At almost forty-two years old and forty-six pounds heavier then his customary Light Heavyweight weight, Antonio Tarver made a successful debut as a heavyweight as he scored a ten round unanimous decision over Nagy Aguilera at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma.

Tarver controlled the action over the first three rounds as he boxed very well until injuring his left shoulder sometime around the fourth round. Tarver held his left hand low and fired off quick uppercuts and kept Aguilera against the ropes and reigned in quick combinations and that were mostly capped off by flush left hands to the face.

Aguilera made brief charge in round ten but it was short lived as Tarver was never in any trouble.

Tarver, 221 lbs of Tampa, FL won by scores of 98-92 on all cards to go to 28-6. Aguilera, 232 lbs of Bronx, NY via Dominican Republic is now 16-5

“I feel I looked great,’’ he said. “There was no ring rust. I didn’t get hit much. I didn’t get hurt. I’ll get the shoulder diagnosed, but it didn’t affect me. I wasn’t going to let it affect me. I did what I had to do and stuck to my game plan. I’m back and I’m here to stay. I’m a heavyweight now. The magic still lives.

“There is still work to do,’’ Tarver said. “Aguilera was a good trial horse for me. He surprised me because he stayed on his bicycle so much. But I’ll be back in the gym. I’ve got to power up. I thought I caught him with some good shots. No one (in the heavyweight division) is going to outbox me.’’

Mired by numerous headbutts that caused cuts over both of his eyes, Hector Munoz was tough as nails just to make it to the ninth round with Shawn Porter before the latter finally was able to score the stoppage victory in a scheduled ten round Welterweight bout.

Porter basically won every minute of every round as he landed fast and hard combinations that had Munoz in trouble throughout but Munoz did not take a backwards step and continued to come forward only to absorb punishment until referee Gary Ritter mercifully stopped the bout at 2:05 of round nine.

Porter, 146.4 lbs of of Akron, Ohio remains undefeated at 17-0 with thirteen knockouts. Munoz, 146.8 lbs of Albuquerque, New Mexico is now 18-4-1.

“The fight went exactly as I expected,’’ said Porter, a poised, versatile boxer-puncher who throws power punches in bunches from all angles with both hands. “He came forward all the time and never stopped trying. I was surprised at how long they let the fight go on, but I knew I had to stay focused.’’

“I wanted to draw him forward to get him close, but I never could,’’ Munoz said. “He is not a devastating puncher. He never hurt me or had me shook up. But the cuts were too much to overcome.’’

NEW YORK (Oct. 15, 2010) – Super Six World Boxing Classic fans will get a chance to see WBA world champion and tournament-point leader Andre Ward headline the SHOWTIME telecast on Saturday, Nov. 27 (live at 9p.m. ET/PT), it was officially announced one week after Ward’s tournament opponent Andre Dirrell pulled out of their Group Stage 3 fight due to injury.

Ward, who has already locked up a Semifinal berth in the Super Six World Boxing Classic, will defend his WBA super middleweight world title against world ranked top-10 contender Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika (28-4-2, 19 KOs) of Sydney, Australia, by way of Douala, Cameroon, in the second-half of a SHOWTIME doubleheader.

The fight, which will take place in front of Ward’s hometown fans at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., will not be part of the Super Six tournament, Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports®, announced. The event is being promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions, the promoter for Bika.

There will, however, be Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament action on Saturday, Nov. 27, from Finland. In the opening bout of the SHOWTIME doubleheader, “King” Arthur Abraham will meet Carl “The Cobra” Froch for their pivotal Group Stage 3 bout for the vacant WBC world title. This bout will air on same day delay from the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki.

The 31-year-old Bika will be making his third world title appearance, challenging for the belt that Ward wrested from Mikkel Kessler with a brilliant performance in the opening Group Stage of the Super Six tournament. Bika is 0-1-1 in world title fights, having lost a decision to Joe Calzaghe in Oct. 2006 and being forced to settle for a controversial draw against Marcus Beyer in Germany in May 2006.

Two of Bika’s most noteworthy victories came when he crushed Peter Manfredo, Jr. (TKO 3) in Nov. 2008 and when he outpointed Sam Soliman across eight rounds in Oct. 2007.

As evidenced by the fact that he has never been knocked out, Bika is known for his granite chin and is regarded as one of the toughest fighters in the world at 168 pounds. A 2000 Olympian for Cameroon, Bika has fought some of the division’s elite champions, but has long accused the big-name super middleweights of avoiding him.

In an opportunity to get back into the world title picture, Bika lost his most recent start controversially when he was disqualified for hitting Jean Paul Mendy while he was down in the first round of an IBF world title eliminator this past July 31. On his way to what looked like a certain knockout win, Bika dropped Mendy to his knees with a left hand, then landed a right uppercut that caused Mendy to pitch forward face-first on the canvas. Referee Joe Cortez ruled that Bika had fouled Mendy and he called the fight at 1:19 of the first round.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

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

CLICK FOR FULL EVENT INFO
WHO: WILFREDO VAZQUEZ JR.WBO Jr. Featherweight Champion Bayamon, PR, 19-0-1, 16 KOs
IVAN “Choko” HERNANDEZ, Former World Champion, Ensenada, MX, 28-4-1, 17 KOs
And the Rest of the Full Fight Card

WHAT: Official Weigh-in for the Vazquez Jr vs. Hernandez Fight Card

WHEN: Friday, October 15, 5:30 PM

WHERE: Silver Spurs Arena Parking Lot
1875 Silver Spurs Lane
Kissimmee, FL34744
(321) 697-3333

Media Credential Pick-Up will be on Saturday from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the North Lobby

WBO Jr. Featherweight Champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr will be transported by helicopter to the scale for today’s OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN at the Silver Spurs Arena, in Kissimmee, FL. Waiting at the scale will be his opponent Ivan “Choko” Hernandez.

You may be thinking, “?Wilfredo esta loco?” After the fight, he is planning to bungee jump across the street from the hotel. He’s been talking about it all week.

On Saturday, October 16, 2010, All Star Boxing, Inc and Promoter Tuto Zabala, Jr. will return to the city that has hosted many of the company’s boxing shows during the past 10 years that have filled the Kissimmee Civic Center on many occasions. This time it will come back with a World Title fight and one of the biggest shows in Central Florida history that will be hosted at the 10,500 seat Silver Spurs Arena of the Osceola Heritage Park in an event billed “The Rising Son Returns”.

In the main event, WBO Jr. Featherweight Champion Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. of Bayamon, Puerto Rico will make the second defense of his title when he meets his toughest opponent so far in Ivan “Choko” Hernandez of Ensenada, Mexico in a bout schedule for 12 rounds with Vazquez WBO Jr. Featherweight Title at stake.

For Vazquez Jr.(26), it will be a homecoming. He has fought in Kissimmee 13 times in route to his world title win last February 27 when he stopped “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona of the Philippines in 4 rounds to capture the title. In his first defense, on May 29, he also stopped former Olympian and #1 contender Zsolt Bedak of Hungary in 10 to improve his record to 19-0-1-16 KO’s.

Former world champion Hernandez (27) is ranked #10 by the WBC and WBO and has fought world champions Mark Johnson, Fernando Montiel, Toshiaki Nishioka and Israel Vazquez. Hernandez’ two most recent fights were both 5th round knockout wins, against Jaime Maldonado and Lisandro De Los Santos, to improve his record to 27-4-1, with 17 KOs.

Tickets for Vazquez Jr. vs. Hernandez on October 16, priced at $202, $102, $52 and $27, are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Silver Spurs Arena box office and on-line at Ticketmaster.com.

Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. vs. Ivan “Choko” Hernandez will be broadcast live on-pay-per-view, distributed by Integrated Sports in the US and in Puerto Rico by Pay Per View Connection beginning at 9 PM ET/6PM PT at a suggested retail price of $34.95.

