Earlier this evening, welterweight rising star Alex Perez of Newark, NJ threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Newark Bears-Long Island Ducks game. Perez supported his hometown team from field level seats directly behind home plate, participated in a t-shirt toss and signed fight posters for fans during a special meet and greet session.

Perez, 11-0 (7 KO’s), battles rugged Brazilian Edvan Barros July 16 on ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights at the Prudential Center. Tickets priced at $53, $78, $103 and $203 (ringside) can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or www.Prucenter.com

San Juan, P.R.- The main event of the evening featured unbeaten Puerto Rican star Juan Manuel “JuanMa” López against Filipino promise Bernabe “The Real Deal” Concepción for Lopez’s WBO featherweight title. Both fighters wore pink and white showing their support for breast cancer research.

The fight got off to a fast start when JuanMa hurt Concepción with the first left hook he landed and dropped him later in the round only to be dropped himself close to the end of the round by a counter left hook. Both fighters looked ready to keep on fighting but the bell ended the action.

Lopez again dropped Concepción early in the second with a perfect straight left that appeared to really hurt Barnabé and again halfway through the round to finish the fight. Concepción appeared hurt but willing to continue when referee Luis Pabón waved it off at 2:37 of the second round.

Both fighters showcased their power but JuanMa was a little stronger and much more precise. As was the case with Sonsona, Concepción received a standing ovation even after loosing by stoppage as he had the crowd on the edge of their seats for as long as the bout lasted. JuanMa improves to 29-0 with 27 KO’s and sets himself up for the match against Rafael Márquez while Concepción drops to 30-3-1 with 17KO’s.

After the fight, López stated that he “wasn’t hurt” by the punch; only he opened his eyes to find himself in the canvas. With Bob Arum, Orlando Piñero (Lopez’s manager) and Fernando Beltrán (Rafael Marquez’s manager) in attendance for the press conference after the fight, talks of a future match-up between Lopez and Marquez were the main topic of discussion. Beltrán confirmed that on his fighter’s side the contract was already signed and only Lopez’s signature was missing.

López spoke about that fight extensively stating that it is the fight he has been wanting for two years now but has had to wait for the four fights between Márquez and Israel Vázquez to end before he got his chance. He added that before signing, some things must be ironed out but is confident the fight can be officially announced soon.

The televised portion of the show started with Nonito “Flash” Donaire of General Santos City in the Philippines defending his WBA Interim super flyweight title against Hernán “Tyson” Márquez of Sonora, México. Márquez started off with a lead right hookk from his southpaw stance and land two more punches to barely take an uneventful round. Donaire countered well and landed several straight lefts to take another slow round in the second and started to show off his defense making Márquez miss frequently. Márquez took the third round by being more aggressive and even pinning the “Flash” against the ropes who seemed tentative to let his hands go.

Nonito opened up in the fourth and smartly used his jab to make for an entertaining yet close round. Márqeuz appeared to be dealing well with Donaire’s upper body movement in the fifth until several hard shots followed by a short left hook dropped him halfway through the round; he hit the canvas again close to the end of the round but referee Roberto Ramírez didn’t rule it a knockdown. Donaire owned the sixth tagging his opponent from both stances throughout the entire stanza and took the seventh on precision and number of punches landed.

Márquez appeared to get a second air in the eight until a perfectly timed counter left uppercut from the champion dropped him. The challenger beat the count but on advice from his corner, the referee stopped it at 2:59. Nonito improves his record to 24-1 with 16KO’s and leaves the division to campaign at bantamweight while Márque drops to 27-2 with 20KO’s.

After the fight, donaire took a moment to speak with 15rounds.com and shared his thoughts on the fight. About his slow start, Donaire said he was looking to counter but since his opponent didn’t throw any jabs and was so short it made it hard for him. The Flash said it was also his first time fighting a southpaw and he wanted to get loose before he poured it on.

About his opponent’s power, Nonito said that although he had heavy hands, he was never hurt by Márquez and knew from the start he could finish his man before the limit. Still, he added that he had an injury on his left side and his legs were killing him, two factors that made him decide to finish the fight. He thanked the fans in attendance and expressed his desire to travel the island and get to know it better.

Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (18-2, 11KO’s) was up next against Eden Sonsona (21-5, 7KO’s) of Paranaque City, Philipines. The fight was for the NABO Super Bantamweight Title and set for 10 rounds. Both fighters landed in the first round but Oquendo, of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico may have had the edge with some powerful rights to the head and good body work on his southpaw opponent. The second was a close round with both fighters landing their respective straights as their clearer punches. Sonsona had a very good third round landing with both hands and backing up his opponent for the second half of the round.

Oquendo managed to make the fourth round close by being more aggressive but Sonsona gave as good as he got. An unintentional head butt at the beginning of the fifth opened a cut over Oquendo’s right eye and jump started the most entertaining round in which both fighters traded to the delight of the crowd. By now both fighters were visibly exhausted and hurt but went at it in the sixth again when Oquendo momentarily switched to southpaw to great effect and took the round. Referee José H. Rivera ruled it was a low blow that dropped Sonsona early but after that both fighters traded big shots in a round where the Puerto Rican seemed to edge his opponent in accuracy alone.

After another head butt to start of the eight, the referee took a point from Sonsona even though it didn’t seem intentional. Oquendo was then warned for hitting low twice and when the ref didn’t take a point from Oquendo, the boos from the crowd started filling the air. Finally, after what didn’t seem to be an intentional low blow, Oquendo was penalized a point and immediately afterwards dropped Sonsona with a straight right hand to the head. Another right hand dropped Sonsona in the ninth but this time the Filipino warrior didn’t have enough to beat the count. Official time of stoppage was 1:05 of the ninth round and both fighters were rewarded with standing ovations from the pumped up crowd.

Sonsona sees his record drop to 21-6 with 7 KO’s and has a long way to climb back after this defeat while Oquendo, now 19-2 with 12KO’s may have set himself up for a title challenge possibly against fellow countryman Wilfredo Vázquez Jr.

Cruiserweights Carlos Negrón of Villalba, Puerto Rico and Gustavo Enríquez of Ciudad Juarez, México fought next at a bout set for eight rounds. Former Olympian Negrón (9-0, 7KO’s) started using his jab and working the body from the first bell and dropped his opponent midway through the round with a right hand but couldn’t finish him right then and there. Enríquez (15-9, 12KO’s) started the second round aggressively but was quickly dissuaded and dropped from another right hand. The third fourth rounds were slower ones dominated by Negrón fighting from a distance and with the use of his jab while the Mexican chased. Scores were 40-35 on all three of the judge’s score cards.

Up next were lightweights Jose González, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico (11-0, 7KO’s) and Mathew Robinson of Bridgeport, Barbados (3-2, 1KO) in a bout set for four rounds. Both fighters appeared to start slowly but halfway through the round González caught Robinson with a counter right hand that appeared to hurt him. A few seconds later, a straight to the body put the man from Barbados down for the count. Official time was 1:49 of the first.

Action for Top Rank’s and PR Best Boxing’s “The Challenge” got underway when heavyweight Victor Bisbal, Salinas, Puerto Rico (17-1, 12KO’s) quickly disposed of overmatched David Whitton, Quebec, Canada (10-13-1, 6KO’s). The bigger more aggressive Bisbal ended the fight with a left to the body that dropped Whitton who couldn’t beat the count. Time of stoppage was 2:33 into the first.

Former Cuban Olympian Erislandy Lara scored an easy first round knockout over William Correa in a scheduled ten round Middleweight bout in Denver, Colorado

Lara was all over Correa in round one as he dropped him with a perfect straight left that sent him face down. Correa got to his feet only to suffer more abuse. Lara was all over Correa and a big flurry sent Correa down for a second time. Again Correa got to his feet but the referee waved the bout off at 2:34 of round one.

Lara, 155 lbs of Mimi is now 9-0 with seven knockouts. Correa is now 8-4.

Derrick Wilson scored two first round knockdown en route to a six round majority decision over previously undefeated Ricky Lopez.

Wilson dropped Lopez early in round one from a big left hook and again from a right.

Wilson, 123 lbs of Fort Myers, FL won by scores of 58-54, 57-55 and 56-56 and is now 7-1-2. Lopez, 122 lbs of Denver, CO is now 7-1

Raul Carillo remained undefeated as he stopped Joel Vargas in round two of a scheduled four round Welterweight bout.

Carillo battered Vargas until finally putting him down in the second frame and the fight was stopped.

Carillo, 145 lbs of Longmont, CO is now 7-0 with six knockouts. Vargas, 148 lbs of Dodge City, KS is now 2-1-1.

Nohime Dennison scored a four round unanimous decision over Brittany Cruz in a four round ladies Jr. Featherweight bout.

Scores were 40-36, 40-36 and 39-37

Down on the scorecards by a wide margin, John Molina scored a come from behind stoppage over previously undefeated Hank Lundy in round eleven of a scheduled twelve round Lightweight bout at the Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Lundy came out boxing very well from the southpaw stance as he featured different punches from round to round. He showed a deft jab in the first and started landing the straight left from the southpaw stance over the next few stanza’s. In round five, Lundy’s shots were beginning to show their effect as Molina started to swell under the right eye. Molina came back towards the end of the frame as he got through with a couple of right hands.

The fight started to turn in round eight as Lundy got caught with his hands down and Molina clocked Lundy with a perfect right hand that sent the previously undefeated fighter from Philadelphia to the canvas. The fight got very exciting as the two stood toe to toe over the last thirty seconds of round ten.

In round eleven, Molina landed a couple of shots on the ropes which was mad easier as Lundy left himself wide open by holding on to the ropes. Lundy was chastised by referee Ricky Gonzalez. Moments later, Molina backed Lundy up on the ropes and landed a flurry for which all but two big right hands and Gonzalez jumped in, maybe a bit prematurely and stopped the fight at 2:17 of round eleven.

Molina, 135 lbs of Covina, CA is now 21-1 with seventeen knockouts. Lundy, 135 lbs of Philadelphia, PA is now 18-1-1.

Vladine Biosse remained undefeated by scoring an eight round unanimous decision over Joey McCreedy in a Supper Middleweight tussle.

Biosse was more pinpoint with his punches against the hard charging McCreedy in the entertaining battle of New England rivals. Biosse was crisp with combination’s and featured the uppercut in his arsenal.

Biosse had a 151-49 punch advantage and won by scores of 79-73, 79-73 and 78-74 for Biosse, 165 lbs of Providence, Rhode Island and is now 7-0. McCreedy, 166 lbs of Lowell, MA is now 11-5-2.

“I wanted everybody to know that, even though I haven’t been in this game too long, I’m an athlete,” Biosse said after the fight. “Any chance I get, in life, not just in boxing, I overcome adversity and did that tonight. I’m hoping for bigger and better fights. Joey’s tough. He gave it his best, never quit, and tonight I was the better man in the ring.”

Photo By Emily Harney

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?eventId=714

SYDNEY, Australia (July 9, 2010) – The much-anticipated “Uprising” series begins today as July 10th breaks in Australia. In just hours “The Brisbane Entertainment Centre, in Brisbane, Australia, will be fraught with mayhem when “The Uprising 1” takes place with an incredible fight card featuring some of the biggest names in MMA, including Pride and UFC veterans.

