvis Boxing Promotions Presents Irish Explosion
    Friday night, September 13 at the National Guard Armory, Braintree

    RESULTS

    MAIN EVENT
    LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
    8 ROUNDS
    WDEC8 (80-72, 80-72, 80-72)
    Shaun "Big Trouble" CREEGAN DANNY SHEEHAN
    Plainville, MA Brockton, MA
    14-1-2, (2 KOs) 8-20 (3 KOs)

    CO-FEATURE
    MIDDLEWEIGHTS
    6 ROUNDS
    WTKO1 (3:00)
    LEATICIA "Baby Girl" ROBINSON EVELYN HOLLEY
    No. 1 WIBA & IWBF
    Chicago, IL Pennsauken, NJ
    9-0 (8 KOs) 1-3-1 (0 KO)

    JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS
    4 ROUNDS
    WKO2 (:58)
    SECHEW POWELL JULIO CESAR MONTERO
    Former National amateur champion
    Brooklyn, NY Miami, FL
    2-0 (2 KO) 2-5 (1 KO)

    HEAVYWEIGHTS
    4 ROUNDS
    WDEC4 (40-36, 39-37, 36-40)
    ROY "House of" PAYNE WILLIE LEE KEMP
    Worcester, MA Troy, NY
    15-11-4 (6 KOs) 14-28 (8 KOs)

    SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
    4 ROUNDS
    WDEC4 (40-35, 40-35, 40-35)
    MARTIN "The Irish Assassin" THORNTON JERRY SMITH
    South Boston, MA Atlanta, GA
    2-0-1 (1 KO) 1-11-3 (1 KO)


    (lightweights EDDIE MC ALONEY-CILAI BURNS CANCELLED)
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xResults From Braintree ``x1032022089,71820,``x``x ``xBy Chris Bushnell

    It has been three long years since Oscar DelaHoya controlled the sport of boxing. In late 1999, an undefeated DelaHoya called all the shots. He was welterweight champion, the biggest non-heavyweight draw, and the highest paid athlete in the sport. But a loss to Felix Trinidad had some questioning his heart. A loss to Shane Mosley had some questioning his pound-for-pound status. Set-up opponents like Derrell Coley and Arturo Gatti had some questioning his desire to fight the best. A decision victory over Javier Castillejo had some questioning his power at 154. Surgery on his power hand had some questioning his physical condition. And a 15-month layoff had nearly everyone questioning how much longer DelaHoya intended to fight professionally. So who would have guessed that DelaHoya would storm out against the bigger, stronger Fernando Vargas and turn in the single most impressive victory of his 36-fight career?

    Fight fans like to see their champions overcome adversity. DelaHoya did just that against Fernando Vargas, who proved himself to be every bit a worthy challenger to DelaHoya’s supremacy. As the fighters met at center ring to begin their long-awaited showdown, DelaHoya opened up first, bursting quick punches to Vargas’ sides and peppering him with a stiff jab. As Vargas patiently waited for a counter opportunity, DelaHoya’s handspeed advantage swept the first half of the round. Pumping his jab equally at Vargas’ nose and navel, DelaHoya wasted no time showing why bookmakers had installed him as a -270 betting favorite in a pick ‘em fight. But DelaHoya’s flashy flurries were not accompanied by his usual floating footwork, and after only 90 seconds of action, Vargas was able to time DelaHoya with a crisp counter right hand. Thirty seconds later, Vargas would back DelaHoya to the ropes with a pair of right hands to the side.

    Back to the ropes, Oscar ducked a short Vargas hook and his feet slipped out from under him. He fell back between the middle ropes and Vargas pounced. Fernando clipped DelaHoya with two power shots as he tried to untangle himself from the ropes. As the crowd cheered with approval, Vargas kept DelaHoya pinned against the strands and began firing his best shots. At first, DelaHoya assumed a Mayweather-esque pose (right hand over right cheek, left hand at right elbow, left shoulder tucked over chin) and tried to roll with Vargas’ shots. But a Vargas hook and then straight right caught DelaHoya flush. Oscar tried to move to his left, but Vargas was on top of him, trapping him now in a corner. Vargas hammered DelaHoya with another straight right and a few shots that only caught Oscar on the arms. As DelaHoya pushed out towards center ring, Vargas punched him back to the ropes with three hard left hooks to the face. Those shots contributed to a large red scrape on DelaHoya’s right cheek, a contusion partially blocked by the growling grin DelaHoya flashed at Vargas when the bell sounded. First round to Fernando.

    DelaHoya met Vargas at center ring to begin the second round and immediately began working the body. Keeping Fernando away with a heavy jab, Oscar was again able to control the pace from a mostly flat-footed stance. Not since his bout with Miguel Angel Gonzalez has DelaHoya’s stick been so effective. He routinely touched Vargas’ nose with the punch, and on more than one occasion stopped Vargas in place by jabbing to the stomach and then quickly re-jabbing to the mouth. As Oscar continued to touch Vargas with two and three punch flurries, it was clear that DelaHoya’s punches (for now, anyway) were nowhere near as powerful and painful as those being thrown by Vargas. This point was emphasized when Vargas again timed DelaHoya with a straight right hand, this time much later in the round. The punch bounced clean off the center of Oscar’s forehead and a concerned DelaHoya voluntarily backed up to the ropes after Vargas followed with a loud body shot of his own. But Vargas’ offense came too late in the round to make a difference, and Oscar’s steady workrate evened the score.

    And so each fighter’s objective became clear: Oscar would try and keep the bout at center ring where he could use angles and occasional movement while Vargas would try and bull DelaHoya to the ropes, where short power shots and a smothering offense could be most effective. Round three started at center ring with DelaHoya again double jabbing downstairs and up with great effect. But another Vargas counter right found its target and again sent DelaHoya into retreat mode. This time, Vargas got in his shot early, and most of the rest of the round saw DelaHoya moving from one set of ropes to another while Vargas pounded his sides, arms and shoulders. DelaHoya’s attempts to roll with Vargas’ shots worked occasionally, but also left him open for the occasional face shots Vargas began to land in the round. Appearing too wary of Vargas’ power to fight his way off the ropes, DelaHoya instead tried merely to survive. The result was a big Vargas round in which Oscar started to look visibly concerned with his inability to hold off his stronger opponent.

    When a fight comes down to setting the pace, the boxer has the distinct advantage. DelaHoya spent the fourth round reestablishing his jab in the middle of the ring with a frenetic pace and not giving Vargas any chance to counter. The blows began a slight swelling under Vargas’ left eye and allowed DelaHoya to again focus on Vargas’ body. When Oscar was in this zone, Vargas was neutralized. Although he took DelaHoya’s shots with relative ease (again, for now), his return fire was limited to only a few lead hooks. Vargas was fighting a patient fight, but also allowing DelaHoya to get loose with his most effective weapon.

    Vargas’ corner insisted that he needed to be the one setting the pace, and so El Feroz came out in round five and immediately chopped DelaHoya with an overhand right. Vargas followed with another busting right hand, and DelaHoya answered with a flat-footed hook-cross answer. Vargas answered the answer with two more right hands of his own, the second of which bloodied DelaHoya’s nose. For a fight that was mostly based on strategy, timing, and sweet science, this brutal exchange stood out in the bout as a reminder that these two guys didn’t like each other. Both guys were swinging for the fences with singular power shots… and landing. This was most certainly a fight.

    DelaHoya seemed instantly distracted by the red moustache he had suddenly grown. As he again retreated until his back touched ropes, he blew blood out of his nose in short bursts and pawed at the mess several times. Vargas came alive at the sight of his rival’s blood and again began pounding Oscar on the ropes. For over a minute, DelaHoya again slid along the edge of the ring while Vargas followed him with effective punches. DelaHoya had no answer from this ring position, and Vargas was really letting him have it. In the fifth round, DelaHoya took more clean hooks and crosses to the chin that he had in his fights with Mosley and Trinidad combined. When the round finally ended, a bloody and confused DelaHoya returned to his corner, where even more chaos was underway. Floyd Mayweather, Sr. may have panicked a bit, as Oscar’s instructions before round six were frantically screamed while DelaHoya looked like he was seeking more sound advice in his own head.

    Oscar needed to make adjustments, the first of which was the presence of more determined footwork. DelaHoya continued to jab and hook at Vargas in the sixth round, but he did so mostly while floating away. As a result, his punches lacked steam and his retreat occasionally resembled the stay-away footwork of DelaHoya-Trinidad. Vargas did his best to give chase, but was having a harder time catching up with DelaHoya. At one point, Vargas may have charged in too quickly, as a DelaHoya hook, one of his best so far in the night, opened a small but deep cut under Vargas’ right eye. The wound was not in any danger of halting the fight, but it did streak a wide river of blood down Vargas’ face in this, and almost every remaining, round. With DelaHoya moving and Vargas chasing, the round was not as action packed as the earlier stanzas. Thus, when the 10-second clacker sounded both men tried to flurry to steal the round. DelaHoya started first with three quick bursts of punches, none of which landed. Then Vargas clocked DelaHoya with a massive hook, followed a missed-right later by another short hook to the chin. Both punches rattled DelaHoya, who answered with a wicked right cross that was thrown as the bell was sounding and landed after Vargas had already dropped his hands. Easily the toughest round to score, we favored Vargas by the slimmest of margins.

    As the second half of the bout began, fans started scanning the fighters for fatigue. And while DelaHoya was the one who came into the ring with a reputation for fading down the stretch, it seemed that it was Vargas who had lost a half-step in the speed department. DelaHoya opened round seven by again moving, but punching at Vargas with more determination. As Vargas diligently pursued, DelaHoya continued to jab to the head, pound the body, and give Vargas angles. At mid-round, Oscar cracked into Vargas with a solid hook. The punch stopped Vargas in his tracks. Oscar waited a beat, then fired a massive lead right hand. Oscar has used his right with surprising effectiveness in a few recent bouts, but now he was really turning the punch over and hurting Vargas with it. After another beat, Oscar timed another single lead right, again smacking Vargas hard on the jawline and drawing a huge pop from the crowd. Whether through confidence or a bit of exhaustion of his own (DelaHoya had been maintaining a blistering pace for most of the night), DelaHoya ended the round by fighting Vargas with both hands down at his waist. Vargas tried to capitalize, but seemed too thrown off by DelaHoya’s heavy right hands. While he tried to figure out an answer to Oscar’s adjustment, he rarely threw a punch.

    DelaHoya, who had claimed before the bout that he was once and for all a “two-handed fighter,” wasted no time in round eight testing out Vargas’ ability to avoid the right hand. He couldn’t. DelaHoya ripped Fernando with two more heavy rights early in round eight, and the effect was yet more Vargas waiting. It was now Vargas’ turn to be the one shuffling left and right. You could see Vargas’ frustration and feel his confusion as his aggressive gameplan yielded to a more cautious approach. With DelaHoya temporarily freed from the pressure of coping with a stronger opponent who comes forward, he again set a busy pace, busting Vargas with the jab, body shots and an occasional uppercut. Just before the bell, DelaHoya capped off a dominant round by crushing Vargas with a loud one-two, perhaps the single most effective right hand DelaHoya has ever thrown in the ring.

    With the fight still too close to call, but starting to shift towards DelaHoya, Vargas needed to rally. Focusing on DelaHoya’s right side, Vargas began throwing low right hands at Oscar’s ribs. After a few such shots, DelaHoya’s hands again began swinging low. After a few more, DelaHoya again found himself retreating to the ropes, the one place he did not want to be. Vargas crossed DelaHoya’s chin with a couple of beautiful right hands early in the round, but he was not as fresh as he had been in the first part of the fight. While Vargas still maintained the advantage with DelaHoya trapped in corners, Vargas’ punches were starting to look slower and come less frequently. Still, his efforts in round nine were more than enough bank him a round and keep his chances alive.

    Vargas felt he had finally solved the problem of DelaHoya’s right by digging his own right to the body, and in round ten he continued to dig to the ribs. While Oscar continued to add minor swelling to Vargas’ face with the jab, Vargas was starting to answer with jabs of his own. Both men were landing punches, but Vargas caught a brief second wind and began to show more signs of life as the round wore on. For his part, DelaHoya was now picking his spots more carefully. Sometimes he would throw a flurry quickly, other times he would commit harder to a smaller combination. His harder shots were landing clean, but Vargas was still being the more effective fighter in the round overall. As the ten-second clapper sounded, Vargas looked like he had banked another important round at a time when the fight was up for grabs. But with five seconds left to go, DelaHoya threw three short punches to the ribs and ended the combination with an upstairs hook. The punch landed right on the base of Vargas’ jaw. Vargas took a quarter step back and began doing the noodle dance: that incontrollable full-body shake that comes only when your central nervous system is temporarily on the fritz. The crowd erupted with a deafening cheer, but DelaHoya could not land a follow-up shot before the bell sounded. The punch not only flipped a Vargas round to DelaHoya’s column, but changed the entire course of the evening. Vargas appeared to be rallying, but now he sat slumped in his corner, blinking feverishly as his seconds dumped ice water over his head.

    As the eleventh round began, it was up to Oscar to see what Vargas had left in the tank. But DelaHoya started tentatively, perhaps with good reason. Vargas did not look wobbly as the round started, and he came at DelaHoya with his hands closely guarding his face. Oscar spent most of the first 90 seconds of the round jabbing carefully. Then, only seconds after the fight went long enough to pay the over, DelaHoya swung his trademark half-hook/half-uppercut. The punch swiped the front of Vargas’ face. A half-second later, DelaHoya launched another massive hook, this one from a more conventional angle. The bomb was a bull’s-eye, landing flush on the side of Vargas’ head. He may not have even seen it coming.

    The punch lifted Vargas off his feet. He flew backwards, his entire body floating above the canvas before he landed on his tailbone and smacked the back of his head on the floor. As he has in the Trinidad fight, Vargas popped up immediately. But he was so shaken that even the fans could see the stars he was dancing around his head. Joe Cortez completed a mandatory eight count and then allowed DelaHoya to finish the show.

    Oscar ran at Vargas, who had barely stepped out of a neutral corner, and fired off a six-punch combination. Maybe Vargas has some senses left, or maybe his floppy body was just lucky… but DelaHoya missed all six punches. Luckily, Vargas was doing little more than trying to slip and cover up. DelaHoya took a half-step back, took a deep breath, and then fired at Vargas again. This time he found his target, pushing Vargas across the ropes with the force of his blows and then trapping him in another corner. DelaHoya knew Vargas was hurt and knew just how to end the fight. Holding out his left arm straight, DelaHoya took two seconds to perfectly measure Vargas, then let his hands go in a blinding, but random, flurry. A few early blows snapped Vargas’ head back, and then to the left. Cortez moved closer. Vargas covered up and DelaHoya simply unloaded a dozen unanswered punches to the front of his gloves. Cortez had no choice but to step in and halt the action. Vargas was not returning fire, was barely covering up, and was starting to slump into the ropes. It was a good call. DelaHoya KO11.

    There was no protest from Vargas, who seemed completely dazed. A relieved DelaHoya circled to center ring, spit out his mouthpiece and then slowly raised his arms with complete satisfaction. He had just knocked out the cocky young upstart who for over five years had taunted him both in private and public. It was probably his best win as a pro.

    After the fight, DelaHoya (now 35-2/27) could not contain his broad smile. Now the WBA and WBC champion, Oscar did a lot to erase his image as a cautious, powerless-at-154, questionably conditioned, ABC titlist. He is now not only the man at 154, but he is finally a legit champion in four weight classes (we didn’t count the win over Castillejo as a real junior middle title and we still don’t count the WBO title he won at 130). This time, when he called out for rematches with Mosley and Trinidad, he did so with the confidence of a man who thinks he can win, not a man who feels he must because he has few other options. Nearly three years removed from his fall from grace against Trinidad, DelaHoya has, with this gritty performance, once again risen to the top of the sport. While he still may not fight on much longer, his future plans are now vastly more relevant. DelaHoya has some big fights ahead of him… and after this amazing performance, they may prove to be his biggest fights yet.

    Vargas (now 22-2/20) was unavailable for reaction after the bout… he was wisely rushed to a hospital. We’re not sure if he was ambulanced away because he needed medical treatment (Vargas sustained a beating almost as bad as the one Tito gave him) or because he needed to be put on suicide watch. Having invested so much time and emotion into this bout, it will be most difficult for this young fighter to swallow losing to man he so genuinely despised. Still, his career is far from over. Vargas fought valiantly. At times in the early rounds, he fought far above expectations. He will be back. The fans love warriors of Vargas’ ilk. There will always be butts in the seats when he fights.

    But this was Oscar’s night. Past victories haven’t always been. After most of his welterweight showdowns, even the ones he won, Oscar often left much to be desired. This night was a different story. This was Oscar’s night to shine.

    …..Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDe La Hoya Teaches Vargas a Lesson``x1032110588,4762,``x``x ``xPress Release:

    FIGHT NIGHT 37, The Lucky Eagle Casino, Friday September 13, 2002
    >
    By Duncan MacLeod
    >
    > Rudy Lovato, (19-22) (w/-5 KO) 152 lbs vs. Candy Robertson, (13-4)
    > (w/-10KO) 155 lbs......
    > Candy Robertson defeated Rudy Lovato by KO in 2:35 of the 1st round.
    > Robertson destroyed Lovato with a devastating right hook to the chin.
    > Lovato lay propped against the ropes, eyes dazed and motionless.
    The
    > referee started his count and then called the fight in favor of
    Robinson.
    >
    > Super Welterweight, Scheduled 6 Rounds
    > Ron Pasek, (12-19-3) (w/-7 KO) 152 lbs vs. Jason Parillo (6-0)
    (w/-5KO)
    > 150 lbs..............
    > Jason Parillo defeated Ron Pasek by KO in 1:47 of the 6th round.
    Pasek
    > dominated the fight early, knocking Parillo to the canvas two times
    in the
    > first three rounds. Parillo fought back with a barrage of incredible
    body
    > shots and powerful uppercuts. In the sixth round Parillo backed
    Pasek
    > into a corner and with one amazing punch he snapped Pasek's head back
    and
    > Pasek fell stiff as a board into the ropes. Parillo's remarkable
    sixth
    > round comeback knockout sent the crowd wild and the fans voted him as
    the
    > night's favorite fighter.
    >
    > JR Welterweight, Scheduled 6 Rounds
    > Rafael Ortiz, ( 5-0) (w/-5KO) 140 lbs vs. Donald Fosmire, (9-5-1)
    (w/-6KO)
    > 144 lbs....
    > Rafael Ortiz defeated Donald Fosmire by TKO in 3:01 of the 4th round.
    > Ortiz wore Fosmire down with magnificent technique and astonishing
    > persistence. Ortiz did not waste a punch, every opening and every
    > opportunity Ortiz had, he snapped a hard jab to Fosmire's jaw.
    Fosmire
    > countered with power punches that seemed to frustrate Ortiz early,
    but
    > Ortiz's superior skill punished Fosmire on the fence. When the 4th
    round
    > ended Fosmire decided he had enough of Ortiz and refused to go back
    into
    > the ring with him.
    >
    > Middleweight, Scheduled 4 Rounds
    > Ishwar Amador, (3-3) (w/2KO) 162 lbs vs. Damion Hatch, (6-3-1)
    (w/-4KO)
    > 164 lbs.....
    > Ishwar Amador defeated Damion Hatch in a unanimous 4 round decision.
    > Hatch flashed his power sporadically and battled hard against a tough
    > Amador. Amador's endurance in the later rounds gave him a slight
    advantage
    > over Hatch for the win.
    >
    > Lightweight, Scheduled 4 Rounds
    > Angelo Torres, (5-5-1) (w/-2KO) 127lbs vs. Greg Piper, (4-1) (w/-2KO)
    135
    > lbs.......
    > Angelo Torres defeated Greg Piper with a 4th round split decision.
    Torres
    > worked inside on the taller Piper. The crucial blow came in the 3rd
    round
    > when Piper's legs began to buckle and Torres knocked him to the
    canvas.
    > The judges scored the fight 39-35, 39-35, 35-37 in favor of Torres.
    >
    > JR Welterweight, Scheduled 4 Rounds
    > Darren Darby, (0-1) 139 lbs vs. David Cadego (2-1) (w/1KO) 138 lbs
    > .................
    > David Cadego defeated Darren Darby in a unanimous 4 round decision.
    Cadego
    > dominated the young and inexperienced Darby. Cadego was aggressive
    > throughout the fight and soundly defeated his opponent
    >
    > Christian Lopes, (1-4) 130 lbs vs. Marquez Gibson, (0-1) 128
    > lbs.............
    > Christian Lopes defeated Marquez Gibson by TKO in 2:32 of the 3rd
    round.
    > Lopes pummeled Gibson. Gibson insisted spitting out his mouthpiece
    to
    > catch his breath. Eventually his corner threw in the towel in the
    third
    > round as Gibson looked like he wanted no piece of Lopez.
    > ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xFriday 13th at the Lucky Eagle ``x1032384558,63034,``x``x ``xThe Washington Department of Licensing announces the following card for the September 21 boxing show at the Emerald Queen Casino, in Tacoma, WA.
    8 p.m. As always this card is subject to change.

    Irvin Greene vs. Reginald Lowe 4 rounds
    Neil Stephens vs. John Flewin 4 rounds
    Martha Salazar vs. Carley Pesmte 4 rounds
    Ron Carnell vs. Mark Woolnaugh 6 rounds
    Tim Shocks vs. Louis Sargeant 8 rounds
    Rudy Lunsford vs. Juan Gomez 10 rounds``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xBump City Bang Fest Coming Up``x1032384691,77152,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    If Ray Oliveira defeated Charles “The Natural” Murray going into the fight with a broken nose and drew with top-rated Omar Weis going into the fight with torn right ACL, then why would he be nervous fighting 2-time title challenger Saul Duran tomorrow night after being inactive for over 9 months? Well if you knew how many punches he likes to throw in each of his fights then you’d understand how important it is for him to get back into the ring.

    Oliveira (42-8-2/ 19), himself a former 2-time world title challenger has been eking to get back in the ring ever since recovering from knee surgery in March. He’s been training diligently since May and even served as one of one of Fernando Vargas’ sparring partners for his famous duel with De La Hoya last weekend. Looking for an opponent had been so difficult that he even said he would fight as a jr. welterweight, something he professed after the Weis fight wasn’t possible. Despite all attempts but completely starve himself to death, Oliveira couldn’t come close to the contracted limit of 141 pounds at today’s weigh-in (he weighed 147). Duran (32-6-2/ 27) tipped the scale at 142 1/2.

    Such a disparity in weight was the case when Weis opted to face Hector Camacho, Jr. earlier this year despite being outweighed by some 10 pounds. Weis’ decision paid dividends as he won a lopsided decision and secured a decent money fight with former champ Zab Judah in the summer. The difference in Oliveira’s case is the extra weight didn’t have to do with lack of training as it did with Camacho.

    “I saw Ray the other day,” said Mike Nosky, a scribe of SecondOut.com and co-matchmaker of Oliveira’s promoter, Jimmy Burchfield. “He told me that he weighed 146 but that he felt he could make 141. Then he pulls his shirt up and jokingly says, ‘I don’t know where it’s going to come off though.’ His stomach was shredded and he looked very muscular. It looked like he went to Vargas’ camp and cloned his body.”

    According to Burchfield Duran took a page out of the Oliveira/ Weis rulebook, which says, ‘Fight regardless of adversity.’ Tomorrow night’s fight takes place at the Jersey City Armory and will be televised by ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights.

    Just think, last week’s De La Hoya-Vargas fight may not even pan out as the second best fight of the year, should Ward-Gatti II be nearly as thrilling as their May encounter. Ward meets Gatti on November 23rd at Atlantic City’s brand new Boardwalk Hall and in case you didn’t know, tickets went on sale yesterday. They range from $50 to $300 (ringside), with over 3,000 seats priced at $50. For ticket info call (609) 348-7000.

    On October 4th, Burchfield pops the cherry of the Providence’s Dunkin Donuts Center with its first boxing event. Headlining will be the city’s top prospect, Peter Manfredo, Jr. (15-0/ 6) who will be matched with former 3-time world champion Frankie “The Surgeon Randall (58-12-1/ 42) in a 12-rounder. Though Randall had a streak of 7 straight losses dating back to 1998, he’s been back on track winning his last two fights by TKO. Also expected to appear on the card will be Brockton’s Tim Flamos (16-2-1/ 8), the New England Cruiserweight champion and New Bedford’s Jason “The Schoolboy” Pires (19-2/ 8). I’m told the Dunkin Donuts Center is a beautiful place and seats 7,000. For ticket information call 401-724-2253 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta ``x1032482352,93358,``x``x ``xAttah and Tontchev try to enter big picture again

    by Kris Van de Velde

    It is going to be a rather quiet weekend in boxing circles with only a few bouts that have a certain value in terms of the World Cup competition. At super feather, latest Freitas victim Daniel Attah (#12, v480) will attempt to get his career back on track with a risky contest against Bulgarian Tontcho Tontchev (#43, v202 at 135 lbs). Location is the Armory Arena in Jersey City. On the undercard, super lightweight Ray Oliveira (#23, v346), unbeaten super bantam Roger Gonzalez (#35, v255) and cruiser Imamu Mayfield (#27, v314) will appear against weaker opposition on paper.

    Essex, England, is the setting for a Commonwealth title fight in the bantamweight division between local man Nicky Booth (#33, v269) and Canadian Stephen Molitor (#29, v298). The winner might narrowly enter the official World Cup top ten on October 5. Molitor is already 16th in the race at 122 lbs.

    Former WBA heavyweight titlist Tim Witherspoon (#33, v269) remains a respected fighter despite his now very advanced age. Witherspoon faces Lou Savarese (#46, v184) in Friant, California, on Sunday and if the veteran wins, he could get very close to the top ten of the 2002 competition and even enter the division's top 20 again! Terrible Tim is already having his fourth fight this year, whereas most prominent heavyweights have only been in the ring once.

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Preview``x1032533065,69,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Oliveira Flexes His Muscles

    If you can believe it New Bedford’s “Sucra” Ray Oliveira was a little nervous going into his fight with Mexican Saul Duran on ESPN last Friday. Oliveira had not fought in ’02 because of the torn right ACL he incurred prior to facing Argentina’s Omar Weis in December.

    “I felt nervous in the locker room wondering how I would do,” said Oliveira. “Being off 9 months made me feel like an amateur going into the ring.”

    When it came down to fight-time however, Oliveira fought like the seasoned pro he is. The human punching machine who has at one point thrown over 200 punches in a round (that’s more than a punch a second folks) wore down Duran and stopped him in the 9th round. In the final frame, Oliveira was hit with a low punch and when he looked at referee Frank Capuccino as if to say, “Did you see that?” Capuccino, the same referee who didn’t have much to say about Arturo Gatti’s low blows to Micky Ward, ordered the fight on and off went Oliveira who fired a relentless assault at Duran who turned away and wouldn’t defend himself. After Oliveira landed his final punch, a vicious left uppercut to Duran’s chin, Cappuccino halted the bout.

    “If anything I blame the referee (for Duran’s misunderstanding),” said Oliveira in Duran’s defense. “Duran doesn’t speak any English. But the ref did gesture with his hands for the fight to continue so I did. You learn when you’re an amateur to watch for the ref’s hand signals. I think the kid hit me low so that I would need a break. It seemed like he needed a rest more than anyone.”

    Oliveira, the former 2-time NABF jr. welterweight champion officially weighed 148 pounds for the fight and is happily a welterweight now.

    “I proved to myself that I am a welterweight. I always thought I should have been fighting here but I had some doubters. Some people didn’t believe that I was a welter but I felt stronger, quicker and more energetic than I’ve felt in a long time. I began lifting weights to help recover from my knee surgery (in March). Eventually, I started working on all of my body parts and filled out as a welterweight. Kevin DuPont and Brian Montero, the two trainers I had working with me at Gold’s Gym (in New Bedford) were responsible for building me up.”

    Oliveira’s game was also boosted when he was invited to work with Fernando Vargas for three weeks during his preparations for his megafight with De La Hoya.

    “In working with Vargas I felt comfortable sparring with him and he’s one of, if not the best jr. middleweight in the world. He and I sparred 10 rounds every other day. I’ll be 34 next week and he’s 24 and physically at his best. The experience in that camp showed me what I can do with the bigger guys.”

    Oliveira, now 43-8-2 with 21 KO’s is looking to get back in the ring as early as November or December and hopes that he can lure Hector Camacho, Jr. into a match.

    “I’m sick of guys like Camacho living off their father’s name,” said Oliveira. “I have a lot of respect for his father and he’s no way near the fighter he is. If he wants to be a welterweight then he and I should get it on.”

    Nosky’s Nuggets Will Return

    Though we do what we can when it comes to breaking the sports’ stories, the CBZ isn’t more of a news website in comparison to the some of the other leading boxing web pages on the net. We have always prided ourselves for our Wail, the oldest boxing publication on the internet, our encyclopedia and other cool features. But when it comes to finding out who is facing who and when it’s going to happen many, including yours truly go to Mike Nosky, one of the most reliable news sources in the game.

    The 29-year old Dedham, MA native (formerly of West Roxbury) and married father of four has been uncorking boxing’s top stories for over four years. Nosky has been publishing his reputable rankings and news items on Secondout.com, a popular British-based web site. As of Monday however, Nosky announced that he left the site and will produce his own site called RealBoxing.com, tentatively scheduled to be up and running on or around October 1st (whata ya know, I beat Nosky to it). We here at the CBZ wish him the best of luck.

    In speaking to Nosky, the CBZ has learned that Peter Manfredo Jr.’s 12-round battle with 3-time jr. welterweight champion Frankie “The Surgeon” Randall will be for the IBU jr. middleweight title. The fight will be the main event held at the Dunkin Donut Center in Providence on October 4th. Jason Pires of New Bedford and Tim Flamos of Brockton, the New England Cruiserweight champ will also be featured in separate attractions.

    Pint-sized but still dangerous John “The Eastern Beast” Brown will be the likely opponent for unbeaten Gary “The Tiger” Balletto (sounds like a monster movie eh?) of Providence on October 25th. That contest will be the 10-round lightweight co-feature to Julian Wheeler and Levander Johnson main event at Foxwoods Resort & Casino and will be televised by ESPN2. For ticket information to either show call 401-724-2253.

    “Sir” William “The Galdiator” Gibbs, the rising middleweight star from Philadelphia and who fights mostly in Massachusetts will face his toughest test in Catskill, New York’s Leonard Pierre on Rich Cappeillo’s October 26th show at Revere’s Wonderland Ballroom. Pierre is trained by Kevin Rooney and we hear is a can’t-miss prospect. The winner of this one should be the guy we’re really talking about in a few years. More info on the show will follow more likely in next week’s Chatta.

    Joey DeGrandis (30-5/ 13 KO’s), formerly of South Boston returns to the ring this Friday night at the Ramada Hotel O’Hare in Rosemont, IL and will face veteran Ernest Mateen (25-9-3/ 9 KO’s) for the USBO cruiserweight title. Though DeGrandis has made it clear that he doesn’t want any part of amateur rival John Scully of Windsor, CT unless he’s paid a hefty sum, Mateen owns two victories over Scully.

    Here is what Scully had to say about both rivals:

    "Normally, I would say Mateen would be way too big and strong for Joey, but at this point I know that Mateen is pretty well at the end of the road and takes fights for money now. The difference between Joey fighting him and me is that when I fought him I weighed 177 and Mateen weighed 198...a huge, unheard of disparity. When they fight however, they are fighting at Cruiser and Joey will not be out-weighed like I was. Also, they have 12 rounds to work with and I have heard Mateen doesn't even train anymore. If he doesn't get to Joey early he will probably get tired and Joey should take over. Joey, in his primitive thinking, might believe that a win over Mateen means he would beat me but, because of the differences I pointed out previously and the fact that the 'common opponent theory' is not accurate, I will say that Joey must beat me to prove he can beat me. After seeing Joey against Kwan Mansah and seeing him up close against Sheehan...I don't see any way he can beat me. The style is just not there for him to box against a guy with my overall skills."

    DeGrandis-Mateen headlines a near all-heavyweight card promoted by former heavyweight Bobby Hitz. For ticket info call 630-295-9800.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1033009677,81576,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel
    robert.ecksel@gte.net


    Before we draw and quarter poor Fernando Vargas, before we demand that he crawl on his hands and knees back to Oxnard, California, perhaps we should climb off our high horse, take a deep breath, and get a good look at the evidence.

    As we know, Fernando Vargas just failed a drug test. No sooner did he get whopped by the Golden Boy at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, no sooner was he whisked to the hospital for a post-fight MRI, then he had to turn around, drop his shorts, and pee in a paper cup. What resulted from that simple act suggests Fernando Vargas crossed the line.

    In the best of times, in the best of circumstances, under the best conditions, people and even science makes mistakes. Those used to the language of recovery know the phrase false positive. For those not cozy with the monkeyshines of addiction, you can guess what false positive means.

    On July 1, 2002, Fernando Vargas and Oscar De La Hoya were informed by the Nevada Athletic Commission that they would be subjected to random drug tests. The fighters were told the exact same thing again one week before their junior-welterweight bout. Why in the world would Fernando Vargas risk blowing his career by taking anabolic steroids?

    Some critics suggest Vargas is a know-nothing punk who thought no price was too great to get to smack around De La Hoya. Others believe that El Feroz’s physique was proof that he was chippin’. But what about conditioning? What about pumping iron? Has anyone ever touched a dumbbell? (The dumbbell one lifts, that is, not the dumbbell one educates.) You want pecs? You want abs? You wanna look like Arnold? Let us introduce you to the weight room.

    Fernando Vargas was outrageous during his weigh-in with De La Hoya. He looked like a pug who was flying. His muscle-flexing and trash-talking and butch demeanor turned Vargas into a cartoon ‘roid ‘droid. But isn’t all that macho posturing the norm? We know boxing is more than just a pissing contest - but it’s a real big part of the fight game.


    Fernando Vargas denies all the charges leveled against him. Why would he not? Innocent or guilty or something in-between, only a fool or masochist ever confesses. Which does not determine conclusively if Vargas was or was not using steroids.

    In a letter sent to Marc Ratner and signed by Fernando Vargas the boxer stated, "I did not knowingly take any prohibited substance, much less a steroid." He added, "I promise you I will do everything I can to get to the bottom of the matter and to correct the situation." The plea, while persuasive, was obviously written by a lawyer. But don’t lawyers write everything nowadays? No sane person puts their own pen to paper in these litigious times. My attorney, for example, has been writing this column for years.

    And then there is the Nevada Athletic Commission, its loyalties, its fealties to the truth, its allegiance to what is best for boxing. The NAC, to its credit, is not as scandal-plagued as other ruling bodies. (Long distance information give me Memphis, Tennessee.) But does anyone believe the Lords of Boxing in Las Vegas are not beholden to Bob Arum?

    The sweet science cannot thrive without some outside governance. But boxing’s big problem isn’t boxers on steroids. Not by a long shot. If the fight game really wants to clean up its act the sport should stop sniping at hapless boxers and address real concerns: (1) there is no medical insurance or pension plan for fighters; (2) self-perpetuating sanctioning bodies screw the boxers, the game and the fans; (3) unscrupulous promoters build their empires on the backs of illiterate warriors; and (4) several boxing judges are a joke or just corrupt.

    The fight game is more than a meal ticket. Some really and truly love the spectacle, the ritual, the formality, the grace, the beauty of two men going at it. Perhaps it’s naive to suppose aesthetic concerns could ever trump a payday, but the uncertainty principle rules all things, especially a good clean fight.


    It looks like it’s National Hate Fernando Vargas Week in the gold old USA. There’s no question Fernando Vargas has his failings. But in lieu of a hearing, until he gets his day in court, Ferocious Fernando Vargas, in all fairness, must be considered innocent until proven guilty.

    ``xkdunn``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFernando's roids``x1033600906,64641,``x``x ``xAfter a long, unintended hiatus, the CBZ is proud to announce that the new issue of WAIL! is now available -- thanks in great part ot the help of Kristian Nordestgaard.

    To read the issue go to --
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/wail_10_2002.htm


    Here is this month's table of contents --


    A look back at the career of
    Welterweight Contender Dick DiVeronica
    By Dan Cuoco

    Packey McFarland...
    "The Champ That Never Was"
    By Tracy Callis

    If The Boxing Glove Fits:
    An Interview with Criminal Defense Attorney Robert Shapiro
    By Barry Lindenman

    The White Hope Who Outsped Jack Johnson
    By Pete Ehrmann

    Ward And Gatti: A Throwback To Old Days
    By Tom Donelson

    Tale of Two Fighters
    By Tom Donelson

    Boxing, Why We Love It
    By Tom Donelson

    Gerry Penalosa: The Best Fighter you may Never See
    By John Garfield

    WAIL! Coverage With a Ring Delay: Lewis-Tyson!
    Pieces by Tom Donelson, Frank J. Lotierzo and Lucius Shepard

    "Spinks Jinx" Charmed and Unparalled at Light Heavyweight
    By Frank J. Lotierzo

    Sugar Ray Robinson: The Perfect Boxer
    By Tom Donelson

    PDF Files by Dan Cogswell:
    - The Art of the Draw

    - Tuscon Alchemy

    - International Boxing
    Hall Of Fame 2002

    The 2002 International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductions:
    Spotlight on Jeff Fenech
    By Dave Iamele

    The Pantheon of Pugilism & "No Stones" Jones
    By Kristian Nordestgaard

    SPECIAL BONUS to WAIL! Readers:
    June 2002 Boxing World (PDF)
    For more info, email boxingworld@cs.com


    AND FINALLY:
    The CBZ announces its first Short Story Contest
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew WAIL! Journal is now on-line``x1033656507,18283,``x``x ``xThe October edition of the World Cup Of Boxing rankings has been released at http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB October Rankings ``x1033743223,95781,``x``x ``xBy Adam Pollack


    Heavyweight

    Vladimir Klitschko is the only contender who has a chance against Lennox Lewis right now. I’d like to see Klit against Tua if not Lennox, but don’t expect him to take such a risk. I would like to see some Juan Carlos Gomez.

    Young Pups to Watch For

    Nicolai Valuev 29-0
    Calvin Brock 11-0
    Dominick Guinn 18-0
    Malik Scott 13-0
    Ruslan Chagaev 5-0

    190

    Vasilli Jirov v. James Toney is the only fight I want to see in this division.

    Young Pup to Watch For

    Michael Simms 11-0

    175

    Dariusz Michalczewski is the undefeated linear champion. Roy Jones has to fight him to be great at this weight. Antonio Tarver deserves a shot, and even though Julian Letterlough can’t box, his punching power always makes him interesting to watch.

    Young Pup

    James Lubwama 12-0

    168

    Joe Calzaghe is the true champion. Wouldn’t mind seeing him in with Antwun Echols.

    Young Pups

    Jeff Lacy 11-0 - my favorite in this division, needs some seasoning, defense, and for his hands not to break.
    Anthony Hanshaw 15-0
    Jerson Ravelo 11-0

    160

    Bernard Hopkins v. Harry Simon could be interesting. Down the line look for Taylor to be the next real test.

    Young Pups

    Jermain Taylor 11-0
    Rhoshii Wells 16-0-2
    Kelly Pavlik 15-0
    Travis Simms 21-0
    Tarvis Simms 12-0

    154

    Oscar de la Hoya v. Winky Wright is what I want if he’s not going to fight Trinidad, Mosley, or Forrest. Kassim Ouma is also interesting. Whatever happened to Quartey?

    Young Pups

    Tokunbo Olajide 17-0
    Paul Williams 17-0
    Peter Manfredo, Jr. 15-0

    147

    Vernon Forrest v. Antonio Margarito or Ricardo Mayorga the best matchups right now.

    Young Pups

    Mohamed Abdulaev 9-0 - guy always comes forward and throws good punches.
    Kermit Cintron 17-0
    Michel Trabant 37-0
    Kelson Pinto 15-0
    Jeffrey Resto 13-0

    140

    Kostya Tszyu is the best, but there are a lot of exciting potential matchups in this division. The guys I’d like to see are:

    Demarcus Corley - southpaw perhaps Tszyu’s toughest test, more so than Judah.
    Arturo Gatti - always in a war.
    Rickey Hatton 30-0 - guy comes to fight, sets a good pace, and throws bombs.
    Diobelys Hurtado - no chin but good punch always makes for fun fights.
    Ben Tackie - takes it and dishes it - a good match for another puncher. Tackie v. Hatton?
    Zab Judah - comes to win, but needs someone to push him.
    Omar Weis - gives everyone a fight.
    Mickey Ward - tough cookie for anyone.

    Young Pups

    Alex Trujillo 22-0
    Ricardo Williams, Jr. 7-0 - silver medalist could be eventual threat.
    Miguel Cotto 12-0 - good puncher would make for a good fight with another puncher.
    Demetrius Hopkins 11-0-1
    Juan Diaz 17-0
    Oscar Diaz 7-0
    Francisco Bojado 9-1 - still young, don’t count him out

    135

    Floyd Mayweather v. Jose Luis Castillo II will determine the champion, but the guys I want to see in there are:

    Artur Grigorian
    Leonard Dorin
    Juan Lazcano
    Stevie Johnston

    Young Pup

    130

    Acelino Freitas is the only guy I care about in this division and hopefully he’ll go up to 135 and try to get a fight with Mayweather.

    Young Pups

    Nate Campbell 22-0 - looking good.
    Jose Miguel Cotto 20-0
    Daniel Attah 20-0-1
    Steven Luevano 13-0
    Mike Anchondo 18-0
    Teaunce Shepherd 2-0

    126

    Marco Antonio Barrera is the champion, but Morales is right up there. What has happened to Hamed? I still want to see the guy. Juan Manuel Marquez is long overdue for a title shot. Derrick Gainer deserves to be in the mix. Tapia still fun to watch, but Medina deserves a shot more than he does, as Tapia received a gift decision against him. Heard it’s going to be Ayala v. Morales. Predictions: Barrera beats Tapia, Ayala beats Morales, and Barrera beats Ayala.

    Young Pups

    Rocky Juarez 12-0 - silver medalist fun to watch.
    Jose Aguiniga 16-0 - also fun to watch but needs defensive work.
    Zahir Raheem 19-0

    122

    Paulie Ayala v. Manny Pacquiao would be the best matchup of the division. I wouldn’t mind seeing Jose Luis Valbuena or Hugo Dianzo get shots because each put up great fights against champions Barrera and Ayala respectively.

    Young Pups

    Emanuel Lucero 20-0-1
    Joan Guzman 18-0
    Mike Oliver 4-0

    118

    Tim Austin v. Rafael Marquez would be a great fight.

    Young Pups

    Clarence Vinson 10-0 - could eventually be a nice match for Austin
    Jose Navarro 13-0

    115

    Fernando Montiel v. Martin Castillo would be a good match.

    112

    Eric Morel v. Irene Pacheco would be a nice match. Really my dream fight is to see Ricardo Lopez move up and take a real challenge in Morel.

    Young Pups

    Brahim Asloum 9-0 - remember, he beat Viloria in the Olympics
    Ramases Patterson 11-0 - long overdue for someone to step up and fight him
    Brian Viloria 9-0 - the future of the division
    Gabriel Elizondo 11-0
    Ivan Calderon 12-0

    108

    Ricardo Lopez, if he’s not retired, again.

    105

    Yawn.

    Jose Antonio Aguirre
    Roberto Leyva
    Miguel Barrera
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFighters I Want to See and Fighters to Watch Out For ``x1033750080,18003,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    PROVIDENCE, RI – You always wonder when a like Frankie Randall, a great fighter of yesteryear will want to call is a career. The former three-time jr. welterweight champion known primarily for downing and defeating the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez in ’94 has seen his better days. But since 1997, the fighter known as “The Surgeon,” the skillful boxer who took apart fighters like Chavez, Juan Martin Coggi and Edwin Rosario is becoming a name you see on a young buck’s resume. Randall’s resume who you would thought to be Canastota material on the strength of his impressive run in the 90’s is ruining his reputation. In his last 10 fights, he was lost 8 and 6 of his losses have been by the knockout route. Last night one of those losses occurred at the Dunkin Donut Center in Providence. Though it was a thrilling see-saw fight it was unsettling to understand why Randall continues to fight.

    The 41 year-old Randall now competing as a jr. middleweight took on Rhode Island’s brightest prospect 21-year old Peter Manfredo, Jr. of Providence. For what it’s worth, Randall gave a good account of himself - for as long as it lasted. The CBZ had it an even fight up until the time of the knockout. Randall fought the first six rounds the way he had when he was a world champion, tripling with his hook and firing the right hand, finishing exchanges and absorbing some clean punches from his vigorous youthful foe. Even in his forties, his reflexes did not appear to be dull. He was quick off the gun and fast enough to slip punches by a man who was born after he had turned professional.

    From an observer’s point of view, it appeared that the old man had possibly figured out the inexperienced Manfredo until Manfredo went after Randall’s midsection. Moments after landing his best punches of the fight, Randall absorbed about 4 blows to the body, fell to his knees and listened to referee Charlie Dwyer count to 10 at 2:50 of the round. Manfredo used perfect timing in going after Randall’s body and listened to his father and trainer, Peter Sr. Just like that Randall was defeated once again. But even though he has surrendered in similar fashion to then likes of Chantel Stanciel and Worcester’s Jose Rivera, decent prospects, he can’t convince himself to hang up the gloves.

    “I guess he thought he could take me out,” said Manfredo who improved to 16-0 with 7 KO’s. “He was throwing hard punches hoping that he would discourage me or knock me out, but I have a great chin and had the desire to win. I’ve worked with some very good fighters.”

    It’s what drives Randall. It seems as if he’s hoping that he runs into the young kid who can’t take punch or will submit under adversity. It’s almost as if Randall forgets the kind of fire he had when he was working his way towards a title shot, or picking himself off the canvas or fighting through the low blows. Though Randall doesn’t want to quit fighting, it’s obvious that he doesn’t want to train either. Afterwards, he and his promoter Bobby Hitz were telling anyone who would listen that he didn’t train for the fight even though he had 4 weeks to get ready. Hopefully, he’ll start listening to the whispers that are urging him to retire.


    Discounting, the fact that Randall’s demise was a sad sight to see, the fight and the 7 leading up to last night’s main event were exciting as all hell. Promoter Jimmy Burchfield put on a marathon show of thrilling contests which had the crowd cheering in frenzy throughout the night. And it definitely wasn’t the coffee.

    In the opening bout, local Joe Gardner, 166, of Woonsocket, RI nearly suffered a defeat in his backyard when trialhorse Manuel Teo, 160, ½, of Worcester, MA dropped him on the seat of his pants while the two were exchanging right hands. But the lack of inexperience didn’t come into play down the stretch. Gardner won by 3 identical scores of 38-37 and his second bout in as many bouts. Referee: Joey Lopino

    In the fight of the night, Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino, 127, of Cranston, RI, and “TNT” Trisha Hill, 125, of Kennesaw, GA waged a 4-round female version of Ward-Gatti. Fiorentino unleashed and Hill absorbed and responded with her own big shots. For once an opponent was able to withstand Fiorentino, a fearsome prospect who uses leverage on nearly of punches but in the end, she could only stand up for four rounds and extend Fiorentino to the 4-round distance. Fiorentino improved to 5-0 with 4 KO’s while the brave Hill is now 1-1.

    Bobo “The Bull” Starnino, 161, of Providence, RI, won his pro debut decisioning Richard Zola, 166, of Brimfield, MA over 4 rounds. Starnino dropped Zola in the first round with combinations and prompted referee Joe Lopino to issue a standing 8-count. Starnino won by scores of 39-35 twice and 40-34.

    Jason “The Schoolboy” Pires, 130, of New Bedford, MA couldn’t exactly take Juan Carlos Aranday, 128, of El Paso, TX to school but certainly gave fans their money’s worth winning a spirited 6 round affair. Though Aranday fought competitively and showed his bravado, all three judges had Pires win by three scores of 60-54. Pires is now 20-2 with 8 KO’s.

    Bobby McAndrews, 152, of Worcester, and “Irish” Jeff Horan, 154, of Narragansett, RI battled to an exciting 4-round draw. McAndrews appeared to win on the CBZ’s scorecard (38-36) on the strength of his two standing eight counts over Horan. But referee, Steve Manfredo, incidentally an uncle of Peter, Jr. had a point taken away for spitting out his mouthpiece on a number. McAndrews could have secured his second victory but the foul proved costly. Horan was favored by a score of 38-37 and lost on another 38-36. The other had it 38 a piece. Both fighters are now .500 with Horan at 6-6-2 and 4 KO’s while McAndrews is now 1-1-1.

    In another exciting but bizarre affair Massachusetts cruiserweight champion Tim Flamos, 187, of Brockton, MA and Jose Luis Rivera fought to a 2 round no-contest. Flamos, who appears and fights like Brockton legend, Rocky Marciano landed thudding power punches to the head and body but during the first round a cut opened on the side of Rivera’s right eye. Referee Lopino ruled it from an accidental clash of heads and after the second round Rivera claimed that he could not see out of the right eye. “The cut was insignificant and was not leaking into his eye,” said Dr. James Denier, the ringside physician. “But he claimed to have blurred vision in the eye and in those circumstances, you have to take his word for it.” Thanks to Hector Camacho, Jr. this “way out” strategy has now become fashionable. Flamos is now 16-2-1 with 7 KO’s and 1 NC while Rivera is now 18-6 with 14 KO’s with 1 NC.

    In the fight preceding the main event, Angel Torres, 126, of Willamantic, CT won an easy 6-round decision over Milton Marrero, 122, Reading, PA. Torres had Marrero down in the first but did not attempt to finish him. Torres, who turned 24 last night won by 3 scores of 60-52 and is now 8-2 with 3 KO’s.


    Promoter – Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports
    Matchmakers – Ted Panagiotis and Mike Nosky
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xManfredo Surges through the Surgeon``x1033800345,66816,``x``x ``xBROCKTON, Mass. – Unbeaten middleweight prospects Willie "The Gladiator" Gibbs (9-0, 8 KOs) and Leonard Pierre (4-0, 3 KOs) will be matched in the 6-round co-feature Saturday night, October 26 on the final 2002 Mohegan Sun FightNight New England card – headlined by Irish heavyweight champion Kevin "The Clones Colossus" McBride (27-4-1, 22 KOs) versus Craig "C.T." Tomlinson (23-11-1, 13 KOs) – at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere.

    Philadelphia-native Gibbs, now fighting out of Brockton, is the cousin and sparring partner of undisputed world middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins. Kevin Rooney, who has trained Mike Tyson and Vinny Paz, also handles the 1996 Team USA Olympic alternate, Pierre.

    "Gibbs is in the toughest fight of his young career," promoter Rich
    Cappiello commented. "Pierre is a real good fighter. Nobody wants to fight him, but we took this fight."

    McBride, now living in Brookline and training at Goody Petronelli's gym in Brockton, fights Tomlinson, of Reading, PA, in the 12-round main event for the vacant IBC Intercontinental Americas.

    All fighters and bouts are subject to change.

    The MSFNE show is presented by Cappiello Promotions, in association with Mohegan Sun, Holiday Inn in Randolph and Boston, Metro Ford of Raynham, Budweiser, and Everlast. This is the final 2002 live-for-tape pro boxing show of an eight-fight deal between Cappiello Promotions and Fox Sports Net New England. The October 26 fight card will be videotaped and broadcasted Sunday afternoon (3:30-5:30 p.m.), November 3.

    Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $65.00 Gold ringside, $50.00 ringside and $30.00 general admission. For more information or to order tickets call 508.587.5554 or 508.587.3370. Or visit Cappiello Promotions’ web site at www.cappielloboxing.com.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGibbs To Be Matched in Toughest Test``x1033800941,67132,``x``x ``xBy Joe Koizumi

    Three-time WBA Middleweight Champion William Joppy stopped the game Naotaka Hozumi in the tenth round with Referee John Coyle of England halting the action at 2:48.

    The pro Hozumi crowd at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall sensed that their challenger had enough and none objected to the stoppage, as Joppy had Hozumi on the verge of going down and thoroughly beaten.

    Joppy controlled the pace from the outset, boxing masterfully, while the relentless but less experienced Hozumi, kept coming. Hozumi had his moments, but it seemed that was only what Joppy gave him.

    “He was a very strong young fighter,” said Joppy. “He kept coming hard and I had to use what got me there and that was my boxing skills. I enjoyed myself out there tonight and it really felt great. Now I’d like to see about getting a unification fight with Hopkins. That’s the fight I really want, but I’ll talk to my managers Stan Hoffman and Steve Nelson and my promoter Don King,” he went on.

    “At some point next year I may want to look at the super middleweight title. There’s WBA Champion Byron Mitchell, WBO Champion Joe Calzaghe and WBC Champion Eric Lucas, and Ottke is the IBF Champion from Germany.” concluded the champion.

    The Judges: Pinit Prayadsab, from Thailand and Ove Ovesen of Denmark, both saw the fight a 89-82 for the champion, while Ricardo Duncan of Panama had it a little closer at 88-84. The well-conditioned Joppy upped his record to 36-2-1 (25 KOs). Hozumi’s record falls to 21-3-1 (18 KOs).

    Joppy, 32-years old from Silver Spring, Md., completed his thirteenth WBA Middleweight Championship battle and made the first defense of the title he won defeating British Commonwealth Middleweight Champion Howard Eastman for the vacant title on Nov. 17, 2001 in Las Vegas, Nev.

    He won his first WBA Middleweight Championship in Japan on June 24, 1996, stopping Shinji Takehara in nine rounds.

    The event was promoted by Yonekura Promotions Co., Ltd. of Tokyo in association with Don King Productions, Inc., who delivered the services of the champion.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJoppy stops Hozumi and retains WBA Title``x1034281921,96752,``x``x ``xRon Lyle is establishing Salvation Army's COX-LYLE Red Shield Boxing Program in Inner City Denver at 2915 High Street. Read more at http://www.lyle4youth.org. ``xkdunn``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRon Lyle establishes Boxig Program in Denver``x1034358928,90831,``x``x ``xPress Release:

    Saturday, November 9, 2002 at 7:00pm
    Candy Robertson "War of Revenge" in Rematch with Experienced Michael
    Lerma
    For Fight Night 38
    Over 40 Rounds 8 Bouts Scheduled


    Dateline: Rochester, WA, October 11, 2002

    Northwest favorite Candy Robertson returns to the Lucky Eagle Casino
    after
    destroying Rudy Lovato in a first round victory in September in a
    vengeance
    rematch with Michael Lerma in the 10 round main event. Lerma defeated
    Robertson in November of 2000 to win the WBB World Middleweight title
    bout
    at the Lucky Eagle Casino. Robertson cam out like a tornado for four
    rounds, winning every round, before he ran out of gas. Lerma is a
    popular
    national TV Fox Net "Friday Night Fights" regular. While Robertson may
    be
    the most powerful Middleweight, he will need to be patient with the
    experienced Lerma who is trained by boxing legend Lou Duva.

    Troy Weaver of the famous Weaver triplets will face Louis Sergeant in
    an
    eight round semi main event. Weaver has won two previous main event
    fights
    at the Lucky Eagle.


    Remaining bouts are as follows.

    Reuben Munoz vs. Jason Parillo (8 rounds)
    Mike Lucero vs. Darrell Sukrow (6 rounds)
    Dominick Rivera vs. Amafor Ishwar (4 rounds)
    Darren Darby vs. Javier Chavez (4 rounds)
    Sean Plessis vs. David Cadengo (4 rounds)
    Christian Lopes vs. Troy Laal (4 rounds)

    Changes and additional information will be announced as they occur.

    Bennie Georgino is always available and willing to discuss the fighters
    or
    bouts with the media (909-789-0910).
    Tickets $40 ringside, $25 reserved, $20 reserved of general admission
    available at Ticketmaster, casino (800-720-1788) or Twin Cities
    Fuller's
    stores. Fighters are subject to change and contract approval by the
    Washington State Boxing Commission.


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xLucky Eagle Line-Up, Nov. 9``x1034358989,8284,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    With New Bedford’s “Sucra” Ray Oliveira jumping up to the welterweight division the dream idea I’ve always had of matching him with Lowell’s “Irish” Micky Ward in a boxing ring is now a foregone conclusion. We’ll never know for sure how exciting a match it would have been, but other than the fact that they are the two toughest fighters I have ever seen, that they both hail from Massachusetts and who had fought in the same division for over a decade the match never made much sense (dollars-wise) for Ward at this stage of his career. But it is fairly easy to imagine how electrifying a contest it would have been as both leave everything in the ring and have never been in a dull fight that I know of. Both fighters who incidentally celebrated birthdays last week (37th for Ward on the 4th and 34th for Oliveira on the 6th) are ‘throwbacks’ as some like to say. And if neither ever win a world title then you could make a strong case that they are the best jr. welterweights, besides possibly Harold Brazier to never do so.

    As of this writing, Ward is scheduled to face Arturo Gatti on November 23rd in what purports to be one of the most anticipated rematches in history. Oliveira on the other hand is just hoping to squeeze in a fight by year’s end so that he “can just hit somebody.” This leaves Oliveira on the shelf until early next year and his recent drubbing of Saul Duran a few weeks ago did not satisfy his hunger for fisticuffs. Oliveira chatted with Ward at ringside during Jimmy Burchfield’s 8-bout card in Providence last weekend, which saw Providence’s Peter Manfredo, Jr. knock out Frankie Randall. Apparently, the conversation was whether or not Ward would like to have Oliveira as a sparring partner as he readies himself for Gatti. Oliveira is no stranger when it comes to sparring with some of the best fighters in the world. He was one of Fernando Vargas’ chief sparring partners for his early September battle with De La Hoya. Oliveira is a stable mate of Manfredo who makes trips to World’s Gym in Tewksbury, Ward’s training headquarters.

    “I asked him whether he’d want me as a sparring partner,” said Oliveira. “I think I would be good for Micky because I can do anything they would want me to do. If they want me to fight him inside, or box on the outside, I can do both. Plus, I’d do it for free. I’ve never liked fighting for the money. I just like fighting and it would be nice to help out another New England fighter who has this kind of opportunity. If they need me I’ll drive up with Peter.”

    If Dick Ecklund, Ward’s brother who makes these sort of these decisions takes up Oliveira on his offer, expect a very prepared Micky Ward on November 23rd. It’s also easy to suspect that your writer subscribes to a one-month membership at World’s Gym in Tewksbury.

    Finally, promoters Rich Cappiello and Burchfield are running shows that are not on the same night but one the same weekend. Burchfield’s upcoming show at Foxwoods Resort & Casino on the Friday the 25th is shaping up to be a good one. Former lightweight title challengers, slick Julian Wheeler of Virginia Beach, VA (22-6-2/ 8 KO’s) and the powerpunching Levander Johnson of Atlantic City (31-3-2 KO’s) meet in a 12-round ESPN main event for the Wheeler’s USBA lightweight title. Unbeaten knockout artist Gary “Tiger” Balletto of Providence (24-0-2/ 21 KO’s), is scheduled to appear in the co-feature but no final say as to who he will be facing. Hartford’s “Bad” Chad Dawson (8-0/ 5 KO’s), possibly the best young prospect in New England will meet his toughest test in John Romans William (9-1/ 5 KO’s) in a 6-rounder. Jamie Clampitt, formerly of Calgary and now living in Narragansett, RI faces Summer Lynn DeLeon in a female 6-round attraction and Shakha Moore of Hartford and Angel Torres Willamantic, CT will look to avenge losses to Charles Wade (for Moore) and Pasqual Rause (for Torres). Former Cincinnati Bengal Jevon Langford, a defensive end will try to go 3-0 when he meets trial horse Orion Sistrunk. For ticket information call Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports at 401-724-2253 or 1-800-Play Big.

    On the next night (Saturday, the 26th), Cappiello runs his final Mohegan Sun Fight Night show of the year, which airs the following, Sunday on Fox SportsNet New England (from 3:30-5:30). Kevin "The Clones Colossus" McBride (27-4-1/ 22 KOs), Irish Heavyweight Champion faces Craig "C.T." Tomlinson (23-11-1/ 13 KOs), at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere, MA. One fight to really look forward to on the card is the match-up between unbeaten middleweights Willie "The Gladiator" Gibbs of Philadelphia (9-0/ 8 KOs) and Leonard Pierre of Catskill, NY (4-0, 3 KOs) will be matched in the 6-round co-feature. Gibbs as you may know is a cousin of Bernard Hopkins while Pierre is a protégé of Kevin Rooney whose last prospect was a fellow by the name of Mike Tyson. Aaron Torres also of Philly (10-1/ 6 KO’s) is in for a stiff test when he meets veteran tough guy, John Trigg of Atlanta. Trigg has also lost to Balletto (TKO in 5) and Jeff Fraza (by 8-round decision) of Haverhill. Speaking of Fraza (11-2/ 6 KOs), the New England Jr. Welterweight champ faces South Boston’s Jimmy LeBlanc (9-1-3, 2 KOs in a non-title fight. Also appearing on the card is Ian Gardner (5-1) whose lone defeat was to Manfredo and recently upset Lawrence’s Gil Reyes. For ticket information, call 508-587-5554 or 508-587-3370.

    The CBZ would like to congratulate Everett cruiserweight, Richard "The Mountain" LaMontagne who will marry the beautiful Ann Marie LaFauci later today in Boston. LaMontagne who recently knocked out Olympic heavyweight Michael Bennett in sensational fashion in the summer is expected to return to the ring on the eve of Thanksgiving. Both he and Malden's "Dangerous" Dana Rosenblatt will likely headline a Jimmy Burchfield show in at the Castle in Boston.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1034454106,49942,``x``x ``xEric Morel increases World Cup lead

    by Christophe Neyts

    No big fights this weekend, but still a few interesting encounters worth mentioning.

    In Campione D'Italia, Wayne Braithwaithe (#8, v800) conquerred the vacant WBC cruiserweight title as he stopped Italian Vincenzo Cantatore (#14, v460) in the tenth round, thus provisionally entering the cruiserweight WCup ranking at about the sixth spot. In the total ranking he climbs up two notches to a provisional sixth spot.

    In Schwerin, Germany, light heavyweight Thomas Ulrich (#23, v346) won the European belt by knocking out Yawe Davis (#13, v470) in the second round. Ulrich was dominant as he already floored his opponent in the opening stanza. The European titlist seems to be back after his setback last year and enters the Wcup ranking just outside the top 5. He also climbs into the top 15 in the total ranking.

    Over at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California, Eric Morel (#1, v2000) successfully defended his WBA flyweight title as he stopped Thailand's Denkaosan Kaovichit (#59, v115) in the 11th round. Morel now has 1015 WCup points, leading second-placed Sikali by 115 points. Meanwhile, in the total ranking he improves his tally to 3015 total points, increasing his lead over another Thai boxer, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam.

    On the same show, WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito (#6, v1000) outpointed Danny Perez (#20, v400) over twelve rounds, successfully defending his title with a unanimous decision (2x 120-108, 118-110). He thus climbs into the top 5 in the total ranking, while in the WCup standings he strenghthens his third position and is only 200 points behind #2 Ricardo Mayorga.

    WORLD CUP OF BOXING
    http://www.worldcupofboxing.com/
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWCOB Weekend Round-up``x1034615790,95833,``x``x ``xLOS ANGELES, CA - They're calling it a WBC Continental Americas light-heavyweight championship, but its much more than that. When Montell Griffin (43-3, 28 KOs) squares off with George Khalid Jones (18-1, 13 KOs) on Nov. 3 at the Table Mountain Casino in Friant, CA, Griffin will be fighting for more than just a title. He'll be trying to prove that some of his best fights are still inside him.

    Like the recent resurrection of James "Lights Out" Toney and heavyweight contender Lou Savarese, Griffin is near the top of his game, a new and improved fighter with a new promoter - Goossen Tutor - and a new outlook and work ethic. "I feel like I'm getting a second chance,'' said Griffin, who beat undisputed light-heavyweight champ Roy Jones, Jr. by disqualification before losing to Jones in a rematch. "I just need to keep fighting hard and aggressively. This is what the fans and network executives want to see. With the TV fights I'm getting, I stay fresh in peoples' minds. The fans know who I am and what I can do, but I will surprise even them. It will be all action from me in the future. The big goal is to get another victory over (Roy) Jones.''

    Griffin, ranked No. 3 by the IBF with only Antonio Tarver between him and Jones, said he still takes his fights one at a time. "This fight (against Khalid Jones) means everything to me,'' he said. "But now I try to fight every fight like its a championship fight.'' As for being under the same promotional banner as Toney - who will fight IBF cruiserweight champ Vassiliy Jirov in January - and Savarese, Griffin said its like we're on a team. "We're all well-respected fighters,'' he said. "You can see Toney is taking his career more seriously now just like me. And Savarese is the same, he had a great fight with Tim Witherspoon. He survived that big right hand and came out throwing a lot more punches for a heavyweight.''

    Promoter Dan Goossen compared the fighters to a struggling football team. Bring in a new coach - or promoter - and everything can change. Teams can suddenly become contenders or champions. Sometimes its just getting their mental preparedness at their highest level. "For these fighters, its not about making money. Its about winning and how to do it,'' Goossen said. "If you win, everything else will fall into place. If it was just about the money, fighters would be satisfied just getting into the ring. These fighters aren't like that. Their motivation is winning, proving their critics wrong. When a fighter has that mentality, and the ability to go along with it, beware.''

    The fight card will also feature heavyweight prospect Cedric Boswell (18-0, 13 KOs) who will take on tough Talmadge Griffis (21-3-3, 13 KOs) in a scheduled eight-rounder. After almost three years of inactivity due to contract problems with
    his former promoters, Boswell has fought twice in the past two months since signing with Goossen Tutor, winning a decision over durable Melvin Foster last month and stopping Clarence Goins in the second round in August. "I'm on the fast track to the top 10 heavyweight world ratings, and a victory over Griffis certainly would catapult me to that goal," Boswell stated. "I could have taken the safer route with a much lesser opponent, but hey, I want it now."

    In a 10-round lightweight bout, Steve Quinonez (28-6-1, 11 KOs) of Desert Hot Springs, CA will face tough Lovemore N'Dou (31-4-1, 19 KOs) of Transvaal, Australia. Quinonez is coming off a tremendous victory over Jose Luis Juarez, the recent victor over N'Dou in a fight that has to be considered one of the best of the year. "N'Dou feels a victory over Quinonez would be sweet vindication for his close loss to Juarez" Goossen stated.

    In another light-heavyweight match, IBF no. 6, Derrick Harmon (22-3, 10 KOs), who lost a decision to Griffin in July, will face former number one contender Tim Littles (27-2, 18 KOs) of Saginaw, Mich. Also on the undercard is heavyweight prospect Malcolm Tann, who will be making his pro debut. The 2002 National Golden Gloves heavyweight champion,
    Tann is considered one of the hottest prospects to come out of the amateur ranks in years. "I worked with Malcolm in 1998 in the Goodwill Games,'' said Al Mitchell, who trained former junior-middleweight champ and Olympic Gold Medallist David Reid. "I've watched him the last two years and he's gotten so much better. He has good height and good range and he's an outstanding individual. If Dan (Goossen) and Tom (Brown) take their time and bring him along, he could go a long ways in the heavyweight division.'' Tann is also a veteran of the United States Air Force and of our war in Afghanistan. He participated in Operation Enduring Freedom from October 2001 to February 2002. He served in Afghanistan as a Senior Airman. He is retiring as a staff sergeant.

    The fights will be televised as part of the Fox Sports Net "Sunday Night Fights'' series and will feature beautiful ring announcer Amy Hayes, who appeared in the March issue of Playboy magazine.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGoosen Tutor Press Release - Montell Griffin to face George Khalid Jones``x1034625566,95673,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel (robert.ecksel@gte.net)

    The more things change the more they stay the same. This banal truism gets reinforced by a lifetime of perception. The lessons of history seem to boomerang and bop us like a telegraphed sucker punch. Yet the thread of experience insures that yesterday is today and tomorrow, that we’re here, there and everywhere at each and every moment.

    The National Sporting Club was founded in London in 1891. Considering boxing’s modest beginnings in Regency England a century earlier, the NSC was the jewel in the crown of boxing’s long-sought legitimacy. Its first president, Lord Lonsdale (father of the esteemed Lonsdale Belts, first issued in 1909), made sure the NSC was the Mecca of Fistiana. Royalty, leaders of industry, divinities from arts and letters, donned their best clothes, their top hats and swallow tail coats, and had their horse-drawn carriages drop them at the fights.

    As venues go, at least in terms of size, the National Sporting Club was less like the Mandalay Bay than it was like Philly’s Blue Horizon. Philadelphia’s Blue, a crumbling civil war edifice originally designed as a dance hall, is the finest place to see boxing in America. Everything is funky and derelict at The Blue ruin. Everything is up close and personal. The Blue Horizon is a boxing purist’s dream come true on one hand, a slum flirting with demolition on the other. Watching a fight at the Blue Horizon is like standing in a piece of art, like living in a painting, like sitting ringside in George Bellows' "Stag at Sharkeys" (1917). But unlike The Blue on Broad Street in the North Philadelphia ghetto, the National Sporting Club was on the right side of the tracks. It was ultra-exclusive. It embodied privilege. The NSC was the last word in class.

    In those days, in that hallowed hall, the masters of the universe of the British Empire sipped brandy and smoked cigars and bet fantastic sums on which pug would cut and which would foul and in which round these things might happen. With money to burn and the world on a string a good time was had by all. But the glory of the NSC was like all glory over time: brief, fleeting, transitory, flickering, a momentary flash of incandescence. But each moment, either by accident or design, leads to the moment which follows.

    So can anyone explain how London’s National Sporting Club from 1891 crash-landed in New York City in 2002?

    Black Tie Boxing has hit the Big Apple with a bang. The sport everyone loves to hate is having a make-over . . . and black tie is requested. Following two affairs at Cipriani earlier this year, the phenomenon of dressing for an execution has a bevy of adherents. Perhaps in the spirit of judging a book by its cover - shades of Gerald Early’s "Tuxedo Juction" (1989) - the well-off, well-heeled and well-to-do, the famous, the almost famous and the infamous get down and get formal.

    The October 13 bouts, broadcast on ESPN from the Regent Wall Street Hotel as a Sunday afternoon boxing special event, spotlighted the talents of up-and-coming junior-middleweight sensation Tokunbo Olajide, from the stable of the Fabulous Fighting Olajides. The father and brains of the operation, Michael Olajide Sr., has been guru and despot at the Kingsway Gym for many years. Tokunbo’s older brother, Michael Olajide Jr. (27-4 19 KOs), was a flashy 1980s contender who fought under the moniker "The Silk" (because he was so sleek and smooth). Michael Junior fought for the super-middleweight title in 1990 against Thomas "The Hit Man" Hearns (59-4-1 46 KOs). A smaller man than Tokunbo Olajide might not have been able to fill these shoes. A smaller man than Tokunbo Olajide would have steered clear of boxing.

    And for good reason. Boxing is a tough and unforgiving game. One slip is all it ever takes. Empires have been known to rise and fall with an eloquent one-two combination. And this is what happened on Sunday, bloody Sunday. A last-minute sub who took the fight with only two week’s notice, an unheralded pug from Columbia named Epifanio Mendoza (16-0 16 KOs), needed a single minute to wreck the dream of Tokunbo Olajide (17-1 15 KOs). Having a bankable name, a great story and being cool enough to be marquee takes one just so far. At a certain point, men’s fists come knocking. This is what happens to prizefighters. This is what happened to the formerly-undefeated, wobbly junior-middleweight Tokunbo Olajide. It might be the end of the line for the twenty-five year old top-ten contender. Maybe he’ll throw in the towel. Or perhaps, as the youngest Olajide recently put it: "Everything follows the omnipotent plan."

    Get your tickets now for the next Black Tie Boxing before it’s too late. It is definitely worth the price of admission. You won’t regret it. You’ll see. You’ll love it. So prepare for the time of your life.

    Have some caviar. Have some champagne. Have a cigar.

    Have a fistful of leather.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNational Sporting Club Comes To Wall Street``x1034724591,5682,``x``x ``xRIVERA-NEW YORKER SAIZ CLASH FOR JUNIOR WELTER TITLE
    ON CEDRIC KUSHNER PROMOTIONS TELEMUNDO CARD FRIDAY, NOV. 8,
    AT CLUB AMAZURA IN JAMAICA

    Two-time champion Cosme Rivera of Mexico and Pedro Saiz of New York City clash in a 12-round title bout for the vacant United States Boxing Organization junior welterweight championship on the Cedric Kushner Promotions card televised nationally by Telemundo Friday, Nov. 8, at Club Amazura in Jamaica, N.Y.

    The card starts at 9 p.m. (Eastern) with doors to Club Amazura, located at 91-12 144th Place, opening at 8.

    Tickets, priced at $20 for general admission and $50 for ringside, are on sale by calling Cedric Kushner Promotions at 212-755-1944 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by calling Club Amazura at 718-298-6760.

    Additional fights on the card will be announced.

    The 26-year-old Cosme is looking to add a third championship to his current collection. He's the reigning World Boxing Council Continental Americas super lightweight champ and the current International Boxing Association welterweight king.

    Cosme, who has a record of 24-7-2 with 16 knockouts, won the WBC Continental Americas 140-pound title with a 12-round decision over Golden Johnson July 27 in Norfolk, Va., and took the IBA Americas 147-pound crown two bouts before that with a 12-round verdict over Walter Young Jan. 25 in Pines, Fla.

    In between, Cosme successfully defended the IBA Americas championship with a third 12-round decision, this one over Wilfredo Negron on a Cedric Kushner Promotions Telemundo card May 5, in Oroville, Calif.

    The 36-year-old Saiz, originally from the Dominican Republic, has a record of 25-8-3 with 16 knockouts. The southpaw fought for the World Boxing Association super lightweight championship Feb. 6, 1999, in Washington, D.C., dropping a 12-round decision to Sharmba Mitchell.

    --------
    NO. 1 MCCLINE MEETS KLITSCHKO ON CEDRIC KUSHNER PROMOTIONS,
    TOP RANK, UNIVERSUM, HBO HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD
    CHAMPIONSHIP CARD DEC. 7 AT MANDALAY BAY IN LAS VEGAS

    No. 1-ranked Jameel McCline of Port Jefferson, N.Y., faces World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko of the Ukraine in a 12-round title bout Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., it was announced today by Cedric Kushner Promotions.

    "We're delighted Jameel's getting this title fight," said Kushner. "It's his opportunity to show the world what those in boxing already know. That Jameel is a unique combination of size, speed and strength, and, perhaps, the best heavyweight in the world."

    The card, which will be televised by Home Box Office (HBO), will be promoted by Top Rank in association with Cedric Kushner Promotions and Universum Box Promotion.

    Also on the card will be World Boxing Council lightweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. defending against Jose Luis Castillo.
    "I can't wait to fight Klitschko," said the 6-foot-6-inch, 260-pound McCline. "I have the tools and the style to beat him."
    Adds McCline's manager, Alan Wartski, "After Jameel wins, he should be considered one of the top two heavyweights in the world, and most deservedly so."

    The 32-year-old McCline, who's a product of Cedric Kushner Promotions' monthly "Heavyweight Explosion" series, has a record of 28-2-3 with 16 knockouts. McCline is undefeated since 1996 with a record of 26-0-2 and ranked by all four major sanctioning organizations.

    The 26-year-old Klitschko has a record of 39-1 with 36 knockouts and is making his fifth defense of the WBO heavyweight championship he won during 2000. He's won 15 straight dating back to 1998.

    Klitschko, who now lives in Germany, won a gold medal in the super heavyweight division at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
    ------
    CKP'S MICHAEL GRANT TO FIGHT ON BENEFIT CARD
    NOV. 7 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

    Heavyweight contender Michael Grant, who's promoted by Cedric Kushner Promotions, meets James Walton on a benefit card Nov. 7 in Washington, D.C.

    The 6-foot-6 1/2-inch Grant enters the fight with a record of 35-2 with 26 knockouts.

    The benefit event is the 13th annual "Fight Night" boxing card presented by Fight for Children. The black tie event is at the Hilton Washington & Towers.

    Grant, from Norristown, Pa., has won all four of his bouts since being promoted by Cedric Kushner Promotions and is ready to rejoin the ranks as one of the top heavyweights in the world.

    The 30-year-old Grant, originally from Chicago, is coming off a third-round knockout of Robert Davis Aug. 3 in Ledyard, Conn. His other three wins since joining Cedric Kushner Promotions also have been by knockout-over Anthony Willis in the second round June 1 in Las Vegas, Nev.; over Joe Lenhart in the fifth April 13 in Chester, W. Va.; and over Reynaldo Minus in the fourth in Pittsburgh March 9.

    Grant, originally from Chicago, fought Lennox Lewis for the World Boxing Council and International Boxing federation heavyweight championships April 29, 2000, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    Walton, who turns 31 the night of the fight, has a record of 18-2-2 with 10 knockouts.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Upcoming CKP Events``x1034816305,70747,``x``x ``x
    3 New Boxing Books    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x3 New Boxing Books``x1034887777,27497,``x``x ``xBy Clifford Endicott at ringside

    Last night at the Hershey Center in Mississauga a
    little confusion was cleared up as to which fighter is
    the 'real' Canadian Lightweight Champion. In June,
    Vince Howard of Guyana took a split decision win from
    then Canadian Lightweight title holder Mario Lechowski
    in a non-title bout. Three months later, Billy 'The
    Kid' Irwin wore Lechowski down in their title fight to
    win by a seventh round knockout. Some have suggested
    that Irwin is not the real champion, as Lechowski had
    been defeated earlier in the year by Howard. On
    October 18th, that confusion was permanently settled,
    though not easily. Billy Irwin and Vincent Howard put
    on a terrific show, though at times it was
    questionable how terrific the show would be.

    Billy Irwin is a big name in Canadian boxing, one of
    the few genuine 'native sons' to fight for a world
    title in the last decade, and the turnout was pretty
    spectacular. Luminaries included former Canadian
    Flyweight legend Scotty Olsen, up-and-coming
    Bantamweight Steve Molitor, Canadian heavyweight top 5
    contender Egerton Marcus and Women's Junior
    Featherweight World Champion Lisa 'Downtown' Brown.
    Oh yeah, and a little-known heavyweight pugilist
    specialist named Lennox Lewis. On any other night,
    any of the aforementioned fighters would have been the
    sought after autographs in the crowd, but the presence
    of Lewis almost overshadowed the fight card. Luckily,
    the boxers didn't allow that to happen.

    Irwin is known for his aggressive style and his
    iron-chin, while Howard is considered a slick boxer
    with a slippery defence. Howard would also prove to
    be a tough, courageous boxer before this match was
    over. The fight started off pretty much as expected,
    with Irwin chasing Howard all over the ring, coming in
    low and firing powerful body shots. Howard was
    countering with jabs and straight rights, but neither
    fighter was really connecting with anything solid.
    Irwin twice pinned him on the ropes long enough to
    land a few solid left hooks to the ribs, but Howard
    managed to slip away fairly quickly on both occasions.
    Toward the end of the first round, Irwin managed to
    catch up with Howard long enough to nail him with a
    solid left hook to the chin; he failed to follow up
    however, and this was something that would repeat
    itself time and again throughout the fight.

    Round two started off similarly to the first, with
    Irwin chasing and Howard on the run. Early in the
    round, Irwin connected with another solid left hook to
    Howard's ear, but it didn't seem to slow him as he
    continued to jab incessantly. The jabs weren't
    connecting with anything but Irwin's gloves, but it
    was keeping the champion far enough away that he
    couldn't corner the faster man. A good thing for
    Howard, as anytime they were in close, Irwin was
    punishing him with inside uppercuts and quick hooks to
    the ribs. Irwin also learned in this round that he
    wouldn't be able to take any breathers, as anytime
    he'd stop chasing Howard, Vince would go on a quick
    attack of straight rights up the middle. Howard was
    able to take advantage of this as Irwin seemed at this
    point to be slightly out of shape for the fight, often
    halting the attack to catch his breath.

    The following two rounds pretty much followed the
    usual game plan of both fighters, with Irwin attacking
    to the body and Howard countering to the head. Irwin
    continued to be unusually inactive however; his
    attacks were effective, but always short-lived.
    Howard was able to stay in the fight by scoring
    heavily during Irwin's periods of inactivity, but the
    scoring punches were primarily jabs and Irwin was
    showing no ill effects. But while Howard was scoring,
    the relatively few punches thrown by Irwin were far
    more punishing. Despite this, the fight was pretty by
    the halfway point, due more to Irwin's inactivity than
    Howard's effectiveness.

    The sixth round had me thinking that Irwin was just
    terribly ill-prepeared for the fight. For two and a
    half minutes of the round, Irwin threw virtually no
    punches. He continued to advance on Howard, but was
    being outpunched at least four to one. Irwin was
    connecting, particularly with body shots, but was
    failing on every occasion to follow up. His defence
    was solid, knocking down many punches and taking many
    more on the gloves, but his offence was totally
    limited. Even where he had been effective on the
    inside early in the fight, his short hooks and
    uppercuts suddenly weren't connecting.

    An upset seemed inevitable at this point.

    Howard continued to counter this limited attack with
    countless jabs and straight rights, and even began to
    get more aggressive with some effective body punching.
    Then suddenly, seconds before the bell ending the
    sixth round, Irwin stepped in with an enormous left
    hook to the chin that obviously wobbled the
    challenger. But as he began to chase him across the
    ring the bell sounded to end the round.

    The seventh began with a sustained aggressive attack
    by Vincent Howard, but Irwin continued to block the
    punches well and connect solidly to Howard's ribs. At
    about the halfway point of the round, Irwin attacked.
    Finally forcing the inside action for which he is
    known, he again began landing uppercuts and hooks.
    When he was forced to the outside, Irwin's left hook
    to the body also began to consistently find the mark.
    Still, Irwin continually failed to follow up on
    punches that noticably hurt his opponent, and as the
    round wound down it was still a close one. Then in a
    replay of the sixth round, seconds before the bell
    sounded Irwin came up with a big left hook to the head
    that left Howard stumbling backward across the ring.
    Chasing him down to follow up, Irwin was again halted
    by the bell.

    The fighters came out for the eighth, and it was the
    most lopsided half minute of the fight. Howard,
    perhaps already aware that he was slowing down, threw
    an incredibly sustained flurry that drove Irwin from
    one end of the ring to the other. He finished this
    attack with a big overhand right that nailed Irwin
    directly on the button. Since Billy is known for his
    toughness, no-one was surprised when he dropped his
    gloves and shook his head to show he hadn't been hurt.
    During the remainder of the round Howard was
    outpunched for the first extended period in the fight,
    as he was getting close to the end of his reserves.
    Irwin plodded ahead, continuing his slow-but-steady
    body attack, and now that he didn't have a jab in his
    face at every turn was starting to land more
    effectively. Irwin's honey punch, the left hook, was
    consistently finding Howard's chin, and he was
    seriously wobbled before pulling Irwin into a clinch.
    By the end of the round, Howard was hanging on by a
    very thin margin, and throwing only huge, slow punches
    that resembled nothing of the offense he'd had few
    rounds earlier.

    The end was obviously near by the beginning of the
    ninth round. For the first time Howard was not
    jabbing, just trying to clinch and stay in close where
    Irwin's left hook couldn't find his head. Irwin was
    still not particularly intense with his attack, but
    the punches he threw were effective and kept Howard
    from doing anything but covering up. Irwin kept him
    at just the right range for the hook though, and
    landed it frequently. By the midway point of the
    round, it became obvious that Howard was operating
    only on heart. He threw a big flurry that backed
    Irwin up, but none of the punches landed. Another few
    more Irwin hooks to the chin, Howard nearly fell right
    through the ropes. It almost seemed like Irwin was
    savoring the moment, so slow was he to follow up. But
    when he finally moved in, he landed a three punch
    combination that had Howard stumble backward across
    the ring and land on his backside. Vincent Howard's
    courage was not in question by this point, and nobody
    in the crowd was surprised when he got up and
    signalled immediately to the referee that he wanted to
    continue. Irwin moved back in and landed a tremendous
    uppercut right on the button, and the referee
    immediately stopped the fight. The official time was
    2:59 of the ninth round.

    While this wasn't the prettiest fight, it was a good
    show for those in attendance, and certainly very
    entertaining. Billy 'The Kid' Irwin, while certainly
    no longer a kid, is still a fun fighter to watch.
    Vincent Howard, with his now 18-12 record may never be
    heard from again, but he kept this fight interesting
    for a long time, and showed far more courage than most
    fighters with his determination.

    On the undercards, flashy 39 year-old Super
    Middleweight Danny Neal realized a life-long dream by
    winning his professional debut by a majority decision
    over Billy Plaitis and Middleweight Mark Flynn won a
    sluggish majority decision over Walid Schmidt. In
    another undercard fight, undefeated (and undoubtedly
    soon to be heard of) Junior Middleweight Rico Tan
    absolutely steamrolled Kansas City's Terry Tok with a
    first round TKO. In an impressive showing, Tan
    knocked down the more experienced Tok twice with hooks
    to the body, and again with a pulverising hook to the
    head. For such a short fight, a very impressive win
    for Tan.

    Promoter - Stele Promotions``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xIrwin KO's Howard``x1035049988,4147,``x``x ``xWhen Diobelys Hurtado stepped into the ring to face dangerous contender Vivian Harris, he added an S to his first name (he’s now billed as “Diosbelys”) and an L to his record. In a surprise upset, Hurtado was knocked silly by the Guyana-born boxer in less than five minutes of what was shaping up to be a tactical boxing match. With the victory, Harris picked up a bogus version of the WBA title and, more importantly, finally solidified his reputation after several years of fighting in near-obscurity.

    It wasn’t an exciting fight, although a genuine chess match seemed to be developing when the end came. Hurtado and Harris fought a careful opening round, a surprise in itself given the post-weigh-in scuffle that developed only a day prior to their showdown. The tall, lanky, Tommy Hearns-esque Harris kept the normally aggressive Hurtado at a distance by sweeping tight left hook misses across the distance. Hurtado tried to break the stalemate several times by leaping in with his vaunted right hand, only to be answered in kind with a serious right counter from Harris. One of those Harris rights stunned Hurtado, who was forced to circle the ring and look for openings as Harris patiently followed with a tight defense.

    Hurtado was only just beginning to make adjustments in the start of the second round when it all came apart. After flicking out a few jabs, none of which landed, Harris attacked with a lead right hand. The punch missed, but an immediate left-hook follow-up tagged Hurtado on the point of the jaw. His arms flew forward in reaction, leaving him open for the Harris right hand that completed the three-punch set. The right drilled Hurtado in the mouth and sent him crumpling into the ropes.

    At first, Hurtado seemed shaken but not stirred. He calmly rose to his feet as referee Laurence Cole administered a count. But Hurtado was not okay. His glazed eyes looked around the ring, as if he were unsure of his surroundings. Upon completing the mandatory-eight, Cole asked Hurtado to step forward. While English is not Hurtado’s first language, his failure to comply seemed to have little to do with a language barrier as much as it had to do with scrambled brains. After Cole repeated four times for Hurtado to come forward to him, the Cuban defector finally took a step forward. As soon as he did, both his knees turned to rubber. Hurtado dipped his knees, tipped back to catch his balance, and then wobbled forward as Cole waved off the fight. Vivian Harris KO2.

    Harris (now 22-1-1/16) dropped to the canvas in a wave of euphoria. For his efforts, he won the WBA super-lightweight title. Forget about the fact that Kostya Tszyu, the king of the 140 lb division, already held that title. Because Tszyu had unified the titles, the WBA declared him a “super-champion” and vacated the mere “world” title. For the WBA, it was a chance to collect extra sanctioning fees. For Vivian Harris, the shiny new belt was a welcome reward for an awesome victory. His rising career had been stalled after a loss to Ray Oliveira in Oliviera’s backyard and a draw with Ivan Robinson that was really a win (New Jersey’s now-abandoned experiment with consensus scoring handed Harris a draw despite the fact that all three judges cards had him a points winner). With his long arms, vicious right hand, and chiseled physique, Harris will make a wonderful challenger for Tszyu, as well as any other 140 lb. contender.

    As for Hurtado (now 35-3-1/23), he will be back. He’s been down and out before. Knockouts from Pernell Whitaker and Kostya Tszyu didn’t end his career, and neither will a flash kayo by Harris. While Hurtado’s chin will now be a permanent question mark, his other skills remain intact. He’ll still be a serious challenger to names like Mitchell, Phillips, Gatti, Ward, and Judah.

    But this was Harris’ night to shine, and shine he did. We’ll be hearing a lot more from him very soon.

    …..Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xVivian Harris Emerges As A Star ``x1035159830,74762,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    The Attorney General of the United States of America is a busy man. The AG's plate is fuller than we suspect. He's saving us from terrorists, abortionists, leftists and nonconformists, but the President of the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), Timothy J. Lueckenhoff, needs John Ashcroft's help.

    The trouble concerns a sanctioning body (this time it's the WBA) fiddling with their heavyweight rankings. Between July and August of this year, without a single punch being thrown, the World Boxing Association, whose champ is the inestimable John Ruiz, radically revamped their ratings. This problem was brought to the ABC's attention by none other than Kirk Johnson. The Canadian Clubber lost his #1 ranking after his low-blow-a-thon with The Quiet Man. Kirk was unceremoniously dumped at #5. In the latest shuffle, Kirk Johnson was demoted again, this time to #10. But after making a fuss, Kirk Johnson was elevated to #8.

    But this is only the beginning. Not only are Lennox Lewis and Vladimir Klitschko and Chris Byrd not among the WBA top-15 heavyweights, an inexcusable sin of omission, but Larry Donald climbed from #6 all the way to #3. Does anyone believe the Cincinnati Kid is the third best heavyweight in the world? Gilberto Mendoza thought so - until he decided Larry Donald belongs at #10.

    There are, as you might expect, other shenanigans afoot. David Tua was dropped from #8 to #9, two spots behind Fres Oquendo, who Tuaman crushed this year at The Harv in Chester, West Virginia. But Gilberto Jesus Mendoza Jr. finally saw the light and put the pug from Polynesian at #5.

    Hasim Rahman, despite losing his last two fights to Rasta and Commander Vander, jumped four rungs in one month from #10 to #6. And such untested pugs as Nicolay Valuev, Faruq Saleem, Lamon Brewster, Danny Williams and Joe Mesi are in the top rank of these rank rankings.

    Gilberto Mendoza (WBA) and Jose Sulaiman (WBC) and Bob Lee (IBF) act like they own the sport of boxing. Which, as we know, they do not. Don King owns the sport of boxing, and these gentlemen owe Don King. DK is the man, the rainmaker, de facto dictator of the fight game. Bureaucrats may come and bureaucrats may go, but Don is in it for the long haul. Don King does whatever it takes to win at any cost. What his money doesn’t bulldoze, his personality flattens. So men not happily married to clarity embrace King with open arms. DK knows how the game is played. So do Mendoza, Sulaiman and Lee.

    According to ABC's Tim Lueckenhoff, the WBA violated the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2002 - and he wants the Attorney General to do something about it. That's fine on the face of it. Something should be done. But John Ashcroft has a crowded dance card. And payola? It's been greasing palms forever. Bob Lee's FBI surveillance video from 2000, where he was captured live and on tape pocketing bribes, remains a top-10 underground bestseller, just behind Marion Barry's 1990 crack flick. But IBF Prez Bob Lee, like DC Mayor Marion Barry, had his day in court and was acquitted by a jury of his peers; even in the face of unimpeachable evidence. So it looks like it's business as usual, business as it's been, business as it's gonna be.

    If John Ashcroft has a second for the fight game, perhaps he’ll unleash the anti-trust bloodhounds to sniff around King and Arum. For a half-century these cats scored big-time off the blood, sweat and tears of pro boxers. A few King and Arum fighters, it must be said, survived with their fortunes intact. A few weren't sky-hooked into the wastebin of history. But the King and Arum monopoly mocks competition. The rare Duva or Kushner or Acri or Chargin earns a nice living, but these guys - they’re playing checkers. King and Arum are Grandmasters.

    Some have suggested that Ring magazine be the sole arbiter of ranking prizefighters. Excuse me? Am I missing something? Does the Ring have any credibility these days? It's been a long time since Nat Fleischer, Ring's former editor and publisher, was on the boxing beat, and the journal has been slipping ever since. The modern-day Ring's limited sales, banal writing, two-left-feet aesthetic and non-presence on the net - as well as their scandal-plagued history - has KO'd the mag as a force in the fight game. The Ring is in no position to shoulder the responsibility of ranking fighters accurately, honestly, soberly, free of missteps, corruption and graft.

    If boxing insists that a storied institution rates worldwide fistic talent, why not defer to the power behind the throne? Why not defer to the heart and soul of boxing? HBO cares more about boxing than King, Arum, Mendoza, Sulaiman and Lee put together. Not that HBO is immune to the charms of avarice, but it isn't the cable network's raison d'être. Instead of trusting the gov or a rag or a foreign corp to serve the game's best interests, why not let HBO do the right thing?

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBoxing Calling John Ashcroft``x1035160974,75437,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    The Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon announced the tentative line-up for a Nov. 14 fight card promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy promotions. This will be the second Golden Boy show to be set in the Rose Garden this year. The promotion has a third fight card in this location scheduled for January.

    The main event is a featherweight ten scheduled between Westminster, CA prospect Narcos Licona and Panamanian Armando Cordoba.

    The semi is billed as a womens’ bantamweight world championship elimination bout between fast and snappy Bridgett "Baby Doll" Riley of Missouri, and dangerous Para Draine, a puncher-boxer originally from the rough Dog Town gym in Spokane, WA. This one should be good.

    On the undercard:
    Joe Gusman vs Brad McPeake, and Josuwea Cielos vs Conal McPhee, with the possibility of more bouts to come.

    Tickets for this Rose Garden show are $15, 25, 45, and 75.

    ***************************************************
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xNovember 14 Line Up for Portland Rose Garden Announced``x1035335559,52378,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    "I’m fed up with the federal law being violated and no effort being made to enforce it," says Tim Lueckenhoff. As President of the Association of Boxing Commissions, Lueckenhoff has made it a mission to report violations when he discovers them. "I sent a letter three months ago to the Arkansas Assistant Attorney General because they’re holding un-regulated pro boxing, really just tough guy fights, in bars in Arkansas."

    Lueckenhoff’s day job is Chief Investigator for Missouri’s Division of Professional Registration, which regulates boxing in that state. He says he’s written to several other states as well regarding violations of the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996, and the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000.

    "To my knowledge," Lueckenhoff says, "There has never been an action brought against anyone for a violation of these federal laws. ….That’s what’s so frustrating. Even though the Association of Boxing Commissions is mentioned in the law, the ABC has no enforcement authority."

    Enforcement of the federal laws pertaining to boxing is the responsibility of the Justice Department, and specifically in the hands of the U.S. Attorneys in each jurisdiction. This is the reason, Lueckenhoff says, that he decided to file a formal complaint with the U.S. Attorney General, John Ashcroft, over the issue of heavyweight Kirk Johnson’s ranking being dropped without explanation by the World Boxing Association.

    "This seemed like a blatant, high profile violation that a lot of people are talking about," explains Lueckenhoff. "I hoped that if the A.G.’s office got the letter, he’d take some action." As of the third week in October, Lueckenhoff has had no formal response from Ashcroft’s office.

    ABC Shoots Down Latest Draft of McCain Bill

    "If the federal law is not going to be enforced, we certainly don’t need another one," says the ABC President.

    This remark refers to the proposed new legislation being engineered in Senator John McCain’s Commerce Committee. The early drafts of this Bill are titled "Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2002." This is McCain’s effort to create a national boxing commission, but there’s still a long way to go.

    A recent poll conducted of the 54 state and tribal commissions that make up the Association of Boxing Commissions found only 26 willing to vote one way or another on whether to support the current draft of the Senate bill. Leuckenhoff says there were 17 "No" votes, 9 "yes" votes, and one abstention. Most of the voting commissions approved of those parts of the bill that the ABC itself had proposed---"Changes to put more teeth in the federal law and clean up a few things." It was the creation of what the bill labels as a "U.S. Boxing Administration" that derailed it for the "No" voters. Some complained that enacting tough new licensing and medical requirements would kill club shows. But the bottom line seems to be, as Lueckenhoff says, "No Commission wants to lose its autonomy."

    The ABC President says the Board of Directors of the ABC will meet in December to analyze the McCain Bill and try to come up with proposals to improve it.

    No Money for Enforcement?

    Asked why the existing federal laws are not being enforced, Lueckenhoff said, "A few people in Congress are interested in boxing, but most don’t care. It’s a minor issue to the Attorney General. I’m not aware of any money in the Attorney General’s budget dedicated to enforcing boxing laws."

    The ABC has asked the U.S. Congress for money to enforce the laws, and has been ignored.

    ---30---


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xToothless Boxing Laws Rile ABC President``x1035407800,41931,``x``x ``xATLANTA, GA - Undisputed Welterweight Champion Vernon Forrest has been selected Honorary Captain for Special Olympics Georgia’s (SOGA) delegation headed to the 2003 World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland it was announced today by Special Olympics Georgia. Also Forrest, President of Destiny's Child Inc. - a group home service for the mentally-challenged - will appear in a public service announcement (PSA) produced by Special Olympics Georgia to promote statewide support for the athletes headed to the Games. The PSA will run throughout the state starting next week and in to next year. “I am an Olympian and so! me of my clients have competed in past Special Olympics,” said Forrest. “It is a great organization and a wonderful outlet for the mentally-challenged so I am thrilled to be selected as Honorary Team Captain.”

    The Special Olympics World Games will take place June 15-30, 2003 in Dublin, Ireland. More than 2,000 athletes, representing 80 countries will compete in the World Games. 39 Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) athletes and coaches have been selected as members of Team USA – one of the largest delegations from the United States! The athletes were chosen based on athletic accomplishments in their sports which include gymnastics, tennis, volleyball, cycling and running.
    Aside from his work with Special Olympics Georgia, Forrest and his partners run the day to day operations of Destiny’s Child, Inc., (D.C.I.) a group home that provides housing and assistance to mentally challenged adults.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Vernon Forrest Named Honorary Captain``x1035420647,95411,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    In response to the all of the skeptic discussions surrounding the possibility of Roy Jones, Jr.’s possible challenge to John Ruiz’s WBA heavyweight title, the undisputed light heavyweight champ made the following statement yesterday: “I signed a preliminary agreement to show that I was definitely willing and ready to fight John Ruiz. I'm still willing and ready to fight John Ruiz. It's just a matter of time before I sit down to finalize the contract.”

    Jones continued: "As far as (Anthony Cardinale, Ruiz’ attorney) talking about how I can't get out of the contract, I wouldn't have signed it if I was trying to get out. If I didn't want to do it, I wouldn't do it. So, I'm not doing this because of lawyers drawing up papers and saying, ‘You're trapped because you signed it.’ I'm doing it because this is what Roy Jones Jr., and only Roy Jones Jr., wants to do.”

    Jones' advisor Brad Jacobs added, “We expect to finalize the long-form
    agreement in the next two weeks.”

    Though a potential Ruiz-Jones fight could prove to be the most intriguing match-up of 2003 and provide career-high pay-offs for both fighters your writer hopes that there will be another way for these guys to earn big bucks and for Roy Jones to prove that he is perhaps the greatest fighter to ever lace on a glove. Does a fighter whose best weight may have been 168 pounds really have to fight a heavyweight to convince you folks? Just think for a moment, Jones’ career began in the division that Oscar De La Hoya, a one-time jr. lightweight now rules (jr. middleweight). A leap to heavyweight regardless whom he fights should be regarded as suicide these days, especially since Jones won’t weigh over 185 when he meets a 230-pounder with a six-pack of abs. Ruiz is just too big and strong for Jones.

    If you had asked me 5 years ago, before Jones moved up to the light heavyweight
    division I would have said Jones would have a chance. Though Jones has dominated the light heavyweight division for 5 years, he’s had a tough time with the size of these guys. There seemed to be a titanic difference between the jump from 168 and 175. The light heavyweights have for the most part been able to absorb his punch pretty well. Some have even accused Jones of carrying his opponents but I don't think he has. There is just too big of a huge difference in the size and strength between both men.

    It would be safe to assume that Jones will box and move for 12 rounds but
    the problem there is he'll have to stop moving eventually. I’m sure people think that Jones can just move around and box Ruiz as Sugar Ray Leonard had against Marvin Hagler in their famous battle. But what these people fail to realize is that Leonard had to tough it out and slug with Hagler during the middle and late rounds. He fought off the ropes at times and even got the better of the exchanges as most felt he wouldn’t.

    Against the light heavyweights, Jones has needed to rest on the ropes and parry his opponent's punches. This is extremely dangerous for Jones should he employ this strategy against Ruiz or any other heavyweight. If Jones attempts to clinch with Ruiz he would also be in severe trouble. Wrestling or grappling with a bigger heavier guy will sap the speed of strength of Jones (his only assets against a heavyweight) very quickly. When that happens, Jones will be too tired to defend himself. I think Jones will win 3 rounds, get banged up and stopped in the 5th. That's if his corner doesn't throw in the towel earlier for him. The bottom line is, if Ruiz can at least put his hands on him, the fight is over.

    JDVena@cyberboxingzone.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xIs Jones Biting off More Than He Chew?``x1035421277,18057,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION (Ledyard, CT) – Last night at Foxwoods Resort & Casino, in a match-up of lightweight contenders, Julian Wheeler of Virginia Beach, VA appeared to retain his USBA lightweight title only to lose a tactical majority decision to veteran contender Levander Johnson of Atlantic City. Wheeler, 134 used his polished counterpunching skill to outwork Johnson when he had to but all three judges didn’t believe it was enough. Johnson, also 134, pressured Wheeler with his jab, which landed a mere 111 times out of 600 thrown (according to CompuBox) but didn’t appear to mount a serious attack to win many rounds. Judges Don Ackerman and Don O’Neill had it 118-112 for Johnson while judge Glen Feldman had it an even 114-114 (much more like it). But what do I know, right?

    Johnson was cut over the left eye in the 7th round by an accidental head butt but the injury wasn’t a factor in the fight as Johnson a one-time title challenger put himself in a position for his second chance in winning the USBA belt. Johnson who improved to 32-3-2 is now the mandatory for the IBF lightweight title. Wheeler is now 22-7-2 with 8 KO’s.

    When Gary “The Tiger” Balletto fights you always wonder whether his opponent can last or carefully avoid his telegraphed swings. Anyone looks as if they have a fighting chance against Balletto until they taste one of his clean shots to the noggin. Gary will relentlessly and sometimes carelessly plod after his opponent until he catches his opponent’s head but until it happens, Balletto always looks extremely beatable. He looked vulnerable against his March opponent, Mike Di Benedetto. Hell, he even lost the first four rounds against John Trigg, a sub-500 fighter until he hit home with a pulverizing right hand. After his victories he walks around the ring on his lands and listens to his screaming fans. Last night had different and upsetting twist for Balletto, 136, of Providence. After losing the first six rounds Balletto came on to hurt his slicker opponent, Michael Clark of Columbus, OH but after smeeling blood couldn’t land another clean one to notch another highlight reel KO or protect his undefeated record for that matter.

    Clark, 137, used his experience which helped him go the full 10-round route in a losing effort to the new WBA jr. welterweight champion, “Vicious” Vivian Harris to outmaneuver and clutch the stronger Balletto during the later frames. In the end, Clark won by scores of 99-91, 98-82 (the CBZ’s score) and 97-93. Clark improved his record to 29-2, with 14 KO’s while Balletto who even tripped during his hand-walk is now 25-1-2, with 22 KO’s.

    Though last night was tough night for Jimmy Burchfield’s stable of fighters some of them emerged victorious. “Hurricane” Jaime Clampitt, 142, won a 6-round majority verdict over Summer DeLeon, 143, of Las Vegas. In one of the best action fights of the night Clampitt won by scores of 58-56 twice with the other judge seeing it 57 a piece. Clampitt is now 8-2 with 2 KO’s while DeLeon is now 7-6-2 with 1 KO.

    Angel Torres, 126, of Willamantic, CT avenged his first career defeat by outpointing Pasqual Rouse, 126, of the Dominican Republic. The difference this time around was a point deduction for Rouse’s roughhouse tactics (pushing down on Torres’ neck and back) and a right-hand knockdown in the 6th and final round. Torres who won by scores of 57-54, 58-54 and 59-53 improved his mark to 9-3 with 3 KO’s while Rouse is now 11-8-2 with 8 KO’s.

    New Haven’s “Bad” Chad Dawson also did not disappoint. Dawson was matched with, what on paper purported to be his toughest opponent in John Romans William of Chicago via Panama. Dawson, 170, a hard-punching version of Frankie Liles, cut William to shreds during a heated exchange in the third round when an infuriated William went after Dawson with wild vicious punches. Prior to the altercation, William had complained to referee Dick Flaherty accusing Dawson of using his elbow. His assault was met with Dawson’s fierce arsenal. Cuts on the bridge of his nose and around the hairline bled down William’s face and after another round of punishment prompted Flaherty to halt the contest at 1:49 of the 4th. The 19-year old Dawson remains unbeaten at 9-0 with 6 KO’s while William is now 9-2 with 5 KO’s.

    In the final swing bout Shakha Moore, 141, of Norwalk, CT and Jermaine Marks, of Chicago fought to a 4-round majority draw (38-38 twice and 39-37 for Moore). Moore is now 9-6-2 with 1 KO’s while Marks remains unbeaten at 6-0-2 with 4 KO’s.

    Promoter – Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports
    Network – ESPN2

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJohnson Tops Wheeler``x1035612628,98579,``x``x ``xBROCKTON, Mass. – Irish heavyweight champion Kevin "The Clones Colossus" McBride (27-4-1, 22 KOs), now living in Brookline, faces Craig "C.T." Tomlinson (23-11-1, 13 KOs), of Pennsylvania, tomorrow night (Saturday, Oct. 26) for the vacant IBC Americas title, in the 12-round main event on the final 2002 Mohegan Sun FightNight New England pro boxing card, at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere.

    The MSFNE show is presented by Cappiello Promotions, in association with Mohegan Sun, Holiday Inn in Randolph and Boston, Metro Ford of Raynham, Budweiser, and Everlast. This is the final 2002 live-for-tape pro boxing show of an eight-fight deal between Cappiello Promotions and Fox Sports Net New England. The October 26 fights will be videotaped and broadcasted Sunday afternoon (3:30-5:30 p.m.), November 3.

    Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the first of six bouts scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $65.00 Gold ringside, $50.00 ringside and $30.00 general admission. For more information or to order tickets call 508.587.5554 or 508.587.3370. Or visit Cappiello Promotions’ web site at www.cappielloboxing.com.

    Tonight's Line-up:

    HEAVYWEIGHTS - 12 ROUNDS
    IBC America's Championship
    Kevin The Clones Collossus" McBride(Irish Heavyweight Champion), Brookline, MA vs. Craig Tomlinson, Reading, PA

    LIGHTWEIGHT - 6 ROUNDS
    Aaron "2-Guns" Torres, Philadelphia, PA vs. John Trigg, Atlanta, GA

    SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS - 6 ROUNDS
    Ian "The Cobra" Gardner, Brockton, MA vs. Keith Sonley, St. John's New Brunswick, Canada

    WELTERWEIGHTS - 6 ROUNDS
    Jimmy LeBlanc, South Boston, MA vs. Jadschi Green, Kalamazoo, MI

    JR. WELTERWEIGHTS - 6 ROUNDS
    Jeff "The Hellraza" Fraza (New England Jr. Welterweight Champion), Haverhill, MA vs. Quincy Pratt

    All bouts subject to change``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMcBride-Tomlinson headline in Revere``x1035613407,16928,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    REVERE, MA – Every once in a while heavyweights square off in Massachusetts. It’s not a common sight and when it happens it doesn’t look as nifty or as graceful as some of the smaller combatants of the sport, especially when both men stand over 6’3 and weigh over 220 pounds. For Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride, the Irish Heavyweight Champion who now lives in Brookline, MA, things went a little easy for him last night at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere as his opponent, Craig Tomlinson of Reading, PA seemed to big to get himself back into the ring in time to beat referee Charlie Dwyer’s 10-count. McBride, 254, had dropped Tomlinson in the second round and twice in the third with thudding body shots and winging overhand rights. The size and strength of McBride was simply too much to bear for Tomlinson. And the ring, as strong as it might have been wasn’t conducive enough to hold the 227-pound Tomlinson inside the ring. Though conscious from the pummeling, Tomlinson desperately tried to pull himself back into the ring from the third knockdown but looked more like a trapped insect in a spider’s web and was ruled KO’d at 2:39 of the third.

    “I wanted to get the rounds in,” said McBride. “I expected him to be tougher but that’s how things go sometimes.

    Goody Petronelli, the same man who worked the corner’s of Marvin Hagler and Irish legend Stevie Collins has been teaching McBride the ropes for the past couple of years and with Rich Cappiello as his promoter, McBride is hoping to get more seasoning before he meets the likes of DaVarryl Williamson who stopped McBride earlier this year.

    “I need more experience before I get in with another contender,” admitted McBride who improved to 28-4-1 with 23 KO’s. “Goody has taught me a lot but it’s just a matter of time and hard work. Right now it’s great to get fights and to hear my fans come and cheer me. It would be great to have all of the mothers in Ireland drink a cup of tea to me.”

    (Editor’s note: At least that’s what I thought he said in his thick Irish brogue.)

    Last night’s Cappiello card was the final of this year’s Mohegan Sun Fight Night series which has aired on Fox SportsNet New England. Throughout the year, the monthly shows have brought some important fights for some up and comers trying to build a following while improving their skills. Philadelphia’s Aaron “2-Gun” Torres has been one such protégé. Torres who began the year with a record of 7-1 finished the year last night with a mark of 11-1 having won all of his MSFN appearances. Last night’s victory however was the most significant and by far his most exciting of his short career. Torres, was put in tough with the always entertaining John Trigg of Atlanta. Torres was rocked with a right hand in the second round but came on during the final three rounds, grinding it out on the inside, the territory that Trigg likes. In the end Torres won by scores of 58-56, 59-55 and 58-57.

    In somewhat of a surprise, the corner of South Boston’s Jimmy LeBlanc halted his contest with Jodeschi Green at 2:35 of the third round. LeBlanc, 140, appeared to have injured his right hand in the second round but wouldn’t throw a punch from either fist until his corner climbed onto the ring apron issuing their surrender. Green, 140, of Kalamazoo, MI improved to 7-2-2 with 6 KO’s while LeBlanc who was stopped for the very first time is now 9-2-3 with 3 KO’s.

    Jeff “The Hellraza” Fraza also won but did not live up to his nickname last night as Roberto Sanchez of Springfield managed to not only last the full six rounds with the New England jr. welterweight champion but landed the better punches. Fraza, 137, just wouldn’t let allow himself any room, smothering Sanchez on the ropes where he did more pushing than punching. Fraza who improved to 12-2 with 6 KO’s won by scores of 58-56, 59-55 and 60-55.

    Ian Gardner, 158, of Toronto, Canada stopped fellow Canadian Keith Sonley, 158, of St. John when ringside physician Leonard Waice advised Dwyer to stop the fight at 1:35 of the 3rd round. Gardner bloodied Sonley’s nose with a crisp left cross in the first round. From that point on, the blood poured profusely and the doc thought that 3 rounds worth of it was enough. Gardner who lost a controversial decision to Peter Manfredo of Providence a year ago is now 6-1 with 2 KO’s. Sonley is now 3-5-4 with 1 KO.

    In the opening bout, Adam Moses, 165, of South Boston, won his pro debut by winning a 4-round decision over Springfield opponent Rich Zola. Moses won by tallies of 39-37 twice ad 40-37.

    Last night’s show will be broadcast next Sunday on Fox SportsNet New England from 3:30-5:30.

    Promoter – Cappiello Promotions
    Network – Fox SportsNet New England
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xIrish Champ McBride Topples Tomlinson``x1035735959,34307,``x``x ``xLetterlough on Nov. 15 boxing card in Boston

    BOSTON, Mass. – Exciting light heavyweight Julian "Mr. KO" Letterlough
    returns to New England for the first time in more than two years to fight on Pendarvis Boxing Promotions' pro card, "The November Showdown," Friday night, Nov. 15 at the National Guard Armory in Dorchester.

    Letterlough (18-3-1, 17 KOs) is now managed by New York City defense
    attorney and Brighton (MA)-native, Michael Marley. "Mr. KO" last fought in New England at the Hampton Beach Casino (New Hampshire) on an ESPN2 card in July of 2002. Letterlough won a thrilling fight against Demetrius Jenkins with a dramatic seventh-round TKO. He also has fought for the IBF cruiserweight title.

    The card is promoted by Pendarvis Boxing Promotions, in association with Rolling Rock, Coors, North Shore Pontiac & Buick, North South Physical Therapy, Inc., and Frugal McDoogal.

    Also scheduled to be on the card are South Boston middleweight Tommy Attardo (10-11-1, 2 KOs), Worcester cruiserweight Roy "House of" Payne (15-11-4, 6 KOs), Dorchester heavyweight Mike Beverly (0-0), and South Boston cruiserweight Chris Tillman. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Ticket prices are $40.00 ringside and $25.00 general admission. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m. Call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions at 617-825-3283 to order tickets or for more information.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMr. KO Coming to Mass``x1036014315,34711,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    Take the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels or the George Washington Bridge to the New Jersey Turnpike and head south. Drive through the swampland, past Tony Soprano’s stomping grounds, cross the James Hoffa Memorial Causeway, until you hit Exit 13A. At the end of a driveway pockmarked with speedbumps sits the RexPlex. You can’t miss it.

    The RexPlex is "NJ’s Largest Recreational Sports Complex"and provides fun for the whole family. The state-of-the-art facility sprawls across five bucolic acres. Its diversions include something for everyone. Soccer. Basketball. Hockey. A Fitness Center. The Skate Park. An Arcade Room full of video games. And the brand new indoor Amusement Park features a carousel, bumper cars and rock climbing wall, a mega-maze and laser tag. Who could ask for anything more?

    Boxing reared its ugly head at the world-famous RexPlex Sports Complex. Courtesy of Telefutura, some graceful local talent laced up gloves and traded leather for the natives. After requisitioning a basketball court for the Friday Night Fights, the festivities began two hours behind schedule. The demands of TV inevitably become the demands of boxing. TV needs what it needs. TV wants what it wants when it wants it. If TV wants two hours, TV gets two hours. TV is the boss. TV is the medium and the message. TV forever TV.

    The main event featured a local phenom battling out of Lefrak City named Tiger Martinez. Tiger looks like a kid, boxes like a dream, and his 20-2 (9 KOs) record suggests he’s an up-and-comer. But there’s a problem with the date of his birth. August 6, 1968? If my math isn’t fuzzy, he’s thirty-four years old. He entered the pro ranks in 1991? That’s eleven years on the boxing beat. Where has this guy been hiding?

    Tiger Martinez was four-time New Jersey Golden Glove champ from 1987-1990. As soon as he turned pro, the shit hit the fan. First Tiger’s father, the man who was his trainer, his inspiration, his lifelong connection to boxing, suddenly passed away. Tiger Martinez quit the fight game. Then a surrogate named Big Man convinced Tiger to fight the fight. No sooner did Tiger climb back into the ring then Big Man up and died. That was it for Tiger Martinez. Tiger quit boxing for good.

    In fits and starts, Tiger Martinez resumed his career. Sort of. Despite Tiger’s natural caution, this reluctant warrior is a sharp boxer with the moves and angles and skills to make boxing look like an art form. His opponent, a knockabout fighting out of L.A. named Roque "Rocky" Cassiani (21-9-1 15 KOs), came to Tiger’s lair looking for a fistfight. Although not as slick as the gentleman hailing from the Bronx, Rocky came from Cali ready to rumble. The Rock slugged away at the mercurial Tiger all night long. But Tiger Martinez, as far as Rocky’s fists were concerned, was the man who wasn’t there. As expected, the hometown fave walked away with the unanimous decision. But Tiger Martinez and Rocky Cassiani are lively, talented, graceful boxers perfect for Telefutura’s audience.

    The co-main feature spotlighted Paterson’s own undefeated "Fast" Freddie Cadena (14-0 9 KOs). Cadena is a hot prospect almost ready to fight for a title. Fast is agile, nimble, quick. His fists are hard to avoid. His challenger at the RexPlex was a pug fighting out of Philly named Mambea Bakari (12-9-2 4 KOs). As his record indicates, Bakari visited Elizabeth to lose a prizefight. Bakari was in Jersey to get beat up. Freddie Cadena threw everything at Bakari but the kitchen sink, but this proud African warrior from the City of Brotherly Love refused to quit. Mambea Bakari is tough. And he’s a expert boxer. But he couldn’t beat the homeboy from Paterson, NJ. Maybe nobody could. After ten exciting rounds the nod went to Fast Freddie.

    After the fight, the buzz at ringside wasn’t the usual, Can that guy slug! It was: How old is Mambea Bakari? His trainer said he was 31. A press release said he was 32. A boxing official said he was 33. Several seasoned observers thought Bakari looked about a 100. He had one of those soulful faces drained of emotion after generations of bearing witness, a nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen kind of face, an expressionless mute testament to exile. Carved by time’s ravages in deepest darkest ebony, Bakari’s mug seemed chiseled in black granite. But even more amazing. Mambea Bakari the century-old pugilist had the body of a 20 year old.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTelefutura Fights``x1036087140,84573,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel

    Johnny Tapia. Marco Antonio Barrera. These aren’t the names of ordinary men. These two scrappers are boxers for the ages. Tapia and Barrera walk among the fight game’s immortals. They are all-time greats. Tapia and Barrera are warrior-caste and complex prodigals at the art of demolition. And these fistic aristocrats are trading leather on Saturday, November 2, 2002, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.


    Johnny Tapia (52-2-2 28 KOs) is the seasoned veteran, the wizened old pro, the guy who knows every trick in the book. He’s proven himself a thousand times and he’s a marvel and he’s a monster and he’s a miracle. A ring magician, a slickster, a thinking man’s man, Johnny Tapia is boxing at its best, heart at it’s most pure, fists at their most glorious speediest.

    Johnny Tapia has been fighting professionally since 1988. Fifteen years of triumph in the winner’s circle. He is one of the few men in history to win five world titles. He is Johnny Tapia. Questionable losses to Paulie Ayala in 1999 and 2000 stain the perfection of Tapia’s record, but the dude Johnny Tapia is a solid gold, world-class, top of the line sports celebrity. Johnny Tapia is a man living a movie in a film about a man living a movie in a film. Mi Vida Loca? Todo es verdad..

    Marco Antonio Barrera (55-3 39 KOs) is also a true champion to his core. Marco Antonio was born and raised in the middle-class comforts of Mexico City. His father wanted his clever young son to follow in his footsteps. But giving up law school to take up boxing is something Barrera never regrets. The world is full of lawyers and courts and judges and torts and bailiffs and litigation. Whereas there is only one Marco Antonio Barrera.

    Marco Antonio Barrera hit the scene in 1996 with a victory over Kennedy McKinney. That night the fight crowd met one tough cookie. This cat could punch. He could box. He could take a good shot. Barrera’s losses to Junior Jones nowadays look aberrational. The Baby-Faced Assassin’s dethroning of Prince Naseem Hamed seems much more up to the minute.

    Neither Tapia nor Barrera is in the prime of his career. But even now, after so many satisfying prizefights, watching these tough guys do their thing remains a pleasure of the first order. And the fact that these boxers won the game of life using just their fists? What can one say? Saludo! A knockout achievement.

    We are blessed to be living when men like Johnny Tapia and Marco Antonio Barrera are trading leather. In the face of a war between Tapia and Barrera, we can trash our nostalgia for bygone boxing days and get back to the future.

    On the surface this bout looks like a classic between a slugger and a boxer. Barrera has the heavier hands and all the kayo power. But Marco Antonio, despite his size and strength, will not knock out Johnny Tapia. Nothing flattens John Lee Tapia. Nor can Barrera out-box Albuquerque’s favorite son. The Man from Ciudad de Mexico will have to fight his way inside, try to dodge Johnny’s fusillade of punches, and hope to catch the aging Tapia looking. But it won’t be easy. Johnny Tapia has the reflexes of a wild mountain cat. He’s no knockout artist, but he’s clever like a fox.

    Marco Antonio Barrera is shopworn after his campaigns against Eric Morales (2000/2002). Crusades like those almost always seem to eat grown men alive. But Marco Antonio Barrera is a survivor. Marco Antonio Barrera is resilient. Marco Antonio Barrera never says die. Pugs with too much courage for their own good is what the fight game is all about. Feeling pain and dishing it out is boxing’s coin of the realm. Johnny Tapia and Marco Antonio Barrera know the terms of engagement. These caballeros pride themselves on their cojones.

    The Battle of the Warriors, La Batalla de los Guerreros, is about to commence. After twelve heartfelt rounds, one hotshot athlete will emerge the winner and the other will suffer a loss. An epic win for a single man. A crushing defeat for another. And yet when all is said and done, it will have been just another day at the office for hombres like Johnny Tapia and Marco Antonio Barrera.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBarrera vs. Tapia: La Batalla de los Guerreros ``x1036110834,13332,``x``x ``xNew York, Oct. 31-You can take it to the bank, literally. Eight heavyweight contenders will collide in a winner-take-all, one-night tournament - with the champion taking home a $100,000 grand prize - when Cedric Kushner Promotions presents "Fistful of Dollars" on Saturday night, November 30, from the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City live on pay-per-view, it was announced today on a spirited conference call by promoter Cedric Kushner.

    Combining fisticuffs and entertainment in a unique format, hip hop stars Xzibit, Eve and 50 Cent will perform on the special edition of the ThunderBox series. The event will be available on all pay-per-view systems including In Demand, Direct TV, Echostar, Cablevision and Viewers Choice Canada. Call you local cable or satellite service provider to order.

    The round-robin tourney will be divided into three explosive periods: four quarter-final matches with the winners returning for two semi-finals, and finally the championship main event. Each will consist of three-round bouts.

    The participants include: two-time former heavyweight world champion Tim Witherspoon (51-11-1, 32 KOs, Philadelphia, PA); undefeated heavyweight Gerald Nobles (20-0, 16 KOs, Philadelphia, PA); Italian Olympic bronze-medalist Paolo Vidoz (11-1, 7 KOs, Gorizia, Italy); hard-charging Jeremy Williams (34-2, 31 KOs, North Hills, CA); Ray Austin; (17-3-1, 13 KOs, Cleveland, OH), Maurice Harris (19-12-2, 10 KOs, Newark, NJ), Anthony Thompson (17-1, 9 KOs, Silver Spring, MD) and Derrick Jefferson (26-3, 20 KOs, Detroit, MI). The fighters have a combined total of 148 knockout victories.

    "We have selected aggressive, hard-charging heavyweights," said Cedric Kushner. "This will be one of the most unique and exciting events in boxing history. Everyone loves the heavyweights, and this format is sure to please the viewers and live crowd alike."

    "I would like to be involved with the stars that emerge from this tournament," continued Kushner. "There will be a great opportunity for one, two or three of them to fight on HBO and Showtime."

    Gerald Nobles said: "Go ahead and put the check into my name right now because I'm running through it, I'm ready, make sure everyone else is. "

    But Jeremy Williams told Nobles: "I've knocked out more people than you've ever fought in your life…This tournament is a mere way for me to buy Christmas presents for my kids."

    "To get a spark into the sport of boxing, you have to do things like this. There are other fighters besides Lennox Lewis and Oscar De La Hoya," added Williams.

    The pay-per-view is priced at $100, $50 and $25. Tickets will go on sale today at the Trump Taj Mahal box office (609) 449-1000 or by calling TicketMaster at 800-736-1420.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCKP - Heavyweights Reach for Fistful of Dollars``x1036111583,2037,``x``x ``xNEW YORK, NY (November 1, 2002) -- Fighters fight and champions win. Next Saturday, November 9, from the beautiful Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester, WV, boxing fans will see both in “Real Fights!”
    The three-hour broadcast, which will literally be wall-to-wall boxing from start to finish, will begin at 9 P.M. ET / 6 P.M. PT. REAL FIGHTS is distributed by iN DEMAND Pay Per View, with a suggested retail price of $24.95.

    “The Pittsburgh Kid,” undefeated IBF lightweight champion PAUL SPADAFORA, 35-0 (14 KOs), makes his seventh title defense against IBC champion DENNIS “THE MENACE” HOLBAEK, 43-1 (22 KOs) in a 12-round
    unification fight for all the marbles.

    REAL FIGHTS will also feature the IBF’s No. 5-rated contender VICTORIANO SOSA, 34-2-1 (24 KOs), risking his shot at Angel Manfredy in an IBF lightweight title elimination bout takes on two-time world title challenger LAMAR MURPHY, 27-6 (19 KOs), in what promises to be a Pier 6 Brawl; former WBA lightweight champion RAUL BALBI, 48-6-1 (33 KOs), currently world-rated No. 5 by the WBA, in a 10-round rumble against Dominican dynamo ANTONIO RAMIREZ, 19-5-5 (15 KOs); and highlights of 2000 U.S. Olympic Bronze Medalist JERMAIN TAYLOR, 11-0 (7 KOs), as he risks his undefeated record against seasoned veteran
    JOHNNY RIVERA, 12-3-1 (7 KOs), Dorado, Puerto Rico, in a 10-round middleweight rumble.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Real Fights``x1036193419,40502,``x``x ``xFriday, 1 November, 2002, 12:50 GMT
    Statue honour for tragic boxer

    The bronze statue will stand in Merthyr's town centre


    A life-size statue of the late boxer Johnny Owen is being unveiled in his home town in south Wales, two decades after he was knocked out while challenging a world title. The 24-year-old bantam weight champion died after being hit during a world title fight in Los Angeles. Those around the ring rushed to his aid



    And the man who delivered the fatal blow, former world champion Mexican Lupe Pintor, has travelled to Wales to meet Owen's family. Pintor is to unveil a bronze statue in Owen's memory in the south Wales valleys town at a ceremony on Saturday. Funds to pay for the statue - which cost £30,000 - are still being raised by supporters of the boxer, who died trying to achieve the ultimate accolade. It is exactly 22 years since Owen died in hospital following Pintor's knockout in the 12th round of the title bout on 19 September, 1980. But Owen's family have always refused to level any blame at the man who delivered the fatal punch. While they have grieved, the Mexican fighter has carried the responsibility of his death on his shoulders. No grudges This weekend Owen's parents Dick and Edith will be united with the Mexican in tribute. Dick Owens - their son dropped the 's' from the family name has already had an emotional reunion with Pintor in Mexico this year and he bears no grudges. "It was nothing to do with Pintor," said Mr Owens, who is now 76. "We didn't know that John had a chink in his armour." Now Pintor is to meet Owen's family. Fans of the boxer still visit his grave



    Boxers from across the world will join in a special service at St Tydfil's Church at 1200 GMT on Saturday before Owen's statue is unveiled in Merthyr town centre. Owen is the third Welsh boxer to gain a memorial in the town. Already in place are figures honouring Howard Winstone, the former world featherweight champion who died two years ago, and Eddie Thomas, the renowned trainer and boxer.

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xPintor at Johnny Owens Memorial``x1036209679,65006,``x``x ``xBy Chris Bushnell


    After 56 professional bouts, Johnny Tapia finally tasted defeat.  Sure, he had been announced as the loser in two incredibly close contests with Paulie Ayala.  Yes, many observers thought his recent victory over Manuel Medina was a gift decision.  But even after these minor blemishes, Tapia could rightly say that no man had ever beaten him up in the ring.  That all changed after Tapia stepped into the ring with featherweight monster Marco Antonio Barrera. Over the course of 12 lopsided rounds, Tapia was out-boxed, out-punched, out-landed and out-classed by an opponent superior in every single category.  Maybe Tapia, now 35, was too old.  Maybe, at 126 pounds, he was too small.  Or maybe Marco Antonio Barrera was just that good; good enough to completely dominate one of the most indomitable fighters in the history of the sport.

    Prior to the bout, Tapia seemed to relish his role as a 4-1 underdog.  His fiery spirit and unyielding determination had more than a few pundits questioning the line that Vegas’ numbers-crunchers had posted on the non-title contest.  But once the opening bell rang, Barrera attacked Tapia with a scientific brutality that quickly reminded onlookers why the Mexican superstar was recognized as the best featherweight in the world, belt or no belt.  Pumping a fierce jab flush into Tapia’s forehead and mouth, Barrera quickly established himself as the bigger man, the stronger man, and, sadly, the better man.  After only 60 seconds of action, wherein Barrera’s piston jab was followed by a quick hook and crunching uppercuts, it was clear that Johnny Tapia was in for a long night. 

    Conventional wisdom declared that the younger, stronger Barrera should attack the aging legend early.  Barrera complied, but without the reckless abandon that characterized his brutal destructions of McKinney, Hamed and (at times) Morales.  Instead of bull-rushing the bull, Barrera used the sweet science to deliver his arsenal.  He circled the ring, made Tapia try and come to him, and forced Johnny to try and counter his superior reach.  Only one Tapia right hand was able to land over Barrera’s perpetually-thrusting jab, and the shot glanced off of Barrera’s chin without any ill effect.  A few other Tapia flurries got a momentary rise from the Las Vegas crowd, but the bursts were well short of landing.  Meanwhile, Barrera’s own combinations were landing clean.  When Tapia returned to his corner after the first round, his eyes were already puffy and the first of many dark red abrasions had surfaced on his face. 

    Tapia’s gameplan unraveled immediately.  His best chance at victory was to use his footwork to move around the ring, fire at an oncoming Barrera, and then move out of harm’s way.  But Tapia was too fired up to avoid toe-to-toe exchangesâ€? and Barrera was not a willing participant in the footwork portion of the strategy.  Before round two began, Tapia winked at trainer Freddie Roach and told him that he would draw Barrera in.  Instead, it was the crafty Barrera who was moving backwards, forcing the shorter-armed Tapia to come to him.  Early in the second round, Tapia stepped to Barrera’s retreat only to walk into a jaw-caving left uppercut.  As Barrera followed up with a series of jabs, the strength differential was immediately clear.  Tapia had not exactly carved out a reputation as a banger at his prime weight of 115.  Now three full divisions removed from the super-flyweight ranks, Tapia was being stopped in his tracks by the loud cracking blows of a full-fledged featherweight.  Barrera hit Johnny with a series of clean blows in the second round, allowing his challenger to touch him only with a couple of body shots near round’s end. 

    59 fights into his own long career, Barrera has transformed himself from a brawling Julio Cesar Chavez clone into something more: a boxer with power, a technician with an mean streak, a ring general with a penchant for crippling attacks.  In the third round, Barrera continued to use his reach to keep Tapia away, and in the fourth, Barrera’s incredible jab was followed by more telling blows.  A single Barrera right hand pushed Tapia back three steps on his heels.  Patented bodywork plugged at Tapia’s tattooed ribs.  Uppercuts and short hooks scraped Tapia’s face.  On those occasions when Tapia would leap in with overhand rights and quick three-punch combinations of his own, Barrera would simply glide back a few steps, well out of Johnny’s range.  This was a one-sided fight.

    The fifth round put an exclamation point on Barrera’s outstanding effort.  As Tapia tried his own jab (only to have the punches barely reach the tips of Barrera’s gloves), he was answered by hard, powerful jabs to the face.  Barrera followed up these jabs with power shots that time and again made a frustrated Tapia pause, stand up straight and chide himself.  At times, the machismo in Tapia overflowed, and after eating a particularly hard shot he would drop his hands and stick out his chin.  In the past, this move has not only riled up fans in the seats, but riled up opponents. Barrera was having none of it, and he calmly and methodically continued to beat down Tapia after each overt gesture.  Tapia was out of sorts, unable to find his rhythm.  Marco Antonio closed out a dominant round five by circling Tapia for a full 20 seconds, landing a circling jab repeatedly until the bell forced him to stop.

    With five solid rounds in the bank for Barrera, Tapia desperately needed to shift the momentum.  In a display of pure will power, the smaller Tapia rushed at Barrera early in the sixth and pushed him into the ropes.  Now forehead-to-forehead, Tapia did his best work.  While Barrera held his gloves to his face, Tapia repeatedly ripped clean hooks to the body, pausing only to come up with fierce uppercuts.  At first, Barrera seemed only to be resting on the ropes, unfazed by Tapia’s rib shots.  But after a few uppercuts snapped his head back, Barrera tried to fight back.  He tagged Johnny with a body shot of his own, and tried to push him off with a shoulder to find range for a more telling blowâ€? but Tapia only pushed back in and continued his assault.  For a full minute, Tapia trapped Barrera in one place, unleashing quick punches to the sides.  After several more attempts to push Tapia off, Barrera succeeded.  Tapia slipped on a wet canvas after one push, momentarily falling to his back.  Enraged by the tactic, Tapia leapt to his feet and tried to swarm Barrera.  But referee Jay Nady stepped in between the men to wipe Tapia’s gloves after the slip.  The pause gave Barrera a chance to shift to center ring, and when a still fired-up Tapia charged him to resume the action, Barrera planted a perfect right cross to Tapia’s nose.  The punch started a fountain of blood from Tapia’s nose and stopped the rally.  Barrera circled away for a bit and eventually regained control.  He punished Tapia with severe uppercuts to close the round, smearing Tapia’s blood across his face.  Barrera’s heavy-punch rally could have tipped the round back in his favor, but Boxing Chronicle scored the round for Tapia for his early attack on the ropes.

    The sixth round was the only round we would score for Tapia, as Barrera regained control by jabbing and moving in the seventh and reintroducing power shots in the eighth.  Tapia tried his best to counter Barrera in these rounds.  He would feint with his arms, his head, and even his crotch before rushing in with windmill punches and wild flurries.  But Barrera was rarely caught clean, and answered every landed punch with at least two stronger shots of his own.  The furious punishment only pumped more adrenaline into Tapia, and in a weird way he seemed to be enjoying the exchanges that he was so clearly losing.  Back in his corner after an eighth round that was controlled easily by Barrera, Tapia could be seen kissing his cornermen on the cheek.  Before he stepped out to start round nine, he implored to his trainer, “C’mon Freddie, smile!â€?

    Wise to stay off the ropes, Barrera now consciously kept the fight at center ring.  He also kept Tapia off balance with a combination of coming forward and moving away.  Barrera would slip Tapia’s swings, then step in with hard rights and unobstructed hooks that loudly landed on Tapia’s face.  Barrera’s defense was masterful in this round, and Tapia seemed to tire after missing most of his three and four punch combos.

    The tenth round was one of the most devastating of Tapia’s career.  Encouraged by his own corner to attack more frequently, Barrera opened up on Tapia in round ten, again making Tapia stop in place and mug to the crowd after each of a succession of thudding punches.  Again, Barrera’s effectiveness surged Tapia’s energy, and he ended the round by letting his hands go and flurrying on Barrera.  But Tapia was swinging wildly and he again missed nearly all of his punches.  After the bell sounded, an amped-up Tapia howled to the crowd.  Perhaps it was an attempt to sway the judges into thinking Tapia was satisfied with his work.  Instead it looked like a half-crazed man who was screaming with pleasure at the amount of punishment he was absorbing. 

    By now, Tapia was well behind on the cards, but he never gave up.  In round eleven, Barrera continued to focus on power punches, following his continuing jab with some brilliant uppercuts from both hands, and a series of hooks to the body.  Tapia’s only answer was to fire back body shots of his own, more than a few of which landed on Barrera, but none of which slowed or stopped Barrera from attacking.

    The final round continued at the pace of the previous rounds: the smaller Tapia unable to reach Barrera, the bigger Barrera easily smacking Tapia around the ring.  At one point Barrera caught Tapia with a short hook and Tapia turned away from his opponent holding his right eye.  Tapia claimed that he had been butted, but the more likely culprit was a thumb or lace to the eye socket.  Tapia’s right eye puffed up and darkened quickly, and after a brief break when Nady claimed he saw the phantom butt, the action resumed.  Upset at the perceived foul, Tapia tried to attack Barrera with one final surge, but it was the Mexican superstar who now fought as though he needed the knockout.  Barrera really let his hands go in the middle of this round, battering Tapia with three punch combo after three punch combo.  To his credit, Tapia stood toe to toe with Barrera, although again almost all his punches missed wildly.  The final 20 seconds of the round saw Barrera absolutely hammering Tapia with a wicked, and unanswered, flurry of blows.  Eventually the bell sounded to halt the carnage.  Tapia merely stood in place.  Barrera, calm as ever, casually walked to his corner and slowly raised his arms in victory. 

    Boxing Chronicle scored the bout 119-109 giving only the sixth round to Tapia.  The official scores were only slightly more generous, with two judges scoring 118-110 for Barrera and one voting an unlikely 116-112 for Barrera.  As the totals were read, Tapia winced with embarrassment at the lopsided nature his defeat.  Without question, this was the worst beating he had ever taken.  CompuBox statistics tallied over 330 punches landed on Tapia, far more than any opponent had ever landed on him over 12 rounds.  Tapia’s face was a collection of scrapes, bruises, swelling and abrasions.  Barrera looked unmarked. 

    And so Marco Antonio Barrera re-affirmed his place as “king of the featherweights.â€?  Although he was always favored to defeat Tapia, few expected such a one-sided contest.  The victory, which pushed Barrera’s record to 56-3/39, set Barrera up to face the winner of the Erik Morales-Paulie Ayala contest, scheduled for two weeks after this night.  That bout may be a replay, with the bigger featherweight dominating the moving-up-in-weight bantam.  A Morales victory could secure a third Barrera-Morales contestâ€? and who wouldn’t want to see that?

    After the bout, Tapia hardly acted like a man defeated.  Although he didn’t claim that he had won the bout, Tapia was nonetheless ecstatic.  He smiled broadly, complimented Barrera profusely, and unwisely mentioned his desire for a rematch.  While a second Barrera bout is completely unwarranted, Tapia expressed no desire to taper off his ring career.  Although he’s getting a little long in the tooth, is perhaps unsuited for the featherweight division, and already has millions in the bank, it’s unlikely that Johnny Tapia (now 52-3-2/28) will retire.  Boxing is all he knows.  He will be back.  Let’s just hope that he finds an opponent more suited to his abilities.

    �..Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xBARRERA MAKES TAPIA LOOK ORDINARY``x1036309800,66686,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy outfit promotes its second show in the Portland Rose Garden on Thursday, Nov. 14.

    The main event is a featherweight ten scheduled between Westminster, CA prospect Marcos Licona, now 19-2-1, 8 KO’s, and .tough veteran Ricardo Medina of Mazatlan, Mexico, now 28-21, 14 KO’s. Medina is a former resident of Oregon and trained in the 1990’s in Portland gyms.

    The semi-main is a six rounder billed as a womens’ bantamweight world championship elimination bout between fast and snappy star Bridgett "Baby Doll" Riley , 13-2, 1 KO, of Missouri, and dangerous Para Draine, 7-5, 3 KO, originally from the rough Dog Town gym in Spokane, WA. The winner fights for the International Female Boxing Association title in December.

    In four round bouts on the undercard:

    Portland heavyweight Joe Guzman, 3-0, 2 KO, vs Brad McPeake, 1-1-1, 0 KO of Vancouver, B.C.

    Light heavyweights, Josuea Cielos, 4-1, 2 KO of Seattle vs Conal McPhee, 4-0, 2 KO of Las Vegas, who is trained by former champ Eddie Mustapha Muhammad.

    Cruiserweights, Jeff Simmons, 5-1, 2 KO of Portland meets Mike Sams, 5-0-1, 2 KO, of Seattle.

    Tickets for this Rose Garden show are $15, 25, 45, and 75.
    First bout starts at 7:30 p.m.
    ***************************************************
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xRose Garden Line for Nov. 14, 02``x1036433753,56668,``x``x ``xNOVEMBER 8TH. PROFESSIONAL BOXING CARD TO FEATURE OUTSTANDING BOXER CAMARENA

    www.insideboxing.com

    CAMPION, CO (InsideBoxing.com, November 3, 2002) - Jim Smith has been promoting professional boxing in Denver for over 12yrs under the banner of Poor Boys Pro Boxing. Friday night The Great Colorado Marketplace in Johnstown will host its first ever-sporting event with Poor Boys Pro Boxing promoting the show.

    The boxing event will feature young and rising boxing star Donald Camarena.

    Camarena is quickly making a name for himself in the boxing scene worldwide. "This youngster has the fastest hands I've seen in a long time." Said Marcus Whitehead, Atlanta, GA. "InsideBoxing.com on Camarena: "This guy may turn out to be what most thought Francisco Bojado would be to boxing".

    Camarena undefeated in his first three fights as a professional will face a hard-hitting Mexican fighter Javier Segura in the co-main event. Segura's record stands at 2-2-0, with both wins coming by way of knock out in the first and second rounds. Camarena will have to work hard if he intends to grab his 4th victory, Segura will surely come out and press the fight from the onset. A victory for Camarena will set him up to fight for a regional title in his next contest.

    The main event of the evening will pair featherweights, Frank "The Tank" Martinez (5-4-2) fighting out of Nunn, CO against Carlos Zambrano (4-6-1) from Los Angeles, CA.

    Other fights to take place are: Shane "Hurricane" Swartz vs. Neil Miller; Daniel Almanza, vs. Alan Fiester; and females, Marsha "Two Guns" Budde vs. Sher "Bam Bam" Noah.

    To get to The Great Marketplace from Denver take I-25 north to exit 254 (Campion). Ticket prices are $20, $30, $40 and $50 ringside.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xInside Boxing Press Release - Camarena Headlines Friday Denver Show``x1036457561,16919,``x``x ``xBOSTON, Mass. – The Semper Fidelis Society, comprised of former United States Marines, will present pro boxer "Irish" Micky Ward with the first Ted Williams Globe & Anchor Award.

    The Ted Williams Globe & Anchor Award is for a non-Marine who has the
    commitment and dedication to excellence that Williams demonstrated in his life, as well as the hard work and guts Ted showed as a fighter pilot.

    "When Ted died most people remembered him as a great baseball player," Semper Fidelis Society event chairman Tom Lyons explained. "We wanted to honor Ted for his great accomplishments as a Marine. Everyone agrees that Micky Ward is the perfect choice, particularly after his unbelievable fight (Ward won a close 10-round decision May 18) against Arturo Gatti."

    Lt. General Dennis McCarthy and former Boston Red Sox general manager, Lou Gorman, will present this prestigious award to Ward at a special luncheon attended by 1,200 active and former U.S. Marines, Monday afternoon, November 11 (Veterans' Day and the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps) at the Hynes Veteran Convention Center in Boston.

    "It's a great honor," Ward said. "For me to even be mentioned in the same breath as Ted Williams is incredible. He was a legend. Everybody growing up knew about him as a true American hero. He was the best hitter in baseball and went away (World War II & Korean War) to fight for his country at the peak of his career. I'm really going to appreciate this special award because it's named in memory of Ted Williams and given to me by Marines."

    Ward (38-11, 27 KOs) is in training for his much-anticipated November 23rd rematch against Gatti in Atlantic City and shown on HBO.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMarines to present 1st Ted Williams award to boxer Micky Ward``x1036457810,94738,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel

    So many of us who love the fight game get our rocks off from TV. Watching hombres duke it out is the real deal in a cosmos of phonies. HBO, Showtime, ESPN, Fox, Telemundo and Telefutura broadcast boxing into our lives.

    Sometimes there are local bouts which bring boxing up-close-and-personal. In the high school gym. At the state fairgrounds. In the dance hall. In a back alley. And no matter where one lives, there’s got to be a casino nearby looming in the middle of nowhere. Boxing is never far from the remote control or the key and the ignition.

    Ours is a world of power centers. The North and South Poles. The Himalayas. New York. Rio. Istanbul. But when it comes to the fistic arts, Las Vegas is where it’s at. Vegas is to Boxing what Mecca is to Islam, what the Vatican is to Catholicism. Which is as it should be. Because boxing is a religion on one hand, a blow to the temple on the other.

    I was in Las Vegas to catch the prizefight between Tapia and Barrera. The MGM Grand Arena was filled with 8000 adoring Hispanic fight fans. Men in black wore cowboy hats and had foot long ponytails. Their foxes were dressed to kill. Everyone was in Vegas to support a local hero named John Lee Tapia.

    Johnny Tapia, to his credit, took the toughest fight out there. Tapia took on Marco Antonio Barrera. The Man from Mexico City is a man at the top of his game. Whereas Johnny, at age thirty-five and fighting above his best weight, can no longer defeat a pugilist of this stature. Even the crowd chanting the mantra "Joh-nny, Joh-nny, Joh-nny" no longer does the trick. Time has taken its toll. Johnny Tapia is not a young gun. He can still dish it out and he still takes a good shot, but on November 2, 2002 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, Marco Antonio Barrera had Johnny Tapia’s number. We were waiting for Johnny Tapia’s Junior Jones moment. But it was not to be.

    Barrera connected with more shots and landed the bigger punches. Johnny was the aggressor and Marco Antonio was the eloquent counterpuncher. Barrera’s distinguished left jab was in Tapia’s face all night long, and his right, when it landed, stunned the Man from Albuquerque. But Johnny Tapia was in the fight. This was no walkover. Johnny Tapia had his moments. Some rounds Johnny out-slicked Barrera, caught him on the ropes and put some hurt on Marco Antonio. But after twelve rounds it was clear that Johnny Tapia, great as he is, great as he was, can no longer compete at the highest level.

    Johnny Tapia is fast approaching the end of his career. But those of us who love Johnny Tapia, who honor Johnny Tapia for all he’s accomplished in his life, hope that after one or two more bouts he calls it quits. No sane man likes seeing another man clobbered. And Johnny Tapia, with his diminished skills contrasting his enormous heart, might suffer serious injury if he fights much longer. We don’t want to see that happen. We revere Johnny Tapia’s heart, his courage, his cunning, his grace in the face of battle. We adore this gentleman’s sublime purity of spirit. He is a rare and precious specimen. He is Johnny Tapia and we offer thanks.

    Now that Johnny is no longer a fistic force to be reckoned with, perhaps Team Tapia can lure Naseem Hamed out of semi-retirement. A big payday against Tapia might convince the Prince to reenter in the ring, while a win against this name opponent would be a perfect coda to the career of Johnny Tapia.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTapia & Barrera in Vegas``x1036595523,27077,``x``x ``xWASHINGTON, D.C. (4 November 2002) - Two former heavyweight champions - Evander Holyfield and "Smokin' Joe" Frazier - have joined the Legends lineup at Fight For Children's 13th Annual Fight Night, Fight For Children Chairman Joseph E. Robert, Jr. announced today. The event takes place Thursday, November 7 at the Hilton Washington and Towers (1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW). Robert also announced that the legendary Chuck Berry will be the evening's musical guest.

    Several Legends have already been announced for Fight Night, including: Sugar Ray Leonard, Emile Griffth, Jake LaMotta, Carmen Basilio, Ken Norton, and Earnie Shavers.

    Known as the "Real Deal," Holyfield sports a record of 38-5-2 (25 KOs) and first garnered attention at the 1984 Olympics. Undeniably the cruiserweight of the 1980s, the three-time world champion (at 190-pounds) combined a spectacular blend of strength and boxing skill to become boxing's first undisputed cruiserweight champion in April 1988. Having conquered those battles, Holyfield moved on to the heavyweight division and, in October 1990, he handed Buster Douglas a stunning third round defeat to win the undisputed heavyweight title.

    Throughout the 1990s, Holyfield notched several impressive heavyweight wins, downing champions such as George Foreman, Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer, Michael Moorer and Mike Tyson. His only draw came against Lennox Lewis in a March 1999 unification bout, but in a rematch later that year, the younger, bigger and stronger Lewis won a unanimous decision. Making history in August 2000, Holyfield outlasted John Ruiz to capture the vacant WBA heavyweight title and become the first boxer ever to win the heavyweight championship on four occasions.

    Joe Frazier, 32-4-1 (27 KOs), is a charismatic former champion who is truly one of the great heavyweight champions by any standard. He will be most remembered as the man who handed Muhammad Ali his first professional loss, a 15-round unanimous decision that included a knockdown in the last round. Frazier was the New York State world heavyweight champion, 1965-69, and went on to become the World heavyweight champion from 1970-73.

    More than 2,000 of the nation's top business, government and political leaders will pack the east coast's largest ballroom for Fight For Children's 13th Annual Fight Night, chaired this year by Raul J. Fernandez, co-owner of the Washington Capitals.


    Fight For Children was founded in 1990 by Joseph E. Robert, Jr., to create a brighter future for each and every child by helping them access excellent education, healthcare and mentoring opportunities. Fight For Children is committed to supporting best-in-class organizations in these areas by assuming significant roles in Washington D.C.'s philanthropic community: event management and development, strategic alliance building by spearheading the education reform effort "Capital Gains" and donor cultivation. Over the past 12 years, Fight for Children has raised more than $53 million to over 140 youth serving organizations in the national capital region through its widely acclaimed events. In addition to School Night, the largest grossing event in Washington D.C., Fight For Children manages Fight Night which boasts the largest attendance of any annual event in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.fightforchildren.org or contact the office at 703.245.3560.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Holyfield, Frazier to attend DC's Fight for Children's 13th Annual Fiht Night``x1036629512,77980,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    I guess you’d suppose that Lowell’s “Irish” Micky Ward is in another world right now while he prepares for his mega-war with Arturo Gatti. The man trains hard and when he walks into World’s Gym in nearby Tewksbury he’s all business. I’ve seen it first hand and it’s borderline frightening. After his grueling sessions, he’s the same old Micky Ward that the folks in Lowell know. But these days, he’s shaking more hands and greeting more people. I guess you could say that though he’s preparing for the most important fight of his life, he’s still busy once he leaves the gym. This is due largely in part to the name he has made for himself over the past few years. And these days, the man and the name known as “Irish” Micky Ward is worth some dough, especially in the area he’s from.

    On this past Monday, the bats that he and Arturo Gatti held during a recent Ring Magazine photo cover shoot began to be auctioned on e-Bay. The auction ends next Thursday at noon EST and the winners will be invited to attend the November 20th Ward-Gatti press conference in New York City. And in the upcoming days Ward is making himself available for autograph signings and will be honored by a prestigious award.

    On Friday night at the Lowell Elk’s at Old Ferry, Ward will attend a fund raiser for a scholarship in the name of the late Stacy Stott, an 18-year old from Lowell who lost her life tragically in an auto accident a couple of months ago. Stacy was to attend college in September. The purpose of the fundraiser, headed by Susan Stott, Stacy’s mother is to raise a $40,000 collegiate scholarship for kids who can’t afford school. Ward will conduct and autograph signing for $10 a picture. Other sporting valuables will be auctioned at the event. The event goes from 8:00 PM to12 AM. For more information, contact 978-453-6308.

    On Monday, Veteran’s Day at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Ward will be the recipient of the Ted Williams Globe & Anchor Award. The first-ever award, presented by the Semper Fidelis Society, a group comprised of former U.S. Marines is awarded to a non-Marine who has the commitment and dedication to excellence that Williams demonstrated in his life, as well as the hard work and guts Ted showed as a fighter pilot.

    “When Ted died most people remembered him as a great baseball player,” Semper Fidelis Society event chairman Tom Lyons explained. “We wanted to honor Ted for his great accomplishments as a Marine. Everyone agrees that Micky Ward is the perfect choice, particularly after his unbelievable fight against Arturo Gatti.”

    “It’s such a great honor,” said Ward. “For me to even be mentioned in the same breath as Ted Williams is incredible. He was a legend. Everyone growing up knew about him as a true American hero. He was the best hitter in baseball and went away (during World War II and Korean War) to fight for his country at the peak of his career. I’m really going to appreciate this special award because it’s named in memory of Ted Williams and given to me by Marines.”

    Whether he wins or loses on November 23rd, I’d say the man and the name Micky Ward is befitting of any such award.

    As for his training for this much-anticipated fight, Ward one of the most exciting fighters in the world stated recently that even at the age of 37, he’s stronger than ever.

    “I've been training for more than nearly 3 months; the longest I've ever trained for a fight,” Ward noted. “I started training so early and so hard for this fight because I want it so badly. I'm physically stronger than ever. I've been lifting weights, running a lot of hills, doing pick-ups, pull-ups, dips…….you name it. I can't wait for the fight.”

    Neither can we!

    Speaking of exciting fighters, Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough, the hard punching light heavyweight who has made somewhat of a name for himself the way Ward has is coming to the National Guard Armory in Dorchester next Friday night (Nov. 15th). Letterlough gained popularity two years ago in New England when he and Demetrious Jenkins waged a Fight of the Year caliber fight at the Hampton Beach Casino. Letterlough was downed three times before knocking Jenkins senseless in the 7th round. Last year, it was Letterlough’s fight with Julio Gonzalez, a fight that saw 5 knockdowns that kept people divided over the fight of the year. Others went with Ward-Augustus, incidentally, the same venue Letterlough-Jenkins took place.

    Letterlough (18-3-1/ 17 KO’s) who is now managed by former Brighton (MA) native, Mike Marley will be facing the unlucky John Douglas of New York via Guyana. Don’t expect Letterlough-Douglas to threaten fight of the year honors for Ward-Gatti I or II (possibly), but Letterlough is a guy you don’t want to miss.

    Other Massachusetts fighters included Tommy Attardo (10-11-1/ 2 KO’s) of South Boston, Roy “The House of” Payne (15-11-4/ 6 KO’s) of Worcester and Dorchester’s Mike Beverly (debuting) are also slated to appear on this card, which is promoted by Doug Pendarvis. For ticket information contact 617-825-3283.

    JDVena@cyberboxingzone.com

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1036636798,24130,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    They don’t call the Plaza Hotel’s Grand Ballroom grand for nothing. A gilt and mirrored mini-Versailles smack dab in the Big Apple, the chandeliers and opera boxes and frescos of nymphs and cupids make this room fit for a king. Which is as it should be. Because Boxing’s Traveling Roadshow, in Manhattan to build the gate for Holyfield vs. Byrd, is, by all appearances, the Don King Show.

    On December 14, 2002, Boardwalk Hall, in association with Caesars Atlantic City, HBO, KingVision and DKP, Don King Productions, Inc., will present, "Hard Road to Glory . . . We Will Not Tire." That’s a fancy way of saying Holyfield Beats Up Byrd. Commander Vander and Chris Byrd were joined on the dais by Don King, Lennox Lewis, Don King, John Ruiz, Don King, Fres Oquendo, Don King and Don King.

    DK controls a room the way a screw controls a cellblock. Don is like no one else on earth. His towering egomania aside, the promoter’s gift for gab is legendary. King is physically and temperamentally larger than life - and he uses language like a weapon of mass destruction..

    Some people love Don King, some people hate Don King, some fear him or think he’s a clown. But he’s the fight game’s P.T. Barnum, its Colonel Tom Parker, he’s a huckster among a cell of co-conspirators. What, then, did DK say at the Plaza’s Grand Ballroom?

    With flags fluttering, Mr. Only In America said, "As our great President George W. Bush told me, ‘We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.’"

    Describing his trip to Ghana with the true heavyweight champion, Don recalled, "Lennox and me, we was in Africa moving through the bush knocking coconuts from the trees."

    Because the IBF heavyweight bout occurs in cahoots with a casino, Don King, as is his wont, was compelled to wax eloquent: "Render unto Caesars what is Caesars’ and render unto God what is God’s."

    Larry Holmes was on the dais to lend gravity to the proceedings. Master of Ceremonies Don King introduced the champ: "This young man I love and respect. I’m talking about none other than Larry Holmes." (If I’m not mistaken, didn’t DK threaten to break Larry’s legs a few years ago?)

    For those who love acronyms and meaningless secret codes, the World’s Greatest Promoter taught us something new: "SKD, as we say in the ghetto. Something Kinda Different."

    Sometimes Don couldn’t help himself and failed to mask his erudition: "I have to rebuke Shakespeare. We need lawyers."

    As befits a man of his stature, a celebrity of his ilk, DK spent a night with George W. And both men, as we know, are world-class cut-ups: "I had the opportunity to speak with The President and I told him, ‘You need a promoter. You’re a great fighter.’ And he said to me, ‘Don, I don’t know if I can afford you.’ So I told The President, ‘Pro bono.’" The crowd of hardened journalists laughed out loud, so DK added, "I told George W. Bush, ‘I love you, George.’"

    As though anyone had any doubts, he reminded us, "Let it be known that Don King is a capitalist."

    King took potshots at the pool of hapless boxing scribes: "Reporters? Cynical, at least. Downright after you, at best."

    And again Professor King delved into the classics: "Uneasy wears the head that wears the crown. You know what I mean."

    Beside the bout between Evander Holyfield and Chris Byrd, a subtext of this press conference was the possible fight between John Ruiz and Roy Jones Jr. John Ruiz was present, but Jones, perhaps setting a precedent, was a no-show. Roy’s promoter, Murad Muhamad, offered some lame excuse about the light-heavyweight champ’s basketball obligations. Even the hookup to bring Roy via DiamondVision to New York’s Grand Ballroom failed to materialize Roy Jones Jr.

    Don King, naturally, had something to say about Ruiz-Jones: "The fight is on and we are making history in the making."

    Before it was all over, DK wrapped himself a final time in the glory of Old Glory: "We have put together a campaign . . . just as George W. Bush aroused the republic."

    robert.ecksel@gte.net


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDon King (Holyfield vs. Byrd) Press Conference``x1036711211,48779,``x``x ``xOlympic Style Amateur Boxing, Friday, November 22nd, 2002
    Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, OR
    Doors open 6:00pm First Bout 7:00pm
    $10 General Admission * $20 Ringside
    10 Exciting Fights
    Hosted by West Portland Boxing Team

    ************************************``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xLincoln City Amateur Show, 11-22``x1036821388,27591,``x``x ``xBy Tassanu Ussawabhop

    "Casamayor, Freitas, Ndou, Pearson or other else must fall down on the canvas!"

    "The Thai Tyson" Yodsanan 3K-Battery will definitely make his first WBA Super Featherweight title defense against #14 ranked Lamont Pearson from the United States on this upcoming Dec 5th at the Royal Park, Bangkok. This promotion would be greatly organized with the main objective of celebrating 75th anniversary for King Bhumipol's Birthday. Of course, there will be such great amount of audience joining the show over 100,000 people. The fight contract had been signed already by both parties. The news has enthused all Thai boxing fans. They have been awaiting to watch Yodsanan's defense almost 8-month since winning vacant WBA crown on April 13th, 2002.

    Yodsanan said about his opponent on Dec 5th, "I have learned Pearson's biography carefully. He is quite a good challenger. He is one of few rated contenders in all sanctioning bodies. His record (of 19-1-1/11 KOs) shows his respected credibility. Pearson is the diligent man. He has been working as the postman also. However, I necessarily express my advance sorrow to his party. Although he is a good boxer, he is not good enough to compare with me. I have trained very hard for my first defense. I know all boxing fans in Thailand have been waiting for my first defense. I will not disappoint them. I will knock out Pearson to show to the world that I'm the best in Super Featherweight division."

    Furthermore, Yodsanan did hear about the negotiation between two high rated 130-pound contenders Joel Casamayor, ex-WBA world champ, and former Olympian Phillip N'Dou. He is eagerly awaiting for the result whether this fight will definitely take place or not. Of course, its winner should earn a chance against him in the near future. He believes Casamayor looks superior and has more chance to win. Indeed, he still feels regretfully that Casamayor team didn't enter the Purse Bid during the WBA Convention in Washington DC. In case N'Dou wins the contest, Yodsanan is willing to give a chance to him also. He confirms strongly "I'm ready for all. Casamayor, Freitas, Ndou, Pearson or any other opponent will hit the canvas."

    The Dec 5th promotion will be live broadcasted during 3.30PM to 6.00PM through our National Channel 7, the #1 Sports Channel in Thailand. As for all undercards, they will be released very soon.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xYodsanan is ready for all!``x1036859799,16731,``x``x ``xPress Release:

    FIGHT NIGHT 38, The Lucky Eagle Casino, Saturday November 9, 2002

    JR. Middleweight , Scheduled 10 Rounds
    Michael Lerma (26-7) (19 KO) 156 lbs vs. Candy Robertson, (13-5)
    (w/-10KO) 155 lbs......
    Michael Lerma defeated Candy Robertson by KO in 2:35 of the 5th round.
    Lerma
    wore Robertson down. Robertson amazed with his energy and power early,
    however neither seemed to effect Lerma. Lerma looked immune, taking
    every
    punch in stride. Eventually Robertson began to tire, and Lerma backed
    him
    against the ropes and devastated Robertson with a spectacular right
    hook.
    Robertson fell straight to his knees and then fell flat to the canvas.

    Light Heavyweight , Scheduled 8 Rounds
    Louis Sergeant, (5-10-2) (w/-1 KO) 174 lbs vs. Troy Weaver (17-7)
    (w/-17KO) 176 lbs..............
    Troy Weaver defeated Louis Sergeant in 2:19 of the first round. Weaver
    destroyed Sergeant. Weaver backed Sergeant into a corner and with one
    amazing punch he snapped Sergeant's head back and Sergeant fell stiff
    as a
    board into the ropes.
    JR Welterweight, Scheduled 6 Rounds
    Rafael Ortiz, (5-1) (w/-5KO) 138 lbs vs. Jesus Santiago (6-3)
    (w/-1KO)
    137 lbs....
    Jesus Santiago defeated Rafael Ortiz in a unanimous 6 round decision.
    Santiago wore Ortiz down with magnificent technique and astonishing
    persistence. Santiago punished Ortiz landing powerful uppercuts that
    sent
    Ortiz reeling.

    Welterweight, Scheduled 6 Rounds
    Mike Lucero, (6-7) (w/1KO) 150 lbs vs. Darrell Sukerow, (11-9)
    (w/-5KO)
    146lbs.....
    Darrell Sukerow defeated Mike Lucero in a unanimous 6 round decision.
    Sukerow flashed his power sporadically and battled hard against a tough
    Lucero. Sukerow's endurance in the later rounds gave him a slight
    advantage
    over Lucero for the win.

    Lightweight, Scheduled 4 Rounds
    David Cadengo, (2-2) (w/-1KO) 138 lbs vs. Shawn Plessis, (3-0)
    (w/-1KO)
    137 lbs.......
    Shawn Plessis defeated David Cadengo with a 4th round unanimous
    decision.
    The intense match had both fighters tasting canvas in the first round.
    In
    the final round, Plessis managed to open a cut under Cadengo's right
    eye.
    The judges scored the close fight 38-37, 39-38, 38-37, in favor of
    Plessis.

    JR Lightweight, Scheduled 4 Rounds
    Troy Lal, (1-0) 130 lbs vs. Christian Lopez (1-5) (w/1KO) 130 lbs
    .................
    Troy Lal defeated Christian Lopez in a split 4 round decision. Lal
    flattened
    Lopez in the first 30 seconds of the fight. Lopez had a severe reach
    advantage and battled back admirably, keeping his opponent at bay in
    the
    later rounds. In the end, the judges decided in favor of Lal. The
    crowed
    booed franticly when the judgment was announced.

    Middleweight , Scheduled 4 Rounds
    Amador Ishwar, (4-3) (w/ 3KO)163 lbs vs. Dominick Rivera, (3-15) 163
    lbs.............
    Amador Ishwar defeated Dominick Rivera by KO in 1:55 of the 1st round.
    Ishwar dominated Rivera with his incredible power. The first time
    Rivera hit
    the mat he stayed on one knee for the entire 8-second count. The second
    time
    he hit the mat he knew that he was done, and did not attempt to get off
    of
    his knee.

    Note: All records include tonight's action.


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``x11-9 results--Lucky Eagle Casino``x1036951591,9465,``x``x ``xFight Night 2002 ­ It keeps getting better every year!

    Fight For Children's annual charity gala raises another cool million or so for good-causes.

    by Kersasp D. Shekhdar

    ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­
    Nov. 7 2002, Washington DC. Hooters girls, in their warm & fuzzy Hooters outfits with the addition of boxing-gloves were the greeters at the lobby reception-line at the Washington Hilton & Towers, setting the tone for the evening: Boxing and Babes. After all, the organizers themselves bill the event as "The most popular 'boys night out' in the nation's capital." They made sure to put the 'boys' in a good mood quickly, the reception prior to the event had a variety of hors d'ouvres and free-flowing liquor from the open-bar. A multitude of lovely hostesses provided by the Satchi & Erickson Agency were on hand to ferry the drinks and hand out the cigars.

    One of them, a friendly, personable lass, told me with a trace of (justifiable) feminine pride that she was merely enjoying herself a restaurant when a Satchi agent walked up to her and asked her about being a hostess at this event. She was responding in the affirmative to my suspicion that she was a first-timer at the event ­ for the debutante-hostesses are invariably a little wide-eyed and are equally sweet to wealthy patron and starving writer alike. The veteran hostesses, though, have figured out which guys pay the bills and reserve their attentiveness for the customers! These women dressed in a dazzling variety of evening gowns undeniably contribute a lot to Fight Night, bringing colour and beauty to an event that would otherwise be dominated by cigar-smoke and steak.

    It was at this reception that we caught our first glimpses of the ring legends gracing (and I do mean gracing) this year's event. Carmen Basilio, a Fight Night regular, was at a table with his Middleweight contemporary, Jake Lamotta. Two tables away, Ken Norton, another Fight Night regular, was seated with his Heavyweight contemporary, Earnie Shavers. Michael Spinks was kind enough to identify Welterweight champion Emile Griffith for me; Griffith was making his Fight Night debut. Joe Frazier and Evander Holyfield were holding court for their fans. Leon Spinks came in later. Possibly the biggest buzz was generated when virtual hometown boy Sugar Ray Leonard, now a very successful promoter, sauntered in wearing a leather jacket. It seemed half the men in the room wanted their picture taken with Sugar Ray. I was happy to oblige a couple of them, and one of them did the same for me.

    Founded by Joseph E. Robert Jr. of Metro DC in 1990, Fight Night is a black-tie charity gala with Boxing as its centrepiece. Presented by Fight for Children (http://www.fightforchildren.org), DC's Fight Night is in its thirteenth year and has contributed about $14 million to the $53 million raised by Fight For Children. The monies benefit a variety of organizations dedicated to helping underprivileged youth via assistance programs strongly focused on mentoring and healthcare. This year's Chairman, Raul A. Fernandez, chose the Center City Consortium as the major beneficiary for this year. For from $10,000 to $60,000 per table, donors are treated to a multi-course dinner, song and dance entertainment, unlimited quantities of the poison of their choice, and an attentive hostess. And yes, a good card in the company of Boxing legends.

    As the patrons were filing in to the main hall after the reception, the giant screens all around were showing fight highlights as usual. This year, the fights were exclusively some of the Leonard-Duran-Hagler-Hearns battles. I was making the acquaintance of a particularly sweet hostess when I observed Leonard-Duran come on the screen. The hostess retained my attention though I did point out the combatants to her. But at a later point when I noticed Hearns-Duran come on the screens, not even the lovely eye-candy could compete with the bad-intentioned demolition-job the Hitman pulled on Hands of Stone ­ some fights are simply riveting. And on it went, Hagler-Hearns, Leonard-Hearns, .... As a boxing fan, it distracted me from my reporting duties. However I did note that the live auction generated fierce bidding over four Super Bowl tickets. And the 2003 Harley-Davidson went for $36,000.

    Several celebrities, besides the ring legends, were at hand. Michael Jordan was ringside ­ not too surprising considering that Raul Fernandez is a part-owner of the Washington Wizards. QB Bernie Kosar was in attendance. Michael Buffer was the announcer. Jazz and big-band heavyweight Quincy Jones* took a bow at a later point. And rock 'n' roll champ Chuck Berry actually performed.

    The evening's entertainment got off to a questionable start when a saxophonist playing undistinguished FM radio 'smooth-jazz' held a high, almost shrill, note for a hundred and twenty-something bars, causing a few people to actually put their fingers in their ears ­ I saw it! It certainly distracted the dining donors from their Crab Cake with Remoulade Sauce and 16 oz. New York Strip Steaks with Asparagus. Things picked up when the Washington Redskins dancers (cheerleaders) put on a swell show turning most male heads away from their Warm Apple Pie and Ice-cream. (Was it coincidence that the Redskins Dancers were scheduled just when 'dessert' was being served? I think not....) However it was Rock 'n' Roll legend Chuck Berry who really tore things up and put a spark to the evening. In unbelievably good voice, playing some god-awful awesome licks and acting quite sprightly, the man seems to defy age. Correction, he does defy age. Dare I say 'Roll Over Beethoven', 'School Days', and 'Johnny B. Goode' sounded as good as they do on the original recordings?!

    Then, time for more or less the high point of the evening. As smoke from smoke-machines commingled with real smoke from dozens of cigars, Boxing royalty was introduced in the ring one after another until we may well have had one of the highest numbers of champs and hall-of-famers and one of the winningest records ever in a single ring: Seven world (i.e. undisputed) champions, two title-holders (major belt) and one Hall-of-Fame-level contender, with a combined ring record of 502-110-22 (292). They were (in alphabetical order) Carmen Basilio, Joe Frazier, Emile Griffith, Evander Holyfield, Jake LaMotta, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks & Michael Spinks. Obviously this was a Boxing fan's dream and I'll say the same thing I did last time around: At an event like this, one gets a peek at the men and the personalities behind the boxers. Basilio, ever-gregarious, chumming it up with everyone. LaMotta, though getting on in years, refusing helping hands while descending from the ring ­ as usual. Leonard, Madison Avenue's original golden-boy, radiating both modesty and self-confidence coupled with that easy smile. And there was sociable Joe Frazier wandering off somewhere after exiting the ring, leaving a concerned Marvis to ask the security guys if they had seen his father!

    Then it was time for the fights and a decent card it was too. (See above "EXTRA! Michael Grant to face Chantel Klitschko in Heavyweight Bout.")

    It was one of those evenings when everything seemed to be clicking ­ even the seating assignments. You see, CBZ's Associate Editor JD had asked me to take a couple of photos of the round-card girls. I was easily able to fulfil his request because my seat was, rather fortuitously, right next to the attractive, scantily-clad ladies. ('Somebody Up There Likes Me' too, Rocky G.!). A remark from one of the senior-citizen patrons about said round-card girls revealed that for many of these gentlemen, Boxing is strictly a once-a-year event, and for some, an altogether new experience: This gentleman did not seem to know that round-card girls are an established part of Boxing, and was heard uttering to his friend 'Look, they have girls in bathing suits!' in a bemused tone of voice. Considering the kind of entertaining and elegant evening it was, I'm sure he will be, shall we say a repeat customer, come Fight Night 2003.

    * QJ, as he is called, is more well-known today as an arranger and music producer though he led a superb big-band in an era far removed from the heyday of the big-bands. So herewith a brief listening-list: "The Quintessence" (Impulse, '62), "Pure Delight, The Essence of QJ 1953-1964" (Razor & Tie, '95), "Live In Paris Circa 1960" (Qwest, '96).

    Acknowledgements: Kerry Lynn Bohen, Brotman-Winter-Fried Communications.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDC Fight Night 2002``x1037022323,26099,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    Most Friday nights, Club Amazura swings to a different rhythm. The Latin nightclub on Jamaica Avenue in the borough of Queens usually features bands and deejays spinning platters alive with the sounds of salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata and reggae. Revelers from the Bronx, upstate New York, even as far away as Pennsylvania, get all dolled up to make it a night at Club Amazura.

    Yet the nondescript windowless building wasn’t always a dance hall. Long ago, the same structure was known as Jamaica Arena, one of a handful of neighborhood fight clubs in the New York area which featured boxing on a regular basis. St. Nicholas Arena, Sunnyside Garden, Coney Island Velodrome, Dexter Arena, Park Arena, Queensborough Arena, Freeport Stadium, Commack Arena and Long Beach Arena - in addition to Jamaica Arena - brought boxing to the locals with a frequency we can only imagine.

    In association with Cedric Kushner Promotions and broadcast on Telemundo’s Friday Night Fights, on November 8, 2002 Club Amazura featured four fights, eight fighters, most of whom were Hispanic. The first fight of the evening featured two heavyweights in their pro debuts. Thirty-six year old Tracy Ramos from Brooklyn and twenty-four year old Kenyatte Ravenell from New York clubbed each other for four exciting rounds. It wasn’t pretty watching Ramos and Ravenell take turns bouncing punches off each other, but it was entertaining. At 1:56 of round four Ramos hit the deck with a thud. A TKO win for Kenyatte Ravenell.

    The second match showcased Francisco Figueroa of the Bronx, in his first pro bout, against York’s Richard Dean (0-1-2) in a welterweight four-rounder. The boxers traded punches and rounds in this competitive prelim scuffle. Figueroa was cut in the first stanza - a messy induction to the pro ranks for Francisco Figueroa - but sucked it up and outboxed the overmatched Richard Dean. Figueroa by decision.

    The co-feature was a junior-middleweight six-rounder between hot prospect Luis Collazo (17-1 8 KOs) from Brooklyn vs. Jose "Kid" Avila (11-9-1 6 KOs) fighting out of the Big Apple. On paper, this bout should have been a walkover for Luis Collazo, but Avila came to Club Amazura to win, not to lose a prizefight to some young gun. Collazo is a slick and savvy boxer loaded with potential. The Brooklyn native stunned the New Yorker several times, yet could not drop his game opponent. Kid Avila was too rugged and determined to hit the deck. But Avila could not halt the progress of junior-middleweight sensation Luis Collazo. Collazo by decision after six.

    The main event for the vacant USBO junior-welterweight title featured Pedro Saiz (25-8-3 16 KOs) of Santa Domingo vs. Cosme Chino Rivera (24-7-2 17 KOs) from Huatabampo, Mexico. Pedro Saiz is a full-fledged warrior and a presence on the local scene. He fought and lost to Sharmba Mitchell in 1999, but was favored to win this bout. When the opening bell sounded, Saiz shot from his corner and dropped the Mexican with a hard left to the face. But that flash knockdown was an aberration. As the fight progressed, it was back and forth between these resilient soldiers of fortune. At the end of round five the left eye of Saiz began to swell. By round seven, Pedro Saiz had slowed down. He was tired. His eye was closing. He was looking his age. He was losing the fight. Pedro Saiz has beaten tougher customers than Cosme Chino Rivera. But the thirty-six year old Saiz wasn’t only fighting Rivera Friday night. He was also battling time. And this is one fight no one ever wins - not even a fighter as distinguished as Pedro Saiz. The ring physician called a halt to the action at the end of round ten. A TKO win for Rivera.

    Thanks to Telemundo, Club Amazura, promoter Cedric Kushner, matchmaker Ron Scott Stevens, and eight tough guys in gloves and satin trunks, it was a great night of boxing in New York. The former Jamaica Arena was filled to the rafters with feisty Latino fight fans. Even the round card girls - knockouts Simone, Tara and Lisette - were from Brazil, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTelemundo at Club Amazura``x1037036302,97959,``x``x ``xTrainer Teddy Atlas is at charity gala a fortnight prior to hosting his own.

    By Kersasp D. Shekhdar

    ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Nov. 7 2002, Washington DC. Heavyweight contender Michael Grant headlined the main event at Fight Night, taking on James Walton of Cleveland Ohio, as he continues to rebuild his career. When the bout got underway, one could scarce believe that Grant, weighing in at 247, had brought a 35-2(26) record into the ring with some wins against bona fide world-class opposition against someone who was basically a pug, a club-level fighter with a record of 18-2-2 (10). Grant (who, though it hasn't been said as such, is a classic slow starter) appeared out of sorts, tentative, and presented a stationary target. Walton to his credit was there to fight, he landed the more telling blows, and actually won the first round clearly. The second round saw Grant do a little better; he used his size to bully Walton around and stalked his opponent, he also started getting off his punches. His effective aggression won him the round. The third round had me wondering how hard Grant had trained for this fight; though he remained in control of the round, he was eating one too many from an opponent of this calibre; no disrespect meant to Walton who really stepped up to the plate. I scored this round even. Though not in command, Grant did appear composed by this point, it seemed that he was biding his time.

    In the fourth stanza, Grant's heavier punches appeared to be taking their toll. First, a semi-push combined with a slip had a weakening Walton flat on his back and halfway out of the ring. Shortly after he regained his feet, Grant's patience paid off. A short hooking right spot on the button crumpled Walton to the canvas. He beat the count but did not appear in full possession of his faculties and the referee saved the wobbly but still-game Walton from unnecessary punishment. It was 2:49 of the fourth and Grant had done what he had been expected to do.

    In other action, Kendall Holt [9-0 (7)] from Patterson NJ faced off against Andrey Trunov [8-3 (5)] from Syracuse NY by way of Siberia for the "Fight for Children Championship". This Welterweight six-rounder turned out to be a highly entertaining and competitive bout, a classic bull and matador matchup. For the most part Trunov, the bull, played the part of a stalking slugger and Holt, the matador, was the slick boxer-puncher. The first round saw the matador dazzling the bull with speed and having his way, doubling up on the left hook, head & body. Things continued in the same vein in round two but in the last twenty second Trunov finally connected with a left hook that stood up Holt. Obviously dazed, Holt covered up but still ate a few shots on the ropes and managed to survive the round. Holt responded well to the challenge and regained control in the next stanza and nicks and welts became apparent on Trunov's face and head. But the bull wasn't done yet: In a close fourth round, Holt simply couldn't keep Trunov away. Trunov trapped Holt in a corner and landed several clubbing blows and drawing blood from Holt's nose. In the penultimate round, Holt reverted to boxing and used his superior skills to pop the stalking Trunov from the outside and won the round. Trunov finished stronger though and in the last round a tired-looking Holt was forced to keep clinching as the Siberian got inside and tagged him with clean punches. All three judges saw it for Holt, 59-55, 58-54 and 59-55. The crowd, though not exactly Boxing experts, did not seem to agree with the judges and booed lustily when the decision was announced. I had the fight a draw 57-57, splitting the six rounds.

    Earlier that night, Dante Craig [7-1(5)] from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Leo Edward [14-8 (8)] of Philadelphia by way of St. Lucia got the card underway in a six-round Jr. Middleweight matchup. Although pressed by the hard-charging Edward who was more effective with his roundhouse punches in the first round, the far better-schooled Craig was able to time Edward working off his jab in the second, and by 2:32 it ws all over. After a somewhat stunned Edward fell into a clinch and wouldn't let go, both fighters tumbled to the deck. Very shortly thereafter Edward made another trip to the canvas except that this was a knockdown. Craig leapt on his wounded prey, and keeping his composure dropped Edward again with a brief volley of punches and referee Waleed waved it off. A six round Welterweight bout between Jose Luis Alamanzar [4-1-1 (2)] from next-door Arlington and Russell Jordan [2-0 (2)] from Rochester New York was a close-fought battle. Alamanzar won the day with a split-decision, 38-37, 37-39, and 38-37.

    I caught up with both Michael Grant and Teddy Atlas later on. In response to my question about his uncertain showing in the first round, Michael said that he didn't particularly care how well or poorly he did in any specific round because to him, "the first round, the tenth round, the fourteenth (sic) round" were "all the same." In any round of any fight, Michael's objective was to "be wise" and "to gain wisdom." And he pointed out the obvious fact in that he got the job done, calling it "growth, a process that you go through." I asked him about the logical progression behind fighting James Walton after defeating a name fighter like Robert Davis. "If I fight one of the Klitshckos ... and blow 'em out [but] if I don't get the technical part down ... it don't mean nothing. I'd rather have the wisdom [that comes from fighting an opponent like Walton] than anything else, I'd rather have the wisdom than a present" explained Michael.

    I asked the obvious follow-up question: Now that Grant had said 'Klitschkos', which one, Wladimir or Vitali?, I pressed. One of Grant's managers shook his head and said "Oh boy, there you go!", the other muttered "You shouldn't have done that!" in a good-natured way. However Grant, very facilely, was able to dig himelf out: "Chantel. Chantel Klitschko", he responded without missing a beat, breaking up his managers and amusing me as well. He further enlightened me, saying he was "the little brother". I replied that Chantel would surely be making his debut against Michael, should the fight come about. Then, more seriously, Michael said "I wish them [the two Klitschkos] well in their journey but if it ever comes up that I have to fight them, me and my team will definitely be ready for them." Asked about any specific opponents, Grant's managers politely demurred but one wonders whether team Grant may have Vitali in their sights after two or three more fights.

    Considering that Teddy Atlas, who has his own foundation that arranges a classy annual event, was at a charity gala, I inquired about the organization named after his father. Atlas said "My dinner's coming up November 21st". Atlas agreed that the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation's (http://www.dratlasfoundation.org/) mission dovetailed with that of Fight For Children "Yes, yes, it does", he said. He explained that the foundation "Helps people in emergency situations, people who fall through the cracks." Atlas gave an example: "We had a family about three weeks ago, their house burnt down, they couldn't afford a house to rent and they didn't have renter's insurance ... suddenly your world's upside down, the kids don't have sneakers and clothes to go to school the next day. We're not huge but we were able to give a $3000 cheque to them the next day ... a woman in our committee got into a car and went to them ... we didn't repair their world ... to me what's important is they knew that somebody cared enough to get into a car and go to them, no red-tape, no suffering any more indignities, and hand [the cheque] to them. And we do that all year long." "We have about eight cancer children right now" said Atlas, providing another example. "The HMO pays for their hospitalization but it doesn't pay for their medication. We pay for their cancer medication. Wherever there's a situation where people need help, we try to be there."

