Former U.S. Olympian and undefeated Welterweight, Sadam Ali talks about his knockout win over Gary Bergeron

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A standing-room-only crowd of media and fans showed up to see superstar Manny Pacquiao during media day Tuesday. Pacquiao takes on three-time world champion Antonio Margarito on November 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium

A standing-room-only crowd of media and fans showed up to see three-time world champion Antonio Margarito during media day Tuesday. Margarito takes on superstar Manny Pacquio on November 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. The Pacquiao vs Margarito telecast will be available live on HBO Pay Per View.

Superstar Manny Pacquiao runs early in the morning Tuesday after arriving in Dallas late last night. Pacquiao takes on three-time world champion Antonio Margarito on November 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. The Pacquiao vs Margarito telecast will be available live on HBO Pay Per View

Superstar Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee(R) get ready to board his chartered “Air Pacquiao” American Airlines 757 enroute to Dallas Monday night. Pacquiao takes on three-time world champion Antonio Margarito on November 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. The Pacquiao vs Margarito telecast will be available live on HBO Pay Per View.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Superstar Manny Pacquiao hits the double end bag at the Wildcard Boxing Club Monday. Pacquiao takes on three-time world champion Antonio Margarito on November 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. The Pacquiao vs Margarito telecast will be available live on HBO Pay Per View

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

It’s been a busy year for Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios and it just got even busier. Originally scheduled to fight on the “In Harms Way” card on 4 December in Anaheim, Ca instead Rios has been promoted to fight on the huge Pacquiao-Margarito card in Dallas on Saturday. Rios 24, entered 2010 as a prospect and if he can secure his third win of the year he’ll exit it as a contender very much in line to face the winner of Humberto Soto-Urbano Antillon for the WBC title in early 2011. So far this year he has beaten Jorge Luis Teron KO3 & Anthony Peterson DQ7 who’s combined records were 53-1-1(36). Here’s what Rios had to say.

Hello Brandon, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Things have changed for you over the last week, it seems now that you will face Omri Lowther on 13 Novermber. What can you tell us about this situation and how it came about?

Brandon Rios – Well Kelly Pavlik pulled out with an injured rib. I guess Bob Arum and the people at Top Rank who I’d like to thank for giving me the opportunity for mentioning my name and giving me the opportunity to fight on a card like this. So I’m blessed. I was ready for December 4, preparing myself but fortunately they brought up my name and they want me to fight on this card. I’m ready, I’ve been I the gym since my last fight with Anthony Peterson. So it’s not like I’m not in shape. I’m ready to fight.

Anson Wainwright – You had a terrific win back in September when you beat Anthony Peterson via Seventh round disqualification. What are your thoughts on that fight looking back?

Brandon Rios – I just did a tremendous job, I did what my corner told me to do. I just followed the game plan. From there I dominated the fight and I think I did it in good fashion and good way to show people I’m one of the Lightweight contenders out there. Hopefully i can fight for a world championship next year or something.

Anson Wainwright – Looking at Anthony Peterson in that fight, do you think he was looking for a way out and got himself disqualified because he knew on the night you were going to stop him?

Brandon Rios – I think that too, I think that was his way to get out of the fight. He hadn’t been knocked down or out before and I dropped him in the fifth round. He’d never been dropped or knocked out so he figured I’ve already been knocked down, I don’t want to get knocked out so I’ll take myself out of the game. So he threw low blows, low blows that’s what I think he did.

Anson Wainwright – It’s been a huge year for you, you’ve moved from prospect to Contender. What do you think has clicked for you?

Brandon Rios – What helped me out a lot too was finding my motivation in the ring and determination is my wife. She’s been helping me out a lot keeping me out of trouble a lot. Not only that, I’m taking training really serious this time. I’m not like I used to be. I messed around with people go home get in trouble. I’ve turned my life around and I see training pays off. If you train right you can make good adjustments in the ring and outside the ring. So lately I’ve done my work and my wife has helped me out a lot. I give everything up to her.

Anson Wainwright – Your next scheduled to fight against Omri Lowther what do you know about him?

Brandon Rios – I’ve seen some video’s of him the other day and we have tape of him. I know he’s an awkward fighter, quick hands and moves a lot. We’re going to be ready and prepare for that fight.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team. Who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym to you train at?

Brandon Rios – My manager is Cameron Dunkin. Robert Garcia is my trainer then I’m promoted by Top Rank. I have other team like my assistant Paco Navarro there part of my team and another guy Javier Garcia their all in the guy with me constantly helping me out. They help me with what’s wrong, what’s right, my weights, they help me with everything. My wife is my nutritionalist so she takes care of my food. I train at Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, Team Grandpa.

Anson Wainwright – You lived in Garden City, Kansas when you were young, can you tell us about your early days?

Brandon Rios – Well I was born in Texas but I grew up all my life in Garden City, Kansas that’s my home town and back there I had a lot of trouble. Now that stuff is over I’m looking forward to the future. I go back for a week or two then comeback before when I was getting in trouble I used to go back for a month or two get in trouble go to court, have to pay fines and stuff like that. Now I am looking to the future, my daughter is on the way. So I’m looking forward to being with her now.

Anson Wainwright – We touched on in in some of the other questions but getting married has helped you settle down in a big way. How is married life treating you?

Brandon Rios – Well today married life is going great. We still haven’t lost that love since we fell in love the first time. Everybody has different relationships but I can say I love being married right now. Everything she does for me is great. She loves the sport that I do, she’s in love with the sport that I do. She’s a great girl. She helped me out with a lot of things in the ring and outside the ring. I have no complaints, she’s an awesome girl. She’s very smart.

