May 5, 2011,Las Vegas,Nevada — (L-R) Former world champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik, Youngstown,Ohio and Alfonso Lopez,Cut & Shoot,Texas pose during the press conference at the MGM Grand for their upcoming feature fight on the undercard of Pacquiao vs Mosley on Saturday, May 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs Mosley is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions,Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions,Tecate and MGM Grand. The Pacquiao vs Mosley telecast will be available live on SHOWTIME Pay Per View.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

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All participants for Star Boxing’s “Punchin at the Paradise” show at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, NY weighed in today at the NYS commission’s office. The show, which is the first of five scheduled at the Paradise Theater in 2011, is headlined by the much anticipated return of the Bronx’s Edgar Santana (24-3, 15KO’s) and also features Star Boxing’s undefeated knockout artists, Jason Escalera (10-0, 9KO’s) and Emanuel Gonzalez (7-0, 6KO’s) in separate bouts. The entire card will be available live on Go Fight Live. For more information visit www.GFL.tv. Below is the complete bout card for Thursday night’s show.

EDGAR SANTANA (L) VS. ROBERT JONES

Main Event – Welterweights
8 Rounds

Edgar Santana – 147 1/2 lbs.
Vs.
Robert Jones – 146 1/2 lbs.
____________________________

JASON ESCALERA (L) VS. MUSTAFAH JOHNSON

Super Middleweights
6 Rounds

Jason Escalera – 165 lbs.
Vs.
Mustafah Johnson – 166 lbs.
__________________________

EMANUEL GONZALEZ (L) VS. JACOB THORTON

Super Featherweights
6 Rounds

Emanuel Gonzalez – 131 lbs.
Vs.
Jacob Thorton – 132 lbs.
___________________________

Jr. Welterweights
6 Rounds

Issouf Kinda- 141 lbs.
Vs.
Jorge Ruiz – 142 lbs.
__________________________

Cruiserweights
6 Rounds

Stevins Bujaj – 198 lbs.
Vs.
Chuck Dillard – 196 lbs.
___________________________

Welterweights
4 Rounds

Stephen Owusu – 146 lbs.
Vs.
Juan Perez – 144 lbs.
_____________________________

*** ALL BOUTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

Tickets are priced at $30, $50 and $100 and can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at 718 823-2000, visiting www.starboxing.com or simply by CLICKING HERE: Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Paradise Theater box office, located at 2413 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, NY.

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at www.starboxing.com

– Thursday, May 5, 2011 8:00pm ET featuring Punchin at the Paradise 11 – Cinco De Mayo at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, NY. On Thursday night, May 5th, Edgar Santana, who once was considered one of the top Jr. welterweight prospects in the world makes his long awaited return to the ring after a three year absence when he takes on Robert Jones in an eight round main event. Santana built his reputation on the strength of a 21-2 record with wins over Francisco Campos (20-5-1); Mecaher Major (12-2) and Dairo Esales (30-6) before being shocked by Harrison Cuello. Before his hiatus, Santana won three straight against good competition which included a majority decision over world ranked Josesito Lopez. Jones has a record of 8-8-1 with three knockouts and has fought top competition. He has some solid wins such as a decision over undefeated Alfred Hall (2-0-2) and his last bout when he stopped Pete Cantu (16-6-1). Also on the card will be some of the best prospects in the New York area. Five undefeated prospects will headline the undercard such as: Super Featherweight Emanuel Gonzalez (7-0, 6 KO’s); Light Heavyweight Jason Escalera (10-0, 9 KO’s); Super Featherweight Danny Valle (4-0, 3 KO’s); Welterweight Issouf Kinda (9-0, 4 KO’s) as well as Cruiserweight Stivins Bujac (3-0, 2 KO’s) will see action against opponents to be named. Rounding out the card will be once-beaten Hajro Sujak (6-1, 2 KO’s)

– Saturday, May 7, 2011 7:00pm ET featuring Absolute Action MMA XIII at the Midwest Sports Complex in Florence, KY. This is a super-sized card featuring 23 bouts scheduled for the night. Fans will get to see both professional and amateur MMA from Kentucky’s leading MMA promotion. The event is headlined by 3 title fights in a tri-main event. Jessamyn “The Gun” Duke (2-1) battles Crystal Bentley (0-0) for the women’s 145 lb amateur title. In the men’s 145 lb division, James Ballinger (10-8) tangles with Jeremy Philpot (20-20) for the belt while in the final tri-main event Jerry “Shane” McClain (6-2) fights Shaun “Sugar” Asher (5-2) for the 185 lb championship. There are also several pro fights showcased on this packed card highlighted by The Ultimate Fighter cast member and undefeated fighter Tom Hayden (5-0) VS Harry Johnson (5-5). Christopher Bennett (3-2) battles Anthony Jones (3-3) and Marcus Finch (2-2) challenges Jamey Scruggs (2-0) in other scheduled pro bouts.

– Saturday, May 7, 2011 8:00pm ET featuring Fight Force International presents Blood and Sand IX at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in beautiful Biloxi, Mississippi. The 18-fight mega-event is headlined by some of the region’s top prospects. In the main event, Strikeforce vet and Mississippi-bred fighter, Wesley Little (3-5) battles Alabama’s Walt Harris (1-1) a chiseled juggernaut of a man, in a heavyweight throwdown. Little is looking to return to the national scene while Harris hopes to leapfrog the veteran Little and show why he is the top, young, heavyweight talent in the South. In the co-main event, Drew Wallace (4-1) combats Corey Holder (6-11) in another barnburner. Wallace is known for grinding out decisions while Holder has only had 2 of his 17 contests go the distance. Holder will be looking to execute his high risk/high reward fighting style on the more conservative Wallace. In other action Harris “The Sandman” Stephenson (1-0) challenges Brandon Sheffield (0-1) in a fight where both men are just beginning their MMA careers. With only one fight each, both Stephenson and Sheffield hope to impress the crowd with their performance on May 7 and create a grass roots name for themselves with the MMA community in Mississippi and the greater Gulf Coast area.

GFL now offers full access to over 5,000 fights for the low monthly price of $9.99 at www.GFL.tv

***GFL is a pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 950 live events with over 5,000 combat sports videos in 196 countries. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 1.8 million public viewers last year with now over 150 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL combat sports genres currently include Boxing, MMA and Professional Wrestling with plans to add more fight categories in 2011. GFL offers expanded programming to include: Daily News & Radio Shows with feature interviews and industry updates along with great Fight Photos, Fighter Videos and a robust Calendar of Upcoming Fight Events.