BOB ARUM: Top Rank has a reputation of developing its fighters from scratch, from its earliest fight onward and we don’t usually co-promote a fighter with anyone. But we’ve know Russell Peltz for many years and Russell is a true boxing promoter, who knows what he’s doing as witnessed by the tremendous job he’s done developing Mike Jones to where Mike is one of the rising prospects in boxing on the cusp of becoming a star in the sport. When we looked at Mike we saw a fine young man who had great ability who believed we could help Russell develop him on the next stage against the elite fighters in the sport. We are so proud and happy to be aligned in this venture with Russell Peltz, who has developed more fighters in the Philadelphia area than the Phillies have pitchers and they have a lot of great pitchers and Russell has developed so many.

RUSSELL PELTZ: Bob, I’ve known you for 36 years and I think you’ve known me longer than you’ve known anybody in boxing with the possible exception of Don Chargin.

BOB ARUM: I think it’s about the same time.

RUSSELL PELTZ: I think Mike is probably the best prospect to come out of Philly since maybe Bernard Hopkins. His management came to me a couple years ago asking to please use Mike Jones on a show, who I had never heard of. I put Mike with a New York Golden Gloves champion named Jason Thompson who was undefeated and after Mike knock him out I was deluged with calls from out of town asking who this kid was. I figured I had something and now he is ranked as high as No. 2 in the world and Top Rank has an entrée with most of the top 147-pounders in the world and it can be a good working relationship. For Mike to have a chance to fight in Cowboys Stadium, and we did have an offer to go to England to fight Kell Brook and probably for more money but this is a better stage for him, and we are all looking forward to this.

BRUCE TRAMPLER: At Top Rank we make it a practice to track the careers of up and coming fighters from around the country and always looking to get involved with the best young fighters. When Russell started telling me about Mike Jones a couple years ago our ears perked up because Russell doesn’t get high on too many guys. We had an opportunity to put Mike on a couple of shows we did in conjunction with Russell this year. He beat Bruseles in a fight I thought gave Mike a lot of experience and a kid in Albuquerque, Hector Muñoz, and he’s fought since and we agree with Russell. He’s got everything it takes. He’s got a great body for a welterweight; very good boxing skills and you can see the improvement in each fight. He could be the face of Philadelphia boxing and we are very thrilled to be involved with him.

BOB ARUM: Everyone knows about this storm coming out of Philadelphia and we are proud to have him on this card in Cowboys Stadium on November 13, so speak for your self now Mike.

MIKE JONES: Thank you and I’m happy to be on board. I am honored to be called one of the best prospects since Bernard Hopkins. I am honored to be on the November 13 card against Jesus Soto-Karass and I’m a work in progress. I get better in each and every fight and I will be one of the best out there. I’m in the gym every day trying my hardest in the gym and giving my best in each and every fight.

Can you tell me your familiarity of history of Philly boxing?

MIKE JONES: I grew up in Joe Frazier’s gym so I know about Joe Frazier and some of the fighters that came from there. But I really wasn’t a boxing fan growing up – I played basketball. Some friends brought me to the gym and I am learning a lot now. I know there were a lot of great fighters in Philly, but I don’t know too much about the history.

RUSSELL PELTZ: I try to twist Mike’s arm to get him to look at some old tapes but he’s got a full plate with two young daughters and he still holds down a part time job and he likes to train 24 hours a day but I know he watched a tape the other day of Price Charles Williams beating Bobby Czyz for the title. I am trying to get Mike to use his jab more and that was a fight Prince Charles won with just his left hand.

What about the part-time job and the kids and training?

MIKE JONES: As of right now, I left the job alone to give 100% to boxing, so I have been training basically all day long. I gave the job up at Home Depot shortly before my last fight.

Why did you think the undercard should be so stacked for this fight?

BOB ARUM: We always try to do a good undercard. Sometimes fights that we think are going to turn out to be really great, don’t, like that Castillo-Gomez fight that we had on March 13, which surprised us that it was not that good. We always aim to do what we can to make a strong undercard and in this case we put together something that I am confident that it will absolutely be great I addition to Mike, Rigondeaux is in a title fight in his seventh professional fight. A lot of people say he is the equal or not better than Gamboa. Then there is Kelly Pavlik who is trying to right himself with this fight that he has against Brian Vera. So it is a very interesting undercard. Even the off-TV card is stacked with great prospects and interesting fights.

Is there an urgency to have your fighters showcased?

BOB ARUM: The difficulty with working with another promoter on a big fight is they ask spots on the televised undercard and because they re a co-promoter they are entitled to it. Therefore it is not always possible to present the best possible undercard dealing in a situation like that.

Mike, how do you see this opportunity?

MIKE JONES: This fight means everything to me right now. It will be watched by millions of people around the world and I am going to try my best so I can be looked at as one of the best out there.

BOB ARUM: Todd is over in Europe right now at Sportel and he has said the interest from TV from around the world is immense. It will probably be the biggest coverage we have had in years.

RUSSELL PELTZ: We talked about going to England and because of the lack of exposure and if Mike wins, which is Kell Brook and if he loses he is in a hole. It wasn’t even the money; it was just the opportunity to fight on this show that made the difference.

BOB ARUM: It may even be more advantageous if Mike fought Brook, to do the fight here in the states.

MIKE JONES: I haven’t thought about the crowd too much or how big the stadium is. I feel like I have always proven myself and it always feels like I have a lot of pressure on my anyway. The bigger the crowd, the more relaxed I get.

Where does the pressure come from?

MIKE JONES: The pressure from within. To be great is my calling. The pressure builds up inside and releases in the fight.

What would you like to work on to become a complete fighter?

MIKE JONES: I have an excellent jab and I barely use it. I could control a whole fight with the jab. I need to get it out there more. And I need to use the power jab. I use it as a range finder, a pity-pat, but I need to use that and it will be a lot better as a weapon.

What about your power?

MIKE JONES: Well, it is deceptive power right now. My style right now is to box and move and counter-punch. I feel I have both. I can box and move around or I can get a guy out of there as well. But I can use both.

What kind of fight do you expect?

MIKE JONES: I have seen tapes of him and I expect a tough fight. He reminds me of a baby Antonio Margarito. He comes straightforward and throws a lot of punches and works the left side a lot. I expect for him to come out and give it his all.

RUSSELL PELTZ: I have been on Mike’s back a lot lately explaining to him that with all the talent he has and to use the jab. When Mike was an amateur and everything that Joe taught him was power. Everything was hard and everything was heavy. He said when he left Frazer and went to Vaughn Jackson he became more of a boxer. He thought maybe he shouldn’t have completely disbanded the power game that Joe taught him and that he should revisit it. Use the jab as a straight left. With his size and ability if he starts developing that jab, he can control the whole Soto-Karass fight in my opinion just by letting that thing go out there and really snapping it. Chandler has a jab like that and this is the closest fighter I can find to Mike Jones.

Were you frustrated not getting the TV exposure?

MIKE JONES: I wasn’t frustrated at all. I just get ready for fights. Russell worries about that and he can make it happen one way or another with Bob Arum.

How soon do you expect to challenge for a world title?

MIKE JONES: Very soon. Given the opportunity. I definitely am going want to win this fight, no respect to Soto-Karass. But I come to win this fight and after that maybe I can get a piece of a title.

RUSSELL PELTZ: Mike became a cause-celebre because everyone found out that for some reason, Russell Peltz couldn’t get Mike Jones on ESPN. So people said who is this kid from Philly that keeps winning and is getting blackballed or shutout from TV, and it helped him. We turned a negative situation into a winning situation. I didn’t want television people telling me who Mike Jones could fight. They weren’t going to dictate Mike’s career path.