Anson Wainwright – What can you tell us about what you like to do away from Boxing?

Brandon Rios – When I’m not training I go to the gym and see the kids train. I stay at home and me and my wife we go to the movies or we’ll have a romantic dinner something like that. mainly just stay with my wife and family now we’re waiting for my daughter to come. Last time we were getting the nursery ready buying stuff.

Anson Wainwright – You have a big cross town rivalry with Victor Ortiz, what can you tell us about how that is today and about that situation?

Brandon Rios – Well I don’t know the situation today. What I said before is I’m still ready to do it if he is. It’s just a long story between me and him, it’s a blood bath. Bad blood between each other and you know hopefully they make the fight happen if they don’t we’ll see what happens in the future. If he keeps winning like he has been and if I keep doing what I’m doing you never know it could be Vargas-De La Hoya 2! Haha

Anson Wainwright – Which one would you be out of those two?

Brandon Rios – This time Vargas will come out with the victory!

Anson Wainwright – Your in camp with Antonio Margarito he’s fight Manny Pacquiao. What’s it like having someone like him to learn from?

Brandon Rios – It’s a blessing, I’m glad he came to the gym and show what it takes to be a champion and the way he trains is unbelievable. He trains like he’s never been a champion before and he wants to become one. He has so much desire to become champion again. It’s the same, if you see him work it’s crazy, he’s 110% in shape. He’s ready, he’s ready to rock and roll, he’s ready to be champ again. He’s ready to show the world who he was and all the false things they said about his hands. He’s ready to show the world Antonio “The Tijuana Tornado” Margarito is back again.

Anson Wainwright – How do you see the fight going?

Brandon Rios – A late round stoppage between 8 and 12 rounds. To me Margarito throws punches from ever angle, he keeps coming, he’s like a Tornado it’s the perfect name it suits him. He keeps throwing punches from different angles, different sides everywhere. It’s like there’s 3 guys in there fighting you.

Anson Wainwright – What fighters growing up did you look up to?

Brandon Rios – I always looked up to Julio Cesar Chavez Snr and I looked up to Marco Antonio Barrera and I looked up to Chico Corrales and Arturo Gatti. I resemble a bit of everybody I kept looking at there styles the way they fight. I was in camp with Barrera and picked up some stuff he taught me and they helped out a lot and I thank him for teaching me. I was in camp with them for like two months. It was awesome training with a World champion, being a sparring partner.

Anson Wainwright – Barrera is with Top Rank like yourself, is that a fight you would like? Or do you think this guy is one of my idols and it’s not something I’d like to do now?

Brandon Rios – It’s business in the ring. If we had a fight, I’d fight him. But outside the ring he’s my hero, one of the idols I look up too. I’ll be his friend no matter what. I have respect for him but when I’m in the ring that goes out of the window. It’s my career verses his career.

Anson Wainwright – What fight would you most like today?

Brandon Rios – The fight i want most today is Humberto Soto, “La Zorrita” he’s fights on December 4. He defends his title with Antillon. Hopefully we can make it happen instead of moving up in weight, i really want to fight him. If not there’s the winner of Marquez-Katsidis. I’m ready to take on these type of fights.

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

Brandon Rios – Thank you for the support, thank you for following my career. People who don’t know me hopefully can tune in on Saturday and see me fight.

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

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Scott Carson Rips Into ‘Keyboard Warriors’
And Vows ‘To Shut Them Up’

NEW YORK (Nov. 8, 2010) – STRIKEFORCE formally announced that legendary football superstar and unbeaten MMA fighter, Herschel Walker (1-0), of Wrightsville, Ga., will be opposed by Scott Carson (4-1), of Lake Forest, Calif., in a featured heavyweight matchup on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

The 6-foot-1 inch Walker, the 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and a 1999 College Hall of Fame inductee, holds a fifth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and boasts additional training in the combat disciplines of Muay Thai and Kenpo. He has been honing his MMA skills at world-renowned American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, Calif., under head trainers Bob Cook and Javier Mendez.

The remarkable Walker, 48, will be making his first start since winning his pro debut with a unanimous three-round decision over Greg Nagy on Jan. 30, 2010, at STRIKEFORCE: Miami on SHOWTIME.

So, who is Scott Carson?

“I’ll tell you one thing. I’m a lot better fighter than the one I’ve been reading about on the Internet,’’ Carson said. “This is a huge deal for me, a tremendous opportunity, but you’d think I was nothing going off what has been written by some of these keyboard warriors, who I doubt have ever stepped in a cage. It’s a lot easier to sit in front of a computer and talk (stuff) than it is to actually fight.

“I am trying to take it all in stride, but I have no idea why some people are talking so negatively without ever having seen me. They don’t know me. I’m pretty well-rounded with good standup and wrestling.

“They say I’m old at 40 but I don’t feel 40 and I certainly don’t look 40. I think I look 30 and I’m in great shape. I’m ripped, just like Herschel.

“I’m going to be more ready for Dec. 4 than I have been for any other fight. I plan to shut up all the critics, each and every one of them. Let them write something factual after they’ve seen me on Dec. 4.

“I’m really excited about fighting a great athlete like Herschel. I’m training every day. But the fact that some people aren’t giving me a chance is only giving me extra motivation. This is going to be a great fight.’’

The 6-foot-2-inch Carson turned pro in September 1999 and won his initial four starts through June 2001. He is a former WEC veteran who scored a first-round submission victory over Bryson Haubrick at the very first WEC event.

After being sidelined with a back injury and due to several scheduled fights falling out, Carson didn’t return to the cage until last June 12 in Los Angeles. A member of Reign Training Center in Lake Forest, he got knocked out in the first round by undefeated Lorenz Martin (3-0 going in, 5-0 now).