    Recalling what he had said about Grant being matched up on HBO against Jameel McCline right after he had been destroyed by Lewis in a Heavyweight Championship bout, I asked Teddy Atlas how much of a say he has now over who Michael meets in the ring. "A lot", he said. "I had just started [as Grant's trainer] and I wasn't really thrilled with that [matchup] but it was already done. From now on, whenever there's a fight I have [inaudible] voice 'cause that's the way you do it!" As for Michael's future opponents, Atlas immediately replied "I'm looking to put a puzzle together piece by piece ... continue to put guys in front of him who are going to test him in certain areas so he becomes more and more consistent. At spots he looks okay but at spots he's not consistent. I want to give him time and progression ... I didn't see [consistency] the first three rounds ... I'm not gonna jump up to Mt. Everest, I'm still gonna climb a couple of hills first."

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMichael Grant to face Chantel Klitschko in Heavyweight Bout.``x1037063807,15804,``x``x ``xFighter receives 1st Ted Williams award

    BOSTON – Not only will Arturo “Thunder” Gatti step into the ring November 23rd to face an opponent who defeated him last May -- “Irish” Micky Ward -- the world-class junior welterweight this time will also be fighting the spirt of Ted Williams and the U.S. Marines.

    Yesterday (Monday) at an award ceremony in Boston, hosted by the Semper Fidelis Society, Ward received the first Ted Williams Globe & Anchor Award for a non-Marine who embodies the commitment and dedication to excellence that the late Williams demonstrated as a Hall of Fame baseball player for the Boston Red Sox and Marine fighter pilot during World War II and the Korean War.

    After everybody watched the classic 9th and 10th rounds of Ward-Gatti I, Lt. General Dennis McCarthy and Lou Gorman, former Red Sox general manager, presented the prestigious Ted Williams award to Ward. “Because this is named after Ted Williams and presented by Marines,” Micky said, “this is the biggest award I’ve ever received. I am honored beyond words. Ted and the Marines will be in my corner that night.” Ward then unveiled his trunks for Ward-Gatti II – white with red and blue trim – and sewn on the front was a circled number 9 (Williams’ retired number) and the Marines’ insignia. Ward received a “thunderous” standing ovation from the 1,300 Marines in attendance and signed autographs for many of them.

    Ward-Gatti II will be held Nov. 23 at the Boardwalk Convention Center in Atlantic City and shown on HBO. Ward won the first match against Gatti via a 10-round majority decision.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Marines honor “Irish” Micky Ward``x1037064208,9407,``x``x ``xANGEL HERNANDEZ VS J.C. CANDELO
    HEADLINES DOUBLE CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT CARD
    IN TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA, ON DECEMBER 13,
    TELEVISED ON ESPN2

    November 13, 2002 -- Promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions, in
    association with Goossen Tutor Promotions, will present a sensational double championship fight card on Friday, December 13, 2002, in Showroom II at Pechanga Resort & Casino, located at 45000 Pala Road in Temecula, California. The fights will be televised live on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights."

    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS - NABF TITLE
    Champion Challenger
    ANGEL HERNANDEZ J.C. CANDELO
    24-2, 15 KOs, Chicago, Ill. 24-4-3, 17 KOs, Denver, Col.

    North American Boxing Federation super welterweight champion Angel "Toro" Hernandez, 24-2, with 15 knockouts, of Chicago, Illinois, will make his second title defense against J.C. Candelo, 24-4-3, with 17 knockouts, of Denver, Colorado.

    This fight is a rematch - Hernandez won the vacant NABF title with a 12-round unanimous decision against Candelo on January 12, 2002. The fight was in Las Vegas on the undercard of the Acelino Freitas vs Joel Casamayor 130-pound world title unification bout, and was not televised.

    It was a tremendous battle. Candelo was favored to win and scored a devastating knockdown in the first round, but Hernandez showed a champion's heart and determination and recovered. Hernandez was cut over both eyes and his left eye was swollen, but he constantly pressed forward, outworked Candelo in second half of the fight, and won by scores of 116-111, 115-112, 114-113.


    CO-FEATURE - 12 ROUNDS, WELTERWEIGHTS - NABF TITLE
    Champion Challenger
    TEDDY REID SAM GARR
    20-5-1, 14 KOs, Adelphi, Md. 32-5, 28 KOs, Atlanta, Ga.

    Teddy "Two Gun" Reid, 20-5-1, with 14 knockouts, of Adelphi, Maryland, will make his first defense of the NABF welterweight title against Sam "Bam Bam" Garr, 32-5, with 28 knockouts, of Atlanta, Georgia. Reid won the NABF title in his last fight on June 28, 2002, in Santa Ana, New Mexico, with a third-round TKO victory against Germaine Sanders (21-1). Reid has fought very good opposition throughout his career and has scored several impressive wins. He has beaten five previously undefeated fighters - Terrance Cauthen,
    Roy Bohannon, Eamonn Magee, Carl Griffin, and Fred Muwonge. Garr, a former world title challenger, has won three fights in a row.


    An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will complete the card, featuring talented young prospects against opponents to be announced.

    22-year old cruiserweight prospect Felix Cora Jr., 10-0, with 5
    knockouts, of Galveston, Texas, will be featured in an eight-round bout.

    Featherweight prospect Valdemir Pereira, 11-0, with 10 knockouts, of Bahia, Brazil, will be also be featured in an eight-round bout. A pro since March, 2001, Pereira is 28 years old.

    Jr. welterweight prospect Juliano Ramos, 8-0, with 7 knockouts, of Sao Paulo, Brazil, now 23 years old, will make his U.S. debut.

    Undefeated super bantamweight Artyom Simonyan, 10-0-1, with 5 knockouts, of Los Angeles, will fight in a eight-rounder.

    Light heavyweight prospect Saak Saakyan, 3-0-1, with 2 KOs, of Los
    Angeles, will appear in a four-round fight.


    Ticket prices: $30, $50, $70.
    Available at: Pechanga Resort & Casino Box Office - 909-303-2507 (tel.).
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Hernandez and Candelo to Clash in December``x1037235097,899,``x``x ``xNew York, Nov. 13-All-time baseball hit leader Pete Rose, football coaching great Bill Parcells, former Giants star quarterback Phil Simms and New York Knicks Hall of Famer Willis Reed will headline the star-studded list of sports and entertainment personalities assembled for the sixth annual Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation Dinner on Thursday night, November 21, at the Hilton Garden Hotel on Staten Island.

    The gala, which is spearheaded by fight trainer and ESPN/2 Friday Night Fights boxing analyst Teddy Atlas, continues the Good Samaritan efforts of his late father and prominent New York physician, Dr. Theodore Atlas, to assist the needy in New York.

    Joining Rose, Parcells, Simms, and Reed will be such notables as the football Giants Amani Toomer, former Giant great and current broadcaster Dick Lynch, New York Mets reliever and Staten Island native John Franco, and boxing luminaries Chuck Wepner, Vito Antofermo and Bobby Czyz.

    Tickets are priced at $175. For more information and to purchase tickets call 888-505-7070. Donations may be sent to The Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation, P.O. Box 140998, Staten Island, New York 10314-0998.

    "I am grateful for the support of so many people," says Atlas, "especially the celebrities. They are good people who have seen the grassroots efforts of the Dr. Atlas Foundation, the people who we have touched, and are quick to help and have come back time and time again."

    Teddy Atlas has gained acclaim training the likes of former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Michael Moorer, and for his brilliant boxing analysis on ESPN/2's "Friday Night Fights," but his greatest works have been establishing the charity in his late father's name.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Teddy Atlas Foundation Dinner``x1037235305,73859,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    “Irish” Micky Wahd isn’t the only Massachusetts native who will be engaging in one of the most impawtant and lucrative matches of his careah. Scott “The Sandman” Pembahton of New Bedfid and Joey DeGrandis fawmaly of South Boston, both of whom ah coming off disappointing losses ah fighting in separate matches within the next sevral days. DeGrandis, who now lives in Chicago, will be fawmah 3-time world champion but Virgil “Quicksilva” Hill in his hometown of Grand Fawks, Nawth Dakoter on Sunday as paht of a Fox SpawtsNet program at 8 p.m. Pembahton who is coming off a tough loss to fawmah world champion Chahls Brewah in August is fighting perhaps the best non-champion at supah-middleweight in Antwun Echols the following Sunday on ESPN. The Echols-Pembahton battle, which will be faw Echols’ NABF supah-middleweight title was originally to be held in Albany, but accawding to Mike Nosky of Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entahtainment & Spawts, the show emigrated to the beautiful Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut earleah this evening. Both DeGrandis and Pembahton see theyah fights as a way of catapulting to the top of theyah respective divisions.

    “This is a great oppahtunity faw me,” admitted DeGrandis who in his last bout was defeated over ten rounds two months ago by Ernest Mateen at cruisahweight. “Hill is an all-time great and still a very good fightah.

    DeGrandis who has fought faw two world titles has lost two of his last three bouts including a knockout loss to WBO light heavyweight champion Dariusz Michalzewski and knows that a loss to Hill will definitely keep him from getting a third shot any time soon. But Joey D isn’t too worried about the prospect of losing.

    “This is a no lose situation faw me,” DeGrandis said. “If I lose, then it’s a loss on my reckid. But boxing is a business. I’m not going to become an opponent for anyone and it’s not going to ruin my life. I like fighting but I;m in this game to make money.”

    Pembahtin on the othah hand knows what kind of accolades a win for him next Sunday will affawd him. Echols has been on a wrecking spree eveh since losing to Bernahd Hopkins faw the second time two yeahs ago. One of Echols’ victories was ovah Brewah who won neahly the same way Pembahon lost. Pembahton lost somewhat of controversial stoppage to Brewah in August when referee Steve Smogah halted the bout aftah Pembahton was knocked down twice in the sixth round of a see-saw fight.

    “I don’t feel like I’m coming off a knockout loss,” said a confident Pembahton. “I was stopped befaw I was even given a chance to heah a count staht. If I can’t defend myself or if I had been getting my ass kicked the whole fight then it would have been appropriate. I had him going faw three rounds. He hurt me with a good body shot and knocked me down but I know I would have recovid.”

    Like in his last outing against Brewah, Pembahton faces perhaps the most dangerous if not the most deserving title contendah in Echols.

    “No one should evah question whethah I have the guts to fight good opponents. I’ve always wanted to fight Echols,” said Pembahton. “But I wasn’t too shoowah of fighting him with such shawt notice. I’ve only been given three weeks to train faw this fight but it’s too big of an oppahtunity faw me to pass up. I’ve been working very hahd for this fight. Mahk Davis, a track coach at Yale has been giving me tips on running and I just spahd 13 rounds with Richid Grant yestahday.”

    Ticket info faw the Echols-Pembahton match and maw info on the cahd should be available within a few days. You’d have to assume any way. Stay tuned

    Doug Pendahvis’ Friday night show at Dawchestah’s National Gahd Ahmory is shaping up to be an interesting one and theyah may be some rhyme or reason as to why Julian Lettahlough, a one-time world title challengah and biggest name on the cahd is not fighitng in the headlinah. Lettahlough (18-3-1/ 17 KO’s) of Reading PA, othahwise known as “Mr. KO” will be matched with John Douglas (who incidentally shayas the same names of yaw writis “JD” initials) in the co-feachah. Though Lettahlough, a well-regarded name in boxing world is providing the show with the greatah abundance of boxing skill and worldclass powah, it will be Tommy Attahdo and Jason LeHoullier who will be putting the greatah numbah of butts in the seats. Attahdo (10-11-1/ 2 KO’s) of South Boston is a familiah and fan-pleasing fightah in the New England area and being matched with the aggressive LeHoullier (4-0/ 4 KO’s) of Portland, ME, who has been working as a sparring partner for Micky Wahd should attract quite a following as well.

    Othah South Bostonians, including lightweight Eddie McAloney (11-5/ 5 KO’s), debuting cruisahrweights Christophah Tillman and Tommy Fitzgerald and middleweight Mahtin Thawnton (2-0/ 2 KO’s) will also appeah in separate bouts while Wusstah’s Roy “House of” Payne (15-11-4/ 6 KO’s) and John Battle (7-6-1/ 4 KO’s) of Nawth Carolina squayah off in a 6-roundah. Daws open at 7 PM with the first bout kicking off at 8 PM. Faw ticket infahmation call 617-825-3283.

    jdvena@cyberboxingzone.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1037328554,73980,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    11-14-02
    The Rose Garden Arena
    Portland, Oregon
    Promoter: Golden Boy, Inc.
    Matchmaker: Ed Steinfeld
    Judges: Greg Baker, Joe Bonaventura, Bob Flamme, Jim Howard
    Referees: James Erickson, David Hagen, Darrell Lewis

    Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy, Inc promoted its second show in the Portland Rose Garden on Thursday, Nov. 14 for a reported crowd of 2,769. The next scheduled Golden Boy fight card in the Rose Garden is set for January 3, 2003. De La Hoya himself tantalized the crowd with a declaration from the ring that his next fight might be against "Trinidad, Mosely, or Bernard Hopkins." Oscar signed autographs for an endless line of fans between bouts.

    The main event was a featherweight ten featuring prospect Marcos Licona, (123 1/2 lbs) now 19-2-1, 8 KO’s, originally of Mexico City, and fighting out of Westminster, CA. His opponent was tough veteran Ricardo Medina (123 1/4 lbs) of Mazatlan, Mexico, now 28-21, 14 KO’s. Medina , a former resident of Oregon, trained in Portland gyms during the 1990’s. Medina is a classic Mexican style fighter, working the body with hooks and crosses and striving to stay inside. Licona uses his reach, and works off a jab with more versatility. The bout was busy and contentious from the first bell, with Licona steadily outpointing the slower but relentless Medina, and neither fighter able to inflict significant damage. All three judges called it 98-91, a unanimous decision for Licona.

    As predicted, the fire fight of the night was the semi-main women’s six rounder between snappy star Bridgett "Baby Doll" Riley ,(115 lbs) now 13-3, 1 KO, of Missouri, and dangerous Para Draine, (115 lbs) now 8-5, 3 KO, originally from the rough Dog Town gym in Spokane, WA. Riley is quick and busy, always coming forward with looping shots but excellent balance. Draine had the advantage in versatility and straight punching. She works body and head, inside and outside. Her jab discombobulated Riley enough to give Draine the numbers edge in punches thrown and landed. And Riley provided the evidence that Draine’s punches hurt.

    One small but sometimes critical element in women’s bouts is hair. Draine had a short, practical boy cut that gave her no trouble. Riley’s long hair is attractive in publicity shots but a nightmare in the ring. She wore partial braids, but enough came loose in this rough bout to swing wetly in her eyes and give her definite problems in the deep water with Draine. Loose hair has been a problem for Christy Martin and many other women boxers. The successful solutions seem to be in the corn rows ala Ali, or the tight French braids adopted by some others.

    Hair aside, Draine out-boxed, out-roughed and out-pointed Riley. The ref warned Draine twice about holding behind the head. Scholars present were impressed by the tricks pulled by the pair. Every kidney shot, or other foul cannily took place on the side away from the ref. The combined skill and ferocity of this diminutive duo lit up the crowd in the arena. The judges called it 60-54, 59-55, and 59-55, all for Draine. An upset win for Draine.
    This bout was billed as a womens’ bantamweight world championship elimination bout.
    The winner fights for the International Female Boxing Association title in December.


    In four round bouts on the undercard:

    Portland heavyweight Joe Gusman, (199 lbs) improved to 4-0, 2 KO, with a lop-sided unanimous decision win over outclassed but resilient Brad McPeake, (194 lbs), now 1-2-1, 0 KO of Vancouver, B.C. . The short, blocky McPeake won the crowd over with his determination to eat everything the busy, taller Gusman could throw, but keep coming back for more. All three judges scored the bout 40-35 for Gusman.

    With former champ and current trainer Eddie Mustapha Muhammad in his corner, the sharp boxing Conal McPhee,(176 lbs) now 5-0, 3 KO of Las Vegas, stopped the very fit and game Josuea Cielos,(173 lbs) now 4-2, 2 KO of Seattle at :30 of the third round. McPhee operates on a much higher skill level than Cielos, who hit the deck in each of the first and second rounds and was on the ropes in the third, absorbing a barrage to the body and head when the ref stepped in to stop the bout.

    Mike Sams, (185 1/4 lbs) now 6-0-1, 3 KO, of Seattle stopped Jeff Simmons, (194 lbs) now 5-2, 2 KO of Portland. At the weigh-in the day before, Simmons was 9 pounds over the contract weight which was 185 pounds, plus or minus one. The ruling of Jim Cassidy, Executive Director of the Oregon Boxing & Wrestling Commission was that, if the on-weight fighter accepted the match, the over-weight fighter would forfeit 20 percent of his purse to the on-weight fighter and the bout would go on. Sams accepted the bout, so the forfeit was made and the bout took place. That 9 pounds was a sign that Simmons was sadly out of shape, podgy and slow.
    An accomplished banger, Sams caught Simmons early with a right to the temple that staggered the bigger man. Simmons was virtually defenseless as Sams drove him to and through the ropes with intense combinations. The ref called a halt at :32 of the first round. A TKO win for Sams.

    ***************************************************
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xRose Garden Slug Fest``x1037397430,80869,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    DORCHESTER, MA – There are times when you bump into a fighter with an unassuming record who will tell you that most of his losses were controversial. It can get pretty annoying some times actually. It’s like a convicted felon who will swear up and down that he was innocent of his hideous crime. But there are times when a criminal is innocent and there are times when a guy who steps into the ring with a world class boxer, owns a 2-8 record and gives that fighter hell is telling the truth. In this case I would believe Guyana’s John Douglas who is one such fighter that feels his record should be read the other way. And last night at the National Guard Armory in Dorchester, Douglas, a one-time Olympian proved that he not only belonged in the ring with the fearsome Julian Letterlough, he nearly beat him only to salvage a six round draw.

    Douglas who now resides in Brooklyn was considered to be a handpicked opponent for Letterlough who sported an impressive record of 18-3-1 with 17 KO’s coming into last night’s Doug Pendarvis card. But what they got from Douglas was not expected by any one but Douglas himself. Douglas not only took control during the early frames, he frustrated Letterlough with his ability to take some shots and technique. After 6 rounds the Mass judges were split with scores of 58-56 Douglas, 58-57 Letterlough and an even 57-57. The CBZ agreed with the even tally.

    Letterlough, who had unsuccessfully challenged Vasily Jirov for his IBF cruiserweight title last year proved once again that his one-punch power was not the same as it was at light heavyweight and like a true sportsman did not complain over the somewhat disappointing setback. He had fought as he had in all of his previous tries but couldn’t put this one away.

    After the bout, the two embraced and congratulated each other. And in one of the best one-liners of the evening, Letterlough said to his worthy adversary, “C’mon man, what’s your real record?”

    In an entertaining co-feature, undefeated Portland, ME tough-guy Jason LeHoullier pounded out a hard-fought 6-round unanimous decision over local favorite Tommy Attardo of South Boston. The fight as expected was competitive and had the crowd roaring throughout. During the first round, Attardo, normally a light hitter staggered LeHoullier with a chopping right hand to the temple and cut the Maine man over the left eye with a follow-up flurry. It would be Attardo’s only round but throughout the remaining six rounds he would show his usual heroics and resilience. LeHoullier, won by three scores of 59-55 as the CBZ had it (hey I’m getting good at this!). LeHoullier is now 5-0 with 4 KO’s while Attardo is now 10-12-1 with 2 KO’s.

    In other bouts, lightweight Eddie McAloney of South Boston stopped an exhausted Bilali Burns of Philadelphia when referee Dick Flaherty halted the one-sided contest at 1:17 of the 2nd round. McAloney is now 12-5 with 6 KO’s.

    Cruiserweight Christopher Tillman, an other Southie native won his pro debut when his superior opponent, Stan Brisbone of Philly was DQ’d for being a jack-ass. After flooring Tillman with aright hand, which went unnoticed by Richard Harris look-a-like referee, Eddie Fitzgerald, Brisbone hit Tillman with a hurting left hook during a break. While Fitzgerald was warning Brisbone the Philadelphian thought it would be a good idea to throw a tantrum, a spell which got him DQ’d in the very first round.

    Irish transplant Tommy Fitzgerald who is not related to the referee or Richard Harris knocked out fellow light heavyweight Alterek Porterfield of Brooklyn with a thudding left hook to the temple. Referee Flaherty reached the count of ten at 2:38 of the 2nd round. The win for Fitzgerald, who now lives in Southie was his very first professional bout.

    Promoter – Doug Pendarvis``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLetterlough and Douglas Battle to a Draw``x1037434270,78321,``x``x ``xFight night at the Rose Garden was a success. This was De La Hoya’s 2nd promotion; the crowd was really into the matches. Attendance was a few hundred below the first show that was held in August. It will be interesting to see the response for the January 30th show. If it were up to me, this show would be in a smaller arena. 

    The first fight of the night was between Portland’s Jeff Simmons and Seattle’s, Mike Sams, Cruiserweights. This fight was somewhat of a mismatch, Simmons was not ready for this level of competition. I think Jeff should campaign as a Super Middleweight (168lbs). 

    Fight number two featured Seattle’s, Josuwea Cielos versus Los Vegas’, Conal McPhee, Light Heavyweights. It was kind of strange to see a fighter with a huge tattoo right down the middle of his solarplex. So you know where all the body shots were landing. Hello, all you young, up and coming fighters, concentrate more on your boxing skills and less on your body art. Don’t give you opponent something to aim at. I think a fight between Conal McPhee and Mike Sams as Light Heavyweights would be a barn burner. 


    Portland’s own undefeated Heavyweight, Joe Gusman, 4-0, look impressive after the first round in man handling a shorter Canadian fighter, Brad McPeake. Not much of a workout for Joe. It was like punching a moving heavy bag. I don’t think Gusman learned much from this fight. He needs to move up to 6 rounds. 


    The “fight of the night” featured Hollywood’s, Bridgett, “Baby Doll” Riley, the favorite, being ambushed by a whirlwind Para Draine from Spokane. Para Draine is a female stud. This girl came to fight. I see her regaining her title soon. I really like her overall workmanship, she’s all business.  


    The main event between Mexico City’s, Marcos Licona and Mazatlan’s, Ricardo Medina was ten rounds of Licona throwing the punches and Medina tempting to land punches which he did occasionally. The young legs of Licona with plenty of combinations was the difference. How many more fights like this can Medina withstand? This type of boxing is really tough on the body. 


    I predict De Le Hoya' s next opponent will be Bernard Hopkins, just a hunch. 

    Boxing is such a difficult sport to give up; I THINK I WILL MAKE A COMEBACK!  

    NAAA

    Clayton Hires (Corner View)
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xClayton's Corner View...The Rose Garden``x1037471750,26204,``x``x ``xOnce again, not all featherweights are the same size.
    By Chris Bushnell

    There's an old adage in boxing: a good big man beats a good little man. This axiom was proven on November 2, 2002 when Marco Antonio Barrera used his size and strength to shut down the pressure tactics of beefed-up bantamweight Johnny Tapia in a one-sided contest. Two weeks later, the entire experiment was repeated when Erik Morales used his size and strength to shut down the pressure tactics of beefed-up bantamweight Paulie Ayala in an almost identical contest. For both Tapia and Ayala, all the heart, determination and guts in the world could not overcome the punching power of their larger opponents. Brute strength: 2, Inexhaustible effort: 0.

    Just as in Barrera-Tapia, the big man quickly established his advantage with crisp, concussive punches. In the opening round, as Ayala swarmed Morales and pushed through his left hand, Morales calmly backed away from danger. Occasionally, Morales would stop, plant his feet, and fire a long punch across the distance. Although Ayala's defense is usually tight, Morales' best punches were landing flush early and often. Early chants of "Paul-lie," which would return a half-dozen times during the night, could do little to reverse the fact that Ayala was simply too small to deal with Morales' offense.

    Confident that Ayala didn't belong in the same ring with him, Morales upped his output in the second round. Ayala caught Morales' hooks, crosses and uppercuts clean on the face. Each landed punch spurred Ayala on. Trying to establish control by jumping on Morales after he landed a blow, Ayala repeatedly charged at his assailant. The more he charged, the more he was hit. After only two rounds, it became clear that Ayala was in for a long night.

    Erik Morales wanted a short night, and he began tossing more bombs at Ayala in round three. The long right hand could not miss Ayala, who needed to get about a foot closer to Morales just to land a return shot. As a result, Ayala would get nailed standing out at a distance, nailed as he came in close, and then nailed again after his token shots bounced off Morales without any effect. By the end of the round, Ayala's left eye was already a serious mess. Morales, whose own face is usually a collection of scrapes, cuts and swollen mice, was completely unmarked.

    Ayala didn't need his corner to be told that he was getting the crap kicked out of him. When the fourth round began, Ayala charged at Morales as if to say, "If I'm going to get knocked out, let's just get it over with." Throwing compact flurries of blows, Ayala sparked a mini-rally, tagging Morales with a few left uppercuts and some clean body shots. But just as Ayala looked to be coming on, Morales beat him back down. Morales was using the ring to his advantage, stepping to the side as Ayala charged straight in and leaning back when Ayala actually caught up to him. While still relatively easy to hit, Morales' defense was much improved. His ability to duck nearly all of Ayala's wicked right hooks showed that he had done his homework during a long 12-week training camp.

    By the fifth round, the pace had been set: Morales on the attack, especially when Ayala dared challenge him. Morales was so confident that he routinely dropped his hands, casually approached Ayala and then tagged him. Ayala, who never dared to drop his hands, landed a beautifully timed left hand at center ring during the fifth... and Morales literally laughed it off.

    If you were a Paulie Ayala fan, the second half of the bout was difficult to watch. Simply put, Morales was having his way with Ayala. Worse, every time Ayala rallied, Morales would answer him with a combination that landed twice as hard. In the sixth, Ayala got another rise out of the crowd by landing a crisp left hand. But the punch enraged Morales, who spent the final minute of the round pounding a retreating Ayala from one side of the ring to the other. Ayala rarely looked wobbled, but in this sequence (and a few others) referee Kenny Bayless was taking an extremely close look at Ayala's ability to continue.

    In every round, Ayala would press the action... and every time Morales beat him back. Even after it became clear that Morales' hands were hurting from so many clean shots, the punishment rarely waned. In the tenth round, with Morales heavily favoring his right hand, Ayala may have squeaked out a 10-9. But Morales' strength and reach were so dominant that even a lone Morales jab kept the round close.

    As was the case with Barrera-Tapia, the smaller man made a last stand in the final round only to be trounced for his efforts. Ayala, knowing he needed a dramatic finish despite claims from his corner that the fight was close, attacked Morales with a feverish array of left uppercuts. Morales took his time, however, and when Ayala paused for a breath, he pounced. A series of long rights pushed Ayala across the ring into the ropes. Ayala covered up, trying to throw enough punches to keep the referee from stepping in. Twice, Ayala's knees buckled slightly, and he looked as though he would be stopped on the ropes. But his incredible heart summoned the requisite return fire, and Bayless let Ayala survive to hear the final bell. Some consolation prize. During the final three minutes, Morales threw an incredible 141 punches, only 6 of which were jabs. He landed 76 power shots on Ayala, and incredible amount in any round, let alone a twelfth.

    When the scores were read, Ayala had incredibly managed to do slightly better than Johnny Tapia, winning between three and four rounds on various official cards. BoxingChronicle gave Ayala only the tenth.

    For the second time in two weeks, a Mexican superstar featherweight had completely humiliated a smaller, more aggressive, and older opponent. The results could not speak more clearly: Morales and Barrera must meet again, to settle their two split bouts. Likewise, Ayala and Tapia must face off once more, to put a definitive stamp on their two controversial contests. Ideally, these two rubber matches could have been set up without the systematic beatings of two of the sport's nicest guys. But, hey, that's boxing.

    ....Chris Bushnell
    http://www.boxingchronicle.com

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMorales Beats Down Ayala``x1037555754,97580,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    A Pacific Northwest fight legend is dead. George Chemeres of Seattle, a trainer, manager and promoter of fighters for more than fifty years, died Friday, Nov. 15 at the age of 87.

    Nat Fleischer of The Ring magazine dubbed Chemeres "The Professor." Chemeres guided heavyweight, Pete Rademacher to a gold medal in the 1956 Olympics, and then broke all rules by making Rademacher’s pro debut a heavyweight title challenge against the incumbent Floyd Patterson. Rademacher put Patterson on the floor in the second round, but was stopped himself in the sixth round.

    Among many others, Chemeres also trained and managed light heavyweight Eddie Cotton (58-23-2, 34 KO’s) who lost a controversial decision in his title challenge against Jose Torres in 1966. Chemeres moved another light heavy, Larry Bucke (28-5-3, 21 KO’s) into the top ten rankings in the early 70’s.

    The high point of Chemeres’ career was probably the 17 year career of two-time IBF lightweight champ and former WBO Jr welter champ Greg Haugen, (39-9-2, 19 KO’s)who retired in 1999.

    The last fighter that Chemeres dedicated his energy to was Tongan immigrant John John Palaki, (22-1-2, 10 KO’s) who was a popular headliner at Washington casino bouts before retiring due to an eye injury in 2001. When Palaki retired, so did Chemeres.

    Chemeres was born in Aberdeen, Washington and dropped out of school in the 10th grade to box. His talent for training, managing and promoting emerged after he retired to run the Cherry Street Gym for many years in Seattle. Over the decades he worked with hundreds of fighters.

    Chemeres was inducted into the Northwest Boxing Hall of Fame in February of 2002.
    He was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and died at Bay View Manor in Seattle.

    A memorial for George Chemeres will be held at 1 p.m. on Nov. 23 at Columbia Funeral Home in Seattle.

    ****************************************************
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xGeorge Chemeres, R.I.P.``x1037653860,81518,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    TEWKSBURY, MA – Imagine what must have been going through the minds of some of the young kids waiting for the opening of Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone this past weekend. Or think about how many Oakland Raiders or New England Patriots fans eagerly anticipated the rematch of last season’s “Tuck Bowl” the other night. That is the feeling most fight fans are experiencing as they wait for this weekend’s anticipated blockbuster hit at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City – Ward-Gatti II.

    “I was informed earlier today that there are no more tickets to be sold,” said Al Valenti, a long time promoter and representative of Ward. “I was also told that (Ward-Gatti II) is considered to be the highest grossing live gate for a non-title and non-heavyweight fight in Atlantic City’s history.”

    Like the Harry Potter saga, Ward vs. Gatti was a sequel that we hoped would not pass us by. It was a match that had to be made for the fans of boxing and the betterment of the sport. Their first fight waged at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut on May 18th is already projected to be this year’s ‘Fight of the Year’ because of the elements contained in the episode. It had its ebbs and flows, its violence and its exhibition of what we like to call ‘blood and guts.’ Rarely had we been subjected to such inhuman capacities. As I’ve wrote before, there were moments in their famous duel that brought credibility to some of the boxing scenes from Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky films. Never before have we seen two men wage such warfare with their fists – in real life.

    And we look forward to Saturday night hoping that their rematch will be at least remotely like their first. One such person looking forward to this event is one of its principals, the recently successful Micky Ward, a native of Lowell, MA who up until a few years ago was considered more of an extra rather than the minor celebrity he has become in the boxing world.

    “I take everything with stride,” said Ward of his growing popularity. “I like being part of these sort of (high-profile) fights. It’s great to now be appreciated and making more money and it’s fights like this that the fans want to see.”

    For his efforts and as sort of a way of paying homage, Ward will earn his first 7-figure payday ($1 million to be exact) of his career this Saturday. It wasn’t always this way for Ward who first stepped into a boxing gym at the age of 7 with his brother and now trainer Dickie Ecklund. Up until his comeback, which began in ’94 Ward was thought to be more of a journeyman than a contender. Ward’s revived career rivals the acting career of Tom Hanks who though participated in a couple of bombs early on is regarded as a major star in Hollywood today.

    Ward who is now 37 wasn’t thought to be any one special in the fight game up until a few years ago. In fact Ward looks at his career as George Foreman had – in two parts. Ward turned pro in 1985 and had a relatively nice start until he began facing fellow prospects and contenders like Harold Brazier, Frankie Warren and Charles Murray. After losing 5 out of 7 fights against these likes, Ward hung up the gloves after only six years in the pro ranks.

    “I was immature then,” admits Ward. “I have a thirteen year old daughter now who tries to tell me that I don’t know what I’m talking about some times. I’ll say ‘Okay, you know everything.’ I wouldn’t listen to people back then and I fought that way. I listen now and know more about what I’m capable of doing in the ring. I have more confidence now and I’m beating the (caliber) of fighters in my ‘second career’ that I was losing to in my first career.”

    Ward laced up the gloves again in ‘94 and knocked out undefeated contenders such as Alfonso Sanchez and Louie Veader. But it’s been his epic wars with Reggie Green, Shea Neary, Emanuel Augustus and Gatti that has made him not only a highly regarded jr. welterweight contender but one of the most exciting fighters in recent memory.

    “I know how I feel at my age,” said Ward. There are young 37-year old people and there are old 37-year old people. I feel like I’m still young and strong at my age but I don’t want to do it forever. I’m going to have two more fights after this and that’s a promise. Though I feel better than ever now I know that you’re always one punch away from getting hurt.

    “I’m really just focused on this fight right now. I know I have a tough fight coming up against Gatti but the hardest part (which is the training) is over. Getting ready for a fight is harder than anything some of you will ever know. (My brother) Dickie pushed me so hard at times I wanted to hit him (laughs). Believe it or not, you can get really edgy when you’re getting ready for fights like this.”

    Yeah, tell me about it.






    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x“Irish” Micky Ward, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti Star in Ward-Gatti II ``x1037654011,5457,``x``x ``xAccording to Mike Nosky, the editor of RealBoxing.com and the co-matchmaker for Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, Scott Pemberton's battle with Anwar Oshana, scheduled for this Sunday has been postponed. Pemberton, the former NABF super middleweight champion was to have originally faced top contender Antwun Echols in Albany. But late last week the show was given to Burchfield by promoter Alfredo Marchio due to few ticket sales. Echols later pulled out of the fight, refusing to fight in New England, where Pemberton is from. Oshana had agreed to fill the spot but ESPN could not back the show. NABF flyweight champion Brian Viloria will now headline the show against ALberto Rossel at the Sports Plus Events Center on Long Island.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPemberton's Fight Postponed``x1037664344,52919,``x``x ``xPairings for $100,000 Winner-Take-All
    "Fistful of Dollars" Heavyweight Tournament Announced Today; Cedric Kushner Promotions Presents Unique Edition of Thunderbox Saturday Night, November 30, at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and Live of Pay-Per-View
    Tim Witherspoon (51-11-1, 32 KOs) vs. Paolo Vidoz (11-1, 7 KOs)
    Gerald Nobles (20-0, 16 KOs) vs. Maurice Harris (19-12-2, 10 KOs)
    Derrick Jefferson (26-2, 20 KOs) vs. Ray Austin (17-3-1, 13 KOs)
    Jeremy Williams (39-4, 35 KOs) vs. Anthony Thompson (17-1, 9 KOs)

    New York, November 19-The pairings for the $100,000 winner-take-all "Fistful of Dollars" boxing heavyweight tournament, slated for Saturday night, November 30, at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey, were drawn today in Manhattan, and the opening round match-ups are as follows: two-time former heavyweight world champion Tim Witherspoon (51-11-1, 32 KOs, Philadelphia, PA); vs. Italian Olympic bronze-medalist Paolo Vidoz (11-1, 7 KOs, Gorizia, Italy); Gerald Nobles (20-0, 16 KOs, Philadelphia, PA) vs. Maurice Harris (19-12-2, 10 KOs, Newark, NJ); Jeremy Williams (39-4, 35 KOs, North Hills, CA); vs. Anthony Thompson (17-1, 9 KOs, Silver Spring, MD); and
    Ray Austin (17-3-1, 13 KOs, Cleveland, OH), vs. Derrick Jefferson (26-3, 20 KOs, Detroit, MI)

    The unique format tournament, presented by Cedric Kushner Promotions, will be televised live on pay-per-view in a special edition of the Thunderbox series from Trump's Mark G. Etess Arena.

    The pairings draw, which took place at North Fork Bank, 750 Third Avenue in New York City, were presided over by Kushner, who was assisted by WFAN Radio personality Sid Rosenberg, acclaimed artist LeRoy Neiman, and Everlast WorldWide president George Horowitz. One of the fighters - Maurice Harris - was also on hand.

    Combining fisticuffs and entertainment, the heavyweights will be joined by hip hop stars Xzibit, Eve, 50 Cent and Krumb Snatcha, who are among the artists scheduled to perform. The event will be available on all pay-per-view systems including In Demand, Direct TV, Echostar, and Cablevision. Call your local cable or satellite service provider to order. The P-P-V is priced at $19.95.

    The single-elimination tourney will be divided into three explosive periods: four quarter-final matches with the winners returning for two semi-finals, and finally the championship main event. Each will consist of three-round bouts. The fighters have a combined total of 148 knockout victories.

    "We have selected aggressive, hard-charging heavyweights," said Cedric Kushner. "This will be one of the most unique and exciting events in boxing history. Everyone loves the heavyweights, and this format is sure to please the viewers and live crowd alike."

    "I would like to be involved with the stars that emerge from this
    tournament," continued Kushner. "There will be a great opportunity for one, two or three of them to fight on HBO and Showtime."

    Gerald Nobles said: "Go ahead and put the check into my name right now because I'm running through it, I'm ready, make sure everyone else is. But Jeremy Williams told Nobles: "I've knocked out more people than you've ever fought in your life…This tournament is a mere way for me to buy Christmas presents for my kids."

    "To get a spark into the sport of boxing, you have to do things like this. There are other fighters besides Lennox Lewis and Oscar De La Hoya," added Williams.

    Tickets are priced at $100, $50 and $25, and are on sale at the Trump Taj Mahal box office (609) 449-1000 or by calling TicketMaster at 800-736-1420.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPairings Drawn for CKP Fistful of Dollars``x1037753636,99885,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel



    It’s hard to believe that rumble was only months ago. Those of us lucky enough to have seen the first war aren’t likely to soon forget it. That prizefight flickers in the mind’s eye like a black and white film clip from boxing’s golden age.

    What matters most in boxing circles sometimes doesn’t matter at all: lopsided won-lost records; championship belts that look like they were crafted at Wal-Mart; capital letters shadowing a pug’s name like he was a doctor or dentist or accountant - or some kind of saint.

    But then the miracle happens. All the black eyes and low blows and bad decisions get cleansed by the breeze of the gladiatorial. Arturo Gatti (34-6 28 KOs) and Mickey Ward (38-11 27 KOs ) are fighting for themselves, for their families, for their place in history, yet these pugs come bearing precious gifts for which we may be undeserving.

    Neither Arturo Gatti nor Mickey Ward holds a boxing title. They have over a dozen losses between them. On paper, they look like tomato cans. But in the chests of these bold veterans beat the hearts of true champions. When these men battle they leave parts of themselves all over the boxing ring. Huge chunks of pugilist - ambition and memory and broken hearts and flying dreams - will litter Boardwalk Hall before the last bell finally chimes.

    Gatti and Ward are prizefighters’ prizefighters. Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward aren’t just the fight game at its best. They are boxing bordering on life bordering on boxing trumping life at its most delirious and profound.

    All the ill will that the public feels toward boxing gets both magnified and reduced by these men of action. But one simple fact remains. Any fight between Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward is bound to be compelling, a mutinous excuse for a memory.

    Rematches are seldom as good as the original. Louis-Conn I & II. Marciano-Walcott I & II. Ali-Liston I & II. Foreman-Frazier I & II. Holyfield-Tyson I & II. So perhaps we shouldn’t get our hopes too high concerning the Gatti-Ward rematch. If we saw numero uno we should count our lucky stars. If the second bout is even a fraction as good as the first, there might, after all is said and done, be a Higher Power.

    Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward fought everyone at their weight with guts enough to lace up gloves. Oscar De La Hoya. Kostya Tszyu. Jesse James Leija. Zab Judah. Gabe Ruelas. Ivan Robinson. The men Gatti and Ward didn’t destroy tried to destroy Arturo and Mickey. So we say our prayers for these kamikaze pilots as they prep for the Return of the Rematch.

    Both fighters bring what they’ve always brought to each and every one of their contests. Heart. Soul. Nerve. Courage. Will. Grace. Vision. Blindness. Vision. Blindness. Vision. These men have an acute understanding between themselves versus each other, a secret, coded, primal slang comprised of silent verbs. Gatti and Ward do with their fists what a nonstop talker does with his tongue. Instead of punching a time clock, these pros punch a mirror.

    Boxing increasingly seems like some forgone genetic conclusion, like skin color or sexual identity, like I.Q. and DNA. Most men in the fight game are to the manner born. How true of the great Arturo Gatti. How true of gritty Mickey Ward.

    This is a pick ‘em fight. When it’s over both men will be wobbly, but they will still be standing. Chances are both men will look like hell. But after a hard day’s night of work and play on a twenty foot square of canvas, Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward will have finally joined the millionaire’s club, they will have dreamed the impossible dream, they will have spit in the face of death, they will have lived to fight another day.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWard-Gatti II: The Return of the Rematch``x1037920656,16494,``x``x ``xCompiled By JD Vena
    Photos by Emily Harney





    Prior to their first meeting it was fairly easy to foresee that “Irish” Micky Ward vs. Arturo “Thunder” Gatti was going to be a classic. What it turned out to be was one of the most memorable slugfests of all time. But who could have foreseen that a rematch between two fighters with records of 38-11 (Ward) and 34-6 (Gatti), with no title on the line would be projected as one of the most viewed bouts in HBO’s broadcast history? On Saturday night, HBO will broadcast its 500th broadcast with what we all know will be something special. Ward and Gatti face each other again at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

    We expect to see another classic confrontation and more than likely we’ll get it. What everyone isn’t too sure of is which of the two gladiators will walk out of the ring with his hand raised. If their rematch is anywhere as compelling as their first one, we’ll be wondering how either man can even walk out of the ring. But to give you an idea on what to expect, the CBZ is happy to provide you the bold predictions by some of boxing’s fearless prognosticators.

    “After their very close first battle, when the action was so exciting it was really difficult to focus on scoring the bout, I'd expect both boxers to adjust a little. Gatti, knowing he lost a razor-thin decision, may simply try to pound Ward out early. Ward, having taken more punishment the first time than he probably wanted to, may opt for a more tactical course, countering and moving sideways rather than brawling so much inside. Obviously cuts are the wild card factor, and either could be stopped early that way. But I'd guess Ward survives an early bombs-away Gatti onslaught, counters effectively, and rips the body more deliberately this time. It will be exciting again, but most likely neither one really looks forward to another brutal 10 rounds like the first fight. Gatti's aggression leaves him a bit too wide open, and Ward takes advantage; WARD TKO-7.

    Jay Miller,
    Quincy Patriot Ledger

    “Using my first thought as my best thought, I say Gatti surprises us all by fighting a disciplined fight and outboxes Ward. Micky lets him get away hoping for a late round knockout that doesn't come.”

    Chris Strait,
    The CBZ

    “As much as Arturo Gatti knows that he needs to outbox Micky Ward to win the rematch on November 23, Gatti is not a boxer - he is a fighter; a warrior. Unfortunately, Gatti will be in the ring, again, with perhaps the one man who doesn't mind going toe-to-toe with ‘Thunder.’ Ward took a beating on May 18, but the fact remains that Micky was the stronger man. With perhaps the single most devastating punch in boxing today, Ward rides his left hook to the body like he has a jockey on a thoroughbred.

    Gatti dished out as much punishment in the first fight as he has in any one fight of his tremendously underrated career - and Ward was still standing when all was said and done.

    Going into the rematch with the mindset of Sonny Liston in his second bout with Muhammad Ali, I wouldn't be shocked if Gatti, knowing that he has given everything he has in the ring and that he simply can't beat Ward, takes one more hard left hook to the body and gracefully bows out in the seventh round.”

    Mike Nosky
    RealBoxing.com

    “Despite the subtle variation in Gatti's style last time out, he is not getting any better. The years of trench warfare has taken its toll on this tremendous pug and his eyes, which seem to swell up during the national anthem. Ward, the elder, remains an anomaly. His wartime experiences have not wrought any major deterioration, although its obvious that it can only be skulking around the corner. In another all-out war, I see Ward stopping Gatti late (8th or 9th) in a match that will disappoint no one.

    Dan Hanley,
    The CBZ

    “Ward by another close decision or late stoppage. This all goes out the window if Gatti is able to discipline himself to box for ten rounds, but come on - this is Gatti. He can't avoid a war, and against Ward and those crippling body shots, that's a recipe for disaster.”

    Thomas Gerbasi,
    www.maxboxing.com

    “Much though I'd like to, I cannot select a fighter in this match-up. I've got opinions about everything under the sun, but this fight - what can I say? A bout like this almost transcends winning and losing. I've thought about it long and hard, but cannot give a prediction. My tank is empty on this one . . .

    Robert Ecksel,
    The CBZ

    “I was wrong the first time so I guess I’ll be wrong a second time and go with Gatti.”

    Bert Randolph Sugar,
    Boxing Historian

    “GATTI WIN SPLIT DEC - A virtual replay of the first, although not quite as frantic, not quite as bloody, and not quite as memorable. Both guys will land sickening body shots and flush left hooks, but Gatti's long right hand will make the difference on points. Gatti gets the nod in his "hometown," just as Ward did in the first.”

    Chris Bushnell,
    Editor, BoxingChronicle.com &
    Staff Writer, CyberBoxingZone.com

    “Just like in their classic ninth round last May, I've been back and forth with this one several times. Ward. Gatti. Ward. Gatti. Although Ward's resiliance is nothing short of amazing, I think we saw that Gatti can easily outbox him when he wants to. Provided that
    Gatti still has something left in the tank, the feeling here is that he sticks to that gameplan this time out, and doesn't get suckered into hanging and banging with Ward, who at 37, is really the younger guy in there (in boxing years). Couple that with the fact that this fight is in Gatti's backyard, Gatti on points seems like a logical outcome.”

    Ted Bodenrader,
    Ring Magazine

    “I believe Ward will win a decision over Gatti. In the past Gatti hasn't shown great defensive qualities, so it's possible that Ward could win by TKO. Either way, it's Ward.”

    Mel Baron,
    www.fightnews.com

    “This fight is a real problem for me to determine a winner. Gatti is a Canadian (as I am) so I want him to win. On the other hand, Ward is my kind of fighter, a rough-and-tumble slugger that chases you down and takes whatever you have to get you out of there. I wasn't unhappy that he got the decision last time (how could anyone be unhappy after that fight), but I did have Gatti by one point on my card.

    I guess it comes down to this: is Gatti fully ready to go up against this guy again? He took such an incredible amount of punishment the last time, almost ready to quit after the ninth round, yet somehow found the guts to come out and win the tenth. Was he just caught up in the moment? Was the desire to win a fight that had been so tough enough of a motivator to make him pull that last ounce of strength up from the depths? If that's
    what it was, I don't think it'll be there for this one. That kind of punishment takes a toll on your psyche as well as your body, and while his body may have recovered, he may not be ready.

    Ward is another story. Here is a guy that had given it all up, came back, taken everything that everyone can throw at him, and now is finally a real contender and getting his first huge purse at the age of 37. He might be thinking about a title, and he knows that he must win this fight to get it. He may also be thinking about going out with a blaze of glory, win the rematch in dramatic fashion, and call it a career. I doubt it, but who
    knows? In either case, he is going to want this one badly. He was well behind in the first fight, but came up with enough to squeak out the win. That must have put him on top of the world - to have been so far behind and yet win, and without a KO. My feeling is that he took nothing but positives from the first fight, and wants this one even more, either to get one more shot at the big-time, or to go out in that glorious blaze.
    Gatti would not have taken nearly as much from the experience - I would imagine it was a tremendous disappointment to him.

    Gatti is the more skilled fighter. Ward is the tougher guy (though Gatti is plenty tough himself). For Gatti to win, he has to utilize his advantage in skill, use his superior handspeed to beat Ward to the punch, and keep on the move to avoid the big shots he took last time. He was able to do that for half a fight in the first installment, but as he tired he couldn't avoid the real exchanges anymore. He was all the way in the fight
    last time, both in mind and body, and put up a huge struggle against a man that was determined to get to him. Only the fact that he was all the way there kept him around. If he's lost any of that at all, he will lose. And I can't imagine, with only a relatively brief interval between the last fight and this one, how he can bring the same mindset and tools into this fight as he did before.

    I think Micky Ward will win this fight, by a KO between the fifth and eighth rounds. Gatti simply can't be ready in his head to do that again, and it will probably show. He'll keep it exciting through the first half of the fight, using those skills to likely lead on the cards by that point, but when the wear and tear starts to show, Ward will take him out.
    Gatti is a terrific fighter, but I can't see anything else happening.

    Clifford Endicott,
    The CBZ

    “I'm going with Ward to win inside the distance. He appears to be fitter and stronger now and amazingly is getting better with age.”

    Mark Stokes,
    Sports Editor
    The Irish Emigrant

    “For me, this one is to tough to call. & in a way I almost wish it wasn't happening. I definitely think the rematch is too soon for both of them. Hell, Barrera & Morales waited 2 years before reengaging.

    Last time, despite the 9th round. I thought Gatti squeaked out a decision. But I would have been satisfied with a draw. This time my prediction is that if they go hammer & tongs (like they're not???), my prediction is that one of them won't make the final bell. I don't think either of them will be able sustain the kind of beating they took last time.

    I know this isn't much of a prediction but I feel the match is so close there is no way I'd bet on either one.”

    GorDoom,
    Co-Publisher/ Managing Editor-in-Chief,
    The CBZ

    “I like Ward by 10-round decision. I picked Gatti the last time, so I may as well go with Ward now. If they fought 10 times they'd...probably not survive to fight 10 times.”

    Stephen Tobey
    MaxBoxing.com

    “Ward by late round knockout. Probably the 9th or 10th.”

    Dave Iamele,
    The CBZ

    “I like Ward by KO in 8.”

    Mark Beiro,
    Ring Announcer

    “Gatti won the first time, so I think he'll win again, only with the proper result this time.”

    Adam Pollack,
    The CBZ

    “Ward by late round stoppage.”
    Jay Larkin,
    Showtime

    “I think Mick will be too intense and strong this time. I think his confidence level is sky high this time around and it will show . When they fought last time, Mick wore Arturo down by stepping right to Gatti every time Gatti got done throwing a combination. Gatti never had time to rest and it made Mick look much, much stronger than Arturo. I think his intensity and confidence from the last time will help him to do all that and more this time and win a very clear decision.”

    “Iceman” John Scully,
    Former World Title Challenger

    “I just hope there isn't a tragedy. How much can either man have left? Knowing that anticipated rematches seldom match the original epics, but countering that with the fact that Ward and Gatti have never been in a bad fight, I say the amazing Ward skims the amazing Gatti again by decision in a less frenetic fight. Less action, more sense. Ward will out-jab him and win 6-4 in rounds. Failing that, a double knockout, left hook for left hook, in the 8th round. The referee being the only one left standing.”

    James A. Merolla,
    The CBZ


    “Gatti Wins Split Decision in 10 grueling rounds. Sets up Ward-Gatti III.”

    Scott Ghertner,
    MGM Mirage

    “I was in attendance for the last fight and I wouldn't miss this one for anything. It's guys like Micky Ward & Arturo Gatti that make the sport special for me ... not knob-ends like Roy Jones Jr. While they may not posses Roy's raw talent, either one of their hearts weighs at least 20 lbs. more. And that's not meant to bash Roy but more of a complement to these great warriors. I get the feeling that Bobby Chacon, Cornelius Boza-Edwards & Matthew Saad Muhammad all get together to watch Mickey & Arturo's fights. As far as the fight itself, I'm leaning towards Gatti. Micky couldn't have hurt him any more than he had in round 9 of their first battle, but Arturo amazingly managed to survive. And in the very next round Arturo was putting the bull on Mickey when he should have been having his gloves cut off for the evening. In my opinion, Ward was given the gift of the home-town decision. This time, the fight is in Arturo's back yard and he will be pumped.

    I'm picking Gatti in another close, all out war by decision.

    Steve Coughlin,
    The CBZ

    “Ward in 9. This time Gatti doesn't get up.”

    George Kimball,
    The Boston Herald

    “Boy what a tough call ! I really don't have a strong feeling favoring either fighter. The winner may get a title shot, the loser becomes an ESPN2 staple for up and coming Jr. Welters & Welters. I liked Gatti the first time because of size, thinking he'd come in around 154. Since the first fight was so close, and both guys are swarming type fighters there isn't much to chose from. However, as somewhat of a pet-peeve regarding rematches in which the first fight was razor close I usually look at it and ask myself ‘Who can adjust better in a rematch?’ I would say Gatti, as crazy as it sounds. In the last fight he did good when jabbing & boxing not looking for the Big-shot. He let Ward back into the fight when he started trading. Going into this fight he knows he can always trade as a last resort and still pull the fight out. I think this time he fights more measured using his jab and somewhat underrated boxing ability and wins a close decision. Gatti by decision.”

    Frank J. Lotierzo,
    Sportstalk WOND 1400
    Co-Author Viewing Boxing from Ringside
    & The CBZ

    “I'm going with Ward and here’s why: Gatti’s first line of defense against Ward is his speed and mobility. But let’s face it, Gatti does not have Roy Jones’ legs to move around for 10 3-minute rounds. When he gets tired from moving around so much he settles down and trades. He even admitted that his excessive bomb-swapping was the result of the strength he was losing from moving around so much. It’s not that he just likes to revert to this ‘warrior mentality’ as some like to call it. It’s just that he can’t box for 10 rounds against a strong 140-pounder like Ward. The only way Gatti could dull Ward’s assaults were with low blows (which is why they happened more towards the end of the rounds). Those punches, particularly the hip punches were what kept Ward from being effective most of the night. Should there not be a competent referee this time (sorry Mr. Cappuccino), expect Ward to return the favor whenever Gatti decides to stray low in his body attack. That will make this fight end a lot quicker if it happens seeing how Gatti isn’t even capable of taking many of Ward’s ‘legal’ body shots. Then again, who is? Ward by TKO in 8.

    JD Vena
    Associate Editor,
    The CBZ

    Final Tally: Ward 15 picks; Gatti with 8 and 2 undecided

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe CBZ Ward-Gatti II Prediction Poll``x1037922476,58283,``x``x ``x...While Fans Get Their Money's Worth
    By JD Vena at ringside

    ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – The 12,231 fans came out of the woodworks to fill the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to witness what they were hoping to be a repeat of their memorable first encounter in May. And what they, including the millions viewing on HBO got out of last night’s continuation of Ward vs. Gatti was a little of the same warfare that was waged earlier this year. Though it may not have been as exciting some may have enjoyed this one more, particularly Jersey City’s Arturo “Thunder” Gatti who this time won a convincing 10-round unanimous decision over “Irish” Micky Ward of Lowell, MA. The scores of 98-91 twice and 98-90 (97-93 for the CBZ) for Gatti.

    The difference this time around was the pivotal third round one, which reminded us of the memorable 9th round of their first encounter. And the victim was the victor of the last fight. After two rounds of trying to pin down the well-conditioned Gatti. Ward began to fire jabs at the fleet-footed Gatti who had his balance underneath him. One of the Ward’s jabs was slow enough for Gatti to time with a perfect and thunderous right hand that wobbled the rugged New Englander and felled him Gatti’s corner.

    Ward was clearly hurt and moments later you could tell that the knockdown was more than a flash knockdown. Ward rose but on unsteady legs and shortly thereafter, Ward showed some of the impossible stones that Gatti showed when he was reeling in their first 9th round together. But after Gatti had shot his wad, Ward showing the heart of a lion fired back even while he could barely stand upright. Only the drama and excitement of this round rivaled the gargantuan 9th round as not only this year’s round of the year but one of the best three minutes of fist-fighting we have ever seen.

    “I don’t know how he survived the round let alone the fight,” said Ward’s advisor Lou DiBella. “It was inhuman. Both of them are inhuman.”

    After the awe-inspiring and almost horrifying third, Gatti took advantage of Ward’s inability to collect himself with an impressive array of head and body shots that kept Ward away from his comfort zone or on the inside for the remainder of the fight. Only Ward’s courage, tenacity and conditioning pulled him through this fight, one that wasn’t nearly as competitive as the first.

    “I couldn’t get anything going after he hit me with that shot,” said Ward who is now 38-12 with 27 KO's. “I saw six of him after he hit me and couldn’t get my equilibrium back. I had no rhythm or balance.”

    It was obvious Ward couldn’t get himself back into the fight and Gatti made it even more difficult by nullifying Ward’s most powerful asset – the dreaded left hook to the body.

    “Buddy McGirt, my trainer has been helping me with my boxing skills which have been improving,” said Gatti who improved to 35-6 with 28 KO's. “I had to stay low, move to my left away from his hook. (Micky’s) just too strong to hang in there with. I’ve always felt that I’ve been stronger the opponents I’ve faced. Micky is different. He is physically stronger than me, which is why I couldn’t stand toe to toe with him.”

    After the fight both expressed the desire to meet again but a third time may be too much for both of them to endure.

    “I plan on becoming champion again someday,” said Gatti. “That has always been my goal. But since he gave me the second chance, I will be willing to give him one.”

    “I don’t make any excuses,” said Ward. “He won fair and square but I’d like to do this again. I hate to lose to any one but if I have to lose to any one, I’d rather it be against him.”

    Just before the 10th and final round Ward and Gatti met at ring center and Ward kissed Gatti on the cheek as a sign of respect and admiration. The two gladiators, whether they fight another time or not, have given us more memories to cherish than a decade of fights. But the fans, particularly the two proud boxers don’t need another fight like the ones they’ve had. Whatever is accomplished, the names Ward and Gatti will go together like Ali-Frazier, Zale-Graziano and peas and carrots.

    DiBella said it best at the post-fight press conference when he quipped - “Micky and Arturo should be nominated as a tandem.”

    Thanks again boys. You’ve been too kind.

    Promoter - Main Events
    Network - HBO
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGatti Earns Sweet Revenge over Ward...``x1038121177,22658,``x``x ``xNovember 24, 2002. - Last night Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward met in an Atlantic City boxing ring to settle a few disputes stemming from their razor-close Fight of the Century. It was, for the most part, a thrilling bout… despite the fact that Arturo Gatti swept all ten rounds on our most unofficial of scorecards. After the fight, it was clear: Micky Ward should retire. And so should Boxing Chronicle.com.

    After two rounds of sizzling action, during which both Gatti and Ward landed precision body shots and head-snapping hook, the epic third round of their contest began. Neither man landed an effective shot for almost a minute. Then Ward walked into a chopping Gatti right hand. The punch dropped Ward to his knees, and he crashed headfirst into a turnbuckle. Your dutiful reporter scribbled a short description of the sequence in his trusty notebook. After Irish Micky (who is really Scottish) rose on wobbly legs and barely passed the “are you okay?” test, Gatti charged at him with both guns blazing. As Gatti hammered Ward on the ropes with an uppercut, I scratched down the punch on my pad. As the fans cheered on, I furiously tried to notate the myriad of punches Gatti was heaving towards Ward. After a minute, during which Ward was trapped in a corner taking the unprotected beating of his career, Gatti paused to take a breath. I used the lull to jot yet more notes. To celebrate his temporary reprieve from the cruel punishment Gatti was doling out to him, Ward grimaced, tapped his midsection and gestured for Gatti to bring it on. It was pure excitement, even if Gatti answered the taunt with a sizzling right hand that re-buckled Ward’s legs and started another stretch of clean combination punching.

    When Micky Ward made the indication that he was fine and that he wanted the war to continue, I threw down my pen. I was missing the point. One of the great rounds in recent boxing history was unfolding in front of me, and I was hurriedly capturing the action on paper instead of enjoying the sweetness of this most violent science. For the rest of the fight, rather than chronicle the ebbs and flows of the action (although there were few… this was Gatti’s night to shine) I simply sat back and enjoyed the fight. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that. Since 1998 I’ve covered nearly every major bout… sometimes in excruciating detail. Round three of Gatti-Ward II made me realize that boxing has become work, instead of fun.

    I began Boxing Chronicle.com several years ago for two main reasons. First, I needed to snap a wicked case of writer’s block (I am a writer by day, too), and second, I didn’t think there were many sites that covered the round-by-round happenings of big fights. It worked. The block broke and soon thousands of you were reading this site because your VCR didn’t tape the fight, your wife wanted a night out, your cable went on the fritz, or you just wanted to relive the action of a particularly good bout. Encouraged by the large response Boxing Chronicle generated, I began expanding the site’s content and updating nearly every weekend that there was a major bout.

    For the last four years, I’ve spent my Saturdays watching the fights and then updating Boxing Chronicle until the early a.m. hours. I’ve enjoyed doing it for the most part. I’ve been able to meet many people in the sport and sit ringside for major fights in the press section for free. I’ve appeared on radio shows as an “expert” and received autographs from just about every fighter I respect. This has been a lot of fun. But it has been a lot of work. Aside from a brief sponsorship from Larry Holmes’ (now defunct) online casino, this site has always been ad-free (read: profit free). I’ve never had an annoying pop-up, and I’ve absolutely never taken money from a promoter for advertising and then “objectively” covered his fighter(s). (And, yes, I’ve been offered.) I’ve maintained this site for love of the sport, not for monetary gain.

    But now I’m finding that Boxing Chronicle is impeding on my love of the sport. Sometimes, I just want to watch a fight… not cover a fight. As I mentioned, I write for a living… and having to write during my limited free time has become a little tedious. What’s more, the birth of my first son has taken up even more of my schedule. Recently, I haven’t even had the time to update this site’s odds and predictions, or answer dozens of requests for links on our links page.

    And so, to make short story even longer, I am taking an indefinite hiatus from the operation of Boxing Chronicle.com. I am doing this to rekindle my enjoyment of boxing. The prospect of watching Mayweather-Castillo and Klitschko-McCline in two weeks without a deadline, without having to take notes, and without having to recap every round… well, it sounds like heaven.

    I would like to thank the many faithful readers of Boxing Chronicle, and there are thousands of you. Many of you originate in countries that don’t carry these bouts on television, and I’ve enjoyed receiving email from boxing fans around the world. Not all of the emails I’ve gotten over the years have agreed with me. Some of you thought I was downright nuts at times. But I always tried to call it the way I saw it. Thank you all for reading and writing these last four years.

    I’d also like to thank GorDoom, editor of the CyberBoxingZone.com. The CBZ was the first boxing website to print my boxing ramblings (they still do), and they remain one of the very best boxing websites online. For his part, GorDoom always complimented my work… even when a few of the fight recaps were less than stellar. I hope someday I can repay him for the support he’s given my career.

    I’d also like to thank Dan Rafael of USA Today (I knew him before he was boxing’s big shot!), Emanuel Steward and the folks at KronkGym.com (who also ran some of my early work), and Larry Merchant (for once telling me “That’s a stupid question.” He was right.)

    Last, but not least, I’d like to thank my beautiful wife. While she is an unabashed fan of Shane Mosley and perhaps the single best Harold Lederman impersonator ever, she has also given up more Saturday nights to boxing than any woman should be forced to give up. She now knows more about pugilism than most men, but I’m not sure she’d consider it a fair trade-off.

    I will keep the Boxing Chronicle archives online for a few months. After that time, I may feel rejuvenated and return to covering the sport. Or I may take the site down. I haven’t decided. In the meantime, remember: Tua over Rahman, Byrd over Holyfield, if Lennox fights on he will regret it, Mosley beats DelaHoya ten times out of ten, Tyson has nothing left and can only beat no-hopers, Marco Antonio Barrera is the real pound-for-pound best, and most of what you read about boxing on the Internet is pure hype.

    Ed note: Chris Bushnell, also an editor of boxingchronicle.com is taking a well deserved break. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBushnell on Gatti-Ward II``x1038159644,79774,``x``x ``xIt's with a deep sense of loss that I post this possibly final fight report from the CBZ's stalwart fight reporter, Chris Bushnell. Chris has done yeoman service for us for so many years I can't remember how long he's been with us. I've written this before & I'll do it again. I've been avidly reading fight reports since 1956. In all those decades I've never read a better fight reporter than Chris.

    You can miss a fight, read Chris' report & you realise you didn't miss anything after all. His attention to detail is legendary here at the CBZ. Chris Bushnell, in my not so humble opinion, is simply the best fight reporter I've ever read.

    Chris & his wife are proud parents of his newborn son, Jack. I totally understand why he needs to take a break from fight reporting. But damn! I'm gonna miss him ...

    One last note: How about a Tip O' The Fedora to Buddy McGirt? He get's The Ol' Spit Bucket's award for trainer of the year. The job he did of teaching an old dog new tricks in revamping Gatti's style was simply amazing.

    GorDoom
    ******************************


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xAdios to CBZ's Excellent Bushnell``x1038178766,35633,``x``x ``xRESULTS
    K.Dunn

    Battle at the Beach

    Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City

    November 22nd, 2002


    Coach Bill Meartz of the West Portland Boxing Club organized this lively amateur smoker at Chinook Winds and the packed crowd declared the event a success. According to Meartz the Casino treated the competing amateur teams very nicely-- providing mileage, meals, rooms, and presenting each of the participating teams with $250.

    The results of the nine bout card were as follows:


    1. 80 lbs,12-Year-Olds, Junior Martinez of West Portland won on points over Taylor Shirley of Tacoma, WA .

    2. Featherweights 15-16 Year Olds, Open, Luis DeAlba of Bumble Bee Boxing in Seattle, WA. won on points over Gustavo Perez of West Portland .

    3. 142 lbs, Open, Will Hughs of Tacoma Boxing won on points over Beto Garcia of Othello, Washington.


    4. Super Heavy Seniors Joe LeaPai of Bumble Bee (Seattle, WA) won on points over Jeremy Hull ofVictory Gym Albany, OR .


    5. 142-lbs, Seniors, Braulio Hernandez of West Portland won by stoppage in the 2nd round over Fernando Ontivares of Othello, WA.

    6. Welterweight Seniors,Abulcasen Hernandez of West Portland Boxing won by RSC3 over Scott Stimpson of Victory Gym, Albany, OR.



    7. Jr. Welterweight,Open Female, Molly McConnell of West Portland stopped Amanda Grossman of Augusta, Georgia in the first round.


    8. Middle Weight Open, Robert Marthaller of Victory Gym Albany, OR won by points over Mikiyas Kebede of Bumble Bee (Seattle, WA)


    9. Jr. Welterweight Open, Juan Roman of West Portland won by points over Will Gates of Tacoma, WA



    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xAmateur Results--Chinook Winds``x1038184426,72044,``x``x ``xSaturday, Nov. 30, the legendary Knott Street Boxing Club of Portland, Oregon presents its annual amateur smoker. Teams from all over Oregon and Washington will compete. The show takes place at Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott St in Portland. First bout starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door.``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xAmateur Action in Portland Coming Right Up``x1038185750,80423,``x``x ``xWard – Gatti II
    Round-by-Round Scoring with Complete Undercard Results
    By Steve Coughlin

    Boxing history tells us that the fighter who wins the first fight will win the rematch even more convincingly. Boxing history also tells us that the rematch of a sensational fight is nowhere near as exciting as the first.

    On Saturday evening, November 23, 2002, in front of a sold-out Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward entered a frenzied arena determined to win. What they did during the evening rewrote history. For the second time this year, Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward defied all odds and fought another war worthy of fight of the year consideration.

    Going in, most experts thought that one or both guys had left everything that they had in the ring back in April. Others felt that Gatti was finished; there’d be no way he’d ever be the same after round nine of the first fight. There was a theory that the 34 year old Ward
    couldn’t have much left in his tank either. All of these questions were answered emphatically by two of the greatest warriors of ANY era. Gatti was far from finished.
    Ward fought like he was 24, not 34.

    As they touched gloves in the center of the ring to start the rematch, you could sense something special was about to take place.

    Round One
    Gatti’s boxing as well as he did back in April, but he seems to be doing better defensively early. Both fighters are landing but Arturo’s landing more and he’s landing the harder shots.
    10-9 Gatti.

    Round Two
    Gatti’s still the busier fighter but Mickey is warming up. Arturo is surprisingly landing the better body work of the two and he’s still boxing well. Both fighters have small cuts opened; Ward’s on the bridge of his nose – Gatti’s is on the let eyelid.
    10-9 Gatti; 20-18.

    Round Three
    Ward comes out with bad intentions and the fight is on! Around the one-minute mark, Ward reaches with a left and Arturo nails Mickey with a perfect right hand that sends Ward reeling face first onto his knee. Ward is seriously hurt and Gatti moves into finish
    The job. Gatti’s throwing from every angle and landing often. How Ward isn’t out cold
    Is anyone’s guess. Out of nowhere, Mickey lands his Sunday Best, the left hook that stops Gatti in his tracks. Both fighters finish the round pounding on each other but Arturo is getting the better of it as the bell rings. Round three may be the best round between the two in either fight. The crowd is in an uproar.
    10-8 Gatti; 30 – 26.

    Round Four
    Ward is throwing with bad intentions and lands his best punches of the fight so far,
    But Arturo is still boxing well and landing more often. Gatti’s body punches should/will pay dividends later. Ward’s legs are little shaky on his way back to the corner. Arturo is breathing heavily too. We’re well on our way to another classic.
    10 – 9 Gatti, 40 – 35.

    Round Five
    It’s starting to become all Gatti. Arturo is following Buddy McGirt’s game plan to the
    letter and it’s working well for him. He’s out jabbing, out hooking and outworking
    Ward to the body. Mickey is doing well, but not well enough to win any of these rounds.
    Gatti 10-9; 50 – 44.

    Round Six
    Gatti’s taking a page out of Ward’s book by really punishing Mickey to the body.
    ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING would be taking a well deserved knee, but not Ward.
    He calls Arturo to him and lands a few solid hooks to the body & head. Ward’s coming forward, but Gatti’s making him pay regularly with jabs and combinations.
    Gatti 10 – 9; 60 – 53.

    Round Seven
    Gatti is still the busier fighter and Ward seems to know he’s loosing. He keeps walking into Arturo’s jabs and body punches. Even thought Ward’s the aggressor he can’t seem
    to stop Gatti long enough to do any real damage. Even when he does get Arturo to exchange, Mickey is just not able to land. Gatti’s still boxing well and fighting a controlled, smart bout. I’ve Thunder pitching a shutout, albeit a close one.
    Gatti 10 – 9; 70 – 62.

    Round Eight
    Ward starts the round with purpose, landing more quality punches in than he has since the fourth round. Gatti’s looking a bit gassed and who could blame him? Mickey lands a couple of solid hooks in the final minute but not enough to do any serious damage. But for the first time this evening he wins a round on my card.
    Ward 10 – 9; 79 – 72 Gatti.

    Round Nine
    Gatti’s back to boxing well and he’s punishing Ward with his jab. Mickey’s looking a bit gassed now himself as Arturo continues to land hard to the Ward ribcage. Ward’s still giving it his all but his shots aren’t frequent enough to get to Arturo now. He starts to load up on his punches but isn’t able to get to Gatti. Gatti 10 – 9; 89 – 81.

    Round Ten
    The crowd is on its feet as the bell rings for the final round. It’s Ward doing the chasing
    with Arturo picking his shots. Ward’s hook catches Arturo, but somehow it isn’t really bothering Gatti. With a minute left in the round, Ward desperately throws everything at
    Arturo. At the twenty second mark, both fighters exchange with everything they’ve got left. Ward rocks Gatti with a left, Arturo punishes Ward with rights to the head & body.
    Ward gets the round but it feels like it’s far too little to late.
    Ward 10 – 9; Gatti 98 – 91.

    Michael Buffer announces the scores ;
    Arturo Gatti by unanimous decision, 98 – 91 twice, 98 – 90.

    Reserve my tickets for the third fight now!!!

    In the lead-in to the main event, crowd favorite Bear Sanders overwhelmed Mickey Stackhouse in 1:12 of the first round of a middleweight contest.

    2000 Olympic Heavyweight Gold Medalist Audley Harrison had absolutely no trouble
    with out manned and MUCH smaller Shawn Robinson. Audley toyed with his opponent
    until a single shot put Robinson away for the night in round one. Harrison should step up
    his competition before he gets accustomed to feasting on nobodies. Robinson may want to give serious consideration to a career change.

    Hot Jr. Lightweight contender Nate Campbell padded his record up to 23-0, 21, by taking out overmatched 16-14-1 Lloyd Rios in what was a scheduled 10. Neither fighter did much to speak of through the first four rounds. In the fifth, Campbell decided he had enough exercise and landed enough to get Rios on the canvas & stay on his knee for the count at 56 seconds of round 6.

    In an 8 round Jr. Welter bout, 12-0 Paulie Malignaggi won a highly unpopular split decision over 5-2-1 Paul Delgado. The crowd booed the decision, but some of the booing must certainly have been for the quality of the bout itself. Rounds 1, 2, 6 and 7 were easily the four worst rounds on the card as Malignaggi did little else but mug & run, while Delgado looked as if he’s never even heard the expression ‘cut off the ring’. Rounds 3, 4, 5 and 8 were nothing to write home about either. A truly dreadful affair to be certain.

    Sechew ‘Iron Horse’ Powell improved to 4-0, 3 by sweeping every round in a unanimous 4 round decision over 1-2 Larry Brothers. Brothers kept it interesting, landing hard shots in every round, but Sechew landed the harder shots and more of them.

    The second bout featured undefeated Fast Freddie Cedana vs. 12-5-1 Brad Jensen in an 8 round welterweight bout. It was Fast Freddie’s fight from the opening bell, as he won every round before referee Sammy Viruet stopped the beating with 45 seconds left in the final round. The crowd booed the stoppage, as Brad seemed to have taken harder punches earlier & looked to be able to continue, but this reporter thought that the outcome was inevitable and the stoppage justifiable as well as merciful. Cedana moves to 15-0, 10.

    The opening bout of the card started at 7:00 pm sharp. Too bad the ticket had 7:30 printed on it, because almost everyone with a ticket wasn’t in the building to see what was, to this writer, the most interesting fight on the undercard. Anthony Thompson improved upon his undefeated record by taking apart Eddie Lee Hall inside two rounds.
    Thompson looks to be an interesting work in progress. With less than 10 fights under his belt, he looked more like a seasoned prospect awaiting a title shot, landing crisp combinations. Hall landed a few really hard punches early in round two before eating a brutal uppercut that lead to a stoppage for Thompson at 1:44. Thompson moves to 7 –0
    while Hall drops to 7 –01 – 1.

    Promoted by Main Events / DiBella.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWard – Gatti II by Steve Coughlin``x1038246544,90124,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel

    Arturo Gatti. How can five short syllables pack such a wallop? This guy Gatti has been around forever. Gatti has dished out and absorbed more shots than anyone in the fight game, yet the remarkable Arturo Gatti fights like he's fresh as a daisy. Instead of slowing, slackening, easing off after decades in the biz, Gatti keeps getting better and better. Arturo Gatti is now a very special boxer to go along with already being a very special slugger.

    Arturo Gatti not only smashed Micky Ward Saturday night. He also smashed expectations. Most people thought he'd lose this one big - and it wasn't even close. What now? Pound for pound? A pug like Gatti? No way. Not possible. Not him. Anyone but Gatti. But think about it. What are the P4P criteria? What if Arturo Gatti was a heavyweight? (Yo! Rasta and Commander Vander! Duck and cover!)

    Nothing beats being ringside to watch a great fight. It's so damn real when it's up close and personal. Being spattered with a boxer's blood, sweat and tears is a baptism in a solemn rite of passage. Most men would kill for a ringside seat. The ring, however, is just so big (or so small) and seats are a hard-won priority, especially for a fight of this caliber. Which is okay, because sometimes boxing on cable is better than a prizefight in the flesh.

    The wizards at HBO really outdid themselves. To celebrate the spirited throwbacks Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward, to celebrate HBO's celebration of itself (500 boxing telecasts in three decades: a milestone in the age of quick turnovers), HBO presented part of Saturday's fight in good old black and white. By imploding reality while simulating the touch and feel of the 1950s - the shaky camera, the scratched and grainy film, the distorted voices, the white letters floating in space - it felt like a flashback to a golden era when boxing was the king of sports.

    Although Jim Lampley declined to impersonate Don Dunphy, everything about the masquerade was picture perfect. And how much better it looked and felt than the usual HBO telecast! The raspy sounds and shimmering graphics made primetime a hallucination. Boxing felt more specific, more personal, more artistic, the fight game as it ought to be. The simplicity of the b & w echoed the simplicity of boxing. A clever experiment from the profs at HBO. It's been a long time since we've seen white men bleed black blood, but it seemed normal, it seemed natural, it looked like yesterday, today and tomorrow from Atlantic City.

    When the opening bell sounded for Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward, the black and white dissolved and the color commenced - and it felt like a visit to Shock Corridor. The "real world" in all its cotton candy glibness burst into the room. Gatti and Ward were no longer 1950s fighters fighting in black and white. They were action heroes of the new millennium live and in living color . . . but soon to be black and blue.

    A fighter for the ages named Arturo Gatti danced circles around the Man from Massachusetts. Gatti drew first blood. Gatti pocketed rounds one and two by out-boxing and out-punching his game but overmatched opponent with body shots, jabs, hooks and straight rights, followed by more body shots. Less than a minute into the third stanza, Arturo Gatti connected with a crushing right behind Ward's left ear - and the Lowell native crashed headfirst into a turnbuckle. Wobbly, out on his feet, a man with no legs on Queer Street, Micky made it through the round, but it looked like Micky Ward was finished.

    Rounds four through ten proved that Mickey Ward wasn't finished. Beaten by Arturo Gatti in the rematch? For sure. No doubt about it. The judges got it right. Gatti by unanimous decision. But maybe it's just the luck of the Irish that Arturo Gatti had one of his best nights in one of boxing's best careers. Arturo Gatti seemed alive in every fiber of his being, a man right in synch with a dynamite moment. Arturo Gatti has it all. He is why men and women love boxing.

    When fight fans decide to erect a shrine to this once-in-a-lifetime pugilist, we don't want to hear nothing about some silly statue in the park. We're not talking about honoring some street punk. We're talking about Arturo Gatti. So the memorial has gotta be big, really big, something larger than life. In fact, only Mount Rushmore will do for Arturo "Thunder" Gatti. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln . . . and Arturo Gatti? Why not? Arturo Gatti is a natural. It already looks like he’s chiseled in stone.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGillette Presents Arturo Gatti``x1038528697,79359,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel

    Thanks for coming. Glad to see you. Thrilled that you showed up. While you're here, we're taking an informal poll about something really important. By a show of hands, how many people are looking forward to the bout between Mike Tyson and Clifford Etienne? C'mon. Don't be shy. We won't bite. Don't be afraid. Raise those hands. Stick 'em up. Now, that's better. One, two, three, four, five, six. Six? Just six of you? Gosh. Well, thanks for confessing that you look forward to Tyson vs. Etienne - 'cause baby, you're in the minority.

    Iron Mike Tyson, former scourge of the heavyweight division, former savior of the fight game, lowers the boom on what's left of his career. Maybe Mike was born under a bad sign. If it wasn't for bad luck, maybe Tyson wouldn't have no luck at all. But Mike Tyson's decline as a pro started a long time ago, the night Buster Douglas starched him in Tokyo. Tyson's mid-life crisis coincided with the Holyfield debacles. And Iron Mike finally hit the depths as he hit the deck thanks to Rastaman Lennox Lewis. Watching a pug dissolve in public is never a beauty contest, but when that man is the former heavyweight champion of the world Mike Tyson, The Fall is more wistful and worrisome.

    Revisiting the scene of the Mississippi Massacre, Mike and Clifford agreed to duke it out in Memphis, Tennessee. Like deja vu in reverse all over again for a change ("I guess they liked my show the last time.") Mike's next performance will also be at The Pyramid. But unlike the first fight on that summer night by the banks of the Big Muddy, where at least there was a heavyweight title at stake, the only thing hanging in the balance this time is moolah. And while Rhino holds a bogus belt from the cut-rate IBA (International Boxing Association), this call to arms is ultimately about lifestyle.

    Clifford Etienne, while hardly skillful, is a genuine tough guy, with a rap sheet several nightsticks long to prove it. The Black Rhino was a latecomer to the pro ranks (there was a prison sentence to complete) and the time lost to time served is palpable. But Clifford Etienne, who exceeded his potential by fooling his karma with the help of the fight game's disciplines, has never been nor will ever be a boxing champion. The Black Rhino's shortcomings - the most glaring is that he never learned how to box - sideswipe his achievements, but the man definitely has talent. Etienne can wallop. Clifford can pound. The Black Rhino can crunch. But the sport isn't called Wallop, Pound or Crunch. The name of the game is called Boxing, with its very own mysteries and graces. The Black Rhino knows this as well as any man. He just got started too darn late to do anything about it.

    Mike Tyson, by contrast, in his heyday had it all. More intimidating than intimidation itself. Knockout power in both hands. A really big winner. Then, as often happens, the shit hit the fan. Iron Mike corroded into Rusty Mike, a man less feared and admired than pitied and scorned. Even now, after all these years, he's still a media sensation - but it's even lonelier at the bottom than at the top. In private Tyson dreams about wearing the heavyweight crown, but his vagabond essence - the blinding speed, the combination punching, the killer instinct - is gone forever. Even if Teddy Atlas and Kevin Rooney and the ghost of Cus D'Amato formed a troika to suckle the Man from Brownsville, Tyson the boxer, Tyson the fighter, Tyson the kayo artist, Tyson the living legend, would still be a shadow of an echo of a memory.

    If Tyson gets by the Black Rhino, he'll get his long awaited rematch with Lennox Lewis. When Iron Mike meets Iron Lion Zion in the rerun, again he'll get beaten to a pulp. In reaction to our fondest hopes for a dignified finale, Kid Dynamite will keep fighting and fighting and fighting . . . until there's no fight left in Mike Tyson.

    The descent from champion to contender to opponent is an appetizer for test crash dummies. The hand wasn't made for punching. The brain isn't a requiem for lefts and rights. Mike Tyson is an anomaly in a world beyond consolation. Iron Mike Tyson is a prizefighter. And so is the man we call the Black Rhino.

    The madness of these men's lives mirrors the madness of their profession which mirrors the madness of civilization, so we excuse them, we forgive them, we celebrate them.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net





    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMike and Clifford``x1038583400,89866,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    BOSTON – There are a number of ring accomplishments that you could remember Roy Jones, Jr. by. There were his virtual shut outs over boxing studs, James Toney and Bernard Hopkins, both of whom were in their respective primes. He knocked out Virgil Hill, one of the most dominating light heavyweights of any era with a single body shot. He once went an entire round without his opponent landing a punch. He played a professional basketball game the morning of one of his title fights. And in defense of his undisputed light heavyweight championship he knocked out a man while throwing a punch with his hands behind his back. He was pretending to fight like a rooster. Who doesn’t when they’re in the middle of a world title fight?

    He’s also been given many names. As pointed out by his promoter Murad Muhamad, Jones has been called anything from “RJ” to “Little Roy” to “Champ” in his native city of Pensacola, Florida. Murad likes to call him “Coke” because he’s “the real thing.” He could be called the “The Indiana Jones of boxing” because he has obtained as many championship belts as the fictional hero has archaeological artifacts. Our own Lucius Shepard likes to refer to him as “Kid Gravity” because “he is Barishnikov, Mozart & Michael Jordan wrapped into one little package.” Okay, I’m running on like Don King. Oh, I almost forgot, the magnanimous, Don King, likes to refer to him as “Superman” because if there is such a man who is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound it’s Roy Jones, Jr. And should the real-life Superman defeat John “The Quietman” Ruiz, one of the top heavyweights in the world with a claim to a heavyweight title, then no logical mortal could dispute his utter supremacy?

    The two gladiators met with media today at the Westin Hotel in downtown Boston to formerly announce their epic meeting, which will take place on March 1st at Caesers Palace in Las Vegas. So you think “epic” is a strong word? Consider that in nearly 120 years of prize fighting, there has been only two occasions where a light heavyweight champion moved up in weight and won the heavyweight title. Also consider that not since St. Patty’s Day 1897 (that’s March 17th for you non-Irish), has there been a middleweight champion who won a heavyweight title. That was when lanky Bob Fitzsimmons who weighed all of 167 pounds moved up in weight and defeated then champion “Gentleman” Jim Corbett who scaled 183 pounds. 167 pounds is about what Roy Jones’ best fighting weight would be had his weight class contained members of the Hall of Justice. But 183 pounds is closer to what Jones will weigh when he steps in ring with Ruiz, a rock-solid 230-pounder from Chelsea, MA.

    No one should need an explanation as to how much of weight disadvantage there will be when Jones meets Ruiz in next year’s big superfight. But why is Jones willing to put his career and invincibility on the line? Okay, I know he’s not really Superman? But why a heavyweight?

    “Why not?” Jones says. “I beat all the middleweights, all the super-middleweights and all the light heavyweights. Everywhere I go I clean out the division. People don’t want to see a racecar against a Volkswagen. Let’s put a diesel engine in a racecar and try that. That’s what people want to see. So why not?”

    Well maybe because Ruiz has lost only to Evander Holyfield in the last six years. He’s also defeated and drew with the 4-time heavyweight legend, defeated Kirk Johnson who was picked to beat him and he’s amassed a record of 38-4-1 with 27 KO’s, a record mostly composed of heavyweights, a class of boxer that Jones has never faced as a professional.

    But Jones is a unique talent no one has previously seen. Even the CBZ’s editor, the Ol’ Spit Bucket/ a.k.a. GorDoom, one of Jones’ biggest critics, admits now after witnessing him live that, “Roy is simply the most amazingly talented fighter I've EVER seen.” And as Superman was told by his human father in Alexander Salkind’s motion picture version of the comic hero, Jones is “here (on earth) for a reason.”

    “I’m doing this because God has blessed me with talent,” said Jones of his abilities. “That and there are no other fights out there for me. I walked through Richard Hall and he put two beatings on Michalczewski. I beat Eric Harding who beat Tarver. The guys I have beaten easily have been giving them all kinds of headaches. I tried to make five fights with Dariusz and he’s turned me down. No other of my fights (but this one) has been of this magnitude. The Hopkins fight wasn’t of this magnitude. Fighters like myself get in this sport to have superfights which is what this is. I never thought I’d be fighting for the heavyweight title when I turned pro but this fight had to happen.”

    But on the flipside, why is Ruiz, a fighter who most know as the Rodney Dangerfield of boxing giving a fighter who turned professional weighing 156 pounds, an opportunity to fight for his cherished WBA championship belt? And how is he suppose to earn some respect?

    “I was looking to fight Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson or any of the Klitschko’s,” said the Quietman of the popular heavyweights. “But none of them would fight me. The only one who would step up was Roy Jones.”

    “Ross Greenberg of HBO asked me about putting Johnny in with either of the Klitschko brothers,” said Anthony Cardinale, an attorney and legal advisor of Ruiz. “I told Ross, ‘They won’t fight us.’ Later on he called me after discussing options with the Klitschko’s people and said, ‘You were right. They won’t fight Johnny.’ Lennox Lewis’ attorney attended a pre-fight press conference of our fight with Kirk Johnson. I said’ ‘What are you doing here?’ He was there to make a match with the winner, which he expected to be Johnson.’ So what happens? Johnson gets himself fouled out because he’s a gutless coward and after the fight Lewis’s attorney offers us $1.2 million? Lewis won’t fight Johnny because Johnny kicked his ass as his sparring partner during the time he was promoted by Panix Promotions.

    “People, especially heavyweights don’t want to fight Ruiz because he stays in shape,” said Jones. “They don’t like fighters like Ruiz who can take punishment, dish it out and won’t give up. Ruiz beat Evander who beat Tyson, then Holyfield beat Rahman. Of course no one is going to fight John. This is the best fight for him because there’s a lot of money to be won and I’m willing to fight him.”

    For his part Jones will earn at least $10 million dollars plus portions of the PPV sales. Ruiz’ purse which should turn out to be a hefty sum does not have a guarantee but will earn a sizable share from the PPV sales. But Ruiz knows that despite Jones’ size disparity he will have much to contend with and knows what he will need to do to win.

    “This is going to be a great fight,” said Ruiz. “It’s one of those fights where no one knows who is going to win. You have Jones’ speed and my size and power. That’s what makes this fight so special. To win I’ve got to be able to cut off the ring and make sure he doesn’t land his fast combinations. I’ve got to stay on top of him.”

    What if Ruiz or his size is Jones’ cryptonite? And should Jones lose, how will people remember his legacy?

    “My legacy is already defined,” said Jones. “This fight is just adding gravy on top of what I’ve done already. How could a guy who weighs 55 pounds heavier than me be my defining fight? I won’t be measured in history by fighting a guy who is much heavier than I am. It will be what I’m remembered for because it’s more than just a fight – it’s an event.

    Whatever way you look at it, despite all of the memories - whether it was being deprived of a deserved Gold Medal in the ’88 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea or thrashing Montell Griffin in brutalizing fashion, this fight is what Jones will be most remembered for? Should he lose, as many suspect then people will be able to mention that he possessed tremendous courage. They will remark about his tremendous ring accomplishments, his rooster imitations and his rap CDs. But if Jones wins, as some forecast we will remember March 1st the way the biblical David and Goliath are talked about.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xSuperman vs. The Quietman: Roy Jones, Jr. faces challenge of a lifetime``x1039062184,18252,``x``x ``xBOSTON, Mass. – No. 1 ranked Leaticia “Baby Girl” Robinson (9-0, 8 KOs) and No. 2 rated Dakota Stone (5-2-3, 0 KO) vie for the vacant International Women’s Boxing Federation Saturday night, December 14th in the 10-round main event on the Pendarvis Boxing Promotions professional boxing card at the National Guard Armory in Dorchester (MA).

    Robinson, of Chicago, is the former two-time World amateur champion, as well as the ex-USA National amateur title-holder. The Women’s International Boxing Association also ranks her No. 1. Stone, fighting out of Auburn, Washington, was the 1999 USA National amateur champion as a junior middleweight.

    Shaun “Big Trouble” Creegan (14-1-2, 2 KOs), of Plainville, faces unbeaten Canadian super middleweight Adrian Diaconu (8-0, 4 KOs) in a great 8-round co-feature.

    Local fighters slated to appear on the card include South Boston middleweight Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton (2-0-1, 1 KO), light heavyweight Tommy Fitzgerald (1-0) and light heavyweight Chris Tillman (1-0); Dorchester heavyweight Mike Beverly and junior lightweight Michael Bernel, both making their pro debuts.

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    A special VIP buffet & champagne package, including a ringside seat, is being offered on a limited basis for $150. Ticket prices are $50.00 ringside and $25.00 general admission. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions at 617-825-3283 to order tickets or for more information.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Robinson-Stone IWBF title fight in Dorchester``x1039062723,81030,``x``x ``xBy
    Katherine Dunn


    The Battle of the Cover Girls, as it was billed, involved Mia Rosales St John, who cuddled up to red boxing gloves on the cover of Playboy, versus Christy Martin whose blocky, blood smeared figure glared triumphantly from the cover of Sports Illustrated following her defeat of Deirdre Gogarty on the undercard of Tyson-Bruno back in March of 1996.

    The Irish Gogarty shared a few traits with St John. Gogarty was taller than the then 135 lb Martin, and as a lean junior featherweight was outweighed by more than a dozen pounds. Of course Gogarty had substantial power as well as finesse, and managed to put her mark on the face-fighting Martin. St John didn’t do that. No surprise there.

    Still, despite my disgust with Bob Arum’s deliberate strategy to destroy women’s boxing by presenting it only as punchy porn with St John as it’s Lovelace star, I have to give the Bunny credit. At 35 she’s a year older than Martin. She was outweighed, and in her entire 26-1-1, 13 KO career, she had never been past four rounds before this busy ten rounder.

    For this excursion, the 34 year-old Martin weighed 144 pounds, and looked fat and slow and sloppy. St John weighed an official 140 1/4 lbs but I’d bet she was wearing concrete boots to hit that mark. Martin, who stepped in with a record of 44-2-2, 31 KO’s, has more knockouts than St John has fights, and she won every round. She plowed forward, reaching, flailing, and missing more often than she landed. Whenever she caught up with St John she grappled and hung on with her left and dug vicious rights to St John’s body. Martin threw more and landed more and she apparently didn’t hurt St John at all. Obviously Martin didn’t take the cheesecake queen seriously enough to train for this fight, despite it being touted as her biggest payday ever--$300,000 is the rumor—and a historic female main for a PPV card of males.

    Just as obviously, St John did take it seriously. She was in solid good shape. She showed no stamina problems at all. With trainer Robert Garcia and boxer Freedia Gibbs working her corner, St John displayed solid foot work of the glide and run variety, and a lot of effective slipping and blocking defense. She too rarely went on the offense though when she did she forked out a few jabs, a hook, or an occasional doozy of a right into the jaw of the redoubtable Martin. But she did a much better job and put on a much better show than her coddled cooze reputation among the pundits would predict.

    At this point I am officially climbing off my high horse to admit that St John has done her best to foil Arum at his nasty game. She’s worked hard to learn the skills, and she’s improved. This is not to say she could ever beat the stout and furious washerwoman that Martin has become, but she wasn’t awed, and she wasn’t swamped or trampled. She fought a survivor strategy and she succeeded. Martin won the bout, but St John won the fans in this little outing.

    Oddly, immediately following this fight, I switched over to the middle of the main event on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. There was the tough and canny Shibata Flores playing a replica of St John’s strategy, just slipping and surviving against the pressing Verno Phillips. It was mirror world there, for a while.

    On the Martin-St. John undercard:
    A simplistic but determined 33 year-old Ivan Alvarez,132 lbs (now 19-12, 8KO’s) of Colombia completely dominated a tragically impaired 31 year-old Junior "Poison" Jones, 130 1/4 lbs (now 50-6, 29KO’s) of New York to win a unanimous decision. The judges called it 97-91, 99-89, and 99-89. The one-sided numbers don’t give a vivid enough picture of how the once dangerous and gifted Jones has diminished. Having beaten the great Marco Antonio Barrera twice, Jones was quoted before this match as saying he wanted a chance to three-peat. Never in this world. Alvarez’ record is a clear sign that he was brought in as an opponent for Jones to win on, and the upset was apparent to all. His reflexes and timing gone, legs wobbling, and power evaporated, Jones was hurt again and again by circular hooks and looping rights that he apparently couldn’t see coming. Though the referee called only two knockdowns in Alvarez’ favor, Jones actually hit the deck six times in this ten round. In most cases he was so off balance and slow to react that a shove from Alvarez unhorsed him completely. Any commission that allows Jones to fight again should be charged with attempted murder.


    In a 10 round Super Middleweight bout, 29 year-old Freeman Barr, 174 3/4 lbs (now 24-2,12 KO’s) of the Bahamas via Florida, battered and bloodied a hapless 25 year-old Mike Coker, 170 1/2 lbs (now 9-7-1, 7 KO) of Ozark, Alabama. The ref called a halt at the suggestion of the ringside physician at 1:00 of the 6th round. A TKO win for Barr.

    The evening started with an upset in a 4 round Jr welterweight match. The 24 year-old Hugo Vargas, 141 lbs (now 3-2, 2 KO) of Florida was probably meant as fodder for 25 year-old Arturo Barraza, 140 3/4 lbs (now 2-1, 1KO) of the Fernando Vargas stable in Oxnard, CA. Somebody neglected to inform Hugo, who made a war of it. He pulled out a nice and well-deserved decision. One judge called it 38-38. The other two called it 40-36 and 39-37 for Vargas.

    This PPV show took place in the mammoth 80,000 seat Silver Dome in Pontiac, Michigan. From the TV camera’s view I suspect there might have been as few as ninety or a hundred people in the audience. Dumb promoter. No black ink.

    ---30---
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xSt John At Least Partially Redeemed from T & A Curse``x1039293000,31458,``x``x ``xAtlantic City, N.J. (Dec. 11, 2002) – No. 1 contender and four-time World Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield (38-5-2, 25 KOs) with his team and former World Champion Chris Byrd (35-2, 20 KOs) with his team joined promoter Don King and Park Place Entertainment Chief Operating Officer Wallace Barr at the final press conference for their IBF World Championship Fight taking place Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The two pugilists, their trainers and King had this to say about the upcoming bout.

    CHRIS BYRD

    “It’s fight time. I am going to win the title Saturday night. I have the opportunity to fight the greatest in Evander Holyfield and I will beat the greatest. I have been waiting for this for a long time and now I finally have the chance to show the world that I am the best heavyweight out there.”

    JOE BYRD, FATHER AND TRAINER

    “I’ll be nice after it’s all over. I have tremendous respect for Holyfield but I set my respect for him aside for now. Like I’ll set aside “my son” Chris Byrd for “the fighter” Chris Byrd. In training camp he is my fighter. We’ve worked very hard and after Saturday night, people will see what may be the greatest southpaw heavyweight ever.”

    “People said they don’t want to see Byrd because he pecks. But what do birds do? They peck. Chris brings his own unique style to the ring – he’s a pecking bird.”

    EVANDER HOLYFIELD

    “We’re cut from the same cloth. We both believe in Christ and are brothers in the Lord. That means we’re not quitters and that’s what makes this a great fight. Somebody is going to have to go out there, take it and win.”

    DON KING

    “The Lord Giveth and He Taketh Away. We’re either going to have a wrecked bird or a pecked Holyfield!”


    DON TURNER – HOLYFIELD TRAINER

    “We had a great seven-week camp. Evander is right on target and I can say on par with the first Tyson fight. I have a lot of respect for Byrd but on Saturday night Evander Holyfield is going to become World Heavyweight Champion again.”


    The event being billed as The Hard Road To Glory, We Will Not Tire, is being promoted by Don King Productions and Caesars Atlantic City in association with Fight Night and will be televised live nationally by HBO (10 p.m. EST) and internationally by KingVision. Lennox Lewis, emperor of the heavyweight world of boxing, will be a color commentator for the fight on KingVision.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Holyfield, Byrd Final Quotes``x1039700863,14441,``x``x ``xDeerfield Beach, Fla. – December 10, 2002 – World Boxing Association Cruiserweight Champion Jean-Marc Mormeck from Noisy Le Grand, France, has signed an exclusive Promotional Agreement with Don King Productions, Inc., it was announced today by Don King.
    Mormeck will make his U.S. debut in his second title defense March 1, 2003 on the John Ruiz vs.Roy Jones, Jr. WBA Heavyweight Championship “Hard Road to Glory” World Heavyweight Championship Series card, promoted by Don King Productions in association with Caesars Palace, and Square Ring at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
    “We’re thrilled about signing Jean-Marc Mormeck, one of today’s most exciting world champions,” said King. “He’s got it all – ability – good looks – heart and a burning desire to be the best.”
    Mormeck stopped the legendary WBA Champion Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill in nine rounds on February 23, 2002 in Marseille, France to win the world championship. He successfully defended the crown on August 10, 2002 against Canada’s Dale Brown in Marseille, with an eighth round TKO. He just received the Gold Glove as “The
    Fighter of the Year” in France.
    “Since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a world champion and one day coming to the United States to be promoted by Don King,” stated Mormeck. “Now my dreams have come true. I want to unify the championship. I always thought of fighting Roy Jones and
    here I am fighting on the same show and defending my title. Nothing could be better than this – I’ve reached ‘big time’ boxing.”
    Mormeck, 30-years old, has a record of 28-2 (20 KOs) and has won his last 25 straight fights, which included the French Light Heavyweight Championship,
    the WBA International Light Heavyweight Championship and now the world cruiserweight title. He has won 14 of his last 15 fights by knockout.
    He will be coming to the United States to train and set up living quarters later this month to get ready for his March 1 defense.
    Tickets for the March 1 WBA Heavyweight World title fight in Las Vegas are expected to go on sale the week of December 16th. To order tickets call (866) 87-FIGHT (34448).


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - King Signs Mormeck``x1039701105,92824,``x``x ``xNorth American Boxing Federation welterweight champion Teddy Reid was
    injured in training and has withdrawn from his title defense against Sam Garr.

    In the new co-featured bout, Artyom Simonyan, 10-0-1, with 5 knockouts, of Glendale, Ca., will challenge for the vacant NABF featherweight title against former world title challenger Radford "The Man" Beasley, 22-1, with 14 knockouts, of St. Louis, Mo.

    26-year old Simonyan had been scheduled to appear on the fight card in an eight-round bout before he got the call to challenge for the NABF title. Now 26 years old, he has been a pro for two years. A native of Armenia, Simonyan is a former Eastern European amateur star. He reportedly had 215 amateur bouts (195-20), was a three-time Armenian National amateur champion, a U.S.S.R. amateur champion, and won the European Cup. He moved to the U.S. in 2000 to pursue his professional boxing career.

    Beasley, now 31 years old, is a former NABF featherweight champion and world title challenger. He has come back with three straight wins since his unsuccessful WBA jr. lightweight world title challenge in September, 2000, against Joel Casamayor.

    NABF super welterweight champion Angel "Toro" Hernandez, 24-2, with 15 knockouts, of Chicago, Illinois, will make his second title defense in the rematch against J.C. Candelo, 24-4-3, with 17 knockouts, of Denver, Colorado. Hernandez won the vacant NABF title in a tremendous battle against Candelo on January 12, 2002. The fight was in Las Vegas on the undercard of the Acelino Freitas vs. Joel Casamayor 130-pound world title unification bout, and was not televised.

    In supporting bouts:

    140-pound prospect Juliano Ramos, 8-0, with 7 knockouts, of Sao Paulo, Brazil, will make his U.S. debut. Now 23 years old, Juliano started boxing at the age of 17 and reportedly had 54 amateur fights. He was a two-time Brazilian National amateur champion in 1999 and 2000, three-time Sao Paulo State champion, and 1997 Interior Open Games champion.

    28 year old featherweight prospect Valdemir Pereira, 11-0, with 10 knockouts, of Bahia, Brazil, will be also be featured in an eight-round bout. A pro since March, 2001, Valdemir had extensive amateur experience - he was a three-time Brazilian National amateur champion, three-time Sao Paulo State Champion, and a three-time Provincial champion.

    Light heavyweight prospect Saak Saakyan, 3-0-1, with 2 KOs, of Los Angeles, will appear in a four-round fight.

    Ticket prices: $30, $50, $70.
    Available at: Pechanga Resort & Casino Box Office - 909-303-2507 (tel.).

    Doors open: 4:30 P.M.
    First fight: 5:15 P.M.
    First televised fight: 6:00 P.M.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPress Release - Simonyan-Beasley to replace Reid-Garr``x1039701739,5821,``x``x ``xPROVIDENCE, RI -- After a week of negotiations, CES has announced that "Sucra" Ray Oliveira will take on "14 Karat" Golden Johnson in the 12 round main event of "Winter Warriors," a seven bout card to be held on January 11 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence. The bout will be contested for the vacant IBU world welterweight title.

    "We just received confirmation through his manager Nick Garone, that Golden Johnson has agreed to all terms and will face Ray Oliveira in the 12 round IBU world welterweight title main event on January 11th," said promoter Jimmy Burchfield.

    Johnson comes in with a 22-7-2, 16 KO's record and is a 3-Time NABF champion. He also challenged Shane Mosely for the IBF world title, losing via 7th round TKO. Johnson has had alot of success in his career. He holds wins over the world's #1 rated lightweight and reigning NABF & IBA champion Juan Lazcano (TKO3), tough contender James Crayton (W12), reigning NABF welterweight champion Teddy Reid (W12) & the Buddy McGirt trained Chantel Stancial (KO11).

    Oliveira brings a mark of 43-8-2, 20 KO's into the fight. This will be his second fight at welterweight. He made his debut in his new weight class this past September when he scored a TKO win over tough veteran Saul Duran.

    Gary Balletto (25-1-2, 22 KO's) looks to rebound from his first professional loss in the co-feature when he battles former world title challenger Wilson Galli (31-8, 13 KO's) in a ten round lightweight battle.

    Rounding out the card will be a six round battle between New England featherweight prospects Angel Torres (9-2, 3 KO's) and Jose Ayala (6-2, 1 KO), a four round middleweight bout between Bobo Starnino (1-0) and veteran Manny Teo, a four round light heavyweight matchup between Joe Spina (6-0, 4 KO's) and William Bailey (1-3-1) and a four round female matchup between world rated contenders Missy Fiorentino (5-0, 4 KO's) and 20 fight veteran Brenda Bell Drexel.

    Headlining the undercard will be the anticipated professional debut of Josh Beeman. Josh won the 2000 Eastern Region Olympic Trials and picked up a bronze medal in the national PAL's. He is the only New England fighter to represent the U.S. at the amateur challenge series that were held at Foxwoods Resort Casino. He has over 100 amateur fights and came within just two fights of making the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, losing to Ernest Johnson 9-7. Johnson has since turned pro and is 9-0.

    Tickets for the event are priced at $51.50, $31.50 and $16.50 and are available by calling CES at 401-724-2253 or the Dunkin' Donuts Center at 401-331-2211. Tickets are also available from all TicketMaster outlets.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOliveira to Battle Golden Johnson!``x1039874192,17942,``x``x ``xArticle XXII, 222.3 of the USA Boxing Official Rules allows for a
    complaint
    against any member of USA Boxing alleging violations of its
    Constitution and
    By-laws.

    USA Boxing's Constitution and By-Laws, Article III, 203.1 states that

    The purpose of USA Boxing shall be to foster, develop, promote and
    coordinate recreational and competitive amateur boxing opportunities
    for all
    member athletes and supportive participants....These and the following
    additional purposes shall be consistent with the applicable provisions
    of
    the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and subsequent
    revisions...(1) To coordinate those programs and activities which
    contribute
    to the development of individual skills during local, regional,
    national and
    international programs and activities, regardless of....gender...

    As referenced by Article III, 203.1, the " following additional
    purposes" of
    USA Boxing are to be consistent with the Ted Stevens Olympic and
    Amateur
    Sports Act. Therefore, consistent with that Act, Article IV, 204.1
    states

    To maintain compliance with the Amateur Sports Act, so long as USA
    Boxing is
    the National Governing Body for the sport of amateur boxing, USA Boxing
    shall have the following obligations:...(2) It shall be autonomous in
    the
    governance of the sport…it will independently determine and control all
    matters central to governance, it will not delegate such determination
    and
    control…(4) It will provide an equal opportunity to amateur athletes,
    coaches...to participate in amateur athletic competition, without
    discrimination on the basis of...gender....

    Specific duties consistent with the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur
    Sports
    Act enumerated under Article IV, 204.2 include: (1) "Develop interest
    and
    participation..." and perhaps most importantly, under (6) "Provide
    equitable
    support and encouragement for participation by women;"

    USA Boxing's Constitution generally mirrors the Amateur Sports Act.
    Under
    that Act, 36 USC section 220522 states

    (a) General. - An amateur sports organization is eligible to be
    recognized,
    or to continue to be recognized, as a national governing body only if
    it
    -…(8) provides an equal opportunity to amateur athletes, coaches,
    trainers,
    managers, administrators, and officials to participate in amateur
    athletic
    competition, without discrimination on the basis of…sex…

    That section further requires that the national governing body "(15)
    demonstrates, if the organization is seeking to be recognized as a
    national
    governing body, that it is prepared to meet the obligations imposed on
    a
    national governing body under sections 220524 and 220525 of this
    title."

    Under section 220524, "For the sport that it governs, a national
    governing
    body shall (1) develop interest and participation…(6) provide equitable
    support and encouragement for participation by women where separate
    programs
    for male and female athletes are conducted on a national basis;"

    In this instance, a separate program for males and females, the
    National
    Golden Gloves, is being conducted on a national basis. Both the
    Amateur
    Sports Act and the USA Boxing Constitution’s mandate to provide
    equitable
    support is directly on point to this particular situation.

    The Golden Gloves is a member of USA Boxing. As part of USA Boxing,
    falling
    within its jurisdiction, and pursuant to the Group Membership
    Agreement, the
    Golden Gloves is required to follow USA Boxing’s Constitution and
    By-laws,
    which outlines the above-referenced objectives, purposes, and policies.

    It is not the purpose, objective, or policy of USA Boxing to
    discriminate
    against females. Therefore, as it does for males, the Golden Gloves is
    required to fund females in order to equitably promote, support, and
    encourage participation. By providing funding to males, the Iowa
    Golden
    Gloves fosters and encourages maximum participation of men.
    Discrimination
    in funding does not equally foster, develop, and encourage
    participation of
    women.

    In order to be in compliance with the above referenced purposes,
    objectives,
    and policies (to foster, develop, and promote competitive opportunities
    for
    all athletes, to coordinate programs and activities which contribute to
    the
    development of individual skills during national and international
    programs
    regardless of gender, to provide equal opportunity to participate
    without
    discrimination on the basis of gender, to develop interest and
    participation, and to provide equitable support and encouragement for
    participation by women), women’s travel and hotel should be funded in
    the
    same way as men’s travel and hotel is funded. Funding men to ensure
    their
    participation at a national level, yet not funding women, is certainly
    not
    providing equal opportunity to participate, development and
    encouragement of
    participation, or provision of equitable support for participation by
    women.

    Besides their facially transparent discrimination in refusing to
    provide
    equitable funding for women, the National Golden Gloves and the Iowa
    Golden
    Gloves have also committed other independent violations of USA Boxing’s
    policies. The apparent failure of the National Golden Gloves to
    request the
    Iowa Golden Gloves to provide funding or even to ask the Iowa Golden
    Gloves
    to attempt to secure funding for females is an independent violation of
    USA
    Boxing’s policies to foster, develop, promote and provide equal support
    and
    encouragement without regard to gender.

    Apparently, although there has been a Women’s National Golden Gloves
    tournament since 1999, the Iowa Golden Gloves has not contributed any
    funding towards females, nor has it sought any. The Iowa Golden
    Gloves’
    (and possibly the Golden Gloves Association of America’s) failure to
    make
    the same requests or attempts to secure funding for females as it does
    for
    males is further evidence and instances of discrimination against
    females.
    The Iowa Golden Gloves did not even request funding for females in its
    2002-2003 state grant request. The failure to make such a request was
    made
    in the face of knowledge of females’ desire to participate in the
    nationals
    and statements by Mr. Avant that attempts to secure funding would be
    made.
    After making representations that females would be funded, Mr. Avant
    was
    then amongst the unanimous votes tabling the issue of funding for
    females.
    There has been no explanation as to why the Iowa Golden Gloves
    represented
    that it would attempt to secure funding and that it would fund females,
    but
    subsequently did neither. The only explanation for this is a
    discriminatory
    animus towards women’s boxing.

    Mr. Avant initially represented that females were not being funded
    because
    they won unopposed, despite the fact that they have previously boxed
    and
    were not provided funding, and despite the fact that male boxers who
    won
    unopposed received funding. The reason then changed. Mr. Avant and
    Mr.
    Rickord subsequently represented that the Iowa Golden Gloves does not
    have
    sufficient funds for females. This assertion has not been demonstrated,
    and
    in fact it seems the opposite is true. The Iowa Golden Gloves has
    assets/fund balances well over $100,000, Mr. Avant informed Bill
    Robinson
    that they do indeed have the funding, and apparently enough money is
    still
    available to fund a $1,000 scholarship not related to funding boxing
    activities. The fact that the reasons for failing to provide funding
    for
    females have changed, and are apparently untrue, further leads to the
    conclusion that there is a discriminatory animus towards women by the
    Iowa
    Golden Gloves.

    After Mr. Pollack’s numerous protestations to the Iowa Golden Gloves
    regarding its discrimination, the Iowa Golden Gloves’ lawyer stated for
    the
    first time on September 20, 2002, that funding would be provided on an
    as
    needed basis upon individual requests and the Iowa Golden Gloves
    financial
    ability. The Iowa Golden Gloves never before had such a position, and
    has
    never sent a letter to clubs offering to fund women on an as needed
    basis.
    This new position was only adopted in the face of protestations
    regarding
    gender discrimination. This funding basis remains discriminatory. It
    overlooks the fact that the entire male team is funded regardless of
    economic necessity. No male has ever been required to show need. In
    fact,
    the males do not even have to request funding. It is provided as a
    matter
    of course.

    The true purpose behind this new funding basis is revealed by the fact
    that
    it was only generated once the Iowa Golden Gloves was in possession of
    financial information regarding Emily (who applied for the $1,000 Iowa
    Golden Gloves college scholarship). When the basis of the denial (the
    Iowa
    Golden Gloves’ position that Emily cannot show financial need) was
    challenged as inaccurate, the Iowa Golden Gloves provided no response.
    Also
    discriminatory was the fact that nothing was mentioned regarding
    funding
    coaches for women, although coaches are provided funding for the Men’s
    National Golden Gloves.

    Even if inadequate funding is an issue, it is improper to require
    females to
    entirely fund themselves but to provide large funding to males, who do
    not
    have to fund themselves in any way. The Iowa Golden Gloves and the
    Golden
    Gloves Association of America funded round trip air fare to Denver,
    Colorado, lodging for one week, and meals for at least nine male
    boxers, as
    well as some coaches, officials, and possibly Board members. It is
    likely
    that the requested $621.87 is a small fraction of what has been spent
    on
    males, and it is also likely that the total amount spent on males by
    the
    Iowa Golden Gloves since 1999 dwarfs what has been spent on females,
    which
    apparently is only the cost of some reluctantly provided trophies.
    Furthermore, even if it is true that the Iowa Golden Gloves has
    insufficient
    funds, it is only as a result of the Iowa Golden Gloves’ actions in
    failing
    to adequately control their expenses (see footnote 1) and inaction in
    failing to attempt to secure additional funding.

    (Footnote 1) For example, although Petitioners do not have the 2002
    balance
    sheet for the Iowa Golden Gloves, in 2001, only $14,494 is listed as
    Tournament Expense. However, $9,482 is listed as "Advertising and
    Promotion," nearly as much as spent on the boxers themselves.
    Petitioners
    would like to know exactly upon what this money was spent, how much
    money
    this year went to the newspaper Mr. Rickord publishes, the Local Sports
    Connection, and whether competitive bids were obtained. Petitioners
    would
    also like to know how much revenue in ticket sales is generated each
    year.
    There was also a $3,750 "Contributions" expense, whatever that means,
    but it
    is listed under "Management and general." Petitioners would like to
    know
    what these "contributions" are, and to whom or what they went towards.
    $2,824 was spent on "Conferences, conventions and meetings," and $3,555
    was
    spent on "Printing and publications." These expenditures total
    thousands
    more than spent on the tournament itself. Amongst its revenue was
    $5,467
    from the State of Iowa and $18,860.00 from the Golden Gloves. Net
    assets or
    fund balances at year end were listed as $135,856.00, of which $131,984
    are
    "Savings and temporary cash investments." Yet, any money for females -
    THE
    BOXERS (it’s supposed to be about them), and their coach, is too much
    for
    the Iowa Golden Gloves. (End of footnote)

    The Iowa Golden Gloves has represented that "it is absolutely clear
    that the
    position of the Iowa Golden Gloves is to encourage and promote the
    participation of all athletes, regardless of…sex…" Yet, it did not
    even
    mention the existence of the Women’s National Golden Gloves to clubs.
    It
    has not requested funding for females, let alone provide funding. It
    refuses to provide any funding, despite the fact that it has adequate
    funding available. Clearly, the Iowa Golden Gloves is not committed to
    fostering, developing, promoting, coordinating, or equitably supporting
    and
    encouraging boxing for females.

    Mike Rickord, Vice-President of the Iowa Golden Gloves, has also
    engaged in
    improper behavior by threatening retaliation. Simply raising the issue
    that
    the Iowa Golden Gloves was violating USA Boxing rules by failing to
    fund
    females caused Mr. Rickord to state "now that you have brought up the
    court
    ruling you have lost me as a supporter…" He also stated "If you
    persist
    with your cause and it will merit media attention as you are aware of
    it
    will kill and I WILL KILL all of my efforts to build the Gloves up I
    assure
    you of that….Thes girls will have 0 Gloves related opportunities and it
    will
    be equal rights as the boys and men won’t either (spelling and
    grammatical
    errors are his)." It is improper to threaten or engage in retaliatory
    acts
    because someone opposes discrimination.

    Simply because Mr. Pollack supported equality for females and asked the
    Iowa
    Golden Gloves to justify morally and legally its discrimination, in
    reference to Mr. Pollack, Mr. Rickord stated to Mr. Avant, "I’d like
    to
    have your permission to kick his ass but I don’t think that would help
    our
    cause. We’d get plenty of exposure though!" This threatening
    statement was
    copied to Mr. Pollack. More important than its lack of professionalism
    is
    that it reveals Mr. Rickord’s discriminatory animus towards females.
    Apparently, Mr. Rickord and the Iowa Golden Gloves believe
    discrimination
    against females is a "cause." President Avant did not respond
    otherwise to
    Mr. Pollack. In the face of the above information, the Golden Gloves
    Association of America provided no response.

    USA Boxing Duties

    USA Boxing is charged with overseeing and governing amateur boxing in
    the
    United States. Amongst USA Boxing’s duties and obligations is the
    requirement to ensure no discrimination based on gender, because
    discrimination is not approved of by USA Boxing. To allow a member of
    USA
    Boxing to discriminate would be a tacit approval of that
    discrimination.
    USA Boxing’s group members are not allowed to engage in discrimination.

    Because USA Boxing has an affirmative duty to ensure no discrimination
    both
    by the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act and its own Constitution, it
    cannot
    sanction and approve a member to engage in such discrimination. If the
    Golden Gloves decided it was going to fund only white boxers and not
    other
    groups, USA Boxing’s allowing it to continue with such a policy would
    be to
    approve that discriminatory treatment.

    USA Boxing must be autonomous in the governance of the sport,
    independently
    determine and control all matters central to governance, and not
    delegate
    such determination and control. USA Boxing is obligated to govern
    amateur
    boxing in accordance with the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act and its
    Constitution. It would be failing to do so if it allowed a member to
    violate its own requirements not to discriminate. For USA Boxing to
    allow a
    member to violate its Constitution would be the same as USA Boxing
    violating
    it because that member is part of USA Boxing. A member of an
    organization
    cannot do what the organization could not itself do because the actions
    of
    an organization’s member are the actions of that organization. If such
    were
    allowed, an organization could conduct an end run around its own
    constitution and legal obligations by endorsing a "member" to do that
    which
    it could not.

    USA Boxing governs amateur boxing and has determined that gender
    discrimination is not part of its policies. It cannot be consistent
    with
    the above referenced policies, one of which specifically references
    equitable support for women, for the Golden Gloves to fund men but fail
    to
    fund women.

    Public Policy

    It is extremely important for the development of female boxers that
    they be
    afforded the same experience as males at a national level of
    competition.
    The experience men gain at the nationals is invaluable to their growth
    and
    development as boxers. The men are funded so that they may compete at
    the
    nationals. If they weren't funded, most would not be able to
    participate,
    and their level of excellence would diminish. However, the Golden
    Gloves
    fosters their participation and development by funding them. It is
    even
    more important that women’s participation be funded because they find
    it
    more difficult to gain experience than men.

    It was only since 1993, a short while ago, that women's amateur boxing
    was
    even allowed in the United States, leaving the U.S. women well behind
    in
    experience to many countries that have allowed women's boxing for
    longer
    periods of time. The women’s program is young and requires some long
    term
    investment. The first Women’s Nationals was in 1997 and the first
    Women’s
    National Golden Gloves was in 1999. Women’s boxing has increased every
    year
    since its legalization in 1993. With more funding and support, it will
    only
    continue to grow. Nothing could be more important for them as boxers
    than
    to gain experience at the nationals. The Iowa Golden Gloves’
    discriminatory
    attitude towards women is only hindering their progress and women's
    amateur
    boxing. The U.S. women are not going to rapidly catch up given the
    Iowa
    Golden Gloves’ discrimination.

    Unless women are funded, they will not be able to participate in the
    same
    way as men, whose participation is supported, fostered, and encouraged
    through funding. Therefore women will never develop in the same way
    men do,
    and will be hindered in their ability to excel on an international
    level.
    It is Petitioners’ understanding that women’s boxing will be an
    exhibition
    sport at the 2004 Olympics and will very likely be an Olympic sport in
    2008.
    Nothing could be more important for female boxers’ development for
    the
    future than to gain experience at the nationals. Discriminatory
    attitudes
    towards women are only hindering their progress and women’s amateur
    boxing
    as a whole.

    Conclusion

    For all of the above reasons, Petitioners hereby request that USA
    Boxing
    order the National Golden Gloves and/or Iowa Golden Gloves to fund
    Emily
    Klinefelter and her coach Adam Pollack, who participated in the 2002
    National Golden Gloves, in the same way the males were funded
    (reimburse
    $621.87) and to ensure future equitable treatment for females in all
    respects.

    By:

    Petitioners

    ___________________________
    Adam Pollack

    ___________________________
    Emily Klinefelter

    c/o Adam Pollack
    2289 East Grant View Drive
    Coralville, Iowa 52241
    (319) 338-1633

    To:

    Richard Trindle
    Chairperson of the National Board of Review
    United States Amateur Boxing, Inc.
    One Olympic Plaza
    Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909

    Via certified mail - return receipt requested

    copies to:

    Iowa Golden Gloves Foundation
    c/o James R. Cook
    1454 30th Street
    Suite 102
    West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

    James Beasley
    Executive Director
    Golden Gloves Association of America, Inc.
    1503 Linda Lane
    Hutchinson, Kansas 67502

    Truman Tuttle
    President
    Golden Gloves Association of America, Inc.
    13711 Old Chapel Road
    Bowie, Maryland 20715

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xGolden Gloves Discrimination Complaint—Part III``x1039910921,59819,``x``x ``x29. Females competed the Women's National Golden Gloves tournament in
    late
    August 2002. Emily and Katy Klinefelter competed in that tournament.

    30. About a week later, at the Ringside National Championships, James
    Beasley, Executive Director of the Golden Gloves Association of
    America,
    informed Mr. Pollack that he had been contacted by Mr. Cook, that he
    was
    aware of this issue, and had observed the female boxers trained by Mr.
    Pollack at the National Golden Gloves.

    31. At the Ringside tournament, Mr. Pollack informed Mr. Beasley and
    Mr.
    Tuttle of the facts surrounding gender discrimination by the Iowa
    Golden
    Gloves. Mr. Pollack requested that Mr. Beasley speak with Mr. Avant
    and
    discover whether the Iowa Golden Gloves has the money to fund the
    women, and
    to encourage him to do so if able. Mr. Avant was present at the
    Ringside
    Tournament.

    32. When at the Ringside tournament, Mr. Pollack mentioned to Mr.
    Beasley
    the Iowa Golden Gloves’ resistance to providing any documents. Mr.
    Beasley
    informed him that he would provide whatever documents he had.

    33. Also at the Ringside tournament, Mr. Beasley and Mr. Tuttle
    indicated
    that the Golden Gloves does not have anything signed with USA Boxing.
    Mr.
    Pollack responded that it was his understanding that there is a Group
    Membership Agreement with USA Boxing in effect.

    34. Mr. Pollack followed up in writing on September 11, 2002 and asked
    whether Mr. Beasley had a chance to speak with Mr. Avant and requested
    a
    copy of the Golden Gloves’ agreement with USA Boxing, the Golden
    Gloves’
    constitution and by-laws, the agreement the Golden Gloves has with the
    Iowa
    Golden Gloves, and the Iowa Golden Gloves’ constitution and by-laws.
    Despite Mr. Beasley’s verbal representations, nothing was provided and
    no
    response was received.

    35. At the August 25, 2002 Iowa Local Boxing Committee annual meeting,
    Iowa
    Amateur Boxing President and Coaches’s Representative on the Iowa
    Golden
    Gloves Board of Directors, Ken Buffington, indicated that the Iowa
    Golden
    Gloves would be reverting grant money back to the State of Iowa. The
    grant
    requires any money not spent during the fiscal year to be returned to
    the
    state. Mr. Buffington also incorrectly represented that 65% of the USA
    Boxing budget was spent on women.

    36. On August 25, 2002, Mr. Pollack sent to Mr. Cook copies of bills
    from
    the Women’s National Golden Gloves totaling $621.87 and requested
    reimbursement.

    37. Mr. Cook sent a letter dated September 20, 2002 to Mr. Pollack
    indicating that the Iowa Golden Gloves would not provide reimbursement
    for
    the expenses of the 2002 Women’s National Golden Gloves. Despite this,
    Mr.
    Cook represented that "it is absolutely clear that the position of the
    Iowa
    Golden Gloves to encourage and promote the participation of all
    athletes,
    regardless of …sex." Absent from the letter was an explanation or
    justification as to why the Iowa Golden Gloves persisted in its
    decision to
    fund males but not females.

    38. Also in the September 20, 2002 letter, Mr. Cook represented that
    "it is
    the position of the board that any amateur boxer can ask for our
    assistance,
    and each request will be considered on the basis of need, and our
    ability to
    assist. Given that criteria I cannot imagine that either of these
    young
    ladies will be able to demonstrate the sufficient level of need which
    would
    cause this board to voluntarily commit any of our limited resources to
    them,
    but you are certainly welcome to apply again in the future."

    39. Mr. Pollack sent an October 1, 2002 response to Mr. Cook
    contending
    that in addition to multiple legal principles, boxers and coaches are
    third
    party beneficiaries of the agreement between the National Golden Gloves
    and
    the Iowa Golden Gloves, and the agreement between USA Boxing and the
    National Golden Gloves. These agreements have not been produced. Also
    requested were copies of the application for funding and all supportive
    documents sent to the State of Iowa, as well as the annual account
    closeout
    detailing how the money was spent, and any money returned to the State,
    for
    the past three years. These documents were not provided. Mr. Pollack
    also
    again requested the Iowa Golden Gloves articles of incorporation and
    by-laws, as well as all supportive documents for its tax-exempt status
    and
    annual tax returns, informing of I.R.S regulations requiring production
    of
    these documents.

    40. Responding to Mr. Cook’s statement that funding would be provided
    upon
    individual requests on an as needed basis, Mr. Pollack stated that this
    basis overlooks the fact that the entire male team is funded regardless
    of
    economic necessity. No male has ever been required to show need. This
    was
    the first time the as-needed position had ever been mentioned by the
    Iowa
    Golden Gloves. It has never sent out a letter to clubs offering to
    fund
    women on an as needed basis. This position was only raised once it was
    in
    possession of financial information regarding Emily Klinefelter (who
    applied
    for the $1,000 Iowa Golden Gloves college scholarship). In addition,
    Mr.
    Pollack informed Mr. Cook that now that Emily is a legal adult, and
    currently her parental financial support is limited to her education
    expenses and housing, she has little to no income of her own, and
    therefore,
    it is not accurate to say that she cannot show need. No further
    response
    was received.

    41. Mr. Pollack was informed by the State of Iowa in a letter dated
    October
    8, 2002 that the Iowa Golden Gloves had not made a request for funding
    of
    females in its grant request to the state. Apparently, the Iowa Golden
    Gloves chose not to make such a request even in its 2002-2003 fiscal
    year
    grant request that was due July 24, 2002, despite numerous previous
    discussions and correspondence between the Iowa Golden Gloves and Mr.
    Pollack regarding the issue of funding for women. Mr. Pollack asked
    for a
    justification for such discriminatory failure to request funding and
    again
    requested reimbursement pursuant to the 2002-2003 state grant. No
    explanation or response has been received.

    42. On October 17, 2002, Mr. Pollack called the I.R.S. and made a
    complaint
    regarding the Iowa Golden Gloves’ failure to make available any
    documents
    for months. With Mr. Pollack on the phone, the I.R.S. agent called Mr.
    Avant, Mr. Connors, and Mr. Cook to inform them that production was
    required. Mr. Pollack followed up to the I.R.S. in writing the
    following
    day. One week later, Mr. Pollack received the tax returns and articles
    of
    incorporation, but has not received any other document requested.

    Law and Argument

    The Iowa and National Golden Gloves’ funding males and their coaches to
    the
    National Golden Gloves but failure to fund the females and their
    coaches is
    discriminatory. It violates the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports
    Act,
    USA Boxing’s Official Rules, as well as the Group Membership Agreement
    between USA Boxing and the Golden Gloves.

    The Golden Gloves is a member of USA Boxing. USA Boxing’s Constitution
    and
    By-Laws, Article VI, 206.1 states that "The members of USA Boxing shall
    consist of:…(3) Group members. Each organization must meet the
    criteria
    requirements outlined in the USA Boxing Group Membership Agreement….(6)
    Conditions of membership. All categories of group…memberships must
    agree to
    all USA Boxing sport rules, regulations and policies, unless stipulated
    in a
    group membership agreement."

    Under Part IV and Article VI, 206.1(3) of the 2002 USA Boxing Official
    Rules
    and pursuant to the USA Boxing Group Membership Agreement, USA
    Boxing-Approved Group Member Organizations such as the Golden Gloves
    have
    agreed to abide by all of USA Boxing’s official rules, regulations and
    policies.

    Although not in possession of the Golden Gloves’ Group Membership
    Agreement,
    it is petitioners’ understanding that, amongst other things, the Group
    Membership Agreement states that the objectives and purposes of the
    group
    member must coincide with those of USA Boxing, that the group member
    agrees
    to adhere to and comply with all the official rules, regulations and
    policies of USA Boxing (excepting only a few minor technical rules),
    and
    that it will hold national championship tournaments in which
    progressive
    elimination begins at the local level. Production of this agreement is
    necessary for Petitioners to further develop arguments in this regard.
    However, the Iowa Golden Gloves and the Golden Gloves Association of
    America
    have not produced these documents.

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xGolden Gloves Discrimination Complaint—Part II``x1039911033,68195,``x``x ``xBy Adam Pollack

    Golden Gloves Discrimination Complaint –Part I

    Iowa Female Boxer Emily Klinefelter and her coach, Adam Pollack, have
    brought a complaint to USA Boxing against the Iowa Golden Gloves and
    the
    Golden Gloves Association of America for their discrimination against
    female
    boxers and their coaches. The Golden Gloves entities fund male travel,
    lodging, and food expenses to the Men’s National Golden Gloves.
    However, it
    refuses to provide any funding for females and their coach for
    participation
    in the Women’s National Golden Gloves.

    This year, Katy Klinefelter won the Women’s National Golden Gloves
    13-14
    year old junior division at 119 pounds, becoming Iowa’s first female
    boxing
    champion. Her sister Emily won the National Ringside Tournament
    women’s
    senior division at 112 pounds. Despite this, the Iowa Golden Gloves
    have
    not embraced them.

    President Emeritus of the Iowa Golden Gloves, John Connors, is an Iowa
    state
    legislator who sponsored House Joint Resolution 13, amending the State
    of
    Iowa Constitution to include "women." The bill explanation stated it
    "would
    provide for equality of rights under the law for both men and women."
    However, as a member of the Iowa Golden Gloves, he voted against
    funding
    women at the Nationals when men are funded.

    Below is the complaint against the Iowa Golden Gloves and Golden Gloves
    Association of America.


    Adam Pollack and Emily Klinefelter

    Petitioners,
    Discrimination
    vs. Complaint

    Iowa Golden Gloves Foundation, Inc., and
    Golden Gloves Association of America, Inc.,

    Respondents.


    Pursuant to Article XXII, 222.3 of USA Boxing Official Rules,
    Petitioners
    Emily Klinefelter, female boxer, and her coach, Adam Pollack, hereby
    file a
    written complaint against the Iowa Golden Gloves Foundation, Inc. and
    the
    Golden Gloves Association of America, Inc. for discrimination based
    upon
    gender and hereby state the following:

    1. At the 2001 Iowa Golden Gloves, at 112 pounds, Emily Klinefelter
    competed
    against and defeated Michelle Sneller.

    2. At those championships, coaches were initially informed by the Iowa
    Golden Gloves that women would not even receive trophies.

    3. When coach Jeff Nehring indicated to then Iowa Golden Gloves
    President
    John Connors that he would inform the media of this discriminatory
    treatment, the Iowa Golden Gloves then agreed to provide trophies to
    the
    women.

    4. In response to coach Adam Pollack’s June 30, 2001 letter requesting
    funding assistance, Iowa Golden Gloves President John Connors informed
    him
    that no funding would be available from the Golden Gloves for Emily
    Klinefelter to compete at the 2001 Women’s National Golden Gloves,
    despite
    the fact that the men were funded. Emily did not compete at that
    tournament.

    5. Don Avant, Jr., new President of the Iowa Golden Gloves, was in
    attendance at the Midwest Regional Tournament on or about February 9,
    2002.
    At that tournament, Coach Adam Pollack discussed with Mr. Avant the
    possibility of obtaining funding for women at the 2002 Women’s National
    Golden Gloves. Mr. Avant stated that he would attempt to secure
    funding for
    them.

    6. At the March 9, 2002 Iowa Golden Gloves meeting, Adam Pollack again
    publicly raised the issue of funding for women. Mr. Avant did not wish
    to
    discuss the issue at that time but indicated to Mr. Pollack privately
    that
    he would be working towards that end.

    7. On May 11, 2002, Bob Hardesty, Member of the Iowa Golden Gloves
    Board of
    Directors, called and informed Adam Pollack that the Iowa Golden Gloves
    was
    in fact funding women’s participation in the National Golden Gloves.

    8. At the Iowa Golden Gloves tournament, on or about May 18, 2002, Don
    Avant
    reaffirmed to Mr. Pollack that it looked like something would be worked
    out
    financially for the women. Therefore, when Mr. Avant at a coach,
    boxer, and
    officials breakfast, asked whether there were any issues or complaints
    anyone had, the issue of funding for women was not raised.

    9. Both men and women were allowed to compete at the 2002 Iowa Golden
    Gloves. Emily Klinefelter won unopposed at 112 pounds. However, the
    Iowa
    Golden Gloves did not allow juniors to compete, nor did it host a
    separate
    Junior Golden Gloves Tournament.

    10. Bob Hardesty called Adam Pollack on June 6, 2002 to inform him that
    there would not be any funding for the women.

    11. When Adam Pollack called the evening of June 6, 2002 and asked Don
    Avant
    the reason why the women were not being funded, Mr. Avant indicated the
    Board felt that because the women had not actually boxed but won
    unopposed,
    they would not receive funding.

    12. Responding to Mr. Avant’s proffered reasons as to why females were
    not
    being funded, Mr. Pollack pointed out to Mr. Avant in his June 10, 2002
    e-mail that Emily Klinefelter did compete in a bout at the 2001 Golden
    Gloves, yet she received no funding. He also pointed out that male
    boxers
    who win unopposed in Iowa received funding.

    13. Mr. Avant did not respond to Mr. Pollack’s specific rebuttal.
    Instead,
    two days later, he received a letter from Mr. Avant (dated June 10,
    2002)
    putting forth an entirely different reasoning for the denial. This
    letter
    from the Iowa Golden Gloves indicated that the Board had unanimously
    voted
    to "table the issue" regarding the Women’s Nationals because: "1. We
    had
    not planned, nor mentioned this in our letter to all clubs, nor was it
    in
    the entry blanks. 2. We have not sent a team to the Junior Golden
    Gloves.
    3. We did not mention either the Female Golden Gloves or Junior Golden
    Gloves Tournaments in our Boxing Grant request to provide the money
    necessary for sending teams to these events. (Iowa Golden Gloves funds
    are
    raised primarily through sponsorships, grants and ticket sales)." The
    Golden Gloves never provided an explanation as to why those three
    things
    were not and have not been done.

    14. This is not the first year there has been a Women’s National Golden
    Gloves, nor is it the first year there has been a National Junior
    Golden
    Gloves. The first Women’s Nationals was in 1997 and the first Women’s
    National Golden Gloves was in 1999. Iowa Golden Gloves has been aware
    for
    well over a year that there were junior and senior women in Iowa who
    were
    interested in participating in the nationals.

    15. Mr. Pollack sent a letter dated June 26, 2002 to Truman Tuttle,
    President of the Golden Gloves Association of America, Inc., requesting
    funding.

    16. In e-mail correspondence on or about July 8, 2002, Adam Pollack
    stated
    to Mr. Avant that the fact that Mr. Avant was amongst the unanimous
    votes
    against funding left him surprised and puzzled as he had been lead to
    believe that Mr. Avant was working as an advocate for the women's
    funding.
    Mr. Pollack asked him to let him know if there was something he was
    missing
    or did not understand, but Mr. Avant did not respond. Substantially
    similar
    e-mails were sent to President Emeritus and Treasurer John Connors
    (July 12)
    and Vice-President Mike Rickord (July 16). Mr. Connors did not
    respond.

    17. Mr. Rickord responded in a July 17 e-mail to Adam Pollack. Because
    Mr.
    Pollack raised his belief that the Iowa Golden Gloves’ discrimination
    violated USA Boxing’s policies and the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act,
    Mr.
    Rickord stated "now that you have brought up the court ruling you have
    lost
    me as a supporter…" He also stated, "If you persist with your cause
    and it
    will merit media attention as you are aware of it will kill and I WILL
    KILL
    all of my efforts to build the Gloves up I assure you of that….Thes
    girls
    will have 0 Gloves related opportunities and it will be equal rights as
    the
    boys and men won’t either (spelling and grammatical errors are his)."
    Mr.
    Rickord also suggested that there was an economic issue regarding
    ability to
    fund females.

    18. In an e-mail, in a good faith effort to resolve the issue, Mr.
    Pollack
    responded that he would like to know more about the economics of the
    situation and was willing to review anything presented to him regarding
    the
    Iowa Golden Gloves’ economic situation. Mr. Pollack also asked Mr.
    Rickord
    what the parameters are for the $1,000 per year Iowa Golden Gloves
    scholarship.

    19. It is Mr. Pollack’s understanding that male boxers do not fund
    themselves, but are funded by the Iowa Golden Gloves, which receives a
    grant
    from the State of Iowa. It seems that funding is also received from
    the
    Golden Gloves Association of America and/or other entities.

    20. According to the State of Iowa, the Iowa Golden Gloves has chosen
    not to
    make any funding requests for women. Since the Iowa Golden Gloves has
    not
    included women in its sponsorship or funding requests for the 2001-2002
    or
    2002-2003 fiscal year, we cannot know whether money sufficient to cover
    what
    eventually amounted to $621.87 (expenses of the Womens’ Golden Gloves
    for
    two rooms and meals) would have been raised.

    21. Mr. Rickord did not respond to Mr. Pollack’s inquiries and
    arguments.

    22. The male champions advanced to the Men's National Golden Gloves
    held in
    June 2002. The Iowa team sent to the 2002 Men’s National Golden
    Gloves,
    including boxers, coaches, officials, and any board member that went,
    were
    provided funding by the Iowa Golden Gloves, which included air fare to
    Denver, Colorado, food expenses, and lodging for one week.

    23. Despite Mr. Rickord and Mr. Avant’s representations, Don Avant, Jr.
    told
    Bill Robinson, another Iowa coach who called him to recommend support
    of
    funding women, that the Iowa Golden Gloves does indeed have the money
    to
    fund the women, but is opposed to doing so nevertheless.

    24. On or about July 24, 2002, Mr. Pollack requested Mr. Avant provide
    a
    copy of the Iowa Golden Gloves' franchise agreement with the Golden
    Gloves
    Association of America.

    25. On July 25, 2002, Mr. Pollack asked Mr. Avant to justify morally
    and
    legally the Board’s position in light of his discussions with Mr.
    Robinson.
    Mr. Avant forwarded that e-mail to Mr. Rickord. No response was
    provided by
    the Iowa Golden Gloves other than an e-mail by Mr. Rickord to Mr. Avant
    which was copied to Adam Pollack on July 26, 2002, wherein Mr. Rickord
    stated in part "I’d like to have your permission to kick his ass but I
    don’t
    think that would help our cause. We’d get plenty of exposure though!"

    26. When Mr. Pollack spoke with Mr. Truman Tuttle on the phone, Mr.
    Tuttle
    informed him that funding would not be provided by the national entity
    and
    that funding was the duty of each local franchise. However, the
    National
    Golden Gloves funds the Men’s National Golden Gloves by providing
    funding
    and/or reimbursement to the local franchises to send male boxers to the
    tournament. Apparently, the National Golden Gloves does not provide
    any
    funding for women’s travel or lodging and does not require any funding
    by
    the local franchises to be utilized for women. Mr. Tuttle also
    informed Mr.
    Pollack that the Iowa Golden Gloves should have no problem providing
    its
    documents, and indicated that if they would not, that something was
    wrong
    with the local franchise.

    27. Additionally, on July 26, 2002, Mr. Pollack requested from Mr.
    Avant a
    copy of the Iowa Golden Gloves Articles of Incorporation and their
    Bylaws,
    and relayed Mr. Tuttle’s communication. Mr. Pollack further stated, "If
    the
    Iowa Golden Gloves is a non-profit corporation, I recommend you review
    IRS
    regulations regarding your obligation to provide such copies…"

    28. Later on July 26, 2002, Mr. Pollack received an e-mail from James
    Ratty
    Cook informing him that he had been retained as legal counsel for the
    Iowa
    Golden Gloves. Mr. Cook indicated he was in the process of developing
    a
    response to Mr. Pollack’s inquiries, would be making a report to the
    Board
    of Directors and respond to Mr. Pollack. He also indicated that until
    that
    process was complete he was declining to provide any of the materials
    requested.

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xCoach and Female Boxers File Discrimination Complaint Against Golden Gloves ``x1039911116,52019,``x``x ``xSaturday night, December 14 at the National Guard Armory, Dorchester, MA

    RESULTS

    MAIN EVENT
    IWBF MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
    10 ROUNDS
    WTKO6 (:39)
    LEATITIA "Baby Girl" ROBINSON DAKOTA STONE
    No. 1 IWBF & WIBA No. 2 IWBF
    Chicago, IL Auburn, WA
    9-0 (8 KOs) 5-3-3 (0 KO)

    CO-FEATURE
    LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
    8 ROUNDS
    WUDEC8 (79-73, 79-73, 79-73)
    SHAUN "Big Trouble" CREEGAN ADRIAN ‘TheShark” DIACONU Plainville, MA Montreal, Canada
    14-2-2, (2 KOs) 9-0 (4 KOs)

    SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
    4 ROUNDS
    WMDEC4 (39-38, 39-37, 38-38)
    MARTIN "The Irish Assassin" THORNTON KEITH SONLEY South Boston, MA Glen Falls, NY
    4-0 (1 KO) 3-6-4 (1 KO)

    CRUISERWEIGHTS
    4 ROUNDS
    WUDEC4 (40-35, 40-35, 40-35)
    TOMMY FITZGERALD JERALD LOWE
    Dorchester, MA Atlanta, GA
    1-0 (1 KO) 3-6 (2 KOs)

    HEAVYWEIGHTS
    4 ROUNDS
    WTKO2 (2 :04)
    MIKE BEVERLY ANTHONY DEBARBLADEN
    Dorchester, MA Huntsville, AL
    1-0 (1 KO) 2-4 (1 KO)

    FEATHERWEIGHTS
    4 ROUNDS
    WSDEC4 (40-37, 40-36, 36-40)
    DANIELLE BOUCHARD TRISHA HILL
    Montreal, Canada Atlanta, GA
    2-0 (1 KO) 3-2 (2 KOs)

    WELTERWEIGHTS
    4 ROUNDS
    WTKO4 (2 :41)
    MICHAEL BERNEL WAYLON WILLINGHAM
    Hyde Park, MA Atlanta, GA
    0-1 2-0 (2 KOs)


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xResults from Boston``x1039980090,83365,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Had the legendary Evander Holyfield defeated the slippery Chris Byrd last night in Atlantic City, he would have become a five-time heavyweight champion. That’s right, had he had enough at the age of 40 years old, he would have joined Sugar Ray Robinson in the history books as boxers that have recorded the most recaptures and the first at heavyweight to do so. Instead, Chris Byrd, to no real surprise dominated the former champ to become the second southpaw to win a world heavyweight crown and the second 165-pound Olympian to do so. Byrd, like Floyd Patterson had made the jump to heavyweight not too long into their careers.

    Though Byrd is not considered the undisputed champion or “the man” he is in fact, like John Ruiz and Lennox Lewis for holding one of the three versions of a world title that we have acknowledged for years. Though they are rarely impartial when it comes to ranking fighters, the alphabet groups known as the WBC (World Boxing Council) the WBA (World Boxing Association) and the IBF (International Boxing Federation) distribute world championship belts to those who win their designation of world champion. And Mr. Byrd won one of those last night. He won a belt because Lennox would not grant him the opportunity to fight for the title, as he was required to do.

    That’s right. No matter how you slice it, Byrd is a world champion and if you don’t agree with that assessment it’s because you’re what some may call a “boxing purist.” It sounds like a nice vim term to me but it also means that you are a hypocrite if you don’t believe Byrd is just as champ-like as Lewis. That’s right, to put it forthrightly you'd be a hypocrite my dear readers. If you believe that Byrd is not a world champion because the man he beat last night wasn’t a guy name Lennox then you should also believe that a guy named Alexis Arguello, also known, as the “Explosive Thin Man” is not a three-time champion. According to your assessment, Arguello is not even a two or one time champion. He’s just a great fighter that more or less cleaned out three divisions in fights that were scheduled for 15 rounds and he nearly did that in a fourth division. According to your estimation, he was just the “Explosive Thin Man.”

    So ya think I’m crazy? Go and check the record books (or his record in the CBZ’s encyclopedia). They will tell you that when Arguello wrested the WBA featherweight title from Ruben Olivares he won a title that had been vacated by Ernesto Marcel the previous year. Though Olivares was probably the best featherweight at that time, the WBA version of the title had no lineage to it whatsoever.

    When Arguello defeated Alfredo Escalera for his WBC jr. lightweight (or super-featherweight) title, he also won a title that had no lineage to the title. Why? Because Hiroshi Kobayashi was stripped of the WBC belt in ’69, leaving him with just the WBA title. The WBA then represented the linear version. Which leads us to the lightweight division. What did Arguello do wrong this time? Well, he beat Jim Watt for the WBC lightweight title in ’81. Again, with Duran vacating the world title a few years prior, Arguello’s title-winning effort was anything but.

    If you don’t want to believe that Byrd won a world title last night then you’re going to have to face the fact that Arguello never won any of his three cherished belts. That’s why I’ll never be one of those people. The way I see it, Arguello is a great three-time champion and Byrd is now a world champion because he earned a belt that is deemed just as valuable and as credible as the belts won by Arguello.

    Whether you realize it or not, boxing is not a fantasy world. It is a sport and the fact that no one else has stepped up to clean up then sport doesn’t discount the fact the holders of the IBF, the WBA or the WBC titles should not be considered “world champions.” Organizations are in place to maintain order in the sport. When someone wins a world title that person must fight whomever the organization designates to be the most deserving boxer or at least a ranked fighter. Once a year, that fighter must face its mandatory challenger. That sounds like a reasonable decree to me. Just because someone is a world champion doesn’t mean that he or she should control the entire landscape of the division. World champions are not emperors.

    A boxer is asked to work their way up the rankings for a title shot and when they do they should be rewarded with title shots. It would be nice if titles could be won and lost in the ring all of the time, but if a champion believes they are too big for the sport and that someone doesn’t deserve the chance because that person doesn’t have a “pleasing style,” then tough shit pal! You be like an Evander, a Roy or a Kostya and fight who the organization tells you whom to fight once a year. Fighters are in this game to make money and win world titles. And last night Byrd did just that.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWhat Byrd's Victory Means to Boxing``x1039989397,62543,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel at ringside

    Ageless Wonder? Turning Back the Hands of Time? Younger than Springtime? Blah, blah, blah. How about starting with something like Holy's Still Smokin'? Well, that might have worked once, but not anymore. Because it looks like Holyfield finally stopped smoking - if not for good, at least for the time being.

    At the age of forty bordering on retirement, Evander Holyfield (38-6-2 25 KOs), even though he lost to Chris Byrd (35-2 19 KOs) at Boardwalk Hall Saturday night, once again reminded us why we call this man the Real Deal. Armed with nothing but two fists and one heart beating beneath a single gladiatorial breastplate, Evander went Byrd hunting in Atlantic City - but his aim left something to be desired.

    Evander Holyfield is a boxer beyond superlatives. This man not only exceeded his potential. He redefined what exceeding potential means. Olympic star, cruiserweight champion and heavyweight champ four times over, Holy made the journey from slum to the mountaintop in what seems like record time. Evander Holyfield may be king of many kingdoms, but boxing has always been his true metier.
    In an age when stars peak young and collapse as quickly, Evander Holyfield managed to hold on for dear life. An amazing athlete, a great boxer, a terrific bruiser and great guy, Evander is one of those philosophical, underappreciated men who knows the joke is really on us.

    So if the Real Deal can afford to smile, we can afford to take the time to applaud Evander Holyfield versus Michael Dokes, Buster Douglas, George Foreman, Bert Cooper, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Michael Moorer, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and John Ruiz. The Man from Georgia may retire and un-retire with the frequency of an opera diva, but Holyfield remains a heroic figure in this masterpiece called The Ring.

    Everyone this side of Saudi Arabia has seen Holyfield on TV. An attractive, striking man, if somewhat flattened around the edges, Evander makes an adequate impression on the Trinitron, when he makes any impression at all. When I finally got to see Evander Holyfield in the flesh the first time - all that changed. Commander Vander is like a klieg light in a darkened room. He isn't that physically imposing, it's not like standing next to Yao Ming, the 7'5" Chinese star of the NBA, but there's a vitality and sense of purpose which bounces off Holy the way sunlight bounces off the earth. His confidence, his assurance of having made the most of his exceptional gifts, makes Evander Holyfield a Big Presence in a room full of big presences.
    Chris Byrd was faster than Evander Holyfield, more accurate with his punches, the ring general to Holyfield's infantryman. The openings were there. Holy was just too slow or injured to capitalize. Commander Vander went headhunting instead of to Byrd's body and Byrd fluttered away from the charges. Chris Byrd knew what he had to do and he did it - jab his opponent's puss off - with little resistance from Evander Holyfield.

    Because judging boxing is a subjective art, the members of the press corps were divided as to who won the fight and by how many points. Those closest to the ring favored Evander Holyfield. The further back one sat, the better Chris Byrd looked. Holyfield was competitive, sort of, but his speed is gone, his reflexes compromised, his punching power less effective than ever. The fleet-footed, feather-fisted Chris Byrd and the ravages of time exposed Commander Vander. The rare occasions when Holy connected he brained Byrd, but it was never enough, it was too little too late, it was inadequate to the task of winning the IBF title.

    It's no fault of Chris Byrd's that he's a middleweight in a heavyweight's body. Byrd may lack punching power, but his boxing skills are as eloquent as ever. Jabbing. Feinting. Bobbing and weaving. Textbook right jabs followed by textbook straight lefts. A southpaw's delight. Holyfield was never able to get off first, and he seemed incapable of counterpunching. That left Holy with only one option: try to catch his opponent and clip his wings. But it was not to be. Not Saturday night in Atlantic City. Perhaps nowhere ever again.

    The prospect of having a new IBF champion named Chris Byrd is slowly sinking in, as is the prospect of a semi-unification bout between Chris Byrd and Roy Jones Jr. Only in America (with a nod to Don King), only in the new millennium (which feels like it's getting old real fast), can two former middleweights lay claim to the holy grail of all sports. The heavyweight picture, rarely on auto-focus, looks murkier than ever.

    Sometimes we run out of ideas and use slogans to celebrate new champions.

    In light of Saturday's one-sided decision, how about trying something really punchy like Byrd Lives?

    robert.ecksel@gte.net
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHolyfield Stops Smoking``x1040064108,35647,``x``x ``xPress Release

    DBE Will Serve as Advisor and Matchmaker to Sensational Pensacola Native…
    DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT SIGNS
    WBA FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION
    DERRICK "SMOKE" GAINER

    New York, Dec. 16-DiBella Entertainment has signed WBA featherweight champion Derrick "Smoke" Gainer, it was announced by DBE President Lou DiBella.

    The native of Pensacola, FL, has a record of 38-5, with 24 victories coming by way of knockout. Guided by his mentor Roy Jones, Jr., "Smoke" turned pro on July 14, 1990 with a first round stoppage of Andres Francisco. He had compiled an impressive 38-5-1 amateur record.

    "Derrick is an under appreciated champion," said DiBella, "who is capable of beating anyone in the featherweight or junior featherweight divisions. I look forward to working with him, and believe that DiBella Entertainment an help him reach the 'big money' fight that he deserves."

    Gainer bagged his first title - the NABF featherweight belt - on June 24, 1995 when he decisioned highly ranked Harold Warren.

    Following hard-fought losses to Kevin Kelley (he later gained revenge in a Kelley rematch) and Diego Corrales, Smoke stopped Freddy Norwood to capture the WBA featherweight title, since defending the belt twice.

    Gainer strives to challenge and beat the very best in his weight class. "Be the best, take on the best," he says. "Try your hardest and be proud of your effort."

    Smoke is as active in the community as he is inside the ring, a boxing ambassador. Smoke spends much of his free time lecturing school children in the Pensacola area.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDibella Signs Smoke Gainer``x1040139363,75648,``x``x ``xOSCAR RETURNS!
    SIX-TIME WORLD CHAMPION RETURNS TO
    EL PASO TO PROMOTE BOXING EVENT
    FEB. 13TH AT UTEP’S DON HASKINS CENTER
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    El Paso, Texas---Perhaps the closest El Paso will ever come to hosting a Super Bowl was the week of June 15, 1998. It was Oscar Week for the days leading up to the defense of his WBC World Lightweight Title. And then finally, on Saturday, the stage was set for “Oscar Night.”
    It was an unforgettable, electric scene which few, if any, of the 45,000 in attendance, will ever forget. And one thing Oscar De La Hoya never forgot was his commitment to one day return to El Paso.
    Come Thursday, February 13, 2003 the six-time World Champion returns to the scene of his most epic fight to fulfill a promise made to the fight fans of El Paso. However, this time it will be as Promoter, Oscar De La Hoya.
    De La Hoya will be ringside at UTEP’s Don Haskins Center when his new promotional firm, Golden Boy Promotions, kicks off the 2003 Miller Lite Texas Title Belt, professional boxing series with a six-bout fight card featuring El Paso’s own Juan Lazcano in the main event.
    The event will be nationally televised, live on HBO Latino. Golden Boy Promotions recently inked a deal with HBO Latino, HBO’s 24-hour Spanish-
    language channel, to present a monthly boxing program entitled “Oscar De La Hoya Presenta Boxeo de Oro” on Thursday nights during prime time.
    The Miller Lite, Texas Title Belt Series is in it’s sixth year and benefits The Adelante Fund, which provides scholarships for Hispanic college students. The February 13th event will be one of sixteen events on the 2003 Miller Lite Texas Title Belt Series, four of which will be promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and aired on HBO Latino.




    Lazcano (31-2-1), the IBA World Lightweight Champion, NABF Lightweight Champion and #2 WBC World Contender, will defend his titles against a yet to be named opponent in 12 round, Main Event.
    Other local fighters scheduled are undefeated heavyweight David Rodriguez (8-0) and highly regarded prospect Adan Hernandez (12-1). Opponents for Lazcano, Rodriguez and Hernandez, as well as the remainder of the card, is to be announced.
    Tickets for the event are priced at $20, $30, $40 and $100 and are available beginning Friday, December 20th (10:00 a.m.) at all Ticketmaster Outlets and the UTEP University Ticket Center.
    Seating in the first seven rows of ringside are available through VIP packages, which are only available at the UTEP University Ticket Center. In addition to ringside seats, all VIP packages will include tickets to a VIP After the Fight Party, hosted by De La Hoya, and an autograph boxing glove, signed by De La Hoya.
    For Individual Ticket information and to charge by phone, call TicketMaster at 544-8444. For VIP Ticket Package information, call the UTEP Box Office at 747-5234.
    Since fighting in El Paso over four years ago, De La Hoya has looked forward to the day he would return to the Sun City. “To return to El Paso, I feel very happy,” said De La Hoya.
    “Happy is a nice way to put it because I have not gone back to El Paso since I fought there. The impression that I got from the people was just amazing. It’s still on my mind and just knowing I’m going back, I get excited just thinking about it.”
    Although he is not fighting himself, he is in fact very enthused about serving as promoter for Lazcano.
    “Juan Lazcano is now under Golden Boy Promotions,” pointed out De La Hoya. “I am his promoter now and the reason why I am his promoter is because he’s such a good family guy, a hard worker and he is the next champion of the world, I guarantee you that. And he’s such an explosive fighter. You will be entertained when you watch him fight, that’s for sure.”
    As for a message to his fans, De La Hoya does have another guarantee. “February 13th is going to be an electrifying night.” He stated.
    “I will be there to support El Paso, to support Lazcano and support my fans. I appreciate everything you have been doing for my career and what you did for my career when I fought there. I will not disappoint you when I go back as a promoter to show and have great fights in February.”
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLazcano to Top Oscar Night in February``x1040139423,56775,``x``x ``xPress Release

    Boxing event held Saturday, February 1

    UNCASVILLE, CT – United States Olympic silver medalist Rocky Juarez will fight in a featherweight bout scheduled for 10 rounds, headlining a card dominated by fast-rising young veterans on Saturday, February 1 at Mohegan Sun. It will be televised live by Showtime from the 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena.

    Tickets go on sale Saturday, December 21, and are available at Mohegan Sun’s in-house Box Office, on-line through tickets.com, by calling tickets.com at 1.800.477-6849 or at any tickets.com outlet at a cost of $45 and $25. The first bout begins promptly at 8:30p.m.

    Other featured fighters include Houston lightweight Juan Diaz (19-0, 9 KOs) and talented Mexican junior welterweight Francisco “Panchito” Bojado (10-1, 9 KOs). Hot Springs, AR heavyweight Dominick Guinn (19-0, 15 KOs), Philadelphia heavyweight Malik Scott (14-0, 8 KOs), Hartford super middleweight Chad Dawson (9-0, 6 KOs), and Houston welterweight Francisco Rincon (1-0) are also on the card.

    The 22-year-old Juarez (13-0, 9 KOs) will be fighting for the fourth time at the Mohegan Sun, where he made his professional debut, winning a unanimous four-round decision from Pascali Adorno on January 13, 2001. A 1999 gold medalist at the World Championships who also captured gold at the Junior Olympic World Championships, Juarez has stopped five of his last six opponents.

    Diaz, 19, began his professional career with a first-round knockout of Rafael Ortiz back on June 23, 2000. Remarkably, he was just 16 at the time of that victory. Diaz, who was 105-5 as an amateur, turned pro only after learning he was three months too young to hold the spot he earned on the 2000 Mexican Olympic Team.

    Like Diaz, the 19-year-old Bojado is a young prodigy with vast experience and electrifying talent. Turning pro at the age of 17 after amassing a 168-15 amateur record that included 85 knockouts, Bojado stopped his first nine opponents in three rounds or less. But in his 10th fight, he was upset by Juan Carlos Rubio, dropping a 10-round decision at the Mohegan Sun on February 16, 2002. He bounced back to score a unanimous decision over Frankie Sanchez on October 19th, however, and is fighting at the Mohegan Sun for the fifth time.

    Guinn and Scott are two of the brighter prospects in the heavyweight division. The 27-year-old Guinn has stopped 13 of his opponents in two rounds or less while Scott, 22, has been relatively untested since turning pro after compiling a 70-3 amateur record. This will be Scott’s fourth appearance at the Mohegan Sun.
    Dawson is a 19-year-old super middleweight from New Haven who made his professional debut at the Mohegan Sun on August 18, 2001, recording a second-round technical knockout of Steve Garrett.

    With its state-of-the-art lighting and sound system, Mohegan Sun Arena is the premier entertainment and sports venue in Connecticut. Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards played the Boston Celtics in the 10,000-seat facility, and it has also hosted the Calhoun Celebrity Classic, the Rizzotti Charity Classic, the Globetrotters and the UMass and Central Connecticut State men’s basketball teams. Additionally, there have been professional boxing, tennis and bowling events held at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xYoung Conteders Headline Mohegan Sun Card``x1041001224,5471,``x``x ``xJan. 11 at Dunkin' Donuts Center in RI

    PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - Good boxers eventually find themselves in a crossroads fight, in which, victory usually means the difference between a shot at becoming a leading contender again and spending the remainder of their career as merely a "name" opponent.

    Normally, though, it's only one fighter at the crossroads. On the January 11th "Winter Warriors" card, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, both of the 12-round main event participants, "Sucra" Ray Oliveira (43-8-2, 20 KOs) and "14-Karat" Golden Johnson (22-7-2, 16 KOs), will be in this critical situation as they battle for the vacant IBU World Welterweight Championship.

    The 8-bout show at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence also features Providence lightweight Gary "The Tiger" Balletto (25-1-2, 22 KOs), who is coming back from his only pro loss, against former world title challenger, Wilson "Topadora Galli (31-8, 13 KOs), of Uruguay, in an 10-round co-main event, as well as Providence super lightweight "Steamin'" Josh Beeman, 2000 Easterm Olympic Trials gold medallist, making his long anticipated pro debut in a 4-round special attraction.

    Oliveira, of New Bedford (MA), is now 34 years old and fighting in his second welterweight fight, after 12 years as one of the top junior welterweights in the world. He has won fights against former IBF light welterweight champions Vince Phillips and Charles Murray (twice), as well as present WBA & IBA light welterweight title-holder Vivian Harris. Oliveira is 13-1-2 the last five years since his 12-round loss to 2002 Fighter of the Year, Vernon Forrest, and Ray would like nothing better than to be positioned for a title fight against the Forrest-Richard Mayorga unification bout winner, or IBF champ Michele Piccirillo

    Johnson, fighting out of San Antonio (TX), is the cousin of former IBF light heavyweight and WBA middleweight champ, Reggie Johnson. Golden, 28, is a former 3-time NABF champion with a string of victories against No. 1-rated lightweight Juan Lazcano, James Crayton, Terry Reid, Bobby Reid and Chantel Stancial.

    The undercard is loaded with New England featherweight prospects Angel Torres (9-2, 3 KOs), of Manchester (CT) and Jose Ayala (6-2, 1 KO), of Lowell (MA), in a six-rounder; middleweight Bobo Starnino (1-0), of Providence, versus Hudson (MA) veteran Manny "Cheeks" Teo, and light heavyweight Joe "KO Kid" Spina (6-0, 4 KOs), of Providence, against William Bailey, of Norfolk, Virginia, in a pair 4-round matches.

    In women's action, No. 8 world rated super lightweight Missy "The Fury" Fiorentino (5-0, 4 KOs), of Providence (RI), squares-off against No. 6 ranked "Tiger Lady" Brenda Bell Drexelk, of Austin (TX), in a 4-round bout. Two-time National amateur champion, popular Narragansett (RI) super lightweight Jaime Clampitt (8-2, 2 KOs), rated as high as No. 3 in the world, is also slated to be on the Jan. 11 card.

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Tickets for "Winter Warriors" are priced at $51.50, $31.50 and $16.50. Call CES to order tickets or for more information at 401.724.2253. Tickets are also available at the Dunkin' Donuts Center (401.331.2211) or all TicketMaster outlets.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOliveira, Johnson in crossroads title fight``x1041265228,39676,``x``x ``xPress Release

    DBE Fight Card Headlined by DaVarryl Williamson, Brian Viloria…
    "KOSOVO KID" ELVIR MURIQI ADDED TO DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT BOXING CARD AT MOHEGAN SUN RESORT & CASINO IN UNCASVILLE, CT. ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 ***ESPN/2 Friday Night Fights Will Televise Beginning at 10:30 PM***

    New York, Jan. 2-The "Kosovo Kid," popular light-heavyweight Elvir Muriqi, has been added to the action-packed fight card presented by DiBella Entertainment at Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino in Uncasville, CT. on Friday night, January 10, it was announced today.

    The 23-year-old Muriqi, who hails from Kosovo and fights out of the Bronx, has scored 24 career wins with only one setback under the tutelage of Teddy Atlas. He last fought in July of 2002, stopping Sam Ahmad in three rounds in one of the year's most exciting fights. Elvir was a 1998 New York Golden Gloves Champion and made his professional debut later that year.

    ESPN/2 Friday Night Fights will televise beginning at 10:30 PM with Bob Papa and Teddy Atlas providing the commentary.

    The special edition of ESPN/2 Friday Night Fights, which gets underway at 10:30 PM, is headlined by DaVarryl "Touch of Sleep" Williamson (17-1, 16 KOs, Aurora, CO) vs. Robert Wiggins (17-1, 10 KOs, East Providence, RI) in a 10-round heavyweight main event. The co-feature is a 12-round NABF flyweight title match with Brian "Hawaiian Punch" Viloria (10-0, 6 KOs, Waipahu, HI),
    defending his championship against Alejandro Moreno (19-10, 10 KOs, Juarez, Mexico).

    The card also includes a 6 round junior middleweight battle pitting Jewish star Yuri Foreman (6-0, 3 KOs, Haifa, Israel/New York, NY) vs. Andrey Trunov (Ukraine, Buffalo, NY, 8-4, 6 KOs); a 6 round junior-middleweight bout with Sechew Powell (4-0, 2 KO's, Brooklyn, NY) vs. Billy Tipton (1-2); and a 6 round light-heavyweight bout matching Hofstra University student Aneudi Santos (6-0, 4 KO's, Freeport, NY), vs. Norman Jones (Savannah, GA, 13-8-2); and a 4-round heavyweight battle pitting Malcolm Tann (1-0, 1 KO's, Seaboard, NC) vs. Harold Rodriguez (3-1, 1 KO) Taunton, MA.

    Tickets are $45 and $25 and can be purchased by visting tickets.com, calling 800-477-6849 or by visiting the Mohegan Sun box office.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x``x1041615048,9292,``x``x ``xFighter of the Year - Vernon Forrest

    Fight of the Year - Micky Ward-Arturo Gatti I

    Round of the Year - Round 9 of Ward-Gatti I

    Upset of the Year - Vernon Forrest W12 Shane Mosley

    Knockout of the Year - Roy Jones, Jr. KO7 Glenn Kelley

    Comeback of the Year - Arturo Gatti

    Read about it in our next issue of Wail!``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe 2002 CBZ Year End Awards``x1041865665,56888,``x``x ``x

    PRESS RELEASE

    Saturday, February 1, 2003 at 7:00pm
    Mexican Heavyweight Champ Felipe Borjorquez Returns to Face Friday
    Ahunanya
    Over 40 Rounds 8 Bouts Scheduled for Fight Night 39


    Dateline: Rochester, WA, January 7, 2003

    Mexican Heavyweight Champion Felipe Borjorquez returns following a
    disputed
    fight with Chauncy Welliver last July. He will face Friday Ahunanya,
    who
    has 17 wins and only one loss and is trained by Luis Tapia in the 10
    round
    main event. Borjorquez has a flashy 10 wins all on knockouts. He KO'd
    Welliver just seconds after the bell and was disqualified.


    Troy Weaver (18 wins with 18 KO's) of the famous Weaver triplets
    returns to
    face his biggest challenge in years against experienced Merqui Sosa (34
    wins
    and 27 KO's). Sosa is the cousin of baseball sensation Sammy Sosa, and
    features a record of 34 wins and only 9 losses, with 27 knockouts. He
    is
    the former NABF Light Heavyweight Champion and has faced the likes of
    Roy
    Jones, James Toney, Frank Lyles, Michael Nunn, Thomas Tate , and Ken
    Bauman.
    Weaver returns after a first round KO of Louis Sergeant in November and
    has
    never lost in four fights. Promoter Bennie Georgino said "the
    experience of
    Sosa will give Weaver some problems, but with his power, anything can
    happen." This semi main event is scheduled for eight rounds.

    Other fighters expected to appear are......

    Rafael Ortiz
    Jason Parillo
    Damion Hatch
    Amador Ishwar
    Shawn Plessis

    Changes and additional information will be announced as they occur.

    Tickets $40 ringside, $25 reserved, $20 reserved of general admission
    available at Ticketmaster, the casino (800-720-1788) or Twin Cities
    Fuller's
    stores. Fighters are subject to change and contract approval by the
    Washington State Boxing Commission.

    ************************************************


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xLucky Eagle Fight Night 39 Announced``x1041993941,67977,``x``x ``xPress Release

    LOS ANGELES, January 7, 2003-WBA Heavyweight Champion John Ruiz defends his crown against Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion Roy Jones, Jr. at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, on Saturday, March 1, 2003 in - "A Hard Road to Glory" - The second event in the World Heavyweight Championship series.

    At a Los Angeles press conference today, Roy Jones Jr., brandishing a pair of shears in front of larger-than-life-sized photos of Don King with a mohawk and a flat-top, challenged Don King to get a haircut if Jones was successful at defeating Ruiz.

    "Stepping up in weight to fight the heavyweight champion is a big risk," Roy Jones said. "It is also a big challenge. It is the biggest challenge of my career. In return, I want King to accept a challenge also. When I beat John Ruiz on March 1st, I'm going to give King a haircut."

    "Only Roy could come up with something like that," said King. "That's a great challenge. "

    When John Ruiz was asked what he thought of Roy's challenge to King, Ruiz replied, "Even though we may all like to see it, it's not going to happen. Roy Jones, Jr. will not win on March 1st. Don't worry about the haircut."

    Visit HBOPPV.COM starting January 7 at 8:00pm ET/ 5pm PT to view a photo of Jones and the photo of Don King with a mohawk.
    World Heavyweight Champion John Ruiz --the "Rodney Dangerfield of Boxing" -- is fighting for respect, making the third defense of his title. Jones will be fighting for history when he attempts to become the first middleweight world champion to win the world heavyweight championship since Bob Fitzimmons in 1891. The event will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View nationally and KingVision around the world.

    The RUIZ vs. JONES pay-per-view telecast on March 1st is being produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to over 48 million pay-per-view homes. The RUIZ vs. JONES pay-per-view telecast begins at 9pm ET/6 pm PT. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry.
    Tickets for the event are on sale now, priced at $100, $200, $650, $900 and $1,200. Caesars Palace, the famed Home of Champions, is hosting the event at the nearby Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Price excludes applicable handling fees and parking. To purchase by phone, call 1-866-87-FIGHT; online sales are available at caesars.com or unlvtickets.com.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJones to King: "When I win, you get a haircut."``x1042035014,33550,``x``x ``xBy Edgardo Rosani
    (Courtesy of www.boxeo-boxing.com)

    Carlos Monzón había nacido el 07 de agosto de 1942 en San Javier, provincia de Santa Fe. Falleció el 08 de enero de 1995 producto de un accidente automovilístico en una ruta de su provincia, Santa Fe. Allí, se le erigió un monumento en su nombre.

    Su record profesional marca 100 combates profesionales, de los que ganó 87 (59 antes del límite), perdió 3, empató 9 y tiene un combate sin decisión.

    Hasta no hace mucho tiempo, fue el campeón mundial mediano con más defensas exitosas de su corona: 14 veces, pero en la actualidad, Bernard Hopkins se encargó de superar esa marca y parece que va por más.

    Fue campeón santafesino, argentino, sudamericano y mundial de peso mediano.
    Hoy, al cumplirse ocho años del fatídico desenlace, queremos rendirle el lógico homenaje al mayor campeón mundial de la historia del boxeo de Argentina. Según la encuesta que estamos realizando en nuestra página, Monzón obtiene hasta el momento casi el 50 % de las preferencias de los votantes, seguido, muy de lejos, por Pascual Pérez y Nicolino Locche.

    Rápidamente, señalaremos los principales logros de su carrera profesional: 03/09/66 gana el título argentino GP 12 a Jorge Fernández mientras que el 10/06/67 repite el rival y el resultado, pero esta vez por la corona sudamericana, siempre de los medianos. Hasta que el 07/11/70 gana el título mundial mediano único en Roma, Italia, al derrotar a Nino Benvenuti por knock out en el 12º round. Defiende su corona ante Benvenuti, Emile Griffith, Denny Moyer, Jean Claude Bouttier, Tom Bogs, Benny Briscoe, Griffith, Bouttier, José Nápoles, Tony Mundine, Tony Licata, Gratien Tonná, Valdez y por último, el 30/07/77 GP 15 nuevamente a Rodrigo Valdez, retirándose de la actividad. Nada más y nada menos que 14 defensas ininterrumpidas de su corona. Un verdadero grande.

    Monzón pasó hambre, miseria, violencia, cárcel y, a la vez, tuvo dinero, fama, mujeres y toda la gloria.

    En este sencillo pero emotivo recordatorio, todo nuestro homenaje al más grande campeón de nuestra historia.

    ¡Salud Carlitos! ¡Nunca te olvidaremos!

    Edgardo Rosani
    morresi@sion.com


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRecordando a Monzón en el 8º aniversario de su fallecimiento``x1042058907,24847,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    This past weekend was tough was it not? Watching the kick-off of the NFL playoffs without our beloved defending world champion New England Patriots was arduous. As one of my friend’s pointed out, it’s unsettling, to say the least knowing that another team will be holding the Lombardi Trophy in the end. Well if you're like me and you’re looking to kick your Patriot woes then you can use this weekend’s boxing events to help ease the pain. Two potentially exciting cards kick off the year this weekend at two of the better venues in New England outside of Gillette Stadium. On Friday night, at the beautifully spacious Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, young up and coming heavyweight, Daryl “Touch of Sleep” Williamson puts his impressive record on the line when he faces upset minded Robert Wiggins of East Providence, RI in a 10-round main event televised on ESPN2. This is a perfect opportunity (if you haven’t already) to check out the beautifully renovated casino and new hotel. On Saturday night, New Bedford’s Ray Oliveira will look to do some gold digging when meets San Antonio’s Golden Johnson in a 12-round battle for the vacant IBU welterweight title at the Duncan Donut Center in Providence.

    Williamson, of Aurora, CO has become a fearsome puncher in his development, scoring 16 knockouts in a record of 17 wins and one loss. Since rebounding from an earlier defeat, Williamson, light for a heavyweight has knocked out giants such as Kevin “The Clones Collossus” McBride, the Irish heavyweight champion (who hails from Brookline, MA), Dale Crowe who had previously never been stopped and more recently, Corey Sanders, who outweighed Williamson by over 100 pounds. Those are some big fellers.

    Wiggins, who like Williamson is 34 and has a similar record (17-1-1/ 10 KO’s), has been in this scenario before and is 1-1 in match-ups versus young lions. Derek Bryant, one of the more heralded of the young heavyweights halted Wiggins in four rounds last June when one of Wiggins’ eyes swelled shut. But in December of 2001, Wiggins scored a memorable come-from-behind knockout (even though he appeared to be well ahead on points) over then unbeaten Erick Kirkland in 10 rounds at the arena he will fight Williamson on Friday night.

    Former U.S. Olympian Brian Viloria (10-0/ 6 KO’s) known as the “Hawaiian Punch will travel halfway across the globe to face Alejandro Moreno (19-10/ 10 KO’s) in a 12-round co-feature. Viloria will attempt to defend his NABF flyweight title for the second time. Also appearing on the card will be hot prospects, Sachew Powell (4-0/ 2 KO’s), Yuri Forman (6-0/ 3 KO’s), “The Kosovo Kid” Elvir Muriqi (24-1) all of whom hail New York. The first fight kicks off at 7:30 P.M. while the ESPN2 Friday Night Fight portion of the show begins at 10:30 P.M. Tickets, priced at $45 and $25, may be purchased by visiting www.tickets.com, by calling 800-477-6849 or by visiting the Mohegan Sun Casino box office.

    As mentioned earlier, “Sucra” Ray Oliveira (43-8-2/ 20 KO’s), one of boxing’s most exciting and toughest fighter will meet fellow veteran “24-Karat” Golden Johnson (22-7-2/ 16 KO’s) in a battle for the vacant IBU welterweight title at the Duncan Donut Center in Providence. I don’t know about you but this venue reminds me of the days of the throwback fights, the kind you’d see at MSG or the Boston Garden. In Oliveira-Johnson, whether you embrace the title they are fighting for in high regard or not, you will see a tough throwback fight. In fact, if there were a fight you’d like to see televised this weekend this is it.

    Oliveira, known as the “Human Punching Machine” (aren’t most punching machines humans?), is one of the most established New England fighters since the exit of Brockton great, Marvin Hagler. Don’t think so? Consider his accomplishments. Of his 8 losses, he has never lost to a fighter with more than 2 defeats. He has been floored only twice (Vernon Forrest in ’97, Jake Rodriguez in ’94) as a pro. He was the first to extend Forrest, the CBZ’s 2002 Fighter of the Year, the 12-round limit. And since the days of Rocky Marciano, only Hagler has defeated more world champions than Oliveira, who holds wins over Vince Phillips, Charles Murray and present WBA jr. welterweight champ, Vivian Harris.

    Though he has been a steady contender for nearly a decade, Oliveira has not fought for a world title since the loss to Rodriguez in ’94 and sees this his upcoming assignment as a legitimate shot at a real title. Besides pleasing fans, a world title is all he desires.

    “People can say all they want about this title that we’re fighting for,” said Oliveira. “The three letters at the beginning of the title don’t mean a thing to me. What matters to me are the last two words, ‘world champion.’ It’s not a title that makes a fighter a good champion. Some champions just fight whomever they want and disgrace their titles. I plan on winning this title and making a name for it and myself. I’ll bring prestige to this title.”

    Oliveira knows that obtaining this belt will take some sacrifices but he’s already made plenty while preparing for this fight.

    “We’ve been working very hard for this fight. I’ve trained over tow months for this fight. My jab is better than it’s ever been. I’ve heard that he said he plans on walking me down and wearing me out. That what I do. He’s going to be walking into punches all night. He doesn’t bend his knees enough and he’s lazy. It’s funny, he’s 28 but I fight more like a 28-year old than he does and I’m 34.”

    In an exciting undercard, Jimmy Burchfield has once again put together a fantastic marathon card. In a 10-round co-feature, Gary “The Tiger” Balletto (25-1-2/ 25 KO’s), the exciting lightweight from Providence will fight Colombian veteran Juan Polo-Perez (45-29-4/ 23 KO’s). Polo-Perez, a former IBF super-flyweight champion is a late replacement for Wilson Galli, who was injured during training.

    If you’re sitting in the bleacher seats of the Fall River P.A.L. or the Lowell Auditorium during the next several weeks, wondering why “Steamin” Josh Beeman of Providence is not competing in this year’s New England Golden Gloves it’s because you missed his pro debut this Saturday at the Duncan Donut Center. Beeman, a former Eastern Olympic Trial Gold Medallist has decided to remove the headgear and fight for cash from now on. Either that or he’ll be fighting to kick some ass. Beeman is one ferocious youngster. He won last year’s N.E Golden Gloves title with such ease it was as if his opponent had never laced on a glove or used mouthpiece for that matter. Beeman knocked that out of Wilfredo Vasquez’ mouth a minute into their fight. Vasquez’ joined his mouthpiece which lay next to him on the canvas shortly thereafter. Beeman is talented folks and one vicious prospect you don’t want to miss.

    Other fighters on Burchfield’s “Winter Warriors” show include feisty Jamie Clampitt of Narragansett, RI, one of the more exciting female boxers in the game. Unbeaten Providence light heavyweights Joe Spina (6-0/ 4 KO’s), as well as Bobo Starnino (1-0) will also fight in separate bouts and much the improved Angel Torres (9-2/ 3 KO’s) of Manchester, CT will face Lowell featherweight Jose Ayala (6-2/ 1 KO). Tickets are priced at $51.50, $31.50 and $16.50. They can be purchased by calling Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports (401-724-2253), the Duncan Donut Center (401-331-2211) or all Ticketmaster outlets. Call your dad and tell him you’re taking him to some throwback fights this Saturday.

    In case you’re wondering why I’m a little informed today, it’s because Burchfield recently hired New England’s most popular publicist, Bob Trieger, CEO of Full Court Press. Trieger is also the publicist of “Irish” Micky Ward and John “The Quietman” Ruiz and has done a great job with all of his clients. He’s so good, in fact you’ll be able to hear Ray Oliveira tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at 2:50 P.M on WWZN 1510AM with legendary sports talk radio host Eddie Andelman. On Friday morning, Oliveira will be a guest of Tank & Steve Sweeney (you’re writer’s favorite DJs) on WZLX 100.7FM. In his 13-year career, Oliveira has never been a guest on any Boston radio or television show. The only thing Trieger can’t guarantee Oliveira is good karma.

    “I wore a particular sports jacket of mine for Johnny (Ruiz’) second and third fights with Evander Holyfield and Micky Ward’s first fight with Arturo Gatti,” said Trieger. “It was the lucky jacket. I wore it when Johnny won the title in his second fight with Holyfield and retained it (with a draw) in the third. I also wore it when Tommy “The Terminator” Kimber unified a kickboxing title. Unfortunately, I wore this jacket for the Ward-Gatti rematch, won by Gatti so I’m thinking of getting a new one.”

    Speaking of Ward and Gatti, both will be honored Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena where their Fight of the Century was waged.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1042081418,19076,``x``x ``xTarget Sport Adventures is Official Tour Operator
    for John Ruiz

    Las Vegas travel package for Mar. 1 Ruiz-Jones title fight now on sale

    BOSTON, Mass. - Target Sport Adventures (TSA) has been appointed as the Official Tour Operator for WBA heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz - the first world heavyweight champ of Latino heritage - for his historic title defense March 1 against Roy Jones, Jr. at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

    TSA is providing full travel packages that include air, hotel, and tickets to the fight, as well as special edition merchandise to commemorate the event, and a limited amount of Ruiz autographed boxing gloves. Packages from Boston start at $799 per person.

    The official travel package also includes admittance to an exclusive
    post-fight party, where Ruiz is scheduled to appear, hosted by two great boxing celebrities and personal friends of Ruiz, Tony "The Pride of Fleet Street" DeMarco and "Irish" Micky Ward.