If Combat Sports is your game…Go Fight-Every Night with GFL Combat Sports Network

Join us at: www.facebook.com/gofightlive or for press inquiries contact press@gfl.tv

PACQUIAO MAKES HIS GRAND ARRIVAL” — Superstar Manny Pacquiao comes off the special Team Pacquiao bus and makes his “Grand Arrival” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Tuesday. Pacquiao takes on “Sugar” Shane Mosley in their upcoming World Welterweight mega fight on Saturday, May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs Mosley is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions,Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions,Tecate and MGM Grand. The Pacquiao vs Mosley telecast will be available live on SHOWTIME Pay Per View. —

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

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This Thursday night, Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, brings live professional boxing back to the Bronx, when it presents an exciting six bout card; the first of the 2011 “Punchin at the Paradise” fight series; at the historic Paradise Theater on Grand Concourse in the Bronx. The show is headlined by The Bronx’s Edgar Santana (24-3, 15KO’s) making his much anticipated return to the ring when he takes on Robert Jones in an eight round welterweight match-up.

Make his Star Boxing debut, and also fighting for the first time in front of his home fans since turning pro, will be the Bronx’s highly touted Puerto Rican, Emmanuel Gonzalez (7-0, 6KO’s). Gonzalez, who is a former NY Golden Gloves Champion, recently signed an exclusive promotional contract with Star Boxing after meeting with a number of other promoters looking to sign the unbeaten prospect. Gonzalez is set to square off against Jacob Thorton (2-3, 1KO) in a six round super featherweight showdown.

Another recent addition to the Star Boxing stable will make his debut under the promotional banner when super middleweight knockout artist, Jason “Monstruo” Escalera (10-0, 9KO’s) takes on Mustafah Johnson. The Puerto Rican Escalera, also a Golden Gloves Champion as an amateur, has been dismantling his opponents since entering the pro ranks in 2008. Escalera-Johnson is scheduled for six rounds.

The Bronx’s popular Albanian cruiserweight, Stivens “Superman” Bujaj (3-0, 2KO’s) will also see action on the card when he takes on Chuck Dillard over four rounds. The 20-year-old Bujaj turned pro in 2010 shortly after winning the NY Golden Gloves Championship. Like Gonzalez, it will be the first time Bujaj has the opportunity to fight in front of his hometown Bronx fans since turning pro.

Another undefeated up and coming prospect, Long Island’s, Issouf Kinda (9-0, 4KO’s) will also look to continue his winning ways when he takes on Jorge Ruiz in a six round jr. welterweight match-up.

Rounding out the card will be a neighborhood battle when the Bronx’s Stephen Owusu (6-6, 2KO’s) returns to the ring for the first time since 2000 when he takes on nearby Mount Vernon’s pro-debuting, Juan Perez. Owusu-Perez is scheduled for four rounds in the welterweight division.

Tickets are priced at $30, $50 and $100 and can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at 718 823-2000, visiting www.starboxing.com or simply by CLICKING HERE: Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Paradise Theater box office, located at 2417 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, NY.

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at www.starboxing.com

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT LIVE

On Thursday May5th, Star Boxing will kick off the much anticipated 2011 Punchin at the Paradise Series. Fighting in one of the featured undercard bouts of the evening will be hard-hitting super middleweight prospect, Jason “Montruo” Escalera (10-0, 9KO’s) as looks to impress in his Star Boxing debut when he takes on tough veteran Mustafah Johnson. Headlining the show will be the return of the Bronx’s fan-favorite, Edgar Santana (24-3, 15KO’s) as he looks to re-embark on his voyage towards boxing supremacy when he takes on Robert Jones in an eight round welterweight match-up. Escalera-Johnson is scheduled for six rounds in the super middleweight division.

“We had Jason on one of our shows last year, but this will be his first since signing with us,” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO and President of Star Boxing. “This will be Jason’s first fight in New York, and for those who haven’t seen him fight before, you that you are going to be in for a real treat. In addition to him being an up and coming prospect, he has an extremely exciting and fan-friendly style, which we feel will make him an instant hit with our fans at the Theater. Our fans have become accustomed to seeing exciting action-packed fights at our Punchin at the Paradise series, and Jason will produce exactly that.”

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican Escalera carries absolute dynamite in both hands. After winning the 2007 NJ Golden Gloves Light Heavyweight Championship he turned pro just a year later, scoring the first of his nine knockouts against Jeff Gross in February of 2008. Escalera, who has spent his entire life living in Union City has made a name for himself throughout the New Jersey gym scene, sparring with a number of the state’s top pro prospects, including multiple training camps with four-time super middleweight title challenger, Omar Sheika. The fight on the 5th will mark Escalera’s first outside of New Jersey, and first since signing with Star Boxing. Escalera has promised to bring the excitement with him across the river and start making a name for himself throughout the New York fight scene.

Tickets are priced at $30, $50 and $100 and can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at 718 823-2000, visiting www.starboxing.com or simply by CLICKING HERE: Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Paradise Theater box office, located at 2417 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, NY.

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at www.starboxing.com

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that discussions for the 140-pound unification bout between Timothy Bradley and Amir Khan have been extended until Wednesday at 4pm eastern after Monday’s deadline came and went without a deal.

The fight is tentatively scheduled for July 23rd in Las Vegas, Anaheim or Los Angeles.

Khan has already reached an agreement with his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions while Bradley is still mulling over an offer which will pay him $1.3 million.

“HBO asked me to extend the deadline with the understanding that if Bradley doesn’t take it we will go forward and lock in another opponent for Amir for July 23,” Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions said. “Bradley was calling out Amir for so long and questioned if Amir would ever fight him and then Amir agrees to fight him and agrees to terms, and Bradley doesn’t. I find that ironic.”

“I’m going to have to call my fighter and see if I can get him here sooner than later,” said Cameron Dunkin, who manages Bradley and lives in Las Vegas. “I don’t think he’s coming in until Thursday night, so a deadline of Wednesday at 4 isn’t going to do us any good. Timmy’s perspective is that he needs some time to think about it and what he wants to do with his career. There are issues for us to discuss. But I want to get this worked out. I would have liked to see him get more money for this fight, but that’s obviously not what they’re going to do.”

“We’ll see Amir in Las Vegas this weekend. He’ll be at the boxing writers’ dinner to receive his fight of the year award and we will have some conversations with him about what he wants to do if Bradley does not take the fight,” Schaefer said. “I’ve already had some conversations with Amir and his father and the fact is they don’t care who they fight. They will fight anyone. It is refreshing to have a fighter like that.

“Khan is ready and willing to fight Bradley. That’s the fight HBO wants to buy. But if Bradley does not take the fight, HBO is not going to punish Amir. He’s willing to take the fight they want. It’s not Amir turning down the fight, so he will still fight July 23. I don’t know what is going on with Bradley. I know Timothy Bradley is a terrific young man and a great fighter and $1.3 million is a very good purse. It would be the biggest purse of his career.”

