Ossie Duran: “I’m Hungry!”

Paterson, NJ’s Ossie Duran has every reason to believe he is one of the hungriest fighters in the sport. Dubbed as “The Ghanaian Gladiator”, Duran’s spent much of his career fighting in his opponents’ backyards and has yielded mixed results. At 24-8-2 (9 KO’s), he’s dropped close decisions against favored and well regarded fighters in James Kirkland, David Lopez and Fernando Guerrero. He also holds victories over former contenders Jaime Moore and Jonathan Reid.

On November 12, he will enter the squared circle against fellow tough luck contender Matt Vanda at nearby Schuetzen Park in a role he’s far from accustomed to; as a hometown favorite. 15rounds exclusively spoke with Duran about his journey as a fighter and future outlook.

Matt Yanofsky: This will be one of the first fights for you in quite some time where you won’t have to fight in your opponent’s hometown. How does that feel?

Ossie Duran: It feels good! I am training hard to put on a good show for my fans in New Jersey.

MY: Matt Vanda is pretty similar to you career and record wise. Both of you have some losses with a number of them coming to good fighters. Do you expect this to be a tough fight?

OD: Yeah I have seen some of his (fights on tape) and I don’t underrate any fighter. This is going to be a good fight.

MY: What do you see leading you to victory?

OD: I am going to use my jab and good defense. I am going to keep on doing what I have in training camp. I am training hard for a good performance.

MY: As mentioned, this fight will take place in your hometown, but you are a New Jersey transplant since you didn’t grow up in the area. A lot of fans and media don’t know much about you yet. What kind of crowd are you expecting to bring for your first fight near Paterson?

OD: Since I have been in New Jersey, I have gone around to a lot of different gyms, so I think people have seen (what I can do in the ring). I also have a lot of friends who come to my fights and travel to see me, so I expect a lot of people to be there cheering for me.

MY: What can fans who haven’t previously seen you expect come November 12?

OD: A different Ossie Duran! I have been in the state for a few years now and see how (they fight over here) so I have transformed my style. I am becoming a powerful puncher so fans will like what they see.

MY: Vanda is a tough fighter but is generally viewed as a stepping stone opponent. Although you’ve fallen short in the past, the boxing world knows that you can hang with a top notch fighter. If you are victorious, who is on your radar?

OD: Right now I am focused on Matt Vanda and to take him out. This is all that is on my mind right now worrying about how to take him out.

MY: I know you have trained all over the world including in Africa, England and Rhode Island amongst other places. You mentioned that there are differences in New Jersey boxing. What made you realize it is different and how have you adapted?

OD: When I was in Rhode Island, I wasn’t comfortable because I (basically worked out with the same fighters) in the same place. Here I go to different gyms and spar with different people, so it’s like a competition. I have sparred a lot of good fighters so that has made me pick it up.

MY: There is a lot of good competition in the New Jersey area between 154 and 168 lbs. Who are some of the better fighters that you have worked with?

OD: There are a lot of guys. I’ve worked with Danny Jacobs, Yuri Foreman, Omar Sheika, Jerson Ravelo and a lot of other guys such as Momma’s Boy (Denis Douglin) and all these young guys too.

MY: What is your outlook for 2010 and beyond?

OD: I want to get a piece of the cake (make significant money) and become a world champion! Right now I am hungry and everybody is going to see that on the 12th.

For more New Jersey boxing news, go to Gardenstatefightscene.com




Cloud to defend Light heavyweight title against Zuniga


According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF Light Heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud will defend his crown on December 17th in Miami, Florida against former Super Middleweight title challenger Fulgencio Zuniga.

“I’m not familiar with Zuniga, but my prediction is we gonna win the fight,” Cloud told ESPN.com on Tuesday. “All I heard about the fighter is he a tough fighter, been in some title fights and he comes to fight. We taking him serious like any other fight.

“Those other guys turned it down. They demanded a lot of money, but Don King made a very fair offer,” Bonanni said. “Zuniga took the fight. He was offered the fight and stepped up to the plate. He has a big guarantee with Don if he wins. This is a tougher fight in my opinion than if we fought Otis Griffin anyway. Zuniga is a proven veteran. He’s nothing to be sneezed at and we are training as such.”

“We tried everyone in the light heavyweight division [in the IBF rankings] who was available and there were no takers,” Said Cloud’s trainer Al Bonanni. “We’re training for Zuniga and we’ll be ready to go at it on Dec. 17. I’m very happy Cloud is fighting. We want to stay busy.”

“Everything’s coming together now,” Cloud said. “I had promotional problems in the past [before signing with King] and all of that has been taken care of. It’s good to be right back in the ring. I’ve been rusty as a nail when I’ve fought and I’m still performing on a world class level. It is good to be back in the ring before the year is out.”

Cloud’s goal is to take care of Zuniga and then look for a major fight in the division. He mentioned lineal champion Jean Pascal, fellow titleholders Beibut Shumenov and Jürgen Brahmer and top contenders Chad Dawson and Nathan Cleverly.

“After I take Zuniga out, I’m looking for any of those guys, wherever,” Cloud said. “Pascal, Dawson. Shumenov? We will knock him out in [his home country of] Kazakhstan or wherever he want to meet at. Cleverly, Brahmer. Tell them all to put the money up. I’ll come to their hometown and knock them out.”




Q & A with Daniel Geale


This Sunday Daniel “The Real Deal” Geale 23-1(14) will take on Roman Karmazin in an IBF Middleweight title eliminator The Olympic Park Sports Centre, Homebush in New South Wales. It’s been 18 months since Geale 29, fought Anthony Mundine in a fight that showed even in defeat that he deserves to be mention up there with the top 160 pounder’s on the planet.

Since then Geale has won two fights to set up this fight with former Light Middleweight champion Karmazin, with the winner becoming Sebastian Sylvester’s mandatory challenger. He is also currently ranked 11 by the WBO & 6 with the Ring magazine.

Hello Daniel, welcome to 15rounds.com

Hi,

Anson Wainwright – You will be fighting Roman Karmazin in an IBF Middleweight title eliminator. What are your thoughts on that fight? What do you expect Karmazin to bring to the fight?

Daniel Geale – It is going to be a great fight, great for me to step up and mix it with these guys at the top and great for boxing fans to watch. With his style and mine, it is going to be one tought fight. Karmazin has alot of experience with the top guys so he will be trying to capitalize on that.

Anson Wainwright – In his last fight Karmazin drew with Sebastian Sylvester for Sylvester’s IBF Middleweight title. What were your thoughts on that fight?

Daniel Geale – Everyone knows how tough it is to get a decision in Germany against a German, so I say he should have won that fight but I am glad that things have turned out this way because it is a great opportunity for me.

Anson Wainwright – Who is part of Team Geale who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at?

Daniel Geale – Team Geale…… I train out of Grange Old School Boxing Gym, my trainer is Graham Shaw, my manager is Bill Treacy and my Promoter is Garrie Francisco, a great team that are working hard to get me to the top.

Anson Wainwright – To date your biggest fight was against Anthony Mundine when you lost a razor thin split decision. Looking back on that fight what are your thoughts on it now?

Daniel Geale – Looking back over the tape, I still believe that I did enough to get the decision against Mundine, it was a great fight and no matter what the outcome, it was a stepping stone for me and I am moving forward to fight the best guys in the world while Mundine is fighting easier fights, not even fighting guys in the top 20! Team Geale are onto bigger fish and he can chase me if he is “MAN” enough.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years growing up in Tasmania, did you have the typical hard upbringing that many boxers have?

Daniel Geale – I grew up in a tough area, I wasnt handed everything on a silver platter, my family worked hard to give me the opportunities I had. I have great parents that have always been supportive of me in all areas of my life. My love for boxing has helped me with self discipline, confidence and I believe, has kept me from making the wrong decisions as an adolescent.

Anson Wainwright – How did you first get into Boxing?

Daniel Geale – My Dad introduced me to boxing at nine years old, I had been involved in martial arts and other sports but from my very first training session I was addicted.

Anson Wainwright – You had a very good amateur career that saw you fight at the 2000 Commonwealth games winning gold and then representing Australia at the 2002 Olympics what can you tell us about that? Can you tell us what else you achieved in your amateur career? Also what was your final record?

Daniel Geale – I had a great Amateur Career……I had around 165 fights for 135 wins, I represented Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and I won a Gold Medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. I won a gold medal at the Acropolis Cup in Greece in 2001 and a bronze in 2003. I was 5 time Australian Champion and 2 time Oceana Champion.

Anson Wainwright – Who was your favourite Boxer growing up?

Daniel Geale – I dont have one in particular as I had so many as a kid. Jeff fenech, Kostya Tszyu, Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr, and the list goes on.

Anson Wainwright – Away from Boxing what do you like to do with your time? What are your hobbies & Interests? What other sports do you follow and what teams do you support?

Daniel Geale – At the moment I am learning to play the guitar and enjoy a round of golf in my spare time. I follow AFL, NRL and my teams are Collingwood and Wests Tigers.

Anson Wainwright – The Middleweight division has several top fighters where do you feel you fit into it? What do you think of the current champions WBC Martinez, WBA Sturm, IBF Sylvester & WBO Pirog?

Daniel Geale – At the moment I feel I am as strong and ready for anyone in the world, I am ready for my next step, after Karmazin, I want all of the above mentioned fights.

Anson Wainwright – Do you have a nickname?

Daniel Geale – The Real Deal.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans ahead of this fight?

Daniel Geale – Like my promo ad says for this fight….this IS my time and I am going to make the most of it. I am willing to take it to these guys that are the Champions and bring some Titles back to Australia and give boxing fans the fights they deserve to see.

Thanks for your time Daniel

Thank you

Best Wishes

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com




Boxer Bobby Rooney Jr Ready to Hit Atlantic City on October 30!—WATCH LIVE ON GFL


CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT
Bayonne, NJ (October 26, 2010) – Calling Bobby Rooney Jr.’s cell phone rarely elicits an answer from the Bayonne, NJ resident. Instead, the likelihood is that you’ll hear a more familiar voice than the local son done right. Beetlejuice, the pint-sized cult figure of “The Howard Stern Show” fame, often picks up the phone and directs calls.