    DeMarco, born in Boston's North End, knocked out Johnny Saxton to capture the world welterweight title in 1955. He won 58 of 71 pro fights with 33 knockouts and was elected to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Ward, of Lowell (MA), is one of boxing's most popular fighters, best known for his much celebrated rivalry with Arturo Gatti. Their first bout last May was voted 2002 Fight of the Year by many boxing organizations and a third fight is much anticipated in 2003.

    Packages are available through Target Sport Adventures at 800-832-4242 x 7 or online at www.targetsport.com/ruiz. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the packages will be donated to the Somerville Boxing Club, the non-profit Massachusetts venue where Ruiz developed his boxing skills as an amateur.

    Target Sport Adventures is based in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been in business since 1978. TSA has been appointed Official Tour Operator for events such as the 2002 Lennox Lewis/Mike Tyson World Heavyweight
    Championship, the 2002 Top Rank Morales/Barrera and De la Hoya/Vargas World Championships, the 1996 Atlanta and 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, the 1994 and 1999 Woodstock Reunion concerts, the 2000 and 2003 America's Cup in New Zealand, and the 95th and 100th Harley-Davidson Anniversaries in Milwaukee.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTravel Packages for Ruiz-Jones``x1042123172,82132,``x``x ``xPerez replaces injured Galli as Balletto’s opponent
    Saturday night at Dunkin’ Donuts Center in RI

    PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – Columbian veteran Juan Polo Perez (45-29-4, 23 KOs) has replaced injured Wilson “Topadora” Galli as Providence lightweight Gary “The Tiger” Balletto’s (25-1-2, 22 KOs) opponent Saturday night (January 11) in their 10-round co-main event on promoter Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports’ pro boxing card, “Winter Warriors,” at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence.

    Galli was injured this week at training camp. Perez, the former IBF Super Flyweight champion, fought ex-WBC Super Flyweight champ “Sugar Baby” Rojas to a draw and has been in the ring against world champions such as Prince Naseem Hamed, Jorge Paez, Wayne McCullough, Wilfredo Vazquez, and Hilario Zapata. Juan has also fought world-class lightweights Angel Manfredy and Levander Johnson.

    In the 12-round co-main event, “Sucra” Ray Oliveira (43-8-2, 20 KOs), of New Bedford (MA) and Pawtucket (RI), battles “14-Karat” Golden Johnson (22-7-2, 16 KOs), of Texas, for the vacant IBU World Welterweight Championship.

    Tickets for “Winter Warriors” are priced at $51.50, $31.50 and $16.50. Call CES to order tickets or for more information at 401.724.2253. Tickets are also available at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center (401.331.2211) or all TicketMaster outlets.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPerez steps in as Balletto’s opponent ``x1042123197,84776,``x``x ``xProvidence, RI - Golden Johnson not only missed today's weigh-in for his anticipated title fight tomorrow night with "Sucra" Ray Oliveira of New Bedford, MA, he missed his flight from San Antonio to Providence. The two were to engage in a 12-round fight for the vacant IBU welterweight title at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, but Johnson bailed out despite telling his manager Nick Garone that he would be in Providence for this afternoon's weigh-in. A replacement for Oliveira is being sought by the promoter Jimmy Burchfield and the show is still a go. For ticket information contact Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports (401-724-2253), the Dunkin Donuts Center (401-331-2211) or all Ticketmaster outlets.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGolden Johnson a no-show in Providence``x1042251871,20536,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena at ringside

    UNCASVILLE, CT – It’s a good thing that last night’s main event at Mohegan Sun finished up the way that it did. Not that the Da Varryl Williamson-Robert Wiggins heavyweight bout was a fight of the year candidate (at least I hope not) or that last night’s 5-bout undercard was horrible. But with the majority of the evenings’ bouts ending in one-sided decisions, the show needed some spark to wake everyone up. The main event didn’t begin until around 12:30 AM (EST) and everyone was nearly asleep until a fight broke out in the second round of the Williamson-Wiggins bout. Williamson won the contestby unanimous decision (94-93, 97-90 and 96-91) .

    During the second round Williamson, 219, Washington, D.C. absorbed some telling lead overhand lefts and right hooks thrown by the shorter Robert Wiggins, 218, of East Providence, RI (now 17-2-1/ 10 KO’s). He even appeared stunned by the end of the frame but rebounded in the third by flooring Wiggins in Williamson’s corner. Wiggins stormed back during the next few rounds and it appeared that the appreciative crowd sensed a minor upset.

    As it turned out, Wiggins tired dramatically during the final three rounds and was floored again in the 8th. After beating the count, Williamson was able to dominate the fight from long range where he had hoped to fight in the first place.

    “The southpaw stance of Wiggins didn’t bother me,” said the winner. “But he was more aggressive than I anticipated and at times I was forced to fight his fight. His uppercuts stunned me a bit but at no time did I feel that I was in danger of going down.

    Williamson who had previously never fought past five rounds improved his record to 18-1 with 16 KO’s.

    Yuri Foreman, 152 ¼, New York, NY via Haifa, Israel used his smooth boxing style to befuddle a game but outgunned Andrey Trunov of the Ukraine via Buffalo. All three judges had Foreman winning 60-54 over 6 rounds. Trunov, 152 ¼, couldn’t mount any kind of an attack because of Foreman’s elusiveness. Foreman was rarely in the same place longer than a second. Foreman is now 7-0 with 3 KO’s while Trunov is now 8-4 with 6 KO’s.

    In the co-feature, Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria, 112, the 2000 U.S. Olympian of Waipahu, HI won a convincing but uneventful 12-round unanimous decision over Alejandro Moreno, 110 ¾, of Juarez, Mexico to retain his NABF title for the second time. The scores were 119-109, 120-108 and 118-110.

    The fact that the fight wasn’t as pleasing probably had much to do with the fact that the 22-year old Viloria broke his right hand during the 3rd round. But the Hawaiian continued to fire that hand and used his speed and conditioning to out-hustle Moreno who had three times the number of fights. Moreno was able to fend many of Viloria’s speedy shots. The lack of experience showed but Viloria, to his part didn’t stop fighting. Viloria is now 11-0 and with 6 KO’s while Moreno dropped to 19-11-1 with 10 KO’s.

    Brooklyn’s Sechew Powell, 155, improved to 5-0 with 4 KO’s when he dropped Billy Joe Tipton, 158, of Covington, TN three times in the second round. After the 3rd knockdown referee Daniel Shiavone halted the one-sided affair at the 1:57 mark. Tipton, is now 1-3.

    Elvir “The Kosovo Kid” Muriqi, 184 ½, New York, NY needed only a few right hands to dispatch the overmatched Mike Coker, 189 ¾ of Ozark, AL to raise his record to 25-1 with 14 KO’s. Coker, now 9-7-1 with 7 KO’s absorbed two big right hands that dropped him in a heap. He arose but was deposited face first moments later by another right. The fight was halted at 1:59 of the very 1st round.

    In the opening bout, Malcolm Tann, 231, of Seaboard, NC (3-0/ 1) won a 4-round unanimous decision over the shorter (and heftier) Harold Rodriguez, 236 ½, of Taunton, MA (3-2/ 1 KO). The scores were 40-35 for all three jusdges.

    Network – ESPN2

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWilliamson Outpoints Wiggins``x1042265934,89582,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Providence, RI - Everything seemed to be going as planned around 4:00 PM at yesterday's weigh in at the Dunkin Donut Center. All of the scheduled fighters had showed up on time, except important principal. Golden Johnson, the man who was to meet "Sucra" Ray Oliveira in tonight's feature for the vacant IBU welterweight title. Oliveira had waited with clenched fists hoping to see his antagonist walk through the doors but it would never happen. His dreams of winning a world title the next night seemed in jeopardy. According to Nick Garone, the manager of San Antonio's Golden Johnson the fighter was to have boarded a plane from San Antonio to Providence yesterday morning but never reached the airport. Johnson was a no-call, no-show and left promoter Jimmy Burchfield and the rest of his CES crew less than a day to prepare for Plan B.

    Plan B will be Lorenzo Smith (34-3-1 /14 KO's) of Chicago, a former 2-time world title challenger promoted by Bobby Hitz. Smith lost to Eamonn Loughran (for the WBO welterweight title) and Carlos Gonzalez (for the WBO jr. welterweight title) in previous world title attempts.

    A few months ago, Oliveira had approached your writer and said, "Hey, see if Jimmy (Burchfield) is going to be having me fight soon." I replied, "Yeah, it'd be nice to have some Christmas money eh?"

    Oliveira looked at me as if I had farted and said, "Money? Man, I just want to hit somebody!"

    Looking back, I can see why Golden Johnson had decided that fighting Oliveira wasn't the keen idea.

    Tickets for tonight's 7-bout show are priced at $51.50, $31.50 and $16.50. To order tickets contact (401) 724-2253 (Burchfield), 401-331-2211 (Dunkin Donut Center) or all Ticketmaster outlets.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLorenzo Smith Replaces Missing Golden Johnson in Providence``x1042311821,25359,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena at ringside

    Providence, RI – It took 13 years of professional prizefighting and now “Sucra” Ray Oliveira, 147, of New Bedford, MA can finally call himself a world champion. In one night’s work it took six rounds of unyielding punishment to prompt late sub, Lorenzo Smith of Chicago, to submit to Oliveira who walked out of the ring at the Dunkin Donuts Center the brand new IBU welterweight champion. That moment for Oliveira almost didn’t happen at least not last night when his original opponent, Golden Johnson of San Antonio withdrew from the fight for no apparent reason less than a day before the fight. Smith, a 34-3 opponent as of yesterday, flew in from the Windy City with one night’s rest and for his part, saved the show with the valor and honor that Johnson did not possess.

    “I was trying to control myself,” said Oliveira of the potential disaster. “I wanted to be mad about what Golden did but I had faith that (my promoter Jimmy Burchfield) would find someone for me to fight. Fighters have an obligation to fight when they sign the contract. Fans came to see me and Golden Johnson fight for a world title, not Golden or me fighting a replacement.”

    Oliveira understands this on both ends as he has kept many shows alive with his dignity and fearlessness as a fighter. He has kept his end of the deal and helped promoters out in times of crisis. In October of ’94 Oliveira broke his nose five days prior to facing former world champion, Charles “The Natural” Murray. Instead of postponing the match, Ray elected to persevere when it came down to fight time and even won a decision over Murray a few days after the injury. In 2001, Oliveira faced Argentina’s tough Omar Weis while going into a fight with a torn ligament in his right knee. Oliveira fought him to a draw.

    In 1997, Oliveira also filled in as a late replacement on five days notice for a young up and coming fighter by the name of Vernon Forrest. Oliveira who was then campaigning as a jr. welterweight accepted the match and extended Forrest 12 rounds in a losing effort. And in April of 2000, Oliveira helped Jimmy Burchfield out and replaced Scott Pemberton as a headliner when his stable-mate was arrested three days before the scheduled fight.

    Last night, Smith, 147, did his best impression of being a “fighter” but clearly wasn’t sharp enough or in the kind of shape necessary of holding off a buzzsaw like Oliveira. But it didn’t come as easy as Oliveira would have liked.

    “He did a good job covering his body which I like to hit the most,” said Oliveira. “I hurt my right shoulder when I missed him in one of the early rounds so it was hard for me to throw anything else but left jabs and body shots. He showed good defense.”

    But it wasn’t good enough. In the third round, Oliveira connected with a left hook to the eye followed by one downstairs that dropped Smith to his knees. Smith, in obvious pain and trying to regain his vision managed to stand up and finish the round. He would go on to fight through the pain and Oliveira’s endless assault until receiving a perfectly placed left hook just below the solar plexus. Smith winced and took another count, one that maybe convinced his corner to halt the bout once or if he finished it.

    “Once I hurt someone to the body I just get in that mood to keep going there,” said Oliveira. “I knew the body shots were hurting him and he knew they were coming which is why he was good at fending a lot of them off.”

    Whether anyone acknowledges Oliveira’s title winning effort as such, is up to them. But you have to admit, if it represents the fighting principles he stands by, it’s certainly worth something. The win improved Oliveira’s record to 44-8-2 with 21 KO’s and the new champ is now looking for someone who will want to take this title from him.

    “I wish people would be as brave as Smith was. Hopefully, they will be. If it were up to me I’d like to fight tomorrow,” said the proud Oliveira.

    Any takers?

    In the co-feature, Gary “The Tiger” Balletto, 137, of Providence, RI rebounded from his 1st pro defeat to stop former world super-flyweight champion, Juan Polo-Perez, 134, of Miami, FL via Colombia. The powerpunching Balletto had a tough time zoning in on the shifty Polo-Perez in the first round but caught him on the ropes late in the second round. After some thudding shots, Polo-Perez went down just before the bell had sounded. But since the bell cannot save a fighter, referee Charlie Dwyer counted the Colombian out at 3:00 of the second round. Balletto is now 26-1-2 with 23 KO’s while his opponent drops to 45-30-4 with 23 KO’s.

    In the opening bout, Bobo “The Bull” Starnino, 161, Providence, RI won a 4-round unanimous decision over Manuel “Cheeks” Teo, 163, of Worcester, MA. Starnino now 2-0 won by three scores of 40-36. Teo is now 4-11 with 3 KO’s.

    Providence’s Joe “KO Kid Spina, 176, moved to 7-0 with 5 KO’s, when his opponent William Bailey, 175, of Norfolk, VA moved right into Spina’s vicious left hook during an exchange. Bailey was instantly felled by the blow and referee Joe Lopino counted to ten at 2:26 of the 1st round. Bailey is now 1-4-1 with 1 KO.

    Jaime Clampitt, 144 ½, of Narragansett, RI via Calgary, Canada won a tough 6-round decision over Cynthia “Sunshine” Jones, 146, of Miami, FL. Clampitt, who will marry Ted Panagiotis, a matchmaker of Burchfield's won by scores of 59-56, 59-55 and 57-57 and improved her overall mark to 9-2 with 2 KO’s while Jones fell to 0-3.

    69-year old, former jr. lightweight champion, Harold “Chubby” Gomes belongs as a referee as much as he does a fighter. In a featherweight match between Angel Torres of Manchester, CT and Lowell’s Jose Ayala, Gomes did not administer a count for the first knockdown scored by Torres and then let the fight continue longer than it should have gone. Torres, 127, dropped Ayala, 125, in brutal fashion, face-first with a volley of unanswered shots. At least Gomes didn’t bother counting a second time and waved it over at 2:09 of the 1st round. Ayala was responding to questions prior to being carried out on a stretcher and was walking around during the final two bouts. Torres is now 10-2 with 4 KO’s while Ayala is now 6-3.


    New England amateur star, “Steamin” Josh Beeman, 141, made his long awaited professional debut a successful one when he out-pointed Arnold Hill, 144, of St. Petersburg, FL. Hill was able to keep himself out of harm’s way because of his mobility and Beeman’s inability to land most of his hard shots on the inside. Beeman still outworked his opponent winning all four rounds. All three judges scored the bout 40-36. Hill is now 1-3.

    Promoter – Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOliveira Smothers Smith, Wins IBU Welterweight Title``x1042356367,85816,``x``x ``x.c The Associated Press

    BOSTON (AP) - Paul Pender, a former middleweight champion who twice beat an aging Sugar Ray Robinson in 1960, died at 72.

    He had Alzheimer's disease. He died Sunday at the Veterans Administration hospital in Bedford, hospital spokeswoman Martha Smith said Monday.

    On Jan. 22, 1960, Pender outpointed a 38-year-old Robinson in the old Boston Garden. Five months later, he retained the title in a split decision over Robinson in a rematch.

    Pender made two other successful defenses before losing to Terry Downes in London. He regained the title with a 15-round decision over Downes in Boston in 1962.

    But he battled with promoters to gain greater say over opponents and never boxed again. He was stripped of his title in November 1962.

    ``He never got the credit he deserved,'' said his son, Paul Pender Jr. ``He was never really one to toot his own horn. He was just happy to just do his job and take his paycheck.''

    Pender, a native of Brookline, turned professional in 1949 after winning the New England amateur welterweight crown. He was 20-2-2 before joining the Marine Corps during the Korean War.

    He briefly retired and joined the Brookline fire department in 1957 after breaking his right hand 11 times. He returned to the ring in 1958 and finished his pro career at 40-6-2.

    ``I consider boxing the biggest test in the world for endurance, mentally and physically,'' he told the Boston Herald. ``It's a test because no one is responsible other than yourself. No one can accuse anybody else of making a mistake. That's why I enjoyed the challenge.''

    Pender became director of recreation for the state prison in Walpole after he left boxing, and later became an advocate for boxers' rights. He was an early proponent of a national governing body for the sport.

    Besides his son, he is survived by two daughters and five grandsons.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPaul Pender, former middleweight champ, dies at 72``x1042552883,35617,``x``x ``xPaul Pender's Pro Record
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/pender-p.htm``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPaul Pender's Pro Record``x1042553088,70988,``x``x ``xBIG BEAR, CA - In his continuing quest to be boxing's best,
    Pound for Pound, former lightweight and welterweight champion "Sugar" Shane Mosley will try the 154-pound division on for size on February 8, 2003, when he squares off against former junior middleweight titleholder Raul Marquez at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Mosley, 38-2 with 35 KOs, is not the least bit intimidated by fighting in his new weight class.

    "I’m not worried because I’ve been training very hard to get ready for this fight," said Mosley from his training camp in Big Bear, California. "I feel great. I’ve gotten some world class sparring so I can gauge myself and I’m confident. I’m ready to do this fight, and then get up to the next fight, and then the next fight after that. I’m anxious. I want to go and fight everybody."

    First he'll have to get past Houston's Marquez, 34-2 with 23 KOs, who made two defenses of the IBF junior middleweight title he won from Anthony Stephens in April of 1997. But Mosley is not looking past the 1992 Olympic Silver Medallist.

    "He’s a consistent fighter, he’s durable, and he’s ready to go rounds," said Mosley of Marquez. "I have to be in top shape to fight him because he’s always in the fight. I know him and he knows me, but he’s still a former world champion and he’s a threat."

    And for the everyone in the 154-pound divsion, the new kid in town is the real threat.

    "I love to fight," said Mosley. "When I’m in the ring and when I’m in great shape I feel like I can take on anybody. I know I’m just as strong and quick as anybody, and I just feel good. I love the sport of boxing and I just want to continue to give the fans what they want to see, and that’s great fights."

    The Mosley-Marquez card, which also features a WBO welterweight title bout between Antonio Margarito and Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis, is presented by IMG Boxing and Top Rank Inc., in association with Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

    Both featured bouts will be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT.

    Tickets for this exciting six bout card, priced at $25.00, $50.00, $150.00, $250.00, are available by calling 702-632-7580.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMosley Prepares for Marquez``x1042567555,3442,``x``x ``xCHARITY FUND RAISER TO HONOR AND SUPPORT STRICKEN CHAMPIONS McCLELLAN AND PAGE

    MANY BOXING LUMINARIES EXPECTED TO ATTEND ON FEBRUARY 22 IN ROCKFORD, IL


    FREEPORT, January 15 - On Saturday, February 22, a charity fund raising dinner will be held in honor of world boxing champions Gerald McClellan and Greg Page at the Clock Tower Resort in Rockford, Illinois.

    All proceeds from this event, which will feature many luminaries in
    attendance from the world of boxing, will go towards the continuing medical care of both champions, who were seriously injured in their final bouts.

    Tickets, priced at $100 per plate, are available by calling Ear Wax Records at 815-233-5460. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, but to ensure premium seating, reservations are encouraged.

    Gerald McClellan, the former middleweight champion of the world, has
    required 24 hour a day care since his tragic bout with Nigel Benn in 1995. The Charity dinner is being held three days before the eighth anniversary of the fight, which took place in London, England.

    Greg Page, a former world heavyweight champion , also requires extensive medical rehabilitation stemming from injuries suffered in a 2001 bout with Dale Crowe.

    Boxing reform is a key theme of this charity event, and the cases of
    McClellan and Page clearly demonstrate the need for such changes in the industry. Please support this worthwhile cause with your attendance on February 22.

    For more information, please contact Lisa McClellan at 815-233-6214, or by E-mail at lisamcclellan99@aol.com

    The Clock Tower Resort is located at 7801 East State Street in Rockford, Illinois. Their phone number is 815-398-6000.

    If you are unable to attend this event, but would still like to make a tax deductible donation, you can mail your check or money order, made payable to Gerald McClellan Trust to:

    Gerald McClellan Trust
    C/O Fifth Third Bank
    PO Box 120
    Freeport, IL 61032``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFund Raiser for McLellan and Page on February 22``x1042739829,10694,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel

    It has never been, nor is it ever going to be, easy being Johnny Tapia. Born less than zero with every strike against him, it’s a miracle Johnny has survived as well and as long as he has. That Johnny Tapia flourished in a world so unforgiving is a testament to the manner of this man. But talk about crappy karma! Father unknown. Mother murdered. Childhood bludgeoned. Innocence mutilated beyond recognition. Yet Johnny took this twisted reality and morphed it into a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. He is no ordinary man. Not when his name is Johnny Tapia.

    On the morning of January 10, 2003, Johnny Tapia got himself in trouble for a change. In a suburb called Golden Valley, Arizona, Johnny was chilling with Raymond Whiting, 31, a cousin from a corroded, semi-familial connection, and someone with four names called Walter Joseph Michael Beck, 26. What these three amigos were up to is anybody’s guess. Chances are it was no good. Raymond Whiting was wanted for failing to appear in a New Mexico Court for aggravated assault and weapons charges. There’s talk about a carjacking. There are murder trials in his background. Brother Raymond is bad company for a man like Johnny Tapia. After an hour-long standoff, the cops broke down the door and took the three men into custody. Johnny Tapia was described as “very cooperative with the detectives” and released. Johnny Tapia was also charged with felony possession of drug paraphernalia. What drug paraphernalia? No one was talking.

    Later in the day it was reported that Johnny was found in possession of drugs. This appeared and disappeared in a blip. What drugs? Mum was the word. Maybe it was untrue. Because if Johnny Tapia was found with drugs, then why did the police release him? Johnny Tapia, as anyone who knows him can attest, can charm the venom from a snake. Perhaps the law was dazzled and just let Johnny go. It wouldn’t be the first time. Then another news flash hit the stands. Johnny Tapia was unconscious and on partial life support. This report stated that on Saturday morning, January 11, 2003 at 12:05 AM, Teresa Tapia called 911 from their Las Vegas home because her husband was unconscious. He fell backward, struck his head, and was having trouble breathing.

    One never knows which end is up with Johnny Tapia. He’s a different breed of cat, a man with nine lives, and this scene has played out before. Johnny’s been declared legally dead three times already, so he loves to outwit the Grim Reaper. Everyone was pulling for Johnny Tapia. Everyone is always pulling for Johnny Tapia. How could they not? This child in a man’s body the size of a child’s body. This adorable and vulnerable critter. This tortured soul. All Johnny ever wanted was mother love - and his only breaks were skull fractures and a decision over Medina. Johnny’s love of life slams off of him like sparks in a room full of kindling, but he’s always flirting with the shadows. Darkness and light, good and bad, inside out and upside down, it’s the Life of Johnny Tapia’s and hold the envy. Loved by millions yet poisoned by oceans of self-hate, triumphant yet morose on an epic scale, the wrenching mise-en-scene, when all is said and done, of an amazing incarnation.

    Johnny must have lapsed again, regressed to his primitive roots, got caught and made a mess. Because Johnny Tapia is such an emotional open wound, it doesn’t take much to push him over the edge. Combined with pills or booze or guilt or God knows what else, Johnny Tapia, pissed at himself, took one step over the line. This has happened before, but Johnny Tapia always rebounded. I spent the weekend betting that Johnny Tapia was macho enough to spit in the eye of death another time. If anyone could do it, he could.

    They say the house, with its marked deck, always has the advantage, but when Johnny Tapia, who might not be playing with a full deck, has been dealt a hand, almost anything goes. Johnny Tapia is not your everyday high roller. Not by a long shot. Defying odds has always been Johnny Tapia’s game.

    On Sunday, January 12, Johnny Tapia’s condition was upgraded from critical to serious. The bedside vigil never ceased. The hundred thousand prayers were working. Johnny was rallying. By Monday, January 13, Johnny Tapia had come full circle. He was conscious and talking. A doc said that Johnny suffered no damage to his brain and heart. They were almost ready to send Johnny Tapia home.

    Johnny is safe and sound in an undisclosed location. As far as possible from the media circus, Johnny’s family has circled the wagons. Johnny Tapia the miracle worker just performed another miracle to add to his miracle collection. He defied death for the umpteenth time against a foe that always wins in the end. People are already wondering how long it will be before Johnny Tapia returns to the ring.

    “Thirty-five years old, five foot six inches tall, one-hundred twenty-six pounds of sinewy warrior spirit, the four-time world boxing champion from Las Vegas, Nevada via Albuquerque, New Mexico, fighting out of the blue corner . . . Johnny Tapia, a.k.a. Mi Vida Loca, a.k.a. Kid Heartbreak.”

    robert.ecksel@gte.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xKid Heartbreak Kayos Death``x1042817732,48152,``x``x ``xPress Release:

    Saturday, February 1, 2003 at 7:00pm
    Mexican Heavyweight Champ Felipe Borjorquez Returns to Face Friday Ahunanya(17-1).
    Over 40 Rounds 8 Bouts Scheduled for Fight Night 39


    Dateline: Rochester, WA, January 17, 2003

    Mexican Heavyweight Champion Felipe Borjorquez returns following a disputed fight with Chauncy Welliver last July. He will face Friday Ahunanya, who
    has 17 wins and only one loss and is trained by Luis Tapia in the 10 round main event. Borjorquez has a flashy 10 wins all on knockouts, but Ahunanya,from Kenya, is rated 4th in Africa and in the top 50 worldwide.

    He KO'd Welliver just seconds after the bell ended the 3rd round and was. Borjorquez was pounding Welliver prior to the decision with heavy, powerful punches to the body and head. Ahunanya will be a real challenge for the handsome, cocky Mexican Champ, and was a Don King favoriteas an under card star at the Holyfield vs. Rahman fight. He is a
    Former NABF Champion in a win over Nate Jones.

    Other bouts include:
    * Reggie Davis vs. Amador Ishwar
    * Damion Hatch vs. TBD
    * David Cadengo vs. Norman Campbell
    * Marquez Gibson vs. Troy Laal
    * Shawn Plessis vs. Javier Chavez
    * Irving Green vs. Richard Langley

    Other possibilities include the return of Rafael Ortiz and Jason
    Parillo.

    Changes and additional information will be announced as they occur.

    Tickets $40 ringside, $25 reserved, $20 reserved of general admission
    available at Ticketmaster, casino (800-720-1788) or Twin Cities
    Fuller's
    stores. Fighters are subject to change and contract approval by the Washington State Boxing Commission.


    Duncan MacLeod

    Director of Marketing
    Lucky Eagle Casino



    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xFeb 1 at the Lucky Eagle``x1042844588,63076,``x``x ``xAIBA is the international organization governing amateur boxing competition between nations.

    Dr. Robert Voy's Report on the AIBA Congress
    The AIBA Congress, a quadrennial event, was held Oct. 28-Nov. 2 in Cairo, Egypt. A number of issues were voted on, and will affect many aspect of amateur boxing. Representing the United States were Sandy Martinez-Pino, Ray Silvas, Lyle Aklestad and me. The changes follow:
    New Weights:
    - Senior and U-19 (11 weight classes): 48 k./106 lbs., 51 k./112 lbs., 54 k./119 lbs., 57 k./125 lbs., 60 k./132 lbs., 64 k./141 lbs., 69 k./152 lbs., 75 k./165 lbs., 81 k./178 lbs., 91 k./201 lbs., +91 k./201+ lbs. (64 k. becomes Light-Welter, 69 k. becomes Welter, 75 k. becomes Middle. The division that is eliminated is Light Middle.)
    - Female and Cadet (15 and 16 years of age): (13 weight classes): 46 k./101 lbs., 48 k./106 lbs., 50 k./110 lbs, 52 k../114 lbs., 54 k./119 lbs., 57 k./125 lbs., 60 k./132 lbs., 63 k./138 lbs., 66 k./145 lbs., 70 k./154 lbs., 75 k./165 lbs., 80 k./176 lbs., 86 k./189 lbs.
    Rule Changes
    - Gloves: The white portion of the glove is eliminated; the gloves will now be one solid color. The rationales were that several judges noted that the white portion was a hindrance, in that it appears that both boxers are wearing white gloves, and cost savings was the other reason.
    - Velpeau bandaging, will now read: Not longer than 2.5 meters and 5.7 cm (2 ¼ inches) wide on each hand must be used.
    - 20 point system is no longer valid: Judges must score with a scoring machine or a hand-held calculator, they will then write the final scores in their score cards.
    - Persons who Referee and/or Judge professional boxing matches are ineligible to test for any AIBA Referee/Judge position. Any AIBA Referee/Judge who officiates in a professional match automatically renders him/herself ineligible to remain on the Continental or World list and must be removed immediately when this fact becomes known.
    - AIBA Examinations: A candidate may not be older than 45 years according to the date of birth at the time of examination.
    - Point Differentials: For Seniors and Juniors, if the point differential reaches 20, the bout must be stopped. For Women and Cadets, the bouts will be stopped when the differential reaches 15 points. The bout cannot be stopped during the last round.
    -When a bout is stopped due to the 20 point or 15 point differential, the decision will be RSC-OS (Outscored)
    -Use of Vaseline: The use of pure Vaseline rubbed into the forehead and eyebrow to prevent an injury is permitted. The Medical Commission felt there was no medical reason to prohibit this protective measure.
    -Determining Age: A boxer's age is determined on the first day of competition. This age will be effective throughout the tournament even if a boxer has a birthday during the competition.
    -Cadet Championships: The minimum age is 15, and the boxer must be under 17 years of age. Henceforth, the Cadet Championships will be held annually.
    -Junior (Under 19)Championships: The minimum age is 17, and the boxer must be under 19 years of age.
    -Female Boxers: The use of a t-shirt shall be optional. The use of breast protectors shall be optional.
    All rules become effective on January 1, 2003, with the exception of referees who work professional boxing matches becoming ineligible to test for AIBA. This rule became effective on September 20, 2002 at the Vice Presidents meeting in Cuba.
    The elections resulted in the following:
    President: Prof. Anwar Chowdhry (Pakistan)
    Secretary-General: Caner Doganeli (Turkey)
    Vice-Presidents for the Americas: Domingo Solano (Dom. Rep) and Jorge Guzman (Cuba)
    EC Members for the Americas:
    Osvaldo Bisbal (Argentina)
    Luis Bosseli (Brazil)
    Dr. Robert Voy (USA)
    Jose Vellon (Puerto Rico)
    AIBA Commission Chair Appointments
    R/J: Dr. Ismael Osman (Egypt)
    Tech & Rules: Emil Jetchev (Bulgaria)
    Finance: Beket Makmutov (Kazakhstan)
    Press & Public: Jack Antzel (Greece)
    Safety & Ed: Taweep Jantararoj (Thailand)
    Scientific: Dr. Abdellah Bessallem (Algeria)
    Youth: Gen. Francis Nyangweso (Uganda)
    Women's: Sandy Martinez-Pino (USA)
    Legal: Rosengren (Sweden)
    Business: Gafur Rakhimov (Uzbekistan)
    Medical: Dr. Peter Jako (Hungary)
    I am pleased to report that I was elected to serve on the AIBA Executive Committee, and Sandy Martinez-Pino, as Chair of the Women's Commission, will continue to attend Vice Presidents and Executive Committee meetings.
    I'm looking forward to the positive changes within AIBA, and now, with greater representation from the U.S., I feel we will have even greater impact worldwide.


    A Post script from Ray Silvas:
    "Pure vaseline can now be used. As far as the solid gloves go, if the LBC has
    them--use them. If they don't, keep using the white surface gloves until
    it's time to re-order gloves. At that time they should order the solid
    gloves. Hope that helps."
    Ray Silvas







    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xNew Amateur Boxing Rules``x1043259276,19644,``x``x ``xJanuary:

    10-12 Silver Gloves Regionals Red Lodge, MT


    18 Boxing Match Everett, WA


    February:

    1-2 Tacoma JR Golden Gloves Tacoma, WA

    8 Boxing Match Mark Evans

    5-9 National Silver Gloves Lenexa, KS
    14-15 Tacoma Sen. Golden Gloves Tacoma, WA


    22-23 Fred Enslow & Portland, OR



    Senior Regional USA


    27 Glass Palace Show Portland, OR


    March:

    7 Chinook Winds Lincoln, City
    7-8 Oregon Golden Gloves Portland, OR
    24-28 Mens USA Champion. Colorado Springs, CO


    April:

    4-5 State Junior Olympic’s
    24 McCormick/Schmicks Portland, OR
    Team Holyfield vs PNW



    May:


    10-11 JO Pacific Northwest

    Regional Championships

    25-31 National Golden Gloves Las Vegas, NV

    July:

    25 Chinook Winds Lincoln City, OR


    Nov:

    1 Chinook Winds Lincoln City, OR






    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xNorthwest Amateurs EVENTS 2003``x1043262737,86146,``x``x ``xLaMontagne to host Everett homecoming Feb. 22
    Flamos-Payne EBA cruiserweight title fight in co-feature

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – World-class contender Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne (27-4-1, 22 KOs) returns to his roots Saturday afternoon, February 22 to fight in a 12-round main event on “The Homecoming” card, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, at Everett High School in Massachusetts.

    “Everett is a great sports town with a rich football tradition,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield spoke about LaMontagne’s ‘Homecoming’ fight in Everett. “We’re having one of their own – Richie played football for Everett High – fight for a world title at his old school. I’m happy for Richie and the City of Everett, as well as for all of his friends and family members living in surrounding communities like Revere, Chelsea, Somerville, Malden and Medford. We need his fans there supporting him. I promoted Vinny Paz’ homecoming in Providence a few years ago and we had a dynamite sell-out with even standing room only seats sold. Who knows what an exciting Feb. 22 show
    will do for Richie and bring to Everett in the future? Television networks are looking for venues like Everett High with a packed house and enthusiastic fans cheering for their favorite son.”

    LaMontange, ranked No. 10 by the World Boxing Council and No. 1 by the North America Boxing Federation, faces an opponent to be named at his alma mater, which recently captured the Massachusetts Division 1 football championship (CES plans to honor the Crimson Tide’s team at the Feb. 22 show) for the second year in a row.

    “I’ve always brought news about my boxing career back home and the support I’ve received in Everett has always meant a lot to me,” the model/actor LaMontagne said. “Everett has made me the man I am through sports and it means so much for me to be fighting for a world title in my hometown. Whether I’m jogging up Broadway or at Glendale Park, I’ve always enjoyed people waving to me, yelling encouragement, or asking for an autograph.

    “I’ve spoken in person to Mayor (David) Ragucci and (Superintendent of Schools) Fred Foresteire about bringing this fight to Everett. Mayor Ragucci was my Huskies (youth football) coach and Mr. Forestire was my principal at the Hale School. I’ll never forget what they’ve done for me.”

    New England cruiserweight champion Tim “The Hammer” Flamos (16-2-1, 7 KOs), a licensed carpenter from Brockton (MA), faces Worcester’s Roy “House of” Payne (15-11-4, 6 KOs), in the 10-round co-feature for the EBA cruiserweight crown vacated by Flamos’ stablemate, LaMontagne. Flamos is rated by the NABF and NABA, while Payne is rated by the NABA.

    The undercard features Providence (RI) super lightweight “Steamin’” Josh Beeman (1-0), the 2000 Eastern Olympic Trials gold medallist; featherweight prospect Angel Torres (10-2, 4 KOs), of Manchester (CT); middleweight Bobo Starnino (2-0), of Providence, against Worcester’s Bobby McAndrews (1-1-1, 1 KO). Also in a special attraction female bout is two-time national amateur champion and the world’s No. 3 rated female fighter, Narragansett (RI) female superstar eight Jaime Clampitt (9-2, 2 KOs).

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Call CES to order tickets or for more information at 401.724.2253. Doors open at 2 p.m.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLaMontagne to host Everett homecoming Feb. 22``x1043266332,60724,``x``x ``xPress Release

    NEW YORK, NY - The welterweight championship between Vernon Forrest and Ricardo Mayorga is the main event, and a pair of undefeated DiBella Entertainment stars will help to spice up the action this Saturday night, January 25, at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California.

    Heavyweight on the rise Derek Bryant (15-0, 13 KOs) and top-flight junior middleweight Yuri Foreman (7-0, 3 KOs) will put their unbeaten pro records on the line on the championship fight card.

    Bryant, dubbed the "One Man Riot," is a bona fide knockout artist, with 86 percent of his victories coming via KO. The Philadelphia native will take on tough veteran Damon Reed (34-6, 24 KOs) in an eight-round heavyweight affair. When not in the ring, Derek is kept busy by his six children.

    Jewish star Foreman steps right back into the ring after a convincing victory over Andrey Trunov two weeks ago on January 10 on ESPN/2's Friday Night Fights. A native of the Soviet Union before migrating to Israel, Foreman now fights out of New York City. The 22-year-old unbeaten junior middleweight squares off against William Evans (4-2, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder.

    "This is a great opportunity for both Derek and Yuri to showcase their talents on a championship card underneath Vernon Forrest vs. Ricardo Mayorga," said Lou DiBella, president of DBE.

    HBO's World Championship Boxing broadcast will begin at 10:00 PM/ET, 7:00 PM/PT.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDibella prospects, Bryant and Foreman in action Saturday Night``x1043339485,97298,``x``x ``xPress Release

    WORLD CHAMPION ACELINO FREITAS
    TO DEFEND WBA, WBO TITLES AGAINST GABRIEL RUELAS
    ON MARCH 15, TELEVISED ON SHOWTIME;

    January 23, 2003 -- Promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions will present a sensational world championship fight card on Saturday, March 15, 2003, at a site to be announced. The main event and co-featured fight will be televised on "Showtime Championship Boxing."

    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, WBA, WBO 130-POUND WORLD TITLES
    Champion ACELINO FREITAS, 32-0, 29 KOs, Salvador, Brazil
    vs Challenger GABRIEL RUELAS, 49-6, 24 KOs, Sylmar, California

    130-pound world champion Acelino "Popo" Freitas, 32-0, with 29 knockouts, of Salvador, Brazil, will make his ninth defense of the World Boxing Organization title and second of the World Boxing Association "unified" title against former World Boxing Council super featherweight world champion Gabriel Ruelas, 49-6, with 24 knockouts, of Sylmar, California.

    Freitas gave two sensational performances last year, both televised on Showtime Championship Boxing. In his last fight on August 3, he gave a dominating performance against the WBO's No. 1 ranked mandatory challenger, previously undefeated Daniel Attah (20-0-1), and won a 12-round unanimous decision by scores of 117-110 on all three scorecards. On January 12, Freitas won a thriller in a world title unification fight against previously undefeated WBA world champion Joel Casamayor (26-0). Freitas won a 12-round unanimous decision by scores of 114-112 on all three scorecards.

    Ruelas won the WBC world title in 1994 with a 12 round unanimous decision against defending champion James Leija, and made two successul title defenses before losing the title against the legendary Azumah Nelson. Gabriel said, "I know that I'm capable of winning another world title. I've never really been away."

    CO-FEATURE - 12 ROUNDS, SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS - NABF TITLE
    Champion ANTWUN ECHOLS, 29-4-1, 26 KOs, Dade City, Florida
    vs TBA

    North American Boxing Federation super middleweight champion Antwun "Kid Dyn-o-mite" Echols, 29-4-1, with 26 knockouts, will defend the title against an opponent to be announced. Riding a five-fight winning streak, Echols has climbed in the world ratings to WBA No. 1, IBF No. 1, and WBC No. 3.

    An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will be announced.

    Information for tickets will be announced.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFreitas-Ruelas Set for March 15th on Showtime``x1043352694,37347,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    In the next week or so, you’ll notice that we of the CBZ elected Vernon Forrest as our Fighter of the Year for 2002 on the strength of his two gargantuan wins over “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Looking back, we still feel he deserved such praise. He beat Mosley, then considered one of the best all around fighters in the game because he fought two smart disciplined fights. In one way or another that’s why he remained unbeaten since turning professional after bowing out in the 1992 Olympic Games in the first round. He was unbeaten until all of his fighting smarts and most of his acclaim went out the window last night at the Pechenga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA. In front of an HBO audience, Ricardo Mayorga, the WBA welterweight champion of Minagua, Nicaragua collected Forrest’s WBC belt and robbed the Atlanta native momentarily of his senses after landing one of many power right hands that won him his first world title belt.

    On a night when HBO decided to make a theme out of its greatest upsets, one was added to their long list of unlikely results. The bout was almost reminiscent to the defeat suffered by Donald Curry who after claiming supremacy at 147 pounds in 1985 lost to an unknown rough Ragamuffin man named Lloyd Honeyghan. The rugged Mayorga (26-3 with 1 NC) turned out to be Forrest’s Honeyghan or the Mosley’s Forrest. Does Mayorga just have Forrest’s number? No. So what happened?

    Well, Forrest must have acquired that little virus that afflicts a fighter when he’s reached “superstar status.” It seems Forrest figured that if he was good enough to beat Mosley, he was good enough to boogey into the ring with a smile from ear to ear, knock out some stiff who smokes more butts than Dennis Leary and go clubbing. Wrongo, Vernon! You committed the cardinal sin of being a world champion. You decided to meet Mayorga’s wild swings with your own power and catch him down the middle. Absent was the respect and discipline you had when you looked to hit and not get hit. Well, you’re human just like Shane Mosley and you made a huge mistake, one that will ultimately cost you millions, now that Don King completely owns the welterweight landscape.

    Going into tonight’s unification match, Forrest (35-1/ 1 NC) had deserved the attention, the credit and the money. Now, he will need to go back to the metaphorical drawing board and attempt to win the way he had for the past 10 years – by using his head and not his ego. Last year at this time we almost knew right then and there that Forrest would be regarded as the Fighter of the Year. Now we have a pretty good idea what this year’s biggest upset will be.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x"el Matador" Mayorga bulls Forrest in Three!``x1043559055,70029,``x``x ``x> Results from Boxing at First Union Spectrum,
    ÿ Philadelphia, PA
    ÿ By Jim McCaffrey
    ÿ
    > Friday, January 24, 2003
    > Promoter Damon Feldman
    >
    Main Event
    > Heavyweights
    > Scheduled 10 rounds
    >
    > Carlton Johnson (227 lbs., now 15-7-2, 2 KO),
    > Pittsburgh,
    > Pa. v. Michael Grant (254 lbs. Now 37-2, 28 KOs),
    > Norristown, Pa.
    >
    > Grant wins by KO 2:04 Round 5
    >
    > Notes: Lots of Philadelphia's famous boos during the 1st four rounds.
    > When Grant finally hit Johnson the Pittsburgh fighter stayed down. He didn't appear to move for at least two minutes.
    > This wasn't so much a fight as a bullying. Grant dwarfed Johnson by at least 7 inches and 27 pounds. This was Grant's seventh fight since he lost to Jameel McCline in Las Vegas in July 2001. That was more than a year after his April 2000 $4 million payday when he lost to Lennox Lewis. At that time Grant was the number 1 contender.
    > Grant won only the Comcast-Spectacor title belt for his effort Friday.
    > Boxing legend Teddy Atlas trains Grant.
    >
    >The Welterweight semi-main scheduled for ten.
    > Anthony "The Messenger" Thompson (152 lbs., now 8-0, 7
    > KOs), Philadelphia v. Jerome McLean (153 lbs., now 3-5,
    > 2 KOs), Laurinberg, N.C.
    >
    > Thompson wins TKO 1:52 Round 1.
    > Notes: Philadelphia believes Thompson is the real deal.
    > He has the resume:
    > 2nd place World Championships.
    > 1st in Police Athletic League.
    > 1st in Golden Gloves.
    > Silver at the Goodwill Games.
    > Turned professional rather than wait for the
    > Olympics
    > where he would have been considered a good bet to
    > medal.
    > This was the best display of boxing on the card.
    > Thompson looked very fast.
    >
    > His publicist, Bob Sandler, hearing that I work in
    > an area with a large Jewish population, promoted
    > Thompson to me as an Orthodox Jew.
    > "He refuses to box on Fridays," he tells me before
    > the
    > fight.
    > "Hey, wait-a-minute," says me, a few minutes after
    > returning from the Men's room ( ever quick of
    > mind). "Tonight's Friday."
    > Impressed by this display of cognitive quickness
    > Sandler quickly backed off saying, "He made an
    > exception tonight to fight in Philadelphia.">
    > McLean was a late fill-in for Curtis Wilkins. He's
    > now
    > been stopped five times in-a-row.
    >

    On the Under Card:

    Light Heavyweight, 4 rounds
    > Rob "Mr. Sandman" Bush (172.5 lbs., record: Debut),
    > Philadelphia v. Steve Gurly (172.5 lbs., record
    > 0-10-1). Philadelphia.
    >
    > Bush TKO 2:56 1st round
    >
    > Middleweight 4 rounds
    > Marcell Berry (no weight or record announced),
    > Philadelphia v. Edward Cullmer (164.5 lbs, now 5-0),
    > Philadelphia
    >
    > Cullmer wins unanious decision. 39-36,39-36, 38-37
    >
    >
    > Heavyweight, 4 rounds
    > Brondon Sheffield (204.5 lbs. Now 2-0, 2 KOs), Clifton
    > Heights, Pa. v. John Wood (225lbs., now 1-2), Elkton,
    > Md.
    >
    > Sheffield wins TKO after Round 1.
    >
    > Notes: Wood didn't answer the bell for 2nd round.
    > Sheffield likely broke his nose.
    >
    > Middleweight, 6 rounds
    > Joe Christy (Middleweight, now 3-4), Philadelphia v.
    > Dafir
    > Smith (Middleweight, now 9-1-1), Upper Darby, Pa.
    >
    > Smith wins unanimous decision 58-56,58-56, 59-55

    >
    > Jr. Middleweight, Scheduled 6 rounds, changed to 4 rounds at fight time
    >
    > Vince Calio (157 lbs., now 3-1, 1 KO), Philadelphia, v.
    > Andre Harris (150 lbs., now 4-4, 2 KOs), Wildwood, N.J.
    >
    > Calio wins majority decision 39-37, 39-37, 38-38

    > > Program notes:
    > Undisputed Middleweight Champion Bernard "The
    > Executioner" Hopkins announced he will fight in
    > Philadelphia on HBO March 29. According to the Daily
    > News
    > boxing writer he will likely fight Morrade Hakkar of
    > France.
    > This will be the 38-year-old Hopkins' 16th defense
    > of
    > his title. He is dubbing the fight "Sweet 16."
    >
    >Hopkins told me it is a dream of his to finally
    > fight
    > in Philadelphia.
    > "With no gambling or big entertainment it's hard to
    > stage a fight here," The Executioner said. "It's
    > something I've wanted to do for a long time. It's
    > only
    > because of my determination that it is finally
    > happening. Even the less educated person realizes
    > the
    > backing I get [for a fight here] is because I kept
    > getting bigger until I could get what I wanted to
    > get."
    > He added, "Because of the politics of boxing I
    > haven't
    > been in the ring since Feb. 2 of last year."
    > He then raised his shirt, as he did for the crowd
    > when
    > he was in the ring, to show off his six pack.
    > "I run every day," he boasted.
    >
    > Local Comcast CN8 sports anchor Lou Tilley said he
    > believes Comcast may get involved with Damon Feldman
    > promotions "in a big way."
    > "I've tried to help Damon out," the personality who
    > works for the company that owns the Sixers
    > basketball
    > and Flyers hockey teams said. "CN8 may step up and
    > get
    > involved. Comcast is expecting to add another five
    > million subscribers in the Boston area. [Thanks to a
    > Comcast buyout of AT&T cable services there]. We
    > expect to be in 12 million homes by spring. The
    > potential for regional coverage and rivalries makes
    > it
    > a natural."
    >
    >
    > Promoter Russell Peltz, 25-years promoting in Philadelphia, is working with Feldman as a consultant. Damon Feldman's father, Marty Feldman, was a prominent Philadelphia middleweight in the 1950s who was known as the Jewish Bomber. He has been a prominent local trainer since, working with a number of world champions including Charles Williams and Buster Drayton.
    >
    > The announced attendance was 8,000 (MIDI*)
    >
    > *Maybe, I doubt it.
    >
    >
    > ***************************************


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xPhilly Results-Boos for Grant``x1043602710,87966,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    Hailing from Nicaragua with a 24-3-1 (22 KOs), record and entering the ring as a 6-1 underdog, Ricardo Mayorga met Vernon Forrest, 38-1 (26 KOs), Saturday night for a welterweight unification bout broadcast on HBO.

    Until he faced Ricardo “The Matador” Mayorga, Vernon Forrest was sitting pretty. His two defeats of pound-for-pounder Shane Mosley in 2002 put Forrest on the map. Since then, Fighter of the Year kudos have hounded him ‘round the clock. (Anyone remember last year’s Fighter of the Year? It was Bernard Hopkins. Talk about revisiting the Spinks Jinx.) His two victories over Sugar Shane earned him a six-fight deal with HBO. His good looks, his polite manners, his cool personality and hot fighting heart were starting to pay off.

    Enter Ricardo Mayorga. His history and loyalties in Central America remain somewhat hazy, but one thing is for certain. Ricardo Mayorga came to America throwing bombs. When the opening bell sounded Saturday night, Mayorga shot from his corner and began dropping rights on Vernon Forrest. Vernon Forrest, boxer, meet Ricardo Mayorga, slugger, and may the best man win.

    Mayorga caught Vernon Forrest off balance at the end of round one and knocked him to the canvas. Forrest had never been down before, not once in his whole career, not once in ten long years. Vernon Forrest couldn’t believe it. No one could believe it. Only Ricardo Mayorga could believe it. Round one 10-8 for Ricardo Mayorga.

    Vernon Forrest started round two determined to put some hurt on the opposition. Forrest and Mayorga traded punches. Some solid counters from the hands of Vernon Forrest slowed down the man in front of him, but not much or to much effect and not for very long. Ricardo Mayorga came to Cali itching for a fight, and he was willing to do whatever it took to win, to take any chance and endure any pain to put down Vernon Forrest. It was close, but Forrest managed to squeak it out and pocket the second round.

    Vernon Forrest is the superstar with all the moves, boxing, feinting, bobbing and weaving, playing all the angles, doing the kinds of things that usually win prizefights. Ricardo Mayorga, by contrast, is a crude and unskilled brawler that doesn’t jab or move his head or care about defense. His pugilistic ethos is the time-honored and always thrilling kill-or-be-killed, and it works for him, as it has worked for others.

    Round three began with both men giving it their best, but Forrest forgot his game plan (move, box, move and keep moving) while Mayorga remembered his (don’t stop looking for that knockout). Halfway through the round, Mayorga caught Forrest with a stunning right to the temple, and Vernon Forrest, ostensible Fighter of the Year and the Guy with the Golden Future, buckled, his eyes rolled into his head, and he dropped to the canvas. Vernon Forrest got to his feet, he beat the count, he has the heart of a champion, but the referee Marty Denkin, in a proper stoppage, called a halt to the action at 2:06 of round three. A TKO win for Ricardo Mayorga.

    After the fight, the new unified 147-pound champion was asked his opinion of Vernon Forrest. Even with the aid of a translator, Ricardo Mayorga refused to mince his words: “I was fighting a clown, but my corner said to take it easy, so I did,” whereupon The Matador lit a cigarette, took a puff at center ring, and gracefully blew a smoke ring from his lips.



    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMayorga Chops Down Forrest``x1043684424,79354,``x``x ``xPress Release

    BIG BEAR, CA - At 31 years old, "Sugar" Shane Mosley is right where he wants to be as he prepares for his jump to the junior middleweight division against former 154-pound champion Raul Marquez at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 8. In fact, he has some sweet company on his side as he prepares to make history by chasing after a title in a third weight class.

    * In his 31st year, the legendary "Sugar" Ray Robinson moved up from the welterweight divison and won the middleweight crown by defeating Jake LaMotta in 1951.

    * A month before his 31st birthday, another boxing legend, "Sugar" Ray Leonard, shocked the world when he moved up to the middleweight division and beat Marvin Hagler to win the 160-pound title in 1987.

    And in his own quest to be today's best as well as to go down in history as one of the premier "Sugars", Shane Mosley is prepared to not only beat Marquez on February 8, but to move on to some marquee fights in 2003 and 2004.

    "I enjoy fighting the big fights because they’re meaningful and they’re the fights the fans want to see," said Mosley, 38-2 with 35 KOs. "I enjoy having the fans happy and satisfied after the fight, walking away and going home saying, ‘that was a great fight.’ That’s what my enjoyment is."

    Against Marquez, 34-2 with 23 KOs, a warrior who is looking to pull the upset, Mosley knows he will have his hands full, and that means the fans will see action. "Raul is not going to back down from me," said Mosley. "And I'm looking forward to the fight because I know he's coming to win. It's my job to stop him. That's what makes a great fight"

    Great fights are what the Hall of Fame "Sugars", Robinson and Leonard, were all about. The latest to proudly hold the "Sugar" name, Shane Mosley, wants to carry on that legacy, and he has the chance to do so in the talent-rich 154-pound class, where quality fighters like De La Hoya, Vargas, and Wright all ply their trade.

    "All the Sugars showed a lot of class and a lot of heart, and they fought not only to be the best, but for the fans’ enjoyment," said Mosley. "Most importantly, they loved the sport. And so do I."


    The Mosley-Marquez card, which also features a WBO welterweight title bout between Antonio Margarito and Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis, is presented by IMG Boxing and Top Rank Inc., in association with Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

    Both featured bouts will be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing, beginning at 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT.


    Tickets for this exciting six bout card, priced at $25.00, $50.00, $150.00, $250.00, are available by calling 702-632-7580.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMosley Ready for Marquez``x1043773547,45229,``x``x ``xPress Release

    Tim Austin vs Rafael Marquez in Main Event
    RICARDO WILLIAMS JR. KICKS OFF BIGGEST YEAR OF CAREER FEBUARY 15
    AT CAESARS PALACE IN LAS VEGAS

    TOP 140-POUND PROSPECT TAKES ON JUAN CARLOS RUBIO ON HBO'S BOXING AFTER DARK

    NEW YORK, NY - With the biggest win of his career under his belt,
    junior welterweight Ricardo Williams Jr. is prepared to make the leap in 2003 from prospect to contender to champion. His first bout of 2003, a ten rounder against tough Juan Carlos Rubio on February 15 is the first step on that journey.

    The ten rounder, to be held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and presented by Don King Productions, in association with DiBella Entertainment, will be televised live by HBO's Boxing After Dark at 10:45 PM ET/PT. The main event
    on the telecast is the mandatory IBF Bantamweight Championship, with the
    undefeated "Cincinnati Kidd", Tim Austin, making his 10th title defense
    against No.1 contender Rafael Marquez of Mexico.

    Williams, 8-0 with 5 KOs is a 2000 Olympic silver medallist and is coming off a near shutout ten round decision over former IBF junior welterweight champion Terronn Millett in November.

    "I am extremely pleased that Ricardo's next bout will be televised by HBO," said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. "The world is going to see one of the most exciting prospects in boxing, who is a future world champion, take his next step toward a title. This will be Ricardo Williams' year."

    In Rubio, 29-6-2 with 12 KOs, Williams faces a true spoiler, who is best remembered for dealing highly touted Mexican Olympian Francisco Bojado his first loss last February. The Mexican will be looking to duplicate that feat against Williams on February 15.

    Tickets for this card, priced at $200, $150, $100, $70 and $40, can be purchased at TicketMaster locations in North America, Canada and Mexico as well as the Caesars Palace Box Office. Tickets also can be acquired by calling 1-800-834-6698, or by accessing the TicketMaster website at www.ticketmaster.com.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRICARDO WILLIAMS JR. KICKS OFF BIGGEST YEAR OF CAREER FEBUARY 15``x1043852572,86496,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Schoolboy Pires Ready for Big Exam

    “The Schoolboy” is a befitting nickname for 28-year old, super-featherweight Jason Pires of New Bedford, MA. Not only did he receive a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth (the same alma mater as your writer), he is an apt pupil of the sweet science. Pires, the former collegiate, has been through much in a sport which has seen him win 5 New England Golden Gloves titles, 2 silver medals in the National Golden Gloves, a silver in the U.S. Championships while compiling an 85-14 amateur record. On a professional level he’s recorded a mark of 20-2 (with 9 KO’s), worn the USBA Super Bantamweight title and fought on national television. But on Saturday night at the magnificent Mohegan Sun Arena, Pires gets an opportunity to shine on Showtime, one of the two major cable television networks in the sport of boxing. Pires will be paired with perhaps the most promising of the U.S. Olympians, silver medallist Rocky Juarez of Texas.

    “I’m just very excited and blessed,” said Pires. “A lot of fighters dream of fighting on ESPN, which is a huge thrill but not many have a chance to fight on that network. I’m getting a chance to fight on Showtime. I get to represent my family and friends on a huge network. It’s just a great opportunity for me.

    Pires, who is promoter by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports is one of three popular New Bedford fighters who have been featured on ESPN on a number of occasions. Fellow townies, “Sucra” Ray Oliveira and Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton have fought on both ESPN networks but neither have ever taken the spotlight on Showtime. Pires fought on the ESPN2 co-feature underneath the epic Micky-Ward-Reggie Green war in October of ’99. On that night he faced the experienced, Arthur Johnson, a four-time world title challenger who was simply too much for a Pires of 15 fights.

    “Johnson was too experience for me then,” admitted Pires. “He was able to punch at me with a velocity I couldn’t deal with then. He threw a lot of punches and I wasn’t prepared for it. That was a fight where I should have been in a camp of some kind but instead, I was studying for college exams. But I’ve learned a lot since that fight. Juarez can’t be as experienced as Johnson, but I know he’s going to be tough and trying to get inside all night. My job is to use my height and reach and use lateral movement. That’s what I do.

    Though Juarez (14-0/ 10 KO’s) is somewhat of a spring chicken, he has himself appeared under the Showtime spotlight a few times, and will be making his fourth appearance at the Mohegan Sun, where he debuted in 2001. For Pires, he hopes that his opportunity on Saturday night won’t be his last chance. Whatever happens on Saturday night, the Schoolboy better have done his homework.

    Also appearing Saturday night is a slew of talented young guns. Unbeaten 19-year old lightweight sensation, Julio Diaz (19-0/ 9 KO’s) meets John Bailey (21-9-2/ 13 KO’s) in a 10-round affair. Also, Francisco “Panchito” Bojado (10-1/ 9 KO’s) returns to the venue where he not only debuted, but suffered his first career defeat. Bojado, who like Diaz is 19, will take on another tough fighter in Frankie Santos (15-1-2/ 7 KO’s). Undefeated heavyweights Dominic Guinn (19-0/ 15 KO’s) and Malik Scott (14-0/ 8 KO’s) will face veterans Otis Tisdale and Terry McGroom and New Haven’s “Bad” Chad Dawson (9-0/ 6 KO’s) will look to stay unbeaten when he faces the always tough, Shannon Miller. Tickets for Saturday night’s event can be purchased at a cost of $45 and $25 by calling 800-477-6849 or by visiting the Mohegan Sun box office. The first bout begins at 8:30 PM.

    Yours truly wasn’t the only man who took advantage of Roy Jones’ presence in Boston a month ago. While Jones was at the Westin to announce his intentions of capturing John Ruiz’ coveted WBA heavyweight belt, Everett’s Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne was also there. Reason – to challenge Roy to a fight.

    “I walked up to him and said, ‘Roy, I’m Rich LaMontagne and I’d like to fight you! Roy said never heard of me and I told him my record and who I just fought.”

    Last August, LaMontagne (27-4-1/ 22 KO’s) scored the most devastating knockout of this past year when he knocked out former U.S. Olympic heavyweight, Michael Bennett with a savage right hand.

    “Roy said something like, ‘You knocked out Bennett? Hmm…Talk to that guy!’ He didn’t sound too interested.”

    With John Ruiz on his mind, me thinks you’re right, Rich.

    LaMontagne will have another fish to think about when on the afternoon on February 22nd at his alma mater, Everett High School, he faces an old one from Jamaica, named Uriah “The Boss” Grant. Grant (30-18/ 28 KO’s), a former IBF and IBO cruiserweight champion and LaMontagne will fight for the vacant IBU cruiserweight title in a 12-rounder.

    “This is going to be a great world title fight,” said promoter, Jimmy Burchfield. “These are two of the toughest and best cruiserweights in the world. They have 50 knockouts between them and have granite chins. Richie has never been stopped and Grant has only been stopped three times in 48.”

    In an exciting 10-round co-feature, the state’s cruiserweight champ, Tim “The Hammer” Flamos (16-2-1/ 7 KO’s) of Brockton (incidentally a mirror-image Rocky Marciano) defends his title against Roy “The House of” Payne of Worcester. Payne (15-11-4 with 6 KO’s), has done some talking and most anticipate that it will be an exciting affair.

    “He can’t hit me!” boasted Payne of his crude but strong opponent. “And he’s not going to be able to stop my right hand.”

    Other bouts on this Saturday matinee include former Cincinnati Bengal, Jevon Langford (4-0/ 4 KO’s) in a 4-round heavyweight bout, world rated Jaime Clampitt (9-2) of Narragansett, RI versus Ragan Pudwill. Other local prospects, “Steamin” Josh Beeman (1-0) of Providence, Angel Torres (10-2/ 4 KO’s) of Manchester, CT who appear in separate 4-rounds and a potentially exciting local match-up between super welterweights, Bobby McAndrews (1-1-1/ 1 KO) of Worcester and Bobo “The Bull” Starnino (2-0) of Providence face off. Tickets are priced at $100, $50, $30 and $15 and are on sale at Everett Sporting Goods and American Nutrition Center in Everett, as well as World Gym in Somerville. Call CES to order tickets at 401-724-2253/ 401-724-2254 or 617-567-1705. Doors open at 2 P.M.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1043889108,35591,``x``x ``x Portland, Oregon
    Thursday, Jan. 30, 03
    By Katherine Dunn

    Promoter: Golden Boy Promotions
    Sponsored by Spirit Mountain Casino

    Referees: Jim Erickson, Mike Fisher, Dave Hagen
    Judges: Greg Baker, Joe Bonaventura, Jim Howard

    5,355 in attendance.


    In the 10 round heavyweight main event, Jeremy Williams, 36-4, 32 KO’s (232 lbs), of Long Beach, CA fought to a majority draw with Al "Ice" Cole, 32-11, 16 KO’s ( 231 lbs), of Newark, New Jersey. One judge called it 96-94 for Williams, the other two saw it as 95-95.

    The originally advertised main was a potential leatherfest between bantamweight Hispanics.

    When this replacement bout was announced earlier in the week, I was feeling mournful for poor Al Cole, who’s been in the blue losing zones for a long time and is 38 years old. Cole was a spritely and successful IBF champ as a cruiserweight, but his 1996 losing debut as a heavyweight against Tim Witherspoon tipped him onto the razorblade bannister.

    Jeremy Williams, on the other hand, started out as a cossetted heavyweight tomato stomper with the valuable palid complexion and a muscle-popping physique. His rare encounters with quality opposition ended badly. Henry Akinwande knocked him out in 3. Williams then reverted to the vegetable diet until his humiliating fifth round stoppage by a guy known as the "Danish Pastry," Brian Nielsen in 2000. But now, at 31, with four victories over indifferent opposition in the last year, Williams is under the wing of promoter Cedric Kushner and an obvious favorite to win.

    In the Rose Garden on Thursday night, both guys needed sympathy but what they mostly got was boos. Williams seemed slow and puzzled through the early rounds. His glorious physique has sagged and he just blinked and swallowed the deliberate jabs and occasional combos from Al Cole. By the fourth, a plodding Williams was cut under the left eye and Cole was actually moving pretty well. In the fifth Williams took to over hand rights followed by grappling and Cole’s mouth began to bleed. In the sixth Williams whined repeatedly to the ref about low blows and head butts, some of which were probably real. The tiring Cole was warned for hanging on. In the seventh Williams danced and ran with Cole in slogging pursuit, and the eight was all grappling as Cole’s fatigue became more obvious. The crowd was unimpressed with this whole sad performance and when Williams hit Cole low at the end of the eighth he set off a storm of boos that persisted and revived easily through the rest of the fight. Although Williams seemed heartened and more confident in the ninth, he didn’t accomplish much. The tenth was a slow rhino waltz of the exhausted and the boos sounded all the way to the final bell. A rough crowd six big beers into the evening.

    In the six-round semi-main, Jose "Tony" Martinez, now 12-2-2, 7 KO’s (153 1/2 lbs) of Portland won a unanimous decision over Ron Pasek, now 12-20-3, 7 KO’s (153 lbs), of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The judges scores were 60-54, 59-55, 59-55.
    Word is this was a last ring outing for the formerly scrappy Pasek. Martinez hadn’t fought in eight months and looked rusty-- not his usual crispy and feisty self—he blasted the poorly conditioned Pasek in the corners and on the ropes with no real response. Pasek has always been tougher than is quite good for him, and his head was taking on the weird swollen shapes of a rotting jack-o-lantern by the final bell.
    He said he was retiring last summer after a bad loss. Now he’ says he’s hanging them up for good. The 38 year-old Pasek is a cement cutter up in Canada, with a wife and a couple of kids. But it’s thirty below right now in those regions and there’s no cement to be cut. No work. Of course you can’t run to train in that weather either, but he accepted this short notice fight.
    His local cornermen say he was heart broken at his poor performance. As this is being written he’s probably still sitting on a long-distance bus, with his neighbors looking sideways at his cuts and bruises. But he’s got a thousand U.S. dollars in his pocket. He tried to pay the cornermen after the fight, but they all refused the money. He’s a sweet guy, they say, and he was always a warrior.

    In the four-round opener, Billy David Thompson, now 5-2,3 KO’s (168 lbs), of Lubbock, Texas won a unanimous decision over Vic Branson, now 3-4-1, 3 KO’s (169 lbs), of Willamina, Oregon. The scores were 39-38, 39-37, 39-37.

    Greg Piper, now 6-1, 2 KO’s (128 1/2 lbs), of Portland, Oregon won a four-round unanimous decision over Christian "El Kangaroo" Lopez, now 4-3, 3 KO’s (128 1/4 lbs) of Seattle, WA. The judges ruled it 39-37, 39-37, 40-36.


    A four-round heavyweight match ended with Joe Gusman, now 5-0, 2 KO’s (200 lbs) won a unanimous decision over Troy Beets, now 3-2-1, 1 KO (220 lbs) of Biloxi, Mississippi. All three judges saw it as 38-37 for Gusman.

    -----
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xResults From The Rose Garden ``x1044074244,25085,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    UNCASVILLE, CT – As you can probably imagine, a lot of pressure is heaped on a fighter when he or her fight on live television, especially when it’s a giant like Showtime. But it must be more cumbersome for a fighter when one has to fight a boxer who is a future world champion. Last night at the mighty Mohegan Sun Casino, New Bedford featherweight, Jason Pires of New Bedford, MA had his primetime opportunity met by the Olympic silver medallist Rocky Juarez, a name you’ll hear more of I’m sure. In a spirited affair, Juarez, 126, of Houston, TX predictably wore down Pires and stopped him early in the 9th round.

    Midway through the second round, Juarez put together textbook combinations from an assortment of angles and dropped Pires with a right hand culmination. It was the first time Pires had ever been down as a pro and the first of two knockdowns in the fight. The second happened at the closing seconds of the eighth round when Juarez dropped Pires on his face with another fusillade of punches. The well-conditioned Pires rose to his feet again during the round’s intermission and to start the ninth round. Pires’ courage however was met by Juarez’ finishing assault and at :16 of the round, Libby Medeiros, Pires’ trainer threw in the towel.

    “To be honest with you, I didn’t think he’d last that long,” said Rocky of Pires. “He had the heart to go all the way. I’m no one to underestimate a man even if he’s still hurt.”

    “He was a good body puncher,” said Pires who fell to 20-3 with 9 KO’s. “He is a very seasoned fighter. I was getting him with my jab early on but he kept catching me over the top with the right hand. I just fought his fight.”

    With the win, Juarez, now 15-0 with 11 KO’s is poised for his fighting future.

    “I hope that by my 18th fight that I will be fighting someone in the top 10.”

    Sometimes, the only thing better than a Mexican versus a Mexican is when a Mexican faces a Puerto Rican. No matter the quality of the participants, there seems to be some genuine pride at stake between these two nations of people. From what I hear it has a lot to do with a thing called “machismo.” In more than a few ways, Francisco “Panchito” Bojado, 141 ¼, of Guadalajara, Mexico and Frankie Santos, of Salinas, Puerto Rico fought with and for that. Returning to the venue where he both debuted two years ago and suffered his first pro defeat nearly a year ago, Bojado scored an impressive knockout over his Puerto Rican rival at :45 into the tenth and final round.

    As he had shown in his defeat to Juan Carlos Rubio, the fast-fisted Mexican was easy to hit whenever he wasn’t punching. Santos, 141, bore a resemblance both stylistically and appearance-wise to legendary countryman, Tito Trinidad. Had Santos had some power, then it could have been a more interesting fight as he scored just about whenever he threw but not enough to pull out the rounds. Even if he had nothing could have saved him from the explosive left hook that felled him moments into the final round. Santos picked himself off the canvas at the count of nine but Bojado put together the finishing touches to an exciting but not so great performance. At the time of the stoppage, Bojado led by scores of 88-83 and 87-84 on two others.

    “I am not disappointed at all,” said Bojado. “In the tenth round, I was prepared to go all out. I was in good condition. I did not get tired at all. I just saw an opening and took advantage. My plan was to box, show my skills.”

    Bojado, now 11-1 with 10 KO’s will need to show better defensive skills if he’s to be where wants in a year or two. But if he needs someone to bring out the best in him, maybe they’d better get another Puerto Rican

    Opening the Showtime portion of the card, Julio Diaz, the 19-year old sensation out of Houston, TX put on an excellent boxing display stopping outgunned John “Macho Midget (should be Macho Mullet)” Bailey in the seventh round. Diaz, 133 ¾, for the most part, did what he wanted versus the stubborn Bailey, landing a number of sharp left jabs and hooks. Diaz set a torrid pace early on as he has in previous fights but slowed down a tad after a hard-fought third round. In the 6th, as the openings were more available, Diaz turned it up to the point where he seemed to be landing at will. Referee Frank Cappuccino saw enough at 2:16 of the seventh. I believe they call it the “mercy rule” in softball. Diaz, now 20-0 with 10 KO’s deserves to be on a higher billing that Bojado if you ask me. Bailey fell to 21-10-2 with 13 KO’s.


    In the opening bout of the night, Fransico Rincon of Houston, TX won a 4 round decision over Richard Dean, 148 ¼, of New York, NY. Rincon, 147, who won by scores of 39-37 twice and 38-38 improved to 2-0 while Dean is now 1-3-1.

    Heavyweight prospect Malik Scott, 225 ½, of Philadelphia, PA scored an impressive 2nd round TKO win over one-time hopeful, Terry McGroom of Oshkosh, WI. While the two were inside, Scott fit a brutal right uppercut between the gloves, which landed flush on McGroom’s jaw. While McGroom was dazed Scott threw a perfect right cross to the temple and McGroom crashed to the canvas. He rose on unsteady legs and referee Ken Ezzo halted the bout at 2:58 when the defenseless McGroom could no longer defend his self. Scott is now 15-0 with 9 KO’s while McGroom is now 19-5-2 with 10 KO’s.

    In another match-up of the big boys, rising heavyweight Dominick Guinn of Hot Springs, AK, looked fairly ordinary and bored once his opponent made it past three rounds. Guinn, 227, floored Otis Tisdale, 225 ¾, of Charlotte, NC in the first round with a hook to the body and a left to the head in the third. The remainder of the bout had some exchanges but Guinn appeared to be okay with going eight rounds. After all, that’s what he was paid to do. Guinn, who won by scores of 80-70 twice and 79-71 improved to 20-0 with 15 KO’s while Tisdale is now 21-9-1 with 13 KO’s.

    In the swing bout, another 19-year old phenom out of New Haven, CT “Bad” Chad Dawson was floored for the first time by well-travelled Shannon Miller, 170 ½, of Columbus, MS but managed to win every round on Arthur Mercante’s scorecard (60-54). Dawson won by two other scores of 59-55 and is now 10-0 with 6 KO’s while Miller is now 14-24-6 10 KO’s.

    TV Network – Showtime
    Ring Announcer – Jimmy Lennon, Jr.
    Attendance - 3,422
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJuarez Stops Pires``x1044166488,62713,``x``x ``xPress Release

    BOSTON, Mass. – Former European and Irish champion, Ray Close (23-3-1, 12 KOs), is scheduled to embark on his comeback trail Saturday night, February 15 in the main event on “The Backyard Brawl” pro boxing card at the National Guard Armory in Dorchester (MA).

    “The Backyard Brawl” is promoted by Doug Pendarvis, in association with Danny Kelly, Frugal McDoogal’s, Miller Beer, Ramada Inn, Everlast, Irish Emigrant and the Tara Pub.

    Close, fighting out of Belfast, hasn’t fought since 1997 due to eye
    surgeries. Ten years ago, he battled unbeaten (35-0) Chris Eubank to a 12-round draw in the World Boxing Organization super middleweight
    championship match.

    “What better place for an Irish boxer to make his comeback than Boston,” promoter Pendarvis asked rhetorically. “Ray’s hoping for another world title shot and this will be his first step.”

    Close’s opponent is Oswaldo Bello (9-6-2, 8 KOs), the Venezuelan now
    fighting out of New York City. Bello’s nine victories include one against Joe Gatti.

    In the six-round co-feature, unbeaten middleweight Jason “The Hammer”
    LeHoulier (5-0, 4 KOs), of Portland (ME), faces popular veteran Tommy “The Bull” Attardo (10-12-1, 2 KOs), of South Boston. This is a rematch of an exciting fight last November that LeHoulier won by decision in six.

    Local fighters slated to appear on the card include South Boston
    middleweight Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton (4-0, 1 KO) and
    cruiserweight Tommy Fitzgerald (2-0), Dorchester heavyweight Mike Beverly (1-0) and junior lightweight Mike Bernal (0-1), Pembroke junior welterweight favorite Eddie McAloney (12-5, 6 KOs), Haverhill super middleweight Gil “Sugar” Reyes (4-1, 3 KOs) and junior lightweight Alex Insante making his pro debut.

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Ticket prices are $40.00 ringside and $25.00 general admission. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m. Call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions at 617-825-3283 to order tickets or for more information.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRay Close to begin comeback in Boston on the 15th``x1044307452,86561,``x``x ``xThe scheduled Saturday, Feb.1 fight card at the Lucy Eagle Casino in Rochester, WA. was rained out. Duncan Macleod, Marketing Director of the Lucky Eagle says the place was evacuated at 6 p.m. on Saturday due to flooding. The casino itself sits on high ground but the access road has suffered serious flooding in past years.

    All the fighters who weighed in that morning were paid in full by the casino. MacLeod says, "They’d worked too hard to be shut out."
    MacLeod announced the ticket refund policy and the next scheduled fight card in a press release as follows:

    Because Fight Night 39 was cancelled due to flooding on Anderson Road
    last
    Saturday, we will refund all tickets through March 10th. The next
    bouts
    will be held on April 5th with a Fight Card to be announced at a later
    date.
    April 5th tickets will go on sale Tomorrow, February 4th.

    Customers that acquired tickets from the Casino Cashier, Fuller's
    Stroes or
    Ticket Master can get the refund at the Lucky Eagle Casino. Those
    purchasing from Ticket Master may be issued refund from Ticket Master
    if
    that is more convenient.

    Please contact me for any further questions.

    Duncan MacLeod

    Director of Marketing
    Lucky Eagle Casino

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xLucky Eagle Rained Out``x1044315124,10107,``x``x ``xRICKY QUILES VS ARTURO URENA
    HEADLINES KINGFISH FIGHT CARD
    TELEVISED ON FOX SPORTS WORLD,
    FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL & FOX SPORTS LATIN AMERICA;
    COURTNEY BURTON VS TOMAS BARRIENTES IN CO-FEATURE
    ON FEB. 10 IN DURANT, OKLA.

    February 3, 2003 - Promoter Anna Beth Goodman/Kingfish Boxing Productions will present a sensational fight card on Monday, February 10, 2003, at the Choctaw Gaming Center in Durant, Oklahoma.

    This will be the third Kingfish fight card of 2003 telecast on Fox Sports World, Fox Sports En Espanol and Fox Sports Latin America. Two boxing events are scheduled each month, and the telecasts reach over 70 million households.

    The Kingfish formula for matchmaking is simple - world-class fighters in even matches, and may the best man win - and the first two telecasts of the year, on January 13 and 27 from the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, Louisiana, produced some sizzling action in the ring.

    The two-hour telecasts are a fight fan's dream - no frills or gimmicks, knowledgable commentators and lots of boxing. The ringside analysts on the English-language telecasts are Dave Bontempo and Bob Spagnola. On the Spanish-language telecasts, Carlos Avilas and Luis Rodriguez call the action from ringside. The executive producer is Terry Planell.

    In the United States, the fights are shown on same-day tape on Fox Sports En Espanol at 11:00 P.M. Eastern Time, 8:00 Pacific Time. The fights are replayed in the U.S. the next day on Fox Sports World at 11:00 P.M. (PT), and Fox Sports Latin America in Mexico and Central America at 11:00 (ET) and 8:00 (PT). The next-day replay for all of Latin America is on Fox Sports Latin America at 10:00 (ET), 7:00 (PT). The telecasts are also available in some areas on DIRECTV and Dish Network. Check local listings for times in your area.


    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, JR. WELTERWEIGHTS - IBA CONTINENTAL AMERICAS TITLE RICKY QUILES, 32-5-3, 8 KOs, Davie, Florida, vs
    ARTURO URENA, 19-4-1, 15 KOs, Mazatlan, Mexico

    In the 12-round main event, Ricky "Showtime" Quiles, 32-5-3, with 8 knockouts, of Davie, Florida, will face Arturo Urena, 19-4-1, with 15 knockouts, of Mazatlan, Mexico.

    Quiles is experienced against top opposition, including former world champions Diobelys Hurtado, Vince Phillips, and Goyo Vargas, and always gives strong performances. Ricky said, "This will be my first fight with Buddy McGirt. He's working with me on my technique, showing me things that I can't see. He's making me a complete fighter. I feel that I've grown, matured a lot. I really feel like this is going to be my year."

    Urena is coming off two impressive efforts, and questionable decisions, in his last two fights. On November 1 in Las Vegas, he brought the fans to their feet with his fast-paced attack against former world title challenger Arnulfo Castillo. Everybody thought Arturo deserved to win except the judges, who scored a 10-round draw. On September 7 in Compton, Cal., Arturo outworked Hector Camacho Jr. and appeared to clearly win the fight, but Camacho took the decision. The crowd nearly rioted, and Camacho was escorted out of the arena by security guards.


    CO-FEATURE - 10 ROUNDS, LIGHTWEIGHTS
    COURTNEY BURTON, 16-1, 8 KOs, Benton Harbor, Michigan, vs
    TOMAS BARRIENTES, 24-6, 16 KOs, Mercedes, Texas

    Courtney Burton, 16-1, with 8 knockouts, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, will take on Tomas Barrientes, 24-6, with 16 knockouts, Mercedes, Texas, in the 10 round co-featured bout.

    24-year old Burton is a rising young prospect and former amateur star - he is a former two-time World Jr. Olympics champion and two-time U.S. National Jr. Olympics champion. At the age of 32, the hard-hitting Barrientes is a 13 ½ year professional veteran.

    PLUS - 8 ROUNDS, HEAVYWEIGHTS
    TERRY SMITH, 14-0, 11 KOs, Little Rock, Arkansas vs
    DEREK BERRY, 7-2-1, 4 KOs, Riverside, California

    An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will be announced.

    Ticket prices range from $10 to $40.
    Tickets are available at the Choctaw Gaming Center Box Office - 800-788-2464.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xQuiles-Urena headline Kingfish fight card in Oklahoma``x1044365515,9604,``x``x ``x"Bert Sugar's Sweetest Rounds of Boxing," a pay-per-view show, will premiere Friday (2/7) and air throughout the month on DirctTV.

    The one-hour special features 14 of the most exciting rounds in the history of boxing, including Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas, Joe Louis vs. Billy Conn, Rocky Marciano vs. Jersey Joe Walcott and Prince Naseem vs. Kevin Kelley.

    The show will be launched on DirecTV and will also be distributed via On Demand. Additional outlets will also be airing the show in March. Host Bert Sugar stated, "This is a perfect marriage for me as a fan and as a historian. These are the rounds I've always wanted to see, now all at one time..."

    Order by remote on DirectTV channel 191 for only $6.99.

    Fire up those VCRs!
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPR: Bert Sugar's Sweetest Rounds of Boxing``x1044376304,58923,``x``x ``xVince Martinez, top welterweight contender during the 1950s, passed away on January 29, 2003.

    The CBZ wishes to express its condolences to the Martinez family.

    Martinez is the subject of an upcoming article by Dan Cuoco, Director, International Boxing Research Organization.

    The intro to Dan's article is reprinted here:

    There are many stories of past greats and famous boxers that have been written and rewritten over the years. But what about the many who fought and made a name for themselves but seem to be forgotten as the years pass by. Vince Martinez is one of them.

    Vince was born in Mt. Kisko, New York to Anthony (Tony) and Paulina Martinez on May 5, 1929. He was the second of four boys: Phillip, the eldest, Vince, then Charles and John. Despite his Spanish surname, Vince is Italian and very proud of his ancestry. Martinez was a sharp shooting boxer with a devastating left hook, a hard right hand and one of the best counter punchers in the ring. He was fleet of foot, a cautious boxer, but would go all out to finish an opponent once he hurt him.
    Vince's thoughts on his style is best summed up when he stated to a reporter, "If you identify yourself as a professional boxer in any crowd merely by the evidence of punishment you have taken, you can't be too good." That philosophy, however, occasionally caused some fans to be turned off by some of his performances when they thought that a more aggressive posture would have produced more spectacular knockouts.

    Vince was a fall back to earlier times when boxing idols had large local followings that traveled anywhere to see them perform. He was also considered the idol of the 1950's bobby soxers because of his movie star good looks. He was one of boxing's most photogenic fighters and received Hollywood offers.



    Rest in peace, Vince!

    Click here to see the Professional record of Vince Martinez.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xR.I.P. Top 1950s Welter Vince Martinez``x1044380167,85836,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Every kid likes to see a good magic trick. Sometimes, if it’s an impressive trick, the young one will demand, “Let’s see that again!” Some things just never please people. That’s been the case for WBA heavyweight champion, John “The Quietman” Ruiz of Las Vegas via Chelsea, MA. No matter whom he fights or beats, the first heavyweight champion of Latino descent has had a tough time selling the boxing world on his mechanics.

    The formula for beating Ruiz is simple: hit him on the chin and he’s going to go, just as David Tua, the division’s hardest hitter had done him over nearly seven years ago. But for some reason, it just hasn’t happened. He’s been a "set up" ever since but aside from a controversial loss and a draw he's been in the win column ever since the Tua defeat. He wasn’t suppose to win any of his three fights with a still dangerous Evander Holyfield and he was suppose to be fodder for Kirk Johnson, the undefeated Canadian who disqualified himself in order to save him from getting starched.

    Not only have people doubted the legitimacy of Ruiz’ world title belt, they have labeled him the worst heavyweight champion of all time. Imagine that, Evander Holyfield, who defeated Hasim Rahman after his trilogy with Ruiz and nearly beat a primed Lennox Lewis in their rematch, lost and drew with the worst heavyweight champion of all time! There are some who discredit Ruiz to the point where they have installed his next challenger, Roy Jones, Jr., the light heavyweight champion of the world as the favorite in their March 1st showdown.

    It is this skepticism which has somewhat tarnished the imagination of this epic match-up. People just don’t get it. Ruiz can obviously fight, having been around this long and he’s going to be at the very least, 40 pounds heavier than the lighter Jones. The only light heavyweight champion to have experienced a greater disadvantage in a fight was Tommy Loughran, but the heavyweight he fought (Primo Carnera) really couldn’t fight (see table below). Let’s face it folks, it will be a momentous feat of infinite proportions if Jones dethrones Ruiz.

    “People don’t realize that Johnny can box,” said Stoney (Norman Stone), the manager of Ruiz. “He can fight and he can box. His jab? Wait until people see Johnny’s jab.”

    “He’s an extraordinary athlete,” added trainer Gabe Mari of his pupil. “He keeps improving every camp.”

    Legendary heavyweight champion, Joe Louis, who fought a couple of slippery light heavyweights during his reign, use to employ Eddie Futch as a sparring partner. Futch who was better known for his words of wisdom in the corners use to campaign as a welterweight and use to be a smooth cat in his fighting days. Said Louis of the late trainer: “If I could catch Eddie, I could catch any one. For this camp, Team Ruiz is focused on “pulverizing light heavyweights.” This isn’t your normal camp, but how else to you prepare for a man who appears to possess super powers?

    “For this camp we’ve brought in about 8 or 10 light heavyweights and some heavyweights,” said Mari.

    “We have (Ruiz) boxing one round a piece with them,” said Stoney. “Johnny has a fresh light heavyweight or heavyweight in front of him every round and he’s been very good at cutting off the ring with them. I guess you could say we’re ‘keeping up with the Joneses.”

    That is something no one has been able to do against Jones, who has appeared light years ahead of every man he has faced since turning professional after losing a horrible decision in the final round at 1988 Olympic Games. He has made nearly every one of his big victories appear effortless. This is why Jones, who has thoroughly dominated three weight classes is skipping over the cruiserweight division and in with the big boys. But the quantum leap isn’t anything to look past for Team Ruiz.

    “We’re not taking Roy Jones lightly,” said Mari. “You can’t underestimate him. We’re preparing for anything because Jones is one of the greatest fighters of all time. But (Jones) better be concerned with what we’re going to do in there. Johnny is going to be throwing punches in bunches.”

    And he’ll probably be pulling a couple of tricks out of his hat as well.

    ----

    Jones' trainer, Alton Merkerson expects Jones to be weighing as heavy as 190 pounds by the time he steps in the ring on March 1st, 69 years to the date of when Tommy Loughran unsuccessfully challenged Italian Primo Carnera. On that night, the giant but crude Carnera outweighed Loughran by a whopping 86 pounds, the greatest difference in a title fight. Though the disadvantage isn't that great, Jones will likely be outweighed by some 50 pounds or so by fight time. Here are a list of the greatest weight differentials in a heavyweight title fight.

    86 lbs: Primo Carnera (270) W15 Tommy Loughran (184), 3/1/34

    59 1/2 lbs: Primo Carnera (260 1/2) KO6 Jack Sharkey (201), 6/29/33

    58 lbs: Jess Willard (245) TKO by 3 Jack Dempsey (187), 7/4/19

    53 3/4 lbs: Primo Carnera (263 1/4) TKO by 11 Max Baer (209 1/2) 6/14/34

    52 1/2 lbs: Abe Simon (254 1/2) TKO by 13 Joe Louis (202), 3/31/41

    49 lbs: George Foreman (257) L12 Evander Holyfield (208), 4/19/91``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTeam Ruiz "Keeping up with the Joneses"``x1044415716,7994,``x``x ``xPress Release -

    Heavyweight Champion To Unveil New Brand Identity System
    Woolf Associates develops graphical brand platform for John "The Quietman" Ruiz

    Boston, MA - Woolf Associates, New England's most established sports and event marketing agency, today announced the logo and brand identity completion for World Boxing Association Heavyweight Champion of the World, John "The Quietman" Ruiz. Designed for the boxer with the intent of providing a branding framework, the set of marks also serves as an immediate source to generate merchandise and sponsorship opportunities.
    "As the first heavyweight champion of Latino heritage, John Ruiz is in a unique position to couple his in-ring success with the various commercial opportunities, both domestically and abroad. The creation of a smart and creative brand identity system is the first step in that process," said Jack Birch, President and CEO of Woolf Associates.

    In addition to the primary mark that will be on display for Ruiz's WBA title defense against Roy Jones Jr. on March 1 in Las Vegas, the identity system also includes a series of secondary marks and applications. "A complete identity goes beyond a simple logo. It incorporates all of the consumer touch points to ensure a uniform brand building experience," said Thomas S. Duane, Chief Creative Officer at Woolf Associates.

    To support the fighter's new identity, Woolf Associates has also developed an on-line merchandise site, www.ruizboxing.com. The site will support a product and apparel line of John Ruiz-branded product and will be available Friday, February 7, 2002.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRuiz "Branded" by Woolf``x1044496269,79163,``x``x ``xPress Release

    BARRERA VS. LARIOS
    WORLD FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
    SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2003
    LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW

    Las Vegas, NV (February 5, 2003) - World Featherweight Champion Marco Antonio Barrera will defend his crown against WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Oscar Larios in a 12 round bout produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View on Saturday, April 12, 2003, it was announced today by Forum Boxing President John Jackson.

    "We are pleased that we have reached an agreement with Oscar Larios’ representatives," said Jackson. "We are excited about this fight, especially because it should be a great fight for the fans."

    “Marco Antonio Barrera is one of the greatest fighters in the world today. Oscar Larios has recently had a sensational string of victories,” said Mark Taffet, HBO Senior Vice President of Sports Operations and Pay-Per-View. “With this battle of great champions, the featherweight division continues to provide some of boxing’s most exciting matchups.”

    Marco Antonio Barrera (56-3, 39 KO’s), nicknamed “The Baby Face Assassin” due to his aggressive, exciting style, has been successful at every level of competition in the ring and has participated in some of the most action-packed fights in recent memory. Recognized as the best featherweight in the world, Barrera has reeled off a tremendous string of victories against the featherweight elite, including Prince Naseem Hamed, Erik Morales and Johnny Tapia. Refusing to rest on his recent laurels, Barrera returns to the ring against another top fighter and current champion.

    “I am looking forward to fighting another great champion,” stated Barrera from Mexico City, Mexico. “This fight is definitely the direction I want to go in. I said I would continue to fight the best and Oscar Larios is currently at the top of his game.”

    Oscar Larios (46-3-1, 33 KOs), one of the hottest fighters in the sport today, is coming off a sensational win over Marcos Licona on HBO Latino’s January 16th Boxeo De Oro premiere. Larios garnered seven victories in 2001-2002, including an action-packed 12th round TKO over Israel Vasquez in what many ringside observers recognized as a Fight of the Year candidate, and a rousing first-round knockout of Willie Jorrin to win the WBC Super Bantamweight crown in November 2002.

    The BARRERA vs. LARIOS pay-per-view telecast on April 12th is being produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to over 48 million pay-per-view homes. The BARRERA vs. LARIOS pay-per-view telecast begins at 9pm ET/6 pm PT. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBarrera, Larios Collide on April 12th``x1044541813,80454,``x``x ``xPress Release

    LaMontagne fights for world title at alma mater
    "Homecoming" Feb. 22 in Everett, Mass

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Model. Actor. Philanthropist.

    Professional boxer Richie "The Mountain" LaMontagne is all of the above. He been the feature model in several high-profile advertising campaigns, acted alongside Robert DeNiro in the movie, Flawless, and his KO Foundation has battled autism for several years. More than anything, though, he wants to be a world champion.

    The tall, dark 33-year-old with the Hollywood looks squares-off Saturday afternoon, February 22 against former world cruiserweight champion Uriah "Bossman" Grant for the vacant International Boxing Union world cruiserweight title in the 12-round main event on the "Homecoming" boxing card.

    The "Homecoming" is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, in association with Mohegan Sun, and will be held at LaMontagne's alma mater, Everett High School, in Massachusetts.

    "My modeling and acting has been put on hold," LaMontagne said. "I'm focusing 100-percent on boxing right now. I'll have some time to dabble in other things after I win a world title. This is a very important fight to me because I'll be fighting in my hometown for a world title. Most of my Everett fans haven't seen me fight live because they haven't been able to travel. They're going to love this show. I'm going to turn on a lot of people to boxing."

    Now ranked No. 9 by the World Boxing Council, LaMontange (27-4-1, 22 KOs) has won his last five fights, eight of nine, and his 11th round knockout of former U.S. Olympian Michael Bennett in his last fight (Aug. 2) was one of the top KOs of 2002.

    "We're excited about bringing this fight to Everett," promoter Jimmy Burchfield added. "I've never heard of an athlete in any sport returning to his old high school for a world championship match. We also have a great co-feature (Tim Flamos-Roy Payne), one of the top women fighters in the world (Jaime Clampitt), the best amateur I'd seen in 20 years (Josh Beeman), an up-and-coming Latino prospect (Angel Torres), a former NFL player (Jevon Langford) fighting as a heavyweight in a championship football city like Everett, and a bout between two young fighters (Bobo Starino-Bobby McAndrews) who really want to fight each other."

    Massachusetts cruiserweight champion Tim "The Hammer" Flamos (16-2-1, 7 KOs), a licensed carpenter from Brockton (MA), faces Worcester's Roy "House of" Payne (15-11-4, 6 KOs), in the 10-round co-feature for Flamos' Mass. and the vacant EBA cruiserweight titles. Flamos and Payne are rated No. 14 and No. 15, respectively, by the NABA.

    The undercard features Providence (RI) super lightweight "Steamin'" Josh Beeman (1-0), the 2000 Eastern Olympic Trials gold medallist; four-time Puerto Rican national amateur champion and featherweight prospect, Angel "Gee Roc" Torres (10-2, 4 KOs), of Manchester (CT); unbeaten heavyweight and former Cincinnati Bengals' pro football player, Las Vegas-based Jevon "J Roc" Langford (4-0, 4 KOs), great grandson of Boxing Hall of Fame heavyweight legend Sam Langford; middleweight Bobo Starnino (2-0), of Providence, against Worcester's Bobby McAndrews (1-1-1, 1 KO). Also in a special attraction female bout is two-time national amateur champion and the world's No. 3 rated female fighter, Narragansett (RI) super lightweight Jaime Clampitt (9-2, 2 KOs).

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Ticket prices are $100.00 (limited) Platinum, $50.00 Gold (rows 1-4), $30.00 Silver (rows 5-8), and $15.00 bleacher seating/general admission. Tickets are on sale in Everett at Everett Sporting Goods (617.387.6530), and American Nutrition Center (617.394.0678), Everett Advocate (617.387.2200) and Boston Harley Davidson (617.389.8888), as well as World Gym in Somerville. Call CES to order tickets or for more information at 401.724.2253/401.724.2254 or its Mass. Office at 617.567.1705. Doors open at 2 p.m, first bout at 3 p.m.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLaMontange Guns For Bossman, World Title``x1044555675,64921,``x``x ``xby Robert Ecksel

    The Return of Sugar Shane Mosley is now in its second year.

    After remaining an amateur for too long, until he was twenty-one years old with a 230-12 record. Shane Mosley turned pro in 1993 with a fifth round kayo over Greg Puente in Hollywood. It took many years and many prizefights, but on August 2, 1997 Shane Mosley fought Philip Holiday and won a twelve-round decision for the IBF lightweight title.

    Shane Mosley defended the lightweight title eight times in the next two years, with wins over John John Molina, Jesse James Leija, Golden Johnson and John Brown. In May 1999 Shane Mosley relinquished his crown and moved up in weight to campaign as a welterweight. Everyone asked: Would Mosley bring his speed with him? What about Sugar Shane's power?

    On September 25, 1999 Shane silenced his critics as he silenced Wilfredo Rivera with a stunning tenth round kayo. On January 22, 2000 Shane Mosley stopped Willy Wise in Las Vegas in three. And on June 17, 2000 Sugar Shane Mosley wrested the WBC welterweight title from the very able hands of Oscar De La Hoya over twelve exciting rounds. After decades of sweat and toil, Sugar Shane Mosley had finally arrived.

    The new welterweight king Shane Mosley, now almost thirty years old, defended the welterweight crown three times with wins over Antonio Diaz, Shannon Taylor and Adrian Stone. Then Sugar Shane moved up in weight again, now to junior middleweight (154 pounds), and Shane Mosley's winning ways ground to a halt.

    On January 26, 2002 Shane Mosley suffered his first defeat. That loss was seen as an aberration. Nobody's perfect. Everyone has a bad night. Shane's imperfection was to have a bad night while boxing a superb stylist like Vernon Forrest. The speed and punching power and dominance we expected from Sugar Shane came from Vernon Forrest.

    Shane Mosley and Vernon Forrest fought their rematch on July 20, 2002 and again Forrest won the decision. Shane Mosley moved up in weight and down in effectiveness when he lost to Vernon Forrest. It looked like Vernon Forrest had Sugar Shane Mosley's number. Forrest was just a little too big, a little too quick, a little too skilled, a little too determined to put some hurt on the man from Pomona, California. Forrest's wins against the perennial pound-for-pound candidate Sugar Shane Mosley were shockingly decisive. A year later, it's still hard to believe.

    But perhaps no longer. The fight with Raul Marquez on February 8, 2003 at the Mandalay Bay revealed the extent of Shane Mosley's decline. HBO introduced a sports psychologist named Dr. Fran Pirozollo to dissect the inner workings of Mosley's mind. Analyzing videos of Shane talking about his losses to Vernon Forrest, Dr. Fran, who voodooed the New York Yankees and Evander Holyfield, said that with positive visualization Shane Mosley might return to greatness.

    (Which brings to mind a line from the always quotable former heavyweight champion Iron Mike Tyson: "A great sports psychologist told me I could intimidate people by keep hitting them in the face for three minutes.")

    The bigger, more shopworn Raul Marquez (34-2-1 23 KOs), fighting out of the blue corner and wearing red and white trunks, emerged from hiding behind his HBO Latino microphone to get it on with Sugar Shane. Shane Mosley (38-2-1 35 KOs), fighting out of the red corner and wearing black trimmed with gold, was looking to get a W after a year and a half of fighting.

    Round one was competitive. Both men traded shots to the head and body. Mosley controlled the action and had the heavier hands. Too much holding. An ugly round. Mosley 10-9.

    Round two was much like the first. Mosley the ring general ratchets up points with body blows. A beautiful left hook hurt Raul Marquez. More holding. More boos. Mosley 10-9.

    Round three was even uglier. Marquez was coming on. Mosley still effective, but in ever smaller doses. Because Shane fights righty and Marquez is a southpaw the two men's heads kept colliding. Since Raul Marquez sometimes bleeds during the singing of the National Anthem, his cut man was having conniptions.

    Less than a minute into the third the two men clashed heads and Marquez gushed blood from his left eyebrow. The ring physician daubed at the wound and let the fight continue. Marquez ignored the blood streaming down his face and kept pounding Sugar Shane Mosley. Sugar Shane looked beatable. Shane Mosley looked average. It looked like the dream was over.

    At the end of the round, another headbutt, and another gash, this time above Marquez's right eye, brought the festivities to a halt. Raul Marquez was a bloody mess. The two accidental headbutts resulted in a no decision after three. No test for Shane Mosley. A no-brainer for Raul Marquez. No fun for fight fans.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAin't That A Shane``x1044893950,19288,``x``x ``xPress Release

    Boxing’s Odd Couple fights for 2 titles
    Flamos-Payne Feb. 22 co-feature in “Homecoming”

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Massachusetts cruiserweight champion Tim “The Hammer” Flamos and his February 22nd opponent, veteran Roy “House of” Payne, are boxing’s Odd Couple for several reasons, the least of which is their contrasting personalities.

    Flamos-Payne is the 10-round co-feature for the Mass. state and vacant EBA cruiserweight titles on the “Homecoming,” headlined by the Richie LaMontagne-Uriah Grant 12-round main event for the vacant IBU world cruiserweight championship, at LaMontagne’s alma mater, Everett High School (Everett, MA).

    The quiet, unassuming Flamos, 35, is a licensed carpenter who comes from Brockton (MA), home of boxing icon Rocky Marciano, who many feel Tim physically resembles. He is 16-2-1 (7 KOs) and hasn’t lost in five years. His last fight in October was declared a “no contest” in the second round due to a cut over the eye of Jose Luis Rivera from an unintentional head butt.

    The always garrulous, outspoken Payne, 33, fights out of Worcester (MA) and sports a deceiving 15-11-4 (6 KOs) record. The Virginia-native has won six straight and hasn’t lost since 1999. Payne is a military veteran (U.S. Army Airborne Division) who served seven months in Desert Storm. Roy also has an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Quinsigammond Community College and he is scheduled to graduate in May with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Becker College.

    Flamos’ only two losses have been, ironically, to another fighter from Worcester, John Rainwater, who Payne defeated in 1997. Tim and Roy are rated No. 14 and No. 15, respectively, by the NABA.

    The “Homecoming” is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, in association with Mohegan Sun, and will be held Saturday afternoon, February 22nd.

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Ticket prices are $100.00 (limited) Platinum, $50.00 Gold (rows 1-4), $30.00 Silver (rows 5-8), and $15.00 bleacher seating/general admission. Tickets are on sale in Everett at Everett Sporting Goods (617.387.6530), and American Nutrition Center (617.394.0678), Everett Advocate (617.387.2200) and Boston Harley Davidson (617.389.8888), as well as World Gym in Somerville. Call CES to order tickets or for more information at 401.724.2253/401.724.2254 or its Mass. Office at 617.567.1705. Doors open at 2 p.m, first bout at 3 p.m.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFlamos, Payne to Battle for Two Vacant Titles``x1044971781,73018,``x``x ``xPress Release

    BOSTON, Mass. – Saturday night’s (Feb. 15) scheduled “The Backyard Brawl” pro boxing card at the National Guard Armory in Dorchester (MA), featuring the comeback of Irish super middleweight Ray Close, has been cancelled due to the site’s lack of availability because an increased level (Orange) of security has been declared.

    “It’s out of our control,” promoter Doug Pendarvis said. “I hope to reschedule the entire card.”

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xSaturday night’s fight card in Boston cancelled``x1045151509,42201,``x``x ``xWBA Press Release: Appealing Hearing and Purse Bids

    CARACAS, Venezuela – The WBA wants to inform that its Appealing Committee yesterday decided to hold a hearing to hear from InterBox, representatives of current lightweight champion Leonard Dorin, and Don King Productions, representatives of current No. 1 contender Miguel Callist on February 20 at the Miami Airport Hilton hotel in Miami, Florida, at 10am.

    As so far no agreement has been reached between the two parties in order to organize the mandatory fight between Mr. Dorin and Mr. Callist, the WBA on January 30 called for a Purse Bid to be held on April 13.

    However, on February 11 we have received a petition from InterBox to make an appeal to the WBA’s last week’s decision of not sanctioning a fight against IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora since the mandatory fight against Mr. Callist is overdue.

    In an attempt to make the whole process even more democratic and transparent, the WBA decided to allow both parties involved to make their final statements aiming to reach an agreement.

    In the event that no agreement is reached after the hearing, the purse bid will take place later that day, at 12pm at the same place. The minimum amount for the purse bid will be U$S 150,000.

    Meanwhile, a purse bid for the fight between WBA super lightweight Vivian Harris and No. 1 contender Souleyman Mbaye will take place today at the Miami Airport Hilton hotel at 11am.

    The WBA will be represented by Public Relations Committee Chairman, Gonzalo López Silvero, and Vice Chairman of International Officials Committee, Armando García.

    The minimum amount for the purse bid will be U$S 150,000.

    WBA Press Department
    February 13, 2003

    Comunicado de Prensa AMB: Apelación y Subastas

    CARACAS, Venezuela – La AMB informa que su Comité de Apelaciones ha decido ayer llevar a cabo una audiencia en la cual escuchará a InterBox, representantes del campeón de los ligeros de la AMB Leonard Dorin, y Don King Productions, representantes del retador mandatorio Miguel Callist.

    Dicha audiencia se celebrará el día 20 de febrero a las 10am en el hotel Miami Airport Hilton, en la ciudad de Miami, Florida.

    Originalmente, el día 30 de enero, la AMB había llamado a una subasta para la pelea entre Dorin y Callist, a celebrarse el día 13 de febrero, ya que un acuerdo no había podido ser alcanzado entre las partes.

    Sin embargo, el día 11 de febrero recibimos una petición por parte de InterBox para que esta compañía pueda hacer su descargo ante la decisión tomada la semana pasada por la AMB de no sancionar un combate entre el señor Dorin y el campeón de los ligeros de la IBF, Paul Spadafora. El motivo de dicha decisión es que el plazo para la defensa mandatoria de Dorin ante Callist está largamente vencido.

    En un intento por hacer a l proceso todavía más democrático y transparente, la AMB decidió permitir que ambas partes hagan su descargo y traten de llegar a un acuerdo.

    En el caso de que esto no suceda, se procederá a realizar la subasta, prevista para las 12am del mismo día y en el mismo lugar. El monto mínimo para la misma es de 150.000 dólares.

    Mientras tanto, el día 13 de febrero en el hotel Miami Airport Hilton, a las 11am, se realizará la subasta para el combate entre Vivian Harris, campeón de los ligeros de la AMB, y Souleyman Mbaye, retador obligatorio.

    La AMB estará representada en dicho evento por su Director del Comité de Relaciones Públicas, Gonzalo López Silvero, y su Sub-Director del Comité de Oficiales Internacionales, Armando García.

    El monto mínimo para la subasta es de 150.000 dólares.

    Departamento de Prensa de la AMB
    13 de febrero de 203

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPR: WBA to hold hering on Lightweight Title bids``x1045171327,24963,``x``x ``xPress Release

    Finally, after many changes the Main Event is set. The Undercard is about done and Boxing is at the Blue.
    Jose Reyes, one of the hottest Jr. Lightweight prospects in the country returns to the Blue. The Blue has a long and brilliant past for seeing many of boxing’s hottest legends rise through the ranks in their ring.

    The aggressive Reyes just may grace those ranks, but he must get past the ever-unpredictable Reggie Sanders. Case in point,The Blue Horizon, May 24, 2002, Philadelphia PA, hot shot Charles “Chuckie T” Tschorniawsky, at that time 20-4-1, faced off against Sanders. Once again the unpredictable underdog, Sanders came to fight, game face on undeniably beating Chuckie T, showing that the old warhorse still possesses a bag of tricks scoring this huge upset. Does Sanders have the tricks to up-set the rising Reyes?

    For ticket and seating info contact The Blue Horizon at 215 763-0500.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBoxing Returns to Blue Horizon on ``x1045189418,66337,``x``x ``xPress Release

    NEDDY GARCIA VS ALBERTO ONTIVEROS
    HEADLINES KINGFISH FIGHT CARD
    ON FEB. 24 IN NORMAN, OKLA.;
    ZAHEER RAHIM VS ISIDRO TEJEDOR IN CO-FEATURE,
    TELEVISED ON FOX SPORTS WORLD,
    FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL & FOX SPORTS LATIN AMERICA

    February 13, 2003 - Promoter Anna Beth Goodman/Kingfish Boxing
    Productions will present a sensational fight card on Monday, February 24, 2003, at the Thunderbird Wild, Wild West Casino in Norman, Oklahoma.

    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, SUPER FLYWEIGHTS - VACANT NABF TITLE
    NEDDY GARCIA, 14-3-1, 8 KOs, Mission, Texas, vs
    ALBERTO ONTIVEROS, 18-5-5, 16 KOs, Mazatlan, Mexico

    In the 12-round main event, Neddy "Little Guns" Garcia, 14-3-1, with 8 knockouts, of Mission, Tex., will challenge Alberto "The Assassin" Ontiveros, 18-5-5, with 16 knockouts, of Mazatlan, Mex, for the vacant North American Boxing Federation 115-pound title.

    26 year-old Garcia is on a roll. He has a three-fight winning streak, which includes his career-best win, is 9-1 in his last 10, and sees this fight as another step toward the world top-ten ratings. He said, "You got to be focused, mentally ready and physically ready. Those are the two things. I'll be ready for this fight."

    Former world title challenger Ontiveros, also 26 years old, was stopped on a cut in his last fight, but is 6-2-1 in his last nine. He is experienced against top opposition and is always dangerous. He has fought current WBA flyweight champion Eric Morel twice, as well as former two-time world champion Mauricio Pastrana.

    CO-FEATURED BOUT - 10 ROUNDS, JR. LIGHTWEIGHTS
    ZAHIR RAHEEM, 20-0, 11 KOs, Tulsa, Oklahoma, vs
    ISIDRO TEJEDOR, 16-11-4, 8 KOs, Miami, Florida

    In the 10-round co-featured bout, Zahir "The King" Raheem, 20-0, with 11 knockouts, a Philadelphia native now living in Tulsa, Okla., will face Isidro "Pantera" Tejedor, 15-11-4, with 8 knockouts, of Miami, Fla.

    Raheem, a 1996 U.S. Olympian, has stepped up in class of opposition in recent fights, and is coming off his career-best win in his last fight, an eighth-round knockout against former WBC featherweight world champion Luisito Espinosa. Raheem is now ranked WBC No. 12, IBF No. 12, WBA No. 14. Tejedor is a tough 11-year veteran who has fought top opposition and always gives strong efforts.

    PLUS - 8 ROUNDS, JR. WELTERWEIGHTS
    RAMIRO "Rambo" CANO, 12-0, 10 KOs, Houston, Tex.
    vs TBA

    With an aggressive, exciting style, Cano is becoming a fan favorte wherever he fights.

    An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will be announced.

    Ticket prices: $15, $30, $60.
    Tickets are available at:

    Thunderbird Wild, Wild West Casino Box Office - 800-259-LUCK and 405-360-9270; online at www.tickets.com; by telephone at 800-955-5566; and at all Metro area Homeland Stores.

    Doors open at: 6:00 P.M., first fight at 7:00 P.M.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNeddy Garcia vs. Alberto Ontiveros Headline``x1045229453,93625,``x``x ``xPress Release

    LaMontagne’s “Homecoming” KO’d
    Cut forces cancellation of Feb. 22nd fight in Everett

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – World cruiserweight contender Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne suffered a serious cut over his eye last night in a sparring session, forcing the cancellation of the February 22nd “Homecoming,” scheduled at LaMontagne’s alma mater, Everett High School (MA).

    LaMontagne was slated to battle Uriah Grant in the 12-round main event for the vacant IBU world cruiserweight title. At last night’s workout in Brockton, LaMontagne’s sparring partner unintentionally butted Richie above the eye, opening a cut that required four stitches. LaMontagne cannot spar for a minimum of one month.

    “I feel terrible,” a devastated LaMontagne said. “I worked so hard for a world title fight at my old high school. How many athletes ever have that opportunity? I never cut, either. My sparring partner came off the ropes and boom; I was cut over the eye. I got stitched up at the hospital and the doctor said I’d be as good as new, but not for at least three or four weeks.”

    Promoter Jimmy Burchfield is exploring options to have most of the other boxers on the card fighting in a few weeks on another show at a different site in the Boston area. “We’re all upset, none more than Richie,” Burchfield explained. “The reason for putting on the fight in Everett was having Richie in the main event. But, unfortunately, things like this happen in boxing. Without him on the card it doesn’t make sense having the fight in Everett. We had to cancel. Most of the other boxers have been training five or six weeks and I’m looking into putting on another show in a few weeks. We can move the co-feature up to the main event because (Tim) Flamos (Mass. state cruiserweight champion) against (Roy) Payne for the EBA and Mass. titles is a great fight.”



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLaMontagne’s “Homecoming” Kayoed``x1045257071,24287,``x``x ``x
    Former welterweight champion, Cuba's pride, Kid Gavilan passed away Thursday, Febuary 13, 2003, in Miami. He was 77.

    Born Gerardo Gonzalez on January 6, 1926, the "Cuban Hawk" turned professional in 1943. Over the next 15 years, he compiled a record of 107-30-6, 28 of his victories by kayo. His speed and flashy style made him one of the most popular fighters of his era.

    Gavilan won the world welterweight title in 1951 from another stylist, Johnny Bratton. Among the great fighters he faced were Sugar Ray Robinson, Ike Williams, Carmen Basilio and Bobo Olson.

    He was a member of the inaugural class of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and was a frequent visitor to the Canastota-based hall.

    Gavilan was managed by a relative of Mike DeLisa, co-publisher of the Cyberboxing Zone.

    Kid Gavilan's Professional Record``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRIP Kid Gavilan``x1045261122,61516,``x``x ``x'THE BOXING WORLD LOSES A DEAR KID' ...
    by Elisa Harrison

    Hall of Famer and Cuban legend Gerardo Gonzalez, best known to the boxing fans the world over as Kid Gavilán, suffered a fatal heart attack in Miami, Florida, this Thursday, February 13, at the age of 77.

    Gavilán once ruled supreme in the welterweight division. During
    his glory years Kid met up with the likes of Billy Graham,
    Bobby Dykes, Carl 'Bobo' Olson, Carmen Basilio and the sweetest
    'Sugar' of all, Sugar Ray Robinson. The flashy fighter, originator of the 'bolo' punch, retired at age 32, having tallied 107 victories, 30
    defeats, 28 KOs in his 15 year career.

    Funeral Services will be held in Miami at 6:00 pm on Monday, February 16, at Funeraria Mascón, 7895 S.W. 30th Street.

    Donations to help defray the cost of Kid Gavilán funeral services are needed and if you can help, donations may be sent directly to Funeraria Mascón, 7895 S.W. 30th St., Miami, FL. Floral arrangements would also be accepted.

    Burial will take place on Tuesday, February 17 at 10:00 am at Lady of the Mercy Cemetery, 114-11 N.W. 25th St., Miami.

    The general public is encouraged to come and pay their respect to this great champion.

    Elisa Harrison is the editor of Bragging Rights Corner

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDonation and Funeral Arrangements for "The Kid"``x1045359360,15618,``x``x ``xOleg Maskaev TKO 1 Errol Sadikovski, heavyweights
    Don Labbe TKO 3 John Webster, middleweights
    Keith Sonley UD 6 Francisco Arroche middleweights
    Russel Jordan UD 4 Dennis Burley, welterweights
    Rodney Jones TKO 1 Dave Howell super featherweights ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLewiston, ME Results - Maskaev, Sonley Notch Wins``x1045403790,81455,``x``x ``xBy Zachary Levin

    Flags dipped to half-mast in Cincinnati, Ohio last night and it wasn’t necessarily in honor of the late Kid Gavilan. Native sons Tim Austin and Ricardo Williams, Jr., were handed their first losses at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    The doubleheader, broadcast on HBO’s Boxing After Dark, featured IBF bantamweight champ Tim "The Cincinnati Kid" Austin (25-1-1, 22KOs) in the main event, against heavy-handed Mexican, Rafael Marquez (29-3, 27KOs).

    The conventional Marquez entered the ring confident of his chances against Austin’s southpaw style: His last two victories came against the slick American southpaw Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson; and legendary trainer Nacho Beristain anchors his corner—whose acumen was demonstrated throughout the bout as he doled out honest, sound advice to his charge at critical moments.

    Both fighters were tense and cautious in round 1, with neither fighter establishing an advantage. Austin, a notoriously slow starter, only connected with 1 in 40 jabs, and barely threw any straight lefts—his best punch. Although this was his 10th title defense, Austin’s inactivity (10 fights in six years) and creeping age (31) was apparent; his legs, which were so far apart he looked to be doing a split, were as stiff as a novice golden glover’s. Between rounds Beristain advised Marquez, "Control [his] left hand and you have the fight."

    Round 2 offered little action, either. But Marquez made a few adjustments, namely closing the distance between him and Austin, who seemed content to hunt-and-peck, one punch at a time, from outside. The first half of round 3 was a carbon copy of the former round, but in the second half Marquez began to quicken the pace, closing in on and stalking Austin with classic Mexican aggression. Between rounds Beristan bid his fighter to throw combinations—right hands followed by uppercuts and hooks.

    45 seconds into round 4, Marquez got Austin’s attention with a straight right. The fight officially began to heat up, just as Marquez wanted it to.

    The champ cooled Marquez down with a tactical round 5, as his long jab began to land and a few wide right hooks irritated his challenger as well—by this point, Marquez was only anticipating straight 1’s and 2’s. But HBO’s expert commentator Emmanual Steward, who had picked Marquez to win the fight, noted the Mexican’s superior fluidity and speed; he got the better of every exchange, Steward observed, whenever he committed to 3- and 4-punch combinations. Conversely, Steward was critical of Austin’s ungainly wide stance, which made it impossible for him to throw punches in combination and left him off-balance after getting off.

    Steward had a good chuckle when, between rounds 5 and 6, Austin’s trainer Aaron Snowell admonished him to widen his stance and "get in the trench." "Now I see where he gets it from," said Steward.

    At 2:15 into Round 6, Austin found his timing and began to work hooks and digging uppercuts off the jab. Austin controlled the tempo in Round 7, which translated to very few punches (well below the bantamweight average of 62 punches /round), and thrown at a distance suitable to his 70-inch reach. Marquez’s fire seemingly tempered, he fought lethargically.

    Going into Round 8 Austin had turned things around. …Or so it seemed, if not for Nacho Beristain, who bluntly told his fighter he was losing the fight. One senses another trainer might’ve waited another round or so before sounding the alarm. What was essentially up until now an interesting but somewhat wooden fight, offered an 8th round worthy of Barrera-Morales 1 or even of Gatti-Ward 1.

    At the sound of the bell, Marquez established a near frenzied pace. But 30 seconds in, Austin landed several clean power punches; in particular a straight left to the jaw that backed Marquez up and had his eyes rolling back like a couple of slot machine lemons. Just 45 seconds into the round, Marquez was visibly shaken and exhausted. Austin let his punches fly for the first time all night. Marquez managed to hang on and collect himself, though, and exactly halfway through the round, throwing straight lefts and rights to the head, he knocked a dazed Austin threw the ropes. Austin managed to crawl back in the ring and got to his feet at the count of 9—revealing the same mettle as when he once came from behind to defend his title with a broken (not fractured) jaw. The champ was able to stand but do little else, and an emboldened Marquez proceeded to throw punches from every conceivable angle for the next 35 seconds. Referee Vic Dragoulic stopped the fight 2:20 into the round.

    An elated Rafael Marquez now joins his brother Juan Manuel Marquez, who two weeks ago became the IBF featherweight champion, as one of the few brother-combos in boxing history to become world champions. The Marquez brothers are the first set of brothers to hold titles simultaneously since the Canizalez brothers in (Orlando and Gaby) in 1991. Incidentally, the Canizalez brothers held titles in the same weight class (bantamweight). Tim Austin, who has been marred throughout his career for never having a defining fight as a champion, and for never fighting the best bantamweights of his era—Ayala and Tapia—was gracious in defeat. He will now in all likelihood move up in weight and campaign in the competitive featherweight division.

    * * *

    In the 10-round undercard, 140-pound Ricardo Williams, Jr. (8-0, 5 KOs) lost a unanimous decision to last-minute substitute Juan "Pollo" Valenzuela (15-6, 6 KOs). Williams, a 2000 Olympic silver medalist and recipient of the largest signing bonus (1 million) among the recent Olympians, was scheduled to fight Juan Carlos Rubio (28-6-2). Rubio, who would have been a formidable opponent for Williams, is a technical fighter best known for spoiling the auspicious beginning of another touted 140-pound 2000 Olympian, Francisco Bojado. Instead, Williams got more than he bargained for in Valenzuela. What Valenzuela lacks in natural skill he makes up for in determination and cojones. (And I can’t think of a more inaccurate moniker than "pollo" (chicken) for this 22-year-old pressure fighter—who, incidentally, derailed the career of another hot prospect Julio Diaz; and also hails from Julio Caesar Chavez’s hometown, Culican, Mexico.)

    From the opening bell Williams had his hands full with Valenzuela, who is essentially a junior middleweight, weighing 157 the day of the fight to Williams’ 149. Williams is a cute fighter with good hand-speed, but he is a genuine 140-pounder who has no business getting into the ring looking soft and overweight (144) as he did Saturday night.

    For the first part of the fight, Williams relied on lateral movement and light contact punches in an attempt to fend off the Energizer Bunny Valenzuela. But the Mexican had no trouble popping right hand leads in Williams’ face all night long, and as the fight wore on, Williams could no longer box on his toes and was forced to settle down and fight the bigger man. The American demonstrated an impressive defense rarely seen in such a young fighter; angling his body or moving his head just so, he rarely got hit flush. Still, he absorbed more punishment in this fight than in all his other pro bouts combined. To his credit, he fought like a warrior in the 10th round and exhibited the same grit that he did in the Olympic finals when he lost a controversial decision to Muhammed Abdullaev. The CBZ scored the fight a draw while the scores that counten weren't so kind: 98/92, 97/93, 97/93.

    Ricardo Williams has all the boxing ability in the world, but until he starts training like a champion, he will not be the million dollar baby as promised. Larry Merchant summed up the verdict well in his post-fight comments: "When you don’t take an opponent seriously, he becomes a serious opponent."





    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xFlags Dip for Cincinnatti Kid``x1045464319,72490,``x``x ``xGormley Still Full of Gas
    By JD Vena

    LOWELL, MA – When the proud 32 year old, Brendan Gormley walked down the steps of the Lowell Auditorium, the tournament’s director of contestants, Art Romalho couldn’t believe his eyes. “Here comes another old guy trying to recapture his youth,” was what his face read. Maybe Romalho was right. But what is wrong with that? Gormley’s youth was a good one. While attending Bentley College, the Arlington, MA native won the 165-pound New England Golden Gloves title in 1994, beating Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton of New Bedford. Pemberton is now a world rated professional prizefighter who has been featured on the ESPN networks for his skills.

    Gormley would have a few more fights after that night, including a win over a raw Matt Godfrey, who just so happens to be the last year’s National Golden Gloves heavyweight (201 pound) champ and a finalist tomorrow night. Despite what some skeptics had anticipated, Gormley not only looked the part at a chiseled 165 pounds, he defeated Juan Montaya, of the Fall River, MA region over three action-filled rounds. Gormley will join Godfrey tomorrow night in hopes of recapturing his youth and his second 165-pound title.

    “I was told because of my age that I wouldn’t have enough gas to fight hard throughout the fight,” said Gormley. “They thought I was going to wear out, but I proved them wrong. I was the one who was doing most of the work down the stretch. I had all the gas and more”

    So what was it fueled Gormley to return to the squared circle? Was it all about recapturing his youth?

    “When I stopped competing years ago, I still liked to work out at the gym,” said Gormley. “Then one day, Frankie (Tejada, who lost a tough fight to finalist, Carlos Cancel in the 141-pound division), challenged my manhood and said, ‘You don’t have any guts, man. You come in here and beat people up in the gym but you don’t have any balls to fight in the Gloves.’ Once you fight, you’ll always have the urge to fight again. It’s just part of getting older. But I guess what Frankie said got under my skin. But I’m glad it did.”

    Early in the first round with Montaya, Gormley got to him in a hurry, crowding and smothering his less-experienced foe just as he had against Pemberton nine years ago. He took the fight on the inside with short crisp punches and used his strength to wear down the will of his younger opponent. He’ll need to do that tomorrow night when he faces last year’s NE 156-pound champion, Mike Andrade of Worceter, MA, a worthy adversary who is presently rated third in the country.

    “I won tonight for the same reason that I’m going to win tomorrow night,” said Gormley. “We’re fighting four 2-minute rounds and no one is going to out-gas me.”

    If Gormley wins, then Art Romahlo will be looking at him in an entirely different way.

    Golden Gloves Notes:

    The Gormley-Andrade match-up is one of many intriguing contests tomorrow night. Tonight, Jason Estrada, the nations #2 ranked super-heavyweight (201+) from Providence defeated last year’s champion #9 ranked, Nate James of Malden, MA and faces Solomon Mayo, of Holyoke, MA in tomorrow night. The 178-pound division may offer a promising candidate to win the nationals. Defending champion Steve Richards, of Fall River stopped Joshua McCauliffe at :39 of the third round but will have a stiff challenge from Tylon Burris of Holyoke, who most felt was the most impressive fighter in the tournament. Lowell’s Simeon Dunwell, who will attempt to win the 132-pound title is also someone to behold. Below are the pairings (with region and semi-final result) for the 57th Annual New England Golden Gloves Tournament of Champion.

    112 pounds:
    Champion: Jose Cruz, Holyoke (2 byes)

    119 pounds:
    Bobby Jaynes, Lowell, MA (bye)
    Vs.
    Jonathan Vasquez, Fall River (bye)

    125 pounds:
    Felix Cruz, Fall River (defeated Jose Callegas, VT)
    Vs.
    Nestor Colon, Lowell (bye)

    132 pounds:
    Simeon Dunwell, Lowell (defeated Willie Carville, VT)
    Vs.
    Emanuel Montano, Holyoke (bye)

    141 pounds:
    Carlos Cancel, Holyoke (defeated Frankie Tejada, Lowell)
    Vs.
    Eduardo Soto, Fall River

    152 pounds:
    Bille Gillespie, VT (defeated Ross Enemait, Fall River)
    Vs.
    Greg Carter, Holyoke (defeated David Semprit, Lowell)

    165 pounds:
    Brendan Gormley, Lowell (defeated Juan Montaya)
    Vs.
    Mike Andrade, Holyoke (defeated Andrew Jordan)

    178 pounds:
    Tyler Burris, Holyoke (defeated Phil Thibeault, Lowell)
    Vs.
    Steve Richards, Fall River (defeated Joshua McCauliffe, VT)

    201 pounds:
    Matt Godfrey, Fall River (bye)
    Vs.
    Eric Shanks, VT (defeated Tyrone Smith, Lowell)

    201+ pounds:
    Jason Estrada, Fall River (defeated Nate James, Lowell)
    Vs.
    Solomon Mayo, Holyoke (bye)



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Golden Gloves: Semi Finals Results and Notes``x1045633121,56800,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena at ringside

    LOWELL, MA – Mark my words, my dear readers, someone from this year’s New England Golden Gloves tournament will one day either win an Olympic gold medal, a world title or both. The talent this year was captivating, as each finalist not only won impressively, they awed the 2,582 fans in attendance by their tremendous ring talents. A few dozen fans even hung around for the award festivities after the fights to see if they could score the shirts worn by the finalists. They obviously knew that memorabilia from this year’s squad could prove worthwhile some day.

    Some of the performances were so mind-numbing that the Thomas F. Costello Memorial Trophy, what is yearly awarded to the tournament’s most outstanding boxer could have gone to any number of this year’s champions. The trophy was awarded to Simeon Dunwell, an 18-year old from Peabody, MA who won his second consecutive 125-pound open class title with two utterly dominant performances on Tuesday (against Willie Carville) and last night against Angel Kullian.

    Had last year’s national Golden Gloves 201-pound champion, Matt Godfrey of Providence had an opponent on Tuesday night, he could have been a strong consideration for the award. But the quick right hook, which flattened Vermont champion, Eric Shanks in the very first round gave you an idea why his opponent, on Tuesday night, Anthony Grano had “car trouble.” If only Shanks were as lucky. Godfrey’s punches were so fast that some thought knockout was form Godfrey’s left hand. I’m still sticking with the right hook. Either way, look to hear or read more high remarks about Godfrey who is only 22 and owns an amateur record of 172-21 with 68 knockouts. I don’t think I’ve seen a more poised amateur heavyweight in my life than Godfrey

    Incidentally, the same could be said of Godfrey’s pal, Jason Estrada, the nation’s #1 ranked super-heavyweight in the county. Estrada, 22, also of Providence is a multi-winning P.A.L champion (2000, ’01 and ’02) and showed in this year’s tournament that he has the goods. On Tuesday night he defeated giant Nate James (#9 in the nation) of Malden and won easily over Holyoke’s Solomon Maye in last night’s final. With his experience, he seems to adapt to anyone standing in front of him. Estrada is now 238-16 and promoters should be licking their chops over he and Godfrey.

    Other Final Results:

    Tylon Burris of Chicopee, MA and one of 34 brothers and sisters won the 178-pound title in a counterpunching battle with last year’s champion, Steve Richards. Burris was your writer’s pick for most outstanding boxer, because of the fact that he was very impressive on Tuesday night (defeating Phil Thibeault) and the fact that Richards was also very impressive that night (stopping Joshua McCauliffe of Vermont). Greg Carter, of Waterbury, CT won the 152-pound division and was the unofficial runner-up for the Thomas F. Costello Trophy by most at ringside. The 18-year old punished Lowell’s Billy Gillespie (who represented the Vermont region) for most of the four two-minute rounds and won decisively over David Sempritt, also of Lowell on Tuesday night. Michael Andrade, of Providence, last year’s 156-pound champion had to compete at 165 pounds because of the new 152-pound limit. Andrade had his hands full with Brendan Gormley until he began landing thunderous body shots. The perfectly placed shots sapped the oxygen from the 32-year old in the final two frames. A lesser man would have at least taken a knee, but Gormley, the 1994 165-pound champion finished the entire bout on his feet. Carlos Cancel, of Framingham won the 141-pound division by stopping inexperienced Burton Rockwell, Jr. at 1:54 of the first round. Referee Mike Ryan stopped the contest after three standing eight-counts. Felix Cruz, 27, a Fleet Bank employee had his hands full with 16-year old Nestor Colon but won the 125-pound division title. Many booed the decision but it could have gone either way. Cruz is now 66-5. In the same weight class in the women’s division, Marisol Ortiz defeated Lydia Gray of the Holyoke region and in the opening bout, Matt Remilard won the 119-pound title beating New Bedford’s Jonathan Vasquez.




    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe 57th Annual New England Golden Gloves``x1045718769,88068,``x``x ``xIcons and legends are human beings born common and unknown, but molded into greatness by time and historical events.

    The legend of whom I write was born in Camaguey -the cattle province of Cuba- on the 6th day of January 1926, being baptized with the name of Gerardo Gonzalez.

    As a boy he had little schooling, working since he was very young, shining shoes at a street stand, peddling newspapers on street corners and working at an ice factory. Yet, those were jobs to pay for room and board while learning his craft, for the boy was born to box.

    His amateur career began as a ninety-pound flyweight in a cock-fighting ring in the hamlet of Palo Seco, where young Gerardo swarmed over his surprised foe. He won his first one and was back the following week, scoring another win.

    By the age of fifteen, Gerardo was one of the most recognized amateur stars in Cuba. He turned pro at seventeen, under the guidance of Fernando Balido, the proprietor of a fruit stand called "El Gavilan" -The Sparrow Hawk- a name borrowed to market Gerardo as Kid Gavilan.

    Cuban boxing had a distinguished history before the Sparrow Hawk turned pro. The previous decades had produced world champion Kid Chocolate and top contenders in several weight classes, including Black Bill and Kid Tunero. This history had a price, for Cuban contenders were forged in the heat of battle. Promoters did not offer easy fights and the crowd did not accept them; good young pros were moved quickly against quality fighters in a fast game of survival of the fittest.

    Gavilan made a name for himself very quickly. He won four prelims and scored a knockout in his first main event. His sixth fight was against Bombon Oriental, a good headline fighter with years of ring experience and dozens of pro fights. The Kid won with ease and repeated the win in a rematch.

    Kid Gavilan was a prodigy inside the ring, an athlete with destiny, a
    natural at the fight game. He had an iron chin, fast hands, quick legs, good heart, a sense of flash and daring, all wrapped up in an exciting style of fighting in spurts, jabs, hooks and uppercuts swarming around his opponent's guard in blitzkrieg assault.

    The Sparrow Hawk also possessed that quality that is described in Spanish speaking pugilism as "to have angel," the charisma that attracted crowds that responded to his showmanship, as he performed for them wearing his trademark snow-white boxing boots and white trunks with black trim.

    Gavilan won 29 of 31 battles fought between 1943 and 1946, scoring wins over quality fighters, men such as Santiago Sosa, Hankin Barrows and Miguel Acevedo. He lost and won to tough Mexican brawler Carlos Malacara, who became the first fighter to ever deck the Kid, a rare event, for the Cuban was never stopped in his fifteen-year career.

    In 1947, Gavilan was rated seventh among the welter elite; in 1948 he was the top contender for a title shot. It was also the year Gavilan lost a close one to the magnificent Sugar Ray Robinson.
    The Sugar man and the Hawk tangled twice, the second time for the title, and both were close fights in which Robinson emerged the winner, yet Ray would always claim that the two toughest fights of his career were against the Cuban fighter.

    "We were both very fast," Gavilan said in an interview years later, "and we both took turns attacking and countering. Sugar Ray liked to set his tempo to the fight and I gave him trouble when I attacked in spurts. It broke his rhythm."

    In New York, Gavilan hooked up with Angel Lopez, a restaurant empresario who had managed some fair talent and the Sparrow Hawk piled up wins and captivated audiences with his trademark "bolo punch," a flashy, wide punch with more charisma than power.

    The diamond had serious flaws. The talented fighter was also somewhat wild. One of the Beau Jack fights was canceled when Gavilan was hurt in a street fight. Although married, the Hawk liked to party.

    "He trained very hard," boxing trainer Luis Sarria once said of the Kid, "and he partied very hard also."

    Gavilan also performed to the level of his opposition. When facing a
    topnotch fighter the Kid performer at his best, but with lower caliber
    boxers facing him his interest waned, causing him to lose to journeymen like Danny Womber and Sugar Costner.

    Gavilan became champion on May 18, 1951, in New York, scoring a disputed victory in fifteen over Johnny Bratton. Although only 25 years old, Gavilan entered the ring against Bratton as a veteran of 87 professional battles, with 72 victories, 12 defeats and 3 draws. His win resume included the prestigious names of Ike Williams, Beau Jack, Billy Graham, Joe Miceli, Gene Hairston and Tony Janiro, all top guns in the fight game.

    Gavilan was a very active champion. From May of 1951 to the end of 1953, the bolo- punching Kid defended his title on seven occasions and
    participated in eighteen non-title bouts. His seven defenses were against Johnny Bratton, Carmen Basilio, Chuck Davey, Gil Turner, Bobby Dykes, and two against Billy Graham. Basilio -- one of the toughest men ever to lace on a glove -- decked Gavilan, but the Kid managed to survive the round and rally to win. Southpaw Chuck
    Davey was handed a drubbing, the Hawk winning by TKO in ten.

    "Gavilan was a hard guy to fight." Basilio stated in an interview, "He did not hit hard but he was fast and would throw punches in clusters. He took a very good punch but I timed him and clocked him good, dropped him clean. It was a tough fight but I thought I won. That disputed loss and the knockdown got a lot of ink."

    At least one of Gavilan's defenses -- against Billy Graham -- was fixed by the mob. It was a sad moment in the sport when Graham, a good boxer and a decent man, was robbed and denied the crown that he deserved for its effort.

    Gavilan was a paradox. He moved his father out of poverty and paid the
    family bills, but on another occasion left his wife and three children in New York -- to depend on public charity -- while he partied in other corners of the globe.

    The Kid worked hard at squandering his fortune. Restaurant and nightclubs benefited from his patronage, as did chorus girls, bartenders and lawyers.

    Gavilan accumulated a debt of 68 thousand dollars with the IRS while
    boasting of having tens of tailor made suits and dozens of expensive shoes.

    The Kid also had some splendid moments. He supported relatives, donated to charities, sponsored an amateur baseball team and bought an ambulance for a village clinic that needed a vehicle.

    The decline of his career began in 1954, a year in which he fought only four times. After scoring two wins in tune up fights, Gavilan tried to capture middleweight title held by Bobo Olson.

    Olson, native of Honolulu, was a hard man who had entered the pro ranks at the early age of fifteen, tattooing his arms to pretend being older. Bobo was a good boxer, a solid puncher and experienced in ring warfare. A solid middleweight, he was too strong for Gavilan, who had already begun to lose the marvelous reflexes that carried him to fame in the ring.

    After the Olson defeat, Gavilan returned to the welters, losing his crown to Johnny Saxton, a hungry contender with 44 victories in 48 encounters. Gavilan -with 28 years of hard living and almost 120 fights- was a champion on the decline.

    After Saxton, the Kid became an opponent. The chin was still there, but the lightning speed was gone and the timing was no longer razor sharp. From 1955 to 1958 he fought 26 times, winning ten, losing fifteen with a draw, announcing his retirement after losing on points to Yama Bahama, a good middleweight boxer from Bimini.

    The record book reads 107-30-6, with 28 KO wins and the claim to fame of not having been stopped in 143 pro fights. The men he faced included Sugar Ray Robinson, Carmen Basilio, Bobo Olson, Johnny Bratton, Johnny Saxton, Miguel Acevedo. Santiago Sosa, Ike Williams, Beau Jack, Rocky Castellani, Gil Turner, Tony Janiro, Paddy Young, Eduardo Lausse, Tony De Marco and Ralph Jones.

    Retirement was not easy. Of the almost two million dollars earned, all that remained was a small farm in Bejucal, Cuba, and a closet full of clothes that soon were no longer fashionable.

    He tried acting -playing himself in a boxing flick- and did some nightclub shows dancing and joking with the audience, but audiences only paid big bucks to see him perform inside the ring. His acting and dancing career ended in dismal failure.

    Sometime in the late fifties or early sixties, the Kid turned to religion, becoming a Jehovah Witness. His timing was poor, for the new power in Cuba -Fidel Castro- did not believe in human or religious rights. The Kid was arrested a few times, interrogated and harassed. His farm was taken over by the revolutionary regime and by 1968 Gavilan arrived in Miami, joining hundreds of thousands of his exiled countrymen in South Florida.

    He was broke and almost blind from cataracts in his eyes. The exile
    community passed the hat and paid for the operation to restore the former champ's eyesight.

    Gavilan was offered several jobs and accepted to become part of Muhammad Ali 's staff, but the job did not last long, ending with Gavilan threatening a lawsuit. The Ali camp settled for forty thousand dollars and the Kid spent the money as fast as it was paid.

    Again insolvent, Gavilan continued his life of indiscipline, being arrested in 1974 for illegal possession of a firearm and causing a disturbance in a dance hall. Friends vouched for him and for a while he trained amateurs for promoter Julio Martinez, but that line of employment ended because of the Kid's excessive drinking.

    Gavilan was blessed with a guardian angel named Hank Kaplan, a former boxer and grand guru of boxing historians. Hank took care of Gavilan, being instrumental in setting up personal appearances for the Kid at different banquets and events throughout the United States.

    The Kid -by then residing in a nursing home- not only made some pocket
    change at these events, but also enjoyed the applause, the warmth of the fans and once again being the center of attention. Hank took the Kid on the yearly pilgrimage to Canastota, where Gavilan happily signed hundreds of autographs and spent many happy hours chatting with boxing fans.

    Gerardo Gonzalez -better known as Kid Gavilan- died on February 13, 2003, of a heart attack at the Miami nursing home where he resided. The Catholic charities and Maspon Funeral Home picked up most of the tab for a first class funeral -the Kid always liked class -and the few hundred dollars in the leftover expense tab was paid by a couple of ex fighters.

    It was a grand wake, not of mourning but a final salute to a legend, a great athlete with great flaws, a historical figure beloved by his nation and by fans from all corners of the planet. Florentino Fernandez, the left hook artist and former middleweight contender
    attended the wake, as did Puppy Garcia, the crowd-pleasing featherweight of the fifties, former NABF Junior Lightweight Champion Frankie Otero, one time Cuban national champion Johnny Sarduy, as well as former welterweight Marcelino Gonzalez, ex flyweight scrapper Kiki Casanova and former welterweight Dwayne Simpson.

    Boxing historian Hank Kaplan arrived accompanied by Jack Kearns Jr. Boxing trainer Dave Clark, boxing promoter and former mayor of Hialeah Julio Martinez and several young amateurs came to pay their respects to the fallen icon.

    The Kid rested in his coffin, dressed in a blue pin stripe suit, a white boxing robe neatly folded across his stomach. The flower arrangements that filled the room included Cuban flag designs and a large arrangement that featured boxing gloves made from red roses.

    Reporters and camera crews from three local television channels showed up, interviewing friends and relatives of the Kid. As I watched the TV crews at work, a fellow radio journalist nudged me.

    "No one ever stopped him," he said, "that's incredible."

    I nodded as I looked at the metal casket where the Kid rested remembering a phrase said by the clever Wilson Mizner when told that middleweight champion Stanley Ketchel had been shot to death.

    "Start counting to ten," I said to my fellow journalist, "he'll get up."

    Rest in peace, great troubled champion of the white shoes and bolo punch.

    The fight game tolls ten bells for thee.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xKid Gavilan: The Sparrow Hawk by Enrique Encinosa``x1045765154,51568,``x``x ``xPress Release

    MASHANTUCKET, CONN. -- Undefeated IBF Cruiserweight champion Vassily Jirov defends his title at Foxwoods Resort Casino April 26 against the ever-dangerous former champion James "Lights Out" Toney.

    Foxwoods presents the exciting boxing card in association with DiBella Entertainment, Inc. in its Fox Theatre. In addition to the main event, the co-feature on the card features former world champion, Montell Griffin, plus additional bouts.

    Tickets for the April 26 boxing card at Foxwoods will go on sale in mid-March. Check the Foxwoods box office at 800-200-2882 for ticket information.

    In his six years as a pro, Jirov, originally from Kazakhstan, has won 31 consecutive bouts - 27 by knockout. All but nine of his fights have ended before the sixth round. Jirov was the gold medalist in the 178 pound division at the 1996 Olympics. His challenger is no stranger to big fights. Toney (65-4-2, 42 KOs) has swapped punches with some of boxing's biggest legends, including Iran "The Blade" Barkley, Roy Jones Jr. and Mike McCallum.

    In the co-feature, light heavyweight contender Antonio "Southpaw" Tarver (20-1, 17 KOs) meets Griffin (44-3, 29 KOs) for the NABF title. Tarver won the bronze medal at 178 pounds in the 1996 Olympics. Griffin has mixed it up with some of the toughest fighters, including Toney and he was the first - and only man - to beat Roy Jones Jr.

    The boxing card will also be televised as part of HBO's "Boxing After Dark" series.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFoxwoods Resort Casino to Host Jirov vs. Toney!``x1045792383,36096,``x``x ``xPress Release

    TICKETS ON SALE TODAY FOR
    ACELINO FREITAS VS JUAN CARLOS RAMIREZ
    WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT CARD
    ON MARCH 15 IN CHICAGO, TELEVISED ON SHOWTIME

    February 21, 2003 - Tickets are on sale today for the sensational world championship fight card headlined by Acelino Freitas vs Juan Carlos Ramirez on Saturday, March 15, 2003, at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the UIC Pavilion, located at 525 S. Racine Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. The main event and co-featured fight will be televised on "Showtime Championship
    Boxing."


    Ticket prices: $35, $50, $150.
    Available at: UIC Pavilion Box Office - purchase in person.
    Purchase by telephone or in person at all TicketMaster outlets, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTickets on Sale for Freitas-Ramirez in Chicago``x1045852625,55162,``x``x ``xBy Ted Bodenrader

    Sometimes, you need to take a few whacks to find your way inside.

    You just tuck in your chin and bull yourself forward, taking the licks as they come. All the while, you can only hope to maintain a steady foothold on the ground beneath you. You know that once you get in close, that’s when you can inflict some real damage.

    This is equally true in the business where we use pens to sling our punches and ink to slay our foes.

    The settings couldn’t be more surreal than in a place like Boston, where they think, breathe, and eat sports – morning, noon, and night.

    In this town, athletic competition is not mere entertainment. It is a form of religion.

    In other words, when sports stars speak, it is gospel. When sports scribes write about it, it is scripture.

    Every word, every conceivable concept, it is examined closely under millions of microscopic eyes.

    So, you have to put yourself in the year of 1998 as if you’re breaking into this business like a four-round novice. You start by focusing your thoughts and energy on this Jewish southpaw everyone is buzzing about.

    Dana Rosenblatt is clearly the thoroughbred of the local boxing stable. He’s articulate. He’s witty. And he can fight a little. Above all, he’s got that ticket to ride aboard the Bob Arum Express, and he plans to ride it all the way to the top, the same way stablemate Oscar De La Hoya has done so over the course of six years.

    So, you decide to play him up big and roll with the tide. Every chance you get, you make sure his name is somewhere under your own.

    However, after just a couple of months, the momentum breaks a tad early. Your plans come crashing down upon you like a giant billow.

    It’s on that night – in April of ‘98 – when you find out what it really means to be chewed out. Until you’ve been the recipient of a Norman Stone tirade, you simply never have been.

    When it comes to chewing off ears, Mike Tyson has nothing on the local chap managing John Ruiz, the rugged heavyweight from nearby Chelsea.

    When it comes to verbal warfare, Stone is a five-starred general. The F-bombs rattle off his tongue like machine gun spray. His pot shots enflame you like napalm. And at any given moment, he can fire up to two-dozen insults (including a particular favorite that sort of rhymes with ‘blockbuster’) without coming up for a breath of air.

    And if you catch him on the right night, you’ll get pasted with every last one of them before you reach ‘hello’.

    Somewhere in between the expletives, you may recognize a few actual words of English. But don’t count on it.

    It is early one Sunday evening and the phone rings in the newsroom of the Boston rag you’re working for. You have to put down the morning edition, and your full-page feature on Rosenblatt, to answer the call.

    When you pick up, there is no introduction. There is no such thing as ‘hello’.

    As soon as live air separates you from the caller, the show is on. The voice on the other end slices through your skull like an ice pick. You don’t recognize it at first. It could be a lunatic or it could be Joe Pesci with a thick Boston tongue.

    Either way, it’s obvious this clown is not here to amuse you.

    “What the f--- did this f---ing kid ever do to deserve this? You tell me that!”

    “Excuse me?”

    “I’m talkin’ about this little pr--- Rosenblatt. What da f--- did he ever do that was so f---ing great? That’s all I f---ing read about is Rosenblatt this, Rosenblatt that. What, does he have you on his f---ing payroll? What about Jawny? What about Jaaaawny?”

    You desperately try to reason with him but to no avail. So, you just sit back and take your whacks. You have no other choice.

    When things calm down and civility prevails, Norman Stone inhales deeply, pauses for a moment, and presents his closing argument.

    “You listen to me,” he whispers. “And I want you to listen good because I’m only going to say this once. When all is said and done around here, and all the dust has settled, you’ll see what I’m talking about. The biggest guy to come out of this area will be Johnny Roo-ez. You mark my words on that.”

    Click!

    You stare at the receiver for a few moments before hanging up, digesting what has just transpired. Words are cheap, and never so much as they are in the boxing circuit, but for some reason, this is different.

    So, you start looking into this Stone character and come across some stirring revelations. His life story is astounding: Vietnam vet. Recovering alcoholic. It plays off like an Oliver Stone picture.

    There are plenty of guys who have talked this kind of talk, but few actually walked it like Stone has.

    You dig a little deeper and discover there’s a gambler in him. It turns out that he mortgaged his house three times – yes, three times - to resuscitate a guy who was once knocked out in 19 seconds, as Ruiz was by David Tua in 1996.

    Not since this McNeeley character from nearby Medfield had a local pug fallen so disgracefully on his face. But when Stone puts his money where his mouth is, it makes you wonder if there is some logic to his lunacy.

    So, he spends every ounce of verbal energy he can muster, convincing the world that his boy will be back. He tells waiters and barbers and cops and garbage men and anyone and everyone with a working pair of ears. Some believe him and some don’t. But it doesn’t matter. Everybody seems taken with him.

    Every encounter you have with the man they call “Stoney” brings you closer to understanding why. His charm is made of claws; once it’s clamped onto you, there’s no letting go.

    “There’s only one Stoney out there,” says publicist Bob Trieger, also a close friend of Stone. “And what you see is what you get. There’s never any gray area. You know exactly where you stand with him. And however he feels, good or bad, he’s very, very passionate in those feelings. People hear different stories about him but most don’t know what he’s really about.”

    You start to hear some of these very stories, including the one out of Wonderland Ballroom from a couple years ago. Stone is working the corner of his Russian fighter, when the opponent hauls off and unloads two cheap shots on the Ruskie after the bell. Before his boy can retaliate, Stone pounces on the perpetrator, and starts winging haymakers on his skull. What follows is more fit for the news pages than the sports pages. People talk about the ensuing riot for years to come.

    So you learn to expect anything as the summer of ’98 falls upon Cape Cod, and you settle in at a place called the Melody Tent. Later in the night, rising superstar Zab Judah will make mincemeat of a guy named Otilio Villareal, but right now, all eyes are on John Ruiz. Dressed in a silk suit, Ruiz is merely a spectator on this night.

    The crowd thunders when the ring announcer introduces him as the future challenger to Evander Holyfield’s WBA throne. At ringside, Team Ruiz is beaming.

    But everything is about to change.

    In the very next bout, Stone’s prize middleweight, a workhorse named Billy Rollins, is knocked out at 3:42 of the third round by some scrapper from New York.
    That’s right, three minutes and forty-two seconds into the three-minute round.

    It turns out that the numbskull forgets to ring the bell and Stone’s fighter is left out to drown like the Andrea Gale.

    As soon as Stone realizes what has happened, he becomes a different person. He turns into Lou Ferrigno and wreaks terror upon everyone in his path. The commissioner, the referee, the timekeeper - they have no idea what’s heading their way.

    You see the intent in Stone’s eyes, the rage in his face, and it’s hard to imagine anyone denying him.

    The next day, Rollins’ knockout loss is tossed straight into the Atlantic. The fight is declared a no-contest.

    “That’s what he can do,” adds Trieger. “Stoney is a very controlling individual. He’s got to have control of every situation. And it doesn’t matter who his fighter is in the ring or how close a bond he has with the kid. You better not mess with his boy.”

    In the following months, Ruiz slowly begins to seep into the heavyweight picture. Regular appearances on Showtime increase his visibility with the fans and media alike.

    But boxing folks around the map don’t take to Ruiz’ lumbering style or the fact that he’s promoted by a fellah named Don King, who is accused of sliding his Puerto Rican star to the forefront of the ratings. And they can’t let go of the Tua memory of years past. So they imprison him in a swirl of disrespect.

    But this is nothing new for Stone and Ruiz. They’re quite comfortable as boxing’s Penn & Teller. After all, Ruiz’ self-proclaimed “Quietman” is a pointed departure from the silver-haired Stone, who is anything but. When Ruiz isn’t slinging five-fingered punches, Stone is busy slinging the four-lettered ones.

    He takes on all critics, all doubters, all skeptics who dare question his man. When Ruiz works over Holyfield in August, 2000, but takes away neither victory nor respect, the chip is no longer on Stone’s shoulder. Instead, there’s a boulder.

    But it isn’t until HBO dismisses Ruiz as the biggest fraud since Milli Vanilli that the volcano inside of him erupts.

    Hence, the media becomes his sole mission. It doesn’t matter if they operate with a keyboard or a microphone. He’s going to set them all straight.

    He becomes a bitter enemy of Larry Merchant. He calls Max Kellerman a chipmunk. He lays a well-deserved pasting on the dork from New York, Michael Katz.

    Meanwhile, the publicity from each episode turns him into one of the hotter names in the game.

    “Stoney’s greatest strength is also his biggest weakness,” says Trieger. “His love of Johnny is much, much more than as a boxer. He loves him as a son. He even said that if could have his way, he wouldn’t want Johnny to be a boxer. He’d rather he got into something else so he wouldn’t have to take punishment.

    “But every time you see an outburst, it’s only in defense of this kid that he loves so much. He’s very thin-skinned about John, the way a lioness is with its cub. You say something negative about Johnny and he’ll go right after you. It doesn’t matter who you are. Unfortunately, some of these incidents happen in public.”

    Autumn falls upon New England and the millennium’s first Halloween is but a few days away. It is 2 a.m. and all is quiet at the Intensive Care Unit of the New England Medical Center.

    Once again, Norman Stone can’t get his fighter off his mind.

    The big rematch with Holyfield is just a few months away, but oddly enough, the Real Deal is the furthest thing from Stone’s concerns.

    Instead, his every thought is with the fighter down the hall, hooked up to the life support system. Stone’s featherweight Bobby Tomasello has severe blood clotting in his brain, and for the first time all night, he has finally been put on his back. It is something opponent Steve Dotse failed to do over ten savage rounds in which Tomasello redefined words like ‘heart’ and ‘courage’.

    Yet, the real battle of the night is just getting underway.

    You look around the waiting room and see that Stone is not alone. They’re all here on this night. Anthony Cardinale, Gabe LaMarca, Bobby Covino, Ann Cooper.
    To the outside world, they are the fighters’ attorney, trainer, assistant, and camp coordinator. To the fighters themselves, they are family.

    At this moment, as their son dangles helplessly on the ropes, all they can do is pray.

    You sit across from each one of them and see the dark circles under their eyes, the pain in their pupils. It becomes blatantly clear that the real investment these people have in their fighter is far from financial. It’s purely emotional.

    Even King himself is touched by this rare level of sensitivity. In a business where the only trust that counts is the kind made of capital, he’s never seen this brand of personal commitment.

    “In all my years in this business,” he admits, “I haven’t come across a finer group of human beings than the people in the Johnny Ruiz camp.”

    “These people are all a part of something,” adds Trieger. “They’re a part of a family. The bond Stoney has with his fighters is something that never dies.”

    But as the sun comes up, the only bond Stone will ever again share with Tomasello is a spiritual one. Hope slips through his fingertips and makes way for the inevitable.

    Two days after Tomasello is counted out at the tragic age of 24, he is buried downtown with his boxing gloves.

    But there isn’t much time to mourn. After bidding farewell to his protégé, Ruiz decides to take it all out on Holyfield in the rematch.

    After training like a rabid pit bull, he’s antsy to avenge the injustice of their prior meeting. The buildup to the sequel far exceeds what led up to the first one, especially when Stone makes an issue out of Holyfield’s street tactics.

    So you brace yourself when Holyfield mistakes Ruiz’ groin for his chin and cracks him down there with one shot after the next. When one such blow drops Ruiz in the tenth round, Stone’s temper reaches smoldering proportions. A snide remark from Holyfield lights the final fuse.

    “That may be the most incensed I’ve ever seen Stoney,” says Trieger. “I don’t know what Holyfield said, but Stoney went totally bezerk, like I’ve never seen him before. And that’s really saying something. They had to restrain him in the corner from going after Holyfield.”

    Stone lays into Joe Cortez as well and reduces the veteran referee to a stuttering schoolboy. When Cortez deducts a crucial point from the champ for the low blow, Holyfield’s camp fingers Stone as an intimidating culprit.

    But the penalty hardly matters. In the next round, Ruiz takes Cortez out of the equation by hammering Holyfield with a hard right to the temple. When Holyfield folds up like a tent, you realize that Ruiz has just done what George Foreman, Mike Tyson, and
    Lennox Lewis – three of the most potent punchers in history - failed to do in a combined fifty rounds.

    Five minutes later, they’re crowning the new champion of the WBA and the first ever of Latino descent.

    “The feeling of satisfaction couldn’t be described in words,” says Trieger. “They first got Johnny into boxing to build a little character. They ended up making a world champion out of him.”

    But the critics are stubborn and they find a way to discredit him once again. They refuse to erase the labels they’ve placed on him long ago. The more he proves them wrong, the more they loathe him.

    So, they call Ruiz ‘lucky’ and Holyfield ‘punchy’ and let it go at that. Meanwhile, they dismiss Stone as a certifiable nightmare.

    But you sit there and take it all in with a sly smile. You bathe in all the irony and the contradictions.

    If Ruiz is a bum, as they all say, then he’s a bum who just took two from the Holy Warrior and is well on his way to becoming a $20 million commodity. If this is true, you wonder, what kind of manager does that makes Stone?

    “It would make him the greatest manager of all-time,” answers Trieger. “Johnny is no bum, obviously, but I still have people tell me all the time that Stoney should be considered Manager of the Year for how far he’s taken him.”

    But Stone isn’t holding his breath for such an acknowledgment. He understands that to get such an award, he’d have to start smooching some butts when in essence, he’d much rather be kicking them.

    Nonetheless, a week later, the celebration bash is underway in urban Somerville, which sits on the upper lip of Beantown.

    They pile into a joint called ‘Good Times’ where the good times have long been underway.

    As fans anticipate Ruiz’ grand arrival, the hugs, handshakes, and high-fives are exchanged throughout. The Man of the Hour finally waltzes in, his face still marred with battle scars.

    People immediately want to focus on his future. They want him to fight Mike Tyson or Lennox Lewis or even a rematch with David Tua. They beam over the millions that dangle at his fingertips.

    Before too long, it is Stoney’s turn to speak. When he grabs hold of the mike a la Robin Williams, the gathering prepares for some comic relief.

    But when Stone takes on an unusually morbid tone, it becomes obvious that something is on his mind. As he pauses in mid thought, his lips start to quiver. His eyes well up with emotion. You assume the tears are a joyous release, a realization that a decade of blood and sweat has led them to this incredible moment of triumph.

    But you would be wrong.

    It turns out that he’s reflecting on only one name, and it isn’t Tyson or Lewis or even Ruiz for that matter.

    A moment later, he dedicates the championship victory to the late Bobby Tomasello, and delivers a speech so touching, so heartfelt, that it reduces even the hardest of men to tears.

    “He has a soft side to him that few people know about,” says Trieger. “People think he’s all about anger and hate and he’s not that at all. He’s all about love. Even all of his anger is propelled by love. Underneath that image that he projects is a pure humanitarian.”

    But you already knew that. You knew all about what Trieger calls his “silent mission”, a quest to lead troubled alcoholics on the path to recovery - and far from the perilous road that Stone once traveled.

    “He’s saved so many lives around Boston,” says Trieger. “He takes drunks right off the street and brings them to A.A. and does everything he can to sober them up, to help them clean up their lives. He doesn’t tell anybody about this – but it’s something that he does.”

    You also know about the fundraisers and the charity events and the visit to the
    special needs classes, like the one in Andover, where he hand delivered a Ruiz T-shirt to a mentally challenged young boy who had requested one.

    You know about all these little things that so many others don’t. At the same time, you’ve grown a genuine endearment for this guy, while your colleagues in the business mull over the fact that he has told them so many times (and in so many words) to have sex with themselves.

    Above all, you know that he once saved a quiet, young man with whom he looks upon as a son. He saved John Ruiz from a life of poverty and despair at a time when nobody had much use for the struggling Puerto Rican. He took this down-on-his-luck pug and helped turn him into a flourishing multi-millionaire.

    And he did it out of love.

    “Looking back, Stoney did everything right,” says Ruiz. “And sometimes he got a little crazy.”

    But yes, you knew that already. You’ve known he was crazy since the first time you spoke to him.

    Today, you often think about that phone call and the five years that have elapsed since the night he perforated your eardrum. And you reflect on what has happened since those days when the silence was a bitter one for the “Quietman”.

    You know that Ruiz is resting up in a private suite that overlooks the vibrant Las Vegas strip, where he is enjoying the peace for a moment. It’s all just a pleasant escape from the reporters and the cameramen and all these annoying hounds who pound incessantly on his door.

    In a few days, he’ll be taking on the greatest fistic talent of our time in Roy Jones, Jr. and at the same time, participating in one of the most intriguing bouts to ever go down on land.

    There will be millions more to pocket on this historical night, plenty of cushioning for a wife and three small kids.

    Back in Boston, where sports fervor has reached an unprecedented high, they can no longer remember the name of that Jewish middleweight you used to write about or the buffoon in the cocoon of horror who once took on Mike Tyson.

    Like Stone once promised, there’s only one name they speak of when they discuss men in red mitts.

    And if you listen close enough, somewhere through the chant of Ruiz’ name, you can still hear it. You can still hear Norman Stone’s voice on the other end of the telephone.

    Only now, the dust he so often spoke about has long cleared away, and the screaming has given way to a soft, soothing calm.

    It’s finally your time to speak, and you don’t want to waste this chance. For five long years, you’ve waited your turn to say something back:

    You were right all along, Stoney. Man, were you ever.

    A former boxing scribe of the Boston Herald, Ted Bodenrader is now a feature writer with The Ring, KO and World Boxing magazines. He can be reached with comments at tedboden@yahoo.com.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xA Character Etched in Stone``x1046009314,44530,``x``x ``xBy Zachary Levin

    When the bell sounded for round 1 last night at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee, Clifford "The Black Rhino" Etienne lived up to his handle. He charged towards "Iron" Mike Tyson at center-ring and attempted to gore the former heavyweight champion. This quickly proved to be a foolish strategy, his nickname notwithstanding. Past fights, such as with Fres Oquendo who sent him to the canvas 7 times, revealed Etienne has a soft spot around his left temple. Now we know he has other spots as well, namely his chin.

    Or maybe any tomato can would've done the same thing. Tyson ended the fight with a perfect punch, an explosive, compact right that snapped Etienne's head with such force it looked as if it might spin a complete revolution à la Linda Blair. It was the kind of punch legions of Tyson fans will splice into their highlight reel of his most spectacular KO's. (That said, as Etienne lay on the canvas wearing a vacant, curiously peaceful expression, he had the wherewithal to calmly take out his mouthpiece and wait out the count; it was unclear whether he was genuinely unable to continue, or just thinking, Screw it, I'm getting paid.) What's more, it will have Tyson believers deluding themselves that their fallen champ will do the same against a bigger and better foe, say, heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.

    It ain't likely, folks. Tyson himself allowed in a colorful post-fight interview with Showtime's Jim Gray, in which he was the rather humble, gracious sport we've come to know occasionally, "I need more fights and I'm not interested in getting beat up again."

    But before he fights a tune-up, he may want to get his spine looked at. "I broke my back," he told Gray. "I don't even know how I'm standing. It's a miracle.'' It was an injury from an old motorcycle accident, Tyson explained. "The doctor took me to the pain center and I wasn't supposed to fight, but what am I supposed to do. I'm going to take care of my family.''

    Fact is, there's no time for any Tyson tune-ups before a rematch with Lewis takes place. And who wants to risk it? Tyson delivered last night; the money is on the table. Lewis knows this to be true. He's left his June dance card free for what he still must view as another easy payday against Tyson (remember, before the two met last year in Memphis, Tyson had destroyed Andrew Golota, Lou Savarese, and crushed Frans Botha in the 5th round with an ungodly short straight right hand, and Lewis wasn't sweating it). The aging champ doesn't plan on sticking around too much longer. Also, every second that Tyson draws a breath, he's this close to derailing. "I've got issues I've got to deal with,'' Tyson shared after the bout. "I'm in pain and I've got some serious demons I am fighting.'' Roger that.

    One way of accomplishing this, Tyson suggested, a trickle of blood rolling down his face from a small cut next to his right eyebrow (Etienne did get off a shot or two), is by getting back to training in a week’s time. Indeed, Tyson, along with other emotionally troubled ring warriors such as Johnny Tapia, almost require the cloistered simplicity and discipline of a training camp in order to function properly as a human being. Training and sparring all day has the effect of mellowing the would-be nutcase/pugilist; it exorcises the demons, if only temporarily. One could say "the real world" is no place for guys like these; it's fraught with too many temptations, responsibilities, choices and ambiguities.

    And besides, Freddie Roach, Tyson's newest trainer, might be just the man for him, insofar as anyone can keep Tyson on track, and possibly get him back to his fighting form of the late '80's and early '90's. From the beginning of their association, Roach said that as soon as Tyson pulls any stunts, he was packing his bags and heading back to his stable of champions in L.A. Well, Roach was in Tyson's corner last night. It's fair to say the fighter's much-discussed war paint and several days of training skipped last week without contacting Roach (flu or no flu), qualify as stunts. But the money in training Tyson is hard to come by, and we have to forgive Roach this. But the question remains, how did Tyson really look his second time fighting in Memphis, before he connected on the right hand everyone was expecting? It's not as if he doesn't bring that puncher's chance against anyone, as long as he's lacing up the gloves.

    The answer: Tyson looked considerably better. But he's not there yet, and may never get to a level where a primed and focused Lewis won’t dispatch him in a repeat performance. At 225 1/2, Tyson was 9 pounds lighter than when he fought Lewis. His conditioning appeared vastly improved, though it's hard to be certain of this based on a scant 49 seconds of action. He looked a little wild, and when he and Etienne began to tussle and then tumbled to the canvas in the first few seconds of the fight, everyone watching thought, Oh, no, where's he gonna bite the poor guy this time?! But Tyson got up and remained composed: He clearly wanted to fight and, surprisingly, wasn't looking for a cheap way out. The negatives: His timing was off, he missed repeated hooks, and he got tagged with a couple innocuous shots that he would of definitely slipped back in the day. On the other hand, he was trying (for the first time in a long while) to do the right things, to fight the way Cus D'Amato tutored him from the beginning: He used his jab to good effect, he moved his head some, his feet weren't static, when he missed a shot he wasn't totally off-balance. Gone were the looping roundhouses, everything he threw was tight, short, crisp. The right hand that folded Etienne was evidence of the one part of Tyson's game that has depreciated the least . . . maybe, just maybe Freddie Roach can help him dust off what remains of his long-neglected skills.

    Who can forget the first time they saw Mike Tyson on network T.V., in the summer of '85, when he tore through Marvis Frazier in 30 seconds? Is there a chance Tyson can get his act together and give us one more great fight? When following The Mike Tyson Reality Show, what else can you say except: Stay Tuned!
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTyson Tattoos Etienne!``x1046009934,81723,``x``x ``xKatherine Dunn

    On Saturday and Sunday, Feb.22 and 23, the West Portland Boxing Club pulled off a major hat trick in blending two tournaments into one massive event at the Garden Home Recreation Center in Portland, Oregon. The club held its annual two day Fred Enslow Memorial Tournament while hosting the USA Boxing Senior Regional Tournament.

    The Northwest region includes five USA Boxing Associations: Alaska, Oregon, Pacific North West (PNW--Western Washington), Inland North West (INWA--Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho) and the Idaho Snake River Association (ISRA--Southern Idaho). Competitors qualify in their associations for advancement to the Regional Tournament. Winners of the Senior Regional Tournament advance to the largest national tournament in the country, the US Amateur Boxing Championships at Colorado Springs, running March 24 through March 28.
    All competitors for the Senior Regional Championships are males over the age of 16. All Championship bouts are four rounds of two minutes each.
    Included here are results of Senior Regional Championship bouts, the Fred Enslow Tournament bouts, and match bouts.

    Results of the Senior Regional Tournament were as follows:

    Senior Regional Elimination Bouts

    141 lbs, Beto Garcia, INWA won over Larry Daughtry of PNW.
    141 lbs, Hilario Lopez of ISRA won over Jackson Bussell, Oregon.
    152 lbs, Enrique Gallegas, Oregon, won RSC2 over Kaleb Fisher, PNW.
    152 lbs,Shad Cramer, INWA, won RSC1 over Raul Martinez, INSRA.
    165 lbs, Robert Marthuller, Oregon won over Cody De Los Reyes, ISRA.
    141, Special Senior, Gilbert Castellanos of Dela Rosa Boxing, Quincy, OR won over Ryan Rasor of Beaverton PAL.
    141 Special Senior, Fernando Avalos, Dela Rosa, won RSC1 over Terry Moon, Victory Gym of Albany, OR.


    Senior Regional Championship Bouts

    119 lbs, Troy Wohosky, Oregon, won over Jose Rodriguez, INWA.
    125 lbs, Ray Lampkin,Jr., Oregon, won over Francisco Urrabazio, ISRA.
    141 lbs, Hilario Lopez, ISRA, won over Beto Garcia, INWA.

    152 lbs, Enrique Gallegos, Oregon, won over Shad Cramer, INWA.

    165 lbs, Walter Wright, PNW, won over Robert Mathaller, Oregon.
    178 lbs, Chris Wirsing, PNW, won over Randy Rogers, Oregon.
    201 lbs,Leonardo Garcia Jr., ISRA, won over Kevin Peters, PNW.
    201+lbs, Mike Wilson, Oregon, won over Joseph Leapai, PNW.




    Results of the Fred Enslow Championship Bouts were as follows:

    152 lbs, Special Senior, T.J. Tavalii, Bumble Bee Boxing, Seattle, won over Jose Ruano, Beaverton PAL.
    132 lbs, Special Senior, Joel Gonzales, Victory Gym, Albany, OR. won over Anidal Rvano, Beaverton PAL.
    60 lbs, 8 years, Novice, Mark Merrill, Victory Gym, Albany, won over Efrain Estrada, Beaverton PAL.
    125 lbs,15-16 years, Novice, Lorenzo Cornelio, Dela Rosa Boxing, Quincy, OR.
    95 lbs, 11-12 years, Open, D.J. Dominguez, West Portland won over Marco Rodriguez, Dela Rosa.
    85 lbs, 11-12 years, Open, Eric Sanchez, Fight For Life Boxing, Rochester, WA. won over Carlos Magana of Dela Rosa.
    75 lbs, 11-12 years, Open, Jerrell Barbour, Tacoma, won over Josh Silva, Beaverton PAL.
    145 lbs, 15-16 years, Open, Scott Harrie, West Portland, won over Matt Behrens, Lewiston, Idaho.
    80 lbs, 11-12 years, open, Taylor Shirley, Tacoma won over Logan Christian, West Portland.

    119 lbs, 13-14 years, Novice, Tomas Aguilar of Knott Street won by walkover vs Daniel Medina of Central Oregon.
    145 lbs, 15-16 years, Open, James Grow III of West Portland won over Scott Harrie of West Portland.
    154 lbs, 15-16 years, Novice, Jeremiah Gary, Knott Street won over Derek Clift of West Portland.
    141 lbs., Special Senior, Gilbert Castellanos of Dela Rosa Boxing in Quincy, OR won over Fernando Avalos of Dela Rosa.
    165 lbs, Special Senior, Cedric Armstrong of Knott Street won over Abulcazan Hernandez of West Portland.

    In Match Bouts throughout the two Day Tournament:

    60 lbs, 8 years, Harvey Patero of Knott St. won over Efran Estrada of Beaverton PAL.
    85 lbs, 11 years, Open, Eric Sanchez of Fight For Life Boxing, Rochester, WA won over Amando Galleanos of Two Cities Boxing in Caldwell, Idaho.
    80 lbs, 11-12 years, Open, Jerrell Barbour of Tacoma, WA won over Logan Christian of West Portland.
    85 lbs, 11-12 years, Open, Taylor Shirley of Tacoma, WA won over Carlos Magana of Quincy.
    75 lbs, 12 years, Open, Omar Villa of Central Oregon won over Josh Silva of Beaverton PAL.
    119 lbs, 15 years, Open, Domingo Zamudio of Fight For Life won over Rogelio Villasenor of Two Cities.
    132 lbs, 17 years, Anibal Rauwo of Beaverton PAL won over Tony Henry of Victory Boxing in Albany, OR.
    119 lbs, 13-14 years, Tomas Aguilar of Knott St. won over Justin Evans of Central Oregon.
    138 lbs, 14 years, Novice, Justin Evans, Central Oregon won over Jorge Rubio, Two Cities Boxing.
    119 lbs, 15 years, Novice, Kenny Christian, West Portland, won over Rogelio Villasenor, Two Cities Boxing.
    132 lbs, 16 years, Open, Orlando Hernandez, Two Cities, won over Fernando Cisneros, Fight For Life.
    165 lbs, Special Seniors, Abulcasan Hernandez of West Portland won over Kile Rason, Beaverton PAL.
    119 lbs, 13-14 years, Novice, Tomas Aguilar, Knott Street, won over Mike Grow, Lewiston, Idaho.
    106 lbs, 11-12 years, Novice, Marquiz Weston, Tacoma, won over Jose Galleagos, Two Cities.
    125 lbs, 11-12 years, Novice, Daniel Medina, Central Oregon, won over Matt Burgess, Tacoma.
    110 lbs, 15-16 years, Novice, Ullysis Garcia, Fight For Life, won over Leandro Valdez, Beaverton PAL.
    110 lbs, 12-13 years, Novice, Jasper Smith, Warm Springs, won over Rico Salas, Tacoma.

    ---30---
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xAmateurs--NW Regional & Fred Enslow Tournament Results``x1046120746,78447,``x``x ``xWhat Jones is Attempting to Accomplish
    By JD Vena

    By now you’ve heard a number of historical comparisons in reference to Roy Jones’ challenge to John Ruiz and his WBA heavyweight title. Most have denigrated Roy’s bravado because they feel that Roy’s dangerous attempt to become only the third light heavyweight champion in history to win a portion of the heavyweight title has been done before and against better champions. True, Michael Spinks and Michael Moorer (if you chose to credit the WBO) have won heavyweight titles. But most historians or critics are neglecting to realize that Roy, a great light heavyweight champion is a different kind of 175-pounder.

    Yes, “Kid Gravity,” as our Lucius Shepard likes to call him, is unquestionably the fastest and most nimble fighter to have fought at this weight or any weight class for that matter. His talents, some of which cannot be fathomed by our human eyes, have dazzled many. And though he’s been a light heavyweight for most of his career now there are some who don’t realize that Jones is not like most other light heavyweights that have tested the deep waters at heavyweight.

    In case you forgot, Jones is a former 160 and 168-pound world champion. He has even fought weighing as low as 155 pounds a couple of times. With this in mind Roy should be thought of as a completely different kind of light heavyweight. Much in the way Pernell Whitaker, a good welterweight was more of a lightweight.

    The light heavyweight division has always been considered an “in-between” weight classification. After all, of the original eight weight classes in boxing, the light heavyweight division, the limit of 175 pounds was one of the last to be established. The CBZ and most other noted historians recognize Jack Root’s 10-round decision win over Charles “Kid” McCoy on April 22, 1903 as being the inaugural fight at this weight. Someone must have come to the conclusion that fighters weighing this size were either too small for a heavyweight or too large for a middleweight. I’m not trying to say that I’m some kind of math stud or physics major but Roy should be thought of as a fighter that may have been too heavy to remain comfortable at middleweight, though it was his intentions to move up and conquer bigger and stiffer challenges like James Toney. Just bare with me if you will.

    Prior to Jones moving up to light heavyweight from the ranks of super-middleweight, only six former middleweight champions had successfully moved up to 175 and won a world title at that weight. They were Bob Fitzsimmons, Dick Tiger, Tommy Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Iran Barkley and Mike McCallum. After Roy regained his WBC belt from Montell Griffin, Reggie Johnson became the 8th. Of these past muti-title winners, none of them won more than three title fights at this light heavyweight. Most of these champions either relinquished the title after winning it, acknowledging that a higher mountain could not be climbed or lost their title in the ring not long after. Incredibly, if you amass all of their title fight wins at light heavyweight, they equate to the number that Jones has won (13) since November of ’96.

    “Dick Tiger was too small for me,” Bob Foster explained during a conference call of the champion he all but vanquished in 1968 to annex the light heavyweight crown. Tiger had made two title defenses before meeting Foster, a legendary champion whom many consider to be one of if not the very best the division has ever seen.

    “I met Tiger at a dinner before fighting him,” recalled the giant 6’3 Foster. “I walked up to him and told him that he might as well get paid and just give me the title. He was too small for me and I hit too hard.”

    If Tiger was too small for Foster then what does that make Jones, who at 5’11 at the most is at least three to four inches shorter than Ruiz?

    “I think Ruiz is just to big and strong for Jones,” said Foster. “I’d like to see Roy win the title but if he doesn’t get Ruiz out of there early, then the Ruiz pressure will just wear him down.”

    Foster, considered to be one of the most dangerous punches in history (46 KO’s in 56 wins) also tested his power at heavyweight only to be KO’d in two by ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier and yo-yo’d in eight by Muhammad Ali (down seven times). Foster also lost to such noted heavyweights as Ernie Terrell, Doug Jones and Zora Folley.

    “If I didn’t get one of those big guys out early, then I didn’t have much chance. You can run but you can’t hide, the pressure from these bigger guys just gets to you. Eventually, they’ll just break you down.”

    Foster’s opinion of heavyweight experience doesn’t bode well for Jones who unlike Foster has had a tough time rendering light heavyweights unconscious. Especially since Roy’s physique resembles Dick Tiger more than Foster.

    Though Fitzsimmons won the light heavyweight title after losing the heavyweight title, he has been the only former middleweight champion to win the greatest prize in sports. Fitz attained such status over 100 years ago, during an age when most heavyweights campaigned under today’s cruiserweight limit of 190 pounds.

    Unfortunately, for Jones he’s not facing a cruiserweight on Saturday night. He’s facing a heavyweight who since mid-1996 hasn’t weighed lighter 221 pounds. Though some scribes have been erroneously reporting or maybe exaggerating that Jones is “seven inches shorter” than his upcoming foe, the 5’10 or 5’11 Jones will be considerably shorter than the champion who is listed at 6'2. That is not to be construed that a fighter under 6’0 cannot become a heavyweight champion, but the one’s who have (Tyson, Frazier and Marciano) were at least fireplugs.


    After Muhammad Ali finished Bob Foster in a fight where he was cut for the first and only time in his career, the ‘Greatest’ was quoted as saying, “It’s a good thing he wasn’t 10 or 15 pounds heavier. I would have been in big trouble.”

    When Roy steps into the ring on Saturday night, he will not have a 200-pound frame of a Spinks or Moorer, a size more suited for the heavyweight ranks. Instead he will need to summon the brilliant athletic skills that enabled him to dominate the light heavyweight champion, something most former middleweight champs have not been able to do. Jones has admitted that he doesn’t know how he’ll beat John Ruiz but he’ll figure out it out when it’s time.

    He has also said, “There must be some reason why no middleweight champion in over 100 years hasn’t won a heavyweight title. It would have to be a considerable accomplishment.”

    If he does, many will wonder themselves how a man who weighed as low as 155 pounds became a heavyweight champion in this day and age. Whether or not his unique abilities will help him reach what should be considered an impossible objective at the very least, we’ll just have to wait and see, whether we can believe our eyes or not.

    Questions or comments, e-mail JDVena@cyberboxingzone.com

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBeating Ruiz, a Lofty Endeavor for Jones``x1046140722,34858,``x``x ``xBy Frank J. Lotierzo
    WOND Talkradio 1400 AM

    In developing a fight plan for John Ruiz to fight Roy Jones, I'm making two assumptions. One, Jones is going to move throughout the entire fight never stopping once to plant, punch and get out. Two, Ruiz is never going to land that flush, clean, lights-out shot. So basically I'm going to make the natural heavyweight fight the type fight where the pressure is on Jones through out the bout.

    The Chelsea Mass. native must utilize his only advantage, physical strength, and apply it in a strategy that negates Jones two advantages, speed and boxing ability. Ruiz must make this an
    alley fight. Forget boxing and clean punching, he must maul Jones. Yes, superior physical strength can neutralize speed and boxing ability. The swarmer usually gives the boxer the most trouble because he doesn't allow the boxer to box, he forces him to fight, which Ruiz must make Jones do, fight not box. Ruiz has to cut off the ring and take away Jones' escape routes. Also, Ruiz must not head hunt, he must go underneath with his shots. Jones can make Ruiz miss to the
    head but, he can't hide his body. A strong body attack enhances the chance that the worlds' greatest lt. heavyweight will be slowed later in the fight and will be forced to engage with the WBA Heavyweight titlist.

    RUIZ MUST OLD-SCHOOL BOX CIRCA 1930' & 40's

    The "Quiet Man" must open the fight aggressively, throwing punches at Jones non-stop. He must hit Roy with his shots anywhere he can, elbows, forearms, top of the shoulders or even his wrist. Ruiz must try to injure Jones early in the fight, by breaking his wrist, numbing his joints, and jabbing at his shoulders making them sore in order to slow down his hands and hinder his punching ability. Ruiz must send the message that he's the boss and Roy, your speed is going to do about as much good as your 40 pit-bulls. See, I'm going to make you fight for your life. I'm taking your speed out of this fight. Your going to have to worry about surviving, forget scoring and boxing, it's not an option. Jones can move or run but, he can't protect his arms and shoulders since they are going to be covering his face and body. Ruiz must make Jones pay for using his arms and shoulders for his protective cocoon by beating on them.

    Ruiz constantly throwing bombs at Jones will pay another dividend. It will keep Jones rocking back and on the defensive, which eliminates his effectiveness to counter back. It also may have a psychological effect on Jones. Once Jones feels that he is in with a fighter who can knock him out or hurt him, it may subconsciously change his mind-set of fighting to win to trying to survive, which is a losing strategy. By Ruiz applying continuos pressure he'll be negating Jones from scoring cleanly because he'll be rushing his shots. Hopefully the mauling and brawling will tire Roy where he's too spent to move and is forced to fight from a stationary or flatfooted stance. This is where Ruiz can do his most effective fighting! By having Jones slowed to a walk Ruiz should be able to turn this bout into a fight. In this writer's opinion, Jones hasn't shown he has the punch or physical strength to fight Ruiz off of him. Jones has hit many decent lt. heavies on the chin who didn't go. I have to assume that Ruiz shouldn't be bothered by any punch Jones can deliver. Ruiz has been hit by Holyfield and Kirk Johnson in his last 4 fights totaling 46 rounds and wasn't close to being stopped. Roy Jones doesn't punch in the same zip code as Holyfield or Johnson. However, Jones can hit Ruiz cleaner and with more precision punches then either of them but, bottom line is Ruiz shouldn't be anymore then bothered by them and more then willing to take some of Jones' best in order to get to him.

    In reality Ruiz shouldn't lose this fight ! If Ruiz is properly prepared and executes the above battle plan he wins this fight. Keep it simple-stupid, make it a fight. No head hunting, no trying to end it with one punch, constant pressure, and hit Jones anywhere he can and don't worry about landing perfectly flush, just hit some part of him every time you let your hands go. And most importantly, don't wait and try to react to him, make him react to you. Make Jones prove not only is he amazingly fast but he also posses the chin of Hagler, the toughness of Greb, and he can take it to the body like a Lt. Heavyweight Ali. Oh and John, if Jones proves he can do all that, then resort to Plan-B, RUN!!