BOB ARUM: Remember the guy who no one would put on television and nobody would give a title shot to turned out to be one of the greatest middleweights of all time, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler. This happens in boxing and the one thing we pride ourselves on at Top Rank if for any reason a network won’t buy a fight with one of our fighters, we do the fight ourselves. You cannot be beholden to the television networks because if you are you do a disservice to your fighter.

What was your job at Home Depot?

MIKE JONES: I was a forklift operator. My daughter’s ages are 6 and 4.

You said the last fight you wanted to step it up and get your guy out of there, so what is it for this fight?

MIKE JONES: I want to control the fight with the jab and I want to counter-punch and I want to move. I know he can’t fight a mover.

You thought you could knock Berto out, are you disappointed the fight did not come about?

MIKE JONES: A little bit, but I take what I can get. This fight here is not an easy fight. I am fighting a great fighter in Jesus Soto-Karass and this will be one of my greatest days yet. It is a great opportunity for me.

Bob, will it be easier to put the promotion together at Cowboys Stadium the second time around?

BOB ARUM: We learned a lot from the last time obviously. One of the things we learned was pricing tickets because we have so many seats there we can offer people the opportunity to see the fight for $50. People say you will be far away but you have one of the greatest screens, the greatest high definition screen in the world. You see it in high definition and you are there in the arena and no matter how far away you are sitting you can watch the fight closely on that big screen. It makes for a great experience. We are marketing the fights differently because of Margarito. We are reaching out more to the Hispanic community because last time we didn’t have a Hispanic main event and we are very bullish about the buzz that is taking over in North Texas and we know we are going to do more than the 51,000 we did before and how much more we will see. For us as boxing promoters working together with this Cowboy organization is a great experience. They are really a professional operation and too bad none of them can play quarterback because maybe the team would do better but they are really terrific people.

How much do you talk to Jerry Jones?

BOB ARUM: I keep away because he knows I am a crazy Giants fan and he tolerates that but with them losing and the Giants starting to look good I don’t think I am going to talk football with him until we finish this event.

Where do you see Mike fitting in the welterweight division?

BOB ARUM: The welterweight division is very strong. Even thought he is fighting this at junior middleweight, Manny is now a natural welterweight and where Manny is that’s where the money is. And Mayweather is a natural welterweight and he brings a lot of excitement and money to the table. Then there are guys like Berto and Williams who may still be a welterweight and other guys who make it a strong division that can give the public very strong and interesting matches. I know that HBO and Showtime have expressed a big interest in Mike and once we have the attention of the two premium networks, we can explain to a British promoter that the money is better fighting in the USA than fighting over in England. That’s why we are very excited because Frank Warren offered the Brook fight to Russell and Russell turned it down. I think with this exposure that Mike is going to get, I know that we can do some big, big fights on either of those premium networks.

Mike, who would you say is the top welterweight?

MIKE JONES: Manny Pacquiao. I would match up pretty well against him. I know Pacquiao is pretty fast and moves a lot but I am fast too and I am much taller than him. I could jab him and I could get him too.

How far away is he from a fight like that?

RUSSELL PELTZ: I consider this a major fight. Every fight from here on, he could fight Berto, the Selcuk Aydin, he could fight Ionut Dan. Everything is riding on this fight in Dallas. The way he is looking in the gym and they way he is talking and thinking right now I think he is starting to fill in all the loose ends and I think 2011…remember 2009 was a wasted year for us. Pullouts, injuries, it was like the year didn’t even happen. I think 2011 is going to be his year and title…it’s about money and I envision him making a lot of money for himself regardless of who he is fighting and somewhere along the way he will fight for a world title.

Would Miguel Cotto fit in the welterweight group?

BOB ARUM: There is no question that Miguel Cotto fits into every situation. In addition to Miguel being a great welterweight and a big crowd pleaser, Miguel Cotto brings in the people and that certainly is a big possibility. I can’t get a Berto to step up and fight a Mike Jones because his management wants to do the safe-risk thing and as long as HBO is paying him the money to do that, he’ll continue to do it. But Miguel Cotto fights for Top Rank and Miguel Cotto will be at the fight on November 13 and that is surely a possibility. We have to get Mike some more exposure, which we will. Then I can see him going in with a Cotto, going in with a Manny Pacquiao. All these guys are looking for dance partners and all these guys are really athletes and they want to be involved in competitive fights and not walkovers.

Mike, where does the work ethic come from?

MIKE JONES: I have always been like that, ever since I was a kid. It’s just what I like to do. I work as hard as I can to get the best out of me and that carries over into boxing.

What about having a team that has been together for a while?

MIKE JONES: Ever since day one and I don’t need any distractions in this point in my career and I have been with these guys ever since I started. We all get along and we are looking forward to bigger and better things.

BOB ARUM: This has been a very informative call. We are going to have a media day and a workout on the 27th in Los Angeles at the Wild Card Gym and on the 28th media and workout for Margarito at the Fortune Gym in LA and that should be very interesting and we are going to do a press event that week in Houston, TX where Rigondeaux trains with Ronnie Shields and Mike Lee, the Notre Dame boxing champion who trains with Ronnie also. There is a lot of activity as we go into the home stretch. And on the 23rd will be the first installment of the 24/7, which the guys at HBO are telling me it, is the best they have ever done. It is one month to go and down the home stretch and I want to than everyone for being on the call.

************************************

Mike Jones (22-0, 18 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA., currently world-rated No. 2 by the WBA and the WBO and No. 4 by the WBC and the IBF, will defend his NABA/NABO welterweight titles against Jesus Soto-Karass (24-4-3, 16 KOs), of Los Mochis, México. Soto-Karass is the WBC’s No. 7-rated welterweight contender. Jones vs. Soto-Karass will open the Pacquiao vs, Margarito HBO Pay-Per-View broadcast.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Cowboys Stadium, MP Promotions and Tecate, PACQUIAO vs. MARGARITO will take place Saturday, November 13 in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX. The $1.2 billion stadium is the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venue in the world. Pacquiao vs. Margarito will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Remaining Tickets to Pacquiao vs. Margarito are priced at $700, $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50, and can be purchased in-person at the Cowboys Stadium ticket office in Arlington, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

HBO’s Emmy-Award-winning all-access series “24/7” premieres an all new edition when “24/7 Pacquiao/Margarito” debuts Saturday, Oct. 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. The four-part series will air for three consecutive Saturday nights before the finale airs the night before the super welterweight championship showdown in Texas.

For Pacquiao vs. Margarito fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com or www.toprank.com .

It is the indispensable medium. Bob Arum and Oscar De La Hoya need television as much as Bill O’Reilly needs to shout into the cameras. But it is also a dilemma for young fighters impatient to get onto that rich stage as quickly as possible. Mike Jones is about to step through those ropes and into that light, which can be as unforgiving as it is bright.

That Jones has yet to do so can be viewed through a prism that casts a varied spectrum of interpretation. Prospects with less experience, a lesser record and a lot less potential have already been there. Fair or not, Jones has been waiting his turn, which finally comes on Nov. 13 beneath a screen that enriches as much as it exposes at Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

The wait, however, represents another opportunity, one which has been swept aside in the headlong rush to cash in before dues have to be paid. Jones, a Philadelphia welterweight who faces Jesus Soto-Karass on the HBO telecast of Manny Pacquiao-versus-Antonio Margarito, has served an apprenticeship. That’s a quaint notion, I know. Maybe, it’s even been forgotten. But forgotten fundamentals are a sure way to foreclosure.

While listening to Jones, promoter J Russell Peltz, Arum and Top Rank matchmaker Bruce Trampler on a conference call Wednesday, I couldn’t help but think that Jones hasn’t been allowed to forget lessons presented, reviewed and repeated at the rhythm and rate of a speed bag over the course of his 22-fight resume (22-0, 18 KOs).