“I was out a long time because of my back and I did rehab for a while,’’ said Carson, who trained for years with Chuck Liddell before he joined Reign Training Center in Lake Forest. “I never thought much about not fighting again; I always wanted to come back.

“But I couldn’t do anything until I was 100 percent. Once I got healthy again, I got better the more I trained. I’ve helped a lot of guys get ready for fights while waiting for my chance. I had a few fights lined up before my last fight, but they all fell out for one reason or another.’’

The comebacking Carson makes no excuses for his last start, his first in nine years.

“It got to the point for the longest time that all I did was train,’’ he said. “Then, the next thing we know, I’m fighting. I felt good going into that fight but just got caught. It can happen to anybody.’’

In the main event of a stacked card on STRIKEFORCEC’s return to Scottrade Center, MMA superstar Dan Henderson (25-8) of Temecula, Calif., faces former STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight world champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral (36-8) of Brazil in a collision of world-class 205-pounders.

Other televised fights: Former world heavyweight champion Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva (14-2), of Coconut Creek, Fla., by way of Brazil, faces the older brother of STRIKEFORCE heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, Valentijn “The Python’’ Overeem (28-23), of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Paul “Semtex’’ Daley (25-9-2) of Nottingham, England, meets power puncher Scott “Hands Of Steel’ Smith (17-7, 1 NC), of Elk Grove, Calif., in a battle of explosive welterweights (170 pounds) and exciting local favorite “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (17-6, 1 NC), of Granite City, Ill., takes on 2000 Olympic Games silver medalist Matt “The Law” Lindland (22-7) of Oregon City, Ore., in a middleweight (185 pounds) scrap.

St. Louis native and promising welterweight, Jesse Finney, will take on a foe to be announced in the top non-televised undercard bout.

Tickets for the event are on sale at Scottrade Center, online at Ticketmaster.com and Strikeforce.com or by phone (800) 745-3000.

Doors at Scottrade Center will open for the event at 6 p.m. CT. The first preliminary bout will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the first SHOWTIME televised main card fight will begin at 9 p.m

41 Years Old? Dropping an Extra 7 Lbs.? These are mere numbers for

GLEN JOHNSON

He’s been called The Gentleman, The Road Warrior and The Hardest Man in Boxing.

Now, Johnson is being called a Super Six Semifinalist.

Hear his story, through his words, as Glen explains why – above all – he is a fighter.

Last Saturday, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING delivered an unforgettable doubleheader: Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Rafael Marquez & Allan Green vs. Glen Johnson.

Don’t miss a replay of Saturday night’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast, TOMORROW, Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 10p on SHO2!

Lopez, coming in as the young champion with a questionable chin, silenced the critics with a career-defining performance. Battling through Marquez’ hellacious onslaught, Lopez retaliated with his own signature power shots and retained his WBO Featherweight World Championship with an 8th round TKO—the 27th KO of his 30-fight career.

Johnson, a veteran at 41-years old, out worked the younger Green (31) to capture the last coveted Semifinal spot in the Super Six World Boxing Classic. His knockout win shook up the tournament standings by vaulting Johnson into a tie for second place with Arthur Abraham. Abraham meets fourth-place Carl Froch on Saturday, Nov. 27 to determine the seeding for the Semifinals

“MASSIVE TURNOUT FOR MARGARITO” — Thousands of fans turn out to meet three-time world champion Antonio Margarito in Dallas,Texas today at the Tamale Festival. Margarito takes on Superstar Manny Pacquiao on November 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium.

“Team Pacquiao bus ready to roll” — Superstar Manny Pacquiao’s custom Team Pacquiao bus rolls into Las Vegas Wednesday for its first preview before heading to Texas. Pacquiao takes on three-time world champion Antonio Margarito on November 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. The Pacquiao vs Margarito telecast will be available live on HBO Pay Per View

Photos bu Chris Farina / Top Rank

Three-time world champion Antonio Margarito(R) and trainer Robert Garcia(L) hit the mitts in preparation for Margarito’s upcoming mega fight against superstar Manny Pacquiao on November 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. The Pacquiao vs Margarito telecast will be available live on HBO Pay Per View

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

NEW YORK (Nov. 1, 2010) – Two fights have been added to an exciting STRIKEFORCE Challengers event Friday, Nov. 19, at Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

STRIKEFORCE formally announced today that power-punching Jan “Cuddles’’ Finney (8-8) of Springfield, Ohio, will be opposed by unbeaten Liz “Girl-Rilla’’ Carmouche (4-0) of San Diego, Calif., in a key women’s match at 135 pounds (welterweight) and Caros “The Future” Fodor (6-2) of Seattle, Wash., will throw down with Derek “The Pretzel’’ Getzel (2-1) of Andover, Minn., at lightweight (155 pounds).

In the main event, lightweight star and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro (20-4) will take on Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox (9-3) of Cincinnati. Another televised fight will feature former University of Tennessee linebacker Ovince St. Preux (7-4), of Knoxville, Tenn., who will be seeking his fifth consecutive conquest inside the distance when he faces Antwain “The Juggernaut’’ Britt’’ (11-4) of Virginia Beach, Va., in a light heavyweight (205 pounds) scrap.

The MMA fight card is presented by Rockstar Energy Drink and will mark STRIKEFORCE’s initial foray into the state of Mississippi.

Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Coliseum box office and Be-Bop Record Shops, by phone at 800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com and www.STRIKEFORCE.com.

The winner in what will be an excellent women’s fight stays alive for a world title shot in STRIKEFORCE’s wide-open, contentious 135-pound division. The STRIKEFORCE champion, Marloes Coenen, is scheduled to make her first defense against No. 1 contender Miesha Tate in 2011.