“Team Pacquiao bus ready to roll” — Superstar Manny Pacquiao’s custom Team Pacquiao bus gets ready to roll out of the Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood Monday and head to Las Vegas. Paqcuiao takes on “Sugar” Shane Mosley in their upcoming World Welterweight mega fight on Saturday, May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs Mosley is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions,Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions,Tecate and MGM Grand. The Pacquiao vs Mosley telecast will be available live on SHOWTIME Pay Per View.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Carlos Molina scored a seventh round stoppage over Allen Conyers in a scheduled ten round Jr. Middleweight bout at The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Molina controlled the first couple of rounds by just touching Conyers. A cut was opened up over Molina’s right eye at the end of round three from an accidental headbutt. Conyers briefly got into the fight as he scored a knockdown in round four when he landed a right hand that made Molina’s glove touch the canvas.

Molina recovered and was the boss through the rest of the fight. In round seven, he landed a hard right that pushed Conyers back that forced referee Tony Weeks to stop the bout at 2:09 of round seven.

Molina, 151 lbs of Chicago, IL is now 18-4-2 with six knockouts. Conyers, 150 lbs of Bronx, NY is now 12-5.

Undefeated Lightweight Hylon Williams Jr. remained that with an eight round unanimous decision over Marcos Herrera.

Williams bloodied the nose of Herrera in round one and showed superior handspeed and landed quick three and four punch combinations to the head and body of the durable and tough Herrera.

Williams, 134 lbs of Houston, TX won by scores of 79-73; 79-73 and 77-75 to go to 14-0. Herrera, 135 lbs of Denver, CO is now 6-5-1.

Glendy Hernandez scored a four round unanimous decision over Ken Frank in a lackluster Heavyweight bout.

Hernandez, 238 1/2 lbs of Guantanamo, CUBA won by scores of 40-36; 39-37 and 39-37 to go to 7-0.

Frank, 287 1/2 lbs of Alberta, Canada is now 4-2-1.

CLICK TO WATCH THE SHOW FOR FREE AT 6PM EASTERN
Tonight’s show at Gleason’s Gym is an All Female Event.

The first bout will begin at 6:00PM.

The show is sanctioned by USABoxingMetro.

The ticket price is $20 per person. Children 6 and under are not charged. All gym members and registered amateurs with their books in hand pay $15 per person.

This show will be shown live and free of cost on: www.gofightlive.tv . The blow by blow for these fights will be done by our very own Champion Sonya Lamonakis.

Our next event will be the Personal Trainers Boxing Certification Clinic.

This will be held the weekend of May 13, 14 and 15, 2011. The certification will be conducted by Joe Higgins of USABoxingMetro.

April 29,2011, Hollywood,California — “Wildcard Boxing Club is Comedy Central” — Superstar Manny Pacquiao(R) runs thru a comedy skit about proper food and fitness with Norm Macdonald(L), host of “Sports Show with Norm Macdonald” at the
Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood,Ca. Friday. The segment will air next Tuesday on Comedy Central. Pacquiao is at the Wildcard preparing for his upcoming World Welterweight mega fight against “Sugar” Shane Mosley on Saturday, May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs Mosley is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions,Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions,Tecate and MGM Grand. The Pacquiao vs Mosley telecast will be available live on SHOWTIME Pay Per View

Photo By Chris Farina / Top Rank

Superstar Manny Pacquiao arrives for his appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show from Hollywood,California Thursday night. Pacquiao prepares for his upcoming World Welterweight mega fight against “Sugar” Shane Mosley on Saturday, May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs Mosley is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions,Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions,Tecate and MGM Grand. The Pacquiao vs Mosley telecast will be available live on SHOWTIME Pay Per View.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Former Light Heavyweight champion Zsolt Erdei and Super Middleweight contender Allen Green will headline the off-tv undercard of the Carl Froch – Glen Johnson Super 6 Super Middleweight tournament in Atlantic Coty on June 4.

Erdei will take on former Super Middleweight champion Byron Mitchell in a ten round bout.

Zsolt needs to fight and stay active and stay in the consciousness of fans, plus he will be on the international broadcast,” said Lou DiBella, who promotes Johnson, Erdei and Green. “And last time he fought in Atlantic City, he brought a big crowd. So the idea is to get him a fight against a recognizable opponent, which Mitchell is, and wait our turn for something bigger.”

“We’re also in position to fight an eliminator in another organization after June 4, so we just have to keep him active and in front of people and he will get a big fight,” DiBella said.

A look at the television schedule preceding the Live Pacquiao Vs. Mosley PPV event:

Saturday, April 30

8 p.m. ET/PT: FIGHT CAMP 360°: Pacquiao vs. Mosley – Episode 3 on CBS.
10 p.m. ET/PT: FIGHT CAMP 360°: Pacquiao vs. Mosley – Episode 3 on SHOWTIME.

Friday, May 6

6 p.m. ET/PT: Pacquiao vs. Mosley Weigh-In Live on SHOWTIME EXTREME hosted by James Brown.
10 p.m. ET/PT: FIGHT CAMP 360°: Pacquiao vs. Mosley – Episode 4 on SHOWTIME.

Saturday, May 7

2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT: FIGHT CAMP 360°: Pacquiao vs. Mosley – Episode 4 on CBS.
7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT: Pacquiao vs. Mosley Red Carpet Show Live on SHOWTIME EXTREME hosted by Mario Lopez and Ines Sainz with undercard bouts, celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT: Pacquiao vs. Mosley on SHOWTIME PPV.

Playback Instructions:

U.S. Toll Free: 800-355-2355

International: 402-220-2946

Playback Passcode: 40142#

*The Playback will be available for: 10 days.

SHOWTIME Sports® held a media conference call on Thursday to announce the SHOWTIME PPV® telecast announce team for the upcoming marquee boxing event featuring global superstar and Philippine Congressman Manny Pacquiao and three-division world champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley on Saturday, May 7.

James Brown, the host of the popular weekly series Inside The NFL on SHOWTIME and THE NFL TODAY on CBS, will quarterback the May 7 SHOWTIME PPV four-fight telecast. The last boxing event he worked was between Shane Mosley and Fernando Vargas in 2006. An enthusiastic mainstay on CBS and SHOWTIME, Gus Johnson will call all the action from ringside. Al Bernstein, a well-respected boxing historian who has called more than 2,500 fights during his 30 years behind the ringside microphone, will provide the fight analysis alongside Antonio Tarver, a former undisputed light heavyweight world champion who has taken to his television role as “third man in the booth.” The Emmy® Award-winning Jim Gray will serve as the back-stage, ringside and in-ring reporter for the event. (See attached document for more bio information on each announcer).

Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs), of Pomona, Calif., in the main event at the sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions, Tecate and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs. Mosley will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV®.

Closed circuit tickets, priced at $50, are on sale and available at all Las Vegas MGM Resorts properties.

The Pacquiao vs. Mosley pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV®. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. For Pacquiao vs. Mosley fight week updates, log on to www.sports.SHO.com or www.toprank.com.

Highlights of what the participants had to say on Thursday:

KEN HERSHMAN, Executive Vice President and GM of Sports Programming at Showtime:

“We think we’ve assembled the best announce team in all of sports for this event. SHOWTIME started in boxing 25 years ago and since then we’ve evolved and grown and are now covering five different sports. But boxing continues to be the rock and the foundation of SHOWTIME Sports and we are very proud of our history.