“He’s my special adviser,” Rooney Jr. jests as he explains his roommate’s role in his career. “He keeps me on the straight and narrow.”

Rooney Jr. (11-3-1, 6 KO) will be making his first ring appearance in nearly a year this Saturday, October 30 when he faces Tyler Seever (11-11-1, 8 KO’s) of St. Louis, Missouri in a six-round light-heavyweight bout at Bally’s Atlantic City. In the main event, New Brunswick, NJ’s unbeaten featherweight sensation Jorge “King” Diaz will face former world title challenger Emmanuel Lucero in a ten round clash. The card will be promoted by Pound for Pound Promotions.

Rooney, 38, credits clean living and his passion for the sport for his ability to continue fighting at an advanced age. Rooney first started boxing in 1984 under the mindful eye of his father Bobby Rooney Sr and current manager Sal Alessi. Rooney had a long amateur career, and in 1992 decided to hang up the gloves and start a family.

Rooney remained away from the sport until 2002, when he decided to lace them back up casually to get back into shape. The daily grind of the sport began to reignite his love for boxing and under the guidance of his father and Alessi, Rooney turned pro.

Aside from his own career, Rooney continues the tradition set by his own father as he now runs the Bayonne Police Athletic League Gym where he originally started boxing. After his father retired from the gym in 2006, Rooney Jr took over and the gym won back-to-back New Jersey Golden Gloves team championships in 2009 and 2010.

“I love fighting in Atlantic City. My fans love it, they come down and spend the night and we always have a good time. After my fight, I look forward to taking a seat in the audience and watching one of the most exciting and talented prospects in the sport, Jorge Diaz.”

The card will also feature highly-touted junior middleweight prospect Glen Tapia of Passaic, NJ in a six-round bout against an opponent to be named. Tapia, aged 20, has a record of 7-0 (5 KO) and is fresh off his tour of duty as Manny Pacquiao’s main sparring partner for his upcoming match against Antonio Margarito.

Junior middleweight prospect Jeremy “Hollywood” Bryan (14-1, 7 KO’s) of Paterson, NJ will face off with undefeated Ronald Cruz (9-0, 6 KO’s) of Bethlehem, PA in an eight round battle.

Heavyweight Amir Mansour of Wilmington, DE, super-middleweight prospect Jason “El Monstruo” Escalera of Union City, NJ, light welterweight Christian Martinez of The Bronx, NY, and light heavyweight Anthony Smith of Kennett Square, PA will also be in action against opponents to be named later.

Tickets, priced at $75, and $50 can be purchased at the Bally’s Atlantic City Box office , by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.




Watching “24/7” while thinking about Mexican television


Boxing doesn’t have seasons, or much boxing either, anymore, but it does have pay-per-view events that mark artificial seasons. These happen late in winter, spring, summer and fall. This year’s late-winter and late-summer offerings were weak and dreadful, respectively. This year’s late-fall season kicked-off Saturday with the first episode of “24/7 Pacquiao/Margarito.”

If you’re not thinking that it would be better to read a column about boxing than one about television about boxing, you should be. To such a concern I offer the merest anecdote:

One summer, after suffering through a semester of Eng102 at Arizona State University I happened on its professor in the ASU Rec Center and told him what I thought of his class. And he replied, “Boring to you? I had to teach the damned thing.”

We make a mistake if we discount the need for boxing on television, though, and that is why we take a look at HBO’s “24/7” program and its effect. Much as we make of competitive undercard matches and b-side fighters in main events, network researchers snicker at our concerns because they know what we do not believe: Once the a-side fighter is in place, the success of a pay-per-view is determined by “24/7.”

Mayweather-Mosley in May was a more compelling spectacle than Pacquiao-Clottey in March, as we all knew it would be, but not twice as compelling. The difference in pay-per-view sales these shows garnered, if those numbers are to be believed, was roughly 100 percent. That is, Mayweather-Mosley sold about twice as many pay-per-view buys as Pacquiao-Clottey. One had “24/7.” One did not.

Look, “24/7” is not for you, the serious fan. It is for the wife or father of a casual fan. It is about helping a casual fan attain $50 of permission from his spouse or guardian by offering variable plotlines. That’s how Pacquiao’s puppy featured prominently in “24/7” before the fight with Miguel Cotto; that’s why we now know Margarito’s wife hates her husband’s flatulence.

Super fights need that sort of promotion today because there are no longer a million serious boxing fans in the United States. Boxing lost most of its fans when it left network television, though it still pretends otherwise. It lost more fans when it put an additional purchase price on meaningful fights. And it lost another healthy chunk this year when it promised something real, failed, then delivered, instead, something broken.

Which gets me thinking about Mexico. Today, having backed away from the failed American model, Mexico has great fights on basic cable. It’s a new thing. Mexicans are embracing it enthusiastically. When I talk to folks in Tamaulipas or Jalisco, now, I hear about fights in Germany and Poland I did not know about and could not have seen if I had. Beyond that enthusiasm, though, is a coming sadness.

Boxing did not suffer too much when American kids could no longer watch it on public airwaves. That is, American boxing suffered, suffered terribly, but the sport wasn’t ruined. Because of prosperity, Americans were destined to supply boxing’s audience, not its participants, soon, anyway. Not so with Mexico.

Boxing was not on Mexico’s public airwaves for most of the last decade because of the same shortsighted greed that afflicted, and afflicts, things here in the U.S. Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera, in fact, cites the renewed availability of boxing in Mexican homes as a reason for his comeback: None of his countrymen saw his glory days. Unless you were a Mexican with a satellite dish or access to a sports bar that had one, then, you probably gave up on boxing sometime after 2001.

Ten years is a long time. Imagine a Mexican who turns 20 this year; he’s spent half his life without boxing. Now imagine that Mexican was to be the next Barrera. Whatever else he may be, he’s not the next Barrera anymore.

Today, we are told Saul Alvarez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. are among Mexico’s greatest young fighters. The troublesome thing is that it might be so. Expect just as many Mexican “greats” to be fed to us by promoters in the next decade as we had in the last, but don’t expect many actual great fighters out of Mexico for 10 years to come.

Oh, enough of the dreary prognostications already! Very well. Back to pay-per-view season.

The first episode of “24/7” was better than it could have been. There were the same old overwrought and overproduced elements, sure. Freddie Roach’s pursuit of anonymity in a mall – while accoutered in bright Team Pacquiao garb and followed by a camera crew – was the best example. But anyway.

The first episode dealt fairly with the issue of Margarito’s hand wraps. It reported the facts of the case; the discovery of the pads, the result of the California State Athletic Commission’s investigation, the revocation of Margarito’s license, and the restoration of Margarito’s license in Texas. Then it gave Margarito his chance to convince potential buyers “he didn’t know” – that he still “doesn’t know!” (not in subtitled translation) – anything was wrong with his wraps the night he faced Shane Mosley.

And then “24/7” went to Roach casually saying Margarito is lying before showing Pacquiao, in an uncommon bit of satire, pantomiming Margarito’s path to obliviousness – complete with covering his eyes with one hand while extending the other to an imaginary trainer. Yes, Margarito’s explanation remains, in the strictest sense of the word, unbelievable.

But he still won’t make much of a villain. He has a sleepy-eyed humility that makes him pretty hard to hate. He is not going to cut it as a Mexican hero, either, though; wherever they found those extras for the car-wash plot, Margarito now cuts things a little too fine, in both beard and palliation, to be a working-class hero.

But this is good as it gets right now. Take it or leave it.

Bart Barry can be reached at bbarry@15rounds.com. Additionally, his book, “The Legend of Muhammad Ali,” co-written with Thomas Hauser, can be purchased here.

Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank




CAPITALE PUNISHMENT II PHOTO GALLERY

15rounds.com photographer Claudia Bocanegra was ringside at Capitale in New York City for a great night of boxing that was highlighted by Jorge Teron’s four round stoppage over James Hope




Nishioka retains in Tokyo

In the much anticipated WBC Super Bantamweight title fight Toshiaki Nishioka retained his crown for the fifth time when he outpointed game English challenger Rendall Munroe at the Kokugikan, Tokyo in Japan. Nishioka started fast and dominated the first 3 rounds though to his credit Munroe dug in and pressured the champion, he seemed to break through with an impressive fourth round. It looked as though the tide was turning in the fifth when Munroe again started out well, until he walked into a big left hand that landed high on Munroe’s head. The Englishman covered up and though shaken wasn’t in danger of going down. From then on Nishioka was just a shade busier and more active especially with bodyshots which landed consistantly. One of those bodyshots landed in the solar plexus of the brave Leicester bin man causing him to go backwards during the seventh. In the championship rounds Nishioka again showed his edge in power stunning the challenger.

When all was said and done all three judges James Jen-Kin, David Sutherland, Alejandro Rochin Mapula scored identically 119-109. It was a thoroughly impressive performance by the 34 year old Japanese champion who reaffirmed himself as the number one 122 champion in the world. The humble challenger will head home and back to his day job as a bin man. He showed enough to prove he can come again with many of the rounds closer than the scores suggest.

On the undercard Roman “El Chocolatito” Gonzalez 27-0(23) proved he can carry his power up to Light Flyweight when he stopped Francisco Rosas 21-8-2(12) in the second round to win the Interim WBA 108 title. It was a rematch from 18 months ago when Gonzalez barely edged Rosas in Mexico. This time Gonzalez wasn’t to have nearly as tough a time dropping a stunned Rosas three times to gain a very impressive win at 1.38 of the second. The loss was the first inside the distance loss for Rosas.

Also on the card Jorge “El Nino De Oro” Linares 30-1(19) forced tough veteran Jesus “The Matador” Chavez 44-8(30) to retire on his stool before the fifth round. Linares had controlled the action behind his jab and fired combination’s picking apart Chavez. He seems to of recovered his confidence from the loss a year ago to Juan Carlos Salgado and will now be primed for another title shot either at Super Featherweight or Lightweight. For this fight Linares weighed 133 the same as Chavez.