A negative turned into a positive, Peltz said of Jones’ classroom away from HDTV’s defining portrayal.

“You can’t be beholden to the television networks,’’ Arum said. “If you are, you’re doing a disservice to your fighter.’’

More than a disservice.

It is irresponsible to both fighter and fan to push a prospect in front of the HBO cameras before he has a chance to discover whether he really wants to enter the crosshairs in pursuit of a living. Too many have. I still recall a former heavyweight, Danell Nicholson, saying that he wanted to be famous. Nicholson never said he wanted to be a fighter. Fame was his only objective. But it’s not a commodity. You can’t pick up a couple of pounds of it at the corner store

It was as if Nicholson had calculated that boxing was the quickest way to claim his share. But dangerous punches can get in the way of fame, money and common sense. A willingness to take those punches, endure them and counter them is the priority. Fame or money is the windfall, but it is only there if the prospect discovers that he likes to fight — first, foremost and mostly for himself. The cameras are incidental, almost like that windfall.

Among other things, Jones has had a chance to discover that, yeah, that willingness is within him like a heartbeat. Throughout his apprenticeship, he supported two daughters, aged four and six, with a day job at Home Depot. It would have been easy, even understandable, if he had decided to punch-in, punch-out and forget about punches at the gym.

But he didn’t. In the gym and away from the cameras, Jones, who has been compared to Thomas Hearns, learned that the brutal trade was his trade. He’s still learning and re-applying some of the fundamentals, including a more effective jab. He calls himself “a work in progress.’’ But it doesn’t sound as if there any doubts or looming identity crisis about where that progress is headed.

HBO is just a natural step in the progression.

NOTES, QUOTES
· Pacquiao fans must be getting nervous. According to reports from the respective camps, Margarito’s has been single-minded and his work uninterrupted. Meanwhile, Pacquiao has suffered from the flu and a slight foot injury. It might not matter; Pacquiao might win as expected. In the long wake of hand-wrap controversy in a loss Shane Mosley in January, 2009, however, Margarito has much to prove, He is armed with motivation to redeem himself. That’s powerful. Meanwhile, Pacquiao has a new career as a Filipino Congressman and an opponent not named Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

· More Margarito motivation: Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that Margarito has a bet with clothing manufacturer Affliction. He will wear the company’s T-shirt during HBO’s 24/7 series and into the ring. If he loses, he’ll only have the shirt. If he upset Pacquiao, he’ll win a renewal of his endorsement deal. It’ll be worth five figures.

· Two more reasons to forget about the heavyweight division are on the schedule, first Friday and then Saturday. Antonio Tarver is old enough for a cinematic rematch against Sylvester Stallone. Yet, he will make his heavyweight debut on ShoBox against Nagy Aquilera in Miami, Okla. On Saturday, Shannon Briggs faces Vitali Klitschko in Hamburg, Germany. Tarver, an insightful commentator for Showtime, and Briggs are personable. They’re great talkers. If only they could have talked their way out of these fights.

Fargo, ND- light middleweight contender, Ishe Smith, will have an opportunity to stay active and put himself in position for a major bout in the 154 lb. division when he returns to the ring on November 5, at Scheels Arena in Fargo, ND. Smith will participate in the non-televised portion of Showtime Boxing’s first appearance in North Dakota, presented by Lou Dibella Entertainment.

The televised portion of the card will be headlined by Edwin Rodriguez (16-0) taking on James “Buddy” McGirt Jr. (23-2-1), and Marcus Johnson taking on an opponent to be named. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, October 14th, 2010 at 11 a.m. and are available by calling the Scheels Arena box office or at ticketmaster.com.

Smith (21-5) is making his return to the jr. middleweight division after spirited efforts in the 160 lb. class against Danny Jacobs and Fernando Guerrero in his last two bouts. Smith was able to put the undefeated Guerrero on the canvas with an 8th round knockdown and won the fight on the unofficial scorecards of the Showtime broadcast team, despite ultimately being dealt a controversial decision loss.

In addition to taking on two of boxing’s top middleweight prospects in the past year, Smith, the former “Contender” star, has also served as a sparring partner to some of the sport’s top names, including Zab Judah, Chad Dawson, and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Joining Smith, Rodriguez, and Johnson on the star studded card will be Shobox alumni Mickey Bey and Antwone Smith, as well as upper Midwest boxing stars Andy “Kaos” Kolle and Javontae Starks.

Tickets range in price from $20-$65.

Ishe Smith turned professional in 2000 and has captured NABO, WBC Continental, and USBA welterweight titles. Becoming a household name by participating in NBC’s The Contender in 2005, Smith has since appeared on national television numerous times.

Along with holding several marquee victories Smith has also shared the ring with Floyd Mayweather, Fernando Vargas, Shane Mosley, and Oscar De La Hoya as a sparring partner. Smith is based out of boxing’s capital city of Las Vegas, Nevada, and is coached by world renowned trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

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NEW YORK (Oct. 14, 2010)—Showtime Networks Inc. is proud to announce that the World Light Heavyweight Championship fight between future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins and young upstart WBC World Champion Jean Pascal will be televised live on SHOWTIME.

The 12-round world championship bout, originally proposed as a pay-per-view event in the United States, will be held in Pascal’s home of Quebec, Canada—at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City—on Saturday, Dec. 18, and be televised live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET. The event is co-promoted by Group Yvon Michel Inc. and Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Casino Montreal and Quebec Tourism. www.regionquebec.com

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this important championship fight directly to our loyal subscribers and fight fans,” said Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports®. “This is a milestone fight for each man’s respective career and thus this matchup fits perfectly into our programming strategy—to televise the most competitive and meaningful bouts in the sport.

“I want to thank the promoters for this event—Group Yvon Michel Inc., Golden Boy Promotions—and of course the fighters themselves for working with us to bring this bout to our faithful audience. It’s an early holiday present for SHOWTIME fight fans.”

Pascal and Hopkins are setting out on a multi-city, two-country press tour to officially announce their championship showdown with stops in Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto and New York. The press tour will mark Pascal’s first stateside appearance as WBC Light Heavyweight Champion. Please mark your calendars as these are events not to be missed.

PASCAL vs. HOPKINS TOUR DATES AND CITIES

Monday, October 18 Quebec City, Canada (Morning)

Quebec City Hall

Montreal, Canada (Afternoon)

Studio NRJ

Tuesday, October 19 Toronto, Canada

Air Canada Centre

Wednesday, October 20 New York City

Planet Hollywood – Times Square

*Additional Details (media call times, etc.) will be announced shortly.

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

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

CLICK TO ORDER THE FIGHT

LAS VEGAS, NEV (October 14, 2010) – Top Rank announced today that international television sports reporter INÉS SAINZ has been signed to provide daily fight week reports and features and be part of the international broadcast team for the Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito World Super Welterweight Championship. Pacquiao vs. Margarito will take place, Saturday, November 13 at the $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX and will be broadcast live on pay-per-view in the U.S.

Sainz, a sports reporter for TV Azteca in México and Azteca America in the U.S., will utilize her vast experience interviewing sports personalities from around the globe in producing fresh and insightful reports from the fighters’ camps throughout fight week, as well as live reports from the official press conferences, media workouts, the official weigh-in, all of which will be available to online portals as well as television stations and networks via satellite feeds. Sainz will also be reporting on the pre-fight festivities during fight night at Cowboys Stadium as well as part of the fight’s international broadcasting team .