“As far as pay-per-view goes we have five of the top 10 most watched pay-per-view events of all time and we think that Pacquiao-Mosley will become number six. The promotion for May 7 is really humming along. We haven’t even seen the whole breadth of what is coming over the next few days and next week. We are bringing a broader promotional aspect to this event than ever seen before, especially with the help of our sister network CBS.”

JAMES BROWN:

“I am thrilled to be back in the boxing arena both figuratively and literally. I am just so thankful that Ken Hershman has drafted me to come back and host this and clearly to be accepted by the regular team anchored by Gus and Al and Antonio and, of course, Jim Gray, all of whom I have worked with over the years – that’s a good thing as far as the camaraderie to be associated with this fight.

“To me, of all the sports I’ve been blessed to cover there is nothing like a championship fight with the energy in the arena and to also be seeing one of the all-time greats in Manny Pacquiao. I’m just really looking forward to this.

Shane has already mentioned another fight with Mayweather and a possible rematch with Manny. How much longer do you think Shane Mosley can continue fighting?

Tarver: “As long as Shane can get in there and protect himself and show what’s he’s capable of doing then you know the sky’s the limit. If he sees in his heart that he can beat Pacquiao and would want to fight him again, that just shows that he still has the passion and still has the confidence in himself. As long as he can do it physically, God bless him. That’s my take on him.”

What challenges does he face in his late 30s than he had in his 20s?

Tarver: “Well, when we were younger we could do this in our sleep. There was really no competition when we were amateurs and we were both the best. Now it’s a business and you’ve got guys like Pacquiao and Mayweather on top. So now he has to climb those extra steps to solidify himself as the best. He has a great opportunity.”

Al, tell us a little bit about the WBO super bantamweight title fight on the undercard between Jorge Arce and Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.

Bernstein: “Obviously there has been a lot made recently of the fact that boxing has to do a better job on the undercards of these major events so that the casual boxing fan that comes can really see other great fights. Not just the main event. And I think this card will accomplish that. One of these fights is Arce-Vazquez. For the uninitiated, Wilfredo Vazquez’s father was a great, great world champion and he’s following in his footsteps. Jorge Arce was a former flyweight champion who is jumping up in weight to fight for the WBO super bantamweight title. The thing that makes this compelling, and I think more than anything is the part that people want to see on these pay-per-views, is that both these fighters will engage much like Pacquiao-Mosley will in a real shootout. Jorge Arce only has problems when he fights boxers who have hand speed and movement and all the rest. When they’re in front of him he makes for exciting and excellent fights. Fifty-six times he’s won so he’s a terrific fighter. What this fight also is about is Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. stepping up to center stage and seeing how he performs. He’s already won a championship but at 26 he could be in a general weight division with guys like Juan Manuel Lopez, Gamboa and the others, to maybe step up as a real star. So we’ll watch and see if he does.”

Gus, What is the difference in calling boxing play-by-play as opposed to the NFL or basketball or some of the others sports you’ve covered?

Johnson: “What makes boxing so special as compared to those others sports is the intimacy in the arena. It’s like we’re all connected more than the others. Certainly a college basketball game or an NFL game with 70,000 fans you feel that but with boxing the focus is on just two guys instead of 10. The two guys are in there and at the top of their game and taking risks. Everybody knows it and everybody can see it and feel it. And that’s what makes boxing so special; the anticipation and not only the anticipation but of the actual moment coming together for these two men who are in the ring. There’s nothing like a championship fight like James Brown said. As far as Pacquiao-Mosley, I’ve got to pinch myself to realize that I’m working this fight. I have a lot of friends and people who come up to me and say, ‘Hey, are you going to watch the Pacquiao-Mosley fight?’ I have to chuckle and say, ‘No, I’m not going to only watch it, but I’m going to call it.’ So I’m just so happy to be a part of this event.”

Jim, what do you expect to hear from the fighters just an hour before they go on?

Gray: “Well, we’ll have to see how things develop during fight week and at the weigh-in and to see the Fight Camp 360s and be able to determine from there. I think age is going to be a factor. Mosley is going to be a 40-year-old man in September and he’s 9-6-1 over the past 10 years. So I think people want to know: Could age be a factor? He’s been in 12 rounds fights five of his last six fights so he’s obviously been in good shape later on in his career. As for Manny, I think the big thing is expectations. I mean, ask Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan about expectations. Everybody always expects you to win and that’s a very difficult place to start from. So those are some things I think we’ll touch on and I think we’ll know a little bit more as the week goes on.”

How have the ratings been on CBS and SHOWTIME for Fight Camp 360°:

Hershman: “We’ve been working hard for a long time to make SHOWTIME boxing and SHOWTIME Sports the best that we can possibly make it and we think that we’ve put on some of the best boxing events of all time. Pay-per-view has never really been the primary objective. Pay-per-view has been an opportunity for us to make sure we continue to deliver to our subscribers the best boxing on television. But fighters of the caliber of Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley are not fighting on premium television, they are fighting on pay-per-view. So we are thrilled to move them over here for what we think will be the biggest boxing event in years. Through the synergies between CBS and SHOWTIME we feel we can promote and market this event like no one else can and that’s an important factor for us. We have what we feel is the biggest franchise there is in mixed martial arts with Fedor Emelianenko. Despite his two losses he remains a superstar and his ratings on SHOWTIME prove it. We have the best NFL show. We have the best NASCAR show on television by far and we have this new Major League Baseball show that we’re launching with the world champion San Francisco Giants. So Manny fits perfectly into that whole formula. He is the biggest name in boxing and he transcends the sport.

“To talk about Fight Camp 360°; it’s been well received by the critics and more importantly well received by the people who watch it. It’s not a fabricated or staged environment. It’s really what you see is what happens in the day-to-day lives of the fighters and their families and their camps. The ratings have been good. We expect them to grow as the episodes appear more over these next eight days. We’re in the process of assembling all the viewership data. We’ve aired it everywhere: on CBS, on SHOWTIME, on the web so we haven’t collected all that data yet, but we will and we’ll have some better answers for you. But so far the ratings have been strong and we expect them to get better.”

Is there anything Mosley can do that could result in an upset?