Finney’s nickname belies her attitude and fighting style. “I’m far from cuddly. I’m more like a bull in a china shop,’’ she said.

This will mark Finney’s return to her natural weight of 135 pounds. In her last start, the strong striker and one of MMA’s most determined practitioners lost a toe-to-toe-slugfest with STRIKEFORCE Middleweight (145 pounds) World Champion and the No. 1 female fighter in MMA, Cris Cyborg, last June 26.

Finney’s record belies her abilities. Aside from Cyborg, her losses have come against top fighters such as Tate, Julie Kedzie and Erin Toughill. All the fights went to the judges’ scorecards. The Cyborg defeat was only the second time she’d been stopped on strikes.

Finney’s most noteworthy victory came on a decision over Adrienna Jenkins (17-2 going in) on March 27, 2010.

Carmouche is coming off a second-round TKO over Valentina Shevchenko on Sept. 30. In her outing before last on Aug. 13, Carmouche went the distance for the only time in her career, scoring a unanimous decision over Colleen Schneider in a “reserve bout” in the STRIKEFORCE single-elimination women’s 135-pound tournament, which was won by Tate.

In the 5-foot-5 Carmouche’s other fights, she won by second-round TKO in her pro debut last May 29 and by second-round submission (armbar) over Margarita de la Cruz the following June 26.

A 25-year-old of Lebanese descent, Carmouche was born in Okinawa, Japan, and currently resides in San Diego. She spent seven years in the Marines during which she toured The Middle East.

Carmouche trains at Undisputed Fitness and Training in San Diego with Manolo Hernandez and Baret Yoshida, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion.

Fodor, a 5-foot-9, 26-year-old who is trained by Matt Hume and fights out of AMC Kickboxing and Pankration, is a well-rounded fighter known for his mental toughness and ability to finish.

A winner in six of his last seven fights, Fodor won via decision for the first time when he earned a unanimous points victory over Thomas Diagne in his last outing last July 23 on STRIKEFORCE Challengers. Afterward, he apologized for letting the fight go to the judges’ scorecards.

“I really don’t have an excuse, I was a little bit off,” said Fodor, who dominated and had Diagne in serious trouble on a few occasions. “I apologize for that. I don’t like decisions. I want to end all my fights.’’

Fodor, whose brother, Ben, also fights MMA, wrestled in high school but entered the Marines six days after graduation. While he was in boot camp, the terrorist attacks of 9/11 occurred and he was sent to Kuwait for the Iraq invasion. He returned home in 2003 after one tour.

After an extensive, successful amateur career in which he was the Genesis Fights MMA and Muay Thai champion and Revolution submission champion., Fodor turned pro in September 2005.

Outside the cage, Fodor, who once had his sights set on becoming a homicide director, is a trainer at a health club and works with mentally challenged kids while remaining active in the reserves.

Getzel is a 5-foot-7, 23-year-old Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu specialist. He’ll be making his STRIKEFORCE debut and first start since defeating Johnny Case on a career-best first-round TKO last Feb 26.

“I’ve very excited about finally getting this opportunity for STRIKEFORCE,’’ said Getzel, who registered a 4:11, first-round TKO (punches) over Dustin Petron on Nov. 25, 2009.

Getzel turned pro on Sept. 12, 2009.

Doors at Jackson Convention Complex will open at 6:45 p.m. CT. The first non-televised preliminary bout will begin at 7:30 p.m. The first fight on SHOWTIME will begin at 10 p.m.

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

Superstar Manny Pacquiao hits the double end bag at the Wildcard Boxing Club Monday. Pacquiao takes on three-time world champion Antonio Margarito on November 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. The Pacquiao vs Margarito telecast will be available live on HBO Pay Per View

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

NEW YORK (Nov. 1, 2010) – Unbeaten Ryan Couture (1-0) has been forced to withdraw from the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event Friday, Nov. 19, at Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., due to a staph infection, STRIKEFORCE announced today.

The son of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) legend, Randy Couture, is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.

The 28-year-old Couture, a member of Las Vegas, Nev., based Xtreme Couture, won his STRIKEFORCE and MMA pro debut with a 1:15, first-round submission (triangle choke) over Lucas Stark last Aug. 13 on STRIKEFORCE Challengers.

“I was really looking forward to fighting so this is a big disappointment, but I’ll be back,” said Couture. “As soon as I’m cleared, you can bet I’ll be back in the gym preparing for my next STRIKEFORCE fight.”

In the Nov. 19 main event on SHOWTIME®, lightweight star and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro (20-4) will face Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox (9-3) of Cincinnati. In another televised fight, former University of Tennessee linebacker Ovince St. Preux (7-4), of Knoxville, Tenn., will seeking his fifth consecutive conquest inside the distance when he faces Antwain “The Juggernaut’’ Britt’’ (11-4) of Virginia Beach, Va., in a light heavyweight (205 pounds) scrap.

The MMA fight card is presented by Rockstar Energy Drink and will mark STRIKEFORCE’s initial foray into the state of Mississippi.

Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Coliseum box office and Be-Bop Record Shops, by phone at 800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com and www.STRIKEFORCE.com.

Doors at Jackson Convention Complex will open at 6:45 p.m. CT. The first non-televised preliminary bout will begin at 7:30 p.m. The first fight on SHOWTIME will begin at 10 p.m.