“Inés will be a valuable addition in providing sports fans unique stories on the fighters and the event during fight week and the fight broadcast itself that we have never had before,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank, which is promoting Pacquiao vs. Margarito, in association with MP Promotions, Cowboys Stadium and Tecate. “Inasmuch as she is bilingual and has the experience of covering major sporting events worldwide and has interviewed the top athletes in those events, she will help enhance our coverage of Pacquiao vs. Margarito and attract a wider audience to the sport of boxing. Top Rank feels very fortunate to have her for this event.”

Sainz, who holds graduate degrees in tax law and sports business administration, and is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, has covered major sports events that span the 2004 Olympics in Athens, the past six Super Bowls and the ATP’s World Tour Masters. She was also an integral part of TV Azteca’s coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa. Sainz also hosts TV Azteca’s popular interview program Dxtips.

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Remaining Tickets to Pacquiao vs. Margarito are priced at $700, $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50, and can be purchased in-person at the Cowboys Stadium ticket office in Arlington, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For Pacquiao vs. Margarito fight week updates, log on to www.toprank.com .

On Friday October 22nd, lightweight prospect Jorge “The Truth” Teron (23-2-1, 15KO’s) returns to the ring, when he takes on James Hope in the feature bout of the evening on Star Boxing and The Empire’s rescheduled “Capitale Punishment II” card at the Capitale NY. The bout is scheduled for eight rounds in the lightweight division.

JORGE “THE TRUTH” TERON

The 25-year-old Teron, a Bronx native, was a three-time New York Golden Gloves champion as an amateur, before turning pro in 2005. Possessing a fan-friendly style, and power in both hands, Teron is looking to get back into the win column after suffering a defeat in his last fight, a shoot out against highly regarded, undefeated, Brandon Rios (25-0-1, 18KO’s).

“Jorge is an exciting, and crowd pleasing fighter,” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO and President of Star Boxing. “We have had him on some of our shows in the past and he has yet to disappoint. We are looking forward to featuring this match-up, in what is promising to be an entertaining night of boxing in New York City, come October 22nd.”

Hope (6-5-1, 4KO’s) is by no means a pushover or easy fight for Teron. The 26-year-old is coming off a draw in an absolute war with unbeaten prospect Bayan Jargal (15-0) on July 17th, and hopes to bring some of that momentum in with him into the ring on the 22nd.

UNDERCARD ACTION

There are five exciting undercard bouts scheduled to take place, highlighted by the return of popular New York light heavyweight and former NY Golden Gloves champion “Irish” Sean Monaghan (2-0, 2KO’s) taking on Nick Whiting. The bout is scheduled for four rounds in the light heavyweight division.

Also scheduled to appear on the card is the Bronx’s Hajro Sujak (5-1, 2KO’s) as he takes on Naseem Dean (2-2, 1KO) in a four round light heavyweight contest.

In a battle of all-action bantamweight’s, Brooklyn’s Elton Dharry (5-5-1, 1KO) looks to make it four wins in a row when he takes on former two-time NY Golden Glvoes finalist, Jose “Chilli” Rivera (2-1-1). The bout is scheduled for six rounds.

Also seeing action on the card, in a special female attraction, is former world title challenger Eileen Olszewski (5-2-2) as she takes on fellow New Yorker, Suzannah Warner. The bout is scheduled for eight rounds in the flyweight division.

Rounding out the card will be a battle between pro-debuting Queen’s natives, as Elmer Vera squares off against Abdellah Smith in a four round super middleweight showdown.

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

ABOUT STAR BOXING:

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

ABOUT THE EMPIRE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT:

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

Star Boxing

Star Boxing Exclusive Merchandise

Facebook/Star Boxing

twitter.com/starboxing

North Bergen, NJ resident Jonathan Maicelo is accustomed to being a massive draw. All 13 of his professional bouts have taken place in front of adoring fans in his native Peru and hundreds of thousands more have viewed his fights on YouTube. Best described by Manager Nelson Fernandez as “a fighter who lives to entertain the crowd”, the always confident Maicelo enters uncharted territory on Saturday when he battles Oscar Cuero at Washington School in Union City, NJ.

The bout will be televised in his homeland and a preview series similar to HBO’s 24/7 has been airing to hype his American debut. I had the opportunity to catch up with Maicelo, who is putting the finishing touches on his preparations for the ten round showdown.

Matt Yanofsky: This is your first time fighting in America, which is thousands of miles away from your native Peru. How are you feeling leading up to your first bout?

Jonathan Maicelo: I feel pretty good and although my training here in the USA for this fight has been only 3 weeks I’m in great condition.

MY: In Peru, you have fought in front of thousands upon thousands of fans on multiple occasions. Your fight Saturday is as a small venue. Many view you as a crowd fighter. Will the smaller crowd perhaps take away some of your in ring pizzazz?

JM: Remember that although I am going to fight in a small venue I have the responsibility in front of all of my very critical fans in Peru of everything I do inside and outside the ring but I will give a good account of my fight not only to the American fan in the USA in the arena but all of my fans back home in Peru.

MY: What has life been like for you living and training in New Jersey? Do you like it here or are you homesick?

JM: This is my second time around here in New Jersey and I’m living in an apartment with 3 other fighters that are not only my friends but we get along very well and I love them dearly and yes, I love the USA and I shall stay here to continue my career become a world champion with the best boxing trainers and the best manager in the world.

MY: America is regularly referred to as the “Land of Opportunities.” What opportunities have you had here or you expecting that may not have come in Peru?

JM: The “Land of Opportunities” is going to create new markets for me as well as new fans, a better future for me and my family, and climb in the world rankings as a boxer that would have been very, very difficult in my country, Peru.

MY: What do you know about your opponent Oscar Cuero?

JM: I know he is very strong and likes to go toe to toe but I do not like to fight my opponents fight I like to fight my fight establish my rhythm, impose my will and I shall finish him because what I want in my first fight here in the USA is to start with a KO.

MY: Currently, you are the WBC Latino lightweight champion. Do you plan on defending that belt or fighting for different titles in the near future?

JM: I would love to defend my title here in the USA but I would also like to fight for other titles as well but that is the job of my manager Nelson Fernandez who knows when, where and with whom I should fight in the future.

MY: You live in North Bergen with three of your stablemates Juan Zegarra, Carlos Zambrano and Carlos Tamara. Zegarra and Zambrano are both from Peru and are extremely serious about their career, while Tamara was recently a world champion. How does living in this kind of environment help your career?

JM: As I had said before Zegarra and Zambrano we all know each other since we were kids and we love each other but more than love is our respect for each other and as they are serious about their career so I’m I.
Carlos Tamara and I speak daily at length and he has given me a lot of good advice but we also speak a lot about boxing strategies he has been like a teacher, professor to me outside the ring since we met each other he is tremendous.

MY: What can all the local fight fans who haven’t seen you expect this Saturday and beyond?

JM: They are going to see Maicelo the fighter that first conquered my city of Callao (with my style of fighting) and then with all that same intensity, dedication and guts conquered the rest of my country who I love very dearly EL PERU.

Editors Note: Special thanks to Nelson Fernandez for translating the interview.

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

Several years ago A.J “Bazooka” Banal was widely touted as one of the top young fighters coming through. After being a pro for 3 years Banal was thrust into a fight with Rafael Concepcion for the Vacant Interim WBA Super Flyweight title, it proved a bridge to far as the more battle tested Concepcion ground out a tenth round stoppage. It was a tough defeat to take but to his credit Banal still only 21 took some time off moved up to Bantamweight and has reeled off 5 straight wins with all but one of them being inside the distance. Most recently Banal now 22-1-1(18) showed that the loss hadn’t diminished his fans support when an incredible 30,000 turned up to see him stop Big Yoo in five. With that win he has been catapulted into a fight with former world champion Luis Alberto Perez which takes place in the opulent splendour of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Cebu. Banal is currently ranked WBC 11#, WBA 4#, IBF 3# & WBO 3# at Bantamweight.