Bernstein: “As you know, boxing is all about the styles. And he and Floyd Mayweather in the younger days would have matched up better but Mosley as an older fighter had his moments with him because he did hurt him very badly in that one round. But Floyd Mayweather is a defensive genius and he was able to continue on in that fight and make it a one-sided fight. The difference is in the styles of the two fighters. Manny Pacquiao, while he has reinvented himself into being one of the best boxer-punchers in the sports in years, he still attacks. He will get hit with right hands from time to time. And Shane Mosley makes the case that Antonio Margarito landed more punches in the last fight than anyone else has in the last three or four years. And his point is that if Antonio Margarito can land those punches, I have better hand speed. And at 39 he probably does have better hand speed. His feeling is that he can still land punches and make them count. I think we’re going to find out about this fight over the first five or six rounds because Shane Mosley is going to land a solid right hand. And we’re going to see if it impacts Pacquiao. We haven’t seen Shane Mosley for awhile be really effective with his left hook, which is a hugely powerful punch. I think that’s the secret weapon or secret surprise that he and his trainer Nazim (Richardson) are working on. Everybody expects the right hand to land. I think that Shane Mosley is going to surprise us in his strategy and try to land all these left hooks to the body and to the head. I think they believe Pacquiao is not expecting that. Whether or not he’s successful at it or not remains to be seen. Either way this should be an action fight because of Pacquiao’s style.”

Antonio, you’ve seemed to really come into your own with your job as an announcer. Where do you see yourself taking it in the future?

Tarver: “When I look at this broadcast team I think of the camaraderie and this teamwork. It’s just made it really comfortable for me to work with such pros who are at the top of their game. I can’t say enough about how guys like Gus Johnson and Al Bernstein and Jim Gray and Steve Farhood have made this such an easy transition into what I’m doing and trying to find my niche. The preparation is the key. To work hard and really want to work at it to be the best that I can be. I don’t want to bring these guys down so I really try and work hard and be as good I can be. But these guys have really welcomed me with open arms and have made it somewhat of an easy transition.”

Do you think Pacquiao has remained the best fighter in the world over the past three years?

Bernstein: “I think Nazim said it best recently. Floyd Mayweather is the most talented in the world today and Manny Pacquiao is the best fighter in the world. I’ll go with that statement. Clearly, you can’t take anything away from Floyd Mayweather as a skilled boxer. He is just superb. He does just about everything right. But Manny Pacquiao has performed more. I’ve never seen a fighter reinvent himself like Manny Pacquiao. To me that’s an extraordinary thing. I have to say at this juncture it’s Pacquiao one and Mayweather two in the polls. That doesn’t mean Pacquiao would beat Mayweather in the ring. That’s a whole different debate entirely. It just means that because Pacquiao has been a little bit more active and a little bit more consistent and has fought just about every conceivable fight, I have to vote for Pacquiao.”

Do you have to put Pacquiao among the all-time greats in boxing?
Gray: “Having won eight titles I think you have to. It’s been remarkable what the guy been able to do. He’s fought everyone that’s been in front of him. Let’s see what happens down the road with Mayweather but the answer to that question is yes. Just go back and look at all these fights and see how he’s done it and I think you have put him right up there in that sentence. You could argue a lot of people but he would be in that argument.”

Johnson: “I think Mayweather and Mosley’s styles are very different. I think the great thing about Pacquiao, as Al and Jim have stated so eloquently, I think Manny has fought everyone and he’s always been able to adjust. I think that at 39 Shane Mosley is going to bring his best. I think he’s going to come out sharp and he’s going to be really prepared. He does have great hand speed and if he can pull the trigger like he did when he fought Margarito, then this could be something to really see. To me, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao getting into the ring, that’s a whole different mention. It’s something that we all obviously want to see and it’s something that has the potential to be a fight of the century type thing. So I wouldn’t necessarily compare Floyd and Shane but I think individually we’re going to see a great fight from Shane with Manny and if it ever happens with Floyd and Manny.”

How hard was it to put this all together with CBS?

Hershman: “Oh, like way hard (laughter). I think the interesting thing about CBS, to be serious, is that a lot of companies talk synergy and they buy all these assets and they talk about how they’re going to work great together and then they all internally fight with each other and nobody ends up doing anything. And I’ve been part of those organizations. But the real uniqueness with CBS is that when we presented this opportunity there wasn’t a push-back or resistance. It was really more excitement and encouragement and them saying, ‘OK, what can we do?’ We actually had to scale back some of the things their divisions wanted to do because we just weren’t ready to get there yet. But we will in the future. The company just works together really well and they get it and the priorities were met and exceeded and I couldn’t be more pleased. I wish I could sit here and say it was some monumental task that I was able to pull off and that we overcame but to be honest it really wasn’t. It was quite well received and handled really, really well and we’re excited to see it all come to fruition on May 7 and I think it’s going to be all pretty impressive.”

Antonio, what advice would you give Mosley?

Tarver: “I think he just has to stay mentally focused. He has to fight smarter and not harder. He’s not going to be able to just sit there and match Pacquiao power for power. He’s going to have to set some traps and hopefully he walks into them. I think he definitely has the boxing IQ to do that. And I think that’s what makes this fight so intriguing. I’m looking for a heck of a fight on May 7.”

“I think Mosley is coming in with a lot of confidence that he was able to knock out a guy (Margarito) that Pacquiao was unable to stop. I think Margarito also got some really good shots in on Pacquiao. I think the one punch that Pacquiao gets hurt with and which (Joshua) Clottey used very well was that uppercut. I think that Mosley is going to have to throw that a lot – and often and in close. I think that is the only avenue that they cannot protect is up the middle.”

Do you think Pacquiao can be the first one to knock out Mosley?

Bernstein: “I think he wants to. Freddie Roach has talked about it a lot. That’s the marketing goal here. When I interviewed Freddie at Wild Card he made it a big point in saying that if he knocked out Shane Mosley it ratchets up the marketing for Floyd Mayweather to come and fight them and in some fashion it makes that fight even more feasible. So I think they want to do that and will try and do that, but it’s not going to be an easy task. And I don’t think they will consciously go after it but I think it’s in the backs of their minds and they would like to do it. But if he does do it I think it will be because of the volume of punches.”

What about all the distractions Manny has going on in his life?

Bernstein: “I’ve never seen a guy compartmentalize life better than Manny Pacquiao. I mean, it’s actually staggering. When you’re around him there seems to be a stoicism that envelopes him. When you think about this announce team, we all have many different projects and things that we do and different people we answer to. When you think about Manny, he holds an elected office position, he’s a champion boxer, a singer, he’s been in movies in the Philippines and all his humanitarian works and somehow he seems to center himself for these fights. And I think it’s amazing how both he and Freddie have said that this is the best training camp they’ve ever had.”

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Reigning WBO Super Bantamweight Champion and female boxing sensation Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton will be on hand at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada on Friday night to show her support for fellow Wild Card Boxing Club fighter Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin as he takes on former title challenger Jesse Brinkley for the vacant USBO Super Middleweight title.

Julaton has seen first hand the dedication Quillin has to his craft in training, and looks forward to seeing the super middleweight prospect apply that hard work in the ring Friday night. “I know from watching him personally that he trains really hard,” says Julaton. “One thing I really like about him is that he is a really positive guy. Anytime he gets interviewed, he is conscious of the position he is in, but he always makes a statement on really positive things. I think because of that, he has a good aura and a good mindset and will do really well. I am real excited for him. I wish him all the best.”