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHow Ruiz must fight Jones``x1046194111,59258,``x``x ``xCompiled by JD Vena of the CBZ

    Jones – 22; Ruiz – 9; 1 Undecided

    Well, I must say I am utterly shocked with the results of this recent CBZ poll. To me, Ruiz should be the overwhelming favorite here. But many pundits see one or a combination of intangibles going into Superfight 2003. For one, many believe Jones is the best fighter in the world, pound-for-pound. Secondly, many people see Ruiz as a second-rate heavyweight at best. Or some folks surmise that Ruiz is a top heavyweight but that Roy is better than being pound-for-pound, if such a degree exists.

    It’s astonishing to see a former middleweight champion in this day in age as a favorite in Saturday night’s showdown. Jones even expected to be cast as the underdog in this one. All in all, I guess it says a lot about the public’s lack of respect for a heavyweight like John Ruiz, who has had a tough time gaining credibility despite waging 36 rounds of warfare with Evander Holyfield.

    Though I don’t see it being a very competitive fight, I consider this fight to be the boxing event of my lifetime. If you disagree then you must consent that there is some serious intrigue here. This sort of thing hasn't been attempted since 1909 and that guy (Stanley Ketchell) was reputedly, being carried by the champion, Jack Johnson. The first attempt was in 1897 when boxers didn't appear to have any semblance of skill. Oddly or sadly enough, fighting a heavyweight of Ruiz' caliber is the only way a specimen like Jones can be tested in this era. Fighting a heavyweight is the only way one can imagine Jones losing a boxing match. That isn't to say that today's era of middles and light heavies is a bad one. It just goes to show you how far ahead Jones is in terms of skill. Just think, when would there have been a need for a prediction poll for a fight that involved Roy Jones, Jr.?

    Personally, I can't see Jones pulling this off. I feel people are making wrong assumptions because of close encounters, when light heavy notables such as Archie Moore and Billy Conn gave legends like Rocky Marciano and Joe Louis scares. What would have happened if they had faced a lesser regarded champion, like a John Ruiz? What some aren’t taking into account is that this underrated champion, Ruiz is a solid 225-pounder that owns a solid jab (by heavyweight standards) and strong right hand and that he’s a very awkward and conditioned fighter. They forget that Louis, at 199 ½ pounds and Marciano, at 185 did not scale much heavier than their light heavyweight challengers.

    Whether people like to admit it or not, your writer believes that size matters and it will be the determining factor on Saturday night. That's why this incredible feat hasn't been matched in over a century and probably never will. History has shown that Jones has been spectacular in big fights (James Toney, Montell Griffin II and Reggie Johnson) but this undertaking is too extensive for even Jones’ talents.

    Ruiz will catch up to Jones sooner than expected and after surviving scary moments, Alton Merkerson, the trainer of Jones will save his charge from inevitable damage sometime before the 8th round. If Roy Jones wins this fight then it will be because he is better than pound-for-pound.

    I leave you now with a good chunk of boxing insiders who make their bold predictions of this century’s ‘David vs. Goliath.’

    “Ruiz by split decision.”
    Budd Schulberg,
    Author

    “Jones by split decision.”
    Lucius Shepard,
    The CBZ

    “Fight fans will love this one because you'll see Roy Jones on the canvas and you'll see John Ruiz try and catch up to Jones' lightning speed. In the end, however, Jones will survive to become the WBA heavyweight champion. He won't try to defend it.”
    Chris Thorne,
    Freelance Fisticuffs

    “Jones by decision.”
    Katherine Dunn,
    The CBZ

    “Roy Jones will be just too fast for Ruiz and that will be the ‘make-up’ for the difference in their size. I guess I'm just one that doesn't believe that Ruiz has the speed, much less the punch, to catch Roy. Oddly, enough punches by Roy could produce a KO by him! But in all likelihood, Roy Jones, Jr. will run circles around Ruiz for 12 rounds and score a unanimous decision victory.”
    M. Mark Beiro
    Ring Announcer,
    West Tampa, Florida

    “The old boxing adage ‘A good big man beats a good little man’ simply doesn't work in describing this fight because you are talking about this generation's greatest fighter, Roy Jones, Jr. The talent difference between the two will be massive but if heart accounts for anything, Johnny would go down as an all-time great. While everything in me screams, ‘Roy, Roy, Roy’ - Johnny has the Don King factor on his side. ‘Sweet Pea’ couldn't beat King on a pay-per-view show. Hell, not even Oscar could conquer Don. How can you go against a Don King fighter in a major fight? When the opponent is Roy Jones, Jr., it's an easy call. Roy Jones, Jr. W12.
    Mike Nosky,
    RealBoxing.com


    “Ruiz in an upset. Roy’s train gets derailed in this one.”
    Rick Farris,
    The CBZ

    “I like Ruiz on points, but it's a scared pick. After all, Jones is a great fighter and Ruiz is a good one at best. But if Ruiz can score at all with his jab, he can control Jones enough to outpoint him. Ruiz' passivity is a definite negative in this fight. As a result, I expect a dull bout that is virtually void of action. That's what makes this fight one of a kind: Great anticipation and curiosity for a fight that figures to bore us.”
    Steve Farhood,
    Showtime

    “When it comes to sheer talent there is no comparison. Roy is arguably the best pound-4-pound fighter in the world & Ruiz isn't even in the top 15 ... BUT, when it comes to sheer physics there is also no comparison. It's hard for me to imagine Jones hurting Ruiz. The man went 36 rounds with Holyfield & was never even near dire straits. Jones as a light heavy has not carried the same power he had as a middle into the higher divisions. In order to get to Ruiz he's going to have to come inside & therein lies the problem.

    The way for Ruiz to fight him is to maul him, step on his feet, lay on him in the clinches etc. Also, instead of trying to hit Roy flush, bang his arms, shoulders, & just rough him up. Sooner or later he will wear Roy down.

    Roy can bip & bop & run around the ring but at a certain point he's going to have to actually fight Ruiz. & that's when this fight will grind to a halt. Ruiz by mid-to late round TKO. It's simply a matter of physics ...
    GorDoom,
    Editor-in-chief/ The CBZ

    “I think if there is any light heavy in the World that can possibly beat a legitimate Heavyweight it is Roy Jones. I think the choice of referee for this fight will play a huge part in the outcome. If they get a ref that always wants you to fight your way out of clinches and lets Ruiz spend a lot of time wrestling it will be trouble. But if they get a ref that allows the fight to be cleaner and fought in the middle of the ring I think Ruiz could find this a lot more difficult than he imagines. I am going to say that I think Roy will find a way to win. I think, me personally, I will know after 3 or 4 rounds who is going to end up winning. It is that type of fight to me.”
    John Scully,
    Former world title challenger

    “What Roy Jones has going for himself entering this contest is speed, sharpness and mobility. What he has going against him is size, power and a couple of intangibles. By that I mean he has no idea how he'll handle a wallop from a light punching (by heavyweight standards), but genuine 230-pounder and the most important, how the old ticker will handle the situation at the first sign of adversity. Roy has never been truly tested in this area, a true gray area in his makeup. A couple of years ago, Roy was mulling over a fight with a comebacking Buster Douglas and then suddenly pulled out. I suspiciously figured he tried his hand with a heavyweight in a closed-door sparring session and found it not to his liking. If he figures Ruiz might be a soft touch because of his lack of KO power, he may be in for a rude awakening. Ruiz has just come through 4 bouts with one of the most physical heavyweights in recent years in Holyfield and will not have a problem with Jones in that department. Moreover, Jones has shown a problem in the past when layed up against the ropes. The fighters who had success with him in this area (Castro, Griffin, Pazienza) just didn't have enough in the tank to exploit this weakness. I'm betting a true heavy will. Ruiz by lopsided decision or late round stoppage.”
    Dan Hanley,
    The CBZ


    “I love both these guys way too much to pick against either of them, so I’m pleading the Fifth on this one. However, I will predict one thing: a very competitive fight. Since this thing was signed, I’ve heard very strong opinions both ways. Some think Ruiz will croak
    Jones. Others think Jones will tear Johnny apart. The only strong opinion I have is this: Nobody should have a strong opinion whatsoever. Jones is too much of an unknown at that weight to draw any decisive conclusions. Ruiz’ overwhelming size and strength
    advantage and Jones’ overwhelming speed and talent advantage should certainly offset each other and make for a great night. But for one, don’t expect Jones to hurt Ruiz. Jones has lost a little of his power each time he moves up in weight. His heavyweight punch will not be anything like what Holyfield threw at him. The real question, they say, is how Jones will deal with Ruiz hitting him. Well, I feel it’s a question of ‘if’ Ruiz hits him. Jones usually gets hit with one, maybe two decent punches an entire night. He’ll be even more careful and attentive with Ruiz. We should all have one strong opinion on the event, however. Roy Jones, Jr. should be universally praised for taking on such a dangerous conquest. To hell with Ben Affleck. This guy is the real Daredevil.
    Ted Bodenrader,
    The Ring Magazine

    “Ruiz wins split decision over Jones.”
    Scott Ghertner, MGM MIRAGE

    ”Jones TKO10 Ruiz.”
    Ade Makinde,
    The CBZ

    “Ruiz by 9 round KO. Because Ruiz is so much bigger than Jones, Jones has to fight an almost perfect fight defensively. Ruiz has so much more room for error and as of late he's seemed to have a knack for beating more talented fighters. Eventually, he will be able to catch his smaller opponent.”
    Stephen Tobey,
    Maxboxing.com

    “Styles make fights and size matters, so if Ruiz uses any type of intelligence he should be able to get a win over Roy. He has to forget about what he looks like in there and make it a street affair. I can’t see Roy taking to much punishment. If he takes any type of beating he will fold.”
    Tom Smario,
    The CBZ

    “Jones by decision.”
    Fred Sternburg,
    Sternburg Communications, Inc.

    “Jones by unanimous decision, with Ruiz providing some tense moments.”
    Chris Strait,
    The CBZ


    “I think the John Ruiz-Roy Jones WBA heavyweight title match will turn out to be one of the most boring ever staged, as Jones runs and jabs for 12 rounds and Ruiz plods after him. If they engage, or if Jones gets brave, there could be some fireworks---Ruiz’ size could allow him to club Jones down, but a sharp Jones punch could also surprise the champ. But overall I think a 12-round dance-a-thon decision win for Jones is the likely result.”
    Jay N. Miller,
    Quincy Patriot Ledger

    “A good big man beats a good smaller man. In this fight, that cliche doesn't sustain a relevant point for comparison. Ruiz ranks as a just above average fighter and Jones resisters as a maximal talent, a singular athletic specimen in this era of boxing. Though this is a fight and Jones is 34, he's a preserved 34, brimming with speed and agility when called upon. Ruiz's pedantic, rough on the inside, telegraphed right hand power thrusts should be counter-fodder for Jones' power combinations. Forgetaboutit, if you think
    Jones has to run to win. Does Jones have the chin to withstand a heavyweight? Wait for the next installment of "Jones Plays the Heavy. Jones WU Ruiz.
    Patrick Kehoe,
    Secondsout.com

    “Roy by knockout in the 11th round.”
    Dave Iamele,
    The CBZ

    “Jones by decision in the worst heavyweight title fight since Lewis-Mavrovic. The only way Ruiz will win is if a fight breaks out. That won’t happen.
    George Kimball,
    The Boston Herald

    “John Ruiz will solidify his reputation as 'the worst heavyweight champion since Primo Carnera' when he is humiliated by the superior hand speed of Roy Jones. Jones will poke Ruiz with blinding chicken pecks until Ruiz is bleeding from multiple deep cuts, forcing the ringside doctor to stop the fight in eight rounds or less.”
    Chris Bushnell,
    The CBZ

    “Roy Jones is the most talented boxer I have ever seen. He is simply too quick for John Ruiz, who will not be able to land clean shots. Jones by decision.”
    Dave Hudson,
    Fightnews.com

    “Jones W12 Ruiz. I just have a hard time imagining Jones losing.”
    Thomas Gerbasi,
    MaxBoxing.com



    “Roy Jones Jr., 12-round decision. Buyer beware: This fight could be dangerous for anyone in need of a competitive fix. Jones will win because he is an extremely-skilled fighter, arguably the best on the planet, but he will have to pop-pop-pop, then run to avoid getting into serious exchanges with Ruiz. This event should be sponsored by NIKE.”
    George Diaz
    The Orlando Sentinel

    “In deciding the outcome of this fight, I pictured myself (5’10, 172 pounds), fighting against my elder brother (6’1, 210 pounds) in a boxing match. It was a scary thought. Nevertheless, if anyone can pull it off, it’s Roy Jones, Jr.. Ruiz is simply too slow --
    and too conventional -- to beat Roy Jones. Of course, Ruiz is a big man, so even one solid shot could send Roy to the canvas. But I just can’t see that punch happening. For Roy, fighting Ruiz will be like fighting someone moving in slow motion. Given Roy’s
    legendary selection of weak opponents in the last few years, do you really think he’d fight Ruiz if he weren’t confident he would win? I see Ruiz getting frustrated in the middle rounds, tiring out, and being TKO’d by Jones between rounds 8 and 10.”
    Eldon Frost,
    The CBZ

    “Jones by TKO in 11. Not only is Jones one of the most physically talented guys in the ring, but also one of the smartest. Jones knows Johnny is gonna try and land the haymaker, but it won't happen. I think after enough rounds of winning with the jab, Jones will open up, and after around the 11th round, Ruiz will have had enough. The ending will probably look like the blown KO body punch that put Ruiz down in the 11th round of his rematch with Evander Holyfield.
    Alex Dombroff,
    Boxing316.com

    “Roy by seven or eight round stoppage.”
    Bert Randolph Sugar,
    Boxing Historian

    “I see Ruiz's style frustrating Jones in the early rounds. Jones will have to be patient and keep working steadily and using his speed. In the later last 3 rounds Jones will dominate and take a decision.”
    Dom Forcella,
    The Herald Press (New Britain, CT)

    “Roy Jones in a unanimous decision over John Ruiz. Jones has too many skills and speed, plus the larger ego.”
    Mel Baron,
    Fightnews.com


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe CBZ Ruiz-Jones, Jr. Prediction Poll``x1046305869,53968,``x``x ``xAFTER PRE-WEIGH-IN ALTERCATION

    LAS VEGAS, February 27, 2003— Following an altercation at the weigh in for Saturday night’s WBA Heavyweight Championship of the World on Saturday, March 1, WBA Heavyweight Champion John Ruiz’s manager and trainer, Norman Stone, was taken to Valley Hospital and remain in stable condition as of 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

    Dr. Flip Homansky said that Stone was experiencing light-headedness and sharp pains on his side when they decided to take him to the hospital for observation. "He is no longer experiencing sharp pains," said Dr. Homansky. "He has some tenderness in his neck and left small finger. We will be taking him through a series of tests, including a CAT scan and EKG, before releasing him this evening."

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRUIZ’S MANAGER NORMAN STONE IN STABLE CONDITION ``x1046436275,34619,``x``x ``xCompiled by JD Vena

    Whether you can speculate or not how much Roy Jones, Jr. actually weighed for yesterday’s weigh-in, Jones will be physically disadvantaged in every imaginable way when he challenges John Ruiz for his WBA heavyweight title on Saturday night. Jones, Jr. is considerably smaller than Ruiz and would become the first fighter under 200 pounds to win a heavyweight title since Leon Spinks upset Muhammad Ali in February of ‘78. There are a number of implications if Roy Jones dethrones Ruiz in what some would call a "catchweight fight." Below are numerical and historical comparisons of Ruiz vs. Jones, a throwback of yesteryear.

    LARGEST WEIGHT DIFFERENCE IN A TITLE FIGHT

    86 lbs: Primo Carnera (270) W15 Tommy Loughran (184), 3/1/34
    59 ½ lbs: Primo Carnera (260 ½) KO6 Jack Sharkey (201), 6/29/33
    58 lbs: Jess Willard (245) TKO by 3 Jack Dempsey (187), 7/4/19
    53 ¾ lbs: Primo Carnera (263 ¼) TKO by 11 Max Baer (209 ½) 6/14/34
    52 ½ lbs: Abe Simon (254 ½) TKO by 13 Joe Louis (202), 3/31/41
    52 lbs: Jim Jeffries (219) KO8 Bob Fitzsimmons (167) 7/25/1902
    49 lbs: George Foreman (257) L12 Evander Holyfield (208), 4/19/91
    44 lbs: Jack Johnson (205) ND6 Jack O’Brien (161) 5/19/09
    43 ¼ lbs: Buddy Baer (250) KO by 1 Joe Louis (206 ¼)
    39 lbs: Jim Jeffries (206) KO11 Bob Fitzsimmons (167) 6/9/1899
    35 lbs: Jack Johnson (205) KO12 Stanley Ketchell (170) 10/16/1909
    33 lbs: John Ruiz (226) Scheduled 12 Roy Jones, Jr. (193) 3/1/2003

    Last fighters to win a heavyweight title weighing less than 200 pounds:

    Leon Spink (197) 2/15/1974
    Floyd Patterson (190) 6/26/1960
    Ingemar Johansson (184) 6/20/1959
    Floyd Patterson (182 ¼) 11/30/1956
    Rocky Marciano (184) 9/23/1952

    Oldest Fighters to win a heavyweight title

    George Foreman (45 years, 9 months)
    Evander Holyfield (38 years, 10 months)
    Jersey Joe Walcott (37 years, 1 month)
    Lennox Lewis (36 years, 2 months)
    Muhammad Ali (36 years, 1 month)
    Evander Holyfield (35 years, 1 month)
    Jess Willard (33 years, 4 months)
    Roy Jones, Jr. (33 years, 2 months) Potential

    Middleweight Champions to have fought Heavyweight Champions in Title Fights

    3/17/1897 Bob Fitzsimmons (167) KO14 James Corbett (183)
    6/9/1899 Jim Jeffries (206) KO11 Bob Fitzsimmons (167)
    7/25/1902 Jim Jeffries (219) KO8 Bob Fitzsimmons (167)
    10/16/1909 Jack Johnson (205) KO12 Stanley Ketchell (170)
    3/1/2003 John Ruiz (226) Scheduled 12 Roy Jones, Jr. (193)

    Middleweight Champions to have fought Heavyweight Champions (Non-title)

    5/23/1922 HARRY GREB (162) W15 Gene Tunney (174) *
    2/23/1923 Gene Tunney (174) W15 HARRY GREB (165) *
    12/10/1923 Gene Tunney (175) W15 HARRY GREB (171) *
    9/17/1924 Gene Tunney (180) ND10 HARRY GREB (163)
    7/22/1931 MICKEY WALKER (168) D10 Jack Sharkey (198)
    9/26/1932 Max Schmeling TKO8 MICKEY WALKER
    9/8/1997 IRAN BARKLEY (229) TKO11 Gerrie Coetzee
    6/29/1999 Trevor Berbick (254) W8 IRAN BARKLEY (234)

    * For U.S. Light heavyweight title
    Middleweights in caps

    Light Heavyweight Champions to have fought Heavyweight Champions in title fights

    7/3/1905 Jack Root (171) KO by 12 Marvin Hart (190)
    11/28/1906 Jack O’Brien (163 ½) D20 Tommy Burns (172)
    5/8/1907 Jack O’Brien (167) L20 Tommy Burns (180)
    5/19/1909 Jack O’Brien 161) ND 6 Jack Johnson (205)
    7/2/1921 George Carpentier (172) KO by 4 Jack Dempsey (188)
    3/1/1934 Tommy Loughran (184) L15 Primo Carnera (270)
    1/25/1939 John Henry Lewis (183) KO by 1 Joe Louis (200 ¼)
    6/18/1941 Billy Conn (174) KO by 13 Joe Louis (199 ½)
    6/19/1946 Billy Conn (187) KO by 8 Joe Louis (207)
    8/10/1949 Gus Lesnevich (182 ½) KO by 8 Ezzard Charles (182)
    5/30/1951 Joey Maxim (181 ½) L15 Ezzard Charles (182)
    9/21/1955 Archie Moore (188) KO by 9 Rocky Marciano (188)
    11/30/1956 Archie Moore (188) KO by 5 Floyd Patterson (182 ¼)
    11/18/1970 Bob Foster (188) KO by 2 Joe Frazier (209)
    9/21/1985 Michael Spinks (200) W15 Larry Holmes (221)
    4/19/1986 Michael Spinks (205) W15 Larry Holmes (223)
    9/6/1986 Michael Spinks (201) TKO4 Steffan Tangstad (?)
    6/27/1988 Michael Spinks (212) KO by 1 Mike Tyson (218)
    4/22/1994 Michael Moorer (214) W12 Evander Holyfield (214)
    11/5/1994 Michael Moorer (222) KO by 10 George Foreman (250)
    6/22/1996 Michael Moorer (222) W12 Axel Schulz (222)
    11/18/1997 Michael Moorer (223) TKO by 8 Evander Holyfield (217)
    3/1/2003 Roy Jones, Jr. (193) Scheduled 12 John Ruiz (226)

    Note: Michael Moorer was a WBO light heavyweight champion.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRuiz-Jones By the Numbers``x1046442377,80604,``x``x ``xThe Scandinavian Yearbook Of Professional Boxing 2003 is now printed and ready for sale. This improved third edition of the English written recordbook, is once again illustrated with many pictures, and contains records of all active Scandinavian pro´s, as well as records of all former European and world champions from Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden.

    The book is spiced up with articles, fight-reports, statistics, Scandinavian Hall Of Fame, the Scandinavian Boxing awards, Scandinavian Boxing Rankings and many other new and old features.

    Prices are: 30 Euro, $US 30 and £UK 20, including postage and handling, which should be sendt in CASH to:

    Risum Boxing, Bryggergade 5, 7600 Struer, Denmark.

    For additional information, dont hesitate to email me!

    Kind regards,

    Henrik Risum.

    RISUM BOXING
    C/O Henrik Risum
    Bryggergade 5,
    7600 Struer,
    Denmark.
    Phone: +45 97 85 32 01
    Fax: + 45 97 85 32 07
    Mobile +45 20 65 42 63
    Email: hrisum@hotmail.com ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBoxing Yearbook Available Now``x1046455499,26411,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Before last night, there were those who criticized Roy Jones, Jr. for not showcasing his vast abilities to their fullest potential. Many have clamored for Roy to knock out his overmatched opponents when they felt it necessary but settled for just winning. The same hypocrites were probably the ones saying that Billy Conn shouldn’t have traded as much with Joe Louis in his spirited challenge over 60 years ago. In lambasting John Ruiz in a one-sided fight last night, Roy Jones showed why he has never had to summon all of his powers, even when he’s facing a large opponent for a portion of the heavyweight title. In fighting economically smart in virtually all of his 49 fights, Roy’s talents have enabled him to win titles in four weight divisions, including the sport’s glamour division.

    The term pound-for-pound was conceived because there were such few fighters that were so good at their natural weights that you knew had they been blessed with more size, there wouldn’t have been a fighter on the planet that could have withstood them. In other words, had Sugar Ray Robinson been an inch or two taller and about 30 pounds heavier, any fighter wouldn’t have touched him. Some, including yours truly knew that Jones’ talents were along these lines but overcoming tremendous size disadvantages from a top-notch heavyweight would be insurmountable. Those who thought so (me especially) were wrong. Though I am humbled, I don’t feel terribly stupid about my forecasting skills (or lack of). In fact, I still think the laws of physics still aply to boxing - just not with Roy Jones, Jr.. What it all boils down to is that none of us really know how great a boxer Roy Jones truly is. It’s possible that Roy himself doesn’t know how good he is.

    What we learned or should have learned last night was not that John Ruiz is a bad heavyweight, but that Roy Jones could in fact be the best fighter on the planet, not just pound-for-pound. What has separated Jones from other legendary fighters who preceded him is that he hasn’t been brought to the brink of destruction by any of his 48 opponents. He’s never had to be anything more than Roy Jones because there has never been that need. Most credit that to the level of his opposition but it’s time that folks just accept that Jones’ boxing brilliance can’t be matched or even challenged. You can say all you want about there being no big fights at his more natural weight class but in truth, it has everything to do with his infinite and superior skills.

    All-time greats, like Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard had to delve beyond their skills to overcome certain adversaries. They even had to come from behind to score knockouts in order to pull through their memorable fights. Roy Jones hasn’t had to take many licks nor needed such efforts. He has only needed to fight the way he normally fights. He’s been able to control all situations in his fights to the point where it appears effortless. Last night he did it against a top rated heavyweight with a claim to a world championship.

    There are come who envisioned Jones losing if he was pushed to the brink. If he was made to fight, he could get caught. If he wasn’t able to hurt you, then someone could walk through him. A lot of people, even those have come to accept that he is a phenomenon felt that a heavyweight like John Ruiz would be able to do this. But Ruiz couldn’t whatsoever. So what kept Ruiz from attacking anywhere near as much as his handlers, Gabe Mari and Norman Stone had implored of him? Is he just not an aggressive fighter? From my perspective, it appeared as though Ruiz’ reluctance had everything to do with not wanting to get hit the way Jones was hitting him. Ruiz, who had gone 36 rounds with Evander Holyfield respected Jones’ crisp punches. Some of them even appeared to hurt him. At the same time, some of the punches that Ruiz landed including a crunching right hand in the 5th round and some thudding body shots didn’t even appear to faze the chiseled Jones. The only way Jones could have flustered Ruiz more would have been had he pulled his shorts down.

    Now a heavyweight titlist, Roy Jones, Jr. is the first fighter since Floyd Patterson (43 years ago folks) to both stand under 6’0 tall and weigh under 200 pounds. There is a reason why there haven’t been more fighters to have done this in such a long period of time. That’s because no one has been able to fight as well as Roy Jones. Last night, size was taken out of the equation because Roy Jones is simply that damn good. All of that pound-for-pound business went out the window. Roy has proved that he is better than that designation.

    What’s next for this super being? Is it impossible to envision Roy Jones beating the most regarded heavyweight in the world, Lennox Lewis? It sure is. But I’m also finding it hard to imagine Roy losing to anyone in this solar system. I give up on trying to find out how good he is. Whether he can show or accomplish even more than he has over the past 14 years, I think I’ve witnessed enough of Roy that’s convinced me he is the best fighter I ever seen.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRoy Redefines Himself``x1046646923,83251,``x``x ``xPress Release

    March 7 in Boston plus Clampitt-Pudwill WEBA championship co-feature

    BOSTON -- Massachusetts cruiserweight champion Tim "The Hammer" Flamos faces Roy "House of" Payne in the 10-round main event on the March 7 (Friday night) pro boxing card, "Proving Ground," presented by Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, in association with Mohegan Sun Casino and Everlast, at the Christopher Columbus Center in Boston's historic North End.

    The quiet, unassuming Flamos (16-2-1, 7 KOs), of Brockton, is a licensed carpenter, while the outspoken Payne (15-11-4, 7 KOs), of Worcester, is a U.S. Army Airborne Desert Storm veteran and Quinsigammond Community College graduate with an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice.

    Their bout will be contested for Flamos' Mass. title as well as the vacant EBA cruiserweight title. Tim and Roy are rated No. 14 And No. 15, respectively, by the NABA.

    The special 8-round co-feature for the vacant WEBA super lightweight title pits Jaime "The Hurricane" Clampitt (9-2, 2KOs), of Narragansett, RI, rated No 3 by the WIBF and No. 4 by the IWBF, against former world title challenger Ragan Pudwill, of Minot, ND.

    The newest member of CES' stable of boxers, super middleweight Shaun "Big Trouble" Creegan (14-2-3, 2 KOs), squares-off against Worcester veteran Manny "Cheeks" Teo in a 6-rounder.

    Also on the undercard are exciting 4-round matches like middleweights Bobo "The Bull" Starnino (2-0), of Providence, RI versus Bobby McAndrews (1-1-1, 1 KO), of Worcester; undefeated Woonsocket, RI super middleweight Joe Gardner (2-0, 1 KO) against veteran Rick Zola, of Brimfield, MA; South Boston super middleweight Martin "The Irish Assassin" Thornton (4-0, 1 KO) vs. ! TBA.

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Ticket prices are $100, $60, $50, $35 and $20 (standing room). For more information or to reserve tickets call Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. at 401-724-2253/401-725-2254 or its Boston office at 617.567.1705.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFlamos-Payne Mass & EBA titles fight ``x1046716477,66028,``x``x ``xDAVID DONIS VS EDEL RUIZ
    HEADLINES KINGFISH FIGHT CARD
    ON MARCH 10 IN LAREDO, TEX.,
    LAREDO'S GABRIEL HOLGUIN, HECTOR FERREYRO
    AND SERGIO REYES JR. ALSO FEATURED;
    TELEVISED ON FOX SPORTS WORLD,
    FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL & FOX SPORTS LATIN AMERICA

    Promoters Anna Beth Goodman/Kingfish Boxing Productions and Browning Boxing will present a sensational fight card on Monday, March 10, 2003, at the Laredo Civic Center in Laredo, Texas.

    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS - NABF TITLE
    DAVID DONIS, 19-4-2, 4 KOs, Houston, Texas, vs
    EDEL RUIZ, 21-8-3, 13 KOs, Los Mochis, Mexico

    In the 12-round main event, David "El Tormentosa" Donis, 19-4-2, 4 KOs, Houston, Texas, will make his second defense of the North American Boxing Federation super bantamweight title against Edel "Cuate" Ruiz, 21-8-3, with 13 knockouts, of Los Mochis, Mexico.

    Donis has won three fights in a row, which includes winning the NABF title and making one successful title defense. He is 12-2 in his last 14 fights, and has broken into the world ratings at IBF No. 10, WBC No. 14. Ruiz is a former WBC Central American and Caribbean and WBC Continental Americas bantamweight champion, and has proven himself as a tough competitor against very good opposition.


    CO-FEATURED BOUT - 10 ROUNDS, MIDDLEWEIGHTS
    GABRIEL HOLGUIN, 12-2, 6 KOs, Laredo Texas, vs
    ROBERTO BARO, 9-2, 6 KOs, Culiacan, Mexico

    In the 10-round co-featured bout, 22 year-old Laredo middleweight
    prospect Gabriel "Hurricane" Holguin, 12-2, with 6 knockouts, will fight Roberto Baro, 9-2, with 6 knockouts, of Culiacan, Mex.


    8 ROUNDS, JR. WELTERWEIGHTS
    CALVIN "The Dream" GREEN, 17-2-1, 12 KOs, Baytown, Texas, vs
    TBA

    Two more Laredo prospects - heavyweight Hector Ferreyro, 6-2-1, with 5 knockouts, and welterweight Sergio Reyes Jr., 4-1, with 3 knockouts, will be featured in separate bouts against opponents to be announced. An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will complete the card.

    Ticket prices: $15, $40.
    Tickets are available at: Laredo Civic Center Box Office - 956-795-2080.

    Doors open at 6:00 P.M.
    First fight at 7:00 P.M.

    For media credentials, contact Browning Boxing - 713-426-5400.

    More information on Kingfish Boxing Productions is available on the internet at www.kingfishboxing.com.

    This Kingfish fight card will be televised on Fox Sports World, Fox Sports En Espanol and Fox Sports Latin America. Two Kingfish boxing events are televised each month, and reach over 70 million households.

    The ringside analysts on the English-language telecasts are Dave Bontempo and Bob Spagnola. On the Spanish-language telecasts, Carlos Avilas and Luis Rodriguez call the action from ringside. The executive producer is Terry Planell.

    In the United States, the fights are shown on same-day tape on Fox Sports En Espanol at 11:00 P.M. Eastern Time, 8:00 Pacific Time. The fights are replayed in the U.S. the next day on Fox Sports World at 11:00 P.M. (PT), and Fox Sports Latin America in Mexico and Central America at 11:00 (ET) and 8:00 (PT). The next-day replay for all of Latin America is on Fox Sports Latin America at 10:00 (ET), 7:00 (PT). The telecasts are also available in some areas on DIRECTV and Dish Network. Check local listings for times in your area.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDavid Donis vs. Edel Ruiz Headlines Kingfish Fight Card in Laredo, TX``x1046716743,69472,``x``x ``xPress Release

    MICHAEL LERMA VS ALFRED ANKAMAH
    HEADLINES KINGFISH CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT CARD
    ON MARCH 24 IN LAFAYETTE, LA.,
    COURTNEY BURTON VS GABRIEL RUELAS IN CO-FEATURE,
    "BAYOU BOMBER" BOBBY AUCOIN ALSO ON CARD;
    TELEVISED ON FOX SPORTS WORLD,
    FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL & FOX SPORTS LATIN AMERICA

    Promoter Anna Beth Goodman/Kingfish Boxing Productions will present a sensational fight card on Monday, March 24, 2003, at the Cajun Dome, located at 444 Cajun Dome Boulevard in Lafayette, Louisiana.

    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS,
    VACANT WBC CONTINENTAL AMERICAS TITLE
    MICHAEL LERMA, 27-7-1, 19 KOs, Waco, Texas, vs
    ALFRED ANKAMAH, 20-9, 17 KOs, Los Angeles, California

    In the 12-round main event, Michael Lerma, 27-7-1, with 19 knockouts, of Waco, Texas, will fight Alfred "The Torpedo" Ankamah, 20-9, with 17 knockouts, of Los Angeles, California, for the vacant WBC Continental Americas 154-pound title.

    Both Lerma and Ankamah are known for their all-out aggressive styles, and this matchup should produce fireworks in the ring. Both are seasoned veterans and experienced against top opposition. Lerma is on a hot streak and has won three fights in a row. Ankamah has one-punch knockout power in both hands, and is always dangerous.


    CO-FEATURED BOUT - 10 ROUNDS, LIGHTWEIGHTS
    COURTNEY BURTON, 17-1, 9 KOs, Benton Harbor, Michigan, vs
    GABRIEL RUELAS, 49-6, 24 KOs, Sylmar, California

    In the 10-round co-featured bout, talented lightweight prospect Courtney Burton, 17-1, with 9 knockouts, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, will face former WBC super featherweight world champion Gabriel Ruelas, 49-6, with 24 knockouts, of Sylmar, California.

    This is a classic "crossroads" fight. At the age of 24, Burton is a talented former two-time U.S. National amateur champion who is starting to come into his own as a professional. 32 year-old Ruelas has a three-fight winning streak and has his sights set on another world championship.

    "The Bayou Bomber" Bobby Aucoin, 4-0, with 2 knockouts, of Scott,
    Louisiana, will also be featured against an opponent to be announced.

    An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will complete the card.

    Ticket prices: $15, $25.
    Tickets are available at: The Cajun Dome Box Office - 337-265-2100 and 337-265-2200.
    All TicketMaster locations - order by phone at 337-262-8686, or online at TicketMaster.com.

    Doors open at 6:30 P.M.
    First fight at 7:30 P.M.

    For media credentials or more information, contact:
    Kerry Daigle - 800-501-3658, or Peter Broudy/Kingfish Boxing - 504-834-4430.

    More information on Kingfish Boxing Productions is available on the internet at www.kingfishboxing.com.

    This Kingfish fight card will be televised on Fox Sports World, Fox Sports En Espanol and Fox Sports Latin America. Two Kingfish boxing events are televised each month, and reach over 70 million households.

    The ringside analysts on the English-language telecasts are Dave Bontempo and Bob Spagnola. On the Spanish-language telecasts, Carlos Avilas and Luis Rodriguez call the action from ringside. The executive producer is Terry Planell.

    In the United States, the fights are shown on same-day tape on Fox Sports En Espanol at 11:00 P.M. Eastern Time, 8:00 Pacific Time. The fights are replayed in the U.S. the next day on Fox Sports World at 11:00 P.M. (PT), and Fox Sports Latin America in Mexico and Central America at 11:00 (ET) and 8:00 (PT). The next-day replay for all of Latin America is on Fox Sports Latin America at 10:00 (ET), 7:00 (PT). The telecasts are also available in some areas on DIRECTV and Dish Network. Check local listings for times in your area.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLerma and Ankamah to Battle in Lafayette``x1046716895,68515,``x``x ``x


    On Friday, March 7, starting at 7 p.m., The West Portland Boxing Team in Portland, Oregon is hosting "Battle at the Beach II" at the Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City.
    This is the best boxing card to come to Oregon since the Roy Jones Jr. event. And one of the best amateur events ever.

    In a clash of the Irish, Molly McConnell top Junior Welterweight in the country and National Golden Glove Champion will square off with Marcy Monahan of Spokane Washington who won the Washington Golden Gloves.

    Juan Roman of Portland will box Jorge Hernandez of Las Vegas in a four round slugfest. People can expect to see 400+ punches per round for four rounds. This should be Juan's last amateur appearance as he is scheduled to make his Professional debut on April 4, 2003

    Troy Wohosky of Medford Will square off with Franky Urrabazo of Boise Idaho, Franky, one of the top Feather weights in the country, will drop to the bantam weight division to take on the National Champion from Medford.

    In what will be one of the most action-filled fights you will ever see, Enrique Gallegos, a National Champion from Medford, Oregon, will meet Shad Cramer from Spokane, Wa. This is a rematch of the regional championship event where Gallegos won a split decision.

    Scott Harrie of Portland will take on Fernando Cisneros of Rochester, Wa with the winner advancing to an event later this year with Team Holyfield vs Pacific Northwest.

    Danny Gutierrez who is already on the card for the Team Holyfield event will square off with Eloy Perez of Rochester, again puncher vs puncher. Someone has to back off – maybe.

    There are two juniors (under 16 years) on the twelve bout card, with Junior Martinez of Portland, ranked #3 in the country, taking on Eric Sanchez of Centralia.

    Three-time National Champion Javier Torres of Medford will be boxing Aaron Turner of Portland in a middleweight bout.
    If you like action boxing you’ll love this event.

    Doors open at 6 pm, First bout at 7 p.m.
    Tickets are $10 General Admission, $20 Ringside. Call 1-888-MAINACT for ticket info.

    ---Bill Meartz, Coach, West Portland Boxing Club


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xMarch 7th, Chinook Winds Casino Amateur Show``x1046733336,16691,``x``x ``xMarch 1, 2003 results
    Emerald Queen Casino
    Tacoma, Washington
    Inspector: Tom Sporar
    Promoter: Brian Halquist
    Matchmaker: Robert Oleson
    Ringside Physicians: Fred Griesman, Marshall Partington
    Judges: Barry Druxman, Alan Krebs, Tom McDonough
    Referees: Paul Field, Ron Rall

    Ken Ellis, 160 lbs, of Seattle, WA. KO’d Ron Weaver, 162 1/2 lbs, of New Orleans, LA at 2:58 of the fourth round in a scheduled ten round main event.

    In a scheduled six round light heavyweight scrap, Ayodeji Fadeyi, 176 1/4 lbs, of Denver, CO stopped Neil Stephens, 175 3/4 lbs, of Kent, WA with a TKO at 2:17 of the first round.

    Victor Branson, 165 1/4 lbs, of Willamina, OR KO’d Reginald Lowe, 165 3/4 lbs, of Seattle, WA at 1:59 of the first round in a scheduled six.

    Cruiser Michael Sams, 187 1/4 lbs, of Tacoma, WA defeated Joe Bicknese, 187 1/4 lbs, of Kuna, Idaho by a majority decision of the judges. The scores were: Druxman 58-56, Krebs 57-57, McDonough 58-56.

    Carla Wilcox, 123 1/2 lbs, of Seattle, WA won a unanimous four round decision over Lisa Pederson, 125 lbs, of Minneapolis, MN. The judges scores were : Druxman 40-36, Krebs 40-36, McDonough 40-36.

    Cidric Hendrix, 233 lbs, of Seattle, WA KO’d Nicholas Cantrell, 223 1/2 lbs, of Portland, OR. at 1:48 of the first round in a scheduled four.
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xEllis KO's Weaver in Tacoma``x1046744963,51540,``x``x ``xPress Release

    LOWELL, Mass. – World-class pro boxer “Irish” Micky Ward has been named by Irish American Magazine as one of The Top 100 Irish-Americans. The Top 100 will be honored at a special March 14 dinner and presentation in New York City at the Plaza Hotel.

    The Top 100 also includes Irish American of the Year, Michael Flatley, New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelley and actress Fiona Flannegan

    Ward, 37, was the winner of Ring Magazine’s 2001 and 2002 Fights of the Year against, respectively, Emmanuel Burton and Arturo “Thunder” Gatti. He has a 38-11 (27 KO’s) record in 18 years as a professional and is the former World Boxing Union light welterweight champion.

    “What a great honor this is for me,” Ward commented on his inclusion in the Top 100 Irish-Americans club. “I’m looking forward to being there. My relatives are from County Cork.”

    Ward has issued a challenge to Gatti for their third fight. “I expect Arturo to give me the same opportunity that I gave him after I won our first fight,” Micky said. “We’re 1-and-1 now and fight fans all over the world want to see a third fight between us to settle the score.”

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBoxer Micky Ward named to top 100 Irish-Americans``x1046812179,15002,``x``x ``xPress Release

    CEDRIC KUSHNER PROMOTIONS INKS UNBEATEN HEAVYWEIGHT GERALD ‘THE JEDI’ NOBLES

    Undefeated heavyweight Gerald “The Jedi” Noble of Philadelphia has signed an exclusive promotional agreement with Cedric Kushner Promotions, it was announced today.

    The hard-hitting Nobles, considered one of the top heavyweight prospects in the world, has a record of 20-0 with 16 knockouts.
    Nobles is an imposing package of power, aggression and relentlessness.

    “We’re pleased to sign Gerald Nobles, one of the brightest and most dynamic prospect in the heavyweight division,” said Cedric Kushner. “Not only is he undefeated, but he’s fearless as well, and, truly, a worthy addition to the long and storied line of talented warriors hailing from Philadelphia.

    “Obviously, we’re pleased with the success he’s enjoyed to date, but we’re even more enthused about his future prospects. We have every confidence that one day Gerald’s skills will lead to the very top of the division.
    “Gerald’s ready, willing and most able to fight anybody, any time, anywhere.”
    Said Nobles’ manager, Craig Hamilton, “We’re glad Gerald has selected Cedric Kushner as his promoter.

    “The time was right for Gerald to make a move with a promoter who can take him all the way to a world championship, and making a commitment to a proven promoter like Cedric Kushner is a big step toward that goal.

    “Gerald’s an exciting and highly talented fighter and will be a serious factor in the heavyweight division.”

    Cedric Kushner Promotions, one of the world’s premiere boxing promotional firms, presents numerous nationally and internationally televised cards each year. During the past 20 years Cedric Kushner Promotions has presented more than 300 world championship bouts on six continents.

    Cedric Kushner Promotions promotes a number of world-class boxers including, heavyweights David Tua, Jameel McCline and Michael Grant; undefeated and highly regarded welterweight prospect Anthony “The Messenger” Thompson; and super featherweights Joel Casamayor, ranked No. 1 by both the World Boxing Association and the WBO, and Stevie Forbes, rated No. 1 by the International Boxing Federation.

    Now Nobles has been added, making this roster even more impressive.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCKP Inks Gerald Nobles``x1046899777,58917,``x``x ``xNEW YORK- It's back. Boxing the way it should be - the way it was
    back in the Golden Age of the 1950's. No mismatches, no showcases - just evenly matched, high stakes battles where winning actually means something.

    "Monday Night Fights" premieres on Monday, March 31, and will be distributed by the leader in television boxing, HBOPPV from the Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort in Chester, West Virginia. The Pay-Per-View broadcast begins at 8pm ET / 5pm PT and has a suggested retail price of $24.95.

    "DiBella Entertainment is proud to promote Mountaineer's Monday Night
    Fights," said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. "The show features great talent in great match-ups for a reasonable price."

    "Lou deserves credit for developing this new programming idea," said HBO Sports Senior Vice President Mark Taffet. "The receptivity of this Monday Night concept is evidenced by the fact that all major national distributors are carrying the March 31st event."

    Headlining the inaugural broadcast of "Monday Night Fights" is a world junior bantamweight title fight featuring WBO champion Fernando Montiel (25-0-1, 19 KOs), one of the best fighters in the world under 126 pounds, putting his crown on the line against former World champion Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson (40-3, 27 KOs), perhaps the greatest US small man to ever lace up the gloves.

    Among the lighter weight classes, a matchup doesn't get any better than this. But while many shows dip in quality past the main event, on March 31, the "Monday Night Fights" card just keeps getting better.

    The 12 round semi-main event features two of the top 135-pounders in the world, as world title contenders Angel Manfredy (40-6-1, 29 KOs) and Victoriano Sosa (34-2-2, 25 KOs) battle for the opportunity to challenge IBF champion Paul Spadafora, with whom both men have unfinished business to settle. Manfredy holds victories over some of the toughest names in the sport, including Arturo Gatti, Ivan Robinson, and John Brown. Sosa, the cousin of Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa, has a mean power swing of his own in the ring, and had Spadafora on the deck twice before losing a close decision.

    In a 10 round middleweight contest, 2000 Olympic Bronze Medallist and rising middleweight sensation Jermain Taylor (14-0, 10 KOs), one of the brightest prospects to come out of the Sydney Games, places his unbeaten record on the line against his toughest foe yet, when he squares off against power-punching Brian Barbosa (29-6, 21 KOs) in a bout guaranteed to provide fireworks.

    Taylor has gained rave notices from the boxing community for his poise in the ring, along with a stiff jab and concussive left hook. Barbosa, a former USBA middleweight champion, has some pop as well, and is coming off an impressive two round stoppage of Ronald Boddie in January.

    Opening up "Monday Night Fights" on March 31 is an intriguing 10 round heavyweight matchup between two rising prospects, undefeated Derek Bryant (16-0, 14 KOs) and once-beaten Eric Kirkland (14-1, 10 KOs). Bryant has continued to improve since his 1998 debut, with victories over tough veterans Frankie Swindell, Jorge Luis Gonzales, and fellow prospect Robert Wiggins among his most impressive wins. Kirkland has done his part to live up to his "Stone Kold" nickname, sending 10 of his 14 opponents home early.

    Call Your Local Cable or Satellite Provider To Order
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x"Monday Night Fights Debuts March 31 Live on PPV``x1046968360,66217,``x``x ``xATTP BOXING MEDIA RELEASE

    World-Class Heavyweight Shannon Briggs, Women’s Champ ‘Honey Girl’ Del Valle, Welterweight Collazo, KO Artist Aquino On ATTP ‘March Badness’ Pro Boxing Card Thursday, March 27, In Fort Lauderdale

    FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--Heavyweight Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs renews his quest for a world championship when he headlines in the main event on the “March Badness” professional boxing card promoted by American Top Team Productions (ATTP) on Thursday, March 27, in the Fort Lauderdale (FL) War Memorial Auditorium.

    Briggs, who beat former heavyweight world champion George Foreman in 1997 to capture the linear title, is in one of six exciting fights on the ATTP card.

    Joining Briggs on March Badness” is undefeated Women’s International Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Melissa “Honey Girl” Del Valle of Miami, FL.

    Other “March Badness” bouts feature highly regarded welterweight Luis Collazo, welterweight knockout artist Julio Aquino, unbeaten lightweight Andy Weston of England and now Miami, and South Florida super lightweight Marcial Reartes.

    The action-packed ATTP card starts at 7 p.m. (ET) with gates opening at 6.

    Tickets are priced at $15, $30 and $75 and are on sale through ticketmaster.com at

    305-358-5885 for Dade County, 954-523-3309 for Broward County and 561-966-3309 for Palm Beach County.

    Briggs, originally from the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, NY, but now a resident of South Florida, embarks on his world championship trek with a record of 36-4-1 and 30 knockouts. That record includes first-round knockouts in his four most recent wins and a meeting with Lennox Lewis for the World Boxing Council heavyweight championship in 1998.

    Del Valle has a record of 27-0-1 with 11 knockouts and is fighting for the second time since winning her WIBA 126-pound championship June 21 with a 10-round decision over Ada Velez. Del Valle’s most recent outing was Jan. 31 in West Palm Beach, FL, when she decisioned Brenda Bell Drexel.

    Despite being only 21, Collazo is 19-1 with eight knockouts, a record that has garnered him kudos as one of the most promising youngsters in the sport.

    Aquino is a superb slugger, as his record of 9-2 with all nine wins coming by knockout will attest.

    Weston has a record of 2-0 with two knockouts. And Reartes has a record of 0-1.

    While Briggs has been a pro for almost 11 years and has had 41 fights, he’s still young, having turned only 31 in December. Tall at 6-foot-4-inch and strong, as evidenced by those 30 knockouts, “The Cannon” is in top shape in preparation for a concerted effort to roar louder than ever and capture that elusive world championship.

    But Briggs isn’t confining his activities to the ring. He and Herman Caicedo are the guiding forces behind the boxing division of ATTP.

    Boxing is just one part of ATTP. It also promotes mixed martial arts and extreme motor sports. In order to enable its world-class athletes to reach their goals and achieve optimum success, ATTP is building a 20,000-square foot, state-of-the-art training center in Fort Lauderdale.

    Collazo, a southpaw from Queens, NY, is coming off a win over Marcos Primera Jan. 16 in Glen Burnie, MD.

    Only one of Aquino’s bouts have gone past the third round. The most recent outing for the hard-hitting left-hander from the Dominican Republic ended with Fray Luis Sierra falling in the first round in December in Davie, FL.
    PAGE 3?ATTP “MARCH BADNESS” BOXING MARCH 27

    Weston’s most recent appearance also was on the Jan. 31 card in West Palm Beach when he stopped Cornelius Drane in the fourth round.

    Opponents for these six fighters in action on ATTP’s “March Badness” March 27 at Fort Lauderdale will be announced.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBriggs to Headline in Fort Lauderdale March 27th``x1047043515,91697,``x``x ``xEnter The Sandman
    Pemberton-Easley rematch March 21 on NESN

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Jimmy Burchfield, President and CEO of CES Boxing, has announced world-class contender, Scott "The Sandman" Pemberton (24-2-1, 20 KOs), and Levan Easley (15-7-2, 7 KOs) will fight for the International Boxing Union world super middleweight title on the “Bring Me A Dream: The Rematch” card Friday night, March 21 at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

    The main event and co-feature will be taped live and broadcast Tuesday night, March 25 on NESN.

    “This is a tremendous card,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “We’re tremendously happy to be having this fight at Foxwoods and on NESN. Since their last fight a lot of people have been asking for a rematch between Pemberton and Easley. I told Easley to go out and get a good win and he did (WTKO2 vs. 11-0 John Vargas). This fight could go either way. Popular fighter Gary Balletto will be fighting for a title, too. Our rising star in the Latino community,! Angel Torres, is fighting his first 8-rounder, and undefeated heavyweight, Jevon Langford, will also be in action.”

    The Pemberton-Easley 12-round main event is a rematch of their "2000 New England Fight of the Year" and “NABF Fight of the Month,” in which, Pemberton registered a thrilling third-round knockout.

    Pemberton, of New Bedford (MA), is rated No. 6 by the NABF and No. 7 by the USBA. He is the former NABO, NABF, USBA and New England super middleweight champion.

    Easley, of Queens (NY), has been in the ring against former 5-time world champion Vinny Paz and world light-heavyweight contender Eric Harding.

    Exciting Providence lightweight Gary "Tiger" Balletto (26-1, 23 KOs) is scheduled to be in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant IBU world lightweight championship. His opponent (replacing Wilson Galli) will soon be announced. Balletto is rated No. 9 by the NABF and No. 15 by the NABA.

    Four-time Puerto Rican national amateur champion, featherweight prospect Angel “Gee Roc” Torres (10-2, 4 KOs), of Manchester (CT), will be stepping up to his first 8-round match against Greg Piper (6-1, 2 KOs), of Portland, OR.

    Also slated to fight on the undercard are unbeaten super middleweight "Bad" Chad Dawson (10-0, 6 KOs), of Hew Haven (CT), unbeaten heavyweight and former Cincinnati Bengals’ pro football player, Las Vegas-based Jevon “J Roc” Langford (4-0, 4 KOs), great grandson of Boxing Hall of Fame heavyweight legend Sam Langford; undefeated light heavyweight Joe "KO Kid" Spina (7-0, 5 KOs), of Providence; super lightweight Shakha Moore (9-6-2, 1 KO), of Norwalk (CT).

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Ticket prices $100 Platinum VIP Seats or Opera VIP Boxes, $55 Ringside seats, $35 Stage & Bleachers and $20 General Admission. Tickets are limited and may be purchased by calling any of the CES Offices: Rhode Island (401) 724-2253, Conn: (860) 432-4253 ATTN: Lou Mayo or Mass: (617) 567-1705 Attn: Romano Schreiber. Tickets can also be purchased through CES’ Web site at www.cesboxing.com (go to tickets page).

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPemberton-Easley Rematch Headed to Foxwoods``x1047060322,49354,``x``x ``xBOSTON – Massachusetts cruiserweight champion Tim “The Hammer” Flamos (17-2-1, 7 KOs) successfully defended his state title and added the Eastern Boxing Association crown with a 10-round unanimous decision against a game Roy “House of” Payne (15-12-4, 7 KOs) last night (Friday, March 7) at Boston’s historic North End.

    “Proving Ground,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, in association with Mohegan Sun, drew a sellout crowd for the 5-bout card that ended in suspense when Flamos was floored right before the final bell in the main event.

    Payne, of Worcester, effectively used his jab to keep Flamos off balance during the early rounds. Flamos’ body attack and constant pressure slowed down Payne during the middle and latter rounds. In the final seconds of the fight Payne landed a solid right that decked Flamos, who got up only to go down again, but after the bell. Payne’s corner celebrated, but the bell saved Flamos and he won a unanimous decision by scores of 96-93, 96-93 and 98-92.

    “The plan was to work his body and wear him down with hooks,” Flamos said after the fight. “It worked. I got careless at the end of the fight and got caught with a good shot. I was off-balance, but I’m okay. Now I want (WBC No. 9 ranked Richie) LaMontagne (of nearby Everett, MA).”

    Payne, however, felt he should have won the fight. “Just look at him and tell me who won the fight,” the dejected cruiserweight said after the fight. “He’s the one all beaten up, he was knocked down.”

    In the co-feature, Jaime Clampitt (10-2) entered the ring wearing the Boston Bruins jersey of her good friend, defenseman Bryan Berard, in the scheduled 8-round match for the vacant WEBA super lightweight championship. Clampitt, the Canadian now fighting out of Narragansett (RI) simply outclassed her rival, Ragan Pudwill, of Mandan, ND. Clampitt ended the match in the in the fourth round with a powerful right-left to Pudwill’s midsection. She dropped to her knees and was counted out at 1:19.

    In other bouts, Plainville (MA) super middleweight Shaun Creegan (15-2-3, 2 KOs) won an easy 6-round decision from Manny Cheeks, of Hudson (MA); Bellingham (MA) super middleweight Joe Gardner (3-0) took a 4-round decision from Brimfield (MA) veteran Richard Zola); Providence super welterweight Bobo Starnino (3-0) edged Worcester’s Bobby McAddrews in an exciting 4-rounder.

    CES’ next scheduled show is the “Bring Me A Dream 2: The Rematch,” March 21 at Foxwoods Resort Casino, featuring Scott "The Sandman" Pemberton (24-2-1, 20 KOs) and Levan Easley (15-7-2, 7 KOs) fighting in the 12-round main event for the vacant International Boxing Union.

    The main event and co-feature will be taped live and broadcast Tuesday night, March 25 on NESN.

    The Pemberton-Easley 12-round main event is a rematch of their "2000 New England Fight of the Year" and “NABF Fight of the Month,” in which, Pemberton registered a thrilling third-round knockout.

    Exciting Providence lightweight Gary "Tiger" Balletto (26-1, 23 KOs) is scheduled to be in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant IBU world lightweight championship. His opponent (replacing Wilson Galli) will soon be announced. Balletto is rated No. 9 by the NABF and No. 15 by the NABA.

    Four-time Puerto Rican national amateur champion, featherweight prospect Angel “Gee Roc” Torres (10-2, 4 KOs), of Manchester (CT), will be stepping up to his first 8-round match against Gary Piper (6-1, 2 KOs), of Portland, OR.

    Also slated to fight on the undercard are unbeaten super middleweight "Bad" Chad Dawson (10-0, 6 KOs), of Hew Haven (CT), unbeaten heavyweight and former Cincinnati Bengals’ pro football player, Las Vegas-based Jevon “J Roc” Langford (4-0, 4 KOs); undefeated light heavyweight Joe "KO Kid" Spina (7-0, 5 KOs), of Providence; super lightweight Shakha Moore (9-6-2, 1 KO), of Norwalk (CT).

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Ticket prices $100 Platinum VIP Seats or Opera VIP Boxes, $55 Ringside seats, $35 Stage & Bleachers and $20 General Admission. Tickets are limited and may be purchased by calling any of the CES Offices: Rhode Island (401) 724-2253, Conn: (860) 432-4253 Attn: Lou Mayo or Mass: (617) 567-1705 Attn: Romano Schreiber. Tickets can also be purchased through CES’ Web site at www.cesboxing.com (go to tickets page).
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFlamos decisions Payne, Retains Mass Title ``x1047152588,29764,``x``x ``xThunder at the Falls a Very Hot and Cold Card
    By Cliff Endicott at ringside

    On Friday, March 7th, Niagara Falls Ontario was lucky enough to stage a six fight card shown live on Canadian Pay Per View at the Niagara Falls Memorial Arena. I say the city was lucky enough to host the card
    because Ontario is famously unconcerned with boxing, preferring their
    fighting to take place on skates and with stripe-shirted referees. But
    Orion Sports Management Inc. was able to present a card featuring a
    couple of Canada's most prominent prospects, as well as a fight that
    will be shown world-wide as a part of Cedrick Kushner's "Heavyweight
    Explosion" series. It looked like a very good card on paper, with the
    exception of some very inexperienced fighters on the undercards, but
    little did we know that these inexperienced fighters would provide the
    majority of the excitement of the night.

    The co-main events were the heavyweight matchups of Tony 'The Tiger'
    Thompson against James 'The Giant' Gaines, and Canadian Jean-Francois
    Bergeron fighting Darroll 'Doin Damage' Wilson. Since these were the
    main events, and also since they were dull and ugly affairs, I'll get
    them out of the way first before talking about the real excitement that was seen in the Niagara Falls Memorial Arena.

    Gaines and Thompson entered the ring, were introduced and stripped off
    their robes. I was satisfied with the gasps of the audience when they
    saw the immense amount of blubber dangling loosely from Gaines'
    mid-section. As usual, Gaines made Buster Mathis Sr. look like a
    dedicated marathon runner. Thompson, while not particularly fit,
    looked better than usual at 251 pounds, and positively skinny next to
    Gaines' lumbering 270. I chuckled as he and Thompson stared down each
    other's feet during the referee's instructions, and reflected how odd
    it must be for these two to be able to see feet without leaning over so far that they almost topple.

    The fight itself was perhaps the most pathetic spectacle I have ever seen live, as these two lumbering oafs went out of their way to make a non-fight for the crowd. Thompson, for all of his lack of speed, made like Sugar Ray Robinson against Knoxville's homegrown version of Fat Bastard. He was able to hit Gaines as often as he pleased without having to take any punishment in return as all of Gaines' punches traveled at the speed of a dump truck in low gear. But rather than knock Gaines out and put us all out of our misery, Thompson was content to peck away at him with jabs and the occasional lead right, being sure not to put too much on the punches, lest he leave himself completely open to the turtle-like counter punching he was facing.

    When he got tired, Thompson was able to clinch easily, without any
    resistance, then step away at his convenience to punch. He never had
    to work too hard at avoiding any Gaines punching when breaking the
    clinches, especially after Gaines began to slow down (hard to believe,
    but true). By the fourth round, 'The Giant' was heaving embarrassingly
    for air in his corner between rounds, the sweat glistening on his
    perfect C-cup breasts. Thompson even managed to increase the
    gross-factor throughout the middle rounds with a moderate body attack
    that left Gaines' stomach jiggling and joggling disgustingly. It kills
    me that this guy is able to squeeze out a living as a pro athlete.
    Thompson did all of the effective punching in the fight, connecting
    easily from the outside and the inside, and due to Gaines utter lack of speed rarely took more than the odd grazing shot in return. To the
    relief of all involved, Tony the Tiger, who had easily won all seven
    previous rounds, finally nailed Gaines with a succession of punches in
    the eighth that forced the referee to stop the fight. Thank goodness
    for small graces.

    In the Bergeron/Wilson fight, things were far better than the previous
    fight, but they were still not particularly interesting. Wilson looked
    like Adonis after the two moose (meese?) that had immediately preceded
    him in the ring, and seemed ready to give a fight to the young
    Canadian. Wilson did manage to KO Bert Cooper in his last fight, so it
    was hoped he would test Jean-Francois to a degree. But the lefty
    Bergeron, who isn't particularly fast-moving, was able to sweep the
    early rounds on the strength of his right jab, and though both men were doing plenty of heavy swinging they were both ducking under the
    moon-shots easily.

    Wilson managed to take the fourth round on my card, as Bergeron took the round off to rest, clinch, and block. But even in winning the round, Wilson did little more than swing with huge wide punches that would have meant a quick KO if any had connected, but were all easily avoided by Bergeron. This continued into the fifth round, with Bergeron now getting into the swing-and-miss-with-everything
    festivities.

    By the end of the fifth round Wilson was stumbling noticeably, more
    from tiring than from the punishment. He was able to get an extra
    seven minutes rest however, when Bergeron came out for the sixth with a split glove. How it got split is beyond me, as neither man had
    connected with any punches in the previous round. But by the time a
    new set of gloves found their way to Bergeron's corner, both men had
    been able to recharge the batteries a bit, and after a cat-and-mouse
    sixth round, Bergeron rocked Wilson with a couple of nice shots in the
    last 30 seconds of the seventh. Wilson recovered to nail Bergeron with
    power punches of his own in the eighth, and won the round due to these
    punches and his being the aggressor for the entire three minutes. The
    ninth I scored even, as neither man did much of anything, and the tenth round clearly went to Bergeron as he was nailing Wilson with a lot of good punches. Bergeron won a clear decision, by scores of 97-93, 98-92 and 98-92. But this was not really an enjoyable fight for the fans, some of whom had paid up to $200 for their seats, as neither man was particularly good - Bergeron was simply less bad. But the Canadian boy won the fight, which did bring cheers from the crowd.

    In the first undercard fight Chad 'Bad Intentions' Brisson, the #1
    contender to the Canadian lightweight title, won a dull, lackluster but easy decision over Pablo Ramon Barbero of Cordoba, Argentina. Barbero was able to daze Brisson a few times with lead rights and three or four punch combinations, but Brisson took over by the middle rounds, marking up Barbero's face with straight shots and counterpunching. Brisson is looking for another shot at Canadian title held by Billy Irwin after losing a close and disputed decision to him one year ago. But 'Bad Intentions' didn't live up to his nickname in this fight, and will have to show a little more to have a decent chance against the experienced Irwin again. And the excitement level of the fight was very low, as the ring-card girls got easily the loudest cheers of the fight.

    But the real excitement provided by the event was in the rest of the
    undercards. Niagara Falls middleweight Tommy 'Hurricane' Huff
    staggered his opponent, Cassius Martel of Lima Peru, with the first
    punch he landed, a counter left hook. Martel tried to fight back,
    leaping in with a right cross, but he ran into another left hook that
    dropped him. After taking the eight count, Martel ran in to clinch,
    where Huff did some serious holding and hitting, and should have been
    warned by the referee. Martel was able to recover, and brought cheers
    from the audience by landing a little leather of his own before the end of the round. Early in the second round Martel landed a couple of
    punches but Huff came back with another big counter that nearly sent
    Martel through the ropes and bloodied his nose. Another eight count,
    then Martel chased hard while Huff did some nice in-and-out work. The
    third round saw Martel fighting scared and still taking a lot of decent punches, then in the fourth Huff landed a flush three punch combination that dropped his opponent a third time. The referee had seen enough by this point and waved off the fight. Tommy Huff, his record now even at 2-2 with 2 KOs showed that he has fast hands and plenty of punching power, but had better find himself some defense soon, as he had little head movement and took several decent punches from a badly hurt opponent throughout the fight. But the fight was a major hit with the crowd, who went crazy when Huff got the KO win.

    The next undercard was a really wild affair, from two guy with a total
    of three pro fights between them. Toronto welterweight Sebastian 'The
    Grim Reaper' Beaudry, who after a long series of KO wins as an amateur
    was making his professional debut, went up against the 1-2 Kris Andrews of Edmonton Alberta. Beaudry made an impression with the crowd by entering the ring to AC/DC's "Hell's Bells" while wearing a jet-black robe with a peaked hood, making him exactly like his 'Grim Reaper' nickname. And once the robes were off, the physical dissimilarities between the two welterweights were almost funny. Andrews is very tall and skinny with little musculature, looking more like a spindly spider.

    Beaudry is a beautiful physical specimen, heavily muscled and very
    fit, and at least five inches shorter. Beaudry fought the entire fight
    with absolute reckless abandon, chasing Andrews hard around the ring
    and swinging almost as hard as he could. Andrews was moving well in
    the first and counterpunching, landing a nice 1-2 and a three punch
    combination, all while running hard from the Tyson-esque aggression of
    Beaudry. The Toronto fighter took the round based on aggression and
    body work, but his defense was terrible and if Andrews had any power at all, the couple of clean punches he landed would have put Beaudry in some real trouble. In the second round, Beaudry found that any time he stood still Andrews would attack him, and even while under fire Andrews never stopped looking for the opening to counter. At one point, when Beaudry stopped to take a breath, Andrews leapt in with a lead right that sent Beaudry's mouthpiece flying. But Beaudry started to land his lead power shots, and by the end of the round Andrews had been staggered and was resorting to trading in the middle of the ring.

    The third round saw Beaudry land back-to-back lead left hooks that dropped the brave Andrews. He rose and went right after his opponent, trading in the middle of the ring and even making Beaudry stagger a little. But finally a Beaudry overhand right, a huge shot that would make anyone's highlight reel, nailed Andrews flush and he crumpled almost unconscious to the mat. Beaudry fights offence only, and despite a wild and brutal win in his first pro fight, if he doesn't learn some defense his career is going to be very short and painful.

    An other bout saw up-and-coming bantamweight Steve 'The Canadian Kid' Molitor, who along with Michael Carbajal are the only two men ever to KO tough Scotty Olsen, taking on Argentina's Vincent Luis Burgo. Molitor is considered one of Canada's best prospects to win a
    world title, but he had a very tough time with the rugged Burgo.
    Throughout the first round Molitor was getting off his shots first, but Burgo was able to dodge almost all of them and sting Molitor with
    counter hooks. Burgo won the first round easily with his effective
    countering - in fact, Molitor did no effective punching in the round at all. In the second Steve started to score with some jabs and clipping right hands, winning the round. Burgo was still countering effectively though, and Molitor was continuing to take far more punches than he should have. The third round saw Molitor finding range, scoring heavily with lead right and jabs while at a distance. Burgo was gradually getting hurt, and started to throw big haymakers trying to turn the tide of the fight; Molitor avoided them all easily. This continued in the fourth, with Molitor scoring lead power shots and Burgo scoring less and less. By the end of the fourth Burgo was stumbling and simply trying to survive, and the referee stopped the fight between the fourth and fifth rounds after visiting Burgo in his corner. Molitor's record will show only a KO4, but he had to work
    pretty hard, and took some really good shots early in the fight. Steve
    showed without a doubt that he is still a little way from taking on the more elite competition in the division. But a nice win that got a good hand from the crowd.

    I'd expected the Molitor and Brisson fights to be good ones, and
    Molitor's was interesting while Brisson's was dull but decisive. What
    I didn't expect was how exciting the Beaudry and Huff fights were going to be, and that was a great surprise. But I never expected the
    Thompson/Gaines fight to be the dreadful affair that it was, and had
    hoped to see more in the Bergeron/Wilson fight. Thanks goodness for
    the unheralded fighters tonight, as they made the card worth seeing.

    This event went out live on Pay Per View live in Canada, and will be
    rebroadcast on CTV Sportsnet on March 14th. It will also be broadcast
    in the United States on the Empire Sports Network on March 17th. But
    if they are only rebroadcasting the two heavyweight fights, do yourself a favor and don't bother. Unless you are suffering from insomnia (because this will be sure to cure it) or like to watch big sweaty guys stumble around the ring and swing at each other and miss. If the undercards are being broadcast (which I doubt), check them out as they were the interesting and fun fights.

    Promoted by Orion Sports Management Inc in association with Cedric
    Kushner Productions.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOntario Ringside Fight Report - Bergeron, Thompson Notch Wins``x1047153576,53078,``x``x ``xBy Zachary Levin

    "Wladimir Klitschko seems so perfect you wonder what’s wrong with him," HBO’s Larry Merchant mused just before the opening bell sounded last night in Hanover, Germany, where the WBO heavyweight champ Klitschko (40-2, 37 KOs) took on South African veteran Corrie Sanders (39-2, 28 KOs).

    Sanders, known as a fast-starting southpaw with 18 of his 28 KOs coming in the first round, showed what’s wrong with the highly-regarded (er, over-hyped) Ukrainian: Specifically, an inability to avoid, and absorb, big left hands that sprawled him on the canvas twice in the first round and twice in the second, at which point the bout was justly stopped 23 seconds into the round.

    We all recognize that no weight division in boxing is as topsy-turvy as the heavyweight's; only there can a fighter go from journeyman to heavyweight champ back to journeyman before you can say Hasim Rahman. But things have gotten out of control. Can some real legitimate heavyweight contenders please stand up! Do any really exist? HBO has been campaigning hard for the white, handsome, chess-playing Goliath, Klitschko. To their chagrin, it appears he is not the answer. While he did show heart by getting up from the first three knockdowns, and attempted to rise from the fourth, a china chin such as his is beyond repair. Sure, the real heavyweight champion, Lennox Lewis, has one too. But with two notable exceptions against Hasim Rahman and Oliver McCall (both fights avenged), he’s managed to avoid getting hit flush using that long masterful jab of his.

    Speaking of the jab. One of the impressive features of Klitschko’s offensive arsenal going into this fight was his jackhammer jab, and the aplomb with which he used it to set everything else up. It was nowhere to be seen last night. Instead, he just pawed at Sanders with it, who kept his hands high and easily met it with an open right mitt. All the while, Sanders kept his lead right foot outside of Klitschko's lead left, thus allowing his heavy left hand a clear path to the 26-year-old Russian’s untested chin. This is Boxing 101 for a southpaw against a conventional boxer, it must have been a class in which the PhD Klitschko took an incomplete. Indeed, he seemed totally unprepared for the velocity (Sanders has unusually fast hands), odd geometry, and power of the Afrikaner’s straight left. I could burden you with details but all it took was a few rights, a few lefts, and the big Ukrainian was plowing canvas with his nose.
    Several factors might have hastened Klitschko’s early demise. Ross Puritty, the only fighter to have previously beaten him as a pro (back in ‘98), was employed as Sanders chief sparring going into the fight. Also, during the long pre-fight introduction, in which both boxers’ respective national anthems were sung, Klitschko stood stock-still. He was bone-dry when the fight began, and still hadn’t worked up a sweat when he got stopped in round 2—a recipe for disaster. You have to really wonder what boxers and their corners are thinking when this kind of cardinal sin occurs?
    The American maxim of "Bigger Is Better" has been getting knocked down in the world of boxing lately. First the 6’7’’ freakishly muscular Michael Grant turns out to be a paper tiger, then John Ruiz’s 30-pound weight advantage over Roy Jones last week comes to mean nothing, and now the 6’6’’, 242-pound rippling Wladimir Klitschko gets annihilated by Corrie Sanders (who, by the way, weighed 224, had a three inch disadvantage in reach, and has the muscle-tone of your average middle-aged weekend warrior.) It’s enough to make me start playing that past vs. present game of "what if": What would happen if you put a 182-pound Marciano in there against some huge 260-pound beast? Not long ago, I would’ve said, "Sorry, but the Rock don’t stand a chance." Now, I’m thinking, "These big guys today, they couldn’t hold his jock."

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBLITZKRIEG IN HANOVER: KLITSCHKO BOMBS ON HBO``x1047227114,25876,``x``x ``xFriday, March 07, 2003
    Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, Oregon

    This ten bout amateur card was organized by the coaching staff of West Portland Boxing Club at Garden Home Recreation Center in Portland. Head coach bill meartz filled the following report of results.

    What a show! The casino added 250 seats more than the last show and still sold out.

    1. At 11/12, 90 lbs, Junior Martinez, West Portland won an action packed decision over Eric Sanchez of Fight for Life, in Rochester, WA

    2. 15 years old, 165lbs, Javier Torres of Medford won over Aaron Turner of West Portland. Aaron controlled the first round and what started to be a boxing chess game turned into a fight.

    3. 152 lbs, Open Seniors, Ricky Gallegos, Medford and Shad Cramer of Spokane had the crowd on their feet for four solid rounds and Gallegos was the winner.

    4. 141 lbs, Open Seniors, Hilario Lopez, Caldwell, Idaho won a very close decision over Braulio Lopez of West Portland. Another bout that had the crowd out of their seats for four rounds.

    5. 138 lbs, 15 year olds. Fernando Cisneros of Fight for Life in Rochester, was won a decision over Scott Harrie of West Portland. The winner of this bout advances to the Team Holyfield card in April.

    6. 80 lbs, 11 year olds. Logan Christian of West Portland, after losing to Jerrell Barbour of Tacoma three consecutive times, pulled out the win, with steady pressure, great balance and focus and non-stop action.
    Note: Logan ask me: "when can I box someone else?" coach Bill: "when we beat this guy we will move on". A Fantastic job by Logan and now our goal is to never let Jerrell beat us again - EVER.

    7. 142, Open, Female - Molly McConnell of West Portland Controlled Marcy Monahan of Spokane from the opening bell, showing a nice jab and some excellent skills.
    Note: During the first round I could see Molly had the bout under control and that I would not be needed to pull this one out. I told Molly to throw a couple jabs to the body, but don't try to hit her as much as watch her reaction and then bring the right. Molly is getting better and better. After the second round I told Molly that there is once or twice during each round where Monahan would bull her to the ropes and for Molly to use the short uppercut. It was a beautiful thing as you couldn't see the punch, but you could see the opponents head pop up. She is listening and this makes me happy.

    8. 125 lbs, open - Franky Urrabazo looked his best this year in beating Troy Wohosky of Medford. Anyone aware of Troy's heart, power and tenacity knows what a crowd pleaser this was, but Franky's foot movement and angels were just to much.

    9. Open Juniors, 132 lbs - Eloy Perez of Fight for life won a decision over Danny Gutierrez of Seattle in a toe to toe battle.

    10. 132, Open - With out a doubt the best was last, with Jorge Hernandez of Las Vegas, NV and Juan Roman of West Portland standing in the middle of the ring and going toe to toe for four rounds. Probably over 400 punches a round in a bout that found Hernandez the winner and the crowd standing at the end and waiting for the next "Battle at the Beach"

    The Chinook Winds is gaining a reputation of hosting the very best in amateur boxing, and the crowd keeps growing. With the Oregon Golden Gloves being held on the same night as "Battle at the Beach II" there were many Portlanders who chose to make the drive to Lincoln City and were not disappointed in the ten bout card. Better than most pro shows.
    --Coach Bill Meartz


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xBattle At The Beach II –Amateur Action``x1047232664,49832,``x``x ``xBy John Garfield

    Watching John Ruiz sitting on the ring apron--still sweating from a workout--struggle and reach for words and thoughts to answer the barrage of questions at a pre-fight press conference, I couldn't help but see the parallel as he struggled to find the answers to Roy Jones, Jr. in the big fight. He never did...and he got bloody and bruised (and I'm sure his pride was hurt worst).. as he lost his WBA Heavyweight Championship by a lopsided UD to the first former middleweight champion in 106 years.

    In contrast to Ruiz at the press conference before the fight, Jones couldn't have cared less; he sat at the dais in pearl-grey designer sweats, bobbing his head to music on his earphones, oblivious to the circus around him.

    While two mightly-muscled Roman Centurions--one of them black--and Cleopatra stood behind him, Don King, in a hand-painted, blue-denim Eisenhower jacket with sequins, waving four American flags for the cameras, rambled endlessly in a rap somewhere's between P. T. Barnum and a shingle salesman about "Kryptonite," "Blackonite" and "U-thomasite," quoting scripture, his meeting with the Ukrainian president, the yellow Lamborghini he'd given Ruiz , admonishing the French for "not having our back," just before introducing Jean-Marc Mormeck of France, the current WBA cruiserweight champ. Shaking his finger at Mormeck to remind Chirac, "that if it wasn't for the doughboys, the French would be speaking German!", but in mid- sentence--almost on cue-- when King said "God..." Jones whiped off his earphones, jumped to his feet--arms folded across his chest: "I'm not here to bullshit!. I fight--that's what I do!"

    However transparent a scalawag King is, there's no BS about his ability to make a big event like this happen. And at 70, he shows no signs of winding down. He's like a shark, he has to keep moving or he won't survive.

    Probably the worst decision that Ruiz made-- beside trying to box with Jones-- was to come out at the press conference dressed like a pimp. And when Ruiz was asked if he was going to win? "The pimp always gets the ho," he answered. Jaws dropped... You could hear the groans. In an attempt to pump-up the pay-per-view, somebody in Ruiz's camp thought they had to make him more colorful.

    They couldn't have chosen worse; Ruiz's appeal was that every lunch-pail guy would identify with him. The pimp image no more fit Ruiz than it would Rocky Marciano.

    After hours of preliminaries, with what looked like no more than 100 people in the 16,000-seat Thomas and Mack Center, the place was a near sell-out by the time of the main event. Jones and Ruiz pushed their way through the crowd in the ring before the introductions-- and Jones stripped off his hooded-chocolate vest; he wasn't a man carrying too much weight for his frame; he was cut like a middleweight--just bigger, with knotted muscles in his back and grapefruit-sized biceps...like Harold Johnson used to look.

    Ruiz strode shirtless through the mob in the ring, pumping his arms, like a man on a mission. At 226, he looked trim and in shape...but not a brute--not the Goliath in the ads.

    The fight wasn't filled with drama and excitement--as befits such a historic event--it was more like an orderly coronation--the appreciation of royalty to a hip-hop beat. The little man grew in stature every round.

    All the fireworks happened in the week prior to the fight. In a workout for the press at the media pavillion in Caesar's Palace, a small crew from Anonymous Content, a film production company, with the director of the recent Robert Evans documentary, was shooting Ruiz for what they called a "documentary," titled "Sweet Science," about Jones for Weiden & Kennedy Advertising and Nike. A woman production assistant circulated through the crowd asking everybody to sign releases, also describing what they were doing as a "documentary." It smelled suspiciously like a commercial, though.

    When Norman Stone, Ruiz's manager, learned that Jones might profit from it--aside from his 10- -million-dollar guarantee-- and also see Ruiz in training, he went ballistic. "Lock all the doors! Don't let any of these guys out of here! he bellowed--red in the face--to team Ruiz . Then Stone pushed through the crowd to the cameraman and got right in his face: "Gimme that film right now!" The cameraman was shaking: "It's not film, it's videotape, he offered, as if that would make it right. "I DON'T GIVE A FUCK WHAT IT IS!" Stone yelled. "I WANT IT RIGHT NOW!" Everybody froze. One wrong move and somebody was going to get hurt bad.

    The producer signaled the cameraman to give Stone the tape, which he appeared to destroy, and the crew was ushered out of the room.

    But the flinty Stone wasn't through. At the weigh-in, Stone was unhappy about the gloves, saying his were heavier than Jones' and that they were improperly sent to Jones instead of the commission.

    When Stone got loud about it and stepped up on the temporary platform to complain to Alton Merkerson, Jones' trainer, that unless the gloves were changed, the fight was off. Stone got too close to Merkerson. Words were exchanged. Stone grabbed Merkerson, who when he tried to pry Stone loose, caused him to fall backward, and on the way down, Merkerson caught him on the end of a long overhand right, which split Stone's lip--compliments of a Super Bowl size ring on Merkerson's index finger. Somewhere's at the bottom of the pile, Stone was kicked in the ribs by a Jones supporter, and he broke a finger in the melee.

    A few minutes later, Stone collapsed. Initially, it was thought to be a heart attack, but he was rushed by ambulance to Valley Hospital, where he was x-rayed and released, with just some bumps and bruises.

    It was clear in training, that all of the concessions that Ruiz had to make to get the match (He agreed to ALL of Jones' terms, and might make no money) had gotten under his skin, and he was seething. Whenever the subject came up, the tightness in Ruiz's jaw and the look in his eye said, he wanted to take it out on Jones in the ring.

    But it isn't that easy with Jones. Fighters never seem to be able to get off...and they look like "bums" in comparison.

    Ruiz is not a bum; he's a gutsy, blue-collar guy, who'd be dangerous for most heavyweights out there. He had a plan mapped out by Gabe Mari, his trainer, to cut the ring off on Jones, and they sweated on it right up until fight time. In training, Ruiz looked quicker and let his hands go more freely than I'd ever seen him.

    But that's how big the chasm in talent is between Ruiz and Jones. Doing it in the mirror and against sparring partners simulating Jones is not like facing him in the ring... that's the reality check.

    Jones made it clear in his clinic over Ruiz that he's a superstar and everybody else is a supporting player. Ruiz was merely a foil to showcase Jones's talents.

    Nobody deserves the title of "The Real Deal" or "The Man" more than Jones. He out-thinks, out-boxes, out-punches.. out-everythings anybody else in a prize ring in 2003. He's like some super model who hit the genetic lottery. As a fighter, he has it all, including radar, an assortment of punches I've never seen, and a body as limber as Gumby.

    From his first sneak right hand that wobbled Ruiz in round 4, Jones announced he wasn't running; he was going to fight Ruiz straight up and drub him with ease an arrogance. And that's what he did like a master for 12 rounds.

    And the few times he sampled a Ruiz right hand or some body punches against the ropes, Jones answered the questions on everybody's mind: Can he take a shot? Does he have the character? Jones didn't crumble--seemed almost disdainful, and just took care of business, stinging and frustrating the much bigger man with a never-ending jab that looked like he had the seven inches in reach.

    There were several times when Jones set the same trap: He bent forward at the waist--his head an inviting target-- arms hanging like spaghetti, and Ruiz took the bait and came across with a right hand, only to be met with a snapping left uppercut-hook from the floor, while Jones slid off to the right, without even looking.

    After Ruiz's promising 1st round, where he landed two shotgun jabs and forced Jones back, Jones adjusted, and weight, height and reach were never a factor again. Jones' feints, unorthodox jab, and ring generalship froze Ruiz in place, like a matador flourishing his cape in front of an enraged bull and turning his back.

    The referee, Jay Nady, had little to do, even though he warned Ruiz for using his head in the first round. Jones handled Ruiz with surprising ease inside, and hit him with tight, hard uppercuts when they were on the ropes for any length of time.

    Once Ruiz had second thoughts about bull-rushing Jones, he lost his only advantages, and the dye was cast: He was out of his depth trying to box with Jones. For the balance of the fight, Ruiz looked like an air-hockey figure-- hands glued to his face-- jerking sharply side to side trying to keep up with Jones' every move.

    Ruiz had been KO'd and beaten, but he'd never been tamed. He'd managed to win ugly against some very tough guys, so Jones's near shut-out is all the more impressive. The CBZ scored it 118-110.

    There was some nagging doubt in mind before the decision was announced, even though many of the 15,300 were streaming to the exits before the end of the last round, sure that Jones had a lock on it. Ruiz was a King fighter, and Vonda Ward, his Amazonian protege, had just been given a 4-round gift over Wanda Salazar, who soundly beat her, and almost knocked her out.

    But even though King tried to reverse the knockout of Tyson by Buster Douglas, he let the Jones win stand.

    Leaving the arena, somebody passed me and yelled, "Speed kills!" It certainly does when you're being whacked and you have no idea where it's coming from... when every impulse...and months of training, scream: "Charge him!" "Mug him!," and you're never in position to do it... and can't get off. That's what Jones has done to 49 pros.

    At 34, Jones could get old overnight in a business that demands Top-Gun reflexes, especially with his style. So, whether any of the mega-buck offers swirling around Tyson, Klitschko or Lewis ever materialize, the idea doesn't seem so far-fetched after March 1. Jones is an American treasure, and you'll tell your grandkids about him in the the same breath with Robinson, Burley and Langford.

    On the undercard--which seemed to go on for weeks--the best fight of the night was a non-stop punchout between Jean-Marc Mormeck and Alexandre Gurov of the Ukraine for the cruiserweight title. Gurov got great extension and leverage on his shots, and Mormeck, a shorter mound of muscle, kept bobbing and weaving and punching to the body. Mormeck kept pressing and finally slowed and dropped Gurov at the end of the 7th, and finished him for good in the eighth.

    These were two tough, quality fighters, and though one got stopped, they're both crowd pleasers and well worth seeing again.

    Alex Terra Garcia of Mexico was the surprise of the night, and proved to be every bit as big a hitter as his record indicated (21 fights, 20 knockouts) in blasting out Santiago Salmenaga of Panama to win his WBA superwelterweight title

    Garcia isn't imaginative or eye-catching, but he has reasonable hand speed, and a very heavy right hand. He poleaxed Salmenaga once in the first round, and for the KO in the third. Both times Salmenaga went down, he looked like Gamache against Gatti.

    Garcia could be a dark horse among the superwelters. He doesn't look all that impressive, and they could still be thinking that while they're on their backs.

    I was stunned by the dramatic suddeness of the emphatic KO of heavyweight Maurice "Moe" Harris by Fres Oquendo in the 10th round...and also to read now that Harris has been taken to the hospital because of "recurrent headaches." I hope its something that can dealt with, but, certainly, it's a clear sign that Harris has to stop now; he's been KO'd 10 times in 21 short-notice fights, and the brutal picture of him laying motionless after Derrick Jefferson's huge left hook still is fresh in every fan's mind.

    I interviewed Harris before the fight and he was more than confident. He felt a renewed dedication would allow him to fulfill his potential. He couldn't wait to show what he could in this fight with Oquendo.

    I've heard it said that athletes break records if they can envision themselves doing it... not trying to do it. Mo Harris could see himself a champion.

    After Harris's knockdown in the second round, where it didn't look like it was possible for him to get off the floor, Harris somehow made it to his feet, recovered his poise and stylishly won every round until he was abruptly dropped by what looked like an Oquendo left hook inside, and he slumped to the canvas, unconscious.

    The controversy about whether it was a legal blow may be resolved by the courts, but not the consequences. A short time after his fight, I was encouraged to see Harris back in streeet clothes, smiling and walking briskly around ringside greeting his friends.

    Harris is one of those boxing stories of a man with good natural talent and heart, and a constitution that didn't match it.

    Wiinky Wright is a top professional... and even has a personal press agent, but his victories don't excite the fans. He out-dueled and out-hit J.C. Candelo, to defend his IBF jr middleweight crown. He earned the win, but he didn't make the kind of impression he'd hoped to. But, he's more than good enough to have managers keep their fighters clear of him. So he retains his title, but he's still at status quo.

    Maybe Wright could take some tips from Candelo on how to be noticed. At the weigh-in, he was a he was a riot of color: red, green, yellow, purple, you name it. He looked like somebody in the Mardi Gras..

    Candelo is a tall, fluid-punching and strong-willed fighter, with an exceptionally long reach, but he just didn't bring enough of everything to win a title. Candelo is no slouch, and he's still young enough to make some noise.

    In a strange way, Lamon Brewster's heavyweight fight mirrored the main event. Brewster was able to do anything he wanted with Joe Lenart--without return-- and Lenart was a much bigger man. The best that could be said for Lenart was that he was willing to keep taking punishment and shuffle forward...And Brewster was hitting hit him with some hellacious body shots--like "Rocky" pounding the sides of beef in the refrigerator--before Lenart caved-in in the third.

    At the weigh-in, I remember remarking to a trainer that Lenart was well over 300 pounds, and towered over Brewster. "But does he have a pulse?" he replied. That was the story in a nutshell. It had to be a confidence builder for Brewster, but he deserves stronger competition to put him back in the heavyweight picture.

    Vonda Ward is one of the most striking physical specimens I've ever seen. She's 6'6", 179 pounds and had more definition than any man on the card. Seeing her for the first time is like looking at the red queen in "The Manchurian Candidate;" It's stunning.

    Ward was bounding all over the final press conference in shorts and a cut-off T shirt. Men usually are preoccupied with a woman's figure, but nobody could take their eyes off her arms. There was nothing but sinew. They looked like steel cable. When she walked, it was like looking at the superstructure of a bridge move from a low angle.

    But in spite of her 15-0 record, with 14 KO's, she's the 2003 version of Primo Carnera. She's a big, strong athlete who's worked very hard in the gym to learn some of the basics of boxing, but she's not a natural; she has no feel for the game, and can't get out of the way of punches. She takes everything flush--her head straight up, begging to be hit.

    She'll beat a lot girls who can't deal with her size. But she's a recipe for trouble: She's in great physical and aerobic shape, and she has an athlete's desire and competitive temperment, but it only means, she'll take punishment longer and be hurt.

    The girl that Ward fought, who looked like a dumpling, but had a far more natural feel for the ring, rang Ward's bell repeatedly with right hands thrown from the outfield. Ward's probably a bruising basketball player, and that's probably where she'd be more at home--or maybe on the cover of a fitness magazine.

    When I spoke to her at the press conference, she was very open, and quick to admit she was just a beginner, and wanted to work very hard to get better. She was very touching...she wore braces, and almost looked like a little girl, albeit, with a very deep voice.

    Al "Ice" Cole and David Izon earned a paycheck in a listless heavyweight 8 rounder. Cole was busier with his jab, and Izon was a shadow of himself. Cole was less faded than Izon, and deserved the UD.

    Ezra Sellers was anniliating Jason Robinson in the 2nd round, and referee Toby Gibson had to step in to stop the cruiserweight bout in just :53 seconds.

    Gabe Brown looks more like a bald couch potato than an athlete, let alone a fighter. He's 335 pounds, and not an ounce of it looks like muscle. But the guy can fight--has some hand speed and moves his body well. He fought hammer-and-tongs with a Tyson-built fighter named Sherman "Tank" Williams. Williams won because Brown faded in the stretch, but he gave Williams hell.

    But I'm sure I'm going to hear about some surprising names on Brown's win list. Guys will take one look him and say, "Piece of cake," and get the surprise of their lives.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xClose-up: The Ruiz-Jones fight and the 7-day circus ``x1047239888,1646,``x``x ``xFriday Night:


    Heavyweight novice: Josh Moa, Victory Boxing Club, Albany, OR. def. Donato Parkerson, Grand Avenue Gym, Portland.


    165lbs novice: Nelson Zepeda, Grand Avenue Gym, Portland def. Cedric Armstrong, Knott Street Gym, Portland.


    132lbs novice: Eric Cabrerra def. Joe Cummings, Grand Avenue Gym, Portland.


    119lbs elimination: Michael Rylands, Sugar Co. Boxing Club, Salem def. Peter Kapil, South Everett Boxing Club, Everett, WA.


    132lbs elimination: Brandon Ferguson, Port Kells Boxing Club, Vancouver, WA def. Scott Kennedey, South Everett Boxing Club, Everett, WA.


    132lbs elimination: Juan Jarmillo, Sugar Co. Boxing Club, Salem def. Thimbe Reeves, Grand Avenue Gym, Portland.


    152lbs elimination: Jason Davis, Knott Street Gym, Portland, stopped Colton Hardison, Grand Avenue Gym, Portland, in the first round.


    165lbs women’s championship: Tricia Turton, Capitol Hill Boxing Club, Seattle def. Dana Lynn Gold, Seattle.


    165lbs elimination: Robert Marthaller, Victory Boxing, Albany, OR. def. Kevin Triplett, Hard Knox Gym, Eugene.


    Heavyweight elimination: Kevin Reynolds, Astoria Boxing, Vancouver, BC. def. Kevon Peters, South Everett Boxing, Everett, WA.


    Saturday night:


    125lbs novice: Joel Gonzales, Victory Boxing, Albany, OR. def Scott Kennedy, South Everett Boxing, Everett, WA.


    132lbs novice: Norberto Penteleon, Sugar Co. Boxing, Salem def. Roy Arroyo, West Eugene Boxing, Eugene.


    178lbs novice: Brad Mejia, Victory Boxing, Albany, OR. def (by DQ) Tom Eveland, Grand Avenue Gym, Portland.


    132lbs championship: Brandon Ferguson, Port Kells Boxing, Vancouver, WA. def. Juan Jarmillo, Sugar Co. Boxing, Salem.


    141lbs championship: Osvaldo Rojas, Grand Avenue Gym, Portland def. Jackson Bussel, Self Defense Boxing, Klamath Falls.


    141lbs women’s championship: Angela Harriet, Sugar Co. Boxing, Salem def. Marcey Monahan, Eagles Boxing, Spokane, WA.


    152lbs championship: Jason Davis, Knott Street Boxing, Portland def. Dwayne Welch, Sugar Co. Boxing, Salem.


    165lbs championship: Robert Marthaller, Victory Boxing, Albany, OR def. Tyler Jackson, Port Kells Boxing, Vancouver WA.


    178lbs championship: Marcus Parnell, Knott Street Boxing, Portland def. Randy Rogers, Self Defense Boxing, Klamath Falls.


    Heavyweight championship: Kevin Reynolds, Astoria Boxing, Vancouver, BC. stopped Cris Gael, Cals Olympic Boxing, Port Orchard, WA. in the first round.


    Super heavyweight championship: Sean Lancaster, Kelso Boxing, Kelso WA. stopped Jeff Marsh, Victory Boxing, Albany, OR. in the second.

    Note: Matt Sorenson was named the 2003 Oregon Boxing Writer of the Year.







    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xResults from the 2003 Oregon Golden Gloves:``x1047325000,45386,``x``x ``xLegendary HBO Nights
    By Robert Ecksel

    HBO has every reason to exalt itself. Their regular programming - The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Sex and The City, Arliss - is not just TV. It’s HBO. It’s a pity all the media in our glutted culture doesn’t pack such a wallop. Boxing has been HBO’s baby for many years. Beginning in 1973 with their first boxing broadcast, HBO has distinguished itself with its intelligence, its daring matchmaking, and its dedication to delivering three crack decades of jabs, hooks and uppercuts.

    Beginning last Wednesday (10PM ET/PT) March 5 and running through May 21, HBO Sports is presenting “Legendary Nights. The Stories Behind HBO’s Most Memorable Fights. 12 Fights. 12 Stories. 12 Weeks.” HBO culled their archives and came up with 12 humdinger prizefights. They might not have been the best bouts from HBO’s roster of 500 fights, but they were what they were “the most memorable.” The featured bouts are:

    Leonard vs. Hearns (March 5)
    Holmes vs. Cooney (March 12)
    Pryor vs. Arguello (March 19)
    Hagler vs. Hearns (March 26)
    Hagler vs. Leonard (April 2)
    Tyson vs. Douglas (April 9)
    Chavez vs. Taylor (April 16)
    Holyfield vs. Bowe (April 23)
    Foreman vs. Moorer (April 30)
    Bowe vs. Golota (May 7)
    De La Hoya vs. Trinidad (May 14)
    Lewis vs. Tyson (May 21)

    Followers of the sweet science are familiar with these contests. The hype leading up to them and the hype that followed became the stuff of history. They are the real deal, if not always the fairest fights, larger than life footnotes in the centuries old hurting business.

    A glance at these bouts reveals themes and variations, plots and subplots, texts and Ur-texts in the midst of all that punching. Great Fights. Great Rivalries. Great Upsets. Great Controversies. Crowning Great Champions. It could not have been easy for HBO to decide which fights to spotlight and which to bury, but with only thirty minutes allotted for each 12-part segment, there was too little time available for HBO to rise to the occasion.

    The 12 fights fit into porous groups.

    GREAT FIGHTS
    Leonard-Hearns
    Pryor-Arguello
    Hagler-Hearns
    Holyfield-Bowe



    GREAT RIVALRIES
    Leonard-Hearns
    Holyfield-Bowe

    GREAT CONTROVERSIES
    Hagler-Leonard
    Chavez-Taylor
    Bowe-Golota
    De La Hoya-Trinidad
    Holmes-Cooney

    GREAT UPSETS
    Tyson-Douglas
    Foreman-Moorer
    Hagler-Leonard
    De La Hoya-Trinidad

    CROWNING GREAT CHAMPIONS
    Hagler-Leonard
    Foreman-Moorer
    Holyfield-Bowe
    Lewis-Tyson

    The greatest champions of the last thirty years are trading leather on HBO. Leonard. Hearns. Hagler. Holmes. Chavez. Tyson. Bowe. De La Hoya. Holyfield. These guys are the kings of the hit parade. Anyone who doesn’t know them by now better tune into HBO. Each of these cats was stylish, charismatic, cool, phat, down and striking. Each of them was a knockout. Leonard, Hearns, Hagler, Holmes, Chavez, Iron Mike, Big Daddy, The Golden Boy and Commander Vander. Great stuff. Terrific warriors. Boxing at its very best.

    The first fight in the series featured Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Tommy Hearns from September 16, 1981. Ray Leonard was the brash Olympian, the new and improved Ali, the glamorous kid from the burbs who boxed with class and battled with heart. Thomas “The Hit Man” Hearns was an anomaly turning out guys’ lights in Motown. Tall, lean, angular, fast, with a broad muscular back and long arms and legs, Tommy Hearns was one of the reasons they used to call Detroit the Murder City.

    In HBO’s first installment of Legendary Nights, the two stars of the show, Leonard and Hearns, were supported by an award-winning cast of co-stars, bit players, cameos, walk-ons, extras and passing historical references, each of which could be the subject of its own documentary. Dempsey-Tunney. Robinson-Basilio. Louis-Schmeling. Howard Cosell. Angelo Dundee. Olympic boxing without headgear. The ring career of Bob Hope. Each of these subjects was crammed into a bustling thirty minutes. It was an almost incomprehensible relay race of data. No sooner did something significant call attention to itself - before it was shoved aside by a worthy replacement. We know the competition is tough and air time comes at a premium, especially on HBO, but half an hour is the time it takes for most of us to register that the TV set is even on.

    Not enough can be said about the first Leonard-Hearns bout, but the guys on HBO gave it their best shot. The best fight of the trilogy, if not the best fight of their careers, the Legendary Nights version of these fourteen rounds of give and take and recovery and discovery was compacted into a barely digestible seven minutes. That’s about thirty seconds a round. And while we treasure Manny Steward and boxing’s poet laureate Larry Merchant, there were too many other talking heads taking up time from a boxing match that deserved to be seen and not heard.

    Because of tired mismatches and scripted executions, we were looking forward to revisiting a contest the caliber of Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns. Because we live in an age where champs are champs due to cynical back room pandering, we hoped Leonard-Hearns would be an antidote akin to a trip on a time machine. And perhaps it was. Because everything sped by in a blur.

    In light of its time constraints and a flirtation with the ho-hum, Legendary Nights is the rare swing and a miss from the folks HBO.

    But at least we’ve got 11 more weeks of Wednesday night fights to check out.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLegendary HBO Nights``x1047345846,20162,``x``x ``xLOS ANGELES, CA– On February 28, Golden Boy Promotions gave Telefutura viewers what they asked for – compelling, evenly matched fights – and the viewers responded, sending ratings through the roof for the Los Angeles promotional company’s first ‘Solo Boxeo’ show.

    The ‘Solo Boxeo’ card, aired live from the Selland Arena in Fresno, and which featured unbeaten 2000 US Olympian Jose Navarro’s ten round win over Keyri Wong and Enrique Ornelas’ eight round victory over Tim Shocks, drew a 3.9% National Household rating.

    “These ratings confirm that if a promoter puts on good quality fights between evenly matched opponents and is willing to promote the show by giving exposure to the fighters, that the sport of boxing is not as dead as so many other promoters have stated over the past few months,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya. “I am willing to continue to work hard and give this great sport the exposure it deserves.”

    The 3.9% rating is an astonishing 26% higher than average ratings achieved by other promoters this year.

    Golden Boy Promotions’ next Solo Boxeo date is scheduled for May 9th in San Diego, California. This is the second of four 2003 dates given to Golden Boy Promotions by Telefutura. Other shows are tentatively scheduled for September and November.


    For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, visit our website at: www.goldenboypromotions.com">www.goldenboypromotions.com

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOscar and Solo Boxeo A Perfect Fit``x1047402946,10257,``x``x ``xMcAloney Reframing Career

    By JD Vena


    The foreman thought it would be a typical task as he walked through the power plant. But while stopping to decide what would be planned for a scaffolding job, Dan Madden turned around and discovered that his 5’5 laborer wasn’t standing behind him.

    “I asked Eddie to do something,” said Madden. “I can’t remember what it was but when I turned around, I couldn’t see him until I looked down on the ground.”

    Madden couldn’t believe his eyes.

    “Instead of asking him what the hell he was doing, I decided to count. He had to have done over 50 push-ups because I counted 46. I thought he was nuts. Come to find out, he’s a boxer and does this sort of thing all the time at work,” chuckled Madden.

    Being new to a framing company called Brand Scaffolding, Madden was getting his first glimpse of what Southie boxer, Eddie McAloney has been doing intermittently during his shifts since he began working there.

    “Everyone on the site is use to it now,” said Madden of McAloney’s training habits. “We have a huge set of stairs and Eddie runs up and down them about five times during his lunch break. I guess he’s really dedicated to his boxing.

    "It helps me stay in shape," admitted McAloney. "I'm able to get a lot of excersizes out of the way and concentrate more on my boxing when I'm at the gym."

    A few years ago, it wasn’t like this for the 31-year old. In fact, other than the misfortune of having a few surgeries on both of his elbows, the desire to train hard wasn’t with him since the days when he had claimed a Mass State lightweight title in 1998. That fire in his belly was more or less extinguished when McAloney did an old friend a favor, one that would cost him more than a few good paydays.

    “I did a favor for Jimmy Farrell, a good friend of mine who was promoting a show in Boston. They had an Irish kid from England named Marty Moore for me to fight in a four-rounder. To help the show and sell more tickets I accepted the fight. I fought the worst fight of my life and lost a (4-round) decision. When I tell you Moore’s a bad fighter, I mean he was the worst fighter I’ve ever been in with, amateur or pro. I was so mad at myself for losing to him. I hadn’t been training and my elbows were bothering me but losing to him put me in a real funk.

    “He’s been talking about fighting Moore for a long time,” said Madden. “He really has it out for this kid.”

    “We tried making this fight a few times. The first time, he didn’t get on the plane in England. The second time, he flew over here but didn’t come to Boston. He flew to New York instead. I ended up seeing him at a local show a few years ago and he said that he would kick my ass. My friend’s had to restrain me because I was going to spread him all over the parking lot.”

    After years of anticipation, McAloney will finally have a chance to fulfill his ambitions. On Monday night on St. Patrick’s Day at Boston’s favorite night club, The Roxy, McAloney will meet Moore in a six round rematch of a Rich Cappiello promoted show headlined by Irish Heavyweight Champion, Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride.

    It’s been a long time coming. But a win for McAloney will not only avenge a painful defeat, it will jumpstart a stalled career. Despite a less than stellar record of 12-5 with 6 KO’s, McAloney knows what he’s all about.

    “I lost to Kevin Watts last year after being off for three years,” admitted McAloney. “But I know that when I’m on, I can hang with anyone. I’ve sparred with (former featherweight champion) Freddie Norwood and (world rated) David Santos and did more than hold my own against them. By the end of this year I want to win another state title and see where I can go from there. I owe Richie (Cappeillo) everything for putting this together. What’s funny is Moore called him eager to get on the show and Rich told him there was only one guy he could put him in with. Richie knew how much I want this, especially on St. Patrick’s Day.”

    Then again, so does everyone over at Brand Scaffolding.

    If you were trying to think of a great place to go on St. Patrick’s Day then I couldn’t recommend a better option than Cappiello’s St Patrick’s Day show. Just think, the bars in Boston will be charging at least $20 covers to get in. At the Roxy you can pay anywhere as low as $30 to see a live boxing card in an Irish-filled atmosphere.

    As for the fights themselves, the show features a number of local stars looking to show their green and spill some red. McBride (28-4-1/ 23 KO’s), who now lives in Brookline, defends his IBC American’s heavyweight title against Brockton’s Najee Shaheed (18-4-1). Shaheed has been in with a number of top rated heavyweights, including Wladimir Klitschko, Henry Akinwande and Robert Wiggins. Shaheed drew with the rugged Wiggins in one of their two encounters. In another interesting bout, Jimmy “The Dream” LeBlanc (9-2-3/ 3 KO’s) and “Cocky” Kevin Watts (17-2/ 6 KO’s) will not only battle for Southie supremacy but the winner will meet New England Jr. welterweight champion, Jeff “The Hellraza” Fraza in a few months. Fraza (12-2/ 6 KO’s) of Haverhill, will tune himself up on the show as well in an 8-rounder with Bahamian, Eugene Pratt.

    In other slated bouts, streaking Ian “The Cobra” Gardner of Canada will meet tough-guy, Tommy Attardo in a 6-rounder, James Clancy of Brookline will meet Jose Colon of Lawrence and undefeated middleweight prospect, “Sir” William “The Gladiator” Gibbs (11-0/ 9 KO’s) will face an opponent yet to be determined. In sure any self-respecting Irishman will happily fill in if no one’s available for Gibbs. Doors open at 6:00 (that’s P.M for you lushes) with the first bout scheduled for 7:30. For ticket information call toll free 888-491-2900.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1047612752,62799,``x``x ``xPress Release

    LOWELL, Mass. – With St. Patrick’s Day next Monday, you’d think pro boxer “Irish” Micky Ward, winner of Ring Magazine’s prestigious 2002 and 2001 Fights of the Year, would have good reason to do a traditional jig.

    Much to the contrary, though, as negotiations for the much-anticipated Gatti-Ward III fight, erroneously rumored to be a done deal for June in Atlantic City, have hit a major snag over money.

    Ward (37-12, 27 KOs) is in New York City to receive an award this evening (Friday) as one of Irish America Magazine’s Top 100. As proud as he is to be honored like this, he’d prefer signing a contract for the rubber match between him and Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, who split a pair of exciting 10-round decisions last year on HBO, including the consensus 2002 Fight of the Year won by Ward last May.

    “These are two warriors, throwbacks to the Golden Age of boxing,” LoNano said. “They’ve had two of the best fights in many years and the public wants a third to settle the score. Main Events (Gatti’s promoter) only offered us a 75-25 split, which is unacceptable. Why should Micky take that pay when Gatti wouldn’t have taken it for the last fight? We didn’t have to fight Gatti after we won the first fight, but we did and agreed to do it at 50-50. We’re looking for 50-50 again.

    “I have a meeting next week with Micky’s promoter, Lou DiBella, who has done a great job for us. We’ll try and salvage Gatti-Ward III -- everybody in boxing wants it -- but not for what Main Events is offering us. If it can’t be worked out, we’ll start looking for somebody else. It’s a shame because Ward-Gatti is a great rivalry that should be decided with a third match.”

    Instead of meeting in the ring where they really belong, the last time Gatti and Ward may see each other in person, unfortunately, could be at the 78th Boxing Writers Association of America’s banquet and dinner April 25 in New York City, where they’ll receive the Harry Markson Award for their Fight of the Year.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGatti-Ward III on the ropes!``x1047653228,78369,``x``x ``xBERNSTEIN, TOMPKINS AND BUFFER REUNITE FOR "MONDAY NIGHT FIGHTS"

    CHUCK ZITO RINGSIDE REPORTER

    BROADCAST AND ANNOUNCING TEAM NAMED FOR MARCH 31 HBOPPV CARD

    NEW YORK, March 14 - They have three of the most recognizeable voices in boxing history: the broadcast team of Al Bernstein and Barry Tompkins, and the golden-throated ring announcer Michael Buffer. Put them together for the first time in eight years, and DiBella Entertainment's March 31 edition of "Monday Night Fights" is providing not only the best in boxing action, but the best voices in the game calling the show.

    "I've worked with more partners than anyone else who ever announced boxing matches, but the eight years of working with Barry were special," said Bernstein of his history of working fights with Tompkins at ESPN. "We could finish each other's sentences. There was and is a synergy that I believe enhances the telecast for the viewer, which after all, is our ultimate goal."

    Adds Tompkins, "Over the course of time, I believe Al and I have done about 300 fights together. This represents a chance to reunite while working for a guy we both like, Lou DiBella. We're hopeful that it is the beginning of something new rather than the revival of something old."

    "Monday Night Fights" premieres on Monday, March 31, and will be distributed by the leader in television boxing, HBOPPV. The Pay-Per-View broadcast begins at 8pm ET / 5pm PT and has a suggested retail price of $24.95.

    Michael Buffer, the premier ring announcer in boxing today, will kick off the Pay-Per-View festivities in his own trademark style, and rounding out the team as a sideline reporter will be former Golden Gloves boxer and star of HBO's OZ series Chuck Zito.

    "It is great to be back at ring center with Barry and Al broadcasting from ringside," said Buffer. "It's been almost 10 years since we've worked together and I'm really looking forward to March 31st. I think the big winners on that night will be the fight fans who tune in because they'll get to see a super line-up of boxing with the best blow-by-blow and analyst broadcast duo EVER!"

    Headlining the inaugural broadcast of "Monday Night Fights" is a world junior bantamweight title fight featuring WBO champion Fernando Montiel (25-0-1, 19 KOs), putting his crown on the line against former World champion Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson (40-3, 27 KOs). Other bouts include a middleweight clash between Jermain Taylor and Brian Barbosa, a heavyweight battle between Derek Bryant and Eric Kirkland, and a lightweight bout featuring Angel Manfredy.

    ABOUT THE BROADCAST AND ANNOUNCING TEAM

    Al Bernstein
    Al Bernstein is best known to a national audience as the voice of ESPN
    boxing, but he has also carved out a career of varied endeavors, and achieved success in television, radio and as a live stage performer and recording artist. From 19880 to 1998 Al served as analyst (and often host) of the Top Rank Boxing Series- winning numerous awards such as Boxing Broadcaster of the year. In 1990 he was the only sportscaster on Sports Magazine’s “Best 100 in Sports.” During that time Al also wrote and hosted over 20 anthology shows on boxing, and wrote and hosted the critically acclaimed “Big Fights Boxing”
    series on ESPN Classic Sports Network. Al now does special essays called “Bernstein on Boxing” every Tuesday night on classic sport. For all his 22 years at ESPN Al has covered all the major boxing matches for Sportscenter, and he continues now in that capacity. He also covers major league baseball, and NBA basketball, for Sportscenter, and has done play by play on college
    basketball for ESPN. Al has done over 50 major Pay Per View telecasts
    including great fights such as Marvin Hagler- Tommy Hearns, Evander
    Holyfield-Buster Douglas, Evander Holyfield-Riddick Bowe, Marivn
    Hagler-Roberto Duran, and Sugar Ray Leonard- Roberto Duran.

    Barry Tompkins
    Recipient of six Ace Awards, four Emmys, a Press Club Award and the Sam Taub Award for Boxing Commentator of the Year, Barry Tompkins currently covers over 60 events a year for Fox Sports Net, including Pac-10 football, basketball and the Fox Sunday Night Fights. Over the last 30 years, Tompkins has covered five Olympic Games, 20 Super Bowls, six World Series, 14 Wimbledon Championships, six French Open Tennis Championships, three U.S. Open Tennis Championships, three NCAA Final Fours, The Masters and countless championship boxing matches.

    Michael Buffer
    Michael Buffer is world renowned for his tuxedo image and famous trademarked phrase “LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!”. He is considered one of the most recognized faces in the world of sports and entertainment due to his 19 plus years of announcing many of the biggest championship boxing events and many other internationally televised sports and entertainment events. He is considered the “Voice of Champions” by millions of fans worldwide. The demand for his special voice-over work for entertainment and special advertising and promotional campaigns is constantly growing due to the fact that his voice is so highly distinguishable to the public.

    Chuck Zito
    Chuck Zito, bodyguard to the stars, former Golden Gloves boxer, martial arts expert, past president of the N.Y. Nomads chapter of the Hells Angels, and actor on the award winning HBO drama Oz, is the star of the upcoming USA Network series Chuck Zito's Street Justice.

    For more information on DiBella Entertainment, please visit our website at www.dbe1.com


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAll-Star Cast Named to Anchor DiBellas PPV Crew``x1047686010,96814,``x``x ``xPress Release

    Hot prospect Chad Dawson ready to shine
    March 21 at Foxwoods & on NESN

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Twenty-year-old unbeaten prospect “Bad” Chad Dawson will be stepping up and moving down at the same time Friday night, March 21 on the undercard of “Bring Me A Dream II: The Rematch,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

    Dawson, of New Haven (CT), is 10-0 with six knockouts. Chad’s stepping up in class to fight 10-1 Willie Lee (7 KOs), of Gulfport (MS), as well as dropping down in weight to the junior middleweight division, in the scheduled six-rounder. Both fighters are southpaws.

    The “New England Prospect of the Year” in 2002 and 2001, Dawson’s most impressive victory to date was a 4th-round TKO of 9-1 John Romans William.

    “Chad will be fighting his toughest opponent to date,” Burchfield said. “I don’t want him fighting as a light-heavyweight or super middleweight. He’s comfortable at 158 and we’ll see how it goes. I’d like to see him eventually fight at 154.

    “He’s 6-2 with a lot of speed and power, the most natural athlete I’ve ever seen. Chad could be playing football, basketball, or any sport. He has a lot of natural talent and is one of the best boxing prospects I’ve seen in many years.”

    The main event pits Scott "The Sandman" Pemberton (24-2-1, 20 KOs), of New Bedford (MA), against Levan Easley (15-7-2, 7 KOs), of Queens, in a 12-round match for the vacant International Boxing Union world super middleweight title. The Pemberton-Easley 12-round main event is a rematch of their "2000 New England Fight of the Year" and “NABF Fight of the Month,” in which, Pemberton recorded a devastating third-round knockout.

    Crowd pleasing Providence lightweight Gary "Tiger" Balletto (26-1, 23 KOs) is scheduled to be in the 12-round co-feature for the vacant IBU world lightweight championship. His original opponent, Wilson Galli, broke his hand in training camp and Gary’s replacement will soon be announced. He is rated No. 9 by the NABF and No. 15 by the NABA.

    The main event and co-feature will be taped live and broadcast Tuesday night (8-10:30), March 25 on NESN. The CES announcing team includes Dave Bontempo, popular blow-by-blow announcer; color man Ron Borges, one of the foremost boxing writers in the world; special analyst Vinny Paz, 5-time world champion.

    Also on the fight card is four-time Puerto Rican national amateur champion, featherweight Angel “Gee Roc” Torres (10-2, 4 KOs), of Manchester (CT), in his first 8-round match against Greg Piper (6-1, 2 KOs), of Portland, OR.

    It’s rare for four boxers with Connecticut ties to be fighting at Foxwoods on same card. Pemberton, who has been training in Manchester, joins Torres, Dawson and Norwalk super lightweight Shakha Moore (9-6-2, 1 KO) carrying the Nutmeg state banner into the ring.

    Unbeaten heavyweight and former Cincinnati Bengals’ pro football player, Las Vegas-based Jevon “J Roc” Langford (4-0, 4 KOs), will also be in action.

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change. The first bout will start at 7:30 p.m.

    Ticket prices $100 Platinum VIP Seats or Opera VIP Boxes, $55 Ringside seats, $35 Stage & Bleachers and $20 General Admission. Tickets are limited and may be purchased by calling any of the CES Offices: Rhode Island (401) 724-2253, Conn: (860) 432-4253 Attn: Lou Mayo or Mass: (617) 567-1705 Attn: Romano Schreiber. Tickets can also be purchased through CES’ Web site at www.cesboxing.com (go to tickets page).

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x"Bad" Chad Dawson Moving Up and Down``x1047738088,53377,``x``x ``xBy Dan Hanley at Ringside

    Chicago, IL - Art Pelullo's Banner Promotions in association with Hitz Boxing and Showtime Boxing produced a marathon fight card at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, whose main event left a multitude of strained vocal chords in its wake.

    In the feature event, Brazil's Acelino 'Popo' Feitas defended his WBA and WBO belts against Mexican challenger Juan Carlos Ramirez with a seething pro Mexican crowd in attendance. Ramirez, 130, fought a restrained first round by sticking and moving deftly from the power punching Brazilian. Freitas, however, exploded on Ramirez whenever the Mexican came in contact with the ropes. The second round saw all hell break loose as Ramirez, despite only 12 stoppages on his 29-4 log, took the fight to Freitas while displaying a world class chin in the process.

    During one messy conflagration of blows, Freitas ended up on the seat of his trunks, more from a push/slip than anything else. However, referee Geno Rodriguez curiously administered an eight count to the annoyed Freitas and much to the glee of the Mexican fans. The third round saw the two combatants resume where they left off and this time it was Ramirez's turn to fumble to the canvas, where he was forced to accept a count from Rodriguez on another faux knockdown. There was nothing suspect about the next knockdown, however, as their melee continued with the hard banging Freitas dropping Ramirez with a crushing right hand as Brazilian flags dotted around the arena flailed wildly. The Pavilion's wild shootout came to an abrupt end
    :19 seconds into the fourth round as Freitas dropped the courageous Mexican once more during another breathtaking exchange, with Referee Rodriguez having seen enough. Freitas, 130, departs Chicago having upped his record to 33-0 (30) and is welcome back anytime. Perhaps not by the Mexican populace, however.

    The co-feature saw a tepid affair between former amateur star Michael Simms, 191, Sacramento, CA., and Felix (Bad News) Cora, 190, Galveston, TX., end up all square after ten rounds. By the second round the pattern was set with Simms, 12-0 (10), boxing and Cora, 10-0 (5), stalking. And neither digressed from the mold's cast. Scores were 96-94 Simms, 96-94 Cora and 95-95 even. The CBZ scorecard read 96-96 after a forgettable fight.

    In other bouts:

    The scheduled ten round show opener was an excellent bout that featured Armenia's Artyom Simonyan, 123, upping his record to 12-0-1 (7), with a stoppage over Ablorah Sowah, 122, Ghana. Sowah started fast but by the fourth round was flagging and beginning to walk into right hands, which dropped him in the fifth. Referee Pete Podgorski correctly stopped the bout at 2:58 of the sixth round, which saw Sowah's record drop to 17-4-1 (10).

    In another scheduled ten, the ringside physician saved those of us in
    attendance from having to endure another moment of the insomnia-curing bout between Laudelino DeRamos, 175 1/2, Brazil and Vinson Durham, 177 1/2, Joliet, IL., as he retired Durham on a cut eye at 2:10 of the seventh round.

    Valdemir Pereira, 126, Brazil bears watching as he beat Oney Hellems, 135 1/2, St. Louis, MO., to the canvas twice, stopping him at 2:59 of the second round of a scheduled ten. Pereira added his 12th knockout to his 13-0 record while opponent Hellems dropped to an uninspiring 6-20-2.

    In the best bout of the night, barring the main event, Oscar Bravo, 167, of Chicago, IL., making his second start since coming unstuck against Antwun Echols, stopped the rugged Dan Batchelder, 168, of Saratoga, NY., at 2:18 of the eighth and final round. This was a give and take affair which saw the bloodied Bravo pull out all stops in upping his record to 18-2, while tough dude Batchelder experienced his first loss in 22 fights.

    In another scheduled eight rounder, Larry Kenney, 158, of Columbia, MO., and his face did a remarkable impersonation of a speed bag as Angel Hernandez, 153, of Chicago, IL., stopped his hapless foe at 1:59 of the fourth round. Hernandez, 24-3 needs a better grade of opponent if he has any designs on becoming a contender. Kenney dropped his 39th loss in 50 fights.

    Undefeated Juliano Ramos, 140, Brazil, showed remarkable patience while enduring the attack of Raul Fernandez, 140, of Elgin, IL., before dropping him at the bell in this scheduled six rounder. Fernandez's corner wisely retired him at :01 of the second round.

    In the remaining four round bouts, Art Benkowski, 239, Poland, had his hands full with the counter-punching Jessie Tucker, 220, Omaha, NE., but finally cut loose in the third round for a stoppage at 2:14.

    In a bout that would have made Fritzie Zivic proud, Saak Saakyan, 173, Sun Valley, CA., and Shay Mobley, 172, Markham, IL., rabbit punched, low-blowed and butted their ways to a split draw.

    Mike Mollo, 202, of Oaklawn, IL., poleaxed the inept Brian McIntyre, 269, Omaha, NE., at 1:55 of the first round.

    Ed Gutierrez, 194 1/2, Oaklawn, IL., and Guy Solis, 182, Whiting, IN., cuffed their way to a split draw.

    Matt Barber, 237, Villa Park, IL., won a unanimous decision over Roberto Valdez, 252, Madison, WI.

    All in all, a very good card that offered everyone at the UIC Pavillion alot of bang for their buck.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x'Popo' Freitas Punishes Ramirez``x1047913565,66610,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    BOSTON, MA - Having never seen Brockton-based heavyweight Najee Shaheed fight before, I am left with one pondering question: how did he ever amass 18 victories? Assuming the obvious, he would have needed to have thrown punches. While not throwing punches in a track meet or even a wrestling match is not necessary, punching is an integral part of not only surviving but winning fights in a boxing ring. But trying to imagine him doing such a task was difficult to fathom after watching his poor display last night against local favorite, Kevin "The Clones Colossus" McBride. For seven uneventful rounds it was much of the what I'm writing about. McBride pressed the attack with sluggish, thudding shots and Shaheed did his best to avoid most of them. In fact, that is all that Shaheed concerned himself with.

    Fortunately, those at the Roxy who witnessed this non-event were spared the last scheduled 5 rounds of this pattern as Shaheed failed to register for the 8th round. For all it's worth transplanted Irishman, McBride, now 29-4-1 with 25 KO's at least tried to make the fight an action bout, constantly coming forward with punches. There is no one who admires someone for stepping into a boxing ring more than your writer, but Shaheed should ponder whether his sort of efforts are worth it if he plans on fighting the way he had last night.

    In an interesting jr. welterweight co-feature for the state title, Southie's Jimmy LeBlanc seemed to be on his way of upsetting his neighborhood rival Kevin Watts until a cut opened over his right eye, prompting the fight to be halted at :16 seconds of the 8th round. What transpired following the stoppage was rather peculiar. Referee, John Zablocki ruled that the cut came from the result of a punch. When he ordered the cut to be examined, the ringside physician inexplicably informed Zablocki that cut came from a clash of heads. The doctor for some reason felt this was one of his responsibilities. He should have concentrated on his own. The doctor ruled that the fight could not continue even though the the bleeding completely stopped once it was wiped with a cloth. Despite LeBlanc's protests, the ringside physician has that power in Massachusetts. LeBlanc had dominated Watts throughout the fight with his jab and long right hands. A standing 8-count was also administered to Watts after he had buckled in a neutral corner and absorbed a two-fisted assault. After Watts, now 18-2 with 8 KO's was declared the new champion, the ring announcer had asked the audience whether they would like to see a rematch. The LeBlanc fans certainly felt a demand for one. LeBlanc is now 9-3-3 with 3 KO's.

    In an earlier bout, middleweight prosepct "Sir" William "The Gladiator" Gibbs, of Philadelphia had his hands full with a troublesome southpaw, Dave Hadden of West Palm Beach. Hadden was called in on just four days notice and is familiar with his roll as an opponent. Gibbs on the otherhand had not been faced with many southpaws in his career and knew nothing of his opponent who has given other young up and coming fighters fits. Hadden's slippery style made it difficult for Gibbs until late in the 6th round of a scheduled 8, Gibbs landed a combination to the head and body that dropped Hadden on the seat of his trunks for a 10-count. Gibbs, a cousin of Bernard Hopkins improved to 12-0 with 10 KO's.

    In other bouts, Marty Moore of Kildaire, Ireland won his rematch with Southie's Ed McAloney in a one-sided 6-round decision. McAloney, a one-time state lightweight champion announced his retirement from boxing with a record of 12-6 with 6 KO's. Jim Clancy, a debuting heavyweight from Ireland stopped 44-year old Dan Veskovic at 1:07 of the second round and Ian "The Cobra" Gardner of Brockton via Toronto knocked out Joe Lorenzi of Deluth, MN at :34 of the third. Gardner is now 9-1 with 5 KO's.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMcBride shows Irish, while Shaheed shows green``x1048000230,30351,``x``x ``xCES' KO TV announcing team for NESN broadcast
    Bontempo, Borges & Paz

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. -Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment and Sports has officially announced its KO announcing team for the NESN taped broadcast of Friday (March 21) night's "Bring Me A Dream II: The Rematch" boxing show at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

    The main event (IBU world super weight championship (Scott "The Sandman" Pemberton-Levan Easley), co-feature (IBU world lightweight championship - Gary "The Tiger" Balletto-Johnny Walker) and 8-round special attraction (featherweights Angel "Gee-Roc" Torres-Greg Piper) will be taped live and broadcast Tuesday night (March 25) at primetime (8-10:30 p.m.) on NESN.

    CES' KO announcing team includes Dave Bontempo, popular blow-by-blow announcer; color man Ron Borges, one of the foremost boxing writers in the world; special analyst Vinny Paz, 5-time former world champion.

    "I believe in having the best possible announcing team for a quality show like this that's going to be shown on NESN," promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. "I feel we have that with the combination of Dave, Ron and Vinny. Dave's a big boxing fan who has developed a following as a broadcaster. I respect Ron Borges as one of the finest boxing writers in the world. Vinny's a 5-time world champion who bring his expertise in the ring, as well as his experience. H! e fought Easley and spars with Pemberton. Viny personally knows all of the local fighters on the card. All three have worked with each other at one time or another. As a team they have tremendous talent and are a good mix.

    "For this product assignment we needed to get the best production crew, not only in New England, but in the United States. We have that in P.T Navarro and David Mondillio, as well as director Michael Frank. Many people and companies were interviewed and checked out. We wanted NESN to feel comfortable with the production crew. P.T. has all kinds of boxing credentials, NFL, too. He has a helluva resume. He's also worked together with (NESN's VP of Program! ming & Operations) Rick Abbott. Michael has worked everything in sports from the World Series to the Super Bowl. I'm very excited about our production crew and announcing talent."

    Meet CES' KO Announcing Team

    Dave Bontempo - A member of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, Dave Bontempo is an award-winning color commentator for ESPN and Fox Sports affiliates. The 1997 recepient of the Sam Taub Aw! ard for "Excellence in Broadcast Journalism, presented by the International Boxing Hall of Fame, he has also broadcast fights on TVKO and Showtime.

    Ron Borges - The 1993 recepient of the Nat Fleischer Memorial Award for "Excellence in Boxing Journalism" from the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Ron Borges is a staff writer for the Boston Globe, specializing in boxing and the NFL. He pens a weekly column for HBO.com, regularly writes for several boxing industry magazines, and is a frequent guest on W! WZN Sporting News radio in Boston, as well as sports television shows in Boston.

    Vinny Paz - A former 5-time world champion, Vinny Paz (49-10, 30 KOs) has been one of the most colorful fighters in the world, known as "The Pazmanian Devil." In 1991 he suffered a serious neck injury in an automobile accident and was told he'd never fight again. Against doctors orders he returned to the gym wea! ring a "halo" and a little more than a year later returned to the ring. Now in his 20th year as a pro boxer and one win shy of 50, Paz' promoter, Jimmy Burchfield, is negotiating a fight against Tony Ayala, Jr. this summer on pay-per-view. Paz holds wins against world champs such as Roberto Duran (twice), Lloyd Honeyghan and Greg Haugen (twice). He will be a Future Hall of Fame inductee.

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change. The first live bout will start at 7:30 p.m.

    The $100 Platinum VIP Seats or Opera VIP Boxes and $55 Ringside seats are sold out. Available tickets are $35 Stage & Bleachers and $20 General Admission. Tickets are limited and may be purchased by calling any of the CES Offices: Rhode Island (401) 724-2253, Conn: (860) 432-4253 Attn: Lou Mayo or Mass: (617) 567-1705 Attn: Romano Schreiber. Tickets can also be purchased through CES' Web site at www.cesboxing.com (go to tickets page) or at Foxwoods' box office (800.200.2882).
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCES Names Announcing Team for Pemberton-Easley Rematch``x1048009628,87211,``x``x ``xMICHAEL BUFFER IS "READY TO RUMBLE"
    FOR THE USS ENTERPRISE AIRCRAFT CARRIER

    The USS Enterprise is an historic warship and the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to ever cruise the high seas protecting the USA in time of armed conflict. Famous sports and entertainment announcer Michael Buffer has donated his time and talent in the studio to record a number of energizing and morale building call to arms sound bites that will be played throughout the day for its 5,000 plus crew members serving on the ship. The USS Enterprise has been under renovation for more than a year now and will be "Ready to Rumble" and on its way to rejoin the "War on Terror" later this year.

    "With the impending war brewing in Iraq and the Middle East and the
    hundreds of thousands of US Military personnel already there and many
    more on alert waiting to be shipped in, we wanted to do whatever we
    could on our part to show our support and aide in the building of morale of the men and women serving in our Armed Forces.

    The USS Enterprise embodies tremendous history and is now ready to
    serve its country again. With the help of Public Affairs Officer Lt. Kevin Stephens and Captain Eric Neidlinger, the USS Enterprise Commanding Officer, we have received formal acceptance and authorization for Michael to record and donate a number of morale building "Ready to Rumble" public service messages to be played over the elaborate sound system aboard ship. We have donated Michael's voice talent services in the past to the US Special Forces serving in Germany and are happy to donate our time to any and all factions of the US Military upon request," states Bruce Buffer, President of Buffer Enterprises, Inc.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBuffer 'Ready to Rumble' for USS Enterprise``x1048009921,16568,``x``x ``xBy J.D Vena

    Pemberton and Easley to Reacquaint Friday Night

    If you were fortunate enough to have attended Jimmy Burchfield’s Thanksgiving eve show at Cranston, RI’s Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet back in ’99 you’d know why the promoter thought it would be a good idea to match New Bedford’s Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton with Queens’ Le’van Easley.

    In what some had expected to be an easy night for Pemberton, the fearsome punching Pemberton found himself on the canvas and on the verge of a knockout defeat in the very first round. Stunned by the cracking right hand of the New Yorker, Pemberton, then 33, appeared to have collected his senses during the rest period and by midway through the second round, staggered Easley and sent him to the mat. Entering the third round, Easley didn’t appear to have recovered as well as the determined Pemberton had in the previous round. But the eager Pemberton soon found out that his antagonist wasn’t finished. An attacking Pemberton, who had sensed the knockout was caught in the exchange by a desperation right hand but after wobbling into the ropes, Easley, moving in for the kill, was caught by a right hand that sent him face-first for the count. That night Pemberton not only survived a scare, he won the region’s most exciting fight of the year and claimed the vacant NABF super-middleweight title. On Friday night at Foxwoods Resort Casino Pemberton (24-3-1 with 20 KO’s) and Easley (15-7-2 with7 KO’s) meet again and if the rematch is as good as the first one, then fans will get their money’s worth once more.

    “I have a job to do on Friday night and I’m gonna do it,” Pemberton told reporters today at a press conference at the B.B. King Lounge inside the mammoth casino. “I’m ready to do what I have to do. Sometimes people don’t learn. I don’t think Le’Van Easley has learned his lesson because he’s going to get knocked out again.”

    The highlight of the first fight was so exciting that the following weekend, ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights aired the savage knockout. For the rematch, Burchfield has planned something special. Friday night’s card will be taped and broadcasted on NESN (New England Sports Network) on Tuesday night, March 25th and hosted by a trio of popular boxing personalities. Popular announcer, Dave Bontempo will handle the blow-by-blow and award-winning Boston Globe scribe, Ron Borges and former 2-time champion Vinny Paz will handle the color commentary.

    “I had a dream to set up another vehicle for boxing on television,” said Burchfield. “CES (Classic Entertainment & Sports) is taking a risk, rolling the dice, but Tuesday night, March 25th, primetime (8:00-10:30 P.M.), this card will be on NESN. The first thing CES wanted was to get together with a quality casino – Foxwoods is the best in the world – and then put on a great fight card. We hope this leads to a series on NESN.”

    In an exciting co-feature, Gary “The Tiger” Balletto (26-2-2/ 23 KO’s) of Providence, RI will look to rebound from his only defeat when he meets Ft. Lauderdale’s Johnny Walker (18-6/ 12 KO’s) in a scheduled 12-rounder. Walker is looking to rebound from three straight losses but is no stranger to tough competition. His defeats were to Jesus Chavez (by TKO in 6), Junior Jones (L10) and Juan Manuel Marquez (by TKO in 1).

    “Johnny Walker’s a good fighter, said Balletto. “He’s fought the best in the world. I feel better than ever, more comfortable with my style and more confident. I heard he can punch. I don’t think he can punch as hard as me, but we’ll find out Friday night.”

    Portland, Oregon’s Greg Piper (6-1/ 2 KO’s), who has traveled across the country Portland, OR (Katherine Dunn-ville/ Bucket-ford or Shepards-town) to test his talents against the improving Angel “Gee-Roc” Torres (10-2/ 4 KO’s) of Manchester, CT. Incidentally, Piper’s lone defeat was to an Angelo Torres of Washington and even though he wouldn’t be avenging the loss, Piper knows what kind of opportunity this is.

    “I’m looking forward to climbing my way up,” said Piper. “I’m physically and strategically where I want to be. Eight rounds is what I want. I want to become a main event fighter. I’m very excited to be here.”

    Torres also shared his opponent’s sentiments adding, “I have a very good training camp. I sparred with Balletto and some other fighters from Rhode Island. I’m coming here to do what I have to do. Skills, punching wise – we’ll step in the ring to see who’s the best man on Friday night.

    In other intriguing match-ups, “Bad” Chad Dawson (10-0/ 6 KO’s) of New Haven, CT will square off with his toughest opponent to date in Willie Lee (10-1/ 7 KO’s) of Gulfport, MS and Jevon “J-Roc” (no relation to Torres) Langford, a former Cincinnati Bengal (4-0/ 4 KO’s) will meet debuting Caleb Patrick of Oklahoma City. Norwalk’s Shakha Moore (9-6-2/ 1 KO) will meet James “Silk” Carter of Newark, NJ (14-6/ 3 KO’s) in the opening bout.

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change. The first live bout will start at 7:30 p.m.

    The $100 Platinum VIP Seats or Opera VIP Boxes and $55 Ringside seats are sold out. Available tickets are $35 Stage & Bleachers and $20 General Admission. Tickets are limited and may be purchased by calling any of the CES Offices: Rhode Island (401) 724-2253, Conn: (860) 432-4253 Attn: Lou Mayo or Mass: (617) 567-1705 Attn: Romano Schreiber. Tickets can also be purchased through CES’ Web site at www.cesboxing.com (go to tickets page) or at Foxwoods’ box office (800.200.2882).
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta ``x1048126467,43150,``x``x ``xTEDDY REID VS PAT COLEMAN,
    TERRANCE CAUTHEN VS ROBERTO ORTEGA
    HEADLINE DOUBLE CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT CARD,
    CHICAGO'S ANGEL HERNANDEZ ALSO FEATURED
    IN ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS, ON MARCH 28,
    TELEVISED ON ESPN2

    Promoters Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions and Bobby Hitz/Bobby Hitz Boxing Promotions, Inc., will present a sensational double championship fight card on Friday, March 28, 2003, at the Ramada Plaza Hotel O'Hare, located at 6600 N. Mannheim Road in Rosemont, Illinois. The fights will be telecast live on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights."

    Pelullo and Hitz are teaming up again only 13 days after their exciting world championship fight card on March 15 in Chicago. A crowd of 3,325 was on hand at the UIC Pavilion that night to see WBA-WBO 130-pound world champion Acelino Freitas of Brazil retain the titles with an electrifying third-round knockout victory against Juan Carlos Ramirez of Mexico.


    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, WELTERWEIGHTS - NABF TITLE
    Champion TEDDY REID, 20-5-1, 14 KOs, Adelphi, Maryland, vs
    Challenger PAT COLEMAN, 29-8, 20 KOs, Rockford, Illinois

    The main event will feature two power-punchers - North American Boxing Federation welterweight champion Teddy "Two Gun" Reid, 20-5-1, with 14 knockouts, of Adelphi, Md., will make his first defense of the title against comebacking former contender Pat "Cat" Coleman, 29-8, with 20 knockouts, of Rockford, Ill.

    Reid is currently ranked No. 17 by the WBC. After holding the NABF and USBA 140-pound titles, he moved up the 147-pound division last year and won the NABF title last June.

    Coleman is making a comeback - tough and talented, he proved in the mid-1990's that he could compete at boxing's top levels and was a
    world-ranked contender, but distractions outside of the ring and periods of inactivity hampered his career. He returned to the ring last September after 13 months off, and has won two fights in a row.


    CO-FEATURE - 12 ROUNDS, SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS - NABF TITLE
    Champion TERRANCE CAUTHEN, 22-1, 7 KOs, Newark, New Jersey, vs
    Challenger ROBERTO ORTEGA, 17-6-2, 13 KOs, Miami, Florida

    North American Boxing Federation super lightweight champion Terrance "Heat" Cauthen, 22-1, with 7 knockouts, of Newark, N.J., will make his first defense of the title against Roberto "El Surdo del Oro" Ortega,17-6-2, with 13 knockouts, a native of Colombia living in Miami, Fla.

    Cauthen, a former amateur star and 1996 Olympic bronze medalist, is making the first defense of the title he won last September. He has won seven fights in a row since his only loss.

    Ortega,"The Golden Lefty," is usually considered the underdog in his fights, but has impressive upset wins against prospects Lemuel Nelson (25-5-1), previously undefeated Henry Bruseles (16-0), and Manuel Rodriguez (13-1).

    Also…

    Super welterweight contender Angel "Toro" Hernandez, 25-3, with 16 knockouts, a native of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, now living in Chicago will also be featured on the card against an opponent to be announced. A former NABF super welterweight champion with one successful defense, Angel is currently rated IBF #8, WBA #11, WBC #14.

    An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will be announced.
    All bouts subject to change without notice.

    Doors open at 7:30 P.M., first fight at 8:00 P.M. Central Time.

    Ticket prices: $35, $50, $75, $100.
    Tickets available at: Bobby Hitz Boxing Promotions, Inc.
    Tel: 630-295-9800 ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xESPN2 Welterweight Doubleheader in Rosemont ``x1048189723,14520,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel

    Only in America, only in the Bronx, can a place like Villa Barone Manor emerge from out of nowhere. Surrounded by expressways under construction and parking lots filled with cars, Villa Barone Manor is an ultra exclusive facility conveniently located in the heart of Throgs Neck. Villa Barone Manor offers a heady mixture of European elegance and American sophistication for educated palates. The entrance to Villa Barone Manor is bathed in white light from a crystal chandelier and is a magical blend of glass and brass with a marble and granite waterfall. Any way you cut it, the Villa Barone Manor in the Bronx is tasteful in the extreme.

    Villa Barone offers three different affairs for three different tastes and expense accounts: a Grand Royal Affair, a Deluxe Affair and a Continental Affair. Guys in white gloves serve hors d’oeuvres of pizza, petit franks, shrimps, clams and fried mozzarella. The main course includes lamb, turkey and ham, and house specialties like Chicken Scarpariello, Veal Florentine and Eggplant Rollatini. Villa Barone Manor also offers platefuls of Beluga caviar and deviled eggs. Yum. But thanks to promoter Frank Locasio and matchmaker John Beninati, newcomers to the New York boxing scene, on the night of March 19, 2003 a new dish was added to Villa Barone’s crowded menu . . . and men and women are now eating leather.

    The first fight of the night was an intercontinental affair between featherweights Hassau Wasswa (3-0-1 0 KOs) in black trunks with white trim vs. Jhovanny Collado (2-5-1 1 KO) wearing black satin. Considering their records and relative lack of experience, no one expected much from the two fighters - but were we ever wrong. An exciting and competitive match, both men were as skilled as they were courageous. Wasswa and Collado were committed heart and soul to dishing it out. They rocked each other several times with stellar shots. After six rounds it went to the judges’ scorecards. A decision victory for Hassau Wasswa.

    The second bout was a four-rounder between light-heavyweights Tomacz Nowak (7-2 0 KOs) in black trunks with white trim fighting out of New York City via Poland against Yonkers own Iman “The Ghost” Green (6-6 2 KOs) in silver trunks. This was a classic between a slugger (Nowak) and a boxer (Green). The guy from Warsaw saw war and was an infantryman going for the kill. The Ghost was playing the angles and dancing in the shadows and tried to out-slick the Polish locomotive. Tomacz Nowak went into this fight certain that Iman Green couldn’t hurt him. The judges agreed and gave the Polish pug the decision.

    The third fight of the night featured middleweights Dex Pejcinovic (1-2 1 KO) in burgundy trunks with white trim vs. Manjie Conteh (in his pro debut) in black trunks. Once again, for a couple of novices, both these guys showed the crowd that they know how to put on a show. Manjie Conteh, fighting out of Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn and with Al Gavin and Bob Jackson his able seconds, controlled most of the action. Conteh was stronger, more skilled and determined than Pejcinovic. A combination dropped Dex in the fourth round and Couteh saw the opening he was looking for. Manjie Conteh went for broke. The ref stepped in and stopped the action. A fourth round TKO win for Manjie Conteh. A great start to a pro career.

    The semi-main event of the evening was a women’s welterweight bout between local favorite and budding superstar Ann Marie Saccurato (3-0-1 2 KOs) in silver trunks with black trim battling a fistic fireplug named Eliza Olson (6-1-1 2 KOs). (Eliza Olson’s granddad was the great Bobo Olson, middleweight champion from 1952-1955, who fought boxing legends Sugar Ray Robinson, Randy Turpin, Kid Gavilan, Joey Maxim and Archie Moore.) Ann Marie Saccurato was a little less skilled that Eliza Olson, her background a little less starry, but what she lacked in savvy she more than made up for with guts. Although the fight was only four two-minute rounds, after all the satisfying punching, it felt like a full meal. The fight was declared a draw. The crowd let out a loud groan.

    The main event at Villa Barone Manor on Wednesday night spotlighted Elvir Muriqi (26-1 16 KOs) “The Kosovo Kid” wearing red trunks against Tiwon Taylor (24-9-1 18 KOs) wearing black trimmed with gold. Elvir Muriqi, supported by a large and loyal following and seconded by the illustrious Teddy Atlas, once again proved why he’s championship material. Tiwon Taylor has his gifts, but Elvir Muriqi is too good, too solid a professional to be deterred by something like another man’s gifts. By round three the Kosovo Kid found the range and it was bombs away. A series of shots to the head wobbled Tiwon Taylor and Muriqi came in with a blistering body attack. Each connect to the flank dropped Taylor . . . one . . . two . . . the third time down was the charm. At 2:28 of the third round, the ref stopped the action. That was that. A TKO win for Elvir Muriqi.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net







    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xVilla Barone Knuckle Sandwich``x1048259000,2263,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION (Ledyard, CT) – Though it can’t be supported with statistical facts, a rematch is always something that rarely measures up in terms of excitement to the original fight which demands the return bout. Looking back you can certainly make the case for a number of memorable rivalries. It held true with Ali vs. Frazier, Barrera vs. Morales, Pryor vs. Arguello, Ward vs. Gatti and a countless number of duos. Last night at the Foxwoods Resort & Casino, that tendency did not hold true. In front of over 1,500 fans Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton and Queens’ Le’Van Easley gave their best impression of “Shock and Awe” with a slugfest that was not only more exciting than their first encounter but a strong candidate for Fight of the Year. Pemberton of New Bedford, MA repeated as the victor with a thrilling 6th round knockout at the 2:59 mark.

    As was the case in their first fight, there were ebbs and flows where it seemed a sure bet that one or the other were on the verge of winning. Pemberton, 168, appeared sharp in the first round but it was also clear that Easley had learned from their first encounter. Easley, 167, did a good job moving with The Sandman’s dreaded right hand, the same punch that sent him to dreamland in November of ’99. Easley was also effective with a counter left hook, which though never landed cleanly, would knock Pemberton off balance.

    After two rounds of feeling each other out Easley began stinging Pemberton with the left hook and bloodied his nose with a ring hand. At that point it appeared that Pemberton might have been imprudent for accepting such a dangerous fight.

    “You could see the confidence in his face,” said Pemberton’s brother Joe, who worked his corner. “You could tell that he felt that he should have been the guy who won the last time and was full of confidence.”

    Pemberton had a better round in the 4th when Easley moved against the ropes and absorbed punches for the final minute. Though Pemberton didn't inflict any noticeable damage, it was clear in the fifth round that the clean shots Pemberton was landing to the head in the fifth round were a result of the body punching. The sixth round looked like a replay of the third and final round of their memorable first bout. Incidentally, it would also turn out to be the last of this one. Easley began landing right hand shots that not only put Pemberton against the ropes, it looked as if the tide had turned a final time as it had when Pemberton suffered his defeat to Charles Brewer last summer. Pemberton appeared to be getting knocked out of the ring but managed to clinch his eager opponent to prepare for his return fire. Pemberton, displaying the heart of a warrior put on a fantastic display of punching power and will, landing several thudding shots. After a series of head and body shots, Easley went to a knee, coughed out his gum shield and was counted out at 2:59 of the round. It was a glorious finish to a fun fight for the fans, who were brought to their feet for the final of many occasions.

    “I knew I could do it again,” said Pemberton. “Naturally, since I knocked him out the first time I felt I could do it again but faster. I don’t like making it this tough but at the same time, I’m going to be with you until the end. This is the reason why I won’t get a big shot from any of the big names. I have the power to knock anybody out. That’s why Antwun Echols backed out of fighting me in New England a few months ago. I guess I don’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to fight me either.”

    Late last year, Pemberton agreed to meet Echols on short notice and was ready to have faced him until Echols pulled out for no apparent reason other than the location of the event.

    “What’s he going to do if he has to go to Germany to fight Ottke or England to fight Calzaghe? But he won’t come to New England to fight little ol’ me. This is why I don’t like boxing,” said Pemberton. “I use to like boxing but I don’t like the politics that goes on. I’m in this game to make money so that I can buy a house for my family.”

    In winning the vacant IBU super-middleweight title, Pemberton raised his record to 25-3-1 with 21 knockouts. Off of this performance Pemberton could be considered the most exciting fighter of the division. Whether another fight of his can surpasses last night’s drama remains to be seen, but what we do know of Pemberton is this:

    “I will fight until I go out on my shield. I’ve proved it many times before and I proved it again tonight.”

    Going into last night’s main event, you wondered if the main event could top the already exciting undercard, which incredibly saw two possible candidates for knockout of the year. It was certainly hard imagining the Pemberton-Easley rematch comparing to either of the two bouts leading up to it. There was high drama in both and will be hard to forget any time soon.

    Returning from his first professional defeat, Gary "The Tiger" Balletto made sure that his 12-round co-feature wasn't going to be put in the hands of the judges. The Tiger relentlessly pursued his prey until trapping him near a neutral corner with his trademark Hail Mary’s. A few of them landed and at 2:29 of the first round, Balletto's opponent, Johnny Walker, 135, of Ft Lauderdale, FL was knocked out of the ring and onto the lap of NESN blow-by-blow announcer and former world champ, Vinny Paz (according to publicist, Bob Trieger, Vinny did not suffer a cut). The only part of Walker’s body that was still in the ring was his feet, which rested on the bottom rung. Referee John Callas quickly called a halt so that the fallen Walker could be aided. Balletto, 136, of Providence, who has had to make up for his lack of skill with courage and an abundance of power decided that starting fast would be the key to a sure victory.

    "Look, the only way to beat me is by trying to outbox me," admitted Balletto, now 27-1-2 with 24 knockouts. "If someone can box and they're in really good shape then they have a chance to beat me. But what I also know is that any one I hit is going down and staying down. That includes anyone. Who I want next is any of the world champions, Mayweather, Spadafora or Dorin. And if I hit them like I did this guy, they're going to go too."

    With the win, Balletto collected the vacant IBU lightweight title. Walker is now 18-7 with 12 KO's.

    Though he has been compared to many of the exceptional fighters of the past, the jury was still out on New Haven’s “Bad” Chad Dawson. What we did know coming into the toughest test of his career was that he predicted a 3rd round knockout ala Cassius Clay. But some thought he was going to be in a little deep with Willie Lee, of Gulfport, MS to fulfill his premature prophecy.

    In his last bout with Shannon Miller, Dawson suffered the first official knockdown of his career under dubious circumstances. In the bout, the 2001 and 2002 New England prospect of the year appeared to have tripped over his opponent's left foot, a common trend when a lefty faces a conventional fighter. But last night no one could question the legitimacy of the official second knockdown of his career. Moments into the first round with the chiseled Lee, Dawson, 158, tripped over a big right hand, which dropped him like Michael Grant. His right leg went out from under him and he collapsed on top of it. A moment later he picked himself up like Aaron Pryor and did his best impression of Sugar Ray Leonard trying to get his legs back, which he did.

    "He caught me with a great shot but I worked too hard to go out like that," said Dawson.

    In the second round Dawson appeared to have recovered but that didn’t stop Lee’s constant aggression. The hard-punching Lee, 157, (10-1 with 7 KO’s coming in) pursued Dawson with winging punches but Dawson seemed to measure him well with his longer punches. In the third Dawson began landing more effectively and seemed to have done a good number over on Lee’s right eye. After Lee missed a wild right, Dawson stepped in with a four-punch combination, which buckled Lee and backed him into Dawson’s corner. The 19-year old Dawson was relentless. A furious assault, which could have prompted Callas to halt this one earlier went long enough for Lee to suffer a brutal knockout while he hung in the ropes. The doctor even rushed in before Callas offically called a halt to the bout.

    To say the least, this fight answered a lot of questions about the young boxer who had been previously campaigning at the super middleweight limit.

    “He figured he had me,” said Dawson. “I would have thought the same thing. But I felt great and in shape at this weight and I have a great team. I’ve been working with Pemberton and Eric Harding and I think I’m ready for any one they put in front of me. I want Jermain Taylor next. I feel that we’re on the same level but he’s getting all of the exposure. I want to be the guy getting that exposure, so he needs to be the guy that I take out.”

    With the win Dawson is now 11-0 with 7 KO’s.

    Angel "G-Roc" Torres, 127, of Willimantic, CT won his third straight by defeating Greg Piper of Portland, OR over 8 rounds. Piper, 126, certainly held his own but Torres was clearly the sharper of the two landing crisp rights and stiff left jabs. All three judges had Torres winning 80-72. Torres is now 11-2 with 6 KO's while Piper is now 6-2 with 2 KO's.

    Caleb "The Irish Giant" Patrick, a 6'7, 273 pound Toughman competitor from Oklahoma City was no match for former Cincinnatti Bengal defensive end, Jevon "J Roc" Langford. Langford, at 330 appeared to be more of the giant in this contest (to call it that) as he trounced at 2:15 of the very first round. Patrick, who was making his debut was decked moments into the fight with a gargantuan right hand. He quickly made it to his feet but was saved by referee Joe Cusano after the third knockdown. Langford a great grandson of the legendary Sam Langford is now 5-0 all by knockout.

    In the opening bout, Jamar "The Cherokee Kid", 143, of Newark, NJ won a 4-round unanimous decision over Shakha Moore, 142, of Norwalk, CT. Carter, now 15-6 with 3 KO's won by three scores of 39-73. More is now 9-7-2.

    The real winners of last night were the New England fight fans. Those who didn’t attend will be able to view the show on NESN Tuesday night, March 25th at 8:00-10:30. Do yourself a huge favor and watch it.

    Venue – Fowoods Resort & Casino
    Network - NESN

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPemberton Knocks Out Easley in Exciting Rematch``x1048353343,70089,``x``x ``xPress Release

    After 30 months and 16 fights Team Manfredo says goodbye to CES

    PROVIDENCE, RI- The International Boxing Union Junior Middleweight World Champion, Peter Manfredo, Jr., 16-0 (7), is returning to the ring on April 26th at the new Shaw's Convention Center in Brockton, MA. Change is the operative word amongst Team Manfredo as Peter Manfredo, Sr. confirmed today that his son will be leaving Classic Entertainment and Sports.
    "We are grateful to CES for assisting Peter to get to this point in his career, however, we feel it is time for a change," said Manfredo, Sr. At this point we can't say more than that Peter will be fighting a 10-round non-title fight on April 26th. Early next week we hope to have an opponent named."
    Manfredo, Jr. will be the main event on Cappiello Promotion's Mohegan Sun Fight Night New England series on Fox Sports Net. Promoter Richie Cappiello is excited to be working directly with him. "I've been friend's with Peter Manfredo, Jr. and team for a long time," said Cappiello. I'm glad to be able to help them out and from my point of view it's a win/win situation."
    Manfredo Jr. welcomes the change. "I have complete confidence in my team to make the right decisions regarding the path my career takes. The only thing I can do is to continue to commit 100% to training and let the chips fall as they may," said Manfredo, Jr.
    In his last fight on October 4th, he scored a 7th-round KO over the legendary Frankie Randall. In Brockton on April 26th, Manfredo, Jr. is fighting for the first time in Massachusetts as a pro. He was Mickey Ward's chief sparring partner in his split decision win over Arturro Gatti and also worked with Fernando Vargas on two occassions for a total of four weeks as Vargas prepared for Oscar De La Hoya.

    www.petermanfredojr.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPeter Manfredo, Jr. Leaves CES Promotions``x1048436214,16751,``x``x ``xChris Grays: Conversations from the Undercard.

    By Ted Kluck

    The Deltaplex is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Industrial Sector. A large metal structure situated on a strip of large, corrugated metal structures – places like International Tool and Die, Bandag Tire, and Grand Rapids Concrete. Places where men go to work. It’s not the best venue in the city, but more importantly, it isn’t the worst.

    Chris Grays is a professional boxer who tonight will fight for six rounds. His record is 3-2, and by day he works as a lumber specialist at Traverse Bay Truss in Traverse City, MI – the most unlikely of homes for someone who makes hard money in the ring. Grays is 27 years old.

    “People don’t even know I’m a pro athlete up there,” he says before the fight. “They don’t even know I’m around. But I’m a pretty soft spoken guy…I don’t strut my stuff around.”

    Grays is slumped on a folding chair in a room no larger than a closet in the bowels of the Deltaplex. He is flanked on either side by Bill and Robin Bustance – the husband and wife pair of ex-boxers from Traverse who serve as his trainers, management, and surrogate parents.

    Like a nervous father, Bill is up and around, pacing, while Grays sits and waits for the promoter to call his name. Tonight he fights third on the card and other men are milling about, getting dressed. There is a pro debut across the room – his shoes, trunks, and robe all look like they were ordered last week. His handlers are posing him, taking photos. He looks scared as hell – and I say that in only the most respectful of ways. As the door opens and closes we get snatches of the obligatory loud hip hop music that fills the arena and reminds us that the violence in its lyrics would soon be real. The pre-fight jitters are something you never really get used to, even if your only purpose is to sit ringside and scribble notes.

    “Hell yes, I’m nervous,” Bustance explains. “At the weigh-in it’s all questions about training-this, preparation-that, strategy…that type of thing. But I won’t know a thing about this other guy until we’re in the ring and I make my first adjustment. All I know is that he’s 7-2.” He adds, “That’s what makes being a pro at this level so hard…but it’s also what makes it kind of cool and makes these fights exciting.”

    The other guy is “Dangerous” Ryan Davis, a white kid who appropriately hails from Granite City, IL. He mills around the dressing room in black trunks, high black white socks, a black t-shirt bearing the Punisher comic book logo, and a visor. He looks at times like a harmless frat boy, but the truth is, he is a huge step up in competition for Grays.

    “You don’t get seven wins in this game by being a nobody,” offers Bustance.

    The prelims are underway now, and the occasional cheer can be heard through the concrete dressing room walls. Grays has his gloves taped on now, and his expression has changed very little. I expect to see nerves from Grays but he has probably seen much worse in life than Ryan Davis.

    “I was in some trouble back home…but a friend told me about Bill…and told me I should move up there and train with him,” he said. “I get good sparring up there, surprisingly, and things are going pretty well…I’d like to keep fighting here, keep winning, and maybe get a minor title shot here in a couple of years.” His work at the lumberyard keeps him occupied from 8-5. He trains every evening, sometimes on the weekends.

    “He got baptized in the holy fire in his first two fights,” said Bustance. “He didn’t have any amateur experience and we were fighting pretty advanced guys in Troy Rowland and Jamar Nolan…but I love this kid, I love his attitude.”

    Grays is now in the hallway working on his stance with Robin Bustance. Just a few feet away stands Davis, the opponent. They will wait here, like this, for nearly a half hour. On a bus or subway they would probably talk, probably be fast friends talking about training, women, and where they’ve fought. Here they stare at the floor, at the wall…anywhere but at each other.

    “Grays. Davis. You’re up,” shouts a stern looking woman with a clipboard and one of those headset microphones.

    “How do I look?” asks Robin. She grew up watching Muhammad Ali on television – back when you could still see boxers on network television. When she met Bill he was a professional fighter at the time. She has been a part of the sport ever since.

    Bill doesn’t answer. She turns in my direction:

    “Don’t print that.”


    Grays does a little shimmy shake for the crowd as he bounces down the aisle. They know him here and there is soul in him. He won his last three fights in this building and he is confident.

    Davis makes his way into the ring in the Punisher garb. He plays the perfect out of town villain in the first round with just enough posturing – letting his guard down for a few moments, throwing a little half-bolo punch – to keep the crowd calling for his head on a platter. He is the kind of guy that’s hated on the road and loved in his hometown.

    Grays, meanwhile, looks the part of a pro boxer now. I saw him in his pro debut and he was a brawler, a flailer. Now his moves have purpose and intent. However I am still nervous for him, as Davis scores a flash knockdown in the first. Grays seems to lose balance easily – jumping back on his heels and throwing from unorthodox positions when he gets rushed or rattled.

    “Touch him Chris, just touch him from the outside,” implores Bustance from the apron. “You’re waiting Chris, you’re waiting too long.”

    He goes down again in the second, this time on a clean, hard punch that rocks him to the mat. Davis walks to a neutral corner and flexes his biceps for the home crowd. They want to see him bleed but are cognizant of the fact that it won’t happen tonight. He smiles. I feel a black fear in my belly for Grays.

    In the fourth, Grays finds his range and begins to dictate the tempo. The crowd responds, they want to believe. In the fifth he lands solid one-two’s and begins to win back the hometown crowd. A trickle of blood begins to flow from the ridge of Davis’ nose, a nose that looks like it has seen more than its share of leather. Regardless of the outcome, when Davis drinks his beer and calls his girlfriend tonight, he will feel it, and he will remember Grays.

    The sixth and final round seems to last forever. There is a series of vicious flurries, the last of which sends an out of balance Grays to the canvas one last time. He pounds the mat in frustration, knowing that when he goes back to the lumberyard on Monday he will do it as a losing fighter. He will have to answer all of their questions in the negative. I feel sick for the soft-spoken guy I met just a couple of hours ago. The final bell rings with Grays on his feet.

    Bill and Robin jump into the ring to throw an arm around their fighter.

    On Monday, after work, Chris Grays will have a place to go. He will be in the gym again. He will be alright.

    Chris Grays is a professional boxer.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xChris Grays: Conversations from the Undercard``x1048436936,60938,``x``x ``xPress Release

    CES fight broadcast Tuesday night on NESN
    Primetime 8-10:30 p.m.

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – One of the best top-to-bottom pro boxing cards in recent New England history, “Bring Me A Dream II: The Rematch,” taped live last Friday night at Foxwoods Resort Casino, will be broadcast primetime Tuesday night (March 25), 8-10:30 p.m., on New England Sports Network.

    “Bring Me A Dream II: The Rematch,” promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, featured a little bit of everything fight fans love to watch: exciting knockouts, dramatic comebacks, pure boxing, heart and determination, etc. “It was a promoter’s dream,” Burchfield spoke about the card. “By my standards, I’d like every show to be like this because, if you don’t entertain the fans, they won’t come back. It doesn’t always workout quite as well as! Friday night’s show did. CES is structured to promote shows like this, unlike other promoters who do a lot of lop-sided fights. I’ve been doing this 25 years and I speak to each fighter, reminding them they’re getting paid well for this opportunity and to give it their best effort. Everybody got their money’s worth. Anybody at Friday’s show will want to see it again on NESN; those who weren’t there have an opportunity to watch a sensational night of boxing.”

    In the main event for the vacant International Boxing Union world super middleweight championship, Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton (New Bedford, MA) and Jevan “The Man” Easley (Queens, NY) fought in a rematch of their 2000 New England Fight of the Year. When the dust finally cleared, Pemberton-Easley II established itself as a legitimate 2003 Fight of the Year candidate, not only in New England, but also in the entire boxing industry.

    The co-feature found rising star Gary “Tiger” Balletto (Providence, RI) battling Johnny Walker “Black” (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) for the vacant IBU world lightweight title.

    Stylish featherweight Angel “Gee Roc” Torres (Manchester, CT) took his first 8-round match against Greg Piper (Portland, OR). Twenty-year-old “Bad” Chad Dawson (New Haven, CT) dropped down in weight class to junior middleweight and put his unbeaten record (10-0) on the line against Willie Lee (Gulfport, MS). Former Cincinnati Bengals lineman and undefeated (4-0) Jevon “J Roc” Langford (Las Vegas, NV) and 18-year-old newcomer Caleb “The Irish Giant” Patrick (Oklahoma! City, OK) stepped into the ring at a combined 603 pounds and 13-feet, 4-inches.

    CES’ KO announcing team included Dave Bontempo, award winning blow-by-blow announcer; color man Ron Borges, one of the foremost boxing writers in the world; 5-time former world champion and local hero, Vinny Paz, serving as a special analyst.

    For more information about Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports call (401) 724-2253 or visit its Web site at www.cesboxing.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xExciting Pemberton-Easley rematch to be televised``x1048511225,46918,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    Felix "Tito" Trinidad appeared on the spanish-language sports show Republica Deportiva this past weekend to promote the April 25 UFC 42. Trinidad will appear as a comentator, thoguh his Harry Belafonte-type rasp makes him difficult to understand, at least for me.

    Tito seems to be enjoying his retirement, although he reiterated that if he had obtained a rematch with Hopkins he would have continued.

    But, when asked directly if he would return he responded "I will remain outside the ring."

    Oh yeah, and Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTito Will Remain Retired``x1048520229,71323,``x``x ``xPress Release

    FORT LAUDERDALE, FL­Hard-hitting light heavyweight Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough appears in his second fight since assuming new management when he faces Stacy Goodson in the semi-main event on the “March Badness” professional boxing card promoted by American Top Team Productions (ATTP) on Thursday, March 27, in the Fort Lauderdale (FL) War Memorial Auditorium.

    Hard-Hitting Light Heavyweight
    Julian Letterlough Added To ATTP
    ‘March Badness’ Pro Boxing Card
    Thursday, March 27, In Fort Lauderdale;
    Trainer Kauffman Debuts With ‘Mr. KO’
    This also will be his first fight with trainer Marshall Kauffman.

    The 33-year-old Leterlough from Reading, PA, has a record of 18-3-2 with 17 KOs.

    Included in that mark is a bout on Sept. 8, 2001, when Letterlough challenged unbeaten champion Vassilly Jirov for the International Boxing Federation cruiserweight title.

    Now, under the deft guidance of manager Michael Marley, “Mr. KO” will be campaigning primarily as a light heavyweight.
    “I believe he can beat any light heavyweight in the world,” says Marley.

    “I’m a gladiator,” says Letterlough.

    Letterlough has proved he’s a warrior time and again in slugfests televised by ESPN2. Those battles elicited rave reviews from ESPN2 commentators Teddy Atlas and Max Kellerman, particularly the five-knockdown brawl against Julio Cesar Gonzalez in 2001 for the North American Boxing Organization/International Boxing Association/FECARBOX light heavyweight championships.

    Goodson, from Paris, AR, has a record of 31-30-2 with 17 KOs, but has won 20 of his past 24 bouts.

    Joining Letterlough on ATTP’s seven-bout “March Badness” card is heavyweight contender Shannon Briggs (36-4-1, 30 KOs), the former heavyweight lineal world champion, from South Florida against Marvin Hill (10-8, 6 KOs) from Fort Smith, AK, who’s won his past three fights by knockout, in the main event.

    A women’s fight features International Female Boxing Association minimumweight champion Vaia Zaganas (6-1, 3 KOs) from Las Vegas, NV, against Terri Moss (3-3, 1 KO) from Atlanta, GA, in a six-rounder.

    Other “March Badness” fights feature highly regarded Luis Collazo (19-1, 8 KOs) from New York City against Earl Allen (11-14-2, 1 KO) from Charleston, SC, in an eight-round super welterweight bout; welterweight knockout artist Julio Aquino (9-2, 9 KOs) from Newark, NJ, against an opponent to be selected in a six-round super lightweight fight; unbeaten Andy Weston (2-0, 2 KOs) from England and now Coconut Creek, FL, against Joseph Benjamin (pro debut) from Miami, FL, in a four-round super welterweight bout; and Marcial Reartes (0-1) from Miami in a four-round super bantamweight fight.

    The action-packed ATTP card begins at 7 p.m. (ET) with gates opening at 6.

    Tickets are priced at $15, $30 and $75 and are on sale through ticketmaster.com at
    305-358-5885 for Dade County, 954-523-3309 for Broward County and 561-966-3309 for Palm Beach County.

    Any person who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, active or reserve, or is employed by a department or agency in the public sector of domestic (city, county, state, federal) law enforcement will be admitted free of charge. Verifying identification will be needed.

    Briggs, originally from the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, NY, has first-round knockouts in his four most recent wins. In 1998 he faced Lennox Lewis for the World Boxing Council heavyweight championship.

    Boxing is just one part of ATTP. It also promotes mixed martial arts and extreme motor sports. In order to enable its world-class athletes to reach their goals and achieve optimum success, ATTP is building a 20,000-square foot, state-of-the-art training center in Fort Lauderdale.

    Opponents for Aquino and Reartes will be announced.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLetterlough Added to Ft. Lauderdale "March Badness" Card``x1048598803,31938,``x``x ``xPress Release

    Undefeated welterweight sensation Anthony "The Messenger" Thompson of Philadelphia makes his semi-main event debut on the nationally and internationally televised "Everlast Heavyweight Explosion" card presented by Cedric Kushner Promotions April 12 at Caesars Tahoe in Stateline, Nev.

    Thompson, who has a record of 10-0 with seven knockouts is fighting the fourth time in 11 weeks.

    His opponent in the eight-round semi-main is Brad "Bad to the Bone" Jensen of Estes Park, Colo., who has a record of 12-7-1 with five knockouts.

    The 5-foot-11-inch, 28-year-old Jensen figures to be Thompson's toughest opponent. Jensen has faced former World Boxing Council lightweight champion Stevie Johnston.

    The 21-year-old Thompson, who was the favorite to win the gold medal for the United States at the 2004 Athens Olympic before he turned pro last year, has knocked out five of his past six opponents.

    Earlier this year Thompson stopped Jerome McLean in the first round Jan. 24 in Philadelphia; James Buggs in the second Feb. 15 on a Cedric Kushner Promotions "Everlast Heavyweight Explosion" card in Laughlin, Nev.; and took a one-sided unanimous decision over Alejandro Jiminez March 21 in Philadelphia.

    Thompson's first three knockouts during his recent power surge came over Richard Lee Hall in the second round Nov. 23 in Atlantic City, N.J.; Tommy Attardo in the fourth on a Cedric Kushner "Everlast Heavyweight Explosion" card Sept. 8 in Lawton, Okla.; and Daniel Craycraft in the second Aug. 17 in Atlantic City.

    This is the fifth Cedric Kushner Promotions "Everlast Heavyweight Explosion" on which Thompson has appeared. In addition to the win over Buggs and Attardo, Thompson beat Ruben Munoz May 25 in Las Vegas, Nev.; and halted Elvesto Mills in the second March 17 in Oroville, Calif., on "Everlast Heavyweight Explosion" cards.

    Thompson, who had amateur record of 78-7, began boxing during 1990 and went on to win the U.S. Championships for 2000 and 2001 and the National Golden Gloves for 2000. He also was selected the USA Boxing "Athlete of the Year" for 2001.

    Thompson attended Temple University and majored in accounting before concentrating solely on his professional boxing career.

    Thompson is managed by Cameron Dunkin and trained by Ronald Jackson.

    The 10-round heavyweight main event on that Cedric Kushner Promotions' "Everlast Heavyweight Explosion" card April 21 at Caesars Tahoe is undefeated heavyweight Dominick Guinn (20-0, 15 KOs) of Hot Springs, Ark., against Charles Hatcher (14-3, 10 KOs) of Columbus, Ohio.

    The seven-bout card starts at 7 p.m. (Pacific) in the Circus Maximus Showroom; doors open at 6.

    Tickets, priced at $15, $25, $35 and $50 with all seats reserved, are on sale at the Activities Center in the Caesars Tahoe casino from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Tickets also may be ordered by calling (775) 586-2044 or (800) 648-3353 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

    Cedric Kushner Promotions, one of the world's premiere boxing promotional firms, presents numerous nationally and internationally televised cards each year. During the past 20 years Cedric Kushner Promotions has presented more than 300 world championship bouts on six continents.

    Cedric Kushner Promotions promotes a number of world-class boxers including, heavyweights David Tua, Jameel McCline and Michael Grant; and super featherweights Joel Casamayor, ranked No. 1 by both the World Boxing Association and the World Boxing Organization, and Stevie Forbes, rated No. 1 by the International Boxing Federation.

    The card will be televised nationally on HDTV and on tape delay to more than 100 countries on the Cedric Kushner Promotions Sports Network.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRising Anthony Thompson Featured on April 12th CKP Card``x1048598919,75389,``x``x ``xBy Tom Donelson

    Saturday Night, March 29, David Tua steps into the ring against Hasim Rahman with one thing in mind- get one more shot at a heavyweight championship title. Tua is built like a charging fire hydrant and he has a chin of concrete. What he has lacked is ferocity seen with Rocky Marciano or Joe Frazier. Tua over the past several years have at times been lackluster allowing good boxers to dictate the pace while losing two significant fight against Lennox Lewis and Chris Byrd. In both fights, he failed to impose his will and that is how fighters like Tua wins. Impose their will. Frazier did, Marciano did, and even a young Tyson did. They kept coming and punching, taking one, two, three shots to land the big one. They would hit any and every part of the body. Marciano would hit the forearms and even it would appear that his shots were being blocked while he was wearing his opponent out. His opponent forearms, being pummeled by his sledgehammer shots, would wear out and hurt. Eventually the arms came down and Marciano would merely put his opponent asleep with one of his patent right hands.

    Frazier would keep moving and dodging, as he would land his patented left hook to the body. Eventually an opponent would slow down and find himself on the rope- waiting for the executioner's left hook to finish the job. What has been missing in Tua is the ferocity, that ability to avoid a few shots keeps throwing punches and imposes his will. His left hook is the best in the heavyweight division and his chin is unassailable. Rahman only chance Saturday night is to box and move just as he did in the first fight. He cannot make a mistake and he must frustrate Tua and certainly Tua can easily be frustrated. Tua needs to fight the whole fight against Rahman just as he did for the first 30 seconds in his last fight against Mike Moorer (in which he threw punches from the start and ended the fight quickly.)

    Tua is the better fighter and heavy puncher. He needs to win spectacular to remind boxing fans what it was that they liked a few years back. Tua needs not just to win but win big to make his claim to the title. Tua should win but then he should have beaten Byrd. This is his fight to lose and he is capable of that.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTua steps in the Ring with Rahman``x1048867135,57266,``x``x ``xHasim Rahman's Pro Record
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/rahman_hasim.htm

    David Tua's Pro Record
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/tua-d.htm``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPro Records of Tua and Rahman``x1048867341,95817,``x``x ``xBy Dan Hanley at ringside

    On Friday, March 28th, Art Pelullo's Banner Promotions along with Hitz Boxing picked up where they left off from their last promotion only 13 days ago. And, with the ESPN 2 cameras rolling inside the Ramada Inn in Rosemont, IL, the joint promotion offered up a joint main event with NABF title belts on the auction block.

    The first bout featured Terrance Cauthen, 136 1/2, Trenton, NJ, defending his 140 lb. title against Columbia's Roberto Ortega, 139. And how the South American native was fighting for a North American crown was lost on the vocal neighborhood crowd as the two southpaws met at ring center.

    In a difficult bout to score, Ortega, 17-6-2 (12), with a reputation as a spoiler, set the pace from the get go. Very strong and a good banger to boot, the Columbian outworked Cauthen, 22-1 (7), throughout the first round until walking into a lead right hook which rocked him badly. Before the bell ending round one sounded, Cauthen nailed Ortega once again and had to realize the Columbian's chin was made to order. This set the tone for the fight in which Ortega worked for three minutes while Cauthen flurried. Rounds two through five saw Ortega applying heavy pressure on the 1996 Olympian who was content
    to wait for Ortega's onrushing chin. Only in the fourth did Cauthen apply some real hustle to take a round. Rounds six through eight were all Cauthen as he introduced a left hook in his arsenal as he repeatedly rocked the ever pressing Ortega. Round nine saw Ortega turn his attention to the body where he made life very unpleasant for Cauthen until the New Jersey native picked up steam once again with both fighters finishing rounds ten, eleven and twelve with a flourish, but with Cauthen producing just a wee bit more to retain his title. Scorecards were unanimous for Cauthen by way of 118-110,
    117-111 and 116-112. The CBZ scorecard was slightly closer at 116-113 for the winner.

    In the fight of the night, the scheduled twelve round co-feature showcased Teddy Reid, 147, Maryland, defending his NABF welterweight title against the local Pat (The Cat) Coleman, 145 1/2, Rockford, IL. And in a torrid first round, which tested Coleman's chin, not to mention Referee Tim Adams nerves, Teddy Reid pounded Coleman from pillar to post for 2 1/2 minutes before taking a breather and allowing the dangerous punching Coleman, 29-8 (20), back into the fight. Rounds two and three caused the crowd in attendance to leave their seats for most of the respective rounds as the local boy, despite a severely swollen right eye, continuously nail the punch-weary Reid with right hands over the jab in a pier sixer which was causing even those on pier six to look on with envy. Round four was the turning point in the bout as Reid finally regained his steam. Although the bout was still competitive in rounds four and five, it gradually turned into a thumpfest for Reid by rounds six and seven, with the only respite for the now struggling Coleman being a visit from the ringside physician for an inspection on his right optic. The
    seventh was the ringer for Coleman as Reid dropped him along the ropes with a right hand. Coleman's corner, having seen enough, promptly retired their man at the beginning of the eighth. The official time being :01 of the eighth round as Reid improves to 21-5-1 (15) after a bout that left a very appreciative crowd in it's wake.

    In other bouts, Cecilia Barraza, 114, Chicago, IL., outhustled Rene Brodacz, 112, Lake Zurich, IL. over four rounds, controlling the bout behind a strong southpaw stance. The decision was unanimous.

    Mike Mollo, 201, Oaklawn, IL. and Serhei Dychkov, 232 1/2, Belarus, brought the crowd back to their feet once again as their four round engagement turned into a bloody affair. Mello, spotting Dychkov thirty pounds, simply produced a greater workrate and displayed a bigger set of...well...you know, to take a unanimous decision over four rounds, which saw him improve to 11-0 (6).

    Dychkov, tough as nails himself, could benefit from more gym work as he fell to 1-1.

    In a real eye-catching bout, sizzling prospect Jermaine Marks, 138, Chicago, IL., had to stay on his toes for three minutes of each of the four rounds in his encounter with Reggie Sanders, 136, Ft Wayne, Ind. With Marks attacking and Sanders countering, the two combatants set a mercurial pace with the undefeated Marks winning a unanimous decision while improving to 7-0-2 as the canny Sanders dropped to a deceiving 11-26-4.

    In a snoozer of a walk-out bout, Terrance Marbarra, 231, St. Petersburg, Fl., made a sloppy pro debut against the ineffective Evan Henderson, 244, Bowling Green, Ky., in winning a unanimous decision in their four rounder. Despite this one blight however, it was a decent night out at the fights.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xReid wins in Roemont``x1049050178,54880,``x``x ``xBy Zachary Levin

    The smart money was on David Tua last night. Nobody gave Hasim Rahman a chance. Then, after Friday’s weigh-in for this IBF heavyweight eliminator at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, the scales seemed to tip even further in Tua’s (43-3-1, 37 KOs) favor. Rahman (35-4-1, 29 KOs) came in at 259.5. This dramatic weight gain caused the cognoscenti to speculate it was all beer and Buffalo wings. In his last bout in June against Evander Holyfield he weighed 35 pounds less. (He lost that match, which went to the cards, when a welt that Mini-Me could’ve done pull-ups on swelled on his forehead from a trademark Holyfield head butt.) The boxing media was so fixated on the quantity of the fighters’ weights—at 245 the squat Tua received less flak than his opponent because he’s reached his current heft incrementally since the late ‘90s—that they forgot to look at the respective quality of the weight. As his sobriquet states, Rahman was a "Rock"; though his waist wasn’t trim, the stomach didn’t giggle when he bounced on his toes. He carried his newly-acquired bulk amazingly well. Tua, on the other hand, looked doughier than in his last outing, with drooping pecs that would benefit from a Victoria’s Secret push-up number.

    While I can offer no hard evidence on the matter, a highly-regarded matchmaker, who wishes to remain nameless, suggested to me recently that steroids are the 800-pound gorilla in heavyweight division: Just because Sports Illustrated hasn’t run an exposé on the issue (yet), doesn’t mean it’s not rampant. One heavyweight he was especially suspicious of was David Tua, because his body contour changes from fight to fight. One time he’ll come in cock-diesel, with bulging muscles encased in taut skin (see his 30 second demolition of Michael Moorer last August); and other times, such as last night, he’s a plump shell of his former self, though his weight was the same for both fights. What’s odd is that he supposedly had an intense, 11-week camp leading up to last night’s bout. If, as one might speculate, he has been using his body as chemistry set, why wouldn’t he stick with a winning formula? The verdict is not in on this one. As to Rahman, certain facts may be hard to ignore: He was not fat last night, almost all muscle. It seems implausible that a person could add 30 pounds of lean muscle to his frame, in ten months, by natural means. This is what he has appeared to have done since fighting Holyfield last June. Even Holyfield, another boxer whose name inevitably comes up when steroids and prizefighting are discussed (recall his pate that went bald seemingly over night, and his various heart troubles), last fought at cruiserweight in ’87. His pumped up and sculptured 220-pound build has been 16 years in the making.

    Maybe there’s a good reason why the above issue is not a major topic of discussion . . . perhaps it’s because these athletes compete in what is known as the Sweet Science. You can take all the juice in the world and it don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that skill thing. Little Roy Jones Jr. made this amply clear to us recently when his boxing acumen allowed him to dominate a solid heavyweight in John Ruiz. Which reminds me, I should probably get to the fight, huh?

    It was a draw. Shocking, yes, but forgive me if I’m feeling a little desensitized lately. Only three months into 2003—Down goes Forrest! Down goes Klitschko! Hasta la vista Ruiz!—the year of The Year of the Upset indeed!


    When Tua and Rahman first squared off in December 1998, they were contenders on the rise, and significantly lighter—roughly 20 to 25 pounds apiece—than they are today. Rahman was undefeated at the time (29 wins) and Tua had suffered only one loss in 33 fights, a controversial split decision in a legendary slugfest with Ike Ibeabuchi. Rahman thoroughly outboxed Tua through 9 rounds, when Tua connected on a brutal left hook thrown after the bell. Rahman was not granted time to recover from the illegal blow and was consequently stopped in the 10th round. Since then, they’ve both had their ups and downs. Rahman briefly took the title from Lennox Lewis, only to be devastated in the rematch. He looked bad in his last fight with Holyfield. Tua, coming off a string of KO victories over respectable opposition, has appeared focused and on the upswing.

    Before the opening bell last night, one of the HBO commentators made a point of saying that Tua is somewhat of a "freak" in that he has never been cut and never touched the canvas. Why’d they have to jinx him like that?

    Rounds 1 through 4 went to Rahman who fired his jab as if it were a nervous tic he couldn’t control; he threw 83 in the 3rd round, a CompuBox record. Wisely, he kept the fight in the middle of the ring—like another great left hooker, Philadelphian Joe Frazier, Tua is most dangerous in the corners—and held his right hand high against his temple. By round 4 Tua was bleeding from his nose and under his left eye. He was unable to close the distance with his ineffective jab, and did a poor job of setting up his winging punches.

    Tua changed the plot in rounds 5 through 8, as Rahman jabbed less, opting to lean on and hold the shorter man. While Tua’s production was hardly awesome, one of his power shots seemed to equal 20 Rahman jabs. 1:20 into round 7, Tua landed a chopping overhand right that should have felled Rahman whose chin is suspect. Then a couple more shots connected, but Rahman somehow weathered the onslaught. Tua quickly tired from the expenditure and didn’t get busy until the last 30 seconds of the round. Then he put together one of his first effective combinations, a three-punch deal—right, left uppercut, left hook. It must have been daunting for the stout bruiser when Rahman just stood there and took it? Round 8 was a bore until the last half-minute when, once again, Tua summoned a few hard lefts and rights that had the former champ wobbled against the ropes. Smelling blood, Tua unloaded two wide left and right hooks that would’ve caused irreparable damage had they not cartoonishly missed their mark.