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

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, IBF Jr.Featherweight champion Steve Molitor has inked a four year deal with Top Rank

“It is very rejuvenating,” Molitor told ESPN.com. “I feel like it’s a fresh start. There is no bad blood or bad feelings with my former promoter, but it’s very exciting to me to be with one of the best promoters in boxing in Bob Arum and Top Rank. I’m 30 and I want to be on the big stage. I’m hungry. It’s like when you drive a car. You drive the car and it’s fine, but then you get a new car and you’re excited to drive it. That’s how I feel. Who wouldn’t be happy signing with the biggest boxing promoter on the planet?”

“He’s always been an exciting fighter and charismatic kid and we have a lot of the potential matchups for him in his weight category,” Top Rank president Todd duBoef said. “We’re looking forward to working with him.”

Dunkin and Top Rank secured Molitor’s release from promoter Allan Tremblay’s Orion Sports Management, which cleared the way for Molitor’s new deal.

“Allan was terrific,” Dunkin said. “He handled this so professionally. He let Steve go because he said that he felt there was nothing more he could do for him in Canada. He’s a smaller promoter and he said in boxing it’s a short career and that he’s 30 and he wanted Steve to get an opportunity to make as much money as he can for his wife and family, which I thought was incredibly honorable. He said he didn’t want to stand in the way of that. He said, ‘There is nothing more I can do with him to make him more money.’ I said, ‘Wow.’ That’s incredible in this business. He’s just a real classy guy.”

“I want to prove to the American fans that I’m for real,” Molitor said. “I know I don’t have a lot of TV exposure in the United States, and when I did, I didn’t perform like I am capable of against Caballero. So I need to show I am a real world champion and a real fighter.”

His first order of business is a mandatory defense against South Africa’s Ndlovu, whom he has already beaten twice, the decision to regain the belt and a ninth-round knockout in 2007 in the first defense of his first title reign.

“It will be satisfying to put a beating on him again,” Molitor said. “I’ll go out there and defend my title and continue to be a champion.”

“Steve has a mandatory due with the IBF, which he will take care of, and after that his eyes are wide open to fight anyone,” Dunkin said. “But he’s got to beat [Ndlovu] again. The guy won an eliminator and he’s baaaaaack. And so it’s got to be taken care of, so we’ll take care of it.

“I think Steve can beat any 122-pounder out there and there are some good fights for him,” Dunkin said. “Vazquez is a terrific fight and so is Rigondeaux. There are some fights that are very fan appealing.”

“The point is there are a lot of interesting fights for Steve in and around his weight division,” Dunkin said.

Said Molitor, “Top Rank has so many guys, so many possibilities. I’ll worry about this mandatory and get it out of the way, and then take on some other challenges.”

“My mom is an American citizen and I have some family in the States,” he said. “And I look forward to making new fans in the States.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former Middleweight champion has pulled out of his November 13th fight with Brian Vera that was supposed to highlight the undercard of the the Manny Pacquiao – Antonio Margarito Super Welterweight title clash with a rib injury.

Pavlik’s manager Cameron Dunkin said the reason was a rib injury. When asked if it had anything to do with Pavlik’s ongoing alcohol problem, he declined to answer.

Trainer Jack Loew also addressed the issue with ESPN.com, saying, “Since we’ve been back [in Pavlik’s hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, from training camp in Pennsylvania], I have not seen Kelly do anything wrong … In camp, I was with him 24 hours a day. Now that we are back, I’m not.”

“I don’t know exactly what happened, but I was told by Jack Loew that he had a rib injury a few days ago and might not be able to fight, and then he confirmed it to me [Monday] morning,” Dunkin said. “I’m heartbroken, I’m devastated, I’m sick to my stomach.

“This was such a great opportunity for Kelly, to be at Cowboys Stadium in front of who knows how many fans in a fun fight on a great show, a great event. I could go on and on.”

“It’s a day-by-day thing,” Dunkin said. “I spoke to Kelly. He said he’s hurt. We’re all sick about it.”

When asked if had anything to do with alcohol issues, Dunkin said, “I can’t say. I’m not there.”

Loew said Pavlik hurt the right side of his ribcage hitting the pads two weeks ago.

“He threw a punch and hurt it when we were doing pads,” Loew said. “We didn’t say anything. He still sparred (Oct. 23), but we just didn’t go to the body. Monday [Oct. 25] we went to New York for the [Tuesday] media lunch and when we came home he said it was too sore.

“He had a cortisone shot put in and it was still no better,” Loew said. “Thursday he came into the gym and he was still sore and we decided that was it. I won’t put him in there when he’s injured. He said he’s injured and the doctor said it’s very tender and that it was probably the cartilage. I gotta believe the doctor. I do have to believe Kelly’s ribs are extremely sore.”

“We’ve heard the report about the rib injury and we’re getting it confirmed,” promoter Bob Arum said. “If that’s the case, we’ll move Brandon onto Nov. 13. If Kelly can’t fight, he can’t fight, whatever the reason is.”

“Kelly realized this was a big fight for him,” Loew said, “but he didn’t want to go into a fight with a kid like Brian Vera, who will swing for the home run every time, if he wasn’t 100 percent. I don’t think we wanted to take a shot against anybody and take a chance of losing because of the rib injury and blow anything bigger or better out there. Nobody else is as disappointed as me.”

Photo by Claudia Bocanegra

Mafikeng, South Africa. Michael Domingo of the Philippines lost his IBF Title Eliminator bout against South African native Vusi Malinga in a highly contested match that went the full twelve rounds.

The Filipino veteran sarted out strong outboxing the South African stunning him with a straight that caught Malinga’s attention early. The second round went the same way with Domingo boxing flawlessly and landing a solid body punch that obviously hurt and backed up his opponent but failed to finish him off. The third round was a give and take with Malinga increasing his work load but Domingo sticked to his plan of boxing to take the round.