Headlining the event is former UFC heavyweight champion, Josh “The Babyfaced Assassin” Barnett (25-5-0) and Jungle Fight veteran, Geronimo “Mondragon” Dos Santos (18-9-0) who will battle it out for dominance in the cage. This mega match will be part of the exciting PPV on July 17th that will be available in approximately104 million homes, plus available worldwide (excluding US and UK) on-line. Other battles taking place on the mat in Brisbane will be former welterweight UFC fighter, Karo “The Heat” Parisyan against Ben ‘Knuckles 5 Percenter’ Mortimer who replaced Luis Dutra Jr. who sustained an injury during training, former UFC welterweight champion Carlos Newton taking on American, Brian Ebersole, UFC veteran, Abu Dhabi Champion, NAGA Champion, Jeff Monson matched against Brazilian fighter, Bira Lima, and DREAM middleweight champion Paulo Filho against, Keith Johnson, as well as a newly added bout between Queenslander Jai “The Tooth Fairy” Bradney and Thiago “Minu” Miller.

In addition to the Barnett/Santos match, the exciting PPV presents “The Uprising 2” live from Sydney Australia on July 17, a phenomenal stacked card tournament showcasing Ken Shamrock, Pedro Rizzo, Paul Daley, Daniel Acacio, Bob Sapp, Soa Palelei, Murilo Bustamante, Jesse Taylor, Paulo Filho and Denis Kang. Adding even more excitement are Australian fighters Murilo “Ninja” Rua, the older brother of UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Australian kickboxing legend, Peter Graham going head-to-head with the #1 ranked heavyweight MMA fighter in Australia, Jim Yorke and popular MMA star, Glover Teixeira taking on Croatian fighter, who is now based in Perth, Marko Peselj. Popular Australian surfer and MMA star, Ritchie “Vas” Vaculik is matched against Aussie fighter Luke Hume and Australian MMA rising star, Shane Nix will go up against Manuel Rodriguez from Sydney.

The landmark event, the first Australian MMA event ever to be broadcast on PPV, will be available in over 45 million homes on InDemand, on Dish Network in 22 million homes, on TVN US Cable/Telco in 12 Million homes, in Canada on Bell Express View to 9 million, on Viewers Choice in Canada in 3 million homes , on Sky in the UK in 10 million homes, on Virgin Media in the UK to over 3 Million, and on GoFightLive- Worldwide Online excluding US and UK. In rhw USA, at GoFightLive.com WORLDWIDE, at PrimeTimeLive.co.uk UK, and at MAIN EVENT.com.au AUSTRALIA.

“The Uprising,” is presented by Impact FC, Saturday, July 17th, 2010 at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT in the United States from local pay-per-view providers for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, disgraced former Welterweight champion Antonio Margarito was told by the Nevada Athletic Commission that he first my be granted a boxing License in the State of California before they would consider a license in it’s state.

The California State Athletic Commission revoked Margarito’s license following his Jan. 24, 2009 ninth-round knockout loss to Shane Mosley in a welterweight championship fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles over a hand-wrapping scandal that erupted in the dressing room in the moments before he was supposed to walk to the ring.

“If I would have noticed there was something irregular or wrong I would have been the first person to say I can’t go out and fight,” Margarito said through a translator.

“I think he needs to go to California and clean this matter up,” commissioner Raymond “Skip” Avansino said during the hearing. “They should be the first to rule.”

Commission chairwoman Pat Lundvall, the lone dissenting vote, argued strongly on Margarito’s behalf both for taking a vote and for licensing him.

“I do not think he has a duty legally or morally to go back to California,” she said. “It is incumbent upon this commission to act upon the application. … There is no value in kicking the can down the road.”

“We were hopeful that the commission would rule on the application after hearing our presentation and hearing Antonio answer all of their questions. He did and he did magnificently,” David Marroso, Margarito’s attorney, told ESPN.com after the hearing. “We’re disappointed in their decision to, using their words, kick the can down the road, but we heard their instructions. Antonio, his family, the lawyers and Top Rank will huddle and decide what options we’ll pursue.

“We believe he has paid his price. He’s taken responsibility. We will assess our options and keep fighting just like he’s always done. We will continue to fight. He didn’t become Antonio Margarito by just staying down.”

“I understand their position, but don’t necessarily agree with it,” said Top Rank president Todd duBoef, who was at the hearing while Top Rank chairman Bob Arum was in Puerto Rico promoting Saturday’s Juan Manuel Lopez-Bernabe Concepcion featherweight title fight. “He has served his punishment in California and is not looking to fight in California, so why apply there for a license?

“The Margarito side doesn’t believe the California commission was objective [when the license was revoked] and that they could not get an objective hearing from California now. They were hoping that Nevada would be more objective and see that a commission that Margarito is currently in litigation with would be compromised.”

“Before the fight, my trainer Javier Capetillo, my former trainer, put a knuckle pad made of gauze on my hand,” Margarito said through a translator. “I learned later the knuckle pad had something irregular on the inside but I didn’t know that truthfully in the moment. The knuckle pad didn’t seem different to ones he had put on my hands before.

“I never felt anything hard or irregular. Everything I felt was that it was a knuckle pad that was normal. In that moment, I was focused on one thing and that was preparing myself to go out to the fight with Mosley.”

“I thought about it and talked to my family and decided not to fight,” Margarito said.

“I accept responsibility because they are my hands and that is why I have taken steps to make sure this never happens again.”

“We could take the commission’s instructions and proceed to California,” Said Marroso. “This is not something we expected so it’s not something we had thought through. We’ll let Antonio digest this. We’re going to digest it and huddle and come up with a game plan. It won’t be long until the game plan is set and we act on it.”

Margarito, 32, could go to California, he could fight again outside the United States or he could apply in another state.

“I think everybody was disappointed,” Said Todd duBoef of Top Rank, which promotes Maragito. “I think he’s being victimized by red tape and a process prohibiting him from making a living. I sat next to his wife and you know she wonders where the next paycheck is coming from and that’s very difficult.”

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Welterweight prospect Mike Jones stopped Irving Garcia in round five of a scheduled twelve round bout to remain undefeated at Adrian Phillips Ballroom in Atlantic City, NJ

The action picked up in round two as Jones started to unleash some lethal offense he started pumping his jab that set up some nice combination’s while Garcia was able to sneak in a couple of decent right hands. The fast action continued in round three as Garcia landed several big right hands that more than just got the attention of Jones. Jones shot back later in the round with a hard combination that backed up Garcia. Jones started to unleash the heavy artillery at the end of round four and carried that mometum into round five when he drilled Garcia with countless shots on the inside as he was battering the visitor until a body shot that may have strayed a little low put Garcia down for referee Randy Neuman’s ten count at 1:22 of round five.

Jones, 146 1/2 of Philadelphia is now 22-0 with eighteen knockouts. Garcia, 146 1/2 lbs of Vega Baja, PR is now 17-5-3.

Lanardo Tyner scored an upset ninth round stoppage over Antwone Smith in a scheduled ten round Welterweight bout.

It was a close fight throughout as the the two fighters stood close and there wasn’t any running from either man. Smith started to forge a head slightly as he started putting punches together in the middle rounds. Smith started to swell up from his right eye from the continuous assault of Tyner as he seemed to pick up a second wind as the fight headed into the last third of the fight.

In round nine, Tyner landed a huge left to the body that was followed by a right to the head that dropped Smith to the canvas. Looking beaten up, referee Earl Morton ended Smith’s night at 1:15 of round nine.

Tyner, 148 lbs of Houston, TX is now 24-3 with fifteen knockouts. Smith, 145 1/2 lbs of Miami is now 18-2-1.

Ardick Butler scored an opening second knockdown of Manuel Guzman but he wishes that the fight could have been over right then and there as Guzman came back to score an explosive second round knockout at 2:53 of round two of their scheduled four round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Butler scored his knockdown from a right hand shortly after the fight began. In round two, Guzman uncorked an overhand right the knocked Butler out cold for several minutes.

With the victory, Guzman, 146 1/2 lbs of Lancaster, PA is now 7-9-2 with three knockouts. Butler, 148 lbs of Philadelphia is now 5-2.

Ryan Belasco boxed his way to a unanimous decision over Kevin Carmody in a six round Jr. Welterweight bout.

Scores were 60-54, 59-55 and 59-55 for Belasco, 137 1/2 lbs of Wilmington, DE and is now 12-4-3. Carmody, 138 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia is now 10-13-2.

Jason Sosa stayed undefeated as he pounded out a four round unanimous decision over Bryheim Douglas in a Jr. Lightweight bout.

Sosa was more active and landed some good shots on the inside while Douglas was very game as he landed some good shots but it was Sosa who got the better of the action.

Scores were 40-36, 40-36 and 39-37 for Sosa, 128 1/2 lbs of Camden, NJ and is now 3-0-1. Douglas, 129 lbs of Philadelphia is now 3-4-2.

Steven Martinez kept his perfect knockout streak in tact as he stopped Jason Thompson in round two of a scheduled four round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Martinez was caught with a right hand and looked to be dropped at the end of round one but it was ruled a slip by the referee. In round two, Martinez shook off the late round punch and went on the offensive dropped Thompson with a big right and. Thompson got to his feet only to eat a vicious flurry that had the fight stopped 2:37 of round two.

Martinez, 152 1/2 lbs of Bronx, NY is now 5-0 with all wins coming early. thompson, 151 1/2 lbs of NY is now 5-6-1.

Anthony Caputo remained undefeated as he scored a second round stoppage over Walter Edwards in a scheduled four round Light Heavyweight bout.

Caputo rocked Edwards at the bell at the end of round one witha huge right hand. Caputo was methodical in round two until a flurry on the ropes forced referee Steve Smoger to stop the bout at 2:44 of round two.

Caputo, 179 lbs of Kennett Square, PA is now 5-0 with four knockouts. Edwards, 173 1/2 lbs of Wilson, NC is now 1-5.

Josh Mercado scored a four round unanimous decision over Kywame Hill in a four round Welterweight bout.

Mercado was more aggressive and he was egged on by a loud cheering section as he hails from nearby Cape May, NJ.

Scores were 39-37 on all cards for Mercado, 145 lbs of Cape May and is now 5-1. Hill, 143 1/2 lbs of Philadelphia is 1-5.

Miguel Corsino needed just fifty-eight seconds to dispatch of Epi Cosme Rodriguez in a scheduled four round Welterweight bout.

Corsino scored two knockdowns, the first was set up by a huge right hand that was follwed by a flurry that dropped Rodriguez. With Rodriguez clearly hurt, Corsino landed a two huge uppercuts that was follwed by a left hook that sent Rodriguez down for a second time as referee Steve Smoger waved off the action.

Corsino, 145 lbs of Camden, NJ is 2-0 with both wins coming by knockout. Rodriguez, 145 1/2 lbs of Harrisburg, PA is now 0-3.

In the opening bout, Rafael Jastrzebski scored a four round unanimous decision over Joe Dunn in a Super Middleweight bout.

Jastrzebski battered and blooded Dunn by landing countless flurries for which the debuting Dunn had no answer for.

Scores were 40-36 on all cards for Jastrzebski, 167 lbs of Atlantic City, NJ who is now 3-6-1. Dunn, 162 lbs of Philadelphia is now 0-1.

Carolina, P.R.- Fighters for this Saturday’s “The Challenge” weighed in today at the Verdanza hotel in Isla Verde, Carolina. The event is a co-promotion between Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions and the brothers Rivera PR Best Boxing Promotions to be televised by SHOWTIME®. Mr. Arum himself was there for the event as was Lee Samuels. Fighters from Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Mexico, Barbados, Canada and the United States make up the fifty eight round, seven bout card with fights from super flyweight division all the way up to the heavyweights.