Current Japanese Light Welterweight champion Yoshihiro Kamegai improved his unbeaten record to 17-0(15) stopping Nicaraguan former Lightweight World champion Jose Alfaro at 2.36 of the sixth round.

In Bantamweight action Shinsuke Yamanaka 13-0-2(9) forced Mexican Jose Silveira 11-3(4) to retire at 3.00 of the ninth. Yamanaka is the current Japanese Bantamweight champion




Manny Pacquiao Los Angeles Arrival Photo Gallery

“MANNY HITS LA” — Superstar Manny Pacquiaoarrives in Los Angeles Saturday night to continue training for his upcoming mega fight against Antonio Margarito. Pacquiao takes on three-time world champion Antonio Margarito on November 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. The Pacquiao vs Margarito telecast will be available live on HBO Pay Per View.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS FARINA / TOP RANK




VOELKER GETS HIS REVENGE AGAINST BOWLING, JOHNSON, EVANGELISTA, BUDD, DEVINE ALSO TRIUMPH; CATCH REPLAY TUESDAY ON SHO 2 AT 10 P.M.

FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2010) – On an exhilarating evening that featured action fights highlighted by crowd-pleasing victories by Fresno fan favorites Lavar Johnson and Billy Evangelista, Bobby Voelker (23-8), of Kansas City, Mo., evened the score with previously undefeated Roger Bowling (8-1) of Cincinnati with a second-round TKO (punches) in the main event Friday on STRIKEFORCE Challengers live on SHOWTIME® from the Save Mart Center.

In other results on the televised portion of an event presented by STRIKEFORCE and Rockstar Energy Drink: Johnson (15-3), of Fresno, scored an explosive 2:17, first-round knockout over Virgil Zwicker (9-2), of Temecula, Calif., in a heavyweight scrap; the comebacking Evangelista (11-0, 1 NC), of Fresno, won the fight of the night with a thrilling, crowd-pleasing, hard-fought three-round unanimous decision over Waachiim Spirit Wolf (8-7-1), of San Diego, Calif., in a catch weight bout at 165 pounds; Julia “The Jewel” Budd (1-0), of Sechelt, British Columbia, made an instant impression at 145 pounds, impressively winning her pro debut with a second-round TKO (punches) over previously unbeaten Shana Olsen (4-1), of Burnsville, Minn., and John Devine (5-2), of San Francisco, submitted (rear-naked choke) Brandon Cash (5-3), of Fresno, at 3:20 of the first round in a heavyweight match.

Voelker lost a technical decision to Bowling five months ago on STRIKEFORCE Challengers when an exciting encounter ended prematurely due to an accidental poke in the eye in the third round. Friday, however, the 6-foot, 31-year-old Voelker shook off a fast start from the aggressive-minded Bowling to triumph decisively in perhaps a career-best performance. It was Voelker’s ninth victory in 12 starts.

“I really trained hard and I really wanted to win this fight,’’ said Voelker after the match was stopped at 3:58 of the round. “I felt like I had something to prove. If they want a third fight, I’m for it, or I will just move on. I’m just very happy that all the hard work I put in morning, noon and night paid off like it did.’’

Johnson was fighting for the second time since he was gunned down while attending a family barbeque during the July 4 holiday in 2009. The 6-foot-2, 33-year-old survived three gunshot wounds sustained during the walk-by shooting that led to the death of a cousin. A father of two young boys, Johnson spent 30 days in a hospital, fighting for his life, and several more months rehabilitating.

Friday, the hard-hitting Johnson, who has never been victorious via decision, looked as good as new as he earned his seventh consecutive knockout victory.

“This was just the kind of fight I wanted,’’ said Johnson after dropping the game Zwicker with a four-punch salvo that prompted the referee to step in and halt matters at 2:17. “I give Zwicker a lot of credit. He came to fight like I knew he would. But I wanted to make a statement. There are a lot of big-name heavyweights in STRIKEFORCE and I feel it’s time I get my shot at one of them.

“I love fighting in Fresno. It is my home and the fans here are loud and totally into it. They are great.’’

Evangelista, making his first start since Nov. 6, 2009, won an absolute slugfest by the scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28. The extremely popular local fighter is a natural 155-pounder and Friday’s fight was at a catch weight of 165. The naturally bigger and stronger Spirit Wolf, who fights at welterweight (170), used his size and strength to his advantage throughout and some thought the scoring could have been closer.

“I love fighting in front of the hometown fans in Fresno,’’ the 5-foot-8, 29-year-old Evangelista said, “but this was a very hard fight. I wanted to make it into more of a stand-up fight but this guy was tough and game as they come.’’

Spirit Wolf, who took down Evangelista no less than three times, felt he deserved much better.

“I come to fight and that’s what I did tonight,’’ he said. “It is bad enough I thought I deserved the decision, but to not get a round on those scorecards is ridiculous. Honestly, I feel I got ripped off.

“But I hope STRIKEFORCE liked what they saw and they give me another chance. I had to drop weight for this, and that wasn’t easy, but I will fight anybody.’’

Despite losing a blow for delivering an illegal elbow late in the first round, Budd dominated the more experienced Olsen.

“I am very happy right now,’’ said the highly regarded Canadian Muay Thai Champion who was the only fighter to defeat Gina Carano in Muay Thai. “I wanted to keep it standing more, but Shana was tough.’’

Although it would be unrealistic, after just one fight, for her to even entertain thoughts of facing STRIKEFORCE World Champion Cris Cyborg, the No. 1 female fighter in the world, Budd’s performance against Olsen clearly showed that she deserves to be mentioned at or near the top of a short list of possible challengers at 145 pounds.

“It’s up to my coaches,’’ said Budd, who graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor’s degree in human kinetics. “But I’d be game for it.’’

The victory by Devine came in his first start since losing to Daniel Cormier last March 26 on STRIKEFORCE Challengers.

“This is obviously a big win,’’ said Devine after dealing Cash his third consecutive defeat. “I knew he was heavy-handed but I did what I had to do. I am fortunate and appreciative for everyone involved in making this fight happen.’’

Friday’s action-packed event will re-air as follows:

DAY CHANNEL

Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 10 p.m. ET/PT SHO2

The telecast also will be available On Demand beginning this Monday, Oct. 25.

Mauro Ranallo called the action on SHOWTIME with MMA legend Pat Miletich and The Fight Professor, Stephen Quadros, serving as expert analysts.

In Friday’s non-televised professional result: David “Tarzan’’ Douglas (5-2) of Antioch, Calif., rallied impressively to register a second-round TKO (punches) over previously undefeated Dominic Clark (4-1) of Fresno.

UPCOMING STRIKEFORCE EVENTS ON SHOWTIME: STRIKEFORCE Challengers will be in Jackson, Miss., on Friday, Nov. 19 (11 p.m. ET/PT). In the main event, lightweight star and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro (20-4) will take on streaking Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox (9-3) of Cincinnati at the Jackson Convention Complex.

MMA legend Dan Henderson will face former STRIKEFORCE World Champion “Babalu” Sobral when STRIKEFORCE returns to St. Louis on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Scottrade Center (10 p.m. ET/PT). In featured bouts, Paul “Semtex’’ Daley (25-9-2) of Nottingham, England, meets Scott “Hands Of Steel’ Smith (17-7, 1 NC) of Elk Grove, Calif., in a welterweight match, “Ruthless “Robbie” Lawler (17-6, 1 NC) of Elk Grove, Ill., takes on 2000 Olympic Games silver medalist Matt Lindland (22-7) of Oregon City, Ore., in a middleweight scrap, top contender and former EliteXC champion Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva (14-2), of Coconut Creek, Fla., by way of Brazil, throws down with the older brother of STRIKEFORCE World Heavyweight Champion, Alistair Overeem, Valentijn “The Python’’ Overeem (28-23), of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, football legend and unbeaten MMA fighter Herschel Walker (1-0) will meet an opponent to be announced and St. Louis native Jesse Finney will face a foe to be determined.

For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and STRIKEFORCE mixed martial arts telecasts, along with access to the SHOWTIME Sports Facebook® and Twitter® pages, please go to http://Sports.Sho.com.

About STRIKEFORCE
STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history. The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265. Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE, sanctioned by ISKA, has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts (MMA) series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.” In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose. In March 2009, STRIKEFORCE signed a multi-year agreement with SHOWTIME® to stage live events on the premium cable television network. The promotion has since also produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

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




Gesta stops Valle in Two

Mercito Gesta remained undefeated by scoring a second round stoppage over Ivan Valle in a scheduled ten round Lightweight bout in San Diego, California.

Gesta dropped Valle twice in round one. The first was from a right hook and the second was from flurry that was culminated by a hard left hook. Valle got out of round one but a hard flurry of punches the started round two had referee Pat Russell stop the bout at thirty-seven seconds of round two

Gesta, 137 lbs of San Diego, CA is 20-0-1 with ten knockouts. Valle, 137 lbs of Los Mochis, Mexico is now 27-13-3.

Michael Franco remained undefeated by pounding his way to an eight round unanimous decision over Adolfo Landeros in a Featherweight bout.

Franco landed some hard shots that Landeros took well and tried to come forward but he took too many effective blows from the younger, faster and stronger Franco.

Franco, 127 lbs of Riverside, California won by scores of 80-72; 79-73 and 78-74 to go to 17-0. Landeros, 127 lbs of Mexico City is now 19-16-1.

In a battle of pro debuting Featherweights, Christian Bojorquez scored a four round majority decision over Salvado Cifuentes.

Scores were 40-36;39-37 and 38-38 for Bojorquez, 120 lbs of Tijuana, Mexico. Cifuentes, 124 lbs of Mexico is 0-1.




Teron stops Hope in Four–watch this weekend on Demand on GFL


CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT CARD
The main event of the night featured the Bronx’s Jorge Teron vs. Rock Hill, South Carolina’s James Hope in a junior welterweight fight scheduled for eight rounds at Capitale in New York City


In round 1, neither fighter established control, as Teron tried to keep the short Hope on the outside, while Hope found success landing to the body of his opponent. Hope threw more power punches in round1, and landed the round’s most significant punch, a straight right that momentarily stopped Teron in his tracks.