Julaton was at the Wild Card when Quillin first arrived from the East Coast and, like many others at the gym, was impressed right off the bat. “It was almost like a trial period for him,” recalls Julaton. “Freddie [Roach] stalked him out and cornered him. They put him into the ring right away, setting him up for some sparring. And he did a lot of rounds. He goes in there, and it looked like he was ready to knock these guys out, and I think Freddie was real impressed with that. He knows out to set up his punches, time them and set them up.”

It was nearly a year ago when Julaton first saw Quillin in Hollywood. When Julaton went back to the Wild Card as she prepared to defend her WBO title, which she did successfully this past February, she was impressed with how much Quillin had improved. “In my last camp when I saw him earlier this year, he stayed consistent,” says Julaton. “He looked like he was putting his punches together. Before he seemed like more of a counter-puncher, but now it looks like he uses a lot more combinations and uses side movement more and using his distancing a little more.”

While Julaton admittedly has seen little of Jesse Brinkley in recent years, she is confident her gym mate Quillin has what it takes to move past the Reno favorite. “I know Brinkley is from Reno, so he has the hometown crowd advantage,” says Julaton. “It will be interesting to see what kind of crowd he has. I know Quillin is going in there, like the superstar that he is, he is going to go out there looking to make a statement. I think it’s going to be a great fight. I think Brinkley is going to fight him, and Quillin is going to use the boxing skills he has been honing for the last few months. He is a positive person and takes his training seriously and I am looking for big, bright things from him.”

For more information on Ana Julaton, please visit AnaJulaton.com or find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/AnaJulaton

“Brinkley vs. Quillin” will be held at the Reno Events Center in Downtown Reno. The fight will be televised on Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo series. Check local listings. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, or by visiting the Silver Legacy or Reno Events Center box office during hours of operation. Prices are $33.25, $63.25, and $103.25. Doors open at 6pm, first bell at 7pm. The card is being presented by Don Chargin Productions, Golden Boy Promotions, Let’s Get It On Promotions, PR Entertainment, The Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and The Circus Circus Hotel Casino.

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT CARD
Joe DeGuardia, CEO and President of Star Boxing, has added yet another unbeaten prospect to his growing stable of fighters, the latest being former NY Golden Gloves Champion, and hot Puerto Rican prospect, Emanuel Gonzalez (7-0, 6KO’s). Gonzalez will make his Star Boxing debut on the first show (May 5th) of the 2011 “Punchin at the Paradise” fight series at the historic Paradise Theater located on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx. Gonzalez will take on Jacob Thorton in a six round super featherweight match-up.

“Emanuel Gonzalez seems to have everything you look for in a fighter, he has the potential to be the complete package,” stated DeGuardia. “He can box, he can bang, he has very fast hands and he can knock you out with either one of them. We are excited to feature him on our May 5th Bronx show, and believe he will quickly become a fan-favorite as well as an integal part of our series at the Paradise Theater.”

Gonzalez a former NY Golden Gloves Champion, turned pro in December of 2008 scoring the first of his seven career knockouts when he stopped Jean Ramos in the third round of their scheduled four rounder. In his last bout, Gonzalez picked up a win in his native Puerto Rico over Pedro Salcedo.

Gonzalez is lucky number seven on the list of undefeated prospects DeGuardia has added within in the last year, as he joins Chris Algieri (11-0, 6KO’s, jr. welterweight), Brandon Gonzales (14-0, 10KO’s, middleweight), Jason Escalera (10-0, 9KO’s, super middleweight), Jean Paul Mendy (29-0-1, 16KO’s, super middleweight), Sakhib Usarov (15-0, 6KO’s) and Joe Hanks (16-0, 11KO’s, heavyweight).

Tickets are priced at $30, $50 and $100 and can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at 718 823-2000, visiting www.starboxing.com or simply by CLICKING HERE: Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Paradise Theater box office, located at 2417 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, NY.

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at www.starboxing.com

– Friday, April 29, 2011 9:00pm ET featuring Crowbar MMA – Spring Brawl 2011 at the Scheels Arena in Fargo, ND. Along with a great night of fights featuring a 10-fight card, Crowbar MMA has added another attraction for the evening’s festivities. The award winning band Firehouse will be playing directly after the event for the in-house audience. The main event features a heavyweight throw down between UFC veterans James “The Hammer” McSweeney (4-6) VS. Francisco “Kiko” France (6-1). Both McSweeney and France are looking to launch powerful bombs in each other’s direction so this night will be full of fireworks. In the co-main event Tat “Mean Bean” Romero (16-3) fights Bellator vet Chris Page (2-4) in what is sure to be a barnburner as these two fighters always compete in overdrive. The card also has a pair of women’s fights with world-ranking implications. #3 Shana “Rock Solid” Olsen (3-1) battles Elaina “Beef” Maxwell (4-4) in one fight while #9 Barb “Little Warrior” Honchak (3-1) squares off against Nina Ansaroff (1-1).

– Friday, April 29, 2011 6:00pm ET featuring Semi Finals – 3FC/Sportfight X Tournament at The Grand Hotel & Convention Center, Pigeon Forge, TN. The tournament features some outstanding fights and fighters from Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Alabama. In the 155 Grand Prix Semi Finals, we have Itai Tirado fighting out of Nemesis MMA and Scott Holtzman fighting out of Shield Systems. Both fighters are undefeated and highly touted prospects in the division. Also fighting is two of the South East’s very best in Team Bushido’s super striker Tyler Wilson and number one ranked and undefeated stud Jesse Grissom out of Team Truth! This bout will also be for the ISKA Tennessee State Title! Billy Mullins fighting out of Fit Factory will look to avenge an early loss from James Foy, of Team ROC. Both guys are ranked in the ATO.COM’s top ten list and have come along tremendously since locking horns early in their careers. Look for a WAR in this one! On the other side of the bracket we have Alex Anderson from Nemesis MMA looking to continue his winning streak by taking out former number one ranked Chris Hall, fighting out of IMA. Hall is coming off an upset loss and has promised the best performance of his career! Fighting for the 125 3FC title will be the two hottest prospects in the South East. D’Angelo Bynum out of Cook’s Impact will face Cody Chessor out of Team Bushido.

– Saturday, April 30, 2011 3:45pm ET featuring ECWA 15th Anniversary Super 8 at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ. WWE Hall of Fame Diva, Sunny, hosts the event which consist of TWA and ECWA wrestlers. Many of wrestling’s biggest stars gained their first fame at the Super 8 including Fallen Angel, Christopher Daniels (1999 finalist, 2000 & 2004 champion), Low-Ki aka Kaval & Senshi (2001 Champion), AJ Styles (2002 Finalist), Matt Hardy (1999 Semi-Finalist), Jeff Hardy (1999 Quarter-Finalist), America Dragon, Bryan Danielson aka Daniel Bryan (2001 Finalist), Jerry Lynn (2007 Champion), Davey Richards (2006 Champion) and many more. And this year’s field of 8 competitors is arguably the best yet: Tommaso Ciampa; Sami Callihan; Adam Cole; SHOCKWAVE the Robot; Rich Swann; Bobby Shields; Shiima Xion; Austin Aries.