After all fighters were weighed, Puerto Rican Juan Manuel López stayed a while to talk to the press about his upcoming fight, his future plans and his support for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

About Concepción, López said he knows he is a young, strong fighter with a rather unorthodox style but was confident of having all the necessary tools to come away with the victory. He added that Concepción looks just like he did for his fight against Mario Santiago and other than the awkwardness of the style, doesn’t expect any surprises.

When asked about the similarities between this fight and his life and death struggle against Tanzanian Rogers Mtagwa, López answered that that had been at 122lbs. where he was too weak from the struggle to make weight unlike this time where he now is well accustomed to 126lbs. He added that if there are people taking the Mtagwa fight as an example that he isn’t as good as some of the other champions in the division, they are making a big mistake. This since in that fight he proved he can be hurt but still keep on fighting and bring home the victories. López admitted that Concepción might be a difficult fighter because of his style and the volume of punches he throws, but he believes he has faster hands that also carry more power

About possible future rival Rafael Márquez, López stated that he had wanted to fight him, and Israel Vázquez, since 2008 but not until now had they shown interest. JuanMa added that even though Marquez is a very dangerous opponent, he believes his style makes for a more comfortable fight than Concepción as it is a more orthodox style of boxing.

López will be wearing pink and white shoes, robe and gloves which will later be auctioned off to help the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a cause he has taken under his wing for this fight.

Blue Corner Red Corner

WBO Featherweight Title-12rds.
Bernabé Concepción-125lbs. Vs. Juan Manuel López-125.3lbs.
Rizal Province, Philippines (28-3-1, 15KO’s) Caguas, Puerto Rico (28-0, 25KO’s)

WBA Interim Super Flyweight Title-12rds.
Hernán Marquez-115lbs. Vs. Nonito Donaire-114.5lbs.
Empalme, México (27-1, 20KO’s) General Santos City, Philippines (23-1, 15KO’s)

NABO Super Bantamweight Title-10rds.
Eden Sonsona-121.6lbs. Vs. Jonathan Oquendo-121.4lbs.
Paranque City, Philippines (21-5, 7KO’s) Vega Alta, Puerto Rico (18-2, 11KO’s)

Cruiserweight fight-8rds.
Gustavo Enríquez-192.9lbs Vs. Carlos Negrón-194.6lbs.
Ciudad Juarez, México (15-9, 12KO’s) Villalba, Puerto Rico (9-0, 7KO’s)

Bantamweight fight-6rds.
Jason Rorie-118.3lbs. Vs. McJoe Arroyo 119.6lbs.
Winston, North Carolina (6-7-2, 3KO’s) Fajardo, Puerto Rico (3-0, 1KO)

Lightweight Fight-4rds.
Mathew Robinson-133.9lbs. Vs. José González 136.6lbs.
Bridgeport, Barbados (3-1, 1KO) Toa Baja, Puerto Rico (10-0, 6KO’s)

Heavyweight Fight-6rds.
David Whittom-218.5lbs. Vs. Victor Bisbal-236lbs.
Quebec, Canada (10-12-1, 6KO’s) Salinas, Puerto Rico (16-1, 11KO’s)

At the close of 2008 it looked as though Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin unbeaten in twenty fights with fifteen stoppages was headed for a breakthrough 2009. It turned out very different when an injury plagued Quillin was forced to sit out for the next 18 months with various injuries including a broken hand & an appendix operation. He became one of Boxing’s forgotten men. Finally on 6 February 2010 Quillin now 27, got back in the ring and posted a very impressive ten round decision over Fernando Zuniga. Two of the three judges gave Quillen all the rounds. Though he doesn’t have any a fight lined up he is training hard in Los Angeles at the Wild Card under the expert eye of Freddie Roach. Here’s what Quillin had to say.

Hello Peter, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Congratulations on your comeback win against Fernando Zuniga. That was a pretty tough opponent especially considering you hadn’t fought in 18 months. How did you think you did?

Peter Quillin – I gave my self a B-. What more can you expect after being out for a 1 ½ years?

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about the 18 months you were away from Boxing with the various injuries?

Peter Quillin – Well, I had a lot of time to think, of course. I was anxious to come back but I did strengthen my mind for my comeback.

Anson Wainwright – You were supposed to be action on April 15 in your hometown of New York. What happened?

Peter Quillin – That fight has been put off and we working out a different situation.

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

Peter Quillin – I only had 15 fights or so. I won the Ringside National Tournament in 2002 and fought a couple of times in the Golden Gloves, always making it to semis or finals.

Anson Wainwright – Originally you are from Grand Rapids where James Toney & Floyd Mayweather, Jr. are from. Your in very good company there, do you know those guys?

Peter Quillin – Yes, I’ve met James in New York. I’ve been around town and bumped into Floyd at the gyms. Just being out and about, he knows of me and also through mutual friends.

Anson Wainwright – Grand Rapids is known as “Fighter Row.” That must be a tough place to grow up? How did you first get into Boxing?

Peter Quillin – From just being a knucklehead, running the streets. My older brother used to have my baby brother and we’d go at it when we were young. I guess that played a big part.

Anson Wainwright – Who are your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you use for training?

Peter Quillin – I train at Trinity Boxing Club when I’m in the city (NYC. My manager’s name is John Seip, along with his partner, Jimmy McDivitt. My promoter is Cedric Kushner (Gotham Boxing). My trainer is Colin Morgan.

Anson Wainwright – What is the best part about being a boxer and the worst?

Peter Quillin – The best part of being a boxer is the attention you get for being a fighter. The worst is getting too most attention.

Anson Wainwright – The landscape of the Middleweight division has changed a bit in the time you were away from the sport. What do you make of the Champion’s WBC Martinez, WBA Sturm & IBF Sylvester?

Peter Quillin – Let them fight each other and then I’ll fight the winner.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing?

Peter Quillin – Playing video games, travelling, training people to box, shooting at the range, yoga…I have tons of things I do outside of boxing.

Anson Wainwright – Who is your Boxing hero?

Peter Quillin – There are too many to name. I just like great fights and fighters.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?

Peter Quillin – Keep following me with that positive energy you’ve been giving me. Pray that I fight for a title soon. Thank you.

Thanks for your time Peter, good to have you back doing what you do best.

Peter Quillen – Thanks to 15rounds.com and to you, Anson, for covering the latest and greatest about me.

Anson Wainwright

15rounds.com

WBA Super Middleweight Champion Andre Ward spoke to 15rounds.com at a gala event at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno, Nevada on July 2nd, honoring the centennial anniversary of the Jack Johnson-James J. Jeffries World Heavyweight title fight. Ward (22-0, 13 KOs) recently defeated Allan Green in Group Stage 2 of the Super Six World Boxing Classic and is headed towards a September 25th title defense against his 2004 U.S. Olympic teammate Andre Dirrell.

Watch Andre Ward Interview with 15rounds.com

By now, Antonio Margarito knows the questions like he knows an old sparring partner. He has heard them from the California State Athletic Commission. They have been thrown at him from all angles in the court of public opinion. He has heard them in whispers, shouts and legalese.

If his appearance Friday in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission were a fight, Margarito should be ready. If he isn’t, he never will be in an attempt to regain a license in the United States about 18 months after his gloves were found to be loaded and potentially lethal before a loss to Shane Mosley in January, 2009.

His fate rests not so much in what he says, but in how he says it. It’s a subtle adjustment, more about tone than substance. So far, however, Margarito has either been unable or unwilling to assume some accountability for inserts in hand wraps applied by his former trainer, Javier Capetillo.

Since he began to talk to fans and the media a few months ago, Margarito has repeatedly, almost defiantly, said he had no idea what was in those wraps. He has always assigned the blame to Capetillo. The wraps belonged to Capetillo, Margarito said. But the hands have always belonged to Margarito, which is another way of saying he can never completely separate himself from what happened.

Here’s what he can do: He can continue to say he never knew what was in the wraps, but he can include an addendum, an apology for not knowing. For those adamantly opposed to Margarito ever fighting in the U.S. again, that won’t be enough. That opposition will always be there.

But a willingness to acknowledge his own accountability represents an important step that could win over skeptics, who have yet to hear any remorse in Margarito’s explanations.

There are plenty of other hurdles for the former welterweight champion, who has been free to apply for a license in any state since Feb. 11. There is protocol. California has yet to rule on an appeal of his license revocation at a hearing a few weeks after the altered wraps were discovered at Los Angeles Staples Center.

When there were Top Rank plans for Margarito to seek a license in Texas for a bout in March on the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey card in Dallas, the U.S. Association of Boxing Commissions urged that the revocation continue. Top Rank never pursued the license. Instead, Margarito fought in Mexico, winning on May 8 in his only bout since the California revocation.

Margarito is back, this time in Nevada, because he looms as a possibility for Pacquiao on Nov. 13 if Floyd Mayweather, Jr., says no next week. If Pacquiao-Mayweather is a go, then a Margarito rematch with Miguel Cotto, perhaps in December, is on Top Rank’s agenda.

There has long been speculation that Margarito’s hand wraps were altered in similar fashion for his stunning, brutal upset of the previously unbeaten Cotto in Las Vegas during the summer of 2008. There is lingering confusion about Margarito’s beat-down of Cotto at the MGM Grand.

Speculation about Margarito’s hand wraps on that night has been fueled in part by a Cotto comment. In a conference call, Cotto said nobody from his corner was in Margarito’s dressing room to watch how Capetillo wrapped his hands. However, Cotto’s assertion has been disputed in various news reports by officials and inspectors assigned by the Nevada Commission. Margarito’s management team also has told 15 rounds that somebody from Cotto’s corner was in fact in Margarito’s dressing room.

Still, suspicion about what was in Margarito’s hands for Cotto will never vanish. If Margarito didn’t know before Mosley, he can’t say he knew before, during or after Cotto.

But he can say he should have known.

That decision has always been in his hands.

NOTES, QUOTES
· Robert Guerrero said his wife’s cancer is in remission. Casey has been battling leukemia. “My wife is doing great,’’ Guerrero said Thursday in a conference call that included Joel Casamayor, his opponent for a junior-welterweight bout July 31 on the Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz II card at Las Vegas Mandalay Bay. “She’s doing so great. That’s why I’m taking big fights and getting back into the ring.”

· Casamayor is 38 and confident as ever. “Losing is not an option,’’ Casamayor, the former lightweight champion, said. “Retirement is not an option.’’ Casamayor said he wants a rematch with Marquez, who stopped him in the 11th round in 2008.

Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank

NOTE: WEIGHTS (July 8, 2010) – Up-and-coming middleweight prospect Mike Jones and his opponent Irving Garcia both tipped the scales at 146.5 pounds during Thursday’s weigh in from the Atrium at Bally’s Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J.

Philadelphia’s Jones (21-0, 17 KOs) will make his SHOWTIME debut against the tough Puerto Rican Garcia (17-4-3, 8 KOs) in the 12-round main event of Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation event live at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME®.

Miami’s Antwone Smith (18-1-1, 10 KOs) weighed in at 147.5 and the talented Lanardo Tyner (23-3, 14 KOs) of Houston, Texas, measured 148 pounds. The two will face off in a 10-round welterweight fight in the ShoBox co-feature.

Jones is ranked among the Top 10 welterweights by all four major world sanctioning bodies in one of boxing’s deepest divisions: No. 2 by the WBO, No. 3 by the WBA; No. 7 by the IBF and the WBC.

The fight is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment.

What the fighters had to say on Thursday:

MIKE JONES

“He’s (Garcia) a good fighter but I come to win.”

IRVING GARCIA

“I am in the best physical shape. I’m planning to give the fight of my life.”