Hello AJ, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – You have a tough fight coming up at the end of October when you face former World champion Luis Alberto Perez. What are your thoughts on that fight?

A.J Banal – I think it will be a great fight because Luis Perez is a former world champion and he is a very good fighter as well. It will be a great fight and I hope a lot of people will support and watch our fight live.

Anson Wainwright – In your last fight you beat Big Yoo when you stopped him in five. What can you tell us about that fight? Also how happy were you with that performance?

A.J Banal – It was a great give and take fight with Big Yoo and he is a great fighter. My performance was okay. What made me happy was to see and please the 30,000 that came to watch our fight. It made the win sweeter. Many thank you’s to all that supported us.

Anson Wainwright – That’s a fantastic support. What can you tell us about fighting in front of so many fans was like?

A.J Banal – The experience was overwhelming. It was amazing. I was just so ecstatic after the win knowing that I did not disappoint everybody who came and supported me that night.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you use regular?

A.J Banal – My manager is Michael Aldeguer who also happens to be the President of ALA Promotions. My trainer is Edmund Villamor and I fight under ALA Promotions. One very important person in my life is Mr. Antonio Aldeguer who I consider my second father. He has guided me not just in boxing but in life as well. I have been training under his wing since I was 9 years of age.

Anson Wainwright – The ALA gym is well know through out the world what can you tell us from your first hand experience of it? What other fighters train there?

A.J Banal – ALA Gym is my home and for me is the greatest gym in the world. I started training there since I was 9 years old. A lot of world class boxers train there like World Champ Donnie Nietes, Milan Melindo, Boom Boom Bautista, Michael Domingo and Mark Melligen to name a few. It is where boxing greats Gerry Penalosa, Rodel Mayol, Malcolm Tuñacao and Edito Villamor also trained.

Anson Wainwright – Your last few fights have been at Bantamweight whereas the Perez fight will be at Catchweight 120. Are you looking to stay at Bantamweight or are you moving up to Super Bantamweight? Also who are you targeting for a title shot?

A.J Banal – I am staying at bantamweight and i feel comfortable here. I feel I still have a lot to learn and in the future maybe challenge Fernando Montiel or the WBA Champion.

Anson Wainwright – It feels like you’ve been around for years already and your not 22 till December. You’ve been a pro for just over five years now, how happy are you with how your career has gone so far? What would you like to achieve in the coming years?

A.J Banal – I am happy with my career and I feel I still have a lot coming for me. My ultimate goal like every boxers dream is to become a great World Champion.

Anson Wainwright – You lost when you faced Rafael Concepcion a couple of years ago, looking back do you think that fight was a little soon for you?

A.J Banal – I don’t think it was too soon. We had a game plan but I failed to execute. I have learned a lot after that fight.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years growing up in Bukidnon? Were things tough as they are for many boxers or did you have a good childhood?

A.J Banal – I was only born there but grew up in Cebu. It was tough growing up in downtown Cebu with the gangs and all around. Good thing I got into boxing that taught me a lot especially discipline.

Anson Wainwright – What are your thoughts on what Manny Pacquiao has achieved and what it means to your country?

A.J Banal – Manny Pacquiao brought a lot of pride and honor to our country and opened the gates of other Filipino boxers to fight abroad.

Anson Wainwright – When your not Boxing what do you like to do with your time? What are your Interests?

A.J Banal – I just love to relax and play games on my laptop and hang out with my friends during our free time.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans around the World & your people in The Philippines?

A.J Banal – I would like to thank God for everything and thank all the boxing fans who have supported me with their prayers. I can only hope they will continue that support not only to me but all other Filipino boxers around. Thank you to all once again.

Thanks for your time A.J, keep up the good work.

Thank you Sir.

Anson Wainwright

CLICK FOR FULL EVENT INFO
On Saturday, October 16, 2010, All Star Boxing, Inc and Promoter Tuto Zabala, Jr. will return to the city that has hosted many of the company’s boxing shows during the past 10 years that have filled the Kissimmee Civic Center on many occasions. WBO Jr. Featherweight Champion Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. of Bayamon, Puerto Rico will make the second defense of his title when he meets his toughest opponent so far in Ivan “Choko” Hernandez of Ensenada, Mexico in a bout schedule for 12 rounds with Vazquez WBO Jr. Featherweight Title at stake.

Tickets for Vazquez Jr. vs. Hernandez on October 16, priced at $202, $102, $52 and $27, are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Silver Spurs Arena box office and on-line at Ticketmaster.com.

Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. vs. Ivan “Choko” Hernandez will be broadcast live on-pay-per-view, distributed by Integrated Sports in the US and in Puerto Rico by Pay Per View Connection beginning at 9 PM ET/6PM PT at a suggested retail price of $34.95.

ANTONIO LOZADA (Hernandez Promoter): Good afternoon and thanks foe being here. This is a very important fight for us because when Wilfredo Vazquez Sr won his world title, the WBA Jr. Featherweight title, we had the champion Jorge Perez. We did the fight because Jorge had beaten Wilfredo Sr. in Los Angeles 3 years earlier in a 10-round decision. Vazquez came to train in Mexico City for that fight and he was a tiger. Now after all these years I come to fight his son who is a world champion and we bring the challenger Ivan Hernandez to the fight. He is in great shape and we will have a great fight.

IVAN “CHOKO” HERNANDEZ: Thanks for the opportunity and thanks for letting me do what I like. Thanks to Juan LaPorte and Wilfredo Vazquez and thanks to the people who have faith in me and who have trained me for this fight. I want to thank Tuto Zaballa and my trainer who has been with me my whole career. Thanks you to Wilfredo for the opportunity. I just want you to know that I respect you here, but in the ring, I don’t respect you, NADA. Thank you for letting me work because this is my job.

WILFREDO VAZQUEZ SR: I want to thank my brother (Tuto) for having made my son a world champion. I want to thank you also for having my other son on the card who is a junior flyweight. also have another son that will be world champion also. (Israel Vazquez is not in Kissimmee yet. He has a ‘real job’ in a church in Puerto Rico and will arrive tomorrow). What I want to tell Choko that we respect him here but not over there (in the ring). We are ready for Saturday night. Junior is in great condition. We are taking this fight very seriously and he is going to hit you hard. Remember what happened to Jorge Perez in Mexico City. No one was more prepared than me for that fight. If you come to fight you are going to get hurt. We are going to take the title, once again, back to Puerto Rico. I promise you that Saturday is going to be your last fight. You will never fight again.

WILFREDO VAZQUEZ JR: I came here to talk little today because I have already said what I need to say and I will do my talking in the ring. The only thing I want to say to Choko is that I want to thank you for bringing the confidence that you have with you to Kissimmee. Thank you for not giving me my merit. That has made me more motivated to get into the ring and the only thing I can tell you is that on Saturday night you are going to pay for it.

The following conversation takes place after the fighters are separated at the face-off following a shove from each.

IVAN “CHOKO” HERNANDEZ: I do respect you, until you get into the ring. There I have no respect for you. I always treat you with respect, until Saturday night. I want it to be October 16 now, so I can hit you.

WILFREDO VAZQUEZ JR: I want you to respect me. I am tired of all the (stuff) you are saying. I am a man and you need to respect a man. I am going to hit all of you…everywhere. And after you, I will take care of all the Mexicans that come in my way. I am tired of this. The Mexican fighters are not giving me the respect that I deserve. I am a World Champion for a reason.

WILFREDO VAZQUEZ JR (after calming down): I love fighting in Kissimmee. These are the people that believed in me right from the start. Now I am very motivated, more than before. Mexicans are good boxers and he is a good boxer and I won’t take anything away from him.

MCJOE ARROYO: I am real happy to be able to fight on this card where Wilfredo Vazquez will be making the first defense of his world title. I made my pro debut when Wilfredo fought for the title in Puerto Rico on February 27 and its very exciting to be dong it here again in Kissimmee.