The second round saw an aggressive Hope come out and let his hands fly. He lunged in and landed numerous combinations landing at a high success rate. About a minute into the round, Teron landed his most significant punch to date, a right hand that was thrown perfectly over the jab of his smaller opponent. Teron jabbed less in round 2 and Hope took that as an invitation to throw more punches, but Teron was able to land quality counterpunches. The taller Teron, although not elusive, was never in any harm in round 2.

In round 3, both fighter’s came out exchanging punches, with Teron landing a meaningful left hook on Hope. Hope — whose power punches have been thrown wildly and violently — continued to look for the home run, and when he missed, Teron was able to counter. Midway through the round, Teron started to bleed from his nose and a cut began to release a steady stream of blood from above his right eye. The referee ruled that the cut above Teron’s eye was due to an accidental head-but. As the round came to a close, Teron landed a flush left hook — and followed it up moments after with a nice right hand.

As Teron came out for round4, he sported no blood on his face, as his corner was able to stop the bleeding. Teron came out with cruel intentions in round 4 and decided it was time to take over. He came out as aggressive as ever, landing at will to a defenseless Hope. Teron pummeled Hope up against the ropes, where he covered up in a defense guard, and never threw back. At the 1:38 mark of round 4, referee David Field called a halt to the bout, awarding Teron the TKO victory.

With the win, Jorge Teron improves to 24-2-1, 16 KOs, while Hope falls to 6-6-1, 4 KO.

Elmer Vera vs. Abdellah Smith

In a strange opening bout, Abdellah “The Pitbull” Smith defeated Elmer Vera by second round TKO.

From the opening bell, both fighters — who were making their professional debuts — felt no need to waste punches and came out swinging. Midway through round 1, Vera suffered an injury to his right shoulder, which momentarily stopped the fight. The doctor gave him the green light to continue, and Vera did so, only to get rocked seconds later by a huge straight right. Vera never touched the canvass, and Smith failed to immediately follow up. They continued to exchange until the bell sounded to end round 1, with Smith getting the better of his opponent.

In a strange round 2, Smith continued to find success with power punches, as Vera tried to fend off his opponent behind a stiff left jab. As the round progressed, Vera found himself with his back turned to his opponent, resting on the ropes. The referee forced Vera to turn around and continue, but about a half-minute later, Vera once again turned his back on his opponent, and Smith took advantage, reaching around and sneaking a right that caught Vera flush on the face.

It was at this point that the referee called a halt to the bout. The time of the stoppage was 2:47 into round 2.

Smith starts his career off 1-0, (1 KO), while Vera starts his career 0-1.

Hairo Sujak vs. Naseem Deen

In an action packed opening round, both fighters were able to dish out some punishment — and in doing so, excite the Capitale crowd. About a minute into the inaugural round, the Bronx’s Sujak sent Brooklyn’s Deen to the canvass courtesy of a vicious left hook. To Deen’s credit, he found his legs, and was able to rock Sujak with a straight right that sent him stumbling back into the ropes.

Round 2 was Deen’s most successful round of the four round bout. He forced most of the action, as Sujak spent the majority of the round with his back against the ropes. There were good exchanges littered throughout the round.

Round 3 was similar to round 2 in that the majority of the round, one fighter’s back was against the ropes, except this time, it was Deens. The two traded violent power punches, but it was Deen on the receiving end of most of the punishment. At the end of the round, Sujak hurt Deen during an explosive exchange that created a cut under Deen’s right eye and sent him back into his corner. Sujak bull-rushed Deen to close out the third round by landed a big straight right as the bell sounded, hurting Deen.

In the final round, Sujak dominated the action from start to finish. Sujak knocked Deen down early in the round, and the Bronx native was unable to recover. He spent the rest of the round fending off his opponent to the best of his ability, but failing to show much offense.

Two judges scored the bout 39-35, while one judge saw it 40-34 all in favor of Sujak.

With the win, Sujak improves to 6-1, 2 KO, while Deen drops to 2-3.

Elton Dharry vs. Jose Rivera

In the night’s third fight, two fan favorites squared off in a bantamweight bout, scheduled for six rounds.

The opening round served as a ‘feeling out’ round for both Brooklyn’s Elton Dharry and New Rochelle’s Jose ‘Chily’ Rivera. Both fighters kept their distance, exchanging jabs throughout and landing nothing significant.

In round 2, the fight started to come into its own, with Rivera pressing the action, while Dharry was content to try and pick of Rivera’s punches, and counter them. Round two was a tough round to score, as both fighter’s found sucess at times, and excited their loud fanbases, who battled back and forth with chants of “ELTON! ELTON!” and “CHILY! CHILY!”

Round 3 was a carbon-copy of round 2, with Rivera pressing the action and Dharry trying to counterpunch. Rivera found a bit more success this round, but once again it was a tough round to score. Both fighter’s shoed impressive boxing ability and a unwillingness to stray away from their gameplan.

In the fourth round, Rivera landed a vicious combination that hurt Rivera momentarily and put him back against the ropes. This woke Dharry up however, as he fired back with murderous intent. For the first time in the fight, Dharry was the aggressor, throwing vicious power punches, and landed them with little opposition. Dharry went on the offense and hurt Rivera with a big right hand. Towards the end of the round, blood began to flow freely from Rivera’s nose and a mouse began to develop under his right eye.

The fifth round opening up with blood continue to stream from Rivera’s nose, and the fight resorted back to its previous ways with Rivera moving forward and Dharry moving backward, counterpunching quite effectively. Although Rivera had spurts of success, he ultimately ate more than he dished out in round 5.

The final round saw Rivera score well with his jab, but Dharry effectively counterpunching the already injured Rivera. To his credit, Rivera battled through the bloody nose, and ever-swelling eye, to give Dharry all he could handle. As the fight wound down, both fighter’s exchanges blows to the delight of the crowd.

After six rounds of action, it went to the scorecards.

One judge saw the bout 57-57. While two judges scored the bout in favor of the winner, Elton Dharry, by scores of 59-55 and 58-56.

Dharry improves to 6-5-1, 1 KO, while Rivera falls to 2-2-1.

Eileen Olszewski vs. Suszannah Warner

In the only female fight of the night, Eileen Olszewski squared off against Suszannah Warner in a bout scheduled for 6 rounds, for Olszewski’s IBA world flyweight championship.

In the opening round, both fighters were content with trading jabs and getting acquainted with one another.

The second round saw more action with Warner getting the better of the exchanges. She landed a huge right flush on the face of the champion, sending her back against the ropes, where Warner continuing to land meaningful punches to both the body and the head.

In round 3, Warner pressed the action, fighting well on the inside, landing uppercuts that sent Olszewski’s head back. Warner pressed the action continuing to walk forward and fire punches. Olszewski, although retreated for much of the round, was never in danger, and found her share of success as well in the third round.

In the fourth round, Olszewski came out more aggressive than ever, letting her hands fly, but never inflicting much damage to her opponent. About a minute into the round, Warner landed a huge right on the button, a trend that would continue as the round progressed. That same bullet-like straight right hand found a home on Olszewski’s face — seemingly hurting her momentarily. Warner closed out the round strong, continuing to throw punches in bunches.

In round 5, Warner made it a point to go to the body of her opponent more often. She pummeled Olszewski with lefts and rights to to Olszewski’s unprotected midsection. To Olszewski’s credit, she never stopped firing back, but it was clearly Warner who won the round.

In the final round, Olszewski, sensing she was behind, came out aggressively, throwing countless combinations to Warner’s body and head. Warner wasn’t deterred, however, always firing back at the champion. Towards the end of the fight, Olszewski landed her best punch of the night, a straight right, flush on the button, but even still, it was Warner who outworked her opponent the entire fight.

Although it was clear Warner used effective aggression throughout and landed the fight’s most devastating punches, the judges saw the fight in favor of Olszewski. A unanimous decision was awarded to Olszewski by scores of 58-56 twice and 59-55.

With the win, Olszewski retained her IBA world flyweight champion and improved her record to 6-2-2, while Warner fell to 9-9-1.

Light Heavyweight Sean Monaghan scored a second round stoppage over Nick Whiting in a scheduled four round bout.

Monaghan dominated the action as he landed countless booming shots in round one that hurt Whiting on more than one occasion. In round two, Monaghan came out looking to end things and he got what he desired as he landed a big left hook that was follwed by a combination that backed Whiting up. Monaghan landed a paralyzing left that sent Whiting down and the bout was stopped immediately at 1:38 of roud two.

Monaghan, 174 1/2 lbs of New York is now 4-0 with three knockouts. Whiting, 176 1/2 lbs of Bermiji, MN is now 2-14-1

Photo By Claudia Bocanegra




ATLANTIC CITY’S BIGGEST FIGHT WEEKEND OF 2010 KICKS OFF WITH SPARTAN FIGHT PROMOTIONS: BATTLE II ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19TH AT HARRAH’S RESORT AND CASINO


ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY (OCTOBER 22, 2010)—On Friday night November 19th, Spartan Fight Promotions presents a night of championship boxing that is dubbed BATTLE II that will take place from the Harrah’s Resort and Casino in Atlantic City.

In the main event, undefeated Super Middleweight, Farah “The Quiet Storm” Ennis will look to capture his first title as he will take on rugged Victor Lares for the NABF Super Middleweight title that will be scheduled for twelve rounds.

In the co-feature, top American Heavyweight, Chazz “The Gentleman” Witherspoon will take on Mike Sheppard in a fight scheduled for eight rounds.

Ennis has a record of 16-0 with ten knockouts and is coming off a third round stoppage over Reggie Pena on August 28th in Atlantic City as part of SPARTAN FIGHT PROMOTIONS: BATTLE I and is quickly becoming a force in the loaded Super Middleweight division.

He has been one of the most active fighters around as this will be his sixth fight in 2010 and he has stepped the competition with each bout. His previous five bouts have produced knockout victories for Ennis.

The twenty-seven year old has a very diverse style as he has won fights by displaying his terrific boxing ability while in other bouts he has shown awesome knockout power like the aforementioned bouts.