Sensing some kind of urgency, Malinga upped the tempo catching the Filipino with solid blows to the temple that took it’s effect on Domingo in the fourth round and in the fifth unleashed an uppercut that left a gash in Domingo’s left eyelid.

In the next round, Domingo, who was bothered with the cut tried to play the inside game with Malinga but could not execute as he was using only one eye. He occassionally stepped into Malinga’s bread and butter uppercut and seemed out of it but showing heart and determination, the Filipino answered back with flurry’s of his own.

The partisan crowd who was cheering on their homeboy from the openning bell were surprised and stunned to see the Filipino push forward as he again shocked Malinga with power shots during their heated exchanges through rounds 7 and 8.

Sensing he was in more trouble than he expected, Domingo slowly battled back in the 9th using his experience and outgunning and outboxing the South African. He even pushed himself harder taking the next two rounds. Both fighters gave their all during the final round sending the crowd up their feet until the final bell.

In the end, the Judges saw the fight going Malinga’s way with one of the two South African Judges scoring the bout 114 all. The Polish Judge scoring the bout 115-113 for Malinga and the other hometown Judge saw a different bout scoring it a 117-111 for their boy.

After the announcement, Domingo and his team went down the ring and was greeted with chants of his name and people coming up to him. Ladies, kids and gentlemen alike came to him asking to shake his hand and taking photos with him. Some people in the crowd even told Domingo that he won the fight. A group of Filipinos who drove from the neighboring towns with their family and friends greeted their kabayan as well.

Michael Domingo gave his all and may have failed in this boxing duel in South Africa but he surely won the hearts of the people who witnessed the guts he showed in Mafikeng.

Newark, NJ (October 30, 2010) – Unbeaten lightweight prospect and 2008 National Golden Gloves Champion Michael Angelo “The Artist” Perez, 9-0 (4 KO’s), will be featured on News 12’s “Jersey Sports Final” tomorrow evening at 10:30 PM.

The Newark native, who faces tough Hevinson Herrera November 6 in his hometown at the Prudential Center, will discuss his upbringing in one of America’s roughest cities, how he got started in boxing and where he believes the sport will take him.

Replays will air at 11:30 pm Sunday and 12:30 am on Monday. Cablevision subscribers can tune into channel 12 and Comcast customers can see Perez’ story on channel 62.

Tickets to the fight priced at $53, $78, $103 and $253 (ringside) are still available and can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or www.Prucenter.com.

For more information on News 12 New Jersey, go to News12.com.

Superstar boxer and Filipino congressman Manny Pacquiao(R) attends a rally for US Senator Harry Reid,D-Nevada(L) at Orr Middle School in Las Vegas Friday. Reid is running for re-election against Republican challenger Sharron Angle. Pacquiao takes on three-time world champion Antonio Margarito on November 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. The Pacquiao vs Margarito telecast will be available live on HBO Pay Per View.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

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Atlantic City – Both Jorge Diaz and Emmanuel Lucero weighed in at exactly 126 pounds for their scheduled ten round featherweight bout at Bally’s in Atlantic City on Saturday night. Diaz (14-0, 9 KO) of New Brunswick, NJ is taking his biggest step-up in competition against Lucero (24-5-1, 14 KO) of Mexico City, Mexico. The card will be promoted by Pound for Pound Promotions.

Jeremy Bryan (14-1, 7 KO) of Paterson, NJ weighed 143 while Ronald Cruz (9-0, 6 KO) of Bethlehem, PA weighed 144 for their eight round fight. Bryan is a former two-time National Golden Gloves champion.

Glen Tapia (7-0, 5 KO) of Passaic, NJ weighed 153 pounds, which was the same as his opponent Quinton Whitaker (7-7, 5 KO) from San Antonio, TX. Tapiais fresh off his tour of duty as boxing great Manny Pacquiao’s chief sparring partner in the Philippines. The fight is scheduled for six rounds.

Jason Escalera (9-0, 8 KO) of Union City, NJ weighed 166, which was the same as his opponent Cleoney Fuqua (2-2, 2 KO) from Alabama. The fight is scheduled for six rounds.

Bobby Rooney (11-3-1, 6 KO) of Bayonne, NJ weighed 175, as did his opponent Tyler Seever (11-11-1, 8 KO) from Saint Joseph, MO for their six round fight.

Christian Martinez (4-0, 4 KO) of The Bronx, NY and Jose Peralta Alejo (3-1, 2 KO) of the Dominican Republic both weighed 143 for their six round bout.

Anthony Caputo Smith (6-0, 4 KO) of Kennett Square, PA and Brian Bernard (8-7-2, 4 KO) of Saint Joseph, MO both weighed 175 for their four round fight.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (October 29, 2010)—On Saturday night November 20th one of the most unique and exceptional young men ever to step in a boxing ring as Jr. Middleweight Boyd Melson will make his pro debut in a four round bout that will be part of a big night of boxing promoted by Robert Diaz and Havoc Boxing.

To say Melson is an easy guy to root for may be an understatement.

Melson not only compiled an impressive amateur record which landed him in the 2004 & 2008 United States Olympic Trials. He graduated from West Point as a lieutenant and in 2006 was promoted to Captain.

Melson earned his MBA at Touro University in Business Administration.

In 2004, Melson won the world Military boxing championship

“West Point taught me what life has to offer”, said Melson.

“It taught me about selflessness and working towards a higher calling”

“If the Olympic trials were in 2006, I would have made the team because I had a hurt shoulder but still competed and then ran into Demetrius Andrade so I became an alternate to the team”, said the 2006 National champion.

But on November 20th, Melson’s story takes yet another heartfelt turn as he will donate his entire purse to Stem-Cell Research.