ISRAEL “Filipino” ROJAS: I am here from Mexico and I am in great shape and I am ready to give a great fight.

TONY LaPORTE JR: I would like to thank Tuto Zabal for allowing me to have my pro debut here in Kissimmee, FL. I will bring the… …yes, I am very nervous. Anyway, I am just glad to be on this card with Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr.

NEW YORK (Oct. 13, 2010) – Boxing fans viewing Friday night’s TeleFutura broadcast of “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” sat in the judge’s seat and cast their text votes in naming Philadelphia native Danny “Swift” Garcia as the fighter with the most character. His defeat over Greek native Mike Arnaoutis, after a third round knockdown leading to a fourth round technical knockout, led him to a landslide win (70 percentae of votes) over Arnaoutis.

Launched by Tecate, cerveza con carácter, the “Cinturón Tecate”award gives viewers the chance to recognize the strength, courage, and determination of up-and-coming fighters featured on “Sólo Boxeo Tecate.” The boxer who receives the most text votes will be featured in a 2-minute vignette during the following week’s program, giving viewers an insider’s look at the lives of this individual. As part of the promotion, adult consumers who participate will receive free ring tones and screen savers for their cell phones.

In case you missed Friday’s thrilling “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” episode from The Arena in Philadelphia, PA, below is a summary of the night’s excitement.

Winner
Loser
Method
Round

Danny Garcia
Mike Arnaoutis
Technical Knockout
4

Bastie Samir
Joseph Dunn
Technical Knockout
2

Victor Vasquez
Bryne Green
Split Decision
6

Wanzell Ellison
Aaron Anderson
Unanimous Decision
4

Kareem Cooley
Eilud Torres
Unanimous Decision
4

Arash Usmanee
Anthony Flores
Unanimous Decision
8

This week, “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” hits the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California for another exhilarating episode featuring some of today’s most promising boxing talent. Fans at home will have an opportunity to vote and determine whether Frankie Gomez or Ramon Montano is the boxer with the most character! Tune in at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT (10:30 p.m. CT) on TeleFutura.

For more information on “Cinturón Tecate” results or to speak with a brand executive about the program please contact FORMULATIN at (212) 219-0321.

Tecate Boxing

Tecate, cerveza con carácter, is the largest beer brand to sponsor boxing matches in the U.S. Part of its commitment to make boxing accessible to consumers is the title sponsorship of “Solo Boxeo Tecate,” which creates an opportunity for local fans to witness some of the most exhilarating fights by today’s up-and-coming prospects. Additionally, Tecate has been a primary supporter of Golden Boy Promotions’ marquee events since 2007, and has launched a variety of initiatives to ensure consumers are part of the boxing experience, including boxer autograph signing sessions, commemorative cans, PPV mail-in rebate offers, and most recently the launch of a mobile museum “Tecate Museo de Boxeo”, which showcases decades of the most memorable moments in the sport.

About Heineken USA
Heineken USA Inc., the nation’s premier beer importer, is a subsidiary of Heineken International BV, which is the world’s most international brewer. European brands imported into the U.S. include Heineken Lager, the world’s most international beer brand; Heineken Light; Amstel Light, a leading imported light beer brand; Newcastle Brown Ale, the leading imported ale in the United States; and Buckler non-alcoholic brew. Heineken USA is also the exclusive USA importer for the Tecate, Tecate Light, Dos Equis, Sol, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from Mexico. For a safe ride home, download the Heineken USA-sponsored Taxi Magic™ application from your smartphone. Please visit https://ui.constantcontact.com/rnavmap/acalva/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/BWYWEZMV/www.EnjoyHeinekenResponsibly.com.

About Golden Boy Promotions

Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by Oscar de la Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. In 2007, in its fifth year of promoting, Golden Boy Promotions set a record by selling over 2.5 million in pay-per-view homes in a single night. Also in 2007, Golden Boy Promotions established the record for highest grossing pay-per-view homes in a single year with more than 4 million total. In 2009, the company broke records again by breaking the million mark in pay-per-view homes again with the return of Floyd Mayweather against Juan Manuel Marquez. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the United States and the world on networks such as HBO, HBO Latino, TeleFutura, SHOWTIME, ESPN2 and Fox Sports Net.

Golden Boy Promotions currently has over 60 fighters under contract, from future hall of famers Bernard Hopkins, Sugar Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez to current world champions and superstars Ricky Hatton, Amir Khan, David Haye, Marcos Maidana, Israel Vazquez and Chris John. Also included on the company’s roster are top contenders Juan Diaz, Robert Guerrero, Saul Alvarez, Victor Ortiz, Joel Casamayor, Daniel Ponce De Leon, Librado Andrade, Rocky Juarez and Abner Mares as well as highly regarded prospects Danny Garcia, Frankie Gomez, Erislandy Lara, Carlos Velasquez and Deontay Wilder.

Light welterweight prospect Mike Dallas Jr. scored three knockdowns en route to a second-round knockout of veteran Lenin Arroyo this past Thursday at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. Dallas (16-0-1, 6 KOs) of Bakersfield, California spoke to 15rounds.com about the victory and his next move as he continues to climb up the ladder. Dallas will next be fighting October 30th at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan.


Watch Mike Dallas Jr. Interview with 15rounds.com

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Former world champion Ivan “Choko” Hernandez (27), ranked #10 by the WBC and WBO, had an open workout today in Orlando in preparation for his WBO Jr. Featherweight title challenge this Saturday night against defending champion Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. (19-0-1-16 KO’s), of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, at the 10,500 seat Silver Spurs Arena of the Osceola Heritage Park in an event billed, “The Rising Son Returns,” promoted All Star Boxing.

Hernandez, who has fought world champions Mark Johnson, Fernando Montiel, Toshiaki Nishioka and Israel Vazquez, is coming off two 5th round knockout wins against Jaime Maldonado and Lisandro De Los Santos, to improve his record to 27-4-1 (17 KOs).

“The Rising Son Returns,” presented by All Star Boxing, is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN, for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

Tickets for Vazquez Jr. vs. Hernandez on October 16, priced at $202, $102, $52 and $27, are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Silver Spurs Arena box office and on-line at Ticketmaster.com.

For more information about the Vazquez-Hernandez PPV event go to www.integratedsportsnet.com. Follow Integrated Sports Media on Twitter @IntegratedPPV.

Integrated Sports Media: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Erik Morales, Vitali Klitschko, Ricky Hatton, Cristian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Tomasz Adamek, Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Khan, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr. and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports Media distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Real Madrid, Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.

2008 U.S. Olympian Shawn Estrada scored an unfulfilling technical stoppage over hapless Nathan Bedwell at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California this past Thursday night. Estrada (9-0, 9 KOs) of East Los Angeles, California talked to 15rounds.com about the abrupt ending to the fight and his upcoming ESPN2-televised match-up.


Watch Shawn Estrada Interview with 15rounds.com

At age 41, Antonio Tarver is two days away from dipping his toes into heavyweight waters.

After suffering back to back losses to Chad Dawson, Tarver spent about a year and a half away from the ring. He will make his return inside the ropes as a heavyweight when he takes on 24-year old Dominican, Nagy Aguilera, Friday on Showtime.

Tarver, who in an October 5 conference call insisted that his walking around weight was 225 lbs., is foregoing fighting as a cruiserweight and making the jump from light heavyweight to heavyweight.

A few thoughts come to mind with regards to Tarver’s decision:

It must be REALLY hard to step away. REALLY REALLY hard.

We see it all the time in every sport and boxing is no exception. Sometimes athletes don’t know when to “hang it up.” Or they do know, but refuse to leave the game (Hello, Brett Favre and your 1-3 Vikings. Hello, Roy Jones, Jr.).