GFL now offers full access to over 5,000 fights for the low monthly price of $9.99 at www.GFL.tv

***GFL is a pioneer in Internet Sports Broadcasting. Over the years GFL has broadcast more than 950 live events with over 5,000 combat sports videos in 196 countries. GFL is especially proud to have served greater than 1.8 million public viewers last year with now over 150 combat sports related website affiliates in its network. GFL combat sports genres currently include Boxing, MMA and Professional Wrestling with plans to add more fight categories in 2011. GFL offers expanded programming to include: Daily News & Radio Shows with feature interviews and industry updates along with great Fight Photos, Fighter Videos and a robust Calendar of Upcoming Fight Events.

If Combat Sports is your game…Go Fight-Every Night with GFL Combat Sports Network

Join us at: www.facebook.com/gofightlive or for press inquiries contact press@gfl.tv

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that the May 14 Super Six Super Middleweight semi-final between WBA Champion Andre Ward and Arthur Abraham is now up in the air due to Abraham’s camp being upset with the appointment of officials.

“Contrary to what has been previously agreed on, the California commission all of a sudden insists on installing a Californian judge as well as a Californian referee,” said Abraham’s promoter Wilfried Sauerland. “That is totally unacceptable. This turnaround comes as a huge and unpleasant surprise.

“Two months ago, everybody involved agreed that this tremendous fight would be served by neutral officials. We agreed to have one judge from California, one from Europe and one from neither Europe nor the U.S. The referee is supposed to be neither American nor European either. Unless this issue is sorted, King Arthur will not leave the country. We have put his flights on hold.”

“King Arthur is more than happy to challenge Ward in his backyard, but we demand neutral officials as agreed on,” Sauerland said. “We have learned our lesson from the Kessler-Ward fight. Back then the California commission insisted on having a Californian referee. His performance was, to put it mildly, a joke.

“This is not some beach bar brawl but the semifinal of the Super Six World Boxing Classic, a sensational tournament that has captured global attention. It’s a shame that the clash is jeopardized just because a local commission refuses to honor existing agreements and basic rules of fair play.”

“Their accusation that California insisted on a California referee [for Ward-Abraham] is 100 percent inaccurate and, as far as I know, we have agreed to have one California official of the four officials, which is unusual to do. I don’t know how much more neutral the commission can be.”, said Dan Goossen, who promoted Ward.

“I felt the California commission bent over backward to accommodate the parties,” Goossen said. “It is out of my hands. It’s going to be up to them.”

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT CARD
On Thursday May 5th, Popular welterweight prospect, Edgar Santana (24-3, 15KO’s), returns to the ring, and will do it in front of his hometown fans in the Bronx, when he fights in the main event of the first of Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing’s, five scheduled shows in 2011, at the beautiful and historic Paradise Theater on Grand Concourse. Star Boxing, which began the “Punchin at the Paradise” series in 2006, has locked in five dates at the Theater for the remainder of 2011, starting with the first show on May 5th.

“So many boxing fans here in the Bronx and New York, are excited for Edgar’s return to the ring on May 5th,” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO and President of Star Boxing. Edgar actually made his pro-debut on one of our shows, and now he is making his much anticipated return to the ring, in some ways his second debut, on yet another Star Boxing card. So not only is it fitting for him, but also fitting for us that we are getting our Bronx series back underway and featuring it with one of the most popular fighters from the Bronx in the main event.”

Santana was riding a three-fight win streak, including his most impressive as a pro, when he won a ten round decision, in a war against current NABF Light Welterweight Champ, Joselito Lopez on Showtime’s Showbox: The New Generation back in April of 2008. While Lopez would go on to win seven fights in a row, including picking up the NABF title in his last fight against unbeaten Mike Dallas Jr., Santana was forced to wait on the sidelines, after running into some legal problems outside of the ring. With those problems behind him now, Santana has re-dedicated his life to the sport and looks to pick up right where he left off and continue on his quest to becoming world champion. Santana is set to square off against Robert “Wolf” Jones, a veteran of seveteen professional fights, in a scheduled eight rounder.

Tickets are priced at $30, $50 and $100 and can be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at 718 823-2000, visiting www.starboxing.com or simply by CLICKING HERE: Tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Paradise Theater box office, located at 2417 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, NY.

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

Star Boxing, Inc. has been in operation since1992. Star Boxing has worked to produce some of the most exciting and memorable boxing events in recent history. Star has continued to work with and develop a number of very exciting world champions, world rated contenders and young prospects. Star has consistently brought credibility, integrity, and exciting fights to the boxing industry. For more information on Star Boxing, visit the official website at www.starboxing.com

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao could be fighting his arch rival Juan Manuel Marquez for a third time in October.

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer said Monday that Top Rank has made a formal, written offer for Marquez, the lightweight champ, to challenge Pacquiao for his welterweight title on a date to be determined in October if he defeats Mosley.

“Last Friday, April 22, Top Rank made a firm offer to Juan Manuel Marquez to fight Manny Pacquiao in October for his WBO 147-pound belt,” Schaefer said. “Part of the deal includes a rematch provision in case Marquez would win. So Pacquiao could potentially be tied up for quite awhile.”

“I have no comment on anything regarding Marquez,” Top Rank president Todd duBoef said. “We have said that Marquez would be one of the possible opponents for Pacquiao after the fight with Mosley if he is successful against Mosley on May 7. But I have no comment. I am concentrating on promoting a fight on May 7.”

“Based on this offer, it seems like Pacquiao and Top Rank have no interest in fighting Mayweather, at least this year,” Schaefer said. “If they did, I am sure Top Rank would have had language in the offer saying this was the deal unless a Mayweather fight could be secured, but it doesn’t say that.”

“Obviously, Top Rank will have to live by these deal points they offered Marquez, so if any of these things would change — the date, the guaranteed money, the [pay-per-view] upside — they would have to come back to us, because Golden Boy continues to hold the right of last refusal for Marquez’s next fight until the end of February 2012,” Schaefer said.

“I think [Top Rank] sent us the offer because they know that we have these rights, these last negotiation rights. So they informed us that they had submitted that offer to Marquez. It’s the right thing to do. I don’t have a beef here with Top Rank whatsoever. ”

“I am a firm believer that when a fighter becomes a free agent and has certain rights or options that they explore those options. Top Rank did the right thing here. Assuming Top Rank lives by those deal points, so be it. But I don’t really understand it as it relates to the timing,” he said.

“What’s the urgency of locking in Pacquiao’s October fight before he has fought Mosley? I just find the timing strange that you would do that before a big promotion. Maybe Top Rank discounts Shane’s chances. Maybe they just feel it’s important to have that opponent lined up for Manny now.”