    Having saved himself for last 12 minutes, Rahman felt ready to work again in the 9th round, and started popping the jab again into Tua’s bloody, swollen eyes. Still, Tua was good for the occasional hard overhand right, which his trainer/manager Kevin Barry referred to between rounds as "the 45"; it was unclear whether this was meant to signify .45 caliber or 45 degrees, the trajectory his arm described when he threw the punch? Round 10 was soporific as both fighters took a breather; CBZ called it even. The 11th went to Tua, just barely, because he inflicted more damage on the hibernating Rahman who seemed more interested in pawing at a cut above his right eye than he was in hurting his adversary. Apparently, he felt that he’d done enough to win (HBO’s color-casters concurred), and stuck and moved through the last round so as to frustrate Tua’s chance to get off. At one point he even got up on his toes as if to indicate to the judges and fans how much he had left in the tank.

    Then a funny thing happened. With a few seconds left, Tua had Rahman against the ropes and swung wildly. As the bell sounded—or was it a millisecond before? This will require as many viewings as the Zupruder footage—Rahman slipped in a sneaky short left cross that knocked Tua backwards and onto the seat of his skirt (I’m not being cute here, the man wears a skirt in the ring). George Foreman dismissed it as a slip; Harold Letterman was intrigued and thoroughly impressed. I say it was a clean punch, if thrown a little too late. Tua’s legs looked fine when he got up, which he did quickly, but he wore a bemused expression. He seemed to be thinking to himself, First I get cut, and then I get floored. This is novel.

    The bout was meant to be an eliminator, the winner going on to fight the IBF champion Chris Byrd. Look for Tua-Rahman III, coming to your small-screen soon; I guess the smart money was not so smart after all.

    * * *

    In last night’s main event, Bernard Hopkins defended his middleweight crown against unknown WBC mandatory challenger Mourade Hakkar of France. This was a bad joke told poorly, and is not worth retelling here. Let it be said, though, it is with good reason that Hakkar is unknown to even the most hard-core fight fans. He was so thoroughly outclassed by Hopkins that it is inexplicable how he was able to last 8 rounds with the 38-year-old champ. Oh, yeah, Hakkar did his best Carl Lewis impersonation for the first few rounds until his stamina gave, and he began getting caught with a vicious body attack in the 6th round that dropped him to a knee. The next two rounds were ugly, for Hakkar and for the viewing public. All were relieved when the Frenchman’s promoter halted the bout.

    It appears that there is no one left at middleweight for Hopkins to fight. He either has to make a fight with one of top junior middleweights—Fernando Vargas, Winky Wright or Oscar De La Hoya—or go up and face one of the not-so-wonderful European super middleweights. Maybe De La Hoya saw something in the ageless champ last night—say, his inability to put Hakkar away with one clean shot and/or his overall ring-rust—that will give him the confidence to make a fight with him. It’s a fight fans would like to see and a check Hopkins might want to deposit before his time runs out. Let’s hope it happens before he’s blowing out 40 candles on his cake.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHeavyweight Gainers: Tua-Rahman Ii/ Hopkins' Executioner's Song``x1049054038,57233,``x``x ``xBy Robert Ecksel

    “Philadelphia is not a town. It’s a jungle. They don’t have gyms there. They have zoos. They don’t have sparring sessions. They have wars.” (Angelo Dundee)

    A fight town like Philly is a great place to showcase the profession of men like David Tua and Hasim Rahman and Bernard Hopkins and Morrade Hakkar. Home to such exceptional talents in the history of the fight game as Smokin’ Joe Frazier, Bennie Briscoe, Bobby “Boogaloo” Watts and Willie “The Worm” Monroe; home of the legendary Blue Horizon on North Broad Street; home of the iconic but preposterous Rocky; on Saturday, March 29, 2003, the so-called City of Brotherly Love hosted a heavyweight eliminator between David Tua (42-3 37 KOs) and Hasim Rahman (35-4 29 KOs) and a middleweight title fight between the undisputed world champion Bernard Hopkins’ (41-2-1 30 KOs) vs. the two-time French middleweight champion Morrade Hakkar (29-3 17 KOs).

    Philadelphia is the birthplace of the Liberty Bell (which is cracked) and Betsy Ross (who worked her fingers to the bone making the first flag) and the Bill of Rights (which was just shredded), but Philly also hosts classy prizefights. The bouts at the First Union Spectrum were conceived as homecoming for Philadelphia’s favorite son Bernard Hopkins. But when it comes to Bernard Hopkins, one city’s favorite son is another city’s son of a . . . Bernard Hopkins, to his credit, is all things to all people. The Executioner’s perfectly executed execution of pound-for-pound superstar Felix Trinidad in 2001 established Bernard Hopkins, or should have established Bernard Hopkins, as a top-of-the-line marquee attraction. But Bernard Hopkins, depending on who one listens to, is either his own man and/or he blew it big time.

    To hear the powers-that-be tell it, Bernard Hopkins got too big for his britches, he got uppity and betrayed the people who helped him reach the top. But like so much else these days, what passes for truth is a murky business. It is true that Bernard Hopkins spends a lot of time in court. It is true that he talks too much. It is also true that Hopkins fired his longtime trainer Bouie Fisher, who claims Bernard owes him money, and the two men are telling it to the judge. But self-managed Bernard Hopkins was paying all the bills all along, or not paying all the bills all along, as the case may be, and he’s the champion, so he can pretty much do whatever he wants. Fighters fire trainers as frequently as they change their handwraps. So why is it a big deal when Bernard Hopkins does it?

    As if Hopkins’ disloyalty to Bogie Fisher wasn’t enough to land him in the Boxing Hall of Shame, his dissing of former advisor Lou DiBella and the subsequent libel trial is further evidence of how naughty Bernard Hopkins is. Gosh. If we’re gullible enough to embrace Rocky, if we believe there’s a line in the sand separating the good guys from the bad, we might as well believe there are white knights in boxing - and Bernard Hopkins is their nemesis. Maybe Bernard Hopkins should clam up. Maybe he’s too opinionated for his own good. But did Bernard Hopkins dare to bite the hand that fed him? That’s what a jury of his peers decided (to a tune of over a half-mil!), so it must be true. Right? Wrong. Juries aren’t objective. Juries are fallible. May the best man with the best lawyer win. If you don’t believe me, just ask Johnny Cochrane.

    When we strip away all the conceits surrounding Bernard Hopkins and his fall from grace, we’re left with what we started with: a brilliant boxer-puncher, a genuine tough guy who redeemed himself with the sweet science, a success story that is downright inspirational. Bernard Hopkins has his faults. The Executioner is a blabbermouth and nut. But does it really matter? Some say Hopkins is an ingrate. They say Hopkins is this and Hopkins is that. Hmm. Sometimes what they say makes one wonder. But there’s plenty of room on the bandwagon for those with an ax to grind, a grievance to air, a reputation to uphold, a myth to perpetuate. We may or may not like Bernard Hopkins for any of a thousand reasons. We may or may not believe Bernard Hopkins is a loose cannon on a sinking ship. We may or may not accept that justice was or will ever be served when the defendant goes by the name of Bernard Hopkins. But Bernard Hopkins, when all is said and done, isn’t about anything but beating up other men for a living - and that is a thing of beauty. The rest of it is bull.

    The fights at Philly’s First Union Spectrum couldn’t have been much worse. The co-main event featuring David Tua vs. Hasim Rahman was a very long twelve rounds of holding and hugging, with an occasional punch thrown in for good measure. The rare Tua hook was no match for the rare Rahman jab and straight right. Both pugilists fought a lackluster bout without much concern for the public or their shrinking reputations. Most observers felt that Rahman did enough to squeak out a victory, but the Gods keep smiling upon Tuaman and gave him an undeserved draw. Oh well. In any era but our own, the no-longer-hungry Tua and Rahman, in their present condition, would have been top-twenty heavyweights - and not pugs jockeying for a place among the top three or four heavyweights in the world. And while David Tua’s stock continues to fall (the Michael Moorer “fight” notwithstanding), Hasim Rahman the one-hit wonder looked better than he has since his April 2000 dethroning of Lennox Lewis. When asked by the press after the fight where he goes from here, the Rock replied confidently: “Mecca.”

    The Bernard Hopkins vs. Morrade Hakkar championship bout was as disappointing in its way as Tua-Rahman. But whereas the heavyweights didn’t display much of anything, at least one of the middleweights came to rumble, and that man was Bernard Hopkins. His opponent Morrade Hakkar was less a boxer than a sprinter, less a combatant than a scared rabbit. Many men, maybe even most men, feel some degree of fear when they enter a boxing ring, but few are the men who actually show it. Morrade Hakkar, unfortunately, is one of these men, and he ran from The Executioner for round after round after round, until he threw in the towel after eight. Bernard Hopkins, by contrast, is the ultimate pro and knew what he had to do - cut off the ring and finish Morrade Hakkar. To call the fight a mismatch is to dignify the word mismatch. How this French-Algerian was ever awarded number one mandatory is anyone’s guess. Palms must have been greased. But for those who are waiting anxiously for Bernard Hopkins to self-destruct, you’re going to have to wait a good deal longer. Bernard Hopkins isn’t going anywhere. It looks like Bernard Hopkins is here to stay. And the tough, skillful, confident, outspoken Bernard Hopkins continues to embody what it means where they say a man is a Philadelphia fighter.

    robert.ecksel@gte.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCity of Brotherly Glove``x1049137491,90436,``x``x ``xLeHoullier-Attardo rematch headlines Return of the Backyard Brawl
    April 18 at Strand Theatre in Dorchester

    BOSTON, Mass. – The much anticipated rematch between the prospect and the veteran, Jason “The Hammer” LeHoullier (5-0, 4 KOs) and Tommy “The Bull” Attardo (10-12-1, 2 KOs), headlines the April 18th “Return of the Backyard Brawl” pro boxing card at historic Strand Theatre in Dorchester.

    “Return of the Backyard Brawl” is promoted by Doug Pendarvis in association with Danny Kelley, Irish Emigrant, Frugal McDoogal’s, Miller Beer, Ramada Inn of Dorchester, Croke Park, and the Tara Pub.

    The 6-round main event is a rematch of last November’s exciting fight that LeHoullier, of Portland (ME) won by decision in six against Attardo, of South Boston. “That fight was action packed from start to finish and both fighters have agreed to do it again,” Pendarvis said. “Tommy’s a legitimate test. He’s been in against world title contenders – Jose Rivera and Jim Rock – and top prospects like Jeff Lacy, Yuri Forman and Anthony Thompson.”

    Heavyweight Billy “The Kid” Moffard (4-1-1, 1 KO), of Randolph, squares-off against Dorchester’s Willie “Bad News” Barnes in the 6-round co-feature.

    Local fighters slated to appear on the undercard include South Boston super middleweight Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton (4-0, 1 KO) and light heavyweight Tommy Fitzgerald (2-0, 1 KO), Dorchester heavyweight Mike Beverly (1-0, 1 KO), Worcester super welterweight Bobby McAndrews (1-2-1, 1 KO), and Haverhill prospect, junior welterweight Alex Insante, making his pro debut.

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Ticket prices are $40.00 ringside, $25.00 general admission and $15.00 bleachers. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m. To order tickets call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions (617.825.3283), Strand Theatre box office (617.282.8000), Corke Park (617.464.4869) or Tara Pub (617.282.5687).

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLeHoullier-Attardo rematch headlines 'Return of the Backyard Brawl' in Dorchester``x1049156963,42269,``x``x ``xhttp://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/wail_04_2003.html

    WAIL! April 2003 Table of Contents:


    Gender Discrimination in Amateur Boxing
    By Adam Pollack

    Two Pieces on Jones-Ruiz
    By Juan C. Ayllon

    Killer Instinct... NO Patience!
    By John Garfield

    The Grand Champion Calls It A Career
    By Steve Coughlin

    Five Fine Fighters
    By Jim Amato

    Interview: Emanuel Steward
    By David Iamele

    Baer Essence
    By Don Cogswell

    The Latino Championship
    By Jim Amato

    Interview with Jackie Graves
    By Jake Wegner

    Race and Boxing
    By Tom Donelson

    Ali Would Have Beaten Louis
    By Don Colgan

    The West Coast Featherweight Wars
    By Dan Hanley

    Gentleman Gerry Cooney:
    What could have been!
    By Don Colgan

    Kid Gavilan: the Sparrow Hawk
    By Enrique Encinosa

    Jeffries and Other Heavyweights
    By Tracy G. Callis

    Scoring Even Rounds:
    It's not a Cop Out
    By Frank J. Lotierzo

    The Puerto Rican Parallel
    By Jim Amato

    As the Wallets Fly
    By Juan C. Ayllon

    Mann Act and Jack Johnson
    By Tom Donelson

    The 2002 CBZ Year End Awards
    Compiled by the CBZ Staff

    CBZ Book Excerpt:
    Norman Mailer on Being A Pro
    By Norman Mailer
    From "The Spooky Art.
    Some Thoughts on Writing"

    CBZ Book Reviews:
    "Facing Ali: The Opposition Weighs In"
    Reviewed by Cliff Endicott

    From the CBZ Audio Archives:
    Jack Dempsey Story w/ Brief Comment
    From Bill Stern's Sports Newsreel, 04-02-1948 ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xApril WAIL! Boxing Magazine online now``x1049207451,59649,``x``x ``xCARLOS BOJORQUEZ VS TONY MARSHALL,
    FERNANDO MENA VS TONY MARTINEZ
    HEADLINE KINGFISH CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT CARD,
    EVANDER HOLYFIELD TO BE HONORED
    ON APRIL 21 IN TOPPENISH, WASH.;
    TELEVISED ON FOX SPORTS WORLD,
    FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL & FOX SPORTS LATIN AMERICA

    Promoters Anna Beth Goodman/Kingfish Boxing Productions and Patrick Ortiz /Ringside Ticket will present a sensational fight card on Monday, April 21, 2003, in the Legends Casino Event Center at the Yakama Nation Legends Casino, located at 580 Fort Road in Toppenish, Washington.

    Former heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield will be in attendance as the special celebrity guest of Legends Casino and honored by the Yakama Tribe for his achievements. He will be available to the public for autographs.

    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, JR. MIDDLEWEIGHTS - IBA CONTINENTAL TITLE
    Champion CARLOS BOJORQUEZ, 20-3-6, 16 KOs, Mira Loma, California, vs
    Challenger TONY MARSHALL, 36-10-6, 12 KOs, Albany, New York

    In the 12-round main event, Carlos "El Elegante" Bojorquez, 20-3-6, with 16 knockouts, of Mira Loma, Ca., will make his second defense of the IBA Continental jr. middleweight title against Tony Marshall, 36-10-6, with 12 knockouts, of Albany, N.Y.

    Bojorquez was involved in one of the most exciting fights of the year in 1999 at Legends Casino against previously undefeated local favorite Candy Robertson (8-0) - trailing on the scorecards after nine fast-paced rounds, Carlos scored a spectacular one-punch knockout win in the tenth and final round. A 5 ½-year pro, he is 10-1-2 in his last 13 fights, with nine of those wins by knockout. In addition to Robertson, Carlos has knocked out two other previously undefeated fighters - Luther Smith (18-0-1) and Blaise Soares (10-0). He scored a TKO win in 2001 against legendary former three-time world
    champion Pernell Whitaker that sent Whitaker into retirement.

    A 12-year professional veteran, Marshall is a former NABF super
    welterweight champion and a former WBC No. 1 ranked contender. He is a two-time world title challenger and has fought top opposition for nearly a decade, including current world champion Winky Wright, former world champions Francisco Castillejo, Keith Mullings, Aaron Davis twice, and Julio Vazquez, and numerous contenders. Tony has now won two fights in a row.

    CO-FEATURED BOUT - 10 ROUNDS, WELTERWEIGHTS
    FERNANDO "Tigre" MENA, 16-3-2, 14 KOs, Durango, Mexico, vs
    TONY "El Alacron" MARTINEZ, 12-2-2, 7 KOs, Salem, Oregon

    8 ROUNDS, JR. FEATHERWEIGHTS
    MARINHO GONZALEZ, 14-2-1, 6 KOs, Guadalajara, Mexico, vs
    RICARDO MEDINA, 26-26-5, 17 KOs, Mazatlan, Mexico

    An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will complete the card, including a special attraction eight-round female featherweight bout in which Kelsey Jeffries, 19-7, of Bakersfield, Ca., will fight Jo Jo Wyman, 9-7-1, of Woodland Hills, Ca.

    Doors open at 6:30 P.M., first fight at 7:30 P.M.

    Ticket prices: $25, $45, $65, $125.
    Tickets are available at: Legends Casino Box Office - 877-726-6311, ext. 312, all TicketMaster outlets - 509-453-7139, and online at TicketMaster.com.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBojorquez-Marshall Headline Kingfish Card, April 21st``x1049289032,57978,``x``x ``xTwo world title fights May 2 on national television

    Oliveira-Ortiz & LaMontagne-Mateen at Foxwoods

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Two of CES’ brightest stars, welterweight “Sucra” Ray Oliveira and cruiserweight Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne, will be shining May 2 on national television in a pair of world championship boxing matches.

    Boxing promoter Jimmy Burchfield, president of Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., announced today that its May 2 nationally televised ESPN2 show at Foxwoods Resort Casino will be headlined by the 12-round International Boxing Union world welterweight championship fight between Oliveira (44-8-2, 21 KOs) and Elio “El Chingo” Ortiz (24-4, 19 KOs). LaMontagne (27-4-1, 22 KOs), rated No. 9 by the World Boxing Council, will be in the 12-round co-feature against Ernest “M-16” Mateen (27-9-3, 9 KOs) for the vacant IBU cruiserweight title.

    Oliveira, of New Bedford (MA), will be defending his IBU title for the first time. He is the former NABF and IBF light welterweight champ, as well as the ex-New England lightweight title-holder. Oliveira is rated No. 3 by the NABF and No. 8 by the USBA.

    “We’ve finally found a comfortable weight for him at 147 pounds after all of the years he struggled fighting at 140,” Oliveira’s promoter, Jimmy Burchfield, commented about Ray. “He was always known for his record number of punches thrown and landed in matches, not his punching power. But with new conditioning to fight as a welterweight, he’s knocked out both opponents at 147.”

    Oliveira’s illustrious career includes victories against former world champions Vince Phillips and Charles Murray (twice), as well as current WBA super lightweight champ Vivian Harris. Five of Ray’s eight career defeats have come at the hands of former world champions or top 10 contenders such as Vernon Forrest, Reggie Green, Jake Rodriquez, Ben Tackie and Zack Padilla.

    “This kid is one of the most talented welterweights out there,” Burchfield noted. “He’s fought everybody and anybody put in the ring with him. Ray deserves to fight the best; he’s earned that. We’re not taking this fight lightly, but I want to get ‘Sucra’ a title shot after this against (Corey) Spinks, (Ricardo) Mayorga, any of the top 147-pounders. Or if (undisputed junior welterweight champion) Kosta Tszyu wants to step up to welterweight, like we’ve ! been hearing, let him take on Ray Oliveira and see what he can do.”

    Ortiz, 28, comes from Coro, Venezuela. He is the Bolivariano and WBA FEDECENTRO welterweight champion. IBF No. 5 rated Omar Weiss, who fought a 10-round draw with Oliveira in 2001, suffered his first career loss in his 29th pro fight to Ortiz via a 10th-round TKO in 1998. Elio has fought some of the best welterweights in the world. He went the distance in a loss to Sharmba Mitchell for the WBA light welterweight championship in 1999 and was stopped in 10 by present WBC and WBA world welterweight champion Ricardo Mayorga in 2000. Two years ago, his WBU welterweight title match against Michele Piccirillo, recently dethroned IBF welterweight title-holder, was stopped in the fourth round due to a cut from an accidental head-butt.

    LaMontagne was supposed to fight former world champion Uriah Grant for the IBU cruiserweight crown this past February, but a cut suffered over Richie’s eye late in training camp cancelled the match. Mateen’s last fight, ironically, was a ninth-round technical decision win against Grant for the USBO title. He also fought a third-round technical draw against No. 1 ranked O’Neil Bell and holds wins against New England favorites such as Joe DeGrandis, John ! Scully (twice) and Drake Thadzi. Mateen, of Missouri, has beaten world title contender David Telesco in two of three matches.

    “This is another big opportunity for Richie fighting on national television,” Burchfield noted. “But we definitely want (WBC champion Wayne) Braithwaite. That’s the guy we’re gunning for. I just visited Richie in Everett (MA) and four weeks away from the fight and he’s like a rock.”

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change. Five more bouts will be on the undercard. For ticket information call CES’ headquarters at 401.724.2253/401.724.2254, visit its Web site at www.cesboxing.com, or contact the Foxwoods box office at 800.200.2882.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOliveira and LaMontange to headline together at Foxwoods``x1049295681,3342,``x``x ``xLucky Eagle Casino
    Rochester, WA
    Saturday April 5, 2003 at 7:00pm
    Scheduled for Fight Night 39

    Scratch the scheduled North West Boxing Association heavyweight title bout between Mexican champion Felipe Bojorquez and William Chapman, who holds a KO win over Bojorquez. Sources at the casino say Bojorquez dropped out.

    The Main Event is now a scheduled ten round welterweight match between Alejandro Jiminez, 33 years, 12-25-4 of Guadalajara, Mexico vs. Ruben Munoz, 28 years, 5-4-3, 3 KO’s, of Sonora, Mexico.

    The under card is set for 7 bouts:
    · Rafael Ortiz vs. Roberto Santa Cruz 6 rounds
    · Victor Branson vs. Amador "Diablo" Ishwar 6 rounds
    · Damion Hatch vs. Sinan Kuch 4 rounds
    · Shawn Plessis vs. Juan Ramon 4 rounds
    · Ervin Greene vs. Richard Langley 4 rounds
    · Javier Chavez vs. Darren Darby 4 rounds
    · Tom Enyon vs. Cedrick Hendrix 4 rounds


    Tickets $40 ringside, $25 reserved, $20 reserved of general admission
    available at Ticketmaster, casino (800-720-1788) or Twin Cities Fuller's stores. Fighters are subject to change and contract approval by the Washington State Boxing Commission.

    --30--
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xLucky Eagle Main Changes--Bojorquez Drops Out ``x1049405445,39085,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE
    FROM: Brian Halquist Productions

    Battle at the Boat XIX

    Saturday April 12th, 2003

    7:30PM - Emerald Queen Casino
    Tacoma, Washington


    The NABO Middleweight title is up for grabs and Seattle's own "Emerald
    City
    Assassin" Kenny Ellis (28-4-2, 18KO's) will be taking on Fernando
    Zuniga
    (22-5-0, 17KO's) of Downey, California for the honor. This fight
    should
    propel the winner into the top section of the WBO ratings as Ellis is
    currently rated 3rd in the NABO, 7th in the NABF and 25th in Box Recs
    World
    ratings. Zuniga is currently rated 8th in the NABO and 28th in Box
    Recs
    World ratings.

    Born on February 25th, 1970 in Phoenix Arizona, Kenny was raised
    primarily
    by his mother until he was eleven. Kenny excelled in football but his
    real
    love was boxing after watching the 1976 Olympics. In those Olympics
    Kenny
    remembers watching Sugar Ray Leonard's performance. That same year
    Kenny
    went to a local gym to see about learning more about the sport. Too
    young
    to spar he became the gym gofer. At eight, Kenny met Jenks Morton,
    Sugar
    Ray's amateur coach, who had moved to Arizona. For three years Jenks
    shared
    his art with Kenny and laid the groundwork for what Kenny is today.

    At age eleven Kenny came to Seattle to live with his dad. It is there
    he
    met his next mentor in Greg Haugen. Taking the time to share insights
    and
    give encouragement, Greg would prove to be most important later in
    Kenny's
    career. Kenny Ellis finished his amateur career with a record of 89-6.

    He went professional at age twenty and moved to Las Vegas. With the
    assistance of Greg Haugen, who was now a World Champion, Kenny worked
    to
    establish his professional record modeling himself after Alexis
    Arquello,
    former world title holder and hall of fame fighter.

    After breaking his hand and with over twenty professional fights, Kenny
    moved back to Seattle to resume his career. He signed a promotional
    contract with Brian Halquist of Brian Halquist Productions and hooked
    up
    with Greg Haugen for the third time in his life. With the support from
    Brian Halquist Productions to promote him and "Team Haugen" to train
    Kenny,
    his career has had a resurgence that some say may take him to the top.
    At
    age 33, he now has a record of 28-4-2, 18KO's and a burning desire to
    be the
    best in the world. Which on April 12th, Ellis will have the chance to
    do
    just that.

    Ellis will be taking on Fernando Zuniga. Born in Esmeraldas and raised
    in
    Guayaquil, Ecuador, Zuniga is currently that country's best champion
    prospect with a record of 22-5-0 and 17KO's, 11 of which have come in
    the
    first 3 rounds. He has proven that his hard knockout punch is
    something to
    be wary of.



    Born into a hard and difficult life, Zuniga knew from the age of 15
    that
    boxing was a way out and began fighting in amateur bouts until the age
    of
    22. To take care of his family and advance his athletic career he came
    to
    the United States and fought his first professional fight.


    Since then he has gone on to impress the boxing media and public with
    powerful and aggressive knockouts to exceptional performances on fights
    with
    only days' notices. Fernando's devastating knockout power is now armed
    and
    ready to dominate the Middleweight arena and his sights are on another
    title. He currently holds the IBA Continental Super Middleweight title
    defeating Pedro Ortega in February of 2003.

    "This is a great card" says promoter Brian Halquist. "Kenny has the
    drive,
    momentum and talent to beat Zuniga. He is focused, more than ever.
    That
    along with his natural talent as a boxer makes Kenny a force to be
    reckoned
    with." "Zuniga..his knockout punch says it all. Kenny will have to
    watch
    for it, and keep his gloves up. This will be one of the best fights we
    have
    ever had at the Emerald Queen Casino. And it's for a belt. You
    couldn't
    ask for anything more than that", says Halquist.


    The Semi-Main Event we have local boxer Robert Linton (9-2-0, 6KO's) of
    University Place, Washington fighting Ayodeji Fadeyi (6-2-1, 6KO's) out
    of
    Denver Colorado in a 6 round Light Heavyweight bout. Linton is a
    Southpaw
    who can go 6 rounds strong. While Fadeyi, who has had a winning record
    fighting here at the Emerald Queen, has a strong knockout punch.
    Linton
    will need to push Fadeyi the distance and take away his power punch to
    win
    this one.



    Also on the card is local Light Heavyweight favorite Neil Stephens
    (7-4-0,
    5KO's), Seattle, Washington fighting Rodney Moore of Denver, Colorado
    in a 6
    round fight. Neil has a good reach and this works in his favor, but
    Moore
    goes the distance in his fights making his opponents work for it.

    To round out the card we have:

    UNDERCARD

    Heavyweight

    4 Rounds
    Brian Torzewski vs Brad Wilson


    Tacoma, Washington Calgary Canada


    Heavyweight

    4 Rounds
    Scott Landson vs Brad McPeake


    Baker City, Oregon Surrey, B.C.


    Featherweight

    4 Rounds
    Cesar
    Garcia vs Eric Aiken


    Woodburn, Oregon Washington, D.C.

    Tickets are on sale now!

    At all ticketmaster outlets and at the Emerald Queen Casino Gift Shop. Prices are $100 - $50 - $25

    (Note: All Fights are subject to change)






     ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xNABO Middleweight Title Fight - Featuring Seattle's Kenny Ellis``x1049411583,9162,``x``x ``xMonte Barrett 221 1/2 SD 10 Robert Wiggins 216 1/4
    Glen Johnson 175 Draw 10 Daniel Judah 176 1/2
    Vinny Maddalone 230 3/4 SD 4 Dennis McKinney 213 1/4
    Greg Torres 133 UD 6 Kennedy McKinney 133 1/2
    Craig Salamone 192 UD 6 Dan Sheehan 185
    Andrey Tsurkan 156 1/4 UD 6 Charles Clark 155

    Television - ESPN2``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMohegan Sun Results``x1049558798,72516,``x``x ``xUrgent Boxing Results
    Lucky Eagle Casino, Fight Night 40
    April 5, 2003.......Rochester, WA

    Main Event Junior Middleweight, Scheduled 10 Rds.
    Ruben Munoz, Mira Loma, CA..158 lbs (5-5-3, 3ko) vs. Alejandro Jiminez,
    Northridge, CA 157 ½ lbs (13-26-4, 6 ko)
    Alejandro Jimenez scored a 4th round TKO over Ruben Munoz at a bout 2
    minutes in to the round. Jimenez dominated the fight from the second
    round,
    cutting Munoz over the right eye. Munoz was knocked down in round
    three.

    Lightweight, Scheduled 6 Rds.
    Rafael Ortiz, Lebanon, OR, 136 lbs, (5-2, 5ko) vs. Roberto Santa Cruz,
    Los
    Angeles, CA, 134 lbs. (11-0, 4ko)
    The most exciting fight of the nigh saw Roberto Santa Cruz win a close
    unanimous decision over Rafael Ortiz. Ortiz started slowly, but nearly
    ko's
    Santa Cruz in round six.

    Light Heavyweight, Scheduled 4 Rds.
    Irvin Greene, Tacoma, WA, 160 lbs. (0-4) vs. Richard Langley, Tacoma,
    WA 172
    lbs, (1-0 1ko)
    Richard Langley exploded out of the box and overpowered the lighter
    Irvin
    Greene with a second round TKO at 2minutes 6 seconds.

    Lightweight, Scheduled 4 Rds.
    Shawn Plessis, Las Vegas, NV, 133 lbs. (4-0, 1ko) vs. Juan Ramon,
    Aloha, OR,
    133 lbs, (0-1)
    Shawn Plesis won a split decision over Juan Ramon in a very close bout,
    many
    thought was a draw.

    Middleweight, Scheduled 4 Rds.
    Damion Hatch, Bend, OR, 163 ½ lbs, (6-4-1, 4ko) vs. Sinan Kuch,
    Portland, OR
    (3-0, 2 ko)
    Sinan Kuch scored a second round TKO over Damion Hatch at 1 minute and
    49
    seconds.

    Middleweight, Scheduled 6 Rds.
    Reggie Davis, Portland, OR, 158 lbs, (6-1, 2ko) vs. Ishwar Amador ,
    Mira
    Loma, CA, 160 lbs (4-4, 3ko)
    Reggie Davis came on strong in round two to score a 3rd round knockout
    over
    Ishwar Amador.

    Heavyewight, Scheduled 4 Rds.
    Ruben Torres, Troutdale, OR, 212 lbs (3-0, 2 ko) vs. Tom Eynon, Las
    Vegas,
    NV, 260 lbs (1-3- 1ko)
    Ruben Torres won a 3rd round TKO over Tom Eynon at 2 minutes 20
    seconds.

    Scheduled 4 Rds.
    Agapito Aispuro, Portland, OR 136 lbs (0-1) vs. Javier Chavez,
    Milwaukie,
    OR, 139 lbs (1-0)
    Javier Chavez won a unanimous decision for his first professional win
    over
    Agapito Aispuro.``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xJiminez Slams Munoz at Lucky Eagle``x1049641751,65589,``x``x ``xThoughts on the recent Hatton-Phillips Bout

    Tom Donelson

    Showtime commentator Steve Alberts summed up Ricky "the Hitman" Hatton dilemma when he stated that boxing is filled of fighters who fail in moving from the prospect status to actual stardom. Hatton's fight with Vincent Phillips represented a step forward as his promoters no longer could avoid protecting their fighters with the right fighters.  Hatton now must prove that he is indeed the real deal.  History is littered with prospects that wilt under their first taste under the limelight.  Phillips, who is the only man to conquer the recognized reigning 140-pound champion Kostya Tszyu, took a fight in Hatton's backyard to give himself one more shot at the championship. 

    Phillips was the cagey veteran and even at the age of 39, still could deliver a solid right hand- the right hand that ended Tszyu undefeated streak six years earlier.  Hatton's strategy was simple, pressure the older man until he could no longer take it.  Hatton is a plodder whose only strategy is keep coming forward.  For Hatton, there is no strategy B as my good friend Frank Lotierzo likes to say.  As for Phillips, the real question was how much did he have left and could he make the Hitman respect him with the right hand.

    The first round set the pace for the rest of the fight.  Ricky Hatton moved forward as he throws left hook to the body and solids rights.  Phillips retreated throughout the entire round till the end of the round when he smacked a left hook to Hatton's right eye, causing blood to spurt.  Hatton's corner proved to be as adept in taking care of medical emergencies as they were at other aspect of managing Hatton career.  Hatton, who is susceptible to cuts, was tended to immediately and the cut proved not to be a factor for the rest of the fight.  Never underestimate the value of a good cut man.

    The second and third round followed the same pattern as Hatton pressured and Phillips countered.  For every one punch that Phillips threw, Hatton seem to throw two.   Hatton, who Phillips declared was the 140 pound version of Rocky Marciano before the fight, threw punches in bunches and hit every part of the body.   Hatton demonstrated one aspect of being a great fighter- he never allowed his cuts and Phillips' stinging rights deter him from winning.  The sight of his own blood only enraged him.

    The fourth round was the key round that determined Phillips fate.  In the middle of the round, he stung Hatton with a series of hard rights.  For the first and only time in the fight, Hatton was stunned.  For one brief moment, Phillips threw back time and appeared in control.  This brief moment of glory lasted 60 seconds as Hatton ripped Phillips with body shots and uppercuts.  Phillips left eye spurted blood and Hatton turned the round around in his favor.  From this point Phillips merely was on the defensive as Hatton merely wore the older fighter down.

    The only thing that kept Phillips up was his heart.  He took a fierce beating but Hatton could not knock the veteran Phillips down.  Hatton does not have the one punch knock out but he does punch hard enough to wear opponents out.  In this fight, Hatton forced Phillips to fight his fight and he took Phillips leg away.  It was the classic slugger vs. boxer and the slugger easily out pointed the boxer.  Phillips' jab cease to be a factor and as the fight proceeded, he could not longer avoid Hatton's sledgehammers blow.  Hatton threw consistently 60-70 punches around, mostly power shots, and he never slowed down. Nearly half of his punches found his target.  By the end of the fight, Steve Alberts observed that three out of four fighters' eyes were bloody and two of those belong to Phillips.  Two of the judges had Hatton pitching a shut out and the third judge only gave Phillips one round, the fourth.  In this case, the judges all saw the same fight and they scored correctly. 

    What this mean for Hatton?  Who knows but Hatton passed his first big test and as Steve Alberts concluded that the days of protecting Hatton were over.  Hatton competes in one of Boxing's deepest division and from this point; he will be fighting the best.  There is talk of matching Hatton up with Junior Witter, who beat up the light hitting Jurgen Haeck in the undercard.  Witter is another British 140 pound prospect whose unorthodox style reminds one of the former featherweight champion, Prince Naz Hamid but somehow, Witter's lack of basic boxing skills will be exposed when he moves up in competition just as Hamid was exposed when he fought Marco Barrera. Hatton's chin is solid and his fighting courage unquestioned.  It is too early to declare Hatton a champion but at least he demonstrated that he is close to being an elite fighter.  If he fights Witter, he should win easily and then after deposing his British's competitor- it is time to come across the pond and fight in America.  Then all questions will be answered.


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xHatton's begin his Run toward the Big Time.``x1049663889,98513,``x``x ``xWell, due to a complicated glitch, John Scully's wonderful piece was uploaded to the April WAIL! a little late. Scully's article is a great, interesting piece by one of boxing's own. Here is the link --



    My Boxing Memories of the 1980s
    By "Iceman" John Scully
    http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w0403-js.html``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJohn Scully's Boxing Memories of the 1980s``x1049751105,48931,``x``x ``xBig Trouble Creegan tops “Return of the Backyard Brawl” boxing card
    April 18 at Strand Theatre in Dorchester

    BOSTON, Mass. – Popular super middleweight Shawn “Big Trouble” Creegan (15-2-3, 2 KOs) has been added to the April 18th “Return of the Backyard Brawl” pro boxing card, matched against Shannon “Trouble” Miller in the 8-round main event, at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester.

    Creegan, of Plainville (MA), is a non-stop puncher and exciting crowd pleaser. Miller has fought some of the best boxers in the world such as Syd Vanderpool, Thomas Tate, and Robert Allen.

    The much-anticipated rematch between Jason “The Hammer” LeHoullier (5-0, 4 KOs) and Tommy “The Bull” Attardo (10-12-1, 2 KOs) will be the 6-round co-feature. LeHoullier won an action packed 6-round decision against Attardo last November.

    Doug Pendarvis in association with Danny Kelley, Irish Emigrant, Frugal McDoogal’s, Miller Beer, Ramada Inn of Dorchester, Croke Park, and the Tara Pub promote “Return of the Backyard Brawl.”

    “Everybody always gets their money’s worth when Shaun Creegan fights,” promoter Doug Pendarvis said. “Miller will be a good test. Jason’s a good prospect and Tommy – like Miller -- has fought world title contenders, Jose Rivera and Jim Rock, and top prospects like Jeff Lacy, Yuri Forman and Anthony Thompson.”

    Heavyweight Billy “The Kid” Moffard (4-1-1, 1 KO), of Randolph, squares-off against Dorchester’s Willie “Bad News” Barnes in the 6-round co-feature.

    Other local fighters slated to appear on the undercard include Randolph heavyweight Billy “The Kid” Moffard (4-1-1, 1 KO), South Boston super middleweight Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton (4-0, 1 KO), Dorchester heavyweight Mike Beverly (1-0, 1 KO), Worcester super welterweight Bobby McAndrews (1-2-1, 1 KO), and Haverhill prospect, junior welterweight Alex Insante, making his pro debut.

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Ticket prices are $40.00 ringside, $25.00 general admission and $15.00 bleachers. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m. To order tickets call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions (617.825.3283), Strand Theatre box office (617.282.8000), Corke Park (617.464.4869) or Tara Pub (617.282.5687).

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBig Trouble Creegan tops “Return of the Backyard Brawl”``x1049806806,93066,``x``x ``xWard closing out boxing career in trilogy finale against Gatti
    June 7 in Atlantic City

    LOWELL, Mass. – The illustrious 18-year pro boxing career of “Irish” Micky Ward will officially come to a dramatic conclusion June 7 when he fights archrival Arturo “Thunder” Gatti in Gatti-Ward III live on HBO in Atlantic City.

    The two warriors have split a pair of memorable “throwback” type of fights, Ward winning a 10-round decision last May in the consensus “2002 Fight of the Year,” Gatti taking a 10-round decision this past November. Their third and final showdown has been greatly anticipated by boxing fans all over the world.

    “I’ve given my life to boxing and after this fight I’m done,” an ecstatic Ward said soon after learning that the deal had been finalized. “This is the only fight I wanted. I know I lost the second fight. He caught me and beat me fair and square, but I felt I deserved a third fight, the rubber match. I wanted this fight to redeem myself and then walk away from boxing.

    “I want to thank (promoter) Lou DiBella and (manager) Sal LoNano for working so hard to make this happen for me. I’m very happy. I want to thank Arturo Gatti and Main Events, too. Arturo’s a great guy and fighter. I already started working out and I’m focusing 100-percent on this fight.”

    LoNano has been planning Ward’s retirement party, but he always felt it wouldn’t be held until sometime after June 7. “I knew Lou DiBella would get it done,” Sal added. “We all worked hard on this. Main Events and Arturo Gatti showed Micky the respect he deserves.”

    Ward has a 38-12 (27 KOs) record and his brother, Dickie Eklund, trains him. Gatti sports a 35-6 (28 KOs) record and is trained by Buddy McGirt. Ward and Gatti are scheduled to receive “The Harry Markson Award” for “Fight of the Year” at the 78th annual Boxing Writers Association of America’s 78th annual awards dinner April 25 in New York City.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWard-Gatti III Coming June 7th!``x1049806900,87413,``x``x ``xVester To Travel The World!

    Former European and World title challenger Allan Vester, 22-3-1 (4), is no stranger to fighting on his opponents home turf. The 25-year-old Danish light welterweight has already done that four times in his career, which is something most Danish fighters can´t claim. And Vester´s fights abroad has not been so called “set up´s” against .500 journeymen opponents, but against local fighters with good records and reputations.

    Vester is now scheduled for two more apperances abroad. First in South Africa on April 25, and then in Den Haag, Holland on May 16.

    In his fight number eight, Vester fought on the undercard of the Keith Mullings vs. Javier Castillejo WBC super welterweight world title fight in Madrid, Spain, and took on local hero Victor Baute in front of 16.000 screeming fans. The Spaniard was basically carried through the fight, only to see Vester win a clear unanimous decision. Most observers thought Baute should have been stopped several times during the bout.

    After beating then IBF # 4 Emanuel Augustus (AKA Burton), to lift the IBF Intercontinental 140 lb. title in June of 1999, Vester travelled to Switzerland 3 ½ months later, and beat another home-man, when he outpointed the undefeated Giuseppe Lauri in a defence of his newly won title. A couple more defenses, not all impressive, and a beautifull win over fellow top-rated contender George Scott, put Vester in the mandatory position for Zab Judah´s IBF world title.

    Vester was, like so many others, stopped by the hard-punshing Judah (3rd round), but he loved the experience of fighting in America:

    “It was a great thrill to experience the big-fight atmosphere in Uncasville. Both on fightnight and before the fight. It was a great show, with Kostya Tszyu also being on the card, and Vince Phillips on the undercard. I love fighting abroad” says Vester.

    After losing on a tenth round TKO to then European champion(and current WBC # 1) Gianluca Branco in Italy, Vester experienced some bad luck when he was stopped on a cut by former European king Manuel Fernandez. Vester was leading on the cards, and since the fight was halted by the doctor in round three, normal procedure would have been to call it a technical draw. For some reason that didn´t happen.

    “You learn from everything that happens. Hopefully! And I have put the losses behind me now, and I am only looking ahead” explains Vester, who regained his IBF Intercontinental title in his last fight, outpointing South African perrenial contender Lawrence Ngobeni, 28-3-1 (17), in Denmark.

    “And I feel more equipped for big challenges now, than I was before the Judah and Branco fights”.

    The fight on April 25 in Johannesburg, South Africa, will be a six round tune-up fight, against a local fighter yet to be determined. If successfull, and injury free, Vester will then defend his IBF I/C title in Holland three weeks later (May 16). Vester has scored three straight wins since loosing to Branco last year, and he now has his sight firmly locked on getting back to where he once was:

    “I want to fight for a European or world title again” says the technically skilled Dane. “That is definitely my goal, and I will hopefully win the next time!”

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPR: Vester To Travel The World``x1049841871,59578,``x``x ``xUNBEATEN ONDA UPSET BY KITAGAWA

    April 8, 2003 TOKYO, JAPAN-Previously unbeaten bright prospect, Japanese #6 welter Takao Onda (10-1, 8 KOs), 147.25, suffered his first defeat as he bled profusely and took a bad beating to be stopped by unheralded Jun Kitagawa (10-4, 8 KOs), 147.25, at 1:52 of the 8th round in Tokyo, Japan.

    It was a furious battle, as the underdog Kitagawa downed him in the second but Onda decked him with a solid left hook in the third. Onda sustained bad gashes over both eyebrows which were examined by the ring physician time and again. Onda made a desperate attack to finish the affair, but Kitagawa’s retaliation was so effective that he gave him a standing count near the ropes, when a towel came fluttering in to save the loser. Onda had previously won the best winner award in the annual Novice King touraments in 2001.

    (Remarks: In Japan, when a towel is tossed during the referee’s counting, it is registered as a knockout, not a TKO, even if the third man has not yet completed his ten count.)

    Undercard:
    Ryuya Togo (8-4, 6 KOs), 129.5, chalked up a TKO win over Shuhei Shimoda (7-7-2, 3 KOs), 130, at 2:57 of the sixth round in a scheduled 8.

    Promoter: Tokuhon Sinto Promotions.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xUnbeaten Onda Upset by Kitagawa by Joe Koizumi``x1049924254,48772,``x``x ``x

    Brisson Impresses and Tan Survives a War at the Royal York
    By Cliff Endicott (cliff_endicott@yahoo.ca)


    An extremely exciting fight card was presented as a part of
    the Shaw Festival fundraiser at the elegant Royal York Hotel
    in Toronto on Wednesday April 9, featuring two of Canada’s top
    young prospects. Lightweight Chad ‘Bad Intentions’ Brisson
    (11-2) took on journeyman Mike Davis (23-13) in a preliminary
    bout, and Brampton’s Rico ‘Juice’ Tan (10-0-2) battled the
    Dominican Republic’s Ambrioris Figuero (10-3-3) for the WBA
    Fetacentro Welterweight title. Put together by Toronto fight
    veteran Vince Bagnato, all four of these fighters gave the
    crowd of 900 a lot to yell about, and made their investment in
    the fundraiser’s $450-850 seats well worthwhile.

    The press conference Monday had been an interesting one, with
    all of the fighters showing lots of confidence and more than a
    little hyperactivity. Rico Tan was prevented from making his
    statements for more than five minutes by a fire alarm, but
    when he did it was entertaining. “I’ve been looking so
    forward to this fight, I been training so hard for this fight
    and on Wednesday night I’m gonna knock this guy out!” When
    asked if he had a prediction for what round the knockout would
    come, Rico replied, “Would you go see a movie if you knew how
    it was going to end? Just come watch me knock this guy out.”
    Figuero showed similar confidence when he retorted (through a
    translator), “I’ve heard about Rico Tan, and I’m glad he is
    confident. I am confident too. I did not come here to see
    the CN Tower, I came here to fight. And I will win.”

    Lightweights Mark Davis and Chad Brisson were similarly
    confident, both stating that their fight was going to be a
    great one. Brisson spoke first, promising a bloody battle.
    “THIS fight is the main event,” claimed Davis, to the smiles
    of Tan and Figuero. Given both fighters’ propensity to bleed,
    it was more than likely that they would be right. And both
    are tough fighters, Brisson already having given Canadian
    Lightweight champion Billy Irwin all he could handle in their
    bout last year, and Davis has never been stopped, except on
    cuts. And though only two of the four fighters walked away
    winners, everyone involved put on an incredible show.

    I’ve seen Chad Brisson fight a few times now, and am only just
    now coming to appreciate what I see when I watch him. On the
    surface he is a bit of an awkward and boring fighter, but his
    awkwardness makes him a difficult target, and this fight
    showed it beautifully. Davis had far more experience with 36
    fights, but he was never able to connect with anything
    noteworthy for the entire fight. Early on he was scoring with
    jabs, but even in his best round, the first, Brisson was able
    to leap in with a right cross-double left hook combination
    that secured the round for him. As the fight continued, Davis
    was completely unable to break Brisson’s guard, while Chad was
    able to score heavily at times with left hooks and right
    crosses. Brisson’s constant movement, circling his opponent,
    never allowed Davis to get set, and Chad was winning every
    round. In the fourth, Brisson scored with a late left hook
    followed by a punishing right cross at the bell, and where the
    fight had been slow-moving, Brisson was establishing dominance
    in the action.

    The fifth and sixth rounds were more of the same as Brisson
    scored periodically while not allowing Davis to connect with
    anything significant. Then in the seventh round, Brisson made
    his move, nailing Davis with a textbook double left hook early
    in the round, then after a cat and mouse chase he banged Davis
    with back-to-back overhand rights that left his opponent in a
    heap on the canvas. It was a bit of a surprise ending, given
    that Davis had only been stopped on cuts previously, but it
    took a full two minutes of attention from his seconds before
    he was able to climb to his feet. The official end of the
    fight came at 1:47 of the seventh round, and the highlight
    reel KO left the sold-out crowd on its feet for quite some
    time before the main event got underway.

    Rico Tan entered the ring to enthusiastic cheers, and everyone
    was expecting his usual no-holds-barred attack to be brought
    to the Dominican champion. Little did we know that we were
    about to see a certified war. Tan is one of Canada’s top
    prospects, and has been tearing through the competition with
    ease, but he was in for a hard night’s work tonight. Early in
    the first round Figuero was able to utilize his long arms to
    keep Tan at bay with jabs, though Rico was getting off some
    decent body shots. Seeing that he would have to jump in at
    the elusive Figuero, Tan continued to try to assault Figuero’s
    body when he was met with an overhand right that left him
    stumbling to the ropes. Covering and trying to counter, Tan
    was unable to prevent Figuero from following up with a right
    cross then a few seconds later a left hook, both to Tan’s
    head; these shots kept him off balance, and though he tried
    to counter and put the pressure back on, he was nailed with a
    left hook only moments before the bell that left him flat on
    the seat of his pants in the corner. He rose immediately, and
    after taking his eight-count, both fighters returned to their
    corners. And it was obvious that if any of us thought that
    Figuero would be a soft touch for Rico, we were in for a long
    night.

    The second round began with both men trading heavy leather in
    the middle of the ring. Figuero landed a lead right cross
    that looked very effective and he immediately tried to follow
    it up, but Tan connected with a beautiful left hook counter
    that kept his opponent from putting too much pressure on him.
    Tan was overshooting with a lot of head shots in the
    infighting, and Figuero was able to connect with a couple of
    left hooks that left Tan looking very shaky again. At this
    point Rico began utilizing a peek-a-boo defense that was able
    to block much of what Figuero was throwing, and Tan began to
    score more effectively inside.

    But just when Rico seemed to be turning it around, Figuero
    scored a huge lead right at the start of the third round. He
    went for the KO with some truly epic-sized left hooks, but Tan
    was able to elude them and began connecting with monstrous
    body shots that echoed through the packed room. But once
    again, Figuero kept the momentum on his side when he smashed
    Rico with a triple left hook while he was on the ropes, and
    Rico was stumbling again. Tan showed all kinds of heart by
    sucking these shots up and continuing the body work, but he
    was losing this fight convincingly in the early going, and
    would have to use all of his reserves to turn it around.

    In the fourth, Tan connected early with a lead one-two
    combination, and continued to slam Figuero’s body with
    powerful hooks and uppercuts. But once again, as Rico tried
    to open up and really go to work, Figuero nailed him with a
    flush right cross that staggered Rico yet again. Figuero then
    began a long-range attack, using his jab to keep Tan from
    landing the big body shots. When Rico finally managed to get
    inside, Figuero continued his assault with a big inside hook
    followed by an uppercut that straightened Tan up completely.
    Falling back into the ropes, Tan covered well as Figuero
    unloaded an array of power shots, then retreated to catch his
    breath. Rico came off the ropes and continued his attack to
    Figuero’s body, and by the end of the round, the Dominican was
    starting to noticeably slow down.

    As the fifth round got underway, Tan’s superior conditioning
    began to be the major factor in the fight. He was unloading
    with more huge shots to Figuero’s body which had to be
    extremely painful, though he was showing little sign of it.
    To try to get Rico off, he threw a number of tremendous hooks,
    but due to the peek-a-boo defense that Rico was using, all he
    caught was gloves. Figuero did manage to connect with another
    nice right cross while Tan was taking a bit of a rest on the
    ropes, but Rico shook it off immediately. They traded heavy
    leather in the middle of the ring, both men going hard to the
    body, but Tan’s shots were now easily the heavier ones. Right
    at the bell Figuero connected with a solid left hook to the
    chin, but it wasn’t enough to steal the round. Rico had
    finally won a round in this fight, and was easily the
    stronger-looking of the two combatants.

    Tan really began to take over in the sixth round, scoring
    heavily with inside combinations to the body. He continued to
    press the attack with a nice left hook to the head, then
    doubled with left hooks to the body. Figuero tried to go low
    to get away from the body attack, but Tan continued pressing
    by scoring with chopping shots to the side of his head. Tan
    was obviously picking up on the fact that Figuero was slowing
    down and he continued pressing, ending the round with a huge
    left hook to Figuero’s ribs. The tide had now turned, and Tan
    was ready to move in for the kill.

    At the bell for the seventh round Tan rushed out and scored
    heavily with a left hook to the body and a right hook to the
    head. Figuero clinched, but Rico stepped back and nailed him
    with a beautiful inside uppercut. As Figuero continued to
    clinch Tan continued to press the action inside with hard
    hooks to the body. After leaning on each other for a few
    moments, Tan fired a combination of inside hooks then stepped
    back and landed a big right uppercut-right cross combination
    that staggered Figuero, and left him stumbling to the ropes.
    Rico moved in and smashed him with repeated power shots along
    the ropes, and as Figuero tried to move away, it was obvious
    that his legs were gone and Tan kept pouring it on. Figuero
    clinched, and when the referee broke them Figuero believed the
    round was over and turned to walk to his corner. The referee
    stopped him and let him know the round was still going, and
    Figuero moved back in only to be met with a huge uppercut to
    the ribs that dropped him to his knees. Upon rising, his legs
    were very shaky and his corner yelled for the referee’s
    attention, throwing in the towel. The official result was a
    Tan victory by TKO at 2:35 of the seventh round.

    After the fight Rico expressed surprise at how well his
    opponent was able to withstand the brutal body attack for so
    long. When I told him that he was definitely behind when the
    knockout came he seemed unsurprised and said, “You can’t
    really tell from outside the ring, but the body shots I was
    getting him with were taking their toll. I knew it was only a
    matter of time before the knockout would come.” I spoke with
    Tan’s manager, John Melich, and asked him why Rico seemed so
    easy for Figuero to find early in the fight, and he told me
    that Rico was suffering from tightness in his back before the
    fight, and that limited his usually excellent upper body
    movement and mobility. In any case, one of the great
    questions I’d had about Rico before this fight was how well he
    could take a punch and overcome adversity, as he had rarely
    been hit previously and had pretty much had his own way in his
    fights. While he looked more vulnerable in this fight than
    any other, he was in with a quick, strong and very game
    opponent that was unable to finish him despite having him hurt
    several times. Tan showed a great deal of heart and resolve
    in getting up from a knockdown, continuing to be beaten for a
    few more rounds, then getting his equilibrium and momentum
    back and wearing down and knocking out his tough opponent.
    Melich agreed with me that conditioning was the determining
    factor in the fight, and that if Rico wasn’t so superbly
    conditioned he would have been in serious trouble. As it is,
    this goes down as another KO victory for the up-and-coming
    Tan.

    Rico looked beatable for the first time, but came through when
    it mattered. He himself contends that he is still a couple of
    years away from being ready for the very best opposition the
    division has to offer, but this kind of fight will be an
    important learning experience for him, both about the fight
    game and about himself. The ability to overcome this level of
    adversity tells us a little more about Tan, and there is a
    definite lion’s heart in his chest. Only time will tell what
    he can do from here.

    On the other undercard bout, Jeff Hill of Saskatoon scored a
    very unpopular split decision victory over hometown boy Isan
    Arghash, who was making his professional debut. In a fight
    that saw Arghash suffer a flash knockdown, Hill did just
    enough for two of the judges to go his way, with a decision
    that was lustily booed by the crowd.

    Fight card presented by The Shaw Festival, matchmaker Vince Bagnato.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBrisson and Tan win at Toronto``x1049980396,76909,``x``x ``xSubmitted by Don Cogswell

    "NOBLE, G. Scott 1954-2003- Passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 5, 2003. Will be greatly missed by his cherished daughters Anna (10) and Roslyn (8) and his many friends and relatives. Scott was Editor and Publisher of Nicol Island Publishing. At Scott’s request there will no formal service. There will be a memorial reception Saturday, April 12, in the Club House at the Masters." -- (excerpted from the Globe and Mail Newspaper, Toronto)

    Among Scott’s numerous publications, Pierce Egan’s Boxiana series was closest to his heart. Scott personally reconstituted and authenticated Egan’s multi-volume work, publishing numbers I-III, together with a miscellaneous compendium, Egania. Volume IV is in progress, with V to follow.

    The loss of Scott’s exacting standards and passion for his work are a telling blow to boxing’s heritage. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xScott Noble passes``x1049997027,54366,``x``x ``xYoel Adames, Dominican journalist and historian, has agreed to the advisory board for the Latino Boxing Museum & Hall of Fame

    Mr. Adames is a sportswriter in the Dominican Republic, and recently authored a book on Dominican boxeing champions entitled "Campeones de Oro."

    The Museum, an offshoot of the Cyber Boxing Zone, looks forward to working with Mr. Adames as it plans its launch.

    Read more about the Museum at http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/latino_champs.htm``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAdames joins board at Latino Boxing Museum ``x1050012587,57161,``x``x ``xHBO/PPV
    April 13, 2003
    MGM Grand, Las Vegas


    It’s the morning after and a lot of people are probably hoping the likable Kevin Kelly won’t do this anymore. The 35 year-old Kelly was game but gameless against the surgical precision of 29 year-old Marco Antonio Barrera. The 5’7" Southpaw Kelly weighed 126 the day before and 136 the day of the fight. His record is now 54-6-2, 36 KO’s. Barrera, at 5’6" weighed 126 and 135 on successive days. His record is now 57-3, 40 KO’s. On paper the records seem fairly comparable, with a lot of experience on both sides. But the practical reality is that Barrera’s in his prime and Kelly should be looking for other work.

    Barrera took his time. He dropped Kelly with a brisk cuff combo to the head in the first round. Kelly, on his butt, looked like he wasn’t sure how he got there. He got up quick and stayed alive because Barrera wasn’t interested in finishing him. In the second round Kelly’s eyes began to swell although Barrera was mainly focused on test-firing body shots. In the third, Barrera experimented in combining hooks to the body with uppercuts. In the fourth Barrera put a body combo together that had Kelly sagging to his butt against the ropes. He got up only to take another combo that put him on his face. He got up again. Barrera corked off another flurry that Kelly couldn’t defend against. Referee Robert Byrd mercifully stepped in and stopped it at 1:32 of the 4th round. A TKO win for Barrera.

    In the post fight interview Kelly said he tried too hard. Barrera said he’d fight whoever HBO put in front of him.
    For this and the other two bouts on this card, HBO had the nerve to charge the heavyweight price of 39.95.

    In an over-the-weight bantam 10 rounder, WBO 118 lb champ Cruz Carbajal of Veracruz, Mexico stopped Steve Dotse of Ghana via Georgia. Carbajal, 28, weighed an official 120 1/2 lbs but on the night of the fight stepped in at 127. His record is now 23-11-1, 19 KO’s. Carbajal completely dominated both rounds with a consistent attack of busy combination punching. Dotse, 32 years, weighed 121 officially and 132 the night of the fight. His record drops to 22-6-2, 18 KO’s. Dotse spent most of the fight on the ropes eating voluminous punishment. At the end of the second round Dotse went to a neutral corner and stood as though waiting for his cornermen to appear. He seemed, to this viewer, to be disoriented. Referee Joe Cortez guided him back to his own corner and then asked him how he felt. Dotse did not respond and Cortez immediately called the fight off. The record book will call it a TKO win for Carbajal at the end of the second round.


    WBA featherweight champ Derrick Gainer didn’t gain any fans in his bout but he did get the decision over a gutsy Southpaw Colombian named Oscar Leon. The 30 year-old Gainer at 5’9" weighed 126 officially and 140 the night of the fight. His record is now 39-5-1, 24 KO’s. Leon is 29, 5’6" and weighed 126 and 136. His record drops to 24-3, 16 KO’s.

    Gainer appeared listless at the beginning and he backed and countered throughout the 12 rounds. When he managed to keep the aggressive Leon off he drew boos from the crowd. A familiar Gainer performance. Leon was all aggression, sacrificing his southpaw leverage by choosing to bull Gainer onto the ropes and attack him inside. Gainer managed to land a few solid shots but Leon walked through them and his busy barrage gave him an easy dominance of the early rounds. Gainer got his elbows loose enough to land a deadly right to the body in the 8th round, dropping Leon. Up quick, Leon attacked and hurt Gainer with head shots, but the round he’d been winning was gone to the knockdown. That seemed to mark a strategic switch for Gainer, who continued to move his hands inside and made progress, taking the later rounds on power rather than volume of punches. In the 10th, a right flattened Leon briefly but he got up and continued, still moving forward through the final rounds. The judges called it 114-112 for Leon, and 114-112, 117-110 for Gainer. A split decision win for Gainer.

    ---Katherine Dunn
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xBarrera-Kelly Card No Cross-Roads, Just Wrong Turns And Dead Ends.``x1050270527,20582,``x``x ``xNote that Agapito Aispuro won a unanamous decision over Javier
    Chavez...See
    below. It was originally reported incorectly.

    Urgent Boxing Results
    Lucky Eagle Casino, Fight Night 40
    April 5, 2003.......Rochester, WA

    Main Event Junior Middleweight, Scheduled 10 Rds.
    Ruben Munoz, Mira Loma, CA..158 lbs (5-5-3, 3ko) vs. Alejandro Jiminez,
    Northridge, CA 157 ½ lbs (13-26-4, 6 ko)
    Alejandro Jimenez scored a 4th round TKO over Ruben Munoz at a bout 2
    minutes in to the round. Jimenez dominated the fight from the second
    round,
    cutting Munoz over the right eye. Munoz was kowcked down in round
    three.

    Lightweight, Scheduled 6 Rds.
    Rafael Ortiz, Lebanon, OR, 136 lbs, (5-2, 5ko) vs. Roberto Santa Cruz,
    Los
    Angeles, CA, 134 lbs. (11-0, 4ko)
    The most exciting fight of the nigh saw Roberto Santa Cruz win a close
    unanimous decision over Rafael Ortiz. Ortiz started slowly, but nearly
    ko's
    Santa Cruz in round six.

    Light Heavyweight, Scheduled 4 Rds.
    Irvin Greene, Tacoma, WA, 160 lbs. (0-4) vs. Richard Langley, Tacoma,
    WA 172
    lbs, (1-0 1ko)
    Richard Langley exploded out of the box and overpowered the lighter
    Irvin
    Greene with a second round TKO at 2minutes 6 seconds.

    Lightweight, Scheduled 4 Rds.
    Shawn Plessis, Las Vegas, NV, 133 lbs. (4-0, 1ko) vs. Juan Ramon,
    Aloha, OR,
    133 lbs, (0-1)
    Shawn Plesis won a split decision over Juan Ramon in a very close bout,
    many
    thought was a draw.

    Middleweight, Scheduled 4 Rds.
    Damion Hatch, Bend, OR, 163 ½ lbs, (6-4-1, 4ko) vs. Sinan Kuch,
    Portland, OR
    (3-0, 2 ko)
    Sinan Kuch scored a second round TKO over Damion Hatch at 1 minute and
    49
    seconds.

    Middleweight, Scheduled 6 Rds.
    Reggie Davis, Portland, OR, 158 lbs, (6-1, 2ko) vs. Ishwar Amador ,
    Mira
    Loma, CA, 160 lbs (4-4, 3ko)
    Reggie Davis came on strong in round two to score a 3rd round knockout
    over
    Ishwar Amador.

    Heavyewight, Scheduled 4 Rds.
    Ruben Torres, Troutdale, OR, 212 lbs (3-0, 2 ko) vs. Tom Eynon, Las
    Vegas,
    NV, 260 lbs (1-3- 1ko)
    Ruben Torres won a 3rd round TKO over Tom Eynon at 2 minutes 20
    seconds.

    Scheduled 4 Rds.
    Agapito Aispuro, Portland, OR 136 lbs (1-0) vs. Javier Chavez,
    Milwaukie,
    OR, 139 lbs (0-1)
    Agapito Aispuro won a unanimous decision for his first professional win
    over
    Javier Chavez.

    Note: All records include tonight's action. If you have any questions,
    please contact Promoter Bennie Georgino (909-789-0910) or Duncan
    MacLeod at
    the casino (800-720-1788).



    Duncan MacLeod

    Director of Marketing
    Lucky Eagle Casino
    www.luckyeagle.com
    "You Just Get More"


    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xCorrection on Results from Lucky Eagle``x1050431245,43698,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    First of all, I’d like to apologize to you, my deah readis faw not keeping you as infawmed as I would have liked. But I’m shoowah you’ve known wheah to go during my shawt golfing hiatus in Myrtle Beach. But hey, everyone deserves to get away once in a while and it’s a great to enjoy 55 degree weathah and rain because it beats the hell out of snow. Of caws, I could have done without the loss of a few dozen golf balls and a good amount of brain cells to boot. But it’s back to reality. We ah back in New England and if yaw a boxing fan, then that’s not too bad a thing as we await for wahmah days and Wahd-Gatti III - boxing’s hyperbole faw ‘Shock and Awe.’

    Of caws you must be awayah that on June 7th, theyah anticipated rubbah match will return to the Bawdwalk Hall in Atlantic City, the same site where Gatti avenged his priah defeat to Ward in one-sided fashion. Theyah return bout was the highest grossing non-heavyweight fight in Atlantic City history ($1.6 million-plus we ah told). And theyah third one could top it in terms of money. If we ah really lucky, it will top the first one in terms of excitement, but that’s like wishing faw a week stay at the Crazyhaws with a fistful of fifties. Wahd promises that it will be his last fight, as if we haven’t seen enough action from the Lowell wahriah. Eithah way, the wait won’t be too painful considering that live New England boxing fills neahly every weekend slot leading up to this histawric finale.

    All Kinza ‘Trouble’ in Dawchestah

    The fun stahts tomorrow night at the Strand Theatah in Dawchester, MA when crowd pleasing favahrite, Shaun “Big Trouble” Creegan, of Plainville, MA (15-2-3, 2 KO’s) puts his knockout reckid on the line (okay, I’m kidding) against Shannon “Trouble” Millah, (14-24-1, 2 KO’s) of Columbus, MS. Recently, Creegan pulled off a minah upset when he drew with world-rated, Ross Thompson ovah 6 rounds. This time, he’ll be in with upset-minded Millah who was credited faw flawring “Bad” Chad Dawson faw the first time in his cereah laet last yeah.

    The Creegan-Millah fight is the headlinah to Doug Pendahvis’ “Return of the Backyahd Brawl.” The billing refers the co-feachah, which is the rematch between Pawtland, Maine’s Jason “The Hammer” LeHoullier (5-0, 4 KO’s) against always tough, Tommy Attahdo (10-12-1, 2 KO’s) of South Boston. Had the first Ward-Gatti match not have taken place in New England, then the first LeHoullier-Attahdo fight, which took place in Novembah, was the best waged on New England soil last yeah. This one gaurantees six rounds of pyaw excitement and is worth the price of admission in itself. Othah fights scheduled include heavyweights Billy “The Kid” Moffid of Randolph, MA versus Willis Lockett of Tacoma Park, MD in a 4-roundah. U.S Marine, Chris Tillman of South Boston faces Ronek Ross in a four-round cruisahweight match. Recently apprehended Mahrtin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton, of Ireland faces Manny “Cheeks” Teo of Wusstah, MA in a supah-middleweight match. And Locals Alex Insante (jr. welterweight) of Haverhill and Bobby McAndrews (supah-weltahweight) of Wusstah will appeah in separate attractions. The show is to open with Andy Weston of Ft. Laudahdale. Weston is managed by farmah lineal heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs. Tickets to this event are $40 ringside, $25 general admission and $15 for bleachah seats. To awdah tickets, call Pendahvis Boxing Promotions (617) 825-3283 or the Strand Theatre box office at (617) 282-8000.

    Of course you know that next Satahday (the 25th), marks the most siginificant cruisahweight match-up since Holyfield vs. DeLeon in ’88. Fawmah pound-4-pound entrant, James “Lights Out” Toney will attempt to claim his third world title and inch closah to a possible rematch with his predacessah, Roy Jones, Jr. when he challenges the best of the cruiserweight titleists, Vasily Jirov for his IBF title at Foxwoods Resawt & Casino. The fight will be televised by HBO and the suppawting fight to the Jirov-Toney clash is another intriguing one. 1996 U.S. Olympian Antonio Tahver of Awlando will get his deserved shot at a world title when he faces 1992 Olympian, and fawmah light heavywight champion, Montell Griffin of Chicago. Of caws, if you remembah correctly, Foxwoods is the venue where Griffin lost his title to Jones by a first round bludgeoning in August of 1997. Faw ticket infahmation call the Foxwoods box office at 1-800-200-2882.

    Two nights priah to Griffins defeat to Jones, New Bedfid’s “Sucra” Ray Oliveira lost his NABF jr. weltahweight title to Reggie Green, also at Foxwoods. Evah since the loss, Oliveira has gone up and down the ratings fighting the best avaliable comptetition. On May 2nd, Oliveira (44-8-2, 21 KO’s) continues his climb at welterweight when he faces another experienced foe in Elio “El Chingo” Ortiz of Coro, Venezuela at Foxwoods as part of an ESPN2 Friday Night Fights double-headah. Both Oliveira and Ortiz came up shawt in world title tries but this time around, the two will battle ovah Oliveira’s recently won IBU weltahweight championship.

    “We’ve worked hard to get Ray this fight,” said Jimmy Burchfield, Oliveira’s promotah. “(Ray) has always fought the guy we’ve put in front of him, never avoiding anybody at the time, and now I’m comfortable watching him fight at 147 pounds. We’ve called out all 147-pound champs, but the one guy we really want is Kostya Tszyu. We’ve heard he really wants to go up to 147. Hey, we’re willing to go a few pounds either way, if he really wants to fight as a welterweight. After all Ray’s done in the ring, he really deserves a fight against a great champion like Tszyu.”

    Ortiz has been around the block himself. The 28-year old Ortiz has been in the ring with a handful of the top fighters of today. He lost a decision to Shahmba Mitchell in 1998 and was stopped by weltahweight champion Ricardo Mayorga in 10 and Michele Piccirillo in 4, succumbing to cuts.

    “I know Ortiz is durable,” said Oliveira. “He’s fought the best and always seems to get stronger as the fight goes on. He’s a worker. I’m going to be in great shape. We’re both coming to fight.”

    If you don’t recall, Foxwoods was also the venue where Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne scored last year’s most devastating knockout. Last August, LaMontagne folded 2000 US Olympic heavyweight Michael Bennett with a picturesque right cross to a win a fight he was trailing on two scorecards after 10 rounds. LaMontagne, who was to have returned in February had to postpone a scheduled bout with Uriah Grant due to suffering a cut while sparring will face New England nemesis, Ernest “The Machine Gun” Mateen underneath the Oliveira-Ortiz main event. Mateen owns two victories over CBZ contributing writer, “Iceman” John Scully of Windsor, CT and a decision over South Boston’s Joey DeGrandis. This time around, Mateen will not have the size advantage he enjoyed over the Iceman or DeGrandis who have campaigned as super-middleweights and light heavyweights. LaMontagne is a full-grown cruisah. Faw ticket information, call CES cawporate offices at 401-724-2253 aw the Foxwoods box office at 800-200-2882.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1050631378,21471,``x``x ``xCKP Press Release

    World-ranked heavyweight contender Jameel “Big Time” McCline and highly regarded undefeated heavyweight prospect Gerald “The Jedi” Nobles headline the Cedric Kushner Promotions card televised live nationally by ESPN2 Friday, May 9, at Bally’s Atlantic City (N.J.)

    The 6-foot-6-inch McCline, whose combination of size, power and quickness make him a most viable challenger for a world championship, meets crafty Charles Shufford in the main event while Nobles faces rugged Ron Guerrero in the semi-main event.

    Also on the card is former International Boxing Federation cruiserweight Al Cole against an opponent to be determined and Kelvin Hale against Imani Lee in separate six-round heavyweight bouts.

    The 32-year-old McCline, from Clifton, N.J., has a record of 28-3-3 with 16 knockouts and is ranked by the World Boxing Council, the World Boxing Association and the International Boxing Federation.

    McCline burst into international prominence during July of 2001 when he knocked out Michael Grant in the first round on a card at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. McCline won the World Boxing Council Continental Americas championship in his next fight during December of 2001 in New York City when he took a 12-round unanimous decision over Lance Whitaker.

    The 30-year-old Shufford, from Las Vegas, Nev., has a record of 19-3 with nine knockouts. His most recent win was Oct. 13 in Choctaw, Miss., when he captured the vacant International Boxing Association Americas heavyweight championship with a 12-round decision over Eliecer Castillo.

    The highly regarded 32-year-old Nobles, from Philadelphia, has a record of 20-0 with 16 knockouts.

    The 29-year-old Guerrero, an aggressive brawler from Corpus Christi, Texas, has a record of 16-6-3 with 11 knockouts.

    The 39-year-old Cole, from Spring Valley, N.Y., has a record of 33-11-3 with 16 knockouts. He was the IBF cruiserweight champion from 1992 through 1995 before moving up to the heavyweight division.

    The 33-year-old Hale, from New York City, has a record of 12-4-2 with five knockouts.

    The 30-year-old Lee, from Alexandria, Va., has a record of 8-2 with five knockouts.

    Cedric Kushner Promotions, one of the world’s premiere boxing promotional firms, presents numerous nationally and internationally televised cards each year. During the past 20 years Cedric Kushner Promotions has presented more than 300 world championship bouts on six continents.

    Cedric Kushner Promotions promotes a number of world-class boxers including, heavyweights David Tua and Grant; undefeated and highly regarded welterweight prospect Anthony “The Messenger” Thompson; and super featherweights Joel Casamayor, ranked No. 1 by both the WBA and the World Boxing Organization, and Stevie Forbes, rated No. 1 by the IBF.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMcCline-Shufford, Nobles-Guerrero on ESPN2 May 9``x1050669484,57342,``x``x ``xCES Press Release

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- WEBA super lightweight champion Jaime "The Hurricane" Clampitt has been forced off the May 2nd ESPN2 card at Foxwoods Resort Casino due to illness. She had been scheduled for a six round bout on the undercard of the Ray Oliveira-Elio Ortiz IBU world welterweight championship fight.

    "She was training hard and is disappointed," trainer Tiny Ricci said. "I knew she was not 100 per cent because she was sick a few weeks ago. But I just thought she needed time to get better. Than she sparred six hard rounds Monday -- three with a solid amateur Kenny Elliot and three with Josh Beeman -- and looked pale. I knew she was not feeling herself."



    According to promoter Jimmy Burchfield, it took some convincing to get her to see a doctor. "I think she knew she was sick and knew that if she went to the doctor than she would not be able to fight," Burchfield note. "She is a true professional and a true fighter. If we had not gotten her to see the doctor, she would have continued to train for the fight, which only would have made it worse. I am glad she finally went to the doctor."

    The official diagnosis is that Jaime is suffering bronchitis with a touch of pneumonia. She has been prescribed an army of four different antibiotics.

    "I am on a lot of drugs," Jaime added. "I hate taking pills other than vitamins, however, the doctor said I had to do it. If I don't take care of this than I could end up with permanent lung damage, which would be extremely bad. I am just really disappointed that I am not fighting. It would have been my last fight before my wedding and I was really looking forward to going out with a bang. When I lived in Canada, before I signed with CES, I had so many fights fall through. Those types of situations really make me cherish every opportunity CES gives me. It was hard for me to just relinquish this spot on May 2nd, but I really have no choice."

    Jaime will marry CES Director of Boxing Operations Ted Panagiotis on June 7th in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The two are planning to take their honeymoon in the boxing capital of Las Vegas - big surprise. Jaime is planning on returning to the ring in July.

    "Of course I would like to get back sooner, but I have more important obligations," said Clampitt, who resides in Narragansett, RI and has a professional record of 10-2, 3 KO's. Her last fight was an impressive 4th round KO over Ragan Pudwill on March 7th in Boston, MA. She was named "Fighter of the Night" for the second time in her last three fights. In addition, she was also recently notified that the New England boxing media had voted her "New England Female Fighter of the Year." CES, her promoter, was voted "New England Promoter of the Year" for the second straight year.

    Jaime says the time off will give her a chance to update her web site, www.jaimeclampitt.com - she said to watch this weekend for new pictures.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPneumonia KO's Clampitt for May 2 fight``x1050678613,14648,``x``x ``xBoeheim to be Grand Marshal of Boxing Hall of Fame parade

    CANASTOTA, N.Y. (AP) — The honors just keep coming for Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim.

    The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced Thursday that Boeheim had been named Grand Marshal of the Hall of Fame Parade of Champions.

    Boeheim, who guided the Orangemen to the national championship in New Orleans last week, will lead the procession through the streets of Canastota to the Hall of Fame Museum prior to the start of this year's induction ceremony June 8.

    "I've always been a big boxing fan, and I'm honored and excited about being named Grand Marshal," said Boeheim, who appeared on David Letterman and rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday. "I'm looking forward to it."

    Living inductees to be honored at the hall about 20 miles east of Syracuse include: two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman, welterweight king Curtis Cokes, junior welterweight champ Niccolino Locche, and Mike McCallum, who won title belts in three weight classes.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHall of Fame Picks Grand Marshall for June Parade``x1050705521,91489,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena at ringside

    DORCHESTER, MA – It was easy to foresee Portland, Maine’s Jason “The Hammer” LeHoullier winning his rematch with South Boston’s Tommy Attardo with more ease. Going into last night’s semi-main attraction at the Strand Theatre, you had to expect that LeHoullier prepared for a tough fight with a man too stubborn to wilt. Though LeHoullier knew first hand from their November slugfest that Attardo was a rock, the second time around was easier than expected for the young up and comer. Moments before the bell sounded to end the one-sided 6-round contest dubbed the “Return of the Backyard Brawl,” LeHoullier landed one last right hand, which knocked Attardo through the ropes onto the ring apron. The sound of Attardo’s head hitting the canvas made a resounding thud and probably did more damage than the punch itself. But the brave Attardo, 157, who can’t let himself quit, gave his best Terminator impression. He pulled himself through the ropes and climbed to his feet before the count was finished only to hear referee Paul Wedge say “that’s it” with one second remaining in the fight.

    As Attardo had done the first time around, he came out chopping and won an action-packed first round. But the next frames saw the Maine-man, who weighed a chiseled 153 pounds use his superior conditioning and work-rate to keep Attardo moving and pulling backward. Time and time again, throughout the fight, LeHoullier would either pound Attardo’s soft mid-section or beat Attardo to the punch when they attempted to match left hooks. At one point in the fourth round, the 7-0 LeHoullier delivered six consecutive left hooks to the body. Tommy would just absorb it, because he wasn’t conditioned and sharp enough to maneuver them and too stubborn to take a seat. Only his bravado and brief attacks kept him in the fight until its final moments.

    If any one has ever seen Attardo fight you can imagine that he complained over Wedge’s decision but it was clear to everyone in attendance, that regardless of how much time was left, the right call was made by the referee. It is rumored that Attardo doesn’t even belong to a gym and trains in basements when getting ready to fight. Everything Attardo has ever brought to the ring was inside the left side of his chest and every ounce of that great organ was used to help pull him through some vicious tussles. As a result, the wear has taken a greater toll on the 34-year old. Though his superhuman efforts have been noted and appreciated, it’s this writer’s hope that the gracious Attardo entered and exited the ring for the last time.

    Other results:

    Shaun “Big Trouble” Creegan, 170, Plainville, MA Wu8 (59-53 twice, 60-54) Rich Zola, 168, Brimfield, MA

    Bobby McAndrews, 152, Worcester, MA KO1 (1:52) Bilai Burns, 148, Philadelphia, PA

    Chris Tillman, 187, South Boston, MA TKO2 (:49) Ronek Ross, 182, Philadelphia, PA

    Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton, 157, South Boston via Dublin, Ireland TKO2 (2:23) Manny “Cheeks” Teo, 150, Hudson, MA

    Alex Infante, 144, Haverhill, MA Wu4 (40-35, 40-34 & 39-38) Angelo Smith, 148, Philadelphia, PA

    Willis Lockett, 218, Tacoma Park, MD MD4 (39-37 Lockett, 38-38 twice) Billy “The Kid” Mofford, 218, Randolph, MA

    Promoter - Doug Pendarvis



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLeHoullier Dumps Attardo``x1050727496,1367,``x``x ``xNiida to challenge Arambulet
    By Joe Koizumi


    Unbeaten ex-WBA 105-pound champ Yutaka Niida will have a crack at the WBA minimum belt against the current ruler Noel Arambulet, Venezuela, after a 22-month hiatus in Yokohama on July 12.

    Niida, 14-0-3, 7 KOs, captured the WBA throne by beating Thailander Chana Porpaoin in August 2001, but astoundingly announced to renounce it and retire without making even a single defense. Niida, still 24, served as a trainer for younger boys thereafter at a gym of his manager Mitsunori Seki, ex-Oriental feather champ and world top contender. The capricious youngster recently changed his mind to regain his motivation to return to the warfare. He was supposed to fight a tune-up bout, but it is surprising that he will have a direct shot at Arambulet to recapture his 105-pound belt after a rather long layoff.

    Arambulet, 19-2-0-1NC, 10 KOs, regained his title by whipping Japanese Keitaro Hoshino in the previous year. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xVenezuela's Arambulet defends July 12``x1050930628,38357,``x``x ``xBy Tom Donellson

    The cruiserweight division is the forgotten division. It is often a place for overweight light heavyweights who cannot make the transition to heavyweights or small heavyweights who just don't have the power to compete at the higher level. The cruiserweight division was designed to give 190 pound fighters a place to compete as the heavyweights were evolving into gargantuan giants.

    With Jones victory over Ruiz, this division loses even more measure as Jones simply went up to heavyweight and bypassing the division and I would suspect that no one including many boxing pundits even know who are the cruiserweight champions. For those who are interested, the best in the division is Vassily Jirov. Jirov is a 6'1" lanky boxer who is a smooth technician with power at the 190-pound range. He fights a pressuring style in a southpaw stance.

    James Toney is the enigma that has baffled many pundits, myself included. He is slick boxer with a power who has moved up from middleweight and fought at the heavyweight division. Toney can be a cutie, with great upper body movement- capable of avoiding punches. Toney is one of those fighters that we pundits hate. Toney does not always come into shape for his fight and he does not always fight for full three minutes. There are times that Toney is so in love with his defense that he sometimes forget to punch as he dodges one shot after another. Toney occasionally allows inferior fighters to stay in fights but if there is one man who could test the undefeated Jirov, it is Toney who has never been stopped and has a solid chin to go with sneaky power. Toney is a cutie who knows every trick. It has been nearly a decade that Toney has been involved in a big match and that fight was with Roy Jones. Toney has been one of the better fighters over the past decade and under appreciated for the skills that he possesses.

    Toney began his professional career at the age of 20 and after seven fights; Jackie Kallen took over as his manager. The former publicist for the Kronk gym guided Toney to a championship bout against the then undefeated IBF middleweight champion, Michael Nunn. Fighting in Nunn's hometown, Toney upset the champion with an 11th round knockout. In less than two months, he defeated the always-tough Reggie Johnson in Vegas. Over the next three years, he fought and won 20 fights before losing to Roy Jones, Jr. In between fights, Toney weight would balloon over 200 pounds and he always had difficulty in making weight.

    Toney moved up to the Super Middleweight where he demolished Iran Barkley and pummeled the champion's face to a bloody mess. Before he fought Roy Jones, he defeated Anthony Hembrick in a light heavyweight fight. In one dramatic fight that showed his character, he took on Tim Littles. The first three rounds, Toney gave Littles a boxing lesson till both men heads collided. In between rounds and blood spurting on Toney's fight, the fight doctor threatened to stop the fight. Toney told his corner, "I will knock the mother fucker out" and like a caged lion hungry for food, Toney knocked his opponent out in a ferocious attack. Littles laid on the canvas for several minutes.

    Toney's next fight was against the former light heavyweight champion, Prince Williams. In a fight that could be a preview of Toney's fight with Jirov, Williams attempted to impose supposedly strength but Toney merely rolled with Williams punch and counter punch hard shots back to Williams's body and head. In the 12th round, Toney ended the fight with a knock out. Toney demonstrated that he was a stronger fighter that people gave him credit for.

    Toney's fight with Jones was to be his moment to solidify his claim as one of the best pound for pound. Toney's weight, like in the past ballooned upwards above the 200 pounds range, and he was force to get in shape as he trained. Jones, on the other hand, was in supreme condition for the fight. Jones fought a strategic fight and won an easy decision. After this, Toney moved up in weight and fought Montell Griffin, who was handed a controversial decision. Toney, irritated with the fight and his management, left Jackie Kallen and hired a former Light Heavyweight champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad to be his trainer and Stan Hoffman to handle the business side of his career. (Later, Toney would manage his own career and replace Mustafa Muhammad with Freddie Roach, his present trainer.)

    For the past five years, Toney has been a good fighter but not quite the great fighter that he showed potential in becoming. With weight ballooning in between fights, Toney's biggest problem appeared to staying in shape but his boxing skills allowed him to survive within the ring. His savvy and power gives him advantage.

    Toney now has one more chance to solidify his own place in boxing history and at the same time introduce boxing fans to the Cruiserweights. Jirov is the perfect foil for Toney and if nothing else, Toney's defensive skills will be tested as Jirov will attack and pressure. Jirov will not allow Toney time off but then Jirov will never have faced a boxer with Toney's skills. Toney's is the more skilled fighter but Jirov does have technical skills. Toney's is confident that he will win and his real goal is that after Jirov's fight, he wants to fight Roy Jones, Jr. This is the one fight that still scars him and he still feels that he can beat Jones. The only way, he can force this fight is to beat Jirov and beat him decisively. Toney fights for history and glory. Only victories over good fighters will ensure his place. Jirov, like Toney, is one of those unappreciated fighter and is unknown except to the most hardcore of boxing fans. Too bad, for this fight should be a great fight. Both fighters deserve better. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xToney's Chance For Redemption``x1050952887,47823,``x``x ``xPress Release

    Budweiser Boxing Series to air on NBC and
    Telemundo on three consecutive Saturdays in May

    NEW YORK, New York, April 22, 2003 -- Everlast Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq: EVST), manufacturer, marketer and licensor of sporting goods and apparel under the Everlast brand name, today announced that it is sponsoring the Budweiser Boxing Series, which will feature live, same-day, professional boxing broadcasts on NBC and Telemundo for three consecutive Saturdays starting May 3rd. The series marks the return of boxing to NBC for the first time since 1992 and is the result of an innovative joint venture between NBC Sports, Telemundo and boxing promotional group Main Events.

    For the Budweiser Boxing Series, Everlast will receive virtual, in-arena, and ring signage as well as other innovative on air branding components. Everlast equipment, fight gloves and apparel will be featured during the bouts.

    On three consecutive Saturday afternoons ? May 3, 10 and 17 ? NBC Sports and Telemundo will provide live coverage from the same Main Events-promoted boxing event. NBC-owned Telemundo, a U.S. Spanish-language television network reaching 91% of U.S. Hispanic viewers, will air a live fight in Spanish from 2:30-3:30 p.m. ET. NBC Sports will broadcast its live boxing card from 3:30-5 p.m. ET. Two of the three NBC telecasts will serve as the broadcast “lead-in” for two of NBC’s highest-rated sporting events, The Kentucky Derby (May 3) and The Preakness Stakes (May 17) both of which are part of the VISA Triple Crown horseracing series.

    George Q Horowitz, chairman and CEO of Everlast Worldwide Inc. said, “Our sponsorship of these telecasts will greatly increase our consumer awareness given the combined audience reach of NBC and Telemundo. We will also enhance our standing as boxing’s preeminent brand within the boxing community through our association with Main Events. Finally, bringing boxing back to network television and NBC will attract new talent while breathing new life into this growing sport.”

    “We welcome Everlast’s sponsorship of these matches,” said Kathy Duva, chief executive officer of Main Events. “Everlast has been associated with many of the sport’s greatest champions and is the sport’s greatest brand.”

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xEverlast to sponsor Telemundo and NBC Boxing Series``x1051033592,42195,``x``x ``xPress Release

    On Saturday, 26 April 2003 at 5 PM, the public is invited to a free
    dinner at the Matt Dishman Community Center located at 77 NE Knott
    Street
    in Portland. This is an opportunity to pay respect and honor to former
    amateur boxers -- boxers who achieved notoriety and helped to put
    Portland on the U.S. map for creating outstanding boxing talent. The
    families of our deceased warriors will be presented with plaques shaped
    in the image of the State of Oregon.

    Families of eleven past warriors will be presented with plaques:

    01. Pete Gonzales 112 pounds
    02. John Howard 119 pounds and 156 pounds
    03. Joel “JD” Stroud 125 pounds
    04. Joe West 125 pounds
    05. Sam Johnson 132 pounds
    06. Tony Jacobs 147 pounds
    07. Clyde Williams 147 pounds
    08. Herb La Surer 156 pounds
    09. Marcellus Allen 165 pounds
    10. Joe Hopkins 165 pounds
    11. Joe Banks 178 pounds

    The historic Knott Street Boxers compiled a record in the 1960s and 70s
    that has never been equaled. In 1961 in Pocatello, Idaho, the Knott
    Street team won the National Team Championship and 119 pound John
    Howard,
    National A.A.U. Champion, was declared the ‘most outstanding fighter in
    the Nation‘. Knott Street’s 112 pound Pete Gonzales was the other
    National Gold Medal Winner. The Silver Medal Winners were: 139 pound
    Jodie Harris; 147 pound H.C. Massey; and Heavyweight Art Gilmore.

    Knott Street’s Ten National A.A.U. Gold Medal Winners

    Year 1956 -- 147 pound Tommy Thomas.
    Year 1961 -- 112 pound Pete Gonzales
    Year 1961 -- 119 pound John Howard
    Year 1962 -- 147 pound Wade Smith
    Year 1963 -- 147 pound Wade Smith
    Year 1963 -- 156 pound John Howard
    Year 1964 -- 165 pound Bill Cross (now known as Halim Rahsaan)
    Year 1966 -- 156 pound John Howard
    Year 1968 -- 147 pound Michael Colbert (now known as Adofo Akil)
    Year 1972 -- 147 pound Michael Colbert (now known as Adofo Akil)

    1964 Olympic Trials in Flushings, New York

    Five African-American boxers who began their careers at Knott Street:
    Among the Ten Weight Division -- 119 pound Louis Johnson, 139 pound
    Jodie
    Harris, 147 pound Wade Smith, 156 pound John Howard, 165 pound Bill
    Cross
    (now known as Halim Rahsaan). Both 119 pound Louis Johnson and 139
    pound
    Jodie Harris made the U.S. Olympic Team and competed in Tokyo, Japan
    that
    same year.

    1967 Tri-Nations (U.S.A., Canada and Japan) Championships
    Held in Seattle, Washington

    Two Knott Street Boxers were the only boxers in Oregon history to win
    international medals in international competitions. 132 pound Sam
    Johnson -- USA Silver Medal; 165 pound Bill Cross (now known as Halim
    Rahsaan) -- USA Gold Medal Winner.

    1968 Knott Street Boxing Team

    The only team in the history of the U.S.A. to have three National
    A.A.U.
    Champions on the same team during the same period. 147 pound Michael
    Colbert (now known as Adofo Akil), 156 pound John Howard, and 165 pound
    Bill Cross (now known as Halim Rahsaan).

    Knott Street’s Number One World Boxing Contenders

    Ray Lampkin, 135 pound lightweight. Lightning Ray was the only
    African-American in Oregon’s history to fight for a world title when he
    challenged Roberto Duran in Panama in 1975.

    Michael Colbert (now known as Adofo Akil), 160 pound middleweight.
    Number One Contender, Year 1977.

    Thad Spencer, heavyweight, 1967/68.

    The ‘infamous’ Knott Street Coaching Team

    Clyde Quisenberry, Boxing Coach
    Chuck Lincoln, Boxing Coach and Trainer


    +++++++
    We thank the Oregon State Police Boxing & Wrestling Commission for
    assisting us with this Event. ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xMemorial Awards for Fallen Warriors from Portland's Knott St. Boxing Team``x1051040618,74743,``x``x ``xLaMontagne faces Mateen in co-feature at Foxwoods

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Actor-model Richie "The Mountain" LaMontagne has put his non-boxing career on hold in order to pursue his dream of capturing a world championship. The next major step for this world cruiserweight contender is May 2 in the nationally televised, 10-round co-feature against USBO cruiserweight champion Ernest "M-16" Mateen live on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

    LaMontagne (27-4-1, 22 KOs), rated No. 9 by the World Boxing Council, was supposed to fight former world champion Uriah Grant this past February, but a cut suffered over Richie's eye late in training camp cancelled the match. Richie, of Everett (MA), brings a five-fight win streak into his match against Mateen, whose last fight in November, ironically, was a ninth-round technical decision against Grant for the USBO title. Ernest also fought a third-round technical draw against No. 1 ranked O'Neil Bell and holds wins against New England favorites such as Joe DeGrandis, John Scully (twice) and Drake Thadzi. Missouri-native Mateen (27-9-3, 9 KOs) also has beaten world title contender David Telesco in two of three matches.

    "I was told that I need two more fights (and wins) to get a shot at (WBC cruiserweight champion Wayne) Braithwaite," Richie said. "But I know I have to take one step at a time. I want to get on a steady roll and start knocking 'em over. I'll fight anybody in the cruiserweight division because I feel I'm better than anybody else. My goal is to be! come the undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world."

    The May 2 show is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. and headlined by the 12-round International Boxing Union world welterweight championship fight between Oliveira (44-8-2, 21 KOs) and Elio "El Chingo" Ortiz (24-4, 19 KOs).

    Oliveira, of New Bedford (MA), defends his IBU title for the first time. The former NABF and IBF Intercontinental light welterweight champ, as well as the ex-New England lightweight title-holder, is currently rated No. 3 by the NABF and No. 8 by the USBA.

    Ortiz, 28, comes from Coro, Venezuela. He is the Bolivariano and WBA FEDECENTRO welterweight champion. IBF No. 5 rated Omar Weiss, who fought a 10-round draw with Oliveira in 2001, suffered his first career loss in his 29th pro fight to Ortiz via a 10th-round TKO in 1998.

    On the undercard are CES' multi-talented "Young Guns" - middleweight "Bad" Chad Dawson (11-0, 7 KOs), 2001 & 2002 New England Prospect of the Year, New Haven (CT); featherweight Angel "Gee Roc" Torres (11-2, 4 KOs), 2002 N. E. Prospect of the Year, Manchester (CT): "Steamin'" Josh Beeman (1-0), 2000 Eastern Olympics Trials gold medal winner, Providence (RI) - as well as a pair of Providence favorites, Jevon "J Roc" Langford! , the unbeaten heavyweight (5-0, 5 KOs) and former National Football League player with the Cincinnati Bengals, and world rated (No. 7 IWBF & No. 9 WIBA) lightweight Missy "The Fury" Fiorentino (5-0, 4 KOs), former U.S. National amateur champion.

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change. Tickets are $60, $50 and $35. For ticket information call CES' headquarters at 401.724.2253/401.724.2254, visit its Web site at www.cesboxing.com, or contact the Foxwoods box office at 800.200.2882.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMountain rising on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights May 2``x1051041238,38142,``x``x ``xKingfish Press Release

    CRISTIAN FAVELA VS PHILLIP PAYNE,
    SAM HILL VS DAVID LOPEZ
    HEADLINE KINGFISH CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT CARD
    ON MAY 5 IN SHREVEPORT, LA.,
    TELEVISED ON FOX SPORTS WORLD,
    FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL & FOX SPORTS LATIN AMERICA

    Promoter Anna Beth Goodman/Kingfish Boxing Productions, in association with Mike Corbell/Knockout Promotions, will present a sensational fight card on Monday, May 5, 2003, at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana.

    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, FEATHERWEIGHTS -
    VACANT WBC CONTINENTAL AMERICAS TITLE
    CRISTIAN FAVELA, 16-4-3, 15 KOs, Los Mochis, Mexico vs
    PHILLIP PAYNE, 13-7-1, 5 KOs, St. Louis, Missouri

    In the 12-round main event, Cristian "Filoso" Favela, 16-4-3, with 15 knockouts, of Los Mochis, Mex, will fight Phillip Payne, 13-7-1, with 5 knockouts, of St. Louis, Mo., for the vacant WBC Continental Americas featherweight title.

    A five-year pro, Favela is a hard-hitting featherweight with 15 of his 16 wins coming by knockout. A native of Los Mochis, Mex., he is making his U.S. debut. Payne has fought good opposition throughout his career, and has impressive wins against prospects Devinder Thapa and Felipe Campa.

    CO-FEATURED BOUT - 10 ROUNDS, SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
    SAM HILL, 15-3-1, 8 KOs, St. Louis, Missouri vs
    DAVID LOPEZ, 18-12, 12 KOs, Ciudad Obregon, Mexico

    Sam "The Punching Policeman" Hill, 15-3-1, with 8 knockouts, of St. Louis, will take on David Lopez, 18-12, with 12 knockouts, of Ciudad Obregon, Mex., in the 10-round co-featured bout. A six-year veteran of the St. Louis police department, Hill learned to box while serving in the U.S. Army. His record is highlighted by a ninth-round TKO win in 2001 against 1996 Olympic gold medalist David Reid. Lopez, a former Mexican light heavyweight champion, is a tough, determined southpaw.

    8 ROUNDS, WELTERWEIGHTS
    JESUS SOTO KARASS, 9-0-1, 9 KOs, Los Mochis, Mexico vs
    TBA

    A 20-year old knockout artist, Karass is a rising prospect at 147 pounds. He is fighting outside of Mexico for the first time.


    An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will complete the card.

    Doors open at 4:00 P.M., first fight at 7:30 P.M.

    Ticket prices: $10, $15, $25, $60.
    Tickets are available at: Shreveport Municipal Auditorium Box Office and by telephone - toll free 1-877-269-4645.

    More information on Kingfish Boxing Productions and our upcoming events are available on the internet at www.kingfishboxing.com.

    This Kingfish fight card will be televised on Fox Sports World, Fox Sports En Espanol and Fox Sports Latin America. Two Kingfish boxing events are televised each month, and reach over 70 million households.
    The ringside analysts on the English-language telecasts are Dave Bontempo and Bob Spagnola. On the Spanish-language telecasts, Carlos Avilas and Luis Rodriguez call the action from ringside. The executive producer is Terry Planell.
    In the United States, the fights are shown on same-day tape on Fox Sports En Espanol at 11:00 P.M. Eastern Time, 8:00 Pacific Time. The fights are replayed in the U.S. the next day on Fox Sports World at 11:00 P.M. (PT), and Fox Sports Latin America in Mexico and Central America at 11:00 (ET) and 8:00 (PT). The next-day replay for all of Latin America is on Fox Sports Latin America at 10:00 (ET), 7:00 (PT). The telecasts are also available in some areas on DIRECTV and Dish Network. Check local listings for times in your area.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMay 5 Fights in Shreveport``x1051121708,68347,``x``x ``xYakama Nation Legends Casino
    Toppenish, WA
    Monday, April 21, 2003

    Broadcast live on FOX Espanole and FOX Latino. Delayed broadcast on FOX Sports Network.
    Special Guest: Evander Holyfield

    Promoter: Ringside Ticket, Pres. Patrick Ortiz
    Judges: Greg Baker, Loren Glover, Jim Howard, Denis Ryan, Tom Sporar, Tim Wood
    Referees: James Erikson, Mike Fisher, Jeff Macaluso

    Although the TV broadcast of this event was presented as if Annabeth Goodman (wife of actor John Goodman) and her company Kingfish Promotions was the promoter, the company was not licensed by the Yakama Nations Boxing Commission. Kingfish was merely sub-contracted to the actual licensed promoter, Patrick Ortiz of Ringside Ticket. Ringside Ticket has promoted numerous boxing cards at Legends Casino, including multiple Friday Night Fights broadcast by ESPN2.

    Main Event: A scheduled 12 rounds for the IBA Continental Jr. Middleweight title. The defending champion was Carlos "El Elegante" Bojorquez, 30 years, 153 lbs (now 21-3-6, 17 KO’s) of Los Mochis, Mexico but fighting out of Mira Loma, CA. The challenger was Tony "Sewa" Marshall, 31 years, 149 lbs, (now 34-10-6, 12 KO’s) of Georgetown, Guyana. The power punching Bojorquez landed right hands at will and stopped the slick boxing Marshall at 1:55 of the 3rd round. A TKO win for Bojorquez.

    In a 10 round Jr. Middleweight match: Fernando Mena, 30 years, 149 lbs, (now 17-3-2, 15 KO’s) of Durango, Mexico stopped 25 year-old Tony Martinez, 148 1/2 lbs, (now 12-3-2, 7 KO’s) of Salem, Oregon with a devastating body shot at 1:56 of the 6th round. A TKO win for Mena.

    On the under card:

    Ricardo Medina, 31 years, 124 1/2 lbs (now 27-26-5, 17 KO’s) of Mexico, won a unanimous decision over Angelo Torres, 31 years, 125 lbs, (now 6-6-1, 3 KO’s) of Tacoma, WA. The judges scores were 59-55, 58-57, 58-56 all for Medina.

    In an 8 round women’s featherweight match, Kelsey Jeffries, 27 years, 126 lbs (now 20-7, 1 KO) of California, won a unanimous decision over Jojo Wyman, 36 years, 126 1/4 lbs (now 9-8-1) also of California.

    In a Jr. Welterweight four rounder, Rafael Ortiz, 138 lbs, (now 6-2, 6 KO’s) of Lebanon, Oregon dropped and then stoped Felix Malespin, 136 lbs, making his pro debut out of New Orleans, LA. At 1:24 of the 4th round. A TKO win for Ortiz.

    A four round Jr. Lightweight match had Gabriel Garza, 132 lbs, (now 1-0) of Othello, WA winning a unanimous decision over James Ramos, 128 lbs, (now 0-1) of Salem, Oregon. All three judges called it 40-36 for Garza.

    ---30---
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xBojorquez Slams Marshall``x1051125129,36127,``x``x ``xPress Release

    This Friday's nationally televised professional boxing
    card aired from Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee,
    Florida has promoter Felix Zabala, Jr. placing the
    right gladiators together at the right time of their
    career to ignite furious fisticuffs in Central
    Florida. The 11:30 PM ET scheduled twelve round main
    event for the WBC Latin American Flyweight Title will
    see Gilberto Keb Baas and Jair Jimenez battle to see
    their championship dreams either die or gain steam
    with an exciting win on Telemundo.

    The 22-10-1 (14 KO's) Keb Bass has been through what
    is called a, 'Mexican Apprenticeship,' whereby young
    Mexican boxers learn their craft by getting thrown
    into the ring early in their career with much better
    talent, until they break or become stronger. This
    baptism by fire has produced many of the fiercest
    warriors and match ups in the sport, such as the
    unknown Cruz Carbajal's destruction of tough Steve
    Dotse on the Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Kevin Kelley
    HBO Pay-Per-View card two weekends ago, on what was
    easily the best fight on a card filled with world
    champions and future Hall of Famers.

    This tried and true formula of pitting pugs with their
    backs against the wall together is what has made the
    All Star Boxing, Inc. promoted battles in Kissimmee
    between Francisco Tejedor vs. both Hugo Dianzo and
    Chuautomec Gomez; now WBC World champion Oscar Larios
    vs. Angel Chacon as well as Ener Julio vs. Saul Duran
    equal anything aired on HBO, Showtime, ESPN, or Fox
    Sports Net on the same night or year.

    Whereas Keb Bass fits the description of one type of
    breed within the sport, Jimenez represents another
    which is that of the anonymous South American slugger
    who compiles a gaudy kayo record in his native
    country, only to come to the United States to confirm
    or deny his future greatness. With 15 of 20 wins
    coming by KO against a pair of losses, the Colombian
    flyweight is fully aware that all eyes are on him;
    making anything less than a good televised showing a
    serious blow to his jump from prospect to contender.

    The chief undercard will see the same storyline unfold
    as heavily hyped welterweight Hercules Kyvelos and his
    scrutinized 21-0 (11 KO's) record, meet the 9-10-2 (6
    KO's) litmus test Vince Harris in a scheduled eight
    round fight. Cursed with brittle hands and a
    slugger's mentality, Harris has lost hard fought
    scraps to ballyhooed prospects, budding contenders,
    and a world champion whereas Kyvelos has not met the
    aforementioned caliber of opponent yet.

    This discrepancy in invaluable experience along with
    the Canadian Greek's year plus layoff from the hardest
    sport may be the recipe for an upset that would derail
    the frequently televised prospect's perfect record and
    status as a future contender.

    Jose 'Zeus' Vasquez will lock horns again with Hilario
    Guzman again in undercard action. Their first fight
    featured the taller victor Vasquez box smaller and
    smaller as the bout went on due to the unrelenting
    pressure of being stalked all night long. Orlando
    area pugs Willy Herring and Edgar Reyes will draw
    their friends and fans out to see them box heavyweight
    Edgardo Santos and welterweight Justin Bruneti in
    respective four round bouts. Lanky super bantamweight
    and junior lightweight punchers Carlos 'Tutin' Perez
    and Jose Leonardo Cruz respectively, will also be on
    the card hunting for yet another kayo on their young
    ledgers.

    Admission into the Kissimmee Civic Center, located on
    201 E. Dakin Avenue, will begin at 8:00 PM with the
    Telemundo televised main event beginning at 11:30 PM
    ET. General admission tickets will run $15.00, while
    ringside seats cost $30.00. Both can be purchased at
    the gate or by calling (407) 935-1412.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFISTIC FRIDAY NIGHT IN FLORIDA``x1051141772,90729,``x``x ``xSTEPS UP IN COMPETITION ON BOXING AFTER DARK

    NEW YORK, April 21 - Coming off his most impressive showing as a
    professional, unbeaten 2000 U.S. Olympian Jermain Taylor will accept the most difficult challenge of his young career on May 17 when he meets veteran Nicolas "Bazooka" Cervera on HBO's Boxing After Dark in a 10-round middleweight bout.

    Taylor scored a fifth-round technical knockout of gritty Marcos Primera, who had never been stopped in his pro career, when they met in Taylor's hometown of Little Rock, Ark., on March 31. Long-time boxing observers have said that bout established Taylor as a championship contender in the middleweight divisions.

    Legendary Hall of Fame trainer Lou Duva, who was sitting at ringside called Taylor "the best prospect in the middle weight division and an immediate threat to all junior middle weights and middle weights.” Taylor will face an even bigger threat on May 17 before a national TV audience when he takes on Cervera, who has 35 wins, three losses, one draw in 39 pro fights and has a reputation as a big-time puncher. Two of Cervera's losses came to former world champions Rafael Pineda and Carl Daniels.

    Cervera's explosive punching power has helped him to 26 knockouts in the first three rounds, including seven in the first round.

    Taylor, 24, said he is looking forward to stepping up his level of
    competition as he pursues his goal of winning a world title. "Cervera can punch, but he's also a smart boxer," Taylor said. "This is a very important fight for me and I'm training very seriously. I got back into the gym the day after my win over Primera because I know I have to be ready for Cervera. I have a lot of respect for Cervera, but I plan to win impressively to show the world that I have arrived on the scene."

    DiBella Entertainment President, Lou DiBella said, “In this bout, Jermain will display the tools that will make him an HBO superstar.”

    Taylor's bout will be the first shown on the HBO broadcast, which begins at 10 p.m. EDT/PDT. The main event is a lightweight unification bout between IBF champion Paul "The Pittsburgh Kid" Spadafora and WBA champion Leonard Dorin.


    For more information on DiBella Entertainment, please visit our website at www.dbe1.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJermain Taylor to face Nicolas "Bazooka" Cervera``x1051142540,16325,``x``x ``xShares Harry Markson Award with rival Gatti at BWAA dinner

    LOWELL, Mass. – “Irish” Micky Ward will receive “The Harry Markson Award” together with his arch-rival, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, tomorrow night (Friday, April 25) for their 2002 “Fight of the Year,” at the 78th annual Boxing Writers Association of America’s 78th annual awards dinner in New York City.

    Ward won a thrilling 10-round decision against Gatti last May at Mohegan Sun in the consensus 2002 Fight of the Year. “I’m honored,” Ward said, “especially getting it from the boxing writers. I have a lot of respect for what they do and this is one of the greatest awards I’ve ever received. There were a lot of great fights last year and to single out this, as ‘Fight of the Year,’ is a tremendous honor. I’d like to thank all the writers that voted for us, the other award winners, and, of course, Arturo Gatti.”

    Ward is training for “The Final Chapter,” Ward-Gatti III on HBO June 7 at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall. Gatti won a 10-round decision against Ward last November, setting the stage for the June 7th conclusion to their trilogy.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWard honored to receive 2002 Fight of the Year Award``x1051195561,19969,``x``x ``xPROVIDENCE, R.I. – Providence’s popular professional boxer, Gary “Tiger” Balletto, yesterday (Wednesday, April 23) was honored by the Rhode Island Senate for capturing the International Boxing Union world lightweight championship March 21, registering a devastating first-round knockout of Johnny Walker on a NESN show, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

    “I’d like to thank Senate Majority Leader Montalbano, Senator Celona, Senator Caprio and all of the other senators for publicly recognizing me as a world champion,” Balletto said. “It was a tremendous thrill and honor for me, my family and friends, and CES.”

    Balletto’s promoter, Jimmy Burchfield, officially announced that Gary (27-1-2, 24 KOs) will fight IBC America’s light welterweight champion Frank Houghtaling (17-8-5, 4 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature May 30 on the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights show at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBalletto honored by R.I. Senate``x1051222920,95885,``x``x ``xCompiled by JD Vena

    Jirov: 11/ Toney: 11/ 1 Undecided

    Did you ever think that one of the year’s biggest fights would be a cruiserweight fight that didn’t include Roy Jones? The bastard division spawned in 1979 when it was decided that heavyweights under 190 pounds were too small, hasn’t captured the imagination of the boxing world since the days when Evander Holyfield began turning heads. In fact, most who aren’t the regular boxing followers that you are may have only heard of the division because of Holyfield. Other than his war of attrition with Dwight Muhamad Qawi in their July of ’86 encounter, all of Holyfield's big cruiserweight fights looked like a modern day version of Joe Louis’ ‘Bum a’ Month Club.’ Even when he unified the title against Carlos DeLeon, arguably the second most accomplished fighter in the division’s history, the bout was a ‘walk in the park’ for the ‘Real Deal.’ Outside of the lucrative fights at heavyweight, there was no reason for Holyfield to remain a cruiserweight.

    Unbeaten Vassily “The Tiger” Jirov (31-0, 27 KO’s), the 1996 Olympic gold medallist for Kazakhstan, Val Parker winner for the most outstanding boxer of the ’96 Games has had a similar experience since winning the IBF title nearly four years ago. Other than being extended 12 rounds for the first time in five years in his last fight with the cagey Jorge Castro, every fight has been a cake-walk. His opponent Saturday night, James “Lights Out” Toney is not expected to be one of those fights. The 34-year old Toney is a name we are very familiar with. A decade ago, the name struck fear in opponents and conjured thoughts of greatness. He was fighting and beating the best available competition and more importantly, he was fighting with frequency and fire. The Michigan native who had won two world titles was headed for bigger and better things until a one-sided loss to Roy Jones, Jr., curtailed his stardom in November of ‘94. Toney began representing inconsistency, losing to the likes of Drake Thadzi and making his fights more difficult while being bested by the refrigerator.

    Though it was clear that the Jones loss had played a big part in his psychological demise, there is still an undying confidence in this throwback fighter. He still displays skills that you won’t see in 99.99% of today’s competitors and the fact that he is a cruiserweight shows how much of a rarity this title fight really is. Now Toney is 65-4-2 with 42 knockouts and he’ll be given one last chance of redemption and a shot at greatness. A win for either fighter is a gargantuan step in making or redefining their name. Below are the thoughts and predictions of a number of boxing insiders who weigh in on this significant clash of bruiser cruisers. Incidentally, this poll marks the first time in which there has been an even split.

    “If James Toney comes into this fight with desire and purpose like he did when he fought Nunn and Barkley, I think he could really make Jirov look awkward and clumsy. James, to me, is one of the greatest technical fighters ever. It all depends on his mood and desire coming in to the fight. If he is right, he’ll surprise a lot of people and win a convincing decision. If he comes in to the fight in less than stellar condition then I think he has his moments but loses a decision to the stronger guy. The weigh-in on Friday will tell the story.”

    “Iceman” John Scully
    World Title Challenger &
    The CBZ

    “It's an interesting match. Toney and Jirov are both decent punchers, although Toney probably has more single-shot power, as Jirov is an attrition bomber that wears down opponents. "Lights Out" has the experience in quality of fights, having battled bigger names than Jirov, who is an Olympian with a
    31 fight win streak as a pro, also a very decent feat. James has experience galore and a tricky, counterpunching style that can mean danger for Jirov, who has an aggressive style. On the other hand, Toney is a couple of inches shorter, has less reach, has been known to be short on conditioning and at
    34 years -to Jirov's 28- he might not be able to swim upstream. Jirov should beat Toney on points or late round TKO if age and extra calories catch up to the veteran.”

    Enrique Encinosa
    The CBZ

    “I like Jirov to win on points. He'll take the decision with a workmanlike performance, outhustling Toney and setting a strong pace. It's doubtful Jirov can take Toney out, but I also doubt Toney can hurt Jirov. Lots of infighting, with Jirov punching to the body as much as to the head.”

    Steve Farhood,
    Showtime boxing analyst

    “James Toney to win by an 11th round TKO.”

    Ade Makinde,
    The CBZ and Eastsideboxing.com

    “I’m a big Toney fan but I’m afraid he, like everyone else is getting old. He’s going to need more of the shoulder roll. Jirov by decision.”

    Bert Randolph Sugar,
    CNN

    “Toney by decision. Toney's defense and experience will be the difference.”

    Stephen Tobey
    Maxboxing.com

    “I think Toney has to much experience for Jirov and that will show in this fight. Look for Toney to win a decision in a fight that will lack action but showcase a lot talent from both fighters.”

    Tom Smario,
    The CBZ

    Vassily Jirov W 12 James Toney
    “Tough, tough call. James Toney in his prime pounds the bejesus out of Jirov, but “Lights Out” hasn’t
    beaten a top guy since Prince Charles Williams nine years ago. In fact, he can’t even beat the scale. The
    only consistency Toney has shown in recent years has been an ability to disappoint us. Will redemption be
    coming Saturday night against a primed, undefeated banger? Probably not. Jirov outhustles him and takes a
    tight points victory.”

    Ted Bodenrader,
    The Ring Magazine

    “Logic says that James Toney should have enough to outbox Jirov in this one. Jirov's competition has not been anywhere near the level of Toney's, and word comes that Toney's in very good shape. But ever since defeating Michael Nunn, Toney seems to have found a way to screw the pooch on a fairly regular basis, and I'm going to take the Russian to out-tough him, to slow Toney's activity rate with a body attack and win a close-ish but clear decision.”

    Lucius Shepard,
    The CBZ

    “Jirov in a Unanimous Decision.”

    Scott Ghertner,
    MGM Grand

    “Unfortunately I've only seen Jirov once & only for a couple of rounds. So it's hard to make a call. From what I saw Jirov was pretty crude. If Toney is motivated & it's a BIG IF ... Based on Toney's excellent over all skills, I'd go with him by decision. But again this isn't a very educated opinion because I'm not familiar with Jirov.”

    GorDoom,
    Editor-in-Chief, The CBZ

    “James Toney is a master craftsman in the ring. When motivated, he is still one of the finest fighters in the world. Jirov will try to impose his will but Toney has too many skills and is an excellent counterpuncher. Toney by TKO!”

    David Hudson,
    Fightnews.com

    “I'd think Jirov would have enough common sense to stay away and box the slower Toney from outside.
    Whatever his weight these days, Toney is still a skilled technician with a lethal punch, and dangerous
    if it becomes a brawl inside, but long rounds of plodding after a quick young foe like Jirov will wear
    down his resolve. Jirov by decision in 12.

    In that night's other fight, I'll pick Tarver to be able to track down Montell Griffin, and stop him in
    round 8. “

    Jay N. Miller,
    Quincy Patriot Ledger

    “Jirov by points--split decision.”
    Dave Iamele,
    The CBZ

    “I like VassiliyJirov by a knockout in the sixth over Jame Toney, if not sooner. While I do believe that Toney is generally an all-around tougher fighter, the main problem in assessing him is the fact that you don't know what kind of Toney will enter the ring. Will it be the overweight, out-of-shape Toney that hasn't seen the inside of a gym or the ring-mean, prepared, out-to-make-a-point Toney that seeks "pugilistic redemption.
    Jirov's jab has always been an overlooked weapon in this business and unless "The Russian Tiger" can be pressured consistently by James, Jirov can stop this fight anytime the steam is gone from Toney.”

    M. Mark Beiro,
    Ring Announcer,
    West Tampa, FL

    “Toney by decision or late round stoppage. James Toney just looks so much more motivated for the fight than Vassily Jirov. An in-shape, motivated Toney beats everyone at 175/190 except Roy Jones. He looked great against Robinson last time out. Jirov is coming off a big layoff and didn't look so good against Castro in his last fight. He has also never looked his best against durable opponents, and James Toney is fairly knockout-proof. The winner of this fight should be recognized as the cruiserweight king. Jirov should lose, but he won't be embarrassed by Toney. Braithwaite and Mormeck, however, would be.”

    Chris Strait,
    Boxing Digest

    “Toney is in for a big surprise. Jirov KO8.”

    Chris Bushnell
    BoxingChronicle.com & The CBZ

    “This fight is a real tough call. On the outside, you should want to pick Jirov because of his boxing skill and the fact that, although Toney has solid head movement, Jirov's strength is his body work. That being said, I have seen Jirov get hurt by fighters not near the likes of "Lights Out" Toney. Add in his inactivity and the inside rumors that he simply never wanted to fight James and I think we are looking at Toney reclaiming a world title via a tenth round knockout.”

    Mike Nosky,
    RealBoxing.com

    “Normally, it shouldn't take much to make a prediction for the young fella in this matchup. Especially since the 34-year old Toney is about 10 years off his prime and has had a history of being unable to close the refrigerator door. However, the champ, Jirov, is so damn inviting, I don't think he could duck if his life depended on it. And that's what makes it intriguing. Can Toney summon what he once had for one last mighty counter-punching effort...or end up sagging against the ropes from the champ's vicious body attack on his ample mid-section? Perhaps neither, but I will go with Jirov, the younger and fresher of the two on a decision in what should be an exciting contest.

    Dan Hanley
    The CBZ

    “Jirov W12 Toney/ Tarver TKO 9 Griffin”

    Thomas Gerbasi,
    Maxboxing.com

    “Call me a believer. I think Toney will be motivated, will put forth a necessary supreme effort and win either by a late stoppage or a unanimous decision. Toney will metaphorically chop him down.”

    JD Vena
    Associate Editor,
    The CBZ



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe CBZ Jirov-Toney Prediction Poll``x1051235449,21415,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE 

    CHINOOK WINDS CASINO PRESENTS TONYA HARDING IN HER FIRST OREGON MATCH AND APPEARANCES BY FORMER HEAVY WEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD, LARRY HOLMES, FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2003 AT COMMOTION AT THE OCEAN IV 


    LINCOLN CITY, ORE, April 25, 2003 – Get ready to rumble on Friday, June 13, at Commotion at the Ocean IV Pro Boxing at Chinook Winds Casino & Convention Center.

    Commotion at the Ocean IV will feature appearances by boxing giant Former Heavy Weight Champion of the World Larry Holmes and Tonya Harding in her first Oregon match. This event is presented by promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank Boxing and promises to be full of surprises.

    Featured fights include:


    * Tonya Harding, feather weight from Portland in her first match in Oregon. Tonya’s record stands at 2-1. This will be a four round bout. Known for being a scrapper, both personally and professionally, this will be a “must see” for any boxing fan.
    * Heavy Weight Eric “Butterbean” Esch from Jasper, Alabama in a four round bout. Butterbean’s record stands at 64-3-3-2 with 40 KOs.
    * Former WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Donnie “Golden Boy” Lalonde from Winnipeg, Canada in a ten round comeback attempt. His record stands at 40-4-1 with 33 KOs



    Former Heavy Weight Champion of the World Larry Holmes will be available for autographs and photos from 6:30 to 7:30 prior to the fight. Fans are asked to bring their own camera.

    Doors open at 6:30pm for the fights with the first bout taking place at 7:30pm. There will be six professional bouts with a three fight undercard. A no host bar and food court will be available. Must be 21or over to attend.

    Tickets are priced from $35 to $200 depending on seat location. For more information, or to obtain tickets, call 1-888-MAIN-ACT (624-6228) or Tickets West at 1-800-992-TIXX (8499).

    Owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians of Oregon Chinook Winds Casino is located at the edge of the Pacific Ocean in Lincoln City where people know “It’s better at the beach.” Let the excitement begin!

    -END- 

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xTonya & Butterbean, Together At Last``x1051317592,81374,``x``x ``xMASHANTUCKET, CT - Underneath the Jirov-Toney HBO doubleheader at the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Casino Resort, undefeated prospect, Yuri Foreman of New York, NY via Haifa, Israel mercilessly pounded Charles Clark of Macon, MS until the inept referee finally stopped the one-sided fight at 1:40 of the second round. Foreman, whose IMPRESSIVE style resembles Oscar De La Hoya’s is now 10-0 with 6 KO’s. Clark is now 14-16-1 with 5 KO’s

    In the opening bout, unbeaten Aneudi Santos, 175 ½, of Freeport, NY stopped Danny Sheehan, 177, of Lawrence, MA at :49 of the fifth round. Santos is now 8-0 with 5 KO’s while Sheehan is now 9-23 with 4 KO’s).

    Sechew Powell, 155, of Brooklyn won a workmanlike 6-round unanimous decision over trialhorse Jamal Harris, 153, of Los Angeles. Powell who improved to 8-0 with 6 KO’s won by three scores of 60-54. Harris is now dips under .500 at 5-6-3 with 3 KO’s.

    In a battle of big boys, Nigerian hopeful, Duncan Dokiwari, 238 stopped hefty Carlton Johnson, 232, of Portsmouth, VA at of the 2:40 of the third round. The shorter Johnson was able to hang in there with the giant Dokiwari until a clean right hand from Dokiwari sank Johnson facefirst. Johnson managed to his feet but after stumbling into referee Matt Mulaney, the fight was immediately halted. Dokiwari, a former 1996 Olympian is now 22-1 with 19 KO’s while Johnson is now 14-8-2 with 10 KO’s.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xUndercard Results at Foxwoods``x1051404149,26837,``x``x ``xTarver Shows his Magic, beats Griffin for two belts

    By JD Vena at ringside

    MASHANTUCKET, CT In the first of two significant title fights at the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Casino, Antonio "Magic Man" Tarver of Orlando, FL proved to be the best of the world;s best light heavyweights (outside of Roy Jones should he not fight at that weight) when he brutalized former world champion, Montell "Ice" Griffin of Chicago, IL over 12 one-sided rounds. The win not only assured his lofty position in the light heavyweight ranks, it won him the WBC and IBF titles vacated by Jones. It was a long time coming for the 1996 U.S. Olympian but in facing good opposition leading up to this event, it was certainly well deserved.

    After feeling each other out for most of the first round, Tarver, 175, caught Griffin in the back of the head after Griffin wildly swung and missed. Tarver followed up with a quick left hand that dropped Grififn face-first. Griffin, clearly hurt surived the final seconds that remained after the knockdown. In the second, Tarver landed some hurting shots but Griffin was able to survive the round due to Grfifn's experience and Tarver's awareness of this trait.

    The third round was more of a chess match but Griffin was able to time and counter Tarver with some hurtful counter left hooks inside. Tarver never appeared hurt but it was clear that Griffin was back in a fight that he appeared out of earlier. Griffin would find his moments in the next three rounds but it was Tarver who dictated most of the action despite his wariness of Tarver's left hooks. In the seventh, Griffin?s tenderized right eye began to trickle blood to the point where referee Michael Ortega decided t cal a break in the action for the an examination by the ringside physician. It would be the first of three examinations.

    The action slowed in the next few frames with Tarver continuing his slow beating though eating some occasional hard shots that got more attention from the crowd than Tarver. In the tenth, Griffin backed Tarver into the ropes with a hard left hook but couldn't capitalize in order to mount any damage to the relaxed Tarver. Tarver would take soon take command with quick combinations inside and and long jabs from the outside. Griffin knowing that he needed a knockout to regain the light heavyweight title ent right after Tarver at the start of the 12th, but in finishing like a champion he absorbed a clean left cross that flattened him again towards the end of the round. Again he managed to get to his feet but didn't leave enough time for Tarver to finish the job he had started, but it wasn't necessary. Tarver won by three scores of 120-106 and now has two championship belts in one night's effort.

    "Montell is a tough nut to crack," said the new champion. "I thought I had him early but I couldn't put him away but I thought I won a unanimous decision. I came to work hard and I refused to be denied."


    "I didn't do as good as I what I wanted to. I hit was hit in the back of the head and I just couldn't get going after that. I can't take anything away from him", commented Griffin.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTarver Shows his Magic, beats Griffin for two belts``x1051416299,83184,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    MASHANTUCKET, CT - After years of mediocrity, the cruiserweight division finally produced a great fight and two great fighters. Round of the year (the 12th) as well as fight of the year were also some of the many great features which were on display last night at the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Casino Resort. But more than ever, what was most revealing last night was the emergence of James "Lights Out" Toney, who not only became the first former middleweight champion to win a cruiserweight title but is now closer to the position he was in 10 years ago in defeating the game champion, Vassily Jirov. After 12-punshing rounds, Toney, finally put some finishing touches on the Russian who gave as well as he absorbed throughout the torrid fight.

    The finishing touches, a vicious onslaught of right hands and left hooks wasn't enough to put the courageous Jirov away for good but another few seconds might have done the trick. Jirov was allowed to finish like a champion in a championship fight.

    Toney won by two scores of 117-109 (as CBZ publisher Mike Delisa had it) and 116-110. Your writer had it 115-110 for Toney. The punchstat numbers also said a lot. Toney landed 47% of his 811 shots while Jirov landed 23% of his 1,032 punches.

    "I think I did alright even though I was late with my jab," said the joyous new champion. "He was taking big shots the whole fight."

    And so was Toney

    The first round was fast-paced as expected with Jirov smothering Toney with head and body shots and Toney doing his best to counter inside. But Jirov was clearly doing all of the damage particularly with the body shots which seemed to really affect Toney. The second started the same way and it was clear that is Toney didn't start punching back then Toney could be stopped. Shortly into the third round a clean low blow hurt Toney and after a time out to recover, Toney roared back after the Tiger and landed crisp combinations that got the champion's respect.

    Jirov fought intelligently in the fourth in sticking to the body and pot shoting Toney whenever it appeared that Toney was resting. Those who expected Toney to win the battle with counterpunching were able to feel good about the 5th round when Toney clearly stunned Jirov with sharp head shots. Toney finally began to settle down from the quick pace that Jirov had started landing whenever he wanted to. Jirov's response was to go below Toney's belt. Toney was hurt in the corner by one of them and it allowed Jirov to steal the 6th round.

    The fight was a brutal affair for both. Toney winced from some of the body shots while the head-rattling shots landed by Toney looked as if they were taking affect on Jirov. In the 10th, Toney punished Jirov with vicious head shots. Toney picked up in the 11th and in the 12th, it felt as if the round and the careers of both fighters were weighing on three minutes. As he had been criticized throughout his career for not giving more than was expected of him, Toney found openings for pulverizing right hands and left hooks but the determined Jirov kept firing back. After Toney turned Jirov with another left hook, Jirov turned away and was met with a roundhouse right uppercut that dropped Jirov on the seat of his pants.

    "I haven't fought enough," said the deposed but proud Jirov. "Sometimes you lose by points."

    Last night both fighters made theirs.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xToney, the Jinx of Jirov and the answer to the Cruiserweights``x1051416431,64575,``x``x ``x
    Thursday, April 24
    Portland, OR

    Every year at the Governor Hotel, restauranteurs McCormick & Schmick invite a few hundred of their richest pals to a tuxedo dinner with the finest linen and silver service around a boxing ring. The bouts are organized by Coach Bill Meartz of the West Portland Boxing Club. The benefit provides $5,000 for the amateur boxing program. On April 24, 2003, these open senior bouts featured competition between the Atlanta, Georgia team sponsored by Evander Holyfield, and an assortment of boxers from clubs in Oregon and Washington. The audience choice as best bout of the night was the re-match between Portland’s Women’s National Golden Glove champ, Molly McConnell and US national champion Angel Bovee of new York. McConnell defeated Bovee last year at the National Golden Gloves tournament to win the Championship.

    Jr. Welterweights, 138 lbs, Eloy Perez of Rochester, WA won over Fred Hall of Augusta, GA

    Featherweights, 125 lbs, Troy Wohosky of Medford, OR, who is ranked #4 in the nation, won over Robert Daluz of Kingsland, GA

    Lightweight, 133 lbs, Brauillio Lopez of Portland, OR won over Zack Hardwick of Atlanta, GA

    Welterweight, 147 bs, Will Hughes of Tacoma, WA won over Jason Pinchney of Augusta, GA

    Welterweight, 144 lbs, National Golden Gloves champion Molly McConnell of Portland, OR won over US National Champion Angel Bovee of White Plains, NY

    Bantamweight, 115 lbs, Ray Whitfield of Augusta, GA, who is ranked #1 in the nation at 106 lbs, won over Jose Rodriguez of Quincy, OR

    Middleweight, 165 lbs, Kevin Triplett of Eugene, OR won over Jason Zimmerman of Lawrenceville, GA

    Jr. Middleweight, 154 lbs, Ricky Gallegos of Medford, OR is ranked #9 in the U.S. at this weight and won over Danta Woods of Atlanta, GA.


    --Katherine Dunn
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xNorthwest Amateurs Trounce Team Holyfield in Benefit Competition``x1051476355,95944,``x``x ``xPeter Manfredo, Jr 163 TKO 2 (1:37) Ronnie Johnson 164
    Ian Gardner, 156, TKO 6 (1:53) Michael McFail, 159
    Billy Mofford 217 UD 6 Harold Rodriguez, 235 (59-54, 60-53, 58-56)
    William Gibbs, 163, KO 2 (1:00) Benjamin Marquez, 163
    Eric Pinaretta, 167, UD 4 Rich Zola, 167 (40-37, 40-36, 39-37).

    Mike Culbert vs. Dave Hamilton was canceled due to a medical problem with Culbert ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xResults from Brockton``x1051478856,90930,``x``x ``xTwo-time middleweight world title claimant Keith Holmes retunrs on May 16 at the Denver Coliseum.

    Holmes sports a professional record of 36 wins and only three losses, including one to world champion Bernard Hopkins.

    Holmes has not fought since losing his title to Hopkins, on April 14, 2001. He will face Fernando Hernandez (No. 14 in the IBF) in the 10-round main event, a fight that holds a lot of significance for both fighters.

    For Holmes, a win over Hernandez would put him back in business and secure him a spot in the world rankings.

    Hernandez, with a win over Holmes, could skyrocket in the rankings and earn a legitimate shot for a world title. Hernandez sees this fight as his opportunity to put himself in the limelight. Coming to Denver and defeating a two-time world champion would certainly elevate Hernandez in the rankings.

    Also on the card will be world ranked junior-lightweight (#5 WBA, #6 WBC, #7 WBO and #10 IBF) Daniel Attah in a 10 round battle against Mexican fighter Manuel Bocanegra (18-5)

    Two of Denver’s prominent and undefeated fighters will also be on the card. Junior-welterweight Donald Camarena (6-0) and lightweight Adrian Mora (9-0) can’t wait to showcase their boxing skills in front of home town fans.

    Tickets are priced at $10, $15, $20 and $25 and are on sale at all King Soopers and Tickets West locations. Charge by phone by calling 866.464.2626``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xKeith Holmes returns May 16``x1051552863,88605,``x``x ``xOliveira in tough with Ortiz
    By JD Vena

    When New Bedford’s “Sucra” Ray Oliveira last stepped into the ring, his opponent was supposed to be the name and game opponent, Golden Johnson of Texas. Johnson’s was to bring not only worldclass skills but impressive credentials. Johnson was a former world title challenger and a four-time NABF champion. He was to be a dangerous assignment for Oliveira who was making the leap to welterweight after years of trying to shrink his 5’10 frame to the 140-pound limit. Unfortunately for Oliveira, Johnson’s cold feet couldn’t carry him into a plane, which would have taken him to the T.F. Green Airport in Providence. In less than 24 hours an opponent needed to be sought and a brave one was found in, Chicago’s Lorenzo Smith. Though Smith wasn’t at his best, he hung in there with Oliveira until finally succumbing to Oliveira’s relentless attack. Though Oliveira was happy to notch another win there was a considerable letdown of not facing a more reputable opponent in Golden Johnson.

    On Wednesday, Oliveira was all smiles at a press conference at Foxwoods Casino to announce his Friday night ESPN2 headliner with Venezuelan tough-guy, Elio Ortiz. He was so relieved that when he walked to the podium, he made sure he greeted Ortiz with a handshake.

    “I want to thank (Ortiz) for showing up because my last opponent didn’t,” Ray explained. “I’m coming here Friday night to do what I have to do to defend my title. The last couple of times I (defended my title here (Foxwoods) I lost. That streak will end Friday.”

    Oliveira (44-8-2 with 21 KO’s) won his first title, the NABF jr. welterweight title in 1997 when he overwhelmed former world champ, Charles “The Natural” Murray. He then lost it to spoiler, Reggie “Showtime” Green in his first defense. Oliveira regained the same vacant title by whupping “Cool” Vince Phillips in 2000 but lost it to homerun hitter, Ben “The Wonder” Tackie in his next encounter. For his efforts in beating Smith, Oliveira won the lightly-regarded IBU welterweight title. Though the initial title defense has been a bad omen for Oliveira, he at least doesn’t take on easy foes.

    Ortiz, (24-4 with 19 KO’s) was the first man to defeat top contender, Omar Weis, who drew with Oliveira two years ago. That win helped set up a title fight with then WBA 140-pound boss, Sharmba Mitchell who decisioned the inexperienced challenger over 12-rounds. Ortiz’s most recent blemish was a 10-round TKO loss to Ricardo Mayorga, whom, I’m sure you readers are familiar with. Ortiz also had a no-contest with former IBF welterweight champion, Michele Piccirillo. Ortiz had been administering a beating to Piccirillo underneath the Trinidad-Joppy fight at MSG two years ago when an accidental head butt caused a cut on one of the Itlaian's eyes, saving him from what looked to be a sure defeat. Since that performance, Ortiz has had a difficult time securing big-name opponents whom will grant him the lucrative opportunities prizefighters like he and Oliveira crave.

    “I’ve come here well prepared to fight for the IBU championship,” Ortiz said through an interpreter. “I’ve been in a lot of tough battles and I’ll prove myself to everybody Friday night”

    Just one of the many reasons why Oliveira-Ortiz not only makes perfect sense, it’s one you don’t want to miss.

    Last Saturday at Foxwoods, cruiserweight contender Rich “The Mountain” LaMontagne of Everett, MA saw a former conqueror of his lose a gut-wrenching battle and his world title to James “Lights Out” Toney. LaMontagne had been the first man to extend Vasilly Jirov the 12-round distance and watching Jirov’s gritty performance nearly devastated him.

    “I was so pissed watching that fight,” said LaMontagne. “Don’t get me wrong, the fight was awesome and I enjoyed it but if Jirov fought me the way he fought Toney, then I would have a belt around my waist. Jirov was so busy and throwing way too many punches. It’s no wonder why he punched himself out. I would have knocked him out if he fought me that way.”

    Lamontagne who openly challenged Roy Jones, Jr. in Boston two months prior to Jones' victory over Chelsea’s John Ruiz at a press conference thought it would be a good idea to get first dibs on Toney following his momentous victory. When the post-fight press conference was over, LaMontagne approached Toney and through the pestering of fans and writers, tried his best to mix a few words with a disinterested Toney.

    “He didn’t really want to talk to me,” said LaMontagne. “Dan Goosen kept interrupting me.”

    But LaMontagne knows he has more important things at hand. Most notably, his 10-round co-feature with Ernest “M-16” Mateen of Queens tomorrow night underneath Oliveira-Ortiz. Mateen has been a thorn in the side of nearly every light heavyweight and cruiserweight in New England. He has defeated Drake Thadzi of Randolph, MA, John Scully of Windsor, CT twice and most recently, Joey DeGrandis, formerly of South Boston.

    “Scully said he’s strong and has a good overhand right,” said Lamontagne. “But I’m a bigger stronger guy than most of the people Mateen has been fighting. The only time I’ve ever seen him fight was his fight with Toney.”

    In that fight several years ago, Mateen now 27-9-3 with 9 KO’s, was disqualified for repeated fouls against Toney. Mateen’s rough tactics doesn’t scare LaMontagne who growing up in the city of Everett, had been in his share of street fights.

    “When he fought Toney he kept hitting him in the back of the head. Toney did the right thing by not doing the same thing to him. This is a gentleman’s sport. It’s the referee’s job to take control of the fighters. But don’t get me wrong, if Mateen tries that stuff with me and the referee doesn’t do his job then, I might throw him out of the ring.”

    LaMontagne (27-4-1 with 22 KO’s) last fought in August when he scored a highlight reel knockout over 2000 U.S. Olympic heavyweight Michael Bennett in the 11th round in a fight he was trailing. Riding off the impressive win, LaMontagne was eager to get back in the ring in January when a cut in sparring postponed his fight with Uriah Grant.

    “It’s very frustrating when something like that happens,” said LaMontagne. “You always think you can fight because you’re in great shape and you want to fight. But it’s a career move. You can be beaten before you really get into the ring. If you get hit with one punch and the cut opens up then sometimes there’s nothing you can do about it. You don’t know how to feel except that you want to fight but shouldn’t.”

    Another New Englander riding a terrific knockout victory is New Haven’s “Bad” Chad Dawson. Two months ago, after being decked by Willie Lee in the opening round, Dawson rebounded to score a devastating knockout in the third round, incidentally, the round he predicted he would end the fight. Dawson (11-0 with 7 knockouts), will be tested with Earl Allen, Jr., another formidable opponent with a record of 15-3. Rounding out the show are fan favorites Angel “Gee-Roc” Torres (11-2 with 4 KO’s) of Willamantic, CT, “Steamin” Josh Beeman (1-0), Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino (5-0) and former Cincinnati Bengal’s defensive end, Jevon Langford (4-0), all from Providence who are scheduled to fill the undercard in separate attractions.

    Doors to the Fox Theater open at 6:30 with the first bout scheduled for 7:30. The ESPN2 broadcast will begin at 10:00. For ticket information, call the Foxwoods box office at 800-200-2882.

    1st Pender-Downes Challenge Cup Tournament!

    The recent death of late-great middleweight champion Paul Pender of Brookline, MA has spawned an interesting boxing tournament that will commence on May 12th and 15th. The 1st Pender-Downes Challenge Cup Tournament pits some of New England’s top amateurs with some of England’s amateur boxers form the legendary Fisher City Club of London, the same sweatshop that produced world champions Terry Downes, one of Pender’s worthiest foes and Lloyd Honeyghan.

    Pender, who retired with a career record of 40-6-2 with 20 knockouts was known for beating Sugar Ray Robinson twice along with Carmen Basilio. But he and Downes who finished with an overall mark of 35-9 with 28 KO’s, split three memorable title fights with Pender winning the first and third bouts.

    The Pender-Downes Challenge Cup Tournament was conceived by Ed Dipple, a former Fisher Club administrator and Gregory Leschichkin, director of the Boston Sport Boxing Club in Woburn, MA.

    “We want this to become boxing’s version of the Ryder Cup,” said Dipple. "We’d like it to be an on-going tournament and a great way to pay tribute to Paul Pender and Terry Downes. We were fortunate to get the Elks Lodges involved. The message we want to send is American and English boxers may battle each other in the ring, but when it comes to a worldwide conflict – real war – they fight shoulder to shoulder.”

    I’ll drink to that!

    New England vs. England part one will take place Monday night, May 12th at the Woburn Elks Lodge and Thursday evening, May 15th at the Lowell Elks Lodge. Doors open at 6:30 for both shows and the first bouts are scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $20 and seating is one a first come, first serve basis. For more information about this historic event, contact Greg Leschichkin at 617-972-1711 or e-mail him at coachgreg@bostonboxing.com. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling the Woburn Elks at 781-935-3535.












    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1051840473,40466,``x``x ``xACELINO FREITAS TO DEFEND WBO, WBA WORLD TITLES AGAINST JORGE RODRIGO BARRIOS ON AUGUST 9, TELEVISED ON SHOWTIME

    Promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions will present a sensational world championship fight card on Saturday, August 9, 2003. The main event and co-featured fight will be televised on "Showtime Championship Boxing." The site and other details will be announced soon.


    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS - WBO, WBA 130-POUND WORLD TITLES
    Champion ACELINO FREITAS, 33-0, 30 KOs, Salvador, Brazil, vs
    Challenger JORGE RODRIGO BARRIOS, 39-1-1, 29 KOs, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Pelullo said today, "I'm very pleased to announce Acelino Freitas' next fight. Every time Acelino steps into the ring he shows that he is one of boxing's most exciting performers. He puts his heart and soul into every fight. I would like to thank Sampson Lewkowicz for handling all of the negotiations with Barrios and his promoter, Mario Arano, that made this fight possible. He did a great job, and everything went very smoothly."

    Lewkowicz said, "This is the biggest fight that can be made between South Americans and will be a classic battle for national pride, like the soccer games between Brazil and Argentina. Freitas is by far the greatest fighter in Brazil, and "La Hiena" Barrios, who is also a very charasmatic person and athlete, is undoubtedly the best fighter today in Argentina."

    Arano added, "I promised Barrios that I would deliver the biggest fight of his life, and I delivered."


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFreitas vs Barrios on Aug. 9``x1051894158,29202,``x``x ``xThe Knott Street Boxing Club of Portland, Oregon presents senior and junior competition for boxers from a dozen clubs in Oregon and Washington on Saturday, May 3. The show will be held at University Park Community Center, 9009 N. Foss St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the first bout is scheduled for 7 p.m. Contact coaches Joel Caldera (503-407-3321) or Rudy Garza (503-913-2339) for competition info.``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xSaturday Amateur Smoker in Portland``x1051897796,29300,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena at ringside

    MASHANTUCKET, CT - The right guy may have won last night at the Fox Theater but certainly not the way the judges saw it. After fighting his way back into a fight that appeared to be swaying towards Venezuelan challenger, Elio “El Chingo” Ortiz, “Sucra” Ray Oliveira gave a strong performance by winning the final three rounds in most ringsiders’ eyes only to lose a one-sided decision and his newly won IBU welterweight title. The effort by Oliveira should have been good enough to lose a close decision at the very least. Your writer had Oliveira nudging it out 114-113 but the judges who have favored Oliveira’s opponents in nearly all of his fights at Foxwoods Casino had Ortiz winning 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110.

    Though the decision was controversial, one thing is for certain, Oliveira has definitely lost a few steps and afterwards, he admitted it.

    “I felt it in training,” said a disappointed Oliveira. “It’s been tougher trying to physically get ready for these fights and after the first six rounds, I knew it was going all twelve and that it would be a tough fight. I know there’s going to be a lot thought going into this but I think I may just hang ‘em up.”

    Oliveira, 147, of New Bedford, MA pursued Ortiz without the punch output that won him so many fights. He was being hit by clean counters that didn’t appear to have the same zip as his other highly regarded opponents, but they were certainly having their effect. Ortiz countered and appeared to stun Oliveira with right hands over Ray’s jab and right uppercuts on the inside. It wasn’t entirely clear whether it was a balance issue or the force of Ortiz’ punches which were making him stumble. By the 8th round, it was evident that Ortiz had taken control of the fight and it was his to lose.

    But in the 10th, Oliveira made a strong effort to get back in the fight and was helped when referee Charlie Dwyer deducted a point from Ortiz’ score for repeated low blows. Oliveira also finished the round with a right hand that sent Ortiz’s mouthpiece out of the ring awarding him a 10-8 round. With Oliveira winning the 11th a come-from-behind victory seemed very possible but poor scoring kept Oliveira from winning the rounds. Ortiz, who was gracious in victory improved to 24-5 with 18 knockouts.

    Oliveira, who has always been gracious in defeat, agreed with the verdict because of how he felt during and afterward the tough fight.

    “I’m not going to bullshit any of you,” said Oliveira. “He was the stronger fighter and was the first guy who ever hurt me with a body shot. I though about taking a knee (in the 8th round) when he hit me (with a hook to thesolar plexus) but I held on. I’d rather take a knee from a head shot than a body shot. My pride kept me going. I thought I could pull it out in the end but the right guy won.”

    The decision may have even benefited Oliveira’s well being.

    “At least if I quit now, I can say that nobody stopped me. I’d rather get out now with my wits so that I will be able to talk to my kids.”

    If it is the end for Ray it was one hell of a career. Prior to last night’s defeat, Oliveira, now 44-9-2 had never lost to an opponent with more than two losses. Over his 13-year professional career he defeated the likes of Tracy Spann, Vince Phillips, Charles Murray twice and current WBA jr. welterweight champion, Vivian Harris. Besides participating in 3 of CompuBox’s record fights for most punches thrown in a fight, the New Bedford native fought over 400 rounds without ever being stopped. We’ll miss you Ray but a tip of the fedora to you for calling it quits at the right time. You were great!

    I suppose the best part about the 10-round co-feature was the exciting brawl that took place after it officially ended. In a fight that was marred with rabbit punches, Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne, won on a TKO when his opponent, Ernest “M-16” Mateen complained to referee Ken Ezzo of blurred vision moments before the 6th round had started. After being examined by the ringside physician, Ezzo stopped the fight at the :04 second mark and Mateen threw a tantrum. LaMontagne, 194, Everett, MA who improved to 28-4-1 with 23 KO’s went over to say “good fight” to Mateen, which was when some strong words were exchanged.

    “Look, I’m not a dirty fighter,“ said LaMontagne. “I said ‘Good fight. Head butts are a part of boxing.’ And he said, ’You head butt me mother fucker!’ I said, ’You still want to go? Talk to the referee. I put up my hands up and he hit me.”

    After the first punch, a brawl between both corners ensued and before you knew it, Richie’s brother Steve had tackled two cornermen and Mateen with Richie punching away. Fortunately for Team Mateen, brother Michael was stopped by security from entering the ring to join the fracas. Connecticut’s finest were able to control the melee inside the ring just moments aftre the brawl began. Mateen who was controlling the actual fight until being floored in round four is now 27-10-3 with 9 KO’s

    In the first of two swing bouts, “Bad” Chad Dawson, 162, of New Haven, CT stopped Earl Allen, Jr., 163, of Charleston, SC at 2:59 of the third round. Dawson is now 12-0 with 7 knockouts. In the final bout of the evening Angel “Gee-Roc” Torres, 128, Willimantic, CT won a 6-round unanimous decision over Terrell Hargrove, 128, of Louisville, KY. Torres, who won by three scores of 60-54 is now 12-2 while Hargrove is now 6-5 with 3 KO’s.

    Earlier, “Steamin” Josh Beeman, 140 ½, of Providence, RI fought nothing as his nickname would suggest winning a boring 4-round decision over Rahsaan Abdul Blackburn, 142, of Columbus, OH. Beeman is now 2-0.

    Former Cincinnati Bengal defensive end, Devon “”J-Roc” Langford, 325, who now resides in Providence, RI not only fought past the first round for the first time in 6 fights, he nearly was extended the 4 round limit until ending matters with a right uppercut in the fourth round in his bout with Cory Gregory of Cleveland. Gregory, 254, was downed in the third and in final round and was counted out at 1:55 by referee Joe Lopino. Langford is now 6-0.

    In the opening bout, rugged Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino, 142, of Cranston, RI went the distance for only the second time winning an action-filled 4-round decision over Brenda Bell Drexel, 147, of San Marcos, TX. Missy who won by three scores of 40-36 is now 6-0 while Drexel, who is somehow world ranked is now 5-17-2.

    Last night's featured attractions were taped and will be broadcast tonight at 8:00 PM on ESPN.

    Promoter - Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOrtiz, Officiating too hard on Oliveira``x1051943751,60413,``x``x ``xPROVIDENCE, R.I. – Newly crowned NABF lightweight champion Michael Clark has issued a challenge to WBC title-holder Floyd Mayweather, Jr., as well as the winner of the upcoming Paul Spadafora- Leonard Dorin IBF-WBA unification bout.

    Last night, Clark (31-2, 15 KOs) won a 12-round split decision (115-113 & 115-113 Clark, 116-112 Quinonez) from defending champion Steve Quinonez (30-7-1, 11 KOs) live on Fox Sports from Trump29 Casino in Coachella, California (near Quinonez’ hometown of Cathedral City). “I’ll fight anybody in the top 10,” the Columbus, Ohio-native Clark said, “and I’ve already beaten Levander Johnson (No. 2 IBF contender). The guy I really want is Mayweather. To be the best you have to beat the best. Just about everybody in boxing thinks Mayweather’s the best lightweight in the world. Hey, I’m used to fighting in everybody’s back yard, and I’m willing to fight Floyd in Detroit. I started boxing there at the Kronk Gym. If we can’t work that fight out, I’ll take on the winner of Spadafora-Dorin. I’ll leave ! that up to my promoter, Jimmy Burchfield, and manager, Pat Nelson.”

    Clark, 29, has won five fights in a row since losing a unanimous decision to the now IBF super lightweight champion Vivian Harris. His only other career loss was to WBO title-holder Artur Grigorian.

    “His win against Quinonez has to put Michael in the top 10,” Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. president Burchfield added. “I want to thank the NABF, Tom Brown and Dan Goossen from Goossen-Tutor for giving us that opportunity. Mayweather’s the fight we want. He’s a great champion. Michael has done everything he’s had to do, including fights in his opponents’ backyards, and now he deserves a title shot. He fought a great fight against a very tough opponent in Quinonez, who was ranked in the top 15 in all three of major organizations. It’s Michael Clark’s time now.”

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xClark challenges Mayweather``x1052223969,14333,``x``x ``xJOSE LUIS SOTO-KARASS VS LUIS VILLALTA,
    NICK COOK VS ROCKY TORRES HEADLINE FIGHT CARD
    ON MAY 19 IN HOUSTON, TEX.,
    HOUSTON'S JESUS CERDA ALSO FEATURED;
    TELEVISED ON FOX SPORTS WORLD,
    FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL & FOX SPORTS LATIN AMERICA

    Promoters Anna Beth Goodman/Kingfish Boxing Productions and Jim Browning/Browning Boxing will present a sensational fight card on Monday, May 19, 2003, in the Sam Houston Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel Astrodome, located at 8686 Kirby Drive in Houston, Texas.

    MAIN EVENT - 10 ROUNDS, LIGHTWEIGHTS
    JOSE LUIS SOTO-KARASS, 18-4, 17 KOs, Los Mochis, Mexico, vs
    LUIS VILLALTA, 27-4-1, 23 KOs, Hillsborough, New Jersey

    In the 10-round main event, hard-hitting lightweight prospect Jose Luis "Mapachito" Soto-Karass, 18-4, with 17 knockouts, of Los Mochis, Mexico, will face veteran Luis "El Puma" Villalta, 27-4-1, with 23 knockouts, of Hillsborough, New Jersey.

    At the age of 20, Soto-Karass has been a pro for almost five years - he made his pro debut a week before his 16th birthday in 1998. A stablemate in Los Mochis of WBO jr. bantamweight world champion Fernando Montiel and WBC light flyweight world champion Jorge "Travieso" Arce, Jose is fighting for the first time outside of Mexico. His twin brother, welterweight prospect Jesus Soto-Karass, made his U.S. debut on Kingfish's May 5 fight card in Shreveport, Louisiana.

    A pro for almost 10 years, Villalta has an aggressive style and good punching power. He is 5-3-1 in his last nine fights, with all five wins by knockout. In his last fight on April 12 in Miami, he was leading on all three scorecards against former WBA super featherweight world champion Lakva Sim, but twisted his ankle early in the fourth round, couldn't continue and Sim was awarded the win by TKO.

    CO-FEATURED BOUT - 10 ROUNDS, LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
    NICK COOK, 12-0, 7 KOs, LaPorte, Indiana, vs
    ROCKY TORRES, 22-5, 8 KOs, Homestead, Florida

    Nick Cook, 12-0, with 7 knockouts, of LaPorte, Indiana, will face the more-experienced Rocky Torres, 22-5, with 8 knockouts, of Miami, Florida, in the 10-round co-featured fight at 175 pounds.

    Now 22 years old, Cook is an aggressive slugger who always makes exciting fights. He's been a pro for almost 2 ½ years, and this fight represents a step up in class of opposition for him. Torres is an eight-year veteran, and had one of his career-best wins a year ago in Puerto Rico, an 11th-round TKO against previously undefeated prospect Danny Santiago (22-0). The fight was on the undercard of Felix Trinidad's final fight against Hacine Cherifi.

    The undercard will feature some of Houston's top young boxing talent, including Jesus Cerda, 10-0, with 3 knockouts vs Roman Trejo, 5-6-2, with 3 knockouts, of San Marcos, Tex., in a six/eight-round jr. featherweight bout.

    Chase "The White Tiger" Shields, 7-0, with 4 knockouts, will fight in a four-round jr. middleweight bout and Jose Barnica, 3-0, with 2 knockouts, will be featured in a four-round featherweight bout, both against opponents to be announced.

    Ticket prices: $25 general admission, $45 ringside.
    Tickets are available at: Browning Boxing - purchase by telephone at 713-426-5400, or online at BrowningBoxing.com.

    Doors open at 6:30 P.M., first fight at 7:30 P.M.

    More information on Kingfish Boxing Productions is available on the internet at www.kingfishboxing.com.

    This Kingfish fight card will be televised on Fox Sports World, Fox Sports En Espanol and Fox Sports Latin America. Two Kingfish boxing events are televised each month, and reach over 70 million households.
    The ringside analysts on the English-language telecasts are Dave Bontempo and Bob Spagnola. On the Spanish-language telecasts, Carlos Avilas and Luis Rodriguez call the action from ringside. The executive producer is Terry Planell. Check local listings for times in your area.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xKingfish Boxing Heads to Houston``x1052483261,30820,``x``x ``xLAKE STATION, IN-- A standing room only crowd watched Hammond lightweight prospect Ruben Galvan looked sharp Saturday night scoring a sixth round TKO over game, but out-boxed,Clifford Woods of Columbia, Missouri.

    Woods awkward style was a problem early for Galvan, but by the fourth round he was in total control of the fight. To his credit, Woods never stopped trying and slammed home some nice body shots during the bout.

    Light-heavyweight Guy Solis scored a six round decision over Donnie Pendleton of Milwaukee. Pendleton stayed in a survivors role throughout the bout and never really tried to mount a serious offensive. Solis tried to make a fight of it but Pendleton's experience and negative style made for a dull
    encounter.

    Hernandez Posts Fourth Straight Victory

    Gary, Indiana prospect Angel Hernandez kept his unblemished record intact with a third round stoppage of veteran Nelson Hernandez of Milwaukee. Hernandez showed improved defense and a wicked left hook to the body in dismantling his Wisconsin namesake. Trained by long time Gary PAL coaches John Taylor and Mike Soria, and managed by former lightweight contender Marty
    Jakubowski, Hernandez, now 4-0, 4 KOs, looks like a star in the making.

    Chicago veteran Rodney Wilson scored a routine five round decision victory over useful James Rice of Indianapolis. Rice gave us standard gutty effort, but Wilson's vast experience was too much for him.

    Chandler, Oklahoma super middleweight Tracy Sneed scored a second round TKO over Milwaukee veteran Marris Virgil. Sneed has returned to the game after a six year absence and looked like he still had something to offer. The southpaw has been training in Las Vegas with former world champion Cornelius Boza Edwards.

    Good looking Chicago prospect Shay Mobley easily stopped overmatched Donald Tucker in the second round of a scheduled four round opening bout.

    Promoter Ron Kern was pleased with the great fan support in Northern Indiana and plans a July return to the area. Kern's nest offering is June 3 at the 8 Second Saloon in Indianapolis with local fireman Chris Lytle in the main event``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGalvan Takes Out Woods in Fourth``x1052690598,43607,``x``x ``xFEWER THAN 500 TICKETS REMAIN WITH ONE MONTH TO GO


    ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – With only one month remaining before Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward battle toe-to-toe in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, fewer than 500 tickets remain for public sale announced Bally’s President Ken Condon and Main Events CEO Kathy Duva.

    “Boxing fans in attendance for Gatti-Ward III will be talking about it for years to come, and we’re thrilled to bring the final chapter in this epic trilogy to Atlantic City,” said Condon.

    “Fight fans cannot get enough of Arturo and Micky, “ said Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events. “If they fought three more times they would probably sell out all three times again.”

    The first Gatti-Ward bout—May 18, 2002–easily captured 2002 “Fight of the Year” honors, and is recognized by many as one of the greatest fights ever. Ward-Gatti II—November 23, 2002—was the highest grossing non-heavyweight fight in Atlantic City history ($1.6 million-plus). On Saturday, June 7, the two will once again lay it all on the line at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall and add another legendary chapter to professional boxing’s “Greatest Fights” archives. In the co-feature, Michael Grant will face Dominick Guinn in a 10-round heavyweight bout.

    Tickets for Gatti-Ward III are priced at $350, $200, $150, $100, and $50. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 1-800-736-1420, or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Gatti-Ward III is presented by Bally’s Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City and Main Events, in association with DiBella Entertainment. The much-anticipated bout is also sponsored by Budweiser.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGatti-Ward III Approaching Sellout``x1052742418,70994,``x``x ``xThe International Professional Ring Officials Association (Ipro) has announced that it will hold it’s 2003 convention and officials training camp in Seattle on August 7th 8th and 9th.

    The convention will be held at The Sea Tac Marriott Hotel, which is next to The Seattle-Tacoma Airport.

    Thursday August 7th will be The Ipro golf tournament, which was won last year by Mrs. Bobby Lee of Hawaii.

    Friday August 8th will be the Chuck Minker salmon fishing derby, which was won last year by Glen Hamada with a 21-pound king salmon. Friday evening we will have our annual salmon barbeque.

    Saturday August 9th will be a 6 hour training camp for officials with certification testing for referees and judges.

    The scheduled speakers are: Tom Kaczmarek, Marc Ratner, Armando Garcia and Drs. Margaret Goodman and Flip Homansky.

    Saturday evening hosts a cocktail and dinner party followed by an auction. Last years big winners at the auction were Joe Cortez, Dr. Rubin Garcia and Vic Drakulich.

    The cost of the convention for members is $59 and includes all training seminars, lunch, dinner and the barbeque.

    Ipro is a not for profit group that is run by boxing officials. No Ipro member may profit from Ipro, or are any salaries paid to officers. Any yearend funds are given to boxing charities.

    Annual membership is $36. For an application, contact President Barry Druxman at Ipro1@webtv.net or by telephone at (425) 867-5474.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xIPRO to Hold 2003 Convention in Seattle``x1052792701,73999,``x``x ``xWOBURN, Mass. – Team New England won eight of 13 matches last night (Monday) against Team England in the inaugural Pender-Downes Challenge Cup Tournament at the Woburn Elks Lodge. The amateur boxing tournament concludes Thursday night at the Lowell Elks Lodge.

    The team winning the most matches at the two shows will keep the coveted Pender-Downes Challenge Cup for one year. Plans call for the Pender-Downs Challenge Cup Tournament to be held next year in London.

    USA Boxing/New England, in association with Boston Sport Boxing Club and the Elks Lodges of New England, is sponsoring the amateur boxing tournament named in honor of former world middleweight champions Terry Downes (35-9, 28 KOs), of Paddington (England) and the late Paul Pender (40-6-2, 20 KOs), of Brookline (MA). Pender won two of three world middleweight championship matches against Downes.

    Doors open at 6:30 p.m. in Lowell with the first bout scheduled for 7:45 p.m. All tickets are $20.00 and seating is on a first come, first serve basis. Carryover raffles will be conducted with the grand prize an all-expensed paid trip for two to Atlantic City, New Jersey and a pair of tickets to (June 7) Gatti-Ward III.

    Proceeds from the two shows will go to the respective college scholarship funds, sponsored by the Woburn and Lowell Elks Lodges, for local area high school students.

    For more information contact Gregory Leschishin at 617. 972.1711 or email him at coachGreg@bostonboxing.com. Tickets will be available at the door.

    Woburn Results:

    Team New England 8, Team England 5

    JUNIORS:

    152 – TE Jason Jennings WDEC3 TNE Michael Rodriguez (Worcester); 132 – TNE Josean Torres (Worcester) Retirement 1 (1:33) TE Darryn Mattis; 119 – TNE Jose Morales (Haverhill) Retirement after 2 TE Danny Pettitt; 90 – TNE Adam Feliciano (Worcester) WDEC3 TE Charlie Tivers; 85 – TNE Juan Murillo (Worcester) WDEC3 TE Lewis Pettitt.

    SENIORS:

    201+ --TNE Dan Higgens (Dorchester) WDEC3 TE Lennie O’Connor; 165 – TNE Ronnie Valazguez (Dorchester) WDEC3 TE Cornelius Bryan, TNE Edwin Rodriguez (Worcester) WDEC3 TE Mark Thirlwall; 152 – TE Manas Barber WDEC3 TNE Derek Silviera (Beverly), TE Jamal Morrison WDEC3 TNE Alex Gonzalez (Dorchester), NE Jamie Morrison Retirement 3 (1:17) TNE Xavier Lugo (New Bedford); 141 – TNE Emanuel Pons WDEC3 TE James Warrington; 132 – TE Ryan Cook WDEC3 Edwin Rosado (Worcester).


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England takes 8-5 lead in 1st Pender-Downes Challenge Cup``x1052828804,74403,``x``x ``x
    Busy-punching Japanese Shingo Yamaguchi, 107.75, acquired the vacant OPBF 108-pound belt as he put on a sizzling see-saw performance with WBC #20 ranked crafty Filipino Wendyl Janiola, 108, to win a hairline split decision over 12 heats in Tokyo, Japan. Scored 116-115 and 116-114 respectively for Yamaguchi, and 115-114, for Janiola. Yamaguchi, 14-3-1, 7 KOs, had failed to capture the WBC light-fly throne via a 10th round TKO by Korean Yosam Choi in February of the previous year. Janiola, 13-2, 5 KOs, scored an upset decision over ex-WBC champ Saman Sorjaturong in Cambodia last year. Janiola displayed light but accurate jabs to dominate earlier rounds, but Yamaguchi turned loose with big overhand rights to have the tide busily turn in every round. They mixed it up furiously, and Yamaguchi's last surge in the 10th and 11th barely gave him an edge to seize the regional belt renounced by his stablemate Tatsuo Hayashida.

    Undercard:
    WBC #3 ranked ex-OPBF l08-pound champ Tatsuo Hayashida (15-2-1, 7 KOs), 106.5, was in hot water with solid counters of Japanese #7 ranked minimum Junichi Ebisuoka (9-6-2, 2 KOs), 106, obviously trailed on points, but swept last three sessions to earn a close but unanimous nod (96-95 twice and 97-94) over 10. Hayashida, gunning for a shot at the WBC 108-pound belt against Mexican Jorge Arce, was brought on the verge of a knockdown in the 7th, but his pride and determination made him desperately retaliate to barely avert an upset.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xYamaguchi Wins OPBF Belt by Joe Koizumi ``x1052836137,14474,``x``x ``xLOS ANGELES, – Golden Boy Promotions is pleased to announce the
    signing of junior welterweight prospect Juan “Pollo” Valenzuela to a
    promotional contract.

    “Juan is a diamond in the rough,” said Golden Boy Promotions’ President Oscar De La Hoya. “He’s beaten world-rated fighters in amazing upsets, but he’s never been backed by a promotional company. That’s what we’re looking to do now – back him and put him in position for bigger fights.”

    Valenzuela, a native of Culiacan, Mexico, sports a record of 16-6 (6 KOs), but the action-packed warrior is best known for his stunning victories over two of boxing’s most highly touted prospects, 2000 US Olympian Ricardo Williams Jr. and Julio Diaz.

    Only 22 years old, but willing to fight anyone, anywhere, at any time, Valenzuela battled Diaz in Lemoore, California on April 26, 2002. It only took one big left hook and a brutal follow-up barrage to stun Diaz and force a referee’s stoppage in the opening round.

    In February of this year, the then-unbeaten Williams, quickly rising up the ranks, was Valenzuela’s second big name victim when “Pollo” won over not only the judges who awarded him a unanimous decision, but the fans at ringside who cheered him on as he pulled off the upset.

    As one of the most exciting young fighters to come out of Mexico in recent years, Valenzuela, who returns to action June 17 on ESPN, now has his sights on a world title, something he believes Golden Boy Promotions will help pave the way for.

    “I’m motivated and I feel great that Golden Boy Promotions is going to support me in my career,” said Valenzuela. “I’m going to work real hard to be one of the world champions.”

    As one of the sport’s most active promoters, Golden Boy Promotions has over 50 shows scheduled in 2003, with many to be televised on networks such as HBO, Telefutura, and ESPN.

    Valenzuela joins WBC super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios, WBC #1 ranked lightweight Juan Lazcano, WBC #2 ranked super bantamweight Israel Vazquez, and WBO #2 ranked super lightweight sensation Kelson Pinto, as well as up and coming prospects such as WBC youth lightweight champ ‘Mighty’ Mike Anchondo, NABO super flyweight champion Jose Navarro, WBO #10 ranked bantamweight Carlos Madrigal, WBC youth super middleweight champ Enrique Andrade, Librado
    Andrade, and two-time Argentine Olympian Guillermo Saputo, on the Golden Boy Promotions’ team of fighters.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGolden Boy Promotions Signs Upset Specialist Juan Valenzuela``x1052845280,53152,``x``x ``xDIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT'S UNBEATEN 2000 OLYMPIC BRONZE-MEDALLIST
    CLARENCE VINSON HEADLINES ESPN/2 "TUESDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" AT MOHEGAN SUN ON JUNE 3

    ***Silver Medal-winner Ricardo Williams, Jr. in co-feature***

    New York, NY -DiBella Entertainment's unbeaten 2000 Olympic bronze
    medallist Clarence "Untouchable" Vinson will headline the "Salute to the United States Military" card at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. on Tuesday night, June 3, it was announced today by DBE president Lou DiBella.

    ESPN/2 will televise in a special edition of "Tuesday Night Fights" beginning at 8:00 PM.

    Vinson (12-0, 5 KOs) will try to extend his unblemished pro record to 13 straight when he tackles the veteran Heriberto Ruiz (27-2-2, 14 KOs, Los Mochas, Mexico) in the 10-round bantamweight main event. The three-time national champion fights out of Washington, DC. Vinson is coming off an eight round unanimous decision over Joey Garcia on March 29 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.

    In the co-featured attraction, Olympic silver medallist Ricardo Williams Jr. will appear in a 10-round junior welterweight contest. After winning his first eight in impressive style, Williams now looks to rebound from his first career setback in the pro ranks, a 10-round close decision to Juan Valenzuela on February 15 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The Cincinnati, Ohio, lefthander has shown the talent and maturity to begin a new winning streak and become a presence in the junior welterweight division.

    "We are privileged to salute our servicemen on this night's card," said DiBella. "The word hero is often misused in the sports world, but the brave young men and women of the U.S. military are true heroes, and it is an honor to honor them."

    Three young rising stars promoted and advised by DBE will also see action on the card. Brooklyn native Paulie Malignaggi (12-0, 4 KOs), idle since November of last year due to injury, returns to the ring to face Shad Howard (9-3-3, 5 KOs) in a six-round junior welterweight bout. Jewish sensation Yuri Foreman (10-0, 6 KOs), who has scored three straight knockouts under the tutelage of new trainer Tommy Brooks, will step into the ring against Sammy Sparkman (15-9-1, 8 KOs) in a six round junior middleweight bout. Junior welterweight Emmanuel Clottey (19-5, 13 KOs) of Ghana faces Sal Lopez (18-4-2, 10 KOs) in an eight round bout.

    Tickets are priced at $35 and $25, and are on sale now at the Mohegan Sun Box Office or Tickets.com (800-477-6849). For military personnel, with Military ID, Mohegan Sun is offering a buy one get one free ticket offer at the Mohegan Sun Box Office.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOlympian Vinson Headlines Mohegan Sun ESPN2 Show June 3rd``x1052845430,58333,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE:
    FROM: Brian Halquist Productions 
     

    Battle at the Boat XX

    Saturday May 31st, 2003

    7:30PM – Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma Washington 

    Main Event 

    NABO Middleweight Champion
    Kenny Ellis
    29-4-2, 18KO’s
    Seattle, Washington 

    vs 

    Antoine Robinson
    26-6-1, 9KO’s
    Louisville, Kentucky 
     
     

    Undercard 


    Middleweight

    Walter Wright vs Juan Garcia

    Seattle, Washington Covina, California 


    Super Middleweight

    Jeff Horan vs Reggie Lowe

    Seattle, Washington Seattle, Washington 

    Heavyweight

    John Anthony vs TBA

    Albuquerque, New Mexico



    Cruiserweight

    Robert Linton vs Ayodeji Fadeyi

    Univ. Place, Washington Denver, Colorado 


    Light Middleweight

    Horatio Garcia vs Rudy Lavato

    Sacramento, California Albuquerque, New Mexico 

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xKenny Ellis Defends NABO 160 lb title vs Antoine Robinson``x1052872916,93781,``x``x ``xBalletto to return to Foxwoods versus Frank Houghtaling in co-feature

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – IBU world lightweight champion Gary “Tiger” Balletto (27-1-2, 24 KOs) gets a rare chance for full redemption May 30 when he fights Frank Houghtaling (17-8-5, 4 KOs) in the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights 10-round co-feature at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

    In his only other nationally televised match, Balletto suffered his first and only loss as a pro October 25 2002 -- on ESPN2 and at Foxwoods – via a 10-round decision to Michael Clark.

    “This fight is special because it’s on national television and at Foxwoods,” Balletto said. “If I lose two nationally televised fights, I should start doing something outside of this sport. I’ve been working at improving my style, using my jab more to control the ring and set-up my opponent. I used to be just a brawler. I’m gaining experience and improving with every fight. I’m not where I want to be, yet.”

    Houghtaling, fighting out of Albany, is the reigning IBC Americas light welterweight champion. He holds a victory against former world champions Livingstone Bramble and went the distance in a loss to ex-WBA light welterweight champion Sharmba Mitchell.

    “Houghtaling’s a fighter,” Balletto noted. “He punches all 10 rounds and this is going to be an exciting fight. The only guys who’ve been a problem for me, though, have been boxers.”

    Gary rebounded from his lone loss three months later with an impressive second-round knockout of former world champion Juan Polo Perez. In his last match, March 21 at Foxwoods and broadcast on New England Sports Network, Balletto captured the IBU world lightweight championship with an electrifying performance against Johnny Walker “Black.” Gary applied pressure from the opening bell and Walker didn’t have an answer for Balletto’s relentless attack. Using punishing body punches, Gary forced his opponent to the ropes where a barrage of powerful punches knocked Walker out of the ring and onto the announcer’s table – practically in former five-time world champion Vinny Paz’ lap -- at 2:49 of the opening round.

    “This is the most important fight of Gary’s career,” his promoter Jimmy Burchfield explained. “He’s coming off two smashing wins, the last earning him the IBU world lightweight title, but the last time he fought on national television was the loss to Clark. I believe ‘Tiger’ Balletto is the hardest hitting lightweight in the world today. He’ll have an opportunity to show that to a national audience May 30.”

    Balletto, who turns 28 this Friday, is rated No. 9 by the NABF, No. 15 in the NABA and NABO. Kurt Reader is his head trainer.

    Neither Balletto’s IBU nor Houghtaling’s IBC Americas belts are on the line in their non-title match. The May 30th main event pits Kasim Ouma (16-1-2, 11 KOs), of West Palm Beach, against Angel Hernandez (25-3-1, 6 KOs), of Chicago, in the IBF eliminator and for the USBA title
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGary “Tiger” Balletto gets another ESPN2 shot May 30 ``x1052915664,76070,``x``x ``xFilipino welter champ Dondon Sultan (8-2, 2 KOs), 154, surprisingly scored an upset unanimous decision (98-95, 98-96 and 97-95) over ex-OPBF welter ruler Hiroyuki Yoshino (36-12-1, 26 KOs), 154, Japan, over 10 rounds on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan.

    Yoshino, who failed to win the WBA super-light belt via 5th round KO by Juan Martin Coggi in 1993, displayed his trade-mark left hook to be in command in the first 4 rounds. But he abruptly ran out of gas in the 5th and repeatedly absorbed Sultan's countering rights to forfeit his early lead on points.

    The 35-year-old Yoshino, now a 154-pounder who had kept his welter belt 14 times, still aims to win his third national belt by capturing the 160-pound title, but he has apparently lost his previous zip and power in latest fights.

    Undercard:
    Stylish jabber Masataka Murata (11-2, 5 KOs), 125.5, halted hard-hitting Yuji Onozaki (8-2-1, 6 KOs), 126, at 1:48 of the 6th session. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xSultan stuns Yoshino by Joe Koizumi ``x1053029853,24554,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    LOWELL, MA – It doesn’t get much closer than this. Imagine a tournament of 24 bouts that would be decided by the final round of the last fight. That was the scenario last night at the Lowell Elks Lodge when Simeon Dunwell of Beverly, MA entered his last round against London’s David Byrnes in the 141-pound class to determine the winning team between Team New England and the visiting Team England. After taking stiff, straight punches from the much taller Byrnes in the first round, Dunwell, a defending two-time New England Golden Gloves champion and winner of the Thomas F. Costello Memorial Trophy (Most Outstanding Boxer) in the 2003 tournament rallied and lunged with lead hooks and right hands to snatch the final two rounds and even up the total tally (12-12). The final round may have also helped by courtesy of Byrnes’ two hits to the head of Dunwell after he had slipped to the canvas. A point was deducted much to the dismay of the English boxers who cheered as if it were a soccer game.

    “There was some pressure going into this fight when they told me that I needed to win for the team to tie,” said the relieved Dunwell. “I was ready to fight anyway and this was good preparation for the Nationals (coming up in two months). Byrnes is a good fighter and since he was so tall, it was hard for me to get inside.”

    Dunwell was also voted the Most Outstanding Boxer for his efforts of keeping the trophy flown over to England. Dunwell’s win and key wins by New Bedford’s Jose Colon and Somerville’s Frankie Tejada was also significant. Team New England was winning 8-5 going into last night.

    After losing some questionable calls on Monday at the Woburn Elks Lodge, Team England was helped by Art Romahlo, of Lowell, who pulled his three Lowell boxers out of the tournament for no good reason. According to publicist, Bob Trieger of Full Court Press, Romahlo was upset with Team England weighing in before he had arrived at the Lowell Elks Lodge, even though the Brits were weighed by the New England officials. This proved to be not only a waste of a trip for London’s Obed Mbwakongo, Dean Cook and Jack Maroni, but it also affected how the tournament could have gone had they not been forfeits. Bonehead of the Night was not officially named but it would have rightly gone to Romahlo who should have noticed that the officials had favored the New Englanders on Monday night in the first place.

    “I was definitely robbed, said 13 year old, Charlie Tivers of London who lost a decision on Monday night. “But this sort of thing happens in England as well. Some judges just don’t know what they’re watching.”

    Luckily for the Americans, the ringside judges were paying strict attention to the Frankie Tejada-Jimmy Saunders fight and the Colon-Barber bout. As was the case in the Dunwell-Byrnes fight, Tejada had difficulty with the taller Saunders who was also very sharp. But winning the final two rounds, particularly the final frame, which was won by a punishing body attack prompting a standing eight count proved to be the difference.

    “My coach, John (Curran) told me to go out and attack his body so I went out and did it,” said Tejada. “You can recover from head shots but you can’t recover from body shots. ‘Kill the body and the head will die,’ as they say. Besides, he was taller than me and that sometimes invites you to go downstairs more.”

    In what was voted Fight of the Night, New Bedford’s Jose Colon and Manas Barber had a real tear-up in the second to last bout. It was a fight that could have gone either way with each man landing ripping shots but Colon’s right hands and strong finish seemed to be the difference.

    All of the visiting English boxers train at the legendary Fisher Club of London, the same gym that spawned former middleweight champion, Terry Downes. Downes and the late Paul Pender of Brookline, MA had three memorable fights together in the early sixties and remained close friends until Pender’s death last year. Ironically, as mentioned by John Curran, one of the founders of the Somerville Boxing Club, Pender and Downes were both U.S. marines. Last night’s inaugural Pender-Downes Challenge Cup was conceived by former Fisher Club administrator, Ed Dipple, chairman of sponsoring ASU International and Gregory Leschishin of the Boston Sport Boxing Club.

    Said Dipple, “We want this to become a boxing’s version of the Ryder Cup, an ongoing tournament and great way to pay tribute to Pender and Downes. The message we want to send is American and English boxers may battle each other in the ring, but when it comes to worldwide conflict – real war – they fight shoulder to shoulder.”

    After the bouts had concluded, Tejada walked over to Saunders and said, “Good fight. It was nice meeting all of you guys.” Saunders replied, “Yes it was. Sorry about that late hit.” “Ah, forget it,” said Tejada, “It’s all part of boxing.”

    Brothers in arms. And after seeing all of the class displayed in addition to some exciting fights between two outstanding groups of young gentleman, you couldn’t help but feel a little better knowing that neither team lost.

    Woburn Results: May 12th at the Elks Lodge

    Team New England 8, Team England 5

    JUNIORS:
    152 – TE Jason Jennings WDEC3 TNE Michael Rodriguez (Worcester); 132 – TNE Josean Torres (Worcester) Retirement 1 (1:33) TE Darryn Mattis; 119 – TNE Jose Morales (Haverhill) Retirement after 2 TE Danny Pettitt; 90 – TNE Adam Feliciano (Worcester) WDEC3 TE Charlie Tivers; 85 – TNE Juan Murillo (Worcester) WDEC3 TE Lewis Pettitt.

    SENIORS:
    201+ --TNE Dan Higgens (Dorchester) WDEC3 TE Lennie O’Connor; 165 – TNE Ronnie Valazguez (Dorchester) WDEC3 TE Cornelius Bryan, TNE Edwin Rodriguez (Worcester) WDEC3 TE Mark Thirlwall; 152 – TE Manas Barber WDEC3 TNE Derek Silviera (Beverly), TE Jamal Morrison WDEC3 TNE Alex Gonzalez (Dorchester), NE Jamie Morrison Retirement 3 (1:17) TNE Xavier Lugo (New Bedford); 141 – TNE Emanuel Pons WDEC3 TE James Warrington; 132 – TE Ryan Cook WDEC3 Edwin Rosado (Worcester

    Lowell Results: May 15th at the Elks Lodge

    Team England 7, Team New England 3

    SENIORS:
    201+ --TE Lennie O’Connor WDEC3 TNE Brian Wilson (Lynn); 165 – TE Jamie Morrison WDEC3 TNE Robert Brando-Hunt (Osterville), TNE Omar Pena (Providence) WDEC3 TE Ryan Cook; 152 – TNE Jose Colon (New Bedford) WDEC3 TE Manas Barber, TNE Frank Tejada (Somerville) WDEC3 TE Jimmy Saunders, TE Obed Mbwakongo Won by Forfeit. 141 – TNE Simeon Dunwell (Beverly) WDEC3 TE David Byrnes, TE James Warrington WDEC3 Tom Duquette (Waltham). 112 – TE Dean Cook Won by Forfeit, TE Jack Maroni Won by Forfeit.

    Total: Team New England 12, Team England 12

    Outstanding Match of the Tournament
    Jose Colon (Team New England)--Manas Barber (Team England)

    Outstanding Boxer of the Tournament
    Simeon Dunwell (Team New England)






    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Rallies to Tie Team England 12-12 in Inaugural Pender-Downes Challenge Cup Tournament``x1053061025,86163,``x``x ``xIn Rusty’s Corner
    By Rusty Rubin, managing editor Ringsports.com the magazine and website


    Roy Jones Jr. will defend his title in October in Africa, against an opponent that he names. We’re thinking Evander Holyfield, but let’s wait and see. Hey, wouldn’t it be great if they joined us on the cruise after the fight? They’re both very charitable guys, who genuinely care for their fellow man.

    Lennox Lewis and his people are suing Don King, so what else is new? What would this society be without lawyers and lawsuits and guys like Don King around to sue?

    A regular reader on this website took the time to e-mail me and ask if I stayed up at nights, figuring out ways to piss people off.

    No. I try to get plenty of sleep and still do it. I have that special talent. It’s one that goes with most boxing folks. It’s called an honest, shoot from the hip style, and you know I’m proud of it. I’m sure I’ll get plenty of hate mail from this piece I just dreamed up. So grit your teeth and read on.

    If nothing else, on the website and in the mag, I do my best to present boxing in the best possible image, and that’s not always easy.

    So when I see someone doing something that damages the already poor image of our sport, I cringe, and raise my voice in protest. Hear my voice boxing fans!

    Rocky Sucked!

    Now that I’ve gotten your attention, read on!

    No, certainly not the great heavyweight champion, but the movie, which somehow won an Academy Award.

    I don’t know about you, but I have long felt that Oscar or not, the Rocky motion picture series, did more to hurt our sport then anything else. It portrayed boxing in a bad light, too violent and bloody and totally unrealistic.

    Non-boxing fans that already had a bad image of our sport were shown a movie that portrayed it in the worst possible light.

    Okay, the script was decent enough, but the actors looked so bad in missing their targets it look more like wrestling or a martial arts movie.

    No one in this day and age, or any day and age, can take the beating that Sylvester Stallone took in the lead role, and come back to win a world title.

    People who saw the Academy Award winning Rocky I, got an impression of the sport that it is far more bloody and violent then it really is. Not that it can’t still be made safer.

    I hated seeing boxing embarrassed like that, and yes, I thought it was an embarrassment. The guys that were portrayed in the film couldn’t even be considered good club fighters, let alone world champion caliber.

    But the movie drew many folks to see the false depiction of our sport, and Hollywood, in its “Good Old Boy, let’s take care of our own mode, made Rocky I the picture of the year. Pardon me while I puke as I did when I first saw the movie and did again when the Academy Award was given to the film.