For what it’s worth, Tarver is neither Favre nor RJJ. In fact, with only 33 professional fights under his belt, Tarver’s body is less spent than either of the aforementioned aged legends.

But Tarver was seemingly content with life after boxing, doing a more than capable job as an analyst on Showtime. His rich analysis and insight offer viewers a refreshing take on the bouts; plus the “Magic Man’s” personality meshes well with the likes of Steve Farhood, Al Bernstein, and Curt Menefee.

If he never set foot in the ring again, Tarver would be remembered as an outstanding amateur boxer, an Olympic bronze medalist and the first man to knockout Roy Jones, Jr. (and beat him twice), as well as for his role as Mason “The Line” Dixon in the movie “Rocky Balboa,” among other things.

Now, Tarver, who won’t have to worry about losing weight, will add another chapter to his career when he throws his hat into the ring of heavyweight contenders. From the long list of athletes that came before him, it is definitely not easy to give it up.

Tarver feels his name alone will get him a title shot in the near future.

And that might be accurate. In a diminished, European-owned heavyweight division, perhaps Tarver would do a more admirable job than Chris Arreola or Eddie Chambers as the elite American heavyweight.

“I just need about two or three fights to show I’m a real threat,” Tarver said on the conference call. “You just look at the name. If it’s Tarver-Klitschko, Tarver-Haye, that’s a big name, that’s big business.”

But no matter the reasons for his foray into the heavyweight division — be it because he is opportunistic or he simply got the itch to fight again — Tarver’s experiment at the very least is something to keep an eye on.

The best result that Tarver can hope for is a carbon-copy of Tomasz Adamek’s career as a heavyweight. Like Tarver, Adamek also left the light heavyweight division after losing to Dawson. Difference is, however, Adamek made a two year pit stop cleaning out the cruiserweight division before he decided to step up and bang with the big boys.

Further, while Adamek’s transition to the heavyweight division has been a well-calculated, elongated process ultimately aimed at getting him a shot at a Klistchko brother or David Haye, it is unlikely Tarver will enjoy that same luxury.

Without father time in the 41 year-old Tarver’s corner, the “Magic Man” must rely on his name and hope it puts him on the fast track to a title shot.

Kyle Kinder can be reached at Twitter.com/KyleKinder

Promoters acted quickly after last week’s pullout of Andre Dirrell for his world title shot against WBA Super Middleweight champion Andre Ward as espn.com Dan Rafael is reporting that former world title challenger Sakio Bika will now step in for that November 27th opportunity.

“We’re working on that. Bika is definitely interested in doing the fight,” Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, Bika’s co-promoter, told ESPN.com on Tuesday. “It’s not done, but it’s being worked on.”

What has not been decided is whether Ward’s bout will be part of the tournament. He is the only fighter in the field to have already secured a semifinal berth heading into the Group Stage 3 bouts, the last of the round robin portion of the tournament. The tournament contract allows for fighters to fight outside of the tournament with Showtime’s approval.

“We’re working on that too,” Schaefer said.

NEW YORK (Oct. 12, 2010) – Top contender and former EliteXC champion Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva has recently been calling out the biggest names in a STRIKEFORCE heavyweight division which arguably is, top to bottom, the most talented and deepest in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Silva won’t yet get the fighters he’s most often mentioned – most notably, STRIKEFORCE champion Alistair Overeem or Fedor Emelianenko. But Silva gets perhaps the next best thing when he faces Alistair’s older brother, Valentijn “The Python’’ Overeem, in one of the principal bouts Saturday, Dec. 4, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

The important heavyweight matchup rounds out the televised portion of a stacked, overloaded fight card that features MMA superstar Dan Henderson (25-8) of Temecula, Calif., against former STRIKEFORCE light heavyweight world champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral (36-8) of Brazil in a collision of world-class 205-pounders in the main event.

In other fights on SHOWTIME, 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), 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 and football legend and unbeaten MMA fighter, the remarkable Herschel Walker (1-0), will be opposed by an opponent to be determined

The 6-foot-4, 31-year-old Silva (14-2), of Coconut Creek, Fla., by way of Brazil, is one of the most talked-about and feared fighters in MMA. His freakish size is matched with brute strength, startling speed, incredible agility and quickness and brutal ground and pound skills. Factor in that he is also surprisingly nimble-footed and effectively combines Shotokan Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and you seemingly have all of the ingredients of a future superstar.

Silva has won seven of his last eight starts, including a decisive, lopsided decision over former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski in his most recent outing last May 15. Silva’s lone loss since December 2006 came when he was narrowly outpointed by fellow Brazilian, and Fedor conqueror, Fabricio Werdum, on Nov.7, 2009. After an early onslaught that included decking Werdum and having him in serious trouble, Werdum rallied to eke out a decision by the scores of 29-28 three times.

“I want to fight and I’ll fight whoever they put in front of me,’’ Silva said. “My goal is to be the best and fight for a world title.’’

Overeem (28-23), of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, is a fierce, dangerous striker who has won his last two fights in a combined time of 47 seconds. The 6-foot-3, 34-year-old Dutch Destroyer scored a 40-second KO (knee) over Catalin Zmarandescu last May 21. In his outing before last, the previous April 17, a head kick finished off Tengiz Tedoradze seven seconds after the opening bell.

Overeem has several notable victories, including a 0:56, first-round submission over all-time great Randy “The Natural” Couture and a 2:19, first-round submission over Sobral. Overeem has only gone the distance twice in a 53-fight career.

A member of Team Golden Glory like his brother, Overeem is a four-time winner in PRIDE Fighting Championship competition. He’ll be making his debut for STRIKEFORCE after signing with the San Jose, Calif.-based promotion in June.

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

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.

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 Light Heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud will defend his belt against an opponent to be named while undefeated Heavyweight Odlanier Solis will take on Ray Austin in a WBC Elimination fight on December 17th at The American Airlines Arena in Miami.

Cloud’s trainer Al Bonani mentioned to espn.com that two fighters are being being talked to by promoter Don King for the coveted world title opportunity.

“Don is negotiating the price with both fighters so by Monday, maybe Friday, we should have somebody,” Bonani said.

“He just wants to fight in his home state and stay busy,” Bonani said of Cloud, who is from Tallahassee. “He wants to fight regularly. We’d like to have this fight and keep busy. He’s in the gym. We want to keep him sharp and also take this fight to have some Christmas money.”

“We’re interested, but it’s not on the top of the list,” Bonani said. “We have possible unification fights and fights overseas. But Dawson is an interesting match. We’re interested, but we’ve also been offered [former titlist] Adrian Diaconu in Canada on a [Lucian] Bute card. We’ve talked about Bute. A unification with [Beibut Shumenov] would be huge money in Kazakhstan and that’s been discussed. But I am glad HBO is considering putting Tavoris back on. The kid is ready to fight the best.”

Undefeated Welterweight Mike Jones talks about his November 13th fight with Jesus Soto Karass on the Manny Pacquiao – Antonio Margarito Undercard

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Undefeated Jr. Welterweight Danny Garcia talks about his 4th round destruction over Mike Arnaoutis

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Danny Garcia and Mike Arnaoutis weigh in for their Jr. Welterweight showdown in Philadelphia

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Teon Kennedy and the family of the late Francisco Rodriguez accept the 2009 Briscoe Award for the Philadelphia Fight of the Year that had a memorable yet tragic ending

Watch Kennedy – Rodriguez honored for 2009 Philly Fight of The Year in Sports  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Super bantamweight contender Rogers Mtagwa receives the 2009 Briscoe Award for winning the 2009 Philadelphia Fighter of the year

Watch Rogers Mtagwa wins the 2009 Philadelphia Fighter of The Year in Sports  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com