“Top Rank gave us their offer, but we have not heard from Marquez,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer said he met with Marquez in Mexico City about three weeks ago and presented him with a new promotional offer. Had he accepted, Marquez’s first bout of the deal could have been a July 30 pay-per-view headliner against junior welterweight titlist Zab Judah. Schaefer has been talking to Judah promoter Main Events about the fight, which Judah wants.

The fight would have given Marquez the opportunity that he has wanted — a chance, with a win, to become the first Mexican to claim a world title in four divisions.

“Maybe that was why [Top Rank] made the offer — because they knew we were trying to make a deal with Marquez and they wanted to make sure they have an opponent for Pacquiao in October,” Schaefer said.

Photo by Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT
Edgardo Torres 138 Korey Sloane 138
Antowyan Aikens 163 Willie Mack 161
Keane Davis 146 Dontre King 146
Jose Medina 175 1/2 Derrick Webster 169
Bryant Jennings 224 David Williams 227
Ronald Cruz 146 Manuel Guzman 144 1/2
Garrett Wilson 184 Omar Sheika 185

Tickets $75 & $50
Palladium Ballroom
First fight 7.30pm
Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (April 19, 2011) – Eight-division world champion Congressman Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao hosted what many in attendance described as boxing’s No. 1 pound for pound media day workout.

A standing room only crowd of national and international media packed the Wild Card Boxing Club on Wednesday to interview Pacquiao, five-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum about Pacquiao’s May 7 World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title defense, at the sold-out MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev., against three-division world champion Sugar Shane Mosley.

The Pacquiao vs. Mosley world title fight is the main event of a four-fight telecast that will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The mega-event will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. For Pacquiao vs. Mosley fight week updates, log on to www.sports.SHO.com or www.toprank.com .

Closed circuit tickets, priced at $50, are on sale and available at all Las Vegas MGM Resorts properties.

The energetic Pacquiao trained for more than two hours immediately following an equally long interview session.

What Pacman, Arum and Roach said Wednesday:

PROMOTER BOB ARUM

“Nobody can count Shane Mosley out. He is a good, good fighter, especially when he fights an aggressive opponent like Manny Pacquiao.

“Shane Mosley is a dangerous fighter. He is bigger than Manny, strong and he still has his speed. He has never been stopped. He can take anyone’s best punch and come back as strong as ever. He’s so resilient. You can’t hurt him.

“Manny has trained harder than I have ever seen. He’s in the same condition as he was before he fought Miguel Cotto.

“My matchmakers said Shane would make the most entertaining fight for the fans. For pure name recognition Shane Mosley is the best fighter for marketability.’’

MANNY PACQUIAO

“I’m in top condition for the fight. I’m just excited to fight and beat people up.

“I never compare myself to anybody. I don’t look at my accomplishments compared to anyone. I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished in boxing.

“Shane can still fight. He’s fast and he’s training hard. It’s hard to rate him against the other (opponents). This time he’s determined to shock the world. It’s going to be a good fight.

“My concern is what fight we can give to the fans. My first concern as a boxer is to try hard and give a good fight for the fans.

“Mosley is bigger than me. He’s fast and his hand speed is still there. He’s faster than most of my opponents. He’s also preparing hard and he’s also good, so we never underestimate our opponent.

“I’m just going to punch him and do my best. If the knockout comes, it comes.

“In the ring I can tell right away what his style is and I can adapt to it. I’m adjusting to life as a politician. It’s different in training but I can stay focused on both.

“I never distract myself. I’m always in full force in the fight, full force in training. “I’m ready for the fight. I don’t want to predict. I just do my best and give a good fight. The way I’m training now I’m only 144 pounds.

“For me, boxing isn’t about hurting each other. Boxing is entertainment and making people happy.

“I don’t know who I’ll fight next. No idea. (Juan Manuel) Marquez is good for me – he’s not too big.

(On fighting Floyd Mayweather)

“For me, there’s a chance. It’s up to him if he wants to fight. He’s trying to wait for me to get

older.”

TRAINER FREDDIE ROACH

“I’m excited about this fight because we know that Shane is going to bring it.

“Manny has had maybe his best camp ever and is in tip-top shape. He’s still hungry, and is training harder now than when he first started. There is no way he is taking this fight lightly and he is definitely ready for Sugar Shane.

“His motivation is his concentration. For this fight, he’s been able to stay totally focused. Before his last fight he had to worry about campaigning, Congress, music and making movies.

“Since we can’t wait for the No. 1 guy – you know who I mean — to stop running away from us, we have to fight who’s available. We got this offer to fight Shane and it made sense.

“Mayweather likes to say he is better than Sugar Ray Robinson, but I think it is more important for him to keep the zero on his record than it is to fight Manny. We hope the opportunity comes for a fight with Mayweather, but Manny is going to continue to fight, even if it means moving up in weight to go after nine titles.

“The fight with Sugar Shane will not be easy. But my prediction is that Manny will win by knockout and become the first boxer to stop Mosley.

“I know when I first started working with Manny that he was something special. But eight world titles? No one could have expected that.’’

FORMER NBA AND COLLEGE STAR JALEN ROSE

“I’m a big Manny Pacquiao fan. It’s a tough call to pick between him and Shane. Sugar Shane is a vet. He asked for this fight and he got this fight, but I think Pacquiao has too much speed and too much power. I’m a big fan of both fighters though. It’s going to be a great fight.”

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF Bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko collapsed earlier this week and is not cleared to fight this Saturday against Abner Mares in the finals of the Showtime Bantamweight tournament scheduled for Los Angeles.

Showtime boxing chief Ken Hershman was on a family vacation in Italy and had not yet made a decision on what would happen with Saturday’s card.

“Ken is aware of the situation and will come to a decision soon,” Showtime spokesman Chris DeBlasio told ESPN.com.

“I was picking him up at baggage claim and we walked outside to the car and he literally collapsed in the roadway right next to the car,” said Don King’s PR maven Alan Hopper. “He could barely move. He literally was face down on the pavement until the police and ambulance arrived.”

“He’s very disappointed. Despondent would be the word,” Hopper said. “He said when he was laying on the pavement and when I was checking on him, all he was saying was, ‘This can’t be happening, I have to fight on Saturday night. This can’t be happening.’ This is the biggest fight of his life and he is very, very upset and disappointed. He has worked really hard for this fight.”

Gary Shaw, who promotes Perez and Darchinyan, said he was hopeful Showtime would still go through with the card by bumping the consolation fight up to the main event. Both fighters have been on Showtime several times and usually have produced action-packed fights.

“Here is my guess — the fact that Showtime has everything in place and has their crew here, I think they will go through with it,” Shaw said.

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who promotes Mares, also said he hoped the card would go on. Schaefer said although he had not yet heard from Hershman, he had his matchmakers looking for a substitute opponent for Mares to fight.

“Gary feels, and I agree with him, that the show should go on and we are currently trying to secure a replacement for Agbeko, but I don’t know how Showtime is going to react to that,” Schaefer said. “I think it’s unfair to the other fights to call of the show just because Agbeko is out. We’ll see.”