    Now Stallone and company want to make Rocky VI, a musical?

    Well, boxing does have plenty of so-called music that they play for a fighter’s entourage as they walk down the aisle and into the ring. About the only thing I can say about what passes for music at fights nowadays is thank God for the Star Spangled Banner.

    But how many stupid movies about someone who defensively couldn’t win one fight, let alone a world title, do we have to be subjected to?

    I watched Rocky I, and couldn’t believe the lousy portrayal of our sport. I didn’t see any sequels and will not see any!

    If I am ever captured by terrorists that would be the worst way to torture me! That and the ‘music’ they play at the fights themselves. But the good news is that I understand that I’m on their list as one of “America’s Least Wanted”.

    But hey, it’s my opinion, and I’m entitled to it.

    Just as you, my readers and boxing fans are.

    Yo, Stallone, we need you and the Hollywood stars, many of whom are great fight fans to join us in our boxing cruise to raise money for two really great and honest champions, Greg Page and Gerald McClellan.

    You guys were at ringside to watch them give their all for your enjoyment. Now it’s your turn to give back. I’m not asking you, or Bo Derek or Jack Nicholson and the like to join us, although you’d be most welcome and add to our ability to raise funds via photos and autographs. I understand that you have a very busy schedule. But with the folks you know, you can help us fill the cruise ship and give back to a couple of fighters who have given so much and are now in need of your help. Hell, you can afford to buy them the cabins as a gift if you so desired.

    Guys like John McCain should join this effort also. They profess to love boxing so much, isn’t it time to put their money where there mouth is?

    Yo, To all the big promoters should participate as well. They’re the ones these fighters take the risks for.

    And yo, to all the other website s out there, I challenge you to print this article and help a great cause. I’m not trying to compete with you; I’m trying to help the same sport that you guys are trying to make a living off. Like it or not, we’re in this together, and although I hate to use this phrase when we’re doing a cruise, it’s ‘sink or swim’. I’m giving it more then lip service and I challenge each and every one of you to do the same.

    Glove to Glove is a branch of Ringsports.com. We’re essentially a prayer group. We take no money and we ask for none. 100% of the money raised on the cruise is going to help Page and McClellan and their loving families who take care of them.

    So, just because Rocky portrayed boxing and some of it’s seedier characters in a bad light, doesn’t mean that we can’t correct this on Nov. 23, and show the world what great people boxing folks really are.

    For more information on this cruise, please contact us at Rngsprts@cs.com.

    Agree of disagree, I’d like to hear your opinion.

    At Ringsports.com, We're still pushing for the induction of Billy Soose into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, but we know it won't be this year. We'd appreciate all support you can offer in this matter. Thanks.

    Also for the record, Soose also beat Tony Zale and fought a draw with Charley Burley; neither could be considered an easy task.

    As a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, and a voter for those inducted into the IBHOF, I take personal offense that this former champion's name does not even appear on the ballot. The World Boxing Hall of Fame in LA had the good sense to induct Soose in 1994. Let's hope that common sense carries over to the IBHOF.***

    Keep reading this column for info on when our next boxing party at Spiros Sports Bar at Mira Loma and Longly, in Reno, will be held. Right now we’re aiming for May 31.***

    Reader Ed Ramos has a few collectors items available, including a Joe Louis vintage bronze medallion, circa 1970, in it’s original box, #81 of 5,000 for $600 OBO. He also has a Cassius Clay 1964 autographed boxing glove for $3000. You can call him at 1-860-246-9096.***

    An amateur boxing program in Maui, and they're looking for opponents, and while it's not cheap to fly over there, once you arrive they cover the lodging and half the food costs, transportation to and from the gym, and provide activities like luaus and ocean events. For more information you can go to their website, bangbangboxing.com, or call 1-808-879-0007.

    Glove to Glove: Seems like we've gotten a lot of new members recently and all are welcome. Remember it's free and the only time you will be contacted is if someone is in need of prayer and/or cards. You join by sending us an e-mail. It's that simple. And Glove to Glove is our way of showing that boxing folk genuinely care about each other and the world we live in.

    The success of the Glove to Glove program has provided some sensational results, and we can take credit in extending a number of lives. It also shows the world that boxing folks care about each other, and stand tall for them. In short in enhances the sometimes seedy reputation of our sport.***

    Glove to Glove is on a crusade to help former champions Gerald McClellan and Greg Page and their families. They were injured in the ring and have very high medical bills. We need your prayers for them.

    And, to improve the image of our sport and the great people in it, we need you on board our Thanksgiving Cruise out of Miami, Nov. 23-30 to raise money for these great warriors who gave us so much and have received back so little.

    100% of the money we raise will go to these two families. And the price is very affordable and includes some extra boxing guests and entertainment. Join us. For information, please drop me a line at Rngsprts@cs.com.

    Prayers for the recovery for eye problems for Helen Devlin, wife of former New England champ Joe Devlin, former New England welterweight champ. Cards can be sent to Helen at 80 Franklin St.Mansfield, MA. 02038.

    We now need your prayers for veteran Hall of Famer, boxer, referee, actor and so much more, as well as a good friend, as Lou Filippo has undergone, God willing, successful surgery for lung cancer. Besides the prayers I know he'd love hearing from his many fans. Write to Lou at 2826 Botany, Downey, CA. 90240. And the best news is he's back to being a top-flight boxing judge.

    Jerry Wages, a former collegiate boxer and a member of the Florida Athletic Commission, is having problems with Leukemia. Please say prayers for his complete recovery.***

    We ask for your prayers for the return to health of the wife of our rating chairman Carole Armit as well as the wife of the sister of referee Elmo Adolph, Cathy Cerola, both suffering from cancer.

    Please say prayers for the return to health of reader Phill Grazide, a long-time fight fan and a supporter of our great sport. Phill is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

    A very special prayer was answered and we received the best Christmas miracle imaginable, as the oncologist who had given her about three years to live, now said that four more chemos and we should get all of it. At last report, they did! Your prayers for the return to health of Glove to Glove CO-founder Sue Walker, has worked, and in the words of Robert Duval in the motion picture 'The Apostle', 'We're small but we're powerful'. If we can do this with a relatively small group, imagine what we can do if we had the big numbers.

    We still need your prayers for Sue who suffered a seizure on Sunday, and needs a complete and quick recovery.

    Glove to Glove is absolutely free. The only thing we ask is an e-mail address so that we can notify you when a boxing person or a member of his family is ailing. Sue has been my best friend for 25 years and thanks to some of the wonderful people out there, she will be with me for a lot longer. But please keep those prayers coming. You can send a message of encouragement or prayer for her to our e-mail address (Rngsprts@cs.com) or drop a card to our Reno office. I'll see that it gets to her, personally.

    By the way, great news in that your prayers have also proved positive in the case of Sara Savill. Her huge medical bills are still here, but as of now, the cancer isn't.**

    Thanks and God bless.***

    To answer a question I seem to be asked more and more frequently. Yes, the website and the magazine are seeking new investors, and hopefully working partners for further expansion. If you are interested, give me a call or drop me a line via PO or e-mail. This opportunity will probably not last very much longer!

    Touching on politics briefly: Before Sept. 11, few if any of us really thought that there was a serious threat from Bin Laden and other Islam fundamentalists, myself included.

    It’s very easy to become complacent.

    But now we have to be ever vigilant. The war on terror is not over. It must be an ongoing and ever evolving process.

    But it’s a war that must be fought, and kudos to the Bush Administration for a job well done so far. Let’s hope the battle against terrorism continues to be fought and won. And let’s remain vigilant at all times. These guys don’t like people who have freedom and they want to force us to live in the same way they do, depressed and unhappy.

    We shouldn’t force our religion and lifestyle down their throats anymore then they have the right to shove theirs down ours. Freedom is exactly that. The ability to choose the type of life and world we want for our friends and loved ones.

    And we must always remember that freedom can only be had if it is welcomed and stood up for. Where freedom fails, tyranny begins.

    As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink it!

    Agree or disagree, I'd like to hear from you.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xIn Rusty’s Corner``x1053091296,55541,``x``x ``xPress Release" 5/15/03

    NOTE: Fighters subject to change

    Saturday, June 14, 2003 at 7:00pm
    Nothwest Favorite Tim Shocks vs. Fight Night 40 Winner Alejandro
    Jimenez
    Over 40 Rounds 7 Bouts Scheduled for Fight Night 41


    Dateline: Rochester, WA, May 15, 2003

    Seattle's Tim Shocks returns to the Lucky Eagle Casino for the first
    time
    since 1999 to face Fight Night 40 winner, Alejandro Jimenez in the 10
    round
    Main Event. Shocks lost to Julio Garcia in June of 1999, and will have
    a
    tough test against Jimenez, who KO'd Ruben Munoz in the April main
    event.
    Shocks comes in with 23 wins, including 14 KO's. Alejandro, from
    Guadalajara, Mexico has 13 wins, six by KO.

    The winner in an eight round rematch between Rafael Ortiz and Jesus
    Santa
    Cruz will determine who fights for the Northwest Title, later this
    year.
    Santa Cruz won a split decision over Ortiz last November. Both
    fighters
    have six wins (Ortiz has 6 KO's, Santa Cruz has 2 KO's)

    Other bouts include:
    * Jaime de la Torre vs. Louis Sargenat 6 rounds
    * Ishwar Amador vs. Luis Lopez 6 rounds
    * Juan Ramon vs. Christian Lopez 4 rounds
    * Cedric Hendricks vs. Ruben Torres 4 rounds
    * Richard Langley, vs. Scott Sales 4 rounds
    * Women bout to be announced

    Changes and additional information will be announced as they occur.

    Tickets $40 ringside, $25 reserved, $20 reserved of general admission
    available at Ticketmaster, casino (800-720-1788) or Twin Cities
    Fuller's
    stores. Fighters are subject to change and contract approval by the
    Washington State Boxing Commission.


    Duncan MacLeod

    Director of Marketing
    Lucky Eagle Casino



    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xShocks at Lucky Eagle Sat. June 14``x1053130450,28456,``x``x ``xPress Release

    CHINOOK WINDS CASINO PRESENTS TONYA HARDING IN HER FIRST OREGON MATCH WITH APPEARANCES BY THREE FORMER WORLD CHAMPIONS FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2003 AT COMMOTION AT THE OCEAN IV

    LINCOLN CITY, ORE, May 7, 2003 – Get ready to rumble on Friday, June 13, at Commotion at the Ocean IV Pro Boxing at Chinook Winds Casino & Convention Center.

    Commotion at the Ocean IV will feature appearances by boxing giant Former Heavy Weight Champion of the World Larry Holmes, four time Former World Middleweight Champion "Terrible" Terry Norris, and Former World Super Featherweight Champion Cornelius Bosa Edwards. In the headlines again will be Former Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding competing in her first Oregon match. The main event pits Heavyweight Orlin Norris (Former NABF Heavy Weight Champ, NABF & WBA, Cruiserweight Champ and IBA Super Cruiserweight title holder) against Country Boy Troy Weida, (Former MABA Heavyweight champ). This event is presented by promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank Boxing and promises to be full of surprises.

    Featured fights include:

    1. Heavyweight Orlin Norris, of Lubbock, Texas, brother of former champ Terrible Terry Norris, will square off against "Country Boy" Troy Weida of Kewanee, Illinois in a ten round bout. Thirty seven year old Norris has a record of 53-8-0-1 and 28 KOs compared to thirty one year old Weida’s record of 41-14-2 with 30 KOs. Weida, at 6’3", weighing 230 pounds with a reach of 75", has a height and reach advantage over 210 pound Norris who has a reach of 70" and stands 5’11".
    2. Heavy Weight Eric "Butterbean" Esch from Jasper, Alabama in a four round bout. Butterbean’s record stands at 64-3-4-2 with 49 KOs. Troy Roberts from Vancouver, Canada will take on the King of the Four Rounders. He has a record of 8-9, with 7KOs.
    3. Tonya Harding, Bantamweight from Vancouver, Washington in her first match in Oregon. Tonya’s record stands at 2-1. This will be a four round bout. Known for being a scrapper, both personally and professionally, this will be a "must see" for any boxing fan. This will be a Pro Debut for Tonya’s opponent, Emily Gosa who hails from Sulligent, Alabama.



    Under card bouts include:



    o Vic Branson, local favorite from Willamina, Oregon, fighting in the Super Middleweight category, in a six round bout. His record is 4-5-1, 2 KO’s. His opponent, Billy Thompson from Lubbock, Texas, has a record of 6-2, with 3 KO’s.



    o Reggie Davis of Portland, will square off against Cebien St. Pierre of Las Vegas in the Super Welterweight category in a six round match. Davis has a record of 6-1 with 3 KOs and Pierre’s record stands at 7-17, 3 KOs.



    o Featherweight Gabriel Flores of Connell, Washington vs James Ramos of Salem, Oregon in a four round bout. James Ramos has a record of 0-1, 0 KOs and Flores has a record of 0-1, 0 KOs.

    Former Heavy Weight Champion of the World Larry Holmes, four time Former World Middleweight Champion "Terrible" Terry Norris, and Former World Super Featherweight Champion Cornelius Bosa Edwards,will be available for autographs and photos from 6:30 to 7:30pm prior to the fight. Fans are asked to bring their own camera.

    Doors open at 6:30pm for the fights with the first bout taking place at 7:30pm. A no host bar and food court will be available. This event is for ages 21 and over.

    Tickets are priced from $35 to $200 depending on seat location. For more information, or to obtain tickets, call 1-888-MAIN-ACT (624-6228) or Tickets West at 1-800-992-TIXX (8499).

    Chinook Winds Casino, owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is located on the beach in Lincoln City, Oregon.

    Find out why boxing is "Better at the Beach."




    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xFriday the 13th--Orlin Norris, Butterbean, Tonya Harding, etc at Chinook Windsarding``x1053130607,35189,``x``x ``xJimmy’s Boxing Café
    by Robert Ecksel at ringside

    The Bronx was always considered the borough that time (and real estate developers) forgot, which is really saying something, when you throw Staten Island, Queens and Brooklyn into the mix. But arbitrary boundaries is what the world is all about, and New York is nothing if not the world in miniature, so welcome to the former Fort Apache.

    After a few years on life support - blame it on the casinos - blame on the tragic death of Beethoven Scottland aboard the USS Intrepid in 2001 - the sweet science is stirring again and starting to make a ruckus. Protect yourselves at all times. Boxing in The Apple is back.

    Thanks to his intelligence, thanks to his sure hand, thanks to his love of the fight game, the New York State Athletic Commission’s boxing guru, a gent named Ron Scott Stevens, is breathing life into the local scene. Change is in the air and it smells like change for the better - and Ron Scott Stevens’ fingerprints are in evidence. Last month it was the smashing bouts at Villa Barone Manor. Last night it was a humdinger card at Jimmy’s Bronx Café.

    When Jimmy’s Bronx Café opened in 1999, the club put the Bronx on the map. Jimmy’s was cool, Jimmy’s was hot, Jimmy’s was all things to all people willing to open up and let it all hang out. Spicy food, live music, everything from salsa to hip hop, drew revelers from far and wide, even from remote spots like Long Island and New Jersey. But Jimmy’s Bronx Café became an institution because it attracted the rich and the famous. J Lo, P. Diddy, Derek Jeter, Fat Joe, Rosie Perez, Calvin Klein and Bill Clinton got down and boogied at Jimmy’s Bronx Café.

    The first of several boxing cards planned for Jimmy’s Bronx Café debuted yesterday evening. The main event featured light-heavyweight Eric Harding (21-3-1 7 KOs) losing a 12-round decision to underdog, and victim of many boxing judges, Glencoffe Johnson (39-9-1 27 KOs). Although the fight was competitive in the early going, Eric Harding, as the fight went on, looked increasingly like a spent force - physically, emotionally, pugilistically - and it’s fair to say his best days are behind him. The new USBA light-heavyweight champion is Glencoffe Johnson.

    The co-main event spotlighted local phenom light-heavyweight Aneudi Santos (9-0 6 KOs) who kept his unbeaten streak alive by taking the fight to Ronald Boddie (11-16-4 4 KOs). Once Philly’s Ronald Boddie got a taste of Aneudi Santos’ power, a good look at his skills, Boddie did all he could to avoid the punches of his opponent. Boddie could run, but he couldn’t hide. Aneudi Santos by decision.

    The undercard was headed by heavyweights Malcolm Tan (6-0 3 KOs) vs. Wallace McDaniel (4-5 2 KOs) in a bruising six-rounder. But Malcolm Tan didn’t need eighteen minutes to do what needed to be done in the Bronx. It only took a minute and a half for Tan to drop McDaniel for a kayo win. Although giving up a height and weight advantage, Malcolm Tan was too accomplished and too strong for the vertically challenged Wallace McDaniel.

    The undercard also featured heavyweight Jason Gavern (2-0-1 2 KOs) going up against Staten Island’s own Jay Hobbs in his pro debut. Holding, clutching, mauling and grabbing was the theme of this four round draw. As though any were needed, this bout was another demonstration of the bittersweet science in action.

    New Yorker Fontaine Cabell (21-3 17 KOs) fought and lost a tough four round decision to Robert Kayma (12-4 4 KOs) from Uganda. This clash of welterweights could have gone either way, especially since Cabell dropped Kamya with a perfect counter in the first, but Kamya was the busier and fresher of the two fighters. Robert Kamya by decision.

    The card at Jimmy’s also featured a junior-welterweight four-rounder with Chad Trimis in his pro debut vs. Charles Morales (1-3) of the Bronx. Maybe fighting in one’s hometown makes all the difference in the world, because Morales put enough hurt on Trims to gain his first win in a disputed third round TKO victory.

    There’s no doubt about it. Boxing is definitely back, Jack, back in the Big Apple where it belongs. Ron Scott Stevens, the “boxing guy” hired by the once-moribund New York State Athletic Commission, is still settling in his new office and position, but he’s already making a big difference hereabouts.

    Let’s get it on! Let’s get ready to rumble!

    Boxing in the Bronx!

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHarding Spoiled by Johnson``x1053351761,86103,``x``x ``xPROVIDENCE, R.I. – International Boxing Union world lightweight champion Gary “Tiger” Balletto (27-1-2, 24 KOs), of Providence, last Sunday was selected, at an International Brotherhood of Teamsters meeting in Providence, as the official New England representative for the upstart Joint Association of Boxers (JAB).

    “Boxers need this (union) and I’ll be one of its biggest supporters,” Balletto said. “I want to make this happen. We need health insurance and pensions. The union members at this meeting feel that I can influence fighters in New England and get them on board.”

    Fellow boxers can reach Balletto at 401.641.9994 or Cballetto@cox.net.

    Balletto is rated No. 9 by the NABF, as well as No. 15 by the NABA and NABO. He next fights Frank Houghtaling (17-8-5, 4 KOs) in the May 30th ESPN2 Friday Night Fights 10-round co-feature at Foxwoods Resort Casino.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x“Tiger” Balletto named N.E. union rep ``x1053524482,54693,``x``x ``xCLEVELAND CORDER VS JESSE BRINKLEY, HUGO CAZARES VS VALENTIN LEON
    HEADLINE KINGFISH FIGHT CARD IN WORLEY, IDAHO, ON JUNE 2;
    TELEVISED ON FOX SPORTS WORLD,FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL & FOX SPORTS LATIN AMERICA

    Promoter Anna Beth Goodman/Kingfish Boxing Productions will present a sensational fight card on Monday, June 2, 2003, in the Event Center at Coeur D'Alene Casino & Resort, located on the Coeur D'Alene Reservation on Highway 95 in Worley, Idaho.

    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, MIDDLEWEIGHTS - WEST COAST TITLE
    CLEVELAND CORDER, 27-1, 14 KOs, Boise, Idaho, vs
    JESSE BRINKLEY, 19-1, 13 KOs, Yerington, Nevada

    Cleveland "The Christian Warrior" Corder, 27-1, with 14 knockouts, of Boise, Idaho, will fight Jesse Brinkley, 19-1, with 13 knockouts, of Yerington, Nevada, in the 12-round main event for the West Coast middleweight title.

    Corder is one of Idaho's top talents in the ring and biggest draws at the gate. Now 30 years old, he has won nine fights in a row dating back to August, 2000. A former national amateur champion, he said, "My biggest accomplishment as an amateur was beating Jermain Taylor in the National Golden Gloves finals in '97 and being picked the outstanding boxer of the tournament." He also had an amateur win against Rhoshii Wells.

    26-year old Brinkley, a native of Yerington, Nev., who trains in Las Vegas, is a rising young prospect. He has a 15-fight winning streak dating back to November, 1998. He said, "I don't have one style, every time I get in the ring it's different. That night I might be a brawler, that night I might be boxer, I might be a jabber. I adjust to my opponents, or I'll dictate what's going to happen. Everybody knows what I have to do. I have to go in there, bite down and get after this guy."


    CO-FEATURED BOUT - 10 ROUNDS, MINIMUMWEIGHTS
    HUGO CAZARES,15-3-1, 12 KOs, Los Mochis, Mexico, vs
    VALENTIN LEON, 14-6, 6 KOs, Culiacan, Mexico

    In the co-featured bout scheduled for 10 rounds, Hugo Cazares, 15-3-1, with 12 knockouts, of Los Mochis, Mex., will face Valentin Leon, 14-6, with 6 knockouts, of Culiacan, Mex.

    25-year old Cazares currently holds the NABO light flyweight title, which will not be at stake in this fight, and is a former Mexican national light flyweight champion, as well. 24-year old Leon is a professional veteran of over four years. He previously held the WBC Continental Americas minimumweight title.


    8 ROUNDS, JR. BANTAMWEIGHTS
    FRANCISCO ARCE, 7-1, 3 KOs, Los Mochis, Mexico, vs
    TBA

    21-year old prospect Francisco "Panchito" Arce, 7-1, with 3 knockouts, of Los Mochis, Mex., will be featured in an eight-round bout against an opponent to be announced. Francisco is the younger brother of WBC light flyweight world champion Jorge Arce.

    An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will complete the card.
    All bouts subject to change without notice.

    Ticket prices: $12.50 General Admission, $25 Ringside, $50 Golden Circle.

    Available at: Coeur D'Alene Casino & Resort Box Office - 1-800-523-2464; and all Tickets West outlets - 1-800-325-SEAT.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCleveland Corder vs Jesse Brinkley Headline June 2nd Card in Worley, OH``x1053625047,68236,``x``x ``xNew promoter lands ESPN2 boxing show on Cape Cod

    SANDWICH, Mass. – Pro boxing’s newest promoter, Hank Tuohy, has landed an ESPN2 show July 18 on Cape Cod in his inaugural promotion -- “Battle Zone at the Tent" – headlined by a 10-round light heavyweight match between popular knockout artists Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough and Richard “The Destroyer” Hall.

    Tuohy’s Cape Cod-based sports marketing company, Old Colony Sports, is promoting “The Battle Zone at the Tent,” in association with Mohegan Sun, Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment Sports, Inc. and Gary Shaw Productions, LLC.

    Letterlough-Hall is the main event on the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights card at The Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis (MA). The co-feature and undercard will feature many of New England’s most exciting fighters.

    Tuohy has boxing experience as marketing director for several ESPN2 pro boxing cards, promoted by attorney Anthony Cardinale, at the Cape Cod Melody Tent, Suffolk Downs and The Roxy nightclub in Boston. He also was executive producer of a weekly, 2-hour boxing show on radio, “In This Corner.”

    Hank represents a new breed of boxing promoter, providing first-class sports entertainment through event marketing and cross promotions.

    “We look at boxing in a different light because we promote events, not just boxing shows,” Tuohy explained Old Colony Sports’ promotional philosophy. “We can pick and choose fighters for our shows, working with the best promoters in the industry such as Jimmy Burchfield and Gary Shaw, to bring the best fighters to Massachusetts. We look forward to developing working relations in the near future with Lou DiBella, Duva Boxing, Main Events and Sugar Ray.

    “We got an ESPN2 show right out of the gate because of my reputation for being fearless and accepting challenges. The fact ESPN enjoyed working with us on past ‘War at the Shore’ programs on The Cape – featuring theatre-in-the-round seating – led to our interest in promoting a new show this summer. My marketing experiences through sports have offered me great opportunities”

    An example of Tuohy’s unique approach is a pre-fight VIP cookout, catered by Outback Steakhouse, and ringside ticket for $125 per person. Everybody in attendance will receive a complimentary “goody bag” loaded with client marketing products and information. Some randomly selected bags will also include complimentary gift certificates to local restaurants. Raffles based on seating location will be conducted throughout the night for gift certificates, T-shirts, hats, etc. Twice during the course of the evening an entire “lucky row” drawing will be held and all 30-ticket holders in the winning row will receive a “Blooming Onion” gift certificate from Outback.

    “I’m not your typical boxing promoter,” Hank added. “To be successful as a boxing promoter, we understand that the person paying for the seat has to receive equal entertainment value for the price of the ticket. Fights are the most important part of the night – we will have exciting, competitive matches -- but it’s not the entire show. I want our shows to transcend boxing and sports. We want people leaving our show to be talking about what a great overall experience they had.

    “I’ve been a boxing fan for many years. I remember listening to the Clay-Liston fights on radio at home in Milton (MA) and trying to envision how the fight was going. I love the mano-a-mano part of boxing with fighters competing for the prize. My goal is to continue doing ESPN2 shows, as well as someday promoting shows on HBO and Showtime, perhaps at the FleetCenter in Boston.“

    Letterlough (19-3-2, 18 KOs), of Reading (PA), and Jamaican-born Hall (25-4, 24 KOs) have knocked out 42 opponents in their combined 44 victories for a knockout ratio higher than 94-percent. Letterlough is a former WBO NABO and Pennsylvania light heavyweight champion who also fought Vassiliy Jirov for the IBF cruiserweight title. Hall is a three-time world championship challenger having lost twice to WBO light heavyweight title-holder Dariusz Michalczewski and once to then undisputed light heavyweight champion Roy Jones.

    In addition to Outback Steakhouse, event sponsors include Davidoff Cigars, Hooters of Hyannis, Robertson’s GMC Trucks, Dino’s Sports Bar of Mashpee, Enterprise Car Rental, Data Link/Nextal, Amari’s Restaurant of Sandwich and Mari’s Sennott Today’s Real Estate.

    A post-fight party will be open to the public at Hooters of Hyannis, as well as cigar smoking/wine tasting at Puff The Magic.

    Ticket prices are $125.00 VIP, $65.00 ringside and $35.00 general admission. Contact Ticketmaster (508.931.2787), the Cape Cod Melody Tent (508.775.9100) or Old Colony Sports (508.477.5355/www.oldcolonysports.com).

    Doors open at 6 p.m. for the VIP party, 7 p.m. for the general public, with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLetterlough-Hall headlines Hank Tuohy’s July 18th card in Cape Cod``x1053625158,5602,``x``x ``x
    Ray Lunny, an old-time, hard-punching San Francisco boxer fondly known as “The Pride of the Mission” during a career of more than 100 amateur and professional fights, has died. Mr. Lunny, 83, died Tuesday after a long illness in a Sam Mateo convalescent hospital. “He was an artist,” said his son, the boxer Ray Lunny III, “He would make his opponents throw the punch he wanted them to throw. Then, as he used to say, he gave them a receipt for their efforts.” A funeral mass will be said on Saturday at 9:30 am at St. Charles Church in San Carlos, California.

    San Francisco Chronicle obituary of May 22, 2003)

    Among Lunny’s fistic highlights are fighting featherweight champion Chalky Wright in a non-title ten (L10), in San Francisco, on 1941’s Halloween night, one of ten non-titles Wright fought before making his first defense against Joey Archibald (KO 11) in June ’42.

    Ray also fought recently deposed NBA feather title holder Richie Lemos, in Los Angeles, in March 1942 (KO by 6). It was Lemos second ‘comeback’ fight after losing his crown to Jackie Wilson in December. The first comeback fight for Lemos had been with Chalky Wright (KO by 6) in February. Ray attained a measure of revenge with Lemos in an April rematch in San Francisco (W10).

    Lunny most memorable win may have been against the estimable Vern Bybee. Bybee fought, and beat, Lemos twice, both before, and after, Lemos won the featherweight title. He fought Chalky Wright in one of the champ’s ten non-title fights that included Lunny. Bybee beat Wright over 10 at San Francisco’s Civic Auditorium, a Benny Ford promotion with a young Georgie Duke on the undercard.

    San Francisco Chronicle’s Harry Smith describes perhaps Lunny’s most impressive win:

    “Lunny used the Gene Tunny plan of attack- left to the head, right to the body-to give Bybee as tough a licking as that youngster has taken. In a way it was pitiful. In a way it was masterful.”

    Lunny was the boxing coach at Stanford University for nearly 25 years. He is in both the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the California Old Timers Boxing HoF. He was a past president of the Northern California Veteran Boxers Association.

    -- don cogswell
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRay Lunny 1919-2003``x1053704793,10152,``x``x ``xBonkers in Yonkers
    by Robert Ecksel at ringside

    YONKERS, NY - An opinion based on a combination of hype, hope, wishful thinking and, as Don King might say, insinnuendo, after last night there is now an established fact: The fight game is alive and well and making a ruckus in the New York area.

    Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing presented a five-bout card at Yonkers Raceway May 22, 2003, which was broadcast by ShoBox in their new Thursday 11:00 p.m. slot. Although numbers sometimes lie, although the fights looked good on paper, no one envisioned such a thrilling display of the sweet science of bruising in action.

    The first bout of the evening featured middleweights Tim O’Neill (2-1-1, 2 KOs), fighting out of the blue corner, versus Victor Barnes (0-3), rumbling out of the red. No one in his or her right mind expected the opening undercard bout to be anything but an appetizer to the main course - but were we ever wrong. One minute into the first round O’Neill caught Barnes and dropped him to the canvas - the flavor of the night - before coming on strong to kayo Barnes at 2:30 of the fourth and final round.

    The second of five bouts was a cruiserweight four-rounder between two hot local prospects. Brooklyn’s own Alexandra “The Butcher” Nikolic (3-1-1, 2 KOs), wearing silver trunks trimmed in black, got it on with Newton Kidd (3-1, 3 KOs), wearing black trimmed with gold and hailing from the Bronx. As the lead changed hands from round to round, the boxer Nikolic and the puncher Kidd put on a great display of the fistic arts. In the third Newton Kidd landed a barrage of punches, forcing the ref to step in to protect Nikolic from further punishment. A TKO victory at 1:33 of the third for Kid Kidd.

    The last of the fights on the undercard brought us two cruiserweights in a smashing and competitive six-rounder. Local fave Craig Salamone (15-2-1 4 KOs) of the Bronx, fighting out of the blue corner, met Carolinian John Battle (9-8-1, 5 KOs), battling out of the red. This fight, like those that preceded it, exceeded expectations and was a seesaw contest that saw both men trade punches as they traded rounds. Like all terrific fights, this baby was too close to call, so the judges gave it to the house fighter. Craig Salamone by unanimous decision.

    The co-main event spotlighted heavyweights Ruslan Chagaev (6-0, 5 KOs), wearing black trunks and fighting out of Nevada by way of Uzbekistan vs. late replacement Zakeem Graham (9-1, 7 KOs) of Cincinnati in blue and gray plaid trunks. Chagaev is a fireplug of a heavyweight whose compact form packs a big wallop. He shook Graham in the first round, bloodied him in the second, and rocked him hard several times in the third. The ref Benji Estevez saw enough and called a halt to the action. A TKO win for Ruslan Chagaev.

    The main event of the night, a ten round junior-middleweight challenge between Kuvanych Toygonbaev (21-1, 14 KOs) of Uzbekistan vs. Andre Tsurkan (19-2, 12 KOs) brawling out of the Bronx, lived up to its top billing - and then some. These two warriors put on an amazing show of heart and skill and willpower and pride that reminded everyone in attendance and those watching at home why boxing is so damn exciting. Toygonbaev, in black trunks, and Tsurkan, in blue with white trim, fought tooth and nail, hammer and tong, for ten brutal but glorious rounds. Many of those present sat there in shock and awe in the face of all that courage. Others were hollering at the top of their lungs in support of the two gladiators. And whenever ringside photographers put down their cameras to watch the action (I saw this my own two eyes) that’s a sure sign that what we were witnessing was the real deal. Watching the two T’s, Toygonbaev and Tsurkan, give every ounce of themselves for round after round after round brought to mind a quote from a book called “On Boxing” by Joyce Carol Oates: “The boxing match as ‘serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude’ - to refer to Aristotle’s definition of tragedy - is an event that necessarily subsumes both boxers.” This was an apt description of the main event at Yonkers Raceway Thursday night.

    robert.ecksel@gte.net

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xToygonbayev Decisions Tsurkan``x1053708829,84378,``x``x ``xGatti-Ward III June 7 in Atlantic City

    LOWELL, Mass. – “Irish” Micky Ward, winner of The Ring’s 2002 and 2001 Fight of the Year, is comfortable in his customary underdog role for what he’s said will be his final pro fight, June 7 in “The Final Chapter” against rival Arturo Gatti at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall.

    Ward 38-12 (27 KOs) has been an underdog in many of his fights, including his first against Gatti (35-6, 28 KOs), in which Micky won a 10-round decision in the unanimous “Fight of the Year.” Gatti reversed the decision last November in Ward-Gatti II.

    Upset, of course, could very well be Ward’s middle name. Just ask unbeaten favorites (when they faced Micky) such as Shea Neary (22-0), Alfonso Sanchez (16-0) and Louis Veader (31-0), as well as prohibitive picks defeated by Ward, Reggie Green (30-3) and, of course, Gatti (34-5).

    “I think the public and writers are looking at this (Gatti-Ward III) the same way as our first fight when nobody thought I had a chance at all,” Ward noted at his Tewksbury (MA) training camp. “That’s okay. But some think I’m just fighting because it’s a big payday. They don’t know me if they think that way. I would never do that to the public; I wouldn’t do that to myself. I’d be lying if I said money doesn’t matter, but that’s not the issue here. This is my last fight and I want it more than anything. I’m going to go out giving my best because boxing is what I love to do. I have a game plan; I’m not all brawn and no brains. I can’t wait for June 7th.”

    “Micky Ward has always been an underdog,” his promoter Lou DiBella remarked. “It has never kept him down before and it won’t keep him down June 7.”

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWard comfortable in underdog role``x1053971266,46785,``x``x ``xTHE “RAMADA RUMBLE” IS BACK AND IT’S ACTION PACKED!

    May 27, 2003 – Seven action-packed fights are scheduled on a professional fight card promoted by Hitz Boxing Promotions, on Thursday, June 12th, 2003, live from the Grand Ballroom at the Ramada Plaza Hotel O’Hare located at 6600 N. Mannheim Road in Rosemont, IL.

    In the main event, Willie Jorrin, the former 122-pound World Boxing Council Champion (29-1, 13 KOs), of Sacramento, Ca will be taking on an opponent TBA. The former champ is 1-0 on the comeback trail and looking to get back into title contention.

    The supporting bouts of the evening showcase no less than 6 Chicago-based fighters with “Macho” Miguel Hernandez (1-0, 1KO)
    Carl “Iron Fist” Davis (1-0,1KO), Matt “Bam Bam” Barber (3-0, 2KOs), Jermaine Marks (7-0, 4 KOs), Patrick Thorns (24-10, 15KOs), &
    Raul Fernandez (2-3). Complete fight card info to be released before event.

    “Not only does Chicago have some of the best boxers in the U.S.A., we have the best boxing fans anywhere. We are determined to bring big time boxing back to the Windy City.” states Hitz.

    The doors to “The Ramada Rumble” open at 7:00 p.m. with the first bell scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Tickets for the event, priced at $35, $50, $75 and $100 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Hitz Boxing at 630.295.9800 or send an email to mike@hitzboxing.com
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRamada Plaza Hotel O’Hare to Host June 12th ``x1054138976,11551,``x``x ``xNew England Chatta
    By JD Vena

    We’re nearly a week away from the highly anticipated climax to Gatti vs. Ward, and the swan song of one of New England’s (and boxing’s for that matter) most cherished fighters. With all of the thoughts that their meetings conjur, your writer felt like offering his thoughts as to who should be considered the tougher of the two. The outcome of this fight will have no bearing on how I believe these two gladiators should be regarded in the Carmen Basilio sense. That's assuming Micky Ward doesn’t throws up his arms and surrender from absorbing too much punishment. It would also be unthinkable to expect Gatti to do something along those lines.

    For years, Gatti has been loved for his ‘thunder’ (pun intended), his willingness to trade, his come-from-behind knockouts and his guts. You can’t say enough about Gatti’s tough attributes however, when you compare them to “Irish” Micky Ward, there is no comparison – Ward is tougher.

    Though I can already imagine the hate-mail I’m going to receive for writing such a piece, I mean after all, why do I have to pick on Gatti? He’s only been involved in some of the greatest fights I will ever see and is easily one of the top five most exciting fighters of all time. But before you hold him to the highest regard or even to the level of Micky Ward there are many things you should consider when weighing their guts.

    The way I look at Gatti, I consider him to have decent skills and speed to go along with his power. He’s an outstanding finisher and his conditioning is top of the line. Any boxer that was capable of outboxing Tracy Harris Patterson definitely has some skills. But what has defined Gatti is his ability to take clean head-shots without wilting or to the brink of being out on his feet. Yes, we’ve seen him hurt before and we’ve seen him face-first on the canvas from tripping over counterpunches, but Gatti’s ability to absorb punishment to the head is like nothing I have ever seen with the possible exception of Jake LaMotta.

    Gatti possesses an inhuman ability to take it to the head and fight back while being in complete control of his body. Think of it, when can you remember Gatti buckling around the ring and being incapable of controlling his body? When he was being torn to shreds by De La Hoya two years ago and when Ward was putting everything behind his text book hooks to the head, Gatti was taking it without appearing ‘ready to go.’ Obviously, Gatti didn’t like it, but he appeared as if he could have answered questions or continued had bells or referees not have saved him. So what the hell am I getting at here?

    According to yours truly, this ability defines resilience, not toughness. The two terms are very similar but in my estimation toughness is overcoming your deficiencies and adversities. Toughness is being out on your feet, having no control of your body, fighting back and trying to win. Toughness is accepting what you have in the ring and using it to the best of your abilities.

    I shouldn’t have had my doubts but knowing Ward was tougher than Gatti was common sense going into their first fight. And noticing Ward’s toughness over Gatti’s was never more evident than in their two encounters. In their first fight, Gatti strayed low with his punches because he needed to find a way to slow or dull the aggressive Ward. In doing so, he told you and Ward that he needed a way out of this danger. Zab Judah also used this tactic in his fight with Ward. This is also what how most interpreted Andrew Golota’s low blows in his fights with Riddick Bowe.

    What also stood out was what was going on during Ward’s beating of Gatti in the 5th and 9th rounds. During those painful moments when Ward was using Gatti’s head and body like a heavy bag, you could see that though Gatti was not out on his feet, he was looking at referee Frank Cappuccino. I’m no psychologist but I’ve always interpreted that kind of reaction as if to say, “Ref, don’t make me quit, please stop it for me.” Fighters do this all of the time and usually when the referee or cornerman fulfills their wish, you’ll rarely see a fighter complain about it. Gatti used the same eye gesturing when De La Hoya was pummeling him and there was no complaint – from any one for that matter.

    Lastly, there was the epic third round of their second fight, arguably the most or second most memorable of their rivalry thus far. This round showed more than anything how tough Micky Ward is? Ward has a better than average ability to take a shot upstairs. If you hit him square in the temple or chin, you can put him on queer street like any other fighter. After grappling to his feet from a right hand that reportedly broke his eardrum and affected his equilibrium, Ward was badly hurt to the point where he needed the ropes to support keep him upright. But with his back against the ropes and taking huge bombs from the heavier handed Gatti, he threw and threw to keep himself from bowing out. What was he doing this for? He had no undefeated record or world title to protect. He had his fighting pride and would not surrender to any power shots of accumulation of them. There was simply nothing stopping him.

    Whether his 38-year old body can carry him to another victory or will him through similar dreadful moments, Ward is this writer’s choice as the tougher of the two.

    Fight fans in the New England area looking for good live action will find it at Connecticut’s big casinos beginning this Friday until next. This Friday at Fox Theatre at Foxwoods Casino, top Ugandan jr. middleweight Kassim “The Dream” Ouman, who now fights out of West Palm Beach returns to the ring for the first time since being shot twice in an altercation last year. Ouma (17-1-1, 12 KO’s) will be facing tough Angel Hernandez (25-3-1, 16 KO’s) in a 12-round IBF elimination bout televised by ESPN2. In what will be an exciting 10round co-feature, Gary “The Tiger” Balletto (27-1-2, 24 KO’s) of Providence will take veteran trial horse, Frank Houghtaling (17-8-5). Also appearing on the card are prmsing New Englanders, Mike Oliver (5-0) of Hartford and Angel Torres (12-2) of Willimantic, CT in separate bouts and a battle of two undefeateds, Daniel Edouard (10-0, 7 KO’s) vs. Romero Johnson (4-0, 2 KO’s). Also scheduled is a rematch between Richard “Bobo” Starnino (2-0) of Providence against Bobby McAndrews (2-2-1) of Worcester, MA. For ticket information call 1-800-200-2882.

    Next Tuesday, Mohegan Sun will host the first of two shows in a week, the second time this has happened for budding Casino. ESPN2 Tuesday Night fights begins the year with some of Lou Dibella’s star pupils. Leading the pack, former U.S. Olympic Bronze Medallist, Clarence Vinson (12-0, 5 KO’s) will face rugged Heriberto Ruiz (27-2-2, 14 KO’s) of Los Mochis, Mexico in a 10-rounder. Ricardo Williams (8-1, 5 KO’s), a former teammate of Vinson’s ormer Olympic Silver Medallist will look to rebound from his last outing, an exciting loss to upset specialist, Juan Valenzuela. Williams will be matched with an easier foe this time in Paul Delgado (6-2-1). Also appearing on the card is undefeated Jewish sensation, Yuri Foreman (10-0) and flashy Brooklynite, Paul Malignaggi (12-0) who will appear in separate bouts. Anyone with valid military identification can purchase two tickets for the price of one at the Mohegan Sun Box office. The first bout begins at 7:00 PM and tickets are priced at $35 and $25.

    Next Friday, Lawrence Clay-Bey, the 1996 U.S. Olympic super-heavyweight will face his toughest test since losing to Cliff Etienne. Clay-Bey, of Hartford has won 7 straight in compiling an 18-1 record with 13 KO’s and will face Cuban defector, Eliecer Castillo (23-2-2, 12 KO’s) who now fights out of Miami. Alex Trujillo (22-1, 16 KO’s) will also make his return to the ring as will former Irish amateur star Bernard Dunne (6-0) of Dublin. Tickets to either show can be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Box Office, tickets.com or by calling 1-800-477-6849.






    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWho’s Tougher? Ward or Gatti?``x1054173515,14425,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE
     

    CHINOOK WINDS CASINO PRESENTS TONYA HARDING IN HER FIRST OREGON MATCH WITH APPEARANCES BY THREE FORMER WORLD CHAMPIONS FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2003 AT COMMOTION AT THE OCEAN IV 

    LINCOLN CITY, ORE, May 7, 2003 – Get ready to rumble on Friday, June 13, at Commotion at the Ocean IV Pro Boxing at Chinook Winds Casino & Convention Center.

    Commotion at the Ocean IV will feature appearances by boxing giant Former Heavy Weight Champion of the World Larry Holmes, four time Former World Middleweight Champion “Terrible” Terry Norris, and Former World Super Featherweight Champion Cornelius Bosa Edwards. In the headlines again will be Former Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding competing in her first Oregon match. The main event pits Heavyweight Orlin Norris (Former NABF Heavy Weight Champ, NABF & WBA, Cruiserweight Champ and IBA Super Cruiserweight title holder) against Country Boy Troy Weida, (Former MABA Heavyweight champ). This event is presented by promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank Boxing and promises to be full of surprises.

    Featured fights include:

    1. Heavyweight Orlin Norris, of Lubbock, Texas, brother of former champ Terrible Terry Norris, will square off against “Country Boy” Troy Weida of Kewanee, Illinois in a ten round bout. Thirty seven year old Norris has a record of 53-8-0-1 and 28 KOs compared to thirty one year old Weida’s record of 41-14-2 with 30 KOs. Weida, at 6’3”, weighing 230 pounds with a reach of 75”, has a height and reach advantage over 210 pound Norris who has a reach of 70” and stands 5’11”.
    2. Heavy Weight Eric “Butterbean” Esch from Jasper, Alabama in a four round bout. Butterbean’s record stands at 64-3-4-2 with 49 KOs. Troy Roberts from Vancouver, Canada will take on the King of the Four Rounders. He has a record of 8-9, with 7KOs.
    3. Tonya Harding, Bantamweight from Vancouver, Washington in her first match in Oregon. Tonya’s record stands at 2-1. This will be a four round bout. Known for being a scrapper, both personally and professionally, this will be a “must see” for any boxing fan. This will be a Pro Debut for Tonya’s opponent, Emily Gosa who hails from Sulligent, Alabama.



    Under card bouts include:



    • Vic Branson, local favorite from Willamina, Oregon, fighting in the Super Middleweight category, in a six round bout. His record is 4-5-1, 2 KO’s. His opponent, Billy Thompson from Lubbock, Texas, has a record of 6-2, with 3 KO’s.



    • Reggie Davis of Portland, will square off against Cebien St. Pierre of Las Vegas in the Super Welterweight category in a six round match. Davis has a record of 6-1 with 3 KOs and Pierre’s record stands at 7-17, 3 KOs.



    • Featherweight Gabriel Flores of Connell, Washington vs James Ramos of Salem, Oregon in a four round bout. James Ramos has a record of 0-1, 0 KOs and Flores has a record of 0-1, 0 KOs.

    Former Heavy Weight Champion of the World Larry Holmes, four time Former World Middleweight Champion “Terrible” Terry Norris, and Former World Super Featherweight Champion Cornelius Bosa Edwards,will be available for autographs and photos from 6:30 to 7:30pm prior to the fight. Fans are asked to bring their own camera.

    Doors open at 6:30pm for the fights with the first bout taking place at 7:30pm. A no host bar and food court will be available. This event is for ages 21 and over.

    Tickets are priced from $35 to $200 depending on seat location. For more information, or to obtain tickets, call 1-888-MAIN-ACT (624-6228) or Tickets West at 1-800-992-TIXX (8499).

    Chinook Winds Casino, owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is located on the beach in Lincoln City, Oregon.

    Find out why boxing is “Better at the Beach.”

    -END- 

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xOrlin Norris, Butterbean & Tonya at Chinook Winds``x1054231277,89585,``x``x ``xLetterlough-Hall headlines July 18th ESPN2 show in Hyannis

    SANDWICH, Mass. – Cape Cod will officially retire one of its own, former IBO & NABF welterweight champion Kip “Top Kat” Diggs, in a special ceremony July 18 at “Battle Zone at the Tent” – headlined by a 10-round light heavyweight match between popular knockout artists Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough (19-3-2, 18 KOs) and Richard “The Destroyer” Hall (25-4, 24 KOs) – at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis (MA).

    Hank Tuohy’s Old Colony Sports is promoting “The Battle Zone at the Tent,” live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, in association with Mohegan Sun, Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. and Gary Shaw Productions, LLC.

    Diggs (30-5, 22 KOs), of nearby Marstons Mills in Barnstable, fought four times in Hyannis, winning all but the last, in which, he lost a controversial fight (TKO5 due to a headbutt) four years ago to Jose Rivera.

    “It’s going to be a great feeling,” the 36-year-old said about his retirement ceremony, “and has been a long time coming – four years! People have asked me if I was coming back, but that chapter is done. I have a trucking company (Top Kat Enterprises, Inc.) that’s doing well, a wife and three kids. I had to get boxing out of my blood and didn’t even go to a fight until a month ago."

    His friend, boxing promoter Tuohy, immediately included a public retirement party for Diggs as part of Hank’s inaugural promotion. “I wanted an opportunity to publicly thank Kip for all of the great entertainment he provided boxing fans in New England,” Tuohy explained, “as well as for all he’s given to his community on The Cape. He still plays hockey, works with Barnstable High football players, and has a business here. His retirement ceremony is part of our event/marketing promotion. We’ll give Kip, as they say, some lovely parting gifts. He’ll be available to sign autographs and pose for pictures.”

    Diggs, of course, is a boxing icon on Cape Cod. “I never became a worldwide name,” he noted, “but boxing fans on The Cape and all over New England knew me. I was a (world-class) contender. But it’s time to move on and there are a lot of things for me to do. Boxing was awesome. I do think I can still contribute to boxing, someday maybe as a trainer, manager or matchmaker. I’d like to work with Hank on his promotions in the future.”

    Event sponsors include Outback Steakhouse, Davidoff Cigars, Hooters of Hyannis, Robertson’s GMC Trucks, Dino’s Sports Bar of Mashpee, Enterprise Car Rental, Data Link/Nextal, Cigar Aficionado magazine, Amari’s Restaurant of Sandwich and Mari’s Sennott Today’s Real Estate.

    A post-fight party will be open to the public at Hooters of Hyannis, as well as cigar smoking/wine tasting at Puff The Magic.

    Ticket prices are $125.00 VIP (includes ringside seat and pre-fight cookout catered by Outback), $65.00 ringside and $35.00 general admission. Contact Ticketmaster (508.931.2787), the Cape Cod Melody Tent (508.775.9100) or Old Colony Sports (508.477.5355/www.oldcolonysports.com).

    Doors open at 6 p.m. for the VIP party, 7 p.m. for the general public, with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xKip Diggs retiring from ring in special ceremony``x1054309655,68634,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena at ringside

    MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION - For three rounds anyway, it appeared that accepting a fight with fellow contender, Angel “Toro” Hernandez after 7 ½ month layoff and a couple of bullet holes was biting off a little more than he could chew. But For Kassim “The Dream” Ouma, nothing is too much to swallow for a guy who took two bullets in December. After throwing 1,190 punches, Ouma, 152, of West Palm Beach, FL via Uganda out-threw and out-landed Hernandez down the stretch of a close fight and won a 12-round split decicion.

    Judges Tommy Kazmarkek and Arthur Mercante had Ouma winning 115-113 while Fred Ucci had it the same score for Hernandez.

    Hernandez tried to get off to a quick start by attacking with both fists. But his attack slowed particularly in the middle rounds when Ouma began landing enough straight punches that had Hernandez pawing at his eyes.

    Though there was constant punching, the fight was uneventful and don’t expect IBF jr. middleweight champion Ronald “Winky” Wright to lose any sleep over his new mandatory challenger. In fact, Ouma, a good prospect, who is now 17-1-2 with 11 KO’s should probably pass on a title fight with Wright until he's a little more seasoned. Then again, who doesn’t these days. Hernandez is now 25-3 with 16 KO’s.

    In an exciting co-feature Gary “The Tiger” Balletto, 139, of Providence, RI knocked out veteran Frank Houghtaling, 139, of Albany, NY at 2:17 of the 4th round. The veteran Houghtaling used the ring and his smarts by moving and throwing straight punches. On the inside, he held Balletto but it was clear that Balletto could find his target (chin) and when that happens in a Balletto fight, the end is near.

    After falling behind after three rounds, Balletto fired a right hand to by Houghtaling and wobbled him briefly.

    “He was tough,” said Balletto. “But we knew that going in.”

    Not tough enough however. Though it seemed Houghtaling might have cleared his head a bit, which he may have not, Balletto kept pressing until two more devastating right hands to the side of the head eft Houghtaling in a heap on the canvas. Referee John Callas immediately stopped the fight at 2:17 of the round so that the unconscious Houghtaling could be attended to.

    Balletto is now 28-1-2 with 25 KO’s while Hougthaling who should maybe think about calling it quits falls to 17-9-5 with 4 KO’s.


    In the first bout of the evening, Richard Starnino, 155, of Providence, RI won his rematch with Bobby Mc Andrews, 155, of Marlboro, MA when the “Irish Hitman” through in the towel after the 3rd round. Starnino who scored his first stoppage as improves to 4-0 while MC Andrews dips to 2-3-1 with 2 KO’s.

    Mike Mike (what he really calls himself) Oliver, 124, of Hartford, CT looked very impressive in halting Ugandan native, Hassan Wasswa, 125 ½, of New York, NY in five rounds. The lightning fast former New England Golden Gloves champ floored Wasswa in the 1st, 2nd and the 5th round with flashy, crisp combinations. The final knockdown the result of a three punch flurry sent Wasswa through the ropes. After beating referee Joe Cusano’s count, Wasswa’s corner motioned for Cusano to halt the bout at the 1:02 mark. Oliver is now 6-0 with 4 KO’s while Wasswa is now 2-1-2.

    In a battle of bruising’ unbeaten super middleweights, Daniel “The Haitian Sensation” Edouard, 166, who now hails from West Palm Beach, FL won a rousing 6-round majority decision over Romero Johnson, 166 ½, of Cleveland, OH. Edouard was the busier fighter and had Johnson have been more experienced, things might have been different.

    After weathering Edouard’s quick start, Johnson staggered Eduoard with quick right hand counters underneath in the second round. But Johnson let the relentless Edouard off the hook and back into the fight.

    Edouard hammered Johnson’s midsection in the third and the start of the fourth, but Johnson who appeared the better skilled of the two momentarily buckled Edouard with counter left hooks. But by the end of the round, it was Edouard’s supreme conditioning and punch output which smothered the slippery but durable Johnson.

    In the end, here could be only one winner. Edouard won by two scores of 60-54 while judge Arthur Mercante had it an even 57 a piece. Don’t be surprised if these two prospects cross paths again. Edouard is now 11-0 with 7 KO’s while Johnson is now 7-1 with 4 KO’s.

    In a chilling affair, Angel Torres, 127, of Manchester, CT nearly scored the fastest knockout in boxing history when seconds after the bell had sounded to begin the fight a left hook from Torres went between the gloves of his opponent Gabriel Krizan, 125 ½, of Clearwater, FL that iced him. Krizan who had tried to touch gloves, thus committing the cardinal sin of not protecting himself at all times, hit the floor with a resounding thud and his right foot began twitching ala Ingemar Johanssen. The referee who seemed to have stopped the fight immediately did not seem as long, but this one will go into the record books as a :12 knockout. Torres is now 13-2 with 5 KO’s while Krizan is now 7-4, 4 KO’s

    In the final swing bout of the evening, Dorian Beaupierre, 161, of New York, NY improved to 9-1 with 5 KO’s won a 4-round decision over Gee Ed Cullmer, 160 ¾, of Philadelphia, PA. Cullmer, who was floored in the first round is now 5-1 with 3 KO’s

    Promoter - J. Russel Peltz
    Ring Announcer - Ed Derian Derian
    Network - ESPN2

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOuma a Split Victor Over Hernandez``x1054348973,3531,``x``x ``xFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    PRESS RELEASE

    Ellis stops Robinson! 

    Kenny Ellis stopped Antoine Robinson (26-7-1) with a fourth-round knockout Saturday night at the Emerald Queen Casino showing why he is called the “Emerald City Assassin”. Ellis was in control from the beginning using his trademark jab on Robinson from Louisville, Kentucky. Ellis landed a hard right hand in the opening round and continued to power punch Robinson in the second landing a thunderous right hand mid way through the round. Robinson got off balance and his glove touched the mat, though referee Paul Field did not credit Ellis with a knockdown. By the third Robinson’s right eye was swollen and was doing his best to convince the sellout crowd he wasn’t intimidated. Ellis completely dominated Robinson in the third hurting Robinson with power combinations. Robinson response was holding and rough housing which only brought out the assassin in Ellis. 

    At 2:33 of the fourth round, the fight was stopped when Robinson failed to regain his feet after Ellis nailed Robinson with a straight right hand lead which put Robinson down. The NABO Middleweight champion, Kenny Ellis raises his record now to 30-4-2, with 19 knockouts and proves why his is ranked 5th in the world with the WBO.  

    “Kenny’s fought five times this year and has earned a rest,” said an elated Halquist. “We have him ranked number 5 in the world with the WBO and I think we’re sitting in a great position,” said the Tacoma based Halquist. “There’s no shame in needing to take a break,” said Ellis. I’m gonna take a few weeks and get away from the gym completely. Boxing can take a lot out of you, not only physically but mentally. It’s time for a rest.” Ellis then again thanked the fans of the Tacoma/Seattle for their support. There is beginning to be a buzz about the boxing community that Ellis may indeed be a legitimate contender to the Middleweight throne.  


    Brian Halquist, promoter of the “Battle at the Boat” boxing series is pursuing discussions about the “Emerald City Assassin” headlining a late-summer card at the Emerald Queen – on August 29th, which would be televised on ESPN. Such an event could propel Ellis into a world title fight Halquist believes could be in his future within the next 6 months to a year.  


    The semi main event saw the return of former IBA Welterweight Champion Horacio Garcia to the ring. Returning home to Seattle with a new management team Garcia took on former C.A.M. Junior middleweight title holder Rudy Lovato from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Garcia had been out of the ring for nearly 18 months and still took all 6 rounds to win a majority decision from Lovato battering him over the course of the fight with left jabs. Lovato stayed in the fight making fast combinations but couldn’t match Garcia’s power. Judges score cards read 60-54, 58-56, and 57-57 giving Garcia his 13th win.  

    In another 6 rounder, Tacoma’s Robert Linton (10-2) won a unanimous decision over Ayodeji Fadeyi of Denver, Colorado. Both fighters have enormous knockout power. Linton counterpunched Fadeyi putting a knot on Ayo’s head the size of a grapefruit. Fadeyi pressed the attack but couldn’t catch up to the elusive Linton.  


    In a match of super middleweights, Seattle’s Jeff Horan improved his record (8-6-2) with a win over Reggie Lowe, (3-3-1) also from Seattle. Horan won the fight strictly by landing more punches. Final scores were 56-45, 50-42, 50-43. 


    In one of the most exciting matches of the night, Danny Brownson of Couer d’Alene, Idaho won a four-round majority decision over John Anthony Gallegos of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Gallegos making his pro-debut put up a good fight. Afterwards both fighters showed the marks of a brutal match.  


    The opening fight saw Walter Wright of Tacoma KO’d in round 3 by Matt O’Brien of Calgary, Canada. Wright who had a very successful amateur career was well ahead in the fight and had O’Brien down once. Careless in the third Wright dropped his hands and was knocked cold by a left hook. “We fully expect this kid to bounce back”, said Brian Halquist, “he has a bright future in boxing”. 

    All 6 bouts were full of action displaying skilled fighters mixing boxing and power. Fans were ready to come back for more. The next show is on July 19th. Seattle’s Martin O’Malley will fight for the NABA title against an opponent TBA.
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xEllis Stops Robinson at Emerald Queen``x1054581912,46581,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    He’s been doing it for 30 years now. Running the hills, punching the heavy bags, the target pads, skipping rope and what everyone most remembers him for - the fighting. But on Saturday night, “Irish” Micky Ward of Lowell, MA will be doing it one last time. The stand-up, down-to-earth Ward will look to withstand the strain and pain and unearth his gargantuan heart and will one final time with a man who has helped defined his legacy, Arturo Gatti.

    “It’s been a great ride,” Ward said today at his beautiful training quarters at the World Gym in nearby Tewksbury. “But in many ways I’m glad it’s coming to an end. I’ve been in the sport for 30 years now. I’ve had my ups and downs but I hope to leave the sport on a positive note.”

    A dozen or so years ago, many had felt his career had already ended but it had revived itself with a little confidence and a few close people that hadn’t given up on him. In 1990 and 1991, Ward was matched with top heralded prospects, Charles Murray, Tony Martin, Ricky Meyers and veteran contender, Harold Brazier. He lost to each of them and after his loss to Meyers, a bout in which he appeared listless, Ward stopped fighting.

    “I was becoming a stepping stone for young up and coming fighters and I thought I needed a break to regroup, but I never thought then it was going to be completely over for me. I could see what I was becoming and I didn’t like that role so I took some time off. I knew I had more left and wanted to give it one last shot.”


    It’s a decision that boxing fans have certainly appreciated. After reeling off 9 straight victories, which included knockout wins over up and coming undefeated fighters, Louis Veador and Alfonso Sanchez, Ward received his first ever world title shot against then champion, “Cool” Vince Phillips. Ward was stopped on a cut and then lost to Zab Judah on points in 1998. It appeared Ward was heading in the same direction he had some years before and it was clear that if he wanted a better run with boxing, some changes were necessary.

    “When he came back I needed to make sure we were going to do it right,” said his proud manager, Sal Lonano. “But in order to do that, I knew we had to build the right team. We already had (his brother) Dicky Ecklund as his head trainer because they were a perfect fit but I brought Al Valenti on to help with the promotion of the shows. Since then, we’ve added Lou Dibella and the best cut man in the business, Al Gavin. This helped Micky develop into the popular fighter he is today.”

    Ward also underwent critical surgery to his right hand so that he wouldn’t have to completely rely on his vaunted left hook. Micky’s next several fights would take place at venues like the Hampton Beach Casino and The Icenter in Salem, NH. And it was at these venues where Ward’s name became the one you would hear frequently when discussing good scraps. On a live ESPN2 Friday Night Fights edition, Ward ailing from a badly cut mouth stopped top contender, Reggie “Showtime” Green with mere seconds left in a fight he was trailing.

    “In my opinion, that’s the fight that really did it for him,” said Ward’s publicist, Bob Trieger. “I still don’t know how he pulled that one out, but he did and that’s what helped him get his opportunities on HBO.”

    Ward was chosen to fill the co-feature spot underneath a Naseem Hamed title fight in England. He would of course be brought in as the “opponent” for then unbeaten, Shea Neary. Their fight, was the same ‘more bang for your buck’ that most fans clamor for with Ward winning by an exciting 7th round knockout.

    A year later, Ward’s Fight of the Year, with Emannuel Augustus was thoroughly documented as one of the best fights ever seen. ‘Give and take,’ ‘blood and guts’ were the phrases used when remarking on what they would during this monumental battle. It was that fight which allotted him three more HBO dates, the network known as the vehicle for worldwide boxing fame and fortune.

    It was conceived that a fight between Ward and Montreal slugger, Arturo Gatti, would produce one of the greatest fights ever waged. One way or another, both had been involved in the ‘Fight of the Year’ for the past six years. It was simple mathematics Ward + Gatti = Fight of the Century. It was the perfect equation and they were right.

    Their first fight waged at the Mohegan Sun on May 18, 2002 is widely considered to be the greatest fight of all time. The bloody fight, symbolized what good boxing is all about and was packed with more ebbs and flows and drama than any one could imagine. Ward won that one by majority decision and lost the rematch in another 39 minute thrill ride in November at The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Their two fights have been so appealing to even the casual fans that they are fighting a third time this Saturday at the Boardwalk Hall to determine who will be named first in their proud tandem. Will their trilogy be called the Ward-Gatti trilogy or the Gatti-Ward trilogy?

    Ward, who is cherished by his home town of Lowell and will wear a Lowell Spinners baseball jersey with the number ‘39’ on the back. Should Ward win on Saturday it will be his 39th against 12 defeats.

    “This fight is so important for me especially because it’s my last,” said Ward. “I’ve heard that people think I’m just taking this fight because it’s big money and that I’m not going to try to win. Any one who thinks that really doesn’t know who I am or what I’m about. I don’t BS any body. Any one who knows me knows that I trained as hard as I could for this fight and every other fight I’ve ever had. At the end of the day, if I lose, I lose, but it will never because I didn’t try hard enough or not do enough preparation. Why would I train hard if I didn’t plan on winning?

    Ward has also made it clear that should he win, there will be no scenario that would make him fight again.

    "Win, lose or draw, this fight is it for me. I promised too many people, including myself. I’m all done with boxing after this fight and I will never come back. I probably could have gone on for a couple more years because I still feel good but it takes one punch that can change things for a fighter. Who knows, maybe I’ve already taken that punch already, God forbid, but I just want to do it right. I feel great now and it’s the right time for me to hang them up.”

    And should he win, a storybook ending to a storied career.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWard hopes to write 'Final Chapter'``x1054590304,89343,``x``x ``x Rising Stars Shine Bright on June 13 in Revere
    Cappiello Promotions Returns to the Wonderland Ball Room

    Brockton, MA- Massachusetts Welterweight Jimmy LeBlanc 9-3-3 (3) is looking to pick up his first win in three tries at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere, MA. Leblanc, 29, hurt his hand against Jadschi Green last October and was forced to retire after four rounds. Prior to the Green fight he had a six round draw with Andre Baker. His opponent on the Cappiello Promoted Show will be John Trigg in an eight-rounder.
    "I can't get the guys that I want in the ring, to fight me," said LeBlanc, referring to Kevin Watts and Jeff Fraza . "Watts turned down a rematch with me so my promoter has locked up John Trigg. I don't know too much about Trigg except that he comes to fight and I certainly am not taking him lightly."
    Trigg, who has lost decisions to Juan Diaz, Aaron Torres, and Justo Sencion, seemed to be cruising to a six round decision win over Gary Balletto in 2001 until he got caught by a vicious right hand at the end of the fourth round from the hard hitting lightweight contender.
    In the co-main event, Ian "The Cobra" Gardner, 11-1 (6), fighting out of Brockton, MA, will be taking on Dave Hadden, of Ft. Pierce, FL in an eight round middleweight bout. Gardner says he is ready to go to war.
    "I have seen tape of Hadden's fight with Willie Gibbs and I am prepared for a battle," said Gardner. On June 13th I plan to step in the ring and show every ounce of passion that I have for the sport of boxing. As long as I do the things that I do best, everything else will take care of itself."
    The Night of the Rising Stars' undercard features comback bouts for Jeff "Hell 'Raza" Fraza, and Melvin Cumba, as well as Dorchester heavyweight prospects Mike Beverly, and James Clancy in separate bouts.
    Fraza 12-2 (6), of Haverhill, MA, is coming off of a shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined since October. Cumba, 4-0 (2), who turned pro on his 18th birthday in 1998, is coming back from a three year layoff.
    Beverly, 1-0, is taking a big step up as he takes on 45 fight veteran Willie Kemp of Syaracuse, NY. Over a long career Kemp has been in with the likes of Eric Lucas, Bernard Hopkins, Merqui Sosa, John Scully, and earlier this year went the six round distance with prized heavyweight prospect T.J. Wilson.
    Clancy, in only his second pro fight, is a former Irish National Amateur Champion. He is yet to have an opponent named.

    Complete card:

    Jimmy LeBlanc 9-3-3 vs John Trigg 10-21 8 rounds junior welterweight
    Dave Hadden 6-10 vs Ian Gardner 11-1 8 rounds middleweight
    Jeff Fraza 12-2 vs Eugene Pratt 11-23 6 rounds junior welterweight
    Melvin Cumba 4-0 vs Elias Hernandez NR 4 rounds junior lightweight
    Mike Beverly 1-0 vs Willie Kemp 14-31 4 rounds heavyweight
    Wayne Johnson NR vs Walter Coles NR 4 rounds light heavyweight
    Adam Moses 1-0 vs Michael Shelton NR super middleweight
    James Clancy 1-0 vs TBA



    LEb``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCappiello Brings Boxing Back to Revere``x1054592035,6259,``x``x ``xKnockout Productions Launch Inaugural Event


    Providence, RI- Undefeated junior middleweight Peter Manfredo Jr., 17-0 (8), will be taking on Victor Rosado, 17-3 (11), on June 27th at the Dunkin Donut Center in Providence, RI. The event, which is being labled "The Pride of Providence," marks the first show that Knockout productions will be promoting.
    Manfredo Jr. is currently ranked by the NABF, NABO, USBA, and NABA while Rosado, 24, is a former New York Golden Glove Champion, and will provide a stiff challenge for the 22 year-old Manfredo. The bout is scheduled for 10 rounds in the junior middleweight division.
    "I'm going to do my best to put on an exciting show for my hometown fans," said Manfredo Jr. "They have supported me throughout my career and I plan to bring a world title home to Providence."
    The co-feature pitts two good young lightweights in Aaron "2-Guns" Torres, 13-1 (6), and Adrian Mora, 10-0 (5), of Denver. Torres, from Philadelphia, was a very good amateur and after splitting his first two pro fights has reeled off 12 consecutive wins.
    The undercard is headlined by the return of "The Armenian Assassin," Arthur Saribekian. After two and a half years off Sarabekian, 22-4 (17), of Cranston, RI, will look to get back into contention in the cruiserweight division.
    The former New England Cruiserweight Champion will be taking on Harold Sconiers, 14-11 (9). Sconiers has fought as a heavyweight for most of his career and has been in with Clifford Etienne, Ray Austin, Maurice Harris, Razor Ruddock, and DaVarryl Williamson.
    Quite possibly the most entertaining fight slated for the undercard is a super heavyweight matchup between John "Big Greek" Mihalos, 8-3 (2), and Harold Rodriguez 3-3.
    Making their pro debuts are Jose Sanchez and Reynaldo Rodrigues in separate fights. Sanchez, a veteran of 75 amateur bouts is from Providence. He is fighting Eric Hall, 0-1, of Philadelphia.
    Rounding out the card is a light heavyweight bout between Tony Ventura, 3-1, and Joe Lorenzi, 2-4.

    Complete Card:

    Main Event: Peter Manfredo, Jr. 17-0, vs. Victor Rosado 17-3, 10 rounds 156 lbs.
    Co-Feature: Aaron Torres 13-1, vs. Adrian Mora 10-0, 8 rounds 135 lbs.
    Undercard: Arthur Saribekian 22-4, vs. Harold Sconiers 6 rounds 195 lbs
    John Mihalos 8-3, vs. Harold Rodriguez 3-3, 4 rounds Heavyweight
    Tony Ventura 3-1, vs. Joe Lorenzi 2-4, 4 rounds 175 lbs
    Jose Sanchez NR, vs. Eric Hall 0-1, 4 rounds 140 lbs
    Reynaldo Rodrigues NR, vs. TBA


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xManfredo to headline June 27th Show in Providence``x1054643289,99360,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    UNCASVILLE, CT - Last night’s first inaugural Tuesday Night Fights edition on ESPN2 was to showcase tomorrow’s champions. It instead turned out to be a night of upsets at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Three unbeaten fighters had their “0’s” snatched - including two highly touted prospects and former Olympians Clarence Vinson, of Washington, D.C and Gold Medallist, Muhammad Abdullaev, who resides in Las Vegas.

    Vinson, the former 2000 U.S Olympic Bronze Medallist was beaten over 10 competitive rounds by Mexican Heriberto Ruiz of Los Mochis. As close as the fight appeared, Ruiz, 120 ½, seemed too rugged and strong for Vinson who tried to mix it up as much as he could. Vinson, 119, ¾, however lost most of the exchanges and was being forced backwards. Judges Glenn Feldman and Clark Sammartino had Ruiz winning 96-4 and 96-95 respectively, while Joe Dwyer, the former head of the IBF had the American by a ridiculous score of 99-91.

    “Our intentions were for Heriberto to work really hard at taking every round,” said Ruiz’ manager Javier Zapata. “He needed to respond every time he was hit and that’s what he did - he won most of the exchanges.”

    The vastly more experienced Ruiz , who at one point had been the number one ranked bantamweight in the world prior to losing to Oscar Andrade is now 28-2-2 with 14 KO’s.

    In a strange, stunning upset, Ghana’s Emmanuel Clottey rallied to stop former Olympic 2000 Gold Medallist, Muhammad Abdullaev, of Andizhan, Uzbekistan in the final stanza in the 10-round co-feature. Abdullaev, 145, had a tough time catching up with veteran Clottey, 146 1/2, who was effective in eluding most of Abdullaev’s dangerous punches. It was Abdullaev who had been throwing most of the punches and some were getting in, but Clottey’s punches were landing as well and causing Abdullaev to slow round by round.

    Trailing 89-82 on two cards and 90-81 on another, Clottey landed a perfect left hook counter which hurt Abdullaev midway through the 10th. Another combination followed and the Russian stumbled into the ropes. It appeared that Abdullaev was going to use the count to recover, but whether he couldn’t understand referee Gaspar Ortega’s count or not, he would not stand up until Ortega reached “ten” at 2;19 of the round.

    “I knew if I just took my time, I could catch him with the counterpunches,” said Clottey. “If you have ever seen me fight, then you’ll know that I come on strong in the end of all of my fights. I always have the stamina to do that.”

    He also had the ability to withstand some of Abdullaev’s considerable power shots, particularly the body shots, which is another story in itself. Two weeks ago, Sal Lonano, the manager of “Irish” Micky Ward, who faces Gatti for the third time this Saturday, told the CBZ that Ward had been having good sparring sessions with a fellow by the name of Clottey. As it turns out, that sparring may have a great impact on Ward Saturday night as well.

    “I had good sparring with Micky Ward,” said Clottey. “I was so grateful to have been able to work with him. Taking Micky’s body shots definitely helped prepare me for this fight.

    Though Clottey and his corner were celebrating in the ring, while having just improved to 20-5 with 14 KO’s, there was another man who seemed even more ecstatic at ringside.

    “I’m so happy for this kid,” said LouDibella, who signed Clottey to a contract a year ago. “When I saw his fight with Luis Resto last year, I immediately signed him up. (Clottey) is such a hard worker and has a huge heart. Believe me, this couldn’t have happened to a better kid. Hopefully, I can help him make enough money so that he can buy a nice house in Accra.”

    Abdullaev, now 11-1 with 9 KO’s was a fill-in for Ricardo Williams who is no longer with Dibella’s stable of fighters because he wanted shortstop money ($50,000 a fight) after only nine fights (which included one loss). Dibella was attempting to sign Abdullaev on Saturday and after Abdullaev’s manager Gary Gittleson verbally agreed to the contract, he was nowhere to be found. Dibella believed it was their way of holding out for more money. As fate would have it, Abdullaev and Gittleson showed up to fight but unfortunately, so did Clottey.

    “Believe me, I’m not thrilled that Abdullaev lost,” remarked Dibella with an ear to ear smile. “But,“ he paused, “There is a god!”

    In the swing bout Yuri Foreman, New York, NY via Haifa, Israel pitched a near 6-round shutout over Sammy Sparkman, 153 ½, of Columbia, TN. The judges had Foreman winning 60-54 twice and 59-55 as he improved to 11-0 with 6 KO‘s.

    In the first bout of the evening, New Bedford’ Paul Delgado scored a minor upset when he decisioned, unbeaten William Torres, 140, of Detroit, MI. The much shorter, Delgado, 141, was effective at times in moving in and out and landing counter right hands and left hooks but the efforts and seemed frequent enough to be piling up the rounds. Delgado also had to rally back from a standing 8-count, which referee Joe Cusano administered moments after Torres had launched Delgado’s mouth guard 10 feet upward from a hard uppercut. But Delgado didn’t falter, he rallied down the stretch winning the final two rounds on all three judges’ scores. Judges Don Ackerman and Don Trella had Delgado ahead 76-75 and 77-74, while Stephen Epstein had Torres by a 77-64 score. Delgado is now 7-2-1 while Torres is now 8-1 with 4 KO’s.

    Brooklyn’s Paul Malignaggi, 143 ¾, won a convincing 6-round decision over Shad Howard, 140, of Russellville, MO. Malignaggi who was booed throughout for excessive showboating scored a standing 8-count and a knockdown over Howard in winning by three scores of 60-52. Malignaggi is now 13-0 with 4 KO’s while Howard is now 9-4-3 with 5 KO’s.

    Network - ESPN2
    Promoter - Dibellla Entertainment
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xVinson, Abdullaev Upset!``x1054695001,5155,``x``x ``xBy Tom Donelson

    Mickey Ward is not one of the upper echelons in the 140-pound division but he is a solid performer. Ward is one of those fighters that no matter the results, you get your money’s worth. He will not disappoint. Arturo Gatti is a solid boxer and former champion but he is not afraid of alley fights. If anything, that is his weakness. Gatti can be forced into a street fight when a little outside boxing skill is called for. With scar tissues as a reminder of past war, Gatti will eschew his defensive skills to stand toe to toe. In their first match, Ward was able to force Gatti into a street brawl and pulled out a close decision. In their second match, Gatti used his superior boxing skills and won an easy victory and almost knocked Ward out.

    For Mickey Ward, this is his last big payday. At the age of 37, he is not going to be a champion but his entertaining style allowed him to make a good living and his first brawl with Gatti created a whole new set of fans. Ward is a plodder who just keeps coming and throwing punches, just hoping to make contact. For Ward, this fight is a no risk proposition. His place in history is set as a solid fighter who entertained the crowd. Gatti has more to lose. Win this fight and Gatti could propel himself into a position to challenge for one of the various 140-pound championships. Lose and his chance for another championship is crippled. Gatti, like Ward, is an entertaining fighter and he will always be able to pick a good payday as long as he continues to win more than he loses. But Gatti ‘s chances to be a champion ride on winning.

    So why would Gatti take a third fight against a dangerous fighter? Simple, the first reason is money. He will make plenty to fight Ward, maybe even as much as winning a championship. The second is even more important. Gatti, like Ward, is a professional fighter and he loves to fight. He is willing to trade punches and like Ward, Gatti will fight anybody. These two men represent a different era of boxing in which boxing was more than a way to make money; it was a task to be enjoyed. These men would fight everyday if they could and they are entertaining fighters simply because they love their sport and their trade.

    Now for the keys to victories. Gatti must fight like he did in the second fight. Move and box from the outside and frustrate Ward. Hit Ward as Ward marches in. Ward’s strategy is different. Tempt Gatti into a street brawl. No niceties, just keep moving forward and force Gatti to stand and fight. Gatti in the past has taken the temptation and forsaken his boxing skills to trade punches. That is how Ward won his first fight. In the second fight Gatti fought the temptation and fought a disciplined fight.

    Gatti has more to lose and more to gain if he wins. So my prediction is that Gatti will win a decision because he is the better boxer but look for fireworks. I do not see this fight matching the first simply because it is hard to recreate a masterpiece. It will be a fun fight to watch but Gatti's skill wins out. Remember the first fight was as close a fight as you could ever have and Gatti could have easily been awarded the decision first time around. He won the second fight very easily. Gatti by a decision.

    ---30---
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xWard-Gatti One More Time``x1054844634,39664,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena at ringside

    UNCASVILLE, CT - Just call the Mohegan Sun the 'Land of the upsets.' Either way, it's certainly no haven for former Olympians. On Tuesday night Olympians Clarence Vinson of Washington D.C. and Muhammad Abdullaev of Las Vegas said adios to their undefeated records. Tonight, another former Olympian lost a huge chance at entering the heavyweight picture.

    Sensing that he needed a final flurry or two to steal the 9th round of a very competitive fight, Lawrence Clay-Bey, decided to trade with Cuban ex-patriot, Eliecer Castillo, only to meet a vicious right hook that knocked him flat at the sound of the bell. Referee Eddie Cotton began the count just as the round had ended because the bell did not save him. A few extra seconds may have because as soon as Clay-Bey managed to his feet, Cotton had waved the fight over at the 3:00 minute mark (which was clearly wrong by the way).

    If anything, the rounds that had preceded the final one should have gave an indication of what could have happened. Though Castillo, 208 ¾, of Miami had some success with his straight left hands, he was also successful at landing some counter right hands because of Clay-Bey’s leaky defense.

    “I was trying to throw my right hand,” Clay-Bey said. “But my left hand was dropped and he caught me with a right hook, a perfect shot. I was trying to manage the count but just didn‘t get up in time.”

    The 37-year old Clay-Bey, a former 1996 U. S Olympian, from Hartford, CT was successful with his fast combinations and ahead on all three cards (77-74 on two and 76-75 on another) at the time of stoppage. In the fourth, he suffered the first knockdown of his career when he absorbed a straight left cross. Clay-Bey wasn’t hurt but it put Castillo back in the fight and was a definite confidence booster.

    “I wanted to come in with the right,” said the joyous Castillo, who improved to 24-3-2 with 13 KO's. “I was timing him and knew I could catch him with it.”

    Clearly the biggest win of his career, Castillo wants bigger fish to fry and hopes tonight’s fight will get him another TV opportunity., like this one which was televised by ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights.

    “I want to fight someone with a good name,” said Castillo. “Every time I lose it’s because I’m not disciplined. For this fight, I made sure I was in the best shape of my life.”

    A disappointed Clay-Bey, now 18-2 with 13 KO’s will now look to reassess his career.

    “That’s the sport of boxing,” he said. “I’ll definitely recover from this. I’m just going to go back to the gym.”

    In the opening co-feature to begin the ESPN2 broadcast, Harold Grey, 126 ¼, of Cartegena, Colombia won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Quintana, 127 ½, of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

    Grey, a former IBF jr. bantamweight champion in his heyday started a heated pace which seemed a bit dangerous considering that he was naturally the smaller of the two. Grey’s quick start led to him walking into Quintana’s right hand, which dropped him in the second round, but the experienced, determined Grey stood up and resumed his battle with Quintana, once referee Johnny Callas wiped his gloves off.

    The third was even more exciting than the first two. Neither man would stopped punching, as the two traded for the entire three minutes. Quintana, who appeared more in control up through the first three rounds, took a solid low blow which reduced his workrate significantly in the ensuing rounds. Whether it was intentional or not it seemed as if Grey seized command by working well with his jabs and combinations. He was able to slow the pace because of Quintana’s weakened condition.

    Quintana made somewhat of a comeback in the 8th round by backing Grey up with the heavier punches, some of which snapped the former champion’s head back, but Grey withstood the combat and was able to win out the fight.

    Judges Melvina Lathan, John Duke Lawson and Dick Flaherty had Grey winning 97-92. Grey who hasn’t fought in over a year is now 25-3 with 1 ND and 17 KO’s while Quintana is now 11-3-2 with 6 KO’s.

    His vocal Irish contingency flew three thousand of miles to see him fight - for two whole minutes. Former 11-time Irish national amateur champion Bernard “Ben” Dunne, 126 ¾, of Dublin, who now lives and trains in Los Angeles won his seventh bout in as many starts by finishing his opponent, Terrell Hargrove, with a solid left hook in the first round. Hargove, 130, of Louisville, KY was carefully and skillfully picked apart by Dunn with both fists. Once Hargrove appeared stunned, Dunn carefully pressed him, particularly with the left hand, after the last one dropped him to his knees, Callas stopped the fight. Dunn, who according to his manger has a July 3rd Showbox date set is now 7-0 with 6 KO’s, while Hargrove is now 6-6 with 3 KO’s.

    In the opening bout, one-time heavyweight prospect, Jo-el Scott, 231, of Albany, NY stopped Maxine Onebo, 228 ½, of Atlanta, GA at the end of five uneventful rounds. The hard punching Scott had difficulty landing his heavy shots because of Onebo’s southpaw style which is why it was difficult wondering why Onebo‘s corner stopped it. Scott is now 20-1 with 19 KO’s while Onebo is now 15-17 with 11 KO’s

    In other bouts, Jose Nieves, 118 ¾, of Carolina, Puerto Rico won a 4-round unanimous over Carlos Diaz, 118 ¾, of Tampa, FL. Diaz, who won by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice is now 7-0-2 with 6 KO’s while Diaz is now 8-4-2 with 5 KO’s. Fontaine Cabell, 153 ½, of Westbury, NY improved to 21-3-1 with 16 KO’s when he won a 4-round unanimous decision over Tom Wilt, 153 ¾, of Altoona, PA. Wilt is now 10-2-1 with 1 KO.

    Promoter - Sugar Ray Leonard Promotions

    Network - ESPN2

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCastillo Stretches Clay-Bey! ``x1054958521,87628,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo

    07.06 - In their first fight, we got exactly what we expected from
    Arturo
    Gatti and Mickey Ward, a toe-to-toe slugfest! In fight one, both
    fighters
    met at ring center and traded punches for ten rounds. The fight was
    extremely close with each fighter taking turns in having the upper
    hand;
    a case could've been made for either side, but the judges said Ward.
    In the second fight, Gatti did the unimaginable: he boxed. Yes, in the
    rematch Gatti changed his style and fought his natural instincts of
    going
    to war. He fought a brilliant fight and totally out boxed Ward, using
    the
    ring and his underrated boxing ability. Gatti has faster hands and
    better
    mobility than Ward and utilized them to his advantage. By keeping the
    fight at a distance, he rendered Ward virtually ineffective. Ward
    must've
    been surprised by this tactic, because he didn't change a bit from the
    first fight. He continued to press Gatti trying to get inside while he
    was being outscored. Gatti avoided temptation to trade and went on to
    win
    a comfortable decision by the scores of 98-91, 98-91 and 98-90.
    What If Ward Changes this time?
    By Gatti changing his style in the rematch, which is rare for most
    aggressive/attacking fighters to do, Ward must have been thrown. He
    wasn't expecting to go looking for Gatti. This provided Gatti a huge
    edge
    throughout and enabled him to dictate the pace and tone of the fight.
    What if Ward turns the tables on Gatti, as some in his camp have
    suggested? Suppose Ward moves away from Gatti and fights from behind
    his
    jab? What does Gatti do? Gatti clearly was dictating while Ward was
    coming after him. But, what if Ward doesn't follow? If Gatti has to be
    the aggressor, will he be able to get in and get out, or will he go for
    the big shot if he thinks he has Ward on the run.
    If Ward can change in this fight like Gatti did in the rematch, he may
    turn the tide back in his favor. Maybe this is a good strategy for Ward
    to employ this time. Ward can always fall back on what he has done best
    throughout his career, brawl, if Gatti doesn't oblige by pursuing him.
    Could this be the best way for Ward to hit Gatti with a big shot?
    Surely
    Gatti will be tempted to go after Ward if he's moving away. Maybe if
    Ward
    can lure Gatti to come after him, he can hit him more solidly and turn
    the fight into a slugfest, but on his terms. If Ward can pick his
    spots,
    it may force Gatti to readjust his battle plan. This may be the way for
    Ward to go since it's quite apparent that if he fights the same fight
    as
    last time, Gatti wins another decision. This fight will most likely
    come
    down to wills again, especially if Ward changes this time.
    What if Ward moves away drawing Gatti to come to him this time?
    Wouldn't
    that be interesting?``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xWHAT IF WARD CHANGES THIS TIME?``x1055002882,36247,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE

    Doll Crain vs. Michelle Gatewood

    Doll from Portand faces Gatewood from Spokane in their professional debut 4 round bouts. Doll is married to boxing regular Dominick Rivera. Maybe next fight we have the first Husband/Wife combo on the card?????

    "For Immediate Release" 6/3/03

    Saturday, June 14, 2003 at 7:00pm
    Nothwest Favorite Tim Shocks vs. Fight Night 40 Winner Alejandro Jimenez
    Over 40 Rounds 8 Bouts Scheduled for Fight Night 41


    Dateline: Rochester, WA, June 3, 2003

    Seattle's Tim Shocks returns to the Lucky Eagle Casino for the first time since 1999 to face Fight Night 40 winner, Alejandro Jimenez in the 10 round Main Event. Shocks lost to Julio Garcia in June of 1999, and will have a tough test against Jimenez, who KO'd Ruben Munoz in the April main event.
    Shocks comes in with 23 wins, including 14 KO's. Alejandro, from Guadalajara, Mexico has 13 wins, six by KO.

    The winner in an eight round rematch between Rafael Ortiz and Jesus Santa Cruz will determine who fights for the Northwest Title, later this year. Santa Cruz won a split decision over Ortiz last November. Both fighters have six wins (Ortiz has 6 KO's, Santa Cruz has 2 KO's)

    Other bouts include:
    * Jaime de la Torre vs. Ron Carnell 6 rounds
    * Ishwar Amador vs. Jeff Horan 6 rounds
    * Juan Ramon vs. Christian Lopez 4 rounds
    * Cedric Hendricks vs. Lee Morris 4 rounds
    * Richard Langley, vs. Scott Sales 4 rounds
    * Doll Crain vs. Michelle Gatewood 4 rounds

    Changes and additional information will be announced as they occur.


    Tickets $40 ringside, $25 reserved, $20 reserved of general admission
    available at Ticketmaster, casino (800-720-1788) or Twin Cities
    Fuller's
    stores. Fighters are subject to change and contract approval by the
    Washington State Boxing Commission.


    Duncan MacLeod

    Director of Marketing
    Lucky Eagle Casino
    www.luckyeagle.com
    "You Just Get More"

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xFemale Fighters Return to Lucky Eagle June 14th``x1055003346,50251,``x``x ``xThe Final Chapter: The Fight
    By Tom Donelson



    Gatti began the first round by continuing his strategy of the second fight by using his superior boxing skills and fighting Ward from the outside.  For three rounds, Gatti moved in and moved out; throwing combinations and Ward was being given a boxing lesson.  Ward attempted to jab and box but there was no fluidity to Ward's movement. He looked like a fish out of water.  Ward always had an awkward style and on occasion, looked off balanced.  Mickey Ward's fight was to move forward with one goal- unleashed his vicious left hook to the body.  After 20 rounds, Gatti understood this and his movement neutralized Ward's strength, as Ward could not catch the more elusive Gatti. 

    The fourth round changed the tone of the fight.  Gatti unleashed a right hand to Ward's hip and grimaced. He broke his hand.  Throughout the round, Ward connected with body shots and slowed down Gatti's movement.  Gatti returned to the corner and told his trainer, Buddy McGirt that his right hand was hurt.  McGirt asked, "What do you want me to do?"  Gatti simply said, "I'll keep fighting," and McGirt explained to Gatti how to fight with one hand.  Gatti was a warrior and for him, this was do or die, for his career was at stake. Pride took over and Gatti came out in the fifth, firing jabs.  Keeping Ward off balanced and occasionally throwing a right or I should say, pushing a right, Gatti managed to pull out the fifth round.

    The sixth round saw Ward catching up to Gatti, forcing Gatti to fight.  Ward nailed Gatti with two left hooks and clubbing right and Gatti went down.  Ward attempted to finish Gatti off but he couldn't.  Gatti fought back tenaciously and countered with left jabs and hooks.  Both fighters managed to throw nearly 200 punches that round.  There were almost as many punches thrown in that round than in the entire heavyweight battle between Michael Grant and Dominick Guinn in the preliminary.   By suriving the sixth, Gatti took control of momentum for rest of the fight as Ward could not take advantage of Gatti's sore right hand or the knockdown.

    Gatti came out in the seventh with one strategy, box and move.  As the fight progressed, Gatti started throwing the right hand more.  Gatti figured that he could not damage the right anymore and besides, he had a fight to win. 

    Through the seventh thru the tenth round, Gatti was the quicker of the two fighters as he managed to out punch Ward.  Gatti jabbed and his right hand landed enough to keep Ward off balanced.  Ward countered with hard body shots but Gatti was out maneuvering the slower Ward.    Both men fought through their fatigue and pain.  Gatti won the decision but this final act was almost as good a fight as the first one. It is hard to improve on a masterpiece but these men managed to create a second masterpiece.  While the score was one sided with Gatti winning by 96-93, 96-93, 97-92 margins on the official scorecard, the scores did not reflect the ferocious combat that took place within the ring. Gatti was the better fighter but both men won the hearts of boxing fans. For 30 rounds, these men demonstrated what was good and noble about boxing. 

    For Ward, this was the last battle and he ended with a big payday. Mickey Ward had nothing left to prove or fight for.  Ward had his moment in the sun and it was time to say good- bye.  Gatti showed skills that I did not think he had left and at the age of 30, he still has a serious shot at a championship.  For Gatti, his victory meant not just a championship over Ward but he demonstrated that he could still fight at a championship level. 

    Gatti has to be considered to a serious challenger to Kostya Tszyu, the current 140-pound champion.  Last year, I wrote that Gatti's best days were behind him and that the results of the various wars turned him into an old 30. Somehow the wars with Ward rehabilitated Gatti's career and showed that "Thunder" Gatti had the flexibility and conditioning to box and move for an entire fight.  If he fights Tszyu the same way he fought the first three rounds of this fight, he could actually beat the Russian champion.  As for Ward, he will retire with the reputation as fighter who gave all he had and left nothing in the ring.  Not a bad legacy.

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xGatti-Ward: The Final Chapter``x1055081694,33115,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Since 1999, cable giant HBO has heralded its many boxing shows with the romantic slogan, "HBO The Heart And Soul of Boxing." Viewers may have noticed that earlier this year, the slogan changed to "HBO Building Legends One Round at a Time." Why drop a great ad riff? It seems a court injunction required HBO and its parent company, Time-Warner, to cease use of the Heart & Soul slogan. The reason is the ongoing lawsuit against HBO filed by two men from Portland, Oregon who own the U.S. Service Mark, "The Heart and Soul of Boxing."

    Ad man John Brune created the slogan for his business partner, long time boxing manager Mike "Motormouth" Morton. The suit claims that the partners have been using the slogan, "Mike Morton: The Heart & Soul of Boxing," to place ads in boxing publications and sanctioning body convention publications, and on press releases, fliers and business cards since 1994.

    After a period of delays, the civil suit is currently scheduled for July 21 in federal court in New York City. Attorneys for both sides have been in Portland this week (June 10-13) taking formal depositions.

    ---30---
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xSlogan Change at HBO Boxing``x1055276129,64087,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    Why is it that I can't handicap heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis when he fights? In over 38 years of being obsessed with boxing, there has never been a fighter who has befuddled me like Lennox Lewis. More times than not I'm on the wrong side when evaluating his fights. When I pick him to win easily, he struggles or loses. When I have picked him to lose, he has fought some of the best fights of his career. The only thing I can come up with as to why I'm wrong when he fights a majority of the time is because, his chin scares the hell out of me. I always feel that he's one punch away from being stretched for the count of ten. I must confess that one of my major pet-peeves with heavyweight fighters is whether ot not they have a good beard. I believe a heavyweight must possess a great chin in order to have a chance at becoming great. The heavyweight division will test the whiskers of a fighter like no other division in boxing. The two major reason's for this are because, heavyweights as a rule are not the best defensive fighters, (excluding Chris Byrd) and they possess the hardest single one punch power.

    There is no doubt that Lennox Lewis is a great heavyweight fighter. In my opinion he and Evander Holyfield are the two best heavyweights since the prime of former champ Larry Holmes (1978-1982). Personally, I rate Holyfield a shade above Lewis. Mainly because there can be absolutely no doubt that Holyfield has the better chin. I would even go so far as to say it's a FACT that Holyfield has the better chin than Lewis, and it's not even debatable!

    Looking at the overall career accomplishments of Lewis, only one conclusion can be drawn, he's a great fighter. He can punch with both hands, he has a good jab, and he can box. Under the tutelage of Emanuel Stewart, he has learned how to utilize his size and reach, and has become very good at finding and exposing the vulnerabilities of his opponents. Lewis has also demonstrated championship heart and courage, and must be given high praise for his ability to comeback after suffering two devastating one punch knockout defeats at the hands of Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman.

    Therein lies the problem, he's been knocked out twice during his championship reign by two fighters not known for being knockout artists. And let's be honest, he was knocked out by McCall, that wasn't a quick count at all, no way he could've continued. In fact, had he been allowed to continue fighting when he rose, he may have been hurt badly. The shot that Rahman hit him with was a bomb, and it would've knocked out many other top heavyweights, not just Lewis.

    However, I just can't get past his chin when I try to handicap his fights. The fact that he's the only outstanding/great heavyweight champion in history to be knocked out for the count by one punch twice during his prime, always scares me when I pick him. I just feel he is vulnerable at anytime to be counted out if his opponent lands cleanly.

    My misses on Lennox Lewis

    10/31/92 vs. Razor Ruddock: Ruddock was coming off of his two fights with Tyson. In the rematch with Tyson he suffered a broken jaw and still went 12 rounds. Nobody was saying Tyson softened Ruddock up for Lewis prior to the fight, nobody! I thought Ruddock's confidence was soaring at the time and felt he would catch Lewis with his left hand "smash" and sit him on his butt. Instead, Lewis came right out and landed a right hand on Ruddock's chin and Ruddock never recovered, leading to a two round stoppage for Lewis. (I Picked Ruddock by knockout, and he gets knocked out)

    09/24/94 vs. Oliver McCall I: I thought Lewis would take McCall apart. I felt he would keep McCall outside with his jab, and give him a boxing lesson. I felt there was a slight chance that Lewis may have scored a stoppage late but, I thought Lewis would most likely win by decision because of McCall's great chin. I never dreamed that McCall was capable of sneaking a short right hand between Lewis' gloves to knock him out. (I picked Lewis to win handily, and he gets stopped)

    05/10/96 vs. Ray Mercer: Going into the Mercer fight, I thought that Lewis would give Mercer the boxing lesson he didn't give McCall. In no way did I see Mercer giving Lewis the tough fight that he gave him. Again, I thought Lewis would keep Mercer at the end of his jab and win easy. In my opinion this fight came down to the last round, which I scored for Lewis, justifying the decision. (I Thought Lewis would win easy, and he struggled)

    10/04/97 vs. Andrew Golota: Lewis was coming off of fighting Mercer, McCall II, and Akinwande. He had life and death with Mercer. He didn't impress vs. McCall in their rematch, and he was almost dropped by one punch vs. Akinwande. Golota was coming off his two fights with Riddick Bowe, which he completely dominated. Back in 1995 and 1996, I felt Bowe was more formidable than Lewis. Seeing Golota handle Bowe twice, along with seeing Lewis look average at best in his three previous fights led me to think Golota was going to win. I wasn't picking Golota without any reservation but, I did pick him to win. (I picked Golota and Lewis devastates him in one round, this was more a pick against Lewis than a pick on Golota)

    03/13/99 vs. Evander Holyfield I: Holyfield was coming off of beating Tyson twice and Michael Moorer convincingly. Lewis was coming off of being almost stopped by Shannon Briggs, and looking less than impressive against Zeljko Mavrovic going into the Holyfield fight. I thought Holyfield would outspeed and out think Lewis on the way to winning a decision. What we saw was Lewis fight a brilliant fight, and Holyfield fight as if he died a week before the fight. This was a horrible decision being called a draw, I scored it 9-3 Lewis. (I pick Holyfield to win comfortably, and he was never in the fight)

    11/13/99 vs. Evander Holyfield II: In this fight I expected Lewis to come out and impose his size and strength and win handily. What we saw was Lewis fight tentative against a better prepared Holyfield. In fact, watching this fight I felt Holyfield was the stronger fighter because of the way he pressured Lewis and backed him up throughout the entire fight. In this fight Holyfield shook Lewis on a few occasions, and Lewis didn't hurt Holyfield at anytime during the 12 rounds. I scored this fight 7-5 Lewis. (I picked Lewis to win overwhelmingly, yet he struggled and some felt Lewis lost)

    11/11/00 vs. David Tua: Going into the Lewis-Tua fight, I totally bought the rhetoric that Tua spewed. I believed Tua when he said he was going to go to the body and cut off the ring in order to get inside of Lewis' jab and fight inside. I thought that Tua was going to be able to get close and land his big left hook on Lewis and knock him out. What we saw was Lewis box Tua perfectly for 12 rounds winning a lopsided decision. Lewis exposed Tua as being totally limited, and did exactly what he had to in order to win. (I fell in love with Tua's power, and the fact that I didn't have any confidence in Lewis' chin, led me to believe Tua was gonna stop Lewis. Again, this was more a pick against Lewis than a pick on Tua)

    04/21/01 vs. Hasim Rahman I: I was ringside the night Oleg Maskaev knocked Rahman out, and out of the ring. Seeing Rahman get stretched by Tua, and almost stopped by Corrie Sanders led me to believe that Lewis could knock out Rahman without stepping foot into the Gym. I was shocked and amazed when Rahman planted that big right on Lennox dropping him as if he was shot. (I pick Lewis to knock out Rahman easily, and he suffers the worst defeat of his career)

    11/17/01 vs. Hasim Rahman II: Seeing Lewis getting knocked out by Rahman in their first fight, completely scared me off of Lewis. I felt Lewis' confidence was shattered and Rahman's was sky high. In this fight, Lewis' questionable chin completely swayed me into believing that he would lose this fight and then retire. I just couldn't get the image of the first fight out of my head. (I picked Lewis to be stopped and then retire, and he goes out and scores one of his most impressive knockouts. Again, I picked against Lewis more than I picked Rahman)

    06/08/02 vs. Mike Tyson: Ever since the first McCall fight, I felt that Tyson could beat Lewis. After seeing Rahman take Lewis out with one punch, I was convinced Tyson would get some of his reputation back against Lewis. I reasoned that Tyson hits harder than Rahman, he has faster hands than Rahman, and he throws more punches than Rahman. Seeing Lewis being stopped by Rahman made me think Tyson would pulverize him. Once again Lewis proves me wrong. He goes out and gives Tyson the worst beating of his career and leaves no doubt as to who was the better fighter. (I pick Lewis to get stopped, and he fights a great fight and demolishes Tyson. This is getting old but, again this was a pick against Lewis, more than a pick on Tyson.)

    Lennox Lewis has had a remarkable career, he has done all that can be asked of any fighter. He has never faced a fighter he wasn't capable of defeating. However, I have never been more wrong when attempting to handicap his bouts. I consistently over-rate him or under-rate going into his fights. In his next bout he fights the once beaten Vitaly Klitschko, is there any doubt that I'll be on the wrong side in choosing the winner?

    Writers Note

    Next week I will wright my take on the fight. I will pick who I think will win and why. What ever you do, make sure you get my selection before you make your pick. This way you can take the opposite side! ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWhy Can't I Pick Lewis``x1055333568,87698,``x``x ``xHitz Promotions Press Release

    CHICAGO, IL - WBC #1/IBF #1 Cruiserweight Contender O'Neil "Give Em Hell" Bell wants to show the IBF so called "Cruiserweight King" James Toney the real meaning of "Lights Out." Since Toney/Hopkins is off, O'Neil Bell would love to step into the ring with Toney to show him who the best Cruiserweight in the world really is. "My last fight with Davis was fun, I can fight inside I can fight outside and I know one thing is for sure, Toney isn't as strong as Kelvin and I'll definitely knock him out quicker, he's a fu@#ing middleweight." Says Bell. Bells promoter Bobby Hitz contacted Dan Goosen to see if there's any chance to make the fight, Goosen said he will need 48hours to figure it out. According to Hitz, "this is a great match-up, this has the making of a much better fight than Toney/Jirov, I hope Dan will give us and boxing fans all over the world a chance to make this happen."
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBell Wants Toney!``x1055420939,21940,``x``x ``xPress Release

    "I am very interested in taking a more active role in my career," says
    Featherweight Champ


    Los Angeles, CA - Boxer Marco Antonio Barrera has terminated his
    relationship with manager Ricardo Maldonado and his with promoter John Jackson and Forum Boxing, Inc. Barrera has been frustrated by the manager’s and promoter’s response to Barrera’s desire to take greater control over his boxing career.

    Barrera was also "surprised and disappointed" to learn that the agreements under which Maldonado and Jackson have been operating do not comply with applicable state and federal law. As a result, Barrera has asked a federal court to declare the agreements unenforceable and void.

    Barrera was particularly disturbed by recent media reports concerning
    arrangements for a third contest between Barrera and Erik Morales when neither Maldonado nor Jackson had discussed the matter with Barrera.

    "I am very interested in taking a more active role in my career. To think that my manager and promoter would be out making arrangements for such a big fight without even talking to me first is of great concern and undermines my ability to control my boxing activities. Of course I am interested in fighting Morales again; we put on a great show in the first two fights and I am certain a third bout would be no less exciting. I look forward to being personally involved in making the arrangements for that fight and other great fights that I am planning for the future."

    Barrera‘s professional record is 57-3, with 40 wins by knockout.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBARRERA BREAKS WITH MANAGER AND PROMOTER``x1055434652,97922,``x``x ``xMANCHESTER, Conn. – Featherweight prospect Angel “Gee Roc” Torres (13-2, 5 KOs) with nine straight wins under his belt remains upset and concerned about critical reactions by some in the media, as well as a portion of the live audience at Foxwoods Resort Casino, regarding his stunning 12-second knockout of Gabriel Krizan on the May 30th ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.

    Both fighters had been advised by the referee twice – going over rules in the dressing room and again in the center of the ring before the fight started -- to protect themselves at all times once the bell sounded. Torres connected with a left hook to Krizan’s temple as Gabriel aapparently began to extend his hand to touch gloves. Krizan was taken out of the ring and to the hospital.

    “The ref told us to come out fighting at the bell and to be on the defensive,” Torres explained. “We touched gloves and returned to our corners. When the bell rang we both came forward and I saw an opening. I threw a shot and I connected. I did what I was trained to do. Boxers know. I felt bad when some people started booing. What did I do wrong? I came out to win. I’m not a bad sport.”

    Torres’ manager, Lou Mayo, explained that Angel was fired-up at the start of the fight and raring to go, “He’d been downstairs (dressing room) since 5:30, watching his stablemates Garry Balletto and Bobo Starnino do a great jobs, and was hyped up then he went into the ring. Angel was totally focused, in a zone for this fight. It was a very tough training camp for him because his grandmother died. They were very close and she was buried in Puerto Rico. Angel couldn’t go to her funeral because he was training here. All he focused on was this fight. When the other kid raised his hand, Angel just took advantage and caught him with a left hook. They had already touched gloves and the ref told them to come out fighting at the bell. That’s exactly what he did. By no means did he want to hurt him. He wasn’t jumping around, no pounding his chest. Angel was very concerned about Krizan.”

    Torres, in fact, kept asking about Krizan’s condition while he was standing in his corner, walking back to his dressing room, and later that night. “It’s never my intention to hurt anybody, only to win,” he noted. “But this is a rough sport and sometimes guys get hurt. We put our lives on the line every time we step in the ring. I tried to show my respect for him. Me, Lou and (CES promoter) Jimmy Burchfield were heading to the hospital the next morning, but we called and found out he had been released. We were all happy to hear that. I don’t what anybody ever thinking I’m trying to hurt anybody.”

    “Angel is one of the hottest prospects around as well as one of the cleanest living people in and out of the ring,” Torres’ promoter Jimmy Burchfield added. “We were all very happy to learn that Krizan was fine.”

    Torres is next expected to fight this summer.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAngel Torres fights back against unjust criticism``x1055435360,9112,``x``x ``xLas Vegas, NV - IBF Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd is finally tired of it all. Tired of all the lame excuses Lennox Lewis gives for not fighting him. Lewis has never given a legitimate reason as to why he will not meet Byrd in the ring. And now as Lewis prepares to face late replacement Vitali Klitschko and there’s rumbling of calling out Roy Jones next, Byrd has one thing on his mind—"Why is Lennox Lewis AFRAID to fight me?”

    First and foremost, Chris Byrd wants to fight the 6’5”, 250 pound Lewis. Byrd believes in boxing legacy and in order to reserve his spot, he knows Lewis is the only worthy opponent out there for him now. He wants to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

    Secondly, Byrd already beat Vitali Klitschko more than three years ago in April 2000. Byrd already offered his services to Lennox for the June 21 date but Lennox Lewis chose Klitschko. “I haven’t been seriously training lately but I think I can beat Lennox under any conditions,” said Byrd. “He knows it, Emmanuel Steward knows it and that’s all there is to it.”

    Although Lennox claims to be a “pugilist specialist,” and able to beat anyone, he refuses to even mention Byrd’s name. But with Klitschko done in June and the end of his career nearing, Lewis should face Byrd and show the world that he is capable of defeating the much smaller Byrd. Boxing experts know that if Lennox Lewis could beat the gifted, technically-sound boxer, he would do more for his career than any other fight out there. Unless he faces Byrd—the only other heavyweight in the division with a belt and talent to back it up—Lennox will go down in! heavyweight history as a simple after-thought.

    “It’s obvious he is bigger and physically stronger than me,” said the 6’1”, 210 pound Byrd. “But his heart and confidence can’t carry him in to the ring and that’s frightening.”

    Byrd continues. “He has a lot of nerve calling out Roy Jones who is even smaller than me and is just a novelty to our heavyweight division. It’s an insult to my boxing pedigree that he would overlook the only true test he has in the division. He says he only interested in the best opposition in the twilight of his career. Lennox knows that if he goes up, down or around me, he hasn’t proven his greatness in boxing and his legacy will not exist.”

    So as Lewis sits atop the WBA heavyweight thrown, choosing beatable opponents, and playing it safe and as securely as possible. “He can call himself king, emperor, Champ, whatever he wants,” said Byrd. “He just can’t beat me.”



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBYRD - “LENNOX, WHY ARE YOU AFRAID TO FIGHT ME?” ``x1055507836,91949,``x``x ``xLucky Eagle Casino
    12888 188th Ave SW
    Rochester, WA 98579
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    FIGHT NIGHT 41, The Lucky Eagle Casino, Saturday June 14, 2003

    JR. Middleweight , Scheduled 10 Rounds
    Alejandro Jeminez (13-25-4 ) (6 KO) 153 lbs vs. Tim Shocks, Kent,
    WA
    (24-14-3 ) (w/-14KO) 155 lbs......
    Tim Shocks defeated Alejandro Jeminez in a unanimous 10 round decision.
    Shocks displayed cat-like agility, keeping Jeminez at bay with his
    sharp jab
    and fancy footwork. Jeminez was head driven, he plowed into Shocks's
    body
    and held him on just about every exchange. Occasionally, Jeminez would
    rattle off a couple of good punches, keeping the fight closer then it
    should
    have been. Shocks's superior endurance and technique eventually
    decided the
    outcome.

    Lightweight, Scheduled 8 Rounds
    Rafael Ortiz , (6-3-1) (w/-6 KO) 137 lbs vs. Jesus Santiago Renton,
    WA
    (7-4) (w/-1KO) 137 lbs..............
    Jesus Santiago defeated Rafael Ortiz in a unanimous 8 round decision.
    Santiago wore Ortiz down with magnificent technique and astonishing
    persistence. Ortiz countered with power, knocking Santiago to the
    canvas in
    the 2nd round. Santiago battled back, he relentlessly matched Ortiz
    punch
    for punch, eventually edging Ortiz out in a fight to the finish.

    Middleweight , Scheduled 6 Rounds
    Ishwar Amador, (5-4 ) (w/-3KO) 162 lbs vs. Jeff Horan Seattle, WA
    (8-7-3)
    (w/-5KO) 159 lbs....
    Ishwar Amador defeated Jeff Horan by TKO in :56 seconds of the 3rd
    round.
    Horan exhibited incredible toughness. Amador pounded Horan, he landed
    several big body blow's early, and eventually opened up on Horan's
    chin.
    Horan was finally leveled with a devastating right hook, Horan bounced
    off
    the ropes and into the referee's arms, as the fight was called in
    Amador's
    favor.

    Supper Middleweight, Scheduled 6 Rounds
    Reginald Lowe, Seattle WA (3-4-1) (w/1KO) 169 lbs vs. Jaime De La
    Torre
    (10-3-1 ) (w/-7KO) 169lbs.....
    Jaime de la Torre defeated Reginald Lowe by TKO in 2:39 of the 2nd
    round. De
    La Torre and Lowe fought a war. Both fighters were aggressive, each
    tasting
    canvas early in the 1st round. De La Torre eventually settled in, and
    picked Lowe apart inside. The referee called the fight after Lowe was
    flattened by De La Torre's heavy right hand. Lowe fell into the ropes
    in a
    daze, he kept his balance and staggered back toward De La Torre, before
    the
    referee jumped in between the fighters and stopped the match.

    JR. Lightweight, Scheduled 4 Rounds
    Jaun Ramon, (1-1) 131 lbs vs. Christian Lopez ,Othello WA (1-7))
    (w/-1KO)
    130 lbs.......
    Jaun Ramon defeated Christian Lopez in a 4 round unanimous decision.
    Lopez
    had the reach, Ramon had the skill, and both fighters refused to go
    down.
    In highly contested fight, Ramon's power and technique outlasted the
    long
    arms and sharp jab of Lopez.

    Women's Middleweight, Scheduled 4 Rounds
    Michelle Gatewood Spokane,WA (1-0) 110 lbs vs. Doll Crain (0-1) 100
    lbs
    .................
    Michelle Gatewood defeated Doll Crain by TKO in 1:23 of the 3rd round.
    Crain
    showed tremendous heart despite the brutal pummeling she endured.
    Gatewood
    punished Crain, she delivered one blast after another until Crain fell
    to
    the canvas. Crain would pop right back up, only to be sent right back
    down
    again. In the third round the referee thought Crain had enough and
    called
    the fight.

    Light Heavyweight , Scheduled 4 Rounds
    Richard Langley, Tacoma, WA (2-0) (w/ 2KO)174 lbs vs. Scott Sales,
    Richland, WA (1-8)(w/1KO)_171 lbs.............
    Richard Langley defeated Scott Sales by TKO in :34 seconds of the 2nd
    round.
    Langley has remarkable power. He beat Sales senseless, it was a
    miracle the
    fight went into the 2nd round.

    Note: All records include tonight's action.


    Duncan MacLeod

    Director of Marketing
    Lucky Eagle Casino``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.con``xLucky Eagle Results``x1055694587,56040,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn

    Friday, June 13th, 2003
    Chinook Winds Casino,
    Lincoln City, Oregon

    Promoter: Top Rank
    Matchmaker: Pete Susens

    Ringside Physicians: Dr. Luis Rios, Dr. Ron Shear
    Referees: Jim Erickson, Dave Hagan, Jeff Macaluso
    Judges: Greg Baker, Robert Flamme, Trevor Lewis, Denis
    Ryan

    Regulation: The Siletz Tribal Athletic Commission


    I’ve decided to blame Bob Arum for the Friday the 13th
    horror show at the Chinook Winds Casino. In letting
    the casino and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz
    off the hook, I’m giving them credit for their first
    fight card, back on December 4 of 1999, when they
    hosted the excellent HBO broadcast of Fernando Vargas
    vs Winky Wright and Diego Corrales vs John Brown. That
    was promoted by Ringside Ticket, Inc run by Patrick
    Ortiz.

    Then the Siletz held the respectable if
    non-scintillating May 31, 2002 show staged by Sugar
    Ray Leonard and featuring the 197 pound James Toney
    stopping Michael Rush in the tenth round. The casino
    also rates kudos for hosting a series of brilliantly
    competitive amateur boxing shows over the last year or
    so.

    But this Tonya-Butterbean vom fest was a Top Rank/Bob
    Arum throwaway. Garbage, but good enough for the hicks
    out in Oregon. We can only hope the Casino doesn’t
    buy any more of Arum’s rotting pork carcases. Oops,
    too late. Arum pet, Robbie Knievel was introduced in the ring that night and grabbed the mic to ramble on about how he loved Native Americans and…maybe…it’s not quite clear… the
    magical properties of cocaine? Let’s charitably
    assume he was either drunk or drugged. He announced
    that he’d just signed to jump over a record number of
    Pepsi Trucks on his motorcycle in the Chinook Winds
    parking lot in August.

    Lesson…Arum is a snot-bottling promoter. He doesn’t give diddly about the sport of boxing. He sells what’s saleable. P.T. Barnum with a Harvard law degree.

    Which brings us to another of Arum’s pets, Butterbean, the
    King of the Four Rounders.

    We’ve learned to live with the Bean. He’s a jovial animal act and for all I know may be a nice man. Arum puts him in with hapless nobody’s and Butterbean does what he does. This time it looked like this:

    4 Rounds, heavyweights
    Eric "Butterbean" Esch, 325 lbs (Now 64-3-4, 49 KO’s)
    of Jasper, AL stopped Troy Roberts, 229 lbs (Now 9-9,
    7 KO’s) of Vancouver, B.C. at :54 of the first round.

    Roberts went down twice from the Bean’s sweeping right
    ham to the head before the ref stopped it. No
    surprise there. What was a tad alarming was the sight
    of the ringside physicians merrily snapping souvenir
    photos at ringside rather than checking out the KO’d
    Roberts. The distractions of celebrity, no doubt.

    But Tonya Harding?

    Can’t you see the Top Rank folks telling the casino guys, "She’s the most famous female Oregonian and this will be her first time fighting in her own state. Everybody will want to
    see her."

    No mention, of course, that a lot of the
    locals think the notorious Harding is a blight on the
    neighborhood. The Chinook Winds crowd booed her
    entrance, booed her win, and booed her exit.

    Only the "Sports" reporters are surprised that Tonya
    can’t box. The fight folk had already guessed. The
    result sheet looks like this:
    4 Rounds, Bantamweights
    32 year-old Tonya Harding, 121 lbs (Now 3-1, 0 KO’s)
    of Vancouver, WA won a unanimous decision over 24
    year-old Emily Gosa, 117 lbs (Now 0-1) of Sulligent,
    Alabama. All three judges scored it 40-36 for Harding.


    The night after the Friday 13th show, CBZ Associate
    Editor Lucius Shepard wrote:

    "...ESPN Sportcenter tonight did the expected with the
    Tonya fight. Made fun of her and managed at the same
    time to make fun of women's boxing AND boxing in
    general. Thanks, Bob A."

    Meanwhile, writers around the country were waxing
    colorful at Tonya’s expense. In Portland, Brian Meehan
    hit The Oregonian’s front page with indignation…..
    "The slight Gosa and the short, square Harding offered
    the picture of a middle school girl battling a lunch
    lady."

    And they’re all right. Tonya looks like she’s been on
    the Tony Galenta beer diet. Pale flab was oozing out
    between her trunks and her top. Whoever recorded 117
    lbs for Gosa and 121 lbs for Harding is dreaming.
    Everybody in the room could tell that Harding
    out-weighed the teeny Gosa by at least twenty pounds.
    And Harding was exhausted by the end of the second
    round.

    Gosa, who works in a pawn shop and has two children,
    started learning to box two months before this
    fabulous debut. She apparently thought it all had
    something to do with cheer leading so she danced and
    waved and smiled, as cute as a bug. It’s lucky Harding
    can’t box. If she’d known how to throw a single punch,
    she might have hurt Gosa. Fortunately she just mauled
    and wallowed for four rounds.

    It’s not surprising that some penny-ante promoter
    talked the broke and desperate Tonya into the ring and
    provided her with a "trainer" who couldn’t teach
    spit to fall. And it’s no surprise that Bob Arum is
    willing to make use of this rolling catastrophe.

    It could even be interpreted as part of Arum’s campaign to destroy women’s boxing. He’s often said he doesn’t approve of
    it and won’t promote it. But he’s glad to offer a little T&A joke for the crowd. He signed Lucia Rijker thinking she was a gorgeous babe in a red dress. When it turned out she was also a helluva fighter he swapped her for Playboy cover girl Mia St. John. When St. John betrayed him by gradually, painfully learning to box a little, she was cut loose. Now, here’s Tonya. Do we see a new Arum pet in the making?

    The rest of the Friday the 13th card looked like this:
    10 round main event: Heavyweights
    Orlin Norris, 210 lbs (now 54-8-0-1, 29 KO’s) of
    Lubbock, TX stopped Troy Weida, 229 lbs (now
    41-15-2-1, 30 KO’s), of Kewanee, IL at 2:27 of the
    third round. A TKO win for Norris.

    During the last decade, Orlin Norris has been in with,
    and lost respectably to, a Who’s Who of the
    heavyweight division. Now, at the age of 38, he says
    he’s going back down to cruiserweight because he’s tired of battling monsters. In what may have been his last bout as a heavyweight, Norris looked solid and healthy at 110 lbs. On a squalid night of mis-matches and hype, Norris provided a brief glimpse of smart, classy boxing against a sturdy
    journeyman. Norris used crisp, clean combinations in
    extended flurries to drop and hurt Weida in the second
    round and stop him in the third. A barrage to the head
    in the third round left Weida still on his feet but
    stunned as referee Jim Erickson called a merciful halt
    to the proceedings. This main event got no publicity
    since the entire focus was on the four-round freak
    shows.


    6 Rounds, Super Welterweights
    Reggie Davis, 156 lbs, (now 7-1, 4 KO’s) of Portland,
    Oregon stopped Cebien St. Pierre, 152 lbs (Now 7-18, 3
    KO’s), of Las Vegas, NV at 2:56 of the 4th round. TKO
    win for Davis. St. Pierre looked a smidge better than his
    dreadful record suggests, and he had an awkward
    presentation, bent at the waist and coming in at crab
    level. Davis had an excellent amateur career and is
    improving as a pro. He kept his head and handled the
    St. Pierre problem in a methodical way.

    6 Rounds, Super Middleweights,
    Billy Thompson, 167 lbs (Now 7-2, 4 KO’s) of Lubbock,
    TX won a split decision over Victor Branson, 163 lbs
    (Now 4-6-1, 2 KO’s) of Willamina, OR. One Judge scored
    it 58-56 for Branson, The other two judges saw it as
    58-56 for Thompson.

    Branson hits hard if you’re still in the way after he
    phones in advance notice of his intention to throw.
    Thompson got the message and dealt with it.

    4 Rounds, Featherweights
    James Ramos, 133 lbs (now 1-1, 1 KO) of Salem, OR
    stopped Luis Chavez, 132 lbs (Now 0-1) of Portland, OR
    at :54 of the first round. Ramos can box a little
    bit. Chavez can’t.

    ---30---



    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xFriday the 13th``x1055723445,15065,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    It will be one year and two weeks since we last saw heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in the ring when he defends his title against top ranked contender Vitali Klitschko on June 21st. The last time we saw Lewis in the ring, he was administering a beating to Mike Tyson so bad, it's doubtful he will ever recover psychologically from it.

    Over the last fifty four weeks, the perception of Lewis has run the gamut. Shortly after defeating Tyson, Lewis was getting all due props. He was being regarded as the best heavyweight of his generation over Holyfield, Tyson, and Bowe (I happen to rank him behind Holyfield but, ahead of Tyson and Bowe). He went from being considered the man, to being accused of ducking some of the top challengers in line for a shot at his title. What I'd like to know is, exactly who is Lewis ducking, or who is so great out there that you'd want him to fight?

    In most boxing circles throughout the world, the most clamored for, and anticipated fight in boxing was thought to have been Lennox Lewis vs. Wladimir Klitschko. Wladimir, the younger brother of Vitali was perceived to be the better fighter of the two. Wladimir gained much notoriety from his sixth round stoppage of the durable Ray Mercer last summer. Since Wlad was the first and only fighter to stop Mercer, many fans and media jumped on his bandwagon, I even had one writer tell me that Wlad was so good that he felt that it was quite possible that he may go on to even eclipse the accomplishments of Lewis! Yes, I laughed at him and still haven't let him forget what he said. What made the comment ludicrous to me was not that it wasn't possible but, the fact that it was made so emphatically because he stopped an old Ray Mercer.

    Just as Wladimir Klitschko was gaining acceptance as the next heir apparent to the heavyweight throne, a funny thing happened on the way to heavyweight immortality, he got cracked on the chin. Yes, Corrie Sanders ruined the potentially biggest fight in boxing with his knockout of Klitschko, the same thing Buster Douglas did with his upset knockout of Mike Tyson back in 1990, killing the proposed Tyson-Holyfield title fight. Never let anyone convince you how great the next heavyweight killer coming up is going to be until you've seen him hit with a big shot on the chin. Now that Wladimir has been defeated and is out of the picture, the next best thing is his big brother Vitali. And we are lucky to be getting to see it five months early, and that's only because of a fluke injury to Kirk Johnson.

    Lennox vs. Vitali is the best heavyweight fight that could've been made

    After Lewis, the other three current title holders are, Chris Byrd-(IBF), Roy Jones-(WBA), and Corrie Sanders-(WBO), Lewis holds the WBC title. Looking at the other three title holders, who is Lewis avoiding? Chris Byrd and Roy Jones are just not big enough to be considered threats to Lewis. They would be at the mercy of Lewis' jab, so forget their edge in speed or boxing ability, they'd never be able to apply it. The best they could hope for is to make it through twelve rounds without getting stopped. I know I always say the super-big heavyweights are over-rated and they are but, Lewis is one of the few big ones who can fight. Byrd and Jones would be more a victim of the disadvantage they share in reach and height, than the weight advantage Lewis owns over them. Jones is 5'11" and Byrd is 6'0", that's somewhat short for a heavyweight regardless of era. That leaves Corrie Sanders. I guess it's possible he could sneak his straight left through Lewis' defense like he did Wladimir Klitschko's and possibly stop him, but I'd bet against it. Sanders is more than big enough to beat Lewis, however I just think Lewis is to versatile to lose to Sanders. I can live if I never see Lewis fight Sanders.

    Including Vitali Klitschko, there are seven other heavyweights ranked in the top ten by the three major sanctioning bodies, they are. Hasim Rahman, does anyone really think Rahman wins the rubber match against Lewis? Mike Tyson, even Tyson doesn't believe he would beat Lewis in a rematch, nor does he want one. Evander Holyfield, only Holyfield believes he can win vs Lewis in a third fight, and nobody wants to see it. David Tua, after seeing Tua in his last fight vs Rahman, I have no doubt that a rematch with Lewis would be a rerun of their first fight. John Ruiz, the over-under on this fight would be two rounds. Kirk Johnson, we still may see this after Lewis fights Klitschko, if he wins. Last, is Fres Oquendo. I think it's safe to say we can all live without seeing a Lewis-Oquendo title fight. Fres has nothing to handle Lennox with, he can't out box, or out punch Lewis, no thanks.

    After taking a closer look at the top contenders and title holders in the heavyweight division, it appears to me that because of fluke luck, (Johnson getting hurt) we are getting the best fight makable at the present time.


    Since the Klitschko brothers turned pro in 1996, it's been said by many that Wladimir, Vitali's younger brother is the better fighter of the two. IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd, who has faced both the brothers, says that's not really true. Byrd said, "Wladimir fights more like an American fighter, which makes him easier to fight, (Byrd said he had an injury to his arm when he lost a decision to Wladimir). Byrd believes that Vitali is tougher to fight because he fights more like a European fighter, and is definitely a better puncher than Wladimir".

    If Byrd is right, Vitali Klitschko should provide Lewis with quite a challenge. At 6'8", Vitali represents the biggest fighter that Lewis has ever faced. Under Emanuel Stewart Lewis has learned how use his size to his advantage. It will be interesting to see if Lewis can use Vitali's size to his disadvantage? Another intriguing aspect to this bout is, we know that Vitali can punch, and is big enough to be able to land on Lewis. Seeing that Lewis has been stopped by McCall and Rahman, is it a reach to envision Klitschko stopping Lewis?

    Yes, this bout is a welcome surprise to boxing fans. It's a fight that is not a lock for either side. Lewis must be favored because of his experience, and it must be assumed that Lewis has thoroughly prepared for the fight. Let's not forget, Klitschko's never been in the ring with any fighter as formidable or complete as Lewis, and Lewis has faced and defeated better fighters than Vitali.

    Looking at Klitschko's record, his best win was probably his 10th round TKO victory over Larry Donald, (who had never been stopped prior to fighting Klitschko) in his last fight on 11-23-2002 in Dortmund Germany. With Donald being the best fighter that Klitschko has defeated, this alone has to make Lewis more than a solid favorite in the fight but, not a lock!


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWhy Lennox vs. Vitali Is The Best Possible``x1055767172,81655,``x``x ``xANTWUN ECHOLS VS ANTHONY MUNDINE FOR VACANT WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE ON AUGUST 6 IN SYDNEY, AUST.

    Promoters Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions and Khoder Nasser/Boxa Promotions will present a sensational world championship fight card on Wednesday, August 6, 2003, at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Harbour Street in Sydney, Australia. The event will be televised live on pay-per-view in Australia.

    12 ROUNDS, SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS - VACANT WBA WORLD TITLE
    ANTWUN ECHOLS, 29-4-1, 26 KOs, Davenport, Iowa, vs
    ANTHONY MUNDINE, 18-1, 14 KOs, Sydney, Australia

    In the 12-round main event, World Boxing Association No. 1-ranked contender Antwun "Kid Dyn-o-mite" Echols, 29-4-1, with 26 knockouts, of Davenport, Ia., will battle No. 2-ranked Anthony "The Man" Mundine, 18-1, with 14 knockouts, of Sydney for the vacant WBA super middleweight world title.

    Both contenders bring natural athleticism, physical strength and punching power to what should be an explosive fight.

    30-year old Echols challenged undisputed middleweight world champion Bernard Hopkins two times for the title. After their second fight in December, 2000, Echols moved up to the 168-pound division and has won five fights in a row, which includes a TKO win against former IBF super middleweight world champion Charles Brewer.

    Mundine, now 28 years old, is the son of former Commonwealth and Australian middleweight champion Tony Mundine and a former star professional rugby player with the St. George-Illawarra club in the Australian National Rugby League. A pro since July, 2000, he has won eight conscutive fights since his challenge against International Boxing Federation super middleweight world champion Sven Ottke in December, 2001.

    An exciting program of supporting bouts will complete the fight card.

    All bouts subject to change without notice.
    Ticket prices: $50, 75, 110, 175, 350, 500.
    Time: 7:00 P.M.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xEchols to Meet Mundine on August 6th in Sydney!``x1055963724,68979,``x``x ``xPROVIDENCE, R.I. – The 12-round main event for the July 25th ESPN2 Friday Night Fights show, promoted by Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., features powerful Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton (25-3-1, 21 KOs) against tough Omar Sheika (23-4, 16 KOs) for the vacant NABF super middleweight championship, it was announced today by CES president Jimmy Burchfield.

    Pemberton, of New Bedford (MA), is the reigning International Boxing Union world super middleweight champion, as well as the former NABF, WBO NABO, EBA and New England titles holder. Sheika, of Paterson (NJ), rated No. 9 by the World Boxing Council, is a two-time world title challenger having lost to former WBC champ Eric Lucas (12DEC) and WBO title-holder Joe Calzaghe (TKO5).

    “This fight is a promoter’s dream,” Burchfield said. “I worked feverishly to put this fight together and make it happen. It could very well be a Toney-Jirov or Gatti-Ward type of fight. Fans better get tickets early because this is going to be a sellout. They’re ready to go. Both really wanted this fight and the winner will be looking for a top 10 rating and a shot at one of the world champions. Neither leaves anything in the ring and everything’s on the line.”

    Pemberton is a U.S. Army veteran; trained to fire stingers, Scott plans on throwing a few bombs at Sheika. He has won 14 of his last 16 fights (14-1-1, 12 KOs) with a controversial loss by stoppage to former world champ Charles Brewer the only blemish on his recent resume.

    “Sheika’s a good fighter who has had two opportunities to fight for the title against guys I’ve wanted to get a shot at,” Pemberton noted. “I sparred with Sheika a few years ago and even if he hasn’t lost a step or two, I’m going to knock him out. If the ref lets us fight, we’re going to have a great fight, one of the top fights of the year.

    “I’m not looking past Sheika, but I don’t care who I fight, as long as the money is good. I have all the confidence in the world in my promoter, Jimmy Burchfield. We’re working together toward a big money fight against (Antwon) Echols, Calzaghe, (Sven) Ottke, (Markus) Beyer, or even Brewer if he wants to go again. Power is my best attribute, but I’ve been trying to work off the jab - box rather than just go for the knockout.”

    Tickets, on sale now, are priced at $65.00, $50.00 and $40.00. For ticket information call CES’ corporate office at 401.724.2253/401.724.2254, visit its Web site at www.cesboxing.com, or contact the Foxwoods box office at 800.200.2882.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPemberton-Sheika NABF title fight headlines Foxwoods card July 25th on ESPN2``x1056035066,97960,``x``x ``xComing home for rival managers Marley and Vaz

    SANDWICH, Mass. – Massachusetts natives Mike Marley and Mark Vaz, manager of July 18th main event fighters Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough (19-3-2, 18 KOs) and Richard “The Destroyer” Hall (25-4, 24 KOs), respectively, will be coming home for “Battle Zone at the Tent” at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis (MA).

    Hank Tuohy’s Old Colony Sports is promoting “The Battle Zone at the Tent,” live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, in association with Mohegan Sun, Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., Duva Boxing and Gary Shaw Productions, LLC.

    Lettterlough-Hall will headline “Battle Zone in the Tent” in a 10-round light heavyweight match of popular knockout artists.

    Marley, now a defense attorney in New York City, was born (Jamaica Plain) and raised (Brighton) in Boston. He was an amateur boxer and at 14 worked as a publicist for legendary promoter Sam Silverman. President of the Muhammad Ali Fan Club, Mike was graduated from the University of Nevada at Reno. He became a sports columnist in Reno and twice for the New York Post. Marley also served as producer for Howard Cosell’s show on ABC and was director of public relations for Don King Promotions.

    In addition to Letterlough, Marley has managed or co-managed Shannon Briggs, “Terrible” Terry Norris, Roberto Garcia and unbeaten Swedish prospect Tonton Semakala. “We have total respect for Richard Hall and that shows you how brave Letterlough is because light heavyweights are not exactly lining up to fight this giant,” Marley said. “This is a career crossroads fight for Julian. A victory over Hall can catapult Julian to a world title shot. Anything else and he goes to the end of the line. I think you’ll see how trainer Marshall Kaufman has sharpened Julian’s skills. Julian is a boxing diamond and Marshall is a diamond polisher.

    “It’s always great for me to come back to The Athens of the Universe. I spend part of my summers on the Cape. My mother and brother both live in Falmouth. This year especially because this is THE YEAR Nomar and the crew wipe out 1918. I’m hoping to take Letterlough to Fenway Park as a reward for knocking out Mr. Hall. Or should I say chopping down the Jamaican Giant? With Hank Tuohy I know this is going to be a first class promotion and an explosive fight. In an explosion, I always go with a bomb-tosser and, in this one, Julian is the bomb-tosser.”

    Vaz was born in Plymouth. He attended Mass Maritime and Massasoit College in Brockton. Mark was also an amateur boxer who went into training and managing. In addition to Hall, he trains Willie Phillips, Terry Smith and Lamar Murphy; along with Pat Burns co-trains Hector Camacho, Sr., Glen Johnson, Phil Jackson and Ralph “Tiger” Jones. Vaz manages rising star Jermain Taylor and has served as a cutman for countless fighters.

    “This is a great opportunity for Richard Hall,” Vaz noted, “to be involved in a fight that could be ‘fight of the year’ level, that style-wise, he should win in dramatic fashion. If he does it will put him in the world-title picture again. There aren’t many truly exciting light heavies out there and an impressive win and we could challenge Glen Johnson for the USBA title. A win there would put us in contention for (WBC champion Antonio) Tarver.

    “To have one of my fighters on ESPN from Massachusetts is exciting. I learned the business here, but had to go elsewhere to move to the next level. It’s nice to come home with a top-level fighter. I always hope boxing in Massachusetts continues to thrive so more television dates find it an attractive venue.

    Cape Cod will also officially retire one of its own, former IBO & NABF welterweight champion Kip “Top Kat” Diggs (30-5, 22 KOs), of nearby Marstons Mills in Barnstable, in a special ceremony during the July 18th show.

    Event sponsors include Outback Steakhouse, Davidoff Cigars, Hooters of Hyannis, Robertson’s GMC Trucks, Dino’s Sports Bar of Mashpee, Enterprise Car Rental, La-Z-Boy, Data Link/Nextal, Cigar Aficionado Magazine, Heritage Floor Coverings, Hyport Brewing Co., Puff The Magic, International Inn, Five Bays Bistro, New Balance, Amari’s Restaurant of Sandwich, and Mari’s Sennott Today’s Real Estate.

    A post-fight party will be open to the public at Hooters of Hyannis, as well as cigar smoking/wine tasting at Puff The Magic.

    Ticket prices are $125.00 VIP (includes ringside seat and pre-fight cookout catered by Outback), $65.00 ringside and $35.00 general admission. Contact Ticketmaster (508.931.2787), the Cape Cod Melody Tent (508.775.9100) or Old Colony Sports (508.477.5355/www.oldcolonysports.com).

    Doors open at 6 p.m. for the VIP party, 7 p.m. for the general public, with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLetterlough-Hall headlines July 18th ESPN2 show in Hyannis``x1056035197,92498,``x``x ``x“OSCAR DE LA HOYA PRESENTS BOXEO DE ORO” ROLLS INTO THE WINDY CITY

    TOP CONTENDER ANGEL HERNANDEZ TO HEADLINE THE HIT HBO SERIES’ CHICAGO DEBUT ON JULY 10

    LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO, – Continuing its quest to bring high quality boxing action throughout the United States, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, in association with Bobby Hitz/Hitz Boxing, and the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, is pleased to announce that “Boxeo De Oro” will make its Chicago debut on July 10 at the Allstate Arena.

    Headlining this stellar seven-bout show will be local standout Angel Hernandez, who faces rugged veteran Homer GibbIns in a ten round junior middleweight bout. Highly regarded super middleweight Oscar Bravo squares in the ten round co-feature.

    Both bouts will be televised live on HBO Latino’s hit series “Oscar De La Hoya Presents Boxeo De Oro”, beginning at 10pm ET / PT. Doors for the show open at 6PM, and the first bout begins at 7PM.

    The 27-year-old Hernandez (25-4, 16 KOs) has stormed through the junior middleweight division in recent years, living up to his nickname of ‘Toro’ (The Bull). Currently ranked seventh in the world by the IBF, Hernandez is coming off a disputed 12 round split decision loss to Kassim Ouma on May 30. Eager to get back into the title race, The Chicagoan will look to make a strong statement against GibbIns on July 10.

    Don’t expect GibbIns to go away quietly though. The Georgia native has gained a reputation in the business for being ready and willing to fight anytime and anyplace against anybody. 41-9-1 with 30 KOs, the hard-hitting GibbIns, a former WBF junior welterweight champion, has been in with the likes of Hector Camacho Sr. and Jake Rodriguez in his 13-year career, making him a formidable test for any fighter.

    The excitement doesn’t stop with Hernandez-GibbIns, though, as super middleweights Bravo and Salem will do their best to steal the show from the headliners.

    Bravo, a Chicago resident may have started boxing late, but the 34-year-old’s fiery fists have made a speedy impact on opponents as well as local fight fans. 18-2 with 15 KOs, Bravo’s only loss in the last three years has been to title challenger Antwun Echols, and he is coming off an eighth round TKO of previously unbeaten prospect Danny Batchelder.

    Also in action on July 10, against opponents to be named shortly are: "The Polish Warrior" Art Binkowski, an unbeaten (8-0-1, 6 KOs) heavyweight out of Canada; Oak Lawn, Illinois’, "Iron Man" Ed Gutierrez, who is 8-0-1 (6 KOs) in nine cruiserweight bouts; Undefeated Chicago welterweight Jermaine Marks (8-0-2, 5 KOs);
    2-0 (2 KOs) "Macho" Miguel Hernandez, who is also from the Windy City; female sensation Ceci “Boom Boom” Barraza and debuting “The Boss” Joey Gil.

    Tickets, priced at $35, $50, and $100 are available at The Allstate Arena box office, all Ticket Master Locations, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Hitz Boxing at 630-295-9800.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHernandez to Headline De La Hoya's HBO Latino July 10thin ``x1056035371,3965,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    Well finally, a heavyweight championship fight that we can get excited about, between two of the biggest fighters in the division. Lennox Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko is a huge fight, hopefully it won't turn out to be a fight between one fighter who can't (Klitschko), and one who won't (Lewis).

    This fight has it all, bragging rights, power, experience, and attitude. Remember, Vitali has been yelling for Lewis ever since he annihilated Tyson last June. In fact Klitschko took Lewis to court to try and make Lewis fight him. Lewis has said on many occasions that he was more than appalled by being brought to court by the Klitschko management team. I believe Lewis shows up ready for this reason alone but, I also think Lewis will be motivated because he doesn't want to chance suffering a defeat in his first fight since knocking out Tyson.

    This is an interesting fight to try and handicap. Both fighters are big and can punch, they both fight cautiously and wait for their opponent to make a mistake; instead of going out and trying to force them into one. They both look to establish their jab to set up their power punches. One advantage Lewis has, is that he is not robotic like Vitali, Lewis is more fluid and balanced.

    As per any Lewis fight, his chin has to be a concern, and at age 37 he could become and old man during the fight without warning. On the other hand, I can't help but forget Klitschko throwing in the towel versus Chris Byrd, despite leading in the fight by a comfortable margin. So both fighters bring something to the ring that the other can exploit.

    As stated earlier, Klitschko fights very cautiously, especially early in the fight. This being the biggest fight of Vitali's life, I don't see him changing. Big fighters like Klitschko are made for Lewis. The more cautious they fight, the more assertive Lewis will fight. The fact that Klitschko fights straight up, may leave him vulnerable to be hit with Lewis' straight right hand, and nobody can say for sure whether or not Klitschko has a solid chin.

    When evaluating this match up, it would seem the only two things that Klitschko has in his favor are age, being that he's six years younger than Lewis. He is also the bigger man at 6'8", holding a three-inch height advantage. However, I would argue that Klitschko's edge in size may be more a disadvantage than an advantage.

    On Lewis' side, he holds the advantage in experience, has the faster hands, is the better boxer, and in my opinion is the better two-handed puncher. Lewis is also fighting to cement his legacy as an all-time great. He can't lose to Klitschko without his perception as an all-time great taking a hit. Klitschko is fighting to make his mark as a heavyweight champion, and to wash away the leftover stench from his defeat vs. Chris Byrd.

    Though Lewis is not without flaws, he must be given credit for fighting his best in the biggest fights. Lennox has been picture perfect in the big spot throughout his career, going all the way back to his amateur career.

    I have to go with Lewis in this fight. He just has to many things to beat Vitali with. Lewis can win by boxing, or by slugging. Lewis also has the championship fight experience and guile to pull himself through if a crisis were to arise. Another thing Lewis has shown as of late is finding and exposing his opponents weakness and vulnerabilities. I see Lewis being more able to adjust to the unexpected than Klitschko. Unless Lewis ages dramatically during the fight, or his chin betrays him, I see him stopping Klitschko. And yes, his chin has to be considered in the equation since it has failed him twice miserably. That being said, I'll go with Lewis in the belief he doesn't let Klitschko get to it without paying a huge price trying. Lewis stops Klitschko within five!

    Writers Note

    Given my track record when it comes to picking the winner in fights involving Lennox Lewis, I guess Klitschko just became the biggest lock in heavyweight history? ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWhy I'm Picking Lewis``x1056112684,51957,``x``x ``xBy Lucius Shepard

    After six rounds of ugly, floundering, unskillful action, action that
    Larry Merchant--with house-bought hyperbole--ludicrously compared to
    Gatti-Ward, a poorly conditioned Lennox Lewis was awarded a TK0 victory over challenger Vitali Klitschko, when ring doctor Paul Wallace ruled that the Ukranian could not continue.

    Neither fighter appeared properly warmed up, but rusty from a year's
    lay-off, Lewis was the least prepared of the two, and Klitschko won the first round with jabs and right hands. Even so, many of his shots were arm-punches and he ended the round with a wildly amateurish, off-balance overhand right that connected with only air.

    In the second round, Klitschko landed his best punches of the fight,
    stunning Lewis with two right hands, but it appeared that Doctor
    Ironfist's power was seriously overrated -- though Lewis was ripe for an upset, the Ukranian, despite landing flush many times during the fight, could not put him on the canvas.

    Early in the third round, Lewis threw a left hook-straight right
    combination, the right hand opening a terrible gash over the left eye.
    Lewis pressed the advantage and won the round, punishing Klitschko's
    eye with jabs and more right hands. Both men were obviously fatigued by round's end, with Lewis breathing through his mouth and Klitschko's reflexes much the worse for wear. The CBZ gave this round to Klitschko for being busier.

    In the fourth round, both men went to the canvas together and what must now be seen as a typical Klitschko lack of sportmanship came to the fore. As Lewis struggled to his feet, Klitschko threw a hard right kick that, fortunately, missed the mark. Though once again his busier style won him the round, Klitschko was very slow in returning to his corner after the bell.

    Lewis appeared to win the fifth round with sharp punching, his sharpest overall of the fight. Klistchko's face was beginning to break up badly. His lip was swollen and, in addition to the gash above his left eye, he sported a wide gash on the cheekbone.

    Klitschko won the first minute of the sixth round with right hands,
    but his punches had no great effect. Lewis turned the tide with a vicious uppercut and thereafter seemed to dominate with harder, sharper punches. When the fight was stopped, with Klitschko's face a mess, the Ukranian confronted Lewis and started a small scuffle at mid-ring. Later he claimed that his cut, clearly the result of a right hand, was caused by a headbutt. At this juncture, I had the fight even at three rounds apiece. In my view, Lewis
    was beginning to take control and would have finished the fight one way or another in the next few rounds.

    Throughout the fight, announcers Lampley and Merchant trumpeted the
    brilliance of the action, an obvious exaggeration of the facts. No
    doubt, HBO--having missed out on a PPV opportunity--had instructed their mouthpieces to hype a rematch, one that will probably occur and will surely be a PPV event. The rematch is almost certain to be a shorter fight. This was Klitschko's best chance. The next time out, a prepared and unrusty Lewis will likely make short work of him. While he did show heart and took some good shots, his skill level is not high, and the power he demonstrated against lesser competition was not apparent against Lewis.

    Special mention should be made of the ineptitude of referee Lou Moret. Not only did he allow Lewis to hit and hold, he had no consistent policy toward clinches and seemed somewhat at sea for the entire six rounds.

    Despite the hyperventilating of the Merchant-Lampley PR machine, the
    fight was not a demonstration that makes this reporter yearn for a rematch. What we saw--two massive, clumsy men incapable for the most part of punching effectively in combination--may be seen in club shows at ringside for less of a price than the rematch will cost on Pay Per View. It was not a great fight, not even a particularly good fight. It was interesting only in that one wondered which of these two lummoxes would be the first to collapse.

    And due to the beetle-browed Ukranian's cuts, we were not even given
    the satisfaction of seeing such a collapse. Call it a victory for HBO, a sad commentary on the state of the heavyweight division, and a bad night for both combatants.



    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xLewis-Klitschko Report``x1056260077,76680,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE
    Seattle’s Martin O’Malley to fight for NABA Lightweight Title

    Saturday, July 19th, 2003

    7:30pm - Emerald Queen Casino 
     

    The NABA Lightweight Title will be up for grabs on July 19th, 2003 at the Emerald Queen Casino, as “Irish” Martin O’Malley (21-1, 14KO’s) of Seattle, Washington will be taking on Luis “El Puma Villalta (29-4-1, 25KO’s) from Lima, Peru for the belt. O’Malley, whose only loss was to Leonard Dorin (Dorin went on to win the WBA/IBF World Championship title directly after the O’Malley fight) is determined to climb the ladder for a world championship fight. This will be O’Malley’s first title fight and a win would propel him into the top 10 rankings of the WBA.  

    With a record of 21-1, 14KO’s, O’Malley has been heralded as something special in the boxing world. With his calmness and heavy hands O’Malley is a rare fighter who is able to handle speed and neutralize it with his solidity. Floating forward and back with his front foot he maximizes his reach, especially with his right which will catch his opponents off guard. “My goal is to redeem my loss against Leonard Dorin”, said O’Malley. “I believe I’m the best lightweight in the world and I’m setting out to prove it”. 


    His opponent, Luis “El Puma” Villalta of Lima, Peru has had his last 3 fights televised. With an aggressive style and good punching power Villalta will test O’Malley’s game as both fighters punch with fast combinations. “When I was a kid, I used to fight a lot in the streets and at school”, said Villalta. “They sent me home from school for fighting, and the principal told me if I wanted to come back to school I had to take some boxing classes. I had around 150 amateur fights, with 120, 130 wins and 10 or 15 losses. I competed in the Peruvian Nationals seven times and won the championships six times. I used to train with Joel Casamayor, we’re good friends.” 


    “We’re excited to have Martin fight for the title in the Northwest. He is one of the best lightweights in the world”, said Brian Halquist of Brian Halquist Productions. “He is fighting an incredibly tough opponent. This fight will definitely be a crowd pleaser”. 

    The undercard will feature Seattle’s Horatio Garcia, Michael Sams and female sensation Dakota Stone. 


    Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, at the Emerald Queen Casino Gift Shop and by calling Brian Halquist Productions at 253-564-2090. Prices are $100 - $50 - $25. 

    (Note: All Fights are subject to change)
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xO'Malley Coming to Emerald Queen``x1056318484,48973,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    Hey Lewis, get over yourself! Coming off your showing against Klitschko, maybe a little more humility might be in order. And it wouldn't hurt to stop with the lame excuses. In case you forgot Lennox, Klitschko had the same short notice to prepare for you as you did to prepare for him, yet he hasn't been making excuses like you have been.

    Question to Lennox Lewis? What's harder, preparing for Cedric Boswell and then having him replaced with heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis or preparing for Kirk Johnson and then having him replaced with Vitaly Klitschko? I think there is a much greater jump in caliber from Boswell to Lewis than there is from Johnson to Klitschko. Going off of what I saw in Klitschko, I'm not sure it's even a step up? Basically you both had to readjust to face a bigger opponent, only Klitschko had to adjust to a bigger and better opponent. I'm not sold off of what I saw of Klitschko that he is without question a better fighter than Kirk Johnson, which is a sad commentary on the current status of the heavyweight landscape.

    Lennox, get over yourself? You were behind in the fight and were clearly the more tired and exhausted fighter, you have no excuse. You are the heavyweight champion of the world, yet you showed up in deplorable condition. On top of that, you ranted on like that was a showing that should bring you much high praise. Please, you fought like a big fat washerwoman, to use a phrase coined by Muhammad Ali. You have cried to anyone who would listen about the short notice yet, you fail to mention that Klitschko's notice was just as short as yours.

    Lennox, you're not a great enough heavyweight champion to show up in poor shape to fight any top ranked heavyweight contender, especially at age 37 going on 38. Did you forget what happened to you when you showed up in poor condition against Hasim Rahman? He laid you out like you were dropped from a helicopter. In fact you made a star out of Rahman who at best is a decent heavyweight. Did you forget what happened when you looked past Oliver McCall, another fighter who's only claim to fame other than stretching you is knocking Tyson down in a sparring session. Lennox, one of your claims to fame is that you avenged both of your defeats. What is never mentioned is that you should never have lost to either McCall or Rahman. The fact that you needed to fight them twice in order to beat them once is the more meaningful fact.

    Lennox, you showed a lack of something that you profess to have, class. How about carrying yourself like the heavyweight champion of the world? Maybe you could've just said that Klitschko was a little better than you thought, or that his style was more confusing than you anticipated. How about giving him his due respect for the fight he gave you. No, you come across that anyone who doesn't feel you were killing him is a moron and beneath you. Lennox, anyone who watched the fight with both of their eyes open, plainly saw that you had more than your hands full. Not because Klitschko is so great because he's not, he's far from it. The fact is that you over-rate yourself sometimes and come in the ring not prepared to fight like the champion you've shown that you can be. And lets not forget, it was you Lennox wobbling all over the ring in the second round and appeared on the verge of being stopped, a position that Klitschko was never in.

    Lennox, you were a great heavyweight champion. However, father time is starting to land some good shots on you. You may still have some big wins down the road but, the road is definitely coming to an end. Remember Lennox Lewis, as great of a champion that you have been, with your chin and at age 37 you're not great enough to look past any top ranked fighter.

    After the attitude you copped during the post fight interview , I'm glad I can say that your legacy is built off of two decisions over a thoroughly shot 37 year old Evander Holyfield, and an eighth round knockout over a 36 year old Mike Tyson. And remember Lennox, every decent fighter that has nailed you on your chin has either knocked you out, or wobbled you like Vitaly Klitschko did last night!
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHey Lewis -- Get Over Yourself``x1056320244,51191,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    Let me just say right up front, I'm the biggest Mike Tyson critic on the planet Earth. I whole-heartedly believe he is the most over-rated heavyweight champion in boxing history. However, he is without question the most brilliantly managed fighter ever. Never has one fighter gotten so much mileage and praise off of one fight. Some felt Tyson was on his way to being the greatest heavyweight champ ever after beating Michael Spinks, a true light heavyweight at the end of his career. It reminds me of Joe Namath after leading the Jets past the Colts in Super Bowl III, Namath never beat a team with a winning record again for the rest of his career, which lasted eight more seasons.

    In my opinion, Tyson has fooled boxing fans his entire career. All they wanted to see was him knock somebody out. It didn't matter if it was a light heavyweight or an old come backing heavyweight champion, or a fighter who hadn't won once in his previous ten fights. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if his fans would find a reason to brag if he knocked out Lalia Ali. That being said, I separate the man and the fighter.

    This past weekend Tyson was arrested for assault. Without anyone even inquiring about what actually happened, he's already being convicted by the mainstream media and press as a thug, a bully, and a trouble maker. I find fault with that. I don't care about his rape conviction. Personally, I'm not sure he raped Desiree Washington, I wasn't there and neither were you. I know that he had a terrible attorney in Vincent Fuller who was a litigation attorney and never tried one single case before representing Tyson in his rape trial. I do know this, Tyson wasn't represented well and his reputation didn't help him. I also know Mike Tyson is an easy target. I've been around him enough times to see how sometimes when he is minding his own business he gets harassed by fans and some that don't like him.

    The problem with Tyson is, some idiots, men and women see him as an easy target to make money. They figure that because of his reputation that maybe they can drag him into court and win over a jury to award them a big cash settlement. They feel the jury will surmise that, it's Mike Tyson, he must have done what they accuse him of, he's guilty!

    In regard to this weekend, I've seen where some have said, "what's he doing out at 5:00 O'clock in the morning"? That's another thing I have a problem with, he has every right to be out at any hour of the day just as much as anyone else does. And just like anyone else, he has the right to defend himself. Why should he have to let people act as if they are going to shoot him or hit him with a pipe or pole or any other type of weapon? He shouldn't have to just as we don't have to. Would anyone who's reading this not defend themselves if they were in the same situation that's he's been forced into at different times. I know you guys wouldn't, I've read some of your e-mails regarding my thoughts on Tyson the fighter. I believe some of you guys are genuine tough-guys and wouldn't take it, I know I wouldn't. I also believe that a majority of you are not immature or stupid enough to go pick a fight with Mike Tyson without expecting to get your ass kicked, and you certainly wouldn't expect him to take it like some punk.

    The bottom line is, these two imbeciles started with him hoping they could maybe sue him and get some money and notoriety. I hope it doesn't turn out to where they do. I believe they were looking to fleece him out of some money, or they wanted to act tough and go around telling their buddies that they fought Tyson and lived to tell about it.

    Mike Tyson has every right in the world to defend himself against anybody who physically comes at him. Supposedly, one of the morons was acting as if he had a gun, even more a reason that Tyson should've given him a severe beating. I feel that anybody who wants to go after Tyson deserves what ever physical beating they get. And Tyson shouldn't be punished for defending himself, if that's what he did in this case, which I believe it was.

    Writers Note

    I'm not a Tyson hater, I can separate the man from the fighter. I respect him as a man and as a fighter. Though I don't think he's one of the top ten greatest heavyweight champs ever, doesn't mean that I think he's a bum. I happen to feel he was a great fighter. I just believe he is way over-rated by many. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDefending Tyson``x1056457861,6674,``x``x ``xLetterlough-Hall headlines July 18th ESPN2 show in Hyannis

    SANDWICH, Mass. – World-class welterweight challenger “Sucra” Ray Oliveira, one of television’s most popular boxers, will face Canadian middleweight champion Bryon Mackie in the July 18th 10-round co-feature on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights show, “Battle Zone at the Tent,” at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis (MA).

    Hank Tuohy’s Old Colony Sports is promoting “The Battle Zone at the Tent,” in association with Mohegan Sun, Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., Duva Boxing and Gary Shaw Productions, LLC.

    Light heavyweight contenders Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough (19-3-2, 18 KOs) and Richard “The Destroyer” Hall (25-4, 24 KOs) will headline “Battle Zone in the Tent” in a 10-round light heavyweight match of popular knockout artists.

    Oliveira (44-9-2, 21 KOs), of New Bedford (MA), is coming off a disappointing 12-round loss by decision to Elio Ortiz for the International Boxing Union world welterweight title. The loss of his IBU title left Ray considering retirement, but he decided against it, and agreed to fight Mackie (21-8, 5 KOs) in the July 18th co-feature.

    Despite his loss to Ortiz, who is now rated No. 8 by The Ring, Oliveira holds victories against former world champions Charles Murray (twice) and Vince Phillips, as well as the only win against World Boxing Association junior welterweight champion Vivian Harris.

    “This fight is as important as any of Ray’s fights,” Oliveira’s manager/head trainer Jimbo Ispurdulli said. “This isn’t a comeback situation for him; it’s an absolute must win or it’s all over. In his last fight he had a tough time making weight, even at 147, and this fight is at (a catch weight) 150, give or take a pound. I didn’t train him in his last fight, but I’ve taken over his training again. At this level you can’t go into a fight with only month of training like he did. Ray’s already been training a month and sparring with Vinny Paz. That should tell you how serious he is about this fight.

    “When Ray is on, he is one of the best in the world, but everybody’s always seemed to have had too much to lose to fight him. We’re not looking past Mackie; he’s a good fighter, no doubt about it. But we’re willing to fight any of the 147-pound champions. Hey, Ray’s getting old and can’t punch, right? If that’s what they think, give him a break; use him as a tune-up opponent. First, though, we have to beat Mackie.”

    Mackie, of Ontario, has fought as a pro since 1993, mostly in Canada and Michigan. He lost back-to-back 12-4ound decisions to world ranked Fitz Vanderpool for the WBF light middleweight championship in 1999 and 2000. Bryon has won his last four matches, including a one-sided 12-roiund unanimous decision (117-112, 118-111, 119-11) against 37-7 Alex Hilton for the vacant Canadian middleweight title.

    “After Ray’s last fight (May 2, 2003) I went up to him and he said he was sorry that he disappointed me,” Oliveira’s promoter Jimmy Burchfield remarked. “He said, ‘I guess maybe I should pack it in.’ I told him to think about for a week or two and we’d talk. He had nothing to be sorry about. We don’t throw away fighters after a discouraging loss; that’s not what Team CES is all about. A couple of weeks later we talked and Ray asked me for one more opportunity. He still hasn’t done what he wanted to do when he started his career. Ray still wants to win a major world championship. Here we go, the fight at The Melody Tent is the next step in that direction.

    “I believe Ray Oliveira is one of the true warriors in boxing. Once he signed for a fight, I never worried about him not fighting and he had plenty of opportunities to pull out because of injuries. Ray never used an injury as an excuse and he’s always given his best.”

    A special retirement ceremony also will be held for former IBO & NABF welterweight champion Kip “Top Kat” Diggs (30-5, 22 KOs), of nearby Marstons Mills in Barnstable.

    Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (10-2, 3 KOs), of Narragansett (RI), and Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton (4-0, 1 KO), of South Boston (MA), are scheduled to fight in separate bouts on the undercard. Clampitt is the reigning WEBA super lightweight champion. She is rated by the three major women’s boxing organizations: No. 4 IWBF, No. 7 IFBA, No. 8 WIBA. Unbeaten super middleweight Thornton is the grandson of Martin “Connemara Crusher” Thornton, European heavyweight challenger in the forties. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Event sponsors include Outback Steakhouse, Davidoff Cigars, Hooters of Hyannis, Robertson’s GMC Trucks, Dino’s Sports Bar of Mashpee, Enterprise Car Rental, La-Z-Boy, Data Link/Nextal, Cigar Aficionado Magazine, Heritage Floor Coverings, Hyport Brewing Co., Puff The Magic, International Inn, Five Bays Bistro, New Balance, Amari’s Restaurant of Sandwich, and Mari’s Sennott Today’s Real Estate.

    A post-fight party will be open to the public at Hooters of Hyannis, as well as cigar smoking/wine tasting at Puff The Magic.

    Ticket prices are $125.00 VIP (includes ringside seat and pre-fight cookout catered by Outback), $65.00 ringside and $35.00 reserved. Contact Ticketmaster (508.931.2787), the Cape Cod Melody Tent (508.775.9100) or Old Colony Sports (508.477.5355/www.oldcolonysports.com).

    Doors open at 6 p.m. for the VIP party, 7 p.m. for the general public, with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOliveira returns in crossroads fight at Melody Tent``x1056458457,66098,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    Is this what heavyweight boxing has come to? Are we so starved for a great heavyweight title fight that we are reduced to calling the Lewis-Klitschko fight a great one? In my opinion, it looked more like a fight in the Toughman finals than it did a great heavyweight championship fight. If not the Toughman finals, how about Alonzo Mourning - Larry Johnson II? It certainly wasn't Foreman-Lyle. In fact it wasn't even Moorer-Cooper. This fight was nothing more than entertaining. "Great" is a word that should never accompany any sentence in describing the Lewis-Klitschko bout.

    Larry Merchant, how dare you insult Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward by saying, "This is Gatti vs. Ward at the highest level on the scale." Wrong! No doubt you and Lampley were already promoting the rematch for HBO-PPV? Gatti and Ward looked like real fighters, rather than the two biggest guys in the bar who were thrown a pair of boxing gloves at closing time and sent to the parking lot to fight.

    This fight featured nothing more than two big lumbering heavyweights who couldn't get out of each other's way. Both Lewis and Klitschko did nothing more than head hunt, trying to get the other out with one punch. Neither fighter tried to set anything up; it was just push-paw left jab followed by big right hand and then clinch. There were no combinations, and many lulls in the action. I can't believe that in a world heavyweight title fight that both the champ and challenger could be so dead tired after only three rounds of fighting. However, considering how many punches they were missing, maybe it's not that unbelievable after all. The only suspense this bout held was, which ponderous oaf would collapse first?

    I must have missed the memo that came down saying that wild swinging and clinching is part of the criteria for a great fight. The only positive that can be said about this fight is that both Lewis and Klitschko gave their best effort in trying to win, and both showed championship caliber courage and heart. However, the skill level and boxing fundamentals left much to be desired. Can anyone say with a straight face that this is the quality of fighting one expects to see in a championship fight?

    I've heard some compare this bout to the Foreman-Lyle slugfest of 1976. Please, at least both Foreman and Lyle looked like professional fighters who both possessed devastating punching power in both hands, go back and rewatch the tape if you dispute this, I did. Foreman hit Lyle with some bombs in their fight. In fact, Foreman's punches were nice and tight; his jab was like a telephone poll coming out straight and hard. His hooks and uppercuts were short and crisp, and carried thunderous power. This was Foreman's first fight with Gil Clancy as his trainer. On the other hand, Lyle was just as equal to the task, throwing short hard jabs and countering Foreman when he missed with short hooks and sneaky uppercuts inside. Also, Foreman and Lyle hit each other hard enough to drop each other twice. Lewis and Klitschko didn't land that many clean or telling punches to come close to knocking the other down. Lewis and Klitschko took more out of each other by clutching and grabbing than by punching.

    If Lewis-Klitschko was a great fight, then Lalia Ali vs. Jaquie Frazier was the female "Thrilla In Manila"! Lalia and Jaquie looked every bit as skilled and complete as either Lennox or Vitali, and Lalia and Jaquie appeared to be in much better physical condition.

    When listing some of the great heavyweight title fights of the last 50 years, Lewis vs. Klitschko doesn't measure up, and it's not even close. A great heavyweight title fight looks something like Marciano vs. Walcott I, Ali vs. Frazier I & III, Holmes vs. Norton and Bowe vs. Holyfield I. These were great heavyweight title fights. Both the winner and loser in all of these fights were in supreme physical shape, and demonstrated sound boxing skill and ability at the highest level. And, yes, that goes for Marciano! Marciano fought at a level vs. Walcott that made him look as polished as Marvin Hagler, compared to the level of fighting that was displayed by both Lewis and Klitschko in their fight.

    I know boxing fans are hungry for great fights, especially in the heavyweight division. However, lets not diminish the memory and legacy of the aforementioned great heavyweight title fights by including Lewis-Klitschko among them, because it really doesn't belong. Yes, Lewis-Klitschko was an entertaining fight, and both fighters showed great courage, but they didn't give us a great fight!
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLewis-Klitschko, No Great Fight``x1056484081,25585,``x``x ``xSUMMER KICKS OFF WITH MORE
    BOXING IN THE BRONX

    CABELL AND KOLENOVIC TO WAGE WAR FOR NY STATE WELTER TITLE
    AT JIMMY'S BRONX CAFE ON JUNE 26


    NEW YORK, June 23 - The fans were unanimous in welcoming boxing back to the Bronx in May, and now, on Thursday, June 26, Final Forum Inc. is back at the world famous Jimmy's Bronx Cafe with another action packed card sure to heat up this early Summer night.

    "In May the crowd was great, the fighters fought their hearts out, and Jimmy's was a perfect spot to watch the fights," said Sal Musumeci, President of Final Forum, Inc. "So we're coming back strong right away with a card featuring some of the area's top prospects."

    The eight bout card will begin at 7:30 pm. Doors open at 6:00 pm.

    Headlining the June 26 show is a 10 round New York State Welterweight championship bout between Fontaine Cabell (22-3-1, 17 KOs) and Kemal Kolenovic (6-1-2, 3 KOs).

    Cabell, a native of Puerto Rico now fighting out of Long Island, is a hard-hitting boxer-puncher, and a young man who is looking to stay active after a three year layoff. He has already fought twice in 2003, with his last bout, a decision win over Thomas Wilt, coming on June 6.

    Kolenovic is a crowd pleaser who originally hails from Yugoslavia. Always ready for a good brawl, Kolenovic is bringing an unbeaten streak of almost three years into the ring with him as he looks to add the NY State belt to his trophy case on June 26.

    Returning to Jimmy's after his impressive unanimous decision win over Ron Boddie in May is unbeaten knockout artist Aneudi Santos. The 9-0 (6 KOs) light heavyweight prospect, who is a full-time college student at Hofstra University when not knocking out opponents, takes on Quinn Jenkins in a six rounder.

    Staten Island favorite Tim O'Neill (2-1-1, 2 KOs) takes another step up the super middleweight ranks on June 26 when he faces rugged Israel Felix in a bout scheduled for four rounds. 2-0 Joey Rios, a 140-pounder, will face an opponent to be named shortly in a four round contest.

    In a featured bout on June 26, Gina "The G-Force" Sorice will be in action in a four round female lightweight bout against a to be determined foe. Sorice, who is fighting in her second pro bout, walked away from the security of Wall Street (where she was Vice President of Investor Relations for a publicly traded company) for the uncertainty of the prize ring. On June 26, she will take her next step on the road to glory.

    In other bouts, Dominican junior lightweight Pasqual Rouse (12-8-2, 8 KOs) faces Tennessee's Marty Robbins (13-15-1, 10 KOs) in a six rounder; Michael Rothberger(0-4) squares off against a to be determined foe in a heavyweight bout; and Luis Sanchez enters the professional ranks with a four round junior middleweight contest against "The Hurricane", Tommy Huff (2-2, 2 KOs)

    Tickets for this exciting night of boxing, priced at $30, $50 and $75, may be purchased by calling 516-333-5080, or at the following locations:

    Jimmy's Bronx Cafe
    281 W. Fordham Road
    Bronx, NY
    718-329-2000

    World Gym
    120 Hempstead Avenue
    West Hempstead, NY
    516-505-0777

    There are also a limited amount of VIP tables available for $1,500 (each table seats ten), which includes dinner and cocktail service.

    For more information on Jimmy's Bronx Cafe, Please visit www.jimmysbronxcafe.com``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBoxing at Jimmy's Bronx Cafe on June 26``x1056546832,45968,``x``x ``xJimmy's Bronx Cafe, New York, New York -- June 26

    Welterweight Kamel Kolonivic Beat Fontaine Cabell TKO 4
    Featherweight Gary Pierre-Lewis Beat Michael Agard UD 4
    Heavyweight William Terry Beat Mike Rothberger TKO 2
    Super Middleweight Israel Felix Drew with Tim O´Neill PTS 4
    Welterweight Edgar Santana Beat Peter Kaljenvic TKO 3

    Results povided by http://www.boxrec.com``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xResults from Jimmy's Bronx Cafe``x1056731724,824,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release

    AAPRP Outraged by Columnist Comments 

    Darien, Connecticut – June 26, 2003 – The American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (AAPRP) has reviewed comments made by Mr. Steve Kim, (a Maxboxing.com reporter) equating the actions of Ringside Physician Paul Wallace to that of Dr. Jack Kervorkian. 

    “We are greatly concerned with these remarks,” stated AAPRP Chairman Dr. Michael Schwartz, “we believe they are defaming and inflammatory. Mr. Kim’s comments came after Dr. Paul Wallace (Chief Ringside Physician for the State of California and the Chairman of the ABC Medical Committee) advised the referee to stop the fight between World Champion Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko due to a severe laceration above the Mr. Klitschko’s left eye. 

    “Dr. Wallace is an exceptional ringside physician whose experience and dedication to protecting boxers earned him the 2001 AAPRP Ringside Physician of the Year Award”, Schwartz continued. “Comparing Dr. Wallace’s actions to that of Dr. Kervokian illustrates one of the greatest problems in boxing -- the lack of respect and support for those individuals who are dedicated to protecting the lives and welfare of these athletes.”  

    “Mr. Kim is one of the reasons it is so difficult to protect these athletes. When someone dies, the ringside physician is criticized for not intervening, however, if the doctor stops the fight because of an injury, than he is criticized for stopping it prematurely. Had Dr. Wallace not stopped the fight and Mr. Klitszko had permanently lost his eye sight, Dr. Wallace would not only have been criticized by the press, but he would have ultimately been responsible”. 

    The AAPRP has been attempting to secure additional malpractice for it’s members since 1999, but few companies are interested in taking the risk of an enormous award. In addition, ringside physicians are only compensated a few hundred dollars for two days work resulting in a limited number of qualified doctors willing to take these risks. 

    “The press must understand that we have a very difficult job to do, often requiring tough and unpopular decisions. Nevertheless, the boxer’s health and welfare is our greatest concern.”

    The AAPRP has been working to improve boxing safety through educational seminars, certification programs and medical studies. The next medical convention is scheduled for September 10-14 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

    The AAPRP is disappointed that Max Boxing decided to publish Mr. Kim’s outrageous comments. 


    Established in 1997, the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians was created to develop medical protocols and guidelines to insure the safety and protection of professional boxers. The organization is comprised of the brightest and most experienced ringside physicians throughout the world who are devoted and dedicated to the medical aspects of boxing. Since its inception, the AAPRP now includes physicians from around the globe, working towards a common goal of insuring health, safety and protection in the sport of boxing.
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xKevorkian Reaction``x1056808840,5351,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Providence, RI - It’s been a relatively sad first six months for New England boxers. The year has seen Massachusetts favorites, “Irish” Micky Ward of Lowell and Malden’s Dana Rosenblatt officially retire and a number of the regions’ top performers such as Ray Oliveira, John Ruiz, Erik Harding and Lawrence Clay-Bey have recently suffered near irreparable career setbacks. A loss for Scott Pemberton or Rich LaMontagne in their upcoming crossroad fights could spell the same end to their careers. And with Vinny Paz being at least one fight away from retirement, assuming he’s still looking for win number 50, it is clear that the fans of New England should start keeping their eyes open for the next generation of New England warriors. Peter Manfredo, Jr., a junior middleweight, is one of a select few that people should be paying to see.

    Last night at the Dunkin Donut Center in his hometown of Providence, the undefeated Manfredo looked very impressive in winning a shutout 10-round unanimous decision over a very game and determined Victor Rosado, Jr. of the Bronx. After an easy early going, which saw Manfredo floor Rosado with brutal and crisp combinations in the first and second rounds, it appeared that Manfredo broke his right hand moments after referee Charlie Dwyer had issued a standing 8-count over Rosado in the fifth. Sensing the finish, Manfredo attempted to land an overhand right, the same that sent Rosado sprawling in the second round, but it landed high on the head. The crack was heard around ringside and Manfredo showed his first sign of pain, when he dropped his right arm by his side after it had landed in and unintended spot of Rosado’s head. But after watching Rosado absorb the brutal combinations, there certainly didn’t appear to be a soft one for the 20-year old Manfredo to hit, despite Rosado’s two year hiatus from the ring.

    From the sixth round on it was clear that Manfredo was exclusively working his left hand, but it didn’t stop him from mixing in chopping rights to the head or body. Come to think of it, I don’t recall Peter wincing from the use of his right. Manfredo spent every minute of every round trying to put away his stubborn visitor, but Rosado would not let him.

    In the 10th, Manfredo finished the fight as furiously as he began it. Manfredo punched with both fists and the willing Rosado refused to submit from the punishment, coming back with some of his own punches. The judges had Manfredo winning 100-87 twice (as the CBZ had it) and another had him by a 100-88 tally. After the scoring was read, Manfredo announced that, it was the fans which had inspired him to throw the amount of punches he threw and that Rosado was the toughest man he has faced thus far. Manfredo is now 18-0 with 7 KO’s and appears ready to fight a lower level contender. Rosado is now 17-4 with 11 KO’s.

    Other Results:
    Jr. welterweights
    Aaron Torres, Philadelphia, PA 14-1, 3 KO’s WU8. James LeBlanc, South Boston, MA 9-5-3, 3 KO’s

    Heavyweights
    Arthur Saribekian, Cranston RI 25-4-1, 18 KO’s TKO4 (did not answer bell after third) Allan Smith, Creston, IA 24-29

    Middleweights
    Reynaldo Rodrigues, Woonsocket, RI 1-0 TKO2 (1:02) Michael Gutrick, Baltimore, MD 0-1

    Light heavyweights
    Adam Moses, South Boston, MA 2-0 W4 Tony Ventura, New Bedford, MA 3-2

    Promoter - Knockout Productions


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xManfredo Pounds Rosado``x1056813322,58335,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    He is without a doubt one of the greatest heavyweight champions in boxing history, and he has met and defeated the best fighters of his era, which is rare in boxing today. The only great fighter who he doesn't hold a win over is current champ Lennox Lewis, and it must be noted that the Holyfield who faced Lewis was not the same fighter who beat Douglas, Foreman, and split with Riddick Bowe in their first two fights. The Holyfield who fought Lewis was only capable of fighting in spurts. Not being able to fight a full round like he did in his peak hindered him from being able to outscore Lewis in order to gain a decision, although he came pretty close in their rematch.

    What I respect about Holyfield so much is that he avoided no fighter and constantly sought the toughest fights. He wasn't intimidated by any heavyweight, and couldn't have cared less who he had to go through to reach his goal. Holyfield without a doubt is the biggest overachiever in heavyweight history. As a fighter he could do it all. He also had an undeniable will to win and he was capable of adjusting to any style. What most fail to mention about Holyfield is that he was the smaller fighter on the scale in all but three or four of his heavyweight bouts, though inside he was the bigger man.

    However, there is absolutely nothing left for Evander to attain in boxing, he's done it all. My question is, "What will it take for him to walk away, how does his career come to a close?" I'm afraid one of his most admirable characteristics in the ring is the same trait that is going to hurt him in the end; it usually does to the true greats. Yes, his refusal to accept defeat in the ring during combat is the same voice he gives his ear to in not accepting that it's over. I have no doubt that he believes he can become undisputed heavyweight champion again. The character trait that enabled him to become heavyweight champ when most felt he wasn't big enough, or beat Riddick Bowe in their rematch when most believed he couldn't, or even beat Mike Tyson twice after needing clearance from the Mayo Clinic to be allowed to face Tyson, will probably get him in the end. His ability to overcome is what made him great and keeps him fighting today, he hasn't a single doubt that he can overcome again and reach his goal. That makes him a dangerous man, not only to his opponent but to himself.

    This week Holyfield signed to fight IBF Cruiserweight champ James Toney. The Holyfield-Toney fight only comes as a result of broken negotiations in trying to make Holyfield-Jones. It's been reported that the deal breaker was that Evander refused to let Don King have options on his next three fights, if he were to beat Jones.

    Where does he go if he beats Toney? Can a win over the Cruiserweight champ put him in position to become a mandatory challenger for one of the three major heavyweight titles? Looking at the three current title holders, I feel at this stage of the game, Holyfield is not capable of defeating any of them, (though if he were at his best, I feel certain he would've defeated all three). Lennox Lewis holds the WBC title, he is 0-1-1 against him but, in reality he's 0-2. As bad as Lewis looked vs. Klitschko, he'd be in great shape for Holyfield if they were to fight again, and would be a solid favorite to win. Chris Byrd holds the IBF title, he beat Holyfield to capture it. I was ringside at this fight, from what I saw the "Real Deal" is not capable of putting enough pressure on Byrd, or sustaining the offensive effort it would take to win in a rematch. Roy Jones holds the WBA title, he beat Holyfield nemesis John Ruiz to win it. Again, at this stage of his career, I just don't think he's capable of putting forth the performance it would take to get by Jones to capture the title. Holyfield has fought Lewis twice and doesn't own a win over him. In his last fight he was out boxed by Chris Byrd. A potential fight with Roy Jones just fell through. I just don't see where Holyfield fits in the heavyweight title picture.

    What will it take to convince him that living off the fat of the land and resting on his laurels and accomplishments is something that should be in his short term plans. I hate to suggest that any great fighter should call it a career but, Evander Holyfield has worked more than hard enough to sit back and reap all the due praise he will be showered with if he announced his retirement.

    I know what he has said and what's going through his mind, nobody can beat him convincingly enough to persuade him to hang'em up. And as much as fighters will lie to themselves, especially in the twilight of their careers, this is no lie. A major problem is that with the current status of the heavyweight division, there isn't a fighter out there capable of going through Holyfield, even the watered down version that exist today. Another part of the equation is that as much as he has slipped, on a given night he's still capable of upsetting any of the three current champs, or top contenders. Unfortunately, he will most likely continue fighting until a totally shot Holyfield gets shellacked so bad that he is denied a license by the major commissions, New York, New Jersey, and Las Vegas.

    Which way will Holyfield go out? Does he have to endure the type of beating that an empty package named Muhammad Ali had to from Larry Holmes? Since I believe he is every bit as stubborn as Ali, that may have been a poor example since Ali fought Trevor Berbick 14 months after Holmes. How about getting knocked into the press section around the ring like an old washed up Joe Louis did when he fought an up and coming Rocky Marciano? I just don't see it ending any other way for Holyfield.

    Evander Holyfield is trapped by his own heart and toughness, these two remarkable gifts enabled him to scale great heights in boxing. Sadly enough we will see him take a horrendous beating before he finally packs it in, I just hope that by the time this happens, there is enough of him remaining to sit back later in life and relish all that he's done for boxing. At his best he sure gave boxing fans some terrific nights watching him do his thing. He proved to all that saw him fight, he could never be counted out regardless of who the opponent was.

    Writers Note

    In my opinion, I believe Evander Holyfield is without a doubt one of the top ten greatest heavyweight champions of all time. This is based on career accomplishments, and head-to-head vs other past heavyweight greats. He could've fought in any era and on a given night been capable of winning the title from any champ. Since the end of the Ali era (1978), I believe Larry Holmes and Holyfield are the two best heavyweight champions. I rank Holmes slightly over Holyfield, mostly because at their best I believe Holmes would have decisioned Holyfield but, I do not think it would've been a sure thing, it never was when Evander Holyfield was the opponent. I wholeheartedly believe that the "Real Deal" is one of the most least appreciated heavyweight champions in boxing history, for many reasons! ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHow Does It End Evander?``x1056814145,73097,``x``x ``xPROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. announces the signing of former New Bedford (MA) amateur star, welterweight Paul Delgado (7-2-1, 2 KOs), to a promotional contract.

    Delgado, 27, lives and fights out of Atlanta. He has won his last two fights, including an 8th-round split decision against previously unbeaten (8-0) Wilmer Torres at Mohegan Sun in his last action (June 3), and four of his last five matches.

    “I’m excited about being part of the CES team,” Delgado said. “A couple of friends from back home in New Bedford, Ray Oliveira and Jason Pires, are my stablemates again.”

    Delgado was 46-4 as an amateur, including numerous regional and state championships, highlighted by the Southern New England Golden Gloves title in the open and novice divisions.

    “I had a long layoff, nearly two years, due to managerial problems,” Paul noted. “I was looking for a New England promoter, somebody close to New Bedford where I have a following and family living there, who also promotes a lot of television fights to get on. Jimmy Burchfield puts on a lot of ESPN2 shows and signing with him is a great opportunity for me.”

    “I’ve followed Paulie’s career for quite a while, knowing we couldn’t do anything until now,” Burchfield added. “I’ve always imagined him as part of the CES Team and I’m happy and enthused to have him joining fighters he knows from New Bedford, Ray and Jason. Paulie is working with some good people in Atlanta. We’re looking forward to working with them to give Paulie an opportunity to be a champion.

    “His losses were as an opponent - fighting in somebody else’s backyard - because he didn’t have anyone protecting him. Now he has all of the protection he’ll ever need. We can’t wait to see him step into the ring wearing CES colors. Just watch what we’re going to do together in terms of his career.”

    Delgado is scheduled to make his CES debut August 1 on an ESPN2 Friday Night Fights card, headlined by Richie “The Mountain” LaMontagne versus “Cowboy” Dale Brown, at the Casino Ballroom in Hampton Beach (NH).
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCES Signs Delgado``x1056814571,38654,``x``x ``x Promoters Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions and Brian Young/Prize Fight Boxing will present a sensational championship fight card on Saturday, July 26, 2003, at Sam's Town Tunica in Robinsonville, Mississippi. This event is the latest edition of the monthly Saturday Night Fight series at Sam's Town. The fights will be held in the River Palace Entertainment Center and televised on a special Saturday night presentation on ESPN.

    In the main event, J.C. Candelo, 25-5-3, with 17 knockouts, of Denver, Colorado, will defend the North American Boxing Federation 154-pound title against Julio Garcia, 25-1-2, with 11 knockouts, of Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds, and will be an eliminator for the International Boxing Federation's No. 2 ranking, as well.