In those bouts, Ennis has stopped Emanuel Gonzalez (9-6) in three rounds, Frankie Santos (17-8-4) in two rounds, Steve Walker (24-24) in one round and Ennis stopped grizzled veteran Demetrius Davis (20-23-5) in three rounds on July 30th in Philadelphia.

The twenty-seven year old Ennis turned pro in February of 2006 by scoring a second round stoppage over Sylvester Golding in Philadelphia.

This will be the first title opportunity for Ennis.

Lares of Corpus Christi, Texas has an impressive mark of 15-4 with four knockouts and is former two time Texas State champion.

Lares went 8-1 in his first nine bouts before winning the Texas state Middleweight championship with a seventh round stoppage over Eddie O’Neal on November 18th, 2004.

After going 2-1 in his next three fights, Lares won the Texas State Super Middleweight championship with an eight round unanimous decision over Fernando Vela on August 10, 2007.

Lares will be looking to redeem himself after faling short in his two biggest fights to date as he lost a close unanimous decision to David Medina (17-2) on April 5, 2008 and Lares was stopped in two rounds two to future world title challenger Daniel Jacobs (12-0) on December 6, 2008 as part of the mega Oscar De La Hoya – Manny Pacquiao undercard in Las Vegas.

In Lares last bout, he scored a second round stoppage over Julio Perez on May 15, 2010 in Kingsville, Texas.

Witherpsoon has a record of 27-2 with nineteen knockouts and is regarded as one of the top American Heavyweights.

Witherspoon, twenty-eight years old of Philadelphia, PA, won his first twenty-three bouts with fifteen knockouts as he defeated the likes of Michael Alexander (11-0); Talmadge Giffis (24-6-3); Jonathan Haggler (18-1); which set up a big showdown with fellow undefeated and rising star Chris Arreola (23-0)

On June 21, 2008 Arreola scored a third round disqualification win in a fight that Witherspoon boxed well but decided “To bring out the Philly in him” and slug with the heavy handed Arreola.

Witherspoon went on to win three consecutive starts which included an eighth round stoppage over Adam “Swamp Donkey” Richards (21-1) on the undercard of the Jermain Taylor – Jeff Lacy battle in Memphis, Tennessee.

In his last bout, Witherspoon took out perennial contender Livin Castillo (16-8) in seven rounds as part of SPARTAN FIGHT PROMOTIONS: BATTLE I on August 28th at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

Witherspoon is a graduate of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and has a degree in Pharmaceutical Sales and he is very involved in the community as he is a mentor in many youth groups in the tri-state area

Sheppard of Palestine, West Virginia has a record of 15-11-1 with eight knockouts.

He has shared the ring with contenders Clifford Etienne and Joey Abell.

Sheppard won the West Virginia Heavyweight title with a ten round unanimous decision over Clarence Moore on November 21st, 2008.

Sheppard will be looking to break a two fight losing streak as those two fights where contested for titles.

On March 19th, Sheppard dropped a ten round unanimous decision to Chauncey Welliver for the WBC Continental Americas title.

In his last bout, Sheppard lost a debatable majority decision to Nicolai Firtha on August 20th in a bout for the NABA USA title.

Some of the best prospects in the region will be featured on the undercard such as undefeated Light Heavyweight Lavarn “Baby Bowe” Harvell

Harvell of Atlantic City has a record of 6-0 with two knockouts and will see action in a scheduled six round bout.

Joel De La Paz of Atlantic City will risk his undefeated mark which reads 5-0 with four stoppages will take part in a Super Middleweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

The son of the former Heavyweight champion of the world, Isiah Seldon (2-0, 1 KO) will be fight a middleweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

Undefeated Jr. Middleweight Ismael Garcia (1-0) will fight an scheduled four round bout.

Joey Tiberi (1-0, 1 KO) will fight a four round Super Featherweight bout.

Rounding out the card will be undefeated Heavyweight William Miranda (1-0) of Allentown, PA in a four round bout.

Harvell, De La Paz, Seldon, Garcia, Tiberi and Miarnda’s opponent will be names shortly.

Tickets for this great evening of boxing are priced at $125; $90; $60; $40 and be purchased through Ticketmaster (1 800 736 1420); The Harrahs Box Office or GNP Fitness (609 348 4999)




Q & A with Mikey “The Artist” Perez

On the bumper Zab Judah-Lucas Matthysse card in Newark, NJ local Michael “The Artist” Perez 9-0-1(4) makes his fourth appearance of the year in a Lightweight battle with experienced Colombian Hevinson Herrera 14-6-1(9). Perez 20, will be looking to add another victory in his march to the top.

Hello Mikey, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You have a fight with Veteran Hevinson Herrera. What can you tell us about this fight and what do you expect from Reyes?

Mikey Perez – I’m expecting a explosive fight

Anson Wainwright – You’ve been a pro for two years now. How have you found it so far?

Mikey Perez – I found the pro’s to be more comfortable for me.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your amateur career, what titles you won and what your final record was?

Mikey Perez – I won the 2003 Silver gloves nationals and the 2008 golden gloves nationals, and my record was 112-10.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer, promoter & what gym do you regularly train at?

Mikey Perez – My manager is Jesus Perez my father; My trainer is Aroz Gist, who everybody calls Terrific. I’m signed to Golden Boy Promotions and train at Global Boxing.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve already been on a couple of big cards including Maidana-Ortiz & Mayweather-Marquez. What can you tell us about those experiences?

Mikey Perez – Being on such big cards has been a blessing and all there doing is preparing me for the future.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about how you first got into Boxing?

Mikey Perez – My father put me in boxing as a birthday present at the age of seven and I just fell in love with the sport.

Anson Wainwright – What are your hobbies and Interests away from Boxing?

Mikey Perez – My hobbies and interest away from boxing is school; I’m currently going to Essex County College and majoring in physical therapy.

Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?

Mikey Perez – My goals in boxing is to make history, keep the sport alive and become an undisputed world champ.

Thanks for your time.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com




Look around: There aren’t many choices, but DiBella cheers a possible one in Showtime’s determined pursuit of tournament boxing


The Super Six represents a blueprint, a plan instead of another accident on a haphazard road littered with the same old mishaps and anarchy. The super-middleweight tournament and concept continue, first with Allan Green and Glen Johnson in a Stage 3 substitute on Nov. 6 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand and then a version featuring bantamweights in December. It’s a reason to applaud. Good ideas need to survive.

After injuries scrambled the 168-pound roster and forced Showtime’s Ken Hershman to look for backups like an NFL coach suddenly in need of a healthy quarterback, there were some inevitable suggestions that the network abandon the idea and move on, which doesn’t mean forward. Business-as-usual is a fast lane down the drain.

“If we’re not creative, if we’re not innovative, if we don’t take chances, we’re going to head more into the shitter than we already are,’’ promoter Lou DiBella said Thursday on a conference call that included Johnson, Green and Showtime spokesman Chris DeBlasio.

There’s no reliable way to tell whether there’s any way out. Boxing’s inherent nature – injuries, feuding promoters and greed- greed- greed – might flush the tournament concept into the sewer along with everything else.

“I think there will always be challenges for the sport because anything that takes any length of time presents difficulties,’’ DiBella said. “You have your legitimate difficulties with injuries. But you also have your political difficulties with guys’ fortunes changing, other opportunities popping up and people hesitating. This tends to be a sport of immediate gratification. People don’t have to look down the line. They look for tomorrow, they look for the immediate payday.

“So, a tournament, a tournament concept, is a difficult undertaking.’’

About the attempt, however, DiBella left no doubt. Without one and a sustained effort to make it work, there is only the undertaker.

Showtime’s concept offers possibilities and even punches instead of tired methods that create headlines, rancor and not much else. The Super Six isn’t what it was intended to be. But chances that it will produce fights and a winner are a lot better than any chance of Manny Pacquiao fighting Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Yeah, the 168-pound tournament has lasted too long for an impatient public. But at least there were fights, a few dramatic upsets and the emergence of Andre Ward, who has used the Super Six as a vehicle to real stardom. Compare that to the ad nauseam produced by the Mayweather-Pacquiao talks that, once again, sums up Jerry Seinfeld’s defining line about his sitcom. It was about nothing. Give me something.

The Super Six has, especially with Ward, who faces Sakio Bika in a non-tournament bout on Nov. 27 after Andre Dirrell, his 2004 Olympic teammate, withdrew from the round-robin because of troublesome neurological symptoms in the wake of his March victory over Arthur Abraham. Based on a scoring system that includes points for knockouts, Abraham and Carl Froch, who face each other on Nov. 27 in Helsinki, also are already in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Green and Johnson will fight for the last spot in the semifinals. Johnson, who is more experienced and comfortable at light-heavyweight, moved into the round-robin in place of Mikkel Kessler, who withdrew because of an eye injury. Green, a one-sided loser to Ward, is a sub for Jermain Taylor, who dropped out after a knockout delivered by Abraham.

In effect, the Super Six became Five. There are lessons in that, perhaps. The bantamweight tournament, scheduled to begin on Dec. 11 in Leon, Mex., starts with four – Abner Mares, Vic Darchinyan, Yonnhy Perez and Joseph Agbeko. It’s a Final Four scheduled to be decided in 2011.

Fewer fighters might mean fewer chances at injury and all in less time, which might mean sustained interest.

Will the second time around work? Are tournaments the way to go? Nobody knows. But if DiBella is accurate about where the business is now, everybody knows it will just go, go away.

“I honestly believe we have to take these kind of chances, we have to go for this kind of innovation,’’ said DiBella, who has looked down and seen no other choice.

Carbajal’s battle continues
Michael Carbajal, a Hall of Fame junior-flyweight from Phoenix, was back in court Wednesday with companion Laura Hall for a hearing in a battle to retain an order of protection against his neighbors, niece Josephine Carbajal and Jose Espinal.

Hall, who continues to wear a cast on her left arm from an alleged assault on Sept. 6, testified. Josephine Carbajal, acting as her own attorney, cross-examined. There were several contentious moments. When Josephine Carbajal approached the stand, Hall asked if she was trying to intimidate her. The acting judge admonished both parties several times.