ANTWONE SMITH

“I wish him the best of luck. It should be a great, all-action fight.”

LANARDO TYNER

“I just hope he (Smith) wants it as bad as I want it.”

Curt Menefee will call the action from ringside with Steve Farhood and Antonio Tarver serving as expert analysts. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Chuck McKean directing.

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

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Malignaggi, Kendall Holt, Timothy Bradley, Bernard Dunne, Yonnhy Perez, Yuri Foreman and Andre Ward.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

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

NABO LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

MAIN EVENT – 12 ROUNDS – ESPN FNF

“Hammerin’’ HANK LUNDY JOHN MOLINA, JR.

NABO Lightweight Champion/WBO #7 NABO #9

Philadelphia, PA Covina, CA

18-0-1 (10 KOs) 20-1 (16 KOs)

135 LBS. 135 LBS.

NEW ENGLAND SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

CO-FEATURE – 8 ROUNDS – ESPN FNF

“IRISH” JOEY McCREEDY VLADINE BIOSSE
New England & EBA Super Middleweight Champion Former URI Football Player
Lowell, MA Providence, RI by way of Cape Verde
11-4-2 (6 KOs) 6-0 (4 KOs)
166 LBS. 165 LBS.
4 ROUNDS – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
KEITH KOZLIN ERIC PINARETTA
Warwick, RI New Bedford, MA
5-1 (3 KOs) 2-3 (2 KOs)
170 LBS. 168 LBS.
4 ROUNDS – SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS
JOE GARDNER DEMARCUS “Main Event” CLARK
Woonsocket, RI Shreveport, LA
4-1-1 (1 KO) 1-2 (1 KO)
169 LBS. LATER
4 ROUNDS – SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS
DIEGO PEREIRA RICARDO CALAZADA
Lincoln, RI Las Vegas, NV
4-0 (2 KOs) 2-1 (1 KO)
142 LBS. 142 LBS.
6 ROUNDS – FEMALE WELTERWEIGHTS
ALEKSANDRA MAGDZIAK LOPES KALI REIS
Marshfield, MA Providence, RI
2-1 (1 KO) 2-0 (1 KO)
150 LBS. 148 LBS.
4 ROUNDS – LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHTS
DUSTIN REINHOLD JOEL NIEVES
Former So. New England Golden Gloves Champion Upset Minded
Fall River, MA Allentown, PA
1-1 (1 KO) 0-2
154 LBS. 153 LBS.
4 ROUNDS – CRUISERWEIGHTS
ERIC ESTRADA KEON GRAHAM
Providence Fire Fighter Potential Spoiler
Providence, RI Akron, OH
Pro Debut 2-2 (0 KOs)
195 LBS. 200 LBS.

(All Fights and Fighters subject to change)

Name: “Let Freedom Ring” Pro Card

Date: Friday night, July 9, 2009

Venue: Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, RI

Promoter: Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc.

Matchmaker: Ted Panagiotis

Television: ESPN Friday Night Fights (10-12 PM/ET)

Tickets: $35.00, $50.00, $75.00 and $100.00 and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.

Information: Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or the Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET.

(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Let Freedom Ring.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)

PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

Hank Lundy: “I’d like to thank ESPN for showcasing my talents again. There were fireworks on July 4th and there will be even more tomorrow night. You can teach fighters how to fight but, if if you don’t have heart, you don’t have it. Anybody who knows Hank Lundy knows I’ll fight anybody. Training in Philadelphia I’ve fought everything including elephants and lions.”

John Molina, Jr.: “You have two great fighters in a no holds barred fight. My only prediction is you’re going to see a great fight. There will be fireworks tomorrow night.”

Joey McCreedy: “It’s going to be a tough fight, a war – the Fight of the Year. Me and Biosse are both hard-headed, stubborn who will fight anybody. I love the kid and his whole team. There’s no hate; we’re fighters, He’s in real good shape, I’m in real good shape. I’m glad to be sharing the spotlight with him on ESPN. It’s a make or break fight for both of us.”

Vladine Biosse: “My dream was to fight professionally and do it big-time. As a boxer I’ve taken a step forward every fight. It doesn’t get any better than this. I want to thank Joey for taking this chance and giving me an opportunity to share the ring with him. You’re going to get my best, as always. He’s coming to fight, I’m coming to fight. It’s going to be a great fight. Keep your eyes open, it’s going to be war.”

Photo by Emily Harney

Newark, NJ (July 8) – Unbeaten welterweight sensation Alex Perez will throw out the ceremonial first pitch this Saturday at Riverfront Stadium prior to the Newark Bears’ 7:05 pm showdown with the Long Island Ducks.

A lifelong Newark resident with an 11-0 professional ledger, Perez’ next bout takes place just minutes away at the luxurious Prudential Center July 16 as part of ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights telecast. Perez will battle an opponent TBA in the eight round televised co-feature to the Zab Judah-Jose Armando Santa Cruz showdown.

Tickets priced at $53, $78, $103 and $203 (ringside) can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or www.Prucenter.com

LAS VEGAS (July 7, 2010)—Today the International Boxing Federation (IBF) ordered the camps of top available contenders, Yoan Pablo Hernandez and BJ Flores to have a free negotiating period until July 20th to complete a deal for the two fighters to engage in an elimination bout for the top contender spot for the right to face IBF Cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham.

If a deal is not reached the bout will go to purse bid.

“I am very excited about facing Yoan Pablo Hernandez in this tremendous opportunity to be the IBF mandatory challenger.” said Flores.

“He is a very good fighter but I am 200% confident in victory. He will not beat me!!”

The potential of facing off with IBF cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham has Flores’ mouth watering.

“it is very hard not to think about facing the best fighter in your division when you feel it is so close. First things first with Yoan and then we will have the opportunity of a lifetime to face the most accomplished cruiserweight in the division, Steve Cunningham. This is the break I have needed for a long time. A fair opportunity to face the BEST in the division”

Even though Flores has been inactive he has stayed busy working as sparring partners for World Light Heavyweight champion Chad Dawson and former WBA Heavyweight champion John Ruiz. Flores also was the main Sparring partner for current WBA Heavyweight champion David Haye before his April 3rd title defense with Former champion Ruiz.

“Even though i have been out of the ring I am always working out and always staying sharp. I put in a lot of hard work and hard rounds with those three former champions and learned many valuable lessons in the last year. People always are asking me when I am fighting again. The time is NOW… Stay tuned!! ”

On the part about staying sharp and sparring and putting in rounds i want to add in that “I have been lifting weights and doing ply metrics over the last year to become more explosive. This year off has given my body a chance to heal and I have no injuries and have become way stronger and gained valuable experience being in the camp of three different world champions. I will be in the best shape of my life to make sure this fight doesn’t go the distance…I can’t wait!”

Flores of Las Vegas has a record of 24-0-1 with fifteen wins coming by knockouts, can also be seen as a guest studio analyst on ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights for which his next appearance will be July 16th for the Zab Judah – Jose Armando Santa Cruz fight from Newark, New Jersey.

Shortly after Roman “Rocky” Martinez impressively moved to 24-0-1(15) with a fourth round stoppage of Gonzalo Munguia in his second defence of the WBO Super Featherweight title, he contacted 15rounds.com to share some thoughts on his win and what he had planned for the future. Here’s what Martinez had to say.

Anson Wainwright –

Firstly congratulations on an impressive win, what can you tell us about that fight and how you feel looking back on it?

Roman Martinez – I felt it was a great fight and I had a good rival in Gonzalo Munguia.

Anson Wainwright – It was seen by many as a stay busy fight and though he was tough you put on an impressive display. Can you tell us about the finish of the fight?

Roman Martinez – Gonzalo is a good fighter and he had never been knocked out. I prepared for the 12 rounds but the end came early.

Anson Wainwright – What have you done with your time since the fight? What will you do between now and when you get back into training? How long will you have off? Will you go on Holiday if so where?

Roman Martinez – After the fight I took two weeks of to vacation with my family. I already started training for Ricky Burns before the Munguia fight because I knew that in some time in my career we would have met.

Anson Wainwright –

How has your win gone down with your countryman? Were the celebrations? Did you get kind words from people like Tito Trinidad etc?

Roman Martinez – Yes, when we won we had a Caravan and Homage in Vega Baja and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Yes, some fighters came up to me and said that I had a great fight. Tito came up to me and said: you’re the best and no one beats you on 130 or 135.

Anson Wainwright –

You will once again go into the Lion’s den when you fight Ricky Burns. What are your thoughts on him?

Roman Martinez – The fight is confirmed and we will be fighting soon. I’ve been studying burns a long time ago and I already know the fight plan that we’re going to be implementing so the fight doesn’t go the distance.

Anson Wainwright –

How easily did you make weight for your last fight? What is your walk around weight?

Roman Martinez – Easy work, I’ve never had problems making weight. I walk around 140 or 142.

Anson Wainwright –

With Robert Guerrero & Humberto Soto recently leaving 130 things are quite up in the air, who do you see as your main rivals at the top of the division?

Roman Martinez – We’re open to any title opportunity in the 135 pounds. After this fight I want to fight Jorge Solis and and maybe go up to 135 if there is a good opportunity.

Anson Wainwright –

What did you think of the rest of the card. What were your thoughts on Wilfredo Vazquez Jr fight and the Arroyo twins wins?

Roman Martinez – They are all great fighters and they did a good demonstration.

Thanks for your time and good luck with your preparations for the Ricky Burns fight.

Anson Wainwright

15rounds.com

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, an intriguing IBF Super Middleweight elimination bout between undefeated Jean Paul Mendy and former world title challenger Sakio Bika has been added to the off-tv portion of the packed cardthat will feature the Lightweight title rematch of the 2009 fight of the year between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz that will take place July 31st in Las Vegas.

The winner of Bika-Mendy will earn a mandatory shot against 168-pound titleholder Lucian Bute.

“This is truly a ‘Fight Freak’ card for the ages,” said Richard Schaefer , CEO of Golden Boy Promotions who will promote the card. “We are going all out to make July 31 a night to remember for boxing and sports fans. The addition of Bika versus Mendy is another all-action fight which supplements a card which I consider to be one of the best top to bottom boxing events in the past few years.”

Schaefer said Bika-Mendy will take place just before the HBO PPV telecast begins but that highlights of the bout would air during the broadcast. However, he said is working on having the fight, along with another undercard match featuring blue-chip junior welterweight prospect Frankie Gomez, shown live as a free preview in the hour preceding the start of the pay-per-view telecast.

“We’re trying now to secure the free window from the PPV channels,” Schaefer said. “Looking good.”

Carolina, P.R.- Fighters, managers and trainers for this Saturday’s upcoming fight card spoke with 15rounds.com at today’s press conference. The show will feature Puerto Rican Juan Manuel López against Filipino Bernabé Concepción and Vic Darchinyan conqueror Nonito Donaire aginst Mexican Hernán Marquez as the co-features.

Nonito “Flash” Donaire (23-1-0, 15KO’s) stated that he felt good, strong and ready for his upcoming bout against Hernán “Tyson” Marquez (27-1-0, 20KO’s), Sonora, Mexico. Donaire said he’s seen Marquez and knows he has a good record and is a strong fighter who hits hard and is hungry but thinks he has an advantage in speed and height that will help him carry along his plan of fighting from the outside.