This is not a case where an athlete wants to make a donation to make headlines but this is a cause that Melson has been fighting for long before he thought about becoming a professional boxer.

Melson has been a supporter of Stem-Cell research since he met a young lady named Christian Zaccangino

Zaccangino at age ten had a swimming accident where she broke two vertebrae and injured her spinal cord and has been confined to a wheelchair for seventeen years.

Zaccangino is the best friend of aspiring champion boxer and Melson fights for her as hard as he fights in the ring as Melson will stop at nothing to help with Stem Cell research.

“She’s my rock. She inspires me so much. When I am training and I feel I tired I dig down deep and say to myself how lucky I am to feel tired because I know Christian doesn’t have the opportunity to feel that type of tired. Thinking of her makes me not quit”

In 2008, while training for the trials Melson accompanied Zaccangino to China for a surgery that has not yet been approved in the United States.

Melson trained in empty rooms and ran foreign streets by himself just to be by Christian’s side while she underwent an experimental procedure.

“She has got some case strength back since the procedure. She is able to get from her chair to her bed on her own. Things like that she was not able to do before China.”

Dr. Wise Yung, has been approved for a first United States Clinical trial operation which will inject cells from an umbilical cord into Christan’s spine in an effort to gain more strength.

In November 20th, Melson will sport an image of a wheelchair in camouflage on his trunks to pay homage to disabled veterans. Melson will also display the phrase “Fight To walk” which will bring awareness to not only Christian but all Spinal Cord injuries that are fighting to walk.

“The courage she shows is just incredible. She will always be part of me and we will not stop until we can walk

Melson’s grandparents were survivors of the Holocaust in Poland.

Melson is currently a company commander in the Army Reserves at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn.

In the main event, World ranked (IBF #5), Curtis Stevens (21-3, 15 KO’s) of Brooklyn will take on an opponent to be named in a eight round Super Middleweight bout.

Will Rosinsky (12-0, 7 KO’s) will square off against Yasin Rashid (7-0, 2 KO’s) in a Light heavyweight bout pitting undefeated Brooklyn natives in an eight round affair.

Light Heavyweight contender, Elvir Muriqi (37-5, 23 KO’s) will take part in a ten round co-feature.

Undefeated Featherweight Joselito Collado (11-0, 3 KO’s) of Queens, NY will take part in a Featherweight bout scheduled for six rounds.

Undefeated Cruiserweight Stivin Bujac (2-0, 2 KO’s) will take part in a four round bout.

Undefeated Light Heavyweight Seanie Monaghan (4-0, 3 KO’s) of Long Beach, NY will take on an opponent o be named.

Popular Lightweight Shemuel Pagan (1-0) of Brooklyn will battle Jamel Brown (0-1) of the Bronx in a Lightweight bout scheduled for four rounds.

There will be a press conference on Wednesday November 17th at 2pm at Portobello’s Pizzeria at 83 Murray street between Greenwich and West Broadway in New York City

Tickets for this special night of boxing are priced at $50 for all seats and can be purchased at the Following Locations:

The Aviator Box Office
New Legend Boxing Club (718) 487 4474 or
www.havocboxingnyc.com

The Aviator Sports Complex is located at:

3159 Flatbush Ave – Brooklyn, N.Y. 11234

For more information on Havoc Boxing, Click:
www.havocboxingnyc.com

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The Israel Fighting Championship will mke their debut on November 10 from the Nokia Arena in Tel-Aviv, Israel. Genesis will mark the first time that cage fighting has come to Israel. Mixed Martial Artists from around the globe will go toe-to-toe with some of Israel’s most beloved and respected fighters. Former UFC veterans Frank Trigg, Hermes Franca, Rameau Thierry Sokodjou, Jeff Monson and Shonie Carter will join former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez. The first family of MMA will be represented as Daniel Gracie will be competing. Everyone’s bad boy of MMA Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett is also scheduled to see action that night. Ido Pariente, Moishe Kaitz and Ariel Abargel lead the charge of homegrown mixed martial artists. All told their will be 13 action packed MMA bouts for your viewing pleasure as Go Fight Live will be broadcasting the event live for $9.99.

Mafikeng, South Africa- At the capital of the Northwest Province some 260 kilometers west of Johannesberg, Team Domingo of the Philippines arrived at the Mmabatho Palms Hotel Casino Convention resort for the Official weigh-in of REDEMPTION. A boxing event put up by South Africa’s premier boxing promotional outfit Branco Sports Productions headed by Branco Milenkovic.

Michael Domingo is scheduled to face IBF rated South African native Vusi “Marvelous” Malinga for a twelve round IBF Bantamweight Title Eliminator where the winner of which will have the chance to fight for the IBF world title next year.

Team Domingo composed of Michael Domingo, Head Trainer Edito Villamor, Assistant Trainer Jonh Rey Bunao and ALA Promotions Public Relations head Chad Canares together with the IBF officials and other South African boxers left Sandton, Joberg 15 minutes past 9AM and had a long and smooth ride to Mafikeng when after some tens of kilometers past the famous Cradle of Humankind in the Gauteng Province the vehicle they were riding experienced trouble.

The Chrystler van Team Domingo was in continued driving for almost an hour when the van could no longer push further forcing the group to stop and phone the other cars in the convoy to drive back for assistance. Luckily the other cars had some extra space to accommodate the team from the Philippines.

The scheduled 2 PM weigh-in started at 230 for the teams that packed the Hotel Conference room was waiting for the weighing scale to arrive.

Michael Domingo had to do a little work shedding 8 grams over the contracted 53.52 kg limit while Vusi Malinga made the weight easy. It was little trouble though as all Domingo needed was to do light stretching to make the weight. Official weight for both fighters were 53.34 kg.