The lengthy hearing included some comedic relief. Josephine Carbajal tried to establish a pattern of domestic abuse within Michael Carbajal’s residence. She produced a tape recorder that she said included evidence of a fight between Hall and Michael Carbajal. But nothing decipherable could be heard. The acting judge and attorneys gathered around the stand at which Hall was seated, leaned over and tried to listen to the hand-held recorder, almost as if it included a lost Beatles tape. They tried three times and heard only the sounds of static.

The case was continued for a second time. The third session is scheduled for Nov. 2 when the featured witness is Michael Carbajal, who is battling to recover assets worth about $2 million that he says was stolen from him by brother ex-trainer Danny Carbajal. Danny Carbajal, convicted of felony theft and fraud, is in prison. He is scheduled for release in October, 2011.

Notes, quotes
· Glen Johnson and Allan Green are longtime friends and sparring partners. Green sparred with Johnson in 2004 before Johnson’s upset of Roy Jones, Jr. Johnson sparred with Green in 2007 before Green’s loss to Edison Miranda.

· Johnson is 41, but still young enough to dream. “I’m still searching for greatness, no doubt about it,’’ he said. “I’m still waiting for somebody to shout out ‘Glen Johnson is a great fighter.’ ‘’

· And Johnson lost an 11th-round TKO to Bernard Hopkins in the last century, 1997. Hopkins, who faces Jean Pascal on Dec. 18, turns 46 on Jan. 15. When asked what he would have said in 1997 if he had been told he and Hopkins would still be fighting in 2010, Johnson chuckled and said: “I’d be laughing, just like I am right now.’’




FIGHTERS MAKE WEIGHT; FINAL THOUGHTS & QUOTES

FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 21, 2010) – All the fighters who will compete on an excellent STRIKEFORCE Challengers event presented by Rockstar Energy Drink at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., tomorrow/Friday, Oct. 22, at Save Mart Center live on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) made weight Thursday at Radisson hotel.

In the main event, welterweight Relentless” Roger Bowling (8-0) of Cincinnati will put his unbeaten record on the line one more time against “Vicious” Bobby Voelker (22-8) of Kansas City, Mo., in a rematch of an exciting fight last May 21 that ended prematurely due to an accidental poke in the eye.

Other televised fights on SHOWTIME: Lavar “Big” Johnson (14-3), Fresno, Calif., vs. Virgil “RezDog” Zwicker (9-1), Temecula, Calif., heavyweights; Billy Evangelista (10-0, 1 NC), Fresno, vs. Waachiim “Native Warrior’’ Spirit Wolf (8-6-1), San Diego, Calif., at 165 pounds; Shana “Rock Solid’’ Olsen (4-0), Burnsville, Minn., vs. Julia “The Jewel” Budd (pro debut), Sechelt, British Columbia, middleweights (145 pounds); and Brandon Cash (5-2), Fresno, vs. John Devine (5-2), San Francisco, heavyweights.

Tickets for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event are on sale at the Save Mart Center box office, select Save Mart Supermarkets, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and STRIKEFORCE’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).

Doors will open at 4:45 p.m. PT. The first preliminary bout will begin at 5:30 p.m. The first televised match starts at 8 p.m. PT.

What the fighters said Thursday:

ROGER BOWLING
“Just like the last time, this is going to be a war from start to finish against a great opponent. I’ve trained really well and I’m very confident.

“I don’t want to leave any doubt this time around.’’

BOBBY VOELKER
“I feel great and am very hungry and very emotional for this fight and want it really badly. I’ve been pumped since the rematch was made.

“I’ve been working on a lot of new things and making changes so I can improve. Roger is a tough guy, for sure. I’m used to being the bully, but I got blitzed a little the first time.

“No matter how this fight starts out, I plan on hitting him in the face.’’

LAVAR JOHNSON
“My weight’s back up, my timing and balance are better and overall I just feel great.

“I’m looking forward to putting everything behind me so I can concentrate on fighting and knocking guys out. I don’t want to just be known as the guy who got shot.

“This guy’s strength is standing so I hope it plays out that way. No one wants to watch a couple of big dudes rolling around the cage.

“I am definitely not looking past Zwicker, who’s aggressive and probably a little faster than me. But I know a good win could put me in line to fight some of STRIKEFORCE’s top heavyweights, which is definitely what I want to do. There are a few good fights out there for me.’’

VIRGIL ZWICKER
“I am totally focused and feel 100 percent ready, both physically and mentally. This is a tremendous chance for me to show what I can do, maybe the best I’ve had, and that’s why I’ve worked so hard.

“I’m confident I can cease the opportunity on Friday.’’

BILLY EVANGELISTA
“I’m injury free, feel great and looking for a good fight Friday and then, ultimately, to a return to 155 pounds. I’m in good condition but after not fighting for 11 months fighting at around 165 made sense.

“There are plenty of top fighters at 155 in STRIKEFORCE and I’m willing to fight any of them. I definitely plan on fighting more often and going after the big guys at 155.’’

WAACHIM SPIRIT WOLF
“I actually had a full camp for this so I’m excited and anxious and ready to go. This will be a fantastic fight. To fight an undefeated fighter on SHOWTIME is a tremendous opportunity and what it’s all about.

“I’ve already fought three guys that were unbeaten going in against me and I am 3-0.

“This is actually a homecoming for me because I was born in Fresno and lived here until I was about two-years-old.’’

SHANA OLSEN
“I’ve trained hard and my goal is to win. I don’t put pressure on myself to win impressively. I am fighting a Muay Thai champion who defeated Gina Carano, so my work is cut out for me.

“But this is a sport and a time and place in my life where I belong. I have a strong desire to make it to the top, and right now I am in the process of working my way up.’’

JULIA BUDD
“I am fighting someone who’s strong and knows what she’s doing, but I’m also strong, fit and ready to go.

“I take it one fight at a time and I work to be the best so I can fight the best, but there is no doubt I am stepping up for this one and will be the underdog.

“I love MMA, putting in the work, the lifestyle and the challenge.’’

BRANDON CASH
“Every fight is a must-win and this is the most motivated I’ve ever been for a fight. My weight is good, my mind is good and I am raring to go.

“I’m coming to fight. That doesn’t mean I won’t be patient, but the plan is I just want to knock him out.’’

JOHN DEVINE
“He’s a good striker who comes out fast, but I am a better wrestler than him. This is such a great opportunity for me and I really want to thank STRIKEFORCE. I’m confident I’ll finish him.’’




“Who’s The Man II” Postponed Until December 11!

Baltimore, MD (October 21, 2010) – Due to unforeseen circumstances, the card scheduled for this Saturday at the Pikesville Armory has been postponed until December 11.

All ticket holders will have access to the same seat for the Saturday, December 11 show.




“CAPITALE PUNISHMENT II” WEIGH-IN RESULTS-WATCH ON GFL


CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT
All participants for tomorrow’s “Capitale Punishment II” card weighed-in today at the NYS Athletic Commissioners Office in downtown New York City. Below is the scheduled bout sheet, with weights included.

Main Event – Lightweights
8 Rounds

Jorge Teron – 137 1/2 lbs.
Vs.
James Hope – 136 1/2 lbs.

____________________________

Light Heavyweights
4 Rounds

Sean Monaghan – 174 1/2 lbs.
Vs.
Nick Whiting – 176 1/2 lbs.
_____________________________

Flyweights
6 Rounds

Eileen Olszewski – 109 lbs.
Vs.
Suzannah Warner- 107 1/2 lbs.
__________________________

Bantamweights
6 Rounds

Elton Dharry – 116 lbs.
Vs.
Jose Rivera – 117 lbs.
___________________________

Light Heavyweights
4 Rounds

Hajro Sujak – 172 1/4 lbs.
Vs.
Naseem Dean – 174 lbs.
__________________________

Super Middleweights
4 Rounds

Elmer Vera – 165 lbs.
Vs.
Abdellah Smith – 165 lbs.

*** ALL BOUTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

“Capital Punishment II” is promoted by Star Boxing and The Empire. The Capitale is located at 130 Bowery, in Manhattan, NY. Doors open at 6:30PM with the first bout scheduled for 7:30PM. Tickets are currently on sale and are being priced at $200, **$150**, and $50. Tickets may be purchased by calling Star Boxing at (718)823-2000. **For information on discounted $150 seats (for $100) for advanced purchase call now!** For more information visit www.starboxing.com or www.theempirese.com.

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since 1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at www.starboxing.com.

ABOUT THE EMPIRE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT:

The Empire Sports & Entertainment Co. is primarily engaged in the business of promoting entertainment events and the creation and distribution of sporting events. Today, The Empire acquires the rights to develop and promote sporting and entertainment events through contractual relationships and provides event management services. The Empire arranges events and coordinates venues, media and sponsorship. For more information please visit www.theempirese.com.

Star Boxing

Star Boxing Exclusive Merchandise

Facebook/Star Boxing




CATCH “CAPITALE PUNISHMENT II” ON GOFIGHTLIVE.TV


CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT
Tomorrow night, Star Boxing and The Empire present “Capitale Punishment II” at the Capitale in New York City. Headlining the show, is the Bronx’s three-time NY Golden Gloves Champion, Jorge “The Truth” Teron (23-2-1, 15KO’s) taking on James Hope in an eight round lightweight affair. Also on the card is popular light heavyweight prospect, and 2009 NY Golden Gloves Champion Irish Seanie Monaghan (3-0, 2KO’s). The entire card will be shown on the GoFightLive.TV tape delayed. All fight participants will officially weigh-in today at 5PM at the NYS Athletic Commissioners office.

Tickets to see this event live, at the beautiful Capitale in downtown New York City, are still available, and can be purchased at the door. With an intimate atmosphere, boxing at the Capitale is more than just a night of exciting fights, but an all-around party, including beautiful ring cards girls, a DJ, and multiple full-service bars, making it a night of live boxing you will not want to miss.

“Capital Punishment II” is promoted by Star Boxing and The Empire. The Capitale is located at 130 Bowery, in Manhattan, NY. Doors open at 6:30PM with the first bout scheduled for 7:30PM. Tickets are currently on sale and are being priced at $200, **$150**, and $50. Tickets may be purchased by calling Star Boxing at (718)823-2000. **For information on discounted $150 seats (for $100) for advanced purchase call now!** For more information visit www.starboxing.com or www.theempirese.com.