The new Filipino “Flash” said this would be his last fight at super flyweight as it is becoming increasingly hard for him to make weight. When asked about what fights at bantamweight he would like, the name of Mexican WBC and WBO titlist Fernando Montiel immediately came up though he said he would not have it in Mexico as he doesn’t want to be at a disadvantage. The names of Eric Morel and Jorge Arce also came up as possible candidates. He would go on to state that his plans are to move all the way up to super bantamweight and mentioned Puerto Rican WBO titlist Wilfredo Vázquez Jr. as a possible opponent stating that he would carry the weight very well and be very comfortable at 122lbs.

Donaire also commented on the rivalries between Filipino, Mexican and Puerto Rican fighters on a positive note stating that fans want to see it. He finished by thanking his fans for all the support saying that it is them who give him determination.

His trainer, Robert García, also acknowledged Marquez’s strength, power and hunger and even admitted that the fight could end early favoring anyone of the fighters. Although he expressed, as had Donaire before, that making weight had become increasingly hard, he was clear that it wouldn’t affect this fight and that Nonito was ready to go twelve rounds if necessary.

Nonito’s opponent, “Tyson” Marquez, told us he’s been watching Donaire for a long time and knows his opponents strengths but also his weakness. The Mexican fighter was quick to point out Donaire’s height, explosiveness, speed and power and catalogued him as a dangerous fighter. Still he said that even though he doesn’t get hit very often, when he has gotten caught, he’s been hurt.

Clear about his plan, Marquez said he would look to get inside and try to get to him first. This, since he admits that whoever gets clocked first will most likely go down. He worked out for this fight for seven weeks, two of them at sea level and the other five at high altitude on Mexico’s D.F.

His trainer, Rudy Pérez, knows Donaire is a very complete boxer that must be approached intelligently yet that won’t be a deterrent for there to be “candela” (fire) come Saturday.

Juan Manuel “JuanMa” López (28-0-0, 25KO’s) kept it short at the podium regarding boxing as he took advantage to speak on behalf of breast cancer research, a cause he has taken into consideration for this upcoming bout. Still he gave credit to his next opponent, Filipino Bernabé “The Real Deal” Concepción (28-3-1, 15KO’s) who is coming off a career-best performance against Puerto Rican Mario Santiago.

López said that pads are easier to hit than he is and they won’t hit back like he will. About Concepción’s training in Manny Pacquiao’s camp, he said that many fighters want to be like the Pac-Man, whom he called a good friend, but only Manny can do it. Jokingly, he said that if Manny, who was supposed to be at the fight, would get on the ring to fight on Concepción’s behalf, he would call up former three-division world champion, Felix “Tito” Trinidad to back him up.

About the looming fight with Rafael Marquez, JuanMa, in a sort of contradiction, said that he wasn’t going to talk about that fight but at the same time that it was a reality. Rafael Marquez is coming of a TKO victory over Israel Vázquez that settled their four fight “fiesta” at two wins a piece.

López’s manager, Orlando Piñero was a little less discreet and made it clear that no matter how good Concepción was, JuanMa is the best champion out there right now and he will prove it come Saturday.

Concepción was also brief at the podium barely stating that this fight was an honor for him and that everybody knows JuanMa is a tough fighter. When asked afterwards about how he felt being in Puerto Rico, he replied that he felt comfortable as did his team and his manager Michael Koncz as the weather is very similar to that in the Philippines.

He assured 15rounds.com that his training, held in Los Angeles, California, was pretty good as he had three sparring partners from the famous Wild Card Gym. He told us he was very comfortable at the weight and didn’t foresee any trouble in this area.

About the fight, he predicted it would probably not get to twelve rounds since they both have power. When comparing the fight to his previous one against Santiago, another Puerto Rican southpaw, Concepción said that the main difference would be in the power López has and Santiago doesn’t. He admitted both could move, but López has more power from what he has seen in a couple of his fights.

Regarding his DQ loss against Steven Luevano, who was later stopped by López, Abe said that when he watched a video of the fight he realized he had to throw more punches. In that fight, two of the judges had Luevano ahead at the end of the seventh round when Concepción landed a punch after the bell that knocked out Luevano. Regardless of the outcome, Concepción said he was “disgusted” with his performance and as a result changes were made in his corner.

His manager, Michael Koncz, jumped in the conversation and spoke about many adjustments being made in the physical aspect but also on the technical aspect of his fighter’s boxing. About the technical changes, Koncz said we would have to wait until Saturday to see them.
Bernabé knows he is an underdog in this fight, although a very live one, and wasn’t very enthusiastic about speaking of future plans but said he would definitely sit down and talk about a fight with Rafael Marquez should he win this weekend.

He ended saying “for all the fans, thank you so much and I hope you don’t miss it”.

Another Filipino fighter appearing on the card will be Eden Sonsona (21-5-0, 7KO’s) who will be facing interim WBO Latino Super bantamweight titlist Jonathan “Polbo” Oquendo (18-2-0, 11KO’s) of Vega Alta Puerto Rico. Sonsona didn’t want to make a prediction on how the fight was going to end, but said his camp had been good and he was happy and excited to be part of the event.

He urged his fans to watch the fight as it was going to be the most exciting fight.

The card will feature a host of upcoming Puerto Rican prospects including ex-Olympians Victor Bisbal, McJoe Arroyo and Carlos Negrón and will be televised around the world and broadcasted in the United States on Showtime. Tickets are available at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot and through Ticketpop. Prices range from $400.00 to $35.00

As unbeaten Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, PA, who is 21-0, 17 K0s, and ranked as high as No. 2 welterweight in the world by the WBO behind champion Manny Pacquiao, prepares to defend his NABA and NABO titles against Puerto Rico’s Irving Garcia (17-4-3, 8 KOs) on July 9 at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall, he has had his best-ever training camp.
MIKE JONES COMMENTS

• On his training camp: “I’ve had a great camp and I’m in terrific shape. I’m ready. As each fight goes by, I get in better and better shape. I’m smart. I take nobody for granted. When it’s time to shine, I’m gonna shine.”

•His feelings about fighting for a world title (possibly before the end of the year): “It would be a dream come true. I’ve been preparing for this for years. You just want to get a piece of the pie. I’m ready.”

• On his goals: “My No. 1 goal is to be No. 1, nothing less. I’m getting closer but not there yet; not where I want to be. My ultimate goal: World Champion.”

• On staying at welterweight: “I can make that weight (147 pounds) easily. I want the advantages on my side: my height (6’1”) and speed. I’m still learning to use the height as a big advantage over other welterweights.”

• On how he got started in boxing: “As a teenager, I liked basketball and could dunk. I was above average, but not above above average to make it to the NBA so I wanted to try something else. The other sports weren’t rough enough. My dad took me to Joe Frazier’s gym. I picked it up pretty good. I was determined and had a good work ethic. They threw me into my first amateur fight one month after I started and I lost. It made me work harder and I stopped my next 11-12 foes. I eventually sparred with the guy who first beat me and I beat him up pretty good. I had 50-60 amateur fights.”

• On his style: “I have power like Tyson (“taught to me by Smoke [Joe Frazier] and Marvis Frazier as an amateur; I was taught how to bang early on: just plant my feet on the floor and bang “); a jab like Ali (“Snap that jab and then throw combinations off that”) and ring tricks like Roy Jones. I have long, long arms, am tall for a welterweight and fast. I’m pretty good at blocking a guy’s shot. I like to box. I look to be smart. If I see a weakness I like to go in and pounce.”

• His favorite fighters: Muhammad Ali (“He always kept popping that jab”); Mike Tyson (“I like his ferociousness & quickness); Roy Jones; Pernell “Sweat Pea” Whitaker; Evander Holyfield (“Great combinations”); Oscar De La Hoya (“He’d snap that good jab of his.”)

• On his increased media exposure: “I’m happy to be getting so much positive feedback. But there’s always going to be somebody who hasn’t seen me fight before that I want to look good for. Like they say, you only get one chance to make a good first impression. I want to do that every time I fight.”

• On who he’d like to fight in the future: “Anybody with a world championship belt would be a dream fight. That’s what I’ve worked so hard for… to be recognized as one of the best fighters in world.”

• On a future fight with Floyd Mayweather: “It would be a dream come true. He’s the man. He always works so hard. Look at his stomach, how ripped it is. I keep working hard every day to get that. Give me 10% of what Mayweather has. I’d work his body and keep working the left side and hope he gets tired. You can’t touch him on his right side. He snaps that great jab, up and down. He waits for you to open up and he’ll counter. You must counter his counter. I’d have to be in the same­­ tremendous shape like him.”

• On a future fight with Manny Pacquiao: “I’d keep Pacquiao at the end of everything. He jumps in and counter punches. It’s hard to counter punch 3’s and 4’s but you have to be patient.”

• On a future fight with WBC titlist Andre Berto (which has been mentioned by Berto’s promoter as a possibility for the fall): “Great talent, very fast…brings a lot of power. I’d try to use my height. Mix it up. When he throws exchanges he leaves himself open. I see myself catching him and knocking him out.”

• On his soft-spoken nature: “I’m humble and don’t like to brag or boast. But on fight night, I let my fists do the talking. My fists are rather loud.”

VAUGHN JACKSON, JONES’ TRAINER

• On training camp: “ Mike looks great in training. He’s on fire. It’s hard to find sparring partners for him. No one wants to get in there and take a beating. Mike shows no mercy.”

• On Irving Garcia, his July 9 opponent: “We’ve seen tape on Garcia. He’s a nice counter-puncher, with a good right hand but he’s too laid back. Mike’s too tall, too young. Youth (Jones) will overwhelm him. I’d be surprised if it goes past the 5th (round). It’s Mike’s time.”

• On Jones’ future: “We want to get past Garcia and then see what’s out there for the future we’re aware what position Mike’s in and we want to keep him busy. He’s getting better each fight. He belongs where he’s at (in the ratings).”
“I think this is a very good time for Mike Jones. It’s his time to shine. He’s at his peak right now. It’s like the dominoes are finally starting to fall.”
“Mike’s not as big, namewise, as Floyd Mayweather and Manny Paquiao, but he hasn’t yet had the same great opportunities. When he gets the opportunity, he’ll be great.”

J RUSSELL PELTZ, JONES’ PROMOTER

• On one reason why Jones has moved up quickly in the various boxing organizations’ ratings: “Even though I didn’t know it at the time, that weekend (on April 17 that Jones last fought) there was a convention (in Atlantic City) of the four world sanctioning bodies. So everybody was at Mike’s fight, and everybody was impressed. He shot up (the ratings) after that fight.”

• On Jones’ outlook: “He’s a young guy and he’s in a hurry. He believes he’s ready for anybody.”

• On Jones’ next fight: “If he beats Garcia, he’s not going to fight [Manny] Pacquiao or [Floyd] Mayweather next. I don’t see that happening. He doesn’t have the name recognition yet. But somebody like [WBC welterweight champ Andre] Berto? That’s another story. I could see a Berto fight being made, or a fight with the WBO’s No. 1 contender, Kell Brock. The IBF champion is Jan Zavek. That’s a doable fight, too.”

• On the July 9 fight vs Irving Garcia: To me this is the fight. Not only do I consider it Mike’s toughest fight, but I consider it the last before something really substantial. If he doesn’t stub his toe against Irving Garcia, he’s on the doorstep.”

DOC NOWICKI, JONES’ CO-MANAGER

• On training camp: “Mike’s looking excellent and he’s in great shape. He’s been working on his combinations and the usual tricks of the trade. He’s ready and can’t wait for the fight.”

• On his July 9 fight: “I don’t think the fight will go the distance but Mike will get some excellent work out of it. He likes to fight. He’s not looking for an easy fight.”