    Candelo, currently rated No. 3 in the world by the IBF and No. 4 by the WBA, has given impressive performances in the ring and gotten rave reviews. His world title challenge on March 1 against IBF champion Winky Wright was televised on HBO, and ringside analyst George Foreman said after the fight, "A star is born. He came out of nowhere."

    Three months earlier, J.C. won an IBF title eliminator against Angel Hernandez. The fight was televised on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights," and ringside analyst Teddy Atlas commented after the fight, "Candelo has done a magnificent job of fighting his fight." Bob Papa added, "Candelo gave a masterful performance of boxing tonight."

    Garcia is rated No. 13 by the WBC and No. 12 by the IBF. A native of Havana, Cuba, he made a dangerous escape from his homeland to the United States when he was 19 years old. Julio said, "We were on a raft on the ocean for one week. No food, only one bottle of water. A lot of people circled around the same place, and then disappear and they die. We actually studied the stars and sun to see where to go, and that helped us." He turned pro with no amateur experience, and has scored a number of impressive wins and climbed in the world rankings. He has an exciting, aggressive style and always gives all-out efforts.

    In the co-featured bout scheduled for 12 rounds, 27-year old prospect Art Simonyan, 12-0-1, with 7 knockouts, of Glendale, California, will challenge for the vacant United States Boxing Association jr. featherweight title against an opponent to be annoucned.


    An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will complete the card.
    All bouts subject to change without notice.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCandelo-Garcia Headline July 26th show in Tunica``x1057005703,16856,``x``x ``xBy Todd Hodgson at ringside

    Emanuel Steward’s highly touted super-featherweight prospect Octavio Lara scored a second-round technical knockout over Randy Dobbs of Cincinnati at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena on Friday night, in front of a large flag-waving Mexican-American crowd.

    Kronk gym’s Lara (2-0; 2 KOs) controlled the first round and wobbled Dobbs (3-9; 2) late in the round with a left hook. Dobbs went down from a left hook 10 seconds into the second, and then again from a left to the body. After Dobbs rose, Lara swarmed him, and referee Frank Garza stopped the fight at 2:47 of the second round.

    Lara, 18, has been trained by Steward for 13 years, but had only around 20 amateur fights.

    Earlier, Kronk welterweight Tommy Simaan fell to 2-1 (2), losing a four-round majority decision to Herling Lopez (1-0) of Naples, Fla., who was making his professional debut.

    Detroit’s Marlon “Troubleman” Thomas (25-5-1; 16) won a six-round unanimous decision over durable journeyman Michael McFail (11-16-1; 3) of Baltimore, in a closely contested junior-middleweight battle.

    Alvin “Too Sweet” Hayes of Detroit knocked out overmatched Michael “The Godfather” Corleone of Brooklyn, NY, in the second round of a scheduled six-round middleweight bout.

    The 43-year-old Hayes (29-3; 22) was returning to the ring after a 10-year layoff but appeared to be in good shape. The buttery, light-hitting Corleone (11-21-3; 2) wasn’t competitive. Hayes was so pleased with his performance that he jumped out of the ring and danced in the aisle with Thomas Hearns and Hilmer Kenty, who were sitting ringside.

    In a crowd-pleasing four-round women’s featherweight fight, Kara “KO” Ro of Windsor, Ontario, improved to 3-0 (2) with a unanimous decision win over Kim Colbert (0-1) of Southfield, Mich., who was making her pro debut.

    Ro showed a good arsenal of punches but was unable to put Colbert in any serious trouble. Colbert launched the occasional wild haymaker, much to the delight of the sizable crowd.

    Super welterweight Brian Mihtar (1-0; 1) of Dearborn, Mich., won his pro debut, knocking out Charles Hinkle (1-7) of Flint, Mich., at 1:36 of the first round. Hinkle opted to stay down after getting dropped by a right to the body.

    In addition to Kronk legends Thomas Hearns and Hilmer Kenty, Jimmy Paul and undefeated female lightweight Lucia Rijker were also in attendance Friday night.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLara KO's Dobbs; Detroit Results from Friday``x1057063302,5117,``x``x ``xLAILA ALI vs. CHRISTY MARTIN
    (IBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
    WHO'S THE "GREATEST" ?
    LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW ($29.95), SATURDAY, AUGUST 23

    LOS ANGELES, June 30 - Ask any sports fan about women's boxing, and
    undoubtedly the first two names you will hear are Laila Ali and Christy Martin. On August 23, from the beautiful Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS, the female Fight of the Century will take place between Ali and Martin, the two true icons of the sport. This spectacular and historic event will be promoted by Absoloot Boxing. The title sponsor of the event will be Corona Extra, as part of
    Corona's World Class Championship Boxing series which has been broadcast in the U.S. and worldwide since 1997.

    Ali vs Martin, an IBA super middleweight championship bout scheduled for ten rounds, will be televised live by CSI Sports on US pay-per-view (cable and satellite), beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. An exciting undercard will be announced shortly, and the suggested retail price for the show is $29.95.

    Ali (15-0, 12 KOs), the IBA world champion, captured her first title in a second round TKO of Suzy Taylor last summer. Since then, shes gone on to win two more titles against the toughest women in boxing, proving herself to be just as great as her name. In her last bout, on June 21, Laila stopped tough Texan Valerie Mahfood in eight rounds. On August 23, she will fight to maintain that legacy against the woman who put female boxing on the map, Christy Martin.

    Martin (45-2-2, 30 KOs) climbed the ranks of womens boxing by overpowering her opponents with incomparable talent and spectacular knockout power. Fresh off a one-sided decision win over Mia St. John last December, "The Coal Miner's Daughter" first became a national phenomenon when Sports Illustrated featured her on their cover (the only female boxer to earn that honor). Since then, Martin has fought and beaten a who's who of women's boxing in her storied career, and she remains one of the sport's best, pound for pound.

    The venue for the event, the beautiful Mississippi Coast Coliseum, and tickets for the event are being made available by Prize Fight Boxing.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAli to Face Martin``x1057063534,55359,``x``x ``x Promoter Anna Beth Goodman/Kingfish Boxing Productions will present a sensational championship fight card on Monday, July 7, 2003, at the Pontchartrain Center, located at 4545 Williams Boulevard in Kenner, Louisiana.

    In the main event, David "El Tormentoso" Donis, 20-4-2, with 4 knockouts, of Houston, Texas, will make his third defense of the North American Boxing Federation 122-pound title against Debind Thapa, 18-2, with 10 knockouts, of Brigantine, New Jersey. The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds.

    At the age of 27, Donis is an eight-year pro. He has won four fights in a row, which includes winning the NABF title and making two successful defenses. He is 13-2 in his last 15 fights, and has broken into the world top-ten ratings at IBF No. 6. David said, "When you're the champion, the competition gets harder. I always fought whoever they put in front of me, we never had it easy. Hard work pays off. It costs to be the boss."

    Thapa, now 26 years old, is a 4 ½-year pro. A hard-hitting southpaw, he is 4-1 in his last five fights and currently ranked No. 13 by the IBF in the bantamweight division. He was a 1996 Olympic representative for his native Nepal, and moved to the U.S. to pursue his boxing career shortly after competing in Atlanta.

    Eleazar Contreras Jr., 19-3-2, with 8 knockouts, of Bakersfield, California, will fight Douglas Villareal, 27-11-1, with 26 knockouts, of Ft. Myers, Florida, in the co-featured lightweight bout scheduled for 10 rounds.

    At the age of 23, Contreras is a 4 ½-year pro. He is coming off a loss in his last fight, a very close decision in a tremendous battle against undefeated Houston prospect Juan Diaz, but scored two of his career-best wins in his previous two fights. Eleazar is experienced against very good opposition, has several impressive wins to his credit and is currently ranked No. 25 by the WBC. Villareal is a native of Colombia. Now 30 years old, he is a 10 ½-year pro and has fought top opposition, including current world champion Carlos Hernandez and former world champioin Cesar Bazan.


    An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will be announced.

    All fights subject to change without notice.

    Ticket prices: $20, $50, $60.
    Tickets are available at Pontchartrain Center Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets.

    Doors open at 6:30 P.M., first fight at 7:30 P.M. (Central Time)


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDonis vs. Thapa Headlines July 7th Fight Card in Kenner, LA``x1057064075,44650,``x``x ``xLetterlough-Hall headlines July 18th ESPN2 show at Melody Tent

    SANDWICH, Mass. – Beautiful, tranquil Cape Cod is preparing for an unusual evening of action-packed excitement July 18th, when pro boxing returns to the popular summer vacation spot after a three-year hiatus, live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis (MA).

    In his pro boxing debut, Hank Tuohy’s Old Colony Sports is promoting “Battle Zone at the Tent,” in association with Mohegan Sun, Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., Duva Boxing and Gary Shaw Productions, LLC.

    The peace and serenity associated with summering on The Cape will be briefly interrupted with post July 4th fireworks of its own, as world light heavyweight contenders Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough (19-3-2, 18 KOs) and Richard “The Destroyer” Hall (25-4, 24 KOs) headline “Battle Zone in the Tent” in a 10-round light heavyweight match of popular knockout artists.

    One of television’s most popular contemporary boxers, world-class welterweight challenger “Sucra” Ray Oliveira (44-9-2, 21 KOs), of New Bedford (MA), will face Canadian middleweight champion Bryon Mackie (21-8 (5 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

    A special retirement ceremony also will be held for former IBO & NABF welterweight champion Kip “Top Kat” Diggs (30-5, 22 KOs), of nearby Marstons Mills in Barnstable, who fought in the main event on the last pro boxing show held on Cape Cod.

    The undercard will be topped by EBA junior welterweight Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (10-2, 3 KOs), of Narragansett (RI), in a six-round, non-title fight. Also scheduled to be on the card are unbeaten welterweights Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton (4-0, 1 KO), of South Boston (MA) via Galway, Ireland and Benny “The Boss” Constantino (6-0, 4 KOs), of Warwick (RI), in separate four-round matches. Another six-round bout will be added. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Event sponsors include Outback Steakhouse, Davidoff Cigars, Hooters of Hyannis, Robertson’s GMC Trucks, Dino’s Sports Bar of Mashpee, Enterprise Car Rental, La-Z-Boy, Data Link/Nextal, Cigar Aficionado Magazine, Heritage Floor Coverings, Hyport Brewing Co., Puff The Magic, International Inn, Five Bays Bistro, New Balance, Amari’s Restaurant of Sandwich, and Mari’s Sennott Today’s Real Estate.

    Post-fight parties will be open to the public at Hooters of Hyannis and Hyport Brewing Co., as well as cigar smoking/wine tasting at Puff The Magic.

    Ticket prices are $125.00 VIP (includes ringside seat and pre-fight cookout catered by Outback, including complimentary cigars and two drinks), $65.00 ringside and $35.00 reserved. Contact Ticketmaster (508.931.2787), the Cape Cod Melody Tent (508.775.9100) or Old Colony Sports (508.477.5355/ www.oldcolonysports.com).

    Doors open at 6 p.m. for the VIP party, 7 p.m. for the general public, with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPro boxing returning to Cape Cod``x1057072581,35191,``x``x ``x10% off to HitzBoxing.com Visitors!

    As our way of saying thanks for stopping by HitzBoxing.com, we would like to offer a 10% discount to customers purchasing tickets via email for the July 10th "Fists Of Gold" event at the Allstate Arena. Just send an email to mike@hitzboxing.com with your name, address, day and evening phone numbers and tickets desired and a Hitz Boxing representative will contact you. Ticket prices are $100, $50 and $35.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xGet 10% off Hitz' July 10th Card in Chicago``x1057075190,397,``x``x ``xContact: Teresa Simmons
    Press Release

    Chinook Winds Casino Presents "Battle at the Beach III"
    Olympic Style Amateur Boxing - July 25
    LINCOLN CITY, OR, - Chinook Winds Casino & Convention
    Center presents "Battle at the Beach III," Olympic Style Amateur
    Boxing, on
    Friday, July 25, 2003.
    Chinook Winds is rapidly becoming the Amateur Boxing Venue of choice
    for Western Oregon. This boxing extravaganza is sanctioned by USA
    Boxing,
    the national governing body for all amateur boxing in the United
    States.
    Senior youth boxers, including some Olympic hopefuls, from the age
    of eleven and up, will be featured at this event. The fight card is
    nearly
    set for ten bouts of three to four rounds with the rounds being one or
    two
    minutes each.
    Battle at the Beach III promise's to be even more action packed than
    the first two events. At this time the following bouts are scheduled.
    * The Main event is the 2000 Olympic team super heavy alternate Mike
    Wilson of the Medford Bulldogs against Tony O'Brien of West Portland.
    * Also on the card at 160 pounds is Lincoln City's favorite home-boy,
    Bo Marthaller who will go up against Boone Wyatt of Medford.
    * Another exciting bout will pit two 16 years old talented warriors In
    Luis DeAlba of Seattle and Eloy Perez of Rodchester at the lightweight
    (132
    pound limit).
    * Braulio Lopez will make his third appearance at Chinook Winds and
    will go up against the more experienced Lorenzo Rios of Medford, at 132
    lb
    lightweight division.
    Other bouts scheduled are:
    * Marco's Arias, Special Senior Hugo Nunez
    Seattle, Wa 154 pounds Albany, Or
    * Kenny Christian Open Domingo
    Zamudio
    West Portland 119 Fight for
    Life
    Local radio celebrity, Roger Robertson, will be the ring announcer
    for this night of excitement featuring up and coming Northwest amateur
    boxers.
    Venues such as this help establish youth boxing records for
    consideration as Olympic contenders.
    Battle at the Beach III is open to all ages with tickets priced at
    an affordable $10 for general admission and $20 for ringside seats.
    There
    will be a no-host bar and food court. Doors open at 6pm and the show
    begins
    at 7pm.
    For more information, or to obtain tickets, call 1-888-MAIN-ACT
    (624-6228)
    or Fastixx, 1-800-992-TIXX (8499).
    Chinook Winds Casino, owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes
    of Siletz Indians, is located on the beach in Lincoln City, Oregon.
    "Boxing is Better at the Beach"
    -END-``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xAmateur Fireworks--Battle at the Beach``x1057162238,65801,``x``x ``xESPN2 Friday Night Fights at Foxwoods: Pemberton-Sheika, Balletto-TBA

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – U.S. Army veteran Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton (25-3-1, 21 KOs) is busy finalizing a strategic plan for his July 25th “The Battle You Can’t Miss” showdown against two-time world title challenger Omar Sheika (23-4, 16 KOs) at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.

    Their 12-round main event on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., will be for Pemberton’s IBU world title, as well as the vacant NABF super middleweight championship.

    IBU world lightweight champion Gary “Tiger” Balletto (28-1-2, 25 KOs), of Providence, is scheduled to defend his crown in the co-feature against TBA.

    Pemberton, of New Bedford (MA), is rated No. 2 by the NABF, while the World Boxing Council ranks Sheika, of Paterson (NJ), No. 9.

    Pemberton has won 14 of his last 16 fights (14-1-1, 12 KOs) with a controversial loss by stoppage to former world champ Charles Brewer the only defeat during this period. Sheika has lost world title fights to then WBC champ Eric Lucas (12DEC) and WBO title-holder Joe Calzaghe.

    Much more is at stake than the NABF crown in what has the potential to be a bonafide 2003 Fight of the Year candidate, a super middleweight version of Toney-Jirov or Gatti-Ward III. The winner will most likely be better positioned for a match against world champions Calzaghe (WBO), Sven Ottke (WBA & IBF), Markus Beyer (WBC), or leading contenders such as Antwon Echols, Lucas, Brewer, Syd Vanderpool and Jeff Lacy.

    The undercard features New England’s 2002 Most Improved Fighter, featherweight sensation Angel “Gee Roc” Torres (13-2, 5 KOs), of Manchester (CT), against Marty Dale Robbins, of Crossville, TN. Torres, riding an eight-fight win streak, will be in his second eight-round bout. Also scheduled to fight on the undercard, in separate bouts, are undefeated Providence fighters, light heavyweight Joe “KO Kid” Spina (7-0, 5 KOs) and heavyweight Jevon “J-Roc” Langford (6-0, 6 KOs). Three other exciting bouts will be added to the card. (All bouts and fighters are subject to change.)

    Tickets, on sale now, are priced at $65.00, $50.00 and $40.00. For ticket information call CES’ corporate office at 401.724.2253/401.724.2254, visit its Web site at www.cesboxing.com, or contact the Foxwoods box office at 800.200.2882.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTwo IBU world title fights July 25 at Foxwoods``x1057176764,56237,``x``x ``x Promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions will present a sensational world championship fight card on Saturday, August 9, 2003, at Miami Arena, located at 701 Arena Boulevard in Miami, Florida. The main event and co-featured fight will be televised on "Showtime Championship Boxing."

    Acelino "Popo" Freitas, 33-0, with 30 knockouts, of Salvador, Brazil, will defend the World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association 130-pound world titles against Jorge Rodrigo "La Hiena" Barrios, 39-1-1, with 29 knockouts, of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the main event scheduled for 12 rounds.

    Freitas is a superstar in his native Brazil, one of his country's most famous athletes and sought-after celebrities. An estimated 50 million people in Brazil watched the live broadcast of his fight against Joel Casamayor at 3:00 A.M. local time. Now 26 years old, Acelino is also one of the most exciting fighters in the ring today, with an aggressive style and tremendous punching power. He is 10-0 in world championship fights, which includes nine successful defenses of the WBO title and two of the WBA title.

    Barrios, also 26 years old, is considered by most observers to be the best boxer in Argentina today. He is a popular celebrity in his home country, as well, and played a role on a successful daytime television drama series. A seven-year professional veteran in the ring, he currently holds the Argentinian jr. lightweight title and is a former South American jr. lightweight champion. He is nicknamed "La Hiena," The Hyena, because of his loud laugh.

    In the co-featured bout, North American Boxing Federation welterweight champion Teddy "Two Gun" Reid, 21-5-1, with 15 knockouts, of Adelphi, Maryland, will defend the title against Elio "El Chingo" Ortiz, 24-5, with 18 knockouts, of Coro, Venezuela.

    32-year old Reid is a hard-hitting 147-pounder who always makes exciting fights and has given several impressive performances. He is currently ranked No. 10 in the world by the World Boxing Council. 28-year old Ortiz is a nine-year pro coming off one of his career-best wins in his last fight - a 12-round unanimous decision against contender, Ray Oliveira. Ortiz has another impressive win to his credit - a TKO against Argentinian contender Omar Weis.


    Media credential requests should be sent in writing to John Brister - by email to jpbrister@aol.com, or by fax to 775-254-6595. A request does not guarantee a credential, confirmation will be sent back to you.

    An exciting lineup of supporting fights will complete the card.

    Tickets prices: $25, $50, $75, $150.00.

    Available at: Miami Arena Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations; purchase by phone at 305-358-5885, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

    Doors open: 5:30 P.M. (ET)

    First fight: 6:30 P.M. (ET)

    First televised fight: 10:00 P.M. (ET)


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBanner - Freitas vs Barrios at Miami Arena``x1057176943,87476,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    Larry Holmes vs. Lennox Lewis is an intriguing fight to ponder, "what if?" They are the two most dominant heavyweight champs since Muhammad Ali's last title victory 25 years ago in 1978. Since Ali's last title win, Holmes and Lewis have competed in the most heavyweight title bouts. Only Joe Louis and Ali have won more career heavyweight title bouts than Holmes, and only Louis, Ali and Holmes have won more than Lennox Lewis.

    Along with being the two most dominant champs since Ali, Holmes and Lewis share some other career parallels. They both followed two of the most controversial champs in heavyweight history. Holmes lived in Muhammad Ali's shadow, and the presence of Mike Tyson loomed over Lewis. They both defeated the fighters who overshadowed them but, since both Ali and Tyson were past their peak when they finally did fight them, neither gets full credit for the win. However, this is less of an issue for Lewis since he's older than Tyson, so he does get credit for beating him in most boxing circles. Since Holmes was two months shy of being eight years younger than Ali, he doesn't receive the same credit as Lewis for beating his nemesis. Those who follow boxing know that its history is replete with these scenarios (Johnson beating Jeffries, and Marciano beating Louis come to mind).

    Another thing that Larry and Lennox share is that they were both perceived to be beatable during their title tenure. Sometimes fans came away from their fights saying, "They won more because of what their opponents lacked than because of how great they fought." Also, neither Holmes nor Lewis captivated boxing fans by themselves. They needed to be matched with another name fighter to spark fan interest, unlike Ali and Tyson. Ali and Tyson could stir fan interest fighting guys like Richard Dunn and Julius Francis. Holmes needed an old Ali, Cooney, and Spinks to be a draw, and Lewis needed Holyfield, Tyson, and probably Roy Jones down the road to bring out more than just boxing fans.

    When comparing the fighting style of Holmes and Lewis, there are some similarities. Both had outstanding left jabs, however Holmes without question gets the nod here. It is my opinion that Holmes had possibly the greatest jab in heavyweight history, except for maybe the jab of Sonny Liston. Lewis has an outstanding jab, but it's not as good as Holmes' was. Lewis definitely has the harder right hand, and their left hook is about even, though neither was known for throwing the hook often. I would give Holmes the nod as far as uppercuts go, (and don't get carried away with the one Lewis rocked Klitschko with. Outside of Klitschko, his uppercut was a non-factor other than against Frank Bruno and, possibly, Michael Grant). Another trait shared by Holmes and Lewis is, both were capable of successfully adjusting to opponents with varying fighting styles. The difference is Lewis was the better two-handed puncher, and Holmes was the better boxer with faster hands and better mobility.

    As far as who took a better punch, this has to go to Holmes. Holmes was only stopped once, and that was by a prime 21 year old Mike Tyson, and that was when he was 38 and coming out of a two-year retirement. Lewis has been stopped twice. Once by Oliver McCall, who in his next fight was awarded a disputed decision over the 45-year-old Holmes, and by Hasim Rahman, who couldn't have stopped Holmes even at 45. Lewis also appeared to be on shakier legs more than Holmes was, when nailed cleanly by an opponent during his title reign. When it comes to chin, there is no question; Holmes clearly took the better punch!

    When comparing two great champions, most will look at who fought and defeated the better caliber opposition. Like most things in boxing, this is very subjective. Looking at who Holmes fought outside of a shot Ali, Norton and Shavers are two of the better name fighters he beat. However, both Norton and Shavers were past their prime. The same can be said for Lewis, the two best name fighters he defeated were Holyfield and Tyson. And like Norton and Shavers, both Holyfield and Tyson were beyond their best. That being said, Lewis gets the nod here because the Holyfield and Tyson that Lewis beat were better and rank above the Norton and Shavers that Holmes beat. Going over the rest of their careers, it basically comes down to who you think were better between Berbick, Snipes, Cooney, Witherspoon, "Truth" Williams and Michael Spinks for Holmes, or Ruddock, Tucker, Mercer, McCall, Golota, Tua, Rahman, and Klitschko for Lewis? I'd say this is pretty close, but I would say Lewis has beaten the slightly better grade of fighter than Holmes has from top to bottom throughout the majority of their careers. Finally, I'd suggest that looking at Ray Mercer as a common opponent gives an indication as to the disparity between Holmes and Lewis. I realize that styles make fights, but an old Holmes dismantled Mercer with relative ease whereas Lewis in his prime had life and death with Ray.

    Who Would Have Won

    Again, this is very subjective and it's easy to build a case for whichever fighter of whom you were a bigger fan. Assuming both fought their absolute best the night they fought, picking the winner is a very close call. I like and respect both fighters, and consider them all-time greats. This is based on head-to-head facing other past greats and overall career accomplishment. However, I would pick prime Holmes to defeat prime Lewis, most likely by decision. I think Holmes is the better overall fighter and could present Lewis more problems than Lewis could present him. Holmes showed that he was more than capable of getting off the canvas to come back and win, while Lewis has never shown that he could. Seeing Holmes get up from the right hand that Earnie Shavers dropped him with in the seventh round of their title fight leads me to believe that it's a stretch to envision Lewis stopping Holmes. I doubt that Lewis could have hit Larry any harder, and most fail to mention that when Holmes got up from Shavers right hand, he actually started to win the round. On the other hand, I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that Holmes was capable of stopping Lewis. The fact that Lewis was knocked out by McCall and Rahman with one punch shows me that he is vulnerable to be stopped by any great fighter he were to face. I also can't see Lewis winning a decision over Holmes. Holmes was clearly a better boxer than Lewis, with faster hands and better movement and balance. I also think Holmes was a little smarter fighter than Lewis, had better stamina and threw more punches. Even though the scenarios I just went through seem to tilt the scale very heavily in favor of Holmes, I don't count Lewis out and definitely feel he was capable of possibly beating Holmes. Although Lewis is just too good to count out, I just think Holmes was the better overall fighter and would've defeated Lewis had they met when both were at their best.

    Writers Note

    Yes, I know that Lewis isn't retired yet, however I've seen his peak and have no problem rating him based on his body of work up to this point. It's not like he's going to go on and win four or five more title fights before he retires or gets beat. If he does, I'll reevaluate my position. Since Ali, I rate Holmes-1, Holyfield-2, Lewis-3, Tyson-4, and Bowe-5. If Bowe could have stayed on top longer and made more than two successful title defenses, he could've made it up to number two.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWhat If: Holmes vs. Lewis``x1057236016,46570,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    One of the most popular conversations today between boxing fans and writers is, how come it seems there aren't that many great fighters today. Many things can be pointed to as why the fighters aren't as good as they were as recently as the 1980's. Although painful to admit, in most cases it's true. Today's fighters, as a whole, aren't as good as those of the recent past. This rings most true in the weight below the heavyweight division.

    Right now, the best fighters are campaigning in the weight divisions 135 through 154. And if you think about it, the fighters of today between 135 through 154 don't come close to those who dominated the 1980's. A close look at today's middleweight and light heavyweight divisions suggests that they are at all-time lows regarding outstanding fighters. The middleweight division has one fighter, Bernard Hopkins, who will be regarded as a hall of fame fighter. With Roy Jones’ departure to the heavyweight division, the light heavyweight division has no fighter that can be considered hall of fame caliber. With the title reign of Lennox Lewis drawing to a close, who are the emerging heavyweights that show any promise of being anything special? If one is out there, I haven't seen him. Supposedly, we are living in a time where the fighters are bigger, stronger, and better trained. The heavyweights are bigger, but they are definitely not better, or better conditioned. They get exhausted fighting 12 rounds today; what if they had to fight in the 15 or 20 round era? In the divisions below heavyweight, I haven't seen what could be considered an outstanding level of fighting or technique. Other than the five or so outstanding/great fighters currently fighting, I'd say the rest are mediocre to slightly above average.

    With the absence of great fighters, the training and fighting techniques are even more important. Having many fighters who are pretty close in skill and ability is where a good trainer or boxing mind can make a huge difference in winning and losing! When I attend fights, I try to listen to the advice the corner is giving the fighters in between rounds. You can also do this watching the fight on TV since most of the time the broadcast network will have the corner miked. I can only speak for myself, but from what I've heard, it doesn't seem like much instruction is being given.

    Having a good boxing mind in the corner to instruct the fighter can be the difference between getting a multi-million dollar payday and title shot or becoming a journeyman. A fighter needs someone in the corner to help him make adjustments in his strategy in the brief minute in between rounds. As recently as the Gatti-Ward third bout, we saw Arturo Gatti break his right hand in the fourth round. When it became quite obvious that Gatti was in pain and could only use the right defensively, why wasn't Ward instructed by his corner to punch at Gatti's right. Why not try and injure it even more? By Ward punching at Gatti's injured right hand, he may have been able to render it even less effective, giving Ward a better chance to pull the fight out. How often do we see fighters go after their opponents cut when the bleeding starts? This isn't cheating, this is part of boxing. I've never heard anyone complain when a fighter goes after his opponents cut when the bleeding starts. In fact most fighters, and fans expect it. In the same fight, didn't Gatti tell his trainer Buddy McGirt that he thought he broke his right hand? Gatti told McGirt this so McGirt could tell him what to do, and Gatti followed McGirt's instruction and went on to win the fight. The corner of Gatti is a perfect example as to how a corner can make a big difference in the outcome of a fight. Gatti's trainer Buddy McGirt is a great example of having a good boxing mind in the corner who can think on his feet, and can instruct his fighter on how to cope with the unforeseen crisis that often occur.

    We saw poor corner advice in the Tua-Rahman rematch. Why was Tua's corner telling him to jab up and down? That's the last thing Tua should have been doing, trying to match Rahman's jab when Rahman was killing Tua with the jab. Tua should have been told to give Rahman some head movement in order to make some of his jabs miss. They also should have implored Tua to go to Rahman's body before looking for the big hook or over-hand right to the head. Tua fought the exact same fight he did five years prior when he fought Rahman and didn't make a single adjustment. The worse part is, Rahman was in poor condition and was there to be beat. Tua and his team should have been working on cutting off the ring and taking away Rahman's stamina and legs, and then going for the knockout. Maybe Tua isn't capable of doing this, but it wasn't even suggested between rounds.

    The other side of the Tua-Rahman example is the Ibeabuchi-Byrd fight. There can be no denying that Chris Byrd is one of the smartest ring technicians fighting today. That's why he is so successful, despite not having dynamite in is hands or being a huge man. He knows how to fight! To date the only fighter who has fought him the right way is Ike Ibeabuchi. Yes, Wladimir Klitschko beat him, but he beat him more so with his height and reach, while Ibeabuchi broke his style down. Ibeabuchi knew exactly how to fight Byrd. He didn't go to the head first. He was taught that going to Byrd's head with your lead punch is a waste of time, because you'll never hit it, especially in the early going. What Ike did was go to the body to take Byrd's legs away. He also took one of his escape routes away by leaning to one side or the other when he had Byrd cornered. By Ike knowing that Byrd could only go one way to escape, he knew where to punch. This led to Byrd taking the worse beating of his career. Ibeabuchi provided the textbook on how to fight Chris Byrd. I know this to be a fact because I spoke with Chris a few weeks after the fight. He admitted Ike knew exactly how to fight him. Not all fighters can punch or are as strong as Ike but, they would give themselves a much better shot to beat Byrd if they followed Ike's blueprint.

    Today's fighters need a boxing person to help them adjust and implement things into their fight plan to offset what the other fighter is successful doing or is comfortable doing. I don't care who the fighter is, there is something he prefers not to do in the ring or doesn't like having done to him by his opponent. Even if the fighter is a great talent, a smart trainer will come up with something to take away from him, thus giving his fighter a better chance.

    Look what George Benton did for Leon Spinks in his first fight with Muhammad Ali. Benton knew the jab was a huge part of Ali's game, and he wanted Leon to somewhat nullify it and take it away. What he did was instruct Spinks to jab at the top of Ali's left shoulder early in the fight. What this did was make it hurt for Ali to jab later in the fight, which enabled Spinks to get closer to Ali so he could go to the body and slow him down without getting his head knocked off by Ali’s jab, while coming in.

    Why is it that we never see fighters double and triple jab? Is it possible they've never had it embedded into their heads to do so? Most of the time the second and third jab gets through. Another thing I don't see fighters doing today is jabbing to the chest. This makes it easier for a fighter to penetrate his opponent's defense if he can't get to his head. This can sometimes make the fighter being jabbed at feel vulnerable and tentative. One of the most effective things fighters did at the turn of the 19th Century was to hit their opponents wrist, trying to injure the opponents hands making it hurt for the fighter to punch. Rocky Marciano went onto an undefeated career beating his opponents on the shoulders and forearms, making it hurt for them to punch back and hold their arms up. Stanley Ketchel was known for hitting fighters on their joints making them hurt trying to fight him off. All of these techniques are legal, however nobody uses them. This is not dirty fighting; this is what is called taking what the opponent gives you. There is always something to hit.

    Two of the most successful football coaches in NFL history are Don Shula and Joe Gibbs. Shula averaged 10-plus wins per season for 33 years. Gibbs has the second highest playoff winning percentage in NFL history for any coach who coached 10 or more playoff games. Anyone who follows the NFL knows that Shula and Gibbs were known for making halftime adjustments. In other words, taking away the opponents strengths and finding their weaknesses or vulnerabilities.

    Why don't more trainers and fighters work on these type strategies more? I know that Eddie Futch did, and Emanuel Steward and Angelo Dundee do. Why is Emanuel Stewart so helpful with Lennox Lewis? Because he saw what Lennox's strengths were and has added on to them. The other side of that is he can instruct Lewis what to do to neutralize his opponent's strength, forcing him to try something else or another way. Styles and strategy are the two most overlooked things in boxing today.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNeeded In The Corner : A Good Boxing Mind``x1057580515,68150,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    Venezuelan boxer of the 1950s, "Chivo Negro" Orta has passed away today in Caracas, Venezuela at age 73.

    Born César Ricardo Orta, Chivo Negro was a top amateur and later solid professional. Chivo Negro won a bronze at the 1955 Pan Am Games. As a pro, he beat the two best journeymen of all time, LC Morgan and Anger "Robinson" Garcia.

    Near the end of his career, he fought a now legendary battle in which he kayoed Cuban Rolando Morales.

    Orta was a good baseball player as well, playing for many years with the Pepsi Cola team.

    In retirement, Orta worked for the Instituto Nacional de Deportes (IND) de Venezuela.


    A few of his fights have been listed in BoxRec --

    http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=015962

    The following obit was published in El Meridiano (Venezuela):

    El ex boxeador César Ricardo Orta, conocido como "Chivo Negro Orta", quien falleció ayer en Caracas a la edad de 73 años, era uno de los pugilistas más famosos del boxeo amateur y profesional entre los años 40 y 50.

    Orta fue medalla de bronce en el boxeo disputado en los II Juegos Panamericanos celebrados en México, en marzo de 1955.

    Además del boxeo, el célebre deportista destacó en el béisbol, jugando en los jardines con el equipo Pepsicola.

    En su carrera como pugilista, disputó cerca de 50 peleas, la mayoría de ellas en el Palacio de los Deportes, en la avenida San Martín.




    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x"Chivo Negro" Orta Dies``x1057675504,72519,``x``x ``x
    Wesley Mouzon, noted ex-lightweight boxer, dies at 75
    By JASMINE ELLIS
    ellisja@phillynews.com

    Wesley Mouzon was a fighter until the end. As a lightweight boxer in the 1940s he left opponents speechless as he quickly became known as the "chocolate blur."

    Mouzon died last Tuesday. He was 75.

    With 23 wins, nine by knockout, and 3 losses, Mouzon was a true athlete of his time. Born in Kingstree, S.C., a family move would lead him to become a Pennsylvania boxing legend.

    The fourth of five children, Mouzon was born on Aug. 15, 1927. In 1933, when his family moved to Philadelphia he was enrolled in public schools.

    The son of Eugene and Cloia Mouzon went on to pursue a career as a lightweight boxer and ose in the rankings until losing a 1946 championship match with Bob Montgomery.

    At what seemed to be the end of his boxing career, Mouzon found love when he married Dolores Sizer on Sept. 23, 1951.

    The couple moved to New York City where Mouzon earned an associate's degree from Taylor Business Institute while also working in dry cleaning as a silk spotter.

    His passion for boxing called Mouzon back to Philadelphia where he and his wife settled.

    He began to train many boxers, including Dwight Muhammad Qawi, formerly Dwight Braxton.

    He also trained such notable fighters as Tony "The Punching Postman" Thornton and Anthony Boyle.

    It was his great work with these boxers that led the Veterans Boxer Association Ring No. 1 to induct Mouzon into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame on May 16, 1993.

    Horace Watson, Mouzon's nephew, recalls his uncle's reaction to the honor, "He was surprised that he was honored and that people in the game still remembered him."

    Upon the loss of his wife in 2000, Mouzon accepted Christ as his personal savior.

    He was described by family as a strong-willed, upbeat and happy person.

    Mouzon leaves a son, Lamont; sister, Flossie Smith; brother Robert; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWesley Mouzon, noted ex-lightweight boxer, dies at 75``x1057693030,63524,``x``x ``x Promoter Anna Beth Goodman/Kingfish Boxing Productions and the Bank of America Centre, in association with Wild West Promotions, will present "Summer Thunder," a sensational fight card on Monday, July 21, 2003, at the Bank of America Centre, located at 223 South Capitol Boulevard in Boise, Idaho.

    In the 12-round main event, Fernando "Little Ali" Zuniga, 22-6, with 17 knockouts, of Downey, Cal., will defend the title against David Lopez, 19-12, with 13 knockouts, of Ciudad Obregon, Mex., for the IBA Continental middleweight title.

    Now 29 years old, Zuniga is a tough competitor who has fought very good opposition and given several impressive efforts. His three most recent wins were among his career-best - a ninth-round knockout against Pedro Ortega (29-11-1), a third-round knockout against Adime Bawa (10-1), and an eight-round decision against Reggie Roberts (10-2). Two of his losses were against former world champions Charles Brewer and William Joppy, both by decision. Fernando moved the the U.S. in 1995 from his native Ecuador to pursue his boxing career.

    At the age of 25, Lopez is an eight-year professional veteran and a hard-hitting lefthander. He is coming off one of his career-best wins in his last fight on May 5, a sixth-round TKO against Sam Hill (15-3-1). Hill was favored to win, but David dominated the fight and scored two knockdowns to stop Hill in the sixth round.


    CO-FEATURED BOUT - 10 ROUNDS, JR. FEATHERWEIGHTS
    MARINHO GONZALEZ, 14-3-1, 6 KOs, Los Angeles, California vs
    GILBERTO BOLANOS, 10-3, 10 KOs, Ciudad Obregon, Mexico

    In a classic matchup of boxer versus puncher, Marinho 'Astro Boy" Gonzalez, 14-3-1, with 6 knockouts, of Los Angeles, Cal., will fight Gilberto "Chiqui" Bolanos, 10-3, with 10 knockouts, of Ciudad Obregon, Mex., in the co-featured jr. featherweight bout scheduled for 10 rounds.

    Marinho is the younger brother of former WBC featherweight world champion Alejandro Gonzalez. Just 22 years old, he has good skills and movement. 25-year old Bolanos is an aggressive slugger, with all 10 of his wins coming by knockout.


    An exciting undercard featuring some of Idaho's top young boxing talent will be announced.
    All fights subject to change without notice.

    Ticket prices: $12.50, $20, $30, $40.
    Tickets are available at the Bank of America Centre Box Office and by telephone at 208-331-TIXS, online at Idahotickets.com, and all Select-a-Seat outlets.

    Doors open at 6:00 P.M., first televised fight at 7:30 P.M.

    For media credential requests, contact: Mick Skinner - tel.: 208-860-2118, fax: 208-888-9982, email: mickhbg@yahoo.com.

    More information is available on the internet for Kingfish Boxing Productions at www.kingfishboxing.com, and for Bank of America Centre at www.bofacentre.com.

    This Kingfish fight card will be televised on Fox Sports World, Fox Sports En Espanol and Fox Sports Latin America, and reach over 70 million households. Two Kingfish boxing events are televised each month.
    The ringside analysts on the English-language telecasts are Dave Bontempo and Bob Spagnola. On the Spanish-language telecasts, Carlos Avilas and Luis Rodriguez call the action from ringside. The executive producer is Terry Planell. Check local listings for times in your area.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFERNANDO ZUNIGA VS DAVID LOPEZ Headlines July 21st Kingfish Card``x1057693112,27713,``x``x ``xForrest Faces Boxings Toughest Foe
    By Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    Six Months ago, former welterweight champion, Vernon Forrest was on top of the boxing world. He was the WBA-WBC champ, fresh off two big wins over his rival, two-time champ Shane Mosley. He was the fighter of 2002 as a result of his two big wins. Going into his first fight with Ricardo Mayorga, many considered Forrest one of the top five fighters in the world.

    In a short time, Forrest will have to deal with one of the meanest, toughest and scariest opponents that a fighter can face in his career - the hour before going out to face the fighter who just took him apart in his last fight. Sitting around the dressing room on fight night, watching the preliminaries on the monitor, time will seem to fly, and yet it will drag on at the same time. Whatever doubts or trepidations Forrest has had since the last meeting with Mayorga, will no doubt filter their way into his mind. How he handles them will go a long way in deciding how the rematch will turn out. He will be under monumental pressure in the last minutes before the bell for round one.

    Another problem Forrest faces is that he's confronting an extremely cocky and confident fighter in Ricardo Mayorga. Mayorga is flying on top of the world and doesn't believe he can lose, especially to Forrest. I think Mayorga believes that he totally has Forrest psyched out and has not a single doubt that he will not only win this fight, but will go through Forrest without much resistance. You can be sure the cocky Mayorga will be doing everything and anything in his power to project to Forrest, "You can't beat me." The last thing Forrest can do is let Ricardo sense that he has even the slightest doubt, if he does. If Mayorga feels he has Vernon second-guessing himself, he'll be even more formidable and tougher to beat in this fight. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Mayorga came out in the first round and tried to end it, even more so than he usually does.

    Since being stopped by Mayorga on January 25 of this year, Forrest has wrestled with two questions in his mind. First, is whether he had an off-night last time, and maybe looked past him. Secondly, he'll be wondering if Mayorga may have his number because he had properly prepared for their first tussle. You can be certain that Forrest has wrestled with these two thoughts religiously for the past six months. Also, during the months since Mayorga, I'm sure he's been getting bombarded with thoughts and advice by those close to him and who care about him. He's been hearing it all: "Ya gotta box him this time and keep him at the end of your jab," and "Don't let him get inside." I'll bet some have even suggested going right at him in the first round and getting his respect.

    Many broadcasters and pundits have also shared their thoughts over the airwaves and via the headlines. I've heard some say that this fight will tell a lot about Forrest. For instance, if he loses again to Mayorga, they'll rationalize he just had Mosley's number and he's not all that great after all. However, if he beats Mayorga, then he'll get all due praise and most will view the first fight as a fluke and say he really is a special fighter. I land somewhere in the middle. After he beat Mosley the first time, I thought he was very good, but not quite as good as he looked. The second fight confirmed this for me. Although Forrest fought well, the fight was very close. However, I do believe he matches up well with Mosley, but I don't particularly feel he is the better overall fighter. Against a common opponent like De La Hoya, I would give Mosley a much better chance to win than Forrest. This isn't just because Mosley has already beaten De La Hoya, it's based more on the fact that I think Mosley is a better and more complete fighter than Forrest.

    I think the key for Forrest in this fight depends on how much of his confidence Mayorga took. When an undefeated fighter or champion is decisively beat, it's not a given that he'll recover and be the same fighter that he was before being defeated. However, it's not out of the question. Boxing history has shown that some fighters have come back and gone on to have great careers after suffering a devastating first loss.

    Whether or not Forrest falls into that category fighter remains to be seen. One thing is certain, the only way Forrest has a chance to come back, depends on what he believes in is heart. If he really believes he lost because of having an off night or was caught off guard and fought the wrong fight, then he can beat Mayorga in the rematch. The other possible scenario is that maybe Mayorga took a little piece of Forrest and convinced him that he is the better fighter. It could be that getting stopped early makes it easier for Forrest to justify that he just got caught and the loss is nothing more than a bump in the road, opposed to taking a one sided beating over twelve rounds like he gave Mosley.

    If Forrest really believes he lost more because of himself and what he didn't do or let Mayorga do, he is more than halfway there. This doesn't assure him a win; Mayorga may just have his number, just like when Forrest beat Mosley in their first fight. As thorough as the victory was, you can tell the way Mosley fought in the rematch that he felt he lost more because of himself than because of Forrest. Though Mosley lost the rematch, he was clearly in the fight and did all he could to try to win it. What we found was that although Forrest has Mosley's number, he didn't take a piece of his heart or confidence. Mosley is still capable of winning a piece of the title again, as long as he doesn't have to beat Forrest to get it. When Forrest meets Mayorga in the rematch, we'll find out whether or not Mayorga took a piece of him, or if he's just better.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLotierzo analyzes Mayorga-Forrest II``x1057754663,94955,``x``x ``x A 10-round jr. welterweight fight had been added to the world championship fight card featuring exciting prospect Francisco "Panchito" Bojado, 12-1, with 11 knockouts, of Los Angeles, California, against veteran Lemuel "Maine" Nelson, 25-6-1, with 13 knockouts, of Pensacola, Florida.

    The Bojado-Nelson fight will will open the Showtime telecast, followed by the Reid-Ortiz 12-rounder and then the Freitas-Barrios main event.

    MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS - WBO, WBA 130-POUND WORLD TITLES
    Champion ACELINO FREITAS, 33-0, 30 KOs, Salvador, Brazil, vs
    Challenger JORGE RODRIGO BARRIOS, 39-1-1, 29 KOs, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    CO-FEATURED BOUT - 12 ROUNDS, WELTERWEIGHTS - NABF TITLE
    Champion TEDDY REID, 21-5-1, 15 KOs, Adelphi, Maryland, vs
    Challenger ELIO ORTIZ, 24-5, 18 KOs, Coro, Venezuela

    SPECIAL ATTRACTION - 10 ROUNDS, JR. WELTERWEIGHTS
    FRANCISCO BOJADO, 12-1, 11 KOs, Los Angeles, California, vs
    LEMUEL NELSON, 25-6-1, 13 KOs, Pensacola, Florida

    Non-televised bouts…
    12 ROUNDS, JR. WELTERWEIGHTS - NABF, VACANT NABA TITLES
    TERRANCE CAUTHEN, 22-1, 7 KOs, Trenton, New Jersey, vs
    RICKY QUILES, 33-5-3, 8 KOs, Miami, Florida

    12 ROUNDS, LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS - FEDELATIN TITLE
    LAUDELINO BARRIOS, 16-0, 15 KOs, Sao Paulo, Brazil, vs
    FRED MOORE, 29-1, 27 KOs, St. Paul, Minnesota

    10 ROUNDS, CRUISERWEIGHTS
    FELIX CORA JR., 10-0-1, 5 KOs, Galveston, Texas, vs
    ALONZO WRIGHT, 7-7, 5 KOs, Clearwater, Florida

    10 ROUNDS, FEATHERWEIGHTS
    VALDEMIR PEREIRA, 13-0, 13 KOs, Santo Andre, Brazil, vs
    TBA

    8 ROUNDS, LIGHTWEIGHTS
    JULIANO RAMOS,11-0, 10 KOs, Sao Saetano, Brazil, vs
    TBA

    4 ROUNDS, JR. WELTERWEIGHTS
    LUCIANO SILVA, Debut, Sao Paulo, Brazil, vs
    TBA
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBojado-Nelson Added To Freitas-Barrios Undercard``x1057926619,75814,``x``x ``x“Rumble Under the Stars” July 25 at Haverhill Stadium

    BOSTON, Mass. – Hometown hero Jeff “Hellraza” Fraza headlines “Rumble Under the Stars,” presented by Pendarvis Boxing Promotions, in the eight-round main event Friday night, July 25 at Haverhill Stadium. Haverhill High School’s gymnasium will be the site in case of inclement weather.

    Doug Pendarvis is promoting “Rumble Under the Stars,” in association with Hampton Inn of Lawrence, World Gym of Haverhill and Frugal McDoogal’s.

    Fraza (13-2, 7 KOs) is the reigning New England Light Welterweight Champion. His July 25th fight against Mark Scott (4-4-1, 3 KOs), of Cincinnati (OH), is a non-title match.

    “Jeff wanted to defend his New England title at home against Eddie McAloney,” Pendarvis noted, “but there wasn’t enough time to do it by July 25. This is a fight for rights. Jeff is donating a portion of his purse and we’re giving five-percent of our sponsorship revenue to the Haverhill Boys & Girls Club. Funds are short to send kids to camp and we’re trying to help. Proceeds from concessions are going to Haverhill High’s athletic program. Budget cuts are being made and we trying to defray the cost for kids playing sports. We’re also offering a $10.00 ticket for children 12 and under. There will also be live entertainment, including rapper Little Kenny.”

    The “Rumble Under the Stars” card also includes heavyweights Steve “Tunnel Rat” Scigliano (7-3, 4 KOs), of Quincy, South Boston’s Chris Tillman (2-0, 1 KO) and Lawrence’s Jose Colon in separate bouts; Springfield light heavyweight Sal Zabian (1-1, 1 KO), and junior welterweight Alex Infante (1-0), of Haverhill. Highly touted featherweight Denise Moses, of Lawrence, makes her pro debut against Kim Jeffrey (0-1), of Cincinnati (OH), in a four-round match.

    All bouts and fighters are subject to change.

    Ticket prices are $50.00 Gold VIP Ringside (limited), $35.00 ringside, $25.00 general admission and $10.00 (12 or under, limited). Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 8 p.m. To order tickets call Pendarvis Boxing Promotions (617.825.3283), Chick’s Roast Beef (978.373.4300), Mark’s Deli (978.374.9402) and World Gym (978.372.3814).

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJeff Fraza fighting in backyard``x1057926751,65632,``x``x ``xLetterlough-Hall headlines July 18th ESPN2 show at Melody Tent

    SANDWICH, Mass. – South African heavyweight Courage “No Limit” Tshabalala (23-3, 20 KOs) has been added to the July 18th “Battle Zone at the Tent,” promoted by Hank Tuohy’s Old Colony Sports, live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights from the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis (MA).

    “Battle Zone in the Tent” is Tuohy’s first boxing promotion, in association with Mohegan Sun, Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., Duva Boxing and Gary Shaw Productions, LLC.

    The 10-round main event pits world light heavyweight contenders Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough (19-3-2, 18 KOs) and Richard “The Destroyer” Hall (25-4, 24 KOs) in a match-up of feared knockout artists.

    One of television’s most popular contemporary boxers, world-class welterweight challenger “Sucra” Ray Oliveira (44-9-2, 21 KOs), of New Bedford (MA), squares-off against Canadian middleweight champion Bryon Mackie (21-8 (5 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

    A special retirement ceremony also will be held for former IBO & NABF welterweight champion Kip “Top Kat” Diggs (30-5, 22 KOs), of nearby Marstons Mills in Barnstable, who fought in the main event on the last pro boxing show held on Cape Cod.

    Hall of Famer Lou Duva manages Tshabalala, the 6-4 South African who is in a six-round match against Lenzie Morgan, of Youngstown (OH). Tshabalala’s opponents need courage to fight Courage, who has knocked out 20 in 26 professional fights.

    Also on the undercard is EBA junior welterweight Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt (10-2, 3 KOs), of Narragansett (RI), in a six-round, non-title fight versus Crystal Bolles, of Tulsa (OK). In another six-rounder, super middleweight Shaun “Big Trouble” Creegan (16-2-3, 2 KOs), of Plainville (MA), meets Aundalen Sloan, of Fond du lac (WI). Super welterweight Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton (4-0, 1 KO), of South Boston (MA) via Galway, Ireland is slated to meet Abdul Malik Rasheed, of Cleveland (OH), in a four-round bout.

    Event sponsors include Outback Steakhouse, Davidoff Cigars, Hooters of Hyannis, Robertson’s GMC Trucks, Dino’s Sports Bar of Mashpee, Enterprise Car Rental, La-Z-Boy, Data Link/Nextal, Cigar Aficionado Magazine, Heritage Floor Coverings, Hyport Brewing Co., Puff The Magic, International Inn, Five Bays Bistro, New Balance, Amari’s Restaurant of Sandwich, and Mari’s Sennott Today’s Real Estate.

    Post-fight parties will be open to the public at Hooters of Hyannis and Hyport Brewing Co., as well as cigar smoking/wine tasting at Puff The Magic.

    Ticket prices are $125.00 VIP (includes ringside seat and pre-fight cookout catered by Outback, including complimentary cigars and two drinks), $65.00 ringside and $35.00 reserved. Contact Ticketmaster (508.931.2787), the Cape Cod Melody Tent (508.775.9100) or Old Colony Sports (508.477.5355/ www.oldcolonysports.com).

    Doors open at 6 p.m. for the VIP party, 7 p.m. for the general public, with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xCourage comes to Cape Cod``x1057932893,30649,``x``x ``x"TITLE NIGHT IN LITTLE ROCK"

    JERMAIN TAYLOR vs RENE AROSTEGUI

    HOMETOWN HERO JERMAIN TAYLOR ATTEMPTS TO WIN
    FIRST PROFESSIONAL TITLE ON AUGUST 8
    ESPN2 FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS

    New York, NY - In just 16 professional fights, middleweight Jermain Taylor has made quite an impression on the boxing world, especially on his opponents. On August 8, at The Alltel Arena, Taylor, a 2000 Olympic Bronze Medallist, returns home to Little Rock to fight for his first title in the pro ranks when he challenges Rene Arostegui for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Middleweight Championship.

    This 12 round championship bout, part of an exciting night of boxing
    presented by DiBella Entertainment, Inc., will be televised live on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights beginning at 8pm. Doors open at 5:30pm and the first bout begins at 7pm.

    Also on the "Title Night in Little Rock" card is exciting junior middleweight contender Kofi Jantuah (23-1, 13 KOs), who will face Robert Kamya (12-2, 4 KOs) in a ten rounder. Four other bouts will be announced shortly.

    Taylor (16-0, 12 KOs), is widely regarded as the brightest prospect from the Class of 2000. A boxer-puncher who has improved by leaps and bounds with each fight, "Bad Intentions" has soared up the ranks in a little over two years as a pro, and on August 8, he looks to cap the first phase of his career with his first professional title. In his last outing on May 17, 2003, Taylor impressively stopped tough veteran Nicolas Cervera (33-4-1, 30 KO's) in just four rounds in a bout televised by HBO.

    Arostegui, a 25-year-old native of San Felipe, Mexico, has compiled an impressive 23-2 (20 KOs) record in his seven-year pro career. A former WBC Continental Americas Champion, the hard-hitting Arostegui is coming off a second round stoppage of Joel Gonzalez on May 30.

    Tickets for "Title Night in Little Rock", priced at $152.00 (VIP seating - limited availability), $92.00, $62.00, $37.00, $27.00 & $17.00 (students and seniors only), are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com and the Alltel Arena Box Office at 501-975-9000. You may also call Ticketmaster at 501-975-7575.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xTaylor to fight in hometown on August 8th``x1057940328,77011,``x``x ``xVenezuelan footworker Noel Arambulet (20-2-1-1NC, 10 KOs) will put his WBA 105-pound belt on the line against unbeaten ex-champ Yutaka Niida (14-0-3, 7 KOs), Japan, tomorrow at the Pacifico Yokohama, Yokohama City, Japan.

    The official weigh-in finished in Tokyo this afternoon with the champ scaling at the 105-pound class limit and the challenger at 104.5. The WBA officials are as follows: referee Aramando Garcia (US), judges Rodolfo Maldonado (Panama), Henk Meijers (Holland), and Wansoo Yuh (Korea).

    The 29-year-old Arambulet, making his second defense, recaptured the throne by outscoring Japan's Keitaro Hoshino in Yokohama in July of the previous year, and defeated him again by a split verdict in Osaka last December. He fully displayed his shifty mobility and light but quick hands before the Japanese audience.

    Niida, 24, was an enfant terrible because this capricious kid astoundingly and abruptly renounced the WBA belt without making even a single defense after dethroning veteran Thailander Chana Porpaoin by a hairline nod in Yokohama in August 2001. The unbeaten ex-champ stayed in the boxing fraternity here and served as a trainer of his junior boys at Yokohama Hikari Gym. Then, he again abruptly made up his mind to make a castigated return to the ring warfare. Niida, a fast hard-puncher, was once rumored to have a tune-up go prior to his crack at the world title, but he finally decided to have a direct shot at the throne against such a crafty champ as Arambulet.

    Arambulet, however, is said to have had a severe weight problem, though he barely passed the weigh-in. The Venezuelan had forfeited his belt due to his failure to make the weight before facing the interim champ Joma Gamboa here in Japan in 2000. Then, Arambulet lost a split duke to Gamboa, who then yielded his bet to Hoshino. If Arambulet's condition should not be perfect, Niida might have a puncher's chance. His youth may be an important factor, since he has been an unpredictable genius who often betrayed our experts' opinions.

    If Niida should make a good start and take an initiative with his faster and more powerful punches, he will overcome his ring rust for 23 months and stun the crowd as well as Armbulet.

    Niida is handled by Mitsunori Seki, ex-Orient feather champ ranked atop for many years who failed to win the world throne, losing Pone Kingpetch, Sugar Ramos, Vicente Saldivar (twice) and Howard Winstone. Seki seems confident in his prospect's re-coronation tomorrow.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xArambulet-Niida Preview by Joe Koizumi ``x1057947285,52587,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE

    Martin O’Malley vs. Luis “Puma” Villalta
    NABA Lightweight Title Fight
    Saturday, July 19th, 2003
    7:30pm - Emerald Queen Casino
     

     July 19th 2003 at 7:30pm, the next thrilling Battle at the Boat will take place at the Emerald Queen Casino. The NABA Lightweight Title will be on the line, as “Irish” Martin O’Malley (21-1, 14KO’s) of Seattle, Washington will be fighting Luis “El Puma Villalta (29-4-1, 25KO’s) from Lima, Peru. Training camp is going well for both fighters, which only adds to the suspense of the night to come.
     
    This promises to be a great 10 round match of thrills, chills, and excitement for boxing fans. O’Malley is coming off a four bout winning streak and has no desire to break it especially with the title being within his grasp, but his opponent will not make this an easy bout. Villalta is also coming off a victory. Villalta is coming in this title fight with a renewed vigor and craving for triumph. After his ankle injury in April he fought again in May and won by a KO in the 4th round.
     
    These two fighters both have a great desire to win and this could be a great victory in either of their careers to look back on. With O’Malley’s determination to become the best lightweight in the world and Villalta’s aggressive style and competitive spirit this fight is guaranteed to be a definite crowd pleaser. 
     
    -The Undercard set for the O’Malley- Villalta NABA Lightweight Title Fight-
    _Welterweight_
    Horatio Garcia (13-4-1 9KO’s)                
    Seattle, Washington
                vs.                   
    Brad Jensen (12-8-1 5KO’s)
    Denver, Colorado
     
    _Light heavyweight_
    Mark Woolnaugh (10-3-1 3KO’s)          
    Qualicum Beach, BC      
                vs.        
    TBA
     
    _Light heavyweight_
    Michael Sams (8-0-3 2KO’s)          
    Tacoma, Washington
                vs.                         
    Donnie Davis (7-11-0 5KO’s)
    Kansas City, Missouri
     
    _Light heavyweight_
    Jouse Cielos (3-2-0 2KO’s)                            
    Tacoma, Washington
                    vs.                 
    Curt Frost (1-0-0 1KO’s)
    Portland, Oregon
     
    _Heavyweight_
    Neil Stephens (7-3-0, 5KO’s) 
    Seattle, Washington
                vs.
    Ruben Torres (4 -1-0 3KO’s)
    Troutdale, Oregon
     
    Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, at the Emerald Queen Casino Gift Shop and by calling Brian Halquist Productions at 253-564-2090.  Prices are $100 - $50 - $25.
     
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xO'Malley at the Emerald Queen``x1058022191,32380,``x``x ``xBy Tom Donelson

    Forrest began the first round with a sharp left jab and controlled the first round, just as he had in the first fight of his only conqueror. The second round saw a different round as Mayorga tried to make true his prediction of a second round knock out. Mayorga started to bull Forrest in the round and Forrest's mouth gaped open as he gasped for breath. Forrest forgot to jab Mayorga as Mayorga threw punches from all angles and Forrest appeared to be befuddled as he returned to the corner. Twice, Mayorga pushed Forrest to the ground and his only goal was turn this fight into a street fight. No one will ever accuse of Mayorga of being smooth but he does have a game plan - keep pressuring and throwing punches until the other guy falls. Mayorga simply tries to chop his opponent down like a tree.

    In the third round, Mayorga appeared to take command of the fight, as Forrest's jab can no longer keep the Nicaraguan off balanced. Mayorga kept pushing the fight, as Forrest's jab no longer had any impact and Mayorga strength started to tell the difference.

    In the fourth round, Mayorga played a head game. After dominating the round, Mayorga got smacked with a perfect one-two punch. He just stood there and begged for another and Forrest complied. Mayorga just smiled and asked for more before nailing Forrest with a few clubbing punches. Forrest was feeling the impact of punches that won't even land clean. Mayorga followed the old Rocky Marciano rule of punching, hit anything and everything. If nothing else, Mayorga would hit Forrest on his arms, elbows, back of the head or any other targets, with the idea that Forrest would wear down. Every part of Forrest body was a target.

    In the fifth round, Forrest finally stopped Mayorga in his track. With 30-second left in the round, Forrest nailed Mayorga left hook to the body. This was the first time that Mayorga felt Forrest power. While Mayorga won the round, Forrest had his first glimmer of hope. Mayorga won the sixth as he won most of the early rounds by bullying Forrest. Now Forrest only chance was Mayorga penchant for smoking would catch up with the Nicaraguan. Mayorga's fights rarely went the distance whereas Forrest had been the distance against world-class fighters like Mosley. Forrest glimmer of hope started to show up as Mayorga slowed down in the seventh.

    Forrest started to climb back in the fight as his jab became accurate and Mayorga for the first time in the fight did not appear to hurt Forrest. Forrest successfully stretched the distance between himself and Mayorga. In the eighth round, drama increased as Mayorga nailed Forrest with right hand and left but Forrest stood his ground and countered with accurate combinations. Both fighters started to trade punches with authority with Forrest throwing the more accurate punches. Forrest now had confidence and a feeling that he weathered the storm and he would eventually triumphed. By the ninth round, Forrest changed the momentum of the fight as Forrest maintained distance against the power punching Nicaraguan. At the end of the ninth, Forrest began to run but did not throw any punches in the last minute. On the other hand, Mayorga was missing widely as Forrest was the technical superior fighter.

    Early in the 10th round, Mayorga nailed Forrest with left and right and forced Forrest to stand and fight. As Mayorga won the first half of the round, Forrest came back strong in the second half of the round. Both men appeared shaken as they hit each with some very big shots. When Mayorga returned to his corner, his trainer told him, "let's end this shit" whereas Forrest people lectured his fighter, "Hey you let the guy steal the round when you allowed him to charge you in the last 30 seconds."

    Championship rounds began as Mayorga brutalized Forrest throughout the eleventh round with chopping right hands and wild left hooks. On two occasions, both fighters nailed each other with right hands but Mayorga got the better of the exchanges. Both corners told their fighter before the final round, "Hey kid, you need this round." Both fighters did not take the final round for granted.

    Forrest moved and boxed, looking for big shots and Mayorga applied the pressure, looking for the knock out. Forrest counter punches appeared more accurate but Mayorga was the aggressor throughout the round. The judges gave Forrest the round. Now the twelve rounds ended and the judges held in their hand the decision.

    Mayorga won a majority decision and shocked the boxing world by winning a decision. Conventional wisdom was that Mayorga could not win a decision against the more technical superior Vernon Forrest. In some ways, this fight was similar to the first Rocky Marciano-Ezzard Charles fight. That championship fight came down to Rocky Marciano out slugging Charles and dominating the later rounds. The Rock won a decision over the technically superior Charles by outworking him and out slugging him. Mayorga did the same over Forrest.

    Mayorga is similar in style to the Rock and this is what makes Mayorga exciting. Mayorga fights a wild style with clubbing punches that wears opponents out. Forrest fought his best fight and he lost. Mayorga won because he kept charging and Forrest could not slow the Nicaraguan down throughout the fight. The fight was close but the difference was Mayorga aggressive nature.

    Mayorga is a fun fighter to watch and this is a man who could move up to 154 pound. He is the best welterweight and he certainly is ready to challenge Vargas, Winky Wright or even the slick Oscar De La Hoya and other top fighters in the junior Middleweight division. He has fought three fights against the best of the 147-pound division and won them all. Mayorga has now put himself in position as a fighter who can earn the big money. There is an element of both danger and excitement when this guy fights. Now that Mayorga has conquered the welterweight division, the big money fights are just over horizon.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMayorga Prevails Again, Beats Forrest``x1058113091,5617,``x``x ``xJuly 10, 2003


    Rosemont, IL - HBO's Boxeo De Oro series came rolling into Allstate Arena in Chicago under the banner of Oscar DeLaHoya's Golden Boy Promotions, Hitz Boxing and Mandalay Bay Resorts and Casino. And the culturally diverse crowd was treated to a pugilistically diverse evening of boxing.

    In the main event, Angel (Toro) Hernandez, 154, Chicago, displayed his wares against east coast import Victor Rosado, 154, Bronx, NY, in a bout that incited tensions amongst the rabid Mexican and Puerto Rican boxing fans. Hernandez won a workmanlike unanimous decision over Rosado but it was an interesting one.

    In a wild first round, which saw Hernandez cut over the right eye, the Mexican born Hernandez sought to conclude matters early due to the sudden urgency and which resulted in a searing slugfest. Rounds one and two followed suit with Hernandez firing all guns and Rosado countering, usually with his back to the ropes.

    Round three began with Rosado attempting to introduce his stylish jab into the fray but was forced back into the trenches by the ever pressing Hernandez, who was fortunate not to have a point deducted for an obvious after the bell hook to the jaw. Round four saw the round of the night as the two gamecocks took out their frustrations on one another, a pattern that spilled over into the fifth as well. Rosado complained bitterly to referee Sean Curtin mid-way through the round and finally found it necessary to intentionally butt Hernandez to get his point across.

    The pace slowed in the sixth, although the pattern remained and finally, perhaps while taking a breather, Hernandez gave ground in the seventh allowing Rosado, 17-4-1 (11), to outslick him along the ropes. While security was stemming the tide of a couple of dust ups in the arena during the eighth, Rosado was bleeding from the left eye as Hernandez was back on the attack. The ninth and tenth were all Hernandez as he continued hammering Rosado against the ropes, hurting the weary east coast native and dropping him twice in the final round, but curiously called by Curtin as slips. Scorecards were
    unanimous for Hernandez by way of 100-90, 98-91 and 99-91. The CBZ scorecard also read 99-91. With the win, Hernandez ups his log to 26-4 (15). A tremendous fight encouraged by a cantankerous crowd.

    In the co-feature 10 rounder of the evening, an all Mexican storm was brewing between undefeated Librado Andrade, 172, and Eduardo Ayala, 171. This bout never seemed in doubt as Andrade appeared to have the pedigree against his stiff moving opponent. However, Ayala of Sonora, despite his unimpressive 5-17 log, was not reading the spec sheet and kept Andrade honest throughout by mounting a spirited body attack on his California based opponent. In the end, while primarily headhunting, Andrade turned the fight for good in the sixth, battering the fading Ayala. Referee Geno Rodriguez stopped the bout at the end of the sixth with the badly swollen Ayala saved for another day. Andrade raised his record to 16-0 (12).

    In other bouts, the Polish flags came out enmasse for Art Binkowski, 231, the Polish national who resides in Canada but fights out of Chicago. His opponent, the creaking Ed Krasniqi, 226, Kosovo, a fighter who has a physique more attuned to a good Saturday afternoon at the horseshoe pit, actually gave Binkowski all he could handle in the first round. In the second Binkowski found the range, depositing his hapless foe on the canvas twice before Referee Gerald Scott stopped matters at 1:37 of the round in this scheduled six rounder.
    Krasniqi dropped to 18-4 (13), while Binkowski improved to 9-0-1 (7).

    In a scheduled four round middleweight bout, Miguel (Macho) Hernandez, 160 1/2, Puerto Rico, barely worked up a sweat against Mike Rush, 158 1/2, Chicago, who was making only his second start in three years. Literally hurt by the first left hook thrown, Rush had no place to go as Hernandez, 2-0, was on him like a cat, battering him to the canvas before Gerald Scott mercifully called a halt just over a minute into the first round. Rush's spirited complaints about
    the stoppage would have been better served by actually fighting Hernandez.

    In a catchweight bout scheduled for four, Angel Hernandez, no relation to the main eventer of the evening, at 138 1/2 and from Gary, IN, was extremely impressive in his bout with Raul Fernandez, 145, Elgin, IL. Pumping out a solid left jab throughout the bout, Hernandez bloodied Fernandez in the first, dropped him in the second, cut him and dropped him again in the third, but could not stop his game opponent. Unanimous scores of 40-34 saw Hernandez the winner,
    upping his log to 6-1 (6), while Fernandez dropped to 2-5 (1).

    In a dismal four round heavyweight bout Carl Davis, 229, Chicago, could not live up to his press clippings or his moniker of 'Ironfist' as he slapped his way through four rounds with Sergi Dychkov, 241 1/2, Belarus, who attempted to roughhouse his way past Davis. Scores of 38-37, 39-36 and 38-37, all for Davis were met roundly with a chorus of catcalls throughout the Allstate Arena. Dychkov drops to 2-2 (1) while Davis, who should seriously consider trying to
    reclaim his spot in the CFL, ups his record to 2-0 (1).

    See ya next round

    Promoter - Banner Promotions``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xChicago Results from Friday - Hernandez Tops Rosado``x1058186688,40229,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    I just want to say right up front, I had much trepidation about writing this column. However, I believe wholeheartedly it has to be done. More often than not I think Max Kellerman is living proof that the old saying "it's not what you know, it's who you know" is 100% true! I must confess, I don't usually watch Friday night fights on ESPN. Mainly because the fights are usually awful and are set-ups. That being said, the bigger reason is that I won't subject myself to the punishment of listening to Kellerman and Atlas spew their propaganda and agendas. I'm sick and tired of the attitude they project, (only they know boxing and only what they say carries any weight or clout). It's just typical ol-boys networking.

    I'll give credit where credit is due, Atlas knows boxings X's and O's as far as what's going on in the ring and usually doesn't say anything ridiculous. My only problem with him is his grandstanding agenda. Kellerman on the other hand has said more ridiculous things than George Foreman. I'm going to forget all that for now. What I will focus on is what I saw on Sportscenter regarding the Mayorga-Forrest welterweight title fight. I usually turn to ESPN after a fight just to see if they give boxing any coverage if it's not a major PPV fight. Usually the coverage is very limited. After hearing Kellerman last night, maybe it's not so bad that they don't give boxing more coverage and attention.

    When I tuned into ESPN regarding the Mayorga-Forrest fight, I saw where Max Kellerman picked Forrest to win and scored the fight 116-112 for Forrest which is 8-4 in rounds. Lets be honest, boxing is very subjective regarding the scoring of a fight and everyone interprets a fight differently. However, just as opinions can be outright wrong, so can the scoring of a fight. For Kellerman to say Forrest won eight of the twelve rounds vs Mayorga, is about as crazy as saying 4+4 is 11.

    Look, I scored the fight 6-6 in rounds, 114-114 on points. I had it that close because I gave Forrest the 12th round. Yes, I thought Mayorga got a little too much credit for his aggression from the judges and commentators, I felt his punches weren't landing that cleanly. However, there is absolutely no way Forrest won eight rounds. Mayorga clearly carried and made the fight. There wasn't one point in the fight where Forrest was in control. Forrest may have stabilized the fight in the middle rounds but he was never in control.

    I felt the fight was close but no way Forrest won, a draw possibly but absolutely not a win for Forrest. The rounds Mayorga won were clear cut, some of the rounds Forrest won he just barely eked out, (this is why the 10 point must is flawed). I have no problem with the fight being scored a draw, if you go round by round you can make a case it was 6-6. If you watch the fight like it is a movie, and don't go round by round, there is only one conclusion, Mayorga got the better of it. In my opinion, the fight was Mayorga 7-5, or if you're generous to Forrest its 6-6 at best.

    How in the world can any supposed boxing analyst (Kellerman) watch the Mayorga-Forrest bout and come away scoring it 8-4 in favor of Forrest. What was he watching? Judah-Corley was a good case for 8-4 in favor of Judah but not Mayorga-Forrest. How do these guys get on national TV? They are supposed to be the voices of reason, instead of insanity. Yes, I believe anyone who follows and knows boxing has to be insane if they believe Forrest bettered Mayorga in eight of the twelve rounds they fought. To say Forrest was robbed and deserved eight rounds in the fight is outright wrong! Yes Kellerman scored the Mayorga-Forrest fight absolutely, 100% Wrong!

    Where is the credibility? I know that some fights are very close and there isn't much to chose from but, the Mayorga-Forrest fight was definitely not one of them. How can any guy be respected as an expert boxing analyst after viewing a fight completely wrong? Yes Mr. Kellerman, you were absolutely wrong in what you watched the night Mayorga and Forrest fought a second time.

    It's one thing making a pick on a fight and being wrong, that's no big deal. Most of us have been wrong picking the winner more than we'll admit but, that is not hard to understand because of the unknown going into the bout. However, when you watch a fight and view it completely wrong, it proves only one thing, you don't know what you are watching! Hey Max, you don't know what you're watching!

    Writers Note

    Only one of two conclusions can be drawn from Kellerman's scorecard, a.) he is so biased because he picked Forrest, that he scored the fight to justify his pick or b.) he really has no clue what he's watching. His ineptness can only be attributed to a or b. Regardless whether it's a or b, it's not good for the real fight fans! ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMax, You Don't Know What You're Watching``x1058187138,1290,``x``x ``xJuly 12, 2003

    YOKOHAMA, JAPAN-Venezuelan Noel Arambulet(right photo), 105, barely retained his WBA minimum belt as he kept moving around all night to cleverly avert powerful but sporadic shots of previously unbeaten ex-WBA champ Yutaka Niida(below photo), 104.5, Japan, and eked out a split verdict over 12 close rounds on Saturday night in Yokohama, Japan.

    The official tallies were as follows: Rodolfo Maldonado (Panama) and Wansoo Yuh (Korea) both 115-114 for Arambulet, and Henk Meijers (Holland) 116-114 for Niida. The referee was Armando Garcia (US).

    The Venezuelan made best use of his shifty footwork, while Niida kept going forward with solid but less accurate shots to the elusive target. The Japanese, in the 12th and final session, desperately attacked the fading champ, which wasn’t enough to overcome his earlier deficit on points.

    The ex-champ Niida, who returned to the ring warfare after a 23-month layoff since his severely castigated relinquishment, made a good start as he connected with his trade-mark left hooks and solid rights to the cautious champ in the opening canto. Arambulet, 29, became cautious enough to keep circling without mixing up with the hard-hitting youngster. The Venezuelan might solve his opponent’s strategy from the third on, as he began peppering the onrushing Japanese with light but busy combinations. Arambulet looked to be in command in the third through 6th rounds with his busier combos.

    Niida, 24, handled by ex-world top feather contender Mitsunori Seki, commenced using sharp stinging lefts to the Fancy Dan to dominate the 7th. He displayed furious rallies to pin the champ to the ropes, winning the 8th.

    The tide, however, turned again in the champ’s favor in the 9th. Arambulet moved to-and-fro to prevent Niida’s judgment of distance to nullify his retaliations, taking the 9th through 11th. Niida might be aware of trailing on points before the final canto, so he furiously went out for a finish with his fierce combinations in the 12th. Niida should have shown such an effective attack in earlier rounds, only taking the last canto which wasn’t sufficient to come up with Arambulet’s accumulation on points.

    It was a lousy fight with Arambulet refusing to mix up with Niida and often grabbing him, but it might be his fight plan to outleg and outmaneuver the less experienced rival. Arambulet raised his mark to 20-2-1-1NC, 10 KOs. Niida, 14-1-3, 7 KOs, showed his good physical shape despite his long inactivity but failed to catch the fast-moving champ with precision to taste his first setback.

    Niida may deserve a rematch, but he had better fight some tune-up bouts before he meets such a crafty, if not strong, champ as Arambulet in the nearest future.

    Undercard:
    Unbeaten Venezuelan Jorge Linares (5-0, 3 KOs), 124, whose amateur mark was reportedly 119-6, decked his fifth victory here so impressively that he outspeeded and outpunched Thunder Ito (9-4-3, 2 KOs), 124, from all angles en route to a fine stoppage at 2:44 of the third session. This prospect may be a real thing with his gifted speed, power skills, plus good physique.

    Promoter: Yokohama Hikari Promotions.

    (7-12-03)

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xArambulet Keeps 105-lb Belt by Joe Koizumi``x1058198513,7056,``x``x ``xPress Release:


    BATTLE AT THE BOAT XXII
    Martin O’Malley VS. Luis “El Puma”
    NABA Lightweight Title Fight
    To Be Televised by Direct TV

     
    The July 19th, 2003 Martin O’Malley vs. Luis “El Puma” Villalta NABA Lightweight Title Fight at the Emerald Queen Casino, in Tacoma, Washington on a tape delayed basis on Direct TV. The Fight will be Shown July 31st, 2003 8pm Eastern/ 5pm Pacific on Direct TV channel 632.
     
    “I was telling everyone that this fight should be on TV,” said promoter Brian Halquist. “This is a great fight and I’m glad that people around the country will see we are not joking when we say that great Pro-boxing shows come out of the Pacific Northwest. This will be evidence enough that Pro-Boxing is back and here to stay”.
     
    Battle at the Boat XXIII will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN2 August 29th, 2003.
     
     **************************************************************
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xO'Malley Bout Will Air on Direct TV``x1058233617,90165,``x``x ``x"HAWAIIAN PUNCH" TO HEADLINE PERFECT 10 MAGAZINE’S “BATTLE BY THE SEA”
    AGAINST DORIA

    NEW YORK, NY - Unbeaten flyweight sensation Brian "The Hawaiian Punch"
    Viloria, coming off an impressive homecoming victory against Valentin Leon (17-8-1, 10 KO's) on April 15, will defend his WBC Youth Flyweight title for the first time on Tuesday, July 22 when he battles hard-hitting Colombian Luis Trencio Doria at The Perfect 10 Magazine's "Battle By The Sea", presented by DiBella Entertainment, in association with George Chung’s American Champion Sports.

    Viloria-Doria, which headlines a six-bout night of outdoor boxing on the beach at the scenic Sea Venture Hotel and Resort in Pismo Beach, California, will be televised live on ESPN2's "Tuesday Night Fights", beginning at 7pm PT (10pm ET). Doors open at 5pm, first bout is at 6pm.

    Viloria (12-0, 7 KOs) is entering a key phase in his young pro career. A 2000 US Olympian and current NABF flyweight champion, the 22-year-old has been facing increasingly tougher competition, and his team believes a world title may be in the cards for Viloria within the next year.

    Doria (17-8-1, 10 KOs), hails from Monteria, Colombia, and is a former IBF Latin American Light Flyweight and Fedebox flyweight champion, as well as a world minimumweight title challenger. He is riding a three-fight winning streak, and in his last bout, he decisioned Ronald Ramos over ten rounds.

    In the Perfect 10 Magazine "Battle By The Sea" co-feature, veteran Mexican warrior Oscar Andrade (29-22-1, 16 KOs) will face a to be announced opponent in a bantamweight ten rounder. A native of Durango, Andrade has faced some of the best lower weight fighters in the world in his 12-year career, including Michael Carbajal, Gerry Penalosa, Ratanapol Sor Vorapin, and Melchor Cob Castro.

    Four undercard bouts round out the slate on July 22, with local California fighters Juan Herrera (4-0) of Orosi and Frank Mondejar (1-0, 1 KO) of Viola taking on to be determined foes, and Ventura native Claudia Valenciana (4-1, 2 KOs) and Jessica Rakoczy (12-1, 4 KOs) battling it out in two exciting women’s bouts.

    Singing the national anthem will be Perfect 10 Model Ashley Degenford who will also serve as a round card girl alo ng with fellow Perfect 10 models Jessica Smith and Lori Smith.

    Tickets for the "Battle By The Sea", priced at $125 (limited VIP seating), $75 , $50, $40, and $25 (general admission), are available by calling The Sea Ventura Hotel at 800-662-5545 or by calling tickets.com at 800-225-2277 or online at www.tickets.com.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xVILORIA DEFENDS WBC YOUTH TITLE ON ESPN2'S``x1058286349,77419,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE


    THREE BOUTS ADDED TO FIGHT CARD

               

    Chinook Winds Casino Presents "Battle at the Beach III"

    Olympic Style Amateur Boxing - July 25

     

                LINCOLN CITY, OR, July 8, 2003  - Chinook Winds Casino & Convention Center presents "Battle at the Beach III," Olympic Style Amateur Boxing, on Friday, July 25, 2003.


                Chinook Winds is rapidly becoming the Amateur Boxing Venue of choice for Western Oregon. This boxing extravaganza is sanctioned by USA Boxing, the national governing body for all amateur boxing in the United States.


                Senior youth boxers, including some Olympic hopefuls, from the age of eleven and up, will be featured at this event.  The fight card is nearly set for ten bouts of three to four rounds with the rounds being one or two minutes each.


                Battle at the Beach III promise's to be even more action packed than the first two events. At this time the following bouts are scheduled.


    ·         The Main event is the 2000 Olympic team Super Heavy alternate Mike Wilson of the Medford Bulldogs against Tony O'Bryant of West Portland.

    ·         Also on the card at 160 pounds is Lincoln City's favorite home-boy, former Siletz Resident currently from Albany, Bo Marthaller who will go up against Boone Wyatt of Medford in the Jr. Middleweight category.

    ·         Another exciting bout will pit two 16 years old talented warriors In Luis DeAlba of Seattle, Washington and Eloy Perez of Rochester, Washington at the Lightweight (132 pound limit).

    ·         Braulio Lopez  of West Portland will make his third appearance at Chinook Winds and will go up against the more experienced Lorenzo Rios of Medford, in the 132 lb Lightweight Division.

     

    Other bouts scheduled are:

    ·         Marco's Arias,                     Special Senior                    Hugo Nunez  

          Seattle, WA                        Middleweight                       Albany, OR   

     

    ·         Kenny Christian                   Open                                 Domingo Zamudio

          West Portland                     Bantamweight                     Fight for Life

     

    ·         Alfonso Hernandez               Novice Junior                     Omar Nunez

                        West Portland                     138 lbs                              Albany, OR

     

    ·         Scott Harrie                         Open Jr.                            Fernando Cisneros

                        West Portland                     Jr. Welterweight                 Fight for Life

     

    ·         Sami Hales                          Special Sr                        John Romero

                        West Portland                      Light Heavy                      Seattle, WA

     

                Local radio celebrity, Roger Robertson, will be the ring announcer for this night of excitement featuring up and coming Northwest amateur boxers.

     

                Venues such as this help establish youth boxing records for consideration as Olympic contenders.

     

                Battle at the Beach III is open to all ages with tickets priced at an affordable $10 for general admission and $20 for ringside seats. There will be a no-host bar and food court.  Doors open at 6pm and the show begins at 7pm.

     

    For more information, or to obtain tickets, call 1-888-MAIN-ACT (624-6228) or Fastixx, 1-800-992-TIXX (8499). 

     

                Chinook Winds Casino, owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, is located on the beach in Lincoln City, Oregon.

    "Boxing is Better at the Beach"

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xAmateur Action At Chinook Winds``x1058291362,43553,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    When watching a fight, what are the scenarios that can occur during a round in which a knockout or stoppage doesn't occur? Basically, there are three, 1.) A fighter can be awarded the round by the slightest of margins over his opponent in a round that there wasn't much separating them, 2.) A fighter can totally dominate the opponent from start to finish, but not knock him down. 3.) A fighter can totally overwhelm his opponent in the round scoring one or more knockdowns. The only other scenario's that are likely to take place is both fighters putting each other down in the round, or one fighter dominates the round and gets dropped at the end of the round. Regardless of the scoring system, the last two settings are left up to the discretion of the judges in as to how they score the round.

    The Gatti-Ward third fight and Mayorga-Forrest rematch were perfect examples as to why the scoring system should be changed. There were more than a few rounds that they won overwhelmingly with out scoring a knock down. They were scored 10-9, under the system I purpose, they would've been scored 2-0. This provides a much better indication as to what transpired during the round.

    The problem with the 10 point scoring system is, the range of 10 points is too wide. And further more, it's never used properly in judging the rounds. Most of the time, rounds are scored 10-9 or 10-8 unless a knockdown occurs in the round. It's very rare to see a round scored 10-7, although it has happened. For the most part we usually see a two point variance at the most, with three points being the exception.

    Another problem with the current 10-point system is, each fighter starts out with 10 points and can only lose them during the round. Wouldn't it make more sense for the fighters to have to earn the points they are awarded? With the way boxing is scored today, fighter A can win round one by a slim margin and have it scored 10-9 in his favor. On the other hand, fighter B can win round two convincingly without putting fighter A down, yet the round is scored 10-9 also. I find fault with that, why should the fight be 19-19 after two rounds when fighter B has clearly had the upper hand?

    Change the scoring system

    Let's change the system from a 10-point must to a system that only has a three point variance to fit the three scenarios that occur in a round. By weighing the rounds it makes them more important, instead of every round being scored 10-9 unless there is a knockdown.

    A one point round -- fighter A and fighter B engage in a round that neither has a decided advantage. However fighter A is busier through the last half of the round and has the edge. Instead of scoring this round 10-9, score it 1-0.

    A two point round -- This is a round which see's fighter B have a decided advantage throughout the entire round but hasn't scored a knockdown. In this round there is no doubt that fighter B has completely controlled the round. Under the 10-point must, this round would be scored 10-9. I say score it 2-0 since fighter B has won the round without question. Since there is no question about the round, shouldn't the dominant fighter be rewarded !

    A three point round -- In this round, fighter A completely dominates scoring a knockdown or multiple knockdowns. This is a round that under the current system would be scored 10-8. I say score this round 3-0, which is more reflective of what took place in the round. Again, the dominance should be rewarded.

    This scoring system rewards the fighter who is in control and who's being the more effective fighter. I hate seeing every round scored 10-9 unless there is a knockdown. Under the current system one fighter can win six rounds by a slight margin, and the other fighter can win six rounds overwhelmingly without scoring a knockdown and the fight would be scored 114-114 a draw. Is that reflective as to who was the better fighter over the course of the fight?

    Under the three point system the fight would most likely be scored 12-6, which is a more accurate indication on what occurred during the bout. This system also keeps a fighter in the hunt to win a decision despite losing some close early rounds. An example would be fighter A winning the first seven rounds narrowly, under the current system he could win the decision by just fighting just enough to keep from getting stopped since he can only lose five rounds by just hanging in there. By scoring the fight under the three point system, the fighter who won the first seven rounds narrowly would be up 7-0. However, with five rounds left the fighter who is behind can still capture the decision if he really comes on in the last five rounds to completely dominate the action. This is a scenario that has occurred quite often, where one fighter jumps out early winning the rounds by a close margin and is positioned to win the decision unless he's stopped. The three point system takes that luxury away. This would also make for better fights since winning rounds convincingly would be rewarded.

    In a scenario where one fighter controls a majority of the round but, gets knocked down at the end of the round, the same principles would apply as in the 10-point must system. The round most likely would be scored even. If fighter A controls two minutes of the round and is dropped at the end of it by fighter B, this is even as far as I'm concerned. The knockdown shouldn't negate a fighter winning a majority of the round, nor should the knockdown be negated because the fighter scoring the knockdown lost a majority of the round. If both fighters score knockdowns in the same round, this would be even, unless one fighter scored more than one.

    This system makes perfect sense since we never see more than a two point difference a majority of the time. Why have a 10-point system when in all actuality it can't be implemented. I say encourage the fighters to show their skill and reward them for doing so. At the same time, make them earn the points. Start the round 0-0 instead of 10-10!

    Writers Note

    No scoring system is perfect, especially when it comes to scoring something as subjective as boxing. However I believe this system has the potential to be extremely effective once the kinks are worked out. I favor a system that rewards the fighter who dominates and takes charge in the bout, and I believe that it should be encouraged. What's wrong with weighing the rounds in a fashion that is realistic and can be applied accordingly. That cannot be said about the current 10-point system that is currently applied. One possible problem with this system, it may make it more difficult for the powers that be to manipulate the judges and the scoring?``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xAn Alternative to the 10-point must system``x1058360318,55173,``x``x ``xFrequent CBZ contributing writer Adam Pollack is the coach of amateur champs Emily and Katy Klinefelter. Pollack provides this info:
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida - From July 8 – 12, USA Boxing, the national governing body for amateur boxing, held the 2003 Women’s U.S. National Championships tournament. It is the nation’s premier amateur boxing tournament featuring all of the country’s elite boxers. It’s winners become eligible to represent the United States in international competition.

    Iowa City’s sibling boxers, Emily and Katy Klinefelter, both won the U.S. Women's Nationals this past week. They are the first sisters to win this tournament. Emily is the first senior, male or female, in Iowa history, to win the U.S. Championships tournament.

    15 year old Katy won the junior (age 15-16) 125 pound division, stopping Leslie Guerra of Texas via referee stops contest in the second round, and defeating Kayla Combs of New Mexico 13-7 in the final.

    19 year old Emily won the senior (ages 17-35) 110 pound division, defeating Christy Arias of Georgia 16-5, Keisher McLeod of New York 10-3, and in the final, Anna Marandi of New York 6-0.

    Emily will represent the United States in a dual meet against Russia in September.

    Previously, Katy won the 2002 National Junior Golden Gloves at 119 pounds, and Emily won the 2002 Ringside Tournament.

    Katy is currently a student at City High. Emily is a former City High valedictorian and is currently a student at the University of Iowa, majoring in business.

    Please see USA Boxing’s website, usaboxing.org for further information.
    The defending National Golden Glove champ, Molly McConnell is a registered poster with the CBZ. She and another young woman from her team, Brooke Topp, took silver medals at the U.S. Nationals. Their Coach, Bill Meartz of the West Portland Boxing Club, provided the following information:

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida August 7-13.
    Women United States Championships.
    Molly McConnell, boxing at welterweight (145lbs) returned from the National Championships with a Silver Medal. Molly who has been ranked #2 in the U.S. since August of last year had hoped to move into the number one position. Molly and her coach Bill Meartz found themselves in the thick of a weight class that was full of talent. The women's boxing has improved 100% since last year when Molly had the advantage of her tremendous punching power. This year there were five other women in her weight class who possessed this same trait.
    Molly boxed her first match on Wednesday the 9th where she stopped Tammy Evans of Glendale, Arizona in round two. Molly's Semi final match was with another solid puncher in Arlene Diaz of Brawley, California. After finding herself down 3-2 after the first round, Molly came back and won on points 13-4. In her finals match with Elizabeth Quevedo of Commerce, California; Molly fell behind in round one and came back to win rounds two and three, but missed by two punches of being #1 in the country.
    Molly is looking forward to the National Golden Gloves where she will be the returning Champion and evening up the score and taking the #1 position. That event will take place in Chicago, Illinois on Aug 5th - 13th. (We have already purchased airline tickets). Molly's next tournament after the Golden Gloves is August 26th thru Sept 1 in Kansas City, MO (this is the largest boxing tournament in the world with even more entries than the Olympics) Molly will return as the defending champion.
    "The competition in women's amateur boxing since it's inception in 1996 has improved so much. The professional ranks are full of "No Talent wanna bees", while the amateurs are full of skill, power and experience. Women's professional boxing is full of women with no experience, while men have used amateur boxing as their training ground. The tide is turning and these amateur women can already beat most of the professional women on the scene today".


    News Release:
    Brooke Topps, a 16 year old from Beaverton who attends Beaverton High School came home with a Silver Medal in her first National Tournament. Brooke has been boxing one year. There were five (5) boxers in the 132 pound weight class, they were:
    Evelin Morales, Las Vegas, NV
    Maria De Jesus, Brounsville, Texas
    Laura Savage Eau Claire, Wisconsin
    Kendra "To Sweet" Davis, Wilmington, NC
    The event took place in Fort Lauderdale Florida from July 7th through the 13th.

    Brooke lost a deceision on points in the finals to Kendra Davis. Brookes Next shot at a National Title is August 26 in Kansas City, MO.

    **********************************************************``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xCBZ’s Own Shine at Women’s U.S. National Championships Tournament``x1058377211,34604,``x``x ``xJD Vena

    Oliveira trudges on

    Outside his locker room, 34-year old Ray Oliveira had just finished swapping blows with a man who had more than him that night. He appeared thoroughly exhausted in his latest slugfest but on May 2nd, it looked to be all over for Oliveira, who had on that night fought over the 400-round mark. For the first time in his long career, the shots that were being fired by two-time title challenger, Elio Ortiz appeared to affect Oliveira, particularly to the body. And for the first time ever, Oliveira engaged in clinches, when Ortiz would hurt him. It was not the Oliveira you were use to seeing.

    There were many tell-tale signs that his fight with Ortiz would be his last. In fact, after losing a unanimous decision to Ortiz, he announced his retirement. But, as has been the case with many fighters, he is coming back, not to reclaim the seeds of his youth or to go after another world title. On Friday night, Oliveira faces Canadian middleweight champion, Byron Mackie in a 10-round co-feature to support the Richard Hall-Julian Letterlough brawl at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis. Oliveira, a father of eight children concedes that he’s fighting for one reason - in his own words, “because I can’t find a job.”

    “If I had a job then none of this would be happening,” admitted Oliveira. “Boxing is not fun for me any more and if I had a job, it would be all over for me.”

    For a long time, boxing was fun for Oliveira. He loved to fight and spar with any one he could get in the ring with. But boxing was especially for any fan who saw him fight. Not known for knocking out his opponents, Oliveira either overwhelmed his opponents with his punch volume and underrated boxing ability, or lost trying. On three occasions he was involved in fights which saw the more punches thrown in any fight according to CompuBox. On his best nights, he defeated such talents as Charles Murray twice, when it mattered, Vince Phillips and current WBA jr. welterweight belt holder, Vivian Harris. But the toll these battles has taken, and the fluctuation of weight in between fights affected Oliveira. It’s possible that he could have won a world title, though he came up short twice in his only attempts, but Oliveira knows that he has gone as far as he’s going to go in this dangerous game.

    “I think I went further then I ever thought I was going to go, but I honestly think I’ll be happy when I’m done with boxing. The only reason why I won’t he happy is if I can’t find a job to support my family.”

    Though Oliveira doesn’t sound enthused about getting in the ring, he claims to be in very good shape and has been at a comfortable weight leading up to his encounter with Mackie. But if he had trouble dealing with the strength and punch of Ortiz, a solid welterweight, how does he expect to withstand the might of a natural middleweight?

    “I know what I did wrong in that fight with Ortiz,” said Oliveira. “I fought a guy who was hungrier than me. I lost 15-20 pounds the week of the fight. I was just a weak fighter. I’m not going to be a weak fighter when I get in there on Friday. I don’t want you to think I’m not taking this guy serious or anything because I am looking forward to this. I’ve been training hard. I left the gym today at 152 and the contract (calls for) 150.

    But in the meantime, what will keep Oliveira hungry to fight?

    “Being poor. You have to train for these types of fights when you‘re poor. Unfortunately, right now I‘m poor.”

    Mr. KO meets the Destroyer

    As mentioned earlier, the Oliveira-Mackie bout, which will be aired on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights, will support a potential classic. Fight fans who have witnessed the thrilling fights of Richard “The Destroyer” Hall and Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough must be watering at the mouth in anticipation of this clash of light heavyweights. The explosive punching Hall (25-4, 24 KO’s), who has lost in previous world title attempts to Roy Jones, Jr. and Dariusz Michalzewski is as dangerous as they come. In his first fight with Michalzewski, he staggered the undefeated German champion on a number of occasions and appeared to be on the verge of an upset until the referee halted the bout in favor of the German because of a swollen eye of Hall.

    Letterlough (19-3-2, 18 KO’s) is pure excitement, and he’s been that way since he first stepped through the ropes. He was involved in wars with Demetrius Jenkins, a fight he came back from being floored twice and a see-saw battle with Julio Gonzalez, a fight that some called the 2001 Fight of the Year. Get your VCRs ready and if your attending the fight, make sure you’ve bought your beers and peanuts.

    The show will be supported by female sensation, Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt of Narragansett, RI versus Crystal Bolles and one time heavyweight prospect, Courage Tshabalala (23-3, 20 KO’s), who will attempt to show his power when he battles trial horse Lenzie Morgan of South Africa. Shaun “Big Trouble” Creegan (16-2-3, 2 KO’s) of Plainville and Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton (4-0, 1 KO) are also slated to appear in separate attractions

    The event will also honor the retirement of Kippy “Top Cat” Diggs a lifelong resident of Hyannis and a one-time world welterweight contender of years ago. Tickets are priced at $125 ringside (includes seat and pre-fight cookout catered by Outback Steakhouse, a complimentary cigar and two drinks), $65 and $35 reserved. For ticket info, contact Ticketmaster (508) 477-5355), the Cape Cod Melody Tent (508) 775-9100 or Old Colony Sports (508) 477-2787.

    If the Hall-Letterlough clash doesn’t wet your appetite for explosive action or you can’t make it to the Cape, then you should strongly consider purchasing a ticket to next Friday’s super-middleweight version of Hall-Letterlough at Foxwoods Casino. Former NABF super middleweight champion, Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton of New Bedford, MA (25-3-1, 21 KO’s) will be matched with the ever-exciting Omar Sheika (24-3, 16 KO’s) of Catskill, NY in a battle for the IBU world championship, held by Pemberton and the vacant NABF title. As you probably know, Sheika and Pemberton are rarely in a dull fight.

    Pemberton, a U.S. Army veteran is dedicating this fight to those who have lost their lives serving in the military during the War in Iraq. “They made the ultimate sacrifice,” Pemberton added. “I’ve had a great training camp and everything is going well. I have nothing personal against Sheika, but I know what I have to do on July 25th.”

    On the undercard, Gary “The Tiger” Balletto (28-1-2, 25 KO’s) of Providence makes his first defense of the IBU lightweight title when he meets Luis Lizarraga of Yucatan, Mexico. Local hopefuls, Joe “The KO Kid” Spina, Bobo “The Bull” Starnino of Providence and Joe Gardner of Bellingham, MA will also appear in separate bouts. For ticket information call Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports at 401-724-2253 or the Foxwoods Box Office at 800-200-2882.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1058406273,2199,``x``x ``xAAPRP ANNOUNCES 2003 AWARDS

    Darien, Connecticut – July 18, 2003 – The American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (AAPRP) announced today the 2003 AAPRP Award Recipients. They are as follows:

    Ringside Physician of the Year – Dr. Domenic Coletta
    (New Jersey Ringside Physician)
    Administrator of the Year – Mr. Marc Ratner
    (Las Vegas Athletic Commission)
    Outstanding Contribution to Boxing – Mr. Tony Mazzarella
    (Chairman – Ring 8)
    Distinguished Educator of the Year – Dr. Margaret Goodman
    (Nevada Ringside Physician)
    Lifetime Achievement Award – Mr. Stephen B Acunto
    (Chairman – AAIB)

    These awards will be presented on September 12, 2003, at the AAPRP’s Annual Medical Seminar at the Aladdin Resort casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    For more information or for registration materials, please contact the AAPRP or visit our website at www.AAPRP.Org to download the application.

    Established in 1997, the AAPRP was created to develop medical protocols and guidelines to ensure the safety and protection of professional boxer. The not-for-profit association is comprised of experienced ringside physicians from around the world who are dedicated to the medical aspects of the sport of boxing. Since its inception, the AAPRP has consistently grown to include physicians from around the globe who are working together toward a common goal of helping to ensure the health, safety and protection of professional boxers.

    For more information, please call 203-662-8900 or visit our web site www.aaprp.org
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRingside Physician's Awards Announced``x1058552067,48893,``x``x ``xHYANNIS, MA - Any one who knows Richard “The Destroyer” Hall and Julian “Mr. KO Letterlough, knew what they were going to get last night at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. Fans watching it on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights or at ringside, anticipated fireworks during their meeting and for just under 4 minutes of fighting that's what they saw. As short as the fight was, the 1,507 fans in attendance, whether they knew it or not got their money’s worth, unless they were getting a brew ski during the fight.

    After feeling each other out for the first 30 seconds, Letterlough, 176, of Reading, PA decided to unload the artillery that had ended 18 of his 19 wins the early route. Letterlough stunned Hall, 177, of Winter Haven, FL with a left hook, then dropped him with a looping hook a few moments later. Hall rose on unsteady legs and Letterlough pounced on him. He relentlessly hurled bombs at Hall until a counter straight left hand from Hall dropped the wild Letterlough on his knees. Letterlough, who may have been more winded besides being stunned looked worse for wear, but as he had proven in his thrilling bouts with Demetrius Jenkins and Julio Gonzalez, you never knew what was going to happen.

    Hall began the second round behind his jab but buckled Letterlough with a crunching straight left. Hall now had more time to put together a wiser two-fisted attack, but he didn‘t need much of it. After punishing a defenseless Letterlough for a good 10 seconds, referee Dick Flaherty stopped the fight at :47 of the round. The crowd of course bood the stoppage because, well, maybe they didn’t know better. Hall certainly knew how the fight was going to end.

    “He made me mad,” said Hall, now 26-4 with 25 KO’s. “He scraped me with the tape on his gloves when he threw a left hook. That was why I got caught with the one he dropped me with. He was the one hurt at the end of the round. I just finished him off in the second..

    Hall is now looking for a world title shot. He has had three thus far but had the displeasure of fighting Roy Jones, Jr. and Darius Michalzewski twice (in Germany).

    “Anotonio Tarver better stop the talking because he’s a paper champion. I’m the best light heavyweight in the world.”

    If the booing fans weren’t please with the short main event, they definitely appreciated the co-feature. Returning to the ring for the first time since dropping a 12-round decision to Elio Ortiz on May 2nd, New Bedford’s “Sucra” Ray Oliveira gave another workmanlike performance to earn a 10-round majority decision win over Canadian middleweight champion, Bryon Mackie. Oliveira, 149, used his usual body attack but it more negated Mackie’s workrate than hurt the naturally bigger Canadian. Mackie, 150, of Orangeville, Ontario was effective with keeping Ray off balance with the jab at times, but ultimately, Oliveira would steal the rounds with his uppercuts and overall combinations. When Mackie would hit Oliveira with a telling punch or two, it was Oliveira who finished the exchanges.

    At many times during the fight, particularly at the end of the rounds, the two would trade along the ropes that would get a rise out of the crowd. But during the 10th and final round, the crowd on their feet, screamed as the two waged warfare until the final bell sounded. Oliveira who won by scores of 97-93, 98-92 and 95-95 is now 45-9-2 with 21 knockouts, while the less experienced but exciting Mackie falls to 21-9 with 5 KO’s.

    Oliveira looked better than he had in his last two fights and he credited his former longtime trainer, Libby Medeiros, with helping him train.

    “I worked out hard for this fight but I don’t understand how one of the judges (Steve Memeshion) thought it was a draw,” said Oliveira who has never fared well in fights that have gone the distance in New England. “I thought I was winning just about every round but when I got back to the corner after the 8th round, Jimmy (Esperdulli) told me I needed the last round to pull it out.

    “I didn’t think he needed the rounds but someone told me they had it close,” said Esperdulli, Oliveira’s current trainer. “Some of these judges should go home and cry for how they score fights and ruin careers."

    The judges scoring the Courage Tshabalala-Lenzie Morgan swing bout certainly had nothing to feel good about. Morgan, didn’t do much damage, but seemed to do more than the plodding Tshabalala, who hadn’t fought since being stopped by Oleg Maskaev in '98. Morgan appeared the busier and more effective of the two but the judges split at the end. Tshabalala, won by scores of 58-56, 59-55 and 55-59. The giant Tshabalala is now 24-3 with 20 knockouts, while Morgan, once a super middleweight is now 14-26-3 with 7 knockouts.

    Jaime “The Hurricane” Clampitt, of Narraghansett, RI via Calgary, Canada took matters into her own hands by stopping overmatched Crystal Bolles of Tulsa, OK at 1:29 of the third round. Clampitt, who recently wed her matchmaker, Ted Panagiotis is now 11-2 with 3 KO’s. Bolles is now 2-7.


    In the final swing bout of the evening, Martin “The Irish Assassin” Thornton, 154, of South Boston via Galway, Ireland was upset over four rounds against Abdul Malik Rasheed, 152, of Cleveland, OH. The fight had its share of roughhousing, and referee John “Zab” Zablocki penalized Thornton a point or a low blow in the final round. The point was a non-factor in the decision as Rasheed won by scores of 38-36, 39-37 and 37-38. Thornton is now 6-1 with 2 KO’s and one no contest, while Rasheed improved to 2-4 with 1 KO.

    In the first bout of the evening, local favorite, Shaun “Big Trouble” Creegan of Plainville, MA , ran into more trouble than he had bargained for when a cut, opened from a clash of heads with his opponent, Aundalen Sloan, ended the quick fight at 42 seconds of the first round. Luckily, for Creegan, the result was ruled the fight a no-contest as opposed to the traditional technical draw. Creegan is now 16-2-3 with 2 KO’s and 1 no contest, while Sloan is now 3-6-1 with 2 KO’s.

    Promoter - Hank Touye’s Old Colony Sports
    Network - ESPN2``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHall Makes Statement, Oliveira Wins a Thriller in the Cape``x1058623566,74409,``x``x ``x Promoters Anna Beth Goodman/Kingfish Boxing Productions and Patrick Ortiz/Ringside Ticket will present a sensational fight card on Saturday, August 2, 2003, in the Events Center at Northern Lights Casino, located at 6800 Y Frontage Road, N.W., in Walker, Minnesota.

    Edel "Cuate" (Twin) Ruiz, 21-10-3, with 13 knockouts, of Los Mochis, Mexico, will fight Ricardo "El Rayo" (The Lightning) Medina, 27-27-5, with 17 knockouts, of Mazatlan, Mexico, for the vacant WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight title, scheduled for 12 rounds.

    At the age of 25, Ruiz is an eight-year pro. He is experienced against very good opposition, always makes good fights and has had several questionable decisions go against him. He held the WBC Continental Americas bantamweight title in 1999 and made one successful title defense. His identical twin brother, Heriberto, is also a pro boxer and is also known as "Cuate."

    Now 32 years old, Medina is a 14 ½-year professional veteran who is experienced against top opposition - he fought former world champions Guty Espadas, Enrique Sanchez, Paulie Ayala and Joichiro Tatsuyoshi in consecutive fights in 1997 and '98, and Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson in his last fight. He knocked out former IBF flyweight world champion Rudolfo Blanco in August, 2002, and has fought numerous contenders and prospects, as well.

    Andre "Tombstone" Purlett, 35-2, with 32 knockouts, of Miami, Florida, will fight Ron "El Tejanito" Guerrero, 16-7-3, with 11 knockouts, of Corpus Christi, Texas, in a 10-round heavyweight bout. Both boxers bring physical strength, aggressive styles and good punching power to the ring. Purlett, now 29 years old, is a 10 ½ year pro. Guerrero is also 29, and has been fighting professionally for five years.

    Hard-hitting lightweight prospect Juan Garza, 18-1, with 16 knockouts, of Caderyeta, Mexico, will be featured in an eight-round bout against an opponent to be announced.

    An exciting lineup of supporting bouts will be announced.
    All fights subject to change without notice.

    Ticket prices: $20, $35, $50.
    Tickets are available at the Northern Lights Casino Box Office and by telephone at the Northern Lights Tickets Hotline - 877-544-4879.

    Doors open at 6:00 P.M., first televised fight at 7:30 P.M.

    For media credential requests contact: Patrick Ortiz - 707-578-2334 (tel.), or psoringside@aol.com (email).

    More information is available on the internet for Kingfish Boxing Productions at www.kingfishboxing.com.

    This Kingfish fight card will be televised on Fox Sports World, Fox Sports En Espanol and Fox Sports Latin America, and reach over 70 million households. Two Kingfish boxing events are televised each month.
    The ringside analysts on the English-language telecasts are Dave Bontempo and Bob Spagnola. On the Spanish-language telecasts, Carlos Avilas and Luis Rodriguez call the action from ringside. The executive producer is Terry Planell. Check local listings for times in your area.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xEdel Ruiz vs. Ricardo Medina Headline Aug. 2nd in Walker, MN``x1058791094,17405,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    It was Monday night January 22, 1973. Earlier that day, former US President Lyndon Johnson passed away, and the controversial abortion law Roe v. Wade was passed. I was 12 years old at the time. I remember in wrestling practice that afternoon, during one of the rare breaks, saying to one of my friends how much "I'd love to be Joe Frazier tonight." He said, "Why do you wish you were Joe Frazier tonight?" I said, "Think about it, he's the undisputed, undefeated heavyweight champion of the world, he beat Ali in the biggest fight in history and tonight he's fighting George Foreman, who he won't miss with his left hook even if he closes his eyes."

    At that time in my life, I was obsessed with boxing. In fact, the only reason I wrestled was because I wanted to fight in some form. Growing up in Haddonfield N.J., boxing wasn't an option so wrestling had to do. I remember begging my father at dinner to take me to the closed circuit showing of the Frazier-Foreman heavyweight championship fight that night at the Cherry Hill Arena. The Cherry Hill Arena is where I went to see all the major fights on closed circuit TV (the first fight I saw on CC was Frazier-Quarry I on June 23, 1969).

    My father was a huge Joe Frazier fan and didn't like Ali. As a kid, I thought Frazier was unbeatable by any fighter, and remember feeling sorry for the opponents who were getting ready to fight him. Going into some of his major fights, I remember reading in the newspaper that Bonavena, Quarry and Ellis were saying that they were going do this and Frazier couldn't do that, and thinking to myself, "Yeah right, you have no shot!" Throughout Frazier's entire career, I always wanted him to lose. I just didn't want to accept that he was so good and I wanted somebody to beat him. The only time I ever rooted for Frazier to win a fight was the night he defended his title against George Foreman. It was reported at the time that Frazier and Ali were close to agreeing to meet a second time. The only obstacles were that Frazier had to beat Foreman, and Ali had to beat Joe Bugner three weeks later (February 14. 1973). Since I wanted to see an Ali-Frazier rematch, I rooted for Frazier.

    Monday Night January 22, 1973

    I convinced my father to take me to the fight that night (I promised him everything under the Sun, I would do any chore that he or my mother wanted, just please take me to the fight). Along with my father and me, my brother and a friend came along. I remember being mad at my father for bringing my brother because he wasn't even a boxing fan and had no idea what hinged on the outcome of this fight, although I dared not tell my father because he would have taken my brother and left me home. We arrived at the Cherry Hill arena about 9 pm and it was packed. My father paid for four tickets at ten dollars a piece (that was a lot back then and I still have the ticket stub). Just as we got to our seats, I saw a friend from school who yelled out to me, "Lotierzo, who do you like?" I remember yelling back, "Ice 'em Joe!" After yelling "Ice 'em Joe," I turned to my father and said, Dad, "You watch, for the first time in my life I actually want your boy Frazier to win. Watch 'em lose!"

    Just as George Foreman was entering the ring, Don Dunphy was saying welcome to Kingston Jamaica and the "Sunshine Showdown" featuring heavyweight champion Joe Frazier vs. second ranked challenger George Foreman (although many of the replays are Cosell's ABC call "Down Goes Frazier," Dunphy called the CC broadcast). Once Frazier entered the ring time flew, and the next thing I realized, Frazier and Foreman were at ring center getting instructions from referee Arthur Mercante. I remember thinking, while watching the fighters stare at each other, that this was the meanest stare-in I had ever seen (and still feel that way to this day). Next time you see a replay of the fight watch how Joe and George stare at each other, while Mercante is talking. I remember Foreman looking down at Frazier with total disdain, and Frazier looking up at Foreman with his face projecting how dare you look at me like that!

    The bell rang for round one and Frazier came out in typical Frazier fashion applying the pressure. About a minute into the round Foreman started pushing Frazier off him, keeping him at the end of his punches. Two minutes into the fight, Foreman put Frazier down, as I sat there in disbelief. Frazier gets up and goes back at Foreman, shortly after that Foreman has Frazier's back against the ropes and is throwing bombs at him. Frazier is making many of them miss, but the ones that are getting through are hurting him! Then it comes, one of the most vicious right uppercuts I've ever seen, lands flush on Frazier's chin and he sinks to the canvas. Again, Frazier gets up and before he can get his hands up, Foreman is all over him. Right before the bell rings to end round one, Foreman grazes Frazier as he's trying to back away with another right uppercut and drops him like he's a fleabag.

    In between the first and second round I'm standing, but I'm numb and in shock. I remember the guys around me were also shocked, yet we still felt Frazier was going to get him in the next round. I remember (like it was yesterday), telling the guy next to me not to worry, Frazier will really get him now because Foreman made him mad.

    The second round picks right up where the first let off and it's target practice for Foreman. Early in the round, Foreman drops him again, Frazier jumps up again, but he's being beaten so badly he looks like a stumblebum. I remember thinking that Ali hit Frazier for 15 rounds continuously, yet only backed him up a few times. How is it that George Foreman can knock him down like he's some bum. After Frazier gets up a fourth time, Foreman traps him again and catches him on the back of the head as Frazier is trying to get away and puts him down for a fifth time. By this time, it's obvious to all except Frazier that it's over. As Foreman approaches Frazier again, Foreman nails him with a series of left and right uppercuts that cause Frazier to start to sink. Then in a delayed reaction, Frazier hops in the air and goes down for the sixth and final time. Frazier beats the count, but referee Arthur Mercante waves the fight off as Frazier's manager and trainer Yank Durham is coming through the ring ropes to rescue Frazier.

    After the fight was over and Don Dunphy had interviewed Foreman, the lights came on and we just stood there and looked at each other as if we had just seen Martians land in a flying saucer. My father, who had always referred to Ali as Clay, tapped me on the shoulder. As I turned to look at him, our eyes met and he said with a grin on his face, "What will he do to Clay!" Little did he know that was all I could think about.

    Driving home in the car, my father asked if we wanted to go to a diner to get something to eat. I answered for us and said no, because I was still in shock and couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. As soon as I got home, my brother and I went straight upstairs to go to bed. Within minutes, my brother was sound asleep. I lay in bed for hours thinking how could any fighter do this to "Smokin' " Joe Frazier? I wanted to wake my brother up and say, how can you sleep, you idiot? Do you realize George Foreman just stopped Joe Frazier in two rounds? After hours of lying in bed, I finally fell asleep, but a nightmare soon awakened me. My nightmare was George Foreman punching down the walls of our solid brick house, trying to get me for rooting against him.

    On January 22, 1973, former heavyweight champion George Foreman put on the most devastating exhibition of punching power I have ever witnessed in 37 years of following boxing! To knock down a fighter like Frazier six times in five minutes is as impressive as it gets. Many heavyweight fighters have scored impressive knockouts in their careers, but nothing to this magnitude. This was Joe Frazier, a fighter who never seemed bothered by his opponents' punches. This wasn't Gus Dorazio, this wasn't Don Cockell, or Trevor Berbick or Hasim Rahman. This was Joe Frazier, and nobody did that to Joe Frazier! At least nobody until George Foreman.

    Writers Note

    Joe Frazier was a 3-1 favorite over George Foreman the night they fought. At the time, Ali was the top ranked heavyweight contender and Foreman was the second. The Frazier-Foreman bout came to fruition because the Frazier camp was fighting with the Ali camp over money. Frazier refused to split $6 million with Ali like he did $5 million in their first fight. Frazier's contention was that since he had beaten Ali in their first fight and was the undisputed champ, Ali didn't deserve parity. Ali's contention was that he was the draw who the fans wanted to see, and that his fights were shown throughout the world on CC TV, while Frazier was fighting the likes of Terry Daniels and Ron Stander on free TV. Thus Frazier, in trying to outlast Ali, signed to fight Foreman for a guaranteed $800,000, instead of fighting Ali for a guaranteed $3 million.

    On January 5, 1973 (18 days before the Frazier-Foreman fight), Muhammad Ali was a guest on the Mike Douglas show. Ali told Douglas that he was very concerned about Frazier losing in his upcoming fight with George Foreman. He went on to say Frazier was partying and singing with his group "Joe Frazier and the Knockouts" and wasn't staying in good shape. Ali told Douglas that Foreman was real strong and if Frazier wasn't in good condition, he could lose to Foreman blowing their proposed rematch.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMemories Of Foreman -Frazier``x1058791315,87837,``x``x ``xPress Release:
    ONE BOUT ADDED TO FIGHT

    Chinook Winds Casino Presents "Battle at the Beach III"
    Ten Bouts of Olympic Style Amateur Boxing - July 25
    LINCOLN CITY, OR, July 21, 2003 - Chinook Winds Casino & Convention
    Center presents "Battle at the Beach III," Olympic Style Amateur
    Boxing, on
    Friday, July 25, 2003.
    Chinook Winds is rapidly becoming the Amateur Boxing Venue of choice
    for Western Oregon. This boxing extravaganza is sanctioned by USA
    Boxing,
    the national governing body for all amateur boxing in the United
    States.
    Senior youth boxers, including some Olympic hopefuls, from the age
    of eleven and up, will be featured at this event. The fight card is
    nearly
    set for ten bouts of three to four rounds with the rounds being one or
    two
    minutes each.
    Battle at the Beach III promise's to be even more action packed than
    the first two events. Ten bouts are scheduled, including the following:
    * The Main event is the 2000 Olympic team Super Heavy alternate Mike
    Wilson of the Medford Bulldogs against Tony O'Bryant of West Portland.
    * Also on the card at 160 pounds is Lincoln City's favorite home-boy,
    former Siletz resident currently from Albany, Bo Marthaller who will go
    up
    against Boone Wyatt of Medford in the Jr. Middleweight category.
    * Another exciting bout will pit two 16 years old talented warriors In
    Luis DeAlba of Seattle, Washington and Eloy Perez of Rochester,
    Washington
    at the Lightweight (132 pound limit).
    * Braulio Lopez of West Portland will make his third appearance at
    Chinook Winds and will go up against the more experienced Lorenzo Rios
    of
    Medford, in the Lightweight Division.
    Other bouts scheduled are:
    * Marcos Arias, Special Senior Hugo Nunez
    Seattle, WA Middleweight Albany, OR
    * Kenny Christian Open
    Domingo Zamudio
    West Portland Bantamweight Fight for
    Life
    * Alfonso Hernandez Novice Junior Omar Nunez
    West Portland 138 lbs Albany, OR
    * Scott Harrie Open Junior
    Fernando Cisneros
    West Portland Junior Welterweight Fight for
    Life
    * Sami Hales Special Senior
    Chico Hays
    West Portland 170 lbs Seattle, WA
    * Richard Keymolen Special Senior Joel
    Gonzales
    West Eugene Featherweight Albany, OR
    Local radio celebrity, Roger Robertson, will be the ring announcer
    for this night of excitement featuring up and coming Northwest amateur
    boxers.
    Venues such as this help establish youth boxing records for
    consideration as Olympic contenders.
    Battle at the Beach III is open to all ages with tickets priced at
    an affordable $10 for general admission and $20 for ringside seats.
    There
    will be a no-host bar and food court. Doors open at 6pm and the show
    begins
    at 7pm.
    For more information, or to obtain tickets, call 1-888-MAIN-ACT
    (624-6228)
    or Fastixx, 1-800-992-TIXX (8499).
    Chinook Winds Casino, owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes
    of Siletz Indians, is located on the beach in Lincoln City, Oregon.
    "Boxing is Better at the Beach"
    -END-``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xAmateurs Battle At The Beach, July 25``x1058810556,16453,``x``x ``xLondon, England (July 21, 2003). . . Olympic Gold Medal Super Heavyweight Champion, Audley “A-Force” Harrison (11-0, 7KOs) makes his 12th professional outing against former Australian Heavyweight Champion Colin Wilson (24-16, 14KOs) on Wednesday August 6th at Sydney’s Entertainment Centre. The bout will be the main support bout to the much-hyped Anthony Mundine vs Antwun Echols WBA Super Middleweight title fight. Harrison’s fight will be shown on a taped-delayed broadcast on the BBC the following day.

    The 31-year-old Wilson hails from Queensland, Australia and will be Harrison’s first southpaw opponent. He matches the ‘A-Force’ in height at 6ft 5ins and weighing over 17 stone (238 pounds.) His 10-year boxing career and his current record is just the type of experienced fighter Harrison and his team were looking forward to challenging. Harrison’s Business Manager, Hazel Bruno-Gilbert said, “It was decided by Team A-Force that Colin Wilson would be a good opponent for Audley at this stage of his career. This is the first time that Audley has boxed a southpaw, and it will be interesting to see how Audley copes with this scenario”.

    She continued, “Wilson’s past opponents have included a controversial split decision defeat to ‘Big’ Bob Mirovic, who gave British Heavyweight Champion Danny Williams a stern test back in April of this year. He also had an impressive points win over 10 rounds against the always dangerous, Jimmy Thunder last year. The fact that Wilson will be fighting in front of his home fans, will no doubt make him raise his game, we fully expect it to be an exciting and explosive contest.”

    In preparation for this contest Harrison has been sparring with Former IBF Cruiserweight Champion, Vassiliy Jirov who is preparing for his own comeback fight on August 7th against Ernest Mateen. “For the last 20 days Audley’s sparring has been phenomenal,” said Harrison’s head trainer Thell Torrence (who also works with Jirov). “Jirov is a tough, rugged former world champion, and this kind of work is invaluable in taking Audley to the next level.” Exclusive photographs of Audley sparring with Vassiliy Jirov at Barry’s Boxing Gym, Las Vegas can be found on www.audleyharrison.com.

    Harrison will arrive in Australia on Tuesday morning (22nd July) where he will complete his final preparations for his contest.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xA-Force’s Opponent Named For August 6 Bout in Sydney, Australia``x1058978714,18056,``x``x ``xSaturday, July 19, 2003
    Emerald Queen Casino
    Tacoma, WA
    Promoter: Brian Halquist Productions
    Matchmaker: Bob Oleson
    Inspector: Curtis Leach
    Judges: Glen Hamada, Alan Krebs, Tom McDonough
    Referees: Mike Fisher, Robert Howard, Ron Rall
    Ringside Physicians: Peter Marsh, Antoine Johnson

    Main Event: Ten rounds for the NABA lightweight championship.
    Luis Pima Villalta (135 lbs) of Lima, Peru won a unanimous decision over Martin O’Malley (134 lbs) of Edmonds, WA. All three judges saw it as 97-91 for Villalta.

    Six Rounds: Michael Sams (181 lbs) of Tacoma, WA stopped Donnie Davis (169 lbs) of Topeka, Kansas at 1:54 of the first round. A KO win for Sams.

    In four round bouts on the undercard:

    Dominic Rivera (163 lbs) of Portland, OR won a unanimous decision over Irvin Greene (157 lbs) of Tacoma, WA. The scores were 40-36, 40-36, and 39-37.

    Donny Smith (191 lbs) of Moses Lake, WA stopped Neil Stephens (186 lbs) of Seattle, WA at :30 of the first round. A KO win for Smith.

    Reggie Davis (152 lbs) of Portland, OR stopped Bradley Jensen (147 lbs) of Estes Park, CO at 2:22 of the second round by knockout.

    Curtis Frost (168 lbs) of Portland, OR won a unanimous decision over Josue Cielos (171 lbs) of Seattle, WA. Scores were all 40-36 for Frost.

    Mark Woolnaugh (167 lbs) of Qualicum Beach, British Columbia won a unanimous decision over Reginald Lowe (168 lbs) of Seattle, WA. The judges saw it as 40-36 across the board.
    --30--
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xVillalta defeats O'Malley at Emerald Queen``x1058985797,34352,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Ask any fighter and they’ll tell you. A fighter fights because they want to make the money that pays the bills and buys them nice things. It’s not so much the fancy cars or the diamond rings or finding the girls who carry a couple of pints of silicon in their chest. A realistic and economical fighter wants to earn enough dough to afford them a certain boost, the kind that they didn’t receive from a college education or a hand-me-down job from their old man. That’s certainly the case for Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton, who on Friday night at Foxwoods Casino, will attempt to better his chances in the super-middleweight sweepstakes with a win over fellow contender, Omar Sheika of Paterson, NJ.

    Pemberton’s looming problem is that his dangerous opponent is in the game for the same reasons. Sure, the two warriors obviously must like the idea of legally throwing their dangerous fists at other men, but it doesn’t change the fact that they’re in it for the thick green stuff.

    “I’ve been a pro for 10 years now,” said Pemberton who owns an impressive record of 25-3-1 with 21 KO’s. “I’ve been in this game so that I’m able to buy a home for my family so that I can say, ‘This is what my boxing career did for me.’ A house would be the grand prize for all the hard work and sacrifices I made over the years.”

    His sacrifice will come at a tremendous cost in trying to tackle Sheika, who owns a record of 23-4 with 16 KO’s and has come up short in two challenges for world title honors. In August of 2000, Sheika had fought gallantly in losing to WBO belt holder Joe Calzaghe, until being halted in 5 rounds due to a cut that appeared to have been caused by an accidental clash of heads. In his most recent shot, Sheika staggered WBC champ, Eric Lucas in the third round only to lose a 12-round decision. Sheika had reportedly broke his hand early on which hampered his activity. For Sheika, he knows that it’s difficult to secure more than two big chances, especially since his name isn’t Manuel Medina. It’s do or die as they say for both men, which should spell excitement, the kind that could earn the winner another TV date in a more lucrative situation.

    “I’m excited to be back in the ring,” said Sheika. “I know Scott Pemberton is a very good fighter. This is going to be an action-packed fight. We’re going to show fans what boxing is really about. I’m looking for bigger and better things in the future. I’m the new person in town and hopefully I’m going to make Foxwoods my second home.”

    “I’ve read on a couple of web sites that if I win this fight, which I will, then Jeff Lacy wants me,” said Pemberton. “That would be great so long as I get paid. I’ve proven that I’ll fight any body but I’d most want to fight one of the world champions because that is where the money is. I don’t care where I have to go to get it, I just want the opportunity.”

    Pemberton-Sheika will be a 12-round contest for Pemberton’s IBU world title and the vacant NABF title, a belt that Pemberton once held. Underneath the Pemberton-Sheika fight, the main event on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights will be the return of another hard hitting local favorite. Gary “The Tiger” Balletto (28-1-2 with 25 KO’s) of Providence, RI keeps active and will hope to stay on the winning track when he takes on Mexican, Luis Lizarraga in a 10-round lightweight battle. The card will also feature two other Providence locals, light heavyweight, Joe “The KO Kid” Spina (7-0, 5 KO’s) and welterweight, Bobo “The Bull” Starnino in separate bouts. For ticket information, contact CES at 401-724-2253/ 401-724-2254 or visit their web site at www.cesboxing.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Foxwoods box office at 800-200-2882.

    What would a New England boxing event be if it wasn’t competing with another promoter in the area? Busy promoters, Jimmy Burchfield and Rich Cappiello of Brockton have spent the last year or two hosting shows on the same nights. The commotion has caused much confusion, especially when fight fans are having a hard enough time taping the coinciding Showtime and HBO telecasts. On Friday night, Cappiello is taking the night off, but Doug Pendarvis has decided to join in on the mix. Pendarvis will host an event at Haverhill High School pitting the town’s favorite son, Jeff “The Hellraza” Fraza, the defending New England jr. welterweight champion against Cincinnatti’s Mark Scott. Also appearing on the show are Worcester cruiserweight, Roy “House of” Payne versus Ron Preston of Pittsburgh. Three other fights are tentatively scheduled. For ticket information to the show, contact Doug Pendarvis at 617-825-3283.

    Burchfield will also be helping out with Sal Lonano in promoting the annual Hampton Beach Casino boxing event televised by ESPN2. The show takes place Friday, August 1st, and will be headlined by exciting cruiserweights, Rich “The Mountain” LaMontagne of Everett, MA and Canadian Dale “The Cowboy” Brown. The undercard will feature hot prospect, “Bad” Chad Dawson of New Haven, CT and the woman version of (a young) Tyson, Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino. For ticket information contact 603-929-4100.

    New England has already hosted the most interesting cruiserweight fight of the year. The Toney-Jirov fight, hosted by Foxwoods was a fight that no one will forget because it pitted the divisions best and the fight and result were better than anticipated. In the event that the rubber match between Barrera and Morales does not take place, then the region will also see the most significant featherweight match-up of the year. In case you haven’t heard, on Saturday, August 16th, the Mohegan Sun will host the unification match-up between WBA featherweight champ, Derek “Smoke” Gainer (39-5, 24 KO’s) and IBF champion Juan Manuel Marquez (40-2, 32 KO’s) of Mexico City.

    When discussing the world’s best featherweights, Marquez and Gainer are usually regarded beneath Barrera and Morales. But Gainer is usually placed underneath all three Mexican warriors. It may have to do with the fact that Gainer is non-Hispanic and fighting in a division dominated by Hispanic fighters. But Gainer will be looking to make his statement in what promises to be a fantastic clash of styles if not a good fight. Earlier today on a national conference call, Gainer talked candidly with reporters about the biggest fight of his career, which will be broadcast on HBO’s Boxing After Dark.

    “I don’t mind (critics) not seeing me as the best,” Gainer told the CBZ. “I’ve always seen myself at the top and I’m thankful that I will have the chance to change people’s minds.”

    Gainer is no stranger to the rugged Mexican style that Marquez brings to the table. In fact, he has not only faced top Mexican fighters such as Manuel Medina but he has seen his upcoming opponent, live in living color.

    “I was at his fights with Medina and Freddie Norwood, so I have a good idea how he fights.”

    After August 16th, we should have a better idea on where to rate these two underrated featherweights.

    Promoter Lou Dibella has planned a can’t miss undercard to support this event. WBO jr. bantamweight champ Fernando Montiel defends his title former two-time champ, Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson and prospects, Yuri Foreman, Jeffrey Resto, Aneudi Santos and Derek Bryant will be featured in separate bouts. For ticket information contact the Mohegan Sun box office at 800-447-6848.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1059014743,83483,``x``x ``xWire reports in South America are stating that Ricardo Mayorga has been charged with beating up a woman who was trying to collect a $7500 debt.

    The incident occurred last Friday. The woman claims that she and MAyorga were in her car. When asked Mayorga to pay, he punched her several times in the chest.

    ------------------------


    Campeón Mayorga golpea a mujer por cobrarle deuda

    Managua (dpa) - El boxeador nicaragüense Ricardo Mayorga, campeón mundial de peso welter, fue acusado en los tribunales por el delito de lesiones, tras golpear violentamente a una mujer que intentó cobrarle una deuda de 7.500 dólares, informaron hoy fuentes judiciales en Managua.

    La acusación fue entablada ante el juzgado del Séptimo Distrito del Crimen por Javier Lacayo, abogado defensor de la señora Martha del Socorro Solórzano, quien se declaró "brutalmente agredida" por el púgil, luego de una discusión que sostuvieron dentro de su vehículo.

    El insólito episodio ocurrió el pasado viernes, cuando Solórzano buscó al boxeador para exigirle que le pagara 7.500 dólares que según ella le debe. "El señor Mayorga, de una forma violenta, respondió dándole golpes en el pecho a la mujer, lo que le provocó un desmayo", según afirma el escrito judicial divulgado hoy a los periodistas.

    El documento acusatorio asegura que el púgil cometió el delito de lesiones, ya que "siendo un profesional del boxeo, actuó de una forma cobarde al golpear brutamente a una dama", para lo cual la defensa presentará pruebas reflejadas en un dictamen médico legal.

    Este es el tercer escándalo público en el que se ha visto envuelto Ricardo Mayorga. El monarca welter afrontó hace poco una demanda por pensión alimentaria de sus dos hijas, y fue acusado de vapulear a un agente policial y de promover carreras ilegales de autos en Managua.

    Mayorga destronó al ex campeón welter estadounidense Vernon Forrest el pasado 25 de enero, y el 12 de julio retuvo la corona en Las Vegas tras una pelea de revancha que ganó por decisión mayoritaria.




    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMayorga charged with beating woman over debt``x1059171020,87197,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena
    MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION (Ledyard, CT) - In a thrilling back and forth war at the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Casino, Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton of New Bedford, MA won a hard fought 12-round split decision over Omar Sheika of Paterson, NJ to regain the NABF super-middleweight title and retain his IBU belt. Pemberton, a solid 168, had to overcome shaky moments, the kind he wasn’t allowed to fight through in his three losing efforts to squeak out this one. Judges Clark Sammartino and Julie Lederman both had Pemberton winning 114-113, while Fred Ucci saw it as a lopsided win for Sheika with a 116-111 tally. The CBZ had it 114-114 for Pemberton but it was certainly hard to determine which gladiator was the loser. Both wore the markings of a pitched battle, which is what it was in the purest sense.

    “I don’t think I really put it together tonight,” said Pemberton now 26-3-1 with 21 KO’s. “To be honest with you, I don’t remember much of the fight. I remember getting knocked down and feeling like I was okay. But the rounds just seemed to go by. Suddenly, it was the 10th round and my corner is telling me things. Sometimes in a fight you can remember every slip, every punch but this is one of those fights where you just don’t remember.”

    Those in attendance or fans watching it on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights will not forget this one any time soon. After having a successful first round, Pemberton was dropped in the second round from a crisp left hook and follow-up right hand. Pemberton rose to his feet and finished the round without absorbing any more damaging shots. In the third round Pemberton found a leak in Sheika’s defense when he nearly folded Sheika with a left hook to the body.

    Sheika opened the fourth with a violent two-first assault that had Pemberton groggy for the first minute of the round. Pemberton wisely held Sheika whenever he got inside and towards the end of the round, Pemberton came back with some shots of his own but not enough to pull out the round on your writer‘s unofficial scorecard.

    Sheika’s attack slowed considerably in the fifth and sixth, which allowed Pemberton to work on the outside effectively. Though Pemberton neglected to work the body in these rounds, his long shots, particularly the long right hands that were busting up the left side of Sheika’s face were winning the rounds.

    Sheika came alive in the ninth and tenth rounds as Pemberton seemed to tire considerably and developed a big mouse under the right eye. Just when it seemed that Pemberton was going to win the 11th, Sheika unloaded again with powerful hooks that nearly stopped Pemberton during the last few seconds of the round.

    The fight seemed to come down to the final round and both fighters seemed to know this. What those in attendance didn’t know was that they were about to see what could have been the round of the year. Pemberton and Sheika smothered and stunned each other with many hard shots and nothing was left in the ring when the final bell sounded.

    “This kind of thing is heart breaking” said Sheika. “I thought I won. I was the aggressor and I was more busy. If anything I think HBO should pick up the rematch.”

    “I’m sure (Sheika) is pissed about the decision but the right guy won the fight,” said Pemberton. “I’d like to fight one of the champions and I don’t care where I have to go to get one.”

    If Pemberton does not receive a title shot, a rematch with Sheika seems like a sensible remedy, especially for the fans who crave good fights.

    For Providence native Gary “The Tiger” Balletto, the pattern of his bouts have always been the same - any one can outbox him until or unless one or two of his sledge hammer shots hits home. If he lands then it’s an early night. That wasn’t the story in last night’s co-feature between he and Luis Lizarraga, 135, of Orange, CA via Merida, Mexico. Balletto, also 135, opened up in his usual reckless manner and hit the durable veteran with everything but could not put him away. Lizarraga absorbed devastating shots from Balletto from the first round to the last, particularly in the final three rounds and lost a unanimous decision by scores of 99-91, 100-89 and 98-93.

    Lizarraga had his moments too, countering effectively with punches that not only knocked Balletto off balance, but may have stung him, particularly with the combinations he landed in the second, third and seventh rounds. Balletto however, would always storm back with his roundhouse shots.

    “That’s what you’re going to get with an experienced guy like (Lizarraga),” said Balletto. “I didn’t even want to fight this guy because of his record (31-28-4 with 23 KO’s). If you win, they say ‘who cares, you fought a bum,‘ but this guy is cagey fighter. He’s sneaky and he makes people look bad most of the time. He was staying one step ahead of me because of his experience.”

    The way it’s gone for Balletto, now 29-1-2 with 26, if the fight goes the distance, he may lose. But Balletto has been working on his skills to help land his power shots.

    “I’m not going to fool any one,” admitted Balletto. “I can’t box, I’m a puncher. Everyone knows that. I wanted to take him out but I didn’t. You got to take what you can get and I’ happy I won. My only regret is that I got cut and have to go to the hospital to get stitched now. What a waste of time that is.”

    In other bouts, unbeaten Joe Spina, 174, of Providence, RI improved to 8-0 with 6 KO’s when he stopped Johnny Taylor, 171, of Shreveport, LA at :03 of the third round. Antonio Ramirez, 133, of Constanza, DR won a 6-round unanimous decision over Marty Robbins, 133 ¾, of Cranston, RI. Ramirez is now 20-6-6 with 15 KO’s while Robbins slipped to 12-16-1 with 10 KO’s.

    Joe Gardner, 158, of Bellingham, MA remained unbeaten despite suffering the first knockdown of his career in the second round as he and Andres Larrinaga, 160, of Miami, FL battled to a 4-round draw. Larrinnaga did a bonehead move when he intentionally butted Gardner and had a point taken away in the third. The scores were 37-37 twice and 38-36. Larrinaga is now 3-8-2 with 2 KO’s.

    In the first bout of the evening, unbeaten Providence native, Bob “The Bull” Starnino, 150, improved to 5-0 but failed to register his second knockout over Vernon Meeks, 150, of Washington D.C who lasted the full 4 rounds. The light hitting southpaw did the unheard of when he dropped Meeks with a left hand and an accidental butt. Washed up referee, Frank Capuccino ruled the fall a knockdown and Meeks managed to finish the fight on his feet. The scores were 40-35 twice and 40-36.

    Promoter - Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports
    Network - ESPN2``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPemberton Tops Sheika in Slugfest``x1059206620,37293,``x``x ``xChinook Winds Casino
    Lincoln City, Oregon
    Friday, July 25, 2003
    Amateur Matches Organized by West Portland Boxing Club
    (As seen by West Portland Boxing Club Member, Molly McConnell)

    > Some good fights last night at the beach. The
    > card turned out very well despite some last minute
    > problems with cancellations. It went like this.
    > Logan Christian (West Portland) defeated Billy
    ÿ Martinez (85lb 12yrs). Logan knocked the boy down
    in the second round and pretty much dominated the
    fight.
    ÿ Alfonso Hernandez (West Portland) who is one
    > of my sparring partners,
    > lost at 138 lbs to Omar Nunez of Albany. This fight
    ÿ was totally one sided and I think Alfonso needs to go
    down at least one weight class.
    Sami Hales (West Portland) came to be sick at the last minute
    ÿ and (Coach) Bill had to cancel his light heavyweight bout
    against Chico Hayes of Seattle. I think it was
    just nerves because he was fine all the way there
    and then went and ate with us after the fights and seemed great.
    He saw the big crowd and it was a little too much for him
    (he's only had one other fight).
    Anyway, Kenny Christian (West P) beat Domingo Zamudio of
    ÿ Rochester.
    And in the fight of the night, Braulio Lopez (West P) beat the hard
    > punching (but slightly out of shape) Lorenzo Rios of Medford. Rios is a young
    > man that can punch, but Braulio just out boxed him beautifully and hit him
    > with some awesome shots. This fight was bloody and was, of course, the crowd
    ÿ favorite.
    Bo Marthaller, who is a Chinook Winds favorite because he is from
    > Lincon City, got his clock cleaned in the first round by Boone Wyatt of Medford.
    > Bo started out very lazy in the first round and Boone hit him with a
    > left hook that sent him stumbling backwards. He was held up from hitting the
    > ground only by the ropes and was never the same after that. The ref
    > stopped the fight about 30 seconds later and I think the crowd was in shock.
    > I've never been that impressed by Bo, but he usually fights better than
    ÿ that!
    Probably the most talented fighter of the night was a young man named
    > Eloy Perez from Rochester. He is a lightweight and is very explosive
    > with his punches and is a very smart boxer (most of the time). He is someone
    > who I think could go to the Olympics eventually (I think he's 15 now).
    > Anyway, he started slow in the first round but came on in the second and third
    > to really beat up Luis De Alba from Seattle, who is no slouch himself. It
    > was a good fight but Eloy is just too quick for most guys.
    And then there was the whole reason I went to the fights
    > at all, The "main event". Tony O'Bryant (West
    > Portland- I'm embarrassed to say) and Mike Wilson from
    Medford. We all know that Mike was an alternate
    > for the 2000 Olympic team in the super heavy
    > division and is pretty good (for a big guy). Well, Tony
    was gonna teach him a lesson and really put a whuppin on him.
    Instead, just as I predicted, Tony lasted about two thirds
    ÿ of a round before he ran out of gas and really started getting tagged.
    Then in round two it looked like you could have just
    > pushed him over he was so tired. Mike connected whenever
    he wanted to and I was surprised to see Tony
    > survive the round. Between rounds Tony quit on his
    ÿ stool because he was too tired to continue. He told (Coach) Bill (Meartz)
    that he wasn't ready to fight and Bill pointed out that it was a little late
    to be figuring that out. Bill tried to him to continue with the fight, but there was no
    > way he was going to. Maybe now he'll realize that you have to work a
    > little harder to get in shape if you are gonna go four whole rounds. I felt
    > bad for Bill because his fighters may not always win, but he prides himself
    > that they always come in shape and ready to go. The only reason he even
    > allowed this fight to happen is because Tony has such a big mouth and won't
    ÿ listen to anyone. Now he knows.
    So that was our evening.
    > -molly
    >
    > _________________________________________________________________
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xAmateurs Rock Chinook Winds``x1059345100,31009,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    A hearing scheduled for July 25 in the criminal assault case against Ricardo Mayorga was adjourned to give the parties a chance to reach a settlement. To date, however, lawyers for the Champion and Managua businesswoman Martha del Socorro Solorzano have yet to reach a settlement of the dispute between their clients.

    Mayorga is accused of beating the woman over a dispute pertaining to a $7,500 debt purportedly owed by Mayorga. The papers filed with the Court do not identify the origen of the debt.

    Mayorga, although he denies the debt and the assault, has admitted that Ms. Solorzano came to his house looking for him, and that they had a "good friendship."

    Mayorga's lawyer has been quoted as stating "Ricardo is willing to help her because of the friendship they had in the past."

    It is to be noted that this is a criminal case arising from the purported assault, but that if the parties settle their dispute, it is unlikely a prosecution would go forward.``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMayorga Looks To Settle``x1059491948,66299,``x``x ``xMedical expenses have 'Butch' Chapman on the ropes
    By STEVE BRANDON     Issue date: Tue, Jul 29, 2003
    The Portland Tribune
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
       William "Butch" Chapman proved on Sept. 7, 2002, that he could take a punch. It's what has happened since then that he finds hard to take.
       Chapman, fighting out of Portland's Grand Avenue Boxing Gym, stepped into the Rose Garden ring for the final bout of the evening, just after the main event featuring light heavyweight world champion Roy Jones Jr. and Clinton Woods.
       Chapman, who turned 28 last week, broke his left hand in the first round against Jeffrey Horan of Rhode Island. But the 148-pound Chapman was leading and seemingly in control of the junior middleweight bout when the ball rang for the fourth and final round.
       "Really early in the round, I was playing around with him a little," Chapman recalls. "It was my own arrogance, fighting with my hands down. He's a wild fighter, unorthodox and more of a brawler, and I moved the wrong way and a punch came out of nowhere. My mouth was open when he hit me. I knew it was broken."
       The punch broke Chapman's jaw in three places. "Half my teeth were kind of folded back, and my mouthpiece wouldn't fit anymore," he says.
       Amazingly, he fought even harder the rest of the way and won by majority decision, raising his record to 6-0.
       Then a doctor jumped into ring, took one look at him and said, "Oh, my God. You need to get on the stretcher."
       Chapman persuaded the doctor to wait till the decision was announced. Then he went to nearby Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center, where doctors put titanium plates in his face to put his jaw back together -- and where his troubles really began.
       Oregon and federal laws require any boxing promoter -- in this case, Jones' Square Ring Promotions -- to set up medical coverage for every fighter on the card.
       The bills for that night and his follow-up treatment, which have included a second jaw surgery and three root canals, total close to $25,000, Chapman says, and the company that was to insure the boxers for Square Ring hasn't paid a dime of it.
       Chapman, who is married and has three boys ages 5 to 9, says he has been getting the runaround for nearly a year and doesn't know where to turn.
       "My credit is going down the tubes," says Chapman, who earned about $1,200 for the Sept. 7 fight, an event sponsored heavily by Nike, which has Jones in its stable.
       "This is why boxing gets a bad name," he says. "As fighters, we help guys like Roy Jones make millions of dollars a year, in TV rights and so forth. For them to have an insurance company that is refusing to pay bills is ridiculous."
       An official for Loomis Benefits West, the Redding, Pa.-based insurance carrier for the Jones card, declined to discuss Chapman's case.
       "When I call them, they just tell me I need to call the agent," Chapman said.
       Lawrence Cole, the Texas-based insurance agent for the Jones card at the Rose Garden, could not be reached for comment, but a woman who answered the phone at his office last week said, "I'm trying to take care of it now."
       "Of course they are," Chapman said sarcastically. "They have been for more than 10 months. That's basically the answer I get from them all the time."
       The woman, who would only give her first name, Jill, was adamant: "I'm the one trying to handle it, but I'm not at liberty to discuss it."
       Phone calls to Thomas B. Riggs, a certified public accountant who works for Jones, were not returned.
       "I can call and sit on the phone all day with four or five people and not get anything accomplished," Chapman says. "They're always in processing."
       Jim Cassidy is executive director of the Oregon Boxing Commission, which is responsible for enforcing the insurance requirement and protecting the boxers.
       Cassidy did not return phone calls, but last week he told cyberboxingzone.com, a Web site, that the problem "is just a glitch somewhere, and somebody failed to do something. (Chapman) did all the proper things."
       "They're stonewalling him (Cassidy), too," says Chapman, a mortgage broker with America One Financial Inc. in Portland.
       Chapman says he wants to fight again someday, although his jaw "still hurts like hell" and his injuries were considered potentially career-ending.
       "I fight because I love to, but I'm a little paranoid now," he says. "I can't afford to go through this kind of insurance thing again."
       Contact Steve Brandon at sbrandon@portlandtribune.com.



    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xPortland boxer has painful bout with insurance firm ``x1059498095,58480,``x``x ``x

    Press Release:

    "THE COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER" LOOKS TO
    SHOW ALI WHO'S BOSS ON AUGUST 23

    ALI VS MARTIN - WHO'S THE "GREATEST" ?

    LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW ($29.95), SATURDAY, AUGUST 23


    LOS ANGELES, July 29 - After almost 14 years in the ring, Christy
    Martin is
    ready for anything that the sweet science could possibly throw at her.
    That
    includes fighting a pay-per-view fight before millions of viewers
    against a
    younger and bigger opponent. She's been there and done that, and has
    45 wins and
    30 KOs to show for it.

    So it's safe to say that when she challenges Laila Ali on August 23 for
    the
    IBA super middleweight championship, it's going to be business as usual
    despite
    the thoughts of the oddsmakers who have made her an underdog for the
    first
    time in her career.

    "You have to show me respect," said Martin. "I've accomplished too
    much to
    be disrespected at this point of my career. That just gives me more
    fire for
    the 23rd."

    Ali vs Martin, scheduled for ten rounds, will be televised live from
    the
    Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi by CSI Sports on US pay-per-view
    (cable and
    satellite), beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. An exciting undercard will
    be
    announced shortly, and the suggested retail price for the show is
    $29.95.

    This spectacular and historic event will be promoted by Absoloot
    Boxing. The
    title sponsor of the event will be Corona Extra, as part of Corona's
    World
    Class Championship Boxing series which has been broadcast in the U.S.
    and
    worldwide since 1997.

    A true pioneer in women's boxing, Christy Martin didn't make her
    entrance
    into professional boxing with any fanfare. In fact, it was her battles
    on the
    small town fight circuits that paved the way for the acceptance of
    women's
    boxing years later. In 1996, after a thrilling victory over Deirdre
    Gogarty that
    was viewed by millions on Pay-Per-View, Martin became the first and
    only female
    boxer to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and women's
    boxing
    was here to stay. But even though she has battled a Who's Who of the
    sport
    throughout her career, Martin is unconcerned with her status in the
    history books
    right now. She just wants to fight, and it's this attitude and her
    punching
    power that endeared her to boxing fans around the world.

    "I have the biggest heart in the business, and I fought everyone that
    was put
    before me," said Martin.

    But can she deal with the height and weight advantages the 25-year-old
    Ali
    will enjoy on fight night? "I'm almost always giving up height, so that
    won't be
    a problem," said a confident Martin from her training camp in Florida.
    "And
    I think the weight may work against her in the later rounds."

    Spoken like a true warrior, and if one thing is for certain, on August
    23
    Christy Martin will be ready to go to war to preserve her spot as the
    top female
    boxer in the world, pound for pound.

    The venue for the event, the beautiful Mississippi Coast Coliseum and
    tickets
    for the event are being made available by the event site promoter Prize
    Fight
    Boxing.

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``x"Coal Miner's Daughter Looks To Show Ali Who's Boss``x1059517592,79627,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Fighting Beiro Sees The Light: A Ring Announcer Shows His Mettle

    Whether you’re a fight fan or involved in the sport of boxing one way or another, you’re going to cross paths with some courageous and admirable people - individuals you will admire for their inner strength, one of the main reasons why you’d be turned onto boxing. I’ve come across countless myself, even the pugs you’d never read about on web sites or other publications can impress the hell out of you. But never in my wildest dreams did I think that one of the men I admire for genuine courage would be a silver-haired, tuxedoed fellow announcing the fighters. Ring announcer, M. Mark Beiro of West Tampa, FL is the man I am referring to. You only have to hear how the 50-year old Beiro dealt with a battle that most don’t encounter every day, to know why I would say such a thing.

    In a nightmarish episode that would frighten anyone in their boots, Beiro woke up in his hotel in Reno, NV, the morning after he had announced a fight card, to find that he couldn‘t see. Couple this with the fact that Beiro was to announce another show at Caesar’s Tahoe in Stateline, NV later on that evening and you could probably imagine the turmoil.

    “That was a very scary thing,” said Beiro. “I’m really not over it completely. I’m still going to be nervous about doing the show at Hampton Beach Casino on Friday night.”

    The longtime, fan-friendly Beiro has regained marginal vision since that morning, but it is one he will never forget.

    “On the Saturday night that I announced the show at Caesers Tahoe, the only vision I had was of light and shadow. I had no vision, just vague outlines. When I was waiting for the shuttle bus to take me from Harrah’s in Reno to Caesars, I sat next to a old lady and asked if she could tell me when the shuttle was coming. I could tell that the cars and vans were very close to me, but I couldn’t even distinguish them. When I finally got on the bus I remember how relieved I felt just to put my head back and hope that my vision would gradually come back in the hour and a half it would take to get to Tahoe. When I got there and realized that my vision had not returned, my heart sank. I felt guilty because when I had woke up that morning with this blurred vision, my first thought was that I wasn’t going to give Cedric Kushner Promotions enough time to find another announcer. I had talked to my wife on the phone before I had left and was hopeful that my vision would clear up. It didn‘t and now I felt guilty about not saying something earlier.”

    By the time Beiro had got to his hotel, the fear became to grow by the minute.

    “I was so humiliated,” admitted Beiro. “My familiarity with the layout helped me get around a bit but when I got to the registration desk, I must have looked like something else. I asked the man at the desk to put his finger on where I should sign and I still couldn’t see it. Getting to my room was even a bigger chore. When I stepped in the elevator, I put my face right to the buttons, which were set up in two columns. I figured that if I counted from the bottom up, I could find the 10th floor. Little did I know that I forgot to include the button which probably brought you to the basement. Luckily, I finally got off the elevator and found my room, but that time consuming as well. Let’s just say that finding my room number was like Sgt. Carter getting into Gomer Pyle’s face to scream at him. I had to put my face right up against the door to make out anything. When I got to my room I knew I had to call Jim Hunter, the event coordinator for the show to tell him what was happening to me. I said, ‘Sorry man, but I can’t see at all.’ Jim told me not to worry about it and to get some rest and if that I needed help to get dressed or something like that, they would sendsomeone to help me. Ultimately, his plan was that come hell or high water, I was still going to announce the fights.

    By fight time, Beiro finagled his way to the arena with the help of a few railings and friends who noticed his passing. Like a determined fighter, his intentions were to do a job he had been doing most of his life.

    “When I got to ringside, I told the commission what had happened and they were stunned because they saw me in Reno the night before. But they were very supportive of me and they asked if I could announce from ringside, instead of getting into the ring, as they do in most amateur boxing contests. I agreed but needed someone to read me the fights so I could announce them simultaneously. A writer and friend of mine, Mike Houser, who was already working on a feature story on me wanted to be seated next to me during the fights so that he could see how I worked and so forth. I told him I couldn’t see and he was waiting for a punchline. He offered his help and agreed to read me the fight particulars. When it came down to the first fight, CKP changed the order of the fights and didn’t tell us. So in the first fight, Mike starts reading and I start repeating, ‘Ladies and gentleman, this bout is scheduled for 6 rounds in the welterweight division. Your referee is Vic Draculich.’ All of a sudden people were yelling, ‘What the hell is going on here?’ It was a heavyweight bout! (laughs). There were some good natured boos. I then announced, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I was just seeing if you were paying attention.' We then finished the whole card without any trouble."

    Since the fateful night, Beiro’s vision has improved each day and his impairment has gone on without notice from those who even know him.

    “I did a show in Tampa last week and that morning a story was written about me in the Tampa Tribune explaining what had happened to me. But apparently, the people who had said that I had done a good job after the show hadn’t read the story or heard what had happened. I was a little apologetic about my performance but my wife who has been helping me with everything, from driving me around to quizzing me on my cue cards, told me that I should probably come clean and tell them that I’m not able to see very well.”

    And just how much can Beiro see?

    “Last week I couldn’t see anyone in the first row, but at least I could see objects. My vision has improved more so since.”

    Beiro attributes much of his improvement to the treatment and the encouragement of his doctor.

    “A friend of mine in Tampa referred me to Dr. Scott Pautler, who is reputably the best diabetic retinothopists in the country. He’s told me that I’ve been through the worst and that in time the debris in my eye gel will be cleaned out by my system and my vision should be restored completely so long as I maintain my correct blood sugar levels.”

    Fortunately for Beiro, this traumatic experience hasn’t kept him from missing any work as he had four years ago after slipping two disks in his lower back.

    “I injured my back while taking a lawn mower out of my trunk and missed out on at least $3,000 in ring announcing gigs,” recalls Beiro. “I was to have announced the Shane Mosley-Wilfredo Rivera fight in Temecula, CA (9-25-99) but had to call Brad Jacobs at HBO to withdraw.”

    A week later, Beiro was back in action at the Icenter in Salem, NH to announce the great war between Lowell’s “Irish” Micky Ward and Reggie Green on October 1st.

    “During the fights I would lay flat on my back in the penalty box,” said Beiro. “People who may have saw me probably thought I was crazy because as it turned out, Ward-Green was the best fight I never saw (laughs). I was in such agony. I remember calling my wife from the airport from one of those handicap phones that are low to the ground. I was laying on my back and people were walking by throwing quarters on my chest (laughs). As painful as that was, I nearly forgot about it when this happened. But I’ve been very fortunate enough to have not missed out on any work.

    Beiro has also been moved by the friends and fans who have filled his inbox and heart with words of encouragement.

    “I have been spending so much time thanking all of the people who have e-mailed me and phoned me. I had no idea that so many people could be so motivated to express their sympathy and well-wishes. I’m really at a loss for words. It’s just very touching.”

    As mentioned earlier, Beiro will be back in the tuxedo (his hyperbolic Superman costume if you will) when he returns to one of his favorite venues Friday night at the Hampton Beach Casino in Hampton Beach, NH to announce a fight card headlined by Everett’s Richard “The Mountain” LaMontagne and fellow cruiserweight contender, Dale Brown of Calgary. Each year, the venue has showcased a number of exciting bouts. Two years ago it hosted the 2001 Fight of the Year between Ward and Emanuel Burton. Promoters, Sal Lonano and Al Valenti have teamed with Rhode Island promoter, Jimmy Burchfield to bring boxing back to the beach.

    “I think Hampton Beach is one of the nicest venues to not only announce fight card but to attend as a fight fan,” said Beiro. “It’s something out of a time capsule when I go out there. I just love the carnival-like atmosphere that exists during the summer months and it’s even better when there is a boxing event on top of that. I’m just sad that I won’t be there to hang out the day before.”

    The streaking LaMontagne, 28-4-1 with 23 KO’s will be meeting one of the sternest tests of his career when he steps in with Brown, 29-3-1 with 20 KO’s. Brown’s only defeats have been to three of the four most regarded cruiserweights in the world. Brown was stopped in two title shots against then IBF champ, Vassily Jirov (TKO’d in 10) and by current WBA title holder, Jean-Marc Mormeck (TKO’d in 8). Brown was also halted in 8 rounds by current WBC champ, Wayne Brathwaite in 2000 at the Mohegan Sun.

    LaMontagne was the first to extend Jirov the 12-round limit but hasn’t been in with a top contender since. Should he beat Brown, which will be aired on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights, he’ll be thrown right into the mix as a potential world title challenger.

    The co-feature will showcase two of the cockiest fighters in boxing outside of Naseem Hamed. Unbeaten Paul Malignaggi, 12-0, 8 KO’s of Brooklyn, NY will be matched against South Boston’s “Cocky” Kevin Watts, who is facing the downside of his career at 18-2 with 7 KO’s. Look for more taunts and posing than punches thrown.

    New Haven’s “Bad” Chad Dawson, 13-0 with 5 KO’s will also make an appearance so to speak. His opponent will be Brett Lally, a fighter who has fought only four times in the last 10 years and hasn’t won a bout in 11. Missy Fiorentino, one of the heaviest punching and most exciting women boxers in the game, is also slated to fight. For ticket information, call 603-929-4100.

    PS - Beiro paid me to refer to his tuxedo as a superhero costume. ;o)
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1059621529,70932,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    A few days back former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to, (third degree-assault, disorderly conduct, and harassment charges stemming from a scuffle outside a Brooklyn Hotel in June). I am very confident that Tyson will be aquitted of these charges, mainly because I believe when the truth comes out it will be shown that Tyson was provoked and was defending himself, and not the instigator. However, for once Tyson has a top-flight attorney representing him in the more than capable, Mel Sachs.

    Maybe the hiring of Mel Sachs is a sign of good things to come for Tyson. In hiring Sachs, Tyson has shown brilliant judgement for once in his life. Sachs is one of the most respected criminal lawyers and legal scholars in the country. This tells me that Tyson just may be serious about putting his career back together and making one last run at winning back the title. And those who follow boxing know, with the exception of Lennox Lewis there isn't one heavyweight currently fighting today that an in shape and focused Tyson isn't capable of beating. Lewis is the only heavyweight that even Tyson at the top of his game would be an underdog against. And this is due to Lewis' size and reach advantages over Tyson which makes for a tough match up for him.

    One thing Tyson has in his favor is that he is still the biggest draw in boxing. This equates to him being able to chose who he fights until it's for the title. Basically, there are two fighters who if you're managing Tyson that you want to keep him away from, Evander Holyfield, and David Tua. Even a declining Holyfield is bad for Tyson psychologically, and I question whether Tyson believes he can beat Holyfield. Although Tua is not as complete of a fighter as Tyson, he would still be very dangerous because of his power and they would clash at ring center and trade. This is risky for Tyson because Tua has the better chin, and would be at his best vs Tyson because he knows what a win over Tyson would do for his career. The good thing about these two fighters is that Tyson doesn't have to fight them unless it's for the title. With the recent showings of both Holyfield and Tua, Tyson has nothing to gain by fighting them and much too lose.

    During the past 17 years I've had many intense debates about Tyson regarding his overall standing in heavyweight history. I happen to believe he is over-rated when compared with other all-time greats but, at this time I happen to think he is slightly under-rated and is still capable of winning the title if he is in the proper mental and physical state.

    Looking at the current crop of upper tier heavyweights, who is so outstanding among them that a fit and determined Tyson isn't capable of defeating? Maybe the Klitschko's are a bad match up for him but, I question Wladimir's chin, and Vitali's skill level, I say he's 50-50 versus either of them. Chris Byrd, all Tyson has to do is watch how Ike Ibeabuchi fought Byrd by going to the body early to take his legs away and he'd stop Byrd like Ibeabuchi did. Roy Jones? I'm not buying Roy Jones is the man in the heavyweight division just because he took Ruiz to boxing school. Seeing how Ruiz shook Jones with one right hand in the first round, I'm confident Tyson's right would put Jones to sleep. Also, from a style vantage point, Jones is made for Tyson. Jones doesn't have the size, strength, or punch to worry Tyson or keep him from trying to kill Jones. Who does that leave? Rahman, Tyson would go through Rahman. Rahman doesn't have the punch to keep Tyson from working him over, and he doesn't have the chin to stand up to Tyson's power. Rounding out the rest of the top heavyweights are John Ruiz, Kirk Johnson, and Fres Oquendo. Neither of these three have anything in their arsenal to beat Tyson with, and he has plenty to beat them with. Remember, were not including Holyfield or Tua because they are fighters who could be a stumbling block for Tyson and they don't hold any of the current titles. At the worst, Tyson is among the top five heavyweights in the world.

    The way I see it, a rededicated Mike Tyson is still capable of salvaging his career. To think Tyson's days as a force in the heavyweight division are completely over is selling him a little short. Tyson still retains a large portion of his overall skills, he can still punch and has retained much of his hand speed. The problem he has is inactivity. If Tyson were to get serious and fight regularly for the next year, he is more than capable of reclaiming the title, especially in this sub par era of heavyweights and the pending retirement of Lewis. Todays heavyweight division is littered with fighters in their thirties, and middleweights who are now heavyweights! Oh yes, if Tyson surrounded himself with the right handlers, and was fighting regularly, I think he could win the title again. The bottom line is, is Tyson capable of truly dedicating himself to do what's needed to give himself one last chance to be called champ again? That's the question!``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xIt Doesn't Have To Be Over For Tyson``x1059660444,38687,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena at ringside

    Hampton Beach, NH - Solid veteran, Dale Brown of Calgary won an easy 10-round decision over Richard “The Mountain” LaMontagne last night at the Hampton Beach Casino. LaMontagne, 190, a native of nearby Everett, MA had strong local support but it and his skills could not help him mount a significant attack much less defend himself against the battle tested Brown, whose only three losses have come to current or former world champions (Mormeck, Braithwaite and Jirov).

    Moments into the first round, Brown nearly crumbled the Mountain with a clean left hook to the point of the chin. LaMontagne rose on unsteady legs and appeared ready to go, but his tremendous willpower carried him through the round. Brown, 190, also staggered LaMontagne with a crisp right hand in the third and continuously kept him off balance and on the defensive. The beating was so overwhelming that LaMontagne took a knee to help clear his head.

    In the middle rounds, LaMontagne would try to throw his big right hand but it very rarely met its target. His follow-up left hooks also caught nothing but air. Brown was clearly the superior boxer as he constantly pressed LaMontagne with in and out fighting and a commanding left jab.

    LaMontagne made a brave attempt to win the last round by a knockout, sensing that that was what he needed to win but could only win the round. Brown won by scores of 98-90 twice and 99-90. The CBZ had Brown by an unofficial tally of 99-89. Brown, who may have moved back into title contention is now 30-3-1 with 20 knockouts while LaMontagne is now 28-5-1 with 23 KO’s.

    In the co-feature which, summoned the bitter rivalry of the Red Sox and Yankees, unwelcomed Brooklynite Paul Malignaggi, 140 ½, stopped washed up “Cocky” Kevin Watts of South Boston at 2:15 of the 6th round. The predominantly Boston crowd spent most of the fight chanting ‘Yankees suck,’ while the proud New Yorker, who wore a Yankees emblem on his trunks spent most of the time taunting and pasting his limited foe with jabs.

    Watts, 141, who was losing one-sidedly, decided to turn it up a notch in the fateful 6th. Just after sticking his chin out and inviting Malignaggi to hit him, Malignaggi obliged but was caught by some wild swings that backed him against the ropes. Watts pursued but was caught with a counter left hook which hurt Watts. A follow-up combination from Malignaggi sent Watts sprawling on his back. Watts bravely regained his feet but not his senses. Referee Joe LaPlant didn’t seem to have much sense himself as he let Watts continue for a few moments longer, which was plenty of time for Malingaggi to knock him out cold. Malignaggi is now 13-0 with 5 knockouts and should be ready to tackle a fighter who stands more of a chance of winning than Nomar Garciaparra.

    Other Results:

    Paul Delgado, 143 ½, Atlanta, GA via New Bedford, MA WU6 (60-53 and 60-54 twice) Dennis Burly, 145, Scranton, PA

    Missy “The Fury” Fiorentino, 127, Cranston, RI TKO5 (0:00) Liz Drew, 128 ½, Troy, MO

    Jason Lehoullier, 156, Portland, ME WU6 (59-56, 60-56, 59-55) Aundalen Sloan, 158 ½, Fond Du Lac, MI

    “Bad” Chad Dawson, 167, New Haven, CT TKO5 (0:00) Brett Lally, 166, Northville, MI

    Salah Zabian, 173, Springfield, MA WU4 (40-36, 39-38 twice) Adam Moses, Portland, ME

    Promoter - S & L Boxing
    Network - ESPN2
    Ring Announcer - M. Mark Beiro``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBrown Batters LaMontagne``x1059862553,9285,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    Reports are starting to appear that undisputed world middleweight champion, Bernard Hopkins is going to fight current WBA champion, William Joppy sometime in mid to late September. Considering Don King promotes both fighters, and Hopkins still has one fight left on his contract with King, it would seem like a fight that's going to happen. I've read where some believe this will be a good competitive fight if it happens, and that Joppy has a chance to score the upset? It may be somewhat competitive but, in my opinion Joppy has no-shot to beat Hopkins.

    Yes, I'm well aware of Hopkins advancing age. When fighters are in their late thirties and close to crowding forty, we wait for that night when they show up a shell of what they were at their peak. Taking nothing away from Joppy, who's been a solid fighter throughout his career, that's exactly what it will take for him to beat Hopkins. That's right, the only shot Joppy has to defeat Hopkins, is if Hopkins shows up on fight night as an empty package. A scenario I don't envision happening.

    Unfortunately for Hopkins, this is probably the best fight that can be made for him in the middleweight division. Hopkins vs. Jermain Taylor would be a fight that would spark fan interest but, it wouldn't be smart to match the up and coming Taylor with Hopkins. At least not this early in his career. Taylor has shown the potential to become an outstanding fighter and will be a strong favorite in the middleweight division to succeed Hopkins when he's gone. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a washed up Hopkins lose his title to a peaking Taylor down the road. Depending on how long the Executioner continues to fight.

    Back to Hopkins and Joppy. Those who are picking Joppy to win, or at least giving him a good chance to upset Hopkins are basically using Bernard's age as one of the key factors. Lets not forget that Joppy is 33 and took a severe beating vs Trinidad, (no way Joppy is the same fighter that he was pre-Trinidad). On the other hand, Hopkins has never been battered in any fight during his career. If I was to bet who was more shop worn, I would bet that it's Joppy. If the Hopkins-Joppy fight does happen in September, Hopkins will be three months shy of turning 39. On the Calender it would appear to be advantage Joppy but, in the ring I say it will be advantage Hopkins.

    When it comes to fighters fighting at advanced ages, I don't think I've ever seen a fighter who has maintained their close to peak form like Bernard Hopkins has. Jersey Joe Walcott and Archie Moore are often heralded for how well they fought when they were in their late thirties. However, I think Hopkins may have even exceeded both of them. The one thing in their favor is they fought what might be considered slightly better opposition in their later years. Walcott and Moore are the only two fighters to drop former undefeated heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano. Walcott was 38 when he put Rocky down, and Moore was either 39 or 42, (depending on which one of his birth certificate's you believe) when he dropped Rocky.

    Bernard Hopkins is a remarkable fighter. The condition he keeps himself in is nothing short of amazing. He is a natural middleweight and never struggles to make 160. From what I've seen, he hasn't eroded significantly enough to be the difference in him losing to Joppy. If age doesn't defeat Hopkins for Joppy, than how does Joppy win the fight?

    When handicapping a fight, I look at what each fighter either possess or what he can do to defeat the other. What does Joppy do better than Hopkins? Absolutely nothing. Everything Joppy does well, Hopkins does as well or better. Joppy has no chance to beat Hopkins if they fight it out. He can't out punch him and he doesn't have the chin to withstand an all out Hopkins assault. Joppy doesn't have an advantage in speed or experience, and Hopkins holds the advantage in reach and is the more adaptable fighter along with being the better boxer.

    What strategy can Joppy employ? If he goes to Hopkins and fights him, he gets knocked out, if he moves away and tries to out box him, he most likely loses every round. Joppy must hope that he has a career night and Hopkins shows up completely shot.

    I just don't see how Joppy can pull this fight out. Hopkins holds every meaningful advantage that one fighter can hold over another. It also must be mentioned that Hopkins is as confident and mentally tough as any fighter in boxing, regardless of weight division. When one fighter is superior to his opponent in every facet of boxing from A to Z, I don't see it as a very difficult fight to handicap. The bottom line is, Joppy is a very good fighter and Hopkins is a great fighter.

    Writers Note

    Bernard Hopkins is a great fighter who will retire as an all-time great middleweight champion. He can do it all in the ring. Hopkins has won fights by boxing or brawling, he can fight moving towards his opponent or moving away and countering. The "Executioner" has a concrete chin and is as mentally tough as any fighter I've seen. Hopkins has also shown the ability to adapt to different styles during the fight, a trait possessed by an overwhelming majority of all-time greats.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHopkins-Joppy: Not A Tough Fight To Handicap ``x1060000151,65092,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    What if you had Carlos Monzon (11-7-70 thru 7-30-77) from Santa Fe Argentina, the middleweight champion of the '70s in one corner, staring opposite Marvin Hagler (9-27-80 thru 4-6-87) from Brockton, MA, the middleweight champion of the '80s? How great would Monzon vs. Hagler have been at their best? This is definitely one of the fights I would want to see if I could go into a time machine and punch up the fight of my choice. Both Monzon and Hagler must be included in anyone's all-time top five or six middleweight ranking, and that may be understating it.

    Monzon's career got off to less than a hall of fame start. He lost three decisions during his first two years as a pro in a span of 20 fights. He would go on to avenge all three defeats before fighting for the middleweight title. In one case, he avenged one of his defeats twice and another one he avenged three times. Despite winning the Argentine and South American middleweight titles, Monzon was almost unheard of by the time he traveled to Rome to face reigning world champ Nino Benvenuti.

    Hagler's career started a little better than Monzon's. Hagler would suffer two of his three career defeats in his first 29 fights. He would go onto avenge his first loss once and his second loss twice, while his third defeat came in his final fight. By the time Hagler was ready to challenge middleweight champ Vito Antuofermo, he was a top contender feared and avoided by some of the other top contenders.

    Like many great champions, Monzon and Hagler share some striking similarities. They both fought in 15 world middleweight title fights, and had more than a ten-year undefeated streak during their careers. Monzon was undefeated from Oct '64 through July '77, including 14 title defenses, while Hagler was unbeaten from May '76 through April '87, including 12 title defenses. Another thing these two middleweight legends have in common is that they were the best in their division in the decade they fought: Monzon in the '70s and Hagler in the '80s. Regarding middleweight title records, Monzon ranks second in successful title defenses and Hagler ranks third (current middleweight champ Bernard Hopkins is number one). One thing to consider when evaluating Monzon's title defenses is that during the last five years of his career (1972-77) and eight title defenses, he fought with a bullet lodged in his left shoulder courtesy of his ex-wife who shot him in the forearm and shoulder during an argument.

    During their careers, Monzon and Hagler fought in a very deep middleweight era. Monzon defeated five world champions (Nino Benvenuti-2xs, Emile Griffith-2xs, Denny Moyer, Jose Napoles, and Rodrigo Valdez-2xs) and Hagler defeated four (Vito Antuofermo, Alan Minter, Roberto Duran, and Thomas Hearns). When reviewing the fighters they both faced, it's difficult to determine who faced the better opposition. After a thorough review, I would break it down in two categories. From their pro-debut up to their first title fight, I think Hagler faced the better grade of fighters, but as champion, I think Monzon faced the better overall opposition from top to bottom. Fighting Benvenuti twice, Griffith twice, Briscoe, Napoles, and Valdez twice as champion and going 8-0 in those fights tilts the scale in Monzon's favor, although Hagler faced three all-time greats in Duran, Hearns, and Leonard (going 2-1 in those fights).

    Middleweight Title Fights

    MONZON HAGLER

    N. Benvenuti Ko-12 V. Antuofermo D-15

    N. Benvenuti Ko- 3 A. Minter Ko -3

    E. Griffith Ko-14 F. Obelmejias Ko- 8

    D. Moyer Ko- 5 V. Antuofermo Ko- 5

    J.C. Bouttier Ko-13 M. Hamsho Ko-11

    T. Boggs Ko- 5 C. Lee Ko- 1

    B. Briscoe W-15 F. Obelmejias Ko- 5

    E. Griffith W-15 T. Sibson Ko- 6

    J.C Bouttier W-15 W. Sypcion Ko- 4

    J. Napoles Ko- 7 R. Duran W-15

    T. Mundine Ko- 7 J. Roldan Ko-10

    T. Licata Ko-10 M. Hamsho Ko- 3

    G. Tonna Ko- 5 T. Hearns Ko- 3

    R. Valdez W-15 J. Mugabi Ko-11

    R. Valdez W-15 S.R. Leonard L-12

    15-0 (10) 13-1-1 (12)

    One area where these two all-time greats part ways is their personality outside the ring. Although Monzon's boxing style was not flashy, his life outside of boxing was flamboyant, garish and, some have even said, pompous. Monzon's trademarks were fast-cars, fast-women (although he was married at the time), trendy clothes and plenty of late nights out on the town drinking and smoking. Those close to him marveled at how long he was champ, knowing the abuse he subjected his body to outside of boxing. When it came to training, he only did roadwork a month prior to the fight, and it's been said many times that Monzon never went all out in sparring. During the title reign of King Carlos, his name appeared in the South American gossip columns as often as it did in the sports pages.

    As stated earlier, Monzon and Hagler were polar opposites outside the ring. Hagler lived a Spartan life outside of boxing. He was not known for keeping late nights out on the town, and was quoted often saying he liked going to bed early. He was married and stayed married until getting divorced a couple years after retiring. Hagler never let himself get out of shape, and was known to do roadwork three times a week when he wasn't scheduled to fight. When it came to training camp, he was methodical in his preparation often going away and secluding himself from the outside world. During the title reign of Marvelous Marvin, his name could only be found in the sports pages.

    The boxing styles of these two legends are quite a contradiction. Their overall concept and attack plan was different, but they shared some of the same traits regarding the way they could adapt. And both fought at a measured pace. Monzon and Hagler were capable of adapting and changing their style in order to gain the tactical advantage over their opponent. Although Hagler could adjust for different styles, he wasn't quite in Monzon's league when it came to finding the holes in the style of his opponents during the fight. Hagler was better at adjusting from the first fight to the rematch with fighters who gave him trouble or defeated him. It must be noted that Hagler was murder on his opponents after seeing them the first time. These two greats were both considered as counter punchers. The difference was Monzon would fight moving forward in a subtle fashion, where Hagler liked for his opponent to pursue him. Hagler fought out of a southpaw stance (and was quite capable of switching to right-handed for short spurts). One undeniable characteristic they had in common was their attitude in the ring. Both were fearless and had the killer-instinct. Emile Griffith referred to Monzon as "Mr. Nasty" and Angelo Dundee said "Monzon had "Ice water in his veins," while Hagler fought to his motto, "Destruct and Destroy" and approached his major fights as if he was going to war.

    Monzon was a tall middleweight standing right at 6 foot, and had a long reach. Hagler was just under 5' 10", but also had long arms for his height. Monzon had a jab that ranks among the division's best. He liked to hook off it to confuse his opponents before nailing them with a right hand that was accurate and carried knockout power. Many of his opponents commented after fighting him that his reach and hard jab is what they couldn't penetrate. Monzon was also very tough mentally, had total confidence in his ability and never doubted that victory would be his. Hagler was also mentally tough and fought with the attitude that he had something to prove. Hagler, like Monzon, possessed a great jab and followed it up with a devastating right hook. His straight left cross was only fair and was more effective when he used it to jab when switching to fighting right handed or when he used it to set up his right hook. Hagler's most effective combination was when he could shoot his left cross after his jab, in order to come back with his right hook to the chin. Neither Monzon nor Hagler were known to be knockout artists, although most of their title defenses ended in stoppages. It is not a stretch at all in stating that both fighters carried knockout power.

    However, when rating them as punchers, I would say Monzon was the better overall two-handed puncher. They both had outstanding right hands (Monzon's was a cross and Hagler's was a hook). The difference was that Monzon's left hook was significantly better than Hagler's left cross. They both possessed granite chins, and were only badly cut in one title fight (Monzon vs. Boggs and Hagler vs. Hearns). When it comes to who took the better punch, this is extremely difficult. Hagler was only down once versus Roldan (although it appeared to be a slip or push) and Monzon was only down once versus Valdez (in Monzon's last fight at age 35). If I were pressed to chose as to who had the better chin, I would give the slightest edge to Hagler. I don't recall ever seeing Hagler really hurt, and I think I saw Monzon shook once.

    Who Would Have Won

    This is about as close as a "what if" as it gets. What makes this so tough is each fighter would have fought the way the opponent would've wanted him to. Monzon would have moved forward at a measured pace, and Hagler would have moved away and countered. Since I think that this fight would go to a decision (because both had great chins and neither had the one-punch power to knockout the other), then it comes down to who I think could have gained the tactical advantage. I think the difference would have been Monzon's long hard left jab. I can see Monzon scoring effectively from the outside, while staying out of range from Hagler's hook. And if Hagler tried to press harder, he'd be vulnerable to getting nailed by Monzon's right cross. Another thing that favors Monzon slightly is he had tougher skin. If I had to pick who would be more likely to get cut, I would say it would be Hagler.

    I could see Hagler gaining the advantage in one scenario. If Hagler came out early and could get past Monzon's jab and apply a strong body attack, he might possibly wear Monzon down to win the later rounds down the stretch impressively. That being said, if I was to pick the winner between the best Monzon and the best Hagler, I would pick Monzon to win a somewhat close decision. I feel he is the one middleweight who is Hagler's equal in just about every category, but holds the size and style advantage.

    Writers Note

    This is one hypothetical fight in which the fighters are so evenly matched, I can't see any scenario where one can be picked to beat the other with impunity. I don't care if you think Monzon wins or if you think Hagler wins, it's a close call either way. The only way you can pick this wrong is if you say that one could have beaten the other with certainty. I just can't see either fighter overwhelming the other under any circumstance.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWhat If: Monzon vs. Hagler``x1060000342,9761,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE:

    Saturday, September 6, 2003 at 7:00pm
    NWBA Heavyweight Championship Fight Night 42
    Over 40 Rounds 8 Bouts Scheduled


    Dateline: Rochester, WA, August 1, 2003

    Chauncy Welliver, coming off two big wins in Worley, ID, will face
    Ruben Torres for the Northwest Boxing Association (NWBA) heavyweight 8 round title at the Lucky Eagle Casino on Saturday, September 6th. Welliver is 13-1-1 with six KO's, and recently defeated King Ipitan, then 19-3. Fans might remember Welliver getting flattened after the third round bell by Felipe Bojorquez, who was disqualified, at the Lucky Eagle Casino in July 2002. Torres hails from Troutdale, OR.

    In the 10 round main event features Jesus Santiago of Renton, WA will
    face Jaime Morales from Waco Texas. Santiago defeated Rafael Ortiz in November 2002 and June at the Lucky Eagle Reggie Davis is expected to fight and promoter, Bennie Georgino has yet to announce an opponent.

    Michelle Gatewood will return to challenge Michele Harron in a four
    round female match-up.

    Other fighters expected:
    * Jaime de la Torre vs. Victor Branson
    * Richard Langley
    * Damion Hatch
    * Juan Ramon
    * Angelo Torres

    Changes and additional information will be announced as they occur.

    Tickets $40 ringside, $25 reserved, $20 reserved of general admission
    available at Ticketmaster, casino (800-720-1788) or Twin Cities
    Fuller's stores. Fighters are subject to change and contract approval by the Washington State Boxing Commission.

    Duncan MacLeod

    Director of Marketing
    Lucky Eagle Casino
    www.luckyeagle.com
    "You Just Get More"``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xChauncy Returns to Lucky Eagle``x1060005440,17959,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE:

    LAILA ALI

    A DAUNTING LEGACY - A BRIGHT FUTURE

    ALI VS MARTIN - WHO'S THE "GREATEST" ?

    LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW ($29.95), SATURDAY, AUGUST 23



    LOS ANGELES, August 4 - There is more than enough pressure on any young
    fighter when he or she steps into the ring. But when your name is
    Laila Ali, that
    pressure gets increased a thousand percent.

    15 wins, 12 knockouts and three world titles later, the 25-year-old Ali
    seems
    to be doing just fine under the harsh glare of the media spotlight. On
    August 23, Ali continues on her path to greatness when she defends her
    IBA super
    middleweight championship against one of the sport's greatest fighters,
    pound
    for pound, Christy Martin.

    This bout, scheduled for ten rounds, will be televised live from the
    Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi by CSI Sports on US pay-per-view
    (cable and
    satellite), beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. An exciting undercard will
    be announced
    shortly, and the suggested retail price for the show is $29.95.

    This spectacular and historic event will be promoted by Absoloot
    Boxing. The
    title sponsor of the event will be Corona Extra, as part of Corona's
    World
    Class Championship Boxing series which has been broadcast in the U.S.
    and
    worldwide since 1997.

    Truly deserving of the title of champion, Laila Ali has earned her
    stripes
    with not only her stellar in the ring performances, but her spartan
    work ethic,
    which includes sparring sessions with some of the best fighters in the
    world.
    She turned pro in 1999, and made it publicly known that she didn't want
    any
    favors because she was the daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali.
    This
    attitude earned her the respect of the boxing community, and once she
    had a few
    bouts under her belt, she started to battle (and beat) the best in her
    division.