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since 1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at www.starboxing.com.

ABOUT THE EMPIRE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT:

The Empire Sports & Entertainment Co. is primarily engaged in the business of promoting entertainment events and the creation and distribution of sporting events. Today, The Empire acquires the rights to develop and promote sporting and entertainment events through contractual relationships and provides event management services. The Empire arranges events and coordinates venues, media and sponsorship. For more information please visit www.theempirese.com.

Star Boxing

Star Boxing Exclusive Merchandise

Facebook/Star Boxing

twitter.com/starboxing




STATEMENT FROM MICHAEL KATSIDIS REGARDING THE DEATH OF HIS BROTHER STATHI


I have lost my closest friend, my inspiration in life, my one and only brother. This is something I could never imagine, but for some reason I feel his life is not a loss. My brother is me! We live our lives through each other. We dedicate our triumphs to one another and share the challenges we face in life. What does someone do when they lose the one person in their life like this? They are devastated right? Allow me to share with you Stathi’s thoughts and what he wants. If you can believe me, I feel you will all be somewhat enlightened to hear what I have say.

The fight will go on! I will do this for Stathi, my family and myself. The moment I walked in for a grueling sparing session after hearing the news of his death earlier that day, my trainer Brendon Smith shook my hand and said to me “you are about to take the bravest step of your life.” We nodded, smiled and went to work. I worked as I have never done before. He is with me and will be all the way. I am happy about this.

I have never experienced anything like I felt that day. Stathi is inside me! We will fight this fight together. I know this is what he wants.

I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers for my brother, my family and myself. God bless.

Michael Katsidis




SPARTAN FIGHT PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCE RING CARD GIRL TRYOUTS

Atlantic City, NJ – Spartan Fight Promotions of Atlantic City, NJ will be holding their 1st Ring Card Girl Tryout Competition on Saturday, November 6th at G&P Training and Fitness Center located at 11 S. Iowa Ave in Atlantic City, NJ. The event, sponsored by Tito’s Vodka, Ducktown Tavern and Liquid Lightning will be held from 9:00pm to 11:00pm with complimentary beverages being served throughout the night.

Individuals who would like to participate in the tryout should contact the VP of Marketing, Michael Holland at 609-703-4182. Prizes will be awarded to the finalists and they will also become the official Ring Card Girls for Spartan Fight Promotions events.

“The winners from the competition will become part of our promotions team and they will also be featured in our annual calendar,” said Michael Brestle, Owner/Operator of G&P Training and Fitness and Spartan Fight Promotions. “This is a great opportunity for everyone to see our new fitness facility and also receive information on upcoming fight events produced by Spartan Fight Promotions.”

Tickets are $20.00 per person and can be purchased at G&P Training and Fitness Center located at 11 S. Iowa Ave in Atlantic City or at the door on the night of the event. You must be 21 years of age to enter and ID will be required. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Spartan Fights Childhood Obesity Program. Ticket price also includes complimentary admission to the after party held at Tropicana’s 32 Degrees Luxe Lounge.

As Atlantic City’s first complete fitness facility, G&P Training and Fitness Center is committed to delivering an individual and unique training experience where we inspire our clients to attack training through hard work and dedication.




Felix, DeChaves put it all on the line in ‘Cage of Horrors’—WATCH LIVE ON GFL


CLICK FOR EVENT INFO
MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (Oct. 21, 2010) — Classic Entertainment & Sports’ newly-launched Mixed Martial Arts Division will host its second show Friday, Oct. 22, 2010 at Foxwood Resort Casino’s Fox Theater, starring a rematch between Luis “Rock Star” Felix and Joe DeChaves.

Friday’s pro-am event will feature five amateur bouts, followed by nine professional fights, featuring Lionel Young (3-4, 2 submissions) of Boston, Mass., Hitalo Machado (6-4, 6 submissions) of Danbury, Conn., and Uxbridge, Mass., veteran Steve Skrzat (4-0, 4 KOs).

The main event pits two newfound rivals against one another for the first time since Sept. 17 in Lincoln, R.I. Felix (5-5), of Cranston, R.I., beat New Bedford, Mass., native DeChaves (3-3) 1 minute, 4 seconds into the opening round in a controversial stoppage by the referee.

The show will be broadcast on GoFightLive.com, featuring play-by-play and color commentary by Patrick Sullivan, Michael Parente and MMA veteran Mike “The Beast” Campbell, and can be purchased at the GoFightLive.com Website for $9.99.

Tickets for “Cage of Horrors” are available by calling CES at 401-724-2253 or the Foxwoods box office at 800-200-2882.

For more information on “Cage of Horrors,” or other upcoming shows, visit CES online at CESBoxing.com.




VIDEO: Bernard Hopkins @ NYC Press Conference

PART 1

PART 2




Marc Ramsay & Yvon Michel on Pascal-Hopkins




VIDEO: Naazim Richardson talks Pascal-Hopkins




VIDEO: Jean Pascal talks about his upcoming 12.18 fight with Bernard Hopkins




VIDEO: Oscar De La Hoya & Yvon Michel @ NYC Hopkins-Pascal Press Conference

Rallying – Galway

The Irish Times February 2, 2004 | DAMIAN CULLEN What is it? The Galway International is the opening round of the Irish Tarmac Championship. site 2003 ford focus

When and where? The race – running for the first time since 2000 – is back in Galway city centre and back to its traditional February slot. The three-day event starts next Friday (February 6th).

So who’s competing? The star attraction is 1999 British rally champion the Flying Finn, Tapio Laukkanen – who, despite being slotted in at 13, will be running as number one. Co-driven once again by Harri Kaapro, Tapio will use the Impreza S7, but he will face some stiff opposition, with reigning champion Derek McGarrity out on the event in an Impreza S9, former champion Austin McHale in a 2003 Ford Focus and Eugene Donnelly in his recently-acquired Toyota Corrola WRC amongst the leading entries.

Worth seeing? The race is definitely a challenging event, using some of the most demanding tarmac stages in Ireland.

And the route? Headquarters will be at the Radisson SAS on Lough Atalia Road. Following scrutiny on Friday evening, the rally will leave Galway early on Saturday morning for a four-stage, 100-mile race with centralised servicing in Ballinasloe and visiting Monivea, Attymon and Kilconnell areas. The focus on Sunday will shift to Oranmore, with 60 miles run from the Kinvara area to Craughwell. Centralised servicing will be on the old Oranmore Road. The winning car is expected on the finish ramp in Eyre Square at approximately 5.30 p.m. on Sunday.

The Top 15 1 Austin McHale … Ford Focus WRC 2 Eugene Donnelly … Toyota Corolla WRC 3 Derek McGarrity … Subaru Impreza WRC 4 Eammon Boland … Subaru Impreza WRC 5 Michael Barrable … Subaru Impreza WRC 6 Maurice Gass … Hyundai Accent WRC 7 Peadar Hurson … Subaru Impreza WRC 8 Donie O’Sullivan … Ford Focus WRC 9 Tim McNulty … Subaru Impreza WRC 10 JJ Flemming … Subaru Impreza WRC 11 Patrick Elliot … Subaru Impreza WRC 12 Denis Cronin … Toyota Celica 185 13 Tapio Laukkanen … Subaru Impreza WRC 14 Paddy White … Subaru Impreza WRC 15 Roy White … Mitsubishi Evo 7 DAMIAN CULLEN go to website 2003 ford focus




Q & A with Carlos “The Prince” Cuadras


The Boxing world scours Mexico for the next great Mexican to bestow him as the Numero Uno. That honour has been passed on through generations, currently that honour looks like the next holder of the mythical crown could be champion in waiting Saul “Canelo” Alvarez however another name not as well known but equally talented is Carlos Cuadras. He sprang to prominence as an amateur when he won Gold at the 2007 Pan American games. Now just 22, the Super Flyweight hopes to have a similar impact on the world scene amongst the pro’s currently he’s 17-0(15) and training for his next fight in November when he will be making his third appearance in Japan.

Hello Carlos, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You won a split decision over 8 rounds against Alberto Chuc a couple of fights ago. That would appear a closer fight that you’d of liked going into it. What can you tell us about that fight?

Carlos Cuadras – It was a hard bout and I lacked preparation, also I faced a tough rival who has even fought in the Featherweight division; I only trained for two weeks after the previous fight.

Anson Wainwright – Do you know when we can expect to see you in the ring next and where it may take place & against who?

Carlos Cuadras – On November 26th, in Japan; my rival is to be announced.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer & promoter? What gym do you regularly train at in Mexico City & then in Japan when your there?

Carlos Cuadras – My manager is my father Rosario Cuadras, I have trained with Tiburcio Garcia and Jose Luis Bueno. My promoter is Teiken Promotions. When I am in Mexico I train in my own gym or at Bueno´s Gym. When I am in Japan I train at Sendai Tanaka.

Anson Wainwright – You have fought twice in Japan as a pro, what can you tell us about that experience?

Carlos Cuadras – Those were good bouts against good fighters; thank God I won. I felt great. People do not know me but like me.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about when you were young and growing up and how you became interested and then involved in Boxing?

Carlos Cuadras – I was very restless, hyperactive and mischievous. I would frequently get into fights in Junior High School. Later I started the discipline of boxing.

Anson Wainwright – You had an impressive amateur career in which you won the Pan American games in 2007 at Bantamweight. Can you tell us about that and your amateur career, what other tournaments you won, fighters who have since gone pro that you fought in the amateur’s and how they fights went & what your record was?

Carlos Cuadras – I also took part in the Junior Olympics, I was the champion and received the award to the best fighter. I faced Juan “Churritos” Hernandez and Arturo Santos (he participated in the Olympic Games), both of whom are professional now. My amateur record is of around 160 fights with only ten losses.

Anson Wainwright – You were a Bantamweight in the amateur’s as a pro you have fought around 115 to 118 which division are you targeting for a title shot?

Carlos Cuadras – First Super Fly, but perhaps later, in the Bantam or Super Bantamweight division.