• On the future: “There’s nobody we would be afraid to put Mike in against now. We’d welcome a fight against Andre Berto (WBC titlist). We want to fight anyone above Mike in the ratings.”

JIM WILLIAMS, JONES’ CO-MANAGER & CUTMAN

• On Jones’ training: “Training camp was great. It always is with Mike. He’s a workhorse in the gym. When you think he’s done with his long workout, he starts over his routine again. He goes on and on. He’s a real gym rat and real serious. He’s always in great shape.”

• On Irving Garcia his opponent: “Probably the most skilled fighter Mike has fought. Garcia’s a tough, rugged guy but doesn’t have a great chin. When Mike sets up his jab and touches his chin, it’ll be over within 5 or 6 rounds. Not an easy night though.”

• On Jones’ future: “Mike will definitely be a world champion. But he says he wants to be more than a champion, he wants to be one of the best of all time. He is very focused and has both feet on the ground.”

# # #

Mike Jones vs. Irving Garcia: The Fireworks Continue on July 9, 2010 at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall is promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions and DiBella Entertainment in association with Caesars Atlantic City. The 12-round main event will be for Jones’ NABA and NABO welterweight titles.

Tickets are $100, $75 and $50 and are available at Ticketmaster.com (800-736-1420) and through Peltzboxing.com (215-765-0922)

NEW YORK (July 7, 2010) – After getting cut from his high school freshman basketball team, Mike Jones turned his full attention to boxing, and he’s been a one-sport guy ever since.

Philadelphia’s welterweight prospect Jones recently answered six questions in anticipation of his fight against Irving Garcia, a 12-round main event bout on ShoBox: The New Generation on Friday, July 9, live on SHOWTIME ® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the ballroom at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall.

Jones, 27, puts his perfect 21-0 record (17 KOs) on the line against Puerto Rico’s Garcia (17-4-3, 8 KOs), while promising, once-beaten Antwone Smith (18-1-1, 10 KOs) of Miami, Fla., will face Houston’s Lanardo Tyner (23-3, 14 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight tussle in an exciting co-feature.

The fight is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment.

Question: You’ve been trained and managed by the same people since you turned pro. Has that consistency helped you?

Jones: “Yeah, Vaughn Jackson is my trainer and Jim Williams and Doc Nowicki are my managers. They’ll all be in my corner. I’m just really comfortable with them and it’s been great to have the same guys around and to just have that familiarity. They do their jobs pretty well, which is to make sure I’m ready for each of my fights. I’ve been in better shape for each [consecutive] fight.”

Question: You fight in one of boxing’s toughest divisions. Who would you like to fight most in the future?

Jones: “I’ll fight anyone. Throw them in there with me. There’s been word that I might fight Antwone Smith if we both win on Friday night. I won’t be watching his fight Friday, but I’ll have it Tivo’ed and will catch it later.”

Question: You come from boxing-rich Philadelphia. Do you feel any added pressure being from an area that has produced some great world champions like Joe Frazier and Bernard Hopkins, just to name two?

Jones: “There’s no pressure. I’ve worked at Joe Frazier’s gym and he trained me as an amateur and I’ve worked out with his son Marvis. They’re great guys. But I was actually a Muhammad Ali fan growing up. I’ve sparred with Bernard’s nephew Demetrius. There are a lot of great ones that have come through here. There’s never a shortage of boxing talk in the barbershops.”

Question: Did you play in any other sports growing up?

Jones: “I was actually a basketball player. I didn’t start boxing until I was 15 after I got cut from the high school team. I thought I was going to play for the 76ers but I knew some guys who boxed and I found out I was good at it and just kept going. I could dunk when I was a kid, but basketball and the other sports I played weren’t rough enough.”

Question: You’ve fought in Atlantic City the last five fights. You must be on a first-name basis with some of the ushers by now.

Jones: “Yeah, it’s pretty exciting fighting there. I have a lot of fans that come out that have seen me fight before so you start to develop a little bit of a following. It’s an electric venue. These are my fans and they expect greatness from me. That’s what I’m going to give them on Friday night.”

Question: “What did you do last Monday (June 28) on Mike Jones Day in Newtown, Pa.?

Jones: (Laughing) Not a lot. It’s not my hometown but it’s close to it. I always go up there and train at the Newtown Athletic Club. It’s pretty nice to be recognized by them.”

Curt Menefee will call the action on Friday night from ringside with Steve Farhood and Antonio Tarver serving as expert analysts. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Chuck McKean directing.

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

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Malignaggi, Kendall Holt, Timothy Bradley, Bernard Dunne, Yonnhy Perez, Yuri Foreman and Andre Ward.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

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

FRANK MALONEY has continued his excellent relationship with Sky Sports by signing a new two year contract with the broadcaster.

Maloney and Sky have enjoyed a successful working partnership for nearly 20 years and the new deal starts in September.

All future Maloney’s shows will be screened live on Saturday night’s and he said: “I am delighted to continue my relationship with Sky.

“They have a top class boxing team from top to bottom and you would go a long way to find a more professional bunch.

“It is a massive boost for boxing in general that they have decided to move our sport from Friday to Saturday and proves how committed they are.”

Maloney has developed a heap of world champions during his time with Sky including former undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, Scott Harrison, David Haye and Paul Ingle,

And with Jason Booth and Rendall Munroe primed for world title challenges in the autumn, Maloney is confident that list will grow before the end of the year.

Booth’s challenge for Steve Molitor’s IBF world super-bantamweight title at Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton-le-Spring on September 11 will be shown live on Sky Sports.

Munroe is to challenge Japan’s Toshiaki Nishioka for the WBC super-bantamweight championship, most probably in October.

Maloney said: “I’m very bullish about Jason and Rendall’s chances.

“The two year-deal also gives me time to develop other fighters that I am very excited about.

“Tony Jeffries is a fighter who I expect to win a world title in time and I think my stable has the most exciting crop of heavyweights in Britain.

“David Price will develop into a world class heavyweight, Tom Dallas is the sleeper of the division and Larry Olubamiwo is a fighter you cannot turn away from.”

Maloney has been behind two of the biggest boxing events ever screened by Sky Sports.

He promoted the biggest all- British heavyweight fight ever, the WBC battle between Lewis and Frank Bruno in October 1993.

Maloney also staged the Ricky Hatton-Juan Lazcano fight which drew a record 58,000 crowd to the City of Manchester Stadium in May 2008.

PHILADELPHIA (July 7, 2010)—Tough nosed cruiserweight spoiler, Victor Barragan will now be the opponent for world ranked and undefeated Cruiserweight Ran Nakash on Wednesday night July 14th at The Arena in South Philadelphia.

The original opponent, former WBA Light Heavyweight champion Lou Del Valle was supposed to come to Philadelphia to get his medical examinations last week but never stepped on his plane from Florida where he had been training.

The card is promoted by No Limits Promotions in association with Joey Eye Boxing and will be the inaugural fight card of the new Comcast Boxing Series.

Barragan, twenty-eight years of Oxnard, California has a record of 11-5 with three knockouts.

After losing his pro debut, Barragan won eight straight fights with the best win coming against Villi Bloomfield (7-1) on March 31, 2007.

Barragan then stepped up the competition and dropped three straight fights to the likes of Eric Fields (7-0); heavyweight Evans Quinn (14-2) and Kevin Reynolds (7-1) in a bout that was televised on ESPN 2.

That didn’t dissuade Barragan as he then went on a three fight winning streak as he defeated undefeated Patrick Liles (7-0-1); Henry Namauu (3-2) and a shocking seventh round knockout over former cruiserweight world champion “King” Arthur Williams (46-15-1).

In his last bout, Barragan dropped a close split decision to prospect Nick Iannuzzi (14-1) on March 5th in Iannuzzi’s hometown of Tampa, Florida.

Nakash (24-0, 18 KO’s) is now ranked number-thirteen by the WBC and a win over Barragan will forge him closer to realizing his dream of winning a world championship.

In the co-feature, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, Felix Diaz (5-0, 3 KO’s) will take grizzled veteran and fan favorite Emanuel Augustus.

Augustus, 38-32-6 with twenty knockouts and has fought just about everyone from the Lightweight division during his sixteen year career.

The Thirty-five year old has been in the ring with former world champions such as Jesus Chavez, John John Molina, Floyd Mayweather, Leonard Dorin, Leavander Johnson and David Diaz.

The list is just as impressive in terms of title contenders, challengers and prospects.

Augustus is known for his crowd pleasing yet unorthodox style for which he has made him a staple on network television.

On July 13, 2001, Augustus engaged in one of the most memorable fight‘s this decade as he and Mickey Ward fought an incredible fight that is till played on ESPN Classic.

Augustus has fought in The United States, Puerto Rico, Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Australia.

Augustus, who has been known to take fight on very short notice and sometimes able to pull off the upset victory, will be fighting in Philadelphia for the third time and is 1-1 with his latest foray to “The City of Brotherly Love” being a ten round unanimous decision defeat to Almazbek Raimkulov on January 11, 2007 in a bout that Augustus took on short notice.

Augustus has dropped three in a row which includes his last bout where he was stopped in nine rounds to undefeated prospect Ruslan Provodnikov on May 21st in a bout that was televised on ESPN 2. Once again, Augustus took that bout on short notice.

2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Vyacheslav Glazkov (5-0, 3 KO’s) of Ukraine will take on the widely popular Mark “Oak Tree” Brown (15-3, 7 KO’s) of Salam, NJ in a Heavyweight bout scheduled for six rounds.

Undefeated Russian Middleweight, Maks Liminov (12-0, 8 KO’s) will take on Julius Fogle (15-5, 10 KO’s) of Cary, NC in a bout scheduled for six rounds.

Undefeated Russian Super Flyweight, Rustam Nabeev (5-0) will take on an opponent to be named in a four round bout.

Former world Jr. Amateur champion, Joey Dawejko (3-0, 1 KO) will take on an opponent to be named in a four round Heavyweight bout.

Undefeated Israeli Lightweight, Oz Goldenberg (1-0) will take on debuting Mike Latorre of Scranton, PA

William Miranda (1-0) of Allentown, PA will take on debuting Carmen Marrero of Readinbg, PA in a four round Heavyweight bout.

Former Penn State offensive lineman, Imani Bell will be making his pro debut against Lee Thomas (1-3) of Saginaw, Michigan in a Heavyweight bout scheduled rounds.

Tickets for this memorable night of boxing are priced at $100, $75, and $50 and can be purchased at following locals:

Peltz Boxing (2501 Brown Street) 215- 765 -0922
The Arena (7 West Ritner St.) 267-687-7560
Joey Eye 267-304-9399
Don Elbaum 610-933-7510

The Arena is located at 7 West Ritner Street in Philadelphia

http://www.gofightlive.tv/showEvent.do?eventId=714
“The Uprising” Fighters Head to Australia
SYDNEY, Australia (July 07, 2010) – As Impact FC fighters get ready to rumble and head to Australia, they are rigorously training around the world preparing to bring the first-ever televised MMA event to Australia. The fighters are all top of their game ready to deliver non-stop action to those in Sydney, Australia, as well as to viewers around the world who will be tuning in to the live pay-per-view event on Saturday, July17th at 10PM ET, 7PM PT.