    In June of 2001, Ali thrilled a worldwide pay-per-view audience with a
    stirring unanimous decision win over rival Jacquie Frazier-Lyde in one
    of the most
    heavily anticipated women's fights of this era. And though some
    skeptics felt
    that Ali would step aside into the glamorous life of Hollywood after
    this
    victory, she proved the doubters wrong by going back into the gym and
    coming back
    stronger than ever.

    "There are two different types of fighters," said Ali. "There are the
    fighters that like to fight, love boxing, respect the game, and want to
    take their
    skills to the next level. They want to prove to themselves that they're
    the best
    by fighting the best. And there are those fighters that are just doing
    it to
    make money. You don't have to be famous. A lot of people only make $500
    a
    fight, but they're still fighting to make money, and it's just a job.
    They're
    going to do just what they have to do, and they'll take the easy
    fights. I'm not
    one of those people, and I don't see it as that big of a deal. I think
    if
    you're going to be an athlete and be serious about what you're doing,
    then you've
    got to fight the best people out there."

    So she did, in the process picking up three world titles by defeating
    such
    standouts as Valerie Mahfood and Suzette Taylor. And as the game's
    newest
    superstar, she is enjoying her time at the top and doesn't plan on
    relinquishing her
    crown to Christy Martin on August 23.

    "I'm not concerned about losing because that's just not gonna happen,"
    said
    Ali. "I'm a more skilled fighter than she is and I have more in my
    arsenal."

    Spoken like a true daughter of Muhammad Ali.

    The venue for the event, the beautiful Mississippi Coast Coliseum and
    tickets
    for the event are being made available by the event site promoter Prize
    Fight
    Boxing.

    # # #
    Call Your Local Cable or Satellite Provider
    To Order
    This Pay-Per-View Telecast``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xAli vs Martin Coming Up``x1060009259,77999,``x``x ``xBy Mike DeLisa

    Scout Productions and Edgartown Ventures has optioned the rights to the Mickey Ward Story, written by Paul and Eric Tamasy.

    The log line has been related to me as "Two brothers, one a boxer the other a trainer, struggle from the rough streets of Lowell, Massachusetts. The trainer has a tragic downward spiral with drugs but the two eventually have a triumphant comeback all the way to a world boxing championship in London."




    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMickey Ward Story Sold to Hollywood``x1060034115,12638,``x``x ``xChallenges Reid Saturday night for NABF title on Freitas-Barrios card in Miami

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – He doesn’t speak a single word of English.

    His first 17 pro fights were in his native Venezuela. In fact only six of his 29 matches have been away from home, three in the United States at Foxwoods Resort Casino (CT), Madison Square Garden (NY) and Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas).

    The aforementioned combination may explain why few boxing fans outside of South America have heard of International Boxing Union welterweight champion Elio “El Chingo” Ortiz (24-5, 18 KOs). The workmanlike Venezuelan, however, could be a household name, at least in boxing, after Saturday night when he challenges Teddy “Two Gun” Reid (21-5-1, 15 KOs) for his NABF welterweight title.

    Hundreds of thousands of fans will be watching the Reid-Ortiz 12-round co-feature on Showtime Boxing, headlined by the WBA/WBO super featherweight championship match between champion Acelino “Popo” Freitas (33-0, 30 KOs) and challenger Rodrigo Barrios (39-1-1, 29 KOs), at the Miami Arena in Florida.

    Ortiz’ last fight was May 2nd on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, when he captured a 12-round unanimous decision from world-class challenger “Sucra” Ray Oliveira for the IBU World crown. This somewhat surprising victory earned him the No. 8 by The Ring, as well as the No. 12 ranking in the World Boxing Association.

    Elio has already shocked non-believers, stopping then 29-0 Omar Weiss -- the current No. 4 rated junior welterweight in the International Boxing Federation -- via a 10th round TKO. Ortiz went the distance against 45-2 Sharma Mitchell, losing a 12-round decision for the World Boxing Association title and on very short notice Elio went into present WBC & WBA welterweight champion (17-3) Ricardo Mayorga’s backyard (Costa Rica) two years ago. After taking an early advantage, Ortiz was knocked out in the 10th round for the WBA Latin Americas Light Middleweight championship.

    Elio’s first-round KO win against Juan Nieto set-up a WBU welterweight title fight for him against 35-1 defending champ Michelle Piccirillo in May 2001 at New York City’s famed Madison Square. The fight was stopped in the fourth round with Ortiz leading due to an accidental head butt and declared a no contest.

    Although Ortiz may not be able to express it in English, Elio’s actions speak louder than words, and Saturday night the welterweight division’s hidden jewel could be shining bright on Showtime.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOrtiz is welterweight’s hidden jewel``x1060115284,23893,``x``x ``xHonoring Lowell, Mass. Favorite Son…
    DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT, MOHEGAN SUN TO SALUTE BOXER MICKY WARD AT RETIREMENT CEREMONIES ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

    DiBella Entertainment will salute popular New England boxer "Irish" Micky Ward with a retirement gala on Friday night, August 15 at the mohegan Sun. The Lowell, Massachusetts native, known as one of the toughest fighters to ever lace up the gloves, will forever be remembered for his epic trilogy against Arturo Gatti, which captured the imagination of the entire boxing world.

    HBO's Jim Lampley, who delivered the blow-by-blow for all three Ward-Gatti battles, will serve as the evening's master of ceremonies. Among the dignitaries and special guests who will be in attendance include: Micky's arch rival but respected opponent Arturo "Thunder" Gatti; his advisor Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment; Mohegan Sun vice president Paul Munick; actor Chuck Zito, star of the HBO original series Oz; HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant; boxing champions Hector Camacho, Jr. and Paul Spadafora, as well as family and friends. A crowd of more than 300 people will be on hand at the private dinner party and ceremonies to salute Micky on his memorable ring career. The three-time New England Golden Gloves champion amassed 38 career wins as a professional, and is one of the most popular Massachusetts-bred boxers in history.

    The Boston area sports teams - the Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins - as well as Steiner Sports Marketing (www.steinersports.com), HBO Sports, Everlast and the Knicks Charlie Ward will all provide special retirement gifts.

    On the following evening, August 16, DiBella Entertainment will present "Featherweight Fury -- the Unification" featuring Derrick "Smoke" Gainer vs. Juan Manuel Marquez at Mohegan Sun Arena which will be televised lived on HBO Boxing After Dark.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWard to be Honored at Mohegan Sun``x1060351992,17061,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    On Oct. 2, 1980, Muhammad Ali came out of a 25-month retirement and fought undefeated heavyweight champion Larry Holmes. During Ali's retirement, he ballooned up to over 280 pounds. At this time, the 30-year old Holmes was in his absolute prime and had been champ for two and a half years. Ali was two months shy of turning 39, and was an empty package as far as a fighter goes. The only thing Ali had going for him prior to fighting Holmes was his mystique. After the second round, that was gone and Holmes proceeded to beat Ali up for the remainder of the fight (Ali's trainer Angelo Dundee stopped the fight in between the 10th and 11th rounds) in what turned out to be a very sad night in boxing history.

    Based on his overall career accomplishments and fighting ability, I would rate Muhammad Ali the best overall heavyweight I've ever seen. Ali no doubt had the most ways and weapons to beat great fighters, more so than any other heavyweight champ in boxing history. It also cannot be disputed that he dominated the best era in heavyweight history.

    Despite spending his prime years fighting the United States Government from March of 1967 through October 1970, and being exiled from boxing, Ali was never defeated in his prime. He defeated three of the top ten greatest heavyweight champions of all-time in Liston, Frazier and Foreman. He literally interrupted the title reigns of Liston and Foreman, (who were a combined 75-1 when Ali defeated them) when both were considered unbeatable. It's a well-known fact that when Ali defeated Liston and Foreman, most historians and boxing writers were certain that both of them would reign as champion for years to come. At the time, Liston was compared favorably to Joe Louis, and Foreman was thought to be greater than all the previous heavyweight champs. Had there been no Clay/Ali, Sonny Liston could have been champ through the 60's. Had there been no Ali, George Foreman could've reigned as champ for as long as he wanted; there is no way an undefeated Foreman would have lost to Jimmy Young.

    In boxing, nothing sparks emotion and controversy like debating history's greatest fighters and champions, especially when heavyweights are the topic. Using Ali as the measuring stick, fans and historians often debate who would have defeated him or who would've given him the toughest fight. Trying to reach an agreement on this is as difficult as any regarding boxing.

    Some of the fighters who are often mentioned who could've defeated Ali are the following: Jim Jeffries, Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano and some may mention the names Lennox Lewis, and Mike Tyson. In my opinion, Ali has too many weapons to adapt, and would defeat all of the above mentioned. From a style vantage point, it's obvious that Ali would present those fighters with more problems than they could possibly present him with. Basically, he has defeated other great heavyweights who were similar to the previously mentioned fighters in style and power.

    The toughest one of the fighters mentioned is Joe Louis. Ali has never faced a fighter like Joe Louis, just as Louis has never faced a fighter like Muhammad Ali (Billy Conn was not like Ali, the only thing they had in common was their use of lateral movement). Louis was the perfect boxer-puncher. He would have given Ali a tough time because he had fast hands (especially in short and tight spots), a solid defense, carried his punch throughout the fight and wasn't prone to making mistakes. However, I believe Ali's speed and boxing ability from outside, overall strength and cast-iron chin would have carried him past Louis. Style wise, Ali has the advantage, because Louis pursued but not as aggressively as Marciano or Frazier. Louis focused on drawing his opponents to come to him so he could nail them on the way in, Ali would have never fallen into this trap and would have been able to dictate the pace and fighting distance vs. Louis. The immortal "Brown Bomber" was also vulnerable when he had to move his feet quickly to chase an opponent who wasn't hurt, which also is to Ali's advantage. Although I'm confident Ali would have defeated Louis, it would have been a close fight and not a walkover as some have suggested.

    The fighter who I believe would have given Ali the most trouble strategically and stylistically is former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes. Some of the above mentioned fighters would have given Ali a rougher fight from a physical vantage point than Holmes (like Jeffries, Dempsey, Marciano, and Tyson). However, from a style match up, none of them could have answered and matched Ali technically like Holmes could have. I can't see any other heavyweight outside of Holmes who had the skill and style to possibly upset Ali at his best. A lot of what Holmes did in the ring were things Ali didn't face too often.

    When comparing Ali and Holmes, they are mirror images of each other in many ways. They are virtually the same height and have the same reach. I think the differences were, Ali was a little stronger and faster, had a better chin and possessed better stamina and legs when he was in top shape. Ali was also better at adapting during the course of a fight than Holmes was. That being said, none of those advantages, other than Ali's speed, would've come into play had Ali and Holmes crossed paths at their best.

    Had Ali and Holmes fought in their respective primes, I think it would have been a dull fight because of their many similarities. A big reason Holmes would have been effective versus Ali is that he wouldn't have been trying to kill him with every punch he threw. The fighters who tried to kill Ali are the ones he ate up. Holmes fought at a more measured pace, somewhat like Ali. Fighters who didn't try to knock Ali out with every punch were more troublesome to him. The fighters who tried to take him out, he killed with his speed by taking advantage of their mistakes and countering them off a miss.

    Both Ali and Holmes had great jabs, and used them perfectly to set up their offense. The difference was, Ali's was faster and he threw more, but Holmes' was a little harder. What makes Holmes a problem for Ali is that he hated to be jabbed at. Fighters who jabbed back at Ali gave him the most difficulty; look at his fights versus Doug Jones, Jimmy Ellis, Jimmy Young and Ken Norton. As great as Ali's jab was, fighters who jabbed back sometimes befuddled him. Also, not many fighters attempted to jab with Ali. Therefore, he wasn't used to jabs coming at him. None of the fighters mentioned had a jab in the same class as Holmes, and we know Holmes would be jabbing back at Ali. Although Holmes didn't like to be jabbed at, it didn't bother him as much as it did Ali. Holmes was bothered more by pressure, as was Ali, but not as much as Holmes. Another problem Holmes presents Ali with is that his hands were very fast, not as fast as Ali's, but faster than any Ali opponent except for Floyd Patterson, except, unlike Patterson, Holmes had a reach equal to Ali's.

    Another given in this fight is that it would have gone the distance. Both fighters had great chins and neither had the one-punch power to stop the other. In my opinion, Holmes had the skill to match up quite well with Ali. Yes, I think Ali would have won a decision over Holmes due to his speed and overall better adaptability, but this would have been a very taxing fight for Ali, mentally and technically. In my opinion, Holmes wouldn't do as well with a prime Frazier or Foreman as Ali did, however he would have been pure hell for Ali! I believe Larry Holmes most likely would have been the toughest heavyweight champ in boxing history for Ali to look good against and achieve a decisive victory over.

    Writers Note

    One factor in Ali's favor in a match up with Holmes is that Ali would have lured Holmes to pursue him. Both fighters liked their opponent coming to them; neither Ali or Holmes were at their best when they had to play the Joe Frazier and seek and chase down their opponent (see Ali vs. Young and Holmes vs. M. Spinks). The fighter who is the one pursuing in this fight is at the disadvantage strategically. I believe this is the one style match up that favors Ali in a big way. Had they fought in their primes, I see Holmes going after Ali much more than I can envision Ali pursuing Holmes. In this scenario, I see Ali's speed advantage playing a major role. Again, most likely Ali wins. However, I see Holmes a very difficult night for him from the first to last bell.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe Fighter Who Would've Given Ali a Fit``x1060604809,33854,``x``x ``xBy Rick Farris

    In a great night of boxing action Saturday, Showtime put on the best triple-header I've seen in years.

    In the main event, world Jr. Lightweight Champ Acelino "Popo" Frietas struggled with Argentina's tough Jorge Barrios, coming off the canvas to flatten Barrios, less than a minute into the final round, successfully defending his WBA/WBO 130 pound title.

    However, the most impressive boxer on the card, was the brilliant Francisco "Panchito" Bojado, who boosted his record to 13-1-1 (11 KO's) with a one-sided unanimous decision win over the tough and talented Lemuel Nelson.

    Bojado, who was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, but fights out of East Los Angeles, has been impressive since first entering the pro ranks, following an outstanding amateur in which he was a member of Mexico's Olympic Team.

    This past saturday, I had a chance to watch Bojado in action with one Panchito's co-managers, Matt Butkus. Butkus, a former USC football standout, and the son of Chicago Bears Hall of Famer, Dick Butkus, was happy with his boxer's performance, and discussed future plans for Team Bojado.

    Butkus, along with co-manager Frank Acosta, Shelley Finkle and trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. will give Panchito a chance to erase the only blemish on his record, a ten round decision loss to Juan Carlos Rubio, this coming November.

    "We've got a great team", Butkus smiled, as Bojado's arm was raised in victory following his victory over Nelson saturday. "Floyd Mayweather Sr. is doing a great job, and is getting Franciso to box more", Butkus said.

    I have to agree, Bojado showed a lot of savvy against a very smart, durable opponent. In fact, nobody can say that Bojado has been fed a diet of tomato cans on his way up. Bojado has been matched tough and has come out on tough in all but the Rubio match. I expect Panchito will have little trouble in erasing that blemish from his record this November.

    Keep your eyes on Franciso "Panchito" Bojado. As a Los Angeles Boxing historian, I expect that Bojado will one day take his place amongst the best to come out of the City of Angels.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBojado Shines on Showtime!``x1060627613,8116,``x``x ``xPress Release -

    Expectations for August 23:

    "I'm looking forward to fighting Christy Martin on Pay-Per-View August 23 and giving her a beatdown for everyone to see."

    Her beginnings in boxing:

    "I didn't even know that women boxed. And then when I saw it for the first time I wanted to do it."

    On the love of the sport:

    "There's so many other things that I'm talented at, so many things that I could be doing, that I wouldn't be boxing if it wasn't what I loved to do."

    Her father's reaction to her career:

    "My father is happy that I'm winning. He's happy that I'm representing well. Of course he'll be happy when I'm done boxing, as my mother will and my friends will because then they won't have to worry about anything anymore."

    On her father's Parkinson syndrome, and concerns about the dangers of the sport:

    "That doesn't worry me. That's obviously something that people are going to be concerned about. It's not proven that it came from boxing. A lot of people have Parkinson's that have never boxed. I think he would have effects from boxing even if he didn't have Parkinson's. But it's not going to stop me from doing what I want to do, just like it doesn't stop other fighters. And we all look up to Muhammad Ali."

    Prediction:

    "She ain't gonna make it past five. And I want everyone to watch me back up my words
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xLaila Ali Quotes from Fox News Interview``x1060645619,25663,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    A couple nights past, I was having a conversation with someone who I hold in high regard when it comes to boxing insight. We were going back and forth between Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, as to who fought the better fighters. One of the first questions thrown out was, "Who was the best fighter they beat?"

    It's an interesting question and it does separate the fighters when you actually break down who their best wins are against. There are two ways to break this down: One, who was their signature win against and two, who was the best fighter they beat? When discussing the career of former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, some (count me among them) question the caliber of the fighters that he's fought and defeated. Let's look at who are the best fighters he defeated.

    When it comes to name recognition, there can be no disputing that Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks are the two best names Tyson has on his record in the win column. Holmes is the best name on his record as far as wins go. However, Holmes was 38 and hadn't fought in slightly over two years when he fought Tyson. Not to mention that Holmes was only a shell of what he was at his peak, and lost his last two fights to Michael Spinks before fighting Tyson. On the other hand, Tyson is not given enough credit for being the only fighter to stop Holmes. Yes, it was a shot Holmes, but no fighter ever stopped Holmes before, or after, Tyson. To me, Tyson's stoppage of Holmes is the biggest testament to his punching power.

    Michael Spinks has to be considered Tyson's signature victory. The fact that he and Spinks were both undefeated, and both had a claim to the title made their fight one of the biggest fights of the 1980's. Some believe Tyson's first round knockout of Spinks was his best fight. However, Spinks was a blown up light heavyweight who caught Holmes at the end of his career and had the right style to trouble him. Anyone who followed boxing knew Spinks was all wrong for Tyson, and that it wasn't going to be a competitive fight (I know I knew it). Tyson-Spinks had Frazier-Foster written all over it. Spinks may have been the first light heavyweight champ to win the heavyweight title, but he's an all-time great light heavyweight champion and that's what he will always be remembered as. No doubt, 38-year-old Larry Holmes and 31-year-old light heavyweight Michael Spinks are the two best name fighters that Tyson has defeated.

    If Holmes and Spinks are the two best names Tyson has beat, then who are the best and most formidable fighters that he's beat? In chronological order, it's between Pinklon Thomas, Tony Tucker and Razor Ruddock. When Tyson beat the once-beaten Thomas, he was coming off losing his WBC title to Trevor Berbick via a unanimous decision (though he had three nondescript wins in between). Thomas also was in and out of drug rehab a couple times after beating Tim Witherspoon for the title in 1984 and fighting Tyson in May of 1987. That being said, Thomas was still a pretty good fighter the night Tyson stopped him and Tyson did it impressively.


    Tony Tucker was also a very good fighter when Tyson fought him in August of 1987. The undefeated Tucker faced Tyson in the final of the HBO heavyweight unification tournament. Tucker was coming off of a ten round stoppage over eventual Tyson conquer Buster Douglas en-route to capturing the IBF title in the HBO tournament. The 27-year-old Tucker was at his peak, and he managed to rock Tyson with a single right uppercut in the first round. This fight wasn't a typical Tyson cakewalk. Tyson was challenged a few times by Tucker during the fight, but he was never in trouble of losing it at any time. Tyson proved beyond a doubt that he was the better fighter on the way to winning a 12 round unanimous decision. This fight gave Tyson all three title belts that were up for grabs in the HBO tournament.


    The 27-year-old Razor Ruddock was also one of the best heavyweights who Tyson defeated. The once-beaten Ruddock was on a roll going into the first Tyson fight. His only loss before fighting Tyson was being stopped in seven rounds by journeyman Dave Jaco in Ruddock's 11th fight as a pro. In the midst of his five fights before fighting Tyson, Ruddock scored impressive knockout wins over James Broad, Bonecrusher Smith and a shot Michael Dokes.


    In the first Tyson-Ruddock fight, Ruddock lived up to his billing as a one-armed bandit. Tyson won the fight when Richard Steele jumped in and stopped the fight prematurely in the seventh round. Although the fight was stopped early, other than a brief Ruddock flurry in the sixth round in which he shook Tyson, the fight was never in doubt.


    In the rematch three months later, Tyson won a unanimous decision over Ruddock. The second fight between Tyson and Ruddock was an entertaining fight with both fighters landing bombs. Tyson put Ruddock down in rounds two and round four, and broke his jaw in the fight. Though Ruddock never stopped trying to knock Tyson out throughout the fight, the difference was Tyson was too smart and complete of a fighter for Ruddock. Midway through the fight, Tyson had reduced Ruddock to just relying on his left hand smash (Ruddock's hybrid left hook-left uppercut punch). The smash was a devastating punch, but it was the only offensive weapon Ruddock had. Tyson, not having to worry about Ruddock's jab or right hand just basically lured him into throwing the smash, making him miss a majority of them and then countering him with two and three punch combinations.


    The only other fighters that could possibly be added to this list are Frank Bruno and Carl "The Truth" Williams. The reason I don't include them is because they were both beaten soundly before facing Tyson. Bruno was knocked out for the count in 1984 by Bonecrusher Smith and by Tim Witherspoon in 1986, before fighting Tyson in 1989. Williams was dropped by James "Quick" Tillis in 1984, and dropped twice by Jesse Ferguson in 1985, two non punchers. "The Truth" was also dropped twice en-route to being stopped by Mike Weaver in two rounds in 1986, before fighting Tyson in 1989.

    So, who is the best fighter that Tyson owns a win over? Is it Thomas, is it Tucker or is it Ruddock? I say it's between Tucker and Ruddock. I say this because Tucker and Ruddock were at their best when they lost to Tyson. Thomas went through drug rehab a few times and wasn't the same fighter that beat Tim Witherspoon for the title in August of 1984 when he fought Tyson in May of 1987.

    So how do you break the tie between Tucker and Ruddock? Tucker was undefeated, and Ruddock only lost once before fighting Tyson. Tucker was the overall better fighter, but Ruddock was the better puncher. Tucker did win a piece of the title, while Ruddock never fought for the title. Tucker went the distance with Lennox Lewis in a title bout in 1993, and Ruddock was stopped in two rounds by Lewis in a title elimination bout in 1992. Until facing Mike Tyson, Tucker was unbeaten in 37 fights. Until facing Dave Jaco, Ruddock was unbeaten in 10 fights. Tucker stopped Dave Jaco in three rounds in October of 1985. Ruddock was stopped in seven rounds by Dave Jaco in April of 1985. Hmmm, I say Tony Tucker.

    Summing up the best of Tyson's career goes like this. Larry Holmes is the best name fighter he has beaten. Michael Spinks is his signature win, and Tony Tucker is the best fighter that he ever beat in his career. When People think of Tyson, they think of some of the great fighters he's been in the ring with like Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, but he was beaten soundly by both. Tony Tucker is the best fighter Mike Tyson has ever defeated.

    This is why in my opinion that Tyson doesn't measure up to the greatest of the greats. You can talk about his power and hand speed all you want, but the bottom line is Tony Tucker is the best it ever carried him past. If wins over Tucker and Ruddock qualify Tyson as one of the greatest of the greats, than Jerry Quarry has just as much a claim to greatness as Tyson. Quarry's best wins are over Lyle and Shavers. Lyle and Shavers were both more formidable fighters than Tucker and Ruddock. If you believe Tucker and Ruddock were better than Lyle and Shavers, you either don't know what you're watching or, you're a relative of Tyson. Quarry is remembered for losing to the best of his era in Ali and Frazier, just like Tyson's remembered for losing to Holyfield and Lewis, the best of his era. In boxing, it's not how many you beat, but it's who you beat. For Tyson, it's Tucker and Ruddock?

    Writers Note

    I thought to be considered a great you had to "WIN" against the best fighters you fought, not lose to them or put up a half decent fight. Holyfield and Lewis are the two best fighters Tyson has ever shared a ring with. He is 0-3 in those bouts and was knocked out by both. Tyson is more known for his losses than his wins, what other all-time great heavyweight champ can that be said about? Absolutely none. He looks awesome on the heavy bag and the pads, but not so great when he has a top fighter in front of him. Don't take my word, just look at his record. All his power and speed meant zilch when he was in with the best of his era. That's a fact not an opinion.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMike Tyson: Who Has He Beat?``x1060777586,56044,``x``x ``xBOXING STARS SPINKS, SHAVERS, MORRISON, WARD, & DEMARCO TO ATTEND INT'L BOXING HALL OF FAME "NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS" FUND-RAISER IN BOSTON

    Legendary boxing writer/historian Bert Sugar to serve as event emcee

    CANASTOTA, NY – AUGUST 11, 2003 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame, Canastota, New York, announced today former heavyweight champ Leon Spinks, 1970s heavyweight contender Earnie Shavers, heavyweight standout Tommy "The Duke" Morrison, junior welterweight star "Irish" Micky Ward, and former welterweight champ Tony DeMarco will be guests at a "Night of Champions" fund-raiser at LANTANA in Randolph, MA, on Thursday, October 9, 2003. Bert Sugar, one of boxing's foremost writers and historians, will emcee the evening's festivities.

    "The Hall of Fame is very excited about hosting a 'Night of Champions' in the Boston area for the second time. Boston is a tremendous fight city with great fans so this promises to be an unforgettable night for all," said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. "The Hall of Fame's mission is to preserve boxing's history and fund-raisers such as this will allow us to continue doing just that."

    The evening will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and consist of a cash bar, buffet, silent auction, autograph and photograph opportunities and a program featuring speeches by the celebrity guests.

    A 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist, Spinks defeated Muhammad Ali in 1978 to win the world heavyweight title in only his 8th pro bout. One of boxing’s most colorful personalities, "Neon" Leon engaged in bouts with Larry Holmes, Scott LeDoux, Tex Cobb and Dwight Qawi among others during his career.

    Considered by many as the hardest puncher in heavyweight history, Shavers was a top heavyweight contender of the1970s. During his career he compiled an impressive 73-14-1 (67KOs) record and challenged both Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes in title bouts. Shavers registered wins over Jimmy Young, Jimmy Ellis and Ken Norton among others.

    A relative of John Wayne, Morrison was an exciting fighter with knockout power. "The Duke" scored wins over "Quick" Tillis, Pinklon Thomas, Joe Hipp, Carl Williams, Razor Ruddock and George Foreman, whom he decisioned for the WBO heavyweight title in 1993. He also starred opposite Sylvester Stallone in "Rocky V." Morrison's career record stands at 46-3-1 (40KOs).

    Fighting out of Lowell, MA, Ward recently retired from the ring following his last contest, a hard-fought loss to rival Arturo Gatti in the third bout of their epic trilogy. During his 18-year career, the always-exciting Ward posted a 38-13 (27KOs) record that includes victories over Gatti, Shea Neary, Reggie Green and Emanuel Burton.

    In 1955 Boston's Tony DeMarco defeated Johnny Saxton via 14th round TKO for the welterweight title. Also that year he engaged in two classic wars with Carmen Basilio, with their second battle named "Fight of the Year." DeMarco's record reads 58-12-1 (33KOs) and includes wins over Paddy DeMarco, Kid Gavilan, Chico Vejar, and Gaspar Ortega among others.

    Known for his trademark hat and cigar, Bert Sugar has been editor of The Ring, Boxing Illustrated and Fight Game magazines. The author of over 50 books, Sugar has also appeared in several motion pictures and television programs, including Play it to the Bone, Night and the City, The Great White Hype, and HBO’s Arliss.

    Tickets are $75 per person or $750 per table and can be purchased by calling event chairperson Mike Vellano at 508-580-2445, Tony Vellano at 518-356-3473 or the Boxing Hall of Fame at 315-697-7095. Only a limited number of tickets will be available. All proceeds will benefit the Boxing Hall of Fame.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBoston to Host Hall of Fame Fundraiser``x1060777706,77531,``x``x ``xPress Release:

    Saturday, September 6, 2003 at 7:00pm
    NWBA Heavywight Championship Fight Night 42
    Over 40 Rounds 8 Bouts Scheduled


    Dateline: Rochester, WA, August 14, 2003

    Chauncy Welliver, coming off two big wins in Worley, ID, will face
    Ruben
    Torres for the Northwest Boxing Association (NWBA) heavyweight 8 round
    title
    at the Lucky Eagle Casino on Saturday, September 6th. Welliver is
    13-1-1
    with six KO's, and recently defeated King Ipitan, then 19-3. Fans
    might
    remember Welliver getting flattened after the third round bell by
    Felipe
    Bojorquez, who was disqualified, at the Lucky Eagle Casino in July
    2002.
    Torres hails from Troutdale, OR.

    In the 10 round main event features Jesus Santiago of Renton, WA will
    face
    Jaime Morales from Waco Texas. Santiago defeated Rafael Ortiz in
    November
    2002 and June at the Lucky Eagle

    Reggie Davis is expected to fight and promoter, Bennie Georgino has yet
    to
    announce an opponent.

    Michelle Gatewood will return to challenge Michele Harron in a four
    round
    female match-up.

    Other fighters expected:
    * Jaime de la Torre vs. Victor Branson
    * Richard Langley
    * Damion Hatch
    * Juan Ramon
    * Angelo Torres

    Changes and additional information will be announced as they occur.


    Tickets $40 ringside, $25 reserved, $20 reserved of general admission
    available at Ticketmaster, casino (800-720-1788) or Twin Cities
    Fuller's
    stores. Fighters are subject to change and contract approval by the
    Washington State Boxing Commission

    Duncan MacLeod

    Director of Marketing
    Lucky Eagle Casino
    www.luckyeagle.com
    "You Just Get More"

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xChauncy Tries for NWBA Heavyweight Title``x1060889199,41026,``x``x ``xReplacing the injured Derrick "Smoke" Gainer…
    MARCOS LICONA TO FACE IBF FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ ON SATURDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 16, AT MOHEGAN SUN

    New York, NY - Marcos Licona (20-3-1, 7 KOs) of Westminster, CA is the 11th hour replacement for the injured Derrick "Smoke" Gainer, and will face IBF featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT this Saturday night, August 16, it was announced today by promoter Lou DiBella.

    Licona was slotted in after an all-day scramble on Monday to find a
    substitute for Gainer, who tore a pectoral muscle in training, forcing him out of the fight.

    "Smoke was devastated by what happened, but he will be back in six weeks.

    DiBella Entertainment will do everything in our power to keep his opportunity alive," said DiBella.

    The 10-round, non-title Marquez-Licona fight will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark at 10:00 PM/ET. The co-featured attraction pits WBO Junior Bantamweight Champion Fernando Montiel against former two-time 115-pound king Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson.

    The Mexican star Marquez is 40-2, with 32 wins coming by way of knockout. Licona, also of Mexican decent, has captured 10 of his last 12 bouts and is a two-time California State Featherweight champion.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMarcos Licona Replaces Injured Smoke Gainer``x1060892294,72395,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena at ringside

    UNCASVILLE, CT - Feel bad for the 3,867 fans that sat through last night’s boxing event at the Mohegan Sun Arena last night. I’d tell you to feel sympathetic for those who watched last night’s Boxing After Dark special on HBO, but at least those folks have a TV clicker, unless someone tied them up and made them watch Mark “Too Sharp“ Johnson vs. Fernando Montiel and Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Marcos Licona.

    In two boring fights, Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson won the WBO jr. bantamweight title from Fernando Montiel by majority decision and Juan Manuel Marquez stopped last minute replacement, Marco Licona in the 9th round of their scheduled 10 rounds.

    What made it the boring night were the fighters you’d least expect it from. Hard-hitting Montiel, the 24 year old defending champion spent most of his 12 rounds trying to move around and counter against a faded old fighter in Johnson and Marquez failed to use his good conditioning to grind down his incapable opponent sooner than expected.

    Montiel was perhaps the biggest disappointment of the evening. After watching the first four rounds, it appeared that he hadn’t done any homework or heard that Johnson’s legs were not what they use to be. Lou Dibella felt as if Montiel had never fought a lefty before. During this time, Montiel, 115, of Los Mochis, Mexico would only circle the ring and hope to counter Johnson. Each round seemed to end with a chorus of boos.

    The first moment of applause came in the fifth round when Johnson, landed a decent right hook on the champion’s chin which dropped him for the second time of his career. Montiel didn’t appear too hurt and didn’t give Too Sharp much of an opportunity to do any more damage. The normally aggressive Montiel was just content with moving and trying to counter.

    Montiel didn’t begin to stand and fire until the 8th round, the first of which he won on your writer’s unofficial scorecard. Montiel won the next three as well but didn’t win the last round, the only good three minutes of fighting in the match. Judges Melvina Lathan and Stephen Epstein had Johnson wining 115-112 and 117-110 and Joe Dwyer had a ridiculous tally of 114-114. Your writer had the new champion by a score of 116-111.

    Johnson is now 41-3 with 27 KO’s while Montiel is now 26-1-1 with 20 KO’s.

    The letdown of Derrick Gainer’s injury and forced postponement of his clash with IBF featherweight champion, Juan Manuel Marquez last week worsened when his replacement, Marcos Licona, of Westminster, CA was chosen as his opponent. Their match, which was made the opener of the HBO broadcast was a 10-round lightweight match-up because of the short span of time, it took to find a suitable opponent for the viewing audience. If the people at HBO felt anything like those in attendance felt, then they weren’t too pleased as Marquez, 133, and his soft looking opponent, Licona, 132, fought a fairly dull fight. Constant chants of boos and “let’s fight,” didn’t ignite much action as you would expect from two Mexican bred boxers.

    Marquez did show some signs of power and world class skill, but he didn’t press the action as you would expect, especially considering the fact that Licona had to have been out of shape.

    In the eighth, a mammoth of a right uppercut by the champion dropped Licona on the seat of his pants but the bell saved him just before he made it back to his feet. After taking a few power right hands from Marquez in the 9th, the ringside physician advised referee Dick Flaherty that Licona not answer the bell for the 10th and final round.

    Marquez is now 41-2 with 32 KO’s, while Licona is now 20-4-1 with 7 KO’s.

    In a bout which preceded the HBO event, undefeated Lou Dibella protégé, Jeffrey Resto, 143, of the Bronx won an 8-round unanimous decision over Marteze Logan, 142 ¼, of Covington, KY. Resto, whom Dibella says will be the best of his stable of fighters, constantly pursued the reluctant Logan, who spent most of the time moving around. Resto won by scores of 80-71, 77-74 and 78-73 is now 17-0 with 11 KO’s.

    In the opening bout, Derek Bryant, 216, of Philadelphia, won a controversial 6-round split decision over Barry Lindberger, 241, of New York, NY. Bryant, now 17-1 with 14 KO’s was ruled the winner by two scores of 58-56, while another judge had Lindberger ahead 57-56. Lindberger is now 4-5 with 2 KO’s.

    Unbeaten Leonard Pierre, 164, of Catskill, NY won a tough 6-round decision over Andres Larrinaga, 159 ¾, of Havana, Cuba. The wild swinging, Kevin Rooney-trained Pierre loaded up on all of his heymakers but rarely landed solidly. Pierre did manage to drop Larrinaga in the third but couldn’t finish him. Pierre won by scores of 58-56, 57-56 and 59-54 in improving to 10-0 with 8 KO’s. Larrinaga is now 3-9-2 with 2 KO’s.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJohnson Upsets Montiel!``x1061093533,42344,``x``x ``xSept. 12 card moved to Sept. 26, Jorge Paez headlines
    David Diaz fights on NBC on Sept. 13
    Cuevas gives gutsy performance in Little Rock
    Update on "Speedy"

    Dominic Pesoli and 8 Count Productions presents its next wall to wall action packed card at the DePaul Athletic Center on Friday, September 26, 2003. Headlining the card is the first ever Chicago appearance by one of boxing's most popular stars, Jorge "Maromero" Paez in a 10 round lightweight bout. Paez, 77-14-5 (51) has held and contended for numerous world titles over his 19 year career. The Clown Prince of Boxing, currently on a sixteen bout winning streak spanning four years, recently took a ten round unanimous decision over contender Ruben Galvan in Phoenix on July 25, 2003.

    Judging by the large crowds for Paez across North America, fight fans are encouraged to buy tickets in advance to ensure entrance on fight night. His new website can be visited at
    www.jorgepaez.com.

    Tickets starting at $25 can be purchased by calling 312-842-3800. The DePaul Athletic Center is located at 2323 N. Sheffield Ave. in the Lincoln Park section of Chicago.

    Also appearing on the card is the return of Mexican hard slugging warrior, junior welterweight, Humberto Chavez, 10-3 (10). Chavez, last seen on the 8 Count Productions card at the Park West Theater in June against Al "Speedy" Gonzales in a fight reminiscent of the Gatti-Ward bouts, will be featured in the co-main event. Opposition for both Paez and Chavez will be announced shortly.

    In a special cruiserweight CROSSTOWN/SHOWDOWN, former WBC Continental Americas Champion Jason Robinson, 16-4 (10) will battle Chris "Cold Steel" Thomas, 12-3 (11) of One in a Million Inc.

    Also local favorite, junior welterweight Rocky Martinez, 38-9-1 (20) will be featured on the card as will newcomer, junior middleweight, Luciano Perez, 1-0 (1) in separate bouts.

    Making his pro debut will be heavy handed amateur star, Chicago native, Matt McCarty in the junior middleweight division.

    Junior welterweight and Chicago fan favorite David Diaz, 20-0 (12) makes his return to the ring on Saturday, September 13th as the popular Main Events/NBC-TV series returns to the air. His bout against Jauquin Gallardo, 14-1-1 (4) will be held at the Pechanga Resort in Temecula, California (between Los Angeles and San Diego).

    Freddie Cuevas, 22-6-1 (16) gave a gutsy nationally televised performance on ESPN2 last Friday night in Little Rock against world ranked middleweight Jermain Taylor. Although coming out on the short end of the decision, Freddie earned praised from all who saw the bout for his continuos attempts over the twelve round bout to pressure the crafty Taylor. Besides local press in Little Rock, all of the leading boxing websites heaped praise on Freddie for showing tons of heart and courage during the bout. News of Freddie's next bout should be available in the very near future.

    Al "Speedy" Gonzales, 12-0 (7) last seen on the 8 Count Productions card in July at the DePaul Athletic Center is currently recovering from a broken jaw suffered in the second round in his brutal war against Johnny West-Gutierrez. Taking into account his ability to survive a crushing knockdown in the first round and a broken jaw in the second, Gonzales more than proved his mettle as his legend continues to grow. Team Gonzales is hopeful of a return to the ring by late this year.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPaez Headlines in Chicago on Sept. 26th``x1061209903,96082,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    Regardless of what happens during the remainder of their careers, both Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis have made their mark in heavyweight history. Holyfield and Lewis are without a doubt the two best and most accomplished heavyweight champions since the end of the Larry Holmes era in September of 1985. Some may say Riddick Bowe should be included, but his body of work doesn't compare to either fighter. Mike Tyson also doesn't match up with either Holyfield or Lewis. Based on career achievements and head to head confrontations, both surpass Tyson. They are more complete fighters than Tyson and have faced and defeated better fighters than he has. Holyfield and Lewis have also handled adversity better than Tyson and have never ducked any fighter who was a perceived threat to them. There's no doubt that the battle for who is the best heavyweight champ since Larry Holmes is between Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.

    When it comes to evaluating who should be ranked above who, it comes down to personal preference, since a substantial case can be made for either fighter. Both fighters have fought the best fighters of their era, have stood the test of time and demonstrated longevity. Also, both Holyfield and Lewis have fought their way back to the top after suffering major setbacks. The most compelling argument as to the greatness of these two is that neither was accepted by the mainstream media and public early in their championship reign. However, considering the passage of time, one would now be hard pressed to make a compelling argument debating the greatness of either fighter.

    Who Fought The Better Opposition?

    I have spent much time going over their records in trying to make a case for one over the other regarding who fought the better opposition. Holyfield and Lewis have fought everybody. It's actually easier listing the fighters they didn't fight and working from that vantage point than going over all the fighters they did fight.

    Concerning Holyfield, the only fighters he didn't fight from his era were Ruddock, Morrison and Golota. As for Lewis, he didn't fight Bowe (although it wasn't because of Lewis; it was Bowe who avoided the fight), Foreman and Moorer. The fact that Holyfield fought and beat Foreman should not be scoffed at. When Holyfield and Foreman fought in April of 1991, Foreman was the most formidable contender at the time. Lewis was only a two-year pro and was nowhere near the threat of Foreman of 1991. Tyson's confidence was shattered and he wanted no part of Foreman, especially after being knocked out by Buster Douglas (that is a fact). Bowe was just a couple years into his pro career and Ruddock was just starting to make his mark in the heavyweight landscape. Foreman also went on to capture the linear title three years after losing to Holyfield, further justifying his ranking.

    When comparing the fighting ledgers of Holyfield and Lewis, a case can be made for both fighters as to who faced better opposition. The case for Holyfield is that the Bowe of 1992-93 is better than any fighter Lewis has ever shared a ring with. A good case can also be made that the Foreman of 1991 is better than any opponent Lewis has faced in a title fight. Holyfield also had Mercer down and beat him much easier than Lewis did, and Holyfield beat a better Tyson.

    The case for Lewis is that he held the title longer without losing it and winning it back. After Lewis regained the title from McCall in their rematch, he made nine successful title defenses before losing it to Rahman. Lewis also faced more of the supposed up and coming young heavyweights (Briggs, Morrison, Grant, and Tua to name a few). Lewis also defeated Tyson more soundly than Holyfield did (although he faced a more eroded version).

    The fairest conclusion I can make as to who fought the better fighters is Holyfield fought more established fighters who were considered threats. Lewis fought more up and coming fighters who were considered as viable threats. The conclusion is that it's a wash; no fighter has a distinct advantage. They both fought the best available during their era.

    Who Had The Better Career?

    This is another category in which Holyfield and Lewis are pretty close. Holyfield is a four-time heavyweight champ and is 10-5-2 in heavyweight title fights, (6-0 in Cruiserweight title fights). Lewis is a two-time heavyweight champ and is 15-2-1 in heavyweight title fights. Lewis has been the more consistent champ. Holyfield has won the title more times, but he had to because he lost it more.

    Lewis ranks fourth in heavyweight title fight wins, something for which he never receives enough credit. Only Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes have won more. He has definitely been the more dominant champ compared to Holyfield. However, the fact that he's been counted out twice in heavyweight title fights during his prime hurts his legacy somewhat. Some try to gloss over it, but it can't be ignored, although it may not be fair, it just can't be omitted. Even though Lewis has avenged both defeats, his title tenure is never mentioned without the inclusion of these two devastating defeats. The two times Lewis lost the title were the result of one-punch knockouts. Lewis is the only heavyweight champion in boxing history about which that can be said. His two conquerors in those fights, Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman, are not known for their punch. Some have tried to justify them as big hitters, but the fact of the matter is that they definitely are not (who have either McCall or Rahman KO'd that resemble anything close to a special fighter besides Lewis?). As humbling as these two defeats have been, they should never diminish Lewis' 15 heavyweight championship victories.

    Although Holyfield was not as dominant as Lewis, he was never blown out in a title fight. He also faced better punchers in title fights in Foreman, Bowe and the Tyson of 1996-97 than Lewis has (compared to a one dimensional Tua, an eroded Tyson of 2002 and Vitali Klitschko). His record in title fights is not as good as Lewis', but it's a little misleading. In my opinion, he was shafted in the first Moorer fight and the third Ruiz fight. However, he was the benefactor in one of the worst decisions in heavyweight history in his first fight with Lewis, a fight he definitely lost. In my view, Holyfield's title fight record should be 12-5, and Lewis' should be 16-2. In trying to justify who had the better career, you must split hairs. I say career accomplishment is a tossup; a compelling case can be made for both fighters.

    Head-to-Head

    Unlike hypothetical fights, Holyfield and Lewis have fought. Let's be honest, Lewis won the first fight (I scored it 9-3 Lewis), but was shafted out of the decision, and Lewis won the second fight by a unanimous decision (I scored it 7-5 Lewis). Although Holyfield and Lewis have fought, are their two fights a true indicator as to how the fights would have turned out if they both were at their peak? I don't think so. Lewis was definitely at his peak when he fought Holyfield. I believe Lewis' peak was 1997 thru 2002, and Holyfield's peak was 1990 thru 1993. The Holyfield who fought Bowe in '92 and 93 was superior to the Holyfield who faced Lewis in '99. The last time Holyfield was anything close to being a great fighter was 1997. Holyfield has been outweighed in all but four of his fights as a heavyweight. Being the smaller fighter in all those heavyweight wars definitely took their toll on him. There can be no mistaking that Holyfield was on the wrong side of the hill by 1999.

    By the time Holyfield faced Lewis, he was only capable of fighting in spurts and not able to fight an entire round. This made it virtually impossible for him to win a decision. Going into the first fight with Lewis, Holyfield questioned Lewis' heart and character. Although it was a mistake, he still had disdain for Lewis and didn't approach the fight with the fear and urgency that he normally did against other top fighters. Remember, Holyfield predicted that he would knock Lewis out in the third round. Something he never did before any fight in his career.

    Holyfield was clearly beaten by Lewis in their first fight. However, he was basically outworked and couldn't sustain any offense. Yes, Lewis had a lot to do with that, but Holyfield was in awful condition and barely put forth any real effort. As bad as Holyfield was, he was never hurt once during the fight, even in the controversial fifth round (the round judge Eugina Williams scored for Holyfield) although it was Lewis' best round.

    In the rematch, Holyfield showed up in the best possible condition he was capable of being in at the time. Although I scored the fight 7-5 Lewis, there are more than a few knowledgeable boxing writers and fans who scored the fight for Holyfield. The problem I have in the rematch is that Lewis was so tentative against a focused Holyfield. With all the physical advantages that Lewis holds, Holyfield pushed him all over the ring and was never close to being shaken or hurt. It was obvious that when Holyfield was able of sustaining any offense, Lewis was either out-fought or tied him up. The problem was that Holyfield of 1999 was not capable of sustaining an all out offensive assault.

    If I had to enter the best Holyfield or the best Lewis in a heavyweight tournament versus the greatest heavyweight champions in boxing history, I would pick Holyfield. I must admit that I am swayed by his mental toughness and better chin, and I'm not convinced Lewis is stronger physically (a harder puncher, yes, but not stronger). If you want to say Lewis' chin only failed him when he was not in top shape, it's true. However, he has been wobbled and shook more than Holyfield, even when Lewis was in top shape. Lewis' chin has betrayed him enough that it scares me off from picking him against the greatest of the greats. His chin has proven to me that he's capable of being stopped by any top fighter on any given night. In my opinion, the best Holyfield would decision the best Lewis. Holyfield at his peak would've been capable of throwing punches the entire round as long as the fight lasted. That would have been enough to keep Lewis on the defensive, enabling Holyfield to outwork Lewis and win the decision.

    Who Should Be Ranked Higher?

    This is such a tough call. I respect and admire both Holyfield and Lewis. As to who should rank higher between the two, I think it's a toss up. A good case can be made for either fighter. This is so close that I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. In this writer's opinion, I give Holyfield the nod, based on the fact I think he would win in an actual confrontation if both were at their best. I would also give him a slight edge in head to head match ups versus other all time greats, mainly because of his chin and warrior mentality. That being said, I have not a single issue with anyone who thinks Lewis should be ranked above Holyfield. As I said, I don't think it's clear-cut either way. Two things are certain; there can be no question that Holyfield and Lewis are the two best and most accomplished heavyweights since Larry Holmes, and they're both all-time greats.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xWho should rank higher: Holyfield or Lewis?``x1061210625,50778,``x``x ``xA pair of hard-hitting heavyweights will square off on Saturday, September 27th when DiBella Entertainment presents DaVarryl "Touch of Sleep" Williamson (18-1, 16 KOs) against the undefeated "Baby" Joe Mesi (26-0, 24 KOs) at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY. HBO's Boxing After Dark will televise the event.

    The rising stars will be in Kip's Bay, NY at the Crunch Gym on Tuesday, August 19 for a press conference. Williamson, a latecomer to professional boxing, has displayed explosive punching power in scoring 16 consecutive victories. He beat Robert Wiggins (17-3-1) at Mohegan Sun in January, despite breaking his jaw in the fight. Buffalo native Mesi has ripped through his opposition in 26 straight
    wins without tasting defeat since turning professional in 1997. His last fight was also at the HSBC arena, where he disposed of Robert Davis (28-5) with a 1st round KO.

    Fans will get another heavyweight treat when Nigerian native
    Duncan Dokiwari (22-1, 19 KOs) squares off against undefeated Dominic Guinn (22-0, 17 KOs). In a battle of unbeaten heavyweights, stout southpaw Juan Carlos Gomez (36-0, 31 KOs) will take on "The Bull from Bosporus", German-born Sinan Samil Sam (22-0, 17 KOs).

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xMesi-Williamson Tops HBO Tripleheader Sept. 27th!``x1061258744,33137,``x``x ``xBy Tom Donelson

    Saturday night, I tuned in HBO to see a fight and a chess match broke out. Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson was trying to regain past glory in the 115-pound junior bantamweight division against the current WBO champion, Fernando Montiel. What ensued was a chess match with each boxer viewing each other with tentative eyes. While on occasion, Johnson would bull rush the quicker Montiel but for most part, neither fighter felt comfortable in attacking the other. It was a case of boxers fighting one another and neither felt comfortable in the role of pursuer.

    While Johnson pursued and cut off Montiel route of escapes, he rarely took advantage of the younger Mexican frequent trips to the rope. He would throw one hard body shot at a time and there was no doubt that Johnson's punches were hard as Montiel had welts on the body as well as two swollen eyes. Johnson's corner repeatedly told their fighter, throw in combination but Johnson did not often let his hands go. The saving grace was that Montiel was throwing even less.

    On the reverse side, Montiel spent the first seven rounds on his bicycle and while punches were rarity from both men, Johnson nailed Montiel with a picture perfect right hand hook midway through the fifth round that send Montiel to the canvas with one of those punches. Montiel danced his way out of trouble after he got up from the knockdown.

    In the eighth round, Montiel was way behind points on most of the scorecards and found himself in a position that only a knockout would preserve his title. Montiel started to throw more punches and as the fight entered its late round, Montiel found more confidence to throw more punches. Montiel performance in the first two thirds of the fight was marred by fear and confusion but as the fight progressed, this started to disappear as Montiel figured out how best to attack the left handed Johnson. In the first seven round, Montiel could not land his patented left hook but eventually Montiel started to connect with the straight right hand and this set up the occasional effective left hook He easily won the ninth, tenth and eleventh round but in the twelve round, both men decided that maybe it might be a good time to start fighting. Both men wailed at each other. The keypunch of the round came at the first minute as the southpaw Johnson nailed Montiel with a perfect body shot that stopped the Mexican fighter in his path. Johnson pursued Montiel all other the ring as he started to threw straight lefts over Montiel jab and started to connect. Montiel tried to stem the tide in the final 30 seconds as he threw a left hook that staggered Johnson but it was too little, too late. Johnson was rewarded a majority decision as he regained a portion of the junior bantamweight title.

    As for Montiel, he will have to ask himself- why did he allow a fighter eight his senior to fight at a measure pace instead of forcing the older fighter to expend energy? The failure of Montiel to put any pressure on Johnson in the first seven round doomed his chances.

    Which brings me to another interesting point. There is a change in Mexican fighters. There use to be a time that Mexican fighters were brawlers who stay in front of you and wear you out. Larry Merchant brought up an interesting tidbit that many Mexican fighters are both training and living in the United States. You are seeing more boxing skills being developed. Montiel is a pure boxer and does not fit any profile for any Mexican fighters but other Mexican fighters are following similar practice. Juan Manual Marquez, who owns a portion of the featherweight championship, is another Mexican with excellent boxing skills. In the fight on the under card, Marquez combined boxing skills with power to outbox the game Marcos Licona. Marquez using foot movement and left jab danced and maneuver the outclassed Licona before Licona's corner stopped the fight at the end of the ninth round.

    A few years ago, Marco Barrera used superior boxing skills to defeat Prince Hamed and as his career has progressed, Barrera has become a better boxer and unlike some past Mexican fighters, Barrera occasionally avoids punches headed his way. Some of this change in Mexican fighters may be due to training and living in the United States as they combined the toughness of Mexican fighters with boxing skills. What we may be witnessing is the evolution of the new Mexican fighter- the classy boxer.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJohnson-Montiel Chess Match``x1061258930,86913,``x``x ``xNORTH PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – World welterweight contender “Sucra” Ray Oliveira (45-9-2, 31 KOs) will not be fighting IBO champion Jawaid Khalig on September 20 in Nottingham, England, contrary to a reported announcement by British promoter Barry Hearn that was erroneously posted on some boxing web sites.

    Oliveira, of New Bedford (MA), is the former IBU World welterweight, two-time NABF and IBF Intercontinental light welterweight, and New England lightweight champion. He holds the only victory against present WBA super lightweight title-holder Vivian Harris, as well as wins against former world champions Charles Murray (twice) and Vince Phillips.

    Oliveira has challenged WBO welterweight champion Antonio “El 7 Mares” Magarito (28-3, 19 KOs). “Ray’s a warrior who certainly deserves another world title fight after all he’s done in boxing,” Oliveira’s promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “Magarito is due to defend his WBO title November 1 on HBO. We feel boxing fans would love to watch Ray fight Magarito for the WBO crown. It has all the makings of a great, exciting match.”

    (Go to www.cesboxing.com for updated information about Classic Entertainment & Sports’ upcoming shows, recent results, its fighters and more.)



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRay Oliveira wants Magarito, not Khaliq``x1061400157,54797,``x``x ``xOlympic Gold Medallist Audley "A-Force" Harrison Opens US-Based Operations to Continue Campaign for Heavyweight Title;
    Announces Three Fight Deal With ESPN Boxing

    NEW YORK, NY - "A Force" Has Arrived In America! Knowing the U.S. leads the way for boxers to become stars of the sweet science, Olympic super heavyweight champion Audley Harrison has left his native homeland of Great Britain and landed on American soil to continue his pursuit of becoming heavyweight champion of the world.

    The self-promoted, 6'6" Londoner (11-0, 7KOs)'s promotional company A-Force Promotions, Inc. has signed a three-fight deal with ESPN2 Boxing-that will include his first main event appearance on American television-and opened New York-based offices for his company. Both moves are critical to his becoming a household name in the States. "It is the right time for me to come to America and show its boxing fans what my British fans already know," said Harrison. "I am 'A-Force' to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division and it is my mission to be champion of the world."

    Harrison-who doesn't mind the comparisons to fellow countrymen and reigning champion Lennox Lewis-will officially kick off his US-based campaign as the co-main event on ESPN2 Tuesday Night Fights on September 9, from Level Nightclub in Miami South Beach, Florida. His opponent is yet to be named but surely he won't leave his new American friends disappointed. "My performance on ESPN2 that night will be the most important fight of my career thus far," said Harrison. "I plan to execute an impressive boxing show that displays my complete ring arsenal."

    Two more dates will follow as part of the overall efforts. "ESPN is excited to bring the Olympic super heavyweight gold medallist to our loyal and knowledgeable boxing audience," said Bob Yalen, ESPN Director of Programming and Acquisitions. "It will give them a chance to recognize the outstanding potential we believe Audley possesses."

    The co-feature will be another heavyweight and Florida favorite in Andre Purlett (36-2, 33KOs,) who is coming off an impressive first-round knockout win over veteran Ron Guerrero. The show is being co-promoted by A-Force Promotions, Inc. and ARK Promotions Inc., whose owners-Rick and Noah Lazes-own the club, the hot spot for high level boxing shows in the Miami area.

    It's no surprise to those who know him that Harrison is making the smart move to America early in his career. Always a self-starter and highly attuned to the business of boxing, Harrison is mirroring moves he made throughout his life-both in and out of boxing-that have allowed him to earn the levels of success he has achieved to date.

    Growing up on the Stonebridge Estate in Harlesdon, a tough inner-city neighborhood in north-west London, Harrison, although always good natured and a free spirit, spent part of his teens years hanging out with troublemakers, who spent the day committing petty crimes and misdemeanors. Looking back, Harrison says he engaged in this lifestyle, "mainly because I was bored." It wasn't until he landed in the Feltham Young Offenders Institute for a felony offense that Harrison decided to make what would become the first of many brilliant decisions for his life's future. "Even when my life appeared to others to be going nowhere," says Harrison. "I always believed that I would and could make a su! ccess of myself somehow."

    Ten years later he is an Olympic and Commonwealth gold medallist, a college graduate with a Bachelor of Science (Hons), a Member of the Order of the British Empire (received from the Queen of England,) a champion for the rights of amateur boxers, financial stable and a donator to charity. Audley Harrison turned his life around quite impressively and he owes a great deal of it to boxing.

    Although Harrison started his amateur career later than most-he was 19 in 1991 when his older brother Rodney, a club boxer, introduced him to the ring-he was a quick learner with natural raw talent from the start. He found the best boxing facilities and amateur coaches England had to offer, he joined the Northolt boxing gym and started his amateur career. After two years of club shows and his reputation as a tough competitor growing-making it harder for him to find fights among club-level amateurs-Harrison had no choice but to join the Amateur Boxing Association Circuit (ABA), a unusual move for a fighter with only six amateur bouts. He was thrust in to competition with some of England's top ama! teur fighters. Over the next five years Harrison had some defeats but mostly professional and personal victories. He blossomed as a fighter in the 1995 season and won his first national title in 1997. He was again victorious at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and of course, Olympic gold in Sydney. He achieved top-level success and became a learned student of the sweet science.

    It was during these years that Harrison also pursued an academic degree and after gaining college credit at the College of North East London, he was accepted in to Brunel University in Isleworth, Middlesex in 1994. He earned a degree in Sports Studies and Leisure Management, writing a ten thousand-word thesis on 'A Sociological Perspectives on the Justification of Amateur Boxing.'



    Upon returning with the gold medal that instantly put him in an elite group of other great heavyweight Olympic champions like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, and Lennox Lewis, Harrison returned to London and became a household name. After receiving MBE honors from the Queen, Harrison turned professional and started his career on May 19. 2001 with a first round demolition of Florida brawler Mike Middleton. Harrison made history by being the first British boxer to headline a televised British bout in his professional debut as he had also signed a lucrative and exclusive two year, ten fight deal with the BBC after his Olympic return.



    Harrison suffered injuries in his first year that limited his boxing to three bouts, a decision win over the durable Derek McCafferty and a one-punch body blow KO of Polish puncher Piotr Jurczyk followed his professional debut win. His second year as a pro has seen much different results as he continues to impress audiences with his wins, including seven knockouts. Starting with Detroit's Julius Long and ending May 31, 2003 with England's Matthew Ellis, Harrison is showing the heavyweight division that he is dangerous and serious about becoming world champion. Now he puts his final preparations in place as the A-Force has landed!

    Facts About the September 9 Tuesday Night Fights

    Doors open at 7:00 pm, boxing starts at 8:00 pm. The two-hour televised ESPN2 show will begin at 10:00 pm EST. There will be seven bouts including Purlett, who lives in south Florida and female heavyweight Kathy Rivers of Hollywood, Florida. Tickets are available at Level Box Office 1235 Washington Avenue Miami Beach Florida (Corner of 12th and Washington) or www.levelnightclub.com. Ticket prices start at $100 ringside, $75 VIP Stage, $50 VIP Balcony, $25 General Admission Floor (limited availability) and $20 for general admission balcony. For ticket information call 305-604-0009.

    Facts About Level Nightclub

    Level held its grand opening on Thursday, November 18th 1999. It debuted as the South Beach location for world-class boxing events in early 2000. Level owner's Rick and Noah Lazes quickly spotted a niche market with an enthusiastic audience comprised of not only seasoned boxing fans, but club goers, locals, surfers and models, key elements of America's Riviera.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOlympic Gold Medallist Harrison Moves to America``x1061409382,41859,``x``x ``xBy Katherine Dunn
    PPV
    Saturday, 8-23-03
    Biloxi, Mississippi
    Mississippi Coast Coliseum
    The Grand Casino


    10 rounds of 2 minutes each for the International Boxing Association Super Middleweight Women’s Championship.

    25 year-old Laila Ali (162 lbs) now 16-0, 13 KO’s knocked out 35 year-old Christy Martin (159 official pounds) now 45-3-2, 31 KO’s at 48 seconds of the 4th round. Ali beat the crap out of Martin, putting her down for the first and second time in the tough Coal Miner’s Daughters’ career. Martin stayed on her knees on the deck after the second knock down. Though completely over-matched by the taller, younger, heavier, faster, more accurate Ali, Martin was all grit from the first bell, soaking up barrages of head shots.

    Martin probably weighed at least 15 and maybe 20 pounds less than Ali. She weighed in wearing boots, a cap, and a full set of military fatigues with plenty of pockets for loading. This fight was a serious breach of safety rules in place to protect the health of fighters. Shame on Billy Lyons, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Commission for allowing it to happen. On the other hand, both women are reported to have earned $250,000 for the match. That’s almost twice as much as Martin has made in any of her 50 fights, and a record purse for female boxers.



    10 rounds of two minutes each for the North American Boxing Association Super Middleweight Women’s title.
    #2 year-old Ann Wolfe (163 lbs) of Austin, Texas went to 15-1, 11 KO’s with a revenge win by unanimous decision over 29 year-old Valerie Mahfood (164 lbs) now 13-2, 7 KO’s, of Beaumont, Texas. In their first match, 2 and a half years ago, Mahfood stopped Wolfe in the third round. The only blemish on the power punching Wolfe’s record.

    This was not the fat and gasping Mahfood who lost twice recently to Laila Ali. This was the rock hard, purple-mohawked bruiser Mahfood with serious intentions. The Texas prison guard brought her best game to this fight and it’s imposing. Wolfe showed an impressive arsenal of jabs, hooks, crosses and straight rights with an occasional nasty uppercut. Seven years ago Wolfe was homeless, living with her two small daughters in a parking lot. She’s been boxing five years and she’s getting better all the time. Though she punched herself out a couple of times, she was able to get rally for necessary comebacks as the cruder but strong Mahfood pressed in. Unanimous decision for Wolfe. The judges called 97-93, 97-93 and 99-91.


    12 rounds of 3 minutes each for the North American Boxing Association Welterweight Men’s Championship.

    Defending champ, 28 year-old Chris Smith (146 lbs) , now 16-0-1, 9 KO’s, of New York City stopped 31 year-old Frankie Sanchez (146 lbs) now 13-7-1, 7 KO’s, of Denver, Colorado, at the end of the 8th round. A TKO for Smith.
    This was a virtual sparring match with Smith gently pitty-patting with the completely out-gunned Masters degree candidate—Sanchez lectures in the American Scholars Program in venues as far afield as Beijing, China. On the rare occasions when Smith bothered to put anything behind his gloves, he knocked Sanchez down in the 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 8th rounds.

    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xAli Blasts Martin``x1061699795,68650,``x``x ``x
    By Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    In less than a month Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley will be fighting a rematch against each other. The last time De La Hoya and Mosley shared a ring together back on June 17th of 2000, Mosley dealt DeLaHoya his second career defeat. In the midst of beating Oscar, Mosley won the WBC welterweight title. As far as I'm concerned, Mosley never received his due praise for beating DeLaHoya. Remember, he beat De La Hoya in only his third fight as a welterweight after moving up from lightweight by-passing the junior welterweight division, and he beat him more soundly and convincingly than Felix Trinidad.

    The De La Hoya-Mosley fight was very close through round six. However from the seventh round on, it was Mosley's fight. I don't know how the judges scored it a split decision, I thought it was a clear Mosley win and should've been unanimous. The win catapulted Mosley into being recognized as one of top pound for pound fighters in the world, (I hate the pound for pound mythical ratings crap) and the defeat raised some questions about De La Hoya's future.

    Since their first fight, their careers have gone in opposite directions. De La Hoya seems to have rounded out his overall game, and has grown more confident since losing to Mosley. On the other hand, Mosley has stumbled and seems a little unsure of exactly what he wants to do and what style he wants to fight.

    In the three years since De La Hoya lost to Mosley, he's fought four times, going 4-0 (3). Two of those wins were against fighters who had no chance to beat him. In stopping Arturo Gatti and Yory Boy Campas, he beat a fighter who he had a significant size advantage, (Gatti) and another fighter who has been on the wrong side of the hill for at least the last seven years (Campas). The other two wins were over solid legitimate world class fighters. In winning the IBF junior middleweight title from Javier Castillejo, De La Hoya displayed his boxing ability, and an improved right hand. His other win was over long time rival Fernando Vargas in September of 2002. The Vargas fight may be one of his best overall performances.

    In the Vargas fight, DeLaHoya faced a world class fighter who was young and hungry, and who also had longed to get Oscar in the ring. Vargas showed up in great shape and definitely gave it his best shot. The difference in the fight was that DeLaHoya was the better overall and more complete fighter. Some have speculated that DeLaHoya performed well against Vargas because the Trinidad fight softened Vargas up some. Though I don't believe all of that, I'll concede that it may have been a minor factor.

    Since taking DeLaHoya's title, Mosley has gone 3-2 with one no contest. In Mosley's three wins, he stopped Antonio Diaz, Shannan Taylor, and Adrian Stone retaining his WBC welterweight title. Obviously those three are not in the same class as Forrest or DeLaHoya. In his fourth title defense Mosley was beaten soundly over 12 rounds by his long time nemesis Vernon Forrest. In their rematch six months later, Mosley put up a much better fight in losing a close decision, (I scored it 7-5 Forrest). In the rematch with Forrest, it was obvious that regardless how well prepared Mosley is for Forrest, he just doesn't match up well with him. Forrest's height and jab seem too big of an obstacle for Mosley to penetrate.

    Mosley's last fight ended in a no contest when he accidently head butt Raul Marquez in the third round. Though three rounds is hardly enough to judge any fighter on, it's at least safe to say that Shane's showing vs Marquez was less than stellar.

    A Lot On The Line For Both

    The rematch between De La Hoya and Mosley could possibly be the most important fight in the careers of both fighters. It's a fight that neither can afford to lose. A loss in this fight will be monumental to both, and will be very hard to comeback from. For De La Hoya, a loss to Mosley could not come at a worst time in his career. De LaH oya is finally getting respect from even his harshest critics. De La Hoya is one of the few fighters of today whose fought the best available. In my opinion, Mosley is the only fighter who has clearly defeated him.

    That's why he has to beat Mosley. If he loses to Mosley, it will haunt him the rest of his career. No matter what he does, it will be said, yea, but he couldn't beat Mosley. There are potential huge fights out there looming with Mayorga, Forrest, and Hopkins. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if we end up seeing De La Hoya fight and defeat both Mayorga and Forrest thus pushing the calender along aging Hopkins.

    When it comes to De La Hoya, I believe that Hopkins views him with the same disdain Marvin Hagler viewed Sugar Ray Leonard. Hagler looked at Leonard as a pretty boy media creation who got everything his way. Hagler didn't think Leonard was tough and would never agree to fight him because he thought Leonard feared him. That mind set probably cost him the fight. Leonard waited just long enough to challenge Hagler. Leonard saw some slippage in Hagler in his last fight against John Mugabi, and then jumped up and challenged him. Leonard knew that Hagler couldn't resist the money and a chance to have his name on his win column. By Leonard running the clock out, he caught Hagler at the perfect time.

    I can see Hopkins making the same mistake against DeLaHoya. DeLaHoya is in no hurry to fight Hopkins. He knows that fight will be there when ever he wants it to happen. He knows that there are plenty of name fighters who he can be paid millions to fight while he's keeping Hopkins on the shelf getting older. He knows that the chances of him challenging Hopkins, and Hopkins refusing the challenge are virtually non existent. For this strategy to play out, he must get by Mosley to move on to the next phase.

    In Mosley's case the fight is even bigger. If he loses to DeLaHoya in their rematch, he'll basically become a trial horse for up and coming fighters. A loss puts Mosley in a tough spot. He'll be to risky for established fighters to fight because he's still good and capable of beating them, and a win over him won't really guarantee you a spot at the top.

    A Mosley defeat by DeLaHoya would make him 0-3 in his last three big fights. All of the sudden we'll be hearing how his only signature win out of the lightweight division was over a De La Hoya who fought the wrong fight against him coming off the loss to Trinidad. Fighters like Vargas, Mayorga, and Wright will have no interest in fighting Shane. They'll look at him as a big risk without much to gain, where he'll look at them as a chance to get back in the title picture.

    On the other hand, a win over De La Hoya resurrects Mosley's career. Having beaten DeLaHoya twice will all but erase the two defeats by Forrest. Most will accept that Mosley is a better fighter than Forrest, but just doesn't match up with him. If Mosley can get by DeLaHoya than Mosley-Mayorga, Mosley-Vargas become huge fights and they are fights he would be favored in if he were to beat De La Hoya.

    The winner of the De La Hoya-Mosley rematch puts himself in a tremendous position to continue on. With so many worthy opponents out there for him to fight, this is a must win. The sky is the limit for the winner, and the fall could be horrific for the loser. Obviously a loss for Mosley is much worse. No way Mosley will be afforded the cushion that De La Hoya will most likely get if he loses.

    Early Prediction: De La Hoya by Unanimous Decision


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDeLaHoya-Mosley II: Could Be Over For The Loser``x1061815466,94424,``x``x ``xTomorrow at Red Sox-Toronto game

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – United States amateur boxing champion Jason Estrada, of Providence, is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch tomorrow night (Tuesday, Aug. 26) for the Boston Red Sox-Toronto Blues Jays game at historic Fenway Park.

    Super heavyweight Estrada, 22, is being honored for recently capturing a Gold Medal at the Pan-American Games in the Dominican Republic. The 6-1, 245-pound Estrada easily out-pointed the World’s No. 1 rated super heavyweight, Cuba’s 275-pound Michael Lopez Nunez, 14-6.

    Jason is the No. 1 ranked U.S. super heavyweight and a Team USA medal hopeful next summer in Athens. He is the first boxer to win both the U.S. Challenge and U.S. Nationals three years in a row.

    (Bob Trieger and the Estrada family have reached an agreement that Trieger’s sports public relations agency, Full Court Press, will serve as Jason’s publicist on a volunteer basis. The North Reading, MA-based Trieger handles publicity for former world heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz and “Irish” Micky Ward, as well as public relations for Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. All requests for interviews and photo opportunities by Jason Estrada should be directed to Trieger.)



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJason Estrada throwing out first pitch at Fenway Park``x1061827399,30638,``x``x ``xCHICAGO’S #1 FIGHT PROMOTER RETURNS TO THE BALLROOM
    Friday, September 5th

    Hitz Boxing returns to the Ramada Plaza Hotel O’Hare with another evening of non-stop boxing action on Friday, September 5th, 2003. Six undefeated Chicago prospects continue their quest for World titles and one former Olympian looks to get his pro career back on track.

    1996 Ukrainian Olympic Team Captain Vitaliy “Dr. TKO” Kopytko (20-5, 8 KOs) believes he’s finally found the right promotional fit with Hitz Boxing. Mismanaged in his first pro fights in Europe, Kopytko will draw on Chicago’s huge Ukrainian community for motivation. "Chicago feels like home. Many people here remember me from Ukraine and will support me. Bobby Hitz has made me a great offer and I’m looking forward to making a run for a World Title." Patrick Lewis (5-2-1, 4 KOs) faces Kopytko in a feature Super Middleweight bout.

    Fan favorite Middleweight "Macho" Miguel Hernandez (3-0, 2 KOs) looks to deliver another impressive performance following his "highlight reel" KO of Michael Rush on Hitz Boxing’s July HBO Latino broadcast.

    At 6’5" and 230 pounds, former Canadian Football League player, Carl "Iron Fist" Davis
    (3-0, 2 KOs) returns after a tough 4-round learning experience on July 10th. Facing a Russian boxer with a reported 150 amateur bouts, Davis won by hard fought decision. Said Davis, "I’ve never faced that style of boxing before. I won, and I learned a lot in that bout. That’s what I’m looking to do. Learn and progress."

    An attorney for Allstate Insurance at their corporate headquarters in suburban Chicago, Matt "Bam Bam" Barber (3-0, 2KOs) looks to make a case that he is a rising heavyweight contender.

    Rounding out this action-packed event are Joey "The Boss" Gill making his pro debut as a light heavyweight, cruiserweight Ed "Iron Man" Gutierrez (8-0-1, 6 KOs) and junior welterweight Jermaine Marks (7-0, 4 KOs).

    The Ramada Hotel O’Hare is located just 25 minutes northwest of the Chicago Loop at 6600 N. Mannheim Road in Rosemont.

    Doors open at 7 pm with the action starting at 8pm.

    For tickets: Hitz Boxing- 630/295-9800 or www.hitzboxing.com
    $35, $50 and $100 VIP.

    All bouts subject to change without notice.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDr. Kopytko Headlines Chigago Show on Sept. 5th``x1061987633,11468,``x``x ``xBy Frank  Lotierzo

     
    This is my remembrance of the day Rocky Marciano was killed in a plane crash. Monday September 1st 2003 would have been his 80th birthday.  
     
    It was Sunday Night August 31st, 1969 when he was called to his final resting place, on the eve of his 46th birthday September 1st. There was a terrible thunderstorm that night with a low ceiling. Rocky had talked the inexperienced pilot into making the flight against his better judgement. Typical Rocky bravado, oh it's only some rain, we'll be fine!
     
    Rocky was anxious to get back to his Ft. Lauderdale home for the birthday party that was planned for him by his 16 year old daughter Mary Ann. It was a party he would never make. Rocky was going to make an appearance at ringside of a fighter in which a friend of his had an interest. He was flying from Chicago to Des Moines for his appearance. Tragically the plane crashed into an open field with a tree in it near a wooded creek. All three aboard the plane were killed instantly, the pilot, Rocky, and his friend. The National Transportation Security Board's report stated that "The pilot attempted operation exceeding his ability and level." 
     
    I remember it was Monday morning Labor day, and it was a beautiful sunny day. I was nine years old and boxing had been an obsession of mine for about four years. It was late summer 1969, and a lot was happening in the heavyweight division, and I couldn't get enough. In June of 1969 Joe Frazier had stopped Jerry Quarry in seven heated rounds. Jimmy Ellis, who held the WBA heavyweight title, tried to upstage Frazier while he was being interviewed by Howard Cosell after stopping Quarry. A few months later Ellis and Frazier signed to meet in February of 1970 for what was being billed as the undisputed heavyweight title.
     
    During the summer of 1969 rumors were flying around that Ali and Frazier were going to fight in some obscure place so the government couldn't intervene. Some of the rumors had them fighting on a Jet plane flying at 30,000 feet, or on an Indian Reservation where the government supposedly had no jurisdiction. The best one was that Ali and Frazier were going to fight at Frazier's gym in north Philadelphia for free!
     
    On that fateful Monday morning I rode my bike over to Radnor baseball field at the end of Radnor Avenue in Haddonfield N.J. where I grew up. As a kid I loved riding a bike and looked for any excuse to ride. I always would go over to Radnor field on weekend mornings to see who was out. We used to play football or shot baskets and just hang out. I was friendly with a guy named Bob Mitchell who lived at the end of Radnor Ave. He was older than me, maybe 15 or 16. He was a good basketball player and started on the high school basketball team. But, the main reason I used to look for him was because he was a big boxing fan.
     
    Bob was also big Ali fan, and I was always pestering him to see if he thought Ali could beat Frazier if they ever fought. Since he was a fan of Ali, he always assured me that if they ever fought, Ali would win. That morning around 9:30, I remember going up the street and not seeing anyone. So I parked my Schwinn Apple Krate and sat on the bleachers hoping Bob would come out and talk some boxing, he probably saw me and was waiting for me to leave. I used to hound him constantly about  Ali and Frazier.
     
    After a while I got back on my bike and started to leave. Just as I was passing his house he came running out with a newspaper in his hand. I turned around and rode up to him thinking he was going to show me and article on Ali or Frazier? When I approached him he held up the paper, it was the front page of The Philadelphia Inquirer.  It had a picture of Rocky Marciano knocking out Archie Moore in what was his last fight 14 years ago. The headline read, "Former Champ Marciano dies in Plane Crash".
     
    I couldn't believe it. I heard so much about Marciano from my grandfather who used to come over our house for dinner on Sunday's. My grandfather was one of those ol' school Italians, and as far as he was concerned, nobody coulda beat the Rock. I used to tease him saying, "granpop, Ali would've cut Marciano to ribbons". He would actually get mad at me for saying that, and he'd start yelling at my father for letting me talk that way. My father would have to warn me not to tease my grandfather about Ali being able to beat Marciano when he came over. Although I was petrified of my father, I'd still sneak it in and my grandfather would smack me on the back of my head as my father gave me the eye!
     
    My grandfather was absolutely sure Marciano would've knocked Ali out. Remember, this is late summer of 1969 and some still had questions about Ali's heart and chin. At that time the Ali story was only about half complete. Ironically, Marciano and Ali had just completed filming the fight scenes for their computer fight in July. Unfortunately Marciano never lived to hear that the computer picked him as the winner.
     
    On January 20th of 1970, Woroner Productions released the hypothetical computer fight between the only two undefeated heavyweight champions in history at the time. The computer picked Marciano as the winner, stopping Ali in the 13th round. Over the years my grandfather and I would argue over who would've won had Rocky and Ali crossed paths at their best. The one thing I never told him was that I wasn't as confident and certain as I had always projected to be. My grandfather never let me forget it until the day he died in 1997, that the computer picked Marciano to beat Ali. Rest assured, I did get my shots back at him! "I told him the guy who programmed the computer was a little fat Italian who hated Ali." 
     
    What I Respect About Marciano
     
    What I respect about Rocky Marciano is that the title meant something to him. Being undefeated meant something to him. This is why he trained and prepared like no other fighter in history. Marciano knew he wasn't the most talented or gifted fighter. This is why he pushed and challenged his body. Rocky's mind set was, you may be able to beat me, but you can't beat my body!
     
    I also like that he never sold out! He could've made a King's Fortune to come out of retirement to fight Patterson, Johansson, or Liston, but he didn't. He loved being perfect too much, and was smart enough to know that he could never summon the greatness back. There was no way he'd let Patterson, Johansson, or Liston have his name on their record, knowing that the name was all that remained. Marciano was too selfish in a good way to let his name be on their record, like Louis' is on his, or Ali's is on Holmes, or Holmes' is on Tyson's. Being undefeated separated him from other former champions and he knew it. Marciano was shrewd and he knew that 49-0 (43) gave him certain bragging rights over all other heavyweight champs. It can argued forever and a day who could've or who would've beaten Marciano, but nobody ever did. A famous boxing trainer once said, you are what your record is.  
     

      ***************************************************************
     
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xRemembering The Rock``x1062355241,82980,``x``x ``xRe: Kansas City, MO Amateur Tournament
    Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2003 17:32:06 -0700

    Molly McConnell, 145 pounds senior open division,of the West Portland Boxing Club in Portland, Oregon won her second
    consecutive National Title at the "Ringside National Labor Day Tournament". The tournament is recognized as the largest amateur boxing event in the world.

    This year teams from Russia, Ireland, Canada, Puerto Rico and USA pariticipated.

    Molly beat Canadian Ayana Pelletier in the semi finals and
    won the tile my defeating Elizabeth Monny of New York in the finals. In both
    bouts Molly was very sharp and is constantly improving. Today she found a home for her left hook, and after a year of depending on the hard right she has now added to her arsenal. Molly will end her amateur career at the end of this month at the National PAL in Toledo, Ohio (Sept 20 - 27) and with over five years of
    experience behind her, will add a new force to be reckoned with to the pro's.
    V/R Coach Bill Meartz
    West Portland Boxing Club``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xMolly Goes Gold``x1062380105,41443,``x``x ``xU.S. Champion Klinefelter Wins Another Title Before Heading to Russia

    Kansas City, Missouri - This weekend, Emily Klinefelter became a two-time winner of the Ringside Championships, a boxing tournament open to anyone throughout the world. In the Saturday 110 pound semifinal, she defeated Canada’s Chelsey Barnett. In the Sunday final, she defeated Colorado’s Candice Byrd. On Monday, U.S. Champion Klinefelter was on her way to Russia, where she will represent the United States in competitions in St. Petersburg and Moscow. An Iowa City native, 19 year old Klinefelter is a student at the University of Iowa, trained by Cyberboxing staff writer Adam Pollack.
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``x Emily the Champ Fights Russia``x1062441883,59054,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE:
    Subject: Fight Night 42 Lucky Eagle Casino


    Saturday, September 6, 2003 at 7:00pm
    Reggie Davis Added to Card in 8 Rounder vs. Sebastian Valdez


    Dateline: Rochester, WA, August 26, 2003

    Reggie Davis (8-1 with 5 ko's) of Portland, OR, will face Sebastian Valdez (19-4 with 7 ko's) from Oakland, CA in an eight round semi-main event.
    Davis ko'd Ishwar Amador in April at the Lucky Eagle Casino, and was voted "Fan Favorite". Valdez defeated Floyd Weaver, of the "Weaver Twins" by knocking him out in the seventh round in September of 2001.

    In the 10 round main event features Jesus Santiago of Renton, WA will face Jaime Morales from Waco Texas. Santiago defeated Rafael Ortiz in November 2002 and June at the Lucky Eagle


    Other fighters expected:
    * Jaime de la Torre vs. Victor Branson
    * James Ramos vs. Angelo Torres
    * Damion Hatch vs. Scott Sales
    * Darren Darby vs. David Torres

    Changes and additional information will be announced as they occur.

    Tickets $40 ringside, $25 reserved, $20 reserved of general admission
    available at Ticketmaster, casino (800-720-1788) or Twin Cities
    Fuller's stores.

    Duncan MacLeod

    Director of Marketing
    Lucky Eagle Casino
    www.luckyeagle.com
    "You Just Get More"

    ********************************************************************
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xSat. Sept. 6 at Lucky Eagle``x1062463654,48475,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    This is my remembrance of the day Rocky Marciano was killed in a plane crash. Yesterday, September 1st would have been his 80th birthday.

    It was Sunday Night August 31st, 1969 when he was called to his final resting place, on the eve of his 46th birthday September 1st. There was a terrible thunderstorm that night with a low ceiling. Rocky had talked the inexperienced pilot into making the flight against his better judgement. Typical Rocky bravado, oh it's only some rain, we'll be fine!

    Rocky was anxious to get back to his Ft. Lauderdale home for the birthday party that was planned for him by his 16 year old daughter Mary Ann. It was a party he would never make. Rocky was going to make an appearance at ringside of a fighter in which a friend of his had an interest. He was flying from Chicago to Des Moines for his appearance. Tragically the plane crashed into an open field with a tree in it near a wooded creek. All three aboard the plane were killed instantly, the pilot, Rocky, and his friend. The National Transportation Security Board's report stated that "The pilot attempted operation exceeding his ability and level."

    I remember it was Monday morning Labor day, and it was a beautiful sunny day. I was nine years old and boxing had been an obsession of mine for about four years. It was late summer 1969, and a lot was happening in the heavyweight division, and I couldn't get enough. In June of 1969 Joe Frazier had stopped Jerry Quarry in seven heated rounds. Jimmy Ellis, who held the WBA heavyweight title, tried to upstage Frazier while he was being interviewed by Howard Cosell after stopping Quarry. A few months later Ellis and Frazier signed to meet in February of 1970 for what was being billed as the undisputed heavyweight title.

    During the summer of 1969 rumors were flying around that Ali and Frazier were going to fight in some obscure place so the government couldn't intervene. Some of the rumors had them fighting on a Jet plane flying at 30,000 feet, or on an Indian Reservation where the government supposedly had no jurisdiction. The best one was that Ali and Frazier were going to fight at Frazier's gym in north Philadelphia for free!

    On that fateful Monday morning I rode my bike over to Radnor baseball field at the end of Radnor Avenue in Haddonfield N.J. where I grew up. As a kid I loved riding a bike and looked for any excuse to ride. I always would go over to Radnor field on weekend mornings to see who was out. We used to play football or shot baskets and just hang out. I was friendly with a guy named Bob Mitchell who lived at the end of Radnor Ave. He was older than me, maybe 15 or 16. He was a good basketball player and started on the high school basketball team. But, the main reason I used to look for him was because he was a big boxing fan.

    Bob was also big Ali fan, and I was always pestering him to see if he thought Ali could beat Frazier if they ever fought. Since he was a fan of Ali, he always assured me that if they ever fought, Ali would win. That morning around 9:30, I remember going up the street and not seeing anyone. So I parked my Schwinn Apple Krate and sat on the bleachers hoping Bob would come out and talk some boxing, he probably saw me and was waiting for me to leave. I used to hound him constantly about Ali and Frazier.

    After a while I got back on my bike and started to leave. Just as I was passing his house he came running out with a newspaper in his hand. I turned around and rode up to him thinking he was going to show me and article on Ali or Frazier? When I approached him he held up the paper, it was the front page of The Philadelphia Inquirer. It had a picture of Rocky Marciano knocking out Archie Moore in what was his last fight 14 years ago. The headline read, "Former Champ Marciano dies in Plane Crash".

    I couldn't believe it. I heard so much about Marciano from my grandfather who used to come over our house for dinner on Sunday's. My grandfather was one of those ol' school Italians, and as far as he was concerned, nobody coulda beat the Rock. I used to tease him saying, "granpop, Ali would've cut Marciano to ribbons". He would actually get mad at me for saying that, and he'd start yelling at my father for letting me talk that way. My father would have to warn me not to tease my grandfather about Ali being able to beat Marciano when he came over. Although I was petrified of my father, I'd still sneak it in and my grandfather would smack me on the back of my head as my father gave me the eye!

    My grandfather was absolutely sure Marciano would've knocked Ali out. Remember, this is late summer of 1969 and some still had questions about Ali's heart and chin. At that time the Ali story was only about half complete. Ironically, Marciano and Ali had just completed filming the fight scenes for their computer fight in July. Unfortunately Marciano never lived to hear that the computer picked him as the winner.

    On January 20th of 1970, Woroner Productions released the hypothetical computer fight between the only two undefeated heavyweight champions in history at the time. The computer picked Marciano as the winner, stopping Ali in the 13th round. Over the years my grandfather and I would argue over who would've won had Rocky and Ali crossed paths at their best. The one thing I never told him was that I wasn't as confident and certain as I had always projected to be. My grandfather never let me forget it until the day he died in 1997, that the computer picked Marciano to beat Ali. Rest assured, I did get my shots back at him! "I told him the guy who programmed the computer was a little fat Italian who hated Ali."

    What I Respect About Marciano

    What I respect about Rocky Marciano is that the title meant something to him. Being undefeated meant something to him. This is why he trained and prepared like no other fighter in history. Marciano knew he wasn't the most talented or gifted fighter. This is why he pushed and challenged his body. Rocky's mind set was, you may be able to beat me, but you can't beat my body!

    I also like that he never sold out! He could've made a King's Fortune to come out of retirement to fight Patterson, Johansson, or Liston, but he didn't. He loved being perfect too much, and was smart enough to know that he could never summon the greatness back. There was no way he'd let Patterson, Johansson, or Liston have his name on their record, knowing that the name was all that remained. Marciano was too selfish in a good way to let his name be on their record, like Louis' is on his, or Ali's is on Holmes, or Holmes' is on Tyson's. Being undefeated separated him from other former champions and he knew it. Marciano was shrewd and he knew that 49-0 (43) gave him certain bragging rights over all other heavyweight champs. It can argued forever and a day who could've or who would've beaten Marciano, but nobody ever did. A famous boxing trainer once said, you are what your record is.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xRemembering The Rock``x1062507180,26114,``x``x ``xSept. 13 versus Michel Trabant in Germany

    WORCESTER, Mass. – Boxing’s best-kept secret, “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera, departs Friday for Germany. This is no European vacation, though, for the 30-year-old professional boxer. He is on a mission to capture the World Boxing Association welterweight championship against unbeaten Michel Trabant.

    Trabant (38-0, 18 KOs), the 25-year-old European welterweight champion who will be fighting in his hometown of Berlin, and Rivera (36-3-1, 24 KOs), of Worcester (MA) via Puerto Rico and Philadelphia, are fighting for the WBA title that became vacant when Ricardo Mayorga defeated Vernon Forrest to unify the World Boxing Council and WBA crowns. Mayorga was upgraded to “Super Champion” and the WBA mandated a title match between its top two contenders No. 2 Thomas Damgaard and No. 3 Trabant (No. 1 is vacant).

    When Damgaard’s promoter, Team Palle, failed to meet a WBA-imposed deadline to stage the fight, the WBA matched Trabant against the next-in-line challenger, No. 4 Rivera, while mandating the Trabant-Rivera winner must face Damgaard within 120 days of the fight.

    Rivera doesn’t have any complaints about fighting Berlin homeboy Trabant in his backyard. “I have no problem with it,” Jose said about fighting Trabant in Berlin. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win the world title. Nobody said fighting for the world championship would be easy. I know he doesn’t have a typical European style. He works the body good and this should be a great fight.”

    A virus cancelled Jose’s last scheduled fight this past February and he hasn’t fought since July 27 2002, when he stopped Elias Cruz in the second round. “I’m not worried about ring rust,” Jose remarked. “I’m in great shape and have been working out for months. I’m fighting for the ultimate prize -- the world championship. I’ve always hoped to get this opportunity. Many great fighters never get a title shot and I’m very fortunate. I believe I’m one of the top welterweights in the world. This is the first step in terms of achieving my goal, but I’m not looking past this fight.”

    Rivera, a single father, will be fighting for his 10-year-old son, Anthonee. “He’s always been very supportive of me,” Rivera added. “Sometimes I’m not there with him as often as possible because of training, but he’ll be with me in spirit for this fight. He is a big motivator because my dream is to buy a house for Anthonee and me.

    “I’d like to thank God for watching over me, not just in boxing, but in life. I’d also like to thank those most essential in my boxing career – my manager, Tank (Steven Tankanow), trainers Carlos Garcia and Luis ‘Chico’ Lopez, attorney Anthony Cardinale, promoter Don King, family and all my fans.”

    Rivera rides a six-fight win streak into the Trabant match, including an NABA welterweight title fight decision in 12 against Pat Byrd, as well as a pair of successful championship defenses versus former WBA & WBC light welterweight champ Frankie Randall (TKO10) and Bobby Heath (TKO6). Jose also holds a 10-round decision against current NABF welterweight champion Teddy Reid.

    “God must feel I’m ready to send me to fight in the Lion’s Den,” the religious Rivera concluded. “This is what I’ve been waiting and working so hard for. I’ve always wanted to be a world champion.”

    Even if fighting an undefeated German in Berlin is the way he has to do it.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xJose Rivera fighting for vacant WBA welterweight title``x1062679357,96069,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    David Tua has to be the luckiest fighter in the world. How many times does a fighter get three chances to do something right, once? It's recently been reported that David Tua is going to fight Hasim Rahman for a third time. Only this time it will be for the soon to be vacated WBA heavyweight title formerly held by Roy Jones. I know the way fighters, especially heavyweights, get recycled today and nothing is certain, but this most likely will be the last title shot for both of them. However, this is even more important for Tua since he has yet to win a piece of the title. This has to be considered his best chance, if not his last.

    Currently, Tua is officially 1-0-1 vs Rahman. In reality he should be 1-1 vs Rahman, and if not for a left hook after the bell in their first fight, he could be 0-2. Is it possible that just maybe he and his corner will have figured out how to fight Rahman? Going by their track record, it doesn't look promising. In two fights between Tua and Rahman, Tua has been totally out-boxed by the most basic boxing technique and style in the book. Tua has been rendered totally ineffective by Rahman just jabbing and moving to his left away from Tua's big left hook. It's quite obvious that Tua has shown throughout his career that he has no defense for a jab; you can't miss him if you throw it. Tua has also shown that when confronted by movement, he has no answer.

    Tua is as dangerous as any heavyweight in boxing if you back straight up against the ropes and stand there and try to fight him. Tua, being a tremendous two-handed puncher can really do damage under this scenario. The problem is, no top heavyweights are foolish enough to be caught in this position when fighting him.

    I have said since first seeing Tua fight that he is blessed with two tremendous gifts that most heavyweights would give up ten years of their lives to have: dynamite in either hand and a concrete chin. These are traits that can't be learned. On the other hand, it seems Tua can't be taught what he needs to do to beat the fighters who beat him with the jab and movement. Lennox Lewis, Chris Byrd, and Rahman twice have totally befuddled him with the jab. In those four fights, Tua had yet to use any head and upper body movement. On top of this he has not learned how to cut off the ring, and the importance of it.

    What Tua hasn't had embedded into his head yet, is that when you're a short heavyweight with a short reach, you have to get inside. He can't trade jabs with Rahman and expect to win or even compete. Short heavyweights must get inside to be effective. However, there is a way to go about getting inside that is no secret in boxing. The formula for it is: head and upper body movement, cutting off the ring and stepping in front of the opponent, and going to the body so you can come in low underneath the jab. This strategy has been proven to be more than effective. Tom Sharkey, Rocky Marciano, Joe Frazier, and even Mike Tyson in some of his early fights, proved this to be a winning strategy when fighting against fighters who box and use lateral movement.

    Watching Rahman fight, I think it's safe to say that he doesn't move like Ali, or Holmes. For Tua to have a chance in this fight, he must emulate Frazier in his fights with Ali, especially the first. In his first fight with Ali, Frazier forced Ali back by slipping his jab and cutting off the ring while going to the body while moving forward. Rahman doesn't have an exceptionally fast jab, and it certainly isn't hard enough to discourage Tua from pressuring him. Rahman's jab is decent, but it's not something Tua shouldn't be able to penetrate. The key is, his technique and strategy must be worked on and perfected during training camp.

    For Tua to land any of his big punches, he must force Rahman into position so he can deliver the big hooks and overhand rights. He just can't follow Rahman around the ring eating jabs and expect to get in the one big shot to end the fight. He used this strategy in the previous two bouts with Rahman, and other than the left hook he connected with after the bell in the first fight, he hasn't landed enough big shots to end the fight.

    In the upcoming third bout between Tua and Rahman, I expect Rahman to be in tremendous shape. In their last fight Rahman was in poor condition and came in very heavy which almost cost him the fight. Rahman will be very determined this time since he thinks he has beaten Tua twice, but hasn't a win on his record to show for it. Rahman doesn't have to change his strategy a bit for Tua. He knows that as long as he keeps his jab working, and his feet moving, Tua doesn't have an answer. Look for Rahman to fight the same as he has in the previous fights, only with more purpose.

    For Tua to finally gain a piece of the elusive title for which he has clamored, it will take a career effort. To accomplish this he must get in great shape, weighing in the low 230's is a must. He must give Rahman head and upper body movement while closing the distance by stepping in front of him and cutting off the ring. Tua has to go to the body early to try and take Rahman's legs away, forcing him to fight flatfooted. And Tua must have a high punch out put, as it's imperative to be busy from bell to bell. This is his last chance to prove he's not just going to go down as a fighter who will be mentioned as one of the best to never win the title. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDavid Tua: Will He Finally Get It Right ``x1062681636,35051,``x``x ``xBy Pete Ehrmann


    In the history of professional boxing in Milwaukee, Jimmy Sherrer stood out as one of the most skilled practitioners of the Sweet Science, and even more so as a boxer with the kind of character and decency not usually associated with such a rough and checkered sport.

    That he even stood at all, much less became, in the late 1940s, a contender for the welterweight championship of the world, is a testament to the determination of the man who passed away August 3 at age 79, an active and accomplished
    lifetime after doctors predicted that if he even lived to adolescence he would never get out of a wheelchair.

    Thanks to a condition known as tuberculosis of the spine, Sherrer spent much of his early boyhood at Children’s Hospital, where numerous surgeries failed to get him back on his feet. That changed the day Sherrer visited the Urban League boxing gym for the first time.

    Presiding over that cramped domain on N. 11th and W. Vine Sts., where Milwaukee’s best amateur boxers were developed from 1937-59, was Baby Joe Gans, an even greater wizard at nurturing and inspiring young boys than he was as The
    Ring magazine’s “Negro lightweight champion” in 1931.

    Gans convinced the handicapped youngster to exercise his body as much as he was able. The exercise did what medical science couldn’t, and in 1941, after Sherrer won the state Diamond Belt amateur boxing title at 118-pounds, he gave the trophy to the doctor who said he’d never walk again – “and thanked
    God for Baby Joe Gans.”

    The Lincoln High School student added several more amateur titles before Sherrer had his first of 70 professional bouts on May 5, 1944, knocking out Steve Paul in one round.

    Sherrer quickly became a favorite here and in Chicago, not only because of his natural boxing skills and punching power, but also the million-dollar smile that advertised his winning personality.

    Before Sherrer made his main-event debut in Milwaukee at Borchert Field, beating Billy Parsons on August 1, 1945, the Milwaukee Sentinel’s Stoney McGlynn called him “the kid who came back almost from the grave … a clean living, young
    American Negro, Jimmy is not only a credit to his race, but to the
    fight game and young America as well.”

    When Tommy Lemmon, a hot-headed Irishman and Sherrer’s chief local rival, loudly boasted that he would win their July 29, 1946 fight at the Auditorium, like his idol and role model, heavyweight champion Joe Louis, Sherrer simply held
    up a fist and said, “I’ll do my talking with this.”

    In the fight, Lemmon went out in the first round.

    While Sherrer beat many well-known welterweights and middleweights of his era, one of his most impressive performances isn’t in the record book. In 1945, manager Lou Sangor took him to Chicago to work out with the man
    considered by most boxing historians the greatest pound-for-pound boxer in ring history.

    Sherrer and Sugar Ray Robinson boxed together for four days, and the Sentinel reported that “those who saw the drills say Jimmy did all right for himself; that even Sugar had to step on the gas to keep abreast of Jimmy.”

    Fate tripped the Milwaukee fighter up on the threshold of the big time. Fighting Jerome Frazier in Chicago as a tune-up for a proposed 147-pound title elimination match with top contender Tommy Bell, Sherrer floored Frazier three times in the opening round. Today, three knockdowns in a single round by one
    fighter would automatically end the match on a technical knockout. But that rule didn’t exist then, and Frazier came back and tore open Sherrer’s bottom lip to win by a late round TKO.

    Although he remained a headliner for several more years, Sherrer wasn’t the same fighter. He retired in 1951 with a record of 48-19-3.

    Though declining health in his final years put him back in the
    wheelchair he’d amazingly set aside as a youngster, Sherrer continued what he called his “roadwork” by frequently inching his way on tiptoe around the block of the Marian Franciscan Center on the city’s northwest side.

    “That’s what I miss about boxing,” he said. “The sacrifice.”

    “He was my personal hero and the inspiration of so many that grew up knowing him,” said former Milwaukee resident LeRoy Allen Jr., who followed his favorite boxer into the Golden Gloves and pros.

    “Boxing was lucky to have him, Milwaukee was lucky to have him, and the world today sure could use more like him.”


    XXX
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xJIMMY SHERRER``x1062783830,12809,``x``x ``xOct. 31 on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights

    PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – Trick or Treat? Tiger vs. The Kid on Halloween!

    International Boxing Union lightweight champion Gary “Tiger” Balletto (29-1-2, 25 KOs) steps up in class October 31 in his first ESPN2 Friday Night Fights main event against Canadian lightweight title-holder Billy “The Kid” Irwin (41-5, 29 KOs), it was announced today by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc.

    Balletto, of Providence (RI), will defend his IBU title for the second time in this 12-round bout, at a site to be announced within 48 hours, featuring a classic match-up between a puncher (Balletto) and a boxer (Irwin).

    Based on Irwin’s high rating in the World Boxing Association (No. 12), as well as his vast experience against superior opposition such as former IBF lightweight champ Paul Spadafora and ex-NBA lightweight title-holder Dorin Spivey, “Billy The Kid” figures to enter the ring Oct. 31 as a decisive favorite against the relatively lightly tested Balletto. Irwin also is riding a seven-fight win streak, including a July 25th first-round KO of 24-0 Mark Riggs in his last action.

    “This is a perfect match-up of two very exciting fighters,” promoter Jimmy Burchfield said. “I worked very hard to make this happen as the main event on national television (ESPN2). It’s a great test for Gary. He’s never been in against an opponent as talented and experienced as Irwin.”

    Irwin is rated No. 2 and No. 8 by the NABA and USBO, respectively, while Balletto is ranked No. 9 and No. 16 by the same organizations. Irwin’s five losses have come against fighters with a combined record of 108-9-4 going into their fights against Billy. In 46 pro fights, Irwin has fought 273 rounds, including five 12-rounders and seven 10-rounders. He is the former IBO, WBC Continental Americas and British Empire lightweight champion. Balletto has fought a total of 115 rounds - 10-rounds only three times - in his 32 matches as a pro.

    Site - TBA
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xBalletto-Irwin in IBU lightweight shootout on Halloween``x1062788810,70908,``x``x ``xESPN2's Tuesday Night Fight Card;
    Olympic Gold Medallist to Face Quinn Navarre; Purlett Against Butler

    MIAMI (September 5, 2003) . . . Olympic super heavyweight champion Audley Harrison (11-0, 7KOs) will fight Quinn Navarre (30-10-1, 20KOs) as the co-main event for ESPN2's Tuesday Night Fights on Tuesday September 9 at Level Night Club in Miami South Beach, Florida. In the co-feature, Andre Purlett (36-2, 33 KOs,) who lives in south Florida will face tough veteran heavyweight Lionel Butler (39-11, 35KOs.)

    After having several opponents withdraw in probable fear, Harrison's new opponent Navarre accepted the challenge against the undefeated Harrison. He has been undefeated since 2001, having recorded five wins since his 6th round loss to British Champion Danny Williams in September 2000. It will be a step up in class for Harrison, who is making his first national appearance on US television. "Quinn Navarre professional experience is a competitive step-up for me," said Harrison. "After I successfully pull off this challenge, people will see how serious I am about where I can go in my professional boxing career."

    Purlett, originally from Guyana is coming off an impressive knockout win over veteran Ron Guerrero in the first round. He also has a strong test to pass. "I am looking forward to giving my local fans and boxing fans nationwide a fantastic show," said Purlett. "It's going to be great night of fighting in South Beach."

    The evening's event will bring fans ten live bouts including a special attraction featuring popular female heavyweight Kathy Rivers of Hollywood, Florida vs Lisa McFarland, lightweight Daniel Judah, brother of current WBO Junior Welterweight champion Zab Judah vs Shannon Miller, heavyweight Corey Sanders against Aurelio Perez, and junior welterweight Hicklett Lau against Thomas Grissom. Rounding out the show will be Octavia Lara vs Tony McKay (lightweights,) Brian Mihtar vs Joseph Benjamin (junior middleweight.) The show is being co-promoted by A-Force Promotions, Inc. and ARK Promotions Inc., whose owners-Rick and Noah Lazes-own the club, the hot spot for high level boxing shows in the Miami area.

    Facts About the September 9 Tuesday Night Fights

    All bouts subject to change. Doors open at 7:00 pm, boxing starts at 8:00 pm. The two-hour televised ESPN2 show will begin at 10:00 pm EST. Tickets are available at Level Box Office 1235 Washington Avenue Miami Beach Florida (Corner of 12th and Washington) or www.levelnightclub.com. Ticket prices start at $100 ringside, $75 VIP Stage, $50 VIP Balcony, $25 General Admission Floor (limited availability) and $20 for general admission balcony. For ticket information call 305-604-0009.



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xOpponents Named For Heavyweights Harrison and Purlett For ``x1062792879,10323,``x``x ``xPRESS RELEASE:


    FIGHT NIGHT 42, The Lucky Eagle Casino, Saturday September 6, 2003
    Rochester, Washington

    Lightweight, Scheduled 4 Rounds
    Jaime Morales (7-23-4) (1KO) 140 lbs vs. Jesus Santiago, Renton, WA
    (8-4) (w/-1KO) 139 lbs......
    Jesus Santiago defeated Jaime Morales in a majority 10 round
    decision. Morales' superior reach and experience frustrated Santiago in the
    Early going, however Santiago rallied back and aggressively took command of
    The fight in the later rounds. Santiago broke down Morales' defense and pounded him inside for the victory.

    Welterweight, Scheduled 8 Rounds
    Sebastian Valdez , (20-4) (w/-7 KO) 152 lbs vs. Reggie Davis
    Portland, OR (8-2) (w/-5KO) 152 lbs..............

    Sebastian Valdez defeated Reggie Davis in a unanimous 8 round
    decision. Davis was sharp in the first three rounds, opening up a major cut on
    the bridge of Valdez's nose. Valdez was relentless, his superior
    conditioning eventually wore Davis down. Davis landed several punches below the
    belt, and it may have cost him the fight, as there was little difference
    between the amazing talent and skill of the two fighters.

    Heavyweight, Scheduled 6 Rounds
    Chauncy Welliver, Seattle, WA (14-1-2 ) (w/-7KO) 274 lbs vs. John Clark (4-3-1) (w/-3KO) 271lbs....
    Chauncy Welliver and John Clark fought to a majority 6 round draw.
    John Clark is a beast. His massive 271 lbs body looked like it was chiseled from granite. Chauncy Welliver looked to be the underdog from the opening bell. Welliver a local fighter and a fan of all things deep-fried, looked like bacon fat compared to the shredded physique of his counterpart.

    The crowd got behind the pudgy Welliver, and cheered him on as he absorbed every jaw-rattling blow from Clark. Clark would pound Welliver, and Welliver would crack a smile and encourage more pummeling. Welliver slipped a shot in here and there. When the decision came down, it was obvious that Welliver not only the won over the crowd with his showmanship, but the judges caved with every chubby grin he flashed them.
    Welliver was out fought, but it was too hard to hand the plump teddy bear a loss, so the fight ended in a draw.

    Welterweight, Scheduled 4 Rounds
    Jaime De la Torre, (11-2-1) (w/7KO) 168 lbs vs. Irving Green,
    (0-6) 168lbs.....
    Jaime de la Torre defeated Irving Green by KO in 2:56 of the 3rd
    round. Green fought with an unorthodox style, he moved with a jerky and
    spastic rhythm that defied logic, and frustrated De la Torre. De la Torre was patient, he methodically backed his convulsing opponent into a corner, and proceeded to light him up. In the third round, the fight was decided when De la Torre exploded with a vicious right hook to Green's chin. Green was stopped cold, and fell to the canvas.

    > JR Lightweight, Scheduled 4 Rounds
    > Angelo Torres, (7-5-1) (w/-3KO) 126 lbs vs. James Ramos, (1-2)
    > (w/-1KO) 127 lbs.......
    > Angelo Torres defeated James Ramos in a 4th round unanimous decision.
    > Ramos had the reach, and Torres had the heart in a close fight that
    came
    > down to the wire. Torres' aggressive style and limitless energy gave
    him
    > a slight edge in the fight.
    >
    > Lightweight, Scheduled 4 Rounds
    > David Torres, (1-0) (w/1KO) 141 lbs vs. Darren Darby (0-2) 139 lbs
    > .................
    > David Torres defeated Darren Darby by TKO in 30 seconds of the 4th
    round.
    > Torres destroyed Darby. The fight was never close, the referee
    > practically had to pry Darby off the ropes after he called the fight
    in
    > Torres' favor.
    >
    > Middleweight , Scheduled 4 Rounds
    > Damion Hatch, (7-4-1) (w/ 5KO) 168 lbs vs. Scott Sales, (1-8) 163
    > lbs.............
    > Damion Hatch defeated Scott Sales by KO in 39 seconds of the first
    round.
    > Hatch threw two punches, one was a warning shot, and the other was
    for
    > real. Hatch crippled Sales with a monstrous right.
    > Note: All records include tonight's action
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xLUCKY EAGLE RESULTS``x1062942976,20232,``x``x ``x“The Kid” scared of “Tiger”

    PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – Billy “The Kid” Irwin, according to veteran promoter Jimmy Burchfield, is living up to his nickname. Acting more like a kid than man, Irwin has informed Burchfield that he is reneging on his agreement to fight Gary “Tiger” Balletto, claiming he didn’t have enough time to train.

    Irwin had verbally agreed to fight International Boxing Union lightweight champion Balletto (29-1-2, 25 KOs), of Providence (RI), October 31 in the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights main event, but the Canadian lightweight title-holder Irwin (41-5, 29 KOs) has officially backed-out of the match.

    “Two months isn’t enough time to train,” an irritated Burchfield rhetorically asked. “Irwin must believe Gary Balletto is the top lightweight in the world. Eight weeks is more than enough training time to prepare for a fight. There’s only one reason Irwin doesn’t want to fight Gary and it doesn’t have anything to do with training time.

    “We had a verbal agreement. He agreed to his purse along the possibility of raising that amount upon completion of the venue site. We went over all of the particulars and he agreed to everything. Just to make double sure, I then asked him again if the deal was done, so I could go and get the ESPN date. He said, ‘yes.’ I wouldn’t have spoken to ESPN without Irwin first agreeing to fight Balletto. I can’t understand how a real fighter would pull something like this. I even told him we’d have the fight in Canada, if he wanted, but he wasn’t interested. ‘The Kid’ is acting like a baby. The only explanation for something like this is that he’s scared to fight Gary.”

    Balletto, 28, is one of the fastest rising young stars in the lightweight division. The only loss of his 32-fight career was by decision to present NABF lightweight champion Michael Clark. Gary is rated No. 2 in the NABF, as well as No. 9 and No. 10 by the NABA and USBA, respectively.

    “Now I’m extra working hard to get Gary an opponent for Oct. 31,” a terribly disappointed and obviously upset Burchfield added. “He’ll be a better fighter than Irwin, a man who really wants to fight. Gary’s one of the most exciting and powerful punching lightweights in the world. He’s earned his first nationally televised main event and Irwin’s pathetic cop-out shouldn’t prevent it from happening.”

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xIrwin backs out of Balletto fight``x1063061728,32850,``x``x ``xBy Frank Lotierzo
    GlovedFist@Juno.com

    For the past four or five years ESPN Classic Sports has shown two hours of classic boxing on Tuesday nights. That's the good news. The bad news is they show the same fights over and over. This past Tuesday night they showed Frazier-Bonavena I, and Clay-Jones. I can easily see the interest in both of these fights.

    Bonavena was Frazier's 11th pro bout, and he dropped Frazier twice. Jones was Clay's 18th fight and there was some controversy over the scoring and decision. Although I don't see why, I thought it was close, but a clear Clay win. If these were rare showings it would be great. However, both of these fights have been shown on ESPN Classic Sports countless times. It's no longer unique to see them?

    If you're like me, you were ecstatic when you heard ESPN Classic was buying the fight film collection of Bill Cayton. Bill Cayton and his partner Jimmy Jacobs owned a company called "The Big Fights Inc." Big Fights Inc. held all the rights to most of the fight films that were in existence through the 1990's.

    Big Fights Inc. was the brainchild of Bill Cayton and the late Jimmy Jacobs. Jacobs, started collecting fights after the controversy surrounding the first Louis-Walcott title fight. What happened was Jacobs missed seeing the fight and only knew about it from the newspaper coverage. Most boxing fans are aware that the fight ended in a controversial decision in favor of heavyweight champion Joe Louis.

    At the end of the 15th round Louis left the ring before the decision was announced. Louis was totally disappointed and felt he was out-boxed by Jersey Joe. Louis had to be summoned back to the ring for the decision. In the opinion of most who actually saw the fight, Walcott should've been declared the winner. The controversy over the decision is what spurred Jacobs to want to see the fight. He was frustrated that he had no way or access of seeing a replay of the fight immediately. He wanted to see for himself if the immortal "Brown Bomber" was really bettered by Walcott that night. This was the beginning of Jacobs' obsession in the fight film business.

    Jim Jacobs is widely known as the greatest Handball player of all-time. He was also quite a boxing enthusiast. In his travels to other countries to give Handball exhibitions, he began buying fight films that were no longer available in the United States. In 1961 Jacobs merged his collection with another collector, Bill Cayton, who owned the "Greatest Fights of the Century". Cayton at the time was a network Television producer, which gave him access to many network fight telecast. Together they formed a corporation called "The Big Fights Inc." to restore and preserve fight films.

    Big Fights Inc. produced over one thousand boxing features and documentaries. They were nominated for three Academy Awards, for "Legendary Champions", "The Heavyweight Champions", and "Jack Johnson". They also produced "The Fighters", which is a documentary on the first Frazier-Ali fight. This feature was shown in theatre's throughout the country months after the fight. Big Fights Inc. has the largest library of boxing films in the world, with over 16,000 films.

    In March of 1988 Jacobs died of Leukemia. He had been diagnosed with the fatal disease for sometime and even those closest to him were unaware of it until his passing. His partner Bill Cayton and Steve Lott over saw the fight collection after Jacobs passing until selling them to ESPN for what has been reported at upwards of a 100 million dollars!

    When this deal was announced, I was thrilled and looked forward to Tuesday night. I thought great, I can finally see how great Sugar Ray Robinson was as a welterweight, or how great Benny Leonard was. Wrong, no such luck. Since ESPN Classic Boxing has been on the air we've been fed nothing but a steady diet of Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson fights. Being a fight collector myself for about the last 25 years, I can tell you that the two fighters for which there is an abundance of films are Ali and Tyson!

    From the late 70's through to about 1984, I used to purchase fight films from Jacobs himself out of his New York office. If you caught him when he had time, he would talk boxing non-stop. If he didn't have time he would say, Frank, I can't talk now, call me next week. However, he had one Golden Rule. He said to me, Frank, and I'm paraphrasing here, I trust and believe you, but if it ever gets back to me that you gave out or sold any of the fights you got from me, I'll never do another transaction with you.

    Back To ESPN Classic. My contention with them is how many times do we have to be shown the same fights over and over and over? We all know that Ali beat Foreman and Douglas upset Tyson, yet we have been shown those fights continuously. Haven't we seen Clay-Jones, Frazier-Bonavena I, Foreman-Peralta I, Robinson-Fullmer III, and Liston-Machen countless times?

    Overall, there is a base of about 15 or 20 fights that have been constantly shown over the last four or five years? Its to the point now that I don't even check the guide on Tuesday nites to see what fights are being aired. The odds are that I've probably seen it many times already, just as you have. I have no doubt that most hard-core boxing fans have to be disappointed! How could you not be?

    Here's the reason why I think we get the same select few fights repeatedly. I believe that ESPN is greedy! They are so afraid that if they show some of the really good stuff that we'll tape it and have it in our collection. And they're right, but so what? They have over 16,000 fights, why can't they give us one or two new ones per month? It's not like they are going to run out of fights. No, it's just their way to keep us at their mercy, and hoping to see something we haven't.

    The bottom line is that it's greed. They fear so much that if they show the good stuff, their collection will lose some of its value because we will record these treasured fights. I don't know about you, but I'd love to see Robinson-Gavilan, or one of the Charles-Moore fights? However, It's all about money, and they don't want anyone else to have access to any of the unseen footage. It's that simple!

    I've tried calling ESPN and complaining about seeing the same fights over and over. They have responded in one of two ways, depending on who you get when you call. The first lie I've been told is that they will be showing some fights never seen before later this year or early next year. The second lie I've been told is that they are giving the public what they want to see. Another words, according to ESPN Classic Boxing, all the fans want to see are Ali and Tyson. Somehow I don't belive this.

    For what reason do we get stuck seeing the same fights repeatedly other than ESPN fearing that we'll copy them? The only reason I can think of is that maybe part of the agreement between Big Fights and ESPN states that they can only air certain fights. If that's the case, then why did Big Fights sell them? It's not like they can profit from them any more since they no longer own the rights.

    In my opinion ESPN Classic doesn't care about what the fight fans want to see. They'll just continue to tell us what we want to see. I believe ESPN Classic Boxing's concept is the following. Lets show mostly heavyweights because that's who most fight fans want to see. Lets give them some vintage Ali and early Tyson, and sprinkle in some bouts from the 50's and that will appease them. Who cares about Harry Greb or Sam Langford, they won't bring us ratings.

    Lastly, in my opinion ESPN Classic doesn't have enough boxing people in the decision or selection process. The bottom line is Ali and Tyson get the ratings, so that's who we'll continue to see. However, don't ever be fooled into thinking or believing that ESPN really cares about boxing, or the fans. Because they don't! If they did they would give us more than just the same old same old? ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xESPN Classic Boxing: Nothing But The Same old Same old``x1063110650,35171,``x``x ``xDe La Hoya – 24
    Mosely - 17

    What is in store Saturday night when two of the sport’s biggest top fighters meet in the ring for a second time? Will boxing’s ‘Golden Boy’ exact sweet revenge from the only professional to defeat him convincingly? Will the fact that Shane Mosley hasn’t won a fight since 2001 or the fact that he has only three rounds of jr. middleweight experience weigh heavily against a repeat performance for today’s Sugar man? Will a defeat end the career of either fighter? Is Oscar’s credentials for the Hall of Fame in jeopardy should he lose? The CBZ is once again pleased to bring you the thoughts and predictions of what promises to be another defining fight in the sport’s history.

    “My hunch is De La Hoya wins by stoppage, but I'm not picking a round.”

    Katherine Dunn
    The CBZ

    “I like De La Hoya by decision. I see De La Hoya boxing and using the entire ring. In the last fight they had, De La Hoya was coming off losing to Trinidad. De La Hoya was ridiculed for what was termed running away from Trinidad in the last three rounds. When he fought Mosley I think he tried to show the critics that he was tough and fearless. He looked at Mosley as a lightweight and thought he could go right through him. This played into Mosley's hands and cost De La Hoya the fight, (I thought Mosley clearly won the first fight and it should have been a unanimous decision). I don't see De La Hoya making the same mistake in this fight. I like Mosley and think he is an outstanding fighter however, I have not a single doubt that De La Hoya will out box Mosley in this fight and win a solid decision.”

    Frank Lotierzo
    ‘Toe to Toe” (ESPN Radio 1450)
    & The CBZ

    “Mosley UD 12. Mosley is still faster and will out-hustle Oscar like he did in the first bout. I've always had my doubts about Mosley at 154, but as long as he fights the right guys, he'll do fine. You can't say he can't beat De La Hoya because he's already done it.”

    Stephen Tobey,
    Max Boxing & Boxing Digest

    “I expect De La Hoya to win by late stoppage.”

    Lucius Shepard,
    The CBZ

    "Not an easy call, by any means. But here's the thing. Three years ago, Oscar was coming off the humiliating loss to Trinidad, where he earned the name ‘Chicken’ De La Hoya and was considered a disgrace to his Latino following. Arum knew the quickest way to restore his image was to put him in there with a blown-up lightweight with some credibility, somebody De La Hoya could bully and physically handle with ease. Mosley, they figured, fit the bill perfectly. And that was exactly the way Oscar approached the fight, like he could walk right through him. But it wasn't the smart thing to do. Instead of keeping Mosley on the outside (which is exactly what Forrest was smart enough to do), he chased him around the ring, looking for a knockout. Mosley didn't have to work to get in range, De Le Hoya was there for him all night, and that's why it all came down to a speed thing. I think Oscar learned his lesson, and I know Mayweather, Sr. is smart enough to make it a different fight this time. It would be easier if Oscar threw a lot of right hands, which he normally doesn't, but the feeling here is that he'll still keep the distance there and outbox a slower, heavier Mosley (there's no way he belongs in the 154-pound division) over 12 rounds. Oscar wins a close decision.”

    Ted Bodenrader,
    The Ring

    “The first fight between Oscar and Shane was close until the middle to late rounds when Shane pressed the gas pedal and simply ran away with the decision. That will not happen here as Oscar's star is shining once again and Shane's legacy is hurting poorly. Word out of camp is that Shane is not throwing combinations like he once did and certainly his last three fights have not shown much in the way of him being close to where he needs to be to defeat one of the best fighters in the world. Oscar wins this fight by decision, turning the tide from the first fight and takes most of the late rounds to do it.”

    Mike Nosky,
    Founder & Editor
    RealBoxing.com

    “It’s going to be Oscar’s night and I like him to win by unanimous decision. Afterwards, Mosley will lose the ‘Sugar’ tag.”

    Bert Randolph Sugar,
    Boxing Analyst/ Historian

    “I’m picking Mosley by decision. I believe Mosley wants it more.”

    Sal Lonano,
    Manager (Micky Ward) & S & L Promotions
    “In their first go-round I picked Mosley on the basis of speed and sharpness. De La Hoya was already an established welterweight and Mosley, who is smaller and was having a real rough time maintaining 135, was moving up due to growing pains. This time around however, I believe Mosley is pushing it too far. De La Hoya has the framework for 154 where Mosley does not. I believe this bout will go the distance, but I believe De La Hoya is too big and will be too strong at 154 for the still very talented Mosley. De La Hoya by unanimous decision.”

    Dan Hanley,
    The CBZ
    “Oscar by TKO round 8.”

    John Friest,
    Freelance Boxing Writer

    “Oscar is in the home stretch of a Hall-of Fame career. He has matured greatly, and knows he needs to actually win rounds. Shane, for his part, looked very sloppy in his last 3 fights. Although he may be "up" against Oscar, and may make it a tough fight, I look for Oscar to pull away with a clear decision.”

    Mike DeLisa
    Founder & Co-Publisher
    The CBZ

    “I could make a compelling argument for either fighter. While it is easy to think that Mosley might have De La Hoya's number, just like Vernon Forrest has Mosley's number, I have to with Oscar by decision. The first fight was very competitive, and the Golden Boy has momentum in his favor for the rematch.”

    Bob Mladinich,
    The FIST & Gallery magazines

    “De La Hoya will win easy. Oscar by 8th round TKO.”

    Aaron Braunstein
    www.NyShockjock.com

    “I think Mosley's sense of invincibility was higher than De La Hoya's for their last fight. De La Hoya had something to prove, and was forced to fight back in exchanges. Plus, Mosley had not yet learned that he could be hurt. Now Shane has not felt victory in over 2 years, and de la Hoya is riding a win streak. I think ‘Sugar’ Shane will look differently at Oscar's left hook when he gets hit by it this time, yet his talent and desire will make it a close fight. I suspect similar scorecard numbers to the first fight, but this time De La Hoya is ahead on all cards. De La Hoya by decision, about eight rounds to four.”

    Chris Strait,
    Boxing Digest
    & The CBZ

    “My prediction is that Mosley surprisingly TKO's the 'Golden Boy' in the 10th round.
    "Surprising" because De La Hoya's stock appears to be on the ascendant while Moseley's seems to be plummeting. Both men will likely hurt each other.”

    Ade Makinde
    Eastsideboxing.com
    & The CBZ

    “Mosley KO in 9.”

    Howie Evans,
    Sr. Sports Editor,
    N.Y. Amsterdam News

    “The bout between Oscar De La Hoya vs. ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley will be different from their first fight.

    Looking back at De La Hoya's career, his style is custom made to have advantages in strength and leverage over shorter opponents. Against guys such as Julio Cesar Chavez, Jessie James Leija, Genaro Hernandez, Rafael Ruelas, David Kamau, and Patrick Charpentier, De La Hoya's size, reach, and hand speed proved to be way too much for those guys.

    Against bigger and stronger fighters such as Ike Quartey, Felix Trinidad, and Fernando Vargas, De La Hoya was more tentative toward exchanging punches because, they were fast but even more powerful than De La Hoya.

    What makes Mosley different is the fact that he is only one of two fighters that are fast than De La Hoya (1. Roy Jones, Jr.). De La Hoya underestimated Mosley's hand speed during their first fight. Oscar will not make the same mistake twice.

    While De La Hoya's hand speed has carried through the 130-154 weight divisions, Mosley's speed will diminish. I think De La Hoya is not very strong at 154, but he has enough power to knockdown bigger fighters (Vargas & Castillejo) using his hand speed and diverse combinations.

    Also, Mosley, is as small as the fighters De La Hoya has dominated earlier in his career. Mosley maybe flashy and can do more things inside the ring than De La Hoya, but Mosley will have problems moving away from De La Hoya's left jabs which will set up the rest of De La Hoya's arsenal.

    Oscar will defeat Mosley, via 12-round unanimous decision. The fight will be exciting and could be closer than everyone can imagine because I think Mosley will throw late flurries in the final 30 seconds of every round to steal rounds from Oscar.

    Francis W. Walker,
    www.blackathathlete.com

    “De La Hoya by UD or late round TKO. I really feel Mosely is damaged goods. He also has to small a frame to really compete at jr. middle. Marquez, who is no power hitter was able to knock him back every time he connected. Shane's confidence factor is a big minus. He's looked like crap his last three fights. I also don't feel he ever recovered from the beat down in the first Forest fight.

    Stephen Gordon (a.k.a. “GorDoom” & “The ‘Ol Spit Bucket”),
    Editor-in-chief,
    The CBZ

    “Mosley should come on at the bell but after a few, ‘The Golden Boy’ will pick up his confidence and put a hurtin' on Mister Mosley that he won't soon forget... thus setting up a mega-money-rubbermatch. Oscar stops "Sugar" Shane in 10.”

    David Greene,
    Sports Eye, NY


    “I like De La Hoya by majority decision. Shane still has to prove he's back to his old, great self.”

    Nathan Dominitz
    Pensacola News Journal

    “I am curious to see how De La Hoya approaches the fight. Last time out, I thought Sugar’s speed and tenacity were huge factors for him. If Sugar has gotten over the sting of losing to Forrest twice and can fight with the same drive that he did the first time then think he can pull this off again. Oscar has changed his style and posture somewhat with Mayweather, Sr., but I am not so sure that Oscar is fluid and loose enough to carry out that style like Floyd Jr. does. I think Oscar tries a little too hard to do what Mayweather tries to get him to do and against a speedy, furious-punching guy like Sugar has the potential to be, I think it could against Oscar. My feeling is that it is a tight, extremely close fight that is hard to score. No stoppage here. I will go with Shane by decision.”

    “Ice” John Scully,
    Former world title challenger,
    Special to the CBZ

    “It was not that De La Hoya fought so badly in the first bout, but that Mosley boxed so well. While De La Hoya has recovered from his defeats, Mosley has to prove he can handle it. The pick is De La Hoya on a 10th round stoppage in an action affair.”

    Joe Maxse,
    The Plain Dealer

    “Oscar by UD or late TKO.”

    Isaac Barrio,
    Hard Core Boxing
    (www.hardcoreboxing.net)

    “Simply put, Shane Mosley needs this fight a lot more than Oscar De La Hoya in regards to his legacy in boxing. I look for him to fight with a sense of urgency that Oscar De La Hoya will not be able to match and win by unanimous decision. That being said, the fight is in Las Vegas so Mosley had better win every round decisively or else Oscar might retain the belts. Oscar is trying to do the same thing that he tried back in June of 2000 by luring a smaller man up to a larger weight in hopes of being able to push him around, I don't think the added weight will affect Mosley, not with what he has at state.”

    Aladdin Freeman,
    Braggingrightscorner.com

    “Mosley will start out fast but will not be able to keep up the pace. Oscar will come on strong to take the second half of the fight and will win by a unanimous decision.
    I was an inspector with the Nevada State Athletic Commission and I worked Oscar’s corner when he fought Trinidad. He will never make that same mistake again, thinking he had the fight in the bag and running the last few rounds. He will finish very strong. This fight means too much to his pride.”

    Butch Gottlieb,
    Editor
    Boxinginlasvegas.com

    “Mosley UD12 De La Hoya. Forgetting what happened in round 11 against Vargas, Oscar has looked terrible at 154 lbs. Vargas was beating him to the punch, and Castillejo simply made him look above average. While Mosley hasn't shown anything either at 154, if the deterioration in skill is the same, then Mosley will still is that much better.”

    Alex Dombroff,
    Editor
    Boxing316.com

    “I think that the deciding factor in this fight will be the developed right hand of Oscar De La Hoya under Floyd Mayweather Sr. Sugar Shane will put up a good fight, but he is a depleted fighter and he will lose a close decision to Oscar. However, this may be the last big dance for these two as Ricardo Mayorga, Alex Terra Garcia, and an underestimated Fernando Vargas are the future of this division.”

    Umar ben-Ivan,
    www.bloodboxing.com

    “This time it will be Mosley in a close decision. It's got the making of a classic bout, but De La Hoya may be outclassed this time. Mosley is looking for revenge and championship status again. Expect a good slugfest and a close one, but Mosley by decision.”

    Rich Mancuso,
    Boxing Digest, Associated Press Stringer & Bronx News


    ”Although my heart will be pulling for Mosley to win again- I don't know if it's possible for him. Oscar looked great against a supercharged (and juiced-up) Fernando Vargas at 154 - and in the meantime Mosley got rocked and then became gunshy with his 2 welterweight fights against Forrest. That being said I think Oscar will win a decision over Mosley.”

    Joseph Cicchelli,
    Boxing World Magazine

    “It will be a tough and contested fight. With Mosley's body work slowing down Oscar, who's never had great stamina to begin with. But ultimately Shane Mosley is too small for 154 and the added way will make him less mobile and he'll get caught and stopped by Oscar's sweet left hook.”

    Yosvani Oliva Iglesias,
    www.BoxeoMundial.net

    “Shane by decision.”

    Jake Donovan
    RealBoxing.com

    “De La Hoya by split decision.”

    Gregory Juckett,
    Editor
    Boxing Digest

    “I look for this to be one of the best technically fought bouts in many years. Ultimately, I believe DLH will benefit from the 154 lb. weight limit as I believe he has grown into this weight more completely than has Shane, but because of the nature of this fight and the styles of both fighters, I believe the speed of Mosley will ultimately allow him to win a very close split decision. The actual fight will not be so close that a split decision is justified, but there always seems to be one judge that gets lost somewhere in the event of scoring the fight for 12 rounds. Mosley will win 7 rounds and DLH will win 5 - just as their first fight, I believe the key rounds to the fight will be rounds 10, 11, and 12, all of which will be won by Shane.”

    Ronald Heard,
    Boxingtalk.com

    “I see De La Hoya fighting a better, more aggressive style fight this time and actually think it will be Oscar over Shane Mosley with a later round stoppage.”

    Mike Indri,
    Retired Boxers Foundation (NJ State representative)
    & The Leader Newspaper (NJ)

    “I like Oscar on points. Mosley just doesn't seem big enough to hold 154 pounds. Oscar fought a stupid, one-dimensional fight the first time and was still competitive. He'll be stronger at the weight, and as a result, he'll be the more confident of the two.”

    Steve Farhood,
    Showtime Boxing Analyst

    “Oscar De La Hoya will win a 12-round unanimous decision or late round TKO.”

    David Hudson,
    Fightnews.com

    “I'll take Mosley by UD. That should guarantee a De La Hoya win.”

    Eric Jorgensen,
    The CBZ

    “It all depends who shows up, but I think that Mosley could be a shot fighter and I think De La Hoya will win a close decision.”

    Damon Feldman,
    Comcast-Spectacor

    “Sugar’ Shane Mosley by split decision. De La Hoya has the corner and the ability to outbox Mosley, but he doesn't have the right hand to stop Mosley from coming inside. Oscar normally enjoys a hand speed advantage over his opponents, something he doesn't have against Mosley. Also note that Oscar is very conservative with his punches at the new weight, possibly due to stamina problems he has shown in the past. This will give Mosley all of the opportunities he needs to get his punches off first and keep Oscar moving and picking his shots. Oscar will land enough to keep it close, but his new style just isn't right to beat Mosley.”

    Carlos "Cupey" Guzman
    www.fightworld.us

    “Oscar De la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, Sr. beat Shane and Jack Mosley easily. Shane Mosley is personal with Oscar de la Hoya, and I sense that the killer instinct so vividly displayed against Fernando Vargas will re-surface on September 13th. A very motivated Oscar de la Hoya will go all out to make a statement by dominating and beating a not so sweet Shane Mosley in very convincing fashion.”

    Elisa Harrison,
    Editor
    BraggingRightsCorner.com

    “After Mosley’s first defeat to Vernon Forrest, the rumors were that he was a washed up, word-slurring fighter. But in the second fight, Mosley proved that though he hadn’t solved the Forrest puzzle or look his normal spectacular self, he didn’t appear to lose his sharpness or speed. In his last bout against Raul Marquez, I felt Shane’s sub-par performance had more to do with Marquez’s ugly style, besides the fact that Marquez is a lefty. Much has been made over Mosley’s lack of experience at 154 pounds but in De La Hoya’s case, he hasn’t appeared to be a much stronger fighter at 154. Some have stated that Oscar will finish this fight with more flare, but he has yet to prove he’s capable of doing this. To me, Oscar’s late success with Vargas had to do with his rival’s weathered chin. Oscar wasn’t rallying - it was more or less one punch that ended the fight. This was the case in many of Oscar’s victories (Oba Carr, Ike Quartey and Derrell Coley). Besides, at 154-pounds, Oscar has looked far from the physical force he was at lightweight and jr. welterweight. Therefore, I think this fight will have little to do with size. This fight will come down to speed and desire and though De La Hoya is looking for sweet revenge, I believe Mosley will show a lot more than any one expects. Mosley will once again out-box and out-hustle De La Hoya in an action-packed fight and win a decision. HBO’s announcing crew will try to make a strong case for a De La Hoya victory in order to hype a Hopkins-De La Hoya clash but, if you disregard their biased commentary, you will know that the right guy won the fight.

    JD Vena
    Associate Editor,
    The CBZ



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xThe CBZ De La Hoya – Mosley II Prediction Poll``x1063147072,25458,``x``x ``xBy K. Dunn

    The voice on the phone was former lightweight contender Ray Lampkin. He was calling news outlets back home in Portland, Oregon from St. Petersberg, Florida. Lampkin has been in Florida for weeks, training former IBF 130 pound champ, Steve Forbes.

    Now 26 years old, Forbes lost his title on the scales when he failed to make the weight for a scheduled title defense against David Santos back in August of 2002. The fight took place and Forbes dominated the action over 12 non-title rounds, winning the decision going away. Then a pause struck Forbes’ career. He’s fought only once since, with a 5th round TKO over Ronnie Longakit in January of this year.

    Now Forbes is preparing for a chance to reclaim his title in a challenge scheduled for October 4. Defending is IBF champ Carlos Hernandez, who won the box-off for Forbes’ vacated belt. Their bout is booked underneath Erik Morales vs Guty Espada on a Pay Per View card to be broadcast from Los Angeles.

    Forbes took over the phone to say his weight is coming down nicely, and as of Sept 10 he was only 7 pounds over the limit with almost three weeks to go. He and Lampkin are housed in a rented condo near the beach, and training in the St. Pete Boxing Club where Winky Wright and other notables are based. Forbes has shuffled from trainer to trainer and manager to manager over the past several years and was living in Las Vegas to pursue his career. He moved his family back to his hometoen, Portland, last year and has been training with Ray Lampkin. His current manager is James Prince, who also handles Winky Wright, Floyd Mayweather, jr. and others.
    ``xkdunn``xkkdunn0@yahoo.com``xSteve "2 Pound" Forbes Prepping for Reclamation Project``x1063319709,70354,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Worcester’s Rivera ready to gobble up world title

    Roy Jones, Jr. isn’t the only fighter in the world that’s into the sport of cock fighting. Though he may have some boxing friends in Pensacola, FL that share his obsession with poultry-styled pugilism, there is one other fighter who hails from Worcester, MA that dabbles in this unconventional art. In fact, he goes by the fighting name of “el Gallo,” Spanish for, ‘the rooster.’

    From the time he was a little boy, Puerto Rican born Jose Rivera, his brother and cousins use to help train fighting roosters for his uncle.

    “At a young age, I was intrigued by the whole thing,” said Rivera. “Anyhow, I stayed with it because I was so impressed with how roosters fought until the end with no quit and all heart and will.”

    On Saturday night, Rivera will use the attitude of his feathered friends when he faces undefeated European welterweight champion Michael Trabant in Berlin, Germany, incidentally the hometown of Trabant. On the line will be the vacant WBA title, which was removed from Ricardo Mayorga after was designated ‘super champion’ for unifying two of the belts earlier this year. Rivera was a last minute replacement for #2 rated Thomas Damgaard and thus, Rivera and his team were notified as just last week of the unexpected good news.

    Rivera, who retired Cape Cod’s Kippy Diggs three years ago and holds wins over NABF champion Teddy Reid and former champ, Frankie Randall, last fought in July of 2002 when he stopped Elias Cruz in the 2nd round. Though, he has been inactive, Rivera doesn’t expect to show ring rust or have any ill-affects despite not having fought in the last 13 months.

    “If you go into a fight thinking negative you are pretty much done,” said Rivera. “If you worry about where you are fighting, you are already making excuses in case you lose and you are taking away from your ability to perform at 100 percent. Your mind always has to be at 100 percent along with your body. I also feel you need a strong spirit. I’m in great shape and have been working out for months. I’m fighting for the ultimate prize -- the world championship. I’ve always hoped to get this opportunity. Many great fighters never get a title shot and I’m very fortunate. I believe I’m one of the top welterweights in the world. This is the first step in terms of achieving my goal, but I’m not looking past this fight.”

    Trabant, who is an impressive 38-0 with 18 KO’s is rated third by the WBA and will have the benefit of fighting in his backyard. The 30-year old Rivera regards the distance from home and politics as the least of his worries.

    “I feel that you cannot worry about the judges,” said Rivera who is 36-3-1, 24 KOs. “I already know that the judges are from Germany, Panama and the other from Japan, so I have to ensure that I match his punch output and then some if it goes the distance.”


    Of his worthy opponent, Rivera added, “We know that Trabant is always in championship shape. He takes punches well and works the body very well. I know he doesn’t have a typical European style I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win the world title. Nobody said fighting for the world championship would be easy. I feel my power should make the difference in this fight. I do not want to leave it in the judges’ hands. So basically I am going for broke.”

    Or better yet, fight like a rooster.
    -------------------
    Manfredo, Mirrors the Golden Boy

    Undefeated Peter Manfredo, Jr. returns to the ring tomorrow night in Philadelphia to headline the Blue Horizon’s latest boxing card. Whether you are able to attend tomorrow night’s fight or not, expect to see the 20-year old in fantastic shape. Manfredo, a native of Providence just returned from Big Bear, California as one of ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley’s chief sparring partners. It was the second time Manfredo was called in to prepare a fighter for boxing’s Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya. Manfredo also served as a sparring partner for Fernando Vargas last year and it’s probably no coincidence.

    “I think word got out that I have some speed,” said Manfredo. “I’m probably not as fast as De La Hoya but I have fast hands, good skills, I can go the rounds, I’m tough and determined and I’m there to work hard.”

    Manfredo has been around the New England block and has been privileged to have worked with such noted fighters as Vinny Paz, Ray Oliveira and Micky Ward. Young Manfredo is eager to learn and that is why many, including your writer expect the 18-0 jr. middleweight to be the future of New England boxing.

    “I learn so much from every camp,” said Manfredo. “Working with these guys helps your skills and your confidence. Mosley is a great guy and a good fighter. Any time I’d ask him a question about something, whether it was about boxing or about the business of the sport he always took time to answer my questions.”

    When asked to compare Vargas to Mosley, Manfredo admitted that Vargas possessed the harder punch, more strength and added, “Shane doesn’t seem to be in the right weight class. I still give him a 50-50 chance to win but he seems to be better suited for welterweight.”

    Manfredo, who is looking for a promoter since leaving Jimmy Burchfield earlier this year is eager to get back in the ring since dominating Victor Rosado over 10 one-sided rounds in June. His opponent tomorrow night will be trial horse, Leonard Townsend (37-15) and is scheduled for 8 rounds.

    “I’m in great shape right now and wish I was fighting a 12-rounder,” said Manfredo. “But I have to get back in the ring and look impressive and continue to better myself as a fighter.”

    Do you see why I like this kid?

    Manfredo-Townsend is the main event of an 8-bout card for a special and 1st Annual “Law Enforcement Fight Night.” The card will feature Philadelphia police officer, Tyrone Winckler (12-7-1, 5 KO’s) in a 6-round jr. middleweight contest against Montreal’s undefeated (6-0, 2 KO’s) Adam Green. For ticket information call the Blue Horizon at 215-763-0500. Doors open at 6:30 P.M and the first bout begins at 7:30.

    --------------------

    Team Ward: The Fellowship of the Ring

    Fight manager, Sal Lonano’s banana-sized hands just got even heavier. So did the rest of Team Ward. As a celebration of their memorable fighter, the recently retired Micky Ward, promoter/advisor and good guy, Lou Dibella bought the members of Team Ward rings to commemorate the times and career of the famed Lowell slugger. The team included Ward, his aforementioned die-hard manager Lonano, promoter, Al Valenti, Ward’s brother and trainer Dick Eklund, Ward’s nephew and sparring partner, Sean Eklund, cut-man, Al Gavin and Ward’s trusty publicist, Bob Trieger.

    “I wanted to be the guy who did this,” Lonano told the CBZ. “But Lou being such a great guy beat me to it. It showed that Lou really appreciated Micky Ward, me and the entire team. For him to step up and recognize Micky and his team like that is beautiful. The relationship we have with Lou means a lot to us and it obviously means a lot to him too. Remember, we never had papers (Dibella had a handshake deal with Ward and Lonano).”

    The 2 ½ karat gold rings, which are studded with 16 diamonds on top and have four sides. The sides read, ‘Ward,’ ‘2000,’ ‘World’ and ‘Champion.’ There is a boxing glove on one side of the band and the letters, ‘WBU’ on the other.

    In February of 2000, in one of his more memorable fights, Ward defeated Shea “The Shamrock Express” Neary on the Englishman’s home turf for his coveted WBU jr. welterweight title. Behind on points, Ward salvaged victory when he buried his trademark left hook into Neary’s rock-solid sides. He followed the punch with a near decapitating uppercut that felled Neary on his butt. Once Neary rose to his feet, a relentless Ward followed up with a vicious volley of shots that sent Neary across the ring and to the canvas for the second and final time. Ward’s hands were raised a moment later and a belt was soon wrapped around his lean waist.

    Whether you regard the WBU title with little credibility or not, the victory enabled Ward to become one of the popular and more sought fighters to watch. Late in his long hard-fought career, Ward became a folk hero. He was discussed as a “throwback” and would be rewarded with many lucrative paydays for his gargantuan efforts, most notably his recent trilogy with Arturo Gatti..

    After glancing at the beautiful ring, I mentioned to Sal that “it looked like a Superbowl ring.”

    Lonano looked on proudly and said, “It is a Superbowl ring.”
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta - The Latest on Rivera, Manfredo and Team Ward``x1063324874,10433,``x``x ``xPaz punches way into Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame
    Induction ceremony & awards banquet Sept. 20

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Five-time former world champion Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Paz will be inducted into the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame during the organization’s 13th annual awards banquet, September 20, in Rochester, New York.

    Paz (49-10, 30 KOs), of Cranston (RI), also will be presented the 2003 Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame Special Courage Award. Other award winners include Emanuel Steward (2003 Carmen Basilio Man of the Year Award) and Gasper Ortega (2003 John Mastrella Integrity Award). Former two-time world welterweight and middleweight champion Basilio, seven-time former world champ Tommy Hearns and ex-Canadian heavyweight champion George Chuvalo are special head table guests.

    “Vinny Paz is the main event no matter how many great fighters will be honored there,” RBHOF president Tony Liccione said. “Vinny is most deserving of this award because of the great courage, dedication and sacrifices he’s made throughout his career. Paz epitomizes this award. This great gladiator reminds a lot of us on the selection committee of the great Carmen Basilio, who’ll be seated right next to Vinny at the head table.”

    Paz’ outstanding 20-year-career includes victories against world champions such as Roberto Duran (twice), Lloyd Honeyghan, Greg Haughen, Gilbert Dele, Luis Santana and Dana Rosenblatt.

    “I’m tremendously honored and very proud to be selected for induction into the Rochester Hall of Fame,” Vinny remarked. “Being the recepient of the Special Courage Award means a lot to me. It’s great to be recognized for overcoming so many hardships and obstacles during my career. I want to thank everybody associated with the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame and I’m looking forward to a great night.”

    Accompanying Vinny will be his promoter and close friend, Jimmy Burchfield. “We still have some unfinished business to take care of,” Burchfield explained. “Vinny’s not retired, yet. We’ve had several fights fall through for one reason or another, but we’re very close to announcing a date and opponent for Vinny’s next fight. He wants to retire only after getting his 50th career win. Vinny only needs one more victory for No. 50, but he’s insisted that he wanted to do it against a legitimate fighter. That’s the type guy he’s always been.”

    For ticket information call 585.964.3077.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPaz to be Inducted into Hall of Fame``x1063325425,32893,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena at ringside

    UNCASVILLE, CT - At the Mohegan Sun Arena Saturday night, IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd successfully defended his title with an unpopular unanimous decision over number two ranked Fres Oquendo of Chicago, IL. Byrd, 211 of Grand Rapids, MI had a difficult time with Oquendo who put who gave the slippery Byrd all he could handle.

    The first round was scary in the sense that the combatants gave you the impression that they were going to bore the hell out of us for the next 40 minutes. Oquendo, who is trained by the offensive-minded Felix Trinidad, Sr. began the fight moving backward as if he thought the defensive Byrd was young Tyson. It appeared that Byrd was even going to get bored.

    In the next couple of rounds it was apparent that Byrd would not be enjoying himself and that he would be in a fight with a man with fairly quick hands and more coordination than most of the behemoths Byrd has faced. "Fast" Fres began lunging at Byrd whenever Byrd would get himself set to punch. This disrupted the kind of rhythm that Byrd enjoys in his fights, picking his man apart. Oquendo was also effective whenever he threw the jab.

    From the middle rounds on, Oquendo began to land some punches from awkward angles that had Byrd a little perplexed. Going into the final four rounds, Oquendo felt he was way ahead but as De La Hoya had a week ago, he let the final rounds go by appearing to be the guy that didn?t want to fight.

    It was Byrd who was coming forward and Oquendo engaging in many clinches. In the 12th, Oquendo appeared that he may have dropped Byrd (some felt it was a trip) but it clearly didn't look like a clean knockdown, and according to the judges, it wouldn?t have mattered if referee Ed Cotton had ruled it one or not. The clinching which produced two more take-downs gave the indication that he thought he had it in the bag. He didn't. Judge John Lawson Byrd winning 117-111, judge Stephen Epstein had it 116-112 and Donald Ackerman saw it 115-113. What looked like a difficult fight to score was a one-sided one for the defending champion. For the record I had it 115-115 while my partner in crime, Mike Delisa saw it 114-114.

    "I felt that I won the fight," said Byrd who is now 37-2 with 20 KOs. "He never hurt me during the fight. He was very awkward. I just had to remind myself to keep my hands high."

    And though he had some rough going on, he can at least hold his chin up.

    In the main supporting bout of the evening, unbeaten knockout artist Alejandro "Terra" Garcia successfully defended his non-super (Shane is the super champ now) WBA jr. middleweight title by stopping 1996 U.S Olympian Rhoshii "The Mongoose" Wells in the 10th round. Garcia was stunned twice in the first round by straight counter right hands by the Mongoose but it was the last time he was in threat of losing.

    The non-super champion came alive in the fourth with some heavy shots that enticed Wells to trade with him. Garcia gained confidence during those exchanges and began throwing more freely. And while Garcia began feelin strong, Wells fell into a shell.

    In the 6th, Garcia attacked Wells along the ropes. One of Garcia?s punches marked up the right eye of Wells and in the next round, his eye appeared to bother him. With little time remaining in the 7th, Garcia staggered Wells badly from a combination of left hooks and right hands. Wells immediately held on for dear life until his lifeless legs brought the two to the canvas. The skirmish, coupled with washed-up referee Frank Cappuccino's bumbling of wiping the fighters' gloves, allowed Wells enough time to recover and escape the round.

    The two went through the motions in the 8th round, until the couple of rabbit punches by Wells energized him enough that he threw and landed some telling shots and won the round, his last.

    In the 10th round, Garcia pulverized Wells along the ropes until he fell face-first. Wells beat Cappuccino?s count, which ended after the sound of the bell. Cappuccino's dull senses nearly got Wells killed as he let the fight continue until the timekeeper did his best Keith Moon impression on the round bell. Wells' corner didn't have the sense to stop the fight but at least Dr. Anthony Alessi knew that the hurt fighter could no longer continue. All three judges had Garcia ahead by scores of 96-94, 95-94 and 96-93. The CBZ had the champion ahead 97-92 until the stoppage.

    "I knew it was a matter of time before I caught up with him," said the champion. "Who ever they line up for me, I will fight. I promise next time out that I will be better. I had eight months off and I felt very nervous and tight early on because this was my first defense of the title."

    The record books say that Garcia is now an impressive (numbers-wise) 27-0 with 26 KOs. However, after the bout, Garcia told the CBZ's Mike Delisa that he has won all of his bouts by knockout, and that his trainer Roberto Sandoval has all the tapes to prove it. Tonight?s effort was the first time he had ever gone past the 6th round. Though Wells who was emotionally crushed over the stoppage is most certainly 17-1-2 with 10 KO's.

    Jamaican-born Owen "What the heck" Beck, 232, won a convincing 12-round unanimous decision over George Arias, 212, of Sao Paulo, Brazil to win Arias's FEDELatin Heavyweight Championship. The smaller Arias wasn't convinced that he had a chance to beat the much bigger Beck, but after landing the harder punches you?d think he?d say, "what the heck" and give it a try. Beck did most of the punching and though none of his punches apeared to be damaging in any way, he was piling up all of the points. The judges scored the bout 119-109, 117-111 and 118-110 for the new champion. I never knew Jamaica or Nashville, TN, Beck?s new home were considered Latin.

    Manny Siaca, Jr., 176, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico beat-up Demetrius Jenkins for the better of 4 rounds until the corner of Jenkins threw in the towel before the 5th began. Jenkins, 172, a late substitute for former WBA light heavyweight champ Lou Del Valle made a brave effort to punch with the better trained Siaca but took most of the damaging punches during their exchanges. Siaca is now 17-4 with 15 knockouts while Jenkins is now 21-12-1 with 16 KO?s.

    In what was supposed to be a welterweight fight, Former IBF jr. welterweight champion, Rafael "Derby" Pineda, 157, of Colombia broke down but couldn't finish the game Tybius Flowers. According to a story I had heard from Boston Herald scribe, George Kimball, Flowers arrived at the Mohegan earlier today and weighed 158 pounds. Pineda, a welterweight, weighed in again after finishing his breakfast at 157 to make the bout an official middleweight bout. At any rate, Flowers, who was effective early on with his long jab faded from the heavy body punches from Pineda. Pineda won by scores of 100-89, 98-92 and 97-91 and improved to 37-5 with 31 KOs. Flowers is now 17-6 with 10 KOs.

    Undefeated Philadelphia cruiserweight, Steve "Bossman" Cunningham, 189, was in complete charge against veteran and the washed-up Terry McGroom. McGroom, 189, couldn?t capitalize enough on Cunningham?s inexperience and lowering his defenses but did his best in keeping himself upright. McGroom was dropped by a right hand in the 8th and final round which he survived. Cunningham won by three scores of 79-71 in improving to 14-0 with 8 KO?s. McGroom of Oshkosh, WI, who should have thought about hanging them up last year is now 19-6-2 with 10 KOs.

    In the opening bout of a long evening of fights, Quentin "Happy" Smith, 162, of Winter Haven, FL disposed of Floyd Williams at 1:58 of the third round. Smith finished Williams with a combination of head and body shots. Flowers lay face-first on the canvas while referee Richard Flaherty counted to 10. Smith is now 18-0 with 12 KOs while Williams is 30-14-1 with 19 stops.
    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xByrd Beats Oquendo & Full Undercard Results``x1064257087,6973,``x``x ``xBy Tom Donelson

    I am big Chris Byrd but in his first defense of his IBF title, I did not see Christ Byrd winning the fight. Chris Byrd is normally an artist in the ring. He normally moves with purpose, using his punches as brushes as he paints his right jab and left cross in combinations over his opponent head. But last Saturday night, there was no magic, nor was the real Chris Byrd in the ring. He played Stalker and repeatedly got nailed with counterpunches. He might even escape the last round when an apparent knockdown was scored a slip. What saved Chris Byrd was the generosity of the judges.

    One week after the De La Hoya-Mosley fiasco, we have yet another controversial decision. While the compubox numbers were much closer in the Oquendo-Byrd than in the De La Hoya-Mosley, there was no doubt on which fighter controlled the pace or hit with the harder punch. Byrd rarely hurts his opponent but makes most fighters evening long as opponents usually hit nothing but air. It is his defensive skills that separate him from the other heavyweights. But in this fight, Byrd failed to hurt Oquendo but his opponent was connecting most frequently than a normal Byrd opponent. Fres Oquendo is a solid technician and like De La Hoya the week before, he executed a brilliantly conceived game plan. He allowed Byrd to come forward and countered effectively. Throughout the fight, he was the most effective puncher and he landed the cleaner and powerful blows.

    As Jim Lampley stated, if Chris Byrd truly thought he was winning, he would not be fighting an aggressive fight and going for the knock out. He would have boxed and allowed Oquendo to come forward. This fight resembled a chess match in which each fighter moved his hands like pieces on the board.

    So how did Byrd pull it out? Jim Lampley quipped that judges are not used to seeing Byrd losing a round and maybe they just was as surprised as the rest of us. After the fight, I talked with a good friend of mine, who tempered my own feelings. He told me that he had the fight 6-5-1 in favor of Fres Oquendo while I had a little wider score and there was no doubt that Oquendo was tiring down the stretch. But there was no way that Byrd won 8 rounds, which one judge scored it or 9 rounds that another judge scored. Maybe, if you are generous to the champion, you could give him six rounds and the draw but 8 or 9 rounds? Please!

    This was the second week in a row that a counter puncher, who dictated the fight lost. More importantly, two good fights have been mired by controversy. As I stated, bad decisions are part of boxing and human eyes are subjective when comes to seeing a fight. As one boxing historian told me after the fight, "I am tired talking about the judges." It will be nice if we could watch a fight and just talk about the fight.

    As for Byrd, he took a step backward. Needing an impressive victory in the spotlight, Byrd failed to take that step that he needed to make his statement in the heavyweight champion. With the end of the Lewis era, Byrd had an opportunity to show the world that he could indeed be the man to rule the division. He failed to show his superior boxing skills and he certainly did not overwhelm his opponent. He simply sneaked away with a controversial decision. He is still owns a portion of the heavyweight title. The Byrd that embarrassed Holyfield was the Byrd that needed to show up, so he could build up support among boxing fans. Oh well, I like Byrd but on this night, Chris Byrd did not have it. He was given a reprieve but the next time, he may not be so lucky. Maybe next week heavyweight slugfest on HBO, we will be spared any more controversy. I will be watching.


    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xDonelson on Byrd's Escape``x1064267447,86081,``x``x ``xBy Tom Donelson


    This upcoming Saturday night, we will get a full evening of Heavyweight boxing. I should say, we will get an entire evening of young Heavyweight boxing. What we may be seeing is a future heavyweight champion.

    The Heavyweight division is in flux with three people owning a piece of the title, the WBC champion Lennox Lewis, the WBO champion Corrie Sanders and Chris Byrd, who owns the IBF crown. Hasim Rahman and David Tua will battle for the WBA version of the champion this December after Roy Jones, Jr. decided to reclaim his Light Heavyweight championship. Let's face it; no one below Lewis has yet to demonstrate the ability to take hold of the division. Corrie Sanders slaughtered Wladimir Klitschko but Hasim Rahman knocked him out three year previous. Tua has beaten Rahman once with a late knockout in a fight that he easily losing and drew Rahman in their second match in a close and controversial decision. Rahman is the better technician and if he fights the way he did in his second meeting with Tua, he could beat his rival or should. Vitali Klitschko may be the best heavyweight underneath Lewis but he has yet to beat a top ten fighter. The old warhorses Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield still sit around at the peripheral of the Heavyweight division but Holyfield best days are long since behind him and Mike Tyson have lost whatever desire he have had to fight.

    The division is up for grabs and we will get a solid look at these young heavyweights and judge for ourselves if we are seeing pretenders or contenders.

    Juan Carlos Gomez began his career in the cruiserweight division and now wants to imitate Evander Holyfield's own career by adding a heavyweight championship to his resume. His opponent is the Undefeated Turkish fighter Sinan Samil who has 11 knockouts in his 18 victories. Samil most notable victories were over Julius Francis, the former British Heavyweight and another British heavyweight, Danny Williams. Considering the low caliber quality of his opponent, we really don't know about Samil. We will after Saturday.

    Duncan Kokiwari faces Dominick Guinn. Kokiwari only lost was to Fres Oquendo in a battle of undefeated fighters a few years back. Oquendo won the fight in a unanimous decision and since then Kokiwari won 10 straight fights but mostly against a forgettable group. Guinn greatest conquest was Michael Grant, in which Guinn kept knocking Grant down before the fight was mercifully stopped. The Grant that Guinn fought was a shot fighter and not the fighter that was a heavyweight contender five years early. Guinn looked good but on that night, anyone would have looked good against Grant, who seem to forget basic boxing techniques and put his once feared left jab in cold storage.

    The most intriguing fight will be the main event. Joe Mesi has been a highly protected fighter, who has fought name fighters but name fighters past their prime and in front of his hometown fans. Fighters like Robert Davis, David Izon, Bert Cooper and Jorge Gonzalez populate Mesi resume but all of these fighters have long seen better days when they faced the undefeated Mesi. We really don't know how good Mesi is and now Mesi travels outside of his comfort zone to fight Davarryl Williamson. Williamson last fight showed heart and courage. In a fight against Robert Wiggins, he managed to put Wiggins down twice and won a decision with a broken jaw. He had victory in hand and he was not about to let it go. His only loss was in his fourth fight and he will have a reach and height advantage over the native New Yorker.

    Mesi hits hard and has an impressive knock out ratio but are these knock outs merely a reflection of a collection of tomatoes can that inhabit his record or is he the real thing? Williamson will be a tough test for Mesi, for Mesi will not be fighting a fighter past his prime but entering it.

    What will this evening prove? For one, the winners will show that they are forces to be reckoned and be knocking on the door of a top ten rating. Depending how close the fight is, the loser will be shown just in the need of more seasoning or they will be expose as protected pretenders.

    The fighter with the biggest to lose is Joe Mesi. Mesi is one of those attractive knock out artist that sends shivers down boxing fans spines but lose badly and he will be expose as just another white hope fed tomatoes cans. Dominick Guinn, like Mesi, fought a name but shot fighter and now he fights another up and coming fighter, Duncan Dokiwari. Dokiwari only lost was to Fres Oquendo in a close decision. Guinn must still prove that he is for real and that the Grant was not a fluke. This fight will go a long way establishing Guinn place in the heavyweight shuffle.

    Gomez is a Cruiserweight who is making the jump to heavyweight from cruiserweight and as for Samil; he is making his first trip across the Atlantic. Samil does not have the same power as the other fighters and the question that remains is does he have sufficient boxing skills to ward off Gomez? Samil pulls off an upset means more pay day in the United States. A lost and he simply slinks back across the Atlantic and fights in anonymity of the Europe heavyweight scene. For Gomez, a victory will allow him to make heavyweight money.

    For most boxing fans, we will get our first good look at these young heavyweights and for the winners, the victory means big pay days and a future shot at the title. With at least four titles out there and the impending retirement of Lennox Lewis, there are more than enough titles for these young studs to shoot at. Without a dominant heavyweight, it is anyone game. So this will be the most important night for all of these fighters and the stakes are high. Glory and big paydays on one hand or lose and they will be stuck in the Dante inferno of the boxing world away from the bright lights of HBO or Showtime.

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xHeavyweight Explosion Preview``x1064500595,13765,``x``x ``xBy JD Vena

    Recently crowned WBA welterweight champion Jose Rivera returned to a hero's welcome this past week. In upsetting the previously undefeated Michael Trabant, in Trabant's native Berlin, Germany on September 13th, Rivera has been well appreciated for his tremendous effort across the pond. This past Wednesday, the city of Worcester held a parade and a celebration at the Worcester Centrum where
    approximately 2,000 fans were on hand to greet and cheer him.

    According to publicist, Bob Trieger, since returning from Germany, he's thrown out the first pitch at a Red Sox game and was honored at the State House by the Senate yesterday. Next week the House will honor him.

    "It's all been a little overwhelming, but it feels great to be recognized as a world champion," said Rivera. "The people of Worcester have always supported me and it was nice to share this with so many of my family, friends and fans. There was a tremendous turnout. I was honored and want to thank everyone for being there."

    Rivera is the first champion from Worcester since Quebec transplant Lou Brouillard won the undisputed version of the title in 1931. Rivera is expected to defend his title within 120 days against number one contender Thomas Daamgard. If all goes well for Rivera and his fans, it will take place in the city of Worcester, where he is now a hero.

    Tonight at the Club Lido in Revere, promoter Rich Cappiello will present a rematch between New England jr. welterweight champion Jeff "The Hellraiser" Fraza of Haverhill, MA and Southie's "Cocky" Kevin Watts. Whether you're a fan of Watts or not, you have to feel bad for what will likely happen to him tonight. Watts lost a unanimous decision to Fraza last year at the same venue when it was the Wonderland Ballroom. You'd never expect that a rematch would
    take place but Watts earned another shot at the 14-2 Fraza when he won he stopped local rival and friend Jimmy Le Blanc in a box-off this past St. Patty's day in Boston. Watts was hurt a number of times during the bout and was issued a standing 8-count during the 5th frame. The victory was somewhat tainted because the fight was stopped when a huge cut over LeBlanc's eye opened from a chance jab from Watts. It was biggest win of Watts' career.

    In Watts' last outing however, he was stretched by the cockier, Paul Malingaggi of New York in another one-sided drubbing at the Hampton Beach Casino. To make matters worse for 31-year old Watts, who is now 17-3, not only did he lose every round to Fraza the first time around, but his opponent will have friend and former employer, "Irish" Micky Ward working his corner when the bell rings.

    Other bouts on the card include, unbeaten welterweight Eddie Bishop (6-0) of Stoughton and Taunton's Melvin Cumba (5-0) in separate bouts. Pudgy heavyweight Harold Rodriguez (4-4) of Taunton is also slated to appear in a four-rounder against Boston's Mike Beverly (1-0). Doors open at 5:30 PM with the first bout scheduled to kick off at 7:00.

    Speaking of the recently retired Ward, he will be an honorary guest at a VIP luncheon and benefit for the Retired Boxers Foundation at the Emerald Rose (incidentally, my Thursday-Saturday drinking spot) in Billerica, MA tomorrow afternoon. Owner Gregory Litchfield, a Ward fan, who has been involved in a number of charity events for boxers, will host a special VIP luncheon ($100 charitable donation) from noon to 1:30 PM, in the beautiful restaurant where fans can view the many highlights of the Lowell slugger's career and interact
    with he and other boxing celebs. From 1:30-4:00, admission to the party is $10.

    Live music, autograph sessions and raffles will also proceeds to benefit the Retired Boxers Foundation will fill the time during what promises to be a good afternoon. The Rose (as we locals call it) is located at 785 Boston Rd. (Route 3A) in Billerica, MA. For tickets to the luncheon, contact Vincent O'Donnell at 978-667-0500.

    In an EPSN2 Friday Night Fights special, hard-hitting Gary "Tiger" Balletto of Providence will have his own homecoming on Halloween (October 31st) at the legendary Rhode Island Convention Center against his toughest opponent to date.

    Balletto (28-1-2 (25 KOs), 28, will be defending his IBU title in a 12-round match against tought Mexican, GoyoVargas (43-7-1, 30 KOs), the former World Boxing Council super featherweight champion.

    "I'm fighting my first nationally televised main event in my hometown," said Balletto said at the press conference. "What's better than that? We've talked about this for a long time and now it's going to happen Oct. 31."

    The durable Vargas, extended pound-for-pound entrant "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather 12 rounds in a bid for Mayweather's world title and has beaten the likes of Ben Tackie and Tracy Harris Patterson. Balletto will be expected to lose to Vargas, but Balletto has different intentions.

    "Goyo Vargas is a great fighter," Balletto who is rated #2 by the NABF at lightweight. "He's ranked No. 16 (WBC) in the world, the highest rated fighter I've ever fought. If you look at him and me on paper, he's supposed to win this fight because of whom he's been in with and who he's beaten. Vargas has definitely faced better opposition and beaten better fighters than me, but I'm
    going to try and beat the odds. He's a very, very worthy opponent and this is a great opportunity for me on national television."

    "I've fought in a main event in Providence," Balletto remarked, "but this will be my first time fighting in a nationally televised main event in my hometown. I get an extra charge out of fighting in Providence. More of my fans will be at this fight. I'm very excited about this opportunity. Fighting a main event in Providence on national television has been a long time coming. This is a big
    fight for me."

    CES is negotiating a WBC Youth Championship match for "Bad" Chad Dawson (13-0, 9 KOs), of New Haven (CT), for the 10-round co-feature for the event. In another 10-round bout, Jaime "Hurricane" Clampitt (11-2, 4 KOs), of Narragansett (RI), squares off against Michelle "Amazing Grace" Linden (6-3, 6 KOs), of West Palm
    Beach (FL), for the vacant International Women's Boxing Federation light welterweight title. Clampitt, the reigning Women's Eastern Boxing Association champion, is ranked No. 4 in the IWBF, while Linden is the organization's No. 3 contender.

    Slated to fill the undercard rising featherweight prospect, Angel "Gee-Roc" Torres (13-2, 5 KOs) of Manchester, CT will battle Angelo Torres (no relation).
    Providence's Bobo "The Bull" Starnino (6-0. 1 KO) faces Martin "The Irish Assassin" Thornton (5-1) of South Boston in a 4-rounder and Missy "The Fury" Fiorentino of Cranston will also appear in a separate attraction. Tickets are priced at $100.00 VIP, $75.00 ringside and $50.00 reserved. For more information or to order tickets call CES corporate headquarters at 401.724.2253/2254 or
    visit its Web site at www.cesboxing.com

    Speaking of Balletto, on Sunday he and the Teamsters will be holding the first J.A.B. (Joint Association of Boxers) meeting in Providence. Balletto, the New England representative of J.A.B., hopes for a strong turn-out to discuss better ways for boxers to not only improve their boxing careers but their lives after
    boxing.

    "This is the inaugural meeting where we plan to explain how this organization is going to work," said Balletto. "We've contacted a number of gyms throughout New England with the help of guys like Bob Trieger and Jimmy Burchfield. We're hoping for a big turn-out and that the boxers can sign up with us."

    Although boxers were orgainized as long ago as the 1920s, when they afiliated with the American Federation of Labor (AFL) through the National Sports Alliance, recent efforts to unionize have fallen on deaf ears over the years. But Balletto is hoping with the help of a stronghold like the Teamsters, an organization with over 1.4 million members, a boxer will finally have an answer to his or her financial woes.

    "If you look at it, 99% of boxers need a job of some kind to fall back on after their boxing career is over. J.A.B. is going to be focused on trying to obtain medical coverage and pensions with Teamster's rates. With the Teamsters, we'll be able to get better health care rates. We're hoping that boxers will be better represented when the time comes and that the Teamsters will help position them into jobs if they don't make enough money to retire on when their careers are over."

    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xNew England Chatta``x1064602285,83757,``x``x ``xBy Keith Terceira KcircleT@aol.com


    Two combatants, standing toe to toe, blows raining down on each like a monsoon, rivers of blood flow down to the ground until one fighter slowly falls, more dead than alive. Is this a boxing match or a cockfight. Two animals trained to maim for the glory and profit of their handlers.

    More and more you see in print , hear from commentators and casual fans the call for blood, versus the call for the sweet science of boxing. The fighter that plods forward using his face to block jab after jab until he is finally close enough to his opponent to land himself is called the aggressor and the judges agree. A fighter with a two or three inch reach advantage is expected to allow a shorter, stronger, or broader fighter to get within striking distance because a promoter may not make enough the next fight or a judge will rule that the man walking forward controlled the action. How is the mere motion of walking forward is an aggressive act in the ring. If a fighter initiates contact no matter what direction his body is moving he is the general in the ring. The man who fails to cut off the ring, breaking the pattern of movement loses the round. But, the announcer says , "He is taking the fight to him."

    Is the pendulum swinging back to bare knuckles and rounds counted with an abacus. Fans across the world are so fed up with the judging of the sport that they scream for fifteen round championship fights rather than letting it get into a judges hands. For the sake of fighters and their families, I hope these calls go unheard. Thankfully, toe to toe matches are such a rare event in the championship ranks that when they occur, it makes for legend as in Dempsey-Sharkey.

    Listen to the next match you are watching very closely and count just how often the word OUTFIGHTING is used in the commentary. I suggest you pack some groceries, a sleeping bag and a bottle of Geratol. Infighting, getting inside him, toe to toe gets applauded .When boxing occurs its, he ran away from him all night, backing peddling, doesn't want to fight. That's the problem with journalism majors and communication school graduates informing the FAN. The call for blood rather than the call to arms.

    This sport has endured since the Sumerians, 5000 years ago and has no use for these types. Will we be calling for spiked gloves as did spectators in ancient Greece. More likely the sport may become abandoned as it did in Rome when the sport became to bloody for the public. I say abandonment as the fan base continues to shrink.

    Time was that every man in America was taught to handle himself in a fight. Boxing equipment was found in every gym, school, and church youth center. Ivy league schools such as Yale and Harvard competed to great public interest.. A father taught his son . The key phase is defend himself. Society has changed to the point that attorneys and police are responsible for the defense of your life and anything else is barbaric unless shrouded in mystic mumbo jumbo taught by bald monks from china, and techniques named for animals. So the result is the average person this generation who can afford to see a boxing event brings with him less than a basic understanding of what the science truly is.

    Boxers the caliber of Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard with the style, grace and skill to be able to combine or switch at will from Boxer to Puncher are not rare in the sport , they are just not supported and played up as much as the brawlers are. The lower weight classes are full of ring artists like these men were. The changes that these men effected with their styles have become common place.


    The problem is the casual fan's belief that bigger is better. Since the beginning of the modern era the saviors of the sport have been primarily in the Heavyweight division. So now even lumbering behemoths are preferred over skilled bantams. Slow thundering blows over swift science and style. It is a matter of perception. A thunderous blow can be delivered in any weight class. Hagler, Hearns, Duran the list goes on of the what is considered lesser weight classes that deliver hugh classic fights. The sport has never been more populated with good, if not great fighters in many of the non-heavyweight classes, yet most fans can't name them. A boxing enthusiast can name thirty or more current ring artists that can combine all the styles of the sport without reaching the heavy weights yet the general public may never reach six.

    What contributes to the lessening interest in prizefighting? I have been trying to answer that question for years. Many different opinions exist, from the mellowing of society to the ludicrous view that it's the racial make-up of the sport. I believe it is a matter of education and lack of proper public relations. The average spectator today may never experience getting hit in the face with a punch . Thus the science of slipping a punch goes unnoticed. Thirty years ago a school-yard fight got you a letter home and detention, today you go to jail. Forty years ago, if you came home with a shiner your father, your mother, or your priest would take you to the YMCA, The CYO, or the PAL gym and enroll you . Today you get anger management, Prozac, and a shrink. The general public has no clue as to what it takes to actually fight let alone avoid being hit. Duck is something from Peking and Rabbit is cute and cuddly. The existence of UFC and other extreme sports have taken away some base and the controversy in judging, destabilizing administrative blunders , and promoter/fighter scandals have taken away even more.

    While other sports have spent millions over the years to increase public awareness in areas of the community where interest and facilities are lacking i.e. tennis and golf , boxing which lies at the bottom of the spectrum of socially acceptable sports does nothing to raise interest or clean up its act.. Tennis and Golf long considered elite sports work daily to improve access to all economic layers. Boxing on the other hand seems to work to keep the perception of dirty little gyms in bad neighborhoods as the mainstay. The reason could be simple. Little Johnny's dad in middle America could be the sheriff or the prosecutor or an accountant with attorney clients who understand contracts and audits. Why else would a potentially billion dollar industry continue to ignore showing the high tech training camps and gyms sprouting up all over the country. No talk ever takes place on air of diets and training methods. As millions of children go to strip-mall fitness centers and karate classes boxing lays back . As the public screams for an answer to obesity in adults and children , where are the champions of the sport. Do they demonstrate headgear, nose guards, mouth pieces and protective cups on air to America. What are they hiding from, popularity or prying eyes

    Would purists scream and be ashamed if once again every kid in the world wanted to be Ali again. I think not. Would it be so terrible to see the Garden filled to capacity once again on a regular basis. Is it to late to see the change?

    For boxing to begin to regain dominance in society over other martial sports a change must be effected. A separation of functions first. Judges must be found that the public respects. Mind you I said the public.
    Perception is reality. Officials in the alphabet soup of boxing are not respected merely tolerated as functionaries . Hall of Fame boxers and retired fighters are more apt to create trust . Many are already judging on a smaller amateur scale, or training the next generation of fighters. In order for changes to occur this individuals need to be coaxed into other roles. Referees must be taken from the same genre.

    A public relations campaign on the safety of amateur boxing , the great conditioning aspects, and fitness virtues of the sport must commence quickly. Boxing is a low cost, low overhead, and high yielding sport that most all school districts can afford. It builds strength, stamina, and self confidence. It damn sure teaches humility and the careful selection of words in a conversation (thus increasing vocabulary skills).

    HBO , ESPN and SHOWTIME could serve themselves well by spending some time during preflight and intermissions by having a Champion explain and demonstrate in detail with participants the various boxing skills and techniques. Drive the bus don't just be a passenger. Take a page from football, and educate future fans. The biggest swell of fan base football has received in the last ten years are with women partly because men like Madden decided to stop assuming everyone knew what they were talking about and he started diagramming it.

    Publicly donate 20 or 30 tickets to a big match. Give them to an area Boys and Girls Club that has a good program where kids are getting good grades and learning the art. Take the time to introduce the public to the many boxers that have survived adverse conditions due to a dedication to the sport. Play up the virtues and fight like hell for fair standards. The problem with the televised media is when boxing gets to big of a black-eyed persona , these entities suddenly slink off into the background and latch on to the next big fad. Leaving in their wake the refuge they helped create for their profits, only to return when the next savior of the sport arrives.

    This is where boxing has failed. Mothers across America get in their SUVs and mini-vans, pick up their kids from school and drive them to Karate classes , then go to meetings to ban violence on television, screaming that boxing is a vulgar and brutal disgrace to humanity. Though Boxing is a Martial Art it is not respected for the ART part. Not due to the sport but due to the men that run it. dedication to the fundamentals are equal. The benefit to mind and body the same, It is the perception that is different. Imagine the horror of a mother as a young man says to his friends " I want to be like Mike Tyson.". Bruce Lee gets a smile, Chuck Norris a swell of pride. These martial arts legends are perceived as fighting for good not evil. The best fight films ever show punch-drunk men to stupid to pay taxes, mixing with the mob, and beating their wives. Not quite "Wax on Wax off".



    ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xPerception is Reality``x1064603657,68920,``x``x ``xBy J.D. Vena

    REVERE, MA - This past St. Patty’s Day, South Boston’s Kevin “Cocky” Watts earned the right to face the same man who defeated him for the vacant jr. welterweight New England championship when a huge cut, initially thought to be caused by a head-butt in a box-off, opened over the right eye of neighborhood rival Jimmy Le Blanc. As fate would have it, Watts, who was behind on the scorecards would luck out when referee John Zablocki ruled that a punch caused the cut, awarding Watts a TKO win and another crack at Haverhill’s Jeff “The Hellraza” Fraza, whom by the way defeated him last year by a convincing 10-round decision.

    Last night at Club Lido, formerly the Wonderland Ballroom, where their first encounter took place, the same guy won it but under ironic circumstances. As Fraza, 138, had done the first time around, he continuously outworked Watts on the inside, where Watts would try to clinch. When Watts, 141, would attempt to fire on the outside, he was always just short of the mark, appearing tentative to close the distance with effective punches. Round after round, Fraza would be ordered by new trainer “Irish” Micky Ward to back up Watts. For the most part Fraza followed the advise by lunging with right cross/ left hook combinations, some of which landed flush.

    Fraza had handily won the first five rounds, but in the 6th, a lunging Fraza crashed into Watts with his forehead opening a huge cut on Fraza’s right eye brow. Referee Paul Casey immediately had ringside physician, Mark Durfee examine the cut and advised Casey that the fight should be stopped. Since the cut was caused from the head butt, the scorecards came into play which favored Watts. Judge Robert McCoy had Fraza leading 59-55 while judges Roland Milton and Nadine Miller had Fraza up by scores of 60-54. With the win, Fraza, who in defending his New England title for the first time also claimed the vacant Massachusetts title. Fraza is now 15-2 with 8 KO’s while Watts is now 17-4 with 7 KO.s.

    In the night’s most exciting bout, Boston’s Mike Beverly, 237, out-pointed pudgy crowd favorite Harold Rodriguez, 235, of Taunton, MA over four action-filled rounds. The reason for the excitement had everything to do with the improved conditioning of Beverly, now 2-0 with 1 KO, who had turned professional weighing 255. Beverly used sharp, thudding head and body shots from the outside to build an early lead, but Rodriguez pushed himself in the final round to make it more interesting. A point which was deducted from Rodriguez in the third round for hitting during referee Zablocki’s instruction to break didn’t play into the scoring of the judges who had Beverly winning comfortably with tallies of 40-36, 39-36 and 40-35. Rodriguez now dips under the .500 mark at 4-5 with 1 KO.

    Adam “The Bomb” Moses, 175 of Gosstown, NH rebounded from his first defeat by knocking out winless John Mitchell, 175, of Pittsburgh, PA with an explosive left hook to the midsection at 1:33 of the first round. Moses, who also registered his first knockout is now 3-1.

    Marcus “Bad” Luck of Greensboro, NC doesn’t carry the ring name for the sake of it. Not only did he lose a four-round decision to Stoughton’s Eddie “The Fighting Irish” Bishop in a bout that appeared to be closer than the scorecards suggested (40-37 twice and 39-37), but he became the first fighter in recent memory to be force-fed a mouthpiece that had been laying on the canvas. After losing his mouthpiece, inept referee Paul Casey, forced the mouthpiece back into Luck’s mouth without the benefit of having his corner rinse it off. Luck’s facial expression looked like Popeye eating spinach for the first time. The visiting Luck who defeated Le Blanc over the summer is now 3-5 with 2 KO’s while Bishop retains his luck of the Irish and improved his record of 7-0 with 3 KO’s.

    The most impressive performance of the night was performed by the once promising Puerto Rican native Melvin Cumba, 131 who pulverized Walter Speight, 135, of Washington, D.C into submission in the first round. Cumba, who now resides in Brockton, MA was incarcerated for drug trafficking shortly after beginning his career with four eye-opening wins. Since being released, he is weighing 5 weight classes above jr. bantamweight, the weight in which he debuted. Surprisingly, Cumba is still carrying his speed and punch. The aggressive Cumba attacked Speight moments after stunning him with a hard right cross. Speight backed into the ropes and Cumba began unloading hard left hooks to the mid-section and a variety of right hands. Casey, who may be the state’s new Tinker Pico (worst ref in boxing), probably should have stopped the fight or issued a standing eight count, but instead allowed Cumba to pound Speight until he sank to the mat for a 10-count at 2:35 of the round. If the 25 year old Cumba gets down to a better weight and is what they call a “changed man,” then he still may be the promising fighter everyone thought him to be. Cumba is now 6-0 with 4 KO’s while Speight is now 2-5 with 2 KO’s.

    In the first bout of the evening, Providence middleweight Reynaldo Rodriguez, 156, looked impressive in going the distance for the first time, out pointing Bernard Robinson, 158, of Pittsburgh over four rounds. Rodriguez, now 3-0 won by three scores of 40-36.

    Last night’s bouts were taped and will be broadcast on Fox SportsNet New England next Sunday at 3:30 P.M.

    Promoter - Cappiello Promotions ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xFraza, a cut above Watts``x1064758624,44092,``x``x ``x
    Joe Mesi KO1 (1:37) Davarryl Williamson

    Dominick Guinn Wu10 Dunkan Dokiwari (97-93 twice and 98-92)

    Juan Carlos Gomez Wu10 Sanil Sam (98-91, 99-90 & 97-92)``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``xResults From Buffalo``x1064758894,92908,``x``x ``xOn Friday night, October 24th, hard-hitting middleweight Julio Cesar De La Cruz will headline the first professional boxing card in Hartford, Connecticut in over a year when he meets veteran Leon Pearson in an eight round bout at Stage East Night Club. The card is being promoted by 10 Count Enterprises, a revamped company now being run by Lorenzo DiClemente, Mark Vaz and Mike Nosky.

    De La Cruz is 14-3-1 (13) and has recently inked a promotional deal with 10 Count Enterprises. Managerial problems have forced this native of the Dominican Republic into a bout of inactivity that has limited him to only one fight over the last three years. He holds a knockout win over world rated Carlos Bojorquez.

    Also signed for the show is an exciting six round light heavyweight bout between local favorite Salah Zabian and John Douglas. Zabian has won four bouts in a row, three by knockout, since being decisioned in his pro debut against a 3-0 fighter. Douglas battled Julian Letterlough to a six round draw last November and is looking to jump-start his career.

    Four other bouts will be added to the show. Buffalo lightweight Hector Alejandro, Jr. and pro debut New York super welterweight Jamel Hamilton will appear in separate fights.

    Tickets are priced at $50, $40 and $30 and can be purchased at Stage East Night Club or by calling 1-860-558-9919. Tables of four, which include full waiter service, are available for $400. ``xcyberbox``xeditors@cyberboxingzone.com``x10 Count Enterprises launches inaugural boxing in Hartford``x1064759126,8606,``x``x