Anson Wainwright – Fernando Montiel stopped Hozumi Hasegawa in Japan that must of been strange for you because presumably you know Hasegawa as a Teikken stablemate and Montiel as a Mexican. What are your feelings on that and the fight?

Carlos Cuadras – Hasegawa got distracted and Montiel defeated him. I would root for both, as Hasegawa is my team-mate and Montiel is Mexican, but I was happy that Montiel won.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing to relax & what are your Hobbies?

Carlos Cuadras – Playing X-Box, watching movies and dating young ladies.

Anson Wainwright – What is your Nickname?

Carlos Cuadras – “The Prince”.

Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?

Carlos Cuadras – To become a world champion in one or many weight divisions. To retire being undefeated.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have anything you like to add?

Carlos Cuadras – Just that I am training very hard, and that it is very nice to have a Promoter like Mr. Honda who has always supported me.

Thanks for your time Carlos, keep up the good work.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com




LAVAR JOHNSON & BILLY EVANGELISTA, SHANA OLSEN & BRANDON CASH OPEN MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES

FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 20, 2010) – Four of the fighters who will appear on a top-notch STRIKEFORCE Challengers event presented by Rockstar Energy Drink at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), this Friday, Oct. 22, participated in an Open Media Workout on Wednesday at Fort Washington Fitness.

The four were heavyweight Lavar “Big” Johnson (14-3), of Madera, Calif., who faces Virgil “RezDog” Zwicker (8-1) of Temecula, Calif.; undefeated Fresno resident Billy Evangelista (10-0, 1 NC), who takes on Waachiim “Native Warrior’’ Spiritwolf (8-6-1) of San Diego in a 165-pound catch weight bout, world-ranked Shana “Rock Solid’’ Olsen (4-0), of Diluth, Minn., who faces highly regarded Canadian Muay Thai Champion Julia “The Jewel” Budd (pro debut), of Sechelt, British Columbia, at 145 pounds, and Fresno heavyweight Brandon Cash (4-2), who battles John Devine (5-2) of San Francisco.

In this Friday’s main event, welterweight Relentless” Roger Bowling (8-0) will put his unbeaten record on the line one more time against “Vicious” Bobby Voelker (22-8) of Kansas City, Kan., in a rematch of an exciting fight last May 21 that ended prematurely due to an accidental poke in the eye.

Tickets for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event are on sale at the Save Mart Center box office, select Save Mart Supermarkets, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and STRIKEFORCE’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).

Doors will open at 4:45 p.m. PT. The first preliminary bout will begin at 5:30 p.m. The first televised match starts at 8 p.m. PT.

What the fighters said Wednesday:

LAVAR JOHNSON
“I feel good and I am very happy to be on a STRIKEFORCE card that has so many of my (Fresno Pro Buhawe) teammates on it. I’m excited for everybody.

“I know Zwicker will be ready. He’s a fast, scrappy fighter who comes to fight. He may be a little shorter than me, which will definitely be a little different. The last two guys I’ve fought have been taller.

“God blessed me with an opportunity to have a second chance at life and has put me in position again to show what I can do. I’ll be ready to go on Friday.’’

BILLY EVANGELISTA
“I’ve been working really hard. I want to keep this winning streak going. I’ve prepared like I always do. I don’t watch tapes. My job is to do the best I can and not worry about my opponent.

“Winning is always the main goal, but I really would like to submit this guy – just so I could get a submission on my record.’’

SHANA OLSEN
“I’m really excited about fighting for STRIKEFORCE the first time and fighting on SHOWTIME. I consider myself a well-rounded fighter and look forward to displaying my skills.

“I never look past any opponent and this will be a tough fight. But, of course, I will fight anybody, and that includes (STRIKEFORCE 145-pound World Champion and No. 1 Female Fighter in the world, Cris) Cyborg. My goal is to become the world champion. It doesn’t matter to me who I fight to get the title.’’

BRANDON CASH
“It’s always great when STRIKEFORCE comes to Fresno because they use a lot of local fighters like me. I don’t like losing and I lost the last time I fought in Fresno so I appreciate STRIKEFORCE giving me another chance.

“I am going to thank them by knocking this guy out.’’




Stevenson Fights on in Father’s Honor!


Baltimore, MD (October 20) – James “Keep em’ Sleepin” Stevenson has been perfect thus far inside the squared circle. The gifted boxer-puncher has scored a number of highlight reel knockouts and only three of his thirteen opponents survived to the final bell. While everything has gone as planned for Stevenson during his two year professional career, the unbeaten 27 year old suffered a devastating setback following his most recent bout.

A few months after outpointing George Rivera, Stevenson’s father James Sr. died suddenly of a heart attack, leaving both the fighter and his family in shambles. The tragic loss also meant Stevenson had to take care of his stay at home mother. Between coping with losing his father and a nagging wrist injury, the hard hitting Baltimore native was out of the gym for an extended period of time.

Although he still struggles daily, Stevenson returned to training in late July with a newfound inspiration to become a world champion.

“My father would have told me stay in the gym and keep on fighting so I am doing this for him,” said the inspired Stevenson. “I am training harder than ever and my goal to win a world is in my father’s honor.”

His first test will come this Saturday at the Pikesville Armory against once beaten Phillip McCants, a slick Philadelphian who hasn’t lost in more than five years. Stevenson, who doesn’t know much about his opponent, says he is rededicated to the sport and ready for whatever tricks the 8-1 McCants has up his sleeve.

“I always expect a tough fight no matter who it is against. I never overlook any opponent but I am going to 100% prepared for whatever McCants has to offer.”

The highly anticipated Stevenson-McCants showdown will serve as the main event of Baltimore Pro Boxing’s “Who’s The Man II”.

The undercard will feature a match up between unbeaten cruiserweights Steve “Show Stealer” Wheeler (6-0, 5 KO’s) of Catonsville, MD and Cabin Creek, WV’s Jason Pauley (4-0, 1 KO), as well as separate bouts showcasing top local prospects Thomas “KO” Snow (12-1, 8 KO’s), Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm (9-0, 6 KO’s), and “Slick” Nick Kisner (6-0, 4 KO’s).

Tickets start at $40 and can be ordered by calling 410-675-6900 or going to the Armory’s box office.

Doors open at 7 pm and the opening bell is slated for 8. The Pikesville Armory is located at 610 Reisterstown Rd in Baltimore, MD.




Richard Abril Captures the WBC Latino Lightweight Title; Twinkle Fingers Hernandez impresses at the Hard Rock in Hollywood FL.

South Florida’s based Heavyweight Factory is determined to churn out the next American Heavyweight champion of the world and tonight they put their young raw talent on display at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood Florida. The Heavyweight Factory has Former WBC heavyweight champion Oliver McCall and famed trainer John David Jackson training and grooming these former top level collegiate athletes to become the next Big thing in the heavyweight division. Recently the company has added top fighters in the lower weight divisions to round out a fantastic stable of young and emerging talent.

In the Main event of the evening Richard Abril 13-2(6KO) won the WBC Latino lightweight title with a unanimous decision win over Jose Reyes 23-9(8KO). Abril paced himself throughout the bout picking his shots and often landing great straight right hands and stunning Reyes however seldom throwing multiple punch combinations fighting a safe and slow fight. The cards read 99-91, 97-93, 98-92.

In the Co-Main event of the evening Jr Middleweight Joey “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez 17-1-1(10KO) from Miami won in impressive fashion by way of TKO over Saul Duran. The beginning of the end came when the southpaw Hernandez floored Duran with a heavy straight left in the second round and, after barley beating the count Hernandez jumped on Duran and finished the job at 2:28.

In the second Co-Main event of the Heavyweight Factory product Luis Ortiz 4-0(3KO) won by TKO over tough veteran Zack Page 21-30(7KO). Ortiz, who had over 360 amateur fights, floored Page in round 5 with a heavy straight left in response to boos by the crowd which motivated the Cuban fighter to turn it up a notch. Ortiz overpowered Page in the 8th and final round prompting referee Sam Burgos to step in at 42 seconds putting a stop to the fight.

Another Heavyweight Factory fighter and former University of Miami fullback James Bryant 4-1(4KO) won by TKO over Dieuly “The Untamed Beast” Aristilde 7-4(1KO). Both fighters exchanged power shots throughout the entire fight, but it was Bryant who was more effective. Bryant dropped Aristilde three times throughout the fight. The fight was called at 1:38 of the fourth when referee Frank Gentile wave Aristilde off after getting up from the final knockdown.

Light heavyweight Azwa Augustama, representing the Heavyweight Factory, improved to 9-0 with a nice knockout win over tough Reggie Pena. Azwais of Haiti, now making his home in Hollywood Florida connected with a brutal body shot then a left hook to the head that caused referee Sam Burgis to step in and put a stop to the fight. The end came at 2:14 of the fourth round.

Yordenis Ugas 5-0(3) who won bronze medal for Cuba in the lightweight division at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games won a convincing unanimous decision over Anthony “Physco” Woods 7-14 from Nassau Bahamas. Woods came out aggressive while the seasoned young Cuban fought a great counter punching fight landing numerous bit shot on the way to victory. All three judges seen the fight 40-36

Light welterweight Russian Khabib Alakhuerdiev 12-0(6KO) remained perfect with a unanimous decision win over Juan Nazario 6-3(4KO). Alakhuerdiev, who is trained by John David Jackson, often rocked Nazario who fought the entire fight going backwards, trying to stay out of reach of the southpaw, just to tie up when close. All three judges scored the fight 60-52.

Cruiserweight Nicholas “The American Showstopper” Iannuzzi 15-1(9KO) won a hard fought unanimous decision over hard hitting Colombian Jose Luis Herrera 16-8(16KO). Round four was entertaining when where both fighters where down and both beat the count. Iannuzzi dropped Herrera again in the final seconds of the sixth and final round to secure the victory. The cards read: 60-54 59-54 60-52.

Cuban amateur standout Inocente Fiz 3-0(2KO) pressured the very game and tough journeyman Jose Angel Roman 11-27(5KO) all night on the way to a unanimous decision win. The cards read 59-55 58-56 59-55.