Along with their strength and conditioning routines, honed skills and unfailing determination, Impact FC fighters are also bringing along their social media savvy, sending daily tweets to fans and regularly updating their facebook pages. Thousands of MMA fans hungry for information have been populating Impact FC’s facebook page which features photos, videos, meet and greet dates and giveaway items. This gives fans an opportunity to follow the fighters every step of the way as the excitement builds toward the explosive July 17 bouts. For some of the fighters this is their first foray into the world of social media and they are learning the power it can pack to engage fans. To visit the Impact FC facebook page and stay updated on developing news, go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Impact-FC/117930254896775 and follow Impact FC on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/impact_fc

“The Uprising” features former UFC Champion and Hall of Fame Member, Ken Shamrock returning to the ring to take on former UFC Champion, Hall of fame member

and PRIDE Veteran, Pedro ”The Rock” Rizzo. In the Co-feature, English MMA fighter, Paul Daley who is ranked as the #8 welterweight in the world by Sherdog.com and ranked #5 by MMA Weekly will do battle with Brazilian MMA fighter, Daniel Acacio who is most notable for his fights in PRIDE Fighting Championships and his aggressive fighting style.

With a full card that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats, Uprising match-ups include, Pride K-1 and MMA legend Bob Sapp in a fight for dominance over Australian star and UFC veteran Soa “The Hulk” Palelei, DREAM Middleweight Champion, Paulo Filho will face dangerous striker, Denis Kang, Elite XC Champion and Pride veteran Murilo Ninja Rua with square off against former Ultimate Fighter Jeremy May, former UFC Champion and Pride veteran Murilo Bustamante will battle Jesse Taylor from the Ultimate Fighter, Australian kickboxing legend Peter Graham will fight the #1 ranked Heavyweight MMA fighter in Australia, Jim Yorke, popular MMA star Glover Teixeira is pitted against Croatian fighter from Perth Marco Peselj, Australian surfer and MMA star Richie “Vas” Vaculik is matched with Glenn Taylor-Smith, and Australia’s rising MMA star Shane Nix will face Sydney’s own Manuel Rodriguez.

“The Uprising,” is presented by Impact FC, Saturday, July 17th, 2010 at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT in the United States from local pay-per-view providers for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

Many expected Jersey City, NJ native Danny McDermott’s March 25 clash with Brian Miller to be his coming out party.

Local fans and media had taken an interest in the bout leading up to fight night. A raucous crowd was on hand to support him. The vacant World Boxing Foundation All Americas title was up for grabs, providing McDermott an opportunity to leave North Bergen’s Schuetzen Park Ballroom with a minor championship belt.

The popular lightweight had an opponent in front of him who at 7-0-3, was unbeaten but yet unproven. The Schenectady, NY native had just one victory over a fighter with a winning record and fought a toe to toe style, which is McDermott’s bread and butter. Having previously battled to draws in his opponents’ hometown, Miller’s toughness was without question, but this was supposed to be McDermott’s time to shine.

Things didn’t go as planned.

McDermott’s troubles started twenty four hours prior to fight night during the weigh in, initially coming in over the contracted limit before scaling in at 135 lbs on his second try. Members of his team attributed his weight struggles to the fact that he was seemingly working double duty since his wife Anette recently gave birth to their first child. With the responsibilities of caring for a newborn baby during the most crucial part of training camp, many would have withdrawn from the fight altogether. McDermott never consider that an option.

“Not once did I think about pulling out.” “To me it was a responsibility. (Regardless of what kind of shape I am in) I had to go in and fight. As a fighter you fight, as a father, you have to provide for your family whether you are tired or not.”

McDermott’s choice turned out to be bitter sweet.

He fought his heart out, but was in the squared circle with a better conditioned opponent. In a bout that epitomized the term “phone booth battle”, McDermott had spurts of success before fatigue prevented him from effectively neutralizing his volume punching opponent down the stretch. Miller ultimately earned a split decision in one of the Garden State’s most entertaining club fights in recent memory.

McDermott was clearly dejected by the defeat and even refused a post fight interview to this writer immediately following the bout’s completion. His night it wasn’t.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it stung a bit”, said McDermott, who fell to 8-2-1 (3 KO’s) following the defeat. “It’s boxing you have your good nights and your bad nights. Miller outhustled me for sure that night and I tip my hat off to him. I can admit that.”

With more than three months in the history books and an ample amount of time to recover, John Lynch of Pound 4 Pound Promotions worked out a deal for McDermott to return against hardcore veteran Marty Robbins this Saturday at the State Fairgrounds Sports Arena in Nashville, TN. Robbins has an unimpressive 23-46-1 record, but has swapped punches with world champions, title contenders and unbeaten prospects. The Tennessee native is a prototypical stepping stone opponent and can take a decent punch, making it to the final bell in 33 of his defeats.

Being the victor in the four round “keep busy” fight is expected but not guaranteed. He will enter the ring as the favorite, but also runs the risk of dropping a decision in his opponent’s hometown. McDermott has no logistical concerns.

“I am not worried whatsoever (about fighting in his hometown).” “The fight is to keep me busy to be honest with you. I plan on having more of these types of fights around different parts of the country. All the greats have done this. I’m just taking a page from them.”

If everything goes as planned against Robbins, all signs point to a rematch with Miler as part of the August 21 Tomasz Adamek-Michael Grant headlined card at the Prudential Center in nearby Newark, NJ. Upwards of 10,000 screaming fans flooded the very same arena to see Adamek defeat Jason Estrada in February. Each of the four times Adamek headlined in Newark, the attendance rapidly increased. With the potential of 12-15,000 fans in the arena, McDermott’s acknowledges there is no better time or place to seek revenge.

“I’d love to be on a big card like that, especially against Miller.” “I think the Prudential Center crowd would love a fight like that. What’s better than two guys who put everything on the line and go toe to toe for the love of the sport? I only can hope it happens.”

If the rematch – which according to reports, Miller initially rebuffed if it were to take place on McDermott’s turf – does happen, the latter recognizes he must come far better prepared than the first time around. His level of concentration would undoubtedly have to change and McDermott acknowledges that preparing for the rematch farther away from home would be a major x factor.

“The thing I would do differently is go away to training camp (to) get away from (the) distractions and get enough sleep every night. (This would enable me to) come in (tip top) shape; then you will see the difference.”

If Miller does in fact agree to a rematch and McDermott’s plan to prepare in a location far away from the many distractions in the New York metropolitan comes to fruition, the night of August 21 could very well be stolen by two lightweights that already displayed the willingness to duke it out as if there were no tomorrow.

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

Let’s face it. Boxing is seldom talked about on Sportscenter, hardly heard on sports radio, and rarely written about in newspapers. If you called up your local sports radio station and wanted to talk about the ‘sweet science,’ chances are you wouldn’t sniff a second of airtime – and you may even get a cheap laugh from the call screener. Conversely, if you wanted to talk about next year’s Super Bowl, you’d get right on the air.

But what if I told you there is a place where boxing cannot get shut out of the discussion? Better yet, what if I told you that place was accessible to all – a place where boxers, journalists, promoters, and fans can come together and collectively drive the discussion about boxing to the next level?

Well folks, it exists. It is called Twitter.

Besides the classic case of “open-mouth, insert-foot” a la Andre Berto after the Edwin Valero killings when he tweeted “R.I.P to Edwin Valero after killing his wife yesterday he just killed himself in jail today. WOW women are a Motherf***er boy RIP E.V.,” (a statement in which he obviously backed off of); Twitter doesn’t have much downside for athletes. It offers a free platform to help build their brand. It acts as a virtual soapbox for boxers to stand on and talk about their upcoming bouts and intentions. Everyone who follows another Twitter user does so willingly and presumably is interested in hearing what the other has to say. Therefore, for boxers, it can be an effective platform to promote themselves and try to gain recognition amongst both boxing heads, as well as the general public.

Some boxers have already recognized the power of social media and have used Twitter to intereact with their fans. Everything Andre Dirrell writes about on his Twitter account is read by 2,388 people. Whatever it is that Zab Judah decides to tweet about reaches 9,985 people. Amir Khan’s messages are delivered to 26,674. Never before has there been constant access to an audience like the access Twitter provides its users. However, unlike your typical average Joes, the use of Twitter by athletes provides them a tool for free advertising. I wonder how many of Zab Judah’s 9,985 followers will tune in to ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on July 16 to watch him take on Jose Santa Cruz simply because they were reminded by “Super” Judah himself via Twitter. Whatever that number is, it can only help the cause.

Keep in mind, this is a two-way street. Similar to how Twitter allows for boxers to reach an audience in a matter of seconds, fans and followers of fighters also have access to the athletes. While fighters have access to an audience at their fingertips, fans have direct access to the athletes. Most boxers I have come across that use the social networking website actively engage their followers, often fielding questions, and allow for sneak peeks into the life of a fighter.

For instance, back in February, I asked Paulie Malignaggi why he taunted Juan Diaz in the 6th round of their first bout, after he seemingly stunned the “Baby Bull”, instead of following up to try and stop the fight. Malignaggi replied in two separate tweets, “S**t happens lol, I knew I had him hurt but was covering up real well. next time it won’t happen. was a mistake on my part, but live and learn.”

On the promotional side, HBO Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions, and Top Rank, Inc. are three boxing forces that have fully immersed themselves into the world of social media. All of them have thousands of followers on Twitter whom they often interact with by posing questions and asking for their follower’s opinions. At times, they respond directly to suggestions and comments or even “re-tweet” a response, which allows for all of their followers to read someone else’s comments. Top Rank Live telecasts regularly show tweets directed at the broadcast between rounds. The constant engagement of promotional companies with fans keep boxing fans interested and talking about the sport, even during the summer months, when the sport seemingly dies down a bit.

Boxing will never get shut out of social media, like it has on television or terrestrial radio. All promotion companies should follow the lead of Top Rank Inc. and Golden Boy Promotions and establish a presence on social media sites. They risk little by investing time, money, and manpower into actively maintaining and using social media because everything they say on these websites will be read by thousands of people. Further, boxers should be excited and jump at the chance to grow their fan base by simply having an active Twitter account.

If used properly, Twitter can act as a complimentary outlet for promoting fights (just ask Malignaggi and Amir Khan, who, together created a buzz with their vicious war of words on Twitter). The boxing industry — fighters and promoters — need to continue to embrace social media and use this free media platform as best they can. The benefits far outweigh the costs.

I encourage you all to join social media revolution. See you there. Twitter.com/KyleKinder

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com disgraced former Welterweight champion, Antonio Margarito will appear before the Nevada Athletic Commission in effort of regaining his boxing license in that state.

“We have him on last because that will be the longest part of the meeting,” commission executive director Keith Kizer told ESPN.com on Tuesday.

“He’s going to have to answer some tough question here,” Kizer said. “He has to be here in person. It’s a heavy burden for him to satisfy, but it’s his burden to meet. He’ll have to explain anything the commissioners want to ask him about. I assume the commissioners will ask him a lot of questions. Some may be easy, some may be hard, but the burden is solely his.”

However, in the minutes before his fight with Shane Mosley on January 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, drama had unfolded in Margarito’s dressing room. It was there that Mosley trainer Naazim Richardson objected to the way Margarito’s left hand had been wrapped.

California officials eventually cut off the wrap to check it and discovered an illegal pad coated in a plaster-like substance, which had obviously escaped the notice of the commission inspector who oversaw the wrapping procedure. When the wrap on Margarito’s right hand was also cut off for examination, an identical illegal pad was also discovered.

Margarito’s hands we re-wrapped and he went on to lose the fight. Three weeks later, Margarito’s claim of ignorance at a hearing was rejected by the California State Athletic Commission and he had his license revoked in a 7-0 vote, as did trainer Javier Capetillo.