NEW YORK (Oct. 29, 2010) – Streaking former University of Tennessee linebacker Ovince St. Preux (7-4), of Knoxville, Tenn., who is coming off an eight-second knockout victory, will seek his fifth consecutive conquest inside the distance when he faces Antwain “The Juggernaut’’ Britt’’ (11-4) of Virginia Beach, Va., in a light heavyweight (205 pounds) bout during a terrific STRIKEFORCE Challengers event on Friday, Nov. 19. The evening of fights will take place at Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT, (delayed on the West Coast).

In the night’s featured fight, lightweight (155 pounds) star and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro (20-4) will take on Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox (9-3) of Cincinnati.

Unbeaten 155-pounder Ryan Couture (1-0) will face an opponent to be determined on the televised undercard. The son of legend Randy Couture won his STRIKEFORCE and MMA debut with a 1:15, first-round submission (triangle choke) over Lucas Stark last Aug. 13 on STRIKEFORCE Challengers.

The Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card is presented by Rockstar Energy Drink and will mark STRIKEFORCE’s initial foray into the state of Mississippi.

Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Coliseum box office and Be-Bop Record Shops, by phone at 800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com and www.STRIKEFORCE.com.

St. Preux, who fights out of Knoxville MMA, has won all four of his fights this year in the first round in a total elapsed time of 7:10. He called it a night after demolishing tough UFC veteran, Jason “Dooms’’ Day, with a single punch in just eight seconds in his most recent outing last July 24.

Day came out hard, charging St. Preux at the opening bell and throwing a hard left hook. St. Preux avoided the shot and landed a crushing, thunderous uppercut that floored Day. He immediately followed up with more punches, forcing the referee to step in and halt matters.

The victory was the second in a row for St. Preux since he won his STRIKEFORCE debut with a 0:47, first-round TKO (punches) over Chris Hawk last April 17 in Nashville. Shortly thereafter, St. Preux signed a multi-fight deal with STRIKEFORCE.

St. Preux is a 6-foot-3, 27-year-old who played for the Vols from 2001-2004. After graduating with a degree in Sociology in ’04, he became heavily involved in MMA, utilizing his impressive wrestling skills and natural athletic abilities. He made history on Feb. 20, 2009, by not only competing in Tennessee’s first sanctioned MMA event, but also by recording the first knockout.

“Everything’s going good, but the more I win, the harder I know I have to work,’’ St. Preux said. “I fought some tough guys early in my career because it didn’t matter to me who I fought. Looking back, I probably should have won all those fights. But I’m not mad because I learned so much from each of them.’’

The 6-foot-1, 32-year-old Britt is making his third consecutive start for STRIKEFORCE, second on SHOWTIME and first since losing to current STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight World Champion Rafael “Feijao’’ Cavalcante last May 15.

After controlling Feijao for most of the standup in the first round, even buckling the Brazilian at one point, Britt got caught with an overhand right. He staggered backwards and Cavalcante followed him into the corner before unleashing a left hook and uppercut that forced the referee to stop the action at 3:45.

A member of Hybrid Academy of Martial Arts, Britt had entered the Cavalcante clash having won four of five, including an impressive, dominant first-round TKO over Scott Lighty on Dec. 19, 2009.

“This is a must-win fight for both of us,’’ said Britt, who has gone more than one full round only three times in a career that began in March 2007. “But I really want this bad. I thought I had Feijao and would love a rematch with him especially since he now is the STRIKEFORCE champion.’’

Ribeiro is a decorated submission expert who won the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship four times, once as a purple belt in 1996 and three times as a black belt in consecutive years (1999-2001). His 20 victories include 14 stoppages (12 by submission) and he has defeated, among others, such notable fighters as Joachim Hansen, Eiji Mitsuoka and Mitsuhiro “The Endless Fighter” Ishida.

Wilcox, a former NCAA wrestling star and bodybuilder, has won his last four starts. In his most recent outing on March 26, he registered a unanimous decision over Shamar Bailey at STRIKEFORCE Challengers in Fresno, Calif.

The younger Couture is a member of the Las Vegas, Nev., based Xtreme Couture fight team. Before impressively winning his pro debut, the 28-year-old compiled an amateur record of 5-1-1 with all five wins coming by submission.

Doors at Jackson Convention Complex will open at 6:45 p.m. CT. The first non-televised preliminary bout will begin at 7:30 p.m. The first televised main card fight will begin at 10 p.m.

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

Three-time world champion Antonio Margarito talks with reporters during a packed media day at the Fortune Gym in Hollywood Thursday. Margarito takes on superstar Manny Pacquiao on November 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. The Pacquiao vs Margarito telecast will be available live on HBO Pay Per View.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

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RE: Amateur Boxing On HALLOWEEN EVE- Everyone should attend in Costume

Gleason’s Gym continues the monthly boxing series Saturday evening October 30, 2010.

Everyone is encouraged to dress up for Halloween. There will be prizes for the top three costumes.

The show will include amateur boxers that are part of our Monthly Boxing Series. The show will include JO, Novice, Senior and Master bouts. There will be male and female bouts.

The weigh in will begin at 4:00PM and the first bout will begin at 6:00PM.

All our bouts are pre-matched. They are sanctioned by USABoxingMetro. All boxers must have their boxing book with them in order to participate.

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.

Superstar Manny Pacquiao shadow boxes during a packed media day at the Wildcard Boxing Club in Los Angeles Wednesday. Pacquiao takes on three-time world champion Antonio Margarito on November 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Pacquiao vs Margarito is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. The Pacquiao vs Margarito telecast will be available live on HBO Pay Per View

Photos by Chris Farina . Top Rank