“I really believe he should get his license in Nevada,” Said Bob Arum, who promotes Maragrito. “He and his attorney will present the reasons and the Nevada commission will decide. We went to Nevada because that’s where we are planning for him to fight. If it’s not against Pacquiao in November, it would be against Cotto in December.

“I’m optimistic the Nevada commission will do the right thing, but I haven’t talked to anyone on the commission, not one person, and neither has [Top Rank president] Todd [duBoef].” Arum said they are approaching the Nevada commission now so they don’t have to rush like they had in Texas earlier this year.

“If Floyd elects not to step up to the plate and fight Pacquiao and Pacquiao elects to fight Margarito, if that happens, we need to make sure Margarito has a license,” Arum said. “You can’t go to Pacquiao and see if he will fight Margarito if the guy doesn’t even have a license. So we are doing this now instead of rushing around at the last minute.”

“This is not that different from other situations where people had things in their past that the commission wanted to ask them about before deciding about a license,” Kizer said. “We did it with people like Mike Tyson, Zab Judah and Roger Mayweather, who had all been disciplined in Nevada. Margarito’s situation was in California, but we have the same rules as they do. Margarito was revoked, and after a year you are free to apply anywhere. He sat out for [more than] a year, and now he can reapply.”

“They have full discretion and jurisdiction,” he said. “I know there will be a lot of people on both sides. If they do grant him a license, there will be a lot of people yelling, ‘They’re crazy for giving him a license.’ And if they don’t, there will be a lot of people yelling, ‘They’re crazy for not giving him a license.’ They’ll be criticized either way, so they don’t have to worry about it. The five commissioners will listen to what he has to say and make the decision.”

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Going into the Lion’s den is nothing new for Michael “The Great” Katsidis, it’s something he enjoys doing, it brings out the best in him. Recently that was very much the case when he defended his WBO Interim Lightweight crown against Britain’s highly thought of Kevin Mitchell in front of thousands of raucous fans at Upton Park home of Mitchell’s beloved West Ham soccer club. Katsidis 29, entered the ring as very much public enemy number one. That never bothered the battle tested Australian of Greek descent. For the first few rounds Katsidis took a look at what Mitchell had to offer before exploding early in the third, hurting Mitchell. Despite Mitchell valiantly trying to last the round he wasn’t able to as Katsidis got the stoppage and arguably his best win to date. After the impressive victory Katsidis hoped it would propel him into a Big summer fight with Amir Khan, up 5 pounds at Light Welterweight, however that never came to fruition. Now Katsidis has shifted his gaze to this summer’s Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz 2, he hope’s to fight the winner later this year.

Hello Michael, welcome back to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly congratulations on a tremendous win against Kevin Mitchell, how do you look back on that fight and how highly do you rate your performance?

Michael Katsidis – I rate the performance to where we were at in my training. I was stopping guys during sparring accidentally whereas in the past I had trouble with he same people. It just goes to show the hard work paid off and as expected we got the result on the night. I was prepared to fight hard for 12 rounds though I knew at some point Mitchell was bound to come on to one of my shots as I felt I had improved my power better than it was before.

Anson Wainwright – Apparently you had a really tough training camp in Thailand, can you tell us about this. How long were you there? What sort of things did you do during your stay?

Michael Katsidis – We did a lot of what we have always done. Basically I entered rugged tough training camps in Thailand after I has my first loss. I knew these were fights I believe didn’t show nearly my full potential. My career needed a rebirth and the only way I could do this was by isolating myself away from the luxury’s that most face in everyday lifestyle living in America. What we worked on there was very simple repetitious and hard. As it should be doing what we always did best.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about the occasion, how were you treated in London? What did you think of Upton Park and the atmosphere?

Michael Katsidis – In the lead up to the weigh in everything that went on was like back ground noise to me. Everything we had worked on over the hard 3 months sacrifice of being away from my wife and new baby daughter was about to pay it’s dividend. I made weight easily and stepped out to the arena then with one breath of fresh air everything around me had come to life, the wide open space of a 40,000 plus venue began one of the most thrilling rides of my life. From that moment to the time the referee waved the fight off was pure bliss. I want to go again! The people, love me or hate me, So many people so passionate about the sport. I love in one arena, something to remember indeed.

Anson Wainwright – Have you been able to go back to Australia because of the Volcano which disrupted everything in Europe?What are your thoughts on the Volcano?

Michael Katsidis – “I might not get to go home because of the volcanoes”. I couldn’t believe what I was saying after the fight. All this time and then the airports about to shut down due to volcanic eruptions. Incidentally at the same time there was news of extreme violence in Thailand where there was an official warning given to most tourists intending on landing in Bangkok. I wasn’t going to let this get the better of me. The morning after the fight I booked my flight direct to Japan to pick up my wife and daughter. 3 hours later the airports had closed. Fortunately the rest of team Katsidis had a safe return also.

Anson Wainwright – It was reported that your one of the leading contenders to fight Amir Khan in late July early August possibly in England again. Obviously that never worked out what are your thoughts on that possible fight and can you tell us had you been contacted regarding that fight?

Michael Katsidis – I believe there was discussion. But nothing serious was ever put to me about this. This is a great fight for England and if Amir wants to make a statement that fight is the one. Obviously Amir Khan’s camp isn’t serious about making that statement as yet. He’s a great fighter and has many great fights to come, this may become a reality. Well, the idea of it sounds great at least.

Anson Wainwright – Will it be a problem to fight up at 140? You seem a natural 135 where you are very strong would you not lose some of your advantages going up in weight?

Michael Katsidis – Of course Lightweight is my division. Others adapt differently, are more versatile. I can only comment on what I know works. I’m not a 140 fighter as yet. I will cross that bridge when it comes though I do know I will become one very strong wrecking ball making way, that I am sure of. Perhaps I will be better though, I am yet to have difficulty at my current weight.

Anson Wainwright – Where do you stand with regards your next fight?

Michael Katsidis – Normally I would have been preparing for my next bout though Paco of the WBO has ordered me to stand aside to fight the winner of the Diaz Marquez fight July 31st. As much as I would have loved to have been working on another great fight in England or the States I believe in the WBO and the wait will be worth it. for both myself and the fans of the sport.

Anson Wainwright – Since the Mitchell fight what sort of reaction have you got from fans where you’ve been?

Michael Katsidis – In England every cab driver or store attendant and people at the airport were stopping me to congratulate me on my efforts. From that to landing in Japan picking up my family then heading to my desert home out at Vegas I can honestly say I haven’t been around it. Being with my family has been day after day in paradise and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Anson Wainwright – Is there anyone you’d like to mention who helped you with preparations for the Mitchell fight?

Michael Katsidis – My family, my wife Kumi baby Kalia Brendon, Kerry, Noah and Tanner. My sparring partners Nestor Rocha, Brandon ‘Bone crusher’ Smith and of course the WBO.

Anson Wainwright – Finally what message do you have for your fans?

Michael Katsidis – Don’t die wondering.

Thanks for your time Michael, keep entertaining us.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, an agreement has been reached between Featherweight beltholder’s Yuriorks Gamboa and Elio Rojas in a bout that will take place on September 11 in a site to be determined.

“We’ve sent them a draft of the contract for them to review and we’re waiting for their comments, but we’ve agreed on the terms,” Carl Moretti of Top Rank, who promotes Gamboa told ESPN.com.

Before Salido got the fight with Gamboa, Rojas had been the target. However, according to Top Rank, issues between King and Rojas’ manager, along with the tight schedule, forced Top Rank to turn to Salido, who it also promotes.

Once Salido dropped out and there was more time to make a fight for Gamboa, Top Rank made another run at Rojas because that is who HBO preferred, Moretti said.

“Style-wise, Rojas presents Gamboa with a different kind of fight than Salido,” Moretti said. “Salido is right-handed and in front of you and can punch. Rojas is a lefty, he’s taller than Gamboa and not easy to hit. He’s more of a pure boxer.”

“It’s Gamboa’s title against Rojas’ title. Pretty simple,” Moretti said.

“It shows that they really believe they have a shot to win the fight, which they do,” he said.

“He wanted this fight. He wanted Gamboa or [titlist] ‘Juanma’ Lopez, and now he has one, and when he beats him, he would go for another unification fight,” Victor Rojas, Elio’s uncle and one of his representatives, told ESPNdeportes.com.

To prepare for the fight, Rojas has hooked up with a new trainer, the highly regarded Kevin Cunningham. Cunningham, who is training unified junior welterweight titlist Devon Alexander for his Aug. 7 fight with former titleholder Andreas Kotelnik in Las Vegas, said Rojas joined the camp on June 30.

“They called me and asked me if I would train him,” said Cunningham, who first met Rojas several years ago at King’s training facility in Orwell, Ohio. “Elio is a good kid. He watched the way I run my camps when we were in Ohio and he has wanted me to work with him and this opportunity came up.

“This could be a very, very good fight. You’ve got Gamboa, who’s coming in with good hand speed and he can punch and he has had his way with everybody he’s fought so far. But I think Elio is the most talented opponent Gamboa would have seen so far in his career, so I like Elio’s chances. He’s going to have to be at his best and extremely sharp, but I see a lot of mistakes that Gamboa makes. I got nine weeks to get Elio ready and he will be ready.”

The planned co-feature is a lightweight title eliminator between Anthony Peterson (30-0, 20 KOs), of Washington, D.C., and Brandon Rios (24-0-1, 18 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., both of whom are promoted by Top Rank. The winner is supposed to become the mandatory challenger for titlist Miguel Acosta, another Top Rank fighter.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former world Heavyweight title challenger, Chris Arreola will take on fellow Mexican-American Heavyweight Manuel Quezada on August 13 in a bout that will take place at the Citizens Business Bank Center in Ontario, California.

The bout will be braodcasted on ESPN 2.

“This fight is an opportunity for Cris to jump back into the thick of things with a win,” Dan Goossen, who promoted both Arreola & Quezada said. “And this is something Quezada has been asking for for quite awhile. He’s been asking to fight Cris. He feels like he’s taken a backseat to Cris and he thinks he’s just as interesting and aggressive and exciting as Cris is in the ring. I know that Cris has never had any problem fighting Manny, but it never worked out that way the last few years. Now, obviously, here it is. They’re both coming off very disappointing losses and they need to win this one.”

“Cris has to perform and also this is Manny’s big shot,” Said Henry Ramirez, who trains Arreola. “You’ve got two guys whose backs are against the wall, my guy and Manny. Whoever loses is basically done. But I’m hoping Cris knows his back is against the wall. Manny is a tough guy. I like Manny a lot and I respect him a lot. I know him well. He’s a good friend of mine. But Cris has been in the gym and sparring for about a week.

“I think Cris knows the only way to get back to those paydays he had and to get back into the limelight is for him to take the fight seriously and to pull his head out of his ass. Is it pulled out yet? Little by little it’s coming out. For this fight he hasn’t missed any workouts — yet. But I know Cris. Let’s see if he can take this seriously.”

“Our conversations with HBO, as it relates to the heavyweight division, is if you’re not out there giving 100 percent and showing that aggressive style and the ability to draw fans and ratings, that it’s a hard road back to HBO, and Cris knows that,” Goossen said. “I believe the winner of this fight comes right into a fight with Adamek, either a rematch for Cris or a shot for Manny. Cris would love to have that rematch and Manny would love to pull the upset on Aug. 13 and jump into Cris’ shoes.

“I think Aug. 13 is a springboard to having one of the fighters come out and say, ‘I’m ready to take on everybody and to do it in tip-top shape.’ ”

Arreola is 28-2 with twenty-five knockouts. Quezada is 29-5 with eighteen knockouts.